Induction Time

Well, our little guy decided that he's still not ready to come out on his own, so we are headed to the hospital this evening to start the induction process. I am praying that everything goes well and that he is a healthy baby! It is so surreal to me to know that this is the last time I'll be in my house without my baby boy here. Last night was the last night that we will sleep without our baby in his cradle. It's a weird feeling to know exactly (well, not exactly but close) when he will be here. I am sad that we won't have the element of surprise when my labor starts.... no water breaking in the middle of the night, timing contractions, etc... but you know what, at this point I just want a healthy baby and healthy delivery for me! This was apparently all in God's plan! We can't wait to meet our little boy. It is so exciting to think that he will probably be here sometime in the next 24 hours! I am not letting myself get too disappointed about having to be induced, or possibly not getting to do my natural birth, because I know that I will have other children... well, God willing I will have other children. Experiences can be different! Plus, even if for some reason we don't get to have any more children then I will still have my beautiful baby boy! God is so amazing... His love is so plentiful and his blessings numerous!

We will be taking a computer to the hospital so that we can keep everyone updated via facebook and my blog. Ah, the wonders of technology! =) Thank you in advance for all of your prayers for a healthy delivery, healthy baby, and healthy momma!

Still No Baby

My due date has come and gone, and our little boy has apparently decided that he'd rather stay inside of me for forever instead of coming out to meet us all! Hehe... I had a doctors appointment this morning (which I was very nervous about) but it turned out ok. I have progressed from a "1" to a "2" in dilation, and am 50% effaced. Also, baby boy has moved down some, but not a whole lot. I knew that I had not been contracting much last week, and apparently I was right! I was just really glad to hear that I had made progress. My doctor is going to give me a few more days in order to hopefully obtain my desire to not be induced. However, he doesn't want me to go past the end of the month, so I am scheduled to come in on Wednesday evening to start cervidil (I'm pretty sure that's what it was) which is basically a medicine used to help your cervix along. Then, if things don't happen on their own with that medicine I'll be started on pitocin in the morning. Basically, if he doesn't come on his own, the latest we will meet our little boy would be Thursday afternoon! At this point I am most concerned for our little guy's health and my own health, so if I have to throw out my wishes for a natural birth and all that jazz then so be it. I just really would like to avoid having a cesarean if at all possible! So, the sooner we get him out the better, even though my doctor warned me that I will still be at an increased risk of having to have a c-section. We are hoping that our little guy decides to come on his own and we can skip all of this mess and worry,  but we'll see! I had a horrible night last night where I woke up every hour, and then at 5am started having contractions... which of course went away or else I'd be in the hospital right now! I was able to nap when I got home from our appointment which was nice, and now that I am "maternity leave" I'm able to take things easy at home. I really don't do well with these cervix exams! They take a toll on me! I am still very crampy from this morning and just tired in general. It's all for you baby boy... you are well worth the wait! Now, hurry up because your dad and I (plus soooo many other people) can't wait to meet you!

40 Week Survey

Here we are! 40 Weeks and what will hopefully be my LAST pregnancy survey! For this little guy at least! ;-)

The 40 Week Survey

How far along?: 39 weeks and 6 days! One day to go! Haha!

Total weight gain: 41 pounds. I think it's because my mom has been feeding me so much this week! ;-) But hey, that's really not a bad weight gain for my body type!

How big is baby?: Big? Haha! I don't know but if he gained an ounce a day, from my last ultrasound, then he'd weigh 8 pounds and 2 ounces! I'm hoping he comes out somewhere around 7 1/2 pounds!

Maternity clothes?: Today I wore a dress to work, when I normally never do. It was that hot! Like I said last week, I don't exactly have many hot weather maternity clothes!

Stretch marks?: Nope! HOORAY!!!

Sleep: Not horrible, but not great. Last night was the worst. I got up about 4 times to go to the bathroom and had a contraction every time I got up. It was interesting and I was sure hoping that I was going in to labor... turns out I was not!


Best moment this week: Knowing that he could be here at ANY minute! Also, we had a great doctors appointment in Midland because they said baby boy looked healthy and everything was great on the fetal monitor!

Movement: Still moving like crazy... even though I don't see how he has any room!

Food cravings: My mom made me chocolate chip cookie dough and it was AMAAAZING!

Gender: Sweet, sweet, sweet baby boy!

Labor Signs: I've had contractions on and off all week, but nothing that I can count or keep track of. I also of course had my membranes stripped, so "things" happened Monday night which I won't go into details, but it was a sign that labor is on the way! haha...

Belly Button in or out?: The top started to poke out again. Lovely, just lovely.

What I miss: Not having to question every single pain... "Am I having contractions?", "Should I count this?!"

What I am looking forward to: Meeting my son!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy your last bit of freedom before your baby gets here! I have been loving spending time with my hubby in the evenings! However, we are super ready to meet our little one!

Milestones: So, you're 40 weeks pregnant and wondering "where is Baby?" Not to worry. Only five percent of women deliver on their actual due dates. You're not over-due for another two weeks. It's hard to wait, isn't it? As your body prepares for delivery, you may notice more frequent rounds of Braxton Hicks contractions during which your abdomen tightens and relaxes. You'll also experience times of more intense contractions that may or may not become regular. During your office visit, your healthcare provider will tell you if your cervix is thinning and opening as it prepares for childbirth.

Happy to be 40 weeks!

Hellllo belly!

Final Fun(?) Facts:
- Hips: 39"
- Breasts: 39"
- Waist at belly button: 42"
- Current weight: 155!

Update

Not a whole lot to update, except for the fact that we may or may not be having a baby this week! Hehe... I went in this morning for my 39 week check up and was still not dilated. Still stuck at a "1". So, while doing my cervix exam my doctor stripped my mucous membranes. Sorry if that is TMI, but I figured you'd want to know what was happening, and plus, this is my blog for my future recollection of all of these events, so deal! ;-) Stripping your membranes is a natural way to try to induce labor. My doctor is hoping that this will help me progress and will keep us from having to use medical induction methods, something of course I am against if I can avoid it. Basically what stripping your mucous membranes means is: "The reason that this procedure is a natural way to induce labor is because removing the mucus plug as well as disrupting the attachment of the bag of water to the uterus will cause the uterus to contract. Often times, once the mucus plug is removed (which is a thick collection of mucus that seals the cervix from anything trying to enter the uterus), labor starts within 3 days." My doctor told me that 70% of women will have their baby within 3 days of this procedure. Interesting! So, naturally I went home and immediately started getting all of my ducks in a row.... yes the ducks that should have been in a row for weeks now! My desk is now all organized and I am caught up enough to where I could leave, our hospital bag is packed and waiting by the door, and the cradle bedding is all washed and back on the cradle! We are ready for baby!!! I have had a rough day ever since the procedure (that's what I'm calling it by the way)... it brings on cramping and sometimes spotting. I've been very crampy all day and very tired. I even took a small nap! Now we are playing the waiting game! Hopefully baby boy decides to come pretty soon! My "dream date" is tomorrow, so we'll see! Thank you for all of the prayers and well wishes!!!!!

39 Week Survey

A little late... but I've been busy preparing for baby!

The 39 Week Survey

How far along?: 38 weeks and 6 days! Only one more week!

Total weight gain: 39 pounds! Seems like I'll meet my goal of only gaining 40!

How big is baby?: On ultrasound he is 7 pounds 8 ounces... that's a big baby! =)

Maternity clothes?: The puzzle this week was finding shorts. See, all of my maternity clothes are for winter pretty much, so when it hit 90 this week I was a little hot!

Stretch marks?: No.. could I really make it all the way without them?! Please, yes!

Sleep: Rough. I wake up at least twice a night to go to the bathroom, and then my back has been hurting so it's very hard to get comfortable. Then, little boy decides it's the most appropriate time to wake up and dance around riiiighhht when I'm trying to fall asleep! So kind of him!

Best moment this week: Seeing and hearing that our little guy was nice and healthy via ultrasound and fetal monitor... and my mom is now here!!!!!!

Movement: He could probably win awards for 'Baby who moved the most in utero", haha!

Food cravings: Mini chips-a-hoy cookies... yum.

Gender: Sure do hope he comes out as a boy, hehe... he has a lot of boy clothes and what not!

Labor Signs: I was having contractions that I couldn't feel while at the doctor on Tuesday. Only reason I knew was because they showed up on the monitor! Other than that I had one contraction that I felt on Thursday night and then while walking on Saturday I felt two contractions but they went away when we returned to the house and I sat down. My body is definitely getting ready... it's just taking a while!

Belly Button in or out?: No change. Still just kinda flat!

What I miss: Not wondering "was that a contraction or am I just uncomfortable"? And not worrying about my blood pressure.

What I am looking forward to: OUR BABY'S ARRIVAL!!! One more week until my due date!

Weekly Wisdom: When your doc tells you to take it easy, listen to him. Otherwise your mommy will get mad at you! ;-) hehe...

Milestones: One week to go—although doctors already consider you full-term, so you could have your baby anytime. With your uterus stretched tight to hold your full-sized baby, he has little room to move around. With the lack of space, you may notice your baby isn't kicking as much. Your little one isn't the only one who's scrunched—your internal organs have less room too. Breathing will become more labored as your lungs have less space, and your stomach has less room too, so you should expect to eat several smaller meals throughout the day. Many women lose their mucus plug a week or two before delivery (though for others it doesn't happen until right before delivery). If the mucus is pink or streaked with blood, it is known as the bloody show and usually means labor will begin within the next day. (Hasn't happened yet!!!)

Someone's face is growing!

Sorry that it's a little washed out!

The Countdown Begins!

There are only 12 more days until my due date, and really today is almost over so, 11 days! Holy smokes! Yesterday we had a regular OB appointment which was boring as usual. Heartbeat sounded good, fundal height was right on, etc etc... However, today I had an appointment with the specialist in Midland. It was both a good and bad appointment. First off, our "little" boy is currently measuring at 7lbs 8oz on ultrasound! WOW! He'd be perfect size if he came out TODAY. haha! He was measuring right with my due date which was good and everything looked healthy ultrasound wise. The bad of the appointment was that my blood pressure was high, which it is usually higher at this doc than at my normal doc. So, I get to do another 24hr urine analysis and blood work to see if I'm developing pre-eclampsia. After the ultrasound I had to be hooked up to a fetal monitor for about 20 minutes. It was so hard to try to relax during that because I could hear his heartbeat and it's fluctuations. Apparently the fluctuations were when I was having contractions! Who knew?! I didn't feel them so I didn't know what was going on and was worried about our little guy. The doc said that everything looked good with the test though, so right now it's just a sit and wait kinda deal. We'll see what the results of the urine analysis and blood work are. I unfortunately have to go back to this doctor again next Tuesday. I thought this was going to be our last appointment with him. He just wants me to come back to check everything again, but like he said, only if I am still pregnant! Ha! My doctor told me that I won't go past the end of the month. He said that if I am even dilated to a two and don't have him by Monday the 28th that I'll be induced on the 28th. If I'm not dilated at my appointment on the 21st then we will wait and check me again on the 28th and then induce before month end. I am hoping and praying with all of my might that he comes on his own. Like I mentioned in my previous post, we are really hoping for a natural birth if and only if possible. We feel very prepared for this, but you just never know what will happen. The thing with induction is that first off it's more medicine that your body doesn't need. It makes you go into labor when your body is not yet telling you it's time. Then, it makes contractions harder and faster, so you almost definitely need an epidural. So, there would go my hopes of a natural birth! We'll see though..... Come on little boy, decide it's time next week sometime! haha... My mom is now coming on Thursday, as in two days, instead of Friday because she wants to help me out around the house and help me relax. My doctor told me to start taking my blood pressure at work (since I told him that I can't stop working unless I REALLY have to) and if it is elevated then I need to go lay down or go home for the day. I have to admit, work has been so stressful lately and we have been working our tails off. Point and case, we worked this weekend for about 5 hours on Saturday. I know there are a lot of people who work weekends but it was just not what I wanted to be doing! So.... hopefully everything will continue to go well. At least now we know that he definitely not having any problems from the circumvallate placenta. He's definitely growing JUST FINE! ;-)

Please say some prayers for us as we enter this last stretch of the pregnancy. I know that God will take good care of us and our precious miracle of life!

Proof....

Needing proof that I dropped this week? Here ya go! I put the two pictures from exactly a week apart beside each other. It is crazy to see how low my belly is now!

38 Week Survey

The 38 Week Survey

How far along?: 37 weeks and 6 days! Only two weeks to go! HOORAY!

Total weight gain: 37 pounds! Not too shabby for only two weeks to go!

How big is baby?: Probably around 7 pounds or so. We'll know for sure on Tuesday!

Maternity clothes?: Why of course... This week I had trouble because even my stretchy pants are getting tight and uncomfortable! I come home and put PJ's on, haha.

Stretch marks?: No.. could I really make it all the way without them?! Please, yes!

Sleep: These past few nights were a bit better. I made myself get into bed by 10pm or earlier so that I could turn the lights out at 10pm. Then I only got up once around midnight and slept straight until 7. Maybe my body is telling me that I need all of the sleep I can get because something's about to happen!

Best moment this week: Deciding on our birth plan and how we want labor to go, or how we'd like to see labor go. Also, we put the car seat in the Jeep and I've definitely noticed that he's dropped! I eat a ton more, and he's been pushing hard on my pelvis and sciatic nerve.

Movement: He's still quite the mover. Tonight I sat at the kitchen counter and Andrea, Britni and Granny all got to feel him move around like crazy. Britni was a tad freaked out by some of his more pronounced movements, hehe..

Food cravings: No not really! I did eat a TON of oreos in the past few days though!

Gender: The sweetest, most cute, adorable baby boy in the whole wide world!

Labor Signs: I was afraid that something was happening on Wednesday, but as I mentioned it turned out to be nothing. Hoping to start feeling something soon!

Belly Button in or out?: You know, it used to stick out and now I guess since he's dropped down there is more of an indention at my belly button. It's still flat as can be, but just not trying to pop out anymore!

What I miss: Unlimited soda. haha.... I am a Dr Pepper gal, that's for darn sure, and I would LOVE to drink a huge glass whenever I wanted, but I have limited my caffeine intake all pregnancy. I still drink about 12oz of soda a day, sometimes none in a day, so I still definitely get my "fix", but just not as much as I'd like, haha!

What I am looking forward to: Tuesday! Our ultrasound in Midland which will tell us how big baby is, make sure he's still in the right positions, and if for some reason he's stopped growing because of the placenta problem, then we'll be scheduled to deliver. It's driving me crazy to not know yet!

Weekly Wisdom: Create a birth plan with your spouse or your "coach" as they say in our birthing class. Talking about what you'd like to have happen beforehand is going to make things so much easier... or at least that is what I am telling myself! I really hope we are able to stick to our birth plan! I've also been walking every evening, or when we get home before dark that is, and it has definitely made me feel better!

Milestones: You're at a milestone: 38 weeks marks full term pregnancy status! The pain of backaches and leg cramps are swallowed up by excitement about your baby's impending arrival. You may experience false contractions off and on throughout the day. Inside your body, your cervix is readying for delivery. You may notice clear to white vaginal discharge, sometimes streaked with blood, as your cervix thins (or effaces).

In honor of the Big 12 semifinal game!

Definitely dropped, huh?!

Fun(?) Facts:
- Waist at belly button: 42" (an inch in a week? Yeah, he's definitely lower!)
- Current weight:  150.6 pounds

Thoughts on Labor/Delivery

We're only roughly two weeks away from my due date! Commence a WIDE range of emotions! I'm super excited, a little nervous, a little worried, and a lot anxious! Yesterday I was freaking myself out because I was apparently having sciatic nerve pain pretty bad and I was having a weird crampy feeling in my lower abdomen/pelvis area. After about 4 hours of constant hurting my mom made me call Carylon and get reassured that everything was ok. haha. I am just paranoid that I am going to start having contractions and I won't even know it, or acknowledge it. I'm not one to complain very often whenever I'm uncomfortable, so I can just see myself now... "Oh, this isn't so bad, I'll just keep working through it!". HA! The problem is that my mom is a 19 hour drive away. So, I kinda need to have some sort of indication as to when I'm going in to labor so that we can make sure she is here! She is planning on driving in next Friday, so hopefully he decides to stay in until then. I wouldn't mind if he came anytime next week actually... and here is where you'll really want to slap me in the face. See, at work, I am responsible for all of the month end closing. I run all of the reports, do all of the transactions, etc etc... so, it sure would be nice if I could have this baby already and be able to come in and close books at the end of the month. Ok, so that sounds a little ridiculous, I know.. but it's true! I already know that I am not going to have a true maternity leave. If anything I'll stay at home hopefully no more than two weeks, and then I'll either start bringing little boy to the office, or I will go home for feedings while my mom watches him. The problem with taking a true maternity leave is a) you don't get paid for maternity leave and b) we're really busy at work and not many people can do the things that I do. Oye....

Anyway, thoughts on labor...... Darren and I decided that if everything was to go perfectly and smoothly that I would not like to have an epidural. It's not that I don't believe in getting one, because believe me if I start to hurt too bad or if it is too much then I will get one! It's more of a "I don't want to rely on the drugs" and "it would be pretty cool to do it naturally". I've been preparing myself mentally and physically in case I can go through with it. But, like I said.. it's a total "We'll see" kinda deal. Darren is more concerned with me overexerting my body since I'm a pretty small gal and have been known to have blood sugar issues. I'm really not afraid of labor in any means... I guess my only concern would be that something would go wrong either with baby or myself. As for the pain... eh, bring it on! ;-) I managed to last 3 days without going to the doctor when I had a fractured pelvis, haha! I am just hoping and praying for a nice easy labor and fast recovery afterward!

I sure hope little boy decides to make his appearance soon! I am ready! Not that I haven't enjoyed being pregnant, but now that it is so close the anticipation is killing me! I can't wait to meet our little blessing from above! I can't wait to see what he looks like... will he have his Daddy's butterfly eyelashes? Will he miraculously get my hazel eye color? Will he be tall like Uncle Adam? More than anything, will he be a happy and healthy baby? I just can't wait to meet him already! After praying for a child since August of 2009, we are sure ready to meet our little one!

I'll leave you with these pictures... aren't we going to make the cutest babies?!?!?!

Monday Minute

Since my Monday will be rather hectic (Work, Doc Appt, Work, Birthing Class, Sleep), I figured I'd do my Monday Minute a little early! Enjoy! PS... 20 days now! EEK! I'm so excited!




(1) Do you change your oil or pay someone to do it?
My amazing hubby changes our oil by himself! I think I could probably figure it out enough to do it myself if I really wanted, but I don't think my belly would fit under the Jeep, haha!

(2) Are all the award shows over-rated?
They're getting that way. I don't watch award shows, but I will check the next day to see the best/worst dressed and the winners. I did watch the Grammy's this year and I thought they sucked. I tried to watch about an hour of the Oscar's and was super bored. Why did it have to take them 10 minutes to announce each nominee? 

(3) Do you double dip your chips at a party? Just once? Don't care?
No way, Hosea! Gross! I only double dip at home, and usually still only if I am the only one eating it. Even if sharing with family I'd rather not share the germs!

(4) Who do you love most in the whole world? You can only choose one person.
What a tough one. I'm going to have to say my husband, my best friend, my soul mate. I don't know what I would do without him. I know that I would feel the same way about my family, but seriously, when it comes to love, I just can't get enough of him! He is seriously the most amazing person in the whole world, and I love him so much!

(5) If you won the lottery, what outrageous thing would you do? The thing where people would say you had more money than sense?
Outrageous.... I'd probably attach a restaurant to my house. That way I would never have to cook or clean the dishes. Oh, and I'd hire a maid and a nanny, but those two aren't that outrageous. The restaurant thing would be awesome, because even if I did feel like cooking on my own I could just walk in to the kitchen and cook! Because, hello, I'd own the place! Just imagine, never having to wonder what to cook for dinner because it would be there at your fingertips! Ahh... the luxury!

37 Week Survey

The 37 Week Survey

How far along?: 36 weeks and 6 days! Full-Term TOMORROW!

Total weight gain: 36 pounds... only 4 more pounds before I hit what my target max was/is!

How big is baby?: A little over 6 pounds now! What a little chunk! ;-) I'm hoping he's about a 7 1/2 pound baby! Wishful thinking?

Maternity clothes?: Yup. I'm beginning to wonder what I'll wear post-pregnancy now that I'm so used to stretchy waisted pants, hehe...

Stretch marks?: Nope! ...Commence Celebrating!!!

Sleep: Horrible. I wake up on average 3 times every night. Between having to pee, leg cramps, not being able to get comfortable, and then my spoiled animals, sleep is very difficult! Last night was THE worst. I made poor Darren turn the A/C on... I could not get comfortable no matter what I tried, and I was out of breath from moving around so much! Sad, huh? Plus, I had to pee three times. Not fun.

Best moment this week: The calendar turning over to March!! That means that little boy will be here THIS month (hopefully!!!!)! Plus we celebrated Darren's 27th Birthday last night! Both of my brothers reminded him that this was his last one without a kid, haha! ;-) We're almost all the way ready for little boy too which is a great feeling!

Movement: I think I have bruised ribs and a bruised belly button. No lie. haha... Ok, maybe a slight exaggeration. Last night though I really did think my left ribs were bruised. They were pretty tender. I thought the movements slowed down when they were bigger! Guess not! That's ok because I very much appreciate his movements!

Food cravings: I think I was pretty good this week. The only thing might have been that I wanted a hot chocolate from Starbucks after our Childbirth class, and NATURALLY, since Midland sucks, they couldn't make any drinks because their R/O water wasn't working or some bologna like that.

Gender: I just bought him a little baseball outfit that says "Future All Star"! Maybe he'll take after Uncle Ross!

Labor Signs: Still none. No contractions that I know of!

Belly Button in or out?: No change. Just sticking out slightly!

What I miss: Not getting dirty on my belly area! Apparently my belly gets in the way, and I forget or something! I'll lean against a counter, or while I'm washing dishes lean against the sink, and bam... dirty belly. hehe. Darren thinks it's funny!

What I am looking forward to: FULL TERM TOMORROW!!!! I also can't wait until our appointment at Dr. Blanco's to see how big little boy is, and my mommy will be here in two weeks!

Weekly Wisdom: I know it may sound crazy, but plan for the unexpected. I keep thinking, "Wow, tomorrow I will be full term, and little boy could come at any time!". Therefor we will be putting in the car seat, packing our hospital bag and diaper bag, and making all of those other plans that are required when you're having a baby!

Milestones: At 37 weeks, your baby's body is developed enough to survive outside the womb. His lungs, now filled with amniotic fluid, are ready to take his first breaths of air. His eyelids flutter open and shut preparing for their first view of you! This baby is just about done growing inside you. That means it could be anytime now!

Excuse the work look!

Lucky to still be relatively small!

Fun(?) Facts:
- Waist at belly button: 41"
- Current weight:  149.6 pounds

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

I've not been too "share-y" on my blog, but I really did want to keep this as a pregnancy journal.... so, get ready! ;-) If there is any TMI then I apologize, but after all, it is my blog! hehe..

While in our childbirth class the other night, they asked us to split up into men and women and share our good thoughts about pregnancy and our bad thoughts. It was quite funny to hear some of the things that the boys came up with! My sweet, amazing husband shared a wonderful good and bad that I'll definitely share with you! Here are what Darren and I decided were OUR "goods", "bads", and I threw in the "uglys" just for fun!

The "Goods" of Pregnancy
- Feeling your baby move.... there is nothing quite like it! Yes, I may have been creeped out at times by the small alien in my belly, hehe, but it lets me know that he is in there and doing ok! I'll never forget the first time I felt him kick! 
- The even closer bond that you form with your partner. I never thought my husband and I could grow to love each other more, but we do manage to fall in love more and more every day!
- Getting the pregnancy glow. I have been told that I was "glowing", which I always thought was kind of funny, but really... I think you take on a whole new aura when you're pregnant! Blame it on the hormones, or the sheer fact that you are so happy and ready to welcome life into this world!
- Knowing that you are creating life. God is so wonderful and He works in such marvelous ways. The miracle of life is just indescribable and I feel blessed to have been given this opportunity!
- Eating whatever you want because "the baby wanted it". Ok, this is probably sometimes a bad thing also, but it's fun! "I just haaaddd to have that bowl of ice cream!"
- Hearing your baby's heartbeat or seeing your baby on ultrasound!
- Talking names, nursery decor, etc. with your spouse and family
- Worry free love-makin'.. hehe.. I mean, you're already pregnant! ;-)  

The "Bads" of Pregnancy

- Symptoms. I'm just going to group these together! Heartburn, leg cramps, sore/swollen breasts, nausea, tiredness, having to pee all of the time... I could go on and on.
- Worrying. This was Darren's addition to our class. He told the group that it had taken us a long time to get pregnant, and that after we received our positive test that all we could do was worry. Worry about miscarriage, worry about the baby's health in general, etc. etc... Also grouped in to worrying in my book is finances. I can't help but every day be stressed about how we're going to afford this. We've definitely not been blessed in the money department, but before baby we were able to get by nicely. Now however, I'm scared!
- More exams than you could dream of! Getting your annual is bad enough, but be prepared for some one-on-one time with your doc and your nether regions when you're preggers! 
- Whether you want to admit it or not, later on in pregnancy there is no way to maintain your, eh, frequency of relations... hehe... with your spouse. You're either too tired or you feel like crap. I'm not saying it's out the window, but definitely less frequent, haha. 
- Having to drink ridiculous amounts of water. I honestly don't come close to drinking what they suggested I drink.... it's so hard! I'm sorry but I cannot drink 80 ounces of water per day! I'd float away!
- Unsolicited pregnancy advice. This could be an "ugly" too, haha. I would prefer that the advice from strangers be kept on a "I asked, now you give" basis... but unfortunately that's not usually the case! Also in this category.. strangers rubbing your belly! I can handle my family and friends touching the belly, but those that I'm not close to, or who I barely know? No thank you! Hands off!

The "Uglys" of Pregnancy

- Your belly button will take on a whole new life form. What you once thought was an innie is now probably an outie... or in my case in limbo between the two. Also, my belly button ring holes have stretched and are looking pretty dang ugly. Makes me regret that college decision!
- Discharge. I won't go into details. Read about it in the pregnancy books.
- Nipple change. Again, no details, just read about it. Happens to everyone!
- I'm putting this into the ugly category because to me it is worse than bad... added expenses. Between medical bills, needing to buy new clothes (maternity), buying things for the baby, trying to eat healthier thus buying better food (fresh fruit is apparently WAY more expensive than canned, haha!)..... it just all adds up, and fast. Whether you like it or not. And it FREAKS me out. Big time. Can you tell this is an issue with me?
- Pregnancy Gingivitis. I got a clean bill of health from my dentist not too long ago, but that doesn't stop my gums from bleeding. It makes brushing no fun!

I'm sure if I sat here long enough then I could come up with more. I've actually been writing this blog post for a few days here and there, but I believe I covered enough ground! You get the gist! ;-) I must say, I have had THE easiest pregnancy. Probably ever. I know, you can curse at me under your breath if you want to! No swelling, no contractions, no complications besides that minor placenta deal which apparently turned out to be nothing.... just smooth sailing! =) Hope my labor goes the same way!!!!

Monday, er, Tuesday Minute

It's a GLORIOUS Tuesday morning! Ok, that may be an exaggeration, but I am SUPER excited that it is MARCH!!!!!! That means it is our baby's birth month, and not to mention March Madness! I love college basketball! =) Cristina was busy celebrating with her hubby yesterday, and was sick, bummer!, so we are doing the Monday Minute a bit later than normal!

(1) Have you ever played Angry Birds?

Surprisingly, no! Darren has it on his iphone and is pretty addicted to it. But I have yet to play it on mine or his!

(2) What kind of computer do you own?
We have multiple... haha! We have an HP desktop that is used upstairs, I have an HP laptop that belongs to work, and Darren has an HP laptop that belongs to work! =)

(3) What kind of toothpaste do you use?
I can only use Sensodyne. I have sensitive teeth! =( But, I like it and it helps rebuild my enamel, so I guess that's a good thing!

(4) Are you a heavy sleeper or a light sleeper?
Light. The lightest. Ever. Point and case. This morning I woke up because I could hear our resident cardinal, who we named Fred, banging against the window upstairs. My bedroom door downstairs was closed... and the fan was on. =)

(5) How often do you do laundry?
Usually every Saturday or Sunday. Sometimes though I miss a week and then I have to do about a gillion loads on the following weekend. Haha! I think this will soon change when baby gets here and I have to do multiple loads all of the time!