I would just like you all to know...

THERE ARE ONLY 8 DAYS OF SCHOOL LEFT!!!!!

Hallelujah...

I NEED CHOCOLATE.

Now. (Please, pretty please with cherries and sprinkles and hot fudge (ooohhh, FUDGE!!) on top!).

I've never even liked chocolate that much. Now let me share with you what my expanding gut is telling me I need...

1. Chocolate Cake
2. Reese's Pieces Candy (Do they even make those anymore??)
3. Kit Kat

I've been so good all this time that I don't even have a stash at work... all I have is a FiberOne bar which is a lame attempt at a snack as it is and will never satisfy my craving. Is it wrong to have cake for dinner??

First Birthing Class = Epic FAIL

Wow. That's really all I can say about our experience last night... We met up with Mike and Heidi for dinner at Red Robin before the class and I was nervous that I'd be overwhelmed and wouldn't remember anything or that we'd have to try all sorts of embarrassing things in front of perfect strangers (that makes me sound like I'm 12, but being on all fours in the middle of a group of strangers is not high on my life to-do list). When we walked in we found that we were the oldest couples there - by about 15 years!! There were three or four young teenage girls with their moms... eventually it evened out as more "normal" aged couples started wandering in. There were about 30 of us in all plus the midwife who was teaching the class. We started out with a basic review of anatomy (which I assume we all have figured out judging by our current state) and labor. Wahoo. Next, the boys were instructed to give us "Popsicle" hand massages - I'm not complaining but it was kind of goofy. Then we watched a 5 minute video (circa 1974) which was probably the most informative part of the whole class. The video was of another birthing class (going how I assumed ours would) practicing different position to alleviate pain. Then we wandered around the room and ready descriptions of these various position and were free to try them ourselves. The problem was, the "instructor" wasn't coaching us on how to do each position so it ended up with us giggling hysterically and looking totally lost. Some of those things *could* have been really useful but since neither one of us have a clue how to do them properly, I think we're screwed. Another fun activity was making our "labor quilts". Yes, it was as cheesy as it sounds. We took little pieces of paper that had different words or phrases on them (like "privacy" or "epidural") and glued them onto a piece of paper. So now we apparently have our entire birth plan mapped out in markers and construction paper - or not. Things went downhill from there... We picked apart the doula's labor bag and learned pretty much nothing. Then, as a closing activity, we played a version of the Newlywed Game but it was the "Labor Buddy" game... This was the most fun for me because I could make silly faces at Derek from across the room. All in all... I learned nothing of any use to me and wasted two glorious hours that I could have been sleeping. Now I'm not even sure I want to go to the all day class - if this was any indication of what we'll be learning, I'd rather wing it on my own.

I must pee before the next group of 7th graders gets here... I could rant on this class for hours, but I won't bore you...

23 Week Update...

How far along? 23 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? None yet... but my tummy sure feels like it's stretching out!
Sleep: It really depends on the night... some nights are great and some I just can't get comfortable and I'm up every two hours. Last night I slept like a log :)
Best moment this week: Derek has started "playing" with Addison - he pokes my belly and shakes it trying to get her to kick. It's fun to see him like this, he's going to be such an awesome daddy!
Movement: Pretty much every day, I still haven't felt a roll yet, just kicks.
Food cravings: My appetite hasn't been that fantastic lately - I still want chocolate cake all the time but I haven't caved in - yet.
Gender: GIRL!!
Labor Signs: None
What I miss: This is going to be TMI, but I miss pooping. Constipation sucks!
What I am looking forward to: SUMMER VACATION IN 10 DAYS!!!!
Weekly Wisdom: Just because the class title sounds interesting DOES NOT mean you will get anything informative out of it... entertaining maybe, but not informative.
Milestones: We have attended our first childbirth class - granted it was AWFUL, but we made it through...

We have shelves!!

Derek worked his butt off last night while I was napping in the recliner and when I woke up, viola! Shelves!! His "honey-do" list is getting shorter by the day... I might have to dream up some new projects for him soon... Now I have to get to work filling this closet up!

FINALLY!!!

We haven't had a picture taken together since New Year's Eve and before my parents left today, I had my dad snap a picture...

Tony's Steakhouse...

is the best restaurant in town. Period.

If for some reason you end up in Yakima it would be a crime not to eat there... I'm so full I can't move but I wouldn't have it any other way...

::rolls self off to bed::

Houston, we have nursery fabric!

After several trips to the fabric store and about two hours of deliberating, we have our fabric choices. The walls are three shades of yellow (see earlier post) and now we are accenting with hot pink and lime green and traces of yellow. The pink fabric will be the inside of the bumper (it's super soft flannel) and the green will be the outside. The striped fabric will be the crib skirt and the window seat cushion cover, and the little pink strip on the right will be the curtains (they didn't have enough fabric in stock so my mom will have to pick it up in Seattle).

Now I just have to figure out what color of fabric to use on the glider cover... any suggestions?? I'm thinking maybe pale yellow as the rest of the room will be *glowing* with color!

22 Week Update

How far along? 22 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? None yet... thank God.
Sleep: I've slept a lot the last week but I'm still tired all the time. Last night was awful - I had a nightmare and then a few hours later a leg cramp from hell... I really wish I could sleep on my stomach!!
Best moment this week: Seeing kicks from the outside - it was so cool!!
Movement: Pretty much every day, I still haven't felt a roll yet, just kicks.
Food cravings: Eh, nothing special.
Gender: It's a GIRL!!
Labor Signs: I started having contractions on Friday and we ended up in the hospital. Everything turned out to be okay but I'm not going to over-do it again. I need this kid to cook for a few more months!
What I miss: With summer coming, I'm missing my fruity drinks (Mai Tais)... I'll have to create virgin versions (say that 10 times fast!) of all my favorites.
What I am looking forward to: My parents are going to be here this weekend!!
Weekly Wisdom: People are going to hurt your feelings (especially when you are pregnant) and there is no sense dwelling one it.
Milestones: My first hospital visit - not a good milestone but at least we know how to get to Labor & Delivery...

Below are a few pictures of the nursery as it looks today. Derek is going to build shelves in the closet this weekend and his dad is going to make a toy box/window seat and possibly a dresser/armour for storage. My mom is going to sew our curtains and bedding so this room should start coming together in the next few weeks (I hope!)

Scary Day...

When I woke up this morning, I just didn't feel "right". I was over-tired, sick to my stomach, and feeling crampy. On my way to work the cramps got stronger and as I pulled up to the school I was second guessing my decision to go to work. I called the answering service at my OB's office around 7:30 and had them page the doctor for me. I taught first period but my kids knew I wasn't feeling well and kept asking if I was okay. I called the doctor's office back at 8:30 after hearing nothing and feeling worse. During my prep period I talked to Dr. H's nurse, since Dr. was in surgery. She told me to go home, get off my feet, and drink as much fluid as I could but to call back if the cramps got worse or if I started having any contractions. I called for a sub, tried to get my room in order so whoever came in could teach what I had intended, and headed out the door. I got home just before 10:00 and curled up in the chair. In the next twenty minutes, I had four contractions and in hysterics I called Derek and told him I wanted to go to the hospital. He came home right away and we went straight to Memorial. I have to say, when you walk into a hospital at 21 weeks and say you are having contractions, you get in faster than someone with chest pain! As soon as the woman behind the desk heard the words "contractions" and "21 weeks" I was through registration and on my way up to Labor and Delivery. The nurse listened to baby and everything sounded good so she hooked me up to a monitor and we waited for thirty minutes to count the contractions. They calmed down a bit but I had a couple while I was there. Baby was moving all over the place - I think she knew something was up. The nurse checked my cervix and it was closed up and where it was supposed to be. Doctor gave me the okay to go home as long as I stayed off my feet and took it easy to the weekend.

I have never been so scared in my entire life. I felt so helpless and panicked. I can't (and don't want to) imagine what it would be like to have something happen to this baby. I don't think I would ever forgive myself if something happened to this baby because my body was too incompetent to protect her. The good news is, I'm okay, she's okay, and as long as I take it easy - we should stay that way. We just need to make it 19 more weeks and then I'll be more than happy to hang out in Labor and Delivery - but not any sooner!

It turned my frown upside down... :)

After two horribly long days at work, I came home to this... My best friend Becca heard that things were crummy and had this sent to my house. My pregnant hormones got the best of me and I got all teary-eyed. You've just got to be thankful for great friends...

21 Week Update

Okay, we took this picture before dinner... I really don't feel this gigantic until I see myself in a picture... Holy belly batman!!

How far along? 21 weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? None yet... thank God.
Sleep: I've been getting a lot, but I'm still exhausted all the time.
Best moment this week: Seeing baby on the ultrasound! Everything about it was great - finding out it's a girl, seeing those tiny hands and feet, knowing that everything is going smoothly. That's the best moment of this whole pregnancy!
Movement: Pretty much every day. Derek felt a kick from the outside the other night. She's getting stronger!
Food cravings: I really want chocolate cake.
Gender: GIRL!!!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In - but getting shallower by the day!
What I miss: Being able to pull a regular t-shirt out of the closet and put it on.
What I am looking forward to: Getting started on decorating the nursery.
Weekly Wisdom: Eat when your hungry, sleep when your tired, and get everything you can done when you have an energy burst.
Milestones: Being able to call our baby by her name, Addison Kristine.

Dear Baby Girl....

I think that your new found movement is wonderful but I do have a two small requests... Please refrain from jumping on my bladder. I know at times it must resemble a trampoline but it makes me have to pee at very inopportune times. Also, that comfy nerve you are reclining against is my sciatic nerve. It would be fantastic if you could not squish it as it sends big ouchies down mommies butt and leg. Thanks for kicking daddies hand last night, he thought that was pretty cool... Love you lots little one.

Love,

Mom

Baby Kicks!!!

Derek and I felt our first baby kicks tonight... my tummy started jumping after dinner. Baby Addison likes spaghetti!! :)

Mother's Intuition: 0, Sneaky Baby: 1

Since the beginning of this pregnany I have sworn up and down that this itty bitty was going to be a boy... and today I found out - I was wrong!!

We're having a GIRL!!!!!!!!

We were both so surprised and so excited at the ultrasound. Everything looked great and baby was measuring a few days ahead so instead of 9/27, my new and improved due date is 9/23. We have TONS of pictures and videos but I'm only going to put a handful on here as they take forever to load...

She sleeps just like me - curled up in a ball!

Look Mom! Tiny baby feet!!!

Skyla tests her babysitting skills...

and she passed with flying colors. Belle thought Skyla's tail was the greatest toy ever and even though she chewed and pulled on it, Skyla only got after her a few times. They were both worn out afterwards so Sklya tried to teach Belle to snorkle in the water bucket. We'll see if she picked up on it or not...

::deep, cleansing breath::

I am going to lose it. I am so done right now - my kids are mouthy, they're not doing their work, I'm exhausted, uncomfortable, and insanely anxious, and I'm not ready to have a sub on Monday. (Yes, I realize blogging isn't solving that problem, but I wasn't doing so swell before I started typing either.) I just feel like I could walk out right now - that or curl up on the floor and sob uncontrollably. I know it's all hormones, but trust me, that isn't making me feel any better. This is the first major anxiety attack I've had since I got pregnant and I don't know how to cope! I filled in the dry erase board and my handwriting was bugging me but I know that I don't have the time to redo it. But every time I look up, it's like a siren in my brain. I can't even pinpoint what's causing all this - the big ultrasound, end of the year stresses because I know I have to plan for a long term sub, or just insane pregnant lady having a freak out. My room is cluttery but I don't have time to clean, I have a "to do" list a mile long at home and at work and I don't think I'm going to get through either of them...

Okay, I can feel my blood pressure rising as I'm typing... I need to pee and then figure out how to survive the next three hours.

::woooooosaaaaaaaawwww::

20 Week Update

How far along? 20 Weeks!!!

Maternity clothes? Yup... even my once-baggy sweats are getting snug.

Stretch marks? None yet...

Sleep: Not too bad considering I've had a cold since Saturday.

Best moment this week:

Movement: I got some really good kicks last night... but I still can't feel them from the outside.

Food cravings: Nothing spectacular - although I've been resisting the urge to make brownies for the last few days.

Gender: Back to being unsure - I think that's because we find out soon and I'm second guessing myself!

Labor Signs: None but I am having Braxon Hicks about once a day... I don't like them.

Belly Button in or out? In - but getting shallower by the day!

What I miss: My cute jeans!

What I am looking forward to: OUR BIG ULTRASOUND!!!!!!

Weekly Wisdom: Take it easy when you're sick and take tons of vitamin C!

Milestones: Making it to the halfway point!!! 20 weeks down, 20 to go!

I guess mama said there'd be days like this...

I'm sorry - I know this is going to come off as a "woe is me" post but I'm just having one of *those* days...

1. Work. It's almost the end of the year and about 70% of my kids have totally checked out. They don't listen, they don't do their work, some of them even don't bother showing up. I've had a raging headache for two days and being at work today made it much, much worse. I just found out that I can't take maternity leave when I was planning because then I'll be a week over on FLMA, so I have to work right up until my due date instead of taking the week before off. I'm meeting with the insurance people tomorrow to figure it all out, but my glorious plan doesn't look like it's going to work out after all.

2. Ouch. My doctor appointment was supposed to be this afternoon. I was going to get a glorious back adjustment, put my out of place rib back where it belongs, and unjam my butt-bone. But the doctor was an hour and a half behind and I couldn't sit in that office... so I go back Monday. Until then, I have to walk like a gimp and be miserable when I try and sleep.

3. My lovely appearance. It's kind of hard to get up, do my hair and make up, and look for something cute to wear, when I still feel this unattractive. I am very disproportionate and my skin is doing bizarre things lately. It didn't help that a co-worker came up behind me today, grabbed my sides, and exclaimed, "This hasn't always been here!" Thank you dear coworker, I hadn't noticed I was turning into a heffer. I like looking pregnant - I just wish people would quit assuming that all my flabby parts are now up for discussion and gropes.

4. Insecurities. I don't know what else to call this... I guess there is just a lot on my plate and I feel a little overwhelmed. We're already registering for birthing classes and our first one is May 27! I am SO not ready for that yet. Add to that the fact that Derek doesn't see the need to attend any but the birthing class and I'm a mini (or not so mini, according to co worker) panic attack waiting to happen. My parents are leaving for half the summer and I always assumed (yes I know what that means) that they'd be right here with me the whole time... I can only go over the mountains until mid July and then I get grounded because I have to be within an hour of my doctor in case I go into labor early. So that means either no shower with my side of the family, or a very early one before mom and dad go out of town. And THAT means I have to get registered soon, which is another thing I haven't taken the time to do... 40 weeks sounded like a really long time in January... now that we're almost halfway there, it's starting to feel a whole lot shorter! I guess it's sinking in that I'm supposed to birth this child - which involves a lot of uncomfortable things that I haven't totally come to terms with yet.

Sorry for sulking... I'm off to make dinner...

Is there a "swine cold" floating around out there?

Ugh. When I woke up yesterday I knew it wasn't good... there is a very subtle difference between feeling like crap because of my allergies in the morning (because I can't take my allergy meds while pregnant) and coming down with a cold. I got up early, ate breakfast (this kid is on a schedule - I may want to sleep until 10 but s/he is hungry at 6am...) cleaned house, and by 11 o'clock we were out the door and off to the grocery store. I told Derek on the way there that I wasn't feeling so good and by the time we got home I had a full-blown headache, runny/stuffy nose, watery eyes, stuffy ears, major sore throat cold going on. I've been taking vitamin C like it's going out of style and I will be visiting the store again today to find some safe cold medicine. I have so much crap I want to do today and now I'll be confined to the couch per Dr. Derek. At least I got a new video game yesterday - first one in YEARS - and I can become a pro at MotoSport Pacific Rim Racing... Then I can kick Derek's butt later :) I'm going to make some tea so that maybe I can actually swallow something nutritious... Wash your hand people, this post might be contagious.

19 Week Update

How far along? 19 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Yes, although I'm at a strange phase where actual maternity shirts still look really silly on me but regular shirts are skin tight... It's tons of fun.
Stretch marks? None yet...
Sleep: This week has been better - I've been feeling more rested when I wake up... but last night I got my first leg cramps. OUCH!

Best moment this week: Finding out I have a job for next year!
Movement: Flutters and thumps here and there, but nothing consistent.
Food cravings: Sour candy. Any of it. Sour patch kids, sour straws, sour ANYTHING...
Gender: Still thinking boy and we find out in a week!
Labor Signs: None but I did find out what Braxon Hicks contractions are... and I'm NOT a fan!
Belly Button in or out? In - but getting shallower by the day!
What I miss: Being able to get out of the car without it being a major effort.
What I am looking forward to: Finding out the sex in a week and seeing baby on the ultrasound...
Weekly Wisdom: Do everything you can while you are still reasonably small... once you have a cantaloupe in your belly, spring cleaning ends up being much more difficult!
Milestones: Getting the nursery painted - now I can start decorating!

That'll teach me...

to claim it's a good start to the weekend before quitting time...

1. My PB&J sandwich got left in my bag this morning as a result of a last minute parent conference. When I pulled it out at lunch time, all the jelly had oozed out the bottom and 1/2 my sandwich was marinating in strawberry stickiness. I ate it anyway, as I have no other food available and am starving. Then I thought I would finish off the orange that has been staring at me all day... annnnd it's gross. It has no flavor and it's got a really weird texture. So much for lunch today. My only consolation here is that I know I get a delish dinner tonight... but still, that's 6 hours away and I'm STARVING.

2. To solve this problem, I raided the assortment of itty bitty snacks that I have stashed in my closet. It's really bad for your self-esteem when the only thing that sounds appealing at all are called, "Scooby Snacks". Ouch.

"Can I come by at 2:15 and give you some good news?"

That was the headline of an email that I got yesterday from our superintendent. He stopped by a few minutes later to tell me that after a review of the budget - I'm not being laid off!! I get my job, insurance, maternity leave, and most importantly - my contract!! I feel a million, billion pounds lighter, which for a pregnant lady, is quite a relief!

It just fits that tonight is Girls Night Out at Cafe Melange and I get to celebrate my good news with all my best gal pals... This is a great start to the weekend!