baby's first pictures

Well, today was the big ultrasound day. I didn't know exactly what to expect, so I went to the appointment with relatively low expectations of a quick fuzzy look at something unidentifiable and see you in 6 weeks.  However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that we spent a good amount of time with the sonography tech, who took lots of pictures.  The best, was the unexpected 3D ultrasound.  Some of the pictures are hard to put together, but there were a few that were great.  

So, without further ado, here are the first pictures of our future child.  Enjoy!

Here's a closeup of the head: you can see it's little nose and ears, and even some brain growing, whew...

Full body at 12. 4 weeks.  They added two days according to it's measurements

3D ultrasound.  Hands up, like a true martial artist.  :-)  And legs crossed.  You can see lots here. 

This one is a little more obscured, but you can see the little arms really well.  

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On another note, I did my bloodwork again, and the lady was REALLY good.  It was over before I knew it, and I felt fine the whole time!  Whoo hoo!  

We go back in 4 weeks for some more blood work, and in 6-8 weeks we'll be able to tell the gender.  

We'll keep you posted of course. :o)

memorial weekend

Sorry this is a few days behind...

Last weekend was memorial day weekend, which, of course means 3 days of no school or work.  Yay!  Kyle and I hadn't made any plans for the weekend, which was nice in it's own way.  Let me just start by saying that the weather was Amazing!  It was absolutely beautiful the whole weekend.  I loved it.  I soaked up the sun like I'd never seen it before.  It was great. 

On Saturday, we took it easy.  We eventually drove out to a suburb about 45 mins away to do a little shopping.  That was fun.  I looked at maternity clothes for the first time (and bought a few things) Kyle got some clothes he needed too.  After clothes shopping, we both decided that it was time to enter the grand doors to Babies R' Us.  We'd been avoiding it.  Not because we're not excited, but because it's a whole store of baby things...and, well, the idea was a little overwhelming.  We decided, however, that we could brave it together better than alone, and that as long as we held hands and stuck to the perimeter of the store...that we couldn't get too lost.  It was actually a pretty educational browsing trip.  I mean, how else to know the price ranges of crib bumpers?  

Well, we left there and had a nice dinner and came home.  

    

Sunday we ran a few errands and ended up taking a train into downtown to look for a jersey Kyle was dying for.  We couldn't find it (he was soooo sad).  I decided that the day was too pretty to just go home, so we walked down to the Charles and walked several miles along it's bank back toward our section of town.  It was great.  There were so many people out, and animals, and kids, and sailboats, and sunshine.  It was really nice.  I also loved the time just walking with Kyle and talking about life.  We also got to see a goose struggle to catch, and then eat, a snake in the water.  Fascinating.  :-)

    

Anyway, Monday we hung out with some BC friends who grilled yummy food and then I watched like 12 episodes of "Jon and Kate plus 8"  No, I'm not exaggerating...I seriously watched like 6 hours of that show.  And, if you haven't seen it...you should.  It's fascinating as well.  Also, after watching this woman raise 6 year old twins AND 3 year old sextuplets...I really feel amazingly confident in any parenting I'll be required to do.  It's a good show. 

Tomorrow is our first ultrasound, so hopefully I'll have something to show for it.  :-)  I'll keep ya posted.  Happy Summer!

PS: Kyle eventually found that jersey he was dying for after a second trip to the burbs.  He was like a little boy at his first baseball game. 

belly

Well, I was going to wait until my official 12 week mark in 3 days, but here ya go anyway.  

The first picture is just shy of 6 weeks, and the second is 12.  Just a little bump to get things started. 

Of course, I Feel much more like the third picture...

Enjoy ;)

heartbeat

kchwooh kchwooh.  

If you can make that sound the way I tried to make it spell, then that's pretty much what a doppler heartbeat sounds like.  Very much like a fast pulse of wind in an already very windy tunnel.  

Kyle and I went to the doctor today to hear this new sound for the first time.  Our appointment was short and sweet.  The doctor updated me on my previous blood work.  For the first time in my life, I know that I am A-negative.  I also now know that I am, in the doctors words, "immune to all the right things and none of the wrong things"  So, that sounded like a good thing.

A small dallop of cold goo and a magic wand later, we could hear the quick thump thump of our little poppy's heartbeat.  I told Kyle it sounded like an airplane about to take off.  The doctor estimated the beats at 160 beats per minute...but her clock wasn't working, so it's really just her educated guess.  Either way, it was loud and clear.  

After a little bit, little poppy decided that his privacy had been invaded enough and decided to swim to a quieter corner of the world where we couldn't hear him anymore.  (disclaimer: I use the pronoun "him" because it's easier than "it" and my English teacher once taught me to use "him" when in doubt...we Don't know the gender yet)  

So, I didn't get all smaltzy.  I didn't cry.  But, I did smile really big.  It's nice to know that there really is something in there, and that it's not all in my imagination.  

We go back next Thursday for our first ultrasound that will check for birth defects (this is where we find out if that tail managed to recede according to plan ;-D )  I'm super looking forward to getting to see the little thing.  

pictures

I was having trouble getting some picture on the previous post.  So here are few shots from the day.  :)

        

     

an all american day.

What a fun day we had yesterday.  :)  

Kyle got some Red Sox tickets through his program at school.  They were discounted so that poor grad students could afford them, so we decided that it was about time we experience this Boston tradition.  I had a blast.  

I love dressing for the occasion, so I was excited just to pull out our Red Sox hats and shirts and wear my red tennis shoes.  That alone is enough to put me in a pretty good mood.  We eventually made our way down to the park.  It had that carnival type atmosphere.  Vendors everywhere, music, entertainers.  It was just fun.  When we finally found our seats (I'm apparently a Very poor stadium navigator) we had walked around most of the park, and I was enjoying the massive amounts of people and the smell of roasted peanuts and hot dogs.  

Some friends from BC joined us (they're from Milwaukee, so they came in Brewers gear) and we watched the game.  Let's see if I  can pinpoint a few of my favorite things about the afternoon...

1. The really old wooden seats with chipped paint...they had So much character and history to them.  I loved it.  

2.  The excitement of the crowd when their favorites came up to bat, and the accompanying chants or cheers for each.  

3.  My hot dog.  You don't want to know how overpriced it was...but it was huge and amazing and so incredibly perfect for the ball park that I felt like I was in a movie.  And I would pay for another one right now if I could. 

4.  This is the BEST one.  During the 8th inning, the entire crowd sings Sweet Caroline.  It's a Boston tradition that even I knew about before moving up here.  I was so looking forward to it, and seeing 40,000 people singing in unison and dancing in their rows was everything I hoped it would be.  Again, it was something that made me really happy.  

5.  Little kids with baseball gloves.  Classsic.  Also, little kids cheering as loud as they can for their favorite player.  

After the game, our friends walked downtown with us where we shopped a little before stopping for ice cream and enjoying their good company.  We eventually made our way home and hung out a little longer before the day had to come to an end.  

It was a good day.  I had a lot of fun, and it was great to feel like you were part of so many American and city traditions.  People up here love their baseball, and now I have a better feel for why that is.  

 Here is a short video of us singing Sweet Caroline.  Enjoy!

Nerds

My sister once told me that she knew she liked Kyle when, after talking about some nerdy interest, Kyle said, "It's ok, everybody is a nerd about something"  I think he's probably right.  And for Kyle, it's Apple.  Not the fruit.  The computer company.  

Anybody who knows him, knows that Kyle can convince most people that a mac is the way to go.  And for those of you who have been so convinced...he was right, huh?  ;-)  He convinced me, and I would never change it.  Which brings me to my first observation.  Apple has somehow managed to create products that somehow instill a fierce loyalty in (most) of their customers.  People get excited about being "part of the family" when they get their first macbook or ipod.  There is something fun about it.  Maybe it's just because....well, I'm not sure why it is.  

So, when Apple decided to open it's biggest retail store in America here in Boston, Kyle knew all about it from day 1.  Every few months he'd mention it....update me on the progress.  He'd say things like, "I read that the Apple store is going to be 3 stories now"  or "They're recollecting rainwater from the roof to grow a greenroof garden on top"  I never minded the updates.  It makes me happy that he keeps up with things like that. 

We walked by the store about a week ago to see the big board covering the store...it was made to look like the "green monstah" at Fenway and announced that it would be opening soon.  Exciting, right?  Well, yesterday was opening day.  Of course we had to go. A friend decided to join us as well (he's still considering buying his first mac)  

So, we go.  There is a line several blocks long.  People in really nerdy computer shirts...and normal people too.  They passed out free organic juices and magazines.  There were at least 7  news crews there, and a helicopter that captured the coverage from above.  5 mins before the store opened, ALL the staff ran out of the store and gave high fives to everyone in line.  They were running, screaming, cheering, jumping.  I mean, you can't help but feel a little excited, right?  The store opened and about 45 mins later we got to go in too.  The store was pretty cool. The big glass spiral staircase in the middle is a nice feature, and the glass front of the store is impressive.  

Long story short, we got in, we got our free t-shirt and looked at all the gadgets, and went home.  Why did we spend several hours just to see a computer store open?  I dunno, I guess because we're nerds.  But, it was fun.  At one point in line, a man walks up to us and asks, "Excuse me, do you know what's going on here?"  So we told him we were here for the opening of the store.  He says, "Really.  Everyone is here for the store?...well, that's interesting"  We laughed as he walked off...he's obviously never owned one.  ;-)

Anyway, here are a few pics from the afternoon.  

Mother's Day

Mother's Day.  It has always been a time for me to reflect upon my own Mother.  For those of you who know her, you know she is the most loving, selfless, caring person on earth (who encourages kids to play in the mud and practices Cherokee in her spare time).  For those of you who don't know her...your loss.  My siblings and I all love our mother so very dearly, and Mother's Day has always been a time for us to let her know...be it with macaroni necklaces, finger painted pictures, breakfast in bed (peanut butter and oranges anyone?) or with gifts from afar as we're all grown up and spread out these days.  And nobody is better at making a macaroni necklace seem like the crown jewels of England or a overly messy breakfast seem like the finest cuisine than my mother. 

This year, my parents sent me a Mother's Day gift.  Weird, huh?  I got a really beautiful picture of a mother holding a baby's hand...the one posted above, actually.  It's one of those national geographic pics that always make you appreciate humanity.  It's nice, and I can imagine it perfectly in a dark wood frame hanging in a nursery....if we are ever so lucky to have an apartment with more than one room.  :-)  My sister also sent me that "What to Expect" book...which is chock full of useful tidbits of info.  Kyle decided to go with a copy of Juno...which is a great movie, even the second time around.  All this was great, but also, I found, pretty unexpected....

I mean, I guess I'm more of a mom now than ever before...but I still kind of feel like people with pets have more "mothering" to do than me.  Me, I just take my vitamins, and sleep.  I guess there really is a little shrimp swimming around in there, but...it's so early, so I forget.  

Anyway, I really did appreciate the sweet thoughts.  And I'm happy to have a mother (and mother-in-law, and grandmother) as superly wonderful as the ones I've got.  I wouldn't trade any of them for the world.  

seeing stars

Today was our first OB appointment.  We didn't get to do anything exciting...we go back in a couple of weeks to see if we can hear a heartbeat and a few more weeks after that before we get to do an ultrasound.  So, that was a little disappointing.  The office was running behind, so we did a lot of waiting.  However, the doctor was super nice and she seems like she'll be a good doctor, and I think I'll get along with her just fine.  She's very pretty...like maybe the high school cheerleader type.  

Anyway, I knew I might have to get blood work done, but had been secretly hoping all week that they would tell me that it wasn't really necessary.  I don't do well with blood.  Never have.  I've never been able to give blood, and have a really hard time even watching other people do it.  I don't know which bothers me the most, the actual needle, or the sensation of having the blood taken from me.  It's probably a strong combination of both.  The last time I had blood drawn, when I was sick that time in Jr. High, I ended up in a wheelchair for about half an hour.  

So, when the doctor said she would give me a slip to go get my blood drawn downstairs.  I looked at Kyle and gave a nervous laugh.  I decided that I could beat this.  People get blood drawn all the time, I just needed to take my big girl pill and pretend that it's a routine process for me.  

We get to the office, I sit in the chair.  She ties the rubber thing around my arm and starts feeling for the vein...that's when it started.  My heart sped up.  I decided it would be best to close my eyes.  I heard her getting things ready and then I felt the prick.  Everything in me went tense.  I didn't open my eyes.  About 3 seconds later I felt my heart skipping beats and an instantaneous cold sweat broke out.  I was lightheaded and felt nauseous.  The nurse kept asking if I was ok.  I said yes at first...until I felt that it was too much effort to speak.  I opened my eyes for a second to make sure Kyle was still there.  My field of vision started filling up with black...starting at the bottom.  About half way up, I closed my eyes again and only saw bright star like splotches of light.  Very pretty, but never a good sign.  Now my head was falling forward as it slipped off my supportive hand.  I was vaguely aware of the nurse saying things, but could only mutter that I needed to lay down in between my apologies for being such a wimp.  She put a cold cloth on my forhead and neck and held my head for a while...and I remember thinking that she was a wonderful lady.  After a little bit, I felt ok to get up.

Whew.  I had survived.  I stumbled in to the adjacent waiting room and collapsed in a chair.  10 mins later, I was ok...just cold...so Kyle and I headed down to the cafeteria to celebrate my escape from death.  

Kyle took the picture above before we left for lunch...the sad thing is that I had been regaining color for about 10 mins at that point.  I know, I know...not my most flattering angle. 

I hate being a wimp.  I need blood giving therapy.  I think I have to do this again in a few weeks.  This little poppy in me had best appreciate this.  

spring

Today, it was warm.  It's been warm before, but I can't remember when.  Today, I turned on the air conditioner in my car.  A few days ago we got a much needed rain, and all of the flowers and trees decided to pop out immediately.  I love spring.  

Spring makes me want to be outside all the time.  It makes me want to eat ice cream cones while walking through the Commons.  It makes me want to wear flip flops or go barefoot all the time.  I want to sit on a city bench and watch people busying around.  It definitely makes me want to do less work.  I want to scrapbook.  Spring makes me want to walk around the city at night after seeing a movie at a small theater....or a big theater.  Spring makes me want to explore.  I wish I could lay in the grass and watch clouds like you do when you're a kid.  Spring makes me want fresh fruits... especially strawberries and pineapples.  It makes me want to go buy cute spring dresses and capris.  Spring makes me want to braid my hair.  Spring makes me less likely to dry my hair in the mornings.  I'd like to go for evening walks along the water. Seeing flowers makes me want to take lots of pictures.  Seeing daisy's and dandelions makes me want to make flower necklaces and crowns.  Spring makes me want to leave the windows open....and it makes me wish we had curtains so I could watch them billow.  Spring also makes me much more aware of bumblebees.  I think the spring time sun is more energizing than any other sun during the year.  Spring makes me want to get a manicure and pedicure....even though that's something I almost never do.  Spring makes me wish there were fewer politics on tv.  Spring reminds me of town festivals, and that makes me want things like turkey legs and overpriced lemonade.  Spring makes me want to hold hands....and skip.  :)  

I love spring.  I hope everybody lives it up as much as you can.  

For your entertainment

Setting: Laura is sick in bed feeling bad, Kyle is taking care of her.

Kyle: Is there anything I can get you? Water, juice, anything?

Laura: Well, maybe some V8...that sounds kinda good....

Kyle: sure thing

Laura: but wait...can you make it how I like it?

Kyle: how's that?

Laura: Well, I only like it when I ride airplanes, so could you put it in a small clear glass with ice like they do?

Kyle: (laughs) ok.

(kyle brings the glass of V8 made just like they do on the airplanes)

Laura: thanks babe..

Kyle: Anything else I can do for you?

Laura: ummm...yeah...maybe...

Kyle: what's that?

Laura: Could you stand here and make airplane noises while I drink this?

(silent pause)

Kyle: Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

(Laura drinks her juice quite contently to the sound of the airplane engines)

Fin. 

:-)  Isn't he great!

back to human

Despite my intrinsic skepticism...it seems that these antibiotics I'm on actually work.  I know...big surprise.  I think I can pinpoint the moment in life when I started disliking medicine....it was the last time that I had prescription drugs, in 9th grade.  I was really sick.  I didn't leave my bed for 3 or 4 days if I remember right and couldn't eat much at all.  The doctor gave me these horse pills...which I thought was a bad choice since 1) my throat was almost swollen shut and 2) I had never been able to take pills.  I couldn't swallow them, so my dad broke them open and mixed them with apple sauce, which really just made the apple sauce taste like manure.  It's vivid in my memory.  Eventually, the doctor had to give me medicine though a shot (the only thing I hated worse than pills were needles).  Obviously, I eventually recovered.  I emerged from sickness wanting only a whopper from burger king, which my family rushed to get.  I took one bite and fell asleep...my dog stole the rest, which was a whole other ordeal.  

Anyway, I think that's when I started hating medicine.  I just always thought that I could get better eating and drinking the right things and getting rest. I thought I was making my immune system that much stronger every time it had to win the fight on its own.  When things got really bad, I'd give in to some Nyquil or something...but not often.  I took my first pill when I was 18.  It was little bitty and I swore that it would not affect me....of course, that little sudafed knocked me out pretty good...so I should have learned then. 

So, maybe I was wrong.  I guess even antibiotics have their purpose.  Oh, and can I just interject that having really good health care is completely new to me and I'm a big fan.  One of the perks about being a Boston employee.  I'm really glad that I'm feeling better now.  Although still not back up to 100%...I'm nearing 80%....and it's fabulous.  I feel human again.  Again, thanks for all the well wishes for me and Kyle both!