Belly Pic, Great Weekend, Back to Work

  Belly pic.  Not a very good one, but we need to take some more.  I have some at home, but always forget so I just wanted to add one while I was thinking about it.  This is by the yacht club in Escanaba.  What a beautiful day that was yesterday.  I got so swollen from walking for almost an hour.  Learned that lesson.  Great trip though to see good friends, meet new people, learn new information and to have some decent food.  Tony got to shop and I got some Culver's.  We were both happy.

  Did not expect to have to come into work today, but it worked out fine.  My first real estate deal is going ahead and I am happy about that.  I am going to try on more maternity clothes tonight and get my affairs in order to be on our way for the 4th of July.  I am just happy we did not get rain all day like they predicted.  Tony has many projects he wants to finish before this Thursday.  This being his only day off, he ended up being very productive today (me grinning).

  I hit my belly on a chair yesterday inadvertently.  I did not think much of it at the time, but the area ached for almost an hour afterwards and then on and off for hours later.  It makes me worry if I hurt the baby, but I am hoping that I did not do any damage.  Poor, defenseless thing.  It is difficult for me to be calm and relaxed versus worrying about everything I do while pregnant.  Ugh, that feeling will never end I am guessing.  We will see.  I need to be more aware of my poking out belly that I am not used to.  I guess I will walk with my hands out in front of me more to try to pay better attention.  No sucking in the belly anymore, that is for sure.

  Here's another belly pic from last week.  Not much better but it's from the side anyway.

Ultrasound Pictures Today, Belly Pictures to Come

Here are a couple of the 20 week ultrasound pictures.  The feet are precious and he was looking directly at us during the exam.  Too bad the tech. did not take a clear pic, but in all fairness the purpose of the ultrasound is to take an organ study and make sure there are no abnormalities and normal growth.  Fun.

This you can see the bottom of the baby's face toward us.

These are the baby's feet.  So sweet :)

21 weeks and Feeling Good

  Today was a rainy day all day long.  I did not care because I feel good and I was energized.  I work all day tomorrow, so let it rain some more.  I have been eating after dinner which is a big no-no, but have not gained too much weight at this point.  I need to curb that temptation now because I know that can add up over 4 more months of this experience.  I can work out after birth, but the less work I have to do the easier it will be for sure.  I am loving the pregnancy wardrobe these days.  Most comfy for the belly and frequent on and off intervals all day long.  Loving the extra-long night shirts for day time in home wear.  Comfy is the name of the game.

  Excited for our trip this weekend and want to try out our new-to-us Suburban.  Refinancing a house is like someone kicking you when you are already on the ground.  Too much paperwork and fees and then they want you to pay them at the end.  It will be nice when it takes effect anyway.

21 WEEKS

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.

How your life's changing:

You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. If you're feeling good, relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints.

That's not to say you won't have some minor glitches to deal with now. For example, increased oil production may contribute to the development (or worsening) of acne. If that's the case, be diligent about washing well with a gentle soap or cleanser twice a day, and make sure that any moisturizer or make-up you use is oil-free. Don't take any oral acne medications — some are very hazardous during pregnancy — or use any topical acne products without first checking with your practitioner.

You're also more prone to varicose veins now. As your pregnancy progresses, there's increasing pressure on the veins in your legs; higher progesterone levels, which may cause the walls of your veins to relax, can make the problem worse. You're more likely to get varicose veins if other family members have them. Also, they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you age. To help prevent or minimize varicose veins, exercise daily, prop up your feet and legs whenever possible, sleep on your left side, and wear maternity support hose.

You may also notice so-called spider veins (a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin), particularly on your ankles, legs, or face. They may have a spider- or sunburst-like pattern with little branches radiating out from the center, they may look like the branches of a tree, or they may be a group of separate thin lines with no particular pattern. Though they may be a bit unsightly, spider veins don't cause discomfort and usually disappear after delivery.

BOY, What A Big Day yesterday

  What a difference a day makes.  So much going on and plans change all the time.  I did not expect the day would turn out as it did when I woke up yesterday.  We went to the bank to refinance our house and found out we could save a good amount of money monthly.  So excited about that!  We went to just "look" at cars and do some test driving.  We wound up agreeing to a fair deal on a 2004 Suburban!  Wow, we needed a newer vehicle to replace our 1993 Jeep.  Did not know it would be over night. Fun.

  I had my 20 week ultrasound.  Good sized baby ahead of schedule on size.  Fun to see their feet, face facing the ultrasound so we could see the look on their face.  The radiology tech. said she was pretty sure the baby is a BOY!  But with the disclaimer that she has been wrong before.  I understand it is a guess, but it should be an educated one.  So fun to see the baby move all around and bring his hands to his face.  Love it.  So precious.  So exciting.

  I also cut Tony's hair for the first time.  He finally agreed to letting me try my hand at cutting his hair.  There is a little trimming to do around his cow lick, but overall I would say it went well and he was not too disappointed or embarrassed to go out into public today.  I did trim too close on the right ear because I was not familiar with the trimming free hand, but not too bad.  I will learn more as I go.  I can always go shorter or just cut more often too.  Sweet to save money also.

  I got to go for a walk in the beautiful weather too.  Such a good feeling when I get done.  I love the breeze, when it is not stinging my ears because it is cold.  I love the brisk feeling of walking.  The feeling of the blood coursing though my body.  I feel energized when I am done every time.  Now if I can get back into the habit of stretching daily.  I find stretching to be particularly difficult with a precious belly I do not want to squish.  I am stiff muscled and jointed if I do not stretch though.  I need to do it.  I am off to make more real estate deals.  Yay.  What a good day and I am hoping great week!  Love, love, love.

Bridgefest and Round Ligament Pain

  Well, mid-60's with a cool-ish breeze at times, overcast and overall not a sparkly day made Bridgefest not as fun.  We went for the Atlantic salmon, chicken wings and fries.  The food was good.  The seagulls were lurking too closely at times.  Only saw a few people we knew.  I think it is strange that when people recognize me they say, "I know you."  And today that was followed by, "I was just talking about you the other day."  Who knows what that means.  I did not ask.  I got to wear my State Wide Real Estate jacket I just got monogrammed this week.  Sweet.  The hood helped with the periodic sprinkles and to keep the wind off of my ears as they were aching from walking into the wind on the second half of our walk to our car.  My right side, my lower abdominal area started getting painful while walking.  It worsened the more I walked so I rested on a bench and Tony dutifully walked all the way back to the car by himself, then came and picked me up.  I feel better now I have rested and am no longer walking.  I think it is just round ligament pain, but rest is fine just to be sure.

  I got an accepted offer on my first real estate deal today!  This is half way to closing the deal.  So excited.  It is comparable to driving by yourself for the first time, making your first professional presentation or living in your own place for the first time.  What an accomplishment it feels like.  I cannot wait to get paid for my work also.

  I look forward to fireworks tonight after getting Nikki's birthday present ready.  She's getting a compilation book of photos I have taken over the years.  I have never given her copies and this way the pictures will be novel to them.  Mostly they are at family gatherings and I am trying to incorporate everyone from the family in them, but since I am behind the camera I am sorely lacking in presence in front of the camera.  I will have to resolve this at future functions.  Fun to look back at the girls growing.

20 WEEKS!!!!!!   Half way there!

How your baby is growing:

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure,measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

How your life's changing:

Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as for your growing baby and the placenta. Red meat is one of the best sources of iron for pregnant women. Poultry (especially the dark meat) and shellfish also contain iron. Some common non-meat sources of iron include legumes, soy-based products, spinach, prune juice, raisins, and iron-fortified cereals.

If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations.

I found out just this week that the pre-natal vitamins I have been taking (4 horse pills per day) have NO iron in them.  I have been lacking iron this whole time!  Ridiculous!  I started on iron yesterday and I feel better already.  I felt dizzy, nauseated and like I was going to pass out right after my business photo session yesterday.  Dehydration and low iron will do that to a pregnant girl.  Lesson learned and problem rectified.

Oh the headache of it all

These days I spend a great amount of time interpreting my headaches.  I get them daily.  Most times they represent low blood sugar.  Few and far between they mean I have tension in my muscles, stress or sinus inflammation.  Today, sinus inflammation.  Yesterday I got my massage to relax my muscles as much as possible, I do not feel stressed.  I ate and worked out today and I was tuckered out thoroughly.  Twenty minutes after eating I fell asleep on the couch.  I woke about 2 hours later to find it is dinner time and the rest of the work day was gone.

Despite my nap, my headache persists so this narrows it down to sinus inflammation.  The white pollen coats the yards of grass at our neighbor's places.  The yellow pollen coats the streets, cars and sidewalks visibly.  I was gardening for hours yesterday.  I broke down and took a Benadryl to see if it will work.  This means I may fall asleep again, but to be headache free it would be worth it.  I hope so as I have things to do, people to see, etc. etc.  The day is beautiful, no reason to waste it.  Maybe I can still get my walk in.  We will see.  Dinner is wafting through the doorway.  I must now go answer it's call.  My gracious husband brought me dinner.  So sweet.  Oh baby, flutter away.  I will feed us both, no worries.

Ebay, To Do List, Drawing of The Three, Gardening, Clothes Search

  What is not going on this weekend?  I just got an email from an unsatisfied customer on eBay after buying a modem from me.  I bought the modem on eBay myself and found out, despite it's description, that it could not work with DSL internet.  All I could do was plug it into the wall and see that the lights came on, indicating that power went to the modem.  I could not verify it could be "seen" by the cable signal of any company that someone wanted to connect it to.  Now the buyer, who bought it for 99 cents, is saying the cable guy could not get it to work and he does not have time to deal with it.  I wrote him back and said what I am telling you now.  What will be the resolution he wants?  I already paid this guy to take the modem off my hands because it cost more to ship it to him than it did when I initially bought it and paid for shipping to me in the first place.  I already lost money on this deal.  Good grief.  One more thing I need to deal with that I thought was over and minor.


I have been thinking about the vivid pictures in my mind about what the world would be like if inside the story within The Drawing of The Three.  I have dreams about it.  When working, I think about wanting to read it.  They just had a big shoot out on earth and then went back to the world that Roland is on while searching for the Dark Tower.  The second traveller is coming next in the story.  I remember who it is, but not how they meet.  Fun.


Today, I am planting sunflower seeds and purple rhododendrons.  So excited about the rhododendrons!  They only flower for a short while, but they are beautiful when they do.  I want some sun time and some exercise today.  Getting into the dirt sounds good.  Maybe not the bug bites so much.  We'll see.  It is 68 degrees and gorgeous out there.


I went maternity clothes shopping yesterday at Target and Kohl's.  Not much luck.  It's slim pickins out there!  I cannot believe it.  I heard it from other mommies to be, but did not believe how limited the selection is.  Everything is so ridiculously expensive too when you do find something that fits and you like.  Unreal.  There is definitely a market out there for reasonably priced, good looking maternity clothes.  I will go with what I have for now and hope I make it another month with what I have procured this weekend.  It means more laundry and repeat outfits.  It is only for 4 more months.  It is ok, I can deal with that.


Today on the to do list is: laundry, gardening, eBay response, research baby vehicles for purchase, water aerobics classes locally, Cabellas purse, giving books back to J. Jukuri and Marcie, thinking about what to get my dad for Father's Day, dishes and cleaning out my car for work tomorrow to find out if the purchase agreement offer that my client made on a house is accepted or countered.  There are many more things, but I'm sure they will not make the list because I just do them reflexively.  Things like making lunch and dinner, taking a shower, pre-natal classes, possibly Skyping with my sister and stretching.  Ah, and so the world turns...


19 weeks

How your baby's growing...

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

How your life's changing:

Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.

You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."

These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.

Lots of good garage selling for clothes, pack n play and baby tub.  I got my stroller/car seat combo from my mother in law as well as an old dresser that will be refinished.  Yay

Fitzgerald's and The Drawing Of The Three

A view of the waves rolling in onto the sugar like sand.  The wind was pleasant, not all to cold or hot.  We had friends drive us to the restaurant in their new Toyota Camry.  We talked of babies, work and what is to come in the future.  Dinner was light after I had a heavy lunch.  They drank alcohol, I drank lemonade.  We saw so many people that we knew.  One from my work, one of Tony's brother's, one of our friend's co-workers etc. I loved relaxing around people I know and being able to wear clothes that fit me and looking like a pregnant woman these days.  What a beautiful night.

The Drawing Of The Three is exactly as I remember reading it the first time.  Gritty, disconcerting and unusual.  The scary world of foreign beasts and people.  So interesting and adventurous.  I cannot wait to get knee deep in the story that is familiar in a distant, old friend kind of way.

I am ready to go clean the cars out so we can go to the Harbor Haus for dinner and I can take clients out for home showings on Tuesday.  Tony is working on the man cave shed.  I need to take a walk in the sunshine also.  Sweet Tony brought me breakfast in bed today.  He's so excited for my enlarging belly.  So sweet.

Oh what a gorgeous day

I am feeling good.  My sister is coming to Iowa with her family to spend the 4th of July and I could not be happier about it.  Cannot wait to go see everyone.  I plan to surprise most of them by walking in with my big belly.  So fun.

The weather was finally warm, hot really, after all the days of thunderstorms, rain, threat of thunderstorms, wind, breeze and now just warmth.  We went out to the property and took a wonderful walk.  The air seemed cooler by the water at first, but once we started walking the air turned warm and smelled of sweet flowers.  Tony skipped rocks along the way.  I went at my new slow pace.  I enjoyed the overcast clouds with the sun peeking through to paint the water pink or orange.  I love watching the clouds roll by out on the water.  Everything is so green.  The forget-me-nots are in full bloom and are everywhere.  It's like our own private knoll that we could just live in.  Ah, someday.

So peaceful and free to go for a walk.  So good to get moving.  We had to keep moving because the "May" flies have finally hatched.  I only got 3 bites.  They were more interested in landing on us than biting at this point.  Still, they were a minor bother.  No time for campfire today, but I foresee that coming.  Now to have some sweet dreams tonight.  Oh, so good.

The Gunslinger and 18 weeks today

Man!  The last 2 days the wind has been horrendous!  No sleep last night because it was so loud.  Tonight it is calm right now so I'm going to bed soon.  I am heading into the office to open in the morning.  Fun stuff.  My belly is more rounded and protruding now.  I am 18 weeks along today.  I feel more movement and need to go clothes shopping, which will happen next weekend.  I have only gained 6 pounds, but I know there is more to come in the next couple of months.  Really itchy skin, tangerine oil and shea butter to the rescue!  My humidifier is working overtime to help with the dry throat and allergies from all this blowing of pollen all over the place.  I feel good.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King is not my favorite book.  It was an easy read.  I had already read The Drawing of The Three before and liked it much better.  Someone is making The Gunslinger into a movie and I wanted to read it before it comes out in the theatre.  I do not think the movie will be that good because there are many boring parts in the book, but the action and supernatural scenes, if done well, would be good.  Javier Bardem will be the gunslinger.  I think he is a good choice.  The Gunslinger does start in the middle of the story and then he has flashbacks of how he grew up and how he got to be the man he is currently in the book.  Going from the old west to the desert to the mountains and then to the dark tower is confusing when he talks about other worlds that have failed in the past.  I cannot tell if they are on one earth or other dimensions.  That lost me.  The storyline of foreign animals and supernatural circumstances are surely not of this world.  I personally want to see what the glowing slow mutants look like on screen.  That would be good for me.  Happy trails and sleep fast.

18 weeks

How your baby's growing:

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

How your life's changing:

Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

From now on, when you do lie down, it's best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.

If you haven't already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you'll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!