14 Weeks and the Gender Debate

Posted in Baby #1, Dilemmas, Kara and Kyle, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Update by Kara

I have learned that there are various questions you are asked when people find out that you’re expecting. Number 1 would be the obvious, “When are you due?” Number 2 is, “Are you going to find out what you’re having?” There’s also a third question, “Was it planned?” but I find that question to be rather insensitive and aggravating and shall be left for a different post in the future.

My focus today is the great Gender Debate – or, Question Number 2: Will we or will we not find out what we’re having?

In Canada, or British Columbia where I live, finding out if you’re having a boy or girl can be a crapshoot. Some ultrasound technicians will tell you, some won’t. If you’re a high-risk pregnancy, they’ll tell you. Sometimes, if you pay a little extra $$, they’ll tell you, but maybe that’s just in countries where abortions and infanticide are common because of gender preference. (If you’ve read Secret Daughter, you know what I’m talking about!)

Anyway – the gender knowledge game is what Kyle and I are currently playing. At last week’s doctors appointment an ultrasound was ordered and I’ll be going in around the end of January/beginning of February for my 20/21 Week ultrasound. My doctor also mentioned that we might be able to find out the gender of the baby if we choose. (Might be if the baby is positioned right, etc., etc.)

Here’s the thing – Kyle wants to know what we’re having. I would rather have it be a surprise. This is something we just can’t seem to agree on. Kyle hates surprises and thinks that knowing would be better for planning the baby’s room, picking out clothes, names, etc. (Although we already have a healthy name list already!)

I want it to be a surprise because really, who doesn’t like surprises!? (Other than my husband, obviously) Personally, I think that your first child’s gender should be a surprise. A coworker even made an interesting point: Have the first one be a surprise, and for any kiddos after that, find out so you know whether or not to keep your boy or girl stuff.

I have no idea how we’ll decide who “wins” this debate by the end of January. “Because it’s MY body” is a weak argument, IMO. (As is, “YOU DID THIS TO ME!” while in labour, lol) If anything, we’ll end up dong a round of Rock, Paper, Scissors to settle things.

Regardless of whether or not we find out or not, boy or girl, as long as it’s healthy! (I know, such a horrible cliché.)

Now, onto the regular pregnancy updates:

How far along? 14 weeks – I’m now in my 2nd trimester!

How big is baby? About 3 1/2 inches, or the length of a lemon according to BabyCentre.ca.

Total weight gain/loss: At my appointment last week, the doctor informed me that I have yet to gain any weight, which is normal and nothing to worry about! (Which makes me also wonder where the hell all that food I’ve been consuming has gone!)

Maternity Clothes? None, but it’s getting harding to keep “regular” pants on when I get home. I go right to sweats, yoga pants or pajama pants as soon as I can.

Stretch marks? None!

Sleep: I’m slowly gaining more sleep during the nights, which I’m sure will be ruined when I get bigger. I’ll take what I can get.

Movement: Still nothing …

Food cravings: Nothing that seems out of the ordinary. I’ve really been wanting sushi and Chinese food lately though.

What I miss: Being able to comfortably fit into my favourite pair of jeans. They’re just a little too snug to wear all day.

What I am looking forward to: My ultrasound appointment at the end of January and maternity clothes shopping with my mom in the new year.

Milestones: Hearing the baby’s heartbeat for the second time was absolutely amazing. Kyle got to hear it as well, so that made it extra special! It was a lot easier to find this time than during my first appointment – the doctor found it right away! Last time the little bugger kept moving around and the heartbeat was hard to find. I guess the fact that it’s twice the size now helps too!

Photo:

14 Weeks! I look like I just got out of bed because I just woke up from my post-Christmas breakfast nap!

Now … Questions!
If you have a child – did you find out the gender or not?
If you don’t but eventually plan to – do you want to find out?
Why or why not?

Happy Boxing Day! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

23Dec2011

A Christmas Q&A

Posted in Holidays, Q&A by Kara

I’ve seen this circulating around the blogosphere and figured I’d make today’s post into the “obligatory” Christmas post!

1. egg nog or hot chocolate?
I used to like egg nog, but I’m more partial to hot chocolate these days! Hot white chocolate is even better!

2. does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
My Santa doesn’t slack off – he wraps his presents! Where’s the surprise otherwise!?

3. multi-colored or white lights on tree/house?
Multi-coloured all the way. Right now we just have them on our tree – next year we’ll put lights up outside.

4. do you hang mistletoe?
We had a fake sprig of it when I was little but I have no idea what happened to it. I find mistletoe to be rather awkward.

5. when do you put up decorations?
I like to try and get my decorations out of storage by the beginning of December, and I usually decorate the first weekend of December.

6. what is your favorite holiday dish?
Definitely the stuffing. My mom’s stuffing, to be specific.

7. favorite holiday memory as a child.
I always loved waking up to see that Santa had eaten all the cookies and drank the milk I left out for him, and that the reindeer had eaten the carrots I left for them. Although now I’m more than certain that my parents may have helped ;)

8. when did you learn the truth about Santa?
The class bully told me he wasn’t real. He’s still a jerk to this day!

9. do you open a gift on Christmas eve?
When I was little we always opened a present from my grandparents which was ALWAYS Christmas pajamas. We don’t open gifts on Christmas Eve anymore though, unless we’re celebrating with family that day. With four Christmases, it’s bound to happen!

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
With lights, garland, beads and ornaments of all shapes, weights and sizes! I always have to find a sturdy tree because some of my ornaments are really heavy!

11. Snow! Love it or dread it?
I would say I’m tolerant of it. Since I live in a relatively snowy area of Canada (no – not all of Canada gets a lot of snow!) you learn to deal with it. I do love watching it fall though!

12. Can you ice skate?
I haven’t in ages, but I’m sure if I put a pair of skates on I could figure it out again. It’s like riding a bike, right? Once you learn once you know forever?

13. Do you remember your favourite gift?
I think when I got my very first cellphone I was pretty excited. Other than that, I can’t remember!

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?

Being with family and the ones I love.

15. What is your favourite holiday dessert?
Definitely cheesecake!

16. what is your favourite holiday tradition?
Driving around and looking at all the Christmas lights, and watching Christmas movies all night long.

17. what tops your tree?
An angel.

18. which do you prefer: giving or receiving?
I like both! I love watching people open the gifts I give them and who doesn’t like receiving a little something in return :)

19. candy canes. yucky or yummy?
I’m not a huge fan actually.

20. favorite Christmas show?
A Muppet Family Christmas and now – Die Hard :)

21. saddest Christmas song?
I’ve always found “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” to be super depressing.

22. favorite Christmas song?
Baby It’s Cold Outside!

So Happy Holidays to all my amazing blog readers! I hope Christmas sees you well and merry!

22Dec2011

What I’m Pinning

Posted in Pinterest by Kara

I’m at a loss for blogging topics lately, other than being whiny about how my pants are getting tighter. So, instead of annoying you with pregnancy updates, I present to you, What I’ve Been Pinning.

Pinterest is such an amazing place to find stuff, and I mean STUFF! Funny, creative, fashionable stuff!

Here’s what I’ve come across the past few days:

Normally, I find these “Keep Calm” sayings annoying, but nothing is as annoying but still as hilarious as Dr. Sheldon Cooper.

My dog is known to do this in the winter, and it helps that she’s an Alaskan Malamute too! Snow is like crack to her, and when it’s snowing, all she wants to do is be outside! I have quite a few photos of her looking very similar to the dog in that photo!

I never thought I’d have the balls to buy a expensive bottle of nail polish, but I splurged last week and bought a bottle of Essie polish in Chinchilly. I never paint my fingernails, but I love this wintery shade and I did a pretty good job! (Even on my right hand, lol!)