I am exactly 8 weeks pregnant today. I have no fear in sharing this as I went to see my Perinatologist for the first time this morning.
They performed a trans-vaginal ultrasound ... lo and behold! A baby with a heartbeat of 164 beats per minute was clearly visible!!
This was entirely a surprise and completely unplanned - in fact, Dave and I have been working in the OPPOSITE direction as I was on Coumadin (which crosses the placenta - no good) and according to my Hematologist he wanted me to wait until this summer to go back on the Lovenox (safe for baby, pregnancy good).
Luckily, although I went into the doc about 4 weeks ago because I thought I had a urinary tract infection and they diagnosed me as pregnant, I haven't had any issues. Praise the Gods. No bleeding, no cramping; just nausea and the occasional minor headache..... and FOOD CRAVINGS that have been driving Dave nuts. *L*
Seriously? I was craving chilli and ate a whole can for lunch yesterday. It was SO GOOD. And I paid for it by feeling stuffed for 7 hours until I ... well...let's just say the juice helped me out with getting rid of that bloated and miserable feeling. *L*
According to my Perinatologist, Dr. Fairbanks (a lovely, well-organized physician, very caring and astute) even though I'm considered to be high risk due to previous pre-eclampsia with Alli, and my blood disorder issues, she was reassuring when I asked her what my chances of full term birth were and she looked me in the eye and said "I would say you have a 98% likelihood of having a happy, healthy baby." I then asked if it was okay to tell people and she said "I don't see why not! A heartbeat is a wonderful thing." It put my mind at ease and put me on guard for taking care of myself - which between Dave and myself, we've been doing quite a good job. :)
He loves me so much...he's been making dinner for the last month - letting me ly down on the couch and catch a 15 minute snooze while he preps dinner, and then runs to pick up Alli from the bus. When he and Alli return, he then completes dinner prep and has been taking care of the kitchen for the most part. My HERO! :)
We finally told Alli tonight and she is ecstatic about being a big sister. My best friend Kathleen, and my other friends Beckah, Jenn, Sheila, etc.... they were all told and are excited for us as well.
It's funny when you think about it though. I'm due October 7th. Dave's birthday is October 9th. Even if they decide to schedule me for an early c-section, my sister's birthday was September 21st.... which made me pause. :) And then we are still getting married November 1st. Oy! So MUCH to do this year - and I haven't even gotten into how my little brother, Alex, who's 19 this November is going to moving in with us this summer and staying for the length of Le Cordon Bleu cooking program...or longer.
I'm looking forward to the challenges this year is going to be bringing. Aren't you? *L*
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Kisses
We have special kisses in our family when it comes to goodnight kisses...and we have just added a new one.
First, we have the "puppy kiss", where you basically fake your family member out like you are going to give them a kiss on the cheek, and instead you stick out your tongue and lick them like a puppy would. This kiss was courtesy of Grandpa Gary and Aunty Kathleen.
Next, we have "vacuum kisses". These were invented by Dave; where basically you suck in air close to the person's face, thus creating a bit of a vacuum pull. It tickles. *G*
Then, there's there are "zombie kisses". This is ALL Dave's invention again. He loves horror and zombie movies so he created a fun kiss for Alli where he pretends to gnaw on the top of her head while mumbling "Mmmm gooooooooood brains! Me like brains!" Of course, she giggles and laughs heartily.
Well, tonight, mommy invented a new kiss. The "chicken kiss" where you pretty much peck kisses on the person's cheek/face like a chicken would peck at corn. Yay, me! I finally came up with one .... and luckily she laughed in enjoyment. Tee hee hee!
May you hold your little ones close and invent new kisses and ways to make them giggle into sweet dreams! :)
First, we have the "puppy kiss", where you basically fake your family member out like you are going to give them a kiss on the cheek, and instead you stick out your tongue and lick them like a puppy would. This kiss was courtesy of Grandpa Gary and Aunty Kathleen.
Next, we have "vacuum kisses". These were invented by Dave; where basically you suck in air close to the person's face, thus creating a bit of a vacuum pull. It tickles. *G*
Then, there's there are "zombie kisses". This is ALL Dave's invention again. He loves horror and zombie movies so he created a fun kiss for Alli where he pretends to gnaw on the top of her head while mumbling "Mmmm gooooooooood brains! Me like brains!" Of course, she giggles and laughs heartily.
Well, tonight, mommy invented a new kiss. The "chicken kiss" where you pretty much peck kisses on the person's cheek/face like a chicken would peck at corn. Yay, me! I finally came up with one .... and luckily she laughed in enjoyment. Tee hee hee!
May you hold your little ones close and invent new kisses and ways to make them giggle into sweet dreams! :)
Monday, January 28, 2008
For those that are Socially Awkward, I salute you
How To Have More Social Success!
The above site was pointed out to me by my love, Dave. Yes, my geek man showed this website to me, laughingly.
To which I asked, "Have you read it yet?"
He pouted and walked away, muttering "have I read it yet!"
It features such wonderful reading as (don't worry, I've picked out the highlights!):
How To Be More Fun / How To Be Less Boring
Regular Logical Mode vs. Fun Partying Mode In Social Interactions
Thoughts On 'Connecting' With People
What To Do If Your Friends Suck
The Importance of Getting Your Appearance In Order
How Your Interests Can Affect Your Social Success
And other links you can click on the main page that made me giggle:
Geared More Towards Guys:
How To Dance - For Average Guys
My Advice For Any Shy, Awkward Guys Still in High-School
How I (Gradually) Became Less Obsessive About Playing Video Games
Geared More Towards Women:
Inside The Mind Of Guys Who Are Shy And Inexperienced With Women
Somewhat Controversial / Things You May Not Want To Hear:
At Times It's Socially Practical To Know About Things Other People Care About
Being Honest With Yourself About Your Social Problems
Are You Sure You Know What You Want Socially?
What To Do If You Can't Relate To All The Shallow People Out There
It's Fine If You Don't Drink, But Don't Be Too Uptight About It
Fantastic reading for those who live with, love, are married to the geeks, nerds, and dweebs of the world. It gives you a bit more insight. ;)
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Gettin' Back on the Horse
Well, really, more like getting back to planning the Handfasting/Wedding.
Dave and I have finally picked our colors - and they are based on this Godiva Chocolate tin that he gave to me for Yule. Frankly, I feel like a flake for saying that, but it's the truth. *L* I fell in love with the colors, and Dave has disavowed any real say in the color scheme, linens, flowers, etc. Believe me, I've tried to make him interested, but he at least realizes he's out of his element as the type of man he is.
I emailed my buddy who'll be catering the handfasting to see if we could get a jump with the new year on wedding details. We need to sit and plan the menu out, and then have a tasting meeting, and move along from there with payment, etc.
We really need to make an appointment with Midway Party Rental to spend a few hours with them and Dave. He may not care about colors and textures, but our pocket book will - and he DOES have say with that. ;)
I now have to find a new dress, too. The silver one I ordered and now have hanging in our closet won't match anything - the tin has copper, gold, yellow, green, and some doe brown hues. Really quite pretty. Dave doesn't have to worry - he has already picked out his clothes and he can get them in either soot black or doe brown. Easy choice.
And so.... we're picking up again and moving forward. I still need to reschedule with our choice of officiant. Gods, I hope she doesn't say no. We had to cancel the first time because of Kathleen's dad's accidental death and we just haven't gotten around to rescheduling again. Oy.
Dave and I have finally picked our colors - and they are based on this Godiva Chocolate tin that he gave to me for Yule. Frankly, I feel like a flake for saying that, but it's the truth. *L* I fell in love with the colors, and Dave has disavowed any real say in the color scheme, linens, flowers, etc. Believe me, I've tried to make him interested, but he at least realizes he's out of his element as the type of man he is.
I emailed my buddy who'll be catering the handfasting to see if we could get a jump with the new year on wedding details. We need to sit and plan the menu out, and then have a tasting meeting, and move along from there with payment, etc.
We really need to make an appointment with Midway Party Rental to spend a few hours with them and Dave. He may not care about colors and textures, but our pocket book will - and he DOES have say with that. ;)
I now have to find a new dress, too. The silver one I ordered and now have hanging in our closet won't match anything - the tin has copper, gold, yellow, green, and some doe brown hues. Really quite pretty. Dave doesn't have to worry - he has already picked out his clothes and he can get them in either soot black or doe brown. Easy choice.
And so.... we're picking up again and moving forward. I still need to reschedule with our choice of officiant. Gods, I hope she doesn't say no. We had to cancel the first time because of Kathleen's dad's accidental death and we just haven't gotten around to rescheduling again. Oy.
Good Weekend? Mine was!
We were SO FREAKING BUSY this weekend! It was INSANE!
Friday night I bit the bullet and said "Screw it!" to all the cooking implements that had no place to live in our kitchen. I enlisted Alli's help and we went through all the cabinets that had pots and pans I knew were just sitting there, unloved, and unused.
My kitchen is clean! I have places that now lovingly house new cookies sheets, new pizza pans, my new crock pot and toaster from Kathleen, and ....well, I didn't quite get to the cabinet that houses the rats' nest of tupperware, but was pleased with the results. Tupperware is a plan for next weekend, methinks.
Exhausted, I then headed upstairs and started packing for Sandstone. Alli tried to help. I know she did. But all she really did was play on our bed in the sheets and hide while I asked her every few minutes to go and get things to put in her bag - which she did - and then she'd hide back under the sheets. Silly girl. After the bags were packed, she realized it was time for bed and ran to brush her teeth.
She gets really excited when she knows we're going to visit Aunty Kathleen and Uncle Charlie - especially since Kathleen's been pregnant.
Saturday morning began bright and early with showers, getting dressed, grabbing breakfast and taking leave. We arrived at Kas's around 11am and chilled for a bit before destroying her living room.
No, really - she asked us to.
We helped her and Charlie move around their living room so they could put the changing table in there for the baby. Yes, it makes sense - their rooms are upstairs, but everything else is on the main level and really who wants to be running up and downstairs all day when you're already exhausted from being up all night?
Anyways...Dave and Charlie spent about an hour trying to figure out how to re-hook the cables up once the entertainment center had been moved. Pretty hilarious when neither man knows how it's supposed to go because it was Kathleen and I who just ripped the cables out and threw them on the couch. hee hee hee. We're evil. Diabolically so.
I cleaned their kitchen while the boys played with the TV- because that's the kind of friend I am; Kathleen's back was hurting so bad. I can't say I remember being nearly 6 months pregnant, but her body has certainly changed shape and she is still trying to do things that she used to, although her center of gravity has changed.
We went out to dinner - minus Charlie who's back hurt so badly he came home early from poker.
Kathleen, her mom Linda, Alli, Dave, and myself all had a lovely dinner at Tobie's - Dave had a 20 oz porterhouse steak. Gah! It made me glad that we don't really eat that much red meat, that he could enjoy the steak without guilt.
Sunday morning we snuck out, not wanting to wake them. Yes, we frequently sneak out when they are still asleep and let ourselves out. Hey, we have a key to their house, we're allowed. *L*
We headed over to my parents' house and Alli was deluged with pressies while my brother Alex gave us his old Nintendo 64 and talked alot about moving in with us this summer, and going to Le Cordon Bleu in Mendota Heights which is about 25 minutes from where we live.
Think he was trying to buy us off a bit? Alex even pulled out his Guitar Hero 3 and let us crank on that for a bit. I have pictures I'll post later; it was pretty funny. :)
A good weekend. And now...I'll just watch some Keith Olbermann and chill with my honey.
Make it a good week everyone!
Friday night I bit the bullet and said "Screw it!" to all the cooking implements that had no place to live in our kitchen. I enlisted Alli's help and we went through all the cabinets that had pots and pans I knew were just sitting there, unloved, and unused.
My kitchen is clean! I have places that now lovingly house new cookies sheets, new pizza pans, my new crock pot and toaster from Kathleen, and ....well, I didn't quite get to the cabinet that houses the rats' nest of tupperware, but was pleased with the results. Tupperware is a plan for next weekend, methinks.
Exhausted, I then headed upstairs and started packing for Sandstone. Alli tried to help. I know she did. But all she really did was play on our bed in the sheets and hide while I asked her every few minutes to go and get things to put in her bag - which she did - and then she'd hide back under the sheets. Silly girl. After the bags were packed, she realized it was time for bed and ran to brush her teeth.
She gets really excited when she knows we're going to visit Aunty Kathleen and Uncle Charlie - especially since Kathleen's been pregnant.
Saturday morning began bright and early with showers, getting dressed, grabbing breakfast and taking leave. We arrived at Kas's around 11am and chilled for a bit before destroying her living room.
No, really - she asked us to.
We helped her and Charlie move around their living room so they could put the changing table in there for the baby. Yes, it makes sense - their rooms are upstairs, but everything else is on the main level and really who wants to be running up and downstairs all day when you're already exhausted from being up all night?
Anyways...Dave and Charlie spent about an hour trying to figure out how to re-hook the cables up once the entertainment center had been moved. Pretty hilarious when neither man knows how it's supposed to go because it was Kathleen and I who just ripped the cables out and threw them on the couch. hee hee hee. We're evil. Diabolically so.
I cleaned their kitchen while the boys played with the TV- because that's the kind of friend I am; Kathleen's back was hurting so bad. I can't say I remember being nearly 6 months pregnant, but her body has certainly changed shape and she is still trying to do things that she used to, although her center of gravity has changed.
We went out to dinner - minus Charlie who's back hurt so badly he came home early from poker.
Kathleen, her mom Linda, Alli, Dave, and myself all had a lovely dinner at Tobie's - Dave had a 20 oz porterhouse steak. Gah! It made me glad that we don't really eat that much red meat, that he could enjoy the steak without guilt.
Sunday morning we snuck out, not wanting to wake them. Yes, we frequently sneak out when they are still asleep and let ourselves out. Hey, we have a key to their house, we're allowed. *L*
We headed over to my parents' house and Alli was deluged with pressies while my brother Alex gave us his old Nintendo 64 and talked alot about moving in with us this summer, and going to Le Cordon Bleu in Mendota Heights which is about 25 minutes from where we live.
Think he was trying to buy us off a bit? Alex even pulled out his Guitar Hero 3 and let us crank on that for a bit. I have pictures I'll post later; it was pretty funny. :)
A good weekend. And now...I'll just watch some Keith Olbermann and chill with my honey.
Make it a good week everyone!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
December 25th
We still sort of celebrate Christmas, as well as Yule. This stems from the fact that I grew up with it and why the hell shouldn't I get two days of presents? Okay, not so much....but more really to do with Santa.
You know Santa, right? The guy in the red suit with white trim? Well we are still encouraging Alli to believe in him. And why not?! I equate her belief in Santa and the spirit of the season with innocence. I want her to remain innocent about the commercialism for as long as she can (this is why we have a DVR and fast forward through the commercials!).
We had lovely breakfast of cinnamon rolls and fruit, then took to the presents. Tally ho!
Our Trader Joe's Gingerbread house....look how the cat is stuck to the house.
These flowers are part of the lovely bouquet Dave got me for Yule- there's also a swag, and a LOT of Godiva chocolate. Yum.
Here we have Alli, with Rudy the Godiva bear she got from Dave with some of her own chocolates. She is waiting patiently to open presents.
Dave - not sharing his roasted chestnuts.
And to that I say "I didn't want your nuts anyways!" So there.
It was nice to be home with my family Christmas day. Food, cheese, chestnuts, and love. Mmmm. And not in that order necessarily. May yours have been as good as mine! :)
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