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Old Wives Tales…True or False

I think these old wives tales are fun to go through. I did it with George, and I found it pretty humorous to do. I got these from this site. Some of them were kind of odd, so I didn’t use all of them.

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  • Rumor has it that if you are carrying your baby high, it’s a girl. Carrying low? Stock up on blue. Similar tales say if you carry in front, you’ve got yourself a little boy, and if you expand horizontally, it’s a girl. I can’t really tell on this one. And from the comparison of my photos with George, I feel like I look the same so far. I have only filled out in front a little, so I am going to say BOY.
  • Legends say that if you are having a little girl, she’ll steal your beauty. So, if you’ve got acne and other not-so-pretty skin blemishes, you’ve got a little princess coming your way. Dry hands and cold feet are signs of a boy. So, if you’ve got these ailments, break out the baby blue. My acne has been no where near as bad as it was with George-So on this BOY.  My feet have been dry but they aren’t anymore than normal during the winter months-So on this GIRL.
  • Your baby’s heart rate might be an indicator of its gender. If your little one’s heart rate is under 140 beats per minute, you’re having a little boy. If it’s over, get ready for your little girl! The heartbeat has been between 144-154 every appointment. GIRL.
  • Craving sweets? According to some, that means you’re going to have a little girl. Salty and sour cravings indicate a boy. I have craved meat, cereal, chocolate, and eggs. Salty has been kind of a turn off for me. GIRL.
  • Chinese Predictor It comes up GIRL.
  • The Mayans used a similar method. They looked at your age at conception and the year your baby was conceived. If both are even or odd, it’s a girl. If one is even and one is odd, oh baby — it’s a boy! At conception both Tom and I were 31, and it was 2016. BOY.
  • Morning sickness means pink. If you’re stricken with a queasy stomach during your first trimester, think ribbons and bows. If you sail through your pregnancy with nary an upset stomach, it’s blue all the way. I was pretty much nauseous through the whole first trimester. GIRL.

So according to most of these “predictors” we are having a girl. Last time around, most of them said girl too, which is why I find these funny.

We’ll be sharing later on this week to let you know if these are right or not. (I know, it’s pretty much only baby posts lately…)

What do you think we are having?  (Family and friends who already know keep quiet!)

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Baby 2: Twenty-One Weeks

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How far along: 21 weeks and 1 day

Sex of Baby W: We know, but we aren’t sharing publicly yet.

Weight gain: I came back up to my initial weight and just a little more. I am at a 1 pound gain now.

Size of Baby W: a carrot or a least weasel

Maternity clothes: I am fully embracing the maternity clothes, and people now realize that I am pregnant. The bump is full on now.

Baby items: We have gotten a few items for the room and a few newborn clothes. I am on the search for a good double stroller.

Stretch marks: Still stretch mark free.

Belly button in or out:  It is flattening out, but it is still in.

Sleep: Prior to this week, the past couple weeks were rough. I was waking up to go pee around 3, and then I wasn’t able to go back to sleep. I also could not get comfortable thanks to two huge dogs. This week I changed up my tactics and basically baricadded myself with pillows to keep the dogs away, and also keep myself from laying on my back. It really helped to get some full nights of sleep.

Best moment the past few weeks: Finding out the sex of the baby and narrowing down a name. It’s so great to be able to use a name instead of “it.” It was also great to have Tom at the appointment where we found out. Baby is growing perfectly and right on schedule. Nothing bad to report!

Worst moment the past few weeks: The second day of potty training was the absolute worst. I felt like the worst mom and a huge failure. Plus cleaning up a million messes of pee is not an ideal way to spend a Saturday.

Miss anything: This week I have missed sushi and a feta covered gyro.

Cravings: I have been craving Mexican and beef. Bring me all the steak fajitas. Most vegetables are still hard for me to eat, but I try to even if it is begrudgingly.

Movement: Little baby is moving more and more now. Tom actually got to feel a kick this week. I can’t wait until George gets to experience that.

Symptoms/how I am feeling: The heartburn has gone away these past couple weeks, only to be replaced by severe bloating and cramps. I feel like my belly is a balloon that is about to pop. My legs also are cramping up a lot more and feel like heavy weights. I know I need to walk and stretch more to help with this though. Other than that, I am feeling really good. I wish the weather was a little better to do some walking outside because I have the energy now to do it!

Looking forward to: Nothing to do with baby, but I am traveling for a conference here in a couple weeks. While I have never been away from George for more than 24 hours, it is going to be great to have some me time and work on my professional self for a little bit. I’m also looking forward to sharing the name of this little nugget here soon!

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You can read about George at 21 weeks here.

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Feel Good Friday

Who doesn’t love a good Friday? It’s a great day to enjoy the simple things.

Here are some things that I am feeling good about this week.

  1. I have two students that I have been desperately trying to get into my office for the last two months to help them prepare for this semester. Finally, they both had appointments this week and have set up regular appointments!
  2. Most of my shows are back now after their winter hiatus. I am going to take advantage of George’s naps this weekend, and I am going to be a super slug on the couch catching up!
  3. George’s potty training is going really well! I am really proud of him. I will say that the three day method was not all that perfect as some make it out to be, meaning it was not just three days and then poof. However after two weeks, he has only had one or two accidents a day most days, and a couple accident free days. And he has been accident free overnight all week!
  4. I called Verizon today because I noticed that our plan wasn’t correct for this month, and I was able to get a discount applied so our bill is now lower every month.
  5. Tom got to feel the baby kick this week. I think that is always a big moment because so much is happening that I can sense and feel; I like he can be a part of it now. (Not that he wasn’t before, but you know what I mean I hope!)

What’s making you feel good today?

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Bachelor Nick Week 4

This show is 15 years old…

That was the only season I didn’t watch. And now I have so many thoughts!

On to week four!

  • Vanessa is too good for Nick.
  • Nick you aren’t even being honest with yourself.
  • Seriously is all that Corinne does is sleep?
  • Corinne. Girl, you are privileged. And they are not obsessed with you. They were trying to give you a heads up to get your head out of your butt.
  • I don’t think Corinne goes home. I say she is here for another couple weeks.
  • Josephine got in with her song…serious side eye.
  • AHHH the suspense of this rose ceremony.
  • All the looks when he called Corinne’s name. This just got real…I could feel the whole room deflate.
  • I think Christen will be on Bachelor in Paradise.
  • Corinne’s fake speech while they celebrate with champagne gives me all the eye rolls.
  • Do they change the furniture in the main room? I don’t remember the couches being teal.
  • They are all so excited about Milwaukee. I mean I love the midwest, but they are all SOOOOO excited.
  • Where do they find these houses to stay in?
  • Nick’s parents give me the warm fuzzies. They are adorable.
  • It’s like these women have never fed ducks before…
  • Danielle seems really sweet.
  • This is so awkward with Nick’s ex girlfriend. But Amber is married/engaged, and she was really down to earth considering they have a past.
  • Nick is just telling Danielle all the places he fooled around with girls.
  • Danielle is me.
  • That is a large group date.
  • I love how these women dressed for the farm.
  • I mean if Corinne doesn’t want to shovel poop, I can’t really blame her. The whole thing isn’t really ideal.
  • That scrapbook from Vanessa’s students is precious.
  • Corinne approaching the women with that smile. And then Sara calling her out for her maturity.
  • Abraham Lincoln and Michael Jordan took naps?
  • It’s Corinne’s world and we are just living in it.
  • Corinne reacting to Kristina’s conversation was childish. She didn’t attack you Corinne. She told you how she’s sees it. I am not sure about the panic attack that she is claiming she had putting her in that peaceful slumber. I am not one to fool around with anxiety, but I don’t know how truthful that is.
  • Corinne, a relationship is more than just kissing. You are going to have to a lot of adult conversations if you get engaged.
  • I love when they show Bella, his sister, with Nick. They are so cute together.
  • Wow this is big that he chose Raven to meet his parents. I met Tom’s parents after a month dating, which is about the same time as this. However this is totally different circumstances. Big deal.
  • I LOVE ROLLERSKATING! Some of them are not taking it seriously with the rollerblades.
  • It is interesting that Raven had an experience with catching her ex cheating on her, but yet is going into this experience where she is dating someone who is dating 15 other people. Also this is very aggressive behavior. This stiletto business seems like a big alert.
  • Yes Corinne has said stuff behind people’s back to all of America. ALL OF AMERICA.
  • Taylor pulled the counselor on Corinne.
  • I also think Corinne will be on BIP.
  • UGH Seriously! Why are they keeping the rose ceremonies from me?
  • Also I agree with Alexis about Nicolas Cage. Seriously the worst.

Favorites:  Danielle, Rachel and Vanessa

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You Want a Girl, Right?

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“Do you want a girl or a boy? Are you hoping for a girl? Do you want one of each? No seriously, you do want a girl right?”

These are the most common questions that I have gotten since the day we announced we are pregnant. People just can’t help themselves. I get it. There is some curiosity. I am not at all offended.

Because I do want a girl. I have always dreamed of being a girl mom. I used to write lists of possible girl names in my diary when I was in elementary school for my future girl children. I envisioned braiding her hair and talking about books and nonsense giggling over a Friday night movie.

But that isn’t really all that parenting is, is it? (Since I am in the trenches of teaching someone how to not pee in their pants, I guarantee you that school-girl dream is not the gist of parenting.)

Anyway. Yes, I would love the chance to be a girl mom.

But here is the thing.

I love being a MOM. I want any baby God is going to gift me with. This is a BIG lesson that God gave me when we had George. I would be lying if I didn’t say that there weren’t parts of me that weren’t sad about the possibility of a girl slipping away, but God knew exactly what I needed when he gave me George.

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And I believe he knows exactly what I need with this next baby.

And not only me but what our family and what our world needs.

Never would I ever look at George now and say I wish you would have been a girl. I love him so desperately, and I know that he was made just for our family. There is no way I would love him more just because he came out a girl.

Babies are babies. I am going to love this kid no matter what sex it is.

I believe in God’s plan for this child and our family. Whatever we are blessed with, I am going to be grateful and love it with all that I am.

I already do.

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Would I love the chance to be a girl mom, absolutely. I would love to see George with a sister, and Tom doting on a daughter. I would hope to raise a little girl in this world of uncertainty to be brave and imaginative and break barriers that I couldn’t. I would want to bring her up so she can have the confidence to do great things, not because she is a girl, but because she is a gift from above.

Here is the deal, even if I have a girl, I have no idea who she will be. In reality I may miss out on all the “girl” stuff anyway. She may hate bows and princesses, and want to just wrestle with George in the dirt. George may continue his love affair with shoes or want to do dance, so I can live out my dreams of being a dance mom. And that is ok. I will love whichever way the tide rolls for my kids. There is no reason to say I can’t experience these things we say are “girly or boyish” with either sex.

They will be different because one is George and one is Baby Dubs, not because one is a girl and one is a boy. And they won’t be the same because both of them happen to be boys.

What I want is to be a parent of two bright, funny, caring, overwhelmingly grateful people who are able to share love in this dark world. I don’t need girls to have kids who are compassionate. I don’t need boys to have kids who are brave.The sex shouldn’t matter, it matters on how we treat them once they are here.

And that is a gift that I am eternally grateful that God has blessed us with.

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So how can I not just be happy that THERE IS A BABY IN THERE?!? I know I am. A real miracle.

Would I love a little girl? Yes. But I also would love another little boy. I honestly just want the experience of being a parent in whatever way it comes. I will love what I have and dote on this kid just as much as I do on George.

(And hopefully there will be as many pictures)

I have trust and content that there is a greater plan than mine.