My Beautiful Baby is Here!

It's been quite a while since I have posted anything, but I have been really busy with my sweet little boy!  My beautiful baby, to whom I'll refer as Sidekick, decided to arrive exactly one week early much to everyone's surprise.  I actually always thought he would be born on July 7th, so when water trickled down my leg on the morning of the 7th, I was kind of in disbelief.  I finally decided to go to Labor and Delivery about four hours later just to get checked because I had plans that night, and I wanted peace of mind that I was not in labor.  I grabbed my suitcase, threw it in the car, and drove myself to the hospital.

When I got to the hospital, the doctor couldn't confirm if my water broke, so I was a little embarrassed that I may have actually pee'd on myself.  They kept me though because I was dilated to two centimeters when I was only one centimeter two days earlier.  They wanted me to walk the halls, and about ten minutes in, there was a big gush!  Yep!  My water broke... again! I was there to stay to deliver my baby.  (Looking back, the doctor did confirm that that trickle  down my leg was in fact my water.)  I truly believe that the massage, focusing on the trigger points, got this little guy going.  Two days prior to my water breaking, I was still one centimeter dilated, and I had been that way for many, many weeks!   There was no sign this baby was going to join the world on his own.  A day after my weekly appointment, I got the massage, and my water broke 15 hours later. Coincidence... I think not!  : ) 

After laboring for hours, it was discovered that I had another bubble of fluid that needed to be broken, so my water essentially broke three times.  Once that bubble of fluid was broken, the pain and contractions were so intense that I got my epidural.  After 21 hours of being in labor, I began pushing at 6:30 AM and Sidekick was born on July 8th at 8:48 AM weighing in at 8# 9 oz and was 21 inches long.  I was instantly in love, and I was so worried that I wouldn't feel an immediate connection with him. 

Since I used a sperm donor, there was no telling what my baby would end up looking like, but he truly is beautiful! Donor and I made such an amazing baby, and I am truly blessed. 

Single Digits!

I am down to the wire!  I am nine days away from my due date, and I can't believe that I will soon meet my baby.  If I don't deliver by my due date, July 15th, I will be induced on July 17th due to his size.  I really, really don't want to be induced, so I am hoping that he'll come on his own.  I am getting a massage today and a pedicure tomorrow, and I'm going to ask both of the people "working" on me to hit every trigger point possible! 

We are having our ninth day of triple digits temperatures, so getting outside to walk is difficult.  Lately I've been heading out around 9:30 PM and it's still in the mid 90's!  I have been doing squats in hopes that may work.  While I used to be a rockstar doing squats, I find it so much more challenging now which makes them difficult and exhausting.  I may just have to go to the gym and walk on the treadmill even though I am so fearful that my water will break. 

Sleep has been worse than ever!  I average about 3-4 hours of interrupted sleep a night, but I try to remind myself that it is great preparation for when baby arrives. I find it impossible to nap during the day which frustrates me because I know I need to sleep and reserve my energy, but I can't.  I'm having SI joint pain (previous injury) and sciatica, so lately when I lie down, I am pretty tingly and numb from my hips down.  It's such a crazy feeling and it keeps me up at night.  This little guy also likes to have a party all day long and sleeps very little so he keeps me up at times as well.  I think I'm finally ready to evict him.

Above is Dog snuggling with her soon-to-be brother and feeling him kick.  So sweet!


Below is video of this baby kicking me for hours at a time!  It's getting really old!

Dress Rehearsal

Last Saturday, I took an unexpected trip to Labor & Delivery.  After six+ hours of my stomach being super tight and not really loosening up, my mom encouraged me to call the doctor to run it by him/her (whoever was on call).  The doctor called me back and told me that I should go in and get checked.  I put my suitcase in the car and drove myself over.  My tour was scheduled for two days later, so I wasn't sure where I was supposed to go.  I made it to some type of area that looked like for people like me, and said to she woman behind the desk, "I'm not sure I'm in the right place."  She looked at me, and said, "Well, you definitely fit in here.  What's going on?"

I got to a room quickly and hooked up to monitors.  I explained that I had no intention of staying that night because I wasn't mentally ready for this little guy.  I learned that I was contracting regularly every three minutes.  Yikes!  I was 1 cm dialated and about 30% effaced, so they kept me for a while to see if I would progress anymore.  I hadn't, so I was eventually sent home still contracting every three minutes because I wasn't in severe pain. 

This little guy has been crazy active!  He seems to be constantly kicking and/or punching me.  I'm afraid he has turned into a cat napper which is not a good thing.  I want/need a good sleeper.  He already has a plan of his own.   I'll be 38 weeks on Sunday, so who knows when he'll enter the world.  I'm thinking that he has his own agenda and will be entering this world before his due date.  I can't believe how fast time has flown!

Catching Up...

It's been quite a while since I have written, but I have been so busy that I haven't found time to write (or maybe it's just because I am too lazy).  I am six weeks away from my due date which is completely crazy! When my friends or sister were pregnant, they seemed pregnant for years!   With me, my pregnancy is flying by! 

My third trimester has been a breeze just like the second.  I am still not tired (although I find myself slowing down more lately) and I have insomnia most nights.  Fortunately during the day, I feel fine despite the lack of sleep I am getting.  I am unable to work out as much or even walk my dog at a fast pace because of my ligaments stretching and the pressure down low.  It's strange to lose control of my body and not be able to do the things I so easily used to do.  However, I am fortunate that I feel as well as I do.

My mom came in town back in April to help me do the nursery.  While I have not used pregnancy as an excuse to get out of anything (lifting my heavy boxes for work, moving furniture, running up and down my stairs a billion times to haul things up, etc.), I did draw the line with painting because the fumes were just so strong.  So my mom did a great job painting the nursery and the baby's bathroom.  I am amazed at how much time it takes to get ready for a baby!  I find myself doing things every weekend to finalize everything (laundry, organizing, getting more things for the nursery, etc.).  It truly is amazing the amount of hours I have put into getting ready for this little guy.

My sister and good friend threw me a baby shower.  We had a great time, and the support and excitement everyone has for this little bundle of joy is wonderful!  It brings such a smile to my face when I think of all the love this little guy will have around him. Everyone made a page on a computer program that will become a book for the baby, and I can't wait to see what everyone wrote to him.  I love reading so much, so of course this was a perfect activity/gift. 

The following weekend, I went to my mom's house in Lake Geneva, WI and we had a luncheon with my Chicago friends.  We laughed so much and had such a great time!  It was great to celebrate with those people especially since I don't see them very often.  I'll travel back up there in August after the baby is born and spend some time up there with my mom.  I might as well take advantage of not working and enjoy being in a great town for a couple of weeks. 

So... the clock is ticking, and I have a long list of things to do.  My goal is to be entirely ready for his arrival two weeks before my due date.  It seems doable, but at the same time, it seems a bit overwhelming!  I'm not quite ready to evict him especially since my third trimester has been so easy, so I hope he doesn't surprise me and decide to come sooner!  I'm quite content with him cooking inside me.

I am a Failure...

... of the one hour glucose test.  My level was supposed to be 135, and mine was actually 187.  I would have been officially diagnosed with gestational diabetes if it had been at least 200.  I sat in the doctor's office for three hours yesterday camped out with my iPhone, a book, and my work blackberry.  I fasted for 12 hours before the test even began and actually looked forward to the "double the sugar" orange drink (compared to the amount I had for the one hour test) that I got to drink because I was hungry.  BBB started rockin' and rollin' and it lasted for about an hour.   He was definitely happy and having fun!  After four blood draws, I inhaled my PB&J sandwich in about three bites and couldn't guzzle my big water bottle fast enough.  I will get the results back today, and I'm pretty much thinking that I do have gestational diabetes because that one hour number was so darn high!  The good news is, it is controllable and will not harm my baby if I am smart and watch what I eat.  Things could definitely be worse.  

B Cubed Still has No Name

Is there anything wrong with his first name being listed as B Cubed on his his birth certificate?  How do people find out they are having a boy or girl and automatically know his or her name will be ____?  I can't do it!  I have three great names picked out (middle name is the same for all three), and while I love them all, they are all so different.  I think if I wait a year or so, I might be able to pick the "right" name.  How does one pick a name without knowing what his personality is let alone what he looks like?  Am I the only one struggling with this?  I think this stresses me out more than him actually entering the world and changing my whole life!  I think he shall remain B Cubed until I see his face and spend some time with him.  I realize that he has to have a name before I leave the hospital, but unless I can hang out there for a year, it's going to be a tough to decide on one.


On a different note, I had my four week check-up last week.  While I eat about the same amount as I did before I got pregnant (and in many cases less) and I continue to work out or at least walk my dog for 30 minutes a day, I can't quite figure out where the 20 pounds has come from! My goal was to gain 25 pounds total, and that clearly isn't going to happen.  Since B Cubed only weighs a little over a pound, where did the other 19 pounds come from? I've been told by everyone that I'm only showing in by belly and nowhere else.  It makes me feel better that my pregnancy is not taking over my entire body. Let's hope it stays that way! Yesterday was the first day that I was unable to button my work pants which kind of bummed me out, but at least I made it 24 weeks wearing my "regular" pants. I'm hoping that I can continue to wear my work pants with the belly band for the remainder of my pregnancy.  


I tried to convince my doctor that I needed to have another ultrasound, and here's how that conversation went:


Me:  "I think I should have another ultrasound."
Doctor:  "Really?  Why?"
Me:  "I don't feel him very often, so I want to make sure his arms and legs haven't detached."
Doctor:  "Let me write up that paperwork and see if the insurance will cover that claim."  (laughing)
Me:  "There isn't a code for that reason when filing?"


Despite my good effort, I did not get an ultrasound, but I did make her laugh.  I purchased a 3D ultrasound through Groupon.  My mom and I will be doing that next month, so I can see him again and in much  more detail.  Maybe then I'll be able to figure out his name... wishful thinking!

Needs vs. Wants

My condo has been on the market for five months. I have two bedrooms and two baths which is really just fine for me and my baby.  I work out of my home, and currently my office is in the soon-to-be nursery, but I've figured out where my office will be after the nursery is done.  While this place is just fine, we will grow out of it quickly, I have stairs to climb, I have a dog and no yard, and I have a neighbor that isn't the quietest.   It's not the ideal place, but at what cost does one get out of a not ideal place but one that is easily affordable, comfy, has enough space right now, and has neighbors who are excited about the baby and want to help?

I was going to take my condo off the market at the end of the month.  I've had a good amount of lookers, but no offers.  Yesterday I had a showing, and while I was registering for baby things, I had a missed call from my real estate agent.  When I called her back, I learned that I had an offer coming in!!!!  The woman LOVED my place!!!!  Panic completely set in while I waited for 2 1/2 hours for the contract to arrive because I was going to have a big decision to make.  I'm upside down in my mortgage right now, so I knew that I'd have to come to the table with money.  Based on the offer, I would have to come to the table with $23k!  Yikes!  As much as I would love to get out of this place, I was fighting the "need vs. want" battle!  I don't need a house.  I want a house, but at what cost?

I was on the phone with friends and family for hours asking their opinions/advice.  Some said counter offer so the money I had to bring to the table would be less while others said don't do it because I should hold on to that money.  As a SMC, I have to make sure that I can provide for my baby and not live paycheck to paycheck and have debt.  So, the "needs vs. wants" battle continued for 18 hours!  Could I financially do this?  Could I find a new home in time?  Would I have the energy to move in my third trimester and get an entire house ready instead of just a nursery?  While I thought all of this is possible, I was still hung up on taking such a large chunk of money out of my savings while still needing to take some more out for a down payment. 

In the end, I sadly turned down the offer without making a counter offer.  I didn't even want to bring $15k to the table if I could get a higher offer (which didn't seem possible), so I didn't want to play the negotiating game.  I am worried that this might have been my only chance to get out of this place, but I'm trying not to look back.  I'll try to sell in one year if I feel the need to get out.  In the meantime, I'm going to sit tight, get the nursery ready, nest, and raise my baby in my manageable condo..  That's the way it should be, right?  So, now my condo is officially off the market.  It's sad that I had to let that dream die, but I've got a bigger and better dream to focus on, and my dream of a house will be on the back burner for a while.  Hopefully when I pursue that dream again, I'll have more money in the bank thanks to a bonus check (let's hope!), more equity in my condo, and the possibility of being able to get a little higher of an offer.  Wishful thinking, I know, but it's what makes me okay with this very difficult decision that was complicated by hormones.

It's a...

BOY!!!!  I kind of thought I was having a boy due to the fact that is seems like most IUI babies tend to be boys.  Whether this is coincidence or fact, I'm not sure, but since IUIs are timed so perfectly to ovulation and the boy sperm get to the egg faster, it only makes sense. 

After seeing the infamous "three lines" on the ultrasound, I thought it was a girl.  I was a bit shocked to learn a second later that the middle line was longer than the other two which indicated a boy.  When the reality of finding out what I am having sunk in, I began having little breakdowns every once in a while because everything was all of a sudden more real and I had a lot to do before my baby boy arrives.  

My mom was in town for the ultrasound, and after my appointment, we visited the "scene of the crime" where B Cubed or BBB (Baby Boy B___ which is my last name) was conceived.  It was fun to see everyone at that doctor's office so excited about my healthy pregnancy!  After that, we visited the baby's daycare so my mom could give me her opinion (thumbs up!), and the shopping adventures began!  We picked out paint for the walls, ordered the furniture, bought some clothes, got my head on straight about where my office will go (it is currently in the soon-to-be nursery), etc.  During each little project, tears welled up in my eyes because again, I felt so incredibly overwhelmed by it all.  I had been so level headed the first 18 weeks of my pregnancy, but for some reason, the reality of this all has officially kicked in and my head seems to be spinning. 

We'd be shopping and walking down "boy" aisles when I'd comment, "I have to learn to play with dinosaurs and trucks" which kind of freaked me out.  But then I realized I wasn't sure if I really wanted to play with Barbies. I believed from the moment I got pregnant that this is the baby that is meant to be mine and regardless if pregnant mothers want a boy or a girl, we get the exact baby we are supposed to have.  I am supposed to have this baby boy growing in my belly.  I believe that, but in all honesty, it's taking some time to adjust to.

I always thought that it might be a little easier to raise a girl as a single mother because I can relate to her better than I can a boy.  I'm a bit worried about talking to my son about things as he grows up because I can't relate to the things he will face, but I'll figure it all out.  I have no choice.  Fortunately, I have great guy friends and my brother-in-law in my life who will be amazing role models to my son. The good news is I'm athletic, outdoorsy, and adventurous... all great things to to have when raising a boy!

Worrying...

I've been told that I'll never stop worrying about my child, not even when it's an adult.  It's crazy how much I worry about my baby growing in me when there is so little I can do for it other than eat well and take care of myself.  Last week I had blood drawn for my second trimester screening.  These results are combined with the first trimester screening blood work to come up with my odds that my baby might have something wrong with him/her.  The phone call came a lot sooner than I had expected, so of course I panicked when I saw the number on caller ID.  Fortunately, everything looks great, and there is no need to even have to do an amniocentesis.  This is such a huge relief!

I've been worrying and obsessing about day cares, and while I think I am way ahead of the game in my search, I am finding that I'm not.  Geez... my baby won't be in daycare for nine more months, and already I'm finding space is limited.  I've toured a lot, and I mean a lot of places, and none of them seem good enough for my baby! Some are definitely worse than others, and of course the one I really like and would sign up today is over my budget and far away.  That kind of depressed me because I saw a great place that doesn't really make sense to even consider.  <sigh>  Yet another thing to worry about...

The Galloping Horse Broke Down my Wall of Fear!

I had my four week check-up at 15w4d.  I got to hear the heartbeat on the doppler and it definitely sounded like a horse galloping!  It was such a relief to know that my baby is okay.  I seem to get nervous every once in a while because since I can't feel it move yet, I'm always worried that something might have happened.   I also had my second trimester blood screening.  They combine this with the first trimester bloodwork and NT scan to determine my risk for genetic problems like Downs, Trisomys, etc.  The first screen went well, so I am hopeful that I'll get the same great news.  Nevertheless, I'm still nervous for the results. 


I made my appointment for the anatomy scan three weeks from tomorrow. It's crazy that I'll know if I'm going to raise a boy or a girl.  I've not been anxious about finding out, so I'm not too concerned about time dragging.  My mom will be there for that ultrasound, and I know she is excited to see the baby.  That weekend we'll be busy shopping and planning for my boy or girl.  I seem to always guess what my friends are having, but with me, I haven't a clue.  I first thought it was a boy, then I switched to a girl, and now I have no guess.  It'll be exciting to find out!

This galloping horse broke down my wall of fear of telling my manager and colleagues. If this unconventional pregnancy has taught me anything, it's to not assume I know the way people will react. My manager was great and immediately congratulated me. He even reminded me that his in-laws live here, and he'd be happy to introduce me to them if I ever need help. (I work out of my home, and my manager lives in another part of the state.). I then sent out an email to my work friends. The responses I received made me cry!!! This baby all of a sudden was surrounded by so much love. People were so excited for me. I even copy and pasted eveyone's emails to me in a Word document so that I can add it to the baby book. It just made me so happy to share the news with everyone.

Since close friends and colleagues know, the next step was to announce it on Facebook. At that point, my news officially became public!  It's so much more exciting now that people in my life know.  It's been strange to carry this secret with me for 16 weeks. I am humbled by the positive responses and support I have received.  This baby is so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people.

Popped!

This past Thursday, my good friend asked if my jeans still fit. I told her that I hadn't worn jeans in weeks because I was either wearing work clothes or comfortable clothes. She told me to try on my jeans while I was on the phone with her because that's a good test to see if my body is changing. I was a bit surprised that they were snug since I had lost weight in the first trimester because I was so sick.  I quickly took them off because I was a bit in shock and wondered if I'll ever wear those jeans again!


Fast forward two days and those same pair of jeans barely fit over my hips, let alone able to be zipped and buttoned. I officially popped at 14w6d! Crazy! I went from looking "normal" one day to looking pregnant the next. It seemed so surreal, and I now walk around realizing that I no longer carry a secret with me because it's pretty obvious there's a baby growing in me. Even though I work out of my home and I don't see my manager very often, it's time to officially let work know... after my doctor appointment on Thursday when I'll get confirmation that everything is going well. (Will I ever stop procrastinating?) 

My sweet dog in the picture seems to really be trying to figure out what's happening to me. 

Two Steps Forward and Three Steps Back

I felt like the new year brought on a re-energized me!  I finally began feeling better and seemed to make it through the day with very little to no nausea.  The second week of January was a different story...

I was in Dallas for training and the one thing I was thankful for is that I was finally feeling better and would be able to make it through training without feeling horrible.  While I recently told my business partner/friend my news, she was not at the meeting, so no one at the meeting knew I am pregnant.  There are reasons I have not told my boss/company yet:

1.  I would like my 2012 sales goal first so that I know I am not being set up for failure this year
2.  I would like my 2011 evaluation
3.  I'm worried how being a SMC will be perceived (even though everyone who knows thus far has been wonderful!).

After lunch on day two of training, I wasn't feeling well.  My body was completely taken over by this pregnancy unlike any other day!  I had never felt so sick, shaky, sweaty, fainty, etc. as I had that day!  I quickly went to my trainer (who was not part of my company), and told her I was not feeling well and had to leave.  I went to my hotel room for about 45 minutes and was so incredibly sick (I'll spare you the details).  I wanted to die or I thought I would die.  I counted my blessings that that horrible episode had only happened that one time.  While I had been feeling sick every day since before I found out I was pregnant, it had never gotten as bad as that moment.

I somehow made it back to training, but I knew people were concerned about me as I had suddenly left for a while.  My trainer tapped me on the shoulder while we were reading something to make sure I was okay.  While it felt like my insides were ripping out, I wasn't so sure I was fine, and I was worried about this alien growing in me.  I was truly scared/worried for the first time.  I told her I was okay, but then during a break I let her know I am pregnant because I was scared, wanted someone to know what was happening, and I wanted her to know I don't have some contagious disease that was going to turn into the next plague.  While I am going at this alone, I felt very alone at that moment because no one knew what I was going through and I was so darn sick!  My trainer was great, told me she'd keep it between us, and checked on me throughout training to make sure I was okay.  I was very much relieved someone knew my secret.

Since I got back in town, I'm still battling this all day nausea again!  I haven't had another episode like I had during training, and for that I am thankful.  When I seem to catch a break from it, I go running to try to relieve a little stress and get some exercise as I have felt very lazy lately.  I sat in my car for six hours yesterday and drove down a lot of windy and hilly roads which didn't help with the nausea, and I felt like my butt was expanding right then and there!  It was awful!  I couldn't get home fast enough, change my clothes to warm running clothes (it was only 34 degrees), grab my dog, and head to the park before it got dark. I felt like a new person when I got back home.  It's the little things that make me happy. 

I have my four week check-up next week.  It'll be pretty uneventful as my doctor will listen to the heartbeat and check to see how things are going.  The appointment next time will be to find out if I'm having a boy or a girl.  I seem to not be anxious about finding out.  I know people who were chomping at the bit as soon as they knew they were pregnant because they wanted to know so badly.  I'm not that person, and I've even debated not finding out. I know I will because I want to be as prepared as I can be, but a little tiny piece of me wants to wait until delivery.  Yet another decision I have to make of many. 

Beginning to Feel Less Like Death

Before I was pregnant, I was prepared for morning sickness.  What I was not prepared for what all day sickness.  I had been battling it since I was just a little over four weeks pregnant, and nothing seemed to help, not even the prescription I was given.  Last week seemed to have been when it subsided a bit, and I felt like a whole new person!  Unlike most pregnant women, I do not have the exhaustion; instead, I have insomnia!  It sucks badly because when I lie awake in the middle of the night for hours at a time, I wish I knew what exhaustion felt like.

Since I began feeling more "normal" last week, I took that as a sign to get my butt in gear and begin working out again.  Working out throughout my pregnancy has always been a goal of mine because there are so many benefits (maintain weight gain, easier delivery, quicker recovery).  I started slowly last week and just took a two mile fast paced walk.  It doesn't sound like much, but I could tell that my body was just different than it had been while I was training for my half marathons.  Today I set out to run two miles.  Unfortunately, I have such a high heart rate when I run that it ended up being almost 1 1/2 miles broken up in half and then a half mile walk.  Since I haven't done anything for about 11 weeks, I'm trying to accept the fact that 1 1/2 miles is good.  When I run, my heart rate is normally in the 170s which is a complete "no-no" during pregnancy.  I'm not sure I'll ever be able to maintain it in the 140s for a long period of time, but some type of activity is better than none.

I told my business partner last week that I am pregnant.  I was really worried about telling her because I wasn't sure she would be okay with my choice.  I was so wrong!  She was thrilled and so excited for me!  She even said she thought I would do something like this if I hadn't met a great guy.  I then told my neighbors who were ecstatic!  I was so nervous about telling them because they are old enough to be my baby's grandparents, so I was afraid they were going to be old school.  They offered to help me with anything during the pregnancy and when the baby arrives, told me how proud they are of me, and brought me flowers the next day.  I have always been of the mindset that people will know how I got pregnant and that I thought long and hard about making this very difficult decision.  I don't want people to think I had a one night stand or that I am irresponsible and don't know about protection.  I'm not embarrassed at all about how I did this.  Now that the people I have told are so supportive of me, I'm ready to tell the world! 

Time's a Flyin'

I am currently 12w1d which makes me feel pretty safe that this pregnancy is a go!  It's crazy to think that I'm almost 1/3 of the way through.  I am about 6 1/2 months from my due date, and while that normally seems like a long way away, to me, it seems like it'll be here too quickly!

I had my first trimester screening and things look good.  The baby was moving its arms and legs which is so surreal!  While trying to get good pictures of the Nuchal fold, the baby wouldn't cooperate.  It was so comfy and cozy that it just wanted to remain in the position that it was in.  I had to actually get off the table to jump up and down to see if it would move.  That was unsuccessful.  Finally with painful poking and prodding with the transducer (is that what it's called?), it finally turned a bit to get a good view.  Either I have a really stubborn baby or I have a really laid back baby.  I'm sure hoping for the latter! 

I had a really nice Christmas with my family in Florida.  I was not feeling all that great, but I made it through, I think in part because I was too busy to feel lousy.  It was strange to think that I'll have a five month old with me next year for Christmas.  Yikes!  Since returning home, my all day sickness has just been brutal!  While I caved and got some Reglan before Christmas, it just doesn't seem to do the trick.  Nothing does.  I keep thinking that since I am almost in my second trimester, it should go away any day now.  I've lost about eight pounds, but I have put two pounds back on.  It's kind of nice that I'm down in weight before I put a lot on! 

I've told a couple of people who didn't even know I was doing this.  They were excited about it and know that I can do this.  It was nice to get a vote of confidence.  I don't plan on telling work people until next month.  Since I work out of my home and don't see colleagues very often, it is easy to "hide" my pregnancy.  I am waiting for my annual review and sales goal before I break the news.  I just don't want anything to be held against me.  Maybe I am being a bit paranoid, but since I am doing something unconventional, I just don't want things held against me.  I actually have to go out of town for a company meeting next week, and unless my belly decides to really pop, I should be able to hide it.  There might be some questions about why I'm not having a glass of wine with dinner, but I'll be able to brush that off somehow.  

So, there's a brief update for what's been going on.  I'll try to get better about updating more often! 

Happy New Year!