Crafting for Nursery (ongoing)

I personally love crafting; it is my creative outlet and allows me to just break away from everything else and relax. I know that once our baby makes her debut I will have no time, energy or extra money for such things. At least not for awhile; however in the meantime I am going to be crafting when I can for her nursery.

Yesterday while at JoAnn's (a very dangerous store for me), I found some really cute stuff on clearance (75% off...booyah!) which prompted an idea--a garland! It took awhile and I ended up covered in glitter, but in the end it turned out super cute and will look great in her nursery.

The finished product.

If you would like a step-by-step process, feel free to visit my other blog: http://thecreativecacklinghen.blogspot.com/

My Life as Lists

If you know me at all, then you know I am a planner; I keep multiple actual planners (professional and personal), I tend to make lists and plans. I have always been that way, a plan means you are prepared in my mind. Granted, there are more times that things don't go according to plan than they actually do...but one can still be prepared at least a little bit.

Since we are newbies at the parenting/having a baby thing I have taken to the world's greatest resource; Pinterest. Gasp! I know, I didn't say Google (oh the horror!). I have been on a multitude of websites and blogs trying to figure out what we really need to get and to do. It is overwhelming and easy to let your mind go crazy about all the stuff you need to get and all the things you need to accomplish before our bundle of joy arrives. So in an effort to be prepared and not find myself in a pickle or wasteful situation I am turning to other mothers and what they have been through, since they've been there and I have not.

However, after boat-loads of research, I have compiled several lists and they are some as follows (granted I am missing Dad's To-Do list and I have not completed the nursery list either):

I know with time things will come together, but I can't help but be eager to check off the boxes in the mean time. 

My spouse's newfound hatred for pillows

...especially my giant body pillow that admittedly takes up a large chunk of the bed. It started towards the end of my first trimester when I was unable to sleep comfortably, I would often wake up with sore hips, knees and my back was not having any of it. So naturally I started collecting the pillows to aid in my comfort needs, Rusty was not a fan of this. After several nights in a row of begin accused of stealing pillows I decided it was time for a body pillow. I did my research and discovered that the pillow (Bluestone Full Body Contour U Pillow) I wanted was actually on sale at Target.com so I bit the bullet and submitted my order. A few days later a large box with an even larger pillow arrived at my doorstep and I was ready for it, I was desperate for a decent night sleep. I have come to rely on this pillow, even though get causes me to be compared to Godzilla or a grizzly bear preparing to enter hibernation. Without it, I don't believe that I would sleep a wink, plus I have found my husband snuggled up to it a time or two as well so maybe by May he'll learn to like it.

Vivid Dreams and Pregnancy Brain

Both of these things have been very much apart of my pregnancy, even before I knew I was actually pregnant.

From my experience these intense dreams ranged from emotional, physical, to down right strange (to the point that I don't think the world's best psychologist would be able to explain). One dream that will probably stick with me for awhile was towards the end of my first trimester; in the dream I was in a city when a strange man grabbed my arm and cut it. The burning of the cut was great enough I woke up and could still feel it, I actually even got up to check to make sure I hadn't somehow cut or scratched myself in my sleep only to find zero marks. After this occurred, I decided to do some reading and discovered why vivid dreams are so prevalent during pregnancy. The best explanation came from an article Pregnancy Dreams: Why Dreams During Pregnancy Are So Intense by Rebecca Turner who dives into the hormonal aspect of dreaming. During pregnancy a woman's body (and brain) is flooded with hormones (just ask any dad-to-be), particularly progesterone, estrogen and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). These hormones along with the fact that women are waking up every few hours means that not only are women dreaming more but that they are in fact remembering more because of the disturbance in their sleep cycle.

Did I forget that again? I realized this was a common phrase coming from my mouth for several months as I felt the frustration of realizing I forgot something. From forgetting to complete a chore, make copies for class, to even forgetting to buy groceries. Forgetting things was not in my personality, even ask my husband, I can remember word-for-word a conversation I have had with someone from several years back, what I paid for something, or how a place looked even if I was simply driving by (however, I will openly admit that I am horrible with names). I always thought pregnancy brain was a myth, but quickly discovered that it is indeed a reality and the more I spoke with other women the more I came to realize that it is something that is going to be a part of my life for awhile. I have noticed that as my pregnancy has progressed I have felt like I am forgetting less; but I am unsure if that is because of the hormone changes from the first to second trimester, or if I have developed enough cooping mechanisms to survive. I do admit that I have kept multiple calendars, broke into my stash of Post-its, along with relied heavily on my phone; but in the end who doesn't do that already?

Developing a Workout Routine

So, as I mentioned in earlier posts, I didn't really get sick which is one of the leading reasons women lose weight in their first trimester. By the end of my first trimester I had lost 18 pounds and my doctor was concerned (even though I explained that I have plenty of weight to lose and this child is not being deprived of anything). My explanation of weight loss is: that I stopped drinking coffee (which included milk and sugar), I was eating more frequently but in smaller portions, I increased my water intake, watched what I was putting into my body a little more carefully (I also stopped craving so much sugar--which might go hand-in-hand with the coffee intake), plus I do honestly believe that since I went from being fairly active to not that a large part is probably muscle loss.

After a lot of research and a discussion with my doctor on Tuesday, I felt like it is finally time to get back into the routine of things and start working out again. As of right now I can't really go on my long walks that I love since it is slicker than snot outside and all of the sidewalks are covered in snow. On Tuesday my doctor explained that the placenta is placed really low and she is concerned about me falling (another reason to avoid the slipper slopes). So, I have started a new (to me) routine, I have lightened my weights, increased my reps and am easing into things. With time I want to add pre-natal yoga as part of my routine/cool down. My routine is as follows (image borrowed from Pinterest): 15 reps of each three times (circuit style) with five pound weights. Also, with the "rowing" part I am using weights to build resistance.

Source: https://www.musely.com/tips/Exercises-For-Pregnant-Women-2/7312028

The Bump's First Holidays

Halloween was fun with an early bedtime and costume of a grumpy pregnant woman. HAHAHAHA! Actually seeing all the little kiddos dressed up made mom-to-be tear up since she does get a little emotional at times. She cannot wait to dress up Baby Pence next Halloween!

Thanksgiving; food, food, and more food. Although mom-to-be's appetite has increased a little bit, it has been more on the snacky-side of things with multiple small meals a day rather than gorging. Most food cravings are still salty and starchy based so mashed potatoes were a huge hit with mom-to-be. Also, pickles and olives.

Gobble till you wobble.

The bump's first Christmas.

Gender Reveal Party Pictures

Mom and Dad-to-be!

Cake and cupcakes. 

Cutting into the cake!

Granny Anita, Auntie Paige, and Mom-to-be.

Grandpa and Dad-to-be.

Mimi, Granny Anita, and Mom-to-be.

Auntie Paige and Pa.

The ladies. 

Uncle Taylor and Uncle Eric.

The siblings. 

Gender Reveal Party

Invitations were crafted and mailed by mom-to-be as the grandparents worked to plan the gender reveal party. It was even more special when Mimi, Pa, Taylor and Eric flew up to join in on the fun. The baker was handed the top-secret envelope with the crucial information; was Baby Pence and boy or a girl?

We went with a woodland animal theme to match the future nursery. 

Yes, mom-to-be created a super envelope that could not be seen through or opened without going unnoticed.

For days leading up to the event itself, many countless hours were put into decorations, food, and general preparation. Of course it wouldn't be a big event by Rusty and Sara if there wasn't some type of snow storm. The forecast was bitterly cold with quite a bit of snow (and more than what ever falls in Louisiana or Las Vegas), but the show must go on. Another event that took place that day was when Sherry's vehicle decided to prove the laws of gravity and friction were indeed alive and well as it slid unmanned down the icy street. Luckily, thanks to Sherry's quick thinking, she was able to not only stop it, but move it to safer ground and avoid the enevtiable disaster.


Mom-to-be met the baker in the morning to pick up the cake and yummy cupcakes, everyone made their way up to Hauser to help finish setting up and get ready for the party.

The cake with the answer inside.

Team Pink or Team Blue.

Favors.

This is the adorable diaper cake created by Nana Deb and Auntie Paige.

Auntie Paige is a little stressed and hitting the cider bottle again. HAHAHA.

Finally, the big moment was here and we were going to find out if our bundle is a boy or a girl.

Pink, it's a girl!

BABY PENCE IS A GIRL!!!! We would have been excited regardless of the gender, but we are so happy knowing.

Registry Information for all those wondering:
Sara Pence and Rusty Pence's Baby Registry 
Link for Amazon: http://a.co/gXnsS4f

Target: http://www.target.com/gift-registry/registry/f48e099baac74c7c956a0566854f8813?ref=registryCopiedLink

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/lists/view-baby-registry-items?id=03f3d69c-43f0-45ad-8956-a0f5c42a7712

The Ultrasound-Part One

December 5th, 2016 was the day we were counting down to since that was our full anatomy ultrasound scan. We were also going to have the gender of Baby Pence put into an envelope for the baker (next up, the gender reveal party). We were both very excited to get a peak at our little one, which made the day drag on.

Finally the time had arrived and we settled in for our ultrasound. At first it was all very exciting, we could see the spine, the liver, kidneys, stomach, some of the umbilical chord, feet, legs, the gender (which was secret to us), arms and formation of bones. The brain looked good and the measurement for our timeline was right on target with Baby Pence weighing in at approximately 9 ounces and a reduces heart rate of 138 bpm. We were very glad to see all of these things (including A LOT of the spine--which appears to be just fine, yay!); however, that was all we were able to see since Baby Pence was curled up and fast asleep. The technician had me get up and move around hoping to stimulate our little one and encourage some movement, but that didn't work. She also pushed on the womb to try and get Baby Pence to wake up; but it was all in vein because this child is clearly as stubborn as its parents and can sleep like its dad.

Luckily, everything they did get to see looked great, however we are scheduled for another ultrasound so they can finish looking at everything (assuming Baby Pence will cooperate). Plus, because we were able to get some of the measurements from the first ultrasound our official due date is May 4th 2017.

Spreading the News

By the end of the first trimester most of the family, many friends and some co-workers were already well aware of the news. However, we kept the news off of social media and from my students until the beginning of the second trimester. Thanks to my friend Wendy who is a dynamite photographer, we had beautiful announcements and pictures to use to help spread the word. In the end I decided to tell my students by using the game Hangman; they all screamed with joy and every day since have been offering name suggestions (usually their own) along with constant questions about when I would start to show and what the baby's gender is.

First Trimester

Overall, I had it pretty easy. As long as I put something into my stomach right when I woke up, I didn't have to deal with morning sickness very much. I did notice that I had zero energy and was suffering from headaches; the lack of caffeine was not helping my situation. Most nights I was asleep by 7:30, this meant that chores and my workout routine suffered greatly. I also stopped wearing my Fitbit that clips to my pants since I was worried about any unstudied negative side effects. As soon as Baby Pence is born, that thing will be right back where it belongs.

I do have to admit that as a new mother-to-be many of the "normal" aches and pains struck fear...keeping me on the edge for all of the first trimester. *With that being said, if you are a new mother-to-be and are experiencing these pains, know that you are not alone; but if you feel something is off or notice that the pains are accompanied with bleeding then you need to contact your doctor immediately.* I was glad to have my support network of women who kept me calm, along with a doctors office who would have me seen at the drop of a hat when I was in a moment of panic.

The first trimester wouldn't be complete without a blood draw; needles happen to be my least favorite thing and send me over the edge. Seriously, I could be at the doctors office for a general check up, see the needle box and start to feel my chest get tight from panic. HA! So naturally, I put the blood draw off to the last possible minute; luckily Lorie knew about my phobia (it probably helped that every day for a week I would walk into her classroom and say "I need you to keep me in check, I need to get my blood tests done; I keep putting them off.") and offered to go with for support. Finally, the due-date I set for myself came and we (Lorie and myself) went to the office, she did everything she could to keep me calm and for the most part I did better than I ever have in the past. I wasn't perfect by any means, but I didn't have to be hauled away or resuscitated so that is a bonus! Everything came back just fine, however we did find out my blood type if Rh negative and dad's is Rh positive; meaning mom gets additional shots. Did I mention that I hate needles? Oh well, it is totally worth it.

For our 12 week check-up, Baby Pence was too small and wiggly to hear the heartbeat, but we got to see our bundle of joy on a portable ultrasound machine. We could see the rapid heartbeat and movement of legs and arms; we are even pretty sure Baby Pence waved at us. ;)

During this time we were able to also hear the heart beat for the first time, it was at 155 bpm. 

Cravings during first trimester included bean and cheese burritos with no red sauce or onions to be dipped in nacho cheese, also fries and shakes were biggies after work. Most cravings were salt-based. Major food avoidance included eggs, and whatever made mom-to-be gag when she opened the fridge.

Spreading the News

We were very quick to tell family and close friends, we couldn't contain our excitement as it began to sink in that we would soon be parents. We felt so lucky to see so many others filled with joy over our news; there were lots of hugs and even a few tears. Having this love and support meant the world to us.

We were even more thrilled to see our little zygote and it's rapid heart beat.

The Beginning

On Thursday, September 8th 2016 we discovered we were expecting our first child. It was quite the way to wake up (and also explained some signs and symptoms mom-to-be was experiencing in August), we were both filled with joy and I was feeling slightly overwhelmed. Also, what a week to have to give up coffee (the first week back to school); however it was very much worth it. We also found out that our expected due date was May 2017.