30-something weeks

31 weeks

33 weeks

We're in awe how quickly this pregnancy has gone by.  Jason just tried to hug me and was alarmed by the very in the way bump.  I am absolutely gigantic.  Bending over is officially not a thing I can do anymore.  I waddle everywhere.  Sitting do
wn and standing up?  What a chore.  Some days I don't remember what it felt like to not be pregnant.  Up until this point, it flew by.  But now, time is standing still as I struggle to slip the strap of my shoe over my heel or stop twice to catch my breath while trying to climb the stairs.

And with that said, we're just a few weeks shy of finally meeting this little guy.  In fact, starting mid-August, it could be any day.  I waiver between moments of being ready right this minute to total anxiety about the idea of labor.  I still have some things to check off my to-do list, but I'm so tired, I wonder if I will ever get them done before the baby comes.



Last week, my mom and Katie threw me the most beautiful baby shower where no detail was missed.  It rained the whole day and we had a last minute venue change--but it was a beautiful day with good friends and good laughs.  It was so wonderful to feel so much love and have so many people celebrate our baby boy.  And after the shower, I think we're stocked to the max with baby supplies and adorable clothes.  Baby Villarreal is going to be very fashion forward.

Katie, me, Ania, and Courtney

The beautiful spread

My lovely coworkers

Also this week, we had our last ultrasound.  I didn't know it was going to be an ultrasound, so Jason didn't come.  I got to see our baby's little face and I'm certain he has Jason's nose.  It was unreal to see those little cheeks.  I asked the ultrasound tech to confirm one more time that we're having a boy, and she said, "Oh, yes.  Take a good long look."  And yes.  He is definitely a boy.  We got some other pictures, but I can't really be sure what they are.  My mom pointed out that one of them looks like a t-rex, and I have to agree.

T-Rex!

Foot and little butt

????

Proof of him being a boy

 Jason and I have been spending our last few weeks going on dates.  We've seen a few movies, had a few dinner dates, and go on weekend walks.  Usually we spend our date conversations marveling at the idea of having a baby for the rest of our lives.  It's not going to be just a few days, or a few weeks... it's going to be forever.  We're officially a party of three.

Tonight, after this blog post and after we walk the dogs, we're going to start packing our hospital bag for go time.  We're almost there!

Love,
Ashley

Her stats:

Jason at our Baby Basics class

Weeks Pregnant: 33

Baby size: Pineapple or a butternut squash

Fundal height:  34 cm

Baby's heart rate: 135 on Tuesday!

Weeks to go: 7ish (!)

Cravings:  Water.  Juice.  Liquids.

Food aversions: Hotdogs.  Corn dogs are okay.

Feeling:  Exhausted.  Hot.  Emotional.  Swollen.

Missing most: I could really go for a cocktail, to be honest.

Loving most:  Baby kicks and Jason talking excitedly about his son.

Most excited about: Meeting this little guy and seeing Jason hold him.  Also, maternity leave.

Most worried about: Long labor, pain, money, losing baby weight, forgetting to do my kegels.
Must haves for the hospital bag: No idea.  Make up bag and a hair dyer for sure.  No one is taking pictures of me after hours of labor.  No thanks.

My wardrobe consists of:  Hah!  Maternity jorts and whatever is still long enough to fit over this belly.
Something my mom did for me that I'm excited about doing for baby:  I think making holidays super special and teaching me to have a sense of humor.
The last piece of advice I got was: Unsolicited. 

His stats:

Patience level: Greater than average. Cravings: 70 degree weather.
Food aversions: Vegetables.  What kind of question is that?

Jason's first successful swaddle

Loving most: I like the name we picked out.
Missing most: Being able to walk fast.

My pregnant wife is: Annoying--she keeps asking me these questions and won't let me watch my Youtube videos. Her worst symptom:  It used to be yarking, but that was ages ago. Feeling: Aggravated.  If it weren't for the pregnancy, you wouldn't be asking me these questions.  Change my patience level.

Most excited about:  Tax credits. Most worried about: Money.

Must haves for the hospital bag: Bourbon. 

My plan for when she goes into labor is to:  Drive like hell and then look away.

Something my dad did for me that I'm excited about doing for our baby: Protected me from gang members. (what?)

I would describe my wife's walk as:  like a mallard (accompanied by a sound effect)

The last piece of advice I got was:  Something about contractions.  (Helpful.)

30 Weeks!

It is amazing to me that we are 10 weeks away from holding our baby boy.  This pregnancy has been so fast, I find myself savoring every moment.  I sit on the couch with the fan blowing on me, watching him kick and move around.  He will press against me, and I'll press back and we make a game of it.

I'm on vacation this whole week and I had hoped to spend it sleeping and hydrating.  But last night, our boy kept me up.  He kicks and rocks, and moves, and squirms and it was impossible to get any sleep.  I imagine this is what motherhood is going to feel like.  As he gets bigger, there's less room in there, and his kicks feel extra forceful.  Sometimes they really hurt.

Some other new developments are trips to the bathroom every thirty minutes.  I thought I was going to survive this pregnancy without having to wake up in the night.  Wrong.  As of last week, I'm up twice every night.  In the three minutes I'm up, I try to imagine myself staying awake to feed and rock a baby and I wonder if I'm going to be able to do it.

I've also been incredibly emotional.  Most people who know me find this a little humorous.  I don't cry.  I've never been a crier.  I think I've cried maybe... twice in the last five years?  And one was when I dropped a butter dish on my toe.  These days, it takes the a little bit of heat combined with the right commercial or the wrong comment from Jason, and I'm on a downward spiral that I can't get out of until I sob for a half hour.  Today I had the most nonsensical moment of my life.  I was watching Real Housewives, eating raspberries and bacon, and just sobbing for no reason.  I knew it was absurd as it was happening, but I just couldn't stop it.  I feel so ridiculous sometimes. 

Yesterday, Jason and I toured the hospital with our Centering group.  We asked lots of questions and got lots of answers.  I learned about the epidural and what to expect and when to expect it.  We got to see two different types of birthing balls, tubs to labor in, bars to hold on to, sheets to pull on.  Jason even got some tips on the right and wrong things to say to a laboring woman.  We got to see contraction and baby heartbeat monitors, the nursery, and the post-delivery rooms.  We drove around the emergency room and practiced where we would drop off and park.  It was so informative and incredibly overwhelming.  We're having a baby!  That still hasn't sunk in.

Beverly, guarding the baby belly

Bev's face just cracks me up in this picture. 

So--on the to-do list for the next coming weeks is:

• Research preparing the dogs for baby
• Paint that dang diaper changing table
• Make a list of everything that needs to go in the labor bag
• Put the labor bag together
• Buy a birthing outfit (I didn't even know that was a thing)
• Take a baby basics class
• Cope with this horrendous heat (omg)
• Make Jason take an infant CPR & First Aid class
• Buy and install the car seat
• Find the perfect middle name
• Go on a last "just us" date

And that's what's going on over here!


Her stats:

Weeks Pregnant: 30

Baby size: GMO sized cabbage

Fundal height:  30 cm

Baby's heart rate: 140 on average

Weeks to go: 10 (!)

Cravings:  Bacon, berries (all kinds), cherries, cream cheese, chocolate milk, water all the time

Food aversions: Apple juice.  Way too sweet.

Feeling:  Hot.  So hot.  All the time.  God help me.  Is it fall yet?

Missing most: Sleeping without having to get up to pee.  Being able to paint my own toes.

Loving most:  Sleep in general.  Energy.

All of this baby gear makes me feel: Nesty.

My birth plan includes:  lots of drugs.

Most excited about: The epidural.

Most worried about: The epidural.  Episiotomies.

His stats:

Patience level: Moderate.
Cravings: Lamie-os (our name for the Walmart brand Oreos)
Food aversions: Greens

Loving most: Air conditioning.
Missing most: Simpler times.

My pregnant wife is: the best!
Her worst symptom: Wearing my aftershave.
Feeling: Fretful.

All of this baby gear makes me feel: Poor.

I think being a good father means: Being a hero.

My birth plan is to: Drink bourbon. 
Most excited about: The kid.
Most worried about: My sanity.

27 weeks!

Ah.  I've been horrendous about updating this blog lately!  March 19th was my last post?!  Where has the time gone?  This is going to be a long post--so grab a drink.


Alright, so we left off with me waiting two more days to find out the sex of the baby, though both Jason and I were sure it is a boy.  If you're family or friends reading this, you probably already know.  We were right!  We're welcoming a sweet baby boy.  Now our days are filled with imagining what he will look like.  Will he have blonde hair like me or dark hair like Jason?  His brown eyes, or my green eyes?  Will he be tall?  Will he have olive skin?  We can't wait to meet him and find out.

The anatomy scan was beautiful and exciting and truly moving.  The very detailed ultrasound showed us everything from the baby's four heart chambers to his sweet little growing bones.  Jason and I held hands, squeezing at particularly sweet moments, while the nurse quietly moved the scanner over my belly with one hand, and click-clicked with other, sometimes stopping to answer a question or to point something out.  We agreed that seeing all of the little bones in his spine was so, so fascinating, rivaled only by his heart, which was beating a mile a minute (and mine, too!).  It took us a few tries to get a good look at his face, as he spent the better portion of the scan with his arms crossed right over his face.  Jason says this is a good indication that he will be an introvert like him.  And when the doctor finally told us it was a boy, the peace that comes with knowing just filled us up so that we could begin dreaming about what our son will be like.

Top left, this is his sweet little face after several minutes of trying to get him to move his hands down, top right, is his profile, bottom left is his spine and ribs, and bottom right is how he spent much of the scan--arms crossed over his face.

Jason and I joined a Centering group.  Or rather, I joined a Centering group and have been dragging my reclusive, introverted husband along.  We meet every other week with five other couples a midwife, and a nurse and discuss the different phases of pregnancy.  The word "Centering" sounds very hippy-dippy, and maybe it is a little, but based on our two classes, it has been a positive, fun experience.  I'm coming around to the idea that I will be birthing this baby in another dozen weeks, and so talking about my fears and my plan has been quite awakening.  Awakening in that I actually do know what I want.  I thought I would be a floundering, panicking mess, but I've surprised myself.  I know that I want a traditional, medicated birth--where the air conditioner is on full blast.  I think hearing about what the other couples in our group want has been really interesting, too.  It's funny to think that there are a thousand ways to do this and a thousand decisions we need to make.  And it's interesting to see how the parental judgement begins.  We go on instincts--what you know you can handle and, I have to believe, what we think is best for our children and our families.  And already, there are eye rolls and scoffing.  Not in my Centering group, I mean.  Everyone there is lovely and polite and informative.  But in my day to day--people asking too-personal questions, then scoffing at my too-personal answers.  Everything from birthing, to breast feeding, to my current diet, and co-sleeping.  I have a sense of humor, so I can laugh it off for now.  But some days I feel like being pregnant is like a social experiment, where people try to out perform the last jerk with an unsolicited opinion.

Third Trimester!

And now, here we are, in our third trimester.  I have enjoyed every moment of this pregnancy.  Even at its worst, unexpected bleeding, it has been such an honor and a privileged to carry this little guy.  My belly is unmistakeable and people look at me sweetly all of the time. I feel wonderful--maybe the best I've ever felt in my life.  My skin and hair feel clean and glowing, my full, round belly, though often in the way, makes me feel womanly and beautiful.  I even catch Jason looking at me sometimes in a way he's never looked at me before.  And then my out of whack hormones (or maybe, finally in-whack hormones?) get the better of me, and I just want to cry for being so happy. 

Two weeks ago, I attended my ten year high school reunion.  I reconnected with old friends and laughed and laughed at some embarrassing memories.  I felt happy to be there and proud of my protruding belly to show off.  On the way home, I reflected on how infertility had robbed me of so many joys, and how up until the very last moment of 2013 (we got that positive test on New Year's Eve), I just hadn't been myself.  I felt depressed and a little ashamed and so embarrassed.  I commented to my friends that I just wasn't in the Christmas spirit and had planned to lay low through the holiday--which, anyone who knows me knows warning bells of a mental collapse were going off--and some of them, understandably, were concerned.  I recently read old journals and chat conversations with friends and my heart feels so heavy reflecting on that despair.  I admitted aloud a few times that I felt I was going down a dark road.  And I believe God knew that I couldn't handle going any further.  I woke up, January 1, 2014 a new person, like I had shed a heavy layer of skin and reclaimed so much joy.  The tension and anxiety in my marriage seemed to seep away, I felt rewarded and loved at my job, and even maintaining friendships seemed easier.  This pregnancy, our son, healed me.  As I made the very dark, very quite, hour and a half drive home from my reunion, recalling old friends talking about their babies and their pregnancies and how happy I was to hear it and be a part of it, I realized how good it felt to just be normal.  Right now, normal is me sitting here with a very awake baby kicking and elbowing his way around, reminding me how great God is and why they call it the miracle of life. 

So what's on the list these days?  This week, we will be buying some big baby staples, like the crib and some shelving for his already enormous library.  We hope the baby's room will start looking more like the baby's room and less like the catchall room for all the things that never found homes during our recent move.  God willing, I will have the whole house out of boxes by the end of the month and the baby's room ready by the beginning of August.  Next week, I have the famous glucose test for gestational diabetes followed by another Rhogam shot (yay!).  Next month, we are baby showering, a task my mom is having way too much fun with.  I am secretly happy to not be a part of the party planning committee as I don't even have the energy to get up and put my shoes away.  But my mom loves to run ideas by me and based on what I've heard, it sounds like a lot of fun.  We hope to take a tour of the hospital sometime next month, too.  I should probably schedule a maternity photo shoot at some point and I'm starting to get to the ugly swelling part of pregnancy, so sooner rather than later, I think.  And I also need to start thinking about how to prepare these two dogs for a baby, I guess, too.  The list doesn't seem too daunting, but with only two and a half months to go, the clock is definitely ticking.

Tammy, in need of a baby preparation class.

Beverly, totally prepared.

I promise to be better about updating.

With love,
Ashley

Her Stats:

Weeks Pregnant:  27

Baby size: Cauliflower head

Weeks to go: 13

Cravings:  Blended mocha coffees, croissants, chocolate milk, watermelon, lemon, strawberries and bananas, blueberry muffins, steak

Food aversions: Eggs, still.  Hard boiled eggs sound absolutely revolting

Feeling:  Ankles and fingers are a little swollen, my back hurts, I'm constantly sweating, and we're definitely revisiting fatigue, but otherwise, wonderful

Missing most: Wearing my wedding rings

Loving most:  Seeing my belly shift when he kicks or elbows me.  Also, maternity shorts.

Most excited about:  Meeting our sweet baby, seeing Jason hold him, putting the nursery together

Most worried about: Having a long labor, episiotomies, preterm labor, finding the perfect name

His Stats:

Patience level: Better than usual
Cravings: Cheddar cheese
Food aversions: Cauliflower, beets, and broccoli
Loving most: My Bo-Bashley
Missing most: Money.
Her worst symptom: None.  She's an angel.
Feeling:  Impatient.
Most excited about: Potential skills that the baby can develop.  Specifically lawn mowing and trash take out.
Most worried about: Impending lack of sleep. 

20 weeks (almost)

I cannot believe we're almost halfway through this pregnancy!  It seems to be flying by.  Probably because I'm enjoying it so much.  I think people like to hear all of the horror stories of pregnancy.  I've had a few unpleasantness (we'll get to that in a minute) but even at its worst, it has literally been the best time of my life.  I'm not sure if I'm just made for pregnancy, or it is because I've wanted it and have been trying for it for such a long time that it's such a relief to be here, or if the stars have aligned and all is right in the world, but I love being pregnant.  I feel happy, jubilant all of the time and I'm just so incredibly thankful that this is my life.  My belly has rounded out and if you couldn't tell that I'm pregnant by my constant smile, you'd be able to tell by the 6 inches sticking out in front of me.

In other news, my life has been incredibly busy this March and April.  We moved!  I can't believe that it actually happened, but we moved.  With the help of my sweet in-laws, we now have a sweet little townhouse to call our own.  And with the help of my sweet family, walls were painted and all of our stuff made it through the front door.  In line with our excellent timing--we also adopted two new dogs.  Tammy is a 7 year old black Labrador (who has some serious single white female tendencies) and to say that she is obsessed with Jason would be an understatement.  She wants to be his everything.  And she sits by his side all day--except in the brief moments she pauses to watch Houdini run around.  Beverly is a 2 year old Chihuahua-Terrier mix who is basically the most adorable thing ever.  She likes to cuddle and wag her little tail.  She also enjoys every food ever presented to her, except for watermelon.  I adore her. 

As for the unpleasantness surrounding pregnancy... around 16 weeks, I started to experience some bleeding, which is probably one of the most concerning things a pregnant person can see.  After a few days of bed rest and numerous visits to the doctor, we learned about subchronic hematomas and a thousand other possibilities.  The doctors don't seem concerned and I'm instructed to take it easy (something incredibly difficult to do) and to drink a ton of water (equally difficult).  There are still days when there's bleeding or clotting, but apparently, that will be my new normal for this pregnancy.  Incredibly unnerving, but normal.

Creepy ultrasound picture

So what's next?  We find out the sex of the baby in just two short days.  I am so sure that it's a boy.  I don't know why, but in my mind I've just been preparing for a boy.  If it's a girl, I will be totally surprised.  I thought about doing some cute gender reveal like cupcakes with colored fillings or balloons in a box or something like that--but ultimately decided that I just want to know.  I don't want a second to go by that I could know and don't.  Whatever it is, I'm going to be so excited.  Though if it's a boy, we've got some work to do.  I have all of my girl names picked out but Jason and I can't seem to find a boy name we especially love.


All in all, life is perfect.  Our happily ever after, our dreams come true are all coming together.  Every day, we're so thankful to be here and can't wait to meet our son or daughter.

Love,
Ashley

Her Stats:

Weeks Pregnant:  19.75.

Baby size: Mango.

Weeks to go: 20.25.

Cravings: Steak and potatoes.  Red meat of any kind.  Rainbow popsicles.  Macaroni and cheese.  Cold coffee and frappuccinos.  

Food aversions: Eggs.

Feeling:  Wonderful.

Missing most: Being able to comfortably bend over to shave my legs.  Sleeping on my stomach.

Loving most:  The baby bump.  Maternity jeans.  Best kept secret ever.

Most excited about:  The gender reveal!  Can't wait to know!  Also, putting together the nursery.

Most worried about:  The midwives wanting to discuss my birth plan.  Still not there yet.

Gender predictions:  Boy.  95% sure.

His Stats:

Patience level: Flatline.
 Cravings: Inner peace. 
Loving most: My lovely pregnant wife. 
Missing most: Nanny Goat Island at 7:00 a.m. 
Her worst symptom: Eunice. (the pregnancy pillow)
Feeling: Stressed. 
Most excited about: Relaxing in bed. 
Most worried about: Grading papers, preparing lecture notes, and studying for my prospectus defense. 
Sex predictions: Theseus Testacles.

Guest Post: The Husband Speaks

 I've never had a guest poster before!!  Here he is--the apple of my eye, the derp to my herp, the love of my life and the man behind the bump!

____________________________________________________________

I am not a blogger.

Ashley, however, insists that I contribute to this blog, and so I shall—this one time.

Since I’m not the one actually going through the trials of pregnancy, I don’t have to worry about swollen ankles or sudden vomiting, and the only reason my waist is expanding is because I’m too busy with school to maintain a workout routine. And I refuse to cease eating brownies. So, many of my thoughts about this pregnancy have to do with my part as a future first-time father.

Ultimately, I know that much of first-time parenthood is learned while flying by the seat of your pants; but I do like imagining that in some way I’ll be able to give Bun the sort of childhood that will make him well-rounded, no matter what he eventually decides to pursue in life. (So long as it’s a good and honest pursuit, of course. That nixes illicit drug trading and law school.) What does it mean to be well-rounded? As a graduate student who studies Booker T. Washington, it means an education that nourishes and trains the head, heart, and hand.

Head: I want to introduce Bun to all sorts of intellectual ideas and curiosities. When he’s young, I want to take him on hikes through a forest and teach him how to identify the different birds and trees. As he grows older, I want to show him the joy and mystery of language. I hope he’ll be a thousand times more adept at public speaking than I am, and a commanding writer as well. Later in life, I hope that he’ll cultivate an interest in history or philosophy or music theory—something that probes the depths of the human condition and causes him to become a reflective thinker.

Heart: In speaking to his friend, Antonio famously said, “I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano: a stage where every man must play a part, and mine a sad one.” I don’t think my part has been a sad one, but I am naturally cautious, serious, reserved, and quiet, especially in new company. Ashley is just the opposite, and I hope that Bun acquires the best from both of us. I want him to be responsible and thoughtful, amiable and enterprising; but above all, I want him to be known for his kindness. I think it’s difficult to teach a person to become all of these things—nature is a powerful force—but I also believe that parents help to set an impressive standard for their children. Ashley and I aren’t perfect, but I know we’ll always make every effort to impart the best we have to offer.

Hand: Finally, I want Bun to learn the worth of hard work and of triumphing over life’s hardships. We can know what happiness, success, and excellence are only if we know something about their opposites. Too many Millennials today grew up in families or schools that sought to cover the whole world in a gloss: everyone’s a winner, all morals are values and all values are relative, effort and struggle are evidence of injustice, and so on. The end result is a generation of youth for whom happiness is stimulus, success is guaranteed by lowering all thresholds, and excellence is meaningless because no one is naturally better than anyone at anything. This will not be Bun’s world. Bun will get blisters on his hands from mowing the lawn and digging holes for seedlings; he will enter contests (if such things still exist), compete, and place somewhere in a ranking, maybe first but not necessarily so; and he will be taught the importance and dignity that comes from the self-sufficiency and independence of living life as a free human being.

I don’t expect Bun to become our little Übermensch, our tiny perfect “superman.” He will be human, just like us. But I do enjoy imagining that Ashley and I will provide him with a family and home in which he will be loved, educated, and raised in such a way that he will have every opportunity to become a more perfect version of ourselves.

And that goes for Bunnette, too.

-Jason

Her Stats:

Weeks Pregnant:  13.75

Baby size: Large lemon

Weeks to go: 26.25

Cravings:  Literally anything someone mentions or that I see on television.  Chicken.  Peanut butter and jelly, reese's peanut butter cups, pasta with meatballs.  You name it, I crave it.

Food aversions: Everything sounds delicious.

Feeling:  Large and in charge.

Missing most: Fitting into skinny jeans.

Loving most:  Showing!!  Eee!  It's happening!!

Most recent purchase:  Maternity jeans.  Uh... why are they so expensive?

Gender predictions: Still 50-50.

His Stats:

Patience level:  Honey badger.

Cravings: Brownies.

Feeling:  Blank.

Loving most: Xanax.

Missing most: Mexican food.

Her worst symptom: Lust.

Most recent purchase for the baby:  Camera.

Gender predictions: Little dude.

12 Weeks!

Officially 3 months pregnant!  And just a few days away from the second trimester.  Praise God!  I really need all of the ailments to vanish right on the day.  I always thought I'd wear my maternity like a feminine sun dress--an avatar of the fertile, life creating, woman.  Instead I'm wearing them like leopard print, lycra stirrup tights--sweaty, breathless, tired, and not cute.  I'm hoping that the second trimester will bring me that mythical energy, a settled stomach, and an extreme resistance to springtime allergies (that last bit is probably just wishful thinking).

In other news, we got to see our little Chippy this week.  We had our first appointment at the midwives' office.  It was mostly uneventful, but when it came time to go into that dark ultrasound room, I was so thankful to have my husband there.  She covered me in blue gel and put the little wand over my belly, and just like that, there it was.  Clear as day!  Jason and I held hands as we watched the sweet little thing bounce around.  We thought it would be more stationary--lounging around in there.  Boy were we wrong!  We have a little acrobat!  It was flipping and spinning and twisting and putting on a real show for us.  I got a little teary eyed and Jason was just awed, gently squeezing my hand the whole time.  It had a hearty heart beat of 165 bpm and lots of cool tricks.  I expected it to look more like a tadpole, but it had a nice round head, arms, legs, and a thick torso.  Every bit of that two inch baby was my favorite.  I can't believe how much I love it already.  We spent the rest of the day shell shocked and awed--thinking of our sweet little baby who isn't so little anymore.  It definitely made it seem so much more real, seeing that little thing growing in my belly. 

And speaking of belly, weird, weird things are going on.  I wake up feeling weird movement in my abdomen.  Not like baby kicking or moving--more like things shifting and pushing.  I keep telling myself that it's all in my head, but yesterday was unmistakeable.  Slightly painful and very weird are the only ways I know how to describe it.  I have to think it's just my body making room for a growing baby.  The other, weirdest change is the texture of my hair.  For the last two weeks, I couldn't figure out where all this oil was coming from.  I hadn't changed any of my shampoos or conditioners and it wasn't until I started googling that I drew the connection.  Maybe ladies who don't have oily hair get that glowing, shiny hair.  But I'm constantly fighting the oil, and whatever glow and shine baby is giving me is coming out in an oily patch on the back of my head.  I've tried to combat it with clarifying shampoos, but that does nothing for the oil and gives me dead, frayed ends.  Any solutions are welcome.  Right now, all I've got is the pony tail.  See what I mean?  Leopard, lycra stirrup tights.

Other than that, it's sleep, sleep, sleep for me.  I've had to cut back on my babysitting duties because I'm just not my best me when I don't get my 4:00 nap.  I spent all of this weekend just sleeping (I think I was awake for a total of 4 hours of Saturday) and I still feel like I could use a nap.   Maybe after some Girl Scout cookies.


That's all for now!
Love,
Ashley

Her Stats:

Weeks Pregnant:  12.75

Baby size: Large plum

Weeks to go: 27.25

Cravings:  Pork fried rice, vanilla ice cream, Powerade (fruit punch!), strawberry-banana smoothies, milk.

Food aversions:  Corn sounds horrible right now.

Feeling:  So tired.

Missing most: Not feeling like a schlub.

Loving most:  Maxi dresses.

Gender predictions:  After seeing the ultrasound, I think maybe a girl?  50-50!

His Stats:

Patience level:  7.

Cravings:  Cheetos.

Loving most: My wife.  No. Chocolate.

Missing most: Free time.

Her worst symptom:  Wrath.

Feeling: Almost happy.

Gender predictions: Carl Winslow

8, 9, 10

We've just hit the ten week mark!  Three more weeks until the second trimester!  In some ways, this pregnancy feels like it's flying by.  And in other ways--as Jason so sweetly put it, "Don't you think you're dragging this pregnancy out a little?"  Hah.

So in the past three weeks, we've had two major snow storms, learned that we are basically being evicted from our apartment in May, finally figured out our insurance situation, and had our first doctor's appointment cancelled (due to snow).

Looks like morning sickness hit her peak on week 8.  That isn't to say that I don't still have my moments, but thankfully, it's on the decline.  My skinny jeans and bras are officially too snug and I definitely have started to feel pregnant. I think my weight is shifting to my sides and thighs and I feel weird in all of my clothes.  But not weird enough to warrant maternity jeans.  I think it may be time to invest in a Bella Band.  This elasticy band of fabric allows you to unbutton your pants and covers the better part of your torso.  It's supposed to give you a little more time before buying full paneled maternity pants.  Buying maternity jeans sounds like an ungodly nightmare, so we'll stall as long as we can.  If that weren't enough, I'm tired all the time.  I probably sleep 12 hours a night (on nights that I'm not tossing and turning) and take 3 hours worth of naps.  Longer on weekends.  Without coffee, I don't know how I make it through the day.  I'm always exhausted and at the end of the day, I barely have the energy to climb the three flights of stairs into our apartment.  In addition, my Pinterest board has gotten a little nuts.  See it here.

Speaking of apartments, we're being evicted!  Our apartment building, which we've lived in for almost five years, is redoing the air conditioning system, and all tenants are being shoveled out.  The day after we found out, we browsed some other buildings in our complex and truly couldn't see ourselves living in any of them.  They seemed tight, ugly, and uncomfortable.  We ventured out to a few other complexes and some of them seemed promising.  Right now, we have our eyes locked on a townhouse.  There's a lot to it and I don't have the energy to pick new housing arrangements, so ultimately, I'm filing this one under Jason's to-do list. 

Under my to-do list was to figure out my insurance and find a physician.  I did it, finally.  Only to have Athens covered in three inches of snow and ice and have my appointment cancelled.  I tried to reschedule, but I think they're very overbooked due trying to reschedule three days worth of cancelled appointments.  I hope to get something next week.  We'll see.  As for my physician... the easiest place to schedule an appointment was with The Midwives.  They're very Athens and very earthy-hippy and I'm very... not.  But I know plenty of GMO-eating, SUV driving, carbon foot printing ladies who used the midwives and had a lovely experience.  I figure it can't hurt to meet them and see if it's for me.  Worst case scenario--it's not and I find someone more traditional.

Several friends and acquaintances have had their babies or are about to have their babies, and think that it's really time that I start researching my birthing plan.  I have never felt less ready for something than labor and birth.  Is it weird to break out in hives at the very thought of going into labor?  Because I totally do.  Don't google "perineal massage" because OH-MY-GOD.  I am absolutely not there.  I'm not even ready to think about being there.  I know billions of women have done it, and have done it without the joys of modern medicine.  And I know that there's nothing I can do about it now, eventually this baby is coming out.  But I'm not there yet.  I'm thinking I'll be ready to start thinking about it at about 7 months. 

For right now, our baby is transitioning from a kumquat to a lime.  Looking at those two pieces of produce, that's a big jump for one week.  This week, Chippy is getting hair follicles and fingernail and toenail beds.  The fingers and toes have separated (no more webs!) and if it's a girl, she's getting her ovaries (if it's a boy, he got his business last week)--but we won't find out until April or the end of March.  We're both leaning towards it being a boy (though I'm starting to waffle), but we'll be excited whatever sex it is.

Love and exhaustion,
Ashley

Her Stats:

Weeks Pregnant:  10.25

Baby size: Kumquat-Lime

Weeks to go: 29.75

Cravings:  Strawberry-banana smoothies, pork fried rice, turkey sandwiches (which are off the menu, unfortunately), fruit punch, egg rolls, spaghetti with meatballs, baby bell cheese, mints, bagels with cream cheese, cookies.

Food aversions:  Refried beans, coffee, hot dogs, taco meat, Cheetos,

Feeling:  Sleepy all the time, pudgy, weepy, and a little nauseous. 

Missing most:  Lattes, not getting up to pee in the middle of the night, sleeping like a log.

Loving most:  Telling people.  I feel so blessed to have so many people who already love my baby.

Gender predictions:  ...mmmm... 75% boy, 25% girl.

One thing you want the baby to know:  "We already love you so, so much.  You keep me awake at night, thinking of how much we're going to cuddle and love you."

His Stats:

Patience level:  Moderate.

Cravings:  Money.

Loving most:  Pinterest (I want to add that he just discovered pinterest by snooping on my board, and though he doesn't want people to know, he's kind of obsessed).

Missing most: Childhood.

Her worst symptom:  Eating my cookies.

Feeling: Nothing.

Gender predictions: Taxi cab driver.

One thing you want the baby to know:  "I want you to be a hero and save mankind."