5 Months!

Sorry I haven't blogged in a week.  I was having a pretty difficult week emotionally.  There was really no reason for this at all, I was just really irritable.  Things started to look up after yoga last Thursday, then we went to stay in Laurel, MD to dog sit my nephew, Samson.  I had yoga again today and my back is feeling a little bit better so I think this week is definitely looking better than last.

While I was lying in bed with Samson yesterday, I started thinking about how quickly this whole pregnancy thing is going.  I'm trying to savor every moment, but the days seem to be flying by.  Yesterday was the 18th, which would make it exactly 5 months along.  I feel like I should be doing more nesting and planning for a baby but I'm not.  I find myself trying to plan for our first anniversary weekend coming up next month, which I think it ok.  I don't want to forget about our relationship just because we are starting a family.  We bought tickets to go see OVO, the cirque de soleil show at National Harbor on October 9th, which I'm pretty excited about.  And I think Justin is also excited because his co-worker told him what a great show it was, so great that she is going to see it again.  Then on Sunday, our actual anniversary, we are going to stroll around Annapolis, because that's what Justin wants to do.  Something for me (food and OVO) and something for him.  I can't wait to look back on our first, needless to say eventful, year together.  And I really can't wait until Monday October 11th, to lay in bed and watch movies all day with my husband.

I kinda lost track of my journal entries but here is the Month 5 journal:

1. You know you're still in mind, body and spirit, even though your body is doing a change-up.  Think of your fashion MO and how you can maintain your joy for color and style even with the bump.

Trying to stay looking and feeling pretty has been quite the challenge for me.  I have had the most success at Gap Maternity.  Normally, I hate the Gap - boring colors, nothing special, but I actually like that about their maternity because I can still wear all my cute cardigans (old and new) over them with some fun jewelry or, my favorite accessory, scarves!  I'm pretty pumped about the fall weather so I can get back to all my sweaters (or at least the ones that might still work for me.)

2. Take a picture of yourself in your best pregnant fashion and post it here.

To be continued later when I actually take some pictures in my pregnant fashion!  I have an outfit planned for a friend's birthday party in a few weeks.  I'll try to be better about posting pictures!

3. Hey, what was that?  Record the kicks of your baby- where, when, how hard?

I think I've sort of already covered this but the very first "swirling" motions I felt were around 18 weeks in the morning before getting ready to go to work.  I started feeling some more clear kicks, especially the night of our half-way ultrasound, at the end of August (19.5 weeks).  The exciting thing for me this weekend was I started to feel a lot more like the baby is flipping and turning rather than just kicking.  I love noting all the new sensations I feel, sometimes it makes me laugh.

4. What baby names do you like today?

I learned my lesson about this about a month or so ago, I'm no longer asking anyone's opinion but my husband and our closest family, because, no offense, but I don't really care what anyone else thinks about names I like for OUR child. :)  We are going to try to pick out about 2 or 3 boys and girls names because we both feel like we can't rightly name someone before we meet them!

5. What suggested baby name have you heard?

My boss, Kate, throws out the most odd names- Hortense, Horatio are her favorites.  A patient gave me Sloan the other day, but I'm not a fan...I kinda sounds like a Husky's name to me.  Other than that, most of the time, people oddly suggest their own names!

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!

Month 3 Journal

I don't really like the 3rd month journal questions but I'll do the best that I can, and maybe add some new things I've been thinking about recently!:)

1.) What's the silliest pregnancy advice that has come your way?

One of our patient's at work who is pregnant with her second told me to tell Justin that "I'm closed.  Like the Sahara Desert."  Probably TMI Mrs. Patient-Lady.  But honestly, I appreciate most of the advice, especially from fellow moms and moms-to-be out there.  Some stuff may go in one ear and out the other but for the most part, I like opinions! :)

2.) Your version of your pregnancy story. (A.K.A. my fairytale birthing experience.)

I think this is a little silly, and I'm really not that creative.  I'm also trying to be really open about everything coming my way in January but I'll do my best to come up with a short story:)  After sleep a full night's sleep before or on our due date, I calmly wake up at 9:00 having to go to the bathroom.  We soon figure out my water broke and I'm having contractions.  It's conveniently right around our due date since my whole family has come to visit from Illinois!:)  The labor is too quick for me to even decide if I want an epidural (which is the scariest part of the whole situation for me) and after some nice easy pushing, out pops our wonderful little...BOY! (Or GIRL!! Just kidding I'd be happy with either!)  People are taking the first photos and I'm looking amazingly glowing and beautiful and not sweaty and gross at all.

Yeah I know, wishful thinking, but like I said, I'm not expecting the worst but I'm not expecting the best either.  Plus, I figure the pain is probably well worth it in the end!

3.) Take time to write out all your good advice.

Like I said I appreciate any and all advice, suggestions on registry items etc I can get.  I can't specifically say any specific advice (besides what I already mentioned about my mom) but feel free to leave a comment!:)

4.) What did your "Hot Mom-to-be" intuition tell you today?

"Be nice to your husband.  You got really lucky with this one so PLEASE, ignore the hormonal issues and BE NICE TO YOUR HUSBAND!!"

5.) Record your most wicked and wild food craving.

Honestly, I don't feel like this is a pregnancy craving as much as an every day craving, but like a typical pregnant lady, I sure do love my pickles.  About 2 weeks ago, I also got a huge craving for crab/lobster bisque soup.  And about a week before that I really wanted some donuts (long johns for anyone who knows what those are- not my husband or future brother-in-law).  I mentioned this to my patient at the time, and, just to prove to you how AWESOME my patients are, she left her appointment for that day and came back 15 minutes later with donuts for me!!  Including a cinnamon-sugar one AND a long john!!

6.) Craziest things that make you cry?  That make you happy?

Not too sure about these things yet.  But I'll keep it in the back of my mind and update you as soon as I know! :)

And seriously, any suggestions on registry places would be so helpful!  There are too many options and too many options for strollers and car seats and everything!

Month 2 Journal

Because I missed a few days due to my trip to La Jolla, CA, I'm going to post two posts today.  Plus, tomorrow is beginning of my second trimester so I thought I should post another journal post!

Here are the questions from Chapter 2 of my book:

This chapter was about healthy eating and how your baby takes in everything around you, including sounds.

1. What healthy foods did you eat today?

M: Well, it's not even lunch time yet, so I haven't eaten much but cereal today.  However, on my road trip this weekend, we ate quite a bit at this little coffee shop that had some breakfast and lunch sandwiches, so I ate quite a bit of avocado.  And I think my new favorite type of frozen blended drink is Acai berry.  I had three from the coffee shop and they were delicious!

J: Not that it matters, but I thought it would be fun to still have Justin answer the questions!:)  He ate strawberries, eggs and milk this morning.

2. List the songs that you use to bring you back to earth.

M: I love everything Michael Buble, particularly Save the Last Dance, Crazy Love, and Hold On.  I also love Sara Bareilles, particularly Many the Miles and Maroon 5, especially Infatuation. Justin and I also like to listen to Brian Regan stand-up.

J: Most of the music Justin listens to doesn't calm him down, and I can vouch for that...it's angry music.  We'll have to change that soon.  He says he likes The Dismemberment Plan, The City.

3. What's your baby's womb nickname?

We both agreed on "our little soy bean" because we love edamame, especially from our favorite sushi place!

4. What are your favorite feel-good movies?

M: I love any and all romantic comedies.  Some of my favorites are The Wedding Date, 27 Dresses, Fever Pitch, The Proposal and Made of Honor.  I also LOVE musicals and sports movies, especially Singing in the Rain, Mamma Mia (despite really bad singing) and Miracle (which is probably one of my favorite movies of all time.  If you know me at all, I could list hundreds of thousands of movies I love!

J: Justin loves Top Gun, Super Troopers, and The Sandlot.

Enjoy!

Month 1 Journal

The book I'm reading, Hot Mom to Be Handbook, has a short series of questions to help you keep a journal of your pregnancy after each chapter, i.e. each month.  I thought this blog would be a fun way for me/us to let you in on how we are feeling and how things are going.  So here are the questions from Chapter 1, and answers from both of us (if I can get Justin to share!)

1. What were your first words or thoughts when you found out you were pregnant? And be honest!

M: Well I think we've actually gone over this, but my first thought was "Holy crap!"

J: Justin says his first thought/word was "Ummmm..."  Descriptive, I know.

2. What are you most excited about? What do you fear the most?

M: I think I'm most excited to embark on this new journey with Justin.  Plus I can't wait to actually live all those motor milestones that we learned about in school! :)  And I know that we won't be perfect parents but I'm just afraid I'm not ready yet and I won't know what to do.

J: He is most excited about watching he/she grow up.  He is most scared about having somebody be 100% reliant on him for everything. And he hopes they like his cooking!:)

3. What was the funniest thing that someone said or did when you told them about "the bun"?

M: This is actually completely crazy but the funniest thing that has happened so far was when I was telling my Nanny that she was going to be a great grandma.  We were at lunch in between bridal dress shopping appointments and the crazy outgoing waitress had just brought us our food.  She was peppering Megan's friend Amanda's salad and when I THOUGHT she had left, I began to tell my grandma.  Nanny was pretty surprised and she let a small gasp out, but from behind me as the words are coming out of my mouth, I hear the waitress go, "OH MY GOD...OH MY GOD!"  It's not as funny in writing but we couldn't stop laughing about it.  If Aunt Lauren can send me the video and I can somehow post it to the blog, I'll try that!

J: He says it has been funny how many people don't believe us when we tell them we are expecting.  We also laughed when his best friend Andrew said, "Yaayyy....right?"

4. Once you're pregnant, you notice every baby in the world.  How many babies did you see today?

M: Seeing as I've been sitting on the couch watching movies all day today, I've seen none (not even in the movies).  But I have to admit I've noticed more of those little suckers recently:)

J: He says he heard one crying at the Farmer's Market across the street today.