Big Nose

I had to include this photo...it's just too priceless not to. You can plainly see a very large nose in this photo, but the ultrasound tech. assured us it is due to a shadow showing up on the image. I think it's hysterical.

I think this picture REALLY looks like me. Minus the nose. It's my nose...just an exaggerated form of it.

Happy Anniversary!!

Four years ago today we were standing at the altar getting married! I was dressed in a gorgeous white dress...Rich looked stunningly handsome in a nice tuxedo and today....I don't feel like a bride at all.

Why? Because I am suffering from a very common ailment that occurs during pregnancy. I won't get too graphic, but it rhymes with steroid.

The little bugger decided to appear yesterday and make itself well-known. Tonight I went to Jewel to do some grocery shopping and thought I was going to start crying walking up and down the aisles. I went to the medication aisle and honestly thought about abandoning my cart, running to the bathroom, and applying some cream. I waited til I got home, but it's still there. Making itself well-known.

I really don't think I'll be able to start teaching again in August if I am still in this shape!!! Not something you want to combine with teenagers!!

So, this is another thing I just have to chalk up to being "all worth it." It really is all worth it, but I had to look at that ultrasound picture to relieve some pain.

Four years of marriage already! Where does time fly? We are certainly happy to have each other, have our first baby on the way, and have so many wonderful memories already...we are certainly looking forward to the next 40 years!!

Our little Miss Winnie wondering what the heck is all the commotion for, and watching her daddy work hard. She loves going in that room...she must get high on the paint fumes. I honestly think she knows something big is about to happen!

More of the baby's room

This is another view of the room....this is inside the room looking towards the cloest (which you can see in the background). This looks more like the actual color...but still a little off.

Baby's Room

This is a picture of the baby's room. This is the view from the entryway into the room. The color is "Trusty Tan." It looks a lot more goldish in this picture...so it's not a very good source for you to see the color...but you get the idea.

We are done painting...next step is adding crown molding and wainscoting! I can't wait to see it all put together!! I really can't wait to see the little baby sleeping in it!!

Kissing Knee

This is a picture of the right profile side of the face and the baby seems to be kissing one of its knees.

The legs of the baby were all over the place, at one point a foot was on top of the head...we would have had a great view of the genital area...but we're keeping you all in suspense. I have absolutely no idea what the gender is. I stare at these pictures and can see both boy and girl features...isn't strange to have no idea what it is, yet love it so much???

Our Baby

Well, above is a good picture of our baby! We still don't know if it's a he or she, and we don't want to know...but we do know one thing for sure...it is simply adorable! We went for a 3D ultrasound today. My parents and Rich's mom came along for the show...someone should have brought some popcorn!!

We got 88 images of the baby, and we have them all on a CD and the entire ultrasound session was recorded through the machine and burned onto a DVD for us also. The DVD also includes the sound of the baby's heartbeat, which is always music to my ears!! She said the heartbeat sounded great!

The baby had its arm in front of its face 90% of the time we were taking these photos, so you will see a lot of arm. The baby also was playing with its feet again, making sucking reflexes, and it also stuck its tongue out a few times. We all agreed that it definitely has my nose and I see Rich's chin/jawline. It's so cute, and so real!! I can't believe it! These next two months and a few weeks are going to seem like an eternity!

Random Things

Here are a few random things that have been occurring...

1. I can no longer flip over from side to side in bed easily. It's a chore. I have to grunt everytime I try to flip over (imagine a turtle on its back) and it causes a little gas sometimes...

2. My face is very broken out, this has happened the past 2-3 weeks. I haven't seen so much acne on my face since 7th grade. It's not very noticeable from afar, but it's there...

3. Winnie (our dog) will not leave my side. I had to make her a little bed next to my computer because she follows me everywhere. She's watching me like I'm a bomb ready to explode.

4. I had no idea how much fun registering for baby stuff could be! I thought wedding registries were fun...baby items are much more fun!! Even Daddy had fun picking out items...Chicago Bears blankies, clothes, etc.

5. In less than three months our lives are going to be incredibly different! After about eight years together, Rich and I will go from "party of 2" to "party of 3"

6. I've gained 21 pounds so far. Not too bad. I think I might be done looking at the scale though for a while...now's not the time to worry about my weight, although I am proud of how I've been doing.

7. The kicks are becoming more and more strong. I feel it move most in the early morning when I wake up, and right before I fall asleep.

I think that's about all the random stuff that has been floating around in my head...

Doctor Visit

I went to the doctor again today. I had another ultrasound done and this time we were able to see the baby playing with its feet (it was holding its feet with its hands). The baby kept smacking its lips, and the ultrasound tech saw the baby yawn really big. We caught a couple glimpses of the face and it looks VERY cute. Its arms were above its head again (I just read that means girl...!)

So...who knows what Baby Novak will turn out to be! The heart rate was good...beating steady at 131.

The ultrasound report also stated that the baby weighs about 2.6 pounds right now. Good weight, and we are on track for a good-sized baby!

They also tested me for gestational diabetes (standard procedure), so hopefully those results will come back soon since the lab could have been run by babboons and probably been more efficient. ( I just realized I'm not sure how to spell babboon...great English teacher!)

That's about it over here...I'm enjoying summer and am getting sad by the fact that it's half way done. Oh well. I have plenty to look forward to!! I just love summer!!

Acrobat

Well, I think Baby Novak is going to be an acrobat. When I went to sleep last night, I could hardly lie still because there seemed to be a tumbling contest taking place in my belly. I still think kicking is the weirdest sensation I've experienced. It's so wonderful, yet just so bizarre.

I also just read that a lot of movement is indicative of a girl...who knows!?!

I am still feeling great and have begun cleaning out the house and getting ready. I cleaned this entire house the past two days, and it feels great. I even wiped down woodwork!! It's clean; it smells great; and it felt so good to crawl into a clean bed last night with aching feet. After Baby Novak's summersault escapade was over last night we all slept very soundly.

I hope the next 2 months and 3 weeks fly by! I can't wait to meet this little stinker!!

Dates

I've realized today that some very important dates are surrounding me...

Yesterday was July 6th, which is my 1/2 birthday; which officially means, I am less than six months away from turning 30...yikes!!

Tomorrow is July 8th, which means exactly 3 months from now is October 8th, and we can be holding our little baby in our arms!

And did you look at the countdown to the right of this page?? We are down to double digits!! He/she will be here before we know it! I guess we better nail down some names...any suggestions???

Happy 4th of July!!

Hi everybody!

We're back....sorry for not posting in over a week; it's been crazy around here. a quick summary:

Rich ended up taking 7 working days off from work due to his back. He finally went back to work this past Wednesday, and is feeling 100% better. The doctor said this can reoccur at any time again, so he really has to be careful. He has started seeing a chiropractor, which should help tremendously. It was nice having him home for a total of 2 and a half weeks including his vacation. Life would be so much fun if you didn't have to work everyday!!

The baby is getting bigger and bigger. My tummy is definitely rounding out and growing rapidly. It's getting harder for me to sit comfortably, bend over, roll over in bed, and get up from lying down.

I still feel pretty good, just get tired and lethargic every once in a while, but who doesn't?? As of June 23rd, you can see my tummy move when the baby kicks and moves around. It's so fascinating to watch. Rich and I sit on the couch many times waiting for it to kick. This kid is a real stinker already...he/she stops kicking the minute someone looks at or feels my belly. Especially my mom...already taking after me being a real stinker. I can feel something really hard on the left side of my belly...possibly the head, butt, or it's back...the feet are definitely to the right.

in non-baby related news...I recevied my notice in the mail yesterday that I will receive my master's degree at the end of this summer session!! Whoohoo!!!! The ceremony won't be until December, but I'm officially done in just a few more weeks!

So, that's about it. Happy Fourth of July to all of you! We hope you have a wonderfule long weekend!!