Week 23.5, The time has come.

At this time in my pregnancy I am officially over the halfway point and have only 115 days to go until we get to meet little Adelaide!  Yes, we have started the transition from Bobette to Adelaide now since we are 99.9% sure that is what we are going to name her.  (I'm sure she'll be grateful that Bobette isn't sticking, lol) Adelaide is actually a city in Australia, also known as the "city of churches", which I first visited with my family when they came to see me while I was studying abroad in AU.  Upon arrival I had this strange feeling that 'I was home' come over me.  It was so bizarre to think that I was halfway around the world, and I truly felt like I could've lived there my entire life.  It was such a beautiful city, right near the ocean, and I have never forgotten it or that feeling I got while I was there.  I loved it so much that when my Aunt Beth came to visit, I scheduled a visit there into our RV road trip for her to see it as well!  It wasn't until I had returned to the United States that I later learned that Adelaide is an old German name.  I immediately thought, "if I ever have a girl, that's what I'll name her!"  And it really does seem to fit her already.  Luckily for me, Greg loves the name too.  So now  the challenge is figuring out her middle name.  At any given point during the day I can guarantee that if you see me, I have a million middle names flying around my head that I'm trying out.  Let's hope we find one we like soon!

Now, since I am over halfway through my pregnancy, I realize that the time has come to start really taking care of the baby vessel, aka my body.  Since the beginning I've been bombarded with messages about exercising and how good it is for your labor and delivery.  I, however, am not a fan.  So I thought, how can I just ease into this?  After looking at many different websites, I've found that most suggest starting a walking regimen, preferable 30 min. every day, but doing it every other will suffice.  I thought, "I can do that!"  Well, apparently it's not just me that dislikes working out, but my body as well.  After just 3 days of light walking on a tread mill, I could no longer walk up stairs.  Pathetic, right?  That was during the first trimester though and, like I said, the time has come for me to give it another go.  Anything to help with a smoother labor and delivery is worth it I'm sure!  (I see another visit to the chiropractor in my near future....)

The other exercise that ALL websites say is a must is kegels...and let me just say that that is yet another thing I HATE doing.  TMI? :-)  I'm not sure why but to me they are the most uncomfortable things I've ever done.  I know, I know, it will help with the pushing process and recovery thereafter, however, I just can't get used to doing them.  And I can't help but think that every pregnant woman I see may be doing them at that very moment.  The websites make it sound so effortless!  Do it while you're standing in line in the grocery store, at a stop light, during your meetings...seriously?  How awkward is that?  Especially to know that all the other pregnant women around you are probably wondering, "is she doing kegels too?"  So next time you're standing by a pregnant woman...she just may be doing kegels...WEIRD right?!?!

I've also realized that the time has come to start wearing some of those maternity clothes I bought a month or so ago.  As my belly has grown in recent weeks, my wardrobe options have shrank significantly.  I'm still in most of my "normal" clothes but my morning dressing has become more of a chore as I have to go through multiple shirts to find one that fits well and is long enough to cover the maternity band since some start pretty low.  (Note to others who go to buy maternity pants: if you buy the pants with a nude colored full belly banded waist, make sure that the band doesn't start lower than your underwear line.  Otherwise, you're going to have problems...)  There have definitely been days that I have to keep making sure my shirt is pulled down enough so you can't see my hot pink thong peeking through the band.  How embarrassing.  I have a feeling that this summer, dresses and leggings will be my friend. :-)

23 weeks: This would be one of the shirts that
need to be retired pretty soon.  As you can
see, my photographer (aka Greg) is slacking
in the picture taking department, so I have to
do the good ole mirror shot.

23.5 Week Check-In

Weight Gain: 9 pounds

Showing: I have a basketball growing in my abdomen, in case any of you were wondering...

Cravings:  So I may have faked an incurable a pizza craving last night. 

Innie or Outie Belly Button?: Innie
Stretch Marks: Not yet, thank goodness!

Maternity Clothes: I throw them in here or there.  I really need to go through my closet though to eliminate any clothes that no longer fit.

Favorite Moment This Week: Seeing my friends at Beth's wedding and seeing my family during Easter!  Also watching my mom's face, then subsequent teary eyes, the first time she felt Addie give a good kick.

Most Looking Forward To: Figuring out Addie's middle name, it's killing me!

Week 21, almost 22, Am I Missing Something???

When you first become pregnant everyone is eager to tell you about both the good and the bad.  The first and third trimesters are labeled as the most troublesome while the second is often referred to as blissful!  I have experienced the bad of the first trimester, the extreme exhaustion, bloating, nausea, etc. and was fully anticipating the "blissfulness" of the second to take hold before the third hit.  Now, if I read back on my blogs you would think that I'd totally remember all of the "bad" parts of the first trimester quite vividly which would detract me from wanting to go through it again.  However, as I suspected, mommy amnesia has already set in and even as I read my pregnancy history thus far, I wonder, was that really me?  Needless to say I can now see how some people have HUGE families because I believe women are born with this innate ability to forget the "bads" of pregnancy.

I am now a little over mid-way into my second trimester and though I haven't had any really bad experiences, I'm wondering where all of the good ones that I've heard of are.  For example, the big one that I think all women look forward to are the cravings!  How wonderful it would be to have urges to gorge yourself in whatever food you want just because you have this intense craving that won't go away?!  I mean, who in their right mind would tell a pregnant woman not to eat this or that or deny them their weird craving food?!  Well, I wish I had the chance to find out if someone was that brave, however, I have had ZERO cravings.  Yup, zero.  I'm beginning to speculate that maybe pregnant women in fact don't have these crazy cravings.  Maybe it's a secret society or pregnancy pact that women use to have their husband wait on them 24/7?  If so, I think I may be joining soon and start faking it, because darn it, I want to indulge guilt free in some weird prego food! Just don't tell my husband... ;-)

Another blissful second trimester occurrence is the thick movie star hair that you're supposed to get.  Whelp, my hair did get courser which makes for some interesting mornings when my brush gets stuck in my curls and almost hits my husband as it flings across the bathroom after getting loose.  (I'm not sure if he's convinced this is accidental)  And I have gotten more hair...on my belly.  Gross, I know, but hey, ya'll that are not pregnant yet or haven't gotten to this stage, beware.  Baby fuzz will appear, or as I like to say, your happy trail will start to look a little, well, happier.  Doesn't help?  Oh well, I tried.  Needless to say my belly is not looking like all of those beautiful perfect  bellies in all of the pregnancy magazines.  As a result I am strongly reconsidering getting maternity shots of my nekkid belly.

I'm sure you have all heard about those amazing pregnancy dreams and 24/7 feel good hormones too, right??  Well, let's just say instead of having dreams about some ripped man whisking me off my feet and having his way with me, I instead dream about having a baby that looks like a gnome.  Yup, no sexy dreams for me.  Just gnomes or my baby switching gender 5 times throughout the dream.  The fact that we are having a girl has obviously not sunken into my subconscious yet.  (btw, I would NOT suggest telling your husband about the supposed sexy dreams that you are jealous you aren't having...not good for their ego, and I'm telling you this from experience, oops!  It's honestly not that I want to dream about other men cuz that kinda creeps me out, I just honestly want to dream about better things than gnomes.  Is that too much to ask?)  And those feel good hormones?  Well, let's just say they come and go, hence why I feel that Greg doesn't always think the brush throwing is accidental, haha.  jk.  It's honestly not that extreme but I think I've overinflated the idea in my head that I would be walking around with a "perma-grin" and that nothing would irritate me.  Maybe that's still to come??  Let's hope, because that would be awesome. :-D

Week 21 

Week 20

21 Week Check-In

Weight Gain: Um, I know I was up 8 pounds on Sunday at 21 weeks, however, my relentless appetite this week has probably boosted that up at least a couple more pounds by now.  Next weigh in; Sunday, duh duh DUUHH! haha

Showing: Oh yeah, no hiding it now!  Everyone in the office has commented on my "baby bump" and how you can "really see it now!"

Cravings:  I'm seriously going to start faking it soon...

Innie or Outie Belly Button?: Innie

Stretch Marks: I'm adding this dreaded category because I seem to be growing quite fast now and figure it's only a matter of time.  On a good note, my skin is extremely soft and smooth now so maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones to avoid the stretch marks??  Fingers crossed!

Maternity Clothes: I occasionally wear my maternity jeans but still haven't slipped into the other items yet.

Most Looking Forward To: Not traveling for work anymore so I don't have to haul my pregnant @$$ body in and out of schools/hotels day after day. 

Favorite Moment This Week: Morel hunting!  I know, totally unrelated, but Greg and I have been spending time in the woods and have found close to 300 hundred so far, Yum!  Including two HUGE ones pictured below!

Bobette it is!!!

Well the day finally came when we got to figure out the gender of our baby!  The anticipation was killing both of us but on our way to the doctor's office Tuesday morning, I still totally felt like it was going to be a boy, so I wasn't really excited.  I felt like I already knew!

As we patiently waited almost an hour to see the doctor, I contemplated my impending reaction to either sex.  I wasn't sure how I felt either way about the gender.  To be honest, neither Greg nor I had a preference for the gender, we just both wanted a healthy baby.

As the doctor was pushing the handheld ultrasound monitor around my belly, and subsequently almost pushing the pee out of my full bladder, I noticed that we weren't seeing anything in between its' legs.  She seemed to have her legs closed and was not willing to give us a good look, however, I just had a feeling about it...  I peered behind me at Greg and mouthed, "I think it's a girl."  He mouthed back, "me too."  It wasn't until about 15 minutes in that we got a good shot of her little bottom and sure enough, no penis!  The doctor said that we definitely had a little girl on our way!!!

Now, I pause this cute little story to tell you the most disturbing thing that the doctor ever could have said to me...  And I quote, "Now here are the lips of her vagina."  WHAT?!?!?!  No mom-to-be wants to hear the word VAGINA when she is getting only her second look at her innocent little girl.  MY baby girl will NOT have a a VAGINA!  I hate to say it but if it were a little penis we were seeing on the screen I KNOW my reaction would've been totally different.  It would have been more like, awe, look at the cute little penis!  And I probably wouldn't have been able to resist posting a picture of the ultrasound showing he was a boy on both my facebook page and blog.  However, since our doctor was mistaken about our little girl having a v-word, there will be no pictures posted to verify to you all that we are indeed having a little girl.  So just so the world knows, we are having a little girl but the V-word will no longer be used in the same sentence as her nor at any time around her.  The end.

Now that I got that out, back to all of the fun stuff!  After all the measurements were taken and he recalculated her due date, we discovered that she is right on track on her growth and still set to be born 8-21-2011.  She currently weighs just 9oz but will be right on track to be 7- 7.5 pounds by birth.  If she comes a week early she'll be about a half pound less, and if she comes a week later, she'll be about 1 pound more.  Needless to say I'm praying for an on-time birth.  I cringe at the thought of having an 8-8.5 pound baby come out of my V-word.

Our Little Girl's face with her hand in front of it.

This was taken Sunday morning and I feel like
I've doubled in size since then! Haha

19 Week Check-In

Weight Gain: 7 pounds

Showing: It's pretty obvious now that I'm having a baby, in my opinion anyway.  My bump has grown quite a bit in the last couple of days even.

Cravings:  Not really.  I'm not sure if it's that I'm really good at taking vitamins, calcium, and eating a well-rounded diet or what but I haven't really had any real pregnancy cravings.  I'm kinda bummed about that, not gonna lie, but there's still time. :-D

Innie or Outie Belly Button?: Innie, but poking out slightly at the top...

Maternity Clothes: Still not yet.  I am down to about 4 pairs of work pants that I can wear and today I am actually wearing the "bella band" that Leah sent to me so I can leave my pants unbuttoned.  Genius idea I must say.

Favorite Moment This Week: Of course finding out the gender of our baby!

Most Looking Forward To: Picking out all of the baby stuff for her!  It feels so much more real now that we know she's a girl!  So excited!!!

"Stop Squishing Bob" and other weird anomalies of a pregnant woman

As my bump, and other things, have continued to grow, I've noticed more of a connection to the little human developing inside of me.  (sorry, that sounds kinda creepy)  I've noticed an ever-growing connection for the beautiful fetus, little being, bob, hmm, ok, well however you say it is seems to sound creepy, so let's continue.  It seems that as I have grown more fond, so has my husband.  When I'm traveling he still requests updated pictures of Bob, ie my bump, regularly and one of the first things out of his mouth when I talk to him on the phone is, "how is Bob doing today?"  To which I always answer, "Good!"  However, Lord only knows how the baby really is, all I know is that I'm feeling good, so I figure that translates to Bob as well.

Recently this fondness for Bob on Greg's part has also grown into somewhat of a protective role.  While I'm doing dishes he may come up behind me and pull me toward him and away from the edge of the counter for a light hug while lovingly saying, "don't squish Bob."  ...Really?  You think I can squish this thing?  It continues from there.  If my 18 pound cat jumps up on my lap/stomach Greg will walk over and pick him up to "cuddle" him, and then set drop him on the floor....across the room from me.  (ok my cat may really squish Bob but that's beside the point)  Long story short, most things I do causes Greg some concern for our unborn child.  How much candy I eat, what type of food I eat, how much sleep I'm getting, etc.  Which you'd think is a great thing!  Look how much he cares already.  However, I feel like I'm the devil on my shoulder and Greg is the angel whenever I do get the urge to indulge.  Not that he's worried at all about my weight or well-being, just Bob.

Another new and different thing happened when I was working an event a few weekends ago for the university.  I noticed all day that I would catch people not looking at my face but below it. I had a lower cut V-neck sweater on and kept thinking that I must have something on my chest or neck.  When I checked and noticed that nothing was there, I thought that maybe they were looking at the little red bumps that had broken out on my chest, however they were barely noticeable.  Completely puzzled I decided to just ignore it and go on with my day.  When I got home I mentioned it to Greg and asked him if there was something on my chest or if he noticed the bumps.  He very politely responded, "hunny, they are looking at your chest."  DUH!  Not that I am boobilicious or anything but there's more going on there than ever before and I'd never really experienced that.  Naive much?!

And the last pregnant anomaly, the "beer gut".  I've noticed since the "chest" incident that now I have people taking a double look at my belly more so.  I'm to that uncomfortable in between stage of not quite looking pregnant and looking like white trash who enjoys one-too-many brewhas every night.  To illustrate I did take a picture on Tuesday so you all could see what I'm working with here.  And my lovely brother-in-laws have confirmed that it does indeed look like a beer gut.  They're so helpful, aren't they?

Another self portrait at a hotel. It never does stop feeling odd.

In the dressing room at Motherhood Maternity
trying on clothes with a practice bump.

18.5 Week Check-In

Weight Gain: 6 pounds

Showing: Refer to "beer gut" portion on the post

Innie or Outie Belly Button?: Still Innie! 

Maternity Clothes: Though I haven't worn them, while in Fort Wayne I did pick up some essentials such as jeans, work pants, a couple shirts, khakis, and black crop leggings.  You never know when you're gonna pop!

Favorite Moment This Week: Feeling some movement!  I was at my hotel reading in bed Sunday night when I felt a weird feeling, like gas or pressure very low in my abdomen.  It was pretty quick.  It was like nothing I'd ever felt before!  I've since felt it about once a day while I'm relaxing at night.

Most Looking Forward To: Tues when we find out the sex of the baby!  4 days to go!  Not that I'm counting... ;-)

I've got stroller on the brain

You may be thinking, it's just a stroller, right?  WRONG.  And I've come to find out that when it comes to your first baby there is no "it's just this or that" about anything.  I've been researching strollers on the consumer reports website, in books written by parents, on message boards, and amongst other new mothers that I know and everyone seems to have a different opinion.  One mom loves the travel system that comes with the stroller and matching infant baby seat while another calls it the SUV of strollers and that it's too bulky and no good.  She likes the easy one-handle fold stroller with the infant seat adapter that's lightweight and portable.  The good news is that it seems that once a mommy has actually picked her stroller, she absolutely loves it.

That said, I knew that no amount of research on the internet, or in books, or with other moms was going to help me pick a stroller out, partly because I didn't quite understand the lingo, and that I had to just see them for myself.  So, Saturday morning my husband and I got up bright and early to take a 1 1/2 hour trip to Babys R Us to "test drive" stroller for ourselves, and I have never been more scared.

First of all, when we walked in, we looked like a couple of idiots because we just stood there at the entryway for a minute in absolute wonder and fear.  Where on earth were we supposed to even start?!  This was not just about "test driving" strollers, this was about investigating everything baby and learning the lingo.  As I gazed over the crowded baby super store I envied those parents with a younger child in tow because I knew that they at least had a clue as to what they were doing.  However, I knew in order to get through this day, I had to let go of my fear, and envy, and just forge ahead, possibly breaking a stroller or two in the process.

Our game plan was to first walk the store trying to familiarize ourselves with the layout and products.  After completely failing at the familiarizing part, we decided to go check out something we already knew about and had successfully accomplished, picking out a crib!  We hadn't seen it in person but the reviews were great and it was a very good price.  After seeing it all set up, and Greg shaking it to make sure it really was as sturdy as it claimed, we felt confident that if we could make one good choice, we could do it again.  Off to the strollers we went

Did I mention that neither Greg or I had ever pushed a stroller let alone seen one up close until we visited my sister last fall in Texas?  Needless to say, we were SO out of our league.  I thought, "well, there's no time better than now to get familiar with all the buttons and features of strollers!"  I hoisted the first stroller, the one my sister owns, off the display rack and starting pushing it around the aisle, then pulled the one-hand release handle and wah-la!  It folded right up!  Maybe this will be easier than I thought!  Next Greg gave one a whirl pushing it around, trying to release the car seat, and then folding it up.  Not so easy this time.  Well we must've looked completely clueless because during our test driving expedition, at least 8 employees asked us if we needed help.  Finally one guy, who seemed pretty knowledgeable, ignored us when we said we didn't help and that we were just looking, and proceeded to give us a 20 minute tutorial on strollers and their features.  I liked this guy.  I then hauled him with us to each different section of the store, all of which he said he had previously worked, to give us tutorials on them as well.

At the end of the day we left with a confused head full of knowledge and trunk with a highchair...don't ask.  On our way out of the city we hit up "Moe's Southwest Grill," which if you've never been you have to try, and discussed our options.  There are just so many considerations.  Like, does it hold an infant car seat?  Which models is it compatible with?  How does the adapter work to secure the seat?  Are the wheels going to withstand our road conditions?  What are we going to be using it for?  How much will we use it?  And the list goes on and on.  I just can't get strollers off my mind!  I went to bed last night thinking of them and woke up this morning with them on my brain again, hence this blog post :-)

We've narrowed it down to a couple favorites but have to do a bit more investigating on the infant car seat options, but hopefully we will make a decision soon; I'm not sure how much more calculating and deliberating my brain can take.  One thing I've learned from this trip is that when it comes to you and your baby, everything is really just about your personal preference and to not overwhelm your head with too much information.  Nothing is ever going to be perfect.  Just narrow down your options and go with the most practical one and the one you are most comfortable with.  (We'll put this theory to the test when Greg and I go back to pick out the rest of our baby gear in a few months, I'll keep ya posted...)

InStep Grand Safari Swivel Wheel Jogging Stroller.  Now we all know that I don't jog but we like the tires for our country living.  Cons: It's really heavy and we're still skeptical of the infant car seat adaptor.  This is my fav so far though.

Baby Jogger City Mini.  This is the one my sis has that folds up easily, is lightweight, and has the right car seat adaptor.  Cons:  The tires are foam and probably wouldn't withstand the walk down our gravel drive not to mention there are no parent cup holders, which according to Greg is imperative.  His big concern?  How is he going to drink a beer and push a stroller without a beer holder?!  Although you can add that on as an accessory,  It's just not the same...

Heartbeat Strong!

Happy Birthday to me, babies heartbeat is strong, 150.  My doctor said that between 120 and 160 is a good heart rate and that it slows as you get closer to the third trimester.  I've realized that I really do need these little signs of life in order to keep making it real that I'm pregnant, though the belly growth is helping.  Apparently I will begin to feel the baby move between 16-22 weeks, but more than likely between 18-20 weeks.  I've heard that it may feel like the butterflies in your belly, gas (what do you know, more gas), a pop feeling, or any combination of these.  Most new mommies don't recognize the movements so I have a feeling that I'm going to be spending many evenings sitting still trying to notice the movements.

We have our ultrasound date to find out the gender scheduled for March 29th, and I don't think it could come any faster.  We've waffled back and fourth on whether or not to find out the gender but truthfully, with this being our first, I want to be as mentally prepared as possible for him or her.  And, not gonna lie, I can't wait to start picking out Bob's things!

Mommies health seems to be on track too.  My blood pressure is pretty low, 90 over 70 something, which the doctor said is normal.  The lightheadedness gets to me when I stand for too long or get up to fast, or bend over, or, well I'm kinda always lightheaded.  Which may be contributing to my lack of concentration and ability to remember things.  My poor husband keeps having to explain simple driving directions to me over and over, and then I will have him draw me a map, then I forget the map, and then have to call him and have him explain them to me again, very slowly this time, and then explain them again, until he's so frustrated he can hardly stand it.  What really stinks about this is that I'm normally really good with directions, so Greg's frustration frustrates me and then, WAIT, don't stress!  Bob doesn't like Stress!...It's really a vicious cycle.  I believe this is what is know as pregnancy brain.  And anyone who doesn't believe it exists is WRONG.

I'm updating my check-in again because it seems that I was a bit off on a few things :-)

15.5 Week Check-In
Weight Gain: By afternoon it was about 5 pounds, which is apparently right on track.  I have had a voracious appetite that can't be satisfied and I feel like I've been eating 24/7 for the past few couple.
Cravings: I can't get enough salads or blueberries, and it's been that way for over a week now!  Though candy is a close second and, for those who know me well, I'm sure this comes as no surprise. =DShowing: See picture :-)
Maternity Clothes: nope, but my sis is sending me her Bella Band which will hopefully make my current wardrobe last a bit longer.
Favorite Moment This Week: Hearing Bob's heartbeat!
Most Looking Forward To: Getting the crib in that I ordered, it should come this week!!!  Hopefully the assembly instructions aren't too confusing because we already know that Mom's baby brain will not be able to tackle it.  I have a feeling Dad will want to take on that manly task anyway though.

Week 15-Are you looking at my bloat?

15 weeks down, 25ish to go!  My how time is flying already.  I still don't really feel pregnant, though the frame on my desk reminds me every day of the little guy or girl growing in my belly.  And even though I keep telling people that I'm finally showing, they all continue to tell me it looks like I'm just bloated, which I'm pretty sure isn't a compliment. :-)  I thought that the major bloating was over, boy was I wrong.  I definitely tried on a pair of dress pants this morning and, if this tells you anything, I'm not wearing them.  Happy birthday to me, my pants don't fit!  I really can't wait for there to be a real and noticeable baby bump so I start to feel pregnant, and not just full of gas.

On a good note I get to go to the doctor today for a check-up and for the doc to listen to Bob's heartbeat.  I tell ya, not being able to feel the baby kick and squirm, which I know he/she is based on the last ultrasound, makes a mom-to-be a little nervous.  I know I know, I should be happy that my baby is safe in my belly and should cherish this time, but I still can't wait for Bob to be out and about where I can see him/her.  In the mean time I try to just keep as low stress as possible and feed Bob right.

My body is still doing weird things that are taking some time to get used to.  When I stand up or roll out of bed I feel my hips pop and my vertebrae crack like a zipper up my back.  Not loud, it just feels funny.  I'm told this is because of the hormone relaxin that is produced in the body to prepare your body for birth by loosening up ligaments.  In addition I experienced severe pain last week in my tail bone that made it almost impossible for me to walk up or down stairs and would sometimes drop me to my knees.  (I tired to bowl under these circumstances and looked like a complete idiot...just ask my coworkers)  Thank goodness that is subsiding, but I'm not going to get too excited because it may return.

15 Week Check-In
Weight Gain: This morning it was 3.5 pounds :-)
Showing: Apparently it's still more bloat than baby, or so I'm told
Maternity Clothes: Not yet, but I feel some shopping coming on!
Favorite Moment This Week: Waking up to my birthday card from my husband that said to Kerry or Mom
Most Looking Forward To: Hearing Bob's heartbeat today!!!