It was a scrapbooking weekend

Well, over the weekend I was in Gettysburg for a scrapbooking weekend. I could not believe how many people were there. They filled 2 of the hotel ballrooms with a lot of people. I got 21 pages done over the weekend and was working on my wedding scrapbook. This time next year I can be working on a baby scrapbook. Yay! That is if I ever complete my wedding (and college) books. My dear husband was home alone all weekend. I am sure he enjoyed it as that will not be happening for TOO much longer anyway. Next year if I can get to go away for the weekend he'll get to stay home with baby. Not that I will probably be getting any weekends away to begin with.

Other than that things are good. I am feeling good and just not a lot to report on at the moment.

My playful peanut

Well, we got to see the baby again on Tuesday. It was very active and playful during the ultrasound. I say it, because contrary to what some mentioned we were NOT able to tell if it was a boy or a girl yet. BOO! I guess we're waiting - about 8 more weeks - unless when we go back in four the happen to decide to do another ultrasound. The peanuts legs kicked pretty much the whole time (thankfully I don't feel that yet), and it was playing peek-a-boo with it's arms - it could have been one of the most adorable things I have ever seen. Again, I would have never believed anyone else if they would have told me I would be in love with this baby in about 8 weeks flat, but I am (and I have a VERY strong feeling that daddy feels the same way). I know it can't hear me quite yet but sometimes I even talk to it. Usually when I am home alone and nobody is around to suggest that I be committed to the nut house :)

Back to the Doctor

Today we go back to the doctor. Weeee! Nothing is wrong or anything just one of the normal every-four-weeks (for now) appointments. The plus is that it will probably last no more than 10 minutes and we will get to see the peanut again. According to a friend we may even know the sex as early as today. I have a very small list of questions for the doctor - one kind of important and one very important - that being "Can I get my hair colored?". Other than that not too much else to report. We are all hanging in there - I continue to go from Happy - to confused - and through other various emotions. Some weeks the emotions are mild and others out of control. I am quite sure this is an out of control week, but I'll deal with it. So, today I see my baby for a second time - it will look more like a baby and I am thrilled! As far as what it is (Girl or boy) we'll remain on standby.

Peanut, Peanut Butter - Jelly!

I eat Peanut Butter and Jelly for lunch - quite often. Not supposed to have too much tuna, or lunch meat. As far a lunches go that leaves me with salads or PB&J, possibly dinner leftovers. Now here's the thing about dinner leftovers - I'm not really into chicken yet, although saying the word does not disgust me as it did previously, so dinners are challenging as well, thus not many leftovers. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Although I am considering stepping back into the chicken realm again. I think I will give it a try sometime next week. We'll see how it goes.

Too Much Information in Pregnancy Books

I have found that there are 2 types of pregnancy books. Informative (to the point where you know every possible thing that could go wrong) and a little less informative but entertaining. I have 3 books. The one that EVERYONE tells you to get "What to Expect While Your Expecting" and then I have Jenny McCarthy's "Belly Laughs" and "The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy".

What to Expect is very informative. I like to look a the pics that show you what you baby looks like at every week etc. Other than reading about what my baby is doing - how big it is etc. I just use the book for the index. If I have something I think could be abnormal I look it up to see what the book says. So far - everything I have looked up is perfectly normal.

Now, the other 2 books are entertaining. They can make me laugh out loud while also making me scared. ***Warning stop reading here if you can't handle the truth***
After all, both of these books have now mentioned that many women poop on the delivery room table. This - above and beyond everything else - has me scared sh%&less (we can only hope). This is the topic that I bring up to my dear husband over and over again. However, both of these books have presented this LOVELY tidbit in a way that makes me laugh and say - "well what are you going to do" (besides randomly looking and your husband and going - 'OH MY GOD, please don't let me do that and if it does happen we will NEVER speak of it again, under penalty of DIVORCE!' whenever you DO think about it.

I can't wait to see what else I learn about pregnancy and labor and delivery as I continue my quest for knowledge.

Waiting - The Pregnancy Theme

I am beginning to discover that behind this whole pregnancy thing is a lot of waiting. Why is it then, that whenever I talk to friends that have had babies towards the end of their pregnancy they ALWAYS say "I can't believe it's been 40 weeks already!" I guess that it is anticipation, and it makes time go faster. In the meantime I wait...I am waiting for my next doctor appointment (so we can see the peanut again) , and I can't wait to actually HAVE my baby in my arms. I also can't wait until I can feel the baby move. The list goes on and on and ON!

I am not the only one that is waiting. Yesterday it was requested that I hurry up the whole period of gestation. I also received a phone call from my cousin last night asking if we were going to find out the sex (YES!) and if I would share it with her (Her and anyone else that will listen, because she wants to MAKE something for the peanut and rather doing it in green or yellow would like to WAIT until we know the sex. That's something else I can't WAIT for. If nothing else, hopefully I learn to have more patience throughout this pregnancy. But I will tell you one thing, this baby better not decide to be late. In fact, I think I'll try to make arrangements now with my doctor for labor induction on August 4th so there is no way I have to wait any more :)

One third down - 2 thirds to go

Well, I am wrapping up the first trimester and ready to move on to the second trimester. I guess technically by Friday I will be there. Things have been looking up for about 10-12 days. I swoon when I see babies and sometimes get a little teary. I know there is so much to be done, but I can't wait - it is just so exciting. I forgot to mention yesterday something else I did this weekend. While doing some consignment store shopping with a friend for her 8 month old we came across the CUTEST little newborn outfit. My friend was very quickly able to convince me to buy it for 3 reasons: 1. I would be the first one to buy an outfit for the peanut. 2. Either boy or girl can wear it - it's got ducks on it. 3. It was $3- without a stain. The same friend also gave me a little EAGLES onesie complete with matching booties. This will work perfectly into our plan to drive my mother-in-law nuts, but dressing the peanut in sports clothing anytime we are around her :) (Just kidding dear mother-in-law). Anyway - I still have the outfit laying out and I smile every time I see it. I guess I will soon have to fold it up and put it away!

There is nothing like a relaxing weekend

Ok, I know our time is limited, but for I pledge to not feel guilty for enjoying a nice, relaxing weekend at home. We have 28 weekends left before the due date (yes I counted) and that is assuming that our peanut does not decide to come into the world sooner than that (or later, please God, don't let it be later). After that sleeping in until 9:00 or so will be a luxury we can only afford when the peanut goes to one of the grandparents homes (yes, I know it will happen). So, Friday night we did our nerd night thing as previously discussed. Saturday, we got out of bed around 9:30, made pancakes for breakfast, went and looked at an apartment, then we spent the afternoon just hanging out, we played Risk, we went and got something for dinner, came home and watched a movie (well my husband watched a movie while I snored peacefully). Sunday, got up, went to church and then lunch, came home, watched football, did some laundry and that was about it. I loved just spending the time together - and vow to do just that whenever I can these next 28 weekends. Let's not forget - there will eventually be things to take care of like moving (God willing), baby registry, baby showers, setting up the nursery, packing and unpacking etc. That's why we need to take advantage of it while we can :)

Dare I say it? I am starting to feel normal.

Well normal as one can feel I suppose when there is a human being growing inside of you. Granted, last night I was pretty tired, but that has even been subsiding lately. I am starting to feel a lot more human again. The nausea is not coming over me in waves, the tiredness is subsiding thus allowing me to function in the real world again, and we are growing more comfortable with the impending arrival of the peanut. It's so nice to hear other people say, "You two are going to make such great parents"- very reassuring - and I hear it a lot. I hope that we can live up to it.

So tonight, we are even having some friends over to play a game (to my mother and sister - you know what it is and you laugh at it - don't worry it will not do any damage to your future grandchild/nephew or neice). A WHOLE night of normal - WOW! It will be a good time. Now, before you say it, I know we don't have a whole lot of "normal" time left and that when the peanut does arrive everything will change (how can we NOT know this - it is one of the first things that people tend to point out to you as soon as we say ' we're having a baby!'). Regardless, I will take whatever "normal" time I can have for the time being and cherish it. Besides - it is a group of guys coming over tonight - so I know other then us saying "By the way, we're having a baby" and them saying "Congrats!" there will not be any other questions or comments. They're guys aren't they. Not saying I don't also enjoy when people engage me in conversation after they find out - but just that it will be refreshing tonight to just not talk about being pregnant etc. Anyway, I am looking forward to my normal night (regardless of how abnormal YOU may think it is :) )

20 Questions try 10,000 questions

We had an appointment the other night at the doctor with the nurse practioner. We were asked what seemed 1,000's of questions. Do we want to circumsize, do I want to breast feed, do we want to video tape etc. Then all of the tests were just thrown at us paperwork and all. After further research it appears these tests are controversial, but also can give false positives. This makes me say....perhaps I do not want these tests. Now I also, think that this decision and most decisions (minus that fact that I do in fact want an epidural) should be made by BOTH my hubby and I. So I am assuming this will begin the first of millions of choices we are going to have to make about not only pregnancy, but also the child in general. That appointment should come with a disclaimer.

Weddings and pregnant women

2 things that just don't mix well a wedding and a pregnant woman. We went to a wedding on Saturday and it was great - getting ready not so much. First finding the outfit - it only took about 30 minutes to do so - but thanks to a bag stuffed full of maternity clothing that I just had received from a friend I was able to put an outfit together. Second of all, apparently pregnancy screws with your hair - I am starting to discover this. Right now I have GREAT hair days and TERRIBLE hair days - no in between. Well, I finally overcame that obstacle as well and we got ourselves to the wedding (on a wing and a prayer).

Now, this was the first wedding that I have been to since our very own wedding. We kind of were out of the wedding phase for a while. Now it seems like we are re-entering it. Anyway, first once since our wedding and my emotions - just equals a guest that cried through NEARLY the entire ceremony - right along with the bride. It was a very nice wedding. I looks as if there is one more wedding in the future - probably about when I have a 2-3 week old baby. Weeee.

My stomach is getting rock hard...

Every day my stomach gets a little harder to the touch. So, it's not rock hard yet, that may be a couple months, but it is getting there. One problem, it's getting rock hard a puffing out. I mean I have always dreamed about having rock hard abs. But having rock hard abs that go out, that is not exactly what I had in mind. Oh well, my little peanut (now more apple/orange sized) is growing, which means it's still healthy. One thing my dear husband and I say every now and again is - how can we already love something this little. It is truly amazing. I was in love with the idea for a while, but once I saw that heart beat I fell in love with the peanut itself. It's amazing! So rock hard protruding stomach and all, I can't wait to be a mommy!

Just two more weeks...

Well, the good thing I can say today is that there are just 2 more weeks left of my first trimester and then supposedly all of the nausea, the tiredness etc. is going to vanish into thin air (only to return during the third trimester). If people are lying to me about this little tidbit boy am I going to be mad - or I'll just cry (which is probably the more likely of the two).

The one thing I guess I'll just have to get used to is my out of control emotions. I have two extremes and good examples of both. First extreme - crying (maybe more like sobbing), my poor husband gets to see this extreme. Case in point, last night we got done with dinner and we were standing in the living room he said something to me joking around - my reaction - WAAAAAAAAAAA! I can't even remember what he said - all I know is that the first words out of MY mouth were - "I meant to laugh, but I cried instead" (said through tears and sobs). I seriously can remember thinking whatever he said WAS funny. I really did mean to laugh - I really have NO CLUE why I cried.

Next Extreme - ANGER - thankfully, I do not think my husband has experienced this yet. One person has. There is a person at work I find beyond annoying - we'll just call him bird man (he makes weird chirping noises all day long and whistles a lot). So he makes stupid jokes or comments a lot as well. Now he makes dumb jokes about my pregnancy, whether he pokes fun at something I am eating or my trips to the restroom, etc. He said something dumb yesterday (again, can't remember what) and I remember looking right at him - giving him a death look and rolling my eyes. He then kept pushing, "I was just joking, jeez, I guess you just can't joke with the pregnant woman." And I snapped "My pregnancy is none of your concern, that joke was just plain dumb". Well it shut him up, but makes me feel like a jerk (for a brief period, trust me when I say Bird man deserves it!)

Anyway, 2 more weeks of some of this stuff, but the emotions....stay tuned.

Next year at this time...

I can't help looking ahead right now. Over the holidays it was so easy to think about what would be going on next year at this time. How much everything will change. We will have around a 5 month old to share our holidays with. It's amazing and really puts things in perspective. The ends DEFINITELY justify the means. The nausea, the tiredness, the food adversions and cravings, and anything yet to come won't matter once I get to hold my peanut in my arms.

Things are getting better. I stayed up until midnight on New Year's Eve. We spent it with my parents (although dad had to leave for work at 10:00). We went out to dinner with my Aunt and uncle to Texas Roadhouse - always a great place to eat. I had steak - normally I could take or leave steak - on Saturday it tasted heavenly and I ate every last bite. Then we went over to a friends house for a little while. When we got back home we played games, had some snacks and rang in the New Year with sparkling Cider and Dick Clark (poor man). Now I guess it is back to reality with no more holidays in site. Happy New Year everyone, and Happy New Year peanut - I can't wait until later this year when I can meet you!