My lovely friend Andrew had a probation violation, and will be in jail until August. That makes me sad on several levels, and mostly because other than me writing letters to him, and sending him pictures, he will miss out on my big belly stage :(
But he should have a fun surprise when he gets out.
Still waiting on the details of what happened, but I think it was because he was out past curfew. Pretty stupid.
I already miss him.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Let's talk about Sex
I think a boy would feel more natural for us to raise.
If we have a girl, she will no doubt be a Tom-boy because that is how I am. You can bet that mom will teach her how to garden, cook, fish, love animals and of course use a hammer, drill, and tape measure and soon as she can understand what those things are!
It thrills me to have a little one that I can TEACH how to grow food, cook, build, and to create. Have a young imagination around us will bring such tremendous joy.
We are most excited to find out the sex because then we can start to narrow down names and stop saying “little one”, “the baby”, “he/she”, “it” and we can use a name.
Believe me this has not been easy task to date. Since the beginning of our relationship we have discussed names, and this year will make it four years of discussion. No pressure.
We are pretty solid on a girl’s middle name being Laurel Josephine after my grandmothers. And for a long time we settled on Isabella. But my heart thinks that we should name her Abigail in honor of Gabe’s little sister that didn’t survive. I have always like the name Abigail, and I also like Abby as a nick name.
Boy name have been a real struggle. We both want to honor our grandfathers, this is of key importance to us. His grandfather was Harold, and mine is Charlie (legally Charles). Since the very beginning of our relationship Gabe asked that Harold be the middle name. But you wouldn’t believe how hard it is to match Harold Strine to a first name we both like.
I love the name Charlie, but do not like the name Charles, and especially do not like Chuck. All advice to us has been to not name our child something that we don't like or that could have a nickname we don't like. Well that pretty much takes Charles out of the picture. And Gabe is against putting Charlie as a legal name on the birth certificate.
Charlie Harold Strine doesn’t strike me as a good name.
It occurred to me the other night, why not combine Charlie and Harold into Harlie as a middle name. Clearly I already love that name and it sounds good: ____ Harlie Strine.
Some other considerations:
Oliver (Olly for short)
Jack
Samuel (Sam for short)
Logan
Avery
Ruled out names:
Montgomery (although I still love this name) (Monte for short)
Jackson
Owen (I still love this name, but Gabe’s best friend’s little boy is Owen)
Abraham (yeah this lasted about 2 seconds)
I am open to your suggestions!
Forward Progress
Just a quick note...
Through the series of ultrasounds we found that I have marginal previous or in lamens terms a placenta that attached too close to the cervical opening. More times than not this problem will resolve itself as your uterus grows, and thus pulling the placenta up and away from the cervical opening.
However if the problem does not resolve it can be dangerous to both me and the baby, so let's all remain optimistic that things will work out. I won't expand on it unless I need to at a later date.
We go into our detailed maternal fetal survey ultrasound on the 10th of March at which time the sex of our baby will be revealed. That is unless, legs are crossed or the baby decides that we should not know yet. Most people seem to think that we are having a boy. Grandma Degerstrom is holding out hope for a girl, and I have one other friend that voted girl. Otherwise to my knowledge all votes are for a boy.
I have no idea what we are having at this point, and honestly don't care too much as long as my pregnancy is successful and our baby is healthy!
Through the series of ultrasounds we found that I have marginal previous or in lamens terms a placenta that attached too close to the cervical opening. More times than not this problem will resolve itself as your uterus grows, and thus pulling the placenta up and away from the cervical opening.
However if the problem does not resolve it can be dangerous to both me and the baby, so let's all remain optimistic that things will work out. I won't expand on it unless I need to at a later date.
We go into our detailed maternal fetal survey ultrasound on the 10th of March at which time the sex of our baby will be revealed. That is unless, legs are crossed or the baby decides that we should not know yet. Most people seem to think that we are having a boy. Grandma Degerstrom is holding out hope for a girl, and I have one other friend that voted girl. Otherwise to my knowledge all votes are for a boy.
I have no idea what we are having at this point, and honestly don't care too much as long as my pregnancy is successful and our baby is healthy!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Trials of Being Pregnant (Episode 1)
This post is for those ever curious family and friends that can handle the "Too much information" category of being pregnant! Read no futher if you can't handle the truth. Otherwise, proceed with caution.
Being exhausted, nauseated, averted to anything with a scent and hormonely out of balanced is just the beginning.
Things were progressing fine until about week 11. I started bleeding and cramping. I was convinced something must be wrong, but an ultrasound showed us our first look at our little one and that everything was fine. I quickly overcame the fear of crying in public or becoming hysterical around someone I have never met, because as soon as I saw that little heart beating I immediately started to cry. And I cried and cried, I think the whole way through the visit. We saw our baby move, we saw it's heart beating!
We had crossed a huge obstacle that stopped us in our tracks with my first pregnancy. Instead of seeing a little heart beating and life beginning when we had our first ultrasound, we saw a life that had ended. It is something I will never forget. That image reminds me every day that successfully passes with this pregnancy what the TRUE miracle of life.
Another episode of bleeding and cramping at week 13 sent me back to the doctor and yet another ultrasound. And still things were fine. Then later in that week, as the bleeding continued, I passed a blood clot. I thought for sure, that was the end of this little one's journey. Something was wrong.
I had yet another ultrasound at 14 weeks 5 days to try and determine where the source of the bleeding was coming from. I have a low-lying placenta. Which means instead of a placenta attached near the top of my uterus, as it usually is, mine has attached dangerously close to my cervical opening.
Monitoring will take place and the hope is that by my next ultrasound at 19 weeks - it will have started to move with my uterus and away from the cervical opening. If it does not, it poses a threat to both baby and mom. But I feel confident that this will all work itself out.
But all an all, I am feeling SO much better. I can eat again, and the smell of garlic is starting to have its appeal once more.
Now those of you that know me, know that I am somewhat of a foodie, and I LOVE to eat. This has been a very challenging part of being pregnant for me. Foods that I would normally eat and enjoy, no longer taste good to me. It is like my taste buds and brain on on different tracks and heading opposite directions.
The things I do like are: Raw spinach, low fat cottage cheese, oranges, apples, pears, peaches, ARBY's roast beef sandwiches (madly), any kind of ice cream, cheese, and hashbrowns, hamburgers (which is really weird) and pasta. Thank god spaghetti has still tasted delicious. Oh and I am wanting the Koerper's Venison saugsage like nobody's business!
Not so keen to: Garlic, onion, peppers (sadly they will have to wait), olives, rye bread (this was a hard one), chicken noodle soup, peanut butter, strawberries, eggs (totally out of the question), anything sweet-spicy, BBQ sauce or BBQ smell - just to name a few things off the top of the list.
My belly is starting to show that I am pregnant, my breasts are slowly starting to get bigger, and I no longer can wear belts with my pants, or anything that is tight on my legs like nylons, or knee highs. I feel like I am turning into a giant ball of goo, although I have only gained a pound. I swear it looks like more - unless my body is shifting weight...to my butt and belly. :(
I feel VERY fortunate to have friends and family, near and far that are willing to be open and honest with me about their experiences, what they learned, how they adjusted their lives to meet the ever changing lifestyle of having a child, and what I should know about going into motherhood. It was perfectly stated in a book Emily gave me that says "The things the doctor won't tell you!".
Being exhausted, nauseated, averted to anything with a scent and hormonely out of balanced is just the beginning.
Things were progressing fine until about week 11. I started bleeding and cramping. I was convinced something must be wrong, but an ultrasound showed us our first look at our little one and that everything was fine. I quickly overcame the fear of crying in public or becoming hysterical around someone I have never met, because as soon as I saw that little heart beating I immediately started to cry. And I cried and cried, I think the whole way through the visit. We saw our baby move, we saw it's heart beating!
We had crossed a huge obstacle that stopped us in our tracks with my first pregnancy. Instead of seeing a little heart beating and life beginning when we had our first ultrasound, we saw a life that had ended. It is something I will never forget. That image reminds me every day that successfully passes with this pregnancy what the TRUE miracle of life.
Another episode of bleeding and cramping at week 13 sent me back to the doctor and yet another ultrasound. And still things were fine. Then later in that week, as the bleeding continued, I passed a blood clot. I thought for sure, that was the end of this little one's journey. Something was wrong.
I had yet another ultrasound at 14 weeks 5 days to try and determine where the source of the bleeding was coming from. I have a low-lying placenta. Which means instead of a placenta attached near the top of my uterus, as it usually is, mine has attached dangerously close to my cervical opening.
Monitoring will take place and the hope is that by my next ultrasound at 19 weeks - it will have started to move with my uterus and away from the cervical opening. If it does not, it poses a threat to both baby and mom. But I feel confident that this will all work itself out.
But all an all, I am feeling SO much better. I can eat again, and the smell of garlic is starting to have its appeal once more.
Now those of you that know me, know that I am somewhat of a foodie, and I LOVE to eat. This has been a very challenging part of being pregnant for me. Foods that I would normally eat and enjoy, no longer taste good to me. It is like my taste buds and brain on on different tracks and heading opposite directions.
The things I do like are: Raw spinach, low fat cottage cheese, oranges, apples, pears, peaches, ARBY's roast beef sandwiches (madly), any kind of ice cream, cheese, and hashbrowns, hamburgers (which is really weird) and pasta. Thank god spaghetti has still tasted delicious. Oh and I am wanting the Koerper's Venison saugsage like nobody's business!
Not so keen to: Garlic, onion, peppers (sadly they will have to wait), olives, rye bread (this was a hard one), chicken noodle soup, peanut butter, strawberries, eggs (totally out of the question), anything sweet-spicy, BBQ sauce or BBQ smell - just to name a few things off the top of the list.
My belly is starting to show that I am pregnant, my breasts are slowly starting to get bigger, and I no longer can wear belts with my pants, or anything that is tight on my legs like nylons, or knee highs. I feel like I am turning into a giant ball of goo, although I have only gained a pound. I swear it looks like more - unless my body is shifting weight...to my butt and belly. :(
I feel VERY fortunate to have friends and family, near and far that are willing to be open and honest with me about their experiences, what they learned, how they adjusted their lives to meet the ever changing lifestyle of having a child, and what I should know about going into motherhood. It was perfectly stated in a book Emily gave me that says "The things the doctor won't tell you!".
The Cat is Out of the Bag
That's right, the Cat is Out of the Bag and I can finally publicly announce that we are expecting!
Our little one is due on 08/05/09 and time will fly by between now and then. So much to do, and it seems like so little time to make it all happen.
With all the trouble I had in the past year, we made the decision to wait until we were at least 14 weeks along to announce to anyone. Not even our parents knew! As of today I am 16 weeks 4 days along and things are going pretty well.
We found out the day after Thanksgiving that I was preggers, and it was one of the most confusing moments of my life. I took a two test leading up to Thanksgiving and they were both negative. I supposed I didn't really want to accept that I wasn't pregnant and took one more, for good measure.
I went into the bathroom without telling Gabe what I was doing, and after what seemed like forever two little pink lines appeared on the test. It was positive. I covered my mouth and started shaking, and then the tears came. The first few seconds it was joy, then it turned into pure panic and fear.
I ran downstairs to tell Gabe. He was coming out of the bathroom and I handed the test to him without saying anything, my hand still covering my mouth and tears rolling down my face. He embraced me a giggled a little, and then I melted into a sobbing mess.
"What are we going to do now? What if something happens? I don't think I can go through that again?" I was terrified, excited, but terrified that we were blessed with yet another little miracle that could be ripped away from us at any moment. I wasn't sure I was ready for that in those early moments.
After about an hour, I realized, that I was in for the ride no matter what this time.
After an ultrasound at 14 weeks 5 days showing us a healthy, kung-fu-ing little baby, we felt that it was about time to tell our friends and family. Better late than never, I suppose. Especially since my belly is starting to show signs of pregnancy! You can't hide that forever.
I will continue to post throughout my pregnancy so if you want to keep up with the Strine's check back often!
If you look carefully you can see that the little one is sticking it's tongue out! Pretty funny kiddo already!
Our little one is due on 08/05/09 and time will fly by between now and then. So much to do, and it seems like so little time to make it all happen.
With all the trouble I had in the past year, we made the decision to wait until we were at least 14 weeks along to announce to anyone. Not even our parents knew! As of today I am 16 weeks 4 days along and things are going pretty well.
We found out the day after Thanksgiving that I was preggers, and it was one of the most confusing moments of my life. I took a two test leading up to Thanksgiving and they were both negative. I supposed I didn't really want to accept that I wasn't pregnant and took one more, for good measure.
I went into the bathroom without telling Gabe what I was doing, and after what seemed like forever two little pink lines appeared on the test. It was positive. I covered my mouth and started shaking, and then the tears came. The first few seconds it was joy, then it turned into pure panic and fear.
I ran downstairs to tell Gabe. He was coming out of the bathroom and I handed the test to him without saying anything, my hand still covering my mouth and tears rolling down my face. He embraced me a giggled a little, and then I melted into a sobbing mess.
"What are we going to do now? What if something happens? I don't think I can go through that again?" I was terrified, excited, but terrified that we were blessed with yet another little miracle that could be ripped away from us at any moment. I wasn't sure I was ready for that in those early moments.
After about an hour, I realized, that I was in for the ride no matter what this time.
After an ultrasound at 14 weeks 5 days showing us a healthy, kung-fu-ing little baby, we felt that it was about time to tell our friends and family. Better late than never, I suppose. Especially since my belly is starting to show signs of pregnancy! You can't hide that forever.
I will continue to post throughout my pregnancy so if you want to keep up with the Strine's check back often!
If you look carefully you can see that the little one is sticking it's tongue out! Pretty funny kiddo already!
Not exactly the same, but close enough
We did get a Great Dane - we had made the decision not to get a puppy at this stage of our lives after all. And then fate intervened when we received a phone call from a coworker of mine. She called to tell us about a friend of her step-mom's that just told her that she has a GD that she was looking to find a good home for. We got the details and called Carolyn and Bob right away.
Her name is Brandy. And she sounded exactly like what we were looking for over the phone, but without meeting a dog in person you never know. We turned the truck around and headed out of town to Sprague to meet her that night.
I figured there must be something wrong with her because she sounded too good to be true. When I knocked on the door a beautiful fawn face poked out from behind a couch. I turned to Gabe and whispered with pure excitement "She's gorgeous!"
And she did not disappoint. She was perfect for us. Period.
Gabe said "Let's sleep on it." and we headed home. Well we got about 5 miles away and I was on the phone calling Carolyn letting her know we would be back the next day to pick up Brandy.
I am pretty sure I didn't sleep a wink that night because I was so excited.
Here is a picture our beautiful Brandy with Dad and Harley on one of our walks.
She is small for a GD if you know GDs, but most people say "oh my gosh, she is a horse!", which makes me laugh, because they really don't realize just how big GDs really are supposed to be. She weighs about 130 and is the best dog that either of us have ever owned.
Brandy is well behaved, well mannered and a truly loving dog - the perfect example of the gentle giant breed of Great Danes. She was very loved by Bob, and he was thankful to find her a loving home with us, but had tears in his eyes when we left. We called frequently to give updates on Brandy to Carolyn and Bob.
Not long after we got Brandy, Bob suddenly passed away. He left behind the love of his life, Carolyn and their two other GDs, a Harlequin male named Chief and a black female named Spanner. He was only in his 60s.
Her name is Brandy. And she sounded exactly like what we were looking for over the phone, but without meeting a dog in person you never know. We turned the truck around and headed out of town to Sprague to meet her that night.
I figured there must be something wrong with her because she sounded too good to be true. When I knocked on the door a beautiful fawn face poked out from behind a couch. I turned to Gabe and whispered with pure excitement "She's gorgeous!"
And she did not disappoint. She was perfect for us. Period.
Gabe said "Let's sleep on it." and we headed home. Well we got about 5 miles away and I was on the phone calling Carolyn letting her know we would be back the next day to pick up Brandy.
I am pretty sure I didn't sleep a wink that night because I was so excited.
Here is a picture our beautiful Brandy with Dad and Harley on one of our walks.
She is small for a GD if you know GDs, but most people say "oh my gosh, she is a horse!", which makes me laugh, because they really don't realize just how big GDs really are supposed to be. She weighs about 130 and is the best dog that either of us have ever owned. Brandy is well behaved, well mannered and a truly loving dog - the perfect example of the gentle giant breed of Great Danes. She was very loved by Bob, and he was thankful to find her a loving home with us, but had tears in his eyes when we left. We called frequently to give updates on Brandy to Carolyn and Bob.
Not long after we got Brandy, Bob suddenly passed away. He left behind the love of his life, Carolyn and their two other GDs, a Harlequin male named Chief and a black female named Spanner. He was only in his 60s.
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