Week 19 and 20 in the life of Baby Vav

We had our last trip to the specialist in Dallas and received the all clear for baby. No omphalocele present, and no other genetic abnormalities. It was such a sweet relief to hear the doctor say our baby is coming along beautifully and growing right on schedule. Estimated at 11oz and a heart rate of roughly 153. We were also treated to quite a show from Baby V on the ultrasound. Baby V kept showing its face, and stretching its legs and arms for us to see. How amazing to be able to see so much!

Finally got the spare bedroom completely cleaned out, except for the furniture and it is now stocked with baby goodies, now we just need to decide what we want to do about nursery furniture. We are looking at using the old dresser in there as a changing table…since I hate it, and would LOVE to get rid of it =) I think one more Navy move and that thing is TOAST! So hopefully by the time Uncle Sam bids us fair winds and following skies we will get one final use out of that God awful thing. (sorry Kraig, but you know I've ALWAYS hated your old bedroom set HAHAHA)

I've been working this week at Monday Primary School here in Kaufman which I've really enjoyed. First and second grade. Felt like old times and it was nice to know I've still got it =) The faculty is great and the teachers I've met are really sweet and great people. They are talking to me about doing a long term sub assignment in the spring, but I think I will stick with daily assignments. Probably not the best thing to get tied down with during the last half of my pregnancy. Oddly enough several of the teachers I met have had their children delivered by my OB and had the same "less than stellar impression" that I had, but they assured me that she is good at what she does …just a little old school. I think she is from the era when people still smoked and drank through their pregnancies and doctors gave women water pills, and diet pills to make sure they didn't gain weight. (I saw that on Mad Men when Betty was pregnant with Baby Gene…) So I’m going to continue having a "piss off" attitude when she makes comments about weight. I have only gained 14 lbs in 20 weeks. (yes, I shared it, and yes that's the number…I feel if I announce it, I'll even have more attitude for my Doc! LOL ) Apparently the teachers I talked to were all told the same thing, and I think they look fabulous post baby.

                                                              Week 20 post run

                                                       hmm...what can I squeeze into for school today?
The biggest challenge has been finding things to wear this week. I really don't think a Tommy Bahamas draw string black skirt is going to cut it…LOL or wedging myself into old wrap dresses I wore to school back in Florida. So I finally broke down today and got a pair of dress slacks, and 2 dresses. These should carry me through the end of the school year…provided I don't turn into the stay puffed marshmallow man. All in all I've felt great these last two weeks. Still keeping up with my 3 mile runs, and making every effort to keep eating lots of veggies, whole grains, and organic meats and salmon.

Still don't think I've felt the baby move, I think it will be something grand after this much anticipation. No child of ours would dream of doing anything low key or wall flower like…I think Baby Vav will move big enough to let Mommy know that this kid is going to be someone strong enough to move mountains.

Christmas Vacation 2009

Week 17/18 in the life of Baby Baby Vavruska…Food Baby had TOO good of a time during this trip =)

Christmas Eve 2009

Well, Baby V. I can only say one thing…I hope you like to travel in the car. So far your father has brainwashed me, and two dogs into this mode of transportation. We have probably spent more time driving places than most. When you add all the dog trips, trips that involve dogs, and trips to pick up dogs…oh yeah and we squeeze in some drives to South Dakota and Florida too. We are warriors of the road…maybe that explains why your sister's full name is Whiskey Creek Road Warrior Addy Girl =) It was a great trip north from our current digs in the Lone Star State to the Promise Land - South Dakota. Here are some of the highlights of our wonderful Christmas.

Day one of our voyage we decided to stop just north of Salina Kansas. What a treat for Trigger and Addy that there was snow on the ground! They had never been in snow before, so it was a treat for all of us. They jumped in and out of the drifts…courtesy of the Best Western, and could care less about eating or the bathroom. As for myself and Baby V, we were all about a Subway sandwich and a much needed potty break. While Daddy rounded up the rascals I set up our picnic in the room. I know I've been cold a lot lately, and always want it warmer in the house, but that room was a SAUNA! Don't get me wrong, I don't want to be cold, but I'm pregnant and that thermostat was completely jacked up, oh well I thought of it as a facial. Needless to say we should have turned it off, because once the dogs piled in with us for the night we were more than toasty.

Woke up bright and early and kept to our road dirt pact-thou shalt not shower- stupid, but it's freezing outside and the last thing I want is to be stranded on the side of the road in a snow drift with wet hair. Pups hopped in and we were off on two lane roads through Nebraska. An hour into the drive Baby V was hungry, and daddy bought a cheese and cherry danish that could survive the apocalypse…ugh…I decided to peel a grapefruit. No sooner do I get started but the service engine light comes on. Great, my baby is gonna starve and get frost bite in middle of nowhere Nebraska.

(The waiting room at Ford)

Once again it pays to be nice to everyone you meet. Before we headed on the road I had new tires put on, and I gave Gerri and Mitch our service managers at Ford a plate of homemade cookies…one of the perks of the small town, they know us very well from just a few trips. They were able to help us out, and after a slight detour through St Paul, Nebraska..UBetcha! We were back on the road again and ready to eat at Mommy and Daddy's favorite Tex-Mex fast food…TACO JOHNS! Trust me, Taco Bell can just step off when it comes to a Super Potato 'Ole.

Shortly after loading up on Taco Johns goodness we were crossing into South Dakota and making our way towards Gregory, South Dakota. Home to the awesome Vavruska/Sinclair/Ulmer families. Kraig gave Baby V and momma the grand tour of the Pheasant hunting homeland which included the Gregory Gorilla High School mascot, Bowling Alley, and the Giant Pheasant! Little Baby V, this is where your Grandpa Vavruska grew up, so I'm so glad we were able to visit.

We had a great time staying with Cousins Curt, Mandie and their boys. It was a great way to start the trip. We were also happy to get to visit with Aunts Lois and Leola, and Uncles Ronnie and Larry. Just wish we had more time, but it was off to the Kinzie (sp?) Farm for Baby V's first pheasant hunt. Wow, all I could say is wow. I've never seen anything like it, and it was great to see Daddy and his cousin Curt do something they did when they were growing up. Just promise me you dress warm next time Daddy takes you. =)

We had an amazing time in Spearfish. The most snow I've ever seen. It was the worst snow they've had on Christmas since 1968. It was so bad, we had to stay home for Christmas, but we were lucky enough to sneak a quick trip to Uncle Kyle and Aunt Brandy's house to see Rylan and Kade on Christmas morning. Daddy has been getting a lot of practice and the boys broke him in really well. Made it back to Grandma and Grandpa's house just in time before the entire Interstate 90 was shut down. Snow, Snow, and more Snow! The neighbors ended up coming over and our Christmas evening was spent laughing over Mexican train dominos, Golf, and left over Shepherd's Pie…Food Baby was very happy.

Grandma V, Kraig, Rylan, and Kade in the new TeePee we got them, this thing is huge!

Kraig decides to play doctor while Rylan takes notes =)

The remainder of our snow odyssey was spent "torturing" Trigger and Addy in the snow drifts…they loved it, and watching Spearfish tunnel out from the tremendous amounts of snow. I believe it was about 26 inches we received, give or take a few…because Addy kept eating the snow…and then puking it up inside. LOL

Sadly the day always comes when we have to head back to reality. It's never easy to leave. We always have so much fun. The only thing that makes it more exciting is that the next time we are in South Dakota we will have Baby V with us!

We made it home in time for New Years, and have so much to be thankful for this year, and a whole new world of experiences to greet us in 2010!

***Didn't get the pre-school job, it's for the best. I am going to enjoy this time to prepare for Baby V's arrival and enjoy my time with him/her. When it's right for me to go back to the classroom, the right job and school will present themselves. I can't keep beating myself up over it. There is a reason for everything, and a reason that I'm taking time for my family. Thanks for all the positive wishes !

When you assume, you make an ass out of u and me… unless you think fast on your feet, and no one finds out =)

December 14, 2009


15 weeks 2 days                                                         

16 weeks today! Dec 14, 2009

Christmas Par-Tay!

Baby V's first Navy Christmas Party was a success. It was at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, and mommy and daddy enjoyed themselves. I was surprised that I still had my spunky little self full of energy and even had fun kicking my heals up and showing off my baby bump on the dance floor. It was fun watching Kraig laugh and joke with his friends while I danced the night away fueled by water and lemon.

When you assume, you make an ass out of u and me… unless you think fast on your feet, and no one finds out =)

Once a week, I peruse the job openings on the local independent school district websites. Usually I just find bus driver or crossing guard. Last week I saw "Part time finger printing clerk" I read the particulars and thought "hey, this could be alright!" So, as usual, I resubmit my app and cover letter and call it good. What's the worst that could happen, right? Well, Friday after the Christmas party we got a phone call asking when I would be available for an interview on Monday. Sweet, this could be it! Pretty happy I agreed to Monday at 9:30 and began mentally preparing for what types of questions they may ask, and how I would address the baby baby…not the food baby from a weekend of over indulging. =)

The weekend came and went, along came Monday bright and early. I did my run, showered, and ate my breakfast. I collected my errands I needed to run, and headed off to Forney. As I pulled into the parking spot and walked up to the building I paused to reflect. This was my fourth time coming here for one thing or another. Would this time be different? I just got comfortable with not having a job, would today be the day I get one?

I took a deep breath and walked in. The receptionist greeted me with a huge smile, and oddly enough both our names are Pam, and our husbands are from South Dakota…DING!!! Is this a sign?! We chatted until I was called into my interview, I was greeted by the human resources manager and taken into a cozy office. As I entered I noticed someone else at the table…hmmm "Why do you need two people to interview candidates for a 9 hour a week, part time, finger printing job?" I sat my naïve self down at the table and waited for the interview to begin. They led off with questions about my experience with children. I thought, okay maybe since this is a school district, they want to make sure all their employees have a rapport with children and young people. So I answered the question. Then they asked about my teaching experience. I thought, well I guess they read my resume, and were curious to hear about my work experience. Again, what does this have to do with fingerprinting?!

My red flags went into overdrive when the HR manager apologized for not mentioning that the other person at the table was a principal from one of the elementary schools…WHAT?! My mind quickly changed gears, this is a teacher interview! When I was contacted on Friday, there was no mention of this. I ASSUMED it was an interview for the finger printing job since it was the last one I applied for on the web site. OMG!!! Then they revealed it was for a pre-k teaching position that would be starting at the end of January. We continued the interview, we were laughing, and enjoying ourselves. Before I knew it, 45 minutes had passed and I was on my way.

I still haven't quite processed what happened, but man! If I get that job, it would be great, but now I have a whole other set of things to think about…stay tuned!

Now off for some delicious pulled pork tenderloin and cheese enchiladas...... Ricotta Cheese is the key!

Turkey Day and Week 14 in the life of Baby Baby

14 Weeks and 3 days A.F.B. - After Food Baby


Today is a COLD, WINDY, and WET day. Parts of North East Texas even saw snow! That's something this Florida girl is not used to. Needless to say, I think being pregnant during the winter and spring is probably the way to do it. It's much more fun bundling up in fleece, sweat pants, hoodies, and furry boots than sweating my butt off - Wait a minute, sweating my butt off might not be so bad as I watch the scale head in a direction I've never been a fan of. =) Which leads me to Thanksgiving…

We had a great Thanksgiving! Our close friend and "adopted son" Brian aka Raf spent the day with us, and helped supervise the Turkey frying along with Kraig…with a little liquid courage of course. None for mommy this year, but it's well worth it. =)

Many of us have fried a turkey or had them for Thanksgiving, and I must confess this was our first time doing it ourselves and it was HEAVENLY! So easy to cook, and it just melted in our mouths. Our good friends Chad and Sherri Boyd were the first to cook them for us, and we are now hooked! Of course we had all the traditional trimmings, and as usual I tasted too much as I cooked. My appetite was pretty nonexistent come dinner time. Not one to be a quitter, I made sure I claimed Baby V's share and Food Baby and Baby Baby were quite pleased. =)

Appointment with Dr. Angie aka Elvis Doctor was routine…Thank GOD! After the last few tense ones I was ready for a quick trip in and out. They were able to pick up Baby V's heartbeat with the doppler and it was the sweetest sound ever! 150bpm, and my eye makeup turned me into a raccoon or an Alice Cooper wanna be. =) Elvis told me I was doing great with my weight, blood pressure, etc. I did have to remind them that Thanksgiving was last week, and any transgressions regarding weight must be forgiven. I mean, come on! I can't let homemade apple pie go to waste, and you know my Grandma Doleman taught me how to make it right with lard and butter =) HEAVENLY!!!

Much to my surprise I had only gained 2lbs since last month and that is just fine by me. I'm beginning to hate those stupid books and weight calculators by now. To heck with'em! As long as I can still wear my jeans, and I'm exercising I'm doing great. Whoever said you only need to gain a couple pounds in the first trimester obviously doesn't know how to cook =) …(just kidding, I'm just incredibly Blessed to have not been sick at all…and have an insatiable appetite for burgers)

Sweaty Miss Yetti ! Ugh, but that's the Naked Belly after a run =)

Much better after I hit the showers!

Pecans Roasting in a Toaster Oven

For the last week Kraig's Food Baby has been craving roasted pecans like our friend Pat makes.  I haven't had these in forever, and not being one to deny my sweetie's cravings I got on it! =)
Pecan's are a great thing for expectant mothers to eat.  According to the Georgia Pecan Comission...

"In fact, women getting the least amount of vitamin E during their pregnancies were five times more likely to have children with asthma symptoms by the age of 5 and three times more likely to have children who experienced wheezing, compared to women who got the most vitamin E.

Unlike vitamin supplements, which contain a form of vitamin E known as alpha-tocopherol, pecans and other nuts are rich in gamma-tocopherol, a powerful antioxidant.

One ounce of Georgia pecans provides almost 7 milligrams of gamma-tocopherol, making them a top source of vitamin E in the diet.

The recommended intake of vitamin E is about 20 milligrams a day.

The researchers suggest that vitamin E may help reduce asthma by having a positive effect on the developing immune system of the fetus."

I usually keep dry roasted, or raw mixed nuts in the car just in case I need a quick snack.  Now I hope my Baby Baby will be able to wrestle these goodies away from Kraig's Food Baby.

My Baby's Keepers

Addy Girl and Trigger are my first babies, and are the keepers of my Baby Baby.  Not a moment passes when one or both of them are close by or on top of me protecting little Baby Vav.  It is the sweetest thing ever and I know that once the baby comes, I wouldn't be surprised if some how, some way...there will be Trigger and Addy hair on it. 

The Food Baby Trinity for the Real Baby

Okay, it's a little ridiculous...but those who know me will laugh about how some how or some way our conversations always turn to poop =).  Since I've been pregnant that had been my only source of discomfort...constipation.  I have been great otherwise.  No nausea, no extreme fatigue, no swelling, no strange cravings.  However my saving grace has been the Food Baby Trinity...

Everyday I pay close attention to these 3 fiber power houses.  In addition to eating whole foods and lots of veggies and fruits, those stinkin' prenatal vitamins do a number on me so I gotta up the fiber exponentially...more like fiber^3 (that's a little Stanton)

Big bowl of Bran, wheat germ, flax seed, raisins, bananas, and soy milk MOST mornings...unless I get a better offer from my Hubby.

The Food Baby's Breakfast of Champions for the Baby Baby

DELICIOUS!

Now, we can't forget Food Baby's favorite healthy lunch for Baby Baby.  I usually keep a huge container of my homemade hummus on hand for veggie sandwiches or dipping carrots and celery.  I really try my best to eat as many whole foods as I can...but I can't lie the first couple of weeks all I wanted were hamburgers and fries. 

Food Baby Wrap