I need a good vent

I apologize in advance but I need to bitch vent about something and this is my outlet. It is about work. 

Last Friday my boss asked, no told, me that we would be traveling either next week or the following week to go visit a client for the day. So it was no surprise when he asked me this morning which day I am available this week. I let him know that really only Thursday works for me. He didn't need to know that I am planning on having an early birthday party on Friday.

Now, this is where the venting comes in. That is the last thing he said to me about traveling this week, I just got an email of my flight itinerary. It is a 7:15 AM flight! WTF? And it returns at 7:15 that night, a 12 hour day. I am going to be hurting, physically. It's not just that it is too friggin' early, I mean I am sleep deprived enough already and now I have to get up before 5:00 AM to catch a flight; but they didn't even care to include me in my own travel plans. I think that is very rude of them. I know this seems petty but it has really pissed me off and I know a good deal of that has to do with the enormous amounts of hormones flowing through me right now.

Thanks for listening, I needed to get that off my chest or the two headed dragon was going to do some damage, soon. Real soon.

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Beginnings of a nursery

And without further ado. . .the nursery mood board.

1. Paper PomPoms to hang over either the crib or the changing pad to act as a mobile.

2. Behr Paint in Smoked Oyster. Not too sold on this color I am thinking more of a cool gray as a neutral.

3. Rocking Chair from Wal-mart, I am going to try and find a colorful pillow or throw for it.

4. Night light from Ikea for late night diaper changes.

5. Front facing book case by Once Upon a Time

6. Modern fish tank courtesy of The Captain. This was my Christmas present from him, it is a small 6 gallon tank that will go on top of the high chest (not pictured)

7. Crib and crib bedding. The crib is from Babies R Us in an Espresso finish, the dresser and chest's pictures were not available on-line. The bedding is being made by abusymother from Etsy.

8. Area Rug from The Land of Nod

9. End table by Target for a glass of water and other breast feeding essentials.

I can't wait to start putting everything together and see the final look but I am loving the mood so far. I really wanted a modern look but with a childish feeling. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

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20 Weeks!

Half way point! Who knew it would sneak up on you like that? I'm sorry, what happened to the last 20 weeks? Didn't I just go in for our embryo transfer two weeks ago? I guess the saying time flies when you're having fun really is true. I have loved every single second of being pregnant, I don't want it to be over in 20 weeks. What if this is my only pregnancy? I know some women hate being pregnant and can't wait for it to be over but I think this is the best time of my life right now. Don't get me wrong, there are some un-pleasantries that come with pregnancy like niagra of the panties and the boob pain. Totally worth every second of it!

 

Awe - my little cantaloupe! I hope that isn't the size of your head when you are born. Ouch!

Best Moment of the week: I still haven't felt the baby kick on the outside yet but The Captain and I can search for the pulsing of the umbilical cord. Just knowing that it is attached to him makes me feel better. It's funny because it will move away from our hand and if he is on his belly then I can't find it any where.

Epiphany of the week: I think my Golden had the epiphany this week or I just now noticed that she knows I am pregnant. Last night I was laying on the sofa watching tv and she was in our bedroom, on her bed, napping. I heard a car door out side and sure enough she comes trotting down the hall to stare at the front door, she realized there was no one coming and came over to me and stared at my belly and then nudged with her nose. I couldn't believe it! It was like she was saying "I am here to protect you and all is okay". Of course, I cried.

Entertaining question/comment of the week: speaking of dogs, my Aunt asks me "What are your plans with the dogs?" I just looked at her, okay it was probably more like a death stare, and then she asks "Are you planning on keeping them?". Really? They are like my children too, am I supposed to discard them just because we are having a baby?

Obsessions: Waiting for a good kick. . .

What I am most looking forward to this week: Picking up the nursery furniture from the store.

What I miss the most: This week I don't miss not being pregnant at all.

Symptoms: oh, the boob pain! My boobs have been sore before but this is just down right painful. I think they are starting to make colostrum.

Milestones: Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you'd like your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch. *Courtesy of TheBump.com

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You shouldn't have!

I would like to say thank you to Kayee from Nothing in the Oven for my very own blog award. I am so grateful! She has been an amazing supporter and friend.

The rules for accepting this award are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you the award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Award 15 other bloggers.

4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.


7 Things About Myself

1. I am pregnant! I feel like that should be number one since it took so dang long to get there. 

2. I have an identical twin sister named Amanda. If it wasn't for her dying her hair dark you wouldn't know who was who. 

3. I would redecorate my house once a month if I had the funds.

4. Murder mysteries are favorite type of book second to anything written by Janet Evonovich

5. I am constantly concerned about how to live a greener life.

6. I love shopping.

7. I LOVE shoe shopping.

15 Blogs I adore:

1. Nothing in the Oven

2. Our Life and IVF

3. The Pioneer Woman

4. From If to When

5. Ridin' With The Robertsons

6. Just Another Day in Paradise

7. Praying for Our First Bundle of Joy

8. Inconceivable Journey

9. We got hitched...we bought the 4 bedroom house...we had twins! Now What?!?

10. Flip Flops & Pearls

11. Conceive This!

12. Dreams of a Baby

13. Handprints on the Wall

14. A Heritage from the Lord

15. Decor8

Thank you ladies for inspiring me, cheering me on and your unwavering support. I look forward to continue reading your journeys and seeing what the future holds.

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That other shoe

You know the one. 

The proverbial other shoe. 

The one that drops. 

I am anticipating it dropping at any moment lately. Things are going a little too smoothly right now for The Captain and I. We don't usually go this long without things going terrible awry, is our luck turning around? Here's a look at how things are going lately.

1.) He was able to get 4 days off without cutting into any vacation time to go with me to D.C. in a few weeks.

2.) Carpets were cleaned yesterday and we got a discount that wasn't expected.

3.) I ordered the bookcase for the nursery yesterday. The order said shipping takes 4-8 business days, it will be delivered Friday.

4.) We are putting in new windows in our house that should take 4-6 weeks to arrive, they are coming in 3 weeks.

Everything is falling into place beautifully to be completed well before baby arrives and I love it but I am scared sh*tless at the same time. The guest room nursery, I need to stop calling it the guest room, is empty just begging to be filled with cute baby stuff. I promise will get the nursery inspiration board done soon so you can see the plans.

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20 Week Anatomy Scan

Let me start by saying he is still a he. For a nanosecond we were worried the sonographer was going to say "Congratulations you're having a little girl". But no what we saw a couple of weeks ago was indeed his penis. I was worried he wasn't going to cooperate this morning because I haven't felt him, so I figured he was sleeping. Sure enough the scan showed him in a ball on his tummy sleeping. He did so good to let her get all the measurements and views she needed. He had his hands up by his face, again. Every ultrasound shows him with his hands up by his head or on his face, it is just too darn cute! I wish I could peek in on him any time I wanted to see what he is up to in there. I am so curious about what he is doing especially at 3:00 in the morning when he likes to be awake and moving.

The Sonographer didn't tell us his measurements or weight, she has to go over with the Doc and they will go over them with me next week. Bummer! She did say he is right on track and looks very good, there is no need for any concern. Phew!

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19 weeks and making a friend for life

Many times throughout writing this blog and following so many other blogs I wondered if I would ever get the chance to meet any of you. I feel such a connection with all of you amazing, strong, brave women who have helped me through some of the toughest and darkest times of my life. Even though we have never met in person I consider all of you my friends and that is how I refer to you when talking about you to The Captain. 

 Well Tuesday I got meet Laura from A Christian's Life and IVF. I happened to be staying in her area for the trade show I was at and we met up for dinner one night. In case you don't follow her blog, she and her husband went through their IVF cycle the same time as us. Our due dates are only two days apart and we are both expecting boys. I knew the moment we sat down and started talking that we will be friends for a very long time. I felt as if we had known each other for years and this was not our first meeting. I can't speak for her but that is how if felt for me. It was so wonderful being able to talk to someone who went through the same thing and is going through the same emotions now. I hope we have the opportunity to get together more often and especially after the babies are born. 

I wish we could have an annual conference where we just get together for a weekend and meet in person. Writing this blog and reading other blogs helps me so much therapeutically, I know it would be that much more wonderful to be able to talk face to face.

Now for the 19 week update. . .

Best Moment of the week: Meeting Laura and comparing pregnancies.

Epiphany of the week: Baby loves music. Keep singing.

Entertaining question/comment of the week: "You are so lucky you won't have a hangover for awhile"

Obsessions: Waiting for a good kick. . .

What I am most looking forward to this week: The anatomy scan, I can't wait to see how big his feet really are.

What I miss the most: This week I don't miss not being pregnant at all.

Symptoms: Acid reflux has made its debut. Not very nice at all.

Milestones: Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil, and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature. *Courtesy of TheBump.com

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Gone until Wednesday

Hey folks I just wanted to pop in and let you know I am at a conference for work until Wednesday so I will be MIA for a few days. I am hoping I can catch up some of your posts when I get back to the hotel everynight but who knows. Have a great week!

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Bump update

Here is the much requested bump update picture. This picture was taken almost a week ago.

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18 weeks! and one day

I totally forgot to do my update yesterday. I know you were all on the edge of your seat waiting for it. I apologize. But I have a good excuse! We registered last night or at least started the registry. The Captain became a little overwhelmed with all the baby stuff and choices in Babies R' Us so we will be making a few more trips. Every time I stepped foot in that store to buy yet another baby shower gift I would cringe. This was a whole new experience for us and I loved it. I could finally walk through the store without dragging the giant boulder that followed me. It was like a dream imagining our son in his car seat, his stroller, is this the right pack n' play? The Captain did end up getting a little trigger happy with the scanner, there are several items of clothing and bibs that have some kind of "Dad" reference. So cute! I am pretty sure he scanned every size imaginable of a pack of onesies.

Has it really been 18 weeks since this leg of our journey began? Gosh time does fly when your having fun. These months are just going by way too fast. When we were trying the months were like an eternity with just another big fast disappointment in the end. Now a days they seem like a minute long and I know it gets worse once he is here. I mean he is already the size of a sweet potato! 

Best Moment of the week: Finally being able to register for us and parking in Expectant Mother parking was pretty cool too.

Epiphany of the week: Taking a bath is a nice way to relax at the end of week and it gives me and Lil Captain some quality peace time.

Entertaining question/comment of the week: I don't think I have one this week. Hmmm?

Obsessions: Waiting for a good kick. . .

What I am most looking forward to this week: My mom is taking me shopping for maternity clothes tonight. I am running out of pants quickly.

What I miss the most: This week I don't miss not being pregnant at all.

Symptoms: Same Ol' Same Ol'. I am pretty boring this week.

Milestones: Baby's become amazingly mobile (compared to you, at least), passing the hours yawning, hiccupping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing. And baby is finally big enough that you'll soon be able to feel her movements. *Courtesy of TheBump.com

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Baby names

I thought we had it all figured out. Before we even knew what we were having the only name we could agree on was

Fischer James Pollard

for a boy. We never did decide on a girls name and here's hoping that we don't have to. But now The Captain is saying he doesn't want to put anything in writing just yet or tell anyone the name because he wants to tell everyone after the birth as sort of a welcome to the world. Which I totally agree with him on that but I want to be able to call this kid something besides "baby". 

He wants to look at other names now too. He's afraid that it is too cliche that he loves fishing so we name our son Fischer. But I see it as naming him after something that is his passion, his other love. What do you think? Is it too corny? Please be honest with me, don't think you will hurt my feelings or anything. I love the name and I think it will fit our son perfectly because I know that as soon as he can walk he is going to have sea legs and take after his Daddy. Hopefully he won't get sea sick like his Mama. 

Other names we are considering are Conor, Jackson or Hudson (not liking Hudson anymore).

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17 weeks!

Whoa, baby! You are now the size of an onion! This has been a busy week, hence why the update is a day late. Good news, my pillow arrived on Monday and it is AWESOME! So freaking comfortable but definitely needs a new stylish cover. I have had the best nights sleep the last few nights and I owe it all to my new pillow. If you are pregnant or not pregnant I still strongly suggest running out to the store right now and getting one.

Best Moment of the week: Feeling the baby move a lot now and knowing for a fact it is not gas. He definitely doesn't like it when I bend over to much and squish him.

Epiphany of the week: Keep yourself hydrated at all times.

Entertaining question/comment of the week: My husband really noticed the bump getting bigger the other night and so sweetly said "whoa belly!"

Obsessions: Putting together our registry checklist. We are going next week to play with strollers and car seats.

What I am most looking forward to this week: Not baby related but getting my hair done. Oh man do I need it.

What I miss the most: I miss being able to wear anything out of my closet without thinking about it, now it is a great effort to find something that either A.) fits over my growing belly or B.) fit over my expanding chest.

Symptoms: The increased blood flow this week has starting making me getting bloody noses. I know. It's gross.

Milestones: Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. His umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes now feature one-of-a-kind prints. *Courtesy of TheBump.com

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Popping popcorn

I have a popcorn maker in my uterus. 

I felt the strongest bubble popping sensation this morning in the shower that made me say "oh my GAH what was that?" I don't want to say that it hurt, per se, but just very obvious that it wasn't gas. I think I have actually been feeling the baby move for the last few weeks I just attributed it to being gas bubbles until it dawned on me that my stomach is not in my pelvis area. I can't wait to feel it more and more, I can't say it didn't bring a smile to my face.

We have our monthly checkup this afternoon and am not looking forward to what that scale says.

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Crib bedding selected

We decided to go with the one I loved the most. It will take about 4-6 weeks to be completed so that should give me plenty of time to get the closet completed & organized, the guest room furniture moved out and the walls painted. She is going to send me samples of each fabric so that I can use them to pick the rest of the room out.

The bed skirt will be the striped fabric with a strip of the blue & white polka dots on the bottom. The bumpers will have the bird fabric on one side and the Hawaiian flowers on the other with the stripe as the piping around the top. The rail ties will be the blue polka dot fabric as well. I can't wait to see how it all turns out!

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