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.

On Friday, May 15, we had our extensive ultrasound which included a 3D ultrasound. The office was super high tech with a plasma on the ceiling that projected our baby boy. Everything is checking out well as he's right on track weighing 9 ounces. The ultrasound tech wasn't the friendliest person but she did her job and measured everything that needed measured, showed up where all the blood was pumping, all the bones and limbs, and assured us it was a boy (in which Dave released a huge sign of relief!). It was cute to keep looking over at Dave to see a perma-smile on his face. He's going to be such a great daddy!

The only difficult thing about the ultrasound was that she had to almost put me upside in the mechanical chair in order to get a good picture of the baby. This meant, it was a huge stretch for my eyes to see the screen. When we were done, it took me about ten minutes before my eyes felt like they were going to stay in my head.

Since it's been so hot outside I've decided the best place for me is in the pool. I had a little bit of a problem seeing that my bulge is not so attractive and doesn't quite fit in my normal bikinis. So I went over to Target and got the only semi-cute maternity bathing suit top they had. I don't care for the print but absolutely love looking pregnant. So fun! And regardless of the look - it has definitely served it's purpose of keeping me nice and cool in the pool.

Hubby Love

Dave's song to me (he's often making up songs about me and the baby): "You’re going to make a beautiful baby. Because you’re beautiful, baby. He’s going to be a little crazay because he’s my baby. You’re going to make a beautiful baby. Thank goodness he’s not a laday!"

"I hope our little boy likes Winnie the Pooh because I like Winnie the Pooh and I want to watch Winnie the Pooh with him all day. We can have Winnie the Pooh designated days! Woo hoo!"

"Now that I've seen him in 3D, I'm convinced he's going to be a cute baby. Will I be able to pick his nose in public since I can't pick my own?"

"You can't be mad at me - I gave you my sperm."

Dave: "I'm going to start going to sleep at random times and waking up at 2 or 4 or random times in the night and day."

Adriane: "Ummm...what for?"

Dave: "You know, to prepare for the baby. I need to be ready."

Orville Redden-BABY!

Last night, I was lying on the couch watching TV and felt something weird in my stomache. And then it did it again. It felt as if popcorn was popping in my stomache. Then, all of a sudden a lightbulb went off in my head, "I have a baby in there! That's my baby, not popcorn!" I was super excited and just continued to lay there in hopes of feeling more popping.

May 12 is the day I first felt my baby. Now it's to starting feel real.

pregnancy woes

I have books and some great internet sites I refer to about my changing body and growing baby. The disclaimer on all the resources always say "...and each woman and baby is different." At this time in my pregnancy (which still sounds weird to me so say that I'm a pregnant lady), this is what I'm experiencing:

• Enlarging body parts (currently just the chest and belly - I think)
• Dry skin, especially my face
• Chin acne
• Bad Moods
• Good Moods
• Sad Moods
• Runny Nose
• Sneezy, really sneezy
• Dry eyes
• and did I mention an array of moods?

Something else I'm experiencing is having a hard time with people constantly staring at my stomach. I mean, it's expected, but I can't walk into a room without someone's eyes first averting to my stomach before my face. And I'm not just talking about eyes quickly looking down then up; but whole head and eyes blatently looking at the belly. It'll get big soon that people will be able to see it without having to move thier head - I'm hoping. Also, all the comments. I mean I love that people are excited for me but it's hard when I hear the same comments 40 times a day. If I'm in a good mood, I'm totally cool with it but when my moods are not so good - my response is probably not the friendliest which makes me feel super bad. So I don't think it's the questions or the people asking them just my poopy moods.

Hubby Love
At only 17 weeks - Dave reached over, put his hand on my belly, said hi to the baby, and then asked for him to kick. I told Dave that he won’t feel him kicking for quite a while. Then Dave got really close to my belly and kept saying, “Baby, if you don’t kick mama, I’m going to kick her. Come on baby, kick daddy. You don’t want me to kick mama do you?” Then he KICKED ME! Not hard, but still!

Dave: “When you’re really big, you should get a shirt that says, I’m not pregnant; just really fat – don’t touch me!”

Dave: “No BARNEY! I mean it – our kid won’t even know there’s a Barney until he’s at least 18.”

Dave: “I can’t believe we’re going to have a baby.”
Me: “You say that like you’re scared.”
Dave: “No – I’m excited. It’s just crazy to think that the girl I thought was super hot in the gym is my wife – she’s you. I remember that day you forgot something in my room, I was so excited. But never ever thought I had a chance. And look, you’re mine! Ha ha ha (it was kind of an evil laugh followed by a funny laugh). I tricked you! And now you're having my baby!”

One night I was getting ready to go to bed and trying to fall asleep when Dave suddenly realized something quite interesting.
Dave: "You have both boy and girl body parts right now. Do you realize you have a weeny too?"
Me: "I guess you're right - I never really thought about that."
Dave "...and you have 20 fingers, 20 toes, 4 nostrils, 4 eyes, 4 elbows..."
Me:"Okay, I get it. I need to go to sleep to rest all of those body parts!"

Grandma Gone WILD

So I came home from work yesterday and instead of getting my welcome home hug from Dave, his first words were, "You have to come see this stuff." I had no idea what he was talking about until I looked on the island to see a plethora of multi-colored tissue paper wrapped PRESENTS! And guess who they were from...

Miss Kim Edwards, mother of David, soon-to-be first time grandma has already begun to spoil our son who is not even born. I love it! And she's spoiling me! I felt like I unwrapped presents for a half and hour. She sent me the cutest maternity clothes which I'm so excited for my belly to grow into and then the cutest clothes for the baby. He also got a fishy towel set, the cutest fishy night light, a Finding Nemo matching game (which I think it'll take him a while before he can play with that - but the cards are nice and big), some super cute first baby books and a little toy that says something about how great is mommy is - totally my favorite. haha! He also got a cute little fishy hat so he can be like his daddy when he was little always wearing a baseball hat, sunglasses, and having a binky in his mouth. Awe, I can't wait to have a boy!
Today when I came home, Dave was excited for me to come up to the room - he got the shelves up and they look super awesome. When I came home yesterday, I opened the garage to a blue and white dresser; again super cute! The baby room is going to be done before we know it...now the rest of the house is a different story :)