my hot momma

 

Christmas Day

 

28.2

Haven't felt like writing much - since Thanksgiving week things have been pretty crazy with missing Geli, the GB house party, the cookie exchange. . .

WB is a kicking machine. She likes to explore her space for sure, and does so most frequently from like 8:30 am - 11 am, and then in the afternoon from 2 - 4 ish, and then in he evening from 5 or 6 to ???. It's actually not like clockwork or anything - but when I sit down either I'm just noticing her more then, or she decides to wake up. She seems to react to low beat driven music and she kicks more when my belly is exposed to light. I find it fascinating to watch my stomach to see her move - probably other people don't find it as interesting. . .

WB's room Stage 6

 

WB's room. Stage 5

 

WB's future sweater

 

scroll down

 

scroll down please

 

Scroll down

 

 

First Walls in WB's room

 

Odd blue we had on the purple looks nice. And I finally found a use for the strange green. looks great to tie things together on the yellow. Now I wish we had another yellow wall instead of just this little one.

Club 4 Plus

We'll always be club 4. It really saddens me to think that Whitney Britney will never meet Geli. She was a beautiful creature.

THe F Bomb

Kris has taken to dropping the F bomb. Twice in the last 24 hours.

Belly Rubs

Only Ann and Josie (who asked) and Carrie (who proceeded right it with a Hello Whitney Britney) did anyone rub the belly.

this scares me

KB is driving back from laramie tonite. Ben and Whitney Britney along. Idiot drivers. Poor weather conditions. Truck passes her like a jackass and then jack knives up the road at Virginia Dale. Traffic blocked now. KB at a standstill.

Cold, Fog, sleet and idiots.
...and now no cell phone coverage.

great.

23.0

The dogs were VERY good. No sneaking my midnight snacks. I actually didn't even wake up hungry. . . so I ate them on my way to work this morning. Yummy Peanut Butter.

No news that I can think of now. . .

Kris's saturday night snack

 

Since she's been waking up mid night with munchies; some have been provided. Bon Appetit. (one concern is that one of the dogs snatches these in the middle of the night. They are just sitting on the night table. I think they stand an 80-90% chance of doing the right thing.

Sweater back

 
check out that detail.

WB's sweater progress

 

the front. small stripe for buttons. the collar is small, maybe scandinavian in design. For the sleeve, one band. our trademark.

you're doing a great job KB!!

22.4

So, what IS new? Let's see.

Not much that is too interesting. I HAVE been waking up between midnight and 2 am - with heartburn and hunger. . . I've been trying to sleep slightly propped up, but it isn't terribly comfortable, and doesn't seem all that effective, so I may abandon that.

Ben likes to get up with me - he often gets an extra dose of morning milk, and is actually a pretty good companion. Except last night when we were eating Pistachio ice cream and he threw up - I think he gagged on a nut. That wasn't all that pleasant to deal with at 1 am. I guess I better get used to similar fun things!

WB is definitely more active than she was (or at least I can feel her more). Bob even got to feel her kick a couple of times in the last week. I think she must be almost as bored with work as I am, since she seems to be less active in the afternoons until I clock out. Hmm.

Late night snacks

KB has been waking up in the middle of the night. We're going to have to have a stash so that she doesn't have to make the trek down those stairs.

THIS is the foot

 

Nome ancora

ok. names. She's a whitney britney and always will be. But I don't think we can give her a proper name until we meet her. So...we wait.

21.3

Well, W.B. agrees with me that this cold weather is for the weird-os who like living in Laramie in the winter. She's been kicking up a protest storm these last 2 days!

After the last ultrasound all appears to be going well with the little one. She is a mover and a shaker for sure! She completely changed positions several times - just to play a joke on the ultrasound tech, I'm sure. Just like her dad - always joking around, and can't keep still!

The one piece of not so excitng news is that I apparently have a fibroid cyst on my uterus that the doc is not too concerned about - but want to check out again in week 32. I may experience some pains from it, and I may not, or it may make it necessary to go the c-section route if it hampers little W.B. from positioning correctly for exit. Again, probably not a problem, but they want to keep an eye on it. I would so much rather have this sort of problem than any health issue with W.B., though, so this is really minor.

Overall, feeling well, weigh more than I have in my entire life (net gain of 12 lbs so far), but not too bad. I'm definitely thicker than I used to be - but mostly just around my midsection!

that's a foot there

 

Latest Ultra Sonic

 

names

Mom does not like the name Whitney Britney.

and kris is now wearing around sweatpants that say "juicy" on the butt.

just kidding. But mom really does not like the name Whitney Britney. As a matter of fact, she dislikes them independently. Put them together, and she REALLY doesn't like them.

Dreams of Whitney Britney

all the fame and all the scandal.

How can you go wrong with a name like Whitney Britney???

Word is out

Actually, it's kind of an exhilirating relief to start sharing with the family. Some have more info than others, but it'll all balance out.

Now that we are half way there, we need to start doing some serious planning.

this weekend we have to task list and come up with stuff we really need; Crib, Car Seat, Stroller, new Ipod.

and probably, we need to get a little serious about getting that room in order too. If weather holds, might be good saturday to paint in the garden room.

and now the family knows...

hi you guys.

cool cool, ain't it??

20.1 Later

And the verdict (FINALLY) is:

11 and 13 copies!!!!! We are having a healthy baby!!!!!! (at least as far as the genetic testing that we did goes). Thank heavens. The relief I feel is amazing. Now we can start spreading the news - da da daa da da.

20.1

Call from Reproductive Genetics. . . and the verdict is. . .

Ahhhhhhh I missed their call b/c I was in a meeting. . . . I returned the call and left a message. WHEN are they going to call me back????

20.0

It's Monday. . . again. . .

This weekend was great - but too short!

I called on genetic testing last Friday and they said sometime this week. Grrrr. . . I am going crazy. Hopfully earlier than later this week.

I devised an elastic band with a button and a button slot to help me wear my regular pants a bit longer. Thanks Nikki! It seems to be working quite well so far. Yay!

Not too much motion from WB yet - which has me worried, but I did seem to have some moments yesterday where I feel pretty confident I felt her. Nothing from the outside yet. . .

I had a very weird lump just below my belly button when I bent over backwards to lean on the counter on Saturday, though. Top of my uterus? It looked weird!

I have been having leg pains - well, not really pains, but just restless leg issues. They kind of ache, and a few times I almost had charlie horses in my calves. I will need to make sure I am getting enough magnesium, I guess?

10/26

 

and that's MY bottle of wine in the background (although she sipped it and came to the same conclusion that it was mediocre. I love putting her new nose to work!)

10/20

 

19.1

I'm still tired from the weekend. . . Just need those few extra hours of sleep!

Otherwise, all is well, and it WAS a fun weekend, so I guess a little sleepiness is worth it.

BR's likely coming up to Laramie today after work. That will be great. So much better when he's here.

Not sure what I'm supposed to be feeling for baby movement, but I sometimes think I might be feeling something, but I'm not confident. . . Guess that means it's not?

No news from Dr. Henry's office. Grr. . . I am going crazy waiting!

Who knows

Let's see...

it's an odd mix of people that know.

first?

Mike T (work reasons)
then gary
then Missy
then Jeff Nikki and Jacksons (who are still in disbelief)
then a few other people from KB's work
then Racquel at Old'C's.
then Bugg
(and now John)
and Joy (KB, you should call her!)

odd mix.

this week we should find out something.

Then we can disclose.

STILL waiting

but we settled on WB for a working name (or BW...it's easily interchangeable and fun too) Project WB.

Not sure what is the correct order, but I think it's the former

anyway, KB thought she felt something this morning. Yesterday was a marathon of driving to Steamboat, chilling at the coffee shop and hot springs and another marathon driving back.

And today we are both tired as all get out.

mostly on the good side, though.

yay!

Aspendando

Still waiting for results.

Oy.

kris on and off with the headaches. She had a cup of coffee and she was like a new person.

18.0

On the genetic testing front - great that we don't have any trisomies (no down's syndrome) or any other chromosomal abnormalities, but still waiting on the MD verdict. Cells were sent out last Monday, so results could take up to 3 weeks from then - but could come back at anytime too. . . Hoping sooner rather than later!

18.0

I like things a lot better when I'm happy and feeling well too. This weekend was a great one.

Today was a glorious day off from work. Great weather, great to not work. BUT, I realized that I am going to have to do something about not having pants that fit anymore.

A trip to Target made me realize that finding something that won't make me look like a clown might be harder than I had thought it would be. What is wrong with people who make maternity clothes? Like it's ok to make crappy stuff that doesn't fit right AT ALL and still charge people up the bum? And what is up with only short people being pregnant? All the items on ebay seem to only have 30" inseams. . . I may get brave enough to try something from Old Navy, but they don't have anything in store (like maternity wear is a dirty secret), so trying things on is impossible. I suppose I could go to a boutique online shop and pay $100+ for a pair of maternity jeans (which may or may not fit) that I'll wear 6-9 mos. . . Hmm. I might just have to go unbuttoned (and eventually unzipped, I suppose) throughout.

All the somber stuff...

KB is such a thrill when she's feeling well. Yesterday was headaches (tension as I suspected after the doctor told us it might be a tension headache) And I felt helpless to do anything about it.

Backrubs are in order (gently please)

And no beets, thank you.

I cannot force her to eat her vegetables according to Hoffmann.

Later,

Got a decent movie, nice indian food and had a blast.

thank you, boo, for coming back. I missed you.

Genetic testing

it's underway after the amnio. and we got some results back after a week. So far so good. No Trisomy 21. Neither me nor KB are carriers for cystic fibrosis. that is good news. still waiting for mmd results

and the couvades continues

weak bladder. Finicky food tastes? I'm not liking this. Dogs are doing great though. Doesn't phase Ben at all. Geli has been a little needy though. hmmm

15.5

Feeling a little yucky today. . . sore throat and acid reflux do not go well together. And a headache. The complaints never end! I am feeling fat. Not pregnant, fat. Ugh!

BR will be here this evening, so that should make everything better. . .

15.3

BR came up on Tuesday night to stay with me in Laramie. That was very nice. It gets lonely by myself, and it' always more fun with him there. We were all one big happy family. He left Geli up here, so now it's me and the pups until he returns on Friday. We should manage OK. I have a sore throat this morning - hope it's not something coming on. . .

15.1 Later. . .

The baby got hungry and made me go to Qdoba for a pulled pork burrito. I really didn't want to go. I tried to resist, but the baby made me do it. . . at 10:30. Sorry El Zarrape - the baby insisted on Qdoba. Followed by a large hot chocolate.

15.1

Emotional hormones must have hit hard yesterday - but why so suddenly? I cried 5 times. . . I cried when I left for work (because I didn't want to go to work). I cried when I arrived at work (because I didn't want to be at work). I cried at lunch time (???). I cried after work (because I hate mice). And finally I cried after talking to BR on the phone b/c he was a jerk, and I was a jerk. Grr. My eyes hurt today. I am tired.

proposed names

nope.....would give a way the sex.

neener neener neener

Sex

Yes...we know the sex. neener neener neener.

George

Ysterday in Denver to the Genetic Councelor; Julie. And George. What a talker. needs to work on his phelobotomy skills but he knew his stuff about amnio.

Room (womb) colors

Still way undecided, but thinking green and brown. none of this blue and yellow crap (except maybe a blue ceiling)

Welcome to this verdant world is what I'm thinking.

14.0

After many weeks of complaining about, well, shall we say, tootsie rolls (?), I now find myself with the opposite dilemma. What did I eat to deserve this? Hmm. In any case, it isn't very pleasant, and I am waxing nostalgic for more. . . regular. . . times.

Just a few days to amnio - not exactly looking forward to that whole gig, but at least we will find out if the bun has any chromosomal abnormalities. We are just hoping for the best, and hoping for some peace of mind. It has really been stressful for me.

Started knitting a baby blanket in organic naturally colored cotton. Very soft and I like the colors a lot. We'll post some pix as I work on it!

13.6 (?)

The transition womb (room) plans in progress.

• Concept
• Color scheme
• Furniture (Crib, rocking chair)
  
• Drapery
• Lighting
• Research specs on crib and rocking chair
  

Still trying to figure out where we are in terms pregnancy week. By last menstrual cycle we are 14 weeks plus, by fetus size we are 13 weeks and 6 days - that is what I propose to go with. . .

Heard the baby's heartbeat by doppler ultrasound yesterday at our appointment. Bob was also there :). We could also hear my heartbeat and so it was like we were our own family beat machine - all we needed was Bob's guitar to make a very nice tune. Unfortunately he forgot to bring it to the appointment. (and he takes that dang thing everywhere). . .

Haven't gained any weight - but they don't seem too worried about it. Suggested to drink whole milk - which I am already doing. . . Perhaps I will pack on the pounds in the coming weeks.

12.3

I have indulged in the occasional coffee - and yes, it does feel good. I could do it more, but mostly it just isn't that appealing. The post-coffee vibrancy definitely feels great, but the coffee itself hasn't been too attractive to me. It is starting to be a little better!

Now on to the real topic. Pudge. What the heck is up with just looking like I packed a peck of jello under my skin? I don't really think I look pregnant - just chubby. That is a little annoying. I guess I should be thankful b/c it makes keeping the secret easier. I really wouldn't mind keeping it mum until after genetic testing results are back. Then we can just blab out - we're expecting, the baby is a (insert sex), and doesn't have MD, Down's, or any of the other chromosomal abnormalities that we can test for. That would be ideal.

I still have bouts of feeling unwell, am still pretty tired a lot, and am often hungry. BUT, I did manage to make it through the entire night without having to get up to pee! WooHoo!

Anyway, that's about it for now!

12.2

KB back to Laramie and tired right off the bat. Last week she called me and she was in such good spirits (it was good to have her back) and then she told me that she had a coffee with LArry.

Can one really hurt?

I suggested that on the days she drives to Laramie, she should have a small cup before taking off. That's only a bit every few days. how bad can that be?

12.1

Week 12. The odds of miscarriage are declining. KB says that REALLY the first tri-mester is over at week 13, so we are using THAT as a guide.

Pretty great weekend, Energy levels good, provided frequent rests.

Oh yeah...and we roasted a Turkey

Almost forgot...we did first hour of Yoga. Wow, did we look like idiots.

But I can see it helping.

kb? thoughts?

KB is also transitioning off of the carbs, but any remote smell of veggies is grossing her our. (cooked and apparent rotten ones). She had Chipotle and shared with me and it promptly made my bowels a disarray.

Y isn't she liking healthy stuff. (the beans and fresh tomato sauce were pretty good too)

ups and downs continue

man! crazy week for me at work. KB feeling great one day and lousy the next.

What a sucky thing!

11.2

BR is right - I am feeling more energetic and somewhat better. Still bouts of not feeling so hot, but hey, it's MUCH improved. Also still trying to take naps, or at least lie down at lunch. Had a killer headache last night - but have maintained not taking any pain relief so far.

Last week I had to set the Dr's office straight on what testing I actually needed - they tried to schedule me for a first trimester sequential screening, but know already that I am planning on doing amnio in week 15 or 16, so it would have been a completely unecessary test. Luckily I said something, and got myself and BR scheduled with a genetic couselor in Sept instead. Apparently, they had a nurse unfamiliar with my case take care of the scheduling - and they then called to apologize. That coupled with the missed early pregnancy class was enough to make me reconsider my choice in Dr. offices for awhile! In any case, I am happy that it worked out without having to have extra tests, and I think we will stick it out for a little longer anyway.

This last weekend was by far the most enjoyable I have had in the last month. Thank goodness. Thank BR too! I love just hanging out!

weekend events

Great weekend overall. Had to take sufficient breaks (even me) but overall KB feeling better. Lots of saliva still (and I am still trying to get her to spit like a man! :) but a quick stock of saltines seems to do the trick.

Cravings? Carbs on the agenda for KB and that is fine by me. We had a simple pasta with fresh sauce of tomato (friends house), garlic (from the CSA) and chopped fresh parsley. What more could anyone want. And it hit the spot for both of us. The cheesy garlic bread helped. I threw in some zuchini fritters and we had a nice round healthy meal for all involved. At least it wasn't KFC.

Later we had more carbs in the way of a simple margherita pizza with that same yummy sauce.

Never left the house Sunday other than to walk the doggies who seem to need more attention than ever. (Ben seemed like he had a chip on his shoulder about this whole thing too) that said, they got more play time since KB was feeling more energenic. Yay.


I'm wiped.

week nine for the papparazi

 

10.1

Beginning of 10th week. I had a second prenatal doctor's visit last Friday. It seems everything is just fine. They say my due date (based on menstrual cycle) is 7 March, 2009, but that I am probably actually due closer to 14 March based on the size of things. In any case, these last 4 weeks have been the longest I can remember in my entire life. I must say I feel physically better most of the time - still tired and hungry and with some bouts of nausea, but somewhat better. I have had some pretty severe insomnia - I sleep well until about 1:30 or 2, then wake up and can't sleep for another 2 hours or so. That really makes getting up at 5:30 hard. BUT, even worse than that is that for some reason today the emotional hormones have hit like a ton of bricks. Up until today I have not really understood the comments about being overly emotional - but man, today sucks. I could cry at the drop of a hat! It doesn't help that my employment just keeps adding tasks that I have to take on, but won't get any credit for financially or in my annual rating. I am tired of being a doormat. Or maybe that is just the hormones talking. . .

pre week 9

KB back on the road and up to Laramie. Not without a bout of feeling like crap it seems. me? I'm just tired. I can't seem to take my usual power naps and at night if I do fall asleep, I wake in a start after just a few minutes, then can't get back to sleep. KB had that at about 2:30 she told me. not good for all involved, including the plus.

Tootsie Rolls for KB

Don't ask

Sunday. week 8.5

Saliva is back (after a brief absence) and kb is taking to spitting like I suggested.

mostly every thing is in disarray. KB seems a little spacey. We got several huge grasses from the neighbor (taking them out for a dog run and we are the lucky recipients of them) KB walked right by them and didn't even see em. hmm amongst other incidents.

KB still tired but frequency a bit longer between bouts.

me? no idea.

Are these dreams normal?

no details, but having a series of nasty dreams that leave me a bit shaken (and they tend to wake me up and keep me up)

hmmmm

kb appears to be feeling better today and lucky dog, got gen-u-ine chinese food at a colleagues house tonite after soccer. good for her.

off to nod. more this weekend.

Tues. 5 August (Week 8.1)

The funk hit me on Sunday. A wave of fear that everything is changing and I have no control. Bobo's been tracking with me quite closely.

I told my immediate supervisor today - she was actually quite receptive and very positive. I actually think she might keep it a secret. Yay. I was very nervous - always expecting the worst possible response.

My newest irritant is excess saliva. What is up with that? It really grosses me out (not to mention making any nausea 10x worse). I may take Bobo's suggestion to carry around an old soda bottle or plastic cup to spit in like a tobacco chewer. Not really. That is just gross. My current remedies are: 1. continuously eat saltine crackers (I'm tempted to see how many I can eat in 5 minutes - wasn't there some crazy kid thing where it was impossible to eat more than 10 saltines in a certain time limit b/c your mouth just gets too dry?), 2. suck on ginger candies, 3. spit, or 4. just suck it up and swallow. Grrrrrrrrr...

a tad bit of depression

Not sure if KB is feeling it, but I am. Mostly about work, a little about the change due to come.

But, we can't let that get in the way of this.

KB just dropped carrots from the list. The beets have had it. Poor beets. At least I'm still eating them.

We bought a bottle of pre-natal vitamins over the weekend. Good stuff. Dissolved in water pretty quickly. I tried the dissolved version while kb stuck to the pill form. she was right. it was a nasty as it looked.

Club 4 defined

Even the dogs are really in the collective mode. They want to hang out with us (sometimes annoying closely, I might add) all the time.

It's a good thing, Martha

Couvade Syndrome

Happy that I get to have a similiar effect of pregnancy experience.

but it sucks

Sucks @$$.

they say it's not a fully physchological effect either. Spending lots of time with pregnant partner can have hormonal changes.



Couvee- French to hatch

oh yeah, and with every child a couple has increases their propensity for obesity by 4 percent.

Incubation (?) 7.1

Well, one week since the appt. . . now at approximately 7 weeks 1 day. . . crazy! What was the size of a kernal of corn is now supposedly doubled in size.

Had to travel to Maryland for work - and tell collaborators here that I can't work in their BSL-3. . . Haven't told my work yet, but will have to - especially since my trip has now been cut short! I am dreading this. Once I tell one person - even a supervisor who SHOULD keep it mum, I don't think it will be quiet for long.

And then there is the twinge of guilt about not telling family and friends. . . But what if it just doesn't end up happening as planned?

Still feeling very tired. And actually, chunky! I know I'm not supposed to worry about that, but I feel more bloated than anything.

At least some bloatings are being appreciated by Bob. . .

7.27.2008

Still Lazy, Still tired.

Ultra Sonic

 

Thursday

As of the visit on Tuesday, doc says he thinks we are 6 weeks + 1 day. . . so today is 6.3!!

The M&M has a visible heartbeat. Crazy. Our little salamander. Aren't we proud?

The main gripe I have is hunger and fatigue. I. am. exhausted. and. hungry.

Bobo is the best!

Feeling better

Met with Doctor Hoffman today and we have an ultrasound. Little M&M.

KB is feeling better and even made Taco's tonite (and they hit the spot for both of us)

Time for bed.

Great Expectations

Our chosen guide book; Great Expectations.

And it's funny too.

Has anyone ever heard of the Sperm Peloton??

Club2 x 2 tonite

KB in laramie tonite. She told me several times how tired she feels today.

Folic acid needs too. Good thing we are eating all of those greens.

07.23.2008 Take 3

Three times with the home pregnancy test (just to be sure) Last one was Saturday (early) morning and came back positive, again. Aren't they 99.5 percent accurate??

To the doc next on Tuesday 7.23.08

Beauty

KB simply looks beautiful (if a bit tired)

Dill-emna

Dill is on the outs for the moment. It's good to witness the heightened sense of smell (and bad in someways as the lentil soup gave ME a little gas)

Anyway...all of the dill is out of the house (or in the freezer) Really grossed KB out.

sorry Dill

Reptiles

We read today that we should stay away from reptiles during pregnancy. In week 4 of Great Expectations, they describe the embryo as being like a newt.

hmmmm. maybe our newt will keep it's tail if we are around reptiles.

Club4Plus...

Stardate 07.16.2008


Beginnings