Merry Christmas and some pictures!

Flourishes Of Joy Religious Christmas Card

This season, send Christmas cards personalized with family photos.

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Atlanta skyline from the Christmas Party last weekend.

Botanical Gardens light display!  Much better in person :)

Who doesn't love a good photo booth!?

It's Santa... I know him!

2012 family photos

Hosted the last leg of our neighbor roving Christmas party last night... a few pics of the spread (hot cocoa/coffee bar and desserts)

 



Happenings

Things have been busy busy busy!  I think that's the norm this time of year.

The senseless murder of so many innocent educators and children really hit me hard on Friday.  Sometimes I wonder why I long so deeply to bring a child into this broken world.  But, I know that God loved us so much that He gave us free will instead of creating us to do exactly what He wants of us.  And, He sent down His Son from Heaven to pay for our free will with his life.  If that isn't love, I don't know what is.  I just pray for those families having to live the unimaginable and for the health of this world.  When we prayed The Lord's Prayer at church yesterday, the last few lines struck a cord with me... "deliver us from evil for Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever."  And, I pray that my daughter will be a light in a world that sometimes seems so dark.

Anyway, I can't really think about that for too long because there's just no way to make sense of it.  So, how about some belly pictures?

And some baby pictures?

I had my 24 week ultrasound last Monday, and little miss looks perfect!  I labeled these for my mother in law because she was having trouble "getting her bearings" and figuring out which end is up.  The glare doesn't help.  They estimated that Greer weighs 1 lb 6 oz, and her overall measurements are in line with her gestational age.  Her legs were actually measuring a week ahead, so maybe she has some hope of being taller than me!  However, she looks like me.  I never thought I'd be able to say that from an ultrasound, but her mouth is definitely my mouth.  I am hoping she has her daddy's nose and eyelashes.  :)  Four more weeks until we see that sweet girl again, and I feel good that the low PAPP-A was just a freak thing and that she will continue to grow as she should.

I'm still having sleep issues, but otherwise I feel great.  She is active, and I love it.  I had my 24 week OB appointment and glucose test on Friday, and I was measuring 24.5cm (right where I should be) and am up 13-15 lbs (not exactly sure what my starting weight was but I'm guessing 130-132).  I'm still doing CrossFit, though some exercises are becoming more difficult.  The great thing about CrossFit is that every movement can be modified to work for the individual.  So, instead of doing box jumps on the 20" box, I do step ups.  For burpees, I just go to the plank position instead of dropping down flat.  Instead of running, I row.  You get the idea.  I am noticing that it is becoming increasingly more difficult and uncomfortable to bend over.  I was very busy Saturday cleaning the house, lifting things, etc. and my lower back was quite sore.  I also notice that my feet get sore much more quickly than normal thanks to the extra weight.  But, really, I am still able to do everything I've always done, for which I am very grateful.

In other goings on, we attended a fun holiday party on Saturday night, at which Matt took full advantage of his DD and paid for it most of yesterday.  :)  But, no rest for the weary as we had church to attend, our church membership interview (we decided to become official), and a family birthday dinner yesterday evening.  Lucky him, he's off until 2013!  We are having the entry way and halls up to the upstairs (basically, the only thing that hasn't been painted downstairs since we decorated everything earlier this year) and G's room painted today (and tomorrow assuming they don't finish).  SUPER excited to get home and see it!  G's room will be done today, and I got to see it getting started and it looked good.  I was a little worried the wall color was going to be too dark (BM's Cape Hatteras Sand), but the furniture, bedding, and window coverings in the room are (or will be) all light, so I think it's going to look great.  We're painting the "common areas" BM's Pale Oak, which is one shade on the paint chip darker than our kitchen (Sea Pearl), so I think it will be a good color.

Lastly, for the requisite Christmas decor photo (some of it anyway)...

Crazy to think we'll have five stockings hung by the chimney with care next year!  We are hosting part of our neighborhood roving Christmas party this week, as well as a Christmas brunch this weekend so between work and everything else (including another Christmas party to attend this week and squeezing in time to watch the Miss Universe pageant Wed at 9 ET on NBC), I don't think I will post again before Christmas.  So, to all of my beautiful bloggy friends, I pray that you are filled with the hope that the miracle of Christmas brings, when God sent his Son to earth to save us.

Oh, and in very superficial news, I got an iPad (and I love it).  If there are any good apps I should know about, do share (pretty sure I have the main ones... Epicurious, Facebook, USA Today, ESPN, etc.).  I will share with you three my aunt clued me in on that are awesome - Big Lens, Pic Collage, and Photo 365 (we'll see if I can keep up with that one when Miss G is born).

22 weeks!

I think my belly has finally outgrown my butt!  My sweet, almost 7-year old nephew James informed me last weekend that my belly sticks out further than my boobs.  Kid cracks me up.

How Far Along: 22 Weeks

Baby's Size: About 11 inches and getting close to one whole pound!

Gender:  GIRL!

Movement:  All the time.  I love it.  But, I have a feeling I'm not going to love all of it before too long.  :)  I'm already getting some questionable kicks/punches/headbutts in the bladder, behind my bellybutton (which kind of hurt), and in my spine?  I have no idea, but I am feeling some crazy, awesome, weird movement.

Sleep:  Maybe next week?  Still not great, but it could be worse.  It will be worse!

Maternity Clothes:   Oh yes.  Other than a few dresses and tops, I haven't attempted to not wear them in weeks.  Belly panels are my BFF.  I've decided I prefer the full panel, which stinks since I bought some jeans with a demi panel that are otherwise cute but kill me to sit in for any longer stretches.  Oh well.  Live and learn.

Symptoms:  Pure, unadulterated joy.  Nesting.  Tiredness.

Aversions:   Salmon still doesn't sound fantastic, but I could eat it if it was done well.  Otherwise, I am not currently food averse... which is good and bad.  ;)

Cravings:   ROOT BEER!  OMG.  All day long.  I just want root beer.  And I can get it from a restaurant in my building in a styrofoam cup (there's something about a soda out of styrofoam... and I'm neither a soda drinker nor a styrofoam consumer... I was president of the ecology club in middle school and I still take that seriously).  Thankfully, they don't also have crunchy ice, otherwise I might be there daily.

What I miss:   Sleep.  But, I wouldn't trade this for anything.

Feelings toward pregnancy:   Still just amazed.  And so grateful for this experience and God's provision.

Best moment this week:   My surprise shower and the Gators beating up on the Noles.  Edited to add: my mom, aunt, sister, and nephew all felt G kick!  And, Matt finally felt her after all of them too.  :)

What I'm looking forward to in the next week:   Perhaps a little more nesting and maybe even ordering her bedding.  I'm 99% sure that I'm going to do custom bedding from Carousel Designs.  I'm looking at these fabrics but in a custom order, because I don't love this ready to go design.  I have been searching for fabrics I like using a coral/melon color, aqua-ish color, and a citron green.  And bam.  So, now I just need to commit. #firstworldpregnancyproblems

Also, last night I attended a crafting session at my friend, Jen's.  She lives in my neighborhood and has a room above her detached garage called The Craft Room.  It's a real business.  So, she's been hosting nightly crafts where all you do is show up with the fee for the craft of the night and get on with it.  She is SUPER creative, and it was really fun.  I made this lovely string art for my girl.  It's about a 12x12 wooden plaque and will be hung on her wall in a grouping with other art and pictures.

Thankful

First things first, let me get the 21 week photo out of the way...

The belly is growing, and I love it.  I'm still feeling great, despite some restless nights.  But, I chalk it up to preparation for what's to come, if one can ever be prepared for that sort of thing.

We headed down to Jacksonville for Thanksgiving to celebrate with my family.  I expected a pretty low key weekend of food, family, seeing some friends, and football.  Little did I know that some very sneaky people had been planning a SURPRISE baby shower for me.  And surprising it was!  I guess there were many who said there was no way they could pull it off, but I honestly wasn't remotely on the scent.  I had mentioned to my mom that maybe we should have a baby shower when I was home for Thanksgiving, but she shot it down so we started discussing late January/early February.  Then in a moment of pure genius, she changed her mind and decided to make it a surprise.  I am not sure I'll ever have a surprise like that again!

I had lunch plans that day with one of my best friends, Meg (a total set up), and before I left, I was helping my mom clean the house... for my own party!  Haha.  I could write a novel about how I kept trying to mess things up (without knowing, of course), but they pulled it off.  As you can see from the pictures, my face when I walked in the door was priceless.

The favors had Psalm 127:3 on them, and I may or may not have almost ugly cried when I read the verse.  "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him."

Christine's masterpiece... so cute!

There were a lot of people that helped out to make it a surprise, but the party planner extraordinaires were my mom, sister, and sister-"out"-law, Christine (she and my brother have been together for 9 years and have two kids but aren't married... hence the "out" law status).  I cannot believe what they pulled off with me out of the house for about 2-2.5 hours.  The theme was elephants, and it was really cute (I love elephants and come by it naturally, my grandma was a big fan too... I can say that I loved them before they were trendy!).  It was so fun and we got a lot of fun stuff for our sweet girl, including lots of adorable elephant onesies, blankies, and such.  AND, the Gators kicked the Seminoles' butts!  Icing on the cake!

We headed home early yesterday morning, and I think Matt and I can both say we now know what nesting is.  :)  We got home and cleaned, filed papers, organized, threw a lot of things away, made a donation pile, and made room for baby.  Her room has been sort of used as a catch-all up until now, so it was time to decide what could stay and go.  We are having it painted in a few weeks, including the interior of the closet, so I couldn't put everything away properly in the room.  Instead I used the closet in the bathroom, and I couldn't resist trying to make it a little cute.  :)

About set on blankets... 4 receiving blankets, 2 soft blankets, and 7 Aden & Anais blankets!

I forgot to mention that we also had a small family shower on the Sunday before Thanksgiving with some of Matt's family.  We were completely spoiled there too... everyone chipped in to get us our BOB stroller, carseat adapter, and handlebar accessory!  His aunt also gave me two boppys, a diaper pail, breast pump (a good one), and a few other things.  HUGE!  I'll get new tubes and whatnot for the pump, but I am in awe of the generosity of others.  Not to mention, my BFF is handing down her daughter's wardrobe, gave me her Bjorn, and is giving me several other things besides all the items I know she's been buying too because she's crazy and I love her.

Lastly, we have decided on a name...
Greer Elizabeth

I love it.  Ironically enough, I'm sitting here watching (well, sort of) Pride and Prejudice from 1940 starring Greer Garson.  It's a sign.  ;)

I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving and found many blessings to be thankful for.

Half Baked

When I told Matt that I almost stopped at the store to buy a pint of Ben & Jerry's Half Baked icecream for this picture, he gave me the biggest eye roll ever.  Hey, what can I say?  I'm a dork.

I paid way too much for this dress but I love it!

We put up a valiant effort for Matt to feel baby girl move Tuesday night, but alas, still not strong enough.  I was pushing his hand half way into my belly, and she was making it known that we were cramping her style.  I was hoping that we'd be able to feel some movement in time for Thanksgiving so my family might get a chance to feel her kick, but that will just have to wait until they are up in January for my Atlanta baby shower.  Then again, a lot seems to change in the matter of a week, so who knows.  And despite the fact that people keep telling me I'm so small, my fundal height is measuring right at 8", which is right around where it should be at this point.  Apparently, my stomach will grow 1/2" per week from here on out.  That is insane to me!

Can we discuss that Thanksgiving is next week!?!?!?  What the!?  I don't understand where this year went.  I think I say that more and more every year as I get older, but dang.  Craziness.  Excited to be with my family, and I think I'm most excited that I have an appointment to have my teeth cleaned by my sister.  Haha, it's the little things!

We took our family pictures this weekend with my dear friend and uber talented photographer, Jenny.   I can't wait to see them.  I know she got some good ones... particularly the outtakes of us trying to get the dogs to behave.  They were being so funny!!!  Instead of sitting next to us facing the camera, they kept running to Jenny and sitting next to her facing us.  It was fairly amusing (and frustrating, but amusing nonetheless).

Au revoir for now.

19 weeks!

Wow, I cannot believe I'm almost half way there.  Time is flying by, and I feel like if I don't start getting serious soon about preparing for this little girl, it's going to be March and I'm going to be scrambling!

I look certifiably pregnant at this point, which I LOVE.  I honestly still cannot believe that I am pregnant.  And, in less than 5 months I will have a daughter.  A little girl.  I just stand in pure amazement and awe of how God has worked this out.  Think about it... on this round of IVF, we went from 26 mature eggs down to one, "perfect" looking baby in the oven.  Twenty-six possible embryos... possible children, and just one was all we needed and what God provided to give us our miracle and create our family.

It was two years ago this month that we started "trying" for a family.  Last year at this time, I had just experienced the first disappointment of a failed IUI, which I really thought would work.  Although I am in a blissfully happy place right now, I do not forget for a minute the heartache and heartbreak.  In fact, I think I almost appreciate it more now... in the moment, it was hard, very hard, but all you could do is push through.  But, looking back, I realize I probably didn't give myself enough grace (and maybe that was good) to realize how really hard it was at times.  And, I am fully aware of how blessed we are.  Truly.  It could have been a much longer journey, but so far, God has met us where He needed to.  To HIM be the glory.

Baby girl has not been as active today (I think she might have flipped because she was head down/face down so her feet and butt were in prime position to feel some action), but over the last few days, I cannot even get over how much I have felt her moving around in there.  It's unreal.  I can't wait until Matt can feel it.

Seems kind of crazy, but we have our first baby shower next weekend.  Matt's dad's side of the family is throwing us a small little family shower since the crew will all be in town at his uncle's for Thanksgiving.  Very exciting, but mostly excited just to see everyone.  It's been a few years since we've seen his Aunt Mariah (lives in CA), so it will be fun.

In less exciting news, I toured another daycare yesterday which I liked but it was $1600/month!  Holy crap.  I feel like I might need to sell a kidney.  It still makes sense for me to work even at that price, but with two, it would definitely be a different conversation.  I would be spending most of the month working just to pay for childcare.  Aye.  On that note, back to earning my paycheck... I'll need it!

Or not... (and some good stuff)

Well, Matt picked me up from camp on Saturday morning and we headed to Labor & Delivery.  That was interesting!  Everything is fine, but I was having very consistent cramps starting around 3:00 Friday afternoon and still feeling them when I woke up Saturday morning.  They weren't particularly painful (more like period cramps), but they just didn't go away.  So, I called the doctor and determined I needed to be at home in case something did happen and I needed to be off my feet.  After trying some things to make them stop, they were the same so the doctor had me go into L&D to make sure I wasn't dilated or anything.

Watching football

Hooked up to the contraction monitor... yes I have an innie-outie that is becoming much more of an outie-outie.

Practicing for ~5 months from now

I wasn't dilated, baby's heart rate was good, and although I could feel stuff going on, the contraction monitor didn't pick up anything.  I honestly wasn't worried and felt silly going in at all (and I really didn't want to miss camp), but being the opposite of a hypochondriac, I tend to under react about medical things (like when I hyperextended my elbow and popped it back into place and went on my way... seriously).  So, I figured it was best to look like the crazy pregnant girl than to find out something was seriously wrong that they might have been able to do something about.

Since everything looked good, they let me go home and told me to take it easy and reschedule my anatomy scan for today instead of Thursday just to make sure the placenta looked okay.  And, I did so happily.  Can I just say that if I had a lot of money and an ultrasound machine at home, this baby would have radiation issues because I'd be using it constantly.  SO COOL.  And, it's amazing how much has changed in ~7 weeks.  The best part, everything looked "perfect" with the baby and with my placenta and cervix.  Praise the Lord for that!

Love that first one with the knees all curled up.  The second one is a little scary.  Matt called it Skeletor.  Poor kid.  That's the top of the head to the right, I think an arm/hand is covering the left side of the face but you can see the right eye socket, nose and little lips.  Baby had her arms/hands up around her face/head a lot again just like in the 12 week scan, which is funny because Matt sleeps with one arm sort of over his head.  And, yes if you picked up on that pronoun, you are correct... it's a GIRL!

Obviously, I would have been thrilled either way, but I did want a girl if I had my pick.  I've always thought I would have a girl first, and I had a pretty strong feeling most of the time that it was a girl.  Now, as mentioned previously, we did find out at our 12 week scan, but I needed to hear the u/s tech say it since I wasn't looking the first time and it was written on a sticky note when we found out.  :)

So, we really have no idea what was causing me to cramp like that, but I have to say that I'm feeling fetal movement more and more (she was going crazy last night and it was awesome).  It's still very "soft" but it's enough that I know that it's the baby for sure.  So, I don't know if she was being really active and my uterus just freaked out or what.  Either way, something to keep an eye on, but nothing to worry about either.  I will have at least three more ultrasounds due to my low PAPP-A results so they can monitor growth and fluid levels, so get to see my sweet girl again in 5 weeks.  Woohoo!

P.S.  I'd like to say I might blog about something else besides my pregnancy for the next 21 weeks, but that's probably mostly a lie.  However, I do hope that everyone goes to vote tomorrow.  I planned to do a political post with my opinion on the election and candidates (and political system as a whole), but I have not had time.  So, maybe I will do that after we get results.  Go Mitt!  But, I pray whoever wins, we start seeing some improvement in the economy and see a Congress that will actually work together for the greater good of Americans, not their own party's good!

P.P.S.  Max and Maddie haven't made an appearance in a while.  Here they are in their Halloween costumes, which lasted approximately two minutes.  I love these dogs so much.  Seriously.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to Camp I go!

Yep, I'm departing work in about 15 minutes to head to Camp... Camp STARS at Camp Twin Lakes to be exact.  I am a member of the Junior League of Atlanta, and we all have community placements in a non-profit organization where we volunteer 50+ hours per year.  After my first year, I found the Hospice placement which allows you to volunteer at their headquarters or at one of two bereavement camps they hold each year.  My first year, I wasn't able to attend either camp, so I volunteered at the center which was a humbling experience.  I think my own experiences with close family members dying (and witnessing those declines while under Hospice care) gives me the ability to know how to interact with the families who are going through the same grief.

But, two years ago I got to do my first Camp STARS.  Wow.  It was awesome.  I volunteer as a cabin counselor with 12 and 13 year old girls (I was 12 when my dad died), and I just really love it.  I didn't know anyone else who was going through what I was at the time, so it is so awesome to bring these kids together so that they know they are not alone.  Some of them are so shy at first or really have a hard time expressing their feelings, and it is miraculous to see how they come out of their shells in less than two full days at camp.  Besides having group sessions facilitated by licensed counselors and psychologists, we do TONS of fun activities, and being a kid at heart myself, I love it.

So, yeah I'll miss what should be a really good college football game this weekend (Alabama at LSU) and weekend time with my husband which I cherish, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.  This is one of my favorite weekends of the year, and I can't wait to meet our cabin and hopefully see some old faces from the last two years.  And hopefully I can serve as encouragement to the girls that there's a lot of life ahead of them no matter what obstacles they've had to overcome so far and those trials only make them so much stronger.

Happy Hallow's Eve!

Happy Halloween!  We had our little work Halloween party at the end of the day yesterday, so I threw this on for the party.  It was hilarious because I don't think most people realized what the heck was going on.  I thought it was pretty self explanatory, but I guess not.  :)  Matt is gone tonight for work (boooooooooooo), so I had him take my 18 week pictures last night.  Keeping it real with end of the day makeup and hair that's a result of going to bed with it wet the night before (some days, it's just not worth caring).  :)

Some friends in the 'hood are having a little pre Trick or Treat get together at their house, so I am going to go hang out there for awhile with the dogs and try to get home before the masses hit the streets and think we're total bah humbugs.  I LOVE seeing the little kiddos all dressed up, and I especially LOOOOOOVE the kids with good manners.  It kills me how many kids just stand at the door and then walk away after you hand them the candy, no acknowledgement or anything.  Thankful for parents who taught me the virtues of good manners.  But, it won't be as fun without Matt.  Last year we posted up on the front porch, wine in hand, Halloween music playing, the pups dressed up and passing out licks as we handed out candy.  :)  Can't believe we'll have a little pumpkin (besides our Maddie girl) next year!

Can't wait to see pics of your little ghouls and goblins and princesses and pumpkins all dressed up!

P.S.  I popped last week.  Seriously, came out of nowhere!  It was funny too because my friend Meredith told me at church the previous Sunday that 17 weeks was the turning point for her as far as the belly, and bam.  It was!

Jumping on the bandwagon...

At least for this week.

How Far Along: 17 Weeks

Baby's Size:  About 5 inches from crown to rump and weighing in at a whopping 5 ounces!

Gender:  I have a secret... we found out at my 12 week nuchal translucency ultrasound.  :)  We will confirm in two weeks and then we'll probably go public.  I didn't want to know and Matt did, so we had the u/s tech write it down on a piece of paper.  Well, once I had that it my hands (and Matt was convinced of what he saw... I didn't look), it didn't take more than 15 minutes for him to open it and reveal it to me.  I will never forget that moment, and I must say, for someone who was previously adamant that I would not want to know the sex of my babies before they were born, I don't regret knowing for a second.

Movement:  Maybe.  My OB said if I thought I've felt something, I probably have.  But, I'm still not convinced.

Sleep:  What's that?  ;)  It's just okay.  I am tired and I generally fall asleep pretty well, but I just wake up A LOT.

Maternity Clothes:  Not really yet.  I wore maternity pants twice this weekend, so I'm getting there but I'm still mostly wearing my usual clothes (and using the belly band with pants).  I've gained +/- 7 lbs so far (I'm not really sure what my starting weight was because I almost never weigh myself except at the dr), so I guess that's pretty good.  I swear, 2 lbs of that is in my boobs.  Good lawd!

Symptoms:  Sleep issues and resulting tiredness, headaches (not usual for me), expanding abdomen, fascination with said expanding abdomen, some things even I don't feel comfortable saying on the interwebs (hehe).

Aversions:  I think I've actually gotten over most of my aversions.  But, the thought of eating yellow squash is repulsive.  So random.

Cravings:  Root beer, salads, sushi, soup (I always crave soup when it starts to cool down though).

What I miss:  This is a funny question to ask someone who did (thankfully just) two rounds of IVF and already lost one little nugget.  NOTHING.  Yes, I miss drinking beer and eating raw sushi and drinking wine and sleeping well and not getting almost daily afternoon headaches, but not in the grand scheme of things.  I know how lucky I am, and I feel grateful every day this little babe is growing bigger and stronger.

Feelings toward pregnancy:  Amazement.  Awe.  Fascination with the changing body.  Joy.  Gratitude.  Disbelief at times.  Humble.  I love my little belly (not because I think it's pretty but just what it represents), however I think Matt is scared of it.  Haha.

Best moment this week:  Hearing that sweet heartbeat on Monday and getting good results on my AFP bloodwork!

What I'm looking forward to in the next week:  My University of Florida Fighting Gators kicking the Dawgs' butts (pleeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!).  Go Gators!

It's hard to tell from the picture, but I think I really popped this week.  Not so much that my belly looks bigger in general (I'm sure it is), but it used to be that my stomach was pretty flat when I got up in the AM and until I got some decent food and drink into me.  It is definitely not flat anymore.  Also, the skirt I'm wearing above is one that I wear fairly frequently, but it's a little big usually.  It fit pretty well the last time I wore it (probably two weeks ago), and I am pretty certain that yesterday was the last time I will wear it for a long while!  It's just funny to me how quickly things change when I don't even realize they are.

16 weeks and other musings

Hit the 16 week mark on Wednesday!  2/5 of the way there.  It's definitely flying by and in just under 3 weeks, we'll get to see Baby O again!  Woo to the hoo!

13 weeks, 14 weeks, 15 weeks, 16 weeks... looks like growth to me.  Although the camera angle at 13 weeks is probably a little misleading.

New this week besides the beginning of "the line" is that I read that I am no longer supposed to be lying on my back.  Now, I'm a stomach sleeper anyway, so this isn't a huge deal.  Except that it's becoming uncomfortable to sleep on my stomach, particularly if my bladder is partially full (which seems to be all the time).  So, all of a sudden, I wake up every hour or so on my back.  And, I really don't want to change positions.  Just funny that as soon as I can't sleep on my back, now I want to!  :)  Enter the body pillow I will be purchasing today from Amazon.

I've survived two WODs back at CrossFit and feel good.  A little sore but I feel stronger and more in shape already.  It's amazing what using your muscles can do for your psyche.  I think I was somewhere around 230# on a one rep max (1RM) deadlift (DL) before I took my hiatus, and I hit 175# yesterday.  I know I could've hit 185# but I'm trying not to overdo it.  The nice thing about the DL is that it is an exercise I should be able to do throughout my pregnancy, and it works several large muscle groups.  The trainer and I talked, and he assured me that he has trained many a prego in the past and understands the fine line between stressing my body in a good way and stressing the baby.  It basically comes down to my heartrate, which I am aware of.  So, for example, instead of pullups in Monday's WOD, he had me do the ring rows because they would not spike my heartrate as much (since my hands were not directly over my head) and since the KB swings would get my HR up (and they did).  It's just nice to know that I'm not the only one that's making sure that what I am doing is okay for me and baby.

Gooooooooooo Gators!!!!!  I wish I was going to the game, but it's probably a good thing I'm not because I think we've lost the last two SC games I attended... maybe three?  Yes, I am superstitious when it comes to college football.

Going to be a gorgeous weekend here in Atlanta and hope the same for you!

Just stuff

Work is crazy, but crazy can be good (when it equals job security said the girl who works in an industry hard hit by the recession and who has been laid off twice!).

The Gators are #2 in the BCS.  NEVER (ever ever ever) would I have imagined that at the beginning of this season.  Wow.  We've got some big games coming up... South Carolina this weekend, Georgia next weekend, Missouri the following weekend (though Vandy beat them at home, so I'm not so worried about that one), a few fluff games (much needed), and then our most hated rival, Florida State in Tallanasty.

I survived my first WOD back at CrossFit after an 8 month hiatus.  Three rounds of 25 kettlebell swings and 25 pull-ups.  Rx was 53# on the KBs and unassisted pull-ups.  I did discover that I can still bang out some unassisted pull-ups (it's all about the kip, my friends), but they modified my workout big time.  The trainer wouldn't even let me do pull-ups, and instead I did ring rows.  I could've handled the pull-ups (assisted), but I appreciate that they are looking out for me (and baby) and easing me back into it.  I also only did 25# KB swings.  I would have probably gone for 35# if they let me pick, and I am glad they didn't.  My HR was high enough with only 25#.  I picked up a 53# KB to put it away for another girl when the WOD was over, and I laughed.  Holy crap, I forgot how heavy those things are!  Being pregnant also means no burpees.  I could get used to this!  :)

Some days I honestly wonder if the baby is growing in there, because my stomach can be so "flat" (relatively speaking, of course).  But, I think I'm just getting used to what it looks like now, because I definitely cannot button any of my pants.  But, last night I took a bath after CrossFit to try to help with some of the soreness I knew I'd be experiencing, and I noticed that all of a sudden, the linea negra has started to form on the lowest part of my abdomen!  I swear, it came out of nowhere.  So, obviously things have to be "working" if that's starting to happen.  I really don't spend a lot of time worrying if the baby is okay, but after having so many appointments up front, it is weird to go 4 weeks without any checking in.  I have an OB appointment Monday, so I will look forward to hearing that sweet heartbeat on the doppler to get me until my 19 week u/s.  :)

Oh, and the Ryan Bingham concert was fantastic, as always.  Not that I can feel it, but I am quite certain baby was busting a move or two or at least doing the foot tap and snap (patented move).  I saw another prego there, and I was happy knowing that our children will be exposed to good music that you don't hear on the radio.

Lastly, I think I might need this for Halloween.  Hilarious.

Au revoir for now.

15 weeks

The last few days, I'd been wondering if my belly was actually getting smaller.  It's pretty flat when I wake up in the morning... not as flat as pre-pregnancy, but still.  Then I go through a day and the result is the pictures above (and these were taken before dinner).  I think it's safe to say that I have a real, live baby bump.

Then this morning, I grabbed a pair of pants that used to be a little big on me, so I thought they might fit (as in, I'd be able to zip and button them).  Yep, WRONG.  I can zip them, but it's not comfortable... they don't even come close to buttoning.  Not.even.close.  (Thank you belly band!)  They are also a bit tight on my rear and thighs, which leads me to...

I'm going back to CrossFit next week.  I am both excited and nervous.  I haven't done CrossFit since February, before I started my first round of IVF.  And even then, I was less than stellar in my attendance (thanks to a 6 am class and a girl who hates to get out of bed).  I am going back twice a week in the evenings, and I am going to modify and scale BIG TIME.  I just need something to motivate me, especially since we're about to enter into the time of year when it is dark every day when I leave the office.  This does not make for safe dog walking after work.  I've had mixed thoughts about going back - pregnant and after an 8 month hiatus - but I know myself and my abilities, and I know I won't push myself beyond what is comfortable.  I'm just looking forward to getting back into a bit of a routine and using up the last three months of my membership.  I will decide in January if I want to try to continue through my third trimester or just come back when I get the all clear to workout after the baby... even then, that will only be through my maternity leave, because I know I won't be doing it once I'm working full time with a baby.  On my maternity leave, I can attend the Women's class where there's childcare available (and God willing, my child just takes a nap in his/her carrier during that time).

Besides that, I'm still feeling tired but otherwise good.  We are going to a Ryan Bingham concert tonight, which should be interesting because I could REALLY use a nap today and it will be a late night for this girl.  At least baby's first concert is a good one... gotta start 'em young!

P.S.  Childcare in the city of Atlanta is outrageous... I already knew this, but not only are the waiting lists forever long, you have to pay to get on them, and then "tuition" is $1200-$1500 per month!  Craziness.

That dolla make me holla

So, no idea where that post title came from, but whatevs.  I don't even watch that crap show!  We got our test results back, and our risk factor went from 1 in 61 to 1 in 10,000!  Praise the Lord!  Like I said before, and I can't stress this enough, if our baby has Down syndrome or any other number of things that could be, it doesn't change anything.  But, obviously, no one wishes for these things either.  So, needless to say, we were surprised the results came so quickly and relieved to have a better answer and hopefully put this behind us.

When Matt and I took the dogs for a walk Wednesday night, he said he'd had a very vivid dream that we got the results back and we were very happy.  And then he said all day yesterday, he was wondering if I'd heard anything because the dream was just so much more vivid than usual.  I guess I'm passing off some of my psychic abilities to him.  ;)

Anyway, thank you for your continued prayers.  I know they helped sustain us during the waiting period.  Here's to hoping the rest of my pregnancy is uneventful!!!  If I can be praying anything for you, please let me know.  xoxoxoxo

Second Trimester... and randomness



Why yes, that is the same dress as I wore for my 13 week picture but in a different color.  :)

Second trimester... where's my energy?!  I feel it slowly creeping back, although I really think my exhaustion is as much a function of my sleep the night before than it is placenta making at this point.  Other than the sleep issues, I am feeling good and I have been in much better spirits than I was when I wrote my last post.  Matt had a dream that we got the results and Baby O did not have Down syndrome.  I thought that was a good sign.  My initial gut feeling was that the baby does not have DS, but I have gone back and forth on that since.  I just feel like there have been some signs that s(he) does, but then again, I am probably noticing things more now, you know?  I guess hopefully we'll have a better indication of it one way or another soon!

The thing I am most excited about is that my BFF and I are hosting a very small little baby shower luncheon in honor of another BFF this weekend!  Which means that several of my most favoritest people in the world will all be under one roof.  This makes me happy.  Also, the Gators take on LSU this weekend, and I am FIRED UP!  I am not expecting a win, but I am quite hopeful. 

Lastly, I did not watch the entire debate last night (I just get annoyed and I'm voting for Romney... I've known this since 2008), but from what I saw, I thought he did great.  I do not agree with his entire platform (or with parts, hello reproductive health/assistance, of Ryan's plan, which I don't see becoming a reality).  As I've said many times before, I am socially moderate to liberal even.  But, to me, this election is a referendum on the economy, and Romney is the clear choice.  If you don't agree, that is fine and the beauty of America... we can all go vote on November 6 and make our voices heard.  Plus, while I appreciate that Obama has publically announced his support of gay marriage, nothing has changed while he's been in office, so that alone does not earn my vote.  So, anyway.  I thought Romney was the clear "victor" of what I saw in the debates last night, and I hope many undecided were watching and agree that it is time for change... Obama had his chance and he has not delivered on many of his promises from 2008.  Time will tell.