Top 10 Reasons I'm Glad I'm Having Another Boy

1. No drama (especially in the teenage years)
2. When you have a boy, you only have to worry about one penis; when you have a girl, you have to worry about ALL the penises
3. Will not need to buy two sets of clothes - hand-me-downs are a beautiful thing
4. Ditto goes for toys
5. Less money on clothes and toys for kids = more money for shoes and bags for Mommy
6. My husband can take the boys away for weekend outings, leaving me to relax and enjoy peace and quiet (or a weekend with my girlfriends)
7. Boys love their mamas more than anything in the world
8. I will be Queen of the Household
9. I pretty much already know what to do
10. If one boy is gay, it's okay! The other can carry on the family name

It's DEFINITELY a Boy!!!

Innoculated!

Yesterday, I got the H1N1 vaccine, as did my son. The more research I've done on it, the more I decided that it was worth it, since a lot of people in my area have contracted it and the flu season isn't even in full swing yet.

When I was pregnant with J, I ended up getting the flu twice and it was absolutely miserable. I could not imagine going through that again, but worse.

I felt a little achy yesterday, but woke up this morning feeling fine. My son had no issues at all.

I know that there are certain people who would give me a hard time for doing it, and to them I say, it's a personal decision and everyone has to make the choice that they feel is right for them.

Top 10 Reasons I Love Working from Home

1. I can sleep until 7:59am every day
2. I get to catch up on my shows or nap during my lunch break
3. If I have to get up to pee every 20 minutes there is nobody to judge me
4. I am not as exposed to germs as I would be in an office
5. A flexible schedule
6. I can work even if my child is home sick
7. There is always someone home to take the dog out
8. It's easier to keep up with housework
9. Fewer interruptions = higher productivity
10. It's 3:48pm and I am still in my pajamas!!!

H1N1

These are crazy times to be pregnant in this world. Many of my pregnany friends (and right now, I have a lot of pregnant friends) have expressed confusion and uncertainty about whether or not to get the H1N1 vaccination.

At first, my stance was strongly against it. For one thing, it is highly experimental and they have no data determining what harm could come to an unborn baby if the mother gets the vaccine. Additionally, I took a look at my risk of contracting the disease, which in the grand scheme of things is relatively low: I work from home and have a son who is in an in-home daycare with five other kids, only one of which has a school-aged sibling.

Then, the flu started to become more widespread in my geographic area. I know people who have contracted it, and I know people whose children have contracted it. The really scary stories are starting to come out too...a friend of a friend died of it not too long ago.

So now, I am re-thinking things because I am starting to stress about it and find that when I am out in public, I am in fear of touching things. I even called my Ob/Gyn to find out when the vaccine would be available, which won't be until later next week.

In the meantime, I'm being vigilant. When I go out, I carry hand sanitizer in my purse or in my hands and apply it often. I wipe the grocery carts when shopping. I make a conscious effort not to touch anything, including and especially my face. I wash my son's hands like crazy. I use my elbows to touch doors and elevator buttons. You name it, I am doing it. Anything to avoid germs.

I am still up in the air about getting the vaccine, but every day I lean closer towards it. I will be sure it is the injection without the mercury if I do get it, and will be doing a lot of praying that no harm comes to the little one in my belly.

What Am I - 10??!?!

This pregnancy has got me reverting back to my childhood for old favorite foods...corn dogs, Spaghetti-os,Boo Berry cereal, Totino's pizza rolls,peanut butter & jelly, etc.

I swear, it's like I am 10 again!

Quickening

Nothing too exciting going on here, except that a few days before I hit 14 weeks, I started feeling the baby move. This is about 5 weeks sooner than when I felt J moving around, which is pretty cool. It seems to happen in the afternoons and at night before bed, and is more of a rolling sensation than the other ways I've heard it described. If I remember correctly, it felt like flutters when I was pregnant with J. Strange how it might be different. Anyhow, it's always reassuring to be able to feel the baby move, so I won't be so stressed at my 4-month visit on Monday.

Nothing That a Good Pair of Maternity Jeans Can't Cure!

Let me first say that I love jeans. My sister is a "denim specialist" at a high-end department store and got me addicted to premium jeans. I got my first pair of Seven for All Mankind jeans for Christmas two years ago and have gone nuts ever since. My favorites are Joe's Jeans, which fit me the best and come in petite sizes, but I also love my Sevens, Hudsons, and Rock & Republics.

That said, I have been feeling really frumpy lately because of all of the weight gain. Being in this early stage of pregnancy is tough when you look like you eat a lot of dessert, vs. being pregnant. The only pair of jeans that fit me are an old pair of size 10 Express jeans that I bought when I was pregnant with J. Worse yet, they are a light wash, which everyone knows makes you look bigger.

Soooooo, I caved and decided to splurge on a gorgeous pair of Citizens for Humanity maternity jeans. They came in the mail yesterday and I told my husband they were an early birthday present (from his mom, because she always gives cash). It seems silly to buy such an overly expensive pair of jeans that I will only wear for a short time, but, as I told my friend, C., "it's an investment in my self-esteem."

Besides, I can always sell them on eBay later and make some of the money back.

It's a ... Boy?

Since we have to wait two months for the next ultrasound, I decided to go out and buy an Intelligender test. To do this test, you have to pee in a cup and then transfer the pee to the test cup, which has little crystals in it. You put it in, swirl it around for 10 seconds, and 10 minutes later, you get a result.

According to the test, we are having a boy! It will be interesting to see if it is accurate. In the meantime, J has already started calling the baby by the boy name we selected. Not because of the test, but because it's the only name we've selected so far.

Time will tell if we need to think of more names!

12 Week Ultrasound - in 3D!