I caved.. and made it FB official.

Well.. I changed my mind and decided to make a Facebook post about the baby after all. I was nervous because I had already told a bunch of people that I would not be doing that. However, I am starting to have a hard time keeping all this to myself, especially with people at work. I just want some people to be excited with! Is that so bad? Also, I have a friend who is due with her baby any day, and I really wanted to get this out of the way before her baby arrived so that it didn't steal any thunder from that announcement. Anyway, this is how I did it...

In other news, we are all getting really excited for new years and 2012 in general. I'm still really happy that there is no snow on the ground, even though I know it won't hold off forever. It just kind of feels like we get a shortened winter this year, which is awesome!! We've got a lot going on the next two weeks and then hopefully we will have some downtime.

Happy New Years everyone!!
Catherine

Merry Christmas!

Merry (belated) Christmas! This Christmas was definitely a different one for our family. None of our usual traditions were followed. In the end, we were still very grateful for the much-needed time off and a chance to relax. We even got to see Beth and John for a short time on Friday night, which is always a pleasant surprise.

Matt surprised me with a Sony Bloggie, which is a camcorder that happens to take pretty awesome pictures as well. It will convert the video into whatever format you want (Facebook, YouTube etc.) so hopefully I will be getting more media up on the blog in the near future.

On that note... less than two weeks till the gender ultrasound, woohoo!!

Lovies,
Catherine

Goodbye

This morning when we got to Brianna's daycare and I was getting her out of the car seat, she looked up at me with the saddest look on her face and quietly said .."bye".

She just started saying the word bye, but the way she said it soo sweet and so sad I got choked up. She knew that I was leaving and was sad to see me go! I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life.

Baby?

BABY!!!! Yep, that's right. We're expecting #2 on June 23rd, and now that I have finally told my boss.. I feel okay about you guys knowing as well. I still have to let my Grandparents know, before they hear it from someone else. We ARE super excited and are happy that our kids will only be about 21 weeks a part.

I have been blogging all along and saving them as drafts, so anyone who wants to know the nitty gritty details of the last twelve weeks, feel free to read back. We are going for an early gender ultrasound to Bella's Angels the first couple weeks of January, so we will finally know if we are team Pink or Blue at that time.

Lovies,
Catherine

Nervous

My new boss is out this week, but as soon as she returns I have to tell her about the baby. I am officially at the end of my first trimester as of next Saturday, which also marks the end of my "excuse window" for not telling her. I am super nervous, and even more nervous for it to get out to the floor. Fortunately I am on a level below the call center now, so hopefully that will deter people from touching me. LOL. I know I am a huge dork about that, but I reeeally don't like the attention.

Matt and I are starting to talk about names again. We both have ideas that we like for boys, not as many for girls yet. We are both fairly traditional with our preferences though, so that helps.

This week I am feeling mostly good. The nausea has hit for short periods of time in the morning and at night, but subsides for most of the day so I can work. I am starting to get pretty sore in this god-awful chair at work, but other than that I don't really have any complaints. I am pretty sure I have already felt the baby move a few times too. I am hesitant to say that so early, but it feels exactly like it did last time around.

Time to get back to work! I'll update again once I actually spill the beans to my boss, then I will most likely be sharing all of these posts with all of you!

Lovies,
Catherine

11 Weeks Today!

The last week I have felt so good I thought for sure  my morning sickness was starting to go away. This morning has been pretty rough though, so I don't think I am over the hump quite yet. However, I am confidant that it will be over soon.

I haven't had a chance to update you about my appointment on Wednesday. I got in with my favorite doctor, Dr. Green, who started the the appointment off by saying "here we go again!". LOL. She was the one who delivered Bri and she did an amazing job. I told her I wish she could be the one to deliver this baby as well and she said that all I have to do is ask and she will do whatever she can to be there, providing it isn't the middle of the night. So fingers crossed! Otherwise it will end up being whichever doctor happens to be on call at that point of the day or night.

When she went to look for the heartbeat, she found it right away- 172! I jokingly groaned "oh no, not another girl!" and smiled. She said that that didn't indicate anything, contrary to popular opinion. She also said I was easily measuring 10 weeks and even ordered another ultrasound so that we could double check the due date.

The ultrasound was Thursday morning. My mom came along to watch Bri, who was feeling pretty sick and lethargic, poor thing! She ended up having a fever all of Thursday and all of Thursday night and some of Friday morning. I took her to the doctor and they said she had something viral, and it just had to run its course. Well lo and behold as soon as we left the doctor she seemed to feel better almost immediately and her fever was gone. Go figure!

Here is a picture I took with my phone of the ultrasound. I will try to get a better picture up later. They said I was measuring 11 wks 1 day, which would put my due date at June 20th. However, because it isn't different enough, they will still go by my original due date of June 23rd. Oh well, the baby will come when it does. I just wanted to make sure that everything was growing properly, which it is!

8 weeks 6 days

Today was the sickest I have been the entire pregnancy so far. I took my half a Unisom sleeping pill last night before bed per my doctor's suggestion, woke up and took my b6 vitamin, ate some strawberries through the nausea thinking it would help. Then I drove to Brianna's daycare and promptly threw-up. Poor thing must have been traumatized watching me. I must have looked like a wreck when I got inside, but thank God Gracia was nice enough not to comment. Most of the rest of the day has been like this too. I did start feeling better around two this afternoon, thank goodness. My boss has already given me clearance to work from home tomorrow. Yessss!!!

I am actually starting to look forward to Thanksgiving. There is quite a bit of drama happening on my side of the family, with my Grandpa and his stroke situation, so I am pretty thankful to be with my in-laws this year. I was also planning on being on a heavy duty diet, which obviously isn't happening at the moment, so I can actually enjoy Thanksgiving dinner this year after all. I am most looking forward to sweet potatos and leftover turkey sandwiches...mmmm..

My first interview for the Communications and Incentives Coordinator position is on Monday. I am pretty stoked about it, but also really nervious. I know I have the background and experience to back it, I just suck at interviewing. I will definitely be preparing pretty hardcore this weekend. Wish me luck!!

Lovies,
Catherine

Okay... June 23rd, 2012 it is.

For the time being I am accepting my due date as June 23rd, 2012. This is exactly 21 months apart from Brianna's due date back in 2010. If this one is born a day early, s/he will be exactly 20 months apart from Bri. That's pretty cool right?! This also means that I am exactly 8 weeks along today. Feeling pretty good except for being exhorbantly exhausted. I'm looking forward to a month left in the first trimester, woo hoo! We havent made any more progress on names, which is ok. We will probably decide as soon as we find out if it is a boy a girl.

In the meantime, I am applying for a job at work and definitely don't want the "word" to get out before I hear back about it. I can see all sorts of problems stemming from that. Matt says that people don't care as much as I think and my new boss will be happy for me whether she knows now or later. I just don't think I'll risk it. I figure around Christmas is a good time to let the cat out of the bag... we'll see.

Now for some fun dates!

Baby's First Heartbeat - October 29th, 2011
2nd Trimester Begins -   December 17th, 2011
Gender Ultrasound-       Around January 21st, 2012
Viability -                       March 3rd, 2012

3rd Trimester Begins -   March 24th, 2012
Due Date -                    June 23rd, 2012

Lovies <3 Catherine

Oooh.. thats right.

I was trying to figure out how I lost weight while I was pregnant with Brianna, I now remember. All day I am literally in a state of mild-severe nausea mixed with zero appetite. I can't say I am complaining about my current state, however. I have been so worried every since the ultrasound about the baby growing slowly, that any symptoms I welcome. I am pretty sure that if I was going to miscarry, that I would not be feeling like this, my hair would not be falling out, and I would not be crying at text messages. LOL.

Today I am at work while Matt is with Brianna at my mom's house, doing some fix-it things. What a sweet guy huh? He sent me a message earlier while on her roof doing God knows what. I love that he is spending some of his day doing this for her. My mom has learned a lot, but has had a hard time with some of the handy-man things around the house since my Dad died three years ago.

After work we are going to my niece, Anna's 9th birthday party. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, watching the birthday girl open her gifts and maybe even eating some sloppy joes.

Lovies,
Catherine

Ultrasound #1

Matt, Brianna and myself all went to the doctor this morning for my first ultrasound. There was good news and bad news. The good news is that there was definitely a baby, and we got to see the heartbeat, and the bad news was that it's measuring really small, about five weeks, five days. Based on my calculations I cannot see how this can be right. I am thinking it must be at least a few days behind. I emailed my doctor to discuss it, so hopefully I will hear something back soon.

Morning sickness has hit pretty hard this week. I even had to stay home from work one day because it was constant. So if I really am five weeks, I have a long long time left to deal with this. I am really tired too, which makes working all day and then coming home to take care of a baby seem impossible. I know people do it all the time though, so I will make it through somehow.

Catherine

Intake OB Appt.

My first OB appointment was on Thursday. I went to a different Allina clinic because Fridley was too busy (as per usual). The Blaine facility was really new looking and everyone was very nice, so my apprehension was for naught. When I arrived they got me right in and made me do a UA to confim the pregnancy. I was happy to hear that nothing had changed since my last HPT. Then the OB educator took me into her office to go over the basics, make sure I didn't have any questions, do a full medical history and let me know that no, I should not be eating bleu cheese (sad face) and yes, I can continue to be on Weight Watchers as long as it is only used to monitor my healthy eating and maintain my weight, not lose it. I am ok with this....

Next they drew a bunch of vials of blood for this, that and the other reason and sent me back to scheduling to make an appointment for my early ultrasound, so I can finally find out my due date. Hooray! It is scheduled for next Thursday,  10/27 at 9:20am. Matt is taking off the first half of the day to come. I know we won't be able to see much but a little blob and hopefully a beating heart, but I am still really excited! I think we will have Brianna with us too. Even though she won't have any idea what is going on, we can tell her later that she got to see her little brother or sister before anyone else. :-)

I am still feeling pretty great. Only minor bouts of nausea and some headaches. Fingers crossed that it stays that way for awhile!

Surveys Are Fun

Today I am five weeks along.. or four.. or six. I really have no idea. Hopefully I will have a better idea soon! No real morning (or all day) sickness yet. My only symptoms are weird: tons of hair falling out, woozy, fatigue, and headaches. Brianna is also driving me crazy lately. I am always careful not to snap on her, although I have asked her nicely to be quiet several times. I realize she doesn't really understand yet, but I can try!

I told my friend Stephanie about our June bug, today at work. Other than her and my boss, I am not planning on telling anyone else for quite awhile. I don't want it to turn into a big deal, and there really is no other reason for people at work to know until the rest of the world does. I do have a couple of work friends that will likely be upset about this, but I hope they can understand and respect my decision.

I stole this fun survey from my blogger friend Kellie. Thanks Kellie!

Baby Survey!

Is this your first pregnancy? No, I have a 12 month old daughter, Brianna.
When did you find out you were pregnant? Saturday, October 8th, 2011.
Was it planned? Yes, although we didn't expect it would happen quite this fast!
What was your first reaction? I was excited, and immediately started thinking about how I was going to tell Matt.
Who was with you when you found out? Nobody this time around!
Who was the first person you told? Matt; then my SIL, Amy.
How did your parents react? My mom was really excited for me. She knew we were trying, so she had been praying for us. My MIL and FIL were both excited too. FIL just said right away that he was hoping for a boy.
How far along are you? 4, 5, or 6 weeks. Not really sure...
What was your first symptom? fatigue
What is your due date? Sometime in the middle of June
Do you know the sex of the baby? Nope, not for another 15 weeks!
If so, what is it? Don't know, but I have a feeling it's a boy.
Have you picked out names? We have thrown some ideas around, but nothing set in stone.
If so, what are they? Shh.. not telling yet
How much weight have you gained? None yet
Do you have stretch marks? Unfortunately.. from Bri
Have you felt the baby move? Nope. He/She is the size of an orange seed
Have you heard the heartbeat? No, but I can't wait to!
Home or hospital birth? hospital. I had such a great experience at the hospital we went to with Bri, we will definitely go there again.
Natural or medicated birth? I had an epi last time, and actually got to enjoy the birth, so I will likely do that again. Who knows though! The situation may not allow it.
Who will be in the delivery room with you? Matt
Will you breastfeed? Yes
Do you think you'll need a c-section? let's hope not!
Will you cry when you hold the baby for the first time? I doubt it...lol
What's the first thing you might say to him/her? Hopefully this time I won't make some weird comment about his/her eyes being too far apart.
Would you let someone videotape the birth? Probably not, but still pictures would be ok.
Are you excited about the birth, or scared? excited.
Will you have godparents? Yes, we already have a Godmother and Godfather in mind :-)
My first OB is on Thursday. This is the one where they will spend an hour telling me what I can and can't eat, what I can and can't do, and determine if I am high risk (I'm not). They will also schedule the early ultrasound to determine my due date (finally!) so I'm pretty excited. The actual ultrasound will probably not happen until the following Thursday.
Lovies,
Catherine

Cant..Stop...Eating

So I have this problem... I can't stop eating. I am seriously constantly hungry. Today alone I have eaten yogurt, triscuits, fruit snacks, pretzels, a ham salad sandwich, a bag of sweet peppers, a string cheese stick and an apple. It's only 2 o'clock! At this rate I will have gained all forty pounds back by the end of my first trimester. I am definitely freaking out about this.

So onto other things in our lives (lol). Brianna is getting more and more personality every day. When we are in public, she walks everywhere and refuses to be carried if she can help it.

The only exception to this is if we are at home, where she decides that she has to be carried everywhere Or must have food in her mouth or she is screaming. *Sigh* I can't win. When she is not screaming though, she is a TON of fun! Laughs all the time, plays with her toys in new ways and loves reading her books. I am definitely loving having a one year old.

Sharing The News

This week we are telling our parents about Baby #2 ( I have got to come up with a better nickname!) I told my mom we were seriously considering having another, so she had been praying for us and I already knew she had been excited. I have already been in contact with my doctors at Allina, who are psyched as well. I know I am a huge dork, but I can't wait to see them. I am scheduling my first appointment and maybe ultrasound the week after next. I want to wait till after six weeks so we can see the heartbeat.

Matt is so cute, he is thinking about totally random things like if Lands End will carry our style of personalized stockings at Christmas. In the middle of our bike ride the other day, he made us stop and go through the entire list of 100 top boys baby names. We have a couple that we like, but still none that we love. No ideas for girl names yet. One thing I know for sure is I do not want to commit to a name 20 weeks early like we did last time.

Check In- Week 4ish

Until I have an official due date, I can only guestimate how far along I am based off internet calculators. According to TheBump.com, baby is now the size of a poppyseed. Definitely does not resemble anything human yet.

Pregnancy Symptoms at 4 weeks 5 days

1. Sensitive to smells.
2. Stomachache whenever I eat cheese (not again! ugghhh)
3. Some fatigue..not bad
4. Increased appetite
5. Achey everywhere
6. Irritable (my poor neighbor got the brunt of this yesterday, oops. Sorry Dan!)

Our Own Little Chenoweth #2 Coming June 2012

Yesterday we found out that we were expecting Our Own Little Chenoweth #2! It was actually a complete shock because I hadn't been charting or doing anything special like with Brianna. We just kind of figured, if it happens.. it happens; and it happened! I had been testing for a few days already because I was pretty sure I was late, although my body is pretty wonky so I couldn't say for sure.

Finally yesterday morning I tested, completely expecting to get a negative and I got the faintest line possible. It was barely perceptible to the naked eye. I figured I was just seeing things. So I drove to work, stopping at Wal-Mart on the way to get some better tests, because something kept nagging at me. When I got to work I went straight to the fourth floor where there were no people yet, and took out the test. Taking a deep breath I looked at the results window. BAM two pink lines. One much lighter than the other, but definitely there. I immediately started doing a happy dance whispering "oh my gosh, oh my gosh" over and over. When I calmed down I went to my desk and managed to keep a straight face all day and not spill the beans to anyone.
After work I went and hung out with my friend Amber. It was supposed to be our wild "girl night". I told her I wasn't drinking because of the whole possibly being late thing and i wanted to be safer than sorry. We went to Bennigans and took a walk and picked up some non-alcoholic beer (which was disgusting!) and hung out with her neighbor Katie. It was really fun, but after awhile the exhaustion and cigarette smoke started getting to me and I had to bail. I felt really awful not telling her the whole truth, but I hadn't even told Matt yet! It couldn't be avoided :-( Sorry Amber!

When I got home I gave Matt this great card I had made. When he opened it, he got the biggest smile on his face and asked "Are you pregnant?" I just said "Yep!". He is so excited, which makes me excited! I didn't get to 'tell him' with Brianna, since he was there when I found out, so this was fun. We told Brianna this morning, but she just said "da?" and proceeded to play with her cup. I think it's gonna be awhile till she understands, haha.

I GOT THE JOB! Wooo!!

This morning I was totally bewildered when I heard. I did not expect it after how my last two interviews went (I had three total). I start with my new hours right away tomorrow, 7:30am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday!! No more Saturdays for me.. woo hoo! I called my amazing daycare lady first who is being very cool about having to wake up an hour and a half earlier than usual.

Now to celebrate! I am thinking Olive Garden... mmmm

Lovies!
Catherine