First Picture of the "Bump"

While it has not fully 'popped' I am showing considerably more than I did one week ago. Crazy!

12.5 weeks

Poppy's First Christmas (Sort Of)

It was Poppy's first Christmas last weekend. Well, kinda of her first. Let's just say that Nana made sure shim had a stocking with a present in it...its first ornament. Since we have called shim Poppyseed until we find out the sex...the ornament was filled with Poppyseed's. TOO CUTE!

It was very nice to be celebrating Christmas with my parents. We ate a lot of good junk food - and possibly an abundance of bad junk food, too! :) It was a bit too cold for us, MP and I were reminded that we LOVE living in the warm Florida sun. I think Poppy does too.

I think I may have finally kicked the morning sickness. The gag reflex is still a bit bad, but thank God no more nauseous feelings throughout the day. I still get tired at night, but I don't need my 5pm naps anymore. I am feeling good - back to working out and ready to start arranging the house to prepare for the Pops.

School starts in two more weeks and time will be of the essence! Even if MP tells me to stay calm. :)

Sunshine in Darkness

I just wrote a post and I struggled with whether or not to put these next set of thoughts in the same post, and decided that they should be separate.

Weeks ago I shared on here that I learned that a dear friend of mine was due just days after me. I am sad to report that we received very sad news of loss last week. I felt incredibly sad for my sweet friend. Life is just so unfair at times and its often so hard to understand what God has in store for us. All too often we try to interfere with God's work, we argue it try to control it. I am so guilty of this. But not my friend. When she shared her news with me, I was amazed at the strength of her words and the positive attitude she displayed in the face of such sadness. It was then that I realized she was teaching me a lesson and I appreciate that so much.

I want my friend to know that I find her to be one of the most pleasant and kind hearted people I have truly ever met. Sunshine and happiness radiates off of her at all times. I never hear her speak ill of people and I never hear her complain about life. Her permanent disposition is one of honor and poise and something I not only admire, but truly strive to be, however often I may fail. She is brave and courageous and strong. I have no doubt that God has a greater plan for her and I can't wait to see her happiness as The plan unfolds.

Friend, please know that I am here for you. I am proud and honored to call you my friend. Enjoy your holiday vacation away, you deserve relaxation and rejuvenation.

I love you.

10 weeks, 3 days

It has been 10 days since I got to see my little Poppyseed on the sonogram and I miss shim! :) I can't wait for January 3rd.

Pregnancy is so funny. It's just so interesting to see how my body changes.

For starters - my sleeping is more goofed up than ever. I'm tired every day around 5pm. Like exhausted. I tried to clean my whole 'mini' house on Saturday and had to stop to nap b/c I was so exhausted. Sad. Everyday between 4 and 5:30 I take a nap for 30 to 60 minutes. I wake up as if I just slept for years, still groggy and out of it. So odd. I wake up almost every morning at 4am or 5am to potty, and sometimes I am up for an hour or so watching tv as a result. (Sidebar: I got hooked on some series called 'Crash' a spinoff from the movie. Not great -but better than the 'Sensa' Infomercials! Cuz shaking powder on my sonic fastfood is REALLY gonna help me lose weight.) All I gotta say is thank God I work from home and have flexibility. I heart Hodes iQ.

My appetite is still as weird as before. I wake up at 5am and I'm usually craving a real meal. But I wake back up at 8am and I can't fathom food. It's a chore to eat some toast. Seriously - I woke up last Thursday at 5am, so hungry I almost drove myself to Ihop for breakfast. But, it was cold out. I wanted eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, etc. All I have been eating for breakfast is toast or bagels. Instead, I met MP at the Wolfs Den, our favorite diner, for lunch and scarfed down a corned beef and hash omelette, hashbrowns and half a cup of grits. It was like I just stumbled upon food. I got cocky, thinking my morning sickness was gone. But, Poppyseed quickly reminded me who is boss and decided to help me toss my breakfast on Friday...back to square one. Overall, the queasiness and morning sickness has lightened up a lot, but I am still skeptical.

I went to Publix tonight and stood in front of the veggies salivating. The peppers looked so good, so did the cauliflower. But, I wanted to hurl thinking about them, as I am queasy right now as I type it. So, my grilled cheese dinner, fruit and tostitos it is. How I have only gained 4 bls, I HAVE NO IDEA. But, THANK YOU GOD!

I did go a week on a vegetarian diet and my RLS did not exist for that week. So...I will be doing more testing of that theory after the holidays. I've been eating substantially less meat over the past weeks though. As I type this at 10:26pm, I am eating strawberries, blackberries and bluberries. Not sure why, but its good and I need the nutrients.

My belly is not showing yet, of course. But I think its a matter of weeks. I did purchase some maternity clothes this weekend. I got a few sweaters for up north and a pair of jeans. MP loves the jeans on me. Says that they are flattering. Who knew that maternity pants would make my husband happy? I'll take it! I love the store Motherhood Maternity and the sales ladies are tremendous. They make shopping for clothes fun.

OH, I almost forgot. I have this idea for a Hoops & YoYo themed nursey if it's a girl. I contacted a friend who is married to Hallmark guy today. Well turns out her BFF is the creator of Hoops & YoYo and I can get the stuff I need to make Hoops & YoYo fatheads. YAY!

I'm excited to go home for the holidays and see my mom. I wish I had a baby bump to share with her, but in due time.

We are almost out of the first trimester and that is crazy to me, just a few more weeks. I feel blessed and I thank God we've made it this far. I hope he continues to bless this little baby.

Really, who eats almost $7 in pre-cut fruit while writing a blog? I have problems!

Seeing Poppyseed

Omg! It was amazing to see our little Poppyseed today!

I got to the doctors office and let MP know I was there. Since his office is next door, he hoofed it over and met me. I am so thankful it's so close.

So we got called in to see Dr. Segall. The exam was fine, but it was a bit odd to be examined by a 35 year chic while your husband watches. I'm just saying. I think it was a bit odd for him too, but I appreciate him being a trooper just the same! She said everything felt great and answered our questions.

Next we went in for the sonogram and it was just as amazing as I thought it would be. We saw and heard the heartbeat and it just melted my heart. I can't believe that just a wand over my belly can see my baby. The baby is below, the head is on the

left of the little baby blob. Isn't he/she perfect? I think so!

Right now they are keeping the due date at July 11th, although baby is measuring slightly smaller. Our next appointment is January 3rd and I can't wait! :)

9 Weeks - Doctor Appointment Tomorrow

I'm so excited for our appointment tomorrow! I would be lying if I wasn't a bit nervous, too. Why I am nervous? I have no idea, I guess b/c I have never done this before. :)

I have a list of a few questions put together. I asked MP if he had, any surprisingly he says no. I bet he may ask some questions though. He's sneaky like that. :)

YAY for tomorrow!

8 weeks, 4 days

I am almost at 10 weeks and days away form our first doctor's appointment!

Thanksgiving was great - I think I ate less food pregnant, than I normally do. After two days of cooking and standing, I was bushed. Friday after Thanksgiving, MP and I went on a hike at a state park. Of course he got us lost on some trails and we ended up walking about 5-6 miles. It felt good, but man was I tired. I kept having to take breaks. I read that while I am pregnant, my body expends more energy laying down, then MP's does during a vigorous workout. That is just crazy...but makes me feel better for making him stop every 25 minutes on the trail.

We ended the holiday with a visit from Kira and Rico. It was so great to get to share the news with them and we appreciate their excitement for us. Rico and MP loved me being pregnant, I get to be the DD....aholes! :) We went to one of my favorite spots in Florida - Flannigan's Irish Pub in Dunedin. As soon as we sat down, Noel from Ireland recruited me to get up and sign with him. I put up a picture of me belting out 'Black Velvet Band.' I felt horrible for the patrons...I am not a great singer, and trust me, doing it sober is NO FUN! Sunday we rented a boat and relaxed. It was nice to get away and just hang out in the sun, eat some junk food and fish.

This week my morning sickness has been better. Still having it, but it's not as intense and doesn't last each long each time I get it. I also got some preggo pops at Motherhood Maternity that have seemed to help a lot. The sales clerk was a great big help....and she sure made me laugh. First, we were checking out bra's. She did a little feel up and eyeballed my girls and said "what size are you...xxx". I replied "yup", sister was spot on! So then we were talking about pants and she said, you must be a size 8. I wanted to hug her. She was such a good liar. I said no, I am a size "@#&!" and she said "NO WAY". Then she lifted up my sweater and said..."oh yeah, girl, you do have some booty." Um, thanks?! :)

But, I was pleasantly surprised today when I learned that I have only gained 3lbs so far. I am right on track with where I should be and I couldn't be more pleased. I was really fearful that I escalated like 8 lbs already.

I went to see a sleep specialist today for a consultation. My RLS is still bad and although I'm getting more sleep, the RLS is still relentless. Basically, we learned that I just have RLS today. SHOCKING! Nothing can be done medically, as I suspected, while I am pregnant. Well, that's not true. Dr. Schwartz did inform me that "Methadone" is considered 'reasonably safe' for pregnant women. Um, no thanks. I like my baby! So does he, b/c he said he doesn't support that option. :)

So tonight I will start my new bedtime routine. HA. A bath, followed by a light snack and then sitting in a chair, light behind me, doing sudoko or a word search until I am ready for bed. No TV after 11. I must go to my bed when I am tired and if I am not asleep in 20 minutes, I must go back to the puzzle. Torture. I would like to sleep in my own bed, though. I've been sleeping on my couch for over a month now. I kinda miss my husband. Kinda. ;)

This weekend will really be school work focused. Gotta knock out a paper, a take home test and final touches on a group project. Then I am done for a month and me and Poppy get to be lazy...but only until 11pm! :)

Off to take a bath....