Spreading the news

So, my birthday is Tuesday. My next appointment is also Tuesday. Assuming everything is still fine and dandy with the gummy bear, I think I may have a plan.

We plan to have a few of our close friends over the Saturday of Super Bowl weekend for hanging out, playing board games and such as an excuse for my birthday. With my love of cake, we were going to have a cake for me. While watching the State of the Union, I had this idea. Still pick up a cake, and still make it look like a birthday cake, but instead of it saying "Happy Birthday Katie" have it say "We're Having a Baby". What do you think? We'd have the cake in the fridge until it was time to cut into it so they wouldn't really see it, I think.

As for sharing the news on facebook... I'm unsure as to what to do. Do I just completely announce it (after the party of course) like "Katie is pregnant!" or do I do something more low key or off guard, something like "Katie is shopping for maternity clothes as her clothes no longer fit"... Hmm, decisions decisions.

For now, back to my movie on my day off.

This week's movie

16. Have a movie night once a week for 6 months.

This weeks movie was the Meryl Streep/Amy Adams movie, Julie and Julia. Amy does a decent job, but Meryl was great, for having to play a person that so many people know. I decided to watch this movie as my new boss on Monday started talking about it and how she hates the movie, and when Amy has to put the lobsters in the pot she was just disgusted. Too funny I guess.

Week 11

Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through. But, fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future.

How far along? 11 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? Down 1 from last week, 5 over all.

Maternity clothes? Well, we went and bought me 3 new bras with a gift card I got to Victoria's Secret. I figured the first batch I'd buy from here, with the gift, and then buy bigger sizes elsewhere. I went from a 36D to a 36DD. Actually, the lady measured me at a 38D but when I tried that on, I was swimming in it.

After that, we went to Motherhood to peek around. I am down to one pair of pants that fit so we bought a pair of maternity jeans. While there I also picked up 4 shirts that were on sale. It was overwhelming shopping for maternity clothes, I didn't know what to look for or how the sizing worked!

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep? Still pretty good. I'm just so tired in the morning. But, knock on wood, I am not waking up in the middle of the night.

Best moment this week? Telling our good friends

Movement? Nope and I'm not nauseous at all now really. However, when I'm hungry, I have no warning sign, as soon as I'm hungry, I need to eat! It seems like I'm eating something every 2 hours!

Food cravings? Nothing really this week though I find myself eating a lot of pizza and cereal because I can stand it and it doesn't make me sick. When can I eat normal again?!

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 having to worry about what to eat. When will that end?

What I'm looking forward to? My birthday on Tuesday. With that, comes my second Dr. appointment.

Weekly Wisdom: When sharing your news with others, be mindful of their situation. They'll appreciate the consideration.

Milestones: Buying the first batch of maternity clothes.

Emotions: Nothing big this week. Really, I think about it, and nothing stands out at me... Weird.

3 of a kind (Post number 100)

So, let me tell you about my friends Marie and Libby.

Marie, Libby, me at the Chihuly exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens, February 09

Marie went to high school with Jason. She was on the dance team that performed with the marching band, and my husband continues to believe that he was friends with dancers and cheerleaders alike. Sure you were, you were just their type.

Anyway, it was Jason, Marie, and his other best friend, Eva (who was the "Best Girl" at our wedding) all throughout high school. In fact, Jason took Marie to their senior prom. The three of them went to NAU together for school. Jason, being the music major, was in school for 6 years and Marie and Eva graduated in 4.5 years.

Marie's brother James married Libby, this horticulturalist who, until this past May, attended ASU and worked full time with her own landscaping company. Now, Jason and I didn't really know them when we got married, but now we look back and say if we had known them then, they would have been at the wedding. But, that is neither here nor there.

Marie and her husband Mike started bringing us along to hang out with James and Libby, either by playing Rock Band at Marie's house or Leap Year-A-Palooza (to be held every 4 years at James and Libby's house). Starting with last year's PF Chang Rock N Roll marathon in which we went to watch Marie run the 1/2 marathon, we spent at least 1 day of every weekend together until we left for Paris 2 months later. We went to the Chuhuly exhibit, the Renaissance Festival, lots of board games and Rock Band... It always seemed that we were all delaying the inevitable of young couples. First, Marie and Mike put off babies due to her 1/2 marathon, then there was talk of going to Europe for them (which they never did do). For James and Libby, it was waiting till she graduated from ASU in May of 08. For us, it was waiting for me to complete my triathlon. Well, we found that Mike and Marie decided not to hold off on trying for a baby because of a possible trip to Europe and thus began trying after her run. May came and went and Libby and I joined in.

This past Friday night, we had dinner with James, Libby, Mike, Marie, and Eva and a friend of hers. We were the first ones there, and got a table. James and Libby were next. Libby hugged me and then immediately shared their news. Libby is 15 weeks pregnant (well, as of Wednesday, 16). That puts us 5 weeks apart. She is due July 15. She told us that in preparation for it taking a long time, they actually started "letting things happen" last December. We then, of course, told them. She doesn't have any friends that are currently pregnant so who knows, we could be closer.

Shortly after, Marie and Mike showed up. Marie orders a beer so we know that there is nothing going on for them. She was actually the one I was most nervous about telling because of the perception I had that her sister in law Libby and I didn't start trying till May/June. So, we told them. They said their congratulations and asked general questions like how far we are and our due date and then about 2 minutes later, Marie excuses herself to go to the restroom. While she was gone, we asked her husband how she was and he didn't have much to say about it, said that she'd be fine. He said they were expecting this announcement from us.

So, Marie comes back and gets back in the booth. We are still waiting for Eva and her friend to show up (Eva is always the late one). So, we let everyone look at the menu and then eventually Libby and I continue talking. Shortly later, Marie and Mike were talking behind a menu and then they both get up out of the booth and tears are streaming down Marie's face. I am so sorry that she has to go through this. Her sister in law and one of her best friend's wife is pregnant without her. She wants a baby so bad. I hope that now that they have reached that year mark that they can take the next step. About 5 minutes later, they come back and the tears are gone and it is a mostly enjoyable evening.

Eva and her friend show up and Jason was bursting to tell her the news. I however did not want to. I wanted to wait until we were alone with her and away from Marie so that she wouldn't have to hear it again. She must have seen my hesitation to this because she sent Jason a text to say that she was ok now and to please tell her. We did, and that was the end of baby talk from that side of the table.

Libby and I continued talking. Our next doctor appointments are 1 day apart and we found out that we have the same doctor, a doctor that my friend Stacey used with the delivery of her son. That is how I chose this doctor not even knowing that Libby and also Marie use her too. I had heard that a lot of people use this office, but what are the chances we use the same doctor from that office!

Anyway, I feel like this has gone pretty much no where. I just wanted to share how sad I am for Marie. We know that she is happy for us because she is and that she is just mad/sad at her situation. It seems like it might be too late to wish that she gets a due date of September, but perhaps October? I'm sure Libby and I both would love to go through this with her. I just hope it doesn't deter her from wanting to see us. Only time will tell.

Hunting Buy Buy Baby

So, I finally went to browse online this Buy Buy Baby store I hear so much about. I was glad to see that if I like it, there are 2 stores here in Arizona. Well, it did look like they might have more option in crib bedding. And, while looking around, I found some which just said my friend Vanessa's name all over it.

Let me tell you about Vanessa. I met her online for the Orange County boards for theknot.com as we were both planning summer Disneyland weddings. I would visit to see any recommendations for things like flowers and the DJ without using Disney and just to browse. She happened to be on the board, possibly with a Disneyland wedding question, I'm not sure. Shoot, I could have this whole thing backwards too. But, that's not the point. I found someone who was also getting married at Disneyland and we were only 3 months apart in that summer of 2007.

So, we would talk and email and talk about our weddings at the happiest place on earth. I ended up meeting Vanessa the night before her wedding. I was back at Disneyland as a newlywed and visiting CA for the primary purpose of seeing this marching band show (technically known as drum and bugle corps) at the Rose Bowl on the day of her wedding. So, we were in town and went to Disney. My most favorite thing about Disneyland is their night time show Fantasmic. We almost always try to buy the special viewing seats that give you dessert and drinks. Well, while we were in our seats, I see this girl who looked a lot like Vanessa. It turns out, it was her. She and a bunch of family members and perhaps the bridal party were all there to see the show after what I assume was the rehearsal dinner.

Anyway, to speed things up here... She was living in Texas at the time, and I was in Arizona. Jason and I bought a new build house in early March of 08, I in turn hear that Vanessa and her husband were buying a new build house... in Arizona. So, in the late fall of 08, Vanessa moved to the valley of the sun and we had moved into our house in September of 08.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago... Vanessa got a BFP in early December and has a due date of August 11. I got my BFP in mid December and have a due date of August 18-19. I think the two of us are just connected or something!

So, anyway... She has this craft blog, designsbyvanessa (the link is on my side bar) and in it, I get the hint that she really likes birds. And, while looking at their crib bedding, I came across these. Granted, if they have a boy, it might not work so well... But, I just want to share anyway.

10 Weeks!

With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working. (Soon, legs will too.)

How far along? 10 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? In total, down 4 pounds.

Maternity clothes? Nope, but I'm sure that I will need a new bra soon!

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep? Still pretty good. I had my first crazy/vivid dream last night too.

Best moment this week? Nothing this week....

Movement? Nope and I'm not nauseous at all now really. However, when I'm hungry, I have no warning sign, as soon as I'm hungry, I need to eat! It seems like I'm eating something every 2 hours!

Food cravings? Nothing really this week though I find myself eating a lot of pizza and cereal because I can stand it and it doesn't make me sick.

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 having to worry about what to eat. When will that end?

What I'm looking forward to? Making it out of the first tri right after my birthday.

Weekly Wisdom: None at the moment (I know, (I'm boring!)

Milestones: 25% of the way through! If this goes 40 weeks, and I'm now 10, I'm 1/4 done! Seriously, I don't see how some women love being pregnant.

Emotions: Nothing big this week.

To test or not to test

So, at my first appointment my doctor told us about two tests that can be done, one that is not usually covered by insurance around 12 weeks, and one that usually is around 16 weeks. They looked into my insurance to see if the 12 week one would be covered and I just found out today that it is. So, now I can go have this test done and I know it would test for Downs and such, but I don't remember anything else! I was going to do some research on it so Jason and I can make our decision if this is something we want to have done and I don't even remember what it might be called... Perhaps it's this NT scan? Anyone have any idea?

More progress on my list

Ok... I've been so tired lately that I have had a hard time keeping up with my progress! The dates for the movies are approximate but the movies and the weeks they occurred in are correct.

Here we go!

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

I have 3 more to add to this list. Upon coming back from Vegas, the first movie we watched was Night at the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian. It's not as good as the first (sequels are almost never as good as the original) though Amy Adams as Amelia Earhart is fantastic.

Last week's movie was A League of Their Own about the women's professional baseball league. I adore this movie. Tom Hanks and his "You can't cry! There's no crying in baseball!" Classic!

This week's movie is Across The Universe. We watched it last night while I was feeling very bad. It always seems to help me zone out and forget about things. I love the songs and the way they sing the Beatles tunes.

24. Buy released from the vault and new Disney major animated feature films.

While I didn't buy them myself, as part of my goal beyond this to own every major Disney major animated movie, I got The Aristocats for Christmas.

25. Buy new Pixar feature films.

The same thing as above goes for this one too. So, my sister bought me Cars for Christmas (which I have never owned) and bought me Monsters Inc. (which I did have, but when I made the move to Phoenix from San Jose in 05, a box of movies got lost and everything M to the end was in that box. I'm still working on replacing those movies.

46. Read 6 new books a year (3 at 6 months).

I finished reading Something Blue. I enjoyed it, found it an easy read. While I didn't think that some of it would be real realistic, I enjoyed reading from the other point of view from Something Borrowed.

69. Add shelves to the garage.

This one is completed! Jason put up the shelves in the garage on Saturday night after the depressing Cardinals game. We had been meaning to do this for quite some time, and now with a little one on the way, there was no better time to do this so we can eventually prepare the nursery and get everything out of it that is in there now!

99. Watch a movie starting with each letter of the alphabet.

Today on this MLK Jr day, we finally went to see what all the fuss was about with Avatar. I had heard it was the same story as Dances with Wolves, but having never seen that movie, that told me nothing! I did enjoy it, and while I don't think it is necessary to see it in IMAX (we did), I do think you should see it in 3D. It just makes it seem more real. I loved all the vibrant colors too, and that was some creativity they had for those creatures and bugs! Wow!

My little gummy bear, er buttercup part 2

Ok, back to my appointment.

Jason went with me to the appointment. My sister was texting him for updates and his response would be "we're in the waiting room" or funny like "you're sister's taking off her clothes" once we were in the room. My sister didn't care, she just wanted to know.

So, I guess beyond that it was an appointment. We went over a few things on the history page I had to fill out and such and jumped straight to the ultrasound. Normally my insurance only covers for 1 unless they deem it medically necessary but our doctor doesn't charge for this one as she enjoys it so much. We didn't use the Doppler to hear the heart beat but as soon as she found the baby and zoomed in, we could see the flicker of the heart going. She pointed out the head which was as we figured and it was amazing to think that at the time it was only the size of a raspberry or so, to which she said she thought it looked like a gummy bear. Later that day I found myself singing to myself "My little buttercup" from The Three Amigos but changing buttercup for gummy bear. Anyway, once the ultrasound was over, we discussed some of our questions and got our goody bag of stuff and reading material and headed out to leave.

I can say that I was so relieved that I didn't need to be told where the baby was or where the heartbeat was. I had this fear that I was going to be Rachel from Friends and not know where my baby was on the monitor.

My next appointment is February 2, my birthday. I will be 1 day shy of 12 weeks. I wonder what goes on at this next appointment...

9 weeks!

Your little embryo has now officially graduated to fetus-hood. Adding to the excitement, a Doppler ultrasound device might be able to pick up the beating heart. With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, baby is kind of starting to look like... well... a baby!

How far along? 9 weeks and 1 day

Total weight gain/loss? Um, I don't know, I haven't stepped on the scale since last week

Maternity clothes? Nope, but I'm sure that I will need a new bra soon!

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep? A few nights this week were really rough, tossing and turning... and I'm starting to have some dreams too (last night I gave birth). One night I would be cold so I'd grab the comforter, then 15 minutes later, I'd be burning up! Gah! Though not really too much with the having to run to the bathroom when I wake up in the middle of the night.

Best moment this week? My appointment last week and seeing the gummy bear!

Movement? Nope and the cramps are starting to subside. I'm not nauseous all the time now, really only when I'm hungry. When I'm hungry, I have no warning sign, as soon as I'm hungry, I need to eat!

Food cravings? Nothing major, but, I'll go through spells where something smells good and I want it. Like last week it was a Baskin Robbins Mint Chocolate Chip Shake. Earlier this week was Wendy's Chicken Nuggets.

Gender? It will be a boy. We both really want a girl so we're getting a boy. And, I just read on thebump.com where anything that is sounds like Aiden but is not Aiden is on the way out for a boy name... which we don't mind with our choice of Hayden, but at the same time I might want to look into another name... I just like Hayden Ray so much.

Labor signs? Nope.

What I miss? Not having to worry about what to eat. When will that end?

What I'm looking forward to? Making it out of the first tri right after my birthday.

Weekly Wisdom: None at the moment (I know, (I'm boring!)

Milestones: Seeing the heartbeat last week!

Emotions: Nothing really. *Edited to add that tonight I snapped at Jason. I was browsing vinyl wall decals in hopes to be able to do something Peter Pan related and he said our walls are textured and it wouldn't work. I asked him to let me live in my bubble, he repeated that it wouldn't work to which I snapped "Let me live in my bubble". We haven't spoken since. Would it really not work?*

My little gummy bear, er buttercup

So... the appointment was today. And, in short... I saw the little gummy bear! So cute! Saw the heart flickering away and everything! And, I'm measuring 8 weeks and 1 day, which is exactly what I am, so right on schedule! Whew!

I'll post an actual recap of the appointment later, but wanted to at least share the news!

8 Weeks

Your baby is growing like mad, putting on about a millimeter every day and continuing to straighten out in the trunk. Though you can't feel it yet, baby is moving those little arms, legs and (now only slightly) webbed fingers and toes like crazy.

How far along? 8 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? -1 since last week. Down 2 overall.

Maternity clothes? Nope.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep? Pretty good. I'll take it for as long as it lasts. Though I'm constantly tired. The past 2 days I've taken naps in my car during my lunch break and last night I was half asleep at 6 and went to bed at 8 and was still tired when I woke at 5:00, and I didn't wake up in the middle of the night.

Best moment this week? Um, none actually.

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 major, but, I'll go through spells where something smells good and I want it. Like a pizza, Taco Bell, rice, Wendy's Frosty... Right now it's a Baskin Robbins Mint Chocolate Chip Shake. Ice cream just won't do!

Gender? It will be a boy. We both really want a girl so we're getting a boy. Though, apparently Jason's mom, when she first thought I was pregnant, found herself staring at girl stuff in Michaels. So, who knows.

Labor signs? Nope.

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

What I'm looking forward to? My first appointment tomorrow!

Weekly Wisdom: None at the moment (I know, (I'm boring!)

Milestones: Making it to 2 months!

Emotions: Nothing like last week!

Pondering

So, my first doctor's appointment is this Thursday morning. When I called to make the appointment, they did not tell me a thing when I was on the phone. No brief do this, eat this, don't do this, don't eat that or anything. I basically have been playing this thing by ear so far. I see people talking about their levels of things and I have no idea what that means, if I needed to have this done too and am behind the times or if I don't need to worry about it.

Now, with the appointment coming on Thursday, I'm trying to decide questions I want to ask my doctor, and I have one. What are my travel limitations? With wanting to go to New York in April and possibly New Zealand in March and I would love to take a trip to Alaska... I will need to know! But, I'm sure there are others that I should ask. Oh, I guess I can ask her thoughts on the Swine Flu vaccine. Ok, so 2 questions. I have no idea what I need to know!

On top of that, I felt fantastic today. No morning sickness at all. In fact, I actually got out of bed without eating a thing this morning and did not have to take Dramamine or wear my Sea Bands (my wrists are very thankful!). I'm beyond thrilled by this, I just hope it doesn't return with a vengeance (I start my new job tomorrow) or something else. If it is something else, then it is what it is. I'm prepared for it and it just means that something was wrong with the baby and it's better to get it out now than to let it go the whole way and not be able to survive once being born. I understand that am am ready for that result. But, I hope that's not the case. I guess I may be on pins and needles till Thursday at 8:45. I wonder if I can get my ultrasound first before the questions/medical history/pap?

101 Update

Let's see, how am I doing...

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

So, December 19 we watched Enchanted. I absolutely adore this movie. It's like Disney was trying to do Shrek (making fun of other story lines) and mocking themselves in a way only Disney can do.

Christmas Week we watched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I had to wait and get this as a gift for Christmas but I wasted no time in opening it and watching it!

This week our movie was The Hangover. I had only seen it once before and was curious to watch it again and it is still really funny and amazing at what trouble those guys got into.

10. Visit Zoo Lights on Christmas Eve when in town.

We went again this year and as usual I loved it. I think my favorite part is the "dancing trees". I should have pictures later.

12. Menu plan every week for 2 months.

This gets interesting as I'm finding things that I cannot eat and such. I'm trying to be good, but during this early time, it is rather difficult.

13. Try 10 new restaurants.

We went to Smith and Wollenskys for NYE dinner in Vegas last night. The steak was very good and I was told the whipped potatoes were amazing, but as I don't like a thing in my whipped potatoes and they came out with chives mixed in, I did not eat them and that made me sad.

77. Once pregnant, set up an account for college, etc and put $20.00 a month into it.

We've started this, but once the raspberry shows up we plan to make it $20 a paycheck from each of us.

94. This is the one that I needed to come up with a new goal and I have one.

Get a promotion/higher paying job.

I actually thought I had this already on the list but I never added it, so I'm adding it now and checking it off now. I was offered the day before my BFP a promotion in a different department. It will be a team lead position and it should be very interesting and will have me learning lots more. I start training for it on Monday. I'm nervous, excited and everything in between at the moment. Hopefully this is the right thing for me!