BOB is on board

It has been too long since I have last written about what is going on. Sure you're the size of a fresh plum, but last week Friday I came down with possibly the worst cold I've ever had! I could barely open my eyes all day, and Saturday wasn't much better. Sunday and Monday were a little better in terms of occassionally eatting, and starting to feel better with the help of modern medicine. Tuesday was even better and by Wednesday it felt like I might live through it. So to my loyal readers, I'm sorry I've nearly fallen off the planet.

And a special shout-out to Linnea, this pic is for you! I imagine I'll be showing even more when we see you in September. Thank you Ben and Linnea for inquiring about Baby's progress!

On Thursday Jon and I went up to Beaver Creek/Vail and had a wonderful time at the Hyatt. Friday we had massages, and it was my first pre-natal massage. I felt spoiled by the end of it. :) Friday afternoon we headed closer to Vail and stayed at the Vail/Cascade Resort and Spa. We found out from some locals that after 4 the gondolas are free to ride and on Fridays there is free music at the top. So naturally we went. It was a good band, and there was affordable food and drink too! It was a lot of fun and it was great to spend some quality time just the two(ish) of us. No offense Baby.

On our drive back down the mountains from a glorious getaway we stopped at REI and picked up our new BFF, Bob the Revolution stroller. Pricey? A little. BUT it can go off road, I can run with it, I can go shopping with it, there are attachments for an infant carrier, so all-in-all, this is our ONE stroller! We vowed to have only one and I'm glad it's this one. I am counting on Bob to help me get out of the house with Baby, and to enjoy the beautiful Colorado weather.

You are a fresh plum

We are now into week 12 and according to WTE most of your systems are fully formed and your digestive system is practicing contraction movements. You are the size of a fresh plum.

In going through the past few weeks I have come to realize that I am a picky fruit eater. I had no idea until recently when nearly every fruit that describes your size I have not been a fan of. But just because I am not a fan doesn't mean you won't be a fan. You see, my Uncle Alan and Aunt Jen taught me something a few years ago when we went out to dinner at a pizza place. They ordered a vegetarian style pizza with spinach on it. I had never had spinach because my mom wasn't a fan and my dad never pushed me to try it. Once I had it I realized it wasn't bad. Popeye would've been proud. It was at that moment that I admitted it was my first time trying spinach and another dinner they had taken us out to had been my first time having asparagus. Crazy right? They told me this, "You have to try a new food three times before you decide if you like it or not. The first time your brain is telling you to not like it, but your tastebuds might have a different opinion. The second time you're more willing to try it and your mind is more open. The third time you will know definitively if you like it or not."

Great advice and I've stuck to it ever since. I've come to like sushi based off of this. No eel, but there are many other fish in the sea. So kiddo, while I might not be a big plum fan, be prepared to try it three times before making your decision.

Fingernails

This week you are just over 2 inches long and weigh about a third of an ounce. You are starting to grow hair follicles (you won't be a baldy forever), and your fingernails are beginning to develop. Your fingers and toes have recently seperated from the webbing that was there, and your nasal passages are opening on the tip of the nose. Your tounge and palate are taking shape and apparently you have visable nipples. :)

When I read that your fingernails are starting to develop it reminded me of the scene in Juno when Juno runs into Su-Chin and Su-Chin starts talking about the baby having fingernails, Fingernails!

I babysat for Owen Tuesday and Wednesday and it made me realize a few small things that I can look forward to with you. Like the cuddling, the nap times, playing, bouncing around, and just trying to make you smile and laugh.

Doctor's Visit

This morning I had an appointment with Dr. Ryan to find out about all of my blood work, ultrasound results, etc. Everything came back good. Baby is healthy and growing as it should. We get to hear the heartbeat at the next appointment in September so I am very excited about that!

I would like to thank Baby for being so cooperative in the last couple days. I haven't been feeling as nauseus or sick as last week. I'm hoping it is a sign that the worst is over. My stomach muscles have been pulling a lot lately though and quick movements feel like little muscle pulls. Odd, but still better than staring down the toilet.

Social Butterfly

You will grow up to become a social butterfly. Want to know how I know that? Because I used to be one before nausea and tiredness took over my body. But we got a taste of it again yesterday! We hung out with some great gal pals of mine and they are all so curious about you! I heard many predicitions about you and if you are going to be a girl or a boy and the wonderful things that come with each sex. In about 10 more weeks we get to find out just what you are going to be and it's tough to say who is more excited to find out. Jess's baby shower was great. We sat out on her patio, played a few games, and ate Jess's amazing cooking! It was fun to catch up with some ladies who I haven't seen in a long time, one of them had been nearly two years!

There is a big sale on Friday and Saturday called the Just Between Friends sale that is similar to a consignment store, only held in an expo center. It is going to have all baby and kid stuff. I'm going to go and check it out to see if there is anything I could pick up for a great bargain. I'm a little leary of picking up a lot of stuff since we still don't know about Jon's next project, and we have a good 6 months to accumulate the baby gear.

Fat Pants

Well Baby I have to say you are doing some crazy things to my wardrobe. I know that this temporary fashion crisis is of little concern to you and you don't really care what I'm wearing or what I look like when I step outside. For now I will remain happy and liberated from your "Oh my gosh, I can't believe my mom is wearing that," withering stares. But seriously kid, these pants, while they have come a long way from what my mom used to have to wear, are still not the cutest low-rise bootcuts I've ever seen. Are the pants hideous you ask? Well, not exactly hideous, but more of an embarassment.

Just like when I had to wear a hat or earmuffs to go to school in the winter. So uncool as a kid. But as my mom used to say, "Function over fashion." Clearly her mom also made her wear hats to school in the dead of winter.

The pants are comfortable and as long as I have long shirts you can't really tell the difference. I tried on a couple of shirts while I was there and I was not ready for that yet. One looked adorable on the hanger, but once I put it on I looked like I was at least 5 months prego. Not exactly the look I'm going for. That will come soon enough. It seems the current fashion options are: 1. Look like a house. 2. Show off your rounding belly. I see myself leaning more towards option 2 when the time comes, but hopefully I will have made my peace about growing outwards by then.

Week 10

Baby is nearly an inch and a half long, about the size of a prune....ew. Let's change that fruit to a cherry stem which happens to be the same length. Bones and cartilage, knees and ankles are forming. The elbows on baby's arms are already working. Tiny baby teeth are forming under the gums. Baby's stomach is producing digestive juices, kidneys are producing larger quantities of urine (NO wonder why I am going to the bathroom so much!) and if Baby is a boy, he is starting to produce testosterone.

While Baby is busy inside growing up a little storm, I've been highly productive outside. Well, at least yesterday I was and today is looking promising. I woke up yesterday without the dreaded nausea feelings that have been plaguing me, and not wanting to jinx it or waste it, I high-tailed it out into the real world to run as many of my errands that have been stockpiling as possible. I was even able to meet up with a good friend for lunch (still didn't eat much, 5 year olds seem to be able to pack away more than me yet, and I am not a proud member of the clean plate club). I even had enough energy to visit with some previous co-workers at the paper yesterday as I was paying my advertising bill.

Today I am hoping to get some big stuff done again like painting my sign post, watering the garden, washing the guest room bed sheets, folding my laundry, approving my artwork for advertising, and working on my website. If I still have energy or I just force myself to do it, I am going to try to tackle cleaning the living room and kitchen too. So wish me luck as I try to become Wonder Woman for a second day in a row and seriously get my To-Do List back under control!

A Moody Monday

I woke up on the same side of the bed as any other day, but today seems a little different. It started off ok, but as the morning has progressed I'm feeling agitated. I have nothing to feel agitated about, nor has anyone actually brought it on. I think it is just the emotional roller coaster that has started to take shape in the last week. I cry during commercials or movies for no good reason...the acting never affected me before, why now? And trust me, the acting is rarely that good. And why did the emotional train have to come already? I thought pregnant women didn't become certifiably crazy until their third trimester! It's too early for this!

Or, could it be the hundred different things weighing on my mind? Dates, events, and meetings coming up, holidays and vacations that need some planning attention, How huge am I going to be at these things and do I need new clothes?, Am I going to be sick yet or will I have enough energy so I don't do a face plant in Jello?, Will there be opportunities for nap time or will I need to pull the prego card?, And when is autumn coming? I'm ready to put on the long sleeves and bundle up a bit. The A/C has been working overtime in our house and I feel bad for it. (stupid emotions)

Porcelin Queen

It's been one of those days where I have seen my reflection more in toilet water than windows or mirrors. Oddly, I look about the same. Last night I started to feel yucky and lost my dinner just minutes after sitting down. It's a real bummer because it tasted really good and was quite healthy too. Today has been a continuation of last night in which nothing will stay down.

The doctor reassures me that this is perfectly normal. I don't feel perfectly normal so I felt a sting on my cheek when she said it. I hope this passes soon. I don't like feeling so bad.

Dear Motivation,

Where have you gone? I have a lot to do today, and while surprise, surprise I am accomplishing things on my list, I still don't feel like I've gotten very far. My real estate sign is almost approved for printing, I talked with a potential client who could make a move in a week or a month or months (please not months), I've showered and eaten twice...(yes, I do need motivation or a place to go outside of the house in order to shower before noon) All that leaves is grocery shopping, picking up paint, continuing to work on my website for work, cleaning the house (Moms everywhere would be appalled I'm sure) and some serious laundry.

Motivation, I sincerely hope you return soon. I miss being able to get about a hundred things done before lunch and another two hundred done before dinner. If you see my brain out and about, send that back too. I miss having an organized system for getting things done, remembering simple items like needing milk or the last sentence I just read.

Week 9 & First Ultrasound

We are now into Week 9 and Baby is the size of a medium green olive. Since I don't like olives, I'm changing it to my favorite, the strawberry. Baby is starting to form its muscles allowing him or her to move about. I'm sure there are other amazing things happening, but the book isn't repeating itself, so this is the one big new thing for the week.

The Ultrasound went well enough.

We waited for over a half an hour just to get in (we had an appointment) and then the technician didn't even know why I was there. I told her the doc told me to get an ultrasound so I made the appointment and here I am. I didn't fully know why either but had wishes of hearing the heartbeat or getting to take home a photo so I could remind myself that it is worth it when I'm bent over vomiting.

It was too early in the pregnancy to use the goo on the tummy, so I had a little surprise when we did the ultrasound the other way. Everything checked out ok and Baby is measuring right on track. The technician was making me aggitated about little things here and there and I nearly went off on her the way Brenda did in the movie Juno. Which I later recited in the elevator leaving because I was still a little frustrated. "What? You think you're so special getting to play God up there with picture pages? My four year old daughter could do this job and let me tell you something, she's not the brightest bulb in the tanning bed if you know what I mean." Granted, the context of the two situations were different, but it made me feel better nonetheless.

The weekend

We had a quite the weekend! Friday night JD, Stacey, Owen and Nala came to visit and spent the weekend with us. We watched the Brew Crew and cooked out Friday night. On Saturday we went to Bruegger's Bagels for breakfast and took a nice long walk along the river. We had a picnic lunch at America the Beautiful park and splashed around in the big O fountain. The rest of the day was pretty low key. Sunday we had monkey bread at home before the crew packed up and left. I was very sick yesterday and did nothing but sleep and lay around. It is an awful feeling.