Secret Preggo Post #4

(If you're just joining the show, start here and then go here & here to catch up on my secret posts that I kept before going public with pregnancy #2).


Wednesday, December 26, 2012 - 11 weeks and change. Ah I'm starting to feel like me again! The extreme fatigue is lifting and now I'm just feeling pudgy. I can deal with some pudge if my energy stays up - it is much easier to stay positive when you are awake. The worst pregnancy "side effect" right now is constipation. TMI, I know. But in case there are any other closet pregnant women out there wondering if this is a normal side effect of pregnancy, I'm here to tell you it is.
On another note, I blurted out to my boss last week that I was expecting. I didn't plan it, it just sort of happened. I'm glad he knows so that my random absences in the middle of the day and lack of enthusiasm are now explained. I'll just say that I have a great boss. If I ever question my job in the future, someone please remind me of this fact. He's totally support of me and was expecting me to walk in his office with this news any day now. I definitely feel a sense of relief now that he knows.

But for some reason, I'm still not ready to tell the whole world. Our close friends all know. Our families know. And for now that is perfect. I think I'd like to get to 13 weeks and also get through our next ultrasound (January 3rd) before being totally open about being pregnant. I know my risk of miscarriage has decreased greatly after week 11, but it's still possible. So give me another two weeks and I'll probably be blogging again every day about this baby.

And instead of starting the bump pics at week 18, I could probably start them today. I feel like I've already popped.

January 3, 2012 2013 (does it take anyone else a good month into a new year to write the correct year?)- 12 weeks, 2 days. Ultrasound #2 today! We saw the baby again and his/her heartbeat sounded strong and I think he/she is already super cute! The baby kept its legs closed the whole time, so it's a good thing it wasn't the big "reveal the sex" ultrasound, because I think we'd have been out of luck. The baby's measurements were good and at some point the screen flashed to all my info and the EDD was July 16, 2013 (the due date my doctor gave me), but the EDD(AUA) was July 14, 2013. After a quick google search, EDD(AUA) stands for Estimated Due Date (Actual Ultrasound Age), so that due date is based on the actual measurements from the baby. I've suspected that my due date should actually be the 14th, so I'm game going with that!

In other news, I'm continuing to gain weight. (Insert eye roll here.) I hate you women who lose weight in the first trimester. Turns out there are some perks to morning sickness. Just sayin.

I officially have a bump and the size 4 clothes are about to be hung up. Oh who am I kidding, I'm in my size 6 trousers today. I predict full on maternity clothes by the end of the month. I don't mind the bump, it's the gigantic ass I'm not looking forward to. Again, fingers crossed that better eating habits and more exercise this time around will curb that.

Oh, and we'll find out if baby #2 is a boy or girl on VALENTINE'S DAY! So six more weeks!

Secret Preggo Post #3

(If you're just joining the show, start here and then go here to read the first two installments of the series of 5 posts I kept before going public with pregnancy #2).

Thursday, December 6, 2012 - The headaches have started. Yesterday to be exact. Repeated today. And all I can take is Tylenol. So yea, my head is still pounding. Oh, and last night I dreamt about scales. The scale in the doctor's office. The scale in our bathroom. Scales were everywhere and they just kept creeping up and up and up. It should be a fun 32 more weeks if I don't get over this weight thing soon.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012 - Over 9 weeks here and still 6 days away from seeing the OB. I'm getting anxious to see the heartbeat and find out that everything is OK. I've been feeling slightly depressed the past few days. My skin is breaking out and I'm too nervous to use my acne medicine even though the dermatologist told me it's safe during pregnancy. I've said before that having bad skin trumps any sort of bad hair day or bad body image day. It is just hard to feel pretty when your face is plastered with blemishes. Thank God for makeup. I might be going to the mall this weekend to buy some extra-coverage goo.

I'm also unable to shake this fear of getting huge again. I've already gained 4ish pounds and I'm just not mentally prepared for the huge ass and legs again. I'm just not. But I'm so freaking tired every day so the thought of working out just exhausts me even more. I've been good about working out on the weekends and can manage to get a few workouts in during the week. I need to start walking on the treadmill at night just to stay active. I think the mental game is worse this time around because I KNOW what happened before. I'm not going into this blind and hoping I gain only 25-35 pounds. Nope, it didn't happen last time so if I want to stay in that range this time, it's going to require some serious effort on my part. I'm really hoping my energy levels perk back up once I'm done with the first trimester.

On another totally unrelated note, the sex dreams have returned. Such a strange side effect of early pregnancy.

Thursday, December 13, 2012 - Ok exhaustion, you can go away now. Seriously, any day would be great. I am about to close my door and fall asleep under my desk. I'm not sure I can keep my eyes open any longer. Hopefully no one will miss me.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012 - 10 weeks and a day here. Yesterday I had my first OB appointment and we were given a due date of July 16, 2012 (which just happens to be one of my good friend's little boy's birthdays!). And even more exciting than learning poppy's due date was getting to SEE poppy and know that he/she is doing OK. I had an ultrasound and we saw poppy's heart beat, a head, butt, four limbs and you could even distinguish the hands/feet! The little thing was moving all over the place and looked a bit like a koala bear. I'm still hoping to birth a baby though. Everything feels very real now! I'm excited and want to shout the news to everyone I see. But I'm going to wait a little while longer for that. My energy seems to be coming back (thankfully!) and I haven't felt sick. I wouldn't say I have much pep in my step but definitely doing better than I was a few weeks ago. I no longer feel the need to go to sleep immediately upon arriving home.

Big Brother To Be

Secret Preggo Post #2

(If you're just joining the show, start here to read the first in the series of 5 posts I kept before going public with pregnancy #2).

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 - I really am not very good at keeping this pregnancy thing quiet. Well, Mr. Cob was the first to somewhat spill the beans. We were at the park with friends and I was asking him when we need to leave the park to make it to a party that evening in time. He said, rather loudly, but unceremoniously, "well, we need to stop and buy your prenatal vitamins." I looked at him in horror as my friend T laughed behind me. She may have been laughing at something else entirely, but I was convinced she'd heard him (she had, but claims she wouldn't have made the jump to assuming I was pregnant). So we told her. And then we told her husband. I've been avoiding my mom like the plague because every time I talk to her I want to shout out the words. But we have started a tradition of announcing the news to her with a tee-shirt and Lukas will proudly (I hope) don his shirt announcing "I'm Going to be a Big Brother" on Thanksgiving, in just two days. Surely I can keep it quiet for two more days. The shirt has two turkeys on it. It's adorable. Last week I was at a birthday party and my friend was drinking champagne and said to me "This champagne is really amazing" and handed me her glass to take a sip. I should've just taken the sip and moved on. But no, I froze and she instantly knew. And last night I was with another friend getting a pedicure and she made some comment about my being pregnant or with a new born over the holidays next year. I have no poker face. She immediately knew. Maybe I can't make it through another two days without my mom figuring it out.


Tuesday, December 4, 2012 - 8 weeks here. And I'm still 2 weeks away from our first prenatal appointment. So the past two weeks have been busy - Thanksgiving rolled around and I ran my third half marathon. Only this time it was the first one where I was pregnant. Go me. We told our families the big news, which went over very well - apparently they'd all been suspecting/hoping for this news, but were nonetheless thrilled. A few more close friends have shared in the news with us as well. So it's been fun spreading our cheer.

I am still exhausted. I'm going to bed very early every night. Although I'm not sleeping well between the trips to the bathroom and strange dreams. I'm trying to eat healthy and not pack on the pounds too early. I even started a pregnancy exercise program - The Tracy Anderson Method: The Pregnancy Project. So far I love it and my ass and legs hurt, so hopefully it's working. I'm feeling pudgy now. My stomach is in this constant state of bloat. All of my clothes are still fitting and I have my fingers crossed that remains the case for at least another month or so (wishful thinking? perhaps).

The one big difference this time around is the nausea. I feel generally icky and like I'm going to throw up for at least a few hours each day. Perhaps this means poppy is a girl! Which scares the shit out of me. My teenage years are flashing before my eyes....is payback on her way?

Wednesday, December 5, 2012 - I cannot stop obsessing about gaining weight again. I REALLY REALLY REALLY do not want to pack on the pounds this time around. I want to be a cute pregnant girl. This is not good considering I still have 8 months of this pregnancy to go. I know that you are supposed to gain weight when you are pregnant. And I'm OK with gaining weight. I'm not OK with the prospect of pushing 200 pounds on the scale for a second time in my life.

Grand Adventure #2

So I feel like the blog has been kind of lacking and slow these days.  And figured it was time to spice things up.  I was running out of material.  Lukas didn't like having his picture taken and all his daily ins and outs being broadcast over the interwebs.  And I respect my child's privacy.  So I need new material.  And with the help of Mr. Cob, new material is on the way!   In about 6 more months.  Yup, I'm pregnant!!!!  All in the name of blogging.  (Kidding, of course.) 

And as a side note, to any friends who learn about baby #2 through this blog, please don't take offense - it seemed really strange to call everyone up and share the news the second time around.  I don't know why, but I've felt really funny spreading this news.  So I figured I'd just write about it.  I'm much better with the written word than the spoken word.

Over the past two months I've been jotting down my thoughts on this pregnancy and how I've been feeling.  Here's the first post in the series of 5 from the past few months, with new posts to follow later this week.  Enjoy!

Saturday, November 10, 2012 - I've been really tired the past week.  And depressed according to the husband, which I think translates into my being mean.  I hadn't really given my mood much thought, just assuming it was another down in the ups and downs that is life.  And I was only three days late.  Nothing too out of the ordinary. But I woke up this Saturday morning and decided it wouldn't hurt anyone to take a pregnancy test.  Mr. Cob was still sleeping.  Lukas was still sleeping.  I was alone in the quiet morning.  I shouldn't be left alone in the quiet morning.  So I did my thing and then put the stick down on the back of the toilet.  I brushed my teeth and then went back over to the stick to check it out.  I assumed it would be negative.  The actively trying gears hadn't been shifted yet.  I am training for a half marathon (ironically, the same thing I was doing the last time I found out I was pregnant).  I'd drank way too much wine just the weekend before.  So I was a little surprised when two lines showed up on the stick.  Two distinct lines.  Two lines mean positive.  Two lines mean pregnant. 

I walked out of the bathroom holding the stick and somewhat coherently said to my sleeping husband "I think I'm pregnant."  This is what Mr. Cob woke up to this morning.  You could say he was shocked.  But happy.  I started crying.  He smiled, still half asleep.  Then he was worried my tears were not happy tears.  I reassured him they they were.  It was just a bit of a surprise.  A very welcomed surprise. 

But just to be sure I took one more test.  Two lines again.  Definitely pregnant.  Happy dance.  Time for a nap.

Sunday, November 11, 2012 - I'm having a hard time keeping this news quiet.  We've now seen my three closest mom friends and I really wanted to share the news.  I've avoided my mom all weekend, fearful that I'll blurt it out over the phone.  But for now we're keeping it quiet.  We decided to tell our families over Thanksgiving.  Today I ordered a "I'm going to be a big brother" shirt for Lukas to debut on Thanksgiving day.  It has a picture of two turkeys - one little and one big.  I wonder what the little man is going to think when he learns that he's no longer going to be the littlest man in the house.  Well I suppose he might still be the littlest man if poppy turns out to be a girl.  And yes, we're calling it poppy for now.  Ok, it's time for another nap. I forgot how quickly the exhaustion sets in.  And the gas.  It's just plain gross.

Thursday, November 15, 2012 - Early pregnancy is weird and unsettling.  There's no reassurance that everything is OK in there.  I sort of wish I'd start having some morning sickness or something to settle my fears (I might be eating those words in a week or so...).  I am definitely tired and I've convinced myself that my bump is already showing - Mr. Cob assures me it is entirely in my head.  Considering I'm wearing my size 4 trousers today, it probably is.  But I still feel bloat-y.  I called the OB this week to make our first appointment.  December 18.  Over a month away.  I'm just trying to think good thoughts and give poppy some love.  I'm making sure to eat clean as much as possible.  I'm starting out every day with a green smoothie.  This morning's concoction had pineapple juice, carrot, broccoli stem, avocado, spinach, banana, frozen mango, frozen peaches, some protein powder, moringa and a few springs of cilantro just because.  It was an interesting combination.  I've also switched to decaf coffee...I know "they" say you can drink 1-2 cups of regular coffee every day of pregnancy and be OK, but I figure I'd rather be safe early on and just stick with decaf.  It worked when I was pregnant with Lukas.  Last night I found some prenatal yoga videos online and tried one out - I loved it!  I really am going to work out this entire pregnancy.  I will NOT gain 50+ pounds again.  I repeat, I will NOT!  (post-script: I ran 10 miles that night  ON THE TREADMILL.  Do you know how awful running on a treadmill for two hours is?  I'm serious about the not gaining 50+ pounds again.  2 hours on a treadmill serious.)

Now We're Cooking

I'm happy to report that 8 days in to the New Year, I've kept at least one of my resolutions: namely, to cook more.  Have I mentioned before that I LOVE to cook?  And by cook I mean follow a recipe to the t.  I get annoyed with cooking because it requires time and planning, which are two things I don't always have on my side.  I can't tell you how many times I've started a recipe only to realize that we're out of lemon juice or salt (yes, salt).  And until the past couple of months I still felt like Lukas needed to be watched at least every 2-3 minutes for fear of him climbing something he shouldn't be climbing or making some huge mess, which makes cooking dinner after work a difficult task.  Thankfully he can now entertain himself for long chunks of time, or is happy to dance in the kitchen while momma cooks.  So we've been cooking.

For Christmas, my brother in law & his girlfriend gave me Dinner: A Love Story and I am OBSESSED.  I've now cooked 4 meals and have earmarked a dozen others to try soon.  It's a great book that reads like a novel but includes easy, family friendly recipes.  Also, she has a blog that lists many of her recipes, so check it out!

Here's what our 2013 dinner menu has looked like:

Jan 1: @ grandma Sip Sip's house

Jan 2: Mushroom, Pea, Turkey Sausage Pasta (recipe from my friend Emily) - Mr. Cob made this because I was feeling under the weather.  It was AMAZING.  And I love that it was an easy recipe that you can remember without needing to refer to a book or recipe card.  It's on our menu for tomorrow night again..

Jan 3: Panko breaded chicken (From Dinner: A Love Story) w/haircot verts and couscous - I have to remember that dinner doesn't have to be a difficult recipe.  This dinner was easy and delicious.  Again thanks to Emily for the green bean suggestion.

Jan 4: Porcupine Meatballs (from Dinner: A Love Story - but also a childhood favorite of mine) - Something went wrong with this recipe, either one of my spices was bad or it just wasn't good with ground turkey.  I'll try them again but will get my family recipe.

Jan 5: Greek shrimp (from Dinner: A Love Story)  - DELICIOUS - this recipe alone is reason enough to buy the book. (Nevermind, I just realized the link is on her blog...check it out!  Seriously, great!) Serve with cibatta bread to sop up the sauce.

Jan 6: Belgian Beef Stew (from Dinner: A Love Story)  - Better for leftovers day 2.  The twist is adding a dollop of dijon mustard on top.  I forgot this step on Sunday, but remembered it for my lunch the next day - it made all the difference!

Jan 7: Meatless Monday - Southwest Quinoa Salad - I found this recipe on pinterest and have changed it a little bit (I cook the zucchini and add some salsa) - it's always a hit with the hubby.

Jan 8 (tonight): Taco Tuesday  - We're just going with standard tacos tonight, but I'm excited for an easy dinner!

So I'm on track and loving it!  I've also made homemade almond butter granola bars, which were SUPER EASY and delicious.

Do you have any easy, go-to dinner recipes to share?  How are your resolutions coming?

Hello Twenty-Thirteen!

Well, December came and went.  But you wouldn't have known that from keeping up with my blog.  It's not that there hasn't been anything to write about.  It's been a busy month.  A fabulously busy month.  I just haven't felt like putting pen to paper, err, fingertips to keys. You know what I mean.

December brought family and Christmas and a trip to the mountains with friends.  December brought presents and a bunch of new toys to our house.  December brought an abundance of love and laughter.  December was filled with joy.  I hope the same is true for your December.

And now here we are in 2013.  (Thankfully those doomsday preppers were wrong and we didn't all disappear into the abyss on December 21, 2012.)  It's a new year.  And you know how I love a new year.  With it's clean slate and fresh start.  Call me cheesy, but I love it.

As always on January 1st I set my intentions for the year.  Some are the same as prior years, but others are different.  I'm excited about them all, even though I was watching the news last night and some "expert" said you should only make one resolution a year, otherwise your odds of failure are great.  I'd already made my 6 resolutions, so I think I'll keep them all.

So here's my plan for 2013:

1. Put $2000 into our savings each month (this will require that we rein in our wayward spending).
2. Eat good food at home - stop eating out so often and PLAN all meals.
3. Walk 10,000 steps per day.  A certain Christmas present I got is helping me with this one...
4. Be patient in parenting.  Especially during the bedtime routine.
5. Think before speaking.  Watch my tone. 
6. Bring more God/religion/spirituality into our family.

Wish me luck!  What are your intentions or resolutions for the new year?  Or are you the kind of person who detests resolutions and thinks I'm a sucker for always making them?