I am finally starting to show. If you didn't know me and saw me, you'd think I should probably lay off the burgers and fries. If you know me, you can probably tell I'm a little bit with child. It's really only started showing these past two weeks. I haven't gained any weight yet, but I did lose 4 lbs, 3 of which I have gained back. The doctor said this is all ok considering I gained about 12 lbs between August and February on the fertility meds. Now that I'm off them, eating a pretty good diet and drinking a gazilion gallons of water a day, it's to be expected. These next few weeks should show the needle on the scale inching upwards. We'll see how that goes.
Tomorrow, we have our anatomy ultrasound and we find out what we're having (if the little scrip scrap cooperates). I am beyond excited. I just keep thinking that tomorrow is the ultimate day for me so far....I will find out if I am going to have a SON or a DAUGHTER. That's amazing. After all the hurt, the worry, the frustration, the tears, the anger.... I get to finally imagine what our life might look like in a few months. I know my wildest imagination could never come up with even a glimmer of how wonderful (and terrifying) this will be, it's still lovely to try. Let's just hope the little stinker cooperates and remembers what mommy had to do all those times in the stirrups....SPREAD EM!
In other news, Rik got a part in the movie "42" as a featured extra. Basically, Harrison Ford's movie about Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball is partly being filmed here in Chattanooga at Engle Stadium. Engle is a very old baseball stadium that hasn't been used in almost 30 years. It's historic and beautiful and perfect for this movie. Rik auditioned for a part, didn't get it....then got called back to do the camera blocking about a month ago and then got called back last week to actually be in the movie as the Cincinnati Reds 1st baseman. Today is the first day on set and it's been raining off and on all day long. He's in an old school WOOL uniform (he claims it's like sweatpants pajamas) and using an old timey mitt and cleats. He looks pretty cute! They even cut his hair into a more time-appropriate style. HA! He is loving every minute of this and it's definitely going to be something cool to tell the kiddo someday. Thank the LORD, he managed to be off tomorrow.
Oh, before I forget... I had NO idea that pregnant skin burns a lot easier than just plain crappy white skin. To you ladies who knew this information and chose not to share it, you are in the dog house! I rely on you, Girlfriends, to share all the crucial survival tips of getting through 9 (10) months of Human Greenhousing! I was out in the overcast, dreary, grey day last Saturday for a total of 1.5 hours. I squeezed (literally) myself into my bikini from last year (imagine a freshly popped can of biscuits) and set up shop at my friend's pool to relax and enjoy the warm day. Little did I know, I was baking myself and my rascal to a flaky crisp! The burn (to put it mildly) hurt for SIX DAYS! I am still shocked I ended up that sunburned, but goodness! I had no idea that would happen. So, since none of you dahlings warned ME, I'm putting it out there now for all the up and coming pregnant tanners pasties, WEAR SPF 100 SUNBLOCK WHILE PREGNANT BECAUSE YOU WILL END UP LOOKING LIKE CRISPY BACON OTHERWISE!!!! Ok, there. I feel better.
Who knew skin could itch like this, by the way. I am going through an insane amount of lotion here on a daily basis trying to avoid scratching the first three layers of skin off my stomach and my tatas ... I've always heard not to scratch but goodness, it's nonstop itching. Even my legs have joined in on the action today. I have a feeling a growth spurt is under way. :) In other skin news, my epidermis is enjoying being pregnant and I haven't had a single breakout in three months. How crazy is that? It's like magic.
Rumor has it my little tot is about 4 inches long right now. All the weekly updates I've read don't match up so I'm just going to assume 4 inches is about right. The fruit this week is an apple. Last week, a lemon. Why do they use fruit? Why not a tennis ball or a dessert plate? I think the baby sights use those subliminal messages to try and get you to eat less mexican pizza and more fruits and veggies. It works. I think I've eaten my weight (laughable) in fruit in the past three months. I'm trying to eat healthy and make good choices. I am not always spot on, but I am proud of myself for doing so well. I always ask myself, "What nutritional value is this offering my little one if I eat it?" If I can't come up with at least a few, I don't eat it.....usually. That's been tough. Sometimes, I just want a cheeseburger. Luckily, my good friend Emily and I set up a double date for us and our hubby's last week and we did just that. We went to Tremont Tavern and had ourselves a Jalepeno Burger that was very tasty! Fries on the side! She is four weeks ahead of me and it's been awesome having her to go to for tips and to find out just what's coming next. She even felt her little girl move last week for the first time! So exciting.
My Mom has officially gone baby bananas. It's so cute. She has already spent way too much money on this baby (and me). She bought me a ton of maternity clothes that I can't wait to wear (I may regret that comment in 5 months). She has also already bought her own car seat, swing and play yard to keep at her house. She's even moving the tanning bed out of her office so that she can set up a little nursery area for the baby. Out with the fake bake, in with the crib! She has signed up for the weekly updates so she always knows what's going on with her newest grandbaby and baby. I love all the excitement my family and so many of my friends have about this pregnancy. They all know how much we wanted this and how happy we are with this blessing.
Now, I need more advice from you mommy lovelies. Two things:
What is the ONE baby item that you can't imagine living without?
What is the ONE baby item you haven't used and think is a complete waste of money?
I'm going to make a list so I can make sure I don't miss out on the goodies!
Love to you all!
Shannon
OOOOH - shit - I meant to mention the pregnancy burn so many times, and I never remembered to. Isn't that a weird side effect?!!
ReplyDeleteSO fun about the movie!
The halo sleep sack is my #1 item, hands down. Register for 2 newborn sized ones (one is always in the wash in the beginning) and one small one. The kiddo can sleep anywhere (crib, co-sleeper, swing, your bed), but those first few months, they need to be swaddled, and Stella was a rockstar of breaking out of my swaddles. This thing was magic!!
Complete waste of money... hm, I"ll have to think about this. I tried really hard not to buy lots of "stuff" in the beginning anyway.
good luck at the scan! i'm crossing my fingers that he/she won't be shy. ;)
ReplyDeletei'd have to say that my #1 thing is the swing. it is a MUST HAVE! mack doesn't use it quite as much as he used to, but he still does get in it on a daily basis. without that thing, i'd never be able to go to the restroom unaccompanied. ha ha!
waste of money...that's a tough one, because we didn't really buy too many of the non-essentials.
See, we never swaddled Maggie so I'd disagree with Josey and say only buy 1 swaddle type blanket (Miracle Blanket or Sleep Sack) until you know your little one likes it. That's just me though. :)
ReplyDeleteWe couldn't have lived without our Rock N Play Sleeper (Maggie slept in it for the first 5 months)
Complete waste of money? Bumbo seat (but I know others will disagree) Oh, I also got WAY too many blankets and diaper cloths (but again, not a swaddle baby and not a spit up baby either) :)
I can't wait to hear about tomorrow...babe u better show the goods!
ReplyDeleteI don't know yet what I must have, but did pole some friends and posted the 'must haves' a few weeks back.
Ooh, I hope the babe cooperates so you can find out what you are having!! How exciting that your husband is going to be in a movie! Our lifesaver was the Halo Sleep Sack also, but we didn't start using it until Chloe was about 4 months old.
ReplyDeleteOh the second best thing, a video monitor. It is a must have!
ReplyDeleteInteresting, everyone has different opinions. I loved our swing and the halo sleep sack. We never did a video monitor because I knew I would be obsessing over it all the time. Now with #2 on the horizon we plan to buy another audio only monitor to keep the baby stalking at a reasonable level.
ReplyDeleteWaste of money?? For us, Bumpo - Mac outgrew it early on. Clothes...you have no idea how fast your baby will grow - in our case, even with very little we always had far too many clothes in each size. Plus, the cute little outfits rarely get worn, its the go to onesies, sleepers, etc that you'll burn through.
Hi! I found your blog through a friend who is struggling with infertility. I haven't struggled with infertility, but I kept reading your blog because 1. I am a redhead and 2. I am pregnant and due about a week before you (15weeks5days now). Anyways, here are my thoughts on items not to buy:
ReplyDelete1. The shopping cart/highchair covers that are so cute. I didn't use mine much because it was always a hassle to carry around.
2. The adorable Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bags that so many people seem to have. I didn't like the velcro. It seemed too loud in the middle of church when I needed to open it up.
3. Vaseline. Apparently you need this for boys who are circumsized, but not so much for girls. It just turned into a fun mess for my 16 month old when unsupervised for two minutes.
4. The electronic nasal aspirator. The best ones are the bulb syringes from the hospital.
5. Only buy one activity center/walker/jumper. You only need one. Better yet borrow one, so you don't have to store it later. I have all 3 in storage at my house. Nice waste of space.
6. Don't buy any blankets. You'll get a ton as gifts.
Check out my blog for the items I love. I recently posted about them. www.theawalkers.blogspot.com
I'll be praying for a healthy pregnancy for you!
Amanda
I think I've been patient enough and now I NEED to know what you're having!! As for the baby goods I really love my boppy for breast feeding and I'll chime in on the swing vote too. It doesn't have to be a giant expensive one either. The small one are nice and portable. We never used the bumbo and I'd take it easy on newborn size clothes. They only wear those for like 2 weeks.
ReplyDelete