What Dreams May Come....

So for anyone that watches True Blood, I have a theory that perhaps Sookie is pregnant... because some of her dreams are shaping up very similar to the dreams of a pregnant lady!
Let me just tell you, for those that don't know... Pregnant ladies dream like crazy... and about the weird, random, scary, sexy, you name it, I've probably dreamed it in the last 33 weeks!

Here are a few examples for you:

1. The Tasty Dream: So the other night I dream that I ate an entire box of Haagen Dazs Vanilla Milk Chocolate Almond Crunch bars... These to be exact:

And they were delicious! I think only 3 or 4 come in a box, so in reality, a pregant woman eating an entire box of them is not that far fetched... The funny part was, when I woke up for a much needed bathroom break I swear I could still taste the ice cream. I had to look around to make sure I didn't accidentally drive to the grocery store, buy some ice cream and eat it in my sleep! I never found any wrappers, so I think I'm in the clear...

2. The Ex-Boyfriend Dream: Seriously... even boyfriends that you may have forgotten about will pop up in your dreams! That boy that you held hands with in the 5th grade for like a total of 2 days? Yup, he'll be there.. That guy that was your 'boyfriend' at church camp until your brother scared him away... yup, he'll be there too! That guy that you spent years trying to forget, burning photographs, concert tickets, t-shirts, any memorabelia that reminds you of him, most definitely he will be in your dreams... It was a little disconcerning at first when I kept dreaming about all these 'ghosts of boyfriend's past', until I realized that this is apparently extremely common... so sorry, dear husbands, I hope you aren't jealous... but for some reason when your wife is pregant, she will most definitely dream of her exes...

3. Speaking of Men: And the men you are dreaming of, they are not necessarily always an ex... expect random appearances from that guy who sat 3 rows in front of you and to the left in your college Accounting class, or maybe Eric Northman will make an appearance (or several), a co-worker, a boss, or even a friend's husband or boyfriend (yeah, that's a weird one).  I think this is our body's way of reassuring us when we wake up, that we made the right decision in spousal selection... because that guy from my accounting class ends up is a really bad husband... at least in my dreams! And since i mentioned this guy earlier, I figure I should add a picture:

4. My baby isn't a baby dream: I was warned about these dreams, giving birth to a parakeet, or rabbit or whatever... and I've only really had two experiences so far.. The week before we found out the gender of our baby, I dreamed that we went in for the ultrasound.  When the ultrasound tech tried to find out the gender of the baby, we weren't able to tell because the little baby was wearing a bear costume in the womb. We tried to talk baby into taking the costume off, but apparently he was too modest...

In the other dream, I actually had the baby, but he was really early. He had to go to the NICU because he was not able to regulate his temperature, so I didn't get to see him right away. They finally let me go into the NICU to see him, and when I looked at him, he looked like a King Ranch Casserole with eyes, a nose and mouth! The doctor still wasn't able to regulate his temperature, so they put him in the oven, so he could get warm. (I think I may have been hungry this night!!!)

5. Breastfeeding Nighmares: As of late, I have started having some just plain weird breastfeeding dreams... In one of them, the baby went to nurse but when I looked down the had a crocodile mouth! Ouch!! (That dream may also be catagorized in the my baby is not a baby catagory!)

In another dream, I dreamed again that for some reason (I think possibly because we went to Lake City on vacation), I was not able to nurse for the first 5 days. While I was gone the nurses gave the baby formula and I was devistated! By the time I got to see the baby, he refused to nurse and all he wanted was the formula. I was so upset that my baby didn't want me (for the record, I am not a nursing nazi - I have no problem with mothers who elect not to breast feed).

6. My boy is a girl dreams: So just recently I had a dream where I ended up having the baby at home, and it ended up being a girl! I have had multiple sonograms that have confirmed boy, but it still freaks me out a little, since my mom was told that I was going to be a boy! I didn't really freak out in the dream, I was actually pretty excited and had plenty of spare girl clothes on hand... go figure! Oh, but after I had the baby we thought it would be a good idea to go to the hospital... but Eric hadn't installed the carseat yet, so mom held the carseat in the backseat while we drove to the hospital...

7. Labor and Delivery - Okay, well I haven't had any of these yet, and I'm only 7 weeks away... but I'm sure they are coming... and I'm pretty prepared for them...

Anyway, when I am able to sleep, and when I can remember my dreams, it has been pretty entertaining to try and explain them to the hubs. Sometimes he laughs, somtimes he looks at me like I'm a crazy person, and sometimes he tries to explain them away. I'm thinking about putting a pen and paper beside my bed so I can write down some of the crazy dreams I have before I forget!

Bed Rest Blues

Well for those of you that didn't hear, I was put on bed rest last Monday due to high blood pressure and elevated proteinuria.

A little bit of doctor talk for you, since I have lupus I am actually at an increased risk for preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is basically pregnancy induced hypertension along with increased protein in the urine. It can be very dangerous for both mom and baby, and really the only way to 'treat' it completely is to deliver the baby. (Obviously it is still a bit early for that.) My doctor has been following my pregnancy very closely and keeping a  close eye on my blood pressure and protein levels. He was a little concerned because last week I had a few high blood pressure readings, and so he ordered a 24 hour urine. When those results came back and showed elevated proteinurea, he became more concerned and put me on bed rest and asked me to monitor my blood pressure 4 times a day and repeat the 24 hour urine.

I will say, that I stayed mostly busy during the days because I continued to work from home, since my job allows that flexibility (which I am extremely grateful for). But laying around in bed or on the couch all day every day can be extremely frustrating! 

First of all, it's hard to keep your blood pressure down when you have all day and night to lay in bed and google "preeclampsia". Of course you read the worst of the worst stories, which leave you convinced that you are going to end up with all sorts of complications during the remainder of your pregnancy... stupid Google should not be allowed during pregnancy!

Also, it is very difficult to lay on your couch and not get up, when you know there is so much to do around the house! It's also very difficult to concentrate on getting work done, when there is unfolded laundry staring you in the face just DARING you to get up, go over there and FOLD IT!!! The day before I was put on bed rest I had washed all of Andy's clothes, recieving blankets, etc. I had not put them up yet, and so I knew they were all upstairs, folded, sitting on Andy's bed. But I also knew that if I dared get up, go upstairs and put them away not only would my doctor be mad at me, but I'm pretty sure my husband would have somehow found a way to chain me to the couch so I could never get up again!!!!

Speaking of my dear husband, our sunday school class is about to start a study on the 5 Love Languages. Well, early in the week we took a survey to determine what our love language is. Mine is Acts of Service.  Eric was definitely going above and beyond when it came to acts of service this week. He had to do the laundry, clean the kitchen, cook, go grocery shopping, take out the trash, take care of the puppies, listen to me whine and complain about not being able to get off the couch, all while I just laid there and asked him to refill my glass of water. He was a MAJOR trooper and gets mad props for being the best husband ever!

I will say the bed rest had its perks. I had some lovely visitors come by to see me, including precious Charlotte and her mommy Chrissie. I also got in a lot of naps, which kept me rested  and happy!! Also, we have now completed a project for Andy's room - letters that we are going to hang on his wall.

I say 'we' because basically I did the polka dots on the "N" and then nagged Eric enough until the did the rest of the letters! He is WAY more talented and patient than I am!!!!  I am so excited about getting these up on the wall in the nursery. They are going to look AMAZING!!!

I went back to the OB on Friday, and he has taken me off bedrest and has told me basically just to take it VERY easy and stay off my feet as much as possible. Hopefully the bed rest is done until little Andy arrives. I will have weekly appointments now and have to do a 24 hour urine every week until I deliver... so THAT will be tons of fun..

I did finally put up those close in Andy's room on Saturday, and even ventured out of the house to the grocery store yesterday, sunday school today, and our childbirth class this afternoon.

We were supposed to go up to Spring this morning because sweet Clara Mae was baptised, but we thought with the childbirth class from 2:30-7:30 it was in my best interest to stay in Pearland and take it easy early afternoon before the class. I am glad I stayed because after we got home from Sunday School I literally napped until it was pretty much time to go to class. I'm hoping I get to see her soon though!!

This week will be another crazy busy week. I plan on going into work on Monday/Wednesday/Friday and working from home on Tuesday/Thursday.  Also, my work is throwing me a shower on Friday, my good friends are throwing me a shower on Saturday and my Sunday School class is throwing me a baby shower on Sunday, so I will be super busy! I can't wait to get to see all my friends and family!!! I am just overwhelmed with how kind and generous everyone has been while we prepare for little Andy's arrival!

Excuse me, my son shouldn't have any girly parts!

So yesterday I had an ultrasound to check the growth of little Andy.  He is chugging along just fine at 4 lbs 6 oz, which puts him in the 65th percentile.

However, the ultrasound tech through me through a bit of a loop. When she first started the ultrasound she asked if I had found out gender at the last ultrasound. I informed her it was actually 2 ultrasounds ago when we found out.  (I did not mention that SHE was actually the ultrasound tech that did that sonogram. I figure she sees a lot of women every day, so I didn't expect her to remember my awesomeness).
Fastforward about 20 minutes after she had checked most of Andy's measurements, she then casually mentions "And there are her girly parts". I sat straight up and said "EXCUSE ME!?!? My son shouldn't have any girly parts! He's been confirmed boy TWICE!" (Once again I did not mention that one of those confirmations actually came from HER!) She apologized and said well, I just saw a little bit so let me take a closer look.  After a few more minutes she was able to confirm to me that Yes, Andy is still a little boy!

I will say this is still enough to put me in a minor panic, as when my mom was pregnant with me, she had an ultrasound that confirmed that I was a boy. She was quite shocked when I was born and came out a little girl instead. So here is the deal, if little Andy does end up being born with 'little girly parts', here's hoping she likes sail boats, the color blue, and puppy dogs!!! And if he is born with 'little boy parts', I'm sure this story will be used numerous times throughout his life as a way to embarass him!

Here's a few pictures for you. These are actually from 2 weeks ago, but I don't have the ones from yesterday electronically... so I figure I would post these instead

His Manhood

His Profile

3D picture of his cute little face

Showered with Love!

Wow, it took me way too long to write this, but I have to brag about how awesome my baby showers were last weekend! Unfortunately my camera charger has gone AWOL and so I have no pictures, so if you have pictures please email them to me! 

Eric and I went up to Mansfield last weekend because I had not one, but TWO baby showers!

Saturday I had a shower at Grandma's house. It was so great! She put together the cutest Diaper Cake ever! She had adorable blue decorations, and made a baby clothesline for me with all sorts of cute stuff on it. She even made a game out of the clothesline, where she took it away before I opened presents and the guests had to remember what all was on it! She also played the infamous chocolate in the diaper game, which I think Morgan won! (She has a lot of experience with analyzing the inside of diapers I suppose). This was a 'family shower', so a lot of my cousins, aunts, great aunts, etc. all came. To top off the event, my mom brought a black forest cake! Now, I am not 100% sure if Black Forest Cake is gluten free, but mom and I decided it is probably just maringue and sugar and milk... or something of that nature. I don't care... it's my favorite dessert in the whole wide world! I got all sorts of fabulous things for Andy, including 2 baby baths, some super adorable clothes, and my diaper bag which I am super stoked about! (Ok, so maybe the bag is more for me than for little Andy... :))

Sunday, my mom's best friend Teresa put together a shower for me. It was with alot of my Mansfield friends, and all of my Church Mom's, as I like to call them. (I guess they will all be Andy's Church Grandma's now!)  It was so great to see everyone! Peggy made some gluten free cupcakes and cookies which were AMAZING! We ended up with so much swag I wasn't convinced Eric would be able to fit it all into the Armada.  I got to see a lot of my high school friends that still live in the DFW area that I don't get to see nearly enough! I need to plan another trip back, because I know I didn't get to catch up with each of them as much as I wanted to, but I was so happy to get to see them all and spend time with them! Plus, all the ladies who helped raise me were there (all my Church Mom's), and it was so great to see how excited they were for Eric and I as we start this next phase of our life! I feel very blessed to have such wonderful women in my life... I hope Andy gets the opportunity to grow up with 'Church Mom's' as loving and kind to him as these ladies have been to me in my lifetime.

The Armada was litterally STUFFED full of stuff! I even told Eric I did not think he would be able to fit it all in, but somehow he managed! We barely had room for Lola and Patton in the truck, and had to squeeze their bed in... though I think they would have preferred to be in my lap.

Thank you cards are written, and everyone will get them soon, but I am just so grateful for everyone who came and shared in my excitement with me! I had such an amazing weekend, and it was wonderful to see how loved Andy is already! I can't wait until he is here and I get to bring him back to Mansfield for everyone to get to meet him!!!

PS Chelsea, I am SUPER SORRY that I forgot to add you to the invite list for the shower :( I still love you!!!

Unplugged (Better late than never, right?)

Well, if you didn't know yet, Eric and I recently got back from our annual trip to Colorado. Up in the mountains in Lake City, Colorado, any sort of internet and/or cell phone service is pretty hard to come by, so I expected to spend the majority of the week 'unplugged'.

We drove up to Mansfield on Thursday night and spent the night with the 'rents. On Friday morning bright and early we headed out of town in our caravan of 4 cars, and 13 family members. Have you ever been on vacation with 13 family members? It can be quite interesting... and entertaining!

We arrived to our condo on Lake San Crystobal on Saturday night... and the boys were up and off to go fly fishing early Sunday morning. Usually I would go fly fishing as well, but unfortunately the doctor, and husband, advised against hiking up 2 miles to fish upstream another 2-3 miles and hike back 4-5 miles to the car at 29 weeks pregnant. I can't imagine why that might be a problem.... So instead I got to be one of the ladies on this trip, and went to church and had lunch at Southern Vittles. After heading home for a nap and a little reading, we went back to town for a "Snowshoe Sunday" from
The San Juan Soda Shop!

Pretty much if you don't fish in Colorado your day consists of:
- Wake up to beautiful view of the lake and mountains
- Breakfast
- Nap
- Read
- Nap
- Go to town for lunch (We also had lunch at Poker Alice, Restless Spirits Saloon and The Packer Saloon)
- Shop around town in one of the 5 or 6 stores that are pretty much the same every year, yet I still find myself making sure that I stop by every single pace
- Ice Cream and/or Cherry Limeade at San Juan Soda Fountain
- Another nap
- Dinner
- Bedtime

On Wednesday, most of the crew took the day off and went White Water Rafting in Gunnison. I obviously was not allowed to go, so Eric and I spent the day in town and took a walking trail up Henson Creek. We also ran into Grandma and Gramps who had just gotten into town, so they sat with us while we finished up lunch and we got to catch up.

Thursday they finally let me go fishing! We spent most of the time driving trying to find a new fishing spot, but we started running low on gas so we had to turn back and go to one of our regular places.  I didn't fish far upstream so all I caught was a few tiny fish, but it was nice to at least get to fish for a bit.  Thursday night was our annual fish fry, and mom and Mina were awesome enough to get some gluten free flour and corn meal so I could have some gluten free fish!

Friday was another day of relaxing and shopping around town, and of course packing up and getting ready for the long drive home.

Saturday morning was the devistating loss... We all got up around 4am and started getting ready to go. I was heading down the stairs so I slipped my phone in my back pocket... (which BTW I NEVER do, because I know it's dangerous), and of course I had to go to the bathroom for the MILLIONTH time. I go into use the bathroom and before I get the opportunity I hear a splashing sound. I look down and realize my phone has fallen into the toilet. AWESOME! Of course some choice words come out, and I get a little bit upset... (FYI in pregnancy terms I have a major meltdown!!!!) I cried, I cursed, I pouted, I cried some more... it was rather tragic. I was able to find some rice to put the phone in, but to no avail 24 hours later the phone was completely dead.

I was phoneless for over 48 hours... and felt so sad and disconnected! I couldn't believe how many times I went to go do something on my phone before I realized it was gone! I kept contemplating if I should just get a regular (non-smart) phone, or another iPhone. I was devistated...

Fortunately on Monday I took it into the apple store... I am not sure what it is about me, but apparently I have the ability to glamour Apple employees into giving me replacement iPhones for free!  The very awesome, very nice guy at Apple took pity on the super pregnant woman and replaced my phone for me!!! I pretty much cried again, and am now plugged back in.

However, for the record I had not synced my phone in a VERY long time, so everyone go home and sync your phone tonight! And then don't be surprised if I facebook message you asking you for your phone number again, because I may have lost it!!

It took me forever to write this post, and it's super long, but I'll update about my awesome showers later this week!

The Myths of Pregnancy (or at least MINE!)

So when I first found out I was pregnant, I started reading... EVERYTHING... Books, websites, forums, pamphlets, brochures, etc. Obviously no two pregnancies are the same... but I got a little annoyed with a few things that apparently happen to every pregnant woman but ME!

Here are my top 3

3. SLEEP - First of all, if one more person tells me "Get as much sleep while you still can!"... I think I might scream! I had always heard that once you get into the 3rd trimester sleeping can be a bit of a problem... Too bad it's been this way for me the ENTIRE pregnancy. It is like the day I found out I was pregnant, my body said, "That's it! No more peaceful night sleep for YOU!!! Muah ha ha ha!!" (Apparently my body has an evil laugh).  I have been tossing and turning and getting up to pee, and waking up for no reason and not beinga ble to go back to sleep the entire pregnancy.  Thank goodness that Eric and I have a big enough bed that apparently I didn't wake him up... too much! Actually, since we got back from our vacation on Sunday, I have been sleeping BETTER... and I'm in my 3rd trimester now... Go figure... (Of course I still have 10 weeks to go so I may not be sleeping better for much longer!)

2. SECOND TRIMESTER SECOND WIND - Okay, so for anyone that saw me during my first trimester, it was probably either at work or at my house. Because apparently growing human life inside of me wears me out.... Like to the point that I would Get up, Go to work, Go home, Lay on the couch, Go to sleep, Repeat. On the weekend I would pretty much nap all day. I am pretty sure there were some Saturdays I barely even got out of bed.  The thing that kept me going was everyone that talked about how much energy they had during their second trimester. So I knew if I just held out until then I would be fine... And so I waited. And 12 weeks came and went... and still no energy... But that's ok I thought! It's still early... Really 2nd trimester starts at 13 weeks... and 13 weeks came and went... and still no energy... Well maybe I am a late bloomer? so 14 weeks came and went and STILL NO FREAKING ENERGY!!!! I am FINALLY (once again not until my 3rd trimester) regaining some of my energy... Like to the point where I can go to bed at 10 and wake up at 6 and not need 3 naps during the day (Though I would say I am still not back to my non-pregnant energy levels)! Second Trimester Second Wind my butt!!!!!

3. HAIR AND NAILS - One of the things I was most excited about the pregnancy was that EVERYONE taked about how great their hair and nails were why they were pregnant (vain, I know... so sue me)! I couldn't wait!!! I've always had really brittle yucky nails, and my hair grows sooooooooooo slow... so I was excited, and really hoping that would mean my hair would be long enough for a pony tail by baby-time... because let's be honest, once a little one is here the days will be few and far between when I actually have time to do my hair! 30 weeks in, and I see no change in my nails OR my hair... Hair is still growing as slow as ever... and my nails still can't grow to save my life... And before you ask...Yes, I am taking my prenatal vitimins... and they aren't helping!! Woe is me...

Anyway, those are the most annoying for me right now... At some point this week I will try to post about our vacation last week (which is why I haven't posted in a while).

Have a great day!