The rules according to Kevin.

Many women read books when they become pregnant that list the plethora of activities you can no longer do, the foods you can no longer eat and the chemicals you should no longer come in contact with. In addition to the list, my husband has come up with his own set of rules that he thinks are going to protect me and the baby. I thought I'd share his new set of rules for my life:

1. NO BLEACH. This one is pretty tricky when it comes to doing laundry. I use bleach in my white loads, as I try to keep them looking bright. According to Kevin, the scent of bleach is very harmful for me and baby, even if it is only for a second while I pour and drop it in the load. Thus, if I need to put bleach in the washing machine or even spot-treat a garment, he must assist. "Assist" meaning he turns on the fan, he measures and pours the bleach and I am at least one foot outside the laundry room door. Sometimes, I find myself hiding it...much like sneaking a cig so your spouse won't find out. Afterward, I make sure to wash my hands so he can't smell the bleach on me. A little silly if you ask me.

2. NO DISINFECTING WIPES. So, now that I know I am not allowed to wipe down the counters in the bathroom I feel a really big urge to. Guess I'll have to get Kevin to do so. Oh well, no sweat off my back. Looks like I have a new cleaning buddy :)

3. NO NAIL POLISH OR NAIL POLISH REMOVER. I don't follow this one very often, but I will listen to his spiel. Sorry, Kevin, but I have to do whatever I can to doctor up these Fred Flintstone feet. Even Baby Claire doesn't want to be embarrassed by those suckers.

4. NO GOING OUTSIDE ALONE AT NIGHT. This rule isn't a problem. According to Kevin, pregnant women are at a slightly higher risk than non-pregnant women when alone in public. Why his rule is only at night? I'm not sure. But, since I am already paranoid and I don't particularly want to be stalked by a crazy baby snatcher, I have no problem following this rule. Unless, of course, it's to go outside to water the plants. There has to be some give and take.

5. FILL UP AT A QUARTER TANK. This rule is tough for me. I tend to push my car to the limit with the gas gauge. I just don't like to fill up my tank. It's depressing. All that money going down the drain, basically. So I avoid it at all costs. Now that I am pregnant, Kevin says I must fill up each and every time I reach a quarter of a tank. His thinking is that he doesn't want me to go into labor and have to stop at the gas station or get stranded on the side of the street when I should be at the hospital. I explained to him that I will not be driving myself to the hospital when in labor, but he's always thinking of the emergency situations. It makes sense. But it's still hard.

6. NO CAFFEINE. Surprisingly, I've done really well with this rule. Instead of just switching to caffeine-free Diet Coke (mainly because it tastes like liquid cardboard), I highly restricted my soda intake completely. If I am going to drink soda, it's either root beer or 7up (both are naturally caffeine free). Thankfully, I've never been much of a coffee drinker and switching to caffeine-free tea hasn't been a problem.

7. NO SOFT CHEESES. Now I just think this rule is stupid. It's not like I eat brie everyday. The only soft cheese I really consume (and I'm not even sure if it's actually considered a soft cheese) is blue cheese and the occasional cream cheese on a bagel. If the argument is that soft cheese is not pasteurized so it's not suitable for pregnant women, I do not agree. My cream cheese says right on the package that it's pasteurized. And the small amount of blue cheese dressing I happen to eat maybe twice a month is not enough to do anything. Sorry, Kevin, but this one is a no-go.

8. NO BIKE RIDING. Kevin's thinking is that pregnant women lose their balance easily and falling from a bicycle could really injure the baby or myself. I agree. And, since I don't even own a bike, this rule doesn't really apply.

I'm sure there are many more than just 8. This is just all my pregnant brain can think of at the moment. Mama's getting tired.

Just Between Friends

There is going to be a fabulous baby sale coming up for all you fabulous baby mama's. It's the nation's leading childrens and maternity consignment sales event ever right here in our backyard! The Just Between Friends Sale at the Portland Expo Center September 17-18 from is going to be a blast! Here's the info:

JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS SALE
Portland Expo Center - Hall A
1st time parents presale:
Friday, Sept 16 at 2.30pm
Open to the public:
Saturday, Sept 17 from 9am-4pm
and
Sunday, Sept 18 (9am-2pm)

*Please bring shopping bags to take home your masses of goods for baby*
*They accept cash, debit cards, MasterCard and Visa (ATM on site)*

But here's the kicker...all first time parents get in one day early to shop and save! Well, technically, all first time mama's get in one day early plus one guest. That could be the baby daddy or, if he's not too keen on shopping, a mother-soon-to-be-grandma will definitely make a great shopping buddy. But you must sign up to be allowed into the pre-sale. In order to sign up for the pre-sale (which I've already done and is completely free, click here. I believe they will also send you an email reminder when the event date gets closer.

Let me know if you have any questions! Hope to see you there. I'm pretty excited about this one!!

Let me just say...

I did it. I made myself do it. I tried on my pre-pregnancy jeans and...dun dun dun...they fit like a glove! No sucking in. No bulging. No laying down to make them button. They still fit perfectly at 6 months pregnant. I must say, I am very proud of myself. I am hoping this is a sign that I won't gain very much during this pregnancy. It seems to be a big issue for some but hasn't been for me so far. Knock on wood.

After my high-five from the husband, he mentioned they still fit great and I could still wear them everyday if I wanted. But that's the thing...why wear those jeans when maternity jeans exist!? It's like when people say that high heels look cute but were basically created by the devil to torture women's feet. That whole idea that beauty is pain. Well, not for me, especially now. Heels may have been invented by the devil but I am convinced that maternity jeans are woven by the angels in heaven. Amidst all the nausea, exhaustion, mood swings and swollen body parts, they are the silver lining. So ridiculously comfy. I may never go back.

Anyway, this post is basically pointless to most but exciting for me. It needed to be documented. Well, actually, I just needed to tell someone. And perfect timing...my chocolate cake is done! ;)

The Bump

After many requests, it's finally been caught on camera. The baby bump. Here we are, mama and baby Garvey, visiting Multnomah Falls on Sunday, August 27, 2011 at 24.5 weeks pregnant. Photo courtesy of the Papa.

I must say, I have mixed feelings about this photo. I don't like the lighting, the angle is not the most flattering, I can't believe how H U G E my boobs have already gotten, I look super washed-out, etc. But I also think I look really happy. Probably because I am. Then again, maybe this photo really isn't so bad.
Dear Claire,
Even though my feet swell until my toes look like little smokies and I get tired easier, I still love carrying you around with me. I wouldn't trade it for the world. We'll go back to Multnomah Falls again one day.
Love,
Your mama

Finding a place to nest...

The ache for home lives in all of us,
the safe place where we can go as we are
and not be questioned."

It's that time again. After a short hiatus, we're itching to have our own place again so we can set up the baby's room and get all her stuff organized. She's going to be here before we know it. My parents have generously hosted us and the Monst for the majority of the summer and it has been great! All the money that has been saved has definitely made living out of boxes and keeping 99% of our stuff in storage worthwhile. Going into 2012 as our 8th year of moving and rentals (it all started in college), we are adamant about finding the perfect home this time. No more moving every 9, 10 or 12 months. We are thinking of our baby and the fact that we want to create a home for her to grow up in until we decide we are ready to buy a house. A stable, safe and loving home - that is our main goal.

Our last place was definitely perfect for us at the time. The experience gave us the opportunity to learn what we really wanted and didn't want in our future rental or house purchase. It fit our small family, the tiny yard was great for the Monst, we learned to maneuver through the cracker-jack-box kitchen with two people with minimal burns and our neighbors mostly kept to themselves. Then, once Kevin's car was broken into and I saw a dead body being wheeled off the neighbor's front porch, I was done. Hopefully, this next experience will be a more positive one. Baby Claire deserves it.

Given the economy, I am surprised at the lack of good deals to be found regarding rentals. Currently, most people are dying to get out from under their mortgage so you would think they would offer up a rental agreement not to make extra money, but to keep them from losing everything. Perhaps that isn't the case? The rent for most homes in the area(s) we want are willing to live in and that include the lengthy list of our demands is rather steep compared to what we would pay for an apartment or our previous duplex. We've been researching the market to see what is out there and it seems to be slim pickings. We need a 3 bedroom, preferably one-story, with a fenced yard for the dog. It has to allow pets (obviously), be in a safe and somewhat quiet neighborhood and have a reasonable lease. Once we finally do find something we like that that checks all (or most of) the boxes off our list, it's either in a bad neighborhood, too pricey for our budget or has just been recently rented. This whole find-a-house-before-baby may be harder than we anticipated given our current incomes. Fortunately, we both feel very lucky to be sitting where we are. We both have stable jobs, we have a fantastic marriage and we are going to have a baby. What more could you really ask for? Except mayyyybe a rental house with 2 bathrooms. 2 bathrooms would be oh-so-nice!

And the search continues...

In a nutshell? All is good!

My six month doctor's appointment went off without a hitch today. My blood pressure is still good, a little lower than usual, but good. Doc didn't tell me what the baby's heart BPM was, but it sounded strong and healthy. Judging by her rustling around in there, she seems happy and healthy. I was measured for the first time today and doc says everything is measuring right on track. My weight did go up a few pounds this time around but it's still well below what it was when I first got pregnant. I always said gaining weight wouldn't be a big issue because it's supposed to happen when you're pregnant, but now that the scale is slowly creeping up, it does make me think twice about my eating habits. Whoever said you're eating for two when you're pregnant was making up excuses to pig out :) I eat what I normally would with the exception of more snacking on fresh fruits and veggies (annnd a few peanut butter m&m's here and there). Doc says whatever I've been doing has been working out great for me and the baby. Of course, I didn't tell her about the huge piece of cherry cheesecake I scarfed down on our anniversary or the Panda Express I had for dinner last night :) Hey, you never know what you're gonna crave next! But, I digress...the rest of the appointment was back and forth discussion about my concerns at this point in my pregnancy with Dr Johnson. At this point, I don't have many questions so she told us since the baby is now 24 weeks and at a viable age, she could potentially live if I were to deliver early. Of course, it would be risky and nobody wants that but it's good to know. Basically, she said we need to get our ducks in a row now. It's almost game time. We are going to schedule our birthing classes, my water aerobics classes and get a tour of the labor and delivery ward in asap. Better to be safe than sorry is her thinking. She also gave me the warning signs of premature labor and told me if at any point I think something is wrong, to trust my instincts and just come in. Not a problem! I'm paranoid anyway...I get it from my parents!

On the way home, Kevin and I were talking about my pregnancy thus far and the fact that we both can't believe I'm already at six months. Even though I was sick in the beginning, I've been really blessed with a good pregnancy. No major complications, no scares, etc. If it continues this way until the end, I am going to be one lucky mama. God has given me such peace of mind over the whole situation. I am enjoying being as calm as a cucumber. I just know that it's all in His hands and I'm reminded of that daily. In fact, our next appointment at 28 weeks is going to be the glucose test dun-dun-dun. Basically, I have to drink 8 oz of super concentrated corn-syrup mixed with flat, orange soda on a practically empty stomach, wait an hour then have my blood drawn. This test will tell me if my body can process all the sugar or if I have gestational diabetes. Normally, I would be panicking over the fact that I could even be at risk for gestational diabetes (even though they give this test to every one) and be fretting for a whole month over having my blood drawn, but I'm not worried about either. I trust that my baby and I are in God's hands and that He will take care of us. It's not up to me to worry...that's His job. I'm too busy cooking this little being and contemplating nursery paint colors.

6 months

As of this coming Thursday, August 25, I have been pregnant for half-of-a-year. And I'm pretty sure that's the fastest half-of-a-year that I've ever experienced! I have to admit..the six-month mark kind of snuck up on me. Perhaps I've been too busy (and tired) to really notice. Three months seemed big because that meant I was going to be telling people soon. But, when four months and five months passed without any real significance, I didn't think much about my progress. Now, to say that I am six months pregnant makes it seem so official. This is really happening, people!

Everyday I add to my list of things I want to accomplish. I go over and over the list in my head while at work, but when it comes down to actually getting anything done (and I mean anything), I just simply don't feel like it. The clothes are overflowing in the hamper, but I just don't feel like doing laundry. I can't even tell you the last time I washed our sheets or vaccuumed our room! Hopefully my poor husband won't be forced to start going commando ;) Our bathroom needs a scrub down but it doesn't seem very appealing to me when I actively think of doing it. Plus, the smell of bleach is enough to make the Pregs gag. And organizing my room? Forgetaboutit. I have the desire to go visit my nieces, but I'm just too tired. I love the feeling of checking things off my to-do list but lately, the boxes are left unmarked and I'm lucky if I even find the energy to make it to work on time (keyword: on time). What's going to happen when I'm 8 months along?

I'm also finding myself fighting off the intense urge to organize the baby things (most of which I don't even have yet) and get her nursery set up. Considering we're not even in a rental right now, that's nearly impossible. I guess this is considered the nesting phase. So far, I'm failing. Usually I'd say something positive like "oh, it's okay...we have plenty of time" but at 6 months, I am starting to feel the pressure. Where oh where does the time go?