Week 22: Rough Start

You guys, I apologize for the upcoming Debbie Downer rant I am about to write...but my morning has had a really rough start...they may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but they all add up to one bummer of a morning!  I promise to write positive things at the end of my post though, just to try and look at the bright side of life (oh Monty Python).

It wasn't the worst of my morning, but Miles took forever to do his business outside.  I think it's because this brave cat has been hanging out where I usually take them to potty, and it's probably marking all over the place.  But Miles wouldn't poop.  It took way longer than usual, which caused me to leave a little later than usual this morning.  Okay, what's 5-10 minutes going to do (DOMINO EFFECT)...

My commute this morning took ONE HOUR AND 15 MINUTES.  Traffic has been so bad lately due to school (I think).  When I lived in Washington, it took almost two hours to commute to the university I was teaching at, but that was only two days a week.  I have to sit in this traffic five days a week.  I'm in a car for over two hours of my day.  That's almost 11 hours a week in a car, in traffic, with terrible drivers all around me.  But if Miles would have pooped right away like he usually does, I would have only been 5 minutes late to work, but nope, I was 15 minutes late.  The good news is the one faculty member who is here at 8am sharp is with his grandkids today, and everyone else usually comes in an hour or two later.  Phew.  But ask the hubby, I really stress when I'm late to anything.  All in all, I usually can handle my long commute-I've been doing it for almost two years now-but lately it has been getting to me.

I get into work, and the first thing I see as I walk into our kitchenette area:

Okay, it may not look horrific, but I've been battling these little ants for over a week now.  They were all over the counter and even on the coffee maker.  I put in a request to our campus facilities to set up traps/spray for them nine days ago, but of course nothing has happened yet.  I had to flush them all down the sink, then smush the rest.  Needless to say it was an epic battle, but I came out the victor.  Part of me really hates killing anything, but when they invade your space, you have to do what you have to do.

While I was fighting the insect infestation, I was juggling heating my oatmeal, answering the phone and checking my emails.  Today is the day where students can sign up for their private music lessons online, which is a big day since a lot of these students have been really antsy to get their time slot.  And what happens?  The online system ISN'T WORKING.  I had to contact web support again (this isn't the first time something on our website hasn't worked), and after 10 minutes of juggling confused, stressed students the system turned back on.  But of course my oatmeal boiled over the bowl in the microwave and I spent a few minutes cleaning it up.

Present time: I'm a little more calm and collected, now that I can sit and eat my oatmeal and blueberries.  But then...I'm still pretty down about my four-week checkup with the OB/GYN from last night...

The good: Blood pressure is great, Baby H's heartbeat sounded great, the OB/GYN I saw yesterday was hilarious...but I gained weight.  Um, a little TOO much weight.  I'm glad she had a sense of humor, but wowsers, I can't believe how much weight I have gained in four weeks.  She didn't believe it either-the nurse practitioner had weighed me before I saw the doc, and then the doc made me get on the scale again just to double check the nurse had it right.  How embarrassing.

I came home to a very supportive hubby, and I'm so thankful for that.  But man, I've never felt so disappointed with myself.  The slightly good news is that I am able to still gain 10 to 15 pounds, but that's over the next 18 weeks, not four.

I made the dinner I planned, then I made us take a walk afterwards.  I'm determined to really watch what I eat now, and stay as active as possible.  Oh yeah, I told my doc that when I'm on the elliptical machine I get very minor cramps in my lower abs, and she said "Those are contractions.  You probably need to take it a little easier."  Holy $!*&.  So I can exercise, but very, very moderately.  Sigh.

Oh and the last of the scary news my doc told me...I let her know I'm flying out to Washington at the end of September and asked if that was okay or not.  She said as long as my pregnancy so far has been normal, I should be fine, but I'll be at about 27 weeks along, and there is a small chance that I could give birth at that time.  If that does happen while in Washington, I'm NOT ALLOWED TO BRING THE BABY BACK.  WTF?!  Apparently I can't transport him between state lines?!  The probability of this happening is extremely low, but that what if sent my brain spiraling.

So that's me in a nutshell at the beginning of my 22 weeks of pregnancy.

Okay, positive note, like I promised.  My bestie Barbie and I were chatting through gmail this week, and she asked me what were the best and worst things of being pregnant.  The worst, which I faced yesterday, is gaining weight (so far...I think I've had it easier than most considering I didn't know I was pregnant until after the first trimester).  But the best part-that made me really ponder.  I think the best part is having the ability to produce a little life inside of me.  Knowing that I am capable of growing something for so long and that it is a part of me and my hubby, it's simply a miracle.  Now that I can feel Baby H way more often just makes me smile.  And that my friends puts all the rough moments I had this morning into perspective.  Big breath and sigh.  I can do this!

H is for...hungry

As promised, here are photos of the current "Nana Box" that was sent to us (that's what my mother-in-law wants to be called :) )...

Hubby's old stuffed animals!

I love the onesie, but as the title of this entry states, this mama gets hungry way quicker!  I've been trying to bring healthy snacks to work so that I can graze all day, as well as on my long commute home.  Baby H has been moving so much more lately, no wonder he's calling for "womb service".  Hahaha, get it?  Maybe pregnancy makes you have a weirder sense of humor as well...

I'm a little exhausted today, due to lack of sleep from emotional stress.  Once something sets me off, I just can't stop obsessing over it, therefore the waterworks turn on and they just won't stop.  When I pulled myself out of bed this morning, my eyes were just big swollen messes.  Thankfully I just looked in the mirror and noticed they're back to normal, phew.  I'm feeling a lot better this morning, but I wish my work had a siesta time; I could use a mid-day nap.

I was able to work out yesterday as well as take one of the dogs for a quick power walk after dinner while the hubby was at work...but my lower back is starting to hurt more and more each day.  I wish I could lay flat on my back, but all the pregnancy websites advice against it at this point since it could interfere with the blood flow and nutrients to Baby H.  I may have to give in today to just stretch it out.

Lastly, I found out Baby H moves a lot when I play this exact song...maybe he's dancing.

21 Weeks: World's Largest Gummy Bear

Today marks week 21 for Baby H.  I receive a few different pregnancy email updates, and my favorite so far is from pregnantchicken.com...instead of the normal comparison of my baby to a fruit or vegetable (which today is a carrot or banana), pregnantchicken.com referenced Baby H to about the size of "the world's largest gummy bear, although, it's a lot heavier at 5 pounds".  Heehee.  :)

I was going to wait until I was 7 months pregnant to tell this story, because it does correlate, but I've decided to share one of my more miserable tales as a pregnant lady.  It's been a while, so the story is not word for word, but this is basically how it went down...

When I was 16 weeks pregnant, the hubby and I went to Starbucks for breakfast since my pa gave me a "Congratulations, You're Pregnant!" gift card (only my dad).  The lady cashier noticed I had a bump and was really friendly about it.  But then she opened her big mouth as she was handing over our drinks.

Barista: "So, let me guess how far along you are..."  <brief pause>

             "7 months?"

I laugh hard, and answer, "No, I'm only 16 weeks along."

Barista: "Oh wow, this is your first, right?  Usually first timers don't show until farther on.  Are you having twins?!"

Me: "No, just one.  Um, I guess it's just going to be a big baby."

She kept going on, making me feel worse, and then talked about her kids, blah blah blah.  I tuned out at that point because she made me feel like a cow.  Seriously lady, great customer service skills you have, making a first-time mom feel gigantic!  Hubby and I ranted the whole way home about her.  And so far from other moms I either get the excited congrats, horror stories of pregnancy, or forms of the above blunt barista.  Sigh.

In other news, I'm excited to be heading up to Washington next month!  I'm not a fan of the airport process, but I'm a big fan of traveling.  I received this flyer in the mail and don't think I'll be traveling this year to it, but maybe next year:

There I am in the front of the corner photo, cheesing away

This was an eye-opening conference last year, and learned a lot about preparing for group tours!  Most of the other people there are heavily involved with their college ensembles touring, so they had a lot of good information.  This year our choir director is on sabbatical in the spring, so the wind ensemble will be traveling to northern California, and I'm sad I'll miss it (but I'll be on maternity leave!).  Next year the choir is traveling to Austria and Germany!  I don't know if I'll be able to go or not, seeing how Baby H will only be 1 year old, but you never know, maybe Baby H will be an international traveler too.  He'll already have experience traveling to New York next August for my bestie's wedding!

Tomorrow I'll be back to post some photos of another lovely baby care package the mother-in-law sent us.  She's so sweet!

Mid-20 Weeks: Karate Kid Hovland

So I broke down and bought a donut last week...one of my weaknesses (I feel like Homer Simpson).  I ate half at work, and then half after my dinner while the hubby was at work.  I couldn't tell if Baby Hovland likes or dislikes donuts, but it sent him into a serious kicking frenzy!  I'm pretty sure I've felt him squirm/move around the last couple weeks, but after that donut, oh boy, I knew he was kicking or tumbling.  Probably from the sugar rush.  I texted the hubby and over the next couple days he kept wanting to feel him kick.  This weekend as we were sitting on the couch, I started feeling him move again and hubby was able to feel one solid kick.  His reply..."Feels like gas".  Yes, yes it does.  But I know it's the baby.

Nothing too exciting to report from the weekend-I did the grocery shopping on Saturday, and most the time I love it, but this time made me hate people.  Granted shopping on a Saturday morning with everyone else is always going to be a nightmare, but what I hate is having to do grocery shopping at two different stores.  I generally buy most of my groceries from Trader Joe's, but their lack of produce and ethnic foods sends me to bigger chains.  This time I actually started at Von's, thinking I could get everything there for a cheaper price, but alas, I still had to drive over to TJs for a few items.  It really makes me miss the grocery stores in Washington.

Hubby and I discussed baby shower plans in Washington at the end of September since my sister-in-law and mother-in-law are going to throw me one there (which is AWESOME).  Originally we both planned on heading up, but with two pups who would have to go to overnight daycare, it would just cost too much.  So I'll be heading up alone.  I'm a little sad, being this obviously pregnant lady on a plane by herself, but it'll be such a short trip I'll be home in no time.

This morning I woke up a little later than usual...I have two alarms that go off-one to warn me I have 10 more minutes of sleep, then the second is the "seriously, wake up" alarm.  I didn't hear the second alarm, or I did and my sleepy self turned it off and went straight back to bed...so I scrambled when I saw I overslept 20 minutes.  Whoops.  I was able to take the dogs out, get ready, make breakfast for myself, make lunches for the hubs and I, AND have these pictures taken of my mid-20 week bump:

I feel like my belly has grown a lot over the last couple weeks, which I read is supposed to happen.  I've also only gained a pound since last week-what a relief.  I worked out five times last week and have been eating better...with the exception of yesterday's brunch at the Souplantation, our new favorite place to go-probably because it's a buffet, but we didn't realize they do breakfast.  Boy did we eat our money's worth and then some.

This week I'll be making a lot of phone calls to Simi Valley Hospital-it's time to set up all our fun birthing/newborn classes in the next couple months!  I've already scheduled our maternity ward tour for October, but I have to wait for them to call me back to set up the four-week pregnancy class and breast-feeding class...babies are a lot of work!  I just can't believe how time is flying by...before we know it, Baby Hovland will be kicking and screaming outside my tummy.

Week 20: Is It Friday Yet?

Happy Hump Day everyone!

I really wish it was Friday, but alas, it's a foggy Wednesday.  I heard that this week Los Angeles has had lower-than-average weather, and I'm definitely thankful for it since where we live is always 10-15 degrees hotter than everywhere else.

We received our second baby box from the mother-in-law on Monday, and here is what she sent:

CUTE clothes from Heidi Klum's baby line...who knew?!

Keepsakes from the hubby's childhood!  Such a cutie pie.

Hubby ran some errands at Target yesterday, and along with a few necessary items for the apartment, he found these:

When we met up with my bestie and her baby to help with our registry, baby had this cute toy that hung from his stroller and you could pull it down and it would shake back up.  Hubby fell in love with it, so he found a similar one (the lion).  I asked if he knew that our baby will be a "lump" for the first three months, but he really loves buying toys (for the dogs, himself and baby now ; )).

I've been a little more tired this week, but that's probably because I should be going to bed a little earlier than I am.  I've been working out every day so far, which feels good since I counteract it with snacks and dessert.  Here was my view yesterday on the stationary bike:

Can you see how nice of a view we have in the cardio area?  Lucky to have a nice gym at my work!

I've calmed down a lot about bringing up a newborn in a one-bedroom apartment...the internet saves the day!  I have been researching articles and blogs about other families raising a newborn in the same situation, and all of them are so reassuring.  It's not surprising to read a lot of these families are in New York City, but the way they describe what you absolutely need just made me feel, well, not alone.  We have a pretty large apartment (or townhome technically since we have no one below us, only garages), and if we rearrange our furniture we can make it work.  It's probably not a good idea to move when our lease is up (one month before the baby is due), so cross your fingers they don't try to raise our rent to an absurd amount.  We will also look into a shorter lease, just to see our options.  And Pinterest made me feel good about saving $$$...I've found a lot of recipes that I want to try, especially crock pot ones, so that will save us money since a lot of it goes to eating out.  All in all, I'm halfway through pregnancy and feeling very optimistic about our future family!  (No crying spurts so far this week, I swear!)

Case of the Mondays (for the hubs)

Happy Monday everyone!  Well, it has not been the greatest start.  I tried waking up early to get ingredients prepped for a slow cooker meal, and that took a little longer than I thought.  So I was running a tad bit late to work.  But then when hubby went to move his car since it was blocking mine in the garage, it wouldn't start.  He purchased a new battery last week and installed it himself (which was a pain as it was over 100 degrees in our garage), and it worked all weekend until this morning.  After meddling with it for 15 minutes and nothing happening, we decided to just get a Triple A membership for him to get his car either towed or a battery jump.  When I took the dogs out to pee, he tried starting it one more time and it magically worked.  I was only a half hour late to work, but I hope he gets the problem fixed, and not just temporarily.

Other than that, my Monday has been smooth sailing so far, but it's still early morning so we'll see what happens!

This weekend was pretty lazy and relaxing.  We have a membership to the L.A. Zoo, so we decided to check it out Saturday morning.  It's not the best zoo, especially in comparison to zoos in Washington or the San Diego one, but it was neat to check out the animals again.  What we really dislike about this particular zoo are the people...for some reason, we always see these huge families with really bad-mannered children running everywhere, knocking on the glass when it specifically says not to, shouting and running in front of us to look at things.  What annoys us the most is that the parents don't even care or do anything, it's so obnoxious!  We try not to be the grumpy couple at the zoo, but when the above happens at every turn, it's hard not to.  We spent a few hours there and decided to get lunch...and discussed how Baby Hovland will have good manners instilled in him.

When we got home, we had a knock on the door and found a package from the mother-in-law...and holy cow, this made my day:

Would you look at that skill?!  Little crocheted "amigurumi" rattles for Baby Hovland!  They are so cute, and I can't believe she made these on her own.  And next to it is a very cute onesie from Macy's-here's a better picture:

Baby Hovland is definitely getting hooked up.  Apparently she sent another package, but surprise-surprise, we never received it.  And we wonder why the USPS is losing money.

Sunday I cleaned the apartment all morning; I told hubby I think this is my "nesting" phase, or at least it comes in waves.  I get this urge to clean, organize, create, etc. and I'm on robot mode.  Once I finished, we went grocery shopping and found a store called "BuyBuy Baby" next to the Sprouts.  We never heard/seen the store, so we decided to check it out real quick.  The first thing we both noticed when we walked in was it looked exactly like Bed, Bath and Beyond-merchandise was stacked to the ceiling in the same fashion and organized similarily.  We took a lap around the store and noticed the prices were about the same as Babies R Us, until we found a few carriers.  I pointed out the one I registered for-it's this very ergonomic carrier, and it's not cheap, but the store was selling it for $230-it costs $120 on the carrier's website!  Once I saw that, we beelined for the door.  On our way out we saw this cute grass-bottle dryer that we registered for as well; Target sells it for $15, they were selling it for $24.  How ridiculous...so to all my friends who have babies/thinking of having babies, DO NOT GO TO BUYBUY BABY!  What's weird is that same day my mother-in-law sent me an email with their website, asking me if we ever knew about it.  She read our minds!

Well I hope everyone has a good Monday, or that it goes by quickly.  I'll be posting soon about how my crock pot meal turned out, and how Week 20 arrives--I can't believe I'm almost half-way through pregnancy!  Time really does fly by fast (especially when you don't find out you're pregnant until the second trimester...).

19 Weeks, 11 month anniversary tomorrow

After my stressful start to the week, things have calmed down significantly.  I literally cried myself to sleep Monday night, overwhelmed by every little detail about the baby.  Hubby came to the rescue yet again and calmed me down.  Damn you hormones.

I've been getting more than 6 1/2 hours of sleep this week, and I feel really good.  I still wake up every couple hours to turn over or visit the bathroom, but I haven't been groggy at work which is nice.  And this is all without coffee anymore!

Since it's still summer and not too much is going on at work, I was poking around Pinterest and found this really awesome website where they let you "register" for anything you want from ANYWHERE.  Since we have three different places, this site is super handy-all we have to do is tell our baby shower invites the link and they can see what we registered for where, and in addition put anything else we want from any website, store, etc.  It also gives you other sites where things are sold with different prices!  It's called babyli.st, and I spent a good chunk of time condensing our registries.  Babies need so much stuff, and I thought registering for a wedding was a lot of work!

My goal this week is/was to get more exercise and eat better, since I gained a little more weight than I should have.  Monday I hit the elliptical machine during my lunch break, Tuesday we took a nice family walk after dinner and saw two guys ciphering gas out of a big rig into their truck.  At 8:30pm.  Maybe we didn't leave Van Nuys after all.  This led to a discussion on where we should move next...anyway, then today I'm going to try and jog/walk at the gym during my lunch.  I've been eating a lot more fruits and vegetables and only went out once for a co-worker farewell lunch at Toppers Pizza.  But they have a great lunch deal where you get a trip to the salad bar and a mini pizza with two toppings; I think it was a good amount of food.  Although yesterday I went to throw my lunch scraps away outside my office and saw a McDonald's bag poking out, which spurred this overwhelming craving for french fries all day.  I was miserable!  But, I didn't cave in, and came home to cook a yummy steak dinner with twice baked potatoes and broccoli.  Phew!  Crisis averted.  While I was cooking, I turned around and saw this:

It's a little blurry because every time I try to take a photo of these two, they move so I had to act quick.  It was adorable...but of course they were just waiting for me to feed them.

Tomorrow is the hubby and my 11 month anniversary!  Where did the time go?  I really didn't imagine being almost over five months pregnant when our one-year anniversary would come around.  But life is unpredictable, and as hubby put it Monday night we wanted to have a family eventually, but life dealt it to us a little earlier than scheduled (or something like that).  And then my usually pessimistic husband tells me all we can do is stay positive and happy.  That took me by surprise...but also made me relax a lot more.  If he can be calm and happy, I can be calm and happy.  I usually am the positive one!

I'm definitely ready for the weekend...we might take a light hike, but no set plans which is fine with me.  Is it Friday yet?