I'm stuck at work today until 11pm. The very thought makes me almost cry and that's how I know overly hormonal and emotional. I think I'll blame it on the baby :)

So bare with me as I rant and rave and just talk. Things are going well here. The pregnancy is becoming more and more real which is really exciting. As corny as it sounds, each day I become more excited and less nervous. I'm still overwhelmed since we aren't sure what is happening with my job situation after the baby, we don't have a name picked out, or a nursery theme but I'm becoming less nervous about money and the actuality of a baby.

I've been having alot of round ligament pain. It's uncomfortable but I'm not as nervous about it anymore now that I know what it is. Before my Dr's appointment, I'd worry each time I felt it wondering if I was cramping, so I'm happy to hear it's normal.

I'm beginning to feel the baby move -- or I'm pretty sure I am. It's still early on, so they said it isn't a strong feeling so I'm not 100% positive but I'm pretty darn sure. Mike is incredibly excited and can't wait until he can feel it too.

I'm still not craving anything although my tolerance/appetite for sweets has drastically decreased. I never thought in my life that I wouldn't be in love with sweets. I'm more drawn to salty things -- like Chex Mix :) It's very weird and totally foreign to me.

We've still haven't changed our minds to not find out the sex or reveal the name of the baby (once we finally decide) and no matter how much people tell us "it's stupid", "it would be a lot easier to decide X,Y, and Z", "you are the only people who don't share names" will change our minds. Yes, I'm 100% aware that almost every hurdle we have right now would be easier if we knew the exact sex of the baby but the surprise will be worth it in the end. It's like finding out your present before your birthday. Yes, you are excited when you first find out but there is a little bit of disappointment when you open it on your birthday. Yes, you still love it and are excited but the excitement of not knowing as you open it is gone. One of the things Mike and I are so excited about is when the Dr tells us "It's a ....!!!" So I'll continue to shake my head and agree when people want to insult or mock our decisions but I know I'm making the best decision for us. ::stepping off the soapbox::

I'm still fitting into my normal clothes. Yay! I did wear my first maternity shirt to work the other day. Granted, I didn't NEED to wear it but I was too lazy to put anything else on, figure out what I had worn in the past 7 days, so I threw it on. It was cute though and a little roomier.

Well I think this long enough. Tomorrow makes it WEEK 18!! I'm going to try to write weekly updates to keep people better informed.

Why does time hate me?

This whole week work has been D-R-A-G-G-I-N-G!! The days seem to never ever end.

The fact that it is only 5.52pm baffles me as I think about the other 1 hour and 8 minutes I must somehow get through.

Thank goodness I have tomorrow off.

Mike and I had another Dr's appointment for the baby today. It was a really short visit but it was great to have the reassurance that everything appears to be normal/healthy. The heartbeat was found really quickly which was great to hear. She said it was about 160 beats/minute.

Our next appointment is on Sept 20 - Mike's birthday which is when we will schedule the ultra-sound. YAY!!

Any guesses yet to the sex of the baby? You don't have to have a blog site to answer :)

Does your spouse make breakfast bed? Watch reality TV that you know he really doesn't care to watch? Do the laundry? Humor you by going over countless lists of baby names? I'm proud to say that mine does (sorry, babe, your secrets are out)! To me, nothing says love like being a part of the team. Or maybe I should rephrase, maybe it's taking one for the team. I like to think I'm a pretty good teammate, too. I wash the silverware since I know he hates it, manage all the finances, and every now and then... look out... I throw some full-priced treats into the grocery cart.

It's those little things in the daily routine of life that make a marriage successful. It's wanting to do something for the other person more than for yourself. And it's always, always best when it's least expected. So while today marks another birthday, we both know that it's the in's and out's of every day that really count. (Although I have loved every minute of the endless pampering!!) And that is why even though I squashed his thoughtful dinner plans, tonight will not be a dinner disappointment, but rather another opportunity to listen to each other, talk about the exciting upcoming year and enjoy another birthday .... the best way possible ... together.

This'll be quick.

We are here in LA. Mike had to look something up on the computer, so I thought I'd look at my email real quick. I have waaaaaaaay too many emails, so I thought I'd blog instead especially since I can't access myspace :(

We went to Vegas on Monday. It was fun. We ended up losing all our money but we pretty much only used Mike's tip money, so it was sort of like "free" money. It was a fun city and I'm glad we made the long desert trip.

We've yet to really see any LA spots. We went to a Dodgers game on Sunday and went to Long Beach where I saw the Queen Mary. I got a far away shot but it's a picture none-the-less. Starting today is when the wedding stuff really starts. We are hoping to fit in a couple major tourist stops today and tomorrow.

Well Mike is done researching, so I'm going to sign off as well. Hope everyone is doing well. I miss talking to everyone but the time change makes it extremely difficult to call people. Talk to everyone soon.