Saturday, October 27, 2012

week 18-19

I was away at a conference this past week, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society's meeting. This is my profession's annual meeting, so it's actually nice to go each year because I get to see lots of people who I have known since grad school, or have had the opportunity to work with professionally. However, as a result, I didn't get my normal time to take pictures and get organized for the blog. So here are pictures a bit late!

It was interesting being pregnant at the conference, because I think initially, people just thought I'd gained some winter weight... FINALLY someone asked me if I was pregnant.

Also, this week I have experienced my tummy bumping into stuff it didn't used to. That's been kind of funny, but at the same time, slightly dangerous. I didn't realize how close to the edge I apparently put my toothbrush.

I didn't mean to be making a kind of crazy face here, but I happen to be. This whole taking pictures of myself thing is more challenging than I thought. 


These pants are maternity pants, but they are those demi-coverage type and as I get bigger, I like them less. I think they are awkward with where they sit. 

Also, you will notice the flashlight- I was testing it because we have Frankenstorm coming our way. I don't know how to deal with this kind of thing, so we're playing it by ear, but we may be making a trip inland... We all know how well DC handles any sort of slightly abnormal weather.

That's it for now! Happy Saturday!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

17 weeks

Here we are at 17 weeks! 
Little "baby pooch", which is what my lovely brother called it. 

Front, bump showing! 

Not much to report other than that I am feeling good,  am 100% fine with going to bed at 9pm, and have apparently entered into the junk food craving part of pregnancy. Today at the store I wanted to get reese's jello no-bake, but I think it's possible that this doesn't actually exist, rather that I made it up.  If that's the case, someone should get on it, because it sounds awesome. So I got reese's pieces instead, and they have been more than adequate. Along with a side of chocolate covered pretzels. Lest you think I am feeding the Blueberry only junk, I did have a small baked potato with TONS of fresh veggies on top and no butter for middle dinner (early dinner was reese's; late dinner was chocolate covered pretzels.)

Blueberry from my view


Saturday, October 13, 2012

I love Saturday morning

What a great start to a Saturday. It is an absolutely perfect early fall day. Cool, but with beautiful sunshine and heavy dew. The outside smells faintly of wood fire and mud. It's my most favorite time of the year, I think. This morning we were up early, which I absolutely adore on the weekend. I know I sound about 9 million years old, but I will take early Saturday morning over late Friday night almost every time. Also, turn down that music and get off my lawn!

Opie and I went to Rock Creek Park this morning, because he has been out of his mind lately with energy. I think this week was kind of hard on him because I was at work for long hours, and then am tired in the evening, so although he gets his 30 minutes in the morning and 30-45 minutes in the evening of exercise, he is used to more stimulation. Plus, he is a puppy of routines, which ultimately I am very thankful for, but he never does well with slight schedule changes. With Mike gone, he is having to adjust to my schedule.


So this morning we went to the park and I threw the ball for over an hour. He ran around like a crazy puppy (side note: when we went to the vet this week, she informed me that Opie will soon be a "senior." I laughed at her.) and would've continued to run, but the park police told me I had to put him back on a leash and I decided just to bring him home.



Last night, my good friend came over and she and I ate dinner and watched a movie, but Opie was being kind of a pain. I had to put him in "time out" (go to his kennel) once, and after about 5 minutes, I let him out. He was good for about half an hour, and then started being naughty again and all I had to do was say "Opie..." in my most warning tone, and he put himself into time out! I consider this a parenting victory. You know, because dogs are exactly the same as humans. 

In other news:

Pregnancy. I am feeling very good, though still get nauseous for about half an hour after breakfast in the morning. This is completely manageable though. Preggie pops and this organic tea my mom sends me does wonders. Possibly all placebos, but I care not. If it helps, I will keep doing it. We got the amazing box of maternity clothes as well as a couple books and (importantly) some of Mike's favorite whiskey from Jacob and Emily. What a gift!!! No weird cravings yet, but I tend to find myself feeling much better if I eat fresh food, like salads or fruit. My body still doesn't really love meat, but I need it because I have low iron and the iron vitamins make me ill. So, I am really trying to eat red meat at least once a week if not more. 

Work. The presentation went really well. I was very relieved. I have said this many times, but improv absolutely changed my life in so many ways. I still call on certain skills I learned in theatre and improv in my day-to-day work life. Especially when it comes to presenting.  Also, I did data analysis all day Friday and my data looks really good. I know it sounds uber-nerdy, but I am so excited. And if you have nothing to do today, please call me so we can talk about my excellent kappas (not a euphemism). Work is really good these days. I love what I do and continue to be amazed that someone is willing to pay me to do this stuff. 

Marriagebreaktober. Over it.

Have a wonderful fall Saturday!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

16 weeks


So, here are the things that I have learned about pregnancy this week: 

1) 16 weeks is my magical week! No nausea or throwing up this week. It is WONDERFUL! I am feeling good now, and am getting excited about everything that is happening. 

2) I have needed to ask for help a lot more lately. Marriagebreaktober has been a bit challenging for me, mostly because I miss Mike, but also I am pretty tired. I have had excellent chats with friends and family lately, and that has made a world of difference. In addition, our friends Emily and Jacob are sending lots of maternity clothes and books our way. This is an incredible gift. I guess I am realizing how much help I need and how important it is... I want our child to grow up knowing how many people have given his/her parents a boost, just by their kindness and love. I hope we can do the same for future mamas and papas. 

3) I got a suit for a presentation tomorrow from this pregnancy clothes rental website, just to try it out, and I am not impressed. Won't be doing that anymore. 

4) self pictures are kinda hard to take- I need a better method. I had to focus really hard to get the first one without the phone covering my face. 

SERIOUS FACE PICTURE.

BLUEBERRY'S BUMP!!! you can see it a little bit! 


Bump from my view. 


I give a big presentation at work tomorrow which I am nervous about. Not only am I nervous about the presentation itself, but I have a new thing where my heart starts to race a little bit and I get out of breath easily. Nothing to worry about, but for someone who has always had lower than normal blood pressure and fairly low heart rate, I really notice it when my heart rate goes up.

Apparently, The Blueberry is the size of an avocado! The eyes are closer to the front of the head, and ears are close to their final position. The heart is pumping now and the legs are getting more and more developed. Hopefully soon I will feel the kiddo moving!!!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Baby. Time.


These last few weeks have been quite the whirlwind. Mike and I are expecting!! We are 15 weeks now. I went to the doctor again on Monday and the baby is doing great. We will have our 20 week scan in November. Mike is going to get to come to that scan- he's unfortunately had to miss the last 2, so this will be great. Whenever we hear the little heartbeat we both want to hear it for EVER. It's incredible to think that there's a little something growing in there... but it's finally starting to look like there is!

This is me now:


Notice the wee belly! (please notice the whiteness of the belly less). Here is the reason I was in a bathing suit: 


We got to go to the beach. It was marvelous. Just Mike and I and about a million books. We have had very limited time together lately because of work commitments. And on top of inconsistent schedule, the this month has been rechristened "marriagebreaktober" due to the fact that there are a total of 6 days this month that Mike and I will both be in our apartment simultaneously. Mike's at Genius Training (though I bet he is training all those JV geniuses- compliment = 5 wife points, please) for 3 solid weeks and then I go to a conference myself for a week.

Thinking about baby stuff is simultaneously exciting and petrifying. We made a big purchase toward baby stuff this weekend. It's a used Honda CRV, perfect size for baby, baby accoutrement, Opie, plus us.

Happy Tuesday!