Doc appt. #3

Had my monthly doctor appt. today. Got to hear baby's heart beat and got my flu shot, so that's covered. I also learned that I've gained 12 lbs. In a little over 3 months. Sweet. I think you're only supposed to gain 5 or so in the first trimester so, woah, I was a little shocked. I feel pretty good though, I mean I'm walking a lot and am trying to eat healthy (despite the week or so where I went to the fair twice, indulged in cheeseburgers and KFC, etc. I think my hormones were raging. That was also before I watched Food Inc! Yikes. But I digress...) Doc said not to get too caught up in that, every woman's body is different and some gain a lot of weight early on, then plateau, others don't gain much for a long time then they gain a lot in a short period. It's all part of the journey.

We will learn the sex of baby Finnerty on Nov. 4. I wish this next month would fly by, I can't wait!

Learning to love the tunic

And leggings. This is the not-so-fun in between period. Regular pants don't fit. Maternity stuff is a bit too big. Not feelin' so sexy these days. I've bought a couple tunic style tops and I think they'll be my new best friend. Trying not to buy too much stuff just yet but isn't this one cute? (H&M worn by Kendi)

Bump Watch - not much to see!

Sorry - yeah, I'm a little excited.

Fair Day

Went to the fair with my mom yesterday and we had fun despite the rain (boo)! So much for an Indian Summer (is that even politically correct to say anymore? I don't know). Anyway, I literally ate my way through the day. Starting with a philly cheesesteak, then bacon wrapped jalapeno popper, fried pickles (well just a taste, not so sure about those), chocolate covered strawberries and fair scone. Oh, and half crusty pup on the way out! Awesome.

We ended with going to a Natalie Cole/Chris Botti show. I was honestly not to thrilled to go but promised my mom I would go with her and I ended up really enjoying it. I was on the young end of the demographic which I expected, it was pretty funny because Bill & I are always making fun of my parents for going to these 'smooth jazz' shows. But can I just say, Natalie Cole blew me away. I think she's well into in her 50's but woman is hot! She was wearing this sequined top/pants and she could've passed for Halle Berry's twin, seriously. She has a voice like honey to boot. The rain just added to the ambiance - all that was missing was a glass of wine. :) Oh well.

Meet my little jelly bean!

After 12 + weeks, I'm out of the closet. All three of you who read this blog already know that I'm preggers but hey, I have to show off my first picture of the babe (sorry for the lack of quality, iphone upload). We got to see the little one kicking his/her arms & legs yesterday. It was amazing! It's still very surreal, knowing that the little bean has formed so much yet I can't feel a thing in there and am still squeezing into my jeans, albeit with a button undone. This may be the week to pull out those bella bands.

I'm thrilled. I've wanted this for so long and am still absorbing the fact that it's really happening. But my mind is also reeling with the fact life as I know it will never be the same. I'm going to miss my freedom, my body (imperfect as it is), my alone time. I know what I will gain will be worth it 10,000 times over. I'm so grateful. But it's just so hard to imagine right now. Blogging will be a good outlet for this. I'll try to keep it updated and keep it real.

Bye for now!

Catching Up

A few snapshots of what we've been up to the last few months:

Lots of good friends (nurses!) getting married. Here's a shot with Teddy & Jesi, both work in the ICU w/ Bill.

In April, we got to spend a weekend in SF celebrating with some friends from our Baltimore days, Sean and Sonia, two of my favorite nurses.

Getting outside despite the miserable April/May weather

Serene Lake, North Cascades

Family visits - cute little Kate and her new love, Matt:

Last but not least, the hubby has finished school. Hallelujah! Never thought I'd see the day. He has to pass a state board exam this summer and then can start applying for Nurse Practitioner jobs and kiss the hospital life goodbye. Being the procrastinator I am, we will probably be celebrating in July. Trying to figure that out... for now, life just rolls on.

Here Comes the Sun.... Yikes

I was sitting at my desk Friday in a practically empty office, so excited for a sun-filled weekend when I got a phone call from my dermatologist. I had gone in for a quick screening a few weeks ago and she ended up doing a biopsy on the tiniest, darkest spot on my back. You know the news is bad when the doctor says, "do you have a minute?" It turns out the innocent little dot is a melanoma, the nastiest type of skin cancer. It is however perfectly curable with a simple procedure if you catch it early enough, which we did. I am thankful for that and so glad I went in for that screening, but am just cursing myself for the visits to the tanning salon as a teenager and all the long days in the sun not really bothering to use much sunscreen.

I think I am more bummed than anything, and it sounds ridiculous, but I don't want to be afraid of the sun the rest of my life. Nor be that person who's wearing the hat, long shirt and pants at the beach. Please! I love being outside, particularly in the summer. Sunscreen alone is not enough though. I will just have to go out before or after peak hours, and stay in the shade for the most part.

Melanoma is the most rare form of skin cancer and also the most deadly. It's the second most common cancer diagnosis (2nd to breast cancer) for women ages 30-34. To all of my fair-skinned friends, or anyone with lots of freckles and moles, please get checked! And wear your sunscreen people!