Conspiracy

Leah and I also just decided that it's a conspiracy to keep us out and that we are going to write a book about it ... "Conspiracy: What "they" don't tell you when it comes to having a baby." (Leah actually came up with the full title).

Heidi Klum, Courtney Cox ... I know they won the gene pool lottery with their figures and their faces and what not, but I don't recall them ever mentioning their "bowl full of jelly" tummies or the lochia issues. I think "they" are keeping it from the rest of us. The rest of us being the "common folk".

I can't say that knowing this information would have stopped me from having a baby, but it definitely would have made the adjustment a little less shocking.

Welcome to the club

So, my friend Leah and I have been talking about this new "club" that we are about to enter. The mommyhood club, if you will. I can't wait to be a mother. I can't wait to meet this new person, this new family member, and welcome him into the world and into my life.

But, with that said, I have to say, I feel like I'm being hazed. Like I'm pledging a sorority. I know that the "secret" information is out there, but it's not anything that anyone talks about. I keep meeting the women that say that they "loved being pregnant" and I'm not saying I don't love the fact that I'm going to have a baby and have a new little person in life, but I can't say that I love being pregnant. Let me share with you some of the things that I didn't actually know about. Some are gross and maybe too graphic to share, but I'll do what I can.

1. Lochia - you can look this up on wikipedia if you are not a squeemish person.
2. The "shelf"
3. scraping out of the placenta
4. post-partum tummy
5. poo-poo potential during labor
6. tearing during labor (which I knew about, but I don't think anyone "really" knows until it happens)
7. Varge (which I won't explain becasue it's a) too embarrassing, and b) super gross!)

Again, I love that I"m going to be a mother. I love rubbing my tummy and feeling him kicking me and bouncing around. Love that he's a part of me and a part of Greg. I love planning his arrival and picking out toys and presents to start spoiling him with. I love that I'm going to watch him learn new things and experience new sights, sounds and tastes ... eating ice cream for the first time or standing in the rain for the first time or even standing for the first time! I'm excited for all of it ... but this hazing seems a bit much, don't you think.

Mango

We are now a mango! It's weird to go from a veggie back to a fruit, but BHR is growing and so is my tum-tum.

My mom found this dress that I had wanted ... I'll explain further. There's a picture of my mom and my brother, where she's pregnant with me and she's wearing this long dress and I've always loved the picture and the dress, so I asked her if she still had it. She's been looking for it forever and she finally found it on Monday.

I tried it on and I love the dress! Unfortunately, I was not blessed with my mom's tiny bones, so the dress won't zip up in the back, but I'm going to take it to the alteration lady, Irena, and see if she make it fit over my "strong" back:)

Rocks in my socks and giant turkey burgers...

I decided that I wanted to do a "hike" with Greg and Gary this weekend. The three of us packed all of our rain gear (Gary has a new raincoat) and we headed up to Auburn to do the Quarry Loop.

This is one of my favorite "loops" and it's funny because originally I called this a "trail run", but now that I'm pregnant, it's a "hike." If I was running short on time, I would say, "let's just do the quarry loop." It would take us around an hour to finish the whole loop and this time it took us over two hours.

It was rainy and beautiful and I was looking around saying to Greg, "I don't think I've ever seen this before." It was nice to see the course from a different perspective, and it reminded me that I should do that more ... although, it also reminded me that I can't wait to start running again!

We began climbing up the first major hill and I immediately felt out of breath and out of shape. How did I run this? I know we walked a lot of the uphills, but how did I do this before? The doctor said it would be normal for me to feel out of breath as the baby gets bigger, but honestly, it was as if I had never walked a mile in my life. I felt like I was starting from the beginning ...

I kept getting little rocks in my socks and would have to bend down to get them out, but it was hard! It's now hard to bend over because my belly has gotten so big. So now, I'm out of breath walking and out of breath bending over ... what's next?

Gary would walk next to me and look up at me and smile and then take off ... he sprinted back and forth and then check on me everytime I needed to stop and catch my breath. Greg walked behind me and didn't complain about how slow he had to go or having to stop. I could tell when he would get worried about me, or concerned because he would get quiet and stop chatting with me. Maybe he thought if he spoke less, the extra air would transfer to me or maybe watching me struggle up a mountain made him speechless, either way, he and Gary were very good cheerleaders.

The loop was 6 miles total and I felt so proud of myself for finishing ... different than what I feel after a running race. Satisfied that my body let me go that far and that I didn't stop. As we walked I thought about taking BHR on the loop and that motivated me to want to get back as soon as possible after he's born. I want to show him my favorite places and be able to say, "let's just run the quarry loop today." I know it's going to be a long time before I can take BHR running, but that doesn't mean I have to wait, right?

After our hike, the three of us went to Ikeda's and each ate the shi*t out of a giant turkey burger, well not Gary he mostly slept...It was a perfect day.

Out of gumballs, time for sandwich night

I didn't realize it had been so long since my last post ... we were very productive this weekend, or at least in theory we were productive. We started registering on Sunday. Greg, mom and I headed over to Goores to begin the process. I had done a bunch of stroller research and I felt like I was prepared. I had printed a check-list and had a manilla folder ... I even had registry hair and outfit. I was ready, I swear!

We walked in, sat down, they gave us two check-lists and I immediately began to feel overwhelmed. Did you know that there are systems for everything? Breast pump systems, bottle systems, stroller systems, travel systems ... everything has to be compatible with everything else.

We walked over to the clothing section, looked around, talked about how cute everything was and then got stressed out over the fact that we didn't know what a specific shirt was, so we moved on. We went over to the breast pump section which is also intimidating. This is something that I know I desperately need because I'll be using it for work and in between classes, but who knows what one should look for in a boob-juicer?! I certainly do not. Once you pick a breast pump, you then have to get a bottle system, but you don't want to get the "bad" bottles and poison your baby with the bad plastic, right?

We then moved over to the stroller systems ... we know the exact baby jogger we want (or the one that I want), the BOB revolution. So we picked a car seat that was compatible, but the regular stroller, that was another story. Greg and I both left that area feeling a bit overwhelmed and defeated. Why are they all so big?!? Who can lift all of that stuff? I consider myself to be a relatively strong person, but seriously, the thing was the size of me and I can't imagine loading it all into my car ... defeated, we moved on to bedding and then to slings.

We were relatively successful in both the bedding and the sling department, but by this point we had all lost our excitement. I felt worried about picking the wrong thing and possibly hurting little BHR. I'm a master shopper, how come I couldn't do this?

Mom was out of gum balls, and I was out of patience and a bit sad, so we left for mom's house for sandwich night.

That night, Greg and I both woke up at different times being stressed out about strollers. We woke up in the morning, determined to go back and find the right stroller for BHR, one that was compatible with the car seat, the BOB and most importantly our family. We found it! The Bugaboo Bee. We left feeling accomplished and satisfied. Who knew that buying a stroller could be so satisfying?

Now, we have to pick a bouncer, a pack-n-play and still to come, a bottle system:(

Training Group

I feel really lucky to have a friend that is pregnant at the same time as me. Leah is due August 2nd, so she's a bit farther along than I am. We have been walking and swimming together a lot. Leah and I are also running buddies and ran our last pre-baby marathon together in December 2007. Leah found out she was pregnant after she ran the race. No wonder I was able to keep up with her.

Leah is having a girl and I'm having a boy and I'm looking forward to pushing them both around on the bike trail!

Ode to my dog

I've been walking a lot more lately ... I feel a lot better than I did earlier in the pregnancy. Not just health wise, but about the entire experience. I'm finally really showing! Like there's a noticable baby growing in there, it's strange, but it comforts me a bit. This process has been slower than I thought it would but at the same time, if feels like time is just flying by. I'm getting excited about meeting BHR and introducing him to my world and having him introduce me to his. Maybe not his world entirely, but I'm excited to see my world through his eyes. What will he think of the house and family and wind and food and everything that happens around us?

I'm excited to introduce him to Gary. How anyone can not look at Gary and immediately smile is beyond me. I've been spending a lot of time with him lately, enjoying him as much as I can before I have to start summer school.

He's my walking partner and I hate leaving him in the mornings, but I love seeing him when I get home. He checks on me when we walk and leaps along side me. Sometimes I find myself getting irritated by how obnoxious he is on the leash, but then I look down and he's looking up at me with his goofy face and his tongue hanging out of his mouth and then I forget why I was upset ...

I know people keep saying that I won't love Gary the same way once BHR arrives, but I can't imagine that happening. I'm not completely dillusional. I know that BHR is a person and Gary is a dog and that my priorities will change, but I don't know different loves like that. Gary is part of my family and part of who I am and who I've become. I'm completely aware that he is a just a dog, but what's wrong with that? Dogs can teach you a lot about yourself and if we were all as happy as Gary I'm sure the world would be a much better place.

When people say "you won't love your dog the same way once the baby arrives" it only makes me want to work harder. It's like challenging me to something and if someone wants to challenge me to loving my dog, I'm fairly certain I'll succeed. Until then, Gary, BHR and I will keep up our walking and wait for BHR to officially join our family.

Hey, that's a freckle ...

I discovered a new freckle in my belly button. At first I thought it was dirt and then I was sort of disgusted with myself because eeewwww, how long had the dirt clot been stuck in my belly button, but then after several scrubbings it didn't go away and I realized "hey, that's a freckle."

How did that get there?

Rootbeer rankings

I have been testing out several different drinks to take the place of my diet coke. I love my iced tea at starbucks, but it can't take the place of the fizzy diet coke goodness. I have come to terms with the realization that nothing will that void.

Even though nothing will ever be as good as my diet coke, I have begun a diet root beer kick. I have been taste testing several different brands and here's what I've discovered ...

A&W Diet Rootbeer is tasty, it's nothing special, but it will do in a pinch.

Dad's Diet Rootbeer is disgusting. I wouldn't wish this syrupy garbage on my worst enemy. Not that I have any enemies, but if I did, I don't think I would make them drink this.

Mug Diet Rootbeer is also gross. I don't know how they managed to mess up such a classic drink, but this brand resembles Dad's in that it is gross. Don't drink it.

Barq's Diet Rootbeer ... this tasty beverage has become my new favorite fizzy beverage. While it is no diet coke, it is a close second. I think the reason I have come to enjoy this drink is because it is made by the same folks that make my other favorite beverage, the ole diet coke. It is thirst quenching and tastes like root beer should taste. Fizzy and sweet with a little punch. It makes me happy and I'm glad I have found it.

Pools, ice cream and posicles

It's 100 degrees outside. I feel like I shouldn't say anything because the people that live here already know how hot it is, however I feel compelled to mention it because this is our first 100 degree weekend. When I say "we" I'm referring to me and BHR. I'm sure this won't be our first hot-weather test because as so many people like to remind me, I have to make it through the entire summer.

I know it's going to be hot. I've lived in Sacramento for almost 30 years, so I know what happens here in the summer. Sometimes when people tell me its going to be hot I feel like they're challenging me to a dual. Like when I signed up for my first marathon and people kept saying "you know that's 26.2 miles right?" Telling me how far it was didn't deter me from participating in the training process. In fact it only made me want to prove them wrong and so began my marathon career ...

Maybe people telling me how hot it is or how it's going to be is like any other challenge. That doesn't mean I'm going to stand out in the sun to prove that BHR and I can handle the heat, but we're going to take the challenge. I understand that having a baby is different than training or even doing a marathon, it's more real because it's a life, a person that I'm responsible for. But maybe I can look at the journey and the process like a marathon or law school.

I love each and every marathon for many different reasons. There has only been one marathon that I didn't love and I learned from that experience, just as I will learn from this one.

Maybe I can look at pregnancy as one part of the training process ... BHR and I are up for the challenge. Or at least I hope we are.

As for the heat and the hot summer ... that's what pools, ice cream and popsicles are for right? Sure I'll complain, but haven't I always?

This is soooo NOT allergies!

I don't think this experience is a result of pregnancy allergies! It can't be because this is torture ... my face feels snotted shut and my ears are full and I'm super sneezy.

I have never really had allergies before so I really dont' know if this is actually what they're like, but if this is what allergies are, then what's a cold?

I think I have a cold, which is also weird because it's 1000 degrees outside and who gets a cold when it's that hot. I realize that colds don't actually coincide with what's happening outside, but it still seems strange to say "I have a cold" and it's 100 degrees.

Boogies...

I have recently learned that allergies are another wonderful part of being pregnant. I have never really had allergies before now ... but I noticed that after I became pregnant I have more of everything! I have more boogers and more snot, which are essentially the same thing, however I think boogers are crunchier than snot, in case you were wondering ...

Anyway, my point is this ... I never had allergies before and today, I feel like my whole face is filled with snot! I don't feel sick, just snotty (not to be confused with snobby).

It's funny though, because whenever people hear "allergies" they go "oooooohhhh, yeah, there's a lot of junk in the air." It's not really funny haha, or funny interesting either, I guess I'm just trying to say that everyone says the same thing about allergies.

If it's not allergies, everyone in my office is going to be very upset with me, because I'm sneezing a lot and they could get sick and then it'll be my fault.

This was a very boring post ... I'm sorry if you read the whole thing.

Good news is, I think it's cherry season and I love cherries!

Length ...

BHR is now about 10 1/2 inches long. That's the length of a carrot apparently. What happened to tomatoes and mangos and round fruits? I can't imagine my baby being a carrot!

Anyway, BHR weighs about three-quarters of a pound. That means BHR is going to be gaining quite a bit of weight between now and September!

That's okay BHR, I'm going to be putting on a lot more weight between now and September too:)

Little Bloops

So, I'm back at work after three weeks of awful finals and I went and got a turkey sandwich from Ambrosia and while sitting at my desk and reading emails I felt little bloops! Little tiny tapping in my tum-tum! It was very strange and at first I didn't actually realize what it was. It took me a while to realize that something is living in there and he is probably moving around ... I can't think of how to explain it ...

You know when someone comes up to you and blows a fart noise on your tummy? I think that's what BHR was doing because that's sorta' what it felt like, only not as strong and not as loud (although I couldn't hear what it sounds like inside). Maybe BHR is a jokster and he's blowing farting noises on mommy's tummy and he's cracking himself up? I'd like to think he's enjoying his time in there ...

I may have to go and get some more turkey sandwiches, he seems to like them:)

9 hours ...

Only nine more hours to go! Nine hours and I will done with my second year of law school ... hopefully the worst will be behind me and I can move on knowing that I don't have to retake civ pro ever again ... or at least until the bar. However, I'm not feeling so confident. There are lots of people that have to retake this class. I wonder, if they know that so many people struggle with this class, why don't they change something? Why don't they approach the class differently?

More importantly, why can't I bring my outline in with me? Am I going to be out in the world without notes or clues or hints as to how to attack my case?

I've been suffering from major pregnancy brain lately ... thoughts and words come and go and I end up having to retrace my steps to remember what it was that I was saying or doing just moments before the thought escaped my brain.

I hope that doesn't happen tonight ... I hope I don't go completely blank while writing about joinder and claim preclusion. Honestly, if I do, I think it's BHR's way of saying "this crap is boring and I need a break!" I wouldn't disagree.

Everytime people hear that I'm pregnant and in law school they say "how hard it must be", but it's not hard being pregnant in law school. They two are hard on their own. One is dependent on the other, both are just difficult. I think having the baby is going to be way harder than being pregnant, because being pregnant I can mostly just sit there and study and not have to worry about paying attention to another person in the room, but with a baby, I'll have to play and feed and do mommy things. I'm looking forward to it, honestly ... I would just like to be doing one or the other right now, not both. Does that make sense?

I want to be a mom and not a law student ... I'm ready for a break. I'm glad I'm going to be a lawyer, but I'm more excited about being a mom.

Nine more hours!

BHR's first photos

This (the picture below) is BHR's profile. It took the guy forever to get a good picture because apparently BHR was quite active, although I still haven't felt too much. Just little bubbles for the most part.

This (the picture above) was how we new BHR is "Boy Himovitz-Ries." Hopefully BHR isn't too traumatized by the fact that I'm posting the picture of his "stuff" on the blog. It's medical, so it's scientific, it's not gross, right? I think it will be character building.

Lava Lamp

So I couldn't sleep last night ... maybe it was because I was too excited about this morning's appointment or maybe it was because I don't know anything about Civil Procedure, either way, I'm pooped! I watched 5 or 6 tv shows and still couldn't sleep.

We showed up to our appointment at 8:20 and I already had to pee, and at 8:45 they finally took us back to the room. I was no longer worried that BHR would not reveal the goods, because I had made it. 20 weeks seemed like such a long time, but I made it!

He put the warm jelly goop on my tummy and started moving the wand thingy around. It looked like a lava lamp. Does that make me a bad mom for comparing my baby's home to a hippy stoner lamp?

I saw bones and the guy said "there's a leg and another leg ..." I couldnt' tell what anything was. He asked if we wanted to know the sex and I said "yes" immediately!

"There's a leg, there's a leg and there's a third leg ... it's a boy!" I pretended to see what he was talking about, but I didn't actually care, I finally heard the news. Innie or Outie? Peeps or no peeps? (how come boys get the cool words for the down there parts?)

The man seemed frustrated with the fact that I couldn't see my son's parts so he pointed it out again ... "there's a leg, there's a leg and there's a third leg."

"Oh, okay."

"You still dont' see it?"

"Nope."

"There's a leg, there's a leg and there's his PENIS!"

"Got it!" Thanks pal, there's my son's junk.

Greg was beaming with pride and then the appointment continued. The guy seemed to get more and more frustrated as the appointment went on. Apparently BHR was very active and he was kicking like crazy so the dude couldn't get very clear shots. I didn't care, I could have laid there forever because now I know. I can go and buy converse and think of names and something is settled ... I love it when things are settled.

As we walked through the lobby Greg put the picture of BHR's peeps in the paper frame.

Now BHR will stand for "Boy Himovitz-Ries"

Peeps in the appointment?

Today is the big day, the day we hopefully find out if BHR is a he or a she. I'm about to start drinking my water because I have to drink 16 oz. of water 1 1/2 hours before the appointment and I can't pee! Let's hope I don't peeps all over the place in the appointment because frankly, asking me to drink that much water and not pee is asking a lot right now! I'm sure they've had accidents, not that I want to be one of them, but still it's a bit much if you ask me. With today's technology and they still haven't found a way to make it so pregnant ladies don't have to drink 16 oz. of water 1 1/2 hours before they have a 30-60 minute appointment. Cheese and rice people! Instead of making another contraption that plays newer and better movies on your tv, can we first work on the ultrasound process?

If I peeps my pants in the appointment, maybe I will embarrass BHR and it will be the first time BHR gets embarrassed to be seen with his/her parents? It'll be a funny story we tell "remember the time when mommy peed all over the doctor's office?"

Banana

BHR is now weighs 10 1/2 ounces and is the length of a banana! That's so weird to think about because all I can picture is a banana hanging out in my tummy.

85 pound girl wanna share a fry?

The countdown has begun ... less than 24 hours until BHR reveals him/herself. I'm very excited! It's pretty much all I can think about right now, which is making studying very hard. If I'm not thinking about BHR, I'm thinking about the 85lbs girl who just sat down behind me with curly fries ... do you think she would mind if I had just one? She seems nice and friendly, she might want to share:)

Anyway, I'm very excited and I don't want to study civ poo anymore!

Last one ...

It's been a while since my last post ... school has sort of drained me of any extra energy that I had, but I'm down to one more exam. My last second year law school exam, and of course, it's the hardest, worst subject EVER! Civil Procedure is torture!

It feels like the last 6 miles of a marathon. I can, or could, run 6 miles and it was no problem, but at the end of a marathon it's the hardest part of the entire race. It means you won't see your family along the course, or have that excited "I can't believe I'm running marathon feeling" instead, I just feel tired and ready for the finish line.

That's how I feel right now. I'm tired of school and ready for BHR. I'm ready to pain the nursery and buy little things that go with babies. Little shoes and little onsies and little cups ...

Greg and I went swimming yesterday and the pool was surprisingly crowded for a Saturday late afternoon. But there was a family there and one of the moms was teaching her kid how to swim and Greg said he's excited about doing that with BHR. It was nice to talk about something besides personal jursidiction or mergers and acquisitions (which was the last exam). It was nice to talk about a future without law school!

Tuesday is the big day and I can't wait to find out what BHR is ... it's strange to say "what" because I know BHR is a baby and a person, but I feel like finding out the sex is the next step to making this real.

I thought I felt BHR kick last week ... it could have been gas, but it was like tiny bubbles or tiny tapping on the inside of my stomach. Maybe I just wanted to feel it so I was pretendind that my gas was BHR, either way, right now BHR and I are one ... so if it's my gas it's BHR's and vice versa, in which case, I did feel BHR move and that makes me happy.

One more to go ... wish me luck!