week 19

Best Moment: Oh how I loved this week. It was cathartic, productive and just what we all needed. I’m feeling the baby more and more, and incidentally, just as I polished off my Jimmy John’s lunch, the baby seems to have picked up some energy. It feels just like light carbonation in my belly, so when I can actually feel it, it’s pretty rad! Yes, rad.

This week was so great because I was able to spend some QT with a few of my favorites. Tell me, what is better than some quality time with marvelous girlfriends? Nada. It is so wonderful to be surrounded by their love and support and I can’t help but think about how lucky our little bee already is, starting h/h life off with the best friends a kid could ask for.

Another perk about this week was that we bought our first piece of baby equipment, so that makes us officially ready, right? Little Sodi will be cruising the block in an UPPABaby Vista stroller…ooh…ahhh. And thus it begins, the parts, the pieces, the  accoutrements…it’s go time. Evan and I are ready. Let the games begin.

Symptoms: I haven’t really noticed anything this week, aside from some heartburn. But that’s completely manageable, considering the reason behind the heartburn is because my food is essentially backed up as the nutrients are filtered out and delivered to the baby. Cool huh? It’s a physical reaction to my baby getting the goods h/s needs. And thus, mama can handle a little heartburn.

Cravings/aversions: Must.Eat.More.Ice.Cream.

What I miss: See previous two weeks, with emphasis on clothes fitting, wine and clear skin.

What I can’t wait for: Thursday-our 20 week ultrasound! Evan hasn’t seen our little bee since it was, well a bee, so this will be a huge ultrasound for him and I can’t wait for us to see more of our little darling. My mom is coming with us to this appointment, which will be very special… although I’m not sure I trust her to not desperately try to determine baby’s gender. If I know her, she is not above bribing the sonographer.

Milestones: At the size of a large heirloom tomato, baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you. This I like, as I can start the Justin obsession early. And if it’s a boy, well perhaps his rhythm can be absorbed through song.

week 18

Best Moment: I do believe I felt the baby tumbling inside me! Not that I have anything to compare it to or confirm against, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t just the gas talking. Everything I’ve read and heard says that it will feel like fluttering inside me and I’m pretty sure that’s what the crazy little sensation was, fluttering. What a cool experience- if only Evan could feel it now!

Symptoms: Exhaustion, although I don’t know if it’s right to point the finger at the baby. Living with ma and pa Steppan has been just fine, but not sleeping in my own bed has been a big challenge. Soon are the days when I can snuggle up underneath our own bedding and sink into the glorious foam mattress topper. And when that day comes? Please do not disturb.

Cravings/aversions: Pretty status quo here, although last night my mom made spaghetti with Italian sausage in it and I nearly lost my stomach. Typically I’m a fan of the Guido pork, but last night it was not a friend of mine. From a cravings standpoint, ice cream is numero uno. Of course, I’ve always been a big ice cream girl,but lately it just sounds more divine than ever. Scoop me up some!

What I miss: Always a fan of redundancy, I miss my clothes fitting, now more than ever. I think I have officially “popped” and while I know this is just the beginning, it’s already proving to be a challenge. Women who complain about feeling fat or disgusting when they’re pregnant have always annoyed me beyond belief- what did you think was going to happen to your body? You thought you’d just bake a little baby and everything would stay the same? Fool. But alas, I am starting empathize with them. All of the sudden, your body has a mind of its own and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it. Sure, diet and exercise help you feel better, but it doesn’t stop the natural expanding going on. It’s all very counterintuitive, especially for this dub duber. I’m trying to embrace the changes and enjoy this stage, and hopefully, once the ol’ wardrobe has been updated a bit, I can ease into a bit more. Otherwise, I fear this is my future…god bless her.

What I can’t wait for: This little one to have an equally adorable cousin

Milestones: Baby's now the size of a sweet potato! Baby's become amazingly mobile (compared to you, at least), passing the hours yawning, hiccupping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing. And baby is finally big enough that you'll soon be able to feel her movements.

week 17

Best Moment: Today at approximately 11:45 when I met my beautiful, perfect niece (my niece!!!) Isabella Vea Steppan. The little lady made her arrival a bit earlier than expected, but all went well and there is a wonderful new addition to the Steppan family. It was so surreal seeing my brother and Erin with their child, their little baby, their family. Words cannot express the pure happiness felt throughout the room. This? Is truly what life is all about folks. Must stop here or I may never stop crying.

 


sing it, sister



g&g love

sleeping beauty



wrapped around his finger

 My thoughts as it all sets in:

1. WOW- Nick is a dad!!

2. So excited, moved, amazed, blessed (and every other Katie Holms adjective)

3. My parents are grandparents, Evan's an uncle, I'm an aunt!

4. We're next!

5. Holy sh*t, WE'RE NEXT...

6.Woohoo! We're next.

Symptoms: Hormones part deuce. Of course, that's a bit misleading, as it would imply that the first round stopped at some point. Unfortunately, that's just not true. The tears keep flowing, the sensitivity is still at record levels. And quite frankly, it's really starting to piss me off. Naturally, I had visions of gliding through my pregnancy with grace, a healthy glow and ease. But, shocker, it turns out I'm just not one of those women. I know, I'm equally as suprised.

Cravings/aversions: It appears my body is taking up an aversion with clothing. Or should I say, clothing that fits. To be fair, it has always kind of had an aversion to well fitting clothes, but this is a very different story. When you find yourself near tears in the H&M dressing room whilst trying on maternity pants because the crotch is too low, the legs are too long, the panel doesn't fit right, you have to fight those tears with all your might, and walk out with some dignity still in tact. Good luck. Seriously, good luck. I don't blame Jessica Simpson or Kirstie Alley for their muumuu loving selves. Preach on sisters, you know the good word. Drapery that hangs nicely and doesn't hug in any wrong places, I look forward to getting to know you.

What I miss: Clear skin, clothes that fit, wine therapy, dry eyes, living in Ballard, eating lunch meat, wine therapy, control over my emotions, weight watchers, sleeping soundly, wine therapy, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.

onion baby

What I can’t wait for: Our 20 week ultrasound. It's just around the corner!

Milestones: Baby's now the size of an onion (really unfortunate). Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. His umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes now feature one-of-a-kind prints.

week 16

Lil' Sodi's blog debut- a bit belated (from March)

(and for the record, h/s doesn't have an exceptionally large nose, that's just a hand)

Best Moment: Derailing from baby here, but by far and away, the best moment was Friday night as we were frantically packing up our joint and Evan received an email from the landlord of the townhouse we looked at earlier this week and subsequently decided we had to have. The place was ours if we were still interested. Still interested?? Sir, I practically put a gun to your head threatening that if we weren’t first on your renters list, someone might “disappear.” Of course tears sprung to my eyes (shocker) and Evan and I shared a giant hug of relief.  So alas, we have a home! We can’t move in until May 1^st, so in the meantime, we’re bunking with ma and pa Steppan for 20 days (but who’s counting?). I can’t complain, we are fortunate enough to have my parents here, welcoming us with open arms. You know who else isn’t complaining? Kirby. He’s in heaven, kicking it with is buddy, Buddy, surveying the back yard and getting extra love from two additional people.  

Symptoms: I’m going to call this week a wash. Between all the stress and moving, I didn’t notice any symptoms, as I was too busy enjoying another round on the ol’ emotional rollercoaster.

Cravings/aversions: Thanks to the Easter holiday, my sweet tooth has been on overdrive. Dear Dentist, please forgive me, for I know not what I have done. Of course, it’s not a coincidence that I’m an emotional eater, and well…do I need to mention again how emotional the past few weeks have been…I think not.  But regardless, I’ve loved every bite of candy I’ve indulged on, so there. As far as aversions go, please keep the mac n’ cheese a safe distance from me. All that boxed stuff sure took its toll and now I’m not interested. Save that for the birds and the bees…and college kids.

What I miss: A healthy pour of my favorite red. And maybe clothes that fit.

What I can’t wait for: Everything! Feeling insanely optimistic these days and can’t wait for all the little and big moments ahead.

Milestones: In the next few weeks, baby will double his weight and add inches to his length . Right now, he's about the size of an avocado (yum…guacamole) 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head (adios hammerhead). His ears are close to their final position, too.

week 15

Best Moment: This week has been…challenging. Between the off-the-charts hormones and continuing home search, it’s been one of those weeks where I feel like I’m holding on, white knuckling for dear life. Of course, I'm being a tad dramatic, but in my little pregnancy brain, it doesn't feel too far from the truth.

 All was not completely lost, as we had an awesome dinner with friends Friday night- give it up for Lora's homemade pizza (does a body good), and a wonderful family dinner at Chateau Ste. Michele Saturday night, complete with an overnight stay at Willows Lodge.

It’s important to note that I feel like myself again, from an energy perspective and I was finally able to hit the gym a few times and get a couple good (for pregnancy standards) workouts in.  I much prefer myself off the couch and doing something productive. Move it sister.

Symptoms: Hormones… While my physical being is improving day by day, my emotional being has officially taken a turn for the worse. I’m crying over everything. And by everything, I mean ev.er.y.thing. I’ve always erred on the side of emotional (surprising, huh), however this is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Primarily because I don’t have any control over it. It’s a grab bag of emotions, pretty much every hour. How do women do this? Or more importantly, how do their husbands do it? While I’ve been reassured time and time again that this is completely normal, I ain’t a fan. I’ll take my sanity back please, thankyouverymuch.

Cravings/aversions: Thankfully, the aversions have subsided and I’m back to my regular eating habits, praise the Lord. I’m craving regular, pre-pregnancy meals. The square and balanced kind that don't come from a box and require copious amounts of butter. Bring on the beans, brown rice and chicken. Nice to see you all again.  Of course, my sweet tooth is still safely intact, and I’ve decided my first back-in-the-game baking project shall be :



dig it: http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/03/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-peanut-butter-cups/



What I miss:  Myself. Knowing which end is up. Jamie...are you there? Time to come out and play.

What I can’t wait for: Old man Stress to pack up and sail away. Our little family needs a home-STAT.  Daddy needs to paint. Mama needs to nest. Kirbs needs to spread his legs.

Milestones: Baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (As a reminder folks, Evan and I are waiting until babe's birthday to find out gender)