Do You Know How Hard It Is To Find Non-Pink Nursery Stuff????

Okay you're going to say that until the baby arrives, there's always a chance of it being opposite of what *they* say. I know, but I have to say that this 'mother's intuition' here is positive that it's a girl- and the last ultrasound, the NP said that there was a likely chance that BabyW is a girl. The needle/ thread test worked four times that it's a girl, and bordering on TMI, so does my ovulation chart! LOL

There are those that say, "I just want a healthy baby," but I know that's a load of baby poo- if most women are like me, they are leaning towards wanting one gender over the other. Though, biologically I know it's a hard fact to change once you're little egglet is fertilized. I want a girl. Will I be disappointed if BabyW bucks mommy's intution and comes out with franks and beans, maybe for a brief fleeting moment. (My DH is just making sure that I don't get too disappointed if that is the case...) BUT, I can just feel it..... not to mention I've heard a random comment from multiple people: oh, you had bad morning sickness- it's a girl; your nose isn't flattening out (WTH!)- it's a girl; your it's a girl! Thanks for the encouraging words! We should be able to confirm next week after the required genetic testing that us 'old' freaky moms-to-be have to go through if we are going to be 35 when we deliver! (WTH- again!) So, getting to the point of my rant? I have an idea of what I want for the nursery- and it does not involve pink in any way, shape or form. Do you know how hard it is to find a crib set (not that I am going to get it now anyways!) that doesn't include pink? There are the very vague neutrals that obviously don't, but I want polka dots and those, my friends, have a shade of pink in them somewhere. I did find a set that I did gravitate to- YAY!- but guess what- it's freakin' discontinued! Probably a good thing since it's also around the neighborhood of $300 for a bumper, quilt, sheet and ruffly thingy..... probably has some gold in it somewhere too. This is one way to make a preggers woman cry! I might be even be able to be talked out of the polka dots if there is something else that catches my attention, but it has to not be all frou-frouy- and definately NO PINK!

Here's the colors that I want:

Lavender, sage, and tan....

Here's what I found that I kind of think is cute: (and is discontinued!)

BWAH! I probably wouldn't go with all of the matching stuff though.... and so the hunt is on for something not in PINK.....

Like I Really Have Time for All This???

So, the DH (dear hubby) and I went to what looks like the first of many 'preggers peoples' classes. It was a two-hour class basically on how to be pregnant through 20 weeks- what to eat/ not eat (um, I don't eat fish; and I can't really still stand the thought of eating much anyways!), what the baby looks like as it's developing, nutrition (nutrition?, I'm lucky to still eat anything- too much protein makes me gag right now!) and other classes they want you to sleep, um, I mean sit through.
Well, since I am at 14 weeks, I can say that #1) this information would have been more helpful much, much earlier in the pregnancy, and #2) I didn't learn anything that I haven't already read in a book or on-line. So, there were 120 precious minutes that I will never get back. The one cool thing was seeing the actual sizes of the embyo at 10, 12, 15, 20 and 30 weeks- the growth was amazing! I would have preferred to hear about ways to alleviate common pregnancy-related symptoms (like morning sickness, headaches, etc.) and when I might start feeling better! Next time, do a podcast so I can just listen and actually multi-task (very difficult with a preggo brain, by the way!) Also, it reaffirmed that the litter box is a no-no due to toxoplasmosis, but all the talk about cats made me get all emotional over BooBoo (still, again, ugh!). The other good news is that we had a nice dinner out (yes, I had an appetite- those breadsticks are the best!) at Olive Garden, and I met a possible new recruit for PC! ( ;
My health organization recommends that we also attend a 'late' pregnancy class after 20 weeks- that should be 'fun'- except we do get to tour "Club Med Labor & Delivery," which will be the only good reason to take it. This amongst the 12 hours of the labor and delivery class, the numerous doctors appointments, lab tests, etc. (Pile this on top of all of the time we spent just to go through the fertility part, and we're looking at hundres of hours spent at a hospital or clinic.) Yes, I know, it will continue once Baby W joins us, but at least I'll get to touch, feel, and kiss the reason for it... right now, all I can think of are the hours that I'm missing precious preggers sleep! Just within the next three weeks, I have three appointments- but those are always fun to get a little peek at the baby!
By now, you are saying what's the big deal? Well, there probably really isn't but since I'm pregnant, everything matters! ( : and no, I am not overreacting! I think I'll go take a nap now............

RIP Little BooBoo Kitty: 10/24/2000 - 03/04/2009

My 8-year old beautiful and sweet kitty, BooBoo died unexpectedly on Wednesday. He went outside with the rest of the fur-critters when I let them out Tuesday before work and didn’t come back in when the others did. I didn’t really think anything of it- on occasion they stay out longer, but always come back at ‘dinner’ time. When I got home from my dad’s later that evening, Jason said he hadn’t seen him- this cat is like a dog and usually always comes when he is called or when you shake the ‘crunchy’ bag (their treats). We searched for him and called but no BooBoo; I didn’t sleep very well last night thinking about him and came downstairs around 3 a.m., but still no kitty. So on Thursday when I let the dogs out around 7 a.m., I walked out into the yard and when I turned around I saw him lying on the patio but he already was gone. I don’t know what happened; since he didn’t come in for his crunchies in the morning, I am assuming that he died suddenly right after I let them out on Tuesday even. He looked as if he just died in mid-step and just fell over- we did some research on the internet and found that there are many cases where a cat can die suddenly of cardiomyopathy, heartworm disease, aneurysms or toxin exposure. Since he wasn’t showing any signs of poisoning, it was definitely something internal; unfortunately we aren’t in the financial position to be able to afford a necropsy.

I knew that there was a strong possibility that something bad had happened, but when I found him it was still such a shock: I started to hyperventilate and tried to go upstairs to find my husband. I barely made it down the hall but I just couldn’t fight through the tears anymore and laid down on the floor in the hallway. I can’t really remember another time that I’ve felt so grief-stricken- not sure if it is the pregnancy hormones or the fact that I raised this kitty from birth; we had his mom and dad both- and she was kind of psycho and didn’t take so well to motherhood, so Baby Boo was my baby in that respect.

BooBoo (named because he was born right before Halloween) was part Siamese and tabby; his beautiful black coat would shine in the light- and you could see faint tabby stripes even. When he was a kitten, he would jump on me when I was in the bathtub and lay right on my stomach- and when he got too big, he would just lay on the edge of the tub curled on a towel to keep me company. Every where I was, he followed and utilized me as his human pillow.
Every night he slept with us- usually curled up on my legs, or even when I was on my side, he hugged me and rested his little chin right on me. Always had to be touching me in some way, either sleeping directly on me or with his head or a paw in my hand- like a living cuddly stuffed animal. He was very un-cat-like in this respect as he liked to be near you. He also loved to be under the covers- I think he got cold easily. (His most recent favorite spot was to wrap himself around the space heater in the living room- surprised he never burned himself!)

He did have his psycho Siamese moments though- he would randomly swat at you for no reason- not a nice little “love pat” when his sharp claws were extended; but we blame that on the psycho mom. The first Christmas that we had him, he singlepawedly took down the tree at least three times, crushing every bulb on it! (Fishing line and an eye-hook fixed that!) Thankfully his dad has two speeds- eat and sleep- and mellowed that kid out a bit.

I even tried to have him ‘altered’ (yes, that’s the euphemism that they use to cut off their little boy parts) twice. Apparently prior to moving into our first house, I had him fixed but forgot about it when I found out one of the three cats had been spraying in the house- so I took BooBoo in to solve the problem. I got to work and they called me to come pick him up- I stated that was fast and they said that they wished all pet owners were as responsible as I and had their cats double-fixed! Anyways I had to take him back to work with me in his carrier and he yowled. I let him out and proceeded to then ‘lose’ him in the office. He was actually tucked under my desk deep in the corner, sleeping and since he is black, blended into the shadow perfectly. Come to find out that it was actually the female (psycho Siamese) that was spraying… I witnessed it! Ugh.

When we moved into our current house four years ago, BooBoo had a field day catching mice at night- we would open the door to go to work and there would be 10-20 mice (often not in one piece…. Ewww) waiting for us- some were even placed strategically near the cars as a going away present. We were going to get little mouse stickers and start a kill wall for the cat. After that summer, we didn’t find too many rodents running around; actually once we heard the coyotes hunting we nixed the nighttime field trips. (Speaking of, I have to say that I’m relieved that he wasn’t killed by the coyotes and went suddenly and I assume with little pain…..) That didn’t prevent him from licking his chops everytime he walked by the hamster cage

So, he wasn’t exactly as much of an angel as his mommy thought- number one, he preferred to go pee in the bathroom sink- eww, I know gross- but turn on the hot water and it’s fixed- so better than the carpet! The funny thing was watching him try to bury it! Speaking of carpet… He also shredded two large holes (2 feet?) on either side of our bed- I think it was a separation anxiety thing…. One still hasn’t been fixed and the other will not be the same! I’m considering laminate flooring! He also came very close to his 5th or 6th life when he scratched me in the face- nearly my eye. I’ve never been so mad at him! My face recovered, but I knew when he had this little scowl to just push him down.

And he had a hate-hate relationship with our rescue dog- when we got Cinnamyn, it took him nearly two years to even come downstairs; and up until yesterday he was still very apprehensive of the big mean dog (oh, he loved our dalmation- they were buds) and hissed like a devil cat. Then he would proceed to run, and of course, Cinny proceeded to chase- reminded me of an old cartoon with the RoadRunner and Wil E Coyote.

This morning, I half-expected him to follow me into the bathroom and take his place on the rug outside the shower…. It’s amazing how a little critter can become such a part of your family and leaves a void when gone. I’m glad I know that he didn’t suffer, but will yearn for some more time to pet him. This cat will always mean so much to me; there are many people who may think it crazy to be so devastated over the loss of a pet, but in essence they are really a part of the family- there for you, day in and day out. So BooBoo: may you always have a large spot of sunshine to lay in; may you be blessed with a bottomless supply of crunchies and an endless supply of mice to catch; a catscratch post that never goes threadbare; a forever-clean litterbox and a comfy bed to rest your precious little head at night. Just know that you were loved very, very much. GodSpeed little guy.

The End of the Beginning- 13 weeks!

Today marks 13 weeks in the Life of a Pregnant Chick. I have to say that it's been memorable.... and that word sounds as vague as I am intending it to! My intent of this blog was to muse daily on whatever symptoms the Wheel 'o Preggo dealt me for the day, BUT that was sidelined by the only two things that I could really do: work and sleep (well, I wish work could have been optional- but there's bills to pay!)- so I'm going to do a little wrap-up and then hopefully the second trimester will be a bit more blog-friendly!

For the first few days once we found out, we were just kindof in amazment that we were finally preggers..... and then I spent about a week ravenously hungry (that doesn't last long!) and tired (I think I may have even attempted to sleep-eat!) and then this level of exhaustion set in that I can't even begin to explain. (Our next door neighbors' just had a baby on Feb. 10th and she says now she is really tired!) I spent the next few weeks just sleeping when I wasn't working... and there were a few times that I had to go out and take a nap in the car! Wake up, get ready for work, drive to work while attempting to not fall asleep, work, nap, work, drive home, sit down on couch, fall asleep, go to bed, rinse and repeat.... I ate a few times here and there! (My dear husband just kind of checked my breathing every now and then!)

Now comes mid-January and the "morning" sickness sets in- I want to know what sick and twisted individual called it morning sickness!!??!! I rarely had it in the morning, but in the afternoon, evening and night. I remember a few times that I woke up from a dead sleep with this random overwhelming feeling of nausea. Every afternoon I would just start feeling like dookie (a scientifically accurate word, of course!) and my appetite took a nose dive. The thought of eating made me feel ill, but if I didn't nibble on something then I would be really sick. Such a vicious little circle, and I started to call the baby picky little thing because nothing made her happy! I slept alot to stave off the nausea- if I was sleeping- I didn't get sick. I do have to say on the plus side, that all of this has helped me lose over 15 lbs! I could write a best-selling book on the new Pregnancy Diet.

Okay, before I ramble much more, let me say that I am overjoyed to be having this baby- we've been waiting for so long; but the first trimester sucks! I know, I know it will get better- but every day feels so loooong! So the nausea has subsided a bit in the last week or so- realative to weeks 6-10, but that has been replaced by a killer a.m. headache, fatigue and insomnia. How the heck can those two go together! LOL. I know in the end this will all be worth it and I will read back and laugh, but holy moly girlfriend! And of course she is the reason why:

I Heard *Her* Heartbeat!

Yesterday was our third doctor's appointment to get better acquainted with Baby W; this one was with a Nurse Practicioner (who was pretty darn cool!) and lasted for awhile. I was flying solo as Jason didn't get to go because of limited time off from work. That was a big bummer because this was the first time I got to hear the heartbeat- it was like a train! It made me very emotional- up until now, everything has been pretty surreal. It hasn't felt real (oh, except for during morning sickness of course!) because of the problems that we had concieving and the high probability of miscarriage within the first trimester. We are now at 12w4d- nearly out of the first trimester and out of the danger period. Now, it's finally beginning to feel like we are going to have a family soon (not soon enough- another 28 weeks to go!) and I can feel hope.

There's a high probability that Baby W is going to be PINK. I've felt all along that it would be a girl- and the NP said that due to the lack of 'boy parts,' and the very fast heartbeat that *she* is very healthy! Oh, and she's going to be a little dancer-positioned completly upside down inutero, she was doing some pretty fancy kicks! We won't be able to confirm until 20 weeks with the high-tech ultrasound that Baby W is a girl, but I can already feel it! Jason says not to get my hopes up, and not to be too disappointed if there are actually going to be little boy parts! He says healthy, I say PRINCESS! So everything looks good right now; I'm starting to feel a little bit better- the mornning sickness doesn't strike quite as much and I can eat just a bit more. Although I love my fresh fruit smoothies and cereal, I'm longing for some other food now!

I don't have the most current "baby picture" available, but the one from the last ultrasound on February 5th (9w2d). Once I can scan the other I'll post it! Well, it's almost bedtime (when isn't it??) so, I'm signing off for now.