Until recently pregnancy has been some what of a mystery.  Sure we have had the fuzzy black and white ultrasound machine since the 50’s.  The first 3D ultrasound machine was developed by Olaf von Ramm and Stephen Smith at Duke University in 1987.  Relatively not too long ago.  i think sometimes when we have these amazing technologies we forget how new they really are (considering how long woman have been giving birth.  thanks Eve for the pain!).  Because of this amazing technology of the ultrasound machine and medicine in general, we have been able to capture crystal clear images of a fetus.  Whenever i see these pictures i am just in awe of the technology and the miracle of pregnancy.  i have found a really neat video pregnancy calendar called PregnanSee.  It’s a must see! haha

All i can say is wow!  What women had to do for birth control……..

History’s 10 Most Terrifying Contraceptives

Run out and get the July issue of Vogue!  The ever fabulous and pregnant Nicole Kidman sat down for an interview according to Style.com where you can read an edited version.

She talks about how she has fallen in love with the Tennessee landscape and gardening.  Which she laughs about that she has followed her mother and sister into “the Kidman women’s hobby of gardening”.  A place she never thought she would be.  She goes on to chat about why her new movie Australia “is a dream project”.  Best of all, she shares her excitement of finally being able to bear her own child after having adopted two fantastic kids, and her amazing relationship with country star Keith Urban.

When speaking of the surprise of being pregnant she says  “I like the unpredictable nature of it. To feel life growing with you is something very, very special, and I’m going to embrace that completely. I don’t believe in flittering around the edges of things. You’re either going to walk through life and experience it fully or you’re going to be a voyeur. And I’m not a voyeur.”  And she certainly isn’t.

Now go get the new issue of Vogue to read the full interview, and check out the pictures by famed Annie Leibovitz!

There are 17 girls in Gloucester Virginia pregant, all 16 and younger, who have made a pregnancy pact.  They wanted to have babies and raise them all together.  This makes me tear up.  As a mom, i understand what it takes to raise a child (i was even a single mommy for a little while) and i know these girls have no idea what they have gotten in to.  I feel very sad for these poor babies who didn’t ask to be in this world.  i feel bad for the parents of these kids because much of the responsiblity will be on their shoulders.

People seem to be blaming movies like Juno.  i am sure that is part of the problem, however i believe for these poor girls its a much deeper issue.  After going through the things in my life i have, i can understand that need.  The need to have sex because in that moment you feel needed and special.  The strong desire to have a baby because you want that unconditional connection.  I know what i will say next is touchy and perhaps may bring on some hot comments.  Perhaps, i dare say, the parents are part of the problem.  i do not know any of them personally of course, i can only speak about my own life experiences.  Parents today are busier than ever, more distracted which can cause short tempers and seperation.  The child is off to their own devices, bored, and easily influenced.  If mom and dad don’t step in, this is the fall out that can happen.  At times i am guilty of this as well.  As parents we are raising future adults and our influence is vital.  i wonder what kind of home life they have had.  i wonder if we will hear from any of the parents who i am sure are devastated.  Maybe they will become a tv special as to how tough it is to be a teen parent.  i sincerely hope something good will become of these poor choices not just for these girls, but also for society. 

The song, Pretty Babies, sums it all up.  As parents it is up to us to arm our children with information.  i know sex ed is uncomfortable and scary.  It begins when they are young and giving their parts proper names.  After a few times, it gets easier trust me:)  There are numerous books out there too help.  You owe it to your kids!  If you are one who has older kids and has an open relationship about this subject, let me know how you do it. 

If you would like to check out all of the sad details of this story, hop on over to Time for their article.

I know we are always curious what happens to the fetus during pregnancy. I found the coolest visual guide starting at fertilization and going to birth. You have to check out The Visible Embryo.

i think pregnancy has begun to rear its ugly head.  Last night, after dinner i sat on the couch for a few minutes to let my food settle.  With my kids running around and playing, i feel asleep!!  All of a sudden i woke up half an hour later.  My hubby was so sweet, he covered me up, turned off the lights and took care of bed time.  i could not drag my butt off the couch to get some much needed work done.  Kevin got me a pear to try to calm my tummy and i ended up in bed a whole hour early!  This morning, i struggled to get my son ready for school and just as he and Kevin were about to walk out the door, i ran to the bathroom to get a clear view of the inside of the toilet (man, i need to clean that thing again!).  He was so kind and waited until i emerged from the bathroom teary eyed thus leaving a few minutes late.  He offered to come home after he dropped Chandlur off at preschool.  i told him i would be ok and would call him if i needed anything.  Although i just wanted to scream, “stay home so i can go back to bed!”, i knew he needed to go to work (why does life have to revolve around money??)
No one ever really talks to you about the ugly side of pregnancy.  It’s all about the baby when you start feeling them, how big they are, hearing the sweet little heart beat, and the most exciting 20 week ultrasound.  They don’t tell you, most of the population is prone to stretch marks (i am already saving for plastic surgery) and the creams and potions don’t really work, sometimes morning sickness isn’t only in the morning and it can last the whole pregnancy.  They fail to mention there is a period when you just feel fat, when your old clothes are tight and maternity clothes are too big (and you look like you are gaining weight, not with child).  When i was pregnant with my first, i thought i was having a miscarriage.  No one ever told me cramps were normal and sometimes you feel the ligaments stretching (thankfully i ran across a book that explained it all).  To my childless girlfriends, i explain it’s like having a bad period with some throwing up.  To all the men in my life, i explain it’s like having a horrible flu.
Don’t get me wrong, i am amazed that a baby can grow from these little tiny cells.  Pregnancy can be special and truly amazing!  i guess right now, a little more than 9 weeks in, i’m stuck at the fat (with each pregnancy i seem to show sooner and sooner) and toilet phase.  i am clinging on to the excitment of my first appointment next week (i think Kevin may be even more excited for it than i).

i am such a bad mom.  i have to keep telling myself this is only temporary and they won’t even remember.  Right??  Yesterday i spent almost the whole day on the couch.  If you know me, you know how crazy that is.  i am a person always in motion and can’t sit still for any length of time.  i have been fighting morning sickness (who said it was only in the morning? probably some man!) and have to start off the morning in slow motion anyways.  Then, yesterday, i woke up with a dreaded migraine.  Just wrap me around the toilet and have an episode of “Kids Gone Wild” ( 5, 4, and 2 1/2 year old).  i can’t take part one of my two part migraine relief method.  YIKES!  Somehow we managed to make it through the day with minimal bloodshed and a messy house.  i even made a decent dinner which got me kudos from my hubby!  Does warm banana bread and an hour of playing with legos today make up for yesterday???