Hot Dog or Cheeseburger?

Alright, so we've scheduled The Ultrasound. On February 10th, we should know if baby is a boy or girl, if baby has a hot dog or cheeseburger. I had been thinking and hoping girl, but at my appointment yesterday, the heartbeat was boyish according to "the heart rate test." Truth is, for everyone who says that rule proved true, someone else says their experience was the opposite. So I really just have no idea.

When we told our family about the pregnancy, John's uncle told me, "If you have heartburn, the baby will have lots of hair, and if you crave chocolate, you'll have a girl." Simple as that. Who needs an ultrasound?

There are all kinds of wives tales and folklore for predicting your baby's sex (read about some here and here). Even though it's nonsense, I still find myself analyzing every sign and symptom like, oh, this means girl! But then again, that means boy. So, just for giggles and grins, here are some popular wives tales and what they mean for me. Read through them, and then tell me what you think by placing your vote to the right. We'll find out if you're right on 2/10.


I'm not really showing yet, so I can't really say if I'm carrying low or high, or all round or out front, so this wives tale doesn't help much.
Heart rate has been 178/160/140-150, which means girl/girl/boy.
Salty and sour food cravings mean boy.
Cravings for juice and citrus, means girl.
According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, I'm having a girl.
I've had morning sickness, means girl.
My left boob is larger than my right, means girl.
Dry skin, means boy.
My wedding band tied to a string and hanging over my belly, swings side to side, means girl.
I've had headaches, almost daily this week, means boy.
I usually sleep on my right side at night, means girl.
I was 24 when we conceived, + 10 for the month of conception, = 34. An even number, means boy.
I wouldn't say I've gone through a "blooming" phase, means girl.
I stared in the mirror for 60 seconds and my pupils dilated slightly, means boy.


Total Score: 9 to 6, GIRL

*And yes, I know some of these are absolutely ridiculous. Just play along.

17 Weeks

John came along today, for my regular OB check-up. I'm 17 weeks now, and still barely showing. I have gained 4 pounds since my last appointment, when I was actually down 2 pounds from my pre-baby weight. If I had to guess, I'd say 2 of those 4 pounds are in my boobs. On Sunday, I thought I had found a stretch mark on my left boob, and I tweeted this:

Turns out, baby is not in my boobs. I know this because I heard the heartbeat today, perfectly clear, and still located in my lower abdomen. As soon as my doctor touched the doppler thingamajig to my stomach, we could hear the steady, strong, ka-cha, ka-cha, ka-cha that was our baby's heart beating. Today, it was 140-150 bpm, which they say means it's a boy. Although, the heartbeat was 160 at my last appointment, and 178 before that, both of which are supposed to mean girl, so now I'm just totally confused. I'll only be confused a little longer though, because we've scheduled The Ultrasound for February 10th, a little over two weeks away. I have never been so excited for something before in my life. Really. Never. 

Today we also decided to opt-out of the Penta Screen, blood-work to test for possible genetic problems like neural tube defects and down syndrome. We chose to forgo the test for a few reasons. First, we will not, under any circumstances, terminate this pregnancy. If a problem was detected through the penta screen, nothing could really be done but to terminate, or prepare. We will check for these genetic issues at The Ultrasound, so I am satisfied that if there is a problem, there will be a chance to catch it and prepare accordingly. False-positives are also possible, and could cause unnecessary anxiety and worry. I'm not willing to put myself, and my baby through that. PLUS, I like having blood drawn just about as much as I like paper cuts, so I wasn't too upset about missing out on all that fun.

In other news, my blood pressure was good. Position of uterus was perfect. OB says it's totally normal that I'm not showing yet, don't expect to until 20-24 weeks, especially since this is my first. I learned that I can use benzoyl peroxide for my breakouts and it's okay to take Tylenol daily for these headaches I've been getting. I also asked about traveling, since my family is planning a vacation in May and I'd like to tag along. I got the green light to travel up through the 36th week of my pregnancy as long as no complications come up down the road.

AND ONLY 16 DAYS UNTIL THE ULTRASOUND!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: I've been feeling...something...in my lower abdomen. I didn't want to say anything until I was totally positive, but my OB says it's likely that I'm feeling the baby. I notice it when I'm still, and then it's just a light flutter, like what I would imagine baby's movement would feel like. It's like, contact with my baby, and it's intoxicating. 

Either that, or it's gas.

Wall Art

Since I've been feeling a little better lately, I've actually had time to think about the fact that OHEMGEE, WE'RE HAVING A BABY. Also, said baby will be here in five months and we've got a nursery to decorate, so I've been spending an inordinate amount of time searching the Internet for ideas and inspiration. Colors and wallpaper are still to be determined, but I know I'll be hanging wall art. Here are a few ideas I like.

I'm totally into wall art collages. I especially like when prints and pictures are combined with mirrors and letters, and any other hanging objects. I love it when everything matches because nothing matches. 

I also love the idea of incorporating a variety of colors and patterns, with embroidery hoops in all different sizes. (And how great are those blueish walls with that yellow chair?)

I love the orange frames in this one. Obviously, a collection of mismatched frames, hand-painted. Totally cool and totally doable.

The Name Game

I went for a haircut last night, and when my stylist asked what was going on in my life, I of course told her that I was pregnant. Actually, she asked what was going on and then immediately asked if I was pregnant. She said I laid my hands on my stomach when she was shampooing my hair and that was her clue. She says all pregnant women do that. Who knew?

Anyway, she went on to ask the usual questions. How far along was I? Was I sick during the first trimester? Was John excited? Did we know what we were having? Did we have names picked out?

When we got to the name question, I felt like a jerk, telling her we weren't sharing the name, or even the names we have in mind. I mean, it's totally appropriate to ask a pregnant woman what she's planning to name her child, I think. At least, I always ask. But then someone asks me, and I'm all, "Nope, not telling."

We've chosen not to share for a number of reasons, and not just because we think someone is going to go and get pregnant, have a baby, and steal our name before we can give it to our own little one. (And when I say we and our, I really mean I and my, because to be perfectly honest, John doesn't really worry about these types of things.) So when my hair-stylist asked what names we liked, I told her I wasn't going to tell, and then I told her why.

1. To avoid objections. I've heard stories of friends sharing their baby names with parents, in-laws, co-workers, etc., and getting reactions like, "Are you joking?" and "That baby is going to hate you." I'm hoping that if we wait to announce the name until after the baby is born, when it's all official and everything, we'll minimize reactions like these.

2. Just in case we change our minds. I don't want to create any expectations. I don't want someone to purchse embroidered burpcloths or monogrammed onesies. Because I have enough trouble just picking out which brand of soap to buy, choosing a name for our baby will be no easy task, and I want the full forty weeks to make that decision.

3. The element of surprise. I did consider choosing not to know the sex. For like, an hour. And then I realized, who was I kidding? I'd have to know. Still, I do like surprises, and even if I won't necessarily be surprised by the name, won't it be exciting for everyone else?

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

16 Weeks

I always said that I wouldn't complain about any pregnancy symptoms I experienced if I finally got pregnant. I said I would celebrate the day I puked my guts out, throw a farewell party for my waistline and gladly give up things like alcohol and bladder-control. I said all of that, and I really truly meant what I said. A few weeks into my pregnancy, I hadn't experienced any of the typical symptoms, and I told friends that I wished I would, just so I would know that I really was pregnant, that things were progressing as they should.

What is it they say? Be careful what you wish for?

The nausea started at about seven weeks. It was manageable at first, but then around week eleven, things got out of control, and I started running to the bathroom to gag and dry heave and sometimes puke. I've been tired too. More tired than usual, at least. There has been lots of lying on the couch, and I haven't been to the gym in nine weeks. I just haven't felt like myself, and it's like I lost control of my body. I don't know how I'll feel tomorrow, or if wearing that perfume will make me sick. I don't know if the chili I plan to make on Thursday will sound good that night, or if I'll find the smell of it repulsive.

All of that to say, it hasn't always been pleasant, being pregnant. But still, I'm not complaining. Really, I'm not. These are just the facts. I am so grateful for the little one growing in my womb. And besides, my life is no longer my own. I am now sharing my body with my child, and it is wonderful.

I am starting to feel better now too. At twelve weeks I was waiting for some switch to flip, but it's been more gradual. Now, at sixteen weeks, I find myself nauseated mainly when I'm hungry, or in the evenings around 5 o'clock. I have a bit more energy and I've been cooking some, and I plan to make it back to the gym this week.

Just one more week until my next OB appointment, and then three weeks until The Ultrasound, when we'll find out if baby is a boy or girl. So much to look forward to in the coming months.

The Itty Bitty Bump

12 Weeks

As far as announcements go, I couldn't have timed our pregnancy more perfectly. We reached the 12-week point on December 18th, just in time for Christmas cards. 

This year, our cards read --

Front : Deck the Halls

Inside Left: Bun in the Oven, due 7.2.10

Inside Right: Merry Christmas! Love - John, Johanna and...