I am Ironman!

What a wonderful Birthday! Yes, I know it is just a few days away from Christmas, but I had to share with everyone just how excited I am to break out my gift from my parents. The BOB Ironman Jogging Stroller (I may not compete in the Ironman, but now I will sure look cool). This bad boy has adjustable tracking, quick-release wheels, easy-folding design, high pressure 16 inch road tires, suspension system, and pretty much a title that says "yes I'm a badass" when running with it.

Yeah that's right. I am pretty excited about my new toy. It is of course still in the box, but once I feel comfortable running again, it will become my newest training tool. Ryan is a little bummed that it has a weight capacity of 70 pounds and he can't go for a ride too. But then again, I'm sure he will feel jealous about all kinds of toys the baby will have that he cannot fit into.

Which btw...I am now into the DOUBLE DIGITS (88 days left!!!) in the countdown to Baby Gapp. A Whoo Hooo.

Oh to be Thankful

So, my good friend Tori wrote in an email the other day, "I can't believe you are going to be parents?!?!" Hold it up there...Parents?!? What a surreal word right now. Its kind of like when you finally get use to introducing your boyfriend as "your finance", and then you jump to "husband". Its a big step....Huge. And often catches you off guard the first few times. Obviously we have said now for 6 months (technically 24 weeks and 3 days...Gee...I'm not counting) that we are expecting a baby...having a baby...And Its a boy. But I am slowing making the transition to...I will be a mother...We will be parents....our son. It is just very surreal, but yet a wonderful realization.

Lately, I have been talking with Ryan about how some women say that they LOVED or LOVE being pregnant, and I sometimes wonder, "jigga WHAT?? " I don't think I am in 100% in LOVE with being pregnant, but I am 110% in LOVE with the outcome. Honestly, I have had a hard time with the whole waiting game (and most who know me probably say, "who you, Kathy? Impatient? nah!!!). But this is how it goes: You wait until you can tell everyone. You wait until 12 weeks when the chance of miscarriage has decreased. You then wait until 20 weeks for the BIG ultrasound to find out if its a boy or girl. And now you just wait!! And yes there's the food cravings, random mood swings, spontaneous crying, itching skin from stretching, fear of stretch marks, peeing 14 times during the night and 48 times during the day, clothes not fitting, and my favorite of the week...heartburn.

However, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I would take a moment to appreciate all the things that I LOVE about being pregnant. (Because really, I do love it...so I don't want everyone thinking I am a miserable mess here!). But I LOVE feeling him kick. It makes me smile every time and even makes it hard to pay attention at work. I love that Ryan can now feel him kick and love seeing the surprised look on his face. I love seeing my friends and families surprised looks when they feel him kick too. I love picturing and daydreaming about what it will be like and love knowing that it is just around the corner. I love how caring Ryan has been and love knowing that he will be an amazing father. (there it is again...."father"!). I love knowing that we know he's a boy. I love going into the nursery and just looking at how it is all coming together. I love imagining the Holidays next year and can't wait for the Gappster's first Christmas. I love looking at the Toys R Us ad and looking at all the fun toys for boys that will some day fill our house. I love that we are already starting to make "family decisions" and plan more for the future. I love knowing how great our family and friends will be. I love how this baby that is not even here yet has mended so many relationships and brought my family & friends closer together. And I love knowing that he's here with me always :)

100% Baby Boy

Well, we decided to go with the popular vote on our poll and bypass the electoral process. And so...the final count is...Its a boy!!! And yes it has been recounted for assurance. We knew right away when we saw the Gator helmet and football. We figure he's ready and will fit right in with the Gapp family.

We are of course so excited! And we couldn't be more happy with the outcome. The ultrasound was a little surreal to see everything going on in there and it is still sinking in. Our family and friends are just as excited too. I think it will be quite the change for my parents to buy little blue clothes and GI Joes. After the appointment, we stopped by Target (naturally as I can't seem to go a week without stopping by my sanctuary), and bought the little Gappster his first onesie...100% Baby Boy.

I already spent the morning looking online at blue crib bedding since I now know what color to focus on. And yes, Ryan already hinted that they make Gator bedding and I quickly vetoed that idea. However, the Gappster does already have his first Bronco gear that my mom and I just couldn't resist. Let's just hope they will have a winning season next year when he gets to wear it.

And here are the remaining ultrasound pictures. Sometimes a little alien looking to those that don't see these very often. And as you can see, he's definitely working on his man parts. There's no doubt about it...We've got our selves a little boy :)

Looks like we have a little cantaloupe!! Hard to believe that I can grow fruit, huh? :) Well, only a couple more days until we know if it is boy cantaloupe or girl cantaloupe. I have a strong feeling that it is a boy now, and yes I change my mind just about every day. (So if we find out it is a girl, don't tell her that my Dad constantly already says we need to take care of his grandson!!)

One of the reasons I am leaning towards a boy (I know this logic won't make sense to most of you), but I seem to be very emotional with sports. As I posted before, I once cried during the NFL Hall of Fame show. The latest was this last Saturday. Ryan and I were watching ESPN College Game Day and they did a special on Joe Paterno (head coach for Penn State). And all of a sudden as they cue in the music, I just lose it! I immediately start crying and if my husband wasn't sitting there laughing at me, I could have lost ALL control. So there, not even being a Penn State fan, my logic leads to me a boy...well at least for today!

Counting Down the Days...

That's right...only 9 more days until we get to find out if it is a boy or girl! (Feel free to vote as I am sure it will be the most important vote of your life.) We will find out on Halloween. I wonder if we should bring a trick or treat bag to the appointment? I mean, they are going to give us quite the treat!! I am currently 19 weeks along. I seem to change my mind on whether I think it is a boy or girl just about every week. So the plus side is, at least I was right at some time!! Curious how big the baby is...Well, its the size of a mango!! And we are pretty excited about our little mango. So far we haven't felt any kicks. However, there was one night when Ryan was convinced...unfortunately it was just my growling tummy.

I have encountered my first complete stranger belly rub. Just about the most awkward thing. I can still picture him leaning over the table, his giant hand coming towards me, and in his deep slow motion voice saying, "Can I touch your belly?". Ok so it wasn't in slow motion, but it sure felt like it. But I am now getting use to the random tummy rubs and the little grins (or sympathy smiles as I like to call it) as people walk by.

Baby makes 3

Well, it's true...we will be adding a little Gapp to the family. It has been quite the ride ever since we found out about our new addition. I remember the day I got the BFP (which is Big Fat Positive for those who are not hip on the pregnancy boards and websites. That's right, I'm cool now). I wasn't satisfied with my generic brand and so I ran out to pay more bucks for the name brand, First Response I think it was. They've got good commercials, right? Something like that.

When Ryan got home I couldn't say anything except show him the 3 positive tests (yes three). He threw up his arms as if he scored a touchdown....Scoooorrrreeeee!!! (And that he did). We soon told our parents and then quickly let the cat out of the bag and told family, friends, and coworkers. Since then, it has been quite the ride. The lovely morning-lunch-afternoon-night-middle-of-the-night sickness and extreme exhaustion is pretty much gone (whew!). And as you can see from pictures, my belly has seemed to already pop out here!! None of the books ever said that it would apprear over night, but there ya go! The most shocking moment has been trying on materity pants with my Mom. For those of you who have not had to wear these yet, watch out, they are as scary as they look!! I'm not quite to the point where I need to be in a spandex waistline, so I am getting good at the "rubber band trick" to expand current pants a few inches. Quite handy actually, I will demonstrate at Thanksgiving as I am sure many could use the trick at that time.

But so far the pregnancy has been pretty typical (well from what I read....like I really know what to expect!!) I have been emotional, cried at commercials, had cravings, gagged at other foods, but have also felt so happy and excited. I think my best "pregnant day" was when I finished the last pickle and all I wanted was another. So....I drank all the pickle juice! Mmmm, my mouth still waters thinking about it. And then, I continued to sob (like the puffy red eyes, running nose, uncontrollable kind of crying) while I watched....The NFL Hall of Fame show. That's right. I think we will have a little sports lover here, because as I watched Darrell Green talk about his career with the Redskins, I had to think....who the hell is Darrell Green?!? And why can I not stop sobbing about him!

Yesterday we had our 12 week appointment and ultrasound. I think both Ryan and I got a little choked up looking at the big screen and seeing that there was more than just a bean in there. The little bugger even kicks, moves, and flings out all over the place. Amazing that I can't feel that yet, but I know that will come soon. We even saw him/her swallow and then as the nurse showed us the bladder...oops, he/she peed right then and there. The full bladder we were looking at was now a tiny dot. Makes us so proud. Our little baby can pee! lol

Well, now that I have created this site, I will keep everyone posted!!