Gifts

We have our first baby shower this coming Friday thanks to Dave's mom, Aunt Tiff and Cathi. Since we live so far away, we have been getting gifts in the mail which Vaughn has really enjoyed :).

The idea was to not open any gifts that come in the mail until after this weekend. But it has turned out that if it's in a Target box (the only place we registered), we have not opened it as we are waiting for the shower and then will open when we get home followed by sending thank you cards. Dave has gotten a little excited about the non-Target boxes so they have all been opened. We are so thankful for all the support and love from family for our little boy who will be here in less than three months!

I know I probably shouldn't publicly announce my favorite gift - but I just can't help it. And I'm sure no one will get upset when they find out how awesome my favorite gift is. I can't believe I haven't blogged about this yet! A few weeks ago, I came home and Dave was itching to open a box from "Uncommon Goods" addressed to me. We had no idea what it was. Dave didn't think it was a baby gift or at least he said that probably so we could open it.

After unwrapping for about five minutes since it was very heavily packaged (which really had our imaginations swirling), we found a book - a super cute book to record fun things like who's butt the baby has in the family, etc. Then, we came upon a little cloth bag with triangular cloth pieces that were had towel-like cloth on the inside. We had no idea what it was until I read the front of the bag, "Pee Pee Tee-Pee, for the sprinkling wee wee." We still weren't quite sure what they were until I held up one of the little "tee-pees" and a light bulb went off in my head. It's so he doesn't pee on us when we change him - they're little pee pee hats - ingenious!!!!!! I took the little bag to work and showed everyone. My coworkers who have boys thought it was a pretty good idea as well. I called Kim to tell her and she wished she came up with the idea. So, the thanks needs to go to my cousin Carla who found this ingenious gift. Let's just hope they work :).

preparation

Dave and I had our hospital tour today. Now we know exactly where to go when "it's time"; we are prepared. It was kind of fun being surrounded by baby bellies. There were also a few big brothers and sisters there. I came straight from work so I wasn't feeling that well.My wonderful husband did bring me a smoothie with acai berry (super yummy) and In N' Out Burger (oh so healthy...haha) to help me feel better before the tour.

When we first got there, the lobby was full of pregnant women, husband/significant others and kids all waiting for the tour. The nurses name was Karen and she was super sweet and cute. We first went into maternity check-in to see all the check-in rooms. Then we went up to the second floor where we got to see the labor and delivery rooms. I made Dave take a picture - this is a momumental time - seeing where I'm going to experience the worse pain of my life. Then we checked out the nursery for the babies that can't stay with their mommies because of complications. And lastly, we went to the post-recovery ward where they have private patient rooms for recovery. The rooms were quite small but had little private patios that went outside and decent size bathrooms. I will probably come to love that room.

Then the tour was over.

When we were heading out, Dave drove down to the parking lot where he can park to take me into the hospital and saved it into his GPS as !BABY! so he knows exactly where to go.

Afterwards, we went to the mall to prepare for my growing belly and for when I can no longer where any of my clothes. I already have a limited of options every morning I get dressed. We spent some time in Motherhood and Dave was very good. He even picked some things out. While I was in the dressing room, he found himself a nice little chair so he could do stuff on his phone. He definitely provided his opinion when prompted. He's the best. We left the mall with a smoothie for him and a soft pretzel (the best soft pretzel ever) for me.

It was a good day!

Crave This:

- Something I forgot to add to the last list of things I'm eating more of - crab cakes!

- I had yet another hamburger on Friday at lunch with Nicole :)

Hubby Love:

I'm starting to get very forgetful so it's hard for me to remember all the cute and hilarious things Dave says. I'm going to try my best though.

- Last night we were talking about getting a real-sounding baby to prepare Rocco. I told Rocco I read that we should take him walking with the stroller as well. The Dave said, "We should duck tape the baby to a dirt bike and have Rocco watch him to prepare him for when the little guy starts riding." Ummm, okay, Dave.

Someone noticed!

I ran into Office Max today to get some stuff before class. The greeter helped me find what I needed and as we walked back up to the front of the store he asked, "So are you having a boy or girl?" I wanted to be funny and be like, ummm, I'm not pregnant but I was so excited that a TOTAL STRANGER knew I was pregnant and not just chubby that I screeched back, "I'm having a boy!"

The bump has emerged into a baby belly :)

hic-CUP

Vaughn now has hiccups - he got them about three times today. So fun. I can just feel little pops in my belly every 30 seconds or so. I heard they will just increase from here.

Changes and Lessons

It's amazing to look back at the last post and realize how many changes have already occurred. Changes with my body, changes in weight, changes in my moods, changes in my attitude, changes in my skills, changes in the baby, changes with Dave and changes with family.

*May 22 - May 25* Love

Dave and I flew to Fort Wayne, Indiana to celebrate and join Dusty and Jamie for their wedding. It was a beautiful weekend - weather wise and wedding wise. The love was just spilling over with all the family and of course, Dusty and Jamie. Dave and I are both so excited for our little boy to have such a great Aunt and Uncle so close by.

This weekend, however, made me realize my body is not the same body it used to be. I went hours without eating or drinking water because I was busy. Also, I was on my feet (in heels) for two days and attempted to dance the night away at the reception. These are all the I used to do without thinking twice. Well, the baby made me think about 4 times on Monday in the airports on our way back to Arizona. Let's just say having a super excruciating headache and throwing up in an airport is not so much fun.

Lesson #1: From this experience, I have learned to finally take it easy... well, I have no choice!

*May 28 (I think)* Ladies and gentlemen, we have a name (for now)
Dave and I have agreed on...drum roll please....................... Vaughn Thompson. We are thinking of making the middle name, Steven, to honor my brother and Dave's dad (same initials - VST), but I'm still not so sure. I do like Vaughn more and more every day though. It's simple, strong and what seems most important to us, unique.

*June 1-3* Growing pains

I woke up on Monday, June 1, with my belly not feeling too well. Actually, it just right out hurt. I read about this a few weeks before that I might start feeling "ligament rounding" or something like that. More than anything it hurt when I stood up after sitting. I had to stand up the "pregnant" way with the belly first, one hip up, followed by the other. This probably looked super funny since my belly wasn't very big at the time. Since then, the ligaments keep "rounding" and the skin is stretching and I think I finally look pregnant.

The other times it really hurt was when I went to the bathroom. It was super weird because it would be extremely painful only as I peed and then when I would stand up (as explained above). All that pain has pretty much subsided. I'll just occasionally have a little pain here and there. This has really been making me thinkg about how bad labor is going to hurt and if I'm strong enough to handle it.

LESSON #2: Start mentally preparing myself for labor NOW.

*June 1* Photo skills

I have enrolled in a photo class at Glendale Community College! Well, that's where I was supposed to have class. When I went on June 1, they told us they had to cancelled it due to low numbers. I was super upset and cried on my drive home. Instead of just giving up, I called PVCC (Paradise Valley Community College) to see if I could get into that class which is only Monday and Wednesdays instead of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday evenings.

My first class at PVCC was on the 3rd. I just have to say that I miss school so much as I didn't really learn anything new (as all the Photoshop stuff he went over I already knew and use a lot), but I got to take notes! I love taking notes! haha...

Lesson #3: I'm going to have the best baby pictures ever - and if not, I get to take notes!

*June 5* Was that him?!

Dave got to feel little Vaughn for the first time. As my belly grows, Vaughn is getting more and more active. The popcorn is starting to now feel like actual little "High-YA" kicks here and there. I know this is NOTHING compared to how bad it will get, but I love it.

Dave and I were watching Last Chance Harvey, and I could feel Vaughn kicking me every five or so minutes. I had Dave put his hand on my stomach in hopes he could feel it from the outside. HE DID! Dave kept looking up at me asking, is that him? I would say he had his hand on my belly for about an hour. I don't think his smile disappeared from his face the entire time. It just made my heart melt - to see my husband so excited to feel a little "bubble" in my belly. Sometimes I feel like Dave is more excited than me which is so amazing to have so much support.

June 6 * over-heated :(

At work, we are nearing the end of our build season which means lots of dedications. On Saturday, we had four at the same time so we all took one to do. I was with Roger on the SRP house and was in charge of thanking and recognizing the volunteers. I had some cute things written up to say which I actually prepared ahead of time which I never do.

It was only in the 80s versus in the 100s like it had been, but the sun was still hot. I was standing there listening to Roger when I started to feel sick. My water bottle was in the garage so I decided to just start taking deep breaths and would go into the garage after I presented to drink water. This plan didn't work too well. I got up to the stage to present and slowly started to feel more and more weak. I got through the statistics and leader names. As I was reading the names, I could no longer see the paper nor could I hear anything around me. I was going to pass out on the stage in front of all these people - needless to say, I started to freak but really just wanted to get through it. I was so close yet I failed. I handed my paper to Roger so I could go sit down in the garage. No one even noticed as Roger did a great job and picked up right where I left off.

I grabbed some ice and just started to rub it all over my face, neck and arms. A few of the leaders saw me in the garage so they came over. I was super embarrassed. I hate when people have to take care of me or miss out on things because of me. I got some water and and a cold compress for my neck. I was really overheated which means the baby was even more overheated. Again, something I totally would've been fine doing if I weren't pregnant.

Doug (our Construction Manager) then came over to sit with me. I started to cry because I just felt helpless and embarrassed. Everything worked out after I got some food and drank lots of water. I needed to leave for the office as I had an orientation with 30 people within a half hour. Everyone was so worried about me - Roger, Liz, Doug, the volunteers. I hated the attention and truly felt fine. After I got in the car, I just realized how amazingly blessed I am to work somewhere with so many caring people.

Lesson #4: Stay out of the sun, drink water and remember my handy dandy fan!

Other changes...

I've gotten my flexibility back. I have now been doing yoga for five weeks. I take prenatal on Sundays and Hatha (flow which kicks my BUTT) on Mondays. I love it. I can't believe it's taken me over two years to get back into yoga. The instructor, Lauren, is really great and personable.

So far for prenatal, it's mostly just been me except one week a lady came who had been going through infertility treatments - she was only six weeks pregnant and didn't come back so I hope everything is okay. And then today, there were three others in the class - 2 men and an older woman which totally confused me, but Lauren had them come in as it's a more relaxing class that focuses on flexibility, which they all needed help with. Since it's mostly just been me, Lauren has totally customized the class to what I need and want. Last week, I even got to try the Pilates Reformer Machines - let's just say - my legs bent in places I didn't know they could and my groin hurt for days!

Hatha has pretty much just been me and two others - Nichole and Dennis. Nichole had a baby seven months ago so it's been really nice talking to her about pregnancy.

Besides yoga, I have been to the gym to do cardio at least five times a week. Everything I read says this is super good for me and for the baby. I know it makes me feel good. All in all, I HEART yoga and exercise. I just hope it helps with my pregnancy and above all, with labor.

To ensure I'm gaining enough weight and being healthy I have decided to track my weight gain. To date, I have officially gained 10 pounds! I gained 6 pounds from January - April (with some significant weight loss when I got sick but I gained it all back). I then started to track my weight weekly starting on May 12. From May 12 - May 19, I gained .5 pounds; From May 19 - May 27, I gained 2.5 pounds; and from May 27 to June 4, I gained 1 pound. Pretty healthy!

Final Thoughts

Today I am 22 weeks and 1 day pregnant and feel pretty good about myself. I know changes have to happen and I have to learn from my mistakes because it's not just about me anymore. Every thing I put into my body or on my body or around my body can affect Vaughn.

...Crave This...

I haven't really had any cravings, but this is what I've noticed I eat more of:

- Root beer

- Hamburgers - yeah, who would've thought! Dave is loving this!

- Pickles

- Banana Splits

- Banana's in general

Hubby Love
Dave tells me about five times a day (and some days, a lot more), "Thank you for making me a baby."

Before dinner one night after I just got done freaking out – Dave: “Thank you, Lord, for my beautiful wife and for her hormones that make her so mad at me. I thank you for the baby she is making and for everything you have blessed us with. Amen.”

Dave: "God would not have put a dream in your heart if He had not already equipped you with what you need."

Dave: "I like your mood swings, it’s like watching a dramatic movie – you never know what’s going to come next.”

Dave: “I think I’m ready to have a girl next” We haven't even had a boy yet!

Dave: "Are you as excited about Christmas as I am with our little bundle of joy? I’ll sing Christmas songs to him for two months. He’ll be my little Christmas present!"

Dave: "I hope our next one is a little princess. And when I say little princess, I mean, a little girl princess and not a little boy princess because little boy princesses have it hard in this world."

Dave: "What do you want to have little Vaughn dress up for Halloween this year?"

Me: "Ummm, a dragon. It's the first thing that comes to mind."

Dave: "I was thinking a vegetable or fruit. Babies are cute as veggies or fruit - what about a green grape?"

I think it's so cool we're going to have a baby to dress up for Halloween this year. And the fact that Dave is so concerned about what we'll dress him up as.