WARNING: This post contains GRAPHIC CONTENT!

No. Seriously. Please have all children leave the room immediately! Actually, they may need to leave the building, less they should some how get any of this post remotely associated with their innocence. Those with sensitive eyes, temperaments, and are pure of heart should avert their eyes. Don't let these pictures tarnish the goodness that you have built your life upon. In fact, quickly go to this link to wash away any dirtiness that you may have accumulated from even being so close to such dirty pictures. (Click HERE for cleansing).
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Okay, so I guess the rest of you reading this are more like me. Dirty people. Shame on you. This is a family blog! But who cares! Now onto the show...

TA DA!

That's right! Never before seen nekkid pictures of our BABY BOY! Right there in graphic detail! (In case you can't tell, the arrow is pointing to "it") We are so excited to know the sex* of our baby. More importantly, our baby is healthy and growing right on track. He is only one pound at this time, which is crazy since Liz feels like she has gained about a billion pounds. Keith likes to remind her that she has to grow all the life support system stuff too, which Liz hears as "Blah blah blah".

As a reward for being the heathen people that you are (aka friends and family), here are some other ultrasound pictures from today.

Poppy seed is looking right at you!

There weren't a lot of super cute pics during the ultrasound, but most importantly all the measurements were within normal range. As always we sighed a sigh of relief. And we got to hear the heartbeat (140bpm); it never fails bring a smile. Liz even watched the baby move on the screen as she felt him bumping around...which was a strange phenomenon. The favorite baby pose was when poppy seed had his hand under his chin, like The Thinker. Liz mentioned to Keith that poppy see was probably pondering the Theory of Relativity.

Now that we know we are having a boy, it makes this baby-thing all more real. I said this to Keith, who asked the obvious question: "So the baby bump, baby moving, morning sickness, etc...none of that felt real?" It's not that isn't real, but that is just related to the pregnancy (a temporary state of being). Having a son, well, that is forever. And a happy forever. Yea us!

Now onto some important business that needs to be stated for you dirty people who have made this far into the post...Ground Rules for Our Son (wow...having son...wow):

1. A note for future present-givers, Liz will throw away any gun/weapon/knife related toys. Seriously. Talk about living up to horrible gender stereotypes. That's like if we were having a girl and someone gave her the "I'm Bad at Math" Barbie.
2. Do not ever, I repeat EVER, say the following phrase to/around/about our family: Boys will be boys. It is one of the most offensive things around. Playing off bad behavior based on sex (or gender) is not acceptable and definitely not for our son.
   
3. As his parents, we hold the exclusive rights to make up more rules as we go.
   

If you still feel the need to be cleansed, here is another link to make you feel a little better. Enjoy!





*This is the proper word. This is as opposed to the word gender, defined as the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex. And now you know.

You are squishing me!

Last night I was dozing when I felt a little movement from poppy seed. I was laying partially on my stomach, and decided to see what happened if I stayed there. Every few seconds, there was a push from poppy seed. It kept going for a few minutes until I rolled all the way onto my side. What happened? Of course poppy seed stopped pushing on me. It was the little one's way of saying, "Roll over, roll over!"

Good Eats of Spokane

So I don't know how I haven't mentioned this place, since it's a fantastic place to have lunch if in Spokane. I have to admit though...the only reason why we tried it was because of architecture of the building. That's right, we tried a restaurant based on the building. Don't judge me; if you read this you know how random I can be. I had to convince Keith to try it out, since he agrees with you (the reader) on my logic. And the name of the place is so obviously kitschy that I loved it instantly: The Milk Bottle.


Thank goodness this place rocks! They serve pretty good burgers and stuff. And they make it all fresh, which is cool. It really is a nice Mom n' Pop place. But the reason why we always plan on eating there when we trek up? The milkshakes. It may seem pretty obvious that this place would know how to do a milkshake correctly, as you do eat inside a milk bottle. But this is actually some kind of fusion of ice cream and awesomeness. I can't even describe how wonderful they are. Not only do you get a milkshake in the cute glasses, but also the tumbler they made it in. This basically equals TWO milkshakes for the price of one. How can anyone turn that down? The answer: You can't. Besides...what sound like more fun than eating in a giant milk bottle!?!

It's Shower Time, Baby Shower Time!

A weekend ago I had the best time! What was I doing? Well, if you can read (and I am assuming you can, since you are reading this now...aren't you?) then you already know the answer from the title of this post. It was my baby shower! My wonderful friend Brynne (aka Brynne-a-lynn) hosted it and she did a fantabulous job. What qualifies as fantabulous? I will tell you! Just calm down! Don't rush me, I'm pregnant! (I love playing the pregnancy card.)

1. The Decorations. They were so great! Everything was so gosh darn cute. I loved

the baby shower sign and streamers. And the very creative baby gate across the front door. Very multi-purpose. Cute baby-themed decoration and interesting obstacle for those guests who decided to wear skirts. Hee hee!

2. The Friends. I was very happy to see everyone there! It has been such a blessing to have so many people support us as we take that next leap into grown-up land. I admit that I thought there would be people who questioned our decision to start our family now. While there has been a few, the vast majority have overwhelming smashed, smooshed, and obliterated those fears. Everyone is just so darn excited, it's hard for me not to be (which I am anyway!)

3. The Food. How can I be me, especially a pregnant me, and not think about food!?! It was yummy, but more importantly also baby-themed. And no, we did not eat baby food. Thank goodness! (although I admit I am curious about what it tastes like. Keith says all in good time!) Some of my favorite foods were there: spinach dip, hummus, pita chips. Some of my cravings: fresh fruit! Baby-themed: mini vanilla wafers, teddy grahams. The piece de resistance*? A fantastic cupcake cake decorated with Runts candy. Get it? RUNTS! How I do love that not only was it super cute and yummy, but so damn creative!

4. The Games. I am usually not a big game person. Especially forced social games. But these were so super fun! My favorite games? "Chocolate Poop Diapers" and "Guess Liz's Circumference". Wanna know how to play? Of course you do, because all the cool kids are doing it!

"Chocolate Poop Diapers" is when you have to figure out (or guess if you are like me) what chocolate candy is melted into the diaper**. These diapers looked disgustingly real...at least they did to all of us who don't have babies. But they smelled so yummy...something I don't expect to say about read diapers. I did horribly at this game, which is sad since I do love candy. But it was so fun to see people's reactions and it made for some great photos!

"Guess Liz's Circumference" was a great one too. Everyone got to cut a piece of ribbon to the circumference they thought I was. This may be one of the few times that I am okay with other people sizing up my belly area. I admit I was apprehensive at first, as growing in size is not normally such a positive thing. But
it was definitely lots of fun, especially seeing how close (and how off) people were. Most people were pretty darn close, although there were a few that probably estimated me at the end of pregnancy (or with triplets...giant triplets).

5. The Embarrassing Moments. Yup, I am saying it. Even when I was embarrassed it was fun. That's what helped made this shower so memorable. Besides the circumference thing, it was little things. Like the necklace I had to wear. Seriously, the Desitin packet scratched the heck outta my neck. Which is ironic. (Or coincidental. Whatever. Ever since that Alanis Morresette song I really don't know the definition of that word!).

Being the center of attention was also just generally embarrassing. While I don't mind cracking a joke and having people laugh, an entire shower where people are looking at me is kinda weird. But having your friends laugh with (and at) me was wonderful.

And the "make Liz be blindfolded and palpate stuff" was embarrassing too. Nothing like trusting your friends when you are blindfolded and getting stuff placed into your hands to feel up. I did surprisingly well, although some of it was super hard to figure out. But again, lots of fun!

6. The Gifts. I would be lying if I said these didn't matter. Or I totally turned into another person. But I haven't and I'm not lying either. The thoughtfulness and usefulness of these gifts are going to be so helpful in the new adventures of baby. I am so bad at opening presents in front of people, since I feel conflicted on being obligatory-awed and obligatory-humble at the same time. How did I feel on the inside? WHOO HOO! Our baby is so lucky to get such neat things, and we are so lucky that we can spend some of our saved baby funds toward other things.

The thoughtfulness really was heartfelt, and that will always mean so much more than the material stuff. So in the end, why was this baby shower so fantabulous? It was all the friendship and love that I felt for myself, Keith, and our little poppy seed. We are so lucky for so many reasons, and this was just a beautiful reminder of that.

*That's right. It's French. I think. Who knows, but it adds some class, dontcha think?

**Be careful when making these. We were able to see the first experimental diaper. Let's just say there was no actual flames in the microwave, but the diaper did look burnt. Hee hee!

Funny Pregnancy Quotes

It's not sexual harassment - you're pregnant! - Dr. Knappster

You are sneezing for two. - Evie Madden

I am going to punch you in the ovaries. Now get out of radiology. - Sam Howard

You have pregnancy brain. - Brynne Lyle (Said after I lost my Cougar Card...for the second/third time in a week)

How can you not feel that?!?- Keith (After seeing our ninja baby move around)

I can't trip you now, you are a vessel of life.- Dr. Bryan

John: So you are 1/2 Chinese, 1/2 Japanese, and 1/2 Asian...and Keith is Caucasian. What does that make your baby?
Liz: Light Yellow. (Don't get offended, this is a joke. And if you do...well, then you really don't know my sense of humor.)

You are my husband's hero. - Liz (Said to a radiology tech after she took away my radiology badge so I couldn't take radiographs anymore)

Do you have to wear a gas mask in the surgery OR?- Michelle Nguyen

Jaaron makes a great middle name - boy or girl.- Jaaron Peterson

I will be their life coach for 18 years. Look how much I've helped you in a few months.- Gura (Dr. Anderson)

Jenny will be your doula and I'll be your midwife. Keith and John will wait in the living room smoking cigars. This is Liz's dream, to relive the 1950's.-Brynne

You are high on baby juice.- John Lyle

Liz: I can't remember the weird pregnancy quote I always say.
Keith: Does it have to do with pregnancy brain? Because if it was, that would be awesome.

I'm pregnant, not colorblind. -Liz (talking about some FUGLY pregnancy clothes)

Can you use the same stuff they use for mastitis in cows? - Jenny Janitell (talking about Udderly Smooth Udder Cream)

You should steal a bunch of pee pads from the hospital and make your own diapers. - Jenny (after learning how many diapers a newborn goes through...she may be right!)

I'm going to make you wear the respirator mask during rounds, so you'll sound like Darth Vader. - Dr. Spencer (after Liz politely declined wearing one)

Week 20: Poppy Seed is the Size of a Cantalope

All I can say is...size of a cantaloupe?!? I know it's really just the length, and not the entire baby. But still, it kinda makes sense why I have to pee so much. I'm just saying. If you don't understand why that would happen, check this anatomy out.


Countdown until next ultrasound: 9 more days. And today is almost over. Whoo-hoo!

Someone Buy Our House!

It has finally happened: Our Pullman house is up for sale! It has taken A LOT of hard work - most done by Keith (the rest of it done by Doug, my dad, and Cher & Teresa), but it is finally ready. So now everyone needs to keep their fingers crossed for us as we sit and wait for someone to love it. And you know...we are so the patient type of people. Ahhhh!!! It's only been up for a few days...but the waiting is already driving me nuts.

Anyway, here is the link of our little house. It has been a great house for us, but sadly hard to move to San Diego! If you know of anyone looking in our area...be sure to send them our way!

Just waiting

Day after day goes by, and all I do is wait. What am I waiting for? Well, there are so many things, really.

1. Waiting for graduation and all the happiness/anxiety/freedom that comes with that.
   
2. Waiting for us to find a new place to live.
   
3. Waiting for us to sell our house.
   
4. Waiting for me to feel like a real doctor, although I'm not sure when or if that day will ever come.
5. Waiting to see if I can be a wife, mom, and intern all at the same time. And more importantly, can I do them all at the same time and do them well.
6. Waiting for my real life to begin.
7. Waiting to see if my car will last another few years, or if I should take my dad up on his deal.
8. Waiting to see what new pregnancy-related symptoms will be next.
9. Waiting for this exhaustion to finally go away. It seems like it's been a long time since I've actually felt like I had anything resembling energy.
   
10. Waiting for my licensure to finally go through.

But the most important thing that I'm waiting for...is the baby. And what that will mean to Keith and I as we start the next, exciting chapter of our life. It is so thrilling to share this with him. I can't wait to find out the sex of our baby (two more weeks!). I can't wait for Keith to feel the baby move and kick. I can't wait for us to meet this little one. I can't wait for all the love, stress, frustration, and joy we will share with this new little creature. (although I could probably do without the stress and frustration, but let's be real...those will be there whether I want them to or not).

For a girl who is often anxious, and who self-proclaims how much she hates change...here is a change I look forward to. Yeah, I still get nervous and sometimes scared. I worry that this will put a lot of stress on Keith and my relationship. I worry that I will be a sucktastic mom. I worry that the baby will know this and hate me for it. But most of the time, I am joyful that this adventure is something to share and embrace with my soulmate. Who knew change could be so good?

Daddy To-Do List

Keith has been working frantically for the past few months, trying to get everything ready for the big upcoming (pending, looming, intimidating, etc) events. The largest project has been getting our Pullman house ready to place on the market. It has been super stressful, as he has completed so many projects around the house, cleaned it tirelessly, and now is moving things into storage.

Keith is one amazing man. I have been very little help, as this phase of pregnancy has rendered me a walking zombie most of the time, due to the severe exhaustion I have been going through. Now that I am mostly over that (I think) I am working overnights at the hospital, which leaves very little time except sleep and work. Nevertheless, Keith has forged ahead and has been doing so much of the work on his own. He never fails to amaze me at his work ethic, determination, and most of all love for this crazy woman he has married.

This is all in addition to the full-time job it is to take care of me. I often forget things now, and he looks after me and the little poppy seed to make sure that we are taking care of ourselves and being careful. He is the best husband and best daddy.

I am so glad I got to help a little today, and hope to be able to do more as I learn to work through the exhaustion and around this new figure I'm obtaining (it's harder to carry boxes with a baby bump). But really this post is a big THANK YOU to the love of my lives, my soulmate, my dear husband. None of this would I love you Keith!