Pregnancy Update: 17 Weeks

How far along: 17 weeks

How big is baby: Fruit and veggie scale says baby weighs about as much as a turnip.

Weight gain: Still haven't weighed myself after the cruise.  Not sure.

Sleeping: Pretty good lately.  Some trouble falling asleep but I am not waking up in the night.

Food cravings: Still French Fries.

Food aversions: Nothing too major this week.

Other symptoms: Still sick from the heat.  Also acne.  My face is breaking out like crazy.  Also "pregnancy brain" is killing me.  I keep forgetting important things, misplacing important papers, etc and it is diving me nuts.

Miss Anything?: Nothing in particular.

Doctor’s appointment: None this past week.  I have one Next Friday.

Wedding Rings: Still on! 

Clothes: I have caved and bought a few maternity basics but they are still big. I hesitate to buy maternity clothes that fit just right because I know they won't fit by the end of the pregnancy.   I am still squishing into the biggest of my old "fat clothes" and rocking tshirts and yoga pants around the house.

Movement: Nothing noteworthy yet.

Best moment of the week: Isaac and Ryan exchanging presents when we returned from our cruise. They has each gotten each other the perfect gifts and it was so sweet to see their excitement as they exchanged them.

What I’m looking forward to: Making the most of these last few weeks of summer before the rush of back to school.  

What I did / Got for baby: Nothing this week.  I need to get moving.

What I learned this week: Baby's sweat glands are starting to develop!

101 in 1001 update

So it's been a while since I blogged about my 101 in 1001 progress.  I have crossed a few things off the list.

50. Seriously try to bite my nails less.

So, I have bitten my nails for as long as I can remember.  Like, bitten them down to tiny stubs, till they were painful and bled.  One perk of pregnancy (or maybe taking prenatal vitamins?) is my hair and nails and growing like crazy.  I noticed that even with my biting they were longer than usual, so I decided to do my best to stop biting them.   It was really, REALLY hard, especially the first two weeks.  Biting my nails has been a way to release stress and anxiety since I was probably three or four.    Even now that it has been probably six weeks, the temptation to bite them is still there but it reinforced my decision to stop as I saw my nails getting longer and more pretty.   I realize they are probably still short and stubby by other people's standards, but it was real progress for me.

When we were on our cruise I decided to reward myself for my efforts and I got my first manicure.  I have had acrylic nails on tons of times, but I have never had a manicure on my natural nails and actually, in my whole adult life I have never even worn nail polish on my hands.  I was a teeny bit disappointed because the girl only offered me about 10 colors to choose from and that included yellow, green, black and gray which were obviously not going to be choices.  I went with a cherry red. 

 

I am going to do my best to keep them up and to resist the temptation to chomp on them!!

 

29. Get a grill. 

 

I should have snapped a picture, or better yet, before and after pictures.  Ryan found a grill on Craig'slist for 20 bucks.  I was skeptical when he told me about it and even more skeptical when he brought it home.  It looked... really dirty and gross.  He got a special cleaner from Lowe's and spent a whole afternoon cleaning it up though, and I have to admit, he totally transformed it.  It looks great.

 

33. Read 50 books

 

For my reading on the airplane and cruise I chose Always and Forever by Cathy Kelly.

 

It was on the buy one get one free table of my local used bookstore and looked like a fluffy vacation type book.  I really enjoyed it.  It was like several short stories that all ended up weaving together in the end.  It is a light read and somewhat predictable but interesting and engrossing.  I would definitely read something else by that author.

 

How are you doing with your new years goals?

 

Have a great weekend!

Pregnancy update: 16 Weeks

How far along: 16 weeks

How big is baby: Fruit and veggie scale says "about the size of an avocado"

Weight gain: No clue officially since I haven't weighed myself.  I just returned from a cruise though and they say the average cruiser gains two pounds per day so I am a little nervous to hop on the scale.

Sleeping: Fabulous lately.  Our bed at home is tiny and uncomfortable.  We have been spoiled with huge comfy king sized beds on vacation.

Food cravings: Nothing too crazy.

Food aversions: Lots.  Isaac sweetly tried to share his BBQ chips with me and nothing had ever sounded so disgusting. Also all Italian food (pasta, anything garlicky) sounds revolting and I am usually a fan.

Symptoms:  Issues with the heat still.  I can't cope with it at all.  Also, my fingernails and hair are growing like crazy (more on that some other time).  

Miss Anything?: It was a littlle sad to miss out on some of the fun excursions and activities available on our cruise.  I don't see why snorkeling or wading with sting rays should be out for pregnant people but they were.

Doctor’s appointment: None this past week.

Wedding Rings: Still on! 

Clothes: I wore flowy dresses during the cruise and was quite comfortable. A coworker gave me the bathing suit in the above picture that didn't fit her (too big in the bust) that actually fit well and was flattering so that was exciting.

Movement: Nothing noteworthy yet.

Best moment of the week: Authentic Mexican food with my handsome hubby while watching the sunset over a clear blue ocean in Cozumel.

What I’m looking forward to: Making the most of these last few weeks of summer before the rush of back to school.

What I did / Got for baby: Nothing this week.  

What I learned this week: The baby is about to go into a major growth spurt!

Random Thursday: Bucket List Edition

Wahoo. I'm off to Miami to catch the Carnival Victory. In the meantime it's time for

 

This week's topic is:

 

 

1. Traveling to Asia.  I want to see Japan, The Great Wall of China, etc. etc. 

2. Seeing South American pyramids.   I am getting a little taste of some ruins when we are in Cozumel.  But I would love to see more!!
 

3. Go snorkeling. 
 

4. Take a Segway Tour of Philadelphia.  So geeky. So ridiculous.   So something I want to do. 
 

5. Learn some more sign.  I know a few very basic signs, but I want to learn more!!
 

Happies and Crappies

Happy: My brother fixed the air conditioning in my car, fixed my dome lights,changed my oil, and buffed out some of the scratches I put in the side of the van (oops).  Having a mechanic in the family is SUCH a blessing!

Happy: It was SO NICE to drive home in this 100 degree weather with air conditioning!

Crappy: He also discovered that my alternator may be going soon.

Crappy: This is especially bad timing because we just replaced the alternator in Ryan's car only a few weeks ago. It's an expensive repair and a terrible coincidence that both would go within a few weeks of each other. Sometimes you just can't win.

Happy: Isaac had his first viola lesson yesterday and it went pretty well.  The teacher seemed a little skeptical at first about how serious an eight year old boy could be about the viola but it seemed like Isaac had won him over when the lesson was over. 

Happy: My friend Kim gave us a pretty huge inflatable pool for Isaac.  We had to get rid of our old inflatable pool, so this was an especially nice gift for us. 

Happy: Ryan was also able to fix the outside spigots which hadn't worked so well the past few years. (One didn't work at all, and the other only put out a tiny trickle of water).  This made filling the pool up much quicker!  And we can water the lawn again, if we ever feel so inclined.

Crappy:  We set it up, and Isaac played in it for a bit.  Then after a few hours we put it in the garage. Meanwhile, an inspector from the home owner's association came around and issued us a citation for "storing items in the yard".  WTH.  You can bet I was on the phone complaining today after I got the citation in the mail.

Happy: We leave TOMORROW for Miami to meet the Carnival Victory.  I am so excited for our cruise!

Crappy: There is still so much to get in order before then.  And for some reason, I picked up a work shift today.  What was I thinking?? 

Happy Wednesday!

Fifteen Weeks

Sorry again for the low quality debris filled picture.  Next week's will be better.

 

How far along: 15 weeks

How big is baby: Fruit and veggie scale says "about the size of an apple". 

Weight gain: At my doctor's appointment Friday I weighed in 2 pounds less than my previous visit, which was great.  I really don't understand how that is possible since I have devoured a whole pan of these... But I will take it.  I am supposed to be pretty careful with my weight gain. 

Sleeping:   I am starting to wake up a few times a night to pee but I am still sleeping well for the most part.  

Food cravings: Lemonade still sounds amazing, which makes me laugh.  This is so Ryan's baby.  He would drink lemonade all day everyday, while, before pregnancy, I could take it or leave it. 

Food aversions: Nothing specific comes to mind.  I am becoming a fan of food again.  

Symptoms:  Emotions are still crazy.  The other day in the car I found myself bawling because I started thinking about Isaac going away to college.  I have also noticed a lot of blood in the sink when I am brushing my teeth which a pregnancy symptom too, according to What to Expect.  It's also been really, really hard to stand the heat, which has been in the 100's with insane humidity.

Miss Anything?: Diet Coke.  I am trying to go for caffiene-free or lemonade instead.

Doctor’s appointment: I have one Thursday.  I stopped in briefly last week to have them fill out some paperwork for our cruise to Cozumel.  

Wedding Rings: Still on! 

Clothes: Getting tighter.  I packed mostly flowy dresses for Cozumel.  I have a few longer shirts and looser shorts that are getting me by for now.  When work starts again and I can't wear spandex workout pants everyday, there will need to be serious wardrobe re-evaluation.  

Movement: The doctor says it's possible the little flutters I am feeling could be movement.  Although, she says it's also possible they are just stomach gurgles or gas.  I am not in too big of a hurry to feel movement to be honest.  I know sooner or later s/he will be kickingme in the ribs all night long.  Is that terrible to say? 

Best moment of the week: I went to my appointment and there was a really young student doctor guy there.  He tried to use the microphone thing to find the heartbeat, but he couldn't and got a little flustered.  I think he was worried that I was going to scream at him, "What do you mean my baby doesn't have a heartbeat?!" When the doctor came in she was like "Well let's just take a look on the ultrasound."  So I got a bonus sneak peek of the baby kicking and moving in there. I got to see little feet, little hands, little legs, and spine. Dr.says it looks good.  

What I’m looking forward to: Upcoming cruise to Cozumel (this week!!!!!).  This will be baby's second trip to Florida.

What I did / Got for baby: We are on a really tight budget.  No shopping this week.  

What I learned this week: The baby can suck it's thumb!

 

Ten on Tuesday - Summer Vacation Edition

1. My birth certificate came in the mail yesterday.  That is my last big thing I need before we leave on our cruise (next Thursday!!!!).  I was so worried it wouldn't come in time that I paid for it to be expedited and then Fed Ex'd here overnight.  Might have been overkill, but it made it in plenty of time, so that is a relief.

2. My mom called me today to let me know she has picked up Isaac's viola.  Have I blogged about that?  He gets to play an instrument next year in third grade and came home totally enamored with the viola.  I am going to see if I can get him a few lessons in August to tide him over till school starts and capitalize on his enthusiasm.

3. I am teaching ESY (summer school for special ed kids) and my classroom is in a little trailer outside of the actual school building.  The other morning I got a text that someone had jumped the fence and broken into my classroom over the weekend.  I  have moved most of my belongings out of there except for the few things I need for the last week of summer school, but I was still concerned.  When I got there, the custodian showed me a bag of things that they had found in the front of the school.  Here's what the thief decided to take:

Yes, he/she didn't take my stereo, the walkie talkie, or internet access stuff.  S/he took crayons, cookies, and my tape dispenser.  I am thinking whoever broke in was about ten.  I went from nervous and upset to rather amused.  I mean, really?  My tape dispenser?

4.  Usually during the summer I tackle cleaning and organization projects around the house.  But so far this summer I have just been watching a lot of Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares on Hulu.  I am going to need to dig deep and come up with some motivation though because my basement and garage are disastrous.  

5.  

 

6. Our cruiseship has a Mexican buffet that starts at midnight. Plus free room service.  Something tells me I am going to be gaining some weight before we get home. 

7. Ryan rearranged the living room furniture and I hate it.  His point was that the couch was blocking one of the airvents, which made it hot in here.  This is a valid point, now everytime I walk into the living room or watch TV all I can think about is how much I hate it.  We need to find some sort of compromise.

8.  Isaac randomly asked me about Travyon Martin the other day.  I guess his dad was watching news coverage in front of him.  He had all sorts of questions and concerns about what happened and why this case is important.  It is sad to sort of have to help Isaac realize what a cruel and terrible place the world can be.  How do you explain to an African-American eight year old that some racist people will look at him and see a criminal or something fearsome.  Sorry... that just got serious.  Moving on.

9. This is so me... 

10. Anyone else out there watching Switched at Birth?  It is getting SO GOOD.  

Happy Tuesday!!!

Pregnancy update - 14 Weeks

A blog I really enjoy reading  does a weekly pregnancy update.  So I decided to use her format as inspiration.

(sorry for all of the random debris on the above picture.  I didn't see it until I uploaded it.  Not sure what that is all about).

How far along: 14 weeks

How big is baby: Fruit and veggie scale says "about the size of a lemon".  I don't understand how something that is the size of a lemon can be moving around in me and I can't feel it, but whatever. 

Weight gain: I haven't weighed myself recently.  

Sleeping: I’m sleeping well for the most part.  Waking up occasionally in the night to pee, but so far sleep is good.

Food cravings: Lemonade, lemonade, lemonade.  Wheat toast with butter also tastes DIVINE to me.  I had six pieces with my bowl of soup the other day. 

Food aversions: Well, for the first 13 weeks or so, all foods were pretty aversive.  This week I am finally feeling like eating again.  That said, Ryan made potato salad the other day that I couldn't even imagine myself eating and usually I love potato salad.

Symptoms: I am feeling much more energetic the past week or so.  I don't know if it is because I just entered the second trimester, or because I am finally remembering to take my prenatal vitamins more regularly or what, but I will take it.  I have felt so energy deprived and exhausted for so long, it is nice to feel a little more like myself.  I am also always hot (and the 100 degree weather isn't helping).  Ryan was laughing at me in the mall the other day because I felt like it was stifling and he was like "Lisa, it's really cool and comfortable in here".  Heightened sense of smell is still going strong too.  At least once a day I declare that something smells dreadful and Ryan informs me he doesn't smell anything at all.  

Miss Anything?: some of my smaller/less stretchy tops and pants.  

Doctor’s appointment: I have one Thursday.  I stopped in briefly last week to have them fill out some paperwork for our cruise to Cozumel.  

Wedding Rings: Still on! They’re tight, but I can still take them on and off.  We will see how long they last.

Clothes: I was feeling badly about how soon I seem to be showing with this one.  With Isaac, I really didn't wear maternity clothes until I was six months or so.  I remember a co-worker being surprised that I was pregnant and I had already found out that he was a boy.  However, I was in much better shape prior to that pregnancy compared to this one.  I gained a lot of weight leading up to the wedding that I never lost.  Anyhow, I am not wearing maternity clothes yet, but I am down to my biggest pants, loosest tops and flowiest dresses, or wearing my pants unbuttoned. I did buy a maternity top the other day on super clearance (like 3 bucks) from my work.  I would like to avoid maternity clothes for as long as possible though.  Once you are in them, you are stuck in them forever...

Movement: Every once in a while a twitch or something, but I know it is probably not really movement yet.  

Best moment of the week: Our fun family day to the Six Flags, even in hot weather.  

What I’m looking forward to: Upcoming cruise to Cozumel.  Gender reveal ultersound.  Really dying to know if this is a boy or a girl so I can get to shopping.

What I did / Got for baby: We haven't gotten much for baby yet.  We did see a really clean and nice swing on the side of the road with a "free" sign on it that we scooped up.  That is pretty much it.  I don't have much left over from when Isaac was a baby, so we will be starting all over.  

What I learned this week: The baby has fingerprints now!

I am still alive

I am still alive, just seems like there has been too much going on to stay on top of the blog.  I will do a pregnancy update tomorrow.  In the meantime, here is what is going down in the Stephenson-Horne household. 

Isaac really enjoyed his week at Scout Camp.  Tom had told Isaac about shooting BB guns and I guess he asked about it the very first day at camp.  He also seemed to enjoy swimming and archery.  I have been assigned to be a new Den Leader and thus, was obligated to go up to Scout Camp for a day.  I was pretty much terrified and forced Ryan to come along.  Those scout moms in hiking boots and frame packs intimidate the heck out of me, and I wasn't facing them alone.  It didn't exactly get closer to my comfort zone when we arrive because it turned out we were in charge of knots and... we don't know how to tie any knots...

Our first session was kind of rough, but we had an hour off after the next group and we coerced a den chief into helping us practice them over and over and over.  The second session went much better, although I never really got the hang of bowline knot.  

We had a very low key fourth of July.  Isaac had been spending a few days with my mother, so I drove out to meet them.  I mostly played with him for the morning (and worked on IEPs) and we watched an old school movie I remembered from my childhood 3 Ninjas.  Isaac was a fan.  His dad asked to change up his visitation schedule and he took him Thursday night.

This left Ryan and I to head into a neighboring town to see some fireworks.  It wasn't as fancy as Philly fireworks, but it was nice none the less.

When we got Isaac back, we decided to head up to Six Flags for the rest of the day.  It was unbearably hot (like 100 degrees) and the car even started to overheat on the way there, but we still had a lot of fun nonetheless.  Ryan was great to pick me up free cups of ice water at every concession stand we passed which helped a lot.

Jason Derulo was having a free concert there so we found a shady spot to enjoy it.  Isaac is very into dancing and choreography, so I think he enjoyed the show for that aspect.  Afterwards, there was enough time for Isaac and Ryan to hit up a few rides.  Ryan even hit up the rides that he normally avoids (like the spinning one below) so that Isaac didn't have to ride them alone, since I am out for the count on the everything except the carousel.

I randomly won a 50 dollar Sephora gift card from a blog giveaway and I went to spend my money the other day.  It has been a while since I treated myself to something totally self indulgent like make-up, so it was too hard to decide.  Among other things, I finally got a Tarte Amazonian clay blush (on my wishlist forever).  I got it in the color Exposed.  It is really nice!

The only other big thing is that Ryan and I booked our honeymoon cruise and are heading out July 18.  We leave from Miami and make two stops: Key West and Cozumel.  Then, when we return, Ryan and I will be spending an extra day in Miami before we fly home.  We are SO EXCITED. We keep watching youtube movies that other people have shot on our cruise, researching our ports, possible excursions and restaurants.  I am really looking forward to a few days away to travel and relax.  The countdown is on!