Finally!

I'm the worst. blogger. in. the. world. Things over here are awesome and amazing. Little D is 3 months old and I will show a progression of pictures during this post. But I don't even know where to begin with an update.

Let's start with the end of 2012 was a true whirlwind. DH graced us with his presence four days before Thanksgiving. A week later we moved out of the condo and into my parents house. Lucky for me, we got packers and movers and J orchestrated it all while I took care of little D. A week after that we closed on the condo. It was so sad for me! I lived there 12 years. I did a lot of growing up there, got engaged there and lived with J there. And now we are technically homeless. Still living at my parents. More on that in a minute. On the day we closed on the condo, J's parents came in from Denmark. The day after that was J's 40th and the day after that was my b-day.  At this point we are in mid December. J's parents headed to the east coast and this lil guy turned one month old.

The holidays then came. J's parents came back from the east coast for Christmas. It was kind of a hard time and kind of a blessing. So nice to have help from parents and have J's parents here for the holidays but it was so hard being a new mom with all of these people around telling me what to do. And not really being in our own space. Up until last week, J and I were sleeping in twin beds with the bassinet in the room with us too. It took me about a month to unpack our clothes and I still have a suitcase I never unpacked.  After Christmas, J's parents headed home and my parents headed south to Florida to their home there. New Years was peaceful and quiet. We just cooked, sipped champagne and went to bed at 12:08.

January brought home shopping. We found a house in the burbs. The burbs? I couldn't believe we were not going to be in the city. I have lived in the city my whole life (with the exception of during college when my parents moved to the burbs but I jetted back to the city promptly after graduation). And I just kept reminding myself I was doing what was best for DH because the schools are good. We never did come to an agreement with the seller on price (the house was over priced and still on the market now AND they just decreased the price ha!) so we continued our search and found a cute, foreclosed, updated home, in the city, made an offer and they accepted. It was just a perfect fit. And we even like the school options. Right before this happy(?) fellow turned 2 months old. 

So easy enough the house owned by the bank, can close on 3/20 but what do we do? We make it harder! We decide we should renovate. This house is totally move in ready but we have a few changes we want to make. We want to knock down the wall between the kitchen and the family room to make it one space, we want to update the first floor bathroom, we need to remove all the paneling from DH's room and another bedroom, we want to make one of the bedrooms our walk in closet, maybe move the laundry upstairs. Fix the layout upstairs and update the master bath. In order to afford doing this we are applying for a 203K loan. For those of you who may not know, this is a mortgage loan where you can borrow over the purchase price of your home and put the money towards renovations. But you have to have a contractor. Who has to provide plans, and a bid, and line item every single item they are doing and price out every piece of material they will use. So now we are waiting to get the final bid, hopefully this week to submit to the bank to get the loan processed. Which now has us closing the earliest 4/30. 

GRRR. Did I mention my son is humungous? Like 15 pound, 25 inch humungous at his 2 month appointment. We finally got a crib. Just this week in time for our 3 month celebration whoop whoop!

So we will continue to live here in my parents house until our house is finished. But we are out of the twin beds and moved into my parents room. So now we are all sleeping in there as the crib would not fit into the other room and their third bedroom is an office. It's another adjustment. DH is taking it in stride. But I cannot get over that we will still be here 4 more long months or more until the renovations are complete. 

So there's an update. I have so much to say about motherhood. And little DH as a baby. And our future regarding other babies. But I'll save it for a different time. My next post will be my birth story. I feel like if I do not document it soon, I may forget. Which I don't want to at all. Cause it pretty much was the best day of my life. Cause this kid rocks. 

I swear I am still here

I cannot even believe I have been neglecting this blog for as long as I have. I mean this is my first post of 2013 and it is February? Really? I need it to get it together out here in the cyber world.

So many updates I need to give! On our lil babe boy DH, our current living situation and apparently I still owe a birth story. And I got a blog award. I'm on it stat this week I swear. Is it too late to say Happy New Year?

I have been keeping up as best I can on your blogs. (Now much easier to do while nursing since we got the hang of it). I'll post a bit more later. We are amidst sleep training. DH is 11 weeks and it is actually working!!! So Mama has now a bit more time to be online.

Hope all of you are well!

Thanksgiving Announcement

Sorry I have been MIA, I've been busy celebrating Thanksgiving with this turkey.

My beautiful, healthy son, decided to make his appearance last Sunday evening. Let's just call him baby D on this blog. He was 9 lbs., 9 oz and 24 inches long. I was in labor for almost a full 24 hours and pushed for almost 3 hours. Getting this lil one (or big one) out was no small task but so worth it!

He looks just like my husband (legit they can be twins) but with my coloring. It is still a debate if his eyes will be brown or blue as they are bluish grey right now but I just melt when he looks at me. They are like lil candy drops.

We are so in love. I cannot even tell you how wonderful of a father my husband J is. A real natural! At times he gets nervous about doing something but once I show him how to do something he does it no problem. And he has just been such a supportive husband. Helping me with breastfeeding and just overall encouragement. The hormones are off the chain. I've been crying nearly every day. It really is overwhelming. But in the best way possible.

I'll save his birth story for another post. It was slightly scary due to the fact I probably should have gone to the hospital a day earlier but I thank God every day for DH's safe delivery.

We got home late Tuesday night. Tues and Wed were exhausting but yesterday and today have been good. For Thanksgiving, my parents just came over and brought food and we cooked here. Very relaxing.

I'm gonna sleep right now cause D just went down.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Still pregnant

Tomorrow is my due date and I am still pregnant. No hopes in site for this baby coming on its own. No signs.  My cervix is still closed, plug in tact and I am barely having Braxton Hicks. My body just will not cooperate right now. Figures. Tried everything, walking, sex, acupuncture, raspberry leaf tea. And nada.

I think it is looking like an induction for me. Hopefully but I will not even know until Monday at my next appointment. Looks like I'll be in the hospital for Thanksgiving assuming they even schedule it for next week. The best thing is the baby is healthy and I passed my stress test. I think the thing that I feel frustrated about is I'm due tomorrow. I'm measuring at like 42 weeks. Why do I have to wait to schedule this thing? I want to meet my baby. I want to smell it and kiss it. I've been waiting for this for three years. I know you are all thinking what's one more week and to a degree I agree, but every day longer I do worry about it being in there. I just will feel better when it is out and I know that it is ok. At times I slap its lil butt through my stomach just so it will give me a kick to let me know all is good.

On top of that, we sold the condo just this past Monday. Let me rephrase. We got a contract again. It is for a little less than last time but at this point, we need to move so we took it. With all the baby stuff, it is tight. Doable but tight. And they are doing construction on the exterior of our building which really is not very peaceful for a new baby and parents who are adjusting. The deal is cash so they wanted a quick closing. 11/26! Lucky for me I pushed it off until 12/7 which gives us time to have a baby, be home for a week, and orchestrate a move to my mom's. Then J's parents come to visit on 12/10. I refuse to even think about houses and additional moves until January. Or even beyond.

Everything is just up in the air right now so I am trying to remain calm. The planner in me is having a very hard time. I just remind myself a raise in blood pressure or worrying is not good for my sweet baby still living inside of me. And this situation is not detrimental. And with this time of year, I am just thankful and that is what matters. Thankful for this beautiful baby and that it will come on its own time even if Mommy is panicking. Thankful for my loving and supportive husband, family and friends. Thankful my husband has a good job so I can be home and enjoy this pregnancy and baby. For having a roof over our heads, even if it temporarily is not ours. For selling the condo so we can build our new life with our baby in a peaceful home. Thankful for our health and just our good life. We are very lucky.

The last

I think I am the last of those I follow on the blogs who have gotten pregnant at the same time who has not had their baby yet. Oh well. This baby just is not ready to reveal itself to the world.

Today I am 38 weeks. 20 pounds gained. (Apparently this week I lost 2 lbs.) and a baby that they think is approximately 8 pounds. My cervix is about 80% effaced but closed for business. I'm hoping at my appointment on Monday it decides to at least open up. I'm not even having any contractions. Pubic bone pain after walking and some cramps here and there but no contractions.

Looks as though although I could have this baby at any time, my gut is telling me I'm going full term with probably an induction in my future. I will say I would rather wait it out than be induced. I think I may need to start bribing this baby to come out. My sleeping has been good on some nights but others I am usually up for two hours then have to nap during the day.

I found a few stretch marks under my belly yesterday. I'll take them. Anything for this baby kid.

Now just waiting

Back to the waiting place I once spoke of here but different in the sense we are waiting for our baby's arrival!  I'm 35 weeks as of tomorrow and know this kid can come every day. My gut tells me it will prob stay in there through October which is fine with me. We are ready to go.

A lot has happened since my last post. Our contract on the condo fell through so it looks as though we are staying. I believe in timing and the gods are telling us it just is not out time to move yet. First we are only about a 7 minute drive to the hospital, not that I am worried but if the baby were to come early and be in the hospital we are very close. Second, my doctor as well as the pediatrician are a 20 minute bus ride away. Which will matter when I start having to see him weekly in a bit. If we would have been at my mom's it is over an hour away and could be more in traffic.

We'll keep the condo on the market until the lil one appears but then it will be taken off of the market until probably March. Although small, I cannot imagine keeping this place clean and showing it with a newborn here. At this point J and I have accepted happily that this is where we will bring our baby home. It will be comfy and cozy while we adjust through the winter.

We ordered a changer/dresser, a storage cube and have found a place for everything right now. We have the Co-Sleeper bassinet where the baby will snooze, will keep a pack n play in the living room and everything else has a place in the dresser, cabinet, closet and under the bed. We actually put the furniture together this weekend and it went fairly well. If this kid for some reason outgrows the bassinet before we get out of here, we'll put the crib together here too. Then it will probably be really crowded.

So I think the only thing left is to order a new dining table in chairs. We are getting a round one (loving this one) which will take up only half of the space our other table is now to give us room for the pack and play. It will be interesting when people come to visit but nothing we can do but make the best of our situation which we are.

I had a doctor appointment this week. Everything on track. I did gain 4 pounds (whoops!) but at this point I know it is all going to the baby. And with only 5 weeks left, and only 20 pounds gain, I am pretty proud of myself.

I am so ready to workout again however. It's a workout in itself carrying my belly around but I know I am so less toned. Which is why I love having the baby now. I am hoping to come out this spring feeling, healed, good and healthy for my baby and my husband and myself.

I will really miss being pregnant, so much anxiety right now about becoming a mom (this is what happens when all you have time to do is think). I just want to always do what's right for the baby.

A Whopper of a kid

33 weeks. 7 to go. Holy cow. This has been a very eventful week. Let me just outline it all.

1) Our shower was sooo much fun. We got many wonderful things and I totally feel prepared. It is always so fun to have everyone you love in the same room. My mom even surprised us with two crocheted blankets. I love them! And she has never done that for any of her other grandkids. I guess that is what retirement does. We did receive everything we need however I will never ever recommend for any to register at Target. They do not update the registry for certain things and I got so many duplicates. Plus I received another gift in the mail with no packing slip. My whole experience there really sucked. Even when initially I went there to register. Anyhow, the returns have been returned and the majority of items are at my mom's now. More on that later.

2) Sunday I had my maternity pics taken. I have not seen any of them yet but we had some really great locations. Down by the harbor and at a park. It took about an hour and half so I am hoping there are at least a few good ones!

3) We sold the condo on Monday. We got the price we wanted and we need to move by 10/28. Great. The baby is told daily its only job is to stay in there until the move is over. Let's hope it cooperates.

4) After we found out we sold the condo, we have a doc appointment. We got the 3D ultrasound! That baby is damn cute and all I kept thinking is I cannot wait to kiss that face. Apparently too this kid has a head of hair. So it makes me soo much more excited than I already am. The baby is very healthy, 143BPM heartbeat, but humungous. 6 lbs! I cannot even believe this. I mean I can because my husband and I are not small people (I'm 5'8", he's 6'3") but already??? This whole month I gained no weight but carting around this huge kid. If the doctor is correct, and I go full term, this baby could be a big one. I cannot imagine laboring a 10 pound kid but I guess I should get comfortable with the idea. Plus I have been told by some that larger babies eat and sleep better. I guess we'll see about that.

Right now my focus has to be packing up this place and moving to my mom's by Oct. 22ish. If the baby can just stay in there until then, it will all be fine. Obviously living at my mom's with my first newborn is not ideal, but the thought of having to move twice is less appealing. Plus depending how long we are there, my parents leave to winter in Florida after Christmas so we only would have them around until then. But we have to find a house. I looked today with my realtor and found one with potential but J needs to see it so we are going to go again tomorrow. I'm just not sold on the location and it is a bit more than we wanted to spend. But it is basically brand new. A well done rehabbed home, that we could move right into. This whole thing is a lot at once and I do not want to be rushed into buying something because I think we need to.

I had a feeling this would happen, we'd sell the condo and the baby would basically be on its way out of me at the closing. But again, this is a problem I want to have. Because I really didn't want to have the baby here at the condo anyway. It's just too loud of a place for a baby, and it is only one bedroom. I mean we could have done it but now we do not have to.

The rest of this year is going to be so interesting....

Interesting Comment

So I'm sitting at the salon right now getting a much needed cut and color and I heard the most interesting comment. There is a mom here who is getting her hair dyed and said, "my daughter is a year and a half now so it's time for me to get back to taking care of myself."

I don't mean to judge but for me, I hope it does not take me a year and a half to pay attention to myself again. Not that I am naive about the time it takes to take care of a kid, cause I am not, but at the same time I think you can make your priorities as you see fit. I've seen all of my mom friends do it. You need a cut and color, you get a sitter. You want to go on a date with your husband, you get a sitter. I've waited so long to meet this baby that I know once it is here and I am in love with it will be hard to leave it. However a happy mom is good I think when trying to have a happy baby. So my goal is to still make time for myself as well as enjoy my baby.

32 weeks! Woohoo! My shower is tomorrow (hence the need for a day of beauty) so I am excited. This is the last thing that needs to occur in order for me to feel ready for this baby to come. I ordered my breast pump yesterday. I decided on the Medela Freestyle because I liked the flexibility of it more than the Pump in Style and it was such a deal. In the store it is like $340 plus tax which is 10% where we live but throught my husbands lactation program $230 delivered. Anywhere we can save makes me happy. We still have two more classes (infant care and breastfeeding) to take at the hospital but even without them I'm feeling ready. My weight still has been good but it seems my nose and lips are growing by the day. I plan on curling my hair tomorrow to offset them. 

With the exception of waking myself up from the snoring I have going on, I'm still all around feeling good. So thankful I have had such a good pregnancy.

Monday is my 32 week ultrasound. The doctor is doing it so I am about 85% sure it will be a 3D ultrasound. I am curious to see this baby's face. I still think it will look like my husband but I guess we shall see.

Let's see what else? Oh, we may have a potential buyer for the condo! They came to look at it on Monday, were suppose to come back on Tuesday but didn't and just decided to make an offer. We do not know what it is because it seems the broker on their end has the offer but they have not signed it yet. Come on people. Pregnant woman waiting to figure out where she is gonna end up bringing her baby home to. We go back and forth. I'd like to have a quick closing and go live at my mom's. They will only be here until after Christmas then they go to their Florida home to winter. It will give us a good chance to save an obscene amount of money while taking our time to look for a house. Because even right now there are no houses I have seen online currently that I am dying to look at or buy. And I do not think rushing into buying a house is a good thing even if we do have a newborn. One of my friends suggested maybe renting from the new owner but I don't think it will work. The guy is buying it as an investment but his brother is going to live here so I am sure he will want to move in right away.  It will be interesting to see how this all pans out. I've really just been preparing to bring the baby home in our condo. Lots of changes but all very exciting!

The Big 3-0

30 weeks today! wow, time really does fly. Only 10 more weeks. Obviously I am very interested in 1) are you a boy or a girl? and 2) who do you look like? My husband is white, blond hair, blue eyed. I am brown, with brown eyes and brown hair. So it really is a crap shoot on what this kid will look like. Three of my four nephews on my side all have light eyes and only two have really brown skin. It makes me so excited to meet this one!

I've been feeling good still. Sleep has been good for now. But I feel more tired during the day then I did in my first trimester. And the side sleeping is killing me. I always end up on my back. At my 28 week appointment, I had officially gained 16 lbs in total. It made me happy HOWEVER 7 of that was in the last four weeks, which made me a bit nervous I am rolling downhill fast. It seems this baby is bulking up. Hopefully these last weeks I don't gain too much weight. My doctor does have me now coming to see him every two weeks already because of the IVF and the fibroid incident so I go back on Monday. I first thought I would go full term with this one but now maybe I am thinking it will come early. Not that I want it to. Me and the baby had many conversations where I have stated it needs to stay in there at minimum another 6 weeks, then it can come anytime.

Today we picked up our infant car seat and Pack n Play. J works closely with Rubbermaid so we got 50% off of both! So I did not register for either of these knowing they were such a good deal. When we got home I took the car seat out of the box and cried! Damn hormones. All I keep thinking is this is real, there is a baby inside of me that will be using this seat that we will be responsible for. Pregnancy is so funny. At least for me it may not hit me 100% until this baby is out that it is really happening.

I've been so happy to read about a few new pregnancies! Hooray for Emily at a blanket 2 keep and Toni at Who is this Fertile Myrtle?! And all the new babies being born as well as the ones getting so big! It's amazing how many of these blogs have changed so much in this last year.

I'm still praying for all of you still waiting for your babes. Every night a special prayer for all of you.

Well I guess that is it for now. I need to be better at updating not just reading!

100 days

left in my pregnancy EEK!!! I can't wait to find out what this baby is! I'm not prepared at all. I'm 25 weeks. Which still means plenty of time but we are still in the condo and I am thinking we probably will be when this baby comes. I have a handful of clothes and a diaper bag. That's about it. And my shower is not until 32 weeks. But my nesting instinct has kicked in. I now want to put new carpet in the bedroom and maybe new hardwood in the main room. Have an appointment for that next week. I also want to get a  new dining table and chairs. The one we have is too big and I have been wanting to get a smaller one (something round to maybe use in a kitchen in our next move) that way I can at least make some room for a stroller. I also need/want to order the baby's dresser/changing table which will fit in our bedroom and it takes 6 weeks (damn Pottery Barn Kids) but I am still waiting with the hope we may be out here. But obviously remaining, even in my hormonal state, realistic too.

The baby all in all is doing great. I passed my glucose test (hooray) and have gained 9 lbs. which I am pretty happy about. My goal is 25 lbs. and I am hoping it happens (but I will not beat myself up about it if it does not happen). Easier to come off when all is said and done.  I was talking to a few of my sister's friends and not one of them gained any less than 60 lbs. That just seems crazy to me. I've been lucky in the fact I have not had any crazy cravings and feel I am eating the same amount or less than before I was pregnant. Plus with the baby growing, it takes much less to really make me full.

I did have a little scare this weekend which ended in my first trip to L&D. I have a fibroid which I have always known I had when I got my HSG prior to all the IVF madness. But my doctor said it would not impede implantation which obviously it did not but it has grown. I got it measured at my last ultrasound and it was about 3 cm. Well Friday and Saturday I was in excruciating pain on the side where my fibroid is. First I thought it was round ligament pain but even laying down it was the worse pain ever. Enough to even make me cry. So I called the doctor on call and off we went to the hospital. Turns out the little effer has grown to almost 5cm. I guess what happens is the hormones and blood supply basically feed it but when it gets to a certain size, it cannot be supplied anymore because the baby is taking everything. So at that point it degenerates causing the pain. I read a lot about it online and many women say the pain is worse than childbirth. So if childbirth pain is better than this pain, I'll be fine. They gave me some meds and I am feeling so much better but we just have to monitor it. Because apparently this pain can cause early labor which obviously based on earlier comment, this baby needs to stay in there as long as possible.

It was cute to see J's face in the room they put us in at the hospital. It was basically a room we would deliver our baby in. I liked the wonder on his face as well as the slight scare. Which reminds me I have to sign us up for baby classes. Looks like September is going to be a busy month for us.

The PT nanny job is almost finished as well. I should be done by the end of the month. And I have decided to only see my therapist once every two weeks. I have found that is all I need right now. Maybe it will change once this baby comes but for now, every two weeks works. And it is nice to save a little money from not going.

I know I have not been the best at updating my own blog but I have been reading all of yours and commenting when I can. Hope you are all doing well!

What a Difference a Year Makes

I'm back. Well at least to my blog. I've been good at keeping updated on what is going on with most of you, but I think I am ready to blog again.

One of my biggest things about staying away from blogging is there was a lot of heartbreak going on out there and it really just tears me up. It was hard for me to be blogging about my pregnancy (even though this is my blog, space etc.) knowing there was so much hurting going on. I know that it's not a perfect world and there will continue to be hurt but I hope as well, there are many more rainbows and good things that include everything baby for all of you still hoping and waiting.

A year ago today, I started this blog. It is so funny to read now what my mind frame was. My husband was getting ready to have his TESE in one week and I was getting my schedule ready for my first IVF in August. It was not successful and we took a nice long break to enjoy the fall, the holidays and travel. It seems like forever ago. And I cannot believe that here I am now 22 weeks pregnant after our successful second round in February. And I would do it all again if I had to. I have been enjoying it and just now in preparing mode.  I think the weirdest thing is even when you do get pregnant there is always something to worry about. First, just getting pregnant - shots, ultrasounds, transfers, etc. but now it is staying pregnant and doing everything in your power to do what is best for your baby. And I know once this baby arrives, it brings a whole other set of worries that pretty much never stops.

We recently put our condo on the market. My hope is that it sells before this baby arrives. We'll find a place to live whether we buy a house, rent or just camp somewhere (aka my parents house) for awhile. But I want a whole new start in whole new place with this baby. And even if it doesn't sell, I know we will be fine with this baby here but my preference is to get out. I'm just over living here. Neighbors, noise. We are just ready to have our own space and not share walls.

We are doing well otherwise. Our baby is doing great. All of our tests have been fine. The baby did not cooperate at our 20 week ultrasound (would not turn over) so we went back this week to get the pictures of the heart they needed. And in two weeks I get my glucose test. I'll be glad when that is over.

We are not finding out the gender and we went yesterday to register. Let me tell ya, it is hard to find neutral things! We are putting off any crib/bedding/furniture purchases until we know where we are living and those things may be purchased after the baby comes. My shower is not until Sept. which gives me plenty of time to change my mind 50 times about what I want.

So that's a little update in a nutshell. I haven't not taken a single belly pic. I probably should get on that.

Hope everyone is well! I'll be back to regularly scheduled blogging.

Thanks Ladies

Hi guys, thanks for all of your comments. I really appreciate it. I think I was just having one of those days. I'll be back soon, probably later this week or next.

Still thinking of you all, hoping for BFPs for you cycling this month. Also hoping the preggos out there and the new mommies are doing well too.

OK sounds good to me

Well ladies none of you were interested in my giveaway so it's gone now. Oh well. Now I can just return it with the rest of the stuff.

Hope everyone is well. Going to take a break from blogging for awhile. Just kind of annoyed and not really feeling it.

Finally A Giveaway!

Happy Monday all. It's dreary here today. It's been cloudy and or rainy since Friday here. Boooo.

Things are well. The baby seems to be doing ok. My doctor appointment last week was just an ultrasound and the bloodwork for the Downs test. I just love seeing that little beating heart! The tech said everything seemed ok but I wanted the doctor to call me (I hate waiting to talk to him, it can be up to an hour sometimes). So he calls Tuesday in his suburban office, not the office I go to and I am not even home so he talks to J. J tells him, she wants to know how the ultrasound was and has some questions on whether or not her restrictions can be lifted (mainly, the no sex one) so he tells him he doesn't have my chart (well duh, you are at the other office) so he will call tomorrow. Well he didn't call at all, I left another message on Friday and he still has not called as of today. ANNOYING. So I'm waiting to call on Wednesday when he is in the office I see him in which I am hoping by then too they will have the Downs blood test results so I can have one call with him  finding out about the ultrasound, bloodwork and restrictions killing three birds one stone.

I'd like to start working out again and I would like to know if I can. And I am still taking the baby aspirin which I think at this point I shouldn't have to according to my first appointment with him. And I don't know, have sex with my husband before I get to a point in this pregnancy where I may not want to!!! I just hate when doctor's do not get back to you. Especially because I think I am not stalking him and have been pretty laid back during all of this.

I'm 12.5 weeks so I am feeling really happy about going into trimester 2. The tiredness seems to be lifting. This past weekend (mainly yesterday) was the only day I felt so nauseous through this whole thing. I thought I was going to throw up. On and off all day. But no complaints here. A very small price to pay when I have had zero morning sickness.  And I think my nose is growing from the hormones already. My sister's nose grew a ton during her pregnancies too so I'm ready for mine to take up all of my face by the birth.

And announcing My First Giveaway! I have finally reached 50+ followers so it's time. It will run for a week. You can enter by clicking on the tab at the top of my blog called Current Giveaways. I used Rafflecopter (thanks Emily @ a blanket 2 keep) so I hope it works.

I'm sure you are now wondering "Well, what are you giving away?" I was at Charming Charlies this weekend looking for some jewelry for a wedding this weekend. The dress I am wearing is blue (ocean is the color to be exact) so I bought some coral and gold accessories as a fun Spring pop o' color. Anyhow, I ended up buying a few choices so I decided to give away one of the earrings and bracelets I picked out.

The nice thing about the earrings, is you can loop up the chain through the posts to make them shorter.

So what do you have to do?

First, be a follower of my blog! Please write in the comments on the giveaway what your screen name is. (And feel free to post on your blog if you would like, I love new followers!)

Second, answer the question. I began watching The Conversation with Amanda de Cadenet on Lifetime. Basically this interview show, with celebrity women talking about all sorts of women's topics (life, love, career, kids, you get the point). Anyhow at the end she always asks "What is you favorite sexual position?" (THIS IS NOT THE QUESTION I AM ASKING) and another question which is included in the giveaway.

Good Luck! I'll announce the winner next Tuesday. Let me know if something is not working.

Second Award

I should have posted this last week but I got another blog award!

I received this from the lovely mum over at Adrift on a dandelion breeze so thank you! I'm now officially at 50 followers so I will be posting for my giveaway (finally) later this week but in the meantime, here are the rules of this award:

1. Share who gave you this award with a link back to their blog (check - see above)

2. Write down 7 random facts about yourself

3. Give this award to 15 others

4. Let them know they have an award

5. Pop the award on your blog

Seven random facts about me:

1) I love cooking and entertaining.  I have only had a few get togethers in this apartment in the last 12 years I have lived here due to the small space but hope once we have a house, I'll do it more regularly.
2) If money was no object, I would travel the world.

3) I love game apps on my iPhone. Very addicting.

4) I wish I was a more consistent reader (of books). I go in spurts. I'll read 3 books then none for a month or two. 

5) I could never live in the country. It would be a nice place to visit but I could not stay. I'm a city girl through and through.

6) Marshmallows and coconut flavoring in savory foods, grosses me out. 

Totally boring, I know.

Now who to give the award too. To all the ladies at these blogs:

Who is this Fertile Myrtle?

Our Journey through this Lovely Life

Life and Love in the Petri Dish
The Road Less Traveled
My Fertility Blog
Compromised Fertility
My Hormonacoaster
Do I have to be a D.I.N.K?
The Yount Happenings
Fertility Frustration
Life is Simple, It's just not easy
A blanket 2 keep
Baby NV
The Reluctant Infertile
Trying 4 a Baby

Closet Overhaul

So this weekend it had to be done. As I approach my 12th week, I had to get some new jeans. I have two pairs of regular jeans that fit me comfortable only because I bought them a size larger than I normally am. I tried Gap Maternity but they did not have my size at the store so off to Destination Maternity I went. I opted for the demi panel ones which are comfortable but still slip down a little. I love having a lil belly (well at least bigger than it normally is) now knowing the baby is growing away. I also got some tops too, ones I can wear tighter for now with a belt than grow into.

I had a bachelorette party on Saturday night. I broke in one of the jeans. I had to wear a bella band too to keep them from slipping too low, but they were comfy. It was actually very fun despite not drinking. The wedding is in two weeks and I need to get a dress for that too.

So at this point I think the only clothes I am going to keep in my closet is my growing collection of maternity clothes (hoping to get double use if I can get pregnant with #2), shoes and a few dresses. I'm going to completely clean out my closet and put everything in storage. Our condo is going on the market in a few weeks so the more we can declutter the better. And I figure if we are still there in the fall/winter, I can just get what I need out of storage then. I just need to light a fire under myself to get going. I need to clean out our bookcase and put that in storage plus our main closet in the hallway and get rid of some kitchen stuff. Thank God we have a storage space. But after all this I think is is going to be pretty full.

We found a house we really liked yesterday. But the problem is we have to sell our condo and it is not even on the market yet. This is why you should never look for a house until your place is sold. But I think we need to see it again. The kitchen is a bit small and so is the yard but we really liked everything else. But both of these things were high on priority list so maybe now it is not for us. Ho hum.We are going to talk to our mortgage agent today see if we can see it again and if there are any options for us because our place is not on the market yet but soon will be.  I woke up at 3 with my mind racing about this dumb house.I know there is a huge change (more than 80%) we are still going to be living here when the baby is born and I am just gonna roll with it. We only live in a one bedroom condo and they are a dime a dozen around here so I see this being a long process. But I am only stressing about the things I can control which right now is decluttering this place and saying every extra dollar we have.

Today I had a doctor appointment. So happy to see the babe again! I just want to know everything is a-ok in there. I'm sure it is but I just love seeing this lil thing up on the screen.

Better I promise

I need to get better about blogging. There are so many things I think about or read about that I know I want to blog about but I just have not been making the time. So boo to me. I'm going to get better at it starting now. I started drafting this on Monday and finally posting today.

The weekend was good. We had dinner at a friend's house on Friday night and then one of my best friends came into town Saturday and Sunday. There was a group of us for a nice dinner and drinks then Sunday another friend of ours had a brunch for everyone too with their kids. It was fun. It's nice to see all the new babies and how big the others are getting. And it was especially nice to get in quality friend time. With everyone living in different places and having kids in all different stages or none at all, it's nice when we can find time to get together and catch up.

Unfortunately last week I had a long discussion with two different friends regarding infertility. One of my friends will be 40 in June and has been trying for over two years. She just had fibroid surgery and now is trying naturally but the doctors are suggesting due to her age her best bet is IVF. Which we all know is expensive. They do not have coverage so it would all be out of pocket so I think it is just a matter of when they can get the money together and move forward. It just breaks my heart for anyone 1) who even has to go through any infertility protocol especially IVF and 2) just may not have the means to do it. UGH!!

I had another friend who is in the beginning stages. Been trying for 6 months and in her low 30s and her doctor is pretty proactive. She was going to go on clomid but they suggested having her husband tested first before they decide on their next move. My discussion with her was basically about just being an advocate for herself through this and staying proactive. If there is an issue, the sooner she can nail it down the better. And better to know there are no issues at all so she doesn't need to worry.

On the pregnancy front, I am 11 weeks and feeling good. I had a lot of cramping last week but I am sure it is still growing pains. After a few nights this weekend of staying p past my normal preggo bedtime, I slept for a very long time last night. I really am thankful for how easy my first trimester has been. I wish we could see the lil Gobbler this week, but my next appointment isn't until Monday. I just feel better knowing everything is going ok in there. I feel my stomach getting harder and am starting to pop a small bit but can still wear my clothes but I do not think for much longer. At least my jeans. I'll have to start wearing the bella band all the time or invest in some of those demi panel jeans. I'll be glad once summer is hear. Dresses will be easier to deal with then jeans all the time.

It was our anniversary on Wednesday! Two years! Even with IF being a PITA, they really have been happy years and I am looking forward to many more. We went to dinner at the best new restaurant and it was delicious. And I really have not missed drinking. I think people need to ask me again in about 3 or 4 more months.

So for fun, J and I were doing old wives tales tests to see what the gender of the baby is. Everything is pointing to girl - ring on a string, Chinese birth chart. I have always thought girl anyway. We are not finding out and I could care what that baby is as long as it is healthy. I had a friend who with her first cried when she found out it was a boy because she wanted a girl so bad. Not this girl, just thankful for this baby no matter what the gender.

A Wave Hello

Had a bit of a scare on Saturday night. We went out to dinner with friends and on the way home I had cramping. Like the kind you get right before you get your period. I was not too worried until we got home and peed and there was brown spotting in the toilet and when I wiped. I was panicked it was going to turn red so I called the on call doctor and he told me it was pretty normal and to take it easy until today when I could get in to see my doctor. I put myself on bedrest yesterday for the day and the cramping and spotting continued on and off throughout Sunday and last night. I woke up this morning feeling much better in general but still went in to get a scan. I had my first ultrasound on my belly (until we meet again Wandie)and the baby was fine. Heart beating away at 177 bpm and waving hi to mom and dad. I feel 1500% better and now just waiting to have a quick word with my doc. And apparently I have only gained one pound since November, not three. I think I just have lighter clothes on today. My gut kept telling me it was completely normal, my uterus is probably stretching and the blood could have been residual from many things including my cervix exam last week but just seeing the baby moving and being what it should be right now is the best thing for my peace of mind. The one thing I learned from this is I truly believe this baby is mine and I am taking it home healthy. I believe I need to have more faith in my body and my baby. Cause it is our time and this is happening.

That little beating heart

Our first OB visit was yesterday and everything was great. We had to wait a bit to see him (per the usual) and then we were there for three hours! Peed in a cup, bloodwork, got an exam, a cervix check, and an ultrasound to check on the Gobbler. Baby is still doing fine. Was measuring at 8 weeks, 6 days (I was 8 weeks, 4 days) and a heartbeat of 176 bpm. We got a 3D shot of it and it is starting to look a little more like a baby. Every time I see that little beating heart, I just melt. It's so damn cute flickering on that screen pumping so fast. And I just think, that's our baby in there! Which puts me at ease that this pregnancy is real and happening.

The doctor did a great job answering all of our questions. I'm still on restriction to no working out, sex or heavy lifting and although I am off of all the hormones from IVF, I still need to take the baby aspirin. But I should hopefully be fine after the first trimester. I was up about 2 pounds since I was there in November and through my many questions and concerns, I am going to start seeing a nutritionist to keep my weight gain to a minimum. The doc and I both agreed I should not gain more than 10-20 pounds more.

We go back in two and a half weeks for another ultrasound and the MaterniT21plus test which basically is a new kind of blood test they use for Downs (Trisomy 21, 18 and 13). At 36, I am right on the curve where the risk goes up for Downs so we figured this blood test will let us know what our true risk is. I am definitely ruling out having an amniocentesis. It's just not worth the risk.

I did have a little spotting after we went to the doctor which stopped about 2-3 hours after. I wasn't panicked I just figured it was because of the cervix check. But the doctor forgot to mention that and J and I looked it up online. I was fine this morning too so I am sure that it what it was.

So that's it. I have therapy today which should be interesting. I haven't been for about three weeks because of vacation so I am sure I have plenty to talk about. But maybe not. I've just been so happy, content and calm but at the same time kind of to myself. I am just kind of in a weird place not knowing really what to do myself. I think maybe the tiredness is making me feel so weird and that next trimester I begin to feel like myself again. Well at least I hope.

Friday Motivation please

Happy Friday! I just updated my blogroll and added my maternity timeline to the blog today. It is so crazy this pregnancy is REAL!!!! I'm trying to get motivated to get moving. Lots to do and the day is half over. Finally unpacking from our trip. Laundry needs to be done but I may wait until tomorrow. Need to clean the bathroom and change the sheets, hit Target (for all my Easter stuff!) and go visit a friend who had a baby a few weeks ago. And I would like to squeeze in a mani/pedi. It is just hard feeling tired and fatigued. Not that I am complaining. I'll take it with a smile on my face and the biggest song in my heart. I

My first OB appointment is Monday afternoon and I am excited. And only two more days of progesterone and I am free of fertility meds. It does make me nervous to think I probably will not be having an ultrasound until week 12 but I'm going to talk to my OB about it. I just like a little more timely reassurance and I do not want to buy a doppler.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and a Happy Easter/Passover!