Back from Mazatlan

***According to the week-by-week fruit comparison chart, our baby is the size of a peach.***

We had our Sedler family reunion in Mazatlan, Mexico this year and it was a blast. It's always nice to see the family. We finally got to tell EVERYONE we are expecting. My word of advice to people is don't try to tell your family something important when eating at a buffet dinner. Everyone was up and down and someone was always missing from the table. Brian tried to make a discreet comment to see if anyone would get that we are expecting but it went over everyones head. His dad finally decided to make a speech to help us out. He thanked everyone for being a wonderful family and getting together and at the end we were going to announce, but of course Brian's grandmother started blabbing away before the speech was over which left us without a window to to tell our news. Finally Brian shouted out to his grandmother that there would be one more person at the family reunion next year and then everyone got it.

Morning sickness and fatigue remained at bay during the trip. There were only a couple instances of barf and nausea.

The plane rides were good because we were in first class, but holy hell I was up and down constantly to go to the bathroom. Another couple brought their 13 month old into 1st class which annoyed most of the other 1st class passengers because the little girl was screaming most of the time. It somehow got to her that I'm pregnant and as soon as the baby fell asleep she took it upon herself to unload her arsenal of pregnancy and baby tips including which wipe warming machine I should buy because it will change my life as a mother. Each time she talked I had to lean my head out into the aisle and it was nearly taken off several times by the brisk walking stewards during beverage service. I finally told her that I appreciated all her tips, but the risk of being decapitated was too high and I was going to remain in my seat. Most of the comments ended after that.

It's good to be home and back to reality. I think I've had my fair share of Mexican food for awhile. I'm a little bit bitter that I missed turkey and cranberry sauce this year and had the Mexican version of Italian Canolles instead. Apparently turkey doesn't exist in Mazatlan. I guess there is always next year. Actually, now that I think about it this would have been my last Thanksgiving to enjoy my meal instead of juggling a baby while eating. Dammit! I hope the kid sleeps through Thanksgiving dinner.

Late addition: I forgot to mention this note worthy quote from my grandmother-in-law on our vacation. Upon seeing me in a one piece bathing suit by the pool she said to me, "Honey, you don't really look pregnant yet. You just look like any other middle-aged out of shape person." Gee, thanks Mimi.

Our baby is a gymnast

We had a second ultrasound today. It was unexpected, but I'm glad the nurse did one. We go to see the baby swimming around and doing all kinds of somersaults and headstands. It started kicking it's legs like a frog too. The nurse tried to take ultrasound pictures of the baby but had a hard time because it was moving around so much. It's amazing how in 4 short weeks a baby can go from looking like a shrimp to an actual baby. We also got to hear the heartbeat again and it is still going strong at 152 bpm.

On a final feel good note, the nurse was prodding my uterus and stomach to try and measure it and she said she had a hard time locating my uterus because my stomach is so muscular. Ha! I fooled her. It's probably just backed up poop, but none-the-less the comment made me feel good.

Maternity Shopping

I only have one pair of pants that fit on occasion. The rest of my pants won't even zip up so I decided I had to do some maternity shopping. I bought two pairs of jeans and a cute sweater shirt that I love. Luckily they had out of season summer clothes on sale too. We are leaving for Mexico in a couple of days and I was worried I wouldn't be able to find anything but winter clothes. I was able to buy 2 tank tops that came with shorts and two pairs of capri pants. One of the capris looks like it would be pretty comfy even when I'm not pregnant. I found a pretty 3/4 sleeve shirt. The grand total....$303.00! They really know how to gouge people. I hope I'll be able to go awhile longer before I need to buy winter tops. It's getting pretty cold though so we'll see. I'll tell you one thing, winter tops are coming from Target, NOT an overpriced maternity store!

On a side note, nausea has reared its ugly head again. I've felt barfy for the past few days and I'm hoping it goes away before our Mazatlan trip. I really don't want to know what it's like to puke on a plane. I think we're in 1st class, so at least I'd have a more private bathroom. However, I'm not 100% positive about the 1st class thing and I'm dreading standing in an aisle waiting for the smelly bathroom with my head in a barf bag. Here's to hoping the nausea goes away again.

Don't touch me belly!

I caved a couple days ago and bought 2 new bras. I was reluctant because I know that I'm probably going to grow out of them before I can even pull the tags off. But I couldn't ignore the fact that I needed more support and my boobs were on the verge of falling out of all my old bras, so I went. I needed to get remeasured, so I went into Victorias Secret and asked the fitting person to measure me. I think she was my age, but I don't know for sure because she had makeup plastered everywhere. She started measuring me and I asked her if they carried maternity bras or bras that provided a lot of support. She replied "Oh my God! Are you expecting? You are so tiny! I never would have guessed." She proceeded to reach out and touch my belly.

This is what was going through my head:

1. Don't touch my F-ing belly. You wouldn't stroke a regular persons belly, so why do you feel compelled to touch the belly of a protective soon-to-be mother?

2. Anyone looks tiny compared to you! So yes, in comparison to you I am tiny. In comparison to my former non-pregnant self, I do NOT look tiny.

I backed away from her hand and just smiled thinking the encounter was over. She then let out a string of questions that makes me feel really sorry and sad for my generation and the younger generations. I will write this next part in question and response format.

Q: So is your boyfriend excited?

A: (1/2 scowl) Yes my HUSBAND is excited.

Q: Was It a surprise?

A: No, It was thoughtfully planned.

Q: Oh, you guys are planners. No surprises for you guys then!

A: No surprises. We are responsible parents and like to think things through.

Seriously? Are so many people having surprise babies without being married that it has become the norm? That is really sad and disgusting.

On another note, I get my blood drawn for the Nuchal Transluceny test tomorrow. It's a less invasive test

to check for birth defect and mental retardation markers. The ultrasound that goes along with it will be done on Dec. 1st. I can't wait to see the baby again. This time It will actually look like a baby! I have another appointment next week with an OB for a checkup. I was hoping they would do an ultrasound then, but I don't think they will. They'll probably just find the heartbeat.

I'm already past 11 weeks now. This pregnancy is flying by and there is still so much to do. Hopefully we can buy my in-law's house soon and get moved in so we can start setting up before I'm the size of a manatee. A fellow Bump poster posted a board she did for her nursery and I love it (pic below). I didn't think I'd be attracted to a modern nursery, but I think this one is amazing. I can't wait to see her finished product.

On a final note, I've felt decent enough to run errands this week. I'm hoping this trend continues.

Announcements and Grocery Shopping Adventures.

It's been just over a week since we announced the news to our parents.

The Thursday before Halloween, Brian and I invited his parents over to carve pumpkins. We spent $48 on the three orange gourds from some local pumpkin patch when I could have gotten a deal at Safeway for buy one get on free at the low price of $5 each. Whatever. Anyways....We carved a small hole in the bottom of my in-laws pumpkin and inserted a small plastic baby into the hole. You'd think it would be easy to do that, but it wasn't. After using an arsenal of tools including pumpkin carving knives, utility hooks, corncob holders in the shape of corn, toothpicks, and a coat hanger, we managed to detach the strings inside of the pumpkin that were clinging to the plug we were trying to carve out. We were victorious in our efforts. After inserting the baby, we plugged the pumpkin back up again. When the in-laws came over, they worked as a team to remove the seeds from the pumpkin and they ended up pulling out the baby. My mother-in-law just laughed thinking we were being pranksters, but my father-in-law looked at the baby and then us and asked "Are you pregnant?" We just smiled. Chris dropped her carving tool and started screaming and then there were hugs all around. We went out to Red Lobster to celebrate. I had the overcooked lobster.

We carved a pumpkin for my parents that night that said "Grandpa and Grandma". When we went over to my parents house the day after halloween, we set it up in their office and lit it up. We guided them into the office with their eyes closed, and once they were in front of the pumpkin we told them told them to open their eyes. They were both shocked. Me dad just pointed his fingers at us and exclaimed "You and YOU!!!! Really?!?!" Once again, hugs all around.

I told my Mom on Halloween. I asked her if she wanted a trick or a treat? She responded "I'd much prefer a trick". I said "Humor me and say treat". I thrust the ultrasound in her face. I've never seen a mouth drop open as far as hers did. She started jumping up and down and running around the backyard screaming "My daughter is pregnant! My daughter is pregnant!" Good times.

Brian's family still won't find out until after Thanksgiving at our family reunion.

What else is new? I caught a cold at a family function and have been managing to breathe with only one working nostril. I quickly learned that sleep doesn't bring relief. I wake up with a sore throat from breathing through my mouth at night. I think I'm starting to get better.

I finally went grocery shopping last week. I had "morning" sickness so bad that I had to postpone my shopping trip for a couple of days. I would lie cuddled up on the couch thinking about all the fabulous foods that could help bring me some relief, but of course we didn't have any of them. When I finally made it to the store, I was greeted by a massive display of asparagus at some new low price. The smell immediately caused me to start heaving. I ran though the produce section with my head in a bag while trying to navigate my shopping cart. It's not easy I tell ya.

On a final note, it's official. My boobs, once one of my best assets, are no longer symmetrical. The right one is noticeably larger than the left and the increased weight of it has caused it to point in a direction it never has before. Up looked so much better than down. I guess this is the first sacrifice of motherhood. I will now be one of those people I always laughed at who had hard nipples pointing in two different directions. Is it karma that I'm going to be pregnant during the coldest time of the year? Probably.