Oh boy!

Oh boy it's a boy!  The whole ultrasound experience was really fun!  We got to see his little face and he is, indeed, very cute already! His gender photo was very clear and there is no question- all boy! 

When we first found out we were pregnant I wasn't sure if I wanted to know the gender before the actual birth.  However, I can totally see the benefits if you are a planner.  We ordered his crib, his bedding, and his stroller.  The theme of his room is "trees and leaves".  

We are once again amazed at the out pour of generosity from others.  My parents brought the rocking chair that they once used to rock me to sleep with for us to borrow for a few years. Jonah's parents bought us a pack and play.  A friend at work knitted our little man a blue and green blanket and my neighbor made him an adorable "Spartan" sweater! 

With Christmas around the corner I can't help but think about what next Christmas will be like.  This is the last Christmas where Jonah and I will still be "the kids".  Next year it will be all about the baby.  This makes me feel grown up and sentimental.

From our growing family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas!

Tomorrow

Tomorrow we go for our first ultrasound!  This is the first "sneak preview" we'll have of our little baby.  With every Doctors appointment the fact that we are having a baby becomes more real.  I admit that I always experience some anxiety before any of our prenatal Doctors visits.  The question that always runs through my mind is "What if they find out that something is wrong?"  Jonah would tell me that I already signed up for a life time of "worries" by getting pregnant, so why start worrying myself before the baby is born? 

I have had many friends and family members ask if we are going to find out the gender.  After much debate, we have decided to find out the gender if our baby cooperates.  So, look for an updated blog or facebook post tomorrow if you are particularly curious. For the record, I have "felt" boy all along.

To my friends that have requested belly pictures I apologize!  I haven't posted any belly pictures because I don't look pregnant.  This issue of gaining weight has been a slight concern.  I assured my doctor that I have been eating around the clock (and I have been!)  I am currently 18 weeks along and I do feel like I "popped" a little bit over Thanksgiving (although it could have just been the massive amounts of turkey!)  I am hoping to take a few more pictures in December and I will be sure to post them in the next blog.

Speaking of weight, the food cravings have increased to a whole different level during the second trimester!  The other night at about 9:00 pm I mentioned to Jonah that I wanted nothing else in life but a deep dish pizza with a side of shrimp cocktail.  Some of my favorite "snacks" have included: cheese, corn, SALAD (copious amounts), celery and peanut butter, chocolate covered pretzels, California rolls, honey crisp apples, and cinnamon tea from Bigby.  I have always been a cranky hungry person, so now that I am pregnant the crankiness has gotten worse.  Jonah is a saint.

In closing, I just wanted to say thanks again to all of my friends and family members.  We have received so many encouraging emails and cards over the last 4 months.  Jonah and I know that this baby is loved by so many already.  Both of the "grandmas" have done some early shopping, and Joe and Kelli Scarpino actually sent us a little outfit already!  We are so blessed. 

Little Reminder!

Question: When does the joy of finding out you are pregnant turn into anxiety?

Answer:  Apparently at 14 weeks.

This week it dawned on me that I am not prepared for this pregnancy.  Sure, I have been taking my prenatal vitamins, eating healthy (well, most of the time), and getting plenty of rest.  However, I find myself being asked, by seasoned moms, all of these questions that I am not prepared to answer.  Let me share an example:

What is your birth plan?

My response:  I don’t know, don’t I just push it out?

We haven’t a clue what to register for.  I don’t know what a bumbo is or why others insist that I will need one.  I haven’t put much thought into how to decorate the nursery.  Sure, it’s not like the baby is coming tomorrow, but a little thought and planning never hurt anyone right?

This all changes today!  Today I had a little reminder that I have someone else to start planning for.  Sure, I think about our growing baby everyday.  I pray for him/ her to continue to thrive.  I wonder what he/she will be like.  Will our baby be more introverted like me?  Will our baby laugh as loudly and often as Jonah?  I hope so. 

My “little reminder” came in the form of baby’s first movement- a beautiful internal fluttering feeling that has lasted now for 12 hours.  I think the baby is trying to tell me to start planning for him/her.  Point taken little baby!

Heartbeat of Hope

On Wednesday, at precisely 9:27 AM, Jonah and I heard the most beautiful sound in the world.  It was fast, strong, and distinct.  It was perfect. It was the sound of our baby’s heartbeat. 

As Jonah and I reflected later on this memorable event we both came to the same realization.  We said to ourselves, “This is really happening.”  We found ourselves overwhelmed with joy.

As my baby’s heart beat, my heart was breaking for the loss of two very special people this past week.  This is why I titled this week’s entry heartbeat of hope.  I hope and pray that the families affected by the loss of Braelyn and Charlie find peace, and eventually new opportunities for joy.

Tragedy often leads to reflection.  As I reflect this upon the events of this week, I wonder why I am so fortunate while others are not.  This is, of course, a rhetorical question.  I wish I could simply bottle my joy and happiness and share it others when they need it the most.  Until I can find a way to do just that, I will try to help others feel the joy that I felt on Wednesday morning at 9:27 AM.

Pregnant Zombie

In light of October, Halloween, and all things scary the title of this week’s entry is fitting, considering my zombie like state lately. Zombies, by definition, are controlled by some other spirit or entity.  Lately I have discovered Baby Ralston has me under her/his complete control!

Being pregnant for the first time is such a journey.  I always thought I would be one of those highly functional pregnant women- never slowing down at work or home.  This week has been a slap in the face.  On Friday alone at work I counted at least 13 typos in my emails and reports.  What is happening to me?  As I write this very entry I am looking at dirty dishes and at least 3 loads of laundry.  Halloween and Zombies are scary things, but not quite as scary as feeling like a complete failure. 

Sure I have heard the stories from others like, “when I was 10 weeks pregnant I was so tired, I could barely shower and brush my teeth, let alone keep my house clean.”  I just never thought this would be me!  So today I wondered to myself, just what exactly is going on this week with Baby Ralston that is zapping so much of my energy?  I consulted my books and Google only to find out this is a very big week for baby!  Just a few weeks ago Baby Ralston was the size of a small grape.  Now, Baby Ralston is the size of a lime!  And this is just the start…this baby is developing major internal organs this week such as the liver and the brain!  I suppose I can accept my shortcomings this week for the sake of the baby’s progress and development. 

To end on a humorous note, I would like to share 2 funny comments that I experienced this week:

1. (Jonah on the way home from a friends house)

 “I suppose I don’t mind if this baby is a boy, but only if he becomes an astronaut.”

2. (random student that walked by my desk at work)

“OMG are you pregnant?”

Me:  “Yes”

“Awwww…..you used to be so skinny and pretty!”

Me:  “Thanks…I guess?”

Let’s hope next weeks experiences are a little less scary!  Until then, this is “Pregnant Zombie” signing off because it’s time for my nap. 

 

Eight Weeks and Counting...

So here I sit, after over five years of marriage, two months pregnant.  We have chosen to leave our wonderful, easy, self-centered, financially stable lives behind to embrace the chaos that is parenthood.  Something tells me I am way in over my head.  After all, I have never even changed a diaper. 

I have decided to share some answers to a few common questions that I have been on the receiving end of lately.  Here goes….

Question #1: Do you have a gut feeling (literally) about the gender of the baby?

Answer:  Yes, I am 99% sure this baby is a boy.  However, Jonah is certain that we are having a girl.  So certain, indeed, that he already has a beautiful name picked out for her.

Question # 2: How far along are you?

Answer:  8 weeks, 4 days, and 17 hours

Question # 3: Do you have specific cravings?

Answer:  First of all, I have discovered it is possible to be hungry and nauseas at the same time.  I crave carbohydrates…pure and simple.  Favorites include bread, french fries, and pasta.  I also eat a meal every two hours during the day.  I find that if I am always eating I am less likely to throw up.  Oh, and I also eat a small meal at 3:00 in the morning when I can.  I find that this helps my stomach stabilize which makes it easier to get through the work day.  So, I literally eat my way around the clock. 

Question # 4:  How did Jonah react?

Answer:  First of all, let me give you a little background.  I found out I was pregnant the one week of the year that Jonah was literally unreachable.  Jonah was in Alaska during the last week of August on vacation with his family.  He had very weak cell phone reception, although looking back I probably wouldn’t have called him with this news. I knew I was pregnant for five whole days before I was able to share the news with Jonah upon his return.  What a homecoming!  His first words were, “What, you’re pregnant?”  His confusion and concern quickly turned to excitement. 

Question # 5: How long did you try to get pregnant?

Answer:  I almost feel guilty saying this, because I have friends who tried for a long time before conceiving and friends that are still trying to conceive.  Honestly, though, it took us one month to get pregnant.  We feel grateful that we didn’t go through the painstaking process of trying and failing for a number of months. 

Question # 6: How are you feeling?

Answer:  Let me preface my response by saying that I am not a complainer.  However, I feel I have earned the right to say just a few words.  Being nauseas 24/7 is literally depressing.  I only broke down twice, but I endured six really rough weeks.  I am hopeful now that I am getting over this stage. I am sharing this because if anyone else who is newly pregnant reads this blog I want them to know that it will get easier and, at some point, you will start to feel human again.

Question # 7:  How did you react when you found out you were pregnant?

Answer:  Looking back and knowing what I know now about typical symptoms of early pregnancy, I should have known before I even took the test.  However, I will gladly describe my reaction.   Here was the scene:  it was a typical Thursday at work, August 26^th, until I felt like I was going to get sick.  And then I did get sick - twice.  My friend Kristen had a pregnancy test on hand and suggested that I take it just to “rule it out.”  I took it knowing that it would be negative.  After all, who gets pregnant that fast?  I thought I came down with the flu.  I took it and I remembering saying to myself out loud as I was about to view the results, “It’s going to be negative.”  When I saw those two lines (one bold and one very faint) I was so overwhelmed that I literally threw the test down on the bathroom counter.  Thank God I had a friend there to process this information with me.  I remember having a hard time catching my breath and I kept saying, “I can’t believe it.”  There were tears of both panic and joy.

This concludes the question and answer portion of the session.  I want to wrap up this blog post by saying thanks to all of my friends and family who have showered me with support and encouragement over the past month.  I have received so many congratulations cards and phone calls.  This means so much to me especially during my really nauseas days!  Thanks for reading and stay tuned!  Who knows what next week will bring in a day in the life of the pregnant girl next door!