Mother Goose

We went to my inlaws house this weekend and Eric's mom gave me all of her baby books to read on top of what I'm already reading. I also really want to start reading to the baby at night. I need to dig out my old Dr. Seuss and Little Golden Books.  Here is my current reading list:

I really recommend this pregnancy "owner's manual."  The book has a very entertaining way of approaching topics related to having a baby.  It also explains a lot of the science behind what doctors recommend mothers do which is nice to know.  The cartoons/drawings in the book are informative and cute too.

I LOVE Hunger Games.  I am re-reading the first book before I go see the movie.  I hope that the movie lives up to my expectations!

This isn't a teacher book.  It's a hilarious story about a gossip magazine columnist who is fired from her job and finds herself tutoring a set of glamazon twins for the SAT.  If you liked the Shopaholic series, you will like this book.

Sorry I'm a little late with my 9 week update.  Here's what's new with me and the baby:

How far along? 9 weeks

Total weight gain: None yet.

Maternity clothes? No, but I am starting to consider good maternity options for this summer.  I am also praying I do not gain too much weigh to fit into my bridesmaid dress for my best friend's wedding.  It fits now and it has an empire waist, so there is some growing room for the belly but I can't gain much anywhere else.  It's 10 weeks away so hopefully I won't be too big by then.

Stretch marks? No..stay away.

Sleep: I still jerk awake afraid that I have been squashing the baby in my sleep.  And my dreams have gotten REALLY weird.  Last night I dreamed that my mom announced that she was having a baby a few months before me.

Best moment this week: Sharing my ultrasound picture with family and friends.

Miss Anything? Lunch meat.  It's been a little difficult to pack lunches lately.  I did give in and have Firehouse today.  They steam their meat so I thought that would be safe...right?

Movement: None yet.

Food cravings: On Thursday I had to have a slice of Jhonny's Pizza.

Food aversions: Most foods still do not appetize me.

Gender: ??  I'm already thinking about how we will reveal the gender.  Hopefully our little guy or gal is cooperative and shows the goods at the right time.

Labor Signs: No.

Symptoms: I am constantly unbelievably tired.  I literally come home and crash every day after work (which is part of the reason this post is late).  I feel guilty because the most exercising that I have done is walking the dogs a few times a week.  I'm hoping I can make up for it next trimester when I have more energy.

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: SPRING BREAK next week.  I love my job and I love my students but I really need some time to relax right about now. 

I promise to be on time with my post next week.  Have a good week ladies!

8 Weeks

Baby Hood

I had my first ultrasound today!  Nothing prepares you for the feelings that take over when you see that little heart beating away.  It was absolutely precious.  Although I will admit it mostly just looks like a bunch of blobs to me, the pictures are priceless.  Now it all feels more real.  I'm not showing yet, so I decided I would take a pre-bump picture today.  I have to admit I'm ready to look pregnant and not just feel fat.

How far along? 8 weeks

Total weight gain: None yet.

Maternity clothes? Let's hope not. 

Stretch marks? No, but I am practically bathing in Palmer's Cocoa Butter.  I feel like I reek of the stuff.

Sleep: Every morning when I jerk awake I have thins fear that I rolled too far over while sleeping on my side and put my weight on my belly.  People say that your body will let you know if you are cutting off oxygen to the baby.  Is that true?

Best moment this week: Seeing that little heart beat today. 

Miss Anything? An occasional glass of wine.  Fre just doesn't cut it.

Movement: No.

Food cravings: I did have an intense urge for Rita's Frozen Custard this week, but nothing other than that.

Food aversions: Most food at this point unless I'm really hungry.  Food sounds good to me...until I smell it and then I feel sick. 

Gender: ??  Can't wait to find out.

Labor Signs: Nope.

Symptoms: Really sore boobs.  I literally can only wear t-shirt bras.  I also am fatigued and bloated.  Not much other than that though.

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: Sharing the ultrasound pictures with my Nana on her birthday this Saturday.

P.S. I told my teammates at work this week.  There were a few awkward moments with my co-worker who is trying to get pregnant, but overall everyone seems to be really happy for me.  I really want to tell my students.  They have a direct and indirect object quiz coming up soon.  I think one of the sentences on the quiz might be "Mrs. Hood is having a baby."  We'll see....

Happy birthday Daddy!

Where do I begin with this week?  Let's start with Monday...  Eric and I celebrated his birthday with a quiet evening together.  As soon as he got home from work, I made him open his gifts (I'm a very impatient/excited giver) one of which was a Daddy-to-be book.  See reaction below:

That coy grin may be funny, but I really hoped that he would be excited about the book and start reading it right away.  Instead, the book sat on the counter for 4 days before he ever peeked inside!  After I broke down and admitted my disappointment, he has started reading it, but it still seems like he is more interested in Clive Cussler than learning about being a daddy.  Maybe this is just a fundamental difference in men and women, because I have abandoned any non-pregnancy related reading materials from the moment I found out I was pregnant.  I guess I feel more urgency since this miracle is taking place INSIDE of me.  Maybe he will get more involved and I will become less sensitive as the pregnancy progresses.

Yesterday we had a group of friends over to our house to celebrate Eric's birthday/see the improvements we have made in our home in the last year.  Now the cat is out of the bag and the majority of our friends know about the "bambino".  Although I did tell my vice principal last week, I plan on waiting a few more weeks before I tell everyone at work.  I am really nervous about telling my team leader, because she and her husband are trying to get pregnant right now and have ran into some complications.  She and I have finally started to click with one another and I am worried that my pregnancy will cause her to hate me.  Any suggestions for how I should tell her when the time comes?

In other news, my first ultrasound will be on the 15th (assuming that everything works out with transferring my insurance and I don't have to delay the appointment).  I am so excited!  Can't wait to see our little blueberry.  :-)

Grab Button

Go Tell It on the Mountain

We told our parents and my grandparents today!  It feels so good to have their support.  We had everyone over for a birthday lunch for Eric and my mom.  Eric's parents came over an hour early so that we could use their trailer to pick up our new couches.  While Eric and his dad were getting the furniture, I was at home cooking and trying to keep Eric's mom away from any baby clues.  (We decided we wanted everyone to find out at the same time.)  When everyone arrived, lunch was still in the oven, so I suggested that everyone go upstairs and admire Eric's handiwork in our new bathroom.  (We just bought our first house a little over a year ago and have been making a lot of improvements.)  As they all came up the staircase, this is the little sign they saw hanging from what will become the nursery door:

"Prince or Princess Coming Soon eta Oc. 2012"

My Nana was the first one up the stairs to read it and her reaction was priceless.  We spent the next few minutes hugging and crying in the stairwell.  It was the perfect way to let our families know that we will soon have another birthday to celebrate.  After the shock wore off and everything finished cooking, we enjoyed a great meal together.  These potatoes are the bomb!

We lighted them up a bit with skim milk, turkey bacon, and ff sour cream.

For desert we enjoyed a cookie cake with this message "Happy Birthday Daddy and Grandmommy!"  This was truly a great day!