2D - 3D - 4D

It can be fun/funny being a first time parent and discovering all the things you don't know. Here's our latest assumption...gone wrong.

So of course when Charles and I were given the opportunity to find out the gender of our kid, we passed. Well, we passed with the assumption that if we wanted to find out later (during another ultrasound) we could. Several weeks ago, Charles asked me when I wanted to find out the kid's gender. I hadn't even thought about it because I was doing just fine with holding out, but his inquiry made me think his patience might be wearing off.

At my next appointment (which he couldn't join me on), I met a new doctor and as she reviewed my file, she said to me "Is it right that you didn't find out the gender." I said yes and she proceeds to explain that she didn't see any notes about the gender and that's why she asked. She then says in other words, no one knows so that way there is no potential for some one (dr. or nurse) to accidently let it slip. Ok that's cool. Then I asked, if we wanted to find out later, when could we do that? I was expecting her to say "Oh around month 7"... however, she said "through 3D." Well I know that 3D is a special appointment and an additional fee (which is fine), but in the back of my mind I was like "no more routine ultrasounds?". Surely that's not right. Last ultrasound at 3/4 months? Come on.

So several weeks later, I proceeded to call the drs. office to confirm. Sure enough the nurse said the only time they would do another ultrasound is if the kid is breeched or if they need to review something. WOW!!! OK! So then I started looking into offices (other than my drs. office) that did 3D/4D ultrasounds. The pictures and the detail of the kids on the web look so cool and interesting, that I almost got suckered in. I mean talk about meeting the kid before it really arrives. Then I thought...what about the art of surprise? Right when the kid is born. What did I do? Tell Charles. What did Charles say? So when you gonna do it? Huh...wait I'm still not sure. So we joked about him finding out the gender, but not telling me. I'll be honest...he would really keep it from me. Needless to say this topic is still up in the air. More so with Charles than myself.

In the meantime, here's a 2D pic of the kid. Everybody say "Hi Kid!" Uhhh for those who are not familiar with looking at these type pictures, the head on the right - body in middle - you can't really see legs.

Clothes

Now most of you know shopping (mainly for clothes) is something that I ENJOY! However, "our kid" stepped in real early and lessened that desire a little. I can remember during the first months of pregnancy, wanting to go shopping, but my thought process said..."For what?" I didn't really NEED anything and with a growing stomach coming, I would be wasting money (not cool). The majority of my clothes still fit and hopefully by the time I was bigger, it would be spring/summer and I already have plenty of free flowing dresses that would work. So each time I had a shopping desire I just talked myself out of it. "It's too cold; Gas is too high; I don't really feel like walking; I don't really feel like being around a lot of people; I better save this money; and on and on."

And then came the day when jeans (which I generally only wear on weekends) became uncomfortable. ARE YOU SERIOUS? Does this mean I'm gonna have to get maternity jeans? I'm not ready to go in "that" store. Someone suggested I buy a "Belly Band"...a WHAT? I still haven't wrapped my head around it, but apparently it's a band that allows you to wear your regular pants unbuttoned, but keeps them in place. It looks like a white ace bandage around your waist/stomach. Uhhh, yeah I don't think that's gonna work for me. You won't have me out somewhere and the "Belly Band" feeling like it's been stretched just a little too much and fail on me so my pants end up at my ankles. COME ON!!! So my solution became..."Thank God for leggings."

Finally, came the weekend when I realized I had lost the fight. "Charles, I need to go to the mall because I'm gonna have to give maternity pants a try." So off we went. I found the small maternity section in Macy's. Looked at the dress pants, stood confused about the size, but then headed to the dressing room. O-M-G!!! OMG!!! These pants were so comfortable I thought I had just won the lottery. What a dummy I was for holding out for so long. I'm looking at myself in the mirror in amazement! These things feel GREAT!! I couldn't wait to find Charles and share my excitement. He looked happy for me, but was like "all that time and you only got one pair." Really, Charles it's Macy's and of course I was in other sections seeing what I can see. But no worries my brother, because we haven't even gotten to "the" maternity store yet. Went there...SCORE AGAIN! And I even purchased a pair of jeans.

Currently, I have only purchased one maternity top. Why do all of them have to have that line right below the breast, that emphasizes the stomach and tie in the back? Yeah...I'm not a fan. I did see a shirt online (that was sold out in my size) that said discreetly to the side "Clearly not a secret." HAHAHAHAHA!!! Love that! Anyway...No problem, I have my bottoms and I'm good to go. Still looking forward to spring/summer dresses, but my next purchase is a pair of maternity skinny jeans!

So to all of my friends who will one day be "prego", don't be afraid of maternity pants! I have tested that water and you should DEFINITELY DRINK.

The beginning of the reason I needed new clothes. I think this picture makes me look bigger than I was. This was early March.

Thank goodness!

Catch Up!

Even though I'm beginning at 5 months, doesn't mean I won't give a few details about months 1-4.

It was Dec. 2 (bday of Kristen from our wedding), that I took a pregnancy test and the results prompted me to call the doctor. I called the doctor after I got to work and they scheduled my appointment for that afternoon. GEEZ...that was fast! I did everything they asked of me and then sat on the table alone waiting for the practioner to come back. She knocked on the door, came in and then peeped around the curtain as if she was trying to dodge a bullet and said "It's positive" in a very mild confusing voice. I think I was looking at her "like lady if you don't come from around that curtain, looking silly." Then she said, "Is that a good thing?" and I said with a slight smile "Yeah it's cool!" She said before you leave they will schedule your nurse's talk, first appointment, ultrasound and then next appointment. I told the lady, "Clearly I have no idea what I'm getting myself into...when it comes to all these appointments." She laughed. I mean really, I go to the doctor when I HAVE to and that's it. So in addition to getting ready for a kid, I have to get used to comin' up in here on the regular. OK...Whatever it takes! After confirming with Charles the results of the appointment, I only told one other person. Someone who has no real connections to any of my other people so I knew they wouldn't tell. This person will remain nameless just in case I need them to hold on to other information in the future. Shout out to you!


In this picture both lines are clearly shown, but on the morning I took the test, one was a little more faint than the other. Thankfully, I never experienced morning sickness. I might have had a morning that was uncomfortable, but nothing to ever slow me down. Pass me some ginger ale and crackers and let's keep it moving. I think my mom said she had some, but shout out to Mrs. Lydia who didn't. Now early early in the morning (like 2/3am) I would get hungry and need a snack. Charles the Great would go downstairs and bring something back for me. Apple, pretzels, crackers, fruit cup, any one of those would do.

I did experience several other types of bodily discomforts, but I'll spare you that information. I mean it wasn't really gross, just annoying when you don't experience it often.

Baby vs. Kid? So you might be saying to yourself, why does she keep saying kid? Baby is so common. Babies are cute, soft and delicate. Kids are COOL!!! Hahahahaha! You don't normally start calling kids cool until they are older...I'm starting now.

Let's Begin at 5

Charles and Tameka sitting in a tree,
H-u-g-g-i-n-g
First comes love, then comes marriage,
Then comes "the kid" in a baby carriage.



And that's where we are...
We're baaaaccccckkkkk...with the blog for our next exciting stage in life. THE KID!!!

Somewhere in my mind a while back I told myself that people wouldn't know I was prego until I was 5 months. I said that date on the random, but guess I was right. Well most people do know now, but we can start the blog at 5 months. The blog has kind of been "our" thing since the beginning so let's keep the party going.

So let's answer the popular questions that everyone ask right way.
When are you due? --July 26
Do you know the sex? -- No. We passed on that opportunity on Valentine's Day.
Are you excited? -- Come on now...it's Charles and Tameka! Of course, in our own little laid back way.
What did Charles say? -- After I showed him the pregancy test, he asked "What does this mean" (the strong solid line and light coloring of the other line), I nicely tossed him the directions for him to read on his own. Then he said "Ok, I'll believe it when I see it." HAHAHAHA!
What did your parents say? -- We told our parents on Martin Luther King Day (holiday) over the phone.
Allens - Well I made sure both of my parents were on the phone and after I told them, my mom said "Are you joking" and I nicely replied "I have better things to joke about." Throughout the years and these recent joyous occassions my mom has nicely tapped into my laid back sense of style. So she offered her congratulations in a very calm and controlled manner. What she did when she hung up????? Couldn't tell ya! But she left the loud joyful expression to my grandma who yelled "WHAT" in my ear. Either she didn't get the calm memo or she was clearly taken by surprise. Now my dad, was silent and while he might have said something before, all I remember him saying is "You got morning sickness?" HAHAHAHAHAHA! No dad! Now that I think about it I do remember him saying Congratulations before we got off the phone. Only to be followed the next couple of conversations with jokes, jokes, jokes. Good ol' B-O-B style!

Whitakers - Charles' mom was THE VERY FIRST parent to answer the day our calls began. So Charles is talking to her (on speakerphone like always) and he's having a casual conversation until he says "Tameka has something to tell you." My eyes popped out of my head as I looked at him like "really Charles". So I get on the phone and I tell her, "We're gonna have a baby (or did I say kid)." She was very excited, but in no way loud or "extra". She also knows the type of people she was dealing with. I think Mr. Whitaker was out working, but she said she wouldn't tell him. So Charles and I were gonna wait a little bit until he got off work, but about 10 minutes later guess who was calling us? HAHAHAHAHA...Mr. Whitaker. Charles and I just laughed. When Charles answered I think his dad said "Your mother told me to call you" (Well she kept her word and didn't tell). So I'm just sure Charles is gonna tell his dad, but after a little small talk what does Charles say..."Tameka has something to tell you." REALLY CHARLES!!! So I share the news and after a "Oh that's great", I think I remember hearing "Yeah it's about time"

I have to admit that while both sets of parents may have been waiting for us to have a kid, they never pressured us more less said anything about it. For that we are VERY APPRECIATIVE!

Now other family members and friends got told later or you might have just found out and your mouth is still open. Understand this...a whole bunch of screaming and hollering in one week is a little too much. I prefer small doses. Remember who I am and don't be offended by my laid back nature.