Beginning to Show

Belly Laughs & Tattletales

We had another check-up at the doctor last week and Shaun was at it again with his "tattletales". He just LOVES to tell the doctor about what I'm doing and not doing throughout this pregnancy....so funny. He's such a brat! Of course, before I make any moves, Shaun is on the internet researching if it is okay. Should I carry a laundry basket? Is it okay for me to lay out by the pool? Can I stand by the microwave? I wanted to take a bath last night because I wasn't feeling well (battling a migraine) and he flipped his lid. Needless to say, I wasn't up for fighting with him so I took a shower and sat down in it. He just knew I was going to make the water too hot and "boil the baby". Come on! Though I've heard that taking a bath isn't always the best, I seriously doubt any babies have come out "hard boiled" from their mom taking a lukewarm bath. It's not like I was jumping in a hot tub or sauna! Daddy is very protective. Pregnancy is going well. I still have my days when I battle naseau and vomiting but it seems to be tapering off more and more. School will be out for me soon (2 weeks! yea!) and I'm looking forward to enjoying the 2nd trimester throughout the summer. My plans are to begin registering at stores and start cleaning out the baby room which is currently occupied with lots of junk and clutter. We should find out the baby's sex at the beginning of August. I'm currently 11 weeks and am beginning to show a little now. My clothes are somewhat uncomfortable at times (but I can still wear them) and I'm beginning to realize that "granny panties" aren't so bad after all. I just finished reading the BEST BOOK ever, titled Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy. It is absolutely hilarious! It certainly made me feel much more "normal" about my pregnancy woes and lack of brain juice. Yes, I have decided that being pregnant officially makes you dumb. I can't remember anything anymore and I often stop in mid-conversation to think about what it is I'm even saying--I seem to lose track. It's crazy! Shaun even got a kick out of the few pages I read to him and I think he may even read it himself this summer. If you're looking for a great baby shower gift to give to someone....well, someone that has a sense of humor no doubt....you can't go wrong with this book.

Memorial Weekend

We had a nice Memorial Weekend of relaxation and hanging out with friends. We attended a BBQ with friends in Grand Prairie and I got to spend some quality time with my best friend Khourie and her beautiful little girls Kacee and Kai (see picture). Kacee and Kai were the flower girls in mine and Shaun's wedding and Khourie was a bridesmaid. We were paid a few visits at the house by good friends and received a surprise visit by my long time grade school friend Brandy, her husband Jason, and son Jaxson. I hope this update finds everyone in good spirits and good health. Until next time.....Love to all.

Mother's Day

It's official! I have the greatest husband in the world. Shaun surprised me on Mother's Day morning with a dozen red roses, a package of diapers, and a beautiful card. Inside the card were the words "relax" and a promise for a maternity massage in the near future. Needless to say, I was very excited and extremely emotional.

Speaking of emotions...everything makes me "emotional" these days. A song, a child in my class, a look from Shaun. I even cried when someone offered to throw my plate away for me last Friday after lunch. Yes, I'm a wreck. The fluctuation of hormones in my body has taken a new toll on my life....and Shaun's.

I'm now in my 9th week of pregnancy and am battling sleepless nights and nauseated days on a regular basis. I struggle with eating and am trying to do "the cracker thing" in the mornings to settle my tummy but it just doesn't seem to work. I'm definitely looking forward to the 2nd trimester....those are supposed to be the "happy times"...or so I hear. I don't have any major cravings right now; food is more of a turn-off, however when I am licking my chops, I seem to be licking them for hashbrowns. McDonald's hashbrowns are the best! Shaun, the health nut, constantly worries about my eating habits and has even bought me a vegetable vitamin and a fruit vitamin to take on a daily basis. Those of you who know Shaun are probably laughing.....yes, he's one of kind.

Shaun is dead set on the baby being a boy and talks to my tummy daily to tell his "son" how much he loves him. Of course, that too, makes me tear up. Shaun has been very pampering to me and though I don't deserve it, I am so grateful for his help around the house and willingness to have patience with me. I, on the other hand, think the baby is a girl and can't wait to watch her play tennis and beat up the boys on the playground. Either way, boy or girl, our hope is that we have a healthy baby. I never knew pregnancy would bring on so much worry.....all I do is think about what the baby will look like, if it will be healthy, will I be a good mom, and most of all how much I love this alien in my tummy....even though we've never met. It's amazing.

We visited our friend Aly (see Scott Family Blog link) on Saturday and babysat her twin girls while she and her family did some packing. They are getting ready to move to a new home. Shaun experienced his first baby feeding and did a great job. It was neat to watch him hold the girls and play with them, but especially touching to watch him rock one of them to sleep in his arms. I look forward to the day I get to see him do that with our child.

My next doctor's appointment is Monday, May 19th. It seems I have been to the doctor quite a bit since finding out I was pregnant. Being a kindergarten teacher, I have been exposed to lots of "fun" things at school that have put me at some risk and I have had to report in more than usual to the doc. The large outbreak of chicken pox, students with poison ivy, rashes growing on my arm unexpectantly, and not so good bloodwork results have kept me on the phone and in the office for check-ups pretty often. Luckily, I'm doing fine, and the baby seems to be great as well. I do have to get a shot in the near future to help boost my antibodies so I'm able to fight off infections should I be exposed to other diseases.

More updates to come....keep checking back. With love always....Penny & Shaun.