Jingling all the way...

Merry Christmas Eve! Today is my last day of work until April. I'm a little depressed about it to be honest. What am I going to do with myself until our little GB arrives? I'm all stressed out about it! I like my job. I like the people I work with and I'm going to miss working. But I also want to do what's best for the rockin' Gerber Baby -- so I'm going to suck it up and try to relax.

Chris and I are celebrating a very laid back Christmas this year. There's only one thing on our Christmas list -- a healthy baby, but Brendan was visiting this weekend and suggested that Uncle Chris go to mall, sit on Santa's lap and ask for a new travel toothbrush holder. B was very upset that Uncle Chris' toothbrush (which is blue) does not match his white toothbrush holder. Aunt Carry, on the other hand, has a pink toothbrush and a pink toothbrush holder ;-) By the way, Uncle Chris has to go to the mall, because, apparently, according to a four-year-old, it's too late to reach Santa via the postal service...

Santa is bringing Simon a new rubber bone and Marley a new collar. Both will receive rawhide bones from Mom and Dad -- which hopefully keep them occupied when their sister arrives. It's the old bait and switch... Here's your sister -- Not appropriate to chew on... Here's a bone -- Appropriate to chew on...

I hope that you receive all you're hoping for this holiday season -- and that you ring in a healthy and happy 2009! We can't wait to share all our adventures in 2009!

31 weeks... under surveillance!

This week, we saw both the OBGYN and Maternal-Fetal Specialist for check ups. There's still no real diagnosis for the pain I was feeling last week, but we're thankful for whatever it was, 'cause it got us to the hospital and hydrated.

Chris and I are both very proud of the Gerber baby this week, because she has doubled in size! She now weighs a hefty 4.1 pounds!! What a little chubalub... I told my Mother-in-law, "I'm not feeding your Grandbaby anything but slimfast for the next six weeks! She's on a diet." Of course, Mom had a near heart attack and I assured her I was kidding ;-)

Little GB is now squished into her watery home -- as you can see on her newest pic. She's always been a little lazy, so I don't feel her move very much -- just in the morning when I first wake up and she demands her coffee, and at night when she's ready for bed. The ultrasound tech tells us that she's head down and will be ready to join us soon. Her heart rate was 141 beats/minute and my blood pressure was excellent. Actually, never been better... thank you, Gerber Baby!

I'm going to see the OB again in two weeks, but now I need to see the MF Specialist once a week for monitoring and ultrasounds. Geez, you go into labor for like five minutes and all the sudden you're under surveillance! The good news is that we'll get to see little GB every week now -- the only plus to be considered high risk!

BIG Week...

It's been a CRAZY week for the Gerbers! Monday night Chris had his soccer banquet (the official end of the season!) and Tuesday night we drove up to Hackensack for our hospital pre-registration. On our way out of the hospital, I made the HUGE mistake of saying to Chris -- "that's one more thing to check off the list -- I think we're actually ready to have this baby"... BIG MISTAKE!

On Wednesday AM, I woke up at 5 with what I thought were gas pains. I just figured the pain would pass. I had a big day ahead of me, so I got showered and got on the road. I had to do some grocery shopping and then meet my new Junior League friends at the Food Pantry to drop off some donations we had collected and stock shelves. After our visit to the Pantry, we went to Starbucks to get some coffee and chat. The next thing I knew it was almost 1 PM and I had a meeting at work -- so I said my good-byes and got back on the road.

On my way to work, I realized that the pains were getting worse. Long story short, the doctor suggested I go to the closest hospital just to get checked out. I called Chris, he left school, and we went to the hospital. It turns out that I was having small contractions and had pulled a muscle in my tummy. We spent the remainder of our day and night in the labor and delivery unit at Easton Hospital fearing that Baby G would come 9.5 weeks early. The doctors at the hospital discovered that I was severely dehydrated and gave me lots of IV fluids and were able to stop the labor. So now, I'm just laying on the couch blogging (with Gatorade in hand!)

We have appointments scheduled with our OB and our Maternal-Fetal Specialist on Tuesday. But baby and mom are doing just fine... resting on the couch ;-)

Giving Thanks...

This Thanksgiving, Chris and I have sooooo much to be thankful for. (Apparently, the least of which is the freedom to end a sentence with a preposition!)

We're especially thankful for families that love and support us unconditionally. We've truly been blessed with parents who create nets to catch us when we fall and yet gave us the wings to fly far from the nest and return at will. We're thankful to have parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins that are more than relations but also our best friends.

We're thankful for nieces and nephews that give the BEST hugs and kisses and coos... and sometimes even cry when they see us coming (we know they're tears of joy!) Our 3Bs and Ryan have taught us MANY valuable lessons which we'll carry with us into parenthood.

We're thankful for old and new friends who care enough to read our crazy blog and who worry and call and text and email and support us throughout all our adventures.

We're thankful for two four-legged, furry children who fill our lives with laughter. One who has truly helped to hone our investigative skills and one who humbles us with his grumpiness and general disillusionment. Their cuddles make everyday worth waking up for.

We're thankful not only to have jobs, but jobs that we enjoy and co-workers that we like spending our days with. I'm thankful to have supportive co-workers who understand when my swollen fingers just won't type anymore and who lug my mailings to the post office without complaint or grumbles ;-)

Most of all, this Thanksgiving, we're thankful for a healthy, growing little girl who will no doubt fill our lives with a joy we have yet to understand. And, although, we're sure to make PLENTY of mistakes as parents, we're thankful to have each other to laugh with at the end of long days.

We are truly blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving to our readers -- we hope you have a lengthy list of things to be thankful for this season!

Medical Update -- 27 weeks

• Yesterday, I had my regular visit with the Maternal-Fetal Specialist, and I'm happy to report that Little Girl Gerber is 2.2 lbs (or about the same size as a kilo of cocaine!) She was making the sucking motion with her little lips and kicking her feet around for all to see. That is her little foot above her profile in the pic above.
• All is well. The doctor scheduled a slew of new tests, including a Fetal Echo, another 24 protein test, glucose tolerance, etc. So we'll be busy in the next couple weeks. He was a little concerned about my swelling and urged me to slow down a bit at work and at home... and of course, sleep more... which for an insomniac is a bit difficult ;-)
• He even asked "When can you stop working?" I almost fell out of my chair, because if he wants me to remain sane, I need to keep working! So we're "negotiating" the answer to that question.
• The most amusing part of my visit was when he said, "I thought of you last week. I had a patient with pancreatitis and gall stones. She almost died." And that made him think of me?? Tooooo funny! Thank God she lived!!!!

Medical Update -- 26 weeks

Chris and I woke up yesterday AM and exercised our right to vote! (On a side note: it's a good thing we stopped at Starbucks, before our 1.5 hours in line!!)

After voting we drove to an appointment with our OBGYN. My BP was stable. He gave me a prescription for my heartburn (yea!) and yelled at me for not testing my blood sugar daily. We discussed swelling in my hands and feet, and we're going to monitor it more closely for early signs of Preclampsia.

Baby Gerber is doing great! My belly measured perfectly and her heartbeat was strong and stable! I'm telling you BG is already above average :-)

My Maternal-Fetal Specialist had to reschedule at the last minute -- which Chris and I are ok with, because we'd want him to cancel on others to be there for me. He rescheduled for next Tuesday, so I'll have more photos and updates on the 11th. The following week, I need to have yet another glucose tolerance test -- so stay tuned... lots of medical updates yet to come...

The New GI Guy

On Thursday, I had my first appointment with a new GI guy. All went well. He seems knowledgable about genetic pancreatitis -- and wants to get more agressive with treatment after the baby arrives. Quite honestly, I've been putting off starting enzyme replacement therapy for about four years, but I think we'll get started after this little girl pops out and leaves my body with just one occupant.

Enzyme replacement therapy is pretty simple. I'll just take a pill before I eat every meal and the new enzymes will help my weak pancreas digest the food. It makes the pancreatic work load lighter, and some think, it helps lessen a patient's chances of pancreatic cancer (those with genetic pancreatitis are at greater risk).

I also learned that my blood pressure is creeping back up. My diastolic is back above 90 (92), but my systolic was still relatively low (for me) at 134.

We visit the OB and Maternal-Fetal Specialist on Election Day -- so we'll see what they have to say, but baby's growing and kicking regularly -- so I assume that all is well in babyland.

Marley Discovers his Little Sister!

Chris and I returned home from yet another Bridgewater win last night (Congrats, Coach!) and crawled into bed. Marley decided to join us for some pets and jumped onto the bed and snuggled in between us (which rarely happens!) As we were petting Mar, he quickly turned his head, put his nose on my belly, and just stared... we think listening to her heartbeat... for about 2 minutes. Chris and I didn't dare move either --giving him the opportunity to figure things out.

Unfortunately, Marley soon turned away and gave Chris the saddest, most pathetic look he could muster. He just turned from Chris to me and back to Chris with a look of pure disgust. When, finally, it occurred to us what Marley must be thinking "Uh oh... What if another Simon comes out of there?? Like one stupid brown dog wasn't bad enough!"

I think he'll be pleasantly surprised when we return from the hospital without a crazy brown dog!

Big Day for Big Papa!

Coach Gerber and the Bridgewater-Raritan JV Soccer Team are now County CHAMPIONS! Congratulations!!!!!

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Only 16 more weeks...

Welp... here we are at 24 weeks! Things are moving along nicely. I feel good. Baby is growing. And Chris... is still winning! The mighty Panthers are now 12-1-2 and they play for the Championship on Saturday!

Baby Gerber and I (who are both hopped up on caffine!) just wanted to say that we're VERY proud of our guy -- and we can't wait until the season FINALLY ENDS next week and we get him back!!!

We miss you, Ace! Go Panthers!

Post Script: It's 9 PM. I just surprised Chris with triple chunk chocolate chip cookies and he's jumping up and down like a 4-year-old... it's been a long season ;-)

Uh-oh, Daddy -- You're in Trouble!

Baby Gerber is apparently upset with her absentee father! Last night, after he came home, he shoveled dinner into his tummy (pork roast, perogies, and garlic bread), and, once again, we crawled into bed. Sometime in the middle of the night, I rolled over and snuggled into the nook of Chris' back. Right then, Baby Gerber gave Daddy one swift KICK in the back!

I think she was either trying to say, (a) "Hey Daddy, spend more time with me!" or (b) "Hey Daddy, I'm going to be a great soccer player!"

Either way, I wish she could find a way to punish Daddy without punishing Mommy! I hate being stuck in the middle!!

Groundhog Day

WARNING: Most people read my posts for the humor, or at least daily dose of sarcasm, but this one has a much different feel.

Last night, we got into bed and Chris mentioned that he's beginning to feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. Every night he crawls into bed, only to have the alarm go off at 5 AM -- each day a repeat of the one before. Alarm, shower, drive, work, soccer, eat, bed, alarm, shower, drive, work, soccer, eat, bed, alarm, shower... We've been sooooo busy with work, doctors and other misc. baby prep that the dogs are beginning to bark at us when we come in the door -- "Hey! Who are you?!!? Do you belong here? Oh, you're going to feed me... ok. You can stay. But I'm not going to be happy about it (dramatic sigh)"

Baby's not even here yet and Marley and Simon are already starting to get the shaft. I really feel badly. Marley has been there for us with licks and cuddles for almost 10 years now -- and all the sudden we're living like overnight guests in his house. And, Simon... he's about one Groundhog Day away from eating the couch in retaliation. Seriously, those of you who know him, or have heard tales of his rap sheet of destruction, know that Simon does not adapt well to being ignored.

I've decided that we need to take more time to pet and cuddle the four-legged, furry kids before Baby G arrives and shakes up their world even more. The boys have been too good to us not to get the attention they deserve -- and priorities change TODAY!

The Plot to Assassinate Mommy

I think baby girl Gerber is in there planning my demise. Seriously, I think she's in there with blue prints and diagrams of my internal organs!

"Let's see... last night, I woke Mommy up in the middle of the night with nausea and heartburn... today, I'm going to make her so dizzy she walks into the wall of her cubicle! Tomorrow, I'll kick her in the pancreas!"

New Baby Pics...

• Above are the newest pics of the Gerber Baby! We went yesterday for our 21 week visit with both the OB and the Maternal-Fetal Specialist. The reports were FABULOUS! It appears that I'm the healthiest woman in a 2,000,000 mile radius!
• I'm still flying high from my low (ok... normal!) blood pressure report!!! Thanks to the Gerber Baby and the increased blood flow of the second trimester -- my BP has come down from 148 / 95 at my first visit to 110 / 78! Our baby rocks!!! My Dad suggested that I try to stay pregnant forever -- but instead, I'm just going to pop this baby out and take a BP pill for the rest of my life ;-)
• Our little girl took an opportunity during the Ultrasound to wave to her Daddy (who had the day off and therefore the unique opportunity to come to the doctors appointments with me). Again, the Ultrasound tech commented on GB's beautiful hands! She has very long fingers, and aside from her wave to Daddy, also sucked her thumb and gave us the "rock on" sign (see sidebar pic at right).
• Thanks to Aunt Dana who spent countless hours entertaining us in waiting rooms yesterday!!!!
  
  

Worse than Morning Sickness...

Worse than morning sickness... worse than having my gall bladder removed... worse than a lifetime of chronic pancreatitis... is the humiliation of having to wear a Silladelphia Eagles jersey... in public... for eight whole hours!!!

But, a bet's a bet, and the itty-bitty-iggles clearly bested the mighty black & gold last Sunday. Perhaps a better title for this post would be "Oh, how the mighty have fallen." Just look at me in this horrible puke-green jersey.

With all the sarcasm I can muster, I'd like to thank Coach Mike Tomlin, Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians, and the entire Offensive Line for this humbling experience. You've taught me that stadiums full of fans and glittery Superbowl rings are simply irrelevant on "any given Sunday." Perhaps the only person hurting more than me is Big Ben who is probably still pulling grass clippings out of his ear!

Coach Cowher... Coach Whisenhunt... you are missed. Help save my baby from a lifetime of misery... return to Pittsburgh!

It's a... PART 2

It's official! Chris and I are expecting a healthy little girl! She has 10 fingers and 10 toes and is otherwise happy and healthy as she tumbles and plays in Mommy's tummy. According to Dr. Principe, "this kid has beautiful hands. Absolutely beautiful!" So her Daddy and I are hoping that she's a hand model like George Castanza!!

Her heartbeat was 150 beats per minute and she weighed a healthy 11 ounces.

I'm feeling strong and healthy as well. My blood pressure is "good" (for me -- not for the average bear -- but for me it is lower than its been in about a year). The nurse still felt that it should be lower considering the blood flow and circulation during the "average" second trimester, but who wants to be average? As my Dad put it this morning -- "I'm above average!!"

Special thanks to my Mom and Dad who came to visit us yesterday. My Mom went to the doctor with me while Mr. Fix It installed a new ceiling fan and fixed the window in the baby's room.

Two Words...

TWO WORDS... guided meditation! These two words may save my life -- certainly my sanity.

I spent 1.5 hours at a prenatal yoga / guided meditation class last night... WOW! I left the yoga center completely calm and relaxed -- feeling stronger and more centered than I've felt in years. A testament to the skill of Alicia, my instructor -- I watched the Steelers/Pumpkin Heads game in a dark room with a cup of herbal tea -- and didn't scream at the TV once! Anyone who has watched football with me knows how upset I get during a game -- especially when the Steelers should be kicking Pumpkin butt -- but I didn't yell or get tense once. I just trusted the universe to deliver a black and gold win.

I drove to work this AM, again feeling strong, centered and connected to my baby and the universe. I didn't scream at any of my fellow motorists. And, when I got to the office and discovered that the AC Adapter for my lap top has "gone missing" -- I didn't even take anyone's head off. My friend/co-worker, Randi, almost didn't recognize her new and improved, calm, centered friend.

GUIDED MEDITATION, people.

GB a Sleeper!

The Gerber Baby's a sleeper -- just like his/her Dad! How do I know?

I got to feel him/her move last night (for the first time). It was only a flutter, but s/he was apparently pissed off when Chris woke me up off the couch to move upstairs. I woke up, walked up the stairs and started to wash my face when I felt a little flutter in my tummy. I think s/he was saying "Geez! Go back to bed, Mom!"

We have a level 2 ultrasound scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, so we should be able to confirm his/her sex at that point! Grandma and Grandpaw are driving up from the farm so that G-ma can go with me. G-paw will be playing with Dumb and Dumber (a.k.a. Mar and Simon) and playing Mr. Fix It. Coach Gerber will be stuck on turf with a whistle -- hoping his son or daughter is a soccer player!

Go Panthers!!

It occurred to me that too much of this page has been about me and baby -- not enough about "baby daddy" -- so I'd like to say how proud baby and I are of the man in our lives -- or the man currently absent from our lives -- Coach Gerber!

That's right -- soccer has started -- forcing me to face my first days as a single Mom. I have to rush home after work to take the dogs out, cook for myself, wash my own clothes -- I may even have to figure out how to use the Dyson -- GOD FORBID! Chris used to do these things for me -- before 26 boys took over his life! But I digress -- I said this was going to be about Chris, didn't I???

Chris took a new position this year as Coach of the JV soccer team at Bridgwater-Raritan High School (last year he was assistant varsity) -- but this way he has his own team. He's loving it! The team has had two scrimmages so far -- and won both -- which is good, because in our house the only rule is "win or don't come home!"

If you're local -- feel free to come see the Panthers beat more of their opponents -- click here for a link to the schedule.

And, Ace... Baby, Brothers and I are VERY proud of you ;-)

It's a...

secret! That's right -- Chris and I have a "preliminary" report from the Ultra Sound Tech, so we have a "good idea" of what we're having -- but we want to keep it to ourselves until we have a chance to confirm next month! (We're VERY excited!!)

Yesterday, I had appointments with both the OBGYN and the Maternal-Fetal Specialist. Both appointments went well. My blood pressure was a very surprising 124/88 -- excellent -- considering where I started. The baby actually helps to bring my BP down during this trimester. Thank you, Gerber Baby!

The GB also measured perfectly (at 16 weeks) and weighs a hefty 7 ounces! I've gained a horrifying 3 pounds! Argh!!!!! (NOTE: That is the last weight report you will receive!)

The OB said he thinks we're going to "sail right through" the remainder of the pregnancy!!! I love optimism!!!

Thank you to my "Baby Doctor Dates" -- who I like to refer to as my "entourage" -- Bob and Diane. I REALLY appreciate you keeping me company yesterday while Chris was at soccer practice. And, Dad -- thanks for a FABULOUS lunch!!!!!

My Latest Pregnancy Gripe

Ok... so why does your body become public property when you announce you're pregnant? I've had more people touch my stomach and make comments about my boobs and butt -- the likes of which I haven't heard since Junior High! I'm telling you -- I'm about three seconds from wearing a t-shirt that says, "Touch my stomach -- lose your hands!"

Then when I tell people to stop touching me or flip them off when they make inappropriate comments -- they say "Boy! You're Hormonal!" Quit blaming the baby! Those of you who know me best know that I've always been a cynical bitch! It's not the baby's fault! If anything... thanks to the baby... I think twice before hitting someone!!!

Pregnancy doesn't suit me. Let's hope motherhood will!

The Traumatized Steeler Fan

Everyone keeps telling me that I’m so lucky I wasn’t extremely pregnant and uncomfortable during the summer – but obviously those people weren’t Pittsburgh Steeler Fans!

Top 3 reasons it sucks to be pregnant during football season:

3. The NFL doesn’t make maternity jerseys – and there’s no way my Palamolu jersey is going to fit!

2. Hello…Tailgating!?!?!? No beer, plus I could gain 60 pounds on wings alone.

1. The Superbowl is Feb. 1st (seven days prior to our due date) – so I can tell you EXACTLY when the baby will be arriving!

The Background...

I'm writing today with BIG NEWS from the Ackinclose-Gerbers... our first two-legged Gerber Baby is due Feb. 8th!

Chris and I are very excited... Marley and Simon are devastated! Simon will probably start doggie-therapy soon. As many of you know, we already ruined Marley's life six years ago when we brought Simon home ;-)

It's been a LONG first trimester for all of us. With my bad pancreas and high blood pressure (both inherited from papa-Barry!), I'm considered "high risk" -- so I have to see a maternal-fetal specialist in addition to my OBGYN. We've been going to appointments in North Jersey every other week, but they say that the second trimester will be much smoother. (The baby actually helps to bring the blood pressure down during the next few months).

At present, we're 14 weeks along and I'm feeling GREAT. I've gotten a lot of energy back and the nausea has finally subsided. Chris is going to try to get the baby's room painted this week, since soccer starts next Monday (already!) and he'll be swamped until the holidays.

We'll keep ya' posted as the Gerber Baby grows! Check back often for updates and polls (you'll even be able to weigh in on baby names!!) and please respond with comments and questions!