Little Cantaloupe!

We're almost 20 weeks (this Sat.) ... about the size of a small cantaloupe (which seems huge if you ask me because we were supposedly an heirloom tomato just last week!)

Sonogram pictures and the baby's sex to be shared next Tues.!  

Radiant

I'm convinced the "pregnancy glow" is legend, despite the fact people have indeed beamed to me, "you're glowing!!!" I mean, I'll take a compliment any day, and it's far nicer to hear than, "you're growing!" but still ... really? Glowing? What is it that's causing that glow? Is it the sleepless nights? Or maybe it's the bloating? Or perhaps it's the hormone-induced throwback to teen acne?

Regardless, if you want to tell me I look radiant, go for it. Compliments will score you brownie points, as the amount of encouragement needed is directly proportional to the size of my stomach (which has already inspired countless comments about how I "must be prego with twins," and how I'll "never make it to my due date.")

But recently, "radiant" has taken on a whole new meaning with the fear and frenzy surrounding the nuclear radiation meltdown in Japan, in the wake of its terrible earthquake. In no way do I intend to minimize the heartache and devastation Japan is going through. Through my job, I've played a relatively active role in monitoring the recovery there and Japan is always in my thoughts and prayers.

But this international tragedy is different in that it's leaped over the Pacific and is wrecking havoc (at least in the headlines) here in SoCal. I just now went to Google News and the very first link is a USA Today article, "Contaminated Water Heightens Concerns Over Nuclear Plant." The situation there is just awful, but we Californians apparently don't have enough to worry about, because the local news media is hyping up the fact that the radioactive water is now filling the Pacific. I'm not the type to panic or jump to conclusions ... it's just that - as a pregnant woman - you feel increasingly compelled to ward off evil toxins and take care of yourself. You know, things like:

• Making sure the right button is pushed on my car vents so I'm not inhaling the plumes of hundreds of tailpipes
• Buying organic for all the right fruits and veggies (you know, go organic on skins you eat like tomatoes, but not on stuff like bananas ... because you're also supposed to be frugal when you're preggers, too  - or at least know WHEN to splurge .. like my cool new green leather diaper bag)
• Drink bottled water (Swiss Alps if at all possible ... OK I made that up, but it probably can't hurt)
• Drinking decaf (which actually still has some caffeine in it ... so don't be so smug you sneaky, no caffeine sticklers!)

Given all the pressure, you can image why my ears would perk up at the idea of water radiation 10,000 times normal levels headed this way. But good pregnant women also do their homework, and of course five mins. on the web dispelled any fears - real or imagined. Plus, I listened to the chiding of my husband, who not so patiently pointed out that we DON'T DRINK OCEAN WATER!

One thing that didn't help? The news guy assuring all of us that we'll be OK, because after all, being in a plane will expose us to MUCH more radiation than this crisis ever will. That's GREAT because I'm flying to Orlando for work in a month. I'm pretty sure I'll be thinking about this my entire flight. And since I can't drink one of those cute in-flight bottles of red wine to calm the nerves, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to visit the hotel's spa at some point during my trip (particularly since the conference is at the "happiest place on earth" - which - despite its obvious charm - kind of gives me hives.)

At times I'm so jealous of pregnant women in cleaner, simpler towns and its clean, crisp, smog-free, fresh air, but looking at Japan, my heart goes out to everyone and I feel so lucky to be tucked away in our relatively safe pocked of L.A. It's hard enough to be pregnant as it is, so I can't imagine dealing with this tragedy in the midst.

Pray for the families of Japan and throughout the world that don't have our comforts and luxuries. And meantime, to all the jet-setting pregnant ladies out there, you just might want to cut back on the globetrotting.

Baby Bump - 18.5 Weeks

I should probably resist the urge for commentary at this point, but I couldn't post without saying, holy heck, am I carrying high or what? I didn't really notice until this picture. And oh my gosh - this is only the beginning. How am I going to fit in my car? Maybe I'll have to work from home. :-)

Land of Misfit Baby Toys/Products

The more I learn about baby toys and products, the more I'm amazed at the amount of stuff out there geared toward new parents. It's mind-blowing. You name it, they make it (and then some ... which is the nature of this post - oh just you wait, some of the stuff is hilarious).

I've been told all children really need is Mom's boob and blanket (sorry to be crude ... but I did warn you this blog is about new babies and everything that goes with). I tend to disagree that's all they need ... some onesies and an infant bath tub would be nice ... and heck, maybe even a baby monitor and breast pump (mama's going to want a glass of wine sooner or later).

All of that said, the advice that kids don't need all that much is good to keep in mind, and has steered me clear of the following so far.


I can't say this is entirely without merit, but it's still hilarious. It's a "pee pee tee pee" to protect you from spontaneous pee streams while changing diapers. Part genius and part ridiculous. If it's a boy, we just might be getting these.



Ummm no. Nuff said.

This is not a joke. I do not know PhotoShop and thus could not have manipulated this picture. This takes the cake. If any of my friends have participated in said belly painting, we really must talk.

Cute right? NO!!! It's $72.99! Buy diapers!

I think I might ruffle some feathers with this one, but I really don't see the point in a "diaper cake." First off, it's weird. There, I said it. Secondly, no one actually uses the diapers because they don't want to mess up the cake. So basically, you set it out at your shower, and then let it take up half a closet until you have another kid? Maybe I'm missing something ...

I'm sorry, but this just grosses me out. It's a book to save all your kid's lost teeth. I'm so telling my child that the tooth fairy takes their teeth to tooth heaven.

This has to be my favorite - seriously. What the heck are you going to do with this. And why? WHY!!!???

The Mystery Continues

For those of you tracking whether we're having a mini Jared or mini Dawn, you'll have to wait until the first week of April. I know! Torture!!! We thought we were going to find out at my last appointment, but as it turns out, they weren't planning on a sonogram that day at all! They just drew a bunch of blood and checked the heartbeat (which sounded great, by the way!) Stay tuned .......

Meantime, if you're dying to shop, I love yellow!! :-)

It's a boy???? According to VERY unscientific, inaccurate data (real announcement to come Friday)

So if you want to know if you're having a boy or girl, what do you do? Well if you listened to old wives tales (what does that even mean, by the way?) you would take the following quiz.

So here's my dilemma. I've had about 1/2 the symptoms in the boy category and 1/2 in the girl category - leaving me a 50/50 shot - which is where we all started in the first place, right? Genius!

The only thing I had not done (cuz it's loony tunes) is hang my wedding ring over my stomach to see if swings in circles or back and forth (cuz really? who would do that!???) Well I just did ... in my office at work (blinds closed!) with my ring hanging from dental floss. (Once a girl scout, always a girl scout).

So the answer is ...... BOY!

We see the doctor on Friday to get the REAL answer (hopefully) and will happily share the news. Meantime - check out this quiz - it's hilarious. (Especially the last bullet point where you're supposed to know the time of conception - really?!)

Gender Prediction Quiz:

It's a boy if:

• You didn't experience morning sickness in early pregnancy.
• Your baby’s heart rate is less than 140 beats per minute.
• You are carrying the extra weight out front.
• Your belly looks like a basketball.
• Your areolas have darkened considerably.
• You are carrying low.
• You are craving salty or sour foods.
• You are craving protein -- meats and cheese.
• Your feet are colder than they were before pregnancy.
• The hair on your legs has grown faster during pregnancy.
• Your hands are very dry.
• Your pillow faces north when you sleep.
• Dad-to-be is gaining weight right along with you.
• Pregnancy has you looking better than ever.
• Your urine is bright yellow in color.
• Your nose is spreading.
• You hang your wedding ring over your belly and it moves in circles.
• You are having headaches.
• You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an even number.

It's a girl if:

• You had morning sickness early in pregnancy.
• Your baby's heart rate is at least 140 beats per minute.
• You are carrying the weight in your hips and rear.
• Your left breast is larger than your right breast.
• Your hair develops red highlights.
• You are carrying high.
• Your belly looks like a watermelon.
• You are craving sweets.
• You are craving fruit.
• You crave orange juice.
• You don't look quite as good as normal during pregnancy.
• You are moodier than usual during pregnancy.
• Your face breaks out more than usual.
• You refuse to eat the heel of a loaf of bread.
• Your breasts have really blossomed!
• Your pillow faces south when you sleep.
• Your urine is a dull yellow color.
• You hang your wedding ring over your belly and it moves from side
• You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an odd number.

Doing it for the baby

It looks really cold and windy outside right now ...

BUT ... a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do ....

I don't think I'll be going for rainbow sprinkles but this was the best pic I could find. Forget the "build your own" - I'm going for one of the insane combos with whipped cream and all. Boo yah!