Sunny with a chance of baby showers!

So this Sunday I was lucky enough to help co-host a fun baby shower for one of our friends (Julia) who is due in November.  It was a co-ed shower, mostly so that we didn't have to figure out where to send the guys, and also because there was football on t.v. so they required little to no entertainment.

I got many of my ideas from either JuliAnna's shower (especially the poofs - which are so much fun to use, kind of a process to put together) or Pinterest.  I'm pretty good about not getting too sucked into the site, but I have to say that for planning parties there isn't really a better way to go.  Since Julia is due right in the middle of fall, we kind of figured autumn would be a perfect backdrop, hence the pumpkins, the colors, etc.  And KG and I found a fabulous tablecloth at JoAnn's that we couldn't pass up so it was essentially all based from there.

The tablecloth that KG found and we immediately knew we had to buy!

It was so much fun!  And the start of an eye-opener for what I'll be expecting, e.g., diapers, diapers, and MORE diapers.

Hands off to Dani for supplying a beautiful home to host (and amazing foods - cucumber sandwiches, pigs in a blanket, pumpkin cheesecake, fruit salad, mommy friendly sangria) and KG for being our leader in inspiration and design!!  I was just there to supply prosciutto flatbread and the cake pops.  :)

So here are the pictures I took, unfortunately I took them on my phone so they aren't excellent quality but you'll get the idea.

Happy showering!

I might have been a little into the poofs, but they were so much fun to put up.

The dessert area with cake pops, pumpkin cheesecake, and chocolate chip banana bread.  Someone with better handwriting should have written the signs.

The spread. Yumm!

More food and hot cider.

Our only "game" where we just guessed boy or girl and date.  We were going to turn it into a betting game, but didn't know if that would be in poor taste.  (Seriously who let that girl write on the chalkboards?)

 Little onesies along the mantle.  Paul and Julia are from Ohio so John and I made some Chicago styles to counteract the influx of Ohio State and Bengals gear.

Just a few of the boys hanging out and watching football.   

Oh and don't worry, there were more poofs to be had.  I guess no one really sat over there, but it was nice to know that corner was decorated just in case.

The verdict is....

... still out.  Goodness, all this build up and we found out NOTHING today... Okay, that's not true.  We heard the heartbeat again (156 bpm) so we found out that it's still in there, it's not a figment of our 4 weeks ago imagination.

I guess it's my fault.  I didn't specifically ask if I was getting the ultrasound.  At my last appointment my doctor had said that we were going to do the second trimester screening blah blah blah the next time which to me meant bloodwork and ultrasound.  For the record, it JUST meant bloodwork.  Bummer.  But, she gave me the go ahead to come back in 3 weeks instead of 4 weeks.  So I jumped on that opportunity and I'm most definitely going back on October 19.  We are doing the full work-up, ultrasound and seeing all the parts and whatnot then (at least as far as I know, otherwise we're waiting until the 3rd trimester at that point and that seems a bit excessive).

So until then, while I'm sad we didn't get more information today, I'm glad that we at least had the appointment.  I'm still "in the family way", so I guess I should enjoy the fact that my pants are still fitting.

Now I just have to figure out the best way to learn patience for the next 3 weeks.  I'll work on that while I try to learn how to NOT sleep on my back.  Ugh, this is going to move slow.

21 Wives' Tales

I pulled this 21 Wives' Tales that tell You if it's a Boy or a Girl from my friend JuliAnna's post (you can find her results here if you're interested - and as a side note, she had a boy).  I thought it would be interesting to throw it out there and I think most of them are a bit ridiculous, and some don't apply -- but why the heck not, right?  I should be finding out the gender this Friday, so thought this would be a fun precursor.

So here are my responses below, enjoy.

Sleep Position: Pay attention to which way you lay down in bed tonight.  If you prefer sleeping in your left side, you'll have a boy.  Right side?  You're pregnant with a girl.

BOY - I don't necessarily know what to make of this one since if I'm on my side I'm typically on my left side regardless of baby or not.  And now I'm trying hard to no longer be a back sleeper since I've heard that's bad.  Which then only means that I'm not sleeping well because if I wake up from moving in the middle of the night and I realize I've been on my back, then I start to panic that I've deprived the baby of oxygen for the last few hours.  But in strict answer of the question, I guess I'll go with left side.

Upset Stomach: Little girls aren't always sweet.  Extreme nausea means you are having a daughter.

GIRL - I'm not extremely nauseous anymore, but I hated life for about 2 weeks when I was throwing up 3-5 times a day and just the thought of grilled chicken made me dry heave.  Now it comes and goes in waves, usually based on whether or not I've had enough water (see this post for confirmation).

Soft or Dry Hands: If your hands are dry during pregnancy, you are having a boy; soft - expect a girl.

GIRL - My hands are pretty soft, but it's not winter yet so that's probably going to change when I get scaly and dry during the cold months.

Food Cravings: Your favorite pregnancy foods may tell you what sex the baby is.  If you're craving citrus while pregnant, you're having a girl.

BOY - I don't think I'm craving citrus, in fact I don't think I'm really craving anything in particular.

Adult Acne: If altering hormones makes your skin break out, expect a girl.

GIRL - I haven't broken out this bad since high school.  It's not pretty, especially with my particular aversion (for lack of a better word) of taking time to use make-up in the morning.

Graceful or Clumsy Pregnancy: If you feel as though you're gliding through the day, you'll have a girl.  Stumbling?  It's a boy.

BOY - I'm always clumsy though, so this makes no sense and doesn't seem like a good indicator.  As my friend Brian told me in college, "I didn't know your mom, but from what I know about her, if she had the foresight she would have named you Grace".  That about sums it up.  If this is an indicator though, I'm going to be destined for boys.

Face Weight Gain: If your face gets fuller, it means you're having a girl.

BOY - My face seems to have actually slimmed down, but that could have also been from the weight loss I had at the beginning of pregnancy (read back to upset stomach above, and also the removal of alcohol from my diet).

Sugar and Spice Food Cravings: Craving salt during pregnancy? Potato chips, pretzels, and popcorn means a boy is on the way.  Need a little something sweet?  Ice cream, chocolate, and candy means you're having a girl.

GIRL - I'm eating more sweets than usual, although I think it's mostly because I no longer allow myself to feel guilty about making that stop at the Dairy Queen or having the extra cookie.  Although, I guess I have been eating more donuts and I have to say those used to be a big no-no for me and now they are delicious.

Mood Changes: If you're experiencing pregnant mood-swings, expect a baby girl to arrive soon.

BOY - After talking this one over with John he doesn't think I'm experiencing mood swings so I think I'll go ahead and trust him on this one.

High or Low Pregnant Belly: If you're carrying the baby low on your stomach, expect a boy.  If it's high, you're having a girl.

BOY - So, I'm not showing really.  I've got nothing.  I guess if I had to choose something I would say low, since it's definitely not high?

Baby Weight: If you're carrying baby in front, it's a boy.  Is the baby weight spaced all around your middle?  It's a girl.

GIRL - It seems as though it's kind of just all over, and not isolated to a certain location.  Since I don't have a belly sticking out in front of me, I guess that means it's spaced all around my middle.

Pendulum Test: Dangle a chain with a charm over your palm.  If it swings back and forth: boy.  In a circle: girl.

GIRL - Although I'm not sure if I'm doing this one right.  Should I start the swinging and see what happens?  Or see if it just starts swinging on it's own?

Model Your Hands: "Show me your hands".  If you would hold your hands palms up, it's a girl.  Down?  You're having a boy.

BOY - ??  But I don't think I understand the question.  Why am I showing my hands?  I don't know, it seems silly.

Toddler Advice: Get baby advice from a nephew or friend's little boy.  If a toddler boy shows interest in your belly, you'll have a girl.  If he ignores you, it's a boy.

I don't know any toddlers - let alone little boys, so this one's out.

Eat Garlic: Guess the baby's sex by eating garlic.  If the smell seeps out of your pores, it's a boy.  If there's no scent it's a little girl.

GIRL - I have not been told that I smell like garlic when we eat garlic.  But maybe we're just used to it?

Key to Pregnancy: If you pick up a key by the round end, you're having a boy.  If it's by the long end?  A girl.

BOY - I don't know when I would ever pick up a key by the long end.  I did know what each meant before participating, but testing it out, it felt weird to pick it up by the long end.

Even and Odd Numbers: If your age and year of conception are both even or odd, it's a girl.  One even, one odd means a boy.

BOY

Baby's Heartbeat: If the baby's heart beats more than 150 times per minute, you're pregnant with a girl.  Less than 150, it's a boy.

GIRL - 156 or 153 at my last appointment.  (I feel like these are things I should remember without having to guess... all I know is that it was over 150)

Stress Test: A child tends to be of the same sex as the parent who is less stressed at the time of conception.

BOY - John and I are both pretty even keel, but I guess in the overall scheme of things he's less stressed than I am as a general rule (and I went back a couple of years ago in blog posts and read the ones where I cried at FedEx and just generally was overwhelmed so I think it's safe to say that John is less stressed than me).  I'm with JuliAnna here though, if this is a true test then we are always destined for boys.

Dream Meanings: If you dream about having a girl while pregnant, you will wind up having a boy and vice versa.

BOY - I have had only one dream so far and it was with a little girl.  But I think this is silly because I want a little girl, so clearly my subconscious is going to put that in my dream.

Breast Size: If your right breast is larger than the left while pregnant, you are having a girl.  If the left is larger, it's a baby boy.

I think mine are about the same.  I haven't noticed that one is larger than the other - just generally large.

(I liked JuliAnna's categories below, so I have stolen them and used them for my own)

A Child Called It = 2

It's a Boy = 11

It's a Girl = 9

This pretty much tells me that it's still a 50/50 chance.  Imagine that.  How very scientific.

Anyone have any thoughts about what it could be?  Get your guesses in before Friday afternoon!  Appointment is at 1pm, so hopefully we will actually find out.  Otherwise, I'm going to feel very silly for getting all excited.  Ha.

Round two

 

So, I don't feel like I'm showing at all.  I'm definitely not looking "pregnant", but I think people could think that I'm getting fatter?  So I guess that's a plus, or something.  

In case it's not very clear in the pictures - the weeks are labeled as such:

Week 14: The Limbed Lemon (soon after our last u/s that showed legs and arms that were punching and kicking and doing all sorts of crazy stuff)

Week 15: The Original Orange (it seemed appropriate)

Week 16: The Athletic Avocado (this is the week of exercise; my 5k and joining a prenatal Pilates class)

I also told my office in one of the more awkward moments in my life.  Luckily 2 of the 4 guys have kids so they at least weren't completely unsure of things to say... the other 2, I don't think they even really looked at me after I said anything.  I think they were a bit uncomfortable.  I pretty much just blurted it out while going over a schedule for a project, unprovoked, unexpected.  It was pretty awkward (I wish I had a better word for it so I didn't have to keep reusing it - really need a thesaurus).  But at least I no longer have to hide it and worry that someone will find out.  And my boss no longer has to whisper which I think he appreciates because I get the feeling he was having a hard time with it.  Which kind of makes me laugh.  So the cat's out of the bag! 

Oh, and my boss is currently working on the employee handbook which will now include a maternity policy, so I think that's a step in the right direction.  No more social media blackout, although I'm not really sure how that will ever get shared since I can barely say the "p" word.  When I told my coworkers I said "well, if we are going into 2013 for the schedule then I guess I should let you know that I'm due on March 8".  I didn't even bother with saying the "p" or the "b" word.  Yeah, I'm a weirdo.

Alright, that's all I've got for now.  Apparently all I needed for inspiration on this blog was to get ... wait for it.... pregnant (I said it).  Now I have all sorts of things to write about - please don't get sick of me!!

Pilates for Pregnancy Day 1

Who knew that I would take this opportunity (aka pregnancy) to start an exercise program.  It seems perfectly logical, right?  I mean, no alcohol, eating healthier.. seems right up the fitness alley.  Of course I have to also realize that I'm growing a human and so I have to be realistic about my "fitness goals".  Right now they include: being able to hold a baby (I have no arm strength); not having my abs completely give way once that stomach starts growing (I have no core strength); and the usual, not having my legs fall off because my hips are no longer functioning as joints (I have no hip ... strength?).  Hopefully Pilates will do all of those things for me.  It's not that crappy mat Pilates (I apologize to anyone who enjoys that, it's not for me.  Those 100's or whatever they're called with the fluttering are pure hell) - it's the one that involves the machines that look like medieval torture devices.  That's essentially what it feels like too, but with the benefit of not actually dying on the rack, just not being able to move two days later.

I did this all after getting some inspiration from my die-hard, gym-going cousin who asked if I had signed up for any prenatal exercise classes.  I didn't have a good response as to why not, other than the fact that I've apparently decided that exercise is an excuse to call myself disabled.  Once I got over that and completed a 5k this last Saturday (in a land speed record of 45 min 45 sec) and I realized that my body does in fact still move as expected, I decided it was time to take some action.  

Now I have EIGHT weeks worth of Pilates for Pregnancy, with one woman due in 3 weeks, another woman who is 28 weeks along, and another new girl who is due a week before me (I'm totally going to have to kick that girls arse at this).  I'm for sure the most out of shape person in the class, but I'm just waiting for the really pregnant ones to phase out and to be the old hand at this for the other new women that come in so that I can looking like an f-ing rockstar.  

The girl due a week before me, A, is already giving me strength of mind so that I don't roll my eyes and/or punch her in the face (Disclaimer: I don't actually punch people in faces, it's an empty threat).  We were doing squats (which in case you were curious are the new kegels I've now been informed.  On another note, I found this and find it hilarious) and the instructor was asking us newbies how often we do squats as part of our exercise routine and A looked her in the eye and said "I do them all the time", while I had to shake my head and say "Squats?  Why would I torture myself that way?  I do nothing of the sort".... yeah, I'm already rocking it.

That's all I've got.  I'll let you know how it goes.... this could be the best or worst decision I've ever made!

Here's a picture of John and I at our first Bears preseason game to jazz up the post:

The one in which I threw up...

...in front of my friends... in front of strangers... while cruising in an electric boat on the Chicago River.  How humiliating is that?  I hate throwing up in front of people, it's miserable and embarrassing, and generally to do it in public (over the side of a boat) makes it so much worse.  I know the cause of it, lack of water and the headache that I had been trying to ignore all day.  I was trying so hard to not take any medicine, and it completely backfired.  As we set forth to Chinatown along the river it started getting worse.  I tried to eat to make my stomach less rocky - I drank lemonade in the hopes that some liquid would make it feel better.  Unfortunately it didn't work and within no time I was leaning over the side of the boat apologizing profusely to my friends.  They handled it like champs and didn't judge me (or at least out loud which I appreciate).  Then when we were passing kayakers in the river they cheered me on to vomit in front of them so that they would know the kind of disgusting water they were paddling in.  I tried not to oblige , but I have to admit that I started getting queasy again and just as we passed them (luckily made it past the architectural tour of business-dress folks) I ended up having to lean over the side again.  I don't think they saw it.. I would have felt terribly guilty for ruining their paddling trip.

Ugh, when does this get better?  It's not morning sickness anymore, it's this terrible increase in headaches that's really killing me.  Without being able to take Excedrin, I don't know how the next six months will go.

Umbrella Update

Just to give a quick update on the umbrella situation.. after all of that, I can't find it.  I know it must be lost in my house somewhere (??) but since the last Bears game where I took it out of my purse in order to avoid a repeat umbrella fiasco, I have not figured out where I put it.  All that emotion for naught.