15 weeks

How far along: 15 weeks

In desperate need of a tan but that's def a small bump!!

Sleep: Back pain and hot flashes, yes hot flashes, they are not fun at all! I can now sympathize with my poor mom who gets them quite often.

Best Moment of the Week: D told me that I look pregnant. The belly has definitely sprouted in the last few days. It is def larger in person than in pictures though. It's crazy how it just appears one day.

Food Craving: Oranges!!! Izze sparkling sodas, these are super yummy and a great way to have an all natural soda/ fruit juice!

Food Aversions: Still fish and yogurt.

Morning Sickness: On occasion at night

What I miss: Sushi!

What I'm looking forward to: Finding out the gender, it's always on my mind!!

Weekly Wisdom: Time flies, enjoy every moment!

Milestones: Looking pregnant...sort of!

According to babycenter.com: baby is 4" and the size of an orange, baby may come out an orange with all that I have been eating LOL!

Pregnancy Buddies

I think there is definitely something in the water this year. I know 6 people who are pregnant and 4 of them due in November like me.

Our friend Melissa is having a boy in July, our friend Carly is having their first in Aug, my friend Lauren is due 1.5 weeks before me, my high school friend Lauren is due 4 days before me, my other high school friend Amy is due 2 days after me, and my SIL's good friend is having #2 in early November. Not to mention a handful of bloggy friends who are preggo! One, Katie is due the week after me.

It is so cool to have all these women to share in this experience with. There has been many emails and phone conversations about all things pregnancy, it's nice to have so many to relate to.

Sex and the City 2

It's FINALLY here!

Are you excited?? I can't wait to see this movie (sometime) this weekend!!

My first roast

Yes I have never made a roast until yesterday and honestly D has had his crock pot since before we met and it's never been used by me.

For some reason roast sounded good, maybe pregnancy cravings/ husband board with the same old meals!

I had to run home at lunch yesterday to put it in, apparently it takes like 5 hours LOL. No, I had planned on doing that.

Per usual I had no recipe so....I added water, red potatoes, sweet onion, carrots, garlic, lots of seasonings and a chuck roast!! I got vito'd on any green veggies because the hubs didn't want to 'taint' the rest of the items in the pot, he's not a green veg fan.

Verdict: It was really yummy!! I will def be using the trusty crock pot more! And we have enough food for like 4 meals!

I realized after I ate and cleaned up that I forgot to take a picture...ooops!

Updates...it's HOT

I promise pictures of our new apartment are coming soon. My motivation has decreased since all these pregnancy hormones have kicked in. My couch in the air conditioning is the most appealing place in the world :-) I have become a lazy bum, I'm waiting for this 'nesting' to kick in so I can get my butt in gear.

This weekend was fun for us, I could use a few more hours of sleep though!!!

Saturday I drove downtown to get my hair did and see some friends down there. Running and driving around all day really took it out of me, I was exhausted!! I can't imagine what it will be like when I am much much larger.

Sunday we went to breakfast (yum) and then I had a healthy pregnancy class my midwife offers. The Doula that teaches it told me that no husbands necessary for this one, well I was the ONLY person without there hubby there. D felt bad but I did tell him not to come. It was OK, the teacher was my 'partner' for some of the exercises. Overall the class was good, learned some tips to help me prepare for what she called 'my iron man'. The only downside to this class. It was 94* and they had 5 pregnant women (plus 4 spouses) in a room with no air!!!!! I was a sweating mess and luckily didn't need to bail in fear of passing out, but I was nervous the whole 2.5 hours. I know it was unseasonably hot here in Chicago this weekend but turn the damn air on!!!

Sunday night I watched the LOST finale (tear). It's over!!! SO sad, it has been my favorite show since it started 6 years ago. The ending was good but in true LOST fashion left me with lots of questions. Kind of confused still???

So today is another 90*+ day and I am perfectly content in my air conditioned office!!! I do like summer but this intense heat with humidity, no thank you!!

14 weeks

**FYI we skipped week 13 because they moved my due date up 5 days**

Thanks for all the gender votes (poll to the right). So far we have GIRL in the lead!!!

How far along: 14 weeks


This week brings the shifting of all my organs, sounds fun huh!!! I have moments where I feel like I can't breath. This is all normal as my body shifts around to accommodate the growing baby and my body can accommodate all the extra blood I have been making.

I have entered my awkward stage of pregnancy where I don't look pregnant per say to strangers but I do look like I ate two huge Thanksgiving meals. It has definitely grown a lot in the last 3 weeks so I think I will be 'popping' soon!

Sleep: I have been waking up with a sore back and neck. I have always been a stomach sleeper so it's hard to get used to sleeping on my side.

Best Moment of the Week: I did a double take in the mirror the other day, wow my belly has grown. Still tiny in comparison to what it will be but it's on it's way!

Food Craving: Oranges, I can't get enough!

Food Aversions: Still fish, but sushi sounds really good...strange??

Morning Sickness: Nauseous here and there. I bought some all natural ginger chews, apple flavor, they are awesome and work better than anything I have tried so far.

Symptoms: My face is clearing up (finally) but my back has been breaking out, sorry for the gross details but it's a reality of pregnancy!

What I miss: Going out to dinner on a Friday night and having a beer!!! An ice cold Miller Lite bottle would hit the spot.

What I'm looking forward to: Feeling the baby kick!

Weekly Wisdom: Patience!!! Just breath and be patient!

Milestones: Not sure if it's a milestone but this week I packed up all my awesome designer jeans (yes I'm obsessed!) that don't and won't fit for many more months. I will miss you!! Sorry I had to stuff you in the back of the closet, don't worry, I'll be back someday, I promise!

According to babycenter.com: baby is 3.5" and about the size of a lemon!

Vote early, vote often!

I added a little gender poll to the right sidebar. Make sure to cast your vote on what you think baby H is...???

Some side info to help out:

Major symptoms: nausea, acne, and all the other normal stuff. Do GIRLS really steal your beauty??

Chinese Gender says: thebump.com says GIRL and a few others say BOY

My first intuition was GIRL

D thinks it's a BOY

My mom swears it's a GIRL, even refers to it as she

At 12w ultra sound is looked like some BOY goodies, tech guessed BOY, but assured us it's too early to tell.

My guess now....no clue??? It changes everyday!

How am I carrying the baby? Apparently the old wives tale says you can tell what it is by how you carry the baby?? I am still pretty early to judge the bump but I am definitely going a little wide so far, hopefully it stops and goes straight out from here on out! I guess wide means GIRL!

My friend who is oddly always right and secretly psychic, has never been wrong yet says GIRL.

Thanks for playing along...we find out in 6 weeks!!

The 'ALL HONESTY' pregnant post

So, I have to be honest...I have heard so many stories and personal accounts about how wonderful pregnancy is and how much of a joy it is. To be honest, I haven't felt this overjoyed sunshine feeling!

I hear the first trimester is tough on some woman and I am assured it gets light years better but it has taken a while to find a middle ground. Don't get me wrong, I am SO excited to be a mom and am SO happy to have a healthy baby in there but I have yet to feel this all magical feeling.

I had a rough first trimester. Nauseous pretty much 24/7 since week 5, headaches, acne has been pretty bad, and all I do is sleep. My poor friends/ co workers who didn't know I was pregnant the first weeks probably thought I was a crazy lady who fell off the face of the earth, which is half true. I really tried to focus on the positive, all these symptoms were a sign my baby was healthy and growing, which gave some relief but I struggled with this.

It was tough to have my moods change, my skin change, my food tastes change, my waste size change, and even my sex drive change all at once!! It's an adjustment. Thankfully my husband is such a great support, he has handled it well and helped keep me sane throughout. He deserves husband of the year for sure!!

Week 13 hit and it was like night and day pretty much. The second trimester still brings some nausea for me but I am starting to finally fall in love with pregnancy. I think this 'magical feeling' will hit me when I feel the baby kick...soon!!! My belly is getting rounder and I am feeling 10x better! I am loving all things pregnancy and look forward to this belly getting BIG!

We are so blessed to have a healthy baby growing and I am excited for the rest of this journey ahead...

Wishful Wednesday: Dream bedroom

'I wish' .... I could come home to this

________ bedroom every night!

This is Tiger Woods house in Hawaii, how amazing?!?

I would love to go to bed in this room every night and wake up to this beautiful ocean view. What a life!!

Introducing the little one...

Our little peanut at 12.5 weeks (last week).

Everything looked great. The heart rate was 160, which is perfect and strong!

All along I have thought for sure this baby is a girl. I was telling our u/s technician how certain I was and she said 'I wouldn't be so sure', she zoomed in as much as she could on the goods and it definitely looked like some boy goodies going on. To my surprise my reaction was pure excitement. I thought if they told me boy at my 20w appointment I would be slightly disappointed but I know now that's not true at all. I am going to be excited for either.

I am now unsure of what I think Baby H is. The technician reminded us that it's way too early to tell but that was her guess. I am glad she gave me a new perspective because I now know how excited I am going to be to just know if I will have a son or a daughter.

PS when she said it looked like a boy D had the biggest smile on his face, LOL. Almost that ha, I told you so look, oh husbands!

Anyone have any fun stories on gender and finding out?

Is there truth to the mother's intuition?

Bring on the dresses

I am excited that the majority of my 'big' stage in pregnancy will be during the summer. Though the heat may be a challenge, I get to wear dresses!!! I have been hating anything tight, especially jeans so dresses are welcome!!

I bought this dress before I found out I was preggo and it will work most of the way, the empire style will grow with me....score!!! All my maternity purchases aside from 1 pair of jeans have been dresses!!!

So, would you rather be preggo in the heat or the cold with lots of layers?? I think both have a positive and negative and though I don't get a choice in the matter I am glad it's summer/ beginning of Fall for me.

***
D and I have been married for 7 months today, wow time flies!!!

Happy Birthday Lauren

Today is my good friend and bridesmaids birthday.
Happy B-day Love!!!

(Lauren and I in Hawaii at my rehearsal dinner)

Choosing a midwife

How we chose a midwife....

Growing up it was always the norm that you have a baby in a hospital with a Dr. Anyone who ever had a baby we would always go visit it in the hospital, this was how we (I) was conditioned to think was normal.

When I became of 'woman age' I went to an OB-GYN with no questions asked to get my yearly test done. This was just how it goes.

I had always been curious about my 'options' when it came to giving birth. I had never experienced or seen anything other than a hospital birth. When I became pregnant I immediately called my OB to set up an appointment. I had 2 rounds of blood work to confirm everything was progressing smoothly and each time I met with the nurse practitioner. I realized I had never even met the two actual OB's that worked at the practice I had been going to for 3 years, I had only seen the nurses for yearly exams, strange?? I thought so?? I asked about the birth process at their practice and they told me that I wouldn't know which of the two OB's would deliver me until the day of, whoever was available would come. 'huh?' And my last few appointments would be with them or a nurse, whoever was available. Again 'huh?' I wanted to meet with then to talk about birth and just get to know them better, I was told they had a month waiting period to get an appointment. 'seriously?'

I left feeling uneasy and unhappy about this. I felt like a number in a long line of women at the practice. I wanted to scream 'this is my first baby, I want to feel special'!! Add on top of this a few 'extra' bills they hadn't mentioned in the first visit that we now had to pay out of pocket. Needless to say I needed to do research asap. This was my (our) birth and I wanted to make sure I created the experience I wanted and be 100% happy with it.

(I think I def had a bad OB office, I know lots who are super happy with their dr.)

In the midst of this I was given the movie 'The Business of Being Born' to watch. It was a complete eye opener. (FYI-if you are pregnant or will one day be pregnant watch this movie!!). Shortly after seeing this I started to research midwives and home birth. I knew very little about this since I had never been around it or really even heard of it. Through my searching I learned a lot and found a midwife in my area I really wanted to meet. I set up an interview with her. This in itself amazed me because my OB never had the time to even see me. I took D and my mom to meet with her, all of us bringing lots of questions. She was great!! I felt so comfortable with her, her practice, and her birth process. This is what I wanted my experience to be, this is what I was searching for!! I hired her and fired my OB (so to speak). I scheduled my first exam/ blood work with her for 3 days later (my 8 week check up). We met for an hour, her standard appointment time, much better than the 15 min in and out at my old OB. Basically I just felt really cared for, this was a great feeling.

I feel so great that we have made our decision on prenatal care and birth but I am also scared. I am scared in general for the birth (hospital or not). I know I need to prepare myself over the next months for the greatest thing my body can do and really what it was made to do. I know I can do this, with no drugs, and it will be amazing! There is still the chance I will be high risk towards the end (high blood pressure) or the baby will be breach and I will have to deliver in a hospital but we will cross that path if and when it comes.

For those curious my midwife is a certified nurse midwife. She has delivered many many babies. She does all the same things that an OB would, except she is not a surgeon. OB's are qualified to cut you open (c-section), she is not. She does all my pre-natal care/ blood work/ exams and I get my ultra sounds at another location that she orders for me.

Much more to come....

On a side note: I debated weather or not to talk so freely about my birth plan but in the end decided that this is something I want to share, it's part of our process to meet our little one. I will be met with resistance (as I already have) and support. I am not here to educate on midwives and home birth but I am here to share my feelings and experiences, which I will do. Again, there are so many different ways to prepare-deliver-care for your little one during and after pregnancy. Each way and each journey is special and right for that person.

I in no way want to slam OB's or say that my way is the right way, this is just the path we have chosen and what feels right to us is not right for some and vice versa. It's so amazing that with something so special like bringing life into the world we have so many options to make it so perfect for each of us.

Change of Due Date!!

I spoke with my midwife, Debbie, this morning and based on my last ultra sound and the fact that I am measuring a week larger she moved my due date up 5 days. This puts me due November 18 (the day before my MIL birthday).

So today I am 13w. I think in terms of my weekly posts I will skip 13w and next week post 14w. This kind of confuses me, it feels like I just skipped week 12? Well, I kind of did.

Belly lotion help!!!

I need some advice from the moms out there. I need to find a good belly balm/ lotion to put on my growing belly. No stretch marks please!!

I have heard good things about Kiehl's Body Balm. Though pricey I hear it's awesome! And I love anything you can get at Nordstrom's.

Do you have any other kinds you used and liked??

11-12 weeks

How far along: 12 weeks

The belly is starting to pop through alittle!!

Total Weight Gained: 3 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Jeans and dresses.

(This is my recent dress purchase from Nordstrom. It's super cute small or big belly!)

Sleep: It's OK! I need at least 8 hours a day!

Best Moment of the Week: Getting our 12 week ultra sound. It was so amazing to see the little one moving around. I am measuring big, 1 week ahead. Not sure if my midwife will change my due date or not. I see her tomorrow.

Movement: Soon!!! I can't wait, where ever I am when I feel it the first time I will probably scream!

Food Craving: cereal, chocolate pudding, white rice, red grapes, Starbucks soy strawberries and creme frappuccinos...omg...yum!

Food Aversions: Fish.

Morning Sickness: Every night after dinner.

Symptoms: acne, some nausea, headaches.

What I miss: sleeping on my stomach is getting uncomfortable!

What I'm looking forward to: the bump will be 'popping' very soon, it's already pushing it's way out a little.

Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy every step of the way...it goes fast!

Milestones: It's the end of the first trimester!!

According to babycenter.com: baby is the size of a lime and about 2.1" long!

Hidden Baby Chronicles: The first thing we bought

After we found out we were pregnant I was dying to buy my first baby item. I found these super cute (gender neutral) onesies on cafepress.com and had to order them!

They had about 40 Dachshund ones to choose from. We narrowed it down to this one. When I saw the blog one I just HAD to get it!! How cute is it!?! I love it!

****


Around the middle of February Derek and I decided that we were going to start 'trying' early summer. To celebrate our decision I ordered him this porcelain baby shoe with 'Baby Helvey' painted on the toe. I thought it was so cute and a special little way to remember our decision to start a family. The funny part is I received this in the mail 2 days after I found out I was pregnant, LOL. It is still a special little keepsake but makes us laugh because the joke was on us!!

Pregnancy FAQ's

When am I due?
November 23 (week of Thanksgiving)



Was this baby planned?
Not technically. We had planned to start trying in the next few months and got an early surprise! I believe everything happens for a reason and we are over joyed to be pregnant!

Did I have morning sickness?
Unfortunately the answer is YES. Pregnancy hit me like a ton of bricks in week 5 and I was nauseous pretty much all the time. I started to get some relief in week 10 and now only have occasional nauseousness.

Are we going to find out the sex of the baby?
YES! I am dying to know. I want to do a gender reveal party with our friends and family. I need to research ideas.

Do we have names picked out?
Yes, we hare 98% set on names, we also have middle names that will be family names.

Are we sharing the names?
Not sure yet. I think I may wait till the end of the pregnancy to share, I think I may tease everyone and reveal the initials. I love monogrammed things so I def want some fun things with his/ her name on it.

Do you want a boy or a girl?
I want a healthy baby!! I will be happy with a boy or girl.

My Chinese Gender Chart says: GIRL

How do you like being pregnant?
I love having my baby growing inside me but it has taken me awhile to warm up to pregnancy. I was sick a lot the first weeks and it really took a toll on me. I knew all along that I was sick because my little one was inside growing which helped with coming to terms with the sickness. I know this whole journey is a long process and there will be more ups and downs. I am excited for the ride and what lies ahead.

How is D doing with all of this?
He has been fantastic. He reads all the books and asked lots of questions. He is so excited and is such a great support for me. I call him my baby daddy now, LOL.

Are you having a natural birth?
Yes! I have interviewed and hired a midwife to do my prenatal care and delivery at home.

I have learned how much stigma surrounds home birth and using midwives. In doing research I have really had my eyes opened to how many options I (we) have for how we want to deliver and how much control I can really have in the birth. More on this to come!

What am I most scared of? Looking forward to?
I am most scared of: loosing the baby or having complications, normal mom-to-be fears!

I am looking forward to: finding out the gender and starting the nursery.

I am also looking forward to: my belly getting big!! Yes, I embrace getting big!! Big=healthy growing baby!! My goal is to stay in my healthy weight gain range 25-35 pounds for me (as told by my midwife).

***
Let me know if you have any other questions. I am happy to answer them!

Hidden Baby Chronicles: 9-10 weeks

DATE: April 27 2010

How far along: 10 weeks, sorry no pic this week. I have stayed far away form cameras lately! There is one for 12, I promise!!

Total Weight Gained: 2.5 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Jeans but I am hating anything tight. Bring on the dresses!

Sleep: It's been OK. I require a lot of it lately. I don't need a daily nap anymore though, lol.

Best Moment of the Week: Telling everyone and making the big announcements, secrets out and it feels great!

Getting some relief from the sickness. It's off and on instead of 24/7.

I learned I can have my Starbucks green tea in moderation, a few a week, yay!!

Food Craving: cereal

Food Aversions: fish!

Morning Sickness: I am finally starting to feel better. I get some nausea at night mostly and a good night sleep usually helps ease it.

Symptoms: acne!

What I miss: I could really use a glass of wine!

What I'm looking forward to: My 12 week ultra sound!!

Weekly Wisdom: This to shall pass!

Milestones: Getting a small pooch.

According to babycenter.com: baby is the size of a prune and about 1.25" long.

Hidden Baby Chronicles: Pregnancy Books

The day I found out I was pregnant I went out and bought some books, I couldn't contain the excitement, I needed books!

I bought the usual What to Expect When Your Expecting and, by recommendation, Your Pregnancy week by week. I also got Chicken Soup for the Expectant Mother's Soul, I just love the Chicken Soup books. I bawled at most of the stories. I bought Jenny McCarthy's Belly Laughs a few days later and it was hilarious.

I love them all. My fave is the week by week, What to Expect is a little scary with all the medical info but it's good to have ALL the knowledge and risks. I only read ahead a few weeks. I am trying to not be too anal. For now I am caught up on my weeks and info and the up coming weeks are waiting patiently for me to read.

Any other good books you suggest??

Hidden Baby Chronicles: 7-8 weeks

DATE: April 13 2010

How far along: 8 weeks

Total Weight Gained: 2 lbs, the carbs are catching up to me LOL!

Maternity Clothes: I went to buy a belly band and ended up buying a pair of maternity jeans instead. They are so comfortable with how bloated I have been. I may have splurged and got a pair of Sevens, I can't help it I love them!!

Sleep: It's touch and go. I wake up every morning between 1am and 3am like clock work to pee.

(Bought this Boppy pregnancy pillow, love it!!!)

Best Moment of the Week(s): Hired a midwife (fired my OB)! She is awesome, I am very excited about doing my prenatal care and birth with her. Had our first appointment with her at 8w2d, had my big blood draw and everything looked great!!

Movement: Not for awhile but I am getting the growing cramps which is normal.

Food Cravings: McD's ice cream cones.

Food Aversions: chicken, mushrooms, yogurt, fish.

Morning Sickness: Nauseous ALL the time!!! I bought these preggie pops to help ease the sickness and they work pretty well, all natural too!

Symptoms: break outs!

What I miss: Starbucks green tea, I can't have it.

What I'm looking forward to: Not feeling nauseous, hopefully the end is near.

Weekly Wisdom: Take everything one day at a time!

Milestones: 2 months down, 7 to go. Little peanut is starting to look like a baby not a tadpole LOL!

According to babycenter.com: baby is the size of a raspberry and a little over a 1/2" long.

Hidden Baby Chronicles: Telling our families

DATE: April 3 & 4 2010 *Easter Weekend*

After 3 long weeks of waiting to tell them, Easter weekend had finally arrived!!
We had ordered some reveal goodies the weeks before to give them as Easter gifts. Each one hinting at the fact that there was a baby on the way.

Our families knew our plan was to start trying for kids this summer so we knew they wouldn't suspect anything. They would be just as surprised as we were the day we found out!

On Saturday (3rd) we met up with D's parents, Matt, Stacy, and Zoe for dinner to celebrate Easter.

We had them open there gifts at the same time and Stacy figured it out first. Everyone was very excited!

For D's parents we got them bibs that said: 'I love my grandma' and 'my grandpa is awesome'.

For Stacy and Matt we got them a onesie (for Zoe) that said: 'big cousin 2 be'.

****

On Sunday (4th) we headed to one of our fave restaurants , Lovells, to have brunch with my parents. We knew we wanted to tell them right away (we were bursting). Pretty much right after we sat down we had them open there gift and grandparents-to-be card. They were so excited and so surprised!!

For my parents we ordered them baby bibs that said: 'my mema loves me' and 'my papa loves me'. These are the names I use for my grandparents and they had always said they wanted our children to call them that one day.

Immediately after brunch we called my mema and papa to tell them they were going to be a great-mema and papa. We called from my mom's car in the parking lot which she has linked to blue tooth speaker phone so we could all hear. I asked them if they wanted to come visit for Thanksgiving and meet there great grandchild, it took them a second but then we got some excited screams!!

****

DATE: April 29 2010

My dad had scheduled a trip out to see us at the end of April (he lives in Cali). I would be 10.5 weeks by then but we decided to wait until he came to Chicago to tell him in person rather than over the phone.

He arrived in town and that night we told him. He was very excited!

Bibs and onesie found at cafepress.com

Hidden Baby Chronicles: 5-6 weeks

DATE: March 30 2010

How far along: 6 weeks (definitely bloated here and sleepy, just woke up from a nap)

Total Weight Gained: 0 lbs. This shocked me especially with all the carbs I have been eating.

Maternity Clothes: Not for a while

Sleep: Trouble falling asleep then I'm out, like dead coma out! Then I'm up at 2 or 3 and have trouble sleeping. Fun little games at night. Add this to a dog who loves to cuddle and a 20 lb cat who must lay on me.

Best Moment of the Week(s): I had more blood work done at 5 weeks and my HCG levels are great, rising as they should!

We had our first ultra sound done at 6w2d. We saw the heartbeat, it was so amazing!

Food Cravings: Carbs!! Before I was pregnant I avoided carbs as much as possible and now I crave them all the time; bread, rice, potatoes, all of it! Chocolate soy milk! Starbucks mini donuts! Bagels!

Food Aversions: Fish. Yogurt.

Morning Sickness: I have been feeling really nauseous but everything has stayed down so far.

Symptoms: Acne, exhaustion, sore ta-tas, HUGE ta-tas, bloated.

What I miss: My 30 Day Shred DVD (yes Jillian I actually miss you), having enough energy to workout after work, having clear skin.

What I'm looking forward to: Telling our parents this weekend for Easter!

Weekly Wisdom: If in doubt call the Dr. or Google it!

Milestones: Seeing the babies heartbeat for the first time!

According to babycenter.com: baby is the size of a lentil bean and about 1/4" long.

Thank you-Thank you

I wanted to say thank you for all the sweet comments and congrats on my baby reveal post. I was shocked to see 120 comments, wow!! We feel very loved and blessed.

It feels to great to have the secret out and be able to blog about it. Some of my fave bloggers are pregnant and it will be (has been) so cool to share this journey and learn from all the mommies/mommies-to-be out there.

Our move went great, we are all unpacked!! Hiring movers and cleaners is the way to go, especially for a preggo lady! I will post pics of the new place soon!

More on baby (and apartment) to come...

Hidden Baby Chronicles: 4 weeks

DATE: March 16 2010

How far along: 4 weeks

Total Weight Gained: 0 lbs

Sleep: I haven't been sleeping well. I wake up every 30 min or so. I get hot then cold.

Best Moment of the Week: Getting blood work done to confirm the pregnancy! Even though I knew I was pregnant hearing it from the Dr put my mind at ease. My HCG levels are good!

Movement: Some light cramps which I read is normal, means baby is growing!

Food Craving: I know it's cliche but bread and butter pickles!! I have been eating them out of the jar, so good. Also hummus and bananas.

Food Aversions: Oat meal. I got a cup at Starbucks and it tasted like paste. I threw it away. Even typing it makes me gag! And I think fish and I will not get along this pregnancy. I love love seafood, I had salmon and almost gagged!

Morning Sickness: I feel nauseous on occasion but everything has stayed down so far.

Gender: Way too early but I can't wait to find out in July!

Symptoms: I have had a mild headache for about 2 weeks straight. I am tired. My ta-tas have started to ache and grow! I am SO hungry, all the time!! Acne, my 15 year old face has returned!

What I miss: Sushi! I am sad I didn't get to have one last sushi feast but this little peanut is so worth the wait. I also learned that green tea is not good for me. I was a 1-2 daily Starbucks green ice tea drinker so it's been hard switching to there passion/ black ice teas.

What I'm looking forward to: My first ultra sound and telling our families.

Weekly Wisdom: Don't worry about what we can't control, just embrace the fact that you will worry about this baby the entire journey!

Milestones: 1 month down, 8 to go!

According to babycenter.com: baby is the size of a poppy seed.

Hidden Baby Chronicles: The day we found out

DATE: March 13 2010

I woke up in the morning and knew I was going to take a test first thing. I had been having some weird feelings/ symptoms and was pretty sure I was pregnant (we weren't planning on 'trying' for a few months so I was unsure). My period was due in 3 days so I figured it was OK to test, the test should pick it up the HCG by now, if there was any?!?

I took a cheap test I had bought and at first glance, no line. I continued with my Saturday morning routine, contacts in-brush teeth, I glanced back down and thought I saw a second line. I got about an inch from the test and was pretty sure it was a line or was it? So I washed my face and glanced down again and it was definitely a line now. HOLY SHIT it's positive!! I was shaking. I took a deep breath and walked into the bedroom and sat next to D, who was still half asleep in bed. I leaned over him and said 'guess what', his eyes half open he said 'what?'. 'I'm pregnant!' He was shocked! He said he didn't believe me at first. I went to get the test and showed him the now visible plus sign. Yup, We're Pregnant!! It was such a great moment with him and I just being excited together.

About 30 minutes later I took one of the expensive high tech tests I had bought, EPT, and got the digital pregnant in the window. No doubt now. We have a baby in there!

I called my good friend Lauren and told her the good news. She knew I was having symptoms all week and knew I was testing that morning. She was super excited for us and it was such a relief to share the news. I definitely wanted to go outside and shout it for everyone to hear.

We decided to wait until Easter weekend to tell our families, 3 weeks away. This was going to be so hard to keep it from my mom and everyone!

My first belly shot. Nothing there for a while but I needed a starting off point.
(I have crazy hair from the rain, LOL)