Lucky Lady

If you look at the picture to the left you will see a pile of clothes. These aren't just any clothes...these are maternity clothes. Holly, Christine and my co-workers have been giving me bag loads of clothes to wear over the next few months. I love this for a couple of reasons: 1. I hate shopping. 2. I hate shopping when I can't fit into my old size. 3. I hate shopping for clothes that I will wear for a few months. Did I mention I hate shopping? The only time I go shopping is when I'm with Holly. She finds something that will look good on me, hands it to me and tells me to buy it. That's my kind of shopping.

Thank you for all the clothes ladies!

My super husband surprised me yesterday with a prenatal massage gift certificate. I told him I was going to wait until I felt really tired, fat, swollen, etc. But, I guess I screwed up the surprise because he explained that he bought me a few gift certificates to get a massage so I get to use one soon and then few more later. Isn't he great?!?!?

Birthday Party!

I went to Logan's 5th birthday yesterday (son of Julie and Kevin). They went all out for this party including: a huge bouncy, a dunk tank, kiddie pools and tons of food. It was weird thinking that Steve and I will be planning birthday parties. When I got home I told Steve that we need a bigger house to have birthday parties since our baby will have a birthday in the winter and we can't go outside. He thought I was crazy and told me not to worry about it. Then I thought about my winter birthday and my parents did a good job with pin the nose on the snowman, crafts, Simon Says and other things. Good times, good times. I can't wait to make those goodie bags!

By the way, school starts tomorrow so updates may be slower than usual.

Movin' and Shakin'

I had a doctor's appointment last night so she could check me out, but also to look over the ultrasound. She said everything looked normal with the baby. Then she "tried" to take the baby's heartbeat. As usual, the baby wouldn't sit still and I think the doctor got a hand cramp trying to move the instrument around my stomach trying to catch the heartbeat. From what she heard, she said it was normal. I have a feeling this kid is going to be crawling and running out of me.

The doc was also happy that I finally gained weight (since I am at week 19). I think I mentioned earlier that I gained weight and then lost it so ended up at my starting weight. I'm glad the baby is healthy but it is a strange feeling watching your weight go up since most of us spend our lives trying to stay thin and not gain a pound.

On a side note, the baby is the size of a mango!

Second Ultrasound

Steve took a day off from work to come with me to the second ultrasound appointment. I had told Steve even before I became pregnant that I didn't want to find out the sex of the baby. Steve really wanted to find out, but as you read further the baby wants it to be a surprise too.

The poor woman had a hard time getting all of the pictures and had to get her supervisor to help her. The baby had crossed his/her legs and then flipped the legs over the head. They had me on my side and moving a bit to get all the necessary pics. Because of the baby's precarious position they couldn't tell if it was a boy or girl anyway. Oh well Steve you are going to have to wait like the rest of us!

The cutest thing we saw was the baby sucking his/her thumb. I didn't even know baby's do that in gestation.

Remember how I said we picked out a boy's name? Well, we went for a long walk yesterday (5 or so miles) and picked out 2 boy's names and 2 girl's names. We are going to wait to meet the baby and then pick the appropriate name. I'm happy I can cross off this task off my list!

Geesh

Before my sister blows a gasket, here is a picture of my belly (4 1/2 months).

Crazy Kitty

I was having a pleasant morning eating my cereal when I heard Jasper (our cat) jump through his cat door. I looked over and he had something in his mouth. As I looked closer I noticed it was a bird.

First thought: How am I going to get that bird out of the house? The trash already came.

Second thought: I hope this dead bird doesn't bring in any bad germs for the baby.

Third thought: Holy crap! The bird isn't dead!

Japser drops the bird and the bird tries running around the house. The poor bird is having trouble flying because Jasper busted the wing. After a few minutes of me yelling at Japser to let the birdie go and running around the house, I finally got the bird out of Jasper's mouth. I put the bird outside and I hope it survives.

I hope Jasper behaves better for the baby than he did with that bird. On a side note: Steve and I actually have agreed on a boy's name. Now we have to pick a girl's name. Don't ask what we decided on names 'cause we're not gonna tell you. It's a surprise :)

Another Summer Concert

Some friends and I ventured into Boston Thursday night to see Poison, Dokken and Sebastian Bach in concert. Some of you may be laughing at this point, but this is my 3rd time seeing Poison and they put on a great show! This concert was no exception. Plus, even if you don't really like the music it is great for people watching. I always get a good chuckle from watching people wear clothes that they probably wore when they saw Poison in concert in 1987.

Anyway, one of my friends at the concert told me that I should pick a song to start playing daily for the baby. She explained that her sister played a Dave Matthews song everyday while she was pregnant. After the baby was born she continued to listen to the same song. When the baby got upset she put in that song and the baby cooed and stopped crying. Now that the baby can talk he actually requests "number 8" on the cd. This is a brilliant idea but now I have to figure out what song to start playing to hopefully calm our baby down. Check out the poll and feel free to send any other suggestions our way!

Lost in Translation

I've worked at a camp with Japanese students for the past 4 years. There is a very sweet, Japanese woman who works as the liaison between the Japanese school and the camp. Her English isn't the greatest but at least she tries. At the beginning of camp last week she kept looking me up and down and then staring at my stomach. Finally she built up enough courage to come and ask me if I was pregnant. Here is the conversation:

Yumiko: Are you ...? (points to my stomach)

Me: Yep, 4 months this week so the baby should be here in January.

Yumiko: Congratulations. I asked someone before and there was no baby. Does your husband still work in the houses?

Me: Um, yeh, he works in houses as a plumber. A plumber fixes pipes so the water can go through the house.

Yumiko: Oh, I see. Is this the same husband you had last year?

Me: (I just smiled and nodded)


Who knows maybe there was something lost in translation.

More pics from California

This seal took a liking to Steve while he was scuba diving and was caught resting on Steve's flipper.

This is beautiful Monterey beach.

Don't you just want to scratch this big kitty's head? He is one of the lions at the Wild Things training center.

Trip to Monterey and Carmel, California

We had a great time in California. We did tons of great stuff: visited Monterey Bay Aquarium, drove the 17-mile coast, Steve went scuba diving, rented a surrey (4 person bike), relaxed on Carmel beach, hiked Point Lobos State Reserve and went to an animal training center (they train animals for tv and movies) called "Wild Things." The highlight of the trip had to be when we drove to Santa Cruz to check out their famous boardwalk. When we got there we heard that..drum roll please....Sha Na Na was performing. Of course, we had to check it out. It was hilarious watching 50 and 60 somethings rocking out to the oldies. I think the baby even liked the 2nd concert of the summer. Then Steve and I had this conversation:

Me: Do you think this is going to be me in 20 years watching Poison at the Big E or something?

Steve: Yep, and the kids are I are going to be hiding and laughing at you.

Me: You're probably right.

I hope I'm still going to concerts in 20 years and I hope the kids have the same musical taste as I do. That would be awesome!