16 weeks
6.28.2010
We Rock
Minor predicament.
I am having a real hard time deciding what kind of rocker to buy for the nursery. I have looked at probably hundreds online and we have gone to test drive about 30 of them. Gotta love how awesome date nights are when your pregnant. Anyway, while all of them are comfortable ... well mostly, none of them are shouting pick me. The above pics aren't the actual ones we like per say... but are more or less the 3 styles we are considering.
Your motherly (or fatherly) input please ...
6.16.2010
Good Morning, Dad
I have been horrible at keeping a pregnancy journal, let alone a normal journal but I did want to capture this morning.
On a typical morning, Niels rolls out of bed 15 minutes before I do and showers, while I take advantage of those precious 15 minutes and sprawl out on our queen-size bed and assume my pre-marital, non-vertical conforming sleeping position. Don't get me wrong, I love being married and waking up next to my dreamboat every day, but my fantasy of a king-size upgrade cannot come soon enough.
Anyhow, like I was saying ... Niels typically comes in and wakes me up after his shower. He lies by by belly, offers a kiss to his daughter and then places his hands and cheek on my skin hoping to feel the movement that I have been telling him about and feeling myself for a few weeks. He waits for a minute and after no response, I reassure him that she's still pretty tiny and he'll feel her soon enough.
This morning he came in and followed usual morning protocol, only to get thumped back when he applied pressure with his cheek to my belly. He looked at me with such a priceless expression and held still as she bumped him back a couple more times. Good morning dad. I love you but can you please get off me? You're invading my space.
On a typical morning, Niels rolls out of bed 15 minutes before I do and showers, while I take advantage of those precious 15 minutes and sprawl out on our queen-size bed and assume my pre-marital, non-vertical conforming sleeping position. Don't get me wrong, I love being married and waking up next to my dreamboat every day, but my fantasy of a king-size upgrade cannot come soon enough.
Anyhow, like I was saying ... Niels typically comes in and wakes me up after his shower. He lies by by belly, offers a kiss to his daughter and then places his hands and cheek on my skin hoping to feel the movement that I have been telling him about and feeling myself for a few weeks. He waits for a minute and after no response, I reassure him that she's still pretty tiny and he'll feel her soon enough.
This morning he came in and followed usual morning protocol, only to get thumped back when he applied pressure with his cheek to my belly. He looked at me with such a priceless expression and held still as she bumped him back a couple more times. Good morning dad. I love you but can you please get off me? You're invading my space.
6.08.2010
Will Work for Food
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I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such wonderful managers at every job I've had. I even enjoyed being a grunt-worker intern.
I should mention that I didn't start out on the best of terms with my current boss when I came on board. We had a rocky first few weeks trying to develop that working dynamic. But ironically enough, ever since I told him I was expecting (which btw, is on my top 10 list of hardest things I’ve ever done thus far in life) he has been overly kind to me. He came in my office after a lunch appointment one day last month and asked me what I had for lunch. When I told him I hadn’t eaten yet and that I was probably just going home to grab something since I live so close, he looked at me funny, put money on my desk and told me to go get myself something nice.
My face turned pink, and I’m not talking about pregnancy glow, because I was slightly caught off-guard. I told him it really wasn’t necessary but he insisted. And since I have certainly learned when and when not to challenge him - I just smiled awkwardly and thanked him profusely a few times.
Being a woman, my brain is instinctively wired to over analyze the motives of many given situations. I was so impressed/touched by his kind gesture - you’d have to meet the man to understand. But then again I couldn’t help but to remember that his offer came only after I mentioned that I was going home to eat. Perhaps he felt bad and pitied me. Or, maybe he thought I only have fill in the blank (weird, gross, unhealthy, etc.) food at home. Ok, I know neither were the case, but I still find it entertaining to think of worse-case scenarios sometimes.
Since then, he has graciously decided to sponsor my lunch intermittently every week now. In fact, he was leaving for vacation last week and came in before he left and said, "I won’t be here for the rest of the week so that’s for Wednesday," he put down some cash on my desk … "for Thursday," added another bill to the pile … "And for Friday. I want to make sure you are eating, and eating good stuff." It is all so incredibly generous.
I really do struggle accepting his money, but I know he genuinely enjoys doing it and obviously deems my healthy baby as a worthy cause. I have been trying to pay his generosity forward when I can by doing things like tipping for take-out food (which I usually never do), or by bringing back unexpected treats for my colleagues (depending on what I’m craving that day) like Sonic Cherry Limeades, chips and salsa or one of those trendy/fancy cupcakes.
Maybe when I get huge with child in a few more weeks, he will begin retracting his offers.
My face turned pink, and I’m not talking about pregnancy glow, because I was slightly caught off-guard. I told him it really wasn’t necessary but he insisted. And since I have certainly learned when and when not to challenge him - I just smiled awkwardly and thanked him profusely a few times.
Being a woman, my brain is instinctively wired to over analyze the motives of many given situations. I was so impressed/touched by his kind gesture - you’d have to meet the man to understand. But then again I couldn’t help but to remember that his offer came only after I mentioned that I was going home to eat. Perhaps he felt bad and pitied me. Or, maybe he thought I only have fill in the blank (weird, gross, unhealthy, etc.) food at home. Ok, I know neither were the case, but I still find it entertaining to think of worse-case scenarios sometimes.
Since then, he has graciously decided to sponsor my lunch intermittently every week now. In fact, he was leaving for vacation last week and came in before he left and said, "I won’t be here for the rest of the week so that’s for Wednesday," he put down some cash on my desk … "for Thursday," added another bill to the pile … "And for Friday. I want to make sure you are eating, and eating good stuff." It is all so incredibly generous.
I really do struggle accepting his money, but I know he genuinely enjoys doing it and obviously deems my healthy baby as a worthy cause. I have been trying to pay his generosity forward when I can by doing things like tipping for take-out food (which I usually never do), or by bringing back unexpected treats for my colleagues (depending on what I’m craving that day) like Sonic Cherry Limeades, chips and salsa or one of those trendy/fancy cupcakes.
Maybe when I get huge with child in a few more weeks, he will begin retracting his offers.
6.04.2010
6.01.2010
DVR-U kidding me?
So we decided to join the rest of the planet and get DVR. I have been sitting on the fence about buying it for last two years. I hear they say once you have it, you can never live without it. Kind of how I feel about texting, Diet Coke and The Holy Ghost.
We are only 2 days into ownership it and I can already tell it's going to be fabulous. I love the fact that I will be able to fast forward Mary Murphy's comments on SYTYCD and that I don't have to watch another political commercial for Nevada elections. It is beautiful.
I got it for Niels for Father's Day, but let's be honest ...
We are only 2 days into ownership it and I can already tell it's going to be fabulous. I love the fact that I will be able to fast forward Mary Murphy's comments on SYTYCD and that I don't have to watch another political commercial for Nevada elections. It is beautiful.
I got it for Niels for Father's Day, but let's be honest ...
5.24.2010
Ultrasound
I usually silence my cell phone at work but luckily I forgot to last Friday. I was in a one-on-one meeting with the bossman when I heard my phone go off not once - but three separate times within 5 minutes. Now I'm not usually that popular while I'm on the clock so I briefly excused myself to check and see who was trying to catch me.
It was my doctor's office calling to tell me that my doc had a last-minute surgery come up during my scheduled appointment in a few hours. Of course I got heated instantly because I assumed they were going to tell me I had to wait an entire week to come back in since Niels can only ditch school on Friday afternoons. Instead they said that if I could come in right then that I would be seen, or else I would have to wait the week like I assumed. So without even processing the fact I had to ask bossman permission, and without even checking if Niels could get out clinic two hours earlier than expected, I automatically told the nurse I would be there stat.
I was already down the elevator and in my car before I got Niels' voicemail 3 times. Sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. So I may or may not have called the school operator and told them I had a medical emergency and that Niels needed to call me. Ok, so I did do that. Is that horrible? I just did not want him to miss our first child's ultrasound because I was being selfish and couldn't stand waiting any longer. Yet, I kept on driving like a Utah mom with road rage without knowing if he was going to make it and I felt pretty sick about the whole thing. We finally connected and luckily he didn't have a patient so he was able to just drop everything and meet me.
It was a good thing we rushed there and everything. Only waited a brief 45 minutes in the lobby.
So there we sat waiting, and I was doing everything short of the potty-dance to hold my liquids in for the ultrasound. I finally asked the nurse if I could use the facilities and she looked at me funny. Is she really asking me permission? When I explained that I was holding my liquids for my ultrasound she looked at me even more confused, looked down at my chart, and said that she only had me down a standard office visit today.
I locked stares with the nurse with my onset misty eyes and explained that I hadn't been in for over 7 weeks and just wanted to know that everything was ok with our child and that the doctor said we would be looking at the development today.
Long story short - I misunderstood my doctor at my last appointment - or so he says - and no ultrasound was scheduled for another 3 weeks.
But alas, I discovered that tears and a pathetic sappy frown go a long way when your pregnant. I think my brother-in-law says it best: "Never say no to a pregnant lady." When we finally went back to a room, our doctor came in and eventually gave into my hormonal antics. He said it would be too premature to look at all the organs and all the other good stuff that day but that we could do the gender ultrasound if we wanted to. Um, yes please.
Needless to say we spent the next 20 minutes with a friendly ultrasound tech who showed us a lot more than just the gender. Our little girl appears to be growing nicely and her innards look good so far. It was crazy to see her moving around on the ultrasound screen becasue I couldn't feel it at all! I'm sure that will change in a month or two. Anyway, the body is fascinating and I am amazed everyday by what this little one doing.
We've got a little poser. Propped up on her side with her hand on her head. And that tiny bum!
It was my doctor's office calling to tell me that my doc had a last-minute surgery come up during my scheduled appointment in a few hours. Of course I got heated instantly because I assumed they were going to tell me I had to wait an entire week to come back in since Niels can only ditch school on Friday afternoons. Instead they said that if I could come in right then that I would be seen, or else I would have to wait the week like I assumed. So without even processing the fact I had to ask bossman permission, and without even checking if Niels could get out clinic two hours earlier than expected, I automatically told the nurse I would be there stat.
I was already down the elevator and in my car before I got Niels' voicemail 3 times. Sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures. So I may or may not have called the school operator and told them I had a medical emergency and that Niels needed to call me. Ok, so I did do that. Is that horrible? I just did not want him to miss our first child's ultrasound because I was being selfish and couldn't stand waiting any longer. Yet, I kept on driving like a Utah mom with road rage without knowing if he was going to make it and I felt pretty sick about the whole thing. We finally connected and luckily he didn't have a patient so he was able to just drop everything and meet me.
It was a good thing we rushed there and everything. Only waited a brief 45 minutes in the lobby.
So there we sat waiting, and I was doing everything short of the potty-dance to hold my liquids in for the ultrasound. I finally asked the nurse if I could use the facilities and she looked at me funny. Is she really asking me permission? When I explained that I was holding my liquids for my ultrasound she looked at me even more confused, looked down at my chart, and said that she only had me down a standard office visit today.
I locked stares with the nurse with my onset misty eyes and explained that I hadn't been in for over 7 weeks and just wanted to know that everything was ok with our child and that the doctor said we would be looking at the development today.
Long story short - I misunderstood my doctor at my last appointment - or so he says - and no ultrasound was scheduled for another 3 weeks.
But alas, I discovered that tears and a pathetic sappy frown go a long way when your pregnant. I think my brother-in-law says it best: "Never say no to a pregnant lady." When we finally went back to a room, our doctor came in and eventually gave into my hormonal antics. He said it would be too premature to look at all the organs and all the other good stuff that day but that we could do the gender ultrasound if we wanted to. Um, yes please.
Needless to say we spent the next 20 minutes with a friendly ultrasound tech who showed us a lot more than just the gender. Our little girl appears to be growing nicely and her innards look good so far. It was crazy to see her moving around on the ultrasound screen becasue I couldn't feel it at all! I'm sure that will change in a month or two. Anyway, the body is fascinating and I am amazed everyday by what this little one doing.
We've got a little poser. Propped up on her side with her hand on her head. And that tiny bum!
5.20.2010
Old Wives' Tales
I enjoy surprises and spontaneous events. But my other half, well more like my other three-fourths, is slightly anal and an organized planner by nauture. Thus the reason I am not one of those women that wants the gender of their baby to be a surprise.
The suspense is killing me.
We have an ultrasound tomorrow and I have had a few pep talks with the little peanut. Well to be politically correct, baby J is the size of an avacado this week, but that sounds weird. Nonetheless, I told the little avacado that there will be none of this leg-crossing shy business. We want to see spread eagle frog formation on camera tomorrow.
In the meantime I thought it would be entertaining to test a few wives' tales for kicks and giggles.
Chinese Prediciton Chart:
My best friend swears by this ancient method as it has worked on all 3 of her babies. But then again she is a little wacky. Basically you find the mother's age and then the month of conception.
Now I am a tricky grasshopper becasue my b-day is in February, and that's the month when the magic happened (TMI?) so I don't know if I was 25 or 26 which is the difference between a boy or girl.
Result: Non-conclusive.
Golden Pendent Test:
The test: Hang a gold pendant over the palm of the mother’s hand. If the pendant moves in a circular motion, it will be a girl. If it swings back and forth, a boy is on the way.
Well riddle me this old wives, what the heck does it mean if it swung in a circular motion over my left palm and a back and forth motion over my right?
Result: Non-conclusive.
Cravings:
The test: Craving sweets like chocolate? Then a sweet little girl is headed your way. However, if sour and salty things like citrus and pickles are your thing, then a boy is on the way.
I haven't had a ton of cravings but I certainly prefer saltier foods, which is soooo not usually like me. I am a usually a candy junkie and it pretty much sounds disgusting most days. The only things I have needed as a result of sudden impulse are: Taco Bell, Orange Chicken and Sonic Cherry Limeades. Super healthy.
Result: Boy
Acne:
The Test: Take a a good look in the mirror. Zitty teen complexion, girl. Soft and smooth without a blemish, boy.
Result: Boy
Baby Heart Rate:
Now this one seemed to me to be the most scientific, but it has been proven to be just a myth. But we will play along anyway. The Test: over 140 bpm its a speedy little girl, under 140 and its a low key little boy. At ten weeks Baby J was 160 bpm.
Result: Girl
Soooo basically we have no idea and the old wives are full of it. However, my maternal insticnts are telling me boy, but the father says girl. Stay tuned.
The suspense is killing me.
We have an ultrasound tomorrow and I have had a few pep talks with the little peanut. Well to be politically correct, baby J is the size of an avacado this week, but that sounds weird. Nonetheless, I told the little avacado that there will be none of this leg-crossing shy business. We want to see spread eagle frog formation on camera tomorrow.
In the meantime I thought it would be entertaining to test a few wives' tales for kicks and giggles.
Chinese Prediciton Chart:
My best friend swears by this ancient method as it has worked on all 3 of her babies. But then again she is a little wacky. Basically you find the mother's age and then the month of conception.
Now I am a tricky grasshopper becasue my b-day is in February, and that's the month when the magic happened (TMI?) so I don't know if I was 25 or 26 which is the difference between a boy or girl.
Result: Non-conclusive.
Golden Pendent Test:
The test: Hang a gold pendant over the palm of the mother’s hand. If the pendant moves in a circular motion, it will be a girl. If it swings back and forth, a boy is on the way.
Well riddle me this old wives, what the heck does it mean if it swung in a circular motion over my left palm and a back and forth motion over my right?
Result: Non-conclusive.
Cravings:
The test: Craving sweets like chocolate? Then a sweet little girl is headed your way. However, if sour and salty things like citrus and pickles are your thing, then a boy is on the way.
I haven't had a ton of cravings but I certainly prefer saltier foods, which is soooo not usually like me. I am a usually a candy junkie and it pretty much sounds disgusting most days. The only things I have needed as a result of sudden impulse are: Taco Bell, Orange Chicken and Sonic Cherry Limeades. Super healthy.
Result: Boy
Acne:
The Test: Take a a good look in the mirror. Zitty teen complexion, girl. Soft and smooth without a blemish, boy.
Result: Boy
Baby Heart Rate:
Now this one seemed to me to be the most scientific, but it has been proven to be just a myth. But we will play along anyway. The Test: over 140 bpm its a speedy little girl, under 140 and its a low key little boy. At ten weeks Baby J was 160 bpm.
Result: Girl
Soooo basically we have no idea and the old wives are full of it. However, my maternal insticnts are telling me boy, but the father says girl. Stay tuned.
5.04.2010
Shake it up
For all you pregnant/non pregnant people , this is a really good protein shake that I discovered while blog stalking a few weeks ago. You do it too, don't judge.
It is quite delicious and filling. When everything else sounds horrible this still hits the spot. Anyway, thought i'd share the wealth. I usually eat it with a piece of dry toast.
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 cup of nonfat milk
1 cup frozen fruit (i like the frozen mixed berry mix from Costco)
half a banana
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 cup uncooked oats (this makes the texture kind of gritty so if you're not into that sort of thing, nix this)
1 cup frozen fruit (i like the frozen mixed berry mix from Costco)
half a banana
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 cup uncooked oats (this makes the texture kind of gritty so if you're not into that sort of thing, nix this)
4.28.2010
Skidattle to Seattle
I have been pondering the many lifestyle changes a child will bring. Many friends have offered varying candid advice about this very thing, and while everyone seems to have their own little "thing" that rocked their world when kids arived on the scene, every single person mentions how easy traveling was pre-kiddos.
For this reason, we have decided to "babymoon" in Seattle in July. We wanted to go somewhere besides our usual SoCal getaway and somewhere that was relatively close since we only have 4 days to jam this thing in.
I have only been to the rainy city for a quick day trip, but I have heard mostly great things all around. I am soliciting you all for any suggestions on cool things to do/places to see & eat. Let's be honest, I'm mostly concerned about the latter since I will be pleasantly plump with child by this time.
Jessica, please do not suggest driving to Forks to see where Bella and Edward met.
4.23.2010
Mu husband has a mistress. Her name is music.
He could spend all day with her if it were up to him, but luckily he knows who # 1 is.
He is so extremely open-minded about so many different styles and genres of music, in fact he started guest blogging on this music blog. However, he will not recognize a single country artist or song as quality music. He literally despises it all. With a passion actually.
I rounded up one of my best cowgirls to go to the Ketih Urban concert with me last week since Niels can't help himself but mock this picture everytime it comes up from shuffle on my iPod. Granted the man has a better frosted weave than I do ...
Niels also hates the fact that I have kind of, sorta have a secret crush on Tim McGraw. This just made it all the more amusing when I found out recently that they share the same birthday - May 1st. Coincidence? I think not.
He could spend all day with her if it were up to him, but luckily he knows who # 1 is.
He is so extremely open-minded about so many different styles and genres of music, in fact he started guest blogging on this music blog. However, he will not recognize a single country artist or song as quality music. He literally despises it all. With a passion actually.
I rounded up one of my best cowgirls to go to the Ketih Urban concert with me last week since Niels can't help himself but mock this picture everytime it comes up from shuffle on my iPod. Granted the man has a better frosted weave than I do ...
Niels also hates the fact that I have kind of, sorta have a secret crush on Tim McGraw. This just made it all the more amusing when I found out recently that they share the same birthday - May 1st. Coincidence? I think not.
4.14.2010
Sappy
I'm not usually a mushy/sappy person, but with the recent surge of hormones racing through my body I can't really help that I got choked up today ...
- Watching the Today show and saw footage of a 11 year-old girl embracing her family after being lost in an alligator ridden swamp for 4 days.
- Driving to work when I looked back over my shoulder to my typically empty back seat. I suddeny pictured a little car seat back there and got all misty-eyed. I'm riduculous.
- Thinking about my best friend's daughter turning 13 yesterday. Where did time go? I am old!
- Looking at Noelle's birth/hospital pictures of her new son.
- Looking at Jessica's new blog header with her family and her itty bitty Conner on her shoulder. So precious. I miss them so much.
- Realizing my phone has been textless and quiet all week because Shea is still in Brazil.
- And on a superficial note: I got choked up when my button popped on my favorite work pants. I guess it's time to do that silly rubber band trick.
4.09.2010
3
This year...
1. We are celebrating our 3rd anniversary
2. Niels starts his 3rd year of school.
3. We are adding a 3rd member to our family.
They say good things happen in three's.
I'm a believer.
4.02.2010
Dogs, snails and puppy dog tails
You have all heard about my fabulous nieces and the girly sleep overs.
After eleven years of dress-up, hair bows and lip gloss ... it looks like I am going to have to add some trucks, legos and tools to the toy box. Look who decided to rock our world.
Introducing the first nephew/grandson im my family:
Baby Aidan
Looking forward to trying to figure out this whole boy thing.
After eleven years of dress-up, hair bows and lip gloss ... it looks like I am going to have to add some trucks, legos and tools to the toy box. Look who decided to rock our world.
Introducing the first nephew/grandson im my family:
Baby Aidan
Looking forward to trying to figure out this whole boy thing.
3.22.2010
Swanky
Bob hair, feathers, lace, flapper dress, pearls, hats, vests, smokes, speakeasies & mobs.
I'm sure you have been asked at some point in your life the question of where you would go if you could time travel. I think it would be awesome to revisit the 20s; sans the whole depression part.
We went to a roaring 20s themed murder mystery party this month with Niels' dental crew gang. We were slightly skeptical since we have never been to one of these shindigs before. We thought it could either be very corny or pretty awesome depending on the spectrum of participation from all the "characters".
I'm thinking that I could pull off a platinum bob ....
"Kitty Cocktail" and "Cy Ramsey"
Needless to say there were no lame among us and it was swanky good time.
I'm sure you have been asked at some point in your life the question of where you would go if you could time travel. I think it would be awesome to revisit the 20s; sans the whole depression part.
We went to a roaring 20s themed murder mystery party this month with Niels' dental crew gang. We were slightly skeptical since we have never been to one of these shindigs before. We thought it could either be very corny or pretty awesome depending on the spectrum of participation from all the "characters".
I'm thinking that I could pull off a platinum bob ....
"Kitty Cocktail" and "Cy Ramsey"
Needless to say there were no lame among us and it was swanky good time.
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