Justin Gets His Wish

Today was probably the coolest day in my life or I should rather say in Justin and I's lives. Today we found out we are having a baby BOY. We actually found out a day earlier due to an ice day I got to have and b/c the doctor's office could fit us in. We got up so excited and raced as fast as we could to the appointment. The ultrasound was AMAZING! Probably the neatest thing I've ever experienced b/c we find got to really see some actual body parts instead of just blobs. We obviously also found out we're having a boy and to see Justin's face light up just made me so happy. I think we were both really close to tears (I may have made more than he did, but hey...who's counting!). Our son has all his bits and pieces and is pretty big for me only being 19 weeks. The ultrasound lady said he's about 1/2 ounce bigger than he should be and about 1/2 cm longer than he should be. I'm just glad all his organs are developing and that he's moving. We got a DVD of the event and we got to see him wave at us and pick his nose (hey, he doesn't know what he's doing yet! Give him a break!). We also got to see his long legs and arms and his little "tinkler" as my grandma calls it. I just wanted to talk to him and hold him and give him hugs and kisses. It was awesome!

I have to admit...I kinda hoped for a girl, but I'm pretty psyched about a boy. I think about all the things I could teach him and all the things Justin will teach him and I'm just glad that's he's healthy so far! I think I will make a list of all these things to remind myself of the neat mommy things I will want to remember to do while I am wading through dirty diapers and listening to a crying baby. It became all the more real today that in a short 4 1/2 months I will become a mother and will spend the rest of my life taking care of our little boy. Amazing...just amazing!

So... I tried about 10 times to post the video from the ultrasound, but it's not quite working for me...grrr! If you want to see it, just email me and I'll send you the video. I will post the ultrasound pics, but I'm pretty tired right now. Off to bed I think for me! Back to school tomorrow...probably!

Check back soon for more belly pics. I think I'm due for another here pretty soon as my belly is getting big quick :0)

16 1/2 weeks AND 10 more things to know about pregnancy

Can't really tell I'm getting bigger, but there's definitely a bump growing there! That's right folks...the bean is 16 1/2 weeks in these pictures. We will find out if the bean is a boy or a girl on Dec. 17th...thus BEGIN THE COUNTDOWN! Justin and I are super excited and can't wait to finally find out what's been shaking it in my belly for the last few months.

Now for the fun stuff:
10 MORE THINGS I'VE LEARNED ABOUT PREGNANCY (in no particular order):
10 - Our bean really wants cheeseburgers at every meal....yes even at 5:30 a.m. when I wake up. It's hard not to indulge this one, but I do my best. The bean sure does know how to tell me when he or she is hungry. Unfortunately, he or she is hungry every 2 hours. I guess I should get used to this one!
9 - Hello long hair and crazy strong nails....where have you been all my life!?!?! While pregnant and taking horrible tasting prenatal vitamins, your hair and nails will grow at an alarming rate. I have to say this, getting bigger boobs, and the little baby that will be coming my way are excellent perks to pregnancy!
8 - Goodbye PATIENCE. When I got pregnant and after I stopped felling nauseous ALL THE TIME, my patience disappeared as well. I'm having a lot of trouble being patient at work and that makes me sad. I just want things to be done quickly and efficiently...is that too much to ask? Poor kids who take a year and a half to move an inch to do ANYTHING...GRRRR! I hope that when the baby comes...my patience will return!
7 - Losing sleep while pregnant is just a precursor to actually having the bean here in our presence. While I can still fall asleep at the drop of my head on the pillow, I can't stay asleep all night anymore. If I lay on my belly, I feel like I'm crushing the baby and giving it a conehead. If I turn to my side, the baby will create nausea. If I lay on my back, my back starts to hurt. I just can't win. I've resorted to having to cuddle with a large bear I've had since I was 15 in order to be comfortable enough to actually get some zzzzzzz's. Another thing I better get used to :0)
6 - Speaking of uncomfortable, I waddle at every turn, which makes my knees and back hurt even worse. Sitting down isn't the greatest either....for example, sitting down for an extended period of time without being able to fidget or move, makes me want to scream (BOOOO!). Can we say my hour long drive home JUST GOT WORSE? Oh well...
5 - Hellooooo cute maternity clothes. Thank God I was not pregnant in any other decade b/c at least I can still be stylish. I've stopped fitting in most of my "normal" clothes, so I've had to cave in and start buying pants that go up to my armpits and shirts that hug my belly. By the way, the armpit pants are AWESOME...so comfy. If you haven't had a baby or gotten pregnant yet, just buy a pair b/c they are a fantastical invention!
4 - Registering for the bean was much harder than I expected! HOLY crap Babies 'R' Us needs a handbook to buying and differentiating the difference between the best kind of bottle for the baby. Could you have any more different kinds of nipples? How many different kinds of crib sheets could you possibly make? Ummm...TOO MANY! I do have to say that registering was fun and I did enjoy myself. I definitely feel a little more prepared for our little guy or gal!
3 - I have a super sniffer now! My sense of smell has never been my strongest sense, but as of getting pregnant, my nose has finally lived up to it's potential. I had a hard time tolerating coffee before, but now, don't even put that coffee within a 5 mile radius of my nose or ELSE! I can actually differentiate the different spices in certain foods now...it's kinda cool! Certain smells are pleasant...others are not. The smell in my living room makes me gag and makes it hard for me to watch tv with my husband...I wish I knew what it was, but I keep febreezing the crap out of it and it keeps coming back. Along with a more refined sense of smell, my taste buds have drastically changed. I used to like certain foods or drinks and now I don't. For example, I used to HATE root beer...not anymore...bring on the rootbeer!
2 - BEWARE of the fact that at the sound of a simple word that I can grow 3 heads, start breathing fire, and literally rip the skin off your body with my eyes. My mood swings are UNBELIEVABLE. I'm scared of the person I am becoming...I'm short with people, my patience is gone, and I'm more uptight. This is a newer development, but I'm a little afraid that it was delayed due to my extreme sickness. Of course as soon as I'm done being a monster, I immediately start feeling bad OR I start bawling b/c I feel like a horrible human being. Geez, I hate mood swings. Oh yeah and just so you know...the word that triggers the best, changes every other minute, so don't even try to log it in a bank of things not to say to me.
1 - Being pregnant is not easy by any means, but from the very moment you feel that little bean or peanut or kit kat bar in your belly, you feel an immediate connection to it. This connection makes every trip to the bathroom, every thing you can't eat anymore, the weight you gain, the weird body changes, and all-day-sickness ALL TOTALLY WORTH IT! I may not be sure of what kind of mother I will be and I'm terrified of being a bad one every minute of every day, but I'm also almost positive that I will figure it out and if I try to be a good mom, then I will be. Regardless of my fears and my trying, I have a wonderful husband who will make a wonderful father in 5 months. More and more I'm sure of that! No matter what Justin and I will make good parents together!

Ok, so if you haven't taken my guess if we're having a boy or girl thing yet, read my blog from Nov. 12 called "We've Got a Hearbeat People" and do it. We find out in 15 days and we're super excited! Hope you enoyed my latest blabberings :0)

Whatcha think about this baby's room?

We are thinking about this theme for our baby's room. Whatcha think? We're going to paint the baby's room green and I think this will work for both a boy and a girl, but I'm a tomboy, so I'm not sure. All you girlie girls out there...will this be ok enough for a girl? Anyway, let me know what you think!

We've Got a Heartbeat People

Today was our 2nd prenatal appointment and Justin and I got to hear the heartbeat. It was an incredible sound. I couldn't believe how fast the little bean's heartbeat is....almost 160 beats per minute. I almost cried like a baby AGAIN b/c of the little lubdubs his/her heart made. The doctor said that by our next appointment we'll be able to tell if the baby is a boy or girl. Justin swears up and down it'll be a boy and he always calls the bean a boy. He's pretty funny about it! As for me, I just kinda hope the bean is healthy and happy when he or she pops out. I think they'll both be pretty tough, but I think a girl would be fun. I also think that Justin would love having a daddy's girl in our house. He already says that I am only his favorite person in the world for another 6 months and then I get traded in for the younger, cuter version :0)

Anyway, to have a little fun and find out what you think we'll be having, follow this link:
Click Here to take survey

If you have any trouble, just please let me know! Thanks everyone and I'll be posting picks of my newer, bigger belly soon. 14 weeks down...lots more to go!

Weighing in on politics

Sooooo....election is over...YAY! Hopefully, t.v. will go back to normal now. I woke up this morning and was hopeful that the response to Obama winning would be more positive. I'm sure there are a lot of people who are excited (me included), but I went to Facebook this morning and was a little scared of all the negative comments from non-Obama voters. I'm not saying that negative comments should not be made...I'm a firm believer in everyone's opinion counts, but I also believe that there is nothing now that we can do to change the outcome. I also believe that whether John McCain or Obama or Nader had won that America would be better off than we have been for the last 8 years under the direction of the extremely incompetent Bush. People are scared...I get that. Change is always scary, but do we really need to continue the mudslinging? I ask for faith now that things will get better. People say things won't change, but I honestly have faith that they will...maybe not in the ways you want, but they've got to get better than they are now! Let's think about the positives shall we: 1) Not Bush....2) well-spoken....3) passionate and determined. There's more, but I don't want to go into another long speech. I think it's amazing that history was made yesterday in many ways: 1) 1st African-American President...2) the possibility of a woman Vice President...and 3) record-breaking voter turnout. #3 alone is worth being happy for. It's about time Americans stood up and took a stand, whether I agree with it or not! Whether we like it or not, things will change. I have faith that Obama will do the job he's been hired to do and that he'll do it well. Hopefully, people will fall in line and support a united America...instead of holding on to the bitterness they feel now.

Now for something more scary than Obama winning the presidency shall we?
Oklahoma Representative Sally Kern has been reelected for another term. Watch this and tell me this is a someone we want representing American values in our democracy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFxk7glmMbo
HOW SCARY IS THAT!?!? While Oklahoma is behind on the times for a lot of things, I am ashamed to say I live in a state that would want this woman and her hate to represent my voice. This is just the 2nd instance in the last few weeks that have made me ashamed to live in this state. The first happened when I was driving home a few weeks ago and I looked on an overpass and saw the words "White Power" painted there in big bold letters. No one bothered to clear it off for almost 2 weeks. It pains me to think that people around me still feel that way.

With these things said, Oklahoma is NOT a bad place to live. The people I count as my friends and people I'm proud to know that are native Oklahomans are WONDERFUL people...nicer than you could possibly imagine. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I've been given since I've moved here, but I have learned more in the last 2 1/2 years since we've lived here about discrimination and hate than I have in my other 27 years of existence. I realize there is hate everywhere in the world...no matter where I go, I'll meet it. I just hope that whereever Justin and I and the bean end up, we can teach our bean the difference between hate and respect, right and wrong, and the freedom of speech. I have to believe I will do better parenting than the most of the parents at the school I teach in and better parenting than those who still believe in those words on the overpass.

So, I leave you with this cartoon b/c I thought it was funny and this last thought: Have faith people...America has survived MUCH worse!

10 Truths about Pregnancy

Here's a list of 10 things I've learned so far about pregnancy...some sad, some gross, and some really funny...ENJOY! (PS - These are not in any particular order)

WARNING: Some of the following may be gross, so please read at your own discretion :o)

10 - Let's talk eating...YES A PREGNANT WOMAN IS HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. Do NOT try to steal even a mini-bite of her food b/c if you do, you will risk losing a finger, arm, or any other dangly body part within reach. Do NOT try to argue with her over whether or not she should actually be eating that non-healthy food...just give her the DANG food. Oh yeah, and if she says she looks fat, just say, "Oh honey...you are the most beautiful woman in the world." That is the only statement that makes her feel better...trust me!
9 - Cravings...yes they happen. It is okay to indulge in them within reason. Even if they're strange or weird or something you would not normally eat, go for it! Apparently, the baby you are growing WANTS that ice cream with pickles or grilled cheese with popcorn in the middle. I know strange, but follow the old Nike saying and just do it. Oh yeah and cravings happen at all times of the day. For example, I woke up this morning and started immediately wanting a grilled cheese sandwich (which by the way is one of the only things that I can keep down on a consistent basis). No grilled cheese is not a breakfast food, but yes a pregnant woman needs her grilled cheese for breakfast :0)
8 - Morning sickness does not exist...at least not for me. It should be called "all day nauseous/pukey feeling." That's a better more technical term I feel. Getting sick A LOT is miserable and it makes you question whether having the baby is really a good idea or not. The last 2 days for me were horrible and I could've sworn that the feeling I got when I first found I was pregnant was coming back. I couldn't do a whole lot of moving b/c every time I got up, I got sick. It was gross and disgusting and not much fun at all. You are LUCKY if you didn't get pukey sick all the time, but that doesn't mean you have to rub it in. I'm happy that you had the perfect pregnancy and your labor was wonderful, but please don't remind me of what I could've had. I would love a pat on the back and for you to say, "Hang in there...it'll be over with soon!" I hate to say it, but with my crazy hormones, I would probably punch you in the face if you just so happened to mention the fact that your pregnancy was like a magical fairytale land.
7 - #8 leads me to the wonders of medication...ZOFRAN IS THE BOMB! At first, I tried to tough it off, but I couldn't function AT ALL. They gave me this medication I could rub on my wrists, which works for most women, but of course not me. So, then I had to call, beg, and plead for mercy from my doctor to give me something stronger. Thank God for the miracle drug Zofran. It is fantastical and while it doesn't take away the constant nauseous feeling, it does cure my pukey problem. I can function b/c of this little friend. It's expensive and I'm hoping I won't have to take it much longer, but well let's just pray for that!
6 - Exhaustion...being pregnant gives new meaning to exhaustion. When I do go to sleep, it's great b/c I feel like I'm in a coma and the only thing that could wake me is someone beating me with a baseball bat. Oh yeah and don't take away my naps PLEASE! They are a necessary evil. I can't help it if I need at least 1 a day right around 2 or 3pm. I'm going to take full advantage while I can b/c in about 6 months sleep will be a thing of the past!
5 - TLC's Baby Story is the DEVIL. Everytime I watch that show, I get a new fear concerning birth and delivery. I have to stop watching this show, but it's like seeing something extremely unusual for the first time....you want to look away, but you just can't. I will turn the channel and then keep coming back to it b/c I can't turn away. It's horrible b/c watching someone give birth gives me the heeby jeebies like no other. I guess I don't know why they can't just knock me out and do a c-section when it's time. I realize it's just not that easy, but I sure wish it could be. On the other hand, Bringing Home Baby is probably my new favorite show to watch during the day...much easier on this worry-warts heart!
4 - A free boob job really is a perk of getting preggers. I will keep this brief, but I can't believe the exponential growth in the last 13 weeks in that area. It's amazing!
3 - Being pregnant is really freakin' expensive. Ok people...this is just the precursor to actually having to buy food, diapers, etc. but I can't believe how much money I've spent already. The cost of my wonder pill alone could put me in the poor house! And let's face it, I haven't even begun to spend money yet....just wait my friends until I start going crazy on clothes, toys, books, and baby room stuff. Justin will probably have a heart attack when we start adding everything together. Oy!
2 - Pregnant women do NOT walk...we waddle. At least I do....already! It's funny to watch. I thought it was pretty funny to watch me run, but just watching me walk is enough to make me giggle nowadays. Oh yeah and forget about hurrying...you get pregnant and your need to get somewhere on time disappears. I can't do anything fast anymore and I'm ok with that. It's helped me to slow down and think about something other than putting my job first. I'm glad for that!
1 - Puking in front of a police officer while pregnant DOES get you out of a ticket. A few weeks ago, I got pulled over on my way to work. I was completely guilty and speeding by 4 mphs, which seemed silly to pull me over for in the first place, but I digress. I felt sick on the way to work, but I wanted to wait to stop. When the cop pulled me over, I couldn't hold it in anymore. As soon as I gave him my license and insurance, I had to ask him to step back from my car door. He asked why and I said, "If you don't move officer, I'm going to get sick on your shoes." and then I pushed him out of the way with my door and got sick on the side of the highway (nothing new there). When I was finished, he said, "Well, you're either really drunk or really pregnant." I just said really pregnant and then he let me off the hook. Phew! Another trouble diverted by getting sick in the morning :0)

Being pregnant certainly does have its ups and downs. There are times when I don't think I can do this, but then I look at my belly and I can see the baby's heart beating through my belly and it's amazing! That makes it all worth while...I just need to be reminded of that every once again due to the extreme hormone rages and fits of sadness. Hope you enjoyed my lastest rumblings....stay tuned for the baby's sex in a few weeks!

Nothing was good on tv, so I....

was watching the Tyra Banks show the other night. She had a 15 year-old girl, whose accent could only make her out to be from somewhere in Canada or near Canada. Anyway, this young lady was engaged and trying to get pregnant...trying so hard to get pregnant that she was actually taking drugs to help her have a child. I was so shocked! I wanted to reach through the tv and slap this little girl...thank God Tyra was doing some shaking on this youngin'. I'm not sure what was more disturbing...the fact that she was actively trying to have a baby or the fact that her mother was letting this girl's fiance live in her house and sleep in the same bed. The mom knew they were having sex, but didn't realize how often or that the girl was not on any birth control. This fact led me to wanna smack the mom. WHAT A BUNCH OF MORONS! I couldn't imagine being 15 and a mom...I was so selfish then and so consumed with wanting to just make it through high school, so I could high tail it on out of my hometown. My life would've been dramatically different had I had a child then. This girl said she lost her virginity at 13...I wasn't shocked, but I did think sex really has become no big deal. There is no fear in our teenagers to make them want to prevent pregnancy or STD's or AIDS, etc. At that age, I was terrified to have children or contract a STD. I'm now 27, pregnant, and still a little worried about having a baby. I have no idea whether I'm really ready or not, but I do know that at 15 I was neither ready to be a wife nor a mother. I know I'm going to pray like crazy for this one that she'll get her head out of her gluttimus maximus and realize that at 15, she should worry about finishing school and finding herself.

On the brighter side, I had my first emotional breakdown today. I started bawling b/c Justin was being mean about going to the pumpkin patch with me. He kept complaining about wasting our money and about the time it took to get there, so finally I just started crying as I explained to him that it was a tradition with my mom and I to go to the patch every year. The pumpkin patch is special to me and I miss getting to do it at home. I've been trying not to cry too much b/c it makes me feel more nauseous and silly, but I probably cried today for a good 10 minutes. He really can be a butt when he wants to be....thankfully, it's rare that he is. I love Halloween, but I think I'm too tired to really care yet about it. I can't believe it's already going to be here on Friday.

I also can't believe I'm almost through my first trimester. Luckily, I'm finally starting to feel better. I'm still nauseous all the time, but not as powerfully if that makes sense. Well, I'm off to eat something as per usual. After eating, I've got to start clearing out the baby's room b/c my husband is crazy and wants the room to be cleared out already! 6 more months to go baby....take it easy!

11 weeks and growing

So, here I am...11 weeks preggers. I feel ginormous, but I know I'm not. I think I've only gained 2-3 pounds so far, which isn't bad. It's funny though that I have to wear pregnancy pants b/c nothing else fits! I can't wait until my bump gets bigger.

Now, here's one of our ultrasound pictures. The Bean is 3 cm long and that's pretty big. He's only supposed to be between 2 and 2.5 cm, which is about the size of a sugar packet. He sure does look bigger than a sugar packet though!

Raging Hormones and Other Risks You Take Around a Pregnant Woman

Being pregnant has brought out the crazy person in me. I have so many ups and downs...it's insane! I don't want to be around anyone for fear of me unleashing the beast within. I miss being fun and funny. Now I literally have to keep my mouth in check and I have to make sure that nothing truly hateful comes flying out. It's kind funny in way that I just speak my mind now and don't care what people think b/c I have an excuse for any bad behavior. It's funny b/c I used to spend entirely way too much time thinking and caring about what other people think. So maybe in a way being pregnant might not be all that bad :o)

On another note...
Justin and I get to meet the baby tomorrow. It's our first ultrasound appointment and we're extremely excited. Our bean will hopefully have his fingers and toes and eyes and nose and mouth and a strong heartbeat like his daddy! *Notice how I said his....Justin keeps thinking/wishing/hoping it's a boy. As for me, I just want a healthy baby who's happy and not a nightmare child like the one above :o) Well, thanks for taking this journey with me and the bean!

Gerber Baby on the way

So...around a month ago, Justin and I found out we were having a first baby. Cue the flood of emotion from happy to total fear! All of which were overwhelming, but regardless of the surprise in the situation, we both had our own sense of excitement moreso than fear. It's been a rough and rocky road since then....full of roaster coaster butterfly movement from our little bean.

Before I even got pregnant, I knew I was going to be sick. I had prayed that it wouldn't happen, but I knew it would. Geez, my mom survived 9 months of sickness...and now I just pray that this constant nausea will go away (the sooner the better). My plethora of visits to the restroom have been lots of fun (can you feel the sarcasm!). For the most part, I was unable to function in my daily life b/c the sickness had taken over. After weeks of missing work and missing actually living, I couldn't take it anymore...and neither could Justin b/c eventhough he loves running to get me food, he loves me healthy more. So, we called our doctor and begged him to give me something. The first thing didn't work...the 2nd did...THANK GOD! It's been a wonder pill and I'm finally resembling myself again...YAY!

So, here we are...10 weeks into our journey. Still afraid, but more happy than anything else. Justin has been WONDERFUL and I couldn't ask for a better husband or best friend. This whole thing has made me realize how much I love him and how much he truly loves me. It's a beautiful thing and now we look forward to being the absolute parents we can be. I feel so blessed that I'm not doing this alone and that I have the perfect partner in crime :0) Thank you Justin for being the love of my life and the absolute most amazing dad-to-be there could ever be.

Stay tuned for our first ultrasound picture...we see doctor on Thursday! Pray for 2 arms and 2 legs and an alien like appearance :)