April showers

I got to end this week with not one, but two baby showers! On Friday, my friend Katherine hosted a shower for the ladies at work and the magistrate court. I had a great time, ate delicious Spring Hill bakery cake, and got great gifts. It will be sad leaving these fantastic people that I get to work with every day.




Magistrates Yeager, Strickland, and Workman. Or, as I call them outside of the courtroom, Julie, Traci, and Paris.


Sarah and Kacie



After work the hub and I packed up the car and headed out to Virginia Beach. Jessica put together an amazing shower on Saturday at my aunt Jill's house. I got to see family - Stephanie, Kevin, Alexandria, Gavin, and Kristen, as well as friends. Again focusing on cake, there was a beautiful almond cake from Sugar Plum bakery, where I got my wedding cake three years ago. It was a great time!













And, of course, there is no trip to Virginia Beach without the beach! I have been landlocked too long.





All in all, a wonderful way to end the week. I feel so lucky to have so many people that care about us, this baby, and I don't know just how I'll let each one know how thankful I am.

the 23rd week

This week is the first time I have noticed the feeling of being "full." For some reason, my belly feels smaller in the morning and gets bigger during the day. But I have now noticed a continued inability to get off the couch or out of bed easily! And I keep bumping into things with my belly, as if I am now completely without intuition of personal space. The hub got a laugh at Wal-Mart when I did this weird squat maneuver to get something off the bottom shelf. I just can't bend like I used to! I've only gained 10 pounds total, which my doctor is happy with. With the family history of gestational diabetes, I *hope* that not gaining too much weight might help ward it off.

I am enjoying pregnancy and wish it wasn't going by so quickly. I have a feeling that, like everything in life, it will be a piece of time I forget the details of in the future. Even now, I have a hard time remembering exactly how it felt/what happened when we found out I was pregnant. So, I've started a book for Baby B called "Letters to You" where I write letters detailing what is happening. Mostly I stick with a letter updating for doctor's appointments, and then any milestones (cravings, kicks, etc.). And I've included pictures. I love how my niece Caroline gets such a kick from seeing pictures of Jessica when she was pregnant with Caroline. Hopefully Baby B will get the same enjoyment from this book.

the reward

I just read an interesting article at ABC. Seems there is a new movement in baby delivering called a "push gift." Really. A push gift is a gift that your husband gives you in exchange for all your hard work during labor and delivery. Here's part of the article:

Marty Suttle is one of those mothers, and was happy to receive a matching amethyst necklace and bracelet from her husband when she gave birth to her now 14-month-old son Christopher in January 2008.

"I did get a push present," Suttle, who resides with her family in Raleigh, N.C., told ABCNews.com. "My husband liked the idea and surprised me."

There is a divided camp among women (when isn't there?) as some women argue that it's the baby that is the gift. Ahem. I know that's politically correct and all - that the pushing the sweating and tearing are all forgotten in the beauty of holding your child for the first time. And I am sure, without having experienced it, but having witnessed it, that it is amazing and an experience one never forgets. But it seems that the notion that the baby is the gift leaves one thing out - I have to share it. Spoken like a true twin.

But isn't that the point? Did I keep track of every bout of morning sickness, every ligament pain, every headache and bloody nose blowing and ache and mind-drowning fatigue moment just so I could point it out in the end and say to the hub, "I win." No. And I think as two adults we are both acutely aware that the pushing IS hard, and that I am the one who has to do it. And the best part is I have someone beside me who wanted this baby too, who wanted to delight in my growing belly and hear stories and statistical information from my pregnancy books and go to the doctor appointments and go buy me gatorade when I couldn't keep anything down. He went to the gas station at midnight for the coke I had to have now, and rubbed my feet when they ballooned, and picks up the heavy stuff at the store. We're doing this thing together.

So, while I will take credit where it is due, I'm not about to ask the hub to waste a good portion of our joint checking account on some jewelry. A massage gift certificate and a pedicure on the other hand......those I'll take with glee!

the doctor is in

One of my biggest fears upon learning we were moving to Oklahoma was about my medical coverage. At first, I considered I may have to pay for COBRA, which would probably come to the grand sum of the baby's college education. Then, I figured maybe we would just have to go to an OB/GYN and haggle, gypsy flea market style. I mean, who turns down cash? But luckily, the hub's insurance does not consider pregnancy a pre-existing condition, and they will welcome me with open arms (once I am no longer employed, of course). My last day being April 27th, I just don't feel comfortable going one minute without health insurance. We're flying to Oklahoma on April 28th to do the house walk-through and closing, then returning on April 30th. Come Friday, May 1st, the movers are packing everything up and leaving the next day, Saturday. That means that come May 3rd, Josh and I are driving the 14 hours (with mandatory leg blood clot preventative walks at rest areas) to Oklahoma City. That's a lot of traveling in one week, and I cannot be uninsured. That's inevitably when something goes wrong. I can get insurance on 500 rental cars - the one time I don't is when some fool runs into me. That's the way the world works!

So, luckily, I will have the insurance. And then, I needed the doctor. I've heard stories about how OB/GYNs won't take someone as far along as I am. I understand - they fear you haven't been under a doctor's care until now, there will be complications, the doctor already has enough patients delivering in August, etc. But the guy who manages the development of the neighborhood we are moving into suggested his wife's OB/GYN. And they have 7 children. I figure that if you like your OB/GYN enough to go back 7 times, she must be good.

I will take this moment to state that yes, my OB/GYN must be a female. I need a tattoo artist who actually has tattoos himself, know what I mean? I don't take my car to a mechanic who doesn't own a car. So, I'm excited this doctor comes recommended and is a woman!

I called her office yesterday to make sure she is accepting patients (yes!) and takes the hub's insurance (yes again!) and then I mention I'm 22 weeks pregnant. "We'll have to get back to you. I'll have to check with the doctor to make sure we can accept you." Worse than waiting to find out if I got into college!* But they called this morning, and I've been accepted! No thick envelope in the mailbox about cafeteria plans and dorms, but thrilling nonetheless. Whew!

*Proud 2001 graduate of Virginia Tech. Thinking about the Hokies during this solemn anniversary time.

the pink stuff

Here I am in all my 22 week glory! The Mickey Mouse tee-shirt makes me really want to go to Disney World, where my niece and nephew are right now. With the hub's parents so close to Orlando, and season ticket pass owners too, we are a Disney family through and through. In fact I asked them tonight to pick up an Eeyore for Baby B on their next trip to Disney World. I am getting nostalgic, and nesting. My mom came to visit this weekend, and we had fun shopping and going out to eat. I drove her to the airport this morning, and it was early, and the weather was beautiful, and I realized what a great weekend we had. I will miss her when we move. Happy Easter to everyone!

So, that pink stuff? I'm all over it. I was not an especially "girly girl" growing up, but I'm all about some pink and dresses and little mary janes.





And that nesting? Combined with pink stuff? My coworkers will love the strawberry cupcakes I made tonight. I can't leave goodies in the house or I will eat them all. The brownies are still in the oven.

it's a....

GIRL! The ultrasound tech said everything looks great - she's measuring at 21 weeks, which I am. My belly is also measuring at 21 weeks. Only problem seems to be that I have a low-lying placenta, which the doctor wants to check out with another ultrasound at 28 weeks. Since 90% of low-lying placentas correct themselves with the growth of the uterus, I've decided not to worry unless there's something to worry about.

The whole experience is a lot to take in. I think the hub and I just stared at the monitor with mouths wide open. If the tech told me I drooled a little, I would have believed her. The hands, the legs, the fingers, the little feet, the stomach, the kidneys, the brain, the little heart and its four chambers...all so amazing. We even saw her (I am still getting used to pronouns) open and close her mouth. Crazy.

Here is the face (which the hub and I think looks a little skeletor-ish):





And a beautiful profile picture:



Baby B's right eye in this one kind of creeps me out, and I don't know if it's just reflection or distortion or what:



The hub checking out the ultrasound photos and letting it all sink in:

the 21st week

Tomorrow morning, 7:30 a.m. That is when the hub and I will finally get to see the baby is all its black and white grainy glory! I am ready to see something beyond the peanut-shaped blob we saw 14 weeks ago. I want to know everything is where it should be, that the baby is healthy and developed properly. And of course I want to know the gender!

Being 21 weeks puts me right across the mid-way point of the pregnancy. I haven't really thought too much about it, mainly because it hasn't really affected me physically. I mean, I can nap now like nobody's business, but I don't feel too "off" from how I usually feel. I am ready to nest, though. I am ready to put together the room, shop for the last few items needed, and enjoy being off work when my feet are swollen beyond belief in the hot summer.

So here are some pictures of me at 21 weeks, 1 day...

the bags have arrived

The hub called to check on the bag status, and US Air claimed they were found, handed over to a delivery service, and were on the way to us! Of course, two and a half hours later, with no info, we called back and found out it was all a lie and the bags were at Yeager airport in Charleston. I immediately got in the car to go get them and retrieve my camera! So, here are the house pictures!

Here is the front and rock detail. It will be landscaped by the time we close.





You walk into the living room, which has a giant window out front and a fireplace. The fireplace even has a battery back-up in case the electricity goes out! The living room is open to the kitchen and dining area at the back of the house.









The backyard needs a little time to grow in good grass, but we're happy it's sodded and fenced. Sadie will love it!



The two bedrooms and guest bathroom are to the left of the living room, through the archway. Love the huge closets!





Here's Baby B's room...



And the hallway linen closet - the cabinets are one of my favorite things about the house.



The master bedroom is to the right of the living room, past the laundry room. Here is the room, the walk-in closet, and the bathroom (with the hub being silly).







All the fixtures are oil-rubbed bronze.



We close April 29th. And our house in WV sold this week, so we're on our way to Oklahoma City!

the getting home part

Last Tuesday the hub and I left to go to Oklahoma City to find a house, since we will soon be transferred there for the hub's job. Needless to say, I was in a horrible mood since the ultrasound was rescheduled for April 8th and I now had to wait another 9 days. But, the flights out to Oklahoma City were great, and the hotel was beautiful. Love our real estate agent Amy, who is so patient and lets me and the hub fly with our opinions. Come Wednesday, we had found the perfect house - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, big fenced backyard, brick exterior, and brand-spanking new! Now, I'd like to be posting pictures of this house. But I can't. And that's where the story gets interesting. See, the camera is in my luggage, which is LOST.

Here's how that goes. Our flight back was Saturday morning at 11:05 a.m. We were flying from Oklahoma City, to Memphis, to Cincinnati, to Charleston. Come to find out the plane has mechanical issues and will be here by 12:30 p.m. But the hub and I do the mental math - our flight from Memphis to Cincinnati leaves at 1:35 p.m. so we will miss it. We, like everyone else, get into line. The frazzled lady from Northwest (who announces she doesn't have clearance to help us at all) tells us all to call the 1-800 number for NW to get new flights. The hub does, and luckily we are re-routed from Memphis to Atlanta to Charleston. We of course have now stepped out of line and figure out we have to get back in because our bags are routed the original way. We give up on the line, leave the secured area, and go to the Northwest ticket counter, where we proceed to teach this woman her job. Seriously, they can't get a laid-off MBA in here to clean this mess up? She is literally flipping through the manual with a lost expression - something I likened to flipping through the Yellow Pages when you forget what you were looking up in the first place. We explain that our bags need to be re-routed because once they get to Memphis, the original flight will have already left. She does not understand us in the least. She tells us [incorrectly] that because Charleston is the "final destination" the high-as-a-kite useless votech baggage handlers will somehow magically think to look up our itineraries and re-route the bags themselves. No dice, and we're not getting anywhere with her, so we go back through security (where I am forced to throw away the $3 water I just bought) and we make the NW agent deal with it.

Come 12:55 p.m., the hub and I are settled in on the flight to Memphis, ready to catch the flight to Atlanta, then on to Charleston. Yes, we would now be delayed 4 hours, but at least everything was fixed, right? WRONG! We go to the Atlanta terminal, where we are blown off by the Delta reps, who say it is a NW problem and they won't print our boarding passes. So, we go through the Memphis airport (which reeks of urine and everyone who is employed sits around watching the terminal tvs), and find the only NW reps in the airport. Now, looking back I think these ladies may have been sent down in our time of need. Because no one else cared. They check on the flight to Atlanta, and come to find out that the flight is full. Not only is it full, it was always full, meaning when customer service re-routed us 4 hours previously, they put us on a flight that had no seats available. We are screwed. They find us another flight, which we have to take because we're running out of options at this point. We spend the next 3 hours trying to get the boarding passes printed, which everyone claims isn't their job. I think at that point, after 9 hours of being in airports, I was the closest I'll ever be to a stroke.

See, after dealing with US Air (who the new flight to Charlotte is with) I can't find NW reps, and US Air claims we are missing a flight sheet he needs to complete the boarding passes. I call NW, and talk to someone in headquarters, who contacts NW in the Memphis airport. You know what she tells me? None of the NW reps will go into the terminal so I have to go out to the ticket area to get any help. And that I better hurry because they will all be leaving for the day. Re-read: NO ONE WILL HELP ME. After relaying this message to the hub, he is seriously pissed off and we run to the ticket area. Where we proceed to stand in line to get attitude from the NW rep, who gives us the paper we already have, then we track down the US Air guy who says nothing when we say he was wrong and he cost us 2 hours of running around the airport.

We get on the flight to Charlotte (not sitting next to each other even though we requested that from the moron US Air guy) and get to Charlotte. We find the gate for the 10:30 p.m. flight to Charleston. I have my feet propped up because they are so swollen by now they look like they might explode. The lady at the gate gets on the speaker at 10:25 p.m. to announce that there are mechanical problems with the plane and we will be delayed. They finally switch us to another gate and another plane and we finally made it back to Charleston at 12:30 a.m. Which is 7 hours after we were supposed to be there. We go to the 1 baggage claim, and no bags. We tell the US Air baggage lady, who listens to me losing it, exhausted and pissed off. And you know what she said? "I'm sorry." And as the hub pointed out, she was the only person who said so all day.

We got into the car and I lost it. Everything I had been holding in, which is usually reserved for the shower, came pouring out of me. We go back to OKC on April 28th to close on our new house. I told the hub I will only fly out of a real airport, and only direct flights. My feet are still swollen and I am still trying to get over yesterday.