22 Weeks

So last night I realized that I have known I was pregnant for 18 weeks now.  And I have 18 more to go.  This is taking forever!

I am beginning to really look and FEEL pregnant.  Thankfully, my back pain only occurred during weeks 12-15.  I don't know what was causing it then, but if I had to deal with that in addition to what my belly is going through now, I would be miserable.

Basically, my biggest complaint is that it feels like I have done a pretty intense ab workout.  My abs just feel so sore right now!  And every now and then I get this sharp pain on the right side of my pelvis.  Yes, I know, it is the ligaments stretching.  But, WOW, it hurts.

So my freak out of the week happened from 3-5 a.m on Saturday morning.  I woke up and didn't remember feeling the baby move much on Friday, and he hadn't moved at all throughout the night, which was really odd.  So I tossed and turned and waited to feel some movement . . . nothing.  Kiel woke up in the middle of this and asked if I was okay.  I said, "We might have to go to the ER this morning."  His response, "Ok, just let me know."  Well, I stayed up for a bit longer and still didn't feel him.  Somehow I managed to fall asleep and had the most wonderful dream ever...

I saw our baby boy.  He was about 14 months or so and he looked very similar to my brother as a baby (and my brother looked almost like me, so maybe little boy will look more like Mama than Daddy??)  He was laying down on the couch and looked up at me and smiled.  He said and signed at the same time "Appy!  Appy!" (Happy).  Waddled off the couch and came and gave me a huge hug.  

To say that was the best dream ever is a total understatement.  For someone who doesn't remember dreams often, I'm so happy my brain decided to hold on tightly to this one.

Shortly thereafter, I woke up and began feeling him move again.  What a relief!

-The Weekly List -

How far along? 22 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +4 pounds.  Although I feel like +50 today!   

Maternity clothes? Yeppers

Stretch marks? Not yet. 

Sleep: Slept nice and late almost everyday last week.  I was not happy when I woke up at 3:30 this morning and just waited for my alarm to go off.  But on the bright side it gave me a solid hour to feel baby boy squirming.  

Best moment this week: Having that super cool dream.  

Miss Anything? Not really. 

Movement: Yep, a little less than last week, but still moving.  

Food cravings: Salad, fruit, chocolate, ice cream

Food aversions: Nothing. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Ailments: Stretching pains, trouble bending over already!  

Have you started to show yet: Yep!  When a kindergartener asked me today, "Are you having a baby?" I know there is no denying I'm preggo.  At least I don't look as fat anymore, definitely have more bumpage going on.  

Gender prediction: Boy

Labor Signs: No, but Jenny McCarthy has officially freaked me out.  (More on that in a post later this week. ) 

Belly Button in or out? In! Stay in pretty please!!  

Wedding rings on or off? Off, but only due to a stupid burn blister.  If you are my facebook friend, you know how awful it is!  Hopefully, I can get my rings back on before my fingers decide to swell!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy.  And I was super surprised when I remained happy ALL day at work today!

Looking forward to: Refinishing our antique dressers for baby boy, feeling a hardcore kick! 

My Next A-Z Challenge..

Well, I'm proud to say it did it!  I blogged everyday in the month of February!

Now that one challenge is done, I am on to the next . . . .

My "non-themed" baby room will have a sort of "ABC theme" and I want to make a wall similar to these.  I can't wait to start looking for different sizes and styles of letters.  If anyone reading this has ideas, please leave a comment!  This is going to take some work, but I love to challenge myself!

(http://taylorthis.blogspot.com/2011/04/abc-labor-of-love-with-little-help.html)

(http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/look-wall-alphabet-95640)

(http://www.atimeforeverything.net/2010/06/alphabet-wall.html)

(http://projectnursery.com/projects/emersons-nursery/)

(http://girlinair.blogspot.com/2011/01/alphabet-wall.html)

I hope I can create something as cool and unique as any of these! 

Z-Zzzzzs

I have always been a great sleeper.  I can't remember what I was like as a baby, but as a child I could never get up early and watch cartoons like everyone else.  I can actually remember there was this Minnie Mouse fitness show on the Disney Channel that came on at 6 a.m. and I could never get myself up to watch it.

Clearly, as a teenager I needed even more sleep and could easily sleep till noon when given the opportunity.  Even in college I needed more sleep than the rest of my friends.

To this day, I think I need more sleep than the average person.

That freaks me out!  What am I going to do when there is a baby that needs me 24 hours a day?  I'm sure I'll be able to manage some how during the first 5 months (when I'll be out on my leave), but what will I do when I go back to work?  Waking up at 4 a.m. is already a chore for me.  What will it be like after waking up 4 times between 11 and 3?

I'm sure I will some how find a way to manage.  Everyone does, right??

Y-Yaz and Pesky

(Pesky)

(Yaz)

Yaz and Pesky are my current baby boys.   We "adopted" them almost five years ago when we moved into our condo.  When we arrived at the MSPCA we knew we wanted two cats and these two were so friendly and lovable.  We just couldn't resist.   

Clearly, they are brothers.  However, we do not know their history.  When we got them in late August 2007, we were told they were about 6 months old.  We gave them the birthday of February 20, 2007.  Why?  Well, that is the day Kiel proposed and it just seemed like a perfect and easy day to remember.   They just celebrated their 5th Birthday.  My, how time flies!

The names?  Former Red Sox players, of course: Johnny Pesky and Carl Yastrzemski.  

I love these boys so much and hope they become super lovable and protective big brothers.  

X- X Names

Okay so here is some more info on the big name game. . .

I love the letter X.

I love the way it looks X.

I love the way its sounds in the middle or end of words [ks].

I just love X.

I have wanted to have the letter X in my child's name for a while now, but near the beginning of my pregnancy my mom said that she knew someone who used the letters in her husband's name and her own name to create their baby's name.

I loved that idea.

Only problem . . . No X in Amanda or Kiel.  Bummer!

So on our list of about 10 names we have some that are strictly a combo of our two names, some that have my letter X, and some that are a combo of our names but with, what I call, the X factor.

Who knows which one we will pick?  We still have plenty of time to scratch each of those names off the list and add ten more.  I refuse to let myself stress out when we still have 129 days until baby boy is "scheduled" to come!

W-Writer

I never considered myself a writer, especially a creative writer.  But I am so happy I have forced myself to  sit down and write down what my thoughts are during pregnancy.  It is such a special part of my life and I am thrilled that I will be able to look back on this time of my life and see what I was thinking, doing, and feeling each and every day.

My writing is nowhere close to perfect, but it has become easier to share my thoughts and feelings in this laid-back format.  I hope to continue writing daily (or every other day) throughout the remainder of my pregnancy and into baby's first year of life.

I love how this is a modern form of a baby book.  I hope I can find a way to print out and save each and every post from these 9 months and create a unique baby book for my baby boy!

21 Weeks

More than halfway there and feeling pretty darn good.  Oh, and my apologies for the outfit above, I wore that all day and did not feel like changing into my other yoga pants or tee shirt that I had been wearing, but you can still see that big ole bump growing.

So I still have not had that whole energy surge, but I am able to function on less sleep than earlier in my pregnancy.  Maybe that is what they mean when they say you have more energy.  Instead of needing 10 hours of sleep a day you only need 8.

The baby can now taste the amniotic fluid.  So he can acquire tastes for foods I am eating.  This could be a good thing or a very bad thing.  I hope he doesn't come out of the womb requesting an oreo!

We started the whole registry thing this week and I am not a huge fan of that process.  I have been big on checking safety and consumer review, but it is impossible to find any product that has 100% great reviews.  I just have to try my best to find the best and safest product for the baby, knowing that nothing is perfect.

We also ordered the crib and mattress and both came in just a few days later.  That was exciting, but the crib is still unassembled in the box in the garage, and the mattress is in the new guest room.

We discussed how we want to paint the baby's room.  We think it will look super cool and fun! Again, I'm keeping that a secret for now, because I don't want to hear others' opinions on that either!

-The Weekly List -

How far along? 21 Weeks 2 day

Total weight gain/loss: When I wake up in the morning I weigh the same as I did before pregnancy, but after dinner I'm about 2-3 pounds heavier.    

Maternity clothes? Yes, although the outfit above is not maternity and it still works.  I look fat, not pregnant though! 

Stretch marks? Nope still using the cocoa butter and the skin on my stomach still feels pretty stretchy. 

Sleep: Getting more sleep this week since I am on vacation.  Feeling pretty good, but I wake up and eat weird stuff.  For example: Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches and fresh strawberries. 

Best moment this week: Getting the crib in. Finding bedding that I actually like, feeling him more and more. Oh and Kiel felt him move right after I posted my blog update last week.  He was moving like never before and he got to feel one strong kick.  

Miss Anything? Still deli meat and that's it!

Movement: Yep, I feel him in the morning and at night while I am in bed.  He also moves around a lot after I eat.  

Food cravings: The good:  fruit and salad.  The bad: oreos, ice cream, and twizzlers. 

Food aversions: Nothing. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still no, Thank Goodness!

Ailments: The round ligament stretching pain is easing up a bit.  I am starting to have that awkward, pregnant stomach out in the air, arched back, I can't get off the couch thing going on.  

Have you started to show yet: Yep, but I think I look more fat than pregnant. 

Gender prediction: Boy!

Labor Signs: NO

Belly Button in or out? In still and the soreness I think I was feeling before is actually from scar tissue from when I had my belly button pierced.  Stupid teenage decision.  

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happier than last week. 

Looking forward to: Feeling more movement, getting the ball rolling with the room.  I have some major projects to work on there!

V-Videos

When I say videos, I mean movies.  Lately, there seems to be a ton of cute movies out that are made for children.  I am particularly interested in seeing Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, but I don't want to look like a creeper when I go see it alone or with Kiel!

I can't wait to have a kid so I have an excuse to watch old Disney movies and check out the latests kid movies at the theater without being made fun of.

My favorite movies growing up were: Cinderella, A Kid in King Arthur's Court (does anyone else even know that movie?), The Princess Bride, and The Fox and the Hound.

What will baby boy's favorite movie be?  I cannot wait to find out!

U-United States of America

Okay, finding a U was a stretch.  But then it just occurred to me...Kiel and I were watching CNN the other day and he said, "Thank God we live here."  We all have said it before, but this time it really meant something to me.

Perhaps it is because I am carrying a baby and I am so happy we live in a place where my child can become anything he wants.

We don't have to fight for food or simple freedoms.

We can step outside our home whenever we want.

I can wear any clothes that I want.

I can speak my mind.

We take so much for granted everyday, but I am so grateful and proud to call myself an American.  There is no other place in the world where I'd rather raise my family!

T-Themes

So I have tried to avoid the whole "theme" thing when planning stuff for the baby.  But I am such a thematic person.  I think it has to do with the fact that I'm a teacher.  I guess I will just have to deal with the fact that everything I "design" will have some sort of a theme.  So here are the themes I have started or  planning...

Today we began our registry. To use a teacher term, what we have now is a very rough draft.  We have some of the basics, but left a bunch of stuff off.  However, I did pick out the pack 'n play and car seat/stroller system.  And they happen to have the same theme.

Graco Pack 'n Play Playard with Newborn Napper Elite - Elefanta

Graco Stylus LX Travel System Stroller - Elefanta

I knew I wanted this specific style of car seat because it was the top rated in my baby bargains book.  And when we saw this pack 'n play I knew I had to get it since I do not want to buy a changing table and I was struggling with whether or not to get a bassinet or co-sleeper and this solves all problems.  

When it comes to the crib bedding I am having a really hard time finding exactly what I want.  I do know I want primary colors-mostly red and blue.  But I don't want a boat or sports theme.  Nearly all primary color bedding sets have those two themes.  I would just like to find an argyle or plaid that I like with primary colors, but those are hard to come by apparently.  So I have come to terms with an ABC bedding theme.  But all the ABC themed primary color bedding sets also have animals all over them.  So who knows what I will get!  

I have already started collecting some "old school" toys to decorate the room with.  I know I do what a very "antiquey"feel in baby boy's room.   

And the last theme surrounding the pregnancy (for now) is my baby shower theme.  I have found some pretty cool ABC baby shower themes on pinterest.  Being a teacher, how could I resist??

I'll keep you updated when we find bedding and other things for baby.  

What do you think???

So I am thinking this for the bedding.  The good thing about it is that it doesn't come with a bumper-everything has a bumper and I wasn't going to use one.  I like how the sheet gives the effect of a bumper though.  When you read tomorrow's post, please don't be confused.  I typed it up before finding this set.

In case you are curious and want to google it, it is called: 

Skip Hop Alphabet Zoo Bumper Free 4 Pieces Crib Bedding Set

S-Sports

If our children grow up not loving sports, I will be convinced they are switched at birth.  There is no biological way we could make a baby that does not play at least one sport.  Both of our immediate families are chock-full of athletes.

My side....
Me-I started playing T-Ball at the age of five and never stopped playing baseball/softball [until this spring-no softball for preggo people!] Although I chose not to be on the team, I played in fun leagues throughout college and I have played in the teacher's union league since I began working in Boston in 2005.

I dabbled in soccer when I was five, but it was so unorganized.  I hated how all the kids would get right up on the ball and kick wildly.  I think I lasted one practice before asking if I could quit.  I jumped back into the soccer scene my junior year of high school.  Although I didn't really know the rules or have any skills, I could get to the ball and kick it before the other team.  That's always a plus!

I also ran short distance track for most of my childhood.  I was pretty quick, but nothing special.  More recently I began trying distance running to stay in shape.   Although I am not someone who loves running, I do love setting goals for myself and achieving them!

Corey-Although Corey never played an organized sport until middle school, she always enjoyed watching UConn basketball and "keeping the books" for the team.  She knew all the stats and could tell you anything about any player.

Nik-If any of you know my brother, you know that any sport he tries he is awesome at.  His number one sport is baseball.  He has been playing since he could walk (I am not even joking).  When we couldn't find him a lefty glove made for 2 year olds he insisted my mom just by him a right handed glove.  He trained himself to catch with his left hand and throw with his right.  To this day he still does this, but shoots a basketball lefty and throws a football with his left hand.  Crazy, I know.

He has also played basketball forever and attempted football in 8th grade.  He hated football.  He was not aggressive enough and didn't like the football mentality.  However, fast forward to senior year of high school and all the cool kids are on the football team.  He tried out, and made first string.  I'm pretty sure he scored more touchdowns than anyone else on the team that year.  He was a little bummed that he hadn't tried out freshman year because he could have been a supah stah.  Now he is trying to decide if  he will try out for his college team.  His roommates are both football players and tried to convince him to join this year.  He has to weigh all his options and decide if it is worth the potential risk of getting hurt for baseball season.

Dad-My dad is another one who played sports all three seasons-Cross Country, Basketball, and Baseball.  He continued playing softball in a men's league for many years.  Corey and I were brought up at the softball field because Dad played in so many leagues and Mom worked second shift for the first part of our lives.

Mom-She wasn't as big of an athlete as the rest of us.  She was more like Corey in the sense that she loved watching and being a part of the game, but didn't get involved in playing until she was a teenager.  She too played softball.  

Kiel's side (I don't know as much about his family members' sports careers, but I'll try my best.)
Kiel- He played sports year round too.  He has played organized baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and wrestling.  His top two sports were soccer and wrestling as he won many awards/honors for each as he grew up and could have played either sport at the collegiate level.  As an adult he has continued to play baseball, softball, and soccer.

Jason-Kiel's brother probably played all sports as well.  His big sport was soccer.  He continues to play now and has coached youth girls' teams since Kiel and I met 10 years ago.

Dad-Kiel's dad is another one that probably played all sports growing up.  I have specifically heard him discuss playing football and baseball.  He played baseball at the college level and probably only slowed down as an adult after suffering a pretty serious knee injury.  Today he continues to stay in shape by walking and cycling.

Mom-Kiel's mom probably has a history similar to my own mom.  I don't remember ever hearing about her playing sports, but she was very active in her sons' sports careers.  Today she runs and cycles competitively.


As you can see we have lots of athletes in the family.  Baby boy better love sports, because if he doesn't we are going to have lots of disappointed family members!!

R-Relationships

I am so lucky to be in a normal, healthy relationship with my husband.  I cannot wait to bring a child into our calm, comfortable life. I hope we can serve as an example of how two people can love and respect each other.  We have shared, but separate lives that enable us to cherish our time together and our time apart.

We both are also very lucky to have sane, normal family members.  Our little boy is going to be surrounded by so much love each and every day.

I guess I don't recognize about all the support I have in my life as much as I should since it is just always there.  Everyone and everything I need is always right here for me.  I am so very fortunate to have so many warm, nurturing, comfortable relationships with my family and friends.

Q-Quotes

Q was a hard one for me, but I thought I would have a little fun and look up some quotes about babies.  Here are some of my faves . . . 


Boys are found everywhere--on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around or jumping to.  Mothers love them, little girls hate them, older sisters and brothers tolerate them, adults ignore them and Heaven protects them.  A boy is Truth with dirt on its face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket. 
~Alan Marshal Beck


To be in your child's memories tomorrow, be in his life today. 
~Anonymous


A baby is a blank check made payable to the human race. 
~Barbar Christine Seifert

If I have a monument in this world, it is my son. 
~Maya Angelou


Of all the animals, the boy is the most unmanageable. 
~Plato (thanks for the warning)


Babies are always more trouble than you thought -- and more wonderful
~Charles Osgood


Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body.
~Elizabeth Stone

Having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act that two people in love can commit.
~Bill Cosby

A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.
~Eda J. Le Shan

A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.
~Author Unknown

Diaper backward spells repaid. Think about it.
~Marshall McLuhan

The worst feature of a new baby is its mother's singing.
~Kin Hubbard

A baby is born with a need to be loved -- and never outgrows it.
~Frank A. Clark

If you put a baseball and other toys in front of a baby, he'll pick up a baseball in preference to the others.
~Tris Speaker

Every child begins the world again.
~Henry David Thoreau

The moment a child is born,
the mother is also born.
She never existed before.
The woman existed, but the mother, never.
A mother is something absolutely new.
~Rajneesh

I don't know why they say "you have a baby."  The baby has you. 

~Gallagher

Always kiss your children goodnight - even if they're already asleep.
~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

P-Papou

Papou is what I called my grandfather on my dad's side.  Sadly, he passed away a few months before my fourth birthday.  Despite the fact that I was so young when he died, I still have a few very vivid memories of him. Unfortunately, all of these memories are from when he was sick.

Memory #1- Going to Price Rite with my dad and my sister to buy those banana flavored circus peanut candies. (They were Papou's favorite when he was sick.)  Then we would go to his house and visit with him.  I don't remember him getting out of bed, but he would always try his best to make me and my sister happy and comfortable.  I can remember being very confused, even though my parents had told me over and over again that he was sick, I don't think I ever fully understood what "sick" meant.

Memory #2-Being in the kitchen with Yiayia, and Papou walked in using his cane.  I can remember thinking how wobbly his legs looked.  I'm not sure if they had gone somewhere that day because, I'm pretty sure he was wearing khakis and a green sweater or sweater vest.  (It is amazing what a three-year-old's brain can remember).

Memory #3-Being at Yiayia and Papou's house during Hurricane Gloria (I just googled it and realized that storm occurred just one month after my third birthday).  We (Mom, Dad, Yiayia, Corey and I) were downstairs in the basement, while Papou stayed upstairs in his bed.  I can remember being scared for him because we weren't allowed to go upstairs and I didn't understand why he couldn't be safe with us downstairs.

Memory #4-This is my final memory, and I'm not even sure if it is a true memory.  I can remember him pushing me and Corey in a wheelbarrow up and down their driveway.  Why don't I know if it is a true memory?  Well, we have a beautiful picture capturing this moment, so I don't know if it is a real memory or if I only remember because I've studied the picture so many times throughout my life.

I sad as I am that I was not able to experience many healthy years with my grandfather, I am beyond blessed to have these four memories.

On another note, I am so happy that my father has decided to be called Papou.  I am looking forward to many years and many memories with my children and their healthy Papou.

If there is one good thing to come out of losing my grandfather at such a young age, it is the fact that my grandfather's untimely death has ensured my father get all the medical help he needs.  My dad sees his doctor regularly, and has all the preventative screenings necessary to keep him as healthy as possible.

Every little (and big) kid deserves a Papou.

O-Oh Eight, Oh Eight, Oh Eight

08.08.08

That is the day we got married!  I love everything about that date.  I love the repetition.  I love the number eight and how it resembles the infinity symbol.  I love that it OUR date forever.

We both actually have

08
08
08

tattooed on our bodies in Chinese numbers.  His on his tricep.  And a miniature version is on my back (high enough to NOT be considered a tramp stamp).

08.08.08 was definitely a special day.   A day that made Our Little Home Run possible!

Week 20

Life is moving along.  Not much to speak of which is good.

I went to the doctor yesterday and everything is perfect.  I am lucky to be having a very easy pregnancy!  Baby boy is great, all tests came back negative, and he continues to grow.  His growing is really starting to hurt.  I have been experiencing round ligament pain quite often now.  Last Thursday the pain got quite severe, but once I got into bed I felt so much better.

Last Wednesday I tried prenatal yoga for the first time and it was absolutely amazing.  I didn't really know what to expect going into it and my mind was totally blown away.  I love how the instructor just had a baby 3 months ago and totally knows what we are going through.  There was only one other person in the class so we got individualized instruction, which was another plus.  She had the most amazing why of getting us to connect with our babies and, umm, yeah, I may have shed a few tears.  When I got home I felt like I was walking taller, had no aches or pains, and I slept perfectly!  I would be going back tomorrow, but I got a call yesterday saying they had to close the studio for the month and won't resume classes till March.  Needless to say, I was incredibly bummed!

-The Weekly List -

How far along? 20 Weeks 1 day

Total weight gain/loss: Went to the doc yesterday and I am exactly at my prepregnancy weight.  So zero pounds gained and zero pounds lost!  

Maternity clothes? Everyday, but I can still get away with some longer non-maternity clothes.  

Stretch marks? Still none, but the baby boy is growing!

Sleep: Feeling really exhausted this week.  I am so ready for vacation next week! 

Best moment this week: Hearing baby boy's heart beat at the doctor yesterday.  Getting to see baby Savannah on Sunday.  I have so much to look forward to!     

Miss Anything? Really only deli meat.  What's up with all the Subway commercials?  Febru-any-any! Driving me nuts!

Movement: Yes, but not as much as before, but that is normal.  I was reassured that everything was still good when we heard him yesterday!

Food cravings: Fruit and salad. 

Food aversions: Nothing really.  Just peanut butter, I guess.  Almonds are fine though!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still no, Thank Goodness!

Ailments: Still nasal congestion, the ligaments stretching, bending over is getting more difficult.   

Have you started to show yet: Yep.  Let me remind you that the outfit above is so UNFLATTERING.  I don't look that fat, I really do look better in maternity clothes!

Gender prediction: Boy!

Labor Signs: NO

Belly Button in or out? In still

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Very moody.  I hate feeling like I could snap at any minute.  I am so grateful to have a vacation next week!

Looking forward to: Getting the crib delivered!  Registering with Kiel this weekend (if we can handle it) and know that it will be a work in progress!  

N-Names

Oh My God! I never knew the drama involved with picking names!  This is by far the most stressful thing a pregnant woman has to do concerning the arrival of her new baby!   I really thought this would be one of the fun parts, like picking out nursery colors (stress) and registering (more stress)! Is anything stress-free?  

So to avoid any more drama, we have decided to keep the whole name thing a secret.  Not because we want it to be a secret, but because I am having a super hard time dealing with comments from others.

Think about it people...when you ask a mom-to-be what she is thinking of for names she will tell you her top 3 names (or so), not ones that she hates!  So why do you think it is fine to totally bash each and every name?  I would never do that. . . . to someone's face.

Honestly, a few people I know have picked names, that at first I was like, "huh?" but never did I say anything to them about it.  And to be even more honest, those names have turned out to be the coolest.  I guess in some instances it takes a little time to let the names "marinate" in my head and these names really do fit these children perfectly.

So perhaps you should try doing the same. . . The next time a mom-to-be throws out a "different" name.  Don't make rude comments, just say, "Oh that's different" or "What is the meaning behind that?" Because 9 out of 10 times the mom is picking a name that DOES have meaning.

So, if you know either of us in "real life" we have decided that for the next 20 weeks we will be telling everyone our baby will be named Fred.  I do not like the name, therefore, you are allowed to make fun of it.  And know that if/when you come to meet our little boy if you make one comment about his real name I will throw something at you, and Kiel has been instructed to ask you to leave!



*Apparently week 20 is a very angry week!   

I need a moment...

Spending time with friends tonight so I won't be able to post my weekly update or prepare my letter N for tomorrow morning.  However, both are being planned out in my head!

I will post both tomorrow evening.

FYI...

Today is exactly 20 weeks.

I went in for my check up today.  Everything is 100% perfect! - That means we have to wait till July to see our little bugger again!

I am at exactly (to the .1 of a pound) at my prepregnancy weight.  Not bad for 20 weeks in!

I'm feeling great, just tired still and I have had a super short fuse the past few days!

Check back Tuesday evening!

M-Mama

For as long as I could remember I have wanted to be a mommy.  Even though I was never really into dolls as a child, I did have a few and I loved taking care of them.

I loved visiting and holding babies.

I loved helping my mom take care of my brother.

I loved being a nurturer.

Many girls go through at least a short stage in life where they say, "I never want to have children."  I never had that stage and never understood how my friends could say that!  I always knew I wanted to be a mom-obviously, not when I was a teenager, but at some point.

With all that being said, I am freaking out that my dream is about to come true.

I am about to take on the biggest job of my life and I didn't even have to interview for it.  I didn't have to pass a drug test, get a background check, or pass a proficiency test.  How in the world will I know for sure if I am ready?

I guess I just have to take a deep breath and know that I will make mistakes (EEK-I am such a perfectionist!), but everything will be okay in the end.

On or around July 2nd I will take on the biggest job of my life.  Ready or not, there is no turning back-I'm going to be a MAMA!

L-Lucky

Sometimes I reflect on all that I have and think, "Man, I'm lucky."  But then I remember all that I have sacrificed to earn what I have today.  Although, I can't say that I have had a difficult life, I can say that some parts have not been easy.  But instead of giving up, I have always persevered and did everything I could to get what I want and deserve out of life.

That is why have an amazing husband, a beautiful home, a great job, and a wonderful future ahead of me.


"Lucky" - A perfect choice for a wedding song for us.  (Thanks l for the recommendation)

Boy I hear you in my dreams

I feel your whisper across the sea

I keep you with me in my heart

You make it easier when life gets hard

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend

Lucky to have been where I have been 

Lucky to be coming home again

Baby Love CD

I'd liked to interrupt my A-Z postings with another installment of songs that make me think of my little man and will be added to my Baby Love CD.   


Both of these make me think of him and his daddy.  

Looking in your eyes
Seeing all I need
Everything you are is everything to me
These are the moments
I know heaven must exist
These are the moments I know all I need is this
I have all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more 

~I Could Not Ask For More-Edwin McCain

And all along I believed

I would find you

Time has brought

Your heart to me

I have loved you for a

Thousand years

I'll love you for a

Thousand more

~A Thousand Years-Christina Perri

K-Kiel

Kiel has been my rock throughout this pregnancy.  He was obviously here to support before it and will always be there in the future whenever I need someone.

At the very beginning of my pregnancy (before I even realized I was pregnant) I had to deal with the most tragic event of my entire life.  There were somedays that I literally did not even get out of bed.  Other days, I would go to work and just come home and go right to bed without talking.  I did not know how to cope with everything that I was going through.  And in that time, Kiel could have been nasty or jealous, but he did everything to take care of me.  Although, he really did not understand what I was going through, he did all that he could to make sure I was okay.

I was still dealing with the effects of this tragedy, when we found out we were expecting.  Just when I thought Kiel couldn't be any more supportive and caring, he stepped it up another 100 notches and took on all the household chores and did everything he could to make sure the baby and I were okay.

I will never be able to thank him for all he did for me during that time.  He still is there to support me when I am having an off day due to the issues that are still not resolved for me concerning this heartbreaking time of my life.

I never have to worry about whether or not he will be there for me.  He is always one hundred percent behind me.  I can always count on him to support, nurture, and provide for our family.

All I have to say is that I am so Lucky to be in love with my best friend....segue into my L post...

J-June or July

My whole life August has been my favorite month.  It's my birthday month.  A no school month.  A hot month. A vacation month. A carefree month. Our first date month.  Our wedding month. Our anniversary month.

Well, August is going to have to take the backseat to a new favorite month.  This baby is expected to arrive in late June or early July.  The J months are taking over!  

I wish I had a nickel for every time I said/signed July or June in a day now.  Kiel will probably catch me saying or signing those words in my sleep.

They are all I think about.

All I dream about.

I cannot wait for June or July!

My life will never be the same once that day in late June/early July arrives; and I can't flipping wait for this new chapter to begin!