Thursday, March 31, 2011

Half-Time Show: 20 Weeks Down and 20 Weeks To Go.

Ladies and gents, we are OFFICIALLY half way done with this adventure they call "pregnancy". I'm not exaggerating (do I do that??) when I say it feels like just yesteray that we were jumping through a plethora of hoops trying to get a bun in the over. And now that bun is half way done cooking! It's mind-blowing, the whole damn thing.

Like how he started as nothing and is now cantaloupe size!

I am so crazy about my melon head (Todd hasn't given him his funny fruit name of the week yet but I think that might be the direction in which he goes). He's squirming around like crazy in there, my little monster. Todd says he has his boogie shoes on, which may be true. He's allegedly supposed to have regular "asleep and awake" patterns at this point, or so "they" say. My uterus will tell you differntly. I mean, I guess he DOES sleep when I'm working and rocks out when I'm resting 9 times out of 10. But when it comes right down to it, this baby does what he wants, when he wants, and I'm loving every second of it.

I'm even loving looking like this:



Because I'm a 13 year old boy at heart, I thought you should know that Spencer's testicles are starting to descend this week. as the scrotum grows (I totally had the urge to say "ball sack"...ugh). Way to go, my son.

And my family has started to plan our baby shower which I think will be in June. I can't WAIT to get his room set up. I went in there and laid on the guest bed that currently occupies the space. It was so odd to think, "Not too long from now, there's going to be this crazy being that's part me and part Todd in here, part of our family". Amazing. I'm so backwards bananas about him. I really didn't think I could ever feel like this.

My mom got us a book called "Rules For My Unborn Son" and I plan to get it for everyone I know who has a baby boy. Examples rules? A man with facial hair has something to hide. Never refuse a woman's invitation to dance. If you're going to wear a tie, commit and button your top button. Don't stare...people watch. It's a great book with some real gems.

Doctor's appointment on Tuesday to go over the ultrasound results which is exciting. And in the meantime, I think Spencer and I are going to go see Memphis Morticians tomorrow, despite how much I despise Garage Bar. I wonder if he'll be rockin-and-a-rollin' in there. I wonder a lot of things...

20 weeks to go!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Butter & Mangoes: Almost Half Way Done Cooking.

Since the due date was bumped up, we're hitting our next weekly milestone early. We're 19 weeks preggo today and Spencer is the size of a mango..."My little maniac mango!"...and weighs the same as a stick of butter (we were told that by the ultrasound tech at our appointment Monday but I forgot to mention it). He is JUST delicious!!


Arms and legs are in proportion, neurons between the brain and muscles are connected so he can make some moooooooves, and cartilage is morphing into bone. A lot is going on right now which helps him make "more choreographed movements". Totally true! He's been going bananas in there. We saw it with our own eyes at the ultrasound. And he just doesn't move when he's being poked in the face with a medical instrument or when I'm coughing. He also squirms for awesome reasons:

After Todd called to play a Hall and Oates song to me over the phone:
Todd: Ur kiss is on my list.
Me:  : )
MeSpencer wiggled which means he likes H&O.
Todd: No he was freakin out.
MeFreaking out with joy.
ToddNice try.

After this cuteness, some good news came our way. As you may remember me blathering about, we opted out of an Amnio. Instead, we had screenings via blood work during the 1st and 2nd trimesters and the results would be combined and the averages...yadda yadda yadda. Integrated Serum Screening. It looked for markers of certain birth defects and the odds that Spencer would have them. The results were within the normal limits so no Down's Syndrome or open neural tube defects, like Spina Bifida. HOLLA!

I agree with my mom, "...we love him no matter what". But we still feel thankful!!!

We can't WAIT for Spencer to get here. Even Dr. Nightmare, who uses his bump as a pillow.


Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Spencer Lee: An Amazing Morning With OUR SON!

WE'RE HAVING A BOY!!! And boys love their mothers.


It's so good to meet you, Spencer Lee! My nephew has a friend named Something-or-Other Spencer and they call him "Spence Baby". It always made me laugh and the name really grew on me...on US. Especially after I put the big HELL NO on Rex and Crew, as suggested by Todd. And Lee is my father's middle name. My stepson has Todd's dad's middle name so we're continuing honoring the grandfathers! Spencer Lee!!

And even though the scan hadn't been read by a doctor yet, our ultrasound tech had no problem telling us that everything looked GREAT. No obvious birth defects, no cleft pallet, all the limbs, hands and feet in place. Yeah, she gave us that gold star I was looking for (though I still want to hear it from our doc) and I couldn't be happier. I fell head-over-heels in love with him the second she declared it was a boy...which I knew because I could clearly see his junk loud and clear on the screen. But I knew deep down anyway.

And despite him being a boy and having a wiener, he is ALL ME (despite having his father's button nose and not my beak). He clearly has my chin, he was all burrowed into my back and curled up tight and then was flailing wildly like a maniac, AND he put on a total show by giving a "thumb's up", pretended to chug a frosty brew, sucking his thumb, AND a putting out a perfect open palm, ready for a HIGH FIVE!





It was awesomw!! Then he turned and looked at us with his alien face! I'll admit it.


But he's adorable and perfect and, according to the tech, already has HAIR. I LOVE HAIR!



I can't believe that we're having a boy. I'm so happy. I would've been happy either way but both Todd and I agreed...it's SO real now. He's in there. My little monster is a BOY. Now when we talk about him (HIM! SWOON!), it's all, "Spencer has been wriggling like crazy today!". Stuff like that. And now that we know, of course, I can't WAIT FOR HIM TO GET HERE!! My niece sent me a little Facebook message telling me how she can't wait to meet her knew cousin and what a good time he'll have in this family. All our our friends are going bananas. I want him to get here!!!! And he's scheduled to TWO DAYS EARLIER!

The new due date is August 18th. The happiest day of my life, no flipping doubt!

Spencer Lee....swoon...

Saturday, March 19, 2011

OMG: Having My Baby Blessed By The Fonz.

My baby is now the size of a sweet potato. "My sweet potato pie", according to Todd.

That potato picture is NOT cute. Ew. And do you know what else is not cute? The baby is now covered in this film that makes it look (according to What To Expect) like a mango covered in cheese! I love cheese, but I don't necessarily want to be covered in it. Repulsive. Regardless, it's protecting the monster from the amniotic fluid and will be (mostly) gone before he/she pops out. Ew. Pops out. What's wrong with me?

I've been feeling the monster move a lot this week and it's my new favorite thing. I haven't been feeling well (not pregnancy unwell, regular ME unwell) and when I sneeze or cough, the baby wiggles. Better get used to it, baby. Mama's a sicko! There have been lots of bloody noses but no more round ligament pain anymore. It's a decent trade off. And in 2 days, we find out what kind of junk I'm growing! I have really never been so excited.

Here's what 18 weeks makes me look like (not much of a difference):


Arthur Fonzirelli a.k.a Fonzie a.k.a Henry Winkler blessed my stomach (literally, he rubbed it...he's the first person besides my husband to dare touch my guts) so if it's a boy, I'm going to claim he had something to do with it. Boy was what I thought from the get-go, way before there even WAS junk. But everyone says girl still. The girl to boy ratio is a total BEATDOWN. Anyway, meeting Fonzie and having him lovingly touch my baby like he was the Pope blew my mind.


A bit of mom worry: I just hope that when we get our ultrasound that everything is A-OK. I might make it seem like the boy or girl verdict is the most important thing but it's not. Todd and I have been waiting for this so we will be perfectly happy with whatever we're given. What's truly important is that the monster has everything it needs (physically) to live a full and happy life. And I don't even think they'll tell us for SURE if he/she gets a gold star until our actual doctor reads the results, which, of course, will stress me out. I just want he/she to come into the world with every opportunity and nothing holding him/her back.

Boy or girl is really the least important thing cause I'm IN LOVE with it already!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Post-Script: A Note To The Unborn Vol. 4

P.S.

Yesterday, you moved twice yesterday and I think that's super rad. I like feeling you squirming about. The first time, I had spontaneously sprawled out on the front room floor , staring at the ceiling. Daddy says you were trying to swim back into into your comfy spot and and were probably like, "WTF!?!". Later in bed, I sneezed while reading a book about what's up with you (and me) right now, and you moved. Daddy claims I woke you up from a nice slumber with my vicious, core-shaking sneeze. Sorry, monster.

The point? I like feeling you wiggle about.

Also, if you're a girl baby, we decided to change your middle name. That should really make no difference to you. It's just a name that I've always liked and wanted to use for a middle name. Now it happens to have more sentimental meaning, especially coinciding with when you're supposed to be born.

We're trying to figure out how to decorate your room. Any suggestions?

Alright, I'm done bugging you for now. I just think you'll want to know these things later in life when you think I don't understand you or I'm out of touch. You'll have all these ramblings and the notes Daddy has been taking. He's a cool guy. He puts his hand on my belly at night because it's always super warm...I hope his hand heating pad helps keep you comfy in there 

:  )

We love you.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Getting To Know You: A Note To The Unborn Vol. 4

My monster:

I realized I haven't talked to you via blogosphere in awhile. Sometimes I feel a little odd talking out loud to you in your squishy water bed. I know you're in there (I've felt you wiggle and heard your heartbeat) but I'm not quite sure what to say. Hence why I've been reading you US Magazine. I skipped an article about Christina Aguleira this week because she isn't going to be on any upcoming play lists I'm making for you. I'll get more comfortable with personalizing the conversation once I know a bit more about who you are.

IN NINE...LONG...DAYS.

Your daddy thinks you're a girl. I thought that at first, too, but now I'm not so sure. When I write here, I think girl, and when I think about you during the day, I think boy. Girl seems to be in the lead as we've asked your many rock-n-roll aunts-n-uncles to place their bets. Aunt Stephanie and Aunt Tricia both say you're a fella but everyone else under the sun says you're a dame. I guess we'll know in nine days...as long as you're not being difficult. Being the product of me and daddy, that's totally possible.

Right now, my goal is just to find out who you are in a gender sense. As far as meeting you? I need a little more time (and YOU need more time...you're like a skinny little sea monkey). I need to get your room ready and stock our life with supplies for you. I need to get Santo and Shelby prepared for you becoming a part of our family. I need to make sure everything is done in a nesting sense so daddy and I can just enjoy you. I'm planning to love every second of my 8 weeks alone with you...even those moments where your can explodes like a volcano!

Anyway, I can't wait to get to know you but here's what I DO know, my stinky onion:

You're letting me know you're hungry, a lot, and I'm trying to keep up. You'll start to get some fat this week which will eventually have everyone pinching your cheeks (mommy is a sucker for baby cheeks). You can hear loud noises which is why I gave your baby house some extra rubbing yesterday...those dogs were being MANIACS and I had to yell at them. Sorry if you were spooked. You're perfecting all your survival relaxes (sucking, swallowing, what have you) and your heart is starting to come into a steady rhythm.

I do LOVE that sound.

So there you have it, Little Monster. I was supposed to get a second round of bloodwork yesterday to check up on you but was thwarted by the snow. As far as I'm concerned, you're doing just GREAT. Everybody is excited to meet you and we'll be having a party just for you some time in July. Knowing all your soon-to-be friends and family, it'll be a great day! And thanks for making this a pretty flipping easy process. I've heard some horror stories from pregnant people and it seems like I got off easy. I appreciate it, my love.

Talk again soon!

LOVE YOU,
Mommy


Monday, March 7, 2011

Read All About It: Awesome Developements After a Dry Spell.

SO. MUCH. TO. TELL.

So I'll start by giving you your dose of text book information on the little monster right up front, starting with him or her being the size of an avocado this week (Holy Guacamole!, according to Todd).

And the weird thing is when you look at my ever-morphing body, it LOOKS like I have an avocado in there. Or a football. My pooch is pointy and weird but I like it. I am 16 weeks (and 2 days) and I've gained 3 pounds total. Todd was worried about this but the doc said not to fret. I was losing in the beginning so 3 lbs. = success. Not to mention that a lot of broads don't bulk up until the end, so no need for weight gaining milkshakes just yet.



Monster has eyebrows and lashes, and fingerprints. No crimes in utero.

And back to the doc...we had our 16 week appointment on Friday and our doc told me that I'm doing GREAT. She received back all my blood work results and while she didn't say anything about markers for Downs, etc., she did say everything was thumbs up. Even the Round Ligament Pain was dubbed utterly normal.  I'm NORMAL! Well, outside of my Kindergarten vaccine for Rubella being unequivocal a.k.a. weak (17 years go by and they can tell that??? CREEPY!). So as soon as the monster debuts, she'll re-vaccinate and all will be gravy.

The heartbeat was 154 beats, which you can hear HERE!

We received paperwork for my next round of blood work (vampires in lab coats, I tell you) AND the ultrasound we've been so impatiently waiting for. AND I CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE! It just makes it so much more REAL. I mean, I have no symptoms, the existence of my bump comes and goes (a guy at work even asked my nephew if something was wrong because I don't look preggo at all)...the more I know about the little monster, the more I attach and become mom. I'm nervous to get served with bad news, but more excited over all!

March 21st at 10:00. The moment of the big reveal.

Aunt Sharon

Me a.k.a. Mommy

Do you know what else makes it more real? Feeling the little monster MOVE, which I think I did yesterday morning! I can't say for sure and it hasn't happened since but I was laying in bed and felt this weird little...I don't know. Stronger than a swish or a flutter but not quite as strong as gas moving around. Just three little thumps.

Three, little, awesome, bad ass THUMPS!

So the ultrasound is March 21st and our next appointment is April 5th. Trucking along.