Saturday, March 28, 2009

A little recap

Tomorrow I start my 16th week of prego-ness! So I thought it would be a little fun to recap what it has been like so far, and dear friends keep asking what it's all like, but we mainly play phone tag and haven't had a chance to catch up! Keep in mind I have pretty sarcastic humor so just remember it's my HUMOR, and I'm honestly ecstatic to be on this little journey of creating life. :)

So far it's been a smooth pregnancy. Thank you God. I was super nauseous the first tri, mainly in the evenings (which is fabulous because I teach in the mornings), but I haven't lost my stomach once yet. Again, thank you God. In the first tri, I couldn't sleep very well at ALL. Now days, I need a good nap and 8 hours of sleep that I seriously snooze straight through without waking up. So nice while I can (so I hear)!!

(Since I'm a definite list person, here's a bit of a breakdown for what it's been like so far.)

Cravings? Nothing out of the ordinary. That first tri, I couldn't stand eating chicken. This was a BIG deal because I have ALWAYS loved chicken. Also, smells would turn me off to certain foods in a heartbeat. Some days, Mikey would come home to the trash can on the porch because I couldn't stand whatever smell was in there. Also, on those nauseous evenings, Cheerios it was for din-din. Mikey is super sweet and cooks and does dishes all the time. Since being prego, seeing the sight of curdled food in a soaking pan disgusts me to no end. The first tri I did crave a lot of fast food, which we really don't eat too often: Sonic coneys, chocolate shakes, french fries, and chicken nuggets were my top num-nums. My midwife gave me the one-a-day treat talk last appointment. So I've really tried to tighten back up on the healthy foods, only water, and a limited sweet treat a day. This too is extremely difficult because I have a HUGE sweet tooth.

Bodily Changes? Lovin the ever-growing boobs for the first time in my life! No complaints there :) The first tri was definitely torture trying to go two-sies. Now days, life in that department is a lot smoother! I'm definitely in the in-between phase of wearing my old clothes (pants that are way too snug for comfort) and being in prego clothes (still way too big). A few weeks ago, we went to Farmington to Target and bought a Bell-a-band. Thank God for whoever invented this little elastic stretchiness of comfort. I can wear my own pants unzipped/unbuttoned, and you really can't tell at all. I do have to say my face takes its turn reverting back to puberty in serious break-outs that take a bit to recover from. That's something I'm not used to again.

Other Changes? Yes! I find my self so stinkin clumsy and forgetful lately. The other morning I dumped 1/4 of the box of Cheerios before they ever got to my breakfast bowl! Then I had to take my cereal to school with me to eat before class (because I'm NOT a morning person and run late often). My bowl, milk included, then dumped all over me while driving. Later that afternoon, I remembered to go grab my cereal bowl out of the car. While picking up the dried Cheerios off the floor from earlier that morning, I somehow managed to dump the last of the milk all in my gear shift of my car. Mikey just laughed. Thank God my prego book says this is totally normal for this time in your life. I also can't remember what I'm supposed to get done, who I'm supposed to call, and have missed several appointments I was supposed to be! If you know me at all, I'm the odd duck in society that enjoys being organized. So this is quite the experience of NOT being that at all. I make lists to help, but then I forget to look at them or can't find them :)

Mood Swings? I honestly haven't been a crazy pregnant woman... yet (haha). I do have a good cry over anything for about 5 minutes every other week, and then I'm fine for the day. I feel my biggest mood swing is being tired and having no energy. I know in my head this is normal, but I FEEL like I'm no fun when I'm so blah physically. Mikey's a great hubby. When he sees the tears start to come on occasion, he just takes me in his arms and holds me, and then life is ok again. He's swell. I think other than being tired, being clumsy and forgetful drive me the most crazy. I do try to take a good walk mostly everyday, which helps with energy and being tired; however, I don't like feeling like I'm incapable of pouring and eating my cereal or carrying my books bags! This is a little unnerving when I think about taking care of a newborn infant. I'm counting on that mothering, non clumsy, instinct to kick in!

So that's a recap of what it's been like so far. Keep in mind I'm super ecstatic to be at this place. I'm excited to feel the baby move so that this all feels more real than just a symptom in my body. We are going to find out what we are having at 20 weeks. The end of April cannot come soon enough! Please continue to pray for a healthy pregnancy and baby in all of this!

Monday, March 23, 2009

How our baby's growing!

Our growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. There's not much for the baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Velcro for a good cause

Last night was the official St. Baldricks shaving of heads in raising funds to go toward kids with cancer. It was definitely entertaining to watch as people (male and female, old and young) had their hair (pony tails included) cut and shaved all off!

The event took place at the Train Museum here in town. The hairstylists made it so fun and lively as well as the crowd that applauded, hooted, and hollered (Okie terms?) cheering all the participators on! Nice job to all the DFRA people and their fams for all their support and lack of hair for a great cause!

Here's my hubby BEFORE...



... and AFTER


Mikey's head now feels like velcro!

Thursday, March 5, 2009

I'm Shaving My Head

You heard it right - I'm shaving my head in solidarity with children who have cancer and typically lose their hair during treatment, while raising critical funds for childhood cancer research!

In the US, more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease. Please make a donation on my behalf to support childhood cancer research so that all children diagnosed with cancer will have a better chance for a cure.

To make a donation, click on the link below or cash/check can be given directly to me
http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/shavee_info.php?ParticipantKey=2009-334211#

Thank you for your Support !!
Michael