Bed Rest it is....

Well, I have made it through week one of bed rest....only 3 more to go. I have been put on bed rest for preterm contractions and can be off when I reach 36 weeks on Feb 20th. After that, it is back to my normal pregnancy restricted life. I am waiting for that day when I can at least go for a walk. Seriously, today makes it pretty hard. Here I am sitting with the window open on this beautiful 60-degree-spring-like-Saturday just wishing I could be outside doing something. Knowing that most people I know will be taking advantage of this day some how.

But I must say that Ryan has been amazing! Taking care of absolutely everything - cleaning, cooking, shopping. Its hard for me to realize that I will not go to a single store this month...no King Soopers, Bed Bath & Beyond, Old Navy, Park Meadows mall, and NO TARGET! Probably a good thing for our bank account and probably a solution my Dad would have wished for with my mom and me.

So I am hoping for these 3 weeks to go by quickly. Thank you friends and family that have stopped by or offered to soon. I do have a line up of movies, books, and Super Mario Kart to keep me busy. Feel free to send any emails or messages!! :)

Showered with so much love

Well, we are all now set and the baby's room is 95% ready to go (yes, I promise I will post pictures soon!) But I must give a special thanks to all our friends and family that came to celebrate with us and showered us with gifts. I have everything unpacked, clothes washed and put away. By the way...the amount of tags, clips, and other security devices put on all baby clothes and toys is amazing! I swear we will be cleaning up little plastic strips forever.

The first shower was hosted by Karlyn, Tori, Destre, and Katie. It was a fabulous time, with great food (thanks again for the black seedless grapes!!), and amazing company. Seriously, I have the best girls ever!! I noticed a few things during the introduction of everyone. One, I was definitely in the minority. Only 3 of my friends have had kids and there were two with one the way. A lot of the advice was, "well, I don't have kids, but ready when you are for a girls night". Oh trust me ladies, I will definitely be taking you up on that!! But the other thing I noticed was how long I have known most of my friends. Some date back to kindergarten, middle school, high school, college, and just after. I really do have the most amazing girlfriends!! So thank you!

The second shower was hosted by my Mom, with help from Diane, Marcie, and Chris. Again, it was great to see family and friends and have everyone there to celebrate. And it is always a pleasure to get my mom's gang of friends together. Most of them have known me since I was either born or very little sitting in meetings with my Mom. So its been quite the adventure for them as well. And since most at this shower are mom's themselves, I definitely took in all the advice. And I also must say that the tear jerker awards go to Tori and my Aunt Francene! :)

Again, thanks to everyone for all your love and support!!!

Ma, There's Nothing To Do In Here

So I just saw the cutest book called, "Ma There's Nothing To Do In Here." And I imagine that the Gappster is yelling that out every day. So as I wonder what the heck is going on, I have come to two conclusions. One, he is using my bladder as a punching bag. Getting ready to flex those guns with Daddy. And two, he is finding his love for music just like Mom and practicing his Riverdance. Not that I can dance...aside from the classic running man or roger rabbit... nor do I consider myself Lord of the Dance, but I'm pretty sure that's what he is thinking. And so, maybe it is the combination of the two. Here he is, dancing to the theme of Rocky with his boxing gloves on but with his legs flying around like Michael Flatley.

Some other realizations I have come up with the last couple of weeks: One, I have surpassed the use of a napkin and graduated to a bid. Seriously, I now place the napkin on my belly after noticing that when it is on my lap, it doesn't do a darn thing! Luckily we are not the classy type and I am not dining at the Brown Palace any time soon.

Two, tights and panty hose are horrible inventions for pregnant women. And trust me, no one looks as classy as the picture to the left. I post this to give a visual, but cringe at it because there's no way I can pull off that or those heels! I am to the point where putting on socks or anything that requires two hands is quite the task. However, putting on tights...that's a HUGE project that takes at least 15 minutes. I would like to say no to the tights, but seeing how it is not only freezing outside, but I think the world would appreciate to not see my pastey-white-vericose-vein-legs! So yes, I am doing us all a favor. And I suppose you could say that I am getting my work out in for the day when putting them on.


And three, charlie horses are the worst!! Here I am, sleeping peacefully (until the next hourly bathroom break), and BAM, POW, SMACK (which ever sound you prefer) - my calf, lower calf, or arch in my foot are now curled up and unable to move! Talk about a rude awakening.

But I guess this just all prepares me for motherhood, right?? Getting food all over myself, simple tasks taking much longer, and BAM - the rude awakening and lack of sleep I have heard so much about. 65 days and counting...

Here's to 2009

Its a new year! And it is natural to make lists, get organized, and think about what I can accomplish this year. My friend Elaine has made a 101 list to complete in 1001 days. I have a rough draft but have realized that I have NO CLUE what life is going to be like after the baby is here. And so, I have a rough list of 50 things, and plan to finish the list after he the little tyke is born and I have a more realistic perspective.

The start of a new year also makes you reflect on the previous year. For starters, I feel like I was pregnant for the ENTIRE year of 2008. And so I am really hoping the next 2 months and 16 days goes by quickly...please!!

Christmas was amazing. Good family, good friends, good food, good times! However, I'm not going to lie that I am excited to not hear Christmas music anymore. I love the holidays, and I love music, but I think I just started listening too early this year. Not to mention, I cannot STAND Little Drummer Boy. I mean, if you have a drum, just play it. No need to pa rum pa pa pum sing about it. We all know what a drum sounds like.

Well, here's to an exciting 2009...we can't wait and are hanging on for the wild ride!!!

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.