Here I am

Actually, that should probably say here we am. are.

Here we are.  Baby boy and my gigantic belly circa 33 weeks.  And today, the struggle is real. 

Ever since dinnertime I've had intense pressure down in the pelvic area.  It is hard.  What's even more difficult is having to deal with it while having a 2 year old running around.  Thankfully she isn't too much of a handful all the time and we live in a house with my grandparents who are such an awesome support system.  More on that a different day.


The second time around has been so different than the first.  I feel like I'm diving into the uncomfortable stage headfirst, while with Ellie I didn't really get there until the last few weeks.  Maybe it's a boy thing and maybe it's a weird second child thing.  I don't know, but this little man loves to do acrobatics in there and push the heartburn button all day long.

So tonight I have decided to put off my maternity-leave sub planning and bounce on my yoga ball.  Yoga balls are amazing when you're pregnant.  I still haven't used it for anything BUT.  Maybe I'll play a video game... am I the only one who still does that?

The second time around may be a little more difficult because I'm teaching.  Teaching music to antsy kindergartners is so hard while 30+ weeks pregnant.  I want to play with them and be crazy, but my body says "sit down woman!"  I hate sitting while teaching.

Also, Nick has taken a whole career change.  He has become a certified nursing assistant and is getting experience at a nursing home/rehabilitation center with terrible hours.  2-10 is such a terrible shift.  Not to mention that he's taking 2-3 classes a quarter for pre-requisites because he's applying to PA schools in the spring/summer.  He's decided to go back to school to become a physician assistant mostly because of a great opportunity that arose.  Life is busy and a little stressful.  Thankfully he's now applying for hospital jobs with the goal of working only day or night shift.  No more evening shift.  Hallelujah.

Somehow with all of this going on I've been able to do some serious reading.  It has been awesome.  I just finished Gone Girl on audiobook and it was so intense and so good (be warned, it's a little graphic).  But, really, I could have had a different ending...

I also had a chance to read the Life of Pi (pretty awesome), Coming Clean (incredibly interesting and well-written), We Are Called to Rise (good), Orphan Train (very good), and The Fault in Our Stars (cheesy and an easy read).  

    

Other than Ellie turning 2 and becoming this talking machine (she says 'yes' to everything instead of 'uh-huh' or 'yeah'.  We've trained her well. Ha) that's all that's going on in our lives.  So, how are you?

Complaint Department

It's 5 am and I'm blogging. Why?  Because I'm an awake, emotional, pregnant mess and I need to just let it out someway.

The past few nights I've had contractions.  Last night's were even stronger than before. But somehow, when I try to sleep in between to get rest for the big moment, they disappear. I originally go to sleep because I know that when they get strong enough I'll wake up and it'll be time. THE time we've been waiting for.  But does it happen? No.  

Instead I just wake up 20 times in the middle of the night hoping to feel at least one little contraction or a huge painful one (the ultimate goal).

I already know that I shouldn't be stressing about it. She'll come when she's ready.  Just be patient.  Perfection takes time. You can't force labor to start.

And I know all of this is true.

But I just need to complain. We're both so ready for this little girl to get here and we can't help but get a little anxious/excited when there's a possibility of her arriving into this world.

So for now let me vent, and my husband and I will just try to take life one day at a time. One walk, one date, one hopeful contraction at a time.

What time is it? It's baby time!

No, don't get excited.  She's still growing and getting bigger.  Yay and ouch all at once. 

I'm sure you all want a nice baby update.  I don't even know when I did my last baby update.  Too long ago.

Weeks:  34!  What?!  September 4th is coming waaayyy too fast.

Baby:  She is great.  Moving like crazy and almost CONSTANTLY pushing on my ribs.  They hurt at least 30 times a day.

Nick has decided that her name will be Lucy instead of Ellie.  He claims that he gave in at a moment of weakness, but I'm still set on Ellie.  Although, I do like them both quite a bit and I keep going back and forth in my head (don't tell him... I can't give in that easily).  Maybe we'll know when she comes out.  If not, she's Ellie.  End of story.

Side story:  My 5-year-old cousin likes to keep saying: "but what if it's a boy?".  It drives me crazy because she's said it at least 6 different times and each time I think, what if she's right?!  I'm waiting for this baby to come out as a boy and her to say, "I told you!"  Not really.  I want a girl.  I don't want to search for new clothes.

 

My body:  My belly button is on the verge of popping out.  See in the picture?  That's not even OUT.  I know you all are dying to know this, but it is driving me crazy.  Every other week I notice it and the space is noticeably smaller and smaller.  I'm not looking forward to having an innie.  Thank goodness that it goes back in after birth.

Can I also just mention how much I dislike stretchmarks?  I know they'll go away and I'm not going to do anything drastic to try and get rid of them, but my mom never got them so I was SURE I wasn't going to get them because we've been pretty similar so far.  But did I get those nice genes?  Nope.  I should've known though.  I mean, I got stretchmarks in high school just from growing.  At least I know that they'll fade to my skin color and not be so noticeably purple.

Also, I finally bought a cheap-o Claires ring for my semi-swollen fingers.  They aren't that swollen, but my rings weren't fitting that well.

Everything else:  I had my shower a few weeks ago and it was very fun.  I think my registries got lost or something, however, because only a few things I got were from them.  Everything else was clothes, clothes, and a couple other odds and ends.  At least Nick and I have been putting money aside in separate account for this very reason and we live in a pretty awesome county with many awesome baby consignment stores.

I only have one more week left for work (WOOHOO) and so you will get more updates and fun baby-type posts before she gets here.  I'll even share my loot with you.


Until then, enjoy this amazing craigslist ad.  I wish everyone sold things like this.  I want to buy this van just because it was written so wittingly well.  Just accept my new word and say "written wittingly well" ten times fast.

What I've learned in pregnancy {part 2}

It's about time for round two of the things I've learned while being pregnant.  Part one was written about a month ago when I was only, sigh, 23 weeks.  That seems so long ago now...


1.  There are a million different baby items.  Literally.  Millions.  Okay, okay, it's not that difficult to pick out what you want for your child, but it makes things VERY difficult when there are 30 different types of diaper rash cream or baby shampoo.  I just want a good, decent, natural one, but when the reviews are a hodge podge of varying reviews it gets to be a little difficult.  Who would've known, right?


2.  You stink.  It's true.  The massive increase of hormones in your body make you have way more body odor than you may be used to.  I never had a problem with it pre-pregnancy, but now if I don't put on my deodorant I will most likely get nasty b.o.  It will even come when you are doing absolutely nothing all day.  And it won't bug you until you notice it and then it will drive you crazy all day (or at least me).  Nick has even told me a couple times that I smell.  What a nice guy, huh?

3.  Water is amazing.  I wish I owned a pool because I would live in it.  I practically do when I shower because it feels SO good to just be in the water.  Your whole body forgets its pains and aches and everything just feels.. normal.  Ah, to not be pregnant...  I'm planning on living in the bathtub when labor comes.  If I had my way I would be doing a water birth, but insurance just won't cover it.  Stupid.


4.  Your stomach will become a sci-fi movie all on its own.  I can be sitting down while reading a book or blogging and notice from the corner of my the stomach jabs and ripples that she creates.  Sometimes they are just giant waves rolling across my belly.  It was, and still is, the weirdest thing to witness.  I can't quite explain the craziness of seeing your stomach move on its own, but trust me... it's weird.


5.  Everything grows way too fast.  Not only does the baby/stomach grow super fast, but your hair and nails also grow at super speeds.  Shaving becomes incredibly difficult once you can't actually see your legs or feet and at the rate my leg hair grows.. I just go au-natural.  I'm glad I have blonde hair.  Toenail clipping and painting is equally annoying.  You can't just prop your leg on a table and do it.  It doesn't work anymore.  You become a heavily breathing acrobat just trying to clip your baby toe.

We'll just sing this song every time we shave.

6.  Speaking of breathing heavily, that also happens.  It happens WITHOUT ME KNOWING!  Nick has told me many, many times that I'm breathing really hard.  I don't even notice until I start thinking about it.  It's pretty terrible and makes you feel old and lazy to be breathing so hard.  But guess what?  It's normal!


7.  Say goodbye to that wonderful deep, constant sleep.  Maybe this doesn't happen to everyone, but I toss and turn all night.  Lately it's been taking extra long just to FALL asleep because this little girl won't stop kicking me.  I hope she plays soccer.  It makes it worse when you wake up randomly at midnight to change sides, deal with unexpected and terrible heartburn, and/or have another kicking session.  At least this is prep for when she's here, right?


8.  Waiting for the birth day just gets more and more exciting with each new gigantic kick (after the uncomfortableness goes away).  I can't wait until I get to hold this crazy active girl in my arms!

Baby, baby, baby, ooohhh

Seriously.  Blogging takes too much time.  I still have no idea how I'm going to juggle this hobby when baby Ellie comes.  I'm having a hard time right now just juggling Ah, I'm sure I'll figure it out.  I could also just dump a buttload of adorable baby pictures, that differ very slightly, every day and call it blogging.  Hahaha, just kidding.

How far along?:  26 weeks.


Baby:  Baby girl Ellie.  She's averaging about 2 pounds right now, and apparently will double each month.  AH!  How does this happen?


Symptoms:  Heartburn.  At least a couple times a day.  I'm really trying to not have to get the 24 hour relief drugs, but my Tums supply depletes so fast!  Back pain has also come and gone quite a bit.  There will be moments when I'm incredibly sore in certain spots, but it usually goes away after awhile.  I need to get on the prenatal yoga workout train.


Food:  Still nothing in the craving or aversion departments.  Most of the time when I see something I want, I just grab it.  So there hasn't been much room for massive/weird cravings.


Belly/body:  My body is getting bigger.  Less and less of my pre-pregnancy clothes fit.  It's so sad!  But at least I'm building up a nice maternity wardrobe for all future babies!

Baby Moments:  She kicks too much.  Holy cow.  I've had a few rib kicks (terrible, terrible things) and she likes to kick me all day and all night.  It has been fun noticing how she notices things more.  Her ears are fully developed so she will kick a lot when loud music is on (especially at daddy's concerts).  Speaking of daddy, he gave her her first music theory lesson on Lydian scales and she actually responded with multiple kicks in the face.  I can't wait to meet her!


Excitements:  I finally found a swimsuit!!  It was only $40 for the whole thing, on sale, AND it was from Motherhood.  Woot!  I'm pretty excited and need to find a reason to go swimming or something.

It's MUCH cuter in person and it has a racer back.  Super comfy!

To-dos:  I need to start planning some freezer meals for when she comes.  We're moving out into my grandparent's house (we are planning on saving up so we can hopefully put a down payment on a house) so I'm sure we'll have meals figured out by eating together, but I know I'll get hungry during our midnight feedings and I don't want to make Nick make all the food because I'm sure he'll be helping out as well.  I'm thinking some breakfast burritos, a few crockpot meals, and bags of smoothie stuff so I can just throw it in the blender.  Any other suggestions?


Other things:  The Pregnant Chicken is my absolute FAVORITE pregnancy blog.  It is hilarious, witty, interesting, and still incredibly helpful/insightful.  If you want to learn more about pregnancy, just browse their site.

Well... that was unexpected!

I'm sorry for the weirdly long blogging hiatus.  I really don't hate blogging.  I did have a post scheduled for last Friday actually, but it didn't post so that will come later.  I also meant to blog Monday, but a nasty migraine took it from me and yesterday I just wanted to sleep after work.  So those are my excuses. 

I've just been busy as well. 

Our weekends have been (and are continuing to be) filled with family and various activities.  Plus, we have two wedding weekends back to back.  That calls for very limited free time and blogging doesn't usually go into those free moments.


My belly also keeps expanding and moving.  I saw my first movement from the outside a few weeks ago and now I can't stop noticing it!  Of course, Nick has yet to actually see it because she's stubborn, but someday...  It's pretty weird/cool/creepy all at once.  Especially when you can see her totally move around and your stomach does the wave. 

AND being pregnant/expecting a child requires a lot of stuff.  Besides extra sleep, less energy, and a more clothes in your wardrobe.

For example, deciding on whether or not we want/need to do a birthing class is not so easy.  There is more than one kind of birthing class and deciding if it's worth the money makes it a little difficult.  This is mostly because I am a pretty self-motivated researcher (I researched almost EVERYTHING, including burp cloths, for my registry) and I know I can learn/discuss all the things I will need to before birth.  I'm mostly worried that Nick won't know everything or be prepared, but then I know the HE can do research with me and we can, and will, discuss everything.

The internet is a VERY big space full of information and videos about it all.  So, what is there to be worried about?  Meh, I don't know.


I'm also on the hunt for a good yoga or pilates pregnancy workout.  Talk to me if you know of one!  I need to find something that I can do while pregnant so I don't fall out of shape and, I've also heard that they're really good for relaxing during labor because you can learn different relaxation techniques.  Which is a pretty important thing to know and kind of helps me out with my last dilemma.

Maternity swimsuit shopping will destroy me.  Seriously, not joking.  How hard is it to find a cute maternity swimsuit that WON'T make your bank account cry?  Well, okay, it's not hard to find one, but it IS hard to find one that looks cute on you.  

via

Either one of these from A Pea in the Pod would be awesome.  Just make it not $75+ for each.

via

Well, I leave you with a feeling that I'm not super stressed out.   Okay, I am a little, but it comes and goes and I'm too tired and pregnant to care too much. 

Did I also mention that we're moving out in two months?  Oh yeah.  I have to start packing slowly because I can only do so much with a belly and the order to not lift big things while pregnant.

7 things I've learned in pregnancy {part 1}

1.  You hear quite often that you should take time to rest during the day and while I kind of ignored that a bit in the first trimester, I realize how true it is.  I can tell when I've been walking around or doing things for too long.  My whole body gets tired and drained.  It's awful.


2.  You discover how much of a worry-wart you are going to be.  When I notice that I haven't felt her kick in a while, I start talking to her and worrying.  Of course she always comes through in the end, but I still worry like crazy.  Every time.

3.  Everybody has many opinions.  Many opinions that are very opposite from each other.  Just take it all with a grain of salt, that's my opinion.


4.  You will have moments where your stomach feels like it's being stretched apart and you expect your child to burst through like a sci-fi movie.  Thankfully it doesn't happen, but it gets pretty uncomfortable.


5.  People will flock to your belly with their hands.  Sometimes complete strangers will do it.  Luckily, I am not really bugged by it, but if I was it would be a very uncomfortable moment for me AND the stranger/belly toucher.


6.  Shaving your legs take much longer and requires more skill than normal.  And I'm not even to the third trimester yet!


7.  I have always been a side sleeper, but ever since I've been pregnant I've been dying to sleep on my back.  Just once.  It must be that whole "you can't have it so you really want it" kind of thing.


Consider this a part one of many, many parts.  You'll be seeing more of this soon.

Baby Tuesday: 22 weeks

I know it's my birthday today, but it's just a birthday.  They aren't too exciting when you pass 21, just sayin'.

SO, it's all about the baby today.  More important and fun anyways.

How far along?:  22 weeks.  Sheesh!  I don't know how this happened so fast.


Baby's gender:  If you didn't know from last week's announcement, it's a girl!  AND, even better, we have given her a name.  It's:  Ellie.  Not short for anything, just Ellie.  


Symptoms:  Nothing too big.  Sleeping is getting more annoying because, well, sleeping on your side all the time can get quite boring.  I think I need to invest in a body pillow or something.  I've also had some nice growing pains AND heartburn.  Very fun.


Food:  Still nothing major.  At least that I can tell.  Although, we did make strawberry pie TWICE last week and we both devoured it, but that was both me and Nick.


Belly/body:  Well, just see for yourself.

It may not be the best view of it, but it's definitely getting bigger and bigger.  The rest of my body is not doing too much.  No swelling or anything else going on.  Hooray!

Baby:  She is pretty dang active.  In church on Sunday she was kicking pretty much the whole time.  It's pretty weird feeling her almost all the time.  Yesterday she was active ALL day.  Seriously.  Anytime I sat down I would feel her kick.  Of course that night she decided to not be active for her daddy.  At least Nick has actually been able to feel her kick before.  It was pretty amazing to watch his face light up when he really felt her kick. 
She's also at least a pound now.  That explains why I'm feeling more pregnant nowadays.


Excitements:  I finally finished our baby registry!  Or as much as I think I could.  There will be more editing later on, but at least all of the major stuff is figured out.  Amazon is a pretty amazing (and overwhelming) place to register.

I also bought Nick a pretty cute birthday gift as a daddy celebration.  Since he likes Star Wars and all.  

It's a pretty ridiculously cute picture book.

Baby Talk

Alright everyone.  It's baby update time!

How far along?:  19 weeks.  Almost halfway there!

Symptoms: Nothing too different.  It's mostly just heartburn occasionally.  I did have quite a few growing pains last week AND I still toss and turn at night.  Sometimes I just crave the ability to sleep on my back, but I'm not supposed to.  I never really slept on my back before, but maybe the fact that I can't do it makes me want it more...

Food: No cravings yet, but if something sounds really good I usually get it/need it within a couple days.  That's not too different from pre-pregnancy though ;) 

Belly/body:  Somehow my belly exploded over the last two weeks.  At least it really feels like it.  I don't know how it happened, but I feel like I'm starting to really look pregnant.  I mean, I bought my first pair of MATERNITY pants yesterday.  PS. THEY ARE SOOOO COMFY!  All pants should be like maternity pants.  I also noticed in the shower yesterday that I can almost not see my feet.  If I stand up really tall I can't.  Want to see what I see?

Okay, you can baarrrrely see my toes.  I may have been leaning a bit...

Baby:  Heard the heartbeat again yesterday at my appointment.  Baby is actually right below my belly button!  Super exciting.  Heartbeat was 156 and I don't know exactly how big baby is, but I've gained about 15 pounds so far and my baby app says he/she is .5 pounds on average.  I think we may know more at our ULTRASOUND!!!!
I'm so excited!!  It's scheduled for next week, so you can all place your bets.  I'll let you know once we know.  WOOHOO!


Excitements: I started baby registry stuff a few weeks ago.  SHEESH!  There is SO much stuff to think about.  Like: shampoo, soap, what KIND of sheets to get for the crib, etc. etc.  It's pretty overwhelming.

You should also know that I've felt many a baby kicks since the first one.  AH! There have actually been a few that have been pretty big ones.  I haven't felt any outside of my belly, but I'm waiting for the day when Nick can finally feel them!

I apologize for the excessive use of caps.  Some things are just TOO exciting!

Like the baby bump!

Baby Tuesday: 17 weeks!

Whew!  I thought this whole pregnancy would take forever (the first month really seemed like it), but it is really flying by.  I mean, 17 weeks already?!  Sheesh!  Next thing you know we'll have the gender figured out and I'll be loading up on baby clothes!

How far along?:  17 weeks today.  Woohoo!  Almost about time to find out what this little thing is.  You may start placing your bets now.  I'm secretly hoping it's a boy, but shhhh.


Symptoms:  I had heartburn pretty bad a few weeks ago.  It was almost an everyday thing for a week.  It's not so bad now, just very occasionally.  I have, however, been having a LOT of headaches.  For the past week and a half or so I've had a headache EVERY.  DAY.  It's awful.  Sure it flutters in and out.  I keep thinking of reasons for it, but each time it doesn't cure it that fast.  I've read that it's really common, especially if you had quite a few headaches pre-pregnancy (which I have).  My current theory is that I need to do some sort of cardio activity each day.  This is mostly because I don't get very good sleep at night.  I actually haven't in quite a while.  Even if it's not, we'll just say it's that.  It makes me workout, ha. 
I've also had a lot of gas.  Just thought you should know that little tidbit too.  Can't make this whole pregnancy all fun and pretty, right?


Food:  I still haven't had any serious cravings.  I wonder if/when it will hit me?  I mean, if I'm at the store and something looks really good I'll buy it, but I haven't had any "OH MY GOSH, WHERE ARE MY PICKLES AND ICE CREAM?" moments yet.  Think they'll come?


Belly/body:  I think I'm starting to show a little bit now.  My hairdresser (who didn't know) said that I looked a little pregnant now.  What do you think?  I still have to choose my wardrobe carefully because it can easily look like fat (to me).  I'm thinking in about two weeks or so I'll really look like it.

Baby:  As big as a turnip apparently.  That's what my app says.  Waiting until the next appointment to find out more!!


Excitements:  (1)  I'm CONVINCED that I felt the baby move around.  Twice, actually.  The first time it happened it was about a week and a half ago.  I stood up and all of a sudden felt a little flutter in my lower stomach area.  It definitely wasn't any gas bubbles (trust me) and I don't think I ate any butterflies.  The second time it happened was actually over the weekend.  I was driving the car and felt the same feeling again.  Of course when the feeling happens it's pretty quick and doesn't happen again. Go figure, right?  Nick is actually a little jealous.  He wants to feel it pretty badly.  What a cute husband I have!

(2) I just started our registry and we have... two things on there.  I need to do some more research.   It's so overwhelming!  At least I know what kind of stroller I want (BOB, please), the bottles I want, and a few other goodies.  It's so nice to know fellow mommies who have similar views on things as you.

Baby Tuesday: Resources!

 
Today's topic of baby discussion is.... resources!  With, of course, a quick update on the babe growing inside me.

First, baby and mom are doing well.  I've been eating nonstop all the time.  Mostly because I get really hungry and have to eat almost every 1 1/2 to 2 hours (apparently it's very normal).  Other than that and some fun heartburn lately, everything is going well.  I'm starting to get bigger, but it still just looks like fat to me (go figure, right?).  I'll give you a better update next week, but for now I'm just anxious to start feeling the baby move, buy all kinds of goodies, and find out the gender!!!  I'm dying to know.


Continuing on...

I don't profess to be a pregnancy expert, but I do want to share with you some of the things that have helped me so far in my pregnancy.  It's actually quite fun being pregnant in an age where technology is so readily accessible.  Fun and scary.

Fun because there are so many goodies you can use to your advantage and scary because if you aren't careful you can read misinformation.  Just ask your doctor if you are taking serious life-changing advice from the internet.

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Apps

First, I want to share with you some really cool apps that I like and use quite a bit (and have heard from my pregnant guru - aka my best friend).

The first one is the BabyCenter: My Pregnancy Today app. 

The reason why I like this one so much is that it gives you a day-by-day list of things you should be focusing on in your pregnancy (like reminding you to exercise, make good snacks for yourself, pamper yourself, figure out baby names, etc.).  It also has tips/advice for each day while you're pregnant.  It's nice to have something at your fingertips when you just want to read new things about your pregnancy.

 

The second one is the What to Expect: Pregnancy app.

I like to have both of these apps because they're both different and helpful in different ways.  This app tells you how far along you are, how far you have to go, and the average size of your baby (COOL!).  It also has weekly and daily readings for you that deal with everything pregnancy.   Honestly, I like this one better, but they both have their pros.

Both also have their own forums that you can post/read questions to or from other readers.


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Books

Books are awesome.  I haven't read enough pregnancy books yet, but I'll let you know which ones I do like so far.

If you like a book that's straight to the point, hilarious, and doesn't leave out any dirty details, then this is seriously a great one for you. 

 

It is written by a woman who shares with you every gross detail that you don't always hear/read about.  Nor do you really want to... Everything from constipation, your sex drive, hemorrhoids, and all the gross things that go on down there that most people don't like to talk about. 

I loved this book.  She does curse quite a bit, but it didn't take away from the point of it all.  She was funny, truthful, and dirty.  I even made Nick read this book because it was so insightful.


Another great book, that I actually got for free (all the OBs around here give them out for free), is a pretty standard pregnancy book. 

It explains exactly what's going on each week and gives you clear definitions and advice on what to do with your body and your life.  There are a LOT of books just like this one.  I'm not recommending this exact book, but I do recommend that if you are pregnant (or are going to be) that you get one of these books to have by your bed all the time.  I always keep referring to different weeks, stages, and advice columns in it. 

A popular book just like this one is one written by the Mayo Clinic.  Just go to the library and you'll find one that is pretty similar to what I just described.


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Websites

Being a blogger I have to put some great websites on here for you.

One awesome site is, of course, Pinterest.  This is just because you can get SO many great ideas for nurseries, DIY baby items, pregnancy clothes/exercises, and you can even find some great advice/tips as well for before/after baby arrives.  Just take it all with a grain of salt.  
By the way, here's my baby board on Pinterest!


Alphamom
Alphamom is a pretty amazing and resourceful site.  It offers week-by-week info on your baby as well as past experiences from alphamom herself.   There's also a TON of information about other pregnancy-related topics, parenting, etc. etc.  It's great.

Random blogs and articles.
This is comes up all the time when I'm finding new things to look at or read.  A couple that I have found, and really like, are these:
This one from xojane
This one from twotoosmartsmartassmommies.  Actually, it's a pretty funny blog by itself.
Here too from pregnant chicken.  This is a great blog.  It's super informative.  Especially the "Is it Safe?" section.


I could go one with websites.  There are, of course, other mommy blogs you can find and I'm sure if you're looking you'll find ones that fit you perfectly. 

I'm still searching for great resources and I'll definitely share them with you when I find more that are awesome.  Until then...

Baby Tuesday

I think I'll indulge you all in a typical baby update post.  I mean, I am 14 weeks along now!

How far along?:  14 weeks today!  I thought it would take a long time, but it's actually going pretty fast!


Symptoms:  Just random growing pains in the stomach/abdominal area and some fatigue here and there.  I can't really complain about anything else.  I've only had a couple hormonal breakdown, but other than that my mood has been pretty normal. 


Food:  I haven't had any major cravings.  Although, I have been devouring strawberries if they are nearby or available with something else.  I did crave soda one day.  That was weird because I never drink soda.
One weird thing, though, is that I have some food aversions.  Nick and I used to always eat Costco's black bean chipotle veggie burgers and now I find them awful.  It's so sad!


Belly/body:  I'm not quite showing yet, but that's mostly because I just look pudgier.  I haven't moved to maternity clothes yet or even a new bra (it's coming soon), but I do have at least two pairs of pants that no longer fit and require me to wear them without being buttoned.  But, I will still indulge you all in a baby bump photo.

See?  Just fat :)

Baby:  As big as a "clenched fist".  Haha, that just makes my baby sound pretty cool.  We also heard the heartbeat last week.  It was actually quite exciting.  It helps make this all feel a little more real!  The baby (sidenote: Nick hates that I call the baby "baby".  He says it must be THE baby when I refer to the baby.  Silly man) ... anyways, the baby was moving around like crazy when we heard the heartbeat.  It got me all giddy!


Excitements:  We find out the gender in about 6 weeks.  I'm so excited!!  It will also be pretty close to my birthday.  I have been avoiding going inside of some of the baby consignment shops around here because I'm so limited to what I can buy.  I just want everything!




That's about it for now.  I'm going to leave you with a totally off-topic question.  I'm in need of your advice!

Question:  How does a person even begin to start menu planning?  I want to try it, but I have NO idea where or how to begin.

Baby Tuesday.

My body is destroyed.  Well, actually, it's better than it was yesterday and even better than Sunday.

Why?  Well, remember quite awhile ago when I mentioned that I was doing a half-marathon?  Ah yes.  THAT half-marathon.   Well, that was Sunday morning.

I was originally planning on running at least half of it, but I somehow sort of forgot my training a bit and slacked off.  I had a good reason.  I mean, my body was building a baby, come on!

I was also told by two different OB's/doctors that I shouldn't try running it.  Walking it would be fine, but running might put too much pressure on my body.  Especially since I have never ran that far before.  It actually worked out well because my mom was going to walk the whole thing.  So I had a buddy!

My mom and I walked the whole thing while Nick and my aunt ran the whole thing - they are beasts! So proud of them.  I should also mention that I was a little extra lazy the week or so before the race so I almost went into the whole thing cold-turkey.  Or at least it really felt like it.

Long story short, mom and I made the 13.1 miles in about 3 hours and 40 minutes.  I limped the last 4 miles because all of my leg muscles were throbbing in serious pain, but I didn't give up.  So THAT'S why my body is destroyed and I'm still having to waddle a bit to move around the house and such.  I did stretch a lot AND take a hot epsom salt bath, so that was nice.  I think tomorrow I'll have very little sores.  Fingers crossed!



Continuing on, I think I'm going to dedicate Tuesdays to mostly baby things.  That way you can come back on Tuesdays if you just want to hear about the babe.

Today's topic:  pregnancy/baby thoughts


-- My first pair of pants don't fit.  How awful is this?  ESPECIALLY when I don't even look pregnant. Sometimes I actually don't even feel pregnant.  Except when I have to eat just about every hour and a half and pee every hour.  I am excited, though, because my mom bought me some belly bands to wear with my pants.  Now I can walk around with un-buttoned pants ALL DAY.   Yes!  Thanks mom :)

-- I had my first hormonal moment.  I got extremely emotional (tears and all) about some grocery shopping thing that Nick was doing.  Poor guy was pretty confused when I apologized about 5 minutes later.  I'm trying not to let that crazy side out too much, but sometimes it's a little hard.  I'm sorry Nick.



-- I'm dying to find out if we're having a boy or girl.  I just want to buy things and make cute decorations for our baby, but how am I supposed to do that when we don't know what we're having?!  And, I have to wait until about mid-April until we find out.  Patience is a virtue, I know...

-- I bought my first cloth diaper and sleeper the other day.  Oh yes, we're cloth diapering.  I'm excited.  It's going to save us SO much money and our baby is going to look incredibly cute.

via

-- It still feels surreal to be becoming a parent.  Having to start thinking about all these mommy things just seem too crazy! 

Hey Bay-bay!

Get my pop culture reference?  Ah... rap music.


Whew!  You have no idea how hard it was keeping that secret a secret for the past month.  Yes.  A MONTH!  There were so many times that I wanted to mention something about being pregnant in one of my random posts or comments to other people, but I knew that it'd be better to wait.

Plus, it makes it more fun to reveal the longer you hold it in.

I'm sure some of you are wondering about how everything is doing inside my body and I assure you, I'll be updating you all until you know more about me than I know.  Not really, but you get the idea.

I hope you understand that just because I'm having a baby doesn't make this a baby blog.  Of course, you'll all get your fill on baby bump statuses, pregnancy highs and lows, and oh-so-much more.  But, I'll still be doing things for me.  Not just for our baby.  And if I get too carried away with 309234 baby posts a week, please let me know and tell me to slow it down.  Do it for my sake and for yours before it gets bad.


Anyways, onto the oh-so-wonderful pregnancy/baby bump update.

Currently...

...I'm about 10 weeks along.  We could have waited longer to tell y'all, but it's such a hard secret to hold in.  And plus, most of our families already knew weeks ago.


...I have no morning sickness.  All of you pregnant/post-pregnant women can hate me.  I know others do.  I have been blessed with a mother who didn't have it, and luckily with this pregnancy (although it could easily change in our next pregnancy) I don't have any of that wonderful nastiness either.

You think I'm on the left, huh?  Well, I'm on the right.  Short hair and all: circa 2005.

...I DO have heartburn, fatigue, and headaches.  See?  I didn't get off too easily.  I've been pretty tired (with/without working 12 hours a day) and I have a nice little heartburn that likes to grace me with its presence every now and then.  And the headaches?  Well, they aren't frequent, but occasionally they like to let me know they're there.  This weekend I had a headache the ENTIRE TIME.   It may have been minor, but it was still a headache.  Figures I'd get them, since I had them at least once every other week pre-pregnancy.  Oh well.  Tylenol and Tums can just sleep next to me.  All day, every day.


...I eat.  All. the. time.  Or at least it feels like that.  It struck me a few weeks ago, but I snack a lot and can no longer eat "normal-sized" meals.  I have to eat at least half of what I would've usually eaten, but then I'm just hungry again an hour or so later.  Hence the need for lots of fruit/vegetable snacks around the house and granola bars.  My saviors in not gaining a million pounds.

...I feel and look fat.  Ok, I know this just seems silly, but I was never "flat-bellied" before pregnancy and now that that area is growing little by little, it makes me just feel fat.  That's mostly because people look at your stomach when you tell them you're pregnant or they ask how you're feeling lately and you don't even look pregnant.  It's such a sad thing.  Especially when your pants are slowly starting to lose their nice fit and your bra is starting to become too tight.  Sigh.  Pregnancy is beautiful.




...Nick is excited.  This may seem like a weird update, but a lot of people asked me when I told them if he was excited.  Well, I'd hope he was excited!  I wouldn't have married him if he didn't want to have children with me.  I do know why people ask and not all of them were out of line or offensive.  It just seems like a silly thing.  Maybe it's my hormones.  Whatever.  Anyways, he has resorted to a few chanting sessions with my belly.  Yup.  You read that right.  Here's what it sounded like:

Maybe not exactly, but something very similar.

...My breasts hurt.  A lot.   It's probably TMI, but that was how I knew I was pregnant and they have been extremely sore for the past month with no sign of stopping.  It wouldn't normally be too bad, but when you have a 4-year-old climbing over you all day, accidental boob squishing/elbowing happens a lot more than you want it to.

Well, guess what happened?!