Home and Safe and Snuggly

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Jonathon got home from work around 2:15 today (he works at a school and apparently they released everyone at 1, and he just stayed for a while to finish things up). My mom called when she got home from work about 2:30, and she said my dad is on his way home now. I always worry about everyone when the weather is bad.

I have gotten most of our Christmas cards ready today. Then I got tired of that. Wrapped Christmas presents for a while, and so far I have at least one or two gifts for each family member. I always like to be done by early December, before it gets too crowded. And I won’t shop when the weather is bad.

My cat is obviously very concerned about the weather. She is catnapping on her window perch.

Snow Day

Filed Under Home Sweet Home, Nanny Job | 3 Comments

Bah. I am trapped in my house. I didn’t have huge plans today, but I was going to go to lunch with my pregnant friend Sarah and run a few errands.

I got out of bed about 9:30 today because my mom called. She said something like, “I hope you don’t think you’re going anywhere in this weather. This isn’t safe for you OR the baby!” And there is no point in arguing with mom. So I told her I would cancel my plans.

I talked to Jonathon, and he is planning to leave work around 1:00. Sometimes I have to kind of remind him in situations like this, or he will get caught up in work and never leave.

Then I looked outside and there is already some ice accumulating on our deck and our yard looks just plain gloomy.

I attempted to take a close-up of the little icicles starting to form on our deck railings.

I started to take a picture of our backyard and realized there is something interesting in the background. Check out the house behind ours. Their back door is open. These people leave that door open in any kind of weather. Wouldn’t you think having your door open a foot or two would really run up your gas bill, especially when it it so cold outside that it’s icing???

New Things

Filed Under Pregnancy, Symptoms | 3 Comments

So I have had a few new little things happen over about the past week.

1. What is up with this indigestion? I think that’s what it’s called. Jonathon says it’s reflux. Okay, well here’s what happens. I am fine all day, unless I eat something spicy. Then around dinnertime (whether I have eaten dinner or not, it is just that time of day) I start getting a burning feeling from my chest all the way up into the back of my mouth. Sometimes this is accompanied by throwing up in my mouth, sometimes it’s not. I cannot link it to anything in particular that I might be eating. Gets much worse when I lay down in bed- but better on my side than on my back.

2. Lower back pain. I have issues with my right lower back off and on anyway, so I think the pregnancy is just making it return/intensify. Yesterday was the first day that it really caused me trouble, like to the point of having a hard time getting up and down off the floor when playing with Alison. Last night it was especially hurting and I ended up staying home and laying on the couch. Today it seems to be a little better.

3. My belly seems to be suddenly popping out and looking more round/pregnant. It is definitely a lot firmer than before– like I can tell there is something in there and it’s not just fat.

4. I am starting to feel the baby kick and move a lot more often. I can feel her moving around in general, even if it doesn’t feel like actual “kicks.” I love to feel her move, except when I am trying to eat. It’s an odd feeling to have something moving in my stomach area when I am trying to eat. It almost makes me feel a little queasy. The other day in the car on the way home from Oklahoma, she kicked me suddenly and I thought something had fallen onto my lap. I actually looked around to see what bumped me before I realized that it must have come from the inside. That was the hardest she has kicked yet, but it hasn’t been like that again since then.

*** My pregnant friend has been taken to the hospital with the stomach flu. No fun. She has also had a million other things to deal with during this pregnancy. I wish things would go more smoothly for her. It also makes me so thankful that I haven’t had to deal with anything big yet, and it makes all these things seem like such MINOR complaints! ***

Speaking of 20 Weeks…

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This week, www.pregnancy.org says:

* You’re halfway there!
* The rapid growth stage is about over. While things have slowed down, this next stage is vital to survival.
* The baby’s heart grows stronger. Find a quiet place, lay flat on your back. Locate your own heartbeat by finding your pulse. Next lay your hand on your belly. You may be able to distinguish the two heartbeats!
* His legs are reaching their relative size. With the increase muscle develop occurring as well, you will start feeling much more than tiny flutter kicks soon!
* Immunities are being transferred from you to your baby now. These immune cells will protect her from viruses you’ve already had for up to six months after birth!
* The nerve cells for taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch are now developing in specialized areas of the brain. Production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections.
* Your baby may startle in reaction to loud sounds. Amazingly, she can actually hear noises outside of the womb. Familiar voices, music, and sounds that baby becomes accustomed to during her development stages often are calming after birth.
* If your baby is a girl, her uterus is starting to develop. She has approximately six million eggs in her ovaries. About one million will remain at birth.
* Baby is about 6.46 inches (16.4cm) and weighs around 10.58 ounces (300g).

Belly Picture- 20 Weeks

Filed Under Belly Pictures, Pregnancy, Week by Week | 2 Comments

I took a picture of my belly last week at 19 weeks but it’s a really bad picture… so had to skip posting a belly picture last week

This picture was taken in Oklahoma, on Saturday I think, so right at 20 weeks. I have noticed that within just the last week, I suddenly look more pregnant and less like I am just thick around the middle. I think.

We’re home!!!

Filed Under Family, Home Sweet Home | 1 Comment

Wow… that trip was a little stressful! The first few days were okay. It got progressively worse. I knew I couldn’t write about it while I was there because I was just too angry. Now that we are home and in our own house, I will be much better.

The good thing was that Jonathon and I got along the whole time. No fights at all… a few times we got a little irritated with each other, but I think that’s to be expected when traveling together.

We got there late Wednesday. Had dinner… nothing eventful.

Then on Thursday, we got up to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Had our dinner around 3:00 and basically laid around the house all day. Ug, then his parents wanted us to help them decorate their Christmas tree, which was like the biggest ordeal ever.

On Friday, we went to visit his cousin, who had a baby on Monday. He was pretty cute. He seemed really skinny for how long he was, but I don’t know. Went out to dinner at Nothing But Noodles. When we got home, we exchanged Christmas presents.

n Saturday, we went to visit a Haitian friend of his parents, named Susie, and her baby who is about a month old. They all talked in Creole a lot because Susie’s mom was there and doesn’t speak English at all. So basically I was the only person who couldn’t communicate. I could understand most of it because of the similarities to French, but I couldn’t even begin to speak it. We went to Babies R Us so they could see the baby stuff we registered for. This was the point in the visit when I got really mad. They told us they didn’t get us much for Christmas because they were going to buy us something at Babies, but then they didn’t get us anything AT ALL there. It was just weird. They walked around and looked at everything on our list and bought nothing. It really hurt my feelings.

There is also a lot more to this story that I don’t want to get into here… if you know me, I’m sure you will hear about it anyway but I don’t want to deal with writing about it all.

When we woke up this morning, I couldn’t wait to leave. I didn’t even shower– I got out of bed, packed, and hauled our stuff out to the car by myself. The drive home wasn’t bad. We stopped in Springfield to visit our friends Justin and Tami, who are expecting their first baby in May, I think. Just got back around 8:00 tonight. We taped The Amazing Race, so I’m ready to watch that and then maybe take a bubble bath.

Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains

Filed Under Family, Holidays | 1 Comment

Well, we’re leaving this morning. So I might not be able to post much while we are there. His parents have dial-up, and their computer is in their bedroom.

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving! I hope my little girl likes pecan pie

Please don’t leave me, baby

Filed Under Daddy | 2 Comments

My sweetie husband has been working so hard on raking these damn leaves. There are so many.

When we bought this house, our thought was, “Wow, we love all these big, old trees.” Somehow, it never crossed our mind that the leaves would ever come OFF of the trees. Or that the oak tree in our front yard would make acorns. I hate stepping on them. You have no idea how many come out. We have to use the leaf sucker to get them all off the grass.

These trees are like a constant project. But, I wouldn’t trade them. Except for the oak tree–someone could take that. If it wouldn’t be several thousand dollars to get it removed, we would probably seriously consider it!

Anyway, Jonathon has been working on raking the leaves for several days now. And this is like the third or fourth time this year that he’s done it! I feel sorry for him. I helped him the first time, but I just seem to wear out too quickly to do that now. I lift just a few (not too heavy) things and I’m done.

I thought he was so cute though, so I went outside and took some pictures! The first two don’t even do justice to how many leaves there were.

Just getting started…

Jumping in (That’s our neighbor standing behind him)

He was working so hard!

It could be worse

Filed Under Thoughts | 2 Comments

I am trying to mentally prepare myself for our trip to see the in-laws for Thanksgiving.

Last night I had a complete and total breakdown. I was way too tired, and too hormonal, and MY HUSBAND DIDN’T FINISH RAKING THE LEAVES!

I know, tragedy. I think that was just the straw that broke the camel’s back. I was already freaking out about having to make dinner, do laundry, iron clothes, work, pack for the trip, finish Christmas shopping for the FIL, and probably some other stuff too. Between now and Tuesday.

The first step should have been to have a relaxing weekend. But no. Hung out with the girls Friday night. Cleaned house all day Saturday. Went out with the hubby Saturday night. Church Sunday morning, then volunteered at this kids crafts thing all afternoon. So when I finally arrived home at about 5 p.m. on Sunday, I was beyond exhausted.

I made hot dogs in crescent rolls and macaroni and cheese for dinner. I know it sounds like kid food, but it’s one of my all-time favorite meals. Probably comfort food. But I stood there, sobbing hysterically while trying to stir the macaroni. Finally I ended up sitting on the floor crying while Jonathon finished making dinner.

I distinctly remember yelling, “…and I have all these things to do before we go to Hell on Wednesday!” Oops. We are going to his parents’ house on Wednesday. I guess I could have been nicer about that. It’s not his fault they aren’t normal.

So I am trying to think of reasons why our trip won’t really be that bad.

1. His brother won’t be there. I like his brother, actually, but we share a bathroom with him when we visit. It’s one of those Jack and Jill bathrooms, I think it’s called. So when I pee ten million times during the night, I have to close the door to Geoff’s room, and to the hallway, and then unlock them all again when I’m done. I know that sounds dumb, but it gets annoying after the tenth bathroom trip.

2. We get to see his cousin Tonya’s new baby (who I think was induced this morning if he hadn’t come out yet)

3. I am pregnant, and that makes my life a little more fun in general just because of our excitement about it.

Okay, so that’s not a very long list. But it’s a start. I can think positively. I have to, or I will drive myself crazy!

Girly Stuff

Filed Under Clothes, Pregnancy | 1 Comment

We have had so much fun looking at/buying girl stuff! I love it… I see boy stuff that’s cute, but the girl stuff I just HAVE TO HAVE!

On Thursday after we found out the gender, Jonathon had to go back to work for the rest of the day… so I went shopping with my mom and grandma for a little bit. We bought some “girl baby” stuff… and of course I have added to it a little bit since then too. Just wanted to post some pictures of the latest additions.

My first girl purchase:

First bear/blanket (from Grandma):

Baby Book

19 Weeks

Filed Under Pregnancy, Week by Week | 3 Comments

19 Weeks today, and Babycenter says:

How your baby’s growing:
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and he measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby’s brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. If your baby is a girl, she has an astonishing six million eggs in her ovaries. They’ll dwindle to fewer than two million by the time she’s born.

How your life’s changing:
You’re just a week shy of the halfway mark. You may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen (perhaps extending to your groin) or even a quick, sharp, stabbing pain on one or both sides, especially when you change position or at the end of an active day. This is round ligament pain, and it’s caused by the stretching of the muscles and ligaments that support your growing uterus. It’s nothing to be alarmed about, but if the pain continues even when you’re resting or becomes persistent and severe, call your practitioner.

You may also have noticed some skin changes lately. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it’s from increased estrogen. Patches of darkened skin are also common during pregnancy. When they show up around your upper lip, upper cheeks and forehead, they’re called chloasma, or the “mask of pregnancy.” You may see these splotches on your arms or other areas that have been exposed to the sun. Your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva may also darken during pregnancy. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or “dark line.” All of this darkening is due to a temporary increase in melanin, the substance that colors your hair, skin, and eyes. For most women, these darkened spots will fade shortly after delivery.

My inlaws make me crazy!

Filed Under Family | 4 Comments

Okay, so I know that not everyone gets along with their in-laws the best. I get along with mine fine, they just alternate between really driving me nuts and pissing me off a lot of the time. For that reason, I don’t look forward to phone calls. I know they will say something kind of rude- not even intentionally but it’s like they don’t even know better.

So last night of course we had to call them to tell them the baby is a girl. I was really excited to call them. I thought they would be excited. Why did I think that? I don’t know.

Let me preface this by saying that when we called to tell them we were getting married, it took like three days to get a hold of them. They said, “Congratulations, good for you.” That was about it. THen the subject changed. His mom later told him that they couldn’t be excited for him because they didn’t know me very well. Whatever. So when we told them we were PG, I was once again excited, and they said, “Oh, that’s good news.” Never show much emotion.

Why did I think last night’s phone call would be any better?

Here’s about how the conversation went.

Jonathon: So we had our big ultrasound today…
Inlaws: Oh, we didn’t know that was coming up. Well good for you. (No questions or anything about it.)
Jonathon: This is the ultrasound where we can find out the gender of the baby.
Inlaws: Well, we’d be happy with either.
Jonathon: How would you like to have a granddaughter?
Inlaws: That would be fine. We’d be happy with either.
Jonathon: It’s a girl!!! You ARE having a granddaughter!!
Inlaws: Good… you sound like you have some congestion. Have you been taking any sinus medicine?
(switch to conversation about sinuses for about two minutes)
Me: So I don’t think you heard: We know that the baby is a girl! Isn’t that great?
Inlaws: Yes, we heard… do you know when you are going to be coming in town.
Jonathon: I think Tara is a little disappointed that you aren’t more excited.
MIL: We don’t want anyone to get too excited yet, there is a lot of time to go and something could still happen to the baby. We know someone who lost a baby at 25 weeks.
(At this point I get up and leave the room)

What the hell is wrong with these people? Can they not be happy for us? Who tells their pregnant daughter-in-law that it is still possible to lose their baby?

And did anyone care that the ultrasound was great? Did they want to know if we had thought of names? Has anyone noticed that I am 19 weeks now and the chance of something happening to the baby is SO SMALL?????

Let’s be a little more freaking negative here. Gee, I can’t wait to go visit them next week. At least my parents and grandparents and everyone else we know seems to be excited for us. Kind of lessens the hurt of the inlaws who apparently don’t get excited over ANYTHING.

It’s a girl!

Filed Under Doctor Stuff, Gender, Pregnancy, Thoughts | 4 Comments

We are having a little girl! I am so happy and excited

It will be fun to call the baby “her” instead of “it” or “the baby” all the time!

Everything on the ultrasound was fine, no concerns… she currently weights 9.5 oz which is actually a little bigger than I expected after what I’ve read online for this week, but the tech said that was right on track and they kept my due date the same.

We are just so thankful and we are absolutely thrilled! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Last Green Day

Filed Under Gender | Leave a Comment

Woo hoo! I absolutely HATE this green layout for this blog! As of tomorrow sometime, it should be (barring any technical difficulties) either pink or blue!

Results are in for the baby gender poll. 78% of you (also counting emails etc) say that I am having a girl. Either that really means something, or you are just trying to appease me. But thanks for voting!

I can’t wait for tomorrow! Wow, I must be taking after Mae and going wild with these exclamation points!

My baby is a doggie

Filed Under Nanny Job | 2 Comments

Today we went to lunch at Mr. Goodcents. Mmmmmmm… then on the way home, I decided to ask Alison whether the baby was a boy or a girl.

Me: Is there a boy or girl baby in my tummy?
Alison: It’s a doggie.
Me: Is it a boy or girl?
Alison: I ate a olive.
Me: (Getting impatient) IS IT A BOY BABY OR GIRL BABY?
Alison: I ate a olive. I have doggies in my tummy.

HUH?

Why do I even try to have these conversations with a two year old?