Baby G is a Baby HE!!!

That's right, little Greeno is a little man!

I had my 19 week appointment at my regular OB's office today, and when I scheduled it, my Doctor said I could have an ultrasound at my main office, even though I'm having a Level II at the High Risk office next week (I'm not really high risk, but with a few meds I've had to take they just send me there as a precaution). So I invited my parent's to come along and we were going to make an event of it.

Of course we had to wait FOREVER, and when they call me back I start walking towards ultrasound and the RN tells me I'm not scheduled because I'm having an US the next week.

"I'm sorry, hmmm? I've had this scheduled for weeks... my parent's are here... I didn't sleep last night because I've been looking forward to this day for months..." and so on. She frowned, and while I prepared the tears, she said she was going to go talk to the US tech. Luckily this tech and I are best buds so she says it's "No problem to take a peek at Baby G! Of course I'll do that for you!"

Tears were put back in storage.

So after my general check-up and blood draw, we all (Mom, Dad, Ben, Annette (US Tech) and Baby G) piled into the ultrasound room.

Literally the moment she put the transponder thingy on my belly, there was our baby in all of his boyness. Annette looks at me and goes, "Uh... Hello! What is it!?" to which I immediately respond "A BOY!"

A HUGE grin spreads across Ben's face, and my parent's are just looking at the screen like, "HUH? WHERE?!?!" We spent the next 10 minutes or so just looking at him move around and play in my belly. Annette was great pointing out all of his little features, including my Dad's favorite, the heart. It really is neat because you can actually see all 4 chambers working; we were just so in awe of this little life being formed in my belly.

So now... I can finally call him a HIM. And it is with great pleasure that we formally introduce:

MAX THOMAS GREENO

(We're still undecided if we want to do Maxwell or just Max, but either way he will be known as Max :)

And now the fun of registering and preparing for our little boy truly begins... I can't believe I'm going to have a son!

P.S. here are weeks 18 and 19... definitely can feel the belly starting to firm up and out... and am starting to feel little Max move around!

Week 18 (actually 18.2, taken 3/12/10)

Week 19 (taken 3/17/10)

Wednesday is (another) big day!!!

Baby G will finally be known as a he or she this Wednesday! While I can't believe we are already to this point, I also feel like I've been waiting FOREVER.

Let's just hope Baby G isn't a jokester like his/her parent's and crosses his/her legs during the ultrasound.

We have been settled on a couple names for the past few weeks so there is a chance we will announce the name on Wednesday! No surprise, if it's a girl the middle name will be May; if it's a boy, the middle name will be Thomas. Passing on the family names :)

Can't wait to share the big news on Wednesday!!!

When Do You Grow UP?!?

A gift my parent's gave me very early on was the ability to play- to stay in touch with my inner child and to realize that, no matter how old I am or what I've accomplished in life, I can always keep wondering "what do I want to do when I grow up". That's helped as I've moved into different parts of adulthood because I know that I can always go to moments of play and joy, and when I need to be an adult, I CAN because I don't have to stop playing.

Unfortunately right now, I'm not liking having to be an adult. I'm scared I have to stop playing.


Ben and I have had moments where we look at our life and think, "Oh, when THIS happens we'll feel grown up." And while many moments have been momumental and important, I don't know that there has been one that feels so big and life-changing as having a baby.

It's causing me (us) to look at things in our life that need to change- some are good and feel beneficial, like nailing down a budget and becoming financially "awesome" :) I've also been reflecting on work and how to be a passionate and purposeful employee in all of my roles, soon-to-be Mom included. And some are super hard, like realizing that I have NOT done my part in training Athena and my poor husband is at his wits end, wondering how (and IF) he can handle two dogs and a little person. (By the way, any suggestions from those that have two dogs and/or know of great training facilities, PLEASE let me know.) I can't imagine getting into an, "It's me or the dog" conversation but I fear it's on its way there. And I'm overwhelmed with relationships- there are so many people I want to get to know better, so many I want to see more, and I find myself feeling guilty because on the other side, I'm so tired and scared to be let down or not be a "good" enough friend that people will stick around that I just pull away or retreat because it's easier. But I NEED relationship- I thrive when I know and am known well.

Regardless of how good or bad these decisions will be for us, it's just hard to think about the responsibility that comes along with no longer being just "us". Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled beyond belief and know I will not be able to imagine my life without our peanut when he/she arrives. But I've got 9 months to ponder how nothing will ever be the same again.

I've got to be honest... I'm terrified. I'm so damn selfish, which has been "ok" thus far; but it's not about me anymore, and that scares the crap out of me. What if I can't do it? What if I keep old habits and neglect my poor child? What if my precious baby girl dog threatens to "ruin" my marriage? What if I don't want to give up Starbucks and manicures? I kinda just want to throw a little tantrum and go in the corner but guess what- the baby will keep growing in my belly and will arrive in August whether I'm pouting or not.

So my goal/desire/NEED is to figure out how to be the best ME, the best US- as best I/we can- so that this sweet little life is nothing less than a blessing and absolutely NECESSARY part of our lives. I know I can do it. I'm just really, really scared.

Weeks 16 & 17 and Kristin Gets Married!

So I finally have a little puff! Yipee!!! I'm also starting to get the round ligament pain, but I'll take it because it means belly/baby are growing!

Week 16 (2/24)

Week 17 (3/3)

And I'm a little late posting these, but on 2/19 our friends Sean and Kristin got married at the beautiful Hotel Baker! I didn't take nearly enough pictures but you can see the light-up dance floor and beautiful bride. We sat on the upper level with my bff Liz and hubby Nathan- we were out of control :)

 

Beautiful Bride Kristin

Ceremony

 

Mr. & Mrs. Hogan!

Liz, me and KristEn :)

At dinner

Liz and Nathan

Amazing dance floor :)

Migraines, Migraines Go Away...

I promise I will post belly pics on Wednesday for weeks 16 & 17... until I get more puff I'm just going to do it every two weeks. Alrightythen.

So recently I've been blessed with migraines again. When not PG, I actually take a preventative medicine because they are so bad, but obviously can't with Baby G in the oven. The first trimester was pretty easy regarding headaches/migraines. But then again, I was so sick all the time I may have just not noticed. Anyway, it seems like the day I hit 13 weeks they came back with a vengance... and whoever in their right mind thinks Tylenol does anything is seriously disturbed. After trying a couple different things I finally went to see a Neurologist. I'm not sure why I haven't done this in the past seeing as I've been getting them for 13 years, but I digress.

While nothing new came of the appointment, I all-of-the-sudden just feel so much better about what I can and can't take and the simple fact (as the Dr. said) "I'm not making medical history". I have migraines. And it sucks. And there is medication that usually works... and when it doesn't I go to the ER. That's it. Oh, and while I'm PG, they will probably be worse and there are some things I can take then... and if not, I go to the ER. No biggie.

It's not like it's a new revelation, I guess it just felt good to hear from an expert- someone who knows about all the meds I've ever taken that do and don't work for me, and all the meds that are safe to take right now; and the result, just as if I was a Type 1 Diabetic, is that I have to do things to manage it. They probably won't go away. And that's ok.

It seems small but it just made me feel a lot better.

In other news, we find out what we are having on March 17th... I AM SO EXCITED!!! I think it will get here quickly because on Sunday I leave for training in Texas and am there all of next week. And then before we know it, it will be the week we find out! My parent's are coming with because they've never seen a 'new' ultrasound and they just love that stuff :) I'm excited to get to share that with them (and of course Ben!).

Until Wednesday...