10 Weeks: Now "Showing"!

Well it happened: I had my first person ask me if I am expecting! Daring individual, I'd say, as being only 10 weeks pregnant, it mostly looks like I just drank a little too much beer over the weekend. But considering the character, I'm not surprised she asked! It was the listing agent of the house we are purchasing, a 5 ft. fire-ball older German lady. "OH! Child, are you ex-pect-ing?! Oh my GOODness! You are tiny for 10 weeks!!" (Me thinking, Yeah! I can't believe you actually asked ha!!!) But in fairness, I was wearing a tight little polka-dot tank top as pictured below, and yes, it definitely highlights a belly if you got one goin' on. I may have been just slightly soliciting baby inquiries.

Our home inspection went pretty well, and we are now in the midst of negotiations with the seller as to what they will fix and how. Coming down to a "Handyman" vs. and "Licensed Contractor" to do the repairs. We also switched lenders this week and got a much better deal on interest rates, and are all locked in. However, this weeks absolute bombshell was discovering our property management company for the home we are renting is serving us with 30 days notice, to be vacated by July 31st, since we didn't want to sign a lease through the winter (even though a month-to-month option was supposed to be available!!). Since we need to rent back to the owners of the home we are purchasing for a month after close (until August 31), this presents a problem! A Husband & his Pregger-Wife really do not feel like moving twice in the matter of a single month. So we are now trying to work with Property Management in order to try and stay here through August. We'll see how far that gets.

On a side-note, Dennis is developing his own pregnancy symptoms now: cravings for peanut-butter-pickle sandwiches (so weird.) and lots of ice cream. The ice cream is his normal behavior though. I just laugh when I see him go crazy over making a freakin PB-Pickle sandwich!!!! We played 9 holes of golf last weekend (my first time playing on a full-size course that practically requires a cart or you'd be exhausted just from walking). I gave myself the big snowman (8) on every hole. I didn't say I was good. We also checked out the Prescott Bluegrass festival downtown which was so laid back and fun. Just lounged in the shaded grass, munched on some street tacos, watched lots of doggies playing & little ones dancing around and smiled as we envisioned our own babes and puppy joining us someday soon! It's such a pleasant town, always something going on :)

Lastly, I did two interviews this week which seemed kind of promising. I interviewed with the Director of Patient Financial Services at the hospital for an "AR Maintenance Tech" position that sounded quite under-challenging, and ultimately decided they have a position approved to begin in October for a "Computer Coordinator" that I sounded like a much better match for. So she will be contacting me in August for interviewing for that. Then the real jaw-dropping interview: a Health Educator (a.k.a. Sex Education) through North Star, a division of Catholic Charities Community Services. I would be presenting sexual "health" education to either Middle School Boys, or High School Boys & Girls, part-time throughout the school year. Haha! But it actually sounds quite interesting and I think I could be really good at it! I also applied to a Marketing Specialist position for the Center of Performing Arts at a local college this week. I SO want the chance to interview for that one!! I would LOVE that! Time will tell what my next "gig" shall be, besides the obvious: mommy-hood <3

10 Week Bump

 

Baby Sneak-Peek ... Denny & I as babies! (only had one baby pic of me handy)

9 Weeks: Oh, What a Week...!

How many major life events can possibly be engaged simultaneously? Well, besides the fact that we were married 9 1/2 months ago, we are now pregnant, in escrow, I'm in the midst of job interviews, and yep, we've even stood guard to a major Forest Fire in Prescott this week. Oh, did I say, escrow???

YEP!!

We had a house offer accepted over the weekend (third try was a charm)! The house is our dream home, atop a hill with spanning mountain views, on a level half acre of kid-friendly play space, 1610 sq ft. + a basement (just like back east!), 3 beds, 2 baths, a spare den, stone-hearth fire place, a wrap-around porch, trees, one of which being a huge red-delicious apple tree :) It also has a 2 car garage under the house, with interior stairs connecting you to main level, and the driveway encircles the house on the main level in the front and to the garage in the back. All we would like to do to the place (pending a good inspection) is possibly put in some new flooring in certain rooms, strip some wall paper and paint, and eventually some new counter tops to upgrade the kitchen. As of now, close of escrow will be July 30th, but we may rent back to the couple for a month while they figure out their next step... that hasn't been confirmed yet. So we're looking at a August or early September move-in... hooooray! Fingers crossed on the inspection though first.

Did I also mention Forest Fire? Yes. Living IN the forest, is a little scary in terms of that. This was a human inflicted fire, but has spread to about 7000 acres last I've heard. Began just 2.5 miles north of us near one of our favorite hiking areas in Granite Mountain. We stood-by on possible evacuation notice for about 6 hours Tuesday (after it began around 11:30am), so I packed up as many of our important irreplaceable items as fast as possible in the event we needed to leave. Luckily, as the sun started to slip down, we had enough insight that the fire had only moved further northeast of us (along with all the smoke) and that we would be safe to sleep at home. Two days later, the fire continues on, still at 0% containment, however, I can't even see a trace of smoke in the air from our house, quite a change from Tuesday. Sounds like the Fire Teams are getting their hands on this and "holding their own". Luckily our new home will be on the opposite end of town and not IN the national forest!

So now, back to Baby updates :) My parents came up last weekend for Father's Day; my mom cleaned out her closet of clothes that she once found fashionable, but no longer does (you know, the "maternity" style loose/baggy clothing that was in style, or maybe still is? Well, she bought quite a few of those items in the past few years.... and now they are mine all mine!!) I'm wearing them already :) Loose stretchy clothes are my friend right now. We hung out at all the events with live music downtown, and I sent the boys golfing again for Papa's Day. Went back to visit my Dr. for the second time this morning- it was rather uneventful. He pretty much told me everything looks good from my lab work, to the ultrasound, my blood pressure, and weight (gained 3 pounds so far, but that's good because I was slightly underweight when I first weighed in). I've gone from 131 to 134 lbs. It was too early to try and hear the heartbeat using a Doppler, so I go back in 3 weeks, on my BIRTHDAY, July 8 (!!!) to hear the heartbeat again! I will be just about 12 weeks then, but have to go a few days early as we'll be leaving for New York. I'll be comfortable officially announcing after that appointment. As always, simply can't wait :)

New Wardrobe courtesy Mama

 

Snack of the week: Caprese Salad yumminess

 

The "Doce Fire" view from our Driveway Tuesday

 

Porch View of our New Home!

 

View FROM the porch of our New Home!



8 Weeks: 2 Months!

Today marks 2 Months! Today has also been my most nauseous feeling day yet, but still no up-chucking thankfully. Had to take a day off from house hunting as it's tiring me out!!

Our Ultrasound appointment went great last week. We heard the pitter patter heart beating at 120bpm, and couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces. What a miraculous relief and amazing sound to hear. We also got our first few pictures of Baby Lamb and I found that by turning the close-up picture upside down I could actually make out the head, eyes, arms & legs! Incredible. But I can't believe I have to wait another 12 weeks to see our baby again! Hopefully we can at least hear the heart beat again at my Dr. appointment next Thursday. I should also get my lab work read to me.

I shared the news with Uncle Nic & Aunt Megan about 2 weeks ago now... Nic had called on one of his ritual driving to/from school calls, and had asked what else was new, so I said, "actualllly, there is something! Guess."

So first he guesses, "You'rrrre moving back to Cali?"

"Ha, no."

2nd he guesses, "You'rrrre adopting Baylee?"

"Nope! But getting closer...."

3rd guess, "You'rrrre having a Baby"

"Yep! Ready to be Uncle Nicky?!?"

And he gave me his usual "Oooohohohohoh, oh boy!"

He then proceeded to tell me he's still on the 5 year plan for kids. I told him he has next summer to get married, and then 1 or 2 more years before they better start joining the club... I want my kiddos to have like-aged cousins to visit when we go for beach trips!! 

I told Auntie Megan shortly after, by texting her a picture of Dennis & I cheersing (him with wine, me with milk in a wine glass) and telling her we'll be needing an extra invite to their wedding next July ;) She shrieked with excitement!

We told all the rest of our closest friends and family (pretty much our bridal party, Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles, the NY ladies) immediately following the Ultrasound. It was so euphoric to share in that excitement with them. We'll now wait until my birthday on July 8 (when I will almost be 12 weeks along) to announce to everyone else. And just a few days after that, we'll be hopping on a plane to Keuka Lake <3 I am beyond excited.

 

 

7 Weeks: Hormones.

Food Craving of the week: Salt & Vinegar Chips!!! (Following the trend)

I've always had moody tendencies, but wow, hormones are hittin' me hard. I'm finding myself hard to wake and slow to start in the morning, it feels difficult to encourage myself to get out and do my morning walk (but i do!), I don't have the energy to dry my hair after I shower, I don't even want to wear a bra because it feels too uncomfortable and heavy, just like to wear tank tops with built in bras. I then feel queasy shortly after showering which makes me want to either eat or sleep. I feel emotional at times, sometimes really irritated, and sometimes scared, nervous, or weepy. It's very weird. I've always hated feeling not in control of my emotions, but I really don't right now. Which is perfect for house-hunting and job interviewing- which we're both having a hard time figuring out (we have different tastes for houses, and both rather unsure on what kinds of jobs I should be working if at all).

A lot of questions in the air and things to get done- doesn't help the hormones. But I'm just trying to remind myself that it is normal to feel this way, especially in the first trimester. I just want us to be the best of parents, and to offer our kids the best the world has to offer. Sometimes you question your ability to do so, and all you can do to assure yourself, is tell yourself that you'll never stop wholeheartedly trying. I think I am mostly scared of facing the birthing process: what it will feel like, what if I can't face it, is it going to permanently damage me, what if we can't get to the hospital in time or what if things go wrong?! My nerves will sky rocket which would only make matters worse, I imagine! My (or our I should day) strength will truly be tested.

On a lighter note, that first ultrasound I've been counting-down to, is finally tomorrow at 8am. Dennis will be with me thank god. We'll confirm a uterine pregnancy (hopefully), how many lil babies are in there, and see/hear the heartbeat. Praying for a positive and healthy outcome. Baby is the size of a blueberry today, so that's how big he/she will be when we see tomorrow!

The picture below will be our announcement photo, using the Baby Lamb hat that arrived this past Monday :)