Post Holidaze

Well, Nik and I survived the holidays. For the most part at least. We traveled to the Midwest on December 20th and were back in L.A. by the 28th. It was nice to be able to spend so much time with family. Four days with the Karpens and four days with the Gerlings. Family time is so good for the soul. A recharge button to help get the new year started off right.

The Karpen clan

Unfortunately, we both ended up sick. He was initially worse off than me. High temperature, chills, the usual fun flu symptoms. Fortunately, mine never escalated that far. Good thing too since I couldn't really take any medication due to Baby Girl. The only thing my doctor did okay for me to take was Sudafed. But guess what you need a prescription for in Jefferson (aka Metherson) County, Missouri? And here's why.

You see that county with the number 212 indicated on it? That is where I proudly hail from. I believe we come in second place in the nation, right behind Tulsa, OK, for identified meth labs per county. You can check out where your neighborhood stands here.

Anyway, I did my best to suck it up and tried to kick it with soup, Vitamin C and hot showers but it was still pretty miserable. So I drugged myself up once we landed in Los Angeles where Sudafed is readily available. Here's a fun observation. Being sick in 75 degree weather isn't as miserable as being sick in -15 degrees. Thank god we escaped before the polar vortex, or whatever they're calling it, descended upon the nation. Times like these I don't mind paying that premium price tag for sunny skies and warm weather. Although I am a little jealous of everyone's snow days.



No, thank you.

Nik and I probably had the  most chill New Year's Eve since living in Los Angeles. In the past we've always spent way too much money at clubs or bars to ring in the new year. This year however, we spent it over at our friends place where the atmosphere was a little more preggo friendly, complete with yummy snacks and sparkling cider. Nik even had himself a designated driver this year which he delightfully took advantage of.


NYE 2014

I just celebrated my (*cough, cough*) 32nd (*cough*) birthday this past Sunday. We had friends over on Saturday night for a joint housewarming/birthday party. I spent so much time cleaning and readying the place for its grand debut when seconds before the festivities were about to begin, chaos struck. Apparently, our upstairs neighbors were having plumbing issues. All of a sudden there was water gushing down into our apartment. A good 1/2 inch of standing water soaked our hallway and bathroom floors. It was like a scene from a sitcom. Especially with me in my dress, 6 months pregnant, hair and make up done, down on hands and knees furiously trying to sop everything up with every spare towel I could find. But the leak fortunately stopped and we managed to clean the place up moments before anyone arrived.



Birthday bump

But in all honestly, I'm kind of glad the holidays are over. 2014 is finally under way and we're getting closer to Baby Girl's arrival. Here are some quick updates on how that is progressing:

* I had an appointment with my doctor last Friday for my glucose test. It's where you drink this nasty, sugary stuff and the doctor takes your blood an hour later to see if you're at risk for gestational diabetes. He called with the results on Sunday. It was a lovely birthday present. My results came back normal so I don't have diabetes. Yay! But I am anemic. Boo. Evidently it's common in pregnant women so I just have to pop an iron supplement everyday and I'll be fine.

* Apparently I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions for the past month or so and didn't realize it. I've been getting this tightening sensation in my lower belly at times and just figured it was the baby curling up into a ball or something. Nik's sister, a nurse and mother of two, told me it sounded like Braxton Hicks and my doctor confirmed it. It doesn't hurt, it's just a really weird and heavy sensation. I guess it's just my body's way of rehearsing for the big show.

* At the doctor's appointment last Friday both the nurse and my OB remarked on my weight gain. I know, I'm supposed to pack on some pounds. But hearing the words "Well, it looks like you've gained some weight since your last visit," still feels slightly disconcerting. I initially wanted to blame it on the holidays until the baby kicked me and I remembered that she's the cute, little culprit. The doctor assured me it was a good sign and I'm right on track. I should be gaining about a pound a week from here on out.

* I'll be closing out the second trimester soon and I'm a little anxious about this third trimester business. I hear that's when things start to get REAL uncomfortable. Say goodbye to that cute, little baby bump. Instead it's massive weight gain, swollen feet and ankles, insomnia, bladder control issues, leaky boobs and a general misery that lasts for the remaining 13 weeks or so. I take it back. I'm not anxious about it. I am living in fear, horror, and trepidation about the third trimester. As a glass half full kind of girl I'm trying to look at the bright side. At least it is the last and final trimester. Perhaps the most difficult but also the most rewarding. So I'm up for the challenge. I just pray it goes by quickly.

* I think I'm getting into the nesting stage of the pregnancy and have been obsessing over the nursery. I'm tacking up ideas on Pinterest, ordering furniture and the baby's room has officially been painted. I'll try and post some pictures when it's a little more polished. And this what the conversations that Nik and I have now look like:



Regarding a birthing play list



Regarding baby furniture

But it's a fun and exciting time despite the occasional aches and pains. One of my favorite evening activities now is counting Baby Girl's kicks. She has moved north so I'm feeling them more in the middle of my belly and sometimes up against my ribcage. I can see them now too. All of a sudden my tummy will give a little shudder like a popcorn kernel is popping inside. And sometimes she'll play back when I start poking at her. There are days when she's super active and days when she's just plain lazy. I prefer the super active days, just as long as they're days and not nights.

Happy 2014 everyone!!