Belly Shot Chronicles - 31 Weeks

Another week down. Another week closer. I love it!

This week I am delighting you with not just a belly shot, but also a "shot from behind". As you are probably aware, every once in awhile I sneak some other form of crappy photo in, and I surely hope you enjoy it! This week you get the pleasure of viewing the tattoo. Fun, right!

Still growing. All is as it all should be.

Note: Almost forgot to mention, but I am flying back "home" to Chicago tomorrow. My mom and sister are hosting my baby shower on Saturday. So, if the blog isn't updated as much as it usually is...that is because I am basking in the heat and humidity of the IL plains. I will return on Sunday.

Labor Basics and the New Philosophy

I willingly, albeit sadly, bow down to my lovely. You were right. You are right. You will always be right. How could I ever doubt you? I mean, really?

Labor Basics class sucked. We don't need no stinkin' labor basics class!

I signed up for both my breastfeeding class and the labor basics class with the hope that they would inform me and better prepare me for those scary and miraculous days yet to come. The breastfeeding class lived up to every expectation I had, and I was not disappointed in the least. The instructor was not a breastfeeding Nazi, but she certainly did shed light on all of the different aspects of feeding baby: the how to's and whys of it all...what can go wrong and why it will and how to fix it...and so much more. She was a consummate professional, and I give her a ton of credit. Job well done. Even the husbands (you know, the ones who actually attended) thought the class was nothing short of excellent.

Moving on to Labor Basics. I forced my husband to go. I did. You don't want to go to the wonderful and awe-inspiring breastfeeding class? Fine! But...you ARE going to Labor Basics, damn it! Well, might as well have just opened up my mouth and started chewing on my foot right then and there instead of being the pressurizing wifey that I was.

Did I mention that the Labor Basics class sucked???

First off, our L&D nurse / instructor apparently is not capable of separating her personal from her professional life. Quite a liability if you ask me. She started off class complaining about a fight (regarding some baseball game or championship) that she had gotten into with her oldest son. This spawned itself into a rant about arguing with children and how miserable children can be...really, we should just wait...but, alas, we will all know soon enough! Ummm...nice way to pump up a class of first time expectant parents. You know, make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside about the journey upon which we are about to embark. I could just feel the heat coming off of my spouse as he was trying to use his mind to cause this woman to spontaneously combust so he would not have to listen to another minute of her. No such luck. He hasn't honed in on that particular power just yet. Damn it!

About 10 minutes into the class (which was just text being read verbatim off of a projected computer screen, which was also text that was taken verbatim from the booklets sitting in front of us, all of which was apparently text taken verbatim from the video that we had to watch at the very end) this nurse / instructor abrubtly stopped and said, "excuse me...I need to take five"...and she rushed out of the room. We just sat there frozen. We thought, maybe she was sick? Or really had to pee? Or, perhaps she had a female emergency? Well, no...those would have all actually been perfectly justifiable reasons for pardoning herself from a class for which we spent $70 and for which we gave up our evenings. Her reason? The thought of what was going on with her son overwhelmed her / got the better of her / caused her to have a mini-meltdown, and she needed a break. Great. Did I mention that she works in L&D at the hospital where we are going to be delivering??? I hope she is NOT my nurse, and if she is, I hope to catch her on a GOOD DAY!!! My god!!!

No point in going on any further about the class. We learned nothing. It really was labor BASICS (thank goodness, though, for the girl with the 12 year old's mentality sitting next to me who I am not even sure if she is aware of how she became pregnant in the first place let alone knows anything about being pregnant or labor and delivery!). So, guaranteed, I know my lovely will NOT be back for round 2 on Wednesday night where epidurals, C-sections, and post-partum depression will be discussed. I am also pretty sure that the wife of lovely will be skipping class as well.

I think I have come to the conclusion that adopting the "just wing it" philosophy from my husband is the best course of action. Why not? Really, he has a point. Professionals will be there every step of the way: directing us to the right floor of the hospital, telling us when I am in active labor, telling us what to do at every stage of labor, telling me when to breathe and push, telling my husband when to be in the way or when to get out of it. No one is going to leave us alone to do this on our own. And, no one can really predict how our labor and delivery will play out. No amount of preparation can prepare you for such an unknown scenario. And, from what EVERY mother out there tells me...absolutely NOTHING can prepare you for the pain that labor and delivery brings with it. It is far worse than anything you are capable of imagining. So, I am done.

Lovely? Are you listening? You win. Let's just be our natural excited adventursome selves sprinkeld with perhaps just a bit of well-balanced naivete'...and let's JUST WING IT!!!

Happy Father-to-be Day!

Today I just want to share with you all, once again, what a special person my husband is. He is a strong, confident, and funny man...a wonderful spouse...and I just know he is going to be an amazing daddy to our little girl. Batman already thinks he is the best daddy in the world, and for good reason. Dogs don't lie about feelings like that. Trust me.

The below tribute to my lovely is taken from the very first post I ever put on this blog. It was something I wrote and framed for him as a gift before we were even married. My feelings haven't changed, and I just want to honor my best friend on this special day. A short time ago we weren't sure that we would ever be lucky enough to "celebrate" holidays like this one, so it is certainly all the sweeter this year with our precious Finnley on the way.


Matt -

Thank you for continually speaking your mind and your heart - it melts me.
Thank you for loving me in a way that I have never experienced before and that I don't think I could ever experience with anyone else.
Thank you for being silly and for being serious.
Thank you for knowing exactly why I smile or giggle, even though I have not said a word.
Thank you for listening to me when I vent.
Thank you for laughing at me and poking fun at me when I pout or complain.
Thank you for having your eyes speak everything that my heart feels.
Thank you for just being in my life and for wanting me in yours.
I love you....

- Megan

A Vomitous String of Thoughts

I have nothing big to say, but lots of little things...so I thought I would just spew them out in bits. Here you go!

A scarily bright and shiny object appeared in the South Jersey sky this morning. I wasn't sure if I should fear this heady foreign blob or embrace it. I decided to just stare out the window and take in how it bounced off of the numerous puddles in the street. It didn't last long. Turns out there was nothing to fear. It disappeared so quickly. I wonder if I will ever see it again.

Little Miss Finnley had the hiccups this morning. At least I think she did. I had gotten up to pee at 5am (4th time since hitting the sheets last night), and when I layed back down, there was this persistent and consistent "thump" in my belly. It felt like a little kick but with not much behind it. And, it happened every 3 seconds or so...in perfect rhythm...and lasted about 5 minutes. During that time she had two very funny episodes of spastic random activity. Interesting.

Outside of the apparent hiccup episode, Miss Finnely also did something else new and interesting. I think her movements are just becoming more constricted but more pronounced. It felt like someone had a rolling pin pushing and moving across my innards on the right hand side of my upper uterus. Then, all of a sudden...SUCKER PUNCH! It really was the strangest sensation. I just hope she is amusing herself in there.

I am again going to play "single" mom at my breastfeeding class this evening. My lovely is so stinkin' proud of himself for NOT going. I must take one for the team, though, and go. I really would like to learn something about my growing milk cache and how it can potentially be put to good use after the baby arrives. Any information will certainly arm me with more than I currently have, so it can't hurt, right?

Some people tell me that I am "nesting" because of the work that I have been doing in Finnley's nursery. Nesting? I don't know if I would call it that. I really would call it my already obsessive-compulsive need to organize EVERYTHING in my life and my house simply spilling over into another room of our dwelling. Things need a place. The open floor is not a good place, in my opinion. So, we now have canvas boxes and bins and storage thingys-galore. Hooray! It was a necessity given my upcoming baby shower in Chicago next weekend. There will now be a GOOD place to put things when I somehow manage to get them home.

Lastly, I am just gearing up for Father's Day weekend. My lovely and I will be in the VIP box at the Jimmy Buffett concert on Saturday night...very fun! My lovely might also be attending the US Open on Saturday morning / afternoon. Too long of a drive for me given that the chance of rain is 50 to 70% the ENTIRE day. I will pass and stay home for that. Who knows what Sunday will bring. Lots to be thankful for this Father's Day, though. I know that much for sure.

So, that is my diatribe for the day.

Belly Shot Chronicles - 30 Weeks!

Holy Crap! I cannot believe that I am 30 weeks. That just feels like another important milestone. It was certainly a big deal moving into the third trimester, but hitting 30 weeks really makes it feel like we are narrowing in on the home stretch. NOT narrowing in is my abundant belly. As you can certainly see...even through the grainy photography. Such is the life of a pregnant chick!

Pregnant Air Travel Haiku

Flying while preggo.
Airline to worry? Hell yeah!!!
Fear is good for them.


I am sure to be a bit nervous, too...but worrying never helped anything did it?? Nah. Or is it that worrying ALWAYS HELPS EVERYTHING?? I always get those things confused! So, I am just going to get on that big old plane a week from this Thursday and fly my semi-firm yet rotund ass back on home to Chicago to see my family and friends. It would be rude for me to miss my own baby shower, wouldn't it? Even if I am going to be flying while 31 weeks-scarily-pregnant? Indeed. It would be rude. Life is all about challenge, experience, and perseverance...right? I am sure to take in all three during my adventure. Get me to that party, bring on the games that everyone loathes, and...most importantly...just be sure to feed the fat lady in the corner some cake!

Note: Below is my mother's response to this particular post. Clarifying? Yes. However, she does fail to realize that at least half of the flight attendants are gay men...and I doubt many have delivered their own baby. With that being said...I am letting her have a voice. Just for today.

#1 The fat lady better not be sitting in the corner. She needs to sit in the middle by all of her friends and gifts.

#2 There will be no games that everyone loathes. There will be no games. Period.

#3 Flight attendants have delivered babies before...or most have. Usually their own.

#4 Not only will there be cake (plenty for the fat lady) but there will be fruit, snacks and wine (but no wine for the fat lady!)

#5 If said fat lady wants to be picked up at the airport, she needs to get the pertinent information to those who would be willing to pick her up. (One of them willing even come to baggage claim and help with the fat lady's suitcase)

Murphy's Law

We have all heard of Murphy's Law. We all know that Murphy is out to screw us on a regular basis. I am one of his favorite "customers". So...I worry.

I worry that my husband has necessary business travel starting on August 11th. Originally this travel was supposed to start on August 17th...GULP! My lovely managed to get that backed up a week, at least. Granted, the travel is not THAT far away...as it will start in Philly, then head to Pittsburgh, and work its way back to South Jersey.

HOWEVER. I am due August 26th. And, being one of Murphy's favorite "customers", it really just sets me up to go into labor anytime beginning on August 11th...or during the remainder of my lovely's road trip. I can just see driving myself while in labor...fending off contractions while trying to steer somewhat within my own lane...all while desperately trying not to get pulled over as a possible DUI suspect...willing myself to the hospital in one piece...and calling my lovely to meet me there as soon as it is humanly possible.

The only things really working in our favor here are the fact that first time moms GENERALLY go into labor later rather than sooner in regards to their due dates. And, first time moms GENERALLY have a long labor.

Murphy could give a crap about first time mom generalities, though...

I already feel him stalking me from a not too distant location just waiting to pounce and make his blasted move. Damn that Murphy and his stinkin' law! I plan to show him up JUST this ONE time! I can resolve that to happen, right??? I guess we will know soon enough!

So, let me know if you see Murphy around. Just so I can be better prepared. By "prepared" I mean I can carry a big stick with me or something...you know...to beat the shit out of him and lay him up just until after my lovely returns home in August. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

"Single" Mom

Today was the first of our big days to come...our hospital maternity tour. I have had this particular event scheduled for at least two months. They (you know, the ever elusive "they") mentioned that the tours fill up very quickly, so I wanted to make sure that we didn't miss out. The first time I scheduled the tour, my husband informed me that we couldn't go on the day I had chosen...that it conflicted with the already scheduled 50th anniversary party for my inlaws. Darn it, but...ok! The inlaws win (as they should)! So, I sheepishly called up the coordinator at the hospital to see if I could switch over to another date. No real big deal. Prior to doing this, though, I ran the next best available date of June 13th past my lovely. He checked his schedule and told me to go ahead and book it...no plans. Done! The coordinator helped me out, and we got it all squared away.

Move forward about one week. My lovely mentions to me that his annual national dealer meeting has been scheduled for the middle of June. When giving specifics...as you might have already guessed...the business trip was to fall over the weekend of June 13th. Uggh! Well, I couldn't change the tour date to August because it might be too late for a tour by then. And, I didn't want to change it to May because that was just too early. The lovely's brilliant suggestion? Go alone. Pretend that I am a single mother. And, go alone. To be certain, I would NOT be the only "single" mom attending the tour. There would be others. He assured me. He was very proud of himself for first weasling his way out of our upcoming breastfeeding class, and now here he was managing to escape the hospital tour as well. (shit-eating grin on his face all the while) FINE!!!

So, what did I do today? I sucked it up, put on my big-girl panties, and I went to the hospital as a "single" mom. And, to ease my worries about being the only one there without a mate...upon entering the waiting room I saw that there were several other people there by themselves, right? NO!!! I was THE only "single" mom there! Where were all of the irresponsible pregnant women who got knocked up without a life partner and had to attend these classes alone...or with a parent or friend instead??? Huh?? Huh?? They must have been hiding today because they certainly weren't in my group!

Don't worry about me, though. I was fine. I kept my chin held way up high over my burgeoning belly, and I walked those hospital floors like I owned the place. Or something like that.

To my husband's credit, I know that he was right in saying that he really and truly did NOT "need" to be there for the parade of preggos. That when I do happen to go into labor AND when he pulls up to the Emergency Room door AND when he marches his plump wife into the hospital AND when he tells whomever will listen that said plump wife is ready to have her baby...SOMEONE will surely point him in the right direction. He don't need no stinkin' tour!!!

So, my lovely...no tour for you. And, your "single" mom wife survived.

Simple note to the lovely, though:
YOU WILL BE GOING TO THE TWO LABOR BASICS CLASSES EVEN IF IT IS THE DEATH OF YOU!!! I SWEAR IT!!! I AM PREGNANT WOMAN!!! HEAR ME ROAR!!!

The Hotel Mirror and the Ugly Truth

I have heard tales about the second trimester being blissful. And then I have heard how all hell breaks loose in the third trimester. Well, I personally cannot vouch for the expected or apparent blissfulness, but I can certainly say "here here" to the "all hell breaking loose" fiasco.

The third trimester is jam-packed full of ugly truths.

Just the other day I managed to follow my husband in a two car caravan to Washington D.C. It really isn't that bad of a drive from where we live. Only about 2.5 hours. Given that Finnley had rearranged herself in her snuggly womb-motel and was causing me extreme discomfort every time I took a step, 2.5 hours of sitting in a car and NOT walking actually sounded appealing to me. I was ecstatic for the break from the pain.

Eventually when we arrived at the (oh my god how totally freakin' luxurious and picturesque of a) hotel, I did have to find my legs again. The legs were never the problem, though, at least in comparison to my new found pains. This new pain radiated from my lower left abdomen, up and through my hip bone, around my side and to the back of my hip bone, and up my side to the back of my rib cage. The pain is somewhat comparable to gas or ovulation pains...but multiplied to the point when every step sort of makes you gasp and grab your side. My pain only passed for brief periods of about 30 seconds at a time. I found myself walking fast at those junctures just to try to cover more ground without pain. Later, in speaking to my nurse, I discovered that new hell I was experiencing was caused by Finnley moving into a position where she was resting on a bundle of nerves attached to my round ligament. In addition, I was probably also having Braxton-Hicks contractions. Well, I wouldn't know a contraction of any kind if it hit me square in the pie-hole...so, I just took her word for it.

So, pain. There is one ugly truth. That new pain goes along with the SPD pain that you are all probably already familiar with from my exacerbated musings on the subject. I won't bore you more with that. Luckily, the new pain decided to take a hiatus today...hopefully because Finnley has readjusted herself into a more favorable (for mommy) position. I do not raise my hands in victory, though...as at any moment, another new pain could be born.

More ugly truths. The hotel mirror. not. my. friend. At our quaint little home in South Jersey, I only have access to mirrors that conveniently expose me mostly to my upper quarters. I can deal with that. I still pretty much look like me from the shoulders up...not too much swelling or puffiness. I generally don't take the time to contort myself into positions where I can catch other angles of my current physique. Stepping out of the shower at the hotel, however, and into the light of the full length mirror right outside the door...now that was a cruel mistake. What the hell is that????? HOW CAN I HAVE A BLUE VARICOSE VEIN THE SIZE OF TEXAS RUNNING RAGGED DOWN THE BACK OF MY LEG??? Why didn't I know about this before??? How will I survive such an unsightly beast living on MY body after the baby comes? Will I ever recover from this travesty? Oh, one can only hope. I have already pleaded my case to my fiscally responsible husband, and I want to have this "thing" taken care of as soon as I can after Finnley arrives...but in his eyes it will all depend on the money factor. No sum can be too large to rid our lives of "this thing", can it??? Really. This. must. go!!!!!

Ugly truth revisited. I have spoken about my literal "pain in the ass" issues previously. I am sure that most would like to skim right over those writings. That is fine. I don't blame you. But, this is my reality. At least somewhere in the midst of every week, I still feel like I have a bag of marbles hanging out of my ass. There. I said it. Disgusted? Too friggin' bad. Sometimes these marbles hurt. Sometimes they are just there. Either way, they suck.

A final truth for the day. I have started producing / secreting colostrum. Not in any mass quantities. Not in a leaky mess. It is simply there waiting to become more of a hinderance in the coming weeks. Now, I know...this hinderance will also allow me to nourish my baby in just a few short months. I get that. Really, I do. Sure, it is a beautiful thing. Agreed. But, couldn't the colustrum come right at the very last days of pregnancy...followed by the milk not coming until the very second the baby is born??? Nawww...that would allow us dignity!

We pregnant folk are not about dignity.

I have resigned to the fact that "WE" are all about ugly truths.

Not often shared...but all too often experienced.

Belly Shot Chronicles - 29 Weeks

Another glorious belly photo on another glorious Wednesday morning! Enjoy! Off to DC with Matt to get a "private" tour of the White House tomorrow. Fun! I am sure Finnley will love it!

Additional update: the lab just called, and I PASSED my one hour glucose test. Yay, me! Sadly, though, it came back that I AM anemic. Stupid me! Not a suprise, really. I am borderline anemic on a regular basis, so pregnancy would easily tip the scales in the negative direction. I am to start on Slow Fe capsules once a day...at a different time than my prenatal is taken. No big deal.

Leg Cramp Haiku

She learned the hard way
"Heels" no good in pregnancy
Leg cramp hell ensues


*and, they weren't even real "heels", per se. damn it! they were just loafers with a big chunky heel. oh well...guess it is flats from here on out to save myself the trouble. and, to clarify, this is not part of the haiku...as that would break all the rules and be the worst haiku EVER. but, I had to elaborate. that is just me!

Poked, Shot, and Poked again!

Today was my "28 week" OB appointment. Although, if we are being technical (which I always am), I am really 28 weeks and 5 days along.

This appointment was a really "fun" one. It started out with me visiting the lab and the friendly neighborhood phlebotomist. I had 3 vials of blood drawn (for a HIV test, an anemia test, and for something else that is so important that I totally forgot what it was). The phlebotomist had me squeezing a squishy baseball, and she told me that I had "great veins and 'workout arms'". Well, I could have just kissed her! She, while drawing my blood, actually started asking ME for weight lifting and workout advice. Imagine that! I was quite happy to oblige, after being fed those wonderful compliments...a pregnant woman's food for everything good!

After getting bandaged up, I was given my orange "glu-cola" to drink for my mandatory one hour glucose test. It tasted like semi-cold, flat, overly-sweetened Fanta orange soda. I mean REALLY HORRENDOUSLY overly-sweetened flat Fanta orange soda. Now, I hate drinking sweet things to begin with, so this was not a good time for me. However, it really wasn't too awful considering the amount of liquid I had to consume probably equated to about 8 ounces. I think it took me less than two minutes to force it down. In my humble opinion, I sucked it up like a champ!

The glu-cola binging was followed by my acutal OB appointment. I continued on my "rounds" of doctors...this is the 3rd OB I have seen, outside of also seeing 2 of the nurse / midwives. Hopefully by doing this rotation I WILL actually recognize the face that delivers me!

Anyway...the nurse took me back and weighed me first. Ummm...I was utterly shocked to find out that I had only gained 1.5 pounds over the last four weeks. WHAT???? There were times that I weighed myself in the most recent weeks that showed that I was up (gulp!) 4 pounds. I figured that today I would be up about 5 or 6, for sure. So, not sure if it was about water retention, or lighter-weight summery clothing, or what...but, whatever!!! I will take it. That puts my weight gain at a grand total of 16.5 pounds for the pregnancy to date. I am measuring (or my uterus is measuring) exactly right on track for this point in the pregnancy, so there are no issues or concerns there. Blood pressure was a wonderul 112 / 66. (Kudos to me. Pat on the back. I rock!) Heartbeat for the baby was great. All is still right with the world.

Lastly, for this portion of my appointment, I had to receive an intramuscular injection of RhoGAM...given my status of being Rh-. It was not a fun shot, and it was a full 3 CCs...so, it did hurt going in. I survived (sniff, sniff) and then afterward managed to completely bleed through my band-aid. Luckily I am wearing all black on the bottom today, so no one else was wise to that fact.

Following the OB face time, I had to sit myself back in the waiting room with my little timer to wait out the rest of my one hour "sentence". I took a book along, so that really wasn't too tough a task. After the "ding", I was able to go back and see my new best friend the phlebotomist. She had to use my other arm to draw one more vial of blood for the glucose test. During that time she asked for more weight lifting advice (how many reps...how many sets...etc.). Quite funny, I must admit. After that, she sent me on my merry way! She told me that they will only call if I failed the test, so no news is good news. Let's hope for no calls from them on Wednesday or Thursday this week!

I am scheduled to go back on July 6th for my 32 week ultrasound and OB appointment. Yay, another ultrasound! And, yay, no needles at that visit!!! At that point in time I will have to start going back every TWO weeks instead of every FOUR. I think I will feel like I am "close" when I get to that next step. Looking forward to it!

"Really Juicy" Couture

We are back from our babymoon on the East Coast and are now awaiting the arrival of my inlaws for the weekend. Maine was beautiful and peaceful...and our time there was probably too short. But, such is life in the fast lane. We managed to squeeze in an afternoon in Manhattan on our way back home to South Jersey. The weather held for us, so that was a pleasant surprise. We spent the day walking around 5th Avenue and Rockefeller Plaza, and we topped the day off by partaking in an amazing dinner at Bobby Flay's new venture: Bar Americain. Ohhhh, I am still swimming with thought over the luscious filet which was followed up by some dreamy toasted almond creme brulee. I give that place 4 stars, thankyouverymuch!

I am most pleased to announce after this trip, however, that, although Matt and I are very close to realizing our dream of becoming parents, our senses of humor and reeling use of sarcasm have not waned one iota. In fact, I fear that they have become worse...I know, is that even possible???

Since we apparently still live in junior high, we couldn't help ourselves from taking the above picture of my "lovely" while at Juicy Couture on 5th Avenue. I mean...when you pose a mannequin like that in plain view...you really are just asking for it, aren't you? Sure, we could have been like all of the other banal people who just walked right on by so that they could eagerly peruse the highly overpriced merchandise on display...but what fun would that be? I think the Juicy mannequin enjoyed herself, and I know we certainly did. We will be giggling about that one for days!

Now, back to South Jersey...and back to reality. Whatever...

Belly Shot Chronicles - 28 Weeks!!

Well, this is it...we are now embarking on the third trimester! Ta-dahhhhh! This week's belly shot is horrendous due to the fact that we are on vacation...it is a self mirror shot (as always)...and I do not have my normal editing tools from Picasa. Oh well. You still get the general idea. The clothed belly shot is of Matt, myself, and Finnley enjoying our getaway to Maine! Aren't we too cute???

The Odd Couple

A glimpse into our first 24 hours of vacation.

The drive

out the door, in the car, on the road by 8:30am

first stop? 9:30am. agenda? pee and get snacks/drinks. Megan gets a 12 oz. V8 fusion drink. Matt gets wasabi peas and a diet Coke.

10am. Megan is already cursing the fact that she drank a 12 oz. ANYTHING. have to pee. Honey????

10:30am. stop to pee. Thanks, honey!

noonish time. Panera bread. Matt gets PB&J and chicken noodle soup. Megan gets a tuna sandwich. Back on the road in no time.

3pm. ALMOST (and I mean within a mile) to our destination! But, we need to stop so Matt can participate in his month-end wrap up conference call because nothing says vacation like a little work!

3:15pm. Matt's part is over. Call on mute. Continue to destination.

Destination - B&B

Meet up with the inlaws. Mother in law says I am not as big as she thought I would be. Father in law says I look pretty pregnant. Guess we will stay!

No more need to track time. We are on vacation.

Sit on deck overlooking river water that rises and falls with the tide twice a day. Call still on mute.

Call ends sometime this century. Matt can talk to his parents without background drivel.

Meet owners of B&B. Meet others staying at B&B. HUNGRYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! (Doesn't anyone notice the starving pregnant woman in the corner with an evil hunger in her eyes? Oh wait, her husband does!!!)

Food

cruise over to Noonan's for lobster.

Megan gets lobster salad. Matt gets TWO 1.25 pound Maine lobster. Who is eating for two??? hmmmm.

Ben and Jerry's is closed. Bastards! So are the other ice cream shops in town. Co-horts of Bastards! Ahhh...little general store is open and sells ice cream!

Megan gets Maine Tracks ice cream. Matt gets his old standby...plain chocolate.

Hunger has been satiated, then beaten with a huge stick, and finally buried somewhere in the proverbial yard of the B&B. ahhhhh!

Rest and Relaxation

Mother in law reads.

Father in law and Matt play gin. Matt beats up on father in law quite handily. My hero!

Megan plays on computer. Addict? Nahhhhh.

Bedtime

Matt and Megan cozy into the queen (where is our huge King size bed like at home?) bed.

Feels like third person in bed with us given pregnancy pillows. Sure husband is amused!

Matt turns on TV. Ghostbusters is on! Fun!

Mandatory channel changing and program searching begins.

Wait, honey...that is "The Little Couple" on TLC. Good show.

Matt grunts. Channel changing resumes.

Nothing is on, so Matt enables the remote to switch between ABC and TLC (wife wins!)

Matt groans. "...we're watching midgets while we are in too small of a bed on our vacation...ridiculous"

Megan laughs. "...this is ridiculous...and, they like to be called 'little people'..."

End of episode. Permission to change to ABC.

Megan realizes this is the Bob Woodruff special about the year 2100. "Honey, nobody likes to watch pessimistic futuristic stupid cartoons while on vacation."

Back to the already in progress next episode of the midgets. Doctor little person is conducting a seminar on medical simulation using a pregnant mannequin in the birthing / after birthing process.

Matt says, "...know what I would like to see? the mannequin pushing the baby out her butt." (cockeyed grin inserted here)

Megan says,"OMG...well, the LAST thing I would want to do is push a baby out my butt. and, not very realistic!"

Matt says, "...well, it would make for a good SIMULATION!"

Megan chokes on laughter, "...ok, so doctors need to be prepared because women could someday possibly be crapping out babies?"

Matt thinks and says, "maybe!"

Yes...this is what WE do on vacation.

Sleep or something like that

1:38am (time in the middle of the night is always important. not sure why, but it IS, damn it!) pregnant chick must uncomfortably roll out of bed to pee AGAIN.

6:22am. We are up. (Really???) Matt goes for run. Megan blogs.

So, this is a day in the life. Scared? Jealous? A little of both? Understandable. But, I do love our life, and I do love my husband for always making me laugh and for being just as weird as me...at home...on vacation...or wherever we are at. A beautiful thing, indeed.

Babymoon - Hiatus upon us

Everyone is well aware that following a wedding the happy couple heads off into paradise to celebrate there union on a honeymoon. Well, in a later stage of that union, that happy couple (who is now expecting their first child) tries to squeeze in a babymoon...or one last trip away prior to their lives being strangely and happily invaded. That time for THIS happy couple is right now!

Matt and I have had some variation of this trip planned for months. Over the course of time, those plans have morphed, shortened, and morphed again. What started out as a week away (with a couple of days spent with the inlaws in Maine...and then a couple of stops in Boston and NYC sans anyone else), has now become a brief trip that still involves meeting with the inlaws in Maine and then having an even more brief "layover" in NYC while on our way home. This layover is for us to take a break and have dinner at Bobby Flay's on our way home. Not too shabby! Hey, I really don't care. I am happy just to get a few days away with my husband. And, I am even happier to get some makeout time with some oh-so-lucsious lobster in Kennebunkport, ME. Ahem...excuse me for just a moment while I wipe the thick and glistening drool that is cascading down my chin.

All better.

Now, this babymoon probably means a hiatus from the blog for most of the week. For shame, right?!? However, the B&B in Maine does have WiFi...so, you never know when a post or pic might pop up. I would like to still try and get my weekly belly shot in on Wednesday, if possible. Life just wouldn't be the same without it, and I would truly hate to disrupt the order of my pregnant universe.

Finnley Piper's 3D Ultrasound

Above photo shows a facial shot of Finnley. Look at that adorable little nose!


Above photo shows Finnley with her eye open...staring right into wombland! One hand is covering part of her face.

Wow...what a crazy experience that was! I know this much after having the 3D ultrasound, the fertility clinic did not screw up the sperm sample when creating our embryo that was to become Finnely. She definitely belongs to us. Even in utero, it is more than apparent.

Now, I am not saying that she "has my eyes and Matt's nose"...or anything like that. Nothing physical is usually that obvious in an ultrasound picture. I am speaking of every other aspect about her, though.

For starters, she is "different" already. She is in the "butt down, head up, legs straight up in the air" breech position. (For those having trouble picturing this, just think of how you would get your whole body to form a "V".) Why be normal and comfortable in the womb with just a normal breech position where your head is up and your feet are down? Better yet, why be the most normal with your head down and your feet up? Nope, not good enough for our little girl! Normal is cheap and mundane!

Secondly, she is as stubborn as a mule (think both mom and dad here). This little girl is not at all shy about kneeing me in the ribs, punching me in the gut, or dancing around my uterus on a frequent and daily basis. For this ultrasound, however, the one time where we would have liked to have had her doing ANY of these things...she just wanted to lay there and bask in her own oddness. Luckily, with a TON of poking, prodding, and coaxing by the ultrasound tech (and me changing positions about 12 times), Finnley did move just enough to let us know that she IS indeed a SHE. As the tech put it, she had all girl parts...which, in the words of this highly qualified person, essentially look like a mini hamburger on the screen. Sounds about right. Finnley also briefly cooperated in moving one of her arms just a smidge, at the very last minute, to capture a couple of decent facial shots.

Lastly, and this is the real marker that this child belongs to my husband: she likes to put her foot in her mouth. Now, at this stage of the game, Matt is known to do this in more of a figurative sense than a literal one. (Although, I might pay to see him try it literally!) Finnley is all about being truly literal, though...and those little squishy baby toes were just way too tempting for her to pass up. She allowed us to witness her jamming that foot into her wide open mouth a couple of times, which is unusually easy when you consider the fact that her feet are already hanging out by her head. So, let's also throw in the fact that she is also all about ease and convenience. A true chip off the old M & M block.

After today, I really cannot wait to meet our little girl in person. I know that I have another three months to go, but just having that glimpse of her today makes me so anxious for that time to fly by. Miss Finnley Piper, you are a treasure already!


Above photo shows Finnley with her foot jammed right into her mouth! Each hand is by a cheek, too. Nice work!


Above photo shows Finnley with her foot jammed into her eye. Also, her mouth is gaping wide open. Again...well done!

A Day of Few Words...

Pain? Better. Perfect? No. Me, happier? Yes. Ahhhhhhh.

Love the smell of man work on a Thursday morning...nothing like getting a nice shiny new attic fan to make a pregnant chick smile!

Tomorrow. 3D ultrasound. Still a girl? Let's hope so.

Belly Shot Chronicles - 27 Weeks...and some respite???

Here are the results of the weekly mirror self shot ritual. What would all of you do without seeing these really horribly crappy photos? I am sure your lives would just not be the same!

And, regarding respite??? Well, it is a possibility! I saw the chiropractor today, and can I please just mention that I LOVE her? Even if what she fed me was all just a bunch of malarky, this doc is the first person who has told me that they can help me...and that alone puts a smile on my slowly fattening face. After doing a bunch of tests and examining me, she said that she will either help enough that this "situation" will get better and go away...OR...she will be able to help enough that I will at least feel much better navigating my way through the remainder of the pregnancy. Ummm, here is my $25 co-pay, and thankyouverymuch!

My SPD condition has made my left leg 1.5 inches "shorter" than my right leg, for the current moment. I always knew I was a little bit off, but being that much off is ridiculous! My present clown status apparently stems from the fact that my pelvis is completely misaligned. Well, I definitely knew that much to be true already. The misalignment is causing "everything" to be out of whack. My ligaments and tendons in my right groin / inner, upper thigh area are in a huge knot and are hard as a rock. The muscles in my lower right back are pretty much the same. So, for now...lots of gentle manipulation and massage at Dr. Wonderful's office...followed by some simple stretches and exercises at home. I can manage that. Oh, to be in less pain...that little dream now seems somewhat palpable.

Advertising and Pregnant Think

Main Entry: ad·ver·tis·ing
Function: noun
Date: 1751
1 : the action of calling something to the attention of the public especially by paid announcements

Ok, so that is the definition of advertising according to Mirriam Webster. Doesn't sound too sinister, right? Advertisements are EVERYWHERE, and there are so many of them blanketing and littering the roadways, TV airwaves, and pages of magazines that most of us are somewhat immune to their potentially warping affects. Yes, most of us. However, "most of us" certainly does not encompass, nor does it apply to, the first time mom to be.

Pregnancy magazines and their sneaky advertisers target us special creatures of emotion and our hormonally driven rationales without any malice at all. We innocently pick up these magazines hoping to "learn" something more about: growing a healthy baby, getting ready for labor, having better sex after the baby, helping our partner, the new dad, adjust and contribute... and a PLETHORA of other truly banal information. In reality we really just skim these articles (or is it just me???), for we have a feeling that we will be able to feel our ways through this childbirth experience and after-experience in a somewhat reasonable fashion with all of the other resources we already have availabe to us.

But, the pretty colors and oh-so-modern looking thingamajiggys meant for the new parents and for their perfect genius baby-to-be that are strategically placed on the other pages in between these ultimately meanigless articles...well, THAT is where we get hooked! We find out about the "must haves" and "parent favorites" that we truly never even knew existed prior to our pregnancy and us peeling back these pages, let alone that we must have them.

Really, how else would we discover that we were potentially missing out on the new "Bugaboo Bee in Red" $530 stroller??? The apparent "necessity for every dad". Necessity, yes, because EVERY dad I know is just dying to show off his "Rolls Royce" of a stroller to his beer chugging buddies during the next gathering for a college football game.

And then there is the "Mama's Belly" bronze bowl. Who could live without the bronze cast of their own pregnant belly? A treasure like that is bound to be a hit at parties and an heirloom to pass down for generations to come. I am sure it is not only art but can also be used for chips or dips, too...right? Extraordinary!

Well, I could continue to sit here and give example after example of the horribly absurd products that are put out there to lure us in. And also make fun of the CRAZY pregnant women who actually succumb to the pressure and are somehow guilted into, or illusioned into, buying one of these riduculous products. Or, I could just simply fess us that I AM one of THOSE crazy pregnant women who has made a couple of these "irrational" (husband think) or potentially very beneficial and useful (pregnant think) purchases after stepping away from said magazines. Come on, just trust me when I say that I am going to look oh-so-good in that very necessary Delivery Gown while I beautifully and gracefully go through my seemingly easy labor and hum my way through my childbirth at the hospital. (can't you just picture it now?) Yep, uh-huh...that's right! Thank goodness for advertising, or I never would have known that I would have been subjected to bleeding all over a dingy, thin, and surely discolored hospital- issue gown that has been worn 400 times before me. Oh...the pure and absoulte horror of the thought!!! Gasp!

Fine, fine, fine...DAMN IT! Ok, honey...I promise...no more pregnancy magazines for me...

Once again, proof in point...I DO have a head

Just to prove that I still do have a head, here is another pic for the week. Not quite to 27 weeks...but only 2 days away. I look a little stoned in the picture, but I assure you I am not. Way too early in the day for that... ; )

By the way, does this fireplace make me look fat??? Just wondering.

From the top...

There truly isn't much that needs to be said about this photo, is there??? Ok, ok...except, perhaps...OH MY GOD! Hey, at least I know that I still do have toes! For now.

About the little joys...

Amidst, and despite, all of my current gripes about pain, discomfort, and difficulties...I still seek to find ways to appreciate the little joys in life.

Joy 1 - being given such a beautiful morning. It was wonderful to sit on the couch in my screened in porch...watching the sunlight and shadows of rustling leaves play off the pages of the book I am reading...all while someone else is cleaning my house...and also while little Finnley is doing some sort of excited dance in my belly

Joy 2 - having such a wonderful husband who sometimes has the sweetest things to say...such as telling his wife that she is a "beautiful pregnant woman" and "just what a pregnant woman should look like"

Joy 3 - living a life where I am actually able to be at home in the first place and not having to juggle work on top of all the current bumps in my silly road

Joy 4 - knowing that in just about 3 months Matt and I will blessed with a tiny miracle that will forever change our lives in ways that we right now cannot even begin to fathom

So, for today, I will make it all about the little joys instead of all about the major complaints. Why not, right?

Belly Shot Chronicles - 26 Weeks / What's Up, Doc???

26 weeks brings about a bigger bulge. No surprises there. That of course will tend to happen as the weeks go by, especially approaching and moving through the third trimester. The clothed picture this week is with me in my pajamas...so, not the most flattering of outfits. Flattering isn't really something that happens often right now, though, so...eh, what does it really matter?

Moving on, I had my appointment with the orthopedic doctor last night. To really make the experience more enjoyable overall, there was a "scheduling glitch" that caused the doctor to be running well behind schedule. 45 minutes behind schedule, to be exact. She assured me that this was not the norm for her practice. Uh-huh...it was a doctor's office...of course it was the norm! Now, something that WAS out of the norm were the sounds coming from the next examining room. The walls were paper thin, and it was easy to recognize my "neighbor" emitting a blood-curdling vomit cacophony from her innards...right in the middle of her appointment. It was also obvious that this doctor was not fond of that particular type of clamor, as she could be heard running from the room! What a treat for me to be able to "take it all in" prior to my own appointment.

Even better was the fact that the doctor said that there is NOTHING...SHE...CAN...DO...FOR...ME!!! Wonderful! She did attempt an examination, but she stopped short of a full exam given that she felt she was torturing me. Well, yes, it did hurt. But, then again, everything hurts me right now! Oh well. I pretty much knew going in that this is what I would be told. I have to live with the pain until after I deliver, and hopefully...HOPEFULLY...it will then go away on its own. One bright note: the doctor is willing to sign off on the paperwork necessary for me to receive a temporary handicap placard for my car. That will make one minute aspect of my pregnant and painful life a wee bit more tolerable. I guess. So, off to the police department I go to pick up the forms. Yay, me!

What the F*#K???

Now, anyone who knows me ALSO knows very well that I am not "normal". I never do anything the easy way, or the right way, or the way that would be good. Nah. What would be the fun in that? I like to be different. Go against the grain. In other words, I enjoy torture. A masochist of sorts...perhaps.

Well, pregnancy is not going to be any different in terms of "normalcy" for me. Hell, I certainly took the long and hard road to getting pregnant...why would I want pregnancy to go any more smoothly? Nope...doesn't seem like fun at all!

So, I have "decided" to throw myself into that "less than 2% of all pregnant women" category of, SUFFERS FROM SYMPHYSIS PUBIS DYSFUNCTION. Here is some information on the topic, taken from various online resources:

Your symphysis pubis are the two bones that connect to form your pelvis. Shaped like a heart, your pelvis is formed by three separate bones that are held together by very tough ligaments. Traditionally, these bones are not designed to allow movement to occur. When you are pregnant however, a hormone called relaxin is produced which allows the pelvis to move slightly during birth. The reason this occurs is because the hormone actually works to loosen the ligaments holding the bones together.

When the ligaments loosen too much, a condition called symphysis pubis dysfunction can occur. When this happens, the pelvis joints become unstable and move around. The growing child makes matters worse because of the intense weight bearing down on these bones, and can actually cause the joint to separate. Mild to severe pain in the pubic area are characteristics of this disorder.

The symptoms of SPD vary from person to person, but almost all women who have it experience substantial pubic pain. Tenderness and pain down low in the front is common, but often this pain feels as if it's inside. The pubic area is generally very tender to the touch; many moms find it painful when the doctor or midwife pushes down on the pubic bone while measuring the uterus (fundal height).

Any activity that involves lifting one leg at a time or parting the legs tends to be particularly painful. Lifting the leg to put on clothes, getting out of a car, bending over, sitting down or getting up, walking up stairs, standing on one leg, lifting heavy objects, and walking in general tend to be difficult at times. Many women report that moving or turning over in bed is especially excruciating. One woman wrote, "There were days that I didn't think I was going to be able to get out of bed and actually had to roll out of bed and onto the floor to be able to do so!"

Many movements become difficult when the pubic symphysis area is affected. Although the greatest pain is associated with movements of lifting one leg or parting the legs, some women experience a 'freezing', where they get up out of bed and find it hard to get their bodies moving right away--the hip bone seems stuck in place and won't move at first. Or they describe having to wait for it to 'pop into place' before being able to walk. The range of hip movement is usually affected, and abduction of the hips especially painful.

I can say that I have experienced all of the excruciating pains described above, and it is very hard to live with day in and day out. I cannot believe that I actually have to "live" with this condition for the next 3+ months, and that it will only get WORSE throughout the remainder of the pregnancy. Ouch. That is what it boils down to, and that is all I can really say. Ouch.

My OB's office is referring me to an Orthopoedic doctor to be fully checked out. The hope is that there is SOMETHING that can be done to help with the pain as I move forward. Who knows. She may or may not be able to provide an action plan. I will find out on Tuesday night when I go for my visit with her.

I know that the outcome of all of my suffering WILL be more than worth it in the end...I just have to make it to that end, hopefully with some amount of sanity, and even perhaps a smidgen of dignity, left in tact. Hopefully...

Belly Shot Chronicles - 25 Weeks

Matt seems to think that my belly has gotten bigger just over the past two days...he certainly could be on to something with that thought! Included this week are a bare belly and a clothed belly shot for you to be able to judge for yourself.

On a side note, Finnley got to attend her second MLB game last night...Phillies v. Dodgers. It was a great game. I believe it was during the 7th inning stretch while singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" that Matt and I were rubbing my belly...and Finnley kicked. Matt actually got to feel SOMETHING for once! It will only get easier as time goes on now, but I thought that was pretty cool. It made us both smile. She impresses us pretty easily already!

iPod Experiment

I finally remembered to give the iPod experiment a try. I know that plenty of people have heard that it can be good or stimulating for the baby to hear music while in utero. I also know that it can't hurt anything, so I figured I would check it out. I have done this two times now, and Finnley seems to LOVE it! (or hate it...hard to really be sure!) Every time the iPod headphones are on my belly she starts dancing around. So far her "favorites" seem to be "Nightswimming" by R.E.M. and "Heaven" by Live. What can I say...she has impeccable taste, just like her mommy! ; )

This morning while I was having her listen I kept my shirt pulled up, and you could definitely see the belly bouncing from time to time. Very surreal, and very cool! I think I will like this!

24 to 25 Week OB Appointment

Today was another routine OB appointment for me. It was all the standard stuff, and everything was great...per the usual. I will take that! My urine sample was normal. I gained 3 pounds this month, so I came in under the "alloted" amount. Yay, me! My uterus is measuring exactly as it should. And, the heartbeat was good and strong.

Actually, when the OB put the doppler on my belly to tune into it...Finnley kicked the doppler. Apparently she was very aware of the pressure on my uterus, and she wanted us to know that. The doc just laughed and said, "hey...all we are trying to do is get a good listen here!". It was cute.

On another note, I am suffering from some aches and pains that go along with pregnancy. I am carrying low, and Finnley has me "stretched out" as the OB put it. Both things are creating extra pressure down on my pubic bones, and it causes pain which mimics a groin pull. The majority of the pain is on the right side, although there is some on the left, too. I have issues lifting my right leg to get pants, lifting it to get it up on the couch or to cross my legs, moving it to roll over in bed at night or to get out of bed in general....lots of little issues. It is also painful when I walk, but it doesn't keep me immobile. I am still going to my yoga class once a week, and I plan to still keep up my walking and light weight lifting at the gym. The doc was fully supportive of that. I am doing no harm to my body...it just hurts. To help alleviate some of the pressure, my OB recommended that I purchase a "maternity belt" to help support my lower back and to pull my uterus "up". We will see how that works out. Luckily for me, this unfortunate side effect of my pregnancy will only be "cured" with delivery. This should be a fun third trimester coming up!

On the physical side effect note, I also pulled my intercostal muscles (muscles / cartilage between the ribs). This is a result of being pregnant AND having had a nasty upper respiratory infection that included a cough that has lasted over 3 weeks. Now that the cough is starting to show signs of exiting, I am hoping my ribs get better, too. It is only the far upper ones on my right side that hurt...but they do hurt. Oh well. I am sure that my laundry list of physical complaints will only continue to grow as Finnley and my belly do. A small tradeoff for the end result that comes in August, to be sure!

Belly Shot Chronicles - 24 Weeks!

That's right...24 weeks! We hit the 6 month marker. Wow! As Matt said this morning, "this is going fast". The second trimester sure feels that way!

The "butterball" has grown yet again. I guess that is the point, right? The funny thing is that I still have this flat area on my stomach surrounding my belly button. The belly button has decided to NOT release itself from being an "innie", which has also stretched taut the skin around it. So, flat spot it is.

I have my next routine OB appointment this coming Monday. The usual stuff will happen there: weight, uterine measurement, BP, urine analysis (for protein and sugar), etc.

Outside of that, Finnely will be "attending" her first MLB game this Thursday night. Matt was offered up tickets to see the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays play at the new Yankee Stadium. I don't care how much you hate the Yankees...how can you say no to seeing the new digs??? Well, obviously we couldn't! I am sure Finnley will have a grand time!

2009 Virginia Gold Cup

Matt and I just attended the 2009 Virginia Gold Cup held at Great Meadows in The Plains, VA. Matt brought Subarua of America and Dulles Subaru sponsorship to the event. They had display and chase cars placed all over the grounds, and it allowed the opportunity for the vehicles to receive tons of welcomed exposure. They had a lot of activity around the new 2010 Subaru Outback and Legacy models...which won't even be on sale until August of this year.

The Subaru VIP tent was fantastic. The food included: sushi, beef carving station, pasta station, crab cakes, salad, a liquor bar, and dessert table. Oh my! It was all very good.

There were probably about 40,000 people in attendance. There were 6 horse races, and we got to view the Subaru sponsored race from the race tower...clear view of the whole course. It was a lot of fun. Of course, we placed bets the entire time...and I actually won one race that brought $40 my way! Woo hoo! Bring on the money!

We have always loved this event, and we were happy to be a part of it again this year. It was also nice to see our old town, neighborhood, neighbors and friends, and stomping grounds. Dinner at Claire's was a treat! No one beats her she-crab soup! Yum!

Back home late last night, and we picked up Batman this morning. Going to enjoy the rest of our weekend and move into yet another week!

Belly Shot Chronicles - 23 Weeks

The ever-beloved weekly Wednesday belly shot post! 23 weeks and cranking along. Not a whole lot to report, once again...which is a great thing. The belly grows along with Finn, and I am still keeping the weight gain "in check"...no more than the one pound per week on average. I am happy about all of that! This week includes an actual "clothed" photo, as I had an early morning appointment so I actually had real clothes on today. I apologize for the crappy photos, but we haven't had sun on a Wedensday for weeks! Doing flash photograpy into a mirror is always complicated.

Still working on getting over my viscious upper respiratory infection. The cough still lingers and shows no immediate signs of releasing me from its grasp. In time, I am sure it eventually will.

Next OB appointment is scheduled for one week from Monday...so a week and a half to go.

The Nursery...progress

It is by no means done, but we have made some great progress on the nursery. I have completed a couple of "art projects" that I was working on...and they are now being proudly displayed on Finnley's walls. We did pick up the dresser / changing table combo unit this morning, and it will make it up to the nursery at some point this weekend. The desk needs to move down to the basement, too. So, little by little it is looking like a room meant for a baby.

I did attach one picture of the nursery to this post, but the link to see the rest of the pictures is here: NURSERY

Enjoy!

I am now going back to enjoying this beautiful SUMMER day here in Philly!

Belly Shot Chronicles - 22 Weeks!

Well, here we are at Wednesday again. 22 weeks! That is such an amazing feeling to be hitting each milestone and watching this pregnancy progress. We still enjoy watching the bump grow.

This week has brought a "bug" with it, and I am not the least bit happy nor amused by this occurence. There is only one thing worse than being miserably sick and THAT is being miserably sick while pregnant!!!

I hate that I can't take much of anything to get relief. I haven't hardly slept the past three nights, and that makes life even worse. I hate hate hate the nightime right now! I seem to have picked up whatever nasty virus has been ciruclating the country...sinus / cough / feelings of having been run over by a truck...something like that. I am headed to the doc this afternoon just to make sure it IS viral and not bacterial. Hopefully they will have some other recommendations on what is safe and good for me to try. I am dying over here right now!

Finnley's nursery is starting to come together. We have her crib set up! I also have taken everything off of the walls and patched / painted them. I have a few decorative details that I have put up. We pick up the dresser this weekend, so the rest of the office will be moved...and the nursery will continue to become, well...an actual nursery.

That is the scoop for now. Going to go back to the couch before I keel over....

Belly Shot Chronicles - 21 Weeks!

Not much to add since I just updated the blog the last two days, but here is the latest and greatest belly shot! The Finnley bump continues to grow!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!

It is "official"...as much as an u/s can be official...we are having a little girl! Finnley Piper will be joining our family in August, and we couldn't be more thrilled. Thanks to everyone who voted in the poll. Most of you turned out to be right! Lots of pink in store for this household!

While we were at the appointment, we told the ultrasound tech that we didn't want to find out the sex of the baby DURING the ultrasound. We filled out a notecard with a blank spot...and had her fill in the sex for us. We waited until we were in the waiting room with my parents to open it. We thought it would be neat to share the surprise with them and enjoy the moment with someone other than the u/s tech. What a great idea!

The first two u/s pics show a profile of Finnley with her mouth open. The second two pics show a profile of her with her mouth closed. The tech mentioned what a "photogenic" baby she was...and how cooperate she was during the whole u/s. We are proud parents already!

Enjoy!

HALFWAY HOME: Belly Shot Chronicles - 20 Weeks!

20 weeks. Unbelieveable! We did it...we hit the halfway point in the pregnancy! Way to go, mini!!!

I am actually feeling much better these days, in regards to the nausea, that is. I have, unfortunately, encountered other issues from the "attractive pregnancy problems" top ten list. Do not keep reading if you do not like TMI...latest problem: prolapsed bleeding hemorrhoid. Yikes!!! Not many other words could make a woman feel less attractive. No worries, though, I am seeking medical attention (not for the humiliation, but for the hemorrhoid, of course). The OB's office is now referring me to a "specialist". In order to see the "specialist", though, I need a referral from my primary care physician. This means that 2 people now get to "get a good look at me" instead of just 1. Lucky me! My "issue" has kept me from going to the gym for the past week, and that makes me sad. I miss my walks and exercises. Hopefully I will be back at it soon!

I can feel my uterus moving up in my belly. The top of it has now hit my belly button area. My belly has not grown much in the last week, but I am still putting on the pounds. 4 pounds in 3 weeks, to be exact. One pound over the "average" for this month thus far. So, I am just considering myself "above average" for the time being. ;)

One woman who works at Destination Maternity (who apparently recognizes me from frequent past visits) stopped to chat me up yesterday at the store. She asked how I was doing, and then exclaimed..."YOU HAVEN'T EVEN POPPED YET! HOW FAR ALONG ARE YOU?". Well, gosh...thanks?...I am 5 months. "OH, WELL YOU DON'T LOOK IT!". Ummm...ok?

We also recently had dinner with our backyard neighbors, and one of their mothers was dining with us. Apparently after Matt and I left she told her son and daughter in law..."HOW NICE THAT THEY ARE ADOPTING!". They clarified saying, nooo....Matt and Megan aren't adopting, they are having a baby! She said, "NO! SHE WASN'T PREGNANT! SHE DIDN'T LOOK PREGNANT AT ALL". Ummm...once again...ok?

And then, last weekend when Matt and I were at an open house, the realtor stopped to ask me how far along I was...without any prompting.

So, what does all of this mean? I guess sometimes I look pregnant to some people and other times I still don't. Oh well! I know that I am! Guess that is all that matters!

5 days left until the anatomy scan...can you say freakin' eternity???

Belly Shot Chronicles - 19 weeks

One week shy of the halfway point...can you believe it??? The first half of the pregnancy seems to be moving slowly, but I am told that the second half flies by. I guess I will need to appreciate every second of it before it is all said and done!

This week's photos includes an acutal "head shot" because my dear friend Canella was perturbed (or amused) by the fact that I was headless in every belly shot photo to date. The reason for that is the fact that all of these photos are self photos done using a mirror, and they are taken first thing in the morning (in PJs, no makeup, slept on hair). But, because I am such a great friend, I made sure to include my head in one photo this week. Still not an easy task, given I was still in my PJs...it was still first thing in the morning...and I was still taking the photo myself (albeit with the timer on the camera and not the mirror). So, long story long...

I am feeling pretty well overall. The nausea crept back in waves this past week, but it is manageable. Yesterday was better, but then the gas pains and heartburn were bad. I just it is all a game of tradeoffs at this point. I will take the gas and heartburn over the nausea, just in case anyone was wondering.

Last month I put on a total of three pounds. So far in the two weeks since my last doctor's appointment, I have put on a total of three pounds. Eating habits and exercise habits remain the same...so, the weight gain comes in spurts as it pleases, I guess. I just hope I don't put on another three pounds in the next two weeks. Yikes! That would be bad!

Still counting down the days until the big u/s appointment on April 13th. We DO finally have the names picked out...so, once we know the sex...we will be announcing it all! How exciting!

Belly Shot Chronicles - 18 weeks

I have really popped out the last two weeks. Probably not a huge difference from last week alone, but definitely a big change overall since 16 weeks. The good news is that all of the weight is still in the belly...where it should be! The gym and my Wii Fit are helping with that. I also signed up for a prenatal yoga class. It will start on April 27th and run through June 15th. It is only on Monday nights, but it will be a fun little addition to my routine. Outside of that, I have us scheduled for our hospital tour (which I will be attending alone...scheduling conflicts saw to that one), our labor basics class, and a breastfeeding class. I think all of them take place in June, but you have to sign up early if you want a spot. Crazy pregnant ladies!!! Still counting down the days until our anatomy scan on April 13th. Time is going very slowly...but it will all certainly be worth the wait.

Oh, and on another note...I have started to feel the baby move!!! How do you like that? I guess in the medical world it is called "quickening". It wasn't that easy to recognize at first, but I now know what it feels like. The mini has active spurts throughout the day where I am able to feel little "bubbles" or "flutters" in my lower abdomen. It is sort of surreal. I know I found myself in my own private little smile at Starbucks yesterday when it happened. I can't wait until Matt is able to feel it from the outside. It is too random for that to happen at the moment, but in the next few weeks I am sure those kicks, punches, and flips will get stronger, and Matt will have his opportunity!

Off to the gym now!

Sequential Screen Results

The Sequential Screen is a three part test that shows the odds of your baby's risk for Down's Syndrome, Trisomy 18, and other neural tube defects. The initial screen takes place in the first trimester and consists of a finger prick blood test and an in-depth u/s. The second part of the screen takes place after 16 weeks of pregnancy and consists of bloodwork. I just received the overall results of the screening, and our results were "screen negative", which is awesome news.

The nurse provides both the odds for defects based on age alone and the odds based on the actual screening. Based solely on my age, the risk for a baby with Down's Syndrome was 1 in 260. When they calculate the odds based on my screening, the odds change to 1 in 7800. That is awesome! The odds for Trisomy 18 were 1 in 10,000, and the odds for neural tube defects in general were 1 in 6000. The mini seems to be a healthy little one! No test is perfect, but these results certainly make us feel good about our situation.

Now we just need to know what we are having!!!!!!!!!!

17 Week OB Update

I just got back from my 17 week OB appointment. Today I actually got to see a doctor! I saw Dr. Colella, and I really liked him. He was fun and social, which is always a plus. Anyway, he said that I look great, my weight is good, my uterus is measuring well, and the heartbeat was great. Overall, he said things were "awesome". I like to hear that! I only gained three pounds over the course of 4 weeks, so that was wonderful news. I am keeping this pregnancy weight gain mostly in check...which will help down the road for sure!

The best news from today is that we are scheduled for our 20 week ultrasound. Sadly, they were fully booked when they wanted to bring me in...so my appointment had to be pushed over a weekend to a Monday. (SIGH...) I am sure we will live, though. The appointment is set for Monday, April 13th at 11:15am. Mark your calendars, because that is the day that we should be able to announce the sex of the baby. YAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!! I am sure that I will be impatiently trying to pass each day until that point in time...but what a joy I am sure that day will be!

Belly Shot Chronicles - 17 Weeks

Here we are again...another week gone by...and another belly shot posted. As you can probably tell by the picture comparisons, I have definitely "popped" a bit this past week. It seems to happen overnight, I swear! I am still within my "limits" of weight gain for the month, so this is all baby. Good job, mini! Strangers are now recognizing and commenting on my pregnancy, which is a lot better than me walking around having people think I am just a fat little muffin.

Tomorrow is my next OB appt. Just a routine visit, but I will be sure to post following the meeting with the doc. Hopefully we get another good report!

Belly Shot Chronicles - 16 weeks!

Here we are at 16 weeks already. Time flies when you are having fun! Or when you are having morning sickness. Oh wait...then the time drags. Damn it...that is what I meant. Time is dragging. Whew, glad I straightened all of that out!

I don't think the bump has grown that much, and I still don't look "pregnant" most of the time. Something IS going on in that belly, though, because I AM gaining my one pound per week on average. It still shocks me when I get on the scale and see the weight gain because I am eating really well, exercising, and only having one "naughty item" per day. Guess that little mini is growing!

Although the nausea had been at least easing up, that situation has once again changed. Not sure what is going on, but I have been nauseous all day / every day for the past 3 to 4 days. I stopped taking all remedies as of yesterday since I was still feeling sick. No point in taking something that isn't doing anything, right? So, I have resigned myself to feeling nauseous forever. That way, if it ever does go away I will be pleasantly surprised. If it never does go away, at least I have set manageable expectations for myself.

Outside of that, today is Matt's 39th birthday, so be sure to wish him a happy one! One week and one day until my next routine OB appointment. Not much else going on.