We Are Crazy

So, with about 4 months left, we have decided to redo our backyard. Told ya we are crazy. Nuts. Insane. What are we thinking??

With me feeling better, the house has slowly gotten cleaner and back to normal. YAY! Brian wants a vegetable garden. By next week. Little ambitious, but I'll take it! I don't think it'll get done til the end of March, if it gets done at all. We have to take down the hot tub/deck/lattice and that will take several people, several power tools, lots of energy and time. And since we have feral cats that like to make a nest under it, I can't help. (Darn!)

As for me, I'm growing outward and more rapidly than weeks past, which is kind of neat and kind of scary. I'm finally working on my list of things that I've always wanted to do, but never had any real motivation... until now.

The list includes things like:
** stop buying commercial cleaning products. They are expensive, have harsh chemicals, and are unnecessary. You can clean just about anything with hot water, vinegar and baking soda (different recipes for different chores...). So the goal here - use up everything I already have/give it away and stock up on vinegar and baking soda.

** make my own laundry detergent. Same reasons.. they are expensive, have harsh chemicals and are unnecessary. I already use vinegar as a fabric softener and it gets rid of nasty smells. I'm going to use (*gasp because I think she's nuts, but she does have good recipes*) Michelle Duggar's recipe. It's 3 ingredients and will yield 40 loads of $2. Tide - 32 loads is $14.81 at Sam's. Ri-dic-u-lous!

** make my own dish washer detergent - same reasons as above. But, I have to find a recipe. The first one I ran into looks similar to the laundry detergent recipe, which kind of doesn't surprise me.

** make my own bread more regularly. I already do this, but it's just when I get a hankering for some homemade bread... otherwise, we have the store bought stuff.

** use more veggies. Until we get our garden going, we are considering joining a veggie club with another couple. It may or may not be cheaper than the grocery store, but it may expand our narrow palette of veggies we like. Also, we'd be supporting local farmers, which is always a good thing! And, if we get really lucky and they aren't lying to us, the veggies will be organic (I'm always suspicious of this since it's not regulated).

** cook more from scratch... get away from processed foods as much as possible. With me possibly (probably) becoming a SAHM, this is a must. We'll be losing an income until I can get my freelance built back up. Processed foods are expensive and honestly, if you read what's in them... gross. The good thing - My MIL cooks A LOT from scratch, as does my grandmother... so I have 2 great people to learn from.

Yep... it's official. I've entered the "nesting" phase! :-D

It's really over this time...

I've waited as not to jinx myself for the 3rd time. The severe morning (all day) sickness is gone as of Super Bowl Sunday. I still get sick every now and then - first thing in the morning typically, but whatever... I can eat whatever and not be in constant fear that it won't stay down. I have more energy but still get winded when I have to walk further than the driveway.

I'm a little over 21 weeks. I feel you doing martial arts on my bladder all day (thank you). I watch my stomach moving as you punch and kick - it's the weirdest sight... I hope to record it a little later in the pregnancy when things get more intense. I can see my belly button a lot better right now, as it is moving forward. I don't think I've gained any weight yet, but here's hoping that I will in the next few weeks before the next appointment.

I'm trying to get your registry done. I'm only half way through and people have been asking since I was like 3 months along. I am not rushing this though. There is a ton of research you have to do nowadays. Every time I turn around, there's a recall because a baby was smashed in half, or something fell off that wasn't supposed to, or a baby got stuck... so, people will just have to wait. The first shower won't be until May. Please be patient... We need diapers and unisex clothes - all sizes, all brands for both.... there's a good start. I hope people respect our need for being practical and NO pink. I don't want to spend the weeks after the showers exchanging stuff for things we need... that just seems counter productive.

Until next time...

Well, Hello Little Girl

Her name will be Miss Kaylee Pearl. The scan Monday took 2 hours because you are stubborn, just like both your parents. I figured since I was sippin' on some Coke all morning (without realizing - duh! babies like to move when caffeinated) for my heartburn, you would be a wiggle worm. But, you sat still most of the time. We watched you punch and kick me - so now I know what is what, which is kind of neat. The tech measured everything she could and all looks perfect. She even found a hamburger - instead of a hotdog ;) The tech said you weigh 10oz.

I will admit, I cried. I'm terrified of having a little girl. My family has always had this stereotype. Girls should do girl things. That breaks my heart into a million pieces just thinking about it. If you want to play in the dumpsters (like my brother did - I wasn't allowed), then by golly! You will. I'm also scared that you'll end up as a girlie girl - of which, I am not... I can't show you how to do your hair and makeup or what outfit looks cute with these shoes. I barely can do those things myself, which is why I typically keep things simple.

Things are still pretty rough health wise for me. Pregnancy migraines are the absolute worst. And the challenge to keep any kind of food down is still ongoing. Unfortunately, we have crappy insurance, so the meds that help most of the time are not covered for more than 4 days a month. How ridiculous is that?

So, here we are. Half way through baking you up so that world can meet what is most likely going to be the most precious and fun little girl.

Love, Momma

To you, Baby T.

Last night while getting situated in bed to go to sleep, I was looking at my stomach thinking - Wow... I really am growing a person. Then all of a sudden, you kicked the crap out of me and I saw it. It was THE weirdest thing I've seen. I called Brian and had him come sit with me for a bit. I've been trying to get him to feel your kicks and punches, but alas, you got quiet and went back to sleep.

Today we find out if you'll be a Kaylee or a Liam. I promise to stop calling you "Alien" when we find out... but, you have been hard on my little body to the point where if you don't let me eat and drink and keep it down, we're going to both end up in the hospital. So, please little baby... let Momma eat and feel good.

Love,
Mom

18 weeks and counting...

Today we had another appointment. She asked how I was doing and I said not good. After reviewing my chart for a moment she said "I am going to admit you for 24 hour observation." UHHH WHAT? I think the shock she saw in my face (and maybe even Brian's) made her think about more options.... so then she said "Or, we can do IV infusion for a few hours."

Yea. Lets do that. The good thing about having either other those things done, means I can most likely get my Rx covered by insurance.

Anyways... bottomline, still miserable. Kid maybe an only child. We find out the gender Monday.

16 weeks

I'll be 16 weeks tomorrow. Crazy. Things haven't really changed a whole lot except I'm growing outward and my ligaments are starting to bother me. I can't get comfortable to save life and from what I hear, it only gets worse... Yay!

Tell me again how any kid has siblings?

Psyche!

Ugh. Ok.. so I did indeed jinx myself... the following day after my last post, I resumed all the nastiness. My energy went away and I feel like crap all over again.

Christmas was good overall. Somehow I managed not to get sick while we were traveling, but I was super tired.

That's basically all the energy I have for today... cyas next time...

Happy New Year.