This is the Week!

I am interested to see what everyone thinks the gender might be... So let me know what you think and then I'll let you know!

Question of the week:

What was your favorite pregnancy item, specific article of clothing, food item, activity or anything else you just had to have?

I personally like having the back of my neck and head rubbed :) and I love my new maternity pants. I feel like a normal person again.

Friendly Reminder.

A week from today - October 22, 2009 - is sonogram day. Please mark your calenders and be ready to tune in for the gender/cute lil' sonogram pictures.

Other monumental moments:

1. Two days ago, someone I had just met asked me when my due date was without any provocation other than my growing belly. Probably not the first person to think I was pregnant, but definitely the first person bold enough to ask.

2. Yesterday, someone touched the belly.

I must have grown over night, and suddenly I'm just so obviously pregnant that people feel ok to say something... I don't really mind that the girl touched my belly, because I know her, we're friends, first of all, and she was just surprised at how much I had grown. And it wasn't a grab or a rub or invasion of my space, it was just a quick pat. But I think if a stranger did that I would go pregnant ninja on them. That's just weird.

3. I gave into my hot dog craving. Eww I hate hot dogs, but this was probably the best hot dog I had ever had.

4. I gave in, because I had eaten the grocery store out of their pizza lunchable supply.

5. Last night I went to sleep at 7:30, right after work, and didn't get up until 2:00, just in time to get ready for work again. Who does that?

My misshapen pillow.

I bought a pillow a few weeks ago when we moved into our new apartment. For some reason I failed to realize that it was misshapen. Juan was using it initially, but one morning I rolled over onto Juan's side and discovered that it was actually quite comfy.

I have now successfully stolen that pillow from Juan and have claimed it as my own. I wasn't sure why I liked it so much until this morning. As I was laying there, not wanting to leave my misshapen pillow, I was admiring how perfectly the large lump of excess fluff supports my head, whether I'm on my back or on my side - It's always there to fulfill my needs.

I love my misshapen pillow. I feel bad for pawning it off on Juan in the beginning, but I'm just so glad that we have been reunited :)

I also have to shove the bed against the wall, so I can lay with my back against it for optimum support. Unfortunately this tends to have some downfalls...

One night. I was just sleeping there, minding my own business when a large, white, painted face (obviously trying to camouflage itself with the wall) tried to protrude out of the wall and eat me!!!

I used my Harry Potter skills and literally apparated from my place in the bed to a position directly on top of Juan on the opposite side of the bed. Amazing right??

I hate pregnancy dreams.

Dear Friends,

I went to my new doctor today. Can I just tell you how amazing I feel? I had been having anxiety attacks this weekend hoping I wasn't making a mistake and hoping that missing my appointment would not jeopardize my health and especially the baby's.
Well I'm proud to say - we are both alive and well. The baby's heartbeat was strong and "it" was kicking up a storm during the appointment, and continues to kick me as I type. It was such a relief to hear the strong heartbeat! The doctor was impressed.
They were amazingly nice at the office! I could not have asked for better. They were running a little late because the doctor was in surgery in the morning, but they made sure to hand out cold bottles of juice and candy to keep us satisfied! (I was sold on the juice - any place that gives me free refreshment is ok in my book!)
The nurse was very compassionate and the doctor was friendly, and I felt like he was actually paying attention to me. He completely calmed my fears - and it was a great first meeting. He seems busy, but with unexpected deliveries and great quality, it's understandable and worth the wait, because I know that I will be the star when it's my time to deliver.
My next appointment is in 2 weeks. They are making a big production of our big ultrasound, which I am so excited for!! I wish I could have done it today, but I think it will be worth the wait. They have a big room with a plasma screen tv to view the baby and they give you print outs and a dvd! And they do all sorts of measurements and everything. I saw a couple coming out of there with their goody bag and tears in their eyes.

I can't wait for my day!

18 Weeks.

So this is my picture. Sorry it's not great quality (and I look tired), I had to take it with my computer cam, because I can't find the cord for my camera right now. Everything is still a little disorganized after the move. Everything is put away... somewhere. Problem is, I'm just not sure where.

I feel like I shrunk today, must be water weight or something, because I feel like I'm fluctuating a lot. But anyways that's basically how big I am. The belly sticks out further than the breasts, and I kinda look pregnant.

And my question of the day: How did you know you were pregnant? For me I just knew. I felt different when I woke up one morning and my breasts were firm and tender. Then I was a day late, so we took an at home PT. But I have heard of some women that had no idea for the whole first half of their pregnancy.

Good news!!!

I found an office that I think I will be really happy with - I just feel really good about it! I've been searching through the internet through tons of OB's in Provo and Orem, but have not felt good about any of them. It was just terrible to read reviews and think of myself going there, and then after stalking some mommies at the playground (yeah I did it), I was determined to find someone elsewhere. The moms confirmed the info I read on the internet, and I just was not excited about any one of them, least of all the doctor I had already been to. I was talking to one lady and asked her who she used and right off the bat she said, "Oh, I wouldn't recommend my doctor." Turns out it was the guy I was seeing. He's just weird. And rubs me the wrong way.

SO, I broadened my horizons. Yeah, I'm poor. I don't have a lot of time. But I don't mind driving 30 minutes to a doctor that will really take care of me. So, I found an office that is somewhere I can go with my insurance, and it's 30 minutes away, and I just feel really good about it. The doctors there had the most reviews that I had seen, and all of them sounded great!

I didn't go to my last appointment, which is really bad, I feel terrible as a mother. But I couldn't go there again. I know the appointment would not have killed me, but I guess it was my first step of getting me out of there. I just didn't want to have to deal with them again. They never really did anything wrong, but I was just afraid of going there, and sometimes you just have to go with your intuition. And luckily, I never have to deal with them again. My new office will let me sign a release form there so they can retrieve my records for me (something I was dreading doing with the other office).

So, I'm a little late with going to the doctor. I'll be 18 weeks, but I know it will work out. I haven't been there yet, but my intuition tells me I'll be fine.

Pretty dang sure.

So I'm pretty dang sure what I was feeling was the baby. I felt this past Tuesday, but rather than a constant poking, it was more of the butterfly effect. I guess it was just rolling around in there, but then I've been feeling more and more pokes. It's sooo cool! It's kind of hard to believe, because I still don't really feel pregnant - i just feel chubby and out of shape.

I have graduated to yoga pants. Most of my normal people pants don't fit anymore. It's ok because I can get away with looking nice enough for work, if I wear a nice shirt and some cute shoes. A little tacky - I know, but I'm pregnant, so what are you gonna say? And these days it's all about the accessories, because the belly isn't at that all so cute stage where I actually look pregnant. I'm more like, "I think she might be, but maybe she just gained weight..." stage. Although Bryan says I definitely look pregnant, when I have been telling people this past week, they seemed to have no idea. but really who cares if they think I'm fat. I know I'm not and I can't suck it in regardless. I should get one of those, "I'm not fat, I'm pregnant." shirts so people don't judge me as a shove a doughnut in my mouth.

Today's question: How did your body feel through all the shifting? I feel like now that I'm a little bigger, my body thinks its hauling around 300 pounds, because all of my muscles get tired. It feels like a workout to walk to and from campus. It is a 20 minute walk uphill, but still!

And please feel free to share your weird cravings. I just want a pizza lunchable everyday. And I thought I wanted a hot dog once, but talked myself out of it. And soft serve ice cream or soup tends to tame my upset stomach.

I'm gonna do this.

I decided that I am going to start blogging FOR REAL. We'll see how this goes.

Life is busy with school and work, but I can do it! - at least once a week.

Juan wants to start taking pictures of me every few weeks, so y'all can see my growth and progress and give me some advice. (Advice I desperately need!). Luckily, as of now, the nausea is GONE. Gagging comes with certain smells, but the daily puking has passed.

My first question. Doctors? how do you know if you like them? I have been going to this one, and I'm pretty sure I want to switch, but I don't even know where to start. I don't know anyone around that has had a baby here. I'm thinking of just hanging out at the playground and talking to the moms like a stalker creep to get some suggestions.

Second, when did you feel your first baby? how do you know it's your baby and not gas or something?

New Video

I posted a new video on my blog.
It's pretty funny, but I feel pretty bad for the poor kid in the video, because the lady doesn't even try to help him!
Check it out!

Me and My Man

This is me and Juan! He is really amazing, and I think you all will love him! He is coming down to California with me for Christmas Break, so everyone can meet him.