He is NOT my husband!

Read on to understand the title of my post! :)


How far along: 15 weeks!

Total weight change: +4 pounds since my appointment a month ago.

Maternity clothes: Still just wearing those one pair of maternity shorts.  Everything else still fits. 

Stretch Marks: I haven't noticed any.

Movement: I think I might be feeling something.  I was driving home from a friend's house today, and I felt that same feeling I've been feeling for the past week.  I told myself that it felt like bubbles (I honestly keep telling myself that it's just gas).  I got home, read my email from Baby Center that talks about Week 15, and it mentioned that some women describe early movement as bubbles!  I couldn't believe my eyes. 

Sleep: I sleep great.  And A LOT!

Best Moment This Past Week: I have two!  First-  wearing my maternity shorts and having my dad notice that I have a slight bump (and I thought it was just my wishful thinking that I had one).  Second- listening to our baby's heartbeat at my appointment on Tuesday.  It's music to my ears!

Most Difficult Moment This Past Week: Still feeling nauseous.  My OB offered to write me a prescription for it, but I think I'm going to hold out until the next appointment.  If it hasn't eased up, I'll let her know.

Belly Button In or Out: In

Cravings/Aversions: Chocolate!  But then again-  I've always been a chocoholic. :)

Symptoms:Nausea, sensitive breasts, and exhaustion.


We find out the sex on August 15th!!!

Now to tell you the meaning behind my title!  My dad went with me to my doctor's appointment on Tuesday.  We had planned to go to lunch afterward.  The nurse called me back, and I went in alone.  She weighed me and then asked if the man in the waiting room with me was my husband and did he want to come back with me!  I just laughed (this wasn't the first time someone has thought my dad was my husband). :)

Bossy Bud

Seriously?!?!

Guys, I am SO sorry that it's been 3 weeks since my last post! It's super hard to believe. Life has been quite hectic lately...my brother left for Coast Guard boot camp, my dad's cancer has gotten worse, work has been really busy with sinus infections and bronchitis and we're changing to a new electronic medical records system at work and I have to stay after work a lot for classes. Plus, I got sick with a bad head cold a couple of weeks ago and then hurt my back last week. Whew! Ready for things to calm down a little.

Okay, first thing's first. ALRIGHT DIVA!!! Whoop whoop! Go 'head girl! That is FANTASTIC!!! I knew it was coming...I felt it in my bones. And I love the way you told Mr. DBud. Don't worry about a thing babe, ya'll got this!

I will be 15 weeks on Wednesday...so Skittle will be 13 weeks old. The crown to rump length for this week of pregnancy is 4-4.5 inches. Baby continues to grow rapidly. Skittle has thin skin and at this point you can see blood vessels through the skin. The lanugo hair covers the baby's body. It may be sucking it's thumb and its eyes are at the front of the face but still widely separated.

My symptoms have pretty much disappeared but I still get some nausea occasionally. The fatigue is pretty prevalent (cleaning the house is a major undertaking). I still get some cramping occasionally but I attribute it to "growing pains." I got a pair of maternity jeans and shirts a few weeks ago and am so much more comfortable. I have to wear a belly band at work (mostly for my back, though I do notice some abdominal cramping when I don't wear it) and my scrub tops and pants are getting pretty snug. My face still breaks out (something I've never been lucky enough to not have to worry about) but worse at the 4 week increments. I have more of a belly now, though mine still isn't as cute as Lucky's. I've gained about 9 pounds so far...something I intend to keep a closer eye on.

I listen to Skittle's heart beat about every other night before bed. I'd listen to it all night if I could. It's staying between 155 and 160. Mr. CB and I think we got to feel baby move the other weekend. It was Sunday morning and I had to pee (big surprise, right?) so my uterus was pushed up. I decided to try and see. So I applied some pressure and waited. Then I thought I felt a fluttering under my fingers. I excitedly told Mr. CB (who hadn't long before gotten home from working 3rd shift) so he rolled over and tried for himself. And he got to feel it too! Just a little rolling movement under the fingers. It seems God and this baby are continually letting me know that everything is/will be okay.

This past week has been a little hard emotionally at work. Thursday marks the EDD for my second baby. It's hard to listen to the girls at work (especially the BF who's baby is about 4 months old now) talking about their kids. Sometimes I can't help thinking "it should be me talking about getting up at all hours...nursing a sick baby...whining about sore breasts because I need to pump...showing off pictures...bragging about baby's first giggle...needing to buy bigger baby clothes." God knows I'm happy about this miracle that I've been blessed with. But I can't help to still be sad about the two I haven't been able to meet...and won't until I go to Heaven. I don't like the pain. But I refuse to ever really let it go. When I pray, I ask the Lord to share my love with my babies and to let them know that I will never forget them and can wait to meet them.

I will close for now (sorry about the sad closing). I'll try to do better with my blogging.

15 weeks: A light at the end of the tunnel

Silly Blogger.  Sorry I haven't posted in so long, every time I tried to log in, it would tell me there was an error, and after a while, I stopped trying.  I can't believe I'm at 15 weeks!  Even more unbelievable, after today, I only have 8 more days of school.

After school is out, I'll have about a month off, in which I need to do tons of things to start getting ready for baby, as well as many teaching related things. I need to start looking at registering, and all of the baby furniture/items we want.  Start thinking about names, looking at daycares.  The list is a bit overwhelming.  In addition to that, there is the school stuff - I have a 3 day training on drug awareness and prevention, and I have to prep a completely new class to teach in summer school this July.  June is just going to fly by!  In July I'll be teaching summer school.  Then comes August with more baby stuff, the 1st baby shower, a family trip to Niagara Falls, and possibly a trip up north with friends.  Oh, and of course prepping for the fall and my long term sub.  Whew! 


I've been looking for a check in list to use for myself, and for my posts.  I want to get better about keeping track of this pregnancy.  I finally found one I like on Buttercup Bud's posts.  I hope you don't mind me stealing it Butter Cup!


Belly Measurement/Weight: At my last appointment last Wednesday, I was still barely back up to my prepregnancy weight.  I think this is because I was overweight before, and the hyperemesis gravidarum.  Also, it wasn't until after we found out I was pregnant that I started the medicine for my thyroid, which could also be keeping the weight gain off, and keeping me at a healthier weight. 
Physical Progress: Baby is now the size of an orange according to the bump.  Everyone keeps saying that is so big!  Also, I'm in maternity clothes pretty much all the time.  I was lucky enough to get a tub of them from another teacher who had her last baby almost 2 years ago.  I'm so glad I don't have to buy all new clothes, just select pieces. 
How I am feeling about my body:Pretty good.  I like that I'm showing, though it does get a little uncomfortable.  I do have one stretch mark.  Of course I'd rather I didn't have it, but oh well.  I wish that I could stop throwing up, that is the one thing I can't wait to be done with.  Whoever said m/s stopped at 12 weeks lied. It has gotten better though.  I generally only vomit once a day after dinner.  Once or twice a week I get away without even that.  I'm hoping that it's better enough soon that I can get off the Zofran (because yes, that is still on the Zofran.) 
Cravings/Aversions: No real craving - but I have an aversion to many, many things.  Food in general most of the time. 
Energy Level: It's getting better.  I'm not as dead tired, and I don't even need a nap most days anymore! 
Baby Movement: None yet that I'm sure of- I'm hoping I'll feel some for sure soon. 
Thoughts/Feelings/Emotions: Just happy.  ^_^

15 weeks!

Hello week 15! Here is a little update on Baby Buttercup Bud and I:

Belly Measurement/Weight: As of my last appointment I had actually lost 3 pounds and am at 120. I have not measured my belly yet.

Physical Progress: I wear maternity clothes all the time now. As you can see in the picture above Baby BB is making him/herself known to the world with that bump.

How I am feeling about my body: Actually, I am a little embarrassed to admit this but I feel sexier now that I am showing. I also feel empowered walking around "showing" the world what my body can do. Pregnancy is pretty amazing.

Cravings/Aversions: I LOVE pickles, red chewy candy, slurpees, potatoes and bread. Not really any aversions anymore.

Energy Level: Way up from 1st trimester, I feel like myself again!

Baby Movement: None yet but hopefully soon!

Thoughts/Feelings/Emotions: I am so excited to be able to enjoy my pregnancy. The weather is getting nicer and I can be outside with the kids playing. We have started grilling again too, yum. In 4 1/2 weeks I am graduating culinary school and I am so happy about that. I cry if anyone around me or on TV cries. It is really insane.

That is our update, more next week!

Good To Be Back

I had a great visit with friends and family back in New England. Pretty much the Baby Tour of Massachusetts. I got to see my best friends 3 week old daughter, three of my nieces (ages 14, 6 & 6 months) and my nephew (15 months). Also got to spend some time with my extended family and some good friends. I even got to color Easter eggs! Mine is the pink one with the tulip, the rest are the two eldest nieces.

Seeing the newborn was a good reminder of just what we'll be in for come October. Sleep, Eat, Poop, Eat, Squawk Like a Pterodactyl, Sleep, Look Cute, Poop. Sweet little girl. Its good to see my friend adjusting so well to motherhood, and its even better that they have their little IVF miracle home in their arms now.

The nieces & nephew are all growing like weeds. I hadn't been home in 6 months. Its amazing how much they change. The 2 day old (in Sept) is now learning to crawl! Crazy.

It was great to be around family and friends with regards to the pregnancy as well. There was so much excitement, it really was catchy. Several of my aunts mandated I show them belly pics as things progress. Not too fond of that idea, but will probably send enough to appease them. My MIL and SIL took me on a maternity clothes shopping spree. The were soooo generous. I'm really glad I got over my issue with being ready for maternity clothes and was able to embrace the situation. My parents were honestly a little luke warm with regards to the pregnancy. They are excited, but having issues with the 3,000 miles between us. They want to be there for our little family and spend all the time they can with their grandbaby...but distance & finances are throwing a wrench in that. We'll make the best of it.

I did get some unexpected news on Easter. I'm not the only one in my immediate family expecting. I'm going to be an aunt again! My brother and his wife have a baby due in late November.

For those curious about air travel while pregnant: One of the airports I went thru security at had back scatter and one didn't. I just went through the metal detector. For the back scatter, the sign said it had the equivalent of two minutes in a plane of radiation exposure. If I'd been running late, I'd have just gone through. I mean, I was flying clear across the country...two minutes of exposure isn't going to make much difference. I wasn't in a hurry though, so I asked for a pat down. TSA was pretty good about it, though the pat down was a little more intimate than I'd have liked (running hand under and between breasts, getting inquisitive about the band on my maternity jeans). All in all it wasn't a big deal.

Probably should include my 15 week update since I'm at 15 weeks 5 days already.

Been feeling pretty good this past week. My biggest news is that I think I'm starting to have the beginnings of a bump! I was putting on my PJs one night on the trip and noticed my belly was sticking out further than my boobs. Glance at a mirror & sure enough! It seems to be more in the evenings when my muscles are tired. This timing also coincides with when my back tends to ache and when my lower abdomen muscles ache (both recent developments). No new cravings or aversions assuming I told y'all about the pork aversion issues that began last week. I've been hiding from the scale...will face that one in the coming week. No appointments this week, so nothing to report there. Best moment of the last week was spending time with family and sharing the excitement of the pregnancy with them. Worst was dealing with my parents issues with the distance between us.

!4 and 15 week update OR Inception: Pregnancy Edition

Hello, ladies, and welcome, new buds!

Seriously, I have to post more. Life has been hectic, but even I'm starting to go "Wait, Cherry who?"

I am immensely sorry.

Anyway, updates.

- No more morning sickness! YAY! Except when I don't eat. Which happens an alarming amount. Pre-pregnancy, I was one of those people who could completely forget breakfast and not eat until dinner and be fine. You know those people. They're obnoxious and everyone secretly waits for the day when they discover chocolate cake and eat themselves to 400 pounds. Anyway, now that I'm pregnant, the habit is still to wake up fiftenn minutes before I have to be at work, throw on my clothes and jet. Then, at 9:30, right in the middle of morning circle time, my stomach says "CHERRYBUDFEEDMENOW!!" So I've taken to not only actually eating breakfast for the first time since I was in high school (I know. Revolutionary.), but taking these things to work with me:

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They keep my tummy sane. I will say that, when you are the "teacher" in a room full of one year olds, it's hard to sneak bites of cracker without having huge baby eyes in your face saying "So, you gonna finish that?"

- We signed up for childbirth classes today. The goal is to (gulp) get through labor without an epidural. Go ahead. Laugh. Roll your eyes. Pat me on the head and say "That's sweet." But I'm at least going to try, so we've signed up for Bradley Classes, which come highly recommended by several friends who have made it through labor without meds. We were actually incredibly late signing up, and only managed to get a spot because another couple opted out. So woo-hooo!

- My dreams of late have become increasingly disturbing. Seriously, it's like Christopher Nolan has invaded my head. The dreams are so vivid and real. Plus, some of them are a little on the..umm..naughty side and that's just a whole mess of confusing, when I have never felt less sexy in my life.

- And, lastly, this is what I look like right now. Ignore the gaping black hole behind me. Please. It was that or bear witness to my piles of laundry.

Until next time,

Time is going sooooooooo slow.

I turned 15 weeks on Friday. Waiting so impatiently for the elective gender scan we scheduled for the 12th. I cannot wait to find out what we are having. I will be thrilled with either but have a slight preference for a girl so we can re-use all of the girl clothes that we already have. Not to mention that sisters are just awesome!

After the recommendation of many of my friends, I purchased the Fisher Price Rock N Play Newborn Sleeper. I'm very excited about this because we can keep it in our room next to the bed which will make for easy middle of the night feedings for the first few months. I love that it has an incline just in case this baby has reflux like our daughter did.
I'm torn right now on breastfeeding. I had a difficult time with my daughter and my milk never fully came in. It was a very stressful time and the colic made it very difficult as well. I am determined to try harder this time but I'm just so unsure if I want to breastfeed or just pump and bottle feed. I didn't particularly enjoy breastfeeding for the short duration that I did it. I have a few more months to ponder the subject.

We did go a different route this time with bottles. We used Dr. Brown's last time but the ones we had weren't BPA free since that whole fiasco wasn't out at the time we were using bottles. So we threw those away and we decided to try Playtex Drop Ins this time. After having to wash so many parts with Dr. Brown's for so long, we liked the idea of having much fewer pieces to wash. Strangely, I'm actually very excited about bottle washing again. I enjoyed it.

I'm building my cloth diaper stash back up again. I only had mostly larges and some one sizes left over from my daughter and they were all girly colors. So I've started purchasing some smalls and mediums in gender neutral colors. BumGenius 3.0's, Fuzzibunz, and Beeber's Butts (Have to support my friend on her business!). Again, I'm strangely excited to start washing diapers again too. Little Sunflower Bud enjoys when new diapers come in the mail. She loves how small and soft they are and she knows right where they go in the baby's room and wants to put them there herself.

She is still very insistent that she's having a baby sister. Only a few more days until we know for sure!

I've started to relax quite a bit finally about the pregnancy. Though, unfortunately, the pregnancy hasn't started to relax for me. I still have some pretty major bouts of morning sickness for about 5 out of 7 days a week and I'm still very exhausted a lot of the time. Still hoping it gets better and lets up a bit.

Almost half way and I think we found our crib

4 months... I am still in disbelief that we have made it this far... it's starting to finally feel real. This past weekend I made 15 weeks, 15 weeks!!! Our next goal is to make it to 25 weeks. We are taking baby steps. I have been feeling really good, no more evening nausea, luckily I was only hurled over the toilet once since the beginning of this pregnancy. And I think I felt the little on yesterday, but its too early to know for sure.

At our two last appointments the both doctor's told us that it looks like a boy but they were not able to get a good enough shot because he was moving to much. Here are a few u/s pics from our last appointment
The first one is a but shot from his back -

 

And the second one is a profile pic.. but do you see that little thing poking out???

I have started putting ideas together for the nursery and think I have finally found the crib that I am in love with..I have been searching for cribs since the day we saw a heart beat knowing it was not going to be an easy task. I have an idea on what I want but I knew it was either not going to be available in the color that I wanted or it was going to be $1k - $2k, which is WAY over our budget. All the baby store's and department store's that we have gone to we have not been able to find anything that we like... either the bed looks too big and bulky, or it looks like a thrown for a king... just not our style. I want something clean lines and does not have a backboard that looks like an adults bed. And we are not interested in the convertible options, hopefully in 2-3 years we will have our second child and we will be able to recycle this crib. So with out Further audei let me introduce the crib that I ***hope*** we can buy... The Sparrow Crib made by Oeuf (found here). We would go with the white option

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It is a little.. ok ok A LOT over our price range but I'm thinking long term... It is so so so beautiful. I saw it in person and fell in love. For the rest of the room I am going to really really stick to my budget and savage other items from the house. I am eliminating the changing table (not a fan of so much furniture in a room) and will buy the Hemned Ikea Dresser and use it as a changing table as well (ha already saving some money!).

Since we live in South Florida and are boaters, what better idea that a nautical theme nursery for our little boy. Here is a design board that I have created to have an idea of how the room will go together:

Happy Friday! Hope you have a wonderful long weekend!

Weeks 14 & 15....

I put off writing this entry since I really had nothing exciting or profound to say....truth is I still don't! But for the sake of an update I figured I'd throw one out there :)

These past 2 weeks so far have been fairly uneventful. I feel like the time leading up to our big u/s is going by soooooo slow. Next week we do have an appointment with the perinatologist for b/w and then the following day with the OB for my 16 week check up.

I THINK I'm starting to feel some kind of flutters going on in there but it could just be my mind playing tricks on me. It's usually when I'm sitting and it's either something like a tickle or tiny bubbles. It's "interesting"!

Other than that, there's really not much else going on! I'm sure next weeks post will be much more exciting!

When will this ride end?

I don't believe that I'm actually able to post today. I only hope I can make it on at least once a week and not let you down. So here is what has been going on...

We finally sold our home, moved out December 28th, lived with friends until January 15th until our apartment was ready. We are now in our apartment and on the hunt for our "forever home!" We haven't gotten the internet set up at home, so checking the internet has become a pain, hence the longer-than-expected absence from Bloomin Babies.

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I finished my first class of graduate school with an "A"!!! I was so proud of myself. Currently taking class #2.Now for an update on Baby BrainyBud...

Week 9
Bleeding stopped for about 6 days and then started back. Baby went on a weekend getaway with me and my mom and it was my secret!

Week 10
Celebrated 4th wedding anniversary and thanksgiving. I was able to take a lot of leave from Thanksgiving-Christmas because I had so much leave time built up.

Week 11
Bleeding began to get worse and started to scare me that I was losing the baby. I was so exhausted for the last 3 weeks, that my body would start shutting down around 8pm.

Week 12
Still bleeding but stopped taking Progestrone. Baby took a trip with mom and dad to the University and mom's frequently traveled to work place. Began having some tummy aches that would last for a few more weeks. Found out that my college friend is due 2 days prior to me and a friend from church is due 2 days after me. Had my 3rd OB/GYN visit. Baby is perfectly healthy with NO reason for the bleeding. Baby was moving arms and legs so fast, I thought it was the heartbeat to begin with.

Week 13
Came down with a MAJOR ear infection! The doctor said that I was beating my little one to it. He said it was like a 2-year-old's ear infection. YUK. I felt terrible! The baby even went with us to the Nutcracker Ballet. The bleeding finally stopped sometime during this week.

Week 14
We finally announced our pregnancy at Christmas, everyone was so excited and surprised! It was the most scarest thing we've ever had to say to family. We moved the day after Christmas and no one let me do anything! Even though I had been packing for weeks prior.

Week 15
Still announcing to people and still exhausted. New Years was interesting.

Week 16
Baby's first snow and won't be able to see it. Mr. BrainyBud went sledding on the day that was supposed to be our 4th U/S but was rescheduled due to the snow and ice. Went to the dentist and he gave me a set of "Baby's First Toothbrushes" for our impending little one.

Week 17
I began to worry because I have NOT gained ANY weight. I wondered if something was wrong all week. Had our 4th U/S that lasted 15 minutes but only took the tech 2 seconds to announce...

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That's my update for now...Faith, Love and Baby Flutters,

Mrs. BrainyBud

19 Days and Counting!!!

We had our monthly appointment today, we are 15 weeks and 2 days - all is well with Baby GB! I got to hear the heartbeat again and it was a strong 140 beats per minute!

If you remember from my last post, I had some questions for Dr. C, for the most part I got them all answered.

As far as the quad screening, Dr. C told me that since both Mr. GB and I are healthy and have no history in our family that should alert us to need these tests that it was completely up to us. We decided we'd not be electing to have these tests done because at this point we're in it for the long haul regardless of what it would or wouldn't have found.

I found out which hospital we'd be delivering in (very happy with the outcome!) and found out they offer a childbirth class, among other classes, which include a grand tour of the place. I think I'll be scheduling this after the hustle and bustle of the holidays subsides and around 30 weeks.

I also... yes... got a flu shot. Contrary to everything I've been saying for the last 3 months, Dr. C talked me into it. Actually, she had a very sneaky way of telling me that I was getting one after our consultation. I walked out asking myself if I had said yes or if I had just been bamboozled?! Anyway, in 3-4 weeks apparently the H1N1 vaccine will be available and I have a feeling I'll leave my 19 week appointment feeling a little bamboozled as well?!

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And last but not least... Dr. C scheduled the BIG ULTRASOUND!!! So... in 19 days, as long as Baby GB cooperates, we'll know if we are:

Team Pink or Team Blue!!!

What's your vote???? :)

Fruit Forecast

Well, I don't have much to report - it seems this waiting game from my last appointment to my next (tomorrow) has been very uneventful! So, I'm checking in with my 15 week fruit report! Here's what Baby GB is up to this week:

Baby's now the size of a naval orange!

Continuing the march toward normal proportions, baby's legs now out-measure his arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably can't feel the movements just yet.





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Tomorrow is our next appointment and hopefully all will go well! I know we get to hear the heartbeat again but I think it should be pretty quick beyond that. For the first time though I have a list of questions to ask Dr. C! Why I haven't asked some of these sooner is beyond me but pretty much every time I leave I think of a question I should have asked.

• What hospital do we deliver at? There are two - not sure if we get to choose of if her practice designates one?!

• Flu shots - wasn't going to get either however, I'd like to know my options and what she thinks. Honestly, if she can do them right there I might just end up getting them. Better safe than sorry right?


• Quad Screens & other optional tests - Mr. GB is more concerned with these than me but for his sake I want to ask and find out if they are covered and when we can do them if we decide to.


• Can we schedule our BIG ultrasound???? :)

• Make sure to schedule our 19 Week appointment with the "alternate" doctor who could be at the delivery just in case Dr. C isn't available

I know there's more... ah, for next time!