Five Years!!

October 22nd, 2005 was actually a rainy, windy, cold day but for Michael and I it was the best day of our lives! It was the day when we gave our most solemn promise of commitment and unconditional love to each other, before God, our immediate family and some of our closest friends. And then the honeymoon began... and it lasted for five blissful years! Even before I got married, a friend of mine told me something that stuck with me. She said 'real marriage starts when the baby comes, until then it's honeymoon...' And that's exactly how I feel our first five years of marriage have been!

Now that I am pregnant and expecting a little bundle of joy to be part of our family, well, now it's time for real marriage!

Happy Anniversary to us!

Henry and Charlie

I went from having a quiet, empty house for three weeks to a full house with kids, laughter and wonderful family this past weekend. My adorable nephews came to visit, here we are sitting on the front porch and enjoying a gorgeous fall day. Soon enough our own little baby boy will join these two and then us, four parents plus a set of grandparents will have to be on our toes and keep an eye on them:)

 

Here's Henry, cute as a button. His smile fills up the room and his curious eyes watch every move you make. His laughter is contagious and his laid back attitude would make any other parent jealous.

Big brother Charlie is the funniest little three year old I've ever seen. His blue eyes can make anyone melt and his pleasant voice will make you listen to his words even if you need a translation from mommy or daddy. His blonde hair will make you stroke his head and then you end up kissing his appealing cheeks.

I think our little-geek-to-come will be blessed to have such wonderful cousins!

Up in the Air

I am on my way back to DC after a great weekend in Denver, Colorado. It was a trip that combined a few purposes and the outcome couldn't have been better. First of all, Michael and I got to see each other after him spending two weeks out in California. He still has one more week left but we both recharged enough after seeing each other that this coming Saturday when he comes back, doesn't seem far away at all.

Our hosts in Denver were Raluca and Alin, and how refreshing it was to see them both since Raluca moved from DC there. We had a good time getting nails done, well just Raluca and I, chatting lots over Starbucks coffee or tea (went by Raluca and Alin's habit on this one and stopped by Fivebucks every morning), explored delicious breakfast local spots, did some sightseeing, met up with other friends we had in that area and enjoyed the extra oxygenated Colorado air... except with the slightly headache Michael got when we drove up to 8000 feet elevation!!

All in all it was a very special way to inaugurate my second half of the pregnancy!!

 

Made Up My Mind

Yesterday I had my 20^th week appointment when they do the anatomic ultrasound (see the photo below). They measure everything from feet, arms, bones, head, spinal bone, to looking for all the vital organs: bladder, kidneys, heart and of course sex of the baby. We did get another confirmation that we are having a boy so now I am even more determined to decide on the name. I am grateful to God though that everything looked normal and the pregnancy is developing like it should.

After the ultrasound appointment, I went down a floor to see my ob/gyn. This appointment which was my third one so far with him beat the record- I don’t think I sat down in the chair in front of him for more than a minute and  a half. He took a look at the vitals, weight, he said it was all good. Asked me if I found out the sex of the baby, congratulated me on the baby boy than escorted me politely out the door.

It all happened so fast that all I could think of was an idea I heard on this another birth documentary I watched a few days ago, called "Pregnant America." The filmmaker was talking about the 'mcdonalization' of different areas of the American society and what that means is the application of the fast food principles, like time, efficiency and control to these other aspects of life. I definitely felt like a little pregnant 'burger' rolling down the band and being poured on whatever brief information I was due to know: "all looks good, weight and blood pressure, next time we do the glucose test, here's the drink, take it 45 min before your next appointment, see you in a month."

No, doc, you are not! I am not going back there because I have decided to switch my health care provider, I am going with midwives and a birth center.

 

 

Little Geek at 20 Weeks

Home Alone and Half Way There

Little Geek and I are keeping each other company these days. He's been a bit more 'vocal' this  past week as I could feel the flutters he causes in my tummy when he tumbles around. Michael is away to California for a three week business trip but days have gone pretty fast this first week and then this following weekend we will meet up in Denver, Colorado for a few days. It will be nice to see our friends there, Raluca and Alin and also to explore that beautiful part of America for the first time. I've always wanted to visit so it looks like it will happen at the half way mark of my pregnancy. 

Today I started my 20th week  and I still don't feel pregnant. Yes, belly basically exploded in the last two weeks but I am still able to run, walk comfortably, keep up at work and have pretty much the same schedule and activities as before without too many variations. I know I won't be able to brag with this for too much longer, so I am enjoying while it lasts.

According to the email updates I got about this week, the baby is now the length of a banana. Speaking of fruits, 'the bump' says that baby is the size of a cantaloupe this week. Baby can swallow and digest now so he gulps amniotic fluid each day. More than that, the tasting buds are developing so he can actually taste what I eat through the amniotic fluid. That makes me think that our little geek will be crazy about fruits (especially grapes, apples, cantaloupe and plums), cottage cheese, strawberry jam, almond and peanut butter.

This coming week I have the big appointment at the doctor's when they do the anatomic ultrasound which is the most extensive ultrasound done. It will determine the baby's size, weight, measure growth ensuring the baby develops well, according to the plan. I will also get a confirmation of the sex of the baby, but I am pretty sure that first ultrasound was correct... there is a little baby boy in there and we are still struggling to find the right name for him. Any suggestions? Ideas?