Monday, December 24, 2007

The Big 2-7!

How in the world did I get so old all of a sudden!!! I suddenly find myself a lot closer to thirty than seems possible. Didn't I just graduate college yesterday? Its funny how becoming a grown up sneaks up on you. I woke up yesterday morning at 4:30 in the morning, looked over at my husband and my son (who was awake and grinning at me), and realized that somewhere along the way I became a woman without even realizing it. As I lay there in the wee hours of my 27th birthday, playing with little Parker who was in one of his wonderful smiley morning moods, I really felt proud of the adult I had become.

We drove up to Chris' parents house on Saturday and a few friends came over to help celebrate my birthday. We ate good food, played with Parker, and relaxed. Chris' family got me a crock pot and slow cooker recipe book which I am very excited to use, and Chris got me a gift certificate to Bath and Body Works, which I will definitely enjoy. Today Beth (my mother-in-law)'s whole family came over and we ate a Christmas feast and exchanged gifts. This was the first time many of them were meeting Parker, so he got passed around for everyone to inspect and admire. Everyone agreed that he is wonderful and adorable. :)

The evening wound down, everyone went on their way, and now I'm the last one up on Christmas Eve enjoying a peaceful moment to myself. I baked some cinnamon rolls for breakfast in the morning and stuffed some stockings. This was the first year that I have been "Santa", which was a lot of fun. The torch has been passed and soon I will be the one creating whimsical memories of reindeers on rooftops and sleigh bells ringing. I can't wait to help create the same Christmas magic my parents always created for me as a child. Holidays suddenly have a whole new even more meaningful meaning.

This is also the first Christmas that I haven't been tucked snug in my bed at my parents house on Christmas Eve, which makes me a little sad. Along with the wonders of becoming a parent, there are also moments where you mourn the passing of your own childhood, which seems like just moments ago. I can only hope that I do as good a job raising my children as my mom and dad did with me. I think we're off to a good start, and are certainly learning every day.

I believe it is now Christmas and I better get a little sleep, so for now I will say "Ho, Ho, Ho,...Merry Christmas to All, and to all a good night."

Friday, December 14, 2007

Monday, December 10, 2007

Hey everyone! A few fun things to report this week. Parker has graduated from newborn size diapers to size 1! He has also lost all the hair on top of his head! LOL! Apparently a lot of newborns lose their baby hair and then it grows back a different color...strange! He has been eating like a champ and now has cute little chubby cheeks (I got mad at Chris yesterday when he called him a fat baby...he is pleasantly plump!). Parker is also starting to smile in response to us more. He wakes up in the best mood every day (he doesn't get that from either of us!) and coos and waves his arms around. It is so cute!

We had a fun visit with Leah last week...we went shopping, baked cookies, and went out to eat. Parker had a great time getting to know one of his aunties!! I also brought Parker out to Gainesville to meet all of my work friends and show him off to the kids. Everyone was very happy to meet Parker and to see me and we had a great time. Unfortunately I think we picked up a cold bug while we were there, because I got a cold the next day and Parker got a little congested. Luckily, he didn't get the full blown cold that I did, and we both seem to be feeling much better today.

Chris brought home our very first Christmas tree last week, and I had so much fun decorating it! I love Christmas!!! It is a beautiful tree, and Mom even sent out some of my old ornaments to adorn it with! I will have to take a picture of Parker with his very first Christmas tree. We got the tree in preparation for a 'Roaming Christmas Party' we were participating in. A number of friends in the neighborhood served a holiday drink and snacks and we walked from house to house. We served spiced rum cider and cheese ball. Both were a great hit! It was a very fun day and Parker was a sweet little thing all day long as usual. :)

Today I am enjoying some time to myself as Parker naps, and am getting some housework done. We are looking forward to spending my birthday and Christmas with Chris' family up in North Carolina. We also hope to see Chris' good friends Andy and Anna whom we have asked to be Parker's godparents. It should be a great trip!

Ta Ta For Now,

Laura and Santa's Little Helper (Parker)

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Hello World!

It is incredible how much Parker has "woken up" over the past week! He has started to be very interested in what is going on around him and engages in eye contact much more than last week. He loves to stare at ceiling fans and ride around with Mom in his Snugli carrier.

We had a great Thanksgiving with Chris' parents and a couple of other friends (Parker slept through the whole thing). Our friends Andy and Anna also came down this weekend to meet Parker and help Chris patch a hole in the laundry room floor (long story). We had a great time visiting with them. I've had a couple of days home with Parker, and tonight, we are picking up Auntie Leah from the airport! I am so excited to see her and to show off my little cutie to her. We have big plans to sit around in our pj's, watch movies, and eat good food all weekend. :) We will also be taking some long walks around the neighborhood.

I wish I could post a recording of all of the funny noises that Parker makes so you could all hear. Like I said, he doesn't cry often, but does make plenty of noise! He makes one sound all the time that sounds like a dolphin.

Ok, Parker just woke up, so I'm going to go feed him. More updates later! :)

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Our Peanut

Chris and I before our date

So much to be thankful for!

Finally... another update! It seems my free time is a little sparce right now even though I'm home all day! The Peanut is growing like a weed and weighs almost 8 lbs now. He is hungry All the time, so mom is finding it a little hard to get anything done! :)

We have been blessed to have lots of help so far. Chris' mom, Beth has spent a good deal of time with us and has helped me figure out how to get out of the house with the baby. My mom and dad also spent a week with us and got lots of good cuddle time in with their first grand baby. Grandpa even played the banjo for our little guy!!! :) He is one loved little fellow!!!! We all wish the grandparents lived closer so we could see them more.

We have also had many friends come by to spend time meeting Parker. He is already very popular. :) My friend Brooke came down from Gainesville and Parker really enjoyed her visit. I think she may be his first crush... I have never seen him stare at anyone so intensely!!! He was wide awake for her the whole time she was here!

As Parker has gotten bigger and stronger, he has also started to be awake more and express himself more. And when he's awake, he likes to be entertained. When he's no eating, Parker's favorite activities include listening to mom try and sing every little kid song she can think of, rocking in the rocking chair, playing with his musical toys, and lying on Dad's chest. I think we may have a little musician on our hands!

Chris and I went out for our first post-pregnancy date last week, which was so much fun! We were out for a couple of hours at a nice restaurant while Chris' mom and her friend, Bev, watched Parker. We had great conversation and great food. It was so sweet of them to send us out for some couple time! Parker slept the whole time... he didn't even notice we were gone!

On a personal note, I have been feeling very good. No more random crying, thank goodness! But for now, I cannot type with one hand any longer and Parker is telling me he is bored and tired of being ignored. Sorry, sorry!

love from all of us!

Monday, November 12, 2007

Time is flying by!

I absolutely cannot believe that tomorrow marks the end of Parker's second week with us! It is terrifying to me how fast the time is passing already...before I know it I'll be back at work and our wonderful undevided time together will be over. :( I'm just trying to soak up every moment as much as possible.

Parker continues to be a sweet little bundle. Chris even made him smile yesterday!!! I know they say babies only smile when they have gas for the first few months, but Chris got him to crack a smile a few times over, so I think it was more than just bubbles in his tummy. It looked hilarious- Chris had Parker's hands in his and was wiggling them around while squealing "weeeeeeee, weeeeeee, weeeeeeee!" I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes.

We are all sad because Daddy has to go back to work tomorrow. :( It has been so great having him home to share in every special moment so far. I'm not worried about having Parker on my own, but will miss being able to laugh with Chris at every funny face, and exchange looks of wonder as we marvel at the amazing little person we created. The past ftwo weeks have been so perfect, we both just wish we could stay in this fantasy world forever! But, as it must, the real world is knocking, and I know we will continue to appreciate every moment together more than ever before.

Now, a few of my friends have commented that "Laura, you make this all look so easy!" To be honest, so far my experience over all has been much easier than I anticipated, and probably has been much easier than many women's. Howevery, I do pride myself in being as candid as possible in my blog, so I have to say that being a parent is not all easy. The hardest things for me so far have been my bouts with post-partum mood swings (for anyone who doubts the legitimicy of this, let me tell you, it is for real), and the demanding time schedule of a newborn's feeding schedule. Parker usually eats every 2-3 hours, so leaving the house is a tricky endeavor. In addition to that, I feel anxious when I am away from the baby for any period of time, so I'm obviously going to have to work on taking steps to feel more comfortable taking some "me time". Those things aside, my first two weeks have been fairly relaxing, and each day I love my son more and more.

Thank you so much to those of you who have sent packages, left messages, and sent emails. I apologize that I have been remiss in responding in most cases up to this point... like I said, the past two weeks have gone by at the speed of light. I look forward to catching up with each of you and telling you more about the first weeks of Parker Peanut. Also, although this is technically my "pregnancy blog," I plan to keep up with it as Parker grows so I can share his progress, and mine, with all of you.

Love from all 3 of us!

The Nicholson Family. :)

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Parker and Mom!

Parker on his birthday!!!!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Happiest days of my life...

Here I am! Sorry to have left you hanging for a week, but I have been at home with the fam without internet access. We just got "connected" at the house today, so I can blog to my heart's content. :)

Let's see...how can I even begin to describe my first week of motherhood? I am so crazy in love with this tiny little boy it takes my breath away. He is one mellow little guy and an awesome snuggler. Parker only cries when he needs a new diaper, and kind of grunts when he's hungry. Aside from that, he sits back and takes it all in. (When he's not sleeping, of course.) Physically, I feel great. I cannot believe how elastic the human body is. I've gone for 2 mile walks with my dad every day since I've been home and my energy is good. It is already hard to remember how it felt to be pregnant. Even though I feed Parker every 3 hours through the nite, I don't feel sleep deprived (any more than I have for the past 9 months...lol). I even have a pair of jeans I can fit into!

I have had a few post-partum emotional moments, which are normal, but frustrating all the same. We went out to dinner wth my parents when they came into town and brought Parker along wth us. The whole time we were there I felt massive anxiety...about nothing really. I just felt kind of like I was about to have a panic attack and like I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. I sat there and told myself I was just experiencing some hormonal shifts and was able to make it through dinner, but I was hugely relieved when we were able to leave. I still feel a little nervous about taking Parker anywhere, but I'm sure that will pass. I've also had some random crying moments over strange things like a song, or a movie. It kind of feels like PMS a few times over. Chris has noticed and has been really sweet and supportive. Luckily, these feelings have only been fleeting and I always go right back to being happy and delighted to be a mom.

We can't really tell yet who Parker is going to look like. I think he's a good mix of both of us. Tonight when we download our pictures to the computer I will post a few so you can check out the cuteness!! It looks like he will have brown eyes (they are still changing) and has a beautiful olive complexion. I think his eye shape might be a little more like mine, but it is hard to say. My mom thinks he is going to look just like Chris, and Chris thinks he looks more like me. Who knows. To me he just looks like the most perfect little person I've ever seen. (A totally unbiased opinion, of course. :) )

Well, I will write a little more later when I post those pics. For now, I have some cuddle time to catch up on.

xoxox- Laura

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Welcome, Parker!!!

Parker Christopher Nicholson was born on October 30th, 2007 at 2:59 p.m. at Piedmont Hostpital. He weighs 6lbs, 11.8 oz and measures 20.5 inches long. He is soooo beautiful!!!

I cannot believe our little peanut has finally arrived! After a dissapointing doctor's appointment on Monday, I was convinced Parker was going to take his time coming. My check up showed that I had made no progress since my last appointment, and the doc told me they would let me go as far out as November 16th before they would think of inducing. I made my appointment for the next week and the receptionist told me she was sure she'd see me then since first pregnancies almost always go longer than the due date. I was totally bummed and cranky at the thought of spending two and a half more weeks pregnant. I called my parents and told them that they might miss him completely during their visit from November 3rd-10th, then I went home and moped around.

I read somewhere that drinking raspberry leaf tea would help move along the labor process, so I bought some at a health food store and made myself a cup before bed, even though most articles dismiss this theory as old wives myth. May as well try, right? I had been having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions over the past few days and also had some loose stools (a pre-labor sign), but figured that since my cervix was still pretty thick and I was still only 1 cm dialated, nothing exciting would be happening in the near future. Chris and I read in bed for a little while and then I went to sleep.

The next thing I knew I had woken up at about 3:15 a.m. having some cramping. I figured that I was having some sort of intestinal bug since I had diarrhea earlier. I got up and realized I was really feeling kind of weird, and then I got a BIG cramp. What in the world....? And then it was done. I went back to bed, and five minutes later it happened again. Surely this couldn't be...contractions? I waited and timed for 45 minutes before I woke Chris up. "Um...so, I think I might be in labor." After foggily trying to figure out if I was serious or not, Chris got up and showered.

As soon as I got up and started moving around my contractions went from painful, to nearly unbearable. I did some last minute packing between gut wrenching cramps, and then we were off. All the way to the hospital all I could think was, "this can't be happening, I was just at the doctor's office getting checked 12 hours ago." Come to find out, the contractions I was having then were the worst I would have during my entire labor. I started the process out fast and furious!

After being admitted to the labor and delivery ward, I endured a few more hours of contractions on the same mammoth scale. I was throwing up because of the pain. To be honest, I was absolutely astonished at the level of pain I was experiencing. To my credit, they really were big on the monitor too. I had been confident that I would be tough enough to go through child birth drug free....And maybe I could have, but I knew at that point I had an option that I was more that ready to take. After my epidural, my labor and delivery experience was wonderful. I was more comfortable than I had been for months, actually napped a little bit, and before I knew it I was fully effaced and dilated. 11 hours after waking up that morning, I was ready to push. Wow! That flew by!

And this is when the story gets funny. My labor nurse, Tessa, checked me and said it was time to learn how to push. I got the hang of it after a few minutes, and she called the doctor in to prepare for delivery. Dr. Cook came in and asked me to show her how my pushing was going. She hadn't prepped for delivery or even put on her gloves. I pushed once, and then once again and I watched her lunge onto the bed...to catch Parker! He shot out of me like a rocket!!! I was shocked! That was it? I just had a baby? Suddenly Parker was placed on my chest, having been given the nickname "Flash". My whole being flooded with love so huge it was almost heartbreaking. This was my baby...my son...my everything from this day on. And so it was.

We get to go home from the hospital tomorrow, and I will continue my story the next time I am on the computer. In a nutshell, I feel great, our baby is so sweet, wonderful, and unbelievably adorable I cannot even begin to capture it in words. I will post a picture as soon as possible. Thank you all for your support. I can't wait to share him with all of you.

Hugs and kisses from the fam.

-L

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Tic, Tic, Tic...

Well, believe it or not I'm bored of being home already, so little Parker Peanut better hurry up and get here! I had some good news at the doctors on Tuesday- I'm 50% effaced (my cervix has thinned out 50%), which means my body is getting ready to push that little guy out!!! I've also had a few other pre-labor signs going on this week, but I'll spare you those details. Keep your fingers crossed that he chooses to make an early appearance!

I haven't been on a computer since last Friday, which feels pretty strange. I'm at Chris' desk at work right now after meeting him for a quick lunch date and thought I'd write a quick update for those of you who are curious about our progress. Things are going well and the little one is growing and growing. I'm not sleeping...at all really...but have developed the miraculous ability to function pretty normally anyway. Even if I sleep in 2 hour blocks when Parker comes it will be an improvement. Sigh. I find myself awake and thinking about random things like the fact that I should buy a slip cover for the couch, or wondering what type of music will be popular when Parker is a teenager, or imagining all the weird scenarios in which my water could break. Certainly nothing worth losing sleep over!

The only other noteworthy occurance of the week is that, as of today, Parker's astrological sign will officially be a Scorpio. Today is the cut off between Libra and Scorpio, so that settles it. This seems to concern my mom, but I'm sure there are plenty of perfectly nice scorpios out there. LOL. I think the only one I know is my friend Brooke, and she's pretty swell, so I'm not worried. :)

Well, outside of feeling maxed out on space, I don't have much else to update ya'll on. My parents are flying in a week from Saturday, so that should be good. Chris' mom is coming whenever we give her the word. I can't tell you how excited I am to make the first phone call saying "this is it!". I play the moment over and over in my mind.

Still counting...8....

Friday, October 19, 2007

3 more hours...

...until I am officially on maternity leave for 12 weeks! WAHOOOOOO! I am all smiles at work today, because at 5:00 p.m., I get to walk out those doors free of responsibility until January 14th, 2008. Man that feels good! :)

My plans include getting a pedicure, lounging around in my p.j.'s, and turning my brain off completely until I start labor. My friend Brooke reminded me the other day that early in my pregnancy I had a dream that I gave birth to a baby boy on October 29th, so that is my guess as to when I will deliver. We'll see...maybe it was a premonition!

I will be on the computer much less from here on out, but will do my best to give at least a couple of more updates before the big day. :)

Monday, October 15, 2007

Me...Full Capacity- 37 weeks

The Final "Stretch"

Ugh...There is officialy no more room in my belly. My skin is as tight as a drum and I am sad to report I have actually developed a couple of small stretch marks over the past two weeks. Woe is me. :( This weekend is the first time I have felt truly fed up with being pregnant, which sounds horrible to say, but I am sore, fidgety, and uncomfortable...and ready to meet my baby! I know he's ready!!! Come out, Come out!!!

The wonderful news is that this is my last week of work before my maternity leave begins, so I won't have to squish myself into the car for almost 3 hours a day after this Friday. Rejoice! I am SOOOO looking forward to having some time to rest before Parker comes...mentally and physically. My 'Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy' book tells me that "general pissed-offness" is one of the pre-labor symptoms she and her friends have all agreed upon, and I do believe I have moved into that phase. Or maybe it's just Monday morning and I hardly slept last night...

All gripes aside, I really can't express how excited I am that we are reaching the end of our long wait to meet our little boy. I know that upon looking down at him for the first time, all memories of aches, pains, and discomforts will be erased and replaced with even more love than we previously knew to be possible. I have no way to wrap my mind around the many ways my life is about to change, but I know it is going to be huge, wonderful, challenging, terrifying, and incredible all at once. I'm ready to make the plunge. :)

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Fat Feet

Just a note to let ya'll know that I have sausage toes today. I had to take off my shoes which were sawing my feet in half. My fingers are swollen too. Oh my!

Still feeling good...and FULL of baby...

24....

Monday, October 8, 2007

Ok...I'm ready!

Pregnancy has been fun and interesting and all, but I'm feeling ready to be done with this part and move on to the good stuff (meeting baby, late nights, diapers, etc.)! I've definitely got the huge pregnant lady waddle going on, and am at least a little uncomfortable most of the time now. I've been having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions (painless uterus contractions preparing body for labor)and can tell Parker is sitting lower in my body than he was a couple of weeks ago.

I had my doc's appointment today and my weight has stabilized, which is a good thing, and I am 1-2 cm dialated and my cervix has begun to thin. This doesn't mean I'm going to go into labor at any second, but it means things are moving in the right direction. My due date is 3.5 weeks away, but I'm feeling like we might go a little earlier than that. Who knows. I can tell you I am seriously looking forward to rolling over onto my belly for the first time in 4-5 months!!! Oh the things we take for granted!

I had an episode this weekend where I was freaking out that I might go into labor at any second and the house was a wreck. I was afraid that we would have to bring Parker home to a dirty house and he would have a bad impression of his new family. I went on a mad cleaning spree and made Chris join in. We vaccumed, swept, scrubbed the furniture, did laundry, packed hospital bags, and assembled the last piece of nursery furniture. On Sunday, we (Chris) mowed the lawn, trimmed the hedges, and went grocery shopping. Ahhh. Now we are set for Parker's arrival and I can breathe easy (figuratively). *I believe this is called the 'nesting' instinct.

I've got pretty much everything tied up at work as well, so I feel comfortable that when the time comes, I can grab my bags and be ready to go. Now all there is to do is count the days....

26...

Monday, October 1, 2007

Buddha Belly- 35 Weeks

Fun in North Carolina



The family baby shower this weekend at Chris' parents house was so much fun! My friend Christi and I drove up on Friday and stayed through Sunday morning. Many of Chris' family members came to celebrate...aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, and lots of good friends. We brought home quite a haul of wonderful gifts as you can see in the picture. We played a couple of fun games, ate cake, and visited. It was a very enjoyable and relaxing weekend.

Today I went to the doctor for a check-up, and found out I have actually lost 2 pounds over the past month! I'm sure it is because I was so sick a couple of weeks ago. Parker is still growing by leaps and bounds (He's about 6 pounds now!) and has begun to drop down in preparation for birth. Lucky for us, he is head down and in the proper position for a normal delivery in just a matter of weeks. I'm 35 weeks now, so he could come as soon as a couple of weeks from now! (wishful thinking...). :)

Above is a picture of me from Saturday...what a belly!

Love,
Laura

Monday, September 24, 2007

Big Ole Belly

Eeek! I'm getting so excited!!!

With only 40 days to go until Parker's due date, I am getting SOOOOO excited to meet him! My friend Linds just had her little boy, Jonah, on September 20th, and he is sooo cute! Looking at her pictures from delivery day made me just giddy thinking about how our experience is going to be.

We have been watching birth-class videos, learning all about the signs of labor and the birth process, and Chris is learning how to be my supporter (and how to rub my back, feet, etc. to make me feel comfortable). :) Next week, we are going to take a tour of the labor/delivery building at the hospital so we can begin to get a beter feel for where we will be.

This is going to be an exciting week for me! Today, my friend Brooke and I are going to get pedicures and have a dinner date, then, on Wednesday our new mattress comes (hooray!), and then on Friday my friend Christi and I drive up to NC for the baby shower Chris' mom is throwing us. While Christi and I are at the shower, Chris and his buddies will also be in NC on a big fishing trip with his dad. They will be on a big fancy boat having a big 'ole time... he is sooooo excited!

Unless Parker decides to come early, I will work for 5 more weeks starting today before I take off for maternity leave. Depending on how I feel at the end there, it may only be 4 more weeks. I am terrified at the thought of going into labor while stuck in the middle of my 1.5 hour commute!

Ok, well, I must get back to work, but just wanted to share how superdy duper excited I am getting about meeting my baby boy. :)

xoxo- Big Mama

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

One Nasty Bug!!!

Well, this has been quite a week for me and little Parker. At the end of last week I got a migraine and stayed home from work for some r & r. I felt better for the most part on Saturday, but didn't have much of an appetite. I put in some good t.v. time and tried out our fancy new vacuum, but that's about the extent of my Saturday activity. I felt a little flushed around bed time, but didn't think much of it b/c I felt fine. Then, I woke up at 4 a.m. and started vomiting...violently. Then the diarrhea began. And that is how the rest of my day went. I was so sick, I mean SO sick, I could not do anything but drag myself from the bathroom to the bed... about a million times. I had sweats, chills, fever, and kept absolutely nothing down all day long. I called my doctor's answering service at 10:30 a.m. and asked for the doctor on call. Some half-dead sounding girl took my number and no one ever called me back. I called back again...twice...no one answered. Finally, at 7:00 p.m. I'm sure I'm about to die on the spot. I call again. A very nice older lady tells me that I definitely need to talk to the doctor, but that he is in the middle of a c-section at the moment. She took my number and he called me an hour later. Next thing I know I'm on my way to the hospital to get on an i.v. of fluids and some meds. I will have to stay the night, and I'm suddenly scared.

Chris and I checked in at the hospital and the nurses put me on a few monitors to make sure Parker was ok. His heart rate was up and I was really dehydrated, but luckily it was nothing they couldn't fix. Then I started having contractions which REALLY freaked me out. But, with one quick shot, those stopped and I was tucked in with a couple of bags of fluid, some nausea medicine, and a couple of Ambien to help me rest. (Ambien is a weird drug b.t.w, I felt like I was in an alter universe all night...). Once the nausea medicine kicked in I was so thirsty I felt like I had been in the desert for a week. I begged for something to drink other than my ice chips and finally sweet talked my way into some applejuice. It was the best thing I have ever tasted!!! Even though they told me to slowly sip it, I think it was gone in 3 seconds.

Anyway, after a weird Ambien altered nite, I woke up feeling much better and got to go home at around noon. Crisis averted. I am SO glad to be well, but last night at 3 a.m. Chris woke up and started throwing up. :( He's home re-living my Sunday... hopefully feeling better by now. At least he doesn't have a bun in the oven to worry about.

So, that was my weekend adventure. Now I'm back at work catching up on all of the misc. stuff that has piled up in the mean time. All I know is that I'm glad Parker did not make a surprise early appearance... he needs a little more time to cook.

Luv, Laura

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Soooooo Sleepy...

Well, my insomnia seems to have picked back up this week, so I'm walking around in a fog again. During Mom's visit, she ordered us a new and very fancy mattress since ours is old and saggy, so I'm hoping that will help me catch some zzz's. What a great early Christmas present from the parents! We should get it some time next week-hooray!

Parker has been more active than ever before and is gaining about half a pound a week now so he's getting very strong. Sometimes I can identify body parts that are pressed against the front of my belly. :) He seems to sense when I'm restless at night and gets restless right along with me. As you can imagine, that doesn't help me much, although it is fun to feel him wiggle around in there.

I'm big enough now that every person I meet on the street says "Oh, when's the baby due?" or "Congratulations!". It's funny how fascinated people are with pregnant women. It takes some getting used to, but everyone is always very nice. (Well, unless they're telling you your HUGE that is. :)) It will be nice when the attention passes from me and my belly to Parker himself. I'd much rather have my baby admired than my belly. :)

Ok- well I'm so tired I'm having a hard time maintaining a stream of thought, so I will sign off for now.

I'm excited about being just a couple days from another weekend!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Fun Shower and other updates....

My baby shower this weekend was lots of fun! :) About 10 of my Atlanta friends came out to shower me and P-man with wonderful gifts and great food! We played some fun baby-games (match the celeb mom w/ her weird baby name, ect.), and chatted and ate. We got a bunch of fun toys, clothes, a highchair, a boppy pillow, a bathtub and a bunch of other fun gifts! Thanks so much to all who came and helped put together such a fun day!

Yesterday I had another doctor's appointment, weighed in (have stopped looking...), and got yet another clean bill of health. One odd thing, I found out my due date is actually November 3rd. That's 3 days earlier than I thought it was. This means Parker is scheduled to be here in just 8 short weeks. Crazy!!!

Next, I picked Mom up at the airport! It was great to see her! We went to the grocery store, came home and ate some dinner, and then I passed out at 9pm. Hopefully I'll be more energetic for her today. I'm not feeling outstanding this morning- my stomach is feeling a little off and a mosquito was trapped in my car with me during my commute, and managed to bite me at least 4 times throughout the ride. (I caught him when I parked and squashed him- take that!!!)

Well, I'll write more soon. I'm hoping to post some new pics this week.

Luv ya'll!

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Guesses so far...

Yay! I'm so glad you guys are playing the guessing game! I'll have to think long and hard about a good prize for the winner! :)

The current guesses are....

Brooke- October 19
Daddy Chris- October 31
Jeannie- October 31
Lance- October 31
Grandma Richert- October 31
Jessa- November 1
Ryon- November 3
Tessa- November 5
Mandi- November 9
Sarah S- November 10
Grandpa Richert- November 10
Erica- November 11
Sarah G- November 12
Sarah F- November 12
Linds- November 13
Ty G- July 20 (his birthday) Well, I certainly hope not!!!

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

30 weeks at last!

Here I am at week 30 out of 40 already! I can hardly believe how fast this whole thing has flown by! Parker has been wiggling around like crazy, practicing karate, and dancing to the Baby Bethoven CD one of my friends at work gave me to play for him. My Atlanta baby shower is this coming weekend which I am really excited about, and then a week from today, Mom will be here- hooray! I'm sure the next 8-10 weeks are going to fly by before I know it. I feel both ready to meet the peanut, and totally unprepared at the same time. I think first-time parenthood is something you can never really be fully prepared for though. We've got a place for Parker to sleep, diapers for his little bum, and lots of love to give him, so hopefully the rest will fall into place.

I've been feeling good the last couple of weeks, and haven't had any major aches or pains. I'm feeling more and more off-balance and sort of like I'm teetering around on most days. I was reading in one of my books that in 4-5 weeks when Parker begins to "drop" down towards the birth canal is when I'll really start to waddle like I have a watermelon between my legs...oh joy! But at least at that time I really will be almost there!

I don't really feel scared or anxious about childbirth- I figure women have been doing it for quite a while now, so it mustn't be too complicated. :) I'm more worried about figuring out how to do everything there after!!! I'm sure we'll do just fine... he won't remember his first couple of weeks while we're learning anyway, right? :)

P.S.- I thought it would be fun if you guys each guessed what day Parker will be born- I'll have to think of a fun prize for the person who guesses the date closest to his birthday. Put your guess in the comment section- remember, the due date is November 6th...:)

Monday, August 27, 2007

Just found this..



The day before we found out we were about to be parents... :)
Lilypie Expecting a baby Ticker

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Oh how I miss shopping for real clothes... sigh.

pregnancy cartoon

Ahhh.. rested and much better!

I made the executive decision (after consultation with some work friends- thanks Brooke!)that the Orientation activities on Sunday could proceed without me, and stayed home and slept pretty much all day. It felt FABULOUS! I had a doctor's appointment on Monday to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes (they check everybody), signed a bunch of forms for the delivery, and then went and got a pedicure. I feel SO much better having relaxed for a couple of days and came back to work Tuesday feeling refreshed and rested. Got my test results yesterday, and I am healthy as always and so is little P.

We are finally going to put together the crib tonight which I am VERY excited about! I can't wait to see the nursery come together!!! My mom is coming in two weeks to hang out for a week and help me with preparations. I had really been missing her and Dad finally conceded to buying her a ticket even though they will be flying out again together on delivery day two months later. (Thanks, Dad!) This is just one of those times a girl needs some 'mom time.' :) I'm sure we'll have a blast hanging out, shopping, and fixing up the house for the arrival of our new family member! Yay!

I'm definitely feeling better this week, but continue to feel rather huge. I was just looking through some pics from my friend Christi's wedding and can't believe how big my cheeks look! Big belly, I'm ok with. Big anything else, not so much. Oh well, that's why I've got that fancy jogging stroller, right? Note: my pregnancy book told me now is the time to cut down on my exercise schedule. Got that covered and then some. LOL.

Ok- well have a lovely day. Week 30 here we come!

-L

Saturday, August 18, 2007

I'm about to drop!!!

After an intense work week, I headed straight into co-leading the 'Senior Leadership Workshop'on Friday afternoon with our 08 graduating seniors. I was on-campus until 9pm last night, back at work at 8 am this morning, and man am I feeling worn out!!! I'll be here all day today and most of the day Sunday as well. I hope I survive!

My body is definitely telling me I've been over doing it this week. I was really achey last night and today my stomach is rebelling against me. I can't wait until September 7th (our final enrollment date) has passed so I can shift out of hyper-drive and take it easy for my final months. I am nearly 3/4 through my pregnancy and I have suddenly realized there's not all that much time left- yikes! When did that happen?

Well, I just wanted to check in. I'll let you know how the rest of this rollercoaster of an 8 day work week turns out. Ug.

-Laura

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Can you believe I'm 7 months already???

Tomorrow marks my 28th week of pregnancy and month 7! This summer has flown by sooo fast I can hardly believe it. All of the teachers are back at school this week and the place is starting to come alive again. Our students move back into the dorms on Saturday, and then we're full speed ahead into the 2007-2008 school year. The peace and quiet throughout the summer has been nice, but I'm ready for the halls to be full of teenage girls once more. :)

I felt better last week than I did the week before- not as sore and not quite as puffy. I've been trying to drink more water to prevent swelling in my legs, etc. When it's so hot and humid its a little hard to avoid though. Now my major challenge is getting anything done between pee-breaks. But, the good news is that I'm in the home stretch, and little Parker is healthy and growing like a weed. Before I know it this whole pregnancy will just be a sleep-deprived blur of fuzzy memories.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

My Pregnancy Twin...



If only I looked as sexy pregnant as Salma Hayek...

One More...

Finally... A Belly Pic! 26 Weeks



I don't look particularly cute in these pics, but at least you get to see the much anticipated baby bump!

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Third Trimester- Ugh!!!

So far, my third trimester of pregnancy has included the following:

1. Piercing headaches
2. Swollen feet
3. Leg cramps
4. Abdominal achiness
5. General feeling of hugeness
6. Vericose veins
7. Backaches
8. Peeing every 20 minutes

Just wanted to complain for a moment. I have had 6 campus tours this week and I am WIPED OUT! It's making me a little nervous about how the next 3 months are going to feel. Yikes! I think I'll make it. :) I think I may have to invest in a pregnancy massage sometime soon!

Ok- back to work. Thanks for letting me whine. ;)

-Laura (Parker's Personal Habitat)

Monday, July 30, 2007

Bye Bye, Bunny Ears!

Some of you may not know that for the past 8 years, I have lived without any form of cable television. At our current house, we've been able to pick up about 10 stations with our bunny ears, which was pretty exciting. Sometimes we could even pick up an extra couple of shows if we positioned the antennae correctly and only sat on one side of the couch.

Today, when I get home, we will have 180 chanels of Direct T.V. not only in the living room, but in the bedroom as well!!! I am SO excited!!! Chris and I decided that we would break down and sign up since I would be home for 3 months w/ Parker and we would both be up late night in need of some visual stimulation while we rock, feed, and diaper the wee one more often than we can even imagine at this point.

Now instead of picking between Jerry Springer and Judge Hackett during the afternoon, I'll be able to watch the Discovery Chanel or Cartoon Network. Yay!!! I just had to share my glee with ya'll for a moment. You may never hear from me again as I will be trying to decide which show to watch next.

Love,
Laura

We're down to the double digits!!!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Doc Visit and other updates

Our appointment on Friday went very well- little Parker's heart was beating nice and strong and I'll just say my weight gain was "sufficient". LOL. My back is starting to ache a bit when I stand or sit for too long at a time and I had my first experience with swelling hands and feet at the Braves game on Thursday. Sitting in the humidity for that long was not comfortable even though it was a really good game. I think that will be my last baseball game until Parker Peanut can come with us and actually see the game.

Parker is getting more and more active day by day. Last night Chris thought it would be funny to sneak up on me in the dark when I was coming back to bed from the bathroom. He jumped out at me and grabbed me and I screamed bloody murder and freaked out. I obviously scared Parker half to death because he was bouncing off the walls in there like he was trying to escape and head for the hills. Then I couldn't go to sleep because my adrenaline was pumping and the baby was moving around. I got my revenge by thrashing around so much in bed that Chris gave up and went to sleep in the guest room while I enjoyed having the bed to myself. Serves him right, the ornery booger!

I have just one more week before I enter the dreaded/highly anticipated 3rd trimester. I keep peeking ahead on the website I look at to give me weekly updates on what to expect/what Parker is up to that week: http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/calendar/week25. It shows pictures of pregnant women each week and I get more terrified as I see them get bigger and bigger! Yikes! I am still enjoying being pregnant, but can certainly imagine the relief of having my own body back one day. I just can't wait to see what he looks like and learn about his personality.

Ok- well, time to pack up and prepare for the long trek home.

Talk soon,
Laura

Monday, July 23, 2007

Me and the Bride to Be in Florida

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Off to another Braves Game!

Tonight we're going to watch the Braves play the Cardinals with Chris' aunt, uncle, grandmother, mom, and cousin! Wow- the whole fam! This time I'm not going to eat a foot-long hot dog b/c it gave me and Parker a serious stomach ache last time!!! I had only one weird craving this week and that was for a strawberry Pop-Tart, which I hunted down at a mini-mart before work on Tuesday. It was all that I hoped it would be.
Thank you so much to all of you who have been writing me comments/emails/messages this week. I'm glad you've enjoyed reading my funny little blog. :)
I have a quick doctor's appointment tomorrow where they will measure me, check Parker's heartbeat, and (gasp) weigh me to see how the little guy is progressing. He has certainly been active this week, so my guess is he's healthy and happy in there. :) I think I even felt him get the hiccups this week!

I can't believe school starts up again here in just one month! It is so quiet at work while the students are away on summer vacation it will be a shock to have the halls filled with chatty teenage girls again! The last time they saw me I didn't look pregnant, so they will really be in for a surprise!
Well, I've got to run, but will write more on Monday about how my appointment went.

Luvs- Mama Laura

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

16 Weeks to go!

It hardly seems possible that in 16 short weeks Parker will be here! He is now about 14 inches long and quickly approaching 2 pounds. This is the time that he starts adding baby fat to his skinny little body and starts to look more and more like a real little baby! In a few weeks I will enter into my third trimester, which is just crazy to think about! It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in the doctor's office discussing treatments for the "hypothyroidism" that was causing my fatigue. Ha!

It really is incredible now that Parker is in our life how much it feels as though he was always a part of our plan. I can't imagine myself not pregnant and spending my free time crocheting baby blankets and decorating the nursery. It is such an exciting and magical time. Pregnancy has brought Chris and I even closer together as husband and wife and I can't imagine a more wonderful person to begin this journey with. I can't wait for the moment we get to look into Parker's sweet little face together for the first time.

xoxo-
Laura

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Off to Florida!!!

Parker and I will be making our first trip to Florida today for my friend Christi's Bachelorette Weekend!!! We'll be at St. Joe's Beach in a fancy beach house enjoying the sunshine and the ocean. I'm sure I will also be deemed the designated driver for the weekend, but that's fine with me. I'll just have to oder some virgin cocktails so I can join in the toasts! :)

The party is a lingerie party, so I went shopping yesterday for a sexy little outfit for the bride to be. The cashier really gave me a funny look when I walked up with a tiny little black lacy outfit sporting my big belly and sensible flat shoes. She gave me a raised eyebrow, "what would YOU need with these?" look. I'll just let her wonder. :)

I know a few of you have been begging me for pictures of the belly bump- Chris took a couple last night that I will post next week. Something weird is going on with our digital camera though, so they're a little fuzzy. I think we just need to fix some setting and it will be better.

Parker is moving so much now that when I lie on my back you can actually see my belly move when he kicks or flips. It's really funny to watch. Even though I've been pregnant for six months now, I still feel a little like the woman on Alien with some strange being growing inside!!! I'm getting so excited to meet the little guy! :)

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Love,
Laura

Monday, July 9, 2007

THIS IS THE WEIRDEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD!!!


Do you have pica? Some pregnant women experience cravings for non-food items during their pregnancy such as dirt, ashes, ice, laundry starch, baking soda, toothpaste, paint chips, coffee grounds, and even cigarette butts! There isn’t an explanation for these behaviors just yet. Obviously, any doctor would tell you not to indulge your bizarre cravings as they interfere with digestion and/or poison you!

Friday, July 6, 2007

Crazies part II- July 4th

So, thus far I had maintained the dillusion that at no point in pregnancy would I become that crazy, hormonal pregnant woman you see on t.v. who yells and screams and cries about nothing and makes her husband run for cover. I thought, surely I am mild-manored enough naturally that I will be an exception to this side-effect of pregnancy and will maintian my cool composure all the way through. That was until our Air Conditioning stopped working on the 4th.

We went to a BBQ and had a nice time hanging out with friends and eating good food (watched everybody else drink beer...), but at the end of the day I started getting a really bad headache. I had been a little ("a little") cranky that morning and Chris and I had managed to argue about what to bring to the BBQ, where to park at the grocery story, and a number of other hugely debatable things. By 7pm I was ready to go home and Chris had some things to do at the house, so we headed homeward.

By the time we got home, my head was pounding. Chris went outside to do a little yardwork, only to come in 10 minutes later to tell me that a little tree had grown by the a.c. unit, and when he pulled it out it severed a wire and the a.c. was now broken. All of a sudden, the flood gates opened and I was yelling at Chris (obviously this was all his fault), crying hysterically, and moaning about how I would die overnight of heat exhaustion and that it would cost us millions of dollars to have someone fix the thing on July 4th. Then I locked myself in my bedroom.

Now, I knew I was acting crazy, but that really didn't matter to me at that moment. Luckily, Chris steered clear, called our A.C. people, and they came the next day to replace the wire. (A fix that cost $100, not a million). I do feel humbled by the experience and now realize that I am not above being "that crazy pregnant woman." I guess it's all part of this whole rollercoaster of becoming a parent. And luckily, Chris still loves me. :)

Love,
Looney Laura

Monday, July 2, 2007

Happy Monday!

Hey Friends! Hope you've got fun plans for July 4th. I'm not sure what we're up to. Things here in ATL are good- we had a few thunder and lightning storms this week, which is always kind of exciting! I'm still feeling good and healthy and am growing like a weed.

I had a minor pregnant emotional moment last week when I ran into a woman I know from work who hadn't seen me for a couple of months. She walked up to me and asked me when I'm due. I told her the first week of November, and she exclaimed "November? Oh my gosh, you're huge!!! Are you having twins???". I said "um, no..." and she said, "Are you sure? You must just be one of those people who is going to get enormous, I mean, my goodness!". I didn't even know what to say. Um, gee, you look terrific too? Thanks for noticing how fat I've gotten? So I just told her I was in a hurry and walked away. Then of course I started crying.

Now, I've done my research online, and I can tell you I look pretty much just like any other person who is 6 months pregnant, but somehow that doesn't make me feel better. It's hard being pregnant because suddenly people feel like they can make comments about your body that they would never dream of making to a non-pregnant woman (I would hope). Let me tell you, although I am sooo excited about my dear little Parker, it's not easy watching your figure change so rapidly over a short period of time. I just had to remind myself that this is what a woman's body is made to do, and you know what? I think I look pretty darn good.

Well, anyhoo, that's my gripe for the week. Don't worry- I have since recovered and did not deny myself a piece of turtle cake this weekend when it came my way. :)

Love,
Laura

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

20-Week Ultrasound

It was so much fun to see little Parker again on Friday! Chris' mom and grandmother came with me to the appointment and got to watch the ultrasound. Parker was very active- dancing around with his legs and waving his arms around. He even sucked his thumb for a moment. We got a second confirmation (very clearly) that Parker is, indeed, a baby boy. :) The ultrasound tech also got a really clear picture of his profile. It is amazing- you can really tell he looks a lot like Chris! His little nose and chin are the spitting image of his daddy. :)

I've been feeling good...and feeling BIG! My baby bump has gone from small to undeniably pregnant in two short weeks. I've already had a few strangers ask when I'm due, how I'm feeling, etc. It's kind of fun finally "looking pregnant". Finding comfortable sleep positions is becoming a little trickier- you're not supposed to sleep flat on your back or on your belly, and preferably on your left side for optimum blood flow to the uterus. I've never had to be this strategic about sleep before! I have been having an easier time sleeping more during the night though, which is wonderful!

Well, I have a meeting in a couple of minutes here, but wanted to post an update. Hope you are all well! Love, Laura

Friday, June 22, 2007

Back to ATL...

Thank you soooo much to everybody who came out to see me in Portland and Roseburg. I had such a great visit and enjoyed my shower so much. Thank you also for all of the wonderful gifts! Parker is going to be the best dressed little peanut in Atlanta. :) I was so happy to be able to share my pregnancy experience with my great friends and family! Can't wait until the little man is here so you can meet who was inside the bump. :)

I came back to work yesterday and, thank goodness, the AC was fixed and my office was nice and cool. I'm sad to be so far away from my west coast peeps, but it was nice to see my hubby and my furry children again. We went to a Braves game on Wednesday nite and ate a huge ballpark hotdog and pretzel. We only stayed for half of the game- long enough to see that the Braves were getting completely pummeled by the Red Sox (I think the final score was 0-12). Alas. Good thing I don't care much. :)

Well, I'm going to finish up my half day here at work, and am then heading to my 20-week ultrasound appointment! That's right- today marks exactly half-way through the pregnancy. (The easy half, I imagine). I'm excited to get to see Parker again today and see how much he's grown this month!

Love from Georgia-
Laura

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Here I come!!!

Hopping on a plane tonight at 7! Hooray! While in Portland you can reach me on Leah's phone at 503-319-0066. I'll get in at 11:30 tonight and will be in Portland all day on Friday. Can't wait to get my first breath of fresh NW air! :) Luv, Laura

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

Gasp! The A/C compressor at work broke and our building is stiffling hot!!! I also have a sunburn, not to mention the whole pregnant thing, so I am a drippy puddle of sweat! Yuck!!! I'm hoping its a little cooler back in Oregon, b/c it has been a hot and humid week here. I'm starting to realize this summer is going to be quite an experience for me. I can't imagine how its goign to feel being 7 months pregnant in August! Aaaaa! I think I'm going to have to get a kiddy pool to sit in in the back yard. :)

If any of you have tried to call me, don't bother for another week. My phone died and it takes them 7-10 business days to get me a new one. Very sad. Especially since I'm traveling cross country in the mean time. I suppose people survived such things before cell phones, but I'm still pretty peeved. Leah, we'll just hope all of my flights go according to plan. If I can't find you I'll just walk around the airport yelling for you. :) For the rest of you, my parent's number is 541-672-1875, so call me there to get in touch once I'm in the Burg (will get there Saturday eve.).

SO SO SO SO SO Excited about my trip. SEE YOU SOOOOOON!!!

Love, Laura

Thursday, June 7, 2007

One more week!

Hi Guys!

I'm getting soooo excited to hop on a plane next Thursday!!! This week has gone by quicky-- lots to do at work!!! Tomorrow I will be 18 weeks along- nearly half-way there! It hardly seems possible that in 5 months we will have a new family member! Incredible!!!

I now feel Parker move at least a few times a day and look forward to feeling his little nudges as I go about my daily routine. As it still seems impossible to me at times that there is a little person growing inside me, his movement remains a surreal experience each time it happens. I wish I had a little baby cam in there so I could sneak peeks at him as he waves his arms and kicks his legs. On the other hand, I would never get anything done ever again.

My appetite has grown to that of a trucker, and when I haven't eaten for 4 or 5 hours I feel like I'm dying of starvation. Don't worry folks- I'm not going too overboard, but we have had to make a few late evening Dairy Queen runs for chocolate cherry blizzards. :) Aside from that and sleeping only 4 or 5 hours a night, I still feel great! Hope the second half goes just as smoothly! (knock on wood!)

-Homeward bound

Monday, June 4, 2007

A dream about Parker

Happy Monday, Everybody!

Last night a had a horrible time sleeping, but the few hours I got in were full of dreams. In one dream, I was holding newborn Parker, who was born weighing 11 pounds 11 ounces (who knows about the significance there, but I remember the amount distinctly). So glad it was only a dream, b/c that is a HUGE baby! He was a very healthy looking baby with a cute little clefted chin and smooth skin.

Moments later in the dream, Parker was a toddler and we were sitting on the couch eating rainbow sherbert together in our p.j.'s. :) He had kind of shaggy brown hair and green/brown eyes. We were having a great time hanging out and watching t.v. together. I woke up and wished I could re-enter the dream, but once again, couldn't go back to sleep.

So today I'm sitting at my desk, half-zombie, trying to be productive. Thought I'd jot down my dream memory before it escaped me entirely. As I'm sitting here I have felt Parker twice. He must know I'm talking about him. :) Hope you all have a great week. Luvs, Laura

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Registries

A few of you have asked where we are registering for baby stuff, so I thought I'd just post that info here. We are registered at Target and Babies R Us. You can find both online. :)

Drumroll Please........

Our little peanut is, without a doubt, a little boy! The ultrasound appointment was so much fun- we got to watch him wiggle around, kick his feet, and even wave at us! From now on, we can call our little guy Parker, which is the name we have decided on.

Naturally, I went right out to go shopping and bought Parker's first little boy outfit with aligators and monkeys. So cute! We also began decorating the nursery this weekend which will be filled with fun, bright colors and animals. It's so much more exciting now that I can really begin to picture our life with our little boy. I'm sure he will be a real cutie and a trouble maker just like his dad. :)

My tummy is definitely starting to poke out more these days and I have given up on trying to squeeze into my pre-pregnancy jeans. I have graduated to some nice, comfy drawstring pants and stretchy skirts. My appetite is also increasing, as last night I followed my spaghetti dinner with a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, my latest craving. I also ate a whole tub of fruit salad yesterday. Ha!

Well, once again, can't wait to head out West in a couple of weeks. Yay! Love you guys!

-Laura

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Little Wiggles!

I felt Peanut move for the first time a few days ago, and have felt him/her 5 or six times since then! Just a little poke, nothing huge, but it's so fun to imagine the little one moving around in there. By now Peanut can move his/her arms and legs and fingers and can even suck his/her thumb! He/She also holds on to the umbilical cord to practice gripping. My book says Peanut is also doing facial excercises like smiling and frowning to build up facial muscles. Now that is funny to picture!

Other big news for the week is that I have my appointment with the ultrasound lady on Saturday to determine whether Peanut is a girl or a boy! She told me to drink a large Mountain Dew before I go in so that the sugar and caffine will get the baby moving around so she can see between its legs! Ha! A few of you have asked about names. We like Parker for a boy, and Violet for a girl. Only tell me what you think if you like them, b/c these are pretty much our final pics so far. :)

I can't wait to see those of you who will make it to Roseburg in a few weeks! Tessa, I had no idea you would be there! That's fantastic!!! April, so glad to hear you'll be there too. Yay! :) Well, I better get some work done, but thanks for checking in. It's so sweet of you guys to read my blog. It helps me feel not so far from all of my important girls!!! Love, Laura

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Second Doc's Appointment

Peanut and I had our second doctor's appointment yesterday, which went very well. He/she has a strong heartbeat and my blood pressure/weight, etc. was all right where it should be. Since it had been over 5 weeks since my last appointment, it was nice to have confirmation that the 'lil one is still doing well. It should be just a few weeks before I start to feel Peanut squirming around! How exciting!
My next appointment isn't until June 22nd, which is when they will do the ultrasound, but there is a chance I might get to find out sooner about the gender, so I'll keep you all posted. I can't wait to see baby on the big screen!

Chris and I celebrate our one year wedding anniversary this weekend! I cannot believe how quickly it has gone by, but at the same time it's hard to remember life before marriage. Pretty soon it will be hard to imagine life before baby! Chris has been a great support and is really excited to be a dad. He's even patient through my random mood swings and cravings. Last night he made me a burrito at 2 a.m. when I couldn't sleep and felt hungry. I'm one lucky lady. :)

Well, it's back to work for me today, but I hope you all have a great weekend. If you have a chance, toast our big day on Sunday with a glass of wine or a martini since I'll have to hold off until year two.

Miss you all! ~Laura

Sunday, May 13, 2007

My First Mother's Day

Chris and I have enjoyed a relaxing mother's day weekend in his hometown in North Carolina with his mom, grandmother, and aunt. It's so hard to believe that this year Mother's Day has a whole new meaning to me. I've been feeling pretty good this week- now 14 weeks along. We are both getting more and more excited about parenthood and becoming more and more comfortable with our future roles as 'mom' and 'dad'.

I bought my tickets for my trip home yesterday, so I will officially be back in Oregon on June 15, 16, 17, and 18. I'm so excited to see those of you who I can meet up with or who can make it to my shower on Sunday the 17th at Leah's house in Roseburg. I thought I'd come early in the summer before I'm too uncomfortable and am still able to carry my own luggage around without too much difficulty. This will be peanut's first plane ride!

Hope you all had a relaxing Mother's Day Weekend! Love, Laura

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

A little Piggy

How ironic that the first stuffed animal I bought the peanut is a pig, because I just looked to see what the Chinese Calendar Zodiac sign will be for 2007, and it is the year of the pig! (I am a monkey). Check out what they say about those born in the year of the pig:

People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all their strength. For Boar Year people, there is no left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude and great honesty. They don't make many friends but they make them for life, and anyone having a Boar Year friend is fortunate for they are extremely loyal. They don't talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge. They study a great deal and are generally well informed. Boar people are quick tempered, yet they hate arguments and quarreling. They are kind to their loved ones. No matter how bad problems seem to be, Boar people try to work them out, honestly if sometimes impulsively. They are most compatible with Rabbits and Sheep.

Have a great week and drop me a hello if you have time! :)-L

Friday, May 4, 2007

Just a quick hello~

Good morning! I don't have much to report today except that I have hardly slept this week and I am SO glad it's Friday!!! Between getting up to pee every 2 hours, general restlessness, and an internal inferno making me way hotter than usual, its been pretty hard to get anywhere near a good night's sleep. I don't know what I'm going to do when its 95 degrees and humid! Yuck! We bought our first kiddy movie last week: Charlotte's Web. Of course it made me cry like crazy since its a devastating story to begin with and I'm crazy emotional pregnant woman right now anyway. For any of you who like the book, they did a great job with the movie and it's packed with celebrity voices: Robert Redford, Oprah, Reba McIntire, Andre 2000, Julia Roberts, and tons more. Of course I had to go out and buy the Peanut a little stuffed Wilbur pig for one of her/his first animals. :) My friend Nicole is hosting a 'Pamper the Mama to Be' luncheon/spa part on Sunday in my honor, which should be fun. A Body Shop rep is coming to let us try her lotions and potions and soak our feet and Nicole is preparing munchies and a key lime cheesecake. Wish Ya'll could be here! Well, have a great weekend! Love ya lots. xoxo- Laura

Monday, April 30, 2007

Weird Dreams

Yet another typical side-effect of pregnancy is having vivid, off the wall dreams. So far I've had a few about the baby that I thought were interesting enough to share. I'm also tallying how many boy vs. girl dreams to see if there's any pattern. In my first dream, I was in a school playground standing on a balance beam. In front of me was a little girl about 3 years old concentrating on walking towards me on the beam. She had dark blonde hair cut into a bob with bangs and brown eyes and a cute little mouth. I was holding my arms out encouraging her to come forward.
In the second dream I was at the Roseburg Arts Festival wandering around looking at craft booths. I was pregnant in the dream. I heard my mom calling my name and finally I saw her. She walked up and gave me a necklace. She said "I got this for you - your baby boy helped me pick it out." Weird, huh? And finally, this weekend I had a dream that I gave birth to a little boy who was only about the size of my hand on October 29th (a couple of weeks before my due date). He was so tiny and had brown eyes and smiled at me. I knew that he was too small so they were going to have to put him back in my womb for a couple of months before he was ready, but I wasn't worried about it. Apparently that is standard procedure in dream world. How bizarre! Any interpretations are welcome! :) Have a great week everyone! :)

Friday, April 27, 2007

The word is out!

Hi Ya'll! I made all of my formal announcements this week at work, which was a big relief. Now everyone will know I'm not just packing on the pounds because "marriage agrees with me." LOL. It feels good to be able to talk about the pregnancy and not sneak around hoping my belly isn't sticking out. All of the students at the high school were very excited and clapped for me and the president congratulated me and I got a much needed raise, so all in all, it's been a good week! I have about 20 volunteers to babysit, which might just come in handy! I've decided to fly out to Oregon for my final solo trip in mid June, so if any of you are able to make it, I would love to see you! I should be there the weekend of the 16th and 17th. There will be a baby shower in the Burg that Leah's family has graciously volunteered to host. You can all admire the belly and eat some cake! I am so impatient to find out if the peanut is a girl or boy!!! It will be another month and a half or so, but it's driving me crazy not being able to plan the whole nursery and decorations!!! If any of you want to place your bets, now's the time! :) Love you all and thanks for reading! I've never blogged before...it's kinda fun! :)xoxo Laura

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

The crazies have begun...

Everyone I talk to who has experienced pregnancy has been filling me in on what to expect. So far, outside of being tired, a little queasy now and then, and having trouble sleeping, I think I've had it pretty easy. I am, however, already getting the pregnancy "forgetsies," as I left the office with my door wide open, lights on, and computer on last night only to find a note from security this morning. Oops. I've also had some funny food cravings/aversions. I no longer enjoy chocolate (astonishing!), but can't get enough fruity food. We went out to Chinese food last night upon my request, and as soon as it was in front of me it looked absolutely disgusting!!! The smell was aweful and I couldn't eat a bite! Chris didn't know just how to respond. Ha! Well, that's the update of the day. -L

Welcome to my page!

One of my friends suggested that I create a pregnancy site so that my friends and family across the country can share the experience with me! Now you will be able to hear all about how I feel, what I'm craving, and how the peanut growth progresses! Thanks for all of your support from afar! Love, Laura