Tuesday, December 23, 2008
21 weeks pregnant and an ultrasound
Hello all! In exciting news, we had our follow-up ultrasound yesterday and Little P's heart and organs looked healthy and on track! The perinatologist said there was no cause for concern and everything looked as it should. She said that the only thing wrong was the umbilical cord issue and that's it. Phew! I felt a HUGE relief spill over me! They did a full anatomy scan again and Little P looks so much bigger than last time. Her features are really starting to round out and boy, does she move! She rocked and rolled the whole time! This makes sense because I feel her move a lot of the time now. Chris is also excited now that some of the movements can be felt on the outside...we were stuck in a snowstorm in traffic (parked on the highway for over 4 hours at one point) and the kicking was strong enough for him to feel. We sat in the car marveling over each little poke and it definitely kept us entertained during the wait. What a joy to see the look on Chris' face as he felt each little bump at his hand...it's the kind of thing I've been so excited to experience. I'll leave it at that. No 21 week photo of me this week...I look the same as the last photo so I will leave you with the latest photo of our little lady. I'm headed off soon to celebrate Christmas with my family; Happy Holidays to all and I'll be back soon with updates! Much love to you all and best wishes for you in this New Year!
Monday, December 15, 2008
On Hunger in pregnancy
It's funny how I turn into a crazed lunatic every time I get hungry. I've found lately that I'll think to myself "hmm. I might be starting to feel hungry." Or while out shopping Chris will ask me "how are you doing? Do you need a snack?" And I'll say "oh, I'm ok for now. Maybe a little hungry, but I can wait." I liken these statements to the moment a werewolf sees a full moon.
Well. Usually it takes about 5 more minutes before suddenly I'm in freak-out mode. My eyes widen as I become a drooling scavenging monster. I become a shell of the person I once was. I become inconsolable, angry, and desperate: MUST....HAVE...FOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!! ARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH *drool* *drool* *pant* *pant*
This reminds me of the old Saturday Night Live sketch with Chris Farley dressed as a school girl at the mall food court with her friends. He's using a cutesy girly voice and seems calm. She's eating from a plate of fries and a friend says "Same some for us!" as he is starting to wolf them down and he suddenly screams: "Lay OFF bitch! I'm staaaaaaarrvviiiiing!" as he starts shoveling fistfuls into his face. Well. That is me. Fine and willing to share one second. And a screaming panicky mess the next. I find I just cannot wait when I need to eat and everything must be put on hold until food is en-route to my stomach. Violence seems excusable. Note to self: Keep tasty snacks with self at all times. It will save yourself and your marriage. P.S. Twenty weeks today and half-way there!
You can see a snippet of the SNL skit here.
Well. Usually it takes about 5 more minutes before suddenly I'm in freak-out mode. My eyes widen as I become a drooling scavenging monster. I become a shell of the person I once was. I become inconsolable, angry, and desperate: MUST....HAVE...FOOOOOOOOD!!!!!!! ARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH *drool* *drool* *pant* *pant*
This reminds me of the old Saturday Night Live sketch with Chris Farley dressed as a school girl at the mall food court with her friends. He's using a cutesy girly voice and seems calm. She's eating from a plate of fries and a friend says "Same some for us!" as he is starting to wolf them down and he suddenly screams: "Lay OFF bitch! I'm staaaaaaarrvviiiiing!" as he starts shoveling fistfuls into his face. Well. That is me. Fine and willing to share one second. And a screaming panicky mess the next. I find I just cannot wait when I need to eat and everything must be put on hold until food is en-route to my stomach. Violence seems excusable. Note to self: Keep tasty snacks with self at all times. It will save yourself and your marriage. P.S. Twenty weeks today and half-way there!
You can see a snippet of the SNL skit here.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Nursery Planning
Hi there! Now it's time to talk about some other fun stuff: the nursery! I guess you could say I've spent a lot of time over the past several years plotting and planning and seeing what it is I like out there for nurseries. I've managed to pull together imagery and swatches of the things I like the most and here I will show you what we've rounded up so far for Little P. My worries about purchasing for baby are obviously over now. I'm not going to live life like something is going to go wrong anymore. I spent too much time doing that and I'm OVER IT. We won't be starting to put the room together until after the holidays. I'd love to have started sooner since I'm impatient; but it's hard with the holidays here. Weekends are too busy what with all the preparations and hooplah. It will be something nice to work on when the holidays end and it's just plain cold and miserable outside.
That being said, my goal for the nursery is to be cheerful, friendly, modern, and functional. After great deliberation, I've decided on the wall paint color: a pale green-blue which I like a lot against white as the trim. We'll call it a seafoam sort of color. I'm not sure how it looks on your screen since it will vary, but I think you get the general idea. My idea for the accent colors for the accessories in the room is a bright sunshine yellow.
Onto the first actual item: The CRIB! Chris' parents were incredibly generous to gift us the crib...they are too sweet and we really, really appreciate it. I wanted to go with a "modern" look for the nursery and it fits the bill and then some! This is the Classic crib in birch by Oeuf.
We did not get the changing station pictured here. We plan to put a changing pad on a dresser.
The next item: The crib bedding. I was on the lookout for something with the perfect shade of yellow and for something that wasn't TOO cutesy. I found this set and loved it...and after a bit of time it went on sale for 50% off and I decided to go for it. It's by NurseryWorks and can be found here, but not sure how long it will still be there! I've also included an inspiration photo that came out in Domino Magazine last month that shows the crib I selected (although that one is in walnut finish...but close enough) with the bedding I ordered in it.
All the next items I've ordered have nothing to do with necessity and are strictly decorative because I'm nuts like that. But just so you know, we will be ordering the dresser from Ikea in January...and I plan to do some serious home craftiwork on it. As I'd mentioned, it will hold the changing pad on top. I'll be sure to post when the time comes. We also have an upholsetered rocker that I'd scored years ago at Salvation Army for 9 bucks that is in perfect condition...I am having custom slipcovers made for it in yellow with white piping as it's currently a vomit shade of green (suitable for the era the chair came from but a little too "vomit-y" for me at this point).
Onto the un-necessary items that I have ordered so far:
The Dachshund Lamp: A not too bright glow for evenings/nights and our dog is a dachshund so it seemed fitting. It's a lot bigger in person than I thought it was. But it's cool by me.
The next item is a mobile to go over the crib. I wanted something simple, classic, and decorative. I thought it would be nice to be able to have something I could hang in my office later on and this fit the bill to a T. It's called the Bamboo Birds Mobile and is made of *gasp* Bamboo and is laser cut.
And for the next item: the rug. I didn't want the room to be too much about yellow...I feel it's always nice to have a counter-balance to a theme. This brings in the Dream Menagerie Rug from Anthropologie.
I really liked the rug a lot and decided that it will go well in the room and can grow with the baby. It's not something that will need to be replaced. And it she ever wants something else, I'll move it into my office...I'm always thinking of other uses for what I purchase and am trying to avoid getting things that I won't be able to use later on.
Here is another totally decorative purchase: the rattan elephant hamper. Because I admit I wanted one for myself and said "hey, it will be perfect in the baby's room anyway" I decided to go for it.
And for the latest decorative purchase: this Melamine Zoo Tray by Shinzi Katoh. I plan to use it in the nursery somehow...my biggest thought is to hang it on the wall as art. It's pretty small...about the size of a sheet of paper. Perhaps I'll lean it up on a shelf. The writing reads: Who is the biggest animal in the zoo? I loved the shade of yellow and the illustrative style is right on for what I'd been looking for in terms of wall art. I plan to find more vintage-y things like this to clip up on the walls in shades of yellow, oranges, dark greens, aquas, and red here and there.
Speaking of those colors I had to show you this pillow I LOVE. The Denyse Schmidt Green Penny Pillow. No, I probably won't order it. But I think it would be great on the rocking chair and make a nice statement in the room:
So! That's where we are at so far. The dresser project will take place in January sometime and I plan to design some prints/wall art of my own for the walls. I'll be sure to post photos of our progress and before/after pictures when we're finished. Sorry for the long post. I hope you enjoyed my virtual "inspiration board" for the nursery. I'm looking forward to getting started with it and hope it has given you an idea or two for your own decorative planning!
That being said, my goal for the nursery is to be cheerful, friendly, modern, and functional. After great deliberation, I've decided on the wall paint color: a pale green-blue which I like a lot against white as the trim. We'll call it a seafoam sort of color. I'm not sure how it looks on your screen since it will vary, but I think you get the general idea. My idea for the accent colors for the accessories in the room is a bright sunshine yellow.
Onto the first actual item: The CRIB! Chris' parents were incredibly generous to gift us the crib...they are too sweet and we really, really appreciate it. I wanted to go with a "modern" look for the nursery and it fits the bill and then some! This is the Classic crib in birch by Oeuf.
We did not get the changing station pictured here. We plan to put a changing pad on a dresser.The next item: The crib bedding. I was on the lookout for something with the perfect shade of yellow and for something that wasn't TOO cutesy. I found this set and loved it...and after a bit of time it went on sale for 50% off and I decided to go for it. It's by NurseryWorks and can be found here, but not sure how long it will still be there! I've also included an inspiration photo that came out in Domino Magazine last month that shows the crib I selected (although that one is in walnut finish...but close enough) with the bedding I ordered in it.
All the next items I've ordered have nothing to do with necessity and are strictly decorative because I'm nuts like that. But just so you know, we will be ordering the dresser from Ikea in January...and I plan to do some serious home craftiwork on it. As I'd mentioned, it will hold the changing pad on top. I'll be sure to post when the time comes. We also have an upholsetered rocker that I'd scored years ago at Salvation Army for 9 bucks that is in perfect condition...I am having custom slipcovers made for it in yellow with white piping as it's currently a vomit shade of green (suitable for the era the chair came from but a little too "vomit-y" for me at this point).Onto the un-necessary items that I have ordered so far:
The Dachshund Lamp: A not too bright glow for evenings/nights and our dog is a dachshund so it seemed fitting. It's a lot bigger in person than I thought it was. But it's cool by me.
The next item is a mobile to go over the crib. I wanted something simple, classic, and decorative. I thought it would be nice to be able to have something I could hang in my office later on and this fit the bill to a T. It's called the Bamboo Birds Mobile and is made of *gasp* Bamboo and is laser cut. 
And for the next item: the rug. I didn't want the room to be too much about yellow...I feel it's always nice to have a counter-balance to a theme. This brings in the Dream Menagerie Rug from Anthropologie.
I really liked the rug a lot and decided that it will go well in the room and can grow with the baby. It's not something that will need to be replaced. And it she ever wants something else, I'll move it into my office...I'm always thinking of other uses for what I purchase and am trying to avoid getting things that I won't be able to use later on. Here is another totally decorative purchase: the rattan elephant hamper. Because I admit I wanted one for myself and said "hey, it will be perfect in the baby's room anyway" I decided to go for it.
And for the latest decorative purchase: this Melamine Zoo Tray by Shinzi Katoh. I plan to use it in the nursery somehow...my biggest thought is to hang it on the wall as art. It's pretty small...about the size of a sheet of paper. Perhaps I'll lean it up on a shelf. The writing reads: Who is the biggest animal in the zoo? I loved the shade of yellow and the illustrative style is right on for what I'd been looking for in terms of wall art. I plan to find more vintage-y things like this to clip up on the walls in shades of yellow, oranges, dark greens, aquas, and red here and there.
Speaking of those colors I had to show you this pillow I LOVE. The Denyse Schmidt Green Penny Pillow. No, I probably won't order it. But I think it would be great on the rocking chair and make a nice statement in the room:
So! That's where we are at so far. The dresser project will take place in January sometime and I plan to design some prints/wall art of my own for the walls. I'll be sure to post photos of our progress and before/after pictures when we're finished. Sorry for the long post. I hope you enjoyed my virtual "inspiration board" for the nursery. I'm looking forward to getting started with it and hope it has given you an idea or two for your own decorative planning!Tuesday, December 9, 2008
19 Weeks Pregnant
Hello everyone! Yesterday I hit my 19 week mark. Soon I'll be halfway through! Thanks so much for everyone's well-wishes and sweet comments on my last post!!!! We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people rooting for us and thinking good thoughts. It really does help a lot! I'm still absorbing the fact that I'm going to have a little girl! It completely blows my mind. She seems to be doing well in there. I've finally started feeling little tiny pokes here and there from inside. Sometimes I feel a bunch at once and other times it's just a poke or two. My experience with it so far has felt exactly like gas bubbles down there...just a lot and more frequent if not a tiny bit more obvious. Like a little finger inside my abdomen is tap-tap-tapping on the window of my organs. Our ultrasound last week was a great milestone for us; what an excitement! The one sketchy thing the doctor told us is that the umbilical cord has only one artery and vein instead of TWO arteries and one vein. But the artery it does have is very large. I guess this can be linked to defects in the kidneys or heart, but she said everything seemed fine with those and she wasn't concerned. It can also be linked to fetal growth issues, but the baby was measuring exactly for my dates. She told me it isn't something that affects the baby later on. She's having us come back soon for another ultrasound when the baby is a touch bigger so she can get a better look at the heart once it's grown a little more...a routine move she says. Overall I'm a little freaked out by it, but I think it's natural to be. I mostly feel confident, though, since the doctor seemed quite relaxed about it. I've learned that I can only panic so much in one pregnancy. I've also learned that if the doctor isn't worried then I won't be worried. (Easier said than done, but I'm getting better!) Because I have ZERO control over this, there is no point in flooding my system and Little P with worry-chemicals. It's a hard pill to swallow, but nature has to take its course one way or another and I'm just along for the ride. On a fun note, I've been planning the baby's nursery and have finally made our first baby purchases! We probably won't begin the process of setting up the room until at least January (when we will clean out the room and paint the walls...and hopefully put in a hard-wood floor) It's been fun plotting, planning, and figuring out what everything will be. More on that this week!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
18 Weeks Pregnant
Dear Wee One,
I woke up yesterday morning early...I was so nervous. As I lay there in bed, I imagined you swirling around in my belly all snug and warm. I thought about my life up to now and remembered how I'd always wondered what my husband would be like or who my children would be if I had them. I took for granted that one day children would come along easily as soon as I decided to go ahead and have them! I learned that there are so many things in life that we can't control so we can only sit back and try to enjoy each day as its gifts are presented to us. I knew, though, that this day would one day come...I'd always viewed it as one of the most important days of my life and I'd never known when it would happen (just that it WOULD). I've wanted SO BADLY for you to be ok...to be healthy and safe and secure...and to know that I am doing a good job in keeping you that way. It is the most important job I'll ever know! Before I got out of bed I imagined you in our lives late next spring. I tried to imagine your eyes, the warmth of your skin, your little nose, your soft hair, those little hands and feet; and it all felt so real to me. Tears of gratitude slid down my cheeks as I got up and quickly got ready for the day. When your Daddy and I arrived at the hospital, we waited for what seemed like an eternity through a long genetic consultation. It finally came time lay on the little cot and the vision of you sprang to life on the little screen. Your little heart was beating away in your bulbous little chest area. We sighed as we saw all your little fingers waving with your arms above your head. We marveled at all your little organs and bones...so strong and working so well! We are already so proud of you! We giggled at your little feet and cooed at your round tummy. We even caught a quick glimpse of your face in profile! We learned that you are healthy. You are well. You are safe. You are warm. You are perfect! This was everything we could have dreamed and more. As I drove away from the hospital much later (with all the precious pictures of you on CD safely in my purse) I thought about the future again. I can almost hear the giggles from you, our little girl--our daughter, and I am now sure that there are no other moments quite as special as this. We love you so much, little P. I haven't met you in person yet, but I know you in my soul.
Love Always,
Mama
I woke up yesterday morning early...I was so nervous. As I lay there in bed, I imagined you swirling around in my belly all snug and warm. I thought about my life up to now and remembered how I'd always wondered what my husband would be like or who my children would be if I had them. I took for granted that one day children would come along easily as soon as I decided to go ahead and have them! I learned that there are so many things in life that we can't control so we can only sit back and try to enjoy each day as its gifts are presented to us. I knew, though, that this day would one day come...I'd always viewed it as one of the most important days of my life and I'd never known when it would happen (just that it WOULD). I've wanted SO BADLY for you to be ok...to be healthy and safe and secure...and to know that I am doing a good job in keeping you that way. It is the most important job I'll ever know! Before I got out of bed I imagined you in our lives late next spring. I tried to imagine your eyes, the warmth of your skin, your little nose, your soft hair, those little hands and feet; and it all felt so real to me. Tears of gratitude slid down my cheeks as I got up and quickly got ready for the day. When your Daddy and I arrived at the hospital, we waited for what seemed like an eternity through a long genetic consultation. It finally came time lay on the little cot and the vision of you sprang to life on the little screen. Your little heart was beating away in your bulbous little chest area. We sighed as we saw all your little fingers waving with your arms above your head. We marveled at all your little organs and bones...so strong and working so well! We are already so proud of you! We giggled at your little feet and cooed at your round tummy. We even caught a quick glimpse of your face in profile! We learned that you are healthy. You are well. You are safe. You are warm. You are perfect! This was everything we could have dreamed and more. As I drove away from the hospital much later (with all the precious pictures of you on CD safely in my purse) I thought about the future again. I can almost hear the giggles from you, our little girl--our daughter, and I am now sure that there are no other moments quite as special as this. We love you so much, little P. I haven't met you in person yet, but I know you in my soul.
Love Always,
Mama
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