Mommy in the Making

Nicholas learned a new game :)

2011-12-20T17:38:00.000-08:00

Nicholas turned 6 months old yesterday. I can't believe how time flies. The good thing about that, though, is that it means the school year is also flying by and summer will be here before I know it. I have been terrible at keeping up with my "weekly" blogging. I may have to start doing monthly blogging instead...

I promise to spend time during my winter vacation updating my blog, but for now I will post this awesome video that we were lucky enough to get last night during a hilarious family moment. My little man is so much fun!

Nicholas's Laugh Attack Video

2011-09-28T17:52:00.000-07:00

I admit I have watched this video about a thousand times. It never fails to bring a smile to my face. I love this little guy so much!

14 Weeks

2011-09-25T21:42:00.000-07:00

Nicholas had his 3 month check-up this week and was diagnosed with pink eye for the second time. His nasal congestion has never really gone away, and we still have to keep his mattress elevated and give him nose drops & suctioning, which he hates. Now we have to do the eye ointment again. I feel like a large part of the time I spend with him during the week consists of me torturing him with treatments that don't even seem to be helping.

On a happier note, Nicholas is obsessed with hands this week. He spends a lot of time looking at his hands and trying to stuff them into his mouth. He discovered my hand this week and he studied it for about 15 minutes straight, lol. So cute.

13 Weeks

2011-09-18T21:31:00.000-07:00

I got tons of cute pictures this week! Here are some of my favorites:

Nicholas: 12 Weeks

2011-09-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

This week I got a call from Nicholas's day care saying that he woke up with pink eye. His eye had so much gunk in it that it was crusted shut and they had to get it wet and pry it open. My poor little man. That phone call was at 10 am and I still had to teach until 3pm. Luckily, my in-laws were picking him up early anyway so I made an appointment for them to take him to the doctor. The doctor said the pink eye was caused by the congestion, and there's a chance that it will progress to an ear infection.

I feel so bad that my baby was sick and I couldn't be there for him. And if he wasn't in day care and I wasn't around a bunch of kids all day, he wouldn't be sick at all...so I can't help but feel guilty. My husband stayed home with him on Thursday since he was still contagious, but I kept him home on Friday and I stayed home with him just so I could spend some extra time with him.

I didn't take many pictures this week, but here's a funny stink face picture from Labor Day:

Nicholas: 11 weeks

2011-09-04T11:10:00.000-07:00

Nicholas can now consistently find his hands, and he is starting to put blanket and other things in his mouth. He is very interested in exploring different textures with his lips and tongue. He is learning to suck his thumb, but he isn't great at it yet and he gets frustrated.

Nicholas has been very congested and he's been spitting up a lot lately. I just realized I have no earthly idea what to do with a sick baby. My husband ended up going to the store at 2am and bought saline nose drops and a humidifier. I hope they help and he doesn't get worse.

Watching the first USC game of the 2011 season:

Baby Blues are hitting hard a little late...

2011-09-03T12:48:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it through our first week of full-time day care. I confess that I've cried every day this week, both after dropping him off AND in the evenings when I'm home with him.

I know he's probably just going through a phase, but I feel like this week he avoids looking at me, and when he does look at me he just won't smile. I can't help feeling like being away from him all day is destroying our bond. All summer, I was the first thing he saw when he woke up, and he would instantly smile when he saw me. Now I'm lucky to get a smile when I put him in his car seat, but that's the only time he really shows me that he recognizes me. To make matters worse, when my husband walks into the room, Nicholas immediately follows him with his eyes (something he used to do with me) and he smiles when my husband plays with him.

I can't stop these thoughts I have every day...I find it so disheartening that I am raising other people's children while strangers are raising my son. And as I do planning for the school year, I'm reminded of how much I have to teach and how long the school year is. Nicholas will be almost a year old when school is out and I'm able to spend all my time with him. I feel like there are so many milestones I might miss out on.

Nicholas has been sleeping in our bed quite a bit lately. This is partly because he sleeps better next to me (this is the only thing that keeps me going sometimes); partly because it's convenient to nurse him there in the middle of the night; and partly because I want to spend as much time with him as possible. So for now he sleeps the first stretch in his crib and then my husband brings him to me when he cries and he spends the rest of the night in our bed. I know it's taboo, but it's working for us. I just wish he would smile at me when he wakes up like he used to.

I keep reminding myself that it's possible that he doesn't look at me as much because he doesn't need to. I read on a forum on Circle of Moms that when babies feel safe with their moms they will spend more time looking around and less time looking at Mom. I know for a fact that his eyesight is getting much better, so I need to keep reminding myself that he knows I'm holding him and he feels secure enough to explore his surroundings. I also know that he can sense my mood, but it's really hard to fake happiness when I'm singing to him or playing with him and he just doesn't seem to care.

I knew starting day care would make me sad a lot. I'm not sure if this is actual PPD or if it will get better soon...but so far I'm not too hopeful.

**My husband found this post on Circle of Moms this morning and showed me. It helps a little to know that other moms experience periods of feeling like their babies don't recognize or love them. It's worth reading if you are experiencing similar feelings.

Nicholas: 10 Weeks

2011-08-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

We made it through our first week of day care! We did half-days this week while I set up my classroom. I cried as I was driving away the first 3 days, and then I was ok Thursday and Friday. But I know next week with full days will be so much harder. I just don't even have the energy to play with him much when I get home, let alone have the energy to clean the house or take care of the pets. I find myself wishing that I didn't have all these pets (4 cats and 1 tortoise). I feel bad about that.

I cried a few times this week after I picked him up because I felt like he didn't remember me. He avoided eye contact and seemed withdrawn. Someone on The Bump message boards suggested that he just needed "down time" after his busy day at day care and avoiding eye contact is the way babies say they need a break. I'm also wondering if he has trouble recognizing me in a different setting, because a couple days this week, I put him in his car seat and all of a sudden he looked straight at me and smiled the biggest smiles I've ever seen! That made my day to see how happy he was to see me.

My favorite time of day this week has been in the afternoon after day care when Nicholas and I sit in the glider and have quiet story time. Sometimes he looks at the books, and sometimes he just closes his eyes and sucks on his pacifier. But I know he's listening and I read in a calm, soothing tone. If he falls asleep, I take him to my bed and we nap together. I think he needs a break from all the stimulation of day care, and I know once school starts I will need that quiet time also. After his afternoon nap, he's ready to play when Daddy gets home from work. I love my little family!

Nicholas practicing his Russian dancing:

Nicholas and his new friend (a dinosaur blankie I got him that he naps with - I bought one for day care and one for home, so he'll always have something with him that smells like Mom. I hold it between us when I nurse him so he has something to grab onto.)

Future Bad-Ass:

Nicholas: 9 Weeks

2011-08-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

Nicholas is experimenting with new noises. He now makes a panicked, bird-like squawk when he loses his pacifier or if we take it out of his mouth momentarily. He also makes a cooing sound in his sleep that is rhythmic, like a snore but so much cuter. I'll have to remember to get it on video the next time I hear it.

Nicholas is starting day care tomorrow and I'm a wreck. I keep feeling like I am going to miss out on so much this school year. He will be almost 1 year old by the time I can stay home with him again! Sometimes I just look at him and cry, and I know he picks up on my mood and it affects his mood as well. Then I feel worse and cry more. I don't know how to break the cycle.

Tummy time on the arm of the couch:

Getting ready for football season:

His first trip to USC at 2 months! Fight On!

Here are some shots from our 2 month photo shoot:

Nicholas: 8 Weeks

2011-08-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

Nicholas is such an alert little man. He likes to look over my shoulder at the trees moving outside. He giggles at pictures, patterns, and toys. He stares intently at our faces and he can beat anyone in a staring contest.

We are convinced he will crawl early because when I put him on his tummy, he kicks his legs and scoots himself forward if he has something to push off of.

I am hopeful that Nicholas will start sleeping through the night soon. He ate at 10 pm last night and then didn't eat again until 4am. He was up until midnight, but then slept for 4 hours straight.

I'm still trying to find a pattern in his naps during the day. On Monday, he slept through our whole Mommy and Me class. I paid $30 to watch my baby nap for an hour while all the other mommies and babies sang, danced, and played with musical instruments. We have another class tomorrow-we'll see if 11am is going to be his regular naptime.

Here's some pictures of my smiley man:

Smiling in his sleep:

And here's a picture of him when Daddy wouldn't give him his pacifier quickly enough:

Cutest Video Ever!

2011-08-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

I am so lucky to have captured this adorable moment on video! Check out my little man:

Nicholas: 7 Weeks

2011-08-07T01:39:00.000-07:00

Nicholas is now smiling and laughing in response to mommy making faces and talking in a high-pitched voice to him. He is also very amused by kisses on his face, the ceiling fan (it doesn't even have to be moving--he just looks up at it and laughs, lol), and black and white patterns and pictures.

I printed out some black and white animal pictures from Parenting.com that he just LOVES. I put one of them on the wall next to the changing table, and he gets more excited each time he sees it. It's a cricket we've named Eugene, lol. He recognizes Eugene as well as the raccoon picture on the bumper of his crib (no name for the raccoon yet) and it seems like these pictures are his first friends. It's so cute to watch him study them.

Another no-so-cute habit he's picked up is to thrash, kick, and grunt while breastfeeding. He throws his head around with my nipple in his mouth which hurts like a mother. At first we thought it was out of frustration if the milk stopped flowing, but he's also done it while making big gulping sounds, so maybe he does it out of pleasure...I just don't know.

Here are some cutie pie pictures at 7 weeks 1 day:

Nicholas: 6 Weeks

2011-07-31T13:55:00.000-07:00

The big news this week is that Nicholas got his first vaccines. He did pretty well, thanks in part to our brilliant idea to give him a bottle of breast milk while the nurse was administering the shots. He cried, but only briefly. I, on the other hand, cried longer than he did. I just can't stand to see him in pain. That night, he had a screaming fit and his legs hurt really bad to the touch. Lots of snuggling and some Infant Tylenol took the edge off.

I've found he likes to nap on his tummy. Here he is on mommy and daddy's bed after breastfeeding while lying down next to mommy:

And a couple more pics from this week:

Nicholas: 5 Weeks

2011-07-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

When I was little, I had a doll whose eyes were open when she was upright, and then her eyelids closed when she laid down.

Nicholas is the exact opposite of this doll. I feel like we have taken several steps backward this week. He is perfectly content being held and will fall asleep easily, then his eyes pop open the second I put him in his bassinet to sleep. Another favorite trick of his is to pretend to be asleep in his bassinet just until mommy gets comfy in bed, then he starts grunting and fussing and wants to stay awake for another 2 hours. His extreme need to suck is back and when he's awake, he constantly wants his pacifier. That is the only way to get him to fall asleep when we're not holding him, but then the pacifier keeps falling out and we have to put it back in his mouth immediately or he will start crying.

Here are some pictures from this week:

This might be my favorite shot yet

First pair of shorts

Goodbye Bottles, Hello Breast!

2011-07-18T14:21:00.000-07:00

Last week I decided to try breastfeeding one last time with the help of a lactation consultant. I had pretty much told myself it wouldn't work since Nicholas has been exclusively bottle-fed since we left the hospital.

Barbara at The Pump Station was very helpful and gave me lots of good tips. I realized that I had been putting too much pressure on the back of his head, causing him to pull away. I also learned that many of his behaviors, while frustrating, are normal (shaking his head, putting his hands in the way, etc.) and not the result of my poor breastfeeding skills. After an hour with Barbara, Nicholas was latching on like a champ and I was feeling much more confident.

We've had a few rough moments and I caved a couple times and bottle-fed him when I just didn't have the patience, but overall breastfeeding has been a huge success. I'm so proud of my little man, and I love the closeness I feel when I'm nursing him. He is no longer inconsolable when he's hungry...he now realizes that nursing = satisfaction instead of frustration, which means both of us are a lot less stressed out.

In addition to my fabulous lactation consultant, I could not do this without the help of the Brest Friend nursing pillow and the Breastflow bottles. The Brest Friend is so much better than the Boppy because it stays in one place and it puts baby on a flat surface so he doesn't roll. And the Breastflow bottles were wonderful for transitioning him to the breast because they force him to compress as well as suck, just like with breastfeeding. When he was really upset and hungry, I had him drink expressed milk out of a Breastflow bottle for a few minutes, then I took it away and introduced the breast, and he was able to latch on pretty well.

The best tip Barbara gave me was to have baby practice latching with a bottle--touch the wide base of the bottle's nipple to baby's chin, wait for him to open wide, then pull him toward you while guiding his mouth up and over the nipple. This works well with the Breastflow bottles. I always make sure to hold him the way I'd hold him if I were breastfeeding (in a cross cradle hold), so he gets used to the positioning.

If you are considering seeing a lactation consultant, DO IT. It was so worth it!

Nicholas: Week 3

2011-07-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

We saw a new pediatrician this week and I feel really good about her. She's personable and really took the time to answer all of my questions. The office staff was very helpful and pleasant also.

Nicholas is starting to stay awake for longer periods of time. We've been doing a few minutes of Tummy Time each day, and he likes laying on my lap and looking at me when my knees are bent and I'm laying on the couch. He is learning to visually track objects and can now turn his head left and right and look up to follow a toy rattle. Such a smart boy! I took lots of pictures this week. Here are some of my favorites:

Playing on Mommy's lap:

Our little family at the park:

Nicholas: Week 2

2011-07-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

Wow, this week flew by!

Nicholas had his first pediatrician visit this week when he was 8 days old. We saw the pediatrician that we worked with in the hospital, but it was about a 45 minute drive and I was in tears by the time we got there because I was so stressed out. The next day, I called my OB and she referred me to a pediatrician that's only about 15 minutes away. We'll be going there next week for his 2 week check-up.

Nicholas now has tear ducts that produce tears, and his eyes get gunky sometimes. He is starting to eat more frequently. Instead of eating a meal every 3 hours, he sometimes wants smaller meals every 1-2 hours. I think he's hitting a growth spurt.

Nicholas has been looking very intently at my hair this week, and I tried tickling his face with it. He scrunched his nose and seemed amused. :) I didn't take many pictures this week, but here are a few:

Nicholas and Wiggles the cat:

His favorite napping position - we call it the "tree frog"

Nicholas: Week 1

2011-06-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

Nicholas is 1 week old today!

He is beginning to be so alert and he stays awake for longer periods of time. Today he spent a lot of time looking at me, and he doesn't seem to need his pacifier as often anymore to soothe himself. I think he is beginning to know us and trust us. Sometimes he seems content to have me just hold him and talk to him. That is such a change from the hospital, when he was in an incubator under lights for days. I bet he was so lonely and I felt so bad. I finally feel like we're bonding and I love it. Here are some of my favorite pictures from this week:

Our first family photo

Catchin' some rays in the nursery (phototherapy to control jaundice)

Almost ready to go home!

This is what happens when Daddy is on duty:

One week old today. Here he is looking at the animal pictures on his crib bumper. He was staring at them and the crib rails for a 1/2 hour! Such an alert little guy!

Baby Nicholas is Here!

2011-06-25T16:37:00.000-07:00

I have a son! Here's his story:

My water broke at home early Sunday morning, June 19. I woke up at 5am to a small trickle of fluid followed by menstrual-type cramps. Once I got up, I had several gushes of fluid come out and I decided to wake my husband to tell him my water broke. His response was, "You're kidding." I said, "Nope. You'd better go pack."

We got to the hospital at about 8am and they monitored my contractions for about a half hour, then checked and I was 1cm and 50% effaced. Pitocin started (gradually) at 10:45, then a trigger-happy nurse was increasing my Pit every 1/2 hour!

At 3:30 I was told I could get the epi now or wait an hour until the anesthesiologist was free again. Even though the pain was manageable, I decided to get it then...thank goodness. 5 minutes later I was in excruciating pain with contractions every 1-2 minutes. Damn that nurse! The epi worked great though.

At 4:15 they checked and I was still only 1cm but 100% effaced. Nurse increased the Pit again. About 15 min. later I was at 4cm. 5 min. after that, we heard a faint alarm sounding and DH went to get a nurse since baby's HR had dropped. She checked and I was 6-7 cm! Suddenly I had 5 nurses around me giving me oxygen and I started shaking uncontrollably. They called the doctor in and she checked me and said I was at 9cm! Baby's HR was down to the 60s and they shut off the Pit. The contractions slowed his HR improved and I was able to rest for a bit.

A little later, I tried 2 practice pushes since baby's head was already past the section of cervix that was left. But his HR dropped again and we opted for an emergency c-section. Nicholas was born at 7:08 pm. 7 lbs, 7 oz., 19 1/2 inches. We found out that he was "sunny side up" (head down, but face up) and had the cord wrapped around his neck, which caused the distress.

The surgery went well and I was calm throughout, but I don't remember much from recovery except that I was shaking terribly again and falling asleep every other minute. They had given me a lot of anti-anxiety meds and I was really out of it. I didn't nurse until about midnight.

The next morning a blood test showed his bilirubin was increasing so he spent 2 days in the nursery receiving light therapy to control/prevent jaundice. He was given a lot of formula to help flush out his system, and I was really sad that he had to be introduced to bottles so soon.

I pumped so my husband could feed Nicholas breastmilk from a bottle, and once my catheter was taken out I went up to the nursery to breastfeed several times. He was brought to our hospital room on Wednesday and I was thrilled beyond words.

Breastfeeding on my own was really tough, and I had to call the nurse in at 3am to help me because he wouldn't stop screaming. She was amazingly patient, and she held my breast and the baby's head while I cradled his body and manually expressed milk into his mouth to encourage him to suck. Without her, though, I felt like I didn't have enough hands to do it all and I was so emotionally drained.

We are home now, and I am currently exclusively pumping. I know the most important thing is that he gets breastmilk, but I feel like a failure. I think he got spoiled with the bottle feedings in the hospital, and he gets so frustrated when he has to work for his food that he just starts screaming. It makes me feel awful. I plan to call a lactation consultant this week, but I don't know if the damage can be reversed...

38 Weeks

2011-06-11T10:18:00.000-07:00

How far along? 38 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 19 1/2 inches

Baby’s Weight: 6.8 pounds (probably more in my case)

Development: Baby is getting plumped up and his organs are ready for outside life. He has a strong grasp now, and I can't wait to feel him grab my finger! My internal exam this week showed I wasn't dilated at all yet (again), so I won't be meeting him for a while.

Weight gain/loss: Up over 40 pounds already. Damn.

Best moment this week? Honestly, it might have been the ice cream I had yesterday...(see cravings below)

Symptoms: Stuffy nose, back and hip pain, Braxton Hicks contractions, fetal movement, indigestion, swollen feet and ankles

Food cravings/aversions: I had the strongest craving for Cold Stone this week. This was the first specific craving I've had that wasn't a result of seeing a food or hearing someone mention a food. It came out of nowhere...I was driving and just HAD to have Cold Stone right then and there...so I searched on my GPS for the nearest Cold Stone. It was delicious!

What I'm looking forward to: Contractions! Bring 'em on...I'd like to make some progress this week!

What my baby and I look like this week:

38 Weeks Pregnant

37 Weeks

2011-06-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

How far along? 37 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 19 inches

Baby’s Weight: The doctor that did my ultrasound last week thinks the baby is about 7 pounds already. The average according to Babycenter.com is 6 1/3 pounds.

Development: Baby's lungs should be mature enough by now to allow baby to breathe on his own if he made an appearance today. I had my final ultrasound and found that baby looks completely healthy and "fully cooked" (doctor's words).

Weight gain/loss: I'm up 41 pounds. I am just not motivated to eat healthy foods...

Best moment this week? I've been nesting and shopping like crazy. This kid has just about everything he needs for the first 6 months of his life!

Symptoms: Stuffy nose, allergies, back and rib pain, leg cramps, fetal movement, swollen ankles & feet, indigestion, occasional mild contractions

Food cravings/aversions: More of the same...I crave sweets and fruit. Vegetables sound awful. I've also been craving high fat foods lately as well.

What I'm looking forward to: More contractions...I was not dilated at all at my last appointment. Let's get this show on the road!

What my baby and I look like this week:

37 Weeks Pregnant

36 Week Belly Pics

2011-05-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

I'm playing catch-up with my blog posts, so I only have pics for this week. But I've reached the 9 month mark, so that's a pretty big milestone! I'm also on maternity leave...hooray!

35 Weeks

2011-05-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

How far along? 35 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 18 inches

Baby’s Weight: 5 1/4 pounds

Development: Baby's kidneys are fully developed and his liver can process some waste. He is running out of room in there, and I'm feeling every twist and turn.

Weight gain/loss: I'm up about 38 pounds...yikes. I'm vowing to eat healthier and work out more once I'm on maternity leave!

Best moment this week? I had my second baby shower on Friday. My coworkers threw me a little shindig.

Symptoms: Stuffy nose, allergies, back and rib pain, leg cramps, fetal movement, swollen ankles & feet, indigestion, and awful round ligament pain

Food cravings/aversions: I crave fruit, cereal, and carbs in general.

What I'm looking forward to: 1 more week of teaching and then my maternity leave starts. I'm hoping this baby comes a little bit early so I have more time with him this summer before I have to start school again.

What my baby and I look like this week:

35 Weeks Pregnant

34 Week Belly Pic

2011-05-14T17:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of my bulbous belly this week. It gets in the way and causes me quite a bit of pain at times, but I kind of like it. I love that it's perfectly round and not lumpy. :)

33 Weeks

2011-05-07T22:22:00.000-07:00

How far along? 33 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 17 - 17 1/2 inches

Baby’s Weight: Just over 4 pounds

Development: Baby's lungs are almost completely mature. The bones in his skull are soft and pliable so he can make it through the birth canal. He is continuing to put on 1/2 a pound per week.

Weight gain/loss: I seem to have gained 3 pounds this week...oops. I blame the treats (see below). Up 31 pounds overall.

Best moment this week? This was Teacher Appreciation Week, so I got lots of various treats and gifts from my students each day, which was really nice.

Symptoms: Stuffy nose, allergies, severely swollen feet & ankles, back and rib pain, dry skin, fetal movement, indigestion, thirsty & chapped lips

Food cravings/aversions: I can't seem to get enough fruit. Tonight I am craving bananas and peanut butter, but we are out of bananas. Tomorrow my husband is taking me to a breakfast place that serves peanut butter and banana pancakes--I can't wait!!

What I'm looking forward to: Going into labor...is that weird??

Milestones: My wedding rings have officially been retired since they are getting too tight. We bought a cheap replacement set on Overstock.com and they are lovely!

What my baby looks like this week:

33 Weeks Pregnant

32 Weeks

2011-05-01T08:09:00.000-07:00

How far along? 32 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 17 inches

Baby’s Weight: 4 pounds

Development: Baby is busy blinking, looking around, grabbing things, making faces, practicing his breathing, peeing and listening to everything around him. He will gain about a 1/2 pound per week for the rest of my pregnancy.

Weight gain/loss: I lost almost a pound this week, which I'm happy about. I'm still under 30 pounds of weight gain...yay!

Best moment this week? My co-workers are planning a shower for me on May 20, so I'm super excited that I get another shower! I'm also excited that I only have 4 more weeks of teaching before my maternity leave!

Symptoms: Stuffy nose, terrible allergies, back and rib pain, leg cramps, dry skin, lots of fetal movement, swollen ankles, feet, and hands, indigestion, cleaning/nesting

Food cravings/aversions: Still the same--I crave fruit and sweets, and I despise vegetables.

What I'm looking forward to: Our Baby Care class is May 8!

What my baby and I look like this week:

32 Weeks Pregnant

32 Week Bump Picture

2011-04-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

I've been slacking on my pregnancy posts, so I'm going back and playing catch-up. Here's my bump pic from 32 weeks (8 months):

3-D Ultrasound Pics!

2011-04-24T09:40:00.001-07:00

I am so glad my husband and I decided to do this! It's so nice to have a face to put with the idea of "the baby" and it makes it so much real. I love this little guy so much. We've decided he has my eyes and nose and my husband's mouth and chin. Here's our little man:

We had to keep poking at my belly to get him to move his hand away from his face. He did NOT like that one bit, so he made the saddest little face:

How I got 180 diapers for under $2!

2011-04-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

I have found that Amazon is the absolute best place to buy discount diapers online. I recently ordered 180 Pampers Swaddlers diapers and paid only $1.86! No tax, shipping was FREE and they arrived in two days. Here's how to get the best diaper deals online with Amazon:

1. Sign up for an Amazon Mom membership. It's absolutely free, and you automatically get 15% off diapers and wipes, plus tons of other baby discounts. Plus, you get a free 3-month Amazon Prime membership (normally $79 per year). This gets you free two-day shipping on any Amazon products. And every time you spend $25 in one purchase, you get another month added to your Amazon Prime membership.

2. Choose your diapers or wipes. Make sure you are logged in so that your Amazon mom discount is applied. Before adding your diapers to your shopping cart, click the "Subscribe and Save" option on the right side of the page. This will save you an additional 15% (bringing your total savings to 30% off!) .

The "Subscribe and Save" option allows you to choose if you want Amazon to automatically send you (and bill you for) these diapers every 1 month, 2 months, etc. Don't worry! As soon as your order ships, log into your account and cancel your subscription...it's that simple! I've ordered 2 different kinds of diapers and I've been able to easily cancel each subscription after they've shipped.

3. If you are expecting a baby or if you already have a baby, you have likely seen offers for free subscriptions to baby magazines. Sign up for as many of these as you can! Amazon often has 20% off diaper coupons in magazines like Baby Talk, American Baby, Parents, and Parenting the Early Years. I also found a $10 off coupon in a March 2011 issue! Best of all, Amazon will continue to honor these coupons for months after they expire!

I was able to use 2 of the 20% off coupons on my order. You can stack the coupons as long as they do not have the same first two letters. Look for a YT and a YJ code, for example. The 20% off is applied to the original price, not the discounted Amazon mom/Subscribe and Save price!

I also used the $10 off coupon I found. All 3 of my coupons were actually expired, and Amazon honored all three! Here is the actual invoice from my order:

Amazon Prime Member

Items:	$39.54
Shipping & Handling:	$0.00
Promotion Applied	-$7.91
Promotion Applied	-$10.00
Promotion Applied	-$7.91
Subscription Discount	-$11.86

Total Before Tax:	$1.86
Estimated Tax:	$0.00

Order Total: $1.86

So...180 diapers for $1.86 = about $0.01 per diaper!

31 Weeks

2011-04-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

How far along? 31 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 16 inches

Baby’s Weight: 3 1/2 pounds

Development: Most of baby's systems are mature enough for baby to survive in the outside world at this point. His lungs are the last system that needs to mature from now until delivery.

Weight gain/loss: Up 1 pound this week, up about 28 pounds overall

Best moment this week? We saw our little guy on a 3D ultrasound today! I will post pictures soon. I also found out that he is already in the head-down position.

Symptoms: Stuffy nose, terrible allergies, back pain, leg cramps, dry skin, daily baby kicks, swollen ankles and feet, indigestion, shortness of breath

Food cravings/aversions: sugary cereal and fruit

What I'm looking forward to: the 8-month mark is right around the corner!

What my baby and I look like this week:

31 Weeks Pregnant

Cutest Dog Ever

2011-04-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

The other day, I saw a man walking the most beautiful little dog. It looked just like a Siberian husky but it was about half the size.
I just had to Google it to see if there was such thing as a miniature husky. I discovered that it was probably an Alaskan Klee Kai. According to Wikipedia, the Klee Kai comes in 3 heights:

Toy size Alaskan Klee Kai are up to and including 13 inches.
Miniature Alaskan Klee Kai are over 13 inches high and up to 15 inches high.
Standard Alaskan Klee Kai are over 15 inches high and up to 17 inches high.

Wikipedia also explains that in dog shows it is a "serious fault" if the Klee Kai is between 17 to 17 1/2 inches tall, and over 17 1/2 inches is an "eliminating fault," meaning the poor dog would be eliminated from competing. That's harsh, man.

When my husband and I are leaving to go somewhere, we sometimes say, "Like the fat kid in dodgeball, I'M OUT!" Our new phrase is, "like a 17 1/2 inch Klee Kai, I'M OUT!"

Other interesting facts I learned about the Alaskan Klee Kai:

They are very clean, do not like to get their feet wet, and spend hours a day grooming.
They don't shed all year long. The shed twice a year.
They don't have the typical dog smell or dog breath

I'm totally a cat person, so this dog sounds like it's right up my alley. I'm in love!

29 Weeks

2011-04-09T21:32:00.001-07:00

How far along? 29 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: just over 15 inches

Baby’s Weight: 2 1/2 pounds

Development: Baby's muscles and lungs are maturing, and his skeleton is using lots of calcium to harden. His head is growing to make room for his developing brain.

Weight gain/loss: Up 1 pound this week, up 23 pounds overall

Best moment this week? I'm officially on Spring Break! I'm looking forward to having lots of time in the coming week for nesting and nursery prep.

Symptoms: Stuffy nose, sneezing (terrible allergies), back pain, leg cramps, dry skin, daily baby kicks, swollen ankles, indigestion

Food cravings/aversions: mostly just sweets

What I'm looking forward to: Spring Break! One more week to go!

What my baby and I look like this week:

29 Weeks Pregnant

28 Weeks

2011-04-02T21:42:00.000-07:00

How far along? 28 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 15 inches (about the length of a churro!)

Baby’s Weight: 2-3 pounds

Development: Baby's eyes now have color, although the color may change until 9 months after birth. He now has eyelashes, his brain is developing rapidly, and he's putting on fat.

Weight gain/loss: This morning, my scale told me I gained 4 pounds this week, but it's showing that I'm 2 pounds heavier than yesterday at the doctor. I'm not sure I believe that. I've gained just over 20 pounds total.

Best moment this week? Today was my baby shower! I got tons of clothes, a travel system, play mat, hamper, mobile, receiving blankets, baby monitor, and other various goodies!

Symptoms: Stuffy nose, sneezing (terrible allergies), back pain, back spasms, leg cramps, dry skin, daily baby kicks, and ugly swollen ankles

Food cravings/aversions: I made some delicious mint chocolate chip cookies and now that's all I want to eat.

What I'm looking forward to: Spring Break! One more week to go!

Milestones: I'm turning in my maternity leave request this week. I can't believe how fast this is all going!

What my baby and I look like this week:

28 Weeks Pregnant

27 Weeks

2011-03-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

How far along? 27 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 14 1/2 inches

Baby’s Weight: 2 pounds

Development: Baby's sleep schedule is becoming regular and he sleeps for longer periods of time. He is able to open and close his eyes. Baby's lungs and immune system are developing, and he would have an 85% chance of surviving if he was born today.

Weight gain/loss: No change this week. I'm up 19 pounds so far.

Best moment this week? My husband "played" with our son this week. He had his hand on my belly and said "Nicholas" fairly loudly (we're pretty sure this will be the baby's name). The baby responded by kicking me HARD right under my husband's hand. I started laughing hysterically, then my husband and the baby did the same thing 4 or 5 more times! It was pretty amazing.

Symptoms: Stuffy nose & congestion (I'm recovering from the worst head cold ever), terrible low back pain, leg cramps in my calves when I wake up, daily baby kicks, frequent urination, swollen boobs, darkening nipples, some cramping

Food cravings/aversions: I'm craving nothing but cereal, chocolate, fruit, and peanut butter. I'm so turned off by vegetables and the thought of chicken right now is revolting.

What I'm looking forward to: My baby shower is next weekend!

Milestones: I'm officially in the 3rd trimester!

What my baby and I look like this week:

27 Weeks Pregnant

25 Weeks

2011-03-12T12:14:00.000-08:00

How far along? 25 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 13 1/2 inches

Baby’s Weight: 1 1/2 pounds

Development: Baby's hands are fully developed and his sense of touch is developing, so he explores my uterus by groping around. Baby's nostrils have cleared out and he is breathing through his nose. His skin is starting to turn pink.

Weight gain/loss: The scale says I'm down 1 1/2 pounds from last week. I'm really happy about that, since I am still reeling from the week I gained 6 pounds. I'm up 17.5 pounds so far.

Maternity clothes? I'm now able to fill out the maternity tops with the side ruching. My husband loves the way my bump looks in them!

Best moment this week? I scored a box of 180 diapers on Amazon for $1.84! (using Amazon mom discount, subscription discount, two 20% off coupons, and a $10 off coupon)

Symptoms: Stuffy nose & congestion, nosebleeds, back pain, daily baby kicks, frequent urination, swollen boobs

Food cravings: Fruit and chocolate

What I'm looking forward to: Maternity leave...still 2 1/2 months away. Blah.

Milestones: This week a parent of one of my students asked if she could touch my belly. I caved and said yes...This is the first time an adult other than my husband touched my belly.

What my baby and I look like this week:

25 Weeks Pregnant

24 Weeks

2011-03-05T21:02:00.000-08:00

How far along? 24 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 12 inches

Baby’s Weight: 1 1/3 pounds

Development: Baby is busy putting on weight and developing his lungs. He has a great sense of hearing and balance, so he can sense my movement as well as tell if he is upside-down or right-side-up. I sometimes worry if he gets stressed by my stress level and grouchy tone I have had in my classroom lately.

Weight gain/loss: I gained 1 pound this week. Up 19 pounds overall.

Maternity clothes? They are starting to fit pretty well now. And I bought the most comfortable yoga pants at Kohl's. I will be living in those when I'm on maternity leave.

Best moment this week? My husband put his head ear up to my belly and the baby kicked him in the head HARD!

Symptoms: Stuffy nose & congestion, nosebleeds, entire back pain, daily baby kicks, frequent urination

Food cravings/aversions: I'm loving fruit lately, but hating vegetables. Even as I type this, I'm starting to crave an orange.

What I'm looking forward to: Maternity leave...but it's almost 3 months away...*sigh*

Milestones: I've reached "Viability Day," which means my baby basically has a 50/50 chance of survival if something happened and he needed to be delivered today. His chance of survival goes up to 90% if he makes it to 27 weeks! Grow, baby, grow!

What my baby and I look like this week:

23 Weeks Pregnant

23 Weeks

2011-02-26T19:48:00.000-08:00

How far along? 23 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 11 1/2 inches

Baby’s Weight: 1 pound

Development: Baby can now sense movement and hear some sounds. I am determined to make sure my children have a good sense of rhythm (they certainly will NOT be inheriting this from their father!) so I plan to listen to different types of music and dance while I'm pregnant and while holding the baby after he's born.

Weight gain/loss: After gaining a whopping 6 pounds the week of Valentine's Day, I am proud to say I only gained 1 pound this week. Still, I'm up 18 pounds overall, which is definitely more than I'd like. I really need to start exercising more often.

Maternity clothes? Yes, please!

Best moment this week? We found a great day care and paid the $100 so we're now first on the waiting list!

Symptoms: Stuffy nose & congestion, nosebleeds, lower back pain, daily baby kicks, emotional

Food cravings/aversions: Nothing noteworthy, but I really have to force myself to eat vegetables.

What I'm looking forward to: My baby shower in 5 weeks!

Milestones: I've decided on my maternity leave--I will take off from Memorial Day through the summer.

What my baby and I look like this week:

23 Weeks Pregnant

Thank you, Temperpedic!

2011-02-21T08:52:00.000-08:00

I had the best sleep of my whole pregnancy last night!

I have been having crazy hip and shoulder pain when I sleep on my side. After laying on one side for only a few minutes, my hip and shoulder start to ache at the points where they dig into the mattress. I wake up constantly throughout the night with sore, achy joints. We have a great mattress, but I still feel like the springs are poking me.

My in-laws were kind enough to buy me this Memory Foam Mattress Topper, and last night I felt like I was sleeping on a cloud! I woke up with NO hip pain at all! Best of all, it was 55% off at Amazon. I love good deals! :)

Annoyances

2011-02-19T08:23:00.000-08:00

Here are some things that currently bug the crap out of me:

1. My husband seems to need to spend a minimum of 3 hours playing Call of Duty on Saturday mornings. I, on the other hand, am usually motivated to clean the house on Saturday mornings. Currently, the dishes need to be done and the stove needs to be cleaned (even though he told me 3 weeks ago he was going to clean it--he hasn't touched it). So I can either start cleaning and resent him for playing video games, or I sit at the computer and be just as unproductive as he is. Then the cleaning will still need to be done later, and chances are I won't have the energy.

2. My chiropractor has asked me on 3 occasions if we have a name picked out for the baby. When I tell him no, he proceeds to spend 5 minutes brainstorming names...and I always hate everything he comes up with. I finally broke down and told him my favorite name so far (Nicholas) in hopes that he would stop listing names. It didn't work.

3. I love that I now have a definite baby bump, but I'm annoyed by the fact that people I come across every day have to comment on it. In addition to my first graders telling me daily, "I can see your belly getting bigger!" I also have their parents making comments each day: "You're really showing now!" "OH, you're getting a little belly now, aren't you?" etc. etc. It's making me really self conscious and annoyed. I hope the novelty wears off soon so I don't have to hear this every day for the next 4 months.

Seeing Kicks!

2011-02-17T19:08:00.000-08:00

This kiddo is kicking the crap out of my uterus right now. These are the strongest kicks I've felt yet, and I just looked at my belly and saw two distinct kicks!

The kicking always seems to stop as soon as my husband tries to feel it. We are wondering if maybe the baby is responding to the sound of my husband's voice. Maybe it's calming? I just don't know. The next time the baby starts kicking a lot, I'm going to have my husband feel my belly without talking.

These little kicks feel so weird...I can't imagine what the big ones will feel like!

DIY No-Sew Curtains

2011-02-16T19:56:00.000-08:00

I found an inspiring tutorial over at Young House Love for some fabulous DIY no-sew curtains. After agonizing over curtain choices online, I decided to save some money and make my own.

For most of the project, all I used was an iron, some iron-on hem tape, and scissors. I found some cute polka-dot fabric that's exactly like some Pottery Barn Kids curtain panels I had my eye on. The great thing is, the PBK curtains would have cost me $100, and I only spent $20 on the fabric.

I have to admit...I DID cheat and sew a little, only because I wanted the top of the curtains to look like the curtains that are currently in the nursery. I could have done this with 2 rows of hem tape, but I figured sewing 2 straight lines would be faster. Here's the old curtain:

For the top of my curtains, I first finished off the edge with hem tape like the tutorial said, then I folded it down 4 inches and ironed it. To make the rod pocket, I sewed a seam 1 1/2" from the edge, and then another seam 2" below that. Here is my finished product:

We don't get direct sunlight through this window, so I probably won't need to add blackout liners. The blinds are faux-wood blinds from Lowe's ($20 less than the same blinds at Home Depot!).

Take-home Outfit

2011-02-14T19:49:00.000-08:00

I bought this adorable outfit online at Macy's. My little boy will be wearing it home from the hospital.

I also bought this cute little bodysuit, but it's 0-3 months so it will be a little big when he's born.

21 Weeks

2011-02-12T17:11:00.000-08:00

How far along? 21 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 7 inches

Baby’s Weight: 10-11 oz.

Development: Baby's eyebrows and eyelids have formed. He looks like a mini version of what he'll look like when he's born. He's even getting some hair on his head.

Weight gain/loss: I gained back the 2 pounds I lost last week due to food poisoning. I'm up about 11 pounds overall so far.

Maternity clothes? Usually.

Best moment this week? I found a great second-hand children's store!

Symptoms: Stuffy nose & congestion, back & neck pain, daily baby kicks, dry skin with breakouts, vivid dreams

Food cravings/aversions: Not much sounds good lately except sweets.

What I'm looking forward to: Getting some registry items crossed off my list! I feel like my baby shower is so far away.

Milestones: An acquaintance who did not previously know I'm pregnant saw me and asked, "When are you due?" I guess I'm really showing now.

What my baby and I look like this week:

21 Weeks Pregnant

20 Weeks

2011-02-06T14:19:00.000-08:00

How far along? 20 weeks and 1 day

Baby’s Size: 6 1/2 inches, or the size of a can of Red Bull

Baby’s Weight: 10 1/2 ounces

Development: Baby has established his sleep patterns and favorite sleep positions.

Weight gain/loss: I actually lost 2 pounds, mostly because I had a small bout of food poisoning this week.

Maternity clothes? I can still sometimes get by with a Bella Band and regular pants, but I usually have to wear maternity shirts.

Best moment this week? Our anatomy scan could not have gone better. Everything with the baby looks perfect!

Symptoms: Stuffy nose & congestion, back & neck pain, occasional baby fluttering, and one night of round ligament pain every time I turned over in bed.

Food cravings/aversions: fruit, cookies, and today I want lots of protein--I just finished 2 chicken dogs and I could easily eat 2 more.

What I'm looking forward to: Choosing a paint color and getting the nursery painted. I'm having such a hard time deciding!

Milestones: I'm halfway done!!

What my baby and I look like this week:

20 Weeks Pregnant

Nursery Update 2/5/11--DIY Kids Bookshelves

2011-02-05T19:53:00.000-08:00

My husband and I were in search of cheap, compact storage solutions for the nursery, and we also needed to clear out half of our office so we could have space for our little guy. The solution: clear off a cheap bookshelf we already own, cut it in half, paint it, and add baskets for storage.

Before: (a $25 bookshelf from Big Lots)

Unfortunately, it didn't occur to me to take pictures until my husband was done. He was able to cut perfectly straight lines through the bookshelf using his favorite new toy, the Fein MultiMaster. This tool is pretty incredible and he's been able to use it for several jobs already. It's a handheld tool and you swap out the attachments so you can do different jobs like cutting, sanding, etc.

Ok, moving on...

Most of the shelves on the bookshelf are adjustable, but my husband did have to drill a couple new holes to get the shelves on the two bookshelves to line up with each other.

The next part is where I took over. I painted the shelves a shade of white called Popped Corn to match my restored dresser. I painted the inside back of the bookshelves blue just for fun. I'm not sold on the blue now that the baskets are in, so I may end up painting them all white instead. Then my husband caulked around the inside since the backboard is cheap and flimsy and the paint was starting to separate. He also sprayed a clear sealant on the shelves. Here are the bookshelves after painting (the light kept reflecting off the blue and makes it look splotchy...sorry).

I wanted to add dark brown elements to match our espresso crib, so I found these Burlington Small Espresso Willow Baskets on Amazon and bought 8 of them - 4 with light blue liners, and 4 with sage liners. The liners have a sweet gingham pattern that makes them perfect for a nursery! The baskets are 10" x 10" and I think this will add a lot more storage. (Did I mention the closet in the nursery is completely full so we have no space for baby stuff in there?) I really have no idea what I will use these basket for yet--burp cloths, diapers, toys...any suggestions? What are some things that I should have easily accessible?

Here is the finished product:

Nursery Update 1/30/11

2011-01-30T15:48:00.000-08:00

Our crib, mattress, mattress pad, and bedding have arrived! I love it! Here's the crib all set up. My bedding is the Carter's Forest Friends 4 Piece Crib Bedding Set.

We found that the sheet is impossible to put on with the bumper in place, though, so it will be hard to change out the bedding if he has a diaper blowout. I've decided to register for some sheet savers in sage and blue from Amazon. You just tie them to the crib rails and then you don't have to change the sheets every time baby makes a mess--brilliant!

Nojo Fleece Sheet Savers

19 Weeks

2011-01-29T06:06:00.003-08:00

How far along? 19 weeks and 0 days (posting this a couple days late)

Baby’s Size: 6 inches

Baby’s Weight: 8 1/2 ounces

Development: Baby's brain is hard at work developing his senses. His hair is starting to sprout, and he a waxy coating is forming over his skin to keep him from "pickling" in the amniotic fluid. Ew.

Weight gain/loss: I gained 1 pound this week.

Maternity clothes? I wore my first pair of maternity pants to work this week. They were falling down all day. Oh, well. Next time I will wear a Bella Band over them to hold them up.

Best moment this week? On Monday, I brought blue cupcakes for my class to announce that I'm having a boy. While the students were eating the cupcakes, the quietest girl in my class came up to me, hugged me, looked up at me and said with a smile, "Congratulations!" It was so sweet.

Symptoms: Stuffy nose & congestion, bloody noses, headaches, back pain, and a few pulls, twinges and baby fluttering.

Food cravings/aversions: Blueberry pop tarts and these amazing little packs of Welch's fruit snacks. Still no aversions.

What I'm looking forward to: A successful anatomy scan on Thursday!

Milestones: Our crib and crib bedding arrived! The bookshelves are finished and it's starting to look like a nursery.

What my baby and I look like this week:

19 Weeks Pregnant

Pregnancy is Making Me Paranoid

2011-01-27T17:40:00.000-08:00

There are some days when my belly feels heavy, as if there really is a baby inside of it. I live for those days. Then there are days like today when I don't feel pregnant at all.

I find myself constantly checking my bump in the mirror and second guessing everything. Shouldn't it be bigger by now? Why does it look smaller than it did yesterday? If the baby is below my belly button, why is my entire stomach rounded?

I end up convincing myself that something is wrong, and even my home doppler does little to put my mind at ease. I go through life these days waiting for the other shoe to drop. Every knows I'm pregnant, and we've started to decorate the nursery. I was hesitant to tell everyone and buy nursery items because I felt like somehow that would jinx it. I feel like this is all too good to be true, and soon this will all come to an end.

Bump Pic - 18 weeks

2011-01-25T07:30:00.000-08:00

Here is my 18 week bump pic. People are finally starting to notice that I'm showing. I can't really hide it anymore. I love it. :)

Results!!

2011-01-20T18:15:00.001-08:00

I got my initial amnio results back. My test was negative for Trisomy 18! I am so relieved. These results are 96% accurate, and I will hear the full results in about a week, but I feel confident in moving forward with nursery preparations. I can't stop looking at the ultrasound pictures from Tuesday. Our little boy has the cutest little profile! I will add new pictures soon.

To make my day even better, our crib arrived today, and the crib bedding should be here tomorrow! I am not letting myself spend any more money on the baby this month, though, lol.

Today I checked out a book from the library called My Teacher's Having a Baby. I think I'm going to tell my class tomorrow! Yikes! I'm so paranoid that once I tell them, something will go wrong and then I will have to explain to 26 first graders why I'm not having a baby after all...

More Tests and Waiting for Results

2011-01-19T09:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was emotionally and physically draining. My husband and I met with a genetic counselor, who went over the details of Trisomy 18. Not what I needed to hear, considering we'd already done a lot of research online. She also told me that my risk (1 in 69) is equivalent to the risk a 46 year old woman would have. I'm 31. Great.

We signed the release to get the amnio and we went in for the ultrasound. I laid down on the table and just started crying uncontrollably. It was so embarrassing. The ultrasound tech asked if I was ok and said, "is there anything I should know?" I'm not really sure what answer she was looking for. I just shook my head, and luckily my husband was there to say, "She's just worried and scared."

That ultrasound seemed to go on forever. The monitor was angled so I couldn't see it. The tech didn't say anything the entire time, and she kept going over the same places and looking at them from every angle. I was really starting to freak out, especially since my husband wouldn't look at me. He was staring at the monitor, and every few minutes he pressed his lips together and did this thing with his mouth that he does when he's upset about something. No one was saying anything and I just knew something was wrong.

When she was done, she finally told me that everything looked good. The baby was measuring right on track and weighs 7 ounces. She didn't see anything on the ultrasound to indicate Trisomy 18.

Then it was time for the amniocentesis. I was told it would feel like a "pin prick, like getting a your blood drawn." The hell it did. When they stuck the needle in, my muscles spasmed like crazy, and then it was stinging the entire 30 seconds the needle was inside. It was so painful, and my husband said it looked like I was completely miserable. My muscles were twitching for the rest of the day.

Today I am taking the day off and resting while I wait for the initial results from the amnio. They told me the early results, which are 96% accurate, would be in in about 24 hours. Hopefully I will hear back today. The full results take about 10 days. I am feeling optimistic, but I won't be completely at ease until all the results are in.

17 Weeks

2011-01-17T10:40:00.000-08:00

How far along? 17 weeks and 0 days (posting this a couple days late)

Baby’s Size: 5 inches

Baby’s Weight: 4-5 ounces

Development: Baby's starting to get some fat on him, so he's starting to look less like an alien! His umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and his skeleton is hardening into bone.

Weight gain/loss: I lost 1 pound this week.

Maternity clothes? They are slowly making their way into my daily life, especially on the weekends when I don't have to try to suck in my belly. At work, I am still trying to wear loose-fitting pre-pregnancy tops to hide my belly since I haven't told my students or their parents yet.

Best moment this week? My grandparents sent a Target gift card for my husband's birthday, and a second gift card for "great grandson." I teared up a bit.

Symptoms: Stuffy nose & congestion, dry skin, achy joints, back pain, nudging feeling in my lower abdomen--pretty sure it's the baby I'm feeling!

Food cravings/aversions: Salad, avocado, and various things made of chocolate. I haven't really had any aversions throughout my pregnancy so far.

What I'm looking forward to: (/dreading) I hope to find out more on Tuesday about my risk for Trisomy 18. My husband and I are pretty sure we will be getting an amnio since we really want to know for sure.

Milestones: My pregnancy has been pretty smooth so far, so I'm hoping this Trisomy scare is my one hiccup in the process...

What my baby and I look like this week:

17 Weeks Pregnant

Movement

2011-01-16T15:24:00.000-08:00

I have been feeling what I think is the baby a few times this past week. It started at about 16 weeks with a very brief vibrating/buzzing feeling when I leaned forward. It only lasted a split second, but it was something I've never felt before. And no, it wasn't gas. I've been feeling gas pains pretty consistently for the last two months, so I know what those feel like. :)

Earlier this week at work, I was walking to my classroom and suddenly felt a constant jabbing sensation. These were not kicks. Picture someone jamming an elbow up against your back. Annoying, right? That's exactly what it felt like, but it was in my lower abdomen on the right side. I have felt that same sensation a couple times since then, including once at the grocery store this morning. It's definitely not the same stretching/pulling feelings I've had before. I know it's early at 17 weeks, but could it be the baby pressing against my belly?

Scary News

2011-01-13T15:59:00.000-08:00

I just got my second set of blood test results. My ratio for Trisomy 18 has gone from 1 in 1400 to 1 in 69. They referred me to a genetic counselor who will "go over my options." The fact that I am in a situation where I have "options" is terrifying. I am so scared and I have been sobbing since I left work.

I realize my chances of having a normal, healthy baby are huge, but I'm also mentally preparing myself for the possibility that things may not be perfect. My appointment with the genetic counselor is Tuesday 1/18. T&Ps for my little boy would be appreciated...

Crib bedding

2011-01-09T11:07:00.000-08:00

I decided on my crib bedding for the nursery! It's Carter's Forest Friends bedding set. We're going to do tan walls with accents of sage green, baby blue, and chocolate brown throughout the room. I can't wait!

16 weeks

2011-01-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

How far along? 16 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 4-5 inches

Baby’s Weight: 3-3 1/2 ounces

Development: His eyes and ears are in position now. He's growing toenails and his legs are developing. His little heart is pumping 25 quarts of blood per day.

Weight gain/loss: I gained 2 1/2 pounds this week. Up 8 1/2 pounds overall.

Maternity clothes? I bought some great pairs of pants this week, and I'm able to wear some of them now. I've also worn a couple maternity tops. They are so roomy and comfortable!

Best moment this week? Shopping for little boy clothes!

Symptoms: Stuffy nose & congestion, sore & swollen boobs, increased sense of smell, dry & itchy skin but it's getting softer and smoother, short bursts of energy (I worked out 2 days in a row, but took naps after each workout session). I cry a little more easily now.

Food cravings/aversions: Nothing specific. But I DID buy pickles at the store yesterday, which I never do. I saw them and they looked good...hm, now I want a pickle. :)

What I'm looking forward to: Decorating the nursery. Most of the planning is done.

Milestones: It's a boy, and I definitely have a little bump now!

What my baby and I look like this week:

16 Weeks Pregnant

Wordless Wednesday 1/5/11

2011-01-05T11:29:00.000-08:00

<br/><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/happiest-penguin-ever/1jr19lt1k?q=Penguin&rel=msn&from=en-us_msnhp&form=msnhed&gt1=42007&fg=sharenoembed" target="_new"title="Happiest Penguin Ever">Video: Happiest Penguin Ever</a>

It's a BOY!!

2011-01-04T10:49:00.000-08:00

We had an elective 3d ultrasound this morning, and we found out right away that we are having a baby boy! He was not shy about showing us his junk. He kept his hands up by his face the whole time. Here are some pictures from our appointment:

Look familiar??

Starting to Show

2011-01-04T07:52:00.000-08:00

I am no longer zipping up most of my jeans, and I can't suck it in anymore, so it feels like more than just bloat. My baby is now the size of a navel orange, and I can no longer lay on my stomach comfortably. Here's my 15 week "mini-bump."

15 Weeks

2011-01-01T09:06:00.000-08:00

How far along? 15 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 4 inches

Baby’s Weight: 2 - 2 1/2 ounces

Development: Baby can sense light and her lungs are developing due to amniotic fluid moving through her nose and upper respiratory tract. (I just realized I typed "her." Lately I've been thinking it's a girl.) Baby's legs are now longer than his/her arms.

Weight gain/loss: I haven't gained anything in the last 2 weeks. I'm still up about 6 pounds overall.

Maternity clothes? Most of them are still too big, but most of my regular sweaters are too short and it's getting hard to hide the fact that my jeans are unzipped.

Best moment this week? I made an appointment for an elective 3d ultrasound to possibly find out the sex!

Symptoms: Stuffy nose & congestion, dry skin but breakouts are clearing up, achy joints, shooting pains I like to call "lightning crotch," random aches in my uterus, and my husband and I have started nesting. :) I will post nursery updates soon.

Food cravings/aversions: Blueberry pop tarts...mmm...

What I'm looking forward to: Hopefully finding out the sex on Tuesday

Milestones: I feel like I'm starting to show a little.

What my baby and I look like this week:

15 Weeks Pregnant

14 Weeks

2010-12-25T08:29:00.000-08:00

How far along? 14 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 3 1/2 inches

Baby’s Weight: 1 - 1 1/2 ounces

Development: My baby can now make facial expressions! He/she can grimace, frown, and squint. His/her arms have been growing a lot and are now in proportion to the rest of the body.

Weight gain/loss: I don't have a scale at my parents' house to weigh myself, so I'm not sure.

Maternity clothes? I got some great tops for Christmas, but I can't wear them yet.

Best moment this week? This is the first time I've seen any of my relatives since I got pregnant, so it's been pretty exciting for everyone.

Symptoms: Some nausea (I took my prenatal vitamin in the morning before eating and got violently ill while out at a restaurant for breakfast), stuffy nose, breakouts, pulling and stretching pains (I tried bowling and bowled worst game ever due to pulling pains in my side every time I released the ball), some short bursts of energy (I've been keeping active with the Wii and I went sledding today).

Food cravings/aversions: Nothing specific. I just get really hungry.

What I'm looking forward to: An actual baby bump that doesn't just look like fat.

Milestones: I'm officially in my second trimester!

What my baby looks like this week: (No picture of me this week. I'm visiting family for Christmas.)

14 Weeks Pregnant

13 weeks

2010-12-18T19:28:00.000-08:00

How far along? 13 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 3 inches

Baby’s Weight: .81 oz or 20 grams

Development: This is the last week of my first trimester. Baby has developed fingerprints, and if it's a girl, she has 2 million eggs in her ovaries! Baby can make a fist and suck his/her thumb now.

Weight gain/loss: I gained 3 pounds this week...yikes!

Maternity clothes? I'm down to 1 pair of jeans that fit. I tried to wear my maternity jeans once but they were too loose.

Best moment this week? Telling my principal! It was such a relief to get it off my chest. She was really happy for me and she's very supportive about me taking the last month of school off.

Symptoms: Fatigue, frequent urination, sore & swollen boobs, stuffy nose, breakouts, extreme thirst, and headaches.

Food cravings/aversions: I keep meaning to eat vegetables or have a salad, but I just can't bring myself to do it. All I want to eat is junk food and sweets.

What I'm looking forward to: Finding out the sex! It seems so far away...

Milestones: We went public this week! Everyone knows now.

What my baby and I look like this week:

13 Weeks Pregnant

Garlic and Cake Frosting

2010-12-16T20:14:00.000-08:00

Last night I was putting frosting on a cake while DH was doing dishes. All of a sudden, some horrendous odor wafted from the drain. It smelled like garlic from 3 days ago. That smell did NOT mix well with the smell of cream cheese frosting and I froze in place, trying not to puke on my cake. The more I thought about the smell, the worse it got.

DH started laughing at me and so did I. Soon I was laughing hysterically, but also gagging a little, and tears started pouring down my face. The harder I laughed, the harder I cried and I was literally sobbing, but laughing like crazy.

I had to leave the kitchen since at that point I was sobbing, laughing, and coughing all at once. Once I composed myself, I tried to go finish frosting the cake, but every time I thought about setting foot in the kitchen, a new wave of disgust washed over me.

I started laughing and crying all over again, and by now I had to pee, so a little pee came out too. What a hot mess I was! Lol...DH had to finish frosting the cake.

12 Week Ultrasound!

2010-12-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited to almost be done with the first trimester! We got to see the little guy (yes, right now my husband and I think it's a boy) on Thursday at 11 weeks 5 days. The baby was moving around like crazy, waving his arms and legs a lot. At one point, I was able to make out the fingers on one of his hands! Here's our latest picture:

And here's what happens when I'm bored and playing around on Picnik, lol:

12 weeks

2010-12-11T08:56:00.000-08:00

How far along? 12 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 2 1/2 inches

Baby’s Weight: 1/2 ounce (the weight of two sugar packets)

Development: Baby's eyes have moved to the front of his/her head and the ears are in place. Fingernails and toenails are developing this week, and baby is able to swallow now. Baby is also developing reflexes.

Weight gain/loss: I've gained about a 1/2 pound this week.

Maternity clothes? I'm officially packing on the pounds...my "fat pants" are now too tight to button...yikes!

Best moment this week? Seeing the baby flailing its arms and legs at at our ultrasound on Thursday. It was so neat to see the little hands waving around. It's really starting to look like a little person!

Symptoms: Fatigue, frequent urination, sore & swollen boobs, stuffy nose, dry skin, and some spotting this weekend.

Food cravings/aversions: This week I'm loving mandarin oranges, Mexican food (especially enchiladas), and cookies

What I'm looking forward to: Our NT scan is on Tuesday, and I'm pretty nervous, but hopeful that there are no major problems with the baby. I'm looking forward to getting over this hurdle and sailing into the 2nd trimester.

Milestones: If all goes well with our NT scan, I will tell all of my friends, coworkers, and Facebook this week!

What my baby and I look like this week:

12 Weeks Pregnant

11 weeks

2010-12-04T19:27:00.000-08:00

How far along? 11 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 2 inches

Baby’s Weight: 1/3 ounce (the weight of two sugar packets)

Development: Baby is now able to move around a lot and do somersaults!

Weight gain/loss: I gained 2 pounds this week

Maternity clothes? I don't bother buttoning my favorite pair of jeans anymore. I love my Bella Band!

Best moment this week? This morning I tried to hear the heartbeat with my doppler, and I put the wand directly on the baby on the first try! It registered the heartbeat instantly! I'm now able to find it in about 10 seconds each time I try.

Symptoms: Fatigue, frequent urination, sore boobs, stuffy nose, and dry skin with breakouts...fun!. I'm also noticing that my tiny boobs are getting fuller--I'm finding myself almost spilling out of some of my tops.

Food cravings/aversions: I've been craving pizza and cookies...that might have something to do with the 2 pounds I gained this week!

What I'm looking forward to: Having everyone know--the thought of telling people is really stressing me out, and I keep chickening out.

Milestones: All of my baby's vital organs have developed and are functioning (they are still maturing, though), so the risk of defects goes down a lot now.

What my baby and I look like this week:

11 Weeks Pregnant

Baby's Heartbeat!

2010-11-30T18:33:00.001-08:00

Last night was very exciting...we were able to hear baby's heartbeat loud and clear at 10 weeks 2 days on my Sonoline fetal doppler. I won't get to hear the heartbeat for another couple weeks at the doctor's office, so it was a huge relief to hear it this early. Here's the video (sorry the right side got cut off!):

9 Weeks

2010-11-20T18:38:00.000-08:00

How far along? 9 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 1 inch

Baby’s Weight: .07 ounces or 2 grams

Development: Baby will start to develop male or female genitalia this week...I can't wait to find out what we're having! Baby is now officially a fetus and no longer an embryo.

Weight gain/loss: I gained almost 2 pounds this week.

Maternity clothes? Yesterday I didn't even bother trying to button my jeans. I wore my Bella Band all day and it was FABULOUS.

Best moment this week? The queasiness and bloating today actually had me feeling pregnant for the first time.

Symptoms: Fatigue, frequent urination, sore boobs, stuffy nose, and sore throat. I feel like I'm coming down with a cold again for the second time since I've been pregnant. I've also had a few days of mild queasiness in the morning about a half hour after breakfast. It usually goes away if I eat something else (usually toast with peanut butter and a glass of milk). I'm also burping a lot, and my new toothbrush is making me gag easily.

Food cravings/aversions: Nothing sounds too exciting, except for maybe cookies.

What I'm looking forward to: It will be another 3 weeks until I hear the heartbeat, so I went ahead and ordered a home doppler! The Sonoline Fetal Heart Prenatal Doppler is sensitive enough to detect a heartbeat from 8-10 weeks! Several ladies on The Bump have said that they heard the heartbeat clearly at 9 weeks, so I caved and bought it. It should get here around Thanksgiving.

Milestones: We told our parents last weekend. The news on my husband's side of the family is spreading like wildfire, so most people will know by Thanksgiving (when we were originally planning on announcing). It's sort of a relief, since there will be tons of people at Thanksgiving, and I don't really want all that attention on me.

What my baby and I look like this week:

9 Weeks Pregnant

10 weeks

2010-11-19T23:34:00.000-08:00

How far along? 10 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 1 1/2 inches (the size of a kumquat or prune)

Baby’s Weight: 4 grams

Development: Baby's skeleton is starting to grow and harden and the "tail" has become the spinal column. Fingers and toes are visible, and baby's brain is developing 25,000 new neurons every minute this week.

Weight gain/loss: No change this week

Maternity clothes? Not yet, but I picked up some cheap maternity jeans yesterday at Black Friday. I won't be able to wear them for a while though.

Best moment this week? I told my grandparents I was extra hungry on Thanksgiving b/c I was eating for two. They were very excited. I'm sure they've told their siblings by now, so everyone on both sides of our families know at this point. It's kind of a relief to have people know...we were very nervous to tell our families.

Symptoms: Fatigue, frequent urination, sore boobs, stuffy nose, and sore throat. I feel as if I'm constantly on the verge of getting sick. I've also had several shooting pains from my tailbone to my pelvis. I think it's called sciatic nerve pain.

Food cravings/aversions: On the way to visit family on Thanksgiving I was STARVING. We were close to a Taco Bell, so my husband suggested that. I wanted a Crunchwrap (w/ beans instead of meat) SO bad. Turns out Taco Bell is closed on Thanksgiving. I almost cried.

What I'm looking forward to: We're having dinner with some close friends tonight, and I think we're going to tell them.

Milestones: We heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time on my new Sonoline Fetal Heart Prenatal Doppler. At this point, it is very fleeting when we hear it, but I will post a video when we can hear it consistently.

What my baby and I look like this week:

10 Weeks Pregnant

How I Told My Parents I'm Pregnant

2010-11-13T16:43:00.000-08:00

We just announced our pregnancy to my parents! They live out of state, so I called my mom and told her to check her email. We are new homeowners, so we often send them pictures of our latest home improvement projects. My husband was on the other line holding a tape recorder up to the phone. They both screamed when they got to picture #3. The document we sent them was titled "Home Upgrades." Here is what the email said:

Here are some pictures of the kitchen shelf we built above the kitchen sink, along with some other new additions.

You're Going to be Grandparents!

Their reactions were perfect. Screaming, laughing, crying, etc. Tomorrow we will tell my husband's parents in person.

We have a heartbeat!

2010-11-12T06:21:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we got to see the baby's heartbeat for the first time. It was amazing! It was this perfectly round little flashing light and the baby has grown so much in the last 2 weeks!

My doctor told me that now that we've seen the heartbeat, the chance of miscarriage is only about 3%, compared to the 20% or so before the heartbeat. We feel like it's safe to start telling people, so we'll tell our parents this weekend. Our next appointment is in 4 weeks and we will hear the heartbeat then.

Here's the ultrasound from yesterday at 7 weeks 5 days. The baby's head is on the left, and I think the umbilical cord is on the bottom right. The yolk sac is behind the baby, so you can't see it.

7 Weeks

2010-11-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

How far along? 7 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 1/3 - 1/4 inch (the size of a Tic Tac)

Baby’s Weight: Less than 1 gram (right now it's about the weight of an eyelash)

Development: Baby is 10,000 times bigger than he/she was at conception! The umbilical cord is now visible, and so are the mouth hole, tongue, nostrils, and ear indentations. Hands and feet are emerging, but they look like ping pong paddles!

Weight gain/loss: Down 1 pound from last week. Overall, I'm down 4 pounds since conception (but I was dieting then).

Maternity clothes? Not this week, but yesterday after lunch I resorted to fastening my jeans with a rubber band and I wore it like that for the rest of the school day. I need to remember to always carry a Belly Belt with my when I'm wearing jeans.

Best moment this week? I made it through my first week of parent conferences without puking on anyone! Morning sickness hasn't kicked in yet. One of the parents asked if I had kids and I said "not yet." Then he said, "But I can see you're married, so you're probably working on that!" Lol, it was funny but so inappropriate and uncomfortable. I'm finding it harder and harder to keep my news to myself.

Symptoms: Fatigue, frequent urination, sore & swollen boobs, stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, backache, and head rushes (like when I bend over and then stand up too quickly--I feel like I'm going to fall over). I have also noticed a few new veins showing on my boobs and I'm constantly bloated and feeling like I'm bursting out of my pants. Hawt!

Food cravings/aversions: Nothing in particular, but everything looks and sounds good. I got an ad for El Torito in the mail and I wanted everything on the page. Then someone on The Bump message board mentioned ice cream and now it's all I can think about.

What I'm looking forward to: Taking my baby to a pumpkin patch next year! I'm loving all the adorable pumpkin patch pics on Facebook.

Milestones: I had my first spotting scare this week...does that count? It was on Tuesday and I haven't had any since, so hopefully everything is fine. Our next ultrasound is Thursday and we should hear a heartbeat then.

What my baby and I look like this week: (I had a hard time sucking in the bloat on this one.)

7 Weeks Pregnant

6 Weeks

2010-10-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

How far along? 6 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 1/8 inch

Baby’s Weight: Less than 1 gram

Development: Eyes, ears, mouth, arm & leg buds are starting to form

Weight gain/loss: My scale tells me I gained 3 pounds this week. Is that possible?? I blame the bloat...

Maternity clothes? I love my BellaBand and Belly Belt.

Best moment this week? I'm feeling really sick and crappy right now, so I'm having a hard time thinking of anything.

Symptoms: Frequent urination, sore boobs, fatigue, bloated, stuffy nose & sore throat--but I think it's actually a cold. My mood varies from day to day. I'm irritable at work one day, and the next day I'm happy and upbeat.

Food cravings/aversions: Chocolate is sounding better and better. I couldn't care less about vegetables. And my Del Taco big fat chicken taco was heaven.

What I'm looking forward to: Hearing a heartbeat on November 11.

Milestones: I had my first OB appointment on Thursday. No heartbeat yet, but Dr. Hill said "everything looks perfect!"

What my baby and I look like this week:

6 Weeks Pregnant

First Ultrasound! 5 weeks 5 days

2010-10-28T16:20:00.000-07:00

Today I went in for my first ultrasound. Going off my last menstrual period, the doctor assumed I was at least 6 weeks. The embryo was too small to see a heartbeat and was a little hard to find at first. The OB said I looked between 5 1/2 and 6 weeks pregnant. I informed her that I chart and I know I ovulated late--on Cycle Day 18 instead of 14. She said, in that case, everything looks perfect.

I think it's odd that professionals don't let their patients know about the variation in ovulation and how that affects the size of the fetus. Most women are probably told that the fetus is slightly small, when in fact it was probably just a case of later ovulation. That seems like it would cause a lot of needless worry. I'm sure I'd be freaking out if I thought I was 6 weeks 2 days and there was no heartbeat. We could barely even see the baby on my ultrasound. But for 5 weeks 5 days, everything is perfect.

She will wait until my next ultrasound to measure and give me a definite delivery date. My tentative date she gave is June 21, 2010, but that is with an ovulation date on CD14. It looks like Fertility Friend is right on track with my real date of June 25. I will go in again on November 11 to hear the heartbeat. Grow, baby, grow!!

5 Weeks

2010-10-23T08:18:00.000-07:00

How far along? 5 weeks and 0 days

Baby’s Size: 5/64 of an inch or 2 millimeters

Baby’s Weight: Less than 1 gram

Development: Baby's heart begins to beat this week and the brain is starting to grow!

Weight gain/loss: I’m still down 5 pounds, since I was dieting at the beginning of my cycle. I lost 6 pounds but gained one back, so I guess I’m technically up 1 pound? I don’t really how to measure this, lol.

Maternity clothes? I wore a Belly Belt for the first time to work yesterday. I used the smallest setting, but it made such a difference. My pants were so much more comfortable when I sat down!

Best moment this week? We figured out when we’re going to tell family and friends. November 14 will be parents and close family. Extended family will find out on Thanksgiving when I show up wearing this:

Symptoms: Period-like cramps on and off for the last week, fatigue, and sore nipples--which as of last night changed to full blown boob pain. Now I feel like my boobs are both really bruised.

Food cravings/aversions: I really don’t care for fruit right now (I normally eat a lot of it), but I crave protein and carbs instead. I really look forward to sandwiches for lunch!

What I'm looking forward to: My first OB appointment on Thursday!

Milestones: My ticker has changed from the smallest size (poppyseed) to an appleseed! It feels good to be making progress!

What baby looks like this week:

5 Weeks Pregnant

Darkest Line Yet!

2010-10-17T08:41:00.000-07:00

My husband asked me to test again this morning, and this was the darkest positive I have seen yet! It showed up in about 30 seconds. I am 15 days past ovulation today, despite the fact that I wrote "14 dpo" on the pregnancy test strip. Oops!

Hello, Symptoms!

2010-10-16T11:36:00.000-07:00

My symptoms have kicked in today at exactly 4 weeks: fatigue, extreme hunger, frequent urination, and my nipples are sore. I also had my first wave of nausea--it was triggered by the fact that I felt like I was starving to death an hour after I ate breakfast. My stomach is also super bloated despite the fact that I've lost 2 pounds since last week (down 6 pounds total since starting the Flat Belly Diet!)

Today I started the task of going through all the baby-related bookmarks I've save over the past year. I bought a couple more pregnancy books and a Belly Belt kit so I can wear my pants for as long as possible. I may invest in a BellaBand at some point, but I'll try these for now. Have you used the Belly Belt or Bella Band? Which do you prefer?

Belly Belt:

It's Official!

2010-10-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

I went to the doctor yesterday to confirm pregnancy, and the urine test came back with a "faint positive," so they ordered at blood test to make sure. This was yesterday after 5pm, and I was told I would not get the results until Monday or Tuesday.

This morning at 8:30am, the doctor called me with the positive results. It's official--I'm pregnant! What a great way to start the weekend!

Now I need to wean myself off of taking my temperature and peeing on things daily. I figure I will probably test once a week or so early on until I start seeing an OB regularly. I'm so afraid of miscarrying.

So Much for the Flat Belly Diet! I Got a BFP!!

2010-10-11T19:17:00.000-07:00

Looks like I won't be losing weight with the Flat Belly Diet for a while! This morning I used a cheap internet test strip, and there was a faint pink line! After work, I confirmed it with a First Response and a Clearblue Digital.

I bought my husband a bag of candy to tell him--Sugar Babies, Baby Ruth, and Sour Patch Kids. He didn't get it at first, then kept staring at the Sour Patch Kids and then said something like, "There's a bunch of little people in here. Is there a little person in there?" and pointed to my belly. I just laughed and handed him a card. On the front was a cute baby mobile and the word "Congratulations." On the inside, I taped a picture of the digital pregnancy test and wrote "I hope you're ready!" Then I showed him the 3 pregnancy tests and I gave him a bib that says "I love my daddy."

A Different Kind of 2ww

2010-10-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

So far, this 2ww hasn't been like any I've ever had. My boobs are usually sore from ovulation until AF (aunt flo). This time, they are not sore at all yet, and I'm at 8 dpo (days past ovulation). In fact, until yesterday, I hadn't had any symptoms at all. My husband thinks that my lack of symptoms might be a symptom of pregnancy.

At 7dpo yesterday, things changed a bit. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but this is messing with my head. Yesterday I was very emotional. I burst out in tears because my in-laws found out we are TTC. I cried on and off for about an hour, then I started crying all over again when my husband got home and I told him how I felt. I felt a few twinges near my pelvic bone yesterday, but I had that last month also.

The biggest change is that I started spotting last night, and again this morning. I have NEVER in my 9 months of TTC spotted halfway through the 2ww. I wonder if it was implantation bleeding, so this morning I tested and of course I got a BFN (big fat negative). Really? 8dpo? I've reached an all-time low. I realize the spotting doesn't necessarily mean anything, but now I have hope, which means I will be that much more disappointed if it doesn't happen for us this month.

4-Day Diet Jumpstart = Success!

2010-10-09T13:32:00.000-07:00

The food was not very exciting, but I dropped 4 pounds on the "Anti-Bloat Jumpstart" of the Flat Belly Diet. I didn't feel like I was bursting out of my jeans yesterday, so that was nice. I discovered that I actually like sunflower seeds and string cheese. The 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds every day kept me full for hours and I didn't feel like snacking as much throughout the day.

I also discovered that I like salt more than I thought I did. The food was pretty bland, but I did it! I'm actually extending the diet into a 5-day jumpstart b/c I have some food left over. My plan for today is to diet for breakfast and lunch. But there's a USC game on at 5pm, and football does not lend itself to dieting...

The shopping list for the first week of the full diet is pretty extensive, so I will probably shop for the food tomorrow and start the real diet on Monday. The real diet looks much more interesting than the Jumpstart. I can't wait for semi-sweet chocolate chips and guacamole!

Flat Belly Diet

2010-10-04T22:54:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I am starting the Flat Belly Diet. I'm pretty excited about it, but I've never been able to stick to a diet for very long, so I hope I can do it. I also bought a spiffy new digital food scale to make sure I'm eating the right portion sizes.

The Flat Belly Diet is Mediterranean-inspired and includes a MUFA (mono-unsaturated fatty acid) at every meal. MUFAs are basically healthy fats. The menus contain plenty of meals with avocado, dark chocolate, nuts, and other yummy things!

It's a 4-day "anti-bloat jump start" followed by a 28-day meal plan. I am committed to the jump start part, and we'll see how I feel after that. I'm excited about the "Sassy Water" I get to drink for the first 4 days. Sassy Water is cucumber, lemon, mint, and freshly grated ginger soaked overnight in a pitcher of water. I'm hoping it will help to control my appetite if I drink it throughout the day. Wish me luck!

Haiku Thursday

2010-09-30T22:27:00.000-07:00

In honor of my friend Sulfa, I would like to begin "Haiku Thursdays."

When I was talking to my husband tonight about ladies I have met on TheBump.com message boards, I brought up Sulfa and her blog, and I showed him my last haiku for Haiku Thursday. Here is my TTC haiku for last Haiku Thursday:

Oh, red plastic cup
Frat party accessory
Now I pee in you

He was instantly like, I want to write one! So I put him to work, and this is what he came up with: (btw, I have EWCM and we just had sex)

(DH) I want to have sex.

(DH) Do you have fertile CM?

(Me) Yes I do. Let's go!

Hehe! I <3 MH...

Wordless Wednesday: Vagina Tree

2010-09-08T08:02:00.000-07:00

This tree in Thailand was featured on the Kevin & Bean blog on Kroq.com, lol.

Tears in My Eyes and an EPT

2010-09-07T15:22:00.000-07:00

I am only 6 days past ovulation, so why am I so dang emotional today? It is too soon for pregnancy symptoms! I was driving home and changed the radio to a country station. I heard 5 seconds of a new song and literally burst into tears. The lyrics said:

"You came to me
with tears in your eyes and an E.P.T."

That was it. I lost it and was immediately bawling. I have no idea why. I didn't even have time to form a coherent thought before the tears started flowing. Maybe I pictured what it would be like to be able to tell my husband that I'm pregnant. I want that feeling...

Here's the song: In a Real Love by Phil Vassar

Wordless Wednesday: Smiling Birds

2010-09-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

This was on the Kevin & Bean blog on Kroq.com:

My Ovaries and I are a Well-Oiled Machine

2010-08-31T16:28:00.000-07:00

Remember that movie "Groundhog's Day?" Where Bill Murray keeps waking up and cycling through the same experiences over and over? Sure, he tries new things now and then, like taking a bath with a toaster, to see if he can change the course of things, but the next morning he wakes up and finds himself back at square one.

This is exactly how I feel after 8 months of trying to conceive. I add new techniques to the mix each month (PreSeed, Fertile CM supplements, green tea...), but each month I find myself back at the starting line, having to do it all over again.

My body is like clockwork, and at this point in my TTC process, my ovaries and I are working together like a well-oiled machine. Today is Cycle Day 14, and sure enough, just like last month, I have fertile cervical mucus and a positive ovulation test. My husband and I will baby dance for the next 3 days, and then my temperature will spike to show that I ovulated. My temps will float around for approximately 12 days and then come crashing down as my cycle comes to an end.

Here's a picture of today's positive ovulation test:

As annoying and repetitive as my cycles are, my time spent on the Bump message boards has taught me to appreciate that my body is working as it should be. I have heard so many stories of women who have unpredictable cycles or who aren't ovulating at all. I have learned that not everyone is as lucky as I am, and for that I am grateful.

Why am I shopping for baby bedding...

2010-08-18T11:19:00.000-07:00

...and nursery furniture, and diaper bags...on CD1? AF literally just started, and here I am looking at baby stuff. I have a problem.

I just discovered BabyAge.com and now I'm obsessed. They have really good prices, and I found a diaper bag that I really like that I've never seen anywhere else. (Not that I've been looking...lol) Here is the adorable diaper bag I found:

Netflix for Books!

2010-08-14T18:20:00.000-07:00

The other day, my husband was saying, "They should have Netflix...but for books." Then we determined that since books are heavy it might be too pricey for shipping. But today I found out there is an online book rental site, and just like Netflix the shipping is free each way, there's no late fees or due dates, etc:

Bookswim.com

Has anyone heard of/ used this before? The cheapest plan is $23.95 per month, and you can check out 3 books at a time. It seems a little pricey, but it's an option if you don't have a library near you. I can't really justify signing up since there is a library 5 minutes from my house, but maybe I will join once I'm pregnant and fat and not wanting to leave the house.

Fancy Meeting You :) 8-9-10

2010-08-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Fancy Meeting You Monday, and welcome to my blog! For my new visitors, here is a little about my blog:

It started out as a blog about trying to conceive my first child. Back in the first couple months, I posted all about my "phantom symptoms" and I squealed over my first positive ovulation test. I hate people like that now! I have learned so much about my body and the process of conception, and I'm now on my 7th cycle of TTC.

Since 7 months of the same TTC posts would be annoying, my blog is constantly changing to include other interests. I will be posting about things I've learned related to TTC, my plans for the nursery, cool baby products I find online, interesting books I've read, blogs I love, etc. I just started participating in an online Bible study, which I will mention from time to time (see my post from this morning).

When I do get pregnant, this blog will serve as an online journal of sorts to document my journey.

Link up your blog so I can learn about you too!

Bible Study: Week 1

2010-08-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

I have started reading the Bible (thanks to a great group of ladies on The Bump who have created an online weekly Bible study group). From time to time, I will post Bible-inspired insights and thoughts related to TTC.

This week we read the book of James. Something that stood out in my mind is James 4:3 (Chapter 4, Verse 3), which basically says that if you ask God for something but you're asking for selfish reasons, you won't get it.

This reminded me of something I heard in church a long time ago, when the preacher said that when my wants are aligned with God's wants, it will happen. He also said that the more you pray, the more your wants will align with what God wants for you, which means you will "get" more of your wants, because they are God's wants, too. I know I'm not explaining it well, but it really clicked with me at the time. I don't pray as often as I should, and I'm working on that.

Sometimes I think my reasons for having a baby are very selfish. I want one, I'm getting too old, people around me are having kids, I'm tired of working and I want to stay home, etc. I don't often stop and think if my timing is right for my baby. I'm really hoping to 1) stay motivated about reading the Bible, and 2) continue to gain new insights each week that I can apply to my life. I've started taking notes in a journal--sort of a personal Cliff's Notes version of the Bible for myself.

Another Two-Week Wait

2010-08-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling strangely calm this cycle. I'd love to get pregnant this cycle, but I also feel like if it didn't happen this time, I'd be okay with it. Getting pregnant this cycle would mean that I would likely take the end of the school year off for maternity leave. While that sounds like a nice idea, it would probably be better to finish off the school year and have the baby in the summer.

Our goal is for me to be able to stay home after the baby is born and to not have to go back to work the following school year. My husband will be getting his M.B.A. next month, and hopefully he will get a higher paying job soon after that. We also have quite a lot of credit card debt at the moment, and I will not get another paycheck until October 1. I would like to get as much of that paid off as possible before the baby arrives.

But don't get me wrong, I would still love to get a BFP this cycle!

How to Be a Good Wife

2010-08-06T09:36:00.000-07:00

I found this over at Happily Domestic and just had to borrow it. This is from a 1955 issue of Housekeeping Weekly. According to this guide, I'm a terrible wife! My favorite tip is "Remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours." Also, I think it's interesting that women were encouraged to "prepare" themselves (with makeup) and their children (change their clothes, comb their hair, and encourage them to be quiet??) before their husbands got home. And a wife shouldn't question the husband, even if he stays out all night. Ha!

(Click image to enlarge, then click again to zoom)

Top 10 Ways to Be Hated When TTC

2010-08-03T08:05:00.000-07:00

I have spent a lot of time this summer on The Bump's forum board "Trying to Get Pregnant." Many ladies have come and gone in the time I've been trying to conceive. Some are more annoying and uninformed than others. If you are TTC, come join us on The Bump! But don't say any of these things:

Here are the Top 10 ways to be instantly hated by a group of women who are TTC:

10."My period is 15 minutes late…am I preggers???????????????"

9. "I’ve lurked here for YEARS, and I figured now is the perfect time for my first post. This morning I got a BFP!!!!!!! SQUEEEEEE!!! Hugs??" (The general rule of thumb is, if we don't know you, we don't care.)

8. "Newbies unite!!" ::carrying pitchforks::

7. "Apparently the only way to be cool here is to be infertile." (*Yes, someone said this in not so many words recently!)

6. "Does a faint line count?" (Um, hello? Read the directions on the box.)

5. "What’s your favorite color?"

*then post 5 minutes later* "Hey guys! What color do you like?"

*30 seconds later* "I SAID, What's your favorite color?...ANSWER ME!! Ohmigawd...you all are a bunch of b!tches."

4. "My sister's husband's best friend's wife had a cramp in her a$$ yesterday. Could she be pregnant? I told her I'd ask you guys. Thanks in advance!" (Do not tell us your symptoms or anyone else's symptoms and expect a diagnosis. Go pee on a stick.)

3. "How long did it take you all to get your BFPs? Can you all post a pic of your BFPs?? Congrats everyone on your BFPs!!!" (Some people have a hard time understanding that the board is for people TRYING to get pregnant. No joke.)

2. "Well, SOME of you have gotten BFPs because you have other kids already...couldn't just those people respond? The rest of you are just bitter anyways." ("intolerant of stupidity" is sometimes confused with "bitterness" on this board)

...........and the #1 way to be instantly hated on this board IS: ::drumroll::

1. "So far I’ve peed on 5 HPTs, 3OPKs, my BBT, and my dog Sammy…and they all say I’m not pregnant. But do you think they could be wrong? My boobs hurt. I’m probably totally preggo, right? Yeah, that’s what I thought. Thanks guys!"

Illegal immigration

2010-07-28T14:47:00.000-07:00

My husband found this online and I thought it was interesting, so I figured I'd share. It's not very politically correct, but it kinda makes you think...

IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU GET 12 YEARS HARD LABOR.

IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU ARE DETAINED INDEFINITELY.

IF YOU CROSS THE AFGHAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU GET SHOT.

IF YOU CROSS THE SAUDI ARABIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU WILL BE JAILED.

IF YOU CROSS THE CHINESE BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU MAY NEVER BE HEARD FROM
AGAIN.

IF YOU CROSS THE VENEZUELAN BORDER LEGALLY, YOU WILL BE BRANDED A SPY
AND YOUR FATE WILL BE SEALED.

IF YOU CROSS THE CUBAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU WILL BE THROWN INTO
POLITICAL PRISON TO ROT.

IF YOU CROSS THE UNITED STATES BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU GET:

~ A JOB,
~ A DRIVERS LICENSE,
~ SOCIAL SECURITY CARD,
~ WELFARE,
~ FOOD STAMPS,
~ CREDIT CARDS,
~ SUBSIDIZED RENT OR A LOAN TO BUY A HOUSE,
~ FREE EDUCATION,
~ FREE HEALTH CARE,
~ A LOBBYIST IN WASHINGTON,
~ BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS PRINTED IN YOUR LANGUAGE,
~ AND THE RIGHT TO CARRY YOUR COUNTRY'S FLAG WHILE YOU PROTEST THAT YOU
DON'T GET ENOUGH RESPECT.

Crochet Newbie

2010-07-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

About 12 years ago, a friend of mine taught me how to crochet. Like every new craft venture I start, I was interested in crocheting for about a week. I started making an adorable baby blanket for my boss, who was pregnant at the time. Her kid is now in junior high, and the half-made baby blanket is still in my closet. I am promising myself that I will finish it while I'm pregnant so that I can use it for my baby. Today I stumbled upon this great idea on Prudentbaby.com: a wine rack used for yarn storage!

Now, I don't have a wine rack, nor do I have much yarn, but I thought I should share this gem of an idea. I WOULD like to try my hand at crocheting again, though. I've never crocheted anything that wasn't flat like a blanket, but I'd love to learn how to make baby booties or a baby hat. If you have a favorite crochet pattern for babies, I'd love to hear about it!

Cart-Before-Horse Confession: Nursery Dresser

2010-07-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

My first project of the summer is completed. I repaired and repainted my childhood dresser to use in my future nursery! We are also going to use MH's crib that his mom and grandfather made for him before he was born. I'm going to start unpacking my closet and storing all the random baby clothes and books I've collected in the dresser. I'm planning to use the dresser as a changing table. I also painted the mirror behind it to match.

MH strongly believes in "the power of positive thinking" and he thinks if we start preparing for a baby it will happen for us. I'm not as optimistic as he is with the "if you build it, they will come" philosophy, but I'm happy to have this project done at least.

Ok, so it's not completely done. The insides of the drawers currently look like this:

Apparently when I was a teenage I thought this would make them look "cool." Clearly I was not meant to have a career in design. I plan to line the drawers with cute contact paper once I have a theme for the nursery.

Post-It Note Tuesday 6/29/10

2010-06-29T17:11:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm on summer vacation, I've been very productive. My cats are making sure I have plenty to do and clean, as they have been finding new and exciting ways to do their business.

Twilight and Other Summer Stuff

2010-06-24T23:16:00.000-07:00

My summer has officially started! Today was the last day of school for my students, and tomorrow I will load up my car and turn in my key. It has been a stressful few weeks, but I am finally packed and ready to start at a new school in the fall. I keep thinking that maybe once school is out I will be more relaxed and I will be able to get pregnant...

This weekend my husband and I will be celebrating our 2-year anniversary with a much-anticipated camping trip near the beach in Santa Barbara. I think it will be a great way to start out my summer vacation.

Summer also means that Eclipse will be out in theaters soon! I am more excited about this than I should be, but I can't help it. I have read the books twice, and Eclipse is my favorite book of the Twilight series. I feel like a giddy teenager just thinking about it! And Jacob finally kisses Bella! Lol, is anyone else super excited to see Eclipse? Check out these adorable Twilight baby bibs I found on CafePress:

Sugar and Spice Saturday 6/12/10

2010-06-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

This recipe was sent to me courtesy of SparkPeople.com (a great site!). Don't be fooled by the title! This "banana split" has no ice cream and it's completely healthy. It's also a creative way to get your kids to eat more fruit! I'm always on the lookout for kid-friendly recipes that I can use when I have kids. Here it is:

Watermelon Blueberry Banana Split

Ingredients:
* 2 large bananas
* 8 "scoops" watermelon and/or cantaloupe
* 1 cup blueberries (or raspberries or strawberries)
* 1/2 cup low fat vanilla yogurt
* 1/4 cup granola

Directions:
1. Peel bananas and cut in half crosswise, then cut each piece in half lengthwise. For each serving, lay 2 banana pieces against the sides of a shallow dish.

2. To make watermelon "scoops" use an ice cream scoop to create balls of watermelon. Remove seeds, if needed. Place a watermelon "scoop" at each end of the dish.

3. Fill the center space with berries.

4. Stir yogurt until smooth, spoon over the watermelon "scoops".

5. Sprinkle with granola.

Serves 4.

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