Free book!

For my fellow pregnant friends, if you sign up for the Duet Advantage email list, you receive a free copy of book What To Expect When You're Expecting. I love freebies and I thought I would pass on the info.

It is nice to have good friends

I have great friends, I am so blessed. I have many different groups of friends. My closest girlfriends are from two particular groups: with one group, I am the first to have a baby and with another group, I am the only one who has not had a baby yet (I don't think I will necessarily be the last to have a baby. In the group of friends with kids, Baby Bear will be the 11th child born into the mix ranging from 9 years old to 13 months. All of them are excited in their own ways.

Two of my closest friends who are also mothers have offered to go with me to register for baby gear on Friday. I am so excited. It is overwhelming as it is to think about having a baby but then to go into somewhere like Babies R Us without a clue is even more overwhelming. Strollers, bottles, car seats, and more; there are so many choices!!! I am very fortunate to have some wonderful people who will help direct me. Between the two of them they have 5 wonderful children between the ages of 5 years and 13 months, so they are a wealth of knowledge and experience with regards to parenting and the needs of a new parent. They will be able to guide me as to what I really need and what doesn't work. I am excited not just to register but to be able to spend some quality time with my friends as well. Thank you in advance J and A!!

Week 17: Growing and hearing

Baby Bear's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — the lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Baby Bear weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and is around 5 inches long from head to bottom.

From: babycenter.com

Baby Bear can hear and loud noises can actually startle Baby Bear. Baby Bear is practicing sucking and swallowing skills in preparation for that first suckle. Many of of the survival reflexes that Baby Bear will have at birth are being perfected in utero right now.

Papa Bear got me sick

Papa Bear was sick all last week. I did my best to stay far from him, but it is kind of hard when you live in a small space. I tried to go out from time to time but I really wasn't interested in going out in the Christmas bustle and traffic if I didn't need to. I did my best to clean and keep the germs away, but apparently I failed. Yesterday was the first day that Papa Bear was feeling better and low and behold I was starting to feel a tickle in my throat. I woke up this morning with a sore throat and stuffed up nose. Boo! I don't feel too awful but I don't feel too great either. I am trying to figure out what is safe for me to take.

This just sucks! I am on vacation and now that Papa Bear is better I am sick so we can't seem to go and have some fun together.

I think I can feel Baby Bear move!

On Friday, putting me 16weeks 6days, I thought I felt Baby Bear moving early in the morning. I wasn't quite sure. It felt like a vibration on the lower right side of my belly. It happened for a few seconds then stopped and then I felt it again a few minutes later for just a short period. Since Friday I had been trying to feel around when ever I was sitting still. Well this morning I felt it again. I am pretty sure it was Baby Bear moving around!!!

That was so amazing and it is so refreshing to feel Baby Bear. Everyone has been asking me if I could feel Baby Bear yet. It is also reassuring. The last few weeks there hasn't been any consistent pregnancy symptoms to indicate I am pregnant (except for my ever expanding baby bump). My morning sickness and nausea is gone; and though I am glad it is gone that was a little reminder that my baby was well. It is nice to feel Baby Bear move to know all is well and this is way better than nausea and feeling nasty all the time!!

A few great books

Santa got Papa Bear a book for dads this Christmas. He got Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads by Gary Greenberg and Jeannie Hayden. Papa Bear started reading it right away and really enjoyed it. I looked through it as well. This book had a lot of great practical information on being a dad and what to expect when Baby Bear comes. A great easy read for expectant dads.

We got all the grandparents books on grandparents as part of their Christmas gifts. We got a call from Lolo Bear and he has really been enjoying his book: Grandpa Rules: Notes on Grandfatherhood, The World's Best Job by Michael Milligan and Bill Cosby. My daddy is pretty excited to be a grandpa and was eager to read this book. My mom told me that he never ever reads a book and since he got this book he has been reading it and laughing. He said it is really funny and my mom was really pleased to see my daddy enjoying a book. Another great book.

Baby Bump watch: week 17

It has been a while since I posted a baby bump picture, I took this picture at 17 weeks, 0 days. I have been getting bigger and feeling bigger, that is for sure. Grandpa Bear keeps telling people to look at me from the profile so that they can see my baby bump. It is cute, he is excited for Baby Bear.

Baby Bear gets first Christmas presents!

It is not even Christmas Day yet and Baby Bear has received more Christmas presents than Mr. Bear and I. Everyone is so excited for Baby Bear!! It is so nice that Baby Bear is so loved already!



Look at this cute lil' outfit! I can't wait to put Baby Bear in it.



Grandma Bear got Baby Bear rescued this cute little puppy from the toy store (yes, it lights up and changes colors, it will be a nice little night light).

Week 16: Hello in there, can you hear me?

Wow, 4 months! I can't believe how the time has passed. Baby Bear is building tiny bones in his/her ears. So Baby Bear may be able to hear my voice when I talk (or sing in the shower). I hope Baby Bear doesn't mind the sound of my voice. I have been talking to Baby Bear and telling Baby Bear about Chase Monster and Papa Bear (formerly Mr. Bear). Baby Bear is now the size of an avocado and able to straighten his or her head and neck.

Two and a half bears plus a monster cat

Jenn posted this and it made me smile, so I thought I would make one too:

Get your own Family Sticker Maker & MySpace Layouts.

Pants that finally fit!!

I have been having such a difficult time finding pants that fit me decently and are comfortable. Maternity pants are either too long for me or too big. I was in the strange in between stage where my regular pants barely button up and it was way too uncomfortable to button them up anyways OR maternity pants were a tad too big and fall off me. Well, I must have gotten big enough to fit into maternity pants and oh how comfy they are! It is so nice to have some pants that fit.

It was not an easy find. Some maternity pants are just plain ugly and sag around the butt. I am all about being comfortable but I don't want to look awful. I have always had an issue with pant length so that came as no surprise to me. The surprise was the small maternity sections in stores, which provided limited selection for a petite person. I am only 5' 1-1/2" tall and that 1/2" is very important to me (I think my driver's license says I'm 5' 2", shhhh!). So I was limited to shop online, which is not a problem, but I like to try clothes on before I buy them. So I ordered online from The Gap, Old Navy, and JCPenny, all which have short/petite length maternity pants. After ordering about 15 pairs of pants and several returns by mail and exchanges, I finally have a couple of pair of pants that I can live with for now. I hate to buy a ton of maternity clothes since I will only be in them for another 6 months, but I needed something to wear for work. Through my whole pregnancy so far, buying maternity pants has been my biggest obstacle. Who would have thought?

I have a fat cat attached to my hip

The last few weeks of pregnancy Chase Monster has been pretty clingy. As I am typing, he is actually cuddle up next my leg right now. It is really sweet but very unlike him. I have heard that pets sense when you are pregnant, it may be my smell that has changed or possibly my attitude that has slight changed. Whatever it is, I am sure that Chase Monster knows.

It also seems that other babies know. I may be imagining this, but babies look at me more or maybe I am looking at them more. The other day at a friend's party, I took my friend's baby who is 13 months. She slept on me and had no issues at me taking her from her daddy. Her daddy said that Baby E usually doesn't let other hold her, so he was quite surprised that she did not make a fuss when I took her. Hmmm, I know from past research that babies can differentiate the smell of their mom from other mothers, so maybe Baby E could differentiate that I was a mommy-to-be. This is just the developmental psychologist in me curious about this and the research behind it.

Whatever it is, I am glad that babies like me. I hope Baby Bear likes me. And I am glad that Chase Monster loves me. I hope to have a smooth transition when Baby Bear arrives. It may be a little hard for Chase Monster, since he is used to being the baby of the house. He will have to learn to be an older sibling :)

Week 15: Practice makes perfect

Baby Bear is as long as four and a half inches right now, about the size of a large orange. Baby Bear is busy practicing breathing, sucking, and swallowing so that when Baby Bear leaves the comfy womb and move into our comfy home, Baby Bear will have the skills necessary to survive. Although Baby Bear is moving around, I can't feel anything quite yet.

Staying away from the flu

Today I went to get my flu shot. The flu shot is safe for pregnant woman and in fact is recommended by medical professionals for pregnant women. It is supposed to be safe at all stages of pregnancy. I, however, still wanted to wait until I was safely into my 2nd trimester just to be on the safe side.

Since pregnancy can affect your immune system, pregnant women are prone to getting the flu and developing complications from the flu. I do not want to take that risk. I usually get the flu shot and last year, Mr. Bear had the flu and the flu shot kept me from getting the flu from him. So I was quite thankful for that.

Week 14:

I'm now in the second trimester. Baby Bear is growing and growing and is about the size of a fist now. Baby Bear's hair is starting to grow. I wonder if it will be dark black like mine or a light brown like Mr. Bear. Mr. Bear was a blonde when he was a baby, but there really isn't much of a chance that Baby Bear will be blonde.

Big developments for the week (from Babycenter.com): Baby Bear can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his/her thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, the facial muscles are getting a workout as the tiny features form one expression after another. Baby Bear's kidneys are producing urine, which is released into the amniotic fluid — a process that continues until birth.

Pregnancy brain

There is such a thing as pregnancy brain, I have actually read some research on it. Pregnancy brain is when are forgetful and absentminded. Today is the first day that I really experience pregnancy brain. I was shopping this afternoon and had some clothes that I brought into a dressing room to try one. Nothing worked out, so I walked around and found some other clothes to try on. When I was in a second dressing room on the other side of the store, I was getting ready to leave the dressing room when I noticed I didn't have my purse. I realized that I left my purse in the first dressing room on the other side of the store! I hurried and fortunately my purse was still in the dressing room untouched. Whew!!! I can't believe that I left it and walked around the store without noticing that I didn't have my purse on my. Now that has to be pregnancy brain!!

My heart beats for Baby Bear

I had my second prenatal appointment this afternoon. The Ob said that my ultrasound (from a few weeks ago) looked good and since there was only a 4 day difference with the fetal age that they were going to keep my due date at June 6, 2009; calculated from my Last Menstrual Period. From my charting, I had it at June 9, 2009. Well either way, Baby Bear is due the beginning of June. I guess we'll see in time when Baby Bear decides to come into the world.

My bloodwork looked good as well. All in all everything is healthy and going well. I've gained about 5 lbs, which is normal (a little crazy for me, but normal). I also asked about running and the Ob said I could run, I just need to keep my heart rate under 140. I am pretty excited about that and glad I can run again. I haven't ran for the last month because the nurse practitioner told me not to. I didn't agree with her, but I was a good patient and listened. I am glad I asked again.

The best thing about the appointment was hearing Baby Bear's heart beat. I had no idea that I would get to hear the heart beat. It was so amazing, the Ob said that it sounded good. It took a little while to find the heart beat but once the Ob found the heart beat it was so great. My heart beats for my Baby Bear, I love you Baby Bear!!

Week 13: End of the first trimester

Baby Bear is now the size of a peach. Vocal cords are developing, but Baby Bear won't be crying anytime soon. Fingerprints have formed on your Baby Bear's tiny fingertips, the veins and organs are clearly visible through the still-thin skin, and Baby Bear's body is starting to catch up with the head. The head is a third the size of the body. Baby Bear has a big head :)

Baby Bump watch: week 13

I feel like I am totally showing and this just happened this week. I feel pretty big and I know I will only get bigger. People say that I am not really showing but look how big my bump looks. These pants barely button up. Stretchy pants are definitely my friend. Elastic is a great invention!

Now it is public

I am coming toward the end of the first trimester and it is time to let people at work know. I was a little worried but both of my bosses were very supportive and happy about the news. I am so lucky to have such great bosses and such great support.

Now that family, friends, and work knows the great news, I have no reason to keep this blog private or secret. It is so nice to have things out in the open.

Turkey day thanks

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, yummy food and great family. To top it off, we told the rest of the family the news about Baby Bear. It was great. Everyone was soo happy and excited about the great news.

Since we were telling Mr. Bear's side of the family, he had the task of making the announcement. We waited until most everyone was there and while his aunts were really busy getting things together, he got there attention and told them: "we're pregnant!" Aunt Mary screamed right away. Aunt Joni was a little distracted so it took her a couple of seconds until she too came running up to us. Everyone was so excited for our news. It was definitely a Thanksgiving to be thankful for.

Week 12: Organs are built

All of Baby Bear's organs are close to being developed and maintenance and maturation is to begin. Reflexes are beginning to develop, fingers will soon open and close, toes curl, and mouth will make sucking movements. Baby Bear is now the size of a plum. Mmmm, I like plums.

Another week and I will be in the second trimester. I hear things are better in the second trimester, I am looking forward to more energy and goodbye to nausea.

I guess I am looking pregnant

I was asked for the first time in 12 weeks if I was pregnant. I guess I am starting to show. I definitely think that I am. But people who know keep telling me that I am not.

Tonight, I went to the gym to take my Step II class, there are a lot of regulars in the class and the instructor and some friends in the class know that I am pregnant. Well, a woman who is a regular in the class (I don't know her well, but we see each other in the class and say hi) came up to me as I was setting up my step and asked me if I was pregnant. I said yes and she congratulated me. I told her I must look fat, but she said she noticed because I usually have a flat stomach and have more steps. She said anyone else might not look pregnant but she has seen me in this class for quite some time and she noticed the change physically and in my intensity in the class. It was actually quite flattering.

I have been doing my best to keep exercising regularly by going to the gym. I told one of my gym instructors the other day and I asked her if there was anything I should change or modify. She looked at me and said, "For you, not really." She said that because since I am very fit and in shape that I can do a lot of what I was doing since I was not starting anything new. Her advice was to listen to my body, but that I should be able to do a lot of what I have done in the past due to my fitness level before pregnancy. I am determined to keep fit and maintain. I know now is not a time to set new goals and try to be stronger or lose weight, but I am so glad that I can continue to be active and fit.

The best moment so far

Yesterday, we celebrated my lola's (grandmother in Tagalog) 88th birthday and I thought that would be a perfect time to share the news with her and the extended family. I put a picture of the ultrasound in her birthday card and pulled her aside to give her the "gift." She opened the envelope and before she opened the card to read it, she saw that there was something in it and pulled it out. As soon as she saw the photo of the ultrasound, she was jumping up and down and she was screaming, "praise God!!" My mom was crying, my daddy was crying, Mr. Bear was crying, and so was I. It was the best moment. She had the best reaction to our news of anyone.

You would never have known that my lola was 88 years old, she is so full of life and she was so excited about this news. She was jumping up and down like she was a little kid. She said that she had been praying and praying for this day. She was soooo happy for this news. Telling my lola was the best moment since I found out I was pregnant. I am so fortunate to have such wonderful support and love. It is just such an amazing, amazing feeling.

Can't wait to tell

This Saturday we are celebrating my lola's (grandma in Tagolog/Filipino) 88th birthday with the whole big family. We are planning to let my lola along with my aunts, uncles, and cousins know our big news!! I am so excited to be able to tell them and let this all out of the bag. I know my mom will be happy to not have to keep this a secret anymore. She is tired of being asked about my reproductive plans and she is excited to be a lola herself.

One week from today is Thanksgiving and we will be spending it with Mr. Bear's family. At that time, we will let the aunts, uncles, and cousins know that we are expecting Baby Bear! It is definitely something to give thanks about. I can't wait!! I know my father-in-law will be happy to have this all out in the open. I know that he really wants his sisters to know. They will be so excited; they have been waiting for this one.

So we have a very exciting week ahead of us. It will be nice to have the whole family in the know. Then I can let people at work know and I can share it with the world!! Wohoo!!

Week 11: Genitalia is developing

Baby Bear is now pretty much fully formed and busy kicking and stretching. Of course Baby Bear is still to small for me to feel any of this movement yet. Baby Bear is about an inch and a half long. Wow, Baby Bear is really growing! By the end of the week, Baby Bear's genitalia will develop. But is still too small to be able to accurately tell on an ultrasound. We do know one thing for sure, it is probably either a boy or a girl. :)

Baby Bump watch: week 11

Week 10 and I am feeling fat not pregnant. Yes, I realize I will get fat and gain weight and that is fine. But this bloat and constipation kind of sucks because I just look fat rather than pregnant. Baby Bear is totally worth it. I can't wait until it is a real baby bump and I look pregnant rather than fat.

It is just hard because my pants are tight and finding maternity pants in petite sizes is not too easy. The pants I ordered from the Gap last week were too long for me. I am just too short. I feel like I am starting to show, which is not great at work since I want to wait until after Thanksgiving. I am almost there and hopefully this bloat will go down a bit.

Week 10: The skeleton forms

Baby Bear's embryonic tail is gone (it's a human!) and the fingers and toes are separated (not webbed, yes, it's a human!). The skeleton is beginning to form and Baby Bear's brain is producing tons of neurons every minute!!

Baby Bear is about an inch and half long, about the size of a prune. The vital organs have formed and are now starting to work and they will keep on developing.

The worst pregnancy symptom

I have been pretty fortunate. I have not been extremely sick or vomiting. I deal with the fatigue and the nausea. But constipation really sucks! I have never really been constipated in my life. This is awful. Ugh! I have been taking Metamucil and more fiber and I really hope it kicks in soon. It really is the worst pregnancy symptom. I know if I could just poop, I also wouldn't be so bloated. I am just full of shit as Mr. Bear told me this morning.

A name

Papa Bear and I are going to have a difficult time coming up with a name. Papa Bear (jokingly) has named Baby Bear, boy or girl, BUCKJAKE. Yes, all capitalized and that is just the first name. Yikes!! I know he is not serious, but could you imagine a girl with that name. Well, Papa Bear knows that our Baby Bear will not be name BUCKJAKE. I refuse to allow it.

Well, we can't seem to agree with any name at all thus far. We have 7 months to figure this out, but I can already tell that it will be a long 7 months. Papa Bear decided to post on the forum the frequents to see what names his internet friends would come up with. He even offered $100 to the person whose name we actually choose. Well, my friends, the same goes for me. Of course it will be a while before we make our final choice. But all suggestions are welcomed.

Had to cave in

I had to do it. Today, I ordered some maternity pants. They were on sale on the gap.com. And my pants were really tight today and I needed to do something. Plus, I also had a coupon code for an extra 25% off (code: extra25).





I still have a pair of jeans that fit, but my bloat has gotten in the way of my work pants from fitting. Since I have not told people at work yet I have been trying to hold onto wearing my non-maternity pants for as long as possible. I bought a Bella Band a few weeks ago and I have been using it since 6 weeks. It definitely has allowed me to keep wearing those pants.



I wanted to hold off from buying any maternity pants until the 2nd trimester, but I can't pass up a sale and it is definitely time to invest in some maternity pants for work. The pants I wore today were really tight and uncomfortable and I am starting to run out of options. Yikes!!

It's alive!

We had our first ultrasound and we saw Baby Bear moving and the heart beating. What an amazing experience. There really is a baby in my belly. It just seems so real now!!

Week 9: No longer an embryo

Baby Bear is now a fetus and entering the fetal stage. Wow!! Baby Bear is growing and growing, now about an inch long. Baby Bear is starting to move its arms and legs. But it is too early for me to feel anything quite yet. The heartbeat is getting stronger and the eyelid have developed but have fused together and won't open until week 27. The genitals are beginning to form, but it is still a little more time until we can find out the sex. So much is happening in this early stages of pregnancy.

We will find out tomorrow the more accurate fetal age of Baby Bear. I think I am pretty close but might be off a day or two. We'll see at tomorrow's ultrasound!

Everybody scream!

Saturday, we went to a 1-year old birthday party and told some good friends of mine. Funny thing was that I didn't even have to say a word. My one friend was sick and I told her not to get near me. She asked me why and immediately screamed knowing that it was because I was pregnant. Then the mommy of the birthday girl came to say hi and apparently the other girls just gave her a look and she screamed. It was so great how excited and happy everyone was. They have been waiting for me to get pregnant. They all have children (yes, plural!) so they have been telling me I am next.

JA gave me my first set of onsies and a soft blankie for Baby Bear. I love the onsies, they are of course Pooh Bear, my favorite bear!! It was awesome.



Sunday, I had dinner with KS and her aunt and uncle. They offered me a glass of wine and I, of course, refused. KS looked at me strangely and wondering. I told them why I couldn't drink and of course more happy well-wishes. I love telling people in person, it is so awesome to see their reactions and the genuine excitement they have for Mr. Bear and me.

I am so fortunate to have such loving people in my life!

Baby Bump Watch: Week 9

Not a baby bump yet, just all bloated. Baby Bear is too small to give me a baby bump.

Just scheduled my first ultrasound!

I am just so excited. It is next Wednesday at 6pm and I don't even have to take any time off from work. That is perfect. I can't wait to see the heartbeat and Baby Bear. I hope that we'll be able to see something. I know that since I am still early that it will be a vaginal ultrasound so I warned Mr. Bear about it. He is not so sure about it, but I think he'll come around. It will be so worth it!

The First Appointment

Today, I had my first pre-natal appointment. I did not meet with the OB today but with the nurse practitioner, which is standard for by OB/GYN office. Since they calculate the due date by the date of your last menstrual period, they have my due date as June 4th, 2009, which puts me at about 9 weeks. But since I was charting I know that I ovulated late and I believe that I am around 8 weeks. When I had my pelvic exam, the nurse practitioner said that it felt like I was probably about 7-8 weeks rather than 9. I told her! They will check at my ultrasound next week.

I cannot wait for my ultrasound! It is too early to hear the heartbeat with the Doppler, but the ultrasound will be able to detect a heartbeat. I can’t wait. This appointment wasn’t very exciting and I am glad I didn’t have Mr. Bear come with me for this one. There really was nothing for him. I had a pap smear and pretty routine exam. I gave a urine sample, which I learned that I will have to do at every visit. And I came away with a packet of information and nice goody bag filled with stuff. I will get to actually see an OB in 4 weeks and by then I will be out of the first trimester. I will see the OB every 4 weeks at first, and in the beginning of the third trimester every 2 weeks, and then from 36 weeks until I deliver once a week.

I am a little disappointed that when I asked about exercise, she said that I shouldn’t run. What?? I know several pregnant women who do run. She said that I can do pretty much any exercise that I was doing before pregnancy but she advises women not to run because you want to keep you heart rate at a certain level. I am little bummed out about that. But, she also said that running will not harm Baby Bear.

I have been reading up on it and it is okay to run but you do need to be careful with the possibility of overheating yourself. I guess I can maybe do a slow jog/walk. I work out a lot and I was doing very high intensity exercises prior to pregnancy in addition to running. She said I could do aerobics and anything else but, a lot of those are high impact, high intensity activities that were very similar to running. I don’t think she did a very good job at getting to know what I actually do.

I have still been exercising, but I have toned it down. In step class, I have gone down a step and I don’t do the plyos. In yoga, I don’t go into or attempt the intermediate/advanced poses like I used to. In my strength training, I use light weights. It has been a little difficult since I do want to go all out and stay fit. But I also know that I need to do what is best for Baby Bear and listen to my body. I am glad that I can still exercise.

Told BFF

Last night, I called one of my oldest and closest friends. I told her the news and she was sooo happy for us. It was nice to finally tell someone and I am so glad that I told her. She couldn't have been more happy. Right off the bat the asked if she could throw a baby shower for me. She is just the sweetest and best friend a person can have. Her support and love is so great. I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful person in my life.

She has two children and shared some advice and some of her experiences, which were so helpful. I know that she is someone I can turn to for advice. i may need to bring her with me when the time comes to register for the baby. She has already given some great advice for my shrinking bras. There are bra extenders I can buy or help for in between sizes, I am going this weekend to check those out and possibly get some new bras. I am in need.

It was a little earlier than I wanted to tell people, but since Mr. Bear has been telling his friends, I really wanted to share the news with mine. And she is one of my nearest and dearest friends. In the next few weeks, I will slowly start sharing the news with my friends. I still want to wait at work. In time the world will know!!

Week 8: fingers and toes

Baby Bear has grown from a blueberry to a raspberry. Growing oh so fast! Baby Bear is looking more and more like a baby (human baby, that is). From the hands and feet are coming fingers and toes. The heart is beating faster and the womb is growing.

Nausea and no appetite

I had been feeling so well and this afternoon the nausea returned. Ugh, not feeling so well now. I guess I should not complain since I have been very fortunate for feeling so well. But nothing sounds good to eat either. Ugh, I feel so blah. I was lucky but I knew that wouldn't last forever.

I am looking forward to my first appointment on Thursday! After that I think we will tell other family and close friends. I am excited to tell some people. Mr. Bear has already told quite a few people already. Our parents, however, have respected our (my) wishes to wait a little before going public. They are very excited and dying to tell people, as am I. I guess Mr. Bear has been pretty excited as well and really hasn't done to well keeping this little secret. I am happy that he is excited.

I do think I will wait a little longer before revealing my pregnancy at work. I want to give myself a little time with my new job to prove myself.

Patience

My first appointment is next week and that will be an appointment with a nurse practitioner. After that I will get an appointment with my doctor. I am dying to make sure that all is good. I know I must have patience.

I so want to tell people, especially some friends, but I want to wait until I know that all is well. I must have patience.

It is so hard to be so excited and happy about something, but not be able to share it with people. Plus, I would also like to tell important people in my life person. Unfortunately, being busy people in a busy world, I don't always get to see many people in person very often. I must have patience.

There is many months to be happy and share this exciting time with friends and family, I just want it to be now! Having patience is hard!

Been feeling pretty good

Not great all the time, but not too bad. The other day I really wanted a Big Mac so we had McDonald's for dinner. The funny thing is I'm not even a big fan of McD'S. But the Big Mac, fries, and strawberry shake (I needed my calcium!) was really good. Potato chips have been great too.

I am very lucky that I haven't had any morning sickness yet. I know it may still come, but I sure have been eating a lot of junk. During the day I do try to make healthy food choices. But it can be hard when I eat at college dining hall with many choices on most days. But I have been pretty good for the most part. It is in the evenings when I start to feel more blah and pretty much nothing sounds good so I end up eating very little or junk. I guess I can't complain. At least, I am not vomiting all the time. I can deal with a little nausea and cramps.

Week 7: Hands and feets

Baby Bear's hands and feets (yes, I know feet is plural without the s, but I like to say feets instead, haha) are emerging from developing arms and legs. They probably don't really look like hand and feet yet. Baby Bear has doubled in size since last week! And Baby Bear is 10,000 times bigger than a month ago! Wow how fast Baby Bear grows, now about the size of a blueberry! My little blueberry how I love you.

A lot is happening with Baby Bear beside the hands and feets. The brain is growing and so the head is growing too! Baby Bear has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually help in digestion. The umbilical cord is starting to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from Baby Bear blueberry sized body.

Photo Source

A pregnant woman at Oktoberfest

Despite being a pregnant woman at Oktoberfest, I had an enjoyable time. At first, most just believed that I was designated driver so no beer for me. I did have my fill of bratwurst and funnel cake. Yummy. After Mr. Bear found "das boot" and filled it with beer (see picture), he spilled the news to a couple of guys and it spread like wild fire to the group. He was very excited to share his news and just couldn't keep it a secret for very long. Immediately a couple of the boys came up to me to find out if it was true. They were so excited for this wonderful news and it really made me feel so good that the boys were so excited for us. We are so blessed to have people who are so supportive and happy for us. Wow, those boys might have had a lot of beer but their happiness was genuine. Who would have thought boys would be happy about a baby!

Baby Bump watch: week 7

My first baby bump picture. Well, it is all bloat and not much of a real baby bump and it doesn't look as big as it feels. I feel so fat right now and knowing that Baby Bear is only the size of pea makes me feel even fatter. Can't wait until this bloat goes away and it is a really baby bump. (Sorry for the messy room)

My co-worker is pregnant too!!!

I am so excited and happy for her! She just told me at lunch. She thinks that she is about 9 weeks, but she may be a little closer to me. She just found out recently and will have her appointment to confirm how far along she is. She has slowly been telling people on campus because of her past history. Her first child is an absolutely beautiful boy who has special needs. Her second son was born too early and is now an angel in heaven. So with the risks she has faced in the past, she is letting people know a little early in case she may have to go on bed rest.

When she told me I was sooooo utterly happy for her. I ended up telling her that I was also pregnant. I am so glad that we will share this time together. I hadn't planned to tell anyone at work until after Thanksgiving, when I knew I had past the first trimester and made it through my first month in my new position. But I felt so honored by her sharing her special news with me, that I wanted to reciprocate and share my news as well. I know she will be discrete and keep my secret. This is such an exciting time. It will be nice to have someone to corroborate with in this experience.

I am a large breasted starving woman

My boobs are huge! Mr. Bear noticed yesterday that my boobs have grown. I have always worn "miracle" padded type bras. Not anymore, I have to tone them down a bit so that it is not so noticeable. Wow!

On top of that I am starving all the time. The students I work with must think I am a little piggy. I am constantly snacking at my desk because I am starving. I need something pretty much every hour and it seems like there is no end in sight. Funny thing is even with all this eating, I haven't gain a pound yet. Very strange to me. I better be pregnant, because if I am not there is something wrong with me.

All the parents are in the know

Monday night, we went to tell Mr. Bear's mom and step-dad. We brought up our new van for them to check out. It is nice to have some other news to share so they aren't so suspicious by our visit. While they were looking at our new van, Mr. Bear told them. They were very excited and even busted out some champagne (sparkling apple cider for me). It was nice to see the big smile on his mom's face.

Last night, we told Mr. Bear's dad. I happened to get a pregnancy book that I had ordered in the mail. I was opening the box and asked him if he wanted to see the book I got. I handed it over to him and he looked at it and looked at me and asked me if I was pregnant. He was a little shocked and had to sit down. He was pretty excited about it and in fact teared up a little. That was really sweet.

So now all the parents know. It felt good to tell them. In about 6 weeks we'll let more people know. For now I am trying to keep a tight lip about it. Although I just found out that Mr. Bear told his best friend the other night we went out. I am not surprised that he told him, he was one of the first to know when they were pregnant. Plus, I know that Mr. Bear is just pretty excited about it. Now I really want to tell one of my dearest best friends. I want to tell her in person, but the next time I see her will be at a kid's birthday party with all our friends. So I don't know that that would be the best time. I may just break down and call her. We'll see how long I can hold out.

Week 6: Baby Bear has a head!

A lot is going on this week. Baby Bear is the size of a sweet pea and now has a head and trunk. There are dark spots marking facial features of ears, eyes, and mouth. The kidneys, liver, and lungs are beginning to develop as well. Buds are showing that will develop into arms and legs. Later this week, my little embryo will start making movement. What an exciting week for Baby Bear!

Photo Source

Told my parents

Tonight, we went out to dinner with my mommy and daddy and told them the great news. They were totally excited!

While at dinner, I told my parents we had some good news. I gave them the news about my new job and though they were happy about it, I think they were hoping for different good news. Well I told them how exciting I was about having this new job and that the job security was very important especially because I was pregnant. My mommy started tearing up and my daddy was so happy. Next we will tell Mr. Bear's parents. Can't wait to see how they react. I am sure they will be just as happy.

Hiding it from the friends

We will tell our parents very soon, but we are not quite ready to let friends and extended family know quite yet. Saturday night, we went to dinner with some friends to celebrate a friend's birthday. It was fun to go out and have a good time, but it sure was hard not to drink. Everyone kept asking me if I wanted a drink. Fortunately, I am not a big drinker so I don't think anyone was suspicious.

I did do my best to pretend, I held onto a glass of wine and claimed not to like the wine and gave the rest to Mr. Bear. I had a fake cranberry and vodka (vodka replaced with sprite). Later in the night I claimed that my stomach was hurting (I was a little nauseous anyways) and so that gave me an excuse not to drink.

At the beginning of the evening people were asking us about kids and when we would start having kids. All I could say was, "we'll see what happens" or "when it happens it happens." Mr. Bear simply avoided the question and didn't say a thing. I think everyone will be really happy when they find out.

Feeling pretty good

I have been feeling pretty good. The pregnancy symptoms this week are not so bad. They come and go. I guess I should enjoy this time because who knows when that could all change and I can end up being sick as a dog. All I care is that Baby Bear is healthy and growing and developing. I am lucky for now.

Tonight we are going out to L.A. to celebrate a good friend's birthday. No drinking for me! Somehow I will have to hide the fact that I am not drinking. Fortunately I am not a big drinker so no one will probably notice. I just need to make sure no one buys me a drink or anything. I so wish I could tell people. I want people to know but we will wait until after Thanksgiving. By then the first trimester will have past and all should be well. We are, however, planning to tell our parents very soon. We are just too excited to keep this from them any longer. Tomorrow, we are having dinner with my parents to let them know. I can't wait!

Hungry, hungry hippo

That's me! This week, I am hungry all the time! Last week, I was nauseous so I could never tell if I was hungry. That is definitely not the case this week. I am not so nauseous and definitely hungry. I seem to really love carbs! Pasta and crackers are so yummy to me.

A new pregnancy symptom I have been experiencing this week is back pain and cramps. I am not liking those so much. They make me worry that something is wrong. But from all I've read cramps are very common. I need to not worry and realize that my body is going through so many changes and that is a sign of pregnancy. I am positive that all is good. I can't wait until my first appointment.

I am still way tired in the afternoons. The last two nights I have gone to bed before 10pm. I still wake up several times a night to head over to the bathroom though. I guess uninterrupted sleep may be a thing of the past, sigh.

Photo Source

I am sooo tired all the time

I just can't seem to get enough rest. I wake up a couple of times each night to go pee and sometimes have a hard time getting back to sleep. I was experiencing this in the weeks before I found out I was pregnant. At the time, I could not figure out why I kept getting up in the middle of the night so often to go to the bathroom. Now I realize it was because of pregnancy and hormones.

In the afternoons, I am am so so tired. I can barely stay awake to get through work. I am constantly yawning. I am yawning as I write this post. Well, I better work up some energy since I rode my bike to work today. I got to get home and my means of transportation today is the bike. I hope the exercise will give me some energy.

Week 5: The heart is beating

Baby Bear is an embryo and growing very quickly and is now about the size of a sesame seed. Baby Bear is looking kind of like a tiny tadpole. Baby Bear's heart will start to beating and pumping blood this week. The neural tube is developing and from this Baby Bear's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will develop. The placenta and umbilical cord are starting to provide nourishment and oxygen to Baby Bear. Wow, a lot has happened! Develop, Baby Bear, Develop!

Grow, Baby Bear, Grow!

Last Week, I found out that a friend of mine was pregnant via IVF. Today, I learned that the pregnancy is no longer viable and they will try IVF again. I am so sad for them. We would have been due at about the same time.

Baby Bear keep cooking in my tummy and grow!! I know that the first trimester is when a miscarriage is most likely to occur. I just pray that Baby Bear keeps growing and developing inside of me. I do worry, but I also know that I can't be worrying too much because the stress is not good for Baby Bear. I am very positive that Baby Bear will be strong and healthy!

Today, I told one of my friends the news about my new job and when I told her, she was of course very happy for me. She told me that she thought I was going to tell her that I was pregnant. I would have loved to tell her and share the news, but we are waiting until after Thanksgiving to let people know. It is just a little funny that she said that considering that I am indeed pregnant.

Baby Bear and I did a triathlon!

I completed my first relay triathlon today! For a recap see my other blog, Sher's Corner.

I have been training for this since July and when I found out I was pregnant last week, I knew that I still had to do it. I am early in my pregnancy and I knew that since I had been training regularly that I could get through this. I told myself that I would finish this and that would be my goal, I was not going to push myself too hard. Amazingly, I was still able to run the 10K in a personal record time, 1:11, which is better than I thought I would ever do. I really think that I could have ran in less time had I not been trying to be a little careful for Baby Bear's sake. I am pretty proud of Baby Bear and I!

Here I go (notice my number strategically covering my bloated tummy):



Here I come entering the home stretch:



We (Baby Bear and I) did it!!

Blood test confirmed!

I am definitely pregnant! Wohoo!! I just set-up my first appointment with a nurse practitioner for October 30th. I will be about 8 weeks then. It will be an orientation and then I will get an appointment for my first ultrasound. OMG, this is real!!

It better be real because I have been feeling queasy and I am tired a lot. But I am willing to deal with those not so great symptoms. Luckily, I haven't been vomiting or having awful morning sickness like stories I have heard. I hope the queasiness is the bulk of my morning sickness and doesn't go much further than that. What I have found to help is eating little snacks and working out.

Week 4

Weeks pregnant are calculated from the week of your last missed period. Since I was charting my temperatures, I am quite fortunate to have an idea of when ovulation took place. So I think I am at about 4 weeks (when I finally have my doctor appointment, I will be able to confirm). The developmental psychologist in me wants to know what is happening and developing at this time. I've been looking back at my old books and I figured that each week I will share about how Baby Bear is developing.

The first 2 weeks after conception is call the period of the zygote. It is during this time that cells are dividing. We have past that first period and are now in the period of the embryo, which will last until 10 weeks (the periods don't really match up with the trimesters, but developmental psychologists talk about these periods).

Right now, Baby Bear is really tiny no bigger than a poppy seed (about one millimeter). There is a lot beginning to form to get ready to feed and protect Baby Bear: the amniotic sac (where Baby Bear will live for the next 9 months), amniotic fluid (to cushion the baby), and the yolk sac (produces nutrients until the placenta is fully formed and developed).

Exciting times ahead. I already have so much love for my little poppy seed. It is so exciting to know what is going on inside of me and how my Baby Bear is forming.

Filled with great news all around

I just found out that a long time friend (actually my childhood neighbor who I coincidentally found on an online message board for wedding planning recently) is pregnant. I am sooooo happy for her. She is very early, like me, but she has shared this info on the online message board that we both frequent. She had some difficulties and went through IVF. What wonderful news!! I wish I could share with her and the other girls on the board my good news. But I must wait, it is not time yet.

More good news, I was offered a new position at work today!! There was a possibility that my current position would be eliminated or downsized due to budgetary concerns. My boss and my former boss were trying to find some solutions to keep me by restructuring my position so that my pay came from different departments. Well, this new position came to my attention on Tuesday, just 2 days ago. I received a call and they specifically thought of me for the position and wanted to see if I was interested. It is actually a better fit for me and a great new challenge. So of course I was interested. Today, I got the call that I was approved for the position and that I will probably start next month. For the rest of the academic years, I will work 50/50 in the new position and in my current position to allow for a smooth transition and to complete the commitments I began in my current position.

I am so utterly excited. This is such wonderful news and this new position provides a lot more job security for me, which I really need since Baby Bear is on its way. Of course, they don't know I am pregnant, but I am pretty sure I can work something out to make this all work. Beside I cannot be discriminated against due to pregnancy!!

When to tell

I went to get my blood work today. Now I have to wait for the results and then I can make our first real doctors appointment.

My pants are so tight, I am sooo bloated. What always makes me feel better is working out, so I went to the gym. I ran a couple of miles at a moderate pace and I took my favorite yoga class. I told my yoga instructor, Monica, and she was so happy. I don't want people to know since it is very early but I wanted to make sure I didn't do anything to harm my Baby Bear. She was great and explained to me a few poses that I should be careful with and modifications I can do with those poses. She is so knowledgeable and told me she has had pregnant women in her class who make it through the whole pregnancy. That is my hope. She reminded me to listen to my body and if I need to get out of a pose to get out of it. She was so excited for me and told me to let her know when she can start telling people.

Mr. Bear told his work partner yesterday. He felt that since he spends 50 hours a week with him, that he should let him know in case he starts acting strange. My funny bear. I love him and I know he just wanted to tell someone.

I actually can't wait to start telling people. I so want to tell our parents and I think Mr. Bear wants to tell them too. Mr. Bear and I have talked about and were going to wait to tell our parents until after our first appointment. So hopefully that will be soon. We will tell friends and extended family around the holiday season, after Thanksgiving, since that will lead us into the second trimester. It will really help to have something positive to focus on for the holiday season, as this will be the first holiday season without Tricia. It will mark a year since she was taken from us. Last year was a difficult holiday season, so hopefully this will help us cope.

The next morning

This morning, as we were getting ready for work, Mr. Bear asked me if it was time to get our baby on the waiting list for preschool. Silly Bear, we don't even know if it is a boy or girl. He was already thinking about Baby Bear's future. It was a really nice talk.

Boy or Girl, it doesn't matter, all I know is I am having a Baby Bear!!! I can't wait. I already love this baby so much.

I'm gonna be a mama bear!

After work, I went home and I finally peed on a stick. Low and behold:



Two lines! I am pregnant! I can't believe it. We just began trying this month and I figured it would take a few months before I got pregnant. Being the researcher I am, I had read so much about the statistics and just began to chart my BBT to determine when I would ovulate. Somehow it all worked out and we will have our Baby Bear in June! I am so excited.

After I saw the 2 lines on the stick, I wanted to call Mr. Bear right away to tell him. But I also knew this was something that had to be done in person. I wanted to wait to pee on a stick with him home so that we could have taken the test together. But I was feeling so tired that I just had to find out once and for all. I couldn't wait. I waited as long as I could wait. I felt queasy last week and was doing my best to be realistic about the chances and not get my hopes up too high. But it was getting closer and closer to when my period should have appeared and my temperatures were still high and actually showing a triphasic pattern. Okay the psychologist has to show you the chart.



A triphasic pattern is a really great sign. I was getting really hopeful and I've wanted this for so long. So I tested so I would know and if I wasn't I could move on and get ready to try for next month. But we don't need to try again!

Mr. Bear finally came home from work. He gave me a kiss and asked about my day. I told him it was a good day. As he sat down and started to unwind from work and take off his shoes, I told him that I needed to show him something. I grabbed the stick and told him I took a test. I showed him the stick, he smiled and said "your pregnant?" I said "yes!" He asked me if I was happy. Oh course I was!!

Funny thing is, we went on with the rest of the evening like nothing new had occurred. I think we were both trying to take it in and process it all. It was a surreal feeling.