Dear Baby Helland (of 16 weeks):

Well, we survived our four days of x-mas, and all went as planned even with the crazy snowstorm. Mommy, Daddy and Prudence decided to stay at the farm on x-mas eve because the roads were icky, and we'd have to come right back the next day anyway. The Simonett's were out there as well, so it was a fun night. On x-mas day the rest of the Schuft clan arrived. Cousins Morgan and Payton had a bunch of questions about how you and mommy were doing. Wilson was obsessed with mommies belly, and I was weirded out a little by it. She thinks since the other grandkids don't like her that much, that she has to reign you in right away. Plus, she'll only have about three months with you before she heads off to college. And she's also requested four pictures of herself to be hung in your room so you know who she is. She's pretty silly. You even got a gag gift that day. Auntie Connie has stuff left at the farm, and since it's been there for quite a while, your other aunts wrapped it up and gave it back to her. Except for a set of baby books that we think are from Ellie. They are all the Sandra Boynton ones so they are really good ones. Plus, someone wrapped up an Antique breast pump for us. It's glass and kinda cool I guess, but it's still a little weird to me, so it's getting tucked in a closet for now.
The day after x-mas we headed down to LeCenter to have the extended Helland side x-mas. That day is always fun because there is constantly at least one game being played. This year, the new game was Quelf and it was pretty awesome. You have to do some crazy stuff, but it's really fun especially with the right people. Then the next day we had our small Helland x-mas. Auntie Kristen couldn't resist and bought you some bibs and hats. They just happen to perfectly match the little gloves I bought you a while ago. Great minds think alike! Auntie Kristen and Uncle Erik are pretty silly. They told us how they were discussing what each of them would teach you. Auntie Kristen said she'd teach you math since she already teaches that anyway. Uncle Erik has big plans for you. First, he's teaching you to be an acrobat, and then a lion tamer. Things could get crazy!
And now we're back home! Mommy has the week off yet, so she's going to be getting scrapping stuff ready for Winter Wonderland and other random stuff.
A few other things.........
I really need to get used to the fact that people will be looking at my belly. I've always been a fairly self-consious person so it's pretty uncomfortable right now. I often look at my belly in the mirror and for those who are anxiously awaiting your arrival, why shouldn't they look? Maybe I'll feel better about it when it's blatently obvious!
Speaking of uncomfortable....what is a four month pregnant lady seriously supposed to wear??? My two favorite pairs of jeans still kind of fit, but it's getting pretty iffy. Most shirts are starting to look pretty silly. And the maternity clothes still looks like I'm wearing a colorful tent with arms. I tried to put my gift cards to use and buy maternity clothes. But do you think I could find anything that looked decent? Nope. So I guess for the next few months, I will be either wearing sweatpants and sweatshirts, or the one pink shirt that doesn't bug the crap outta me.
Daddy and I have been pretty bad at taking those growing belly pictures too. We took one at like 13 weeks, and here we are at 16, with nothing to show in between. I'll work harder at that.....
Speaking of your father, remember how I said he freaked me out with the giant babies? Well, I asked Grandma Glo to be sure how big her babies were. I was the biggest one at 8 lbs. Not bad. Then I asked Grandma Denise, and she said your daddy was 9 lbs, 1 oz. So if you're a giant baby, it's your fathers fault.
Before x-mas break, I finally told my principal and the kids. My principal said congratulations and wished us good health. The kids were pretty funny. I told them that I might start to look different when we get back from break. Sure enough, one of my eighth grade girls knew it right away. She yells out "I so knew it like a month ago, but we can't say anything becuase it sounds mean". I knew those girls could tell. Junior high girls watch VERY closely. But they all were pretty excited. They told all of my high schoolers before I had a chance the next hour!
Well, I think I've caught you up for now. And mommy needs to calm daddy down now anyway. The Vikes are losing to the Bears, which should NOT be happening!
We'll talk again soon!
Mommy

Dear Baby Helland: (Of 15 weeks)

So it's 5am and I've been wide awake for about two hours. It's Saturday though, so I'm not too worried about it. I have been having a harder time sleeping, but it's not that I'm feeling tired during the day. It's just usually harder to get back to sleep after my middle-of-the-night potty break. Oh well. Maybe life it just preparing me for the sleepless nights with you!
Well this past week we had another appointment with Dr. Leino. This one was super easy. And we got to hear your heartbeat. That was really reassuring. You were a mover too! Dr. Leino showed us how we could hear your little summersaults while listening to your heartbeat. Oh, and I only gained 5 pounds, which is good. It's not that I'm really worried about weight gain, but I just like to know I'm on the right track for your growth. Daddy's still freaking me out about the giant babies but it really hasn't stopped me from eating my chocolate!
We also got some staple items for when you show up. Auntie Steffie gave us this big pack of coupons from Target and it had a $5 off card if you spent $25 on baby stuff. So we have a some diapers (that should fit you as long as you aren't a preemie or a giant baby), a pacifier (which I hope you don't want to use anyway), wipes, and some necessary lotions, powders, A & D and baby wash. After it was all said and done, I saved about $20 on stuff we would have to buy eventually. This is how your Daddy and I are different. I like to plan ahead and Daddy would rather wait until we NEED something. Some say he's a little more practical, but in my mind, I saved money, so that's practical!
This second trimester is kinda funny because a lot of those pregnancy symtoms go away. Besides the growing belly and increased appetite, all those for sure signs have disappeared. Maybe this insomnia is a new pregancy symptom, but I can deal with that. It's much better than having to eat every two hours or face feeling queezy!
Other than that, life has been busy with school concerts, and daddy was busy studying for his surgery test. Not that they're all over we get to enjoy Christmas!
We'll talk again soon!

Dear Baby Helland: (Of 13 weeks)

Dear Baby Helland:
Sorry, we missed one week of blogging. I'll just fill you in quickly on week 12/beginning of 13-Thanksgiving came and went. Got to go to Great Grandma and Grandpa Davidson's on Thanksgiving day and then we spent the next day and Grandma and Grandpa Helland's. I had two somewhat scares this past week. First, there was an announcement at school about a confirmed case of Fifth disease, and anyone who was pregnant needed to call their doctor. Well, since I only see a small percentage of the kids I thought I should maybe ask someone if I would have had direct contact. Luckily, the nurse was in school that day, so I talked to her about it. Because it was an elementary student that I wouldn't have spent any time with, I should've been ok. Just to be sure, I called nurse Heidi and Dr. Leino, and they agreed. All is safe! Then a few days later, I had my first instance of spotting during this pregnancy. My heart dropped. I quickly got my pregnancy books and looked up all the signs of miscarriage. I hadn't had any cramps or pains, and it was a pretty small spot. I still cried a little and Ty calmed me down, and then all was well again. Whew! I've never wanted to go to the doctor, but now I wish our doc appointment was this week instead of next, just to have that reassurance of a heartbeat! On to some fun news......you got to go to your second concert. Remember your first one was a Mutemath concert. That one was loud, and mommy had to stand the whole time. This concert was a Lorie Line concert and we got to sit in comfy seats, and it was the perfect volume. I'm so jealous of Lorie Line because she's made an entire career of simply playing the piano and creating simple arrangements of well known tunes. Plus, she's made millions of dollars doing this. We got to see fruantie Jessi at this concert which is always nice. Plus we ran into Lisa, and I think it was the first time you've actually met her. Then last night, you got to perform in your first concert. Sure it was mommy playing the piano, but you were right there! Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Plus you had your first chinese food last night. YUM! Daddy made a good choice there! It's a little funny that all of Tyler's co-workers know we're expecting. None of my co-workers know. It's not that I don't want to tell them, it just feels like a weird thing to randomly bring up in conversation. I swear my junior high girls have been watching my growing belly though. They're very observant. My current plan is to officially break the news once we come back from x-mas break. It won't affect my work too much because as of right now, I don't plan on taking any maternity leave. (One plus of being a teacher!) Speaking of x-mas, next year it will be nice having you around for x-mas presents. I try to be creative, but Ty and I are a little boring without you around. Once you arrive, there can be scrapbooks and calendars and all sorts of projects that you'll inspire! And that reminds me that I should probably get working on those gifts that I have planned for this year! We'll talk again soon!

Dear Baby Helland: (of 11 weeks)

Yep, we're now at 11 weeks and actually feeling pretty good. Yes, we are still really tired all of the time. And we have to eat like every two hours. But at least you are craving chocolate again. I just wasn't feeling like myself without that daily dose of chocolate. This week we also got the H1N1 vaccine. I was a little worried about getting some small reactions like a headache or nausea, but nothing but a sore arm. This week when Daddy was working in the ER one night, I went through all of the tubs from the sisters. We now have maternity clothes, toys, feeding supplies, baby clothes, burp rags and blankets. The maternity clothes was not exactly exciting because I just could not see myself wearing a lot of it. It's not that my sisters have bad taste, it's just been like 6-7 years since they've been pregnant. Old Navy has some cuter stuff out now! But there were some staple items that I will be able to use. Going through the toys was pretty funny. Prudence had to smell them all. Luckily she didn't try to play with any of them, but there was a police car that actually looked like a sqeaky toy. Since it looks so much like a dog toy, it might not be for you Baby Helland. There was a lot of girls clothes in the tubs. I found some neutral stuff in each size though. We're just lacking some hats, bibs and booties. Oh, and this past week, two HUGE babies were born at the hospital. Like 10 pounds each. I would be happy with 7 lbs. Try to work on that Baby Helland. Well, Mommy gets to choose the movie tonight so we better pick out our chick flick. Keep growing Baby Helland (but not too much)!

Dear Baby Helland: (We made it!)

We survived our doctor visit! Dr. Leino is way awesome and I'm really glad she's working with us. Thanks daddy for recommending her! It was a little too early to hear your heartbeat, but Dr. Leino got us an ultrasound so we already have two pictures of you! You look just like a peanut or a bean, but I guess that's normal.
I stopped right away at the bank because I knew your aunt Steffie would be at work. When I showed her your picture her response was. "I was so right! I guessed it a few weeks ago". I figured the sisters could sense it. Then I quickly texted auntie Vicki, who was at the volleyball game with the rest of your aunts on that side, and Grandpa Ben. Your cousin Payton responded with "I've been waiting for this since the day you said 'I do'". Once I knew auntie Kristen would be out of school, I called her and her response was "Shut up!". She reminded me that Grandpa and Grandma Helland were on their way to California, so I should call them before their flight leaves. So I did. They sounded pretty excited. Finally I got ahold of Erik, who was already in Cali for his game, and he sounded pretty pumped too. Everybody reacted much better than they did in my dream last night. (In my dream, no one seemed to care, so I just stopped telling people and got really sad about having a baby.) I feel a little bad that Daddy didn't get to tell many people, but we still have our close friends to tell. Once he gets home from work, I'll ask if he wants to call them.
I also rewarded myself (for doing pretty well at the appointment) by getting McDonald's Chicken Nuggets, and buying you something. I decided on some little tiny mittens so you wouldn't scratch your face. I knew it was something that the sisters didn't really have in their supplies, and it was inexpensive so Daddy would be ok with it! Last time I was in the baby aisle, I swear they had cuter unisex colored newborn stuff. I don't really want a whole lot of yellow. I like the sage green and browns better. But there is always the yellow. Maybe I'll just have to learn to live with it.
Well, exhaustion has hit again and if I'm going to stay awake and watch a movie with your father, I better get that nap in now!!

Dear Baby Helland: (9 weeks)

Yep, we've made it to 9 weeks already! We've survived a birthday party and auntie Kristen staying over without spilling the beans. Auntie Kristen actually found the pregnancy books in the spare room (I didn't hide them very well, they just sat on the bookshelf), and asked so mommy had to fib a bit. But man am I itching to tell. We have it all planned out how to tell each family member. Maybe it's silly, but we like to think up a little trick or story to throw them off guard. It's kinda like how we told Grandma Helland that me and your daddy were getting married. (Daddy called her up and said that he didn't want to date mommy anymore. He wanted to marry her instead.)
This week you also get to travel to the state volleyball tournament to watch your cousin Morgan play for the t-birds. It's been so fun to watch her this season! I can't wait until I get to make you a little t-shirt when we go watch her play in the next few years.
You've recently made mommy really sensitive to smells. While at the USD football game watching your uncle Erik (you'll also have a little t-shirt when you watch him play), mommy could smell every perfume, cologne, sweaty football player and hot dog lathered with ketchup. Ick.
"Morning" sickness has settled down a bit. I just now know that I need to eat every few hours, and I need to have a lot of options as for what to eat, because I've been very picky. You still make mommy crave more meat than chocolate. Mmmm, jerky.
In three days we get to go to the doctor and see how you're doing. It'd be awesome if we could hear your heartbeat or get a little picture of you, but daddy isn't really sure that we get to do that at this appointment. Our doctor is going to be Dr. Leino which is cool because daddy actually stayed with her and worked with her during his first two years at Med School. Yes, I'm still freaking out a little about the blood thing, but frauntie(friend+aunt) Jessi said it really only takes about a minute or two and it's done. And once it's over, I get to tell!!!
I have been very good about not buying anything for you yet. First I need to see what's really in the bins that are at Auntie Steffie's. We're very lucky that we'll have a lot of stuff from them. We don't have to buy a lot of the big stuff that makes having babies so expensive. More money for fun stuff!
Well, more after the appointment! I hope you're doing well in there!

Dear Baby Helland: (of 8 weeks)

First off, Happy Halloween! Daddy woke up with a great idea this morning. He thought that next Halloween when you'll be about 4 months, we should dress Prudence up as a baby and you up as a hot dog. We had a good laugh about that!
So yep, we've made it to 8 weeks and I haven't spilled the news to everyone yet. Tonight will be another test. We're having some Morris friends over, and it'll be really hard not to say anything. We'll just do our best.
The nausea is getting a little better, but part of me thinks it's because I've been able to sleep in the past two days. I also read in the baby book that now is about the time to start eating 6 small meals instead of 3 big meals. The long time in between meals makes my blood sugar low making me feel icky and moody. Makes sense to me.
A few nights ago I had a dream about our first doctor visit. I have to admit, I'm not looking forward to that. I have a fear of doctor visits anyway. I think this one worries me more because I've never had to do this type of appointment before. I've never had blood drawn and that scares me. It will help that daddy gets to be with me for the appointment. Here's some more personal info about your mom-I've actually had to take xanax the last few doctor appointments. And those are just for regular yearly visits. I know that I can't take it anymore so that has me stressed out a little. Yes, I know it's probably not a big deal, and yes I will survive, I just worry a bit.
Let's get to something happier. Tonight will be really fun. I'm really looking forward to it. It's always nice to see friends. Speaking of tonight, I better finish cooking and cleaning!

7 weeks and feeling the effects.

Yep it's hit now. Mornings are pretty rough. It doesn't really get better until midafternoon. But it's a weird type of nausea. It's not necessarily that I need to hurl. It's just an overall icky feeling and nothing sounds good to eat. By supper time, I'm finally hungry, but only for bacon. I could seriously eat bacon everyday. I sometimes question whether this baby is really mine because chocolate has not been appealing. I think it actually has been days since I've had chocolate. And that NEVER happens. I'm a Schuft. Schuft's have chocolate after every meal.
Oh and I'm even more exhausted. Right now, I'm fighting to stay up past 7pm. Sleeping has been interesting as well. Getting up to pee a few times a night, (ok it's usually only once, but one night I had to get up twice!) is not super fun. Then finding a comfortable sleeping position is difficult. Sleeping on my tummy is bad for my neck, sleeping on my back hurts my back and sleeping on my side isn't very satisfying. I've tried the pillow between the legs thing, but I don't know that it really works.
Ty and I are getting pretty anxious to tell people. I'd like to have a better excuse as to why I look and feel horrible, and carry saltines everywhere. Two to three weeks and we should get past the doctors appointment. Then we'll be able to spread the news.
So yes, this one was a lot of complaining, but since I can't really tell anyone besides Ty, you get it all on here. I'll try to be a bit more positive next time!

7 weeks, and the baby blues hit...or did they...

So we're 7 weeks along today and feeling pretty good. Until about 1pm. Today is my niece Payton's birthday party. We haven't told family yet, so this will be a real test. I showered and thought I had an outfit picked out. And it just didn't look right. So I tried on another, and another, and another. Things were not fitting or looking right. I finally settled on this t-shirt and sweater vest thing because it wasn't too snug(cause you would see the slight belly bump that I feel like I have already!) but not too baggy(I don't want them to assume we're hiding something). I felt like a pile. Even this outfit just did not feel right. The sleeves felt too tight around the arm holes, the front felt longer and bunchy and it was super uncomfortable on my neck. So I sat on Ty's lap and cried. We discussed how yes, my body will be changing, but I didn't think it would happen this fast. I thought "Man it will be a long 7 months yet". After a few minutes, and a few hugs, I went along with my day. And then it hit me. How my outfit was feeling, should not be from the baby. It wasn't all related to a belly. Then I looked down the front of my t-shirt, and yes, there was my tag. I had put my t-shirt on backwards. All that crying was basically for nothing related to the baby. So I had a little laugh, and put my shirt on the correct way. Life is much better now.

Dear Baby Helland:

So here we are on a Friday night and boy are you making me tired! Daddy's been working long hours at the hospital, so we're happy just watching a tv movie and being lazy. By the way, you're already starting to cost us money. We are going through toilet paper like you wouldn't believe. Daddy would also like you to know that you will grow up playing boaties and jazz with him. Oh and you have to be a boy. (Not really, he's just being silly. You'll get used to it.) He also would like to remind you that you can grow up to be anything you want, you just have to play football, basketball and take piano lessons like we've discussed before. Now daddy's just getting silly with this blog so we'll talk to you later.

Dear Baby Helland:

Some soon to be mommies write a pregnancy journal, but I think it would be fun to write directly to you so here goes.....
So far, you've been pretty easy to take care of! Yes you make mommy pee all the time (even though daddy thinks it's in my head) but that's nothing like some people have to put up with. I have been having food aversions lately. Mushrooms have not been friendly with us and some sauces have thrown us off. You could eat pizza every meal for every day. You'll fit in just fine in this family!
I'm excited for when you get ears! (It should be around 22 weeks and did you know they started in your neck?!?) I really like to read, especially children's books, so I'm going to read to you. And I'm sure daddy is going to have you listen to jazz music. He's hoping that you'll be a drummer. That would complete our family band. Regardless of what you end up playing, you will take piano lessons. It's just part of being in this family. If Prudence had longer fingers, she'd take lessons too.
We're also going to refer to you as Baby Helland until you're born. We don't want to find out if you're a boy or girl. Daddy said that if I knew, I'd buy too much stuff for you, and he's probably right. So this will be a surprise. I'm a little curious considering the Helland side is dominated by boys, and the Schuft side is dominated by girls. We'll just wait until June to see who wins! And when people ask if we have names picked out, we're going to tell them you'll be named Fuloola or Boseefuss. Don't worry, that isn't what we'll really name you. We've got some awesome names picked out! We just aren't going to tell people because Mommy is a little too sensitive to criticism. So we'll just keep that our little secret.
You might hear Daddy say that you're a boy. He just says that to be funny. If you're a girl, don't worry he'll love you just as much.
And if you would, Baby Helland, please be kind to mommy during labor. I'm horrible with pain, doctors and have a fear of the unknown. Maybe I'll grow up tremendously in nine months. And don't be offended when I get drugs during your birth. If I didn't, I would probably say a lot of things that I probably didn't mean, would be crying hysterically and inevitably screaming. I'd like you to see a mommy that looks fairly calm, and has tears of joy instead of tremendous pain when we first meet!
As for now, I think that's all we really need to discuss. We'll talk soon!

Well, sadly, today I'm home with the icks. I haven't been sick yet this year and I don't think it's the H1N1 flu because I don't have a fever, but I still feel icky. It could be because of the baby. If it is, then I just need to buck up and deal with it! It's hard to be home from school, but luckily, they get an actual music teacher for their sub. And it just happens to be a fellow Morris grad. How lucky is that! It can be really sketchy when a sub is needed for band or choir. I tried really hard to have recordings made last year so that my kids never had study halls. I just don't believe in them. Period. Study halls really mean "get into whatever trouble you want to". So yeah, thanks for stepping in Brian!
Speaking of my job this year, let's talk about that for a bit:
I'm lucky I found a position that was close to Glencoe. Yes it's part time, but it's a teaching job. I'm trying really hard to get these kids to where they should be. They haven't been given much attention so we're doing a lot of catch up. I'm a lot more strict this year than I was up the in the Bay, but I think it's because these kids need it more. Or it could be that what they had previously was soooooo lax, that I'm just structured but it comes off as strict. Whatever the case, I'm really trying. I haven't really dreaded going to work and only one day have I come home in tears(it was just an emotional day anyway). I really like teaching band, but sometimes I miss teaching choir. I loved my kids in the Bay. I felt like they would have done anything I asked. Or maybe that's just how groups of kids are different. Ty reminds me that it didn't start that way up in the Bay. So maybe next year it'll be different at LP.
And now onto living in Glencoe.....
I'm really happy where we are right now. We're close to both of our families, and close to both of our jobs. We're renting from family. Things just really fell into place and I need to remember how lucky I really am. I love being able to see Morgan & Payton's volleyball games, running down to LeCenter for a Friday night football game to support my father-in-law's team, or just helping out family by hanging out with some nieces and nephews while their parents finish up work. I did really miss teaching piano lessons. It would be even more convenient if they all could take place in one location instead of having to "rent" out a church or school, but that will come with time. And Prudence likes it too. She gets to go to the farm all the time, and is even warming up to our neighbor Pastor Ron (he bought treats for her, so everytime they met outside, she stopped barking and would actually let him pet her!).
Well, Ty just called that he's coming home too. I guess even doctors get sick. Prudence will have a lot of cuddling to do today. Mommy, daddy and baby need it!

So what's new with the Helland's you ask:
Well, we are expecting! We found out on October 10th that Baby Helland is on the way. So far everything has been going well. Once we make it past our first 10 weeks and know that the baby is safe and healthy, which should land us at about Thanksgiving, we get to spill the beans to our families and friends. It'll be the 13th grandchild on my side, and the first on Ty's. Exciting times!

Other random thoughts:
*The Dominos commercials are driving Prudence nuts. They have such a real sounding doorbell that whenever that commercial plays, she runs to the door and barks for about 15 minutes.
*A sign that I'm getting old: Last night Ty and I went to the Mutemath concert at First Ave. Great concert, but all I could talk about after the concert was how loud it was (even with earplugs), how surprised we were that so many young people came out for it, and how annoying "the swayer" was in front of us. Seriously, this man took up so much space. I understand a slight bopping back and forth or feeling the need to shift your weight on your feet, but this man was horrible. I was so distracted by his moving that I almost missed when the drummer put the bass drum in the audience and stood on it. Oh, another sign I'm getting old-Instead of thinking "oh cool!" I thought, "that's so dangerous, he better not fall, he could get seriously injured!"