Trip to Moab and other things...

Last weekend we were planning to go to Las Vegas for Tyler's soccer tournament. It ended up getting canceled at the last minute, so instead Tyler planned a quick surprise trip to Moab for us to get away for the weekend. We stayed at a pet-friendly hotel so we could take Fern (I was incredibly surprised by its cleanliness!).

Here are a few pictures from our weekend.

On Saturday we went and did some hiking in Dead Horse State Park. Slightly relieved there were no dead horses to be seen!


And on Sunday we visited Arches National Park, which was very cool! The little arch that you can see in the background of the picture of me (above right) is called "Delicate Arch" and it is the arch shown on the Utah License Plates. It was a 3 hour hike to get right up to it though, so decided not to make that trip!

On the baby front... baby is continuing to get bigger (and stronger!) by the day! This last week was interesting because it was the first time complete strangers referred to me as pregnant (I guess that means that they are sure just by looking at me that I am.. and that they won't be making a huge mistake by calling me that). It is interesting the affect that my pregnant belly has on some people. Especially males. I have had a couple of co-workers now get all gooey at the sight of my belly and start reminiscing about when their wives were pregnant. It has been so special for me to see that these men hold a special place in their hearts for the time when their wives were pregnant and has made me remember to cherish this experience even more.

In the last few weeks Tyler and I have become quite the "Baby's R Us" shoppers! Due to our constant interrogating of Baby's R Us store workers, I wouldn't be surprised if we are on some kind of customer black list.... but seriously... how else is one to ever make a decision on which car seat or crib to buy out of all 300 possible options? I think our hard work has paid off though... I think we almost have the essentials (nursery furniture and car seat) covered. And through the use of coupons, discounts and harassing the store workers... got everything at a steal!

Lastly, we are starting our Bradley birthing class on Tuesday night. Scary to think we are far enough along to be doing that, but very excited to feel a little more educated and prepared for whats to come!

Cupcake fun!

We decided to announce that we are having a baby boy at our jobs by taking in blue cupcakes to share with everyone! Four hours and a sticky kitchen later... here was the result!

It's a boy!!!!

Well here HE is at 19 weeks! Yep - The ancient chinnese calendar and ice cream flavor test were bang on - definitely a boy! Our wee man is growing big and strong and full of energy! Not looking so much like a gummy bear any more either!

The ultra sound last night was awesome! We could see so much! I can't get over how much of a miracle pregnancy is. It is amazing that all the parts of a baby can develop so perfectly. Seeing his litle chambers of the heart, stomach, bladder, kidneys and parts of the brain was incredible! Our little guy was still as active as last time, wiggling all around and giving us a big show!

We had no problem identifying the gender! He is probably going to kill me for posting this picture in a few years, but this photo is taken from below his bottom looking up between his legs (see circled region!). Definitely a boy!

We feel so blessed and can't wait to meet him!

Cotton Candy with Gummy Bears!

So ever since I did the online ancient chinnese gender predictor whirly gig test I have been saying that we are having a boy! When we went for our first ultrasound, based on how much the baby was jumping around, it made me think even more that we are having a boy! But yesterday was what really sealed the deal for Tyler! After a quick trip to Baby's-R-Us to scope out nursery furniture, we stopped at Coldstone for icecream! (My latest craving!) Since about 10 years ago when I first tried Coldstone I have been religiously ordering Cheesecake flavored icecream with crushed up graham crackers and strawberries (delicious!).

Yesterday... guess what I ordered?

.....Blue cotton candy flavor with gummy bears (and it was delicous)!!! Seriously do I look like a 6 year-old?!?! Tyler is now convinced without a doubt that we are having a son - one with ice-cream tastes very dear to his own heart!

The only person still claiming that we could be having a girl is Vicki (our midwife)... based on the 160+ heart rate at my last appointment. But what would she know right?!?! Surely ancient chinnese calendars and ice-cream cravings are a much more reliable indicator! One more week and then we'll be able to show Vicki whose right!!

On a whole other note, I am fairly certain I have started to feel some movement in that every increasing belly of mine! Little flutters here and there! So exciting!

The business of being born...

Tyler and I saw this movie last night and loved it (never thought I would say that about a documentary made by Ricki Lake!). I'm sure this won't be the last time I watch it before our delivery - It got me so inspired and excited for the challenge of bringing Baby C into this world! And so excited that we have chosen to use a midwife.

The business of being born - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0995061/

Here I grow!

Well Emily has been asking me for a belly picture... so I finally got around to taking one (16 weeks along)! Not all that big, but when I went back and looked at the beginning picture I realized there definitely has been quite a change! Also happy to report that I am starting to feel much much better. The odd quease here and there, but definitely a lot better! On Sunday I had a hankering for BBQ food so we went to a restaurant called Goodwood. I ordered a big plate of BBQ ribs, potato salad, coleslaw and corn bread! I then proceeded to ball my eyes out as I ate it.... It tasted soooo good. I haven't enjoyed a meal without feeling sick in a couple of months. Tyler thought I was hilarious (and nuts)! It really made me realize how much enjoyment we get out of food (or at least I do!) So for all you future mothers-to-be... don't believe the whole "first trimester" myth... morning sickness (at least for me) lasted 4 months... not three! ;)



3 weeks till our appointment where we find out the gender... whoot whoot!

Bits and Pieces!

Well we made it to the 2nd trimester! Yay!!!! I thought since I am trying to use this blog as a bit of a diary that I would mention a few of the highlights and low points of the 1st trimester! Highlights definitely included sharing the news with all our friends and family. I think one of my favorite reactions was from Sarah Tuttle who practically screamed in the middle of the Chili's restaurant when we told her the news. I also really enjoyed the first scan (details below) and my second appointment with my midwife. I got to hear the heart beat again (which was good and strong). The midwife said my iron and hormone levels were fantastic, which was really comforting to know. One of the highlights of the 1st trimester has also been all the love and support I have received from wonderful friends and family. Cooked dinners and gifts from the neighbors, cards from friends in the U.S. and NZ, a big edible fruit boquet deliver to my work from Tyler and very special moments shared with Tyler as he has supported me through my struggles with morning sickness! My sister Bianca has also been fantastic with her well timed text messages of support and the reminder that I would be able to make it through the sickness.

Low points?..... Definitely the visit to the ER for fluids, where I think I was overdosed with Phenergan and had a not so friendly encounter with one of the ER nurses! Not to mention the daily struggle to keep my food down, get my work done and keep on going.

Well the morning sickness sure isn't over yet (two pukes today so far and counting)... but this last week has come with a couple of really good days where I have been able to enjoy a good meal without feeling sick and remember what it felt like to feel normal again. Fingers crossed the number of good days will continue to increase and soon the nausea will be a distant memory!

Wednesday was the start of trimester 2 and the belly bean is apparently the size of a lemon! I have graduated into a couple of pairs of prego jeans which are oh so comfy (Heidi Klum's prego skinny jeans to be exact). I put on one of my larger pairs of regular jeans to go out on a date last night (thinking they might still fit) and I couldn't get button within about 5 inches of doing up! Apparently other people are starting to notice the growth also as I got my first "you look pregnant comment" from a lady at my work on Wednesday (which I thought was well timed being the very first day of trimester 2).

I am excited to continue to watch this baby grow and experience the rest of this crazy new adventure...