15 Weeks!

Marination Time: As of today, 15 weeks and 5 days.

Musings on the Weekly Photo: I took this at exactly 15 weeks, before we had to go to orientation for PB's new job at the fire department.  I love this shirt because I feel like I actually look pregnant in it, vs. just fat, which is how I usually look.

Due Date: March 5, 2013

This Week's Produce Item: We're in the big leagues now - it's the size of a navel orange!

I can't believe we're already at 15 weeks/that the peanut we first saw at 6 weeks is that big now.  CRAZY!

Boy or Girl: Well, we still don't know.  I still think boy.  I have had some hormonal drama over finding out, which goes as follows: I switched doctor's offices and went about two weeks ago.  They wanted me to come back October 1st for my anatomy scan (which will tell us boy or girl, among other important things), but October 1st is PB's first day at the fire department and there's no way he could come if we did that.  Now, we aren't going to find out AT the doctor's office because we want to have a gender reveal party.  But if you've never had an ultrasound, I promise you that it is really really super cool to see the baby doing stuff in there.  You know, bouncing from wall to wall, knitting a sweater, whatever it's up to in there.  

So I scheduled an elective ultrasound at a place in Concord for this past Thursday.  And then I found out that my parents planned to leave for the beach on Thursday and be gone all this weekend.  So no party and no finding out this weekend.  I was just all torn about what to do, I was upset that we could go ahead and find out but then we couldn't because scheduling was all wonky, I was upset that PB was going to have to miss (what will probably be) the only exciting doctor's appointment I have between now and going to the hospital, and I was just a general hot hormonal mess about ALL OF IT.

I finally called the doctor back and they begrudgingly agreed to move my appointment to the week before PB starts at the fire department so he can come, and we are going to have our gender reveal fiesta on September 29th.  WHEW.  And that all seemed like a great solution until this weekend came and I realized I could already know and then triple obsessed over it.  Jeez.

Currently Craving: The super hot jalapeno pico de gallo I just bought at Harris Teeter.  Mmmmm mmmm.

Currently Avoiding: Been doing better about some meat.  Some.  If it's sufficiently shredded, I'm okay.  And I also ate Buffalo Wild Wings boneless wings the other day, and the Asian Zing hit the spot.  

Weight: Last time I weighed this week, we were at 137.7.  They say I'm supposed to put on like a pound a week at this point, which seems insane to me, but oh well. It's coming whether I'm excited about gaining weight or not!

Belly Button Status: Skin has now stretched to the point that the little belly button bear is no longer in its cave.  It hasn't totally popped out, but it's not hooded by the little skin flap I used to have before.

Sleep Grade: Other than getting up to pee at least once (maybe twice), A+.  In fact, when PB leaves in the morning he has to peel back my headphones with white noise and shake me to wake me up.

Recent Crazy Dream: I was dreaming all kinds of crazy mess this morning, which all involved the lake house.  There was a huge anaconda type snake that jumped on the dock and was chasing Peggy Sue, the dock somehow became detached from the land and I was trying to attach a rope to it and swim it back in, and like everyone I knew was there for some reason.  Very strange.

Evidence of Pregnancy Brain: Ummm....nothing drastic this week that I can think of.  That probably means I'm forgetting something important.

Symptoms: More belly itching, trying to find clothes that are comfortable and actually fit how I need them to, and had some of my first mild heartburn this week.

Movement: Still few and far between, though I've felt two big events this week - once when I folded myself into the back of a friend's little Ford Fiesta that was all packed up with her stuff because she's changing schools.  Apparently the kid doesn't like for me to lean over all the way and squish it.  Another time was when I had a delicious and nutritious dinner of Taco Bell - I think the kid likes Mexican.

Any Appointments? Countdown to September 27th...and then September 29th, when we actually get to find out!!!

Any baby related purchases? Went to a consignment sale with my friend and her sweet baby and her mom, but I just bought a baby sling.  I thought it was a steal - super cute green with brown flowers for $6!  I also bought some Little Lion fitted newborn diapers that came this week, which were super cheap because the company is going out of business.  I was really not wanting to use disposables even at first, when the baby will be too small for our regular cloth diapers, so I was excited for those to come!

Best/Worst thing to happen in the last week: Best thing - Went to the FAIR this week!  It was so much fun, and we got to hang out with PB's cousin and his fiance a little, which was nice.  I had a fish sandwich, fried okra, and an elephant ear with strawberries and powdered sugar.  So delicious.  Worst thing - Well, I'm dreading this week at work because it means I have to test kids (which I hate doing, because it takes me out of the classroom) and because I know it's going to be a disorganized mess.  I also have some really complicated meetings and paperwork this week....say a prayer for me!!

14 Weeks!

Marination Time:  14 weeks as of Tuesday...Will be 15 weeks this Tuesday.  One of these days I'll do  a post on the right day, I swear.

Musings on the Weekly Photo: I always feel like a giant walrus at the end of the day (and I took this picture after school one day).  I'm trying to remember exactly when I took this...I'm pretty sure it was either 14 weeks 1 day or 2 days.

Due Date: March 5, 2013

This Week's Produce Item: We're at the size of a lemon this week!

Boy or Girl: Still think boy.  But we are having our anatomy scan September 27th and a gender reveal party after that, so I can't wait to know for sure!!

Currently Craving: Meh, I had a bad Skittles hankering the other day...nothing too crazy though.

Currently Avoiding: Pretty much the same song and dance routine with the meat-free deal.  I can eat some seafood, and I can do chicken if it's sort of shredded up and mixed in with something.  But cutting up a steak/chicken breast/pork chop and eating it? BARF.

Weight: Haven't weighed in a few days - last time I checked, we were holding steading at 136.6.

Belly Button Status: I feel like I could do a whole post series and call it the chronicles of the belly button.  Last week it was wider..now it's also starting to pull up more, so the little knot inside there is starting to be more visible.  I have sort of a pseudo-innie usually because there's a little knot in there but it's generally covered by my skin like a little bear in a cave so you don't see it.  Yeah I think by next week you'll be seeing it through my shirts.

Sleep Grade: A.  OMG the pregnancy pillow.  Amazing.

Recent Crazy Dream: Hmm, can't think of anything much.  I know I've been dreaming but nothing really stands out.  Generally I know I've been having really good ones, so I hope that keeps up!

Evidence of Pregnancy Brain: Nothing too awful this week.  Yet.

Symptoms: Crazy belly button happenings.  Belly itching some. Starving but not being able to eat as much, especially toward the end of the day because I feel like an overstuffed sausage.  NO CLOTHES that fit, ugh.  Ready for fall so I can wear some long sleeve maternity things.  

Movement: I am 99% sure I felt the baby kick me like 2 nights ago.  I actually hollered, it scared the crap out of me!  Felt like little taps in there.  So neat.

Any appointments? September 27th is the biggie!  I can't wait!!

Any baby related purchases? A few more maternity things that I found on super-duper sale at Ross and on Zulily.  Got some jeans and sweaters to hopefully get my giant self through fall and winter.  Mom got us a few preemie cloth dipes for when the baby is born and I also ordered some super cheap fitted newborn diapers from a company that's going out of business online.  I hope they come soon and they haven't decided to already go out of business...

Best/Worst Thing to Happen in the Past Week: Best thing - went out to dinner at a fancy restaurant (Mickey and Mooch) with some teaching friends and their husbands last night.  We went down to the lake and rode jetskis and hung with my parents today and then swung by the inlaws to watch the Panthers game tonight.  Worst?  My second block class continues to be nuts...hoping they are somewhat in control tomorrow.

13 Weeks!

I think this was technically 12w 4d but it's my only non-bathroom picture this week.  Felt a shame not to include it.

This is 12w 6d - mainly so you can see my weird, stretched out belly button!  Creepy, I know.

And this is 13w 1d.  Whoa, belly.

Marination Time: 13 Weeks

Due Date: March 5th, 2013

Boy or girl: I still don't know...and it's driving me absolutely crazy.  But I'm also sure it's a boy.  We'll see.  I go back to the doctor next Wednesday and I'm switching doctor's offices, so I hope that they'll give me an ultrasound.  We'll see!

Currently Craving: EVERYTHING.  I am starving to death.  I am getting "hangry" (hungry + angry). Like right now, in fact.

Currently Avoiding: Still most meat, even though I was able to eat turkey bacon when we had breakfast for dinner last night (and regular bacon at breakfast with my parents on Sunday).  Score one for bacon!

Weight: I can't keep up with the weight gain/loss mess because I was on a super strict diet before I got pregnant and that always involves some rebound weight gain.  So you know what?  I'm going to throw it out there.  Real numbers, folks.  

As of today - we're 136.6.

Belly button status: In - but it is about double it's width.  WEIRD.

Sleep grade: I've been sleeping pretty well, but I am starting to get a lot more uncomfortable on my belly.  So excited that the giant pregnancy pillow that Mom ordered for me came today!  I want to go to bed right now so I can get my happy hips on that thing.  It's fantastic.

Recent Crazy Dream:  I dreamed last night that a teacher friend of mine had a pet squirrel and she was over visiting me and Peggy Sue maimed his arm.  I tried to fix it and I couldn't and it was terrible.  Recently, I've also been dreaming about a baby boy who takes his diaper off every time I turn around.  Let's hope that's not a premonition.

Evidence of pregnancy brain: I've forgotten my phone when I left for work not once, but twice this week.  So annoying, and so not like me.

Symptoms?: Just feeling like a giant and my clothes not fitting so well these days.  And being hungry.  Hungry hungry hungry.  Also, since yesterday I have been having terrible shoulder pain under my left shoulder blade.  Like take-your-breath-away-when-you-take-a-deep-breath pain.  So annoying and I don't even know how I would have pulled a muscle or anything.  Just weirdness.

Emotions: I've been too tired to have emotions what with the first week of school starting.  5am is kicking my tail.  Also my second block is kicking my tail.  I don't know why God decided that this was the particular group of children I would have to take to lunch every day, but whatever I did to deserve it, I'm sorry.  They're not bad, they're just mostly boys and they are ALL "spirited," for lack of a better term.  Wears me out.

Movement: The last few nights I've sworn I've felt a little weird something when I lay down at night and get still.  Probably just by-products of all the food I've been eating. Maybe soon we'll have definitive movement though.

Names: Boy name is in stone, I think because I'm so sure it's a boy.  I'm sort of between two girl names...still like Frances but I have another that I haven't been able to sell PB on yet.

Any appointments?: I'm switching back to my old OB's office and hospital and I am SO excited about that.  Hoping they'll give me an ultrasound because I'm technically a transfer patient now.

Any baby related purchases?: Not this week!  Just got some winter maternity clothes from zulily and the awesome pregnancy pillow that Mom got for me.

Best thing to happen in the past week/ Worst: Best thing?  Probably that PB got a new job that he's really excited about, which means he no longer works far away at the hospital, which means I don't have to drive to that particular far-away hospital for appointments and delivery anymore.  Worst thing? Having to get up early because school's in again.  I love all the new kiddos, but it's just been hard to get up for sure.

12 weeks

Thoughts on the Weekly Photo: We are definitely bumpalicious these days.  Still looks like a beer gut but it's definitely there and it makes the pants not fit well.  

Marination Time: 12 weeks

Weight Gain: Haven't weighed.  Meh.

Clothes: I can still sort of button my jeans but they dig in and kill me after five minutes.  Maternity pants are much more comfortable, or I can wear regular jeans unbuttoned with a belly band.  I can wear almost all of my shirts, though some that were shorter to begin with are now way too short.

Fruit of the Week: Plum!

Name:  Still don't know if it's a boy or girl...still not sure when I get to find out...still obsessing constantly.

Moving: Sometimes when I get still at night, especially if I'm lying on my belly, I get strange rumblings in my tummy.  They're hard to describe and super subtle but I have a feeling it might be baby related?

Sleep: I've been sleeping pretty well lately....mom ordered me a pregnancy pillow that I am WAY excited about - it's this deal that's sort of U-shaped so it supports you from both sides.  Can't wait til it comes.  

Cravings: Tried to eat chicken tenders at Chili's, couldn't do it.  I can eat chicken salad from Mr. C's but that's about the only meat I can tolerate.  I can also do a tad of seafood (just shrimp or deviled crab, and I can't eat a lot of it).  Haven't had all that many true cravings lately, except maybe the one day I made a special trip to the Greek restaurant to get two delicious pieces of cheesecake.

Annoyances:  I've had a few headaches, but not bad ones like I got in the beginning.  They can usually be knocked out with a soda and Tylenol. No other major annoyances, other than that my belly itches sometimes (I guess from stretching.)

Highlights of the Week: We went to maternal/fetal medicine for our NT scan, and got to see the squirrel in there...it does not like that ultrasound sensor and I swear it looks like it's shaking its fist when the lady pushes on it with that thing.  It flipped all the way over while the tech was doing our scan, which was quite weird to see!  We also got to see it waving its little fingers and such.  Very neat.

Saying goodbye to Tallulah

Yesterday was such a hard day.  Yesterday morning, we lost our sweet Tallulah kitty.  And then I cried.  All. Day. Long.  I've only cried twice today, so that's something of an improvement.

Lula transitioned from being an inside kitty to a porch kitty because Lula had a hard time restricting herself to the litterbox, something that started a few years ago when I lived in Columbia with her.  It just got worse and worse, and last summer, it got to the point that nothing I did could solve the problem.  Vet visits, new litter, Feliway...I tried so hard. Eventually, we had to rip up all the carpet and subflooring in our hallway.  When she moved on to my bathroom sink, I just didn't know what else to do.

She stayed on our screened porch and started going outside when the dogs would.  I had tried keeping her confined but all the inappropriate peeing just started to be all over my wooden porch.  When she got to go out, it stopped.  

Lula was responsible for the demise of a few birds and chipmunks (and a large rat she found somewhere on the day before our wedding).  She and Peggy Sue used to tag team small animals they found in the bushes and flower beds.

She got really attached to my neighbor across the way, so much so that the neighbor called me to introduce herself and tell me that if I was ever looking for Lula, she was probably sleeping on her porch.  Lula knew the times that I'd get home, and she knew the times the neighbor would get home and she'd be over in the correct place, waiting for us.

In the last month or two though, I could tell her arthritis was progressing and she was moving a lot slower. I hadn't seen her stalking birds much or rustling chipmunks out of the hostas.  She'd eat, sleep in the chair on the porch and shuffle over to the neighbor's house for more of the same.

Yesterday morning after PB left for work, I heard the garage door open so I called him to make sure it wasn't a stranger danger because I couldn't imagine why he was back.  He wasn't going to tell me about Lula, but he ended up telling me and I sobbed until it was time for me to get up and go to work.

He found her on my neighbor's street, hit by a car.  She used to be really good about watching for traffic, but I just don't think she was able to move fast enough anymore.  Oh goodness, here I go crying about it again.  

We buried her in a corner of the yard yesterday and I bought a hot pink rose bush to put over her.  I feel so, so terrible about it.  Tallulah would have been 13 in October - I've had her since I was 12, half my life.  She was a big, pretty, but weird cat who loved to be rubbed under the chin and meowed in her own strange little way. We'll miss you, Lula.

Lula, back when she lived at my parents' house.

Then we moved to Columbia together when I started law school.  She was my buddy on a lot of rough nights when I hated that house and all of its palmetto bugs and the thought of getting up and going to class the next day.

Lula loved to lay on PB.  Or his clothes.  Or his shoes.

Going somewhere? I don't think so.

One of her favorite hobbies.  Deconstructing the Christmas tree.

Lula and her "WTF?" look when we fostered a homeless kitten for a few weeks.

Lula making sure everyone understood that the food bowl is hers.

Lula and Twyla the night we adopted Twyla.

Teaching Twy how to be an expert at laying on the bed.

Oh, did I mention she loved PB's clothes?

Lula and Twyla having BFF time.

Pretty girl.  Wish you were still with us, Tallulah.

11 Weeks!

Thoughts on the Weekly Photo: WHAT in the world?! I woke up Sunday morning and all of a sudden, there it was, overnight. Feels so strange!  Y'all see that?  I went down to see my parents at the lake and let the weenies swim while PB worked on the rental house, and it was just crazy apparent like it hadn't been before!

Marination Time: 11 weeks

Weight Gain: Up a pound and a half from last week.

Clothes: Jeans might be getting a tad tight, but everything is still totally wearable.

Fruit of the Week: Lime! 

Name: Ira? Frances? We shall see.

Moving: Well, up until yesterday, I'd just been relying on The Bump to assure me that the lime can move, but we went for my OB checkup yesterday and BOY can it! It does gymnastics in there, to the point that she couldn't even really get a good picture for us because they were all sort of a blur.

Sleep: Up until last night, it was great. And then last night I either couldn't sleep or had horrible dreams in which I was a participant in a Hunger Games sort of scenario and knew I was being hunted....by someone in my workplace, who sort of filled the role of President Snow. It was strange. And then I dreamed I had to shoot some guy who stole my grandmother's iPhone and identity and turned out to be a total nutbag. It was not so restful.

Cravings: I've been eating a ton of Mexican lately! The baby might come out with a sombrero. Still pretty much no meat whatsoever. Can't see it, smell it, definitely can't eat it.

Annoyances:  My lower back has been hurting a good bit, especially at night or if I've been doing something strenuous.  Other than that, I'm still feeling really good!  

Highlights of the Week: Mom and I went to Rock Hill to pick up a crib on Saturday that we found on Craigslist, which turned out great and was a total steal. We stopped by Buy Buy Baby on the way back, and WOW.  If they don't have it, you don't need it. Baby wonderland. PB put up the crib on Saturday night and we started moving around a little furniture in the nursery/guest bedroom.  PB said putting up the crib would "make it feel more real" and that we "needed to get a feel for it in the room."  Someone's a little excited!

 It's Peggy Sue approved!

10 weeks!

Thoughts on the Weekly Photo: Well first, sorry that you have to see my naked belly. But in the interest of documentation, there it is.  And I am starting to think there might just be a little tiny bit more roundness than there was, and you couldn't tell at all when my sort-of baggy Target t-shirt was in front of it.

Marination Time: 10 weeks - though technically this is 10 weeks, 2 days, because weeks change on Mondays for our purposes.

Weight Gain: Back up to pre-pregnancy weight. It's just sort of a yo-yo effect these days depending on how much I feed my face vs. how many miles I manage to run.

Clothes: Based on my awful $10 stretchy capri pants, you might think Oh poor Meredith's clothes must already not be fitting! She is relegated to the horror that is Wal-Mart capri pants! You would be wrong. All pants still fit. I have no justification for the pants. It's couch time, that's all I can say.

Fruit of the Week: This week, it's the size of a prune.  This was accompanied by a quite ugly picture on thebump.com.  I'm ready to change to a cuter fruit next week!

Name: Ira? Frances? Time will tell...

Moving: Again, The Bump says the prune can move, but I can't feel anything yet.

Sleep: Not awesome. I tend to wake up and then not be able to go back to sleep for hours.  Hopefully some of that mess will resolve when I go back to work and have to stick to a real schedule and do something besides sit on the couch all day.

Cravings: I've been tearing up some peaches we bought on the way back home from a little beach weekend I took with my mom and grandma. Also, I ate a whole loaf of sourdough bread from this little place in Locust, NC called The Fresh House.  Oh my word, you have never ever had bread like this, I promise.  It's like a cloud.  And now I have no more, and it's all I can think about.

Annoyances: I feel bad even putting anything here because I feel like most folks are super sick at this point, but I have zero feelings like that.  In fact, most of the time I feel like I could run a marathon.  But if I had to pick something, I guess it's that I still have a huge aversion to most meat.  I don't want to smell it, I don't want to see it, and I sure don't want to eat it, yuck yuck yuck.  This is difficult when you live with a man who eats two hot dogs for breakfast and two more for lunch if he's at home.  I feel like my kitchen perpetually smells like hot dogs and I cannot stand the smell of hot dogs.  I may never eat another one.  

Highlights of the Week: I'm getting together with some of my teaching friends both tomorrow and Friday.  We're going to see a sweet new baby tomorrow, and then to hang out with another of my friends and her adorable baby and three year old on Friday.  Beats sitting on the couch and watching dressage and water polo all day!