16.5 weeks December 14, 2009

Things are moving along. I am now 4 months pregnant. Feeling good now and starting to show a baby bump which makes it all so much more real.  I have been taking it easy. No longer running or really any exercise of sort. My last pregnancy I ended up with pre-term labor at 26 weeks so I figure I’d better take it easy and not over do it. And what better reason not to exercise! I am growing a baby. Actually it is hard for me not to do some form of exercise because I do enjoy it.  Anna, max ( the dog) and I try to take walks when the weather permits, and I have been to a few prenatal yoga classes (which really cannot be called exercise but is rather more meditation).  I guess it is just funny how you always want what you cannot get/have or do.  (Being that I cannot exercise, I want to.)

I have also been very good at resting, something I never was good at before. I sleep whenever Anna sleeps. Together we have been taking like 2.5- 3 hour naps which is just heavenly. I guess I’d better enjoy it while it lasts.

Ryan and I have got the house all decorated for Christmas. Anna LOVES the Xmas tree. At first every time she would come out of her room, she would say, ” Whoa”. It was so darn cute. We will be heading back to Minnesota for Christmas this year and we are super excited.  I hope there is a little snow on the ground and that we can go sledding.

We haven’t bought Anna too many Xmas presents yet but I think that is still just fine. She is only 21 mos old and I think is almost happier still to play with the wrapping paper than real presents. It sort feels good not to go too overboard with everything and spend too much and get her too much. I know down the road ( likely next year) that will change as she gets more aware of Xmas and the presents.  But for now, it is simpler and less waste full. Don’t get me wrong– the kid is going to get some presents. It is just not going to be outlandish and overly done.

Thanksgiving December 3, 2009

These pics are from Thanksgiving weekend. Of course Anna has to be making silly faces or not even looking at the camara-but I wanted to give some updated pics.

We had a great thanksgiving with Ryan’s family. We were out of the house and busy most days and Anna held up well for a 20 month old. We spent the entire day Friday downtown Portland, shopping, eating, walking the city. Saw the Xmas tree in Pioneer Square. Went to Powell’s bookstore which is an absolute must for anyone ever visiting Portland. We had lunch a the Deschutes Brewery in the Pearl. Walked around the pearl, had a cup cake. Shopped some more and then made it home and ate left overs.

Saturday we ventured down to wine country which is in Dundee, OR / The Willamette Valley. We only made it to 2 vineyards-mostly due to Anna. She did well, but a 20 month old can only behave in adult settings for so long.

Sunday, we went to church, then breakfast. After Anna’s nap we went for a hike up above the Portland Rose Garden and then to dinner at Nostrana. It was a lovely weekend. Exhausting but fun. Ryan and I feel so lucky to have such great families that we love and enjoy spending time with. Family is family and does come with the usual family stressors/arguments etc. We miss them already and wish we were closer.

on a side note… I am 15 weeks pregnant today. Feeling good. No more nausea!

only one word today: exhausted. November 30, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving! November 25, 2009

Happy thanksgiving. I am so thankful for the next few days off. Ryan’s mom and dad and sis are coming out to visit! We are so excited.

So thankful for Anna, Ryan, this pregnancy, my health, the fact that I have a stable job, a supportive family, and the best of friends.

Best wishes!

recipe suggestions? November 21, 2009

I have hit a culinary/dietary road block. After that bought of nausea, during the first trimester of this pregnancy, I never really rebounded back to my normal self. Thinking and planning things to eat has become torture and almost impossible to me. I am sick of eating all the “usual” stand byes. I need help. Sort of the problem is that I have been a vegetarian for like 10 years. Not a totally strict one, but I really don’t eat meat except on rare occasions. My husband is a very strict vegetarian. With this pregnancy my cravings have changed and I am actually craving meat at times. The problem is I don’t really know how to prepare meat entrée’s etc and even if I did, I’d be wasting money because my husband would never eat it.  I need some new recipes and menu recommendations. If anyone out there feels like sending some helpful info, recipes etc on my way, I’d appreciate it.

33 yrs old and 13 weeks prego November 20, 2009

I turned 33 yesterday. Sort of non-monumental but a good day nonetheless. It is interesting how in some ways birthdays have less of the sparkle and greatness as they did when we were kids, yet they do seem to mean a lot more as we grow older each year. I guess it is all relative and how one wants to view it and life itself. 33 is simply 33 to me. Not much more. I do feel older I guess but I think that has more to do with being parent and having greater responsibilities rather than chronological age.

Anna greeted me first thing in the morning and said, ” birthday mamma”. Too cute.

Our friends Butch and Julia came over and watched Anna while Ryan and I went out to this terrific sushi restaurant in SE Portland called Bamboo. A must do. It the first and only sustainable/green/environmental friendly sushi restaurant in the world. They support only sustainable and earth friendly fishing seafood products. It was great and just what I wanted. Of course, being pregnant I couldn’t eat any of the raw stuff.

fainting goats November 14, 2009

I find these goats hilarious and was literally laughing out loud watching this video. Maybe I am just weird?

November 14, 2009

3 months pregnant. November 14, 2009

Wow those 3 months went fast. And thankfully so, because there were some pretty rough weeks in there. I think I am finally feeling almost normal (minus the fatigue but I know that isnt going away). I seem to be able to eat just about anything now without wanting to vomit. It is so nice to be able to enjoy food again. Ah, the simple things we take for granted.  I do believe that when things are tough that is when we have to pay attention the most. Things do happen for a reason and are meant to teach us something. Hard times do make us stronger. That was definitely true with the 10.5 weeks I spent on bed rest.!

Ryan and I went out and enjoyed our first concert together in like 2 years. We went out with our friends Jon and Betsy to see Built to Spill at the Wonderball Room in Portland and it was great. It was the latest I have stayed out in like 2 years. Thankfully, little Anna slept in for the first time the following morning. She slept until 8:30 am which is just nuts because she usually is awake at 6:30 am sharp.

She is getting to be soo big. It is so fun watching her every day learn new things. Especially new words. I swear she learns like 4 new words a day. Her favorite thing right now is the Happy Birthday song. She walks around all day saying, ” birthday, birthday, birthday”. She is able to understands directions and concepts and it is simply amazing. I know it sounds crazy and especially for those who haven’t had kids yet. But I say.. just you wait. You will see. Everyday with your kiddo is amazing as they continue to learn and teach you things in the process. Parenthood is tough at times but it is the greatest gift as well.

Water aerobics November 9, 2009

I’ve never done water aerobics before today. Let me just say, I had a blast. It was a rainy day here in Portland and I badly needed to get out of the house. I have been meaning to check out the NE community center and finally did so today. I dropped Anna off at the child care center there, which is actually really nice and comfortable. She cried a little but over all I think she did fine. Then, off I went to water aerobics. I had no idea what to expect. It was a class of maybe 10 and I was indeed the youngest person there by far. I am 32 and I would say the average age was more like 57. I was pleasantly greeted by a cute little woman in her 70’s named Hazel. The class was quite fun and I think I got a good work out too. I never felt too tired but that is okay with me being 11.5 weeks pregnant.  My last pregnancy I think I pushed it too far and that may be why I ended up having pre-term labor. ( also I was really stressed out at the time). So this pregnancy, I am trying to go easy on myself. Not that I am some crazy athlete or work out person. I have however always been a fairly active person. I like to run and that is my primary mode of exercise. In college in Montana I would finish with classes for the day, hop in my then little red pick up truck, taking my yellow lab ( Luna) for an hour long hike everyday. After my pregnancy with Anna ( and 3 months on bed rest) I started doing baby boot camp. It is a stroller/mommy work out group class and I loved it. It was a way to get out of the house and be with other moms.

the chicken November 5, 2009

We took a lot of pictures of Anna on Halloween but not many turned out that great She was always looking the other direction or running away. As you can see from the photo, she was a chicken. That is her friend Ray sitting behind her.

I am now 11 weeks pregnant and thankfully starting to feel a bit better. THANK GOD- I was starting to lose my mind. The nausea is 10 times better and I am so happy. I really had not cooked dinner in like 3-4 weeks and Ryan was not picking up the slack on that one. ( Sorry babe but it is true). I actually went to the grocery store today and enjoyed it. I am starting to have a bit of an early prego looking tummy -although I’m probably only one that would notice.

Tomorrow night I am going out for “girls night” with some friends–all of which are moms. It is something that we don’t get to do enough and I cannot wait. It is much needed. I only wish I could have a cocktail.

Starting to think that with this baby coming along this year and the fact that I will soon be a mother of TWO kids ( crazy), that Ryan and I are in need of some time away. Say a little vacation. I don’t want to call it a babymoon because I hate the sound of that. Just a vacation would be nice. Even just one night away. Actually to this day, I have never spent the night away from Anna. The only problem is we don’t have any family near by to rely on and I am not sure I could realistically ask my friends.

November 2, 2009

Woke up and got Anna ready to head into the clinic for her H1N1 shot, unfortunately they were only vaccinating pregnant ladies ( already got mine) and people who care for infants younger than 6 mos old. So, we didnt get it. Instead we took off to the Oregon Zoo. We saw lions and tigers and monkeys. It was a beautiful morning. We actually were the first ones there  and it was quite a peaceful way to start the day.

Now, off to the dentist!  Yes!

 

 

The Dana Carvery Show – Waiters Who Are Nauseated By Food Video by Dana Carvey – MySpace Video November 1, 2009

This video I got from my friend Mr. Diggles, it totally sums up how I have been feeling for the past month.

The Dana Carvery Show – Waiters Who Are Nauseated By Food Video by Dana Carvey – MySpace Video.

I couldnt get it to load properly so it is about 2 minutes into the clip.

quick update October 31, 2009

Sorry, been bad about updating this. I am just sooo darn tired it isnt funny. I am hoping it will pass soon and I can start to feel a little more like myself. I am now officially 10.5 weeks prego. Still eating crappy food like french fries and potato chips because they tend to be the only things that make me feel better with the nausea etc. I have been a vegetarian for about 10 yrs and have been craving meat so badly all of a sudden that I have given in a little. Last week from my work cafeteria of all places I got turkey and mashed potatoes and it was delicious. Then, this week, went out to lunch and got a BLT. Nummy.  Today was craving a hot ham and cheese but my strict vegetarian husband instead got me fake ham and made me a decent sandwich at home.  I havent made a decent dinner in 4 weeks. Grocery shopping is terribly difficult when you are nauseated and without an appetite.

Took Anna trick or treating tonight. She was a little chicken and was very cute if I do say so.

Hope to post more soon. Send comments, ideas, pictures etc… actually what I do need is some new recipes/dinner ideas. Preferably vegetarian. Send some on if you wish!

random October 23, 2009

Just watched Anna fall asleep in her high chair eating an egg salad sandwich. She looked so darm cute.