6.0 + 1 week

This last week has been quite an interesting one. First of all, I started my 6th month of pregnancy. It's going by fast....just not fast enough. I'm feeling the little munchkin more and more these days. One morning she had me up at 6am, and I believe she was doing some sort of water aerobics in my tummy. I was enjoying every second of it. I almost woke Neil up to feel, but we all know what happens when you wake that man up...
Neil got this terrible cold over the weekend, and by this last Friday, I was infected. It might be the worst cold I've ever experienced. Throat on fire. Stuffed up nose. Foggy head. Slight fever. And it's Sunday...it's still in full effect. I can't sleep because it just gets worse when I lay down. Sucks.

On Monday, Neil got to use his fancy new snow blower. He was sick, but I can tell he was enjoying it. But check these pictures out:

You see the tissues stuffed up his nose? Poor guy. But quite precious I must say.
I always have Mondays off, and the hardest part about that entire day, while Neil was at work....just sitting here. I actually like going out and shoveling snow - ONLY because it's a great work out. That's it. But I also have a very high respect for our postal service, as they have to walk out in this weather, and I hate when the walkway isn't clear. Hate it. I would've gone out, but I know myself. I would've over done it and probably hurt myself.

And yesterday, I gave in. I took some pictures of myself. I had Neil take some, but I didn't like how those came out. So, here's what I got:

I keep hearing that I'm small for 6 months. I disagree. I feel gigantic.

3 lbs, feels like 10 lbs

At my appointment today, on the scale, it stated that I gained 3 pounds in the last month. Seriously though, it feels as if I've gained 10lbs. Wait. Maybe I gained 8 lbs...I'm hoping Neil will be home soon so I can ask what my last weigh in weight was. Huh. I'm starting to get scared. Did I really gain 8 lbs?!!!! In 4 weeks. No. No. No.
Well. What can I do? Every time I even mention going back to my "clean" eating ways, I get hands waved in my face don't you do that to yourself, eat what you want, you're allowed....
I don't want to gain more then 30 lbs in this pregnancy, so far - I've gained 13 (possibly 18) pounds. I have been eating crap. And if you know me, you know I don't eat veggies, unless it's a salad. This weight? It's all belly and boobs. I just took a picture of myself, which I won't post, and I'm in disbelief. I know, this is supposed to happen. But I'm freaking out about it. I'm actually losing weight everywhere else on body. My left arm, you can actually see half the face of my "nine" tattoo, when before, you could only see the tip of the nose (if that). I know I wasn't exactly skinny before this pregnancy, but this is harder on me then I anticipated.
Don't worry, I'm not one to starve myself....I'll keep eating, every hour on the hour.... but I need to get back to the gym. At least it may help my self esteem....

Maybe if I'm in a better mood later on, I'll post a picture. Maybe.

The saddest news I got today, was that I won't have a sonogram until my 8 month mark. Not until February?!!! What are they doing to me?

name stress

I have always wanted kids. Whether I would be blessed with them or not, was never sure. Still, you would think that a name would be set. Over the years, with Neil teaching and all, he's come across every kind of name you could think of. And if you know me, you'd really think one had been planned. Well, guess what? That is not the case in the Hartman household. We can't settle in on one. We always loved the name:

Caroline

Now that it's a reality. Not so much. Well, for me anyway. You can't cut it short anyway that I like. I know you think that's strange. But this is what I think about at night when I can't sleep. Then there's the song "Sweet Caroline" - it doesn't bug me now, but will it? My entire life, except the years here in Erie, I've been sung "Oh Donna" by Richie Valens as soon as I've introduced myself. It never did bug me though. I liked it. As for other names we like:

Josephine
Lorraine
Vivienne

I'm sure the list will only get longer....
And as you can see, we like older names. We don't want to create a name or go with something more modern.
Oh and sharing these name ideas with others, doesn't help the situation. Do people have opinions or what?! My mother in law warned us "Don't tell anyone what you're going to name your child, it'll only make you mad." It hasn't made me mad, just more frustrated. I like hearing others opinions on things, it's just who I am. So if you're reading this, and want to give your opinion, please feel free.
Alright. I was hoping that posting this would help me, but now all I want to do is go name hunting again.

Thankful

I am super sentimental this year, and cry every time I think about what I'm thankful for... let's see if I can get through this post....

I am thankful for:
God, and all His blessings
My wonderful husband who makes me laugh and loves me, even during my crazy
Flutters in my tummy, I can't get enough
Cali, my wonderful sweet pit bull (love proving people wrong about what they think of pits with you)
My CA and NE family and friends - I miss you all so much!
Pennsylvania family and friends, thanks for making Erie feel like home away from home

I am so excited to start this holiday season, my favorite time of year. Next year is going to bring a whole new light to the season, and I can't wait....

22 weeks along today.
Thanksgiving week.
Brooke Lacy birthday week.
Thanksgiving dinner w/family.
Possible Black Friday early morning outing.
Traditional Hartman turkey dinner w/mama Hartman, and Mrs. Erin Hamp (Sat. night btw).
Christmas lights!
Christmas season!
Christmas movies!
Christmas craft show at the Warner Theater.

Amazing week ahead....I love this time of year.

Comment I received from my last post from our dear, sweet friend Micah:

The thought of a mini-Dawna is precious but........ she may come out (God help us all) as a mini, female, Neil Andrew!!! And yes I am sure she will shout "I HATE BABY JESUS" in the middle of church just to spite you! Only time will tell and I for one am on the edge of my seat!

I have been laughing for the last 10 minutes. Why? Because these are actual fears of mine. Neil wasn't a pleasant child....the above actually happened to my in-laws in the middle of church. My daughter could turn out to be just like me, shy and well behaved. Or....like her father. Stomping on newly planted flowers "because I felt like it". Hearing these stories about Neil's childhood always make me laugh. If our child goes down this path, hopefully we'll hold back our laughter - at least until we are hidden away behind closed doors.
Umm. I doubt it.

The anticipation is killing me.

My munchkin? It's a GIRL....

Basically since month #2 I've felt I was having a girl. I would beam with excitement, and then think oh wait, what if it's a boy? I can't be disappointed... I mean, everyone knows I wanted a girl, but wasn't sure if it was possible. Hello! My sister has FOUR boys!!!!! Annnnnd Neil's family is run by males. What were my chances? Don't get me wrong, I would've been completely happy with a boy. A mini-Neil? How precious is that?
As the days, weeks progressed, my feelings only grew stronger and I would try and change them. Friday morning, the day of my appointment, I stood in front of the mirror and said it's a boy. I know it sounds silly...I just didn't want to be disappointed if the tech were to say it's a boy. My feelings of it being a girl were sooooo strong, so of course it didn't work.
It didn't help that last month Neil actually said, with much confidence "it's a girl, why do we even need to check?!" Ever since 'kid talk' he has loved the thought of having a daddy's girl....and would smile ear to ear picturing her being a mini-me. *tear
The day was finally here....boy or girl? We walked into the room, and we were asked "so, do you guys want to know what you're having?" We replied with a big "YES!" We start talking w/her and she asked if I thought the baby was one or the other...which I told her my feelings of it being a girl. She moves around my tummy and for what seems like forever she says "Well, it looks like you both are having a girl." I, of course, made her say it again. I couldn't believe I was right. Neil and I high-fived, and I started to tear up. So happy.
She was so tucked and turned the other way, that I didn't get any good sonogram photos. I do however have to go back in a week....since she was so tucked, and had her arm tucked under her chin, the tech couldn't see her heart. Her heart sounded very strong, but they like to see it. So, I go back in a week. Hopefully I'll get some good pictures then.
Annnnnnd I just realized I didn't take any photos of myself. Sorry. I do plan to go out and run errands tomorrow, so I'll attempt to get a shot in :)

Symptoms

The last couple of weeks I've gained some bizarre pregnancy symptoms:

Nose bleeds
Hands falling asleep
Carpal Tunnel

I just happened to read the nose bleed one in my book, and I thought it was the strangest thing I'd ever heard! Low and behold, 2 days later, nose bleed.
Then the hands falling asleep business....I'll wake up at night, and both are just snoozing away. And as of today, my right hand is choosing to give me signs of carpal tunnel. Great.

HOW STRANGE IS THIS?!!!!!
It really is entertaining to me...like, what's going to happen next?

4 months...

So I'm nearing my 5 month mark, but I wanted to talk a bit about month #4.
As soon as I woke up on the 8th of this month, I felt different. I felt normal. As the day progressed, I felt this surge of energy. It was wonderful!
And my appetite was back. Boy, was I missing that!!!!
I try and eat healthy as much as I can. A lot of the time though, I want pizza. Mmmm PIZZA. And as soon as I crave something, I pretty much need it - NOW. I have to stop myself though, because if I did that for every craving, we wouldn't have any money. I eat every hour on the hour. I feel like I can never catch up. And it doesn't help that I crave things that I can only obtain in California. For example: California Burrito from Albertos. My most favoritest burrito in the world: carne asada, french fries, cheese, sour cream. Only Albertos does it right. They don't add some crap pico de gallo, and they put sour cream in it automatically.
I mean, can someone just overnight me one? I've eaten day old CA burritos before... :)
I asked Neil for a quick trip to CA, and I said something like "to see my friends and my mom..." but in reality, I want a CA burrito :) !!!!!! j/k - sort of......

My maternity pants continue to loosen up on me, around the hip and thigh area, but tightening in the belly region. I'm losing weight in places, but gaining in others. Still. Even though my box office co-workers started saying things like "wide load coming through"...nice, right?

Well month # 4 has been tremendous, and I'm looking forward to #5. Boy or Girl? I should find out. Neil says girl. My sister Eva says girl. Shan says boy (and sticking to it!). Brooke says girl. I haven't heard many other opinions.....but next Friday, the 5th we'll see. EEEEEK! I'm so excited!!!!! (I just remembered I had a dream last night, I got a text message from my doctor saying "it's a boy" - and I immediately posted it on Facebook, without even telling Neil. Oooops!)

I am sad to say that I won't be heading out to CA before the baby is born. I'm super sad about it, but know that it's just financially not possible. With nursery preparations, fixing up of the basement, snow tires for my car, and winter boots for myself :) .....I just need to stay put. And I'm okay with that decision. I wasn't at first. You all know me, and my stubborn ways.

Cindy - my mother in law - is already in prep mode for my baby shower.... how cute is she?
Neil has been absolutely amazing.....very attentive. He has his moments, but are you surprised? This is Neil A. Hartman I married. :) I love him. xo

I don't have a new picture of my baby bump yet - and I didn't want to post the same one you all have seen. Let's face it, the only people who read this, have seen my ghetto shot on FB.... I'll take some new ones next week.

3 and 3/4

I am almost at my 4 month mark...
Anything new pregnant-wise with me?
Yep.
It's called puking.
I know, gross.
And it occurs just after 5pm everyday.
Everyone who said after you hit 3 months and start your 2nd trimester, you'll feel soooo much better...
You're wrong.
In my case anyway.
I started wearing maternity pants. Originally I was focused on just switching out my work pants only...because I sit all day, and my "regular" pants were making me uncomfortable. Buuuut, I got such cute maternity jeans - and they're so ding dang darn comfortable, I just made a full transfer over to them. :) Don't judge me.
I have been losing weight - everywhere on my body but my stomach and chest. I can see a big difference in my arms. And my pants, from above my hips down, don't fit at all. I now wear sports bras during the day, and sleeping bras at night. Nightmare. These suckers haven't grown in size, just got thicker. Does that make sense? Dear God, if they eventually get a lot bigger, I may just duct tape them in. Not kidding.
Still tired/exhausted. Don't work out at all. It's sad. I really miss it.
My eating habits haven't changed. I get hungry every couple hours, but don't want to eat. Haven't craved anything really....

My sleep is nuts. I usually get a really good nights sleep...and then randomly, like last night, got up to pee at 3am, and then couldn't fall back asleep until 6am. I always make my way out to the living room, put a dvd in, and get comfortable on the couch.

I just ordered "What to Expect when Expecting" - finally. I'm really looking forward to reading it. But I have learned to have an open mind about this experience...no matter what I read, or have been told - this is my pregnancy, and it is already very different.
I've been taking one month at a time. I am the most impatient person I know....and I have to play these mind games with myself. I refuse to think about the month of March. It seems like sooooo far away. Right now, let's get to 16 weeks (which is possibly this week OR next week...I'm going with this week - fyi.) And then after that....20 weeks.
I am dying to know if we are having a boy or girl!
I hear that I possibly could find out at 4 months...but again, am not depending on that. I just focus on the 20 week mark, when my doctor told me we could find out. Eeeeek! What do I think it is? A girl. But that could just be my wishful thinking playing tricks with me. :) But I would love to have a boy as well, a little mini-Neil. A sarcastic, trouble making, boy....scary, I know.

That's it for now.
I know, I know...I need to post baby bump pictures (Nataleeeee, I know!). But right now, I just look full.