Quacked Out

It's a great day to be a Duck Fan!!!!!!!

Happy Hormonal Holidays

31 Weeks!!!! Yowzers!!!!

For Christmas, I'd like some boxes of Kleenex. Because I seem to find a reason to cry everyday.

Yesterday (Thanksgiving), I cried on the way to my step-sister's house because I was thinking about how my sister didn't have any family with her on the holiday. Tuli looked over in the car when we were driving up I-5, and I was bawling. I miss my sister so much - especially lately.

And I seem to keep crying because I am worried about what the doctor said about Harper being too small. Everyone says to not worry about it...that he could have a growth spurt anytime, or that the ultrasound machine measuring isn't that accurate. It's easy to tell me to not stress out about it, it's a lot harder to do. I just love our baby so much already, and I just want him to be perfect.

I find the most comfort in the fact that Harper is a little wiggle worm. He is sooooo active, so we are assured he is getting enough oxygen. I know he will be an adorable baby - I just pray that he is chubby and healthy too! :)

To try and combat my high blood pressure issues (which I'm pretty sure are from anxiety), I'm doing a number of things. Acupuncture twice a week, seeing a counselor I really like, using Rescue Remedy (a natural stress relief spray), and talking lots to all of my mommy friends. I'm feeling needy these days, which is normal according to Colleen. Tuli can't get rid of me lately :) Sibyl also receives a lot of attention from me lately...pets are so good for my mental health. And plus, look how cute she is - how could she NOT make me happy????



When we met with Colleen today, my uterus was measuring right on track with what it should be. We have a follow up appointment with Dr. Katz, where they will do another ultrasound, on December 9th. I hope and pray that Harper has grown some. Colleen is going with us to the appointment, so it will be nice to have someone there who can understand what Dr. Katz is saying on a higher level than me and Tuli.

I can't stress enough how wonderful Tuli has been to me. I hear "I love you" countless times a day, and he is always willing to do anything to help me relax (massages, holding me during a hormonal meltdown, helping around the house, etc.)....I am so lucky to have him as my partner, and Harper will be sooooo incredibly lucky to have him as a father. KJ and Dave did such a good job with him :)


On another note, here is my Christmas List:

~A healthy baby boy
~A safe labor and delivery
~Safe travels for everyone
~For everyone's health...including family pets
~A Nintendo Wii Fit
~A cozy pair of slippers, that won't fall off, and that I can wear on the couch
~Money to get my hair cut/colored before I have Harper
~For the Suns to start winning more games
~For Tuli to not get laid off for a very long time
~For breastfeeding to be successful
~For Harper to look like Tuli with is poofy hair and big lips
~For an end to the war in Iraq
~For gas prices to keep dropping
~For my blood pressure to go down

That's not to much to ask for, right? haha

Civil War Game tomorrow! Go Ducks! Although I think my Ducky's chances are pretty slim tomorrow...

Kitty Licks a Lot

Click play on the below video. I'm sure all of these videos will soon star Harper James, instead of Sibby Wibby :)

I'm Bored

8 Things

8 shows I enjoy watching:
1) Survivor
2) Amazing Race
3) The Office
4) A Baby Story
5) The Biggest Loser
6) Jon and Kate Plus 8
7) The Ellen DeGeneres Show
8) SNL

8 things that happened yesterday:
1) Went to the Dr.
2) Took a nap
3) Went to acupuncture
4) Ate a grilled cheese sandwich
5) Cuddling with Tuli
6) Talked to Missy
7) Watched Survivor and The Office
8) Watched the Suns play like crap against the Lakers

8 things I'm looking forward to:
1) Seeing my sister in December
2) Not being pregnant anymore
3) Eating lots of turkey and gravy next week
4) Courtney coming back to Oregon
5) My baby showers
6) Tuli getting off of work today
7) Tuli getting some days off next week
8) Meeting Harper Doodle!!!

8 things I love about fall:
1) Leaves
2) Not sweating 24/7
3) Being able to wear big, baggy sweatshirts
4) It means I'm only 1 season away from meeting Harper
5) Thanksgiving
6) Pumpkin pie
7) This year - the election!
8) TV shows starting up

8 things on my wish/dream/goal list:
1) A video camera
2) A house with no mortgage
3) For the economy to get better
4) To be able to adopt lots more cats
5) For me to live closer to my sister
6) For Michael Franti to sing to me while I'm in labor
7) a daily professional massage
8) lasik eye surgery

Update...

Childbirth classes don't start until next week now...Colleen just called, and she has a mama in labor, so she'll be a little busy tonight!

He Might as Well Get Used to It!

My friend from work, Beth, is building her photography portfolio, and she offered to take some pregnancy photos of me for free! We had a fun day on Saturday being photographed. Harper was kicking me the whole time we were getting our pictures taken, and I kept telling him that he might as well get used to it. He's going to have millions of pictures taken by Mommy alone, along with everyone else! :P

Below are my favorite photos from our photo session - she took 244 total, but these are the best ones:

(warning - lots of photos to follow!)

















As you may have noticed, I take a lot of pictures. I love pictures. I love taking pictures of everything, including my teddy bear, my friends, babies, Tuli, and anything "cute."

Family bonding

Chuck's new boots

On Sunday, my Dad took me to Harper's first Seahawk game. They lost, but it was still great to spend the day with my Dad. He bought Harper an 18 month Seahawks warm-up outfit, because according to him, "He needs to recognize his team loyalties early on." Now we just need the Seahawks to start winning games!

Harper's First NFL Game

I am off work currently, due to some high blood pressure. I am trying to combat this with exercise, counseling, natural remedies and breathing exercises. My midwife has been in contact with my primary care doctor, and they are coming up with a plan. With a couple of months still to go, I hope their plan works because I can't imagine feeling this way for that long...and I don't think it's good for Harper either :( Tuli does a great job of helping by making me tea, rubbing my feet, and telling me I'm beautiful (when I feel anything BUT).

Our childbirth education classes start tonight, and Tuli and I are both really excited for those. They are every Tuesday for 5 weeks, and I'm excited to see what we'll learn.

Right now, Harper is about 2.5-3lbs, and his lungs are busy developing. He is continuing to "fatten" up. You can see him kick and punch me from the outside now :) He is making me short of breath, and my belly button is starting to stick out :P

I can't wait to meet him :)

Yes We Can!!!

So, I obviously need to first say how proud I am of my generation for showing up to the polls and letting their voice be heard! The voter turnout this year is what we Democrats/Libertarians have to thank for electing Barack Obama as our next President. I feel truly inspired and honored that I helped make history last night! I am hopeful that Barack will be able to bring more peace to our country, and to our world as a whole.

It's crazy to think that Harper will be learning about this historical election when he is in school - that his textbooks will tell the tale of this 2 year journey towards a better America, and a better world. I will be proud to tell him that I will never forget where I was when the presidency was announced - sitting on my couch with my dear partner, Tuli, rubbing my belly, and telling him that Mommy and Daddy contributed to this - physically, emotionally and financially!

Here are some pics right after CNN announced that Obama had WON!!!!





(We were a little excited...)

Also, here is a video of Sibyl being excited about the election results. (I'm a crazy cat lady...)

Tuesday night was definitely the highlight of my week. It's been somewhat of a tumultuous week here in our household. As Harper's due date gets closer and closer, Tuli and I's stress levels seem to be increasing as well. While every couple has their struggles, dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, finances, and past issues/struggles is bound to increase the tension.

We are both working on bettering ourselves for Harper.
We both want Harper to live in a loving, peaceful home.
We love each other, and we love Harper James.

This is what matters.

Last weekend, I went up to Independence to visit my Dad, and then stopped in Albany to visit my Mom and Step-Dad (Quan as my sister and I fondly call him).

My Dad has been remodeling for what seems like forever (I am pretty sure it feels this way to him too!). His house looks like it could be in Better Homes and Gardens - it's really beautiful! It has come a long way from where it started, that's for sure. Harper will definitely love going to Grandpa Jim's house...especially in the summer, when he will learn how to swim there. I can't wait :)

I had a fun time with my Dad - he took me out to lunch in Independence, we watched the Ducks lose (damnit.), and I had fun taking pictures of the Independence kitties.

NK (New Kitty - she's 13, but never got a name...now NK just fits her)

Acorn - a rolly polly tub of fur

Diego - my first kitty that now lives at Grandpa's ranch - the cross-eyed wonder!

When I went to my Mom's house, she made me my favorite dinner - homemade and cheese. It was so yummy. Their dog Shiloh hadn't been feeling well, so everyone was kind of worried about her. They found out on Sunday that her blood tests came back normal, and that she is just anemic. Thank God - I couldn't handle another animal issue right now! :(

My Mom made Harper an adorable baby blanket, which I'm sure he will love!

Up-close shot of the 2 sides

I also had fun taking pictures of the Albany animals.

Shiloh putting up with her annoying sister, WaLi.

Shiloh being cute

In Baby News, Harper now weighs over 2 pounds.
His eyelashes are fully formed, and he can blink!
He can see light through my belly.
He's fattening up!
I'm about 7 month pregnant at this point, and my first stretch marks have appeared. Joy!

This is what a baby looks like inside of me at 28 weeks:

....and here is what I look like at 28 weeks!



And, of course...the Pregnant Model Pose...