15 Weeks

Wow, I'm really rocking into the second trimester now! The baby is now the size of an apple. I definitely feel better and what symptoms I do have are manageable. Not ready to take a baby bump picture yet, but hopefully in the next couple weeks I'll get one on here. I finally purchased maternity clothes thanks to patience and a killer sale at Old Navy. I seriously think I got most of what I needed (pants, winter coat, 5 tops, hooded sweatshirt and two dresses) for $140! I'm noticing that my jeans are feeling different. If I sit they are tight on the tummy and one pair I have started using the old loop the rubber band around the button trick.

Next will be tackling the room. I'm not going to go crazy nursery in there. The room will be painted cream and I plan on adding color other ways. I found a quilt that I really want to knit and I plan on getting started over Christmas. I started looking into daycare options and HOLY SNIKES! Anyone out there want to take care of a kid? You're moving back right Mom?

Anyway, without further ado...here is my update!

How far along? 15 Weeks and 1 Day.
Total weight gain/loss: Stayed the same weight as last week, glad I'm not losing anymore.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: Now that the dog is sleeping on a dog bed instead of curled up at my head I am sleeping MUCH better!
Best moment this week: Eating cheese tortellini, a small dinner salad and a roll. Seriously, now that I can eat my best moments are food.
Movement: Some pinching cramps, Dr. thinks it may be the baby bumping my bladder but getting that checked out today.
Food cravings: Pretty much if you can put it in your mouth it sounds pretty good to me. I really want spicy stuff but know that I need to hold off.
Gender: Not going to find out, but last night dreamt that I found a piece of paper from the doctor saying it was a boy AND everyone keeps saying "He" when they talk about the baby. Oh I hope it's a boy.
Labor Signs: Nope.
Belly Button in or out? It's still a black hole.
What I miss: Not having to worry about what I take medicine wise.
What I am looking forward to: My new maternity clothes arriving.
Weekly Wisdom: Be careful when brushing your tongue.
Milestones: I ate a complete dinner!

What a lamp!

I saw this on the Hallmark display at CVS yesterday. All I can say is there is NO WAY that this will not end up on our Christmas tree. I LOVE IT!

Best of Christmas Giveaways!

I'm a reader of the blog Natalie's Sentiments. Not only is she a great blogger, but she also has excellent giveaways. Right now is her Best of Christmas Giveaway where it seems as if she is giving away something cool everyday! Not a day has gone by that I haven't entered to win something. Want in on the action? Check out her blog or subscribe to my tweets and I'll let you know when she is having a giveaway!

Hey Hey Hey

Knitting can be both highly rewarding and highly sucky. It's a very fun craft, but boy when you put serious time into something and it comes out wrong it can make you want to stab someone with knitting needles. I've made it a goal to have a DIY Christmas this year. I did the same thing last year and made about 1/3 of my gifts and bought most of the others handmade. This year over 50% of my gifts are going to be made by myself and what I can't make I will buy handmade!

I have a nephew that loves skulls, and I don't think he reads the blog (Jason if you are reading this...go away now.) I really wanted to try something new and knit him a hat with skulls on it. I found a pattern and in one day knocked out this...

It came out wonderful! I was so excited and so proud of myself for doing something new and learning that it wasn't really hard. Then I started looking at the hat and realized that there was NO WAY this was going to fit Jason. In fact, I think I just knit my kids first hat because it is definitely baby size.

Not wanting to waste any time I found another skull hat pattern and got to work. This one was taking FOREVER and the whole time I was making it I knew that it wasn't right. I knew that it was much too big. Last night, realizing that I still had about 5 inches left to knit I decided to quit fooling myself and quit wasting time.Seriously, horrible pattern. The skull looks cool, but last time I checked people don't want to wear hats to their lips. Well, unless you are a character in Fat Albert.

I guess it's back to the drawing board.

Monster!

I've created a monster! An 85 pound snuggle monster. An 85 pound snuggle monster that completely understands what I pillow is for. An 85 pound snuggle monster that completely understands what a pillow is for and at night takes up 3/4 of the bed trying to get at close to the pillows and us as possible. It's all my fault. I coddled, and cuddled and snuggled him right into the dog he is now. Unfortunately with a big belly coming, snuggle monster had to be stopped.

Yesterday I went to Sam's Club and got a GIGANTIC dog bed for my 85 pounds snuggle monster. I started by putting it in the living room. While first tentative, eventually he realized just how cozy it was and spent most of the day on it. Then came the daunting task of moving it into the room. I put it next to my side of the bed because snuggle monsters want their mommy close by. I figured that through the night there would be about 5 episodes of "Get Down" on the horizon. Guess what? Snuggle monster stayed in HIS bed until 5am!!!

Night one a success, wish us luck with the many more nights to come!

Bob Update

Thanks to all of you that sent your well wishes on Facebook and the blog. I'm happy to say that Bob came through the surgery great. The valve had to be replaced but the surgeon was happy with how the surgery went. Right now he is in ICU and probably will be for a couple days at least. We will be seeing him later today and I'll be taking all your love and support with me when I go.

On a side note, having a blog means that you get solicitations. I have always tried to make leaving comments easy and therefore have been stuck with the occasional spam comment selling me this or that. Yesterday I got one of those and just about lost my shit. The fact that someone pays no attention to what the blog posting is about and just tries to sell some Viagra is unbelievable to me. I did a rather vulgar "tweet" about it and I apologize for my foul mouth. I've learned a side effect of the pregnancy is a potty mouth and the ability to want to kill someone with my bare hands. So, that said, I have had to add one of those ridiculous "what is this word" things to verify the real people from the fake. I hope it doesn't keep your comments away!

Thanks again for all of your caring words!

Take care Bob!

These are my in-laws. I know that for many the in-laws are a thorn in their side. Luckily for me they are more family to love. I love my in-laws. I actually love my entire extended family that my hubby gave me, but that could be a whole other post in its self. Put simply, when you have Ball blood running through your veins you are good people.

Today my father in law is under going an open heart surgery. Before I came into the picture, over 11 years ago, my father in law had a heart replacement. As of late he is having some troubles with a valve and it needs to be repaired/replaced. I'm not a very religious girl, but I will be praying all day today to whoever is listening to take care of Bob during his surgery. I was just hoping maybe all of you could do the same.