This baby is getting a new haause ;)

So we are now in week 22 and the baby is supposed to weigh about one pound now. One little pound in contrast to the 20-25 (uh-hum) pounds I have put on. Seriously, the math does not line up ;)


To catch you up since my last post on 8/8 here is a summary:

• Celebrated 3 year anniversary on Wed., 8/12 with dinner at Chez Henri in Cambridge (thank you Restaurant Week!)
• Geoff upgraded my diamond earring for our anniversary, even though we said not gifts - but how upset could I be? ;) They will also be my "happy birthday, merry Christmas, and thanks for having my son gift" all rolled into one.
• I went to dinner with Amanda H. at LaMorre in Brookline (Restaurant Week #2)
  
• We went to the lake for the weekend of the 15/16 and Jane, Steve and Aiden were up there as well
• Last weekend Geoff helped Jon and Christina move into their house, as I packed up my clothes and prepped for our move
• On Saturday I dropped off my dress to Emelia's Creations to have it re-worked for Dad's 60th B-day party
  
• I had my first pre-natal massage on Sunday at Isis - it was great - but then I over did things on Sunday night afterwards
  
• We had our first HypnoBirthing class on Monday night
• I picked up my re-worked dress on Wed. night (and it looks amazing!)

Tonight Geoff picked me up from Belmont center and I pretty much came home and then went to bed. I am just really tired and want to avoid being sick. We have the house closing tomorrow a the registry in Cambridge. We are both taking the day off - I could have gone to work for the morning, but just want to reduce my stress and enjoy the day with Geoff. So we have the walk-through on the house at 1:30pm then signing at the Registry at 3pm then we are headed to Boston for Lissa and Chris's bachelor(ette) party on a pirate ship. It is a 2 hour boat ride which I think will be a lot of fun. I will def. be tired but that is fine.

Saturday morning we are meeting Eric at 9am to clean the house; and then the movers should be arriving in Belmont between 2-4pm.

Tonight the baby was pretty quiet when i was laying in bed and then Geoff put his hand on my belly. Well he decided to do a big flip (which kind of makes me queasy when he does that) and then proceeded to pound away on my belly for Geoff. I have to admit - I just love it - and am glad he is having a good time in there :) I have not had any pains or anything so I think we are in a good period together. Actually I just looked down from my laptop to my belly and it just shifted from him kicking me ;)

Oh in other baby news - Alex announced on her blog that she is having a baby boy!!! I am so happy for her and her family - our little boys will be about 3 weeks apart :) Also, Erin is going to be having a baby as well at the end of January! Babies all around!!! It is just so wonderful to have close friends who are going through the same wonderful phases.

In regards to HypnoBirthing - I am excited and totally into it, but just need to find time to read the book (we have to read 15o pages for homework this week) and listen to the meditations. I listened to the birthing affirmations on my walk to work, and the rainbow relaxation a few nights ago. I have not listened to the full rainbow relxation meditation, so I am going to work on that tonight.

Lauren is working on selling her house and it may be on the market this weekend. I would love for her to move to the East coast and would love for her to be able to stay with us for a while. It would be really fun if she spent the fall with us while she figured out her next adventure.

Well I am off - I want to listen to the meditation and my eyes are closing on me.

It's a boy!!! :)

So yesterday was the big scan and our big news is that there is a little boy in my belly :)

Geoff and I were so excited. Geoff was running a few minutes late (even though he ended up beating me there ;) so I got him a roast beef sandwich at Au Bon Pain on the way - plus chips. We met in the waiting room and then quickly got called, so Geoff had only had half of his sandwich. The women was really nice and just jumped right into things. We told her that we would prefer to have the results written down and she was totally cool with it.

At first the baby's head was really down, on my cervix so she tried to elevate my feet to get it to move around. The baby was being pretty uncooperative though ;) So she measured the legs, arms, head, spinal cord, we saw its nose and chin and she spent a lot of time looking at the 4 chambers of the heart.

When she was about the measure the legs she said to look away in case we saw anything. I honestly did not think that even if I looked I would be able to tell ;) Anyways, the baby was being camera shy and at one point had its arms stretched out in between it's legs covering its parts!

So then the Dr. came in (he was like a robot - it was so weird) and looked around some more and said everything looks great. Actually the other news is that the technician said that the baby was measuring 19 w and 6 days - when technically I am not 19 weeks till today - so the baby is about a week bigger than normal :) So the woman gave us our envelop with the results and we headed to meet the midwife Annmarie.

I have to say, meeting Annmarie was like a big sigh of relief. She was so nice and so friendly and I think a perfect fit for us. She is from the UK and then came to the US and got re-certified for midwifery. She said "everything looks great, you are doing great." and then complimented me on eating my baby carrots (heart, heart ;) Geoff really liked her as well so we have decided to switch our care over to the midwives a MGH instead of an OB. She said that the main difference was in the philosophy an that if I wanted a naural and unmedicated birth that was a great option. She also mentioned the Cambridge birthing center, but they are not AABC certificed and I have not read good reviews on them so I am not going to research them further. I honeslty think the midwife is the perfect fit for us and I feel really good about it.

So - we got home and then Geoff (using his grandad's letter opener) opened up the results - and low and behold we are having a boy! I have to say I did cry a little (mostly happy tears) bcs I was looking forward to having a mini-me, but I am happy Geoff is going to have a son and in terms of burth order I kind of like having the eldest a boy. He can then watch over the girl later on in life. Funny though bcs my mom and sister both thought I was having a girl and I kind of did too. And after the scan Geoff thought it was a girl as well (he looked at all the parts). So it was a really wonderful surprise. Either way we would have been thrilled but it is really nice to be able to bond with the baby on another level now, especially when I envision a mini-Geoff in me ;)

After the results Geoff when into Boston have drinks with his work team, boss and then owner of the company. The owner then offered to have dinner as well so that was super generous of him. He talked to them about their future plans and Geoff is really excited to be part of a growing company who take care of their employees. Because they were having such a fun time - we decieded it would be best to drive to the lake in the morning and not very late on Friday.

We got up early today (Geoff hardly slept bcs he was so excited about work stuff and I just could not get comfortable) grabbed our tea to go, got bagels at the Brewgers in Belmont Center and were up here by 11am. We went for a swim and now I am reading "Deliver This" on the deck. I am sure lunch will be soon :)

Tomorrow I think I will swing by my parents to say goodbe to Meghan and Cade bcs they are leaving for SC on Tuesday. Things are not going well for her now and I feel that things just seem to be getting worse. Colleen and Ricky were really nice and said that they are pumped we are having a boy so they can open up some space in their basement. It is really, really sweet of them and their generosity will be saving us a bundle, so we are more than happy to get some use out of their hand-me-downs :)

Big Day Tomorrow!

So tomorrow is the "big scan"! :)

We are so excited. I think the blog may be getting a new, and updated image tomorrow with a new photo of the baby. I really think we are having a girl so I wonder how right I will be :)

Things have been busy - but very good. I have never seen Geoff so happy in my life. He goes to work early, stays late and is just happy all the time. He told our real estate agent - it feels good when you are good at something :)

Since my last post the major update is that we have been able to feel the baby kick since about 18 weeks. I honestly did not record the first time I felt a "real" kick but it is just incredible. Every night when we go to bed, Geoff puts his hand on my belly until he feels a few good kicks and then we both go to sleep.

The weekend with my parents and the family in Maine was really fun. It was a very long drive but just so nice to hang out with them. Last weekend we were first thinking about going to the lake, but then I felt overwhelmed with things to do, so we stayed home and had a very relaxing, but productive weekend. On Saturday we got Geoff's contacts, went to Walden for a swim, went to Whole Foods, had lunch, did laundry, went to see The Hangover, and then folded laundry watching Australia that night. On Sunday we planned our meals for the week and then Geoff went food shopping. He worked on house insurance stuff while I prepped some of the food. We then had a nap, I worked out, and then dinner. After dinner Geoff ironed his clothes while we watched more of the movie :)

This week we went to see furniture at the house to see if we wanted to buy any of it. We said that we would be interested in the wicker set for the porch, a hose and holder, 2 lamps, a couch and chair (that was in their den), and the gas grill. It came to just under $400 but will def. be worth it.

Geoff stayed late at work last night (till about 8pm) and I had a dentist cleaning after work. The cleaning was a 3 month cleaning bcs they recommended it to make sure my teeth were in good shape bcs of being pregnant. My next cleaning is in the beginning of December which is kind of funny to think how big I will be then!

I am def. getting bigger and now and there is no hiding it. People look at my belly now more than they look at my face ;) It is kind of nice though - especially if it gets me a seat on the train or the bus :)

Well I need to run to change over the laundry. I need to do a few loads tonight so I have clothes clean for next week. We are going to the lake tomorrow night and I am def. looking forward to a swim!!

Budgeting

Today (on this lovely 80 degree and sunny afternoon) I am working on our budget for the next year. We now have estimate on the house

Actually a quick catch up over the past 2 weeks - we stayed home for the weekend of the 11/12 and I think we just got things done. Geoff started work on 7/13 and had a really long week. He loves his new job but it is tough work. That Friday, 7/17 we signed the final P&S. I had to pick up all the mortgage and house stuff from Geoff bcs he was so busy with work. So we go it signed (Jon dropped of his and Christina's deposit at the same time ;) and then headed to the lake with Jordan and the 3 cats. Saturday was rainy in the morning but then turned out to be a nice day. I dropped by Cyrstal Lake to see Colleen and pick up the bin of maternity clothes she had for me. That was really super sweet of her and I honestly have no idea how she packed so much into one bin ;) Sunday we mostly tidied the house and spent a few hours looking for Lily, who ended up hiding in the tub of Geoff's parents bedroom. She basicaly opened the door and then hid under the tub where the pipes were exposed from the work they are having done there (from the frozen pipes that Geoff and I caused over the winter).

Mum & Dad came home on Monday night from their UK trip (wedding, Sicily, wedding) an then Christina came home on Tuesday night from seeing her family. I forget what we did Wed. night but Thursday night Geoff and I went to Stonehearth Pizza for dinner and then last night J&C and Jeannie and Mike came over for take-out Indian food.

Today we have the Red Sox game tonight and then I am headed to Maine (have to be in Saugus at 10am) tomorrow with Kevin till Tuesday afternoon/night. I am kind of bummed Geoff cannot make it, but understand how he does not want to take the time from work.

Okay so now back the budget - I am trying to figure out how we are going to be able to pay for everything we need over the next year. The house and baby are just huge expenses (not a surprise here) but Geoff's salary is still quite low and even a bit lower than we expected. Oh well - I will nto feel right until I have the numbers in place so I am going to focus back on that.

Oh very exciting news - I felt the baby kick for the first time last night after dinner. So that was about 17 and 1/2 weeks. We were lying in bed watching Tudors and I distinctly felt it :) It felt so very wonderful and I am just enamored with having my own little buddy inside me along for the ride. I am still around 152 pounds but I just don't trust that scale any more.

We have 2 more weeks until the bug scan and I think Geoff and I will try to save the gender results to open them on our anniversary. It will just be a weekend and a few days, and our anniversary is exactly at my half-way point. That will be our third anniversary and the best guft to eachother. I madfe reservations for us at Chez Henri in Cambridge. I have to say that I love that our anniversary falls on resteraunt week so we can try these fancy places at affordable prices :)

Busy bees

Future baby daddy gets a new job! :)

Geoff had his interview this morning with Percussion at 10am and had a new job secured by lunch!! I am just so thrilled for him - he is just so happy and truly deserves this opportunity.

He got a call 2 days ago from the President, had a phone interview yesterday and then they invited him in today for the full interview :) After his interview he came into Boston for our Dr. appt. at MGH. It was just literally to say hi and listen to the heart beat. That was it. Geoff then brought up the discussion on where we want to have the baby and naturally the Dr. said that the hospital environment was the best to ensure a healthy baby and a healthy mother. She did suggest that we talk to the midwifery director at MGH which we will do at our next appt. on Friday August 7th. I appreciate that she recommended this option, but I would feel better about it if she had suggested resources for us to read up on to help inform our decision.

Anyways lets get back to Geoff and his good news. So tonight he is playing poker with freinds and then tomorrow I think he may have plans as well. He did agree to go to Wrentham Outlets with me this weekend to get maternity clothes. I just need more options in the morning. Also, with Geoff and his new job I can now afford for personal training :) So far I have gained about 10 pounds over the past 15 weeks (today is 15 weeks). I guess that if I keep around +10 until 4 months then I can gain about a pound a week until the end (total of 35 pounds) and that will be at the high side of the normal (but just fine) range.

Tonight as Geoff plays poker I am going to watch Netflix on demand and then head to bed early. I have been yawning since 3:00pm so I really need to catch up on my rest :)

Yeah for Geoff!!!

Wating for Geoff's tea to brew

So this week has been going pretty well. Sunday night I had made the Greek baked pasta for dinner so then we ate it on Monday night bcs Geoff's parents were busy getting ready to go away for a few weeks (England wedding, Sicily, then another wedding in England). It came out pretty well and I know Geoff's Mum appreciated not having to think or deal with dinner for a night.

Last night Geoff made pizza (as I exercised - walked on treadmill). My weight had crept up to 152.5 pounds yesterday so I was a bit concerned about that. I found a chart online that lets you track your weight gain by week (with a high and low range marked on the graph) and I fell just about in the middle of the range. Today I am 151.5.

I had to change my Dr. appt. for this week from Thursday morning to Friday afternoon bcs the presentation to senior staff got moved from Wed. morning to Thursday morning. I want to ask her about my vitamin intake in light of the recommendations from Dr. Greene book. I just completed a podcast on Epidurals which was interesting - and the tidbit that 75% of all women get them during labor.

I also got in the mail all the maternity clothes that I had orded (all on sale) from Target and Pea in the Pod. The Target stuff is okay - it is not that nicely made, and not really work clothes. The Pea in the Pod stuff is def. better quality, but it is kind of annoying that they charge so much and only give you the option of Sm, Med, or Large. I think this is pretty standard, but I expect the best fit possible if I am paying extra. I am okay with the Target stuff just giving you those size options but wish they had a few more editions for better made clothing. From the lot I am going to return 1 shirt to Target and then 2 shirts to Pea in the Pod (one bcs I ordered 2 by mistake and the onther one just bcs I willnot wear it.) So I have a little bit more fall clothes stored, now I need to work on my immediaite needs - like pants, dresses, and a shirts tat are just a bit larger but the shirts do not need to be matiernity - but a litle longer in length would be great to cover the band.

Well off to get Geoff's tea and then wake him up :)