Happy Valentine's Day, Poppy!

Its been a while since my last post.. so let's catch up.
I missed that entire week of work last week (not this past week, the week before, when I posted from bed). That Monday the twins had a stomach bug, so I kept my distance. Then Tuesday I got sick again, and that continued through Wednesday. Thursday I could have gone in, but big sister Mac started showing signs of the flu so again, I kept my distance. And Friday nobody was feeling well. What a miserable week.
I was, however, able to work this last week and it was certainly a challenge. I think being in preschool half the day, with new teachers and new rules and new activities, has really thrown the girls out of whack. They are far more mischievous than they ever have been, and far more whiney. Those don't go well with my fatigue/exhaustion and frequent headaches! But we managed to make it through the week.
As for the nausea/vomitting, I've done really well. I know it seems like every time I say that, I jinx myself - but I really think we're coming to the end of the yuck-phase. The meds seem to have been helping consistently, and I've thought about skipping a dose to see how I do without them, but I haven't quite mustered up the courage for that yet. We've also reached a point where eating every 1-2 hours seems to help as well. Finally. I had always heard to keep something in your stomach at all times to keep the nausea at bay - but that never did work for me in the beginning. Just in the last week or so it seems to help. Hooray! We also (accidentally) discovered that eating cantelope works wonders for my stomach!! I do believe I am single-handedly keeping cantelope farmers across the country in business. You're welcome.
Aside from cantelope, about the only other things I want to eat these days are Hot Pockets (which I never really cared for before the pregnancy!) or some combination of carbs+cheese. Usually a cheese sandwich (not grilled), a kolache (yes, my craving was satisfied last week, courtesy of my little sister!), potato and cheese pierogies, pasta... almost anything thats just carbs and cheese. Healthy, huh?
Another of my cravings has been iced oatmeal cookies, but I can't seem to find them anywhere!!! I checked at 2 different HEB's, Randall's and Target.. where have all the iced oatmeal cookies gone??? Surely they're still being made, right? I don't think its too much to ask for.. and I get seriously emotional when yet another trip ends in me going home without these precious cookies. :(

A and I have had a wonderful time reading up on all of Poppy's developmental stages, and perusing websites for nursery ideas, and daydreaming about what it will be like to have our sweet little one in this home with us. We've also had quite a time watching my midsection get a little thicker with each passing week. In the early weeks, we were both aware that any belly changes were just bloat.. but I don't know anymore. My clothes are consistently feeling snugger, and it doesn't seem to go away overnight like it used to (when it was just a 'food baby'). I wake up with a thicker middle these days, and I really am enjoying it! Its uncomfortable to finagle myself into pre-PG pants (and even some shirts!), but I am not quite ready to shop in the maternity section! It is getting increasingly difficult to get comfortable at night (or even sleep for more than a 2 hour stretch at a time), but I can't get enough of my growing belly! :) And A loves to rub on it to greet our little Poppy.

To celebrate Valentine's Day today, we decided to forgo the fancy dinner out, or date night at the movies - and instead we agreed we'd both rather relax at home and spend our free time working on the nursery. Okay, so that's not really "relaxing"... but we can do so in our PJ's, so to me, that's good enough! We hope to have the brown section (that will be below the chair rail) painted by the end of the weekend.
We thought about making big plans for VDay this year, aware that this will be our last Valentine's Day without children... but whats important to us is being together and readying ourselves for our little bundle of joy. :) I can't think of a better way to spend our day.

Now, its time for me to go wake Daddy from his midday nap and head out to Lowe's.
Pics to come soon!

Poppy, we love you so much. We love knowing you are squirming away in there, sharing this very special Valentine's Day with us. You are the best gift we could have ever hoped for, and we can't wait to "visit" with you soon! Just 9 more days, baby.. til we finally get to see your sweet little self again.