The big reveal!

I am so excited and couldn't be happier with the way the house turned out! You are probably wondering what it is that we did!

Well, these are the not the greatest before pics of the dining room. Notice the ledges, and the neon blue-green carpet (hint hint!)

Now....this is what we did!

Step 1: Remove ugly and cheap laminate flooring.

Step 2 Remove cheap linoleum.

Step 3: Scream in disgust at 2nd, 3rd....and oh yes, 4th layer of ugly linoleum. This was the bottom layer.

Here is the only decent shot i can't find right now of the laminate flooring. It doesn't look too bad here but a) it was put down very poorly (aka=thrown down, pieces were popping up and there were gaps b) it was cheap, and therefore didn't clean well (what is shine?) c) it didn't flow with the house.

Before.....

(Again, I apologize for the crap pic but the camera is broken--anyone wanna get me a new one?)

Here is the SAME room after.....cabinets have been painted, and different kitchen table!

The same room with the ledges and blue carpet. The room is open and looks huge! I need to do some other things in here because it was a modge podge of junk before!

The new floors! They are called 'Gunstock Oak'

The two pics look totally different but true color is really a combo of both, lol!

So, our house is minus two ledges as well! I cannot believe the magnitude of difference this made. Not only do they look great, but they are solid, and SHINY! Plus, since we took off 4 layers of flooring....we feel like we added some height, lol!

The house is slowly returning to normal. I will post a pic when we get the house all back to normal but it might take us a week or so since we are both beyond TIRED! Think dust, and more dust everywhere. Phew......

When one soul comes, one leaves.

I don't really know how to begin this post. The past two years seem like a blur to me, and it seems like forever ago that my grandmother was diagnosed with the big C--Lung Cancer. She went through Chemo and Radiation and seemed to do well.

This past winter she had a stroke. Since then, her health has deteriorated and she has been to several doctors. My mom went with her to one appointment and dementia was talked about. So, our family started to think that is just what she had. It seemed like things continued to get worse, and that my grandpa was having a hard time caring for her. I suggested contacting Medicare to get someone to help out. I have kiddos I work with who are on Medicaid who get nursing assistance so I figured the same benefits might apply.

They sent out someone to assess her and found out that the cancer was back, and it wasn't good. They have her 6 months. Then, last night my mom called to tell me that had changed. Now, she has 1-2 months to live. Before that call, I was so happy about the baby being healthy so far, and I just didn't expect this at all. I really wanted her to meet our little man too.

What makes me upset is that they are not telling her that she is dying. She told my mom the other day that when she is alone, she can't think. Then, she asked my mom if she was dying. They told her NO! When I asked why, they said, we'll we don't want her to give up fighting. I just feel that this is so wrong and that she deserve to know. I keep thinking that she might want to say her goodbyes, or do this or that. It just doesn't make sense to me but maybe she didn't want to know, I don't know.

The sad thing is that they planned her funeral yesterday. My grandpa wanted everyone to be in the right mind state to do it. I know this sounds odd, but I have never to been to a funeral, and I really don't know how to deal with death.My dad's dad died when I was ten. It was an odd experience because he was cremated and I wasn't really that close to him. I know none of us really can ever be truly prepared for it but I have no experiences to base this on. Death has always been something that freaks me out.

I am 30 years old and have been blessed that I have never truly dealt with it before.

Anyway, any thoughts and prayers sent her way would be greatly appreciated.

I guess it might be true what they say, with every birth there is a death.

On a positive note, Blake's mom had surgery yesterday to remove tumors from her bladder. She is doing really well and they sent her home! She had this when Blake was young, and this time it seems to be going as it did last time!

Cancer just sucks!

21 weeks and some good news!

Yes, that is our furniture on our deck. No, it was only out there for about 15 minutes. You'll see why soon!

Yesterday was a good day in my book. I needed it with all the craziness going on at my house. The house stuff should be done on Saturday so my life should return to normal again and I can't wait! Between our house being in upheaval, the AC went out on Tuesday, right during a week where there was a heat advisory! Luckily, we were able to get someone out here to fix it, and I didn't have to hurt anyone and move into a hotel.

This was the sight at our house this weekend. Nice isn't it? :)

Ok, back to the good news! I had the 2nd part of my anatomy ultrasound today since Mr. Nugget didn't quite want to cooperate last time. WOW--he has GROWN! I can't believe the difference a few weeks make! He has doubled in weight at a whole 14 0z. (almost a pound!) The best news is his heart looks great. This was my biggest concern because if he were to have Down's Syndrome, heart defects are pretty common. Plus, we were able to get a great view of his spine, his bladder, and kidney's! The doctor at the Women and Fetal Health Center at MOBAP felt that everything looked great! I couldn't be happier!

I have been feeling much better lately too (with exception of today and I think I jinxed myself last night by telling Blake that it's been a while since I've gagged or puked!) and I am moving through the 2nd trimester quickly!

We have had some major discussions about names (he made an attempt of making a list) and we haven't' agreed yet! Blake called me last week after my 20 week appointment and he goes, "How's Rod?" I was wondering who the hell Rod was and he goes, "oh, that's what I call the baby."

Nice. Ok, so Rod is doing well!

The best part? I have been feeling him squirm and move! I can totally tell when he is awake and asleep! (Ok, kid....night time is a time for sleep and day time is a time to be awake. You must learn this before you come out!) Sometimes it gets uncomfortable because he is breech and his feet are towards the cervix, so I feel like he is dancing on my bladder! Thanks sweetie!

Can I also mention this is the most comfortable I've been so far and then sweet mother nature decides to bombard us with heat and humidity we usually see in late July or August.

Here is to another week! I cannot believe 22 is in my sight. Time flies when you get fat!

Best thing I have ever been told by a medical professional!

Today, I had a visit with the nurse practitioner at my OB's office for my 20 week visit! I walked out of there smiling! Not only because I got to hear his heartbeat, but she told me something I had never thought I had heard before! Good job (on gaining weight!) I told her about my reoccurring morning sickness that comes and goes. She looked at the chart and said I was doing a good job because I am gaining weight! I almost cried after I got on the scale because I gained 5 pounds since my last visit a month ago (up to a total of 7 which I think a high percentage is related to boobage and belly, lol) and was not happy. After she said that, I wanted to jump for joy, lol! She said that basically during my bad bouts of morning sickness, I was basically starving (which at that time isn't that big of a deal bc baby is size of pea or so)

Seriously, the best thing anyone could ever say to a woman (much less a prego woman!)

She also told me that the u/s looked fantastic, no issues at all! She said not to worry, and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy while I can! I go for my next u/s a MoBap next week to relook at the heart since he wasn't fully cooperating/developed at that time! I can't wait to see the little man again!

I also go my schedule of my remaining visits! HOLY CRAP! I am having a BABY! I think that started to run through my head! I have two more monthly visits, then twice a month in Sept, and then weekly from then out! Looking at it on paper, makes me want to run home and get the nursery ready, lol!

This weekend was insane! I cleaned out the nursery, the garage, and the basement (and I contemplated vacuuming the garage) as well as the rest of the house. I think a little neurotic nesting has begun. Seriously, which brings me to the next thing...and I am way beyond excited but how am I going to handle my house being in shambles for a few weeks?

This week, my house begins demolition! I can't wait to show you the before and after pics of this home reno! It's a BIG one! I get to finally say good-bye to something in the house that I HATE with a PASSION! (AKA=circa 1984) The demo starts Saturday, and we rented a dumpster for the day! I get to watch.....booo! No one will let me help! I guess I'll just stand barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen and make men food. I CANNOT WAIT TILL IT IS DONE! (and show you pictures!)

I plan on taking a pic this Weds because I will offically be 20 weeks (and my belly looks it!) Half-way done baby!!!!! WOOOT!

19 weeks and the much anticiapted belly

(it's a really craptastic pic but I was told these posts are useless without pics, lol! I look muy largo. That means very big for you non-spanish speaking peoples.)

I look back and thought that getting to 19 and 20 weeks would take forever! Well, here I (er...we) are!

No updates on the names....still can't agree. Any ideas? I know we have a good 20ish weeks but it's not looking good! I can't really call him nugget when he comes out now can I? (Hmm...it would be a unique name)

I went out and caved. I had to buy some baby stuff. Plus, my mom is crazy excited and has bought a few things too! It's so hard not to buy everything, it is all so damn cute! Plus, she got us some diapers and I KNOW we can put that to good use!

I am hoping to clear out the nursery this weekend. This room was used as a 'let's just throw random crap in there' room. Books, clothes, purses....yep, his room was my 2nd closet. I am really at a dead end when it comes to bedding :( Speaking of bedding and the nursery, I really am starting to feel like I need to get my butt in gear with everything. I know we have plenty of time but projects around here seem to take longer than most normal peoples (and I think it might have to be due to the fact that Blake is the least handy person on the planet! I am thinking of enlisting someone to help me put the crib together when we get it--he's THAT bad!)

Speaking of Blake.....on the way home from the grocery store, I told him that I got the yummiest ice cream. He goes, and I swear to you, he said this (he swears he was joking but I beg to differ.)

"Amy, if you want to have a 7 pound baby (when did i say that?) you really onloy should gain 7 pounds." Again, he swore he was joking but of course, I got defensive and explained to him that weight gain when with pregnancy isn't just baby.

What to Expect breaks it down like this:

It’s pretty much a given that you won’t be giving birth to a 25-to-35-pound baby. And that’s a very good thing. Want to know where the rest of those pounds settle? For a 30-pound weight gain, they’ll be distributed approximately like this:

• Baby: 7.5 pounds (I like this part...this part is good, but could you give him a small head?)
• Placenta: 1.5 pounds (holy hell, and some people eat that? ugh!)
• Amniotic fluid: 2 pounds
• Uterine enlargement: 2 pounds
• Maternal breast tissue: 2 pounds (in my case I swear it's like ten pounds, lol!)
• Maternal blood volume: 4 pounds
• Fluids in maternal tissue: 4 pounds (um, ew?)
• Maternal fat stores: 7 pounds (Dear lord, please let this be true!)

I got for a 20 week check-up on Monday, so we'll get to see how much weight i've put on (cuz that is what every woman wants to hear right?) Plus, I will finally get to see my OB after that Down's testing thing and get to ask her a ton of questions!

Changes already?

I cannot believe the week has flown by so darn fast. Let me first tell you that right now is holy hell season at work. That means Amy is super busy and what happens to Amy when she least needs it? STOMACH FLU! Yep....in the June? The funny/odd thing is that not only did I have it, but a coworker, Blake and a fellow prego who uses the same OB all did too... good thing, I'm not too paranoid and didn't freak out (ahem....swine flu anyone?)

Let me tell you.....it's funny how something like this puts things into perspective for you. My body is not just my own. It creates life....it's a short-term hotel stay for Baby B! I was so sick that a trip to the ER to get fluids was around the corner. Luckily, I have this thing called Gatorade to thank. I was able to keep that down and then more and more of it! I would have drank prune juice mixed with a dirt cocktail on the side if I needed to! It all boils down to what I do in turn affects our little nugget.

It's funny how much your life changes before this baby even comes! Don't eat this, don't eat that. It seems that more than just what I eat has changed, like sleeping for one! The way my body reacts to this thing called sunlight (A sunburn? I think I could count on my hands how many times I have been burnt in my life...) Going out with friends (many of our friends still go to out to a bar or somewhere to drink weekly) hanging out with drunk people when i am sober is the last thing I want to do! I think that since were are the first to have kids, our social life will change a lot. I didn't think that it would actually change until just recently. Some days I really miss going out and hanging out with everyone, and others I am happily content at home with Blake and the animals (and the nugget too!)

So, I ask you guys for some feedback. Those of you with kids--how has your life changed? Those without or currently preggo....have you thought about this and how do you think your life will change?

Yesterday.....18 weeks!

18 weeks!

I cannot believe how fast the past month has flown! I am not complaining though! In about a week and a half, I will be half way through with the pregnancy! Can you believe it?

Apparently, when I was at my ultrasound last week, we confirmed an anterior placenta. Meaning that the placenta is in front of the baby. Doesn't mean anything but that I might feel baby later. There are some times I *think* I felt him but not sure! (It's not like I have done this before, lol!)

At week 18, your baby-to-be's senses are maturing. He's able to hear sounds within his own comfortable environment, such as the sound of your heart beating, as well as external sounds, such as your voice. He may become more active for certain sounds, and you'll feel his movements. At this point in his development he's still small enough that she has plenty of room to wiggle.

He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound

He can hear me? Oh crap, better clean that mouth up, lol!

I know you peeps are dying for a belly pic and I will get one soon. I keep trying to get Blake to take one but once I get home I forget, and he leaves too early in the morning! I took several but when I take them, well, just. not. good.