37 week appointment

I had an appointment today with the dr and the ultrasound tech. The ultrasound tech measured me to see how BG is growing and to see what it's looking like for delivery date and whatnot.

While waiting in the waiting room, I had some cold water and shortly thereafter BG got the hiccups. This is only the second time I have noticed that it was actual hiccups. And, I saw my belly twitch just like Momma Graf said it does.

We had our ultrasound first, obviously. Now, the one thing that bugs me severely about ultrasound tech's is that they are able to talk. I don't mean that in any disrespect, but the girl had me very nervous when we were escorted back out to the waiting room. She was telling me that his length looks good. He's crammed in there (which we already knew). His fluid levels look low. This may cause some concern and the dr may admit me to the hospital so we can start labor. The levels were at an 8. 10 is great. 4 is terrible. My worst fear... being induced. I am a firm believer in letting the kid come when he's ready! Now, she's telling me that I may be getting induced this week. Not what I was wanting.

She then told me that he is weighing about 7 lbs 7 oz. However, these are only estimates and they can be wrong up to 18 oz either way. So, I could have an 8.8 lb baby or a 6.5 lb baby? I'm no math whiz, but that is an awfully big gap! Then, she tells me, like she did before, that I am measuring a week ahead of schedule. That BG is large for where I am in pregnancy. Ok. Again. I am not an average size woman. WHO ARE YOU COMPARING ME TO?! For a German girl, I think I'm pretty average. I wonder what size babies usually come out of German size women?! Maybe in fact I'm measuring small!!! So, she moves my due date up which is the other thing that peeves me.

I am not a girl that got knocked up and had an oops! baby. We tried having a baby for a couple years! I took a test on a Friday, it was negative and then the very next Wednesday it was positive. With letting everyone in that office know everything about mine and Jason's "business" I think I can say when the conception date is and just cause he's measuring "bigger than the normal American woman's baby" - which who knows what a normal American woman's baby is anymore, I think it's safe to say that my due date is still May 13!!! If he comes a little early, fine! If he comes a little late, fine! But quit telling me that he's gonna come early just cause he's measuring big! oy.

Ok. Enough ranting.

I then wait to see the dr. We go over when I should leave work. We decided I will stay til I have the baby. I'm healthy, he's healthy. Not a big deal. AND, the hospital is only 3 minutes away. We went over heartburn. Rx called in. Cervix checked and we are 70% effaced / 2 cm dilated. They also sent me home with my records so I can take them to the hospital.

I'm a little _______ right now. You can fill in the blank with whatever you feel like cause I'm feeling so many different things right now. I'm so stoked to have BG here. Everyone keeps saying a few days and he'll be here. I really hope he waits about a week! I'm so nervous cause I don't know if I can be the tough cookie I think I can sometimes be. I know Jason knows I can do this, which is why I'm glad he's the one coaching me through... but I am terrified! I still don't have birth plans done. Nor do I have the "notices" done for letting nurses know they are not to give BG bottles or pacifiers. I haven't packed. The car is immaculately clean, but car seat is still not installed. And, even though I'm paranoid, nervous, frightened, scared and worry some, I am elated, excited, anxious and whelmed to have my little guy here in my arms. I dream of holding him, looking at him and him looking back with those cute little squinty newborn eyes knowing that we will be an eternal happy family. Those eyes that were just staring at Heavenly Father's. Those eyes that will one day squint at me and maybe tell me I'm irritating him. Or that he loves me. Or that he's happy. *sigh* This is what I am on this earth for. I can't wait!

Roller Derby

My Sister in Law, Katie, is a Sin City Roller Girl. Maybe you've heard her referred to as, The 4ce? Anyway, she had a bout yesterday, Saturday and Jason and I went to support her. Aside from it being one of the best bouts I've ever seen her in, there were lots of things BG enjoyed, or didn't enjoy, as well.

For the Fresh Meat vs. Old Beef bout, the crowd wasn't too hyped up and things were pretty calm. Then, the real bout started. I felt things that felt like contractions, but I just kind of blew them off. I was screaming and cheering quite a bit and I could tell my BG's activity that he was going crazy inside!


The end of the bout really had me going. My blood pressure was up cause I was so into the game and when we were in the last few seconds, I jumped up outta my seat and was jumping up and down, and then I think I had another contraction... so I quickly sat down and continued cheering from there. lol

I don't think BG will make it to the May 28 bout. At least, he won't be inside my belly.

This is Aunt Katie lending her Jammer Cap to BG for a moment.

When's it gonna be my turn?

In 4th grade, we had our "womanly talk" and watched video's and all that good stuff. We were told that some of our friends were already having their periods. After the class, some of the girls were bragging about getting theirs and I felt left out. I wanted mine! I waited 3 long years to finally get mine, nad nevertheless, it came.

Well, a few months ago there were girls in my group, due after me, that were telling everyone about how they were leaking colostrum from their boobs. I was jealous. I felt like I was in 4th grade again, waiting and waiting. Well, the wait is over! We have leakage!

I know that's sounds silly, and why on earth would I want to brag about it on my blog?! Well, after having a reduction in '01, I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to breastfeed. My dr told wanted to know if I planned on breastfeeding, and I told him I did. But that was 10 years ago! How was I supposed to know if every thing went ok? I'm hoping this is a good sign that every thing is well in the boobie area.

Kicked it into "Get 'er done" gear!

Wednesday is my "get it done" day. With the paranoia I've gained these last few weeks, I made it a point to get 2 things done by week end; 1. Get car seat installed, 2. Get BG's room organized and cleaned.

Mom took me out to lunch for my birthday, then we went back to my house and cleaned. We deep cleaned BG's room. Washed baseboards. Vacuumed everything. Wiped down everything. Moved furniture, organized and sized everything.

We also cleaned out the car. Now it just needs to be taken to Freddy's to have the carpets cleaned and vacuumed. Why do all this when he's gonna make everything a mess anyway? Because he deserves it.

36 weeks 4 days

My dr is out of the office this week, so I had my check up with Jane, the PA. She is totally awesome. The only thing that freaked me out about today's check-up was when she said, "If you go into labor this week, Dr Martin will be delivering you, not Dr Swainston. YIKES! You said "labor this week"! I know that's what I signed up for, but I'm not packed for the hospital, I haven't finished my birthing classes and we don't even have the car seat installed yet! AAAGH!

Needless to say, after my birthday present hospital busy box I got for my birthday, and hearing this info, it's kind of pushed me into gear to get things done I NEED to get done before he gets here.

The rest of the appt, we did a Group B Strep test and a cervix check. Won't know the results of Strep test for a day or so. No biggie there. Cervix check said we are at a fingertip (1 cm). WHOA! Now I'm really freaking out. I'm dilating. ... *trying to process all this* ... Ok. For reals. No more dinking around. Need to pack, install car seat and get what I've been procrastinating DONE!

It also cracked me up that she said she could feel his head. Sounds a little weird. But hey, he's head down and happy. That's what matters, right?!

Next appt is next Monday. We are scheduled for an Ultrasound to see how big BG is.

Hair!

BG has hair! My birthday is tomorrow, April 17, and for my birthday I wanted to take the family to see BG in a 3-D/4-D ultrasound. Mom, Jenny, Bobby, Mike, Katie and the Mom's made it. Though I didn't get to see BG very clearly, the little bugger just hates ultrasounds I guess, the tech did say, "Oh, he has a lot of hair." She then showed us how she could tell. She also mentioned that because hair is so fine and some babies don't have a lot, it's hard to see on ultrasounds and most of the time you don't see it. So, being that we could see it on him, we can tell he's gonna have a full head when he comes out. Sorry Jason. Maybe he'll lose it all after a few weeks of being out. If not, wait a few years and we'll buzz his head. hee hee! Anyway, the overwhelming support and love I got from my families are what made me cry this time. I loved seeing little BG on the screen, mad dogging us, but knowing that he, Jason and I are so loved and have so much support made my cup runneth over. We also talked about how soon he would be here. He will be here in a month! After this week, we are gonna work on different things we can do to make labor easy, and come quicker than usual. Mike and Jenny both said they didn't care if he came on their birthdays, but I would still love to have that little stinker as close to his due date as possible (DD is May 13).

Hiccups

I have been waiting for BG to get Hiccups. Everyone tells me they are awesome, that they feel like tickles, and that they are all around fun. Well, I thought it BG had them, I would feel them, but I haven't felt anything. Until... We got to church today, walked to the front row (our usual row) and sat down. I chatted with Jason for a moment, then waited for Sacrament to start. While sitting, I felt a little tap on the inside of my pelvic bone on the left side. I thought it was an odd place to get a twitch since I had never had a twitch there before... but who knew?! After a few twitches I thought, "Oh my goodness! I think it's hiccups!" I waited a few more minutes to make sure it was rhythmic and steady. It was! I was so excited to feel them... however, since BG is head down now, I feel bad that he may have hit his head a little one too many times and may have gotten some bruising or a slight headache. Poor little guy.

Week 34 Check-Up

We had an appt this morning. There were lots of other pregnant women there, obviously. Some were bickering with hubbies/baby daddy's, some were complaining about symptoms, then there's me. Sitting patiently, next to Jason who's in the last chapter of his book, with no symptoms. I had another, am I really pregnant? moment. I know I am. I feel BG move all the time. I waddle. I pee frequently. However, there are still no "normal" symptoms. I guess I'm better than the average bear. After our blood pressure checks, heartbeat monitoring, fundus measuring and whatnot, it was questioning time. Jason asked about birth plans. I asked about doing the Susan G Komen walk coming up in a month. Then I asked, "When do I get to feel him in my ribs? I've been jipped out of all the other "pregnancy" norms, and am I gonna get jipped from this since I haven't felt him in there yet?" My dr gave me the look that my dad gives me. The, "I know you want to have some kind of something happen, but it just ain't gonna happen." look. He then told me, "You won't feel him. You are a tall girl. You have a long torso. If you were 4'11", yes, you'd be feeling him in there all day everyday. But, you aren't gonna be one of those girls." Drat! Foiled again!!!

Market Mishap

I am trying to help Jenny as much as she'll let me with the baby shower. We were talking food/drinks and I told her that VONS was having their awesome sale of buy two 12 packs and 3 12 packs free.

Since there is a VONS by my work, I told her I would stop by after work and get the sodas. I was going to get some for our house too. I spent probably 15-20 minutes picking out sodas for the shower and for our house. I had fifteen 12 packs and hopped in the express check out. I made sure all the bar codes were at the top and all facing the same way so it would be an easy check out.

When I got in line, which I took my time getting there (obviously, pushing fifteen 12 packs around a store, and having to pee, I wasn't Speedy Gonzales.) Also, I try to be pretty considerate and let others go ahead of me that got there right after me or that have like 2 things. But, I had been waiting in line, if I had unpacked every 12 pack, there still wouldn't have been anyone in line.

The lady in front of me finally left and as I started explaining to the cashier how I had everything organized, that's when others started getting in line. She told me to wheel the cart around to her side and that would be easier for me and her. As I'm pushing the cart around the check-out stand, the guy about my age behind me says in a sarcastic, rudehole kind of way, "Wow, sure looks like you'll have enough soda to last the rest of the year." And, as I glared back at him I said, "oh! Looks like you have enough toilet paper to last you the rest of the week, A--hole!"

Ok, really, I didn't say that, I said, "Ya, well, maybe if I wasn't bringing most of this to my sister's for my baby shower, it would last me a pretty long time." But, my question is, why is it any of his business?! If he was trying to start a conversation, weather is a good one. NCAA would even do. Furthermore, I wasn't doing anything wrong. The limit for the express check-out was 15. I had 15 items. If he hadn't taken so long picking out 2 packages of 24 rolls of TP, maybe he'd have beat me to the line and he wouldn't have to wait.

Sorry, I'm just a little bugged.

Happy St Patty's Day!!!

Ellen Burstyn moment

I've had a few times the last few days that I've freaked Jason out. Not on purpose. Stupid things that could've been avoided, and they weren't, so we had a "situation". The other day it was that I said, "Awe, crap" and he wasn't paying attention 100% and just heard that, so he thought "Go time!"

The other incident happened this afternoon. I was in a crotchety mood. I wanted to go get something to eat, and Jason didn't want to spend money, and after looking at our poor fridge, there was nothing but condiments. Our freezer is stocked with chili and spaghetti sauce and all sorts of other goodness, but I was hungry RIGHT THEN! I didn't want to wait for something to thaw. My belly was rumbling. I was getting crankier by the second and just wanted some dang food!

He offered to make some soup, but I didn't feel like soup. He offered to cook anything else, and though I was grateful, I stayed sitting on the couch and told him I would worry about it in a few minutes. For him to cook whatever for himself and I will take care of myself.

A few moments later, I went to ravage the kitchen. In the freezer I found some waffles from months ago that my mom had made and frozen. Yum! Sugar and sugar and sugar! Buddy the Elf would've been proud of my lunch.

I threw them one by one into the toaster. I ended up with about 6 whole waffles. (These are the little ones, not the delicious Belgian ones you get from IHOP or Denny's.) I poured a glass of milk, sat on the couch and started to dig in. These were so wonderful BUT... One little hiccup. The waffles were caught in my esophagus. not the part where I couldn't breathe, but right behind my sternum. This happens occasionally, and I usually have a drink, breath and then it loosens up and continues on the tract.

Today, it did not want to continue on tract. Jason could tell there was something wrong with me, and I told him I was fine, but he still kept an eye on me. I burped little burps, but it wasn't loosening anything. I thought drinking more milk would help dissolve the waffles, but it just made it worse. I burped a few more times, and then... The Ellen Burstyn moment came. Milk and waffles into my hand, and partially on the floor. Quite a few times. Jason got up and asked what I needed and I said, a towel or something to put this in. lol Then we went to cleaning up my face and the floor. I felt much better, but geez.

Jason, being the positive person that he is, found the bright side of the situation. "Well, at least you can say you threw up during pregnancy!" I love him. I tried to tell him it didn't count cause it never actually went down inside my stomach, and it never was caused by the actual pregnancy, but he's still considering it. Ok. Whatever. I finished the rest of my waffles and went on my way.

Generally, I wouldn't complain...

But honestly, I'm having a hard time with being a "skinny" pregnant chick. I knew I had a lot to "lose" in the first place. I carried most of it around my waste. Which, generally made me look pregnant most of the time anyway. Which is why I tried to avoid shirts that made me look pregnant.

Now, I wear those shirts because I can actually tell that I am rounding out in the middle. I am losing weight from most areas and it's turning into a basketball around my waste.

However, being 7 months along, 5'10" with very German roots, my belly is not protruding out like some of my friends who are 5' and carrying tiny babies (even though our body mass index or whatever was probably the same). I wish my belly would poke out like that, but my body is just not going to let it happen. I still have about 2 months left for it to do something, but otherwise, I still look like I'm only 4-5 months pregnant.

It's probably just my hormones talking, and being sensitive, but when I walk into work and a co-worker asks if I've lost weight, it's everything I can do to keep calm so I don't tell her, "Yes, I'm just starving my baby so he will have a low birth weight and I can have easy labor."

I could really go for a PB&J sandwich right now

At church every Sunday, someone is kind enough to bring in all kinds of bread for members to take home. Whatever is left from the hungry teenagers, we get to rummage through and take home. Jason and I have been getting bread from there and use it throughout the week.

We had Ward Conference a couple weeks ago and Stake Conference last week, and we've been without bread (not that we couldn't go get some) for a few weeks now. We even stopped by Bishop's Storehouse to get some, but even they were out.

Hmmm... Today, I couldn't take it anymore. I wanted a PB&J sandwich so bad I went and bought a loaf. GASP! lol

I really wanted to wait and stop by the storehouse again, but sometimes they don't have a good whole grain or something to help BG grow and be healthy, so I figured I'd just go buy what I liked. However, while on the way to the store, I couldn't stop thinking about sandwiches! I wanted a turkey sandwich with light mayo. A grilled cheese sandwich. Or even better yet, a grilled ham or bologna sandwich. But I still couldn't get that dang PB&J outta my head!

I'm at Aunt JB's House!!!

Remember when you were little and were driving around with your parents or friends or someone, and you knew you were getting close to your destination by certain turns and landmarks???

My sister, Jenny, Jenny from the Block, Aunt JB, lives in a cul de sac. I moved into that house with her. I lived there for a few years with her and other roommates. I had my first date with Jason there. I still go there quite often (obviously, she's my sister!).

Jason dropped me off before he went to Physical Therapy today so I could help finish the last of the invites for the shower. As we were making the turn in the Cul de Sac, BG kicked me and I could tell he was excited.

Him kicking me reminded me of how you get used to the turns and landmarks and I think he knew we were at his Aunt JB's (and Uncle Bobby's) house!

30 week pic

Pre-Natal Pills

While cleaning and going through the soon to be Lucas' Room, I found our bag from our first dr appt. It had some prenatal vites that I set on the counter next to my other ones. I figured I use them sometime.

Tonight, as I was getting ready to have some dinner, I saw a package of the pills and took them into the living room with my dinner. I sat next to Jason who had my drink. Once I had the pills out of the packet, I grabbed the drink and took them. No big deal right?

Right. However, shortly after swallowing the pills, which were pretty large compared to most prenatals I've taken, I said, "Geez, I hope I was supposed to take those orally and not some other way."

Jason looked at me puzzled, then just laughed and laughed. It was comforting to know that after a very hormonal day, filled with lots of stress, anger and irritation, I was able to find a tiny moment with him to laugh and be silly.

Incredible Urge

About a week and a half ago Jason and I met with a realtor to short sell the house,

which has put the Haus von Graf into a dust devil.

Monday we met with the Realtor to go over more documents, had to bump physical therapy earlier so we could be to BG's appt on time. Tuesday, I worked most of the day, went to a friends for dinner so the missionaries could come eat, then went to our child birthing class (I went with my friend and we left the guys at home since it was La Leche League meeting that night). Wednesday, we had a dr appt in the morning, followed by consult with the sister about the baby shower, squeezed in a realtor meeting (which is when she told us she'd be coming over to take pic's of the house. AAAGH!), physical therapy, then instead of me going to school, I went home to start cleaning the house and go to a Scout Meeting.

It has been a pretty hectic week. However, this morning I had an experience which made none of that matter.

I woke up this morning and BG was polled comfortably on my right side. I had rolled onto my back and the right side of my belly was 2 inches higher than my left. I absolutely loved it. As I sat up, I had the most incredible urge to hold him. To snuggle him. To love him with all my being. As I pictured myself holding him, a sense of calm came over me and the situation made me think,

When BG is finally here on this earth with me and his daddy, we will be a few months from now and a lot of this stress will be gone. Childbirth Classes will be over. School will be nearly over. Jason will be healed, working again and won't have so many appointments. Our house, may be sold, may not be; but we'll be 85% packed so it won't be so hectic to move.

My mom and I always say that this little guy will change so many things in my life and others, but he won't change them. He already is changing lives.

29 Week Appointment

Went to the Dr today. I weigh 280 lbs. There. I said it. I worked so hard to get down below 250, and once I hit 249, BAM! like a bitch slap from Superman, I got pregnant.

When I had my first couple of appt's, my dr and I talked about how I could come out ahead. Since I had some to lose still, I could potentially put on no pounds and still be incredibly healthy! I tried watching my weight as much as possible. At last months appt, at 25 weeks, I had still only gained about 13 lbs. Not too shabby. If I continued like I was, I would have probably only gained 30 lbs.

Well, here it is my almost 30 week and I've hit 30 lbs. HOW?! WHY?!

Needless to say, I can only pin point one thing that has changed since last month... Child Birth Classes. We are doing the Bradley Method which is a 12 week course. They strongly encourage healthy eating habits so mom and baby are healthy at labor and post partum. Jason and I have been working diligently on the check sheet. Per day I am to consume: 5 grains, 5 proteins, 2 eggs, 2 green veggies, 1 green veggie, 1 fruit, 3 fats and a bunch of water. (I think that's everything). I'm also to eat 1 liver, 5 baked potatoes and 5 yellow or orange fruits/veggies.

I was totally stoked cause I was having a bowl movement nearly every day! Coming from someone who unpregnant was having 1 every 3-5 days and pregnant about the same, you could see why I was so excited! I thought that because I was eating so good and making BM's so often that I was on the right track to healthy pregnancy.

However, when the dr told me I was at 280, I was instantly bummed. Am I eating too much? I felt like I was. I was eating all the time, but I think I was eating meals instead of snacks for most things. Way too many calories.

THE ACTION PLAN:
Jason and I discussed the situation and my concerns and whatnot. I did start eating more grains and meats than I have been this entire pregnancy. I love bread, pasta and meat so much that I can't control myself sometimes and overeat them. We've decided that fruits and veggies are great for me. I can continue steaming 2 cups of broccoli and eating that as the main dish with minimal other sides to go with it. I will continue snacking on fruit cups, yogurt and other things. Don't worry, I love food too much to not eat, it's just that even for me, I knew that I was eating too much cause I was always on full.

We're having a honeymoon baby!!!

As mostly everyone knows, Jason and I were married on Leap Day 2008. It was a beautiful Friday night. No wind. Not cold. From the week that it was, which was very windy and cold, we were blessed to have such perfect weather for our outdoor ceremony and reception.

That night, we made a choice. Jason wanted to use some kind of "prevention", but then I reminded him of the kind of people we were... open many doors and Heavenly Father will guide us into the right one. We decided that prevention wasn't necessary and Heavenly Father would bless us with a child when he was ready to.

Years went by, test after test, poke after every prod, tear after every negative and still no Baby Graf. Little did we know that Heavenly Father did bless us with a Wedding Night/Honeymoon baby. He was just working on Leap Years instead of normal human years.

You with me still??? This coming Monday night we will be married for 3 human years which is 3/4 of a Leap Years. Human gestation is 9-10 months. We are due on May 13 which is just past 3/4 of a year, which is just past 9 months, which means we got pregnant on our wedding night or during our honeymoon!!!

Isn't that exciting??? yes, I know. I'm a big nerd and have way too much commuting time to think about silly things like this.

Please get out of my hiding spot

For a few weeks now, since we found out that BG can hear every little thing we do, we decided to start reading to him. Every night, we do our nighttime exercises, then read a chapter or story from one of the books we have.

I read through The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Jason has been working through Grimm's Fairy Tales. Well, since Jason has been reading, I get to goof off and not pay attention. So what do I do? I try to get BG to listen and show us that he's paying attention.

I have found the trick to get him in an uproar! Down at the bottom of the "Fundus", I put the side of my hand. I push in real deep trying to get him out of the cradle of my pelvic bone. I then push up, towards my belly and chest. Not a lot. Just enough to feel him from that angle. In no time at all, he is moving and squirming like he's trying to shove me out of his hiding space!

Jason was wondering why I was giggling, so as he continued reading, I took his hand and replaced mine and he started giggling. Never had we felt him so strong.

Hiccup!

I hate getting the hiccups. No kidding, every time I get them, I have them for at least 15-20 minutes and they're strong ones. Ones that almost hurt. That's why I hate getting them.


When will I be able to start feeling BG's hiccups though? I thought by now I'd feel them, but still... nothing. Someone in my group said that they feel like kicks, but more rhythmic. Have you not met BG's dad? He has rhythm! So, is he just tapping to the rhythm that is naturally inside him? Or am I mistaking hiccups for kicks? Someone, please help and explain! Draw me a picture if need be.

Sleep now, cause you won't be able to when the baby comes.

This morning was very interesting and funny to Jason and I. Mornings are our hang out time. We use to never have them, except on Sundays, but lately (due to Jason's situation), we've had them quite regularly.

Jason got up before me, and then came and laid and hung out in bed with me. We were trying to get Lucas to wake up, but we were unsuccessful. We tried singing to him, talking to him, scaring him by randomly screaming. Then we went to the physical attempts. We got a mag-lite and was circling my belly with it. We tried pushing him around. Little bugger had no response.

Jason asked if he was ok, and I told him, "If he's anything like his parents or his parents families, he's probably in there, pissed cause we won't leave him alone to sleep!"

Jason then laid his head on my belly, and said in his best Darth voice, "Lucas, I am your father. Please move." To which he got a kick in the head. LOL It sufficed us. We left him alone after that.

He has moved more today. I ate a lot of good food at the What to Expect Vegas Mommies meet up, but he didn't move hardly at all. Then I went to a ward activity where we had tacos. I put some lime on the tacos and boy oh boy did he start kicking! It was awesome cause he moved for quite a while. I guess he likes citrus, so I will be getting more rainbow sherbet!

Anyway, from what my mom and Jason's mom has told me about us as babies, I am pretty sure BG and I will be getting lots of sleep together. I know he's still awake at night. I stayed up way too late last night watching a movie, and he was still kicking then. But, I know he's gonna be an eater and a sleeper, which is AOK with me.

YOWCHIE!!!

What was that?!

Have I expressed to you all how great Jason is? We signed up for a birthing class that started last Tuesday and the instructor told us to read 3 books. One specifically for mom's, one specifically for dad's and the last for us both. I ordered the books shortly after signing up for the class and they arrived the week after Christmas (when we were still figuring out what was the deal with Jason's foot).

When we found out Jason was going to have to have surgery and wouldn't be working for quite a few weeks, we both thought it was the perfect time for him to read "his" book. A month should be adequate time for him to read a book, even if TV and WOW took up some time in his non-working life.

I was very impressed that he finished the book last Wednesday. I haven't even really touched my books. (Deer caught in the headlights!) Last night, as I was laying in bed reading to BG, and Jason, I got a pain in my lower back. It slowly came around to the front of my belly/uterus/whatever, and made laying down really uncomfortable. I tried breathing. I tried moving around. WHY WON'T THIS GO AWAY?!

After a minute or so, it was over. Nothing. Jason was confused for a second, and after I explained what had just happened, he said, "Oh. That's just the Braxton Hicks."

First of all Buddy, how do you know? You didn't feel it. Second of all, WHY DO YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING THAN ME?!

He then told me that I am at a stage where I can start having them and that he's pretty sure that's what had happened. I feel so stupid. I really need to catch up on my reading if he's gonna outsmart me!

Anyway, at the birthing class tonight I explained what happened to the Instructor and she told me the same thing. Great, now Jason's gonna have gloating rights. However, I am stoked that I know what they are now and won't confuse them with "stretching". And, I'm SUPER stoked that I have a few more months to practice getting through them. It wasn't so much painful as it was uncomfortable. They'll probably get worse, more intense, but after practicing how to deal with them, I'm sure I will be fine.

Mom, Jason drank my drink!

He really did. When I did my first original chug, I left maybe 3 drops in there so he could see how potent it was. When I described it as the juice we had at church events with cookies, it tasted like that but with a little bit of Dimetapp flavor too. He believed me, but you don't really get the effect of the powerfulness of the drink from 3 drops.

After finding out I didn't need to take the retest, I left the drink in the car. It wasn't exactly hot outside, it was still pretty chilly, but I think the drink is best when chilled. However, driving home from church today did not stop Jason from trying the lukewarm orange flavored glucose sugar drink. I tried to stop him and tell him to chill it first, but then he said it wasn't that bad. He kept milking it and I told him, I had to chug it in 5 minutes. You have to too to get the full effect.

When he was finished with the drink, he agreed with me on many points:

• the drink is better when chilled
• it does taste like the "bug juice" with a small hint of Dimetapp flavor
• he needs to take a nap (after all the sugar burned and he "crashed")

I love my husband. He is so goofy and his curiosities crack me up!

I'm my Dr's favorite

Ok, maybe not. However, I got another call from my Dr's office today (3 calls in 3 days!). This time from the Dr's Assistant (that's what we'll call her, cause she's not really the nurse, but she is ALWAYS with the dr, taking down his notes and stuff).

"Hi Jessica! This is Crystal from Dr Swainston's office. I spoke with Dr Swainston about the situation that happened with your glucose test and he said that you don't need to retest on Monday. He said that if your body can handle 2 drinks and that's all it went up, you will be fine. If you have any questions, you can call us back."

Sweet! But what am I gonna do with this sugar drink? Maybe I can get Jason to drink it. He's curious enough...

Glucose Test Results

I had to work today. So, when I took my lunch at 11 am and saw I had a missed call from my Dr, I wasn't surprised. They had called a little before 9:30 and left me a message saying, "Hi Jessica. This is Cheryl from Dr Swainston's office. We got your test results back from yesterday and need you to call us back at your earliest convenience."

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

I call, "Hi Cheryl, this is Jessica Graf. You got my test results?"

"We did. And, with the results, it looks like you have high sugar content, so we're gonna need for you to come in and do more testing."

"Ok. Well, let me tell you a funny story and we'll go from there..."

I then told Cheryl about the situation the day before and she told me that my story makes the results make sense. Everything was in normal range except my sugar level which was extremely high (which like gasoline goes into the system immediately). She kept apologizing profusely. I told her it was ok. If they made me drink gasoline that's one thing to try and swallow, but it was just over concentrated juice. I'd live. She also informed me the regular Phleb is on vaca and New Girl really isn't New Girl, she's Fill-In Girl.

Cheryl told me that I would just have to retest the one hour test, we'll get the results from it and if that one isn't better, then we'll go from there. She left a bottle for me at the front desk to pick up and I could come in on Monday for the retest.

Funny how fast good gossip travels! When picking up the newest bottle of sugar, the front desk clerk kept apologizing and telling me how bad she felt for me. Not that I'm a fit thrower, but what would've happened if I was?!

GLUCOSE TEST

At my last appointment (Jan 31), my dr told me that I will need to do my Glucose Test the next week. They gave me a 50mL of barely liquidized sugar and sent me on my way with my instructions.

-Drink Juice within a 5 minute period
-45 minutes later, show up to Dr office to have blood drawn

Easy enough. (The instructions were a little more detailed, but I figured I'd spare you the boring details.) We decided that Wednesday was a perfect day for taking the test. It was then or Monday, and Monday was already jam packed with events, so we went on Wednesday. After Jason's dr appt, off Flamingo and Sandhill, I chugged my drink then headed to Lake Mead and Buffalo to my dr's office. I let them know I needed to see the phlebotomist to take my blood and into the back I went. (Without Jason. See, we got to the west side of town so quickly and had just enough time to run to Jo-Ann's. The cutting line at Jo-Ann's was nothing, but when we went to check out, there were tons of people! Jason told me to go to the dr and he would stay there til I was done.)

There was a different girl, a small white girl compared to the ethnic (I'm not sure what ethnicity she is) small girl that has been doing the blood tests for me for the last year. No worries though. As long as you know how to do your job, I'm ok with it. I tell New Girl that I'm there for a glucose test and she gets out a juice. She gets a 50 mL juice out and tells me to drink it within 5 minutes. I start to chug.

When I worked at the Dr's office many moons ago, I never really paid attention to the glucose tests. They were done in back, not at the front counter where I was, so how was I supposed to know that I wasn't supposed to have 2 drinks?!

I finished the drink in 3 minutes and New Girl told me to come back in an hour to have the blood drawn. I told her that's why I was there cause I just had a drink an hour ago. (OH SHIZ! face on New Girl.) "You what?!"

"I had a drink an hour ago. Was I not supposed to drink this one?"

"No! Oh crap!"

After a minute of freaking out, on her part, I told her to just draw the blood real quick and hopefully the results would be ok. Maybe the sugar wasn't in my system yet. But after talking to my dad, he explained it as such...

You have built a really nice bonfire. Now, because I have silly brothers, and guy friends, they think it will be cool to throw some gasoline on the fire. As soon as they throw it on the fire, it burns up til it's gone. My body is the fire, and the gasoline is the sugar. It goes into your system immediately and burns off.

OH! Ok. I get it. That explains sugar highs! My results are going to be off the chart!!! (they come back tomorrow)

3 things learned from today; 1. Don't go to Dr appt without Jason. 2. Know the procedure and make sure your tech knows the procedure for that office. 3. A large dose of sugar means you will need a nap for when you crash.

Eye Color

My genetics class my junior year of high school taught me that blue eyes are dominate in genes. It also taught me that boobs come from the dad's mother's side and baldness comes from the mother's dad side.

I wonder what traits our little BG will have. Already, I know he's like his daddy. He has one mannerism like his daddy I can tell already. I have never been able to sleep with my arms above my head. If I get hot under the covers, I pull my arms out of the hot and rest them on top of the blanket. A few weeks ago I spotted Jason with his hands above his head sleeping like he hadn't a care in the world. I thought it was a one time thing, but no. I've caught him that way quite a lot. In one of BG's ultrasound pic's, that's exactly how he was laying. Arms above his head without a care in the world.

(In this pic you can see BG and his arms above his head.)

I know it's Fast Sunday, but it's hard for me to fast while I have a little monster inside that makes me sick if I don't eat. So, this morning, I had a juice box. Ya, it wasn't much, but I also had some of Jason's oatmeal. ha ha Like that sounds any better. I knew I'd be hungry shortly, so I made some egg salad sandwiches for lunch (during or after church).

Because church was over at 330, and we decided we'd stay for our combined ward choir, we had our sandwiches in between the end of church and choir. While sitting on the sofa in the foyer, I took about 2 bites and BG went crazy! He gets so excited when I eat. It really is cute. I hope he keeps that personality when he gets here. Just like his dad... let him sleep, he's happy; feed him, he's happy. There's not much that will make him upset. Not that he's inside screaming. It's like a hot tub in there. Except for the jets. However, he does get belly massages, so it's still pretty nice.

There are other things I wonder about this little guy. Will he have green eyes like Jason? Or, blue eyes like me? Will he have short sausage toes or long monkey toes he can pick things up with? Will he have musical abilities? Will he have the toe head I have always dreamed of? Will he have a short button nose like mine? Or, a long strong nose like Jason? It's so exciting to see what this little guy will look like and how he'll act. I'm hoping that since Jason and I are pretty laid back (except for when I'm super stressed), he'll be the same. Sleep, eat, laugh, repeat.

Hospital Tours

When we first found out we were pregnant, there were 2 hospital choices - Centennial Hills or Mountain View. Jason told me that while he's "down", he wants to take tours cause he will be able to get a wheelchair to "tour" with. (I wish I got a cool vehicle to cruise around the maternity ward in.)

We went to Centennial Hills tour on Sunday. This was Jason's first choice. I really liked the idea of it. It's newer than MV, which means it has newer equipment which we really liked. However, with the birth method/plan we have, we aren't going to need much more than a bed so new equipment doesn't really matter unless we have an emergency. Based on the very basics we knew about CH, we really liked it. We still wanted to tour the ward just cause we wanted to get the feel of it.

We showed up and there was a lady with a wheelchair dropping someone off at their car. I asked if Jason could use the wheelchair and she was all for it. We told her we were there for the tour and she told us to follow her cause she was the one directing it. We followed her to the maternity ward and there it was. A beautiful table with cookies, juice and water. Yes. We will deliver here! ha ha ha just kidding.

5 minutes til tour time and Jason and I were the 7th couple to show up. I thought, oh good, this will be a small group, we'll be able to have answers to our questions and have a great tour. Well, then, as the nurse came out to start the tour, about 3 more couples showed up, one of which who brought 3 little boys, a sister and her boyfriend and their mother! I was hoping someone was staying in the lobby with the boys, but nope. EVERYONE in the family joined the tour. It was a little rough trying to get into all the rooms with all the other people, and the nurse didn't talk too loud, so it was a little bothersome. What I do like about CH is that they only take the baby from the room if the mother/father asks. Also, they provide a steak dinner for the new parents with sparkling cider. I LOVE Sparkling Cider!

On a spiritual note, I was looking for a sign that would help me know which hospital to deliver at. While viewing the Recovery Room, I got a warm fuzzy. I pictured Jason and I in our room with our friends and family visiting, coming to see us and the newest addition to the Graf-Claessens family. I could fel the pang behind my eyes that was trying to tell my ducts to start tearing, but I fought it, recooped and finished the tour.

I figured there should be more questions to ask, but I couldn't think of any. Also, Jason, Mr Information, didn't ask many questions. I guess being the last people in the group made it a little difficult for us to be up by the nurse to hear everyone's questions and ask some ourselves.

Today, Saturday, we toured Mountain View. I have many friends who have delivered there and since I work right down the street from MV, we get a lot of customers who work at MV and some at MV and CH. I ask them how they feel about each one and they all say, MV. Since it is an older hospital, Jason and I were not as excited about it. I like that it is not even 5 minutes from work. And, there is a lot of food places around to have food brought over! I also have a special little interest in MV because it is a Sunrise company and nearly 30 years ago, I was delivered at Sunrise. As were 2 of my other siblings.

As we walked inside the building, a rush of "yes, this is the place" came over me. Tears actually pooled as I was asking to borrow a wheelchair. I went outside with the wheelchair and then we both came in and waited in the lobby with the other expectant couples/mothers. Michelle, our tour guide, introduced herself and then took us back to the education rooms. We had to go through the kitchen to get to them, which I could smell the gravy and started craving it. Good thing tours are only 20 min. I know I just had some Chipotle before the tour, but can't you smell that country gravy?! Probably being smothered over some potatoes or biscuits or even better yet, french fries?!

There were about 8 couples. Nice size group. And, not that I'm against kids, but it was only the couples. Michelle went over all the things we could ever possibly know about MV. She told us about visiting hours, different classes the hospital offers, and other history about the hospital. One thing I was really impressed with, is she went over what we need to do before coming in for the big event. She told us there are 3 things we need to do: Pre-register (and why), find a pediatrician, and get a car seat, get it out of the box, play with it, install it and stop by one of the places that does free car seat checks. Wow. Thank you for the info Michelle!

After about 10 minutes in there, we went to the Maternity Level. As I walked off the elevator, Another wave of warm fuzzies attacked me. (Geez, am I having an emotional day today? Or is it just this place?) We walked to the level 2 nursery (for premies and other babies that need special attention) and saw a couple little babies in there. They were so adorable! So tiny, but so happy to be swaddled in their little blankets and sleeping in a low lit room. We then walked down to LND. These rooms aren't as nice as CH, but they are nice. There are large rooms and small rooms. Rooms with tubs and jets and rooms with showers. I felt like I was in a Cat in the Hat LND ward. Any kind of room you could dream of they had. I really liked that they had tubs. That was something I forgot to ask at CH.

Jason, being so well read on Husband Coached Childbirth, was asking lots of questions too. He asked how they felt about natural childbirth, do they offer hot compresses or would we need to bring some, what about perennial massages, and do they follow birth plans? For first time parents, there were other vet parents that were very impressed with us. They strongly encourage skin to skin contact and as long as both mom and baby are fine, baby can stay on mom for however long she wants.

The only thing I did not like about MV is that there is no choice, they will take your baby away for a couple hours. Preferably when the mother is needing time to clean up herself and rest. However, they try to make you feel better by saying, the dad or someone else can have a wristband that will allow them to stay with the baby at all times. This is something I'm having a problem with cause that means that Jason will have to leave me. And, if I don't want him to leave me, he leaves BG for those couple hours. Our little family gets separated. Boo! I understand why they do it, I just think that it should be a case by case kind of thing. Michelle told us that they take the baby out cause generally the rooms are so full of people and noise that the nurses aren't able to hear and monitor the baby to make sure everything is as it should be. They also take the baby in the nursery to give them their first bath. CH does everything in the room with the parents. So, we have to figure out if that will work for us. I'm sure it will, but it still super sucks.

We then went to the Recovery Rooms. I've been there before visiting friends. They're nice comfy rooms with views. Again, some are larger than others. They said that you can request a larger or smaller room and if they have it available, you get it. While in this room, I had yet another warm fuzzy attack.

With everything that went on, and how the tour itself went at MV, I am pretty sure that is where we will be going. CH had many great things and we will still take another tour, preferably a non-Sunday one, and ask all our questions, but I still think, MV is our choice.

Carl chooses Mountain View too! Good Choice Carl.

Heartburn = Ugh!

I haven't had too much heartburn since getting pregnant. Just the normal stuff that I get every few months.

HOWEVER, the last week has been excruciating!!! Kid you not, as I was making spaghetti and meat sauce last week, I could feel the heartburn starting. I WASN'T EVEN EATING IT, JUST PREPARING IT, AND I GOT IT!

This week hasn't been any better. I think I will be carrying a little tub of TUMS with me. That way I'm not making an emergency pit stop at the Pharmacy for a few like I did tonight.

A little bit of a downer, but mostly upbeat!

I'm going to try and not complain too much, but I feel I haven't complained too much, so I should be ok, right?

This last week has really worn me out. Jason has been trying to be wonderful, while letting this "bed-ridden" thing get to him. I've been trying to keep him active by inviting him to do things with me but it doesn't always work out. Sometimes it's more work than it seems like it would've been. We've only got a few weeks left, but sheesh! I feel so worn out!

Not just by taking care of him. I've been trying to keep up on the house, making sure it's not too much of a disaster. Once he's back to 100%, I am definitely going to be having him help me. But, it seems like the dishes are never done, even when we clean them all. The laundry never stops. Ugh, it's tiresome!

Then, this whole allergy thing is really kickin my trash this year!!! I read today that when you're pregnant, they may be worse than normal. Well, thank you for telling me that now! Last week I thought I was in pre-term labor by the symptoms; swelling, headaches, nausea, dizziness, etc.

I know it will get better. My dr allows me to take allergy meds, so I'm not in this state all the time. And, Jason should be up and running in a few weeks. That will cut back on office visits across town, no more crutch toting and relieve other things. He will be able to get out of the house and drive himself places! YAY!!!

I know this is just a low point. In a few weeks, we'll laugh about all this. And, for the record, Jason was right, I definitely would not have wanted to learn how to take care of a newborn and have to help Jason at the same time. I'm glad he'll be healed by the time BG gets here, cause I know that will be something we need to learn together.

Oh! AND, we had a check-up today. Everything is normal and fine. BG's heart rate is great. So is mine. And, next week I get to do the Glucose Test. I've been looking forward to this test since I got pregnant. Don't know why, but it's exciting! I know. You don't have to tell me. I'm a dork.

You've got to be freaking kidding me...

I have been trying to make sure I get enough water everyday. With my allergy attack (that has been worse than usual), I knew that I needed to stay hydrated. Well, I got a new cup last night at school. I'm hoping it will help me get my intake. I drank a couple glasses while at work, filled it for my ride home and had drunk it all by the time I got home. Not too shabby. It's working!

While at home, I had a couple more glasses which also meant a couple more trips to the bathroom. No biggie.

Until...

We were getting ready to go to bed. I got up off the couch and realized, oh wow!!! I really need to pee. I walked into the restroom and as I'm 3 feet from the toilet, pants unbuttoned, just waiting to be pulled down so I can squat, I sneeze. And of course, it's not a little sneeze. It's one of those ones that comes from your toes! Even if I hadn't been pregnant, it still may have made me pee a little. But, because I am pregnant, and had a full bladder, most of the bladder's contents ended up on my g's and jeans. Ugh.

So, now I will be carrying an extra pair of bottoms, g's and work pants for "accidental" purposes.

Why must I feel his way?

Ok ladies and gents, I feel miserable. As I was in the restroom this afternoon at work, I realized that I was severely swollen in my legs. I checked my feet when I got home and my toes were a little puffier than normal. I figured it was due to being off work for 4 days and then standing all day cause I'm not allowed a chair at work without a dr note. My allergies also kicked in today so I asked if I could leave early. Luckily, I was allowed to go home an hour early! I'm now resting with my feet up, trying to relax and not worry about the swollenness. I'm pregnant. Pregnant chicks get swollen.

Self Prescribed Prescription: Drink lots of water, lay on my left side while sleeping tonight and we'll see how I feel in the morning.

Shoplifting

You would think this would be a topic for my regular blog, but I figured I would put it here cause it happened at the Motherhood store with Carl (BG's giraffe).

After Jason's check up today, we went to Motherhood in the Boulevard Mall. I went on Monday to get some jeans, but they told me to come back on Wednesday when they were on sale. That's one thing I love about them is that they always tell me not to buy certain things at certain times cause in a day or two they will be on sale and I can save a lot of money. Great, right?!

I went back to get my jeans today and figured I'd try on a few more things. Well, long story short, Jason left Carl in our room, on the bed all day yesterday. I gave him a hard time about it so he insisted on bringing him everywhere today. Honestly, poor Carl had to see Jason's gnarly foot at the Dr. When we were at the mall, I had Carl hanging out of my purse like ladies and their dumb chihuahuas do.

(Left: Carl at Jason's check-up just hours before the "shoplifting incident.)



Forgetting Carl was in my purse, I picked out some shirts to try on and a couple pairs of pants then asked for a fitting room. (Mind you this attendant did not greet me, did not say anything to me. I had to acknowledge her presence and ask her questions cause she was busy doing whatever it was she was doing.) The attendant said, "Would you like to leave the giraffe at the counter?" She caught me off guard, then after realizing what she was talking about, I replied, "Oh! No, he's mine." I went in my room and thought, I should've left him with Jason or in the car. Oh well. I didn't steal him, I know that, Jesus knows that and she can think whatever.



After trying on the clothes, I told her that none of it worked, I'd just like to get the jeans that are on hold for me and the shirt that is also on hold. She got them and started ringing me up. Just to clear things up, I told her that there is a giraffe there I thought was cute that my mom and I saw at Christmas. Then, Christmas morning, my mom had given this one to us. She just kind of looked at me like, uh huh. Right. Whatever.

As I was getting ready to leave, we struck up more of a convo. Mainly about bras. I then asked when she was due. She told me, oh, I'm not sure... some time in May. (By no means am I saying I am thin or even fit, but this girl was a little rounder than me, and at least a foot shorter. I thought she looked pregnant.) What pregnant chick doesn't know her due date? I started thinking about it. Unless this is nth kid, and she just doesn't think about it or care, that would be the only way I wouldn't know. And, she didn't say my dr, she said "they". I told her that's exciting cause I'm due in May too! May 13. She then told me how hot it is in the store and that they're closing, and why does she need to do all this work for nothing?!

Ummm.... K. I'm still confused about "they". Are you not going to a dr? I then started to think that maybe she isn't pregnant. She just looks it. It's discriminatory to hire only pregnant chicks to work in a pregnant store. I left with a "Well, hang in there."

My conclusion is that if she is pregnant, no harm no foul. However, if she isn't pregnant, I called her fat. Which, I don't feel bad about, cause she tried to accuse me of being a shoplifter. So there. I'm a shoplifter and you're fat.

Anxiety Chick

BG was non-stop today! He was twisting and turning and moving all day long. Honestly, at one point during the day, I felt like a pretzel just trying to get comfortable standing at work cause BG got himself into a contortionist position.

I loved every minute of him moving though. Some days I don't really feel him at all and it brings out the anxiety chick that thinks something might be wrong. So, when I feel him moving all day, I know everything is ok.

Talking about anxiety... I also have been stressing about being a good mom. Will I know when the baby is sick? Will I change his diapers enough or too much? Will I feed him the right food? Will he get the nutrition he needs? There are so many things to being a mom and I really hope that that maternal instinct will kick in when BG is born (if not before hand).

BG is dancing!

Well, he may not be dancing, but he sure is moving. For weeks I've been able to feel him move, but today, while sitting in the new rocker watching Bewitched, he was moving around and we could see it! My belly was doing a little twitching thing. I yelled at Jason to sit up and watch and we were waiting. When Jason was talking to him asking if he was showing off, he started moving again. Totally new preogression in our pregnancy and so exciting!

23 weeks?!

My favorite number is 23. It may stem from 4th grade when my teacher assigned us numbers and I was 23. It may be cause it's a fantastic prime number and I am in love with prime numbers. I'm not sure but I have a feeling this week is going to be a fabulous one!

I get Monday off for MLK day. I'm having dinner with friends tomorrow night that I haven't seen in a while. I've been looking at my horrid toes for the last 2 weeks, so maybe I'll go get a pedi. I am super motivated to use this week to start BG's nursery decorating. And, I am definitely going to at least schedule the hospital tours.

I would love to start registering, however, I want Jason to go. With his temporary disability, I don't want to have to drag him all over town and then he is in pain. So, we'll wait a couple more weeks.

Birthing Classes

Since the moment I found out I was pregnant, I started thinking about Child-Birthing Classes. Scary as it seems to me, I was/am set on having a natural labor. Believe me, if I wasn't so terrified about the epidural, I would totally get one. However, the more I think about epidural or no epidural, I lean more and more on the "no epidural" side.

I know that I want to give the Bradley Method a shot. I've heard lots of great things about it, and I think it fits our situation perfectly! The only problem is I was having a hard time finding an instructor. I checked the Bradley Method website, and it has 2 instructors for Las Vegas. Me being who I am and living in the times we do, I stalked the 2 different instructors on Facebook. I really liked this Dorothy lady, but she will be teaching in Australia til this summer... a little too late for me. The other girl and her husband I didn't get too good of vibes from. I didn't dislike them, but there was just an uneasyness about it.

My online pregnancy group was talking about who they've taken classes from and one was the couple that I didn't feel great about. Yet, everyone was saying that they were great. I still wasn't too convinced. I talked it over with Jason and we decided that we already had some books on the Bradley Method, and if we took a Lamaze class, we could take what we get from the books and the class, combine them and go through labor hoping for the best. It's not my first choice, and I kept trying to pump myself up about it, but I was still in a whirlwind of what to do. I checked the Bradley Method website and there was another instructor! I was so excited!!! I called her to talk about rates, places, etc. I felt so great already and I hadn't even talked to her, but I knew we would hit it off.

I talked to the new instructor and guess what... Her husband was stationed at Hill AFB and she would not be able to instruct me or others. And, guess who she recommended?! That's right, the couple I had weird vibes about. I talked to her about my concerns, my thoughts and she was great. I'm quite sad that she isn't in Vegas to teach, but it is what it is. After chatting with her for an hour, I feel good about going to this couple. They teach at a place called PINKPEAS. The classes are small so it's not overwhelming and you get personal attention. The price is fair. She told me that the wife had helped her through her first 3 pregnancies and if she were still in Vegas, she would be at PINKPEAS teaching the Bradley Method classes with them.

Needless to say, I am stoked for our class. It starts the second Tuesday in February and is every Tuesday for the following 12 weeks. Which means, once we're done with the classes, guess who will be here?! Which makes me even more excited!

The funniest part of the whole thing is Jason. The instructor of the class I'm taking recommends 3 books that we should read before the class starts. 1. Child Birth the Bradley Way 2. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and 3. Husband Coached Birthing

Since Jason has been down due to his surgery, he's had plenty of time to switch between Netflix and reading. I have to give him props cause I've never seen him read this much, and even with the spelling errors and other grammatical errors, he's trudging through it. He tells me today, "Jess, I'm really excited about the Child Birth Classes. I'm not faking it anymore either. I'm truly excited." HA HA HA Really?

We've both been learning a lot about pregnancy, labor and everything in between. It's so exciting having someone so supportive. I truly feel blessed for everything I have right now.

4 months!

No, not 4 months in... but 4 months til BG is here!!! It's getting so close and I'm so unprepared.

Rocker vs Glider

Rocker wins!!!

Ever since I was a little girl and could rock a million miles an hour in my mom's rocking chair, I knew I wanted a rocking chair when I grew up (that's if I didn't get the one my mom owned). I love the comforting feeling of sitting and rocking.

However, when my friend had her second kid, she told me to get a rocker recliner cause they are more comfortable when you (meaning either one of us) are trying to feed, when you are up in late nights trying to get the baby to fall asleep and you can sleep too. She had a list of benefits of having a rocker recliner compared to a rocking chair.

So, for the last few months we've been testing out different chairs when we go to Jason's work, RC Willey. We've come to the conclusion today that we do want a power rocker recliner. I was set on a regular rocker recliner, but Jason talked me into a power one.

While looking for the power recliners today, I tried out a few. Finally, DK - the lovely salesperson who assisted us, showed me where we could find the power recliners. I told her I wanted a "Power Rocker Recliner". She asked if I was set on a rocker or a glider. I looked at Jason and he was just as much caught in the headlights as I was. Was there a difference? For a few minutes I felt like Goldilocks trying out all the chairs.

This one is a nice fit, but it doesn't rock or glide. I sat in a glider that looked amazing, however, once I started gliding, I felt nauseous. It felt like I was on a roller coaster or something and like I was giving poor BG whiplash every time we glided to the furthest part forward. I then tried out a rocker recliner that was the perfect fit! Even if you are slightly reclined, it still rocks. However, the rocking movement diminishes as you are fully reclined. (Who really needs to rock when you are laying down??)

Since Jason was escorting me through the place in a wheelchair, I didn't want him to try out every "no" chair. When I decided that I loved this one, I had him try this one out. If I didn't have to go to a dentist appointment shortly after being at RC Willey, I would've let him hang out there for a while. He seemed so cozy.

What's in a name???

We have been going through baby name lists online, talking it over with family members and trying to narrow down what BG's real name will be. He's been Jaeger, Johann, Ezra, Henry, Samuel, Sam, Calvin, Kelvin, Cameron, just to name a few. However, after much talk and deliberation, we've come up with a name we really like.

I'd like to announce that we have a name (at least one that has stuck for a couple weeks and will hopefully make it through labor and putting it on the birth certificate). Before we reveal it, we will pay condolences to the runners up:

3rd Place: Kelvin Bradley Graf

2nd Place: Samuel Ezra Graf

1st Place: Aaron Samuel Graf

Grand Prize Winner: Lucas Bronson Graf

(highlight Grand Prize Winner line to see BG's name)

Things I haven't done for a while

Last night, Jason and I were making kissy faces at each other and I thought, I'm gonna make fish lips and kiss him. I was so shocked when I was able to make fish lips without making noises and having my chubby cheeks fall out cause I couldn't keep them sucked in. LOL I haven't been able to make fish lips in years!

I also haven't been able to grab my hands behind my back and straighten my arms. I can do that now!

I'm finding that pregnancy is helping my body be in better shape. I love what it's doing to my limberness and health. However, my back is killing me, but I've also walked quite a few miles this week. I guess I need to walk more often and then maybe my back won't be so week.

5 minutes of pure joy!

BG has been moving so much! I feel him on a regular basis now. I feel him when I stand at work, I feel him driving in the car, I feel him while sitting on the couch. It is so exciting!

When Jason and I got home from our long days today, we were both hanging on the couch. I was laying down with my legs across his as he was sitting up. BG was moving around a lot and once I knew he was up and I could feel him from the outside, I told Jason to touch my belly cause BG's rolling around.

He put his hand on my belly and within 30 seconds said, He's not doing anything. HA HA HA Just cause you put your hand there doesn't mean he's gonna move. So, he continued sitting there patiently and within a minute or two, I could tell that he could feel him moving around. After about 5 minutes of feeling him rolling around and kicking and hitting, Jason said, I can't believe I'm gonna say this... but I never thought I would get so excited and teary over feeling something inside you move.

Baby Furniture

My dad and his wife own a race horse that lives in Santa Anita CA. The horse turned a year old today so we went out to LA to watch the horse race in his first race ever. Jason, my baby brother and I thought we were just meeting my dad and Cara, but I was pleasantly surprised to find out my uncle and aunt were going too!

During lunch they were asking what I needed and wanted for the baby among many other questions. I told them that my mom has the crib we all slept in when we were babies in her storage unit in UT, so we were going to use that for the crib. My uncle and aunt then asked if I wanted to use the bassinet that has held my uncle, dad and all us grand kids. I said, "Absolutely! I'd love to!" So, bassinet is checked.

I'm still not sure what else you really need. I know we'll need some kind of dresser/changing table and a rocker/glider. Other than that... anyone know?

Sometimes I think of having a baby as getting married. So many things to plan by detail and purchase. I wish there was a baby checklist like there is a wedding checklist. What to do at 6 months to big date. What to do at 5 months to date. 4 months to date. 3 months. 2 months. 1 month. 3 weeks, 2 weeks, 1 week, day of! I know you can't always plan to the date, but it would make things a lot easier.