Pregnancy Confessions

I have a confession to make - I LOVE being pregnant. I love every single thing about it. I love when I burp and food comes up with that burp. I love being so uncomfortable on the couch at night that I turn from side to side to side 400 times. I love walking into my closet and not being able to wear 90% of the clothes hanging in there. I love the taste of Tums. I love getting tired at 8:30 and falling asleep in the middle of a TV show. I love the disgusting smell of my prenatal vitamins. I love that yesterday I had to drink 10 ounces of the worst tasting fluid ever and then have my blood taken 1 hour later to see if I possibly have diabetes. I love that my back and my left side hurt. Yeah....I love everything about being pregnant.

While Brett and I only had to try for six months for this sweet baby, each of those months that we weren't pregnant brought tears to my eyes. We in no way went through any ordeal to conceive like so many people. I say prayers for those people every day because to me, being pregnant is the greatest gift I have ever received.

My real confession should be that while I love being pregnant, I don't think I am good at it. I am sure I don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. I probably don't drink enough water. I certainly don't exercise like I should. I can become obsessed with reading online what horrible thing could happen to our baby. But, I don't think I could love this baby inside of me any more. This sweet thing has a personality of its own already. Today in the middle of teaching, I grabbed my side in pain. It was not an "Oh my gosh something is happening" kind of pain, it was a "please for the love of all that is good stop poking me from the inside" kind of pain. It seriously hurt and I loved every second of it because it is one more thing that makes this baby a person, a real live living human being.

For the first several weeks of being pregnant, I simply loved being pregnant. Then I was scared. Not about the baby but because I was afraid that I wasn't sure I actually wanted a baby. I thought maybe I had gotten caught up in wanting to be pregnant that I had ignored the fact that pregnancy only lasts for 9 months and a baby forever. Those fears have certainly been calmed and I can't wait for this baby to arrive. I can't wait to hold BB in my arms as I see that proud Papa look on Brett's face.

Sweet baby, we love you and can't wait for you to get here...

Oh the Blizard of 2011

I know everyone is pretty much over the blizzard, but I was just looking through pictures and I still can't get over how buried our house was....and how buried the car was... and how beautiful our street looked.... and how funny I look posing as "Brett's snow bunny"....and here's the snow already building the night before!

Stay warm, freinds!

Snow-M-G!

While everything around here seems to be in reference to the unusually large amount of snow - approximately 20 inches - Snow M G was my favorite reference! Tuesday night when all this started, it was the first thing I said to Brett after picking him up at the train station. He thinks I'm funny! So while everyone by now has heard that, yeah, we got a lot of snow, I will tell you how my experience with blizzard 2011 started out.

Monday afternoon, our school announced that we would be getting out at 1:18 the following day to allow students and staff extra travel time home since that was about when the blizzard was going to hit. I was not in school that day, but rather at a training. Well, our "trainers" couldn't decide whether we were getting out early, working through lunch, etc. The decision was made to work through lunch( I was not one who voted for this option seeing as though I need to eat every few hours and I had already grazed my way through all of my snacks) and then we would get out at 1:30. well, by 1:00 everyone had received texts that their respective schools were already canceling for the next day and so we were worse than elementary kids on Halloween. They let us go around 1 and I made 2 stops on the way home. I pulled in my driveway at about 2:10 and by this point, it was an all out blizzard. I couldn't tell exactly how much it was snowing because it was blowing so dang hard. So I get out of the car with my purse (AKA very large bag with everything I would need for the whole day), three grocery bags, coffee mug and keys. I get to the front door...insert key...turn...push down on handle. Nothing. Try again. Nothing. Put bags back in car. Try again. Nothing. Tray again. Nothing. Try kicking the door. Nothing.

Well, our front door has been sticking and we knew it probably needed replaced but those things are pricey so we'd been putting it off.

So there I stand - 6 months pregnant, starving, I have to pee, there is a blizzard going on around me and the STINKING FRONT DOOR WON'T OPEN. So, I did what any rational person would do, I started to think of ways that i could break into the house, weighing the cost of various things I intended to break. In the end, I called Brett who looked up a locksmith and got someone to come and take the lock apart and let me in. Unfortunately, it took him almost an hour to get to our house and another hour to get the lock open. So, at 4:15ish, I finally got into the house.

Additional notes to this story - the dogs barked the ENTIRE two hours that I could not get in (Tucker was hoarse) and the man opening the door shows 4 inches of plumber's crack every time he bent over. You would think he would have dressed better knowing there was a blizzard coming.

A Few Favorite Pregnancy Items (WARNING: a bare belly pic is involved)

Now these things are by no means necessary to get through a pregnancy. I am, however, fortunate enough to have a super excited husband who can't wait to be a daddy and is doing everything he can to make it easier on me. He told me one day that he had bought the baby and I a few gifts and that they would be delivered soon. All I can say is...he done good!

• Belly Buds: Specialized "head phones" that stick to you pregnant belly and adjust the volume of music so it is not too loud for baby. Since Brett and I are both very into music, we felt it was important for the baby to be exposed to some of our favorites ahead of time, mainly Dave Matthews. The baby has however already "attended" two Dave concerts. The neat thing about Belly Buds, is that they have a website that you can send invitations to family members to record messages to the baby. When we were home for Christmas my mom recorded herself singing to the baby. My only complaint is that you can't download the recordings so you have to plug the headphones into your computer. I think it is just easier to make your own audio file. Anyway, we created a lay list so that I can sit at night and the baby can listen to my iTouch!

• Snoogle Pillow: This is a MUST HAVE. I honestly don't think I could sleep with out it. It is a pillow with a hook shape at the top, long straight body part and then a curled bottom. It fits my body so perfectly and helps to ensure that I sleep on my side. A lot of women at this stage in their pregnancy struggle to get a good nights sleep. I don't attribute it all to the snoogle but so far I am having the opposite problem. I feel great but when it's time to go to bed, I have no problem!!!! Brett ordered my pillow from Amazon, but I saw something similar at Babies R Us.

• Prenatal Yoga DVD: I must confess that I have been VERY lazy so far during my pregnancy. Fortunately, my weight has not suffered but I know that it is good for both me and the baby to get some physical activity. Brett realizing that I was struggling with this ordered me a prenatal yoga DVD. I tried it recently for the first time and I love it. It is broken into practices by trimester and then special symptoms (morning sickness, sleeplessness, back pain).

And most of all, the one best thing to have while being pregnant - this guy!

What up on this chiiiiiillllllyyyyy Friday?

I have been off work since December 23, you would think I would have made a little time for more blogging, but nope. So, please excuse this jumbled mess of thoughts going through my head.

• Planning for a baby is overwhelming. Brett and I registered at both Target and Babies R Us and while I sort of know what we need, it is a very overwhelming feeling trying to decide exactly which nail clippers will be best for your baby! HAHA! I know, I know....women have been having babies for a long time with a fraction of the stuff we will be blessed to have. This being our first baby, though, I want everything to be perfect.
• We know the sex of the baby. We have told our immediate families, but that's it....IT'S KILLING ME!!!!!!! I am so excited I just want to tell the world - which would be why I told the lady on the phone with the insurance company this morning and the cashier at Whole Foods.
• Speaking, of knowing the sex, we picked out bedding which is what the theme of the nursery will be. I am not a them-ey sort of person, so it is basically just the color scheme. We will get a few pieces from the bedding set and then coordinate from there.
• Last night, I made dinner....twice, because the first was not edible. I wanted to try this delicious looking lemon pasta from Pioneer Woman. I got the sauce all done (with no lights on in the kitchen) and when I turned the overhead stove light on, there were blue chunks in the white sauce. I am truly at a loss for an explanation and no the sour cream was not moldy.
• I would really like to go away for a long weekend, preferably someplace warm. Unfortunately, if I wait until Spring break, I will be 33 weeks pregnant (WHAT????) and I don't want to travel at that point. Soooo, I am looking for a long weekend relatively soon and relatively cheap. Any ideas? Anyone want to come? Oh, Brett is most likely going on a golfing trip with his buddies in Florida, so I may be counting him out on this trip....just kidding, honey! But seriously, anyone want to go somewhere???
• All I want to eat is cookies, cake, brownies...you get the picture!
• As I said at the beginning, I have been off work since December 23 and go back this Monday. I know that most people will have no sympathy for me whatsoever, but I really don't want to go back. I love being home with these sweet things. I love sipping coffee in the morning, baking warm muffins, being caught up with laundry and having a semi-clean house.

• My brother bought this for the baby for Christmas....the baby is a Steelers fan already!

Happy Friday, friends!

A Look Ahead

Here it is, January 1, 2011. I am curled up on our couch with both puppies under my blanket, each cuddling up to a leg. The Christmas tree lights are on, Brett is snoozing away in the bedroom, and the wind is blowing furiously outside. There is a baby wiggling inside of me (probably because of the M&M cookie I just ate for breakfast). I couldn't feel more blessed. It seems that every time I turn around I read or a hear a story of heartache. Of truly good people that have bee thrown into a whirlwind of suffering - death, sickness, loss, infertility, etc. You get the picture. While Brett and I have surely had our ups and downs in the past 5+ years, I feel that we have come through stronger and more faithful than ever. We are so blessed in ways I couldn't even have imagined.

I don't know what 2011 will bring. It will hopefully bring a healthy baby into our life. It will hold moments of sheer joy that we wish we could hold onto forever. There is a chance that it could bring sadness because we don't always know what God has in store. Whatever 2011 will hold, I know that it is all part of our plan. I have always held deep in my heart that there is a reason for everything, that nothing comes by chance. 2011 will be no different.

Happy New Year!

20 weeks until BB Arrives

First, I should explain that ever since Brett and I found out that we were pregnant, I hated the idea of not having something to call the baby. Brett and I started joking around calling each other Baby Mama and Baby Daddy so the baby naturally turned into Baby Baby. That didn't exactly roll off the tongue so we shortened it to BB and it has stuck. When I talk to the baby or about the baby I refer to him/ her as BB.

Tuesday marked a pretty big milestone in our pregnancy - half way! It also marked our big ultrasound. Fortunately, Brett was able to go into work late so that he could come to the appointment with me.

Due to some concerns throughout this is actually our third ultrasound. We just had one three weeks ago, but it is still amazing every time we see that little baby moving around on the screen. Even more amazing, is that the baby is so small but all of it's important parts are visible. We have seen its bran, spine, vertebrae, stomach, heart, fingers, toes, jaw, nose, eyes, etc.

We also found out at this ultrasound that our baby is a little big - 14 ounces! They aren't changing my due date because it could certainly even out, but apparently my big appetite is going straight to BB. And maybe a little to my stomach, thighs and hips!

The best part of being pregnant so far has just happened in the past few weeks - we have been able to feel the baby move. I felt some things at first that I suspected were the baby, but in the past 2 weeks, I am sure. Brett and my Mom have even been lucky enough to catch some pretty good kicks and last night I saw my stomach move during one the those big kicks! It is the most amazing thing in the world to feel this little thing wiggling around and know that before we know it, she/he'll be wiggling in our arms!

Christmas 2010

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone already. It seems like every year that time between putting up the tree and feeling all of the excitement of the season and the time to take down the tree gets shorter and shorter. I can't even imagine what next year will be like with a baby!

20 Week Baby Bump

As always we traveled to PA to spend the holiday with my family. We didn't leave until the afternoon of the 23rd because I worked up until then. Brett and I cooked my Mom our now traditional Birthday/ Christmas Eve meal, although she had done most of the prep work. We had one of Brett's delicious turkeys and some yummy corn casserole and mashed potatoes.

Christmas morning was wonderful. I love how everything we do over the holidays has become predictable. Not in a bad way, but in a comforting traditional way. Mom passed out gifts and we all had a wonderful time opening so many amazing things! Here we are in our 2010 Christmas Morning in PJs picture...

I hope that everyone enjoyed their Christmas and made some memories with family.

Happy Holidays from the Clancys!

A Christmas Filled Weekend (and a minty cookie recipe)

This past weekend was filled with Christmas spirit. On Friday night, Brett planned a little surprise and after dinner we bundled up and went to Lilacia Park to view the Christmas light display that they had set up. There is nothing like some cold weather, Christmas lights and the greatest husband ever to put you in the Christmas spirit. We tried so hard to take some good pictures but really struggled with the dark sky bright lights, and so many settings on our camera.

On Saturday we did some Christmas shopping, and although the weather was terribly rainy, it was still quite festive. In addition to a few Christmas presents, we made our first very important baby purchase - his/ her going home from the hospital outfit. Leave it me to feel that an outfit is one of the most important purchases. I would love to post a pic of the darling little outfit, but it's in that special color or pink or blue and that is still a big secret!

Saturday night we made Christmas cookie. Over the past few years this has become one of my favorite Christmas traditions. We get all of our Christmas CDs out and bake all evening long. I love having Brett in the kitchen. This year (and I do think this was only round one since we have already eaten quite a few) we made 178 cookies! One kind was a super easy mint cookie by Betty Crocker. Super easy, very festive and DE-LICIOUS!

Me in my super ridiculous cute cookie baking outfit.Brett and Tucky just waiting for the cookies to be done.

On Sunday we had our first family Christmas celebration with Brett's family. We had a fabulous dinner and exchanged presents. Brett's sister got us a beautiful baby book....I can't wait to fill it with cute picture and exciting milestones!

Guess what...

A while back I blogged about having a lot going on. This was true, but to explain, there was really only one big thing going on, and it was something that I wasn't ready to blog about. Until now....

On September 8, 2 days before our 5th anniversary, Brett and I got the greatest gift ever. The news that this little guy (or girl) was on his (or her) way!

Yep - we're having a baby!!!!!

BB (as we're calling him/ her) is set to arrive sometime around May 17 and we couldn't be more excited! Lots more on this big news to come...