The good with the bad...

After reading all my complaining in last week's post I decided that I needed to post that sounds a bit more positive, so here we go... :)

The top 10 most WONDERFUL things about being pregnant, in no particular order:

10. I'm not on a diet for the first time in my life- It's interesting, I'm not gorging myself on donuts and ice cream, but I can eat a full meal and not feel guilty about what I have put in my mouth.  It feels good to be able to eat and have it be simply that, eating. I am getting freakishly close to weighing the same as Daniel but I have an app that reminds me almost weekly to repeat, "I am pregnant, I am not fat."  I like the following breakdown, it makes me feel better about where all that weight is actually going: baby 7-8 pounds, placenta 1-2 pounds, amniotic fluid 2-3 pounds, increased blood supply 3-5 pounds, uterus 2 pounds, fluid, fat and breast tissue (see number 3!) 10 pounds.  

9. I haven't been to the gym in weeks and I'm a-okay with this- With the pain in my back being aggravated by walking, most of my normal routines at the gym are something I just can't do.  I could go ride a stationary bike in the evenings or I could go home and spend the time with Daniel--not a hard choice.  I've been doing yoga 1-2 times a week and that feels good enough for me.

8. Getting out of hard work-I tell you, when you're pregnant, no one wants you to lift anything!  People carry my bags for me and I do a lot of standing around watching others move heavy objects.  I was mowing the lawn until about 3 weeks ago and I was nervous that the neighbors were going to start to gossiping about the pregnant lady whose husband won't mow the lawn.  I actually enjoy it and have always been the primary mower in the family. :)  It isn't hard and it gives me some exercise and sunshine.  However, Bubba finally told me that it was time for Daddy to finish the season of mowing.  I'll spend the rest of the summer/fall watching Daniel do the hard work while sipping my delicious water from a lawn chair. 

7. No sucking in- Every time I pose for a picture I have the urge to suck my tummy in.  No more worrying about tee-shirts being too tight and wondering if my un-pregnancy belly rolls are showing in pictures.  I can let it all hang out and no one knows any different!

6. Little hands rub my belly every afternoon- I walk the kids out to the bus every afternoon and between my 18 kiddos, I have handful more who run up for their hug/rub of the afternoon.  My favorite question that I've gotten twice now is, "Is it still a boy?"  Yes, it's still a boy.  I'll be sure to alert you if that changes!

5. I'm saving so much money by not shopping for new clothes-My usual summertime activity to kill an afternoon is shopping.  This summer I spent that time napping because the mall is so uninteresting when you can't fit into any of the clothes.  One can only look at jewelry, make-up, shoes and scarves for so long! I also have a handful of very generous girlfriends who have loaned me a ton of maternity clothes.  It felt like shopping when they handed them over and I'm loving picking out my "new" clothes every morning.  Thanks ladies!

4. No hangovers- The first morning, after a late night out, I remember waking up and thinking to myself, "Oh, don't roll over, don't move a muscle, I don't want my hangover to kick in quite yet.  Oh wait!  I'M NOT HUNGOVER!"  Coming from a lady who has suffered from plenty of hangovers in her life, this one is awesome.  I may be tired but I'll take tired over being hungover any day of the year. 

3. I have cleavage! Nuf said.  I also have thicker hair, my nails are growing faster then I can bite them and my face is as clear as ever.  Loving all of this.  

2. I get three months off from school- Well, this is a no-brainer!  The only downside to this is I have the most amazing class ever created and I can't believe I have to leave them for 12 weeks.  I would have moved heaven and earth to make this happen two classes ago but now I'm sad. I'm going to miss my babies.

1. My husband is getting things done around the house- If you saw last week's post, you saw what an amazing job he did with the laundry room.  Additional things going on are an office spot, finishing up the garage and a few other surprises that I'll be sure to keep you posted on in the near future.

25 weeks, Bubba is as big as a cauliflower.

This was taken at our friend's wedding, love this
picture of us.  <3

Rules, Rules and More Rules

I read recently that being pregnant is comparable to being a child again: nothing but a long list of rules. Do this, don't do this, avoid this, sleep this way and never eat that.  The amount of pregnancy information out there is simply amazing.  I have no less than 8 books on my nightstand, given to me by friends, that each give information intended to keep me and the baby as safe and healthy as possible. I also have two apps that give me daily and weekly information and have somehow found myself on several email lists that do much of the same. Goodness, the amount of information that I have inundated myself with is amazing. It's almost too much for me to keep up with.

The top 10 most annoying "rules" for pregnant women, in no particular order:

10. No alcohol- Okay, this one is obvious and I'm not even a big drinker, but man, there are just some days that I would like a big glass of red wine or a cold beer.  I have had a tiny sip or two over the past several months and, mmmm, they tasted so good!  It wasn't until this past weekend that I wished I could have sat down with something tasty to drink (that included alcohol).  Daniel and I spent all Saturday, Sunday and Monday putting up shelving in our laundry room and getting stuff moved out of the guest room in preparation for a nursery.  At the end of each day we collapsed onto the couch, Daniel with a cold beer and myself, with a cold water.  Mmmm...noting like water to reward yourself after a long days work.  Boo on no drinking.  I can't wait for 2014.

9.  No heavy lifting- This is a particularly hard rule for me because I'm used to being 1. independent and 2. like to get stuff done, fast.  I cannot always wait for Daniel's "Texas Time" to move a box for me, I want it done now.  Moving in to a new classroom this summer was a fun challenge- I really really tried to be aware of my box moving and fortunately Papa Poo Poo Head came in and gave me an entire day of work.  He did all the lifting, moving, chair standing, wall stapling, heavy classroom organizing that I needed.  Thanks Pops!

8. No sushi- Don't get me wrong, I have been to sushi plenty of times in the last 24 weeks but when I have to eat all cooked sushi and don't get any of my favorites, it bums me out.  Come January, sign me up for a spicy tuna and a salmon avocado roll, please!

7. No baths- This one is strange for me because I'm usually not a bath person, but my aching back (and recently, aching feet) sure wouldn't mind a good soak.  I find myself craving them and wishing I could just soak in a tub of hot bubbles and make the pain go away. Until then, I'll opt for a session with the chiropractor and a yoga class to ease my aches and pains.

6. No hot dogs- I know, I know, there is no nutritional value to them whatsoever but they are so good.  Daniel is a big hot dog fan and at every sports event we go to, my mouth waters just watching him bite into that hot, juicy deliciousness. Too many nitrates for this pregnant lady...boo.

5. To eat nuts or not to eat nuts- Depending on the book I read I learn that peanuts cause allergies in children when eaten by pregnant mothers.  On the flip side, other books say that eating peanuts will help build an immunity in your baby and they won't be allergic.  I have a teacher friend that had to cancel her Thanksgiving feast at her affluent elementary school because so many of the kids were gluten free, allergic to nuts, lactose intolerant, wheat free etc. etc.  In my school, I have never had a child with a known allergy.  I chalk it up to uptight mothering. My kid won't have allergies and I'm eating peanuts (and Peanut M&Ms) until my heart's content.

4. No cold medicine- I'm officially on my second cold during pregnancy and not being able to take anything, sucks.  I'm not a big medicine head but sometimes having a little green pill that drys you up or knocks you out, is awesome.  I'll be blowing my nose and sleeping elevated tonight--yay!

3. No soft cheeses- If cheese if pasteurized, it's deemed as "okay" but I still get nervous because EVERY SINGLE book, app and website warns you from eating it.  I love brie, feta and blue cheese.  I always check labels but still have a fear that I'm going to do harm when I chow down. So, I just close my eyes and pretend that it's not on my salad and enjoy every delicious bite!

2. No cold cuts- We have soup and sandwiches for dinner often enough that this rule has put a kink in my easy/quick dinner making abilities.  "They" say you can microwave the meat until it steams but I just steer clear.  We are also big lunch sandwich shop people.  There is no way that I'm going to be that lady and ask them to nuke my meat before putting it all together.  I miss me a good sandwich...

1. Sleep on your left side- This was the hardest rule for me to get used to.  I am a stomach sleeper--exclusively.  Sleeping on my sides, right or left 1. causes me terrible ear/cartridge pain.  It sounds crazy but I searched online and found many other people with my same condition.  I wake up in the middle of the night with terrible pain in my ears.  I bought a special pillow with an "ear hole" in it and it seems to be working enough-ish.  And 2. I now wake up with terrible hip pain on the side that I was sleeping.  Must be all that gained weight pushing down on my hips?  Ug, I'm not even thinking about that one...I'll admit, as the weeks go on, it's becoming more natural and given all the pillows that I have stacked around me, I feel like I'm in a cocoon.  110 days to go until I can get comfy on my tummy again, I can't wait!

~Mama Jess

The "Before": Ug, I can't even believe I'm
posting this.  So gross...

We found this cabinet at the
Habitat for Humanitie's Restoration Store for $18!
 Donated materials go to help build Habitat homes.

D finally gets to use his new saw.
Grunt grunt.
See all the junk in the garage? It's now in
the laundry room and we have room for
a car! Whoo hoooo!

We both got colds on Saturday and nap
time was necessary. (He's going to kill me
when he sees this picture. Love you babe!)

Voila! (We have been talking about this
project for MONTHS! Feels so good!) And
there is even leftover room for all the baby
stuff that's heading our way!

Bubba is a big as a cantaloupe! 6 months today!

Ladies and Gents, we have a kicker!

After everyone telling me over and over that I should start feeling the baby kick by around week 20, it finally happened! It actually started the Thursday before the baby party.  On that day I thought I felt something that people described as gas, bubbles, butterfly's, or a muscle spasm. Then, I felt the same thing on Friday and again on Saturday. It wasn't until Sunday night that I knew this wasn't my imagination, it was my baby boy! That night while getting into bed I felt him again and had Daniel see if he could feel.  Many people say that dad usually doesn't feel the baby kick for several weeks until after mom does.  Well, I have coined Daniel "Magic Hands" because he felt him move that night and every single day since.  Sometimes, Magic Hands will put his hand on my belly and the baby will kick just for him, even when I'm not feeling any movement at that time! Since being able to feel him, Daniel has affectionately named the baby, Bubba and it's a name that we love. No more "it" or "the baby," now it's him and Bubba--I love it.

The movement is amazing.  It is indescribable.  It's the exact thing I needed to help me connect to my baby boy (and not my girl!).  I love that I can feel him move, him turn, him poke and him say hi to daddy.  I'm having a boy and I have connected to him in ways that I never thought possible.  I cannot wait to see what he looks like.  Will he get my bright blue eyes or Daniel's green flecked ones? We joke wondering if he will be tall like all of the members of our family, or somehow get the genes from his only two short(er) relatives: Grandpa and Papa Poo Poo head! Will he have dark hair like ours or come out looking like his blond Ward cousins? 120 days to go until our due-date, he'll be here before we know it. :)

Bubba's first concert with his favorite babysitters, Scott
and Auntie Angie!
Dave Matthews Band

Bubba is a name that fits for now but we are happy to say that we're fairly certain we have a first and middle name picked out that we love.  I imagined that we had months and months of agonizing name torture ahead of us, but Daniel actually thought of his first name while we were in Florida in June and it's a perfect combination of what we were looking for: something not mainstream but not too strange either.  The middle name is ironically one that we both thought of individually and is a perfect fit with his first.  Sorry kids, you'll have to wait until he's born to be in on the secret! Until then, we have a nursery to start preparing, a registry to figure out and research the infinite world of daycare providers. Can't wait!

It's a BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday night goes down as one of those top ten days, thus far, in my life.  I am so glad that we waited the 12 (not quite as agonizingly long as I thought) days for the gender reveal party.  So many of our closest friends and family were there, it was such a special moment.  

The party was great, food and friends were plentiful and amazingly enough, I wasn't chomping at the bit to pop the balloon, I think I was more nervous than anything.  Finally, the big moment arrived and after a count of three, Daniel popped it.  I was shocked!  I couldn't believe how much blue was falling at me and in total disbelief that it wasn't pink!  What I couldn't stop thinking, after the tears stopped flowing, was that Daniel was getting his little man and the Hillman name would continue on with this babe (not to mention that everyone loves a Jewish boy!). I'm in love all over again and cannot wait for 19 weeks to pass until we get to look into his little eyes.  

Team Blue!

Team Pink!

It's funny, when people asked me if I had any premonitions as to what we were having, I always said that I didn't have one.  Deep down, I must have thought we were having a girl because I found myself looking mostly at the girl lists in the baby name books, the girl headbands on Etsy and the girl clothes in stores.  After Friday night, I have had to make a complete shift in my thinking.  That night before bed I typed, "baby boy" into Pinterest and cooed over the adorable little man shoes, pictures of baby boys being held in their daddy's hands and all things related to snips and snails and puppy dog tails.  I'm going to have a little boy, I can't believe it...

Speaking of boy, here is the picture that we got from the doctor that held the truth--I guess the four clicks on the keyboard wasn't four clicks after all but more like fifteen! I had to ask Todd to describe exactly what I was seeing and was told to picture a baby sitting on a glass table and you are looking up at the baby.  You see too little legs and baby boy parts, or that's what Todd told me anyway. How they can pick this stuff up amazes me, but there it is--my son's boy parts all over the internet!

Lastly, when garage sale-ing with Meg a few weeks ago we found this sweater and just had to buy it because it was just so precious.  So glad I spent that 50 cents and can't wait to see him in in this winter!

Baby BOY is the size of a pomegranate!

~Mama Jess

Little Man or Little Lady?

Today we had the big ultrasound where they measured the baby's brain size, femur length, waist size, looked at all four chambers of the heart, showed us the newest and latest (and cutest) profile and about a billion other things, all except the boy/girl parts. At the very end she told us to look away as she moved the wand into perfect "down there" positioning. After four clicks on her keyboard she printed it out and sealed it in an envelope. After, we analyzed what the four clicks may have meant: g-i-r-l, ->-b-o-y, m-a-l-e, or maybe it was a pull down menu and it took four clicks to select the correct gender??  Whatever it was, she assured us that she was definitely able to tell! We hand delivered the envelope directly to Todd who works across the street and contemplated opening it only 99 times! He then called Rhonda and the gender reveal pink or blue item has already been ordered in anticipation for the big party.

There are a ton of wives tales out there that are supposed to help you predict your baby's gender.  Because we still have TWELVE DAYS TO WAIT (it's agonizing) I figured I would just answer all these questions myself and find out the gender of the baby now! (Easy as that, huh?!)

Highs and Lows

This one you can do just by looking south: if you're carrying high, break out the pink. If your bump is low, you're carrying a boy.

Most people say that I'm carrying low...I have no idea, I'm carrying BIG in my eyes.

Low = BOY

Be Still My Beating Heart

Next time your OB pulls out the Doppler to listen to baby's heartbeat, ask her to tell you what the heart rate is. According to legend, 140+ beats per minute indicates a girl, and below 140 a boy.

Well, the last time we saw the doctor the heart beat was at exactly 140 beats per minute, I don't even want to think of what that means.  Today at the ultrasound it read 147...

147= GIRL

Sweet and Sour

Craving ice cream every single day? Some people believe this means it's a girl. If you have to have salty or sour stuff, then it's a boy. 

If you want to even call these two cravings, I guess I had one sweet and one salty.  One night I had a hankering for a pop tart and thought about driving to Walgreen's to get a box, but that meant that I had to put on a bra and pants, so I passed.  The next morning the craving passed and hasn't come back.  The other day I was alone for dinner and pulled into the grocery store.  I thought mac and cheese sounded mighty delicious.  I opted for the healthy Annie's organic whole wheat with white cheddar.  Note to self: when craving mac and cheese, go for the good stuff with florescent orange cheese.  I bet it would have tasted so much better.  I have an extra box now of the gross stuff.  Let me know if you want it and I'll bring it by.  

Sweet and salty = no vote

Chinese Birth Chart

This ancient method uses your age at conception and the month you did the deed to determine gender.

This one is a little tricky because conception could happened anywhere from March 29ish to April 2ish.  If it happened in March (which we like to say, because that's when we were in Hawaii) then they say it's a girl. However, if it happened in April, it's a boy. Maybe my friends who already have babies should log on and see if their child's gender is accurate?  Let me know, would you?

March or April = no vote

Potty Time

This one's a little out there. Pee in a cup, mix a tablespoon of Drano in, and watch to see if it changes color. Green = girl, and blue = boy.

Sorry kids, I'm not about to go and buy Drano so that I can use just one tablespoon.  Friends who live close, give me shout out if you have any and I'll be right over.  I'll even bring my very own cup. 

Even and Odd

Legend has it that the Mayans determined a baby's sex by looking at the mother's age at conception and the year of conception. If both are even or odd, it's a girl. If one's even and one's odd, it's a boy.

33= odd

2013= odd

2 odd= GIRL

Unlocking the Mystery

This is one for a friend to try. Place a key in front of your preggo friend and ask her to pick it up. If she grabs it by the narrow part, she's in for sugar and spice and all that. If she picks it up by the round part, it's snips and snails.

I read this first so I may try to swing the vote if I asked Daniel to put a key by my feet.  However, if I had to guess, I would say I would always grab the round plastic part and not the gross dirty, greasy part that sticks into the car.  

Unfair voting = no vote

Spot On

If you're breaking out like crazy, blame it on your girl babe. The belief goes that girls steal their mother's beauty, hence, those annoying zits.

I broke out like crazy for the first 3 months but now have a crystal clear face...they don't tell you what that means.

zits past, no zits present= no vote

Nice Ring to It

Pop off your wedding ring -- if you still can! -- and tie it to a string. Hang it over your belly. If it swings in a circle, a little guy's in your future. If it goes back and forth, you've got a girl.

Well, we accidentally did this first with my engagement ring and it swung in a circle, then we realized that it said do it with your wedding ring.  I must have a perfectly balanced wedding ring because it did absolutely nothing--no back and forth, no side to side, no circle--no movement whatsoever! 

No movement= no vote

Queasy Does It

Sick as a dog during the first trimester -- or still? Signs indicate you're having a girl. Little or no morning sickness points to a boy.

Not one single day of queezy-ness- thank the lord! = BOY

Well, buns! 2 votes for a girl and 2 for a boy aren't really helping me now are they...I guess I'll just have to wait TWELVE DAYS to find out if this little mango sized baby is! 

On another note, we celebrated our one year anniversary on Sunday (7-28) by heading back up to Evergreen to stay in our cute little, off the grid cabin for two days.  It was great to be together and reflect on the last year. We ended the night watching our wedding video and remembering what an awesome time we had celebrating with you all.  

~Mama Jess

Jackpot!

Last Friday evening, Meg called and asked if I wanted to join her at a neighborhood garage sale in a new and upcoming part of town called Stapleton.  To give you an idea of Stapleton, my friends Sarah and John moved in last year and she posted this video on her blog about all the trick-or-treaters in the neighborhood.  The woman in the video says she had approx 1,200 kids in 2 hours and 45 minutes and gave out 28 pounds of candy! Needless to say, this neighborhood is filled with kids and babies and I jumped at the opportunity to try to score some good baby loot for super cheap as well as do some good reusing for Mother Earth!

We arrived in the neighborhood at 7:30 and armed with my partner-in-crime hit up house after house after house. Literally every 5th house was participating and 95% of them had anything and everything related to kids and babies out on their lawn.  Being with Meg was a dream come true.  Her little boy, Grayden will be 3 in November and she is an expert in anything baby.  She advised me what was a good deal, what was overpriced, what toys babies like, what they won't play with and what I could absolutely not live without.  


The garage sale-ing ended at 11:30 and I am one happy Mommy:

Baby Einstein Exersaucer- new $84, garage sale? $8!
Baby Einstein Neptune Ocean Adventure Gym- new $45, garage sale? $5!
Kelty Kids Backpack Carrier- new $279, garage sale? $5!
Bouncer Seat- new $30, garage sale? $5!
16 Dr. Seuss Hardcover Books- new $13 each, garage sale? .25 cents each!
Meowsic Keyboard- new $32, garage sale? $5!
Cold Weather Carseat Cover- new $35, garage sale? $1!
Sleep Sheep- new $25, garage sale? $1!
Light Up Activity Ball- new $15, garage sale? $2!

This is what the car looked like at the
end of the day--Meg had found some
awesome deals too!

This was just the good stuff that I could find on Amazon.  I also walked away with a ton of baby toys and books and as many gender neutral warm newborn clothes I could find.  I'm almost glad we don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet, I could have come home with even more stuff- I need to save some things for my registry!

Monday is the big 20 week ultrasound-- half way down!  We'll have the doctor put the gender in an envelope I'll and hand it off to Auntie Rhonda who will be in change of buying and getting things ready for the big reveal party. SO excited!!!

~Mama Jess

Captain Sober

Recently I have found myself in the desirable position to many people needing my sober driving assistance.  I am happy to oblige as watching my friends and family get drunk before my eyes has been a somewhat entertaining experience.  The first was at my family reunion on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin.  We had a pontoon boat for the day and the driver of the boat is expected to be sober at all times.  (We have a friend who got a BUI- boating while intoxicated, and it is treated in the exact same fashion as a DUI.)  Finding the sucker who is willing to be sober for the two hour boat ride can, at times, be somewhat of a problem.  Not this trip! I was appointed Captain Sober and got the privilege of touring 11 of my family members around the lake looking at the big beautiful houses that surround it while watching them enjoy cold  cans of beer. *sigh*

Sober boat driving is somewhat harder than it looks.  First, you have 11 other drivers in the boat who are happy to remind you to slow down, speed up, watch for this boat, look out for that boat, turn here, slow down more and so on and so forth. And second, you aren't able to enjoy the scenery at your leisure as you do have to slow down, speed up and watch out for boats. I now have a new appreciation for all my past boat drivers who have carted me around for the past 34 years, letting me drink beer and take in the scenery as I wish.  I am eternally grateful.

Grojean Reunion- love love love these people!

Two weekends ago I again donned the Captain Sober hat as I took 6 of our close friends on a brewery tour of Fort Collins.  Ft. Collins is roughly an hour from Denver and finding a willing sober participant to  A. drive and B. not drink is basically impossible- hence the reason we hardly ever go.  Conveniently, I am perma-sober and so I offered my services.

The day was great and started with a DD Kit made just for me from Krystal and Gretchen, complete with any and all necessities that I might have needed to survive my sober day: eye shade and blanket for when I need a nap in the car.  A Sudoku book and cards for when I'm bored and need to sit in a corner and play solitaire and other quiet alone games.  A hand held fan and squirt bottle to cool myself off in the hot sun, water with electrolytes, some candy to sweeten the deal and a pregnancy test. (In case you are wondering...yes, Dollar Store pregnancy tests do work and yes, I am currently still pregnant.) It was really quite sweet of them and although we didn't return home until ten that night, I managed to stay very entertained and never needed any alone time for games or naps.

The Ft. Collins crew!

And finally, this past weekend I was probably the only sober/pregnant person at the 17th Annual Colorado Brewers Rendezvous Festival in Salida (a 4th annual for us!).  72 booths of amazing Colorado craft beer were there and I didn't have a single drop of any of it. *double sigh*  Our group of 12 friends drank plenty in my place over the course of the four hours, so much so that the next morning I remembered there is a wonderful perk to being pregnant- no hangovers!

I did get a few nasty stares from festival goers as I walked by them drinking root beer out of the beer festival glasses.  I wanted to yell at them, "It's root beer people!" and opted to drink lemonade from my glass to keep everyone's judgmental looks at bay.  It was the first day that strangers noticed and congratulated me on being pregnant.  (The lady at the deli counter noticed yesterday and the woman and the dry cleaners said something today!) Some growth spurt must have happened this weekend because no one has ever asked or mentioned it to me in public before. Yay!

Root beer, not beer, root beer!

Daniel is anxiously awaiting to feel
movement- none so far. :(

Fortunately for me, there are no pending sober drive trips for awhile.  I think I've earned some time off and will enjoy my last few weeks of summer break before I hit the ground running.  Week 17 started Monday--almost half way down. That blows my mind!  I am filling my time with lunches and quality hanging out with good friends and anxiously awaiting the arrival of Jules' baby any day now.  Can't wait to meet him or her!  Until next time...

~Mama Jess

Baby is as big as a turnip and
weighs 5 oz!