Let the countdown begin!

Now, I realize that it is New Years Eve and all, but that is not the countdown I am talking about. I will share details later. I like to keep you on the edge of your seat.

I owe you pictures. Here...now shush. And yes, I'm still a week behind, but I have yet to put those on my computer.

14 Weeks:

15 weeks:

So there we are. And yes, for some reason the pets love to be in the pictures. Anywho- I went to the doctor yesterday for my 16 week check-up. It was a great time. I learned valuable lessons. Don't joke with the doctor about drinking alcohol. They don't like it. To repay you for said joke, they warn you about contractions. Uh...I'm 16 weeks, doc. Are contractions...normal? What do they feel like? Meanwhile, I am thinking in my head Holy %$#@! No one told me about this happening this early!

Contractions apparently feel like an entire abdomen cramp. They last for a minute or more usually. They hurt. But I shouldn't have to worry about those until about 30 weeks.

Well played, doctor. Well played.

Anyways- so I think I discussed this before, but I'll recap. When I went for my 12 week appointment, I had lost 4 pounds. Not abnormal considering that I had no appetite due to morning sickness. Well, my MS had subsided for the most part. I still have general feelings of yuckyness, but it's manageable. I still don't have a huge appetite, but I'm eating a lot more. I felt like I had gained back the 4 pounds and maybe a couple more.

Now, I am not at all one of those preoccupied weight people. Not to sound like a snot, but weight has never really been an issue or a concern for me. I have been blessed with a high metabolism and I am thankful for that. Being pregnant, I am fully aware that I will gain some weight. People who are normal weight should try to gain between 20-25 lbs. I can handle that. I can handle more. I know I'll bite my tongue later, but I want to gain enough weight for my baby to be healthy. However much that may be.

I lost a pound.

How is that possible? I am obviously getting a little rounder in the baby area...what's the deal? I do not eat healthy AT ALL. I am the worlds worst eater. I swear it. There is not one fat free or reduced fat item in my house. DH makes sure of it.

Now, my doctor was not at all concerned. Or so it seemed. He noticed that I was still wearing my regular jeans, and I think he picked up on me being a little bummed about that. He told me not to worry; that was a good thing. I'm not saying that I would like to have gained 40 lbs by now, but I can't continue to lose weight. That's not normal. Then- we were discussing ultrasounds (!!!!) and I asked if there were normally any more US's after "The Big One". He said that no, most people don't have any more ultrasounds after that one unless there is an issue or problem they want to check out. Then, a couple minutes later, he told me that he was pretty sure that I was going to have to have more after the big one- that since I was so little, he thought the baby would always be measuring small and they would want to check things out.

So he is concerned or he's not concerned? I don't know. One of those things that someone says to you and you really don't start to think about until later. And then when you start thinking about it, you can't stop thinking about it. What does it mean? Why would he say that?

But moving on, I'll stop whining about something that is really nothing to whine about.

MY ULTRASOUND IS JANUARY 19TH!!!

I am soooo excited. Correction: WE are soooooo excited! I can't wait!

Oh yeah...before I forget:

Day: 113

Days Left: 167

Feeling: Still feeling a little "smooshed" inside, but the doc told me that the baby should start to move up towards my ribs in the next couple weeks. Wonderful.

Mood: Emotional. Strange things have been making me cry. Not just ADT commercials!

Recent Cravings: Crinkle fries, hot dogs from the Corner Bar (only because I can't eat them), and KFC mashed potatoes with gravy. I still don't feel like these are actual cravings though...they just sound good.

Just Noticed: Holy Crap! Something just exploded in the CSI Lab! Um...I may or may not have felt the baby this past weekend. I should start to feel the little bugger soon. I felt like, little bubbles popping in my belly, and then later I felt (I swear) this like, worm like feeling squirming around in there, and then the next day I felt something almost tapping from the inside. I can't be sure it's the baby. I told DH and he said "Maybe it's trying to get out!"

Har Har

16 w 1 d

Not nearly as mad as I should be...and that makes me mad.

Ok...first of all, Merry late Christmas to everyone! I hope you all had great holidays!

Second of all, whoever voted that I am having a genderless beast (Sunshine?), you suck.

Third of all, yes, I know, I am like seven weeks behind on pictures (ok, two), but I am much too lazy to put them up right now. Deal.

So, let's get to it.

Day: 109
Days Left: 171
Feeling: I believe that I am fighting a slight cold. I have a runny nose, the sniffles, and my chronic headaches have returned. I thought that they were gone...I went a few days without them, but now they are back.
Mood: A little tempermental. Not outwardly, but I have fought the urge to tell H to F off a couple times...which I do not speak like that to people, so I think the thought surprised me enough to make me not say it.
Recent Cravings: Nothing.
Just Noticed: I woke up this morning with the feeling that my insides were getting squished. It was the strangest feeling. It has since subsided a little, but I still feel it. I mean, it makes sense. What was once the size of my fist is now much bigger. The baby is as big as an orange this week.

So...what am I not as mad about as I should be? And not being mad is making me mad? Let me explain. My MIL is not married. She has been dating a man for years and years and years. He moved out of state a few years ago. Since then, she has dated several other men without breaking up with BF #1 first. They have finally seperated. Now, I do not know the whole story, but she apparently called BF#1 while he was on his way home for Christmas, and told him that she was not interested in him and she was seeing someone else.

None of this is upsetting to me. No, I don't approve of her dating more than one person at a time, but it is neither my business or my place. Once my baby is born, I will have a say in who is around, but that is a horse of a different color. Anyways, I was working the other day and I ran into EX-BF#1.
This is the conversation we had:
HIM: "So, Christmas at your house this year, huh?"
ME (thinking he was kidding): "Ha. Nooo...."
HIM: "You're not having Christmas at your house?"
ME (confused): "No."
HIM: "Oh, well that's where (MIL) said she was going to be all day. She said you were doing Christmas at your house."
:::Crickets chirp:::
ME (Now trying to backtrack, unsure of what's going on): "Uh, well, I guess I haven't really talked to H about it yet...maybe we're having something at our house. I guess I don't really know what's going on."

He didn't buy it. So there's strike #1 for MIL. Then in the course of the conversation, he congratulates me on being pregnant, it's the first time he's seen me since we told people.
Here's that conversation:
HIM: "So, the fertility medicine worked for ya, huh?"
ME (confused because we didn't tell anyone I was on fert. meds... thinking that maybe H accidentally let it slip or something): "Uh, yeah...it all worked out."
HIM: "You didn't know that we knew about the medicine, huh?"
ME (thinking that oh yeah, H must have blurted it out and then told them not to tell): "No, we didn't really tell anyone."
HIM: "Oh, well the only reason I know that is because we were over at your house one day to feed the dog and (MIL) was snooping. She found your medicine in the bathroom and knew what it was. She was really excited that you two were trying."
ME: I'm sure my face said it all
HIM (appearing to back-peddle at this point) "Yeah, your medicine was right out on the counter and she saw it."

Strike #2 and #3, MIL. That's so wrong it counts as two.
Let's review. Now, I could care less if she wants to lie to people about where she is and what she's doing. But there is no excuse for putting me in the middle of it, and the more I think about it, the more mad I am at myself for not totally outing her right then and there. No, we are not having Christmas. I don't know what she's talking about...something. I will not back-track or be elusive with information any more when it comes to her personal affairs in regards to her using us as an alibi. Uh-uh, lady. Done.
And okay, I understand it's normal human response to snoop a little. I get it. We've all been there. BUT... I know for a fact that I never left my medicine out on the counter. I was only on it for 5 days a month, and I was very careful to put my meds/PNV in my drawer when anyone was coming over, especially MIL or FIL. So that is a lie. She snooped in my drawer. She read the name on the prescription label. It is none of her business what medicine I am on- ever- at all. No matter what was wrong with me, whether I choose to share it with her or not is my business, and H's business in this case. He totally agreed with me that this did not need to be public knowledge and was just as discreet about our TTC as I was, if not more.
Now, in regards to snooping etiquette, let me just reiterate; we all snoop. Everyone has done it. But there's a certain etiquette to it. You snoop, you discover, you know, you keep quiet. You do not share the fact that you snooped or the fruits of that search with other people. You do not snoop when other people are with you. These are rules, not guidelines. RULES.
So anyways, MIL should be walking around with a bounty on her head right now, and she is instead totally not on my radar. I think it's because I did get pregnant and everything is fine. Had I not gotten PG and were still trying and found this out, I may have ripped her head off. Also, it's around the holidays, a very special time for me. And, I am just way too tired to care right now.
But I should. I should totally call her out on it and tell her what I think, and be irrate, and then blame it on pregnancy hormones and what-not, but I just can't...which is what makes me mad.

SIGH. Bitch fail.

I told DH all of this and he was not very happy about it, but I doubt he will say anything about it. We'll see. I will be very careful in the future, though. I will not trust her alone in this house again for quite some time. And if...IF...I ever do, I may plant some things in my drawer or around the house for her to find. Any suggestions?

15 weeks 4 days

Fascinating...

Before I discuss just what is so fascinating...here's the stats.

Day: 104
Days Left: 176
Feeling: A little lazy. Alright...who are we kidding. Lazy. And still with these headaches. I was going to call the doctor on Thursday after work, but it was the day from hell and I ended up being there much later than I thought. So Monday it is.
Mood: Pretty typical. I nearly ripped my husbands throat out today because he invited a buddy over and the house is a disaster, but he redeemed himself by doing the dishes (my most hated chore), and I had decided to allow him to live.
Recent Cravings: Still none.
Just Noticed: I'm very thirsty.

In good news- we got early Christmas presents the other day and one of them was our CRIB!! YAY! I am fighting the urge to start putting it together. It's killing me. But I think if I got it all together, we wouldn't be able to get H's desk and other office stuff out of the former office, now nursery. I don't think I'm going to kick him out of there until the middle of January. I might start the fight now so that he gives in by the middle of January. Seems practical.

Anyways- here is what I found so fascinating. Upon searching for gender predictors because I am bored out of my skull and avoiding doing household chores, I came upon some Old Wives Tales. Let's have a look:

It's a boy if:

• You didn't experience morning sickness in early pregnancy

Okay, that does not include me. 0-1

• Your baby's heart rate is less than 140 beats per minute

Nope...it was in the 150's, 160's both times it was measured 0-2

• You are carrying the extra weight out front

I'm not really carrying enough to judge. I call it a wash. 0-2

• Your belly looks like a basketball

Nope. Not yet at least. Another wash. 0-2

• Your areolas have darkened considerably

Lemme just check. Hope the neighbors aren't watching. Nope- still normal. 0-3

• You are carrying low

Once again, not showing enough to decide. Wash. 0-3

• You are craving salty or sour foods

No. 0-4

• You are craving protein -- meats and cheese

Ick. No. The only meat I really want is hot dogs...if you call those meat. But I can't have them, so that's the reason I'm craving them. 0-5

• Your feet are colder than they were before pregnancy

I think they're about the same. No more freezing than usual. 0-6

• The hair on your legs has grown faster during pregnancy

Like I care. I don't think it's any faster. I just don't shave it ever because I don't care! 0-7

• Your hands are very dry

No, which is surprising because winter normally dries my skin out. 0-8

• Your pillow faces north when you sleep

Like I know which way is North! Can't count this one! 0-8

• Dad-to-be is gaining weight, right along with you

Hasn't gained a pound. 0-9. It's not looking good for DH's boy!

• Pregnancy has you looking better than ever

HA! No way! I look horrible. Kind of like I don't have access to water and got shoved through a meat grinder. Something like that. 0-10

• Your urine is bright yellow in color

Haven't noticed a difference. I'll keep an eye on it! 0-11

• Your nose is spreading

I hope not! Let me run to the mirror and check! Whew! No, it's still normal. 0-12

• You hang your wedding ring over your belly and it moves in circles

This is too much work. I'm not going to count it. Maybe after I get a bigger belly going. 0-12

• You are having headaches

DING DING DING! Point #1 for a baby boy! All the time! 1-13

• You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an even number

Oh geez. I didn't know math was involved. Okay... 23 + 9 = 32... Oh...it's even! 2-14

So 2 out of 14... that's a 14% chance of having a boy.

It's a girl if:

• You had morning sickness early in pregnancy

That's me. 1-1

• Your baby's heart rate is at least 140 beats per minute

Yes. 2-2

• You are carrying the weight in your hips and rear

No. 2-3

• Your left breast is larger than your right breast

Uh...let's see here. Nope. Look about the same to me. 2-4

• Your hair develops red highlights

Well...it could be because of the red hair dye. I'm not going to count this one. 2-4

• You are carrying high

Don't know yet. Wash. 2-4

• Your belly looks like a watermelon

Not out there enough! 2-4

• You are craving sweets

I suppose. I've always had a sweet tooth. I have to have my daily ice cream! 3-5

• You are craving fruit

Actually yes. Very surprising... 4-6

• You crave orange juice

Ugh! No! I hate orange juice! Always have. Gross. 4-7

• You don't look quite as good as normal during pregnancy

Haha...see my above post about the meat grinder! 5-8

• You are moodier than usual during pregnancy

Isn't everyone? 6-9

• Your face breaks out more than usual

I thought that happened to everyone, no matter what they were having. Yes. 7-10

• You refuse to eat the heel of a loaf of bread

I have never eaten the butt of the bread. But I'll count it. 8-11

• Your breasts have really blossomed!

I wouldn't say really blossomed. I'd say they're bigger... Mmm... I don't know. I say no. 8-12

• Your pillow faces south when you sleep

Like I said...I wouldn't know if there was a compass on my ceiling. 8-12

• Your urine is a dull yellow color

Always has been. 9-13

• You hang your wedding ring over your belly and it moves from side to side

Not counting this. 9-13

• You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an odd number

No. 9-14

So the odds of me having a girl is 64%

14 + 64 = 78%

The odds that I'm having a gender-less beast = 22%

It's not looking good! Haha...just kidding. That was fun. I'll have to go find some other gender predictors to play around with.

Seriously...if I smell one more SMELL!

Ok, so you know how I posted yesterday about feeling good and waiting for the violent mood changes to occur? Yeah, well apparantly I jinxed myself. STUPID! So last night, H and I had BLT's for dinner. Oh yummy. The bacon smelled so good while it was cooking. I lit a candle in the kitchen because that usually alleviates the smell for me.
Now- you would think that when we had bacon on Sunday for breakfast and I made Will open the window because the smell was so overwhelming, that I might have realized bacon wasn't such a great plan.
But back to last night. We make and eat dinner. I sit down and watch TV for a little bit, waiting for the laundry to dry so I can fold it. I didn't feel all that fabulous, but it was manageable. I was watching the Food Network, which I enjoy, but apparently my TV time was over at 8:30- H decided to switch to football. But it switched it back to my show on commercials. Gee, how thoughtful. And then it hit me. I was going to puke. It was the bacon smell wafting in from the kitchen. Oh, it's horrible. I can't smell my favorite Harvest Yankee Candle- I can only smell gross, disgusting, sickening bacon. I complain to H. He just replies that it smells good.
No, you crazy insane man, it does NOT smell good. After suffering for a few minutes, I get up and spray the entire upstairs with air freshener. Well, now it smells like flowers and H complains. Then he says "weren't you going to get laundry?" Ass! He comes down and gets the laundry basket and I switch the loads. When I come back upstairs, he has pulled out his work clothes and left the rest of the basket for me. Yay. Then he goes on to ask me all snottily why I put so much in the dryer- now his work clothes are all wrinkly.
I start folding the laundry and his remark starts to get to me- so I start to cry. He's sitting five feet away from me and doesn't even notice that I'm crying. So I finish folding the laundry and decide to go take a bath- I need a little alone time so I can have my little emotional breakdown. I get in and what happens? Oh, H comes in the bathroom. I tell him that I need some time alone so I can have my little moment. And he wants to know what's wrong. So I tell him that I suck. I can't even do laundry right. And he says that I just put too much in the dryer. Yes- we've established that, thank you. I don't want to know the reason, I just want you to tell me it's ok. It's laundry- I know it's not a big deal. But I needed to hear it right then at that moment.
So he leaves, and I cry more. I calm down and dry off-after finding my towel that the dog dragged off when H was in the bathroom. I get some ice cream and sit next to H while he's watching football. There's a play and he comments on it- so I asked him a question. And he didn't answer. Not only did he not answer- he didn't even hear me. So I leave the room. I get all ready for bed and he comes in and starts bugging me- what's wrong what's wrong. So I tell him and he says he never heard me. I know that, jerkface. So- after awhile he comes to bed and apologizes.

I just seriously could not believe the emotional rollercoaster last night. Everytime I calmed down, something else happened. I allowed things that don't bother me to really get to me. I don't know- I'm sure we'll talk more about it when he gets home, but come on man! Get a clue. Alright. Rant over.

Baby, where are you???

Totally Overdue-13 week pictures from last Tuesday 12.9-

Tomorrow when I take pictures, I am going to do them in a tank and a couple in a regular long sleeve shirt. I feel like the tanks totally show off the belly, which is why I've been using them, but I'm totally not showing when I am actually all dressed, which I think is a big bummer. I do like to compare my current picture to my 8 week picture though. Those usually make me feel like I'm getting there!

Day: 99

Days Left: 181

Feeling: Pretty good. Still on the tired side, but that's to be expected. I am still having the constant headaches, although I haven't had one today...hold on, I have to go find some wood to knock on! I am also pretty much hungry all the time- but like I was pre-pregnancy, about 4 crackers fill me up, so it's not really a big deal. At least that's what I tell myself.

Mood: Typical. I'm just a ray of sunshine. I'm waiting for the violent mood swings- those sound exciting.

Recent Cravings: Nothing really.

Just Noticed: I discovered last week or the week before that the baby does not appreciate onions, garlic, or Italian dressing. Farewell Olive Garden, how I will miss you!

I'm still waiting for that whole nesting thing. I know it doesn't kick in until like 7-8 months, but I could use it now. I just have no motivation to do anything. Well, I suppose I do have some motivation- like just doing enough that my husband won't divorce me. That sounds good. I went and got my hair done today. Ahhh....that was nice. Considering I haven't had it colored in about 4 months and haven't had it cut since September, I was for sure due. I was looking rough. Now I'm just so purty! Although I am extremely pale. But whatever...I'm going for that whole vampire look. Ha!

Hey! Shocker...my belly is hungry! I think BLT's tonight- no T though. Ick. H should be home any minute- he's the bacon cooker. I'm the official bacon burner. It works for us.

This may take awhile (cont.)

Continuing on... and yes, my nap was fabulous, thank you. Although now two episodes of CSI have been merged into one and I have no idea what's going on, but that's alright.

Here's my pictures: (Oh geez...I see I didn't post 11 week pictures either. I suck)

11 Weeks

12 Weeks:

Ok...there. That's done. Now- I realize that I am 13 weeks today, so I have taken a picture and I will post it probably tomorrow.

And I will finish my list tomorrow. I'm feeling a little ADD tonight.

This may take awhile...

I've been neglecting my posting responsibilities, so I have many many points to cover here. I think, for the sake of my terrible memory, I will outline those topics here.
THINGS TO BLOG ABOUT:
a) Current stats
b) My 12-week dr. appointment
c) Pictures (need to add 12 week)
d) Baby steal of a lifetime
e) Rant involving pregnancy and what people say to me
f) Irony of my "Thankful" post

Alright- here's the current stats. And, I've been meaning to buy a scale to keep track of my weight (just because it's interesting, not because I am concerned about gaining weight. I'm not.), but I just haven't gotten around to it yet.
Day: 91
Days Left: 189
Feeling: I feel better! I haven't had morning sickness in a couple weeks! My appetite is returning rapidly. I have still been more tired lately, but that is also beginning to subside. I used to take a 2 hour nap everyday and then still be ready for bed at 8:30 or 9. Now I usually fall asleep for 30-45 minutes after work and then go to bed at 10 or 11. I've heard that won't last long though. Now I'm just having daily back pain and headaches.
Mood: Much better now that I actually feel better. I no longer mope around. Yay!
Recent Cravings: None that I've noticed. I still love me some milk.
Just Noticed: It's going to be nap time real soon!

So, last Tuesday I had my 12-week doctor appointment. H went with me, because I was unsure of what they would be doing. I have heard of some people having ultrasounds at their 12-week appointment, and I didn't want him to miss that. So he went. They told me ahead of time that they would be doing an exam, so I told H that he may want to excuse himself during that. Oh no, no, he'll be fine, he says. Alright, buddy, whatever. So the doc does all the basic checkups with me and we do the whole Q and A thing. Then he gets the nurse and they start setting up for the exam. H is sitting in a chair pretty much right at the end of the table. I tell him he may want to move. He says that it's fine, it's nothing he hasn't seen before. Uh, not like this, my friend. The doctor starts pulling the stirrups out of the table and I swear to you, H's eyes got as big as baseballs. And he says... "I think I need to move my chair." Told ya! He told me later that he was glad he wasn't a woman. But anyways, I digress. Everything went very well at the appointment. We heard the heartbeat again! I have lost 6 pounds since the last time I was weighed there, but that's normal since I didn't feel very well.

Haha...that nap is calling my name. I will finish my post tonight or tomorrow!

Seriously? Have times not evolved?

So, just as Webmd predicted, I am starting to eye maternity clothes, even though I don't need them quite yet. Although I have discovered that besides jeans and my work pants, none of my nice pants fit. Super. The past couple days, I have been looking online to see who's got the best deals and what I might need. Now, I have heard wonderful things about maternity clothes- they're comfortable, they're stylish now, blah blah blah. And yet, I manage to come across gems like these:

Ruffles and bows, pink and frills. Disgusting, I tell you. Just because I am having a baby does not mean I want to dress like a baby! I think back to the clothes that I remember my aunts wearing though, and these suddenly aren't that bad. I can just picture the massive bows on the collars and the flowery patterns.

Rant over. Pictures to be posted later.