So he really does listen!

I would first like to say how proud PROUD I am of my husband. I know most of the time I put Jimmy's flaws on blast [bad wife I know, working on it...]. Ok ok ok so why am I a super proud wife/momma-to-be, well here's the scoop...

I came home one fate-filled evening from work to get my fill of Facebook drama and as I open the laptop to start my stalking adventure the web browser was already opened to this:

Ok so what is this thing you may ask. It is an electronic cigarette. This is a HUGE thing!

Jimmy has smoked since he was 15 and has never even had the inkling to quit. Well we had decided that once I got pregnant he was to quit [as most pregnant wives make their husbands do]. It's not good for me, for the babe and it is just time for him to give the habit a good fine kick.in.the.bum.

So you somke the thing like a regular cigarette but it does not emit harmful smoke/carcinogens/nasty puke.endusing odor and it still gives the smoker the nicotine they get from a regular cigarette. Well the whole point of this thing for Jimmy is to eventually [and hopefully finally] nix his need for nicotine. So for those who are using it for quiting purposes you can actually replace the twist.off.top.cartridge.thingy with a lower level nicotine twist.off.top.cartridge.thingy and [high point here!] they even make a 0 level nicotine cartridge for those who like the taste of a cigarette without any actual nicotine. Ah SOCRE!!!

So more about why I am proud is that he chose to do the research on his own and finding a method that will work for him! So proud of you babe!

A Two for One

So while I am supposed to be studying for NCLEX I figured I would distract myself some more from studying and do a baby update; yay pop tart! I know I left everyone in a state of kind of shock.and.awe after my last baby posting (sorry guys my bad!)
While we still don’t own a single baby item we have made some head way and have actually agreed; hear that folks 2 adults came to an actual agreement about what they want without pulling a Homer Simpson moment with their spouse….

Hahaha I’m so funny!

Our First decision:
Cloth Diapers

Yes, you have to deal with the “mess”
Yes, it can be a little inconvenient
But…
It’s cheaper
It’s better for the environment [I can hear you calling me a hippie Nicole!]
It’s better for babies bum
And hey it’s just poop after all

After a bit of research I’m pretty much sold on the Econobum set. Buying in kits seem to save the green.

Now for when away at Grandma’s or at daycare [I am already dreading that day to come…] the smart people at Grovia came up with disposable/flushable/biodiograble/chemical-free/dye-free/plastic-free inserts! How nifty!



Still pretty cost-friendly and the babe won’t know the difference!

Our Second decision:
Stroller


The Chicco Cortina Keyfit 30 Carrier and Stroller System.
Isn’t it just fabulous.
Gender neutral [for re-usable purposes…we are such smart parents]
While I was pretty against the “travel system” from the get go this set I don’t really mind.
I know every stroller has its positives and negatives but this is the decision we came up with and it fits within out budget [as I’m finding my chair is not…insert pouty face here]
Which reminds me! Funniest stroller related advice to date was from my father-in-law who reminded us, “just don’t forget to put the stroller in the trunk before you start backing up the car!”
Ha! That is totally something I would do and Jimmy was quick to state such.

So when the babe is big enough to support his/herself we have settled on this little gem!


Ah a little relief to soothe mommas heart!

Our Third Decision (you didn't think there was a third did you?!?)
Crib

We really didn't care to get a 4-in-1/3-in-1 any kind of in-1 crib for as a matter of fact. Reason being most of friends with kids have said as soon as their babes were ready for a toddler bed the crib that is supposed to convert into their toddler bed is too small for them and end up having the purchase a "big-kid" bed anyway.

So Jimbo and I agreed we would look for a reasonable priced non-convertable crib set.
And I will give Jimmy credit as he was the one who discovered "THE" crib.


I like all the progree we are making, slowly but it's happening!

Things:
*Lots of baby movement! Jimmy finally felt the babe the other night and his face completely lit up when it happened!
*Things are getting tighter...broke down and bought maternity capri's, jean shorts, and a jean skirt :)
*Emotionally stable [currently :)]
*Skin is still dry as all get out but I'm dealing with it as best as possible
*"The Girls"...I feel a growth spurt coming

Things on the horizon:
*20 week ultrasound next Tuesday
*Looking at apartments for our big move come September [keep your calanders open!]
*Some belly pics. I don't know why I'm not a fan on them but I guess it's time to start documenting my growth! :)

Graduation Domination

The long awaited Graduation post!
(HUGE! Smile inserted here)
So after many, many years, various bad choices, life’s interruptions we have come to this point…

At the...

My cousin, Greg came from Australia and my brother and his family came from Florida and it truly meant the world to me that they were there(tear!)The rest of my family also attended and two awesome friends who I consider family!

So here we go a little photo montage for you...

(Quite classic I think.)

(This not so much but I was STARVING!)

(Getting nervous waiting to walk.)

(YAY!)

(Yep! It's real...I checked!!)

(HAHA! Being silly!)

(Couldn't have done it without him!)

(Two of the most important men in my life!!!)

(I love these guys so much! [Look at my sis-in-laws little baby bump...I love it!!])

(The FAM!)

(MY Bestie...Nicole you'll be walking across that stage before you know it!!! I'm so proud of you already!)

(Mimi my love...so happy she was there!)

Without the support of my family and friends (several of who couldn't make it to my graduation ceremony) finishing Nursing School would have been near impossible.

So not only have I graduated but I do have a job lined up pending my passing of NCLEX (the boards nurses have to take to be licensed to practice).

Just a dash of crazy :)

OOOOOO where to begin…
I feel like I’m back at my “word salad” days.
I’ll try my darndest to organize the jungle of thoughts crawling around in this brain of mine but I make NO promises!
Okie dokie so here we go:

Men don’t get it (or at least mine)…Or maybe it is me

Lately there has been quite a bit of harsh words being exchanged between the Jimbo and me. The usual blissful house of Kinane has lately been riddled with spits, spats, and yea a few hissy fits. Fault is not important it just always ends with the same way; I scream, “You just don’t understand!” I’m in tears and Jimbo just stares at me like some alien form has taken over his wife. And let’s not forget poor Marley who just sits in the middle of the room staring at both us and pondering who to console first.

Issue 1

I want to use a Doula.

Jimmy doesn’t understand the use of one and the importance of their presence through the labor process [pre- and post- pushing the watermelon out]. While natural childbirth is still a card on the table I am not completely ruling out the use of an epidural. I know I am supposed to be all womanly and take childbirth like a champ and I am going to try but this image always gets stuck in my head…

Issue 2

I have become SUPER sensitive!!!!

The days of ‘Angie; woman made of steel’ are gone [as evidence by a previous post…remembering juicing of own lemons :*(]. So things that wouldn’t normally graze a hair on my head now extremely break me down to the point that would put a three-year-old to shame. Jimmy I believe forgets this factoid on a regular basis and I believe I do take things a little too personally… [SN: I am in NO way admitting I am wrong I am simply stating a fact!] Either way the tears continue.

We got nothing…seriously nothing

SERIOUSLY! We are now at the 17 week point [yay!] and we don’t have a onesie, a binky, a stroller, a crib, a cloth diaper…NOTHING!!!
I have never felt so insecure and unprepared in all.my.life.
I am a nurse [ha that feels so cool to finally say]. Nurses like to be prepared, know what is gonna happen and have plenty of alcohol swabs in our pockets to disinfect anything.
I know it all comes in time I am just ready to be ready…

Moving..its gonna happen

So the Jimbo and I have decided that we will not be renewing our lease come September. I am very sad about this but this decision is for the best. We have decided to move to a place a little lighter on the rent with a washer/dryer. The in-laws have been fabulous in allowing us to use their laundering facilities since we moved into our beach bungalow almost two years ago but with a little one on the way I know more laundering will be necessary than our usual haul. [Big thanks to the in-laws!!!!]
Sooo…this means a move in September…when I am 7 months pregnant. All favors will be called in. Beer will be brought for bribery. It’s gonna take a team of people to make this happen! Love you all in advance for the help :)
And with our saved change on rent…we shall hopefully become HOME OWNERS!!!!!!

Happy News

I have to leave you all on a happy note cause this post seems a little morose.
Baby movement has begun!
Pop tart seems to prefer the left side. Most movement seems to be at night or if I am lying down in any way.

18 days til we find out if pop tart is a Wesley or a Madeline :)

oh...a grauation post is coming I am just waiting on photos..uh hmmm GREG!

A little torture may be involved

Well since we are waiting [not by my choice of course] ‘til our actual 20th week to find out if ‘pop tart’ will be a Madeline or a Wesley I have nothing to purchase, peruse, or in Jimmy’s word spend every last red cent we have.
So I have come to the decision [on my own!] of what reward I will receive for being so patient in finding out the gender of this bouncy baby Kinane.
And drum roll please...

It swivels, it rocks, it’s squishy and it comes in corduroy.

This is the man’s equivalent to a right-by-the-side-of-the-couch-self-pouring-keg.
Don’t you just want to pat me on the back and say that is the perfect present to get one’s self for being a patient and doting mother-to-be.

The kicker to this majestic self-gift is the price tag.
Enter torture.

I may have to resort to some manipulative and deceiving actions to make this purchase possible [it’s ok Jimmy doesn’t read the ‘family’ blog so I’m in the clear to discuss openly]. Blackmail, bringing up a few “remember when?’s”, and a little bribery will be involved but this guy will, I repeat WILL be in Madeline/Wesley’s nursery come birthing time.

So onto the stuff you guys love to know about this ever changing carrier-of-life:

Mood: TONS better this week, I feel happy, I feel good and Jimmy is still alive.
Tummy region: My sides are tender and I have a feeling Maternity jeans will be purchased in the next week.
Swelling: None.
Girls: Chillin.
Weight: Still at 126…even though I eat alllllll the time!
Things that make you go huh?: I have had increasingly more belly rubs. I don’t really mind them. It’s just kinda odd to be touched in one area by so many people. I almost feel like a puppy and people are trying to get me to do that leg thing when they rub my belly.

Roller Coaster of WHOA!!

Yes life has its ups and its down.

We are all aware. But I never imagined the emotionality of being pregnant would be this extreme.

While having a plethora of doctor appointments is great so that ‘pop tart’ gets checked regularly and I get to exhale a major sigh of relief. But I am right back to holding it the minute I step out of the doctor’s office ‘til the next time I stroll in and they check for a heartbeat. So needless to say I am becoming emotionally overworked and the doctors do.not.help.at.all!!! I love comments like, “We can’t completely reassure you but things look good right now”, “We can’t say exactly what the statistics are but you ‘should’ be fine”, and my all time favorite “We know you are worried but try to relax.”

Relax.
I wish.
Oh and poor Jimmy.
I am pretty sure he didn’t realize how much drama and tears he would be in for.

[And I cry over just about everything even the spilled soy milk.]
Songs in the car. Movies. Mother’s Day wishes and cards. The grocery store was out of pre-made lemon juice and I cried at the idea of having to juice my own lemons. See every.thing.

And then of course right after I am done bawling my eyes out I am fine, dandy and ready to eat something deep fried and smothered in chocolate [or peanut butter].

I know this post isn’t as fluffy and happy as normal but today I feel like being a crabby pants.

Other changes:
The driest skin no matter how much lotion I use.
The “twins” have actually decreased in size [they were quite swollen during the first trimester!]
T-shirts and dresses still fit but pants are now held up by the Belly Band. I am not at the point of maternity jeans, yet!
No strange food cravings as of yet I just want what I want when I want it.

And seriously hoping for a surge in "happy" hormones!

Lovenox Shmovenox

As many have read on my Facebook page I have been giving myself daily shots.

Well I must give credit where credit is due so big thanks to Jimbo and Nicole for alternating on giving me these oh.so.great.feeling shots on the days where I can’t suck it up and do it myself.

Ok, so why?

Why the shots?

So because I am considered “high-risk” I see the two doctor groups remember; regular guys and the scary ones. Well the scary ones [EVMS] decided they wanted to run a genetic blood panel testing for all kinds of bleeding or clotting disorders. So after they withdrew twelve, hold on I didn’t do that right; TWELVE tubes of blood and a month later we have a few of the results back. Some of the genetic tests actually can take up to 3 months to get back which would mean I won’t get some results back ‘til my 7th month of pregnancy. Crazy, I know.

So the results:

1. MTHFR

A bunch of letters that basically mean I am at high risk for blood clots.
Treatment: 81mg chewable baby aspirin and 1mg folic acid a day
Interpretation: Not too shabby I can handle that.

More Info:
http://mthfr.net/

2. Antiphosolipid Antibody Syndrome
(Hughes Syndrome)

This is another type of clotting disorder. Auto-immune, lifelong treatment, linked to other diseases such as Lupus and MS.
Treatment: Shot of Lovenox [a blood thinner] daily
Interpretation: FREAKED OUT.

More Info:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/aps/aps_what.html

I must admit I took this news like a ton of bricks.
I cried. Cried some more. And finally; acceptance.

So the doctor’s say:
These two genetic disorders could have been the original cause of us losing Gregory.
These tests would NOT have been performed had we not lost Gregory.
So finally something good comes out of tragedy.

So here is a look at the “pharmacy”:

Well I totally empathize with diabetics.

So yea, this new regimen blows a lot , but it is what it is and Baby Kinane is doing just fine.
Bouncy around and enjoying “her” space while “she” has it!

Thanks to all who have helped in lifting my spirits over the last few weeks.

On an upside, I have my 13 week appointment today [even though I'll be 14 weeks tomorrow] with the regular guys and hope to hear ‘pop tart’ and all “her” glory!!!

'Pop tart' came fromm my overwhelming cravings for blueberry pop tarts! [ha...see Jimmy it's a girl!]

a little late but that's okay

Ok, yeah I know I have been slacking on the blog lately but seriously there has been some serious stuff going on!

Numero Uno

School

It's coming to an end in a big way like it's over in two weeks kind.of.way!!!

Crazy, I know!

Now it's time to get a job, pay off those oh.so.pesky student loans

But hey as is life. I am just stoked to be DONE!!

And check out my oh.so.nifty graduation announcements!

Swoon!

Numero Two (forgot the spanish word for two)

WE ARE PREGNANT!!!!!

Okay yeah I know I already made the big Facebook announcement but we have actually known for awhile...

[...yeah we found out my eggo was preggo before we went to California]

Many of you are familiar with our angel, Gregory.

Well due to my previous pregnancy experience I am being very closely followed by two teams of doctors.

My regular OB practice.

And the doctors with the scary lights; Fetal Maternal Medicine at EVMS.

Both teams have poked, proded and taken more blood than the Red Cross but this all to make sure Baby Kinane is in good well; uterus!

And plus I get so many more oppurtunities to see my [ok, our] bambino!

hmmm boy or girl?!?!
what do you think, I'm thinking pink!

And Numero Tres

Oh and to make sure mommy and baby are extra safe we purchased a new, snazzy, dazzy vehicle.

OH.MY.YES

Momma like.

Momma love.

And Daddy gets no touchy!

Ok well that's about it for now!

And I PROMISE to update this sucker more often!

[fingers crossed!]