So, still a little bothered, but not stressed, just procrastinating. Staying in this place until April 30, then worrying about May later. I'm pretty sure I'll move, but a lot of me would just rather not change anything midstream. I guess it's too late for that.

I have been dealing with a major gas bubble for like 3 hours. Don't have to toot or burp, but I got to shake this out somehow. If this is what little babies go through, I feel for them.

Tomorrow I have really early practice, then I'm going to workout and nap and get a massage. If it's not raining I'll go see the Cherry Blossom trees, or catch a movie if it is. As I was walking around smelling all the flowers, I sort of would wish my heightened sense of smell would stay, but then I walk by a smoker and that changes my mind.

Case of the Mondays

A little stressful this weekend, over thinking the future etc, but now my third semester pain is kicking in. I'm not sleeping well from 3-6am, constantly tossing and turning, probably my bodys way telling me to stop sleeping the way I am - on my back, right side etc. So now I'm feeling pain in my lower ribs on my back. subtle, but annoying and I can't stretch it out. I think it will pass in a few days and my new shape takes form.

Nothing new going on, but I figured I'd blog just because. I like reading everyone elses and keeping current. Still don't have my glucose test results, they're supposed to be online, not that i know what i was looking at short of yay/nay. Baby is kicking pretty well. I've only worked out 5 times in the last two weeks, just don't feel like it. He is also more active when I'm not, but there's got a be a balance. You can also see my tummy move from the outside. It's pretty funny. I think he's flipping over, because the kicks are less in my pelvis and more level with my belly button.

I'm really glad we put together the basketball pool. I hate the Memphis/Duke etc all went out but it makes for some good games. I think there could be a UNC - UofL final.

So like I said I like to blog sometimes because it allows me to get thoughts out to you all. That being said, as I prepare for this huge change in my life, I have a lot of thoughts. Some are irrational and most are just thoughts. I know I'm not going to be alone, but of course it crossed my mind. I know Rick will be here as will Mom. Assuming it's here. My sisters are being so helpful and kind and I really appreciate it and feel more prepared having talked to hem so much.

So options are:

• Move West May 1st. Drive across country with Rick, stay in LV. Deliver there. Rick can visit from Carlsbad often. Not an option really that early. I plan on coaching thru May 20.
• Move west May 20. Same thing but hurry out there somewhere 8.5 months pregnant. Someone would have to drive with me. We would need to find a rental place and he would leave in September, therefore I move again. I know that area is probably amazing and I could keep busy, but why not stay where I know it and like it.
• Deliver here. stay here as long as I want.
• Move to Greensboro whenever. Deliver there or move after birth.

I know I can shack up with the kid in GSO, or Chapel Hill or LV or even San Mateo and Timberlake. Timing is going to be whatever I want and I feel like if I don't like something - too bored, for example. I can move. I really do want to stay in DC, but it is a bit overwhelming winging it long term, basically alone.

I have lots of options and a wonderful family and am honestly not worried. I like my alone time and am rather self sufficient. I know I don't know what I'm up for and want help for sure, but we are not poor or alone, so it will be fine. I just need to make up my mind and keep health insurance active basically.

Have a great weekend all.

28 weeks

of course, nothing to report. Had my glucose test to see how well my pregnant body handles glucose. I'm going to go out on a limb and say fairly well. The horrible flat orange soda has been replaced by some strong fruit punch Gatorade like mix, i had no problem downing it. I literally had nothing to say to him. Its been a super easy 4 weeks since my last visit. I gained 4 pounds. My BP is 111/60, The heart rate sounded good. He was kicking while I was in the waiting room. I asked for another ultrasound, doc said no need. :( I really want to see him. He said they don't worry until 34+ weeks if the kid is breech. He measured me, I was perfect of course. Told me to take a childbirth class and find a pediatrician. End of appointment. Test results online by the end of the week. I do go back in two weeks though. We must be in the tail end of this thing.

In other news, Rick has to do his training at Camp Pendelton in California beginning early May. This sucks a lot. We thought it could be Camp Lejune in NC, in which case I would have considered delivering in Greensboro so I could see him regularly and it would be easy for him to get to me in labor and his paternity leave. Now he has to fly etc. I had to look up where it even is. About half way between LA and San Diego. Maybe I could go stay with Judy M. He thinks it would be easy for me to be in Las Vegas, but that's a good 5 hour drive which he's not doing Friday night and cutting into a large chunk of Saturday. I'm pretty upset and he is too, but this means he's training for Iraq which is much safer than Afghanistan, so there's one plus. But I pretty much am sure I'll be all alone in labor and have to take a taxi to the hospital. And I thought shopping for a wedding dress by myself was lonely.

27 weeks

Rickism: "now you can scratch the sides of your belly"

Nothing new to report. Lots of movement. I'm tired again, but I think that's because we stay up too late doing our puzzle and I've started morning practices, so it's hard to motivate in the middle of the day. I'm glad Rick doesn't care I'm a bum, lunch and dinner are served and eventually laundry gets done, some housekeeping is falling though. Oh well.

i'm very glad our NCAA pool got kicked off. It will be fun to follow the standings. I think everyone picked UNC. I went with UofL and think they can do it.

Fail.

Remember this?

So I finally ordered my POD storage box moved from Kansas City to DC area. I was kicking myself enough already because if I ended up doing it at all this year and on March 12, I should have done it September 10, or even January 10, but I last the whole winter without my coats, Danskos and worst of all - coaching clothes, boots and tools. So we went out there, only about 10 miles - still inside the beltway, but a good 35 minutes to get there. No big deal, they have it pulled out of the giant warehouse and we can get in. It cost me money to move it but I can access it all I want there, or they can bring it to my sidewalk if I wanted to unload it. So long story short - I had it packed so full and the boxes I needed were so deep, I got nothing but a box of tide and a snow scraper out of it. I had boxes at the far back, behind desks, chairs, bikes and all things awkward. (see below picture with 6 more dining room chairs, coffee table, desks, bikes, bed frames jammed in there) We could have unloaded the whole thing but it was raining so we didn't want to take it all out just to get to some stuff I have lived without this long. It was crushing because I was SO excited to have my survival suit for Monday practice since it's cold here. 40 this morning on the boat got chilly. I was unreasonably excited to have my bib overalls and all weather uggs. So much so I might have to get a milkshake. Bobby didn't give up anything for Lent.

That's the highlight of the weekend. Going to watch basketball now and do a puzzle. It's rainy, may head up to the gym if I can motivate. No plans tonight or tomorrow.

It's high school spring break, week 1 of 2 so afternoons with them only, next week 2 a days then we race on the 28th. UNC and Duke also come up that weekend to race GU/GW on Saturday and GMU on Sunday if anyone wants to visit.

Clothing

So I bought some more maternity clothes online. Mostly $10-12 Gap and ON tees since they are comfy and its going to be getting warm soon but I also bought some jeans since Elizabeths handmedowns are a couple inches short in the leg, how does that happen? I got a pair at Target which I love but I dont want to wear them to coach in since they are my 'nice jeans.' So I wanted a more casual longer pair, I bought two at $25. One size 10 and one large thinking I could layer and they're not for fashion, anyways, the 10s are boot cut (good), low rise (bad) and tight! Am I that fat? I don't think so, I could wear them, but they're now more going out jeans than launch jeans. Sheesh. The larges are so big, they're almost sinched at the waist because there's so much fabric. I might keep them for month 9, but the roll top isn' t very tight. I can't get this right at all. Elizabeths jeans are M, L and 10 and I can wear them all. My Liz Langes might even be 8s. This is quite a pain. Good thing most of my time is in yoga pants.

I'm pretty sure I had Oreos and Applesauce for dinner last night. Oops.

So while feeling perfect, I would like to feel the kid kick more. I don't know what is normal. This worries me a lot but I guess he takes after Rick and just likes to sleep. a lot.

6 Months

I can't believe we're 2/3 of the way there. Starting 26 weeks, I can pretty much say I feel perfect. Almost not pregnant. Getting a little big but not enough to really impact my movements, just a bit.

Also I have decided that life is too short and I am going to eat several donuts today. I don't think pregnancy is a time to pig out, quite the contrary - you should eat healthy and not junk at all, but I love donuts and haven't had one forever so I'm endulging. The rest of the week I try to be better and will stay away from ice cream for Lent since the chocolate/sweets part has already been blown. I have no discipline when it comes to my sweet tooth.

Snow Day

So March 1st and we got a good 6" of the really fluffy stuff and it's still coming down like a snow globe. Rick went to work and judging from the lack of footprints in the courtyard, he's the only one moving in the development. I'm sort of upset he went, but he's right in that the Marines in his office will probably be there, although they are on a 2 hour delay. There's no one on the roads and all the schools are closed, so maybe he can come home early. All the civilian bums are definitely not working but we have no excuse, I just wish we were closer to a metro (15 min. walk) since it's 20 degrees with 20 mph+ winds.

The guys the HOA hires to shovel and salt decided to start at 3:30am and get the first layer of snow up and then they were back by our window at 5:30 or so. Those plastic shovels make a lot of noise, so it's lucky everyone else is sleeping in.

For Allison

I am happy. Just thought you all should know that. It was a good day. Most of the time I am paranoid and worried as hell on the inside (and I still am) but I am in a good mood. I was told I had a pregnant glow today - granted it was in a dark room and came no later than 10 minutes after being told I looked tired! Had an average doctors appointment, nice workout, good practice, and great yoga class. And am making pancakes for dinner and Rick is getting Outback takeout. My chi and chakras are zen and balanced or something like that.

Until at least I get grumpy from not having enough refined sugar.

Lent

I am giving up sweets for lent. Or going to try really hard. they are nutritionally void and wasted calories for me and baby so when the sweet tooth kicks in, I'm going to try to have yogurt or fruit or chocolate milk. No ice cream, cookies, pudding, candy, donuts...Wish me luck.

24 weeks full report

Absolutely nothing to report. Sorry folks. Waited in the waiting room for about 40 minutes, then in the exam room for another 5-10. That is why I get afternoon appointments. My weight is up, about 5 pounds more than my at home weigh in. But I genuinely don't care what the number is. BP is 120/80, so normal but I think high for me, but it's about right. I had a 3rd year student examine me, which meant talking to me and that's about it. Doc came in and measured my fundal height which was 23-24, so right on track. Baby heart rate was good around 150 I think he said. Diabetes test next time.

Children

We had a great visit with Elizabeth and the boys. It was actually a lot of fun and fairly easy and low key. It makes me realize how unprepared and clueless I am but I'll be fine. I'm just really slow and awkward at most things and although far from a neat freak, I can't stand the messes that happen soo fast with a toddler. I mean wow. Hopefully Elizabeth will post the photos from her camera. The highlights were probably the escalator at the museum, bowling and the bouncy house. He's also not bad at the Wii Fit - skiing and heading soccer balls. It is motivation to live in a warm climate year round.

5 Months

22 weeks, about 18 pounds gained.

5 Months

I think I am over my mayonnaise thing.

Rick told me he thinks I already look full on 9 months pregnant. He has no idea.

I am addicted to feeling him kick. It doesn't feel like a kick but the movement makes me happy. He so far is not a morning person.

I registered this morning, if you can call it that. I had NO idea what i was doing. I think I got a lot of blankets. there is no theme of any sort. Or, you could say, there are several. I guess I'll be spending a lot of time fixing it online.

Status

21 weeks. approx 15 pounds gained. i might be feeling some flutters, but they feel more like my tummy is grumbling than anything else. i am calling that baby kicks because it makes me feel better and i panic less. it's irregular but i try to pay attention to it every day and it seems to be early afternoon and just before bed when i get it the most. I have shifted to pregnancy pants and sweats/yoga pants entirely and am slowly moving towards tops, they are way comfy but i can pull off some regular shirts still. I hate all my tshirts though. I feel huge. Much better this week mentally, I don't know if I've adjusted or was just bloated and pudgy last week. Lifting weights and yoga is helping i think.

pregnancy symptoms i do not have that i read about

• heart burn
• constipation
• aches/pains/leg cramps
• snoring (okay maybe a little)
• good skin/hair/nails
• bad skin
• cravings
• varicose veins
• swollen feet etc.

i guess they are all worse case scenario. i will admit to an enhanced mole (more raised) and maybe a few more popped up on my torso. And maybe some gas, (but what's new?)

next focus: Do i need to take a childbirth education case? My dr. has mentioned this twice. I think watching a Baby Story and Bringing home Baby has prepared me enough. Am I going to get stretch marks? How do I find a pediatrician?

Worst Case Scenario

If we're really unlucky...

workouts

i think i have to stop running, i have sooo much pressure on my bladder all the time, and exercising just exaggerates it, even when it's totally empty. i'm running slow and my heart rate is lower than other things but it's not comfortable, so i'm bummed about that. also get it while rowing, so i do that less, and am watching other things that compress me down low.

i am super emotional today, no reason why at all. maybe cabin fever. i feel like i could cry at any minute. we had 2" of snow yesterday, then some ice. i started to pack up the house in case rick gets this job, but now i think i'll just go back to bed. might go see the Reader, but there is free prenatal yoga up the road that would start before the movie gets out.

20 weeks

Still nothing special going on. I have the most laid back doctor. I guess that's good though. I sort of try to exaggerate symptoms and such just to get some attention, but he just says it's all par for the course. I think i'm too heavy, he's fine with it. Just eat well, high fiber, low fat. He's not worried I haven't felt him move. He's not worried about any cramping or anything. So it really is the easiest pregnancy ever. I'm very spoiled and maybe should be worried about the second half.

I think I have a food thing finally. I don't crave it, but everytime I make Rick a sandwich, I want to eat mayonaise right out of the jar. It smells so good and I often lick the knife. YUM!

Musings

So i have all these thoughts running through my head and i don't even know if they're blog worthy, but why not. It's really a journal for me, for whatever reason, right? I started drafting this on 1/6, but really posted 1/24 or so.

So, we found out at 19 weeks, it's a boy. Now i wish I didn't know, but the result was still the same. It was important not to be bummed out if a girl popped out and now, we can plan and decorate. Which leads us to step 2. the whole, uh oh, we don't even have a good place to live or have a nursery. not sweating that yet though. We should know by this week, Jan 30, if we stay in DC or not. yikes.

No movement yet. Which makes us freak out, but I know he's hardy, but it would make me feel better to know I haven't killed him. No popcorn or butterfly sensations. Just gas and grumbling. I have a 20 week check up on Tuesday, it should be routine.

I have had more pains as the abdomen stretches (round ligament pain) but nothing serious. I never got why they say don't lie on your back, but now I do. It just wasn't at 16 weeks, it's uncomfy because my back arches. The left side is even better than the right for whatever reason. It also feels like I've had lap band surgery. My organs are just squished and I get really full and uncomfortable if I eat a lot.

I feel very big and I never thought I'd have a problem with that, but it is hard to let myself go. And then I feel way too big for 20 weeks, and think that I am going to get big. I am a huge fan of the cotton pregnancy pants. I pretty much live in them around the house. I wore some prego jeans out but they were drooping. I bought a belly band, but don't love it yet. I can still button up my jeans, so I just do that, and unbutton them if I have to sit for a long time.

The biggest developments of late are a skin tag. Look it up, or don't actually. It's gross and benign and I'm not going into that. And also that I fainted at my sonogram. Totally normal, not good, but apparently happens to others while at Target and the grocery store. I was lying down and getting uncomfortable since she was taking forever, then I even rolled on my side, and I thought I'd be fine since i was lying down, but got really hot and nauseous, then went out for a few seconds. Baby didn't even know, just a blood pressure issue. Body needs more blood but it doesn't get more ability to circulate it. So it was pooling down in my lower half and couldn't make it back up. I still feel really fit and am in a good place and have good flexibility and balance so I'm just being aware of over doing it at all.

We're starting to tell people slowly. I just don't know how, but everyone is super happy for us. I wish we had a better picture to put on facebook but he just wasn't face up or still so it's just word of mouth then...