Happy Halloween!

Not much to reflect on today, save the giant pile of candy I plan on eating when I get home. (1 for the kiddos at the door...2 for me.) Brilliant!

Tigger as Pooh and Pooh as Tigger - who says Christopher Robin is the creative one? :)

And, I suppose to give this post a bit more beef I can share with you Joe's joke of the moment:

Knock, knock.
(Who's there?)
Nobody.
(Nobody who?)

Baxter, you know I don't speak Spanish!

Joe and I have recently decided we need to read more.

So we joined Netflix.

Hahaha - I know, it's so backwards. "Honey, we need to read more." "I agree, let's watch a movie." Only the VWs...

But seriously, I do need to read more! Although I never actually cracked a textbook in college, I did a LOT of reading. You know, socially. :) I miss having a good book on my nightstand and propping my eyes open to struggle to the end because I couldn't fall asleep not knowing if Ashley Stockingdale lived happily ever after or not.

I have a few books lined up that I am actually excited to read. Namely, "Chasing Harry Winston" by Lauren Weisberger - same author that wrote "The Devil Wears Prada." Love it!

Despite my love of "chick lit," I actually think I should read some baby books, too. To my credit, I did read Jenny McCarthy's book, "Belly Laughs," which was quite possibly the most crude (albeit hilarious) book I've ever read. Friends and coworkers have been so nice, lending and gifting me pregnancy books ranging from "The Idiot's Guide to Pregnancy" to "What to Expect When You're Expecting," but I just can't bring myself to crack them open.

Strange, right? I guess I'm a little anxious to read them for many reasons:

• I do not want to be that hypochondriac pregnant lady that self-diagnoses every sneeze and "strange feeling" as something gone horribly wrong.
• Call me crazy, but I'd rather not read about the semi-gross things my body may or may not go through. I'll continue to hope for the "not" and carry on with life as usual.
• I want the "firsts" - kicks, movement, hiccups - to be a surprise! If the book says I should feel them at X weeks and little WIP is a late bloomer, I don't want to freak. (See bullet 1)
• I'm lazy.

I know, I know - I should be an educated mommy and learn everything I can while I can. And I'm sure I will...eventually. Like when I'm on bedrest in 4 months because I'm approximately the size of a small Middle Eastern country. Then, I will read.

Until that day, we will continue to be faithful Netflix customers. (Sidebar: "The Pursuit of Happyness" is the SADDEST movie you will ever watch. It has a happy ending, but the 1:50 leading up to the last 7 minutes is a pure downer.)

Next up on our queue: Seasons 1-3 of "How I Met Your Mother." :)

Hump Day, Bump Day!

Hello faithful Wednesday readers. As promised, here's a look at the beginning of Week 15. Fit Pregnancy's email to me for the week had this to say:

"Congratulations, Kristi! You're 15 Weeks Pregnant. Your fetus now measures about 4.1 to 4.5 inches from crown to rump and weighs about 1.75 ounces. Its body is covered by an ultrafine hair, called lanugo, which is usually shed by birth. Eyebrows and hair on the top of the head are beginning to grow and his bones are getting harder. He may even be sucking his thumb by now. Your uterus can probably be felt about three to four inches below your navel."

Now, now, now...don't go getting all excited that WIP is a boy just because Fit Pregnancy chooses to stay pronoun neutral on "he" and "him." They just do it to maintain consistency...all babies are "he's" to them. Soon enough, we will know which pronoun to use for WIP - probably early December.

Back to the purpose of today's post: the bump!


(Notice my "nice" black pants are back? The shirt...eh, notsomuch.)

It's getting a squidge more difficult to find comfortable sleeping positions, but it could be due to my dear, snoring husband next to me. :) I find it ever so ironic now that I'm pregnant he's sleeping better than he ever has in his life, and I'm up 4 times a night visiting the loo. Jake and I have become midnight pals, that's for sure.

Almost Halloween! Be safe - and save me your Milk Duds! :)

Really?

One of my favorite things to do on Monday mornings is to peruse some of my bookmarked websites to see what sort of news (celebrity and otherwise) I might have missed over the weekend. Among them are Pink is the New Blog, People, US Weekly, friends' blogs and recently, pregnancy sites.

One of my personal favorites is Fit Pregnancy. They also have a magazine, which we just learned Delphi's nurse provides free of charge (woo hoo!). It's a great publication and web site, offering pregnancy tips, parenting advice, healthy recipe options, etc. I've actually learned a great deal from my Monday morning visits to this site...and today was no exception.

Upon hitting the home page, I scrolled down to see if any new giveways or promotions had been added (I'm an addict). I noticed a section called "Most Popular Articles: Pregnancy" and the first link on the list was entitled "How to Get Pregnant."

Really?

Really?

I mean, I know my parents were really great about the whole birds and the bees thing, and that maybe other parents weren't as open and truthful with their children...but really? Maybe I just take it for granted that most people should already know "how to get pregnant"by the time they are intrigued enough to visit Fit Pregnancy. Who knows?

Happy Monday! :)

Liz Lange is my pal.

For those who are unfamiliar, Liz Lange is the designer for the maternity line at Target. She's also now the exclusive designer in my closet - no more Express, no more Limited. :(

Yes, friends, today was the day I packed away all my cute, non-pregnant (non-fitting) clothes in my closet and made room for all the tents, er, cute maternity clothes I will don for the next 6 months. It was bittersweet, because I absolutely have a love affair with my closet...and shopping in general. But Liz Lange has done me justice by creating cute pants and tops that do not have bows, flowers, or any other ridiculous adornments on or near the stomach area. Thank goodness for that!

The incredible news is that my shoes all still fit. Never will I have to part with my footgear...well, for now, anyway. I'm sure the day isn't far away that my feet will look like little cooked snausages all squished into my cute red and white polka dot flats. That will be a sad day. A sad day indeed.

On a related note, I had an epiphany this morning: I will be pregnant for SIX. MORE. MONTHS. That is HALF of one, entire YEAR. It really makes my head spin thinking about it. I mean, that's a long time! Joe and I will both have birthdays; Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day and Easter will come and go; and we will watch the ball drop BEFORE we get to meet WIP. It just seems like such a long time, doesn't it?

And, to close the post for today, I would like to give a "Go Green!" and a "Go Blue!" shout-out to the blogosphere. My loyalty lies with the Broncos, but since I have both Spartan and Wolverine friends, I'm torn. :)

Walk It Out.

Last night I actually had the energy to go for a walk! We went around the block, which was fun - and Jake loved it! Our street and the few around us all take Halloween pretty seriously, so we got to spy on their decorations. We even discovered Joe's nemesis has a bat box! (The nemesis story is a funny one - we each have one on the street. Mine is a drives a different car every day and has impeccable taste in decorating/landscaping. Joe's is a guy that moved in about the same time he did - and they were always silently competing in home renovation projects. Don't let this story fool you, we're actually really fun neighbors to have!)

Anyway, I'm getting kind of excited for Halloween this year. Most of you already know that I live and breathe for the Christmas season, but now that I'll be able to participate in Halloween as a mom - you know, dressing the kids up, taking them trick-or-treating, stealing their candy - I'm actually starting to like it! And since Grandpa Greg will steal all the Butterfingers, I call dibs on Milk Duds!

Aside from the slight boost in energy, I'm still not feeling all that awesome. It was chair massage day at work today, so that was probably the highlight. :) Enjoy what's left of your Thursday - tomorrow is Friday!!!

Get in my belly!

Austin Powers will always be one of my favorite movies. I know, I'm so weird. Forgive me if you don't get the title reference, but I think it's hilarious.

Anyway, I decided last night would be a good time to start documenting the belly growth. Today marks the beginning of week 14, so I think every Hump Day's post will be a "Belly Watch." So, if you find yourself getting annoyed by my bazaar written antics, at least come back on Wednesdays to witness my ginormity for yourself.

I read on Fit Pregnancy that if you are documenting the belly bump, it's best to always wear the same pants. Since I LIVE in my Victoria's Secret sweatpants, I thought I would just wear those - plus, I'm confident I will still be able to hike them over my arse in 6 months. Anyway, Joe thought they were appalling for public consumption and made me change into my "nice black pants" that "make my butt look nice." So, here you have it folks - a nice rump and a bump to boot:



I would like to give a shout-out and props to my mom, Joette, for taking brilliant care of my umbilical cord when I was a baby. As a result, I do have a really great belly button. But it's a CAVE - total 100% ridiculous innie! Seriously, if I lost 60 lbs. I think it would touch my spine. Here's why this matters: I fear that my belly button won't ever "pop" while I'm pregnant. (You know what I mean, right? If you don't, go here. And by the way, I think the women that tape theirs down are crazy! It's so cute!)

I feel like I should explain myself (and you can't judge me here, people!). In my personal opinion, women who are obviously pregnant but without the "popped" belly button just look fat. I'm sorry, they do! But the women with "popped" belly buttons look all cute and adorable and pregant, even if they are hugely, enormously pregnant. So, my fear is that I will be the fat pregnant girl with the un-popped belly button. Do you think they make prosthetics for that? I'm not kidding!

These are the things that keep me up at night. Well, that and the pee.

I hope you enjoyed the little trip I like to call "How my mind works." It's a very strange world, indeed. :) Y'all come back now, ya' hear?

Casa de WIP

So, those that keep up to date on Facebook stalking know that we spent a part of this Saturday at IKEA Canton checking out nursery furniture. We haven't committed to anything yet, but we really like the Hemnes set in white. Plus, we have the black Hemnes set in our bedroom, so it will match! What do you think?

Since the room that will be the nursery is really our only "spare" bedroom, the daybed would be in there for guests and for mommy and daddy's sleepless nights. :) The changing table actually turns into a cabinet after you take the top off, so it's multi-purpose...and who doesn't love that? The crib also turns into a kiddy bed, so it's perfect!

Again, plans will likely change before April, but it's fun to look in the meantime!

On a non-WIP related note, I can't believe it's only Tuesday. I actually woke up this morning under the false impression that it was Thursday. Crap.

Gotta pee--catcha ya' later!

A BIG day...quite literally.

Mark it in the books, people - today I stepped into my maternity pants (lovingly referred to by me as my "fatty momma pants") for the first time...and they stayed up - on their own!

So, the good news: WIP is growing! The bad news: Mommy still feels like poo.

My Facebook status today really says it all: "Everyone that promised me the 2nd trimester is 'awesome' are big, fat liars." I knoooooooow that I'm only 14 weeks and that some women take until 16 weeks+ to start feeling better, but I'm really getting antsy and impatient. To be fair, I'm not sick or nauseous that much anymore, but the HEADACHES! Are you kidding me with these things? It's like WIP is growing in my brain, not in my belly!

The doctor swears they're "normal" and are probably the result of the changing seasons, my slight allergies, hormones and caffeine withdrawal. Um, ya' think? I hope my baristas haven't forgotten little ol' me...

It's getting a little harder to sleep at night, and not because I'm uncomfortable. It's mostly because I have to pee every 39 seconds. I was the "Pee Monster" before I was pregnant...seriously, can you imagine what it's like now? I'm considering adult diapers!

Well, little WIP, someday after your SLP Aunt Kelli and teacher Uncle Kyle teach you how to read, you can read all of mommy's blog posts and know that you were worth it. Yes, even the fatty momma pants.

A little musical inspiration

Those who know us know that music is an integral part of our life together. We're actually quite famous for our ridiculous road trips, and even from the beginning, our iPod playlists were what got us from Point A to Point B in one piece. In our first year together, we logged trips to the northernmost point in the UP (Kristi and Charles' wedding) and even to 300 miles north of Toronto (Mark Smith's cabin)...and it was the crazy sing-a-longs and showtunes (much to Joe's dismay) that made the ride so easy and fun.

Well, I've been listening to music lately with what some might call a "mother's ear." I like the sappy, emotional songs that have lyrics about love, miracles and happiness. Cheesy, I know...but I can't help myself!

I recently bought the new 33 Miles CD, 'One Life.' It's been the most popular CD in my car, proven by the fact that it only took me about a week to memorize all the lyrics. Yes, all of them. One week. (I still can't imagine what all the people next to me at stoplights must think...crazy girl singin' and rockin' all by her lonesome...)

I'm getting to my point, I swear.

Although in my professional musical opinion the entire CD is brills, there is one song in particular that I love, love, love. It's called "I Loved You Then" and is about God's limitless, neverending love. He loves us always despite our human failures and sin...He even loved us before we were born!

Because both Joe and I were raised with that same kind of love from our earthly parents, we can't wait to shower our own child(ren) with the same limitless, amazing love. It's actually incredible to think of the similarities between the love Our Father has for us and the love that "reglular" moms and dads have for their children, isn't it?

Anyway, the chorus of this song drives me to tears nearly every time I listen to it. I listen to it from the perspective of a mother's love for her child, and I sing it to WIP every time it plays. Every word is so perfect. Take a look for yourself:

I loved you then.

I love you now.

I will love you tomorrow.

When this world breaks you down, I will give you strength to stand.

Look to me; take my hand and just believe...

Before this day ever began--I loved you then.

The lyrics are beautiful, but the melody and piano track are what really drives it home for me. I don't think there is a way to put the song on this blog-er-roo, but if I can figure something out I'll post it. (Tips, anyone?)

Joe and I are even thinking about getting a custom wall graphic for above WIP's crib that will read, "Before this day ever began, I loved you then." I'm sure the nursery design will change a million times before April, but it's one of our ideas.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone. Head to a cider mill/apple orchard in your area...eat doughnuts and support Michigan businesses! :)

Meet baby WIP!

Joe and I rather stuggled at the beginning of the pregnancy as to what to call the newest addition to our VeeDub clan. "The baby" didn't make it sound like ours, "it" seemed far too impersonal...and, well, there aren't really many other options until we find out the sex of the baby. ("Fetus," "spawn" and "egg sac" weren't even on the table.)

So one day, after a series of painful meetings at work, Joe said to me, "Let's call the baby WIP!"

To which I raised an eyebrow and asked, "WIP?"

"Yeah," said Joe. "Our little Work In Progress."

And so, baby WIP was born. (No pun intended.)

This is the first look we got at our little one:



This was taken on Week 4, back on September 8. I can't even describe to you what it's like to hear your child's heartbeat for the first time...it's so incredible to imagine what God is creating in my belly! Joe and I just held hands and laughed in amazement. Yes, we laughed. I'm sure others cry...we're a little, um, different. :)

I'm now 13 weeks and beginning to feel better. Everyone swears the 2nd trimester is "the best," and I've sworn to China and back that if they are lying I will cry. I mean it. And maybe I will go into hibernation for awhile. I hope to have some energy soon - we can start taking Jake for more walks and enjoying this amaaaaaa-zing fall weather. My favorite time of year!

Our next appointment is November 4, and it is then that we will schedule our final ultrasound - the one where we can find out the sex! That appointment will probably be in early December...my best birthday present yet!

Pee On A Stick.

Hello, everyone!

Yes, a rather crude subject line...but to be honest, the "Pee on a Stick" moment was one that changed our lives forever. Maybe "Two Pink Lines" would be a bit more PC, but I've never been one to follow the crowd. :)

We've set up this blog to keep our families and friends all over the world (yes, we have a very diverse group of homies) up-to-date on the latest happenings in the VeeDub household - most notably, in my belly!

We're excited to have you along on this crazy ride called life. Enjoy and come back often!

Love,
Kristi and Joe