38 week update

We've made it to 38 weeks = full term!  I thank God for a healthy, stress-free, and easy pregnancy.  The last 4 weeks have been increasingly uncomfortable for me with my enormous belly, but I really can't complain as the first 7 1/2 months or so were a breeze.  Chris and I have been busy nesting in the past 2 weeks- the nursery is pretty much ready and we almost have everything that we need immediately for the baby (still waiting for the car seat + stroller and crib bedding to arrive).  We have our hospital bags packed and ready to go (I hope I have everything I need in there!).  The waiting game has begun.

Christmas came and went and we enjoyed spending time with our families.  We had a total of 3 baby showers for Jake: family, friends, and my Psy.D. cohort.  We feel extremely blessed to have so many generous and loving people in our lives and it seems like the gifts keep on coming even though the baby showers have passed!  My uncle and aunt, Frank and Tiffany, kindly loaned us a ton of baby items that their now 4-year old used when she was a baby.  Chris' co-worker donated huge bins of baby clothing, from 0-6 months so we are covered in that area (or rather the baby will be covered!).  It is overwhelming how blessed I feel and I have made a promise to pay it forward.

These days I have not been sleeping as well because of my aching back/rib cage and a few bathroom breaks at night (about 1-3 at the most).  It has become more difficult to sleep comfortably at night no matter what position I lie in.  I seem to have an insatiable sweet tooth also and my will power has become more lax!  I still try to eat healthy and nutritious foods when I can but I won't lie, sometimes I will make myself eat a good meal just so I can have a little dessert after!  No wonder I feel like I have put on so much weight in the last 3 weeks!  I am a lot more hungry lately but still no weird or consistent cravings.  Mentally and psychologically, and I guess even physically, I feel relatively good.  I feel optimistic and ready for the baby to come.  I have some pains in my pelvic area and I've been having very mild cramps but not to the point where I can't move.  Just the other day I was able to go on a 2 mile walk with my dog, so I am still doing ok.   

The biggest update is that yesterday I had my weekly check up and the doctor did a vaginal exam.  He said that I am already almost 1 cm dilated and that my cervix has started to efface!  Even though I haven't felt much (no contractions, some Braxton Hicks and mild cramps) it looks like there is some progress down there, which I hope that means Baby Jake will soon be on his way!  I am 75% excited and 25% nervous/scared of the pain.  I can't wait to meet the little guy that has been moving around inside of me and am so thankful for the life that Chris and I have created and the family we are about to start.  Now all we have to do is wait... 

Being Candid at 5 AM

I/I am:

• unable to sleep
• worried that we won't get everything we need for the baby
• broke and tired of it
• not making progress with my dissertation
• tired but not sleepy
• ready for my baby to arrive but feel as though there is so much preparation to do (ONE month to go!)
• not eating or exercising as well as I would like lately because I have been sick
• sick of this cold/congestion
• probably not resting as much as I should, although I plan on not doing much (except for nesting and resting) starting this Wednesday when I am finished with school and practicum
• making a commitment to love and provide the basic needs of my child, no matter what financial hardships Chris and I encounter...all he needs is: love and comfort, food, clothes, and a comfortable environment
• feel round all over, I don't care how "tiny" I look to other people
• have indescribable womanly discomforts known only to other pregnant women/moms
• miss my husband who is having to sleep in the other room because of my snoring
• just want to sleep

The Beginning of the 29th Year of My Life

This year I turned 29 on the 29th of November.  My golden birthday.  Except it wasn't quite golden.  The night before my birthday I did not get much sleep so I decided not to go to practicum the next day.  I could have pushed myself and gone to work but I was thinking more about the baby so I stayed home to try to relax.  I stayed in bed for a little while but was unable to go back to sleep.  It turned out to be a cool and windy beautiful sunny day so I walked Laila for a good mile and a half.  Then I had some lunch (leftovers from the family baby shower the day before, plus a slice of my pumpkin pie from Thanksgiving #2) and got ready for my prenatal appointment.  I met Chris at the doctor's office in the afternoon, did some grocery shopping, got myself some In N Out, then went to his first ever game as head coach of the Glendora High School girls varsity basketball team.  When we got home that night we had leftover cupcakes from the baby shower the day before to celebrate my birthday.  That is how I spent Day 1 of the 29th year of my life.

The second day of the 29th year of my life was a little rough.  I woke up at 3:00 am with an upset stomach and a need to go to the bathroom.  Then 2 more times before 9:00 am.  Pretty much everything I ate on my birthday was eliminated.  Not pretty, but hey I promised I would keep it real!  I called my OB-Gyn's office and was directed to go to urgent care to make sure I wasn't dehydrated, which could cause a pregnant woman to go into preterm labor.  Everything was fine, I just had the stomach flu.  Maybe it was the undercooked In N Out fries, or the pumpkin pie, or my lunch, or too much milk on my birthday.  Whatever it was caused me to spend the rest of the day resting and drinking what seemed like gallons of fluids.  I forgot to mention that at my prenatal appt the day before, my doctor requested for me to get an ultrasound because the baby seemed to be on the smaller side.  So, on the 2nd day of the 29th year of my life, I took another trip to the medical clinic that night for an ultrasound (same place as urgent care just that morning).   

The rest of the week was just busy, with practicum and classes and hospital visits (both for me and the baby) and a Christmas dinner party, not to mention the official start of basketball season for Chris.  The 29th year of my life was off to a rough start.  To make things worse, it is now the end of the week and I now have a cold and sore throat.  Chris is also fighting a cold that seems to not want to go away.  If only I could hit the pause button of life...

On a more positive note, the best part of week 1 of the 29th year of my life was seeing how much my baby had grown in my belly.  The ultrasound technician said that the baby was measuring right on target, right where he is supposed to be at 34 weeks, and that he is now 5 lbs.  I have said from the beginning that I have a feeling this child of mine is going to be a perfectionist as everything about him has been perfect so far...perfect start, perfect due date, easy pregnancy, perfect size even though mommy looks small from the outside.

The first days of the 29th year of my life were not so golden but nevertheless I am thankful for another year and a healthy baby who will be a part of my life in about 6 weeks!   

Family Baby Shower

We had our family baby shower today hosted by my mom and Aunt Juliet.  Chris and I are so blessed to have such wonderful family on both sides.  I loved seeing my Big Fat Filipino Family mingle with Chris' Cute Little White Family!  My mom and aunt prepared everything and worked so hard to put on the baby shower.  I am overwhelmed by everyone's love and generosity and Baby Jake is so blessed to have all these people in his life.  I know that today was not the last time that this baby is going to be showered with so much love!

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I love Fall season, the food, and spending time with family.  This year, I have so much to be thankful for:

First of all, I am grateful for the life that is growing in my belly and my heart goes out to those who have lost their little babies or who are unable to bear a child...

For my husband who treats me so well, who makes it his purpose in life to make me happy, who rushes to my side when I am aching in any way, who relieves my stress, who makes me laugh, who takes care of me and provides for me, who makes life complete and beyond satisfactory...I love you babe!  I'm so happy that you're my life partner and baby's daddy.

For my family...for my siblings, my parents...I know there will come a day when they will no longer be with me and until then I plan to show them just how much they are loved and appreciated.

For my in-laws who welcomed me so warmly from the beginnning.  They are the perfect in-laws!

For the BEST girlfriends in the world...I am blessed to have an abundance of close girlfriends that I can go through life with, have girl talk with, dance, drink (pre-pregnancy), and karaoke with, celebrate many milestones with, have fun and enjoy breakfast/lunch/dinner/coffee/dessert with :)

For our home that we love so much...thanks to Mom and Dad Harrison.

For the opportunity to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a psychologist.  I am so thankful for my education.

I thank God for all the blessings in my life.

Model Mom

We were at my parents' house tonight talking about the baby and childcare and I thought I was being realistic by saying no one wants to be with their child 24 hours a day.  My mom said, "Why, I would.  I wouldn't mind that...I didn't work when you guys were small."  I felt so selfish right then and there! 

My mom is the most generous and selfless person that I know.  She always puts other people's happiness before hers, which in itself makes her happy.  I love and appreciate her more than she will ever know.  I hope to be just like her when I become a mom.  Jake is so blessed to have her for his grandma.

Finally Pregnant!

It's funny how as soon as day 1 of the third trimester hit my belly popped out further and my body decided it was time to finally feel pregnant.  And I realized today that certain body parts are now out of sight (haha).  I know I've said this before but this time I really actually do look pregnant now!  I received a lot of comments this week (at 29 weeks) about how I finally look pregnant.  I am not going to lie, I don't mind the attention and special care and compliments I have received throughout my pregnancy.  I really love being pregnant so far!

I still have chocolate on the brain.  I do give in to my chocolate craving to an extent.  My new obsession is creating Hershey bar graham cracker sandwiches, like s'mores without the marshmallow.  I do try to limit my intake of sweets and chocolate to about one small serving a day and substitute it with fruit or choclate soymilk as much as possible. 

The baby is very active in my belly and his movements are stronger.  It seems that whenever I am awake and lying still, he is moving around.  Tonight I was sitting in class and I felt a sharp kick to the point that it hurt.  Baby Jake is definitely the son of a P.E. teacher...I think he likes to do jumping jacks and push ups in my uterus!  The doc told us last week that this trimester is when I am supposed to gain the most weight and that the baby is slightly small but it's nothing to worry about.  I will now be going for my check up every 2 weeks.  I can't believe that I have been pregnant for 7 months!  I can only imagine how much bigger my belly is going to get!

Better Together

Celebrating 5 years since our magical 6-hour first date on 10/21/2005!

10/22/2010

Five years ago, we went on our first date.  Now we are happily married and have a baby on the way.  We could not ask for more.

Better Together
by Jack Johnson

There is no combination of words I could put on the back of postcard
And no song that I could sing but I can try for your heart
Our dreams and they are made out of real things
Like a shoebox of photographs with sepia-toned loving

Love is the answer at least for most of the questions in my heart
Why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it's so hard?
It's not always easy and sometimes life can be deceiving
I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together

Mmm, it's always better when we're together
Yeh, we'll look at the stars when we're together
Well it's always better when we're together
Yeh, it's always better when we're together

All of these moments just might find their way into my dreams tonight
But I know that they'll be gone when the morning light sings
Or brings new things for tomorrow night you see
They'll be gone too, too many things I have to do

But if all of these dreams might find their way into my day to day scene
I'd be under the impression, I was somewhere in between
With only two, just me and you, not so many things we got to do
Or places we got to be, we'll sit beneath the mango tree now

Yeah, it's always better when we're together
Mmm, we're somewhere in between together
Well, it's always better when we're together
Yeah, it's always better when we're together

I believe in memories, they look so, so pretty when I sleep
And when I wake up you look so pretty sleeping next to me
But there is not enough time
And there is no, no song I could sing
And there is no combination of words I could say
But I will still tell you one thing:

We're better together
We so much better when we're together.

The Second Trimester

What a good pregnancy this has been so far!  I hope that is a reflection of how the baby will be!  The second trimester felt very long but I can't complain, I felt great the entire time and the baby looks good and healthy. 

Second trimester highlights:

• Announcing our pregnancy to the world!
• My appetite coming back around week 13
• Must have food: chocolate soymilk 
• Craved: hot dogs, root beer, Pirate's Booty, chocolate (towards the end)
• Finding out that we are having a baby BOY!
• My first baby-related purchase: Boppy full body pillow for me
• Feeling the baby move in my belly (around 21 weeks)
• Registering for baby items
• Finally buying maternity clothes at 22 weeks
• NAMI Walk
• Babymoon with my hubby

13 weeks

14 weeks
At my 10 year high school reunion with Katie and Ana

15 weeks

16 weeks

17 weeks

18 weeks
In Palm Desert with Kimmie and Kristin

19 weeks

20 weeks

21 weeks

22 weeks
With Michelle, Sophia, and Ebony

23 weeks

24 weeks

25 weeks
At the NAMI Walk with Norma

26 weeks

27 weeks

In just 12 more weeks, Baby Jake will enter our world and surely change our lives forever.  We can't wait to meet you, little one!

Babymoon

First comes love, then comes the engagement, then comes the wedding, then comes the honeymoon and marriage, then comes the babymoon!  Chris and I went on a "babymoon" trip this weekend as a last hurrah before the baby comes and changes our lives.  We found a cozy bed and breakfast in Encinitas where we stayed for 2 nights.

We arrived Friday evening and found a great Italian restaurant/sports bar for dinner.  After dinner we went back to the inn to relax, cuddle, and watch a movie on the laptop (thanks Netflix!)

On Saturday morning, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast provided by our hostess then walked about 2 blocks down to Moonlight Beach.  Afterwards, we headed over to La Jolla to watch our nephew Camden's soccer game and spend time with the Green family.  The rest of the day was spent at the La Jolla UTC Outdoor Shopping Center where we had lunch, walked around, and indulged in some Ben & Jerry's ice cream.  For our last night there, we had dinner at Silks Restaurant in the Hilton at Del Mar.

And on Sunday after breakfast, we headed back home...just in time for kick-off :)  What can I say, we love NFL Sundays at the Harrison household!

Like any trip that we go on, our babymoon felt too short.  But we had a nice, relaxing weekend enjoying our time together...just the two of us.

27 weeks

I am now in the last week of my 2nd trimester.  In less than 13 weeks Baby Jake will be here!  I am so thankful that the last 27 weeks of my pregnancy have been really good, and now I am mentally and physically preparing myself for what's to come in the next couple months.  On Tuesday (exactly 27 weeks pregnant) I woke up, felt great, got dressed, went to my internship, went to class, and by the end of the day I looked down and realized that my belly had grown significantly (was it there that morning?!).  If I didn't look pregnant before, I certainly look it now!

I am also now starting to experience some pregnancy symptoms.  First of all I have chocolate on the brain...I can't get enough of it!  True, I've always been a chocolate lover but this time my cravings feel stronger.  I also have some lower back pain.  Then early this morning I woke up to a very painful cramp in my right calf.  It actually woke me up and I found myself half asleep exclaiming, "Ow! Ow! Ow! My right calf! It hurts!"  I stretched it, Chris massaged it, the pain went away and I was able to go back to sleep.  I felt comforted having Chris, my ever-so-calm husband, right there soothing me.  I have to admit it did scare me a little...if I reacted that badly to a leg cramp, how will I do when I start having contractions?  When I got up for the day, I took Laila on a nice early morning walk and could not help but think about it.  But instead of worrying, I found myself enjoying the fresh air and all the beautiful scenery we were passing.  We walked by the elementary school down the street and saw all the kids getting dropped off...I imagined walking Jake to school.  We walked past Heritage Park, which currently has a pumpkin patch...I envisioned taking Jake there.  Walked by all the nice houses in the neighborhood...I pictured us taking Jake trick-or-treating...I realized that the inevitable pain that I will have to endure will soon be forgotten after our baby joins our world.

Another important realization I had in the last week is that pregnancies last 9 months for a reason.  In the beginning I was not as excited as I am now.  I think my fear of giving birth overshadowed my excitement.  But somewhere along the way my feelings evolved as my belly grew bigger.  Now I can hardly wait til January!  I just pray that the 3rd trimester will not be too miserable to enjoy.  Most importantly, I hope that the baby continues to grow healthy and strong.   

The Inspiration Behind Baby Jake's Name

Call us shallow, but we hope our son will be the cool, cute, and well-liked guy at school :)

How Sweet It Is

I had my glucose screening today, another first in my first pregnancy (and therefore, I must document).  I was afraid to eat anything sugary since last night so all I ate before my afternoon appointment was a bagel with cream cheese, orange juice, and a Luna bar for lunch.  When I got to my appointment, they had me drink a small bottle of orange flavored glucose drink, which everyone says is nasty but I thought it was actually kind of good...sweet, like Orange Crush soda.  An hour later, I got my blood drawn then went in for my regular prenatal appointment.

I have actually gained some weight!  This is kind of exciting for me because I have never weighed this much in my life and it means that Baby Jake is growing just fine.  I'm still pretty small for 6 months but I am not going to complain about that.  I heard the baby's heartbeat, which is always music to my ears.  Next door, there was a baby crying loudly and my doctor said, "you're getting a preview here huh? Of what it's like to be a mom?"  I smiled and said , "yes."  I can't wait!

Pregnancy Whoas

I am 23 weeks and 3 days pregnant and life couldn't be better.  People often ask me how I am feeling and I can honestly say "great!"  The second trimester seems way longer than the first but that's probably because you don't even know that you are in your first trimester of pregnancy until the 5th or 6th week, and by then it is halfway through.  I definitely look pregnant now, though I could still easily conceal it under loose clothing if I wanted to.  In the last couple weeks my belly has been itchy and I haven't been sleeping as well.  I've been hungry a lot (I am enjoying a nice glass of milk as I am writing this at 4 am) and seem to be craving chocolate a little more.  The last time my belly felt itchy and stretching was in week 18, when my baby bump first appeared, so I am sure this is just another pregnancy growth spurt.  I had some unpleasant reaction to cocoa butter so I have switched back to Bio Oil and pure shea butter to relieve the discomfort.  I also gave in and finally (after 22 weeks) bought maternity and could-be-used-as-maternity clothes.  Can I just say that maternity pants are the best!  I went to Motherhood Maternity and bought 5 pairs of pants for work.  Another pregnancy favorite is the belly band, which allows me to continue wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans unbuttoned. 

So far, I think this pregnancy looks pretty good on me :) and it has been a positive experience.  I think it really helps to be positive and have a good attitude about life, and I also believe that I am in control of my emotions, not the other way around.  Another thing that has been helpful for me is filtering negative and irrelevant talk.  For example, at our last doctor's appointment where Chris and I found out the baby's sex (which was such an exciting milestone in our lives), I knew that there was a chance that the baby would not cooperate but I didn't let that ruin my excitement.  Why did I even need to worry about that?  If the baby decided to cross his legs and not reveal his genitals then let the doctor tell us that.  I didn't need it in the back of my mind ruining my excitement in the waiting room!  And as much as we were hoping for a boy, OF COURSE we would have been just as happy and blessed had Baby Jake been a girl (by the way, next time around I will not even say out loud if I am hoping for a boy or a girl).  One more thing, I am aware that each pregnancy is different and I will experience that on my own.  The moral of the story is that people will tell you things you probably don't need/want to hear because they care/want to protect you from disappointment/like to feel that they know better than you.  You can't change people, but you can change the way you react to them.

SO FAR, I have not had much of the common pregnancy symptoms and woes-  I never really got morning sickness; I haven't become absent-minded or clumsy; I don't have any swelling (yet?); I don't have mood swings and I am not an emotional wreck.  I was tired a lot in the first trimester so I just took a lot of naps, which I love doing anyway.  I genuinely feel happy and normal, if not even better than I did before I got pregnant!  I know I have one more trimester to go but that doesn't take away the fact that this pregnancy has been a wonderful experience so far.  And no I am not minimizing (if I feel like shit, you will know).  I'm simply keeping it real.          

 

Our Baby's Name Is...

Jacob Ryan Harrison

We dedicate this song to you...

Forever Young
by: Rod Stewart

May the good Lord be with you
Down every road that you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
Surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud, dignified and true
And do unto others as you'd have done to you

Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young

May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to Heaven
With a prince or a vagabond

And may you never love in vain
And in my heart you will remain
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young, yeah

And when you finally fly away
I'll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell

But whatever road you choose
I'm right behind you, win or lose
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
Forever young, forever young
For, forever young, forever young

Baby Fever

I think I have developed baby fever. Yesterday I went to Babies R Us and Target to register for Baby H's stuff. I am so thankful that my currently pregnant mommy friend, Lyndsy, assisted me with this exciting task! I feel blessed to have so many wonderful mommy friends/family/support system to begin with but I especially felt grateful yesterday because #1) I didn't have a clue as to what items I really needed, and #2) once I figured out what I really did need, I found myself with a plethora of choices! Dr. Brown's, Playtex, Born Free, Tommee Tippee or Avent? Drop ins, glass or BPA free? Graco, Chicco, Brantix, Evenflo, Baby Trend? Bouncer, high swing or low swing-- and which stimulating theme do I want for my infant? And the list goes on. For a first time mom, registering for baby items can be quite overwhelming. The stores provide you with checklists, but nothing is more helpful than a mommy friend who knows what has and has not worked for her. It also helps to get assistance from someone with a similar attitude and taste.

My favorite item at Babies R Us was this:

Newco Serenity Classic Non Swivel Glider (and Ottoman) - Chocolate Chenille

I personally don't like the look of traditional gliders so this one was perfect! I sat in it at the store and it was very comfortable, plus Chris and I can use this chair for many years to come. It is very expensive but hey, a registry is a WISH list!

But the most perfect item for baby that I found (Babies R Us online) was:

Trend Lab Rockets Hooded Towel, Wash and Burp Set

 How could I not love these for our little Rocket Boy?!

We've Got A Mover and Shaker!

After 20 weeks, I finally feel movement in my belly!  Around 19 weeks I felt some movement but I couldn't really tell if it was just gas.  Now, at 21 weeks, Baby H. moves consistently.  Yesterday as I was driving to meet my friend Stacie for lunch, I actually felt the baby kick (outwards)!  Right now I am lying on the couch with my head propped up and the laptop on my lap so I am looking down at my belly (which isn't the only thing that has grown...), and I can actually SEE my stomach moving!  I wonder what my little baby boy is doing in there...

The funny thing is that it doesn't feel as weird as I thought it would be.  I'm just more excited now that I actually look pregnant (though my baby bump is still quite small) and that I can feel the baby!  Nineteen weeks to go until he is out of my womb and into our lives!

The Summer Before I Became A Mommy

I go back to school tomorrow to begin my 3rd year in the Psy.D. program.  This summer has been wonderful: I had my 10 year high school reunion, I went on a couple of fun trips, spent a lot of time with family and friends, and Chris and I found out that we were having a baby boy!  Next summer, my life is going to be completely different. 

Here are some of the ways in which I think having a baby will change my life:

• less sleep at night, no more naps during during the day
• Chris and I eating out less and taking turns to eat
• "table for 2 and a high chair"
• when will I take my showers???
• less trips to the dog park
• a fuller refrigerator and pantry
• toys everywhere
• spending a lot of money on baby needs
• being the most tired yet happiest couple on earth

Things I hope will continue:

• date nights with my husband
• cuddling and spending quality time with Chris when baby is asleep
• being nice and considerate to each other
• school and practicum (I am not planning to take prolonged time off)
• going out with my girlfriends occasionally
• Chris spending time with the guys
• spending time with all our friends, the 3 of us together
• going on trips

After January, I will refer to this list and compare.  I am looking forward to the journey into parenthood that will be uniquely ours because I'm sure that everybody's experience is different and yes, I'd prefer to find out on our own because, once again, everyone's experience is different.  For me, this pregnancy has been a positive experience.  In a few months, Chris and I will become parents.  We know it's going to be tough but together we will make it through, just like we have everything else.  So, negative comments and unsolicited advice, you may come visit but sorry there is no room for you in our happy home!

It's a BOY!!!

Baby Harrison @ 20 weeks

(My memory of our ultrasound appointment on August 26, 2010)
Dr. Devore: I can tell you what it is...would you like to know?
Me and Chris: Yes!
Dr. Devore: What do you think it is?
Me: Well, last time we were here, at 13 weeks, you had said that there was a 90% chance that it was a boy, so...a boy?
Dr. Devore: Yup, it is.
Me: (shrieking and clapping) Yay!!! How sure is it?
Dr. Devore: Well, there's the rocket right there...so pretty sure cause a girl wouldn't have a rocket!
Chris: We should call him "Rocket Boy!" (Chris remembers the doctor being the one to suggest we call the baby "Rocket Boy."  Either way, there's no denying that little rocket of his!)

After the doctor and the nurse left, we excitedly took some pictures in the room :)

That up there is what's in here!

Sweet baby boy!

We're gonna have a boy!

The money shot! Daddy wanted to take a picture of his son's rocket.
When the boy misbehaves one day, we'll have this photo to blackmail him!

And to celebrate our baby boy...

We can't wait to meet you, son!

Home Sweet Home

After a week and a half of being on vacation, Chris and I are home from our Texas and Palm Desert summer trips.  I won't focus so much on the trips here but I will say that I had a great time with the Harrisons.  I am so blessed to have in-laws that I am crazy about.  I wish that I could go on vacations with my own family as well because some of the best memories are made when you and your loved ones are all under the same roof, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, for a moment in time.  The best part of being on vacation is waking up in the morning wondering what day it is, then realizing- who cares, we're on vacation!  This break is definitely much needed and is replenishing my energy for next school year.    

In addition to Chris' parents and my two sister-in-laws and their families, all of our friends from Chris' side were in Palm Desert as well, most of them with kids.  Of course, everyone kept saying how excited they are to have more babies in the group come next year.  Right now I can only imagine how different my life will be by next summer!  It's almost hard to believe that our baby will be about 7 months old by then.  But with each passing day I become more and more excited for the transformation that will take hold of my life...me a mommy and Chris a daddy!  I also think it's because I am actually starting to show, now that I am 18 weeks pregnant (can't believe I'm almost halfway to mommyhood!).  It is beginning to feel more real, although I still have not clearly felt the baby move in my belly.  My belly is becoming rounder and my pants are starting to get tighter, though thankfully I can still fit into them.  The skin around my stomach is starting to get a little tight and itchy, and whereas milk was my best friend in the 1st trimester, cocoa butter seems to be my ally in this 2nd trimester.  So far, this pregnancy has been wonderful.  I feel good, I'm eating healthy and exercising, and I have not gained too much weight.  So far, so good, with only 22 weeks to go...

This week, the baby is about 5 1/2 inches long and about 5 ounces, the size of a large mango!  In 2 weeks we will find out the sex of our little one.  I am waiting patiently until then to register for baby stuff and decorate the nursery.  Come January, our home sweet home will house a family of three!      

The First Trimester

Rule #2:  Do not give a pregnant woman advice unless she asks for it, and refrain from automatically touching a pregnant woman's belly!

Weeks 5-8

• I felt very tired and took naps whenever I had the chance.  I could not stay up past 10 pm.  But I made it through finals week and a very difficult semester of grad school!
• No morning sickness!

Weeks 9-12

• Still felt very tired and napped a lot.
• Eating became a challenge.  I had no appetite and nothing tasted good.  I had to make myself eat most of the time.  Milk was my best friend (all kinds of milk: chocolate soymilk, strawberry milk).
• Felt queasy a few times but still no morning sickness and no vomiting.

6 weeks

7 weeks

8 weeks

9 weeks

10 weeks

11 weeks

12 weeks