An Informed Pregnancy

Since pregnancy is one of the weirdest things that can happen to my body (I've never had a tape worm or other parasitic infestation before) I wanted to make sure that I knew what was going to happen to me.

I mean, clearly I've seen people pregnant. My littlest brother was born when I was 15, my sister when I was 17 so I watched my mom go through it. If you ever would like to royally freak your teenager into chastity have a baby. That single-handedly got me through high school and at least undergrad. Did you know that your belly button turns inside out? Did you know you can't tie your shoes? Did you know that pregnancy can make you snore like a lawn-mower? Did you know that babies are actually super needy and super boring (ya, ya, they're beautiful and children of God and stuff but they cry, they eat, they poop, they sleep for like a year before they're truly entertaining).

I've seen other people pregnant, several of my friends in high school, undergrad, and even graduate school were pregnant around me. I had friends after I got married who were pregnant and shared their experiences. I watched them hormone cry through an entire wedding reception and a ride home (a total of nearly 3 hours). I watched them when they couldn't tie their shoes. I had friends on bed rest, friends with twins, and friends who lost their children either through miscarriage or still-birth. I work with special needs kids so I get to hang out with the cool kids all day. I've seen the wonders of pregnancy and birth, and that being said, I still feel like I know absolutely nothing about it.

When Andrew and I were discussing the possibility of having children and when we would start trying, I took action and got the most recent edition of What to Expect When You're Expecting.  Nothing against the information in the book which is pretty extensive (as it should be with like 400 pages), but I found the writing style a little belittling. Please tell me again that vomiting is normal and that I shouldn't be sad. Please tell me again that I need to eat because baby needs food. Please comfort me when we talk about random symptoms, but not during the nitty-gritty labor and delivery portions (you know, the part I actually want comfort about). Overall, the information was good, but as an intelligent female who can read, the style was a real turn off.

I found out I was pregnant (after I finished What to Expect, so I knew what to expect) and at my first real OB appointment, I told my doctor how--kind of--irritated I was about being talked down to and she recommended A Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy.  This book is way more fun and much more comforting than What to Expect. The author will tell you comforting things like, it's ok if you want to have sex 24/7 or your husband may not know what to do with himself if your sex-drive plummets to it's death. That was an exciting chapter to say the least. The author does perseverate to gaining a lot of wait and giving in to cravings, but hey, she's writing from her experience, so I can't really complain too much.

I also read 3 apps paragraph long splurges on what is happening to my body religiously almost every day.  I use BabyBump (which I think is my favorite), Baby Center, and What to Expect Pregnancy. I also have a weekly app called I'm Expecting which is fun. Each of the first three apps has both daily and weekly information. Sometimes the info overlaps, other times the info doesn't apply, but for the most part I've found that it gets to my weird symptoms about the same time that I start thinking, "Is ___(nearly fainting frequently, random nose bleeds, heartburn, etc.)_____ normal?" Andrew likes me to read the weekly ones to him so he knows what little Dish is getting up to in there. 

Between apps, books, and the 8 billion informational pamphlets I've received from different organizations including the doctors, the base mental health team, Babies R Us, Motherhood Maternity, etc. I would consider myself now pretty darn well read in the pregnancy pamphlet world.

All of this reading, etc. leads me up to the one thing I keep going back to...calling my mom. I pretty much have a weird symptom and either call my mom right away (as I did when I almost fainted SITTING DOWN in an airplane) or I have a weird symptom read about it on my apps, and then call my mom just to check that its normal anyway, cause nobody wants non-normalcy. If mom isn't available, I have lots of aunts and a grandma who are really good at giving advice when solicited.  Go family! 

What books, apps, news articles, etc. did you or your partner read to get ready or get through a pregnancy? Let me know!

 

 

 

Nursery Plans

I thought since I am sitting here in Altus, Oklahoma and Andrew is at work that I might as well blog about our nursery plans. While some of it may change, I suspect that most of it will all come together after we finally get to Hawaii.

 

1. This adorable elephant mobile is my absolute favorite! Andrew's favorite movie when he was little was Dumbo, so I think that this is pretty much the cutest way to reference that. It's is available at http://www.potterybarnkids.com.au/flying-elephant-mobile.html?sc=105&category=327453

 

2. I probably will get a similar rug from Marshalls or TJ Max or Target or something, but this is my favorite grey rug that I've found so far.  I want something more than chevron or grey stripes... the chevron fad is getting a little old and I just think stripes are boring... available here in Platinum http://www.westelm.com/products/tile-wool-kilim-platinum-t982/?pkey=e%7Ctile%2Bwool%2Bkilim%7C3%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C3&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules

 

3. This example is available from Etsy (search elephant switch covers), but I will be making my own. I haven't quite decided whether it will be painted on, fabric covers, or some cool mod podged scrap book paper--but I think they will look awesome and easy to move.

 

4. We got this awesomely perfect sign which matches our color scheme from JoAnn's when we got our fabric to make our nursery stuff. Love it.

 

5. I found this glider with a friend at Babies R Us. Let me tell you, its the most comfortable glider I've sat in so far. It is on my baby registry, but I'll most likely buy it as soon as I get to Hawaii cause I like to be prepared. I'll also be getting the matching ottoman which is awesome as well.

 

6. This elephant hamper totally isn't happening as it is way above and beyond my normal hamper price range (which is like $30 for a fancy schmancy one), but I want it so if anyone wants to buy it for me... available here http://www.homedecorators.com/detail.php?parentid=16418&search=16418&suggest=10 

 

7. This is our crib that is currently on the way to Hawaii. We got the DaVinci Kalani 4-in-1 Convertible Crib with a Toddler Rail. We will probably purchase the full size rails when we get to Hawaii as well, cause who doesn't love a convertible bed that grows with Dish? We also got a 2-sided mattress (one side is firm for an infant, one side is softer for a toddler) that will be able to grow with Dish a little too.

 

8. These are the fabrics that I will use to make our nursery paraphernalia. The navy and grey will be my base colors. The "scarlet" will be an accent-only color to give the nursery a little pop. It's really in-between an orange and a red and I love it. The grey leaf-printed fabric will be curtains. Everything else will be used in bumpers, a crib skirt, a quilt, a couple of quilt-top throw pillows, changing table covers, and sheets.

 

9. These are the half-complete bumper pads (which I know are a suffocation risk- I most likely won't be using them for at least the first 6 weeks, but as my mom, grandmother, and aunts told me a total of 17 or so of my relatives were fine so the statistics are probably on my side. They'll be finished off with scarlet ribbons to tie onto the crib. I think they'll be adorable at the end.

 

10. Here's the quilt top that I finished a couple weeks ago. I'm going to back it with the aqua "mottled" print and I'm going to quilt it just with vertical lines down the ditch of the seams. As I complete other projects (sheets, changing pad covers, etc.) I'll be making matching throw pillows.

 

11. This is the completed crib skirt. For each of the nursery accessories, I used the Simplicity 3795 pattern available at http://www.simplicity.com/p-2016-home-decorating.aspx I made some alterations in the bumper by using ribbons instead of tabs and I did a different quilt, but I love this crib skirt pattern. It wasn't terribly difficult and with the help of my grandmother and mom I was able to complete it in just a couple hours.

 

I know there's still a ton to do and sew, but I'm excited that it's kind of all starting to come together.  I'll try and keep the blog updated, so everyone can see how it ends up.

Commander in Chief Inaugural Ball

Andrew and I received a ticket to attend Obama's inaugural ball hosted by the military.  We got to hear from Brad Paisley and Jennifer Hudson as well as see both President and First Lady Obama. We got to take pictures with some of the head honchos in the Air Force and I even ran into an old friend from high school--here's looking at you Jeff Bordernave!

Good times. I knew I could use my prom dress again one day!

Coming August 8, 2014

Well, my family and Facebook friends are already aware, but ladies and gentlemen, I am currently...

Yes, that little window says pregnant. I'm not big on in-blog advertising, but I did appreciate the clarity of the digital window.  On the day I took that little Clearblue test I nearly fainted in the metro on the way to work (shocking some poor man into giving me his seat, for which I am forever grateful). At work while telling my shocking tale of near unconsciousness, almost every co-worker I told immediately asked if I was pregnant.  At the time I had never even heard that fainting was a symptom of early pregnancy...apparently in Victorian times, that was how people found out rather frequently. I had been overly tired, but I was having a stressful couple weeks. I hadn't had any morning sickness. I hadn't craved any weird food or dirt or anything. Surely I couldn't be pregnant (despite actively trying at the time... but that didn't really enter into my consideration). After Andrew picked me up from the metro after work, we headed to Harris Teeter, got two tests, went home and there it was in the little window. "Expecting a parasite." Clear as day.

 

Three days later, I had a doctor's appointment already set up, so I emailed my doctors and asked if it would be ok to add a pregnancy confirmation thing (cause I didn't know what they did exactly, but I expected some sort of blood test and a phone call that said, "Congratulations, Mrs. Washer" as happens in like every movie from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.

 

I headed to my appointment on Thursday morning and the doctor asked me if I was late and then confirmed that I took a test. We then went straight ahead and did an ultrasound. (That's right, America--no confirming phone call or blood tests for me--just straight into sonar technologies). If you look at the picture below you can see little baby Dish (our nickname for the growth). The dark circle is my uterus and the little white dot in the middle is Dish...at that time it was little more than a clump of cells, but hey, it's our little clump of cells. 

 

We announced our pregnancy on Christmas day to both of our parents, who were ever so pleased.  It's the first grandchild for my family and the 14th for Andrew's family, so Dish will be in pretty good company. Later, on Andrew's birthday, we announced to our friends on Facebook. Chance Hammock of www.chancehammock.com was lovely enough to take some announcement pictures for us.  Posted here for your viewing pleasure...

 Poor Andrew has been doing such a good job reading up on his up and coming parental duties, but sometimes after church on Sunday, he's just tuckered out and napping is much more important. Maybe in a few more months we'll have a picture with Dish on his chest instead of just a book about Dish.

 

 At the time of this writing I am 19 weeks pregnant and I have my next ultrasound this week (so I've heard) so I should have some more exciting pictures of a relatively bigger clump of cells. So far, pregnancy has treated be really well and I am very blessed as to the lightness of my symptoms. I'm excited for Andrew and I's brand new addition! :)

 

Monticello

Andrew and I have tried to see some sights or have fun in the area around DC.  In November, on one of the weekends we got to go to Monticello.  For those of you who don't know- the weird building on the back of your nickels is Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's house.  Monticello is about 2 and a half hours away from our house, but it was a beautiful drive.  The fall was just coming in, the leaves were changing, and the countryside is beautiful.  I even saw 2 black swans on a pond.  Totally Tubular!!! I drove on the way down while Andrew slept and then Andrew drove and I yapped on the way back.

Once you get to the house you can go to the Museum (which is interactive, but I found it a little lacking in the "super cool information" area).  Andrew and I watched the little movie, which was pretty cool, but not as cool as George Washington's 4-D film.  After the movie and museum our ticketed time for our house tour came up so we went to go to the shuttle to get to the house. One more quick comment before moving on to the house- there are no military discounts...what's with that? George Washington obviously cared more than Thomas Jefferson... or the people who came after them did...you know, whatever works.

So here's Andrew and I on the shuttle. We were having so much fun! (the shuttle sat there for like 10 minutes...)

We got off the shuttle and went up to the house. Thomas Jefferson was an inventor and liked architecture so his house was being remodeled for something like 25 years...he had a very loving wife who also wasn't home often, I assume...cause if we were remodeling for 25 years, there would be blood to cover up with our new tile.

His house is topped by a nifty little dome which is pretty neat because the dome at his monument in downtown DC is also domed.  The man lives for the dome.  He loves the dome. His statue is stuck in the dome forever.  Hope he liked domes. Moving on...

The picture of the tree is of a tree which would probably be the most awesomely cool climbing tree ever.  Its close to 100 years old and gives you better perspective of how old the house is. The first tour guide you see who tells you to get in line and checks your tickets gives a little 5 minute lecture on said tree.  Good times.  Our tour guide, who was a nice 70-something man, came down to get us and lead us up to the house. (You can see him in front of us). He did an excellent job pointing out different artifacts, paintings, and inventions throughout the house.  He also told us this little factoid.  When Thomas Jefferson died he was pretty deeply in debt and his relatives were forced to sell many of his belongings in order to settle the amount of money.  Thomas Jefferson's niece (on direction of her aunt, as I understand it) went through the house and wrote descriptions of everything in the house and exactly where it was. Many silhouettes, paintings, clocks, etc. were able to be traced and placed in their original locations thanks to her efforts.  So Go Thomas Jefferson's niece!  Woot woot!

After going through the house our group was let go in order to see the gardens, slave quarters, and cemeteries, which interestingly are still being used by the Jefferson family. Many of the slave operations for the house (kitchen, wine cellar, meat cellar, etc.) are set up under the house which makes Monticello "look" not only more efficient, but it takes away all of the things the visitor at that time would rather not see (like a slave running with a slab of meat from the cellar to the kitchen in another building in the back yard). 

The gardens are beautiful, extensive, and still upkept by the people that run Monticello.  They have like 12 kinds of beans, vegetables I haven't heard of, and a winery. Andrew's favorite part was this cute little building that was maybe a couch-width across square and had huge windows that you could look out onto Jefferson's land holdings (more than 20 miles), his garden, and across the hills. Andrew wants one when we grow up and inherit land from that rich uncle we don't know about yet...

Here are some pictures of the garden and the view from the top of the garden down to Jefferson's lands. My favorite picture is the one of the golden tree- you can't really tell from the picture, but that tree was the most perfect shade of yellow I have ever seen- absolutely beautiful.  It was so bright and cheery, not a single leaf was anything but that golden yellow.  

Funny story time, in 2007 just before I graduated from college, when Caleb and Marion were just wee ones, the family took a trip cross-country on what we dubbed our "Prophets and Presidents" tour.  We saw Nauvoo, Independence, Liberty Jail, President Truman's library and house, President Lincoln's museum (so awesome-worth 3 blog posts-go, just go) and house, Kirkland, Ohio, and DC. While in DC we also went to Monticello and Mount Vernon. When we went on the Monticello tour we saw the "fish pond" which of course was to keep fish alive until such time as Jefferson ate them so he would have fresh fish.  Anyway, when we went in 2007 there was a dead fish going belly up aka dead in the water.  When Andrew and I went, Dad asked us to look into the fish pond to make sure there weren't any dead fish... There weren't and here is the photographic evidence.

After Monticello we started for home, we were going to go to Red Robin in Fredricksburg, but we got hungry.  The first thing we passed was this cute little tavern so we stopped.  Everyone there was dressed up in colonial garb (adorable) and they served homemade food. Potatoes, pulled pork, beets (fortunately served with no pancakes) and lots of beans.  Apparently beans were the way to go back in the day. We ate off of tin plates, drank out of tin cups, and had delicious food. We ate until we were a little bloated and drove happily home.