Our Happy Family

changing it up!

2009-06-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

Okay so I am irritated with the photo aspect of this site. I really do love the blogger part but I need to add more photos and Flickr is driving me crazy so I have put together another site and I am starting over....http://ourcantwellfamily.shutterfly.com/ enjoy!

Joe, Melissa and Lucy

Silly Lucy...

2009-06-01T14:48:00.000-07:00

So they say that babies don't make associations or manipulate situations until they are 3-4 months old....I say that is a load of crap! Lucy is 2 months today and I have noticed the last two days that her cry has become more of a "mom...hey mom...are you there...mom...could you come here for a second...mom...mom...hey mom" type of sound. It is very pitiful and quite adorable. So I put her down for her nap this afternoon and she starts in with this little pathetic cry and I ignore it. She eventually goes to sleep with me going into her room once to cover her back up and give her one more kiss. I go down stairs and she has been quiet for about 10 minutes now and I say to my sister-in-law, "I think we are good, she is out" and the second those words leave my lips Lucy starts in again! I couldn't believe it! So I go back upstairs and she has kicked her covers off again and is crying her most pitiful yet adorable cry...I go into her room to cover her up and she stops her "cry" and sighs at the site of me...almost like she was saying "oh hi mom, there you are. I was just wondering if you were still around and whatchu were up to..." I couldn't help but laugh and give her one more kiss. I pet her nose and her eyes closed, she is out like a light now. I just love this little personality that is emerging. It is so precious and endearing. I have a feeling she will be quite the little love bug for awhile. I hope she stays the snuggly baby that she is right now. I know I am always saying how I don't want her to grow up but everyday I love her a little more and she is learning to do so many little things right now that I have to admit it is pretty cool. I love my little Lucy!

Best nap day ever!

2009-05-27T21:23:00.000-07:00

It really is the small stuff that can make a wonderful day! Lucy had the best nap day ever today! We went down easily, without a fuss and slept for her entire nap time. I actually had to wake her to eat! I am hoping for a good nights sleep but I'm not getting my hopes too high. I have enjoyed the last two days with her so much. She is changing everyday and really growing into a little person. Yesterday she giggled for the first time, it made my heart skip a beat I swear. Today she was all smiles and sleep, what a wonderful combination. When Joe got home from work today I met him down stairs and he asked where she was, I told him she was upstairs in her bassinet just chilling (I was cleaning the bathroom). I went to go get something and he wasn't there when I got back...I figured he went the bathroom or was checking something on the computer. I went back upstairs and there he was playing with Lucy in her bassinet. He had missed her while he was at work. I was so happy to see them together...Joe told me yesterday that he is feeling the bond between him and Lucy grow a lot lately. It isn't as instant for some dads, of course they love the child but for awhile it is just a little sleeping, pooping lump that really just needs its momma. He is really growing as a dad and I love watching it. Lucy adores him, he walks into the room and she grins, he talks and she tracks where he is, he talks to her and she is elated by him. It is so wonderful to see their bonding time together.

Joe and I went out to dinner last night and to Target. It was great to go out as hubby and wife as opposed to mom and dad of Lucy. My parents were watching her and of course that is very comforting. We have such a great family support which makes it easy to get a little more hubby-wife time. We are very lucky in that way and in a lot of ways I am finding out. We shopped for the next size up in clothes for Lucy which was fun because I haven't shopped for clothes for her yet. I was so impressed that four outfits came to 21.00...too bad she won't always be that cheap! Dinner was fun and relaxing. Amazingly we were only gone for two and a half hours but I missed Lucy and was glad to be back home with her. I just love that little one. I can't wait to see the little person she becomes but for right now I am just cherishing each day I have with her and hoping she doesn't grow up too quickly.

Flickr

2009-05-26T17:21:00.000-07:00

So I created a Flickr account so that everyone can see new Lucy photos without a lot of work. So if you want to see some new photos of Lucy go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjcantwell/ and you will get the latest. There is a way to link that to our blog page but I'm not sure how yet, so as soon as I figure it out there will be a link that will make it easier. Enjoy!

Time

2009-05-26T02:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been waiting to blog about this whole parenting, Lucy, new life experience for a while now hoping that I would have time...however, that just doesn't seem to be the case. So here I am at 2:53 am with Lucy eating and me typing because well...that seems to be the only time I have right now that is uninterrupted. So here I go and hopefully I will get this written before she is done eating or God only knows when I will be able to finish.

For the most part this whole experience so far has been....nothing like what I expected! This is both good and bad, I have really enjoyed most of it and then there are times when I am scared to death and frustrated to no end. I don't know why no one speaks of all the trials you go through in the early on phase of this parenting thing. For example, Joe and I were home all weekend with Lucy and it was a 3 day weekend so Joe was home more than usual. Lucy has had a particularly difficult time this weekend when in comes to taking naps. Now I am used to this...I do this every day. Joe however is not and is perplexed as to why Lucy doesn't just take a nap as opposed to waking up and screaming only to be comforted by us and put back into her crib to try again. This process goes over and over until she either falls asleep or keeps it up until her next meal. It is tiring when she doesn't get a full nap in but it is sooooo great when she does...at this point it is about a 1/8 success rate. He is such a wonderful dad, he just hates to see her so upset when she has a yucky tummy or is having a difficult time falling asleep. I have decided with naps this week that it is just going to take a lot of consistency and some extra patience. I have been venturing out of the house a lot lately and haven't really created a consistent routine for her when it comes to naps, so that is my focus this week. The other major thing this week is finding a nanny who will be with Lucy this year while Joe and I are at work. We have done a couple of interviews and one grandma-like lady who is retired would be wonderful. We will hopefully see if she can do the job for what we can afford to pay her. Well, I think that is all I have time for right now. Must get her fed and me some sleep!

Little Lucy...

2009-05-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

My goodness, I wanted pregnancy to fly by and now that Little Lucy is here I can't slow time down! I really want to make time just stand still right now. She is growing so quickly and I cherish every moment with her. It is truly amazing how my life has changed in such a wonderful and holistic way. She has brought so much to my family and I am so thankful for her. I feel very fortunate and blessed to have such a wonderful gift. Now on another note I have also had quite a few experiences that I was not anticipating. Like an early morning diaper change that included projectile pooping all over me! I have changed a lot of diapers in my day and had never been pooped on!! The exhaustion is another thing I was not ready for. She is getting to be a good sleeper now but waking up every hour or so is really too much for my body...and yet I enjoyed seeing her adorable face looking in my direction every time I woke up. Joe thinks I am either crazy or super mom because I keep on going even when I am really tired. I don't seem to notice...it is what I am supposed to be doing right now and I wouldn't change any second of it!

Mostly Lucy is a pretty good baby, she gets a little fussy in the evening but nothing a little tag team from both me and Joe can't handle. She loves her bath time and snuggle time. I am sooooo glad she likes to snuggle. Basically right now I am just taking this precious time to enjoy her and love her. I am so fortunate to have the amount of time off that I do. It is amazing to think of the bond I am creating with her right now and for the next three and a half months. I feel very blessed. She has started smiling at people in the last few days and that is enough to steal your heart. I am very excited to see what the next day will bring but at the same time wishing time slowed down so she didn't grow up so quickly. I will try to post more frequently now that she is on a little bit of a schedule and naps are no longer in my arms (at least not all of them...:).

This is my birth story…

2009-04-30T00:58:00.001-07:00

Wow, you actually have the wee one and time just starts to fly by! Lucy was born at Southwest Washington Medical Center at 3:18 pm on April 1st, 2009 (congrats to all who voted for that date!). It all started with contractions that felt different than any others I had experienced so far. On March 31st I had these harder, more consistent contractions all day long. They were about 8 minutes apart all day until 10 pm when the slowed down to ten and then fifteen minutes apart. At this point I was so irritated because I was thinking this was it and then when they got further apart I thought nature was still just teasing me and they were once again "fake" contractions. Needless to say I went to bed sad and thinking I was wrong about the fact that I was really going into labor. However, at 1:45 am on April 1st I woke up to some pretty good contractions. I laid there for an hour timing them before I woke up Joey. They were five minutes apart and getting stronger...this was it and this time I was sure. Joe woke up and took a shower and we headed to the hospital around 3:30 am. I called my mom and brother to let them know. Brice was in charge of the dog and I wanted my mom in the delivery room.

Once we got to the hospital they put me into triage to see if I was in active labor. I was dilated to 4 and completely thinned out but I had to show that things were progressing before they would admit me. I was able to get into a whirlpool to ease the discomfort and see if I would make progress. During this time Joe and I were cracking jokes and talking between contractions. My mom showed up and we just waited it out. About an hour into this I felt a gush of water while in the whirlpool (even with the jets on!) and I knew my water had broke. So we called the nurse and she had to check and see if in fact my water broke. As I got out of the tub more water kept pouring out of me. I couldn't help but laugh each time and with the laughter came more water! Joe and my mom were laughing too...good thing I wasn't at Costco...there is a lot of water in there!! However about two contractions after my water broke the laughter stopped and the real work began. I tried to labor in the bed and that was a no go so they allowed me to go back into the water, thank God. I continued to labor in the water for 9 nine hours until I was dilated to 9.5 cm. At 5 cm I was begging for the drugs! I told Joe and my mom that it was just my stupid pride and that I didn't care any more...they kept telling me to take one more then they would talk to the nurse...after hearing this about ten times I stopped asking and I'm so glad I did. I was finally told that it was okay to push and I thought to myself 'this is it!!!' However Lucy wasn't in the correct position, she was 'sunny side up' and that made the pushing part extremely difficult and it took three and a half hours! I was thoroughly exhausted and didn't have any drugs and I was sure she was never, ever coming out. I became very frustrated at about 2 hours into it and was wondering what I was doing wrong. They brought out the mirror at my request so that I could see the progress for myself, I thought they were all lying to me when they were telling me good job! After three and a half hours and a fifth push in a row on one contraction I got her out. She was so small it only took one push when she did decide to come out! The entire experience was so exhausting but some how I was reenergized as soon as Joe told me it was Lucy and they placed her on my belly. This was one of those experiences you can try and prepare yourself for, I read all the books and went to class and looked online, however nothing could prepare me for this except for the experience itself. I was so proud to have followed through with my plans and I have my two wonderful coaches to thank for that. They were so wonderful to me and they were my rock throughout the whole time. Both my mom and Joe were very emotional during the last couple of hours, neither wanted to see me in that much pain.

It was the hardest thing I have ever done and probably ever will do but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything in the world (I can say that now because it has been a month, if I would have written this a day or two after it would have been a very different story!).

Waiting is a horrible way to end pregnancy....

2009-03-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

I think I might actually be going insane! I hate waiting period, but waiting when you don't know how long you are waiting for is insanity! Now I know how my kids at school feel when we tell them to wait and they don't have all the information. I won't be doing that to them EVER again, it could be considered cruel and unusual punishment. And don't try to turn this into a lesson learned type situation because I don't care. Wow, hormones may be taking over right now...sorry. Anyhow, if my loving and adoring mother-in-law wasn't on the east coast right now (for a once in a lifetime opportunity that she planned a year ago) I would be doing everything I could think of to try and entice the little one to join us in the outside world...however since I love her and want her to be here I am trying my darnedest to take it easy and let nature take its course without any excessive intervention. However, I have had the urge to clean and it has taken over my body so we will see what happens....I HAD to clean the car, clean out the fridge, go through ALL of my files and reorganize, do all the laundry and now I am feeling the urge to mop all my floors..I would vacuum too but the dog chewed through the cord so that will have to wait (or I might have to borrow one because I'm not sure if I can handle it!). Off to mop!

New Poll

2009-03-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

Since I am stuck at home and bored out of my mind I started a new poll to see when people think baby will arrive. However, I must tell you any day after April 8th is not available because I am refusing to go over due! :) And the later date you vote for the more irritable I will be...not that I will know who did it of course but please be kind. Have fun!

Melissa and Baby

Silly baby...

2009-03-23T23:06:00.000-07:00

Doctor has sentenced me to rest...no more work! Apparently I have high blood pressure or possible preeclampsia so I am going to be a good girl and take it easy. I was in the hospital for a couple of hours last night being monitored and everything seemed to be okay so I am at home now resting and will be going stir crazy in no time! I am a little relieved that I don't have work anymore, I was pretty tired by the time my day was done. Joe and I are very ready to meet this little one and are ready to get this all over with. It is really hard to go into the hospital and not know if "this is it" or not. I have had two nights now where I have woken up with a lot of painful contractions. The dr. says that baby is coming soon which is excited. I am dialated to 2.5 and 100% effaced. Baby is really low and everything is showing signs of going into labor soon so I am keeping my fingers crossed. The nurse last night said when she was feeling my belly that baby was petite but everything looked good. She guess by feel that the baby was somewhere between 6lbs. 8oz. and 7lbs. 2 oz. and as far as I'm concerned that isn't too small at all! I have been really impressed with the hospital and staff at Southwest. They are amazing and very kind, Joe has said multiple times how great they are. You can tell my lovely husband is on edge these days. He just can't seem to settle down, it is really quite adorable because I think he is more anxious than I am at this point. I have another appointment on Thursday so we will see what they say!

Almost to the finish line...

2009-03-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

I am officially 9 months pregnant and am really getting ready for the next stage in this process. I hate to say it is almost finished because in reality I am just getting started. It is surreal to think about how much our lives are going to change here in a very short time. The doctor I saw this week said that I need to start taking it easy and should think about being done with work. They are still a little concerned with the size of baby and how early I have had contractions. Me on the other hand am not that worried. I know that things are going great and that baby will do what it needs to do. I am however taking it easy and have been given desk only duty for next week so that I don't over do myself or advance the labor any faster. I feel a little like a loser teacher, sitting on my bum and doing paperwork instead of working with the kids...that is not my favorite role at all but if I can make it to the 27th it will all be worth it. I have thought through this entire pregnancy that we really could not have planned this any better. It is amazing that I get my 39th week of pregnancy during spring break and I finished my masters 3 1/2 weeks before my due date...amazing how things turn out!! I do realize just how lucky we are and I thank God for it regularly! We will keep everyone posted on baby progress, seeing as how it could happen any day now, but we are really hoping to make it last another week or two.

Contractions, contractions, contractions...

2009-03-08T18:59:00.000-07:00

Well, I went the doctor on Monday and of course she said to be ready any time therefore the baby decided to give us a jolt into action and show signs of preterm labor on Wednesday. This was a reality check for both Joe and I seeing as how we hadn't really taken the doctor all that seriously! I was at school on Wednesday and was having really long contractions which I chalked up to braxton hicks and kept plugging along...then they got a little more intense and then the were one right after another so my mother hen's of the classroom made me call the doctor and they had me come in to get checked again. So as it turns out I was dialated another 1/2 cm and 60% effaced...so they sent me to the hospital for monitoring. Joe was really cute, I called and told him I was going to the doctor because I was having pretty consistent contractions and he said okay and to keep him posted...he called back 5 minutes later and said, "I just processed what you said! I was in a meeting when you called...I will meet you there." It was like reality hit him and he got a little panicky...for those who know my husband it takes a lot to get him rattled and I found it adorable! After laying in the hospital for two hours and three pelvic exams they sent me home to rest. I stayed home on Thursday and the contractions did seem to slow down. Since then I have taken it really easy and they are much further apart but still coming and going. Needless to say Joe and I have spent the last few days and we are now prepared! Bags are packed, car seat is in, baby's room is ready and we are good to go! I'm not sure if I am excited they stopped or if I was hoping to meet this little one soon...I really, really want to know who this little person is! The ultrasound on Thursday said that baby was 5 lbs and everything looked great!! I knew baby wasn't small!!! I sure don't feel small!!! So we will just wait and see but I really hope the doctors were not getting me all excited for nothing, they said I probably won't make it to my due date and to be honest that is FINE by me! However, if they lied and I go until or over my due date I probably won't be the most pleasant person to be around in those last few days! Just a heads up!

WOWSAH!

2009-03-02T18:15:00.000-08:00

Well, we went to the doctor today and baby is still too small! I hesitate to believe this seeing as how I am so uncomfortable and there isn't a lot of room for a much bigger baby as far as I can tell. But be that as it may the doctor has ordered another ultrasound to tempt Joe and I into finding out what this little one is...which we will resist of course because we have made it this far so what is five more weeks. It is crazy though because the doctor also checked and I am 1 cm dilated and am showing signs of things moving along so really she said we should be prepared right now and that I could go anytime or I could go over my due date so just be prepared. That is enough to give me a heart attack! I have sooooooo much to do before baby comes, like finish my masters, find a sub for my classroom, get the room ready, pack, go see Wicked...so baby will just have to hold on a little longer! Plus, I really want an April baby so I can start the Geier family off with their first April birthday. It is pretty miraculous that out of all of us Geier's there isn't an April birthday! Anyhow, I think that I really enjoyed month 6 and 7 and now I'm not enjoying it so much again. It is really hard to get comfortable lately because of baby or I'm just too swollen and chubby to get really comfortable and sleeping is not the most relaxing event anymore...I guess that I should just chalk it all up to getting prepared for the next step which I am super excited for (even though baby is going to wait until April to come, wink-wink). We will see what the ultrasound has to say on Thursday and go from there.

31 and a half weeks!

2009-02-09T21:01:00.001-08:00

Here are some photos Joe took this weekend...31 weeks and 3 days pregnant!

31 weeks and still too small!

2009-02-04T19:53:00.001-08:00

Well, our midwife says that baby is still measuring too small! This little one is not growing as much as it should and that is unacceptable! However, I don't know how to get it to grow faster or more...my weight gain is right on track so I don't need to gain anything, just the baby does. If it doesn't have a substantial growth spurt in the next four weeks we will have to be tempted by fate to find out if it is Eli or Lucy and I don't want to! It is too hard, I will only be a month and a half away at that point and I can't back down now and find out. So we will just have to wait and see what happens in four more weeks. My belly is really achy today and so I am hoping that it is because the baby is growing and stretching.

I had my first baby shower yesterday, it was the work baby shower. They did such a nice job and it was really a lot of fun! The shower was a combined shower of three of us at work. I was the odd woman out because we aren't finding out if it is a boy or a girl. Everyone else at work is having girls. I was told on more than one occasion that I was difficult to shop for....I was actually impressed with some of the gender neutral clothes people found, there are some really adorable things we received. It is amazing how tiny the newborn size is! It is hard to believe that the little one in my belly will be wearing the clothes. I think the most surreal moment was when they asked the "mommies" to come up and start opening gifts...it is still so weird to hear the word mommy in reference to myself. Not much longer and I guess I will be getting used to it! Can't wait, I am ready to be done with the whole pregnancy thing!!

Baby loves President Obama...

2009-01-20T16:49:00.000-08:00

(Disclaimer: I am not usually so political but this is just weird...in a great way...)

So this may sound crazy and I am fine with that...however I really think the baby loves our new President of the United States. I recall in November when the election was held and I was first starting to feel the baby move that it kicked three times during his acceptance speech (which was the most I had felt at that point in time). Now I just watched his inauguration speech (I was working so I couldn't watch it live) and the baby was going crazy in my belly! Coincidence? I think not! I feel so blessed that the barriers are breaking in America and we are becoming a more excepting society...my child will never experience race as an issue for the presidency. It is only one step, but a major one and I am thankful for that. We have a long way to go but knowing that we are on our way is comforting. It is a great day!

28 weeks and in the third trimester!

2009-01-15T16:48:00.000-08:00

The latest ultrasound was quite amazing. It showed that the baby is fine and healthy, a little small (about a week small) but healthy. The baby had grown so much since the last one. It was so much cuter! I was very thankful for that because I was truly paranoid that I was going to have an ugly baby. Skeletor is really not who you want your baby to look like. Also, during the ultrasound the baby was kicking and sucking his/her fist. It was so adorable. Now that I know where the baby is in my belly it is really easy for me to identify if it is an arm/elbow or foot/knee that is poking me and moving around.

This whole pregnancy has gone by so quickly up to this point. It is amazing because when I first found out, I was three and half weeks pregnant, it seemed like it would be eternity waiting nine months. I think starting the first of the school year early on in my pregnancy has really helped the time go by quickly. It really isn't hard for time to fly by during the busiest time of the school year. This is the portion of my pregnancy that has been most enjoyable. I don't really have any symptoms other than back pain and being tired. I am completely obsessed with watching my stomach roll and move around. I sit and watch it as much as I can (he or she is moving right now). I really can't believe how much the baby moves, it seems to be on the go all the time. Oh and I hit the 20 lbs. mark on the scale...it is amazing how those numbers keep going up. I am actually pretty proud of myself for really maintaining a healthy weight gain. Since my appetite is back I think it will be a little harder to keep the maintenance under control.

Joe and I went on a tour of the hosipital last weekend! It was pretty cool to see the whole facility...however, I was really disappointed that they don't have water births! I was really set on giving birth in the water...it is a little unsettling to have my whole birth plan unravel. Thankfully we have enough time to figure out a new one. We will start our birthing classes on the 22nd and that should be able to help us decide another route that would be appropriate for us. It is really exciting to be doing all of this "end of pregnancy" stuff, hopefully it will all keep me occupied until the baby comes because I can really see how I might get a little antsy towards the end of this. We will see how it goes!

26 weeks...

2009-01-05T20:35:00.000-08:00

Well, I went to the doctor today and my glucose levels are great! No gestational diabetes! YEAH! However, the baby is measuring a little small. I have an ultrasound on Wednesday to make sure everything is okay. Baby is moving all the time and I don't really feel like anything is wrong so I am not worried. It will be nice to have an ultrasound to make sure though...just in case. This is the first time there has been any indication of something being wrong...I have a feeling that everything will be just fine though.

This little one is becoming someone quite special, I can feel it. I have been getting to know him or her through lots of movements and the time of day that baby is most active. Baby is really active most of the day now. Joe and I are really afraid that this baby will NEVER sleep. Baby had the hiccups this morning and kept me up for most of the night last night, kicking and bouncing around every which way. It is because of all this movement that I feel everything will be okay. I am getting anxious to know more about this little one, I really want to know more about the little one and find out who he or she is and what he or she will be like. It really isn't long until I find out! Less than 14 weeks to go and I can hardly wait (or believe it)!!

24 weeks (6 months) and growing...

2008-12-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

So it is official, I was able to use my belly as a tray today for lunch! There isn't anything much more amusing than sitting your bowl of top ramen on your belly while you eat. I was by myself but I laughed out loud anyhow. I feel like there is a basketball popping out of my tummy. I can't believe how quickly time is passing. This little guy is VERY active. He or she is moving around all the time and it is the most amazing feeling. Lately, I have been looking down at my belly and wondering who this little person is...what he or she will be like and look like (hopefully not skeletor). I really want to know who this is...I want to meet the little one. Only three more weeks and I start my third trimester, wow this is going quickly! Can't wait!

22 weeks!!

2008-12-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

I have been feeling better tummy wise which is a big relief. There is nothing quite like a twelve-week-flu to make you want this child be an only child. However, now that it is over I might be willing to do this again. The back pain is the worst right now. It is there when I sleep, sit, stand, walk and just about everything else! I think the baby is back on my sciatic nerve because my right leg goes numb and aches terribly...

I guess if you are someone who hasn't been pregnant than I really am not the person to promote pregnancy. I have come to terms with the fact that this is the way I am able to have children, but it is not the magical experience I always thought it would be. I thought I would have a glow and it would all be wonderful...sweating, nausea and weight gain are not my idea of a glow or wonderful. I am guessing people just don't talk about the reality of pregnancy. There are so many bazaar experiences that nobody told me about, do people forget all of this once the baby comes or do they just not talk about it? I think some of these things should be common knowledge or at least talked about, it could be one of the best forms of birth control! Gas, constipation, excessive hair growth, sensitivity to smells, fatigue, heartburn that radiates out my back and lack of ambition were never explained to me and What to Expect When You are Expecting just sugar coats everything.

On the plus side the baby is moving all the time now and that really does make everything worth it. I love feeling it move and kick and roll over, it is a little weird but it is the most amazing feeling. I think most everyone has gotten the chance to feel the baby move now, Joe gets to feel it all the time. The other morning, I rolled over to snuggle and he had his back to my belly and he felt it kick on his back...it was so cool. The baby really kicked Brice hard, one of the hardest kicks I have felt so far. The first time it rolled over or switched positions in my belly I thought it was heartburn on Thanksgiving but when I felt around I could actually feel the baby pushing out on my stomach, it was truly amazing! I laid flat on my back the other day (which you are not supposed to do and I only did it for a few minutes) and when I put my hand on my stomach I could feel exactly where the baby was! It was lounging on my right side right above my hip and curved. I really doesn't get much better than that. Well, I have 4 months from Monday until my due date...this is going by so quickly and yet I am almost ready to meet this little one (I still need a little while). The nursery at our new house is completely empty so I have some work to do before baby can come along. One step at a time....

Baby Names

2008-11-18T21:12:00.001-08:00

I think choosing a baby name is one of those really fun things to do until you realize the responsibility that goes with it. The fact that the little one doesn't get a choice in his or her name and it is something that sticks with them forever is quite a big deal! I have had my little girl's name picked out for a very long time...Lucy has been it forever. When I think of a Lucy I think of a super sweet person with a great heart and it isn't a name that you hear very often. Then we have the boy name...this has posed to be a more difficult task. There are a lot of great boy names out there but none of them have really jumped out of us or really stuck like Lucy. So, we have a few choices and we are hoping that if it is a boy we will know when we get to meet him. We are also hoping that if it is a girl, she is a Lucy because we don't have a backup :) So the new poll only has boy names and Eli is one of the new front runners thank to Joe looking online at baby names while I packed diligently. He was going with "E" names and Eli popped into my head and Joe loved it so we will see what happens. Have fun voting and we will see what happens!

Skeletor....

2008-11-13T20:06:00.001-08:00

For as much as I have been through so far it still seems so surreal to think that I have a person growing in my belly! Yes, all the symptoms are there and yes we saw the first ultrasound but nothing can make it as real as watching the baby yawn and stretch inside of me on the last ultrasound. Also, none of my clothes will fit, but the yawn was adorable! We were able to see the heart, brain, kidneys, legs, arms, eyes, nose, ears, elbow...every thing except what would tell us if baby is a boy or a girl. There were a couple of times where it would have been so easy; both Joe and I said that it was really hard to restrain ourselves from finding out. However, we did agree that the baby needs to get a lot cuter! The face that you see in the ultrasound is not cute! It isn't even a little cute, it is flat out creepy! I am convinced that I have Skeletor growing inside my belly! It kept playing peek-a-boo and it was the creepiest thing to see it bobbing up with the Skeletor face. I really wasn't anticipating that. Also, we found out that the baby is very flexible, its foot was all the way up by its ear. My mom and my friend Jen were there to see it when all the medical stuff was taken care of. It was a very cool thing to share with them. Diane had to work so we brought her the pictures when we were done with the appointment. Overall it was an amazing experience and one I will never forget...

Baby Foot!

Full Profile

Full Profile with hand and foot near face

Skeletor yawning

Full Profile with spine

Halloween Costumes: Lego my Preggo and the Lego Man

My belly at 19 Weeks

A little time for my husband

2008-11-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about how much attention the husband gets when having a baby...it isn't a lot. He doesn't look any different and it doesn't change how he feels physically so most, if not all, the attention goes to the wife. Well, that is just not very fair to me because my husband has changed a lot. He surprises me every day with how attentive he is to me and how responsible he has become. Not that he wasn't these things before but they have magnified because of the situation. Joe takes better care of me than I ever thought. He takes his role as husband and father very seriously and I am the luckiest woman in the world to have married him. Up until about a week ago I really didn't even go into the kitchen, I couldn't stand the smells. The dishwasher stunk, what ever was cooking didn't smell good and Hamilton's food is in the kitchen and that was the worst of all. So Joey has been so great at taking care of the cooking and dishes, he also is the Hamilton feeder. He does all the little things that help make this process a little easier. Now that I am feeling better and have gone 13 days without being sick I have been helping a little more but nothing compared to what Joe has had to do for the last 14 weeks. He was been so amazing and I just think the husband needs a little credit for all he does during a pregnancy as well.

Crazy Store Lady!

2008-10-25T10:39:00.000-07:00

I am 16 weeks now and am feeling better every day. However, I have come to the realization that my everyday clothes are no longer going to fit me. I think it was in my last post that I was so excited because my clothes all still fit and I was very proud of myself. Well, it sure is amazing what a week can do these days. The pants that fit me so comfortably on Monday no longer would button on Friday. So, I went shopping. There are very few places to get maternity clothes around here. Or if a store has clothes the selection is quite poor. So, Jen and I went to the Streets of Tanasbourne. There is a GAP there with a maternity section along with a Mimi Maternity store. Now, the GAP was great, they were helpful and pleasant and I found some nice jeans that are SOOOOO comfortable I may never return to a button up pants again. Then we ventured over to Mimi Maternity...there was a blonde stick of a sales woman there who picked me as her pray for her commission. She was so pushy and over the top I couldn't get out of there quick enough. However, I needed some clothes for gosh sake and I wasn't leaving without some...so I stuck it out and started trying things on. She returned to my dressing room 4 times with more things for me to try on! I was so irritated with her I didn't even try on the items she brought. I just stuck with my pile of clothes that I tried on and left hers on the floor. At the checkout stand she wanted my address, phone number, e-mail and practically this first born! I kept telling her "no thank you" in the most polite tone I could muster up. Anyhoo, I got what I needed and now have extremely comfortable clothes and I won't ever go back to that store again.

The 15 week mark...

2008-10-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

Well, we have made it to the 15th week and that is great because a lot of risk has dropped. To be honest, I really haven't been worried about the pregnancy at all. I have been pretty calm, which is surprising for me. I just figured anything that made me have all the symptoms and made me that ill was in there really good and wasn't planning on leaving any time soon! So now that the majority of risk is gone that makes it a little nicer. I have been feeling better and better every day which is also great! The baby just keeps on growing, it is 4 inches now and 2.5 oz. It is the size of an apple this week. Speaking of apples, that is one of my newly added foods to the good list. Finally something healthy! Cheetoes, top ramen and chocolate milk don't really met the criteria of a healthy, well-balanced meal.

This picture is from our first ultrasound. We have another one scheduled for the 13th of November (I'll be 19 weeks) which is exciting because it should be a world of difference from the 8th week one.

The Beat of a Heart...

2008-10-12T16:22:00.001-07:00

The sound of a baby's beating heart it amazing. It is so fast and such a relieving feeling. Joe and I went to the doctor and she says everything is going great and we got to hear the heart beat. It took her a few seconds to find the heart beat, which of course started to make me nervous. I was waiting patiently...sort of. The doctor said it was because the baby was moving around. Once she found it, it sounded amazing.
I haven't felt the baby move yet, it could take awhile. The fact that the baby is 3 and half inches and 1.5 oz. (the size of a lemon) is amazing. It has grown so much! My belly is also getting bigger. I really have a baby bump now, it doesn't look like I am bloated, it actually looks like I'm having a baby. Joey says that my belly feels like memory foam, it is pretty firm but still squishes. I am pretty proud though, all of my jeans still fit and button! It won't be long though...the jeans that aren't low rise probably won't fit this week.
I am really starting to feel better, today is a week since I last got sick! Yeah! That is the longest I have gone so far. I have had a little more energy these last two days. Today I am feeling a little more exhausted but I had a 6 day work week so that is to be expected. I am very glad to be in the second trimester though so we will see what it brings!

Size of a Lime

2008-09-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, this little guy is growing quite quickly now! It is the size of a lime! I can tell that things have been growing because over the weekend my stomach popped out and it isn't going back in! My pants no longer button (not comfortably at least) and it is quite interesting how this all seemed to happen over night. We get to hear the heart beat next week on the 6th. I am very excited to hear it, I've been told that hearing the heart beat makes it more real. Everyday gets a little easier to believe that this is all happening. However, it still doesn't seem that pregnancy turns into a baby. Right now they seem to be two very separate things. We will see how I feel when I hear the heart beat and start to feel it moving in the next month or two.

12 Weeks and Much Happier

2008-09-25T06:16:00.001-07:00

Well, it has been forever since I last posted. Mainly, this is due to the fact that the past four weeks have not been so easy. I have felt sick, weak, nauseated, tired and just plain crummy. I am really happy to announce that I am feeling much better the last two days. I am just now starting my 12th week of pregnancy and have started to feel better. I am starting to show and have a little baby bump which makes my mom happy and makes this all a little more real for me. I am still in a surreal place where I don't think all of these things are due to a little baby inside of me. The books say that it is the size of a lime now and that I will start feeling stretching in my mid-section and back. I have been experiencing this for the last three days. So far the staples in my diet are top ramen and chocolate milk...what isn't to love about those?? There will be more updates to come as I start to feel better and better...

Thank Goodness for Unisom and B6!

2008-08-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

A brand new person!!! I had four horrible days of nausea and vomiting and now I am getting back to normal. I am feeling so much better and actually got out of the house yesterday for the first time on our vacation. I'm not 100% yet and probably won't be for awhile (or for the next 8 months) but at least I am able to get out of bed and enjoy my time off a little bit more. I only have a couple more days off so I had better be able to enjoy them while I can.

Joe has been great, he has made a few grocery runs for me already. So far I have wanted: McDonald's french fries, cheetoes, veggies and dip, ginger ale, soda crackers, toast and chocolate milk. We will see what the next few months bring as far as food goes.

6 Weeks Along and On Vacation..

2008-08-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Well, we are now in Jersey and we are very glad to be away from our daily routine. However, I don't think our little lintel bean is very happy to be over here. The little beany baby is making me feel very sick today. I felt the worst today than any day yet. I was thankful that I didn't have class or work to go to. I stayed on Laura and Ryan's couch all day. I did bite the bullet and went out for dinner and it was a success. So finally at 10:00 p.m my stomach feels somewhat normal. We will see how tomorrow goes, I am hoping that it was the time change and switch in schedule that made me so miserable today. Wish me luck for tomorrow!

Just the beginning

2008-08-10T20:44:00.000-07:00

I don't know if anyone can really prepare for being pregnant or having a baby. I have always been a planned and prepared person and this just seems so surreal to me right now. All the symptoms are there to reassure me that this is real and happening but I can't seem to wrap my mind around the big picture. I can't wait for the ultrasound on the 25th. I think that will help me realize that this is for real and not a dream. The worry is the worst right now, some days I am fine and think everything will go just as planned and then there are other days when I question every move in my body or every action that I take to make sure everything is going to be all right. I keep reading that this is typical and that every first time mom goes through this...first time mom...that sounds so weird! I am going to be a mom! Holy crap, I think I am going to go to bed now.... :)