Glimpses of Proud Parenthood and Acid Reflux

So I would never think of myself as one of those crazy dog people, but, I had a glimpse of how awesome parenting is going to be this weekend.  We had our friends over for a Memorial Day Cookout over the weekend.  We have been working with Nixon (our 1 1/2 year old Boxer) for a while now to be more relaxed and adaptable when we have company over, especially our friends with children.  So with the help of some pointers from my brother, Cory, who works for the Secret Service and has a Dog as a partner, Spyke, and an obedience collar (yes it is a shock collar, obedience sounds so much better) she has made huge strides in her behavior.  She only jumped up on a guest but one time, and was perfect with the kids.  She did not go up to them, but when they came up to her, she gave gentle licks.  I know this sounds crazy, but to be able to have people come up and notice how much better she is doing and that she is a pleasure to be around makes Clark and I so proud and helps to alleviate some of our anxiety about bringing a little one into the house.  We know she is going to be such a good partner in crime for Hannah.

On an actual pregnancy note, Hannah continues to vie for additional square footage within my tummy by trying to push out my right rib and the acid reflux that has only been occasional up till this point is now an everyday occurrence.  It even comes twice a day.  Here is my question:  Is the Acid Reflux food or beverage induced, or is it something that just comes with the territory.  I have tried to identify what I am eating or drinking before an onset, but it seems to be different every time.

P.S.  Thanks to everyone who have been responding to my questions!  It has been super helpful, informative and great to hear from you all in general.

Hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend and took time to remember those who fought for our freedom.

Cheers

1st Kicks....I think

So Sunday morning I think I felt Hannah Kick/move for the first time.  I have to preface this with I think because, my apologies for being crass but, as any pregnant woman knows, "tummy bubbles" aka gas, is a normal occurrence.  But I am pretty sure that it was movement rather than the less flattering alternative.  All together it was a pretty exciting event.  I am now in my 22nd week and was told that I would start to feel her be-bopping around in there any day now.  I will be very happy to report finally at my next appointment that I have felt her kick, since i have been asked in the last couple of appointments and have felt failure in answering no.

Pregnancy notes:
The evening back pain/stiffness continues.  I had to have a Pain-Off (similar to a Diva-Off, for those Glee lovers) with Clark this weekend.  Last week Clark decided in pure Clark fashion to unload an entire truck of mulch by himself and then go play two games of softball.  He is now feeling the repercussions of being, dare I say, OLD.  This is just how it is now.  Clark insists his back pain must be worse because he said so.  End of pain off.
Another update is the coming to terms with my growing inability to bend over and do things.  This reminder of the belly in front of me is in true Brock/Fuller women fashion, met with stubbornness of this isn't going to stop me and then closed out with the realization that the several un-lady like positions attempted are not worth the end result and I call for help.

World News Update:
No Blog worth it's salt would miss posting something about the failed doomsday prophesy of last weekend.
In lue of an anniversary dinner with my loving Husband, I went and met my good friend Erin Jordan Schwab for dinner is Nashville, which was lovely (Clark and I are going to do dinner together tonight, not to worry).  Erin and I fell back into discussion and conversation like we still lived next to each other in the Sigma Kappa house, which I have always said is a sign of an true friendship.  We came around to discussing the morons who spent their life savings paying for signs warning the rest of the world about the world ending on May 21.  We came to the unanimous decision that if we find out when the world is ending, we aren't spending our money warning anyone.  We're going out in Diamonds.

Hope this finds you all well!

Carrying High?

Since this is my first child and I am just winging it on most everything, I do have a few questions for my friends.  I have been told by a few people that I am "carrying high", meaning my bump is higher on my belly than either what is normal, or what they did, or what they are used to seeing.  Has anyone else experienced this phenomenon?  The only downside I have had for this is needing slightly more material at the top of my maternity jeans (they don't make it all the way over the hump) and the pulling on my stomach muscles below my bump.

The upside is, though I lacked a serious workout regimen before we got Pregnant, I am glad to see that I do in fact still have stomach muscles, we won't insult in shape people and dare call them abs.

I get a lot of "so how are you doing" questions, which I do appreciate, so for those of you who don't get to see me on a regular basis, here are the current pros and cons:

Pros: (I am knocking on wood for all of these small blessings)

• I am still able to wear my rings and have had very little swelling of the hands or feet.  From what I have heard, this is great.
• What small discoloration that has begun to surface on my face (redness) is completely addressable with concealer (thank you Laura Mercier)

Cons: (and these aren't even that bad)

• Getting up for the minimum of three trips to the bathroom a night
• Feeling like an out of shape piece of poop because I easily get out of breath (I do understand that I am sharing my breath with another human being, I'm just sayin)

On the nursery front, we are staring to shop for furniture, haven't decided on a set yet, but are seriously leaning towards the progression beds.  I like the thought of having a furniture set that she can use for a good amount of time.  We also picked out a few paint colors to try out for her room.  Clark had been complaining about too much Pink, so I was looking for paint colors more in the lavender arena, however, the ones he picked were more rose/pinkish if you ask me, but I like all of the selections we made.  We now just have to narrow it down.

We do however have a name for the little one.  Hannah Grace McCarthy.  Hannah isn't a family name, just one we really liked.  It is hebrew in origin and means Favourd by God.  Grace is my best friends name, and wanted to honor her. 

It makes it all a little more real having the name to call it, depending on the timing when it is still just "the baby" or in bad moments of tummy cramping "Clark's Devil Spawn".

Hope this finds you all well!

The Big Trip to London, Ireland and Northern Ireland!

The trip went without a hitch for the most part, other than the dollar dropping again against the English pound and costing us more money in the conversion.  The weather was absolutely fabulous, not a day of rain in the UK or Ireland our entire time there. 

I won’t bore you with the full day by day details, but here are some of the highlights:

·         Seeing the buildup for the royal wedding, and all the news coverage that was on 24/7 for it

·         Great food (especially seafood) we ate from all around London, Ireland and Northern Ireland

·         Walking tour from PHD graduate from Trinity College in Dublin

·         Making friends with Bar Tender at the Stag’s Head in Dublin and being told that the bar is older than our Country

·         Driving on the left side of the road successfully

·         Seeing the Working Jameson Whiskey Distillery in Midleton and watching Clark get his certificate of expert whiskey taster (or something like that)

·         The gorgeous Cliffs of Mohr and the Irish Country side and coast in general

·         The amazing history of Ireland and Northern Ireland that is still in the making

·         Staying at The Europa Hotel in Belfast, the most Bombed Building in Europe (maybe the world)

·         Staying at The Savoy our final night of the trip in London.  It cost an arm and a leg, but well worth it for the luxury and the experience overall.  It felt like a trip back in time where you dressed for tea and drinks.  Very Gatspyesque, but in Britain.

There are many more, but that was the quick and dirty.  Pictures will be coming soon, but if you know me well, you know I am never too quick on the download.  The low point was definitely not getting to partake in the many glasses of Guinness and other beers that Clark thoroughly enjoyed while we were there, but I did get my sips along the way.

We did manage to miss the biggest tornadic event to his our area in a long time.  We came home to a safe home and safe friends.  Our neighbors even emptied out our refrigerator for us.  But we know how lucky we are and our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with those affected.

Baby McCarthy did fine the whole trip.  We did get a few odd looks on the street in London for some reason.  I guess they don’t see as many pregnant women walking about as we do here in Huntsville.  Sometimes I think you can’t swing a dead cat in this town without hitting a breader.  But I digress.  It was a wonderful trip, but glad we are home again safely and getting ready to tackle our next big adventure, preparing for the arrival of the little one.

Cheers!

Visit from Family!

Cory, Jen and Brock (my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew) came down to Huntsville to visit this weekend. This was their first visit to our house, and Cory's first trip ever to the great state of Alabama.

It was wonderful having them here.  We were able to take them to our Supper Club with us on Sunday night at the Stowers/Rottman house.  I loved getting to have them meet our friends down here that they hadn't already met.  (Thank you Lisa and Eddie for hosting!)

I was also able to show them around town to our great metropolis.  I think I was able to give them a good taste of what life is like for us down here.  Best of all, we were able to spend some real quality time with them just hanging around the house and on the back patio.  Cory and Jen even helped us put up our new ceiling fans on the back porch.  Brock provided the adult supervision and recieved a dog bath from Nixon.

I loved being introduced to having a little one around the house and learning the different types of schedules that need to be kept.  My nephew is such a perfect little man.  His smile just lights up the room and his giggle  is contagious.  He has such great parents and great teachers for Clark and I as we start to make the adjustments for parenthood.

It's A Girl

We have already found out the gender of the little one and it is a Girl.  We no longer have to refer to it in the Unisex Term of "It".  I still have a few friends that are skeptical about early gender diagnosis and have told me they will still refer to it as "the Bean" for another couple of weeks, which I think is fine and kinda funny.

My feeling all along is that it was a girl, but I don't really know if that was just hopeful thinking or if I could actually sense what it was.  Some of the old wives tails I have heard so far is that Boys will make you Sick, Girls will just make you nauseous (something that may become deeper later on in years ;))  Another one I heard is that Boys will add to your beauty during pregnancy and girls will drain your color.  Keep your comments on this one to yourself, but I think my color has been pretty good lately.

When we were at the appointment on Friday where we had the ultrasound, she asked if we wanted to know and we both said Yes, almost at the same time.  She then pointed to the lack of anatomy on the profile of the body.  Clark requested more proof, and the tech found a perfect shot from the top down between the legs to show there was no additional view needed.

Clark has been a good sport.  I know that he wanted a Boy and I have already told him we have a 50/50 shot next time and that the ball is in his court.  He said we could give it one more try for a Boy but he wasn't wanting to continue to try until he got one, he can hire out manual labor for cheaper than putting 3rd child through college.

I have been feeling pretty well physically the past couple of weeks.  I am more tired in the evenings now, which is a shame since we have finally began to get some nice weather.  We are going to go watch Clark play Softball tonight.  His team name is Big Swinging Richards, which is abbreviated to BSR as to not offend people further if they know the nickname of a Richard.  Maybe I can get some action pics to post.  Softball will always be a little sentimental to me since that is how we met.  Which if funny since my parents met playing Volleyball.  I guess we are just an athletic family!

Hope this finds you all well!  Make sure to comment!

Maternity Clothes

I have finally made the leap over to Maternity pants.  It wasn't that I was hesitant, but we have so few stores with maternity clothes, or I should say, decent maternity clothes, that I was looking around online for stuff I liked instead of stuff I settled for.  You would think there would be more options out there to keep you in the style you are accustomed to, but there isn't.  I refuse to wear a MooMoo for the next 5 months.  I have found a couple of great staples.  I was waiting around for a discount coupon to go out as well since some of these clothes can be pretty expensive.  I have gotten good recommendations from friends.  I am hoping the flowy top will stay around for the time being because it seems like Flowy, Non Maternity tops are much more stylish than most Maternity tops.  I am also at that in between stage of the pregnancy where I am definitely showing, but not with the huge belly yet that fills out a lot of the maternity tops.

An update to our weekend:  We went to Bennett Nurseries this weekend to get some flowers for the front and back of the house, with the hopes that Nixon will not dig all of our efforts out.  The equation right now to a good nights sleep is yard work (in moderation or more in a supervisory role).  I was able to make it through the first game of the final four, but completely zonked out on the couch at the beginning of the Kentucky/UConn game and didn't wake up until the end when Clark told me to just go upstairs.

We spent a lot of time with good friends as well.  We had dinner and domino's with friends on Friday night.  Our friends Carrie and Jason made one last pre-baby appearance to share in the fun.  They are already into the labor of their first child this morning.  We are expecting the official announcement to William Harris Blount's entrance into this world any time now.  Being pregnant and seeing this miracle has been awesome.  All the best to Team Blount!

Hope this finds everyone well.