Guess what?

Emily is going to be a big sister!!! (due June 2017)

p.s. -- Yes, we're all still alive despite being MIA for months.  :)

Week 22 Recap

Well, we made it to the end of Week 22!

Source: The Bump

We experienced a few big milestones this week:

• We started our baby registry.  This was a lot more overwhelming and stressful than I imagined it would be.  There are just too many darn cute things out there!  Shep and I spent 2 hours last weekend scanning random onesies, washcloths, and bath supplies at Buy Buy Baby.  We then finally made it to the back of the store where the cribs were located, only to realize that all the convertible cribs in the store were humongous and likely wouldn't fit in the tiny room we have designated as our baby nursery. ... Cue the pregnancy hormones - slash - anxiety combination platter ...  After feeling totally defeated, we exited the store, frustrated, marching right past the car seats and strollers.  Good thing we spent all our time on the totally unimportant items and got zero accomplished in terms of necessities!

• We announced our pregnancy news to our social network connections.  This was a big step for me.  I spent dozens of hours over the past couple weeks creating our video announcement and then literally sat with my finger on the button for what must have been 15 minutes, totally afraid to post it once it was ready.  Shep finally convinced me to do it, and I'm glad I did.  Here's the video if you want to check it out:
  
  

• We attended an information session at the hospital we're planning to deliver at.  One of the Labor & Delivery nurses ran the 90 minute session, which included a virtual tour of the delivery unit, an overview of what to expect from the hospital staff during delivery and afterwards, and other important tidbits.  The whole thing was very surreal.  I realize that 4 months is going to fly by and that May will be here before we know it, but for some reason while we were sitting there everything seemed so hard to really picture.  Am I in denial?  Possibly.  I haven't really been thinking too much about the actual birthing process and hospital stay, and I think I need to start doing that.  I realized when the nurse was talking about pain management and labor pains that I am completely unprepared emotionally for that part of the process.  But then I started thinking:  is anyone ever prepared for the actual process of giving birth???  I guess that's what Lamaze and other classes are meant to do, but like I said, it just all seemed so foreign to me... almost like I was watching a movie about what some other couple was going to experience.  I better snap myself back to reality soon because the goal is to take home a healthy baby in late May and in order for that to happen I need to get it outside my body first!  ;)

In terms of symptoms, my nausea actually wasn't so bad the first few days of the week.  Just like during Week 17, I thought maybe it hit the road for good, but alas it showed it's ugly head again later in the week.  Oh well!  Other wonderful symptoms on the menu for this week -- warning: severe TMI alert -- included gross flatulence, burping, and of course the fantastic irregular bowel movements.  Luckily, I haven't had any constipation but things are a bit looser down there than I would like.  Enough said.

My belly has DEFINITELY popped out a bit more, and for the first time someone offered me their seat on the train.  My belly button is also in the midst of popping out -- right now it's at a weird stage where it doesn't really look like an "innie" or an "outtie", but a "flattie"!

Apparently our baby is sleeping about 12 to 14 hours per day, though you'd never know it from all the kicking!  I definitely felt some black-belt-worthy roundhouse kicks this week.  It's a good thing baby is still small enough that the kicks don't hurt as much as surprise me, but I'm worried that once s/he is bigger these kicks might get really painful!

Alas, it's all for a good cause!  If nausea, powerful kicks and embarrassing bathroom odors are the worst I have to deal with in order to grow a healthy baby, I'll do it!

Surprise Announcement!!

This morning I prepared the FedEx surprise for VA, where my 91 year old grandma, aunt, uncle and cousin live!!!! I used four different pastel-colored pieces of paper to write B, A, B, Y on, then put each piece in a manilla envelope with a message on the front telling them it’s top secret and not to open.   :)   I FedExed the package from work, which should be delivered by tomorrow @ noon! Not sure when we’re going to do the video chat but I need to figure out how to record it!! I also need to figure out when/how to share the news with my godmother/other aunt. We’re scheduled to visit my BFF and family on June 8th to share the surprise with them!

May 30

I’m still experiencing tummy pains (and some stool issues) and also had some brown staining today at work. I called the doctor’s office to ask about those issues plus the leg cramps I started having yesterday and the nurse who called me back said there’s nothing to worry about. I should focus on eating bananas, rice and toast and stay away from dairy. I feel really nervous and hope everything is okay.

I also emailed my aunt and cousin in Virginia about the FedEx+videoconference surprise this weekend... can’t wait to see what happens! :)