Can't hardly wait!

That's right! I can't wait to find out the anatomy of our baby. I find so many cute little things I want to buy like right now! It's driving me crazy. Oh, and the other day I drive by Carter's and their having a big 75% sale...go figure! You think that will be around when I do find out, probably not! Haha, that's just the way it goes I guess!

Which way is up

Had my 2nd doctor visit today. Planned to go in for an exam on my back, but they were able to pull of a full exam all together. Heard the baby's heartbeat, which was pure bliss. I just looked at Kevin and we smiled together. It was a very healthy beat, very steady and fast.

The doctor said during the exam she felt that some things were larger...meaning I could be further along than we expected! (This could explain why I feel so large and NONE of my clothes fit) I will find out exactly how far along at my next visit, June 29th also when I get the anatomy of the baby via ultrasound. Very exciting!

Due to my not knowing how far along I am I will not post what the baby looks like, etc. Because I really don't know! haha. But the not knowing is kinda fun, I just want to make sure I know before I go into labor.

I will keep you posted!

Baby is growing

Baby Hale now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, weighing about 2 1/2 ounces (like an apple). Amniotic fluid is traveling through baby Hale's nose and upper respiratory tract, this helps primitive air sacs in the lungs begin to develop. Baby Hale's legs are now growing longer than the arms and now able to move all joints and limbs. Baby Hale's eyelids remain fused shut, however, can still sense light. Also, he/she is forming taste buds, but still cannot taste.

It is suggested we can start talking to baby Hale now, conversations or just narrating whatever we are doing. Reading a book and/or magazine can also be helpful. It's wrote that talking to them is the best way to help them develop language skills.
(Kevin will probably be talking in Italian to the kid)

Feeling more real

So...we've been doing a little shopping. Despite our awful weekend of dog searching, (our dogs ran away and we didn't not get them back for almost 24 hrs) we mixed in a little yard sale hoping and were able to find some great baby items. Not sure what one item is called, but it seems to be useful in preventing acid reflux and we also found an 8 piece grooming set, brand new still in packaging.
Last night I was poking around on www.craigslist.com and glancing at baby cribs when I came across this beautiful Lexington Crib. It's work is beautiful! It's off white with a brushed look, very shabby chic! I am so excited about it. I can't believe we bought a baby crib...we have a baby crib in our house! This is so surreal! I cannot wait to find out what the sex is so we can start decorating the room!
I plan to make my bedding because I want something unique and special, and it's less I have to put on my registry. I enjoy creating unique things and I figured this is something special my mother and I can share.

I will post pictures once we get the bed assembled.

Sickness is back

I am not sure if it is the weather change or just me not getting better, but I feel like poop today!

I need to get my back checked out as soon as possible. As the nights wind down I start to feel like someone has beat me up with a baseball bat. I can barely bend over and pick my self back up, when I get out of bed to go to the potty it's the hardest thing for me to do! Any hints on how to help this?

A new Hale on the way

Welcome friends and family! As most of you already know, Kevin and I are expecting this November! We are super excited and can not wait to see our new baby Hale.

I've had this blog for some time now but never really shared it with anyone (kept forgetting) however, since the occasion, I feel it would be a great way to keep everyone updated on the mine and the baby's progress.

For starters, I had my first doctors visit May 12 and they basically confirmed I was pregnant, Kev's response, "she better be...after all we've been through!" Which was my exact thought, I'd better not been sick for nothing, ha! Anyways, they also took some blood and gave me a TB test, which turned out fine. Haven't heard any news about the blood draw yet. I go back for my second visit on the 10th of June, hopefully an ultrasound, but at least an update on how the baby is doing. We'll have to wait and see.

As far as how I have been feeling; I've been much better. I was pretty sick at first, and brushing my teeth in the morning has and still gags me!
I am beginning with the weird cravings such as, peppered beef jerky, funyuns, pickles, and ice cream is awesome. Chicken grosses me out, and basically everything (meat) I prepare other than pasta I cannot eat! Physically, I am okay, however, I am starting to have a lot of problems with my hips and lower back tailbone area. I hope to see a chiropractor soon!

As far as how Kev is doing...he has been amazing through all of this! He puts up with my mood swings because he knows I am not intentionally being that way, and he tries to make sure I am always comfortable. And it may be too early, but he makes sure to talk to our "blueberry" (the baby) every day. He is also keeping me pretty motivated on movement. I don't want to lay around and get fat. We take walks in the evenings, and summer league baseball is starting so I will be working there on the weekends, and on Sundays I attend his men's league baseball games. As much as it wears to me out to go here and there (but doesn't stress me out) I still want to keep at it for the physical affect for the baby and I.

In addition, I follow my progress on thebump.com to see how I and baby are and should be doing:
(I have a little baby bump)
For mom-I have graduated to the the second trimester at 13 weeks! They say this should be a comfortable and enjoyable stage for me...I have been counting down to this time!

(Baby is the size of a peach! Averaging 2.9 inches and .81 oz.)
For baby-he/she is forming teeth and vocal cords but they are still in nonfunctional phase. He/she is approaching normal proportions, the head is now only 1/3 the size of the body. The baby's intestines are in process of moving from the umbilical cord to the tummy.

Not your ordinary lasagna!

I know, it looks wimpy and not so fulfilling, but you will be surprised!
On top of that, it's sooo simple!

Grocery list: (Makes 1 large pan)
2 boxes Delallo Imported Italian Lasagna (very important: OVEN READY NO BOILING)
2 jar Kroger brand Home style three cheese pasta sauce
2 8 oz bag of mozzarella cheese
2 16 oz low fat small curd cottage cheese
And that's it! You may have a little left over, but that's okay!

Preheat oven to 350
Get your 13 x 9 pan, spray with cooking spray (or line it with olive oil <-that's what we do)
1) Lay your first layer of lasagna down, 2) then apply amount of sauce (consistency to whatever you like) don't spread yet, 3) then a scoop of cottage cheese, then spread. 4) After spread evenly, apply a good thick layer of mozzarella cheese - that's it!
Repeat steps 1-4 until you have a full pan! Oh yeah and top with the sauce, cottage cheese and mozzarella!
Bake for 50 min (or until golden brown on top)
And WALLAH! You have the easiest meatless baked lasagna ever! And it's good, and somewhat healthy!

And it doesn't seem so professional because it's a recipe I just pulled off one day...so I hope everyone likes it!