Unexpected

Okay, unexpected thrill from being pregnant? Back-to-school stuff! 

Man, I almost wish I could buy this thing some glue and pencils and a lunchbox right now! 

But the thought that I'll be able to do that in just a few years for preschool is exciting!!! 

(though, I don't want baby Lougee to grow up fast by any means) 

I love that line on "You've Got Mail" where the girl types, 

"Don't you just love fall? It makes me want to shop for back to school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address."

I'd throw in a couple of delicious smelling, freshly bound, unused notebooks, too.

Surviving Pregnancy 101: My Top Early Pregnancy Tips

I used to do a segment on my short-lived project, Salvage Maid (I'd like to think it's not dead, just on sabbatical), called "Stalker Tuesday" in which I'd feature a new blog or website for you to stalk regularly.

Here it is Tuesday and I found myself on a BabyCenter blog by Sabrina Garibian an expectant first-time-mom. I've enjoyed checking in on Sabrina the last few months. She's also got a food blog that I've made visits to only a couple of times because I've been too nauseous to really enjoy reading it, but now that the nausea is minimal, I'll be prowling her food blog more often (I'm thinking this crepe recipe will need to be made this Saturday morning). Anyway, I digress....

She did a post on her top early pregnancy tips - and I was inspired to do my own.

Here it is, Lexy's Surving Pregnancy 101: Week 18 - You WILL Live to See It!

• Always, always carry something edible with you wherever you go. Granola bar, fruit snack, little candies, crackers, grapes, an apple - any or all of these. It's surprising how quickly your blood sugar levels fade when carrying a little babushka. Even more surprising when you open your eyes after fainting in public. *Also recommended: a bottle of water, get over the whole toxic plastic first-time-pregnant worry wortedness and do yourself a favor, by carrying around water. Hydration hydration. 
• Take your prenatal vitamin at night. If you haven't heard this bit of advice yet, I'm shocked. And if you can't handle that nasty $4 prenatal vitamin from Wal-Mart, try doing a Flintstone Vitamin Complete with Choline. It's got almost 100% of all the vitamins and minerals you need, including iron. It's not that much more expensive and even though it tastes over-the-top sweet, somehow it's easier on the stomach and you get to chew it before your swallow. 
• Take a Unisom every night - particularly if you suffer nausea anytime of the day. Some magical ingredient in it not only helps you get a more restful sleep (in-between those four nightly potty trips) but helps with all-day nausea. I wasn't completely convinced, but there have been a couple of nights (like on vacation) where I forgot to take it and paid the price the next day. Read: upchuck. 
• Don't make reading baby forums a part of your daily routine - at least until you are 14 weeks along. I made this mistake in the beginning, as I was experiencing new things and worrying over every single one of them. Sometimes the forums helped, but usually they just caused an ulcer and even more lose of appetite. I was particularly worried about miscarrying ... and I would read several posts about women who had miscarried in previous pregnancies, were possibly in the process of miscarrying ... or were also as crazy worried that every little thing (like one day without nausea) meant they were going to miscarry. It made me feel like my chances were more like 50% instead of the 15-20% that it actually is. 
• Keep quilts available for your baby daddy - no matter what season it is. This is particularly important if you have air conditioning. Don't feel too bad about freezing out your significant other, your oven is seemingly running at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to cook that little growing bun, but you could do him the courtesy of making sure there's a cozy quilt near the couch. We've got a stack! 
• Worshiping the Porcelain Throne is not mentioned as a sin in the Bible - I guess this isn't really a tip, but I just wanted to reassure you that it's going to be okay. And it's okay to pray while hunched over the toilet. It might actually help pull you through. 

For more tips visit Sabrina's post.

Now sing it with me......

"i'd thank my lucky stars"

Eric and I took a field trip over to the Tri-Cities yesterday.

I now firmly believe that baseball is the most American sport.

From the hotdogs, to the anthem, to the Boy Scouts everywhere, to the crowd singing along with Lee Greenwood, to the complimentary post-game fireworks. I think I felt more patriotic than on the 4th of July.

Here's a photo recap:

In real life, Eric's head is not twice the size of mine.
That's why I've agreed to have his babies. 

Eric's not a fan of this photo. But, it shows that we indulged in an American staple while watching an American past-time. Nevermind that the hotdogs were reportedly "Hebrew International." That's besides the point.

 

This was an awesome spot to have put a ball field. It is north of the river and overlooks the cities. It was beautiful.

Mmmm. Huckleberry ice cream during the 7th inning. 

The Tri-City Dust Devils pulled out a 7-0 victory. And we got to see some great fireworks. 

I failed to mention that Grandpa Lee sent us away from California with more than an appreciation for great fruit. He sent us home with treasures, including this electric guitar for Eric. While in Tri-Cities Eric bought an amp at a good deal from a guy. So, even though we got home at 11:30pm, he had to test it out. 

And that's the recap. It was a nice little date. We've now been to a football, basketball, hockey and baseball game. What's next? (Besides me receiving a nomination for "Best Wife Ever.") 

Faces

I made Morgan come to Pendleton to pick up some DVDs she wanted to borrow. I also made her be my lunch date. She brought me and baby treats (sorry Eric, she doesn't like you I guess) from Peru. A neat leather like bracelet, a rock from the top of Machu Picchu and a really cute llama finger puppet for the babester. She also made me a yellow and green hat similar to the one she's pictured in. I returned the favor by making her hug the big cowboy boot outside the Chamber. It was nice to see Morgan and be able to catch up a little bit. And thanks for the many gifts! 

And here's the huz. I can't remember the last time he shaved. And this was taken two days ago. He's a cutie pie! 

Oh, and I really am hesitant to put these next two photos up, because what girl likes to put a side profile pic of their whole body up online? But I thought I would. Not quite a baby bump I guess, but I've only gained 1/2 pound so I can't just be putting on fat, either. Hopefully it'll become more distinguishable in the next couple of weeks. And sorry, about my missing head. It's hard working with self-timers.

6 Weeks

17 weeks

Well, I am off now. I got a new 'Fit & Firm Pregnancy' exercise DVD I want to give a whirl, plus we're headed to Tri-Cities this afternoon for some minor league baseball & fireworks. 

Have an all-American weekend! 

Cannonballs

Yesterday was another routine doctor's appointment. 

I was weighed.

I was measured. 

I was found wanting
...

to eat. 

And we heard our babushka's heart rate going nice and strong. 

We also scheduled our next ultrasound for August 31st. 

So make your final guesses now

Boy or Girl

?

But arguably the best thing about yesterday's appointment? Mr. T (aka my baby doctor) officially okay'd cannonballs in pools, lakes and other watery venues. No hot tubs, not water slides, but this mama can still do cannonballs! 

Oh the simple things. 

I had to ask after scowls and scolding from my baby daddy during last week's Lougee Family pool parties

(I accidentally typed "poop parties" there and thought about leaving it, hahaha)

 at the hotel during the reunion. 

And yes, I know you're still highly anticipating Vacation Part II: Lougee Lovefest. 

That might not happen for a few more days. Sorry! 

Vacation Part I: California Dreamin'

Today is our first day back home in the Herm. That means one thing - laundry. So, in between loads I'll try and get you caught up on our last 11 days. 

Wednesday after work, we headed down to Prineville, Oregon. About 3 1/2 hours from Hermiston. It was a gorgeous evening. 

So excited to be on vacay! 

The next morning we left bright and early and continued south. There wasn't a highway we encountered that didn't have a "road construction ahead" sign. But, I jumped outta the van and had Eric snap this shot - we were supposed to be following a pilot car through a construction zone. Oops. 

At a pit stop in a very long day of driving 713 miles, Eric had to hug a palm tree. That hippie.

We finally arrived at my Grandpa Lee's in Porterville at about 10pm and promptly hit the sack.
The next morning we woke up and Grandpa took us to the Sequoia National Forest. We went from 500 feet elevation to somewhere around 6,500 feet in elevation. The road we took was very narrow, full of switchbacks and not at all the kind of road a pregnant person who is prone to motion sickness would ideally take. In fact, halfway up the mountain I requested a brief stop in which I lost my entire breakfast. 

We reached a place called Bulch Park and were finally able to explore some of the mammoth trees. Here is Grandpa's trusty Buick next to a fallen Sequoia that you can climb all around and in. 

Eric followed my surprisingly limber grandfather down into the tree. I was still feeling shaky and didn't trust myself to leap down 8 feet into an ancient sequoia tree. This sounds like the beginning of a book I read in the sixth grade... 

Oh, you know, just me by a tree... GIANT! 

The inside of previously mentioned fallen tree. 

Mr. Lougee with 'Lady Alice.' 

Me with Grandpa Lee by one of two beautiful little lakes. 

We took a short hike to these old Indian baths and grinding stones. The Indians ground out holes of various sizes to both bathe in as well as use to grind up various foods and nuts. 

Apparently these rocks have magical powers to bring out the Indian Warrior in you, randomly.

This is Eric entering a tree in which a couple actually lived for many years. Check out the junk in that trunk!

We finished Friday off with a swim in Grandpa's pool and a BBQ - including some of the best corn on the cob I've ever had, as well as vanilla ice cream with freshly picked strawberries. The produce in California is amazing. Really. 

Saturday, we were able to attend the Fresno Temple with Grandpa. It was a really special experience and I appreciated the opportunity to share it with two important and admirable men in my life. 

Saturday, we had another BBQ featuring amazing tri-tip steak, more corn on the cob and delicious potato salad. I also gorged myself on the biggest blackberries I've ever seen! Then Eric and I hit up HP7 Part 2 while the old folks tucked themselves into bed. 

We left Sunday after attending Sacrament Meeting, in which my Grandpa was released as 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric and called as 1st Counselor. We were also able to be there when the Stake President set him apart, and that was neat. We changed our clothes, hit the road and about 30 miles down the highway, we spotted a flea market of some kind. We pulled off and discovered it was this big spanish market. We stayed for an hour, just taking in sites and sounds. 

Fresh fruit.

I tried to convince him to buy a cowboy hat, but he shyfully refused. Bummer, cuz I think he's totally pulling off the reggae, cowboy look. 

I got a churro. 

Eric ate intestine tacos. He's gross. 

 We continued north until we reached Castle Sprags State Park in Northern California. We registered and were then informed that a mother bear and cub have been in and out of the park. Peaceful dreams! 

We chose what we thought was a quaint quiet camp spot. But really it was infested with ferocious, human eating mosquitos. Eric must've gotten 15 bites while setting up the tent.   

Matchy matchy!  

It was a beautiful area, right by Mt. Shasta. 

In the little town nearby, we spotted a cool old "California Theatre." 

Then we caught a few, very few zzzz's as I was terrified of being ripped out of my tent by an angry momma bear - and in the middle of the night a tree came crashing down just above our campsite.

Stay tuned for Part II: Lougee Lovefest