Our first baby shower

Missy and I had our first baby shower last Sunday with our high school girls group. It's always fun when we get together, but it was even more fun to leave with little baby gifts! Cheryl made the cake and, although it did not depict a woman in labor as I'd requested, it was adorable and extremely tasty. Kim, our hostess for the day, is also pregnant and is due in 5 weeks, so we had to take pics of the three bellies. Thank you girls for a wonderful afternoon!

Date night

Mike and I had an impromptu "date night" last night. We had a gift card to use, so he called me at work and asked me to meet him for dinner. It was a nasty, rainy night, but it was nice and cozy in the restaurant. We talked and laughed and stuffed ourselves (as usual!).

When we got home, we decided it was time for me to brave a bath. I've been so afraid to take one since I've been pregnant. The books have scared me to death, thinking I'd cook the Bean or something. Our new house has a nice jacuzzi tub that was calling to us, so I caved. Of course I got out the thermometer and made sure the temperature was below 98 degrees, but it was still very nice and relaxing.

Afterward, we watched a movie. The Bean was very active, so I kept my shirt lifted and we watched my stomach bounce up and down as the Bean kicked me. Watching Mike's face as my stomach bounced around was so cute that I laughed out loud each time. At one point, the dogs were getting rowdy and Mike yelled at them to settle down. I guess his voice was loud enough to startle the Bean, because I got a kick! So after that, we played games with our little Bean, intermittently having Mike yell to see if the Bean would kick. As you can tell, we are easily amused!

Lovely Baby Bumps...check it out!

Well, Mike has felt the Bean move several times now. One of the coolest new discoveries is that we can see the baby kicking me from the outside now. I love it!!! I'm trying to really enjoy this time right now, when I feel great and love how I look pregnant. I'm sure it's only a few more weeks until I'm really fat, uncomfortable and those kicks become less cute and more painful. The biggest issue I'm having right now is some minor swelling, but otherwise, life is good!

Missy and I went scrapbooking with Mom last weekend in Richmond. It was wonderful to get some mommy-daughter time in before the babies come. The times I spend with Mom and Missy are very special to me and it was nice to relax, catch up and do something creative and productive at the same time. I'll attach some pictures of Missy's and my bellies. Aren't they adorable??!

It's Real!

Mike finally felt the Bean move! For the past few weeks, every time I've felt it move and Mike's been around, the Bean has stopped before Mike could feel it. Usually it's most active in the late afternoon and during my ride home from work, so there really haven't been many opportunities. But tonight was the night. He only felt it once, but at least he felt it. Kenny is in town and was here too, but the Bean did not do an encore performance. For me it was a very special moment, because he got to share in the miracle of what's going on inside of me.

On a different note, How 'bout those Cats???!!! We were fortunate enough to be at the game on Saturday when UK beat LSU. It was so awesome!!!!! It was so intense and our anxiety was so great that when we finally held them to win the game, we all started jumping up and down screaming. Of course all that movement made me pee a little, so I had to quickly stop! Guess it's time to start doing those kegels!

Appointment Recap

Well, everything is going great! As usual, the little Bean would not sit still, so it took quite awhile to get a reading on the heart rate, but we finally measured it at 135. My uterus measured 21 cm, and it should be one centimeter for each week of pregnancy, so it's exactly where it should be. I've gained a total of 15 pounds so far, and the doc said that's great, so I'm going to postpone my freak-out. She also said women typically have a "growth spurt" right about now, so it's okay to gain a little more at this time.

I had several questions for her, most of which I will not recap here, but one was about the baby's movement. Since I'm not sure how all my organs have shifted and where everything is now located, I told her I'm afraid all the movement I've been feeling is just gas and not the baby. So she informed me that my intestines have shifted up and I'm so large up top because of all my constipation. If I feel movement up high, under my breasts, that is gas. So I showed her all the areas I feel movement, down low and in the center, near my belly button. She just smiled and told me every area I pointed to, all below my belly button, is the Bean. Then I just cried, because I feel A LOT going on below my belly button. It was such a relief and a very special moment for me, because I feel my baby so much more than I even thought.

Baby got back

My butt has grown tremendously over the past week or so. Pants that were very saggy just two weeks ago are now snug. It's causing a bit of a panic on my part, and I've already told Mike we have to go walking tonight. I love my bump, and I get so excited watching it grow. But enough with the butt!

I have my OB appointment tomorrow. Hopefully they won't chastise me too much for all the weight gain since my last visit!

Wonderful dinner

Mike and I had a wonderful anniversary. We dined at The Oakroom, the only 5-star restaurant in the state of Kentucky. It was so romantic (they scattered rose petals all over the table in honor of our anniversary) and by far the most incredible meal I've ever had. I'm so glad we watch all those shows on the travel and food channels because I really appreciated the food and the experience so much more. We had everything from ostrich to pork-belly BLT to foie gras and everything was perfect. It was a wonderful night for us.

Yesterday we did nothing. And when I say nothing, I mean we only got out of bed to move to the couch. It was fabulous. I'm totally taking advantage of my lounge time now, because I know I will not have that luxury for the next 18 years or so.

I felt nauseated when I got up this morning. It reminded me how grateful I am that I no longer feel that way every morning. Thank god for my little magic pills that make it all go away.

Happy Anniversary!!

One year ago today I married my wonderful husband. It was an incredibly beautiful day and a perfect ceremony. With just a few exceptions this past year has matched the joy and happiness of that first day. I am so lucky to have such a loving, giving man by my side and I am so proud and honored to be his wife. Happy Anniversary baby!

Ultrasound

I had my "old lady" ultrasound testing Wednesday and Bean passed all the tests! At this time, there is no indication that this pregnancy will be anything but normal from here on out. Although we've decided not to learn the sex of the baby, Mike and I both feel like Bean is a boy and we both thought we saw indications of that on the ultrasound. Of course it could have been the cord for all we know! The Bean is currently breach, just hanging out with his head at my belly button and facing my left side. He is 11 oz. and very active, stretching and yawning for us. You can see from the first picture that he has a cute little baby belly and the second picture is of his dancing feet. The third is the best. You can see his little nose and mouth. I think the profile is just adorable and I cannot wait to see him (or her) on the big day. Also, due to Bean's size, we're back to our original due date of February 25. So we're halfway there!

Also, congratulations are in order for Missy and Amy. Missy will be having a baby girl, our little Biscuette, and Baby R is a boy. Congratulations my fellow Pink Ladies!!!

Update

• The nausea is just an occasional problem these days. Most days I feel almost normal.
• Except for the constipation, that is. I've been trying to eat foods that upset my stomach just so I can go. Not an ideal plan, but my fiber supplement isn't working so well.
• I have yet to really get back in to exercising. I'm tired when I get home and just want to lay around. But Mike and I are trying to get into a walking routine at least.
• I freak out if I don't feel the Bean move everyday. I've gotten used to feeling it in there and it makes me happy to know how strong and active it is.
• I have gained 14 pounds. Although I'm within the recommended weight-gain range, I'm officially the heaviest I've ever been in my life. It's scary.
• I have an ultrasound scheduled for Wednesday. I can't wait!!

UK Fan

Mike and I went to the UK/Florida Atlantic game on Saturday. It was hot, but so great to see them win yet again! We also made a wonderful discovery during the game - the Bean is already a fan! The Bean was so excited about the game it was jumping all over the place. And after the win, the Bean snuggled around inside of me, all happy and content. So from Mike, me and the Bean, Go Cats!!

Girls Lake Weekend

The weekend between Grandma's passing and her funeral was our annual Girls Lake Weekend. With three of us pregnant, and since we had to go so late in the year due to scheduling conflicts, it was not our usual rowdy time. There were no boat trips, no beer drinking on the lake all day, no drinking games at night. Instead, we ate a lot (okay, some things never change!) and watched a lot of movies. We also put a baby pool out on the deck and sat in that all afternoon. A little different atmosphere. And regardless of the activities that defined the weekend, it was so good for my soul to be with my girls. It always makes me happy to be with the people who know me inside and out, who share my idiotic sense of humor, and who have loved me for two decades. Thank you girls, for a much-needed retreat.

Grief

Last week was very difficult. Grandma's death, though not completely unexpected, took me by surprise emotionally. I'd had a few days prior to her passing when I really broke down, thinking of all our happy times together and how much I would miss them. I think I believed that when the time came, her death would be easier to bear if I had already started the grieving process. I was wrong. I was fortunate enough to be there with her as she died, and I will always be grateful that it was a peaceful moment and she was surrounded by those who loved her. I cried when she passed, and I cried some later that day, but the day of the funeral I awoke with a huge sense of dread and sadness. I cried three times before we ever got to the church, and when I got up to the podium to do a reading during mass, I just broke down. I couldn't see the words in front of me through all my tears, and faltered many times. While I didn't want to be standing there crying, I also didn't want to try to stop crying. I felt like I owed it to the woman I loved so much to feel how much she meant to me, however painful it was, and no matter how many people were standing there watching. Later I felt extremely vulnerable and wondered if I'd let the family down because they'd expected me to be strong up there.

Regardless of what anyone else may have thought, I know now you can't plan when and where you will grieve. The thoughts, memories and emotions will hit you at the most unexpected times, sometimes with a devastating blow, sometimes with unexpected laughter at a favorite memory. I have to think that no matter how we all grive for her, Grandma will be right there with us, seeing us through and knowing how very much we all loved her.