33-Weeks

I was just cleaning out a closet and came across all of my unused needles, meds & syringes from IVF. WOW! I almost cried...almost, but not quite! I mean, just thinking about all that we went through to be here, 33-weeks along, only 7 left. I can't believe that this time last year we were stressed and trying to cope with the possibility of never experiencing this whole pregnancy thing. I know that I complain a lot about being uncomfortable and blah, blah, blah, but we are enjoying this brief moment more than any other experience. The anticipation of what is next. The excitement of decorating and getting clothes and cute little items that I don't even know the purpose of :P My favorite so far is laying in bed or sitting on the couch with Robert and having him place his hand on my tummy, feeling baby Austin rolling around and stretching to the max. It truly is amazing! Medical technology is amazing! I have never been happier than I am right now, just knowing that there is so much more to life and we will soon be blessed with him :)

While I'm feeling so chipper, let me just say how much I love Robert. He is an amazing man and I am so blessed to have such an incredible best friend that I can absolutely depend on for everything. And did I mention that he pretty much adores me, well he pretty much adores me :D Lucky, I think so!

Enough of that mushy, gushy stuff... let's chat about something more exciting, more...shallow!

....On a lighter note, or heavier, depending on what angle you are looking at...I'm pretty much HUGE now! That's right, huge! Apparently I have great elasticity in the gut thus far b/c no stretch marks...YET! Only time will reveal my stomach's fate. When I look down I don't see huge, but when I get a glimpse in the mirror I can't help but be amazed at the size of the beast. Wait, I'm gonna go measure this thing.....***measuring***.....HOLY GUACAMOLE!!!! 38-inches!!!! Yup, I wouldn't lie. That is the first time I measured since I first found out that I had a parasite growing inside me and then I measured....***looking for journal...that I didn't ever update*** RRRGGGG!!!! I only put my weight, which was quite a bit less than I'm currently tipping the scales at. Here, let's compare pictures, shall we?!?!?

Remind me, why did I cut my hair again???
Now that I compare the two, I haven't changed a bit!

Soooo, I thought I posted my to-do list like a month ago, but I did not :( I typed it all up, but I never posted it. Anyways, I am going to post that draft soon. AND to my surprise I have actually checked off a few things, AWESOME!

32-Weeks!

Baby Austin @ 32-weeks

I am sooo excited to meet this little fella! Seeing this ultrasound made me realize how close I am. Only 8 more weeks to go! He is head down with his feet in my ribs :) Doc says that babies usually take after the mother as far as birth weight, which is ridiculous b/c I was 9lb/11oz!!!! Just sayin', that is a big baby! He is currently 5 lbs., but we won't say what mommy is weighing in at :P I have made it a point to not step on the scale at home, doctor appointments only.

This morning I spent 15 minutes just trying to find a pair a pants that fit comfortably and didn't cut off all circulation when sitting down. I am down to two pairs of jeans. I have some khaki capris too, but only one pair of shorts. Let's be honest, I am oddly proportioned, even for being pregnant. I still have a flat booty, so when pants or shorts fit at the tummy, they look like a balloon around my junk. Sad.

So Tuesday Robert made it official, he actually referred to our baby as "Austin" :) It was pretty cute. Now we call him "Baby Austin". Also, we chose a middle name!!! I know, we're making progress. "Austin Michael". We are naming him after Robert's daddy :)

I really need to break out my camera and take pictures of his nursery. I found the perfect quilt, I mean I am in-love with this quilt. Got it at a little childrens boutique here in Montgomery, My Kids Attic. The quilt is white with blue trim. I think it is more of a coverlet than a quilt, it is gorgeous. Granted it probably won't be for long, ya know, being white! I made a bed skirt to match, using a white sheet and blue ribbon at the bottom. I still need to make curtains though. I hope it all looks nice together when I am finished. I am free after work all next week so I am planning to work on some of my projects during that free time. I think I made a list of things that I need to finish before Austin's arrival, I am pretty sure that I haven't checked one item off that list. I have had quite the busy month.

Lisa is taking maternity pics of me on the 31st, weather permitting. I am so excited! I am sure my next post will have less chatter and more pictures...well, maybe lots of chatter and lots of pictures.

Getting Excited and Ready...already???

I am getting sooo excited about this baby coming. We have been waiting for this time in our lives for so long and now here we are experiencing the fun, excitement and anticipation of a growing family. BUT I am finding out that being pregnant involves a lot more than toting a growing baby...

I have been REALLY emotional lately

I had to fight back tears when Valerie and Lanell took me to get a crib, thinking about it now makes me almost cry.
My doctor asked me if we had a name, and me being ridiculous, thought he actually was interested so I told him the name and then he checked it off his list. Seriously?!?! Fake it doc, look at me and pretend to care! It hurt my feelings, I wish I would have just said, yes and not been specific with him. I am not a fan of my insensitive doctor right now.
I have pretty much nagged Robert about making plans for the future, like HELLO why hasn't he thought of all the details I have been considering. These conversations generally end up with me crying. I'm sure that when I approach him with, "we need to have a talk" he cringes and the thought of what craziness I am going to come up with this time just causes a haze to settle over him. I have to give it to him though, he generally entertains me with some sort of comforting response, he typically knows the right thing to say.
Thinking about it now, I pity him for having to put up with my mood swings.
Don't get me wrong, I totally recognize how outrageous my emotions are, but at the same time it is how I feel. I am not generally a cryer, but these past two-weeks have been quite the roller coaster. Thanks Robert, for not making me feel crazy, I know it must cross your mind, "I hope this isn't permanent".

What is up with my sleep schedule?

I am not really tired lately. Before I got pregnant I was in bed by 9:30 sharp! Now I am awake until 11pm! Everynight! Sometimes I will wake up around 3am and be completely awake and ready to start my day, but force myself back to sleep so I can function at work later. I come home from work and am ready to chores. Last night I was mopping at 10:00, what is this all about?!?! Robert was trying to convince me to lay down and get some rest. I said initially that I'm not tired, but I am tired, I just don't want to waste my time sleeping when I could be doing something productive. Then when I finally do lay down my back feels like it is being pulled apart at my waist, dramatic? yeah, but that really is how it feels until I finally relax. I guess that is why Robert tries to convince me to go to bed early, he doesn't want to be rubbing my back at 11:00 :P

Dare I talk about being a stay-at-home mom...

This is what I have always wanted, to be a stay-at-home mommy just like my mom was. There is nothing I appreciate more than the time my mom spent, her life completely dedicated to her children and making sure we were all taken care of and always being there for us. Since I was little, I loved it and have wanted the same for my children. Well, here I am with only 3.5 months left until that journey begins for me. Let's not tip-toe around it, I am terrified! For sooo many reasons. let me share a few...

I LOVE my job!

I do not like change and no longer working here is going to be quite the change...we wll get into all of the other changes to come as they come ;)

I will no longer be contributing to the family financially.

and with each of these listed reasons has fears attached to them like am I going to be bored, am I going to enjoy being at home every day, how are we going to adjust to our new budget. Like I said a lot of fears and this is what Robert has to hear on a regular basis, and no I will not translate what "regular basis" means :P

Anyways, I just hope that I am good at being a mommy and I hope that it is satisfying. Only time will tell...

All apologies, this turned into Deep Thoughts with MB...

Next post will be a simple picture and update :D

6 Months??? Already???

I cannot believe I haven't posted since I was 16-weeks! So much has happened and sooo much has changed, namely my figure! There's no mistaken it now...

Quick update:
It's a BOY!!! Well, I'm sure you all have been aware of that for quite some time now.

He has a name, well kinda... His name is Austin, but we do not have a middle name yet. I'm okay with that though, as long as I am not referring to him as "baby boy" Robert and I have liked that name since before we knew the gender, but we had to make sure it was "the name" before making it official.

Right now we like several full-name options: James "Austin", Austin David, Austin Michael, Austin Travis and...I think those are the top ones...for now. Who knows what we will decide :P

I am trying to get his room together, but not really progressing in that department. Right now it just looks like a baby's storage unit... ouch! I am looking for the perfect crib and well, I have found several...maybe by my next post (you know, after labor :P) I'll have something accomplished with the nursery.

I am trying to prepare myself for being a stay-at-home mommy...ugh! I'll post about that some other time, let's just say I have mixed emotions.

Well, I'm off to the beach to roast the baby :D
Until next time...

16-Weeks

16 Weeks

I have not posted in forever! Just a quick update, we are doing great :)

The first trimester was less than fabulous :) I was pretty sick and ended up losing weight during my 3rd month. BUT the doc prescribed Phenergan to me and I'm mucho better now. I should have called and asked for it sooner, but I wanted to just suck it up and then people kept saying, "after 12-weeks you'll be fine"..."after 14-weeks you'll be fine", "you should be feeling better anytime now"...well, some are just sick for longer I guess :) I had to take a long lunch from work one day last week and get some fluids pumped in me b/c I was dehydrated but after that...well, I felt good for about 24-hours straight :D For the past week I have been trying to keep phenergan in me or else. This morning, before I could get a bite to eat, before I could get the ol' feel-good meds in me I was throwing up, brite and early. So at 16-weeks I'm still sick, but as long as I stay medicated :) I can eat pretty normal.

My tummy is starting to poke out so cute-like. Only this week have I finally been okay with my changing body. The initial weight gain and body changes only made me feel insecure, but I'm getting over that. Lisa and Allison let me borrow their maternity clothes and they are too cute! I can only wear a few things now, but nice to know I will not have to buy all new clothes for the summer. Actually I have only bought one shirt and a pair of khaki capris so far. I really don't need anything. Love having friends that are my size :)

As far as getting things for the baby, I still haven't bought anything...psh, I haven't even cleaned out the baby's room. BUT I've been thinking about it alot...that's good, right?!?! I mean, you have to think about it before you can actually go through with it. In my case I am putting LOTS of thought before doing anything :D Seriously though, I have to get a smaller desk for our computer room...keep an eye out for me...and I need to move the twin trundle bed out and put the full-size bed in the computer room. Robert and I have to do this before I get HUGE!!! I am depending on great yard sales this Spring to find some cute baby items. I have been scoping out my route for the month and it looks promising :)

I am finally exercising again. I have been walking in the evenings and trying to do stretching and yoga. I found a prenatal yoga dvd and its pretty cool, I mean it is no P90X, but it'll do. So yeah, that is pretty much what we have been upto. maybe I will be a better blogger in the future so my posts aren't so painfully long.

As a grand finale, we find out the sex of the baby in two weeks! Hopefully he/she cooperates and doesn't go all modest on us :)

week 8 update

I haven't posted in quite a while. Everything is progressing really well with the pregnancy. The little nugget is growing at 1mm per day :) No wonder I'm so tired! I still haven't had terrible "morning sickness". I usually feel my worst at the end of the day. I guess just being so tired and the eating a big dinner just tips me over the edge some nights. I am feeling better already though, just some days are more tiring than others, pretty typical. I STILL have this HUGE cyst on my right ovary. It is over 6cm now and looks like a large apple on the ultrasound monitor. Not much discomfort from it though, other than lots of bloating. Dr. Honea anticipates that it will start to shrink in 2-4 weeks.
I am no longer taking injections....this call for a celebration! I received the projesterone, IM shots for 8 weeks! Thankfully the little nugget has taken over on producing the progesterone so I am free at last...well, almost. I do still have to take the gel suppository daily until I am 12 weeks, so just 2.5 wks left :) I have only gained 2 pounds so far...YAY, but you can't tell from the looks of me. My stomach is so bloated from this cyst, that only 2 pairs of jeans are comfortable to wear : I feel like a huge fatty! No food aversions or cravings.

We're pretty great right now! I go for my first visit with my regular OB on Wednesday, hopefully I will get one more cute li'l progress picture and then I'll post all that I have.

Oh, one side note, I just visited a friend in the hospital that gave birthon Friday to an adorable baby boy! I saw the little cutie and teared up a bit. I have always been very emotional about special events, babies, birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, you name it I will choke up even if I don't know the person, pathetic, I know. But seeing how precious this baby is and thinking I might be holding my own sweet baby in the Fall, words can't express how exciting this is for us! I'm sure most of you know exactly what I'm talking about ;)

A lot of rambling and blah, blah, blah!

Went to the doctor Tuesday and all of my bloodwork was normal, YAY! The 11th is my ultrasound, so hopefully we will get to see a heartbeat...they said it might be the following Tuesday before we actually hear it, but they will try for this coming up Tuesday. I am pretty excited, but still kinda nervous. I am still cramping quite a bit and having weird pains in my groin and lower abdomen area. Supposedly this is normal, "everyone is different". I think I will feel better about all of this weird stuff going on with my body after I see that there is something in my uterus and it is not the worst, ectopic. I am just so terrified of that. But all bloodwork indicates normal, so that is what I need to focus on and stop being such a Negative Nelly!

So, Lisa got me this super cool pregnancy journal. Rather than most week-by-week journals, this one is a day-by-day, starting with the day of conception. Robert and I love it because it tells us everything that is developing with the embryo/fetus as well as mom. It provides so much interesting information. It also has me measure my waist and weigh myself periodically to monitor my physical changes, as well as keeping up with mood swings, cravings (all of which is blank thus far...thank goodness) and whatever else is suppose to go along with pregnancy. I think I update like weekly or bi-weekly, something like that and then at the end of each month it has a journal page for whatever your heart desires.
LOVE IT!

Robert is doing EVERYTHING possible to take care of this little nugget and the momma to-be. He went out and bought a HUGE bag of fresh boccoli from Sam's to help with "brain development" this month and is making sure that I am eating enough and drinking plenty of water. Last night he went through all of my face wash getting rid of anything with sacylic acid in it...haha. Yup, he is ONE OF THOSE! He is sooo cute, annoying, but cute. I might have to make sure he keeps himself preoccupied with other things if he keeps this up ;). Seriously though, he has been so supportive and sweet. I love seeing him so excited :D

Luckily, no "morning sickness...yet...I'm keeping my fingers crossed since I am still so early. I do have pretty bad indigestion, but it is tolerable during the day and as long as I don't eat after 7pm-ish I am fine. Cheese totally turns me off though. The smell makes my stomach crawl! Cold cheese will not happen, but if it is melted over something, it is doable, but not something I desire or really care to have. Yeah, cheese is pretty much the only "don't" right now. I am not wanting sweets at all really. They don't make me sick, I just don't care to have it.

I STILL have not asked what my due date is (estimated Sept. 6th according to egg retrival date) so I don't know excatly how far along I am, none of that mumbo-jumbo really makes any sense to me, but I think I am 5 1/2 weeks??? I am confused because in my little book/journal thingy it says that this is the beginning of my 6th week, but online it says that I am 5 weeks and like 4 days? I seriously need to remember to ask the nurse Tuesday...for now I'm sticking to 5 1/2 :D