Atti Bean.

For the first time in this pregnancy, I finally look the way that I feel... which is very pregnant. Thankfully there are still many times that people have no idea that I'm pregnant (to which I credit my amazing styling skills), but for the most part, it's obvious. The baby bump in now a very large hill on it's way to forming a mountain, and I feel like I'm a rollercoaster of ups and downs. The round ligament pain is, for lack of a better term, a bitch. I can't move too much in one direction or roll to the opposite side when I'm laying down without a searing pain down the sides of my abdomen. I still don't have normal digestion and certain foods are starting to upset my tummy-- although the amount of food I'm eating might have something to do with that. How there are women out there that enjoy being preggo, I haven't the slightest idea.

On a happy note, Blade and I went on a mini vacation to Lincoln, Nebraska, for Ethan Lawson's wedding. It was beautiful, and honestly much needed for the both of us. We drove the three hours up there with the Ward brothers in tow, and stayed in an Embassy Suites in the middle of downtown. The wedding rehearsal dinner was at Old Chicago, a pizza and gastropub in an area that resembles the West Bottoms with a plaza size crowd. The next day, I spent quite a bit of time with Victoria and Barry Ward and I absolutely adore them. They were very kind in helping me pass the time while Blade was away doing groomsmen stuff. The wedding was held in a church that was beautiful (and didn't seem to be so long for a Catholic wedding), and the reception was held in the train station in the same area as the rehearsal dinner. We had so much fun. I definitely wasn't the life of the party that I usually am at events like this (two words: open bar), but it was nice to be sober and be able to enjoy the party. I did call it a night early both nights, and Blade was sweet enough to leave the reception a bit early to spend some quality time with me, but I tried as hard as I could! I was happy to be a part of everything, but truth be told going to a wedding while pregnant isn't as fun. Thankfully we don't have any more to attend until next year.

^^We are one hell of a good looking couple :)

BIG NEWS!!!!! We have finally decided on the name Atticus for little Miss Bean! I think it proves to be a strong name for a little girl in this day and age, not to mention it's cute that Atticus Finch was a lawyer. I kept accidentally calling her that when referring to my belly, and Blade has always enjoyed the name, so we put the stamp of approval on it. We haven't decided on a middle name (if there will be one at all) yet, and Blade won't let me use 'Bean', so that is still up in the air. Either way, I'm happy that I can proudly give our beautiful little princess a real name- and a unique one, at that. We get to see her on Tuesday for our next check up since she wouldn't cooperate with the last ultrasound. I'm so excited!

^^I can no longer see my toes now.

Skirts and leggings are my best friend at this point.^^

^^I finally brought out my Nikon and decided to teach myself some 101 so I can take good pictures from here on out in the pregnancy (now that I don't just look like I'm rocking a beer gut)

[Week 23.5]

Over the Hill.

I am officially more than half way through this pregnancy with Miss Bean and I think I am finally getting comfortable in this new body. I unfortunately came down with a really bad head cold last week and had to take off of work for a couple days, I think my weakened immune system worked against me, but it didn't effect the baby. Sweet girl is kicking up a storm, of course she chooses the times when Mommy is comfortable and trying to relax to practice her Kung-Fu, but it makes me smile from ear to ear every time she does it. I still can't believe I have a daughter- it makes me tear up just thinking about the bond that my mother and I share, all of the time that we spent together when I was growing up, how much she means to me now- and I hope, with all my heart, that Bean and I can share that connection as she grows. Blade has been wonderfully supportive throughout the past five months; he finally got to feel her kick for the first time a couple nights ago and his face lit up. He is such a wonderful partner and is going to make a fantastic father, I feel so blessed to have fallen in love with a man who is so warm and genuine. I am slowly but surely falling into the nesting stage, and I'm sure it is driving him up a wall. Thus far (with his help) I have finished painting the lower floor of the bedroom, and have to finish the touch ups on the loft so Blade can move his office upstairs. I picked out nursery colors as well, and am very surprised at myself for going such a girly direction.

It's hard to get a good visual of the colors in the picture, but Opal Cream is a very light yellow and Juicy Passionfruit is an orangey coral color. I'm doing the base of the room in the yellow, with a coral Herringbone accent wall, back nook wall, and height chart. I think it will be light and airy, girly, but easy to decorate. Floating shelves with a hanging birch branch in the far right corner for knick-knacks and cute clothes, a navy and gold accent dresser underneath my father's large antique mirror for a changing station, and white ruffled curtains for the window and reading nook. Blade is going to install some lights in the nook as well, so she can have a little spot to curl up in and explore. I think that she will love her room, and I will love to be with her in there. I just can't wait to get started... I want to hold my little girl right now!

Our last appointment was short and sweet. I have officially started to gain weight, which takes some of my stress away. I was worried that babygirl wasn't getting enough nutrients since I kept losing weight instead of gaining, but she is growing at a great rate (weighed in around 11 oz) and her heartbeat is stronger than ever. Because she was so tightly balled up during the ultrasound last week, they couldn't get all the measurements done that they needed to, so we have another appointment the same day as our next follow up- in about three weeks. I honestly don't mind, it just means that we get another chances to see her sonograms :) It's hard to believe that it's more than half way over, only about 19 weeks left! (I keep seeing countdowns until Christmas, and it makes me more excited than usual for my favorite holiday. I think it was fate that I get to bring my daughter into the world during my favorite time of year. This will be the best Christmas I've ever had.)

Now onto the real issue at hand: what are we going to name her? We both like odd, strong names, but we are having a hard time staying with one. Right now, the two top contenders are 'Atticus' and 'Indie'. Both are beautiful and strong, and a little girl can grow up to be a great woman with either name. I like the name Indigo with Indie as a nickname, but Blade prefers the latter alone. Atticus is awesome as well (Atti for short). We have quite a bit of time but I'm chomping at the bit trying to get the perfect name for her.. I'll give it some more thought.

Pregnancy Update

How far along: 21 weeks

Symptoms: My sciatic nerve has still been proving an issue, but I don't think Bean has much to do with it. As I was typing this, I had a random wave of nausea, but other than that my stomach has been fine. A bit of weepiness now and again for no reason- and I am still sobbing like a weirdo if I laugh too hard- but my libido is finally making an appearance again! Sleeping has been less of an issue, I'm starting to find a comfort zone easier, but getting up to pee about 3 times a night is a pain. Still smooth sailing thus far.

Cravings: I don't think I'm really having any actual cravings, at least nothing more than I had before I was pregnant. On occasion I get a case of the crunchies and want something salty, the chips are doing their job.

Adversions: None

Excited for: Our mini vacation to Nebraska next weekend for Ethan's wedding. Lord knows Blade and I need to get away for a little bit.

Movement: It seems like it happens all day, every day now. She is such a strong little girl- I love feeling her popping around in there. I can finally feel her with my hand on my belly; she kicks hard enough for other people to feel now too.

Belly button: The top seems to be pushed out a little bit, but I think that's my own fault. I may or may not have tried to put my belly button ring back in the other day and tore some skin that is currently healing. I hope it doesn't close, getting that redone is going to hurt.

Sleep: Still tossing and turning but I'm getting a better night's sleep now that Miss Bean is finding a happy position. If only I could hold it all night, the bathroom breaks are what is interrupting me so much.

Exercise: I had to miss one yoga class because of the head cold, but went back yesterday and I am feeling the burn today. I really enjoy yoga, I just wish I were more flexible. I am going to start a daily stretching routine today, which will hopefully help in class and with my pinched nerve. I'm still just taking it easy until after I have the baby... I always push it too far and I don't want to risk hurting either of us while I'm so fragile.

Missing this week: Tiffany!! She was away in Paris for a wedding so we missed out on our coffee date last week. But the good news is that Gordon finally proposed! I am so happy for her, can't wait to catch up this week. I miss going out with my girls a lot- Andi is in Chicago, Vikki's kids just started back at school... I can't wait for my first girl's night after Bean.

[Week 21.1]

IT'S A GIRL!

Went to do my first full baby ultrasound today. Blade had a meeting so he had to meet me there and unfortunately missed the first finding of the gender, but made it at the end to see it again. It's official- We are having a little girl!

At first I was worried because she is curled up in a little ball, knees to nose, so the nurse was having a hard time getting pictures of everything she needed to and told me that we may not be able to see the gender. That would have been heart breaking- I feel like we've been waiting an eternity to find out so far! But sure enough, after she went through all the little body parts, measuring and capturing stills, she zoomed in on her little bottom and pointed out that we are having a mini me. I told the nurse that I had been hoping for a boy so I wouldn't have to be bad cop forever, but that Blade would laugh when he found out because he knew all along we'd have a little girl (he says it's my karma). Sure enough, he smirked and chuckled when he walked in- but we couldn't be happier. Little Miss Bean is a healthy little girl, weighing in at 11 ounces, and was moving and shaking. I can't wait to bring our little princess into the world.

I love the little profile shots- looks like she's getting mama's nose! (Thank goodness.. sorry honey)

She said next time we'd be able to get some better shots if the baby is being more cooperative. Stubborn already... great...

These shots, on the other hand, give me the creeps. It looks like we're growing a little Skeletor in there. But at least we know she's got everything in place! :)

AND LOOK AT THESE FEET!!!! Those little toes!!! And I'm melting already.

Outside of baby news: Last night's concert was awesome! Glen ended up getting me two tickets and guest passes to the show, so I took Jay. We had so much fun! Unfortunately the show started an hour later than it was scheduled, so I didn't get a chance to hang out with Glen long, but he did get to introduce us to Nita Strauss and Ryan Roxie and then he came and watched some of the Motley show with us before he had to hop back on the bus. It was incredible! 

Jay, Glen and I

Close enough to touch Nikki Sixx!

I will hit my half way point on Wednesday and will give more preggo updates then. In the mean time, I have to completely re-do my Pinterest boards!

[Week 19.6]

Tai Kwon Don't hit mommy in the bladder.

It's official, Baby Bean is a karate master. I've been feeling little jabs here and there on the inside for a couple weeks now, but fleetingly, until the past three days. I don't know if it's starting yoga has been an energy boost for both of us, but I can finally feel the monster from the outside! This is the most surreal thing I've every experienced in my life- the fact that some small person is growing in my belly has finally become a reality. I can't help but smile every time I feel a poke or prod- I'm getting some as we speak. The only down side is that it is making me that much more anxious to meet the baby and we are only half way there. As of today, I am 19 1/2 weeks... my official half way point in on Wednesday, but I feel like I've been pregnant for years. 
The good news is that I'm finally getting some hobbies and making the most of my time off of work (which seems to be rare). I have been to yoga twice this week at Inner Space Yoga, right down the street, and I absolutely love it. I forgot how flexible I am not... even the basic poses are proving to be a challenge, but I think it will only take a matter of time before I'm back on the Asana horse like a pro. I'll try to check in more and more in the next coming months since big changes are happening on a weekly basis now. Gestation is full speed ahead now- my belly is finally prominent enough that people are noticing that I'm carrying, but not so big that I have to waddle- though it is starting to come on a little bit. All the moving and shaking going on inside is getting more noticeable every day and I'm finally starting to get hunger pangs like they've been warning me about. I haven't hopped on a scale as of yet, but I believe I have finally put on a couple healthy pounds. The race to our new addition is on!

Two more days until we find out the sex! (And might I point out, preggo ta-tas are in full effect. No bra in this picture. Much cheaper than a boob job, if you ask me!)

How far along: 19 weeks

Symptoms: Baby keeps laying on my sciatic nerve which is what is causing my hip and knee pain, I believe (although my crappy work shoes could also be the culprit). I have an abundance of energy lately, but motivation is still an issue. I need to get up and off my butt! Mood swings are still far and few between, as is my libido, but I'm staying upbeat more often than not :) I have to pee every five minutes now, getting up about twice a night. And of course, the weepiness is all over the place, but only when I see something really sweet- happy tears, like Patrick getting married today!

Cravings: Chips. All I want is crunchy, salty chips. I may or may not have eaten an entire canister of BBQ Pringles in one sitting the other day.

Adversions: None

Excited for: Feeling more of baby's kicks- I freak out every time I feel him/her moving! Finding out the sex on Monday...fingers crossed for a boy so mommy doesn't have to be bad cop forever!

Movement: Three days full of kicking and rolling around. I can finally feel the kicks with my hand placed on the outside of my belly. Now if only I could get Blade to stop golfing long enough to feel it too!

Belly button: Still an itty bitty innie.

Sleep: I toss and turn all night to ease the pain in my hips and I get up about twice a night to use the bathroom, but once I'm asleep it's smooth sailing.

Exercise: With my new found energy, I started yoga (Morning Tonic classes). I'm planning on going about twice a week. Very difficult as of right now, but I leave feeling refreshed and ready for the day. Plus it will help me with labor and I will take all the help I can get. I need to start walking more often however- I'm too idle during the days that I'm not working.

Missing this week: Rare steaks, summer brew and sushi. But mostly, I miss fitting into normal clothes. I'm tired of wearing dresses.

One thing I'm excited to test out is how Bean is going to react if I get the concert tickets for Sunday. Glen (the drummer of Alice Cooper) is on tour with Motley Crue for their Final Tour and he is going to try and swing me some tickets!! I am by far the coolest mom before I even give birth <3

[Week 19.4]