4th of July!
It's a Girl!!
Sonogram at 21 wks and 6 days
Jimmy and I couldn't be happier. She looks healthy and perfect. Jimmy wanted a boy and was disappointed for a few minutes but that wore off quickly. He can't wait to take her fishing and camping anyways. The Grandmothers are so excited now, it has finally become real to them. When we first said we were pregnant we got the same response from both of them - "Oh, that's nice". Like we just told them we won $5 in the lottery. But now they are both ecstatic! The other grandchilden for both sides are all at least 14 years older so this is really special for them. My sisters are all very excited too and can't wait to have another little girl running around.
Babymoon
Jimmy and I woke up Saturday with an itch to do something this weekend so we decided to go to the Hoover Dam. We have both driven over it at some point in our lives and we've watched a few shows about it on the discovery channel but we've never actually "been" to the Hoover Dam.
Before we left the house we needed to get a hotel room for the night up in Vegas so we played "Priceline" roulette. Where you tell them where you want to stay and for how much, you give them your credit card and then they pick a hotel and book it without you knowing where you'll stay ahead of time. It's kind of fun to do if you don't care where you want to stay and you want to live a little dangerously.
We stopped for lunch at the Barstow (original) Del Taco and had their famous tacos. Then proceeded up to Vegas where we'd stay the night at a Courtyard just south of the strip. Very nice and clean hotel and we were actually happy not to stay on the strip directly.
Once in Vegas we visited a few of the casinos so Jimmy and I could do a little gambling. Jimmy for once came out ahead on blackjack while I was quickly out of money on the craps table. A complete role reversal for us normally. Then off to dinner at Terrible's because Jimmy wanted the 9.99 steak dinner - which of course sucked but I could have told him that. Why else would it have been 9.99? But my dinner, a prime rib sandwich, was great (and cheaper then his steak).
The next day we woke up early to catch the first tour of the day on the dam. We were given cute souvenir "hard" hats (modeled above by our lovely spokes model Jimmy!). It was a two hour tour and I was a little concerned because I can get worn out easily. But there was a lot of stopping and elevators during the tour so I didn't have a problem. We were thankful that we got there so early because when we left the line of cars just trying to get to the dam was over an hour long! It was a good thing we decided to do it now because I don't recommend doing the tour with kids until they are at least 8 years old. (There is a 30min tour that is much better for smaller kids)
Before we left Vegas Jimmy did some more gambling while I walked around Freemont Street where Jimmy lost his winning streak and in a bit of guilt ended up buying me a four leaf clover necklace that I've wanted the last couple of trips there. Leaving Freemont we passed by the chapel where we got married 3 years ago. I didn't think that was going to be my only wedding so I never took pictures that day and I wanted at least one to remember it by so when our kids ask where I can show them a picture. Then we hit up Serendipity where we both got their famous frozen hot chocolate before heading out of town. Yum!!
Mon Bel Ami Wedding Chapel
The BIG 3-0!
Future Soccer star?
18 weeks
Since I'm home all day I'm adapting to stay-at-home-mommy mode. The house has never been cleaner! This is the first time in about 10 years that I haven't had a job to go to. Back then it was by choice but now it's because "what's the point?" When I was laid off Jimmy and discussed it and we agreed that it would be too difficult to find a job quickly but addionally we would both feel bad that in approximately 7 months that I would have to take leave or quit. So it was the best choice for us that I just stay at home until the baby is here. I was greatful at the time because I was in the full throws of morning sickness and needing afternoon naps that I knew no work would fit in with my body's new schedule. I still am greatful but I'm starting to feel board. I guess it's cabin fever? I don't have too many friends up here and the few I do work during the day so I'm stuck either commuting down the hill or finding new ways of entertaining myself - Which lately had been to read from cover-to-cover every baby pamplet and brochure I've ever received. Robin loaned me some non-baby-related books which she's been trying to get me to read for a year now and both were read before the week was up.
My big concerns lately are: Money, finally going to see the doctor, and getting started excercising. (I've been lazy and hadn't really started an excercise program yet so my goal this coming week is to start now that I found a pregnancy workout schedule online. I think it will give me the motivation that I need.) Funny enough is the excercising isn't because I feel I've gained too much weight. On the contrary, I feel like I should be bigger. On Babycenter.com a lot of moms have been posting their week-to-week photos and I feel I'm on the low end of belly bump sizes. I guess I'm going to have to wait till I see the doctor to know for sure.
My big acheivements are: I bought a maternity swimsuit. I figure if I'm going to be pregnant all summer then I want to be cute and comfortable. Making weekly meal plans on the $1 dry erase menu board I got at Target and shopping for just that week of meals, additionally cooking dinner at home every night. They might not be the healthiest meals but they're home cooked!
16 weeks
I bought my first maternity clothes last week. A couple of tops and a pair of capris and shorts from Kohl's. They are all super cute and comfy. I don't plan on buying a lot of clothes but I don't know of too many people that still have their maternity wear and the stuff on Craig's list looks yucky. I do notice that I think it's time to upgrade the bras soon. I've already out grown one and the other is uncomfortable. Especially to sleep in. I don't normally wear bras to bed but they feel better lately if they've been wrangled in for the night. The next thing to buy is a bathing suit. It's time to upgrade to a one piece or a tankini. I'm not ashamed of my belly but I heard it's bad to sun the belly because the skin doesn't bounce back as well later.
Well the real reason for the post besides a quick update on my overall well being is.... I felt my first kicks! Yesterday I was vacuuming and my back started hurting so I sat on the couch to rest and suddenly I felt a "flick" on my lower belly, toward my left side. Then about 5 or 10 seconds later I felt it again! Same spot. I laid down on the couch to see if he/she would keep it up but that's all I've felt so far. Either way it's exciting.
FYI: It will probably be a few more weeks before we can find out the sex. I've heard the doctors usually do it at 20 weeks.
12 Weeks
READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
This whole pregnancy thing has really thrown me. None of my friends ever told me any of the crazy things I am feeling. Well, I probably wouldn't have believed them anyways. I'm trying to be more verbal with whats going on to Jimmy too. Like last night I was trying to describe to him why my eating is such an event the last three weeks. He gets that some food are more appealing than others like carbs, cheese, fruit etc. and that sometimes I can tell by the smell if it's a "safe" food or not. But we had a talk last night about what I call the "flipping the switch". Last night Jimmy made carnitas and he wanted to know how I wanted them served. I said a carnitas quesadilla sounded good. He made me a beautiful quesadilla and even tried to whip up a homemade taco sauce for it (which didn't turn out well but I appreciate the effort). I got down to the last three bites of the quesadilla when the switch flipped and had to put it down. I had this overwhelming feeling that if I swallowed even one more bite that the food was going to come up. Unfortunately, this had become routine with my eating. I think it was last week that we were at McDonalds when while I was eating my ten piece nuggets that #6 gave me the same feeling. Jimmy saw my face and offered me the paper bag. I just had to get that nugget out of my mouth because if I swallowed it I would risk it and everything else to come back. About three weeks ago I made the mistake of not listening to this feeling. I made myself a bowl of chili which I thought would be good with the beans and meat, lots of protein. I didn't listen to myself and ate more than I should have. Jimmy and I then went to the grocery store shortly afterwards and we weren't in the store for 15 mins when I had a bad feeling. I was trying to overcome and fight the nausea. But Jimmy saw differently and grabbed a produce bag (we were in the produce section) led me to a corner of the store behind a bread rack and a trash can and told me when there was no one around. I'll stop right there and spare you the gory details, but I think Jimmy got me a second bag at one point. He even pulled some papertowels from a display nearby ripped open the package so I could clean myself up. He's been really suppotive of everything and a real sweetheart.
