A little procrastination, a little half done

I would have used half-ass in the title, but then realized my Mom tends to read this and thought it best to stay away from using the word there - so I used in the body of the blog instead.  You're welcome.

It's safe to say that I now find myself as a procrastinator.  Officially.  There are times I've been way ahead of schedule - like packing for a trip - I used to pack at least a week ahead - now it's a frantic run through the house grabbing everything that Ryder could possibly need for a 20 minute drive.  Diapers. Wipes. Extra clothes. PJ's. Sophie the Giraffe. A ball.  Two winter hats. Two blankets.  A full dispenser of formula. Three bottles, just in case he needs to eat. And the list goes on.

I can accept this procrastination title, however it also comes with things not truly being complete.  Our laundry? Well, I get a few loads washed, maybe a couple having to be rewashed over a two week period.  That extra room? Well, it's a holding place for said laundry to sit unfolded until I get to it. The basket of laundry that is now full again after taking two weeks to finish? Yep, the cycle begins again.  It may be a slight miracle that any of my family is fully dressed and not wearing the chones that have been pushed to the back of the drawer only to be used in times of urgency.

The same has been true for our Christmas decorating.  We managed to get almost everything finished for the house decor.  We may have gone to Hobby Lobby and Target a few times to gather stuff - but for the most part it is complete.  Until you look at our stairs.  There may be have done garland with a ribbon just slightly around one side of the staircase.

I put this up the day after Thanksgiving and have yet to touch it. Half-ass procrastination at its finest.

Hopefully I will get it all complete by the time we take it down in January.  It's a long-shot, but at least I have set my goals.

Your Birthday Story, Part Two and a Little Overdue

Dear R,

Where were we? Oh yes - we were at the hospital drifting off into an Ambien sleep.  Well, you and I were- your poor Dad was stuck on a "pull out bed" and had to listen to some of my monitors and machines beep throughout the night.  Don't worry, he was just fine.

We woke up that next morning, June 22, excited that today would be the day we would meet you.  Our nurse came into the room so I could get up for the last time, shower and get ready for the day.  Little did I know that it would be a long day.  I was secretly hoping that you would make your appearance before noon and be one time - but let's face it, you are like your mom.  Generally late and not conscience of the time.

Our new nurse, well our second new nurse - turns out the first one was sick, but luckily we got to hang out with Agnes for the day.  She was a rock star and told me that I was her pretty patient.  I loved her.

Anyway, we got ready for the day.  I already knew that I wasn't planning on going Au-natural on this birth and asked for an epidural.  We called your grandparents and Auntie Court and told them they could make their way up to the hospital. Nothing was happening yet, but I'm pretty sure your Nana didn't sleep at all and probably would have slept in the car at the hospital if Grampa would have let her.

 Side note - I started this post in September....it is now almost Thanksgiving and I'm finally finishing it.  Busy? Overwhelmed? Forgetful? All good excuses, but the best excuse is spending more time on the floor with the monkey rather than behind a computer screen. But I digress and procrastinate...onward with the story.

The day progressed, you however, did not.  After being turned and flipped and checked and turned some more, what little progression I had made was not enough.  Also fun that day? The fact that you were basically in your own water park inside me.  I'll leave it at that.

So your Dad and I had to make a decision...keep waiting for you or decide to meet you in the OR.  At that point the back labor had begun, and while I thought I could tough through it, well, it sucked.  You're not ever going to be allowed to use that word, but it's true, it sucked.  Talking with my doctor and your Dad, the decision had been made - C-section baby you would be.

Were there tears? Yes.  Let's just say it wasn't the first choice, however I now think your perfect little big ol' round head is perfect from being a c-section babe.  You are welcome.

With the decision made to go another route for delivery, there wasn't much time to think.  We were going to meet you within the hour and I had to get prepped.  Dad called your Pappa Bob and Nonni to come up to the hospital, your Grandpa and Grandma Sims came into to wish us luck, your Nana and Grampa Faddis and Auntie Court came to give me one last squeeze - and yes, Nana had tears.  I got to take this really gross shot and wear a hat and they wheeled me away.

I will say, it felt like the longest ride ever down to the OR.  I started to get nervous, but the excitement was building.  Finally - we were going to see what you looked like and how big you really were.  Would you look like your Dad? Were your feet really that big? Did you have any hair?

As I sat in the OR, making jokes with the anesthesiologist, mainly because all of my lady parts were out for the world to see, I started thinking about how much I was going to miss you and me being you and me.  It was time to share you though - and let's be honest, I was ready to see my feet and not go pee every three minutes.  I waited for you Dad, heard the nurses do the count for the tools needed during surgery and said a little prayer for you.

Dad came in and was dressed like a surgeon - but without the cool scrubs.  I could tell he was excited, nervous, and ready to meet you.  My doctor came in and asked if I was ready to meet you finally and with a resounding YES, she began.

At 5:45 pm on Saturday, June 22, you entered the world with a scream.

I cried.  Your Dad cried.  You cried.

And then they said you had red hair.

Laughter and shock ensued.

You were weighed and measured and bundled up for me to finally see your face.  You are perfect.  You got snuggles from Dad and we took our first family photo. While I was finishing with the doctor, you were wrapped tightly and stared at by Dad.  I think he was in love.

You had your first cell phone picture taken and sent to all the eager family waiting - and boy were they waiting.  Patience all of those grandparents have for you - and love like you wouldn't believe it.  Thankfully, your Auntie Court captured it all and I'm so glad.

We were wheeled back to our room and I got to snuggle you all to myself. I couldn't believe you were mine - all 8 lbs 6 oz of you - all mine to love.

After spending some time alone, you had anxious grandparents to meet you.   Our last nurse was amazing and let everyone in the room.  Although I'm pretty sure they would have all knocked down the doors to meet you.

Ryder baby, welcome to the world.  We love you so.

Hello? Hello? Is this thing on?

You know how parents tell non-parents things like:

• Your entire life changes once you have a baby.
• Do everything you want before having kids!
• Sleep now - you won't later!
• All you'll talk about is poop.  All poop. All the time.
• Kids are great, until they puke on you.

Okay - well maybe not the last one - even when Ryder puked on me, I thought it was still great.  Stinky and gross? Yes, but still cute.

Well those parents weren't really lying.  And to the parents, especially moms, who have it all together, work out, have all meals planned and prepped, have the baby in the cutest outfits, and blog every day? How do you do it?!?!

Granted, I was a hermit the first two months of R's life.  I'm pretty sure both of us were only dressed when Tony forced us to leave the house....or when people came over.  For some reason, I didn't think it was appropriate for him to just be in his chones when company came over.

Now fast forward a few months - we are getting it down.  Easier to take him out of the house? Check. Working out again? Check-ish.  Blogging? Well, getting there, or trying to. Dinner on the table every night? Check-ish again.

I'll be honest - while breastfeeding got easier as the time when on, it still never came all naturally to me like you see other women do it.  Pumping? A pain, a chore, and really annoying at work.

I'm pretty sure for the two weeks I did it while returning to work, I split milk all over myself.  And there is nothing more professional than walking around smelling like breast milk.   Plus I still had all of my crazy out for the world to notice. 

While we are getting into a routine, slightly, life is getting a little more normal.  Is our life the same as it was pre-baby? Heck no.  I mean, we were leaving in the ghetto, sleeping in, and our dog was getting more attention daily than he does in a week.  Not really - Tyson still gets a lot of attention. He's needy.

We did think about all of the neat stuff we did before baby - we traveled, we had dinners with friends, we slept, we saw movies in theaters, etc.  Now are our Friday and Saturday nights way different? Yes - while our old selves would be out to dinner, out to a movie, or shocker - out at a bar, these days we are happy if we stay up past 9:30.  Although the grandma in me still would have rather been in bed than at a bar.  Just saying.

Our time with the babe grows more fun every day.  In fact, I had more fun watching the monitor as he slept last night than watching TV.  Yes - indeed.

So while our lives have truly changed, I wouldn't change a thing.  More sleep? Well maybe a little - I can't complain too much, since our little booger is sleeping through the night....for now.  I'll continue to work on "having it all together," but in the meantime, I'll enjoy rolling on the floor with my babe, spending time talking to my husband, and plan to spend a little extra time to write a blog post or two.

Of course, we could always talk about poop a little less. 

It's not always a Huggies commercial

There are things that people don't tell you when you're about to have a baby. Moments that make you realize those cute and precious baby commercials are lying to you.  Of course your closest friends will tell you all the gory details about childbirth, but even they might hold back on how truly hard it can be after baby.  I get why, if someone told you everything after having a baby, some people wouldn't have babies until they were 47 and having a midlife crisis.

Alright, well maybe not that late in life. But there might be a few who decide to wait a little longer to join the baby train.  And don't get me wrong - I have loved every minute since Ryder has arrived.  Granted, there are minutes I have loved a little less, but those moments pass and the great ones make up for the pull your hair out moments. 

I was thinking of the things that friends don't tell you, like crying at the drop of a hat will be a new normal.  Especially at things that involve babies, families and anything that makes you hold your babe a little tighter. They may not tell you that you will feel like the cow at Deanna Rose...that some days when you want to quit breastfeeding and you feel like you are nothing but milking cow.  But perhaps they tell you after, like when you're about to cry (okay or do cry) in public at a restaurant because your boobs look like you've just gone to visit the best plastic surgeon in LA and you don't know if your babe is truly getting enough to eat.  Luckily, they all give you the empathetic look - because they've been there too and don't mind that you cry in public.  Instead they offer you a drink, give advice on how they handled the situation and tell you it does get better.  And it does get better.

Of course it's not always your friends who don't tell you everything.  Those little diaper commercials, you know, the ones that have the cuddling and the sweet baby smiles?  Well they may show that their diapers hold up to tough leaky messes, but they don't show you the poop that also came out of those diapers or the third outfit change of the day because spit up stinks, poop gets everywhere and sometimes you will get peed on.  Somehow I have a feeling those advertising agencies leave those "precious moments" out of the proposal.

But then there are the moments that no one tells you about, the ones that you want to remember when the crying begins or when the poop starts to fly.  The moments where you are okay with waking up at 1:15 in the morning to go and feed your baby.  The moment when you are okay with feeling like a milking cow because only you can feed your baby.  Yes, you may be cursing at your husband who offers to help - in which I did reply, "what are you going to do, hold my boob?"  (sorry mom). But at least he offered. However you are okay with it being the middle of the night because those late night moments won't last forever; you won't always be able to hold him and stare at his perfect profile that can be seen from the hallway light.

Those are the moments you may feel like the diaper commercials are real.  

Then your baby stretches, farts and you realize there are real life moments funnier than the commercials and you'd rather have those. Because baby farts are funny....and one day you won't be able to laugh at his gas. At least not in front of his face.

Your Birthday Story, Part One

Dear Ryder,

It may be two months behind, but let's be honest, it took me awhile to start feeling normal.  For the first month, yes, the first month of your life, I was a bit of a hermit.  And while I was fine with us being at home, I know your dad was anxious to get out.  He knows best and you and I have been taking adventures ever since.

For a while I had been great about blogging.  Well, I had been okay about blogging. I'm pretty sure the blog world thinks I'm still 20 weeks along with you and they just found out you were a boy. Surprise to them, you're in the world and already two months old!  But I knew I wanted to write to you about your big day, your birthday, so that in years to come, I could remember the details and tell you about the day you changed our lives forever.

So here we go.  Can you already tell your mom is long winded? I don't think you mind, you enjoy talking to me most days and sometimes those are just one sided conversations.

Back to you though.  I went it to see my doctor for a regular check-up at my 35 week appointment. At this time she couldn't tell if you were breach or not - something you shouldn't be - so we scheduled for a sonogram that next week. I was excited just so I could see your cute little face again.  At 36 weeks, we went in and received great news that you were in fact, head down! Hooray...but wait...you were big. No surprise there, your mom was a big baby, and not in the crying baby way.  I'd like to prefer healthy, but big pretty much described me.

Our last week together...I'd say you were ready.

After that sonogram Dr. Wittek wanted to make sure you were safe to come into the world, which is why we talked about having a c-section right away.  For me, I wanted to make sure that you were healthy and safe...and selfishly, that I could still keep myself intact.  You will know what that means when your wife has a babe.  So we scheduled the day to meet you - or rather to see if we could get you to come into the world.

Your dad and I enjoyed a couple last days as just us two. We made sure our bags were packed, that we had your car seat ready to go and that your big brother Tyson was safe with Nana and Grampa. On Friday, June 21, we dropped Tyson off at your grandparents, gave them a big kiss and hug, told your cousins that they would get to meet you soon and we went to enjoy an Italian dinner.  For my little Italian babe, it was fitting.

Unfortunately, the hospital called and lots of babies were being delivered that night and we had to hold off on going in.  To tell you the truth, I think it was okay that we had a little bit longer to wait. Part of me was so excited to meet you and the other part of me didn't want to give up the you and me part of pregnancy.  For 39 weeks, I was able to keep you safe, fed, and comfortable, and now, well I had to share you. But the love that was waiting for you didn't make me nervous.  You had a dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends waiting for you to arrive.

So when we go the okay to head into the hospital that night around 9:30 pm, I was once again ready to meet you, I was ready to give up our little bond and share you with the world.

Into Shawnee Mission Hospital we went.  I got to wear a snazzy bracelet, a pretty gown and a fabulous sleeping pill that helped me nod off to sleep and relax my nerves.  After not sleeping through the night the past few months, I was a little excited.  My bladder also thanked me - and I thanked you for moving off of my bladder.

Your dad? Well, he didn't get much sleep and had to listen to beeping throughout the night.  Don't worry though - his excitement got him through the next day.

Off to sleep around midnight we went, hoping to meet you bright and early the next day.  Instead, you took your time.  I know this letter is getting long, so I'll keep the second half of your birthday for another post.  Hopefully during your next nap.  Now, well, you're about to wake up and we have to go visit your doctor.  I apologize now for the shots you're about to receive.  We may be cuddling for the afternoon.

Love, Mom

38 Weeks and Feeling the Pressure

Surprise - this baby is almost here.  I've missed a few bump updates, moves have gone unblogged, I've had my fair share of breakdowns, tears, laughter, and literally, "oh shit" moments. (Sorry mom). Instead of writing about them, I make lists of things I have to get done for work, lists for what I need to get for our new house, things I need to get for the baby, lists of things I need to get done before the baby arrives, and lists of just stuff. 

If I could write all things in list form I think I would be very happy.  Instead I push it off and rather than tackle the lists, especially the important ones from work, I write an update for the blog.  Or I find someone to talk to at work - all while carrying the lists around.

And what happens when I use these distractions? I wake up at 3:30 am pondering what the heck am I going to do if my water breaks or I start having contractions in the middle of the night.  Which is basically what happened last night. And of course I did it in list form in my head.

My lists basically look like this, especially after I move from topic to topic:

• Pack a bag for Tyson
• Is Tony's bag packed? (Yes, Tyson did come first)
• Where did I save that power point for the event this weekend?
• Am I able to turn on my computer to send out a few notes about where things are saved
• I wonder if I am able to fit in a pedicure if my water breaks before I get to the hospital
• I need to pack my computer cord
• How am I going to turn my out of office on my email from somewhere
• Can my sister finagle her way into an earlier flight if she needs to? 
• I need to grab the babe's going home outfit
• I should make a list of things needed from our last stop at Babies R Us.

As you can see - I'm all over the place.  And generally I start to wonder if I should flip from side to side and wonder why this little boy is deciding at 4:35 am to start practicing his tap/jazz routine in my belly.  Dude - you are a large baby and we are running out of room. Also - I think it would be really odd if I used an entire roll of toilet paper in one night.

I'm 38 weeks today and if this boy decided to arrive, it would be the best thing.  Would I love for him to hold on until next week like when we are scheduled to be induced? Yes.  But as my sister so lovingly puts it, women in Africa are able to drop their babies in a field and keep on going. While this is noted, I should also remind her that I'm a little more high maintenance and would like to make sure that his room is set up, I have a pedicure and manicure and that I have my make up at least in my bag.

I'm sure there are even women in Africa who would like to look good when people come and meet the baby, right?

A little bit of craziness

I think crazy would describe our year so far.

Get pregnant....check
Sell a house....check
Buy a house...check
Live with my parents for a month or so....check
Move in over Mother's Day....check
Have first minor water leak in new house...check
Have carpets cleaned on new house....check
Have furniture delivered....check
Have security system installed....check
Have house cleaners clean top to bottom...check
Have AT&T come for cable....check
Make sure the lawn is cared for....check

Oh did I mention the last five items happen in one day? Fabulous timing. Really I think if you had asked us to do one more thing in our final day off to get everything done for the house, we would have said yes.  Why not? I mean its totally comfortable to be 8 months pregnant and try to move, organize, and not lose my mind.

And of course the questions that go back and forth between Tony and I add to the entertainment:
"Where are the remotes to the TV?"
"Um, in the box with all of the other remotes and TV stuff?
"Nope...not in there."
"Well then I have no idea."

"Where does this go?"
"Basement storage"
"How about this box?"
"Let's go with the kitchen."
"And this one labeled fragile?"
"You should probably stop carrying that one then."

So we are in the house and although it will be a little hectic for a while, at least we are in and not taking up space at my parents.  Who I believe are now enjoying their own house again sans three and half roommates.

Now on to things that need to be accomplished next.  Like getting the babies room painted, furnished, and ready for his arrival.  Even if he doesn't sleep in there for a couple of months.

Wish us luck....and wish Tony's wallet luck, this mama may be doing some spending soon.

Who has time and a donut?

I must confess that I've been really bad about updating the blog, especially with bump updates as noted repeatedly by my sister.  So while I'm behind on bump-dates, I have been taking plenty of pictures of this growing belly.  And it certainly is growing, as noted by the looks that I get lately along with the "Look at that belly!" comments.  Of course, I can also notice it growing when I have a small nephew below me and all I see are little hands rubbing my belly.  The small hands might have been headless, but at least I realized he was there before walking forward.

But I digress.  Work has been nuts - and when I say nuts, I mean I haven't left before 5:45 in the past two weeks with the exception of doctors appointments and daycare tours.  And since our "vacation home" is out in Lawrence, well by the time I get home, I have time to eat, listen to my mom tell me to put my feet up, and get the dogs to quit running before I hit the sack and have my day start all over again.  So, there has not been a time to blog.  Well there probably has been, but I'm generally too zoned out to make sense.  Not that I make sense on this here blog anyway, but let's just say it would be a lot more confusing to read if I wrote at 7:30 rather then on lunch break.

I'm impressed with all the blogs that I read, well need to read, because they are able to post daily.  Who has time for that? Between work, driving, potty breaks, eating, and the amount of time it occasionally takes me to get either up the stairs at work or up from my chair, I barely have time to wash my hair!  Okay, so not true about the hair - I just like to see how long I can really go before having to wash it again.  So if you see me at the end of the week with it in a bun, pony, or heavily teased, take note that it probably hasn't been washing in a few like a week. Hey - my stylist said it was totally normal to do that - I'm sure she would like it if I came in more than twice a year for a haircut - but few washings was fine!

So until I find more than 10 minutes to update you all on what is happening with my body, I mean, with this babe, then I will be trying to remember to get up and move so I won't have to use a donut for my sore tailbone.   But if I do have to get one, you might actually all get a blog post that is not only written, but also one that makes sense....somewhat.

Until then, I will leave you with a bump picture....but be warned, this boy is bumpin'.

Saying Goodbye

A couple of weeks ago we said good bye to our first home...well if you talk to Tony, his first house. Granted, it took three nights, eight people, a pod, and a storage unit, but we are all out of our little house.

So when did it all fall into place?  About a month and a half ago when we got an offer - right before we left for big weekend trip to Chicago. We were excited and nervous about it - wanting it to really happen and not thinking it actually would come through.  But it happened, we had a great inspection and a final date to move out of our very first home.

The final date? Well it also meant we had only a small window of time to find our next new home.  The problem? We have work schedules that were nutty and all of the houses we even liked online were sold with in a matter of days. Stressful? Yes. Exciting? Yes.  Which feeling out weighed the other? Stress...hands down.

Luckily, we were able to look a couple one Thursday before the crowd of house hunters went out on the weekend.  An offer was made...rather quickly...and what seemed like forever, we got the acceptance notice the next night.  I think we were both in shock that we put in an offer and it was accepted.

Everything seemed to be falling into place, with the minor exception of having no where to live for a month.  It's a good thing my parents were kind enough to open their doors to their new house.  Not only for us, but for our slobbery, 70 lb bundle of fur.  While our roommate experience can be a whole other post, I will say it's been great - at least for us, I don't know what I can say for my parents.

So we began packing up our little house.  Our little house full of a lot of crap...I mean out stuff.  I honestly couldn't remember how much stuff we actually had, until it all started to gather in our spare bedroom. Yikes.  That sucker filled up quickly.

However, packing went slower than expected.  For some reason packing, walking up and down stairs, and trying to put stuff in boxes is a little harder when there is a baby in your stomach.

Preggers has to put up her feet while packing

I now know why they say moving is stressful.  Adding moving, traveling work schedules and pregnancy hormones, and you get conversations like this:

"Babe, what do we need to do?"
"Um, see all the stuff? It needs to be packed."
"Well, what needs to be done?"
"Seriously? You are seriously asking me that?"

Okay - so they didn't always go exactly like that - but my dear husband realized that pregnancy hormones are no joking matter and on occasion I let him know that his, ahem, "jokes," were not hitting my funny bone.

We met our deadline though.  Everything was packed and ready to be moved out bright and early on a Saturday morning.  A quick donut and coffee run and we were ready for our movers - our family.

Waiting for our "movers" to arrive

With every box they moved out, it felt a little odd.  Granted when I moved it, I was moving into a blank slate - an Asian inspired one, yes.  But seeing our stuff being packed away and all of decorations pulled down, it was nice to remember everything that happened while we had that house.

I met Tony's family in that house.  We brought home Tyson to that house.  We got engaged in that house.  We had memorable Ugly Christmas Sweater parties in that house.  We came home from our honeymoon in that house.  And we found out that we were pregnant in that house.

So many memories in those four walls.  Memories that won't always be captured in pictures or on the blog, but memories that will stay with us as we close that chapter in our lives and move on to the next. While it may have been a little easier for me to say goodbye to that house on 10th Street, I know Tony will miss it.  As his first bachelor pad, he made sure that we were safe in our first home and that there was always a roof over our heads.

We were lucky to have great neighbors - although a few might have been questionable,  at least they were entertainment. As we move forward, we are excited to get into our new house, decorate, and of course bring home our little meatball to our new family home.

Goodbye to our first home - thank you for giving us memories, even the bad ones.  And I'm sure that we'll drive by and check on your updates later.  Although Tony might have already crept past to see if your new owners have moved in.

Goodbye House! We'll always remember you!

Things Are A Changing

To say that we've had a lot of changes in the past few weeks would be an understatement. In the past few weeks, well since March perhaps, the following has happened:

• Took a birthday/babymoon to Chicago
• Sold our house
• Found a new house
• Have been traveling for work like crazy
• Packed our house....which made me think we had way too much crap
• Looked at houses
• Packed some more
• Bought a house - FINALLY!
• Had house inspections
• Traveled for work some more
• Packed the rest of the house
• Moved out of the house
• Moved in with my parents for the next month

Oh and sometime in between we registered for the baby who is coming in June.  No big deal, just a few things happening.  And if you think I had some meltdowns in between the travel, packing, registering, and moving, well you would be right.

At one point I do believe I told Tony that the teasing he was doing was not welcome with the amount of stuff I, rather we, had to get done.

Luckily we have some amazing family members - they may put up a fight, ahem, my brothers, but luckily they can tease me and make fun of Tony all while hauling bed frames and loads of boxes. As well as father-in-laws who move well, despite breaking some mirrors.  Good thing that the mirror was a $7 Walmart special from high school.  But at least I know that the rest of the ridiculous amount of glass from Tony's bachelor furniture is safe and sound thanks to my mom and mother-in-law.  If you need help wrapping and taping glass, these are your ladies.

Moving will have to be another post, but let's just say it was entertaining.  Our family was able to see our neighborhood in full bloom.

So while it's been a little nuts, it's going to be an exciting few next weeks. It may involve some travel, some parties, and of course I'll be growing a baby in he meantime. Thankfully we have great roommates who take not only us in, but our full size dog, who doesn't always know personal space. If you need us, we'll be hanging out in Lenexa living out of boxes and suitcases, but with a roof over our heads and roommates that help provide dinner.

How far along: 22 weeks

Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to thebump.com): Papaya! To which I say ai yi yi!

Total weight gain: I think I'm still about the same - around 10, but there are some days where I think it could be way more! 

Sleep: So much better than it was last week! However, I did wake up with cough...which even Tyson looked at me like I was rude for waking him up.  This cough is persistent too.

Movement: Oh yeah - he is rocking and rolling in there! It makes me excited to see him move even more.

Unglamorous body changes: My stomach is fuzzy. It's true - I literally have stomach hair that stands up. It's kind of creepy.

Maternity clothes: Yes- half and half.  My pants, absolutely, but there are some shirts that I still pretend that I can fit in to.  I have a feeling that's not going to last very long.

Showing: Oh yeah - he's out and ready to show himself off.

Food cravings: I didn't have anything too weird. I think my craving for chocolate milk is slowly going away.  Although I will not say no to one of my Dad's chocolate malts.

What I miss: This week I finally missed sushi.  It seemed like everyone was talking about it or going out for it or it was on TV.  I can't wait for sushi.

Anything making you queasy: Nope - we are good to go on this front. 

Strange experiences: I wouldn't say strange, but funny. I have a funny co-worker who says "Hello baby!!!" every time she sees me.  It makes me laugh and I have a feeling he will recognize her voice when he visits the office.

Milestones: He's developed eyes and lips and they say he looks more like a newborn. Hooray for looking like a newborn! 

Best moment this week: Hearing Tony tell his coworkers about having a boy.  I know he's excited and it makes me smile when he's on the phone bragging about his boy.

Looking forward to: Spring! It may seem silly but with all of this snow and cold weather and well, the sickness, I'm ready for spring - which means getting closer to meeting the big man.

Baby Bumpin: 21 Weeks

How far along: 21 weeks

Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to thebump.com): Pomegranate. I think I should get some juice for this occasion. 

Total weight gain: About 10ish pounds - but after this week, maybe a little less.

Sleep: Was okay - the stomach bug hit, so sleep was on and off.

Movement: YES! While I was in my sick bed, I felt him moving and grooving. And Tony got to feel him too.  Such a cool experience!

Unglamorous body changes: Didn't really have time to notice this week.

Maternity clothes: Yes - but this week was all about the pj's. Those still fit.

Showing: Yep! He is hanging out with me in my belly.

Food cravings: I didn't want much while I had the stomach flu.  But Popsicles were my best friend.  Those suckers are tasty.

What I miss: This week, eating normal food. Yes - it was that bad, that I would have loved to just eat saltines.

Anything making you queasy: Bad week to ask this question. Everything made me queasy, but on account of the stomach flu, not so much the pregnancy. 

Strange experiences: Spending too much time in the bathroom. Not fun and probably TMI.  Sorry mom.

Milestones: The babe is producing meconium so his diapers will be nice and tar-y when he arrives. 

Best moment this week: Feeling him move and kick me. That was the neatest feeling and I can't wait to keep feeling him move around and let me know he's active. 

Looking forward to: Registering for all the fun baby stuff. I'm excited to push around that stroller while he is in it - and going shopping for all the studly baby boy clothes.  Oh and these may be on the way to our house:

Baby Bumpin: 20 Weeks

How far along: 20 weeks

Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to thebump.com): Banana. I knew this day was coming.  Ugh.

Total weight gain: About 10 pounds.  Not too bad...of course seeing that on the scale is not fun, but at least it's a for a good reason. 

Sleep: Good. A little tired, so I have been wanting to hit the hay a little earlier than normal, but good.

Movement: I haven't felt anything, but I did get to see the babe give me a little wave and move the legs. 

Unglamorous body changes: Nothing too much. I should probably really look for some more stuff to wear...my jackets are getting a little less snug.

Maternity clothes: Yep - and I love that elastic waist band. Of course I tried to wear my leather jacket and I could not zip that sucker, even if I wanted to.

Showing: Oh yeah! As my sister like to tell me: "Wow, you look really pregnant now." Thanks Court. 

Food cravings: Nothing too bad. A turkey sandwich the most.  Something about a hot turkey sandwich doesn't seem appealing. 

What I miss: Running.  It sounds weird, and even though I wasn't running consistently before this baby came along, I want to just break out into a jog.

Anything making you queasy: Nothing. Hooray!

Strange experiences: Seeing the babe on the screen and have it look like an actual baby.  Making out the profile and seeing it's little toes on the screen - crazy, but so cool.

Milestones: The babe is gulping down amniotic fluid.  Probably similar to the way I'm gulping down my water - can't get enough for this lady.

Best moment this week: Seeing this baby wave.  It was so neat and made it seem all so real. Well even more real than my growing belly and lack of alcohol drinking.

Looking forward to: Buying baby BOY clothes! Yep - our little guy is joining the crazy group of boy cousins!  We had a great gender reveal and it was so fun finding out with everyone.  This baby boy is joining this crazy family and will have the best time! 

Oh and I completely forgot to take a weekly picture - so it's just one from the party.

Baby Bumpin: 19 Weeks

How far along: 19 weeks

Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to thebump.com): Mango - Break out the tropical fruit drinks!

Total weight gain: Will probably find out at our 20 week appt.  Maybe I will focus this time.

Sleep: Same - getting up to pee or just wake up a few times a night, but not too bad.

Movement: I don't think I've felt anything yet.  I'm anxious to feel the babe move - and there are times I think I feel something, but apparently that could be gas too. 

Unglamorous body changes: There seems to be a faint little line growing down the middle of my stomach.  Yes, that little linea nigra or whatever it is called, seems to be growing. Awesome.

Maternity clothes: Yep! At least the pants.  I'm still pretending that my tops are long enough or big enough to cover the bump. 

Showing: Yep! This baby is out there for the world to see. My friends at work told me I finally look pregnant and not just big. Thanks friends for telling me I don't look big.

Food cravings: Nothing too much. Red grapes and blueberries are awesome.  This baby might come out like a blueberry.

What I miss: Nothing this week. 

Anything making you queasy: Nope! The queasiness is gone. 

Strange experiences: Learning that I have to prepare myself for sneezing.  Yes...for those of you who have ever been pregnant or had a baby, you know what I mean. For those of you who haven't: this is your warning. Do your Kegel's now.

Milestones: The babe is developing its protective coating to cover his or her skin. It says we may see it at birth.  Which is better than seeing if our baby comes out covered in salsa or marinara. 

Best moment this week: Knowing we are just a short week away from seeing the babe again. 

Looking forward to: Finding out the sex! Just one short week until we know if it's blue or pink headed our way!

Baby Bumpin: 18 Weeks

How far along: 18 weeks

Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to thebump.com): Sweet Potato

Total weight gain: Still not sure - will look at the scale very hesitantly.

Sleep: Sleep is going good - there are a more than a few times I get up to go pee or just catch myself sleeping on my back. 

Movement: Nothing yet - at least that I can tell...I was told that it might seem like gas, which is always pleasant to think of.

Unglamorous body changes: Nothing too bad. I feel like I'm popping out like crazy, but only after I really eat.

Maternity clothes: Rocking the maternity jeans. I think I might need some more - mainly because I wear the pairs a lot - which they tend to give me saggy butt syndrom at the end of the day.

Showing: Yes - this baby is bumping like crazy. 

Food cravings: Nothing lately. I found that I've been super thirsty at certain times of the day. Water is my friend.

What I miss: Currently? Sushi. Probably because I've been seeing it on TV.

Anything making you queasy: Nothing so far.  Which is great - I don't miss the queasy feeling.

Strange experiences: Working out with a belly. It's been great to still attend my Fusion classes, but it's been funny to modify everything. 

Milestones: The babe is yawning, hiccuping, rolling and punching like crazy.  And apparently making me very hungry - which is true.  Any food that can get in my belly is fabulous.

Best moment this week: Hearing my dad tell me that my ponsa (tummy) was getting bigger.  He even rubbed it.  I don't think my dad has rubbed my ponsa since I was a baby....and only he can get away with it now that there is a babe in there.

Looking forward to: Finding out if Baby G is a boy or girl! It's been funny to hear everyone's predictions.

Down for the count

My good luck with not getting sick this cold and flu season ran out on Monday. Sure enough, after eating lunch on Monday, something was a little off, at first I thought I just ate too much - one too many slices of pizza or too much sugar from the weekend. Not so much. I met my friend the toilet around 11 that night and we decided to have an all night rager. Sorry. TMI?

I'm becoming a mother soon, so i better be used to talking about bodily functions.

I haven't seen our downstairs since Monday around 5:30, Tony has gone to Walgeen's at least four times getting me what I am needing or craving. Needing: pedialyte.  Wanting: Popsicles and currently Sonic ice.

He's also been wiping down any surface I may have touched with antibacterial wipes. Im not going to be surprised if he comes home wearing a mask. But then again, he's been sick twice this season while I have been able to avoid it.

Lets hope this thing passes quickly. I'm tired of being sequestered upstairs and I'm pretty sure this babe needs more than just pedialyte and Popsicles.

Now I have to stop using the iPad before tony sees. He will wipe it down and I don't know if that is good for electronics.

Baby Bumpin' 17 Weeks

How far along: 17 weeks

Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to thebump.com): Onion - which I love onions.

Total weight gain: Will probably find out at our 20 week appt.  Maybe I will focus this time.

Sleep: Still great. There is nothing better than a snoogle...well for sleeping at least.

Movement: Nothing yet - but apparently I should be feeling them soon. I catch myself lying really still and almost holding my breath...I probably shouldn't hold my breath for too long.

Unglamorous body changes: So far, it's not been too bad. My hair is ridiculously long, so maybe I should work on making an appointment. 

Maternity clothes: Oh yes. These new pants are great.  I can still get away with wearing my regular jeans with a belly band - but my thighs have grown as well as my belly, so they might be going away soon. Tear.

Showing: Yes - especially toward the evening.  I can still look like I'm sporting a muffin top in the morning.

Food cravings: Same things - I've not been chugging chocolate milk as much as I did in the beginning. But give me chips and I'm one happy lady.

What I miss: This week, I missed a glass of wine.  Not because I was out with friends - but because it seemed like a nice relaxing way to just hang out at home.  And not a whole glass, just a small one. Don't worry - I'm still refraining.

Anything making you queasy: Good to go. I have had some times in the evening where I get a little nauseous, but nothing too bad. 

Strange experiences: None this week...thank goodness.

Milestones: The babe is getting a larger, thicket umbilical cord. I'm one proud mamma.

Best moment this week: Working to get the house back up on the market.  Yep - we're going to go after it again. Hopefully this time, someone will fall in love with our little casa. And probably hearing hilarious birth stories while playing Bunco.  Yes, bunco. 

Looking forward to: Finding out the sex! Yes - knowing that we can find out whether Baby G is a boy or girl is very exciting.  We even planned to do a reveal party with our families the Saturday after.  So yes...we're going to keep it a secret for three whole days.

A Little Behind: Baby Bumpin' 16 Weeks

So I thought I would be really on top of weekly updates - silly me.  So I'll try and catch up here - while I sit upstairs since its warmer and write while eating graham crackers, well I already ate them, so I'll just wipe the crumbs off my ever-growing stomach.

How far along: 16 weeks

Fruit/vegetable comparison (according to thebump.com): Avocado - fitting

Total weight gain: Haven't paid attention, but my workout clothes still fit!

Sleep: Good - well minus the potty breaks. And sometimes if I'm really lucky and don't chug water before I fall asleep, I can make it almost until my alarm goes off.  Surprisingly, I get up rather quickly...well some mornings, others are a little more difficult. 

Movement: Not feeling anything yet.

Unglamorous body changes: Acne is still present. I think my face plays a trick on me - every time I think its getting better a new little spot shows up. It's like the never ending pizza face. Thank goodness for bangs and scarves.

Maternity clothes: Wore my first maternity pants this week. It was for a work event, and because Tyson had snotted and dog-haired my other black pants, it was time to break them out.  And yes....the hype is true - holy amount of comfort. But for all of those moms wondering, I had just the small waist band, and it was glorious.

Showing: Baby is a bumpin. I'm thinking that it was because I ate late when I took my picture and the horizontal stripes didn't do me any favors, but wow. 

Food cravings: Still nothing crazy. Chocolate milk and cheese - two things I know I'll have to give up once this baby comes...while it may be good for the babe, it is not good for my thighs. 

What I miss: Turkey sandwiches. What I wouldn't give to stop by Subway, Jimmy John's or Goodcents to grab a turkey with all the fixings.  Courtney - beware, you will be getting my sandwich order on the day of delivery.  And I may hold the babe hostage until I get that turkey!

Anything making you queasy: So far, so good. Sometimes the trash stinks, but that's normal. I think the wave of nausea is almost over - every once in a while now. 

Strange experiences: Sharing the news in person - well and getting strange looks during Fusion for not participating or taking breaks. 

Milestones: Baby G is growing eyelashes, eye brows and can now hear our voices. I better work on making mine not so squeaky. 

Best moment this week: Since this is a week or two late, I'm trying to remember, but I'll still go with hearing the heart beat - since it was at my 16 week appointment.

Looking forward to: Finding out the sex in four short weeks. When we made our next doctors appointment, it was also to find out the sex! Crazy! It's going so fast!