Sleepy

For the longest time (and this is going to sound really petty to most people) I struggled with the "whether I was ready to have a baby" decision because of sleep . . there were other reasons too obviously, but sleep was one of them for me. I LOVE sleeping. I always have since I was a little kid. My parents never had to argue with me about bed time, I loved it. Everybody knows once you have a baby you say goodbye to uninterrupted sleep (at least for a while).

I slept in again and again getting my fill until the rest of the pieces came together and I knew I was ready. I figured once we got pregnant I'd still have another 9 months to have my beauty sleep and enjoy the freedom. . . .but. . . I didn't consider the amount of times you go to the bathroom while pregnant! Oye. My first trimester was horrible, I was up AT LEAST twice a night going pee, I felt like I already had a baby. Now that I'm into my second trimester it has gotten better, but I still can't go through a whole night without at least waking up once to use the bathroom. It's really frustrating that I can't sleep uninterrupted. If I have to get up, I would much rather wake up to a cute little baby than the toilet.

I know people say that the nighttime bathroom breaks are getting you ready to wake up in the middle of the night to feed the baby. I'd rather skip all the prep and just wing it when the baby comes. :-) And that's all I have to say about that!

Phobic

I really hate the fact that I freak out at the doctor. I KNOW I don't have hypertension. I've been taking my blood pressure at home twice a day since my last doctors visit (minus a 4 day absence for my b-day weekend) and it's always fine. In fact the diastolic is usually well below normal (mine is usually 66-75 area, 80 is normal). Why do I freak out then when my blood pressure is being taken? *shrug* I'm a head case? I think it stems from childhood experiences with my father. Doctors never bring good news to people I know. This is a fact I've come to experience.

So, I think my freak out comes from the anticipation of the bad news. I hate that as much as I tell myself that everything is going to be fine, I still get so nervous. Ah well, I think I'm going to bring my iPod and a funny book to read to try and relax on Friday. I hope it helps.

Any relaxation tips out there?

15 Weeks - Daddy Thoughts

Well, it’s week 15 of Operation “Bun-in-the-Oven” and Kristen asked if I wanted to guest-blog the entry for this week. So, I guess this is my chance to share my thoughts and feelings thus far with everyone.

I once heard a saying that stated, “The only constant in life is change.” How true that is. Thinking back, life is a menagerie of thoughts; those reminiscing what once was (or could have been) and then there are those thoughts of what is to come.

Remember back to kindergarten and thinking how awesome it would be once you were in first grade? You got your first real back pack and a lunchbox with a matching thermos. There was always the list of materials you needed; notebooks, folders, pencils, markers, etc. There was always that thrill of shopping the school supplies aisle at the local store, searching for that perfect folder with the cartoon character you idolized. And oh the joys of picking out your wardrobe for that infamous first day at school. “Jeans or shorts? T-shirt or polo? Do I spike my hair or leave it down? ” These were the questions that plagued our young minds and many of us felt a sense of exhilaration from it.

Then from first grade to second grade, second to third, and so on. Like a book from the Harry Potter series, each year began, ran its course with all the twists and turns concluding with a final chapter (although most of us didn’t worry about battling a dark lord while simultaneously studying for our O.W.L.S.). And at the end of each book, there was always an excerpt for the next book in the series; you always had an idea of where you were headed next. And much like the teaser in the book, there was always just enough information to excite you, knowing the next book, the next year would be better than the last. Things would be different. Better. Change for the good.

Well, coming into week 15, that’s kind of how I feel. I’ve seen babies. I’ve been around babies. I’ve seen parents with babies. But it’s always been like reading a book over someone’s shoulder. I get an idea of what’s going on, maybe a glimmer of what it’s all about; but I really don’t know just yet; not unless I get my own copy of the book to read. But the coolest thing to think about is what the book will hold in store for me. Will the baby look like me? Will it have my smile? Will it have Kristen’s nose? What pieces of me will the little Bean have? These are the chapters I can’t wait to read. And what new experiences will we have together? Trips to the zoo? To the park? Family bike rides? These are the chapters I can’t wait to read. Nap time? Feeding time? These are the chapters I can’t wait to read. First words? First steps? First birthdays? These are the chapters I can’t wait to read. All these thoughts keep going through my head. I don’t know what will happen, but I am excited that I will be a part of the story.

-Jared

Guest Blogger

I am going to have my first guest blogger this week. . .although it wasn't really a volunteer, it was more at my request.

Yup, Jared is going to be writing the 15 week pregnancy post, so stay tuned for his thoughts on becoming a dad. . . and now you will really know if I've been crazy with hormones or if my symptoms have been as mild as I've been reporting. Dum dum dummmmmm. :-)

14 Weeks - Learning

Nothing really new to report this week in terms of symptoms, I'm just uneventfully trucking along (which I love!).

I did take a visit to Buy Buy Baby with Carol to start learning about all the fun baby stuff that we'll need to purchase. So much stuff! I literally took a pad of paper and pen with me to take notes. Even though I know it's too early to buy stuff (it is right? I don't even know when you should. . .darn I should have asked that!), I want to have it all planned out (yup, I'm a huge planning/list making nerd)

I suppose I should go do some laundry. Since last weekend was my birthday I didn't do the mass amounts that I usually do. Jared just informed me that he's wearing his last pair of clean underwear. . . .uh oh, back to work!

Oh yeah, and I suppose I'm starting to show a little bit! :-D (When you compare it to this.)

p.s. We are finally caught up to real time in blog posts. This week (July 17th) is the end of my 14th week!

13 Weeks - Going Public

Tomorrow is the big day where we tell our extended group of friends about being pregnant. I'm nervous and excited. Nervous because it's always nerve wracking when you are the first in the group to do big life things (Jared and I are always the first). Everybody is afraid of change, or can't believe that we're old enough to be doing these things. I'm excited because. . .well it's awesome news!

Nothing really new this week in terms of baby stuff or symptoms. I'm still feeling good (with an occasional bout of sleepiness). My blood pressure has been awesome. (I'm just a nervous wreck at the doctor, never at home) Only two more months till we have the big ultrasound to find out the sex of the baby! I can't wait to start buying baby stuff.

12 Weeks - Lub Dub

Yep, I cried. It was amazing. Except for the fact that I super duper freaked out the morning of this appointment (I was dry heaving, it was bad) and my BP was super high at the doctor 150/100. . .yikes. She wants to put me on anti-hypertensives. I tried to tell her I'm a freak at the doctor (not only for baby fears, but I just freak out when my BP is being taken). But she told me on my past visits it has never been this high. . . .well yes doctor, that's because I've never been pregnant before at my visits and I'm freaking out about the baby. Anyway, I've been taking my BP at home, and it's still a little high 126/86 but it's better. (honestly I'm still feeling a little tense from this morning, it was pretty rough) So if it stays low I'm just going to keep my BP log and call the doctor on Tuesday, and hopefully the next time I go to the doctor I will be calmer. . .*sigh* doubtful, but I can hope.

.

11 Weeks - Gas Baby

This week is the end of ELEVEN weeks! I can't believe that my first trimester is almost over. I've been measuring my pregnancy by movies I'm excited about seeing this year (yes, I'm a huge nerd). I remember when we first found out we were pregnant I told Jared, "By the time they release Last Airbender in theaters, it will be the end of my first trimester." It seemed like forever away. The movie comes out next week!

Both Jared and Daniela insist that I'm starting to show. I call it the "food or gas baby." Sometimes I agree with them, but I think I just get bloated from gas or whatever meal I ate and it looks like a baby bump. I don't think it's noticeable, but because both of them know my body type they know my stomach is always flat. . .and now I suppose it's slightly convex. :-) I've always prided myself on my six pack stomach, bye-bye flat tummy! hehe.

Next week is the big doppler OB appointment. I did read in my book to not freak out if they don't find a heart beat, sometimes it takes until week 14. I'm still crossing my fingers though! If we hear the heartbeat that will be the green light to make our announcement to the world. Yay!

You Capture - Vehicles

I was so stoked for this week's You Capture because I had the perfect place to take pictures.

Every Wednesday in the summer our town has a "Cruise Night" where people bring their antique or new shiny cars to show off. Again since our house is the perfect "walk everywhere" location Jared and I walked down to cruise night (in the insanely hot muggy weather) and I snapped some shots.

Here are my favorites!

Yay for depth of field!

This isn't a cool photo, but this car was so weird I had to include it. It was a one passenger electric car with two wheels in the front and one in the back.

I got so excited when I saw this car, it's a Hudson Hornet (like from the Pixar movie Cars)!

This photo is my favorite edit (a far shot of the Hudson Hornet)

10 Weeks - Hello Boobies

Well, I think a new symptom has started up. . .my boobs are huge and tender. I suppose this symptom isn't really bad, but I'm not happy with it. Now I have to buy new bras! Argh. :-)

I had a little scare last week. I thought I might have a bladder infection so I went to an instant clinic to get checked out. I never felt really bad, but something just felt off and I thought that might be what was wrong. I started feeling better the next day and I never heard back from the clinic (they said if I had a positive culture they would call 3 days later). I was proud of myself for at least going, (with my insane fear of doctors). The nurses at my OB insist that I will get over my white coat syndrome by the end of this pregnancy, I highly doubt that, but it would be nice. At the clinic when they put the pulse ox thingy on my finger it at least didn't start beeping. The last time I was at the clinic my pulse was racing so fast the machine was going nuts. . . heh. They said it was still elevated, but I think that's some progress.

I also had a teeny tiny bit of light pink spotting (sporadically) towards the end of this week. It was barely even noticeable (I also wondered if that might be the bladder infection). I think the only reason I saw it is when I pee I always check my underwear because I'm a neurotic mess thinking this pregnancy is too good to be true. It made me worry, but I didn't freak out. I didn't have any cramping or anything with it, and it was so small. . .I read in my "What to Expect" book that some light spotting is normal as long as you aren't having bad cramps with it. So I'll just make a note, and tell my OB at my appointment on the 2nd of July. In my heart though, I think it's fine.

8 Weeks

Today marks the end of week 8, and it was also my first pre-natal visit at the doctor. I was insanely nervous about going for a couple reasons. First of all I'm (in general) insanely phobic of doctors. I'm not sure when this all started, but I have been diagnosed with "white coat syndrome" by my GP. My heart and BP race every time I enter a doctors office, it sucks. (Yes I know it's ironic that I work in dentistry and everybody is phobic of the dentist)

Second, is I really had no clue what they were going to do and I was just afraid that they would find something wrong. I have known many people that have had problems with their pregnancies, and I can't help but think about all the things that can go wrong. That is probably the main reason I'm hesitant to tell any friends or extended family until after the first trimester. I'm not sure how I will handle it if something goes wrong. . .

Anyway, the doctor visit was very uneventful and kind of disappointing. They went over a bunch of medical history questions with Jared and I, took my vitals, and did some pre-natal education. No blood work (the lab was closed, I have to go back for that), no peeing in a cup (again, will do at the lab), and no ultrasound or doppler. Not that I really wanted any of that (minus ultrasound). I was hoping that maybe we'd get to see the baby's heart beat, but I'm pretty sure it's still too early to hear yet.

I did however get a physical exam and a pap test (I'll spare the gory details), and the one fun piece of info that we got was the doctor said my uterus is definitely enlarged to what she'd expect at 8 weeks of pregnancy! And the final piece of exciting news that I got is the doctor told me my next visit (at 12 weeks) we will get to hear the baby's heart beat. I'm hoping my excitement over this test will diminish my general fear of going. We shall see.

7 Weeks - Is there a baby in there?

This weekend we visited with Jared's family and made our big announcement. It was a lot of fun seeing everybody's reactions.

All my symptoms have been pretty much the same. Still queezy if I don't eat, an occasional wave of nausea that usually doesn't last long, and my horrible horrible oily pimply skin. It's all been really mild and it honestly makes me wonder if I'm really pregnant. I've been taking a pregnancy test about once a week just to east my mind. :)

I can't wait until Thursday for my first doctors visit. I'm nervous and terrified at the same time. We were hoping to tell family after the first doctors visit to make sure everything was going ok, but we didn't know when we would be making the trip down to visit Jared's family again. It was important to us to be able to tell everybody in person.

I really hope we get to hear the baby's heart beat Thursday! I'm so nervous!

6 Weeks

So I've been blogging about the pregnancy since week 6! Here is the back log of of all my crazy thoughts.

Well here we go. I've decided to do a week by week update about my pregnancy. This is week 6!

First of all I still can't believe that I'm pregnant. It just doesn't seem real quite yet. I think a large part of that is because I still haven't gone to the doctor. My OB doesn't see patients until they are at least 6-8 weeks pregnant. I have my first appointment on the 3rd of June.

In terms of symptoms mine have been pretty mild so far (another reason why this doesn't seem real yet). I haven't had any morning sickness which is nice. I do get a little queazy if I don't eat on a regular basis, but that has been pretty much it. My appetite has definitely increased. I think the biggest change I've noticed so far is my skin. I've been breaking out like a high school

teenager, it's so gross! The worst part is I'm not allowed to use any acne scrubs or medications because the chemicals in them are "questionable" for the baby.

My energy levels have really dropped. With the weather getting nicer each week, plus my need to exercise to tame my stress/anxiety levels. . . it's been hard to watch myself so I don't over do it.

I think one of the things I'm most excited about being pregnant is when I'll start to show. I know with this being our first child it will probably be several months in, but I can't help but look at my stomach every day in the mirror searching for that baby bump.

Bye bye flat tummy!

This Is One Doodle That Can't Be Undid Homeskillet

Big News! (And if you know what movie the title of the post is from, you earn major cool points)

p.s. Please no postings on facebook just yet, only bloggy friends :-)

Best Birthday!

I can't really even tell you how much fun I had last night with all my friends! Normally I pass on parties because I hate being the center of attention, but for once I didn't mind too much. We played games (Apples to Apples rocks if you haven't played it), ate tons of food, and enjoyed each other's company. I don't think it gets much better. I got a bunch of awesome gifts too! My favorite has to be my new Canon SLR from Jared! Yes friends I was getting quite jealous that you all were getting cool cameras, so now I'm in the club. Now I just need to get a new SD card and figure out how to work it. . .hehe.

Daniela also made me this awesome slide show of pictures which was so much fun to watch. I forgot how many goofy faces I make in photos. Over 400 pictures. . .guess we've had a lot of good times in the past few years huh?

Ding goes the. . . Toilet?

If you know me, you know I have a really immature sense of humor, and this always makes me laugh.

Yep, the toilet in our master bath dings when I sit on it. What's funny is that it doesn't always do it right when I sit down, sometimes it's a couple of seconds after I sit. And it doesn't ding for Jared either, only me. I think maybe it's the hook up to the wall? Maybe the toilet tilts slightly when I sit and it adjusts the metal part. Haha, I guess I sit on the toilet weird?

Ok, I think that's enough toilet talk for now. There are so many odd things about our master bathroom.

1 Year Ago

Lots of stuff was happening this time a year ago, and most of it wasn't pleasant.

I was so stressed about buying our first home (even though I love the house). It's a big scary purchase, and at the time Jared was also having the potential of losing his job.

I was so upset and vain over my eye problem, and thought it would never end.

I don't think I even blogged a happy post about my birthday last year because I was so consumed with these bad things.

This year things are a total 180 from where they were last year. We lived happily ever after with our first beautiful home. I honestly never wear my contacts anymore (only for very special occasions); I've grown to love my glasses. I rarely wear make up (unless it's a special occasion). I'm really more comfortable in my own skin. Don't get me wrong (nobody is THAT confident), I still have my occasional insecure moments, but it's definitely changed who I am.

So many wonderful things are going on right now. I was able to get some Saturdays off this summer, so I'm enjoying spending more time on the weekend with Jared, going to garage sales with my mom, and just having 3 day weekends!

Jared and I are healthy! What's not to love/celebrate about that! I think health is something we all take for granted, but once it's taken away you realize what a gift it is.

I'm making new friends, and reconnecting with old ones. I'm looking forward to new antics with these amazing people.

I can't wait for our cook out on Saturday! It's the first time we are having a lot of people over this summer to enjoy our new YARD.

Sooooooo. . . . .anyway I'm thankful for all the blessings in my life right now. There is literally nothing I would change. And I'm SO excited to blog about the weekend!

They Say It's My Birthday?

Celebrating another 20 something birthday today (well actually this weekend will be the fun stuff). Not many years left in my 20's! Yikes!

I've got some big things brewing! So stay tuned for a fun birthday party blog post. . . .maybe on Sunday if I'm ambitious at down loading pictures from the shin dig. It's supposed to be a beautiful weekend. I can't wait.

You Capture - America

Jared and I had a wonderful 4th of July weekend. This year our town actually held it's own fireworks show! We walked over around sunset to the park district with our backpack full of snacks, water, and a comfy blanket to cuddle on. I love the fact that our town is small enough to walk anywhere we want (at least from where our house is).

What's more American than fireworks on the 4th? (I finally got to use the "fireworks" setting on my point and shoot!)

It was just one of those wonderful summer nights spent with someone you love.

D'OH!

I just spilled a glass of pomegranate juice all over our new couch. . .ARGH. Are you familiar with pomegranate juice? If you aren't, it's a dark red juice similar to the color of red wine. I'm such a klutz. What was funny was I thought to myself right before I spilled it, "Boy, it would be horrible if this spilled." and then I spilt it. The good news is Jared was home and he jumped up and got the paper towels and we got most of it up. Then we used our special furniture stain remover that we bought when we got the couches. I think it all came up. Phew!

Did everybody have a happy 4th of July? I took some fun photos that I'm going to use for You Capture this week! (So look for a new post on Wednesday.)

New Neighbors

My parents have some new neighbors. I was able to get some pictures of them today.

Aren't the babies precious?

It's odd that she built the nest so low to the ground (these photos were taken by holding my hands in the air and praying the nest was in the shot) But it's so neat to see the family!