Sharing the news

 

 

 

Sharing the news with family & close friends has been a lot of fun...and sometimes awkward, which is my fault because I try to be too clever about it!  The 1st person we told was HubbyK's little brother.  (It turns out HubbyK had actually texted him "Come over tonight!" The exclamation point cracks me up.  My husband can not keep a secret.) I had a grand plan that I was going to record everyone's reactions & create a video montage.  So, I pretended to be recording StevieDog & then turned the camera on Little Brother announcing, "StevieDog's going to be a big sister."  Little Brother's reaction was total confusion followed by mild interest and so, I scrapped the video idea.  A couple days later at school I confessed to a (very) pregnant friend that I drove away from Dunkin' Donuts without my coffee because of pregnancy brain.  She was so excited! At lunch, she was talking about maternity clothes and I very awkwardly interrupted, "Um, looks like I'm going to need fall maternity clothes." It took a second and then there were screams that were probably heard around campus.  We told my in-laws at dinner.  They opened up a gift bag with onesies that read "What happens at Grandma's stays at Grandma's" and "Grandpa's Little Helper."  They were really surprised and happy; there was clapping and tears.  We told my parents over facetime by zooming in on some presents I told them we hadn't sent yet but wanted to make sure they liked first.  There was a "countdown to grandma" and a "grandpa & me" frame.  It took a second & then the recognition was amazing.  I think they both continued to say "Thank you! Thank you!"  I also facetimed with my sister and asked, "What are you doing next April?" She laughed and asked if we were planning a cruise. Nope, having a baby!  We told my dad & stepmom the old-fashioned way, "You're going to be grandparents" but sent a picture with an ultrasound in a magnetic frame, in case they want it on their fridge ;)  I emailed a couple friends the picture of StevieDog announcing that she was becoming a big sister.  I coyly mentioned to a few others that I'd be gaining weight soon or that their children would soon have a little friend to visit in Florida.  We skyped with HubbyK's grandma and great grandma (102!) and shared the ultrasound with them and then called his other grandparents & spread more joy.  I called my aunt & grandma, texted my cousin and just continued to share our happy news!  I am glad I still have more people to tell, like friends back home, my students and colleagues; this is fun! 

Baby #1?

Mom & I had a quiet moment outside this morning while Dad slept in a little bit. We cuddled, watched the morning clouds & listened to the other neighborhood dogs waking up.  Later, when Dad & Cousin Sadie were awake too, we went and played at the dog park for a couple hours.  Mom was funny & told total strangers that she was pregnant.  They were really happy for her. Dog park people are just like that - super nice.  I know that I'm my mom's baby but lately she's been calling me "Princess Baby #1" like she's trying to reassure me.  Should I be nervous?  Will this Baby #2 try to replace me?  Will Baby #2 take away from my quiet moments with Mom or from my adventures at the dog park?  I hope we can be friends & share my mom's love...and her cuddles.  Her cuddles are really good. 

Proud Papa

 

I love HubbyK and got to see the most dear side of him today.  After an in-depth interview about our family history and a stack of paperwork, we headed to the ultrasound room.  I was anxious, both looking forward to it and super nervous! The tech poured the jelly on my tummy and started moving the wand around...and instead of looking at the screen, I watched my husband. You know how at a wedding, people love to watch the groom's reaction instead of the bride walking down the aisle? That's how I felt, like I was watching the proud groom.  HubbyK was beaming with a smile from ear to ear & then I knew I could look at the screen.  And there it was!  A kumquat, or a teddy bear, as the tech called "it," with a fluttering heart, beating a strong 175 beats per minute.  HubbyK smiled and I teared.  How amazing to hear those sounds of life, beating inside of me!  She said everything looked good and measured the baby at 10 weeks, 2 days.  What a relief.  What a joy. What a blessing.  So,with a bag full of pamphlets, more paperwork and some baby magazines, we headed off to Sam's Club for soft pretzels and pizza. 

Making myself laugh

This is my awesome Sunday morning invention.  Our house is in desperate need of cleaning & so I came up with this brilliant device so that I wouldn't have to inhale the cleaning supplies. I hadn't made it beyond the bathroom sink when HubbyK walked in and "caught me."  He laughed, shook his head at my craziness and told me he'd finish the job.  God bless him.  This is actually our normal deal; he always scrubs the shower.  It's one of my most hated things in all the world and he knows that so he does it when he comes in from mowing the yard.  He doesn't mind cleaning while he's already in the shower.  So, I left my invention behind and moved on to dust & vacuum.  Shortly followed by a nap, of course. 

Have a heart

HubbyK and I participated in a 4-mile American Cancer Society Heart walk this morning.  I've been feeling well the last few days & being outside exercising felt really good. I'm rocking my #3 because I am 9 weeks & officially in my 3rd month of pregnancy. 

Bahamas, Baby

Our weekend away in the Bahamas was great except night #1, when I got sick...super sick.  Blech.  But by Saturday morning, I was feeling great & we spent the day at Cabbage Beach in Nassau.  We read, napped and did a lot of people-watching.  We also explored Atlantis a bit and saw sharks, saw fish, sting rays and other cool fish in the amazing outdoor aquariums.  Surprisingly, we stayed awake past midnight...I was highly motivated by the 11:30 sail away buffet which included fried chicken.  Sunday was even better, spent at Royal Caribbean's private island, Coco Cay.  We went on a long walk in the crystal clear water - HubbyK saw a little shark - and we were still brave  enough to go swimming too. Then, like the day before, we rested on chaise lounges under a nice big umbrella.  The trip was super relaxing and a terrific way to say goodbye to Month 2 and hello to Month 3! 

Motion Sickness

HubbyK and I are heading out on a 3-day cruise to the Bahamas! Of course I am excited about the food. Oh, and spending time with HubbyK. But I am nervous about my motion sickness...I've been known to barf before we've even left the port. So normally I'm totally dependent on Bonine or Dramamine but the doc said I should avoid those meds. So, here's my survival kit: Emetrol nausea medication, ginger candy & gum, peppermint mints & gum, granola bars & designer sea bands. Wish me luck!

On the topic of food...

 

While we're on the subject of food, let me tell you about these Monster Pops (Paletas Mostros) budget popsicles! I told HubbyK about Big Stick popsicles and how they totally remind me of Tom Sawyer summer camp.  I haven't had once since elementary school. So, we went on a mission looking for them.  (He wanted to find Choco-Tacos, which he did.)   We found these knock-offs Big Sticks at WalMart and let me tell you, they are AWESOME!!! Yesterday, I got home from school, kicked off my shoes and went outside. I sat in my adirondack chair, petting StevieDog with my bare toes, soaking up the sunshine and enjoying every lick (bite!) of my popsicle. 

All-You-Can-Eat

I just left my college friend a 5 minute voicemail - that's our norm.  But this time, I think 3 of the 5 minutes was spent describing the breakfast pita sitting in my passenger seat waiting to be eaten.  I listed: egg, bacon, cheese, onions & peppers, hash browns, and guacamole.  I told her how badly I wanted to eat it but had to wait until I got home, how the ride home was 10 more minutes plus the extra minute to let the dog out to pee.  I was in total agony and so appreciative that I got to leave a voicemail venting to her.  As soon as I let StevieDog out to pee, I ripped that bad boy open and went to town. Never.so.starving.  After a few days of nothing sounding good, now I want everything and I want it now.  I normally don't like sweets but yesterday, I devoured a dark chocolate peanut butter ball and man, oh man, I loved it.  Last night, I couldn't even wait for my pasta; I ate handfuls of grapes while I watched the water boil. This morning, I ate a granola bar while I put on make-up. There's an Oreo Sonic Blast waiting for me in the freezer - from this weekend when nothing sounded good - and I am sure I'll eat it before heading off to Open House in an hour.  I am already thinking about the nonfat pumpkin latte I should get tomorrow morning...or should I get tonight to help get me through the parents' questions?!

Yep, Still Pregnant!

How many pregnancy tests can one girl take?  Well, you know about the 1st one.  That same day, HubbyK and I met for lunch.  Still in disbelief, he ran into the Dollar Tree next door, bought a cheapie test ($1, obviously!) and I took it in the public restroom.  Wrapped in a paper towel, we opened up the test once we were back in the car and of course, still pregnant! The following week, I got to see Baby on the ultrasound but then another week went by and I needed to make sure.  Is it still there?  I read about a trick online - you can use ovulation tests to test for pregnancy and I have a box left of those...So, week 7 I took another one.  And week 8, yet another one.  I have two more weeks until I get to see Baby again so don't judge if I just keep testing! It makes me feel better :)  I mean, look at that happy face; it's so reassuring and much cuter than the scientific lines in the 1st two tests.  Did you notice my preggo pimples in the last picture?  You think those, my strange appetite and my bloated belly would be enough to convince me, but nope...I love that smiley face!