BRRRRRRRR!

Forcast for the Twin Cities:

Today:
High temp: 4 degrees
Low temp: -11 degrees
Right now: 0
Feels like: -20 degrees

Saturday:
High: 0 degrees!
Low: -14 degrees

Kick-off at Packer Game on Sunday: -5 degrees!

16 Weeks: Fluttering

My stomach flutters, little butterflies flittering inside my belly. Then a quick jab above my pelvis. And then more tickling inside me.


My baby is moving.
It has fingernails and long legs (longer than its arms). And it kicks. But not strong enough to really feel it. Instead, it creates flutters.
It's a weird sensation. But it's exciting because its the baby moving. It is growing so fast and yet, I haven't grown too much.
A few people at work have commented they can tell I'm pregnant from the side. I have gained two pounds. And my sweaters and button down shirts are starting to get tight.
My memory is getting wonky too. A few people have said its the pregnancy. I'll set things down and forget where I set them.
Today was an all time low for wonkiness:
I made frozen waffles for breakfast this morning. After I put syrup on them, I stuffed them in the microwave to warm up a little. When I went to take them out, I opened the cabinet door next to the microwave instead of the microwave door! I did this twice!
I'm losing it.

I haven't been the best friend....

In ninth grade, Molly had a swim meet. In fact, she had several. I did not make it to a single one. Perhaps this is why we didn't speak for the next two years....
I never went to her forensic matches. I have concluded I was lazy in high school.
I DID go to the Vagina Monologues...TWICE!


Friday, Molly had a poetry reading. I made it a point to go (must make up for the missed swim meets! I feel a little guilty for missing them when we were 14).


Molly was understandably nervous. The regulars who attend these poetry readings are elderly, so Molly was a little apprehensive about some words in her poems. But Emily, Chris, and I convinced her not to edit her work. And no one flinched or gasped. It fit the poem and message.


And although she says she was nervous, her voice did not quiver, her hands did not shake, and her face was not flush. She read beautifully.
It's funny because when Emily was reading, her half hour seemed very long. But Molly's was over too quickly. I wanted more.


The response from the audience was very positive. They giggled at the right moments, teared up when appropriate. I think everyone really enjoyed her work.
I hope she has one again soon. I want to go.

Take a Guess!

I saw this on Michelle's friend Carrie's blog. Had to add it to my own blog.

Go on...take a guess.

Richard and I are going to find out if we're having a boy or girl. But I don't know if we're telling....

14 Weeks

I don't' think anyone can tell I'm pregnant, except for me. My stomach was fairly flat before (see my honeymoon post). I can't suck it in anymore. And my stomach is hard and a little bulbous. My pants are getting tighter (which is a terrible feeling - baby or no baby). I am not in maternity clothes yet.
I guess it is different for all women. I mean when they start to show. I know you show sooner with your second baby because your body doesn't have to rearrange organs. Once they rearrange to make room for a baby, they stay that way. (very strange).
I didn't gain any weight in my first trimester, nor did I lose any. I haven't been eating more than usual, just more often. And I'm trying to get some exercise on a daily basis. Although the stupid, stabbing, sharp pain in my tail bone (caused by my sciatic nerve) prevents me from doing my regular exercise routine.
Yesterday was the first day I was starving all day. I would eat a snack and an hour later, I felt like I hadn't eaten at all! It was frustrating because I'm not used to this. I really try to watch how much I eat. I actually had to buy a snack out of the vending machine! (I never buy food out of the vending machine). I came prepared today. Loaded with apples, apple chips, peanut butter sandwich, yogurt, and a fruit cup, I ate a little healthier. With the right snacks, I didn't feel nearly as hungry (although I still ate more than usual).
No cravings yet. My sister, the nurse, says I will crave what my body needs. If I'm low on iron, I'll probably crave a high iron food like spinach or (ACK!) meat. If I need Vitamin C, I'll crave lemons or oranges. I'll probably crave some weird combination of pickles and apple sauce (I used to mix them when I was kid!)
Next appointment is at 16 weeks. Only about a month away from finding out the sex of the baby (!).

Happy New Year!

2007 was a big year.
And it was an unusually happy year for Richard and me.


Highlights:


January 25: My nephew Jack Craig is born. He is welcomed by big brother Antonio!


March 17: Logger is adopted and becomes a member of our family!


April 21: Richard and I get married!! Except for a few people I had no control over, this was my dream wedding. It was 80 degrees outside in April..in Minnesota!! (average is high 50s!). Richard gave the most touching, impromptu speech. I cry just thinking about it.


April 25 - May 2: Honeymoon to Mexico! It was my first time outside the country. And Richard's first trip to the beach. We had so much fun!


May: Logger eats Aleve and is in the hospital for 2 days. Result: $2000 = healthy Logger (ok, one not so good memory, but it turned out well!)


August 11: Molly gets married! She was such a beautiful bride! Such a beautiful day! She looked so happy.


October 22: Richard and I find out I am pregnant! (and on Michelle's birthday!) We are so excited and have a hard time keeping it a secret.


December 17: We get to hear the baby's heartbeat! Strong and healthy. It's a beautiful sound. Richard remarks that is sounds like a CB radio! (my husband: the trucker!).

Overall, a very good year!
Our wedding brought Richard and his extended family closer together. We keep in contact with Aunts and Uncles Richard hasn't spoken to in years.
This weekend, we are going to the traditional family Lutefisk and Meatball get together. (yeah for me!)

Another Reason to Love Austrailians

After work, I ran to the library to drop off a soon to be overdue library book. As I left and started driving home, I realized my cell phone was missing. First I thought it fell between the seats as it has done that before. I pulled over and preceded to tear my car apart. No luck. Panic sets in. Must retrace steps.
I drove to the library, checked the parking lot: nothing. Drove back to work. Checked around the parking space my car had been: nothing. Retrace the walk to my car: nothing. Check my office: nothing. Ask my employees: nothing. Ask the receptionist: nothing.
Less than an hour before, I had walked all three floors of the building. This is the last time I can recall having my cell phone. So I walked each floor, asking co-workers as I went: nothing.
The cleaning crew promised they would put it on my desk if they found it.
So I trudged back to my car. Tore it apart once again. Nothing.
And so I cried. All the way home.
I feel helpless without my cell phone. Fears creep into my head: what if I get in an accident? what if slide into a ditch? what if something happens to the baby? what if something happens to my family and they can't get a hold of me?

Forty-five minutes later I pulled into my garage. My husband runs out of the house exclaiming, "Thank goodness you are home!". I burst into tears, telling my husband between sobs that I had lost my phone.

"Don't worry, Kelly. A man found it in the parking lot. Molly talked to him."

After reassuring my parents I was okay (Molly had called them trying to get a hold of my husband). And then getting the info from Molly. I called the man. He was Australian. He had found my phone in the parking lot of the library.

We made arrangements so I could collect my phone.

When he dropped my phone off, I tried to give him a Thank You card with a small reward in it. He wouldn't take it.

"Australians don't accept tips or reward money. I'm just glad you got your phone back," he said proudly.

I am so thankful there are still good Samaritans out there. He saved me so much money and time and stress!