About 6 months!

Can you believe it. Austen is about 6 months preg.... So exciting. Up in that belly there is my lil fella who apparently is a kicker! Austen says he moves a lot. Also, because Austen is so lean, otherwise, I can feel him kicking too! It's awesome! I am so proud of Aus, she's kept a great weight, essentially only gaining baby weight. She's continued to workout regularly and I mean regularly for her - still doing Olympic Lifts and MetCon training. She's simply amazing. Maybe that's what Peanut is doing up in there, imitating mom... "Hey mom, look, I'm doing a power clean. OK, mom, now I'm doing Burpees! :-)" God remember when you were a kid and burpees were fun... oh the days...

Anyhow, here's a pic of the belly... growing and growing....

Much love for that there belly and girl and boy!

More pics....

20 weeks, 1 day, .75lbs: Those are Peanuts Stats! That and Healthy baby boy that is! (He actually measures 20 weeks, 3 days, which is not surprising, already ahead of the curve... Brilliant!)

Had the 20 week anatomy scan US today and sex determination - 4 out of 4 techs say It's a Boy!

Posted below some US pics.

Names

Here are a list of names that someone posted in my online community. Apparently she works at the hospital and these are some of the more interesting names that she has come across lately. This is purely for comic relief --- athough we we really love Jaxson and Gnesis. Oh, and too bad we aren't having a girl because we love S-veg Gina. 

Ariyahnah

Twins Alizabeth and Alijah

Gnesis

CiJay

Mon'Nique

Jaxson (x3)

Mikkel

Twins Kylie and Kaylie

Xzavier (must be popular - there's also a Mathias Xzavier)

Paizlee Anaiah

Khyla Cloud

S-veg Gina (seriously)

Haidyn (girl)

Kai'Li

Dereyon "Lucy" (where'd they get Lucy from?)

Jaksen

Bronze (boy)

There are 5 Brooklyns

My sweet darling wife, the vessel of Peanut! So damn cute! Isn't she the most beautiful person ever!?

19 weeks and kicking!

I have reached a milestone in my pregnancy, or at least something that I have looked forward to since the day that I found out that I was pregnant: I felt Peanut kick! On Saturday I was driving back from my cousins wedding shower and all of the sudden I felt a movement in my belly that was unmistakably a little kick from Peanut! It was so exciting. Since then, he has been moving non stop, and I love it. Every time I feel a little nudge or kick it makes me smile and it reminds me of the miracle of life that is happening inside me.

A scare and a pic

I discovered just how much I want to be a father to Peanut yesterday. We had a bit of a scare. Austen was awoken in the night by cramping, what she described as menstrual like cramping. Then again in the morning and through the early part of the morning. We were both concerned. I almost vomited my breakfast. It was at that point when I really realized just how much I love that little unborn fetus! Hell yeah! At any rate, we made a Drs. appointment immediately and they were able to see us that morning. Great news. I was stressed out the whole time. Then we had the ultrasound and all was good. Thank goodness. Thank goodness! It was relieving to hear the US tech say, everything from cervix to baby look good. It's a bit unusual to hear someone say your wife has a nice looking cervix, but whatever.. ;-)

So they also gave a sex check. It's a boy! That's now 3 out of 3 US techs that have agreed they could easily find a "3rd leg"...seriously, that's what they call it. No not a penis, a 3rd leg. It's medicine, anyhow, I digress. So it looks like Austen and I are going to be the VERY EXTREMELY OVER PROTECTIVE LOVING parents of a baby boy. 

No, that imaged does not show his 3rd leg, or at least I don;t think it stretches that far... else many of us males would be quite jealous!  At any rate, there he is - our beautiful lil peanut! He's the f-ing bomb! And so of course now the flurry of 1 question comes like a barrage of firepower from a line of soldiers: "Names?"

Sorry, folks. I think we've agreed to hold off talking about names until we decide on something that we love. We have a few we're tossing around. Maybe this will be the surprise... instead of the sex... LOL

SO there we have it - the dude!

It's been a while, 16 weeks +/- to be exact....

So, it's been a while since our last post and Aus is now a little over 16 weeks preg. She's starting to show a little, her belly basically just popped out a touch one day. It was awesome, well, easy for me to say. She's still rocking the gym (crossfitmom.com and other exercises) and working in the yard and training the dogs and... well let's just say she isn't sitting around like a lazy bum, that's for darn sure. In fact, as far as pregnant gals go, shoot as far as gals go, she's been quite active. Up at 5:30-6am for the gym, full day work, yard work, tag team training the dogs, eat (yeah we eat a lot in between all that ;-) and listening to P's heartbeat. We're exhausted. 

Both of us are getting really excited about the 20 week visit coming up, not nearly fast enough, to determine the sex and check out Peanut's little organs... we can't wait. 

We've unofficially assigned this emoticon :-P as Peanut's emoticon... and we love to use it.... 

OK, so here are a few pics of the belly emergence.....

...And whether Austen thinks it or not, she's more beautiful than ever. I know this time is a struggle for all women, you are gaining weight and that is the enemy, but not now, now it's the plan, the goal, the bomb! And to me, the larger her belly gets the better she looks.... Every time I listen to P's heartbeat (that is when we can actually find it, it's taken an hour before, but Aus has gotten so good at it; it worries me to death when we can't find it :-(  - i get the biggest smile ever! It's strange how you can already love this little thing...the vessel that is carrying it, and our growing family. We, well, basically rule!

17 weeks (almost)

I am terrible at this whole blogging thing! I think about Peanut, and talk about Peanut, and daydream about Peanut all the time, but I am just not very good about blogging about Peanut. Since I last posted a lot of things have happened. Peanut has grown by leaps and bounds and so has my stomach. I am finally showing. One of the ladies that I work with commented that she could not believe how much belly has grown since last week. I have to agree with her. The growth is pretty rapid. I hope that we do not have the beginnings of some giant 12 lb baby or something going on in there. We had an appointment at the Dr last week and they told us that everything is looking and sounding great. At the 16 week appt they do not do an ultra sound, which was kind of a bummer, but it is reassuring to hear the Dr. say that P is doing well. May 5th we go for the anatomy scan. At that appointment they will tell us the gender for sure, although we have already seen what we think are boy parts twice. We are feeling pretty confident that  it is a boy, but we will see. Steve and I are doing little projects around the house and are getting ready to tackle the upstairs and start making some plans for P's bedroom. I am looking forward to that. In the meantime we are staying busy putting in a path in the yard and around our pond. Fun! Anyway, I just wanted to give a little update on what is going on with us; everything is great!

13

Peanut is thirteen weeks today, so we are out of the first trimester! I guess this one of the only instances that I can think of where 13 is a lucky number. I am glad to be entering the second trimester and I am excited about all the changes that are going to be taking place in these next 13 weeks.

12 Week ultrasound

Well, there he is. Sucking away. The obstinate little fella was really not cooperating with our NT scan, but finally they were able to get some good pics of what they needed. Nothing like starting out at 12 weeks old and be non-cooperative... boy I wonder what we have in store for us! :-)

And, actually, we don't know if it's a he or a she (hopefully one or the other), but the ultrasound tech seemed to think the % was higher for male because she saw a protrusion between the two femurs (see image below).

Of course this is a really wild guess on her part, but it does confirm our suspicions. I'd been intuitively referring to "it" as him, he, dude, etc. Austen has also started referring to "it" as him and had indicated a "feeling" that it was a boy. LOL. 

At any rate, we are super duper excited about this: Stoked if you will! This is our first and we are totally excited and revved up about having the new little one. We are also fortunate that we'd gotten the house when we did because this was more than sort of an accident. 

Also, these times - the first trimester - have been rough on poor old Austen. She's not been super sick with pregnancy sickness, just a little nausea at nigh time. She has been really hungry and tired, which I understand is normal: for goodness sake her body is growing our offspring!!!! And that's what takes me to my next point: Austen and the work she's done. She keeps saying to me that I am doing everything: cooking, washing dishes, etc random things. I keep trying to convince her that it all comes out in the wash. I mean, in addition to her past year including wrapping up her PhD thesis and getting a full-time job, she IS growing my (evil) seed inside her. It's a lot of work and it ain't over for her yet. Mothers don't got it easy: I know that. The work - biologically, psychologically, physiologically - needed to bring the baby to fruition is very high. It's hard work on her system. Couple that with the fact that she still continues to workout (does CrossFitMom just about everyday), works 40 hrs, and thinks about science (not to mention the laundry and sweeping up) - she's a veritable beast of a workhorse. The only thing I can do, as a good husband, as a good man(!), is pitch in a little here and a little there to support her hard work biologically. I am not sure how to convince her that I am being honest here. I know the details of parturition and I know that that means a lot of things are going on inside her. Being sensitive to those changes is just one thing I needed to make myself aware of and respond to so that she never felt like she was in this alone. She'll never be at this deal alone: That there gal's stuck with me!

It's my pleasure to make her breakfast, sometimes lunch, and dinner and do anything else I can for her. She's my baby's momma, but no seriously she's the vessel for the little dude! I love her so much, and I love that little Peanut so much already. They are both my life and will do everything for them, all the time! They Rule!

So maybe one more pic of that cute as hell, cool little dude before I sign off, eh?

Little thumb sucker!

Mini Vacation!

Well, we are setting off tomorrow on a little mini vacation to Sarasota to see Gramette and "Old Pappy" :-) We are very excited. This last month has been very tiring and we are excited to hangout with our besties and relax! Plus, the temperatures are supposed to be in the 70's! I think the last time that my skin was so deprived of sunshine was when we lived in England and then I came home and burned myself to a crisp before our wedding. I know every girl envisions her wedding day with 5 layers of skin peeling off everywhere. lol! Anyway, we are really looking forward to the trip. Somehow it seems so exciting to go see Mom and Dad and talk about Peanut in person. I imagine that we will have many conversations about Peanut and what our lives will be like once he or she arrives!
I often read this website called the The Bump. It offers a forum where pregnant women can post about their experiences and questions.Well, one big topic of discussion is when did you tell people that you were pregnant and who did you tell first. Obviously, I told Steve first and then after that I called my parents! I was so excited to share the news with them. Since then my excitement has only grown and I can't wait to share more about pregnancy and Peanut with them. Sharing this experience with those that I love my most makes the experience all that much more enriching!
I can't wait for the two and a half of us to set off for our long weekend tomorrow!

The Platekrill Family, Take 2

The Platekrill Family

Moving right along

10 weeks, crazy. that seems like a really long time, but it's 1/4 the way done. i am so excited

Isn't there supposed to be some glow?

Well, I got a kick out of this. I get these updates from various websites about the baby's growth trajectory each week and what kind of symptoms or changes I should expect to see in my body. Now we have all heard that old adage that pregnant women have a "glow", right? I have yet to see any evidence of this so called "glow." Here is my update for the week about what to expect:
"Notice a network of tiny blue veins crisscrossing your already achy breasts and (sorry) disappearing waistline? Though you may not love the new look, these veins carry the extra blood needed to nourish your burgeoning baby. You also might see the effects of pregnancy on your face -- in the form of major breakouts, that is. (Thanks, hormones.)"
Gee this really gives me something to look forward to! LOL! I mean maybe they could sugar coat it a little more. I would appreciate that. Anyway, this totally contradicts the whole "glow" idea if you ask me. Luckily, I am not one of those poor ladies, at least not yet, that has had terrible breakouts in response to the hormonal changes; however the thickening of the waistline is definitely in effect. 

Almost 10 weeks!

On Tuesday Peanut will be 10 weeks! By this time he/she is the size of a small plum and he/she looks more human-- little finger nails will be developing soon! It is amazing to think that all of this is going on inside of me. Amazing! I have been looking for something to buy for little P, because I am so excited for his or her arrival. However, I can't find anything that I want to buy. I am not sure why! I think that once we know whether Peanut is a he or a she it will make shopping a lot easier. I just can't picture a little "it" baby in a green or yellow onesie. I want to know what "it" is!

Ecstatic

Ecstatic is a word derived from an emotion that tends to occur with the creation offspring (i.e. baby-making!), ecstasy. I think it's appropriate, even if it sounds naughty. Here's why: I am completely and unadulteratedly ecstatic about having a baby with Austen!

Seriously, everyday, I think about her (& P) more and more, it's almost debilitating. LOL What's she doing? Is she feeling anything? I hope she's not upset or nauseous? I wonder if she need's anything? Maybe I should write her a dumb, funny poem to put a smile on her face. Maybe I should stop into her office just to say hi, or to deflect other annoying people from stopping in, as if that'd work! I hope work is not to stressful for her. I hope she has enough food for lunch, I'd better go call/email/IM her to find out. I hope people aren't bothering her, she's got the log onto the Bump, which is vastly more important. I can't wait for her to come home and snuggle up with her snuggie (or me) and the dogs and Billy (the cat people, what kind of folks do you take us for?) I love to listen to her say while watching Idol: "I hate Cara D'whateverthehellhername is. But I like Elen, she's funny." I like making her healthy snacks, which I think she appreciates. I like making dinner for her: BUT NO DARK GREEN VEGGIES OR CAULIFLOWER, oh no... that can = pukie feeling. Oh no, none of that! I love telling her I love her. I love helping her work on/think about her dissertation. I like telling her about my day, and hearing about hers, although my day is usually boring as all get out, because I've done nothing but think about her all day.

A few years ago, and many guys today, would say, "Steve, sounds like you are majorly bitch (insert any other female genitalia organ here) whipped". But, alas, I am not. Just Ecstatic about having my best friend be my wife, life partner, colleague, emotional and cognitive friend and support system, and mother of my offspring. If that's bitch whipped, fine, but really it's not. Because while I think about her and P as often as I humanly can and love her more than this post or anything written would/could ever demonstrate, I know she feels the same way about me. We work as a team - supporting each other. And I am simply ecstatic about it!

Valentine's Day!

Well, I sure have been getting the royal treatment today! Actually, I have been treated like a queen for the last few weeks. Steve has been more than willing to take over chores and run errands so that I can rest and relax. I am so thankful that I have such a caring and thoughtful husband. Today, in celebration of Valentine's Day, Steve made me the dinner of my choice. We had lamb loin chops with mint jelly, garlic smashed potatoes, and caesar salad (I know... it was a tall order!). He did a wonderful job, and it was delicious! To top that off, he made a paleo (uber healthy) carrot cake to satisfy my sweet tooth. The cake was a hit! I am already thinking of having a piece for breakfast. Oh wait, I am not supposed to gain all 25 pregnancy pounds in the first trimester, so maybe I will stick to eggs for breakfast. The whole reason I wanted to write this post isn't to describe how much I am enjoying all the great food that I am eating, but to express how much I appreciate having a partner like Steve who is so willing to go above and beyond- and not just on Valentine's day. From his willingness to cook to writing me loving emails every morning to reassure me that I am the coolest in his eyes, he makes me feel so loved and very special every day of the year! I love you, Steve! You rule! I can't wait to celebrate Valentine's with you and Peanut next year, although I think the Valentine's menu will be a little different for P--

V-day

Lamb loin chops and garlic mashies. MMMM

P should be very full!

I also made a paleo carrot cake. It was a pain in the ass because I had to whip egg whites. Even though I forgot to add the orange zest and orange juice (which I just added to the top 10 minutes into cooking) it turned out OK. I also added some unsweetened flake coconut.

Snowy days

Holy moly, it snowed, no seriously snowed here in Suwanee GA! I know it doesn't compare to the north, but we got 3-5 inches, which for GA is a veritable blizzard! (They aint got the skills to clean the road!)

So, snowy days, with prego babes. We're probably just going to hang low and avoid all the already bad atlanta metro drivers who think they KNOW how to drive in snow when in reality (IMHO) they cannot even drive on asphalt. hehe.

How're things progressing with the preg: pretty good. Austen is still feeling a bit tired and some foods completely gross here out. Yesterday she told me she took some veggies for lunch and that just looking at Cauliflower made her a little nauseous. It's absolutely amazing to me the biology behind this. In biology we call this parent-offspring conflict, the first of many I am sure :-)

The point is that the baby is driving the mother to not put stuff in her body. Particularly don't put stuff in her body that could affect the embryo negatively. This of course is happening at a completely unconscious level, but think about it. (Oh and if you don't fancy a thought about it, there's science to back it up). Vegetables are loaded with toxins. They have to be, in fact we, humans have domesticated vegetables to include those toxins. The toxins serve a survival advantage to the plant: they keep predator bugs, insects, arthropods (actually not, b/c they are carnivorous) and some small mammals from eating them up. This is good right. It's a naturally designed insecticide. Well these toxins don't go so well with our body as well as insect's bodies. No they don't kill us, of course, but they don't taste good either. Most plant based toxins are very bitter and animals learn in the wild that bitter stuff makes me sick stay the hell away from it. During our development - childhood - our parents say "eat your broccolli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, etc. And as children we try a bit, and spit it out. Mom and dad try again. And we eat a bit and then say we're full. And then mom and dad try again (why are mom and dad trying to poison their children? the veggies do have beneficial effects as well like minerals, vitamins, etc). So mom and dad keep trying and during childhood we engage 1 for me, 1 for bruno, 2 for me, 1, 2, for bruno. The kid is essentially building up his/her tolerance to the toxins in the plants. So that in adulthood when we have kids we say, come on lil fella, just one bite of asparagus before leaving the table.

Now take this parent-offspring conflict to the womb and embryonic development. The embryo has no defenses except to make MOM pukie. That is why and how pregnanct sickness works. The embryo would give the spinach to the dog, but reaching through the wall of the uterus and outer layers of skin prove to difficult.

Anyhow, we are doing good about it and avoiding such things... for our baby's health LOL

Week 8

This has been a very exciting week! On Tuesday we went to the Dr for my first appointment and we were able to see Peanut! It was incredible to see and hear the heartbeat, and it really made me feel more at ease. So far, things seem to be going very well and I couldn't be more pleased! 

Physically, I am feeling kind of blah. I am very tired and hungry all the time, but I am managing to continue to go to the gym and to do all of my normal activities. I am really looking forward to that time period in the second trimester when things go back to "normal"--- or so they say. Actually, I was telling Steve last night that I imagine P in there wearing a little fidel castro hat with a mustache barking orders like a little dictator--- lol. It certainly seems like for such a small little thing, "he" is taking over my body and running the show! 

In all seriousness though, this has been such a special time in our lives. The moment that I found out that P existed things changed. Just the knowledge of that little life sparked the beginning of a love that is growing day by day. In this delicate time during pregnancy, I am so thankful for every day that P grows stronger and gets bigger. Grow, baby, grow! 

One of the most exhilirating days of my life

Today. Today I woke up and got to go see Austen and my embryo, which we are calling Peanut's heart beat. We got to see that lil blob that is the end result of our reproductive success. As long as I've been around medical imaging technology, I've never actually been around ultrasound. Today was totally amazing. Totally. To think that the little bugger up on the screen - that crazy African drum sounding heart beating sound - was ours. Something we made! I cannot remember ever feeling more happy or proud. Pride, like I did something spectacular that every other person on the planet doesn't do, I know, it sounds really strange, but I felt proud! Proud of myself. Proud of my gorgeous wife (who by the way never looked hotter than during those 10 minutes of medical gowned glory this morning). And proud of the lil dude's (yeah I gotta feeling about the sex) heartbeat ticking away.

This whole deal was an accident. We had a perfectly good, no PERFECT dog, Bruno. We made the mistake of adding Radley... Nah, just teasing, We love Rads. But two dogs, one being a young puppy has been tough. Then we decided, hey, we just about got over waking up in the middle of the night to run the crying puppy downstairs for some peeps or poops so why don't we buy a house! Sounds reasonable right? AHHHHHH!!!!!

The house purchase, apparently could not have been better timed! And now this. The newest of our adventures. The kid! I mean what trick are we going to pull on our family next? ;-) Relax, Family, I am kidding!

I've heard it a lot - the miracle stuff. I don't believe in miracles but if I did I do think that what I felt today was what those people talk about. Sheer brilliance. I think I had a smile on my face all day (for those of you who might of thought I just had a botox shot, I didn't, seriously!)

Well, this is sure to be a fun, entertaining that the very least, journey.... Stay tuned...

First Pics of The Peanut!

Just back from the OB/GYN with first pics of our little fella, or fellete. We are calling "it" Peanut.

Here are the first ultrasounds that do no justice b/c we got hear and see the little hearbeat!!! So COOL!

 

Sorry about rotational issues, I saved them in the correct orientation... 

Post one for the Peanut

Hey all,

This is going to be a place where we post information, updates and general news about the developmental trajectory of The Peanut

ALK (w/ Peanut) & SMP