Too much?

Am I trying to read these book all at the same time? YUP! What was I thinking. First off, can I say how much I love the website www.whattoexpect.com. Its so similar to the book; What to Expect When You're Expecting. I prefer the website because it just automatically emails Neil and I with our weekly update. It will tell me what week I'm on (which I forget on an hourly basis) and prepare me for what I might experience that particular week. I prefer the book in some cases because its a real book, with pages and smells good. Some days there's nothing better than curling up to a book. The book is definitely more detailed as well.

Because I like the book so much, I went ahead and bought What to Expect the First Year. And from there...well... I needed a book on every topic about having a child. So Kristin and Amanda, (I'm sure one of you will be the next to have a child; wink, wink) have no fear. I have books for you!

I would also like to give a shout out to my sister-in-law Jessica. The Lineage of Grace is a great book. I flew through the first two stories these past couple days. Such a good read.

Veganist; well, that book is for my enjoyment and entertainment only. I would love to become Vegan, it just would never go over in this house.

And if you noticed, Neil has a couple in there too. Yes, they're here in NC while he's in Vegas. He doesn't really read them that often. But I read them for him. :)

So....too much?

Body Images

So, I know I'm one in a million when I say that I have always had body image issues. I have always felt like I could be just a little bit thinner, my abs could be just a little bit more toned, or my arms could be just a little bit more buff. I just find it funny, now that my waist line is growing an inch an hour, I'm LOVING my body! This is probably the first time that I can ever remember feeling this way! I'm a whirlwind of emotions when I wake up in the morning and look in the mirror to see my gigantic belly! I seriously cannot wait to step on the scale and see if I've gained the pound I was supposed to this week. I was cleaning and bumming around in my robe last week when I realized my thighs have met. They were formally introduced by a forced make out session. Yes, my thighs touch! I LAUGHED...OUTLOUD...and immediately told Neil, barely able to speak because I was laughing so hard.

I know that I always said before I was pregnant, "I want to be one of those super cute pregnant women." But honestly, have you ever seen a pregnant woman who is NOT cute! I'm adorable! Not to sound conceited. I only feel this way because of this beautiful baby growing inside of me. I LOVE his profile. I could stare at the ultrasound picture all day. And knowing that he's a part of me right now, makes me feel beautiful! I can't explain it, I guess. I never expected to feel this way. I was dreading getting fat! I know I am going to get a lot bigger and will be very uncomfortable at some point, but right now...I'm loving it!

And I'm gonna be honest here and say something surprised me about getting bigger. Neil is still just as, if not MORE, attracted to me! (Sorry mom, if you're reading this and this makes you uncomfortable.) I just expected him to shy away from the enormous belly and the thighs that now touch each other. He says he likes all the curves and the occasional jiggle. So if you're thinking about getting pregnant, get excited! That was SUCH a great surprise!

In other news I can now feel the baby kick. I think I felt him last week but I wasn't sure what it was, as it just kinda feels like an air bubble. I passed it off for a long time, being my appetite has doubled lately. But then I thought to myself, isn't that where the baby is? And sure enough, its the baby, and now I'm positive. I had no idea what that was going to feel like. I can lay on my side in bed, and Neil can already feel him from the outside. He was pretty excited. So strange and at the same time miraculous to have a little person growing inside of you.

Its been so nice here lately. In the 70s. So we've taken advantage by going to Jordon Lake just 5 minutes from our place. Baylen is exhausted from all the walks we've taken. And you can imagine...me too. But I love it.

I know I told this story on facebook, but I have to share it again. I will try to write this out without crying, I'm a complete wreck today. Neil has to be in Las Vegas this week for work. Poor Neil, right? Not only that, but he's staying at the Venetian! The one hotel that I haven't stayed in and would ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO! He left this morning. Baylen and I took him to the airport. I always get out of the car to help him with his luggage out of the trunk. He gave me a big kiss and a hug and we said our "I love you"s. He then knelt (he says he only leaned, but in my head he knelt) down to rub my belly and said, "I'm gonna miss you too, little man." It made my heart melt. Seriously, how cute is that? I cannot wait to see him hold his son. And yup, I'm crying again.

He used to leave for work every week, and I hardly thought twice about it. But this time, its so hard, and I have no idea why. I guess this is the first time we've been apart since we heard the news about our little one coming. I'm just at a loss here at home. What do I do? Tomorrow I'm going to start my sewing projects...we'll see how that goes. But the evenings are gonna be so hard. And an empty king size bed? Ugh, I'm dreading it and have been a complete head case all day.

Let's Hear it for the Boy

Well, there you have it! Above you can see our little man...in all his glory!

On the top it's pretty clear that our baby has a gorgeous profile! A little nose and big lips. Neil's child for sure!

On the bottom, it's a little more hard to make out, so let me help you by saying on the top and bottom are femurs. As if the baby is sitting on the toilet and you get the glorious view of looking up. Yup! It's a boy!

The doctor's exact words were, "It's still a boy!" He thought he saw a little something-something on our last ultrasound at just 13 weeks. We were both kinda hoping for a boy, so we didn't want to jinx anything by telling everyone. But today....its official! I have to make a mad dash to work soon, but obviously couldn't wait to spread the news! I really would rather spend my day doing some online shopping for sports decor. I'm thinking Twins and Packers apparel! We'll make an agreement somewhere down the line!

Have a great day everyone!

Spring is Almost Here!

Its February and I cannot believe it! 5 months from yesterday our little one is due to arrive! So much to do before he/she gets here, starting with hopefully next Wednesday finding out if he/she will be a "he" or "she"! Neil and I have a disagreements about this on a day to day basis, being he thinks we're having a boy, and I kinda think we're having a girl. So we'll see I guess..STAY TUNED!



Besides that, trying to plan for our baby's arrival is becoming a little overwhelming. I just put this into perspective this morning; I planned our wedding (one day, an 8 hour event) over the course of 15 months and we have only 9 months to prepare ourselves for an arrival of another human being into our home! Crazy, right? So what have we done? Can I be honest and say, "nothing"? If it weren't for my parents coming down a couple weeks ago, we would be in the exact same place we were before I was pregnant. My parents can take all the credit for the baby's room including crib, dresser, changing table, paint, and many many items of clothes.

I'm gonna go ahead and blame my job for my procrastination. It has been so crazy at work lately! I seriously hardly have time to get the laundry done. We've been holding around 550 calls since Monday...straight! What that means is 550 or so people have been waiting to get a hold of us since Monday. It let up a little bit yesterday, just to start again today with the weather in DFW. This entire winter has been miserable for the airline. But again, spring is almost here!

So what's next?

• Researching and signing up for childbirth classes
• Research birth plans. (I have no idea what's out there)
• Must buy maternity clothes. Sweat pants and stretchy dresses are getting old. Craving some denim!
• Catch up on my baby books! I'm still on week 4 in What to Expect When You're Expecting.
• Talk to HR and discuss maternity leave and family leave. (I've already decided I wont be ready to go back after just six weeks)
• Start planning the nursery (once we find out the sex of the baby)
• Start interviewing pediatricians
• Research photographers. I cannot wait for a pro to get this belly in the spotlight!

Just a few at the top of my list. Most importantly, figure out how we're gonna pay for all this. We just paid a big chunk of our clinic, lab, and doctor bills. It felt great to get that behind us, but knowing that's only a little less than half of what's ahead is a bit discouraging. Hence, the extra hours I've been putting in at work. It'll all work out though, I'm positive. I always tell Neil, "It has to work out. There aren't any other options!"

I love Calvin and Hobbes and always laugh out when I read them. This is today's on my homepage. Enjoy! And hope you're happy and have a great day!

http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/2011/02/04/