Busy, Busy, Busy Couple of Days

This past Friday I went to the OBGYN for my third prenatal appointment. Things are moving right along. I have 4 months of pregnancy officially behind me! During the visit I got to hear Gherkin's heartbeat through the Doppler. Wow! At times this pregnancy seems so surreal but hearing that little precious heart beating away certainly made it feel very real.

We had a great weekend with friends and family. Friday evening we had a delicious dinner with Andrew, Star and Liam! It was a nice evening just relaxing, spending time together and with Liam. I feel bad for Star because I think every time I see her I bombard her with pregnancy and baby questions! She is a wealth of information and I am lucky to have close friend who just went through pregnancy and childbirth to offer pointers, tips and support.

Then Saturday, we were off to visit my parents in Oneida. We had a nice lunch with Mom, Dad, Derek, Dane, Bri and Nonny and then I spent the afternoon with my mom and dad while Jeff went to a concert in Utica.

Sunday before heading back to Troy we met Jessica, Jacob, Jacob Jr. and Justin for breakfast at Denny's. I am convinced that every time Jeff and I are around children it's like they have a sixth sense and know that we are expecting. At times, I think they are testing us! We had a great time catching up with Jessica and Jacob and getting to know Jacob Jr. and Justin better. Breakfast was complete with an apple juice spill but we all survived!

We have scheduled the appointment for our 20 week ultrasound where we will learn the gender of the baby. I am just way too much of a planner to wait until the birth to learn if we are having a baby boy or a baby girl! The ultrasound is scheduled for March 19! Stay tuned!

Ouch!

For the past few weeks I have had a toothache that I was hoping would just go away. Of course, I found myself in this position because I HATE going to the dentist! I just dread it, therefore I don't go and find myself with a horrible toothache. So, off I went today to see a new dentist. The new dentist was wonderful - he and his staff were very nice and accomodating. But, sure enough with one look he gave me the dreaded news I knew was coming, "you need a ROOT CANAL!!"

I figure if I am going to have a baby, which at this point is inevitable, I am going to have to suck it up and not be a chicken in regards to this root canal. A root canal is probably alot easier to handle than childbirth! Maybe I should view this is a "baby step" towards preparing me for childbirth.

Dressed Up Bump!

I thought I was having a good "bump day" today so I made Jeff take my picture before I left for work. This is at 16 weeks and 2 days!

16 Weeks...and Growing!

So, here is a picture of my belly at 16 weeks. I am continuing to get bigger and started to have a new pronounced "baby belly." I am still feeling good...just a little bit tired here and there. It is exciting to see my body change but at times it is stressful. I am having a very hard time finding maternity jeans that actually stay up...it has been driving me crazy!!

I cannot wait to find out the sex of the baby. I know I am beginning to sound like a broken record. We have been doing lots of "window" shopping....looking at strollers, clothes, car seats, etc. But, cannot commit to anything until we know the sex. I have an appointment on Friday so I will schedule the gender ultrasound then...it should be the second or third week of March. Until then we will continue to wait patiently.

Where did the weekend go????

So, Jeff and I had a great weekend, but it went by much too quickly!! As I mentioned before, Friday evening we attended the Siena game at the Times Union Center. Great game!! Saturday we spent the morning running errands and getting groceries. Saturday evening Jeff went to the RPI hockey game with his friend Nick and I stayed home and made some jewelry. It was the first time I have made jewelry since finding out I was pregnant. For the longest time, I was just too tired to do it. Then Sunday we headed to Andy and Melissa's for the day to celebrate Jeff's 30th Birthday with his family and watch the Super Bowl. It's exciting to think that next year there will be a new family member participating in the celebration!

Growing and growing!

Here is a close-up picture of my belly at 15 weeks. I have noticed over the past week it has gotten much harder and is changing shape - protruding a bit more. It is hard to believe there is a baby in there!

A Very Good Week

We had a very good week this week! As you already read, I found my beloved Italian Rice Balls and indulged...that was a treat. On Tuesday, the crib mattress showed up via UPS compliments of my mom and dad (and early shower gift)! The crib should be here next week. The arrival of the mattress and impending arrival of the crib has made this pregnancy seem much more "real"! Like wow, we are going to have our own baby and it is going to sleep in that crib in the room in our house that is going to be the nursery. At times it still seems surreal.

Then Thursday evening we went over to the Gregory's to spend some time Star and Andrew and baby Liam. Jeff and Andrew watched Liam while Star and I went to get pedicures. My feet desperately needed some TLC as I have neglected them for the past month or so. I think I am going to be treating myself to a few more pedicures before the baby comes - it seems clipping and painting the toes might get tricky the bigger I get.


Yesterday was a big alumni pre-basketball game reception followed by the sold out Iona vs. Siena game, which Siena went on to win by 2o points! Jeff joined me at the game and we had a good time!

I have been feeling fairly well for the most part. I was a little tired this week but other than that all is going well. We do not go back to the doctor's until February 19 and that is when we will schedule the date for the BIG ultrasound! We cannot wait to find out if there is a baby girl or a baby boy in my belly! Jeff and I keep shopping around and finding clothes and things we like but are holding off on doing any major buying until we know. This wait is beginning to feel like an eternity!

Mission Accomplished!!!

So, the cravings have begun! One my new biggest obsessions is oranges...everyday I need one or two oranges...Love them! Fresh pineapple is also one of my favorites and I eat that about everyday. But, I had a craving that started last week that I was not sure I was going to be able to feed! Italian Rice Balls! I have been obsessed and on a week long quest to find them! It all started several years ago when I worked in Saratoga Springs at Empire State College. There was this little deli that had Italian rice balls once a week as a special. My colleague who was Italian used to get them and introduced them to me. She once even brought me in a homemade rice ball made by her Italian mother. To die for! But, then I moved to Troy and rice balls were no where to be found. I longed for one every once and while.

But, now being pregnant I needed to have one! While I was in NYC last week for work one of the appetizers on a menu was small risotto balls. I had two and they were wonderful but made me crave my Italian rice balls even more. So, I began looking at the menus online for local Italian restaurants to see of anyone has them...no luck. Then I started making phone calls and I tracked down my beloved rice balls today! Roma Foods in Latham is my savior! I picked them up at lunchtime. I cannot wait to get home for dinner!