Halfway day (20 weeks!)

Looking back—Weeks 7&8

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

(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.

(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!!!

January 2013 photos

Snow day fun at the school

More fun in the snow

Some mini-golf

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!

Cross country skiing with his school.

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

Pond skating with the Mentzers.

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

Big things . . .

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

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

1)

House plans!   We are building a new house!

2)

A new baby!  In my tummy!!!!!!!!

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

Monday journal page

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!!

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 . . .  

Snow Bowl Ski School

For this years February vacation I wanted to do something a little different so I signed Joseph up for “Ski School” at Snow Bowl.  He was excited initially, then became a little nervous.  He also maintained that he wants to snowboard, but I told him you have to learn to ski first, since you have to be 8 for snowboard lessons and Snow Bowl.

Anyways, he really seemed to end up enjoying the week.  He took off as soon as he got those things on!  The first day he complained about not getting to go on the lifts and big mountains, but  low an d behold his dreams came true.  Day two they went on the kids hill with a small lift and day three the went on the big lift.  From then on the flew down the mountains.  He is so much different then me—I am still scared of lifts.  I tried skiing twice, thought it was terrifying.

It made me very nervous, but he loved it!

They were so cute following each other down the hill!

He made a new friend as well—the one in black with red gloves. They had such a blast and rode the lifts together (with Casey’s dad following) for a bit after their last day of lessons on Friday.

Fun times!