Halfway!!

Today is 20 weeks (if you are going by the ultrasound people - which I am)!!  I can't believe I'm halfway there!

You already read about our big halfway ultrasound on Friday, but we also did a lot more over our weekend.  On Friday after my appointments, I drove up to Laurel, MD while Justin finished up work before driving up with Uncle Paul (Meg's fiance).  We were staying with them Friday night because Justin and Paul were playing in a volleyball tournament on Saturday with a friend, James, in Frederick, MD.  On Saturday, Meg and I watched a movie in the morning and then met with Miranda (James' wife) and there two cute little ones, Charlotte and Susannah.  The tournament seemed to be a pretty good time, at least to the guys.  We just sat and chatted before one of the girls had a little meltdown - it was nap time.  So we went back to Miranda and James' place and chatted some more, while the boys drank all day and we waited patiently to eat.  All in all, it was a fun day.

We stayed kinda late and ended up staying at Megan and Paul's again on Saturday night, but I begged Justin to leave a little earlier on Saturday because I was getting a serious nesting instinct.  We ended up moving the love seat out of the den/nursery so there is room for a crib maybe!!  We also cleaned out some junk from the den, cleaned out old clothes from under the bed and the closet and I hung a bunch of items to clear up some space.  I felt so accomplished and it made me so excited to have some resemblance of a nursery-type room or at least have some more space for baby items.  I can't wait to meet this little one!!

We are off to Milwaukee to spend some quality time with the Markowski half of my family this weekend, so I'm praying hurricane Earl doesn't interrupt our travel plans.  Can't wait to see everyone!!  Hope everyone has a great rest of the week and weekend!!

20 Week Ultrasound!

So on Friday, we had our 18-20 week ultrasound as well as my monthly doctor's appointment.

The ultrasound was so exciting!  I could tell Justin was excited by the constant ooh-ing and aah-ing he was doing while the technician told us everything we could see.  Going into this US, I was really excited but also really nervous that something was going to be wrong; maybe it was because of the more frequent cramping feelings I've been having.  So, we go in and the tech asked us if we wanted to find out the sex.  We told her no, and joked about finding out and then keeping it a secret from all our family and friends!  She showed us everything, from the chambers in the heart, all the arm and leg bones, the kidneys, hands, feet and even the portal vein (which takes blood to the liver).  I was amazed at how much you could see.  Our little one, as in our first ultrasound, wasn't too cooperative, and wasn't moving all that much during the test.  He/she had his/her legs crossed the whole time and a hand in front of his/her face.  We got a few 3D images of Baby's face (which Justin says looks like an alien but he/she just hasn't gotten all the baby fat yet- that's at the end.)  When it came time to look for the sex, the technician warned us and then turned the screen a little bit away.

Turns out, baby was really shy (hand in front of the face) and didn't even want to show the tech his/her privates!  Good baby...  Anyways, so sorry for all you friends and family who have been bugging us about our decision not to find out...seems we wouldn't have found out anyways!  So the tech tells me to wipe myself up and get our things together.  Then about 5 minutes later, she came back with an older (obviously supervisor) type lady.  In my head I'm thinking, "Oh no, something is wrong.  I knew it."  But I didn't say anything because Justin seemed to be ok with it.  The supervisor lady said they needed some more/better pictures of Baby's heart.  She also tried to see the sex, but no such luck.  They didn't tell us anything was wrong, but later the next day, Justin mentioned it really freaked him out too, so now I'm a little paranoid that something was wrong.  But one of our mom friends (thanks Miranda) assured me they would have told me right then and there.

If I wasn't already worried enough, I then proceeded onto the doctors appointment alone.  Normally, these appointments seem useless to me.  I go in, the nurse takes my weight, blood pressure and I pee in a cup.  Then about 5 minutes (no more) later the doctor or midwife comes in and asks me if I have any questions and listens to the baby's heartbeat.  Well all the normal nurse-ly things took place, but then I waited 45-50 minutes sitting in the room for the doctor!  I was freaking out.  I was sure that the US people had faxed over a quick report and he was reading it and preparing to tell me some bad news.  He finally came it and listened to the heartbeat, measure my belly and checked my ankles for swelling.  He never mentioned anything might be wrong, so I'm a little relieved, but at the same time still kinda worried and weirded out about the odd sequence of events on Friday.

For now, I guess it's ok and I'll try to stop worrying.  Here of some pictures of our cutie!

He/she has my nose we decided, and Justin and Aunt Meg were able to feel the baby moving (finally) on Friday night!!!

Meet me at the fair...with my sweetheart(s)

On Saturday, Justin had to work a table at the Arlington County Fair for a couple hours.  He told me I could come over and meet him if I wanted.  At first, all I thought was "no way."  But then I looked online and it looked like it could be fun: games, rides, jewelry stands, pig races, and most importantly, funnel cakes!!  So he came home and then we went back.

We walked around the indoor stands first, before we went outside where he played some games and we (he) ate some food, and I ate a funnel cake.  All in all, not too exciting but a nice way to get out of the house.  The biggest shocker of the day for me was at the beginning, as we were walking around the indoor displays.

I have recently discover the ElliptiGo (an elliptical bike) and as we were walking, we thought we saw some of them.  So we hustled over to see if it really was it and if we could test them out (should have known the Arlington County Fair would NEVER have ElliptiGos).  Well, needless to say, they were some sore of adult standing tricycles: 3 wheels, foot plates and handles.  The lady proceeded to tell us how they operated- you had to turn the handle bars using you arms side to side to get it to move forward (doesn't sound like much fun to me but whatever.)  Justin said "So it's basically all arms?" And she responded that it took a lot of trunk motion as well.  She then asked Justin if he wanted to try it out.  As he hesitated, she added, "But I don't recommend your pregnant wife try them out.  How far along are you?"  I was so flustered that she blatantly was talking about my belly without me telling her (and I don't think I'm THAT big) that I hesitated before I responded with "About 18 weeks."  Thinking back, I sorta wish I had told her that I wasn't pregnant and seen what her response was then.

Guess I'll be getting these types of comments more often now.  On a totally separate note, I TOTALLY have pregnancy moods swings but I'm trying to keep them to myself and not act on them.  I think I'm doing a decent job, but it's rough.

Here's a photo of the bike on my wish list! :)

Registries

So, I have spent about 2/3 of my weekend trying to finalize our registries.  You know, when you get married you think that is a little overwhelming because you aren't really sure what you need versus what you want, etc.  But really, you have no idea until you get pregnant.

I mean, there is SO MUCH baby crap.  Now, not finding out the sex limits the clothing registry, etc, but we aren't changing our minds! :)  But, I'm pretty proud of myself after this weekend of going over a very (really too) long list of things that Buy Buy Baby (the Bed Bath & Beyond of baby stuff) says that you should register for, which if you have gotten married, you know this list is of about 300% of the stuff you actually need.  I talked to my sister-in-law who has a 2 1/2 year old and my friend that had a baby last weekend, and eventually my mom a little bit and I think they are pretty good.  Not perfect and I'm sure I forgot some stuff but I'll worry about it later.  Target, Buy Buy Baby and Land of Nod, thank you for filling my weekend with strollers and bouncers and bassinets, oh my!

Then, today, we spent the afternoon with our good friends Erin and Tony, who had little Jack last weekend, the day before Justin's birthday.  He's adorable and perfect and teeny tiny and so quiet!  We love you Burba's!  And now I can't wait until January.  Plus, I'm so excited to have a great friend who can give me some heads-up advice a little in advance after experiencing it all.

Prenatal Yoga #2

I was at yoga class today, knowing our awesome instructor Padma is in Costa Rica for 2 weeks and that we would be having substitutes on Thursdays and Sundays.  Well, as you all know, I LOVE LOVE LOVE prenatal yoga.  I think my favorite parts of it are that it isn't yoga-ish and we work hard.  Not that we didn't work hard today, but I really miss Padma.

Seeing as she is a friend of mine, she has read my blog before so I don't want her to think that this wasn't a great instructor.  So, Padma, Jessie was great.  I still got a pretty good workout and got to relax and de-stress, but it wasn't quite as up my alley as Padma's classes are.  We did a lot of the named yoga poses, which is what I didn't really want when I started.  My 2 favorites parts about Padma's class are the ninja roll at the end and when we sing to our bellies.  And we didn't get to do either.  The ninja roll is this thing where we lay our our backs with our feet up the wall because it increases the blood flow to Baby.  It feels awesome! And it sounds totally cheesy, but I love the singing to our babies about being happy and healthy.  I always leave feeling great!

I left feeling almost as great today, just not quite the same.  One of the other girls that has been in class with me a lot walked out with me and said, "Well, that was different."  I laughed and said I missed the ninja roll.  She said she was thinking that same thing and she thought about going into it on her own at the end, but she thought that might be rude! :)  I love the girls in class too.  I'm going to probably go on Sunday and maybe next Thursday again.  Like I said, not bad, just not Padma.

On another note, my boss says I'm really beginning to pop so I'll post a new belly shot soon!

Movement...maybe...

I think I may have felt our little soybean doing some somersaults today!!  I can't really be sure because it was very faint and, seeing as this is my first time, I'm not really sure what I'm going to feel.  It sorta felt like a swirling sensation in my belly this a.m. when I woke up.  The main thing that makes me think he/she may be moving is that this "swirling" feels different from all the indigestion and gas I've been feeling.  I'm so excited.

I'm also a little nervous because everyone always talks about kicking, and for anyone that has read the Twilight books, all I can think about is Bella's vampire baby kicking her and breaking her ribs and causing her all this pain.  Obviously, I know that Baby Hales won't be breaking my ribs but I hope it becomes more obvious than the swirling.  But for now, I LOVE the swirls:).

P.S. I figured out a way that I can sleep with significantly less indigestion.  I've been stacking pillows up like a bolster behind my back so I'm reclined instead of lying flat which I normally prefer.  I'm basically in a much better and significantly less irritable mood today than I was yesterday, and I can't wait for pre-natal yoga this week.  Although, I'll be missing our normal teacher, Sarah Lynn.

Happy 18 weeks today (according to the ultrasound people!)

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!

Not my Daddy, we've already been over that one.

To the best husband in the world:

I hope you had a great birthday today, despite the long hours on the road this weekend.  I love you more every day and couldn't ask for a more helpful, thoughtful, caring and loving husband.  There really aren't words.  I can't wait to embark on this new journey in our lives together.  I couldn't have picked a better partner.  I can only hope I make you as happy as you make me.

I love you, forever.  1437

Your doting wife, Melissa

P.S. I can't wait to use your new camcorder on our little addition!

Pepto Bismol?

This morning, when I work up with the most horrendous indigestion and cramping pain, so bad that I thought I was going to have to go to the doctor instead of to work today, I couldn't help but think of those catchy pepto bismol ads on t.v.  It may just be me, but it sounds like medicine directed towards pregnant ladies to me: "Nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach..."

I can honestly say I can count the number of times in my life I have had heartburn on one hand, and all those times have been in the past week and a half.  And with the unbelievable indigestion I'm experiencing at 17 weeks, I can't imagine what it's going to be like at 37-39 weeks.  I've been looking at what I've been eating too and it doesn't seem to be anything that I think would cause this sensation.  (I mean, we did have chili this weekend because I was craving it, but really, it's been 5 days...)

And the cramping, I know some of it is normal but it begs the question...how much is normal?  And when the heck do I start worrying?

Sorry, I needed to vent, but generally I'm actually feeling pretty awesome!  Maybe I have Sarah and prenatal yoga to thank! :)

Happy Hump Day!!

Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma!

Today is my wonderful mother's birthday!!  I won't tell you how old she is but she looks about 36.  I was going to send her a dozen cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake, but I figured she wouldn't really appreciate them much since she would be eating them all herself!  I'll think of something good.

One of mom's friends said to me that "if I'm anything like my mom, I'm going to be a great mother."  I couldn't agree with her more.  She and Dad must have done something right because they raised 4 great kids (if I do say so myself) who all get along great and who couldn't say nicer things about their awesome parents.  Thanks for all the support and advice, Mom!  And like I already told you, I can only hope to be half the mom that you are!  I love you and miss you everyday!

Oh...Did I mention I have the cutest most fashionable mom ever?  I think she probably got that from her mom:) (my Nanny who all my friends just LOVE!)

Month 4 Journal

I guess it's been a while since I wrote a post, but I've been feeling more energetic so I've been doing a little more I guess!  Yesterday we had lunch and hung out with our friends Erin and Tony who are about to have their first little one.  It was great to just sit on a patio and chat with friends!  Then we went to try to attempt registering at Buy Buy Baby (the baby Bed Bath and Beyond).  Well, THAT was overwhelming.  No one tells you it's less fun than you think it's going to be!  Anyways, at least we got to check out a million kinds of strollers!

Here are the month 4 journal questions and answers (or at least to the best of my ability!)

1.) Make a list of your favorite calming music.

I really thought we had been over this already and I said Justin doesn't exactly listen to "calming" music.  I don't have a specific list of songs but I really enjoy Michael Buble and Frank Sinatra type music if I'm in the mood to calm down!  Can't beat the classics.

2.) Describe your man's response to the upcoming addition to your lives. Denial? Gadgetitis? Absolute love and support?

I think it's been a little of everything.  He's definitely been unbelievably supportive, even during the times when I was really fatigued and lazy (lazy probably isn't a good word when you can't muster the energy to stand up.)  He's also been a little bit extra protective of me.  He's gotten a little bit of gadgetitis, considering he wanted a nice camcorder for his birthday, so he can "get all of the upcoming events" on tape.  The camcorder is on its way!

3.) What baby products are you most excited about purchasing?

I actually think we have sort of decided on strollers and a car seat which I'm kinda excited about, but like any fashion forward girl, I'm excited about the clothes!

4.) How are you decorating your nursery?

What nursery?  Did I mention we live in a one bedroom/den apartment?  Yeah, we do.  We don't really have a nursery, and I think I'm going to recruit Aunt Meg to decorate because honestly, like I told Justin at Buy Buy Baby yesterday, can't someone else just do all this other crap for me?  I'll worry about the birthing process, someone else worry about everything else!

Sorry it's been awhile with the posts!  Look for another family birthday tomorrow!!  And soon, it's Daddy-to-be's birthday!

Fatigue...

Um...could I BE anymore tired?  I really don't think so.  I've been pretty lucky with the whole morning sickness and cramping symptoms of early pregnancy, but the fatigue, I think, has hit me about 5 times as hard as others (now I'm assuming here as I can't really speak for other, but...)  My legs were literally shaking at yoga class because of fatigue/weakness.

I wake up every morning feeling like I've sleep for about 14 hours (which I clearly haven't, at least not without getting up to go to the bathroom at least 3 times) but that even though I feel like that, I ALWAYS feel like I could sleep for another 14 straight without even the bat of an eyelash.  I actually have been afraid quite a few times at work standing over a patient, that I would fall asleep standing up and proceed to fall on top of my patients on the table.  It's ridiculous.  People keep telling me it's going to get better but seriously, WHEN?!?!