Before I forget, I should make note of a few pregnancy related things. Just the other day my boss asked if I was getting uncomfortable from the pregnancy. I told him that I rarely even noticed I was pregnant because Chloe is such a good girl. Well not 24 hours later I found myself sitting in my computer chair with ribs so numb I thought they were bruised or cracked. I have decided that at 5'2'' there is just very little room in my abdomen once in the sitting position. While Chloe spends the work day kicking my ribs, my back also starts to complain from being all hunched over and tense from the kicking. So to my surprise, working is actually becoming very challenging. I have found that I am still totally comfortable as long as I am standing or lying down. I am considering setting up a work space on the couch so that I can lie down while I work.
I shouldn't even put this into words since it bit me in the butt last time, but I still sleep like a baby. A lot of pregnant women say they have to get up four or five times at night to use the bathroom, but I typically wake up once or not at all. As long as I have my body pillow, sleeping is the best part of the day!
Another annoying thing is that for the last 10 weeks or so the top of my belly has been burning as my skin stretches. The bottom part of my belly had a little more give, but the top part of my belly has never had any chub on it so it is a little tougher for baby to make room up there. I wish she would just give up, but she seems determined to use up every corner of my belly. I spend a lot of time scratching the top of my belly and pushing her little feet out of my ribs.
With the baby taking up more and more space in my belly I am finding that it is harder and harder to breathe. Every week I read aloud to Paul what the baby will be up to in the coming week and each week I get more and more winded as I read. My walk into work is about three blocks plus two flights of stairs. When I get to the office I am quite winded. I've read this is completely normal, but is yet another annoying thing.
I can tell that Chloe is positioned head down because she gets the hiccups in the lower left side of my abdomen and kicks my ribs with lethal force. I continue to do my pregnancy exercises to keep her positioned properly so hopefully she stays put for the remaining six weeks.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Chloe's "First" Christmas
Chloe's "first" Christmas flew by just like we expected. We missed my favorite Christmas party on my dad's side because they had it the Sunday before Christmas. We went home for Paul's family party on a Sunday two weeks prior and it just gets to be exhausting and expensive traveling all that way for just the day. But Chloe did pick up a few very cute gifts from that party including the most adorable elephant stuffed animal I have ever seen from Great Grandma and some cheetah print boots from Great Aunt Paula and Uncle Jeff.
My Dad came to Grand Rapids on Christmas Eve so that we could do our annual Christmas Eve shopping trip. We have been going for at least eight years now because the stores are not crowded and everything has already been marked down for the big day after Christmas sale. We showed up 45 minutes early to church that night and every seat was already full. We were standing in the back when I realized that I might be able to play the "pregnancy card." I took off my coat and when the usher saw me he put two seats together at the front of the church. We had the best view for the first time ever! Go Chloe! We went to the Baker's Christmas party later that night and then spent the night at my parent's house and watched It's A Beautiful Life before bed.
We woke up very early on Christmas morning because Baby Andrew is an early riser. Our baby Griffin is also an early riser. Every morning is Christmas morning for Griffin at my parent's house. He can't wait to get up to see Dolli and my Dad. One of my best Christmas surprises is that my parents bought us a KitchenAid! I was so excited that I cried. I am so thrilled and will need it to do some baking with Chloe in the future. I think the best part about this Christmas was opening presents for Chloe. She got some cute outfits, a toy, and a cute book from Aunt Shantel and Uncle Drew, and she got her first ornament from my Mom along with an outfit. After breakfast we slept until about noon and then headed over to Paul's house. We had a delicious dinner and watched the kids open gifts. Chloe got a Care Bear from Grandma and Grandpa. Santa brought the Moore's a new chocolate lab puppy named Bear. He looks just like a teddy bear and is super sweet. I got to cuddle with him at night since the kids were preoccupied playing with their new toys.
We also heard some good news over the weekend. Both Becky Reiber and Michelle Henige announced they are pregnant! That makes for four new babies on the Reiber side in 2010 with one in February, May, July, and August. Right now Shantel is the only married female on the Reiber side not pregnant. She had better watch out because people are catching pregnant on the toilet seats!
We headed back to Grand Rapids on Saturday so that we could relax the rest of the weekend. Overall, Christmas wasn't too stressful this year. I'm sure that next year will be a different story with Chloe running around. On New Years Eve I will be turning 26. My 20's are flying by just like this pregnancy!
My Dad came to Grand Rapids on Christmas Eve so that we could do our annual Christmas Eve shopping trip. We have been going for at least eight years now because the stores are not crowded and everything has already been marked down for the big day after Christmas sale. We showed up 45 minutes early to church that night and every seat was already full. We were standing in the back when I realized that I might be able to play the "pregnancy card." I took off my coat and when the usher saw me he put two seats together at the front of the church. We had the best view for the first time ever! Go Chloe! We went to the Baker's Christmas party later that night and then spent the night at my parent's house and watched It's A Beautiful Life before bed.
We woke up very early on Christmas morning because Baby Andrew is an early riser. Our baby Griffin is also an early riser. Every morning is Christmas morning for Griffin at my parent's house. He can't wait to get up to see Dolli and my Dad. One of my best Christmas surprises is that my parents bought us a KitchenAid! I was so excited that I cried. I am so thrilled and will need it to do some baking with Chloe in the future. I think the best part about this Christmas was opening presents for Chloe. She got some cute outfits, a toy, and a cute book from Aunt Shantel and Uncle Drew, and she got her first ornament from my Mom along with an outfit. After breakfast we slept until about noon and then headed over to Paul's house. We had a delicious dinner and watched the kids open gifts. Chloe got a Care Bear from Grandma and Grandpa. Santa brought the Moore's a new chocolate lab puppy named Bear. He looks just like a teddy bear and is super sweet. I got to cuddle with him at night since the kids were preoccupied playing with their new toys.
We also heard some good news over the weekend. Both Becky Reiber and Michelle Henige announced they are pregnant! That makes for four new babies on the Reiber side in 2010 with one in February, May, July, and August. Right now Shantel is the only married female on the Reiber side not pregnant. She had better watch out because people are catching pregnant on the toilet seats!
We headed back to Grand Rapids on Saturday so that we could relax the rest of the weekend. Overall, Christmas wasn't too stressful this year. I'm sure that next year will be a different story with Chloe running around. On New Years Eve I will be turning 26. My 20's are flying by just like this pregnancy!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
33 Week Update
At my doctors appointment last Friday I weighed in at 162, which means that so far I have gained over 25 pounds. It might be too early to detect a trend, but it seems I am gaining about a pound a week, which is on track with the books I have been reading. At this pace I should be able to keep the weight gain to about 35 pounds. We are seeing the doctor every two weeks now and will be going every week as the pregnancy comes to a close. I had to see the one doctor in the practice that I don't like, and he was the only one with an open appointment next week (I wonder why?). He will, inevitably, be the turd on call when I go into labor. Here is a pic of my 33 week belly.
Even though I definitely have a baby belly, and even though it is pretty obvious that I am only a little chubby, but mostly pregnant, people are still terrified to ask me about the baby. I don't know if I just look bitchy or if people in Western Michigan just mind their manners. So far, I have only had two women ask when I was due and one waiter who told me "he ain't never heard of no pregnant woman ordering a steak medium rare." Thanks. I'll have my scotch on the rocks, too. When I meet with new people at work I will notice them staring uncomfortably at my belly for a good half hour, minds racing, "Is she pregnant? Yes, she is definitely pregnant. Shit, if I ask and she isn't pregnant I will just die." After making them sweat I will usually bring it up in casual conversation and the floodgates open "I was going to ask you when your baby was due! Oh my gosh that is so exciting! What are you having? Do you plan to breastfeed? Because you HAVE to breastfeed or your baby will die." And I am proud to say that so far I have only had one belly rubber. I didn't like it, but I let it happen. There was far too large an audience and she was far too old for me to body slam her.
In other news, Paul and I attended his family's Christmas Party at Oakley Hall where we contracted some strain of the flu from one of the lovely guests. At least ten others came down with the same thing. Paul and I spent a few days plastered to the couch in the fetal position before recovering. Here is a picture of Oli and Tay at the party just before they got the flu. They must've known it was coming.
Just prior to our bout with the flu, Grand Rapids was blessed with its first snow storm of the year. It pretty much snowed only on Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo like usual. Paul took a picture before we left to get the flu. (Mom, don't look at the bows. I still need two more!)
Even though I definitely have a baby belly, and even though it is pretty obvious that I am only a little chubby, but mostly pregnant, people are still terrified to ask me about the baby. I don't know if I just look bitchy or if people in Western Michigan just mind their manners. So far, I have only had two women ask when I was due and one waiter who told me "he ain't never heard of no pregnant woman ordering a steak medium rare." Thanks. I'll have my scotch on the rocks, too. When I meet with new people at work I will notice them staring uncomfortably at my belly for a good half hour, minds racing, "Is she pregnant? Yes, she is definitely pregnant. Shit, if I ask and she isn't pregnant I will just die." After making them sweat I will usually bring it up in casual conversation and the floodgates open "I was going to ask you when your baby was due! Oh my gosh that is so exciting! What are you having? Do you plan to breastfeed? Because you HAVE to breastfeed or your baby will die." And I am proud to say that so far I have only had one belly rubber. I didn't like it, but I let it happen. There was far too large an audience and she was far too old for me to body slam her.
In other news, Paul and I attended his family's Christmas Party at Oakley Hall where we contracted some strain of the flu from one of the lovely guests. At least ten others came down with the same thing. Paul and I spent a few days plastered to the couch in the fetal position before recovering. Here is a picture of Oli and Tay at the party just before they got the flu. They must've known it was coming.
Just prior to our bout with the flu, Grand Rapids was blessed with its first snow storm of the year. It pretty much snowed only on Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo like usual. Paul took a picture before we left to get the flu. (Mom, don't look at the bows. I still need two more!)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
A Mother's Love
I would dare to bet that I have always been this way, but around my junior year of college I came to the realization that I have what I like to refer to as an obsessive, or addictive personality. It all started with Harry Potter. I read the first book in one day and then the next day I went out and bought the five remaining books. I read them over the course of two or three weeks all the while working a full time internship and taking a full course load. I can recall coming home from the bar one night at 2:00 am and anxiously cracking open my Harry Potter book. For weeks Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were the only people I talked about. I was having nightmares about Lord Voldemort and relating real life scenarios to scenes from Harry Potter. I was a total nutcase. I just couldn't stop! Shortly after my Harry Potter obsession I became hooked on Sex and the City. Eyes practically bleeding, I watched the series sometimes until 4:00 am. I have so many examples of these addictions. The minute I crack open the cover of a new book I feel inclined to finish it that day - even if it is horrible! It is just the way I am programmed.
All I know is that this particular personality trait transcends into my relationships with people. I have always preferred to have a small number of very close friends rather than a large group of acquaintances. I am a true believer in "best friends" and "soul mates." I prefer quality over quantity, and I prefer to give all my love to a small group of people rather than spread it out sparingly over many people. If I don't talk to Sara or Kelly for more than a week I start to feel like I haven't heard from them in over a year. I just need to know what they have been up to, and I truly care about what is happening in their lives. This lengthy explanation serves as the precursor to my next point. I am completely and madly in love with my dog, Griffin.
I love Griffin so much that I truly believe he has opened a part of my soul that I never knew existed. Sometimes I have dreams about Griff falling off a ledge or running into the street and I always, without thinking, risk my own life to save him. For the past two years, Griff has been our baby, our firstborn. We baby him and buy him gifts. We take him everywhere we go and I am often offended when people say he cannot come along. I am sure that Griffin is one of a kind. How many dogs do you know who can hold a hot, fresh piece of bacon in their jowls until you say "get it?" One. Griffin. I doubt most humans could do that! It is almost frightening how much I love my dog.
What I am getting at, what I have been thinking a lot about lately, is how insanely in love I will be with Chloe when she is born - how insanely in love I am with her already. There must be few things more powerful than a mother's love. I remember realizing one day, randomly, that my mother is the most amazing person in the world. I had spent a good 5-7 years being totally embarrassed of her when one day it hit me that only God Himself could love me more than my mom. And instantly it broke my heart. I thought of how she stayed home with us until we were in school. When we were old enough she got a job and went to school part time. I remember jumping on her bed while she studied for her CPA exam. Have you ever taken beginning accounting? She is amazing. She dragged us around to softball, dance, wrestling, and birthday parties. She never took a day off from loving us. Then I thought of how utterly terrible I was to her for so many years. I had even screamed the words "I HATE YOU" and slammed the door in her face. And yet she STILL loves me. I think she loves me more and more each day. That kind of love and devotion is truly remarkable. It is difficult to even put into words. I just know that I am in for something huge, something unquantifiable. Thank you, God, for giving me the opportunity to experience the power of a mother's love!
All I know is that this particular personality trait transcends into my relationships with people. I have always preferred to have a small number of very close friends rather than a large group of acquaintances. I am a true believer in "best friends" and "soul mates." I prefer quality over quantity, and I prefer to give all my love to a small group of people rather than spread it out sparingly over many people. If I don't talk to Sara or Kelly for more than a week I start to feel like I haven't heard from them in over a year. I just need to know what they have been up to, and I truly care about what is happening in their lives. This lengthy explanation serves as the precursor to my next point. I am completely and madly in love with my dog, Griffin.
I love Griffin so much that I truly believe he has opened a part of my soul that I never knew existed. Sometimes I have dreams about Griff falling off a ledge or running into the street and I always, without thinking, risk my own life to save him. For the past two years, Griff has been our baby, our firstborn. We baby him and buy him gifts. We take him everywhere we go and I am often offended when people say he cannot come along. I am sure that Griffin is one of a kind. How many dogs do you know who can hold a hot, fresh piece of bacon in their jowls until you say "get it?" One. Griffin. I doubt most humans could do that! It is almost frightening how much I love my dog.
What I am getting at, what I have been thinking a lot about lately, is how insanely in love I will be with Chloe when she is born - how insanely in love I am with her already. There must be few things more powerful than a mother's love. I remember realizing one day, randomly, that my mother is the most amazing person in the world. I had spent a good 5-7 years being totally embarrassed of her when one day it hit me that only God Himself could love me more than my mom. And instantly it broke my heart. I thought of how she stayed home with us until we were in school. When we were old enough she got a job and went to school part time. I remember jumping on her bed while she studied for her CPA exam. Have you ever taken beginning accounting? She is amazing. She dragged us around to softball, dance, wrestling, and birthday parties. She never took a day off from loving us. Then I thought of how utterly terrible I was to her for so many years. I had even screamed the words "I HATE YOU" and slammed the door in her face. And yet she STILL loves me. I think she loves me more and more each day. That kind of love and devotion is truly remarkable. It is difficult to even put into words. I just know that I am in for something huge, something unquantifiable. Thank you, God, for giving me the opportunity to experience the power of a mother's love!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Your Life Will Never Be The Same
These words, or some variation of these words, echo in my mind. Could this be because I hear them every single day? Your life will never be the same again. Your life is about to change forever. Children are the best and worst thing that will ever happen to you. And the charming advice goes on. While I realize that we are about to have an atomic bomb dropped directly on our perfect lives, I can't help but to hope and pray that some things never change.
I never want to have to forget how much we laugh. Every single day. There has never been a time that we have gone out to eat when Paul hasn't made me laugh hysterically. Usually it is just from him making a funny face or speaking in a funny voice over and over again. Oh the things he does to make me laugh. Like we will be sitting next to an old lady at a stop light who is creeping up on the red light and Paul will randomly peel out of the intersection like it's a race. That makes me almost pee myself. Or he will stand Griffin up on his hind legs and perform a song and dance just for me. It's not witty or sarcastic humor; it's just plain goofy humor. We are on the same wavelength. Have you ever heard the song "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds? It's a really serious love song about one of his many wives, but we tend get a kick out of the song by imagining Griffin at the piano singing the lyrics about us. And for one reason or another, Paul finds me to be particularly amusing at times. Chloe, maybe someday I'll perform my dance to Taylor Swift's "Love Story." Daddy finds this to be quite comical. I think that all of the goofy, insane things we do to make each other laugh are what ultimately keep us grounded, and I look forward to hearing even more laughter in our home as the years pass.
Most of all I pray that my love for Paul only goes stronger. I am confident that he is going to be a wonderful daddy. I can see him outside raking leaves into big piles for Chloe and giving her piggy back rides. She'll have him wrapped around her finger in no time. I love Paul more for loving Griffin the way I do, and his love for Chloe already melts my heart!
I never want to have to forget how much we laugh. Every single day. There has never been a time that we have gone out to eat when Paul hasn't made me laugh hysterically. Usually it is just from him making a funny face or speaking in a funny voice over and over again. Oh the things he does to make me laugh. Like we will be sitting next to an old lady at a stop light who is creeping up on the red light and Paul will randomly peel out of the intersection like it's a race. That makes me almost pee myself. Or he will stand Griffin up on his hind legs and perform a song and dance just for me. It's not witty or sarcastic humor; it's just plain goofy humor. We are on the same wavelength. Have you ever heard the song "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds? It's a really serious love song about one of his many wives, but we tend get a kick out of the song by imagining Griffin at the piano singing the lyrics about us. And for one reason or another, Paul finds me to be particularly amusing at times. Chloe, maybe someday I'll perform my dance to Taylor Swift's "Love Story." Daddy finds this to be quite comical. I think that all of the goofy, insane things we do to make each other laugh are what ultimately keep us grounded, and I look forward to hearing even more laughter in our home as the years pass.
Most of all I pray that my love for Paul only goes stronger. I am confident that he is going to be a wonderful daddy. I can see him outside raking leaves into big piles for Chloe and giving her piggy back rides. She'll have him wrapped around her finger in no time. I love Paul more for loving Griffin the way I do, and his love for Chloe already melts my heart!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Giving Thanks
For all of the mental haziness pregnancy has presented in my daily life, it has created boundless clarity of God's mighty blessings on our family. God has given me the opportunity to help create a human life, and I feel closer to Him than ever. How many times in life are we given the opportunity to do something so awesome? Besides Chloe, this family has so much to be thankful for this holiday season. After spending his first few weeks of life in the hospital, our newest nephew Henry (Hank) Arthur McIvor returned home a happy, healthy baby just in time for Thanksgiving. As you can see, he is the perfect blend of Sophia and Emma.
We cannot wait to meet this little guy!
God has also blessed us with the most amazing family and group of friends. This past weekend we had two baby showers where we received nearly every single item on our registry and more. My mom's shower was first at 11:00 am at The Junction of Hope Restaurant. We had salad bar, sandwiches, and cake. We also passed out adorable, delicious pink and white elephant cookies. My mom made an amazing diaper cake (which Oli thought would probably taste a little poopy). I had so much fun opening the presents. If we weren't sure of her name before our showers she is definitely Chloe now, because Drew and Shantel bought Chloe a cute little green and white, polka-dot chair embroidered with her name. Mom made us an endless supply of burp cloths and bibs in addition to a couple of receiving blankets and warm blankets with silkies on the edge at Paul's request. She even bought the digital monitor that Paul so desperately wanted. My aunts all went in on our travel system. Here are a few photos from the shower.
Kendra, Bobby Kay, and Bob's sisters threw a fancy shower at Kendra's house at 3:00. It was a french country theme and everything from the invitations to the food was absolutely perfect. We had cheese soup, brisket, rosemary potatoes, green beans, and a host of fancy hors d'oeuvres and desserts. At this shower we received quite a few thoughtful gifts including the changing table I mentioned in a previous post, a handmade quilt, and homemade cards from Oli, Ave, and Tay. Additionally, we received a package full of odds and ends Tay found around the house (including a Leapster cartridge) and hand wrapped herself (It turns out that we had to give it all back, but hey, it's the thought!). Here are a few photos from the shower.
We cannot wait to meet this little guy!
God has also blessed us with the most amazing family and group of friends. This past weekend we had two baby showers where we received nearly every single item on our registry and more. My mom's shower was first at 11:00 am at The Junction of Hope Restaurant. We had salad bar, sandwiches, and cake. We also passed out adorable, delicious pink and white elephant cookies. My mom made an amazing diaper cake (which Oli thought would probably taste a little poopy). I had so much fun opening the presents. If we weren't sure of her name before our showers she is definitely Chloe now, because Drew and Shantel bought Chloe a cute little green and white, polka-dot chair embroidered with her name. Mom made us an endless supply of burp cloths and bibs in addition to a couple of receiving blankets and warm blankets with silkies on the edge at Paul's request. She even bought the digital monitor that Paul so desperately wanted. My aunts all went in on our travel system. Here are a few photos from the shower.
Kendra, Bobby Kay, and Bob's sisters threw a fancy shower at Kendra's house at 3:00. It was a french country theme and everything from the invitations to the food was absolutely perfect. We had cheese soup, brisket, rosemary potatoes, green beans, and a host of fancy hors d'oeuvres and desserts. At this shower we received quite a few thoughtful gifts including the changing table I mentioned in a previous post, a handmade quilt, and homemade cards from Oli, Ave, and Tay. Additionally, we received a package full of odds and ends Tay found around the house (including a Leapster cartridge) and hand wrapped herself (It turns out that we had to give it all back, but hey, it's the thought!). Here are a few photos from the shower.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
First Baby Shower
On November 14, Kelly and Julie threw a perfect, pink and green, elephant themed baby shower for me and Chloe. It was the most beautiful shower ever and we felt so spoiled! The menu included homemade salads, soup, and fresh fruit. For dessert we had an elephant cake and cake suckers. Here are a few pictures.
The dessert table. I held the cake up just like you taught me, mom.
This is the clothesline full of goodies from our registry (plus some!)
Kelly had these blocks made just for Chloe!
A few more decorations including a pink elephant Kelly found on her vacation and a picture frame with Chloe's ultrasound picture.
We ate, opened gifts, and talked about the upcoming labor and delivery. Thankfully, only Kylee had a war story to tell, although I have to say that 3.5 hours of pushing a 10+ pound baby after her epidural wore off is quite the frightening war story. We received a lot of nice presents including our Pack and Play, Diaper Genie, bottles, receiving blankets, thermometer, and more. Sara's dog Lola bought Chloe a pair of Nike's, a tutu dress, Mary Jane socks, and a onesie that reads "Cute, petite female seeks intelligent male with full piggybank. Must enjoy finger painting and stuffed animals." I was also really excited to receive our baby wipe warmer. I know what you are thinking. I realize that a wipe warmer is probably a bit over the top in terms of a spoiled baby, but you have to realize that our home was built in 1926 and the wipes would be served up just shy of freezing if we didn't use a wipe warmer!
Paul and I had a lot of fun this weekend sorting through and organizing all of our great presents. I think next weekend will be pretty overwhelming with two showers in a row, but we are really excited to see all of our friends and family!
The dessert table. I held the cake up just like you taught me, mom.
This is the clothesline full of goodies from our registry (plus some!)
Kelly had these blocks made just for Chloe!
A few more decorations including a pink elephant Kelly found on her vacation and a picture frame with Chloe's ultrasound picture.
We ate, opened gifts, and talked about the upcoming labor and delivery. Thankfully, only Kylee had a war story to tell, although I have to say that 3.5 hours of pushing a 10+ pound baby after her epidural wore off is quite the frightening war story. We received a lot of nice presents including our Pack and Play, Diaper Genie, bottles, receiving blankets, thermometer, and more. Sara's dog Lola bought Chloe a pair of Nike's, a tutu dress, Mary Jane socks, and a onesie that reads "Cute, petite female seeks intelligent male with full piggybank. Must enjoy finger painting and stuffed animals." I was also really excited to receive our baby wipe warmer. I know what you are thinking. I realize that a wipe warmer is probably a bit over the top in terms of a spoiled baby, but you have to realize that our home was built in 1926 and the wipes would be served up just shy of freezing if we didn't use a wipe warmer!
Paul and I had a lot of fun this weekend sorting through and organizing all of our great presents. I think next weekend will be pretty overwhelming with two showers in a row, but we are really excited to see all of our friends and family!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
27 Week Update
Back by popular demand (okay back by Kellie's demand) I have a new baby bump picture. I have decided that now that my belly is getting big I can no longer afford to take the photo before bed in my sweats. While I don't have any stretch marks yet (please pray that continues to be the case), I do feel that the belly is much cuter while clothed! I have to say that over the past week my belly really "popped" again. I came back from Indianapolis and was shocked to see that I could finally fit into most of the maternity shirts I bought. So here is my 27 week shot.
Chloe is doing well and is getting enough exercise flipping and flopping around. Some days I can feel her kicks deeper in my tummy and then other days you can see her bouncing around very clearly through my shirt. I'm not sure that I am in tune enough to figure out her schedule, though I do know always notice her right when I wake up, right after I eat, and right before bed. She kicks randomly throughout the day, but I usually don't notice anymore.
Paul worked on the nursery while I was gone and it is really looking beautiful. I think I'll wait until after I get the rug and changing table in there to post a picture. I love it so much and I love to just go sit in there. I catch Paul brushing his teeth in there and peeking in every now and then, too.
I took the gestational diabetes test on Monday morning. The drink was pretty disgusting like everyone said it would be. The worst part about the test was sitting in the waiting room for an hour. The people were coming out of the woodwork. I have never seen such a collection of people. The guy who sat next to me smelled like he hadn't showered for weeks, and you could see the swine flu just running around high fiving people. Ick. I'm glad it's over! I am supposed to receive a phone call sometime this week or next week if there are bad results. Otherwise, we go over the test results on my next appointment.
Kelly and Julie's "friends" shower is this Saturday and I am super excited! I have a feeling that Kel has been working Jules to the bone. I know it will be the most beautiful shower I have ever seen. Is it Saturday, yet?
Chloe is doing well and is getting enough exercise flipping and flopping around. Some days I can feel her kicks deeper in my tummy and then other days you can see her bouncing around very clearly through my shirt. I'm not sure that I am in tune enough to figure out her schedule, though I do know always notice her right when I wake up, right after I eat, and right before bed. She kicks randomly throughout the day, but I usually don't notice anymore.
Paul worked on the nursery while I was gone and it is really looking beautiful. I think I'll wait until after I get the rug and changing table in there to post a picture. I love it so much and I love to just go sit in there. I catch Paul brushing his teeth in there and peeking in every now and then, too.
I took the gestational diabetes test on Monday morning. The drink was pretty disgusting like everyone said it would be. The worst part about the test was sitting in the waiting room for an hour. The people were coming out of the woodwork. I have never seen such a collection of people. The guy who sat next to me smelled like he hadn't showered for weeks, and you could see the swine flu just running around high fiving people. Ick. I'm glad it's over! I am supposed to receive a phone call sometime this week or next week if there are bad results. Otherwise, we go over the test results on my next appointment.
Kelly and Julie's "friends" shower is this Saturday and I am super excited! I have a feeling that Kel has been working Jules to the bone. I know it will be the most beautiful shower I have ever seen. Is it Saturday, yet?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The Planning Stages
Ever since we found out we are having a baby girl we have been more excited than ever. We always talk about how we can't wait to meet Chloe! We are obviously not quite ready for her to arrive yet, but we have been channeling our excitement by planning. Immediately after we found out the sex of the baby we went to Babies R Us to pick out a pink outfit. While we were there we decided to start our registry. My mom helped us by finding most of the things Drew and Shantel put on their registry. We went back the next day to add a few things we forgot. When we were done the lady at the counter told us that we only had 85 items and most people have over 150. I thought we already picked out too much stuff for one little baby. Here is a link to our registry. Babies"R"Us - Baby Registry
The next thing we picked out was the crib bedding. We couldn't find anything we liked at Babies R Us, so we picked up a JCPenney Catalog. I am obsessed with elephants and I really wanted elephant bedding. Paul was set on having a pink and green nursery. As luck would have it we found pink and green elephant bedding!
We ordered a four piece bedding set, a diaper changer, mobile, and two window valances. It turns out that Chloe has the luck of the Reiber's and we received a six piece bedding set that included a diaper changer and valance. So we got to take the window valance and diaper changer back!
We are going to paint the walls a sage green color since I refuse to have a pink wall in the house. Paul had the idea to paint a light pink border. He has this whole vision and I'm going to let him run with it (if only because it can be painted over in case it looks bad). We are picking out the paint this week and he is going to paint the room while I am in Indianapolis next week.
We also ordered a crib, which should be here any day now. It is a cherry colored convertible crib. Once we get the crib then we can pick out stain to match our dresser and diaper changing table to the crib. Paul is in the process of sanding down my mom's old dresser. It is a nice solid wood dresser with cute little wavy handles, and I thought it would be perfect for the nursery.
We are very blessed to know some of the kindest people in the world. We were having some trouble finding a diaper changing table. Most people use their dresser as a two-in-one, but our dresser is too tall for me at 5'2'', and we didn't want to buy a dresser/diaper changer when we already had a nice dresser. We were almost able to borrow Kendra's old diaper changer, but it has since been passed down. When Kendra's mother-in-law, Marie, found out that we were looking for a diaper changing table she offered to find one at a consignment shop, strip it, and refinish it to match the crib as a shower gift. I think you would have to be crazy to turn down a kind offer like that. She has already found a nice hardwood diaper changer and probably had it stripped down the day she found it. We will just need a nice soft rug and a glider to finish off the furniture in the room.
We are also very blessed to have three baby showers being thrown for us! My friends Kelly and Julie are planning a "friends" shower on November 14. My mom and Kendra have showers planned for me on November 21. The baby showers are going to be a million times more fun than my bridal shower. We can't wait to get all of our baby stuff!
The next thing we picked out was the crib bedding. We couldn't find anything we liked at Babies R Us, so we picked up a JCPenney Catalog. I am obsessed with elephants and I really wanted elephant bedding. Paul was set on having a pink and green nursery. As luck would have it we found pink and green elephant bedding!
We ordered a four piece bedding set, a diaper changer, mobile, and two window valances. It turns out that Chloe has the luck of the Reiber's and we received a six piece bedding set that included a diaper changer and valance. So we got to take the window valance and diaper changer back!
We are going to paint the walls a sage green color since I refuse to have a pink wall in the house. Paul had the idea to paint a light pink border. He has this whole vision and I'm going to let him run with it (if only because it can be painted over in case it looks bad). We are picking out the paint this week and he is going to paint the room while I am in Indianapolis next week.
We also ordered a crib, which should be here any day now. It is a cherry colored convertible crib. Once we get the crib then we can pick out stain to match our dresser and diaper changing table to the crib. Paul is in the process of sanding down my mom's old dresser. It is a nice solid wood dresser with cute little wavy handles, and I thought it would be perfect for the nursery.
We are very blessed to know some of the kindest people in the world. We were having some trouble finding a diaper changing table. Most people use their dresser as a two-in-one, but our dresser is too tall for me at 5'2'', and we didn't want to buy a dresser/diaper changer when we already had a nice dresser. We were almost able to borrow Kendra's old diaper changer, but it has since been passed down. When Kendra's mother-in-law, Marie, found out that we were looking for a diaper changing table she offered to find one at a consignment shop, strip it, and refinish it to match the crib as a shower gift. I think you would have to be crazy to turn down a kind offer like that. She has already found a nice hardwood diaper changer and probably had it stripped down the day she found it. We will just need a nice soft rug and a glider to finish off the furniture in the room.
We are also very blessed to have three baby showers being thrown for us! My friends Kelly and Julie are planning a "friends" shower on November 14. My mom and Kendra have showers planned for me on November 21. The baby showers are going to be a million times more fun than my bridal shower. We can't wait to get all of our baby stuff!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Baby Names
To say people are "funny" about baby names is an understatement. I know people who refuse to tell you their baby name in fear that you will steal it or dislike it. There are people who honestly don't have a clue what the name will be until the baby is born, and then there are people who will tell you every name they have ever imagined. I always thought that I would be one of the secretive types, but as it turns out, I enjoy talking about anything baby, and that includes baby names.
I have always had two names I liked for a girl. In high school I loved the name Chloe and I can vividly remember telling Paul that someday we would get married and have a baby girl named Chloe (We were the only ones who thought we'd make it this far!). Then in college I fell in love with the name Eliana, or Ellie for short. When we first found out I was pregnant I looked up the meaning of both names. Eliana meant "The Lord answers our prayers." I thought that was the coolest thing in the world, and I was even more sure we were going to have a baby girl. Lately, though, I have been thinking more about both names. When it comes to Eliana I envision a really well behaved, proper, brunette. But I just see our daughter having wild, curly, blond hair with a big Kool Aid mustache, and to me Chloe just fits her better. So after we found out baby girl was a girl we started calling her Chloe.
I do realize that this is both a popular human and dog name. I do know three dogs by the name of Chloe, but they are nice dogs and so the name doesn't have a negative connotation for me :o) Chloe is also the 10th most popular baby name. I never wanted to pick a popular name because I have five close friends and relatives named Kelly. I don't want her to have to be Chloe T. or Chloe #5 or anything like that when she goes to school. So do me a favor when the next person tells you they are thinking of the name Chloe and do that weird, slow head nod thing with a really slow, high pitched "ooooh, I like that" that so obviously means you hate it. Chloe will be eternally grateful!
I have always had two names I liked for a girl. In high school I loved the name Chloe and I can vividly remember telling Paul that someday we would get married and have a baby girl named Chloe (We were the only ones who thought we'd make it this far!). Then in college I fell in love with the name Eliana, or Ellie for short. When we first found out I was pregnant I looked up the meaning of both names. Eliana meant "The Lord answers our prayers." I thought that was the coolest thing in the world, and I was even more sure we were going to have a baby girl. Lately, though, I have been thinking more about both names. When it comes to Eliana I envision a really well behaved, proper, brunette. But I just see our daughter having wild, curly, blond hair with a big Kool Aid mustache, and to me Chloe just fits her better. So after we found out baby girl was a girl we started calling her Chloe.
I do realize that this is both a popular human and dog name. I do know three dogs by the name of Chloe, but they are nice dogs and so the name doesn't have a negative connotation for me :o) Chloe is also the 10th most popular baby name. I never wanted to pick a popular name because I have five close friends and relatives named Kelly. I don't want her to have to be Chloe T. or Chloe #5 or anything like that when she goes to school. So do me a favor when the next person tells you they are thinking of the name Chloe and do that weird, slow head nod thing with a really slow, high pitched "ooooh, I like that" that so obviously means you hate it. Chloe will be eternally grateful!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Ultrasound
In the beginning of the ultrasound baby girl was squished by my full bladder and she wasn't moving around very much. The tech asked me to go to the bathroom to see if we could get her to move around a little more. Sure enough when I came back baby was kicking, stretching, and somersaulting. It was really cool to be able to see her movements on the screen at the same time I could feel them in my belly. She had her legs completely stretched out! Overall, the ultrasound was a success. The doctor said that baby was really photogenic. The doctor found all of the body parts she was looking for and said that hundreds of diseases and birth defects could be ruled out from the results of the ultrasound. Paul knows most of the exact measurements by heart. For example, her leg was 3.44 centimeters, which is about how long her whole body was at week 11. She was 14 ounces and was the size of a small baby doll. We were right on track at about 21 weeks and our due date is still February 10. Here is a blurry pic, but you get the idea.
My neighbor recently noticed that my belly has seemed to "pop." At first I didn't really agree, but I guess lately I have noticed a bit of a belly. I still think that you would have to be very brave stranger to inquire about my due date. I can still hide the bump pretty well if I try, but it does seem to take great effort. When Paul took this 22 week picture I had to laugh when I realized just how much of a belly I have compared to a few weeks ago.
It doesn't really surprise me that my belly is getting so big all of a sudden because it is growing in direct proportion to the strength of baby's kicks. She kicks like a madwoman and it has been really frustrating to me that Paul can't feel it. Last week I was working at my computer when all of a sudden the kicking got out of control. I looked down and my belly was visibly bouncing around. I tried to record it on my phone, but it didn't show up well enough. I wanted Paul to be able to see it! Finally, on the anniversary of week 22, as we got in bed bed baby started kicking up a storm. I told Paul to look and he was in shock. His face lit up and I knew that he could FINALLY see it! He gave her a kiss and she kicked his lips and he felt that, too. It was so much fun to finally be able to share the experience with Paul. He is such a proud daddy!
My neighbor recently noticed that my belly has seemed to "pop." At first I didn't really agree, but I guess lately I have noticed a bit of a belly. I still think that you would have to be very brave stranger to inquire about my due date. I can still hide the bump pretty well if I try, but it does seem to take great effort. When Paul took this 22 week picture I had to laugh when I realized just how much of a belly I have compared to a few weeks ago.
It doesn't really surprise me that my belly is getting so big all of a sudden because it is growing in direct proportion to the strength of baby's kicks. She kicks like a madwoman and it has been really frustrating to me that Paul can't feel it. Last week I was working at my computer when all of a sudden the kicking got out of control. I looked down and my belly was visibly bouncing around. I tried to record it on my phone, but it didn't show up well enough. I wanted Paul to be able to see it! Finally, on the anniversary of week 22, as we got in bed bed baby started kicking up a storm. I told Paul to look and he was in shock. His face lit up and I knew that he could FINALLY see it! He gave her a kiss and she kicked his lips and he felt that, too. It was so much fun to finally be able to share the experience with Paul. He is such a proud daddy!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Shock Factor
Well well, like I said, we are going to have a baby girl. I have to admit right off hand that I am so excited, but at the same time I am so terrified! As I mentioned previously, I have always imagined myself having three boys. You throw them in the backyard and like a pack of wolves they practically raise themselves, right? Little girls both mesmerize me and terrify me. Paul and I have four nieces and we love, love, love them. They entertain the hell out of me. The problem is that they are so emotionally exhausting. For example, the first time that Oli came to visit our house she came up and said, "Aunt Cassie, I'm cold." I said, "Oh well we can turn the heat up," as we do keep our house at subzero temps in the winter to have more shoe money. She gave me a sad face and then Kendra said, "She isn't cold, she just wants a fire in the fireplace." Well why in the heck didn't she just say so?! I immediately began to realize why men so often buy all the wrong gifts and say all the wrong things.
I said before that I had this instinct right in the beginning that we were having a baby girl. I was telling people that I was 99% convinced that we were having a girl. I was just sure of it! I got so excited thinking about having a baby girl. Then during our first ultrasound the tech said she thought she could see something between the legs (turns out she could see a vagina) but that it was too early to tell since girl parts are very swollen that early. Regardless of her warning, I was then convinced that we were having a boy. So you can imagine my shock when the ultrasound tech said "It's a girl!" Paul and I didn't say a word for probably five minutes. We were so shocked. Paul looked to be enjoying the pictures from the ultrasound while my mind wandered off into la la land. My mind skipped past all of the cute, sweet years straight to the evil teenage years. I am so scared of a teenage girl! But then I was thinking that God gives us a good 10 to 15 years to fall in love with the soon-so-be brat before they turn sour.
By the end of the day we were giddy with excitement to know that baby is, in fact, a baby girl. It is so much fun to call her a "her" and "she." She feels so much more real now. I could cry just thinking about how much I love her already. I want to live the longest life just to be with her and watch her grow. And one day, when she grows out of the satanic teenage years, I get to look forward to having a new best friend. In the meantime, my heart swells with the kind of love that only mommies know.
I said before that I had this instinct right in the beginning that we were having a baby girl. I was telling people that I was 99% convinced that we were having a girl. I was just sure of it! I got so excited thinking about having a baby girl. Then during our first ultrasound the tech said she thought she could see something between the legs (turns out she could see a vagina) but that it was too early to tell since girl parts are very swollen that early. Regardless of her warning, I was then convinced that we were having a boy. So you can imagine my shock when the ultrasound tech said "It's a girl!" Paul and I didn't say a word for probably five minutes. We were so shocked. Paul looked to be enjoying the pictures from the ultrasound while my mind wandered off into la la land. My mind skipped past all of the cute, sweet years straight to the evil teenage years. I am so scared of a teenage girl! But then I was thinking that God gives us a good 10 to 15 years to fall in love with the soon-so-be brat before they turn sour.
By the end of the day we were giddy with excitement to know that baby is, in fact, a baby girl. It is so much fun to call her a "her" and "she." She feels so much more real now. I could cry just thinking about how much I love her already. I want to live the longest life just to be with her and watch her grow. And one day, when she grows out of the satanic teenage years, I get to look forward to having a new best friend. In the meantime, my heart swells with the kind of love that only mommies know.
Monday, October 5, 2009
It's A Girl!
While I am almost sure that anyone reading this blog has already been informed either by my mass texts, phone calls, or by word of mouth, we are going to have a baby girl! I have more to say on this matter, but will have to post when I have a little more time.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Ouch!
I am officially in the midst of my first truly uncomfortable symptom of pregnancy. Last week I began having round ligament pain. I stood up quickly from a sofa and nearly yelped out loud. The pain shot down my right side and left me doing the pregnant waddle for a good hour. It went away for most of the weekend, but returned yesterday and today. While it doesn't feel nice at all, it is a reassuring sign that my body is making room for baby to grow. All of the women in our birthing class seem to be having the same pains, and as they are all a few weeks ahead of me, my guess is that I'll be stuck with these pains for a while.
We get to find out the sex of the baby this Friday so stay tuned!
We get to find out the sex of the baby this Friday so stay tuned!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Call Me Crazy, but...
For some reason I have always wanted to have a natural childbirth. Even if it is just for the first one. Part of me just wants to say that I did it. Another reason is that, for me, few stories in the Bible are as clear as the story of Adam and Eve. God tells Eve that because she has sinned He will greatly increase her pains in childbirth and that with pain women will give birth to children. When I tell people this, most are downright rude and tell me that I'm crazy. I was even told that you don't get a gold star for having a baby naturally. I don't care how anyone else gave birth, with or without an epidural. At the end of the day you still did it and that is amazing. I just want to do it differently. I don't have a problem with epidurals and I may even have one someday, but I have only heard two good epidural birth stories.
That is another thing about being pregnant. People love to tell you their birth story. For the most part, I enjoy hearing them - both good and bad. I figure that if you can put your body through that kind of distress and live to tell the story then you deserve to shout it from the rooftops. Other than our mothers and grandmothers, I only have one friend who gave birth naturally. In my mind, her birth is one of the best stories I have heard. Other women tell me that they had an epidural that worked everywhere but where it was supposed to, or that the epidural wore off early and the doctors wouldn't give her any more. Could you imagine going from no pain at all directly to the worst pain that you have ever felt in your life? Then there is my friend who said she was flipping through magazines and listening to her iPod when she felt "some pressure" that happened to be a baby. She pushed for a half hour and voila.
Now I don't plan to just go in there unprepared and pop out a baby like a Gladiator. Paul and I attended our first of 12 birthing classes on Monday night. Paul wasn't too thrilled about going to a class once every 12 weeks, but I'm hoping he'll come around. We chose to go with the Bradley Method. Of the couples who take the course, about 86% have given birth naturally. I was really terrified of signing up for the class. I can say I want a natural birth all I want, but signing up for the class made it feel awfully real. Within the first hour of the first class, I knew this is what I wanted. The class covers everything from nutrition and exercise to relaxation and breastfeeding. Relaxation is the key to the method and while we have a lot to learn, I know that by the end I will not have a fear of giving birth. If nothing else, the method will teach me how to labor at home long enough that by the time I get to the hospital and I am screaming for an epidural it will be too late. :o)
That is another thing about being pregnant. People love to tell you their birth story. For the most part, I enjoy hearing them - both good and bad. I figure that if you can put your body through that kind of distress and live to tell the story then you deserve to shout it from the rooftops. Other than our mothers and grandmothers, I only have one friend who gave birth naturally. In my mind, her birth is one of the best stories I have heard. Other women tell me that they had an epidural that worked everywhere but where it was supposed to, or that the epidural wore off early and the doctors wouldn't give her any more. Could you imagine going from no pain at all directly to the worst pain that you have ever felt in your life? Then there is my friend who said she was flipping through magazines and listening to her iPod when she felt "some pressure" that happened to be a baby. She pushed for a half hour and voila.
Now I don't plan to just go in there unprepared and pop out a baby like a Gladiator. Paul and I attended our first of 12 birthing classes on Monday night. Paul wasn't too thrilled about going to a class once every 12 weeks, but I'm hoping he'll come around. We chose to go with the Bradley Method. Of the couples who take the course, about 86% have given birth naturally. I was really terrified of signing up for the class. I can say I want a natural birth all I want, but signing up for the class made it feel awfully real. Within the first hour of the first class, I knew this is what I wanted. The class covers everything from nutrition and exercise to relaxation and breastfeeding. Relaxation is the key to the method and while we have a lot to learn, I know that by the end I will not have a fear of giving birth. If nothing else, the method will teach me how to labor at home long enough that by the time I get to the hospital and I am screaming for an epidural it will be too late. :o)
Monday, September 14, 2009
Belly Button
Paul finally convinced me to remove my belly button ring. He wanted me to take it out because I was going to have a big pregnant belly soon and while he never said so, I think he thought it would be ugly. I wanted to take it out partly because it was a little trashy, but mostly because I definitely thought it would be ugly to have with a big pregnant belly. The problem has always been that ever since I got the darn thing five years ago in college, I have been terrified of taking it out. So for five years I have had the same eight dollar stainless steel bar in my belly button. I was right to be scared about taking it out. I tried for two days to unscrew it by myself. Finally, when Paul figured out what I was trying to do, he came at me with a pair of needle nose pliers and regular pliers. Aaah! It took him giggling and torturing me for ten minutes before he freed me from that silly ring. I will always have the fond memory of driving by the tattoo place and swinging in on a whim with my college roommate to voluntarily stick a needle through our belly buttons.
Now people ask if I think I will have a "turkey-timer" belly button. I can answer with almost 100% positivity that I will not, in fact, have a "turkey-timer." This is because I swear to this day that my belly button is an open orphus. You would need a flashlight and the jaws of life to see the end of my belly button. Of course, I could be wrong. Only time will tell.
Now people ask if I think I will have a "turkey-timer" belly button. I can answer with almost 100% positivity that I will not, in fact, have a "turkey-timer." This is because I swear to this day that my belly button is an open orphus. You would need a flashlight and the jaws of life to see the end of my belly button. Of course, I could be wrong. Only time will tell.
Lessons Learned
Here is my 18 week baby bump! It is right before bed and I'm not looking my best, but it gives you an idea.
Even before I was pregnant Paul has been interested in looking through the baby isles at Target and Meijer. Like I said, he has wanted a baby it seems like forever! For some reason, even now, I find myself skipping past the isles. At first it was like the baby wasn't real to me yet, but now I skip them because I want to know the sex of the baby before we enter. I have to be feverishly prepared for everything. It makes me wonder how I will adapt to this mommy business. Primarily, I learn one of two ways. Either I A. study relentlessly any book I can get my hands on or B. try it once on my own, screw it up beautifully, and never ever make that mistake again.
I anticipate that even the smallest tasks like changing a diaper will be some of the most interesting learning experiences. I can recall many years ago changing Oli's diaper. I made the terrible rookie mistake of removing the diaper and placing it next to Oli. While I was struggling to differentiate between the front and back of the diaper, something hit me smack dab between the middle of the eyes. I looked up at Oli just in time to see her grab a little turd from the diaper and chuck it at my head. I freaked out and whipped the diaper over to my side, effectively whipping turds all over the bedroom floor. Oli just laughed and laughed, but when I think back on the event it replays in my mind like a horror scene. Lesson? Never place the diaper next to the baby's head and, if you do, wrap it up first! Also, it is a good idea to figure out the front and back of the diaper before you are facing a bare butt.
People very generously offer to let soon-to-be mothers "practice" on their babies. I have been given the kind opportunity to change many diapers. The truth is, if you are pretty sure you are going to do something wrong and make the baby cry, it is much more comforting to do it without an audience.
I am pretty terrified of all of the things we will need to learn in raising our new baby. The knowledge of a thousand books probably couldn't compare to the first hand life experience of raising your first child. But at the end of the day I cannot wait to meet the little baby growing inside of me. I had the opportunity to hold and feed Andrew a couple of times this weekend. Starting down at his big, curious eyes I realized that it is hard to get tired of cuddling and cooing a baby. He is just so sweet and innocent. And how often do you get to feel like a hero just because you replaced a pacifier with a bottle? Okay, I guess Paul does give me that same look of gratification when I replace his empty beer can.
By the way, thank you to the Moore's & Walser's for coming to our Labor Day Party. Here are a few pics.
Kendra cleaned my kitchen as per usual.
Ave gave Lola a foot massage.
Played a little flip cup. Even baby and I played with water. This baby should be a natural someday.
Tay cheered for the bullies. She was so cute that we let her.
Even before I was pregnant Paul has been interested in looking through the baby isles at Target and Meijer. Like I said, he has wanted a baby it seems like forever! For some reason, even now, I find myself skipping past the isles. At first it was like the baby wasn't real to me yet, but now I skip them because I want to know the sex of the baby before we enter. I have to be feverishly prepared for everything. It makes me wonder how I will adapt to this mommy business. Primarily, I learn one of two ways. Either I A. study relentlessly any book I can get my hands on or B. try it once on my own, screw it up beautifully, and never ever make that mistake again.
I anticipate that even the smallest tasks like changing a diaper will be some of the most interesting learning experiences. I can recall many years ago changing Oli's diaper. I made the terrible rookie mistake of removing the diaper and placing it next to Oli. While I was struggling to differentiate between the front and back of the diaper, something hit me smack dab between the middle of the eyes. I looked up at Oli just in time to see her grab a little turd from the diaper and chuck it at my head. I freaked out and whipped the diaper over to my side, effectively whipping turds all over the bedroom floor. Oli just laughed and laughed, but when I think back on the event it replays in my mind like a horror scene. Lesson? Never place the diaper next to the baby's head and, if you do, wrap it up first! Also, it is a good idea to figure out the front and back of the diaper before you are facing a bare butt.
People very generously offer to let soon-to-be mothers "practice" on their babies. I have been given the kind opportunity to change many diapers. The truth is, if you are pretty sure you are going to do something wrong and make the baby cry, it is much more comforting to do it without an audience.
I am pretty terrified of all of the things we will need to learn in raising our new baby. The knowledge of a thousand books probably couldn't compare to the first hand life experience of raising your first child. But at the end of the day I cannot wait to meet the little baby growing inside of me. I had the opportunity to hold and feed Andrew a couple of times this weekend. Starting down at his big, curious eyes I realized that it is hard to get tired of cuddling and cooing a baby. He is just so sweet and innocent. And how often do you get to feel like a hero just because you replaced a pacifier with a bottle? Okay, I guess Paul does give me that same look of gratification when I replace his empty beer can.
By the way, thank you to the Moore's & Walser's for coming to our Labor Day Party. Here are a few pics.
Kendra cleaned my kitchen as per usual.
Ave gave Lola a foot massage.
Played a little flip cup. Even baby and I played with water. This baby should be a natural someday.
Tay cheered for the bullies. She was so cute that we let her.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A First Time for Everything
The last two weeks have been full of "firsts" for me. The first and most shocking of these events occurred when I realized that I need (and I mean I literally need) some comfy shoes. It's true. Even a self proclaimed stiletto warrior could use a good pair of comfy shoes while pregnant. Mom and I hit the Outlets and scavenged our way through Easy Spirit and some other strange mom-shoe store I had never set foot in and finally settled on my first pair of cushioned wedges. Can you guess the comfy pair? (I admit that it's sort of a trick question. I didn't say guess the ugly shoes. Who do you think I am?)
While we were there we also hit up the maternity store and bought some new dress pants to accommodate my growing belly. Aaah that's better.
Another fun first is that Drew and Shantel asked us to be Andrew's Godparents. We are so thrilled. We have loved him so much the day that we found out Shantel was pregnant. He is the sweetest little guy!
Last weekend baby and I stood up (or stood out) in Kelly's wedding. We had a nice, relaxing day getting ready and I was feeling pretty good after hair and make up. I even felt pretty good when I put my dress on, that is until I looked in the mirror. People say there is an "awkward stage" of pregnancy when no stranger in his right mind would dare ask if you are expecting because you could just as easily just be chubby. There is no doubt that I am in that awkward stage. I tried sucking in my belly and covering it with my flowers as much as possible, but as the night rolled on I just let her loose and obnoxiously told everyone I met that I was kind of fat, but mostly pregnant. We had fun at the wedding, but I really overexerted myself. I danced to about half of the songs and we didn't get home until 2:00 am. When I woke up the next day I couldn't move a muscle I was so sore. I felt so bad and was so worried that I mostly just slept the whole day. I'll try to post some pictures when Kelly gets them back.
We had another doctor appointment today and the heartbeat was 145. I have gained four pounds, but it sure does feel like more. We had to meet with a different doctor because Dr. Avery was in a delivery. He was a crusty old guy and I wasn't a huge fan mostly because of a conversation we had about the baby kicking. He told me that I would probably feel the baby kicking soon, and I told him that I thought I could feel it as early as 14 weeks. He proceeded to tell me there was no way unless this was my second baby and I knew what to feel for. Maybe he is right, but since he is a man and has never had the honor of feeling a baby kick his belly, you would think that I would know what to feel for before he would, right? The truth is that the feeling I had at 14 weeks is the same feeling I still get only now it is stronger. I think it feels like a twitching or like someone is flicking my belly from the inside. Sometimes I feel it often and then other times I won't feel it for a few days. What else in the world would be flicking my uterus if not for a baby?
We scheduled our next ultrasound for October 2nd. That is our anniversary weekend and I can't think of a better gift than learning if our baby is a he or a she. I can hardly wait!
While we were there we also hit up the maternity store and bought some new dress pants to accommodate my growing belly. Aaah that's better.
Another fun first is that Drew and Shantel asked us to be Andrew's Godparents. We are so thrilled. We have loved him so much the day that we found out Shantel was pregnant. He is the sweetest little guy!
Last weekend baby and I stood up (or stood out) in Kelly's wedding. We had a nice, relaxing day getting ready and I was feeling pretty good after hair and make up. I even felt pretty good when I put my dress on, that is until I looked in the mirror. People say there is an "awkward stage" of pregnancy when no stranger in his right mind would dare ask if you are expecting because you could just as easily just be chubby. There is no doubt that I am in that awkward stage. I tried sucking in my belly and covering it with my flowers as much as possible, but as the night rolled on I just let her loose and obnoxiously told everyone I met that I was kind of fat, but mostly pregnant. We had fun at the wedding, but I really overexerted myself. I danced to about half of the songs and we didn't get home until 2:00 am. When I woke up the next day I couldn't move a muscle I was so sore. I felt so bad and was so worried that I mostly just slept the whole day. I'll try to post some pictures when Kelly gets them back.
We had another doctor appointment today and the heartbeat was 145. I have gained four pounds, but it sure does feel like more. We had to meet with a different doctor because Dr. Avery was in a delivery. He was a crusty old guy and I wasn't a huge fan mostly because of a conversation we had about the baby kicking. He told me that I would probably feel the baby kicking soon, and I told him that I thought I could feel it as early as 14 weeks. He proceeded to tell me there was no way unless this was my second baby and I knew what to feel for. Maybe he is right, but since he is a man and has never had the honor of feeling a baby kick his belly, you would think that I would know what to feel for before he would, right? The truth is that the feeling I had at 14 weeks is the same feeling I still get only now it is stronger. I think it feels like a twitching or like someone is flicking my belly from the inside. Sometimes I feel it often and then other times I won't feel it for a few days. What else in the world would be flicking my uterus if not for a baby?
We scheduled our next ultrasound for October 2nd. That is our anniversary weekend and I can't think of a better gift than learning if our baby is a he or a she. I can hardly wait!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Isn't it Ironic?
A constellation of pimples appeared on my forehead a few days ago and in all of the books I have read the instructions about using heavy duty zit cream are clear. Don't use them. The many ironies of pregnancy lose all hilarity once experienced first hand. For example, due to pregnancy you come home from work feeling like you've been run over by a truck and you realize the only way to make it any better is to pour yourself a good strong drink. Or, because you are pregnant you feel as though it would take nothing short of a fork lift to get you out of bed in the morning and realize the only other possible solution would be to drink a whole pot of coffee. Sorry sister - you're pregnant. Alanis could have written a whole album about the ironies of pregnancy. But you realize that at the end of the day these are only small sacrifices and that the real sacrifice will come when you squish a baby out of your who who.
There are many symptoms of pregnancy and some of them are experienced by almost everyone and some by only a select few. The symptoms of mommyhood are much different and while I don't know much about being a mother, I do know that the first symptom of mommyhood is experienced by every pregnant woman and most of the time it is on the first day you realize you are pregnant. This symptom is commonly known as worrying. Oh the things you find yourself worrying about. At first you mostly worry if your baby will be a "sticky baby" or if you will experience the heartache of a miscarriage. Then you move on to more severe worries like what if my baby has a birth defect, what if my baby has a weak heart, or what if my baby has both boy parts and girl parts. I mean the worrying can drive a person mad. We are worrying about our babies before they are even outside the womb! And once they are out I can't even begin to think about all of the things I'll worry about. One night I found myself creating hundreds of different scenarios in my head about the many things that could go wrong now and over the coming months. I seriously did this for at least three hours until I was sweating and basically losing my mind. I used to do this when I was a kid. At night I would worry that my parents would suddenly die and I would end up crying myself to sleep.
I do realize that worrying is a complete waste of time. I know in my heart that the Lord has a plan and there is no amount of worrying that can change that plan. And so each day is a struggle to surrender my worries and fears to the Lord and trust in Him with all of my heart. Because the Bible says "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
There are many symptoms of pregnancy and some of them are experienced by almost everyone and some by only a select few. The symptoms of mommyhood are much different and while I don't know much about being a mother, I do know that the first symptom of mommyhood is experienced by every pregnant woman and most of the time it is on the first day you realize you are pregnant. This symptom is commonly known as worrying. Oh the things you find yourself worrying about. At first you mostly worry if your baby will be a "sticky baby" or if you will experience the heartache of a miscarriage. Then you move on to more severe worries like what if my baby has a birth defect, what if my baby has a weak heart, or what if my baby has both boy parts and girl parts. I mean the worrying can drive a person mad. We are worrying about our babies before they are even outside the womb! And once they are out I can't even begin to think about all of the things I'll worry about. One night I found myself creating hundreds of different scenarios in my head about the many things that could go wrong now and over the coming months. I seriously did this for at least three hours until I was sweating and basically losing my mind. I used to do this when I was a kid. At night I would worry that my parents would suddenly die and I would end up crying myself to sleep.
I do realize that worrying is a complete waste of time. I know in my heart that the Lord has a plan and there is no amount of worrying that can change that plan. And so each day is a struggle to surrender my worries and fears to the Lord and trust in Him with all of my heart. Because the Bible says "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
Friday, August 21, 2009
Motherly Intuition
I am happy to report that little Andrew is doing great. He is such a little man. Check him out :o)
I will admit that I have never ever been a baby holder. Before my nieces and nephews, I rarely appreciated the presence of children. Some people, like my friend Julie, are natural baby lovers. In fact, she is a borderline baby stealer. I often wondered if I would ever have that aching desire to have a child. But as each niece and nephew stole a little piece of my heart I found myself googooing and gagaing at random babies in the grocery store. The more I warmed up to the idea of kids, the more kids warmed up to me. They are like dogs in that they could totally sense my fear. I wasn't sold on having kids until sometime in the past five years probably. There is nothing more glorious than knowing that when I am babysitting and one of the kids (Avery) swipes three pops and is bouncing off the walls or when one of the kids (Taylor) dumps a whole bottle of strawberry conditioner on the bedspread when your back is turned, that the problem is ultimately Mommy's. But over the past year I started becoming obsessed with people's baby blogs and I even took a stranger up on the offer to hold her newborn, which was unheard of for me. I was thinking about babies all of the time and what ours would be like and if we would even be able to have one. I still wonder what our baby will be like, but now I will be able to find out in the near term!
Those of you who know me quite well know that I have recently become somewhat annoying about Zodiac signs. Once I started reading the full descriptions of each of the signs as they related to my friends and family I was astonished! Our due date is February 10 and that makes Baby T a possible Aquarius. Traditional traits are: friendly and humanitarian, honest and loyal, original and inventive, independent and intellectual. "Aquarians basically possess strong and attractive personalities. They fall into two principle types: one shy, sensitive, gentle and patient; the other exuberant, lively and exhibitionist, sometimes hiding the considerable depths of their character under a cloak of frivolity." I think that if we have a boy he will be the shy, sensitive, gentle and patient type and if we have a girl she will be the exuberant, lively, and exhibitionist type. Just judging by mommy and daddy's personalities :o)
In the very beginning of my pregnancy I woke up one morning and was SURE that the baby was a girl. I just had this intuition. I had dreams about taking care of Taylor and I still have dreams about playing with my baby girl. Everyone says, oh that is just because you want a girl. But if I am being truly honest with myself, I have always wanted all boys. When I finally decided that maybe I could have kids it was under the predisposition that I would have all boys and I could dress them in black sweatsuits and just let them rut around in the yard all day. I had a big brother to watch over me and so I figured that having a boy first would be the best way to go. Then again, Paul had two big sisters and they did a good job beating him up as a kid and they did an even better job beating everyone else up as he grew up. They provided secret service like protection. At the end of the day, in the hundreds of prayers I have prayed for this baby, not a single prayer involved the sex of the baby. I really pray only for a healthy and happy baby. But if we do have a girl, look at what fun we might have.
I will admit that I have never ever been a baby holder. Before my nieces and nephews, I rarely appreciated the presence of children. Some people, like my friend Julie, are natural baby lovers. In fact, she is a borderline baby stealer. I often wondered if I would ever have that aching desire to have a child. But as each niece and nephew stole a little piece of my heart I found myself googooing and gagaing at random babies in the grocery store. The more I warmed up to the idea of kids, the more kids warmed up to me. They are like dogs in that they could totally sense my fear. I wasn't sold on having kids until sometime in the past five years probably. There is nothing more glorious than knowing that when I am babysitting and one of the kids (Avery) swipes three pops and is bouncing off the walls or when one of the kids (Taylor) dumps a whole bottle of strawberry conditioner on the bedspread when your back is turned, that the problem is ultimately Mommy's. But over the past year I started becoming obsessed with people's baby blogs and I even took a stranger up on the offer to hold her newborn, which was unheard of for me. I was thinking about babies all of the time and what ours would be like and if we would even be able to have one. I still wonder what our baby will be like, but now I will be able to find out in the near term!
Those of you who know me quite well know that I have recently become somewhat annoying about Zodiac signs. Once I started reading the full descriptions of each of the signs as they related to my friends and family I was astonished! Our due date is February 10 and that makes Baby T a possible Aquarius. Traditional traits are: friendly and humanitarian, honest and loyal, original and inventive, independent and intellectual. "Aquarians basically possess strong and attractive personalities. They fall into two principle types: one shy, sensitive, gentle and patient; the other exuberant, lively and exhibitionist, sometimes hiding the considerable depths of their character under a cloak of frivolity." I think that if we have a boy he will be the shy, sensitive, gentle and patient type and if we have a girl she will be the exuberant, lively, and exhibitionist type. Just judging by mommy and daddy's personalities :o)
In the very beginning of my pregnancy I woke up one morning and was SURE that the baby was a girl. I just had this intuition. I had dreams about taking care of Taylor and I still have dreams about playing with my baby girl. Everyone says, oh that is just because you want a girl. But if I am being truly honest with myself, I have always wanted all boys. When I finally decided that maybe I could have kids it was under the predisposition that I would have all boys and I could dress them in black sweatsuits and just let them rut around in the yard all day. I had a big brother to watch over me and so I figured that having a boy first would be the best way to go. Then again, Paul had two big sisters and they did a good job beating him up as a kid and they did an even better job beating everyone else up as he grew up. They provided secret service like protection. At the end of the day, in the hundreds of prayers I have prayed for this baby, not a single prayer involved the sex of the baby. I really pray only for a healthy and happy baby. But if we do have a girl, look at what fun we might have.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Baby's Heartbeat
We had another check-up on August 7. Paul took this video of the baby's heartbeat. A rapid 162. Cool, huh?
I haven't gained any weight so far, but it sure feels like it. I have been walking around with my jeans unbuttoned for the past week and just yesterday discovered the rubber band in my button hole trick. I haven't been doing a lot of working out even though everyone says it is safe to do so. I like to take Griff for a walk and do this video my neighbor Julianne let me borrow, but I haven't been doing anything too crazy. I quit running right away since my boobs hurt so bad and the rest of my workout videos are really hardcore. I have just been trying to eat healthy and get a move on whenever I can. Most people have told me that I have way more energy than a typical pregnant woman. I think I have only taken about two or three naps since I have been pregnant. That should count for something, right?
Also, I am beginning to wonder if I can feel the baby kicking. I noticed about three nights ago I felt something in my tummy that I just can't describe. It felt like something flicking me on the inside. I have felt it every day since then. The books say it is possible to feel the baby kicking as early as 14 weeks but that you are more likely to feel it closer to 18 weeks. I suppose I will know for sure if it was a kicking baby or a big gas bubble in a few weeks. It is exciting news nonetheless!
I haven't gained any weight so far, but it sure feels like it. I have been walking around with my jeans unbuttoned for the past week and just yesterday discovered the rubber band in my button hole trick. I haven't been doing a lot of working out even though everyone says it is safe to do so. I like to take Griff for a walk and do this video my neighbor Julianne let me borrow, but I haven't been doing anything too crazy. I quit running right away since my boobs hurt so bad and the rest of my workout videos are really hardcore. I have just been trying to eat healthy and get a move on whenever I can. Most people have told me that I have way more energy than a typical pregnant woman. I think I have only taken about two or three naps since I have been pregnant. That should count for something, right?
Also, I am beginning to wonder if I can feel the baby kicking. I noticed about three nights ago I felt something in my tummy that I just can't describe. It felt like something flicking me on the inside. I have felt it every day since then. The books say it is possible to feel the baby kicking as early as 14 weeks but that you are more likely to feel it closer to 18 weeks. I suppose I will know for sure if it was a kicking baby or a big gas bubble in a few weeks. It is exciting news nonetheless!
Baby Bump
I'm convinced that there probably isn't a better ice breaker in the world than telling someone with kids that you are pregnant. People love babies and people love pregnant women. I have been truly blessed so far with this pregnancy in that I have very few pregnancy symptoms. Unfortunately, what I have found is that people also love to hear about your pregnancy symptoms. The more you barf the better. I racked my brain trying to think of what my pregnancy symptoms were... no morning sickness, no pickles on my ice cream cravings, no crazy mood swings.
I guess I am speaking too soon as I am only 14 weeks along and things have plenty of time to go astray. One of the few things I have experienced so far is crazy dreams. I have a wild dream almost every night. The past three nights have been nightmares and always involve a murderer in a courtroom (from my stint on jury duty, maybe?). I have also had three or four terrible tension headaches. I used to get tension headaches from my way stressful job all of the time before I was preggo, but I could just pop a few Excedrin's to numb my brain. Now, I am stuck with them since I know two measly Tylenol won't begin to scratch the surface of these monsters. Paul has been the best giving me neck and back rubs, fetching ice packs in the middle of the night, fanning me while feeding me grapes :o) No really, he is the best husband in the world. Paul thinks I have cravings for junk food that I would have never put in my mouth prior to being pregnant. Okay, so the baby likes to have a McDonald's burger and a Little Squeezer's Hot and Ready in the same day once in a very great while, but other than that I think I have been eating pretty healthy for the little bambino's sake.
I suppose the only other notable sign of pregnancy is my growing belly. When we ordered the dresses for Kelly's wedding a while back, the lady said I was a size 10! I freaked out a little, but ordered it anyway. Turns out that the dress was falling off of me and I probably could have ordered the 6. I thought I'd try the dress on the other day considering the wedding is only a few weeks away and I needed to have the dress altered. Here is a picture... don't laugh.
The two little Asian ladies fitting me for my dress spoke to one another in rapid Chinese (no doubt about my fat tush) and told me that I had better not gain any weight or else they'd have to let the dress out. You got that baby?!
Here is a pic of my baby bump at 13 weeks:
It looks worse in the dress, right? Great. Pray that my belly gets big enough for the wedding to be easily recognized as a baby bump and not a beer belly, but not so big that I can't fit into my dress!
I guess I am speaking too soon as I am only 14 weeks along and things have plenty of time to go astray. One of the few things I have experienced so far is crazy dreams. I have a wild dream almost every night. The past three nights have been nightmares and always involve a murderer in a courtroom (from my stint on jury duty, maybe?). I have also had three or four terrible tension headaches. I used to get tension headaches from my way stressful job all of the time before I was preggo, but I could just pop a few Excedrin's to numb my brain. Now, I am stuck with them since I know two measly Tylenol won't begin to scratch the surface of these monsters. Paul has been the best giving me neck and back rubs, fetching ice packs in the middle of the night, fanning me while feeding me grapes :o) No really, he is the best husband in the world. Paul thinks I have cravings for junk food that I would have never put in my mouth prior to being pregnant. Okay, so the baby likes to have a McDonald's burger and a Little Squeezer's Hot and Ready in the same day once in a very great while, but other than that I think I have been eating pretty healthy for the little bambino's sake.
I suppose the only other notable sign of pregnancy is my growing belly. When we ordered the dresses for Kelly's wedding a while back, the lady said I was a size 10! I freaked out a little, but ordered it anyway. Turns out that the dress was falling off of me and I probably could have ordered the 6. I thought I'd try the dress on the other day considering the wedding is only a few weeks away and I needed to have the dress altered. Here is a picture... don't laugh.
The two little Asian ladies fitting me for my dress spoke to one another in rapid Chinese (no doubt about my fat tush) and told me that I had better not gain any weight or else they'd have to let the dress out. You got that baby?!
Here is a pic of my baby bump at 13 weeks:
It looks worse in the dress, right? Great. Pray that my belly gets big enough for the wedding to be easily recognized as a baby bump and not a beer belly, but not so big that I can't fit into my dress!
Holy Crap, There's a Baby in There!
When we first found out I was pregnant we were told that our first glimpse of the baby would be at our 20/21 week ultrasound. Luckily, we were given the opportunity to see the nugget a little earlier than planned. On July 27th, right after the Tithof annual camping trip, we went in for a quick ultrasound to help determine the due date. We were able to see both hemispheres of the brain, the heart, the arms and legs, and even five fingers! She asked if we were going to find out the sex and we told her "definitely." In that case, she said "I can see a little something between the legs there. It is too early to tell yet since girl parts can be very swollen, but if I had to guess, I'd say it was a boy." Yay! We don't care if the baby is a boy or a girl, but it was fun anyway. Andrew and Hank could have a little boy to play with.
It was exciting to see the baby in there. But I do have to say that the baby still sort of looks like a puppy. When I was holding Andrew, it reminded me how God is so truly AMAZING! Sometimes I can't believe there is a little baby growing inside my belly.
The ultrasound changed our due date from February 3 to February 10. This is a little closer to where we thought it should be so we are happy about that. Also, we decided against the quad test. I have heard too many horror stories about false positives/negatives. We decided to give it up to God. He has had this plan for us and for this baby long before we could ever imagine.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:15-16
It was exciting to see the baby in there. But I do have to say that the baby still sort of looks like a puppy. When I was holding Andrew, it reminded me how God is so truly AMAZING! Sometimes I can't believe there is a little baby growing inside my belly.
The ultrasound changed our due date from February 3 to February 10. This is a little closer to where we thought it should be so we are happy about that. Also, we decided against the quad test. I have heard too many horror stories about false positives/negatives. We decided to give it up to God. He has had this plan for us and for this baby long before we could ever imagine.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:15-16
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Wait, What?
It was a very exciting weekend! The first and most important news is that Andrew Anthony III was born on July 17 sometime around 10:00 am. He was 9 lbs 3 oz and 21 inches long. It turns out that he was three weeks premature. Poor baby got stuffed into an incubator with an IV drip because he couldn't regulate his blood sugar or body temperature. He is still in the NICU doing better, but fighting off a case of jaundice. Shantel is struggling with high blood pressure and has swollen feet and ankles from going up every three hours to check on and feed baby. What a crazy life! We are praying that the Reiber's are able to bring little Andrew home safely in the next few days. Check out his first mug shot!
In the meantime we have been anxiously waiting to tell our extended families about our good news. Last weekend was the perfect time to tell the whole gang. I printed out some pictures of our house and the picture of Griffin in his "Big Brother" shirt. I put them in a photo album with Griff at the end. We brought the album to Uncle Leo's 50th birthday party first. I had Grandma Sally, Aunt Paula, Nicole, and Kellie surrounding the photo album and when the picture of Griffin finally came up they stopped and said "Are you getting another puppy?" Then they thought maybe the tee shirt related to Griff being a big brother to baby Andrew. Finally Kellie figured out that I was pregnant and everyone started screaming. As the guests strolled in we had fun showing the picture and watching the reactions.
Given the picture confused more people than it did provide clarity on the issue of my pregnancy, we decided to announce the news in a different way at Grandma T's 80th birthday party. After dinner we approached Grandma with a birthday gift. Kendra and Casey rounded as many people up as they could. When she opened the gift she found an "ABC" picture frame and read aloud to the group the words "New Baby T Coming Soon..." She was a little confused at first because Casey is having a baby this November (although the baby will be a McIvor), but when everyone began screaming, her jaw dropped. She turned to us with eyes as wide as saucers and filled with tears. She gave Paul a big hug and gave me the first real hug she has probably ever given me!
Overall, it was one of the better weekends we have had all summer. We are so excited to be able to share our big news with everyone. Now everyone can stop hounding us about when we are going to have a baby!!
In the meantime we have been anxiously waiting to tell our extended families about our good news. Last weekend was the perfect time to tell the whole gang. I printed out some pictures of our house and the picture of Griffin in his "Big Brother" shirt. I put them in a photo album with Griff at the end. We brought the album to Uncle Leo's 50th birthday party first. I had Grandma Sally, Aunt Paula, Nicole, and Kellie surrounding the photo album and when the picture of Griffin finally came up they stopped and said "Are you getting another puppy?" Then they thought maybe the tee shirt related to Griff being a big brother to baby Andrew. Finally Kellie figured out that I was pregnant and everyone started screaming. As the guests strolled in we had fun showing the picture and watching the reactions.
Given the picture confused more people than it did provide clarity on the issue of my pregnancy, we decided to announce the news in a different way at Grandma T's 80th birthday party. After dinner we approached Grandma with a birthday gift. Kendra and Casey rounded as many people up as they could. When she opened the gift she found an "ABC" picture frame and read aloud to the group the words "New Baby T Coming Soon..." She was a little confused at first because Casey is having a baby this November (although the baby will be a McIvor), but when everyone began screaming, her jaw dropped. She turned to us with eyes as wide as saucers and filled with tears. She gave Paul a big hug and gave me the first real hug she has probably ever given me!
Overall, it was one of the better weekends we have had all summer. We are so excited to be able to share our big news with everyone. Now everyone can stop hounding us about when we are going to have a baby!!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
On Friday, July 10 Paul took the day off of work to accompany me to our first doctor appointment. The appointment lasted a healthy two hours. We spoke with Nurse Kathy for the first hour. She took my weight - 134 lbs (yikes... okay, maybe I wasn't in peak condition prior to getting pregnant) and height then she took us in a room to explain the paperwork, available testing, the importance of breastfeeding, proper nutrition, recommended reading, etc. to prepare us for Baby Tithof's arrival. We liked her very much!
One thing we are still considering is if we would like to have the quad test. It is a harmless prenatal screen for neural tube defects and down syndrome. The test can give both false positive and false negative results. Some people choose to have further invasive testing when they receive positive test results. We think the only benefit to the test would be the ability to prepare for a baby with either of these birth defects.
We have two possible due dates. Based on a typical 28 day cycle the due date is February 3 and based on MY typical 40 day cycle the due date is February 16. Dr. Avery chose to go with February 3 until our ultrasound at 20 weeks, which puts me at 10 weeks. After much poking and prodding, Dr. Avery decided that since I was thin and since my uterus was tilted forward that she might be able to pick up the baby's heartbeat with the Doppler. It took only one second and we were able to hear the sweet sound of our baby's heart beating at a rapid 172! It was so exciting. I didn't think I would cry, but there I was a total wreck with tears flowing down my cheeks. Paul was beaming when I looked over at him and he said he was tearing up a bit himself. It was by far the sweetest sound we have ever heard!
Dr. Avery said we could feel free to tell people our good news. We plan to tell our extended family this weekend. We are planning to tell the Reiber's at Uncle Leo's 50th birthday party and at Grandma Millie's surpise 80th birthday party. It should be a fun weekend!
One thing we are still considering is if we would like to have the quad test. It is a harmless prenatal screen for neural tube defects and down syndrome. The test can give both false positive and false negative results. Some people choose to have further invasive testing when they receive positive test results. We think the only benefit to the test would be the ability to prepare for a baby with either of these birth defects.
We have two possible due dates. Based on a typical 28 day cycle the due date is February 3 and based on MY typical 40 day cycle the due date is February 16. Dr. Avery chose to go with February 3 until our ultrasound at 20 weeks, which puts me at 10 weeks. After much poking and prodding, Dr. Avery decided that since I was thin and since my uterus was tilted forward that she might be able to pick up the baby's heartbeat with the Doppler. It took only one second and we were able to hear the sweet sound of our baby's heart beating at a rapid 172! It was so exciting. I didn't think I would cry, but there I was a total wreck with tears flowing down my cheeks. Paul was beaming when I looked over at him and he said he was tearing up a bit himself. It was by far the sweetest sound we have ever heard!
Dr. Avery said we could feel free to tell people our good news. We plan to tell our extended family this weekend. We are planning to tell the Reiber's at Uncle Leo's 50th birthday party and at Grandma Millie's surpise 80th birthday party. It should be a fun weekend!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Try, Try, Try, Try, Try Again
Once we settled into our new house, bought some furniture, and did some decorating, we found ourselves happy and content. So what did we decide to do? Try to have a baby, of course. We had talked about it for a while and decided to start trying in January or February 2009. I just didn't want to be 9 months pregnant for Kelly's wedding and have my water break on her Manolos or something terrible of that nature. We thought it would be pretty easy getting pregnant and all. Turns out that it actually took quite a bit of work. I found myself cursing Aunt Flow as each month passed. Before long, I found myself crying for an entire day about not being pregnant. I can remember when getting pregnant was the absolute worst possible life scenario!
It was a Sunday night - June 7th to be exact - Paul fell asleep in two seconds as per usual and I spent the next three hours tossing and turning wondering if could possibly be pregnant. I was supposed to start the next day. I fell asleep only after turning to the Lord for some comfort in my third hour of stress. I woke up at 4:30 when Paul was leaving for work and ran to the bathroom to take the test. There they were in an instant - two pink lines! I'M PREGNANT! I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. I didn't know what to do. I went back to bed and then spent the entire day in some sort of haze. I had to think of a great way to tell Paul, but I hadn't the slightest of an idea. My coffeeless body wandered around Target in a cloud of confusion for nearly two hours before leaving empty handed. Finally, about an hour before Paul got home for work I had the idea to puff paint a doggie tee shirt for Griffin that said "Big Brother." I sent Griff out in the shirt when Paul got home from work and it took a good thirty seconds for him to figure out what was going on. When he finally did, he didn't believe me! We hugged and kissed and Paul even teared up a little. It was such an exciting day.
We decided to tell our neighbors the next day since they were sure to keep a good secret. They were so excited for us and we spent the entire night chatting about pregnancy and babies. We decided to tell our parents next. I told my mom and dad by showing them the picture of Griff in his tee shirt. We tried to tell Paul's parents that same weekend, but The Moore's showed up a half hour late in true Moore fashion and by that time the whole family was there. We ended up telling them on Father's Day and they couldn't have been happier. We spread the secret to Drew and Shantel the following weekend, Sara & Matt, Kelly & Matt, and Julie. Paul told everyone he worked with the next day. He was so excited he couldn't help it :o)
We feel so blessed to be given the opportunity to be parents. It seemed like it took forever for us to get pregnant, but like my good friend said, maybe God was trying to teach us patience. I ended up praying every single night that we would have a baby if it was God's will. Before long, I found myself praying for every pregnant woman I came across and for every woman struggling with infertility. I learned of the pain and emotional struggle that goes along with the inability to get pregnant. The thought of people in the world having abortions brought a new definition to the words disgusting, selfish, and murder. I feel such love for this baby growing inside of me and I pray each night that all babies are given the best opportunity to live and breathe. Who wouldn't want that chance? God is good!
It was a Sunday night - June 7th to be exact - Paul fell asleep in two seconds as per usual and I spent the next three hours tossing and turning wondering if could possibly be pregnant. I was supposed to start the next day. I fell asleep only after turning to the Lord for some comfort in my third hour of stress. I woke up at 4:30 when Paul was leaving for work and ran to the bathroom to take the test. There they were in an instant - two pink lines! I'M PREGNANT! I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. I didn't know what to do. I went back to bed and then spent the entire day in some sort of haze. I had to think of a great way to tell Paul, but I hadn't the slightest of an idea. My coffeeless body wandered around Target in a cloud of confusion for nearly two hours before leaving empty handed. Finally, about an hour before Paul got home for work I had the idea to puff paint a doggie tee shirt for Griffin that said "Big Brother." I sent Griff out in the shirt when Paul got home from work and it took a good thirty seconds for him to figure out what was going on. When he finally did, he didn't believe me! We hugged and kissed and Paul even teared up a little. It was such an exciting day.
We decided to tell our neighbors the next day since they were sure to keep a good secret. They were so excited for us and we spent the entire night chatting about pregnancy and babies. We decided to tell our parents next. I told my mom and dad by showing them the picture of Griff in his tee shirt. We tried to tell Paul's parents that same weekend, but The Moore's showed up a half hour late in true Moore fashion and by that time the whole family was there. We ended up telling them on Father's Day and they couldn't have been happier. We spread the secret to Drew and Shantel the following weekend, Sara & Matt, Kelly & Matt, and Julie. Paul told everyone he worked with the next day. He was so excited he couldn't help it :o)
We feel so blessed to be given the opportunity to be parents. It seemed like it took forever for us to get pregnant, but like my good friend said, maybe God was trying to teach us patience. I ended up praying every single night that we would have a baby if it was God's will. Before long, I found myself praying for every pregnant woman I came across and for every woman struggling with infertility. I learned of the pain and emotional struggle that goes along with the inability to get pregnant. The thought of people in the world having abortions brought a new definition to the words disgusting, selfish, and murder. I feel such love for this baby growing inside of me and I pray each night that all babies are given the best opportunity to live and breathe. Who wouldn't want that chance? God is good!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Where to Begin?
I have wanted to start a blog since Paul and I got married in October 2007. I wanted to document our lives together and record all of the ups and downs that seem to be monumental at the time before quickly fading away to a distant memory. It has been over a year and a half and I am just now getting around to jotting down some thoughts. I'd like to give a brief synopsis of our life together before I begin telling the story that got me off the couch and into this computer chair to start with.
After our wedding in our hometown and our honeymoon in Tennessee,
we moved Paul's worthy assets into our two bedroom duplex in East Grand Rapids. Despite being small and not having a dishwasher, air conditioning, or gutters, and despite the view of the weird neighbors with ten couches in the backyard and Christmas lights on 24/7, we really liked our place. It had cherry bookshelves and cherry ceilings. It was perfect for us while we searched for our first home and we had a lot of good times in the year that we lived there (like playing Olympics on our balance balls and nearly breaking our necks trying to stand on them).
The duplex is also where we raised our pup Griffin. I broke down and agreed to getting a puppy after months of Paul's pleas. He got laid off and I decided he would be a good stay at home daddy. I wanted a little girl pup named Lola and Paul wanted a boy. He talked me into going to see some brand new chocolate lab pups one winter night in January.
He forgot to mention that there was one 13 month old male pup left from the last litter until we were pulling in the driveway. Sure enough, staring straight at us with cute little puppy dog eyes and a wagging tail, was Griffin. It only took two hours of convincing, but we finally walked out into the biggest freak snowstorm of 2008 with a little chocolate lab puppy. Paul never lets Griffin forget that "mommy didn't even want you" when he cuddles up to me. Now, I truly believe that animals can open up a part of your soul that you might go your whole life without knowing exists.
We started taking Griff for walks in the summer to look for our new home.
I always hated this one block of Gladstone Ave just down the road from our duplex. It was really cluttered and had 10,000 little kids running across the street every day. Little did I know that we would find our dream starter house on that crumby old street! When we walked through our current house we were in love! We made an offer and a counter offer and then one month later we were moving in. We snuck in the house before we closed on our first anniversary to have a bottle of wine we bought on our honeymoon. We drank it in the kitchen and I'm pretty sure the neighbors thought we were crazy.
We had our first Halloween in the house - I was the neighborhood cat lady and Paul was Wendy. We had our first Christmas - the house killed our Christmas tree completely so that not even a single needle was left at the end of December. We had our first big fight. We got cable! We painted the hallway. We painted the bathroom. We scraped some change together to decorate one room at a time. Our house slowly but surely became a home. As an added bonus, we love our neighbors and we had better - we have a direct view into their kitchen! We are so blessed to have such a beautiful place to live!
What's next?
After our wedding in our hometown and our honeymoon in Tennessee,
we moved Paul's worthy assets into our two bedroom duplex in East Grand Rapids. Despite being small and not having a dishwasher, air conditioning, or gutters, and despite the view of the weird neighbors with ten couches in the backyard and Christmas lights on 24/7, we really liked our place. It had cherry bookshelves and cherry ceilings. It was perfect for us while we searched for our first home and we had a lot of good times in the year that we lived there (like playing Olympics on our balance balls and nearly breaking our necks trying to stand on them). The duplex is also where we raised our pup Griffin. I broke down and agreed to getting a puppy after months of Paul's pleas. He got laid off and I decided he would be a good stay at home daddy. I wanted a little girl pup named Lola and Paul wanted a boy. He talked me into going to see some brand new chocolate lab pups one winter night in January.
He forgot to mention that there was one 13 month old male pup left from the last litter until we were pulling in the driveway. Sure enough, staring straight at us with cute little puppy dog eyes and a wagging tail, was Griffin. It only took two hours of convincing, but we finally walked out into the biggest freak snowstorm of 2008 with a little chocolate lab puppy. Paul never lets Griffin forget that "mommy didn't even want you" when he cuddles up to me. Now, I truly believe that animals can open up a part of your soul that you might go your whole life without knowing exists. We started taking Griff for walks in the summer to look for our new home.
I always hated this one block of Gladstone Ave just down the road from our duplex. It was really cluttered and had 10,000 little kids running across the street every day. Little did I know that we would find our dream starter house on that crumby old street! When we walked through our current house we were in love! We made an offer and a counter offer and then one month later we were moving in. We snuck in the house before we closed on our first anniversary to have a bottle of wine we bought on our honeymoon. We drank it in the kitchen and I'm pretty sure the neighbors thought we were crazy. We had our first Halloween in the house - I was the neighborhood cat lady and Paul was Wendy. We had our first Christmas - the house killed our Christmas tree completely so that not even a single needle was left at the end of December. We had our first big fight. We got cable! We painted the hallway. We painted the bathroom. We scraped some change together to decorate one room at a time. Our house slowly but surely became a home. As an added bonus, we love our neighbors and we had better - we have a direct view into their kitchen! We are so blessed to have such a beautiful place to live!
What's next?
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