Happenings...

I am finally sitting down to formulate all of the many thoughts that have been floating around in my mind for the past few weeks. I went to the doctor yesterday, I am now almost 25 weeks pregnant...not bad, only 15 weeks to go!

Things have started to wind down a bit. April was a very busy month filled with lots of good stuff. First was the move from S. Francisca Ave. to Avenue C. The new house is so much better! It feels much more like home than the other house. About a week ago one of my adult students was leaving the house after her lesson, and on her way out the door she said, "I love having my lessons here, this is such a happy home." Her compliment delighted me--especially because I believe it to be true. The house itself is lovely, but as for the home being happy, that comes from Don and me. We have worked so hard in our marriage to get here, and I am relishing in it, cherishing every moment.

Sisters Lauren and Joy came for a visit the week after we moved. They were so funny and fun to have around. They stayed up late eating loads and loads of junk food, and watching TV and then slept in until noon or so the next day. It brought back memories for me of my early twenties and single life. It also made me realize those days were long behind me. I live with a 33 year old who is happiest if he gets into bed by 9 pm. He blames it on years of sleep apnea, I blame it on his 4:45 am alarm.

Does anyone out there love daylight savings the way I do? I swear it makes all the difference in the world as far as my energy level is concerned. I could never move to I don't know, say Nunavut, Canada where December leaves you with up to 24 hours of darkness. Sorry Nathan and Robin, June will be awesome with all the sunlight, but sheesh! Since we've moved the clocks forward I have been able to send my husband off in the morning with a sunrise, and been able to enjoy a few hours before sunset with him in the evenings. I think for both of us being able to be home or enjoy walks on the beach before sunset on weeknights has been terrific.

Somewhere on facebook, one of my "friends" mentioned that she couldn't stand people who go on and on about how happy they are, or how great their lives are going. It's possible I am one of those people she was referring to, what do you think?

So, I keep thinking about my little boy that's on his way. I honestly can't believe we're having a boy. I am not sure what to make of it, you see I was raised with a pride of women...not a pack of men like my husband. What do boys like? What do they need? I am good at fixing hair, throwing tea parties, and applying make up. Terrible at sports and with high adventure. When I mention to Don how concerned I am with this, he gives me a wry smile and states, "well what do you think I am here for." Thank you God that I have Don, nevertheless, are you sure you meant to give me a boy?

How about boy names. I have a million girl names I like, but with boy names I am still feeling stuck. I would love ANY input anyone has...so far we are thinking of Ethan, Evan, or Luke. Still, I am not convinced we have yet stumbled upon the right name.

Last night I woke up on two separate occasions due to high intensity kicks. This baby is feisty, and strong, and I think he is ready to stretch his legs and get on with life. Even though his gender intimidates me a bit, I cannot wait to meet him, and have been day dreaming of holding him close and drinking in his little delicious baby scent. It's going to be a beautiful thing!

Probably the strangest thing about being pregnant is all of the advice I am constantly receiving. A lot of people have such strong opinions about how to raise a child, and parenthood in general. It's definitely overwhelming, and I am constantly having to reign in my own thoughts, and ask God for wisdom and discernment. You know what I notice the most, the people giving the advice are generally the people that complain the most about motherhood. Just the other day someone told me to be sure to not quit my job because I would regret it and resent having to stay home and mother my child 24 hours a day. Talk about discouraging advice. Where are all the moms that will tell me raising a child is wonderful and rewarding? Please come out of the wood works if you are there! I so hope to enjoy this experience, and even if I have a strong willed difficult child, I pray that God grants me an abundance of love that is big enough to conquer any negativity I may feel through this process.

My life in roughly 15 weeks is going to completely change, and I am excited about it. I want to know what it feels like to lay down my life and my selfishness for another human being. I know it will be hard, and at times I will need a break (Grandma's get ready!) but I also know that through Christ I will be able to do this. "I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing." John 15:5.

God Bless!

It's been awhile

It's been awhile since we have posted anything on the blog... about three- and-a-half weeks actually, so here is a little catchup; Here is a shot of Rachel relaxing the other evening (she was being modest with her belly exposure unfortunately... I dig it when it shows!).

We also had our gender revealing party which turned out to be a huge success thanks to all of our friends that made it a hit. There was a strange tension that built up to the point when we cut into the cake revealing a blue icing telling everyone that we were going to have a boy! Even Rachel was nervous, and she was the one that made the cake. Everyone cheered.

Since that time we have been getting the baby's room ready. Lots of painting and trips to the store to get everything just right.

Rachel is sleeping more and is having a very fit looking pregnancy. We have researched everything we need for the little rug rat and created a list on MyRegistry.com. Only 4 more months!!!

Rare Form

Don and I had our 20 week ultrasound yesterday, and were lucky enough to be able to determine the gender of baby Speedie. The big California reveal isn't until April 10 (sorry friends!) so I am not going to spoil the surprise by giving anything away on this posting.

Anyway, the checkup went well. Speedie's growth is right on track, measuring between 20 and 21 weeks. It was nice to have Don there, although the quality of the ultrasound machine was a little disappointing after my experience at the genetic testing center. Little, tiny screen, and little tiny body parts, and I have NO idea how the doctor saw what she saw, but the good news is, she said she was 100 percent certain! Anyway, I will say this, the baby was NOT cooperating and was wiggling around so much that the doctor couldn't get a clear look. She was going to send us home without a definitive answer, when I asked her to check one last time. She did and low and behold, Little Speedie was in full cooperation on the back with legs spread wide open. Haha! I don't think I am going to have a modest child.

Next posting will be April 10, after our gender reveal party! I am excited, now I just have to figure out how to make a colored cake without food coloring...yuck. Happy Easter friends and family! Lots of love!

Cave Men

So my mother-in-law Lorri reminded me a few days back that I haven't been keeping up on my postings! Sorry! Things have been busy around here, but rather non-eventful in the pregnancy department. I feel the baby moving around quite a bit now, and next Wednesday Don and I are going in for the ultrasound that will hopefully identify the baby's gender. YEAH! We have been keeping ourselves busy around here with shopping on Craigs list for nursery furniture, packing boxes, and filing tax returns. Craigs list is the best! We bought all of the furniture we will need for our nursery last weekend, and we got screaming deals...especially on the beautiful Made in Canada Ragazzi dresser and hutch set that we bought.

I am definitely starting to show in a big way now. I know my friends are able to tell, but I think I may still be in that, is she or isn't she stage when it comes to strangers...if they even notice at all, which is unlikely.

I am struggling a bit with feeling self-conscious about the weight gain. I shared this with Don early this morning, and at first he said all the usual "nice guy" things one would expect. "Honey you look beautiful, it's natural, yadda, yadda." I wasn't really buying it until he finally just said, "OK, so I wasn't going to tell you this, but when I look at all of your new curves, I feel all manly, and hear grunts in my head like a cave man, 'I did that...grunt, grunt, grunt.' " Needless to say, I was cheered up after that, because Don feels manly to have a pregnant wife, and that makes me happy. You think you know someone, and I have this view of my husband that he is this sensitive, sweet guy--which he is! However, he is also a man, a typical, red-blooded man. I like that side of him too--thank God for men, sensitive and cave alike.

Beethoven

I feel like such a proud parent already! Yesterday the baby was pretty quite all day. I told Don I was concerned that something was wrong because I hadn't felt any movement all day. Don, being the sensible person that he is told me the baby was probably just in a deep sleep all day. Anyway, yesterday evening Don and I trekked to downtown Los Angeles to Disney Concert Hall. I was really looking forward to hearing the Elgar: Cello Concerto, and had been listening to it on my ipod all day in preparation. To my great disappointment we arrived and found out the program had been changed to Beethoven's third piano concerto. Due to my disappointment, I was determined to sit through the performance and sulk. Instead, and to my delight, my sleepy baby was awoken from his or her slumber by the Orchestral Exposition of the piano concerto. I was sitting there with my arms across my belly when I felt the kicks hard enough through my belly to feel them on the backs of my arms. The music must have really excited Baby Speedie because there was tons of activity throughout the whole concerto, and the best part or all was that Don got to feel the baby kick for the very first time that night. Talk about a good memory!

Kicks and Wiggles

So thank you everyone for reading about my migraine complaints. I think a lot of people must have prayed for me after my post because I literally woke up the very next day without a migraine and am going on day two with no migraines! YEAH! Thank you Lord!!!

Big events to tell from the Speedie residence...first order of business is baby news. I am 99 percent sure I can feel the baby moving around in my belly! Thinking back, I have been able to feel the baby since week 15, however I wasn't sure exactly what I was feeling, and the sensations were few and far between at that point, so I chalked it up to the strangest gas I have ever had in my life.

Now though at 17.5 weeks, I am definitely sure I am feeling the baby, and this baby is active!!! The kicking and wiggling feels almost like I have a tiny bowl of Rice Krispies in my belly. It's so faint still at this point that it doesn't feel like a kick, but just the tiniest little pop, pop, pop. I didn't think it was possible to be internally ticklish, I was wrong. The baby's movements totally make me feel ticklish...talk about strange sensations! I am looking forward to the kicks being a little harder so that Don will be able to feel them with his hand. He hasn't tried to yet, but maybe in another week or so.

Second order of business...Don and I are moving! We will be moving Saturday April 3. Papers have yet to be signed, but I am pretty sure it's a go, we just have to connect with the landlord to give her our deposit check. Our new place is so pretty. It's in a neighborhood called the Avenues, and it's just lovely. The home is an early 1900 Spanish style home complete with lots of built in bookshelves and a wood burning fireplace. We are looking forward to having more space! We will actually have a dining room, and a little office. Even the living room is much bigger than the one we have now. The bedrooms are still really small, but we will be able to make due!

On Saturday April 10 we are throwing a big party for our friends here in Redondo Beach. Any Renoites or Canadian folks that would like to come are welcome too! The party is a 3-1 combo party. The plan is to have a little bit of housewarming, a little bit of game night, AND....a little bit of announcing the baby's gender. Any votes for team pink or team blue? We are finding out the sex on March31, but are going to keep it to ourselves until April10. I already had a friend ask me if I would tell her before the party...but I won't, sorry! Don and I decided everyone has to wait, just to make it more of a fun surprise!!!

I read a posting on the internet that the sister of a pregnant woman posted. She was complaining about having to go to this stupid gender revealing party for her sister. She went on and on about how self-centered it was and how her sister needed to realize that people are busy and have lives of their own that don't resolve around her pregnancy. Anyway, my first thought was, "Uh oh, are people going to find me self-centered for throwing this party?" Then I realized what's it to them, it's not like I am twisting anyone's arm. It's really just an excuse to eat a lot, bake two cakes (one pink, one blue) and play games with friends. Anyone that finds me self-centered and finds the party in poor taste, can go do their own thing, eh?! I am glad I don't have that girl for a sister. My sisters are the best...love you girls...Sara, Lauren, and Joy!

Migraines

The second trimester was going amazingly well until last week when I started getting migraines. I have basically had a migraine since Thursday of last week, with a few hours of reprieve here and there from day to day. I can't remember ever experiencing anything like this, but it is making it challenging for me to be as productive as I would like to be. I guess the headaches starting coming on last Sunday, but it wasn't until Thursday that I realized they weren't "normal" headaches. First of all, the headache won't go away. Secondly, I only get the headache on my left side, and the pain goes from my temple down onto my face and the back of my neck. Third, my vision in my left eye has been compromised, and fourth I have started vomiting from the pain. Anyway, I am going to the doctor next week, and in the meantime, any suggestions any of you have that don't include medication would be greatly appreciated. I am still thankful, still joyful, just lagging a bit from discomfort. Thanks for reading!