Posted Friday, March 19, 2010 6:08 PM
Here are a few things I've noticed about life as of lately.
1) It's really wierd to be pregnant on a college campus. Even though I know that I'm probably 8 years older than the oldest student there... they don't know that... and I get wierd looks when I walk around with my belly sticking out.
2) Customer service has suddenly gone to $*@^. I'm not kidding. And it's not me- I swear to God it's not me. I'm happy! I'm a happy person- and I pride myself in treating people with respect. It's my thing. I tell them I appreciate their help even when they didn't really help me at all. But I still do, because it's the nice thing to do. Well I don't know what is going on with the universe, but the last few times I've had to deal with customer service (at the bank, at the store...today at my school...), people have been from a whole other planet. Today I had to deal with a guy who actually got out of his chair to stand up and yell at me. Me. With my big belly sticking out. He stood up and yelled at a pregnant woman because...well, I still haven't figured that part out yet.
3) DON'T mess with a pregnant lady. Seriously. We're vindictive. You don't want to go there. This dude today did not know who he was yelling at when he decided to stand up. And I figured, if that's how he wants to roll, then I'll just do my own thing. I walked right over to the Presidents office (yea...I don't mess with the little guns, I go right for the top-) and filed a report. And they were NOT TOO HAPPY to hear that this shmuck-a-duck was, not only yelling at one of their students- but a pregnant woman on top of it. See how he digs himself out of that one....
4) Apparently, my metabolism is amazing. I don't know why it can't be amazing when I'm NOT pregnant...but at least I now know that it has the potential. Seriously. I've been on a mission to gain around 6 pounds this month. I've gain ONE pound in the last two weeks. ONE. And you wouldn't BELIEVE how much I'm eating. Crazy.
5) It's okay for pregnant women to fart in public. Now...this is sort of my own rule that I just made up- and quite honestly, the rest of the general public may not feel this way at all. But I think it is okay. Ya know why? Because pregnant women HAVE A LOT OF GAS! And for Pete's Sake- let us let it out! Please! And don't look at us wierd when we do! And if it stinks...just walk away! There's not need to make anything about it- WE HAVE LIFE GROWING INSIDE OF US! It's probably not even US who's farting...it's most likely the baby! I mean, COME ON! We have to eat all this healthy food for the little bugger to grow- what do you think is going to happen???????
6) Our feet hurt. They just hurt. There has got to be some shoe company that caters to pregnant women. And then shoes should be made out of marshmallows. I want to feel like I'm floating on air...not stomping on concrete all day. And they hurt all the time. And rather than asking if there's anything you can do for us...you should just start rubbing our feet. Always. Don't even ask. Just do it. Nike. (Heyyy...could Nike make the marshmallow shoes?)
7) It's okay to cut your pants and underware off when driving. It is...it's okay. And bandage shears should be a staple for every preggers glove compartment. Because, you know what? THINGS GET TIGHT! And there's no point in driving the hour home in tight pants (don't forget about all the gas...) and being seriously uncomfortable. Just take the shears...and snip. Cut as far down the front of the pants as you need to to breath. Seriously. You won't regret it.
8) Body pillows are awesome.
9) It will either be a boy or a girl. (This was a wonderful lesson I learned last week- taught to me by one of my karate students. He had his hands on my belly to see if he could feel the baby kick, and he looked up to me and stated very matter-of-factly, "Miss Lauren, the baby will either be a boy, or a girl." How right he is.......)
and finally, my words to live by...
10) Just eat it.
Posted Monday, March 15, 2010 9:43 AM
17 weeks and feeling GREAT! I'm noticing a lot more fullness...everywhere. Even my face is rounding out- which is kind of a bummer, because you always see those gorgeous pregnant women who only look pregnant in their bellies (my midwife...), and their faces haven't changed at all- other than they just look beautiful. Oh well.
I'm feeling radiant. I feel like I'm glowing- and I keep hearing that I'm glowing. We were at our friends house last night and talking about showing off baby bumps- and I can honestly say that I've never felt more comfortable in my own body. It's like my body is finally doing what it's made to be doing- and now I just feel so good about it. I love putting on the tight tee shirts now so I can show off my belly- it's so much fun! And it's amazing to be sitting in lecture, and then to look down and see this big belly sticking out- it's just a really great reminder in the midst of my day about how fortunate I am to be able to experience something as special and miraculous as this.
A good friend of mine just did a belly casting. I'm in the process right now of booking a pregnancy photoshoot. I'm really excited about it, and actually, I've been planning it for years! I have this wonderful photographer, Melissa Robotti, and I've been literally telling her for...almost two years now (?)....that I'll be calling her when we finally get pregnant! So fun to finally get that email in to her. But I'm excited about having professional shots done with Clint and I. I'm trying to schedule it for when my belly button pops out...but I have a friend at 8 months who hasn't popped yet, and then another friend at 6 months who already has! So we'll see!
Weight gain...weight gain...I've been trying. Believe me, I've been trying! I feel like I've been eating EVERYTHING in sight! And I certainly have not been skimping on the desserts, either! Yesterday...after seeing an amazing segment on the Today show about DOUGHNUTS...I had to have one. And since the one that I had wasn't all that fulfilling, I've made it my mission to find the best doughnut in the area. I mean, come on. Somebody's got to do this. Right? And since I've got 8 pounds to gain, then I think I'm the perfect candidate! (And yes, Suzanne...I'm going to ignore your comment about "Oh, what kind of lard do they use in the doughnuts?) It's gone- forgotten. 
But it's literally been years since I've had a doughnut. Years. Yesterday I had a chocolate glaze. The ones I saw on the show, though, were artisan doughnuts. They were covered (and stuffed) with gloriousness. Fruit Loops, PB & J, there was even a Maple Glazed Bacon doughnut. (Which, by the way...I'm happy to announce that my love of bacon has finally sizzled...thank god I'm over it!)
Anyways, I'm including the link so that you can watch the Today show video on the Nations Best Doughnuts...just so you can get an idea of what I'm talking about. OMG. Gotta have one....
I don't think these 8 pounds should be too tough to gain after all. 
Posted Monday, March 08, 2010 2:38 PM
WOW! It's really been a great day. So far, we've had a midwife appointment, cooked an amazing lunch together and I just came back from a beautiful walk with the doggies. It is GORGEOUS outside!
We're at 16 weeks right now and I'm feeling better than ever. The more my belly sticks out, the happier I am! And today at the appointment we got lots of reassurance that everything looks great and we're moving along very nicely. SO FUN! I absolutely love our midwives. They are amazing. They're angels. Seriously. They are so calm and supportive- they take so much time to answer all of our questions- I'm really thrilled that we chose them.
My fundus (that's the top of my uterus) is exactly where it should be, and I was able to feel it today. It's about two inches below my belly button. My blood pressure was really low (which I was happy about because I think I tend to eat too much salt!), and Heather thinks that might be adding to my mood swings. Not to mention.......I've only gained 1.5 pounds in the last month.
WHAT?????????
I seriously think I eat like a pig! I was shocked when I got on the scale. I feel like I eat alllllll the time. But apparently, I'm way behind on weight gain and I need to bump it up a notch. So we talked about different ways that I can get more protein into me (without eating the gag-me chicken...which is a riot that I don't want it anywhere near me, especially when I can't seem to get enough bacon). And if I want to be at the weight they'd like to see me at for my next visit...then I have to gain EIGHT POUNDS in the next month! CRAZY!
So I hit the grocery store with Clint afterwards and bought a bunch of cheese and yogurt and stuff...and now I'm going to try to prepare more for school and the hospital. I feel like a lot of my snacks are granola bars and fiber stuff...so I'm going to try to sneak more protein in where ever I can. We'll see! I can't even IMAGINE what I'd look like with 8 more pounds...It's weird enough to put a teeshirt on with a belly sticking out of it...and then just walk out of the house! Normally I wouldn't DARE leave the house in these clothes- I'd have something huge over everything...but now I just feel so darn cute! I LOVE the freedom I have with pregnancy!
OHHH! So the BABY!! Hahaha...I almost forgot that this isn't all about me! Well, this little munchkin of ours has been quite the athlete! For the last few days I have out of nowhere gotten the incredible urge to pee...so I've been thinking that he (or she) must me going crazy in there and hitting my bladder a lot. So today when Heather went to find the heartbeat- she found it almost right away on the far right side of my uterus.
Well wouldn't you know it- that little bugger kicked the Doppler away and moved over. After searching for a bit, the heartbeat was found in the middle of my uterus. Sure enough, the little guy (or lady!) kicked it out of the way again and took off! All we could hear were movements! Heather finally found it again all the way over to the left of my uterus...but not after a few laughs. I KNEW there was stuff going on in there! Hysterical! Literally just moving all over the place. Must've been the ice cream I put in my smoothie for breakfast!!
Alright- I've procrastinated enough for the day...I've got a mega exam to study for.
Posted Friday, March 05, 2010 6:34 AM
I was walking down the stairs this morning after a loooooong night's sleep (I'll get to that part later...), when out of nowhere I felt this fluttering in my belly! I thought, "Huh- that's a new thing." Usually I'm used to feeling ligaments stretching or cramping- this was something I had never felt before. And then as I took one more step, I felt it even more! That's when I realized that it was the baby moving around!!! I read somewhere that it would feel like fluttering or butterflies. Amazing- that's exactly what it felt like. Yay!
That makes me happy...which is a nice feeling, since lately I've been feeling like a complete mess. Maybe it comes with the fatigue or the low blood sugar of the late afternoon, but I feel like lately I've been incredibly intolerant and easily pissed off. And then for the last two days, I've had myself some lovely crying fits- where all I want to do is crawl into a hole and stay there until August.
On the other hand, though, during the day I feel like I'm flying high! I'm loving my belly (which is very nicely popping out!), I'm happy as a clam- I'm glowing!!! But then comes 2 o'clock and I lose my mind. I feel like a crazy woman. And at the same time, I feel like I'm perfectly sane and everyone ELSE is the crazy person. And all those stupid books say that the mood swings are worse in the first trimester. Yea right! I maybe had two drastic mood swings that I can remember in the first three months. I really (honestly!) wasn't all that bad. Maybe I have some crazy hormones flooding through me right now...it feels like I'm getting bigger every day...maybe I'm just super tired...maybe I need to eat more...it's more than obvious (thanks nursing school) that I need to exercise more...but who knows. All I know is that I'd like it to stop so that I can feel a bit more normal. And so that my husband will like me again. That would be nice, too!
So yesterday was my 29th birthday. Clint and I went out for calamari with Jeff and Suzanne- really yummy food. But then when the waitress brought out my side of creamed spinach (which I've been craving for about 2 weeks, now...), it looked so gross that I lost my appetite. I did take it home, though, and last night I mixed it with mashed potatoes and it was amazing.
Here's my birthday belly pic and my beautiful new sweater from Clint! Almost 16 weeks!
Posted Monday, March 01, 2010 6:19 PM
I just found out from a friend of mine, that a woman I'm in class with is apparently incredibly angry about my being pregnant. She feels like it was "bad timing" on my part, and stupid of me to get pregnant while in school. She is concerned with what I plan on doing after graduation and whether or not I will start working right away- or am I just going to "lay around and wait to have a baby?" And please let me add that, this woman barely knows anything other than my name. She doesn't know that I'm happily married, and have been for almost 3 years. She doesn't know that Clint and I have been together for 6 years, or that we've been planning the timing of our pregnancy for TWO YEARS. She doesn't know that we got pregnant exactly when we wanted to. She doesn't know that we're moving out of state after the baby is born, so there isn't a rush for me to find a job right away. She doesn't know a thing about me, except my name, and that I'm pregnant. She doesn't even know how happy I am about this.
So I've decided, in order to clear up any more confusion, that I wanted to set the story straight...for my babies sake. So here it goes:
Dear little booger growing inside of me,
I don't know you yet, but I love you. I don't know what you look like (other than you have an adorbable button nose) or what color hair you have, but I think you're beautiful. I don't know what you will do when you grow up, but I support you no matter what. I don't know who you will turn out to be in life, but I know you are going to make me prouder than I could ever imagine. You're my baby.
Your dad and I have dreamed about you coming into our lives for years. We have planned every second of your childhood (don't worry- it's all up for negotiation...). We have watched you get on the school bus for the first time. We have imagined you banging on the drums and stuffing your face with ice cream. We've seen you play (torture) the dogs; we've already admired your outfit from the first time your dress yourself. We've watched you play with your younger siblings, and we've already hung up your artwork on our fridge. You've only been a part of our lives for 15 weeks...and yet we've already lived your first 15 years. (By the way, we've decided that you're waiting until college before getting your driver's license...)
You will never know the excitement we feel about you until you are lucky enough to be getting ready for your first baby to arrive. You'll think that we are crazy when we gush over you and you'll turn red when we brag about you to friends and strangers- but we're only going to do that because we've waited for you for so long, and now that you're here, we love you more than we've ever imagined we could. You'll hate the way we dress and the music we listen to, but guess what- we're going to feel the same way about your clothes and music, too. But when we get into the car for a road trip, we're all going to sing musicals at the top of our lungs and all of our differences will suddenly disappear.
Little Marvin (that's you're name right now because we don't know if you're a girl or a boy!), you are entering into a family that is going to love you to pieces, and at times, it'll be more than you can handle! (Fast forward to Auntie Erin squishing your little face and calling you "Booger Booger" in her strange, squeaky voice that she'll do every time she's near you...). You are going to have SIX grandparents, FOURTEEN aunts and uncles, and God only knows how many cousins...and everyone is so excited and anxiously awaiting your arrival. There will never be a lack of love or happiness in your life- there will always be someone to play with, someone to talk to, and many, many people to grow up with. Your dad and I are so excited about the life you're coming into- we have the greatest family...and you're going to love them all.
These last almost 4 months with you have been the happiest months of my life. Your dads, too. We've wanted, for so long, to have a baby. We've talked, we've dreamed, we've planned...and now you'll be here in only 5 more months. And we can't wait to meet you.
Love always,
Mom
P.S. When Auntie Christina says she wants to "much" you...don't be afraid...she just thinks your darn cute.
Posted Friday, February 26, 2010 8:29 AM
AHHH! What a fantastic week I've been having! I got to spend SOOOO much time with my parents...shopping...lots of eating...my mom and I went for pedi's and had lots of much needed girl time. I hit the salon and donated NINE INCHES of my hair to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths (one of the only programs to give FREE wigs to their patients---*ahem* unlike Locks of Love---) and now I'm LOVING my new do.
I also did some major maternity shopping. Luckily my birthday is around the corner, so I've been able to cash in all my presents and gets lots of cute new clothes. I had a fashion show for my mom and the sales woman at Motherhood- and after an hour, my mom came back into the dressing room to find me sitting on the floor with my legs stretched out in front of me- absolutely exhausted and in desperate need of a bathroom, and some caffiene.
But I must say that my new clothes are ADORABLE (thanks to everyone who made that possible...mom, dad, john, diane, Momma and Poppa B...Clintster...
So if I needed another reason as to why pregnancy is AWESOME- here it is. I have FINALLY been given a reason to get rid of all the stupid clothes that I have held onto for YEARS...in hopes that one day, when I lose a few pounds, these tank tops that I wore when I was 21 will look cute on my again. AHHH! I have been tearing through my closet this morning and it feels amazing to actually say, "NO! I'm NEVER going to wear this AGAIN!" And it's also very great timing, because we're having a clothing drive for Haiti at school this month. Ahhhhhhhh, I can breath a sigh of relief when I look into my closets now.
I've got a few more fun events planned for my weekend, before I head back to the grind...I have a facial this afternoon (woot woot!) and then on Sunday, Clint and I are taking a cooking class and spending some time in Burlington together. Really psyched! Should be a great time.
Now, as far as how I've been feeling...GREAT! No complaints whatsoever! I've got energy, my nausea is gone- and I'm really working hard at eating more veggies and fruit. I have realized that after 3 months of wanting nothing but mashed potatoes, I have a serious carb addiction. So I'm working at changing that. It's hard, because I still have no craving for fresh veggies- but I would imagine that once spring rolls around and the farmer's markets are stuffed with goodness, I won't have any problem getting my fill of green.
Alrighty- back to the closet. 
Posted Monday, February 22, 2010 6:47 AM
Dear 5am, I have told you now, repeatedly, that I do not want to see your face. I'm sorry- it's nothing personal, it's just that especially now when I'm on break, I'd really like to sleep in! What the dang! And I do realize that my stomach is rumbling like crazy and probably waking up the neighborhood- and I also realize that I lay in bed dreaming of cereal...but please, would you please just BACK OFF?!?!?! There are only a few short months left in which I can even choose to sleep past the 5am hour, and I'd like to use them to my advantage, kapeesh? Love always, Lauren
OMG. Literally, for the past 2 nights, my stomach has growled so loudly that it has actually awoken me from my slumber. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? And how does one sleep through that? How am I suppossed to hear how hungry my body is and ignore it...because all I want to do is sleep? And quite honestly, I have such delicious cereal in the house that I wake up dreaming about it and excited for my breakfast #1 in which I can partake in the eating of it!
Argggggh. And to top it off, I am on break- one of the few times during nursing school that I can actually sleep in. But you know what will happen- I have to be back to school by next Tuesday...so by next weekend I'll be sleeping beautifully and all will be good....only to have to set my alarm clock in just a few short days.
Boooooooo.
Maybe it's practice. Maybe my body is trying to get me in gear for what's ahead. Well HEY! How about working on the DAD, too??? I'm SURE that he could use some practice at getting up at ungodly hours. Believe me... he has not had enough of that. He usually goes to BED at ungodly hours- and then sleeps.........and sleeps.........and sleeps.........in a beautiful sweet slumber in which not even a tank driving through our bedroom could wake him.
So yes, 5am...I think you're practicing on the wrong person. I've been doing this for YEARS! Try the guy sleeping next to me, will ya???!!!
(Dear Clint, I really am very happy for you that you can sleep so perfectly- and while I do envy you greatly, I hope that you enjoy it while it lasts...Love, Lauren)
So now there's nothing else to do except study. Boo. And eat. Yay. If only study guides were made out of chocolate and when I finished studying that particular topic, I could eat it. That would be amazing.
Posted Monday, February 15, 2010 2:37 PM
So we did it! We went to Fletcher Allen today (in Burlington)- I, with a full, full bladder. There has got to be a better way to do such tests. By the time I got there, (test was at 10am, and it's one hour away- I had to start drinking by 7:30..ugggghhh), my back was actually hurting from the pressure. I could barely walk like a human...I'm surprised no one came up to me and offered me a wheelchair!
But once the ultrasound started, all of the pain was quickly forgotten (except, however, when our dear technician decided we needed to "wake baby up" by pressing rapidly on my uterus...). This time was obviously WAY cooler than the 8 week ultrasound. The baby is almost 3 inches long and takes up much of my uterus. The little booger was in there, tossing and turning, kicking and stretching- sucking on thumbs and then reaching for...what we think might be a penis!!! We took a few looks between the legs and it appears as though there definitely may be something there! The technician couldn't tell us for sure (it's still really early to tell), but after all the views he said he wouldn't be surprised if it is a boy. The light shadowing that we were seeing could've also been a bladder... but I don't know if I believe that! Last I knew, there weren't TWO bladders! But we'll see! I'm sure at our 20 week U/S we'll get a much better view!
So I feel really good about going today. The neck measurement was 1.8mm, and we want to see it under 3.0mm. However, he said the ultrasounds only pick up about 60% of Downs cases, and that after we get the blood work back, we'll have a better idea of what our chances are. But the doctor was happy with the measurements and didn't want us to rush into having any other tests right away. So...YAY!
What an amazing thing to see- this little booger's heart was beating so fast! 156 beats a minute! And we could see all ten fingers! This is getting to be more and more real with each day that passes. Clint and I were so ecstatic afterward- we just beemed the whole way home. We also got to bring home a DVD, which I'm really pumped about. I'm heading home to CT next week to visit the fam, and I couldn't be more happy to be able to show them our little (guy?) swimming around in there!!
Okay...without further ado...
Sucking a thumb, perhaps?
In this last one, you can see (him?!) yawn!! The technician kept rewinding this clip and making it look like he was in there laughing...it was a riot!
So there it is...I'm thinking that maybe it's time to tell everyone at school, now. Yikes...that's the last big move to make- I feel like it's really going to change things to have everyone know....in an exciting way- but a big way. We'll see! Maybe I'll still give it a week!!!