13 weeks and counting

So I have quickly begun to discover that there are things that happen to your body during pregnancy that I had NO idea were a part of pregnancy. Sure - the nausea, the fatigue, sore boobs - I expected those, but the other "stuff" - no idea. Not sure how I missed out on all these things watching several of my girlfriends go through pregnancy - but somehow I did. Here are just a few of the "extras" that I have discovered come with growing a baby from scratch: (**Please note, in NO way am I complaining - just a little surprised at a few of the "bonuses")

breathlessness

That's right, this was one of the first things that I noticed. I get out of breath so easy. I got out of breath yesterday doing yoga! Who gets light headed doing yoga? This preggo! I get out of breath walking to my car in the parking lot. I am always having to make sure I stand up slowly, take frequent breaths when talking, or sit after standing for awhile=) Who would have guessed? It has definitely slowed down my running. I feel like I need to wear a big sign that says: PREGNANT! Not just slow and out of breath!

burping

Yep. I was raised that burping was a very rude, "un-lady-like" thing to do. I now burp all the time. In the shower, while teaching, running, eating, talking on the phone - even sleeping. I pretty much sound like a jr high boy - I am sure I could burp the whole alphabet if I wanted to. Gross I know.

body growth

Yeah I knew it would happen but it might be the hardest thing I am dealing with. (And FYI - I am being completely vulnerable right now - so no judging please) I guess since I am fit and healthy, I thought/hoped I would just look like I swallowed a basketball - that the only thing that would grow, other than my boobs would be my stomach. Not so much. I am gaining weight in other parts of my body. I am constantly hungry - its like I can't stop eating. And its okay - at least that is what I am training my mind to believe. I am surrendering my body for another's growth & development. It is a very weird feeling to be gaining weight and have to be okay with that. Maybe it will be easier when I am past the "is she chubby or pregnant stage".

brain power (or lack-there-of)

I had no idea fetal brain drain began this early - I thought that wouldn't happen until much later. Oh no. I forget LOTS of things. Meetings, lunches, what I was thinking/doing. I put the kitchen spray bottle away in the bathtub. I put the peanut butter in the refrigerator. Things on my grocery list. Random things. Oh well - I just roll with it=) And the ADD-ish thoughts I experience while running I now realize that I experience when I get up to pee in the middle of the night. As random as those thoughts are (And yes - I have battled socialized health care in the middle of the night also) I will have to devote an entire blog just to those thoughts.

hormones

So I haven't had a lot of meltdowns or rage-outs - but it is kind of funny what happens when I do - Its like this whole other being takes control of my body. I will realize that what I am thinking/saying/shouting/crying about is slightly over the top- but it still just comes out. I had a rage out at work when I found out at the last minute that I was supposed to go on a field trip to a farm all day in the rain. ( I was wearing flats and a super cute outfit - not "farm in the freezing rain" attire) I like to be prepared for this type of thing - appropriate clothing/snacks etc. This rage out included yelling, tears, storming out of my classroom, some choice words, etc (NONE in front of children - don't worry. If you work with me and are reading this - I am still sorry you saw that side of me) Last week I was home sick with a fever. I decided to watch My Sister's Keeper. I've read the book - I know what happens. Bad move - I cried the entire movie. Not just the sad parts - happy parts too. The next meltdown involved trying to brine a turkey the night before Thanksgiving. I had cooked all day and was exhausted. I mistakenly saved the whole clean the turkey part for last. There were tears and choice words at my poor husband. My mom and Mat finally sent me to bed and took over (and it all turned out MUCH better than I could have done!)

ALL in ALL - so far so good. I have so much to be thankful for. At 13 weeks I am starting to feel better, still running and some of my dislikes are turning into likes again. I actually like coffee again. Still hate the smell - but am starting to enjoy the taste again. Here is a picture that either makes me look like I am showing a little bit or just enjoyed Thanksgiving too much!

Count Your Blessings...

This thanksgiving holiday I have been overwhelmed with gratitude. I found myself counting my blessings on my run this morning. Confession: It was a distraction strategy up a long hill, but once I reached the top they just kept running through my head. So here's just a few I'd like to share with you...

1. My wonderful husband. He consistently goes above and beyond for me and those around him. (He even put up with my turkey brine melt-down last night. Sent me to bed and took care of the whole mess with my mom:) These hormones - I tell you...)

2. My family - God has blessed me with the amazing parents & in-laws and a fantastic brother. I've had such a great time sitting around, eating, cooking, eating, laughing, eating with them the past few days... only wish the Goods and Marshall could be here...

3. My health. I am strong & healthy. I have legs that work and lungs that breath. I've had a healthy pregnancy thus far and still been able to run.

4. God. Not to give the Sunday School answer - but He is the source of all the blessings in my life. He always fulfills his promises.

5. #10- This little miracle growing inside of me has already changed my life so dramatically. It boggles my mind to know that he/she will be sharing our Thanksgiving feast next year. (PS: #10 is our nickname for the little guy via my father-in-law based on the picture of the onesie in my previous post)

6. Last but not least, my friends. Hands down, I have the very best girlfriends in the entire world. They laugh with me, cry with me, support me, advise me and make me a better "me".

I found this quote yesterday and absolutely fell in love with it. It is my goal to apply this thinking to my every day life - not just Thanksgiving.

"A grateful life is about seeing, thinking, offering, appreciating and living beyond self. This is the spirit behind giving thanks."

-Kristin Armstrong

So happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones. I hope you have a wonderful day counting your blessings. Pics of our holiday to follow=)

Photo shoots!!

Most of you who know me well know that I have this pipe dream of becoming a photographer some day. I blame it on my sophomore year at Milligan when I decided that I was going to become a professional photographer one day. Well - I don't have anywhere near the talent that it takes - I'm no Ashley Parsons or Carissa Miller - but I've definitely found that I LOVE it! This weekend a few of my friends let me take practice photo-shoots of their kiddos and I had an absolute blast. I could definitely see myself falling more in love with my pretend profession. Can't wait for Baby Good to get here so that I can get lots more practice!! So thanks to Riley, Cece & Peyton (& their mama's) for being wonderful models and letting me practice!

Meet Riley. 2 1/2 years old and FULL of life. Check out her big blue eyes. I saw those and couldn't take enough pictures. She is absolutely adorable! Thanks Tanya! I had a great time!

Baby Cece. Her sweet little name says it all. I got to take these pictures when Cece was just 10 days old! After spending her first few days of life in NICU, her family is thrilled to have her home and get to love on her. Thanks Brooke!

Baby Peyton. It is so hard for me to believe that this little girl is almost 6 months old! I feel like she was born yesterday! She is an absolute chub-a-licious chunk of cuteness! OH! And our baby is due on her 1 yr birthday! Thanks Erin!

That's Right... We're

PREGNANT!

The Goods are officially having a baby!! We found out on October 2 that we are pregnant. As of today I am 11 weeks and 3 days. I went in to the doctor this afternoon and heard Baby Good's heartbeat. It was loud and strong! As of right now, Baby Good will be gracing us with his/her presence on June 5th - just in time for summer break!

This whole pregnancy thing was something we had wanted for quite awhile and we are counting our blessings for a smooth ride so far. Its kind of crazy that it is actually happening. Here are a few tidbits of info:

Cravings:

Salt & Vinegar chips

Lemonade

Anything that isn't good for me (chips, french fries, cookies, etc)

Corona. I haven't don't worry - but an icy cold corona with lime sounds sooo good.

Dislikes:

coffee (that's right this former 3 cups a day-girl HATES the stuff right now)

salads - won't touch them with a 10 ft pole

veggies of any sort - ESPECIALLY onions

Expo markers

-I have been crazy tired. Like more tired than after I finished either of my marathons.

-Speaking of tired - sleep is my current BFF.

-I have only gained a few pounds, but I would have sworn the nurse was going to tell me I had already gained my full 25... nope, just 2.

-I've been nauseated, but luckily haven't thrown up. (Other than my all-out war with Tamiflu)

-I am still running, though I have decreased my distance and my pace. I plan on keeping up with it as long as mama and baby are doing okay with it.

-We both think its a boy... We will DEFINITELY be finding out!

Thats about it for now. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers!

starting to "pooch-out" a little as my sweet husband puts it=)

In Sickness and In Health...

I have been quite the absent blogger for the past month. I have a good excuse, I swear. In the mean time sickness has hit the Good household like a big huge monster. (Warning: Hope this doesn't disappoint, but there will be no pictures in this blog, because who really wants to see pictures of people sick? Oh and if you are reading and thinking, "really? She is writing about being sick?" Then close it and stalk someone else's blog. It's my blog and I will write about what I want to.)

On Wednesday night Mat came down with swine flu. Mat has almost never been sick. In the entire time I've known him he has never even taken a sick day. Not even when he had food poisoning. (gross - I know) Being the dedicated employee that he is, he went into work on Thursday (armed with a flu mask and enough hand sanitizer to sanitize a 1st grade classroom) only to be sent home with tamiflu. I quickly called my doctor, had her call in some tamiflu to protect me because Lord knows I am not about to get this nasty bug (and my H1N1 shot isn't until this week). Thursday afternoon I picked up my tamiflu and a huge load of hand sanitizer.

Anyways by Thursday night, tamiflu and I decided we didn't like each other very much and I proceeded to throw up every 15 minutes. People told me it was rough on my stomach, but come on. Rough is the understatement of the year. It was downright horrible. I couldn't even take a sip of water. Horrible. I think I would have rather had food poisoning (not the kind of Mi Ranchito though - that's downright scary)

So here were the Goods, not feeling very "good" at all. He was in 1 bathroom on one side of the house while I was in the other. The entire night. (Confession: If you were at the PV Hen House on Thursday night and now have swine flu, I deeply apologize. I was so sick that I couldn't make the grocery store run, so I had to send swine-flu boy to do so. I am sorry-but it was better than throwing up on Sherry or Doug) Mat was quarantined to the guest room/guest bathroom for several nights and the entire house has been santized and re-sanitized. I tell you- this swine flu is nothing to mess around with.

Here we are on Sunday night both of us feeling better. I am still hoping and praying that I won't come down with it - because I really don't want to have to mess with Tamiflu ever again. My doctor took me off of it- so we are relying on lots of prayer and hand sanitizer to keep me from getting this nasty monster.