PICTURE FRIDAY

Happy Friday the 13th (the only day I'm not praying that Henry comes-which means he probably will)! :)
Without further delay...here are the long promised maternity pictures that we had taken to capture our GROWING FAMILY! Have a great weekend! xoxo 

 

Images Courtesy of: Kristi Michelle Photography

Baby magic and many excitements

Remember my cliffhanger from last week where I said I was super excited about some NEWS and I couldn’t wait to share?  Totally worth the wait (or at least I think so).  Well, today we are in a sharing mood…and I am pleased to announce that baby Henry is going to have a new and younger cousin.  Yep, my sister is PREGNANT too!!  The same sister who traveled down here all the way from Minot, North Dakota to throw me a baby shower a few weeks ago (yep looks like I will be flying to her destination soon enough to repay her for that one) and the same sister who is planning to attempt to get here for the birth of my son.  I say “attempt” because (let me repeat myself) she lives in MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA…and it’s no easy feat getting anywhere when you live in the middle of nowhere.  The last trip took a FULL DAY with 3 layovers…and that was with a previously purchased plane ticket…who knows what’s going to happen when I go into labor.  HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to my sister, her husband, and her beautiful 8 year old daughter!  I can’t wait to meet my new nephew/niece!

Let me just say that it REALLY excites me that she is having another baby.  Both her and my older sister had little girls (8 years ago) within a few months of each other and they are by far the most precious cousins I have ever seen.  They are like sisters only have two very different and very unique sets of parents who make them so extraordinarily wonderful …they are my magic.  I know it’s not fair, but I am hoping that this new cousin is a BOY…Henry needs his magic too.  I asked my sister to send me a picture of her “baby bump”.  She is MUCH smaller than I was at 12 weeks…but she also reminded me that she is only 11 weeks and 5 days…love you sister.  :P

Let me also say how VERY EXCITED I am that my sister is “going to do her best to get out here for the birth of Henry”!  As I have probably already said a million times my 3 sisters and I are like 1 soul.  We are so close and can say and do anything in front of each other (makes for great times and obsessiveness with each other).  They are my best friends.  I’ve read so many different blogs, books, etc. that caution “moms to be” on situation that arise at the hospital and I couldn’t think of a better person to be there for me, JCH and Henry than one of my sisters (or my mother of course).

We finally settled on a pediatrician! On Monday we got squeezed in with a pediatrician that we have REALLY wanted to meet, at a practice that has come highly recommended by several friends.  So that’s done and with the best outcome possible!  YES!  We also settled on our decision NOT to bank Henry’s cord blood.  We went back and forth on this issue until it was almost a “paper-rocks-scissors” decision…which may make some of yall cringe…but we honestly COULD NOT argue very strongly either way.  I feel good about our decision.  Another check mark off the list.  This past weekend we also cleaned out the fridge, organized our closets, did every bit of laundry and cleaning in the house, went on several dates to breakfast, lunch and dinner, and even went out to the movies…we are ready!!! COME ON BABY HENRY!!!!  What are we forgetting?  If you have a baby or children, what would you have “made sure you did” before your little bundle of joy came (dont say "take a long beach vacation" because I'm pretty sure we cant check that off the list before then)?

I’ve got MORE maternity pictures to share.  I PROMISE I will get those uploaded SOON.  The CD reader on my laptop is broken and my time at work is very precious…so I haven’t had a personal minute to upload the pics.  SOON I PROMISE! Hopefully I can get them uploaded tomorrow!!!  Stay tuned- any day now for Baby Henry's arrival!!!!

3 more weeks...or maybe tomorrow!

Every day I hear on numerous occasions, “when is your due date?”…and every day I answer, “3 more weeks, or maybe tomorrow”.  Since I hit 37 weeks on Saturday I spent all weekend joking that I wished we would get a tropical storm or maybe just a crazy thunderstorm that would cause the barometric pressure to drop and theory goes…”induce an early labor”.  Last night we had a loud and dramatic thunderstorm…and boy was I eating my words.  I’m not ready for Henry to come early!  I’ve got 3 more weeks, and I need AT LEAST 1 more!  Yes I'm a HUGE procrastinator.

I’m nearly ready for the “nursery reveal”.  I act like it’s such a big deal only because JCH convinced me that it would be “way more special” if I sewed the bedding for the nursery rather than allowing my expert seamstress mother to do it, or maybe just splurging a little on the “Land of Nod” stuff that I had my eye on.  Needless to say, learning a new (and not so easy hobby) while 7-9 months pregnant may not have been the best idea.  I have spent countless nights ironing fabric while my back is killing me to stand up, and have cried out of frustration on multiple accounts.  Just a few nights ago JCH had to take over the “changing pad cover” project that I was about to throw in the trash…I had given up and he has a strange knack for “being good at everything he tries”.  So what have I successfully completed?  Fitted sheets, the crib skirt, curtains, and the changing pad cover (kind of).  I still need to finish the bumper (which I am seriously so afraid of that I keep putting off)…and my mother is using all of the scrap fabric from my projects to make a quilt that will perfectly match.  SO EXCITED!

I also need one more week to get my “hospital bag” packed.  Call me a procrastinator but I waited until last week to run through a few checklists of what to bring…and came across several things that I needed to pick up.  I honestly HATE shopping now…by the time I get to the front door of the store I am exhausted and just want to turn around and go home.  I get so frustrated by inconsiderate people who lack empathy or compassion for my difficulty in getting around (which ends up putting me in a very cross mood). SO I need this last week to ensure that I get all of my ONLINE SHOPPING orders in, washed, and packed.  I still need my itunes playlist (any suggestions?), not completely settled on little mans “going home” outfit, and I need a few options for mommy for when the photographer comes to snap a few pics of the happy new family.

I also need a little more time to figure out this “pediatrician thing”.  YES. I. KNOW.  It’s ridiculous that we don’t have a pediatrician chosen.  I’ve got some GREAT recommendations for practices in our “burb” area of Charleston, I just need to narrow down my selection and take a few “meet and greet” interviews to make my decision.  Going to try to do that this week.

I’m also calling this last week my “pampering week”.  I’ve scheduled a hair appointment, prenatal massage, and pedicure.  I’ve got to get this stuff in while I still can, right?.  What else should I do this week that I may be forgetting?  I’m debating the “brazillian wax”…yes, no? 

Lastly, I need 1 more week to wrap things up at work.  I’m sure they can get by without me…but there are just a few important and incomplete tasks that I just feel compelled to complete. 

A few "medical" updates (sorry it’s been almost a month):

Two weeks ago my doctor’s appointment did not go so well.  My blood pressure was “high”, my heart rate was so high they have officially diagnosed me with tachycardia, and my hemoglobin levels were on the low side (my body is not keeping up with the nutritional demands of pregnancy).  I left the doctor’s office with a lot on my mind.  How was I going to manage the demands of launching a new name and brand at work within the next two weeks, and lower my blood pressure simultaneously?  How was I going to become a “better eater”?  My indigestion has been so horrible that medicine is just not doing the trick- pretty much the only thing that works is by making adjustments to my diet…and sometimes that means that I don’t end up eating dinner because my stomach is so full (yep not a "good eater").  It also means absolutely no spicy food, no fried food, no red meat…and of course none of the other easy to eat things like “deli meat”…so finding something to eat (with nutritional value) ends up being such a chore.  I’ve found Carnation Breakfast Essentials to be surprisingly wonderful…but nothing else (any suggestions?).  I’ve also found that carbonated water (La Croix) helps with the indigestion…it makes me burp, and that makes me feel better (temporarily anyway-lol).  I went BACK to the doctor last Tuesday (impromptu because my vagina had swollen so bad it felt like I had “man parts” down there) and got a slightly better report card (ps the vagina is back to normal and the doctor said it was “just one of those strange things caused by pregnancy”).  My heart rate was still high, my blood pressure was “better”, and my hemoglobin had gone up.  My doctor was still very adamant about rest, relaxation and putting my feet up.  My boss is also concerned and therefore has suggested that I work half-days from home.  I’ve really tried to get out of work to go home and put my feet up and work from my laptop…but I’ve had a REALLY HARD TIME finding a stopping point before 4pm.  Maybe this week I will try harder.

Okay, I promise to POST pictures next time.  Baby shower pictures, maternity pictures, and “before and after” pictures….yay so many exciting things to share…I’ve been so neglectful (busy).  I also have a VERY BIG SECRET to share…but not sure when I get to…so stay tuned for that.

The Joys of Pregnancy

I just went to the restroom at work, and giggled to myself as I had déjà vu of another restroom incident earlier this week at the doctor’s office.  Let me just say that I haven’t had a successful “pee in a cup” in several weeks.  I’m sure you have all had to give a urine sample at least once in your life and it’s not the easiest thing- take your pants to your ankles, spread ‘em wide, peek between your legs and hope for a steady stream.  Well when you’ve got a watermelon sized obstacle obstructing your view (and reach) it’s nearly impossible.  Yes, I’ve peed all over my hands and the cup at least the past 3 times.  Laughed at myself just now…and then…not very funny though.

I cried to myself two nights ago…well cried myself to sleep anyway.  I usually get a cycled sleep schedule- 1 night I don’t sleep, and then the next night I’m so tired I sleep pretty good, and then back to no sleep the following night.  Two nights ago was my “sleep pretty good” night…and when I laid down for bed I just couldn’t make it happen.  If I laid on my side I was shoving food/acid, etc up my esophagus, if I propped myself up laying on my back HENRY was squishing my lungs/diaphragm and I couldn’t breathe…plus I was having a strange pain in my side (felt like kidney) that was altogether keeping my mind occupied and not allowing me to get comfortable.  JCH is in Philly for work, so I let it out…I cried…and when I was done I had forgotten about my side pain and was so exhausted that I passed out.  One way to do it anyway.

Sunday morning I woke up early and ran to BRU to exchange our car seat adaptor and grabbed a breakfast sandwich from the coffee shop down the street.  When I arrived at BRU I was a complete mess. For some reason my belly attracts food/beverages like a magnet.  I have seriously NEVER been such a messy disaster.  I was literally covered in melted cheese…belly…thighs…basically everywhere.  I was like a toddler when you pull them out of a highchair…every crevasse covered in food. Wishing now I would have taken a picture so that you could see how ridiculous it really was. 

Feeling a lot of PUBIC pressure lately.  I was talking to a close friend (who is also pregnant) and her husband bought her an exercise ball to sit and roll around on that she swears REALLY helps with the pelvic/pubic pain/pressure.  Her words exactly…”you just have to get as vulgar as possible with that ball for it to really help”.  Made me laugh…but yes we will try ANYTHING to get a little more comfort.

I wrote this post in two sittings.  The first part I was very cranky and uncomfortable and ready to go all “3^rd trimester” on somebody.  This second part is reflection after watching one of my favorite Hollywood couples on TV this weekend- Giuliana and Bill (Rancic).  Long story short- they have gone through IVF several times with no success.  They went to a specialist for their latest attempt and were required to have several tests done- one of which, being a mammogram.  The mammogram revealed that Guiliana had breast cancer.  Today, after undergoing surgeries, many failed IVF attempts, and being a cancer survivor, they are expecting (using a surrogate).  To see their joy and many raw emotions...it brought back the many emotions I have experienced throughout this process…and I felt shameful for having the audacity of being cranky and ungrateful.  It was nice to be reminded of how LUCKY we are.   When I first titled this post I was being facetious and cynical, but after some reflection I truly am serious when I title this post “The Joys of Pregnancy”.  There really are so many miracles going on in my body and in our lives and I really am truly joyful.

The family (JCH, Teddy-our dog, Henry, and myself) took maternity pictures this weekend.  Our photographer- a friend and coworker took these pictures and posted them as “teasers” on her facebook page (click here to see her fb page).  I thought I would share them…more to come!

We've Got A Name

You can go ahead and call it.  I’ve officially reached the “happy in moo-moos” phase.  Well, I’m happy wearing anything that I am comfortable in.  I’m pretty much happy anytime I am comfortable (which is pretty much never- but the moo-moo helps).  Yes, I'm dead serious...I bought a moo-moo.  Another really awesome thing I recently came across was spanx.  I have a slip dress that is made by spanx and it offers the most wonderful support- it holds the belly up without squeezing it too much...amazing!  Crazy that two articles of clothing with opposing purposes can make me so happy...but they do.  Call me crazy...or maybe irrational...speaking of irrational... 

I came home last night and JCH wanted to talk to me about how long he should request for “paternity leave” (good conversation to have).  I started voicing my opinion and as I heard the words come out of my mouth I STOPPED and said “how about we talk about this another day, I’m pretty grouchy right now”.  I literally did not have a rational thought in my head. 

I hate to complain (no really I do) but I haven’t slept in weeks.  Well I’ve slept just not real well.  My belly is so big that there is no possible way to lie comfortably (not to mention I upchuck in my mouth every time I lay down).  My lower back spasms almost every time I walk and work is stressing me out so bad that my shoulders and neck are so tense.  Okay, I’m done complaining…I just couldn’t get through a post without answering the “how are you feeling?” question that I often get.

We have finally chosen a NAME.  Henry.  It’s the FIRST name that came to my mind when we found out we were having a boy and it’s the name that stuck throughout all of the lists that we made.  I was apprehensive for a while because another pregnant friend mentioned they were considering it, but I just “feel” attached to the name and can’t get over the feeling that it’s what he is supposed to be named.  We are still contemplating his middle name, but there is a good chance it will be his daddy’s name.  I love having settled on Henry.  Now when I talk to him I get to call him by name and not just “baby”.  (p.s. the name is not public knowledge so if you follow my blog you have insider knowledge)

We got our crib in yesterday (yes I know we are slightly behind).  JCH was cutting through the cardboard so excitedly that he cut the wood of the brand new crib.  I could have killed him, but he was so mad at himself I had to redirect my energy to “talk him off the ledge”.  I usually don’t stay mad about those kinds of things anyway…what’s done is done.  We are currently having a slight paint dilemma.  We have already gone through two different grays that we decided would make the room look too small…so now we are trying out two different (lighter shades of) gray.  Hopefully we like one of these…because we can’t put the furniture together and in the nursery until JCH has finished painting.  We’ll get there…slowly but surely.

Last night I told JCH…”only 9 more weeks” and there was no comment back.  When I asked him if he heard me, he said “yes and it scares the shit out of me”.  I’m not quite sure what scares him…but it brought on a whole opposing conversation.  I told JCH that I had a conversation with my sister a few days ago about how we have never seen him around babies.  He immediately got defensive and said “I’ve practically raised my nieces and nephews…I’ve been around tons of babies”.  This went back and forth for a while, as I laughed to myself- first he tells me he’s scared and then he tells me he is a pro.  Too funny.

Our house is filling up with baby stuff, and our countdown is getting closer.  We have come so far and it’s truly unbelievable that we will have a baby boy very soon.  Every time that I puke, or lie in bed and cant sleep I think about how lucky we are to have financially been able to do a cycle of IVF, for the doctors to have found sperm and created 5 embryos that were OURS, for us to get pregnant (and sustain the pregnancy) on the first attempt, and to have a healthy baby boy growing inside of me.  I am grateful…I just really would like this last trimester to go by a little quicker. 

I dont have any pictures to share today, but we have set up a "maternity shoot" for June 3rd...so we'll have some fun pictures to share very soon!  Happy Friday!

Famous Last Words

Dreams.  There is something to say about dreams…or at least I usually feel attached to mine in someway.  I have been a dancer my whole life.  Get your minds out of the gutter…I’m talking about a studio dancer…ballet, jazz, tap…since I was probably two years old.  I even danced in college for the UNT Dancers.  Why I’m telling you this is that for some reason my dreams always relate back to dance.  Last night I had a dream that I was new to a dance studio and had been added to a small ensemble that was the most beautiful modern routine I had ever seen…and I only had a week to learn the choreography and be performance ready.  Throughout practices with the group I was continuously forgetting the routine, and feeling inadequate as I felt like I couldn’t fully DANCE IT OUT since I just barely knew it.  I was anxious and overwhelmed and feeling as though I had something to prove to my group who at this point were questioning my ability.  Two weeks ago I had a similar dream that related to dance but instead of not knowing the routine, I forgot half of my costume and was running amuck trying to find a substitute.  I must admit in all of my years of dancing I have probably had both scenarios happen…and have probably felt those same feelings in relation to dance…but it seems as though my body is relating how I felt when I was unprepared then…to how I feel being unprepared now.

JCH and I have been EXTREMELY busy the past few months (and I’m not really seeing a window where it will slow down) and I’m feeling slightly overwhelmed with all of the baby products (what’s the absolute best, what do I REALLY need, what is not hideously ugly and going to turn my house into a tacky baby toy room), slightly stressed with a timeline for the “birth of my baby” at work (launching a new name and brand is what I am calling my “work baby”) in June and the birth of my real baby in July.  I think these dreams are stemming from my lack of control and compulsion for everything to be PERFECT.  I’ve just barely scratched the surface on our baby registry, haven’t even finished clearing out the guest room which will eventually be the nursery, have a crib picked out but still haven’t ordered it, haven’t signed us up for any birthing, breastfeeding or baby boot camp classes, and am in desperate need of bigger clothes and more comfortable shoes-my improvisations the past few weeks are almost humorous (since I haven’t had time to go pick some new stuff up)…feeling like I am spinning out of control.  On Monday JCH texted me from work to tell me that because he didn’t have any clean underwear (I haven’t done laundry in about two weeks) he was wearing gym shorts under his jeans. WOW rock bottom…I’m sure he hasn’t had that happen since college.  What else? Oh yeah, I forgot to remind JCH of our 28 week follow up ultrasound on Monday morning until Sunday night…come to find out when we show up that morning that we are actually a week early.  The good news is they still saw us, and the even better news is that we saw how beautifully our baby boy is growing and got some great 28 week pictures.  BB Hoffman is in the 65% percentile (which leaves no cause for concern on the whole “cord placement issue”), and was measuring at 2 lbs 10 ounces.

PEEK_AHHH_

BOO (doesn't he look just like his daddy?)

Speaking of BB Hoffman…he sure is an active little fellow.  I swear he is going to come out of the womb break dancing!  I used to primarily feel him kicking and bouncing around at night…but now he is going strong all day long.  I love it.  Not sure if I ever told this story…but I was talking to a coworker about my affections for coffee and said, “so what if I have a hyper kid…”….hah FAMOUS LAST WORDS! J  Speaking of hyper kids…JCH was recently visiting family in Texas for opening season of turkey hunting and his nephews (ages 8-12) were also there.  JCH was amazed at how wild and “out of control” (his words) these young boys were.  The funny thing is they have always been wild and out of control young boys (is there any other kind?)…the difference is that he is now imagining that they are his own…and his responsibility…and now the “wild boy” becomes real.  It’s so funny to talk to him about parenting and how we would “like to” raise our baby boy.  He analyzes other kids and other people’s parenting techniques and is really so concerned about how he/we will be as parents and how our little guy will turn out.  I on the other hand, know he will be a wonderful father, and actually have no doubts on our ability to raise a well-adjusted, thoughtful, bright, considerate, brave, and most importantly HAPPY baby!  I CANT WAIT!  My silly worries are more about what the nursery looks like, and having all of the BEST baby swag…whoa tough choices…I know.

I’ve got a lot to look forward to these next few weeks.  Next weekend I’m flying home to Texas for a baby shower hosted by my fabulous in-laws and get to see everyone’s beautiful faces and looks of shock when they see how HUGE my belly is.  The week after that is the HUGE finale event for my fundraising efforts for this year for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation- the Great Strides Walk.  I was the committee chair this year and so the event (and it’s success) mean more to me than ever.  In June two of the closest people to me- my sister, Bri and good friend, Tam are flying down here to Charleston to co-host a baby shower for me and BB H.  These two know me so well and are such perfectionists that I can’t wait to see what they have put together for BB Hoffman and I.  I’m also really ready to squeeze them, and get some quality catch up time.

Medically and pregnantly checking in…glucose testing went well (the drink really isn’t THAT terrible- and the results came back normal), and I’ve got the Strep B test in 2 weeks (which isn’t that big of a deal). OOOO also I woke up this morning and the skin around my right eye is sensitive.  I’ve had a similar feeling before in my arm…when I accidentally sleep on it funny it will create temporary nerve damage where the slightest touch is painful, but the face…not really sure.  Not too concerned but something I will keep an eye on.  Belly is getting really big and constantly feeling REALLY full.  I can’t eat very much anymore.  I seriously will eat a small can of pineapple and be full…or a pbj.  The indigestion is getting pretty bad…it’s hard to lay down without feeling like my food is slowly moving back up my digestive track and on it’s way up my throat…YUK.  I already take a 40mg Nexium every morning…but have now also become an addict of tums.  I also feel like I am “going more often” now too…it’s like I eat, I poop…guess there is no room for it anymore (lol-tmi I know).  Sleeping is touch and go.   Some nights I’m out and sleep perfectly and some nights I sleep but feel awake, and/or constantly wake up and cant go back to sleep…on average getting about 3 nights a week of good sleep (and not complaining)….bring it on BB Hoffman…I’m ready for the “no sleep”…lol…FAMOUS LAST WORDS.



27 weeks (in my office)



Don't have time...cant slow down!

Whoa…where have we (me, BB Hoffman, and JCH) been and what have we been doing?  It’s been far too long since I’ve touched base with y’all.

Most of y’all are aware that I have organized a charity kickball tournament- Kick CF to the Cure- and that has pretty much taken over my life these past few weeks (BB Hoffman loves philanthropy already and seems to really enjoy mommy’s efforts).  I’ve been busy obtaining sponsorships, food donations, and working on team recruitment.  It’s a lot to do ALL BY YOURSELF…next year I need to recruit a committee to help delegate tasks.  Speaking of being busy…

You might remember, a few weekends ago we went to a beautiful wedding in Greenville, SC…and I got JCH to dance with me a few times.  I read in my baby book that BB Hoffman can feel my dance movements (swaying, bouncing, etc.) so I was really excited to start teaching him rhythm and show him his mommy and daddy have some moves.



Dancing at the Hanus Wedding



This was followed by one of the longest days of my life.  I was working on building my “stock photography” for work and met a photographer at 6am to run around town and capture images of Charleston.  I was with this photographer until 9pm that night…and put some serious miles on my feet.  Little did I know that 6 months pregnant and walking around for 15 hours was not a good idea (understatement of the century).

Sample of STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY-
Images Courtesy of Krist Michelle Photography

Sample 2 of STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY-
Images Courtesy of Krist Michelle Photography

My poor little footsies did not have time to rest up before they were being abused 2 days later in Atlanta, GA shopping for baby stuff.  By day 2 of shopping I pleaded with JCH that we rent a motorized wheelchair…my ankles were so swollen and every step was so painful.  Would that be ridiculous to use a wheelchair?  I didn’t think so.  Did we get a wheelchair?  Of course not, I’m a tough cookie.  We also celebrated JCH’s 30^th birthday while in Atlanta by allowing him a shopping spree at Bass Pro Shops, and going out to dinner at Maggiano’s.  YUM YUM YUM (BB Hoffman and mommy really enjoyed that part of daddy’s birthday).

Another thing that has been consuming my free time lately is “nursery planning”.  I’ve decided that BB Hoffman needs custom nursery bedding…and my mom is going to help me accomplish this.  I’ve picked out the fabrics and will sew the sheets, dust ruffle, and curtains, and my mom is going to sew a quilt.  I decided that with the mostly grey and white decor to incorporate elephants in the theme…and have since become OBSESSED with elephant stuff for the nursery.  Check out my “Baby Love” board on Pinterest if you don’t believe me.



BB Hoffman Nursery-Inspiration Board
http://pinterest.com/casey_luxem/baby-love/



I went to a beautiful baby shower last weekend and was 1 of 4 pregnant friends there.  How awesome is that? It was fun to joke about needing a crane to get us off the floor and talk about baby essentials and registries.  I love comparing notes and having a good friend to talk to about the strange things that are going on with my body.

My beautiful pregnant friends

At my last check up with Dr. C -I mentioned that I am twice the size of my other pregnant friends and he said that was nothing to worry about (I wasn’t worried-well yes I was-where is there room for growth if it already looks like I have a bowling ball under my shirt?).  He said that because of my retroverted uterus (tilted uterus) the baby’s position is going to also be tilted (and in my case-that is TILTED FORWARD).  I honestly catch myself holding/supporting my belly when I walk around…it’s just so “OUT THERE”...I feel like I'm going to fall over.

We’ve got another wedding coming up this weekend that I have been anticipating for months.  I absolutely LOVE the couple getting married and think they are really going to “bring it” when it comes to celebrating the love.  I’ve got a few friends that I’m super excited to see too….and it doesn’t hurt that I happened to find an AMAZING dress (while in Atlanta) that I cant wait to wear!  You remember how obsessive I was about finding a “stylish” dress to wear…and well I think I did.  YAY!

Excited to see BB Hoffman at our next ultrasound on April 30^th.  I bet he is HUGE and looking more and more like his daddy.  I’m just getting so excited to meet my little man…if only we could agree on a name for him.

Picture Friday

Happy Friday!!! BB (baby boy) Hoffman is sure getting big!  I find myself looking at our most recent ultrasound pictures over and over again...and I still cant get enough! I thought that maybe y'all might like to see BB Hoffman!

Saying hello to mommy and daddy

what a beautiful profile BB Hoffman has

My FAVE- so precious

mouth wide open- looks just like his daddy

It's a boy! (arrow pointing incase you need some help)

Oh how I've grown in 10 weeks!



JCH and I are busy doing our homework! Trying to determine which is the safest (and cutest) crib, car seat, stroller, etc. is slightly exhausting...but mommy wont settle for anything other than the best!  What did you do to research baby items? Did you happen to save any of your research (and willing to share)? We are also trying to determine what "baby furniture" items we need/want and what we can fit into the room that we have designated for the nursery.  What items would you say are absolutely necessary?  I bought a sewing machine and am going to make the curtains and a foot stool, and my mother has agreed to help with the crib bedding (slightly more complicated than I can take on).  As silly as it sounds I'm really excited to get my sewing machine and start on some of my projects!!!  This mama is feeling the need to "NEST"!!!

JCH and I are going to a wedding this weekend in Greenville, SC which I've heard so many wonderful things about!  We are really excited to not only share in the joys of LOVE with our friends but to have a little "getaway" together to rest, relax and love on each other!  We love weddings...they really do spark a deeper and bigger flame within the two of us...so magical!  I'll be sure to take pictures--especially after all of the hype of finding the "perfect maternity dress"- LOL :)

Wishing a wonderful weekend to all of you!!!

Mocktails and MooMoo's

Not feeling very COOL lately guys!  I think the idea that I am no longer cool has been lingering in the back of my mind for a month or two, but recently HIT my conscious thought process a few days ago when I was shopping for maternity dresses online for a wedding.

I have always LOVED fashion and have always been known in my circle as being slightly edgy and wearing the “weird” hipster stuff that most people choose not to pick up from runways or celebs (AND I LOVED THAT).  I love clothes and fashion- it’s such a unique way to express yourself and define your individuality.  Why is it that being a “mom” or “soon to be mom” means that you can’t be fashionable (unless you have a huge budget of course)?  I do give the clothing stores, who sell maternity clothes, some credit by supplying clothes that actually FIT pregnant women…but why can’t they just take normal (fashionable) clothes and make a little extra room?  It’s like they are “dumbing down” fashion for those who are “expecting”…leaving me “expecting” more!  Okay so that’s my rant…I’m a little “put out” with maternity clothes and am not feeling like my normal self lately…unable to express my individuality through fashion (I warned you I can be slightly overdramatic)!  In a month or two I will probably look back at this post, 20 pounds heavier (and happily wearing a moo-moo) and laugh that I was so silly about "being fashionably pregnant".

Last night I finally did it! I got my hair done!  I have been putting this off with all of the mixed reviews of why coloring your hair during pregnancy is or isn’t bad for you.  My stylist is amazing!  She made sure to foil so that none of the chemicals touched my scalp and provided me with the seat next to the front door (that she propped open just so I wouldn’t be breathing in any fumes).  I felt 100% confident that our little boy was just fine and can I tell you that MAMA is now more than fine!  When she was done with my color, cut and blowout I felt like ME again!  I honestly felt like I needed to put on my most fashionable outfit (oh wait I don’t have any that fit) and meet some ladies out for cocktails (or at least I would have a “mocktail”)!!! J

Today I even wore HIGH heels to work!! I’m back! LOL but seriously I haven’t worn high heels to work since “IMPLANTATION DAY”….which for those who may not know that date by memory (like I do) it was October 30th! It’s amazing what a pair of stilettos and a trip to the salon will do for your confidence.

Another reason I am feeling REALLY cool today (okay not THAT cool) is that I created a “youtube channel” for our family.  It’s what all the kids are doing nowadays!  I hated that I didn’t have a way to share my last video…and now we have another video that MUST be shared…especially with y’all who I feel are my best and closest!  A few months ago JCH was “nominated” by his doctors to be a spokesperson for a new drug that literally has changed his life- Cayston (see Holidaze).   Cayston is one of the newest drugs that treat Cystic Fibrosis and by far the best!  John's breathing treatments take an hour each morning and each evening (with drugs other than Cayston) and new drug, Cayston, only takes a few minutes.  Drugs like this are changing the lives of those with Cystic Fibrosis and the ongoing support and donations from my “best and closest” are what make that possible.  Since I began my journey as a "CF Wife" (what they call me at the foundation) and advocate for raising funds and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis I have seen my efforts and money make such a difference in not only Johns life but of the many people I have been honored to know who are also affected by CF.  There is a cure within our reach and financing the research is the only thing that stands in its way!  So check out our video (warning: it’s kind of a tear-jerker) AND check out my link to my Great Strides page where I have just kicked off my fundraising efforts for the event on May 12th.  Please help me make CF stand for CURE FOUND!

Pregos say the darndest things

I guess if you haven’t watched the video on my facebook wall by now…you probably aren’t going to…so I should probably disclose…IT’S A BOY!!!  I thought he was a boy from the very start but for some reason really kind of secretly hoped for a girl.  Dont worry there is NO DISSAPOINTMENT from this girl.  I am even more thrilled that its a boy for some reason.  There hasn’t been a boy in my family for two generations (until now) so the idea of a boy is just way too cool!!!  JCH is such a “man” with his outdoor activities…fishing and hunting…and I can’t imagine him not having his boy to share those hobbies with.  We are going to have so much fun with this little guy!!!

21 weeks pregnant and I am fully loaded with hormones and pregnancy related symptoms.  Although I’m still getting sick from time to time I have finally acquired that APPETITE!  Boy have I acquired an appetite!!!  Last night I went grocery shopping on an empty stomach and came home nearly 2 hours later…with $100 worth of junk food.  I’ve gotten to the point where everything I see- I want to eat.  I’ll be watching tv and they are eating pancakes and from that point on I cant stop thinking about getting my hands on some pancakes…or popcorn…or ANYTHING else that might come across the television.  It’s out of control how much I want food when I see it.  The funny thing is that I don’t have any random cravings…unless I see food!

I’ve also really brought a whole new meaning to “pregnancy brain”.  I do attribute this to having a double dose of pregnancy.  What do I mean by that? (no I’m not having twins)  I have been working on a huge renaming and rebranding project at work for almost a year now that we have set our launch date for May 1st.  I literally countdown the weeks with both the baby…and “the baby” (the name launch).  I have become so overwhelmed with deadlines and information that I can’t keep my head on straight…and I’m pregnant.  A few days ago a project committee at work was meeting with a vendor that normally I “middleman” communication with…and I started the conversation by telling them I requested the meeting because “our group wanted to hear the details from the horses’ ass….errrrr horses’ mouth”. Honest to God the moment it came out of my mouth I corrected it…but that didn’t prevent 15 minutes of comments and jokes at my expense.  This is just one example of the ridiculous things that have come out of my mouth lately. What about things I do?  I rear-ended someone at a stop light a few weeks ago…and I melted JCH’s “breathers” last night.  YUP!  For those that don’t know…since JCH has Cystic Fibrosis he is “prescribed” to do breathing treatments twice daily.  After his treatments he puts the plastic mouthpieces into a pot and boils them to sterilize.  As I was cooking last night I accidentally turned on the wrong burner…and minutes later realized I had melted his plastic breathers.  Partially his fault for putting them in a pot on the stove (with no water)…but definitely an absent-minded mistake on my part! YIKES! Good thing he had extras!

Teddy (our Cavapoo) has also noticed the hormones.  It’s the only thing I can attribute to his “funny” behavior lately.  I noticed a few weeks ago that Teddy was licking the carpet…ALOT!  JCH and I noticed it more around where we so foolishly eat dinner at the coffee table in front of the tv…so we thought maybe he was scavenging for food crumbs.  But then, he started licking the couches…and my sweat pants…and my bath towels…and nearly anything that I touched.  Someone mentioned that he is trying to put his smell on things that I touch (to mark me as his territory)…but another person mentioned that licking is sometimes caused by anxiety.  Either way they both sound pregnancy related.  He definitely knows something is up.  He is more obsessed with mommy then usual…and will attempt to lie across my belly as if he is trying to get closer than the baby inside me.  He will just sit and stare at me as though he’s trying to communicate something to me.  It’s the sweetest thing.  One day while lying across my belly the baby kicked and Teddy looked back at me as if I had nudged or thumped him…it was the funniest thing!  AHHH SIBLING RIVALRY starts early!  For those who know JCH and I you know that we are OBSESSED with little TEDDY. He is our baby!  He has taken more road trips and flown on more airplanes than most people (and he’s only a year old).  It concerns us that he is (and will be) so affected by this.  Our vet actually teaches a class at the hospital about “introducing your dog and baby” and we plan to go to see what we can do to help the transition for Teddy. If you’ve been through this and have any advice on what’s worked with your “fur babies” and new baby PLEASE share…we would love some friendly tips!

On another note…I’m saving Johns melted plastic breathers and “thinking on” how I can use them to make some money for my Great Strides campaign (details coming soon on that)…I mean they kind of look like a piece of art now! LOL :)

JCH's breathers (just as they sat in the pot) melted all together

Side shot of the melted plastic

Boy or Girl??

Happy Super Tuesday (and by super I mean it was fabulous for our little family)! :)

What a day! I left the house before 8am and got home long after 8pm! That's a long day for me! TOTALLY worth it though!!! Our ultrasound this morning was by far the best! Not to belittle the others...but words can’t describe how amazing it was. I cried the whole time (tears literally poured from my eyes while watching them measure the femur and humorous-lol). I kept thinking back to our 1st ultrasound at 7 weeks when our baby was literally JUST a beating heart...and then today getting to see the 4 completely developed chambers of the heart...just a miracle. JCH and I made a fun little video to "announce" baby hoffman's gender so I wanted to share that with y'all too!

In the meantime, we found out that our umbilical chord is not centered on the placenta (which is more typical) and therefore they would like to watch and make sure the baby is growing at the expected rate. The funny thing about that is that baby hoffman is actually BIGGER then he should be...measuring a whole 6 days ahead of his "age" at 14 oz (nearly a pound now). They said the chord placement isn’t anything to worry about...but it does get us an extra ultrasound (which I'm super pumped about). So we'll be back to see the doctor at 24 weeks for the (standard) yummy diabetes drink and check up...and then again at 28 weeks for another ultrasound (yippee).

I was hoping to be able to download the video straight to this page...but it appears that the file size is too big for "blogger".  Follow this link below...and scroll down until you see the video on my facebook page... http://www.facebook.com/#!/casey.luxem (If we aren't already friends...feel free to friend request me too). 

A “Royal Mess”

Last week my sweet empathetic (drama king) husband camedown with a terrible chest/head cold and two days later I too had the same cold.  We were miserable.  I hadn’t remembered being THAT sick in a long time where all I wanted to do was shove tissues up my nose and chug an entire bottle of Nyquil (don’t worry-I didn’t).  Proof that this wasn’t your typical seasonal cold was that JCH ended up in the hospital.  (REFRESHER:  JCH has Cystic Fibrosis)  His body just couldn’t get rid of the mucus and fluid that was attacking his lungs and being sick took such a huge toll on his body.

If you were a “fly on the wall” or maybe “on my shoulder” you wouldn’t have believed what we were going through-it was honestly one of those times I just wanted my mommy.  I can take care of JCH when he is sick, and he can take care of me when I’m sick…and we seem to be able to take care of each other when WE are pregnant…but combine all of those factors and we are a royal mess!!!  Productivity in our household went to a screeching halt.  EVERY SINGLE BOWL AND SPOON in our house was dirty (since I’m only eating cereal for breakfast and dinner -gag reflux-cant help it).  Our house literally looked like a fraternity house.  It’s amazing how quickly MESSES pile up when you aren’t doing some daily housekeeping.  No clean clothes, no clean dishes, dirty Kleenex covering every counter and table, bills stacked up everywhere- YIKES!!!!  Good news is that we are both feeling much better this week.  JCH got out of the hospital on Monday and seems to have a more ambitious mindset towards his breathing treatments and physical therapy-lets hope that helps!

Thursday night when I finally laid down for bed “baby h” kicked me!  Up until Thursday night I had felt light flutters and butterflies but this time was the real deal.  After two or three kicks I rested my hand on my belly and could actually feel them on the outside too.  Last night “baby h” was so active that I stayed awake, heart racing with amazement.  It was only after about 10 minutes that I realized how worked up and excited I was and decided I needed to calm down and go to sleep. JCH is home but not back at work yet, so his sleep schedule is a bit crazy and he wasn’t in bed with me in order to witness it. 

Speaking of sleeping.  I’ve finally got a good system of sleeping comfortably.  I have always been a “belly sleeper” so I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy transition.  I’ve got a pillow on each side of me and use them to prop me on my side.  Needless to say, my pillows are now hogging the bed.  JCH didn’t have a problem before, but now that he has a PICC line and iv coming out of his arm he is too having difficulty getting comfortable when he sleeps.  As ridiculous as this sounds our conclusion was that we were going to pull the guest bed into our room and push it up against our queen bed…each of us would have our own bed (and own space) but would technically still be sleeping together.  Just as soon as we decided that JCH wonders aloud…"how are we going to move that bed—pregnant wife and all?" …to be continued on that note…lol

Anyway, "baby h" is growing fast and so is my belly.  I'm feeling pretty good (although nobody is aloud to ask me that because the second they do-I end up sick again).  I sadly still dont really have an appetite.  Like I said before I was more a food craving prego before I was prego than I am now.  I've gained 7 pounds total since first conceiving (YIKES) and the doctor said "get ready to start really putting on some pounds these next few weeks"---was that what prompted my lunges last night?  Only 5 more days until we find out if "baby h" is a boy or a girl!!! I'm dying to find out.  My mother in law was telling me stories about when JCH was a baby and I got so overwhelmed with joy, and excitement with the thought of meeting our little baby.  I just cant wait!!!!!

Drama Queen...and King?

I admit that I can be slightly over dramatic.  I also like to think this is a trait that only my husband and I joke about...well okay and my sisters...and my mom.  JCH gets such a kick out of it when I'm being a "drama queen".  He has taking a liking to the idea so much that he has begun to mimic my behavior.  Now I get to joke that JCH "fights me" for the tiara in the house...there is not just a "drama queen" in our house anymore, we now have a KING.   I'm a "drama queen" because I have "middle child syndrome"...and JCH competes to be the center of attention in the house (by being more dramatic then me) because he has "only child syndrome"...man we are a pair!!  I'm just now getting used to the idea of sharing my "royal behaviors" with him and now once again he is trying to "one up" me.

As you all are fully aware by now, I've NOT had an easy pregnancy.  I've heard of these so-called "easy pregnancies"...I have a coworker who was a bubble of joy, never once complained, she liked being pregnant, she didn't have aches and pains, or medical complications for that matter.  I'm still "sick as a dog", constantly have indigestion, constipation, lethargy, was plagued with an early medical complication, and now...have a husband who thinks he's pregnant too!!  I know I joked with y'all a few weeks ago that JCH thought he was having "empathy symptoms"...but this really isn't a joke anymore. 

JCH told me the most hysterical story about how he was at work and was apologizing to his coworker for a mistake that he had made and nearly started to cry.  He was beyond shocked with the flood of emotions and says there is no other way to explain it (other than that he is getting hormone surges from me)! I think it's because he is a MAN and apologies are apparently THAT hard-that it brought him to near tears (lol-only joking).  The next day he tells me about being on a telecom and being so mad that he had to hang up and walk around his building for a bit.  First crying, than furious? He must be pregnant!  If you know JCH you know he's a very mellow rational person...so all joking aside this does seem a bit unusual.  He is now being plagued with "nausea" (which he swears he's never EVER had before), and no appetite.  It really is funny to me...I really should have saw this one coming.  Mr. Only Child just cant let me be "the baby" who gets constantly pampered...he has to be sick from my pregnancy too.  Maybe we'll both be lucky and my pregnancy symptoms will "let up" a little bit.

Last night I was just saying that my bump hadn't grown much over the past few weeks...and than I wake up this morning and it seems as though overnight our little chudo doubled in size.  My belly just POPPED OUT!  We are set to take our "17 week" picture tonight so I will be sure to post a picture as soon as we do.  In the meantime, my BIG SISTER just so happened to text me today with a picture that was so fitting it's not even funny! I swear there is a strange connection between my sisters and I.  Happy Friday to y'all and I hope you have a fabulous weekend planned!

Picture-text from my BIG sister saying "this made me think of you"...
apparently I'm not the only middle child who is a drama queen. :)

Body Check

My womb…first things first…no more Subchorionic Hemotoma! It’s gone! The symptoms stopped a week or so ago and at Tuesdays appointment the doctor and ultrasound technician saw absolutely no evidence of it! WOOHOO! Not only am I pleased to not have that over my head (and in the back of mind) anymore…but that means JCH and I can resume our normal married couple relations (candle light dinner tonight? I think so!).  We weren’t scheduled for an ultrasound on Tuesday but I was having “growing pains” so the doctor wanted to have a look just incase.  Everything looked great…and we even got to see “baby chudo” long enough for him to wave hello (and he looked great too).

My stomach…“Morning sickness” symptoms are still in full swing.  While at the doctor we addressed the whole “I’m 15 weeks and still puking, gagging at nearly everything, and not able to eat much but cereal” thing.  Two potential culprits we decided we’d “take off the table” were the mucus drainage and the prenatal vitamins.  Apparently when you are pregnant your mucus membranes go a little crazy trying to protect your body from infections (mainly in your vagina-but also in your sinuses).  Mine is so bad that when I puke (WARNING-DISGUSTING) there is so much mucus in the toilet that I could probably fill an entire Gatorade bottle (I warned you).  Dr. C put me on Claritan to try to calm down my overactive (and seemingly overprotective) “mucus membranes”.  He also recommended that I switch out my prenatal vitamin for 2 Flintstones vitamins as prenatal vitamins are usually pretty rough on the stomach.  I’ve had 2 good days and 2 bad days since making these two changes so, “to be continued” on whether they were the culprits or whether I’m just one of those “lucky” pregnant women who suffer from “morning sickness” throughout the entire pregnancy.

My belly…is looking more like a “prego belly” and less like a “big lunch belly”.  It’s interesting how the size and shape change nearly everyday.  I’ve noticed such a difference in the past 4 weeks in how my belly looks and feels.  I’m becoming a lot less bloated and gassy and a lot more HUNGRY.  I eat just about every 2 hours and if I stray at all from that schedule my stomach feels so empty that it may cave in.  As hungry as I feel I still don’t really have an appetite, and therefore it becomes a 2 hour force-feed schedule.  I keep buying new things at the grocery store thinking that maybe “my little indian boy” just maybe doesn’t like what I’m feeding him, but I just end up with a refrigerator overflowing with nothing that either of us want to eat.  Let’s hope “baby chudo” isn’t as picky an eater when he joins us as he is en utero.

My mind…is all over the place.  Yesterday I left work a little early because I was having a hard time getting a good breath of air, my skin was crawling, and although my body felt exhausted and paralyzed I had a terrible case of restless leg syndrome.  I called JCH and he said it sounds like I was having an “anxiety attack”.  I PROMISE you, I don’t have anything crazy on my mind, I’m not stressing myself out, I’m getting enough sleep, I’m incorporating a little exercise into my days…so there really was no explanation, other than the hormones.  Oh crazy hormones...not crazy Casey! (reminds me of another scene from the movie Knocked Up)

My joys...JCH and I are having a lot of fun talking about “when baby arrives”.  His eyes light up when we talk about holding our little bundle of joy in our arms.  We talk about baby proofing the house, and what kind of parents we want to be (while also psycho analyzing ourselves and how are parents sculpted who we are).  We took our pup Teddy to the Vet early this week for his yearly check up and learned that his doctor teaches a class about “introducing baby and pup” at our hospital.  We’ll definitely be attending…it’s something we’ve been wondering about for a while.  Teddy is our little baby right now, and we don’t want “chudo’s” arrival to change anything about that.  We will just have to be blessed with two wonderful babies.  If our obsession with Teddy is any indication of what kind of parents we will be, we need to be cautious we dont raise a little rotten child…because Teddy is definitely spoiled rotten.

Yoga has taught me to do a little “self awareness” body check every once in a while…and I feel like today’s post was just me going through my check boxes to see “how I’m doing”…I feel much better now...and hopefully you can do a little "self awareness" body check to see how your doing too!  Happy Friday everyone!