guilty pleasures and a week left of work

After leaving the room and returning yesterday, Karen realized a very important fact: when she leaves, I immediately turn on crap TV.  I have no idea when this started, but it's absolutely true -- any season of the Real World or Big Brother, NYC Prep, Gossip Girl, or my personal fave, 90210, and I'm in a state of brain-melting heaven.  I don't often let her see this side of me, even though it doesn't surprise her in the least.  It's one of those guilty pleasures I tend to keep to myself, with a box of Triscuits and a can of pop nearby.  Well, she's kind of stuck with me...  best she knows all this stuff now, before I'm covered in spit-up!

In other news, we only have one week of work left before V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!  (Can we, for a moment, discuss how difficult it is to type in caps, with hyphens?)  In one short week, we will be sitting lakeside, some of us with drinks in hand, soaking in the sun and basking in the non-workishness of it all.  Atwood week is one of my absolute favorite times, and I turn into a child a few days before each visit.  I still remember being so excited about an impending trip that I would routinely throw up in anticipation.  Let's hope that doesn't happen this time.  The day after we get back from vaca, we have our anatomy scan and lunch with the grandparents.  All in all, this is looking like it will be the perfect week, and I'm already riding high on just the idea of it. 

In the nineteenth week, the kitten is now about 6½ inches crown to rump, and is sprouting hair on her head!  The sites all compare her to a mango now, but I don't believe I've ever seen a mango that big.  I tried to google 6.5 inches to get a clip art picture to add to this post, but only found penis size comparisons.  Let's stick with a mango, shall we?  :)

another thursday update

I had another routine appointment this morning - the kitten is doing very well, and moved around a lot while the doctor checked her heartbeat. Today's BPM was 150, right on target. The doctor says that everything looks great, which is always nice to hear. Next is the anatomy scan on August 7th. I wonder if we'll have to switch up our pronouns; we've been calling the kitten 'her' for months. I also learned that the swoosh of the doppler is my favorite sound on the planet, and that I am incapable of listening to it without crying. And... hyperbole is the best thing ever.

On the homefront, the kitchen remodel is complete, and we are only waiting for the new barstools to arrive. As soon as that happens, I will post pictures so you can ooh and ahh, and so we can pretend that anyone likes it as much as we do.

I originally omitted the story about the 24-hour urine collection fun, but what kind of blogger would I be then? (I can hear Carrie saying 'a blogger I don't mind reading...') For a little background, they like to test kidney function when blood pressure could be an issue, and I used to have elevated blood pressure. So I worked from home, and didn't leave the house once.  There wasn't much to it, except for the fact that Karen's brother was working at the condo yesterday and probably wondered what the hell that strange thing behind the toilet was. And, I was a little anxious about waking up in the middle of the night and forgetting (*gasp) that I was not allowed to go to the bathroom like a normal person. Everything went smoothly, and I did not sleepwalk into the bathroom once. I did, however, have a bizarre dream about the urine delivery, and how I had to drive with it in a take-out soup container. Gotta love pregnant dreams.

Next week: the last week of work before Vacation Week / Anatomy Scan Week / The Best Week EVER.

you're money, kid

In the eighteenth week, the kitten is now longer than a dollar bill.  It's amazing to me that things happen so quickly!  I have a montly appointment on Thursday when we'll get the go-ahead for our BIG ULTRASOUND!  Pretty exciting stuff, relatively speaking.  We had a fun-filled weekend with naps, movies, a local street festival, and the highly anticipated Hot Dog Garden Picnic.  The hot dogs were spectacular, in case you're keeping score.


In other news, I still have not received my Biology textbook, nor have I received the plethora of packages of clothing I ordered last week.  Shippers -- are you not aware of the importance of receiving packages in my life?  I'm suddenly a five-year old who really needs to get the mail in case that all-important card from Grandma comes today.  If I weren't so excited to start studying (and wearing new clothes?) I might be embarrassed.

p.s.  I saw a few pictures of myself from not-so-flattering angles yesterday and wonder, do all women feel unbelievably fat at this point?  I realize that I've actually lost weight since getting pregnant, and that the additional roundness is from the kitten growing, but WOW do I feel self-conscious.  I am ready for this phase to be over, thanks.

The one I look least like a house in

It is truly difficult to take these pictures yourself...

An open letter to the guy in the white van

Dear sir,

I realize that you have places to be; we all have places to be, and we'd all prefer not to be stuck in this construction-zone traffic jam.  Perhaps you didn't notice that everyone had chosen to drive only in the left lane, since the right lane will be closed in half a mile.  Perhaps this is the first time you've driven this stretch of road in the past month, and were unaware of the closure.  Something tells me, however, that you knew something was amiss when people began to honk their horns at you as you flew past them in an effort to avoid waiting four minutes.  I wished with my whole body that no one would let you in.  I try to avoid the cost of getting angry over petty driving arrogance, but this was probably the twentieth time I've seen someone try this move.  I've imaginarily patted-on-the-back the brave souls who move their vehicles to the center of the two lanes, in an effort to block the type of behavior you exhibited today.  I wish I had thought of doing just that when I saw you creeping up from a quarter-mile back.  And it was obvious that you thought little of the anxiety you caused as I passed you after the traffic cleared, only to see you yawn with blasé indifference.

I wish you ill will, sir -- ILL WILL!

Not everyone gets jokes

Last night, I went to the farmers market again, and then we went next door to Stephanie's for homemade ice cream.  Newsflash:  The kitten loves ice cream - it was honey vanilla with carmel corn, and it was in a cone.  She's also planning a hot dog cookout this weekend with all the trimmings for a bunch of friends.  I don't know if I've mentioned my love of hot dogs, but I've only had a few that were very well cooked in the past four months.  This Sunday, I plan to have at least ELEVEN two!

Aaaaaaaand, onto the joke that I had to explain to Karen. 

**if the image didn't transfer to FB, click on View Original Post below.

Energy² -- maybe energy³

I am finally back to the old Susan... Maybe even Susan 2.0!  I signed up for school yesterday, got home and cleaned the bedroom, emptied and refilled dresser drawers and closet space with things that will fit me for the next five months, and then went out to dinner.  We met Rich and Melissa afterward, and stayed out until midnight.  I may need to repeat that: I was not horizontal the second I walked in the house from work.  Hooray!!!

The kitten is also now the size of your open hand.  Crazy to me, since three months ago the kitten was the size of a poppy seed.  I'm also starting to pop out in a way that makes me look less like a donut fan and more like a pregnant woman.  And with all this energy and poppage comes a happy, more relaxed -- and more motivated -- Susan.  Even on seven hours of sleep I feel like a million bucks.  We're Will is finishing up the last details of the kitchen remodel this week and things are finally starting to look like they're falling into place. Just in time for more chaos!

Blame the onion-sized baby

Shifting gears from the baby updates for a moment to bring you this breaking news:

I'm going back to school.

I have no idea where this came from, since the classes I have left for my degree are pretty much the standard liberal arts requirements of marketing and statistics and economics, OH MY, that I put off until now.  But it reminds me of a quote that my mom would repeat whenever I would tell her how much time I had left before graduating: The time will pass whether I'm in school or not.

At first, I was all excited to get a photography degree.  That is, until I realized that a) work will not pay for it, b) I'd start over as a freshman, and c) I'd have to take DRAWING.  So, after reviewing my transcripts and all that goodness, I will be a student again majoring in Management Information Systems.  By my estimation, I have about twenty classes, or roughly two years left.  I will graduate about when the kitten does.  But, I will not be bored in the meantime!

In kitten news, he or she is now the size of an onion, and can now blink her eyes.  Over the weekend, I felt a lot of movement all in one day.  I loved it.

aaaaaaand, we're back to fruit

The kitten is now the size of an avocado, and if you're like me, you're asking, 'Isn't an avocado smaller than a navel orange?'   I just measured a can of pop, and it's about 4.5 inches tall.  my baby is now the size of a can of pop!  Wow.  I should really write these comparisons from now on. 

Not much has changed, though I occasionally feel the kitten make vague movements.  Nothing very strong, and nothing that Karen can feel from the outside, but movement all the same.  They are getting more pronounced than they were a week or two ago, so I'm thinking I just felt them early; the other option is that I'm crazy -- either is completely possible.  And I'd like to understand, what's up with the dry eyes thing?  My eyes feel like a fan is following me around on HIGH.  Good times.

I'm told that the baby can now hear my voice, so I'm singing a lot.  I must say, it's nice to have a captive audience!  Still tired most days by about 3pm, (and still taking a 15-minute nap every afternoon) but not that horrid marathon-tired feeling I had.  I also got a pair of jeans from eBay, and I love them.  Between the ones I got a few weeks ago and my belly band, I'm set.  (Or so I think.  Mwah ah ah.)

Yesterday, one of my friends brought me a vanilla Frosty, which was a pretty nice gesture.  She said that people used to get them for her when she was pregnant, and I've decided to try to milk this for as much swag as I can.  :) 

Thanks, Jay!

Weekly update

There is very little going on that isn't pregnancy-related for me these days.  Crazy dreams have become the norm, and it's a good day when they don't completely freak me out before I get out of bed.  (Case in point: thin four-foot-long snakes that I was pulling out from underneath my fingernails.  I couldn't make this stuff up...)  I've also learned that leaning over isn't quite what it used to be...  It's like I have a pillow in my lap that's painlessly keeping me from reaching things.  I've lost some weight since my pregnancy started, so even though I feel like a house, apparently I'm not officially house-sized yet; we'll see if that trend continues -- yesterday, the kitten desperately wanted some potato chips, so I'm not holding my breath.

Here is where I'll rant about maternity clothes.  First of all, I understand that people are excited to show off their bumps, but if my bump is very barely-there, why accentuate it?  I bought a few tops and have been wearing them more often, and WOW do they make me look huge.  I'm sure they'll look darling when I'm beach-ball-esque, but I'm not used to them yet.  Also, why is it that pants are either too small or too big?  My old jeans are just snug enough to be truly uncomfortable, and my maternity jeans fall down just enough to show that lovely skin-colored belly band when I walk.  (Skin-colored?  Really?  Couldn't make it, I don't know...  NAVY?)  In the grand scheme, these are petty concerns, but I enjoy ranting almost as much as I enjoy wearing pants that don't descend to my knees.

Three weeks until our next OB appointment, which means 3-4 weeks until our anatomy scan.  YEY!!!

holy moodiness, Batman!

I was feeling a little bit sad for a few days.  I've had little to no energy for weeks, and by yesterday, it started to feel like more than just being a little sad:  I started to feel like I did when I quit smoking - kind of anxious, and just thoroughly ungood.  I was dreading making dinner, dreading sitting lifeless on the couch for another night.  I was googling depression in pregnancy, certain that I'd be grumpy and unhappy for the next five months, and then --uh-oh -- even after!! 

Stop yourself, Susan. 

When I got home, I saw signs for our local farmers market.  I grabbed my iPod, walked over there and dropped $50 on good local stuff: tomatoes, kale chips, pork chops, zucchini bread, fresh pasta, and a little bundle of daisies and mint.  I had no idea I'd have that much fun shopping in a park, but I was like a new girl. 

And continue to be a new girl today.  I'm in a superb mood...  ON FIRE good, like I have been drinking gallons of caffeine, won the lottery and woke up and exercised.  I'm trying to just enjoy it, but I had to write it down for those days that are likely to revisit, when I'll find myself feeling like dirt.  Everything changes, and apparently, makes up for making you feel blah by giving you more energy than you had before you were pregnant. 

Maybe I'll clean the bathroom when I get home. 
*smirks at Karen*...  Maybe!

Favorite new blog: Let's Panic About Babies!

http://www.lets-panic.com/



It's only now, after many months of reading the scary books, and checking the daunting blogs, that I can laugh at this.  And, I must admit, I laugh a lot.

it's already Thursday, and we're moving away from fruit!!!

We went down to Atwood Lake with family for Father's Day, and stayed to enjoy some golf, some wine, or some grape juice, depending on who you ask.  It was a very nice time, and I haven't felt that relaxed in ages. We're heading back there in about a month and I can hardly wait.  Also, it seems that if you go on vacation on a Sunday and return to work on Thursday, the week FLIES.

We're already in the middle of the 14th week (13w4d) and we had another OB appointment yesterday. We heard the heartbeat again, and of course I cried. We also found out two interesting things: We will have our anatomy scan (aka: the search for privates) in the next month or so, and I will be participating in a 24-hour urine collection to gather baseline information about kidney function. I am excited about one of these; let's see if you can guess which one.

Also important, we are no longer comparing the kitten to produce -- this week, (s)he is the size of a clenched fist.  I've begun to feel something that I assume is the beginnings of quickening.  Nothing like a jab, but kind of like when your eye twitches, only relocated into your uterus.  It's early to feel anything according to the interwebs, but just try to convince me that I'm mistaken.  I've got a few clenched fists that will tell you otherwise.  :)

what's in a name, part deux

Interesting: Hazel was the 18th most popular name in 1897.
Also interesting: Today it's the 343rd most popular name.

Priceless:  I get to call her Hazelnut.  :)

P.S. We do not know the sex yet, but I saw this coffee in the lunchroom and felt like a genius for thinking up the nickname. :)

what's in a name?

We've had names picked out for weeks now, so we've decided to announce them so all our friends can't steal them and use them for their own pending children.  (Brilliant, isn't it?)

If we have a boy, his name will be:
Daniel Shaniuk Kennedy

and if we have a girl, her name will be:
Hazel Kennedy Shaniuk

We decided months ago that we'd split the last name decision by sex, since we both like our last names.  We'll likely find out the sex in the next 4-8 weeks, and we're both very excited to know.  So far, we're just having a baby.  By then, we'll be having a girl or a boy.  It's the little things.

It IS starting to feel real

As much as we still feel strange when one of us says 'Hey, we're having a BABY,' it's getting a little more normal to think about.  I still can't get over the fact that she is in there, moving around like a little soccer player.  Karen said that I'll be in serious trouble when she gets to be a little bigger and I feel her kicking those goals.  I'm more focused on the fact that someday she has to exit my bod.  I'm pretending not to focus on that, but it's tough.

Also cool is the fact that I get to document all this, and have not only friends and family comment, but also other people in my situation, whose blogs I read.  Very cool of you to stop by, Melissa, A. and S.   Thank you!

It's volleyball night tonight, and of course, it's pouring out.  May  be an excuse for a little additional couch time, of which I can't seem to get enough these days.

Have a good Wednesday, all.  :)

New Pictures - oh, and she's a peach. :)

I woke up so excited, you'd think I was expecing presents. We had our nuchal translucency scan today which means 'BONUS ULTRASOUND!' So exciting every time it happens. Today, we found the kitten completely asleep, which caught me off guard. The ultrasound technician showed us the heartbeat, and measured the base of the kitten's neck, and almost as soon as the technician was done, the baby began doing little bouncey moves off the walls of her little room. I laughed so hard we lost the picture for a moment. She's measuring just where she should be, size is 'perfect' (and for those of you playing along at home, she's the size of a peach) and she had a strong heartbeat of 168bmp. I can't stop looking at these pictures. She's sucking her thumb in the top one. And she's got huge lips. Go ahead, try to stop looking. It's not humanly possible.

At least for me. :)

Welcome to the thirteenth week

We have an ultrasound appointment tomorrow.  I found affordable maternity jeans online.  My  head is killing me today.

You know what they say about two out of three...

good stuff

I've noticed a few good changes lately, and figured maybe I should list the good with the bad: good hair, strong nails, and everything tastes great.  Carrie told me about the difference in food, and I figure it's nature making up for taking away lunchmeat, soft cheeses and alcohol.  I had a subway sandwich with chicken today that was so good, I should've gotten a foot-long.  I'm drinking cran-grape juice that is better than chocolate.

I'm still pretty tired by the end of the day, and I still take an almost daily afternoon nap in one of our darkened conference rooms.  The trade-off for feeling hit by a truck: amazingly creative dreams.  In the past week, I have been involved in a bank heist, been on vacation somewhere they didn't speak English, jumped over buildings, and gotten into a huge fight with my mother because I didn't like her drawing in a coloring book.  Needless to say, it's better than the movies, and occasionally, it's refreshing to wake up and find that I'm not disowned or in jail.

a LEMON, ladies and gentlemen

Since all the websites and email generators compare the fetus with fruit, imagine my delight to learn that Hazel / Daniel is now the size of a lemon!!!  Now that's big!  My uterus is also the size of a softball, and I have the belly to prove it.  I'll post some obligatory belly shots as soon as I get over my vanity and admit that this probably isn't just bloating anymore.

Also, it seems to be the time of constant bathroom trips again -- happened in the very beginning and it's happening again.  From what I read (and read, and read) this is because the uterus is cramped and growing out of my pelvis, which also may explain the pot belly. 

Five days until our ultrasound, and ten days until vacation.  Twelve days until our next OB appointment, where she's tentatively promised that we will hear the heartbeat using a doppler. Everything is now a countdown, I'm learning.  197 days until Christmas and D-date, which is only 28 weeks away.  Time is flying and crawling at the same time.