Not So "White" Noise

Since we moved into our new 2 bedroom apartment to prepare for little man's arrival, we have almost constantly heard music playing, well not necessarily the music. We can't hear the words or the tone all we can hear is the bass and it sounds like the same song, over and over and over . We can only hear it when we are in our apartment, once we step out and close the door it's gone. The other day we went and knocked on the apt door across from us since he seemed like the only one listening to music at the time. He turned his music down and it seemed to stop so we thought "ok problem solved" Well it's back and he is not even listening to music tonight. I first put my ear up to the door before knocking to talk to him, no music. Once he answered no music. So obviously it's not him causing this problem day after day, night after night. The way our apartment is layed out is consisted of one building two entrances, eight units to each entry. Four upstairs, Four downstairs. So tonight I ventured out (once again, since I did this about a week ago as well) Listened to everyones door in our entrance. No one was listening to music but I knocked anyway. 3 out of 4 neighbors downstairs are elderly, only one was a young couple who had guests over, including kids and did not even have their T.V on at the time. They talked to me for about 10 minutes and I was reassured I am not the only one being driven crazy by this beat. She has heard it during the day. My neighbors upstairs are not the culprits either. I have not yet ventured over to the other entry in our building to listen to the other 8 neighbors in our building, but plan on doing so tomorrow. Am I crazy? Is it hormones that is making it impossible for me to get over this noise? Or am I just preparing to join the mommy club? If this noise is going to be waking up my newborn I will have to shoot someone (not really but Ken does have a paintball gun and/or airsoft gun that I know how to use). I want it to stop. Unfortunately I can't get it to until I find our where it is coming from. Wish me luck as I spend my day off tomorrow trying to find the not so "white noise" culprit.

23 Weeks!! So many updates!!

23 weeks!!! Looking more and more pregnant!!

22 weeks & 3 days (Thanksgiving day)

I am 23 weeks today, I love finally being able to celebrate Monday as a good day LOL!! These pictures were taken on Thanksgiving. (22 weeks, 3 days.) I look the same so I just included these instead of taking new ones. I also had a Dr. apt last week, on Tuesday, baby's heartbeat sounded really good. Blood pressure was perfect which is good, being overweight puts me at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. I received the go ahead for my Washington trip which I'm so excited for. My next apt will be when I get back from my Washington trip in January. At that appointment I will get my blood sugar checked and also receive my 1st Rh immune-globulin shot. "Rh immune-globulin acts like a vaccine, preventing the mother's body from producing any potentially dangerous Rh antibodies that can cause serious complications in the newborn or complicate any future pregnancies." Since I am Rh negative and Ken is Rh positive this is important in case our baby boy is Rh positive.

(That's sparkling grape juice behind me...we got our bubbly on the safe way)

I also received my baby shower invitation in the mail this week. I'm so blessed to have someone to take the time to throw me a baby shower. It's a big mile stone when you're pregnant and I'm so excited to be able have one, which I didn't think I would since living in Virginia makes it hard. But since I will be in Washington in December for 3 weeks my wonderful Mom-A ( one of my adopt-a-moms) will be throwing the shower for me. I'm excited to be doing a mommy and daddy shower. Ken is a huge part of my life and with out him I wouldn't be having this little miracle so it's very important to me for him to be included in the shower as well. Also since my dad has been a huge figure in my life I wanted to make it man friendly so he would feel comfortable attending as well.

20 Weeks!!! Half Way There!!

Today is the official half way mark in my pregnancy. I can't believe it has gone by this fast. It seems like just yesterday was the 20th of July and I was taking an at home test. I thought I would do a pregnancy survey to feel you in on the in's and out's so far.

Your name? Meshelle Nichole Woods

Fathers name? Kenneth Riley Puckett

Are you still with him? Together since December 9th 2005, married since July 27th, 2007

Were you trying to get pregnant? We weren't NOT trying lol. Since we were married we had the attitude if it happens it happens and we weren't going to try to prevent it.

When you found out

When did you find out? July 20th, 2009 in the morning

Were did you find out? Our new apartment in Virginia Beach, VA

How far along were you? 4 weeks exactly (gestational age about 2 weeks)

What was your reaction? Shocked because Ken had only been home from bootcamp and training for 4 1/2 weeks, surprised that it happened so fast compared to the 2 years prior that it didn't happen, excited it was finally happening, nervous because we weren't living by our family anymore and would be doing this by ourselves.

Who was the first person you told? After Ken I called my sister Amanda told her the test was positive and then texted my other sister Tara who is due in December and told her I thought she was contagious lol. We waited until it was confirmed by the Dr to tell other family members.

How did you tell the father? I usually start my cycle in the middle of the night so when that didn't happen (sunday/monday night) I took a test I had left over from like 7 months ago when I had been late previously. After taking it I left it on the counter (it said negative at first) then went on the computer to look up the directions since I had thrown them away a while ago. Went back to throw the test away and it was positive. So I texted Ken and it went like this.
M: Babe I'm not feeling very well can you pick me up some soup, crackers, and sprite, oh yeah and a pregnancy test.
K: Yeah what kind of soup? Dont you have a test?
M: I took it already
K: What did it say
M: It was positive
K: O.k I'll get you another one
So he came home and I took two more came out of the bathroom crying, hugged him and said they're positive. ( I had always imagined a more cute and adorable way to tell him when we finally got pregnant but I think I was in shock lol)

What was his reaction? "Are you serious? We did it" There's a little one in there"? Touched my belly and hugged me. Then when I went to the Dr. the next day to confirm it, I picked him up for lunch and said.... well its officialy daddy. And he just smiled and started laughing and kissed and hugged me.

All about your pregnancy

When is your due date? March 29th, 2010

Did you have any morning sickness? I did have some in the beginning I didn't throw up very much at all maybe 4 times but I gagged a lot and didn't want to eat very much.

What are your fears? I had a lot of fears in the beginning. Almost everyone in my family has had drama one way or another with pregnancys. My sister Tara miscarried 3 times before her current pregnancy which she is one month away from completing. My sister Amanda was told she had less than a 25% chance of conceiving and if she did she would not carry full term ( my miracle nephew Adam will be 3 in February.) My sister Kindra conceived but my nephew Carson passed away from SIDS when he was 2 months old. My maternal grandmother had a stillborn (my Aunt Michelle who I'm part way named after). Just so many things and so many fears but I take every day as a miracle and I'm so thankful I have had an easy pregnancy so far. ( Maybe my hard part was the two years it took for it to happen.)

What are you most happy about? That it's finally happening and things have gone as smoothly as they have. I'm thankful my husband is here, we have insurance for our little one and the finances to support it.

Did you want a boy or girl? I thought I would have a preference but I really didn't

What did the father want boy or girl? Ken wanted a girl, but he is so excited about his little man.

Do you know what you're having? We are having a BOY!!

Do you have a name picked out? Kevin (after my dad) Riley (Ken's middle name)

How much weight have you gained? My last Dr. Apt I had gained 2 lbs but my first apt I had lost 2 lbs. So total weight gain has been 0... I've been eating more lately so we'll see how much I've gained at my next apt on the 24th.

Have you felt the baby move? He moves ALOT... He does summersaults and jumping jacks lol

When you have the baby

Do you plan on a natural or medicated birth? I'm going to wing it. I'd like to see what I'm dealing with and if I can handle it if not I will be asking for an epidural.

Are you scared about labor? Not really I'm excited for my little guy to be here.

What do you think will be the worst part of labor? If I have to get an episiotomy I think that will be the worst part. But I'd rather get one than risk tearing.

Have you taken any classes? Not yet but we will as it gets closer

Who will be in the delivery room? My husband, possibly sister and my 2nd mom Alese

Are you having the birth videotaped? If I could I would like to but the military hospital we will be delivering doesn't allow it. If I was going to I wouldn't allow any below the belt shots.

Do you think you will cry when you see the baby for the first time? Definitely

What do you think the fathers reaction to the baby will be? I think he will cry and be very excited

How do you think family and friends will feel? My dad is very excited to meet his namesake, I can't think of one person who isn't excited for us.

It's a BOY!!!

We had an ultrasound on tuesday the 27th!!! And everything looks good. He is developing right on schedule. Yes, we found out it is a boy. Once you look at the pictures you'll see it's a little undeniable. Ken is very excited to be having a little guy. At first he wanted a girl but he is definitely excited about being able to add another Philadelphia Eagles fan to the family lol. I was to the point where I just wanted to know what it was. I saw so many positives in either sex it was hard to have a preference which I thought I would. I thought people that say they don't really have one were full of crap but I can completely relate now. I am definitely excited as well to be having a little boy!!

This is a bottoms up view of our little man, the arrow is pointing to the goods.

This is a frontal picture of our little guy. I think he looks somewhat like a puppy.

This is a side view of our little guy. The ultrasound tech wasn't very nice or patient I kind of wish the side view was a little better, like the first ultrasound pics we have.

So after we found out what it was we went shopping and bought him some clothes. He has 7 bodysuits, 4 pairs of pants, 2 jackets and some socks!! It was so fun to be able to go shopping and know what clothes you can actually buy now!! Definitely won't be the only shopping trip we take.

16th Week

16TH WEEK

Friday I had another OB apt. I was 16 weeks and 5 days. Everything looks good, we were able to listen to the heartbeat which was amazing. Weight gain was 2 pounds since the last apt which means total pregnancy weight gain is 0. The first OB apt I had I had lost two pounds. My nausea is getting so much better. There are some days when I feel amazing, I have energy and I feel like I'm on top of the world other days I just want to lay in bed, not eat anything and curl up and go to sleep. Of course I have to eat and go to work so my day doesn't get better. But these days are happening less and less. We scheduled our big ultrasound where we find out the baby's sex for the 27th of October. I was really excited because I thought I would have to wait until November so when the receptionist said the 27th I was thinking she meant November lol. The pictures are of me in the beginning of my 16th week. My belly is rounding out more which I love!!



PETTING ZOO / PUMPKIN PATCH

Ken and I went to a pumpking patch this weekend ironically we didn't pick out any pumpkins because the ones they had were huge!! And I like smaller pumpkins. But we did have an amazing time. The farm we went to is called Hunt Club Farms in Virginia Beach. It seemed like we were able to enjoy so many things at once. The farm had of course pumpkins, a huge petting zoo, a hay ride, a carnival complete with rides, and a haunted corn maze. The Naval Air Base was about 5-7 miles away from the farm and there was an air show this weekend so we would occasionally look up and see the blue angels and other planes doing all sorts of manuevers. It was such an awesome day. The petting zoo was so cute. They had one of my now favorite animals... Pygmy goats. They were so adorable. Here is Ken with one of the Pygmy Goats...They are so cute

The farm gives you food to feed them in an ice cream cone. They all went crazy for it.

Here I am with the pygmy goat. Aren't they so cute??

This little guy looked and felt just like a Teddy Bear. So cute!!

This one gives a whole new meaning to having a Goat-tee.

Baby Items!!!

Here are some of the few baby items I have so far. Most of these I was given while I was in Idaho in August just wanted to post them (I needed something to do to refrain from online baby shopping lol) these were given by my mom and my grandma Nana, my maternal grandmother.


This is a super cute neutral new born baby outfit, black and white with dogs and elephants. Grandma Nana got this for me.


A close up of the dogs and elephants.



One of my best friends whom I have known since 1st grade, gave me this as my bridesmaid gift. I can't wait to put baby's first bath time picture in this frame and put it in the bathroom.



Nana also gave me these two blankets, she bought both pink and blue since we don't know the sex yet.


All of the items I took pictures of are on my favorite thing so far, the quilt. I was a little conflicted about Winnie the Pooh because its such a cliche and I wanted something more unique but this quilt my mom got me I think has changed my mind. Plus my dad had classic Winnie the Pooh when he was born and if it's a boy we are naming the baby after him so it would fit. Even if it's a girl I will still stay with the Winnie the Pooh... I think... I am just so in love with this quilt.


This is the middle of the quilt, it's classic Winnie the Pooh with Eeyore and Piglet, Pooh is catching butterflies.

"Every days a pooh day"


The butterflies are spread through out the quilt, there is a total of 10 I think. They are so adorable, the wings are made of layered fabric so it gives them this 3D look.


This is the side of the quilt, I like how it's not just your average quilt. It has the 3D looking butterflies and the jagged edges that go all the way around. It's just so dang cute the pictures do not do it justice . It's pretty big though. I would say maybe meant for a full size bed so I obviously wouldn't use it for the crib. Ken and I have decided it would look really cute to hang on a wall in the room, maybe behind the crib or whatever wall is the most blank.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

For my part of breast cancer awareness I wanted to blog a little bit about my connection with breast cancer, the impact it's had on our lives. I also wanted to write about ways you can raise awareness, donate and how important early detection is. I often wonder if Ken's mom had only detected it months or weeks sooner how much of a difference it would have made.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with our history together (Ken and I) you may not know his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2006. Unfortunately she passed away in February 2007. Three months shy of watching her twin boys (Eric and Ken) graduate high school and 5 months shy of watching Ken and I walk down the aisle and become husband and wife. I think about her all the time but especially in October when it's breast cancer awareness month. And especially now that Ken and I are expecting it's just one more milestone that she is not able to physically be here for.

Ways you can donate : The month of October is amazing when it comes to products that are on store shelves that make is very easy to indirectly donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Dove Chocolate, Yoplait Yogurt, General Mills, Fuze Beverage, Pepperidge Farm, Republic of Tea and Napa Valley Naturals. These are just some food companies that have promotions going on through the month of October and some other months. My husband and I have a rule if we are planning on buying some groceries we always check to see if there is special packaging that will donate to breast cancer. Walgreens has a lot of novelty products they come out with in October including adorable beanie babies you can purchase that all donate a percentage to breast cancer. Avon also has some great products for breast cancer awareness. My Avon reps contact in the Vancouver, WA area is youravon.com/acolton. Of course you can always donate directly. http://ww5.komen.org/donate/donateonline.html for Susan G. Komen for the cure. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/DON/DON_0.asp is the donate link for the American Cancer Society.

If you can not donate, RAISE AWARENESS!!! Join a walk or local charity. Wear a pin or ribbon. The cheapest easiest thing you can do is simple. Take a pink ribbon and a safety pin and wear it. IT'S THAT SIMPLE!! If you have facebook or myspace post an update that's sweet and simple, "I support breast cancer awareness" So many small things can make a huge difference. Talk to the women in your life if they are over 40 or sooner if they have a history of breast cancer in their families, about getting mammograms. And for us girls too young to have mammograms, monthly breast checks are a must!! Ladies listen if you love yourself and love your girls (not your friends but those two girls sitting on your chest) please do monthly self exams and if you come across any thing unfamiliar at anytime let your physician know asap. And when you go in for your yearly physical insist they do a breast check.

Things going on in your area.

This should be fun its called "For the love of boobs fashion show. There will be Organic catering, beer and wine, live music, and a silent auction. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. Friday, October 9th, 7-10 pm, Miller Hall at the World Forestry Center at the Portland, Or Zoo.

More events can be found at the Susan G. Komen website and The American Cancer Society's website.


Idaho

Idaho Falls, ID

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Wacoal Fit for the Cure™ Dillards Grand Teton Mall

Event Website: www.fitforthecure.com

Oregon Portland, OR Wednesday, October 14 & 15, 2009 Wacoal Fit for the Cure™ Macy's Clackamas Event Website: www.fitforthecure.com Affiliate Website: www.komenoregon.org Phone: (503) 552-9160 Email: komen@komenoregon.org