November = BUSY

November has been crazy! We started with our trip to Northern California. Our flight was into San Francisco, and from there we drove Pacific Coast Hwy down to San Luis Obispo. We did a short day trip to check out Hearst Castle in San Simeon - wow! And of course, had to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge (which seems tiny compared to our Chesapeake Bay Bridge).


The weather was in the 70's and sunny most of the days we were there, which is funny b/c our pics all seem to show overcast and cloudy skies. Pat could not believe the size of the waves and how many surfers we saw - they were everywhere! I also finally caved and took my first belly pic (about 5 1/2 months in it).


Next, we went to the Virginia Tech - Maryland game at Univ of MD. Not only was a great time had because the Hokies beat the Terps once again, but we were able to see Michelle, Dougie, John, and A - who we have not seen in forever. Dougie was the only one wearing the right colors though, and the only one of the group who could bask in the victory with us. Thanks Ed for hooking us up with the tickets - those seats were worth every penny!


A week ago, my friend Alison took Pat and I to register at Babies R Us. THANK goodness she was there, or we (me) would have been in there forever trying to decide. We were able to get most everything done in under an hour, and Pat was still patient and smiling - sounds like a successful trip to me.

I have also been busy this month with basketball - yes, I am coaching again, and hopeful I can finish the season before the baby comes. We have finished tryouts and have moved on to regular practices. I have high hopes for the team this year - they seem very motivated and smart, and seem to respect me even though my bball playing/skills leave much to be desired while in my pregnant state. Go Cougars!

One more week....

...until we can find out the gender! We can't wait.

My trip to Utah went great - and yes, it was chilly. The mountains were beautiful, and the leaves were just starting to turn...little bits of red all through the valleys - almost looked like lava running down the mountain.

While laying on the couch in my hotel Friday night I felt the baby kick for the first time. :o) Just a little flutter, but definitely there. And then Sunday night I felt two really strong kicks. Funny I had to fly all the way to Utah to feel those kicks - this baby must know he/she is traveling all around.

Pat's trip to Seattle was a blast; we are planning to go back together sometime next year. And for the record, the 'Pacific' crab cake couldn't hold a candle to our Maryland crab cakes! The fish market was pretty incredible though.

On the home front, I have finally hung some curtains, put up some pictures, and other little details. The squirrels have been digging in my garden, and even pulled up my radish, spinach and lettuce seedlings. The one good thing about having a garden in the city the last 4 years - no pests!!

October 2009

Now that it's October, we are both very busy with work, and I am happy to finally be over the nausea and vomiting. It's been 2 weeks since I last got sick, and I am hoping I am FINALLY over it! My 32nd birthday was at the end of September, and Pat cooked me dinner in our new home - lobster for an appy and filet for dinner. (I know how lucky I am!)

I just returned from a visit to Michigan State University (more travel for baby and my first flight with a belly - also first time I actually scanned the seat back pocket for a barf bag - didn't need it thank goodness). While at MSU, I stayed with my friends Marcus and Donna Duck and their 7 month old twin boys Jackson and Jordan. I have seen lots of pics of the boys, but they were even cuter in person! I watched Donna give them each a bath (first time for me) and changed Jordan's diaper (a first for me also - and 32 years old - geez). Marcus and Donna also provided me with an amazing amount of knowledge - thanks guys! And Donna - I will be in touch soon with more questions!!!

Later this week I am traveling to BYU - Provo for a few days, and Pat is heading to Seattle. It is supposed to be near freezing at night in Utah, so I will finally have to change out of the comfy flip flops I've had on since May. Later this month, baby will be traveling with me to Auburn, Alabama and Louisville, Kentucky.

0 to 4 months

My attempt to sum up the first few months:

We found out we were pregnant on July 1, 2009, the same exact day we found out the contract was accepted on our new home. A crazy, exciting, sometimes scary day! But now that we are actually in our home, it's a little easier to look back and smile (more on that later).

So, before we knew we were pregnant, our little guy/gal had attended two weddings (Lisa & Lama and Michelle & Dougie), and spent a week in Portland, OR and Ellensburg, WA (visiting our friends Matt and Sue). We arrived back home in Maryland, started back up our home search with our wonderful friend Jill Burke, and within 2 days had a house and a baby on the way!

July was pretty tame - Pat was busy working and I was busy sitting on the couch, trying not to toss my cookies, and being forever thankful that I work from home. Our baby did have his/her first few boat rides (let's hope they don't inherit my seasickness, but instead get Pat's strong stomach). We also had our first doctor's appointment on July 31, and saw the baby via ultrasound for the first time. What an amazing feeling, and finally our cue to tell our family and friends that we are pregnant! Thanks Rachel for my books - and for getting me through the first few weeks!

August rolled around and we spent a week in Ocean City, MD with Pat's parents, and the rest of the month trying to finalize our loan on our house (we are also eternally grateful to Mike Cappe who did our loan! We cannot thank you enough for all your time and effort - and also to Jess Cappe for putting up with Mike's late nights while he was working on our loan!). I spent much of August in front of the toilet, sometimes twice a day. It was miserable at times, but also reassuring to know that things were moving along in there. And I was even more thankful than ever that I worked from home! We also had our second doctor's appointment, as well as our 2nd ultrasound, which was a specialized one to test for chromosomal abnormalities. The results came back negative. :o) During this ultrasound, the baby was moving and kicking like crazy, and even waved at the 'camera' a few times.

September finally came and we went to settlement on the house on September 2nd. Since that time, we have been busy working on the house (moving, painting, new bathroom, landscaping, new water heater, new appliances, etc. etc.) Thanks to all our friends who helped us with the move from Baltimore to Pasadena - Zack, Cappe, Fath, Ronnie, Mike, and our Moms & Dads. Pat's mom Darlene painted our kitchen, Pat's dad Marty updated our bathroom, my Mom Pat handled the cleaning, and my Dad Barry our landscaping. We never could have made it through September without them! We also received our first baby gift from my brother Mike and his girlfriend Tara - a Virginia Tech baby frame! I love it - thanks again guys.

Our third doctor's appointment was at the end of September, and everything was right where it should be. We listened to the heartbeat again, and were given a referral for our Level II Ultrasound, which is a comprehensive anatomy scan. The baby is measured and baby's organs are viewed and surveyed. Amniotic fluid levels, the location of the placenta, and the fetal heart rate are also reviewed. AND- we will finally be able to find out the gender! Our appointment is set for Monday, October 19th - we can't wait!!