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.