Sunday, March 31, 2013

More looking back: Weeks 9, 10, &11

(Sorry, I don’t have any pictures from this time period.)

Week 9 update-1/8/13

How big is baby? The size of a green olive.

Appointment Updates: Ultrasound on Wed. went pretty well—it was amazing to see that the fetus already looks like a baby! A little like a gummy bear, but much more baby like then I expected. They did also find a cyst on my ovary, but didn’t seem to concerned. Also, baby was a little big, so they moved my due date up four days to 8/12/13—which I was not surprised about at all. I have known for so long I figured I was a little ahead.

Best Moment of the week: Telling Joseph! I was really wondering how this would go, but it was amazing! He asked lots of great questions, came up with all sorts of plans, and talks to baby all the time. It is amazingly adorable.

Sleep: More comfortable. And I like a lot of it!

Food aversions: Much better. I can eat pretty normally again now. The idea of raw chicken still really, really bothers me though.

Food cravings: Hmmmm . . . I indulged myself with a bagel this week, which was super yummy, but made me really miss my favorite bagel combo with lox and cream cheese. I miss it sooo much. More than alcohol and coffee. I think I will get some ASAP after giving birth!

Symptoms: The worst this week was a really bad headache—exacerbated by a horrible day at work. I went to bed when I got home. Still super vivid dreams as well, which is pretty fun!

Maternity clothes:  Still thinking about it . . .

Gender: No idea! Though lots of the time we (Brad, Joseph, and I) tend to refer to it as “he” or “brother” ;-) We do know there is just one though now.

What I miss: Same.

What I am looking forward to: Continuing to make progress . . . I am still having a hard time dealing with being so early—it is very strange. We are starting to tell people know, but it makes me extremely nervous. I will be 10 weeks tomorrow, but it still seems so early and like anything could happen. Last time (due to very strange circumstances) I found out at 16 weeks and told people at 19, so by then things were MUCH more established. Oh well. It’s all part of the process.

Next appointment:  Two weeks for my 12 week checkup!

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Week 10 update-1/19/13


How big is baby? The size of a prune

Appointment Updates: None

Best Moment of the week: Hmmm . . . pretty typical week. I love that Joseph is having so many new adventures at school. Ha—and he just looked over and read this ;-)

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well and still sleeping as much as possible.

Food aversions: I am wondering if I will ever be a chicken fan again? I also have trouble with Brad’s healthy foods: beans and the protein shakes he is into now really bug me. Yuck.

Food cravings: Still really loving soups. Tried some new recipes this week, such as a kale, sausage, ravioli soup and cream of tomato soup. My appetite definitely came back and I am glad to be able/willing to cook again. Last night I made a big yummy meal—stuffed shells, squash, and apple crisp. It was awesome! Also, anything I am not allowed to have sounds super awesome, especially pepperoni and smoked salmon.

Symptoms: Mild nausea. Tired.

Maternity clothes:  Not yet . . .

Gender:  ??

What I miss: I guess I am starting to get used to this idea of being pregnant!

What I am looking forward to: Just making progress and telling more people.

Next appointment:  Next Wed. for 12 weeks!!!

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Week 11 update-1/26/13

How big is baby? The size of a lime.

Appointment Updates: Had a pretty good appointment this past week. It was my first time meeting another one of the midwives and I really liked her. Since I tend to worry about this a lot her very laidback, calm attitude was such a comfort for me!

Best Moment of the week: I saw lots of friends which was fun, found out one is expecting as well! Also, I thought I felt baby move, but now I am skeptical. At the time I was totally convinced though.

Sleep: Still pretty tired. Sometimes

Food aversions: Still not a fan of meat and cooked vegetables—you know the healthy things.

Food cravings: Cheese! String cheese is like my crack. Oh and I still really, really miss crystal light—well actually sometimes I indulge. I also had a dream about crystal light: I went to some restaurant and was so happy to see that they had Crystal Light smoothies—oh it looked so good in my dream!

Symptoms: Tired.

Maternity clothes: Not yet, but thinking about it. I did buy a pair of yoga pants though. I was wearing them one morning and Joseph asked me not to walk him into school with my pajama pants on! 

Gender:  Who knows?

What I miss: All the foods I’m not allowed to eat.

What I am looking forward to: Baby growing! Feeling baby move!

Next appointment: Late Feb.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Looking back—Weeks 7&8

I have been writing little reflections, inspired by lifeontheterrace and other such blogs.

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(Sorry, I was really concentrating on taking the pic.  I cannot figure out how to get good pictures.)

Week 8 update-1/8/13

How big is baby? The size of a raspberry

Appointment Updates:  Ultrasound tomorrow!

Best Moment of the week: Hmmm . . . it’s been a bit mundane and I still don’t feel to chipper. I did have fun having a girl date to see Les Miserables on Sunday. We also had a fun family outing to Whirlie’s World (local arcade type place) this weekend .

Sleep: Already uncomfortable. My hips hurt for some reason in the morning. Maybe ligaments stretching because of changing hormones?

Food aversions: A lot less powerful then last week. Now I can eat most normal things. Except chicken, I really don’t like chicken anymore. Also, I was so worried about not drinking coffee, but turns out I don’t think I could if I wanted to!

Food cravings: Nothing healthy. Sorbet mostly. Bland foods like potatoes, cereal, oatmeal, and cheese are my favorites right now. Oh and soup. If I do cook it is usually a soup.

Symptoms:  Restless legs, some nausea and fatigue—but much improved!, bloated, very vivid dreams!

Maternity clothes:  Thinking about it . . .

Gender: No idea! And I don’t really like other people’s comments on this matter for the most part. Sometimes I think some people are wishing for a girl, which makes me uncomfortable because it certainly could be either! We have no control over this, so why waste time on it? To be honest my dream would be one of each. Crazy I know!

What I miss: Same as last week. It is a bit challenging trying to stick to and remember all the diet restrictions.

What I am looking forward to:  Tomorrow’s appointment (also very nervous about it). Telling people; though this also makes me nervous. We are planning on telling Joseph if all is well at my appointment tomorrow, then our families this weekend. So then it won’t be a “secret” anymore (though I don’t know how everyone hasn’t figured it out yet; if you know me at all you know there is no other reason I would quit coffee, diet coke, and alcohol!). I really don’t know about when to tell people at work, and others in general . . . I might actually be keeping it a secret longer, but Brad thinks it is time to tell!

Next appointment:  Tomorrow’s ultrasound.

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(Another horrible picture—sorry!)

Week 7 update-1/1/13

How big is baby? The size of a blueberry.

Appointment Updates:  I had my first appointment a couple weeks ago. Nothing much, no ultrasound or anything to confirm this pregnancy like I was hoping. Mostly talked about my medical history. I was very discouraged at my options for a VBAC . . .

Best Moment of the week: Hmmm, lots! It was a great holiday. Spent lots of time with friends and family!

Sleep: Already uncomfortable.

Food aversions: At various times lots of stuff seems unappealing.

Food cravings:  Hmmm, grapefruit and crystal light. I am really trying not to drink crystal light, but it is almost the only thing that makes me feel un-nauseous for a minute. Err.

Symptoms:  Bloated, nauseous most of the time, twitchy legs, and very emotional. Fun!

Maternity clothes:  Not yet, but I am seriously considering it.

Gender: No idea!

What I miss: Being able to eat and drink without worrying all the time! Geeze. I miss soft-cheese, coffee, diet coke, caffeine in general, smoked salmon, salami, lunch meats, Caesar salad, alcohol, and so much more . . . Also, being honest. It is so weird not talking to people about what is going on with me. But probably a good lesson in trying to be more private.

What I am looking forward to:  Ultrasound next Wednesday and being able to tell people!

Next appointment:  Dating ultrasound!!!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

January 2013 photos

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Snow day fun at the school

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More fun in the snow

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Some mini-golf

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Fun times at Granpa Bernie’s.  We have a lot of fun with puzzles, the WII, and lots of games.  Here we were enjoying Joseph first game of Monopoly—definitely a milestone.  He loved it!

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Cross country skiing with his school.

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Ooops--first picture I took of the first missing tooth—about two weeks later.  The big one was already half-way in!

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Pond skating with the Mentzers.

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Fun times, though not too many pictures.  I am always pictured out in January!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Big things . . .

I’ve alluded to a lot going on around here.

We have two BIGGGGG new projects in store for this summer:

1)

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House plans!   We are building a new house!

2)

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A new baby!  In my tummy!!!!!!!!

(Sorry about the horrible picture quality—more details to come.)

Monday, March 11, 2013

Monday journal page

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This is the journal page Joseph wrote last week.  Every Monday all the kids in Joseph’s class write and draw a little something about their weekend.  I always enjoy seeing what they share and how much they are learning!  The have do it all on their own.   I was blown away when he produced this last week and snuck a picture of it this Monday.  I really look forward to this journal as an amazing keepsake!!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Philadelphia trip

A couple days after Christmas Bob (my father), Joseph, and I took a trip to Philadelphia to visit my grandmother.  It was a wonderful trip!

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A high priority, every trip to Philadelphia, is a trip to Hymmie’s (sp?) our favorite delicatessen.  As yummy as always.  And some sillyness.

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Another tradition when visiting the big city is checking out the museums.  We decided Joseph is now old enough for some of our favorites.  First we visited the Franklin Institute.

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Joseph is now the fourth generation to enjoy this museum as a child.  However, the heart wasn’t there when Selma (my grandmother) was a youngster, but Bob and I both remember it well.  It’s funny cause it seems kind of hooky as a grownup, but it makes a big impression to the kids.  Joseph insisted on many trips.

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Touching the oldest thing you will ever touch-a five billion year old meteorite from space!  So cool.

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The next day we went to my very favorite museum, The Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology.  We all enjoyed this one as well.  Joseph loved the mummies and the café.

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A big hit this time, back at grandmom’s, was backgammon!

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I didn’t take a ton of pictures, but we also enjoyed visiting with family, lots of great food, some swimming, movies, and lots of time together.

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Our drive there and back went well.  Joseph of course never slept, even though Bob and I both took naps, but he did fine.  He got very into helping with getting gas.

That’s about all I remember—it was awhile ago!  Still think I might catch-up on posting sometime . . .  

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