Week 19 Update

Pop Quiz: What fruit...

•  ...is a distant relative of the cashew, pistachio, Jamaica plum, poison ivy and poison oak?
•  ...plays a sacred role in India; it is a symbol of love and some believe that its tree can grant wishes?
• ... leaves are considered toxic and can kill cattle or other grazing livestock?
• ... is approximately the size of the baby growing inside of me? 

Give up?

It's a mango!

 I've never been a HUGE fan of mangoes to be honest. Unless they are picked straight from a tree in Jamaica. Those were pretty good but were rumored to give people rashes if you touched the peel to your skin. Enough on mangoes. Here's an update on the ol' bun in the oven. 

Maternity Clothes? 

Heck ya. I actually scored a bundle of them from a lady on Craigs List who was getting rid of all of hers. I am not one of those blessed women who can keep wearing their normal pants throughout pregnancy. Bring on the elastic!

Stretch Marks?

No marks yet even though it feels like everything is stretching in one way or another!

Sleep?

Pretty good. I'm mastering the art of sleeping on my side. I have found that using 3 pillows works well. One for my head. One between my knees. And one behind my back. It would be nice to have an all inclusive pillow like this one...

BUT those cost a pretty penny. For now I will make due and snuggle up with my pillow party.

Best Moment (or laugh) of the Week:

Austin, as a surprise, was going to get me some nice lotion (bc I love good lotions). However, in his lotion hunt, he came across stretch mark lotion and thought it'd be a good idea to get me some. The gesture was intended to alleviate my anxiety about getting stretch marks in the future. It was just really funny because I didn't know how to respond. It is such a male way of thinking: Have a problem? Lets find a solution. His intentions were totally pure which made it all the more funny. It gave me a good laugh. 

Movement?

Yep! Definitely feeling more activity down there. I only catch it happening when I'm sitting pretty still but Baby C is on the move!
Mood Swings?
Um yes. Maybe not swings, just on edge emotionally. For example, I have found myself in tears while watching The Office... twice. I also had a major breakdown while trying to do a project on Photoshop and couldn't figure it out. My wonderful Austin has been there for all three meltdowns. He's been a trooper. I usually end up laughing at myself at the end of it all.

Food Cravings?

Oh...my... gosh... so I thought that I had a few cravings before this, right? Not until I experienced a REAL craving last week. It was about 10 pm and all of the sudden I was desperate for some type of orange or orange juice. Luckily we had some clementines at our house or I probably would have headed to the grocery store. It was crazy. 

Gender?

We find out in 10 days! Granny (basically my grandma) told me today that I was having a boy. She also told me if she could see me she'd be able to tell for sure by the way I'm carrying... Gotta love grandmas. 

Labor Signs?

No labor signs but I'm for sure having some major pain. I think its a combination of Round Ligament Paint and overexertion. I am learning my physical limitations the hard way. Yesterday and today I have felt like I have a pulled muscle on the left side of my stomach. It hurts! Last night was the worst. I could hardly move! I am definitely learning lessons the hard way.  

Belly Button In or Out?

In. No change.

What I miss?

Being able to be active all day and not physically hurt from it. Also, sleeping flat on my stomach.

What I'm Looking Forward To:

Our crib has been ordered!

It should be arriving within a week or so!

Weekly Wisdom?
Slow down. Your body can't do what it used to do.
Milestones?
Embracing the baby bump and wearing clothes that don't hide it. 

Note to Self...

Dear Polly,
I hope you've learned your lesson today.
You seem to forget that you are 19 weeks pregnant. Your body is no longer able to:
work out, do four loads of laundry, shovel snow, move a desk, rearrange a room, make curtains, attend a fancy fundraiser and still feel ok. Remember the physical pain you are in, Polly.
Slow the heck down.

Repurposed TV Stand

The creativity of people in blogland never ceases to amaze me. Check out what Giggleberry Creations did with an outdated entertainment center.

 Before

 After

I don't even have children yet and I already want a designated play room so I could attempt one of these makeovers.

The Rebellion Continues

The dogs continue their rebellion as a result of us telling them a baby is on the way. I came home from work to find this...

 This time, I think they've gone a little too far.

(I put up that wire fence to make sure they didn't escape)

Quietly Busy

Life is quiet right now.
Well, on the outside that is.
Austin is in the midst of a two week seminary class in St. Louis which means I'm in the midst of two weeks flying solo. I didn't think I would miss him already but I do. It's crazy how fast your life adjusts to having another person around. All is quiet with the exception of Chauncey on the floor chewing away on a rubber chicken. The house is quiet but my mind is busy.

Busy with the unknowns. I'm becoming more and more aware that my life is being propelled into an entirely different direction. In about five months, I will bring a child into the world and while that is one of the most exciting things I have ever anticipated, it is beginning to scare the heck out of me. Simply because of the unknowns. What will it look like to not work full time? What will my social life look like? Are we going to make enough money to make ends meet? Will my friendships look the same? Will I know how to take care of baby?

I'm afraid they will hand me this child and I will simply have no idea what to do with it. I couldn't be more excited but I also couldn't be more aware of my inadequacy. I mean, me? A mom? That's always someone else.Yet, as I feel the little one starting to move around in me, it becomes more and more real. Ready or not, it's coming.

I have moments of pure excitement followed by moments of crippling inadequacy. I'm sure I'm not the first mom-to-be to feel this way but the waves of different emotions are never ending.

It's funny to look around and think, every person I see was in someone's womb at some point. Every single person I see had a mother who probably felt the same way. Every single person I see mostly likely had a mom that delighted over the first ultrasound, was thrilled to feel their first kick, talked to their pregnant belly with hopes the baby could hear them and was at some point fearful to bring a child into the world. This sounds weird, but it makes me value people more. Even people I don't know. They had a pregnant mother who was so excited to bring them in the world and meet them. It just seems to give everyone more value.

Anyway, I didn't even plan on writing a blog about this. I just started typing and all this came gushing out. I guess that's what happens when a gal doesn't have a husband around to listen to workings of a pregnant mind. I also told myself a while back that I wanted to be a bit more personal and vulnerable on my blog. So there ya go. I'm sure tomorrow I will be in an entirely different mood. :)

I'm Giddy...

 I'm giddy with excitement over my Craigs List find. I've been keeping an eye out for a dresser that can be used as a changing table in our future nursery. Today, I stumbled on this $45 solid wood dresser. It also came with a huge mirror that isn't in this picture.

 I like that two of its drawers are extra deep providing lots of storage!

 Of course I have major face lift plans for this guy.

 I've really liked the two toned look of dressers lately. Especially with the top stained a deep color and the base painted a white. Here is some eye candy that has inspired me.

 I especially love the look of this one. I think I'll have some fun finding cute handles and knobs too.

Only two things are holding me back from jumping in to this project. 1) It's 20 degrees outside. 2) I'm pregnant. Which means I probably shouldn't be the one staining, priming, and painting. Dang it! Looks like Daddy Conner might have to get his hands dirty.

Oh, I don't want to forget to show you what I did with the mirror that was supposed to go with the dresser. It found a home on my mantle.

 Love a good Craig's List find!

Prego Update...week 16

I've entered into my 16th week of being prego. I'm told our baby is the size of an avocado. Glad to see we are moving up to more sizeable fruits.

 To simplify the baby updates, I'm going to use a format my friend, Sara, used on her blog while documenting her pregnancy. They always gave me a good chuckle.

Size of the baby? 4-5 inches long (about the size of an avocado).

Maternity Clothes? Mainly pants. I can still squeeze into a few of my looser jeans but I am making good use of the Bella Band that was loaned to me. 

Stretch Marks? None that weren't there before :)

Sleep? I've been told sleeping on my back cuts off vital circulation to the baby and other parts of my body. Yikes. It's been an ongoing battle to stay on my side throughout the night. I've also been having some very vivid, lively dreams. But for the most part, still sleeping quite well.

Best moment of the week? We had a doctors appointment to check up on Baby C. Got to hear the little-one's heart beating away. It was precious.

Movement? I'm not quite sure what is the baby and what is my digestive system right now. I do know there is a bit more activity in my lower abdomen. Just don't have the motherly experience to discern what is the baby.

Food Cravings? Still stuck on fruit. I could eat it all day. I've also been really into pasta lately too. Still can't chew gum. Weird, huh?

Gender? We find out Feb 3rd. Even though I selfishly want a girl so I can have a future crafting and sewing partner in the family, I have a feeling it's a boy. I don't know why, I just do.

Labor Signs? Oh gosh, no.

Belly button in or out? WHAT? It changes?! Gosh dang it...does anything stay the same on/in your body while pregnant?

What I miss: Red wine and running. 

What I'm looking forward to: Boy or girl? Boy or girl? I'm dying to know!

Weekly Wisdom: Just keep eating

Milestones: We finally broke the news to Sophie and Chauncey (our dogs). They aren't coping very well. To make a statement, I think they have torn apart, de-limbed, and unstuffed every toy they own in the middle of our living room.