27 Weeks & We Take a Trip Down Under

I wish. Australia is one of our favourite places in the whole wide world and a trip back is highly overdue.

In the meantime, we find ways to incorporate Aussie culture into our lives back here at home and attempt to bring a bit of Australia to us (Tim Tam Slams, anyone?). So when Sam saw an article in the newspaper (who reads this anymore?) last week about an Australian bakery up in the Seattle area, we had to try it out. There is nothing like Aussie baked goods. Enter: the Meat Pie.

The Australian Pie Company totally lived up to the hype (that I had built up in my head). There's nothing like beef in gravy with onions and mushrooms, baked inside a flaky crust, topped with garlicy mashed potatoes, and dipped in "tomato sauce" (not to be confused with ketchup).


While devouring our pies (and discussing how we needed to take home at least half a dozen frozen ones for later) we realized another trip Down Under has to be made. Soon. More on this later.

(until then, we'll always have November 2008)

27 Weeks
Welcome to the 3rd Trimester

Baby N. is about the size of a large head of cauliflower. He is about 15" long from head to toe and weighs over two pounds. That's like dang near the size of a real baby!

He's growing. I'm growing too:


I'm starting to feel some of the pains and uncomforts of pregnancy. Does this really have to happen with 3 more months to go? Oh well. When I sit back at night to unwind from the day and can just focus on feeling Baby N's kicks and flips and other various acrobatics, it makes it all worth it.

So we registered last week. Thank you SO MUCH to all who put in a couple words of advice about what they found was useful/not useful/a waste/etc. It made us feel like we almost knew what we were doing. People have done this whole baby thing billions and billions of times before us, so I'm pretty confident we'll figure it all out at some point... and I realize that it will all be a huge learn-as-you-go process too. Like, on the job training. I'm good with that.

This is me convincing myself not to freak out.

26 Weeks & I'm a Mac

Yup. 26 weeks. One more and we're on to the 3rd trimester. Crazy. Right now Baby N's favorite activities include growing, practicing kung fu, & hiccuping. Other than that I would imagine he's pretty bored.

My belly grew this week... there are still 14 more weeks to go, & I'm having a hard time imagining how big this torso is really gonna be able to get. Actually, I don't really imagine it, mostly I have nightmares about it.

Speaking of the belly... here it is this week:


So that's what it looks like to have a whole 2 lb. chuck roast in one's belly... or at least that's what my pregnancy book says the baby is this week. Equivalent to a 2 lb. chuck roast. Yummy.

I'm a P.C... no wait, I'm an iMAC!

So we did it. We got our new computer last week down in Portland and have made the full switch over to being an iFamily! I LOVE it.


A big THANK YOU to Ryan (pictured above, working on the computer & looking a little bit... ummm, "special") and Christie for coming over last weekend and setting us all up. We had a good time hanging out w/ them for the first time as a married duo & could not be happier with our new iMac.

Registering for Baby - Calling for some Words from the Wise

We have BIG weekend plans: I think Sam and I might venture out to Target and Babies 'R' Us this weekend to do some registering. I know, go crazy! There are definitely lots of you out there who have been through this and totally have words of wisdom you could share. So now is the time to share it!

Let me know what you couldn't live without, what you never used, what you didn't have enough of, etc. etc. I need to know these things.

If your advice is make sure Baby has lots of super cute new outfits, then I am SO on top of it. I may have NEVER changed a diaper in my whole life, but I'm gonna have one well dressed kid. Heck yes.

Public Service Announcement from a Pregnant Girl

Name one other medical condition where it's ok to make fun of the changes a person undergoes physically. Are people unaware of how hormonally and emotionally unstable a pregnant woman already is? Clearly.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

When commenting on a pregnant woman's body: it is only OK to tell them they look... pregnant. (and if you feel so inclined, feel free to insert other flattering adjectives)

It is NOT OK to say any of the following things:

• "So... can I call you 'fatso' now?"
• "Oh hey, here comes Tubby!"
• "Beep! Beep! Beep!" (when you walk down the hall)
• "Haha! You're starting to waddle!"
• "Wow, I just never thought I'd live to see you get fat!"

Yes, these have all been said to me. In the last week or so. Now, commenting on belly growth is OK. That is supposed to happen. Making a comment about my "fat" body or saying I may have been eating too many potato chips is NOT OK.

Other annoying comments & gestures:

"How's my baby?" (not said by Baby's Daddy)

Your baby? Really? Are you the one carrying this belly around, gaining weight, outgrowing all your clothes, "waddling" down the hallways, & wincing in pain with every step because of a pinched nerve? I didn't think so. Not your baby.

Patting My Belly

You know what? I don't mind this. I actually often invite people to feel or poke my belly. Keyword: invite. Sometimes people ask, and this is ok too.

But a stranger who is approaching my belly with an open hand & a smile like it's public property is NOT ok. If you don't know me, keep your grubby hands off.

"How much weight have you gained?"

Ok random guy from work in other section, it is NOT OK to ask me how much weight I've gained. Why? Because it's none of your business!

I freely discuss this topic with my husband, my family, my close friends, whatevs. But for you, guy from work, it is not something you need to know. Especially after you just got done asking if I plan on wearing tight designer jeans again after the pregnancy. WTH?

And this is today's Public Service Announcement. The more you know.......

25 Weeks & 6 Things I Love... Right Now.

Ok, so when I said the weeks would slow down and blur together, I was wrong. This last week flew by and I'm so excited to be 25 weeks! Only 15 more to go. I really feel like I grew a ton this week and I'm sure Baby N did too... He's now the size of a rutabaga (whatever that is... see above) I can feel how much stronger he has gotten as his kicks get harder and actually make my belly move!

Big milestone last night: Sam actually witnessed one of these stomach twitching episodes when the Baby was really practicing his Chuck Norris moves. Every day just gets more and more exciting as I know Baby N gets stronger and stronger and now looks more and more like what he will the day he's born! I'm definitely enjoying the final days of my 2nd trimester. I know, I know... enjoy it while you can, I'm gonna get a lot bigger and things are gonna start getting a whole lot more uncomfortable. I'm aware of this.

So let's not beat around the bush and let's check out a belly pic!

Yup definitely grew. I can't hide this thing anymore, and actually it's a good thing. I'm getting comments from strangers now who want to know my due date. People are finally getting the clue that I'm gonna give birth to this belly and it's not just that I over did the Christmas cookie-eating this year. I like that.

SIX Things I LOVE... Right Now.

Lately I have been SO happy. Life is good. I really have no complaints. There are so many things that put me in a good mood and make me realize I have it pretty good. These are just a few of those things:

(Disclaimer: Keep in mind I'm not talking about the obvious... a good husband, good health, a healthy pregnancy, a great family... etc. etc. Things are just some of the funner things in life that make each day a little more enjoyable).

1. My Uggs


You either love them or hate them, but I have been truly converted. Love them. These were my comfiest purchase all year, and have been the best pregnancy present to myself yet. I could live in the warmth of these boots forever despite the jabs I get from Sam about them.

Example, Me: "Ooh, the baby just kicked!" Sam: "That's because he is SO embarrassed to be seen with you in those boots right now." Very funny.

2. My Spinning Classes

I felt dead to the world in my first trimester of pregnancy, but these last couple months I have felt great. One of my FAVORITE things to do in the whole wide world is go to Spinning. I LOVE it. I get such a high from the loud music, the sweat dripping off my face, and the kicks from Baby N to pedal faster. Yes, he eggs me on. Every appointment I ask my doctor if I'm good to keep on going, and he says heck yes. So, I will.

3. "How I Met Your Mother"

Sam and I are so hooked on this show. It's our favorite show. I think we like it because it's our exact generation. Young, upper 20's professionals who are just like us. And super funny. Check it out sometime, but if you don't like it... you didn't hear about it from me.

4. The iMac

We are planning to become Apple people. We've loved our iPhones and are now making the big jump to dumping the PC. This weekend we are buying an iMac and our good friend Ryan is coming to hook us up. I am BEYOND excited for this new computer. I'm sure I will be reporting much more on this topic in the near future.

5. Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches

These are what I live for at the end of the day. They are the best indulgence EVER! And reasonably low in calories, fat, and sugar too. Just had to throw them in there.

6. "500 Days of Summer" - The SOUNDTRACK

I was turned on to this soundtrack by the song "Sweet Disposition" by the Temper Trap. Great song. I went to download it and saw that it was on this soundtrack and started poking around at the previews of each track on the album and thought, what the heck, let's download the whole thing. Mediocre movie. Great soundtrack.

And there you have it. Six things that I love... right now.

24 Weeks & All About Baby

So this is gonna be an unapologetic Baby blog post. I usually try to incorporate some other aspect of my life along with the weekly update, but today, it's not happening. Today is all about baby.

So yesterday was.... drumroll please.... my V-Day!!! Woooohoooo!! What is "V-Day" you ask? Well my friend, V stands for "Viability" and it happens when your pregnancy hits 24 weeks.

At 24 weeks Baby N is considered viable and if he were to be born from this point on they say he would have a good chance of survival. This week is also important because if I were to go into early labor, the doctors would try to do all they can to stop it. Of course, there would be great challenges ahead if the baby is born this early, so let's hope he stays in my belly for at least another 13 weeks until he is full term!

But still, how exciting is it that the baby in my belly could actually stand a chance at living outside of me on his own?? Pretty cool.

And, I don't have a new fruit update for you this week. The site I was getting the pictures off of only do new fruits once a month now since the growth is so variable, so look forward to that at Week 27. Until then, here is a drawing of what he looks like all nestled up in my belly at 24 weeks:
And here is what I look like all belly-ed out at 24 weeks:


So, new year, new baby on the way... LOTS to think about. I can't stop myself from buying every little piece of super cute baby clothing that I see (including a pair of Nike Air Jordans identical to ones that Sam has), and I realized today (while buying 2 super cute sleepers at Costco) that at some point I'm going to have to do something else with this baby besides dress him.

At some point I'm going to have to start buying real baby stuff. Like diapers. And a car seat, and a crib, and a swing, and a Boppy, and a stroller, and bottles, and the list goes on AND on and ON!!

And at some point I'm going to have to learn how to care for a baby... I think he's going to need more from me than a fresh pair of jammies or super cute basketball shoes (but seriously, how cute are those teeny things??)

I know I can't learn everything, or acquire everything all in one day, so getting overwhelmed is pointless. And I still have a bit over 3 months to get ready for the biggest change in my life. So no big deal, right? Roight.

Don't worry though. I'm not freaking out. Yet. I know these things come with time, I know I'm not alone in all of this (thank goodness for an amazing husband!!), and I know I'll learn a lot in the next few months with child birth/care classes and all... (oh yeah, I guess I should look into those).

So don't be surprised if my future blog posts chronicle the progress I'm making in the aforementioned adventures of acquiring baby things/getting ready to be a mom. Apparently there's more to this whole pregnancy thing than just cooking a baby.

Who knew pregnancy was the easy part??

An Anniversary & a New Year!

Happy 4 Years to Us!!

Wow, time flies. I'm sure I'm the first person to say that, no? Sam and I just celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary and I can't believe it's been that long.

FOUR years ago, this was us:
Sometimes that feels like just yesterday, and sometimes it feels like a million years ago. Funny how that works.

We celebrated by spending the weekend in Seattle and splurging on a pretty posh hotel suite in the Hyatt. We spent our days shopping, eating, working out, and relaxing. It was PERFECT.

(mmmm, dessert at Cheesecake Factory... I love you Oreo Mudslide Cheesecake!!!)

Sam is truly my best friend in the whole world and I am so blessed to have married such a great guy. We have SO much fun together and are so excited to take the next step in our lives and become parents!!

WELCOME 2010!!

So like most of you (unless you live under a rock or by the Chinese calendar) we rang in the New Year Thursday night. Actually we rocked in the New Year. Yup, some serious Rock Band was played that night which was pretty good times. Come midnight, the sparkling cider was broken out, the countdown was yelled out, and Happy New Year chaos ensued. There was yelling, kissing, picture taking, noise maker noise making, etc.


I had to mention that we broke out the "Sparkling Cider" cuz I'm pretty sure my mom's not convinced Sam's not drunk in these pictures. I think he's just drunk on the New Year's spirit.

So I've been wracking my brain for what sort of resolutions I could make this year. It's the first year where I can honestly say I'm going to GAIN weight and not make some sort of fitness goal. I already go to the gym 3-4x a week and try to eat a pretty healthy diet so any real fitness training/weight loss goals are gonna have to wait til Baby N is born, and believe me, there will be some goals made following his arrival.

Until then, I found this list of New Year's Resolutions that got me thinking outside the box:

• I will no longer waste my time reliving the past, instead I will spend it worrying about the future.
  
• I will not bore my boss by with the same excuse for taking leave. I will think of some more excuses.
• I will do less laundry and use more deodorant.
  
• I will avoid taking a bath whenever possible and conserve more water.
• I will stop sending e-mail, AIM, Facebook Comments, and be on the phone at the same time with the same person.
  
• I will spend less than one hour a day on the Internet. This, of course, will be hard to estimate since I'm not a clock watcher.
• I will cut my hair.
  
• I will grow my hair.
  
• I will stop considering other people's feelings when they so obviously don't consider mine - if that unwashed fellow sits next to me again, I'll tell him he stinks!

Anyone making some resolutions out there you'd like to share?