Expectations & Surprises

Lately I've been pondering pregnancy & starting a family. I had many expectations and preconceived notions going into it (no pun intended!) and now I've learned that many of my presumptions were completely wrong! A few things I've learned...

- Everyone is different: every(woman) carries different, looks different and feels different. I've gotten really used to hearing "you don't look THAT pregnant!"At first it was annoying because I wanted to look pregnant and be acknowledged for the "work" inside that was going on, but now that I am 2 weeks away from my due date and looking pregnant but not "huge" I am OK with it. And, I know that my body is doing what is best for me/us.


- That our bodies really are meant to do this! I never imagined it would feel so natural, and that I would feel so GOOD!

- That I would be able to exercise as much or as long as I have. I know this isn't universal, so I do feel fortunate to be able to keep moving. I've really enjoyed trying new things too like yoga and water aerobics.


- There are many things that you NEVER hear about until you are pregnant (unless you work the medical field, perhaps): all of these little embarrassing and funny physical or hormonal things that happen... and some weird and painful things too... stuff that when they happen you turn to your partner and say "YOU did this to me!!" (I was guilty of saying this to Eric after the "video night" in our child birthing class)

- That relationships change - this was scary at first (would friends still call to hang out? how would it impact our marriage?). And what I've learned as that most of our relationships are enriched by this journey-- and the friendships that aren't meant to be right now may fall away or change. And that is OK (and maybe down the road they will form again). After all, lives and relationships are always fluid, we are ALL always changing...

- That you dont really get to "eat for two". Major bummer! All you really need is 200-300 extra calories a day.

- That the support we've had from family and friends makes me feel loved every single day. This one wasn't a surprise, but I feel fortunate to have such a wonderful support system

Bellyland: 37+ Weeks

Me at 37 weeks (and 3 days) -- less than 3 weeks until my due date!

Lodi's Saturday Morning

Lodi's in "dog-heaven" today. His Saturday morning included a run with Eric down to Carkeek Park to play in the ocean, a delicious breakfast of kibble and lots of lovin' from mom & dad. His coat is nice and shiny from the salt water. Now he is asleep on his doggy bed, all worn out from an awesome Saturday morning!

Bellyland: 36 Weeks

36 Weeks (4 weeks until my due date!)The baby, and my belly, are going through a growth spurt as the baby gains weight and prepare for the outside world. He's moving a lot these days, and you can even see his movements from the outside (kind of creepy but cool!). He especially responds to sweets and sparkling water, and to our voices.

Bellyland: 34 Weeks

34-Weeks (7.5 months) belly shot: only 6 more weeks until my due date!
I'm still holding up great, staying active, and plan on working as close to my due date as possible.
The weather in Seattle has been absolutely beautiful the last few days, and on Saturday we enjoyed the sunshine by smoking ribs & pork shoulder all day. Lodi (our dog) helped too:

Bellyland: 32+ weeks

32+ weeks (less than 2 months to go!)

Annual Winter Get-Away

Last week Andy and Michelle flew in from from Utah for our 4th annual February visit! We had a wonderful long weekend. On the agenda was Seattle site-seeing, wine tasting in Woodinville, a few gourmet meals, snowboarding at Stevens, a night at a cabin near Leavenworth and homebrewing a Kolsh. It was a great mini-winter-get-away! I didn't take a ton of pictures, but here are a few from Woodinville:

Me & Eric at Chateau St. Michelle (me: 32 weeks/7 months pregnant):

Andy & Michelle at Mark Ryan Winery (our favorite winery of the day!):

Me & Michelle at Bookwalter Winery (don't worry folks... I'm just holding Eric's glass here...)

Cheers to good friends!

Showering of love for Mini-Merhar

Last Saturday my good friend Beth hosted a baby shower for me, and it was so incredible to celebrate with such a wonderful group of ladies. They definitely showered mini-Merhar with love and generosity!

Beth created these amazing mobiles for decorations, and as a gift for the baby's room. They will go perfectly in the nursery: Me, Mom, Janai & Lisa:And, me with Debi (Eric's Mom)
More pictures of the shower via picassa (click on the photo below)

Baby Shower 1-23-10

Bellyland: 29 Weeks

Things in bellyland are going well. I'm 29+ weeks along (about 2.5 months until my due date!).

I've been feeling great, and the doctor says the baby is also doing well: he is normal/large in size, his heartbeat is strong & he's moving and kicking a lot these days! I've been feeling healthy and strong, with only minor backaches. I'm keeping active with daily walks with our dog, swimming laps 2-3 times a week and prenatal yoga (talk about a lot of bellies in one room!); all of these seem to help with the aches and pains, and should help minimize them as I(we) continue to grow!

Here is the latest belly shot at 29 weeks+3 days:
I've still been hearing that I'm not showing very much for being in my third trimester, but the Doc says this normal, especially considering my height. But not being huge? "I'll take it!"

We've also picked out a name for the little tyke; but we've chosen to announce it after he is born.

IPA for our baby boy (well, more for us)

Yesterday we went to Cellar Homebrew to pick up ingredients to brew an IPA. If all goes according to plan, it will be ready to drink when my son is born! It's going to be a rye IPA with loads of citrus hops. With any luck it will be 6% ABV grapefruit bomb! Yum.

In lieu of the occasion, I'm sampling some of the standard-bearers of the style: Bear Republic Hot Rod Rye IPA, Lagunitas Hop Stoopid IPA, and Ninkasi Total Domination IPA. Now, the only rye IPA is the Bear Republic, but the others are darn tasty and I couldn't pass them up. All are north of 8%, so my beer will be the weenie of the bunch, but I'm ok with that. I'm looking forward to sharing it on our boy's b-day. Just be sure to save one for momma, she deserves it!