Growing a Peanut

Living for the Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Julianna Hawk Wittig) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 02:36:00 +0000

Being pregnant gives a whole new meaning to Living for the Weekend. As a “career woman” Monday thru Friday has always been all business, while Saturday and Sunday are for play. Not so much anymore.

Don’t get me wrong, Monday thru Friday is still all business. It is just Saturday and Sunday now are dedicated to preparing ourselves and our house to go from 2 humans and 4 dogs to 2 humans, 1 human puppy and 4 dogs. A significant change! All while, trying to maintain some slice of sanity and personal life.

Needless to say, I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. There are 15 weekends between now and Hannah’s expected debut. Seven of which aren’t already booked and four of those seven are in the weeks before her debut. Assuming she cooperates and waits until her cue to appear, that doesn’t leave much time.

Prior to becoming pregnant fifteen, seven or even four weeks could seem like a lifetime. Now, I am asking myself – how is everything going to happen in time, without me going into complete exhaustion?

I have to keep the faith, that everyone is right and “It will all work out; it will be fine.”

Saturday, April 17^th– Complete MS Walk TShirts

Sunday, April 18^th – MS Walk & Jeb’s Birthday Party

Saturday, April 24^th– Glucose Tolerance Test

Sunday, April 25^th– Friend’s Baby Shower

Saturday, May 1^st– OPEN

Sunday, May 2^nd– OPEN

Saturday, May 8^th– Beach for Mother’s Day Weekend

Sunday, May 9^th– Beach for Mother’s Day Weekend

Saturday, May 15^th– Painting Tree in Hannah’s Room

Sunday, May 16^th– Sugarland

Saturday, May 22^nd– Bria’s Wedding

Sunday, May 23^rd– OPEN

Saturday, May 29^th– Camping for Memorial Weekend

Sunday, May 30^th– Camping for Memorial Weekend

Saturday, June 5^th– OPEN

Sunday, June 6^th– Hospital Tour

Saturday, June 12^th– OPEN

Sunday, June 13^th– OPEN

Saturday, June 19^th– Frankie Valentin’s Guys Nite Out

Sunday, June 20^th– OPEN

Saturday, June 26^th– Frankie Valentin’s Birthday Party

Sunday, June 27^th– OPEN

Saturday, July 3^rd– OPEN

Sunday, July 4^th– OPEN

Saturday, July 10^th– OPEN

Sunday, July 11^th– OPEN

Saturday, July 17^th– OPEN

Sunday, July 18^th– OPEN

Saturday, July 24^th– OPEN

Sunday, July 25th– Hannah’s Debut!

My Legs Have Eaten My Ankels!!

noreply@blogger.com (Julianna Hawk Wittig) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:24:00 +0000

In my book anyone who claims to "have never felt better than when they were pregnant" is a liar. Brian and I woke up this morning around 4:30 AM (I was actually up at 3:30 AM) and couldn't get back to sleep. So we decided to try Double T; thinking they opened at 5 AM. They don't open until 6 AM.

Well while waiting in the car I put my feet up in the dash cause they were just throbbing. That was when I found the following. I no longer had ANKELS!! I guess the water retention has begun.

And such, little Peanut is made of...

noreply@blogger.com (Julianna Hawk Wittig) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:42:00 +0000

Today the was the day. The day we found out what things our little Peanut was made of. Was it going to be frogs and snails, and puppy-dogs tails or sugar and spice and all things nice?

Well, I can't tell you just yet. Peanut didn't make it easy for us, so I certainly can't just volunteer the information to you. During the sonogram Peanut was nice and snug; not exactly in the mood to move around in the position we needed for a quick and easy sonogram.

Our screening started at 1:30 PM and began right on time. Mom-mom Gail, Aunt Dani and Brian were all there anxious to find out the sex of Peanut. The sonogram took right over an hour and half. We have a healthy and growing Peanut.

Peanut is growing right on schedule and weighs approximately 10 ounces. Peanut does have a slight abnormality, but one that isn't of any real concern. In the words of our OB "If your going to have an abnormality this is the one to have." Essentially, Peanut's right kidney is positioned in the pelvis opposed to the normal positioning in the lower back.

The doctors mumbo jumbo is, for those interested:
"The right renal artery and kidney are seen within the right pelvis of the fetus. Size and echogenicity of the right pelvic kidney appear within normal limits. Unilateral pelvic kidneys tend to be isolated anomalies secondary to embryologic errors. Further diagnostics investigation is not necessary."

Alright, now that I strung you along and worried you slightly, I guess I can share the news. Peanut is made of sugar, spice and all things nice. We are having a little girl.

Peanut will be the first Wittig Girl and surely the apple of her fathers eye. We are both super excited. I've even logged on already to Target.com and started our registry.

Stupid People - Advice

noreply@blogger.com (Julianna Hawk Wittig) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:10:00 +0000

One of the first things you are warned about as a new mother to be is the unsolicited awkward advice (and touching) from strangers. Strangers, who (for what ever reason) feel entitled to be as inappropriate and ridiculous with a women, who is already on a hormonal roller coaster. They even make t-shirts for these types of people.

I'm not really showing yet (I have only gained approximately 8 pounds, so far). So, I have yet to experience these individuals in the touching sense. Something, I will do my best to avoid for as long as possible. I can't say the same for the advice, though. I've heard some gems lately, mostly third person, but gems non-the less. Moving forward, I am going to share some of the true "stand outs" with you under the Stupid People tag. (If you know me, you'll know my true admiration for Stupid People.)

So for your first installment of the Stupid People series, I bring you the story of a women who wants me to give the dogs my worn underwear. Her reasoning, so they can become familiar with the smell of the baby.

Yes, you read that correctly. Apparently, this woman believes that my crotch smells like newborn baby. Now, I have what I believe to be high standards in the hygiene department. I also, have realistic attitude on what it smells like down there at the days end. Believe me it doesn't smell like Baby Powder and Sugar & Spice, the smells that make up a baby (okay not considering the fresh diapers).

Oh and the best part is when asked if this woman was serious, her response was "Well you want the dogs to be accustomed to the baby, right?" This woman, was serious I tell you! Serious!

I hope you enjoyed this first installment of "Stupid People". Enjoyed it, as much as my dogs would have enjoyed it if I took this woman's crazy advice, that is.

Acrobatics: I felt Peanut Move!!

noreply@blogger.com (Julianna Hawk Wittig) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:03:00 +0000

I'm up blogging at 10:08PM in the last hours of my 13th week, because as Brian and I were laying in bed falling asleep when all of a sudden I was keenly aware of what felt like somersaults being performed in my abdomen.

At first I thought, "oh no, I hope that Mexican I had today is not going to cause me any problems." As I laid there, I became very aware: "no this was NOT gas." But it couldn't be Peanut, isn't it too early for me to be feeling Peanut?

Well, I can tell you there is no doubt in my mind after a few more moments of what felt like someone trying to get comfortable inside my uterus...I JUST FELT PEANUT MOVE FOR THE FIRST TIME!!

I laid there for a bit, and wondered if I should wake Brian up. I decided that I first should do some Google searching to see when I should start feeling movement. Well what I have read is anywhere from 16 to 25 weeks, but that it is not uncommon for women to report feeling movement earlier. Depending on their weight and prior pregnancies; as well as, if they are lying in a quiet state on their side. While I haven't had any prior pregnancies, I haven't gained a immense amount of weight yet (only a few pounds and those are mostly in my butt and boobs) and I was definitely lying in a quiet state on my side.

I think I am going to wait till tomorrow to tell Brian. Maybe I'll make him read my latest blog entry. :)

1st Trimester Screening & Sonogram

noreply@blogger.com (Julianna Hawk Wittig) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:44:00 +0000

We had our First Trimester Screening 8 AM today at the Family Birth Center in Upper Chesapeake Hospital. We got there and Peanut was sleeping soundly on his/her side and would not wake easily. (Hopefully, this is a trait that stays.) After a couple fake coughs from Mom, we were able to rise Peanut long enough to get his/her measurements and say Hi.

Peanut is 6.39 centimeters long from head to tail bone. The technician says Peanut would be approximately 3 inches long from head to toe. Below is a Sonogram story line of our visit for your enjoyment.

You can also see the sonogram images larger here. Oh and the doctors says everything looks normal and healthy. We won't know our risk level until the blood work comes back, but (knock on wood) there does not appear to be anything to worry about.

AMBER ALERT: My Brain

noreply@blogger.com (Julianna Hawk Wittig) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:11:00 +0000

This is a alert if anyone has seen My Brain, please report the sighting to me. I am pretty sure at this point, Peanut has run off with it. I can't even speak in logical sentences anymore!

(I did not even realize that it was George Bush in the photo I selected for this post. I thought, oh he looks familiar. I guess it is just the scarecrow. Doh!)

Only 3 more weeks and I can share the news. Then everyone won't think I'm completely going nuts. At least I hope so.

P.S. Tomorrow at 8 AM we have our first ultrasound!

We have a Heartbeat ♥ ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Julianna Hawk Wittig) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:00:00 +0000

We had our second OB/GYN appointment this morning with Jessica M. Abernathy C.R.N.P., C.N.M. (our first appointment was with Steven Z. Lenowitz M.D.) I am happy to report everything went well and we got to hear the HEARTBEAT!

It was so surreal. At first Jessica kept finding my heartbeat and the rumbling of my stomach. She even looked at me at one point and said “You are noisy”. LOL, sorry but I’ve been gassy from day one. She finally found the HEARTBEAT after what felt like 15 minutes. (I’m sure it was only about 2 minutes, tops.) Of course, once she found it Peanut let us listen for about 5 seconds and then moved on us. At which point, she called him a “little bugger” and had to go looking for him again.

While looking for Peanut (again) Jessica looked at me and said “Oh you are in for it”, because Peanut was moving around so much already. When she found Peanut again, we were able to listen for quite awhile

Hearing the heartbeat is significant for us as doctors generally agree that the risk of miscarriage decreases once the pregnancy reaches a point that an ultrasound can detect a heartbeat. Next Wednesday we go for the first trimester screening, at which time we will be able to see Peanut for the first time. (I will not be having the CVS screening as originally thought.)

Things I've Forgot

noreply@blogger.com (Julianna Hawk Wittig) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:00:00 +0000

To all you women out there who said you became forgetful during pregnancy, I owe you a apology. I always kind of thought - What a joke. How can pregnancy make you forgetful? You are just using THAT as an excuse. Especially, if you were in the early stages of pregnancy because of course symptoms can't be that prominent if you are not showing. Boy was I wrong.

This post alone has taken me 30 minutes because I can't seem to remember what I'm trying to say. Here is a list of things that I've forgotten, as I remember them...

12/17/2009 - To get off 895 S and onto 97 S
12/22/2009 - To take the holiday basket to Severn River Restoration
12/23/2009 - To bring Tupperware in for left overs
1/4/2010 - Why I titled a Blog Post "Mr. Wittig & Stir Ups"
1/6/2010 - To put the crimpers back it work for everyone else to use

Peanut's Firsts: Bedroom Lamp

noreply@blogger.com (Julianna Hawk Wittig) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:30:00 +0000

So we made the announcements over the Holidays. It was so nice to actually say the words out loud and share the news. I am sure there will be a post dedicated to the reactions, but I want to really put some work into that one. I want to be sure I capture everyone's reactions just right.

The day after Christmas, Brian went hunting with my Dad and Uncle Chip for waterfowl. While I went hunting in Lancaster with my Mom, Aunt Linda and Dani for my first purchase for Peanut's room.

I had my sights set on a Jim Shore lamp. I've loved this lamp for a number of years now. But could not bring myself to purchase it, because I had "no where to put it". Well now I had somewhere to put it. The perfect place, in fact. In Peanut's Room.

The night before, I prepared well. I went online and looked at the lamp to see what I could get it for. Prices ranged from $50 to $90. I figured, I would not spend anymore then $65 on the lamp in Lancaster. (Considering the shipping I would have to pay for a online purchase.) We went to three stores, before finding the lamp. The first store had their Jim Shore marked down 30% but had a disappointing selection. The second store had a decent selection, but no discounts. Finally, at Jake's we found the lamp, a 30% discount and a super Jim Shore selection. I walked away with the lamp for $66.04, including tax.

A successful hunt in my opinion.

Growing A Peanut

noreply@blogger.com (Julianna Hawk Wittig) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:42:00 +0000

Growing up as a child, I used to love to sit and read (for hours on end) the journals and diaries my Mom kept during my first moments and years. I still have them in fact, in a Rubbermaid storage container under my bed. These are cherished memories. Memories I will keep forever. I want my child to have the same memories.

Luckily, for me technology has advanced significantly since I was born. No more need for endless handwritten journals, that get musty and frail. Nope, now we have the internet, computers and data. Although, I am sure by the time my child is my age this technology will be archaic in comparison. I am keeping this blog as a journal of our child's development in the womb. Once he or she is born I will switch over to a new blog that will document their first years. In the meantime, I want you words and thoughts to be part of this journal too. So please, read and comment regularly.

Tid Bits of Information:

1. We've affectionately adopted the name Peanut for the baby that is growing inside me. This came about because we kept referring to Peanut as "it" and it just felt so detached and wrong. We finally agreed upon Peanut, since at that stage that would be a good representation of what he/she looked like.

2. We found out that we were pregnant on Monday, November 23 2009. You can read my inital reaction in the post titled Two Lines: You're Pregnant!

3. We are due Sunday, July 25, 2010. One day before our 7 year wedding anniversary.

4. I will be delivering in Franklin Square Hospital. As my doctor has said: "because they have a real hospital with a real NICU." This is also the same hospital where Danielle was born.

First Trimester Rules

noreply@blogger.com (Julianna Hawk Wittig) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:53:00 +0000

If you have become privy to our pregnancy before February 1, 2010 we do have some rules. We respectively ask that you adhere to them.

1. Please DO NOT mention our pregnancy on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace or any other social networking site.

2. Please be selective when sharing the news with people.

3. Please do not ask us what we are going to do about the dogs. Sprocket, Grips, Pegs and Drake are part of our family. Just like you are. We have no intentions of getting rid of the dogs. Their lives are going to change drastically, just as our are.

Our first trimester will end on January 29th. While we can't keep the pregnancy a secret from everyone, we are being selective on who we are sharing the news with.

Once we have made it through the first trimester, when miscarriage is most likely, we will be sharing the news with everyone. I would hate for someone to find out about our pregnancy because of a posting or comment on facebook or because they've heard it through the grapevine. This is the main reason for these rules.

Two Lines: You're Pregnant!

noreply@blogger.com (Julianna Hawk Wittig) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Wow, I just finished taking three pregnancy tests, two first response on clear blue. I have one more clear blue to take. Although, I don't have any expectations that it will be any different then the first three positive results.

I can't really put words to what I am thinking, feeling right now. Excitement, nervousness, fear, splendor, surprise and more. B and I have been off birth control over two years now. I had finally resolved that we could not have a child. It was never confirmed. I didn't want to ever be tested, because doing so would make the results too real.

The only reason I took the tests today was so I would stop thinking I might be. We got back from New york yesterday evening where my Mom and Aunt Linda spent time talking at length that I was presenting signs of being pregnant. I thought today I was proving them wrong. Instead, I'm planning for the official confirmation that they are right and the family announcement of the fact. Alright, I'm going to take the fourth test.

I'm pregnant.