20 Weeks

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We have reached the half-way point!  140 days in, 140 days to go!  Well... yesterday.  I'm a day late getting this post up.

I've already made a trip to Target and bought our little guy some adorable clothes.  I'm trying to limit myself to the clearance racks because I know I could easily get carried away.  So while our baby will have to sleep in a laundry basket, at least he'll have clothes to wear!

How Far Along: 20 weeks!

Size of baby: According to the What to Expect app on my phone, 6.5 inches

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Ugggh.... I go to the doctor this week.  Memorial Day Weekend was not good as far as eating was concerned.  I sense a lecture coming on.

Maternity Clothes: The selection of maternity clothes in the town I live in is terrible, so I've just been buying larger shirts for the time being.  Hopefully I'll get out of town soon and can buy some shorts.

Sex: It's a boy!

Movement:  Our little man was quite active this weekend.  The hubs thinks we should name him Walker Texas Ranger, and it seems fitting considering all of the martial arts he seems to be doing.

Sleep: I love my body pillow, but I really miss sleeping on my stomach.  I sleep fine, but find myself waking up more often and not because I need to use the bathroom.

What I miss:  Clothes that fit.  Sleeping on my stomach.

Cravings: None at the moment.

Symptoms: I've had some rough mood swings lately.  I have to take myself to another room when it happens or else who knows what I will say or do!

The BIG Reveal!

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So yesterday we had the BIG ultrasound!  It was the anatomy scan where they measure everything to make sure the baby is developing as it should be.  We also chose to try and find out the sex of the baby while we were there.

Our appointment took place in the radiology department at the hospital rather than at my doctor's office.  I had called ahead of time to see which door to enter.  Of course, in typical hospital fashion, the receptionist tells us that actually, we need to go up to the 2nd floor to the Heart and Lung Center where they do diagnostic ultrasound for our appointment.

We arrived at 2:45 in case we had to do a bunch of paperwork, even though our appointment was at 3:15.  I signed the one necessary paper and we sat in the lounge and listened to a show that talked about strippers and featured a woman in trashy lingerie.

By some miracle, we were called back early (that never happens at the hospital) and the ultrasound technician got right to work.  We told him we wanted to know the sex, so he started looking.  At first the umbilical cord was in the way and I was concerned we weren't going to know for sure.  A few minutes later he tried again and we learned that we were looking at our...

BABY BOY!!!

We will be welcoming our first son into the world later this year.

He was measuring big at our appointment yesterday, but I explained to the hubs that growth occurs in spurts and some weeks he may be ahead and some weeks he may be behind.  So long as he's healthy, that's all that matters.

Our ultrasound technician printed out a lot of pictures for us.  I'm going to be honest, ultrasound pictures look like aliens.  You can see the lens of the eye in some of the pictures.  Plus, it was strange seeing him move around on the screen and not be able to feel it inside of me very often.

So there you have it.  Our big surprise.  Now we just have to sit back and wait for the stork to deliver him!

That is how babies are born, right?  Right?

19 Weeks

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Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 19 weeks
Size of baby: According to the What to Expect app on my phone, 6 inches -- the size of a mango!

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  I have no idea. I haven't weighed myself this week.
Maternity Clothes: I live in scrubs and they still fit!  I do need to invest in some roomier shirts or dresses, though.  My clothes are getting snug.
Sex**: We find out if we're having a son or daughter in TWO DAYS!!!  I can't tell you how excited I am!!!
Movement:  The movement still isn't consistent, but I know I'm feeling the baby occasionally, mostly when I'm going to bed.
Sleep: I'm having some trouble getting comfortable on my sides.  I've always fallen asleep on my stomach, so being stuck on my side is unpleasant.  I haven't been waking up as much to use the bathroom at night, so at least my little fetus is considerate enough to not kick my bladder while I sleep.

What I miss:  Grabbing something from my closet and knowing it will fit.
Cravings: Iced tea.  I've been drinking too much of it, though, because it's been keeping me awake!
Symptoms: I've had some heartburn the last couple of weeks.  Also, my gums are in rough shape.  I had an apple for breakfast today and it was painful to eat!

***I will take a photo tomorrow when I didn't get up at 5AM and sweat my behind off all day.  I had a rough day at work**

Too Ambitious?

Pin It Now! On the surface, my house is relatively clean.  It could really benefit from a DEEP clean, though (whose house couldn't?).  I have a three-day holiday weekend coming up soon and have decided it's time to tackle some of the less pleasant household chores.

I even made a list.  I love lists.  I love making them more than I enjoy doing the things on them.

I may have gotten a little carried away with my list, though.  It's pretty lengthy.  I'm thinking I ought to get started on it yesterday if I want to finish it before I go to sleep on Memorial Day.

Excuse my terrible handwriting.  

Have you ever made a list that was too long or bitten off more than you could chew?  How'd that work out for you?  Ask me in 11 days to show you the list again!

First Purchase

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Since we don't know the sex of the baby yet, we haven't made any purchases for the baby.  No furniture, no clothes, no adorable little shoes.

We were in Missouri for a wedding last Saturday and made a quick pit stop in Columbia on our way home.

Those of you who have been reading for a while may remember that the hubs and I went to the University of Missouri.  Because of this, we bleed black and gold and love all things Mizzou.

We're hoping to extend the Tiger love to our own little Tiger cub.  

Our baby may not have a name or a social security number yet, but he or she has Mizzou gear to wear!

Isn't it adorable?  It's a bib and onesie!  The onesie has the Tiger head emblem on it.

I've told the hubs that our little one is going to wear this every Saturday of his or her life while it fits since we're due during football season. 

Our baby may have to sleep in a laundry basket, but at least he/she will look good cheering on the Tigers!

Mrs. Crankypants

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I'm tired of hearing people ask if I know if my baby is a boy or a girl.  Here's how a typical conversation goes:

Them: Oooh... do you know what you're having yet?
Me: Of course! I'm having a baby. All tests indicate that it is of human origin.
Them: hahahehehoho... I mean is it a boy or a girl?
Me: Why is that funny?

Perhaps it's the hormones.  Perhaps it's the fact that I have less than a week until we find out what the sex is.  Either way, I'm tired of being asked.  I want to know yesterday.  Asking me every five minutes what it is does not make this wait any easier on me.

Patience is a virtue.  

I'm losing mine.

3 Years

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Three years ago today, the hubs (then my fiance), myself, and our pooches set out from our hometown in Missouri and moved to Illinois.

While we do not love the city we live in, we have had some good times here.

We got married (back in Missouri, but were living here)...

We expanded our canine family to include Wally...

Bought a house...

...and learned we're going to be parents!

We hope to one day move away, but for now it's Home.

Hair Confession

Pin It Now! I have a confession to make.

I don't wash my hair every day.

I don't even wash my hair every other day.

Styled a certain way, I can go three days without washing my hair.  I'm convinced that I could wash it every fourth day with the help of dry shampoo.

Here's my hair on Saturday.

Please ignore how gross and pale I look.

I woke up Saturday morning and washed and dried and then flat-ironed my hair.  The only products I applied were a smoothing cream, anti-frizz spray, and hairspray. 

I wore my hair the exact same way on Sunday.  The only thing I did was brush my hair (maybe... I'm notorious for not brushing my hair).

I wore my hair down for part of the day on Monday as well.  I did end up pulling it back, but only because I was outside planting flowers.  My hair still looked and felt clean. 

Anyone else not wash their hair each day?  I once had a girl tell me she washed her hair every fourth day and I thought she was crazy.  It's really not good for your scalp to wash it each day.  Perhaps I'll invest in a cute shower cap.

18 Weeks

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Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 weeks
Size of baby: According to the What to Expect app on my phone, 5.5 inches -- or, the size of a sweet potato
Total Weight Gain/Loss:  I am still down around 7lbs from my weight on February 1st, though I ate terribly this weekend and the scale reflected that.
Maternity Clothes: I really ought to invest in some maternity pants. My pre-pregnancy jeans button, but if I move or sit they're uncomfortable.
Sex**: We have an appointment to find out if it's a boy or a girl on the 25th during our comprehensive fetal ultrasound.
Movement:  I think I have, but I can't be certain. The movement isn't consistent, so I can never be sure if it's the baby or gas. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I'll know for sure.
Sleep: I love sleep!  I'm going to bed between 8:30 and 9:00 each night.  It's wonderful.  I love sleeping in suddenly.

What I miss:  I'd love a glass of wine or a margarita. I'd also love to sleep on my stomach again.
Cravings: Nothing really this week.
Symptoms: I have realized there are a couple of foods I've been avoiding, though I wouldn't call them aversions.  Yogurt stinks to me and popcorn makes my stomach hurt.  

A couple of people asked last week why I didn't include a photo.  Honestly, I just didn't feel like it.  I'd been at work all day and didn't feel like taking a picture of my sweaty self in scrubs.  However, I did take one this week.

Ignore the water all over my shirt, I'd just been washing dishes.  I also don't feel as though I look any bigger than I did at 10 weeks.  People certainly don't guess that I'm pregnant.

So yes, things are still going well.  I have another week and a half before our ultrasound -- I.  CAN'T.  WAIT.  I'm trying to keep busy so that I don't lose my mind before it gets here.

Missing!

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Penelope's favorite toy, known as Mousie, as gone missing!

We picked up Mousie a couple of years ago at IKEA and he was instantly Penelope's favorite toy.  His white fur quickly became discolored from the many games of fetch and dog slobber (yuck).  He's been washed many times, but his fur has never returned to its original color.

Mousie disappeared about a week ago.  We aren't quite sure where he's run off to.  I haven't seen him under any of the furniture.  Penelope is beginning to get sad about his absence.  

So if anyone is heading to or lives near an IKEA, Mousie retails for $1.49.  Penelope would love to get some mail!

17 Weeks

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Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 17 weeks
Size of baby: According to the What to Expect app on my phone, 5 inches -- or, the size of a turnip.

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  At my doctor's appointment last week, I was up 1 lb from my weight at my first appointment.  However, I had already lost 5 lbs by my first appointment, not to mention I go in the afternoon.  This means I've eaten two meals and drank my weight in water.  I'm still down from February 1st.
Maternity Clothes: I wear scrubs at work, so I simply bought bigger pants.  I totally rocked the hair tie on the blue jeans at my last appointment, I'm sure the doctor now wonders if we're cheap or poor.
Sex**: We have an appointment to find out if it's a boy or a girl on the 25th during our comprehensive fetal ultrasound.
Movement:  I'm not sure.  Sometimes I feel a little something that I think is either the baby or gas.  We finally heard the heartbeat at my last appointment.  While Dr. M. was pressing on my uterus, the baby moved to the other side and I didn't feel it at all.  Hopefully I'll feel something soon!
Sleep: I love sleep!  I'm going to bed between 8:30 and 9:00 each night.  It's wonderful.

What I miss:  Fitting into my Mizzou t-shirts!  They're getting pretty snug. 
Cravings: I really wanted brownies the other day.
Symptoms: I don't have any food aversions like a lot of women.  However, I can't stand mucus.  Weird, I know.  I have a resident who has been hacking stuff up the last couple of days and it has literally made me sick to my stomach. 

I can't believe I'm already 17 weeks pregnant!  I'm nearly half-way through.  WOW.  It seems like just yesterday I got my positive home pregnancy test.  Those first few weeks went by so slowly (likely because we weren't telling everyone) and now they're just flying by.  We still haven't bought anything for the baby.  At times it seems as though he or she will be sleeping in a laundry basket or a dresser drawer.  I'm sure that once we find out the sex we will start buying things.

**This previously said Gender, but I've corrected it.  Sex is a biological thing -- do you have a penis (male) or a vagina (female)?  Gender, on the other hand, is a role you associate with based on societal norms and standards.  It bugs me when people ask if we're going to find out the gender.  No, but we will find out the sex of our unborn child, thanks for asking.  All right, I'll step off of my soap box now.**

Mother's Day 2011

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Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms, moms-to-be, and pet-moms out in the world!

My favorite husband surprised me with flowers, chocolate, and a card for Mother's Day!

What a sweetheart!  I think I'll keep him.

What the...?

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Honey, I'm not sure what you were trying to accomplish when you used my broom, but I think you were using it incorrectly.  It's not supposed to look like this!

Who Thought This Up?

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Located on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula is the British territory of Gibraltar.  It is less than 3 square miles and is home to around 30,000 people.

They also have an airport.

Which intersects a major highway.

Yes, you read that right.  The runway for the Gibraltar airport crosses the highway leading into Spain.

Don't believe me?  Here's a picture from Google Earth.

Is that not the craziest thing you have ever seen?

It's a Miracle!

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No, I am not referring to the death of the leader of the Taliban.

My husband, who is a notoriously picky eater (or boring, choose your adjective), is always a little anxious whenever I try new recipes.  In an effort to become a better cook, I've been trying at least one new recipe a week.  Sometimes my efforts are a total bust, but sometimes I manage to strike gold.

This week I struck gold in the form of baked macaroni and cheese!

[Photo source, not the recipe I used]

My husband, as always, was visibly bothered by the prospect of trying something new.  He tried it, though, and liked it!  I was shocked that he openly admitted that he liked it, but thrilled nonetheless. 

This evening he casually commented that he should take the rest for lunch tomorrow so that it "doesn't go to waste" and that I could make it again if I wanted to.  After hearing that, I was pretty sure he liked it a little more than he initially let on.

And I was right.  He finally came out and asked me when I was going to make it again.  He still tried to act as though he didn't absolutely love it, but I knew better.

It makes me so happy to see him try new things, especially when he ends up loving it!

Mom's Macaroni & Cheese

16 Weeks

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Today I am 16 weeks pregnant!  I cannot believe I am so close to the half-way mark already.  It seems like just yesterday I was getting ready for a serious winter storm and decided to take a home pregnancy test early.  

I would say that a lot has changed since then, but it really hasn't.  I have been blessed with an easy pregnancy thus far (and pray that it continues to be so!).  My baby bump even seems to vary depending on the day.  Take this week, for example.  I feel like I look more pregnant in last week's photo than I do in this one.  I know it's there, though.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 16 weeks
Size of baby: According to the What to Expect app on my phone, 4 to 5 inches and weighing in at a whopping 3 to 5 ounces.  At this point all babies grow at different rates, hence the possible variation.
Total Weight Gain/Loss:  Still down 7.2 lbs from February 1st.
Maternity Clothes: Today I'm wearing a pair of maternity capris.  I'm sure as I get larger I will start buying more, but since I wear scrubs most of the time I haven't been in a hurry.
Gender: It's a... baby!!!  I go to the doctor on Thursday, at which point we will schedule the ultrasound to find out the sex!
Movement:  Still no movement.  I lay in bed at night willing the baby to make a big movement so that hopefully I'll feel a little flutter.
Sleep: I've been getting at least 9 hours of sleep each night with at least one trip to the bathroom.
What I miss:  Breathing through my nose!  With both springtime allergies and pregnancy working against me, I can barely breathe.
Cravings: No cravings this week. Does this make me strange? Aren't I supposed to be craving strange things?
Symptoms: Uh... none?  Other than the nasal congestion, which can also be attributed to seasonal allergies, I feel totally fine.