7 Weeks

Baby's brain -- both hemispheres! -- is growing fast, generating about 100 new cells every minute. Arms and legs are emerging as joints start to form, and a permanent set of kidneys (baby's third!) is now in place.

How far along? 7 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? -1. Better than Monday, I was down 3 on Monday.

Maternity clothes? Nope, though I broke down and bought a Be Band from Target so my jeans count is back to two.

Stretch marks? Nope. I started the lotion this week so hopefully I won't see any new marks for quite some time.

Sleep? Pretty good. I'll take it for as long as it lasts.

Best moment this week? Telling his family on Christmas Eve and Christmas last week.

Movement? Nope but I do have cramps. Actually, quite a bit of cramps at the moment. And, I'm still nauseous all the time. It makes me not want to eat, but not eating makes it worse!

Food cravings? Nothing yet, I'm anxious to know what I'll want and if it is something that I normally eat!

Gender? It will be a boy. We both really want a girl so we're getting a boy.

Labor signs? Nope.

What I miss? Not feeling queasy morning, noon, and night. Remedy?

What I'm looking forward to? New Years in Vegas and my first appointment next week.

Weekly Wisdom: Don't think that just because you said "Excuse Me" means that a pregnant lady will let you pass on the escalator.

Milestones: Making it past 6 weeks!

Emotions: One night in Vegas last week, we're on the escalator outside Planet Hollywood. I'm tired, hungry, nauseous, and my feet and back hurt. This couple tries to pass me on the escalator by saying "Excuse Me" and I get pissed because they only have like 5 more feet to wait and decide to say that if I'm not moving fast enough then let me move faster and go racing past them. I was royally pissed. Then, 5 minutes later I'm in tears. Joy.

Sharing the news

So, last Tuesday was the day to share the news. Well, it was originally Christmas morning, but with the photo shoot, we moved it up a day.

So, we were set on Tuesday. I packed up my car with the gifts in tow and went in to work. About 2:00 it starts to rain. Totally bummed! Sure, it didn't rain for very long, but it still rained. And, as we were taking pictures at the Desert Botanical Gardens, I thought that the rain we did get would cause the desert to look flooded and so, after discussing with the photographer and my mom, we cancelled it. It looks to be rescheduled later on this week.

But, as we were so excited to share the news, we asked to all go to dinner together anyways. So, the 6 of us went to Claim Jumper. As soon as the food was ordered, I gave them their ornaments. My dad was messing around with his cell phone and my mom made him put it away as this was important. So, they start opening everything. My mom starts tearing into my grandma's gift, lifting up the tissue paper while my sister is still getting through the wrapping! I made my mom stop doing that and had everyone wait for each other. Finally, my sister catches up. I hear my dad (he was sitting next to me) read his and mom's ornament out loud, my sister has this puzzled look on her face (I kept looking at her waiting for the light bulb to turn on, like Joey in Friends!). My grandma asks my mom if I am and she says yes! Then my sister gets all excited! Everyone stands up to give me a hug and my mom can't wait to start talking details! She told Jason that he is to call her as soon as we get to the hospital on delivery day so she can get on the next plane here. As soon as I shared the August 18 due date, my dad said "Nope. Baby will be by scheduled c section on August 22." That also happens to be his birthday. I really wasn't sure how he was going to react, but apparently he had a giddy smile on his face the whole time.

We told Jason's parents on Christmas Eve. Jason was concerned that the first words out of his parents mouths was to be about money and he said that if that was the case, that we were going to turn around and leave, so I was really hoping that wasn't going to happen. We made sure they opened their real Christmas gift first (otherwise we'd be leaving and they would open the gift without us). Then they opened their bibs. As soon as his mom saw it she looked right at me with this look of shock and understanding. She asked if I was, to which I said yes. She and Jason's dad said congratulations. Jason said that she then proceeded to say something about money but he shushed her. Then it was the conversation about when I'm due, how was her pregnancy with Jason (neither my mom with me or Jason's mom with him had morning sickness with us), and just general excitement, so I was very relieved by that.

This weekend we went to Vegas with my family. We left on Christmas morning. I was fine until Saturday night. I had a quick whirl of emotions that included me blowing up on someone because they wanted to pass me on the escalator and then crying in my room 5 minutes later. Sunday was just awful. I felt sick the whole time. Today I called the doctor and got the ok to take Emitrol and Dramamine and then got a prescription for phenergan. As it has a tendency to make me drowsy, I only plan to take it at night, and only as needed as it appears to be in Category C for effects on the baby.

That's the update there. It's time to watch Suns basketball!

6 Weeks

Growing like crazy, baby is starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks and chin. Those little hands and feet- still webbed like paddles- might wiggle by week's end, the heart is beating (almost twice as fast as yours!), and blood is starting to circulate.

How far along? 6 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? 0 so far for either direction.

Maternity clothes? Nope, though I broke down and bought a Be Band from Target so my jeans count is back to two.

Stretch marks? Nope. I started the lotion this week so hopefully I won't see any new marks for quite some time.

Sleep? Pretty good. I'll take it for as long as it lasts.

Best moment this week? Telling my family yesterday.

Movement? Nope but I do have cramps. Actually, quite a bit of cramps at the moment. And, I'm nauseous nearly all the time. My poor wrists hurt so much from the sea bands. There is only one other thing that I am truly dreading about the pregnancy besides for this morning sickness and that is the labor.

Food cravings? Nothing yet, I'm anxious to know what I'll want and if it is something that I normally eat!

Gender? It will be a boy. We both really want a girl so we're getting a boy.

Labor signs? Nope.

What I miss? Not feeling queasy morning, noon, and night. Remedy?

What I'm looking forward to? Telling Jason's parents tomorrow and Christmas on Friday.

Weekly Wisdom: Never count on the weather to help you out. Stupid rain.

Milestones: 6 weeks!

Emotions: I did get frustrated today with an issue at work that I just don't feel like dealing with anymore. I can't tell if that's the hormones talking or the fact that I'm checking out of this job and preparing to start my new one on the 4th.

How to tell the family

Ok, so I wanted to wait until I was out of the first trimester to tell my family. My mom has been wanting a grandchild since 9 months after we got married and I wanted to make her stew. But, with the job offer I got the day before, I caved and had to ask her since I know this new position will be more stress on me. But, she says that she has not told my dad, my grandma, or my sister. She wanted to tell my dad and I told her no, it was not her secret to tell it was ours.

So, anyway, now we're going to announce it on Christmas. Or, that's the plan.

We're going to do a family photo shoot in town on Tuesday.

We bought ornaments for each family member. My parents is Mr. and Mrs. Claus holding "the list" and it says grandpa and grandma to be. My grandma is a snowman holding a baby snowman and it says great grandma to be. My sister always says that she will be Aunty Lauren so she gets a yellow star and it says Aunty Lauren to be.

Do we give the presents for them to open on Christmas morning or do we give them during the photo shoot to capture their reactions (mainly my sister's) on camera?

I can tell you we bought "I love grandma" and "I love grandpa" bibs to give to the in-laws and they can open those on Christmas Eve when we do Christmas with his family.

What do you think?

5 weeks and 2 days

So, I do have a 5 week bump shot - ok, the only reason I have a bump is because of my fat, but anyway it will be nice to see my starting point, right? But, I don't have the picture uploaded yet. When I do, I'll add it to this post. I just don't feel like doing that at the moment.



Your embryo (looking kind of like a tadpole) is starting to form major organs (heart, kidney, liver, stomach) and systems (nervous, circulatory, digestive). Baby's presence in your uterus triggers production of hCG (the hormone detected by pregnancy tests)... which triggers production of other hormones like estrogen and progesterone... which trigger all those great symptoms you've probably been noticing!

How far along? 5 weeks 2 days

Maternity clothes? Nope, though I only have 1 pair of jeans that I can wear now because of how bloated I am without getting a bella band or whatever that thing is called.

Stretch marks? Nope. But, when should I be putting on lotion? Do I do that now? Recommendations?

Sleep? Pretty good. I'll take it for as long as it lasts.

Best moment this week? Finding out about my job/promotion then getting the BFP!

Movement? Nope but I do have cramps. I describe it as if one of my cats tries to invade my space and nuzzle up next to me.

Food cravings? Nothing yet, I'm anxious to know what I'll want and if it is something that I normally eat!

Gender? We actually have not thought about that at all, we just want to make it through 12 weeks.

Labor signs? Nope.

What I miss? Caffeine. Not feeling so tired around 1:30 everyday.

What I'm looking forward to? Christmas next week.

Weekly Wisdom: Nothing so far, I'm lame I guess.

Milestones: BFP!

Emotions: Nothing really on the emotion front from what I can tell.

I need to change a goal

Here is a picture from the Christmas Party we had:



Ok, here is where I stand...

7. Send Christmas cards
Finally got them out last night. Sunday night. Yay!

9. Have a movie night once a week for six months
Last week's movie was Hook. I love Peter Pan and Hook was on TV so we sat down and watched the movie. It's not a fantastic movie, but I do love Robin Williams too, so there we go.

23. Do not go on facebook for a week
I did it! I was not on facebook from last Monday to this Sunday, 1 week. Man, I missed it. Jason almost made me log on too to look at something someone posted but I made him use his facebook and go to mine to view it.

95. Get Pregnant

Saturday was due day for AF. I had felt very crampy, and was just preparing for AF's arrival. So, as I do, I began to wear my black underwear that week. Well, Wednesday, I thought I was spotting, but as it was black, I couldn't confirm or deny so I waited for the rest of it.

Now, let me say that I thought November was gone. Jason was sick twice, the first time he gave it to me, and I gave it back to him. And, because I was sick, I thought that was going to push back my O date, and I wasn't charting or watching symptoms at all. So, I was prepared to move on.

Well, Saturday came and I still didn't think anything of it. I went out, did quite a few errands, some Christmas shopping, then came home. By the time I came home, I needed a nap. So, after my nap I went back out to Target to pick up some more Christmas things and I also picked up a test. Why not I thought. So, about 8:00 that night, I went to POAS.



Almost instantly that second line showed up. I shut the bathroom door and went to go vacuum the upstairs up the house. About 5 minutes later, I went back to see how it looked, and sure enough - 2 lines.

Now, I will say that I was on an antibiotic for an infection in my thumb for a while, but we searched and see nothing that says it contains HCG (or is it HSG?) to create a false positive. But, to be safe, I took another this morning (still positive) and will take another on Thursday.

I am in disbelief! Still! It was a very exciting weekend as I was offered a job promotion on Friday, so needless to say, I had a lot to think about! Wow!

So, the goal I need to change is number 94 as I clearly don't need to get Jason to submit a specimen sample anymore...

Solved a problem

I decided to create a personal blog, at least for the time being. This will help me share those things that I wanted to on here without prying eyes and allow me to do a more personal entry. So, that's good.

24 games in

Well, here we are, essentially one third of the season is over. It's crazy to think that we're already a third of the way done with this season. The Suns stand at 16 and 8. Not as good as earlier, but not bad. They got a great win against Orlando on Sunday and was one bad no call away from getting a tie with Denver in the final seconds of last night's game. They look better, not as down and tired as last week when it was obvious that they were the NBA's team that has had the most home games and the most back to backs. My boy Leandro Barbosa is currently injured. He tweaked his ankle in a game at the end of November and is out till roughly Christmas. So, given that, it's not bad. I would like to see us go on another nice win streak, like 7 or 8 games or so. That'd be nice. For now, December is a rough month, we have San Antonio on Tuesday and it doesn't lighten up wither. Cleveland comes to town this month along with the Lakers and the Celtics. Wow.

We have a friend's daughter's 3rd birthday party to attend today. She is so cute. It will be at Peter Piper so I'm curious to see how she handles all the games and such. Otherwise, I have to find a black sweater for me to wear for a family picture photo shoot. Christmas gifts are done. Oh, and I was offered a promotion on Friday. Thing is, I don't know if I want it.

Today is Day 1

Day 1 of Number 23, not going on facebook for 1 week. This is going to be hard. I have it on my phone and can check it anytime I want... My homepage is set to facebook. I had to remember to hit the stop button to keep the page from loading this afternoon as I got home from work. Oh boy. Wish me luck!

Number 6. Host Holiday Party.

Saturday was it, our 3rd holiday party. It was the ugly Christmas sweater theme. The people I knew that would rock the ugly sweaters did not attend, the wife got so sick that the husband stayed home. Everyone else just wore the traditional Santa's hat. So, no one got the prize. It's ok, I have a picture of me and Jason wearing our sweaters. I just haven't uploaded them to my computer yet. There was someone else that was sick and someone who's roommate's grandfather passed away and stayed home to be supportive. I actually think this was the worst one of the three we've had so far. I like the second weekend in December for having these things... Maybe next year we can have it then.

Number 9. Have a movie night once a week for 6 months.

Last week we watched The Greatest Game Ever Played. It's a Disney movie about an underdog in sports. What's not to love?! It stars a post Even Stevens/pre Transformers Shai LeBouf as Francis Oiumet, a guy who loves golf but does not come from a background that would allow him to play golf. I don't know anything about golf but you don't need to to understand the movie. We both saw this movie a while ago. In fact, I bought it when it first came out on DVD and remember taking it with me to London (I think?) when we went and had my family watch it one night in the hotel as they had never seen it. Now they own it.

Number 13. Try 10 new restaurants

Last week Jason took me to Manuel's on Bell Road. He has been there before but as I'm not a Mexican food fan, I had never been. I once again had fajitas. That is the safest choice for me besides for a cheese crisp. I was surprised though that there were only three tortillas and how much meat I got. I had enough for lunch the next day but I can't imagine how much would have been left if the peppers and onions were used too. It was alright, but as I'm not a Mexican food fan, I will try to not go back.

Arizona Ironman

Ok, I guess its time to recap working the Ironman.

I had wanted to go down to see the start of the race at 7am (well, 6:50 for the pros). I wanted to see the massive swim as I've seen pictures from big events (like the Kona championships) and it just looked incredible. However, I was suffering from a cold that day (well, got it during the later part of the week prior) and thought it was best to not go down so early (plus, I had a 2nd interview the next morning). My shift started at 2:00 but in preparation for the possible traffic and parking problems, I left around 12 and made it in at 12:30. There were some pros that were on their marathon at that point, having already completed the 2.4 mile swim, the 122 mile bike and were starting the run. That was amazing.

I watch the athletes finish the bike and get going on the run before looking to see where my station with post race food for the athletes will be. I'm there about 45 minutes before to see stacks of pizza and fruit and water sitting in the sun and tables and chairs needing to be set up. So, with the assistance of my friend who also volunteered with me, we start moving items out of the sun and discussing where tables should go, possibly putting food in some sort of order. We just had to do something as our team leader was not there yet.

Our team leader was only slightly ridiculous. But, that's another story.

Everyone shows up and things finally get moving. The first finisher finished the race before 3:10 - completing the ironman in about 8 hours and 15 minutes. Wow. Once the athletes finally started coming in to the food, it was really interesting to see how each person was at the end of the race. Some were talking and acting like it was just another day at the office (pros and amateurs) and others were not able to say too much, and the most extreme were shaking - they'd be trying to drink chicken broth and it would be shaking and spilling out everywhere. And, I didn't even see the ones that went straight for medical attention.

Many people I did speak with have done at least 3 ironmans, one has done 6! Many experienced their best time at this race, including a guy that (as of then) was calling it quits and completed his last race.

As I worked the race and I looked around at the athletes hanging out in their athlete lounge, I was just so inspired. I thought the whole experience was simply amazing. I will definitely be volunteering for this thing again. It was fantastic.