Tuesday, June 30, 2009

I've Fallen in a Trench and Can't Get Out!

I have a funny story to share with you about my little dog, Hercules. As some of you know, Adam has been working very hard to get our house and property up to snuff and ready for the arrival of our baby in December. He has been working on digging a trench 8 inch wide by 2 feet deep from the back yard to the front yard. He is about 1/3 of the way done. He always covers up the trench with plastic or boards for safety.

Here's a picture of the trench when he started so you can get an idea of the size.
He worked on the trench some more last night and we got a bit of rain around 9pm. We let Hercules, our all white Maltese dog, out at 10:30pm before bed. While he was out we were talking in the kitchen and all of a sudden heard him barking. I mentioned to Adam that his bark didn't sound like his normal bark. Adam responded with, "he probably fell in my trench". We threw on the outside lights and all I could see was Hercules' little white head sticking out of the trench. He looked so helpless. We ran outside to rescue him. I thought about leaving him in there for a moment so I could get his picture but Adam was worried he might have been hurt. He wasn't hurt but filthy dirty.

Hercules after his trench fall.

He came running across the yard to me. Adam carried him inside so I could clean him up. It took a good hour to get him back to his shiny, white color. He slept like a baby after that ordeal. I was still laughing about the whole thing this morning.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Our Baby this Week

Week 14 - Now
It's all about hair now as our baby sprouts some on his/her head, eyebrows, and body. Our baby is about the size of a clenched fist and sporting a downy coating of hair (lanugo) that keeps him/her nice and warm. Baby fat will accumulate over the next few months, keeping our baby warm and toasty — and allowing most of that hair to shed.

Week 15 - Coming up!
Our baby is kicking those little legs and flexing those elbows.  He/she will be about the size of an orange this week, his/her ears have migrated to the sides of his/her head, and his/her eyes are moving to the front of his/her face. Our little smarty-pants can now wiggle his/her fingers and toes and make breathing movements in preparation for life outside the womb.

Source: whattoexpect.com

Friday, June 26, 2009

Took the Big Step Today!

I am 14 weeks along today and I had a monthly checkup this morning. I got to hear the baby's heart beat with the Doppler. It's amazing how the baby's heart and the baby for that matter can be found with the use of technology when it is only 3 inches long. Adam didn't go with me this morning because we figured it was just a routine checkup but little did we know that we would be able to hear our little one's heart beat today. I feel so bad that Adam missed it. He was not happy about missing it at all. It was great to hear and reassures me that I AM pregnant and not just getting a fat belly and growing out of my normal pants.

See belly below.

(I took this picture myself...not bad, right? I think most of the bump is fabric!)

Speaking of pants, I gave in this morning and finally threw on a pair of maternity jeans. My belly is much more comfortable but it's weird to be in maternity pants already. I thought it would be a few more weeks until I was ready for that.

Here's a picture of me on my first day in maternity pants.


I am hitting the maternity stores tomorrow for some more clothes. There is a great resale shop called "Slightly Pregnant" that I plan on stopping at first. I am fortunate to have a great sister-in-law who loaned me some clothes. Those are her jeans. (Thanks Jen!)

Next doctor's appointment is Wednesday, July 29th, when we get to have an ultrasound. I will be almost 19 weeks by then (almost half-way there - WOW!). But remember, we are not finding out the sex of the baby so you all will have to continue placing your bets.

(All proceeds from your betting go to the baby, right?)

Friday, June 12, 2009

1st Baby Bump Picture - 3 months today!

Here is the first baby bump picture. Not much of a bump yet but believe me it's there. I'm feeling great and Adam and I get more excited to meet our little one every day.

Adam is really amazing. He's doing lots of house projects to get our house in the best shape for the baby. He's a awesome husband and no doubt will be an amazing dad.

I ordered my crib bedding yesterday and can't wait to get the baby room painted.

Information about the baby at 12 weeks.
While it may seem as if I've doubled in size over the past few weeks, it's the baby who actually has! By now, our baby weighs a full half-ounce and is about the size of a large plum. Most of his or her systems are in place, though there's still plenty of maturing to do. For one thing, his or her fetal digestive system is beginning to practice contraction movements so he or she can eat someday, and his or her bone marrow is busy making white blood cells — weapons against germs once he or she's out of my safe haven. The pituitary gland (at the base of the brain) has started producing the hormones that'll enable him or her to make babies of his or her own in a couple of decades or so.
WOW!







Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Spread it out!

Since I have been experiencing some fatigue during the first trimester of my pregnancy, I decided to spread out my household chores instead of doing the majority of them on the weekend. It has really seemed to help. I don't feel overwhelmed and doing one chore a night is not impossible even if I am feeling tired and worn out.

Here is my schedule:

Sunday - Dust, sweep and mop floors (hand scrub every other week)
Monday - Yard work
Tuesday - Grocery shopping (less people in stores on off days)
Wednesday - Give the dog a bath and clean the tub after
Thursday - Clean the rest of the bathroom
Friday - Laundry
Saturday - Finish laundry, file paperwork

I have found I have more time for other things on the weekend and if I am tired, I don't feel guilty resting.

How do you stay on top of your household chores? Share your tips in the comments.
Happy cleaning!!!!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Great News! (sorry for the delayed post)

First let me apologize for not posting since the end of April. We've been very consumed with our life the last month and most, if not all, of you know what I am talking about. Adam and I are going to be parents. As of tomorrow I am starting my 11the week of pregnancy. It seems like just yesterday I was taking the home pregnancy test.

We are so excited about this new adventure. I think the whole family is...on both sides. This is the first grandbaby on the Davis side and the 8th on the Radloff side. The Radloff side is probably hoping for a boy to help even out the girl:boy ratio of 6:1.

For the most part, I am feeling great and am very fortunate to not be experiencing any morning sickness. I sometimes feel nauseous from smells or an empty stomach but that's as far as that goes. Last month I was very tired but the end of May and now I am feeling great and only experience a bit of fatigue occasionally.

I'd have to say that the highlight so far of this pregnancy is the joy we have both experienced sharing the exciting news with our families. The Thursday before Memorial Day weekend, we had our first doctor's appointment and had our first ultrasound. It was amazing. I always worry about how Adam is feeling or going to react that I sometimes forget to prepare myself. This was one of those times for sure. The minute we both heard our baby's heartbeat and saw it on the screen, I think we both stopped breathing for a moment. I remember thinking this was "amazing" and "wow, I really am pregnant" and "I really hope Adam doesn't faint". I looked over at Adam and his expression was priceless. His eyes were bugged out and his jaw was on the floor. Adam was sent to the waiting room while I got dressed and when I got out there, he was sitting there staring at the ultrasound pictures. He looked up at me, smiled and said, "let's drive home tomorrow and tell our families". So that's exactly what we did. We left our house at 5am the next day.

We coordinated to have lunch with Adam's parents to share our news with them first.  Adam was so anxious about this and worried it would not work out.  In the end it did.  We broke the news by giving them late Mother's day and birthday gifts.  What they opened were matching "World's Coolest Grandma/Grandpa" t-shirts.  Bob's (Adam's dad) reaction was "What's this all about?" and Nadine (Adam's mom) just cried out of happiness for about 10 minutes.  She was already emotional because we were home for the weekend.  This certainly put her over the edge.  They enjoyed calling each other Grandma and Grandpa the rest of the day.  

The next day we decided to tell the rest of Adam's family but let Bob and Nadine break the news with their shirts.  They both put them on and came out of the bathroom.  No one noticed for about 15 minutes despite their efforts to show off their matching shirts with large, primary colored lettering.  I finally grabbed Adam's aunt by the shoulders and told her to look at her sisters shirt.  The kitchen erupted with happiness.  Adam's grandparents were also very surprised and excited.  Adam's grandpa said we aged him 10 years but they were both overwhelmed with joy.

On Sunday we stopped by my grandma's house and told her and my dad.  I was waiting for a good moment to tell them but the right opportunity was not surfacing.  So while we were having a conversation about all the construction going on, I told them they might have to find an alternate route to our house this Christmas because I am 9 weeks pregnant and due on Christmas Day.  They both stopped dead in their tracks and looked at us with shock and happiness.

On our way home (back to Detroit), we stopped in Chicago to see Kendal (Adam's sister).  We had a present for her too.  It was a "Number 1 Aunt" t-shirt.  Her reaction was priceless.  First she looked at the shirt and couldn't understand why we gave her a shirt like that.  Then it clicked and she screamed so loud I think she probably woke up her neighbors in her apartment building.

Overall, it was a great weekend and I am thrilled with how everything played out and the memories we will have of this great moment.

I'll be posting more about my pregnancy and other stories related.  Once I am 12 weeks along I will begin posting belly bump pictures for everyone to see.

I am 11 weeks and 3 days pregnant today!  Watch for pictures soon.