Starting the day off right!

Today is going to be a good day! I actually feel well rested after last night. Yay! Lily was probably happy because my brother, TJ, played the guitar for her and she also got story time from mommy and daddy. I was in high spirits before bed because I got to see my other babies, Bo and Holly, run around at the dog park. Holly played fetch the entire time and pretty much ignored the presence of any other dog there. Bo apparently is "too mature" to run around with all the other adolescent dogs. It was still fun though.

Have a wonderful weekend!

It's been a while...

Wow, a lot has happened! It has been a while since we posted but that has been because we have been SO busy! We are about 33 weeks along now and I am feeling like a big, huge prego lady. We have switched doctors and changed insurance since we moved back. Luckily, the change over was pretty smooth. Today we got another update on our little Artichoke and she is doing great. We had another ultrasound last Monday - Lily is about 4.5 pounds! Although I feel like I am gaining weight exponentially, the doctor said that my weight gain is normal. Dave says that Lily and I are perfect. :)

The third trimester, uh (for ME), pretty much sucks. I can't really do much and that, for me, is the worst part. I can't even really put my underwear on without a struggle. Also, I wake up now every 2 hours or so at night to pee or because I am so uncomfy. BUT, this is all for Lily and we have been blessed with a healthy pregnancy so I cannot be happier. It sounds selfish complaining about stuff, but really in my heart I am so thankful and happy. She's almost with us - 7 weeks to go!!

Gosh, did I mention that it is so good to be home!?

We're coming home!

YES, in about 10 days Dave, Bo, Holly and I will all be moved back to Southern California! We are packing all of our things and making the final preparations. I am so glad we decided to do this before I am in my third trimester because I am already starting to experience the uncomfortable third trimester symptoms. I feel stretched to the maximum already! Oh, and forget about being able to sleep comfortably. My feet and legs have also started to swell a little. And I know it will only get worse as October approaches. Good times.

Gosh, I feel bad now because this is all for Lily AND we chose to make a baby so sorry if this comes off like complaining. I would go through anything for this little girl.

Anyhoo, we can't wait to be closer to our family and long time friends! It is so wonderful thinking we will be able to raise our kid around all of you. Unfortunately, we will have to leave some awesome people up here. You select few want to move to Cali? Come on! I promise to stay in touch. We will never forget you guys and you all are welcome in our new home. You know who you are.

Babymoon

Dave and I decided to get away for a babymoon - a little quality time just the parents-to-be. We headed out to Mt. Rainier Park and stayed at our first bed & breakfast. It was a perfect mini vacation! Admiring mother nature and soaking in the peace and quiet was just the answer for some needed down time. At Mt. Rainier park we tried to go up to a lodge called Paradise where we could view a glacier and walk around some beautiful trails, BUT it was snowing and conditions forced park rangers to close down the road. So typical of the Seattle area. It's JUNE, what the heck!! Anyway, we got to walk around some other nice trails further down the mountain.

The bed & breakfast we stayed at was different, yet thoroughly pleasant. It was a cozy home built around 1910 surrounded by 12 acres of green paradise. B&B's aren't for couples who want complete privacy (you eat breakfast with the rest of the guests and you basically are staying at some stranger's house). We did have to mix in a little small talk at breakfast, but it still was a very relaxing place. Harry and Michelle, the owners, had many interesting stories to share and we found them to be quirky, smart and caring folks.

Also, Dave felt Lily move for the very first time! He was reading her a book that he borrowed from the B&B's library called, "How Raven Freed the Moon". It will be a memory that will not be forgotten.

22 weeks

Dave and I saw the doctor today and got an update on Lily. She is doing great! The doctor checked my blood pressure and listened to the baby's heartbeat. It was one of our short, 20 minute appointments. She reassured us that we are doing a great job and that we have and will continue to have a healthy pregnancy. For me, it is nice to hear that from the doctor.

I have gained probably about 12 pounds and that scares me a little. EVERYONE keeps telling me to enjoy it and that it is perfectly normal to be gaining weight. Well, it still scares me because its not like I will have a 30lb baby. Oh well. I am waddling and it is getting harder to tie my shoes too. Dave will have to add that task onto his "things to help Heather with" list.

Yup, I said it. I am constipated!

Although this is a bit personal, I don't care. I must share and those of you who know me well, probably aren't shocked that I would talk about this on the internet. Pregnancy has enlightened me with a new experience – constipation.

Typically, I am pretty "regular" and proud of it too.

Once a day, everyday. Yes!

Not when I am prego though. Ugh.

Supposedly, prenatal vitamins have more iron in them thus the clogging effect. Also, a pregnant lady's hormones are going insane and the body produces more progesterone which slows digestion.

WHATEVER. I miss my regularity. I feel gross and bloated otherwise. I have a few things that have helped me with this problem. Maybe the other new mommies or pregos can put in their two cents too!

Bran Muffins – this recipe I found on Epicurious.com and it is pretty good and simple to make. It is low calorie also! Woo hoo!

1 cup oat bran
2/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (spoon into a measuring cup and level top)
2/3 cup whole wheat flour (spoon into a measuring cup and level top)
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups low-fat buttermilk
1/2 cup raw sugar crystals (such as Sugar in the Raw) or granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or mashed up bananas
1 large egg
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°.

Lightly spray twelve 2 1/4 x 1 1/2-inch nonstick muffin cups with oil. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk the bran, flours, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.

In another medium bowl, using a handheld eletric mixer set at high speed, beat the buttermilk, sugar, applesauce or banana, egg, oil and vanilla until frothy, about two minutes. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour in the buttermilk mixture. Using a spoon, stir just until combined. Do not overmix.

Divide the batter equally among the prepared muffin cups. Bake unti the tops spring back when pressed gently in the center, about 20 minutes. Do not overbake. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from the cups. Serve warm or cool completely on the rack.

Activia Yogurt – works well in smoothies or with some fresh fruit and granola.

"P" fruits – peaches, pears, prunes etc. I don't like prunes but bring on the peaches and pears!

Tons and tons of water – Seriously, drink a lot of water. Like at least 3 liters a day.

Baby stuff...

There is A LOT of it! I started a registry on babies r us this weekend and I spent hours on the computer looking at baby things. Literally, hours.

We have to make a shout out to Lily's b.f.f. , Zoë, and her parents, Lisa and John. They generously gave all of Zoë's newborn clothes to Lily! You guys are so awesome!! We will definitely "pay it forward" and pass on your kindness when Lily gets bigger. My parents have also given us so much - a crib, maternity clothes...

What would we do without our family and friends. We love you!

Guy's Perspective

I couldn't believe it when Heather told me we were having a baby. I think I said "You're f-ing lying!" about 20 times before I was able to understand that she wasn't playing a joke on me. I was in shock. I couldn't believe I was going to be a dad.

Heather was out of town when she told me she was pregnant, so I had several days to process this new information. I suppose it was a sort of guy instinct that whispered to me, telling me that I should get in as much video game time as possible before Heather came back, because that's basically all I did while she was gone. I had a hunch things would not be the same once Heather returned... and I was right.

I had a hard time, to be honest, during that first trimester. I had just spent a week and half going on all of the walks with the dogs while Heather was gone, and I was very much looking forward to her return so she could take care of at least one walk per day. The trouble with that idea was that when Heather got back, she was so tired that she was physically unable to muster the energy to take the dogs out. I responded in typical male style, I felt frustrated, not at Heather, but at the circumstances that had now changed so drastically, and I swallowed my frustration. I knew from reading the books that she really was extremely exhausted all the time. I knew the hard work her body was going through to create a safe healthy incubator for our baby. All of that knowledge didn't help quell those initial frustrations.

I eventually came to the realization that the major changes in my life that this baby was bringing had already begun. I shared my frustrations with Heather, as well as my new realization (perhaps a bit delayed in her mind) that life was going to be very different from now on. I started thinking more about money and things that I can do to be a supportive husband and a prepared dad. I remember sitting up until almost 3 a.m. one night reading and thinking about retirement and how my retirement and net worth will affect my child like 20 years from now. Nuts.

I think the initial frustrations are normal. For those of you men with kids, I'm wondering if you experienced similar feelings. For you men planning to have kids, don't be scared. It took me probably a few weeks too long to understand that I have a new set of priorities, but once that realization came, the cross was easier to bear. Also, at the risk of sounding unmannish or whatever, whatever problems we think we have as males adjusting to a pregnant wife, they really are going through a ton of $#!+ that we cannot comprehend.

We are now halfway through our pregnancy, and it is very exciting. Heather's energy is back, and Lily is starting to make her presence known. Right now, I'm looking forward to being able to feel Lily move. Heather has been feeling Lily move for probably a couple of weeks now, but I won't be able to feel our little girl for another 2-3 weeks. For now, I'll have to settle for listening to Lily's hearbeat on the Doppler device, and hoping she's listening when I talk to her.

I'd like to echo Heather's thanks to all of our friends and family. I don't know what we'd do without your love, support, and encouragement. We love you all very much.

Til next time...

It's a girl!

Dave and I decided to start this blog so we can share our experiences about our baby with our family and friends. We are a bit late starting this since I am just over 20 weeks along in the pregnancy. It has truly been an amazing ride!

If I could summarize the first 3 months in one word I would say, tired. I felt like I was in a coma and Dave was tired because I was in a coma. Dave has been a perfect daddy-to-be and husband. He has been working overtime with chores and taking care of the dogs. He pampers me with presents and flowers here and there. What a guy!

About 2 weeks ago, Dave and I found out we were having a baby girl. We really didn't have a preference either way. We just want a healthy baby. So far our wish has come true. The baby is doing well and I am feeling more energetic and I am definitely "showing"!

A few weeks into the pregnancy had a dream that we were going to have a girl and Dave had named her Lily Artichoke. The baby has been named Artichoke every since. Now we know we are having a girl and Lily is the only name that had made the cuts. So Lily it is for now! As far as Artichoke, I found a Greek root word for global artichoke - Cynara (we like to pronounce it sin-are-uh). It was meant to be! Lily Cynara McDonald...our baby girl!