I realize it has been several weeks since I did a Thursday Thirteen. In fact, I’m not sure that I’ve even done one since we found out that we are expecting Baby #3. This Thursday Thirteen is going to be about…. wait for it… yeah, pregnancy. It’s a Rants and Raves kind of day, so here we go…
Rave: no…. Rant: no… 50/50 haha. Gas. Bloating. Yeah. The existence of gas and bloating is a major Rant. Some of my favorite foods can send my stomach into a frenzy and make me swell like a Macy’s parade balloon float. The attached Rave? I have a darn good excuse for those occasions when I’m just a tad less than lady like with my timing. The boys think it’s absolutely hilarious when I “step on a barking spider”.
Rant: Mood swings. Contrary to what my husband may or may not think, *wink* I do not like getting snippy for no apparent reason. That poor man has gotten his head bitten off more than once or twice when I normally wouldn’t have said a word.
Rant: Uncontrollable crying. It is RIDICULOUS! This insurance commercial comes on the other day. The kids and the mom are joking about all those annoying things “dad” does that they won’t have to deal with while he’s gone on his business trip. Then a screen comes up with “But what if he didn’t come home?” I looked at DH Cam, at the t.v., back at DH and I had to hide my face as I broke out into tears. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen the commercial but that particular day I was just a leaky faucet waiting to happen.
Rave: Having a darn good excuse for requiring a milkshake every couple of days (or every day… depending on the week). “But… baby really wants a milkshake!”
Rant: An absolutely horrific gag reflex. Seriously, can it stop?? It requires absolutely nothing to trigger. It comes out of nowhere. As soon as I wake up, I gag. Eating food? Gag. Smell something (pleasant or not). You guessed it… gag.
Rave: Lil’ C had been doing darn good with his potty training since I’ve been pregnant! We’ve made huge advancements. I think seeing mommy get sick (literally) while trying to clean up his #2 from his undies convinced him using the toilet was a better idea.
Rant: Lack of energy. I could probably take three naps a day and still sleep 8 hours at night. Actually, I have taken two in a day and still slept 8 hours so I doubt three would be pushing it. I’m in my 2nd trimester now so this is supposed to get better… soon.
Rant: Dry, itchy skin. I don’t recall this being a problem with either of the boys until the final two months. My legs itch almost constantly. I have to use lotion a couple of times a day on them to find relief. Yes, I’m drinking lots of water. I keep ice water in my cup and keep the cup next to my chair.
Rave: I really like picking out baby names. I don’t think I’ve slipped and mentioned names on here yet, and I’m trying to hold off a bit longer, but I will tell you we have a girls first and middle name picked out. We only have the first name picked for a boy at this point.
Rave: Ultrasounds. I think they are just the neatest things! I love getting a peak inside and seeing how much the baby has changed since the previous viewing. Our first ultrasound the baby was 6 weeks on the dot and looked like little more than a beehive hanging around. Our second ultrasound the baby was just shy of 13 weeks and we could make out the head, back, arms, and legs. So cool. This coming Tuesday (July 6th), we are going to get to look at that little bundle again at 16 weeks… in 3D! It will be the first time I’ve ever seen one of my kids in 3D via ultrasound and I’m excited… nevermind the fact that we’ll be finding out if it’s a boy or a girl! WOOT!
Rave: Family excitement for the bundle of joy on the way! It’s infectious! We’re so blessed, and the kids are all so blessed, to have supportive family that is as excited as we are for this new little addition. We’ll be getting a DVD of our ultrasound Tuesday and I’m sure it’s going to get played more than a time or two. haha.
Rant: Middle of the night trips to the bathroom. Increased fluid intake plus increased fluid production equals at least two wake ups to dash to the bathroom. Good thing I sleep on the side of the bed right next to our bathroom door.
Rave: My fantastic husband who is super supportive, goes to the doctor appointments with me, helps me out around the house, picks up food cravings for me, and takes care of me when I’m moody/sickly/tired. But especially, because he is so sweet and always trying to find the baby in my belly. I think it’s adorable. I love him!
Welcome to week 10 of my pregnancy! YAY! I’m a quarter of the way there! And, guess what? I’ve felt the baby move a few times in the last few days. I was ready to cry when I realized it. Of course, it’s not like I’m noticing acrobatics at this point. It’s been a few minor little bumps that feel more like when someone is walking by you in a crowded store and their arm just barely grazes yours. But, it’s there, and I feel it, and I think it’s awesome. I felt Lil’ C right about this time too. X-man was just a couple of weeks later, but he was my first and I was being told it was impossible that I could feel him so soon. Apparently not, as my doctor said it was very possible considering the way my body is built. So YAY for feeling baby 3 move! I’ll just start referring to baby as “Baby T.”
I have this feeling inside me that we’re having a girl. I may be wrong, and if so then that’s fine too, but … I guess we’ll find out in about 7 more weeks. Since I’m self pay and don’t have to worry about what insurance will or will not cover at this point, I’m going to ask the doctor to let me go ahead and do an ultra sound at 16 or 17 weeks to try and see gender, then just schedule the 20 week ultra sound at around 22 weeks. I’m IMPATIENT about this! HAHA!
I’ve been so ridiculous and looked up all the online gadgets that do “gender prediction” (more than once each… because I’m spastic like that). Then if we go back to the difference in my symptoms from the boys and this pregnancy. I’m probably just looking for the answer I want. haha. HEY! I need some balance for all the testosterone I’m surrounded by in this house!
The kids and I went to see Shrek Forever After in 3-D this past Tuesday. It was Lil’ C’s first movie experience (aside from Shrek the 3rd when he was about 6 months old… appropriate, yes?). He LOVED it. He was adorable with his little 3-D glasses, his excitement was infectious, and he behaved amazingly well. X-man and I mostly enjoyed the movie, but have decided that 3-D is not our thing… we both felt queasy when the movie ended and as this was the second 3-D we’d seen, and the second time we felt that way afterward… we’ll just assume we found our correlation.
DH Cam is loving his new job, aside from cursing the inconsistent schedule of the last two weeks and some machine issues last night that were headaches on top of his lack of sleep. He hasn’t quite figured out that he can’t keep a completely normal daytime schedule during all of his days off then pull 24 hours of being up his first night back to work each week. He’ll learn. He’s a smart guy like that.
I’m still adjusting to the overnight shifts when he is gone and I have to go to sleep alone. However, I’m adjusting very well to having the entire bed to myself. Going to sleep alone sucks. Sleeping alone… not so much.
He’s also loving the new pick up he bought this week. Once he sets his mind to doing or getting something, it happens. And he says I’m in control of finances. BAH! He’s planning on doing some modifications to the truck after spending countless hours on forums about his particular year, make, and model. Thanks so much to the people who have posted all those pictures with their pimped out trucks. My husband didn’t really need help getting big ideas. He’s a Hen man, and they don’t have trouble coming up with their own ideas. hahaha. I keep poking fun, but I’m glad he’s so happy with his choice. It was well deserved. Next up on vehicle purchases? Something big enough to fit the soon-to-be five of us without having to strap one of the kids to the luggage rack on top of the vehicle. I don’t imagine people would take to kindly to seeing X-man or Lil’ C riding around and getting extra protein as they swallow bugs hitting them while we drive 65 down an interstate. I suppose the other option would be to put X-man in the back end of the Montero, but then he might have the chance to hold a note up saying, “Please save me! I’ve been kidnapped!”
That last bit, I must admit, is inspired by a true story. I worked with a man at a grocery store up in Michigan when was 18 and pregnant with X-man. I only remember his first name, Al. When I had to work until close Al would share these stories of his childhood that would just about have me in the floor laughing. He and his brother were raised near New Jersey, or in New Jersey, I don’t remember exactly. One time his parents were taking them to the beach and as they drove down the NJ turnpike (I hear it’s a vicious road by way of traffic congestion) they decided to put their hands behind their backs to make it appear as though they were tied up, then pretended to bang their heads on the windows. When they realized someone was looking they would mouth “HELP ME!” I can only imagine how mortified their parents would have been if they had actually been pulled over by cops alleging they were kidnapping their own children when they were actually taking them to the beach to enjoy some family time. haha.
On that note I’ll end for now, and I hope to get around to writing again sooner, rather than later. I hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend with family and friends. 3pm on Monday is the national time of silence for remembrance of our fallen soldiers who died protecting our freedoms.
I’ve been so negligent! I’ve considered writing on numerous occasions but it just feels… overwhelming at times. No big shocker there. Making food feels overwhelming most days. ha.
Alright, so week 10 is upon me and the little bun in my Hen oven. I had a check up Friday and all is well. Despite the fact that I feel like my stomach is protruding and I’ve not been making completely healthy food choices, I’ve only gained 2 pounds. Sweet! And, summer is upon us, the end of my 1st trimester is getting super close, so my activity level will escalate. I might even manage to shed a few fatty pounds and trade them out for muscle tone. Who am I kidding? ha.
I’ve been staying home for two weeks and I absolutely love it so far. It doesn’t hurt that I have a super fantastical husband who grumbles not a single negative word to me when I’m being a lazy bum. Fortunately in the last week or so I’ve found a bit more energy and managed to catch up on all those things I had been neglecting. Except mopping. I can’t seem to bring myself to deal with the smell of pinesol. Eh. We don’t eat our food off the floor anyway, right?
I’ve really enjoyed my days at home with Lil’ C. He has been so super sweet and I really believe he’s happy being at home with Momma. My only complaint is that as soon as X-man gets home from school they seem to be at each others throat. In the last week we might have managed one whole evening without bickering and whining. *sigh* It’s a sibling thing. I remember what my childhood interactions were with my siblings. We fussed about things at each other all the time, and it wasn’t until we all were getting older that we forged much happier interactions. I bet it was all that fussing we got out of our systems growing up. haha.
DH started his new job this past Monday. They’ve really had him all over the board with his hours to work and I’m having to adjust just in a different way than him. I didn’t realize until his first overnight shift just how much of a “security blanket” he is to me. I couldn’t get to sleep until late the first night and I practically got no sleep last night. The kids are out of town for family events this weekend so at least it didn’t hurt that I went back to sleep for a nap and didn’t get up until after 12noon. Hubs is off work tonight and he couldn’t seem to stay asleep this morning, so we’ve gotten to spend most of the day chatting it up and dinking around the county.
I see a new drive in his eyes with his new job. He is enjoying the fact that when he leaves work, work doesn’t follow him home, and he’s finding that he has a true purpose in the environment of the facility. He can see the potential for growth within in the company and already has goals forming for himself over the coming years. Nevermind the security of the benefits and his salary.
We went to dinner out in the small town I grew up in tonight and as we sat there we were able to enjoy discussing the changes ahead of us this year. We just feel so blessed and are so excited for all of the positive things falling into place. Not to mention our new bundle of joy on the way.
Well, hubs is playing a game, but I’m gonna see if I can’t distract him so I can play one of my games or we can play a game together. I hope everyone has had a good week, and has a great weekend!
Today was the first day of week 8 in our pregnancy. We got to see our little beehive yesterday in our first ultra sound and heard the heartbeat running at 124 beats per minute. I don’t guess I’ve ever had an ultra sound this early in pregnancy so it was neat for me to see the yolk sac next to the baby. Of course, technology seems to have made some advances even in the four seemingly short years since I was pregnant with Lil’ C, never mind the 11 years since I was pregnant with X-man.
I think it is definitely safe to say that it all became very real to my DH when he saw the screen and saw this little heart beating inside of me. The look on his face was priceless and indescribable. I dare to say I almost saw a tear escape his eyes, and for anyone that knows my husband, you know that’s a big deal.
We have been taking it easy this weekend, as we planned earlier in the week. The kids are gone to visit with their father’s and paternal families for the weekend so we made plans to do a few things we’ve been meaning to do and overall just relax. And relax we have. After the ultra sound we hit the grocery store which was something I had been putting off for a week. We cleaned out the fridge and caught up on dishes. A friend came by to visit for a little while in the early afternoon, then I took a much needed three hour nap. It felt fantastic to hide in the cold of our bedroom and quiet of the house with no worry of needing to wake up to tend to responsibility. We went out to eat at Applebee’s for the first time in forever and enjoyed the 2 for $20 deal which includes two entrees and an appetizer. I was in the serious mood for a steak smothered in A1. The A1 seemed so spicy that I was sweating, but I couldn’t stay away from it. DH said it was definitely his kid craving the spicy. haha. I typically don’t care for spicy at all. We were going to go to a concert, but after stuffing ourselves we decided to just come back home for the night.
I told hubs I just feel so tired these days and I’ll be glad when I have my energy back. He was a cute smarty pants and said “Gee Jen. What reason do you have for being tired? It’s not like you’re making a whole new human being inside you or anything.” It’s comments like that which make me all the more thankful for having him. He is sincerely understanding of the effect pregnancy is having on me, and I couldn’t possibly take for granted the support he shows me.
After being lazy, and nursing our congestion and sinus issues, we decided to play cards until bedtime.
I woke up about my usual time this morning and fiddled around on my Facebook applications, then crawled back into bed with hubby just about the time he was ready to get up. I fell back to sleep until after 11am. Again, boy did that feel nice. The Wheel Mobile was holding auditions about an hour away from us and I had been contemplating going, but decided that today was just not a day for crowds and standing in lines. Instead we took our time doing a few things around the house, ate lunch, then decided we wanted to go out to the farm where we will be putting our new home (hopefully by this Fall). We gathered some stuff in the cooler, a few odds and ends, made a couple of stops in town, then drove out to enjoy the cool and brisk afternoon. I took hubs on a “tour” of the farm, in other words, we went for a walk through the fields and out into the woods. We got to share some really great quality time together and stories from our childhoods that we still didn’t know. It’s so nice that even after 3 lovely years we are still learning new things about each other.
We went back up to the acre where our house will be and gathered limbs that were still laying around from the ice storm damage over a year ago. My father came down and visited with us, then my sister walked down and visited. We built a fire, roasted hot dogs and made smores. After five hours I decided I needed home, a hot bath, and warm pajamas.
I guess I agitated some muscles in my back, but I was able to enjoy the first hot bath I’ve taken the time for in literally MONTHS, then DH was a sweetie and got the heating pad out for me. I laid in bed with the heating pad on high and fell asleep. I woke up a few hours later and my back was still hurting, but it has finally subsided.
I’m still battling congestion in my lungs from a round of bronchitis that hit me last Friday. I may go back to the doctor this week if I don’t have some improvement over the next few days. I really despise having to take medication, but I’m pretty well tired of coughing. I’m either getting a really good work out for my abs, or weakening my bladder control. haha. Aside from the aches, and the icky germs, I feel happy and I’m enjoying life.
This week will be my first full week as a stay at home mom and I’m feeling ambitious for the things I hope to accomplish with Lil’ C, cooking meals, and working on the house. I’m also fully planning on taking naps with Lil’ C every single day. haha. YAY for nap time.
WOW! WOOT! The end of the semester has arrived! I took my last final exam this morning at 8am. Can I just tell you, I’m so excited to have the semester behind me. I’m also finished working outside of the home for the time being. We are so excited that DH received an excellent job offer and he has accepted. He will be working four days a week, and will actually get to be home three! You all have no idea how much it excites me for him to have a job that he can literally leave at work. The past few years have been a lot of adjustments, balancing acts, and a few rough patches. We have so many more things that I’m sure will require those same things in the future, but as it stands we are approaching a new state of stability in our lives.
I have the most amazing husband in the whole entire world. Challenge me. I dare you. Over the last couple of weeks I have experienced morning sickness related nausea for the first time in my life (didn’t have it with X-man or Lil’ C), pulled abdominal ligaments (not comfortable, at all), and bronchitis (which agitated the aforementioned ligaments with all the coughing). My husband just never ceases to leave me awe struck at his support. I said something in passing, altogether to myself, about mopping and next thing I know DH is on a cleaning spree in the kitchen. “I was going to do that.” DH: “I know. That’s why I’m doing it.” I love him. He’s the best. He has really dealt well with my random mood swings, dozing off while sitting with him in the big green comfy chair, and being snippy when I’ve gotten startled awake. He has rubbed my back when I’ve woke him up whimpering in the middle of the night, and allowed me my space when I’ve been to achy to cuddle. We are anxiously awaiting the first ultra sound this Friday, and I can’t wait to see the look on his face when it suddenly becomes very real for him as he sees the little bean on the monitor and possibly gets to hear the heartbeat for the first time (we think I’ll be far enough along to hear those 150+ beats a minute). While I can feel all the drastic changes taking place inside, I realize that it’s hard for a dad to really have it sink in until they actually SEE the proof. I have spotted him reading my pregnancy journal/book that details the development day to day, flipping through the pages of the “What To Expect When Expecting” book, and browsing through the discussion boards and information on whattoexpect.com. And when he has wanted to cook one of his creative dishes, he has accepted my green face without to much of a pout. I have an amazing husband and I am so thankful for him each and every day.
Lil’ C has been quite comical with this whole baby thing. I have been talking about baby a little each day, even as little as “say good night to baby.” X-man was nearly 7 years old when Lil’ C came along, so it was quite a bit easier for him to grasp the concept of a new baby on the way. I’ve been trying to make sure that as we go along, Lil’ C is able to get some understanding of what is to come. Sometimes when I say, “What’s in my belly?” He replies “Baby!” And occasionally he follows it with “There’s no baby in your tummy. Baby is in my tummy. Say hi to baby.” One day as I sat here rubbing my belly, Lil’ C came up and said “What are you doing?” I told him I was rubbing the baby. “Did baby poop?” hahaha. I’m not sure where it came from but DH, X-man, and I cracked up. I’m sure the antics will continue to amuse us over the coming months.
As I begin a new stage in life, as a stay at home mom and homemaker, I’m sure the tone of this website will begin to morph and change into a more solid direction.
Until then, I’d like to end the post with a few more things for the movie BABIES, releasing this Friday in theaters nationwide. I’m a BzzAgent Ambassador for the movie, and I cannot tell you how excited I am about this movie. It will not be showing in a theater close to me, so I’m afraid I’ll have to wait for the release on DVD to view it, but believe it’s at the top of my list of things to see when the time comes.
Real advice from real moms, this video from MommyCast reminds moms that your baby cares most about spending time with you – so keep it simple!
Do you see that?! We are SO excited (and DH is glad to know there really was some reason for all my moodiness lately)!
Monday I decided to stop and get a box of pee sticks on a whim, even though technically I wasn’t late yet. I came home and took a stick out. Before I could pull my pants up there was a BOLD line. The positive line was darker than the control! I started crying and jumping up and down. I called DH who was working and told him, then I called our OB/GYN’s office. They had an appointment super soon that afternoon and snagged it. I could hardly wait to hear doc tell me!
I bounced my way into the office, happily peed in the plastic cup, and a short while later my nurse came in with the due date chart! I wanted to start crying. She was excited with me (they’ve kind of gotten use to seeing me in there the last 13 months… I was just there 5 weeks ago). The doctor came in and was flushed and grinning ear to ear. He showed me the paper and said “I just wanted you to be able to see it too.”
Doc did all the standard procedures and sent me to get blood draws. He called me at 7pm Monday night to let me know that my hCG levels were at 775 and that he wanted me to come back in today just to get another blood draw to make sure that my levels were still climbing.
He called me around 5pm tonight and let me know that my levels have gone up great and are already at 1889. We’ll be having our first ultra sound the week of May 3rd (gotta call and schedule that tomorrow).
Estimated due date is CHRISTMAS EVE! Notwithstanding the due date changing after the ultra sound, this will make my THIRD Christmas week baby! X-man’s birthday is Dec. 27th, and Lil’ C’s birthday is Dec. 20th!
X-man started bouncing up and down then leaned over and put his head on my belly when I asked him what he would think if I told him that he was going to have a brother or sister.
I sat down in the floor with Lil’ C and told him to come over to me. I said, “There’s a baby in mommy’s belly.” Lil’ C: “I wanna see.” He lifted my shirt to see my belly and poked it. “AHH! It bit me!” I laughed. He’s already practicing blaming his baby sibling for things it didn’t do. haha.
When I asked the kids what they want, brother or sister, Lil’ C said “Um. Brudder.” X-man said, “a brother. No. Sister. Yeah, a sister.” I’m voting for all things pink and pretty and frilly. DH is voting for a son. The house is officially split 50/50. haha.
We’re so blessed, and the kids are all so blessed, to have supportive family that is as excited as we are for this new little addition. We’ll be getting a DVD of our ultrasound Tuesday and I’m sure it’s going to get played more than a time or two. haha.
He’s planning on doing some modifications to the truck after spending countless hours on forums about his particular year, make, and model. Thanks so much to the people who have posted all those pictures with their pimped out trucks. My husband didn’t really need help getting big ideas. He’s a Hen man, and they don’t have trouble coming up with their own ideas. hahaha. I keep poking fun, but I’m glad he’s so happy with his choice. It was well deserved. Next up on vehicle purchases? Something big enough to fit the soon-to-be five of us without having to strap one of the kids to the luggage rack on top of the vehicle. I don’t imagine people would take to kindly to seeing X-man or Lil’ C riding around and getting extra protein as they swallow bugs hitting them while we drive 65 down an interstate. 
