Frequently Asked Questions

Are you showing yet?
Nope. And according to the scale, I haven't really gained much more than a pound or two. I'm pretty sure it all went to my chest, because that seems to be the only thing growing on me these days...

Will you let your baby eat meat?
Reluctantly, yes. Though I wish vegetarianism could be forced, I don't think I'd have the heart to restrict someone else's diet. I will continue to shun meat (yes, fish are animals too), but will let my little one make their own decision when it comes time. You won't catch me feeding them any fast food or Kraft products. Still organic and local, if possible... with a little tofu here and there.

Are you going to find out the sex of the baby?
Absolutely. So much about pregnancy is a surprise. I wake up every morning wondering how I am going to feel, if I'll be able to eat normal foods, if I'll be able to stay awake after 8 pm. As soon as one symptom diminishes, another pops up. It's all new to me. In a few months, my Dr. is going to know the sex of my baby, so why shouldn't I? It's not so much to determine whether to buy blue or pink (either way, my baby's wearing green - like me), but to at least feel certain about something. I'd also feel bad referring to my baby as "she" for the next 6 months, only to find out it wasn't a "she" after all...

Have you picked out names?
Yes. Some of you know them, most of you don't. I don't want to give them away just yet...

Was this planned?
Anyone who knows me even remotely well knows the answer to this. Yes. I plan everything. And since this was such a big decision, we started thinking about it several years ago. Did I think it was going to happen in just one month? No... but I just have to tell myself that I can't control everything...

Initial Reactions

We have been staggering our announcements over the last two months. Here are some of the reactions from our family members.

Wessley - "Should have wrapped up."
My mom - "Does this mean you'll have to be pregnant in the summer?"
Chris - See photo for his recommendations for his first grandbaby.
Aunt Susan - "Is it Brady's" My answer was, "Of course - yes." Susan then replied, "Well, then tell him congratulations for me."

I intend to add to this soon...

12 weeks, 5 days

Here it is... our baby's first picture. Just got back from a Dr.'s appt. and am quite overwhelmed, elated, anxious, emotional, etc... Our first ultrasound was quite an event - I was expecting to see more of an amorphous blob, rather than a full-fledged little person. But no, I have the cutest baby ever. She (no, we don't know yet - way too early) was dancing around, waving, kicking and generally making a spectacle for the camera (just like her dad). It was quite an experience. I definitely feel like the pregnancy is more real now that I got to see the little one. I guess it makes the last few months of feeling crappy not seem so bad.

p.s. if you're having trouble seeing the baby, she's lying on her back, knees bent with an arm over her head. she looks much more pregnant than i do...

Purge (sans binge)

WARNING: INFORMATION BELOW IS RATHER GROSS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Those of you closest to me know that this first trimester has been rather eventful. I started to become nauseous right away (in late December), which quickly turned into regular trips to the bathroom to rid myself of just about everything in my stomach. I absolutely hate throwing up. Needless to say, I was not pleased when it became obvious that this was going to be a common occurrence. After a month and a half of nausea, I'm getting used to it. Just for fun, I have estimated the number of times I have had the displeasure of emptying my system. I figure that I have gotten sick almost every day for the last 40 days. Most days, I only have to make the fateful trip once, but sometimes I have had to make as many as six trips in one day. For simplicity's sake, we'll say I got sick twice a day for a total of 80 trips to the bathroom. I'm not lucky enough to get it all out in one whopping heave, and therefore have to struggle anywhere from 5-10 times (again, a simplification). That means, since mid-January, I have had the displeasure of vomiting anywhere from 400-800 times. I'm pretty sure that has to be more than all of my 26 years and 10 months prior...

Playmates

Brady loves to play games. Scrabble, Yahtzee, poker, Risk, crossword puzzles... you name it. While I share his enthusiasm for such opportunities for entertainment, I do not possess his stamina. He can play games for hours... and hours... and hours. I'm hoping this little one will be able to fill in for me when I just can't play any more. Brady's already excited at the possibility of having someone to play Monopoly with him. It'll probably take a few years until we get to that level... and several excruiating games of Candy Land.

A Bun in the Oven

Yes folks, I'm pregnant. But isn't it much more fun to say, "I've got a bun in the oven"? And to refer to the little one inside of me as a "the bun", rather than "the baby"? But it's also a little strange, don't you think? Where did anyone ever come up with the term "bun"? Why would someone want to go to all the trouble to make just one bun, rather than a dozen? Why not a cake, or a pie? I guess it wouldn't sound right to say "I've got a pie in the oven" because that's actually believable... if you make pies. But no one would believe any sane person would make the dough, knead it, let it rise, etc. for just one bun. It would have to be one cute and cuddly bun.