I wish I would have known

I got this e-mail today and it was funny to read...thought I'd share, it's lists of things that other moms-to-be wished that someone would have told them:

First Trimester

"How difficult pregnancy can be on marriage, and a way to better communicate and be there for my spouse while dealing with many other issues." And this isn't just in the first trimester

"How much I would worry — about how the baby is doing, how he/she is growing, different pains, etc. There are a lot of unknowns." And if you're not worrying then is it bad, are you a bad mother for not being worried that something is wrong?

Second Trimester

"About the stretching ligament pain — it feels like my hips and bones are stretching apart. And I'm extremely dry all over, flaking and itching." Looks like I had a really bad sunburn and now it's all peeling away!

"That every stranger in the world thinks it's okay to touch your stomach." And not just strangers

"How bad the forgetfulness and mental dullness would be. Stupidity has been my worst symptom!" It's not even funny how bad this is...I think you can ask anyone I work with!

Third Trimester

"About the cramping feelings you get as your uterus stretches. It was unnerving to feel that and not know that it was normal." Sometimes I take a step and something pulls or stretches in the wrong way and I just about lose my footing!

"That some pregnant women seem to be carrying triplets: one in the belly and one in each thigh!" I have this problem...big time!

"That when you get further into your pregnancy be careful about sneezing and laughing too hard or you might find yourself needing another pair of underwear." Too bad this started in the second trimester for me...

"That morning sickness can happen any time of day and just because you reach your third trimester, it doesn't mean it goes away!" Mine is usually brought on my heartburn being so bad it makes me sick...and this is beginning to happen more frequent

"That you really have to watch what you say. Some people understand you might more short-fused because of the pregnancy hormones, but some people do not understand and can take things the wrong way."  OMG...this is me to a T!!!! I joke about me losing my filter but it's really gotten bad...and it's frustrating too, because you catch yourself after the fact but it's hard to go back and explain to someone who just doesn't understand.

There were a lot of others listed but these were the only ones that I could really relate to so I posted them, it's nice to read up what others are having problems with and see that it's okay sometimes. I think I heard it best the other day from a friend of mine though, "I can give you advice on what I did all day long, but I can't give you any answers because your pregnancy is going to be different just like all of mine were completely different." It's really true, I can ask everyone questions and they'll give their advice on how things worked or didn't work for them, but in the end, I'm going to do whatever is right for me and my baby and I'm not going to know that until he's here.

Baby James 32 weeks...only 56 more days to go!

Well, the bump is definitely growing, I think I hear it on a daily basis "you're getting so big" and no matter how many times I get told "it's ok, you're pregnant, you can get big" it still doesn't make hearing that I'm getting bigger any better and eventually start to break down the self esteem. It did help though yesterday at the doctor when she looked at me and said "wow, you're still so tiny!" She says that because of my small frame that everyone probably thinks that I am getting bigger than I actually am. I am measuring right at 32 weeks right now, she assures me that he will not come early, after all, she will be gone until the Sunday before my due date so she says he is not allowed to come before then...I'll be sure and relay the message. In measuring me yesterday, she said I don't have any more room to grow up (ladies you know what I mean) so I will grow out now, joy! I couldn't find out camera this morning so this photo is from my cell phone so please excuse the graininess!

Yep...it's a growin'...it's crazy to think there's a baby in there!

PREGNANCY AT A GLANCE

How far along? 32 weeks

Baby's size? Well, I don't know how big he is, I know I have run out of room for him. She showed me his position and felt around and basically said he's running out of room. I hope that doesn't mean that we're having a BIG boy though...all the e-mails I get say he should be somewhere around 4-4.5 lbs and about 15-17 inches long, almost time!!!

Gender? Still a boy, although I've had some people say I'm carrying high so they think it's either a girl or I'm having twins...really, who says that to a stranger??? Anywho, it's a boy, or there's a girl with something between her legs... Hudson Alexander James, yes we decided on his full name. Hudson after our engagement in New York, yes, after the Hudson River; Alexander is a family name from Jason's family, his grandfather (maybe great-) was named Louis Byron Alexander, well Jason's dad's middle name is Louis, Jason's is Byron, and ours will be Alexander, neat huh?!

Weight Gain? I think I finally broke into the double digits...Jason's so cute, he goes "well we'll start eating healthy and going for walks" I tried to explain that it doesn't matter, he's a growing boy now and the weight is going to get packed on here at the end, he says it just needs to be healthy foods though and nothing too bad, he's so sweet.

Maternity clothes? I feel like I just need to wear sweats all day long, that would make me feel so much better!!

Stretch marks? None visible yet.

Belly button in or out? Still got an innie!!!

Sleeping? Yea, it is super hard!!!

Foods I'm loving? Still craving the heat, sweets and sno-cones, hasn't changed :)!!!

Foods I'm hating? Can't really say I'm hating anything right now

Best moment this week? I have a few: first was when he got the hiccups, it's the funniest, sweetest, weirdest but BEST feeling ever; then yesterday at the doctor, finding out how he is positioned so I know what is kicking and pushing where; and finally, yesterday I had someone tell me that I was handling my pregnancy very well, I mentioned to them my moods and the comments I get they told me to tell those people to buzz off (a little worse but can't repeat!), I'm prego! It made me smile :)

What I'm looking forward to? Finishing the nursery!

What I miss? A good night's rest

Symptoms? Exhaustion, some minor swelling, some aches and pains coming from where his head should be, can't really sit or stand for too long either...still about the same, heartburn comes and goes, makes for some restless nights sometimes.

Milestones? I can't really think of anything that is major that happened this week...I finished working on a scrapbook over the weekend for Jason's granny to see the pregnancy...that's about it though. Oh I forgot - my stroller/car seat, swing and pack n' play all came in!!! I'm super excited!!

Emotions & Moods? I try to catch myself on my moods since I'm starting to have more and more people comment on it, I don't really think I've had my feelings really hurt in the past week to send me over the edge to cry.

Easter Weekend 2011

We spent Easter weekend in Bridge City with Jason's family. It was nice, we only went down for Saturday and Sunday. We went and ate some crawfish on Saturday night, I think I put away about 10 lbs on my own (not really but pretty close)!

Us with Jason's granny

Us and my grandma

Jason and I had planned on having our nursery furniture but when we arrived at the store on Saturday they didn't have it. They apparently had sold our pieces and the one available was all scratched up. So...another disappointment for us, we get to wait for a new shipment to come in and then drive to Houston AGAIN and get it. It's just one thing after another for us...

Happy Easter everyone!

31 weeks and growing

The bump (lump) at 31 weeks now...it's beginning to grow and grow at a more rapid rate these days! I feel like I wake up and I've expanded another 2 or 3 inches!

PREGNANCY AT A GLANCE

How far along? 31 weeks

Baby's size? We will go to the doctor next week so hopefully we will find out just how big my monkey is! The e-mails I got today say he should be about 16 inches long and about 3 lbs. I feel like he is longer than that by the movements he does...he is in the head-down position though.

Gender? We're still having a baby BOY!

Weight Gain? I think I am still in the single digits...I will find out for sure next week though...

Maternity clothes? Nothing but maternity clothes these days...thank goodness for sweet friends that let me borrow some items!

Stretch marks? Still not seeing any yet on the belly, legs and boobs have them but I don't mind at all!

Belly button in or out? Still in and stretched to the max!!!

Sleeping? It's getting harder and harder to get some sleep

Foods I'm loving? Still craving the heat, sweets and sno-cones!!!

Foods I'm hating? Can't really say I'm hating anything right now

Best moment this week? Getting my hair done...it's so soothing to have your head scrubbed!

What I'm looking forward to? Hearing my sweet monkey's pitter-patter heartbeat next week!

What I miss? Sleep right now...

Symptoms? Exhaustion, some minor swelling, some aches and pains coming from where his head should be, can't really sit or stand for too long either

Milestones? Nothing really this week...we are getting the rest of the nursery furniture this weekend so hopefully next week we can finish the nursery!!!

Emotions & Moods? Still about the same, crying is a natural thing, but still won't in public...moodiness is just there, I try to shut myself off from others so I don't pop off about something but then I get accused of being in a crabby mood...it's a no-win situation!

The bump (lump) at 30 weeks!

First glimpse of the bare bump...so you can see just how much the belly is growing. Today I am 30 weeks, I thought I would share thoughts and such from here on out until I deliver...

PREGNANCY AT A GLANCE

How far along? 30 weeks

Baby's size? The doctor hasn't really given us an exact size for him yet, I know he's running out of room though, I feel like I have a foot in my ribs and head on my bladder 24/7 (but that's just where he should be according to the doctor)

Gender? We're still having a baby BOY! Hudson "still under discussion" James

Weight Gain? At our last doctor's appointment, I was still in the single digits, now this past week was a little rough for me, both personally and professionally, and I managed to lose about 4.5 lbs according to our scale at home.

Maternity clothes? I wear maternity clothes these days...can wear anything from smalls to larges...just depends on where they are from. I do have some regular shirts and dresses that I can still wear, you can tell they aren't made for a motherly belly or boobs but they still work just fine.

Stretch marks? I do not have any yet...at least not that I can see, I thought I had one a few weeks back but either it's disappeared or I was just seeing things...

Belly button in or out? It's still in but it's stretched out quite a bit.

Sleeping? It just depends on the night...for the most part though, he only allows for me to sleep a couple of hours every night (spare the "just wait" comments too please)

Foods I'm loving? Anything spicy...Mexican, spicy stir-fry, cajun...I just want the heat!!!

Foods I'm hating? If it's food, I'm gonna eat it...I still have my foods I hate (like roast - YUCK!) but I'll stomach them for the sake of argument...

Best moment this week? Getting our nursery furniture and coming home with it...and then coming home yesterday and Jason had completely finished painting the nursery

What I'm looking forward to? Simple things...putting shoes and socks on normally, not getting winded after every little thing, being able to bend over and it not hurting so bad...

What I miss? Sleeping on my stomach and a good medium-rare steak!

Symptoms? Me and the potty have become one, the acid reflux is becoming more frequent (and annoying), lack of sleep makes for grumpiness, the exhaustion I felt in the first trimester has come back only 10x worse but no one seems to understand!

Milestones? Got our nursery furniture home and the nursery painting is finished!

Emotions & Moods? Crying...I have become quite good over the past week, and apparently my attitude has taken it's toll on everyone around me (or so I've been told...)

Nursery painting complete!!!

I got home today and Jason had surprised me with a completely painted nursery!!! Now we have to clean the carpet and then we can start setting up the furniture!!! So super excited, I feel like everything is finally starting to look up for us!

This is the wall that the crib will go on...

 Room and closet doors

 Nice big window to let lots of light in!!!



Can not wait to finish everything!!! Such a sweet surprise from my hubby, he's been working so hard to make sure everything is perfect for our lil' man.

I'm so proud!

I can't help but brag about how proud I am of my wonderful husband. He works hard, both professionally and personally, and still has time to volunteer his time to others. This weekend we went to Brenham for him to receive an award from our region for Special Olympics. He received the 2011 Outstanding Service from a Community Leader award. Coming to these events and being a part of them just really make you feel so good!

Here with Cassie, she's the region director

And then after he helped with the torch run

 Ok, maybe a torch walk, but you get the idea...

There's a lil' jog, and a wave too!

Then a close-up of his award!!!

After all this, we went to Houston to find some more nursery furniture.

I guess it's time now to fill you all in our on lovely drama. See, we ordered furniture back in February, right after we found out our lil' peanut was a boy then we decided on a nursery furniture set. It was a little more than I had planned on spending but we both really loved the set so we figured what the heck. Well, some of the items were on back order, no big deal, the website said it would be available by mid-April, still no problem, due date is June. Well, beginning of March we get a phone call that our back-ordered items were available for delivery. I was ecstatic! The only problem was, they only delivered on Thursdays and we were right in the middle of Rodeo...so, we scheduled the delivery for March 30th. That day finally comes, we get the call the items are on their way and then I get home only to find one, yes...ONE of THREE items at my house. So...the next morning I called to see what was going on, and much to my surprise, I was greeted with a "well you know you're not getting the other items, this line has been discontinued." So...after a few tears and choice words with about half a dozen people, I was off the phone with a "well we'll call all the warehouses and see if we can't find the other pieces and get back in touch with you." So Monday rolls around and nothing, I finally am impatient enough that I call, again greeted with disappointment, "I'm sorry ma'am, there's not any available items, but you can choose another set and we'll give you a 10% discount for the trouble." Really...I don't want your 10%, I don't want any %, I just wanted my items I ordered 2 months prior...

So, needless to say I shed a few more tears...ok a lot more tears...I think emotionally I had reached my limit that day, I had a funeral to attend that afternoon so I wasn't feeling very kind-hearted. So, after a few more bad experiences this past week - and I mean really bad, it was nice to attend something fun with Jason and watch him get this award, then go on to Houston and actually find a bedroom set AND COME HOME WITH A CRIB!!! We ended up spending a little more than I wanted, but I came home with a crib...yes, it's sitting right here in our house!!! Now we just HAVE to finish painting!!!

I love TEXAS

And Texas Bluebonnets...especially when they're in our yard!!!

We went and bought a small plant, weren't sure if it would take but it surely has...there are 5 blooms now but you can see several others growing up...I think we might have more in our yard than on the Texas Highways!!! :)

(On a side note...Jason is still painting, I can smell the paint outside because he has the windows open...STRONG PAINT!)

Baby James April doctor visit #1

So we went to the doctor today, lots of fun updates...I am happy to report that I had managed to go 6 months with only 4.5lbs of weight gain, then in the past month I managed to put on 4lbs alone...so that brings the grand total to 8.5lbs at 28w5d...woo-hoo!

Belly is measuring right at about 29 weeks, there was a student with my doctor today so he got to take the measurments and said that it was somewhere between 29-30 weeks...I said "he better not be at 30 weeks cuz this baby ain't coming early!" He laughed and said it was probably right along with 29 weeks. Baby's heart rate was at 140bpm, and he was moving all around for them today.

Jason had requested that we get to see the baby back in March so Dr. Appleton said to remind her and we would get some more photos...he looks a lot different now because he's obviously a lot bigger but see for yourself

Ok, here you can see his right eye with his right hand up by his cheek making a fist, you can see the partial outline of his nose too, it's kinda cut off, but you can also see his left arm stretched all the way up over his head

Here she just wanted to reassure us that he is indeed a boy, and just in case you're wondering...it's the part on the left, you can see his lil' bottom, the part on the right is his leg

This was another of his face, she (Dr. Appleton) was really fascinated by the fact that you could actually see his eye in his eye socket...it's the white circle within the sockets

Again, another shot of his face, you can see the eyes, nose, his chubby looking cheeks and a partial of his hand

He's doing great, I'm doing great...with the exception of the constant foot or bottom that I have in my rib cage or the constant urge to need to use the restroom, but other than that everything is going great now. Obviously I have my appetite back, energy is somewhat normal, however, I do feel the pain after a long day and my feet and back will make me know that I can't do everything like I used to, I have become a hormonal bitch (sorry mom if you're reading this). I do the random cries and everything is the end of the world, I have no filter right now as the ladies I work with like to put it but I'm happy and really enjoying the pregnancy now. I feel it took me a while to finally get to this point, so what if I have my hormonal days and I pop off, in the end it's all out of love right?? I have no problem telling people that I don't like my belly rubbed or touched, the polite "touch" is ok when people do ask if it's ok, but I'm not a Buddha and my bell is not a lucky charm! If he's moving and someone is around I do try to share that moment with others, but it still makes me uncomfortable. Everyday things are getting harder and harder, bending over is uncomfortable and at times nearly impossible! The belly just seems to get in the way of doing things, but I do sure give my best in trying to do everything I possibly can. I have noticed that in the morning I walk like a normal person, by evening I have the pregnancy waddle down to an art! The feet are starting to swell but my fingers are doing great, I can still wear my rings with no problem! I am having more and more frequent heartburn these days, so Tums are my new best friend.

I did treat myself to a pedicure the other day...uh-maze-ing! However I did have a nosey lady that just about got her head bit off because she wouldn't stop asking questions and just being plain rude! I finally cashed in one of my two pre-natal massages that my hubby and brother gave to me and was oh so relaxed! I really feel like things could not be better at this point. Jason is helping out a lot around the house, we have begun the nursery and I can't wait to get my Chunky Monkey's room all done!

Now I start my every 3 week visits until the end of May so we will be back at the doctor at the end of this month, that I am super excited about because it's so nice to get to hear his heartbeat that often!

Nursery painting

Here are some photos of the painting...I manages to sneak in and get some photos without him seeing me (he says I don't need to be in the smell - he's so sweet). We don't have nursery furniture yet but should have some soon!!!

It's a work in progress...but hopefully it will be done soon! I can't wait to start putting everything together in this room!

Workin' on the nursery

Jason did work all weekend but had to burn some time so got off early a couple of days. He decided to try some colors out in the nursery that we had gotten samples of...we didn't want the dogs to go in there and track hair or smell the fumes, also trying to keep the smell out of the rest of the house so we shut off that half of the house while Jason was working...well sweet lil' Dixie just didn't understand why daddy could be over there and she couldn't

It was very pathetic to watch :( Shiner on the other hand really didn't care much about the other side of the house, he just wanted to lounge outside

Sunday I decided to finally try and make homemade tortillas...they were oh so yummy! And in my true tradition, they were not round but still tasted just like grandma's

And Shiner was right there to make sure that they were safe for me to eat...

It was a nice weekend at Casa de James, lots of relaxing and movie watching!!

Happy Monday!

Prego photos for April Fool's

It's been a while since my hubby's been able to make it home to get some prego photos of me in the morning but he finally managed to this morning!! We were able to get some with the pups too since we have Shiner and Dixie this week!

It seems really hard to tell just how large I am getting...

I don't know what to do with my arms, they are just in the way...

Jason suggested under the belly but I feel like it's not quite big enough to be under the belly...

Then Dixie came to join

And Shiner tried to but it was more of a hassle to try and hold on to him...he's a little squirmy

 

Then I sent my hubby on back to work...

Happy April Fool's day...stay on your toes...there's jokes all around here at the office!