31 weeks and people suck!

Sorry it's been so long again since I've updated my blog. Life is getting crazier every day, as I'm sure you can understand. I'm officially 31 weeks today and not much has changed...except maybe the size of my belly. If you can believe it, I've actually gotten bigger :) This little munchkin inside me sure doesn't seem so little anymore. I'm now to the point where I sleep laying propped up on my back since the weight from my front has now started affecting my back when I lay on my side. On the bright side, I'm sleeping for more consecutive hours without having to go pee. On the down side, now I snore and wake Adam up...YUCK!

For those who've been hoping for new pictures, I promise I will post something after this weekend. Adam and I have an appointment tomorrow with Internal Fetal Development to look at her heart again and then I have a party to go to on Saturday. I should definitely have something after both of those. If not, next week I'll be posting my 8 month picture, so that should be a good one.

In case you're wondering why I've titled my post this way, I have officially lost all faith in humanity! Here's my story:

Last Saturday, Adam and I went to the 3M Championship with my parents and a couple of our friends. We had a great time watching some of golf's greats play and it was shaping out to be a beautiful day! Not too hot, not too cold, just right! We were supposed to have scattered showers all day, but it appeared as though all the storms had missed us.

After walking around (very slowly since my feet hurt) for several hours and after my parents left, I told Adam and our friends to go on without me while I sat on the 18th hole. The plan was that since there weren't any storms in the area, they would leave all of the stuff with me and go walking around the course for an hour or so before coming back for me. The "stuff" included 3 golf umbrellas, 2 camping chairs, a camp stool, a small cooler, and my purse.

After about 40 minutes of watching the players, the sky started getting a bit dark and it started to sprinkle. Before I knew it, the tornado sirens were blaring, the "clear the course" siren went off, and then it started to downpour.....hard! I quickly gathered up the things, but was unable to get the camp chairs back in their bags for easy carrying. It was getting so frightening out there, all I could do was throw everything under my arms and walk (not run, since I can't) towards the clubhouse about 500 yards away. As everyone was running or driving carts past me, I ended up dropping all the stuff twice along the way and yet no one passing me even offered to help. I am so obviously pregnant and moving slowly, I just couldn't believe that I was carrying all this stuff without anyone being willing to give me a hand.

I got within 100 yards of the clubhouse and was soaking wet from head to toe (since I couldn't have a huge umbrella up and carry all the stuff at the same time) when Adam called me on my phone. He was concerned when he finally got to the other side of the 18th fairway and couldn't see me that he wanted to know where I was. I told him that I was near the clubhouse and he said he was on his way to find me. After hanging up, all I could do was cry. I was so frustrated and even still amidst my tears, no one stopped to help or ask if I was ok. Adam finally got to me, gave me a big hug, and all I could do was bawl in his arms. He asked me if anyone stopped to help, and I told him no. That just made me cry more! He couldn't believe that no one could find it in their hearts to help someone who obviously needed it. In my soaking wet state, all I wanted to do was go home, get warm, and forget how awful people can be! So we did...

A word of advice to everyone reading this: If you see someone in need and have the ability to help, please do. Even if they don't want your help, the least you can do is ask.

Since I'm already on my soapbox, I also have advice for you on how you should treat pregnant women in general:

1. Don't ask her if she's having twins AT ANY POINT DURING HER PREGNANCY, even if you do think she's big. It's not funny or supportive in any way.
2. Dont' tell her she's "starting to waddle"...chances are she already knows it.
3. Don't remind her about how big she's getting...she looks in the mirror every day and already knows that her body is no longer slender. She doesn't need anyone else to point it out.
4. Don't laugh at her or her size if you haven't seen her in a while. It makes her feel bad and is really just as bad as #3.
5. If you see she needs help, please offer! She may have too much pride to accept it, but all she wants is for someone to at least ask.

There, I'm off my soapbox now. Until next time!

28 weeks and it's still a girl!

Well, I am 28 weeks and completely ginormous! Adam and I are both amazed at how much bigger pictures make me look than if I look in a mirror. I'm not sure if I have a distorted sense of self or what, but man am I getting big! Oh, and for those of you doubters out there, we had our follow-up ultrasound today and yes...our baby is STILL a girl! YEA!!!!!!!

We had quite the doctor appointment today. I started off the morning by drinking the grossest orange syrup ever (for my glucose tolerance test), then we had our follow-up ultrasound, and then we met with our doctor. During the appointment, we had a couple minor scares. When the nurse first took my blood pressure after my ultrasound, it was 150 / 90. Whoa!!! I was forced to go into the exam room and lay on my left side while meeting with my doctor. Following our discussion with Dr. Leitgen, the nurse took my blood pressure again and it had already dropped to 130 / 80. This baby just likes to scare me :) Then, during the ultrasound, we had hoped that the tissue visible on her heart during the 20-week appointment would've gone away by now. Unfortunately, it hasn't and is showing up as a white spot in her left atrium. The doctor didn't want to make a determination as to what's really going on, so we will be referred to a specialist to investigate further. On a brighter note, here are some of the pictures from our latest ultrasound.

We're still trying to figure out who she looks like. If I had to guess, I think she has Adam's brow line, a combination of both mine and Adam's nose, and my lips.

The baby has what Adam and I like to call a "Morgie Lip" after our niece Morgan. She has the same upper lip as me and Meredith that comes from my mom's side.

Here's a picture of our baby's tootie (or foot for those of you who don't speak Libby). I'm thinking she has her daddy's feet with that long second toe :)

These will likely be the last pictures of our little pumpkin until she's born :( We can't wait to meet her, but want her to stay in there as long as humanly possible! We love you already!!! Oh, I almost forgot...I had another milestone today...my first kidney kick! Ow!!! Until next time!

The Best Man...

Last Friday night, Adam and I helped my best friend Andy by setting up for him to propose to his girlfriend (now fiance) Mary Jo. It was tons of fun and great to be in on the surprise! Over a month ago, Andy asked if we were busy on 6/27 and whether we'd be willing to setup his house while they were at dinner. Then, we had the honor of storing the engagement and wedding rings in our safe to help perpetuate the surprise. At 8pm on Friday night, we met MJ's sister and MJ's son at Andy and MJ's house. I was responsible for bringing the rings and the flowers Andy had ordered, while Linda was to bring candles and dessert. Based on the pictures below, I think we did a darn good job setting up.

After Andy and MJ got home, Andy called me to tell me that obviously, she said YES! He thought the kitchen looked great, though it was a little warm from all the candles :) (Unfortunately we had to turn off the ceiling fan in kitchen so the candles wouldn't get blown out) After all was said and done, Andy asked me if I'd be the best man in his wedding!!! My answer was "yes, of course...with one caveat...as long as I can wear a black and white dress" :) Looks like I'll have to start working "my plan" as soon as the baby's born so I can get back in shape to fit into a dress! I'm so excited for Andy and MJ! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I can't wait!!!

Sorry loyal blog readers that it's been so long since I've made an update. Not a whole lot is new since the last time I wrote. The baby is getting bigger every day and I can barely believe how fast time is flying by. I find myself sitting and watching my belly move with every kick and repositioning she has. I can hardly wait to finally meet her! In the meantime, Adam and I are living vicariously through Meredith and Corbett whenever we see little Izzy B (Isabelle). She loves her uncle Adam, which is a refreshing change from when Morgan was a baby and she cried every time Adam went near her. He looks great with a little girl, don't you think?!? :)
Last weekend we got to take one of our last trips out of town to our friend Jon's cabin. We spent nearly the entire weekend out on our fishing boat with Andy (my best friend and ex-coworker) and Marissa (Adam's sister). After an amazing fishing year last year where nearly every time I dropped my line in the water I'd catch a fish, I have yet to catch a single fish this year. It's getting pretty depressing... I can't say the same for everyone else who had no problem at all catching a fish. Andy caught what seems like a dozen fish, Marissa caught a few, and Adam caught one. Check out just a few of the pictures below.

Silly Andy trying to french one of his northern :)

Marissa with a northern so huge it broke the net

Adam with his one catch of the weekend

As a consolation to my getting skunked fishing, I got to enjoy a relaxing weekend in the great outdoors and to see some beautiful sights. Now I'm looking forward to next week where we'll have our 28-week appointment to see our baby in a 4D ultrasound again and my family will be celebrating the annual 4th of July outing. I can hardly wait!

I have a protruberance!

Last night was a pretty exciting night for me and Adam! Our baby was extra kicky all evening; so much so that Adam finally got to feel lots of kicks with his hand and I could actually see her kicking from the outside. It's pretty incredible! After all that excitement, we were headed to bed when all the sudden, my stomach near my belly button had a strange "protruberance". We still haven't figured out what she was pushing out...her head, her butt, her foot, something...it was both strange and exciting all at the same time! :)

6 Month Update

It's official...I'M HUGE! You know you're big when strangers come up to you and ask when you're baby's due. Scary thing is...I still have over 3 months to go and I'm only going to get bigger! No matter how I look though, I'm still super excited about all the changes my body's going through. We had our 24 week appointment on Friday and the doctor said that everything still looks really good. The baby's kicking all the time and her heart sounds great! At our next appointment, we'll have a second ultrasound to make sure the shadow we saw on her heart at 20 weeks has gone away.
A few milestone events occurred since the last time I posted. I had my first Braxton-Hicks contractions on May 27th, likely caused by dehydration because I hadn't yet increased my water intake since getting bigger. Last Thursday (6/5), I had my first bout of edema (swelling)...again probably caused by not drinking enough water...I promise, I'm drinking water, apparently just not enough. And finally, yesterday morning (6/7), Adam finally felt our baby kick!!! It's funny because he's put his hand on my belly several times with no luck...she's stubborn just like her mommy :) Then, he got advice from his mom to lay next to me tummy-to-tummy and guess what...it worked! He was a little surprised that a kick doesn't yet feel like a kick, more like a quick vibration. However, he was excited and I'm glad he can finally feel what I'm feeling...kind of :)

We also had a busy weekend painting our house. This past week, we hired a contractor to put up seamless gutters and new siding on the front, garage, and front-side of our house. Up until now, this part of the house was sided with a combination of masonite planks and faux stucco...yuck!!! We love the masonite board look, but could not stand the stucco. After much searching (on Adam's part), we found a contractor who still sides houses with masonite (comparable) products. He also was able to offer us a masonite-like product that resembles cedar shakes. I think it turned out great! Thanks to help from my dad, the three of us were able to get the new siding primed and painted all in one weekend!!! Thank you dad! Adam owes you big time!

Front of house

Front-side of house

I laughed so hard, I cried!

So, after several suggestions from others who've already had children, I finally decided to go out and buy the book "Belly Laughs" by Jenny McCarthy. I'm not even kidding when I say that I began reading all of your chapter titles and was laughing so hard I was bawling. I kept trying to find funny titles to tell Adam about, and it just made me start crying more. I'm sure he thinks I'm crazy...but during this pregnancy, that's no different than any other day! :) I'm only 1/4 of the way through the book, but for anyone who's expecting, I highly recommend it! If you aren't expecting, but you know someone who is, I think this book would be a great gift that would brighten any pregnant woman's day!

Real Kicks!

We are officially over halfway until the baby comes! YIPPEE!!! I am happy to report that as of last night, I finally felt my first REAL kick from the baby!!! I've been feeling movement for weeks now, but last night she actually kicked my hand away on three separate occasions! I then figured if I could feel it that Adam would be able to as well...of course she stopped doing it as soon as I put his hand on my belly! :) She's stubborn just like her mother! I reassured him though that within the next few weeks, he should be able to feel the kicks too. This is all just so exciting! Until next time.

IT'S A GIRL!!!

Adam and I are happy to announce that we are having a GIRL! On Friday morning at about 8:30am, we didn't see anything between our babies legs except for 3 distinct lines.
The news of the sex of our baby seemed a bit anticlimactic that day when the radiologist was able to find the sex within the first few seconds of starting the ultrasound. For a split second, I thought it may be a boy until she froze the frame and there was no question it was a little girl.

We honestly couldn't be happier, but for anyone who knows my family history, it would've been great to break the female trend with the first boy. My mom comes from a family of six girls, my mom had three girls, and my sister Meredith has three girls. Needless to say, we love girls in our family and are still absolutely ecstatic! People always say "I'd be happy either way," but in our case given the family circumstances, it's actually true.

Our little baby girl is already cute as a button! During the ultrasound, we were able to see a 4D view of the baby and actually make out specific features. As the radiologist described what we were looking at, she said that my placenta is actually low on my back as opposed to high in front, and our little girl was hugging it like a pillow. She's already our little sweetheart! I can't wait to see her snuggle the woobie (baby blanket) her mama bought for her after she's born!
So, on Friday evening, the plan was to have our families over to annouce the good news. My dad was the first to find out when he came over to help us with our garage sale that afternoon. My mom was next when my neighbor spilled the beans mistakenly. Then it was The Meyer family...it was so fun to teach Maddie and Morgan their new cousin's name...if you don't already know, you're going to have to wait :) Last was Marissa and then Don and Kathie. It was great to share the news with the Loch's given she's the first grandchild. Everyone was greeted with the start of our baby girl's room. It was so fun to go shopping after our ultrasound for "pink" things! As Adam said, pink has officially infiltrated the house...and it's just the beginning :)
I thought Adam's personal addition to the room was a good one with a onesie that says "you can call me princess"...and that's exactly what she'll be...daddy's little princess! Daddy displayed it proudly on the crib as soon as we got home. I personally thought the ginormous pink poodle we picked out was especially appropriate considering we have two poodles of our own :)
On a final note, I thought it would be worth mentioning that I have OFFICIALLY popped. I had thought I popped before, but oh no...now I've popped! I can no longer see my feet if I look straight down and my belly button is becoming less and less defined. The transformation has been both amazing and very quick! Literally, within a week I got absolutely huge! It's funny because even as I say that now, I know that that HUGE is yet to come :) Until next time!

Trip to Ixtapa

Tomorrow I'll be 18 weeks pregnant, so Adam and I decided to go on our last big trip last week to Ixtapa, Mexico. It was absolutely amazing and so difficult to leave! Adam and I realized a few weeks ago that we've never really been on a trip together...without family or friends to a destination you can't drive to. After 9 years together, we knew now was as good of time as any!

Here are a few of the pictures from our trip to give you an idea of how our week away went.

On Day 2, we went horseback riding in the mountains of Zihuatanejo near Ixtapa

On Day 3, we went snorkeling on Ixtapa Island

On Day 4, we relaxed all day and had a nice sit-down dinner at Costa Azul Restaurant

On Day 5, we had an unsuccessful, but beautiful day of deep sea fishing. All we caught was a bird that got wrapped up in one of the lines.

On Day 6, our last full day, we went boogie boarding at our hotel

That's Adam riding an awesome wave (in the middle)!
Our hotel room was HUGE!
That's Adam sitting at the desk at the opposite end of the hall!

Sunset and the view of Ixtapa Island from our room

Hard not to enjoy our trip when there's beauty all around us!

We can't wait until our next trip to somewhere exotic! We had an absolutely fabulous time! Our next trip will have to wait another year or so, until that sweet baby is old enough :)

Don't forget to check back here often! Especially on 5/9 when we find out the sex of the baby!!!