Random Thoughts

Rich informed me that I was due for a blog update but not much is going on so you're subject to my random thoughts of the day. First, raise your hand if you are even half as excited as I am that the other Nicole is having a girl!! A GIRL!!!! How awesome is that? Too bad my boys will have to fight over her :). Nicole will be an EXCELLENT mother to a girl....but you already know that.

So here's my other random thoughts for the day. Today I'm finishing the 3rd day of my 21st week, so just over half way. I never would have guessed pregnancy was for me but so far it's been great. Here are some of the highlights:

Favorite things -

1. Baby Bargains book ($20, Target) - as a first-time mom, this book is a Godsend. However, I think it sells itself short by its name. It should be something that resembles Consumer Reports. It gives you the Cliff Notes on things to look for in baby - everything - furniture, necessities, etc; keeps you updated on recalls and helps you try to save money. Love it, love it, love it.

2. Underground parking - I dig the maternity leave at work but the underground parking priviledges is top notch - especially during the winter months! It doesn't get much better than that!!

3. Low battery in the scale - The timing couldn't be better for the battery in our scale to be losing its power. Everytime I step on it-it says the same thing...."LO". I may just have to take a picture.

4. "Be Belly" belly band ($15, Target) - I don't know when it came into this world, but right next to the Baby Bargains book, it's one of the best inventions ever! Clearly a women stepped in and developed this halter-looking belly band that has been key in helping transition from regular clothes to maternity clothes.

5. Advice and stories - I love hearing about other people's experiences and their advice. Although sometimes these stories overwhelm me (especially the "you should do this" or "you have to do that"), I've learned a lot of useful things that I will take with me forever.

6. Ultrasounds - I love getting a sneak peak at what "the kids" are doing. Even more, I love getting a healthy growth and development report! They seem to monitor twins more than single babies so we "get to" have more ultrasounds. They say that twins tend to grow at different rates particularly after 23 weeks so we'll get another ultrasound in December. I hope the boys are doing their one and only job right now - grow, grow, grow (well, and share).

7. Baby gifts - I'm not going to lie, it's fun getting miniature little outfits, books, blankets, etc. It's hard to connect the dots that these cute little things are for our babies. It's still so surreal. The ultrasound and news of two boys was a huge dose of reality but it's worn off a bit (believe it or not), so the hanging of baby-sized gopher sweatshirts helps give us cues to what is going to happen in several months, as odd as that sounds. Please, this is by no means what-so-ever a request for gifts. Believe me.

8. Nice comments about Nicole and my blog. I love hearing from people that they enjoy reading our stories. A couple have said it's weird.....so be it (maybe it's because my posts are always far longer than they need to be). It's fun to hear the positive comments - oh, and to see that we are not the only two followers! :)

9. I could go on and on but the thing I love the very most is a doting husband and dog. Okay, well Lola is not so doting but she is following me around and very loving. I feel like a celebrity. Rich, on the otherhand, has offered to do all of my ironing as long as I am pregnant (love that) and has been very good at making sure I'm taken care of. I could get used to this!! He's a great husband and will be an even better dad.

So there you have it....my random thoughts for the day.

- Nichole, with an h