The LaGreca Family

Oh, the belly…..it’s huge.  My co-worker took this picture today to mark Week 33 and as she was taking it, she laughed and say “Man, you are HUGE!”

(Mom, compare these pictures:  Week 33 with NCL – not only do I feel like I am sticking out more this time, but I think it’s evidenced by the photo!)

Out of 24 guesses – it looks like we are in a dead tie, once again.  50% Girl and 50% Boy.  Hmmm….interesting.  I guess that 50/50 mentality mirrors how I feel about the whole thing.  I am really getting excited to find out what this baby is?!

We have 3 babies due in April at church – one is a girl, one is a boy — and then there is Baby LaGreca. I wonder who is going to be out numbered?

Remember 2 weeks ago, when I said I was freaked out that we only had 9 weeks to go (or 2 months)?  Well, now we are at T-7 weeks and I have changed my mind. I am not sure I can make it 7 (or more) weeks! I keep thinking “What if this baby has NO intention of coming out by the time we get to April 29th?” — What if this baby wants to be a “May” baby?

I really don’t think my back can handle this for too much longer.  I am SO darn uncomfortable sitting in front of a computer at work!  I might just have to telecommute earlier than I thought.

It’s really amazing – I can tell the baby is getting so much bigger.  I am so much more aware of the movements this time, especially since I am pretty sure I know the exact position of the baby.  It’s growing – no doubt about that! And, I am still hungry! Ha ha — that really hasn’t gone away this entire pregnancy.  I can eat! (I would still be able to keep up with our Buffalo family – if we were back there!)

This is a bit random – but I have been meaning to post this for awhile.

I love maternity pants.  I know..they aren’t very “cute” (although, compared to years and years ago – I would have to say that they have come a LONG way!) In fact, some people ask me “are those maternity pants or your regular pants?”  I have to laugh because there is no way on EARTH I could fit into regular pants – are you kidding me?!  But, my maternity jeans really aren’t that hideous.

I have 3 reasons for loving maternity pants:

#3: It’s just more comfortable.  When your belly sticks out as much as mine does, you really need comfort — I need the stretch!

#2: It doesn’t matter how big your meal is, the pants still fit you the same. I have definitely been known to have to “release” a button on my jeans before – because I ate too much and felt bloated (pre-pregnancy).  I don’t have that worry right now.

And, the #1 reason why I LOVE maternity pants:  I can go to the bathroom at least twice as fast as normal. There are no buttons to undo or zippers to unzip.  It’s awesome (and for those of you who know me really well, you know this is HUGE for me – because I don’t like to be in the bathroom.  Anything that can speed up the process is welcomed!)  **Interesting trade-off…when you are pregnant, you go to the bathroom 4-5 times more than normal — so, what am I really gaining?

First things first – looks like the GIRL guesses have taken the lead. 10 for a girl and 7 for a boy.  The good news about that (if the majority is right) – we have a list of girl names.  (“List” defined as 2 or more complete baby names — we have exactly 2, so we qualify that as a “list”).  We still have nothing for boy….but, we are starting to work hard on it.

The Baby Guessing Game will probably be open for at least 3-4 more weeks – so make your guess now (or enter another one).  I have done 2 so far – I totally felt like it was a boy when I guessed the first time. Then a few weeks passed by and I just felt like it was a girl (trust me, I have NO insider information – I have NO idea what the gender is — my gut feeling just depends on the day, I guess?)

(**To go directly to the game page – you just click on the Expect.Net box above – it’s pretty easy from there)

Ok, so here is the update on me and Baby #2.

We went to the doctor today (the normal monthly check-up).  He asked me if I knew the position of the baby and then he checked for himself. I said that I was pretty sure the baby was head down, the bum right above my belly button and the knees/feet off to my right side.  Based on his checking (which was quite painful, by the way. He just pushed around all over my belly and it didn’t feel very good) he thought the baby was in the exact position I said.  He wants to make sure it’s still head down, so we get a quick ultrasound at the next appt. I was SO excited to hear that. We didn’t get a “late in the game” ultrasound with Nicholas (and I can’t remember why – he must have been sure that the baby was head down).  Oh and for those of you who are thinking: “Oh sweet – it’s ONE last chance to find out the sex of the baby!!” — Nice Try!!  Do you really think we would go 34 weeks and then blow one of the biggest surprises we get in life?! I don’t think so!

We got to hear the heartbeat and it sounds so good – very strong.  Within a second of the Doc finding the beat – the baby moved out of the way.  I guess it didn’t really like the invasion of privacy?

Let’s see what else I have for you (I had a whole list in my head today – and knew I would forget most of it as soon as I sat down at the computer):

** I am definitely feeling the Baxton Hicks contractions this time around.

** My body is so much more achy this time. I am having the hardest time getting comfortable at night – which causes sleep problems. My hips are sore and I am feeling quite a bit of pressure down low.

** Sitting at a desk/computer all day is making my back very mad.  When it’s time to go home at night – the LAST thing I want to do, is SIT in the car for the drive home.  I am constantly squirming in my car seat because my back hurts.

** We were watching a movie the other night with the Harris’ and Joe got to feel the baby moving a TON! He just sat with his hand on my belly for at least 15 minutes and the baby put on a show for him.  That was really the first time he felt significant movement. He probably believes I have a baby in there now – and it’s not just a beer-belly (and no, I still don’t like beer – never have, never will – sorry Joe).

** When I say “I only have 9 weeks to go” – it sounds like that isn’t a long amount of time. But if I say “I have 2 months to go” – it sounds longer.  Does anyone agree?  Maybe I will stick with the months instead of the weeks, just so I don’t get too freaked out about the fact that this baby is almost here (either way!)

** I made all the rest of my appts w/ the doctor today – up until the 39th week.  That freaked me out a bit.

** The baby gets the hiccups 2-4 times everyday. It’s not as vigorous as the  hiccups were with NCL. I remember all the girls at work would come over to feel it and it would be really strong bumps.  This baby seems to get them more often, but they are deeper in my belly, so its hard for someone to feel them from the outside (especially Joe).  It just feels like a little heart beating.

** I asked the Doc if he thought there was a better chance that I would go into labor on my own this time – and he said, with a smile “yes, you have a better chance” — but he said we would have to see how I was doing towards the end.  He said I will start getting more cranky as time goes on (if the baby hasn’t come a little early or on time).  Thinking about this baby being late is not really the most pleasant thought — but, it’s a possibility–so I need to expect anything.   Then the Doc said, “you never know, you could go into labor a few weeks early” — Joe immediately said “that would be awesome” — (A sign that he is nearing the end of his patience with my “growing pains”??? Hmmmmm)

** I just looked at my “31 Week” picture with Nicholas and I am PRETTY sure that my belly is bigger this time. I can’t even believe that it’s possible….but, it might be true.  Man, I am TOO short for this!  It’s no wonder that people in the office GASP when they see me (if they haven’t seen me in a few days or a week).

Sometimes, Joe and I feel like our house is a zoo.  NCL will get a MILLION toys out and scatter them ALL over the place — then take one of the toy bins, put it on his head as a “hat” – and run ALL over the house, screaming.   OR – he will get his big firetruck (given to us by my boss) and turn the buttons on and drive that all over the place. The noise of that firetruck would drive anyone crazy – but it especially drives Joe crazy. I am really surprised that thing hasn’t “disappeared” yet..he he.  Oh – and then..the dog will start his routine of running crazy all over the place and barking.  I tell ya – a zoo.

Since I had President’s Day off this year – we decided to get outside, in the 80+ degree weather, and visit the zoo.

Note to self: never visit the zoo on a holiday.  The parking lot was INSANE and I have never seen so many people at our zoo (probably because we go when no one else is there – since we have annual passes).

Joe dropped us off and parked the car. So, we decided to have a snack and watch the flamingos and ducks.

Nicholas wanted to visit the elephants. I wish I could type out the word he uses for elephants…but I can’t. It’s more like a sound and it’s long.  It’s almost the sound a rooster makes – we laugh everytime.

On the way to the Elephant Odyssey – we had to stop to play with the coin machine. We didn’t have to put any money in – NCL was perfectly happy to turn the crank a few times.

(These two pictures will have to serve as my Week 29.5 pictures. It’s all I have during the time I was sick)

After 400 miles of travel (did I mention it was 80+ degrees?), we finally made it to the *New* Elephant Odyssey exhibit (it’s probably the newest addition to the zoo, but it was finished awhile back. I hadn’t been before).

(Yes, Nicholas needs another haircut…oh Gina…I wish you lived closer. I am actually thinking of trying to re-create your haircut on NCL…what a joke that will be – I was not meant to cut hair!)

Although NCL enjoyed watching the real elephants – he thoroughly enjoyed playing with this giant, fake elephant:

Being that it was almost lunch time, AND I was starting to run out of energy, (the day before this was the day I was in the urgent care for the sinus infection — we went on this little adventure, after I battled a 2 hour pounding-headache in the morning) it was time to make the 400 mile journey to the Zoo’s Exit (mostly uphill) and then the 56 mile journey to the car once outside the gates.

The rest of the afternoon went like this:

(1) Turn A/C on FULL BLAST in the car – all the way home

(2) Eat lunch – Mexican food we picked up on the way home

(3) Mommy and NCL – Take a looong nap

Quick update – Here is the basketball belly at 27 weeks.  The baby is growing and getting more active.  Had a doctor’s appt last week – all is well. I am measuring at 26-27 weeks (hard to believe I am not measuring at 35+ by the way I look!)  The baby’s heartbeat is strong — listening to it is so awesome.

I also drank the nasty, sugary drink for the glucose test last week (ugh, it was first thing in the morning – and it made my stomach hurt!)  But, we didn’t get a call from the doctor, which means good news. My blood sugar level must be good (yahoo! We are very thankful for that!)

We are making progress on the house – lots of things to get done before the baby gets here.  We just got the carpets cleaned in all 4 carpeted rooms. We moved the office desks into the livingroom (behind the couch – see picture below), and as of Saturday – the computers are up and running.  I actually like the set up a LOT more than I thought I would. I was really dreading it – but it’s working out ok.  Our “livingroom area” is smaller – but it’s totally fine.  It’s not like we spend a ton of time in front of the TV anyway.

We have a lot of work to do on the boy’s room. I think we are going to paint 3 of the walls (leaving the red wall as is).  So, I have to figure out a color.  And maybe we can add some nicer baseboards. We will see about that.  We aren’t sure when the room will be ready, but it’s ok – NCL has a nice room and a nice crib for now – we will just ride it out a little while longer

And one more update – Looks like we have 8 guesses for the Baby Guessing Pool – and it’s 50% Boy and 50% Girl!   Don’t forget to take a guess (or two) – you might be the BIG winner!  Just click the “ExpectNet.com” box below and you will be taken directly to the website.

The title might sound a little….negative….but it’s not meant to be.  I actually entered into the 3rd and Final Trimester today — so, it really is the “Beginning of the End”…of this pregnancy.  I am not even sure I believe it. For some reason, I was thinking the 3rd trimester was still 2-3 weeks away.  I was wrong.

I was also wrong about something else.  Just yesterday (Wednesday), I told one of my co-workers that I felt like my belly had gotten a little smaller in the past few days.  Yeah…no….not really.  Joe took this picture of me tonight and there is NO mistaken that belly – it’s getting bigger!  One of my friends sent me a message the other day and said “it looks like you swallowed a basketball!” — and, it kind of feels that way.

Just this week, I have run into a few things with my belly.  I don’t think I realized just how far it sticks out.

I am feeling good.  Energy level is good (thank goodness – because I have been so busy at work AND the rain has added 20-30 minutes to my commute home, so I need to be AWAKE and ALERT!) The baby has been kicking a ton. I am loving that.  I just sit back and enjoy the little dance Baby LaGreca is doing inside my belly — what a miracle!

This baby continues to be shy around Daddy.  The other night I was sitting at my desk in the office, and the baby had the hiccups (and he/she was kicking) — so after awhile, I finally nudged Joe and had him put his hand on my belly….wouldn’t you know it…that baby stopped EVERY bit of movement.  Poor Joe.

Now that we have started the Baby Guessing Game — I am even more excited to find out the baby’s sex. Of course, I can totally wait 3 months, but how exciting that we will find out soon!  As of right now, my guess is “boy” — but, I think it will change at least 20 times before the baby arrives.  At this point, I can’t see myself with anything but boys (since my house is full of them right now!)  Obviously, we don’t care either way – and it really doesn’t matter, because it’s already been decided