Wednesday, August 17, 2011

16 Weeks

Weekly Survey

How far along?: 16 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: + 9ish pounds

Sleep: I think I’m sleeping well overall – but I’m still having crazy dreams/nightmares: (

Best moment(s) this week: spending some time thinking about the nursery!! (I’m OBSESSED with pinterest right now - SO many cute ideas!)

Movement: Not much…but I think a little bit at night when I’m REALLY still.

Symptoms: a little dizzy sometimes, hungry All. The. Time.

Maternity clothes?: I wore my bellyband a lot this week, so I was MUCH more comfortable!

Stretch marks?: No!!

Food cravings: cottage cheese and tomatoes

Food aversions: Nope!

Healthy eating?: I had a pretty good week with LOTS of fruit and vegetables!! I also had some organic spaghetti o’s from Natalie because I told her about the day I ate a tuna sandwich and spaghetti o’s with meatballs – HA!

Exercise: Yes! Kickball, BodyPump twice, run/walk with Natalie, walk/jog with Callie, DVD, walking, etc.…

Gender: Coming soon!?!

Labor Signs: No!

Belly Button in or out?: In

What I miss: sipping a cold summer brew with my hubby while doing work in the yard; )

What I am looking forward to: decorating the nursery!!

Weekly Wisdom: Having a helpful husband makes everything easier!

Milestones: Some think that babies can start to hear sounds as early as 16 weeks - crazy!


What I’ve Been Smiling About Lately! V.6

- I had lunch at Rudy's with Mom, Claire, and Grandpa. Mom, Claire, and I also went to Made (a new store!) and had mini cupcakes!


- I remembered to pay the bills! The middle of August snuck up on me, but I realized it just in time!


- Nick and I went to Lowe’s and Nebraska Furniture Mart to look at ways to organize the garage and to check out some different nursery sets.


- Natalie and I got a run in early Tuesday morning!


- Book club was SUPER fun this month! I stayed until almost 10 - WAY late for me!


- Nick and I finally did some yard work! This is what it looked like before…YIKES!


- I talked to Lisa for almost 2 hours! SO good to catch up; )


- Tiffany and I had lunch downtown…and Tiffany treated me to a mini cupcake: )

- We won our kickball games and are moving to the next round of the tournament – yay!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Baby A is on the way!

It is time to share our news - Baby A is on the way! Clever, I know; ) Ha!

I am still in disbelief that our lives have changed forever, and I am truly looking forward to this new chapter! Nick and I met 13 years ago this month, and sometimes I really can't believe that the dreams we talked about as teenagers are coming true - it makes me a little emotional just thinking about it!

Nick's Graduation '99
(18 and 16)


Our Wedding '09
(28 and 26)


Vacation '11
(30 and 28)

I have quite a bit to say, but I can already tell that this will be the longest post ever, so I will just post the fun surveys below that I found while looking at baby blogs! I'll try to keep up with the second survey each week to help me remember this journey! (I will post my other thoughts soon!)

All the Details
About the mommy –
  • Name: Lauren
  • Age: 28
  • Is this your first child?: Yes!
About the daddy –
  • Name: Nick
  • Age: 30
  • Is this his first child?: Yes!
Finding out –
  • What day did you find out you were pregnant?: Thursday, May 26, 2011
  • How did you feel when you found out?: I was shocked! I kept saying, “What are we going to do?” over and over while I chugged water to take a third test. It doesn’t even really make sense that I was saying that because I was hoping to be pregnant soon – I was just totally surprised it happened so quickly and hadn’t expected to see a positive test so soon! I think I prepared myself more for how I’d feel about a negative test than a positive test!
  • Who was with you?: HA! For the first two tests, it was just me; ) I took one and couldn’t tell if the plus was really a plus (Looking back, it was OBVIOUSLY a plus, but I just couldn’t believe it!). I didn’t tell Nick I was going to take it because I really didn’t think I was pregnant. I was in the worst mood EVER and just feeling kinda funny, so I took one. After the first one, I fibbed and told him that I needed to go to Target to buy a dress that was on sale (I did want the dress, but it was after 8pm, and I never go anywhere once I’m home from work!), so I chugged water to and from Target, where I bought four more tests (and the dress!). I took the second one (two dark lines = pregnant!) and walked downstairs to tell Nick…
  • How did the daddy react?: He was wide-eyed! He said something like, “What do you mean?” We hugged for a minute (and I was shaking like I did after he proposed!), and he said he could feel my heart racing. We sat down on the couch while I told him the whole story, and I continued to drink water so that I could take the third test. Nick calmed me down and helped me think about what to do the next day (i.e., call the doctor, try not to freak out…). As we went to bed, we were really just in shock - I didn't even really cry! I left the bathroom a mess for a couple of days so that I could remind myself that I was definitely pregnant.
Bathroom disaster...I wasn't kidding!


Telling the grandparents –
  • How did your parents react?: We had my parents over for fondue – a family tradition! We wanted to tell them before dinner, but Dad put his first piece of beef in the oil before we had a chance! Nick was totally weird throughout dinner because our plan was thrown off – ha! He told them the news while we were visiting in the living room before dessert. Dad’s response – “I told you!” to Mom! I still don’t know what made him think that I was pregnant, but he was right! Somehow, I managed to only tear up a little bit – it definitely helped to have Nick share the emotional news! They were obviously excited, and they seem to be more and more excited as time passes! They will be such good grandparents: )
  • How did his parents react?: We told Nick’s parents soon after we found out while Nick’s sister and brother-in-law were in town. Nick’s parents were thrilled, and Judy told us she is convinced we’ll have a girl because she had been talking to one of Nick’s cousins that day about all of the little boys in the family. They talked about the need for a girl, and Judy mentioned that there was still a chance that Nick and I could have a girl some day! We’ll see; ) 
About the pregnancy –
  • When is your due date?: January 28
  • How far along are you right now?: 15 weeks/4 days!
  • Have you had an ultrasound?: Yes - 2!
  • Have you heard the heartbeat?: Yes – once at each ultrasound and once with the doppler.
  • Sex of the baby: ?!?!?
  • What do you want - boy or girl?: Doesn't matter - a healthy baby!!!
About the birth –
  • Who is going to be with you?: Nick 
  • Are you going to video tape it?: Absolutely not!
  • Natural or medicated?: TBD
  • Do you think you will have a c-section?: If I need to…
  • Do you think you will cry when you first hold your baby?: If I’m in shock, maybe not right away…but I’m guessing that I will cry for days before and after the baby is born because I cry about everything.
  • Do you know what you will say to the baby when you first hold it?: Hmmm. I haven’t even thought about it! Probably nothing witty!
  • Are you scared about the labor?: I’m not sure yet. I’ve had enough friends have babies to know that there is no telling what can happen. I know I will make it through it and be happy that I did!
Names –
  • Do you have a name picked out?: Nope! I have some ideas…but we haven’t even discussed names yet!
  • Is your baby going to be named after anyone?: Maybe... 
  • Did the daddy help pick the name?: He will – I think that it is important for him to really like the name, too!
Other random questions –
  • Where was your baby conceived?: HAHAHA. TMI alert…at home! Shocker!
  • Have you felt the baby move?: Maybe. Sometimes I think I feel a little something when I’m absolutely still, but I can’t be sure just yet!
  • What was your first symptom?: Looking back…EXHAUSTION, CrAzY dreams/nightmares, and one REALLY bad mood (that led to me taking the first pregnancy test!)!
  • What is the baby's room theme?: TBD! We are hoping to start planning this weekend! Nebraska Furniture Mart here we come!
  • Are you ready to be a mommy?: I sure hope so!
  • Is your husband ready to be a daddy?: Yes – he will be great: )


Weekly Survey

How far along?: 15 weeks


12 Weeks

13 Weeks

14 Weeks 

15 Weeks


Total weight gain/loss: + 8ish pounds

Sleep: MUCH better than the first trimester!

Best moments: hearing the heartbeat at 13 weeks/4 days; sharing the news with family, friends, work; buying some maternity clothes

Movement: Maybe a little when I’m REALLY still…

Symptoms: tired, HUNGRY

Maternity clothes?: I just bought some on Saturday! I LOVE the jeans I bought – and I hope I continue to love them once I start wearing them! I bought basics: 1 pair of jeans, black/gray/white/brown/red stripe shirts, 1 sweater, and a bellyband. Most of my bottoms are too tight, but I can button most of them.

Stretch marks?: Not yet!

Food cravings: cottage cheese

Food aversions: Nope!

Healthy eating?: I’m trying! I feel like I’m constantly eating, but I’m eating small meals and trying not to eat too much; ) I'm on a fruit kick, and I've been enjoying cottage cheese with fresh tomatoes from a family friend!

Exercise: Yes - I even ran a 10K on Saturday!

Gender: Don’t know yet!

Labor Signs: Nope!

Belly Button in or out?: Innie!

What I miss: watching the end of tv shows (because I always fall asleep!)

What I am looking forward to: reading to baby

Weekly Wisdom: It is hard to find something to drink besides water! I will sometimes have apple juice + water or Sprite Zero + orange juice. NOTHING can replace coffee and diet coke!

Milestones: reaching 13 weeks and sharing the news!


Saturday, August 6, 2011

NC Vacation

One of my friends named Sarah - I have several! - sent this article the other day, and I think it must be absolutely true! A vacation in NC makes me happy instantly - I'm happy planning the trip, preparing for the trip, going on the trip, sharing the trip, and remembering the trip! Such a good invest and such a good time: )


Thursday


Nick and I were able to get direct flights to NC this year, so we worked in the morning and then left for NC in the afternoon. Tiffany dropped us off at the airport (thanks!) in plenty of time, and by 7:15 we were traveling the highways of NC in our rental car! We reached Grandmom and Granddad's just before dark. We were greeted with big hugs, and we visited for a while before hitting the hay!


Friday


While eating a late breakfast, we watched this acrobatic squirrel! He hung completely upside down as he munched on his breakfast! 


Morning/early afternoon rain changed our plans a bit, but it ended up being perfect! We were able to move our trip to the waterfall, and the rain cooled the temperatures to 70 degrees - MUCH cooler than the temps we left in KS! In the afternoon - after a couple of bowls of green bean soup! - Nick and I went into Tryon to wander around the shops.

We took a break on a park bench...


Visited Morris the Horse...

Made our first purchase for Baby A...
(More on Baby A soon!)


and took a scenic drive to Saluda and the Saluda market.

We went back to G&G's to visit and eat dinner - delish spaghetti casserole! - and we shared the news about their first great-grandchild while eating dessert (which included the best blueberries Nick has ever had!). 

Granddad said he almost asked me if I was pregnant, and I believe him because just before dinner there was a moment where I thought he was going to ask me! Grandmom was especially excited because she can't wait for my dad to be a grandfather himself! She knows he'll be a good one - and I know it, too: ) I'm glad we were able to share the news in person - such a special moment together!

We spent the last few hours of the day at the Nouveaux Honkies concert - which was put on as part of the Summer Tracks Outdoor Concert Series in Rogers Park.


It was a beautiful night and a beautiful venue! The seats were made of stone and built into the side of the hill. The trees completely covered the stage and seats - I wish I had taken some pictures while we were there! We ran into Richard - a close friend of Granddad's - and his wife, so we caught up with them for a while and enjoyed the music and cool weather (It was so cool that I had to wear pajama pants under the dress I was wearing!). We ended the night with some pizza at Side Street Pizza and Pasta - YUM!




Saturday


After a quick breakfast on Saturday morning, we made our way to Pearson's Falls. We were the first ones there, so we were the only ones on the trail! It was raining, but there were so many trees that we couldn't even feel it! Everything was SO green, and - of course - the waterfall was beautiful! We don't see a lot of those in KS; )

It was time for lunch when we returned to G&G's, so we chatted while eating AMAZING BELTs (bacon, EGG, lettuce, tomato). SO good: ) After cleaning up, Nick and I made our way to Asheville - one of my favorite places!

We hit some standstill traffic on the mountain, so we didn't have time to shop before dinner: ( We did have a quick bite to eat at the Asheville Brewing Company. I wasn't too impressed by the food, but I did enjoy the atmosphere! 

From dinner, we went to a comedy show called Laugh Your Asheville Off (ha!) to see Carl Labove. The tickets were reasonably priced, and we were looking for something we'd both enjoy - this was perfect! There were 6 comedians before the main comedian, and were were laughing almost non-stop! Nick kept laughing which would make me laugh - it was a great time! We may or may not have had some ice cream after the show before watching some street performers and making our way back to the hotel; )


Sunday


Nick slept in on Sunday morning, and then we were off to Lake Lure. Before we left Asheville, I made a quick stop (and purchase - see my necklace in the afternoon pictures!) at Ten Thousand Villages. We also stopped for some country breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I had the incredible Six Grain n' Granola Pancakes, and Nick had biscuits and gravy (duh!).


Rocking chair pic: )

We made it to the scenic lake tour just in time to grab a cold drink and hop on the boat. The weather was absolutely perfect, and we truly enjoyed the tour!

Dirty Dancing stairs!
A look back at the mountains...
I could get used to this...
My love: )
BEAUTIFUL
$14 million dollar home


The guide on the tour told us that we'd be happy with our lodging choice - the Lodge on Lake Lure - and he was right!

Our Deck and Room


Nick had some wine at happy hour, and I had more than my share of hor devours! We sat on top of the boat house for a while, and then we went to dinner at LaStrada Bar and Grill. We ate WAY too much - and enjoyed this view...


After dinner we went back to the top of the boat house. It was a GREAT night: )


Monday


The Lodge prepared made-to-order omelets, and we helped ourselves to some other goodies on the breakfast bar. I can't wait to go back!


We spent the rest of the day at G&G's. We filled them in on our trip, and then we went for short walk before jumping in the pool. We bought a ball to throw around in the water, and Nick and I spent quite some time trying to throw the ball 200 times in a row without dropping it (We only made it to 83!).


While I snacked and drank orange juice, Nick grilled steaks for dinner and drank some wine. The steaks were fantastic - so good that Granddad even gave Nick a compliment! We visited some more before bed...with ice cream of course: )

Tuesday


Suddenly it was time to go home: ( I went for one last walk in the morning to spend a few more minutes soaking up one of my favorite places! We ate breakfast, showered, packed, and chatted over lunch. After eating my Klondike bar for dessert (a family favorite - but only while in NC), it was time to say goodbye. 


I've never been very good at saying goodbye to anyone, and I've always had an especially hard time saying goodbye to my NC grandparents because I only see them once a year. I started to cry before I'd even walked back in the house from dropping my luggage in the car, and I shed a few more tears while I hugged my grandparents goodbye. They're special people, and we've created a lot of special family memories in and around their home. I miss them terribly throughout the year, and I will always feel lucky to have spent part of every summer with them. I started looking forward to our next NC trip before we even made it out of their neighborhood!


A familiar sight - Grandmom with her ice cream and me with my tears!

SUCH a wonderful, relaxing, fun, much-needed, special trip!!!

"Home, I learned, can be anywhere you make it. 
Home is also the place to which you 
come back again and again."
— Margaret Mead