Week 6 And A Slight Vent

This is my VERY sick belly at 6 weeks baby "G"



And boy have I been sick...My definition of morning sickness, before we got pregnant, was nothing like this. I've been nauseous ever since the beginning of week 5 and it's pretty much constant. However, images really accelerates my want to puke! In fact I had to take down a certain picture of food I posted on week 5. That plate of food tormented me night and day! My sister had to actually delete it and even now I get sick, thinking about blogging just because I associate my blog with that picture. Its terrible really. I have learned a lesson though that I will NOT ignore for the next 8+ months; NEVER take pictures of food that might come back to haunt you;)

(((WARNING))) Vent alert! Today was supposed to be our first doctors appoinment. SUPPOSED to be. It never happened. I was there on time, but instead of being seated until your called back to see a doctor, I was herded in the back with a LARGE group of other pregnant women. But not before they yelled out for the entire hospital to hear, that happend to be filled with soldiers, "all the pregnant women here for the O.B orintation group together." It was so embarrassing and so not special. Your were made to feel like a number and that your pregnancy was nothing new. I get that its not new to them. I do. But this is our first and it's new to us, so humor me okay? In fact we were told that there were just "so many pregnant women" right now that they had to group us all in a class instead of doing one on one appointments. Gee thanks. Make us all feel knocked up and 16. At least that's how I felt.

I walked out of the class because I was told I wouldn't be seeing a doctor before we PCS'ed. What was the point. I'll be 11-12 weeks before I see a doctor and thats me thinking positive. I have no idea how the military hospital works at Ft. Lewis. However the pregnancy forums I've been reading on that hospital and the O.B program are nothing steller. I'll apparently be shuffled around to different doctors the entire time (something I told (R) I would not have) and could wait long periods of time there too before I am seen. I am looking into seeing a civilian doctor once we get there to avoid all of this.

Okay, I'm done complainining:)

Nothing new this week except the morning sickness and I'm finally done at work! I've been having some really awesome cravings though! I want everything fruits and veggies and NOTHING sweet or greasy, ick!

Baby "G" is the size of a PEA this week!

TheBump.com says your growing like crazy and starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, and a chin! Your little hands and feet -- still webbed like paddles -- might wiggle by week's end and your heart is beating; almost twice as fast as mine!

Keep up the good growing Baby. Mommy can't wait to meet you!

Week 5 Baby "G"

This is me at week 5 Baby "G"

I like to take these pictures in the morning. I think it's a true depiction of mommy's belly and just how big I'm getting. I think it's crazy how the minute I drink a glass of water or eat, even a light, breakfast my tummy blows up! However, this week I think I look smaller. That bloating is no joke!

Full disclaimer--I'm not in any rush for the baby bump to arrive. I know a lot of women can't wait and with good reason! But I don't need a visual to know you're in there baby:) I know my belly will pop out with abundant force soon enough, so for now, I'm just enjoying what precious time there is left with my wardrobe and agile body, haha! However, if week 16 arrives and my belly still looks like this, just try and keep me from all things candy bars and McDonald's;)


Symptoms: The past week has been a retreat. I've had a few new ones like blurry vision and clumsiness:) But most everything else has gone away or dulled in comparison. The ta ta's have grown in magnitude though. I am SHOCKED with how fast they blew up! Give it another week and I'll be shopping for a bigger bra! It really is true what they say "The ladies are always the first to go." I've definitely had a lot more energy this week and not so hungry, minus the last few days, lol...Still no morning sickness...


Cravings: Nothing too terrible or often. I can eat anything I want right now and it all sounds delish! I've backed off on my craving for fried pickles and breakfast food. This week really has been great. If I didn't know better, I wouldn't have known I was pregnant. Things seem normal!


Exercise: This week I've done a SMALL amount with weights, which is huge. I think I had myself really freaked put about loosing you if I did the slightest thing. I was worried about stretching too hard, lifting anything that engaged my core, sleeping on my stomach, lifting my arms above my head, etc. In my defense, I did have some spotting and cramping with you last week, but the lab tech was sure to tell me this is normal, especially when its right around the time Aunt Flo should be arriving. Turns out she was right:) So daddy is helping mommy build her arms this week! I figured I can at least have sexy arms while the rest of me gives over to you Baby:)

Weight: I toyed with the idea of keeping this tag out of my updates. I don't know any woman who likes to announce when she gains more weight, lol, but I think it's important to keep yourself accountable to your body and weight while pregnant. Remember, you're NOT eating for two no matter what they tell you. But truth be told, I have no idea what I weigh. The batteries died in our scale and I've been too lazy to replace them. The important thing is I still fit in my clothes! I'll start using the doctors written weight next week, ekk!

According to thebump.com, Baby "G" you are the size of an Appleseed!

I think that is a HUGE jump from the poppy seed you were just last week! You are starting to form major organs like your HEART, kidney, liver and stomach. In the world of systems, you're developing your nervous system, circulatory and digestive.

We go to our first REAL doctors appointment a week from today! I'm to expect all sorts of poking and prodding and questions, oh joy, but it will be good to speak with someone finally and make sure you're okay in there Baby "G".

For now, I bet you're floating around, enjoying all of that space;)

Smile Baby "G"

Mommy got a new camera! It's a Nikon Coolpix L120. I haven't had it for more then a day and I love it already! Daddy and I are going to a 4th of July festival at Calloway Gardens this evening to watch beautiful fireworks, maybe swim a bit, eat some yummy food and listen to a live band. I'll be testing out my new toy there and hopefully come away with some really awesome pictures to share:)



I'm more then ready to say "Goodbye" to using my fuzzy phone camera, as in here...These images are just terrible! Certainly not good enough to catch baby's shining eyes and spontaneous laughs. Daddy had a lot of say in the camera we picked; he'll be missing a lot of your first year antics Baby "G" but he wanted to make sure we had a super clear and quick camera to catch as much on film as possible! He also insisted on HD video recording to watch you in sweety pea. I can't think of a better use for high definition:)

Trusty Guardian

I just love this picture. It used to hang in my grandmothers dining room where I would play as a small child. Gramma once told me she too loved this picture as a small girl. She would visit her grandmothers house and fall a sleep watching the picture where it hung above a day bed. How old this picture is, I can only guess! I know it has been passed down 3 generations-- I remember just stare at it, imagining I was that little girl with her very own dog keeping watch. I wanted a dog so badly when I was small; now I have two:) The only information I have is the name of the print and it's very fitting, "Trusty Guardian." When it was printed and by whom I don't know. I wish I did...These would have been things to ask my grandmother before she passed away 2 months ago. I was given this picture after she passed with full excitement and every intent to hang it in my child's nursery-- Little did I know, that time would be very soon!

This is a much clearer picture of the one I have, just to give you a better look at the colors and detail. My reason for this post is to ask for your opinion! I know it's still early but I'm starting to think on nursery themes and I would like one based off this picture. I'm COMPLETELY stuck as to what theme would go with this! I don't really want a Victorian theme, which would fit because that is a Victorian child. I've tossed around the idea of a beach theme because the Saint Bernard is guarding the small child from crashing waves in the background but what are your thoughts? I would LOVE to hear them!

For my family and friends who don't really use blogger, click the "comment" link below and a window will pop up for you to write your thoughts in!

Week 4 &First Belly Shot!

This is me at 4 weeks Baby "G"

These blurry pictures are a lot of what I felt this morning while taking them; blurry eyed and not quite a wake. It doesn't help that my camera lens is all scratched from rumbling around in my over stuffed purse. I over slept for work today for the first time in YEARS! Hence the crazy hair:) Today marks 4 weeks though so I wanted to get this shot in before the bloating set in, Ha!

July 13th is our first doctors appointment! I am super excited to talk with them and ask them all sorts of questions. I have no clue as to what I'm doing Baby "G" so maybe these guys will help. I've been taking my vitamins ever since we found out and drinking SOOOO much water. Mommy needs to start using her coca butter though! This, in theory, will give me stretchy skin for you to grow sweety pea!

Symptoms: SO MANY! Tired, bloated, Crazy hungry, Short but painful headaches, Sore throat & runny nose, Sore ta ta's, Moody, Backaches, SUPER shortness of breath and can't forget the constant going to the bathroom:) No morning sickness though, yay!



Craving: Anything fried and heavy! I have been doing well with my eating for the past few days though. Not giving into those bad but oh so good cravings...


Exercise: Nothing too pa-dow right now.I work a lot at my current job. It doesn't really leave time to workout or build any sort of schedule. My last day is July 9th, so in 1 week 3 days that'll all change! Gotta keep Baby "G" and I healthy!

So far I feel really great! I know what you're thinking, "How could that be with all of those symptoms!" I actually enjoy them, it tells me I'm definitely pregnant and that my body's doing what it needs to, in order for the baby to stick!



P.S According to Thebump.com you are the size of a poppyseed Baby "G!" I can't believe you are that small but having such HUGE effects on mommy:)

One Lucky "Swimmer"

All last week I had been feeling very strange. Super tired at work. HUNGRY beyond anything I've ever experienced. Nauseous when I fed that hunger. Super edgy and really irritated at the constant trips to the potty all day and all night! I wrote this off to being stressed with my job ending and our PCS to Ft. Lewis. In addition Aunt Flo should be arriving soon; that explained the sore ta-ta's!

On Friday, June 24, 2011, I knew something wasn't right because the sore ta-ta's had gone away and yet there was no surprise visit from my monthly buddy. Now I was wondering!

I woke up at 6:20 am to get ready. R was graduating his last cycle of soldiers. He had been named Drill Sgt. of the cycle so I wasn't going to miss watching him get recognized for his hard work and caring efforts towards these young soldiers. Not to mention I was getting flowers too...Who doesn't like that! I had one pregnancy test left from a scare we had last year and decided, what the heck...

I knew it was too early to test but I thought to myself--- hubby and I HAD been talking about trying for a baby in the near future and on a whim, decided we'd leave it in the big guys hands and quit trying to stop a pregnancy...However, I was nowhere NEAR ovulation when this happened and it kinda takes an egg to make a baby....But what if?

I unwrapped that bad boy with a vengeance thinking the entire time about all the strange symptoms I'd been having. I don't know about you, but I HATE that 3 minute wait once you've tinkled on the stick...I couldn't help but stare at it, my eyes crossing and manifesting fake lines the entire time. It hadn't been two minutes before I got this!



The line was so faint though; I thought I was imagining it...After R's graduation, I swung by our nearest Rite-aid and bought a digital test. Those are supposed to tell it like it is:) Lord, I never thought that ticking time clock was EVER going to disappear! But it finally did and I got this!!!!


I'm going to be a MOMMA!!!

The doctors confirmed it today. I am 3 weeks and 5 days pregnant; due on March 7, 2011! That is a good month before daddy will deploy. The ironic thing is, the day after I posted on here about baby fever, we conceived. How wonderful and bizarre!

Letter From Mommy

Dear Baby "G"

You certainly gave mommy a shock on June 24, 2011, the day I found out you were hiding in my belly! You are only 3 weeks and 5 days but already I'm protecting you and you don't even know it! See daddy's trying to nickname you "Al-g." Short for alien and our last name which starts with a "G." I refuse to call you that Baby "G." Mommy's looking out!

You must have really wanted us for parents Baby "G" because you came to us on our very first try!

You gave me those 2 beautiful pink lines at 6:20 am on a Friday morning. I know this because I was getting ready to watch daddy graduate his last cycle of soldiers. Daddy works for the U.S Army Baby "G." He's a pretty big deal to us and we're so proud of him:) He was so happy when I finally told him about you ! He was on the phone all night sharing your existence with EVERYONE; Your grampa's and gramma's and aunties and uncles. You have a really large family Baby "G" all to love on you and make you giggle and laugh!

Some women don't get pregnancy symptoms in as little as 3 weeks but Mommy has! You make me very hungry and tired and I use the bathroom a lot! I'm hoping these strong symptoms mean your a healthy baby and this will be a strong pregnancy. I am craving fried pickles 24/7 and have eaten breakfast food 3 times in 2 days! Mommy never does that Baby "G." I like variety and change so I definitely know you're helping me with my food choices:) Lets just try to make better decisions then oil soaked food and syrup on our eggs, potatoes, bacon and anything else we eat, mmmk?

Love,

Mommy

A cloud of change and BABY FEVER!

The husband and I have officially went from--roommate status to married couple status, YAY! R is no longer a drill sergeant, currently in school finishing up his E-7 promotion & getting ready for this PCS coming up oh so fast! I have only FIVE short weeks of work left and then it's off to Tennessee to visit family one more time before there's a bajillion states between them and I---For those who didn't know, we are currently stationed at Ft. Benning so visiting family isn't as road painful as it will be once we move.

Leaving here is going to be bitter sweet! This has been my home for almost 3 years and the place where R and I first met! We have A LOT of good memories here as well as some of our favorite eatery's, parks and hangouts...I'm excited for the change in scenery and life style as well as climate, haha, but now we have a very BIG new town to navigate to make home. Also moving 2 large dogs and a cat could be interesting when this is the only home they've known.


In bigger news, I've thankfully hit a mile stone I never thought I'd reach---Used to be that I had to have change and that next place, but being married has somehow changed that...I'm thinking more long term now---Wanting a house of my own. Wanting to buy furniture that will stay in the same living room until I decide it needs to go...I am even getting BABY FEVER! However R and I are not in the right place to be trying those pipes...Or maybe we are? He's deploying next spring *insert sad face here* By the time we reach Washington he'll be leaving in 7-8 months for a year...We have discussed the baby thing and I think we've settled on a time frame but keeping that hush hush for now:)

I'm really excited for the unexpected switch. I used to think I was defective; a natural born gypsy. Definitely someone who would never be settled. The first time I heard Zac Brown's song, Colder Weather I cried because it fit all too well. I figured life would always be about rambling for me---But turns out people just need time to mature and grow--Thinking long term finally feels wonderful and there is definitely a sense of peace I have found in that...

I'd be excited that it's Thursday if I had this weekend off, but I don't--However, I can be excited for all of you who do! Happy Thursday everyone!

You Are Missed Gramma!

I cannot believe that June is just around the corner and that in seven short weeks I will be saying goodbye to my job! I figured the month of May would drag by like sludge, but apparently I was wrong because here we are in the last weeks--

I know that my attention was else where in early May; Some of you on my Facebook page would have heard, but my grandmother passed away a few weeks ago at 86 years old. She lead a very strong life, down to the end, and accomplished the things that meant most to her. She wanted to out live her husband so she could take care of him. Check. And stay out of a nursing home. Check Check! I think I got my bull dog personality from her, ha! She took care of her husband until his death in December 2009 and she passed into God's hands while sleeping in her bed May 3, 2011. I was very lucky to attend her funeral 800 miles away in the hills of Pennsylvania with the rest of my family. She was such a wonderful women and will be greatly missed by me and many others--

During this, I also had a charity event going on for a local abused shelter for Mothers Day. I paired my new business as a Mary Kay consultant with sponsors (local businesses/ family and friends) to bring the Mothers of Hope Harbour joy and appreciation during a darker time of their lives. This took up a lot of time on top of working 12 hour days but it was so worth it and felt wonderful to be apart of! In addition, I was pulling ladies together to throw my first 2 Mary Kay parties and planning a birthday party for my sister---

Next week I have a day devoted solely to the MOVE and getting questions answered. However I'm hoping one of you might be able to answer this one. We are wanting to fly our cat to Washington instead of drive him out there; ONLY because of his inability to be indoors for long periods of time without being SUPER annoying, lol...Our only problem is he'll be there long before we arrive to pick him up. Is there anyone who offers a service for this? Such as picking him up for us? Or does the airport board them until you claim your animal?

HAPPY FRIDAY everyone!!!! I actually have an entire weekend off this week so it really IS a happy Friday:)

Calling all my military ladies!!!

Here is a question for my military gals---

On post living vs. off post living??? Time is flying right now and in 3 short months we will be pcs'ing 3,000 miles from here to Ft. Lewis Washington...My husband and I have been doing a lot of talking about whether to look for housing in near by towns or simply try on post housing, seeing as he will be deploying 6-7 months after we arrive...I am really on the fence about it! I will definitely be moving to Phoenix, AZ after his departure so I could see the no contract thing being a plus to living on post. However, I would love some opinions on the pros and cons if you could!

Thanks Ladies!