Cribs & kicking & puppies...OH MY!

Spring is well on its way and there is plenty of action going on at the MacGregor house.

Cribs...We finally got the crib put together (finally meaning we bought it like 6 weeks ago, and after pushing weekend after weekend Joey finally broke down and put it together as I watched). I have to be honest this was a bitter sweet thing to do. Seeing it put together is so sweet and beautiful, and excites me to no end. On the other hand, it is giving me a little bit of a reality check and I have never been more scared in my life! I started reading this book called baby wise. Controversial yes... but hear me out. I am almost done with it, and I am so amazed at what it has given me. I feel like I really have a "realistic" idea of what life after labor is like. Before I imagined perfectly clean clothes, a big baby smile, giggles at bath time, and just plain bliss. I know it will be, but now I am starting to really understand that it's not as easy as I've imagined. There will be crying, and screaming, and poop, and stains on the favorite outfit and of course sleepless nights. It's going to be real life. For those of you who have children you are giving me the duh.... comment right about now right? Seriously though.... this is my first time. Now that I have accepted this truth, I have been able to really move forward and still be very excited for our new addition.

Kicking... I have been really hesitant and unsure of what this was going to be like. Yesterday as I was reclining reading a book I finally felt something. Not a violent kick, or even anything that said "hey this is me"! It was a very gentle movement in my tummy that felt like I was either really nervous or borderline sick. Just a little tickle. The funny thing was it was more noticeable when Joey was talking to me. The more he would talk the more butterflyish it got. I am pretty positive this was our first movements. I had thought there was movement 3 times before, but wasn't sure if it was gas, or just plain craziness. Still not sure what all that was, but it didn't feel like this. It was so subtle I think I could miss it altogether if I wasn't really paying attention. Loved it!

Puppies... this one takes the cake on the SHOCK factor. Our crazy dog tootsie had puppies! AGAIN! She just had a batch in September. I was under the impression dogs only had a cycle twice a year so had no thoughts of her even being pregnant. Last Saturday we were eating breakfast with the Nephews when Joey reported strange activity by Tootsie. After further investigation she was indeed acting strange. She had 3 puppies! We had no idea she was pregnant, and didn't even think she looked pregnant. I guess 3 compared to the 8 she carried last time didn't really look like much. Mom & pups are doing really well and we think we have already found homes for two of them. Although they were unexpected they really have been fun to have around. I do love puppies! They are just so clumsy cute! So if anyone is looking for a chocolate lab you're in luck. These babies are free to a good home and should be ready after April 25th. Let me know soon, because I really do think Joey has 2 reserved. There was 1 Boy and 2 girls.

Alrighty! I'm going to get back to it now. Hope all is well with all of you! I'll let you know what we find out at next Mondays appointment! Oh... just as a side note. A friend of ours (A.C.) went in at 16 weeks and they said she was having a girl, but at the 20 week appt they found out it was really a boy! Not saying that will be the case... but it you want to change your vote I would do it now :0) Luv u! MacGregors

the amazing appointment....

What an amazing appointment we had today! We had heard from a few sources that the Dr. I go to has let people see at 16 weeks what there were having. I wasn't going to ask for it, but I wanted to be prepared just incase. Joey had heard from a friend to drink apple juice before you go in because it gets the baby moving around. Little did we know this decision would be the reason we were able to have an ultrasound this month. Because of all the sugar the baby was moving around too much and they couldn't get a heartbeat.... so we got to get an ultrasound! I had been looking forward to this since our first because I had tons of worries that the baby might not be growing like it should... etc. I'm told the worries never go away. It turns out the baby is growing just as it should. We are a healthy 6 oz, and the heartbeat was 164. It was incredible! The baby was moving around so much! It was precious! I've seen other peoples ultrasound pics, but not really go into it. So different this time around. To see it move and squirm was amazing! I knew it was happening, but not being able to feel it yet it was still pretty amazing how much it is moving! It seemed that when I would say something it would respond. Loved it! Alright... so I realize if you wern't there these pics don't mean the same thing, but I will try to interpret.

This is the face of our little angel. You can see it's right hand up next to it's mouth.

This one shows a head (I think it is the face, but the tech didn't say it was or wasn't), a left hand, a plump tummy & a long umbilical cord streaming off to the right.

Here is a side view of baby MacGregor. The cutest thing was the legs crossed. You can't really tell here, but it was one of my favorite moments. Head up top, right arm covering face, and right leg.

This one is the most controversial pic. According to the tec we are looking a the babies rump as if it were sitting on a glass table. So... if you look at the 3 lines she pointed out this picture would indicate we are having a little girl. We still will not know for another month, but that is what we know for now.

So... as you can see it really was a very eventful appointment. I'm not sure if I'm ready to start calling it a "she" yet, but it's almost hard not too. I will promise to refrain from purchasing girl stuff until the next appointment when we really do have a better idea, but I'm feelin pretty good about the tech being right on the money. I can't explain the amazingly good feelings coming out of that appointment. Everything is going so well, progressing as it should, and I'm feeling super lately! I guess I am waiting for someone to tell me it has all been a dream. I can't believe we will finally have a little angel of our own. With our nose... our eyes... and our curly brown hair (heaven forbid this child should come out blonde or red headed :0) I might have some splainin to do). We could not be more excited about our little miracle.

Feelin Good N Clingy

I am so impressed with my body lately. It seems I am finally taking on somewhat of a pregnant shape. I still have mild sickness from time to time, but overall I am just amazed at all the changes that are taking place. For the most part I feel REALLY GOOD! I must admit I have had slight bitterness toward the weather, because it warmed up and looked so promising and then snowed. I am very grateful for it because I know we need the moisture, but honestly it made me a tad bit grouchy for a while. All that aside it has started to get warm again which has made me really happy! Another thing that has impressed me is my body's "cravings" for really good food. This is where I am not sure if my body is wanting these things or I am persuading it that I want these things. For example instead of ice cream I have really wanted fruit. Now mind you I eat ice cream, I just don't want it even as much as I did before pregnancy. Is this because of the books I've been reading? My own logic in pregnancy weight gain? Or is my body really craving the nutrition that comes from Fruit vs. Ice cream? Now really... I'm not trying to say I'm eating perfectly, nor am I trying to impress you. I am simple impressed myself. I guess when I used to think of pregnancy I thought of eating double of what you want when you want, and having no remorse. It seems most people view it that way as well. The truth has been in my case that I can't eat even as much as I did before at one sitting (because it all comes back up), although I do eat lighter meals more frequently. I have been hitting the liquids pretty hard and it really has made me feel really great! And this biggest change has been that I actually consider the effects of what I am putting in my body. Again, not near perfection, but a huge improvement from my pre-pregnancy eating habits. I've paid a lot more attention to my calcium intake, sugar intake, protein... fruits... veggies. I'm just really proud. I think all of this has had an effect on my feeling good lately. The other feelings I have had lately have been anxious & clingy. Anxious to feel movement, and to find out what we are having, and clingy toward Joey. Hopefully not in a disgusting way to him :). Not sure if it is normal, but I have really had a need to be with him lately. More than usual I have wanted to be close to him, holding his hand, hugging him, just really.... clingy I guess. It probably didn't help that he was away all weekend and today, but it's still a very recognizable urge that has developed over the last week or so. Strange as it sounds I missed him before he left this weekend. As I was telling him good bye I already was sad that he was gone???? Can't really explain how it feels. Anyone ever had that? Maybe we just need some quality time together. Who knows. Maybe I'm just over needy right now. It really feels more that way. We spend time together... all the time... I just feel like a stalker or something lately. Not sure if he has noticed yet, but I can see it becoming a real problem if I don't get a handle on it soon. Then again maybe he is feeling the same way??? I guess I should talk to him huh? I'll get right on that when he gets home :). Well yesterday we hit the 15 week mark. Yeah! Here is the update. Your pregnancy: 15 weeks See the big picture How your baby's growing:Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

Little Lemon

How your baby's growing:This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Joey's idea of Valentines Day :)

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Snow, Shrimp, & Sugar Cookies

Those 3 items have nothing in common right? Those are just the things on my mind today. The snow because it is snowing like crazy outside. They are big fat flakes! I have been told if they are big flakes it means there will be little amounts of snow, and if they are little flakes you will get a big snow. So not true! Is that like if you sleep facing the north, and crave sweets it will be a girl? (By the way... I so don't buy any of that bs! Details later). Anyway... the snow is coming down. I'm not very happy about it because it got really nice and warm last week, but you can't say it isn't beautiful! I could watch it for hours! Being bundled up isn't so bad after all. It hides the belly that people confuse between possibly pregnant, and hugely overdosing on doughnuts!

Shrimp??? For some reason can't even stand the idea of it lately, but I read that our baby is the size of a Medium shrimp right now, so of course all I can see is shrimp. Here is the 13 week update (I can't believe it's already been another week!!!) How your baby's growing:Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

As for the Sugar cookies! Oh my gosh! I got some of the soft sugar cookies, because I really felt like I "needed" them (apparently you can just need food in pregnancy and no one questions you! Crazy!), but once I got them I was very disappointed. They had nothing that I had wanted. I barely finished the one I started and passed the rest on Joey's buddies at fight night. A couple days later I still felt this need for sugar cookies. I don't usually like the hard ones, but man oh man! They were money! The hard ones that have all the sprinkles on them... I still have the sprinkle proof stained on my tongue, and my thumb & pointer finger. I have tried not to eat them way to fast, but it has seriously been so hard. I brought 2 to work today one for today and one for hopefully the next couple of days. No Way! Those things were gone in 10 minutes! I hate them a little bit, but mostly I am in love with them. My only hope is that Safeway and Walmart discontinue them. Unlikely :).

Speaking of food that is making me happy... I love pickle spears. Not the slices, or the whole ones, but the spears. MMM... I bought the biggest jar ever! It's like the ones you get at sams club. So awesome! Anyone who has been pregnant understands, however my husband has made fun of me to no end about the dang pickle spears. I defended them as much as I could telling him they were crisp and refreshing and made me feel good. He simply would not listen & said I was gross. As I was fishing for pickle spears the other day guess who wants one? That's right... Mr. MacGregor. So I get him a pickle spear on a napkin. Mmmm... that was good, with bashful rosey cheeks he asks in his sweet voice... can I have another? After I finished my victory dance I got him another pickle spear. We have been eating them like crazy ever since. I love it!

One last thought and I will wrap it up. These old wives tales that tell you what gender your having are BS! Some of them are down right ridiculous! Honestly! What if you crave sweet and salty things, sleep on both of your sides, dream about boys & girls, have one smooth and one dry hand, not to mention the ring on the string goes back and forth and in circles??? Does that mean your having a hermaphrodite? I don't think so. They are 50/50 anyway right? Silly silly. A healthy baby will do.... boy or girl. Ok then. That's enough for today. I'm going home before the roads get too bad. Luv ya! ~ The MacGregors~

12 weeks & an appointment

Hello all! Just as an update todays appointment went very smoothly. All is well with both of us. We got to hear a heartbeat again which is now at 162 bpm. Everything is looking great and our next appointment is March 4th. The sickness hasn't settled yet, but yesterday it occured to me that as long as they have me taking progestrone suppliments I will continue to be sick. I forgot to ask when they wanted me to stop taking them, so I have a call in to our nurse. So other than that it's business as usual. I'm feeling pretty great (other than the sick & really sleepy), and just excited at our progress. No new pictures yet, and the next appointment doesn't look likely either, however we are only 8 weeks from a full 4D ultrasound, and of course finding out the gender. So if you can hang in a little longer for an updated pic we will be good.

As for the superbowl... so fun! I was sad the cardinals lost, but they still did amazing. Let's not forget the Arizona cardinals were in the superbowl. How crazy sounding is that! They did great. As for Maggie & myself and our puzzle. Not so great :). We did pretty good, but even a 750 piece puzzle didn't work. Next year we are going to try 500 to boost our self esteem. We can build up from there. It was a great night & we enjoyed all the food, and family fun!

Here is your technical update for Baby MacGregor

Hello from BabyCenter! Your baby's hit the 2-inch mark (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce. Her eyes, which started out on the sides of her head, have moved closer together. Your baby's intestines, which have grown so rapidly that they protruded into the umbilical cord, will start to move into her abdominal cavity. Her kidneys are secreting urine into her bladder. She may have acquired more reflexes, including sucking, and she'll even squirm if you prod your abdomen, though you still won't be able to feel her move for several weeks.