Tuesday, November 29, 2011

18 weeks and growing!

Ok ok so I know I said that I couldn't wait to get the baby bump... well I have it. I feel huge. I know that I'm not, but I feel that way. I don't feel fat, I just feel awkward. 


For anyone who has never been pregnant, I am here to tell you the truth! Being pregnant does not feel cute. Yes, I feel happy and I love feeling the baby move, but I'm also really uncomfortable. I'm experiencing pretty severe pelvic pain. It hurts to walk after sitting or standing still for too long. I have to sleep with a huge body pillow between my legs just to get some rest. I hurt all the way from my back, down to my hips, to my thighs... I hurt in places I didn't know could hurt! Yeah, and I'm not even halfway there. FUN!


As a follow up to my "she's a ... boy" post yesterday - I have to say that I'm adjusting much more quickly than I imagined. It really is true what they say about a mother's love... you will love your child no matter what. We are working on picking out a new name quickly so we can give the 'new' baby his own identity. It's been fun. So far Jason's top picks are Romeo, Elvis and Jesus. hahaha
I've received lots of offers from my mom friends to pass along their old baby boy clothes, and I think that's great. I'm still a bit sad about getting rid of the girl clothes, because we all know that girls clothes are just SOOOOO cute.... But I look forward to dressing my little man in his cool guy clothes.


I wrote a Yelp review about my experience at Goldenview (where they told me that the baby was a girl.) I have to say that I'm very happy with their quick response. Yes, my yelp review was a bit harsh, but I wrote the truth. They offered me a full refund of the Gender Check package and a free visit for the 3D/4D package.


Ok enough about mama... how is baby?
Well he's growing...a lot! Hence all my new discomforts and awkwardness. Head to bum he's about 5 1/2 inches (the size of a bell pepper.) In just 2 more weeks he'll be the length of a banana - double in length! Oh boy!
He's moving and kicking around, which we saw on the ultrasound. I feel it sometimes, but not too strong just yet. He's healthy and everything is tracking where it should be.
I'm reading that this week is about poop! The baby is starting to collect meconium. (ick!)


I think that baby's life is going to get a bit boring from here on out. His main role is to just keep growing, and chub up! I'm pretty sure that I've had my last ultrasound for this pregnancy so I won't see him again until I schedule my 3D/4D ultrasound. 
I'm sure that there will be lots of changes to ME however so stay tuned as we follow this crazy journey together :-)

Monday, November 28, 2011

She's a .... BOY!!??

NEVER doubt a mother's instinct... 
I had my 18 week ultrasound today and wouldn't you know, my fears were right. My little baby girl is actually a baby BOY!
(pause for shock)
Yes, you heard it. Einhorn is Finkle!


So, we go in today and during the ultrasound I decided not to mention our early elective gender check. The u/s tech is going through all of the motions... measuring baby's head, abdomen, 10 fingers, 10 toes, strong beating heart... and a scrotum...!!?? Cue the tears.
Of course, that's not the typical reaction to finding out the gender of your baby and so the tech started to question why I was crying. Jason explained and she felt badly for me. She had actually worked at Goldenview for a few months and quit.


First let me say this: the baby is completely normal and healthy and every way. And for that I am so very thankful. I love this little being inside of me with such a protective and fierce love that it doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl.
BUT - I felt such a sense of shock, and loss, that it took me a while to come to grips with this news. I connected with what I thought would be a daughter... I bought clothes, I received pink gifts... Who would believe this would really happen!?
I'm surprisingly feeling ok about it now. Not 100% ok, but a lot better than I expected. So, I lost some $$ on some clothes. I can return most of it hopefully, and I can donate the rest to a family who needs it. So I have to pick out a new nursery theme... No big deal. The furniture and glider I picked out is neutral, the room hasn't been painted. And so life goes on...


I'm disappointed that Goldenview advertises that they can check gender so early and I think it's a terrible business practice. I'm disappointed that the u/s tech had sent us out of there saying that it was "100% a girl" when she should have known that it may not have been. The doctor said that the scrotum sometimes doesn't descend until around 18 weeks, and the boy parts can be hiding. Today, our little boy was having a baby boner and so it was clearly visible. Yes, a baby boner. Jason suprisingly stifled his beavis and butthead laugh when she said that the baby has erections.


So now my mentality shifts a bit. No more cute dresses and hair bows. No cute cupcake outfits, pink polka dots or frilly hearts... Now I have to adjust with another man in the house. We have to teach him how to be respectful of women, smart, strong and focused. I will love him just as much, but just a little differently.
And MAYBE my idea of only having one has changed a little bit... maybe... ;-)


Here are his little feet:

 And a profile pic:

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Black Friday + Crazy Pregnant Lady = Success

Ah, black friday. Separating the crazy from the sane. Because seriously, who does this!? Well, I did, but I went to ONE store and I was there at 5am and I saved over $800 in one trip. 


Taking advantage of the first black friday that I was not hung over, I set my alarm clock for 4:15am. I made myself a coffee and headed out on this chilly morning. The roads were dark and empty. When I got to Babies R Us, there were a few women in line. This was their LAST stop. I'm telling you, these people are crazy. Except for the women with their newborns. They were probably thinking, FINALLY! A store that's open when I am. Because they had probably just finished their 4am feeding. 


I was on a mission. I was there to make a very specific purchase and get the hell out of there. Fast. The black friday deal was on a complete set of nursery furniture (crib, changing table and dresser.) Buy all three and you save $750, which is about 50% off the total cost of the set. That's HUGE. I was also there to purchase a glider. A few months earlier I spent time sitting in every glider in that store and found one that was just right for me. Well, the black friday gods saw fit to put that very same glider on sale for 50% off. Oh yeah.


Here is the gorgeous furniture set:



I was in and out of the store and I have to say that my experience was a good one. I will definitely go back next year because the sales on diapers and wipes were insane. However, I doubt I will be up that early again...unless there is another door buster that I just can't resist! Until then, don't count me in the crazy category just yet...





Wednesday, November 23, 2011

17 weeks and more thankful than ever....

The thought of Thanksgiving, and giving thanks, has a whole new meaning to me this year. I have so much to be thankful for.


I am thankful for the little girl that is strong and healthy in my belly. I am thankful that the second trimester seems to be going by 10 times more quickly than the first did. I am thankful that I have an amazing husband who keeps me laughing and who supports me when I need it most.
I am healthy and happy and very very thankful.


My little bundle is now about 5 inches long and weighs as much as a turnip. Who knows how much a turnip weighs... I sure don't. I've never bought one.
She has her own unique fingerprints in place, her skeleton is hardening and the umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger.
I have been feeling her move, but it's not strong and not frequent. It kind of feels like I swallowed a goldfish. I'm looking forward to feeling her kicks stronger and more often. But I know... careful what you wish for...


We get to see her again next Monday for the "big" ultrasound, and probably our last. (sad face.) This is called the anatomy ultrasound and I'm told that they check out the baby from head to toe, literally. they will measure her head and measure her abdomen to make sure that she is growing the way she should. They will check to make sure her structures are growing correclty and that she doesn't have things like a cleft palate.
This is also supposed to be when the gender check occurs. I have been stricken with slight panic that they will suddenly tell me I'm having a boy. I've become so attached to my little girl. I know in my heart I would be ok with having a boy, and that I could return all of the clothes that I bought, but I'm hoping that is not the case. So, keep your fingers crossed and hopefully I will be posting more pictures of my 18 week old baby GIRL.


Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Baby Disco

I decided to take a recording of baby's heartbeat heartbeat so you all can hear what this sounds like on the doppler. It's kind of cool for me to have the recording too so I can listen to it again without having to go through the trouble of taking out the doppler (which isn't much trouble but the ultrasound gel makes it a teeny bit messy.)

Jay thinks it sounds like house music. It definitely makes me want to dance.

PS: You can see that it says Baby V's heartbeat. If you don't yet know her name, don't ask, we will announce soon :-)

The Preggie Smoothie

So another one of my new obsessions is what I'm calling the preggie smoothie. When it comes to pregnancy cravings, this one isn't weird, and luckily it's healthy, but it's SEVERE. I MUST have this smoothie every morning or I feel that the day is ruined. I know, dramatic, but I'm pregnant. Don't ask.


So finally my Magic Bullet blender, which I had given up on completely, is my savior. Despite the moments I've spent cursing at this thing, I now cannot live without it. I make my smoothie in 5 minutes, and the cleanup is even quicker.


Ingredients I must have in the house so nobody dies:
Bag of frozen fruit (berries)
Orange juice
Vanilla rice milk
Vanilla greek yogurt


I've also been adding flaxseed to the smoothie. I tried adding peanut butter. The result was ok, but a little weird.
Since I don't like actually eating first thing in the morning, but baby is HUNGRY, this smoothie holds me over for a while. Also, with the cold weather here, the heat in the house has been severely drying out my mouth and nose and so the ice cold smoothie is so soothing first thing in the morning.


Here it is:



Friday, November 18, 2011

Out with the old, In with the new...

Habits and obsessions that is.


Let's face it, I have a lot of time on my hands these days. Although I would have loved to think I was going to be that super cool pregnant chick that could hang out and go on partying with my friends (with Odoul's of course)... the fact is that I am just not capable of staying awake.


Sleeping is my "new thing." I thought this was supposed to be isolated to the first trimester. HA. I slept 11 hours last night. No exaggeration whatsoever. I slept through one of my favorite programs...that starts at EIGHT. Yup. I fell asleep on the couch at roughly 730pm. 
I can't really complain about this, since the most common piece of advice I receive is "sleep now before the baby comes." Don't worry folks - I've got it covered.


Next on the list - Shopping. The minute that the ultrasound tech announced I was having a little girl, I swear my credit card smiled. Everyone knows that girls clothes are irresistible. And being the super awesome bargain shopper that I am, I really can't resist. I found $4 outfits at the Children's Place last week at the mall! With sites like zulilly and totsy I'm impressed that I'm actually showing the restraint that I am...
I justify my new shopping habit with the fact that I'm no longer spending $100/week on alcohol and cigarettes. 
Many of my friends say "Don't! Wait for the shower!" I say "You're crazy!" First, if they think that this bored momma isn't going to shop, they must be drunk. Second, I cannot wait until I'm 8 months pregnant to start peanut's wardrobe. Next, I need a LOT of things off my registry. I know that I will get lots of cute clothes (and I can't wait!) but trust me, I have that part covered! I need diapers, and a stroller, and all the other equipment that this little human is suddenly going to require. So while I appreciate that I will be showered in gifts (including clothes) I am going to continue adding that onesie that "I MUST HAVE" to my virtual shopping cart!


Sleeping and shopping are definitely at the top of my list of habits and obsessions. But there is a host of other super crazy pregnancy things that I obsess over.


The nursery - I've spent hours pouring over nursery themes to find the one that is just right for our family. It's kept me up at night. Literally. There was one night that I obsessed over lighting and the possibility of installing track lighting with a dimmer. I don't want to wake up baby with a too bright lamp! Can it be done? Who can do it? Will it be expensive? Should I do it before or after I paint!?


My belly - The belly is a badge of honor. It serves the purpose to tell the world, hey! I'm pregnant. (That's why I just ordered an O'doul's!)
One day I'm so happy! Look at my belly, it's big, it's round, I look pregnant! The next day I think, hey, where is my belly! I don't look 'pregnant enough.' Or I think, what is that lumpy thing!? That's not what it's supposed to look like! 
I hear from friends "Oh wow you're huge for 16 weeks." And the next person will say "Oh, I can barely see you showing." I'm self conscious about this whole thing enough as it is. The only thing anyone should say to a pregnant lady is "You look great." End of story.


My belly AFTER baby - Bathing suit season almost immediately follows my delivery. So, yeah, that should be fun. If you see me swimming in all of my clothes - just tell me I look great.


Breastfeeding - Nothing is more controversial (besides safe sleep techniques maybe) than breastfeeding. Those who breastfeed will INSIST that you HAVE to do it. They will tell you how many months you should breastfeed. "6 months minimum!" "I pumped for 18 months!"
I plan on trying it. I'd like to do it in the beginning so that I can pass along all that healthy good stuff that comes with breast milk. And selfishly, they say it helps you lose weight faster. But you know what!? It sounds HORRIBLE. It sounds painful and it sounds time consuming. Mixing formula looks SO easy. I was bottle fed and I'm smart and healthy... I refuse to feel guilty about the way I choose to feed my baby. So again, please just smile and tell me I look great :-)


Exhibit A: Delivered today! Surprisingly this one was actually for ME and not baby :-)



Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Week 16... Acceptance

So, here we are, a little past week 16 and you know what... I don't have much to report! Except that I went from hating being pregnant to acceptance. I'm not going to get too crazy and tell you that "I love being pregnant" but I'm kind of ok with it (for now.) And as such, life is kind of boring right now. All of the major testing is out of the way, we know she's a girl, I'm feeling good... Really the only thing I am doing is watching my body morph!


I have been starting to feel the baby move. Nothing strong, and it's not too often, but I feel like I have a goldfish in my belly :-) I have been using the doppler from time to time and her heartbeat is so strong. It's the most beautiful sound in the world.


Each day we fall more and more in love with her and we can't wait to meet her. This is the most exciting and profound thing to happen to our lives. If you ignore my craziness in the first trimester, I have to say this is the most amazing experience. I love my husband more than ever and I am SO excited to see what's next. (I'm scared too, don't get me wrong.)


So let's talk about the little jelly bean, who is actually the size of an avocado, but avocados aren't very cute... She is entering a period of a big growth spurt. Growth spurt for baby means growth spurt for mama, which makes me very thankful for the elastic in maternity jeans! She's about 4 1/2 inches long and everything is moving into place. Her eyes have moved to the front of her head, ears are almost in the right position too, and her neck is straightening out.  Her hair pattern is determined, but she's not growing any hair yet.


We go back to the doctor in a few weeks for an 18 week checkup and another peek at the cutie pie so stay tuned for more pictures!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Bump Disappointment

So, I think I finally 'popped' today. I've got a big ol belly (well it feels like it to me.) I was looking forward to posting pictures but you know what, I am really disappointed with my bump! I don't have the cute bellies that you see on other people - I have this lumpy thing... it's awful! I don't have sexy pregnancy curves - I have folds, and bumps and lumps and rolls... 
Surprisingly I'm not that self conscious about it, or about being naked, because whatever, I'm pregnant, I have no control over this thing. But I do hope that it starts to expand in even directions... Where is the round belly that I see on other cute preggies? 
Then I started to question... is this really a pregnancy belly? Or did I really overdo it on the brownies!? Am I just getting fat or is this baby? 

All of this started to make me question my self image post-pregnancy. Will I 'bounce back' to my 'normal' shape? I've seen some of my friends look just the way they did before baby... and some did not. I know I will never look the same, completely, but I refuse to 'let myself go.' And so my motivation to start exercising begins again. And by exercising I mean walking. At least 3 times a week to start. For at least 30 mins - briskly. I need to start this routine now. Not only is it good for me, it's good for baby.

In other belly news, I think I've been feeling little miss peanut down there squirming around. It's not that strong, but when I sit quietly at work, I feel something. And it's not gas. I know it's her and her lonely disco party :-)
A friend gave me advice today to blast up the music, dance around, and shine a flashlight at my belly. It will get her moving and will be fun for both of us. I think I will do that real soon :-) Thanks Collie!


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Sugar and Spice...

And everything nice... That's what little GIRLS are made of!!


We went for an elective ultrasound today to check the baby's gender and we found out that we're having a little girl!
It was a really cool experience. It was like an ultrasound movie theater. There was a giant screen and our parents and siblings were even able to watch it live from home! Truly amazing.


We also got a few peeks using the 3D/4D technology but she's teeny weeny (about 4 inches) which is just right for 15 weeks, but not great for these types of pictures. She has no fat yet. That's ok, I'll be back around 32 weeks :-)


Here are a few of the pictures! See the dots between her legs? That means a girl!




Monday, November 7, 2011

15 weeks and Halloween detoxing

I'm getting my "15 week" blog out a day early, because tomorrow will be dedicated to the "Boy or Girl" blog post!! It won't come out until late in the evening or early Wednesday because our appointment isn't until 730pm. And, I'm trying not to get my hopes TOO high (yeah right) because I know there is the possibility that the nugget might have her legs crossed or be turned the wrong way. FINGERS CROSSED!!!


So 15 weeks have come and gone. I can hardly believe it. I'm starting to actually feel pregnant, which is a good thing in that it feels more real, but a bad thing in that I have this bump that is already getting in the way! Boy am I in for a rude awakening when it actually starts to grow into the real thing! I feel it now when I'm getting dressed and a shirt is too small or too short, or I lean over and this "gut" is in the way. And then I realize, no it wasn't too many peanut butter cups, it's a baby in there.


Which brings me to the subject of those peanut butter cups. Week 15 has me more aware of my body, how I'm treating it, and what I put into it. I purchased some food stuffs to make morning smoothies and although today was the first day, I'm in love! Strawberries, bananas, greek yogurt, soymilk, OJ = YUM. I was eating a healthy breakfast anyway, but what a great way to get all that good stuff in my body in one quick drink...
I'm going to try hard to cut back on the sweets and the bad stuff, and to work in more healthy options. Wish me luck...


As for the baby, she is already 4 inches from head to tush, or about the size of an apple without arms or legs. But that part was obvious wasn't it...?
Not really any MAJOR developments this week... baby has gone through lots of big changes and now is just focused on growing! She's forming taste buds this week, but won't be able to taste anything just yet.


I should be able to feel her kick in a few weeks, which I'm really excited about. Sometimes I think I've felt her, but I know it's too early. This weekend I felt a movement, like a worm in there, but maybe it was just gas. Too soon to tell :-)

Friday, November 4, 2011

I'm not mature enough for this!

Pregnancy requires you to be very in tune with your body. You suddenly experience a range of physical changes that you start openly talking about with your doctor, and even other people. Some of these tend to be really funny and the immature side of me just can't handle it sometimes.

The most recent, and most hilarious example happened at yoga class this week. Ten or so of us girls, sitting around in a circle, relaxing with our eyes closed following the teacher's instructions. I'm now familiar with warrior poses, downward facing dog, etc... But wait a second - kegel exercises in yoga classes!? Yup.
As we were told to tighten our pelvic floor at the top of our breath, and then feel our peri-anal area soften as we release that breath, the 10 year old inside of me could barely stifle a laugh. 

Which brings me to another thought... do you guys know that your husbands are supposed to massage that peri-anal area during labor to help with the stretching of your vagina!!?? I'm sorry ladies, but REALLY!? My husband is a fantastic man and does a lot of the "dirty work" around the house but I think this is asking a bit much!! I just don't think I'm prepared for this "miracle" of birth if it involves massaging my butthole!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Fourteen Weeks!

So, what's going on with a fourteen week pregnant lady? Unfortunately for this blog, not much! I feel good, I'm sleeping well, I'm sure as hell eating well (and by well I mean a lot) and I'm in good spirits. 
I had a PERFECT weekend which consisted of LOTS of rest, lots of food, and lots of friends. I went to two parties and actually had a good time, alcohol free. I sound like a booze bag, but old habits die hard. Admittedly I did drink an O'Douls non-alcoholic beer haha. (When it's your only option, it's not that bad!)


At this point, I'm just waiting for a few significant milestones to occur. First, I'm waiting for that signature preggie belly to pop, second, I should start feeling the baby move in a few weeks, and third, I will find out the sex of the baby next week! 
You know what they say about 'a watch pot never boils'? Well, if that's true with my belly, I'm never going to grow! I got a bit discouraged after seeing a girl, 19 weeks pregnant, in my yoga class who didn't look a day pregnant. Maybe I'm a nut for wanting the belly so badly, and maybe she's happy that she can still wear her jeans, but I feel like it's a badge of honor. 


Ok, enough about me. What's my little fruit nugget up to this week? Well, she's a little dancing machine and a LOT more active. Hopefully she gets those moves from daddy, otherwise she's an extremely awkward dancing machine haha. She's also squinting, frowning, grimacing, and even sucking her thumb (awwwww!!!)
Her hair pattern is also determined this week, but we'll have to wait and see whether she is born with hair. My sister and I were both born with lots and lots of hair, and my sister's kids were as well, so I'm hoping for the same. 
She's about 3 1/2 inches long, or the size of a lemon.


Stay tuned for the BIG news next week.... boy or a girl....!?!?