March 18, 2009

Free Time

Today I worked a half day because I deserve to use some of my 30+ comp. hours. So far I have flipped through 2 past issues of O magazine and cried once...not bad. I just read a story about a lady who gave birth to triplets in her 23 week. Unfortunately, 2 of them passed away within hours, the third live for over 200 days. During the time the third child lived, the mother pumped and stored all the milk she could for the day when her child could use it. In the end she had pumped over 56 gallons of milk. Click here to read the whole story.



Why am I writing about this (more importantly, why did Oprah feel it necessary to include it in her magazine)? To help spread the word of the benefits of breast milk and how you might help (or be helped by) an amazing organization. In the end the mother learned of a non-profit organization that could put the milk to good use: The Human Milk Bank of North America (http://www.hmbana.org/) They collect, pasteurize and distribute donated breast milk to children in need. I was amazed to learn of such a service and more amazed that one of the ten banks in North America is right here in Michigan! I know that some of you are totally disgusted by this and I completely understand :) but I thought I would share just in case...

March 14, 2009

Pink or Blue?

After months of wondering we finally know what names to debate! Since I had to work both Wednesday and Thursday night, we (by that I mean "I") decided that we would wait until we could both enjoy the news of our baby's gender. So off to the Union we went (MJ has been asking for the Mac'n Cheese since November but just the thought of it made me gag, so he had to wait). As we were enjoying our dinner I was having second thoughts about finding out. Weird, I know.



You see, being the planner that I am, I always thought there wouldn't be a doubt in my mind about wanting to find out. But there I was, thinking that it might be nice to wait. It may seem like a little thing, but really it is a life changing fact. More so than being pregnant. How so? Well, we all know that "a child" will change your life: no more going out to eat at the drop of a hat, being more responsible about spending--college is expensive you know, sleepless nights due to worrying about your child partying instead of being out partying ourselves, etc. But Girl vs. Boy takes it to a whole new level: pink or blue, ballet class or football practice, prom dresses or tux, scaring off boys or girls, paying for a wedding or rehearsal dinner...see where this is going? So I started to think, maybe it would be nice to not worry about these things for another 5 months or so. Delay it as long as possible, you know?



Well, that wouldn't cut it for Michael. He wanted to know. I think it killed him to have to look at the envelope on the mantel for 2 days and wonder what it said. He wanted to know. So we finished eating and pulled out the life changing note. I slowly opened it and found:

A GIRL!!!! What?? Seriously?? Really??? How GREAT!!!! I thought for sure we were going to have a boy only because we could NOT decide on ANY names that could even be considered for a boy. At this point I had instated a "no name game" rule because we would just get cranky with each other about boy names and why argue over something that might not even be an issue!?! So for that simple reason I figured it would be a boy. But to our surprise, we are having a girl.



So bring on the pink (and purple), ballet classes, prom dress shopping and a large, expensive wedding!!!



We're having a GIRL!

March 11, 2009

Another peek at Peanut!

We went to get another ultra sound today!! Peanut was awake, kicking and moving around. What a sight to see. Peanut is weighing in at 9 o.z. and measuring 18+ weeks instead of 19 weeks 2 days, so the doctor said our due date is August 9th (instead of the 4th). That buys us a few more days to get things done :) All of Peanut's measurements are normal and everything looks good! Mom and Dad are so happy to hear that!! We took some video, but I will have to get it uploaded this weekend. For now, here are some pics:

Profile of Peanut
See the nose, mouth, and hand?


Peanut's first High-five!
Peanut's Feet
We caught Peanut curling his/her little toes in this one

The ultra sound tech. (Kelly) had a hard time getting Peanut to uncross his/her legs even though Peanut was kicking like mad. In the end she felt she knew what gender Peanut is.....but you will have to wait until this weekend to find out! I have to work tonight, all day tomorrow and tomorrow night and I want to be able to enjoy the big news. So, we had Kelly write it down and put it in a sealed envelope for us to open Friday night! We plan to go to dinner, open the envelope then do some shopping! Will it be for Pink or Blue? Only Kelly knows!

March 03, 2009

Meet Peanut

With morning sickness (afternoon-to-the-time-I-fell-asleep-sickness actually) in full swing, I had no doubts that I was pregnant—however, I think Michael debated it from time to time. I thought I would enjoy eating every two hours but nothing sounded good or even tasted good, except the trusty old Cheez-it. I am my father’s daughter after all. The next week and a half passed so slowly.

As Michael and I impatiently waited for my next doctor’s appointment we wondered how far along I really was. We had August 10th as our original due date, but wondered if they would do an ultrasound to double check. So, on January 6, 2009 Michael and I went to my next appointment. Much to our surprise I did get an ultrasound that day!!! Back to the dark room we went and before you know it, there “it” was…dancing and kicking away! The technician smiled and said “putting on quite the show for you” and all I could do is stare at the screen. I looked at Michael and he just looked amazed. Then came the sound: wumpa-wumpa-wumpa-wumpa. A solid 170 beats/minute. Amazing, completely amazing.

The rest of the appointment went by in a bit of a blur—other than Michael’s disgust and bewilderment at the fact they only give you a large “paper towel” to cover with during the girly exam and the drawing of my blood. The doctor told us that I was 10 weeks along instead of 9 (one less week of morning sickness!) and my new due date is August 4th! I guess that will be the best Anniversary present we will ever get! Home we went with out pictures in tow. We couldn’t wait until the next appointment to hear the heart beat again!!


So without further adieu,
Meet our Little Peanut!