First Things First

Today marks 25 complete weeks of being pregnant!  Baby B is the size of an eggplant.  In all honesty, I haven't even see or held an eggplant before.  Baby is around 13.6-14.8 inches and almost 2 pounds.  And I...well, I am packing on the pounds now!  No joke.  In a good, healthy manner.  Still no stretch marks, but know I am not in the clear yet.  However, I do have that U-G-L-Y (you ain't got no albeit) linea nigra thing going on.  For those of you who don't know or would rather be lazy and not enter it into Google right now, it's a dark line that runs down your belly.  The books tell me it's hormones.  Weird.  Either way, it's not attractive.  My belly is also as hairy as a monkey!  Double the unattractive points.  Have no fear, that doesn't stop me from pulling up my shirt whenever I want to show off the bump.  lol. I've probably scared some ladies out of having children (maybe even my sister, Caitlin!).  Ha ha ha.  Oh ANDDDD my belly button is popped.  I wonder if it will fully be an outtie one day.  Another very attractive attribute, huh?  It's all for a good reason though!

And here's the bump in all it's glory.  It really looks bigger in person- I promise!

We are doing really good.  I had to postpone my last doctor's appointment for 2 weeks due to a healthcare change.  But went yesterday (11/29/2010) and met another doctor at our current practice.  He's awesome as well.  He reassumed me that we will get through this pregnancy with flying colors.  It was nice.  Baby's heartbeat was at 144 beats/minute.  I got to feel the top of my uterus.  A little sickening, but cool.  I had my belly measured for he first time.  I was thinking they'd go around your abdomen, but nope...it's from your pubic bone to the top of the uterus.  Interesting!  I get up a couple times at night to pee...but it doesn't help that Gracie still wakes me up to pee as well.  Gggggggrrrrr!  I think baby B is laying sideways...head on my left side, feet on my right.  And boy, has the baby been on the move!  It's amazing to feel how active the little thing is.  I love it :)

It is funny how life works out.  Yesterday was a REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hard day.  My first day back to Prescott alone.  No roommate even.  Just me and our G.  It was my first baby doc appointment without my partner in crime, the other half of this baby and my life.  And that was really tough.  I cried.  A lot.  One of those cry in the shower days, which are never fun.  But today, I feel like me again.  Much happier.  Much more on track.  I went to the gym.  I walked my pain in the butt dog.  And caught up with daily life here in AZ.  Yes, I'm still sad I'm not surrounded by family and Mike isn't here.  I know I can make it through this for a few more months after all.

I have so much more to update you all on...ie. this past week.  One step at a time!

Little B, You're Set

Over the past few weeks/months 'Papa' has sent some surprise gifts for Baby B.  I wanted to document them today...as they're too cute to pass up!  Plus, he has the beginnings of the crib started and while I won't post pics just yet I will do a large post about Baby B's furniture down the road.  Fun stuff!

{Harley-Davidson reversible winter coat!  For those cold Chicago winters, size 2T...it will be perfect in just a few years.  Papa is creative, he's also a great writer.  So each gift has a poem.}

{Sorry the image is sideways, I will correct it when I have more time!}

{Along with the Harley package, we got a bonus onesie from Jenny!  It's an absolutely perfect gift b/c Jenny is the ultimate Triathlete :0)  Little B will be rocking this onesie while we cheer her on in her first Ironman come May '11...whoop, whoop!  Can't wait.}

{I doubt these are in the correct order, but next up is the baby Urlacher jersey!  It will match Daddy just perfect (Mike has an orange one) :0)  Can't help with be cheesy on this one.  Can you imagine M with his little bumpkin hanging out on a Sunday in their getup??  I can, and I LOVE IT!  The poem for this one read, "Baby's first words are usually "momma" or "dadda," but just imagine the stares...when baby B's first words are "Da Bears!" Love, Papa" Too cute for words!}

{And just this week we got this guy.  Cubbies onesie, booties, and bib- complete with his/her first bat! Come baseball season 2012, baby B will be rockin this gear.  The poem read, "Because the only 'runs' might not be on the field, be sure Baby B is wearing Huggies when going to see the Cubbies! Love, Papa xoxoxoxo"  Ha ha ha- too funny and sick!}

{The above two were surprise gifts from Grandma and Aunt Caitlin...a Taggies puppy, a musical giraffe that plays "Jesus Loves Me," a cute card, a towel and wash cloths!!  Baby B is SO loved.  All sent 'just because.'  How awesome.  Something to keep a freezing baby warm post bathy and his/her first stuffed animals!}

We are so very thankful and appreciate all the well wishes, kind thoughts and prayers, and love we're already being showered with.  

{And because I feel like it, I want to wear this shirt around every day.  Hello world, I'm emotional, moody, freaked out about the state my body is currently in, hungry, and missing my family.  Now, leave me alone.  Lol!  Also, since I still look like I just had Thanksgiving dinner complete with a 12 pack of beers, it'd let everyone know there's a baby in there!  Maybe I should have made that purchase...}

 And just for the record:  TWO sleeps till I'm in Tejas!!  Maybe this is why I don't sleep so well- lol.

Happy Momma's B-day and 23 Weeks!

I woke up this morning to my precious Gracie...at 6:40 am.  Whatever happened to sleeping in, dog???  Anyways, she was ready to go outside, but it was just too cold.  I chose to stay under the covers.  Doug ended up letting her out AND...he made me breakfast!  Yes!  A.  my favorite meal of the day B.  my favorite thing: biscuits and gravy  C. it's definitely going to be a happy day, as Colleen says.

{This is where she sometimes sleeps...it happened more frequently when Mike was here and would get up for work early.  She'd take his spot. Head on the pillow and all.}

{And this is how she lays when she wants a belly rub...legs spread as open as they can be.  Her favorite scratching place is most certainly the upper thigh...lol.  I always tell her to close her legs!}

I had every intention of heading to the gym, but I decided against it.  It's a day to be lazy and do whatever I want!  I will head to work at 1 and Lauren is making me a Mexican Fiesta for dinner, complete with a Funfetti cake of some sort.  Yum!  

Today also marks 23 weeks!  Baby B is now the size of a papaya.  Measuring in at 8 inches on one site and 10.5-11.8 on another and roughly 1.2 lbs.  Exciting news this week, literally word for word, "The next task at hand of baby:  sprouting two teeny-tiny nipples!"  I couldn't help but laugh out loud.  But how precious those little nipples will be.

{23 weeks and 1 day}

This day is so surreal for me.  I kept saying, "I will be 27 when baby is born."  But 27 felt like it was forever away.  I swear November felt like it wasn't ever approaching.  Yet, here we are.  November 16th, 2010...my 27th birthday.  And we've got 17 weeks to go until I have my first lil baby!!  Eeeeeeeeee!  I can't wait.  It's also a tough day.  I've spent the last few years (I believe, 4 at least) celebrating my birthday with my Dad and Jenny.  Jenny and I share this wonderful day as our birthday!  And before I moved to AZ...my memory is failing me...I think my Dad spent a few years with me and maybe others alternating with Jenny (ah! it's terrible I can't remember right now).  This year, we decided to hold up on the birthday trip A. I'm prego B. I'm going to Houston for a whole week over Thanksgiving C. Next year, we are doing Vegas!  It was a tough decision and now that Mike isn't here...I think I regret it.  Being without family on your birthday flat out sucks :)  However, I'm still lucky...only 3 more sleeps until I'm home!!  Whoop Whoop!

The End and The Beginning

Life is so strange.  I have lots of time to reflect on pretty much everything since I spend most of my days talking to myself.  lol.  I mean, not always out loud, but Gracie and the nanny babies really aren't much of adult conversationalists.  Anyways, Saturday Ashley had her baby!  Meet Ms Harper Ann:

Her labor was nothing short of perfect (I now have a semi-expectation, but feel more aware of what's going to happen).  Harper was born around 5:23 pm, 7 lbs 15 oz, and 21.5 inches long.  Lots of black hair atop her little head.  I had hardcore anxiety upon our arrival at the hospital.   Not sure why, but the place just freaks me out.  Maybe it's the sickness that lingers...or the sadness I can't help but relate, even though I know happiness exists too (ie. births).  BUT I have this fear that there's going to be some crazy, bloody, panic stricken emergency when I turn any corner.  However, the anxiety this time was more anxiousness for my arrival in March and my friends loitering in the waiting room to see me and our new baby.  Hopefully, that doesn't sound self centered.  In roughly 17 weeks or 119 days, I will be there..in my room for the first time since I was born.  Strange.  It hit home for me.  Mike is away and it's tough.  I'm really pregnant with our first child and I'm really going to go into labor.  Mike will be there...please.  Mike won't be away at the time of our child's arrival.  I kept repeating this to myself, over and over and over again.  

I was on cloud 9 holding her though.  Something so small, so perfect, so uninfluenced.  It's the beginning of her life.  One day she will be turning 27, 3 days before I turn 54 (sick!).  It's also the end of Ashley's pregnancy.  Although, I know when you are 9 months along, feeling miserable, and begging for the day to get the child out of you to come is true, it's hard to imagine this being over.  It has been an interesting year for us.  Pregnancy was tough in the beginning...and dare I say, boring?  Nobody could tell I was pregnant and I couldn't tell anyone for what felt like forever.  I couldn't enjoy a glass of wine after work or a beer with Mike watching football.  I was exhausted and moody and just plain blah!  The 2nd trimester has been much better.  I'm showing, I have my energy back more than I did before, I eat great food all the time, and 3-5 times a week I get a nap.  But now I'm lonely.  Mike is gone and missing part of our journey...although I hope I make him feel like he's right along my side with constant updates and reports!!  Gaining weight is hard, even though it's for a great reason.  And I sometimes just don't feel like myself.  It'd be nice to have my other half with me...but I know I can't, so I've come to accept that.  Ugh.  I feel as if it's not one thing, it's another.  

Doug, our roommate, groomsman, and friend, is moving out unexpectedly Friday.  This is a bummer b/c he is, what we joke about, my "stand in husband."  He's always there for me/us and keeps me company while Mike's gone.  It's nice having him around throughout the night.  I sleep MUCH better knowing someone else is in the house.  Now that will all change.  Boo.  I will learn to sleep well completely solo.  Boo times two.  Although, that's probably a good thing at 27 (almost).  So, now, more than ever before, I want to move to Chicago before baby B is born.  Plus, that'd relieve some of my stress about Mike not making it to the birth.  Oi.  Lots going on...still.

It's the end of Ashley's pregnancy and my 26th year of life.  It's the beginning of Harper's first year of life and my 27th.  How strange life really is <3

A Full Pound

That's right, baby B is now a full pound!!  Kind of weird to think that 6-ish more pounds and our baby will be birth weight.  Exciting at the same time.  A good friend of mine, Ashley, is being induced Saturday.  I don't know how to explain my happiness...I can't even imagine hers!  Her little girl was due Nov. 16th (yes, my birthday!)  but she's ready to come out early.  I keep having dreams that I am the one being induced on Saturday...let's just say that results in a huge, freak out, panic attack :0)  Although, I must admit, I cannot wait to find out what the little being growing in my belly is.  Boy?  Or girl?  I mostly get 'boy,' but who really knows (only baby B and I'm not even sure the poor thing knows what it is yet...lol).  So this is week 22...

Baby B is now the size of a papaya or a spaghetti squash, you pick.  He/She is starting to settle into slep cycles that we hope continue after birth- lol.  Sleeping 12-14 hours a day.  We're now 10.5-11.8 inches long.  The baby now has a sense of touch, grabbing the umbilical cord will be the only thing touchable in the womb.  They can also see light, so placing a flashlight on my belly might cause a reaction from the baby.  His/Her face is now fully developed...yayyy!  

I am feeling great.  A little battle with heartburn yesterday, but Tums seem to be working for now.  I have been thirsty for Diet Dr. Pepper (caffeine free if it's accessible).  And no weird food cravings.  Although, I am always hungry.  Even after eating a meal (if I don't gorge myself and eat too quickly), I'm hungry.  Dessert has been a huge hit for us.  I am working on fighting off any and every sign of a cold or sickness.  It doesn't help that the whole nanny house is sick (colds, ear infections, bronchitis).  Still debating the stupid flu shot.  I figure, if I debate long enough, flu season will have passed.  Blah.  Baby is still active at random times during the day.  And I still love every minute of it.  We are still working out 3-4 times a week on average.  Loving the endorphins that are released once it's over!  Like I've said in almost every other post, I am pumped about my week vacation home in TEN days.  SO much fun to be had and maybe a trip up to see the hubs!  Bummed b/c it's up to me for the traveling as his schedule pretty much sucks.  But I have to be thankful for whatever!

Have a great Tuesday everyone- off to work I go!

A Shooting Star

What a way to end my Monday.  Leaving work I was debating on running through a drive through to get food that's terrible for me in all ways or going home for something much better.  I've had terrible heartburn all day.  That aside, I chose the naughty food b/c the heartburn is going to come no matter what today and I promised myself I'd have a better week ahead.  On my way to retrieve my cheeseburger and fries (yes, I even got fries) I saw a shooting star.  It wasn't a little swoosh, it caught my eye as it started and sailed on for quite some time.  Stars amaze me.  And bring loads of memories.  

First off, I am taken back to a night when I got into trouble. I swear I saw 20 shooting stars that night.  From then on I have been slightly superstitious about them.  Thinking they surely cannot bring me good luck.  Over the years that has changed.  Secondly, I am taken to the very first time I can to Arizona to visit M.  He came to pick me up at the airport and I was a Nervous Nelly.  We walked to his car in the garage holding hands and drove the hour and a half North to Prescott.  The sun had fully gone down by the time we arrived to his house.  I got out of the car, looked up, and froze in my tracks.  Holy Mackerel!  I loved the Kansas sky, when you were out in the country, away from city lights.  But the Arizona sky blows that out of the water.  No question.  I'm fairly certain that Mike remembers this moment too.  There's some rule about street lights, which makes the view that much more awesome.  I've tried to take pictures- those obviously don't turn out.  I believe it was meant to be for me to choose the terrible choice for dinner tonight, otherwise I would have missed the beautiful shooting star.  

Interestingly enough, I have thought about leaving the Arizona sky when we move to Chicago.  I know it's going to be one of the things I miss immensely (along with the weather).  The sky is also one of those things I've taken for granted lately.  I am grateful for the sunshine to keep me in happier spirits.  I am also grateful for the stars that always keep me wishful for the future and thankful for "just another day in paradise."  *sigh* The stars also make me dreamy...almost love struck.  Then I find myself daydreaming about M and our times together.

Speaking of...this weekend was nothing short of perfect.  I had an amazing trip out to Dallas to see him.  I found myself having anxiety about leaving, but once I left, I shed only a few tears and realized how lucky I was that I got to see him.  It was great seeing his new stomping grounds, meeting his friends, and better understanding what his deal out there is all about.  And, of course, it was beyond great hanging out with him.  He's such an amazing man.  I also got to see my Daddy and the Andrades.  Both on different evenings for dinner.  It was nice.  We laughed till we cried and simply soaked in every moment we had together.  Life is good.  

Thursdays, Things I'm Lovin

#1 FLIGHT BENEFITS!!!  Thank you American Eagle for hiring my husband.  And thank you for promptly adding me, his wife, to the flight benefit plan (or whatever it's called).  Right this minute, I'm sitting in M's hotel room eating Pizza Hut blogging.  I'm waiting for him to get out of ground school so I can see him for the first time in 12 days.  Doesn't seem like a lot on paper, but it feels like an eternity to us.  I plan on falling asleep while watching a movie (this isn't hard for me- at all).  I flew out far too early this morning, on my first "non-rev flight" of many, I fear.  I'm talking early...like wake up at 1 am, leave Prescott at 2 am, arrive at the airport in Phoenix by 4 am, on the plane at 5:45 am, and airborne by 6:20 am.  Whew! What a morning.  Baby B is probably thinking "my mom has lost it."  And so is Gracie who got left behind to hang with her Uncle Mike.  (side note:  I despise leaving my dog.  If I had it my way, I'd shrink her like in Honey, I shrunk the kids! and bring her with me everywhere.)  Anyways, I am not the type to dig flying standby b/c of the unknown, but I did it today and I got on!  Woo hoo!  I also have a HUGE issue with American Airlines and would never fly with them again if it was up to me.  However, flying for free might be a great payback...sweet victory for me :0)  I am SO ridiculously happy to be here.  I feel normal again.  Although I know these few days will fly by, I get to see my hubby's baby blues in person for days!  And thank you to my boss, who loves me like one of her own.  Without her, I probably wouldn't be here visiting M.

#2  Dr. Seuss Chucks.  OMG I love these shoes.  The boys, as in Troy and Hunter the boys I nanny, have a few pairs of them.  The One Fish, Two Fish ones, black ones, white ones, and Thing 1 and Thing 2 ones.  They KILL me.  I have a great pic of Huntie wearing some at the park.  Honestly, there isn't a better thing for a kid to wear.  Tennies decked out in a great book.  Just imagine a little boy romping around in these.  *ah* to die for!  Whatever...kids shoes are adorable in general, but I also happen to love Dr. Seuss.  I'm not saying these are only for boys...I guarantee if we have a girl she'll be rocking some of these kicks.  Good times in the kid department.

Our Large Banana

We made it through the halfway mark.  Now at 21 weeks pregnant baby B in the size of a large banana.  Measuring in at 10.5 inches and 11-12.5 ounces (that's a big jump)!  The websites say to keep in mind that the baby tastes what I'm eating since it swallows amniotic fluid for hydration, nutrition, and practice.  It seems odd that the amniotic fluid tastes different from day to day.  But I guess it makes sense..the whole passing from my body to the baby weirds me out.  I am totally cool with the umbilical cord and placenta (although I hear the after birth is absolutely no fun), but the amniotic fluid too, sick!  Currently the baby has plenty of room in my belly...which is why this is the phase for flips, rolls, twists, and turns.  Since baby B was VERY active over the weekend, I assume that this would be correct.  He/She has room, so why not keep himself/herself busy???  The belly is here to stay!  This is also post breakfast...proff the baby is there :0)

Even with my shirt on this morning I look more pregnant than I have in the past (personally).  It's exciting to see all the changes.  I just wonder how much is baby and how much will I have to work off in the end...hummm?  I got cleared for CrossFit Mom at my last appointment.  That made me happy.  I don't feel as if I'm breaking the rules anymore...lol.  I still go 3-4 times a week.  It's a part of my weekly/daily/life's routine.  A lady at the gym told me I have a bump the size of my butt on the front, now I'm even.  I was dying laughing.  It kinda looks that way, huh?  I am enjoying the strong nails.  I will miss this when they leave once baby comes.  They're so different.  Not brittle and ugly.  I might even get a manicure just b/c I like my nails right now (those of you that know me, know I hate manicures...biggest waste of money)!  While at the doctor their scale said I have gained 10 lbs.  Which is about right for 19 weeks (at that time).  But every morning I step on the scale at the same time (ok, not every morning, but a few times a week) and it says 2-3 lbs less than what the doctor said.  I know this is b/c of water weight, the time of day, what I've eaten and what had left my body, but that's a huge difference.  I told my nurse that...she just said, "every scale is different."  Blah.  No, I'm not a nazi about it.  I just don't want to end up gaining more than healthy/necessary.  I've met several moms recently that gained 50 lbs in their last pregnancy (course, that was years ago, but STILL).  It makes me sick to think about.  Sorry to those folks out there that gained that much.  I really hope I am not one of you.  Ha ha ha...I'm just being honest.  Still no weird cravings.  However, when I have something on my mind, I must eat it.  Usually those foods aren't abnormal though.  I crave french fries a lot, but always have, and Mexican ALWAYS sounds good.  Fruit, fruit, and more fruit.  And of course, milk.  Sweets and sugar- typical.  My chest is growing...and it's AWESOME!  Someone like me would be happy about that...I could see being well endowed and having them grow a pain, but this lady is one happy camper!  

Other than that, I can't think of much right now.  Sorry of the long, wordy paragraph!  I will write about this past weekend tomorrow.  And p.s. I'm "cheating" on my countdown to see Mr. B and am leaving THURSDAY!!!!!!!!!!   Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  I am so excited I can hardly contain myself.  No tears here...I get to see my man in 2 days.  *Ah*