....far away from the cold night air. With one enormous chair! Oh, wouldn't it be lovely?


Okay, so it's not cold. It's actually like 75 degrees here. In December. Yes, I know... But, that doesn't make my plea to get a room with a nice comfy chair and a half, some cocoa, and a book any less legitimate or sincere.


Ladies and Gentlemen...

 
Here we are... This week marks the END of my 2nd trimester! I have been counting down for this for the past month! I'm so excited. When I hit the 30 week mark, it will signify that the end is near. AND, that the bonding with my baby can begin! 

Today the baby is sitting very low in my uterus and isn't very active. I'm sure it's because I feel crappy and have been quite the slug today myself. I didn't intend to be, for what it's worth. I woke up with motivation to clean my entire house from top to bottom, since it has needed desperately done for over a week now. However, halfway through my "to do" list, I became very clammy feeling and 'heavy'. Hubby took my temperature at 100 degrees and ordered me to lie down for the rest of the day. (He wasn't too happy when he found me scrubbing toilets about 30 minutes later.) I'm terrible at relaxing, with a capital T.

Noah has been coughing, sniffling, and blowing his nose on and off since last Thursday. Today, his mom dropped him off here (missing school) and he also has a fever of 100. I'm pretty sure that something is just going around. Unfortunately, it may be the flu. Many of our friends have had or currently have it. It's like the germs are saying, "Welcome! We've been waiting for you..."

Noah and I both got our flu shots early last month. He has been sick once since then, only for a few days, and I haven't been at all. I was literally terrified by one of the doctors I saw [in the practice where I am treated] into getting the flu shot. I was completely against the entire idea, especially since I never ever get sick. But, apparently, after listening to doctors, friends, and doing my own research, fatalities are higher among pregnant women who get influenza than among non-pregnant. I didn't want to even risk losing my baby mid-pregnancy. I am still waiting for Jon to get his flu & t-dap shots in the near future but, until then, I at least know the the internal safety of my little one is greatly improved by my taking precautions.

I do hope that my fever doesn't go above 100, though, because then I'll have to go to the emergency room and be hooked up to an IV of fluids so that I don't get dehydrated. I think that when it comes to babies, doctors are more concerned with you being dehydrated than they are about you doing things that might seem even more drastic, like not eating.

I am making myself drink water because I don't feel thirsty in the least. I think that between forcing liquid down my throat and being confined to the couch... I probably feel a bit like Noah did about 15 minutes ago when I told him I wanted him to take a half hour nap. He instead, pretended to fall out of his bed and somehow managed to have his bath stool on top of his head by the time I walked in there. *sigh* Boys will be boys. 

Hopefully, this groggy gross feeling goes away quickly and doesn't complicate anything... We are supposed to be going to Charlotte (Carolina Panthers) this weekend for a football game; in the cold and the rain, which is exactly what I don't want to be out in if I'm sick.



P.S. I passed my glucose test and don't have gestational diabetes! WHOOP WHOOP!
 
“Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort.” - Jane Austen
I wanted to post this yesterday and never got the chance to... I'm such a home body! I have even been made fun of for being "old" and wanting to stay home with book or curl up with a movie when everyone else is out doing something. I think that's why my husband married me LOL

Honestly, though, being pregnant hasn't slowed me down or made me even more of a cozy cuddler than I was already. I am really probably the most fortunately person... Even though I complain a lot about being tired or my back hurting, I have had it comparatively easy when I think about the horror stories that my friends and family have told me.

Even so, I still like to take a few minutes after a long day for myself... what woman doesn't? One of the things I really love is taking a nice bath in our garden tub (although it's a TOTAL pain to clean!). I've decided that I'm gonna try to take one homeopathic bath every week at least; it's not often that I have the time. 

Have you ever seen the late 90's movie, "No More Baths"? Well, that's how a lot of women feel once they get pregnant. If you have read a lot of blogs or books about prenatal restrictions then you might feel like you are completely confined to luke-warm showers. However, that's not the case. Don't be scared to try things that might not be "FDA approved"! I'm such a hippy and refuse to give up my organic tea and, for that matter, specific bath salts I like.


 
Picture
BrittanyG Photography of Highlands, Utah first grabbed my attention when it came to photos of giving birth.

If you'd have asked me a few years ago if I would even attempt to give birth I would've said no, let alone the idea of someone photographing me doing it. And even now that I'm pregnant, sometimes when I think about it makes me a little jumpy; I might end up punching the poor photographer in the face. Plus, being a photographer myself, I know just how much the pressure would be on. 

When I first started thinking about having a baby, I was always looking at maternity, newborn, and quirky post-natal items I thought where cool. (Click here to see my 'bump starter' pinterest board) In the process, I came across these amazing pictures of baby Wil's birth story. None of the photos were invasive, graphic, or offensive and it made me look at the delivery process in an entirely new light.

Now that the birth of our little booger is getting nearer I keep thinking more and more about how much I would like documentation of that day. Nothing distasteful or gross... 

I think the entire idea is becoming a bit more trendy and accepted, as I've seen a number of photographers in my area and all over the country offering sessions like this. I would love to offer a session like this!! Especially after I give birth to my own child and know the ins and outs of the progression.

Hubby is a bit weirded out by the entire thought of having someone in the room and would rather just set up a camcorder in the corner. I don't like that idea because at least when you review your photos it's SILENT and you don't have to hear all of the pain you went through to get your little miracle. There are so many tender moments that a family shares in welcoming their new addition into the world; how sentimental it would be to look back on those prized possessions years later! 

A friend of mine told me to remember it on the little camcorder in my head, haha. But, I'm such a sucker and driven by emotion... I can't imagine how tear-jerking and nostalgic those pictures would be... Still-frames will always be my favorite way to capture a moment. No black & white memory could ever do the moment you meet your new son/daughter justice. Or the small instant when your first child realizes they are a brother/sister and hold their new sibling for the first time.

Ahhh! I don't really think you guys understand the crazy adrenaline running through me as I write this! Regardless, of whether I can talk Jon into doing it or not, or how much it costs... I will ALWAYS think this is a good idea. 
I've watched quite a number of birth videos, and read experiences, and heard true life stories from family/friends; I feel like this is a personal choice like everything is. Just like having a midwife or a doula, or having your baby at home vs a birthing center vs a hospital. But, it's definitely a once in a lifetime adventure. <3
 
We bought a crib today!! So excited!! The exact crib from the inspiration room that I've been wanting for forever! Jenny Lind. Vintage. White. I'm in love with it! 

It was a hard sell to talk hubby into WHITE. He thought white was only for girls and kept going for dark wood ones that looked more like our adult bedroom furniture than something for a baby. Granted, I'm not a fan of pastel blue and babyfied animal prints, but I also don't want Ezra to look like he is growing up in an office (which is what his room is currently used for).

I think right now the retro/vintage dynamic and the fun colors we are going for are the best and I can't believe I ran across something so perfect at Lay Baby Lay. They have some AMAZING inspiration pieces over there and the blog owner is SO friendly. 

We got the crib from Craigslist and while you may ask why I would want a used crib for my 1st biological child, the fact is that this crib hasn't been used at all! It was listed about 3-4 weeks ago and when I first saw it I immediately wanted to go pick it up, but hubby was still in need of some convincing. After looking at HUNDREDS of hideous baby furniture websites or cribs I adored but wouldn't be able to afford in this lifetime or the next, we decided to text the phone number listed on the Craigslist ad. Fortunately, it was still available! BUT, Jon still wanted to wait and see what else we could find. 

With much unwillingness, I agreed to go along with it, just to make sure there wasn't anything out there I was missing out on. Meanwhile, the rest of the cribs on Craigslist were very used and something I could get at Target full-price for the same as what was being asked used. I kept thinking that we would never get our baby's room started. We only just decided to stay in this house and keep renting, while Ezzy will be here in 3 months!

Today, by pure accident, the owner of the Jenny Lind crib I had originally fallen in love with text me today with 3-4 pictures of the crib and said she hoped she was texting the lady who had inquired about the mattress that came with... Honestly, I was surprised that it wasn't already sold. Jon told me to tell her we would come look at it/pick it up right away if she was up for it and she agreed. (Before doing so, I called the store where the crib was originally from and asked them what they sold it for there. Turned out it was a special order. Retail price? $199.00 + 7% tax and you had to pick it up at their location. Almost $250 if you count the gas there and back!) Shannon, the owner, had all of the original packaging for the crib and mattress and her 4 month old, adorable son had never even slept a full night in it. Once they set it up in his room, she and her husband decided that they didn't like it anymore. So, we drove off with a crib and a mattress (over $300 value) for $150! I don't think my day could've gone better!

Now we just await the approval of Century 21 and the homeowners to let us know if we can paint the baby's room the color we want. I am praying that they don't say no as that would give me incentive to change my mind AGAIN and say that we are moving so I can paint my kid's room whatever the heck I want. It's hard to know what to do nowadays with the economy changing so much and the price of real estate on a continuous roller coaster... Sometimes I get so stressed out about it that I just sit there and cry because I don't know what the best decision is for me and my family. 

Even though Jon is the 'breadwinner' we have always made all of our decisions together; even when we were dating. I think it wears both of us down to consider the next step for the 4 of us...
 
Week 21. Over halfway to the birth of our son. We couldn't be more thrilled with how healthy he is and the exciting little things like feeling him kick more (even if it is my bladder most of the time). Unfortunately, hubby hasn't been able to feel yet; hopefully soon!

Cravings this week have been limited... I went through a definite Zebra Cake phase for a couple days. Fortunately, my wonderful husband, helped me to see that buying a couple at a gas station would be better than buying an entire box at the store. Or was it?
I've also been feeling desparate for a taste of my FAVORITE burrito place, Flaming Amy's. I can sit and just imagine the avocado ranch dressing, the bacon & cheese, and the chips w/ salsa. But, I don't want to give in since the calories are... more than I'd like for one meal.

Since week 14 I have had such a disinterest in the food already in my pantry or fridge. I ate plain bagels w/ cream cheese almost every single day for 5 weeks. I can't even smell chicken (unless its Chick-fil-a or Chinese food). However, I will be 22 weeks pregnant tomorrow and my disgust for food hasn't gone away. I literally broke down into tears before posting this because I am so sick of wasting HOURS of my life trying to decide on what would be the best thing to feed myself & the little alien inside. By far the biggest challenge of my pregnancy so far, especially when it's not accompanied the nausea. I'm starving!

Also, this week, I made the hard decision to take off my wedding rings before my fingers start to swell consistently, we spent two hours picking out paint colors for the baby's room and the rest of the house, AND I successfully managed to reach my own toenails in order to paint them (which I considered a big accomplishment!).

It seems like these 21 weeks have past by so quickly! Every doctor appointment brings something new and now that we know the gender of the baby we can begin projects surrounding that. I'm so glad Jon is home for a while and not traveling so he can really be involved and excited; he has been working so hard in order to support all of us and make this transition as smooth as possible for everyone, especially Noah, who is so excited that he wishes babies grew outside of the belly so he could see it. Haha.

Now, having survived the tropical storm conditions this weekend, we wait to see what week 22 has in store.