Another big milestone!

Yesterday I had an appointment with my cancer doctor. Everything looked great, including my blood work, so now I can go every 6 months instead of every 3. Yay! I can't believe it's already been 2 years since I finished treatment. I hardly ever think about it anymore. I definitely wont be one of those people who lives in fear forever about it coming back. First off, it takes too much energy and secondly, I know it wont come back! Two years ago I was fighting off cancer, one year ago we were planning a wedding and now we're designing a baby nursery. Life just keeps getting better and better!

Happy Friday!

20 Weeks!

Today is a huge milestone, I'm 20 weeks! We had our monthly appointment on Tuesday and doctor said everything is picture perfect. I measure exactly where I should be and we got to listen to the heartbeat. We heard it immediately this time, beating strong at 144 BPM.

Here's what's going on this week, according to WhattoExpect.com

20 weeks

You've got a heavyweight in your belly now. Your little champ weighs about ten ounces and has a height, crown to rump, of about six and a half inches.

If your fetus is a boy, his testicles have begun their descent this week, waiting for the scrotum to finish growing so they'll have a place to drop in a few weeks.

We're halfway there! Can't wait to meet our precious little baby boy!

Cute!

On Saturday Joe and I did some baby shopping and had to buy this little Ralph Lauren romper when we found it. Isn't it just adorable?! We found it at Marshall's after Joe went to Golfsmith at Cascade Station. Best part was the price. Regularly $20+, we got it for $8.99. Love bargain shopping!

Now we're both obsessed with all-things nursery. We want a fresh, clean and modern look. No animals (with the exception of monkeys--I LOVE monkeys!) and no characters. Good thing we have lots of time to get it figured out----we've found so many nursery designs that we love on TLC's Rate My Space. Can't wait to start painting and get it all set up. So much fun!

Happy Tuesday, getting closer to Friday!

19 Weeks

There it is, the 19 week bump! Here's what's happening according to What to Expect.com.

Week 19
Six inches long this week and about eight ounces in weight, your baby is the size of a large mango. Your little action figure is able to choreograph Matrix-like moves this week. Arms and legs are finally in proportion, neurons are now connected between the brain and muscles, and cartilage throughout the body is turning to bone. All these upgrades combine to give your baby more control over limb movements. Which explains all that kicking, stretching and bodysurfing.

Your baby is also getting a very cheesy varnish this week---a protective substance called vernix caseosa now covers your baby's skin. It's greasy and white and is made up of lanugo, oil from your baby's glands and dead skin cells. This waxy "cheesy" may not sound too appetizing but it's there for good reason: Vernix protects your baby's sensitive skin from the surrounding amniotic fluid. Without it, your baby would look very wrinkled at birth.

Happy Friday! Joe and I are going baby shopping tomorrow---I can't wait!

CAS made the Chicago Tribune!

Skin whitening: Testing shows some skin whitening creams contain toxic mercury - chicagotribune.com

It's a.....

BOY! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! Yesterday was such an amazing day---so much emotion! Baby boy showed what he was right away, he was being so active! I drank a big glass of orange juice before, I think those 41 grams of sugar might have had something to do with it! At one point he had both of his hands in his mouth. He chewed, laughed (that's what it looked like to me!) and moved his arms and legs around like crazy. I'm right on track with my due date, October 14. The tech said everything looks picture perfect. Thank goodness!

After the ultrasound we went shopping and bought our first little pj's and onesie. It's going to be so fun shopping now that we know what it is! Dinner was great, so glad Jayne and David could be there to share the excitement with us. A perfect birthday for Joe! A new little best friend. :)

Happy Birthday, Joe!

Happy birthday to my wonderful husband and best friend! I think this will probably be the most exciting birthday for him----we're both so anxious! Haha, how many times have I said that now? I hardly slept last night, waking up constantly and thinking about our appointment today. I was wide awake at 3:30 and have been up and going since. Got a really early morning work out in, finished cleaning house and have done a couple loads of laundry---hopefully exerting all of that nervous energy will help me relax a little today at work!

My next post will be about our little boy or girl! Amazing.

A perfect day!

Between the two of us, Joe and I ate half of a 19 pound watermelon last night. That was my birthday dessert and it was SO good. Can't wait to eat the other half tonight! If there's been one thing I've craved lately it's been watermelon. I can't get enough! Thankfully the big ones are in the stores now, a lot more bang for the buck. The little personal size ones usually aren't as good and they're so expensive! This is our fourth watermelon of the season. My mouth waters just thinking about it. YUM!

Yesterday was a perfect day! I didn't tell anyone at work it was my birthday but then my friend Kendra sent me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers so then everyone knew. I had lunch with my sister, Sophie, Grandma, Aunt Boda and Aunt Susie at the Creekside and took a long lunch. An hour isn't long enough when there's cake to be eaten!

Joe had to work nights last night but we celebrated by having bbq'd turkey burgers, baked beans, salad and watermelon. It was about 74 yesterday so we got to enjoy dinner on our patio on our new patio furniture. Thanks, Kim and George---we love it! Joe got me the Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag I fell in love with a few weekends ago at Segal's. I love it! That was the last thing I expected him to get so I am a happy girl!

Mom and Dad are in Chicago so we didn't get to have my family dinner last night so we'll celebrate it on Tuesday---combine my birthday and Joe's. I invited Joe's parents down on Tuesday for dinner, Joe has no clue so it will be a nice surprise to walk in from our appointment and see them. We're going to have a lot to celebrate that night and I wanted to include them. I can't wait!

Tonight: Mexican with Kim, George and Sophie. A pre-celebration to the one on Tuesday. I LOVE knowing that my sister is so close to us now. Yesterday was the first time I'd seen her since the weekend and I haven't been to their house since Sunday but it's just nice knowing she's close---and we can get together and it doesn't have to be an all-day, planned out event. I can't wait for our kids to grow up together, it's going to be so much fun!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

18 weeks and 27 years

Today is a good day! Our baby is 18 weeks and I'm 27! Every year gets better and better and I have a feeling 27 is going to be the best year yet. My mom always reminisces with us when its our birthday. She remembers everything like it was yesterday and I'm thankful to know so much, even little details, about when I was born. I'm sure I'll be able to do the same thing with our children someday! It's so weird knowing that Joe and I were born at the same hospital in Puyallup 5 days apart---my mom was probably getting discharged as Jayne was checking in to have Joe!

Here's what's going on with baby this week, again taken off of my What to Expect app:

Week 18
This week, your baby is hitting the height chart at five and a half inches long and weighs about five ounces (the weight of a boneless chicken breast). The art of the yawn has been mastered by your baby this week. In fact, you might catch a glimpse of that adorable yawn if you're getting an ultrasound this month. You'll also catch a glimpse of all the fetal movement your baby's doing--twists, rolls, kicks and punches. Your baby is also big enough for you to start feeling those movements.

And because I think this is pretty amazing......"your uterus is about the size of a cantaloupe."

We're so anxious for Tuesday to get here! Boy or girl? I'm dying to know!

A beautiful day!

After all of the doom and gloom weather it looks like things are finally starting to look up. I just saw the forecast, 76 on Thursday! Finally! I think I'll plant some flowers this weekend and hope that it doesn't freeze anymore at night. This time last year I already had my window planter planted, this year all I've got are weeds.

Happy Tuesday!

Weekend recap

Isn't she the cutest thing ever? Auntie thinks so! This weekend was great! I met friends for dinner Friday, spent Saturday helping (if you can call it that) with the move and yesterday we had a wonderful brunch and spent the majority of the day at my sisters. I love having her closer. I woke up giddy on Sunday knowing that I could stop by and say hi---without having a 50 minute drive!

Joe took off yesterday for his parents house. Him and his dad replaced the clutch in our 'new' Subaru. So exciting! Good quality time with his dad and our car is in tip-top shape now and will be ready to go when baby gets here.

In other news, Subie was at it again this weekend. He's at the vet now, turns out he wasn't pissed at Joe, he has a bladder infection. Phew. I was seriously worried that he was turning on us but turns out he was just trying to get our help. Can't wait to see how much the vet bill is when we pick him up tonight. :/ But I'll take a vet bill any day over having to deal with behavioral problems. This makes me have a whole new appreciation for dog owners. Especially you, Joanna. You are a saint for dealing with all of Otter's mishaps! I don't know how you do it!

Had another great Monday lunch today! I'm so glad we started this weekly lunch date, it makes Monday so much tolerable! Already looking forward to next Monday and possible lake luncheons when the weather gets nice. Good idea Joanna!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Flashback Friday

Three weeks ago today we toured the Sex Museum in Amsterdam! We being my mom, Joe and I. My dad tells this story to everyone, but I haven't shared it yet. My dad was in meetings all day Friday so the three of us were on our own. As we were walking mom spotted the Sex Museum. "Oh, look! It's a Sex Museum! We need to go! Cross the street, we have to go!" She was adamant, I think Joe thought she was joking, but we crossed the street per her instructions and paid the fee to get in. I should've taken more pictures inside but I think I was too grossed out to even think about getting my camera out! It would've been good to have more documentation though! That night dad had to tell everyone that his wife took his son-in-law to a Sex Museum. Wonder how often that happens?! Sorry to tell your story mom---couldn't think of anything else to blog about though! :)

HAPPY FRIDAY! Looks like it's going to be a beautiful day. I think I see sun outside. Horray!

I love Thursdays! 17 weeks!

First thought when my alarm went off this morning was "I'm 17 weeks today!" Every Thursday is a huge milestone for me and I love waking up and reading my weekly update. I have three that I read and they all differ a little but I'll share today's update from my What to Expect iPhone app.

Baby

Your baby is about five inches long and more than three and a half ounces--the size of your open hand (they said turnip three sentences ago!) Body fat (baby's, that is) is beginning to form and will continue to accumulate through the end of your pregnancy. By the time your baby is born, body fat will make up about two-thirds of his or her weight.

Your baby is almost certainly listening up by now. In fact, loud noises--the dog barking, the doorbell ringing--will actually startle your baby (and also get him or her used to such noises). Your baby's eyes are making small side-t0-side movements and can even perceive some light, though the eyelids are still sealed. And since practice makes perfect, your baby is sharpening his or her sucking and swallowing skills in preparation for that first suckle at your breast or bottle. In fact, most of the survival reflexes that your baby will have at birth are being perfected in utero right now.

My friend Krystal commented that she wants me to post a belly pic but there's not much to post yet. Joe has been insistent on taking weekly pictures but I don't have that big, round belly bump yet. I take that back, some days you can tell I'm pregnant (or at least I can tell) and other days it's not very noticeable.

I've always heard about pregnant women and the comments they get and now I can totally relate. A couple good ones yesterday: "You're still so early along, are you sure you aren't having twins??" REALLY? Thanks! Maybe the bump was just making an appearance yesterday? I don't think I've gained that much weight! And the best one yet, "I don't think that baby is hurting for food!" Again, thanks! Hahahaha, luckily I haven't become the crazy emotional pregnant lady yet and was able to just laugh it off. Or maybe it helps that the person who made that comment had just eaten the same exact lunch as me. I'll take it all with a grain of salt. If my pre-pregnancy pants start getting tight around my knees and ankles then I'll start to worry!

Why I think it's a boy

1. The Chinese Gender chart says so.

2. Huge, volcano size zits. The last time I got a facial Ginny said if I break out more than usual it's a boy because they have so much testosterone. And that's been happening.

3. Everytime I talk about baby I refer to it as 'he.'

4. Everyone who has a 'feeling' about it thinks it's a boy. With the exception of Kendra and Janelle!

I thought I had more reasons than that but those are legit, right? ;) Two weeks from today we'll know! I've never felt so much anticipation about anything before. In a way I'm not ready to find out yet, the unknown is so much fun too! I always thought I never wanted to find out, waiting would truly be one of the biggest surprises we could ever have, but of course I've changed my mind about that. Like my sister said, finding out is a surprise in itself. I can't even begin to imagine how much emotion and excitement there will be when the tech starts to say, "It's a....." AH! I get butterflies just thinking about it!

Ok, enough pregnancy talk for the day. Happy Cinco de Mayo! I made a huge batch of guac last night for a work luncheon today. Joe was my taste tester and said it tasted just like the guac in Mexico. Success!

Bad kitty

Our sweet and innocent little Subie proved to be not so sweet and innocent this past weekend. Can't believe I forgot to blog about this yesterday, it was definitely the most stressful part of my weekend!

Here's how it goes. I was busy cleaning and doing laundry and Joe went with my dad to hit a bucket of golf balls before we took off for Vancouver. Everything was fine and I was folding laundry, Joe's underwear actually (haha) and Subie jumped into the dryer. I looked in to see what he was doing and I couldn't believe my eyes. He popped a squat and peed on Joe's underwear! It wasn't a full-on pee, just a few dribbles. Then he jumped out and ran away, he knew he did something bad. I was SO pissed. He's never done anything like this before. Ever. Him and Joe got into a little fight before Joe went golfing, they always play rough with each other but this time Subie went a little too far and Joe got really mad at him. So did he pee on Joe's underwear to get back at him? Or was he getting back at us for leaving him a couple of weeks ago and wanted me to see it?

Any help with crazy cat behavior is much appreciated! He's back to his sweet and innocent self now but I'm still having a hard time getting over it, perhaps because he did it right in front of me. Bad, bad kitty..

Weekend recap

This weekend didn't exactly go as planned because on our way to Vancouver on Saturday Joe started to get sick. Like chills every 5 minutes then sweating then chills then on the verge of puking. I felt so bad for him and kept telling him we could go home but he kept on going, trying to power through it. It finally got the best of him and he was totally wiped out yesterday. No fun. Last weekend I was sick, this weekend him....if I get sick from him again I'm not going to be happy!

I kept waking up last night thinking, "is it really Monday when I wake up?" So not ready to go back to work! And this weather isn't helping. Snow level at 1000 feet tonight?! What's the deal!?

Here's to hoping Monday goes fast!