21 weeks, 4 days

With all my free time this week, I did a lot of baby planning.  One particular aspect of baby planning is dreadful, but necessary...

Health insurance gives me migraines.  To be more specific, understanding how insurance works when I'm having a baby gives me migraines.   From the beginning I assumed I would deliver our nugget at Kettering Hospital.  Both my RE and OB are based at that hospital.  I've had friends deliver in their newly renovated Maternity wing and raved about their stay.  It's close-ish to our house.  It's small-ish and seemingly more intimate.

However, tomorrow my health insurance officially switches to a new plan.  It wasn't really my choice, but our insurance decided to change things up and tiered hospitals are part of the change.  Without getting too technical it means Kettering Hospital will be a Tier 2 hospital for my family and will cost more than a Tier 1 hospital.  I spent literally five hours on the phone Thursday talking to my insurance people (4 times), my OB office, Miami Valley Hospital (a Tier 1 option), and my dad.  I can't begin to explain how frustrated I was for being an educated adult and still have trouble understanding how everything will work.  I really wanted to justify staying with Kettering Hospital... but I am making the switch to MVH.  I hold nothing against this hospital--I was born there 30 years ago!--and I think it will be the financially smart decision for us.  Now I have to cancel all the baby classes we signed up for and re-sign up through MVH.  I will have to change some paperwork at my OB's office.  I know it's nothing major, but it's just one more thing to do.

It would have been easier to be a crack-whore with my 7th baby on the way, at least insurance-wise.



But for happier mentions, I added another registry to our list:  Pottery Barn Kids!  We are now registered for the adorable Madras bedding.  I really wanted to personalize some of the items, like the quilt, but that's hard to do when you don't have a name.



So cute, right??  Now I just need to add to the Amazon registry and choose between Babies R Us or Target (suggestions??).  I think we're going to order some furniture in the next couple weeks so we can get it assembled.  I've also got some other ideas thanks to Pinterest  (If you haven't joined this idea network yet, you're missing out!).  I'm thinking light brown walls, red or blue curtains, and a nice big rug.  I don't want to have to wait until the last minute to get it all together, especially since I'm predicting my motivation to wane in the last trimester.  It would be nice to have everything ready in advance.  Wish me luck. :)

21 weeks, 1 day

Happy Wednesday!! Here's what you missed:

Christmas Eve (Sat):  Adam, Lucy, and I traveled up to Marysville for the annual Wolf Christmas.  I ate too much and had fun getting baby name suggestions from Adam's cousins.  Thanks for all the ideas Katie and Mallory! :)  After a late lunch and productive gift exchange (I got a purple infinity scarf, Adam got an OSU thermal), we headed back to Belle Center for dinner and more gifts with the in-laws.  Adam played Santa and we both got spoiled rotten with presents.  On our way home we picked up my mom and her puppy, Lily to come back to our house.

Santa Adam and his little elf, Lucy

Modeling my new owl earrings!

Christmas (Sun):  After waking and going to church, mom and I (mostly mom) made Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread from a Pinterest recipe.  It was phenomenal!  Then we opened presents... even more spoiled rottenness!  Sean, who lives near Boston, was in town and came over to hang out for a while too.  Hey Sean, we still have your beer stein!

nom nom nom

Adam loves his new Slee pajama bottoms!

Lily vs. Lucy for possession of Coony

Monday/Tuesday:  I finally finished Harry Potter #4--it took me for-ev-er, then went up to my mom's to spend the night.  Yesterday was miserably rainy/snowy, but I did get to reunite with Bamajustef (Abby, me, Stefanie) at Dewey's by UD.  I love those girls!

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Baby boy has been a little more active in the last few days.  I've felt him roll around (I think) and my stomach seems to be getting harder.  And definitely bigger.  Here is my latest belly shot... I look humongous!!

Adam and I are scheduled for Childbirth classes starting in February, plus a Child Care and Breast Feeding class in late March.  Those months don't seem that far away... and that means May 8th is getting even closer.  I also need to finish browsing my Baby Bargains book and make some final decisions on what to register for.  I'm not sure where to register though.  Any suggestions from some been-there-done-that moms?  Anything I should leave off my registry?  Anything I should definitely put on??  So far I have an online registry on Amazon, but it only has strollers and diapering items.  I really need to hear from current baby-mamas!!

20 weeks, 3 days

Since I'm being a sloth today and baby is squirming around and making cool twitchy feelings, I felt I should update the blog. I hope you aren't upset that I haven't posted a 20 week body shot... I haven't taken one yet! Maybe if I move my bum off the recliner and to the shower, I might feel motivated enough for a picture. We'll see...

Things have been pretty good this week. Here are the updates:

Wednesday... was the last day with students and was by far the best holiday party to date. The kids were behaved, I didn't get a headache, and the gifts were very thoughtful. Here is a link to my class website to see some pictures from the day: http://mrsconleysclass.weebly.com/virtual-show--tell.html
After school the 6th grade team had our annual Secret Santa gift exchange and party at Tina's. While everyone enjoyed celebratory cocktails and chowed, I sipped on 2% milk (and loved every moment of it!).

Thursday... woke up early to the good news that Friday's anatomy scan came back normal. Holla! I also had a regular baby checkup (no ultrasound) and all was well. I'm up 9 pounds all together with probably 7-8 of those pounds the result of homemade goodies supplied by students. Doctor said it would be totally rude to turn down homemade treats from students. After my appointment I wrapped all of our Christmas presents. It looks like Santa was here! In the evening I had so much fun hanging out with my oldest friends-Amy, Denise, and Kiley. We played with baby Gabby and then dined at Heather's Cafe here in Springboro.  Love those girls!

These look so much better in real life!

Friday... So far today I have slept in, purchased 8 newborn diapers online (hello Christmas deals!), decided which treats to make for the weekend festivities on pinterest, watched the baby shows on TLC (currently Make Room for Multiples, my favorite), and now blogged. Still need to shower, wash some sheets, empty dishwasher, finish shopping with the husband, and go Krogering.

I love hearing from those of you who read this blog! I don't know if it's because you can relate or if you're family/friends or if you just like reading blogs in general, but I hope you'll continue to check in. *Special shout out to Amanda!* And don't be afraid to comment.  I would love to hear ideas, suggestions, opinions, etc.

Oh yes, and Merry Christmas! I'm feeling so blessed this year and hope the same for all of you. :)

19 weeks, 5 days

Changed the background... a little more boy-ish, eh?

Happy Sunday, friends!

Letter from Pa (part IV)...

Sunday December 18, 2011

Dear SON!

I won't let you read these posts for some time, so I will say, I apologize for every mention of 'her', 'she', or 'sweetie' you may or may not have heard over the course of Mom's pregnancy. I secretly called you those names for reverse-psychology purposes. Not to play favorites, but I know you'll be super cheap and I wasn't ready to deal with wedding costs in 22-30 years, so you're officially one of my favorite dudes.

The Browns come on here in about an hour and I'm still in the process of cleaning up the basement and I still need to get groceries (which will happen after I watch the first ten minutes of said Browns game). I found a nice Browns outfit for you yesterday, I'm sure the all-orange garb would accent your dark brown bushy eyebrows you're sure to inherit. The longer I got to thinking though, I'm not sure I want to tap you as a Browns fan... you have the freedom of choice.  Enjoy!

Lucy and I are hanging out right now.  I can tell she's a little jealous every time she goes near your room and she's become a little more clingy lately (it's a girl thing). I think we're both getting a bit hungry too. Need to fix something up that's tasty. I hope you'll find my cooking delightful... your Mom's is good, mine can be iffy though.

I'm trying to include a good life lesson in my letters, so here's one: time is the most valuable asset you'll receive at birth. Enjoy the days of poop, pee and milk - they'll go by quickly. There will be days as a kid where time will go on forever... endless afternoons spent playing with your cousin(s) and friends, the weeks leading up to Christmas, beneficial sleep sessions in the car (even if it's ten minutes - you'll find them refreshing) and the daunting week ahead when you lay your little head on the pillow on Sunday night.

Let me tell you now, I don't know when it happened for me, but these days, 'weeks' aren't that long anymore. In fact, a weekend is typically spent by your Papa, planning for the next weekend. Sun goes up and it's a race with time. Cherish these early days of no concept of the clock, and then, as you fret about getting through the school week so you can have that Friday night camp out in the yard, remember to take it all in.  Life truly is a great journey, and like real trips, it's the anticipation and the road that leads us there, that amount to the best part.

Love,

Dad

19 weeks, 4 days

I have a problem, and I'm ready to admit it.

I am addicted to my baby.

Phew, I feel better.

Let me back up a little bit.  This morning started nicely with Adam's parents coming down.  We went to The Original Pancake House for breakfast (1/2 order of strawberry pancakes=YUM!) and then to the Dayton Mall.  While visiting the mall we popped into Gap.  Big mistake-everything in the store was 40% off.  After purchasing some new undergarments for my beloved husbie, I meandered over to the baby section and started looking at boy clothes (for the first time ever, might I add).  Oh crikey there was cute stuff... and it was cheap!  I ended up with a pile of adorable baby clothes.

These are just a few of the cute purchases today (adorable swimwear purchased by D'Anne).

  
After the mall, we bid farewell to one set of in-laws and spent a few hours with the Perilman side of the family at Marions Pizza for Alex's farewell party (cousin Katie's husband is off to the Middle East for 9 months).  After stuffing my face with Dayton's best, we went to Fairfield Commons.  I spent many-a-weekends at this mall in my teenage years.  This mall was the mall and included three Bath & Body Works, jCrew and all the "A" stores, as my mom put it.  Today it was overcrowded and missing many of my favorites.  It did have a Gap, but I resisted adding to my earlier purchases.  Mom and I then spent about 7 hours in the baby department at Macy's before we decided on two collections of Carters baby clothes.

Now I'm home and Adam's off celebrating graduation with his fire-people.  I thought I'd spend a nice evening catching up on Harry Potter #4 (I really need to finish this book!), perhaps grade some papers, maybe play with Lucy...

I have spent the entire evening looking up boy names, nursery ideas, furniture ideas, watching youTube tutorials on cloth diapers, reading blogs, looking up cute stuff on etsy, etc.  This baby isn't even here and he's already taken over my life!  I'm not complaining, but I really need to prioritize a little or I will never get anything accomplished ever again.

I can beat this, right?  I can get stuff done, right?  Oy.

19 weeks, 3 days

I didn't write all week--it's been super crazy at school.  I've had a week of nasty parents and nutty students.  Tis the season, right?

But on to better things.

Here is my 19 week picture...

Adam and I had our anatomy scan this morning.  I cannot express to you how excited we both are to announce that we are having...

(long dramatic pause)

A BOY!  From day one everyone has been thinking girl, even Adam and me.  I'm still in disbelief!  Adam thinks I'm disappointed, but honestly, as long as I'm not growing an alien or a gorilla, I am 100% elated.  How could I not be!? :) :) :)  Now I get to buy cute boy-themed diapers and bedding and clothes.  We actually did stop at Kohls to buy baby boy's first outfit(s).  A-DOR-A-BLE.  I also emailed and texted loads of people... and my students are apparently dying to know.  Katie (my better half on my team at school) told the kids to wear blue or pink on Monday, and I will do the same.  She said they can't stop talking about it and that most kids are planning to wear pink.  Heeheehee.

And here's a picture from this morning (19w, 3d)...

I have to go get ready for Adam's fireman graduation now... and tonight we're having our 3rd (6th) anniversary dinner at Coldwater Cafe--my FAVORITE restaurant.  Yessssss!

18 weeks, 4 days

Less than a week until we find out the gender of our babe!  Katie (coworker) texted me that she had a dream where I announced GIRL last night.  Literally everyone I know is saying girl, except dad.  I hope the little nugget cooperates on Friday.

I told my students this week too.  Many of them knew or had figured it out--it's getting obvious, right?  11-12 year olds don't exactly have tact down yet, so one boy commented, "So that's why you're getting fat!"  Yep.  Oh, and he repeated it.  What a turd.

Speaking of fat, my appetite is back.  It was gone--pretty much nonexistent from week 0-16--but it's back, and it's fierce.  I find myself packing much more for lunch, since I'll be starving by then.  Sometimes I even supplement my lunch with cafeteria food.  I'm a sucker for school pizza.  And grilled cheese.

17 weeks, 6 days

I'm calling this my 18 week photo... Technically I'm only a few hours early. It's a big picture because I'm on the iPad and it is stubborn. Enjoy anyway!

(happy birthday, dad!)

17 weeks, 5 days

Happy Birthday to me (waahh, waahhhh).  We just got home from a surprise C-cubed (Casbars, Cronins, Conleys) dinner at Outback & Graeters...I was shocked...secrets and surprises are not Adam's specialty.  Ashlie brought balloons, which were quite entertaining to introduce to Lucy.

17 weeks, 4 days

I felt movement (I think)!  Holly and I were driving home and I felt a very tiny tap-tap-tap southwest of my belly button.  So cool!

Yesterday I also got a pair of jeans (that fit) in the mail, as well as a dark purple dressy-ish, silk-ish dress from Gap.  Adam's company Christmas party is tonight, so if I can find black tights today I'll try it out.  When I took the dress out of the bag, I was like, "Ohmygosh, this is HUGE.  There is no way it will fit!"  Guess what?  It fit.  Across my porn-star chest it was snug, and in the body it has room to grow (but fits).

This isn't me... but it is the dress.  ;)


I am having a harder and harder time finding variety in my wardrobe.  I have clothes that fit, but it's the same thing day after day.  I'm hoping that a little trip to the mall for a few more tops will solve the problem.

Tomorrow I turn 30.  That is all.