March 31 - Easter

I was in charge of deviled eggs this year, because everyone knows how great they are! :) Well, since we had 20+ people planning on going to my aunt's, I figured we needed quote a few. I got two trays and ended up boiling 22 eggs, which would make 44 deviled eggs! Sheesh...the time and energy it spent to make those, I sure hope people enjoyed them! Me feet were killing me at the end of that process. Although I did discover a neat trick on Pinterest. Pull your eggs out of the fridge and get them to room temperature, then use a push pin (or in my case, a safety pin) and poke a hole in the top of the bottom of the egg. It doesn't crack - don't worry. Then drop eggs into boiling water. It helps make them easier to peel. Here's a link to the whole list of directions for "No Fail Boiled Eggs". You're welcome!

So this was Michael's first year to participate in the Hassig Family Easter egg hunt. He had to pull most of the weight, since I'm growing a baby inside me, I'm unable to run and get aggressive as I used to with the egg hunt. I was confined to the porch and Michael was let out into the yard with Jen and Mike. We did pretty good. All the eggs are filled with change - nickles to quarts. No pennies this year, but also no dollar bills! We put in in the coin jar at home, that's our side savings for PB. :)

I think PB did better this holiday than we did. He/she is already racking in the gifts. Jen and Mike gave us a Babies R Us gift card and a 3-pack of bibs. Mom and Dad gave us "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" book and a personalized baggie that has ducks and says "PB" on the front. It looks like it will be the perfect size for travel wipes.

All of the family was full of sweet words and congratulations for Michael and I! As this was the first time most of them had seen either of us, since the announcement. Sadly, some of them may not see me until Thanksgiving, unless they make it to a shower this summer. Still so crazy to think that this was our last Easter without a child, and that by Thanksgiving and Christmas we will have a little one with us! :)

I have lots of friends and family that have been full of information and support, especially my cousin, Kelly. She has been super helpful! She is full of useful facts, great advice and tips that you don't usually read about - I have her emails archived for later in the pregnancy and after the baby is here so I can revert back to what she said. She has graciously offered us some baby stuff that they never used or no longer need, and we plan to go get that soon. I can't express how much we appreciate all of the valuable advice, kind words, love and prayers that we are receiving from everyone. Keep it coming - we can never have too much, especially the prayers!!!

xoxo

March 28 - 15 Weeks

Our 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). PB is busy moving amniotic fluid through their nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in their lungs begin to develop. Legs are growing longer than arms now, and can move all joints and limbs. Although the eyelids are still fused shut, they can now sense light. If you were to shine a flashlight at my tummy, for instance, they're likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for PB to taste at this point, but they are forming taste buds.



15 weeks, PB is growing fast...already the size of an apple!



I am starting to feel more of a baby bump making its way out. I am still in my normal clothes (for now), just looser clothes feel a little better. I have had a lot of nasal congestion lately, and come to find out it's not just my allergies and increase in pollen in the air. There is a common condition among pregnant women called "rhinitis of pregnancy." I have suffered minor nose bleeds, but have heard from fellow mothers that it lasts throughout the entire pregnancy. I am seriously considering seeing a pulmonary specialist, as my asthma has also been flared up lately. I get short of breath suddenly and worry that is only going to worsen as the baby continues to grow. Conveniently my doctor's husband is a pulmonary specialist AND he is located in the same building as her. I plan on asking her for more advise at our 16 week appointment next Thursday.

Oh my goodness...I'm almost 16 weeks. Time is flying by. I can't believe Easter is almost here and March is coming to an end. In four short weeks, we shall know the gender of our little PB! How exciting?!

On Tuesday night, my mom and I ate at Kim Son. Surprisingly, PB did okay with the Chinese food...and I think the sauce that came with the egg rolls may have been fish sauce. So luckily everything went well. Afterwards, we attended the Chrism Mass at the Co-Cathedral downtown and helped distribute the Chrism oils for all the parishes in the diocese. This is the 2nd year my mother and I did this. It is a blessing to be in the same church with all of the priests and deacons from around the diocese, along with the blessing of the oils. It was beautiful...despite the fact that it was super crowded and very warm. I don't know if PB enjoyed it as much. I suddenly felt faint and thought I could pass out. I leaned back into the pew and my mom fanned me with the program. I felt better. The people around us were concerned for me and so sweet - one lady gave a cough drop to me! lol Such a sweet gesture, but not really curing the problem at hand. :) And another lady had a bottle of water - that helped. I made it through mass and was able to still help with the oils. We stopped for a blizzard at DQ on the way home and I was up way past my bedtime - 10:30! Eek... That's super late for me these days.

I was also excited this week to finally get my Hallmark book in the mail. Last year I entered, AND WON, a Hallmark contest for a "Thanks, Mom!" book. One of my 3 entries was chosen to be published, along with 84 other letters and stories to or about moms. It was really special for me to win and receive this book at this time in my life, since it was my childhood dream to write for Hallmark....and I just found out I'm going to be a mom myself soon (I'm so emotional these days - I'm tearing up again just writing about it). My mother is my best friend and I can only hope I have half the impact on our child as my mom did on me...

I am officially a published auther of Hallmark!

Love you more, Mama!



My name and picture are also in the book. Check out page 93!

So excited to see all of the family on Sunday. I hope everyone has a safe and happy Easter! 

March 18 - 14 Weeks

Monday morning and at work before 7:30. Let's just say I didn't sleep well last night. I have a busy week at work too with a couple big events. Plus Grandmere may be released on Wednesday and if so, she'll be going to my parents' house from there. Lots of big changes, but we are praying for the best! Yesterday she had a really good day. That makes me so happy and hopeful! I really want her to meet her great-grandchild, but if for some reason it does not happen, I already know how much she loves him/her!

I had a pretty busy weekend. Michael went to the farm with his family - it was his mom's birthday and his niece & nephew's first time to go there, plus it was their Spring Break. They have some land in northeast Texas - plenty of room to fish, hunt, 4-wheel and so much more! I spent the weekend in Katy. On Saturday, I cleaned up around the apartment and went to see Grandmere. My parents were already there, sitting with her outside, since the weather was amazing. From there, my mom & I went to get pedicures - I was way overdue! I went to Sam's for a few things, then Babies R Us - to shop for a Baby Shower gift for my close friend, Tasha. I knew I should have ordered online, as I ended up getting a bit more than expected...not to mention the two maternity tunics I got for myself. Clearance AND buy one, get one free? I couldn't pass that up! lol I went to the dollar store after that and finally left, once my basket was full! I was ready to eat dinner and go to bed. Sunday, I was up at 7 am. I updated my baby calendar and did a few chores. Then, I started preparing lunch - my parents were coming over at noon. I made beans, deviled eggs and deer burgers! After eating, we went to see Grandmere and then I went to Katy Mills to do a little shopping. I haven't done any shopping for myself since Christmas - and even then it was all stuff for the apartment. I got some new shoes and few outfits - all stuff that is completely practical for a growing tummy! I headed home with my shopping bags, sore feet and an aching shoulder and back! I had a quick dinner and was getting ready for bed, when I heard the door downstairs open. I thought I was going to have to run and get a knife from the kitchen, thinking someone picked the lock and was breaking-and-entering! I said "hello?" and...Michael said "Hi!" I was so relieved...and super excited! He said I sounded upset when we talked and he wanted to come see me. :)

PB is now 14 weeks - only 6 more weeks until we find out the gender. Yay!!!

This week's big developments: Our baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck their thumb (which he/she may have been doing in our last ultrasound)! Thanks to brain impulses, facial muscles are getting a workout as tiny features form one expression after another. Kidneys are producing urine, which releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process that will continue until birth. He/she can grasp, too!

In other news: PB is stretching out. From head to bottom, measuring 3.5 inches — about the size of a lemon — and weighs 1.5 ounces. The body's growing faster than the head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of the body (legs still have some lengthening to do). He/she is starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over their body. Our baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and the spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though I can't feel tiny punches and kicks yet, our little boxer's hands and feet (which now measure about .5 inch long) are more flexible and active.

At 14 weeks, PB is about the size of a lemon - over 3 inches long!

March 11 - 13 Weeks

So I know I have been slacking with the blog lately, but I haven't forgot about it. I had big events on Thursday and Friday last week, so I was swamped with work stuff. Friday I was done about 2 and went straight to my parents' house. I had a late lunch and kicked my feet up to relax. Then we had potato soup for dinner (specially requested by me; made by mom) and I fell asleep on the couch. Michael woke me up and told me to go to my old bed...we were going to stay the night! He went to his old room and we both got a good night sleep.

For some reason after I got dressed Saturday, I felt "more pregnant" than ever before. I don't know if it was the dress I put on (which in not maternity wear) or if I ate a lot on Friday...or if my tummy finally "popped" but I just felt like I had a bump. Michael and my parents all agreed that it was noticeably different than Friday. Weird... After homemade blueberry pancakes, my mom and I ran errands together and had a lot of fun. Our announcements came in the mail, so mom helped me get those ready to send out. Dad was sure to get them to the post office by 4 pm, so they would be delivered on Monday. I don't think that they'll make it to Alaska as quick as say The Woodlands, but eventually it will get to all the family and some close friends!! Yay. :)

I still don't think I'm craving anything "weird", but have noticed myself snacking on trail mix quite a bit. I had Michael buy raisins and m&ms to go with the peanuts that were in the pantry. I filled up a gallon size bag with it and I have a stash at work as well! I have not noticed a consistency of foods that make me nauseous, but it's not often, so I think I'm pretty lucky. I still have bad headaches, but they come and go - not the end of the world! Tylenol is not the greatest, but my OB allows it and it helps some. My pants are getting snug and it's getting more uncomfortable to wear jeans. :(

As of Saturday, we are now 13 weeks. Fingerprints have formed on our baby's tiny fingertips, veins and organs are clearly visible through still-thin skin, and the body is starting to catch up with the head -- which makes up just a third of the body size now. If we're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Our baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce. As I start the second trimester, most of our baby's critical development will be completed and our odds of miscarriage drop considerably. :)



Fingerprints are new this week, and they're one of a kind!



March 7 - Morning Sickness

Yesterday was our 12 week appointment. We saw our little wiggle warm, heard the heartbeat and confirmed there was only one baby (no twins)!



Coolest ultrasound picture EVER. Our little one is waving to us!

 I thought morning sickness was supposed to subside after the first trimester? I wonder why mine is just starting! This morning PB must have been moving around like crazy. After getting ready, I had to make a run for the bathroom... I have been nauseaous a few times, but this was the first time for me to really get sick!

At the appointment they measured PB and based on his/her size, they estimated the due date would be September 6th! Since my OB was out of the office, they would wait for her to make the final judgement. They said it could be they had the due date wrong from the beginning or maybe they will pick a date in the middle. OR...I'm wondering if it's just a really big baby!? I mean...I weighed in at 9.5 lbs, so it is likely for me to birth a big one! Eek...

Everything else is going well. I gained a total of 3 lbs in the first trimester. Not too bad. The norm is between 1-5, so I'm right in the middle!

The day that started with us hearing our baby's heartbeat ended not as great as it began. We got two bills in the mail for bloodwork, that insurance does not cover...those totalled over $1100! Whew...I had to take some deep breaths. We knew the tests were optional but wanted to do them for the goodness of our 1st born, but I thought they wouldn't be over $200 at most. Well, I now know to check with my insurance before just signing my name!

Nonetheless, we are happy to know that everything is on track at 12 weeks and our little one (or very big one) has a healthy, beating heart and ten little fingers already waving to mommy and daddy!

March 4 - 12 Weeks

We are now at 12 weeks!!! Oh my goodness. Goodbye first trimester. People say that the fatigue, nausea, etc should start to fade during the second trimester...before coming back with a vengeance in the third trimester. So that I am excited about...if it is true for me!

Our PB is now the size of a lime - holy Pete! That is much bigger than a lentil bean...and I feel like that was just yesterday!

The most dramatic development this week: Reflexes. Our baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, toes will curl, eye muscles will clench, and the mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod at my tummy, the baby will squirm in response, although I still won't feel it. The intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into the abdominal cavity about now, and the kidneys will begin excreting urine into the bladder. From crown to rump, our baby-to-be is just over two inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.



At 12 weeks, synapses are forming in our baby's brain.



My mom arranged dinner plans with my parents, her parents, Michael and I. I was finally ready to tell Pa & Ga!!! We had just been so busy, especially with moving Grandmere around, work, etc. Timing just hadn't been right.

We got to their house and said our hellos and gave hugs. Then, right on cue, Ga asked me what I wanted to drink. I said "nothing" and she said "no wine?!" I responded "No thanks" and she said "Oh, because of Lent?" I said "No, probably for a little longer than that." She looked worried and questioned "What! Why? What's wrong Jaime?" I said "Well, I'm having a baby!" She paused and then said "Are you serious?" I confirmed and she smiled from ear-to-ear saying "Get up here and hug me right now!!!" I got off the couch and gave her a big hug. I looked at Michael and my mom, both had tears filling their eyes. It was such a sweet moment. I said "Who knows, maybe you'll have your first great grandson?!" She said she didn't care if it was a boy or girl, this was the best news, it just made her day!

She asked us a few questions to get up to speed on everything, and I informed her that announcements would be sent out next week so she had to keep it a secret for a few more days. She said that was no problem!

After dinner, Pa grabbed my hand and cheered! Then said "Congratulations Jaime. We are so happy for you!" That melted my heart. They know this wasn't the way we thought things would happen, but they recognize the blessing and are embracing it with us!

I can't wait to Ga reading the blog and show her the pictures from the ultrasounds! :)

March 2 - No More Chinese

Spent the whole day with my parents. They were having a garage sale to clean out some stuff and get rid of some of Grandmere's things. I made over $100 in some old junk that I had in the garage. I was glad to get rid of it and happy to make a few bucks! It was a beautiful day, but pretty chilly and when the wind kicked in, it was even colder. After we took the stuff that didn't sell to Good Will (2.5 trips later), we decided to hit up a Chinese Buffet for dinner. It was quick and easy, and we were all exhausted. Michael loved it, no surprise - wings, sushi, crab legs, etc. I grazed on some chicken dishes, green beans, egg rolls and frozen yogurt for dessert. Nothing too crazy and certainly no seafood.

I went to bed as soon as we got home, and two hours later, I was up with the WORST stomachache ever! I was in tears. I guess PB doesn't like Chinese food. That or maybe I just ate too much. However, with the way I felt, I may be okay with not trying it again for the next 6 months. The next morning I was fine and back to my normal self.