it's the little things...

Good heavens, people. It's the last day of 2010. How did that happen? In addition to the real life housekeeping I've been doing this week, it's time for a little blog housekeeping. Here are the items I set out to try to mark off the ol' Life List this year: Go to at least one new ballpark. I'd love to make some comment like I knocked this one out of the park but that seems to be too much cheese for first thing on Friday... But I did. Visited 3 in fact--Rangers, Royals, and Twins. And at least one new state. Yep, Minnesota. Maybe work on the beginnings of having that first child. I think we all know I've/we've succeeded at this one. Wouldn't hurt to have that 6-figure job I enjoy but no promises there... Yeah, dreaming big with this one. But does it count that Hubby got a job before the end of the year and together we surpassed the 6-figures? I haven't really been enjoying my job and his is kind of too early to tell. Pretty sure we can't mark ...

For posterity's sake... And might I add that this number is much higher than any of the previous years. Mostly read: The Happiest Baby on the Block The Everything Pregnancy Book Pregnancy Day by Day What to Expect When You're Expecting Read: 30. Finger Lickin' Fifteen 29. Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method 28. Something Blue 27. It Sucked and Then I Cried 26. Creative Childbirth 25. The Cadaver's Ball 24. Childbirth: Your Choices for Managing Pain 23. Eat Pray Love 22. The Very Best Baby Name Book 21. My Sister's Keeper 20. Beyond Jennifer & Jason, Madison & Montana: What to Name Your Baby Now 19. A Is For Atticus 18. Three Junes 17. Your Best Birth 16. The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy 15. Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth About Pregnancy and Childbirth 14. Full of Life: Mom-to Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant 13. Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born 12. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Pregnancy and Child Birth 11. The ...

Le sigh. One final week of the honeydew. Total weight gain: Not near a scale today as we're in a hotel but at my appointment on Tuesday I realized the alleged 1-pound weight loss from last week was a fluke. Up 2 lbs. Movement: Same ol', same ol... Still very active and movements continue to be bigger, sometimes uncomfortable, and occasionally painful. Cravings: I can't really think of anything. I have been more thirsty, though. Symptoms: Crazy dreams, baby brain, forgetfulness, lots of waking in the middle of the night, more frequent crazy back pain, slightly less frequent hip pain from sleeping on my side, good hair, some pressure from baby settling and ligament pain, general feeling of uncomfortable-ness is getting more frequent, more daytime pottying, Braxton Hicks. Yeah, Braxton Hicks. Had a more active evening of them on Thursday. Not fun. Also haven't been sleeping that great lately. And, just for fun, a mild version of one of my biggest fears came tr...

Holy shish...Week 35! I'm hoping it's the last week of the honeydew. But then that means we'd be on to the last fruit. Period. Yikes. Total weight gain: This morning I seem to be down about a pound so back to 25. Interesting. Movement: Same ol', same ol... Still very active and movements continue to be bigger, sometimes uncomfortable, and occasionally painful. Cravings: Ooh, I wanted Freebirds this week. Got it last night. Yum! Symptoms: Crazy dreams, baby brain, forgetfulness, lots of waking in the middle of the night, more frequent crazy back pain, slightly less frequent hip pain from sleeping on my side, good hair, some pressure from baby settling and ligament pain (this seems a tad better this week), general feeling of uncomfortable-ness is getting more frequent, more daytime pottying, Braxton Hicks (a more reasonable amount). I can't remember if there have been any baby-related dreams this week. One quick note that I'll mention this once and t...

Total weight gain: About 26 pounds. A pound a week is kind of a scary proposition at this point... Movement: Still very active and movements continue to be bigger, sometimes uncomfortable, and occasionally painful. Cravings: Nothing major but it seems like I'm enjoying carbs and sweets more. And The Hubby thinks I'm preferring more bland foods. Symptoms: Crazy dreams, baby brain, forgetfulness, lots of waking in the middle of the night, more frequent crazy back pain, slightly less frequent hip pain from sleeping on my side, good hair, some pressure from baby settling and ligament pain, general feeling of uncomfortable- ness is getting more frequent, more daytime pottying , Braxton Hicks (a more reasonable amount). One dream last night had Hubby telling me that he wanted to add "Nora" and "Maude" to his girl name list. Belly button: Still in. Preparations: Another coat of paint on the dresser. I think I just need to do one more and I'll be done. I...

On to the (world's palest) honeydew! Total weight gain: About 25 pounds. So this is about a pound more than last week but let me tell ya...I feel like I've gained even more this week. And whatever weight that was gained went straight to the baby's muscles. Movement: Still very active. Still prefers my right side. But now it seems like he or she is trying to push his or her way out through my belly. Or is standing up to simultaneously press on my bladder and into my ribs. Movements are bigger, often uncomfortable, and occasionally painful. Cravings: Sweet tea. And someone mentioned Oreos and I wanted to punch them because it was about an hour before bed and I was at a hotel without any cookies whatsoever. I did have two Oreos today, though. For the record and if you're concerned, I do eat more than sugar and I don't always give in to cravings if they aren't healthy. Symptoms: Crazy dreams, baby brain, forgetfulness, lots of waking in the middle of the night,...

Last week of the squash! Total weight gain: About 24 pounds per the doctor's office scale. Really packing it on now it seems... Movement: Very active and prefers my right side. Seems like there's more activity throughout the day. Cravings: Caffeine. And the typical Thanksgiving foods. Symptoms: Crazy dreams, baby brain, forgetfulness, lots of waking in the middle of the night, some crazy back pain, some hip pain from sleeping on my side (although I've figured out how to kind of minimize this by changing how I'm sleeping), good hair, some pressure from baby settling or ligament pain (but I'm learning how to avoid this turning into pain), general feeling of uncomfortable-ness is getting more frequent, more daytime pottying, Braxton Hicks. Also a few nights were it's hard for me to get back to sleep after a bathroom break. No fun. One funny thing re: crazy dreams. On Thursday morning I dreamt that we brought the baby home without having decided a name. Baby ...

Ugh, still with the weird squash... Total weight gain: About 22 pounds. Movement: Very active and prefers my right side. Since the baby tends to move more when I'm still (and vice versa), he or she is often having a dance party right before I go to bed. I asked Hubby last night if he thought the baby would sleep at appropriate times after birth if I became nocturnal for the remainder of the pregnancy... Cravings: I ate really pretty healthily last week so I wanted fast food this week. Sorry, baby. Symptoms: Crazy dreams, baby brain, forgetfulness, lots of waking in the middle of the night, some crazy back pain, some hip pain from sleeping on my side (although I've figured out how to kind of minimize this by changing how I'm sleeping), good hair, some pressure from baby settling or ligament pain (but I'm learning how to avoid this turning into pain), general feeling of uncomfortable-ness is getting more frequent, more daytime pottying. And while it was probably new a...

My first baby shower was the day before Halloween, hosted by my SIL (The Brother's wife) and her mother. Guests were mostly family and some friends of the family. Most of the ladies were mothers (or grandmothers or great-grandmothers) so there was a lot of experience in that room. And a little advice. The theme was fall (with a few Halloween decorations thrown in because it was, after all, the day before Halloween). As usual, the ladies did a great job on decorations and food. I love that one guest said that she had eaten before she came and another responded with, "Oh, I didn't. The last time I was here they had great food." And she's right. Uh, yeah. See that? Super freakin' cute pumpkin babies. I took those home and they're still sitting in the kitchen. Unfortunately, I have a feeling Hubby will use them for pie next week. So. Cute. Also? Punch. Mmmmm... I'll spare you the crazy faces I make when opening presents and move right along to some of my ...

Total weight gain: Still about 21 pounds. Movement: Very active. Had a doctor's appointment this week where the little machine to hear the heartbeat wasn't working at first but no need to be concerned as the baby was moving just moments before... Cravings: Not really anything this week. Weird. The Bradley Method class/instructor/medical proponents recommend a high protein diet. I never knew how hard it was to eat so much protein. I'm basically not stressing over it but trying to get back on the healthy eating bandwagon. Symptoms: Crazy dreams, baby brain, forgetfulness, lots of waking in the middle of the night, some crazy back pain, some hip pain from sleeping on my side, good hair, some pressure from baby settling or ligament pain (but I'm learning how to avoid this turning into pain), general feeling of uncomfortable-ness at times, more daytime pottying. Sleep hasn't been great this week but still fewer potty breaks. And I know I haven't mentioned thi...

Holy moly, we're finally done with the eggplant! That's some sort of squash and we're in the 7th month. SEVENTH. MONTH. Total weight gain: About 21 pounds. Moving on from the plateau. Also? I think my belly has really grown. Maybe I should have been keeping waist measurements, too. Movement: More of the same--still very active. We're allegedly around the peak time for activity. We start going downhill a little now as the baby starts to have a little less wiggle room. Cravings: Hmm, just reading about that taco salad from last week makes me want one. No real cravings (besides sweets). I have had a few really good sandwiches this week, though. Symptoms: Crazy dreams, baby brain, forgetfulness, lots of waking in the middle of the night, less crazy back pain, some hip pain from sleeping on my side, good hair, some pressure from baby settling, general feeling of uncomfortable-ness at times. Better sleeping this week with fewer potty breaks. Woohoo! But, you know, during ...

Lordy, people. So there's baby brain and then there's BABY BRAIN. Since I have the 3-hour glucose test tomorrow, I hear I'm supposed to pack in some carbs. I made breakfast tacos this morning. About an hour later, I leave the office (where I was eating) and something smells a little weird. I go in the kitchen and find this: That's what happens to a plastic spoon when you leave it resting on a pan. An empty pan. An empty pan that is still sitting on top of a lit burner. Oh, well. This isn't the first weird plastic disaster this kitchen has seen (and no one was even pregnant then). Good. Grief. In other news, I keep forgetting to mention in my weekly updates that my hair is finally starting to get good. (I know that's horrible grammar but that's how I'm compelled to say it.) I didn't have the never-lose-a-strand-of-hair thing going on at the beginning of the pregnancy but the last few weeks have really turned around. I know the picture below isn't ...

Total weight gain: About 20 pounds (confirmed by doctor's scale this week). Seems like we've hit a plateau. Not that I'm complaining... Movement: More of the same--still very active. There have been some really big movements this week. It is entertaining and kind of freaks me out at the same time. Cravings: Well, since I'm trying to eat less sugar and simple carbs, that's all I want. I'd love to eat all that Halloween candy. And mashed potatoes. Mac n cheese... In trying to limit the carbs yet joining in on my SIL's Masters degree celebration, I had a taco salad last night. VERY GOOD. Symptoms: Crazy dreams, baby brain, forgetfulness, lots of waking in the middle of the night, less crazy back pain. At time, beginning to feel a little uncomfortable in general. And my hips sometimes are a little sore again from having to sleep on them all night. Also? Twice this week I've gotten up to go to the bathroom and my brain has actually turned on. What's t...

Total weight gain: About 20 pounds. I swear I don't know where it's going since I still look fairly small for the beginning of the 3rd trimester. So much so that we postponed maternity pics for a few weeks. A little disappointing but at least I'll actually look pregnant in them... Movement: Still very active. Baby likes conference calls, eating, and bedtime. Baby also likes hiding when Hubby is looking. Cravings: Still loving the red grapes and the apples dipped in caramel. Trying to cut back on the caramel, though. And parfaits (generally yogurt, red grapes, and granola) have been tasty. Trying to cut back on the sugar, though. Symptoms: Crazy dreams, baby brain, forgetfulness, lots of waking in the middle of the night, that crazy back pain, the occasional slightly swollen ankles due to flying or overworking myself. There was some really good, crazy dream this week that I should have noted earlier since I now have no recollection. My allergies are finally starting to s...

Let me preface all of this by saying that it hasn't really put me in a bad mood. That's progress, right? Even with all these crazy pregnancy hormones. Go figure... So I'm reading this book on hypnobirthing because Hubby wants me to. I think if he were to read it he'd think differently. I mean, if it's too fruity for me it will DEFINITELY be too fruity for him. I'm hoping there's at least a little to take away. That, and it's about 100 pages. Anyway, before bed I was reading a chapter about dream interpretation. So of course I wake up this morning after having this freaky long, detailed dream that ends with what? My tooth falling out. The only recurring dream I've ever had. Thanks a lot, hypnobirthing. Have I mentioned how much I HATE those dreams? And Monday arrives... Last night I made this pretty good Mexican casserole out of some random stuff we had and only going very loosely by a recipe. I was looking forward to leftovers. What d...

Total weight gain: Still about 19 pounds. Movement: Still very active. I can tell the baby is getting bigger because I could only feel movements in small areas before. Now I can sometimes feel a big movement across half my belly. Cravings: Still loving the red grapes and the apples dipped in caramel. Symptoms: Crazy dreams, baby brain, forgetfulness, lots of waking in the middle of the night. I have had a few nights in the last couple of weeks where I haven't had to get up to go to the bathroom (which is awesome). Still with the mid- to low-back pain on my right side. Got a massage yesterday. She really worked on that spot and it felt good immediately after but I think was just sore last night. Doing ok today. Also still battling the allergies. Belly button: I think it's getting smaller. Preparations: Finished the valances but need to hang them. Have a few more ideas for wall art. Got some yard work out of the way this morning so maybe I'll work on valances and the dre...

A few days late... But, hey! The baby is developing into an eggplant now! Total weight gain: Still about 19 pounds. Movement: Generally, bouts first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. Plus a few times in the middle of the day and at least once during the night. This baby is crazy active. Cravings: Still loving the red grapes. And had some watermelon again and it was particularly good. And since it's fall? I could eat about a dozen apples dipped into that pre-made caramel sauce they sell in grocery stores. Symptoms: Crazy dreams, baby brain, forgetfulness, difficulty sleeping. I think I finally found a reasonably good pillow so while I may not be sleeping as well as I did pre-pregnancy, at least I'm not waking up with the same neck and shoulder pain. Oh, but speaking of pain, I have been getting some lower back pain on my right side after sitting for extended periods. Not fun. I foresee more massages in my future. Belly button: Holding steady. Preparations...

Better late than never. I'm finally home and could finally get these off the camera. These are from last Sunday (24 weeks +1). You'll notice that sometimes I have fake smiles... The dog didn't pose this week. So lately I've been wondering where all my weight is sticking to me since so many people are still surprised I'm even pregnant. Um, I think I found it. It's in my giant butt. Maybe there's a second baby in there...

Total weight gain: About 19 pounds. We had a doctor’s appointment on Monday and I was at about 17 pounds. It seems that we’re really not imagining that the belly has grown a lot this week. Movement: All the time. Sometimes while I’m supposed to be sleeping. Perhaps this is a sign of things to come. Cravings: Red grapes. I decided that this craving may be trying to meet my champagne craving. Or something. Hey, at least it’s relatively healthy. Symptoms: Crazy dreams, baby brain, forgetfulness, all emotions (especially the crazy ones) are just under the surface. No additional leg cramps. No flights = no swelling. Difficulty sleeping. It’s just hard to get comfortable. I miss sleeping on my tummy. So sad… The most exciting (in a scary way) thing this week is that I had a full-on nosebleed. Just sitting there watching “Sicko” (of all things) and suddenly… Well, you know what happens. Yuck. Had to revert back to basic first aid but once I forced myself to quit releasing pre...

Way back in July, I marked a few things off the ol' Life List--visiting a new state (Minnesota) and a new ballpark (in, um, Minnesota). Because things got pretty crazy in August and September, I've totally neglected blogging about this. So July 15-19. I traveled up to Minnesota with my MIL and SIL. We flew into Minneapolis and then drove on up to Pine River. It's a small, quaint little town with two motels. We chose the better one. They had a Dairy Queen and a farmer's market. We visited both. The main reason we went up this far north into the state was so that we could drive up to where my MIL spent summers as a kid. She hadn't been in a very long time and my SIL and I had never been. One of the numerous lakes in Minnesota is Lake Ponto. It's small and quiet and has just a few lake houses on each side. We visited the house that my MIL's grandfather had built and talked to the next-door neighbors. Things were very much like my MIL remembered, and it was grea...