Weekend Recap

This weekend started out on a somewhat lazy note.  I taught yoga on Friday evening (only 2 more classes left, in case you want to come!)  Mark and I just had a relaxing evening at home grilling burgers and watching a movie.

I got up on Saturday morning to go to a barre class with my friend Sonja.  It was at Blooma which does mostly prenatal classes, but their barre class is for everyone.  It was a HARD class!  I have taken barre before, but the instructor kicked my butt for sure.  She did offer lots of prenatal modifications though, which I definitely took!  My friend and I had a little coffee date afterwards and chatted until about noon.  After I got home and all cleaned up, Mark and I went out to make a major purchase- a new washer and dryer!  Seriously, I feel really old being so excited about getting new appliances, but I can't wait until they are delivered later this week! This is what we picked out:

We stopped at Target to pick out a few baby related things and then headed over to our friends Brian and Amanda's for Amanda's birthday party.  It was a really fun party, but it was a wine tasting thing…so obviously I couldn't really partake in the main activity.  Its always fun when this couple has a party though because I get to see a lot of friends from college AND grad school.  Fun fact, I went to college with Brian and grad school with Amanda…and I set them up on their very first date!  Now they've been married for almost 4 years!  We were out way too late though and I was exhausted when we got home.

I had to get up early to teach yoga on Sunday morning.  I had a really annoying experience with this class and to be honest, I am really glad it was my last Sunday morning class there.  Its a donation based class, which means I only get paid what people donate…and well, not one person donated on Sunday, so basically got up early and gave up 2 hours of my time for free.  I don't think I will return to teaching this particular class after I have the baby.  I might return to teach another Yin class there, but I'm thinking that I might look for a different studio.  Any favorite studios around that I should pursue??

I spent the rest of Sunday trying to relax, but I also did quite a bit of work.  I prepped food for the week, did some cleaning, and painted some shelving for the nursery.  I can't wait to show you guys some pictures once we get our furniture!

Decisions

I have a lot of things to make decisions about lately, but one that has been taking up the most space in my brain is about my job. 

I love my job and don't plan on ever leaving unless something major happens.  I used to think I would want to stay at home when I had kids, but now I can't really imagine not having a job that gives me professional satisfaction, and interaction with co-workers I actually like.  Most of you know that I also teach yoga as a side gig, which I have really enjoyed over the past year.  But, with impending changes on the horizon, I knew something would have to give initially. 

Recently, a new position at my job has opened up and I was given the opportunity to take it.  Actually, I have been working really hard over the last year to secure this role as I had a feeling it would open.  I'll still do the same job, just with a different schedule.  The big difference is that its 3 days per week- Monday, Tuesday, Friday.  To me, it seems like an ideal schedule for a new mom.

Not that I expect any of you to keep up with my yoga schedule, but you might be wondering what will happen to the class I teach on Friday afternoon.  Well, here is what's going on.  I will be done teaching yoga at the end of April until next fall sometime. I have to let the Friday class go in order to take on my new role at work, and it just makes sense for me to also let the Sunday class go for the summer.  I share that class with another teacher who will keep teaching it with the help of a different teacher.  

Honestly, there are some good things about that Sunday class, but since I also work a lot of weekends at my job, I am kind of tired of always having an obligation on the weekend, especially Sunday morning.  Plus, I really need to have some open weekends this summer for other stuff!

Ideally, I wouldn't have to make all of these changes until closer to August, but the new position is open at the beginning of May, so that is when I will make the transition.  I know this is the best situation for our growing family, but I am really sad to see my Friday yoga class come to and end.  

Week 20

Whoa! Halfway there, that is amazing!  By far the best part of the week was finding out we're having a GIRL. 

I feel like this weeks picture makes my bump look way bigger.  It was at the end of the day after eating so I'm sure that helped!

Symptoms?

Really awful back/neck pain.  It has been radiating down both arms and into my chest even.  At times, the pain is so intense that I feel sick.  

Stretch marks?

No!

Food cravings?

Not really.  I have been trying to eat more since I found out that I'm only up 2 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight.  I don't weigh myself at home and haven't looked at the scale at my doctor's office since my 8 week appt.  I'm having a hard time eating more though because I seem to eat a normal sized meal and then stay uncomfortably full for hours.  I guess I'm trying more calorie dense foods now.  Yesterday I asked Mark if we could go out for ice cream "a few times a week" this summer!

Movement?

Still not quite sure, but I'm pretty certain that I can feel little jabs here and there.  I have an anterior placenta which I guess makes it more difficult to feel movement. 

Workouts?

I only went for a few walks this week, didn't really feel much like exercising, so I'm just listening to my body on that one.  I was extremely tired all week due to not sleeping because of my back pain. 

Gender?

GIRL!!! GIRL!!!! GIRL!!!

Maternity clothes? 

I still feel like I don't really NEED to wear maternity clothes, but they are sooo much comfier.  I can't wait to wear  dresses this summer!

what I miss? 

Not too much, I guess sleeping well though. 

I'm linking up today with Kristin for Baby Talk!

Baby H is a….

Before I get started here, I just want to mention that a friend of mine found out that she had a miscarriage this weekend.  I've been really heartbroken for her and torn about how to proceed with my own happy news.  I know she's the gracious type of person who would tell me to continue to celebrate my own healthy pregnancy, especially after all of the ovulation tests, charting, negative pregnancy tests…etc.  But I can't in good consciousness pretend like this didn't happen.  So before you proceed with reading this, please say a prayer for my friends healing.

And now….here is some GOOD news:

We are having a baby GIRL!!  Of course we would have been happy either way, but we both had a pretty strong feeling that it was a girl. Well, I guess Mark had a strong feeling.  I did have that feeling for all of the first trimester and up until a few weeks ago, but then I totally changed my mind, so I was thinking boy going into the ultrasound.  

We told Mark's parents the news via Skype, and they were really happy since his family has pretty much all boys.  We told my parents at my dad's birthday dinner- I baked cupcakes with PINK filling.

Bring on the tutus and headbands!! And give me ALL OF THE PINK!

The Ultimate March Madness- Jellybean Addition

It's not technically March anymore, but since the NCAA tournament is still going on, I thought I'd share my bracket.  No, not that bracket.  I'm not much of a basketball fan, but my husband and his family all watch basketball all. day. every. day…..seriously.  So of course we all make brackets and compete with each other…thanks Arizona for securing a big fat loss for me this year, btw.  

I would much rather spend my time on something I feel passionate about- like candy.  I have been on the hunt for a few years now for the perfect jellybean, and yes, I am being completely honest here.  Full disclosure, I am a candy addict.  And proud of it.   I love chewy/fruity/juicy candy, so jellybeans are pretty much the trifecta.  

This year, I focused specifically on what I consider to be Easter jellybeans.  No special flavor themes like "tropical" or "spiced", these are all for the original flavors.  I disqualified Jellybellys because I don't consider them Easter specific, you can find those bad boys at all times of the year, trust me on this.  I chose 4 teams for the selective tourney- Starburst, Sweet Tart, Jolly Rancher, and Brach's.  Judging was completed by a highly trained candy professional- me.  The scores were determined by highly specific statistical analysis of the following categories:

1. Flavor Variety

2. Flavor Quality

3. Texture ie. chewiness vs hard shell factor

And drumroll please….the results!

It was a tough battle this year.  Sweet Tart succumbed to Starburst in the first round due to lack of flavor variety.  Brach's played a shut out against Jolly Rancher who failed to achieve greatness in any category.  It was a battle to the end between Brach's and Starburst.  The elusive black licorice jellybean including in Brach's original was the secret weapon, but ultimately not strong enough to defeat the mouth-watering red Starburst.  Starburst reigns victorious until the battle continues next year.  Congratulations to all Starburst flavors, its quite the accomplishment!

Boy or Girl

Thank you SO much if you responded to my post about having anxiety over the gender.  It makes me feel so much better to know I'm not alone.  We are finding out the gender of our little dumpling TODAY!  In fact, we might already know depending on when you read this because we have a morning appointment!  Just for fun though, lets go through the old wives tales and make a prediction.  I have my prediction already but I will save that for later.  Like I mentioned yesterday, I can't say anything on here until next week because I'm telling family and friends over the weekend!  This is going to be a hard secret to keep!

Morning sickness

Supposedly having morning sickness means you're having a girl.  No morning sickness means a boy.  I did have morning sickness, though it wasn't terrible.

 GIRL.

Ring Test

Hang a ring from a string and hold it over your belly.  If it goes in a circle, its a boy.  If it goes back and  forth, its a girl.  

GIRL

Skin

If you break out like crazy, its a girl.  If you're skin is clear, its a boy!  My skin broke out right away when I found out I was pregnant, then it cleared up.  It has broken out several more times though, which is unusual.

GIRL

The Mayans

If the year of conception and the mothers age are BOTH even or odd, its a girl.  If one is even, and one is odd, its a boy.

BOY

Baking Soda Test

Put a little baking soda into a cup and then pee in it.  If it does nothing, its a girl.  If it fizzes, its a boy.  I did this…yes, I peed into baking soda.  I think there's a test like this with drano, but we didn't have any drano!

GIRL

Chinese Birth Chart

Try it HERE.

BOY

Cravings

Craving sweets means a girl, craving salty/sour stuff means a boy!  I have craved a lot of sour stuff, but mostly stuff that is sour AND sweet, like sour patch kids or orange juice.   Plus, I want ice cream and oreos a lot!

GIRL

Heart Beat

If the baby's heart beat is over 140, its a girl.  Under 140 is a boy.  The heart beat has always been between 155-175.

GIRL

Well as you can see, the wives tales point towards girl on everything except those birth charts.  Only one test will really tell though and I. CAN'T. WAIT.  What is your guess??

Week 19

Please excuse the puppy stuffed animal in this picture, we had just gone to Ikea and this little guy was so cute, he looks just like our puppy looked.  We bought it for the nursery, but our dog has already taken a liking to it, I guess we might need to get two.

Symptoms?

I spent a day last week with a horrible pain in my left lower back.  I freaked out that I had kidney stones or something, but the pain went away the next morning and hasn't returned.  Keeping my fingers crossed on that one.  I've had round ligament pains on and off too, but overall I am feeling pretty good.

Stretch marks?

No!

Food cravings?

I am back to NOTHING sounding good.  It has made meal planning a real mess because whatever I plan on Sunday sounds terrible by Wednesday.  We're just going to go day by day this week and see if thats better for now.

Movement?

Still not quite sure, but I think I feel little flutters/bubbles starting.  It mostly happens in the evening after dinner, but it really hasn't been too consistent.

Workouts?

I went to the gym 3 times and walked the dog twice again.  I'm finding running to be kind of hard because I constantly feel like I have to pee.  The elliptical machine has been awesome though, I never use it normally but I feel that I will be spending a lot of time on it this month!

Gender?

We find out TOMORROW!!! OMG! I won't say anything until next week though…we are telling my family on Friday and I'm seeing my friends on Sunday night to tell them.

Maternity clothes? 

I still feel like I don't really NEED to wear maternity clothes, but they are sooo much comfier.  I can't wait to wear  dresses this summer!

what I miss? 

Not much right now!  I feel pretty content :)

I'm linking up today with Kristin for Baby Talk!