The last 6 months (sorry folks, this ones a long one)

Seeing as how I am 6 months pregnant, there is a lot for me to remember and catch everyone up on. I guess I will start by just pointing out the little detail that I now know what it is like to have someone use your rib cage as a punching bag! Ouch! But, let me get started on the stuff you want to read, maybe.


I remember the first time I really thought to myself "wow, I'm pregnant and I'm going to have a baby" Zack and I were at our first doctors visit where they do an ultrasound to see how far along you are. At first I wasn't sure what to think when she pulled out this long probe thing that was to be so gently stuck up my cooter. (sorry for the information but for those of you who know me, I have no filter) Anyways, of course, all she looked like at the time was a little peanut since she was only 6 weeks. But, what really got me was when the doctor said "do you see this right here? that's your baby's heart beating." Seeing that brought tears to my eyes. I knew then that this is real, and I have a baby growing inside of me who has a heartbeat and everything! It was a truly amazing and beautiful experience.


Moving along...let's talk about morning sickness shall we?!? And, the smell of dryer sheets. Yes. Dryer sheets. I couldn't do laundry for the longest time without gaging every time I walked in and smelled a dryer sheet. I know, out of all things right? I am the type of person who doesn't get up early enough to iron my clothes, so my clothes just get thrown in the dryer in the morning to "de-wrinkle" as I get ready. This was usually the kick off to my morning hacks. And leave it to my oh so wonderful husband to find my "gagging episodes" comical. Ever want to really tick off a pregnant woman with nausea? Laugh at her. It doesn't go over well. Usually ending in the bathroom door being slammed in your face with a few choice of kind words mumbled under your breath. Anyways, never in my life have I ever gagged mid sentence. Now, that one is kinda comical. The even better part is once you think you are over the morning sickness stage, it hits you again except this time, every day, on the dot, at 4:30. Needless to say, I am so glad that's over with!


Now, onto "hunny I cant get my jeans past by butt" One of the most devastating times of my life. What can I say, I am a woman who's put on 20 pounds in the last 6 months and let me tell you not all of it has gone to my belly. My boobs have gotten a fair share which I am not complaining at all! I had a woman who delivers from FedEx to where I work say to me, "I was going to wait a couple months before I asked you cause I wasn't sure if you were just getting fat." This is not a lie. You can't make something like that up! I am happy to say that I am past the point where people are too afraid to ask you "so whens the baby due?" in fear of the person not being pregnant at all. And let me tell you, maternity jeans = NO butt and a saggy crotch. Apart from being cumfy, they defiantly do not help someone feel pretty while everything else is growing and swelling. And might I add, since we're talking about swelling, I now know what it feels like to have kankles. Ugh. And, I've been told after 6 months, it's all down hill from here. And I thought it was hard getting up out of a cumfy recliner now. Before I move on, let me just throw in here that whoever thought pregnancy (on the outside) is beautiful, is nuts! Knock on wood, no stretch marks, yet. But, a popped belly button and this odd brown line that started under my belly button and just keeps growing higher...and higher....I just don't see what is so pretty besides what's happening on the inside.


For those of you who know me, know that I love animals more then people. Being pregnant, I have become very nurturing towards everything. Even stink bugs. I know, I'm crazy. But, I promise, there's a funny story to this. I noticed a stink bug on the door as I was walking out. I stopped and started to talk to it. I said "oh, hi there mr stinky bug how are you?" Needless to say I got a very odd look from my husband as he said, "are you seriously talking to a stink bug?" I began to explain to him that since being pregnant I have become very nurturing. He responded with "why don't you start nurturing me?" My hormones must have kicked in and I replied with "well what the hell do you want?" He just laughed...


Boy or girl? I remember thinking, I wonder what it is. At first, I really wanted a boy. Only because I just didn't think I could handle the "drama" of a girl. I will tell you now, I wouldn't trade her for anything! The day we found out what we were having is a day that we will never forget. We got lucky and had one of the first appointments so we didn't have to sit in anticipation for too long. The ultrasound was so clear! We could tell what was what before the doctor even pointed it out. We could see her butt, her spine that ran the whole way down her back as we watched her wiggle all over the place. We saw her tiny feet and toes, her hand as she waved at us. It was sweet. Then came the main event...and she was not shy! Legs spread wide ready to reveal to us that we are going to be having a little girl! It was awesome. I cried. Like a baby. Of course. Even Zack got emotional. When the doctor handed us our ultrasound pictures I heard Zack take a deep breath and say "it's a girl...it's a girl..."


First kicks: It was hard for me to distinguish at first gas bubbles or baby? Because you know, all I do is eat, sleep, pee and fart. No lie. Anyways, I remember the first time I knew for sure I was feeling her kick. It was such an amazing feeling and I couldn't wait till Zack could start being able to feel her and now he can feel her kick and squirm all the time! Well, not all the time. She has her moments where all she must do is sleep but when she is awake and moving you can see my belly jump from across the room!


So, now it's on to the fun stuff! Getting the baby room ready, going through baby clothes, registering for baby gifts...ah, I am just so stinkin excited! 15 weeks to go! Gracelyn Faith Byrne will be here before we know it!


I hope you enjoyed reading this so far. I will keep posting new blogs as new things happen that I want to share. 3 months and counting....