Sea Monkey Stats Week 17

How far along? 17 weeks

Weight? 121.2

Symptoms? fatigue!, increased hunger, headaches

Maternity clothes? Still fitting in regular clothes most of the time. I haven't purchased anything new, but I do have a top that I am currently sewing. Hopefully I can get it finished soon.

Nursery Purchases? None this week, lol!

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep? Sleeping is ok, but I'm having issues with the cat trying to use me as a pillow all the time. I'm not taking naps anymore, although sometimes I still really want to.

Best moment this week?Feeling the baby move a lot more. I haven't decided if they are good kicks or if they are because baby is unhappy, lol. So it begins! I had a few or ages today and baby was really kicking quite a bit after. I'll take it as a good thing. Baby must love baths then too.

Movement? Just about every day I feel some movement, though more when I am sitting at work.

Food cravings? Fresh pears. I craved them for a few days but couldn't find any ripe ones, and couldn't get ones I bought to ripen up. I finally found a ripe one today and ate half of it. Yum!

What I miss? No back pain. My right hip seems to be hurting almost every day. I know I need to kick my butt into making an appointment with the Chiro, and start up some prenatal yoga or something. I think it is likely a muscle issue.

What I'm looking forward to? Midwife appointment is Tuesday. I can't wait to hear Sea Monkey's heartbeat again!

Milestones?Nothing outstanding

Emotions? Excited that others are getting excited about the arrival of the baby.

Welcome to 18 Weeks

Day 29: 30 Day Blog Journal

hopes,dreams and plans for the next 365 days

Plans have always seemed much easier for me to decide on than hopes and dreams. Maybe it's because it seems more definite. Hope seems like something that's too far out of reach, and dreams are on a similar horizon. One attains to reach their dreams but there is no assurance that they will get there. Not to say I don't waste my time on hopes and dreams, but the "Type A" in me definitely puts more weight on plans than dreams and hopes.

Plans For The Next Year

• I plan to be the best mother I can be
• I plan to sleep very little and to live life in a brain fog
• I plan to do the best I can to balance my attention between my child, my husband and myself
• I plan on taking lots of photos
• I plan on being the typical first time mother
• I plan on drifting away from some friends
• I plan on deciding on the next step of our family
• I plan on baptizing our child and confirming my faith
• I plan on there being struggles with breast feeding, and cloth diapering, and attachment parenting.

Hopes For The Next Year

• I hope motherhood treats me well
• I hope I get more sleep than I plan to
• I hope that my husband adjusts well to sharing my time with the baby
• I hope my photos are inspiring
• I hope I get the help I need
• I hope I gain more friends than I lose
• I hope we can start on expanding our family
• I hope that I can breast feed for 6 months

Dreams For The Next Year

• I dream that motherhood is a breeze
• I dream that I won't be lacking any sleep
• I dream that I can do it all myself
• I dream that there is no conflict with work
• I dream that breast feeding and cloth diapering will be a breeze

Day 28: 30 Day Blog Journal

whats in my handbag/purse

1. Wallet
2. Change ($.55)
3. lip gloss
4. business cards (1 free lunch card, MW card, etc)
5. Bed Bath and Beyond coupons
6. 2 old ticket stubs for Despicable Me
7. Ultrasound pictures from week 11
8. Coconut lotion
9. Stamps
10. Umbrella (ella, ella, a, a, a....)
11. Tucks wipes (pregnancy necessity)
12. Tums quick dissolve packs (pregnancy necessity)
13. Pad (because I am paranoid)
    

Day 27: 30 Day Blog Journal

My Worst Habit

Getting started on something and not finishing, especially if I loose my momentum

Ask Me Anything!

For Day 31, I wanted to use a blog post to answer any questions anyone has for me. So please feel free to leave a comment here with a question. It can be anon, so don't be shy!

Day 26: 30 Day Blog Journal

your week, in great detail
Thursday
Work
Come home
Make dinner
Watch Colts game
Make no bake cookies for DH

Friday
Work
Come home
Make dinner
Hang pictures in basement
Evening walk

Saturday
Sleep in
Make breakfast
Clean house
Make dinner
Assemble crib
Organize Nursery

Sunday
Sleep in (headache kept me from Church)
Make breakfast
Shopping and errand running
clean up
Evening walk
Laundry
Catch up on blogging

Monday
Work
Come home
Make dinner
Blog
Pregnancy chat
Go to bed early

Tuesday
Work
Come home
Clean out garage
Make Dinner
Watch America's Got Talent

Wednesday
Work
Come home
Stain arbor
DH grills for dinner
Watch Law Abiding Citizen

Day 25: 30 Day Blog Journal

your day, in great detail
(oops, didn't realize I had this one scheduled yet!)

Between 6-7 I wake up, have breakfast, get ready for work
Commute 1 hour to work
Work for a few hours
Lunch around 12 or 1 (usually work and eat so I can leave earlier)
Work a few more hours
Commute 1 hour home
Chores
Make dinner
Depending on the day, we watch a movie or I'll watch some tv or read
Blog/hang out online
Go to bed

Day 24: 30 Day Blog Journal

where I live
There's more than corn in Indiana. Me, for instance :)

Day 23: 30 Day Blog Journal

a youtube video

Day 22: 30 Day Blog Journal

a website
Fertility Friend - A great resource and community for anyone on the TTC road.

Sea Monkey Stats - 16 weeks

How far along? 16 weeks

Weight? 120.1

Symptoms? fatigue!, increased hunger, headaches

Maternity clothes? Still fitting in regular clothes most of the time. I did buy a pair of black yoga pants, in a size larger but I need a Be Band to keep them up.

Nursery Purchases? Hutch for the dresser arrived and was picked up. Only purchase this week was an ipod speaker set that I really wanted and found on clearance with an additional 20% off coupon!

Stretch marks? No

Sleep? Sleeping fine and not needing naps as much but I still haven't regained my stamina.

Best moment this week?Evening nausea seems to finally be going away AND last of the antibiotics (hopefully, but I'll find out next week if they did the job)

Movement?I noticed the baby kicking shortly after taking my antibiotic, almost like clock work. I think the baby was disliking it as much as I was!

Food cravings?Craved a turkey sandwich from Subway, but didn't oblige because of the lunch meat rule, and I don't like my subs toasted.

What I miss? Energy

What I'm looking forward to? When DH can feel the baby. He feels kind of left out, and asks all the time if I'm feeling the baby.

Milestones?Nausea free

Emotions? Emotions have been pretty stable, however I notice that I snap more when I am feeling stressed. Luckily I have been able to keep my stress level pretty low.

My energy level is still pretty low, which has caused me to lag behind a bit on blogging this week, sorry. I feel pretty accomplished today because we got the house pretty clean and we started getting some work done in the nursery. The painting has been done for a while, and we now have all the furniture set up. Next task is to go through all the hand me down stuff again to get it all squared away, and then get the loft fixed up into a proper playroom.

I finished my antibiotics for that pesky no symptom UTI I had. So thankful those are over for now. I'll find out next week when the midwife retests the urine if I am totally in the free and clear. I was concerned that I might have an allergic reaction to it, luckily I didn't. It is not recommended for those allergic to Penicillan, which I am. It beats having a stiff neck, which is why I was switched to a different antibiotic. Fingers crossed that it worked!

I've really been focusing on my diet this week. Now that I have an appetite and not so much nausea, I can expect to eat regularly and can plan my meals now. I've been keeping the Brewer diet under consideration, making sure to have plenty of protein and salt in my diet. But I am also making sure I have plenty of fiber and calcium too. I created a spreadsheet where I track what I eat. I have noticed trends, like I don't eat or drink as much when I am at home and I spend less money on going out to eat.

Welcome to 17 Weeks

Day 21: 30 Day Blog Journal

a recipe
Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas (courtesy of Bakingdom blog)

Makes 8

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Salt and pepper chicken to taste.

In a large, heavy bottom skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chicken and saute for ten minutes.


Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan set over medium heat, combine the condensed soup and sour cream over medium heat. Stir in the taco seasoning and allow to simmer over medium low heat for 10 minutes.

Add two-thirds of a cup of the sauce to the chicken and stir well. Add half a cup of the cheese to the chicken mixture and mix well.

Add a quarter cup of milk to the remaining sauce in the small sauce pan, mix well, and allow it to continue simmering over low heat.


Place 1/4 cup or slightly more, of the chicken mixture in each tortilla, roll tightly, and place seam-side down in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Once all of the enchiladas are in the dish, Pour the sauce over the top and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.


Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling. Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Day 20: 30 Day Blog Journal

a hobby of yours
Watching sports, mainly Colts and Notre Dame Football but occasionally I'll watch baseball (live, not on TV) or basketball.
DH and I at a Colts game in 2009

Day 19: 30 Day Blog Journal

a talent of yours
Photography

Day 18: 30 Day Blog Journal

my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
I was married to my best friend on May 15th, 2004. It was an outdoor ceremony, and typical of my personality, almost everything was hand made. The weather was unusually cool for May, but we managed to hit the only day that didn't rain in the week before and the week after our wedding.


(Pictures are copyrighted, but I have permission from the photographer to post these)

Day 17: 30 Day Blog Journal

an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)


I've always liked Van Gogh, particularly this peice. I'm hoping to get a framed copy for the nursery since we're doing a star theme.

Day 16: 30 Day Blog Journal

a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
A hard subject for anyone to think about...


...remember you're not alone.

Sea Monkey Stats - 15 weeks

How far along? 15 weeks

Weight? 119.4

Symptoms? fatigue!!, morning sickness, constipation, headaches

Maternity clothes? Still fitting in regular clothes most of the time.

Nursery Purchases? None this week

Stretch marks? No

Sleep? All the time still. I slept most of Saturday away, like I did last weekend.

Best moment this week?No vomiting!

Movement? Occasionally fluttering. I felt what I think were two strong kicks while at the football game Sunday. They kind of felt light someone lightly flicking you. Not painful, but sudden and noticeable.

Food cravings? Nothing this week

What I miss? Energy

What I'm looking forward to? Less sleepy

Milestones? Feeling baby move more often this week.

Emotions? This week has definitely been drama filled! This whole pregnancy I think I have been doing fairly well emotionally. DH and I were talking about it a few days ago. There's only been a few emotionally uncontrolled moments in the past 4 months. However, there was an offhanded comment made about me by a friend to my husband that made him pause and then laugh. A friend asked to borrow money and I said we couldn't afford it but we could afford less. (I'm not going to get into the whole story, it's not worth it). A little was not enough so it was declined. Then my husband mentions to them that they need to remember that I am pregnant (because we are trying to watch our money since we're having a baby) but they assumed he meant I was being moody and said his wife got that way too when she is PMSing but that's no excuse to say no. LOL

I decided to compare my measurements before and after BFP. I have my measurements from when I made my first dress. I've gained 1 inch in my bust, 3 inches in my waist, and 1 inch in my hips. Total weight gain has been 0, although I have gained 4 pounds so far in the second trimester.

Welcome to 16 Weeks

Day 15: 30 Day Blog Journal

Your Dream House
My dream house would be one in a hilly wooded area. It would be private (from all the trees and vegetation) but would have a lot of windows to let natural light in. It would have an open floor plan, and be made of natural materials (think modern log cabin). My taste runs a little more modern, but not quite to the point of industrial. I like simple uncluttered lines, but with a very organic feel.

I wish I could find pictures of my ideas.

Day 14: 30 Day Blog Journal

a non-fictional book



A great reference to any soon to be parents

Day 13: 30 Day Blog Journal

a fictional book


One memorable book from my youth, The Broccoli Tapes

Day 12: 30 Day Blog Journal

something you are OCD about
The most random one, volume number has to end on a 5 or 0. If I am watching a movie and I have to turn up the volume, it has to end in a 0 or a 5 or I will change it. I don't know why, it is totally weird.

Day 11: 30 Day Blog Journal

a photo of you recently

15 and a half weeks

Day 10: 30 Day Blog Journal

a photo taken over 10 years ago of you


This is DH and I before my senior prom. By that time we'd been dating for 2 years. <3

Day 9: 30 Day Blog Journal

a photo you took

Day 8: 30 Day Blog Journal

a photo that makes you angry/sad


<3 I miss her :( <3

Sea Monkey Stats - 14 weeks

How far along? 13 weeks

Weight? Holding in at 118.5

Symptoms? fatigue!!, morning sickness!, constipation!, headaches

Maternity clothes? Few shirts at Kohl's Junior section that work as maternity, or mid-maternity. This tunic and this tunic

Nursery Purchases? 1st outfit we bought sea monkey. Really cute teddy bear set with onesie, pants and a hat

Stretch marks? No

Sleep? yes please! Still wanting lots, but not napping as much

Best moment this week?First Midwife Appointment

Movement? Occasionally I feel fluttering, but nothing like the strong movement I felt last week

Food cravings? Steak from Texas Roadhouse. Finally got some for lunch today.

What I miss? Nothing ATM! Enjoying pregnancy

What I'm looking forward to? Morning sickness easing up a bit more

Milestones? nothing really

Emotions? Been getting frustrated with morning sickness. I had it really bad Saturday after I decided to forgot Unisom the previous night. I ended up waking up at 4am and made myself some mac and cheese, then shortly after threw it up. I went back to bed and got up and had breakfast and felt energetic enough to do some yard work. Then after my shower I got sick again and felt miserable the rest of the day. DH convinced me to take a Unisom early and today I am feeling better after sleeping off and on for about 18 hours.

Welcome to 15 Weeks

Day 7: 30 Day Blog Journal

a photo that makes you happy

Day 6: 30 Day Blog Journal

20 of My Favorite Things
I wish I could pull out my journal when I was in high school. I have a history of depression and one of the things I did to combat it when I was in high school was have a list of things to be happy about. It always cheered me up when I was having a rough day. I showed to a girl I thought was a good friend and found out later she made fun of me about it. I think she was jealous, but I am not sure why. I wasn't flaunting what I had to be grateful for. I think it a great exercise in gratitude. Sometimes you take for granted the simple things that make you happy. Anyway, onto my list in no particular order...

1. Bastet cuddles (kitty #2)
   
2. Little Man antics (kitty #1)
   
3. Sounds from my koi pond
   
4. Watching my belly grow
   
5. Having the windows open on a cool sunny day
   
6. Listening to a good rock song with with car windows down
   
7. Sound of myself breathing from a SCUBA tank
   
8. My camera
   
9. Camping when the weather is nice
   
10. Smell of a bonfire
    
11. Scrap book retreats with family
    
12. Hugs from my siblings
    
13. Surprise parties
    
14. Twinkling lights on Christmas trees
    
15. Freshly fallen snow
    
16. Hot chocolate warming frostbitten noses
    
17. Crisp fall weekends at Notre Dame Stadium
    
18. Football Sunday
    
19. Having laughs over dinner with friends
    
20. Donut Friday
    

5QF

5 Question Friday from My Little Life
1. Did Are you a neat sleeper or a messy sleeper?
Fairly neat sleeper. I don't wake up tangled up in sheets or blankets and more often than not my pillows can still be found where they started, at the top of the bed. Sadly, I can't say the same for my husband.

2. Fill in the blank. I wish I was more ________________.
Energetic. I tend to be very laid back and easy going, which probably makes people think I'm pretty boring.

3. What is something that you wish you had been warned about?
That adult life isn't as fun as you think it is when you're a kid.

4. What was the best thing you ever found at a garage sale/flea market?
I found some embroidery programs for my sewng machine on sale at a garage sale. They usually start at $80 but found them for pretty cheap. My mom was thrilled.

5. If you could have any meal brought to you right now, what would it be?
Steak and a potato from Texas Roadhouse, lol. It's been a while since I've had steak and since my breakfast was sweet, I'm kind of craving salty foods.

Day 5: 30 Day Blog Journal

Your Favorite Quote
Honestly, I don't have a lot of favorite quotes.

Two Mark Twain Gems

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
Mark Twain

Good breeding consists in concealing how much we think of ourselves and how little we think of the other person.
Mark Twain

Bible Verse

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15 (King James Version)

Day 4: 30 Day Blog Journal

Your Favorite Book


Terry Goodkind's Faith of the Fallen from the Sword of Truth Series.
It was my favorite series and very sad to see it come to an end. I would get the book on release day, spend a day and a half reading it then eagerly await the next 12-18 months for the next release.

I don't have much time to read much anymore, which makes me really sad. I hope to remedy that soon. I used to spend a lot of time over the summer borrowing books from the local library. I'd read from 4-5 in the afternoon until 2-3am and then sleep until noon. :) I spend a lot of very humid and hot Midwestern summers in my bedroom just reading. I miss that time.

As I said before, I hope to get back into that soon with some light reading, perhaps some Harry Potter, Twilight, or Sookie Stackhouse. Although, I prefer to watch the movies before reading because I feel like I get the best of both worlds. I enjoy the movie, but the movies rarely, if ever, spoil the book. Maybe I'll get started on Harry Potter after the newest release comes out.

Any book suggestions? I'm pretty open about genres. I don't really get into romance novels but anything with a good plot or a good philosophy.

Day 3: 30 Day Blog Journal

Your Favorite Television Program
House

We rarely ever miss an episode. We sit down at 9:15 every Monday, which gives us just enough time to skip through most commercials :)


Past Favorites
The X-Files
Rome
Ugly Betty
Glee

First Midwife Appointment

Boy that was a long appointment, but it was really laid back so that was part of it. A few things I was annoyed with. I was there for my annual in Feb, but they still requested my insurance info and I had to fill out the same 8 pages of information I did last time. I hate paperwork! Then they ask the SAME questions during the medical history review of the appointment.

I am guessing that since it was a first appointment, and they are always known to run long, that they were wanting to move my appointment to an earlier time. I didn't get out of the office until close to 5pm.

During that time she examined my pelvic bones to make sure they were in proper place for birthing, which they were. They also swabbed for STD panel, which I am 100% positive will be clear. They also took about 4 vials of blood, which I am assuming is for a complete blood panel. I'm sure that will return fine, however I'm curious about my iron/hemoglobin level since I can be borderline anemic. Oh, yeah and there was the nice urine test and I did my first dipstick for protein and glucose. They asked me 4 times for consent for HIV, which I passed on because I've had taken a year or so ago and there is no way it would turn up positive. If I hadn't had it done before, then I would have signed. I also got to hear the baby on the Doppler. So easy to find! HB of around 150.

So this leaves one question up for debate. To test or not to test? We had a discussion with the midwife about the quad screen and we are on the fence. My stance is that I'm highly unlikely to go so far as to get an amniocentesis because of the risks and if we get positive markers on the blood test then that is likely where we would head after a level 2 ultrasound. She agreed and said there are often indicators in the blood test that result in false positives. My concern is worrying about a bad result for the rest of the pregnancy. My husband believes it is better to know now in case there is anything that can be done. He doesn't think finding out during birth or shortly after birth is the best time, that it would be traumatizing. We both agree that termination is not likely, and that there is nothing that we could do now to prepare ourselves if our child has down syndrome. I think the biggest concern is neural tube defects. We did not have an NT scan, but the RE did look at the spine and commented that everything appeared fine, but no measurement taken.

DH said it was up to me, but I hope he does realize that I am seriously considering what he is saying. I know we both need to do more research to feel more comfortable. I am thinking about taking it and just dealing with the stress until I hear the result, just so DH knows I take his opinion into consideration. I'm just not sure.

What do you think? Should I or shouldn't I?

Day 2: 30 Day Blog Journal

Your Favorite Movie
Currently, my favorite is Inception



I'm not sure how well it will stand up to some of my other long term favorites
Boondock Saints


Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland


Lord of the Rings

Sea Monkey Stats - Week 13

How far along? 13 weeks

Weight? Holding in at 116.5 as of 14w0d

Symptoms? fatigue!!, morning sickness, constipation!, headaches

Maternity clothes? I bought a cute top at Target

Nursery Purchases? None this week.

Stretch marks? No

Sleep? Fatigue is coming and going but I am still loving the naps, especially after I eat. I'm not sure what is up with that but as soon as I eat something I have the overwhelming desire to lay down.

Best moment this week?Morning sickness starting to wane

Movement? I think I felt something. It was like a thud and then a rolling sensation. I think maybe I squished the baby a bit when I was sitting funny. LOL, then they rolled to get away.

Food cravings? Nothing really. I'm starting to get sick of cottage cheese though.

What I miss? Nothing ATM! Enjoying the pregnancy

What I'm looking forward to? First Midwife appointment Monday

Milestones? Finally in the second trimester.

Emotions? I am glad to finally be feeling better even though the morning sickness at times likes to sneak up on me.

Welcome to 14 Weeks

Day 1: 30 Day Blog Journal

Your Favorite Song
While I was TTC, and even still now, my favorite song was kind of an anthem.
Michael Bublé's Haven't Met You Yet


Other favorites include
Chris Isaak's Wicked Games


Incubus Aqueous Transmission


Oleander Champion


Creed Never Die