Like the deserts miss the rain...

In lieu of any news (I don't have another OB appt for 3 weeks), I figured I'd dedicate this post to all of the things I miss in my life due to this pregnancy. Now, I'm not bitching about being pregnant, but man, do I miss a few of these guys like a kid misses candy. Mmmmm...candy.

Number 1:
Coffee.
Ah, sweet nectar of life, how I miss you daily. Before IVF started, I had a 3-cup a day habit. Totally bad, I know, but it got me through the day. I eventually moved to half-caf, and then to decaf, and now to nothing, and it's KILLING me. And people, I'm sorry, but decaf is NOT the same. Tons of people say that to me, but it's not. All you coffee drinkers out there know what I mean. I have told the Barron that after delivery, I request that he make a trip to Dunkin Donuts and bring me a medium french vanilla coffee w/ skim milk and sugar. In the hospital.


Number 2:
Beer.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a big fan of beer. I have never been all that into mixed drinks, and am not a wine connoisseur. Beer, I can do. And, not just any beer - I like the good stuff. the Barron and I love going to various breweries and tap houses to try all different types of beers from around the world and such. It was our Friday tradition to go out after work for a few beers and good conversation. I miss it. It's for the best, definitely, but I do miss it. Especially now that it's getting warmer and I just want a cold beer. (At left is a pic we took of taps in Ireland - ahhh Guinness.)

Number 3:


Cold cuts.

Sometimes I just want a damn sandwich. Is that so much to ask? Gah.





There's more to the list, but not enough time to put it in today - I'm sure I'll have other posts like this down the line. Seriously, not trying to bitch, and I know I'll be able to have all of this post baby, but damn. I think when you're pregnant, you should be able to have everything you want, as well as look kick ass. Instead, I have to cut things out and look like an unholy mess. Ah, the wonders of life. Hee!

Other than that, not much to report. I've been ill for three days straight now. I thought I was over the sickness, but I've been having persistent nausea and HORRIBLE headaches since Sunday. Little one, please give your mama a break. Thanks!

Introducing....

Here's my little bean! It doesn't look much like a bean anymore, so I'm going to have to come up with some new names for it. My husband and I love its little arms, and walk around the house with our hands glued to our sides to imitate what they look like (kind of like dinosaur arms!)



Heh. So cute.

Tag! Looks like I'm it

Sara the GasPasser has tagged me! Oy, the pressure to be interesting. Forgive me if I bore your brains out, but it's gotta be done.

But first, an update:

This week has been insane. Work is crazy busy and we're dealing with some sort of legislation in New York State that may affect my business-dealings negatively. I'm hoping it all boils over and that the law doesn't officially go through, but I need to prepare. Gah. Oh well, I guess it's good to obsess over something that isn't baby-related.

As for the baby, things are going smoothly. I'm still seeing some trace spotting, mostly when using the bathroom, but the OB says that everything looks perfect with the baby and that I shouldn't be concerned. I'm going to try and scan my ultrasound at some point to share the pic with ya'll. It's really starting to look like a baby now, and hearing the heartbeat was seriously just the most amazing thing. I didn't expect to be affected the way I was, but it was wonderful.

Ok, so on to the tagging - here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you. - Done!
   
2. Post the rules. - Done!
   
3. Share six non-important habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Tag three other people.
5. Make sure the people you tagged know you did by commenting on what you did.

1. My sister is 20 years older than me, and we are the only two children in the family. Same parents, no miscarriages in between, etc...(wonder where I get my fertility issues from?). My mother was 20 when she had her, 40 when she had me. Most of my life, my sister and I have had more of a mother/daughter relationship, but have recently started becoming much closer as sisters - she is thrilled about this pregnancy and is planning on spoiling the baby rotten!

2. As a result of #1, I have been an Aunt since the age of four. I have two nephews; one is four years younger than me and the other is eight years younger. They are more my brothers than my nephews and I could never imagine my life without them.

3. I have seen the Pope (John Paul II) twice. In 1994 while I was in High School, I attended World Youth Day in Denver, CO with my Youth Ministry group; and in 1997 I perfomed at the Vatican as part of my college choir at the Canonization (making a saint) of the founder of my college.

4. My husband and I LOVE going to concerts. I have always been a music fan, but he far encompasses me. Just for example, in the next month, we are seeing REM, Tom Petty, Pearl Jam (twice), and Dave Matthews Band. Other favorites include U2, Foo Fighters, and the Tragically Hip (and wishful thinking, the Beatles). We are determined to have this child listen to good music, but I'm sure we'll loose out to the kiddie music at some point.

5. I did a college internship at Late Night with Conan O'Brien. During that time, his assistant was pregnant, so I filled in for her on a number of occasions. He's an awesome guy and I have nothing but good things to say about that experience.

6. My favorite place in the world is the Cafe du Monde in New Orleans, LA. My husband and I spent our honeymoon in NOLA, and spent many an hour sitting there, drinking cafe au lait, eating beignets, and watching the world go by. During Katrina, I was devastated to think of the damage done to this beloved city, and I am counting the days until we go back. I have been to Ireland and Italy, which are both amazing, but this always holds a special place in my heart.

Ok, so that's my dealio. In return, I am tagging Tara, JJ, and Candi - sorry if you've done these already ladies, I'm new at this!

For all my American compatriots - have a great extended weekend! Woo hoo!

Phew

Everything is fine. Saw the bean, heard the heartbeat. Thank God. Ok, off to get some stuff done today. More from me later

Still spotting

Very trace amounts and the RE's office says it's normal, (esp. after coming off progesterone) but it was a teeny tiny bit red when I wiped today, and I'm so nervous. OB appointment tomorrow. Please let everything be ok.

It never gets easier, does it?

PIO shots ended on Friday night. Yay!

Noticed brown spotting today - not so much yay.

Why does this always happen on the weekend?

Why can't I look like this? (And I'm only having one baby!)

Flawless. Damn.

But seriously, 6 kids under the age of 7? Wow. I am in awe. Even with nannies and the like. Wow.

Anywho, I know it's been a while since I've posted, but I haven't really had all that much to report. Things have been pretty much plugging along. The nausea has mostly subsided and I'm starting to feel more like myself. I've actually gotten in a few brisk walks outside and started doing light weight training to tighten up my arms and the like. I'm trying to stay somewhat fit (not that I'm the picture of fitness), for a wedding that I'm in on November 1st. Yeah, I'll be 7.5 months pregnant...what of it?

My most anticipated event comes at 8:30EST Friday evening, when the Barron administers my final PIO shot! I (and my ass) have been waiting for this day for over 2 months. I have demanded that we go out on Saturday night to celebrate - for once I won't have to run home to get stuck! Yahoo!

Also visiting the OB on Wednesday. This will be my first OB visit and the first time I've seen the bean in about 3 weeks. Hopefully everything is progressing nicely.

...that dress is effing amazing. Gah!

Things are looking up

So, I've managed to string together three relatively nausea-free days and feel much more like myself. This of course has now led me to being nervous that I'm NOT feeling sick. "Is there something wrong?" etc.... Never a dull moment, I tell you.

Anywho, one of my closest friends had her baby on Monday. This friend is the person I was writing about when I started this blog. I can't believe how far we've come since then. She had a beautiful baby girl and is feeling all sorts of excitement. I know she's been through a lot to get here and I couldn't be happier for her.

Now, I just want to skip the next 7 months or so and have this kid. I can't wait. Oh, and another thing I can't wait for? May 16th - last PIO shot. I'm counting the days...so is my ass.

The hangover that never ends

Nausea. Won't go away. Won't give me an hour's peace. All I want to do is go outside for a walk, but I'm afraid of throwing up on a neighbors lawn. Please baby, give your mother a break.

Graduation Day

Went in for our second sonogram and final beta draw this morning. Everything is progressing nicely, and we saw a heartbeat! I swear that was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. The RE printed out two copies of the sonogram (one for me and one for the Barron) and said, "this is your graduation certificate", meaning I'm done there. And, believe it or not, I have mixed emotions.

Don't get me wrong, it's wonderful to get released to my normal OB/GYN, but I have to say I'm going to miss those folks at the clinic. I have had nothing but a good experience with these people. Everyone (well, except for the receptionist) treated me with the utmost care and respect, and had the best possible bedside manner you could ask for. I have nothing bad to say about them and would recommend them to anyone on the East Coast.

After that, I came home and ate an entire bowl of macaroni and cheese. I'm having the weirdest cravings lately. It's not just one thing though - they come and go. All I know is, a mood will hit and I'll have to have whatever it is IMMEDIATELY. I'm trying to keep everything as healthy as possible, but sometimes I slip...hence the Mac & Cheese.

Official due date: December 19, 2008

Saltines do a body good

Nicole Kidman recently revealed in an interview that she is having a major bout with morning sickness (and btw, it's sad that she is about the same size as I am - belly wise- and about 7 months more pregnant!).

I've been wondering when the ol puke monster was going to rear it's ugly head in my home.

Well, it's here.

I keep getting violent waves of nausea throughout the day. I haven't yet puked, but it's only a matter of time. My diet today has consisted of cereal, saltines and ginger ale. Yay for carbs!

The Barron and I are trying to figure out when to tell our friends about the baby. We've been successfully avoiding them recently, but can't for too much longer without seeming anti-social. The PIO injections at night totally give us away, so we've just been staying in. I think we'll be telling our closest pair of friends this weekend and then slowly expanding the circle. Everyone already knows we've done IVF, so it's just a waiting game. Next time we do this (if we do) - I'm not telling anyone anything.