19 Week Update.... a day early

How far along are you:  19 Weeks... depending on how the rest of this pregnancy goes, this very well could mark my half way point. My doctor isn't against inducing early should my blood pressure start to act up.... again.
 

Fruit: Mango! (fun fact: my husband is allergic to mangoes)

Baby bump: I currently look like I'm shop lifting a bowling ball.

Maternity Clothes: Yup, which the exception of a couple of sweatshirts.
Thankfully, I got a couple of new things for Christmas that will hopefully see me through to May.

Gender: I'm still thinking boy most of the time. 

Stretch Marks: Nothing new.... lotioning liberally in an effort to prevent them.

Sleep: Waking up around 4:30 most mornings and cat napping until my alarm goes off. While this hadn't been happening for awhile, it's not unusual for me for general.

Cravings: Ice Water

What Makes Me Wanna Gag: Empty stomach, the smell of breakfast foods- like a bacon, hashbrowns, etc. (Although, that isn't beyond the scope of normal for a non pregnant me)

Exercise: Toddler Chasing

Mood: Relaxed

Movement: I felt one outside punch but other wise lots of flutters and taps. This baby is quieter then Ryan was at this age.

Favorite thing this week: Working 2 1/2 days in the office 

Excited For: Spending another long weekend with my family.

In other news...
I am just so excited to see who's in there

For Christine

It was about this time three years ago I joined a Facebook group of moms who were all due with babies in July 2012. I don't remember who got me involved, or how exactly I became active in the group. i think over time it just happened  

At first I was afraid to post anything. What if they didn't like me? What if I spelled too many words wrong and said the wrong thing? They all seemed so much cooler then me and much more with it. Before long, I learned that my fears were unfounded and they like me, were just trying to make their way in their own worlds. To be good wives, good mothers, good people. I have found more support in that tiny group of women then I have any where else in the world. Although I don't know a single one of them personally, nor have I ever met a single one face to face, they are my tribe.

We have lifted each other up through the death of parents, friends and spouses. We have rallied when one of us is down or has  a sick child or a broken family. We do, not because we feel obligated to, or because it's forced, we do because we believe in each other. We believe in the gift of friendship and motherhood and that fact that it takes a village not only to raise a child to but to keep ourselves together as well. They are amazing and I am just lucky to be a part of it.

Yesterday we learned that tragic news that we lost one of our own this past weekend. Christine's life was taken by the hands of her husband, who then took his own life. She leaves behind two children and an extended family who all loved her more then words can ever say. I cannot imagine what that night must have been like for her or what the following days have been like for her family. I am just dumbfounded by all of it.

Christine was funny, witty and smart. She was a mother, a sister, a daughter, a wife, a friend and a follow member of my mom tribe. The beauty of having a friend on a facebook group is that you can research and find past posts in moments. You don't have to wait for a memory to find its way back to the front of your brain. It's all right there.

I spent my evening reading back over posts Christine had started or commented on. She was hysterical. I saw a lot of myself in her and I'd like to think if we met in person we probably would have been instant friends. She was quick with her opinions, steadfast in her support of all of us and quick to say what others were thinking. She was my kind of girl.

But she, like so many of us, held a secret. Things weren't always good at home and the one who vowed to love, honor and cherish her didn't always honor those vows. While a few of us knew there was some dysfunction, none of us knew the extent of the issues or how bad it really was. She painted a pretty picture, just like we all do, and we believed it for what it was, just like we all hope with our own.

I wish we could have done something. I wish we could have helped in some way. I wish she would have said something, anything....

I wish I had the magic to create the words that needed to be written that could heal our broken hearts and return Christine to her children. Unfortunately, that type of magic just doesn't exist and its just plain not fair.

Wrapping My Head Around 2014

Wasn't it just New Year's Eve 2013?

Certainly, that just happened last week, right?

Obviously not.

There is a huge part of me that's having a hard time dealing with the fact that 2014 in nearly over already. Didn't I just celebrate my 32nd birthday..... in September?

This whole time getting away from me deal should come with zero surprises. I'm still hyperventilating over the fact the baby I gave birth to in 2012 will be 2 1/2 in a couple of weeks.


HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?


Clearly, time and I have a strange relationship.


 But, if I really, truly think about it. 2014 was a bit of a whirl wind.

There were trips to Virginia, Massachusetts, Delaware,  The Bahamas and South Carolina.

Friends got married, had babies and announced pregnancies.

My brother got engaged.

Mr. Berg knocked me up once again in no time flat.

My Pop-Pop passed away as did my Step Grandmother.

Sophie joined Bob in heaven.

We decided we're ready to move but then decided we're too poor to actually do anything about it.

We finally got around to painting the half bath we're been talking about painting for the past three years....

The basement is still a red paint nightmare, but maybe 2015 will hold a solution for that.

I lost a lot of weight, gained some of it back, got pregnant gained even more of it back.
I remain a hippopotamus going into the New Year....  

I never did learn to cook half the things I said I would.

I never did clean out those dresser drawers I keep putting on my to-do list.

The cardboard box of books sitting in my son's bedroom? Still there.


But our house filled with more love and more laughter then in was when the year started. We've grown in ways you can't measure with a yard stick or measuring tape.

We've experienced some incredible highs and some seemingly endless lows. All the while, we have survived them... all of them.

While there are days I still find myself standing in my kitchen wondering exactly how I  got here, I know it wasn't by accident.

It's been through hard work, happenstance and a little bit of luck. 

My life is a good one.
This year has been a good one.

Bring it 2015..... Bring it!

17 Week Update

How far along are you:  17 Weeks... unbelievable!
 

Fruit: Alright neither of these are fruits- The Bump says the size of an onion, Baby Center says a turnip.... So, a fruit somewhere around that size... Orange Maybe?

Baby bump: It's definitely there, there is no questioning it.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, and I'm already bored with them.... fantastic!

Gender: Every time I look down at my belly I think, that's a boy. Only time will tell... The big ultra sound has been scheduled.

Stretch Marks: Nothing new and no changes to the ones that already exist.

Sleep: Sleeping through the night, unless I have to get up to pee, which happens from time to time.

Cravings: Ice Water and Ice Tea mostly. I got into Christmas Tree Cakes there for a minute, similar craving from last time.

What Makes Me Wanna Gag: An empty stomach and lately my fish oil pills which I desperately need so I'm pushing through it

Exercise: Oh exercise..... more on this below

Mood: Somewhat stressed about Christmas and all the things that need done. But mostly excited for all the exciting things to come.

Movement: More and More

Favorite thing this week: The big ultrasound is scheduled for Friday January 30th at 9:20am. Nothing that I'm counting down the days or anything.

Excited For:  Taking a few hours off this afternoon to finish Christmas shopping and getting a jump on wrapping.

In other news...

I'm going to kill my brother! He's and his finance scheduled their wedding for exactly 3 months after I give birth to Baby Berg Jr.

3 months.

Yeah, he's dead.

I'm going to look like a hippopotamus.

Guess who's going to make a point to get back into exercising come January.

Again, he's dead! 

Pop-Pop

On Saturday evening my paternal Grandpa, Pop-Pop passed away. He was 96 years old. His only wish was to die at home, in his Florida condo over looking the golf course. Thanks for the love and care my Mimi gave to him for so many, many years, his wish was a reality.

While I am of course sad that he is gone, I am mostly thankful. Thankful for all the healthy years he had, thankful for his love, thankful for so many little things I mostly can't think of or eloquently put into words right now.

Relationships, families, life, it's always complicated. There are always misunderstandings, road blocks and decisions we will never understand. But when you put all that aside and can still find the love, then I think you're pretty darn lucky.

As was I to have had him.


I'll miss you Pop-Pop. 

16 Week Letter

Good Morning Baby Berg-

We had our 16 week appointment this morning, complete with blood work and a quick listen to your heart beat. Unlike last time you didn't give the nurse any trouble finding you. You have a nice strong heartbeat, holding steady in the 140's.

I've been starting to feel you move more and more lately. You seem to be a mid morning and evening person so far. While your bumps and taps have been pretty mild, I know it won't be long and you'll be jumping all over the place.

Your "big ultrasound" has finally been scheduled. I cannot wait to see you and find out exactly who you are. Only 6 more weeks..... it seems like a long time but I know time will fly by, as it has so far.

Right now I feel like we're in a holding pattern, as our doctor said today, we're at the boring part of pregnancy. Your job is to grow, my job is to provide you with that you need to grow. There isn't too much to do or plan for until we know who you are. So for now, we sit back, relax and enjoy.

Love you, love you tons and tons. 
Mama 

16 Week Update.....

How far along are you:  16 Weeks... Holy crap that went fast!

 

Fruit: Baby is the size of an avocado (although I'm not sure that's a fruit)

Baby bump: In the past couple of weeks the first trimester bloat finally took off and now I just have a bump and my normal body. Whew.... I was starting to really doubt that would happen.
Now that things have settled down, I don't feel so huge all the time. Definitely more so in the afternoons and anytime I really have to pee.

Maternity Clothes: Yup, I'm trying to think of creative outfits to wear so I don't get bored. My mom was generous with buying me lots of new stuff for Christmas. Hopefully, I have enough to get my through until May.

Gender: Really thinking boy now.... Grammy is holding out for a girl

Stretch Marks: Nothing new

Sleep: It was a little touch and go there for a minute. Then I reintroduced myself to the snoogle. A match made in heaven once more.

Cravings: Ice water is a high priority, especially in the evenings. Cold water, drank straight from the bathroom faucet is awesome. Yes, I realize how crazy this makes me sound. I did it when I was pregnant with Ryan too, just so you know.

What Makes Me Wanna Gag: An empty stomach

Exercise: Ryan is my exercise

Mood: So excited for Christmas

Movement: Little taps and flutters. I think I felt a reasonable sized kick or punch the other day too.

Favorite thing this week: Buying so new clothes for Christmas, Christmas shopping with my Mama.

Excited For:  Finishing up our Christmas decorating.

In other news...Nothing too exciting, just trying to keep up with the holiday crazy.

Potential Baby Name

At this point, I'm pretty sure Baby Berg v2.0 shall be named......


Sorry Kid Berg


Yup, this poor child has taken a back seat to just about everything under the sun. While Sorry Kid's older brother has a weekly pregnancy photo, a weekly blog post update and an entire pinterest board made in his honor. Sorry Kid has one weekly pregnancy photo, a handful of blog posts and a mom who is having a hard time wrapping her head around the idea that perhaps she might need to think about another nursery before long..... 


With work and home being so busy, there is rarely a moment of rest these days. Last Thursday I was dealing with a sick baby boy, a working late husband and a house that needed some serious attention less it fall down around us. It was 8:30pm when I suddenly realized I had a headache and felt faint....

Oh year, dinner.....


This is the story of my life and Sorry Kid's life thus far.....



Wish Sorry Kid luck, he's* going to need it.



*He being a general term. We don't know exactly what Sorry Kid is yet. However, I still have strong boy feeling 80% of the time *

13 Week Letter

Dear Baby Berg-

If you ask your older brother who's in my belly, he will tell you his buddersister is. I'm pretty sure he means brother or sister, but I could be wrong. Lately, we've been doing a lot of guessing as to who you might be. Grammy says you're a girl, Daddy isn't sure, your brother thinks your both and right now Mama thinks you're a boy. Although I have my moments where I think you're a girl, then I change my mind again. Perhaps, I'm more undecided then I give myself credit for.

Either way, I know the following is true:

1. No matter who you are, you will be loved so greatly it hurts me to think about

2. You will always be allowed to be who you are. My mom always let me march to my own drum and I am positive it has made me who I am today

3. I will always be proud to be your Mama

Get ready for a wild ride, Baby Berg. In the next 9 days we will be eating lots of turkey, drinking lots of cider, visiting lots of people, riding in a lot of cars, seeing Thomas the train, getting your brother a hair cut, going to tumbling, going to the orchard, the grocery store- at least twice and if Mama has it her way, eating pizza for dinner tonight.


I love you so very, very much!

Mama 

13 Week Update

How far along are you:  13 Weeks... Hellooooooo Second Trimester!!!!

 

Fruit: Baby is the size of a peach

Baby bump: It's there. I'm having trouble fitting into most of my regular tops now. However, I will say the bump is very similar to my last bump, low and round. It's just here a lot faster.

Maternity Clothes: All the time. The only thing I'm not wearing is maternity yoga pants yet as my others are still pretty stretchy.... that and I've been living in PJ pants all week.

Gender: My guess is still boy

Stretch Marks: Nada

Sleep: I sleep like a rock. I don't move, I don't change positions. I just lay down and sleep.

Cravings: Cheese and Crackers, Lemonade, Ice Water and Ice Tea

What Makes Me Wanna Gag: Not a whole lot of anything right now

Exercise: Ryan is my exercise

Mood: On burn out from this week but that has little to do with being pregnant and more to do with life in general.  <-- again="" o:p="" this="">

Favorite thing this week: Having a doctor's apt with someone in my practice that didn't suck. The last mid-wife I saw was terrible. This Dr. was amazing and put my mind at ease.

Excited For:  Thanksgiving with the people that live in Boston.

In other news...It's forever busy here at work. I have 1 1/2 days of work until we leave for vacation. Really, it works out to two 1/2 days as I'm on a jobsite tomorrow morning and I missed most of the morning with a sick baby boy. 

12 Week Letter

Good Morning Baby Berg!

We had our second of many, many, many baby appointments for you this morning. You are already taking after your brother and hiding from the doppler. You silly kid! Our nurse came in to find your heart beat and you were not having it. Moving all over the place and going into stealth mode. Honestly, it didn't surprise me. You brother was notorious for this behavior. Our grumpy nurse finally gave up after several minutes of being unable to catch you. Thankfully, our doctor found your heartbeat within moments. It was nice and strong at 157 bpm.

So far, everything for you and I is going very smoothly. Blood pressure looks great, all my blood work came back normal, I'm negative for all the things I should be negative for and positive for all the things I should be positive for. My weight is holding steady and you little baby, are growing! So fast!

I can't believe our next apt will be our 16 week appointment. That will come with another heartbeat check and of course, blood work. Nice, right?

I'm not sure if it's the change in vitamin or the progress of time, but every day I feel like I have more energy and more stamina. With any luck, I'll be getting in some workouts soon. Even just a couple of 30 minute workouts a week would probably do wonders for us, wouldn't it?

I love you! Thanks for changing my world.

Mama 

12 Week Update

How far along are you:  12 Weeks... unfreakingbelieveable

Fruit: A sweet little plum

Baby bump: There's a bump... it's rather odd looking but it's there. Mostly I just look really fat. Like.... when I told a woman I knew today that I was pregnant the look of relief on her face was momentous. I think she thought I'd gotten really fat for fun.

Maternity Clothes: Maternity pants all the time. I'm going to need to invest in some warm maternity tops.

Gender: Still thinking boy... more so this week then past weeks

Stretch Marks: Nothing new

Sleep: I've slept really well this week, which has been nice and is leading to more energy throughout the day.

Cravings: Still Iced Team and Iced Water and salty, salty is good

What Makes Me Wanna Gag: I drank an orange soda with lunch today. That was not a wise choice.

Exercise: Ryan is my exercise

Mood: On burn out from this week but that has little to do with being pregnant and more to do with life in general.

Favorite thing this week: Feeling better, thank you new vitamins (that I realized I forgot to take with lunch.... so smart)

Excited For:  Thanksgiving with the people that live in Boston.

In other news...I'm bowling tomorrow.... yes, I said bowling. As in that sport that requires rental shoes..... Okay, really, I'm just going for moral support. I don't bowl... .ever

Curse of the Water Buffalo

Last week at our bi-weekly management meeting our Marketing Director said the following:

I'd like to schedule new management head shots and group pictures for this December.

(entire room groans inwardly)

Don't worry Jessica, atleast you aren't pregnant this time around.....



HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA..... Guess what buddy..... just you wait!

I never fails, I get pregnant and everyone wants me to take pictures.

Two years this coming Spring we did management portraits. I was 7 months pregnant. It was a unseasonably warm day and I looked like water buffalo in all my pregnant, refusing to buy a maternity blazer self.


So yeah, now I need to go find a maternity blazer and hope I don't look like an idiot come picture day. Fan-freaking-tastic.

Updates and Such

• Last Thursday I switched from Target's gummy brand prenatal vitamin to Advocare's Coreplex with Iron. Sweet Mother of Mary, that stuff is incredible. In two days I went from feeling like I was a hit by a truck, running on fumes 75% of my day, to feeling like I actually have energy and stamina. I am kicking myself for not switching sooner and not doing this my last pregnancy
  
  
• With that said, I'm actually excited to see what my blood work looks like after my next labs are drawn... probably December or January
  
  
• Mr. Berg and I have tickets to see Alton Brown tonight. I'm pretty excited.... I'm also hoping I stay awake. Show does't start until 7:30pm... as in when I'm normally in my jammies watching Doc McStuffins with a 2 year old.
  
  
• Speaking of two year olds.... Ryan is stinking hysterical these days. His language is exploding. He's full of expressions and two-three word sentences. He constantly leaves us in stitches.
  
  
• Mr. Berg just passed the Insurance Law exam of his CPCU course work. Apparently, it was very, very tough. I'm so very, very proud of him!
  
  
• Still haven't told anyone at work that I'm pregnant. It's getting funnier as I am reach obviously pregnant status. In past weeks, the bump would begin to appear as they day went out. Over the past couple of days I've woken up with a real bump. It's pretty funny. I've gotten a couple of looks but no one has been brave enough to say "are you pregnant?"
  
• I am the bad mother that sent her child to daycare this morning with a low grade fever. He's teething and he has a cold. I don't think he's going to spread anymore germs then any of the other children in his class. Plus, he was running around our house at lightening speed this morning chattering nonsense. I think he's fine. A quick dose of Advil and we're good to go....... Watch me get the "your child is sick" phone call this afternoon.
  
• Lately I've been missing Sophie. The ache in my heart is almost worse then it was when she died. I know, that sounds crazy. But I actually cried about it last night. I know being pregnant makes you feel all the feelings, but I'm not sure how much is related to that and how much is related to time.
  I know I've said before I cried more the weeks after Bob's death then I did went Sophie died. Bob has been sick for a long time, but he was very stable. I had tricked myself into thinking he would continue that way for a long time. Then he very suddenly took a turn for the worse and was gone. It was a shock.
  Sophie was very healthy for 17 years and then quickly became ill. Her illness was rapid decline and when it came time to say goodbye I felt sadness but I also felt relief. Relief she was no long in pain, no longer having embarrassing accidents, no longer suffering. And selfishly, I was happy to not have to clean up puddles all over my house and worry about proper doses of pain medication and diabetic cat food.
  Now time has passed and I miss her more and more with each passing day. She was my buddy. I'm a little bit lost without her.
  
• We are leaving for Boston in two weeks. I am so excited to see our Boston Family.

11 Week Letter

Happy 11th Week Baby Berg!-

You are now the size of a lime, which if you ask me, is pretty big. I was looking at the limes in the fridge last night and thinking about how that measured up to you. You're growing up there kid.

You made it through your first Halloween last week.We didn't have a lot of candy since we are both not big fans of sweets right now. But trust me, it will come, all in due time my sweet baby. Halloween aside, it's been pretty quiet at home right now. This is nice change from the days, right? I'm sorry that we're always on the go. It is very much life for us right now. Right now work for Mama is very, very busy. This a great thing but it also means we don't get to stop and rest much. I'm hoping all the good foods I try to eat and all the good vitamins I'm taking are ensuring that you're getting everything you need. Fingers crossed.

We have two more weeks before we leave for Thanksgiving in Boston. It will be chaotic, it will be loud and it will be so much fun. You have some amazing cousins up there and I am so excited for you to meet them next year.

I love you so much!

Mama 

11 Week Update

How far along are you:  11 Weeks... does time seem to be flying or is it just me

Fruit: Lime- that makes me wish I had a gin and tonic right about now.... it's been one of those weeks.

Baby bump: There's a bump, a bump made of blubber but a bump none the less. It is most prominent in the evenings or when I have to pee.

Maternity Clothes: I spent the beginning of the week in denial so I just wore dresses. Then in got cold. Maternity pants for the win.

Gender: I still think boy 80% of the time. This is bad a seriously debating topic in the Berg Household. By this time into Ryan's pregnancy I was dead set on the fact that he was a boy. This time around I have a general feeling that this is a boy. But then the "what ifs" start bugging me.

All in all, this pregnancy is very, very similar to Ryan's. I'm sitting here racking my brain trying to think of any significant differences.

So yeah, still thinking boy.

Stretch Marks: Nothing new so far, I'm cool with that

Sleep: I'm still consistently in bed by 9-9:30pm every night. Every day around 3pm I find myself totally exhausted but I rally in time for daycare pick up and evening activities. 

Cravings: Cold water, iced tea and yogurt mostly this week.

What Makes Me Wanna Gag: Leftovers... this is a problem seeing as I typically love leftovers

Exercise: Ryan is my exercise

Mood: Overwhelmed with work but otherwise holding my own just fine.

Favorite thing this week: Telling my brother and his girlfriend. They both picked up on our Big Brother T Shirt for Ryan about 45 minutes faster then my parents did. So funny!

Excited For:  The return of my energy. Mr. Berg's studying/test to be over with so I can co-parent instead of single parent.

In other news...First trimester is coming to a close pretty quickly. I can't even believe it. 

The Care and Keeping of Pregnant Me

With all the complications I had delivering Ryan and shortly there after, my doctor and obstetric nurse put a plan into place for my care as soon as we found out I was pregnant again.

This plan, so far, has included:

-In home blood pressure monitoring- so far, so good

- Extra blood work- my favorite!

- A base line 24 hour urine catch, which will be repeated at the start of each trimester and again as necessary- nothing say party like an orange container of pee

- A Prenatal Vitamin Change- Now with iron!


So far, the following as been discovered:

- You get more blood out of my right arm

- I still pass out at blood work

- I pee more then 1 jug can hold

- My MCHC count is low, which is odd but no one knows why or can pin point if it's a problem

- I am anemic- already


I start a different prenatal with iron tomorrow. Hopefully, this will help kick anemia's butt and no more issues are found.



Fingers crossed people, fingers crossed

Playing Games...

As of right now, five family members and 3 best friends know about Baby Berg Jr. I haven't said a word to the rest of the world. I have absolutely no reason to not tell anyone. I just haven't yet.

Part of that is because we'd like to tell Mr. Berg's family in person at Thanksgiving. The less people know, the less a chance of it getting back to them before hand. Another part of it is that I kind of like keeping it a little secret. It's fun. It's me and Baby Berg Jr. against the world.

There is a large part of me that thinks I probably won' tell. I'll just let people figure it out on their own. Working in a male dominated industry makes that all the more fun. At least, it does for me.

Baby Berg Jr. is getting harder and harder to hide. I've had to break out maternity pants must earlier then I did last time. Today I'm wearing a dress because it seemed easier to do that then iron pants this morning. In fact, I may just consider wearing dresses every day this week. 

Such a cop out, right?


Happy Monday Everyone!

May your coffee be strong and your workday be short!

10 Week Update

How far along are you:  10 weeks today

Fruit: Baby is the size of a prune

Baby bump: Oh the bump.... it's made of belly fat and displaced organs. I look like I fell off the healthy eating wagon. 

Maternity Clothes: I spent the weekend in my maternity Sevens. God, I love those jeans. I'm in that weird zone right now where my usual pants are getting really tight and uncomfortable. Meanwhile, maternity pants are too big and make me look even more portly thus making me more uncomfortable.

So, for now, I'm sticking with the three pairs of regular work pants that fit and a couple pairs of maternity jeans. All while wishing I could just live in yoga pants.

All of that to say: I think I'm just fat.

Gender: I referred to the baby this morning as Baby Boy without even thinking about it first. Habit or sixth sense? Who knows.

Stretch Marks: Nope, but I'm running a special on body acne :) Yay!

Sleep: If the other members of my household would sleep, than I could too!!

Cravings: Food still isn't all that appealing and cravings are fleeting. I still really like cold water, iced tea and Thanksgiving on a Bun. Melon and Pineapple are also awesome and most recently yogurt.

What Makes Me Wanna Gag: An empty stomach... so not good

Exercise: Ryan is my exercise

Mood: Right now I'm just drained thanks to a sick toddler and a busy, busy schedule

Favorite thing this week: Telling my parents. They are hysterical.

Excited For: Spa Day on Sunday. Totally not baby related, totally worth it!

In other news...Everything I said about my energy returning last week was a damn lie! I need so much sleep right now, it's not even funny!

Week 9 Letter

Dear Baby Berg:

You are the reason Mama's pants don't fit. Just thought you should know.

We've been hanging out together for 9 weeks now. It's fun knowing that I am never truly alone anymore. I'm trying to cut back on the caffeine and up the amount of sleeping I'm getting. I'm a good thing you can't hear yet. Your father has been sawing logs every night thanks to an amazing cold he brought home last week. Speaking of that cold, sorry about that. I'm sure my coughing and sneezing hasn't exactly been your idea of a fun ride. I think it's safe to say at 9 weeks in, we are certain to catch a few more of those before all is said and done.

There's a big event happening this week in your life. In fact, it's happening tonight. Your grandparents are finding out about you. You have no idea how thrilled they are going to be. They've been waiting and waiting and waiting. And I've been lying point blank to their faces for weeks now, which is hard.

This weekend is also a our annual Halloween Beach Weekend. It's always held a special place in our hearts. You won't know what's going on this weekend but in the years to come you will love it.


I love you, baby!

Mama

9 Week Update

I found a survey I like a lot better so I'm using this one going forward

How far along are you:  9 weeks exactly!

Fruit: Baby is the size an olive... okay to not exactly a fruit but whatever... a grape maybe?  According to our ultrasound tech on Monday, Baby Berg is about an inch long.

Baby bump: Well.... sort of. If I'm naked, you can definitely tell there's a baby in there. In clothes, I just look like I had Chipolte one too many times this week.

Maternity Clothes: I wore a pair of Maternity Jeans to Ryan's tumbling class on Saturday. They were too big. As I type this I'm starting to remember.... Loft Maternity pants run really big....

Gender: Won't know for sure until mid January. However, baby's ultrasound picture showed him/her to be in the same position as Ryan was at his first ultrasound. They were both also taken on the exact same day in my pregnancy- 8 weeks, 4 days. Wild, right!? Thus, I'm still leaning towards boy but there is a voice in the back of my mind saying "It could be a girl." Who knows!

Stretch Marks: Nothing new thus far

Sleep: Not the greatest. I'm dealing with a nasty cold.(Thanks Husband) So I wake up stuffy a lot. I'm also up between 3-4am to pee and then I can't get back to sleep.

Cravings: Ice water, iced tea, Thanksgiving on a Bun Sandwiches, fresh cut fruit- mainly pineapple and melon, chicken fajiatas from a specific restaurant, cheese-steak egg rolls. (All of these are pretty much the same as last time)

What Makes Me Wanna Gag: Nothing really, but I'm really not a fan of eggs and the smell of our totter trash can.

Exercise: As soon as my energy returns I am going to try to get back into it a little bit. Right now there's just no point.

Mood: Decent. I get annoyed a little faster then usual and I am often checking myself before I wreck myself.

Favorite thing this week: First appointment this week. It was awesome to see our little bean on the ultrasound screen.

Excited For: Telling my parents.... TOMORROW

In other news...I'm starting to notice my energy is increasing ever so slightly and I'm getting excited about food again. Which is nice, those first 8 weeks of hating food certainly sucked!

8 Week Letter

Hello Baby Berg-

Yes, I know your 8 week letter is a tad overdue. However, I have a very good reason. I wanted to tell you about the first time I saw you. Which, just so happened to be yesterday. 

Yesterday was our first of many, many baby appointments as your Daddy and I like to call them. The first appointment is always the best appointment in my mind because it's the first time we get to see you. And trust me, after 8 weeks of waiting, we were very, very ready to see you.

We meet with a very nice ultrasound technician, the same one we met when we first met your brother. Just like before I was afraid he would look at the screen and tell me there was no baby in my belly. But just like last time, there you were.

Right now you are about an inch long, your heart rate is about 165 beats per minute and you were having an awesome time wiggling around. Oh my goodness, what a blessing you are already. During your ultrasound you were in the same position your brother was in when we had his first ultrasound. It was pretty neat to notice your similarities already. 

It makes me feel so good to know you are in there, safe and sound. You're getting the best medical care, the best nutrients and you're a part of the best family I know. I feel so blessed to be your Mom.

You are officially due May 28th. Right now my gut thinks you'll be right on time, your Dad thinks you'll be early. We both don't really have a feel one way or another if you're a boy or a girl. Although I will say being pregnant with you so far as been a lot like being pregnant with your brother, which makes me think perhaps you are a boy. Knowing you were in the same place at your brother makes me think you're a boy too. However, as your mother, I think you should, I am often wrong. I'm also a typically a pretty terrible guesser. So if you came three weeks early and were a girl, I wouldn't be surprised... if anything, I'd be thrilled.

I love you, so very, very much.

Mom 

8 Week Update

How big is baby?: The baby is the size of a raspberry.
Stretch marks?:  Nothing new....
Maternity clothes?: I pulled them out of storage but haven't broken them out of their space saving bags yet.
Sleep: There is no such thing as too much sleep
Best moment this week: Realizing my first apt. is next week.
Movement: Nothing yet.
Food cravings: I just wish food tasted good and that I wanted to eat it
Gender: Still leaning towards boy. I'll have a better gut feeling after my ultrasound
Labor Signs: Nope
Belly Button in or out?: In, way, way, way in. I'll be shocked if it pops this time. 
What I miss: Wine, feeling hungry and actually wanting to eat

What I am looking forward to: Monday's marathon apt. Telling my parents next weekend.