18 week pic

Here's the belly you've all been asking for

J.B.

Don't forget to vote on what gender you think Boo is. You can guess here.

For Jana...

Our cousin Jana wanted to see a picture of me. So here you go! A little preview of me at 15 weeks (I'm 18 now).

What a difference three weeks makes! I think I'm 15 weeks in this picture and I'm 18 now. It's crazy how much bigger I've gotten. I'd take another picture today, but I haven't taken shower yet...and am grubby and dirty from taking the dogs to the dog park. So maybe in a while I'll take another picture....although it'll probably take me 3 weeks to post it.

J.B.

Don't forget to vote on what gender you think Boo is. You can guess here.

Lesson learned: Do not Google.

At my 16-week appointment, I had some blood work done. The checked my blood platelets again, because they were low when they were tested at the beginning of my pregnancy. Low, but stil in the normal range. I guess my platelets haven't improved much this last time they were tested, so it's something that they're going to continue to monitor.

So during a spare moment at work, curiousity got the best of me and I googled, "low blood platelets and pregnancy."

The scariest thing I found....women with low blood platelets can't have an epidural during labor.

Scary. I know it can be done. But that doesn't mean I want to give birth without an epidural.

Granted, I'm assuming one's platelets have to be extremely low not to be able to have an epidural. And since I'm still in the normal range, I'm assuming that I still can have one. But it's something I'll definitely be asking my doctor about at my next appointment.

Giving birth. It scares me. But being forced to give birrth without an epidural. That really scares me.

Any there is no turning back now!

Also! I love all the comments you've left about Boo's sex. The big reveal date is set for June 8, so there are just 10 days left to leave your guess. 10 people have vote for a girl. 8 for a boy. If you haven't guessed yet, there is still time to do so. You can guess here.

J.B.

The question...

There was one question I knew would be coming my way soon.

"Are you expecting?"

I was curious when someone would ask me, because I see my stomach every day. It's kinda hard to tell if I'm really showing or just looking fatter. So I figured, the day that question came, it means I've started looking obviously enough pregnant to the outside world.

You may have figured it out. That question came my way today. 17 weeks. 1 day. Is this a normal point in your first pregnancy to start getting that question or not, I don't know. I ran into someone I know that I hadn't seen in a long time. I was wearing a maternity shirt, so it was probably a little more obvious looking that I am in this condition than if it was a normal shirt where people might be more apt to think I've put on a few pounds.

On the other hand, I have been asked this question on more than one occasion when I'm not pregnant....so I guess it's pretty good that I made it more than 4 months into a pregnancy before getting asked if I am.

So, my friends, Boo and myself are growing. To all those that are wondering, yes, I guess I can now officially say now that I'm showing.

And maybe someday I'll take a picture to share.

J.B.

16 week appointment

I had my 16 week doctor appointment today. Everything is looking good and is on track.

Boo's heart rate was 155.

I love hearing the heartbeat. Best. Sound. Ever.

Don't forget to vote on what gender you think Boo is. You can guess here.

J.B.

What is Boo?

In a couple of weeks, we're going to find out if Boo is a boy or a girl (assuming Boo cooperates). I know everybody has an opinion on what they think it's going to be.

Here's Boo at 7 weeks before Boo even knew its gender.

So friends and family, I want to know what you're thinking. And I'd like you to leave your opinion here, so Dave, Boo and I can have something to go back and reread your thoughts. Please let us know your guess. There is no prize for getting it right...but you can brag all you want.

If you've never left a comment before. It's easy. I even switched up the comments, so you don't need any sort of account. At the bottom of this post, there is a link that says 0 Comments (or whatever that number is). All you need to do is click on that link. In the comment box that appears, leave your guess. Right below the comment box, there is a drop down where you select the profile you're using. If you don't have a Google or any of the other accounts listed, choose anonymous. (But if you're leaving the comment as anonymous, be sure to leave your name in the comment box, so we know who you are.) Then just click the "post comment" button.

Thanks, everyone! I look forward to seeing your guesses!

J.B.

Finally...some pictures

Here are some pics from two weekends ago. I've been meaning to post them, but I've been lazy. And busy finishing up the spring semester. If this is any sort of indicator of how good I'll be at sharing pics once Boo is here, well, I'm sorry in advance. But pictures of my child will be more interesting than pics of me, and I'm sure I will be excited to share, so I guess we will see. 

Here's a pic from my birthday. My awesome in-laws felt bad about the special b-day plans Dave made for me getting canceled (getting my hair cut and colored at the salon...my stylist got sick). So together they ordered my this adorable flower cake and balloon. I almost didn't answer the door when they were delivered (you try opening the door with two psycho barking dogs) since I assumed it was some door-to-door salesman....but I was oh-so-happy I answered the door anyway. It was such a thoughtful gift and it totally made my day.

The following night we went to the wedding for one of my family's friends. It was really fun because my sister Stevie came home for the wedding. She was there along with one of my best friends Krissy and my parents. I hadn't been to a wedding with these special people since my own, so it was fun to hang out with them. And my other good friend Michelle was there too, since it was her sister getting married. Her sister was beautiful.

Me and the father of my child :)

Me with Krissy and Michelle. Our friendships go back. way back.

The little lister. She is looking really good. Especially since she had her gall bladder removed a little over a week before this picture was taken.

 

This was probably the highlight of my night. A polka came on and he asked Stevie to dance with him. My mom was impressed with his polka skills. She said he was the best polka dancer there. Apparently, she's never seen him polka before. So then when a second polka came on, he asked my mom to dance. It was so fun to see them dance together. I wouldn't be surprised if my mom picked up a polka CD and played it sometime so we could have a polka party. 

J.B.

Random thoughts...

Yesterday was Dave's birthday! Those five days of the year where he taunts me for being older are finally done now that we're both 28. I think he had a decent birthday. I felt bad because he tried so hard to make my b-day special, and I had to go to work and go to school (it was the final exam, so I couldn't even skip it). Thank goodness for all his friends on FB who wrote him a million b-day well wishes. I know that made him feel good. I ended up being up to meet up with him and my parents at a restaurant for a late dinner. Dave was helping my Dad with the launch of this painting that he teamed up with a local artist on to support our military vets. It was another thing that I really wish I could have gone to yesterday, but that whole school thing had to get in the way. But I'm really glad the semester is over -- well, almost. I still have to finish up a paper by Monday. I'm thinking that now my final is done, I will finally get a chance to post those pictures from my birthday.

In more exciting news, I may be feeling Boo squirming around. Yesterday I felt this twitchy ticklish kinda feeling. I wasn't too sure if it was Boo, but it was something that I hadn't ever felt before. Then today, I've felt it a couple more times. So now I'm starting to think that it is the kiddo.

So I have a question for you guys....I was thinking of putting a poll on my blog asking people if they think Boo is a boy or girl. But then I was thinking that I'd like to know who thinks what. So do you think I should just put a poll where people can easily vote -- or should I create a special page and make people leave a comment with their guess. I'm thinking of making people comment with their guesses. It would be a little more work for people, but I think it'd be more fun to read. What do you think? I guess this is the pre-poll poll. Haha.

J.B.

15 weeks

Whoa! I'm already 15 weeks pregnant. That just seems a little unreal. Boo is already the size of an apple.

Things are progressing pretty well -- as far as I'm aware. It's been several weeks since my last appointment. I have another one coming up in 1 1/2 weeks.

I think I'm done with the nasty first trimester symptoms. Bloating. Nausea. The whole bloating phenomenon caught me by complete surprise. I really think my stomach was bigger at the end of the day during weeks 8 - 10 than it is now. The puke count is at 4. I think that's pretty good, considering some people puke several times a day. My skin is improving. The zits and acne seem to be clearing up. Thank God! My symptoms weren't too extreme -- but definitely enough to find comfort in that things must be developing within.

I'm still pretty sleepy. I'm sure that part of this is just in my head -- I love sleep and pregnancy is the perfect excuse for being sleepy. Although some people at work have noticed that I have a bit more energy, so that's good.

Here's a fun fact. Someone has already told me I waddle like a pregnant woman. Ah! Isn't that not supposed to happen until you're huge.

For the most part, I haven't had too much to worry about. I'm thirsty a lot. So I drink a lot. But I still don't drink the total amount of water one is supposed to consume when pregnant. So sometimes, like when I wake up in the morning and it's been a while since I've had a lot of water, I worry that Boo is going to suffocate from lack of amniotic fluid. I'm pretty sure that's not happening, so I don't even know why that worry comes across my mind. I don't even know if that is possible!

That's pretty much all I have for a baby update. Dave and I went to a wedding this weekend, so we actually have a couple of pictures. But I'm lazy and haven't uploaded the pics yet. And I'm tired, so it's not happening tonight. Maybe Dave will do it for me...hint. hint.

J.B.

My sensitive pup

With his bright blue eyes and his wiggly back end, Cooper Joe is our sensitive pup. His eyes are sensitive to the sun, so they squint in the sun. His is emotionally sensitive. He loves giving gentle kisses. He loves wiggling with excitement when Dave or I get home.


It turns out, his bladder is also sensitive. When he was just a pup, some "leakage" issues prompted a visit to the vet and he had an UTI and an intestional infection. Today Dave and I took him back to the vet, because we noticed some of the same symptoms that he had during the last infection.

And once again, our little guy is sick. The vet said the infection was still mild. I'm glad we caught it before it was causing him too much discomfort. He got a shot of antibiotics and some pills to take over the next two weeks.

Can I just say that Cooper is the cutest pup when he goes to the vet? He's without his brother, so he isn't sure what to do. He just sits so politely in the backseat. At the vet, he gets scared, so he stays right by our side. He doesn't even want any treats. He doesn't want to sniff the other dogs. He just wants to get the vet stuff done so he can go home to his brother.

J.B.

28 years, zero days

It's my birthday. All in all, it's been a good day so far.

I took the day off work. I bought great tickets for the Carrie Underwood concert and the state fair later this summer. I got my free birthday Caribou. I had lunch with Krissy and her mom, my second mom. My mom (and probably sister) and I are going to go shopping to buy a wedding present for the wedding we're going to tomorrow. Dave and I have plans to go to Chino Latino tonight. Yum.

But I swear I have some sort of curse on this day. Something always goes wrong.

Last year, I spilled my still-warm free birthday Caribou on my white skirt and car when I was getting out of the car.

This year, my husband tried extra hard to make my day extra special. He bought me a gift card to get my hair highlighted and cut. He even made my appointment for me. (That's not the bad part. :))

This morning, I got a call saying my hair stylist was out sick. The next available evening appointment with her: June 22. (That's the bad part.) But I guess it all worked out for the best. If I had the appointment this morning, I wouldn't have been able to get the Carrie Underwood tickets right when they went on sale. So now I have great seats! And I'll still get my hair done -- eventually.

So Boo, Otis, Cooper, Gracie and I are all going to be lazy and take a little nap before my mom calls and/or Dave gets home. Today we have perfect napping weather!

J.B.