Hi there. I hope everyone is good. I don't even know where to begin, I've had so much on my mind the last week! I had my appointment last Tuesday and I don't think I like my doctor after all. He wasn't very nice and didn't seem very supportive of my birth plan. I did get to hear the heartbeat but he made it cold, quick and clinical. Not exactly the moving experience I had anticipated. I got the results of my pap which were abnormal but was told "it's nothing to worry about" and I got my blood drawn and was shoed out the door. I really want to switch to a midwife but I can't seem to find one that will go to one of the few hospitals my insurance covers. The other option is a homebirth which Chris is not very comfortable with. He agreed to meet with a midwife and discuss everything though. He is such a good guy.

I'm looking into Hypnobirthing classes as both the natural and conventional world of childbirth seem to agree it's the way to go. I think we'll start the Sunday classes in April. I'm excited to see what it's all about.

The other big issue on my mind is money. I had a whole budget worked out and I found a way Chris and I could live without me working for six months. Until I didn't budget for a few of Chris' monthly bills and my plan and dreams were shattered. I've looked in to every avenue I could possibly think of to make extra money while staying at home after the baby is born. I mean EVERYTHING. From Avon to waitress, from in home childcare to medical transcription, from sex toy parties to an in home call center. I found an organic company with a nice little pyramid scheme that I may try out now and see how it goes. Other than that, the top choices are babysitting two kids all day and being a waitress on the weekends. I've never been a server and I think I'd suck at it but it makes the most money for the least time. I'm sure I'll figure something out. Where there is a will, there is a way.

It's not all bad though...

We bought the baby's first piece of furniture. A cute cradle for next to our bed. We assembled it together and then locked it up in the baby's room so Orange Cat and Gray Cat didn't think it was theirs to sleep in. It's made of organic cotton and has gender neutral colors. We are going to get a few other pieces from the same line. It made me feel all squishy inside to know it was for our baby.

We get to find out the sex in about five weeks. I can't wait!

We have mail and most of the repairs in the house have been taken care of.

Anyway, that's where my mind is, 100 different directions. I hope all is well in your world.

Lee Ann :-)

Hi. It's Monday morning and I am so tired. All three of the animals were in rare form last night and made it impossible to sleep well. I think I'll drop them off at the closest Chinese Restaurant today. I kid, I kid. I'll just beat them when I get home. No really, I won't.

Things have been good. I have my second prenatal appointment tomorrow afternoon and I think I'll be able to hear the heartbeat which will be cool. I hear it's a very moving experience. I'm not sure if Chris will be able to come or not but I hope he can, he really wants to. I've been pretty emotional lately, crying at everything from my weight gain to the way Chris talks to the dog. I try to remember I'm just crazy right now and it helps me to not completely break down. My nose has been like a box of bloody Triscuits and I fart like I'm getting paid for each one but yeah, all and all I'm doing very well.

In other news, still no mail. We are still waiting on a key from the Post Office. The house is really coming together now though. After a trip to Ikea on Saturday afternoon (I always tell Chris we need to go home and watch "Fight Club" as it makes me a little sick to be one of those people) our living room is complete. We got a bookshelf and a coffee table. I finally got to unpack a lot of my stuff that has been in boxes since August. I have a some kids books from my childhood and I read a few to the baby. It was nice.

As always I hope all is well.

Good morning!! Yes, we moved last weekend and I'm so happy it's over! Well, we still aren't technically done. We went back to the old place yesterday to clean and get the last of the odds and ends but it poured rain all day and we had to leave the stuff behind, most of it couldn't get wet. We did clean though, I tried to use natural cleaner as much as I could and used a face mask and gloves with the harsh stuff. The rain definitely put a damper on our plans yesterday but I am so thankful it was nice and sunny on Saturday when we moved the majority of our stuff. I'm sure our friends and family who helped us are thankful for that fact too. I was so worried that we wouldn't have enough help and the move wouldn't get done but everyone came through for us and it was pretty quick and easy when it was all said and done. Thank you to everyone that helped. I appreciate it more than you know. I love the new house, I think it may be the nicest place I've ever lived. There are a few things that bug me, mostly that they didn't clean very well but all in all, it's wonderful. I love that I can just open the back door when Roxy needs to go instead of having to walk her every single time. I love that I don't have to worry about the neighbors hearing everything. I love that there is so much room for everything and everyone now, including the baby. It felt so weird to say, "just put it in the baby's room for now". I still can't really imagine what it will be like but at least I have 6 more months to get used to the idea. It feels good to have a proper place for him or her though, I feel relieved. I'm happy, Chris is happy and the animals are really happy so I know it's the warm loving home I want my child to have. It's really great and I hope all of you will come over and see it soon.

Take care,
Lee Ann

Hello. I hope everyone is doing well. I've been feeling pretty good lately except for yesterday when Chris and I went to Chipotle for lunch and then went to see Cloverfield. It's one of those movies like the Blair Witch that has the shaky camera. I got so sick!! Lunch was a total waste of money. Luckily it was a short movie and I started feeling better a little after we got home. Craig and Allyson were nice enough to take us to a Coyotes game on Saturday night. Great seats and Chris was excited because they were playing the Blackhawks which are his favorite team. The Blackhawks won and I was able to stay up to 11, it was a really fun night. Long overdue for sure. We are moving on Saturday and we spent most of last Saturday packing. We're almost done and I just can't wait until this move is over. My next Dr.'s appointment is in about two weeks and I hope he is open to everything I want for labor and delivery. I hope the hospital has everything I want and is supportive as well, if not, I'll have to start looking in to other options. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Have a great week!