Weeks Twenty Three and Twenty Four: Happy Anniversary!

And what a past two weeks it has been! I have been dealing with yet another HG relapse for the past few days, but am finally starting to feel better, thanks to my new favorite secret weapons that I'll share with you, because I know I have some readers who are fellow HGers.

Grape Powerade popsicles, and peanut butter Power Bars. Powerade, unlike Gatorade (as far as I know), has a healthy dose of vitamin B6, which as most of us with HG know, can help with nausea...when our bodies cooperate. My sweet hubby has been pouring the Powerade into an ice cube tray, and bringing me a "Powersicle" whenever I'm thirsty and feel like I might be able to stomach more than the teensiest drop of water. Usually, it's successful, and it's way more tasty and satisfying than swallowing B6 supplement pills!

The peanut butter Power Bars are great for middle of the night and early morning snacking to keep nausea at bay on good days. They are much more filling (for much longer periods) than saltines, and you don't get crumbs in your bed. A word of caution, however: Every once in awhile, they give me the heartburn from hell, but it usually goes away quickly with a swig of water (weird), or a few Gaviscon tablets if it's really persistent.

This relapse has been pretty bad. My has weight fluctuated by 6 pounds over the past few days (it finally stabilized and is back above my pre-pregnancy weight again), and I've seen more bile than I'd dare to think most people's livers produce in a lifetime. Needless to say, I am extremely grateful that it started letting up late last night. I avoided the hospital, too. Score!

In other news, my family and I had a nice trip up to Lake Benton, Minnesota the weekend following Independence Day. The men worked on staining the dock, hauling branches, and various other projects. My mom, sister, grandpa's wife Karen, and I went into some of the neighboring towns to shop at the many secondhand stores. I scored a vintage dress, a scarf, a new make-up case, and a tutu for Kate all for under $25. I also got a new set of pajamas and two pairs of shorts for Justin for free, just because of minor damage like broken belt loops, and a couple of stains that came out in one load of laundry.

Yes, it's technically Kate's, but I couldn't help myself!

Before heading back to Iowa, we made our way to my aunt and uncle's farm for a birthday celebration for my aunt. It got a little rainy and the mosquitos were hungry, but it was blast! There was great food, fireworks, and a beautiful rainbow:

Sadie and Leroy also had a great time exploring the farm and running out in the open. Sadie needs the adventure, and Mr. Leroy definitely needs the exercise!

Back to the present, tomorrow (or today rather, since it's after midnight in Iowa) marks the one year anniversary of our wedding! Justin and I are heading up to Wisconsin to visit the Dells tomorrow for a few days to celebrate. We plan on hiking, taking a few boat tours, and possibly going to a waterpark if we have some extra time. No crazy water slides for me (boo), but I can relax in the lazy river while Justin slides to his heart's content - and possibly get some amusing pictures of him, too!

And yes, we're going to be super gross and take along our year old cake topper from our wedding reception...and EAT IT. EAT IT ALL. We each only got the little bit we had during our cake cutting at our reception since we were so busy mingling with guests, so we are determined to finally have some flipping wedding cake! Om nom nom nom nom. Only God can judge us!

Sadie will be coming along as well, since our hotel takes doggies for only ten extra dollars, and there are several activities we are planning on doing that allow dogs, too. She's a little nervous right now since the suitcases are sitting out (still not packed...oops), but as soon as she sees us pull out her leash tomorrow morning, I'm sure we'll have one excited little labradoodle!

Now, off to (finally) start packing...we've got a busy day tomorrow!

Happy Independence Day!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY PB AND JELLIE READERS!!! We hope that those of our readers who live in the United States found many reasons to celebrate the wonderful country we are so privileged to live in!

Among all the reasons I love Independence Day (a reason to celebrate the amazing men and women who fight so hard for our freedom, gorgeous fireworks, and quality family time), I am ashamed to admit that one of my favorite things about the day is that I can get away with wearing blue sparkly eye makeup and fire engine red lipstick outside of a theatrical setting, and without a time machine to take me back to decades past.

SPARKLY BLUE EYELINER - YAY!

I didn't sleep well last night, so Justin and I were slow to get moving today. We eventually made our way over to my parents' place, and went to the Plymouth County Historical Museum with my mom. There was a nice "garage sale", a watermelon feed, and root beer floats.

This evening, we had a lovely time waiting for the fireworks to start at the Le Mars Mutual. Sadie and Leroy (my family's dog) were friendly with each and every stranger they came across, and Justin and I played guitar and sang some of our favorite music until after dusk.

Hipster Hubby!

The fireworks show was shorter than last year, as far as I can remember, but still enjoyable. Sadie was a little scared, but eventually calmed down when Justin and I moved from our chairs back down to our blankets and she could sit between us. Baby Kate didn't squirm too much during the show, but during the Ice Cream Days fireworks show, which we were much closer to, she kicked up a storm.

'splosions!

Tomorrow we head to Lake Benton for a couple of days, and then we'll go over to my Uncle Sonny and Aunt Nancy's for more celebration on Sunday.

We have a busy set of days ahead of us, but hopefully we'll check in soon!

23 weeks tomorrow!

Love,

Ellie

Weeks Twenty One and Twenty Two

I am proud to announce that I am finally sporting an authentic baby bump, and not a bloated tummy full of Mexican food! People can finally tell that I'm pregnant, although, most wouldn't ever guess I'm 22 weeks along.

As for sweet little Jellie Bean, she finally has been named, as you can see from the bump shots. Catherine Victoria, Kate for short. :) Oddly enough, I was originally supposed to be named Catherine, but my parents switched it out for Eleanor instead, shortly before I was born.

Kate is one active little girl, kicking away each morning, noon, and night. She was kicking almost non-stop from 6:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. the next day on Monday and Tuesday of this week - I got absolutely no sleep, but it was still amusing. She finally conked out and wasn't really active again until the next afternoon. I wonder if she's practicing Tae Kwon Do in there, like her daddy, or swimming (or even cheerleading!) like her mommy. Any guesses?

Itty bitty baby tootsies!

Our next regular appointment is next week. We'll see the OB for a checkup and to hear Kate's heartbeat on the doppler. We also see the perinatologist again on the 17th for another ultrasound. We're hoping she is growing and developing well - as this will be a very positive sign after our scary quad screen results from a few weeks ago. If she's not doing well, we will proceed with the MaterniT21 screen (a more active blood test). The perinatologist called us a few days after our appointment and offered us the test, and we were so excited for the opportunity to take it if need be, as we didn't think it was available in our area. If the results from the MaterniT21 test aren't good, we will proceed with an amniocentesis. This is all very scary for Justin and I, but we have faith that little Kate is healthy and strong.

In addition to all the baby stuff surrounding us lately, Justin and I are also on quite an adventure to find housing starting in the fall. School is looking like a no-go this year as tuition is just outrageous at CUI and we aren't getting the financial aid we need. We plan to pick up where we left off and finish school as soon as possible, but for now, a year off is the best choice for us - so long as we can find a place to call home! We have a found a few interesting options, but haven't quite found the best deal that will be the best for our family yet. We ask for your prayers (and welcome your suggestions) as we continue our search!

Tomorrow is the Independence Day, and we are looking forward to relaxing and enjoying gorgeous fireworks in the evening. On Friday, we head up to my grandpa's cabin in Lake Benton, Minnesota, one of my favorite places in the world. It's so peaceful up there.

Grandpa's Cabin

We were there a few weeks ago for Father's Day so Justin, my dad, and my brother-in-law Matt could put the dock in. It was a beautiful day, and everyone had a great time, especially sweet little Sadie:

Chasing after her daddy!

Determined doodle on bird watch.

She ran around the lawn all day, fetched sticks, and chased any bird that dared to fly too low. This little furball is my pride and joy. <3

I'm not sure what this trip's project will be, but I'm excited to go back and spend some quality time with my family.

That's all for now. We will keep you posted on appointments with updates and ultrasound pictures.

Blessings and love,

Ellie, Justin, Baby Kate, and Sadie Lou, too

Since When is Pregnancy Disgusting?

My sweet little baby I just have to show off!

Ever since I found out I was pregnant, I've been bracing myself for the tactless comments women find themselves receiving from friends, family, acquaintances, and strangers throughout their pregnancy.

"Wow, you're HUGE!"

"Are you sure it's not twins?"

"You should..." (insert unsolicited advice here)

I've also been preparing myself for all sorts of fun comments regarding breastfeeding when that time comes.

Luckily, since I look more like a sorority girl who had one too many wine coolers than a pregnant woman, I haven't heard anything other than "You're tiny for being five months along!", which doesn't bother me much, so long as nothing is said about me being a bad mother for not eating enough.

However, I never in my life imagined hearing a comment I heard about a month ago on Memorial Day.

Disclaimer: Yeah, it happened awhile ago, and I should just get over it, but it has been irking me since it happened, so I'm writing about it.

Every year on Memorial Day, my immediate family, plus my grandparents, an aunt and one or two of my cousins go to a small town nearby Le Mars for the day. There is a delicious breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and sausage in the morning at the park, followed by a service in the cemetery, and then a hamburger picnic type lunch afterwards at the community center. It's one of my favorite family traditions and I look forward to it every year.

Well, this year, I was in a great mood. I woke up with zero nausea, a rare blessing these days, and was ravenously hungry by the time we arrived for the breakfast. We all got in line and I got lots of eggs and sausage scooped on my plate. When I came to the pancakes, a middle aged man asked me if I wanted one or two. The breakfast is all-you-can-eat, and I knew I'd come back for seconds anyway, so I asked if I could just have three right then.

He gave me a really weird look, that can basically be summed up as "God, you pig."

I laughed a little and said "Sorry, I'm just really hungry. I'm pregnant and need a little extra food these days!"

He looked back at me, disgusted, and said "Ew. I really didn't need to know that."

I raised my eyebrows and stared at him in shock for a second before I said "Pregnancy isn't a disease, you know."

He replied again with a single "Ew."

Believe me, it took every ounce of patience, grace, and self-control not smash his face on the griddle. If a 13-year-old boy had said something like this, I would have laughed it off with a witty comment. But a middle-aged man, who had a boy standing next to him who was very clearly his son?

You've got to be freaking kidding me.

He received my death glare every chance I got the rest of the morning. I hope he's still having nightmares of the disgusting pregnant woman who wanted three pancakes for breakfast. How gross! Jerk.

I looked around the web for women who have experienced similar encounters, and was shocked at how common stuff like this is. Women with male co-workers telling them flat out that they think they're gross, women who have been accused of "harboring revolting parasites", women who have been asked to leave public property for fear that they'll pee or have their water break all over something...the list goes on and on.

Since when is pregnancy disgusting? Since when is it something that is taboo to discuss? Since when it is "Ew"-worthy?

I guess not everybody realizes that they also hung out in somebody's uterus for nine months, and that most of them came out of somebody's vagina, too.

Has something similar happened to you? How did you handle it? Please share in the comments. I look forward to hearing from you!

Love,
Ellie

P.S. At least the curmudgeon gave me three pancakes.

A Statement Crappier Than Pregnancy Induced Constipation

I've been spending a lot of time in the bathroom lately.

Yes, I just said that.

I pee a lot, and out of every seven days of the week, I spend six and a half of them constipated. With hemorrhoids for added excitement.

Pregnancy is so beautiful.

With my increased time spent on the porcelain throne, thanks to the Jellie Bean, comes increased boredom. Luckily, the family Justin and I have been staying with this semester have some "entertainment" on a shelf above the toilet, in the form of a book called Happy Thoughts, by Toby Reynolds. It's full of cute little sayings with pictures of even cuter animals, making my field trips to the potty just a little more enjoyable.

I can't sleep tonight (which isn't a rare occurrence for me). I just got back from one of those field trips, and one of the sayings I saw in the book tonight actually stuck with me after the flush. It had a picture of a polar bear next to it, sliding around on its tummy, and said:

"Creative minds have always been known to survive any kind of bad training."

At first, the rebel in me was like "Chyeah, you go polar bear and your cleverness!"

And then I realized how dumb that saying really was.

When I was in school (especially late elementary/middle school), I was an awful child. Awful. I punched a boy in the stomach who was twice my size because he made fun of my dog. I attempted to stage a boycott at lunch when our teachers tried to make us have assigned seating to avoid cliques. I told my principal to get a life and stop trying to control everyone when she told me I wasn't allowed talk about being in a talented and gifted (T.A.G.) program because it "made other people feel bad". I couldn't even talk about it  for "risk of offending someone". For crying out freaking loud.

When I got sent to detention for that, I was asked to fill out a form telling "your side" of the story (granted, "your side" was put in quotations, and was dripping with implied sarcasm according to my 12-year-old mind). I was also supposed to circle the specific Pillar of Character I "violated" (you know, those Six Pillars of Character they teach you...you know, the ones you can't teach by just hanging posters of them in a classroom, by the way. Just saying.). Instead of choosing one of the six, I invented my own. I called it "Robotics". Under the description I wrote "I will be a mindless robot. I will follow all commands. I will not think for myself. Mrs. Former Principal Name Withheld is the only person with a brain in the entire school district." And then I circled the whole thing.

I got an in-school suspension, and was told I couldn't go back to class until I apologized. I refused. After two days, the in-school suspension monitor couldn't handle my mouthiness and sarcastic comments about the Character Counts program any more, so I was moved to the conference room in the school's office complex. The conference room happened to be between the private offices of both the principal and the assistant principal. I sang "We Shall Not Be Moved" at the top of my lungs for an hour straight until they called my dad in.

I was back in class that afternoon.

And people think I'm mouthy and outspoken now...ha!

Anyway, back to the polar bear picture and saying...

It reminded me of my old principal. I'm sure she had good intentions. I'm sure she thought that her giraffe cut-out that said "Stick your neck out, help others!" and Character Counts Day that consisted of eating foreign foods and seventh grade boys making fun of the Chinese guest speaker's accent made us all better people. I'm sure she even thought she was trying to make me a better person. And you know what? She did, just not by her standards.

You see, she plastered a lot of "Bad Training" around my middle school. A lot. Hanging up a poster that says "Do you have character?" with a list of six positive attributes and a cartoon giraffe accomplishes nothing but decorating a small portion of a whitewashed wall with an outdated color scheme. And her extremely hostile attitude towards kids who were in the gifted program showed an extreme lack of character on her part. Now, I'm not saying that I have great character, because as the 1941 Lutheran Hymnal page 15 liturgy reminds me on Sunday, "I am by nature sinful and unclean". I'm a really terrible person. Just like everybody else. But as someone who was supposed to be a role model, she set a pretty crappy example for a 12-year-old girl who really just needed some guidance and a good outlet for her misdirected passion. Crappier than the constipation I've got going on.

But I really did learn something from her: That you should always, always, always stand up for what you believe is right. Now, I have some regrets in my life: dating a guy with sideburns, burning some friendship bridges, and wearing blue eyeshadow to my senior prom, but I can look back with confidence and never be ashamed that I didn't fight for something I was passionate about. And if it wasn't for Mrs. Former Principal Name Withheld, I may not be the passionate person I am today. A lot of people can't stand that quality about me. A lot of people confuse that quality with "drama queen", or whatever other negative term that they can come up with. You know what I call them? Lackluster. But that's beside the point. That passion has made me fearless in the face of danger, adversity, and authority figures that abuse their power. And sometimes, because of that passion: I've been able to make a difference.

And if I made a difference in my life, or someone else's life, no matter how small, that's what's important. It wasn't about "surviving" her bad training and idiotic giraffe posters. It was about making something great out of the poor way she handled a potentially good program.

Sure, when you're in a bad situation, you want out. You want to survive it. But do you know what one of the best things you can do to get started is? Make something good out of the bad situation by finding your voice, seeking out your strength, testing your limits, and growing into a better person. Don't be a coward. Don't be a victim. If you don't like something, do something about it.

I think that, far more than survival ability, is what makes a creative mind.

Love,
Ellie

Week Twelve: The Home Stretch

It's dead week. Which means all the professors think it's a brilliant idea to have conversations with their students that go like this:

Professor: HEY! You have final exams coming up, and you're gonna be crazy stressed, right?
Students: Right.
Professor: Wouldn't just be awesome if during the week before finals I assigned a huge project or presentation, and then as a reward for working so hard, I gave you a test on Friday, in addition to the one you'll take the following week?
Students: No...
Professor: Awesome! Then it's settled.

You've got to be freaking kidding me.

So far this week I've taken two tests, done two presentations, one voice jury (final exams for people who study music privately in college...another brilliant idea to instill fear and freak outs in students everywhere), and still have another test to go. Then three finals next week, with, SURPRISE! A paper and a 10 page research proposal due.

I'm dealing with it alright, I suppose. Though, I may or may not still be in the typical "denial" stage of procrastination. We shall see.

Baby is doing well. I still feel little flutters and jabs occasionally, could be baby, could be gas, but I'm pretty sure it's the Jellie Bean. You usually don't have gas by your pubic bone. :)

My tummy gets a little more prominent every day, and I will soon be taking advantage of the loop-the-ponytail-holder-through-the-button-hole trick so I can wear my pants a little longer. I've also already started outgrowing clothing for other body parts located, ahem, a bit further North.

Another thing that's starting to grow like crazy are my fingernails! And not all gross and brittle like your typical anemic chick (*cough* me), but long and strong, and manicure worthy. I might even get them done. <--- Huge deal. I didn't so much as paint my nails for my wedding. They were all bitten off. :) Yay guitar players.

I will probably wait on that manicure until after I get home to Iowa for the summer, though. Dear old dad and my nephew Zachy are flying out the weekend after finals week ends, and we'll be driving a vintage Winnebago through some great national parks and other sites on our way back to the Midwest. I'll make a post about that as it gets closer, and will definitely do a picture-filled re-cap once we get back to Iowa.

That's all for now - got a tummy ache to deal with.

Love,
Ellie

Week Nine: Update and Easter Re-Cap!

I am nine weeks and five days today! Hooray for progress! No hooray for continuously getting sicker and sicker with hyperemesis gravidarum! Unfortunately I've had to cancel my upcoming recital that was to be performed on April 14th, but I know it's for the best. My voice is not in the best shape, and the added stress is just too much. Hopefully I'll get the chance to perform it sometime next year.

Getting chunkier!

I do have to count my blessings, though. I've been able keep down small meals on occasion, and I've been able to stay on top of all my school work by going to class when I can, and getting homework done on time. Luckily most things can be turned in online. I'm trying not to get stressed out as the end of the semester gets closer and I have lots of meetings with advisors to figure out what I need to do in order to be able to graduate on time next year, but it's hard not to worry. I don't want to spend another year in school when I'm trying to take care of baby. Moral of the story: Don't transfer colleges. Ever. It's a nightmare.

On another note, I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! Justin and I spent the morning in church, as we both sang in the choir. I also performed "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth" from Handel's Messiah. Great piece, but written for a soprano, so my mezzo-soprano self had an interesting time learning it! I made it through the service without getting sick, which I swear was due to the Hardee's (Carl's Jr.) sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit I randomly had a craving for and wolfed down that morning.

After the service, we loaded up the car with Sadie Lou and her favorite squeaky toy, and headed to Justin's parent's house for an Easter celebration. It was a lot of fun. There was GREAT food (his mom made pasta with this delicious alfredo sauce that hubby and I are obsessed with) and I got to learn how to play the game Pit (explained here). There was also much playing of Apples to Apples, and watching of hilarious home movies starring a pre-pubescent Justin. I did start feeling sick towards the end of the night, however, so we ended up staying over to avoid me getting sick in the car on the way home.

A few of the Easter Extravaganza attendees.

I am both looking forward to, and dreading the beginning of week ten on Friday. My HG will probably get worse, but it also means I'm getting closer to the end of the first trimester, which hopefully means that soon I will start feeling better.

My next OB appointment is the 16th of April. At that point, I will be eleven and a half weeks. I'm looking forward to the ultrasound and seeing baby again. This time he/she will look even more baby-like! I will also have the usual urine test at this appointment, in addition to starting prenatal screening with blood work. Justin and I have opted out of any invasive prenatal testing, however. Because of our young age and health (well, at least on Justin's part) we are at very low risk for any physical or mental "abnormalities", and have faith that God has designed this child according to His will. He or she will be perfect in His sight, and ours. :)

Until next time!

Love,
Ellie

Eight Weeks, Five Days: Feeling Better and Growing Baby!

I have been feeling much better today than I have over the last few days. I was up to going to one of my classes earlier today, but then slept the rest of the day. The drug phenegran (also known as promethazine) is one of the better working medications I am on right now (along with zofran, reglan, vistaril, and a B6 vitamin supplement), but it knocks me out like you wouldn't believe. I started with just a prescription for zofran, but it stopped working after about a week. Then I was prescribed reglan (which also made me very restless and made it hard to sleep at night), which also stopped working after about a week. Now that I am on a combination of the zofran, reglan, phenegran, vistaril, and B6, I'm doing far better than I was with any of the drugs on their own. I am still very nauseated but I haven't thrown up since coming back from the hospital on Monday.

Today I was able to eat fairly well, although my food choices were not all that exciting: granola bars, and cheese sandwiches. I also just had a plate of pickles after randomly getting a craving for them. I'll definitely take the strange cravings over throwing up at the slightest foul smell!

They say morning sickness (or HG in my case) peaks around the 8-9 week mark. Well, I'm eight weeks and five days, so even though I'm in the worst of it, I can take comfort that it will be gone soon. I can also be glad that baby is growing and growing and growing like crazy! Here's a picture of the seven week ultrasound, and the eight week ultrasound. It's amazing how fast the little one grew!

Seven Weeks

Eight Weeks

I will be nine weeks on Friday, and will have another update for you then! Keep us in your prayers, especially for baby's health.

Love Always,
Ellie

Weeks Seven and Eight: Hyperemesis Gravidarum

...and what weeks they have been! I have never felt so sick in my life. I'd rather undergo the emergency appendectomy I had in Nicaragua while serving there as a missionary twenty times over than deal with any more morning sickness.

However, after a visit to the hospital last week, and another one yesterday for severe dehydration and non-stop vomiting, I found out that just plain old run-of-the-mill morning sickness wasn't the culprit causing my misery. It's actually a very severe condition called hyperemesis gravidarum, "a condition characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and electrolyte disturbance". http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/hyperemesisgravidarum.html) It's like morning sickness on steriods, and it is terrifying. There's nothing worse than throwing up even the smallest sip of water and losing multiple pounds each day when there's a little baby trying to grow big and strong inside of you!

Yesterday, I was in the labor and delivery unit of the hospital for over twelve hours for treatment. I was given what seemed like a million different kinds of drugs, and two liters of IV fluids. Nothing worked. I asked to be sent home before they could admit me, with a combination of two drugs that take the edge off, promethazine and vistaril (a drug I used to take for anxiety). These drugs help make the nausea a little more bearable and I haven't thrown up since coming home last night, but I still don't feel close to even 100% better. 10% would be pushing it.

I do get a little frustrated some times, because hyperemesis gravidarum (we'll call it HG from here on out) is not widely known about or understood. It has gotten some spotlight since Kate Middleton was diagnosed with it and spent some time in the hospital getting treatment, but overall, it's fairly unheard of. Most people see me running to the bathroom or gagging and say "Eat some crackers, drink some ginger ale." I promise you, if that helped, I'd be doing it constantly. Unfortunately, it doesn't help, and some people just don't understand that HG doesn't go away magically with a few saltines and a nap. The eight pounds I've lost will vouch for that.

If you have HG, or would like to learn more about HG, it's symptoms, how common it is, and how you can help, please visit http://www.helpher.org/, the website for the Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation. It's great learning resource, and has helped me tremendously as I battle the "morning sickness from hell".

Love Always,
Ellie (and Baby P)

Coming November 2013...

Baby Popeney!

• - Mom is between 6 weeks and 4 days and 6 weeks and 6 days, with great vital signs, and horrible morning sickness. She has lost almost 2 and a half pounds since she became pregnant. Her awesome OBGYN, Dr. Tran prescribed her some Zofran for the nausea, so hopefully she will be able to go back to her morning and late night classes (when her sickness is the worst!).
• - Baby has a healthy, strong heartbeat, is growing fingers and toes, and is measuring about 0.25 inches (0.65 centimeters).
• - Super Dad is exhausted from running to the store to buy mom strange food at all hours of the night, and working hard to get everything ready for the baby.
• - Miss Sadie Lou is already aware of what is happening, and likes to rest her head on mom's tummy.

We were surprised by the positive pregnancy test on Monday, February 18th (Ellie's birthday), at just 3 weeks and 4 days. I had been suspicious for a few days and had tried a few tests from the dollar store. I eventually broke down and got a First Response test that can show early positive pregnancy results, and I am so glad I did! What a great birthday present! I took three more tests over the next two weeks just to be sure. :)

See the faint lines? We couldn't believe it!

And now for some belly pictures at five and six weeks! There isn't much of a bump just yet. I am just very bloated right now, but maybe the seven week picture (coming tomorrow) might show some progress!

We will be blogging with this pregnancy at least once a week until Baby Popeney is born, so please click "Follow" to stay updated on all of the exciting news!

Love,
Justin, Ellie, Sadie, and Baby Popeney

We're Still Here!

We just wanted to leave a quick note to let you all know we are still here, and doing well! Justin has been busy on the lookout for a new job as his current workplace will be going out of business later this month, Ellie just finished up playing Vi Moore in Concordia's spring musical, Footloose (and has another show she's preparing for that opens in March), and Sadie has had to keep up with her daily chomping of doggie bones. 

School also took a toll on us the end of last semester, as we had classes, finals, Christmas concerts, and lots of rehearsals for various ensembles and productions we were a part of. This semester has been extremely busy already as well, with Footloose, an opera workshop class both of us are taking (some of the scenes will be from Carmen, and Ellie will be playing the title role!), Homecoming next Friday, choir tour at the end of the month, and preparations for Ellie's junior recital in mid-April featuring Justin on guitar. In addition to all of that, we also moved to a new home closer to school with a wonderful family (more on that in a later post!).

We hope to get back to writing in a week or two, and we hope you'll still be here to read!

Love, Hugs, and Puppy Kisses,

The Popeney's, and Sadie Lou, too. <3

How to Survive Your First Holiday With the In-Laws

It's the middle of November, and the holiday season is just around the corner. Department stores have had their Christmas inventory out since August, Thanksgiving plans are already set in stone, and those of us who are in college are beginning to experience pre-mature graying due to the stress of our upcoming final exams.

And for you newlyweds (or those of you with a new fiance/significant other/etc), you also may be preparing to celebrate a holiday with your darling spouse's family for the first time.

Last year, Justin and I spent Thanksgiving with his family, and Christmas with mine, so thankfully, we've already got that milestone under our belt! So I thought, with some help from a few wise friends (thank you, ladies!), I'd put together a few tips and tricks to surviving that first slightly awkward holiday with the "other side" of the family.

If you'll be a guest...

This may be the first time you'll be with his family while they're all together, and it's probably safe to say that there's going to be at least a few relatives you haven't met yet in attendance. And on top of all that, you don't have the comfort of experiencing it on your own turf. It's okay to be a little bit terrified. Just take a deep breath, and some of this advice, to heart:

"I think a big thing is just forcing yourself to keep calm. After all, it takes two people for an un-enjoyable moment or conversation to be a big fight." -Nikki, Pennsylvania

Keep calm. Easier said than done, but good advice, none-the-less. Thanksgiving last year was terrifying for me. I suffer from pretty severe social anxiety (due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder...but that's for another post), and my husband has a big family. Mine may be twice as loud, but they're mine, and there's half as many. Being in a completely new environment with completely new people was very trying for me.

Look to your spouse if you start to feel overwhelmed. You may feel all alone in the crowd, but your spouse is your link to everyone else in the room. Just make sure that if you're feeling shy, that your spouse is going to take initiative by making introductions, etc.

And when it comes to those touchy topics that always seem to pop up during family dinners: STAY OUT OF THEM. You may have a great, insightful opinion about politics, or the Westboro Baptist Church, or global warming, but this is not the time to shine the spotlight on your platform. If you end up being incredibly insulted, let it go for the time being, address it with your spouse later, and move forward from there. Even if you end up dealing with some ridiculous irrationality, at least you know that you came out as the bigger person in the end.

"Never show up empty-handed." -Your Grandma

Bring a small dish of a holiday favorite of yours, or a bouquet of seasonal flowers. This small gesture not only makes you look super sweet, but shows the host (and your spouse's family) that this is important to you. Showing genuine interest and enthusiasm towards the festivities is a great way to keep yourself under a flattering light. I can't tell you how many times a simple floral arrangement or a batch of cookies have helped cool down the ice for me or a friend in awkward family holiday situations.

"Don't ignore the kids!" -Ellie, California (yes this is me :p)

It may seem silly and frivolous, but this one is perhaps one of the easiest ways to ensure the celebration goes smoothly!

You can bet that at Thanksgiving, I was on the floor playing Tic-Tac-Toe with Justin's five-year-old cousin, Derek. Because of how uncomfortable I was meeting so many new people at once, I had something to do with myself between random bursts of small talk while waiting for dinner to start.

At Christmas, my nephew Zach, and my niece Allison, instantly took to their (at the time) future Uncle Justin.

Justin was incredible with those two little barnacles. Even though they hung all over him the entire day, he was extremely good natured about it. He entertained them, kept them out of the kitchen, and even helped them sing Christmas carols to all of the parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents at dinner. You can bet he earned major points with my sister and the rest of my family for that!

If you'll be hosting... 

You've got the home field, so use it to your advantage!

"Don't over-dramatize the little stuff...make it a fun, loving holiday." -Lillian, Iowa

Another one that's easier said than done, but if you want to keep your sanity, don't write this one off as a "Yeah, I know".

The centerpieces, the place settings, the presentation are all extremely important (and if I didn't acknowledge that, my mother, the Queen of Hostesses, would be on a plane to California to set me straight faster than you can say "napkin rings"), but as a hostess, what's most important is making sure that everyone is enjoying themselves. If you've got snacks (or a grazing table, as my family calls it) and a good conversation area, you're already off to a good start. So give the roots of your hair have a break from all the pulling!

"Remember to incorporate your own traditions!" -Lauren, Massachusetts

Whether or not family from "your side" will be present, don't feel like you can't celebrate your own traditions that make the holiday just a little more special to you. And if you decide to use any family traditions your in-laws aren't familiar with, you'll end up with your own personal unique and original factor without even trying!

That being said...

"I will have family from both sides coming. I decided to get recipes from both sides. I will make some from each side, and also make one or two that are unique to our house." -Laura, New Mexico

Try to come up with a way to let everyone who wants to be involved, be involved. Be it by sharing recipes, incorporating multiple traditions from both you and your spouse's sides, or being willing to delegate tasks to those willing and able when you're starting to feel a bit worn out.

And if all else fails...

Plenty of ladies suggested staying home together as a couple. For us personally, this isn't the first choice, but in some situations, it may be the right move for you!

If you've got too many family members from one too many corners of the world wanting you for more holidays then there are to go around, sometimes staying home for a year and starting your own traditions together is the way to go!

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So whether you travel halfway across the world, or across the house to your own kitchen, I hope these tips can help make that first holiday go just a little more smoothly!

Have a great start to your holiday season!

What suggestions do you have for surviving the holidays with family, new and old?

Much love,

Ellie

A Little Treat

...for all our mommy and soon-to-be-mommy friends. :)

This is our arrangement of the Irish lullaby, The Gartan Mother's Lullaby. It will be one among many songs performed at our junior recital in mid-April (Ellie on voice and flute, Justin on guitar, Sadie on howls...just kidding) at Concordia University Irvine, so if you're in the area, come join us as we make some music!

Sleep, O babe, for the red-bee hums

The silent twilight's fall:

Aibheall from the Grey Rock comes

To wrap the world in thrall.

A leanbhan O, my child, my joy,

My love and heart's-desire,

The crickets sing you lullaby

Beside the dying fire.

Dusk is drawn, and the Green Man's Thorn

Is wreathed in rings of fog:

Siabhra sails his boat till morn

Upon the Starry Bog.

A leanbhan O, the pale half moon

Hath brimmed her cusp in dew,

And weeps to hear the sad sleep-tune

I sing, O love, to you.

Faintly sweet doth the chapel bell

Ring o'er the valley dim:

Tearmann's peasant-voices swell

In fragrant evening hymn.

A leanbhan O, the low bell rings

My little lamb to rest

And angel-dreams, till morning sings

Its music in your breast.

Sleep, O babe, for the red-bee hums

The silent twilight's fall,

Aoibheall from the Grey Rock comes

To wrap the world in thrall.

A leanbhan O, my child, my joy,

My love and heart's-desire,

The crickets sing you lullaby

Beside the dying fire.

We look forward to singing this to our own children in the future, and we hope you (and your little ones!) enjoy it now!

Blessings and Sweet Dreams,

Justin and Ellie