He or She

So, we did it we went to the BIG ultrasound appointment.  And babykakes was decidedly stubborn.  We got the gender, and it's a BOY!  But that was the easy part.  We got the major organs.  The heart beat was good, that was a tricky one, he wouldn't cooperate.  He was moving around some at the beginning of the appointment.  And then must have gone to sleep, because he would. not. move.  So we didn't get the cute profile shot.  We did get to see his 10 fingers and 10 toes.

feet

We left with instructions to come back in a week and drink lots of juice before the appointment instead of water.  And to bring chocolate just in case.  We went home, and named him.  We are having a boy.  I'm having a SON.  I am still in awe over it.

leg

We called and told the family.  I had a mild panic attack on Thursday, when for some reason it hit me that OMG, I'm really having a baby.  What am I thinking?  Rob said it's a little late for that.  And yes, I really am having a baby.  In less than five months.

I went to my second ultrasound Friday.  And I drank juice and ate some cookies, and really sugared up the kid.  It worked.  He was kicking and moving like crazy.  And twisting and turning, and it's still a boy.  We saw his spine (one of the missing pieces) but he would. not. show. his. face.  Every time he would roll, he would turn his face away.  After lots of poking and urging and changing position, and he still wouldn't move...I laid on my side for a few minutes.  And then some more poking and prodding, he turned his head!  Hooray!  And promptly covered his face with his hands.  Is this stubbornness a sign of things to come?  Oh, boy.  He did move his hands though, and we got to see his pudgy face.  Everything looks great.

 Without further ado.  Introducing Simon Kenton Powers.  Coming July 2011.

bloggy goodness

Back in August, I went to BlogHer.

I met some bloggy friends.  

Who I follow on Twitter and read their blogs.

A few weeks ago I saw this tweet:

 Picking up initial order of GS cookies - pls buys some so I dont eat them all and end up having a 12 lb baby. Free ship if u get 5 boxes!

And I love girls scout cookies.  Back in Indiana when I taught dance classes, I always stocked up.  There were a ton of girl scouts.  And someone was always selling outside of Wal-Mart or Kroger if I forgot to order.

Then I moved to New York.  And no Girl Scouts (well there are scouts here, but they are hard to find, and I don't know any) so no Girl Scout Cookies.

So I tweeted back.  And placed and order.  And after two blizzards delayed shipping.
THIS arrived last week:

And THIS is what was inside:

Different names for some of the cookies.  Peanut Butter Patties instead of Tagalongs and Caramel Delights instead of Samoas.  But they still taste the same.

Rob tried to eat a whole box of my PB Patties.  I told him those were for me and his baby.  The Caramel Delights were all his (I don't like coconut).  The Thin Mints are for sharing.

Even if I never have a Girl Scout of my own, now at least I can get some cookies.

Thank goodness for bloggy friends.

Camera Love

We bought a new camera a few of weeks ago.  It's fancy and has two lenses.  And takes HD video.  We've been talking about it and researching for about a year, and decided now is the time.  I'm learning to use it.  I'm really looking forward to a day when I can take it outside.  I've been using the new camera instead of the old one for blog pictures, which is going to be fantastic.  Once I can figure out how to get the pictures off of the camera and on to the computer.  I think I finally have the right software installed.  And I've been looking for the cord, which Rob has put away somewhere safe that is not the camera bag.  There are a LOT of cords on his computer.  But then I realized that even if I could find the cord, I don't have the foggiest where to connect it to the camera.  I think I need another lesson.  Until then, words only.

Strawberry

I know it's a bit early from gardening.  But last weekend felt downright springlike.  And today too.  I mean it's 35 outside, and NOT windy or snow/ice/sleet/raining.  Relative to the single digits and weather we have had lately, I say it qualifies.

Last summer Rob had the idea that he wanted to plant berries in our balcony garden.  I told him it wouldn't work, but go for it.  Strawberry seeds were bought and planted, and started to grow.  In the fall they were ready to be thinned and transplanted.  Lucky for us we brought the pot inside sometime in November before crazy snow started, so the plants survived.  The transplant pot however didn't come in until about 3 weeks ago, and then we had to wait for the dirt to thaw.  And last week, we started this summer's garden.

Six decent size plants in two pots.  Will they bear fruit?  It might still be another year before we know, but for now the green is nice.  Ahh, dreaming of my spring time planting and my summer garden.

**baby news coming soon.   I am trying to not be baby only all the time.

babykakes

I use kaseykakes, so baby can be babykakes, at least until we find out what the gender is and we can come up with a real name.  I am 18 weeks, so almost halfway done (for those not in the know - pregnancy lasts 40 weeks, for those who don't like math - I'm 4 months along).  This picture is from last week.  I feel like I look pregnant.  None of my clothes fit.  I've been in maternity jeans since 14 weeks, I have one old low rise pair I can still wear too.  Just this week I noticed that none of my shirts are long enough.  I have a small stash of maternity tees that I bought a few weeks ago, and lucky me I have a friend who is passed on a few more things, so I now have about a weeks worth of clothes.

Stats:
Weight gain: so far is about 4-5 pounds.  Around 7 if we start from the lowest weight during the weeks of lots-o-throwin'up.  This is on the low end, but my doctor assures me is healthy and ok.
Sickness: It's not the nausea or the "morning sickness" so much anymore.  That's gone.  However, I still have bad motion sickness.  Which is usually ok, except that I work in Staten Island two days a week and one leg each way requires a car or bus.  Last night I threw up in Brooklyn.  One reason I prefer cars is there is the opportunity to pull over
Food:  Everyone keeps asking me about cravings or aversions.  And really not much.  If anything I kind of have an aversion to all food most of the time, or at least nothing sounds good when I think about it.  But I eat what is put before me.  Rob has been doing a lot of the cooking.  I may be coming out of this though.  The last few days I've actually wanted to eat.
I'm still sleeping a ton, or not sleeping as I wake up most nights trying to get comfortable.  No nesting yet, but I have most of the essentials picked out.  Nothing bought yet.