Today I feel....

Very, VERY....VERY pregnant.

Baby's First Christmas

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Updates a long time in the making....

Sorry it's been so long since a post, but I switched to the new system and it took a bit to get all kinks worked out. Fortunately, there hasn't been a whole heck of allot going on.

Auntie Megan sent me the cutest idea for shower favors. I was thinking of using the "Moon Shot" picture, what do you all think??!!!

I had my monthly check up and all is well. I'm still hovering JUST UNDER 200lbs at 199. Such a silly thing to be excited about, but I'll take what I can get. I go for my last monthly appointment in January,then it's every two weeks ( I think). I have a shot in the butt (because i"m Rh negative) and tests for diabetes (which involves drinking icky sugar water and having blood drawn) and anemia to look forward too....the joys of pregnancy!!

Fluff is doing well, he has a nice strong heart beat and is kicking up a storm most days. He likes to wait until I"m trying to sleep most nights and if I even try to sleep on my side, he gets very upset and punches me until I roll over. SO, despite all the books that say "DON"T SLEEP ON YOUR BACK"...they can just go to hell cause it's the only way I CAN SLEEP!!

I"ve also started a needle point Christmas stocking for next year. I have never done needle point before, and I have to be honest, so far I'm not liking it all that much. Auntie Amy bought the pattern and decided she didn't like it so much, so I said I would take it because it was cute for a boy. I think my poor cross stitch brain is just having a hard time to doing half a stitch and calling it good. I do need to get working on it cause once Fluff is here, I won't have the time and I want it done.

Daddy and I have had a low key Christmas this year. Not allot of gifts and no tree, mostly because our living room is full of boxes of stuff that we have cleaned out of what will be Fluff's room. We are looking forward to next Christmas when Fluff will be here and though he will only be 9months old, it will be way more fun. I'm sure Nana& Beepa and Babcia and Grampy are already starting to squirrel presents away!!!

Well, that's all I can think to say...if nothing else exciting happens, I won't be back til after Christmas.

Merry Christmas to All...and Happy Yule to Uncle Di.

HOLY MOLY!!

Our good friend Brian stopped by and dropped off some prezzies for Fluff. Brian and his wife Deb have a son Dylan who will be one in March. They graciously offered to give us some of Dylan's old stuff,since it will be the right size and season for Fluff. I was expecting a bag or two of cloths. Boy did I underestimate things..... Yes that is FIVE HUGE BOXES of cloths. All separated and labeled by age. Apparently there is a SIXTH box that we'll get next weekend. If I never get one piece of clothing for the whole first year, Fluff will still have PLENTY.

So a HUGE thank you to Brian, Deb and Dylan...we will take excellent care of everything so we can pass it back when Dylan's brother comes!! ;-)

YEAH SNOW!!!

YEAH SNOW!!!!!

I went out to walk Ellie just now and it's SNOWING OUT!! I know I"m a super dork, but I LOVE SNOW. Driving tomorrow will suck because people around here get amnesia every year and forget how to drive, but I do love it. There is something relaxing and peaceful about sitting in the dark and watching the snow fall. My husband says it's because I don't have to shovel this year, and maybe that's true. Or maybe I'm more excited this year because I'll be able to show Mikhail his first snow, take him for his first sled ride and make his first snowman. So for just a few minuets, don't think about the driving, the shoveling and the slush and just take a step back and enjoy the peace of the first snowfall. (and relax, it probably won't last)

More Best Books

See..it hasn't been more than a few hours and I've already come up with some more books to add to my list...

Henkes, Kevin. Kitten's First Full Moon

Gannji, Joan. Elusive Moose

Beaumont, Karen. Move Over, Rover

Thomas, Patricia. "Stand Back" said the Elephant "I'm going to Sneeze"

Rusackas, Francesca. Daddy All Day Long

O'Connor, Joe. Where Did Daddy's Hair Go?

And here are some classics that everyone should have :

Cannon, Jannell. Stellaluna

Joose, Barbara. Mama, Do You Love Me

Joose, Barbara. Papa, Do You Love Me

Brown, Margaret Wise. Goodnight Moon

McBratney, Sam. Guess How Much I Love You.

Guarino, Deborah. Is Your Mama a Llama?

Cimarusti, Maria. Peek-A-Moo

McCloskey, Robert. Make Way for Ducklings. (or anything else by him)

Boynton, Sandra. Snoozers. (or anything else by her)

Anything by Eric Carle.

Mostly anything with a Caldecott Award or Nomination.

I'm sure I'll come up with some more, but here's a start.

Best Books

I have had several friends ask for suggestions for some good books to recommend to Grandparents and friends as gifts for their kids. Below is a list of some newer books that I think are super cute and great reads.

( I know it goes against my Librarian genes to NOT do these in alphabetical order, but I'm just winging it.)

Lies, Brian. Bats at the Beach

Butler, M. Christina. One Winter's Day

Rawlingson, Julia. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves

Knudsen, Michelle. Library Lion

Edwards, Wallace. The Extinct Files

Yolen, Jane. How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?

Love, Maryann. You are my Miracle

Cronin, Doreen. Diary of a Worm

Cronin, Doreen. Click, Clack, Moo : Cows that Type

Long, Melinda. How I became a Pirate

Henson, Laura. Ten Little Elvi

I'm sure there are many more,but it's start. I"ll post more if I can think of any.

Auntie Gifts

We got a special delivery this weekend from Auntie Kpie and Uncle Scott. Here is what my package had....

Moons, stars and clouds on a soft snuggly blanket. You never can have too many blankets in the house and this one is cute as can be. Warm and fuzzy hats for the little man's head. Which is a very good thing, since his chance of having lots of hair on his head is very slim, genetically speaking!!!

Auntie Kpie is not the only one sending prezzies to Fluff....Auntie Amy and Cousin Ruby have sent some on over as well....

"M" is for.....Monkey, the year Cousin Ruby was born, and for Mikhail (I wonder what year he'll be born in) ...how convenient. This cute little shirt was a gift from Auntie Amy and Cousin Ruby this summer, but Momma has been a slacker about posting pictures. Another Auntie Amy gift...a wonderful toasty fleece blanket with Turtles..cause Momma loves Turtles as much as Daddy loves Moose!!!A big "THANK YOU" to the aunties for such wonderful prezzies....Fluff is lucky to have you both!!

Gearing up for the big 200

I had my monthly 15 second physical on Friday. I currently weigh in at 192lbs. Which means, that by next month I will in all likely hood pass the 200lb mark. While I know that all this weight is Mikhail's fault, there is a psychological something that will go with watching that little weight slide from the 150 to the 200 marker on the scale. Bless Uncle Didi's heart for telling me I don't look like I weigh so much, it does a girl good to hear that...but it's there none the less.

Also at the appointment, I asked my Dr. about bottles. Her response "use whatever you like". She used Avent for her first baby cause she breast feed and the nipples are suppose to be most like nursing (but doesn't every bottle company say that?) The second time around she used the cheap ones from Target and they worked just as well. So basically, it all comes down to finances and preference. She did mention that I should stick with the Silicon Nipples (clear) over the Latex (brown) because they stand up better to sucking, are more sterile and easier to clean, but aside from that, they really are all the same. So, that being said, I"m going to stick with Avent. Mostly because Avent makes milk storage holders that work with the rings and nipples of the bottles. So I can pump right into them, stick em in the fridge and then Daddy, Nana, Auntie or whoever is feeding just has to stick the nipple on, heat and go and there is no trying to pour from the storage bottle to the feeding bottle and all that. We try to keep it as simple as possible.

Body Pillows and Cravings

This last week has been kind of tough. I have been having a really hard time sleeping. I can't find a comfy position and my beloved son finds great joy in doing the Electric Slide all night long. While commiserating with a friend, who is a mom, she told me that she had a similar problem and went out and got a SNOOGLE and it saved her life. Well, I took a look at it and read all the reviews and it sounds very nice, but $50 for a pillow is a bit much for me. So I spent two nights trying to arrange 4 standard pillows to work the same way...not so much. So I hauled myself down to the local Big Lots (by the way I highly recommend this store if you have one. You really can find great deals there. Some stuff it wikid ghetto, but there is some nice stuff too) and got a nice smooshy body pillow for $12. This thing is the BOMB. I can smoosh it into any formation I want. All the books say to sleep on your left side, something about more blood getting to the placenta or something. Well, I have news, when you have gained 15lbs, sleeping on one side all the time tends to cut off circulation to that side and make sleeping not so comfy. So I alternate sides and even.. *GASP* occasionally sleep on my back. All I know is since the pillow, I can get through the night and life is good.

While at Big Lots I also satisfied my first real craving. I mean I have been on some sort of wired friend chicken binge since I got pregnant, but I have yet to have one of those "I MUST HAVE NOW" cravings. Well, I got one. For some reason, I NEEDED to have Lucky Charms. Why Lucky Charms?? When I was a kid it was always more Capn' Crunch or Boo Berry. Not this time, I swore if I didn't get some purple horsehoes and blue diamonds someone, probably Daddy, was going to die. Luckily I was able to kill two birds with one stone as they say and every one lived to tell the tale. But now I need a new box!! ;-)

T.W.I.P 21

Fetal Development:
The rapid growth phase begins to slow down this week. The heart grows stronger this week, and the legs are reaching their relative proportions

Maternal Changes:
Over halfway there, and you're probably showing now. Your uterus is about 1/2 inch above your belly button. The average weight gain is between 10 and 15 pounds at this point. If you're eating ahealthy diet, don't count pounds and calories too strictly. Emotionally, you're probably feeling more stable and comfortable.
Your ankles and feet may be swelling, particularly at the end of the day. Drink lots of water and rest with your feet elevated.

Feeling Blue

I don't know if it's been this crappy ass weather, the lack of sunlight, the shifting of the moon or what....but I have been in the oddest funk the last week or so. Last Monday was great, we had a great anniversary and we got to officially start calling Fluff HE....but it's sort of gone down hill from there. The rest of the week I have been hit with huge bouts of feeling blue. At one point I honestly felt like crawling under my desk at work and balling my eyes out. I know that pregnant woman have wild hormones and all that jazz, but this honestly sucks ass. I have had my share of moodiness, but this is ridiculous. I was curled up in a ball sobbing on Daddy worried that I was going to fuck up my son. I'm sure I will....or at least he'll go through a phase where he thinks I did....all kids do, but for some reason today, I don't know if it was going to the shower or holding our friends son Dylan (who will be a year older than Fluff) or the fact that Fluff is moving around so much more and making his presence known, but I just had a complete and total freak out. And for the record, 10:30 on a Sunday night is not the best time for this, not that there ever is one. Thank GODDESS for Uncle Didi who helped talk me down.

Let's hope these feelings pass....cause I hate being Eeyore.

T.W.I.P. Notes

For Week 20....

Fetal Development:
We're halfway through the pregnancy, and the baby has as much sleep and awake time as a newborn. The scalp hair begins to grow. If your baby is a girl, her uterus is starting to develop.

Maternal Changes:
Your uterus is at your navel now. You may experience some tenderness as your belly button becomes an "outtie" from the uterus pressing on it. The line between your navel (linea nigra) and pubic hair has darkened; it will fade after delivery.
You're probably feeling the baby frequently now as the movements become stronger. If you're having an ultrasound to verify fetal age, it will probably be scheduled around this time. It's a good time to look into childbirth classes.

Hey! You're halfway there already!

The Bottle Quizz

As a Librarian, one of things I do is gather information. I registered for the Avent bottles, and most people seem pleased with them, but some people say they are the work of the devil. I have been talking with people about the different bottles they use and have gotten about 600 different answers. I think the Platex Nursers are cool, but could be very expensive to buy all those drop in liners. So I"m asking you, my faithful readers, what type of baby bottle do you use.....

Fluff is...

Really, Really cute. Check out the big brains and all. The poor tech had to chase s/him all over the place trying to get all the info she needed, but she did get it all. I make cute babies don't I??????

But really, you all really want to know is Fluff a HE or SHE. Well, this is the first picture the ultrasound tech got. Full Moon in Mommy's belly. Guess my kid isn't shy at all!!!!!
So there it is...Fluff is officially a HE. Right now, we are liking the name Mikhail, but who knows what will happen between now and March. We have also started a registry at BabiesRUs, but that is also subject to change.

Week 19

Fetal Development:
Along with the lanugo, vernix caseosa forms on your baby's skin. Vernix is a white cheesy substance that protects your baby's skin from its aquatic environment ~ imagine how your skin would look if you sat in water for nine months! The placenta continues to grow and nourish the baby.

Maternal Changes:
You may be noticing several skin changes. These are hormone-related and will disappear after delivery. You may have the "mask of pregnancy" - blotchy patches on your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. Itchy skin is also very common. Your skin may be dry and flaky in certain areas and many pregnant women develop rashes, particularly on the stretched skin. You can't prevent stretch marks but lotions or oil can ease the dryness and itching. Drinking lots of water and eating a healthy diet will go a long way in reducing dryness.

Never say Never.....

Me thinks I doth have protest to much!!

I have spent a great deal of time raving against the evil that is BabiesRUs. I'm not a fan of the store, I never have a good experience there and find stuff off a registry is like trying to solve a quantum physics problem. Last night, I had to go to this den of evil to get a shower gift for Johnny and Lisa. Admittedly, it wasn't TOO bad. I had already looked online for what I wanted to I had some idea of what to look for. The woman at the desk was very chatty and helpful and we managed to get everything we were looking for in under 8hrs. So while we were there, Daddy and I decided to stroll around and get ideas for what we wanted. We did see a very nice Crib and changing table/dresser that we both really liked. So then Daddy says "Why don't we just come here and register on Monday after Fluff is revealed". "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" was the anguished cry from inside me. But Mr. Practical reminded me that everything was here in one place, it would be easier for us to remember what we'd registered for and it would be easier for people to go to one place and search. I hate it when he's logical. So despite all my ranting and raving...it looks like the Evil that is BabiesRus has snared another victim.

Does it make me a hypocrite that I"m not standing by my guns and refusing to bend???

Deal or No Deal

I went to the Outlets with Babcia this weekend and let me tell you, it was icky. It was cold and rainy and not the type of weather one would like to go shopping in. I"m sure if we had stuck it out there would have been some better deals, but in the few places we looked, not so much. Nobody in Conway, NH has maternity cloths. Not JC Penny, not any of the outlets (well , except the Gap but their biggest size was 4) not Wally World, no one. So I was reduced to getting a couple of cute onsies at Carter's and that's it. A very unlikely shopping weekend.

Another little sleep sac for Fluff. It's got Duckies (what is it with me and giraffes and duckies) and is a 0-9month so it should work for a while.


Normally, I'm not a fan of buying "newborn" sizes..cause they don't get used for very long, but these two were cute and something stupid like $2 each, so I figured why not.


Cute little onsie (I know, more green) So that was the sum total of the Maine purchases. We came home early and went to the Kohl's here and grabbed a few more pairs of pants (thank you Babcia) and now it's off to find a Tailor, because I'm short.

Upclose and Personal on Week 18....

Fetal Development:
Our little one is nearly half a pound now and very human looking. Pads are forming on the fingertips and toes, and the eyes are looking forward rather than out the sides of the head. Meconium, the baby's first bowel movement, is accumulating within the bowel. If your baby is a boy, his prostate gland is beginning to develop.
If you notice your belly making jerky movements in sync, don't panic; your baby may have the hiccups!
Maternal Changes:
Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or faint are normal during pregnancy. These symptoms aren't harmful unless they occur frequently or severely. "Postural hypotension" is low blood pressure due to a change in position and happens frequently in pregnancy because your cardiovascular system doesn't react as fast.
Your uterus is just below your belly button now.
If you're having an ultrasound to verify fetal age or for other reasons, your careprovider will probably schedule it between now and 20 weeks. It's often possible to determine your baby's sex at this stage, and you'll be able to tell arms from legs and all sorts of delightful details!

M Cloths and New Friends

We had a very good weekend. We're a little slow in posting because Mommy has been battling cold/allergies and hasn't been feeling up to much of anything.

First off, we are sending a HUGE "Thank You" to Babcia for taking us M cloth shopping. I tried to put it off as long as I could, but Fluffernutter is getting bigger and my pants were just getting uncomfortable. So off to Target and Khol's we went and I got very comfy pants, a cute skirt and some comfy tops.

Also, a "thank you" to Auntie Amy who donated a couple of comfy nightshirts that make sleeping a dream.

While visiting Auntie Amy and Cousin Ruby, Ellie Dog made a new friend. She had the BEST TIME chasing Miss Ruby around the house, eating some "dropped" Cheerios and basically basking in the attention of someone her size. I wish I had my camera with me cause they made a cute pair!

Also this weekend I dragged Daddy to Burlington Coat Factory to starting looking at "stuff" since many people have started asking about a registry. Of all the bedding the building, Daddy's favorite was Noah's Ark. This may change after we find out what Fluff is on the 6th, but for now that looks like our bedding.

Off to THE OUTLETS this weekend, so look for some cute Fluff outfits early next week.

What's instore for week 17...

Fetal Development:
This is a period of rapid growth as the fat begins to form underneath the baby's skin. Baby and placenta are about equal in size now. The tiny heart is pumping as much as 25 quarts of blood a day! The reflexes are probably in place now as the baby sucks, swallows and blinks.

Maternal Changes:
Your uterus is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches below your belly button. The baby is going through a growth spurt and chances are, you may be gaining too! Average weight gain is between five and ten pounds at this point.

Doctors Visit

Today was another nonexciting Dr. visit. We heard the heartbeat, I'm healthy, everything is on course and all is right in the world. I asked her about dying my hair , cause I'm having issues from hell about not being able to do so much, and she said "Not so much". There really is not evidence one way or the other about if it's bad for you or not, so she tends to air on the side of caution. Anything that your body absorbs could be bad, even the supposedly "all natural" stuff. So blonde I will stay...but keep me away from those clippers cause I"m so mental right now I could end up looking like the "stop the insanity" chick. I also got a flu shot. I normally don't get them, cause I"m paranoid that I"ll end up with the flu. But I asked what she thought and Dr. said that since I would be very pregnant in high flu season, it may be a good idea. So I sucked it up, got the shot and now a cute little Snoopy band aide. And no flu yet.
We made an appointment for our ultrasound. November 6 , our 2yr wedding anniversary ( all together now..AWWWWWWWWWWWW). We could have done it a bit soon, the 27th was the first official day (and in time for the trip to Maine) but Daddy wanted to wait an extra week "So everything can fall into place so to speak". So this means any shopping I do with Babcia in Maine will be for me (the shock) or cute neutral things. I did start looking at M cloths, and let me tell you, they are either EXPENSIVE or ugly as sin. Wish me luck on that front. So it will be 3 long weeks until we know if Fluff is SHE or HE ( if s/him cooperates), until then I will try to keep you all entertained.

I'm off to tangle needles over my bump.

Almost...but not quite

So I'm almost at 17 weeks. I have my next dr. appointment tomorow and I"m starting to relax in my pregnancy for the first time, just a bit. I"m not rushing to the phone to call 911 at every twinge and cramp. Apparently, Fluff is in a growth spurt given the amount of stretching going on, I"m either going to give birth to a super model or an NBA center!!! But it's nice to be able to be more secure. The good lord knows I have more than enough in my life to stress about, so I've been just sort of learning to relax and go with it. If something was wrong, my body would know.
Tomorow is my dr. appointment, so I"ll let everyone know how it went. Then I"m going out with my dad who is coming to pick up some doors. I mentioned in passing I wanted to get rid of the icky hollow core doors in my condo, my dad calls last night, he "knows this guy" who will cut doors to fit and hang hinges....cool!

well, I'm off to work...more tomorrow....

Old Wives Tales

In one of the parenting magazines I have, I found this chart that shows if I'm having a boy or girl based on these old wives tales.

According to the chart if :
- My left breast was bigger than my right
- I crave sweets or fruit
- My hair was getting a reddish highlight
-I gain my weight in the hips and butt

I'm having a GIRL

On the Other hand if :
-if my nose looks like it's getting wider
- I crave salty or sour
- my feet are always cold
- I have to shave my legs more often

I'm having a BOY

So according to this list....Fluff is a Boy!

Hopefully we'll find out by the end of the month, cause I"m already sick of waiting and it's only 16weeks in!! I need to learn some serious patience!

Where I am

Since I have had so many questions on how I'm feeling and what Fluff is doing, I will try very hard to update once a week on what's going on. All this information is taken from Stork.Net if you want to go check it out. They have some pretty cool stuff for Mom's and families.

Without Further Ado...here is what's going on for Week 16.....

Fetal Development:
If you haven't already, you may begin to feel movement as the baby's bones harden. If you are somewhat overweight, have a thick uterus, and/or if this is your first pregnancy, you may not be feeling baby yet or feeling baby regularly. Don't panic! You will soon. The legs are now longer than the arms, and s/he is moving those arms and legs frequently, especially since there's still lots of room to move within the uterus.
Fingernails and toenails are growing too. In fact, some babies need their nails clipped right after birth!

Maternal Changes :
Do you have a stuffy nose or nosebleeds? As mentioned before, your blood volume increases 40% - 50%. This affects your estrogen levels which in turn swells your nasal membranes. This increased blood volume also causes your heart to work harder to support your pregnancy. This isn't a problem for a healthy heart.
Your ligaments continue to stretch, and you may be feeling achiness and pain in your abdomen. If you're planning to have an amniocentesis, it may be scheduled between 16 and 18 weeks.

The Lysol Shield

Sorry I have not posted much, but not a whole lot has been going on. I'm starting to feel better, still have the occasional freaky dream, but all in all things are on the up beat.

HOWEVER....this weekend I spent the bulk of my time curled up in a ball on my couch with kleenex glued to my nose praying for death. WHY...because I had a cold. There has been a cold going around my work and for some reason, all the sick people felt the need to come see me and tell me how sick they were. This conversation usually ended with them saying "So I'm going to go home and take some NyQuil and feel better" Well isn't that just ducky for YOU. I can't go home and talk to the Giant Q. I can go home and take FREAKN TYLENOL...but that's about it. So while you are drooling on yourself in a nice toxic green induced slumber, I"m going through my 15th box of kleenex, my 32 package or cough drops and my 23rd voodoo doll of all those who COULD have made me sick.

Here's a little tip for all those of you who work with a pregnant lady. If you are sick, think you may be sick or have been around someone else who is sick....STAY AWAY FROM THE PREGNANT LADY. There are wonderful new technologies such as email and telephones that should allow you to communicate with pregnant woman with out getting up close. Cause I have news, you do NOT want a sick and pregnant lady coming in to vent her very hormonal wrath on you for getting her sick.....I can promise you will cry.

For myself, I have decided to introduce a few new rules to my interaction with my co-workers and the general public. First, before talking to me, all people will be sprayed down with Lysol, (should take care of some of the nasty BO while I'm at it). Secondly, all people feeling compelled to talk to me MUST wear a mask (you know like those doctors wear). At first I thought I would wear the mask, but I"m not freakn Michael Jackson, so the rest of you all can wear it instead...I'm pregnant damn it!

I'm gonna go take another nap and try to pull my shit together before I have to go into work.

Sweet Dreams are Made of....well....I'm not sure...

Having entered my 2nd trimester I'm starting to feel more like myself. I have less of the crushing exhaustion that I had before, and I'm generally feeling more peppy. The down side...Insomnia. I can't sleep. I'm exhausted, I get into bed and......BING!!! WIDE AWAKE. I try reading and I can't focus. I try listening to music and nothing happens. Watch TV and I just lie there. When I finally do pass out....I have all these creepy as acid trip/pink flloyd wanna be dreams. I mean don't get me wrong, I'd rather have this than the falling asleep at my desk tired and all that fun 1st trimester stuff...but HONESTLY, I'd just like to be able to get on a normal sleep pattern....guess I better get used to this!

The Great Bedding Debate

Ok, I know this sounds silly, but the minuet I learned I was pregnant, the first thing I did was start looking for baby bedding. I don't know what kind of odd nesting instinct took over, but I was on the quest to find the perfect, neutral crib set. After much searching....I found IT...it was perfect, moons and stars and I loved it. And it was available at Burlington Coat Factory, since I REFUSE to register at Babies R Us (that store is the work of the devil) unfortunately, now that I am "in the clear"...the bedding has been discontinued!!!! So my dilemma is this...do I start collecting pieces that I can find on line and on eBay (which sucks cause I can't register for it ) or do I give it up and find something else??

A couple of other options that I liked included : Turtles , Nursery Rhymes , Noah's Arc , Jungles and Other Moons & Stars

What do you all think? Am I way over thinking this??

Help me......

Doctors Visit

This month was very uneventful. I went in, peed in a cup, had all my vitals taken, listened to the heart beat and left. The whole thing took about 15mins. My doctor told me everything looked good and that we should start looking for birthing classes.

The one very sucky thing I did learn is that I can't have Apple Cider this fall. Apparently most cider is unpasturized, therefore, I can't have it. So now I am on a quest to find pasturized cider or I will be a very cranky pregnant woman. I mean Ok, I'm going to be a cranky pregnant woman anyways, but if I have to go a whole fall with no cider, that is NOT good!!!

Gotta love the Outlets...

Daddy and I got away this weekend for a nice long and restful retreat in Maine. Grampy and Babcia have a place up there and was nice to be able to nap all day and just get away. Of course the best part is that the house is right near the Conway Outlets, so Babcia and I did just a little bit of Fluffernutter shopping.

Normally I am not a fan of the mint green (part of the reason we will be findint out if we are having Boy or Girl) but soemthing about this was too cute for words.

A too cute sleep sack to keep the littler bugger warm and toasty at night.


You know if it has a Moose on it, then we must get it. Daddy loves Moose.



A really cute "going to maine outfit". Complete with matching hat.



From the back.
How CUTE is this ??
It was a great rest and a good time was had by all....more next week after the next doctors visit.

I have Pee..it's multiplying....

More new and exciting changes in my poor body this week. Since the moment I found out I was pregnant, I have been a peeing machine. Now please note that I think I have the world's smallest bladder to begin with, but if I could have worked out of the bathroom I would have. However, the liquid intake was always pretty close to the output (not that I measured or anything weird like that) Recently however, I swear whatever I drink hits my bladder and starts multiplying. For example....Last night. I got ready for bed, brushed my teeth, took my 9million vitamins , peed and went to bed with, what I thought, was an empty bladder. Fast forward to 4:30 this morning....I feel like I have 200lbs of pressure on my bladder (and no Sophie was not sleeping on me). I bolt for the bathroom and must have peed enough to fill a Super Big Gulp cup!! Where did it come from...I"m telling you those H20 molecules are procreating in my bladder just to make me miserable.

Well, I have news, I can deal with this...only 2 more weeks before I get out of this hellish first trimester and get my "second wind" or at least that's what everyone keeps telling me!!!!

Ants kicking Elephants

As I enter my 9th week, I have discovered two new joys of pregnancy. One, the afore mentioned exhaustion. When I first started this blog I figured I would post at least every other day. I have news, until I get this "energy boost" during the 2nd trimester, I'm lucky to get one a week done. The other new joy I discovered this week is pregnancy headaches! Now, before little fluffernutter came to be, I would, on occasion, get migraines. For those lucky few who have never had a migraine, let me paint you a picture.
When you get a migraine, you feel like someone has shoved a giant dagger into the back of your skull and keeps twisting it around. Another person has your head in a vice and keeps squeezing your temples. The knife in the back of your skull is some how connected to all the muscles in your back and neck cause they are all bunched up and sore too. Any peep of light makes your eyeballs feel like they are going to explode. The thought of food is enough to send you into dry heaves. All you want to do is curl up in a ball in a dark quiet room and pray for death.
The other day I woke up with a slight pounding in the back of my head that usually signaled the onset of a migraine. So I thought, what do I do to avoid a migraine :
A. Drink caffeine...can't do that I can't have caffeine.
B. Go back to bed and try to sleep it off...can't do that, have to go to work.
C. Take a hot shower and try to relax...did that, didn't help
D. Take "Happy drugs" , call in sick, and sleep it off...can't do that can't take the "happy drugs" any more.

So what can I do...Take a Tylenol. I have news for you people, Tylenol on a killer headache is as affective as an ant kicking an elephant. I took my stinking Tylenol, went to work and had a nice surly day. My doctor did say that if I got anymore really bad headaches she'd give me Tylenol with codeine....Apparently she missed the memo that codeine and I are not the best of friends. Last time I took codeine, I ended up cleaning my parents kitchen floor, on my hands and knees at 3 in the morning cause I couldn't sleep.

So all you medical people out there...stop what you're doing and find a better way for us poor put upon pregnant woman to deal with headaches/migraines aside from Tylenol...the world will be a better place, I promise!

Sleeping Beauty gets Pregnant

Let me preface this post by saying ......I am a champion sleeper. If sleeping were a sport, I'd be the New York Yankees of sleep. Ask my mom. I was like the perfect baby, I slept through the night at 2 days old, she had to wake me up to feed me and I'd fall asleep again before she could burp me. My entire life, give me a semi flat surface, a kind of soft blanket and I am out cold. It's not a surprise that "Sleeping Beauty" was my favorite Disney movie. Frankly, I was annoyed at Prince Philip for kissing her and waking her up, I would have been like "Damn it I was sleeping!!" It's recreation for me. I don't even have to be really tired to nap, just if I"m bored or trying to work out a problem, I'll take a nap to clear my head.

However.....despite my penchant for sleep, it is NOTHING compare to the complete and utter exhaustion of being pregnant. I slept for 16hrs on Sunday, and that's not counting the 13 I slept from Sunday Night til I had to get up to go to work on Monday. I actually left work on Tuesday to go home and sleep. (thus the lack of a post for so long cause I've been SLEEPING). Honest to god, this little parasite is sucking my will to live. I got out of work today, took a shower, napped for an hour and half, had dinner, and I'm ready to get back to bed til I have to work tomorrow. And I'm only 9 weeks along!! So if someone, no matter 'how pregnant' they are complains of being tired, trust me they're not just 'playing the pregnancy card' to get out of something...they really are exhausted.

I know I"m building a baby and all...but damn someone needs to invent pregnancy energizer batteries (lack of caffeine doesn't help) cause I"m amazing myself with my sleeping abilities now.

Off to visit the sandman.......

The Other Half of the Gene Pool......

We told Daddy's parents this weekend about Fluffernutter. I made a "Nana's Brag Book" for his mom and put the ultrasound picture in it. She opened the present and looked at the picture. *pause* "It's a sonogram picture..." she said, followed by "how did you get a Sonagram of Vivian (her oldest grand daughter)" to which I said "It's not Vivian, it's your newest grandchild, to be born in March". *more long pause* THEN she got it and there was much rejoicing. His Dad said "I knew it, I asked you if you were ok at the game and you said 'yes'" Hi sisters are very excited and so are his nieces. Next time I"m just going to wear a T-Shirt that says "BUN IN THE OVEN"....the subtle thing doesn't work so well!!

Unfortunate Gene Pool.....

I told my parents about their impending grandparenthood over the weekend. I ment to post this a lot soon, but Fluffernutter and I have been feeling a bit icky of late, my allergies are going nuts and I'm really tired.

So, I can't just come out and tell my parents I'm pregnant, that's just not how we do things, so I got my Dad a hat that said "#1 Grampy" and my mom a little brag book with a the ultrasound picture in the front. I gave them the presents. My mom looked at both and figured it out right away. My Dad just stared at the hat, then the picture. My moms says "Do you know what this is" My dad said "The dog is pregnant!!!" So I chimed in with "No...I am".

Much happiness all around.

I'm sorry Fluffernutter....these are your Polish genes coming through.

Then my Dad wanted to know why it didn't say "#1 Dziadzia" (pronounced Judge-joo). I figured most people would look at the hat and this someone had a spazmatic typing fit while making it, plus the woman who ran the hat making stand did not speak the best English, I thought it best to go with something from her pre-selected list.

This weekend we tell his family.

More to come...if I'm not alseep! ;-)

The Tiny Heartbeat.....

.......That nearly caused me a HEART ATTACK!!!!!

(that's Fluffernutter there between the two stars and the darker circle is the heart!!!)

So I had my ultrasound today. I left work and picked up Daddy, all the while drinking my gallon of water. Let me tell you, it is CRUEL to expect a pregnant woman to drink large amounts of fluid and then HOLD IT for up to an hour. I'm lucky I can hold it 10mins, forget an hour!!! But I did. We got to the hospital and checked in at the Ultrasound place and were told to have a seat. A couple minutes later, a very nice woman came and took us into the exam room. (I must say, I was very relieved, having had about 10 ultrasounds in the past, I know that some of the techs at the hospital make Nurse Rachet look like Florence Nightingale). So I got up on the bed and the put the icky gel on and the tech says "I'm just going to get situated and then I'll turn the monitor around". Ok. So she starts move the wand around, and snapping buttons, a puzzled look, more scanning and pushing.... then she says "Do you know how far along you are" to which I reply "6 or 7 weeks". nothing....more scanning.....then she says "Have you had any bleeding" to which my heart sinks and I say "No". A bit more scanning and she says "We're going to need to do an internal ultrasound, have you had one before". At this point my heart stopped, then picked up at a million beats a second and I managed to say "yes". So she tells me to go empty my bladder and get into a johnny. I can't even look at Daddy, my heart is breaking because I"m SURE something is wrong. I am fighting back tears when I get back on the bed, and get the wand all inserted. I grabbed Daddy's hand and refused to look at the screen because I was sure that if something was wrong, I wouldn't be able to deal. Then Daddy squeezed my hand and the tech says "There he is". The little bugger was curled up in the very corner so that the regular ulstrasound didn't pick him up. And there, clear as day, was a little spec fluttering (at 144beats per second). This time it was tears of joy the filled my eyes. I have never been so scared in my entire life. So officially, I am 6 weeks and 4 days today. That makes my due date March 29th. My next appointment isn't until September 12th....but I feel good knowing that Fluffernutter is in there and growing and everything is all right. It was a very emotional day, I think I'll go take a nap!

Long Weekend

This was a long weekend for a number of reasons. First, we went to Maine for the weekend. In a way it was really nice to get away from all the crap and just relax, this is the first time we've been able to get away all summer due to a large number of weddings and showers and bachelor parties. But in a way it was really hard cause we were up there with my parents and it was really hard, when they asked what was new, to not share the news with them. It was also hard because we have the ultrasound coming up on Monday and so I was constantly thinking about it and hoping it was all going to be OK. Finally, when we got home I had a VM from the nurse at my drs office saying that the lab results were in and to call. Now, when I had my Dr. visit on Tuesday I thought she read the results, but I could be wrong. But since the nurse didn't tell me to call ASAP or get to a Dr, I'm guessing there is nothing wrong, or nothing serious that she needs to talk to me about. But it's another little stress that I'll carry around until I get in touch with her tomorrow.

For now, it's off to bed to relax and just breathe and see what happens tomorrow. More then......

Just breath

Having a bit of a stressful past few days. Had lots of twinges and twitches, which I am assuming is coming from growing Flutternutter and body parts stretching....still not spotting or any of that, but I"ve just felt much worse, more sore boobs, more just sort of feeling off kilter. I'm staying positive and trying to relax, but this past week has definatly been a test. I felt really good after going to the Dr. on Tuesday. I did have sort of gasy food the last few days (mexican and wendys cause I was craving) so it's back on the way beter for me foods and I just have to try to keep calm and preoccupied this weekend until the ultrasound on Monday. Hopefully a trip to Maine will help keep me distracted until Monday.

OBGYN #1

I had my first visit with my OBGYN today. I must say right off that I LOVE my doctor. She's a family practice md, so she's my primary care, she'll be my OBGYN, she'll deliver the baby and be my pediatrician....love one stop shopping. I also love her cause she's down to earth, sort of flakey and totally into making this pregnancy and birth whatever Daddy and I want to make it. She's a big advocate of hypno-birthing and water births, which sounds intriguing to me but I think may be freaking Daddy out a big, but if we want an drugs and a bed, she's fine with that too. I feel a lot better and more optimistic after today's visit, and I think Daddy does too. I'm excited that I didn't have to have an internal or pap today since I JUST had one in June. It was also comforting to hear her say she never had morning sickness with her daughter and she understands the lack of symptoms and the need for something to validate the pregnancy. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. We didn't do the sonogram today because the Dr. said in all honesty, they don't hear anything in the office til 12 weeks. SO, next Monday at 1 I have an ultra sound to check dates, make sure everything is where it's suppose to be and be sure there is only ONE Fluffernutter in there. Then my next OBGYN is in 6 weeks when I"ll be 12 weeks and we should hear a heart beat in the office. It's nice to have baby steps to look forward too. 6 days til an ultrasound that can go a long way to easing a lot of worries and then 5 weeks til the next office visit, that I think will be the longest wait. All I can do is keep putting one foot in front of the other and stay positive.

I Broke Down....

and told someone. I had to. I had all these emotions and I needed to share with someone. Someone who would understand and be able to talk me through it all. My husband is wonderful and I have cried and vented to him many a times. But he just doesn't understand. He's never been pregnant or had a miscarriage and though he's been through the emotions with me, the physical is something else, something only another woman would understand.
I know there are probably some of you reading this after the fact and wondering "why didn't she tell me"....and the honest answer is, you weren't the right person. There was only really one person who can understand it all and who will just tell me the way it is. So a big THANK YOU to Auntie B for being my emotional sounding board, reference source and warm cozy hug these weeks. You have helped me more than you know....and I truly appreciate it, and so does Fluffernutter.

Doctor Visit #2

I had my second doctors appointment today. I had to fill out my complete medical history, as well as my family's, Daddy's and Daddy's family. Talk about a pain in the ASS. Then the nurse drew a crap ton of blood, and of course my stupid veins wouldn't cooperate and she had to try two different places. I am pleased to say that I did NOT pass out, but I came close. So all is good for now. I just have to wait on the results of the blood work. My next appointment is next Tuesday. It's the visit with my OBGYN. She will probably do a sonogram, but it may be too soon to hear a heart beat and she may send me for an ultrasound to check and be sure everything is as it should be. I'm still nervous, but I feel better counting down each step and each week til I know I'm safe and I can tell everyone the news.

Mini Breakdown

Had a little bit of a breakdown today. I'm in a very odd position. Instead of being happy about being pregnant, I"m terrified. I mean I am happy, but there is an underlying fear. Instead of coming up with a cute way to tell Daddy I was pregnant, like I did the first time, I just sort of showed him the stick. We both had a very subdued response. Deep down I know we are both over the moon, but we're also both very worried. During the day I'm on pins and needles, every twitch and twinge causes my heart to skip a beat. I worry that I"m not "sick enough" (no puking, but I do have flaming butt), that my boobs aren't sore enough all sorts of things. I know that stress is the worse thing for me, but with a miscarriage so fresh in my mind, it's hard to ignore. So I had a good cry on my husband and got some good cuddles and I"m going to try to not worry so much. My second doctors appointment is in 4 days, we'll make it to that and then move onto the next. One day at a time. I have to believe that Fluffernutter is fine and I will be holding him/her in my arms next spring.

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog. For all of you who are reading this months later...Sorry, but I wouldn't tell anyone until we knew we were out of the woods.

So welcome to my journal of my pregnancy. You may ask why this blog is called "The Fluffernutter Kid". Well, right at the beginning of my pregnancy, I was craving Fluffernutters, it's sort of how I knew I was pregnant. Well that and the fact that I have a nose like a blood hound.

I had dr. appointment today, but all they did is confirm that yes indeed I am pregnant, so next week I go for more testing and the following week I go for my first OBGYN.

I'll check back later when more is to be told...

Right now I"m going to try to NOT freak out toooooo badly!