20 Weeks - Halfway!

Hi Everyone,
    First, let me say, happy belated Memorial Day to everyone!  Thank you to all of the soldiers, veterans, and their friends and families who support them.  What you do everyday gives us the opportunity to bring a baby into a world where we feel safe.  So, thank you!!!

Well ... we did it! We've hit our halfway point! I can't believe we are already this far along! It seems like just yesterday that we found out we were expecting, and now I feel like we are starting the downhill ride. 

Next comes panic!  I am a person who likes to have a plan ... and what I think about as we get closer and closer to having our first baby, is the fact that we have done absolutely nothing to prepare.  We don't have a nursery set up, we haven't done our registry, we don't have a name picked out, we haven't read all of our books ... yikes! We better get started!

This past week, Dave and I went into the nursery room (currently a guest room, and full-time closet for Dave's clothes!), and laid out plans for what we want to do.  First things first ... now that we know we are having a boy, we HAVE to remove the Pepto-Bismol-Pink carpet that we inherited when we bought our house. It doesn't quite fit with our plans for a little boys room, does it!  Dave said he would handle the re-carpeting we are hoping to do, so that gives me one less thing to worry about. From there, we have a wallpaper border to remove, and some painting to do.  Once that is done, we can focus on the furniture and the decorating!

We also went to our first baby store this week and started our registry. Annnnd ... we had no idea how out of place we would feel right off the bat!  There were soooo many things to choose from, and soooo many brands and items to review.  It is a little overwhelming to try to figure out what you truly need, versus what you perhaps don't need.  Our strategy is to put everything of interest onto the registry, and review the items later after we conduct a bit more research.  More to come on this as we learn more about what we need!

Now onto this week's update. Baby boy is the size of a small cantaloupe, measuring approximately 6 1/2 inches from head to bum, and weighs in at approximately 10 ounces.

How far along? 20 Weeks, 5 Days

Total weight gain: appox 11 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yes, but still mostly sticking to the belly bands.  I bought some sockings for work because mine were getting a bit tight in the tummy ;)  I am in the market for a maternity bathingsuit that doesn't make me look like an old lady!

Stretch marks? nope, thank god ... but I've started using my cocoa butter ... god I hope it works!

Sleep: Sleeping is going well! Some funky dreams here and there, but I find them entertaining!

Best moment this week: Getting to imagine the nursery with a BOY theme!

Miss Anything? yup ... what do you think?  yes, a nice, cold, REFRESHMENT! and a ham and cheese sandwich :)

Movement: yes! I am feeling a bit more this week ... still nothing crazy, but I am becoming more and more familiar with the feelings and as he gets bigger, I am finding that it is easier to deciper his movements.  

Anything making you queasy or sick: nope!
Have you started to show yet: whoa mamma ... memorial day brought some tummy with it, so yes!
Gender: BOY!
Labor Signs: No (I'm afraid for when I say yes to this one)

Symptoms: not too much this week.  The cramping has subsided (for now), which is good. 
Belly Button in or out? in, thank god ... every week I can say this is a blessing. Though I think it's about time that I think about taking my belly button ring out...no!!!
Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and Excited!!

Looking forward to: feeling more movement, and getting our act together on the nursery and registry planning!

19 Weeks - The FLING

Hi!  First of all, thanks to everyone for the wonderful support through phone calls and email reminders that our doctor's appointment was this afternoon :) Luckily, I was able to keep my mind together long enough to remember, and show up on time, for the correct appointment!

BUT!  Before we get to the gory details of our appointment and the answer to the million dollar boy/girl question ... I have an interesting story to share with all of you.

I am beginning to learn that pregnancy is a lot of things.  It is a miracle, it is ever-changing, and it is not without its symptoms ... but I am also finding that pregnancy is FUNNY. 

Take the other night, for example. It's been over a week now sleeping with my new Snoogle, which has been great!  If you didn't get a chance to read last week's update, the Snoogle is a body pillow that helps to keep you comfortable, and laying on your side, which is important as I get further along.

I've been sleeping with the long side on the outside/edge of the bed to keep me turned inward.  The problem I have found, is that it makes it difficult to get out of bed. It is so good at keeping me on my side, that it takes a great effort to get over or under the Snoogle.  The best way I have found to overcome my fluffy obstacle, is simply to military-style roll over it.  This takes a bit of velocity, but it works.

It was 5:30am, and Dave got up to feed Charlie.  I woke up, and of course, the only thing I could think of was how much I had to pee. The next thing I thought of was, "oh crap, I have to roll over this thing".  I began to mentally prepare myself for the 'hurl', and proceeded to give myself a 1,2,3 count, accompanied by a few mini-rolls to help with momentum.

1 .... 2 .... 3!!!! HEAVE!!! and I really did it! I propelled myself up and over the Snoogle, but as I was in mid-catapult, the Snoogle began to slide, and shifted off the bed!  It was too late before I realized my fate, which was off the bed, and onto the floor.

Yes ... my name is Lisa, and I voluntarily fling myself out of bed.  Meanwhile, Dave came running back up the stairs in response to the 'THUDDD' he heard wondering what the heck happened.  He finds me laughing so hard I was crying, but proud to say I landed perfectly in the position I started in.  So, like the good husband he is, Dave asked me if I was alright, and then proceeded to take a picture of the event (yes, I am hiding my face and laughing so hard my face is filled with tears and snots):

I hope you all enjoyed that as much as I did!  Anyway, onto our exciting order of business.  We made our appointment on the correct day and time! YAY!  And we found out what we are having. 

Some details of the baby this week are: it's the size of a Mango, it's 11 ounces and appox. 6.5 inches long.

Drumroll, please ........

After years of hearing about how Dave and Colin are the 'last kids of the Rodger family', and how we need boys to continue the family name, I am a bit relieved!  But don't worry, Dave has already told me that we need "at least" another boy for insurance purposes ;) lets just stick with the one baby for now and see how we do!

How far along? 19 Weeks, 3 Days

Total weight gain: appox 10 pounds

Maternity clothes? tank top, belly bands, and one work shirt. This is for the day when I wake up and realize that I can't fit into anything, and I'm out of luck!

Stretch marks? nope, thank god ... but I've started using my cocoa butter ... god I hope it works!

Sleep: I am happy to report that I am sleeping great ... ahhh ... on days when I manage to stay in bed and not fling myself onto the floor.

Best moment this week: BOY OH BOY, finding out we're having a BOY!!!

Miss Anything? a tasty cocktail ... or ... a few tasty cocktails. 

Movement: very little.  I did feel a bit today just before my appointment, but nothing consistent yet.

Food cravings: Nothing crazy this week!  

Anything making you queasy or sick: nope, thank god!
Have you started to show yet: yes! can't really hide it anymore!
Gender: BOY!
Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: not too much except for some significant cramping. Everytime I get up quickly, I end up hunched over.
Belly Button in or out? in, thank god ... every week I can say this is a blessing.
Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY!

Looking forward to: feeling this little guy start moving more, and finally being able to shop for baby things ... also, getting to work on our nursery!

18 Weeks - The Appointment

Arrrrreeee you ready for the verdict? Boy or Girl?? What do you think?

Well, the last few days were very exciting, but passed VERYYY SLOOWWLLY. I couldn't wait for this afternoon when we got to go to our appointment to find out the baby's gender.  I feel like this is the missing piece of our little baby puzzle.  Once we know the gender, we can move forward with our baby registry, plans for our nursery, and buying all the fun things!  Yes, sure, we could get started on this stuff now, but I just can't bring myself to do it without knowing if we are having little man or a sweet princess!

This afternoon was really fun at work.  My new job has been great.  The preggo count is now up to 5 PEOPLE!  And guess what ... each of them are having BOYS! So, I could either join in on the "boys club", or I could have a very lucky little lady on my hands, with her choice of 5 eligible baby-bachelors :)

After all of the excitement, Dave and I met at the doctors office.  I couldn't stop smiling while walking in!  I was all prepared with my new health insurance information (I haven't received my card in the mail yet, but don't worry, I had all of the information I needed!). We walked into the front desk, and with a big grin on my face, I say to the receptionist, "Hi!!! I'm Lisa, I have an appointment at 3:50!"

Her reply??

"Your appointment was at 8:30am this morning.  We tried calling two phone numbers, but couldn't reach you".

and then it hit me ... first, the disbelief that this was possibly true, followed quickly by the gut wrenching pang of disappointment when we realized that they were probably right, and we missed our appointment.

The two numbers they tried reaching me at were both old phone numbers that changed when I left my old job (old work cell and old work office), which have now been disconnected.  I try not to ask myself why they don't have Dave's number, but I will ignore those questions in hopes to maintain my sanity.

Yes, everyone ... we have had a false alarm.  I don't know how we had the wrong appointment time, but after a minor crying melt-down in my car afterwards, I have moved on....Ok, who am I kidding ... I had a major melt-down, complete with waterfall tears and asthma-like gasping for breaths in between ... all to which Dave had to figure out a way to console (haha nice try, buddy).  For someone who almost never sheds a tear (except when Sarah McLaughlin narrates the lives of poor, abused dogs on tv), he was in for a trip with this one.

Luckily, I'm feeling much better now.  Though I am severely disappointed, I can wait another 6 days.  We go back (I'm sure of this one!) on Monday at 1:30.  I welcome any and all reminders leading up to this appointment to help us, so please feel free!

Sorry for the disappointing update! But we are doing our best to leave you on the edge of your seat!

Ok ... in the meantime, onto week 18! And to help lessen the blow due to the unfortunate events of the day, Charlie has made his first blog appearance!

How far along? 18 Weeks, 4 Days

Total weight gain: appox 7 pounds

Maternity clothes? a tank top, and a few belly bands.

Stretch marks? nope, thank god ... but I did buy some Cocoa Butter. I've been told that this helps with your skin's elasticity, and to keep it moisturized, in hopes to avoid stretch marks. 

Sleep: I bought a Snoogle this past weekend. Two different people told me that it will be one of the best pregnancy purchases, so I went ahead and bought it.  Lately, I have been waking up on my back, which I have to stop doing.  Laying on your back with the baby at this size can begin to compress veins and interrupt blood flow, etc. To help, this snoogle prevents me from rolling over.  Yay!  Now ... if I can only buy something that stops me from getting up to pee 5 times a night!!?!?!?
Best moment this week: arriving at our appointment to find out the baby's gender .... oh .... wait ... boooooo :(
Miss Anything? yes ... Fitting into my clothes! Also ... I really wanted a Corona Light and/or glass of wine this weekend. With it being mother's day and so nice out, I found myself at a few cookouts.  ahhhh, this is going to be a LONG summer!!! 
Movement: Last week I had felt some movements, but I haven't really felt anything since. This is supposedly normal at this stage, ie: if the baby is kicking inward, you're less likely to feel it.  Also, people who work out regularly don't feel movements as much this early on due to their muscle development.  Maybe next week?
Food cravings: For the first time since before I got pregnant, I craved a SALAD! Yay! This salad had cajun chicken, feta (my doc says any cheese from the grocery store, ie pasteurized, is ok, including feta, etc), strawberries, craisins, and light caesar dressing.  OMG yum.
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope, thank god! Though I haven't had any sickness throughout my pregnancy, I have felt a difference between the 1st and 2nd trimesters.  As good as I was feeling in the 1st trimester, I'm feeling even better these past few weeks!
Have you started to show yet: I'm going to start leaning more towards 'yes' for this one. I've gotten to the point now where I cannot hide the little bump, even in my workout t-shirts.  Also, the girls on the softball team my dad coaches were nice enough to point out the fact that, "you have a little belly now!!". It's always funny to hear that :)

Gender prediction: boy, all the way! aughhhhhh 6 more daysssssssss!  What do you think we're having?
Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: ummmm ... does memory loss/disorganization count?  I also suffered from some significant cramping this week.  Called Round Ligament pain, it is the stretching that is occuring in my lower stomach to make room for the baby.  I also had my first leg cramp, which was nice enough to wake me up in the middle of the night :) These things, I can handle, however ... better than some of the other symptoms I keep reading about!
Belly Button in or out? in, thank god ... eweeeee
Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: well, mostly happy, of course ... though I have this nagging feeling of disappointment thanks to today's events ... did I say I had moved on? hmmmm...
Looking forward to: Monday at 1:30!!!!  BOY OR GIRL??

17 Weeks - Boy or Girl?

Alright folks, we have exactly ONE WEEK until we find out if we are having a boy or a girl! I am freaking out about this, I can't seem to figure out how I will make it through the week and wait until next Tuesday!

As for this past week, things continue to grow (pun intended!), and I'm feeling great.  I had been feeling another bout of exhaustion for a couple of weeks, but the last half of this week has been better. 

Even BIGGER news to report, I think I felt some movement this past week!  It's the strangest feeling because it's not quite the "kick" that I had imagined (at least not at this point), but it was neat!  It felt like ... as if the baby was blowing bubbles in my belly, ha!  It was a flutter, for sure!  I'm really looking forward to feeling more of those, and more pronounced, too, as the baby gets bigger.

Size this week? The baby is the size of a sweet potato, approximately 5 1/2 inches, 5 ounces.

Alright folks, the next time you hear from us, it will be to share the baby's sex!  What is your guess??? Boy or Girl???

How far along? 17 Weeks, 4 Days

Total weight gain: appox 7 pounds

Maternity clothes? a tank top, and a few belly bands.

Stretch marks? nope, thank god ...  

Sleep: my sleep is a bit off this week, again. I am sleeping better than last week, which is good. I keep getting nervous about sleeping flat on my back. I fall asleep on my side, but end up on my back!
Best moment this week: my new baby flutters!
Miss Anything? yes ... Fitting into my clothes!  and WINE ... and SUSHI. ... ok ok, wait for it .... yes, and a ham and cheese sandwich! 
Movement: I think so!!!!
Food cravings: I had a strange craving, today actually, for Ritz crackers with peanut butter on them.  I didn't indulge, but I thought about it :)
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope, thank god!

Have you started to show yet: I'm going to start leaning more towards 'yes' for this one. 
Gender prediction: boy, all the way! What do you think??? One week to go!

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: hmmm, no real symptoms to report this week.
Belly Button in or out? in, thank god ... eweeeee
Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!!! But getting a bit anxious as I realize we have to start doing some planning things soon, aka: baby room, registry, etc! My plan is to start this once we know the gender.  Next week things are going to start getting busy!
Looking forward to: finding out if we are having a boy or a girl!!! what do you think?

16 Weeks - New Job

Whew, what a big week this was.  After two full weeks off (one spent in Meh-hi-cohhh), I've had to pull myself back into reality, but for a good reason.  I started a new job this week!  You're looking at the new Manager of Applications at Leahy Health Systems (Beverly Hospital and it's associated health care organizations).


It wasn't exactly the ideal time on my part to consider a new job, but I didn't know I was pregnant until after the 2nd interview. By then, I already knew I was interested, and I had just hoped that they would still want me after finding out I would be leaving for maternity leave in less than 6 months.  Luckily, they are in full support, and couldn't make me feel better about it all! 


Outside of that, Dave bought me flowers ... for NO reason.  Wow! Who said the honeymoon was over?? :)  nothing like a fresh bunch of flowers to brighten up a room, and put a smile on your face! Thanks hunny!

Onto this week! I'm happy to be able to say that I'm feeling great ... but ... starting to feel ... well ... large :) I had to go shopping for some new work clothes because my regular clothes aren't fitting well, and I wanted to look good at the new job!  I think Dave thinks that I'm using the baby as an excuse to shop ... ;) I'll never tell!

I did have to bite the bullet, though, and purchase a couple of Belly Bands. Wow, are these things are miracle! I should have bought them sooner! I can wear my regular pants unbuttoned with this tube-top looking apparatus over the top of my pants so no one knows I am unzipped! The final product is a cute layered look! Sounds funny, but it's amazing.  Similar to that post-Thanksgiving dinner feeling you get when you're pants are so tight you can barely breathe ... except in this case, it is actually acceptable to unzip your pants!

This week, the baby is considered to be the size of a Turnip (5 inches, 5 oz).  Unfortunately, I barely know what a turnip looks like, nor could I attempt drawing one.  So you're all getting a different baby-fact this week.  The little nugget can hear my voice now! In fact, loud noises like the doorbell or Charlie barking can startle him/her, but will prepare him/her for these noises once he/she is born! Pretty amazing for a tiny being only the size of my hand.

Ohhhh ... and I have to apologize in advance for this picture.  If I look exhausted, it's because I think a 2nd round of exhaustion has hit me these last couple of weeks.  Plus, we took this picture just before I was headed to bed for the night!  Ohhh those bags are lookin' bad! But, yikes, check out that BUMP! (I'm starting to think we need a new "picture taking location" in our house.  Soon that belly won't fit in our little kitchen!)

How far along? 16 Weeks, 5 Days

Total weight gain: appox 7 pounds

Maternity clothes? a tank top, and my new favorite BELLY BANDS!

Stretch marks? no ... augh ... let's hope the answer to this is always NO

Sleep: my sleep is a bit off this week. I am thinking it has to do with starting the new job, though, rather than the pregnancy.
Best moment this week: my "for no reason" flowers!!!!! and starting at my new job!
Miss Anything? yes ... Fitting into my clothes.  Oh .... and I have thought about a ham and cheese sandwich a few times this week. I don't know why. It's not like I eat these everyday under normal circumstances ... I think the fact that I can't have it, makes me want it more.  oh ... and WINE of course. 
Movement: ...I'm going to go with 'not yet' here ... but I did feel one weird flicker-like feeling two days ago. Gas, or baby??? :)

Food cravings: see 'Miss Anything?'!!! oh ... and add Sushi to that list, too!
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope, thank god!
Have you started to show yet: I'm going to start leaning more towards 'yes' for this one.  Though I still resemble a chubbier version of myself, those who know I'm pregnant can definitely see.  In fact, a woman in my workout group said this week, "Oh look, you are getting a little belly!!!" ... eek, no turning back now!
Gender prediction: boy, all the way!

Labor Signs: No

Symptoms: my exhaustion has seemed to come back this week.  But again, it could be the new job.  Or ... charlie taking up 3/4 of our bed ... I'm not sure.
Belly Button in or out? in, thank god ... sshhhuuuudddderrrrr......
Wedding rings on or off? on

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!!! But getting a bit anxious as I realize we have to start doing some planning things soon, aka: baby room, registry, etc!

Looking forward to: less than two weeks until we find out the sex!!! I can't wait!!!