A's Birthday Celebration

This weekend we got to celebrate A's 27th birthday (yep, he's just a young pup and I'm a cougar). Since his birthday falls right in between Christmas and New Years Eve, he's one of those unfortunate people who doesn't get a ton of b-day attention. So this year we decided to have some people over to the house since his actual birthday fell on Saturday. It was pretty low-key, but I think he had a good time. It's hilarious how different our parties are these days. Everyone was gone and A was sleeping on the couch by 11 pm. Just a couple of years ago we wouldn't even get started until 10 or 11...my, how things have changed.

One thing I've been thinking about lately is what it will be like when the baby gets here. Not like, in our every day lives, but in situations like the party we had. None of A's friends have kids, so our baby will be the first one to come into the group. I can't even imagine how hilarious it will be to see all of these guys with a baby around. When I met them all about four years ago the last thing on earth I would have been able to fathom was letting them anywhere near a child I would have one day...now, I'm really looking forward to it. They actually seem to be pretty into the idea of the little guy being around. Two of them even bought the baby an adorable little Dallas Cowboys blanket...if you knew these guys, you would know how out of this world crazy that is. So it should be interesting, to say the least.

On Sunday we slept in (because of our crazy late night) and then went out to find a dresser for the baby's room. I couldn't believe it, but we actually found one that was perfect for the space we have right away at IKEA. I thought we would be searching for weeks but somehow we got lucky! I also picked up curtains for the nursery as well. After that we went to Target to look for curtain rods and ended up finding a bookshelf instead. So now all we're lacking is a glider or rocker of some sort, curtain rods, and some decor. Stuff's gettin' real around here people!

As you can see Addie wasn't too pumped about what was going on. I'm not sure if it's because she knew none of the new stuff was for her, or because she kept getting in trouble for stealing the screws dad was using to put the dresser together. Either way, she was a little on the sad side for awhile.

I think I've decided to hold off on any "real" nursery pictures until we get most of it put together. I know I've done some random ones here and there, but I'd like to do a big reveal. Not that it will be anything too extravagant...it will just be more fun that way I think!

And before I go, Happy New Year!!!!! I can't believe 2012 is over. Man, has this year flown by! I can't wait to see what all the new year will bring. So if you're going out and celebrating big, be safe! And if you're staying home in your sweatpants like I will be, I hope you can stay up at least long enough to see the ball drop...that's my big goal for the night ;) See ya next year!

22 Weeks

Now that I've made it past the halfway mark, man oh man do I feel pregnant. I've gone through the majority of this process feeling normal for the most part, other than a few additional aches and pains. But over the past three or four weeks I have gained more than I did the first five months, and there is no denying I'm preggo at this point. But the upside is I've been feeling our little guy kicking like crazy lately, and nothing makes me happier than feeling him moving around in there.

Due Date

May 1, 2013

This Week Baby A...

Is the size of a spaghetti squash...around 11 inches and a full pound. He's getting so big (and so is mama)! His senses are really developing this week, such as taste buds forming and he's developing a sensation of touch. I read that he may even be able to sense the light from a flashlight if I shine it on my belly, but I haven't tested that out yet. 

Symptoms

Indigestion pretty frequently, but that's no surprise since I've had Acid Reflux for years. Super sore body anytime I do anything...like, even when I get up in the morning I'm sore from sleeping. Nothing too terrible though...I don't want to jinx myself, but this pregnancy has been pretty easy-peasy in comparison to the horror stories I've heard. 

Weight Gain

It looks like about 11-12 pounds total. I go back to the doctor next Friday, so we'll get the official word then. I'm really hoping I can go through the entire thing with around a 25 pound gain, but judging by the past couple of weeks that may not happen...

Gender

Baby Boy :)

Food Cravings/Aversions

I have been completely shocked with my lack of real cravings throughout this pregnancy. It's more likely that nothing will sound good, which is super annoying. I'm still pretty pizza-obsessed, and anything with sugar sounds good of course. But nothing out of the ordinary.

Movements

Feeling the little guy move around quite a bit these days, which is the best thing ever. I had a couple of days where he wasn't moving as much and it really freaked me out, but after much Google research I learned that at this point it's perfectly normal. 

Sleep

Hasn't been too bad lately. I'm getting used to the trips to the bathroom, the tossing and turning, the soreness... so it doesn't bother me too much now. Not so sure how Arsen feels about it though...my guess is not too pleased :)

Daddy's Thoughts

Daddy has started talking to little Baby A on a regular basis, which I think is the cutest thing ever. I think the bigger I get and the more kicks he feels, the more real it's becoming to him. It's so cute to see how excited he is. He's started calling him "little man", "little guy" and "buddy". So precious.

Fun Moments

Celebrating Christmas and Arsen's birthday knowing that this is the last year that it will be just us (even though we're super excited Baby A will be here next year!). It's definitely fun feeling him move around and knowing he's growing....not as fun seeing myself grow at a rapid rate, but it's for a great cause ;)

Looking Forward To...

Our appointment on Friday. Can't wait to see him kicking around on the sonogram again!

Becoming a Mama

A couple of nights ago Arsen started talking about his New Year's resolutions. He has a couple of great goals that I'm sure he will be successful in sticking to. It got me thinking about what I want for myself for the upcoming year. My mind has been so completely consumed with babybabybaby that I haven't been thinking about me near as much. Coming up with goals that I want to accomplish is actually challenging. I can't think of anything off the top of my head that doesn't involve becoming a mother. I've always heard that once you have children they are pretty much what you live for, and I can definitely see that beginning to happen already. It's amazing to experience the love I have for this little guy that I've never even met, but it's also a bit frightening. I desperately don't want to be one of those women who completely loses themselves in their children.

I was lucky enough to have a mother who was completely and totally devoted to me throughout my childhood. She was a stay at home mom, the one who always went on field trips with our class, brought cupcakes to school for my birthday, drove me to dance class almost every day of the week, and pretty much waited on me hand and foot whenever I wanted or needed anything. She has always been one of my very best friends, and I want to have a similar relationship with my future children. It was so great to know that no matter what was going on in my life that I could go to her with any problems or questions or confessions that I needed to share, and she would never judge me.

But I sometimes wonder if she would do things differently if she had the chance. I know I want to be there for my kids whenever they need me, without a doubt. In my dream world, I would get to stay home and be there for every waking moment they have, every single day. But then it makes me think that eventually I might regret not continuing on with a career. At the moment I don't really have the option to stay home, but I know before too long the opportunity will most likely present itself. I'm sure I'll know the right thing to do at the time...but I want to make sure I'm making the right decision.

It's all so incredibly strange to me, this whole entire process. In the past five years my life has changed so drastically, and I never saw it coming. Right before I met Arsen the last thing on my mind was settling down and getting married. I was actually planning on moving back to Los Angeles in January of 2009 to start back up with the acting thing. My friends always said that I would be the last to get married, and I was more than happy to make that happen. I always joked that I'd probably be married several times, have a few fun Vegas marriages or whatever. I loved going out and having fun, and being in a relationship usually put a damper on that, so I had no interest. And I honestly didn't think I would have children until I was well into my thirties...if ever. Apparently, the universe had other plans for me. I met Arsen in September of 2008, and just a couple of months later I knew that I wasn't going anywhere. I fell hard, and that was it.

So the fact that at 28 I'm living in the suburbs, married and expecting a little boy in a few months...it blows my mind. And makes me laugh. But I know that I'm happier now than I've ever been, and I can't imagine my life any other way. I've always been a bit scared of becoming a mother, since I never really planned on it. I thought I wouldn't know what to do, that I was too selfish, that I wouldn't be good at it. But now that I know that in just a few short months I'll have a child., I feel like what everyone has always said is true. It comes naturally. I'm sure there will be some overwhelming moments and that sometimes I'll feel like I have no clue what I'm doing, but I already have so much love for this little guy that I know everything will work itself out. It's amazing what happens to a woman going through this process, and I'm so glad that I'm getting to experience it for myself.

A White Christmas

I would have bet a million dollars that we would not be having snow this Christmas...and I would have been very wrong. Addie and I were absolutely overjoyed when it started snowing today! Arsen, not so much. He hates cold weather. Basically, he's crazy. The fact that we had a white Christmas made my day about a zillion times better. I would take snow all winter long if possible....but in Texas, I'm lucky if I see it even once a year.

I've been in a very scrooge-like mood leading up to the holidays this year. I always have an idea of exactly how I want things to go, and when things get off track I tend to let that bum me out. Because of work, Arsen and I weren't able to be in Oklahoma with my mom's side of the family tonight, and since that's how I always spend Christmas it just kind of threw me off a bit. But things actually ended up being pretty great.

After spending the past few days with family, this morning Arsen and I woke up with nothing to do and nowhere to be. And it was actually quite wonderful. We had breakfast, opened gifts, and spent the day lounging around by the fire watching movies. I took Addie out in the snow a few times which is always hilarious. She loves snow, which is kind of sad since we never get it. Every time she gets to play in it she sprints back and forth, hops around like a little rabbit, and has a huge smile on her face. Yes, I swear. She can smile. She played so hard that she wore herself out. She's been asleep for the past few hours, just passed out on the couch beside me.

So even though my plans didn't go exactly how I would have designed them, everything worked out for the best. We got to be home as a little family, enjoying the snow and time with each other. This morning when we woke up we were talking about how this will be our last Christmas without a little one. I'm so excited for him to get here and to spoil him like crazy next year, but I think it made the day even more enjoyable, just knowing that this will be the last Christmas for me and Arsen to lounge around and be lazy, the last Christmas that Addie's an "only child", and the last holiday it will be just the three of us. It's been just me, Arsen and Addie for the past three years...poor little thing is in for quite a change!

I hope everyone has a wonderful time spent with loved ones! Merry Christmas!!!

20 Weeks

Well, I've made it to the half way point of my pregnancy....so far, I really can't complain! But I have a feeling the next 20 or so weeks will be a bit more of a challenge. It seems like in the last couple of days my stomach has doubled in size, and I'm seeing some changes in more areas than just my tummy. Not loving that.

Realizing that you have absolutely no control over what's going on with your body is really something to experience. I think it's affecting me more psychologically than what I realized. I've started having dreams that I'm in my early 20's, in the best shape of my life, and guys are just flocking around me. Then I wake up, 10 pounds heavier than I've ever been with a growing belly and a husband who swears he still finds me incredibly attractive (but I'm not so sure). It's definitely a bit of a challenge to come to terms with emotionally....maybe I'm a little more superficial than I thought?

But on the other hand, the fact that I'm growing bigger means that so is Baby A! I swear, ever since we saw him moving around on that sonogram two weeks ago I have been so anxious to meet him. Also, I'm feeling him move around every once in awhile, which I must say is the absolute coolest experience of my life thus far. Feeling those teeny little kicks is something that I can't even describe. I just love knowing that he's happy and healthy in there. Every day I get a little more excited!

I really wish I would have worn a different sweater in my photo this weekend....my bump is much bigger now than what it appears to be in this pic!

Due Date

May 1, 2013

This Week Baby A...

Weighs about 10 1/2 ounces and is the length of a banana. He also might have an established sleep pattern...and even a favorite sleeping position! How adorable is that?

Symptoms

Oh, the random aches and pains. This week it's my tailbone, which hurts so bad sitting at my desk all day is torture, and strange pains in the backs of my legs. I've also picked up a bit of a pregnant lady walk I've noticed...shoulders way back and a wider stride. Guess I'm accounting for the extra weight up front. And OMG indigestion. Ugh. I thought I might get to avoid this one, but it has come on strong in the past couple of weeks. I haaaaate it. So much.

Weight Gain

According to my mom's scales, I've gained 10 pounds total. I really hope that isn't accurate, because two weeks ago at the doctor I had only gained six I think. Four pounds in less than two weeks is not exactly ideal. Ahh!

Gender

Baby Boy! Still so excited to finally know.

Food Cravings/Aversions

Hmm. This week I've wanted pizza (always), these little potato and cheese bite things from a convenience store in my hometown which were called munchers (living four hours away makes that one impossible to get), sour candy, and cold drinks. I've been super thirsty lately. 

Movements

Finally started feeling them for sure on Friday night. It's been pretty consistent since then...so amazing!!!

Sleep

Not great. My body is just so achy that I can't really get comfortable, plus my indigestion gets super bad at night. Some nights are pretty good, some are not so great. Hit or miss.

What I Miss

I feel like I'm adjusting better now. I'm not terribly sad about missing anything this week (other than a skinny body). I think the excitement is outweighing anything else.

Daddy's Thoughts

A direct quote "It's very exciting....because of the kicks." Doesn't sound like much, but it was said in a very cute voice ;)

Fun Moments

Feeling the kicks, duh! I wonder if I'll ever get used to it, or if I'll be this excited the entire time. 

Looking Forward To...

The next 20 weeks flying by! I'm getting so super excited to meet this little guy, and I know May will be here before I know it.

Heartbreaking.

I've spent a lot of this morning watching the news as I work from home, and as everyone knows, there is rarely any positive news to be seen. But the absolute shock and horror at what I have been watching this morning is something that I am having a hard time dealing with.

It's still very early on in the reporting, but what I've heard so far is that one, possibly two, gunmen went into an elementary school in Connecticut and began shooting. At least 27 people were killed, most of them children.

I don't even know what to say or think. My mind can't comprehend that this kind of evil exists. Why someone would go into a school full of innocent children and open fire....how can something like this happen? And to think that two people may have come together and developed a plan to carry something like this out? I honestly just can't comprehend it.

Thinking of what the children who survived must have seen...and to think about those who didn't make it. My heart absolutely breaks. The parents who are dealing with this, being so fearful that your child didn't make it, and if they did, knowing how to deal with the questions they would have? I can't imagine.

I try to not focus on negative things here on my little blog, because I want it to be a happy place and to capture all of the wonderful things I want to remember. But today, I just needed a place to get this out.

I am not one to say "I'll pray for you", or to encourage prayer...not that I don't believe in it, I just feel that it's become something that people say, and often times it doesn't seem the most sincere. But today, I will be praying for the people in Connecticut, and for all of humanity, really. I'm not someone who typically gets on board with the whole "What is this world coming to? It's the end of the world!" thing. But my God...what a truly terrifying world we live in. Just thinking of this baby boy that's growing inside of me, and the fact that someday I'll have to let him out into this world as an independent person....it makes me feel sick with worry already.

I know there are so many wonderful people, wonderful things, kindness and happiness in the world. But today, it's hard to see that. At what is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, we have certainly been seeing a lot of tragedy in recent days. I plan on giving my husband a big hug when he walks through the door tonight, cuddling up with my tiny little family, and counting my blessings. And remembering all of the people who aren't so fortunate. 

What's in a Name?

Baby naming is tough, y'all. Arsen and I have talked and talked about what to name this little one, and I thought we had it nailed down whether it turned out to be a boy or a girl. Well, now that we know for sure that it's a little man in there, we aren't 100%.

Naming a human is kind of a big deal. What if they hate their name? What if they get made fun of? I personally think all of the names I've come up with are pretty awesome, but I'm sure every parent in the world has thought that about their baby name of choice...and there are some seriously horrendous names out there.

Every single name that I suggest, Arsen immediately does the playground thing and figures out how kids will turn it into something bad. I get that we need to be careful, I do. But you can seriously find something mean to do with just about any name out there. I myself was known as "Celester Molester" for a large portion of my time in junior high. I'm not scarred by that. I actually think it's pretty funny. I mean, in a junior high sort of way. It was probably made easier by the fact that the people who called me that the most were cute boys that I was pretty sure were actually flirting with me, but maybe I was wrong. And I'm pretty sure Arsen has dealt with fire jokes his entire life...when he introduces himself to people, the majority of the time the first thing they say is "Arson? You mean, like the fire?". But he seems pretty well adjusted. So this isn't a big concern of mine.

I guess it will just come down to what feels right. I'm pretty happy with our first choice, but I want daddy to feel the same. So for now he will just be known as Baby A, or Baby Boy, and that's that.

BTW, I'm pretty sure I may have felt my first little kicks right before I started writing this...ahhhh!!! I'm not sure that's what it was, but I know it's technically time that I could/should start feeling him, and I really don't know what else it could have been. So in my mind, he just gave me a few love taps to say hello. Yay!

It's a BOY!!!

I cannot believe it, but Arsen and I are going to have a little boy! I am absolutely overjoyed and already head over heels in love with this teeny tiny baby boy.

I mean, look at that nose! And those itty bitty lips! Ahhhh....I just can't even explain how amazing it was to see him in there. Unbelievable. It just seems really, really real now. And I can't wait for May. Now that I've blurted out the big news, let me walk you through how our day went.

Like I mentioned in my last update, I decided to take the entire day Thursday off work. I knew once I found out I wouldn't be able to go back to work and focus on anything but baby stuff, so I just went ahead and planned for it. And I am so super glad I did.

Before our appointment, my dad drove down from Oklahoma and met up with me and my mom at our house. I was surprised that he decided to come down, but I'm so glad he did. I think it was a cool experience for him to be a part of. So once Arsen got home, we all headed to the doctors office. Arsen's mom was going to be meeting us there, and I had made a comment to my mom that I felt a little ridiculous having such a big group go with us. My dad said he would wait outside so there wouldn't be five of us in there, but I felt bad having him miss out. I decided to just play it by ear.

When we got to the office, Arsen waited downstairs to meet his mom while my parents and I went on up. We walked in to the office, I checked in, and went to sit down. I was by a window where I could see Arsen, and I remember saying something to my dad about something he was doing down there. I asked my mom if she wanted to sit down by me, and she said no. She was walking around the waiting room, but I didn't think anything about it. Then I heard a little giggle from the other corner of the room. I glanced over there....and saw my two best friends Rachel and Alyssa sitting there. I was absolutely, positively SHOCKED. I jumped up and went over to give them both a big hug, and honestly had a hard time holding back tears. They drove all the way from Tulsa to be there with me....a four hour drive! They got up at 4 am to make it. That's love right there.

So after making a big huge scene in the waiting room, I finally got called back. The sonogram tech was so incredibly nice, and told everyone they could come back with me. So all in all, there were seven of us in the room. It was so much fun, and I'm so glad they were cool enough to let the big huge group of us go back. She did all the measurements to make sure the baby is developing at the right rate and everything, and showed us the little beating heart and pointed out what everything was. Then finally she said "Are you ready?". She then showed us each of the tiny little legs and then said something along the lines of "See that right there?"....and it was definitely a boy! Such an incredible moment, and I'm so glad I shared it with so many people I love.

Since then, I've just been absolutely, positively happy. I would have been perfectly content with either, but I must say I am super excited to have a little boy. They just love their mamas so much, and I can't wait to have a little tiny version of Arsen running around. I know Arsen felt the same and would have been overjoyed about a girl, but I think there's something that makes a man feel extra manly when they're having a boy.

Obviously I immediately went shopping, and I haven't really stopped. I haven't gone overboard, but I have bought a few things.

Ahhhhh PRECIOUS! Am I right? Nana Vicki (my mom) had to hold Addie back from climbing all over everything while I was taking pictures...she just has to be right in the middle of everything at all times :) I think she definitely has an idea that something different is going on. I've heard people say that pets seem to have a sort of sixth sense about things, and I think they're right. She's been a little more cuddly and clingy to me lately....and she's also gone and left a little present in the babies room a few times, if you catch my drift. I think she's either showing her disapproval of the baby, or claiming her territory. Either way, hopefully she'll adjust well when he arrives.

Also, today we went to pick up the crib! We got incredibly lucky, and someone at work was getting rid of their crib. It's a cute, white Pottery Barn crib, and we just couldn't turn it down. I wanted white anyway, and it's in great condition. Arsen got it all set up tonight, and it looks great!

Things are getting more and more real every day...before we know it he'll be here with us. So crazy! I started my registry this weekend, and I must say that was a bit overwhelming. Babies apparently need a bajillion things, and there are so many different options in each and every one of them. I think it's time for some serious research for this mama-to-be. Anybody have any suggestions for must have baby items or things to avoid? I need all the help I can get!

18 Weeks

 So technically this week I'm 19 weeks...I'm a bit behind on my updates. Things have been pretty busy around here with work and everything else, so time is just flying by! Tomorrow we go in for our monthly check up, AND....we find out the sex of the baby! I'm so incredibly anxious and excited I can't wait! I've been getting plenty of predictions, and I would say the majority of people are guessing girl...but Arsen and I neither one have a "feeling", so we'll just have to wait and see.

This weekend we're getting the crib, so one big step in the right direction. Also, I took the entire day off of work tomorrow, because I know once I find out what it is I'm going to want to go straight to Babies R Us or something and shop and register. Everything is becoming so very real now. My belly is starting to pop out a little more all the time, and I know that I should be feeling kicks any day now...so crazy!

Due Date

May 1, 2013

This Week Baby A....

Is about the size of a bell pepper. At five and half inches and five ounces, I should start feeling movement any time now. The most fun thing I read about this week is that the baby is developing yawning and hiccuping skills. I don't know why, but that is so adorable to me. 

Symptoms

I feel like I'm starting to hit that sweet spot of the second trimester that I've heard so much about. I feel so much better in nearly every way. The only problem I'm having is some lower back pain and feeling tired, but when I read the looong list of common symptoms that I could be having, I really can't complain.
 

Weight Gain

From my mom's scales, it appears that I've gained seven altogether...we'll see when I go to the doc if her scales are in line with theirs.

Gender (prediction)

Ahhh I have no idea! We find out tomorrow and I CAN'T WAIT!

Food Cravings/Aversions

Still nothing too serious. I've been eating a lot of Frosted Mini Wheats this week...

Movements

Still not feeling anything...I'm getting anxious!
 

Sleep

SO much better! I only have to get up usually once, maybe twice, to visit the bathroom, and other than tossing and turning a bit I'm much more comfortable. Woohoo!

What I Miss

Back to Dirty Martinis. We were pretty social this last weekend, and just watching so many people sip on yummy beverages really had me craving just a teeny little sip. Ah well. I'm sure the baby appreciates it.

Daddy's Thoughts
Super excited to find out what Baby A is! He's pulling for a boy, although I'm pretty sure he will be secretly delighted if it's a girl.

Fun Moments

Meeting up with friends for the first time since my belly popped. Every one is so sweet and excited...it's going to be so much fun to share this with so many sweet friends.

Looking Forward To
Tomorrow!!! FINALLY finding out if it's pink or blue for Baby A...can't wait! Also, I'm beyond ready to feel those first little kicks :)