Week 12.

So, I’m nearing the end of the 1st trimester, and I’m truly ecstatic to have these weeks behind me.  While I’ve felt pretty fabulous this entire time, it’s always a little comforting when you have the first part behind you – just for peace of mind. 

Here’s where the baby is today:
—  My weight increased more than 75% just this week!
   
—  All my bones are getting hard.
   
—  My fingernails and toenails are coming in—just like the big kids.
   
—  The right and left sides of my brain are connecting with each other.
   
—  I now have my very own fingerprints.
   
—  When my upper eyelid is touched, my eyes roll downward.
— From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.



I spy baby crack.

I feel like I haven’t been to the Dr. in ages.  My next appointment is on October 4th, and it can’t come soon enough!  Hopefully I’ll be able to hear the heartbeat on the Doppler.  I’m pretty sure I’m far along enough (I’ll be 13 weeks at the time) for that to occur.  If not, maybe they’ll squeeze me in for an ultra-sound.  Nah, probably not.  If I had the money, I’d seriously buy a machine and just walk around with it all day.  As it is, I can peek in on Anna throughout the day while she’s at school (thanks to the webcam there).  I should be able to do the same with my unborn child, too, right? 

Too much?  Yeah, probably so.

Being the impatient person I am, I decided to waste money on the Intelligender test. I say waste because how accurate can a urine gender prediction test be, but it was accurate for my sister, so why not?  I’m at least 8 weeks away from finding out on an ultra-sound what I’m having – that’s pretty agonizing for a person who can’t even wait for a bag of popcorn to pop.

Anyway, after testing with FMU (first morning urine), I got this result…

Wait for it…

Wait for it…



Here’s what it would’ve looked like had it been a girl:


Yellow…just like pee.

According to the Intelligender site, the tests have an 87.6% accuracy rate if tested with FMU.  Of course the odds are pretty darn high seeing that it has a 50/50 shot of being right, so I guess we’ll see!

Needless to say, Joe was pretty darn ecstatic at the prospect of having a son. 

How I’m feeling:

I’m feeling pretty great.  I have very mild nausea, almost non-existent.  I’m not really that fatigued.  I mean, I go to bed at 8:30 or so, but I’ve always done that because that’s what boring people do. 

I’m still only up about 1 lb.  Maybe 2.  I haven’t weighed myself the past few days.  I’m not concerned because I know it will eventually start piling on, and then I’ll be like WTF is wrong with me? 

Still not much of a bump, but that’s to be expected considering I didn’t show ‘til about 24 weeks the last time.  Once I actually start showing, I will be posting weekly belly pics comparing last time to this time.  You’ll just have to excuse my white trash clothes in these photos as most of the time I’m wearing pajamas and have my head cut out so as to not scare the children.

My hormones are much more in check.  Joe thanks Baby Jesus for this.  I feel much more stable and generally happy and well adjusted now.  For a few weeks there, I was fully expecting my head to rotate 360 degrees. 

What’s scary:

My sister and I are exactly 3 weeks apart in our pregnancies.  She and I both had our first babies exactly 3 weeks early.  So, if I go to 40 weeks and she has her second child early, we could technically have babies born on the same day.  Our hospitals are 2 hours apart.  My mom can’t break herself into two people, so what will we do?!  I guess we’ll just worry about that when/if it happens.  Let’s just hope that I go at 37 weeks again and she goes to 40.  That way, there will be 6 full weeks between the babies, and I can be there while she’s delivering her baby and not still be drugged up on pain pills.

What’s also scary to me is that I had a really easy labor and delivery with Anna.  Textbook.  Will that happen again?  My concerns at this point are that the on-call OB who delivered Anna said it was a good thing she came early as she wouldn’t have fit through my pelvis if she’d gotten any bigger.  That’s a bit alarming.  Will my body know to kick into gear again or is it too old to realize what the hell it’s supposed to do?!  Again, I’ll just worry about that when it gets here. 

In other news:

The count down ‘til Anna’s 3rd birthday is on!  Just a little over 2.5 more weeks until my baby gets to blow out three candles on her cake.  I can’t believe I have a 3 year old!  And let me just state, for the record, that terrible twos are a joke.  A JOKE.  That’s kid stuff.  3 is when it gets real, yo.  Prepare yourself.  Call in an exorcist.  Say a few Hail Marys ‘cause you’ll need them.  The good thing is that in between all of the madness, 3 year olds are the most hilariously cute and sweet kids on the planet.  My child is no exception. 

Our fridge is on the fritz.  It’s only 8 years old.  We’ve already had it repaired once when the fan went out.  Now we think it’s a compressor.  So, we had to just bite the bullet and buy a new unit.  The bad news is that it’s somewhere in Asia right now and won’t be here for another three weeks.  Lowe’s (the place where we bought it) is kind enough to give us a brand new loaner fridge for the next three weeks.  Now my child won’t starve!

Frigidaire SUCKS.  I will never own another Frigidaire appliance again.

I get to leave for my annual St. Francisville girls’ trip in just a few days, and I can’t tell you how excited I am.  I always have such a wonderful time relaxing with the women in my family.  Hopefully some of them will be up for touring The Myrtles Plantation again.  We all know about my ghost obsession!

Week 11. How ‘bout ‘dem Saints?

Here’s where we are today:
—  I open my mouth and can even move my tongue.
   
—  I have eyelids, but they are fused shut.
   
—  I can drink whenever I want.
   
—  I sigh, stretch, and move my head.
   
—  If I am a girl, my ovaries now contain my very own reproductive cells.
   
—  For some reason, I love sucking my thumb. Usually the right one.
   
—  Did you know I can grab things with my hands?
   
—  Sometimes I just feel like yawning so I yawn!
—  My vocal cords are forming. I can't wait to use them.




The good news is that the baby is looking more like an actual baby and less like some weird alien life form. 

What’s happening…

I’m feeling pretty good.  Most days I don’t even feel pregnant which can be a blessing and a curse.  It’s a blessing because I don’t need to haul around Anna’s potty training toilet in case of sudden yack attacks, but it’s a curse because I often freak myself out thinking that something might be wrong.  My symptoms were so strong with Anna that there was never any doubt things were moving right along in there.  The 1st trimester is such a pain in the ass.  I’m looking forward to at least feeling some kicks or stretching or something just letting me know that things are as they should be inside.

I have had some very mild cramping lately that I’m going to chalk up to growing pains. 

I’m a little bumped out at this point.  It’s not bloat bump, it’s baby bump.  However, to most outsiders, I don’t look pregnant – just like I’ve eaten a huge meal.  So, basically I’m in that horrible in between phase where people just think I eat a lot. 

My main issue at this point is clothing.  I can’t really wear my tight shirts because of my gut, but maternity stuff is overkill.  Joe and I went on a little shopping excursion the other day, and I walked out empty-handed.  Plus, we’re in the midst of a season change, so all of the cute summer shirts I’d traditionally like are out, but it’s too hot to start stocking up on turtle necks and sweaters. 

Hurry up and change, weather!  Mama is impatient and in DESPERATE need of some new clothes.

I just got over a head cold that may be a result of a recent weather change.  It feels nice to be able to breath out of both nostrils again. 

I haven’t weighed myself lately, but I imagine I’ve gained a few lbs.  Maybe +1.  I’m still able to wear my pre-maternity jeans, but I have to leave them unbuttoned.  Most pants still fit me in the butt/thigh area.  My pee stick hadn’t even dried yet when I was out of regular clothes w/ Anna, so this pregnancy is certainly different. 

I’m a hormonal bastard on speed this go ‘round.  I’m one fava bean shy of gnawing off someone’s face.  I certainly hope that the 2nd trimester will bring some relief from these insane mood swings.  I know Joe is hoping this as well.  He’s been wonderful throughout this entire process, thankfully.  I need to give him an award of some kind when all of this is said and done.  Maybe I’ll win the lottery and can surprise him with a navy, black or silver Z28 Camaro – <--- his dream car. 

One can dream.

How ‘bout ‘dem Saints?!
So, Joe and I decided to take the little bean to his/her first football game!  We bought tickets for the Saints/Bears game on Sunday, September 18 – a surprise from Joe for our anniversary.  We had a blast!  How could you not enjoy a butt whooping game like that?  Well, unless you are a Bears’ fan. 

Sorry, Cutler.  Perhaps your fans will be less douchey the next time we play you on your field.  You know what they say about karma, right?

Here are some photos from the day:

Saints running in.


Glorious dome behind me!


Champion Square in the background.

We were idiots and didn’t bring cash with us, so we spent the better part of an hour running back and forth to ATMs to pay the parking attendant.  This meant that we had to skip the Champ Square festivities and run to our seats to get there before kickoff.  Oh well, you live, you learn!

It was all worth it since we finished with a  beautiful score of 30 – 13 with 6 sacks on Cutler.  It was a fantastic game.  I’m just glad our offense AND defense were on fire this time.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen them play with such fury! 

The baby enjoyed the game, I think. 

Anna got to stay home and play with grandma, so it was a great weekend!

See ya soon!

Quotable Quotes to Quote.

Now that Anna’s vocabulary has expanded, she has turned into a 3’ ball of hilarity. 

The other day it dawned on me that I need to write this stuff down somewhere because it’s just too cute not to.

So, if she keeps it up, I will share it all with you!

Quote 1:
While taking a bath…
Anna: Shut up, Shut up, Shut up (a lovely new phrase she must’ve learned at daycare)
Me: Anna, what did you just say?
Anna: Mommy, I said I love you.

Quote 2:
While sitting at the dinner table, Anna’s Uncle Chris was talking about a guy on TV and said…

Uncle Chris:  That guy is SICK!
(Anna thinking he said “six”)
Anna: Yeah, he’s SIX…seven, eight.

Quote 3:
While watching an episode of Golden Girls, Anna stands up, points her arm to the sky (SHE-RA style) and shouts…

Anna: I AM ROSE NYLUND!

Week 10 and more.

Here’s where things stand this week:

—  I breathe in and out once in a while, even without air.
   
—  My skin is getting thicker and harder to see through.
   
—  I often prefer moving one hand more than the other.
   
—  If I am a boy, I am now making testosterone just like dad.
   
—  I roll over and can even do flips!
   
—  My joints are a lot like my parent's joints.
   
—  I already have more than 4,000 body parts—just 500 more to go!
   
—  Today I am a little embryo. But tomorrow I'll be a big fetus.
   
—  My hair is starting to grow on my brow and near my mouth.



Remember the adorable jeans that I bought from Old Navy?  Yeah, they were horrible.  They fit cute enough, but the belly band was just as tight as regular jeans.  By the middle of the day, I was wishing I could go home and just slip into my comfy pants.  Totally miserable!  So, I’m bringing them back today. 

THESE JEANS SUCK:


I’ve replaced them with these Secret Fit jeans from Motherhood.




Admittedly, most of their jeans make my ass look like a square, so I was apprehensive about buying jeans from there.  This fit, though, makes my ass look rectangular, so I guess that’s a step up.

What’s happening:

- My OB’s office called me yesterday and told me that I was negative for Toxoplasmosis which is a relief since I still sometimes change out the litter box if Joe has ignored it for a few days.  I do wear gloves, though, and our cats are pretty much inside 99% of the time.  I also no longer have Vitamin D deficiency which I had prior to getting pregnant.  I take 5,000 units/day, so it would be a bit ridiculous if I still needed more.

- I’ve filled out all of my family history paperwork and am done with all of the boring OB office visit stuff.  I have another appointment in a few weeks where I’ll hopefully get to hear the h/b on the Doppler. 

- I’m feeling pretty great, actually.  Very, very mild nausea that typically goes away when I eat and stays away most of the day.  My fatigue is bearable, no worse than it was prior to getting pregnant.  I’m extremely hormonal, though, which is one super crappy aspect of pregnancy.  Thankfully I have a very understanding husband who has been doing everything within his power (most days) to keep me from having a breakdown.  My hair loss has subsided, and I’m finally getting to the place where I don’t think I’ll be losing any additional hair this pregnancy.  This is good because I was seriously contemplating ordering a wig if the hair loss continued.  It was a bit unsettling!

- Up until a few days ago, I’d had no weight gain.  I weighed myself this morning, and it looks like I’m +1. 

What else is going on in our lives…
Anna Kate is officially weaned from the paci!  Words cannot express how elated we are that this thorn in our side is GONE.  It took us nearly 3 years, but we’re here, and we still have our sanity (some of it). 

Basically, I cut the tip off of one of her pacis.  She took it and was like WTF, mom.  She still used it, but I kept filling her head with mom lies.  “Anna Kate, pacifiers are dirty and have poo poo on them.  Pacifiers are only for little babies.”  So, the more she associated pacifiers with poop and little babies, the less inclined she was to take one.  Granted, this is probably not the best approach, but when you’re desperate, you do what you can.  Even if it means telling your child her pacifier has crap on it.  Don’t judge.

Anna is now officially night potty trained, too.  After putting countless pull-ups on her and her waking up dry, I decided it was time to just put her in regular panties at night and hope and pray it worked.  Thus far, it has!  She did have an accident the other night, but this was the first time in weeks she did, and I blame myself for letting her drink lots of fluids before bed. 

Anna’s 3rd birthday is coming up in about a month!  The party theme this year is Super Hero because she’s obsessed with all things super hero related.  My good friend created an adorable graphic in Anna’s likeness (and other little super hero kids), and I made this invite for her party:


And as luck would have it, Zulily.com had a sale on the most PERFECT super hero girl costume ever:


The mask is a little scary, but everything else is perfection!  Plus, I can put this on her for Halloween, too!  $18 for a dual purpose costume?  I’ll take it!

That’s it for now!  See ya soon!

Week 9.

Here’s where we are this week:

—  My heart is almost complete.
— I now have testes if I am a boy and ovaries if I am a girl. 
—  I can turn my head from side to side.
 

—  As the notches in my hands and feet grow, my fingers and toes emerge.
 

—  Sometimes I hiccup, sometimes I don't.
   
—  My hands touch each other and my feet touch too! (7 wks, 4 days)
   
—  My new knee joints help me bend my legs. (7 wks, 4 days)
   
—  Two hands, each with five free fingers. What fun! (7 wks, 4 days)
   
—  I have ten free toes and they're beautiful! (7 wks, 6 days)




I ordered my official first pair of maternity jeans this past week after experiencing a very uncomfortable day in my regular jeans.  Some days I’m more bloated than others, so I don’t think I’m 100% to the point of needing to be in maternity clothing full-time.  I have to admit that I’m kind of looking forward to wearing maternity clothes again.  I mean, it’s like wearing scrubs all day long.  You can’t beat it!

Then by the end of my pregnancy I’ll be dreaming of zippers and buttons and a flat stomach again.  I’m never happy, I tell ya!

Here’re the jeans I ordered from Old Navy:

When I was pregnant with Anna, it was in the middle of summer, so all of my maternity clothing from before is all summer.  Granted, it stays warm down here a lot longer than most places, so I can still wear most of it, but the cute summer dresses and tank tops won’t be making their grand appearance this go-round.  I guess this just means I’ll have to buy new stuff.  Darn.  What a pity.

Actually, it is – I hate shopping.  I’m a dude, I swear.

Anna is still not really feeling the whole brother/sister thing.  When I tell her I have a baby in my belly, she tells me that she also has a baby in her belly.  Then I ask her if she wants a brother or a sister, and she always says, “No.”  A few times she’s said she wants a sister.  I guess we’ll know soon enough!


Oh, and I found out yesterday that my sister is also pregnant and is three weeks behind me.  My poor mom.

Symptoms

My hair is hopefully on the mend.  It better stop falling out soon or I’ll need to invest in some propecia.  It’s pretty unsettling how much hair I’ve been losing. 

The nausea isn’t as bad this time as it was with Anna.  I get periodic waves of it, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.  I’ve taken Zofran a few times just because I didn’t want to feel nauseated at all, but then I feel guilty for taking medications when not absolutely necessary. 

I only crave crappy food – french fries, bread, mashed potatoes, has browns, tater tots – basically anything that doesn’t have vegetables or fruit in them.  I’d like to say this is abnormal for me, but I’m this way when I’m not pregnant, so, eh.

I went to the Dr. today and did my OB paperwork and went over my blood work/lab results from my last visit.  Everything checked out A-OK, fortunately.  My Dr. wants to test me for  Toxoplasmosis since I have cats (even though Joe has been cleaning out the box for me). 

I haven’t gained any lbs. thus far.  My Dr. didn’t see too concerned.  The incessant vomiting from the week before could be the culprit. 

I’m on the fence about the genetic screening test that is coming up soon.  I still need to weigh my options with that. For now, I’ve opted out.

I have to get a flu shot in the next few weeks. 

That’s it for now!  See ya next week (or in between if I get off my lazy butt and load some cute pictures of my daughter).