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!