The uneventful weeks 14 and 15

I have been thinking about writing this post for quite a few days but was putting it off because the last few weeks have been so uneventful, at least related to baby t.  I did go in for an appointment around 14 weeks, and let me tell you, it was l-a-m-e.   The highlight of the visit (and yes, a big highlight), was hearing baby t's heartbeat for a few minutes.  Otherwise, I talked to my OB for 5-10 minutes and was all finished (minus of course the requisite weight, blood pressure, urine sample).   I was left feeling so cheated after having an u/s at every other appointment.  I asked nicely and several times if I could just squeeze in another u/s before the big anatomy scan but was firmly told no, as there was no reason for one.  Um, hello, how about peace of mind?!

Several people have asked me how I'm feeling, and I'm happy to report that I feel great.  I have more energy now than I did initially, so I've started walking, which is good because George really needs the exercise - we don't want him putting on sympathy weight.  Also, I know I said I'd post a belly pic, but Ben refused to take one last week as "there is nothing to see".  I think there's a little something there, finally, so we'll make sure to do that this week.  I am really excited about looking pregnant and feeling baby t move, all of which I hope happens over the next month or so.  Our next big milestone is the anatomy scan in a couple of weeks where we get a last peek at baby t to make sure (s)he's healthy and also find out if (s)he's a she or a he.  Then the fun starts with picking a name and decorating the nursery...

Despite the lack of baby news, we have stayed pretty busy.  We spent an entire weekend on our first pinterest project, which involved transforming hemnes into a new and improved hemnes.  (FYI hemnes is the white ikea dresser I got after college that Ben painstakingly put together.  A shout out to Kristen too because she put together Stefan, the desk chair, that is also still around and still uncomfortable).   Hemnes currently lives in my closet and serves as Nibby's dining table, so he was really confused and excited about the project.  Here are some before and after pictures, and after such a big success, we think baby t will be getting something similar in the nursery (isn't (s)he lucky?!).


Before



After



Impressive, huh?

 We also just celebrated Ben's 32nd birthday, which included a brisket from the Luling City Market in Houston and a lot of whiskey and bourbon (for Ben of course).  For his birthday cake, I made his grandmother's caramel cake by request, and it turned out rather ugly thanks to a sub-par middle layer (we may have made two attempts at the cake) but tasted great, thanks to the four sticks of butter involved.  

Also, for Ben's birthday, baby t got Ben the onesies below ((s)he's selfish and didn't understand that it was rude to give someone else gifts that are exclusively for your use, oh well).  Also, I want to make it clear that I did not support one of the two purchases.

babymoon #1

Since I only see the doctor every 2-4 weeks, I figured I'd also post about what other fun things we are doing.  If you aren't interested, then just check back in a few days for another update on baby thompson since we are seeing the doctor this week (it's my longest stretch yet with no appointment, scary!).

Technically, this trip was not baby thompson’s first, as (s)he has already been to Orlando, Houston, Baltimore, Washington DC, Miami/South Beach (loved the party scene down there), Providence and Chapel Hill, so (s)he is a rather well traveled 14 week old.   However, this was his/her first trip with both mom and dad, so it is officially our first of hopefully a few babymoons. 

Ben and I hadn't been on a vacation together since our trip to Hawaii last November, so I decided to tag along on his work trip to San Francisco last weekend.  I honestly thought I would see San Fran on my first trip to Napa, but since baby thompson was opposed to a winery tour, we spent the whole weekend in the city.  

We stayed at the St. Regis and it was everything I had hoped for (a butler came included apparently, but we never met him/her).  It had an enormous tub in the middle of the room, so I could take a bath and watch TV with Ben at the same time (basically heaven).   Also, we were able to walk almost everywhere, which was really nice despite the 50 degree weather.   

After finishing work on Friday, we kicked off the weekend by having cocktails (ok, I had the Asian version of cocktail nuts, but Ben had a Manhattan) at the Top of the Mark and toasting to my grandma Mary (my mother's mother), who insisted she saw her lover off here before he went to war (strangely, this 'lover' was not my grandfather, so no one really knows what the story is).  Mary loved martinis, and luckily Ben's Manhattan came in a martini glass. 

After that, we walked by Grace Cathedral (Episcopalian, mom!) and then had dinner at Tadich Grill, which is one of the oldest restaurants in the city.  Ben got to wear a bib and we loved the food, so I highly suggest trying this place!

                              

On Saturday morning, we were up by around 6am thanks to the time change, so we took a long walk to brunch at Brenda's.  We were certainly glad we made the walk because Ben's sweet potato pancakes were the best pancakes I've ever had (imagine a pancake that tastes like a warm cinnamon roll and birthday cake at the same time).  The walk also gave us the opportunity to see a shadier part of the city, so if you want to try Brenda's (also famous for their beignets), then a cab or driving wouldn't be the worst idea.  After carb loading, we rented bikes at Fisherman's Wharf and rode 9 miles across the Golden Gate Bridge and over to Sausalito.  I consider myself to be in pretty good shape, but I haven't ridden a bike in about 12 years, so I found the whole experience to be much more challenging than anticipated (when the shop owner said the ride was ‘mostly flat’, he were LYING).  That said, it was totally worth it because it was a clear, sunny day and the views were breathtaking. 

As a bonus, when we rode the ferry back from Sausalito, we got to see Alcatraz and a handful of dolphins.   

After the bike ride, we also bought baby thompson his/her first of many souveniers (and of course tried it on the Nibby for size).

 

Saturday afternoon and evening we caught up with one of Ben's oldest friends, Leigh, and had dinner with her and her partner at Lot 7 in the Mission.  The food here was excellent too, so it's another place to try if you are in the neighborhood. 

On Sunday we once again got up extremely early and decided to head out of town because it happened to be PRIDE weekend and a parade was coming right by our hotel.  We had brunch in San Jose, where we flew in/out of (thanks to delta for the 'convenient' flights, when using our companion ticket) and spent the next 8 hours getting back to warm weather, George and Nibby.

There are so many more things I want to see in San Fran, so I hope we can go back soon.  If not, then I've at least already started planning my 30th birthday trip to Napa, so I figure it will include at least one night in San Fran. 

PS – a big thanks to Jake and his friend Jocelin for suggesting great activities and restaurants!

It's official, I'm pregnant!

 Yes, I am finally pregnant, and we are so excited to announce that baby thompson will be making his/her appearance this Christmas.



To start things off, I thought I would share some (ok, a lot) of pictures of baby thompson.  I started having ultrasounds at 6 weeks and had one every week until 12 weeks (and no, weekly wasn't necessary after 8 weeks, but I am what my doctors might consider 'needy' with regards to information and reassurance).  As you will see, baby thompson basically looked like a grain or rice around 7 weeks (in our excitement over a baby and heart beat at 6 weeks we forgot to take a picture home) and finally started to look like a real person around 10 weeks.  Sadly, I am not scheduled to have another ultrasound until 18 or 20 weeks, but it is quite possible (read very likely) that I will convince one of my doctors otherwise.

  

7 weeks (yes, it's a baby, the label and arrow help).  (S)he's the size of a blueberry.



8 weeks (a gummy bear!). (S)he's the size of a kidney bean.



9 weeks.  (S)he's the size of a grape.



10 weeks (yes, I do look like an alien).  (S)he's the size of a prune.



 10 weeks and loving dancing, especially to Michael Jackson!




11 weeks (I am upside down all the time).  (S)he's the size of a fig.



11 weeks

  

12 weeks (I really like my hand near my face).  (S)he's the size of a lime.



12 weeks





Now that I am 13 weeks, I am officially out of the first trimester and feel great.  In all honesty, I have felt great the entire time.  I know this isn't the case for a lot of people, so I am very grateful.   According to Ben, I don't really look pregnant yet, but according to me and my mom I kind of do.  I'll post a picture soon and document the progress. 

We are really excited about sharing this journey with all of you and would love your feedback and comments! 

Oh and since baby thompson loves being upside down all the time, I figured I'd share a picture of our other babies who both spend at least half their time upside down.