finally, a belly pic!

I know, I know, I should have done this months ago, but I have finally taken a picture of my ever-expanding midsection.

Thanks to MC's iPhone, we can now see that:

1. I really did finally go to a prenatal yoga class (hence the attire)
2. I reallllly needed to wash my hair after yoga
3. I finally look pregnant (when I push out my tummy to take a pic)! :)

You can also see a bit of the bean's room in this shot- that's her crib (no mattress yet) and a daybed that we got that we are re-covering (so pay no attention to the obnoxious orange color!). You can also see the light green walls that turned out so very cute...we really love the color. Oh, and Eddie's surfboard on the floor...we'll find a new home for that soon.

I promise we will get our camera charger situation figured out soon so that we can take pics when I look half way decent and not sweaty! Until then, at least it's a tummy shot so you all know I'm not making this whole thing up...hahah.

SOHO, Staten Island, Upper East Side

Cooking challenges have been going down almost nightly in apartment 4C. I keep waiting for a call out to throw a steak in the mix but so far Autumn has held true to being a vegan momma. Translation: She looks amazing and is healthy, happy. Scout's room is not quite there but paint and cleaning have been applied. I am working with the architects to understand best position for zip wire into slip-n-slide. We have figured out that one piece of furniture must come from every region of New York City. So far we have picked things from SOHO, Staten Island and Upper East Side. Now if we can nail down the Rasta color rocking chair from Queens we'll be set. Autumn keeps taking me to Counter for biscuits and gravy - the recent favorite. We have also had the opportunity to visit a few baby stores and pick up an item or two for her. Here is a picture of the essential items I have picked out that will get her through - I will let her name them with the hopes this encourages her speaking in the first few days.

drunken sailor: "is tat'n island?" name orgin for staten island - Uncle Wo

muscle mama

We got to see the bean again today at our 20 week sonogram appointment. The little miss was very irritated and was not at all cooperating! I was so glad that my Mom came last appointment rather than this one since she barely showed her face and she kicked me the whole time! The sonogram tech again told us what big feet she has- she is her Daddy's little girl. :)

She also told us that she is a BIG bean. She weighs 14 oz now and is over 11 in long- quite large for 20 weeks (normal is 10-11 oz and 10 in long apparently). She also said that she is very muscular- her arms and legs look like an athlete, so funny. She did ease my mind that the weight is not in her head (normal size) or body width- it's all muscle and length. Whew!

There were not many good shots from this session, but these two are my favorite. In this one, you can see her 3-D profile fairly well. The tech says that she has Mommy's nose...and it looks like she is smiling:



We also got a great 3-D one of her muscular little legs and bottom! This is why I can feel her kicking me all the time. Also, you can see her very large feet- hahah:

Also got another bit of good news- last time we went they said that my placenta was blocking my cervix, which can be an issue if it stays that way later in pregnancy. It has moved out of the way, so we are in the clear for a normal natural birth with no pesky placenta blocking the way.

So all good news this appointment- other than our stubborn little lady not wanting to be bothered with the ultrasound...a preview of what's to come I am quite sure!!

.love.

Dear Little Bean,

Today is Valentine's Day and, while that may not mean much to you now, it will one day- I promise. Your Daddy is the best Valentine in the world...and you're a lucky little girl since he'll be your Valentine until your 30 if he has his way! This morning he woke me up with "Happy Valentine's Day, I love you" and then turned on the shower for me and went to get my very favorite breakfast- tofu scramble with mushrooms, onion and tomato and an everything bagel with tofu cream cheese...yum! He even dealt with the hippies at Earthmatters at 8 AM just to make Mom smile...that is true love. I hope you liked breakfast too.

Now that we are half way through this adventure (20 weeks on Saturday, wow), I'm happy to tell you that we are more thrilled and excited than ever. On Saturday we painted your room the most beautiful light green color- I think you will love it. Daddy did all the hard work and heavy lifting and then I helped with the fun part, the painting (don't worry, non-VOC paint). I have to admit, Dad is a way better painter, so I did the first coat and he did the second to make sure it turned out perfect. We went out to dinner with Bronson and Ellie that night and they put their vote in for Adelaide as your name- Dad and I still are not sure what to go with, but that's definitely on the list. What do you think? Charlotte and Matilda are also options...do you like either of those?

On Sunday we got you an amazing white sleigh crib- it looks just like this (minus the pink decor of course, you know your Dad):

We can't wait to get the rest of your little room together- we're excited for it to be a beautiful and peaceful place for you to start your life...just ignore the street noise and sirens, that's just crazy NYC my love.

Anyway little one, just wanted to tell you how much you are loved on this Valentine's day and how much you will be loved for all of the rest of the Valentine's Days for the rest of your life. One day when you're much older, I hope you find someone just like your Daddy to make you feel as loved as I feel on Valentine's Day and every other day of the year.

Love you little Bean,

xoxoxo
Mommy

dad, have you seen my favorite shoes?

As this adventure continues we find out more and more details that will go into being prepared for our little Scout. Who knew she wouldn't be bringing her own shoes? Something else that is refreshing to hear is the different accounts of importance (sleep, diapers, red bull, duct tape) all the new parents we encounter reference - no two are the same. Autumn is a shade under half way through this marathon and by my calculations she is boat lengths in the lead. Every doctor's report and test she breezes through. Autumn and I have hatched a plan to destroy ellie and grand's room very soon and replace it with an awesome baby room - construction hats on. Other quick things I have learned recently; doula speed dating, different bagels need to be toasted different ways, Packers won the Super Bowl, Dirt Candy is not open on V-day, Steven Spielberg has a daughter named Destry.

i am officially pregnant (by nyc standards).

That's right folks, it's finally happened. This morning on my F train commute to Rock Center for work, a sleepy hipster looked up at me, his eyes level with my tummy, and asked if I'd like his seat. I felt validated like never before. Time stopped. Horns sounded. I have been patiently waiting for this moment from the instant I saw that little line on my third pregnancy test...and I, Autumn Maria Berrang, was offered a seat on the New York City transit system on February 7, 2011.

Granted, I was sticking out my little bump with all my might and rubbing my belly as to say "no, no I am not just a little rotund, there is a human growing inside me." And all my efforts paid off. It was offered, and I was thrilled. Of course, I quickly replied "oh, no no, I'm fine, thank you though," but it was the gesture that I was craving and it felt even better than I'd hoped.

So thank you sleepy hipster on the uptown F, you made my day.