12 Weeks - Happy Valentines Day!

IT'S VALENTINES DAY! THAT MEANS THAT I'M 12 WEEKS PREGNANT! THAT MEANS WE CAN OFFICIALLY COME OUT OF THE PREGNANCY CLOSET AND ANNOUNCE TO EVERYONE. NO MORE HIDING! HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY DAY! 

Baby O'Brien - Coming to a Womb Near You - August 2013

*Please Note - due to baby doll dress objects in photo may appear larger than they actually are.* 

How far along? 12 Weeks, 0 Days
Total weight gain/loss: OMG! I went to the doctor on Tuesday and I only weigh 125 - Total weight gain 7 lbs. I'm happy with that! YAY!!!
Maternity Clothes? Still my clothes - loving my $23 gap jeans size 27. Also, Heidi told me that JCP has some colored jeans for like $13 or something? I may need to go buy those in ummm every color so I can feel like a normal human again!
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: After Joey growls at me for moving her, she has been letting me cuddle her to fall asleep and WE (mini me & I) love it! Forget a maternity pillow! I recommend every pregnant woman go get yourself an 85 lb golden retriever to cuddle with! :)
Best moment this week: FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY BEING, "OUT OF THE PREGNANCY CLOSET!!!!" Discovering N/A Beer! Normal Melissa would put St. Pauli girl in the category of Miller Lite (TRASH!) but by the end I was ready for another! It was just nice to have something other than juice or water! Yay for feeling like a human again! :)
Have you told family and friends? See above for official announcement to the world! WE ARE PREGNANT, WORLD!
Miss Anything? Still EVERYTHING! somebody please invent n/a vodka. :)
Movement: No
Food Cravings: CANDY & POTATO CHIPS! That's right, UTZ and I are officially back together people. YAY! This baby must be my clone. SHE wants gobstoppers and chocolate.
Anything making you queasy or sick? BBQ Chicken and I are still on the outs, Soup and chips are still my favorite dinner. Utz are back in. YAY.
Have you started to show yet? Ummmmm towards the end of the day I look like I have a bit of a buddha belly.
Gender prediction: Still going with girl.
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? I have been less moody this week I think - less bloating saves lives.
Weekly Wisdom: Ummm....1. if you're dying for an adult beverage drink a non-alcoholic beer. 2. Don't take your weekly photo a. in a room that is orange with no natural lighting b/c you will cry b/c you're ugly and b. in a baby doll dress creepily holding your stomach b/c you will cry more and hate all your pictures and yell at your husband b/c you're ugly and it's his fault? Ummmm yea. Third piece of advice - maybe some of you have heard of a crib list? I think you should do this. Maybe not crazy things like trips or like jumping out of aiplanes but atleast do some fun things that you take for granted and can't do when you're preg. Examples - Go out to dinner and have a nice MARTINI, maybe 2 with a DELICIOUS medium steak ...medium rare if that's your flavor. Go out the next day and enjoy brunch at your favorite brunch location and have a bloody mary with a BLT or something with sausage - OMG I miss sausage. Or have a mimosa. Or 2. Or 10? Who is counting? Not you! Then have some sushi for lunch. Yummmmmm. Then go out for drinks that night - make sure you order beers or something with vodka. Have yourself a salad with goat cheese (unpasterized) for dinner with some tuna or swordfish. Why? Why not? Who is telling you not to? *Note - during all of this please make sure you are wearing your tightest, cutest clothes possible. * You will never realize how much you miss buttoning your pants until you can't and have to wear flowy tops only designed for larger ladies wanting to cover something up. Horrible, horrible feeling. Anything else on my crib list? Ummm basically get your drinking and eating of "Bad for you foods" while you can. I want a steak, I want a burger that isn't flavorlesss, I want a drink - I don't want to get wasted...I want to enjoy a cocktail. That's all.
Looking forward to: Finding a house for us to live in so we don't have to bring Baby O home to a cardboard box, getting a bigger bump, having more energy again - Last week of 1st Trimester!!! Whoooooo

Side Note: I found the most AMAZING Blog - http://www.scarymommy.com check it out!

11 Weeks

I was supposed to post this last Thursday... OOPS!

How far along? 11 Weeks, 6 Days
Total weight gain/loss: I don't know? It was 5 lbs at 9 weeks but I swear I have gotten thinner since then. Maybe the lack of fun things (processed meat and alchy) in life is starting to kick in.
Maternity Clothes? Still my clothes - bought a pair of jeans just one size up and those are fannnntastic! Maybe I won't go on a pants killing spree just yet.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: If I wouldn't sleep all day on the weekends it would probably help me sleep at night...food for thought.
Best moment this week: Hmmm...finally getting the guts to write on my chalkboard and buying a pair of pants that fit me! Never thought my life and moods would revolve SOOOO much around pants hahaha :) OH! and Ron buying me the NINJA blender. If you drink smoothies this is a MUST HAVE!
Now - Let's have one worst moment of the week: Retracting our offer on the house! Waaaaah! :(
Have you told family and friends? Family - Yes. Friends - Most! We get to announce to everybody else next week - YIPPEEEE!!!!!!!
Miss Anything? Still missing the same stuff - Almost EVERYTHING!!!
Movement: No
Food Cravings: I'm just very easily swayed into craving something. If I see a picture of guacamole I suddenly feel if I don't have chipotle I will die, no questions asked. If somebody (Kelly) sends me a picture of cookies I MUST HAVE A CUPCAKE! Willpower smillpower.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Same things - BBQ chicken has officially replaced pants as the devil of the week. Does anything smell more disgusting? BLECH!
Have you started to show yet? Ummmmm towards the end of the day I look like I have a bit of a buddha belly.
Gender prediction: Still going with girl.
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? I have been less moody this week I think - less bloating saves lives.
Weekly Wisdom: 1. Don't try to buy maternity gear just because you are bloated - this will just make you even sadder. 2.Using a hair tie just to "close" your pants is actually decently comfy, buuuutttt NOTHING beats a good deal on a pair just one size up. 3. Don't try to compare how you are feeling/looking to how anybody else was/is feeling at your current state - no good will come of this.
Looking forward to: Finding a house for us to live in so we don't have to bring Baby O home to a cardboard box, getting a bigger bump, announcing next week YAY!!

Something fun/horrifying to do

Soooo incase you're like me and just DYING to know what your future kids will look like there is a website that will show you. All you need is a head shot of you, your partner, and some time to kill.

Go here - www.morphthing.com and let the fun begin!

Before going, please take a minute and reflect on what Ron and I's kids are going to look like:

Aren't they beeeeautiful??? Which one is your favorite? 

...Consider yourself warned! 

10 Weeks - 2 more weeks until we announce!

How far along? 10 Weeks, 0 Days
Total weight gain/loss: 5 lbs last Friday - YIKES! I'm actually feeling less FAT this week than last week so I will take that! :)
Maternity Clothes? Still in my clothes but with a belly band over my unbuttoned pants. I have already cried 3 times over pants. Atleast I got to wear a dress yesterday and today! WHOOOO
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Sleeping better now, trying to take my vitamins before 8:00pm has really helped!
Best moment this week: Converting to gummy calcium & fish oil vitamins AND seeing PENDING on redfin for our house!!!!!!!!!! Only took 4 1/2 months!
Have you told family and friends? Family - Yes. Friends - Most! Best reaction - Dana dropping her phone and spilling beer on it. Hahahahaha
Miss Anything? Should say, "Anything you don't miss?" Martinis, Beer, Coffee, Bloody Marys, Buttoning my pants, wearing my dresses, pepperoni pizza...FBBT was REALLY hard - could literally smell beer on EVERYBODY's breath. :(
Movement: No
Food Cravings: Not really this week. I am definitely going through Krista's phase of hating food at dinner time. I only want soup and chips basically. Thought I was going to kill Ron lastnight when I found out he threw out the wonton soup and I had to eat spaghetti GROSS! Another side note - Pumpkin pancakes = Heaven (but that is not preg related...my love has just intensified).
Anything making you queasy or sick? parm cheese (but that is always), the smell of doritos, utz except for carolina style bbq, bbq chicken, and apparently just dinner in general except for carolina style chips with some soup.
Have you started to show yet? Currently just look fat, can't button my pants. I think I look less fat this week so YAY
Gender prediction: I think girl based on all the "tests" I took last week.
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? MOODY! I truly believe if I didn't have to wear pants I would be in a MUCH better mood!
Weekly Wisdom: Gummy vitamins are a god send. Pants are the devil. Oh, and NEVER go by the, "if I haven't worn this in a year, get rid of it" rule. I'm currently wearing a dress I haven't worn in 3 years and I'm sooooo comfy in it. :)
Looking forward to: Getting a bigger bump, officially announcing to the world, finding out the gender, decorating the nursery in OUR NEW HOUSE!, warmer weather so I don't have to wear pants. RAWR

9 Weeks - Pants are the Devil!

How far along? 9 Weeks, 0 Days
Total weight gain/loss: I don't know - I'm guessing +5 lbs? I'll find out tomorrow at the doctor.
Maternity Clothes? Still in my clothes but with a belly band over my unbuttoned pants. I have already cried 3 times over pants. It's 16 degrees out today so dresses are not an option. Waaaah
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: 3:00pm naps should be law. Sooooo sleepy from 3:00-4:00. Probably from waking up every hour to pee at night.
Best moment this week: Any opportunity to have yoga pants on and sit on the couch.
Have you told family and friends? Family - Yes. Friends - Some. Ooops!
Miss Anything? Should say, "Anything you don't miss?" Martinis, Beer, Coffee, Buttoning my pants, pepperoni pizza,
Movement: No
Food Cravings: Since I didn't do this previously - like 2 weeks ago it was fudgesicles. Now coffee ice cream with hot fudge, clementines, apples, salads, chipotle, & guacamole.
Anything making you queasy or sick? parm cheese (but that is always), the smell of doritos, utz except for carolina style bbq, bbq chicken, and apparently just dinner in general except for some soup or salad followed by a bowl of ice cream. Oh and this week's latest addition - bacon. WHY???
Have you started to show yet? Currently just look fat, can't button my pants. If you catch me in the morning I would still look like a thicker version of me with a larger chest.
Gender prediction: Not sure yet. Ron says girl b/c, "Only 2 women can be THAT crazy"
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? hahahaha see above! MOODY! I truly believe if I didn't have to wear pants I would be in a MUCH better mood.
Weekly Wisdom: Next time start in warmer weather - I HATE PANTS!
Looking forward to: Getting a bigger bump, officially announcing to the world, & finding out the gender!(Sorry mom) OH! And warmer weather so I don't have to wear pants. RAWR

Old Wives Tales

Ok so I hate surprises. Absolutely hate them. As soon as I'm notified of a potential surprise - gift, event, whatever I go into detective mode. I can't explain it, I just like to be in the know. You know that episode of Friends where Rachel and Phoebe search the apartment for their Christmas presents from Monica? YEA, that's ME!

That being said, I am DYING to know what little baby O is. 20 weeks? I have to wait 20 weeks? And my mom wants me to wait until the end?? Hahahaha I don't think so! Are you CRAZY? No yellow or green for this little stinker! PINK OR BLUE with MONOGRAMS!!! If this is a little girl you are going to think that Lilly Pulitzer threw up on her. *Green is allowed with pink* So anyway, since I have to wait and wait and WAIT for an eternity to find out who is inside of me I decided to check out the old wives tales that may give us an inkling who is kickin it in my belly. Oh and by the way - ALL of these tests told my mom that I was going to be a boy.

So here are our 9 Week Gender Predictions: 

1. Ask the heart rate at the doctor's appointment - if it is above 140 girl, below - boy
• Heart Rate @ Today's Appointment was - Couldn't find it today. :( Tune in next month.
2. If you're craving sweets - girl, salty and sour foods - boy
• Can't seem to eat enough ice cream, chocolate and fruit - That's (1) for girl
3. If your skin is breaking out - girl...apparently girls steal their mom's beauty
• My skin is ALWAYS breaking out - That's (1) for girl
4. Morning sickness - girl
• I've felt ok so far (fingers crossed this continues) - That's (1) for boy
5. Take off your wedding ring and tie it to a string. Hang it over your belly. If it swings in a circle - boy, if it swings back and forth - girl.
• Haven't done this yet. 
6. Put baking soda in a cup and then pee in it. If it fizzes - boy, no fizz - girl.
• No Fizzing - That's (1) for girl. 
7. Have someone place a key in front of you. If you pick it up by the narrow side - girl, if you pick it up by the fat end - boy.
• Didn't do this yet either. 
8. The Mayan Calendar says to take the mother's age at conception (28) and the year of conception (2012). If both are even or odd - girl, if one is even and one odd - boy.
• That's (1) for girl.
9. Use the Chinese gender prediction calendar here
• That's (1) for girl. 

Totals: Girl - 5; Boy - 1

1 extra point for girl from Ron's comment, "Only 2 women can be THAT crazy"

Prediction - Mini Melissa?