nursery update...

Before I unveil the continuing nursery project, I want to update you all on the status of the pregnancy. I went to the hospital on Friday to be monitored for fetal movement. All is good. He was moving around like a little champ. His heartbeat was strong, even during the practice contractions. The midwife used ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid, which was good, and to see how he was doing. Turns out, we have a thumb sucker on our hands! It was so amazing to see him sucking his thumb and sticking his tongue out. How cute is that! And again, the midwife assured me that he has a beautiful set of lips, without any sign of cleft lip...yes, I'm still on that. I had my 36 week visit yesterday which included a pelvic examine, I know, awesome, right? It is very awkward and uncomfortable. There are plenty of other things I can think of using my $10 co-pay for, trust me. However, there was a bit of exciting news: while my cervix is still closed, she was completely shocked at how low his head is and she even said there is no way I'm going to make it to my due date!!! I wanted to kiss her, which I didn't...but I did let her make it to 3rd base and even paid her $10 to do it!

So, the nursery is still a work in progress but at least now I have pictures to share. The color theme of the nursery is gray and yellow. I didn't want anything too babyish or classical nursery style, so you won't see any animals or cars. Its a pretty modern and sophisticated room...for a newborn. It took 12 hours, but the paint job is great.

Next came the rocking chair. I wanted this chic modern rocker, which was absolutely beautiful and cost every bit of $800. So I finally decided to go the completely opposite direction and buy a old bentwood rocker for $20. I wanted an older piece in the room just to balance things out and this was the perfect choice. We took a simple chair, sanded it, painted, and added cushions:

Next I decided I needed an ottoman, so that was my next project. So out came the sewing machine and this is what I got:                                                                                                                                               

 Finally, the bedding. Some parts are, lets just say, a little rustic. But over all, I'm happy with the result. Picking the fabric was the hardest part.



There's still a lot more to be done, but I'm so happy with the results, thus far. Stay tuned....

31 days and counting....

It seems like a lifetime ago that I shared the big news that I am having a baby. Now I have only 31 days until D-Day. The baby is looking healthy, and even better, small! Andrew and I both were small babies so it looks like our little guy is following the family tradition. He does, however, have a new name...well at least its been  narrowed down to two: Logan Asher Joseph Mack or Logan Asher Mack. Many of you may know that Logan is my maiden name and Joseph is a family name for the Partridge clan. So this way, Andrew and I both can honor our families.

I recently had a check up and everything looks good. I need to eat a bit more, but baby looks fine. I am having regular practice contracts. They pretty much feel like your stomach tightening into a rock. But currently there is no pain. I just feel like I have abs of steel every ten minutes. Starting next week I have graduated to weekly doctors visits.

The nursery is still very much a work in progress. In this coming week I will begin making the bedding. That's right, I said making the bedding. Its a bit ambitious and quite frankly, I'm freaking out! But who knows, it may be a master piece...or a piece of crap. Fingers crossed!

I do apologize for the lack of writing but "there's been a lot going on" or "I've been really busy", all of which is code for, I'm getting a divorce...8 months pregnant. I don't plan to discuss it any further on this blog, since this, in my opinion, is not the platform for such matters. But since this is a defining point in the pregnancy, and my life, I do think it is worthy of note. This is never how I imagined things and I'm just as shocked as everyone else that this is the path my life has gone. But apparently, we humans are very resilient, and while I currently feel like I'll never survive, I'm sure I'll be OK.

So, since we are down to the wire, I hope to keep you all updated...more than once every 12 weeks! I did have some pregnancy pictures taken and that turned out pretty good. Here's a small sample:

There are more, but lets just say they are a bit more intimate. But they are very very beautiful. And yes, my jeans are buttoned!

third trimester....

So its been a while, but I'm back. I have officially entered the 3rd trimester! That means only 12 weeks to go....I'm not ready!!! Our little man has a name now- Harwyn Asher Mack. And yes, we know his initials will be HAM. The name Harwyn came from an elderly man Andrew met. It means brave friend and has an English origin like parts of Andrew's family. I'm completely in love with the name Asher and have every intention of calling him Ash-unless of course he's being a brat, at which I will refer to him as Andrew's Spawn...I mean Harwyn Asher.

Finally he is big enough and the placenta is high enough so I can actually feel him moving around. For those of you who have never been pregnant, the baby kicking feels like massive gas bubbles or for you ladies, huge butterflies moving around your stomach. Often times it feels like a alien trying to escape. Sometimes it tickles and other times, when he kicks you just right, it'll send you running to the bathroom, but with in a second, that urgent, gotta go feeling is gone...but you'll probably still go to make sure that little kick didn't cause a little leak. Our little guy can now even be felt moving from the outside. In the evening, if I've been laying on one side for a bit, you can feel a bulge the size of a baseball on that side of my stomach where he has settled in and got comfy. And if I stand up pretty quickly from that position, one side of my stomach will stick out a tiny bit more then the other side. I'm actually really enjoy this because I feel like I can bond with him now. Its also helping me learn his daily routine, which involves a lot of naps. He even dreams! How cute is that?!

 A lot has changed since my last post, mostly my waistline. I seem to be expanding over my entire body. There is not one square inch of your body that is not effected at all by pregnancy, even your nose falls victim. My ideal nose has started to do this weird thing were it is swelling and spreading across my face. My cheeks look as though I've been hiding nuts away in them....I promise I haven't, however, peanut M&M's do sound divine right about now. I can clearly see the changes in my boobs and stomach, they're huge, but my face, well, lets just say I was blissfully unaware of the, "I just got stung by a Bee and I'm having a allergic reaction," look I've been sporting. It wasn't until I seen a picture and thought, " What's wrong with my face? That is a horrible angle." Then I looked at two more photos when shock, horror, and dizziness set in-its not the camera, the angle, or the lighting...its my face!! There is no preparing for that realization!

So the little guy who has taken my body captive isn't quite so little anymore. I had another ultrasound today and he is almost 3 lbs! He can blink his eyes now, which have been sealed shut up until recently. He is even growing eyelashes. And our little guy is getting chubby. Before he was growing longer and developing all his functioning parts, but now his job is to beef up, because we all love a fat little baby. So in the next 12 weeks we're gonna have a heavy weight....well, a little heavy weight 6lbs 8oz, fingers crossed (I'm not cut out to push out any 10 pounders), with an average size head. Our little man is busy, preparing for his big debut. He has been having intense practice sessions in breathing and swallowing. He practice breathes the amniotic fluid in and out so he'll be a pro when its time for his first breath. He's also been busy at work on learning how to suck and swallow food. Since his taste buds are up and running, when he swallows the amniotic fluid, he's getting a taste of my last meal...hope he likes pasta!

Weighing in at 2lbs 12oz, he is in the 54 percentile. So he is right on target. This is a big relief for us because about a month ago we found out the the location where the umbilical cord is attach to the placenta, is in the wrong spot. Instead of being dead center, (on the placenta, not the baby, his belly button will be in the right spot) the umbilical cord is attached at the very edge of the placenta. This can cause the baby to receive less nutrients, causing low birth weight. But for now, he looks good.

So that is the latest with us. Later this week I'll post some pictures on the progress of our nursery and maybe a photo of my exploding stomach.

week 21...

Sorry, I've been on hiatus, but I'm back. Today I am officially 21 weeks along. We are past the halfway point! I am really showing now, which is exciting and hard to adjust to all at the same time. Its very strange for someone to ask if you are expecting, because they are pretty much saying, " Wow, your stomach is huge!" Before this moment, that has always been a massive insult, so I have to change gears and just enjoy it. The first time someone asked I felt my jaw drop to the floor. What did this lady just ask me....oh wait, I am pregnant. Let me pull my jacket back so I can flaunt it in her face. Why yes, yes I am, expecting, feel free to bask in my radiating glow.

Thankfully, I can still fit all of  my clothing. However, depending on the jeans I'm wearing I do have to do some adjusting. For example, last weekend after going out to dinner, before I went to the movie theater, I took my belt off....it gets worse. As soon as the lights dimmed in the theater, I unbuttoned my pants! I felt like an old man, but it was so nice to be able to breathe. I almost bought my first maternity item, but I just wasn't ready for that yet. So I carefully placed the item back on the rack and ran the other direction. But I'm pretty sure in the next week or two I'll be purchasing a belly band ( its kind of like a tube top, but it only goes around your waist to either cover the fact that your pants don't zip, hold up maternity pants that are still a bit too big, or to hold up your maternity pants post delivery).

So last Friday we had our big 20 week ultrasound. To prep, you have to drink 32oz of water, so that the tech can see you cervix. On paper that sounds fine, but when you already have a weak little bladder like me, this is a major feat. When I drink water it goes right through me, usually in 6 minute intervals so I have to run to the bathroom every 6 minutes. Its quite the inconvenience. Not to mention having a small child sitting on and kicking my bladder. But imagine me having to hold it for over an hour, it was a nightmare. When she said I could finally go, I was praying, literally, not to wet myself. I did quite the little dance in the bathroom while trying to unbutton my pants....I hope they don't have cameras in there.

So from what they can tell from the ultrasound, our little baby is healthy. And everyone can have a sigh of relief, it looks like our baby probably does not have cleft lip or spinal bifida. Those were a couple of the defects that were keeping me up at night, even though no one in either of our families has those disorders. I'm a worrier, what can I say? And guess what? We are having a little baby boy! A boy, I knew it! I guess that maternal instinct is kicking in already. During the ultrasound, there was absolutely no mistaking it was a boy. I was kind of hoping for a girl, but I'm thrilled to be having a boy. I can't wait for that "mother-son" relationship. Andrew, watch out, there's a new man in town!

Here are a few pictures taken during the ultrasound. Enjoy!

This is a view of his little face. It looks like a skull, which is creepy, but I guess that's what it should look like.

This is his cute little profile.

He is all boy!

Seriously?!?....

I don't know if I should cheer or vomit. Brace yourselves, Forever 21 sells maternity cloths! For those or you who don't know, Forever 21 is a very cheap (cheap in price and in quality) clothing store for teens and 20 somethings. If I'm in a jam or going for a certain look, one that might not be fashionable the next week, I'm not embarrassed to say I'll run through this store. I've actually found some pretty cute tops, but of course, they disintegrated in the wash, but thats Ok cause they usually only cost $10 anyway.

This store is made for teens though. I find it a little nauseating that a teen store is selling maternity clothing. Its sad that businesses have found a new, target customer, teen moms. But at the same time, now I can buy really cheap, but still cute clothing to fit my growing belly. So I guess I'm capitalizing on teen moms too. So I guess I'll cheer, yay!

18 weeks....

I'm so sorry to say, well, not really, but the 2nd trimester is not nearly as entertaining as the 1st. As I mentioned last time, I've got my body back!! The only symptoms I'm having now are congestion and swollen gums. Pregnancy is such a strange thing. I used to watch "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant," and I thought pregnancy was more of a state of mind than anything else. For those women, they never really had any symptoms, they only gained 10lbs at the most, and labor only felt like you need to have your appendix out. All of that, to me, means pregnancy equals cake walk. And if you are in the right state of mind you don't really experience the trials and discomforts of it. Well, I can say, from experience, pregnancy is not a state of mind! It effects, not just your lady bits, but your ENTIRE body. Literally, from the crown of your head to the tips of your toes, pregnancy infest. However, in certain areas, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. My hair is absolutely fabulous. And my boobs? Amazing!! Unfortunately, those are most of the perks, the rest is bad, bad, bad.

 As I mentioned, my gums are swollen. In the 2nd trimester those hormones that make you congested are working their magic on your mouth. It causes your gums to swell and bleed. Awesome. Even better is the fact that now I'm more susceptible to plaque and bacteria which may lead to tooth decay. So while I have luscious locks and an amazing rack, I might not have any teeth. Thanks baby! I remember my mom would say that she used to wear a smaller shoe size and she would blame pregnancy for her larger foot. I pretty much thought my mom was insane. Really, having kids makes your feet bigger too? Really, we're saying that? Really?! Well, turns out she's right. When you're preggo, your hormones are nuts, completely insane, thus the uncontrollable rage and then the uncontrollable sobbing. Well now, let me introduce you to Relaxin. This hormone loosens joints and ligaments so your pelvis and hips widen to fit a baby. Sadly, this hormone isn't reduced to just your hips, which is bad enough, but it spreads all over your body, feet included. Some women gain a full shoe size! After birth everything tightens up again, but for some, their extra large feet are here to stay. Sad, scary, but true. Fortunately for me, my feet are the same size and maybe if I wear small shoes my feet won't have room to grow...maybe.

The baby is now about 5-5 1/2 inches long from head to bum. The baby now knows how to yawn. How cute is that?! He is even hiccuping. He can roll around, kick, and punch, which I'm pretty sure I can feel sometimes. The baby may already have a preference for his left or his right hand. Did you catch that? I said he. I have no scientific reasoning or explanation, but I feel like we're gonna have a boy. I think its kinda funny myself, because I have not one reason for why I think its a boy. Maybe its because I want a girl so bad my subconscious is at work so I won't be too set on a girl and/or disappointed if it is a boy. That's my theory, anyway. Either way, the baby has all its parts to make me a grandmother. If its a girl, her ovaries are already forming eggs. That's kinda weird to think about, so lets not. If its a boy, he has all his parts, but some are still tucked away. They'll drop more in the next month. How exciting.

Well, that's the latest. Our 1st big ultrasound is in 2 1/2 weeks and I'm excited and very nervous about it. I'll keep you posted on our progress.

to cloth, or not to cloth...

So, call us crazy, but we have decided to use cloth diapers instead of disposables. Let me give you a minute to laugh...are you done? I am completely serious about this and I'm actually looking forward to trying it, I mean, dominating it. It's hard to believe that most people my age and older were all cloth diapered, it was apart of life. It was really no big deal, because everyone used cloth. But now, you even hint at the idea and you'll be laughed off the block. "Cloth diapers?! That's so gross! You'll never be able to do it. What do you do with the poop?" Those are just a few comments I've heard. I've learned to make my cloth diapering ambitions my little secret, so I'm not ostracized by my peers. Well, this is my coming out party! Yes, I will being using cloth diapers!

Why cloth, you might ask? Well, the pros far out weight the cons...at least right now, considering I've never changed or even seen a cloth diaper on a baby. Cloth diapers are better for the baby. The material is softer and more breathable. They don't retain as much liquid, so you change them more often, keeping baby dry. As a result, cloth diapered babies have few instances of diaper rash. They also don't wick away wetness the way disposables do, so your baby feels the wetness, leading cloth diapered babies to be potty trained earlier. Let's be honest, it's not very cute to see 3 year in diapers. Its green! Better for the environment, blah, blah, blah. Honestly, the environment didn't even register in my reasons for going cloth. The biggest, brightest, most wonderful reason of all? MONEY!!! Babies are expensive and so are their throw away panties! I can't, in a million years, every imagine spending almost $900 for a years worth of underwear that just goes into the trash. Granted, I'm not pooping in my underwear, but still, you are literally throwing money away. Lets just say I invest $500 into cloth diapers. In 2 years, when my genius baby is potty trained and wearing cartoon character underwear, I still only spent $500, not close to $1800. I'm no mathematical genius, but I'd say that those savings are about half the cost of a couples getaway to Mexico. The savings are phenomenal. Not to mention you can use them for baby number 2. Or, don't get sick on me, you can resell your used diapers for 75-90% of the original price, based on the condition of them.

I'm not going to lie, there are some major, major cons, poop being number 1 on my list. I have to agree with most people, cloth diapering is gross. So is the idea of carrying a dirty diaper around with you. However, depending on where you are, even if you use disposables, you have to carry dirty little diapers with you. And yes, I'm completely disgusted by the idea of flipping poop from a diaper into the toilet, yuck. But again, you may have to do that with a disposable, the directions suggest that you do so every time. I'm worried bout the smell and the washing, but I think I can handle, fingers crossed.

There is a large community of cloth diapering families online and its kind of inspiring. If you look up cloth diapering on YouTube, a million videos pop up. What really has cemented my determination is the fact that women who cloth diaper don't just tolerate it or even like it, they are enthusiast, they love it! They all swear by it and are kicking themselves for not doing it sooner. They all say its really easy. Plus, cloth diapers have come along way from those massive safety pins. They are also super cute now, and I'm not going to even going to try to deny the fact that their cuteness played a big part in my decision too (need I remind you of my love of shopping). Maybe I'm being overly ambitious and after one week I'll chicken out and give up, but I'm feeling pretty determine. I got this! I think...I hope...I'm a good 45% sure I got this. Did I mention that I've never changed a poopy diaper before?

I already bought a few, experience their cuteness:

I'm back!

I just picked up my computer yesterday and the virus is gone! I'm back! Just to update you I'm 16 weeks along. That's 4 months! I can't believe it. I'm also happy to report that I think I finally got my body back, with a few new additions. I finally have a nice rack I'd be proud to go to a topless beach with. However, along with my new ladies come a bloated, is she fat or is she pregnant, stomach. So, I'm sad to say, no French Riviera for me. My bodily functions have seem to calm down and have gone to a place I'm comfortable with. I'm finally saying goodbye to heartburn, constipation, and gas, I'm a lady again! I do have a new symptom to share, sinus congestion. When you're preggo, your hormones caused increased blood flow and your mucus membranes to swell. So my nose has that dry swollen feel and bleeds when I blow my nose too hard. But other than that, all is well.

About a month ago, we did have a little excited, or scare is a better word. Just when I thought I would have 10, period free, months, my worst nightmare happened, I went to the bathroom and saw that I was bleeding, not spotting. They squeezed me in at my doctors office 4 hours later. 4 HOURS!! Those were the longest 4 hours of my life. All I could think was, "this is it, this is how a miscarriage starts." Well, thank goodness, it turns out I was wrong. Apparently, the placenta is located in the wrong spot, covering the cervix. So what was happening is the placenta was moving back to where it should be, thus the bleeding. The baby is alive and well. However, I was put on bed rest for 2 days, just to be sure I wouldn't aggravate anything. But now everything is peachy and trust me, I know. I bought my own personal fetal heart Doppler so I can listen to the heartbeat when ever I want to. I guess you could say those hypochondriac tendencies of my are creeping back to the surface.

I do have a bit of bad news to report-I have gained 7lbs. I'm 2-3lbs over my weight budget for this point in my pregnancy....and I'm scared. I really don't know whats happening...well, I kinda do. I haven't been to the gym in about 3 weeks and I've been eating a bit like a pig. But don't worry, this has been a wake up call for me and I'll reign it back in...starting Monday!

I have a new, 16 week belly sight:
                                                                         11 weeks

                                                                       16 weeks

There is a difference between those pictures, I promise. Btw, a few weeks ago I said I thought I felt the baby move....well it was gas. I hate my life! :)

its been a while...

As you've noticed, I haven't blogged in a while. Our computer has a virus and we can't even turn it on, bummer. I have been reduced to using my phone with a 2 inch screen. So if I can't see in a few days, this is why. So, its been while. There have been a few changes, some ups and downs (mostly on the scale, and mostly ups), and a little excitement.

The last time I posted I was just about to enter week 13. Well, week 13 has come and gone and now I am 14 weeks and (drum roll) we've finally entered the second trimester!!! I've mentioned it before, this is the oh so wonderful, I want to have 18 kids and be pregnant forever "Honeymoon Phase". I'm not sure what's going on, because it has not been a honeymoon for me just let. Don't get me wrong, its so much better. I don't feel sick all day long and my breast no longer feel like they're going to combust at any moment (was that an over share of information), wonderful right? Well the nausea has been replaced by unrelenting and unmerciful heartburn. Before I was pregnant I had no idea what heartburn was. Then, suddenly, my stomach just didn't feel right. I wasn't nauseated and I didn't have to use the bathroom, it just felt strange. It wasn't until I was trying to explain it to my husband that I realized what it was. I believe I said my stomach was boiling and it feels like there's a fire inside me. Bingo! That awful, lava in my stomach feel, is none other than heartburn. Just avoid spicy, acidic food right? Wrong, wrong, wrong. I get heartburn from a milk shake! Crackers get my stomach boiling. Sounds horrible huh? Well, it is. However, I'd take heartburn, hands down, any day, over morning sickness. I just carry a pack of Tums and Zantec with me everywhere I go, problem mostly solved. I'm also still dealing with constipation (that was definitely an over share of information) but I found a miracle cure, laxative tea. Its yummy and works like a charm. So maybe, I am in the honeymoon phase, we just have a dysfunctional relationship.

Now that I'm 14 weeks along the baby is now the size of a lemon. It can open and close its tiny little hands and move its eyes. The skin is getting thicker and hair follicles are developing under the skin. It will soon start growing body hair called lanugo, to keep the baby warm, like its own little heated blanket. Eventually this hair is shed, when the baby starts to get some body fat. I seen a picture of a preemie that still had its body hair and it looked like a cute little monkey baby. However, when I say cute, i mean cute for that family. I want a human, not a primate. But apparently I guess I'm carrying a little monkey now, so I'll take it with joy. I bet I'll have the cutest monkey/human you've every seen!

Any how, before I went off about baby hair, the baby is growing quite fast now. My uterus is now the size of a small melon and my stomach is growing. I'm not noticeably pregnant yet. When I wear fitted tops, like when I workout, I just look incredibly out of shape. My arms and legs are the same as before, but when u see my stomach, you think, "what a slob, she must drink a ton of beer". My scale, apparently feels the same way about me. At one point it said I gained 6 lbs! I was kinda eating like a little pig, but 6lbs, really?! Well, that was a reality check. I've been making better choices and watching my junk food intake. Someone at work even said they noticed my eating habits had changed, a nice way of saying you have been pigging out! So, I'm back on baby boot camp and I'm at a healthier weight gain. And don't worry, I'm not dieting, I'm just eating like a healthy human should...with the occasional hot dog.

So, that's the latest with the pregnancy. I did want to mention that I think, I'm not for sure, that I felt the baby move. Its very early in the pregnancy for a first time mom to normally feel it. However, they say if you're thin then the you may feel it earlier, at week 13 or 14, and well, obviously, I'm thin...right? Don't answer that. It was probably just gas, anyway. Lol.

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the best thing I've ever had...

As, I enter week 13, the morning sickness has finally began to settle. That annoying queasy feeling only visits about 2 or 3 times a week. I can finally eat like a normal person, and boy have I. Can I just say, food is so amazing. I love, love, love food. I'm so happy I don't feel like I'm constantly going to hurl. I've always had a love affair with tasty treats, I'm just so please that food and I have finally made up and we're BFF's again.

Just the other day at work, I had lunch delivered, a Chicago Style hot dog ( a hot dog with spicy mustard, neon green relish, pickle, Roma tomato, and 2 hot peppers, delicious, I know). After I ate it, I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. That hot dog blew my mind. I couldn't stop talking about it. Hours later, my favorite topic was that hot dog, I'm pretty sure I seen someone roll their eyes, but I knew they were just jealous they only had a lame Lean Cuisine. I texted Andrew about the hot dog 3 times, literally. It was so amazing, I wanted, no, needed another one. So on my way home, I went 20mins out of the way to get a couple for me, I mean Andrew and I. After he ate his I was staring intently to see his reaction, but all I got was, "Yeah, I guess its pretty good." Pretty good? Pretty Good!?! I was speechless. That hot dog changed my life and all he could say was pretty good?! He just doesn't have the developed taste palette that I do, obviously.

After my little hot dog meltdown, Andrew mentioned that the girls he worked with thought my text about that luscious hot dog were funny. One of the girls, a mother of 3, mentioned that once you're past the morning sickness phase, food is absolutely delicious, orgasmic even. That made me smile, but this hot dog situation has nothing to do with me being pregnant. True, I've never went on and on about a hot dog before. True, I've never gone out and bought my husband food just so I'd have an excuse to get a second serving of something in the same day. But no, this was totally not a pregnancy thing.

However, I bought a sour cream doughnut and I ate just a little nibble of it. As soon as that sweet glaze touched my tongue and the flesh of the doughnut melted in my mouth, I made an audible moan. I immediately begun to think, "this is the best...." And then it hit me, this has to be the pregnancy talking. When I thought about it, for that past few days, almost everything I've eaten has been "the best I've ever had." No, no, no, this can't be happening to me. I can't fall under the seductive, delicious control of food. I now understand how women gain 40lbs with their 1st pregnancy. Food, almost, lulls you into a compliant trance. I weight myself Friday and I put on 2lbs!!! I've been trying to eat my fruits and veggies and now I'm back to my normal, healthy preggo weight. I will not let food control me....except between Friday and Sunday, and the occasional Thursday. Muumuu, here I come!

let the warfare begin...

A week or two ago I mentioned that I have already gained 2lbs. I'm happy to report that my weight is still the same, however, I have had my 3lbs days and my 1lbs. I'm averaging, brace yourselves, 128lbs. They recommend, not exactly sure who "they" are, working out 30min a day for pregnant women. Lets get real, in the 1 trimester you're beat just walking from your bed to the shower, let alone working 8 hours on your feet. So lets just say I've been struggling with the 30min a day workout. But, every Monday I find enough energy to workout for like 2 hours, and that workout will last me til next Monday...right? I have to say, guilt is great workout motivation, but I only seem to feel guilty on Mondays, strange. Plus, the gym I workout at isn't much help. I feel like a super model every time I walk through those doors. I swear I can hear some people thinking, "what is she doing here?" Clearly, I'm not a super model and I'm barely in the "Healthy" section on the BMI chart, but the quality of people working out at my gym just gives an instant self esteem boost to anyone mildly attractive and not too horribly out of shape.

The tides are changing though, I think I've found my motivation. I've pretty much always knew I'd be the super cute pregnant girl. I enjoy looking good and dressing nice, no matter what the circumstance. Stiletto sandals on a snowy, January night, with a pair of shorts and tights on? Please, I don't have to think twice about wearing that, who cares if I can't feel one of my toes, I've got 9 more. That, in a nut shell, is my philosophy. Why should pregnancy be any different? My place of employment is much like my gym...well, exactly like my gym, instant self esteem boost. So I pretty much knew I was going to be the hottest, cutest pregnant one there, that is, until I found out who else there is pregnant too. She's a little older then me, but she's got that whole runner thing going on. She's very thin, very sweet, and pretty cute, my worst nightmare. So now we are in competition (not sure if she's aware, though) for cutest pregnant girl. So lets just say, I've been hitting the gym a lot more and working it out! I weigh myself everyday and have been eating a ton of fruits and veggies. This is WAR.

So my stomach is getting rounder and rounder and I finally have some to show: 11 week baby bump!

Would you just look at that?! Cutest pregnant girl, in the bag!!!

the ugly...

Pregnancy is full of surprises. Seeing as how I'm only 11 weeks along, I'm pretty sure I have no idea about how surprising it can be, but as a 11 week vet. I can offer a little insight into the early weeks. So, pretty much everyone knows that when you're pregnant, there's the good and the bad. The Good: you get a beautiful round belly, long, thick Pantene model hair, and wonderful glowing skin. The Bad: you get sick, fat, swollen appendages, teenage acne, and oh so, lovely stretch marks. But again, like a lot of other pregnancy society secrets, no one mentions the ugly.

The ugly: constipation, gas, bloating, burping, and hemorrhoids. Oh, did I mention gas? When it comes to digestion, with the only exception of burping, I am about as ladylike as they come. My bowels are as stuck up as I am. They only like to move in the privacy of my own home. Going number 2 in the presents of others, shameful. Going more then 2 or 3 times a week, rude and inappropriate. Now, however, I miss the days when I had the option to go when I pleased. When you're pregnant, the hormones in your body slow down and relax certain muscles, making digestion pretty much come to a halt. While this brings misery to me, it gives the baby more time to absorb the nutrients in the very very slow digesting foods. So I guess I can handle a little constipation so my baby can eat.

There's also the gas and bloating. Now matter what I eat or how fast or slow I eat it, I become bloated. While my stomach is a little rounder now, after I eat I look like I'm 6 months pregnant. My stomach swells to an unbelievable size. Even worse, its impossible to suck it in. Someone at work even said they couldn't believe how much I was showing. What?!? Showing?!! I almost lost it. Then I had to weigh what is worse, her thinking I'm carrying massive twins in my massive stomach, or explaining that I'm bloated and my stomach is almost past maximum capacity....due to my vanity, I went with the latter. 

As in most cases, the bloating is followed by gas. I hate gas, even my own. But now, I'm sad to say, I can't escape it. I've tried Beano and Gas-x and nothing seems to work. Gas, as I'm sure you know, doesn't go well with a ladylike image. I may as well put on a trucker hat and unbutton my jeans. I feel like I'm running to the bathroom every 5 minutes to relieve myself. But, passing the gas does bring some relief for my gigantic, over stretch, bloated stomach. I know, I'm a digesting pig. Just call me Billy Bob. So if you're around me and something smells fresh, "Excuse me," in advance.

too much, too soon?

I 'm pretty good at shopping...no, it's more like I have a god-given gift for shopping. Most women will say that they like to shop, but for me, its so much more. I don't stroll aimless from store to store, or even rack to rack. Instead, I have a swift stride. When my feet hit the ground, they do so with purpose and determination. I always have a plan of attack, even when I'm shopping for nothing in particular. For me, a trip to the mall, or even the local Target, is like a special mission requiring my expertise. Like I said, shopping to me is more then just a casual stroll through the mall, its so much more. I might sound like an addict, but the thrill and exhilaration that comes with a purchase is such a beautiful feeling. I'm pretty sure I go through withdraws when I haven't had my fix in a while. But rest assured, I have it under control. I can stop at anytime...I'm just not ready to yet. Plus, I haven't resorted to stealing from family to get my next fix. By the way, I do watch intervention, and if I see one camera, I'll never talk to any of you again.

So where am I going with this, you've probably asked yourself 5 times by now? Well, I've decided that its probably not the best idea for me to be shopping for my body right now. Even though I'm more than determine to loose my baby weight and return to this size, mostly because I love, love, love all my clothes and I can't even bring myself to think about mourning their lost for a year, let alone forever. (sorry, off on a tangent again) So anyhow, now that I'm not shopping for myself, I feel this massive void. So what better to fill this void with then more shopping, but now for a little baby?!

I find myself online for hours shopping (window shopping at the moment) for baby stuff. Its amazing how much adorable stuff is out there. And I had no idea, until now, that I need all of it, even the special, upright, Euro Tub for baby baths, or the oh so cute and absolutely necessary baby bath robe. Since I am only 10 weeks along, I've been trying to refrain from buying. I'm going to try to hold out for week 20, the half way point. But I think its only reasonable to make exceptions for special items or circumstances.

Quick question-Seeing as I'm only 10 weeks, would it be crazy if, maybe, I bought a highchair? Too much? Well, what if said highchair was one I was stalking for nearly a year when we were trying to get pregnant? Or if I said it was originally $120 but I found one in great condition on craigslist for $35? Still too much? Well just remember, this MIGHT be a hypothetical situation and I will neither confirm nor deny the purchase of a highchair...at 10 weeks. One more question- What about a baby sling? Still too much?

I don't think I'm going to make it another 10 weeks.

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