It's A Boy!!!

That is right folks!  A little mini-Matt is on the way.  We are really excited although I think a lot of people were disappointed by the news because EVERYONE guessed it was a girl.  Not sure why... Anyway, no clear winner on names.  Boy names seem to be much harder to come up with.  You can post some suggestions if you have any.  I had a doctor's appointment last week and the little guy seems to be doing great.  I, on the other hand, have a UTI and Gestational Gingivitis!!! Yuck!  So I am on some antibiotics including a prescription mouthwash that is AWFUL!  It is honestly the nastiest thing I have ever tasted in my life.  Oh, and just as a fun bonus-- it will probably stain my teeth brown!  Fun, fun!  It is kind of crazy now that I am actually showing, I feel like people are looking at me weird.  I'm not sure when I should start wearing maternity clothes.  What do you think?  I definitely need to find a maternity swim suit because Matt booked us a babymoon to St. Kitts in the Caribbean!  I am not sure, are beached whales in fashion?  Ha ha!  We will be gone the last week of March, wish is also the last week of my 2nd trimester I guess-- can you believe it?  It is really flying by and I am not ready yet!  Wish me luck! 

Babymoon!

Hello to my mommy friends!

So, now that this baby is for real, I have been thinking...I'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE!!!  Seriously.  I just realized it has been over a year and a half since Matt and I had a vacation and two years since we did a real vacation alone together.  So, since I am sure traveling as a threesome will be evermore complicated we really want to sneak a trip in before the baby arrives.  My question for you is simply this-- What tips, suggestions, warnings do you have for traveling while pregnant?  Did you fly while pregnant? Or go on a cruise?  Or a road trip?  What worked for you?  What was awful about it?  When did you go?  Thanks for your help! 

We're Having a Baby!

Yes it's true, we are having a baby!  The little one is due on July 4th, so I am about 3 and a half months along.  It has been hard to keep it a secret for so long especially since I have been SO sick!  I have lost 10 lbs. already!  Hopefully the yuckiness will ease up soon.  I have been to the doctor twice and it seems like everything is looking good.  We are excited to move forward and see where this adventure takes us.

I want to say thanks for all your help on here.  It has really been a comfort to me having your support.  I really appreciate your wisdom and it has really helped me in taking that HUGE first step in to parenthood.  That being said, I am still going to be writing on here and asking questions and stuff, perhaps with more urgency now that it is real!  I still can't believe it!  Thanks again.

What Comes 1st Frustration or The Egg?

Hey girls!  Sorry I haven't posted anything new on here for like 100 years but I have been very busy with life and also trying to figure out some basic human biology...

So, apparently to figure out when you ovulate you have to climb Mount Olympus to consult the ancient oracles and hire a witchdoctor to read the runes.  I guess the mysteries of the female body are so obscure that even Nostradamus couldn't predict the right time to try making a mini me.  I would love to get some insight into what methods, if any, you guys used to figure out when you were most fertile.  What do you know about pee-stick ovulation kits, or using a basal temperature thermometer?  Is there something else that you tried and that worked for you?

These are a few of my favorite things...

My friend Erin has proposed an excellent idea for this post.  She shared with me some of her favorite things about being pregnant.  You can read some of her answers in her comment under the "Challenges" post.  I know Matt is looking forward to the wonder and science of it all-- Yes, he sees me as a huge science project, what a nerd!  Now I would like to hear from the rest of you.  What are some fun things or blessings you enjoy about pregnancy?  What makes you feel good and special?  What makes you smile?

Maternal Dental

Hey guys!  So here I am with another question.  I just heard the weirdest thing.  I had no idea about this but apparently your oral health gets all crazy when you are pregnant.  I was reading about root canals and teeth falling out and lots and lots of gingivitis going on.  I guess it has something to do with pregnancy hormones but it does not make mouth happy.  Is this for real?  Did you notice any changes with your teeth and gums and such while pregnant?  I know dental hygiene is always important but is pregnancy a time to be militant about it?  Also I heard that you should not get any dental work done while pregnant, fillings and stuff.  But that you should get your 6 month cleaning religiously or you'll regret it.  What do you think?

Challenges

It seems fun and exciting to be pregnant and have a baby.  But, realistically, there are some down sides and big challenges to the whole ordeal.  I don’t want to be overly negative so I am just putting a few topics together in one post.  I want to ask if you know any good tips or tricks to help with some of the not-so-joyous things about pregnancy and the time soon after.

I have heard that there is no way to get rid of stretch marks once you have them.  But there may be ways to prevent them, or at least the worst of them.  Have you found a miracle cream or oil? Or does massage or (voluntary) stretching help?

Although there are some couples who find themselves expecting without even trying, infertility is a huge challenge that many still face.  IVF and other scientific advances and procedures are helping many couples beat the odds, but what would you say is a good, simple, non-evasive first step in overcoming this challenge?

I already posted about morning sickness but I am hoping for a few more responses.  So, any more ideas for help with one of the hardest conditions that come with carrying a baby?  Did you find a secret potion or activity that helped you?

A friend once told me that all new mothers get postpartum depression.  The question is just how badly you are affected and for how long.  If you or someone you know was affected by Baby Blues, did you find a way to feel better or was it just something you had to grow out of? 

I also know that swelling is a real issue during pregnancy.  It doesn’t sound fun having your feet, ankles, fingers, and such blowing up like balloons.  What cures have you found effective in combating the swell that isn’t so swell?

I would love to hear about any helpful hints for overcoming these mommy issues. So  please comment below or write me an email at natphatrat@gmail.com.  Thanks!