How hard could it be?

You're 14 Weeks Pregnant. Your baby measures about 3.2 to 4.1 inches from crown to rump and weighs almost an ounce. The ears are shifting from the neck to the sides of the head, and the neck is getting longer and chin more prominent. Facial features and unique fingerprints are all there. Your baby is beginning to respond to outside stimuli. If your abdomen is poked, the fetus will try to wriggle away. You're probably wearing maternity clothes - or at least looser fitting ones -- now. Your skin and muscles are starting to stretch to accommodate your growing baby and you may be constipated since pregnancy hormones relax the bowel.

Oh the stupid things men say. And I am no exception. In a conversation with some ladies at work, I joked "How hard could it be? People have been doing it for millions of years." Oh the looks I got. I get that look alot when I talk with my wife. Is this a trained skill? Do little girls take classes to know how to do that look? I think the more pregnant my wife gets the more scared I get. I think fathers get more scared then the mothers, but never say that out loud to anyone's mother.

Bills, Rain and Deliveries - Oh My!

Why is it that every time you are waiting for something it seems to take forever. Not to mention the fact that the moment you decide it's safe to go to the bathroom (which I do relentlessly now), is the same moment the phone rings or there is someone at the door? Thought of the day.

In response to my dear husband's post, Thank You love. I also wanted to convey that I love staying home, doing the laundry and taking care of the house. I really wish I could do it all year long. I loved waking up this morning, stumbling into the kitchen to see it spotless. Ahh - warm fuzzies inside.

I am so nervous for when I have to go back to work, pregnant. I know, I know - millions/billions of women have done it - I just can't picture myself doing it and being happy. Unfortunately I have no choice in the matter as I can not afford to not work. If only the lottery gods would shine on me and bring me wealth to pay off all my debts, then I could stay home, or just work a small part time job to pay the revolving bills.

On another note - the rain is killing me - literally! The junk it is stirring up has left me unable to breathe and difficulty performing any other tasks that require brain cells. If I weren't pregnant I would be hopped up on nasal spray, antihistamines and any other pill, spray or injectable that offers relief. As it is, the one thing I bought for nasal relief, doesn't have all it's parts - so back to the store I go. Nevertheless, I forgot the toilet paper yesterday so I would have to go back anyway. Guess my mind is sieve afterall.

Its a one way street.

My wife and I just got into a fight. Seems I don't appreciate all the work she is doing around the house now that she is off school. I do appreciate it. I'm happy that the house is clean, and say thank you when things are done. But seems its not enough. Or at least I don't say it enough, in her mind. But the rest of the year I am expected to have everything perfect, and if I want a little recognition, I had better tell her. So its had sometime. I don't know if is her hormones, or her just being crazy.

I love my wife. And I do poke fun at her on this thing. And half the time I post I can just see her coming and hitting me with a frying pan. But normally she just laughs and takes it all as good humor. But I guess I have been in a low mood, and it has been showing in my posts.

So I am sorry dear. Nothing is ever ment to be mean, or hurtful, but little words can sting. So I am sorry for upsetting you.

The Woman's Perspective

Okay, up until now, I could see the humor in my dear husband's posts - but today - it seems to be going a bit too far. I think he forgets (his mind no where near a steel trap either) the good times. This weekend was an example of one. We had a very relaxed Saturday, as well as an enjoyable Sunday.

What he forgot to mention was that while he was digging up the dirt in the backyard on Saturday, remnants of his patio project, I was in the garage putting together my baker's rack to store my teacher stuff. Then I cleaned that side of the garage. I think he also forgets to post all the housework I have taken on and completed while he is at work all day. The laundry is being done, the dishes being kept up, the kitchen cleaned and the rest of the house "straightened."

So, although he posts about me not being able to do anything, it's far from the truth. I choose what I want to do and what I don't. He just experiences more of the "don't wants" than the wants. I guess he is using the blog to vent into space, rather than laying it on me. I have been journaling as well, to avoid the really nasty things that float in my head from landing on him - which he definitely doesn't deserve.

Mind like a steal trap.

Your fully formed fetus, now in about its 11th week of development, measures 2.6 to 3.1 inches from crown to rump and weighs between half an ounce and seven-tenths of an ounce -- about the size of a peach. The head is still disproportionately bigger than the body, but the rest of the body is starting to catch up. In fact, your baby is growing rapidly these days. The face is starting to look more human, with eyes moving closer together. Toes and fingers are clearly separate, and ankles and wrists have formed. External genitalia are becoming visible. Intestines are shifting into their proper place, too. Your uterus is filling your pelvis now and starting to grow upward into your abdomen. It probably feels like a soft, smooth ball. If you haven't put on weight yet because of morning sickness, you'll begin to now as you start to feel better.

My wife has a mind like a steal trap. But it seems it lets the little things slip free. I've noticed that now that she is pregnant, that the little things seem to slip her mind. Is this just an excuse to forget what she has promised to me? I know how she hates when I uses that word. To her when she says she will do something for me, or do something it isn't a promise, but just admitting a willingness to try and do it, if she feels like it. But to me, don't say you are going to do something if you don't ever plan to do it. I said I would get her laundry room some walls. Even mapped everything out. But other costs and times have put that to the back burning, but it will get done, because I told her I would do it. Maybe next summer. I still need to find a weekend to get the new windows in her old house, as well as put in the hardwood floors in the guest room. Its time to get it done. I might not be able to pound it out in a weekend like I wanted, I might have to do it a few days at a time during the week. But I will see it done.

So don't say you will do something, unless you actually mean to do it. Or at least give me a time table.

Poor design.

Big head. Little arms.

We have hit the belly-size/arm ratio now. She can no longer reach the things in the upper corner cabinet. Granted she had issues before that, but now its impossible.

Hormones. I hate them. One minutes she is happy as a clam, next she is yelling, next she is crying. And that's just about the lack of ice cream. We tried to spend a nice morning putting together our new Adirondack chairs. Well, it wasn't going so well for her, and she exploded, heading back inside. Then like 5 minutes later she is back, being sweet and calm asking if she can make me breakfast. It is a very strange life I lead now,

Week 12

Your baby now measures about 2.5 inches from crown to rump and weighs between three-tenths of an ounce and half an ounce. It is fully formed, from tooth buds to toenails. Your baby's job now is to continue to grow big and strong. With the most critical time in your baby's development behind you, the chance of miscarriage drops considerably after this week. Nausea and energy start to improve but occasional headaches, dizziness and fatigue from hormone changes may be present. If it's your first baby, you still could be wearing loose-fitting clothes, but if you've had other pregnancies, you most likely are back in maternity clothes. The typical weight gain by now is about three to five pounds. Fathers-to-be might also experience pregnancy symptoms, called couvade or "hatching," during the third month and at delivery, including nausea, abdominal pain, appetite changes and weight gain.

Beacuse I'm Pregnant, Thats Why!

OK, I know she is pregnant, but how does that turn into the inability to do anything for herself anymore? I know there are somethings that will become harder and harder as she gets "more" pregnant, but wft? She is only 11 weeks and already trying to convince me to put her shoes and socks on,. Anyone else get this, "You will have to do this for our kids someday, you should get used to it." Love her lots, but I think she is taking it a little bit too far.

Trying to Breath and not Pee Your Pants.

You're 11 Weeks Pregnant. Your fetus, about the size of a large lime, measures about 1.75 to 2.4 inches from crown to rump and weighs about three-tenths of an ounce. About now the rapid "swooshing" noises of the heartbeat may be heard using an electronic Doppler device. Fingernails and external genitalia are showing distinguishing characteristics, and the baby is swallowing and kicking, although you still won't feel it. Your uterus is almost big enough to fill your pelvis and may be felt in your lower abdomen. You may also be seeing changes in your hair, skin, fingernails or toenails.

OK this is normally the time of year I wake up every couple of hours to hear my wife taking her noise spray so she can sleep. Well, now that she is preggers, she can't take anything. So she is up most of the night blowing her noise, or running off to pee. I know you hear about the pregnant woman having to pee all the time, but this is crazy. She is peeing out stuff she hasn't even drank yet. Its nuts. Trips anyplace have to include the directions to the nearest potty. Life is going to be interesting.

I'm not sure if this happens to other fathers, but I am really excited, but also scared out of my mind. I just finished reading the book Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood, and it was great, but scared the poo out of me as well. Lots of interesting tips, but also events that I really hope I can deal with half as well, or just avoid all together. Specific section that comes to mind is the fathers child gets sick, and the mother is no place around, so he has to help her. They are away from home, so he has the child visited by a new doctor, he says its chicken pox, and writes out many things to make the child better. Father is all proud, and happy. Mother comes home. And asks him a million questions that he did not ask the doctor. Mother takes child to another doctor. That doctor tells them the first doctor does not do children, and most of the meds are not ment for kids. It just makes me wonder, what role will I really have? And if I have a girl, will my role be even less? Am I just going to be that big man who keeps all the evil boys away? Am I just the money changer? Lawn Mower? Man who THINKS he is funny, but just makes them not want to bring their friends over to play? How much am I going to screw up this first kid? I guess time will be the judge.