31 Weeks - Sore and Uncomfortable (Photos too)

I can't believe i'm in the single week digits, 9 weeks to go!  It feels like its flying by now, probably b/c we have so much to do still.  R has been working on the baby's room, but he ended up w/a cold again, so its slowed him down.  We thought the painting was done at least, but decided to do a little more.  We got a great color yellow on 2 walls and inside the closet and a great blue on another wall plus on the outside of the closet and have then we had 1 white wall.  Neither of us like the white wall like we thought we would, so R is planning on painting that 1 blue too.  We got 1/2 of the wall decals in, cat in the hat.  Not sure about what else we're doing, just trying to find something affordable online.  Maybe the fishes from 1 fish, 2 fish...  We'll see.  Lost more to do though, hopefully it starts coming alone asap!
I sold my small sporty car.  I'm still sad about it, it was a great car, but it was too small for a family and a stick shift, which everyone mom i know says is a huge pain in the ass to drive w/a baby in the back.  At the moment i'm driving my dad's piece of shit 2 wheel drive truck b/c i still don't have a suv.  And it figures that it snowed a ton yesterday, so i wasn't even able to go into work b/c the truck is that bad in the snow.  We're looking for a couple specific suv's and everytime we call about 1, its just been sold.  R is getting really worried about it and its all he can seem to focus on right now.  I think we'll find something just fine, but really want it now, especially so i can get R focused on other things.

Valentine's day was on sunday and i usually don't care for it.  If anything, i'll get R a little thing of candy and that's it.  This year i got him a couple bags of candy and 2 small hearts w/candy, all under $5 total.  I figured he probably didn't get me anything b/c he's really bad about that stuff, but i just like to let him know i love him.  We went out to dinner w/another couple saturday night and he said he was paying for it as my gift.  He usually pays for my dinner, but still, it was a nice thought and i appreciated it.  Sunday morning i gave him his gifts and he gave me some too.  He got me a thing of small candys and a nice card, a nice, $6 card!  He rarely ever gets me cards and it just made me feel so good and special.  I had to work at 12 that day, so i picked up a card while there and wrote in it about how much i love and appreciate him b/c i felt he really needed to know and deserved it.  It was all just so nice, what i got from him was so unexpected and i'm so happy about it.  I love my husband!

My shower is coming up soon, the one for my side of the family.  March 6th, only 2 1/2 weeks left.  I'm excited to see what we're getting since we need so much stuff.  But i'm nervous about the people b/c i'm really just not a people person.  I don't know yet what i'm wearing either.  I ordered some boots online and once those come in, i'm gonna try on a couple dresses and see how it goes.  Otherwise i might have to buy something new, which i'm hoping to avoid.  R said he talked to his sister cheryl who said she's been thinking baby shower lately and asked him about it.  He told her probably mid-late march is a good time, i just need a heads up and i don't know if he told her that. I'm hoping to actually see her this weekend, so hopefully that'll happen and she'll bring it up to me.  We'll see.  R's mom diane has a really nice friend who already sent us a gift, a bouncer.  I'm so excited about it!  And my friend jana stopped by recently and had bought him a few outfits, 1 of which might end up being his "going home"outfit.  Such cute items.

I'm going to a dr appt today w/the midwife i met when i 1st found out i was pg.  I hope it goes well, i'm nervous about my weight.  I weighed in at a way higher weight then i thought i would this morning, but i'm sure the candy i ate yesterday has something to do w/it.  Add in that i haven't had a good workout since saturday, and that would explain why i'm up 29lbs this morning.  Yep, 29lbs!!!!!  It was 28lbs yesterday, 29lbs the day before, its crazy.  I haven't been working out b/c my left inner thigh is extremely sore, like i overworked it, but now i'm wondering if its something else b/c it won't go away.  Its worse when i sit, so after driving into work, i get out and am in so much pain i wanna cry.  I don't get it, but will ask today.  I need a good workout!  I hate missing out, its been driving me nuts.  This morning I did a little pilates for my abs and when i get home i'll do upper body strength and maybe even more pilates for my abs.  Its better then nothing and of course is helpful in general.  I haven't been keeping track of my eating like i was before, but i am paying attention to it.  I thought i was doing pretty good until  i weighed myself this week, but like i said, i'm sure the lack of exercise has something to do w/it.  Once i can get going regularly again, i'm sure my weight gain will slow down again.  I just want to stay under 40lbs total.  I feel huge right now and can't even imagine getting bigger and bigger.  Ugh!

I've been having pain in my right foot, arch pain.  Its been really bad lately, i'm sure there's nothing i can really do about it, but i wanna ask about it today too.  I bought some arch support things that go in my shoes, but they don't seem to be that helpful.

I've had some really bad back pain where i question if its braxton hicks.  Its different then the regular back pain, last night i had it and it kept me up.  I hope she can tell me whether or not it is braxton hicks, but i don't know if she can.

My boobs/nipples have been sore on and off.  But when they're sore, they're really sore!  I am glad its not happening all the time, but its still no fun. I don't know if my boobs have gotten any bigger, i don't think they have, i'm glad about that.  I'm too little to have like double d's or anything like that.

Think i've been doing a lot better w/my moods.  I noticed last night i did get a little annoyed w/R when talking to him, but i'm sure the back pain i was having and his nonstop, repeatative suv questions had something to do w/it.  Not to mention how tired i was.  But i'm pretty sure for the most part that i've been doing pretty good.  So, yay me!

I'm still tired a lot, but am definitely starting to feel that nesting thing happening.  I've been trying to do what i can around the house to get ready, but now i need to get into the baby's room to set it up and we're not even there yet.  I'll probably start washing his clothes and blankets in the next couple weeks, just so i'm ahead there.  I do try to get the extra rest when i can, but its hard to fit in.  Even though i was home all day yesterday, i just tried to stay busy instead of laying down.  By 4 i was so tired, went and layed down, but wasn't able to sleep.  Oh well, at least i was laying down.

He's still soooooo active!  I mean, its crazy!  You can see him moving in my stomach like crazy, i had a couple friends able to see it.  Its so cool to feel most of the time, other times it just hurts.  I swear he's stretching in the superman pose sometimes.  It feels like he's just gonna rip right through my belly.  And when he sits up in my ribs, its just so uncomfortable.  Trying to do any sort of ab exercises is usually hard b/c of where he'll sit.  But at leas it all means he's healthy!

My tenditis has been so painful.  I can't wait to go to the dr in may b/c i need some help.  Its so bad most days, i hope i can do ok w/holding him and stuff.  Leg cramps haven't been too bad, which is nice.  I mean, i still get them, but not like before.  I hope that sticks.

I guess that's good for now.  'Til next time...

29w2d - Updates and 28 Week Photos

I know its been a few weeks.  Its hard to get the time to get on here w/o being rushed.  Today I'm 29 weeks and 2 days, a little more then 10 weeks left!  Its coming so fast now.  I feel very unprepared when i look at my lists of things to do.  Things are coming along slowly, but i definitely don't feel i have enough checked off on my lists and it bothers me.  I'm a planner!  And what if he comes early, then i feel like i'll be totally screwed!  So i'm really trying to get things done.

We were on vacation in FL last week and my aunt down there bought me a few things.  A blanket, bibs, booties, some clothes, and wash cloths.  Just added to what we already have, so that was nice.  Also while we were gone, R's mom gail bought a bunch fo dr seuss stuffed animals that kohl's has on sale.  She might have bought the books that go along w/them too, but i don't know yet.  My mom bought a dr seuss crib sheet, its cute.  I ordered the foam crib mattress this week, can't wait for that to come in.  I also ordered a breastpump.  I decided that i'd like to try exclusively pumping and have been looking into that since i have a little extra time at work this week.  I'm hoping it works out well, but understand that some things just don't go as planned.

We also finally decided on paint colors for his room, so we're starting on that.  R finished the dresser/changing table and put together the closet shelving, so now he's working on painting.  He should be done w/the closet by the end of the weekend and will then add the shelving.  We're painting the closet yellow and 1-2 walls yellow and then 2 walls blue.  I think it'll look good, it is a dr seuss theme.  Now i have to order the dr seuss wall decals and get going on other nursery stuff.  I have a list, a long list!  But i don't think it'll take long to actually get done.

My mom is throwing me a shower for my side of the family march 6th, so i can't wait for that b/c then i'll know more of what we need to buy on our own.  R's mom gail is supposed to be throwing me a shower for her side, but hasn't mentioned it at all.  I'm not too nervous about that b/c i don't think anyone from his side will buy from our registry.

Also on the list of things getting done, i have an appt. w/a pediatrician (my old one) on march 5th.  I'm almost positive we're just gonna use him, i remember really liking him.  So if nothing has changed and everything goes well, we'll be all set there too.

I had a checkup on wednesday that went well.  I should have written down any questions i had b/c once i got there i completely forgot everything.  Nothing was really important anyways.  I had to take the glucose test before i left for FL and found out i passed that.  I also got a nice shot in the ass!  1st for me, never had a shot in the ass, but it didn't hurt at all.  It was for RH disease b/c R's blood work came back positive for RH, so i got this shot now and i'll get it again after i have the baby.  No big deal.  But everything else went well, heard baby's heartbeat and it sounded good again.

So like i said before, we were in FL last week.  It was so nice, warm the whole time, and i got at least 9 hours of sleep most nights, plus naps on some days.  I hated having to come back!  We flew there, i hated it!!!  The seating on the plane was tight.  R sat next to the window both times and i sat in the middle seat.  I wanted to get up at least a couple times during both flights, but only got up 1x.  Luckily that worked out fine.  My back was in so much pain though!  I wanted to cry the entire time, it was so horrible.  I even took tylenol and it didn't do a thing.  My back has been hurting a lot lately.  I recently a new pilates dvd, so i'm going to try doing that type of workout more often and hope it helps.  We'll see.

My weight has been iffy.  I don't think its too bad, but it's not great.  I'm not too worried about it though.  As of wednesday, i'm up 26lbs.  I just look big.  I don't get it.  I see other women who are further along then me and i look bigger.  Its weird.  My mom keeps saying its b/c i'm so short, but i don't know about that.  I just can't believe i have 10+ more weeks and am only gonna get bigger!  Its hard to see myself in the mirror this big, it doesn't look right, but at least its mainly belly.  I stopped counting calories for the most part.  I'm pretty aware of what i'm eating, so hopefully i'm just doing well.  Even on vacation i watched what i ate for the most part and we walked 3 miles at the very least everyda.   I also started a little bit of a new workout routine, just trying to keep things fresh.  I've had cramping issues while walking that started in FL, so i'm doing the bike more often.  Whatever works though.

I'm tired a lot too.  Maybe its b/c of how busy i've been, maybe its from working at rite aid, i don't know.  But i can't wait for any rest days...which i don't even see in the near future.  Since being back from vacation, I've been trying to take it a little easier though.  I try to be more lax about what i need to get done at home so i don't stress about things.  So far its working, but we'll see how it goes.  I'm going to be busy tonight and tomorrow b/c i have friends coming by tomorrow and still need to work and get my house cleaned up, but hopefully after that i can relax a little more again.

My boobs are growing!  I really need bigger sports bras, but am not gonna bother at the moment.  If they don't grow anymore, then i'll be ok.  They're tight, but not a big bother.  I don't think i wear them enough to be too annoying.

Oh the movement!  This baby is so active!!!  Having so much chill time on vacation allowed R and i to sit and watch and he moved like crazy in my stomach.  You can see him moving in there, its crazy to see.  When he moves into my ribs (which happens a lot), or just moves higher up, it becomes more uncomfortable and even a little painful.  As much as it does bother me sometimes, its just an amazing thing to feel him moving, to see him moving.  I know it means he's very healthy, and i'm so happy about that.  It all just makes waiting to meet him harder!

My moods have been alright.  I definitely found myself getting annoyed over nothing w/R recently, but have been doing good for the most part.  I try to be aware of everything so i can have control over it, rather then my moods having control over me.  Hopefully i can keep it up.

Other things: i haven't had to deal w/constipation since a few weeks ago.  Thank God!  I did find some things that helped it, but as of right now i haven't needed to do anything.  I noticed that i get light cramping when i have to pee.  More when its that i've been holding it for a little bit, which i try not to do.  Which brings me to the next new thing, i peed on myself while in FL.  Yep, it finally happened!  It was horrible, but i'm sure it could be worse.  I was doing laundry in FL and realized i had to pee.  Didn't think much of it and just kept adding clothes to the washer.  Then i sneezed and it happened.  UGH!  I was just glad i wasn't out in public.  Now i really try to pee right when i notice i have to.  My belly button is starting to stick out a little.  Never thought i'd see the inside of my innie!  I don't like it and can't wait for it to go back to normal.

Guess that can be it for now.  'Til next time...

26 Weeks...Less Then 100 Days!

I just realized yesterday that i have less then 100 days of being pg left!  Well, according to my due date.  I can't believe i'm already in the double digits.  I still have days where i feel like i'll be pg forever and days where i feel like its just flying by.  As much as i love feeling and seeing my little baby boy moving inside me and am really nervous of all the new things to come w/him, i'm definitely ready to not be pg anymore.  The back pain, the giant belly that makes it harder and harder for me to do simple things like bending over normally or fit into non-maternity clothes, the bloating, leg cramps, sleeping problems...you get the point.  I'm just ready for those things to be over.

There's been a lot going on lately.  And next saturday we're leaving for vacation in florida!!!  I need the vacation so bad, i'm so excited for the relaxtion.  Although it would be nice if R could chill more.  He always needs to be doing something, so this will be interesting.  We're trying to figure out what things we can do down there since i'm limited.  It just sucks that we've both been so busy b/c we haven't been able to spend much time at all on the planning.  Whatever, i just want to relax and you don't need planning for that!

I had a checkup last wednesday that went really well.  They measured my belly finally and said i'm measuring right on target.  I got to hear his heart beat again and its just so amazing to hear every time.  My only issue is my weight.  They didn't say anything to me about it, but it was up too much last week (23lbs at home that morning) b/c i had been eating stuff i shouldn't have been and b/c i was really constipated.  For almost 1 week i would eat some junky foods on top of my healthy ones (i guess its good that i was still at least getting the nutrients we need) and it just made me gain unnecessary weight and just feel horrible.  I've gotten back on track for the most part and am feeling a lot better.  As suggested by my midwife, i started taking colace and citrucel daily for about a week, then just the citrucel until today and i feel like i'm back on track.  The constipation was horrible!  I felt so gross, huge, and heavy, just so uncomfortable.  It even seemed to add to my back pain.  I thought the fiber and water in my diet would be enough to help me not go thru that stuff, but i guess its no match for this fun hormone progesterone.  At least now i know what to do.

R is really getting a lot done for the nursery.  The dresser/changing table is finished except for the knobs i need to go pick out.  It came out so beautiful, i can't wait to get some pics up of it.  I'm amazed at what a phenominal job he did, its a stunning piece of furniture now.  The closet is on its way to getting done.  Everything is looking great.  Once we get back from vaca we're going to get everything done to finish the room.  We haven't looked at paint ideas in a while and will probably be doing that in florida since we're just so busy right now.

We've been given a lot of 2nd hand clothes lately.  I'm sure its not enough, but still, its a really great starting point. R's sister cheryl gave us some great items from a nice children's thrift store.  A lot of baby gap items, all clean looking, but of course i'll wash myself.  Another 1 of his sisters that i'm not fond of gave us some hand me downs from her new son since he's gotten so big so fast.  I went thru and decided to keep only 1/2 of them for 1 reason or another.  They're decent, better then nothing.

I've been working a decent amount, but not getting as many hours as i'd like.  This week he only gave me 10 hours for some reason and i don't even find out next weeks schedule til i go in tomorrow night.  Then i go on vacation and miss a whole weeks worth of work, so its been hard on me $ wise.  Otherwise, i like not working as much b/c it gives me time to get other things done.  This past sunday was the 1st sunday i had off in a while and the 1st day i got to sleep in in weeks.  As hard as it was to not get the many things done i know need to get done, i really tried to keep it a relaxing day and it turned out nice.  I still haven't told work i'm pg!  I know, like they can't tell.  I honestly think that some of them really can't tell though.  Its weird, i mean, i totally look pg, not fat.  I keep saying i'm just gonna tell my manager and get it over w/and then i just don't get a chance to or feel like its not the right time.  Again i'm going to try tomorrow night.  I just have to say it.  I mean, he can see that its not hindering my work at all.  Now i'm planning on quiting at the beginning of april and that's really the only thing he needs to be concerned with, but i don't know when i'll tell him that.  I don't want to tell him too soon, but i don't want to wait too long either.

As i type all this now i feel him moving.  He moves like crazy!  Even yesterday morning he woke me up from all his movement when my alarm didn't go off.  He keeps me up some nights.  I even remember waking up in the middle of the night last night b/c i felt him moving so much.  He's crazy!  But its so awesome b/c i know it means he's healthy.  Its even gotten to the point that we can see him moving in there now!  I watch as my belly shifts, i see a kick here, a punch there.  I can't believe it sometimes!  I don't know if his excessive and powerful movement make him more likely to be a certain way when he comes out, but at least he's letting me know he's doing good and having some fun.

I've been getting leg cramps a lot.  I've tried to include bananas more in my diet b/c i heard that can help and i thought it was, but i might be wrong.  The leg cramps just suck!  That and the back pain.  I'm going this saturday for a prenatal massage, i can't wait!  But i know it'll only be temporary bliss.  And i know as this baby gets bigger, the pain is gonna get worse.  This massage is my x-mas gift from my mom and sister, but i know i'll be spending my own $ to get more b/c i'll just need them.

I'm tired a lot.  I never seemed to get that burst of energy some people talk about getting in the 2nd tri, and now i'm just about onto the 3rd tri.  I'm sure if i wasn't working as much and able to get more sleep i might feel different, but my life doesn't allow for that right now.  I just hope to get everything done in time.  I keep looking at my checklists and advice from other moms and there really is a lot that needs to get done.  But i think we can do it.

My weight gain has bothered me, but its not a big deal to me anymore.  As of this morning, i'm up 23.5lbs.  I'm sure it could be better if i'd skip a couple small pieces of candy or the few extra chips/sunchips i've been having lately, but i just don't seem to care anymore.  I'm still trying to be as healthy as possible w/my eating and workout as often as i can, but seeing that i'll probably gain 40lbs at the most isn't a big deal to me anymore.  I know i'll be able to drop all the weight, or most of it b/c of how important being healthy is to me.  I know i'll workout regularly as soon as i get the ok after having him and that we will be an active family, so i'm not too concerned.  I also think i've been feeling this way lately b/c i can see that all the extra weight has been only going to my belly.  I now realize that i was having such a hard time w/it all before b/c in the beginning i gained in my thighs and other areas.  Now that i'm mostly belly, i don't feel as bad about my body.  I mean, i have my rough moments, and i do wish i had gained less in the other areas, but i don't feel horrible about it anymore.  W/that said, i seriously feel like my belly is huge!  Its definitely fit though.  You can't tell i'm pg from behind at all.  Even while doing some strength workouts yesterday morning (when i'm not all bloated), i could see some definition around my belly.  That felt nice to see.  I just plan on keeping up w/everything good i'm doing and not going back to eating like i was during that bad week i had.  Maybe i'll even get lucky and only gain 35lbs in the end.

I have been in need for more maternity clothes, but just don't have the $. I finally decided to just order a needed coat and got it for a decent price, but will now have to return it.  Its just too huge, looks like a giant tent on me.  It sucks b/c otherwise its beautiful.  I'm hoping to be able to head out to kohls w/in the next week b/c i saw some decent ones on their site.  I'm going to just try regular fitting coats 1st and hope i can get one of those instead of having to go maternity.  We'll see.

Oh man, i think my belly button piercing is done!  I got so upset over this, but i just decided to stop trying.  My belly button is flat now and even the button pokes thru my tighter tops sometimes.  Its so weird to see!  It seems to have messed up my piercing hole, starting about a week ago when i'd go to put the barbell back in, i'd have to force it thru.  A few days ago i really had to force it thru, even causing some really slight bleeding.  Then it remained painful for the next day and a 1/2.  After asking on the forums i go on i decided it was time to quit trying.  Some say the hole is now moved, so there's no point in continuing to try.  I really wanted to keep my piercing and didn't want to go get it redone, but i guess if i have to get it redone, i'll just do it.

Well, i guess thats it for now.  Everything else has been going pretty good, i hope to continue to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.  'Til next time...

24 Weeks W/Pictures

Its been 2 weeks now, x-mas has passed and the new year starts in a couple days.  I've been feeling pretty good lately.  Getting some nursery stuff done, got some baby gifts for x-mas, taking good care of myself.  Unfortunately i got a call early monday morning that my uncle died in a car accident the night before.  It was my mom's sister's husband, not someone i was fond of, but also not someone who deserved to pass so young, at only 49 years old.  The services will be this friday and saturday.  My aunt is taking it pretty hard, but i think she'll be ok.  She has a lot of family and friends around her, helping her through.  They have a 13 year old son together and i hope he'll be ok too.  And i was just thinking about how i can't wait for this year to be over b/c i've been to too many wakes and funerals this year.

I took some pictures this morning, my how i've grown!  There's no mistaking it now, i definitely look pg.  I've been working at rite aid weekly now, but still don't seem to be getting in as many hours as i'd like.  Now that the holidays are coming to an end, i hope that changes.  I do like the job for the most part.  Sometimes it can be very boring b/c of how slow it is, but otherwise, i do like it.  It hasn't been too hard on me yet either.  What's been hard is doing that and keeping up w/all the shit i have to get done at home.  But that also could have been b/c of everything i needed to do for x-mas, we'll see.  I like pretty much everyone i've met at the job too.  I just end up frustrated sometimes b/c they haven't done much training w/me, yet i get left alone at the register for my entire shift and need to call someone up to help more then i should be.  I still haven't told them i'm pg, but they have to know by looking at me by now.  But the point i'm at now, its just, how the hell do i tell them?  Soon i will.

W/all the goodies this holiday, i was suprised i only weighed in at 119.4lbs yesterday morning.  Even though my body hates sugar and i shouldn't be eating cookies and whatnot anyways, i just couldn't help myself this season.  I've been feeling off and on about my body lately.  Some days i feel pretty good b/c i really do look pg and not just fat.  Some days i feel bad b/c i feel like i look 'big'.  Pg, but also just big and its not what i'm used to seeing in the mirror.  Maternity clothes definitely help, the fit is a lot more flattering.  Now i'm a desperate search for a better fitting pair of maternity jeans and a maternity coat, both in prices i can afford.  Its hard, i'm not finding anything!  I have to hit up a maternity thrift store that i know of, but its at least 30min away, so finding the time to go has been really tough.  I've been good about keeping up w/my workouts and am working to get my eating habits back on track, although they really haven't been that bad.

I've been feeling tons of movement from this baby boy!  I mean a ton!!!  He's very active, except when i want him to be.  Over the holidays i really wanted a few family members to be able to feel him, but he just layed there.  My mom was able to feel him, so that was really nice.  I even got to see my stomach move from a kick back on the 20th.  It was nuts!!!  I've seen it a couple times since, i don't know what i'm gonna do when i see an actual limb or something move by.

I've been getting a lot of leg cramps lately.  They suck!!!  For x-mas i did a lot of baking, so i spent all day thursday on my feet and that just killed my body.  I don't even think its been able to fully recover yet since i'm still always on the move.  I'm really hoping to get some time in the next few days to not only get shit done in the house, but also get needed rest.

Still suffering through heartburn almost daily.  Gas often too, but not every single day.  Aw, gotta love pregnancy 'side effects'.

My innie belly button is slowly turning into an outie.  I'm really hoping it doesn't actually pop out, but it looks like its making its way.  When i do things like pilates w/only a sports bra on, you should see what the thing looks like!  It does this pop out thing, its so weird!

Oh, got my 1st stranger comments.  Working at rite aid on sunday i had a customer at the register drop something and when i bent over to get it she made a comment like "you shouldn't be doing that in your condition" and then proceeded to ask me some non-annoying questions about things.  A little bit later a man paid for his things and just said "its a girl" when he was walking out the door.  I told him its really a boy and he said i was carrying high and that i looked really healthy and good.  That made me feel really nice.

We got a few gifts for him for x-mas.  His grandmama (R's adoptive mom and biological grandma) got him a super soft blanket that i think is for laying on the floor, a black and white little teddy bear, and a dr seuss book.  His nonna (my mom) got him a pic frame.  His great grandma (my grandma/mimi) got him a couple dr seuss books and so did a friend of ours, ernie.  I also finally got to the store w/my mom and finished our registry.  While there we both grabbed a couple items for him, i got him 1 warm outfit and my mom got him a warm tigger hat w/matching mittens and a warm fleese tigger outfit.  I feel like i'm leaving at least 1 thing out, but whatever, no biggie.

R has been doing some nursery stuff.  We found out a dresser we already own used to be the changing table for his brothers and sisters, so he sanded that down and has started staining it to match our crib.  He also started on the closet. It needs to be done completely, so he got a clothing rod and put some cubbies/shelves.  I can't wait, everything's gonna look great!  He's already working hard on the room, he's so great about that stuff.

Think that covers most things for now.  'Til next time...

22 weeks - Feeling Great and Updates!

22 weeks today, i feel like i should be further along though!  Some days i just feel like he's never gonna get here and then i look at my checklists for what i should be doing and when and all i think is "there's not enough time!"  I've been on cloud 9 the past couple days.  This past monday i had another checkup and had another u/s so the tech could make sure his heart chambers looked good b/c the last one he wouldn't get into the proper position.  Everything still looks great and we even got some great profile pictures.  He's so cute!!!  I know, but he is!  I wanted to talk to whomever i was meeting w/about my weight gain again, but when she came in she (a midwife i hadn't met before) was kinda weird and didn't say anything about my weight, so i didn't talk about it.  I will talk about it next time b/c i'll be meeting w/a dr i haven't met yet and just want to make sure i'm doing ok w/my lower calorie eating plan.  This morning i weighed in at the same weight i did last week, so i'm thinking what i'm doing is working, but if i don't gain anything next week, i might not be eating enough.  I'd just like to get a dr's opinion on it all though.  But its so nice to hear that my baby is doing so good!  Unless there's any problems, that should be the last time we see him before he comes out.
Other then that, i've just been getting ready for the holiday.  I'll be doing a lot of baking next week and also making a big baked ziti dish for x-mas eve dinner at my parents.  Its the 1st time i'm doing that, i'm so nervous.  I know i make a really good baked ziti, but i feel like the pressure's on!
I start really working at rite aid this friday.  I've gone in 3 days already just for training videos though.  This friday i start training on the register, i'm excited and nervous.  I hope this extra money really is as helpful as i need it to be.  I still haven't told them i'm pg, but i will soon.  It just hasn't needed to come up yet.  I thought about it and it really shouldn't affect my work at all, so hopefully they take it well.  I've worn fitted tops there a few times, so either they already think i'm pg or just think i'm fat.

My great aunt and uncle bought us our crib.  It was delivered last week and we put it together on sunday to make sure it wasn't scratched or missing anything.  It came out beautiful!  Its in our bedroom right now b/c we have so much work to do in his room, we didn't want it to get ruined.  I just hope it makes it thru the bedroom doors!

I ordered a bunch of maternity clothes from old navy and those came in yesterday.  I love everything, but the 2 dresses are too big and i'm sending them back for smaller sizes.  I'd really like to get out to this maternity thrift store very soon for a few more basic tops, maybe another pair of jeans, and probably even a winter coat b/c its becoming harder to zip up the ones i have.  I don't know why i thought i could go thru the whole winter w/o needing a maternity coat.


My weight is up about 17lbs., i weighed in this morning at 117.4, so that's a really good change.  I actually weigh the same i did last week, so i guess my new habits are making a difference.  But again, i'd like to talk to my dr about all of this to make sure i'm not undereating (although i don't feel like i am) b/c my baby is still the priority.  I've been really good about keeping my calories between 1700-1800 6 days a week and getting all my workouts in.  Actually, last week i was extra busy and wasn't able to get in all my workouts, yet i still am doing good w/my weight gain.  It just makes me feel so good to know that my changes have made a difference.  I feel so much better about it all then i did even a couple weeks ago.  I do feel like i still look bigger then i should, but i don't care anymore

I'm still getting more bloated as the day goes on, but i haven't really felt too gassy lately which is a welcome change.  The heartburn comes and goes, some days i don't even get it at all.

I'm having more trouble sleeping.  Its more that i end up waking up a lot on my back, so i guess its my body's way of telling me to roll onto my side, but it wakes me up a lot.  My energy levels aren't up at all, but i just wonder if i could get a full, solid nights sleep if that would help at all.

Feeling him move everyday now.  Its funny, sometimes it feels like gas bubbles, sometimes it even tickles a little.  Its awesome to feel him!  R finally got to feel him on the 5th.  He seemed to really like that, but has only felt him 1 other time.  I know a lot of people say that when they eat sugar it makes their baby go crazy, but sugar makes me feel sick and b/c i watch what i eat, i just don't get to eat it often enough to do anything.

My mom and i might be going on the 27th to finish up my registry in the store.  I finished everything i'm gonna do online and even have it set up in my real name now.  But i need to add more stuff and need to do it in the store.  So much to think about!  It is nice to have a lot of it done though.

My lower back has been bothering me a lot lately.  I asked for a massage for an x-mas gift, i hope someone got it for me b/c i'll be going asap!  I try to do stretching and use heat patches here and there, but i really think a good massage would be nice.  I hope something helps b/c i know this is just gonna get worse!

I've been getting a lot of leg cramps.  Sometimes I go to stretch my legs out in bed and can feel about i'm about to 'pull' something.  Even just walking sometimes i'll all of a sudden get a sharp pain in my calve(calves).  It does suck!  I'm ready to be done w/that part of all this too.  I just don't want it to get worse.

That's about it for now...

20 Weeks - Updates and Pictures

Yay, 1/2 way there!!!!  I swear, i just feel like its taking forever to get there.  Yet when i think about all the stuff we have to get done, i feel like its flying by.  The growth of my belly is crazy to see.  Big difference by now, there's no hiding it anymore.  But i swear, i look bigger in real life then i do in these pictures, i don't know how that happens.

Have had a bunch going on w/in the last week or so and figured i'd just start w/that stuff.  Celebrated thanksgiving last thurs.  That morning i couldn't sleep, finally got out of bed before 7am, worked out for about 90min., cleaned and got ready, and headed over to a friends house for a little while.  This is my best friend since we were around 14, she lives in ny now, but her parents still live down the street from my parents, so it was nice to see everyone.  I purposely dressed in a cute dress that showed my belly bump, but still made me look a little thinner (totally should have taken a pic!!).  Everything went great there and then i headed home to bake the homemade dinner rolls i was making for dinner at my inlaws.  I was so nervous about them, i've never made them before and was more then delighted when they turned out great.  No one believed they were homemade, what a great compliment!  That meal went fine.  We went to R's mom's house for the meal and that went ok.  I was exhausted by the time we left since i had not stopped all day, yet when i went to lay down at home i just couldn't fall asleep.  Love when that happens!

R is sick.  He's got a cold, i'm pissed!  I think there's been maybe 1 time that he's gotten sick where i havn't caught the cold.  I can't get sick!  Not only do i just hate having a cold, i know it'll be worse now that i'm pg.  The cold hasn't been too bad, so that part is good, but still, i'm not getting sick!  We spray lysol everywhere, even though i really don't like using products like that w/the baby.  We both wash our hands a lot, take extra vitamins, and are sleeping on different floors.  If i could, i'd make him just go stay at his parents house!

Monday my dog T had surgery to get a lump removed.  She's doing great and luckily the lump turned out to be nothing.  I also talked to the manager at rite aid and will be going in this fri. to fill out paperwork and then he said he'll put me on the schedule for next weekend.  I don't even work for this guy yet and he has been nothing but a pain in my ass!  All i keep saying is "i need the money, i need the money", but i know this isn't gonna last.  I keep looking for another job so that i'm prepared, but its hard being so pg.  Oh, and he doesn't even know i'm pg yet, so i'm wondering what will happen when he finds out!

That night i got a call from my friend from ny who told me about a mutual friend whom i kinda broke up w/months ago.  I had been having some issues w/this friend for a while and decided it was time to just end things, so i sent her a long, heartfelt email about everything in sept. and never heard back from her.  I figured she was either pissed at me for saying what i said or felt the same way and just didn't have anything to say.  1 of the issues w/her was that she would barely talk to me about anything real.  She saw my ny friend on thanksgiving and told her how devastated she was about the whole thing and she wishes she could congradulate me on the baby.  It actually pissed me off that she told my ny friend these things, but would never say anything to me.  And i know she was drinking before talking to her, so i'm sure it was a lot of the booze talking.  This is not something i need to deal w/right now, and i wont deal w/it unless i really need to.  I'm just gonna keep going on w/things as i have been, but at the moment i'm just pissed about the whole situation.

Now on to updates:

Weighed in this morning at 116.6.  I don't get it!  If I keep going at this rate, i'll have gained almost 40lbs by the time i'm done and it just doesn't make sense to me.  I keep trying not to let it bother me, but i can't stop it.  I don't get how i can be gaining so much weight when i workout so much and watch what i eat.  Last week i didn't count calories at all, so maybe that was it, i just don't know.  I've started tracking my eating again this week and hope that keep me on a better path.  I've decided to be pretty strict about how many calories i'm eating 6 days and allow sat. to be the day i don't pay attention b/c that's when i get the most exercise in.  I do seem to be more hungry, but i'm just too scared to let myself give in fully.  So some days i might end up eating 100 calories more then i should, but is that really making that much of a difference?!  When i go back to my dr on the 14th i'm gonna see what they say about this.  They're #s are wrong, so i'm gonna get into that a little more too and tell them what my #s at home have been and go from there.  I feel huge right now, but mainly its as the day goes on b/c i just get more and more bloated.  And i guess there's nothing i can even do about that.  Even R notices the big difference from when he sees me before work to when he sees me after.  Its kind of incredible.  Last night i saw my sister and she actually said "you are really fat, i feel so bad for you"!  Yep, my really fat sister said that to me!  But i kinda expect it from her a little bit.  Its just how she is and how our relationship is so i wasn't too offended by it.  Still, its not the greatest thing to hear!

My moods have seemed to evened out for the most part.  I definitely have times when i'm just in an irritated mood.  At least i notice it and i'll say sorry to poor R for it, but still, its not as bad as it was or probably could be.

My boobs have been getting sore.  Not everyday, and even the nipples are sore everyday now.  But still, very uncomfortable and could do w/o this symptom.

I'm feeling him move everyday now!  Its weird, at 1st i think its like gas bubbles or something and then i'm like "oh, its you little boy!"  I can't wait for R to feel him, but for now I can barely feel him inside me.  I am loving it though, its a good sign, it means he's doing good in there.

Still suffering thru daily heartburn and lots of bloat.  I take a tums or 2 sometimes, but not everyday.  I also will take something for the gassiness, but not everyday either.

I've been working on my registery online and its still overwhelming.  Pretty soon i'll add just a few more things and then wait til i go to the store w/my mom to finish b/c i think that will be a little easier.  B/c of the new job, i might not get out there til jan., but we'll see.  I'd really like to just go get it done this month, but i don't know if i'll have the time at all.

No cravings yet, i wonder if i'll ever get them.  As much as i'm trying to eat healthy, i seem to always want the foods i can't and shouldn't have which include cookies and the like.  And if it was cheaper, i'd probably be eating grapefruit every night instead of apples.  I still enjoy the grapefruit the most right now, mmmm, grapefruit!

Sleep is not getting any better.  I keep trying different pillow positions to help me during the night and some nights are just better then others.  On the weekends i'll try to get in a nap too, but i'll take me forever to fall asleep, if i even do.  I don't get it b/c i'll be so tired, i don't know why i can't just drift off. 

Oh my back!  It aches all the time!  My lower back is the main issue, but i think i slept funny the other night and now my upper back, shoulders, and neck have been really achy.  I should be getting at least 1 massage gift certificate for xmas, but i don't know if i can wait that long.  I need a rub down now!

That's all for now, 'til next time...

19 Weeks and It's a BOY!!!

Went to the dr monday and found out the sex.  I just about screamed when she said it was a boy!  I don't know why, but i just wanted this baby to be a boy so bad.  I asked her like a hundred times if she was sure and she said yes.  R proceeded to bust my balls by saying "no, its a girl w/a vagina that sticks out!"  The u/s pic does confirm that he is a boy, check out that blob looking thing to the right of BOY basically pointing at the word.  Yep, that would be his little penis!  Everything else in the u/s looked great.  He's developing right on time and doing amazing.  He was moving around like crazy!  I have to get another u/s done when i go back in a few weeks b/c she couldn't get a clear enough view of his heart chambers, and she said hopefully then we'll also get that really cute profile picture.

I'm just gonna go on about my updates and fill in more details as i go.

I finally felt him for the 1st time on monday!!!  Now i've felt him every day, but not a ton.  When we did the u/s he was moving all around like crazy and the woman doing it actually said she feels a little bad for me, so i'm guessing at some point this will get annoying.  Hey, i don't care, it means he's doing good in there!  Now i can't wait for R to b able to feel him.

I weighed in this morning at 115 (114.8 to be exact!).  That's 2lbs less than monday morning, when i was extremely bloated and ate a bit too much before bed.  Of course then at the dr's its worse b/c i always weigh more there anyways, and add to that that i didn't poop all day!  Its so weird, i feel like every time i go there i can't poop all day, its like a big joke on me.  I met w/a different dr at my monday appt and she said if my weight gain continues at the rate its at, i'll be at like 40lbs when i'm done and that's a little bit higher then they like.  She said if there's even 1 thing that i'm eating daily that i probably shouldn't be, if i just cut that out it should help.  Honestly, as bad as i've been feeling about my weight gain, their #s are wrong.  They're going by the pre-pregnancy weight i told them i was at at home, yet their scales always weigh me in at least 3lbs more.  Still, i'm doing what i can to get in as much exercise as possible w/o overdoing it.  I'm also trying to not eat much for carbs at night and also limit what i eat after dinner, sticking to mainly just fruit and maybe a little bit of natural pb.  Those little things might just be what i need, so we'll see.  The rate i'm calculating, i should gain under 35lbs when all done, but i don't know.

My nipples have been killing me!  Sorry, but they've just been so sore!  I know it's not gonna get any better for a long time, so i'll just suffer thru it.

I keep forgeting to mention that i have heartburn most days.  I rarely ever got heartburn, or gas, before so its weird for me.  But i'm dealing w/it just fine.

Went to the dr about my tendinitis in my wrist and i bascially have to suffer thru it til i can get another injection after i have the baby.  He said if my ob oks it, i could get another injection now.  But he said there's a slight risk to the baby and i just don't even think its worth the risk, so i'll wait.  Ugh!  It sucks b/c it really is painful!

I thought i had pulled a muscle in my sleep the other night, turns out this feeling is a normal part of pregnancy.  I guess i should try to stretch more in hopes this will help.  Just another fun "side effect" of being pg.

I feel like i'm doing better in controling my moods.  I'm also on cloud 9 at the moment since finding out i'm having a boy, so hopefully that'll help too.  I really am trying not to get pissed at nothing, so far i do have to say its working.  Hoping to keep it up!

I started my registry online and bru.  R isn't interested in helping w/the registry, which i'm actually glad about, so i decided to just start it online myself.  Its soooooooo overwhelming!  But i'm getting things added pretty much daily and my mom and i will head to the store itself in a couple weeks.  Its still fun too!
Thats it, til next time...