I'll have the combination platter

Diane: So, do you know what you're having?
Me: Yeah, I am going to get the combination platter.

Everyone chuckles

John: It's too early to tell.

Apparently Diane was asking if I knew what the sex of the baby was yet. Let's all collectively hope I don't get a combination platter. ;-) BUT, in my defense, we were at a restaurant and hadn't ordered yet!!

Yesterday my dad took me to his office to check the baby's heartbeat. I had a bout of who know's what earlier this week and broke out in a rash all over my body. Probably a reaction to some food. (rashes from contact are usually local). I WAS not worried becuase my dad WAS not worried earlier in the week, but he called on Thursday to tell me I should go to the doctor and have her listen tot he heartbeat just to make sure. Since the nurse never called me back, my dad offered to take me to his office. Lucky me, I get another ultrasound. I just thought we were going to take a listen, but I get to see my bundle of joy again. I won't turn down that opportunity. The poor little one had the hiccups so it would be floating along and then bounce up...I didn't know they could get hiccups so early. It looks so funny on the ultrasound screen. I can't help but laugh, although the baby probably doesn't think it's funny.

A good visual

I wish I could credit the cartoonist, but I got this in an e-mail. Rather appropriate timing....

Is my heart skipping a beat?

There is this new phenomena going on inside me that feels like my heart is fluttering. I THINK it's the baby moving, although I don't know for sure. If it IS the baby moving, it is moving a LOT.

"If it kicks you when crossing its legs...

It must be a girl."
It took me a while to get what John was saying. What?! Men don't cross their legs? Well, they probably do it less in the U.S. ... Actually, where he was coming from is that he has been the victim of the girls on my side of the family kicking him under the table when their legs are crossed. So, it's rather humorous to think that this would be a tell tale sign of the sex of our baby. Too bad I don't have an ultrasound machine to test that theory.
Just this week, I found out my friend, Renata is due two days after me. That really is so fascinating. We, unbeknownst to eacother, were also married about a week apart. I am so happy for her and now I know who to bug while I am on maternity leave.
Last night I went to Ravinia with John, Sarah and her husband, Mike. We saw Tony Bennett. It was a great concert. I don't fancy myself a fan of the genre of music, but there is something magical about a gorgeous evening, Tony and good food and friends. I didn't even miss the fact that I had no wine to top of the memorable night.
The man is 82 and can still belt out them tunes. He's got some secret of youth, and is still the coolest cat on the block. I don't normally speak about people like that, but this is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear him. "be-YOO-tiful".
So, what does this have to do with the baby? I hope some of that coolness was absorbed into my belly. ;-)

08.20.08 It's a BABY! @12 weeks + 2 days

Today I had a down syndrome screening. This is an optional screening, but you get a bonus ultrasound, so I am all in. They told me to arrive with a full bladder. I took this to heart. I was in PAIN waiting for the nurse to come get me to do the ultrasound. She was impressed with how full my bladder was. Apparently I was above average...but not next time, I assure you. I don't want to be that full again! Anyway, everything looked and sounded normal. I cannot get enough of seeing this babe AND hearing the heartbeat. It makes everything real! John was there with me, holding my hand. The lab tech could not seem to get a good head profile picture (for the nose bone) because the baby was moving around so much. She actually hit me in the belly, WITH my very full bladder, to get the baby to move into a good viewing position. I hope this baby appreciates what I went through. Well, I GUESS it was worth it to see our little one. ;-) The legs were crossed, so John thinks it's a girl. If the Chinese calendar has anything to say about it, it IS a girl. I will be happy either way... healthy is all I want! So far, everything looks and sounds as it should. (big sigh of relief).

Another, less important, big sigh of relief comes from the fact that I only gained 2.5 pounds so far. I was worried with my slothesque behavior as of late, that I would have blown the 3-5 pounds you're supposed to gain in the first trimester. Not yet. Who knows, the breadmaker may ruin me ;-)

08.17.08 - Pamper Natalie Day

First of all, there were many birthdays this past week. Happy Birthday to Jen, Kayla, Beth and Penny! I hope they were all absolutely fabulous!

I am treating myself to a facial today. There is a $20 off at the local spa if you book on a Sunday and you bet your bottom that I am taking advantage. I could have gotten a massage, because my body feels like it's falling apart, but the thought of it right now does not appeal to me. I guess the prenatal massages are for the last two trimesters and I don't want to be on my stomach right now. Another sign I am prego. I point out these "signs" because all I look like right now is I am pudgy and can't hold my stomach in. So not attractive, but not evidently pregnant.

I also got a bread machine from Donna, my brother-in-law's mom. She was selling it at the Thompson garage sale this past week and I got it for free. Boy oh boy am I addicted to making all things bread now. Bread machines are too easy. So far I have made italian wheat bread, french baguettes and, for this morning, homemade cinnamon rolls. Unfortunately I only bought a three pack of yeast, so I have to stop there until my next trip to the grocery store. I wasn't sure how much bread I would make, and it looks like I may need to be buying yeast in bulk at the rate I am going. It's good I am not a low carb gal. Of course, I may be the size of a house sooner rather than when I am supposed to be. The house smells fantastic, as you can imagine.

08.11.08 - 11 Weeks

Just wanted to post it's 11 weeks today.
I tried on some growing-belly-friendly clothes this weekend. The bump is there...or it's the usual unflattering lighting. My new thing is flexible waste.
Next week will be the exciting part as I have another ultrasound on Wednesday.

08.08.08 Cubs top Cardinals 3-2 in 11 innings

Baby's first cubs game and they pull out a win! Mommy's first dry cubs game ;-(

I was invited to a rooftop party by our favorite roofing contractor company, Bennett and Brosseau (plug alert). My first game where the food and drinks are FREE and I get to suck down water and sprite. Well, at least they WON!!

I also made a Argentinian feast last night for my parents, sister and Diane and Ralph (family friends). It went off well as I got many compliments and, what I thought was too much food, was almost gone by the end of the evening. This is probably a first for me where I don't make way too much food (or it's so good people keep eating). I made skirt steak with chimichurri, chicken empanadas, mushroom & spinach empanadas, tomato salad, french fries (courtesy of my dad. Thanks dad.) and for desert: milhojas argentinas (puff pastry, grilled pineapple and dulce de leche). Yum! I am writing this down in case I find I don't have time to cook these feasts once baby comes. I want proof I once entertained with the best of them ;-)

Yesterday was also the opening day for the Summer Olympics in Beijing. It was quite a show. Tons of costumes and some that even lit up. People dancing upside down... (There is a reason I did not go into journalism, this stuff is hard to describe.) The bird's nest stadium looked cool. My dad said the construction was fascinating. Apparently there was a special on the telly that I missed. Boo hoo. I'll have to look it up myself.

Momnesia

My brother-in-law mentioned the existence of this phenomena (through experience with my sister). Today I am sans wedding rings. Yesterday, I totally forgot something mentioned at a meeting and I totally revealed myself by asking about it later. The other day I was so proud of myself that I remembered my cell phone, but I walked out the door without my keys. This is not a good trend. I am glad I got the licensure exams over with, let's just put it that way.

Freddie Kruger Dreams

I am having more vivid dreams lately. Not pleasant ones. These hormones make me dream the stuff horror films are made of. Why can't I dream of ponies and rainbows?

FOOD cravings

I haven't craved anything strange up to now. But, the foods I love, sushi and Indian, I crave on a daily basis. Of course, I am sticking to the california and veggie rolls, but it will get me through these next 7 months.
For a short while I was not in the mood to cook. This was not good. Thankfully, this week, I am making some more creative dishes to revive my passion for food and put a little variety in what I actually enjoy eating lately. I am making an Argentine feast on Friday.

08.06.08 10 Weeks + 2 days

The day after I found out I was pregnant, I was running a 10 mile race. So, I had a great excuse to go slow and stop at all of the water stations. It was surreal. As soon as the gun went off I started running and got choked up. It is overwhelming thinking that I was running for two now. Since the 10 mile race, I have run a 5k. So, baby's already got the racing blood flowing through him/her. I hope he/she gets John's running ability and my swimming.
Here are our race results for the two races:
Baby's first 10 miler bib no. 171, sex place 13 F 30-34, chip time1:28:40.94, pace 8:54/M (my best pre-baby race is about 1 hour 20 mins)
Baby's first 5k ","F","31","26:38" (8:35/M pace) (I think my best 5k is just under or over 22 mins)

No more races planned during the pregnancy. I was going to run the Outerbanks Half Marathon, but I will be too pregnant for that one. Obviously the half ironman came and went. I deferred to next year. What a great way to lose the baby weight, no?

08.04.08 - 10 Weeks

I can't believe I have reached the 10 week point. 30 more to go. I am not feeling nauseous at this point, but excedingly hungry and tired. The hungry part is not different for me. The tired part is rough. I am probably paying for staying out until 2am last Saturday for Wendy's bachelorette party. I am paying for it today and I can't even coffee myself out of this coma. I can tell I am pregnant because (A) I don't really like the taste of coffee now and (B) I am not desirous of my other favorite beverage, wine. These are all good things, I guess. My body is helping me grow a healthy little babe.
So far the only reason people know I am "in the family way" is because I have told everyone. Yes, I am not even out of my first trimester and I blabbed. I read in the idiot's guide to pregnancy that you can tell as soon as you see the heartbeat. Good, because I would not have survived 3 more weeks of silence. I am so happy to be pregnant. I can't wait to see what a combination of John and me looks like.