Dear Phoenix...

Hiccups?!?!

2009-10-04T23:23:00.000-07:00

It took me awhile to catch on, but I finally figured out that the rhythmic thumping that sometimes occurs inside my belly must be baby hiccups. I laughed out loud when it became apparent to me that that's what's been going on in there. I was convinced there was a Tai-bo video going! Poor little guy...he may end up scarred because his mother laughs at his antics...and hiccups. Hopefully he'll learn to laugh A LOT too!

I can hardly believe that seeing his sweet little face is just around the corner! Who knew it would come so fast! We've had all our showers and nearly all the baby laundry is done. We have blankets GALORE! Sometime this week Jase & I will head to the store to get the last minute things we may need right away.

Carpet comes on Monday! I'm so excited for the construction phase to be done! I want his dresser put together so we can put away all those clean clothes! Soon...just days away. Pictures of the construction & finished product are coming soon!!!

32 Week Ultrasound

2009-08-24T18:24:00.001-07:00

So...32 weeks is HERE! Mostly I look like a barell, but I guess he's starting to be a bit of a *bump*. Either way, I promise I didn't look like this 6 months ago & I certainly won't look like this 6 months from now!!! I've had to kinda get over my issues with gaining weight & just focus on eating healthy, staying active, & worrying about dropping the weight starting in October. Until then...it's just important for our wee one to have all the nutrition his sweet little body needs!

We went to our last ultrasound on Monday Aug 17th...what an amazing way to celebrate MY day. Grandma Horman came along & fell just as in love as we have! Here's our 'Lil bun...
front shot of face & maybe a little hand...or foot.

heartbeat...136 beats per min.

the family jewels & a leg.

another face shot, but I still don't see it. :)

It's been such a joy to be pregnant. I wouldn't trade it for the world, not even the rougher days. It's been a focus to keep myself active, but not over do it or stay on my feet or butt too long. Both of those seem to inflame my hips & once they start hurting there's no turning back! Only a few nights of good sleep and some decent rest (not to mention an occasional tylenol) will help!

I have yet to really understand the question, "Are you ready to be done?" Mostly because my response is: "Hell no!" I love feeling our boy wiggle & stretch inside me. It is the most indescribable feeling...so amazing and leaves me smiling in awe every time he shifts around. Some of my favorite times of the days are bed time. Jase has been reading to our boy for months now (we're on the second Harry Potter...our third book), and the baby LOVES it! There are times I swear he's trying to jump out of my belly to hang out with us out here instead of being squished inside. I can tell he's going to be just as much a daddy's boy as a momma's! He responds so strongly to Jase's voice...sometimes it brings tears to my eyes. How could I be ready to be done with this???

We've finally started to disassemble the nursery & I'm hoping we'll have it done in the next 3 weeks. I'll post pictures of that project as we get further along. We're currently having the ceiling replaced...then we'll paint...then new carpet...THEN comes all the fun stuff!!! *woot*

Looking forward to every moment...

30 Weeks...So Much To Do!!!

2009-07-28T12:59:00.001-07:00

30 Weeks along & there is still so much to do!! We really need to start focusing on getting the nursery finished up!! I'm loving the colors we've picked & can hardly wait to see it come all together. I so look forward to washing all his little things & putting them away. His little space is sacred and I want us to fill it with love & blessings before his big arrival day.

Our colors are Sage & Chocolate...see his little comforter!!! YAY!

We have picked up so many things for him & have our registering *almost* done. I can hardly believe we're now 3/4 of the way through!! Only 10 more weeks...WOW!!

We finished our Hypnobabies courses & loved every one of them! All my hesitations & concerns with birth have been addressed & dismissed. I look forward to our little boy's happy arrival with joy and excitement!!!!!!

24 Weeks!!

2009-06-19T19:50:00.000-07:00

Can you believe we're at 24 weeks already? I certainly can't. Only 16 weeks to our guess date!!!

We had our mid-point ultrasound at 21 weeks & everything looked great...see for yourself!!

Our first family vacation was at the beginning of June. Jason & I went to Windsor, just north of San Francisco in Californina. It was a beautiful trip. Jason bought our wee one a onsie while we were in the Haight Ashbury district, and he picked up a book: "Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism". He's been reading it to the baby every night.

We had such a good time...and are looking forward to our next trip in early December to Vegas. Of course, we'll have Junior with us then, so it'll be a wee bit different. But, he's going to be a traveling baby, so we'll have a first trip to a beautiful place!

We started our Hypnobabies class this week & I'm so excited with all that I'm learning. Jason is an incredible partner & I'm so blessed to have his support.

thumpthumpthump

2009-05-22T14:56:00.000-07:00

20 weeks today!!!
It's so hard to believe we're that far along! I've finally been telling more & more people...work...friends...more family...I don't know that my tummy will be hidable for much longer! I look pudgy...I like to call it *thick*, but I'm still in my regular pants & jeans...for a few more weeks at least. I expect to *pop* any time now!

Earlier this week I started feeling consistant beats in my tummy. I kept waiting for the feeling of butterflies or bubbles or something sweet and soft. But that's not what I'm feeling! This kid is a powerful little being. He's *thumpin* around in there like no one's business!! It's a bit distracting when I'm sitting in a business meeting & keep getting *thumped*, but I wouldn't trade it for the world! It feels a bit like something's popping inside me...popcorn or big bubbles exploding.

He dances when I play him music & I find that I miss his little *thumps* when he's sleeping or resting. But then there are other times, like when I'm getting headbutted right below my belly button that I'd like to move him slightly to one side or another. That sensation almost tickles!

Next Friday we go to the Dr for our 20 week ultrasound to give the baby a full checkup. I'm so excited to see him swimming around inside me again! I expect at that visit we'll get the money shot & will have positive confirmation of what we already know....he's a he. I'll post our pictures after that appointment.

I guess it's really time to get moving on the baby's room...we have to redo the ceiling, the carpet, the dresser, & put together the crib...wash all the stuff I have & move the toys into place. I want it all done 4 months ago, so I can go sit in my rocking chair and pat my belly! Guess that's not really realistic, but I'm excited for us to create the space this little being will inhabit.
Jason has been working so diligently & hard on our yard & garden...they are turning out beautifully & I'm so excited for our little tike to run & play all over!!!

We need to sign up for a birthing class as well. Most of the time I just don't think about that part of the pregnancy. I'll deal with it when it gets here, but I am a preparation freak, so it's time to do that piece! I've been looking at Hypnobabies & have a few instructors I'm going to contact about their classes. I'll be looking into what the hospital has as well. Such exciting times!

May your days be as blessed as ours are!!!

F Marks the Spot

2009-05-03T17:10:00.000-07:00

It's rare that one can be proud to have an F, but it does happen...

A few weeks ago Jason & I were at a mall & stopped into Motherhood Maternity. I'm still not really showing, but the time is coming, so we popped in to see what they had. The ladies there were very helpful. I decided to look at bras since mine wasn't fitting so well anymore & was measured for a fit. Do you know what letter cup sizes go to? Apparently they go nearly half the alphabet...and I'm moving right on up that ladder! F...for "oh my FREAKIN hell, my boobs are HUGE!" I hate to think of what will happen when I start nursing...God save my back!!!!

Anyhow, I also left there with jeans & tan pants that roll up to capri's. Add that to the black work pants I picked up awhile ago & now I have a decent selection for my popped out months.

Our most recent Doctor appointment went off with out a hitch...almost. We showed up & the doctor had to reschedule because she had another patient in labor. We came back a few hours later & it was smooth sailing from there!

I've only gained about 6 or 7 pounds so far & I'm happy about that (I think it's all in my breasts)!! The Dr. is also pleased. Jason is great to get us to the gym or encourage me to hop on the treadmill for a few minutes on a regular basis...and some days that's not an easy task! My favorite thing to do, however, is the prenatal yoga video I picked up when I found out we're having a baby. It's tough going at times, but my body always feels sooooo much better when I'm done! I get pain in my lower back & hips...blah. It always makes me laugh when I'm walking down the stairs & my leg gives out...laugh cause it hurts!!!

Our ultrasound was fun...he was squirming around & it's incredible to watch!!

His little legs were curled up & he kept moving them back & forth, like he was doing crunches. Definetly Jason's child with abs like that!!
This is his little profile.

His heartbeat has slowed to 138...what a beautiful sound!

He's our love!!! Even if he is a bit skeletal looking!

Looking at his little legs from below, you can see his arms as well!!

We tried to peek again at his goods, but he was too busy working out to give us a really good shot of him. Hopefully at the 20 week big ultrasound we'll have an unobstructed view & get the money shot! I can hardly wait!!!

17 weeks & 2 days today!

13 Weeks & Counting!

2009-04-03T09:02:00.001-07:00

Today is week 13!! We've had our ups & downs along the way, but up is the trend!

Just past 7 weeks we had a little scare when I had some bleeding. Unfortunetly, Jase & I were in Vernal & I couldn't get to my doctor for several days. Or maybe it was a good thing...the bleeding stopped and I nervously made it to the doctor on Thursday Feb 26th. We did an ultrasound & all was well. I got to see & then hear his little heartbeat...WOW! It was the most amazing sound I've ever heard. Beating at 159 thumps a minute he's healthy & growing! What a relief!!!!!

The nausea just got worse from there!! But I'm happy to have it. It helps me know everything is moving along the way it needs to be inside me! Although...there are moments I could use a break! I can't complain too much though, because I haven't thrown up once! I did make myself gag by brushing my tongue, but that was entertaining.

On March 30th Jason & I went for our 12 week appointment. I had to do a diabetes test to ensure my sugars weren't out of whack, especially since the 'beties runs in my family. So...like a dedicated patient I drank up that delicious sugary orange soda 30 minutes before my appointment.

An hour after first drinking the "juice" I had my blood taken. I was all ready for them to take a vile or two of blood...imagine my pleasure when I was told they were just going to prick my finger! WOO HOO!! 135 is the max that you can score on the test before you're required to do the 3 hour test. My blood came in at a 98. YAY! We're looking healthy!

Now it was time...we were going to hear the heartbeat with the doppler! Such excitement!!! Until...my belly got all gooed up & nothing...no sounds from within, except my own heartbeat. I was nervous. My doctor was nervous. Jason...no worries at all. Having been through a first trimester miscarriage before it was all I could do to not breakdown. My doctor wanted to do an ultrasound, instead of torturing any of us any further. She went to clear the ultrasound room & I zipped up my pants.

As we sat there Jase kept telling me everything was fine. He could hear our son expressing his excitement to come, letting us know all is well. That little soul zips in & out & all around & I feel him doing that, but at that moment I was so stressed I couldn't hear a thing. Thank God for a man who is so spiritually connected...I would be lost without him.

We finally got into the ultrasound room and the doctor quickly found our little squirt. We couldn't hear the heartbeat because he was so busy moving around. A little bundle of energy is what I'm carrying!! The turkey butt.

He's beautiful! After calming a bit from his crazy dancing we watched him rub his eye...Jase thinks he may be a leftie since that's the hand he was using to rub. I think there's a very good chance he's correct. He was looking right at us. *sigh*. We asked if it was too early to know the sex & Dr Lister said...probably, but she looked anyway. There are some very good indications that he's a he! Not really a surprise to us, since this little spirit has been so loud & so masculine as he presents himself to us. I'd be shocked if he's a she.

We got to hear the heartbeat...153 beats per minute!! I am going to have my hands full when this huge spirit is confined to a mortal body...what an experience it will be! As Jason says, "Even if you had huge hands, you'd still have much more than a handful with Junior." He's not kidding...and I can hardly wait!!!

The BIG News!!!

2009-02-18T17:38:00.000-08:00

On Feb. 6th I took a pregnancy test & joy of joys...it was POSITIVE! I couldn't be more thrilled with the news! According to my calculations we're due October 9th. I go to the doctor in a few weeks for my initial visit & will have more info then! WOO HOO!!

I told Jason on Feb. 13th. He's excited for me and has been soooo sweet. Always checking to see if I need anything & how I'm doing.

I've been feeling really good overall, a bit tired, but nothing that can't be handled! I get a bit gaggy from time to time, but can't complain...or really call it morning sickness, although it may kick in yet! I have a bit of a belly bulge, but it's nothing that is obvious, it disappears in my clothes...perhaps I'm just fooling myself that it's baby and not my own bulge!

I'll be very surprised if this pop tart is not a boy! I'll be thrilled with either sex...I've even wondered if it's possible I'm carrying multiples...we'll find out!!!

Jason & I went to the mall today & picked up a cute little flannel-ish shirt & train conductor overalls. We really should wait until we know for sure what we're having, but they were too cute to resist!!!

YAY FOR BABIES!!!!!!!!!