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).