20 Weeks and what a day!

I don’t know what my problem was.  Why I thought waiting was for us.   Our appointment was first thing this morning and I woke up practically sick with anxiety.  We got stuck in a huge traffic jam,  I called the office at 8am telling them I was 10 minutes out and she said “if your later than 20 we will have to reschedule”  NO- No way will I miss this, I will be there.   We did make it and then we waited for 15 minutes, of course.  The scan was mostly for medical reasons, they checked the heart, kidneys, bladder, brain, spine and all of the other working parts.  The baby was pretty quiet,  just lay there in cooperation.  Little arms and feet moving here and there, we also saw it swallow a few times.  Seriously, it is the sweetest little nugget EVA!  So, all of the important things are checking out… approx. weight 11 oz. length, 10.5 inches. “Okay, lets move on to the good stuff”  says the ob.  I think thats when I held my breath trying to will it one last time to be a boy.  Well, after a few checks from several different angles we are 100%  having a BOY!   I cried.  (hell I’ve been crying all day) I wasn’t looking at Mike but I could feel his smile.   The rest of the appointment was in one ear out the other, I think that’s why they do all of the important stuff first.   He is so perfect,  somehow today changed everything.   I’m no longer having a baby, I have a son.  Immediately my it turned into a he.   I love him,  I loved “it” too but having a more defined title makes it all new and more real than ever.

 I can’t wait to meet our boy, I hope he is just like his Daddy!  I can’t wait for dump-trucks, dirt, frogs and holy crap you have to circumcise this kind!  Bring it baby, Mamma’s ready!

 Here he is! It’s a picture of the picture so not all that clear.

And me happy and round.

Mike cut my head off and I’m working the red eye,  soon this site will be nominated for it’s stellar photography!

Ta-da!

The kitchen is done and I’m so happy with it.  My pregnant little self rocked this task. I was pretty achy in the evening since it took the entire day (9:30am-5pm) because it needed two coats.    We love it, it is so sunny and warm now.  Here are the before (taken in January) and the after’s.

Apologies from the photographer, these are not very good pictures.

I would still like to add a tile back splash, get new appliances and refinish the cabinets in a darker stain but the paint was the easiest first step.   I’m sure it will take years to get it “finished” but I love the process so that’s okay with me. 

I picked out the lighting I want for the exterior while my paint was being mixed.  I didn’t buy them though, I figured I would wait until next weekend to tell Mike how much my next project would cost him.  Ha-ha!  They aren’t expensive at all, I just know one thing at a time is best.  Plus he keeps reminding me of the horribly mundane items that I keep putting off, like buying a fire extinguisher.  

Next up- Project Baby Room!   Ultrasound?  DAY AFTER TOMORROW!

Edit:  I won’t be telling the results of the ultrasound right away, assuming nugget shows us the goods. I have a few family members and friends I have to tell before I post it here.  However, my apointment is at 8am eastern so I should have the word here by 12 noon !  Was feeling boy at my 9 wk u/s,  that’s passed now.  I have no feeling whatsoever.  I just can’t wait for the suprise.

Weekday update

I’ve been thinking of what to talk to you all about for a few days and there is no connection with any of my random thoughts so your dose of boring for the day will come bullet style! 

•  I’m about as excited for a 3 day weekend as one could be. I need a break from this desk so badly.
• I am very hopeful that my workout tonight will be a good one, feeling a bit sluggish already. I really miss Diet Coke.
• Our meeting with our roofing contractor at the beginning of the week was great. Turns out we aren’t just getting a new roof but all new siding, shutters and window screens.  Our house is going to look brand new. This of course means I must buy new lights for the porch, new house numbers and paint the front door.  
• Our faucet was finally fixed by a pro last week.  We ended up getting a new one altogether and felt less like loser’s when he had to come back a 2nd night and actually CUT the old one out since it was in there so tight.  Sadly, I liked our old one better.
•  Something really odd is going on here.  I have not fallen down since learning about the baby.  I usually take one serious fall up or down the stairs, off the deck whatever about once per month.  I am a horrible klutz!*   All of my pregnancy books read that your balance will become increasingly off kilter as you grow.  I’m certainly growing but I’m somehow more grounded then ever.  Am I subconsciously careful because of the nugget or what?  I do turn the lights on every time I venture up or down either of our stair cases now, maybe that helps too.
• The car is off the DL finally.  We bought a new battery last weekend because it just couldn’t hold a charge.  However, seems that our *&%& neighbor who was so eager to help us jump it the first time and then promptly melted our cables apparently fried some “stuff”  our radio is toast and something is up with the power steering- that old car it is trying so hard to hang on for us.
• I’m hoping to paint our kitchen and breakfast room this weekend.  I LOVE to paint, for about 30 minutes and then I wonder why in the hell do I think I like this again? Its always worth it.  If I do in-fact get it done I will post before and afters.
• I’m so excited for my ultrasound next week it is ridiculous,  its almost making me forget about the scale.  Almost.
• I am still feeling excellent.  Like my non-pregnant self but you know, pregnant.
• My nesting is coming really early. I was in full gear right before I found out I was pregnant and then got sick really soon after so most of my plans were completely forgotten about. Now I’m picking up where I left off.  The list of stuff to do before October, she is long.
• I am looking forward to my trip next month, I can’t wait to see the other pregnant women in my life who live a frillion miles away.  Especially my SIL who is just 2 weeks behind me.
• My nephew finally got my name (mostly) right.  He’s been calling me Aunnie (which I LOVE) forever but this week he got Auntie Cisstina out and it made me cry. I love that child!
• I’m starting to hate my job.  This little nugget is becoming a golden ticket to get the heck out of dodge!
• Mike told me night before last I should look for a new job,  equal opp employee law aside no one is going to hire a woman who is 5 months pregnant.  No one. I can deal for 5 more months.
• I think Bruno** knows somethings up, he cannot get close enough to me lately.  He’s at my side constantly and touching me when ever possible.  I am really worried about how he will handle becoming second fiddle, as he thinks he is my first born.  Rightfully so, he is SPOILED! It will break my heart if he gets pouty.  Can you even imagine a pouty bulldog? His head  his normally peppy step turns into a sad-sad swagger, its so pitiful.   I will do my best to keep him feeling special.
• Now I’m thinking about the scale…

* Seriously my whole life!  Grandma and Aunt Kathy, do you remember our trip to the beach with Andrea when I was small?  You told me that if I could make it thru ONE day with out spilling something or falling down we could go to the theater to see Cinderella!  Well, I remember like it was yesterday.  I dropped my cheeseburger, cheese first on the carpet in our hotel.  You took me to the movie anyway

** Mr. B is now appearing on my “about” page.  I’m sure the fame will go straight to his square little head.

Bare bones nursery

There’s not much to it yet though I am in love with the furniture.   We will paint and decorate after we find out what we are having.

I cannot wait to get started!

Off the Fence!

Over this past week as my u/s day approaches my excitement has started out mount.   There wasn’t really one thing that changed my mind it was more of a process that took some time.  Well, I’m all warmed up to it and so very ready to find out who is in there!  I have found much better decorating options too.  Even a couple of neutral ones just in-case the little nugget is feeling modest.  So Dad,  keep your phone close on the 30th, you “win”.   But just so you all know, if the nugget shares it’s goods with us I will share that info with you all, however, the name of nugget will remain under-wraps.   So please, don’t ask. I know some of my sweet as can be readers would just love to make some sort of personalized something and that is wonderful and so thoughtful but hey, I want something to be a surprise here since NO ONE (except Dad:)) was all that surprised when I announced this pregnancy.  Not that I can blame anyone, after 5 years of marriage, 6 years of grad school and two major moves it was, as so many said “About damn time!”

 I have decided that I will take time that weekend to register for the never ending mound of stuff that you apparently cannot go on without.  I’m trying to get my head sorted out before I go as my last trip to babies r us literally made me ill.  I have a good idea of what I think I need after hearing months of advise and lots of it good.  I wasn’t actually considering a wipe warmer but it’s good to hear that it’s crap and a waste of money.  (I’m still thinking about cloth diapers vs. disposable’s.  I’m open to any advise anyone has there)   So with all of this new found wisdom I am feeling better about my next trip and actually looking forward to it.  Largely because I get to pick a going home outfit for the baby that day, and seriously what is more fun than shopping for those itty bitty clothes.  Okay, shoe shopping but I’m growing here people.

We plan on purchasing a new digital camera this weekend since our first one has kicked the bucket.  I hope to have some fun things for you all to look at by the end of the weekend.  Stay tuned!

An open letter to Liz Lange, Target style

 Dear Liz, 

I am familiar with your high-end maternity clothing and find it stylish and professional looking.  My line of work is quite casual and  doesn’t require such quality (read- $80 khakis).   Knowing this, I headed to Target where your “for the rest of us” line is carried.  Liz, you are a mother of 2, no?  You live in NC city, you’re in the loop of up and coming looks. You have been pregnant two times, you know how to fit women as their bodies are “blossoming”. HA!  One would think.   I would like to know at what point in either of your pregnancies did you suddenly desire to look like an infant at their christening?  What is up with the lace, eyelet and bows on nearly every single item?  At some point in our recent past some one found us attractive enough to knock us up, the damage is done Liz why are you afraid to let us look like grown women NOW?  The one exception here is your denim shorts (denim shorts! went out of style in 98′) with the oh so modest inseam of 3 inches.  I suppose you only gained 12 lbs in 40 weeks and your legs looked as great as they did when you were 19.  Sure!

I also have a bone to pick with your sizing.  My pre-pregnancy top size was a xs or a 2 the top of yours I did purchase (and promptly cut the bow off!) is a LARGE! A large, Liz I am only 18 weeks pregnant, looks like you’ll be down one customer in about a month as I have already out grown your “high style low cost” line of christening gowns!  

P.S.  Why are my bottoms still pre-pregnancy size when my arse is giving my chest a run for its money?  At least you get that part right, maybe I will buy more of your pants, maybe.  I’m bitter, I hold grudges.

 P.P.S.  Target, what is up with combining the maternity and plus size section?   That is just rude and insensitive on so many.   levels for both plus size women and expectant mothers. 

Glowing,who me?

This is what I have been waiting for!  I have come to a point in this pregnancy where I am feeling so fantastic I can’t even believe it.   My skin looks great my hair is thicker, and what was somewhat of an embarrassment just a few weeks ago is now very obviously all baby.   At the risk of tooting my own horn here, I look as good as I feel.   Everything I read about the “honeymoon trimester” has turned out to be true.  This is exactly what us delusional girls who can’t wait to have a baby expect gestation to be like, all rose colored and cheery.   The baby moving is really adding to the joy,  part of the glow has to be from my beaming smile with each twitch and thump I feel.  I just don’t really know how to articulate how I am feeling aside from as happy as I can ever remember.

 Heidi and I have started planning the baby shower, SO excited for that!  A trip home and a party?  Awesome!  

Busted Stuff

Casa Pennell is struggling, seems like every time we turn around we’ve got one more thing to fix around here.  First it was our older car, which is sitting parked in the garage where it died about a month ago.   Nothing is wrong with the thing, it’s battery is just dead and since we rarely need it its just sitting there forgotten and collecting dust.   Then we had the issue with our basement power.  Last weekend we made the decision to replace our hail damaged roof.  Now, well now its our kitchen sink.  Last night I was preparing to make a great dinner, and was just about to rinse my vegetables when I pulled the spray nozzle (which is also the main faucet head) and the hose detached from its head and in the split second it took me to turn the water off went all haywire, sprinkler style and doused the entire kitchen and hallway.   It doesn’t appear to be permanently broken, just broken enough that we can’t fix it easily.  I bought a fancy wrench at lunch today and it didn’t work so I tried using a wire hanger (don’t ask!) and of course that didn’t work either.  So tonight I made vegetable lasagna,  using the bathroom sink.  Nice!

 Just in case your interested in bathroom sink cooking, here is that recipe. 

1 10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed

2 teaspoons olive oil

2 cups chopped fresh broccoli

1 1/2 cups thinly sliced carrot

1 cup sliced green onion

1/2 cup chopped red pepper

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1/2 cup flour

3 cups 1% low fat milk

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, divided

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 cups low fat cottage cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup swiss cheese

12 cooked lasagna noodles (cooked without salt or fat)

Drain spinach;  remove excess moisture. Set aside.

Coat a dutch oven ( i use a 9×13 pyrex) with cooking spray.  Add oil (to skillet if you are using anything other than the dutch oven) place over medium heat until hot. Add broccoli and next 4 ingredients.; saute 7 minutes.  Set aside.

Place flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk, stirring with a wire whisk until blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, 5 minutes or until thickened.  Add 1/2 cup Parmesan, salt and pepper; cook, stirring constantly 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in spinach.  Set aside 1/2 cup spinach mixture.

Combine cottage cheese, mozzarella, and swiss cheese.  Spread 1/2 cup of spinach mixture  in a 13×9 baking dish coated with cooking spray.  Arrange 4 noodles over spinach mixture, and half of remaining spinach mixture, half of broccoli mixture and half of cottage cheese mixture. Repeat layers ending with noodles.  Spread reserved spinach mix over noodles and remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan.  Cover and bake at 375′ for 35 minutes.  Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Yield 9 servings

Calories340

fat 8.4g!

Edit:  We are calling a plumber, I have exhausted every 4 letter word in my vocabulary and still cannot get the faucet to cooperate!

16 weeks

I had a check up today. Everything is right on track, I’m fattening up nicely and the baby’s heart rate measured 150 bpm. I asked the Dr some questions about diet and exercise and mentioned that I can’t seem to do anything to help myself as far as my back and hips are concerned, I also mentioned that my feet are getting puffy by the end of the day and even more so after a workout. What did he tell me? “The first thing you need to do is ditch the heels!” Of course I wander in there in 3 inch wedges, I don’t care how fat pregnant I am I still want to look good damnit. He then gave me some tips for sitting correctly so I keep my offending joints (the sacroiliac’s, there are 3 one at the base of your tailbone and one connecting to each hip) from rubbing on other areas and getting inflamed. These suggestions seem easy enough but it’s been 3 hours and I’m already having a hard time following them. Those who know me know as soon as I sit down I curl up like a pretzel; I’m never sitting straight up with 2 feet on the ground. Well, that’s what I need to do legs apart feet flat. I didn’t tell him that I’m too short for my feet to touch. So I am going to work on that, as the pain and the annoyance are greater than sitting “properly.” The heels? Well that’s a lot harder. Well see how that goes. Everyone knows the wider you get the taller you need to be to balance it out! HA- we also know that’s about as helpful as the ruffle on a swimsuit.

I started feeling the nugget doing laps about a week and a half ago. Over the past few days it’s becoming more frequent. It’s a whopping 5 inches long now which is astounding, and ridiculous for me to be impressed with, as most infants are born at 19+ well maybe not ours since neither of us could reach 6 feet standing tip toed on a ladder. Anyway, I mentioned that I a have been waiting for little milestones to help all of this click. Well I’m happy to say that having it remind me it’s in there during the day is doing the trick. Every time I feel it I smile and give it a little pat. I picture it swimming back and forth doing little flip kicks when it hits the side of the pool to change direction. That too makes me happy. Now Mike is chomping at the bit waiting for his turn, I feel it a lot when I have been still for a bit so often when were are watching TV at the end of the night. He smiles and tries to feel for it every time but it’s too soon.

The big day, if I so choose will be May 30th. My 20-week ultrasound, which will reveal the sex. I’m still on the fence there but I have 23 days to sit with it.

My Dad ’s Funny!

I came home last night to find a package on my front porch.  “What did you buy?”  Mike asks in that your in trouble voice. “Nothing, I don’t know what it is”…. A few minutes later I’m opening a package from  Cafe Press.. This was inside with a cute note. 

He cracks me up!  Thanks Dad :)