18 weeks
Today marks my 18th week of pregnancy, and the look on my face has a little to do with the way I'm feeling, although it's more about the fact that Jon was trying to get me to smile. Nothing to me is more obnoxious, except maybe someone calling me sweetheart or darling with a Boston accent. That look is a warning, it's me going dude, if you would like this kid to grow up and know its father you had better shut it. I will smile when I am damn good and ready, thank you very much, just take the photo before things turn ugly and I start using your middle name.
The past couple of weeks have physically been a breeze, but emotionally I'm a bit of a wreck. I think it has very little to do with pregnancy and everything to do with the weather. It's a seasonal dip I struggle with every year at about this time when I crave warm weather, sun, and late afternoons on the porch but am living day after day of cloudy skies, snow, and 4:30 PM sunsets. This is probably the hardest thing about living in Utah, and I know there are far colder places than Salt Lake City, but when I stopped to pinpoint exactly what was making me so sad I realized it was just a matter of not seeing blue sky in fourteen days. And the constant act of bending over to towel off the dogs so they don't drag snow into the house. Nothing tragic, no, but it was enough to make me start yelling obscenities at a carton of orange juice because I couldn't get the safety cap off.
There's not much I can really do to combat this other than get out in the sun on days when that is possible and continue my exercise routine. Yes, I've heard about those lamps people use to treat themselves for seasonal affective disorder, and while I do think I am sensitive to light, I'm willing to bet that my case has more to do with actual sun and warmth and the smell of fragrant, blooming plants in the air. Which is why we've planned a trip to Southern California for the last week of February. Which is why we should move to Southern California in February, except for all those other mitigating factors like "house" and "family" that routinely tell my winter mood to suck it.
In other news, I have an ultrasound scheduled for Friday morning, and our plan is to find out the sex of the baby. We have been referring to it as Stretch, although Leta thinks that's horrifying. I asked her to suggest a name then, and what do you know, she's now calling it Princess Aurora. I told her we couldn't name the baby that if it's a boy because, you know, middle school, and she said, not a problem! No worries! If it's a boy we'll just call him Prince Aurora.
You must have a dooce® Community account to leave a comment.
If you've already registered, login.
If this is your first time posting here, snag a free account.
Heather talks about public tantrums (from kids) on today's Momversation.
- RIP Louis Mortimer Armstrong: http://bit.ly/1R4tv6
- Hugs and kisses to you, too! RT: @Monkey_Tree: @dooce he probably committed suicide because he was tired of LISTENING TO YOU WHINE.
- Our fish just died. And I'm sitting here crying. And it wasn't even my fault!
1. Jacinta said:
Congrats on the baby :)
2. Catherine said:
First comment! You look beautiful! Thanks for the postcard...Chuck is now glaring at me from my bulletin board with a lovely blue wig on his head.
3. Sarah said:
How exciting! Are you going to tell us if it's a Prince Aurora or a Princess Aurora?
Good luck!
4. cj said:
my husband knows that face well. Umm. not yours. Mine
5. Kristan said:
LOL see? Leta's got it all figured out.
Prince Aurora is going to think he was a rather unwelcome baby when s/he sees these photos later in life... :P
6. Briana said:
My mom and her sister wanted to name their youngest sister Tinkerbell after seeing Peter Pan. Her parents compromised with Wendy!
It could be worse. My cousin wanted to name her brother "Chili".
7. Guinhyvar said:
You look lovely, and Leta's suggestions are brilliant.
And, as a resident of So Cal... today it was 88* and not a cloud in the sky. I feel your pain; I grew up in Utah, and moved here six years ago. I'll be honest... I don't miss it. I think Utah is beautiful, and I do miss the mountains, but I far prefer the sun and surf anyday :)
8. Anonymous said:
I know someone who ACTUALLY called their baby Aurora...
9. teegees said:
Prince Aurora. I like it! It's better than Phinneaus or Apple...
10. jayne said:
At least Prince Aurora is a name. My daughter would suggest something descriptive...like "Naked" or "Tiny Weiner."
11. Jen on the Edge said:
Prince Aurora Armstrong has a very nice ring to it. He won't necessarily get his ass kicked in middle school.
12. Elinda said:
If it makes you feel any better, you are looking very petite for being almost half way there! I must have been a real cow. I guess I did gain 60 lbs. with my most recent pregnancy!
My older son wanted to name the baby Max for a boy... and Pinky for a girl.
13. Bex said:
Ahhh, you're clever. Finding out the sex sounds like a good move. Can't wait to hear the news! Hope you feel better about the weather soon :)
14. repliderium.com said:
Prince Aurora. Classic. At least she's ALLOWING for the possibility of boy.
Yeah, winter is fun for about three weeks and then it just turns into the season of cold grey hate.
Bring on spring. (PLEEEEEASE)
15. Anonymous said:
my oldest wanted to call my middle child Paprika - we were in the midst of a big Blues Clues addiction!!
16. franny said:
I feel you completely on the lack of sunshine- I live in Portland, Oregon and every year around late November I start to feel a mounting pressure in my head that gets worse and worse with the continuing absence of sunlight. By January I am pretty much a moody, emotional wreck. I have started to use a light box and it has helped but it's still a shoddy substitute for the real thing. I also started taking 1,000 mg. of Vitamin D, and that's supposed to help too. I'm still not totally convinced, but it's worth a shot.
Good luck.
17. Melissa said:
At least in SLC you have the gorgeous mountain view! Here in ND we have nothing, just the cold, wind, snow and gray sky. Yes, I am feeling that bout of mid-winter moodiness and the yearn for the sun as well.
You look amazing!
18. Keyona said:
Goodness, I'm afraid of that warning look. I hope you start to feel better.
Love your blog! :o)
19. Kathy said:
Heather,
You should apply for this job. Sun, sand, blogging, and $100,000 for a 6 month gig.
http://www.wusa9.com/news/watercooler/story.aspx?storyid=80384&catid=148
20. Elea said:
Well, you know, at least Leta's suggestions indicate that she's still happy about getting a sibling thus far. It's when she tells you that the kid needs to be named Poophead, Coco Jr., or That Thing that some concern might be warranted.
21. Amy said:
I do wish I had been that skinny at 18 weeks!!
22. Catherine said:
I too loathe Disney princesses but, except for that little affliction, Leta is quite awesome.
We've had a miserable winter up here in the normally sunny Calgary too. I can most definitely relate.
You really do look beautiful, albeit pissed off. It's nice to see pregnancy agreeing with you.
23. WonderMike said:
Prince Aurora will most definitely be his drag name.
24. stella said:
I feel your pain - we are off to Hawaii in February and I cannot wait. Winter darkness is NOT fun and I can't stand going and leaving work in the dark. It's not right, I tell you. Hang in there and Vitamin D does work. Trust me.
25. fallgirly said:
You are so cute! I wish I was that tiny at 18 weeks.
26. Heather B. said:
I am SoCal bound for the end of February, too. Every morning I wake up and announce how much I despise Upstate NY and by midday I'm in tears. Let's hope that the vacation helps or else it is going to be a long trek to May.
27. Kim in AK said:
That's hysterical!
Is Leta going to get mad if the new baby looks at her books and toys?
28. April said:
I have seen that look and given it many times. It is so nice to not always have to use words... it is surprising that after a root canal with half your face numb you can still give that look.
I am with you on needing some sunshine. I am from California and 14 days without sun is unheard of. Even in Tahoe you get sun more often than that.
Hope we get some sunny skies for you.
29. Maureen said:
I, too, suffer from the winter blues and I live in Calgary, too!! I feel your pain; hang in there... the days will get longer and sunnier... we love you!
30. Marieke said:
At least Leta has opened up to the idea of the baby being a boy :)
31. Mrs Money said:
I hope you can find out what the sex of the baby is. You look great, Heather!
32. amy j. said:
I'm not pregnant Heather, but I have that exact face too right now...and it's not directed at my husband, for the moment anyway.
We live outside Nashville, and this winter has been the dreariest I can remember in YEARS. It's rained and rained and RAINED for weeks on end. We had more than 16 days of cloudy gray days before Christmas (continuing this week) and I felt myself literally crawling inside my own skin from the anxiety it was beginning to bring out in me.
That's when I discovered I was rather deficient in iron, like really, really deficient, and guess what? Vitamin D and B12. My husband said that explained ALOT. So, I got some vitamins and other supplements and started taking them and it has really done me a world of good. I'm still fighting the malaise the dark days bring, but my overall mood is better because I physically feel better.
You might ask your doctor about those vitamin supplements...I know you're taking prenatals, but maybe a bit more Vitamin D and B12 would help...with your nausea of late, you definitely might be a bit deficient.
Hope the sun comes out soon.
33. Dayna said:
Prince Aurora has a pretty decent ring, especially paired with Armstrong. At least she's open to the possibility of a new baby. When my Godson was born his brother, who had demanded a puppy, was quite disappointed by the appearance of a human.
I understand totally about the winter blues. I am trying to convince my fiance to fly cross-country to L.A. for a week in February so I can endure the rest of the winter. I don't do so well this time of year. Ugh, depressing.
I've thought about those lamps but like you, crave blue skies, flowering plants and sunshine.
How many more days until spring?
34. Maddy said:
My friend Julian's big brother was told he could name the new baby and he chose "Baby Number One" as his first choice. It's not really the best name for a second child, so they compromised and gave him the middle name "Kermit".
Their little brother is called Alexander Bunyip, which is far funnier to Australians, as he's a children's book character - The Monster that ate Canberra [the capital city] (man! this takes too much explaining).
35. The Dalai Mama said:
It's nice to know that Leta is open to compromise. I give my hubby that same look my hubby when he takes video of me. It doesn't often work but I know how you feel.
All I have to say--Come on Spring. It didn' get above 23 where I live today. Hate the bone chilling cold weather.
Can't wait to hear if Prince or Princess is joining all the fun at dooce.
36. Robin G. said:
Not pregnant, but right there with you on the seasonal affective. It's such a fucking *chore* to get out of bed, brush my teeth, eat a meal, and take a shower. (That's not sarcasm. Just listing those things made me tired.)
My therapist keeps hounding me about those sun lamp things, but I'm kind of skeptical. Intellectually, I understand how the chemical reactions in my skin will lead to an improved mood and higher energy. But the thing is, they're, like, two hundred dollars. I don't have that kind of money to throw around. Also I would feel like a total idiot sitting in front of a fucking lamp.
If you do get a lamp (or come up with any other clever solution to the winter blues), let us know.
37. Kathryn said:
I went through a phase where every picture of a girl I coloured was "Princess Aurora", so I totally get where Leta is coming from ...
38. trish said:
I live in a fairly expensive area of California, and sometimes the subject of housing prices comes up, particularly the subject of how much more house you can get in other states, and generally those states have snow. And my response is, Yes, you can move somewhere cheaper and have a bigger house, but THEN YOU HAVE TO LIVE THERE. And I'm not capping on other states, I'm just saying at least I don't have to shovel snow.
Yesterday? 84 degrees here. I'm not gloating, I'm just saying I wish you lived closer to where I lived.
39. Ris said:
I grew up in Austin, TX and have been in Chicago for about six months. This winter stuff, and especially the latest round of snow we just had is getting a bit hard to stomach. Also not easy? That people keep telling me IT JUST GETS WORSE. So yeah, I feel ya!
40. maddy said:
ps. It's a swelteringly hot, cloudless day here. I might go to the beach. Not to rub it in or anything.
Feel better :)
41. Britte said:
I struggle with the same thing. I found that getting outside in the sun between 10am and noon helps...I have no idea why. All I know is it makes me feel better so I'm sticking to it. I have one of those lamp things and I love it...but not because it helps me (which is doesn't), it just makes it easily to wake up. What I have is called a sun rise alarm clock. I set it so the light takes 30 minutes to go down at night (simulating a sunset) and i use that to time how long I'm allowed to read before I fall asleep (otherwise I stay up all night). In the morning i have it slowly rise til it hits full brightness. I have it so it starts rising an hour before I want to wake up and usually about 40 minutes into it I usually wake up. It's more pleasant than waking up to that awful beep sound that an alarm makes. Makes me less grouchy in the morning which is always a good way to start off the day.
42. Sally in Florida said:
I went through the same thing living in NJ. Now I'm in FL and it's light until 7-ish and it was 77 today. Makes a huge difference. Anytime you want to come and soak up our sun and fun, you're welcome to it. Southern California doesn't suck either, just saying. :-)
43. Katya said:
Sun? what is that? I have forgotten the sun.
Leta is going to have a BLAST with Prince Aurora.
rock out Dooce
44. Pictou said:
There is always an ad at the top of your page saying "I lost 30 lbs of stomach fat in 8 weeks ......." along with two belly shots. I see these every day and have to remind myself that these are not your weekly pregnancy shots. But I have to look twice.
On an unrelated note, my sister and her husband just got TWO miniature Australian Shepherd puppies. You might want to send her a sympathy card and the address of a therapist.
45. Anonymous said:
Oh, I can empathize with the gloomy weather issues. We live in northern Minnesota and when i have to work from eight to five I don't see the sun at all. It's dark when I go to work, dark when I come home. I think I'm going to become one of those mole people soon. People weren't meant to live like this *sigh*
46. JC said:
You look great!! I was the size of a house at 18 weeks. While in SoCal, you are always welcome to sit on my deck in Manhattan Beach and take in the (currently) 81 degree weather. I am not joking - 81 degress this week. Crazy! My 4 year old daughter would love to play princesses with Leta (yes, I am beyond anti-princess - they are the root of all learned helplessness evil!) While I love this weather, I am dying to wear my new black boots I just bought! :) Hang in there, you're half way there!
47. Rooth said:
I think Michael Jackson has used and reused the name Prince... but Pssssssttt Leta you can call him Prince at home. They called me Pokey for years... and the truth? I kinda miss it.
48. Becky said:
I'm totally with you on the winter climate and what it does to you at this time of year. How depressing. Yet I stay in the cold, too. The trip will do you wonders.
49. Margaret B said:
Oh Heather - yay! I just found out my baby's a little BOY (due June 11th), it's so exciting! But I was just thinking this morning, "I wonder what Heather's having and if she'll tell us." =) I'm getting all tired again now that the second trimester's officially in swing.
50. alayna said:
she's definitely got it all figured out, huh?
Prince Aurora. Damn right.
51. BettyCrockerAss said:
You look smaller here then you did at 18 weeks.
I'll be seeing you in March in Portland OR and just know that it wont be snowing but it will be dark, cold and rainy. We get sun again in June. At least in UT you see it in April!
Hang in there.
52. Gypsy Alex said:
Despite the warning expression :) I think this is a lovely portrait of you and your cute lil' belly!
53. Serial said:
Oh, c'mon. Call it Blanket. I hear that's toooootally a gender neutral name.
54. Alexis said:
Holy crap, I am almost 20 weeks and 3 times as big as you!
55. Katie said:
Oh, how I wish I could transport you here to LA, where it was 88 degrees today. Are you sure you guys can't move back? Houses are crazy cheap right now. Heck, ours is nearly $100,000 less than it was 2 years ago when we bought it. Times are great here! Wait, who do I hear crying? Oh, that's me. Sorry.
Hang in there...
56. Daisy said:
We are going in for our ultrasound on Friday too! I am due on the 23rd of June. My daughter refers to our baby as Cheeto Galaxy, yep..I think princess anything would have to trump ours at this point lol
57. Puanani said:
On the bright side, you could have been in sunny Mexico with Maggie...Plus, you look so wee for 18 weeks. Lucky you.
58. The Cake Lady said:
Dude, my husband knows that face. Its the "everyone I know is pregnant except me, so why'd i sell my business to get pregnant if every time I mention gettting pregnant you squirm " look. We live in Virginia where they threaten snow every other day and it doesn't happen. It is suppossed to be -10 degrees Friday and I swear to God if it doesn't snow when it is that freaking cold I will hurt someone. Seriously. If it is that miserable I would like a reward. Like the pleasure of throwing a snow ball at unsuspecting by-standers. Or my husband.
59. Liz said:
Re: bummed out mood: it might be the moon too... it's supposed to be closer to the earth than usual & it was just full... it's working it's moon voodoo on you!
I'm also in SLC so i feel your pain about the dreariness. this is about the time of year where i have to drive to evanston just to get out of the inversion cloud!
60. sj said:
I'm very much hoping you'll have a boy because, as a mother of two boys, I really need someone to point me to online retailers and/or Etsy shops selling toys and adorable clothing for boys. :)
61. Kathy said:
Congrats on the baby and the belly looks great, but what about Leta's monthly newsletter? Last one was December 11. Horror of horrors are you falling into that trap when the second babe comes along and no more letters, no more pics, baby book pushed aside, mementos are thrown in shoe boxes to scrap book later...say it isn't so!!!!!!
62. Carm said:
I love the nickname for baby. When my friend Michelle was expecting we were at a loss for what to call the wee one until he/she was born. They were folks who wanted to WAIT to find out the sex of the baby. I could not do that, I don't think. But a few friends decide we should try to come up with a nickname using product names or random things like that ... I can only recall someone suggesting butter bean and me thinking "cinnabon" and we almost died when my friend Sarah, who was flipping through a magazine looking at ads, suggested "hummer." :) Oh well. Congrats. You look lovely and I'm glad you are feeling better physically. May you have sunshine soon!
63. anabelle said:
I have one of those lamps.. its actually a bulb.. my MIL got me last year for Christmas.. it's in my side lamp next to the couch and it makes such a huge difference. I feel like I have a lighted window pouring sunshine down on my face.... it honeslty makes me feel so much better. It's called a full spectrum light or something like that... well worth it! :)
64. Jess said:
The orange juice thing: we struggle with that all the time (and then I silently cry when my son spills half of a $7 jug of oj on the floor when he finally succeeds). But, does anyone else curse at the spaghetti sauce jar when they can't open it? It makes me so mad to think that if I lived alone, I'd never be able to open a jar. Who designs these male-dependent devices?!
65. Jessica said:
boo freak'n hoo.
as someone who follows your blog AND has had major fertility issues AND lives in the great white north (so i know something about waking up in the dark and having the sun set at 4:00 pm).... boo.
honestly, i was happy for you when i found out you were pregnant. unfortunately, your progressive photo updates of your belly and the consistant sour look on your face turns me right off. boo.
i am due to have a baby this saturday if all goes well, our other child is 7. yes, 7. 7 long years of struggle and sad times and if i even THOUGHT about going where your face and attitude go in those photos i would be the most ungrateful person on earth. boo.
get it together. i personally think you are better than that, or whatever you are portraying.
66. susan c said:
I won't taunt you with reports of Southern California temperatures in the mid 80s 'cause I'm sure you know all that.
Frankly, I'm longing for some cool nights, a hearty pot of stew and a fire in the fire place. But, for your sake, I'll hope for blue skies, sunshine and warmth for your Feb. visit.
67. Debra - Beyond Prenatals said:
Hi,
Many women, especially pregnant women, are deficient in Vitamin D. Besides for the fact that your growing baby needs vitamin D to have healthy bones/teeth/brain growth, vitamin D might also be related to Seasonal Affective Disorder (Winter blues). The VitaminDCouncil recommends: "If you suffer from depression, get your 25(OH)D level checked and, if it is lower than 35 ng/mL (87 nM/L), you are vitamin D deficient and should begin treatment."
The amount in your prenatal vitamin is almost definitely not enough (which prenatal do you take?). Check out that site for more info, I also hope to post about this soon. It is becoming a really important topic for pregnancy, lactation, and children.
Good luck! Debra
68. jennielynn said:
Nice to know she's flexible.
69. Lisa said:
you could move to seattle and NEVER see the sun!?!
just a suggestion. :) xoxo
70. Jessica said:
My Gram let my 4-going-on-5 cousin Ava name the new kitten. Yes, now Gram has a kitten named Princess Aurora!
Oh, and I am not the bitchy Jessica from comment #65. Did she even READ YOUR POST? Ooops, sorry 'bout all those caps =/
71. Joe said:
You look A-M-A-Z-I-N-G Heather!
72. Mrs Smith said:
Another shout out for the Vitamin D and Vitamin B. My dermatologist told me to take the D regularly now that I'm slathering on the sunscreen. I've had a couple of "bullets" (as my kids call my cancerous mole scars) removed too. Seems the sunscreen keeps out the Vitamin D as well as the UVA/UVB rays, which is why so many are people are vitamin D deficient these days.
You're looking great these days, even with the scowl...
73. Heidi Renée said:
My favorite princess is Aurora, too.
My spam trap words are Aimee Tomlinson. There's your name right there. See what Leta thinks.
74. RoseBelle said:
i'm definitely not pregnant and i wish i was that thin now :(
75. mpotter said:
here's hoping the sun will come out tomorrow!
you and aurora look just fine. good luck at the dr.
nice to know leta is welcoming the possibility it could be a prince.
personally, i like stretch. better than my brother's idea of calling his unborn "cletus (the fetus)"
much luck to you.
76. Anonymous said:
You can afford it, so get a damn light box, and don't knock it until you try it. If it doesn't do it for you, sell it on craigslist, or better yet donate it to someone in need.
77. amy said:
When my SIL was pregnant with her son, her daughter (my niece), who was 4 at the time, named the baby "Clickery". No one knew where that name came from, even she had no idea, but she was adamant that she would soon be a baby sister to "baby clickery".
Now his name is Owen. Once he was born "Clickery" was never heard again.
78. Joey said:
Trust me, I am *trying* to send you some of our warm weather from here in So Cal. I would talk about how downright sweltering it's been this week, but I'm pretty sure that face can reach out and slap me.
So instead I'll just say I'm crossing my fingers for tropical temperatures for ya in Feb.
79. Witchy Mama said:
Seriously, would it kill ya to smile or at least not look so horribly miserable?
80. Meg said:
I say you compromise, and call him/her Aurora Stretch, regardless of gender.
81. Kate said:
I'm not sure why folks are complaining about your scowl... a dark, cold winter seems like the best place for a frown!
82. Chris said:
I'm certain others have already said this, but COME ON. You do not look 18 weeks pregnant (I know we're not supposed to say things like that). You look great, even without a smile.
Good luck with the ultrasound - you know we'll all be waiting to hear if Stretch is a Prince or a Princess.
PS: I'm in Utah County and experiencing the same emotional "dip". This too shall pass.
83. Haley said:
I totally don't think you are implying anything negative with your faces. Not everyone has to look so HAPPY all the time. I wear a sour face pretty naturally, so Ive gotten used to people asking me whats wrong all the time.
I think you are beautiful and I am pumped and feel privileged to be able to read all this.
Leta rules. Aurora has always been my fave DP.
84. Jennifer said:
Okay, I was totally skeptical about the light boxes too, and then my husband bought me one for Christmas. So I used it kind of grudgingly for the first week...and now I am a believer. It's now the middle of January and my typical cranky-mid-January mood has yet to surface. I'm not saying it's a magic cure, or anything, but I can definitely tell the difference. You can order one for about $150 online; you don't need a prescription. Just a thought....
You look fabulous, by the way.
85. Sarah said:
The weather could be worse. Here in Boston it's 55 and sunny one day and the next we've got 10 inches of snow. It's such a tease.
Sorry to hear the accent bothers you so much! I was in New Hampshire the other day and asked for a starter log for a fire. The cashier couldn't even understand what I was saying.
Hope the naming process goes well!
86. Amy said:
You've got a long way to go before your stomach is as big as mine.
Yours however will end in a baby. sigh
87. Anonymous said:
I hate to be the one to tell you this... but it's going to be a boy. My "scientific" studies have shown that when a person goes from a relatively good pregnancy to one where morning sickness is much worse, it's because of the change in the sex hormones of the fetus. In other words if the first was a girl, the second will be a boy, and vice versa. Please don't let Leta be disappointed. Also, if it's not a boy... well, many scientific hypotheses are proven wrong! :)
88. Dayna said:
As a resident of the "Great White Northwest" (dubbed that I believe because of the extreme lack of sun and all the paleness it results in) aka Washington state...I feel for ya man...I really feel for ya. I have no good suggestions because nothing I have tried works other then the occasional winter trip to California which kind of perks me up. Best wishes and you can do it man!!!!
89. Jennifer said:
You look wunderbund! Girl, i have stretch marks on my tummy and am not (and have never been) preggo. You're looking great! Hang in there and try not to kill the housemates :-)
90. Jessica said:
Leta's name suggestion reminds me of what I had wanted my parents to name my sister: Princess Amidala. It was right when that Star Wars came out, and I though she was so cool.
I can justify myself by saying I no longer am enraptured by Princess Amidala, or Star Wars. But man, would middle school have been hell for my sister with that name.
91. Ellen said:
geebus! Be happy. I have one child - she is now 20. I tried with my 2nd husband for 4 years to conceive. We are still barren, and I am now 44. It ain't happenin'. So, I'd trade places with you in a second. I'd barf all day and pace all night for the priviledge of another baby to raise. And this time it would be with the *right* man. Quit 'yer bitchin!
92. sarah said:
it was near 75 here in san francisco today. i'm quite sure you meant NORTHERN california, not southern. you would fit in so much better in sf.
happy birthday to meeeeeeee!
93. Lisa M. said:
At least she acknowledged the possibility that it might be a boy. That's progress, right?
94. E-Lo said:
Aww! I can't wait to hear what the wee bebe is. And Stretch is a great nickname. Mine was Fuzzball - because that's what she looked like on the ultrasound.
95. Cee said:
You're almost halfway there and you still look like you just had a big lunch.
96. Homebody at Heart said:
The special lights don't do much for me either, I tried them long ago for SAD... A nice fire in the woodstove helps (or just keeping the temperature about 72+ and lots of bright and cheery colors in the house! Although, it is not as cold temperature-wise as in Utah, here, we can have weeks of never seeing the sun because of fog... causing me to paint the inside of my front door red. (The woodstove is fire engine red, too). I think your house is a 2-story one, isn't it? I've often thought of sleeping upstairs in the brightest room in the house in winter time because it is so much warmer and brighter up there.
97. Lynn said:
Apparently there is a baby dinosaur named Chomper in The Land Before Time movies. So, my friend told her toddler that she was having a baby, like Chomper. They referred to it as Chomper the whole pregnancy. Ultimately, big bro was all WHAT'S THIS on the day they introduced him to his baby brother. "Where's the baby DINOSAUR?" he wanted to know.
98. MJ said:
More than 20 years ago we had a kid and named her Aurora, unaware of the Disney link until my teenage siblings filled us in. Can't imagine naming her anything else (hi, Ror).
Also, another vote for the light box.
99. Pamela said:
Ok, this is pathetic, but if we had a girl for our second, we were going to name her Aurora. Not for any royal reasons, but because it was my mom's name -- she died 10 years ago. Reading this thread, as a mom who is clueless about Disney Princesses, I am so relieved that we had a second boy rather than a girl whose name would forever be associated with Princesses (but maybe the envy of her friends!). P.S. we chose Rory 'cause it was Aurora-like but boyish. No "Prince" thank you very much.
100. KatieLauren said:
I couldn't comment on flicker because I don't have an account and somehow at this minute setting one up seems like entirely too much work, but that picture of Leta with the shoes on the wrong feet cracks me up and reminds me of my favorite game. I dare you as an adult to put your shoes on the wrong feet look down and not fall into an immature fit of laughter. It is the best cure for a bad day ever! maybe even better than Prozac.
Katie Lauren
101. So Cal said:
Girl ditch those end of Feb. plans and get on a plane NOW!! Southern California has been gorg the last several days. We're rockin' temps in the 80's and the Santa Ana's have blown away the smog. The snow-capped mountains are crystal clear as we sun our bums down below! Hang in there and get here ASAP!!
102. Jennifer said:
I live in New England. My mother lives in Southern California. She loves nothing more than to call me every morning and ask how cold it is here, then expound on how beautiful it is there. That's about the time I tell her I'm going to write a Carrie Fisher style book about her some day...
103. MamaCass said:
I feel ya on the weather thing. And I live in North Carolina, where blue skies are here year round...but still. Winter.
104. Jill S. said:
I live in the coldest place in the whole damn land (Tahoe) and I definitely have season-itis. If I don't get down to LA or San Diego for some sun every February-ish, it's not pretty. This year I'm feeling the itch early.
105. Chris said:
Oh I feel ya, I was just writing on my facebook how horrible I feel during winter, and I live in freakin' Houston! I was born and raised in Miami, I cannot deal with the cold.
I remember being pregnant with my daughter during winter and I felt absolutely insane. It'll pass Heather, honestly it will.
106. Andrea said:
I'm with ya on the bad-mood-b/c-of-lack-of-sun thing! Ohio has had clouds for about 25 days in a row. I keep telling my hubby that the baby and I need to go visit his Grammy in Florida- for Grammy's sake, of course.
107. Bendingpeak said:
The lamp is amazing. I pull it out every fall and think.. oh I won't need it this year, things are 'fine'. Sleeping all day and getting pissed off at every tangible thing in my entire world is probably not a normal reaction.
108. Anonymous said:
I can see your boobies thru that shirt. lol ;-0
109. Emily said:
I, too, am wondering if you'll be revealing the sex to us. I can't remember if you did when you were pregnant with Leta. And I was reading then. And that makes me feel old. Haha. Even though I'm only 22. Hahaha.
Also -- I'm with a couple of others on this one, wishing I was that skinny NOW.
110. Adrienne said:
Try the dang lamp. You know it's not the sun, but the super bright light tells your brain that the sun is out and to make some happy feeling. It's not sunshine and warm breezes but it's way better than spending all winter wanting to lay down and die.
111. Kylie ... said:
I think, if you can afford it, you should splurge. Bugger the lightbox (whatever that is)! Airfares are pretty cheap at the moment, why not hop a plane to Australia?
It'd be totally worth it. Seriously!
Failing that, I'll attempt to astrally project some of our summer your way.
112. Natalie said:
I was actually born in Salt Lake City, and am very grateful that my parents moved to Louisiana, because it's 44* here and I am miserable! Just think how bad I'd be if I were up there.... You are far tougher than me.
113. The Cube Monkey said:
I live in Northeast Ohio where the sun is a rare treat for us. I can totally relate.
And those lamps for S.A.D.? The one we have is called the "Happy Light"...yeah, it doesn't work.
114. James said:
Well, at least she's warming up to the idea of it being a boy...
115. Peggy said:
I have an aunt named Aurora and she was 85 when she passed away last year-way before Disney used it.
116. Carrie said:
I think Stretsch Armstrong is a fabulous name! Loved them. Hope you get some good summertime vibes soon!
117. Angela said:
I love the site, but I'm going to be honest.
You are thinner at 18 weeks pregnant than about 99% of the population when they are not pregnant. And some people (as in me) are bitter about it.
And those of us who live in true dark places (Alaska, for instance) don't have pity about living in Utah. Try 60 straight days of rain and no sun, or an entire winter where the sun isn't up until 9 a.m. and starts to set at about 1 p.m. You think you're depressed due to lack of light? I'm ready to stick my head in the oven. And those SAD lamps are lifesavers in this environment because trust me, there is NO HOPE FOR SUN.
You have a job that pays for you both to stay home, a nice house, the skinniest pregnant body I have ever seen, and the extra money to take trips to the sun when you need it. The complaining is getting old. I know you suffer, but JEESUS already.
You can tell me to suck it now. I fully expect that.
118. Kathleen said:
This is how my belly looks when I have gas!
I'm glad you explained about John irritating you with demanding a smile and the winter blahs. You've looked so sad in your belly pics. I hope the sun makes an early re-entry into your life!
119. Jane said:
I have always had the same January severe mood dip! In fall 2007 I bought one of those sun lamps and I did not experience as bad a mood dip. Too early to tell this year --but I would recommend it even though you might be skeptical. I was so miserable in Januaries past that I was willing to try anything. A sunny vacation also sounds nice - I am going to Arizona in February and cannot wait!
120. Anonymous said:
If it's a girl, I think you should name her Paige. Leta means "joyful" and Paige means "page." Certainly your blog has been a joyful page for you. (Yes, there have probably been days you wanted to throw it out the window because of its demands, but for the most part: a joyful page.)
Anyhow, having your children be Leta (joyful) and Paige (page) will assuredly bring great joy, and days when you'll feel frustrated with the demands as well.
121. Julie said:
I'm hoping to read that it's a boy! Only because I have a 14 month old son and would love to read your observations about having a son. Sending you warm, tropical, fragrant thoughts...
122. Valerie Wininger said:
Dude, you look amazing--scowly face included, because, HELLO, smiles are so not required.
OH, and I'm with Angela here. We don't visit this blog to read your witty, hilarious commentary on motherhood and life and all that. Noooo, I want boring, enthusiastic and PERKY dammit!!
You rock :)
123. A. said:
I think that's what they call bershon.
124. Lauren said:
I live in the Bay Area and I was actually complaining it was too hot today. High of 68 tomorrow. Move west. Who needs a house?
125. Heather @ Domestic Extraordinaire said:
Well, the positive on Prince Aurora is that she is finally admitting that she could have a brother and as long as you name him Aurora you are all set.
126. supertiff said:
she is a VERY bright child. but, you knew that already, right?
127. Missives From Suburbia said:
18 weeks? You look fantastic. I'm pretty sure I made that face at my husband throughout my second pregnancy. In fact, I'm five weeks postpartum, and I'm pretty sure I still make that face at him every day. Maybe if he's lucky, my husband will live to enjoy that same scowl for many years to come.
128. suzi said:
Princess Aurora sounds like a fine name to me. Prince Aurora is good too. Good Luck on Friday. I think Leta will make an awesome big sister.
129. Christina said:
1. There are places colder AND darker than Utah (*cough* Fairbanks, Alaska *cough*) but I think the cold and the dark suck no matter where you are so I'm not going to be one of those "Oh my god, it's SO MUCH WORSE HERE" people.
2. Yes, I am. We just got done with a 2 week stretch at negative 35/negative 40. But I'm sure winter is yucky in Utah, too.
3. I resisted the sunlamp but someone gave us one and we started using it in this, our third Alaskan winter. It helps - it doesn't solve the problem, but it helps. It also casts an eerie glow on your skin, freaking people out when you video chat. And it's cheaper than a plane ticket to the Lower 48.
4. Yay on the new baby and I agree - no smile coaxing in photos.
130. The Tart said:
That face ... I knew Jon was in big trouble even before I read your post!
And Miss Leta! I laughed so hard when I read her name for the baby. Prepare yourself ... I am still in Disney Princess mode myself. When I turned 30 I held a Sleeping Beauty birthday party for myself & some friends at a 4 star restaurant. I made everyone wear Princess party hats designed for kids & had the matching paper plates too .... I loved every minute of it.
Smooches,
The Tart aka Princess Tart
; *
131. Christina said:
Oh #117 Angela, lighten UP already. If you wish you were skinnier work out, if you hate winters in Alaska move, if you wish you had a better job get one! Hating on Dooce because she's got a great life and writes about it (on her website that you voluntarily visit) is just weird.
I mean, yes, I pointed out that we have it "worse" but I did it with HUMOR. If Heather's complaining is getting old read another website.
Geesh!
132. Amy from Overland Park said:
Big, big hugs to you. I'm sending you some warmth and smiles and more hugs.
Also, since I really think you are having a boy, I kind of can't wait to find out if my intuition is correct.
More hugs...
133. keagansmom said:
Hey DAHLING,
I'm from Boston, where we know how to pronounce C-R-A-Y-O-N correctly! so they-yah!
Can't wait to find out if it's a boy or girl (hoping for a boy-one of each is a TRIP).
xo
Keagansmom
134. SJ said:
Ew, you're so little and tiny and I'm so jealous! I'm 35 weeks now, but when I was at 18 weeks, I was like 200% bigger than you are at 18 weeks.
135. flieswithoutwings said:
When I see you smile, it's like a ray of light. Baby. Baby. When I see you smile.
136. Tink said:
Kidnap your husband and child and move it all to California! The dogs can come too.
137. Mari said:
Hey, you look fantastic! I'm not pregnant, but I am suffering through the same January blues.... good to see the sun today.
138. Shawn S. said:
Oh.....sunlight, warm, fragrant, air......I, like you, hit the yearly dip. It's awful. I literally try to get out of "dodge" at least 3 times during the frigid months. 52 days until the Dominican Republic---wahooo. p.s. The high here (in Maryland) is 22 on Sat., the low...14 (eeeewwwww).
139. Jasmine said:
Hey #8, what's wrong with Aurora as an actual name? I knew an Aurora growing up and I always thought it was a really pretty name for a really pretty girl. Means dawn, and as someone whose middle name is Dawn, I always though Aurora was way better.
Peace Corps-ing it up in the Philippines over here, and I happen to be on an island with 9 months of rainy season, so I feel your pain. Since I began service I haven't had a single day where it didn't rain so hard it shook the concrete foundation. Left cold when I left Buffalo for service, but I don't think we lowly commentators should hang around Heather's blog bickering over "who has it worse." No sun sucks. Only snow/rain/crazy shit falling out of the sky sucks. No matter where you are. Period.
Congratulations on the baby and making it to week 18! Looking good!
140. Kristi said:
My husband has decided that Prince Aurora would later be seen hanging out in a clock tower with a sniper rifle... ha ha....
You look amazing, and January sucks. XD
141. Shelley said:
Excellent. Prince Aurora.
When we asked our 4-year-old son what he thinks the baby should be named, he said, "Hakuna Matada" (a song from the Lion King). A 6-syllable Swahilli name might be a little much, but it makes for a good story. :)
I'm due 5/21 with a little girl. We already have 2 boys, so it is pretty exciting. Good luck on Friday!
-Shelley
142. Tay said:
I think you should at least *try* the lamp, and if it doesn't work, they're only like 40 bucks or something (depending on what you get). I live in Utah too and my hate for cold and snow has made me literally violent at times, and the lamp certainly doesn't bring back the unadulterated joy of turning your face up to the sun... but it does take the edge off. This winter makes me cantankerous and grumbly, but I haven't wept over not being able to find any clean socks since I got the lamp.
143. Raezin said:
You look beautiful. How do you have time/energy/will to keep mascara on your eyeballs?! I gave up life when I was pregnant... irony...
144. Mo said:
i just got through my annual first week of january, holiday letdown, this wretched winter will never end freak out. i also booked my ticket to florida for the end of the month.
you and your blog have helped me time and time again. thank you so much for sharing your life!
good luck to you and stretch on friday! aurora was always my favorite princess and was at the top of my baby name list when i was 12 ;)
145. Melanie said:
I love how all the people from the NW are giving you advice on lack of sun! My intention was just to whine about it too and tell you that Mexico is my new home of choice every January and February. It's much warmer, cheaper (and cooler!) than So Cal. I want to start a tanning salon where there is a noise machine of waves and real sand between your toes. Kinda like the Wells Fargo commercial. I think that would help me. I'm excited to see you at Powell's in March! You'll be showing then!
146. Bush Babe said:
You do surly better than anyone!
Gorgeous... lucky John!
Enjoy the next few months...
Or not.
(If you need to warm up visit me - it's almost 40 degrees celsius here today!)
:-)
BB
147. Jen said:
At least Leta is now able to entertain the notion that there is the possibility that the baby is a boy. That's progress. SMALL VICTORIES!!! Woot! :)
148. holly said:
Smart of you to plan a trip to So Cal, the winters there are beautiful. Have you been to San Diego's North county? Anything north of La Jolla is amazing. Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas. The cliffs over look the ocean and there's something to be said about being on top of it all looking out to the pacific, it can be magic! Also has a cool music scene, shops, restaurants etc.
Check out www.cedrosdesigndistrict.net
Make it easy on yourself this trip and leave the dogs!
149. Erin said:
I think that you look great! and Prince Aurora is perfect... I had a friend who let her little girl name her new baby brother... His name is Bacon!
150. Beck said:
I know it's somewhat lame, but when I'm REALLY bored in winter, sometimes I make something retarded out of paper mache. You at least have a 4 year old, which is a great excuse to be all crafty and interesting. Gluing random chunks of wood together and then painting them like something is also fun. I think crafts were invented for winter. Which is why eskimos can build entire, curvy dog sleds, all out of wood.
151. amy said:
Since moving to Hong Kong, I do not miss the mid-Atlantic winters. It is "cold" here--highs close to 60 but it is getting warmer by the weekend with highs near 70 and it is sunny! No indoor heating though, so 50 at night is pretty chilly.
152. Fleuris.ca said:
Well there's some solace in the fact that she hasn't considered calling it "That awful-potentially-XY-Chromosomed-baby"
Although I think it could work as a nickname should the baby & Coco enter in cahoots.
153. Cara Swinney- Park City said:
I don't mind the 4:30pm sunsets (but I really love the 10:00pm sunsets we get in July), it excuses the fact that sometimes I make bowls of Frosted Flakes for dinner and go to bed at 7:30pm.
154. dani said:
This could be the perfect antidote to your blues: www.islandreefjob.com - I cannot believe someone else posted it for you as well. You and Jon and Leta and bubba would have an amazing experience and do things that you could never do in Utah, and we can all keep updated with your life from here. Perfect.
dani
155. Michelle T said:
Hey I'll happily swap a few cold days for a few stinking hot ones here down under!! Even though our summer didn't really start until yesterday here in Melbourne.
You look lovely btw, keep it up.
and Aurora is such a cool name beats the other crap names the celebs are giving there kids.
156. Michelle said:
I have found salvation for my January blahs in a daily dose of Vitamin D...sadly in pill format. We don't have the right angle of the sun here in Victoria during the winter to absorb any vitamin D. Might sound weird, but the health nurses warn about vitamin D deficiencies in babies here (Oct-May), and encourage supplements.
I've also just started taking a vitamin B (stress formula), and I've found this to do WONDERS to my mood.
You look great, btw.
157. Cindy said:
You look great! I'm a little jealous of your little bump. I'm only 21 weeks and already people are telling me how big I'm getting! Grrr. The truth is I've gained 10 pounds - standard amount for this stage - it's just ALL in my belly I guess.
My 2 year old daughter doesn't understand that she'll have a brother in 4 months but she'll probably want to name him Diego when he arrives. She is totally hooked on Dora the Explorer and Diego!
Happy pregnancy.
158. natasha designs said:
I'm a first time reader! Congrats :) Im excited for you . Ive been pregnant 3 times! I loved it :)
159. Sarah said:
Speaking as a fellow depression-sufferer, try the sun lamp. What can it hurt? You're seeing signs of serious winter mopiness, which can be a precursor to clinical shit, plus you're growing a major risk factor for depression in your body. I've also been hearing really good things about fish oil supplements in terms of alleviating depression. If you get the lemon-scented types you don't burp up fishy smells. Do everything you can, especially the stuff that doesn't have crappy side effects. Although I am admittedly envious of you for having your second baby (difficult personal time for me on the family front), I am truly happy for you and I hope your post-natal time is much sweeter and less stressful than the last time. Just do everything you can to take care of yourself.
160. Another Aurora said:
I'm with Leta on this one: Aurora is clearly the best name for any baby, regardless of gender.
@MJ (#98): I saw that, mom.
161. mary said:
I hate all of you. I moved from Denver to Las Vegas (unwillingly- my husband got a new job) about 4 months ago and all I want is a gray day and maybe some rain. Is that too much to ask? And while I hate the 4:30pm sunsets, I'm so sick of the bloody sun that I want to dance in the streets when it's dark!
And I hate all the people in S. Cali, too, because at least it's sunny and beautiful. It's fucking ugly here. Sunny and ugly. Kill me.
162. Lisa said:
Each time you display a pregnancy picture you have that sad look on your face. I'm wondering why you aren't smiling. Then I thought back to when I was pregnant and my husband wanted to take my picture and guess what?? I wasn't smiling either...it was a hurry up and take the picture because I'm feeling ugly and fat! However, you are still looking very slim -- lucky you!!!
Can't wait to hear if it's a boy or girl...please share!
163. Susan said:
Aw, Prince Aurora, that's so adorable.
164. Christy said:
Our 4 year old has named our baby-to-be 'Minnie Mouse', that is it end of story! We didn't even find out if it is a girl or a boy, but according to her it is a girl, end of discussion! At least Leta seems willing to compromise ;)
165. WVKay said:
You look great. Everything will be just fine. Winter sucks and then Spring comes.
166. SwissBarb said:
I feel your pain about the lack of light and warmth!
After going through a couple of SADs (the acronym says all about how it made me feel) I bought a dawn simulator that doubles up as an alarm clock and reading light in bed. It helps a lot.
167. meghan rockwell said:
First i want to say that i love your site, your humor about life, and your smart mouth. I have one too, as do both my girls, and us smartasses need to stick together.
Second, all the people commenting about how miserable you look need to shut it. Immediately. Maybe these people have never been pregnant, maybe they are of the rare variety that LOVES to be pregnant, or maybe they are just jerks who want to make you feel bad. But when i was pregnant with each of my daughters i looked that way ALL THE TIME. And that was because everything hurt, and i couldn't breathe, and i had to pee constantly, and i was always starving to death. It isn't sunshine and rainbows for everyone, and i get that completely.
Lastly, i have always loved the name Aurora, and since no one else said it, it can be shortened to Rory as a cute nickname that could also double as a boys name. So Leta could have her way, and if you have a son, he could not get beat up on the playground. Everybody wins! Congrats Heather. You rock, and you deserve all the best.
168. Carol from South Africa said:
You are truly a stunning looking woman.
My belly is bigger than that and I'm not pregnant.
Can't wait to hear on Friday what Stretch is. I must tell you that your blog is part, and a highlight, of my daily routine. I especially identified with the madness of depression, as I suffered from debilitating anxiety and it absolutely sucks. Drugs have fixed that. I wish you so well, dear Heather.
PS no more Bush!
169. Anonymous said:
aurora is a splendid name. if you have a girl maybe you've found your answer.
170. Chloe said:
I get SAD too and I live in sunny Australia!
A couple of years ago I discovered the best way to get around it was take a tropical holiday in August and just accept the fact that I don't go out very much in winter...
Bring on California!
171. AZ girl said:
OMG Heather... you look SOOO much like Gillian Anderson when she was on the X-Files in your pregnancy pix, it's not even funny...! It was bugging me when I saw your last photo at 16 weeks; I knew you were starting to resemble someone else famous, but then today it came to me... if you don't believe me Google some of her photos and see for yourself! Uncanny! Oh, and you look great by the way ;-) am praying for your safe and healthy pregnancy. :)
172. melbournedreaming said:
OH GOD, I so know where you are at right now (aside from the pregnancy thing) - I am living through the coldest, dreariest, most miserable Winter in London that I have experienced in my 6 years here and it's been enough to make me consider moving halfway around the world again.
I think we should all be hibernating, personally. Winter is nature's way of telling us to stay in bed and drink lots of hot chocolate.
Maybe with a shot of Kahlua.
173. Grateful said:
Hey Mary: #161. GET A GRIP!
1). You have a husband 2). He has a job (in a really horrible economy, when many are losing everything they have) 3). You get to see the sun every day 4). You're alive and breathing, and don't seem to be starving to death...
Get the fuck over yourself and have some gratitude for what you HAVE, and stop yelping about what you don't.
Want a real wake up call? Go spend a month in a Third World Country. You'll be singing a different song after that. 'Nuff said....
174. backupMe said:
You look great in that photo, Heather! I think this is a lovely portrait of you and your cute lil' belly!
175. Vic said:
Prince Aurora does have a certain ring to it... Roll on summer (or even spring and a little blue sky).
176. Jerry said:
good luck for the ultrasound!
177. Auntie P said:
Thank you for sharing YOUR experiences on YOUR website.
As I have tried to read about some of your brain chemistry issues that affect your mood, I appreciate your honesty about your triggers. Winter is mine too - hence, scheduling my meds check in January for my "vitamin z". I believe Tom Cruise and others are dead wrong about SSRIs, etc. for depression and anxiety issues. For someone like you going through all the pregnancy hormone stuff plus brain chemistry swings plus meds issues (which are YOUR business between you & your MD), I imagine winter blues can really stink.
A lot of people seem to assume you are living carefree b/c you and your mate have your own home-based business. Haven't used my MBA in a while but seems likely that you are not immune to cut backs in advertisers, rising costs, publishing uncertainties, etc. that the rest of the country experiences.
Just wish all of the readers telling you to quit griping had someone to throw a pile of crap back in their face next time they decide to share their bad mood with others. Since assumptions seems to OK with them, I will assume they are the mean people who are unnecessarily rude to cashiers, bank tellers, waiters, etc just trying to do their jobs.
Peace and health to your family, Heather.
178. Judy in Maine said:
I too feel the lack of sunlight in the winter, to help this, each day the sun is out I sit for about an hour in the late afternoon in the sun facing window, have a coffee, read some in my book and basically take a whole hour to nourish myself just like a cat would do. Sounds simple, but it might help you too. Just take an hour for yourself every day!
179. rob said:
I just got a positive on a pregnancy test this weekend. My husband took a couple of photos of me holding up the pee stick, looked at them, and asked if maybe I could manage to look happy.
180. gorky said:
You need to start having some fun, especially with this name thing. I suggest you and Jon start calling the baby "Gus". It works as a nickname for both a boy and a girl and Leta will LOVE it!
181. Molly said:
I've had that exact look on my face since, like, Mid-November. I'm 14 weeks. My son thinks we should name the new baby "Ghostrider."
Southern California in February sounds like just what the doctor ordered. You won't mind if I zip myself into your luggage, will you? I live on the East Coast and it's been dark and cold and grey for...let me see...six...carry the two...pretty much forever now.
182. Di said:
Aurora can be shortened to "Rory," which is my son's name and which would have been his name if he had been a girl. We are not the least big Irish. He's half-Jewish, in fact. So it definitely makes for some interesting conversations. There is a Kennedy girl named Rory and, of course, the girl on Gilmore Girls, so there is precedent!
183. Breane said:
My best friend's daughter is named Aurora and they call her Rory.
184. Criação de Sites said:
Prince Aurora Armstrong has a very nice ring to it. He won't necessarily get his ass kicked in middle school.
185. Vaila said:
I live in Scotland, UK, but we have the same issues with lots of darkness and awful weather through the winter. Snow I don't mind, but we just get wind, cold, and rain. There are spells of crisp, cold days, with blue skies and sunshine, which are awesome, but not if you're at work from darkness to darkness!!
Light boxes WORK, I have one, and my S.A.D is much improved with it. I've actually now got daylight bulbs above my desk at work, and that helps ENORMOUSLY.
As for craving blue skies and sunshine - get a light box, and use the power of your imagination. 20 mins a day in front of the box is enough, and just sit, chill out, and imagine a gorgeous sunny beach, or wherever you want to be. If you practice, you can even hear the birds and insects... ;-)
Good luck with the scan Heather...
Vxx
186. Sylvia said:
Prince Aurora does have a certain ring to it.
187. nicole said:
ugh, the glum weather is messing with me as well, and i found myself reading your post and nodding my head and thinking "oh shit, so that's my deal." granted, we just moved to maryland and it's not snowy utah, but the fact that i see people driving with headlights on at 4:30 in the afternoon is weird to me. hark, i see the sunlight, so maybe that means i'll be a little more sane today?! :)
188. Lee said:
I have visions Leta calling "the baby formerly known as Prince Aurora" I, too, am going through the"sun sets at 430, why am I so sad?"stuff in Central PA...I just keep walking on the treadmill each day and, when the sun comes out, the dog and I go out and roll in the grass and pee in the bushes...
189. Mon said:
Yep, I want the sun too. But all in all, if that's my biggest complaint, life is grand.
191. Katie said:
I know how you feel about the seasonal affective disorder. Here in Houston, you would think we wouldn't have that problem - however, this year, it has been horrible. One day it is 70 degrees, the next it is 28 degrees. The back and forth is killer, and leaves you never knowing what is next. Granted, I know it is nothing compared to the drab Salt Lake City winters, but it is still tough. And then having the sun set as I am driving home at 5:30 is just bizarre. Working from morning to night like I do leaves me literally without sunlight. It takes a toll. Add to that pregnancy and the hormones associated with it, and that makes for some yucky feelings. I am sure you will start to feel better, though! Especially once you find out the sex of little Aurora. :-) Can't wait to see the sonogram pics!
192. Hollie said:
My cure for SAD? Citalopram.
Never before have I been ok during winter. Yay Drugs!
You are looking SO cute preg!
193. Cat said:
I'm with you on the weather, I'm about ::this:: close to losing it entirely. And I have no vacations planned. Not the smartest move I've ever made.
At least Leta is now willing to consider the possibility that Stretch might be a boy. I can't wait to find out myself!
Is it awful that I'm hoping for boy just to watch Leta squirm? Yeah, I know. It's awful. But it's WINTER, man! What the hell else am I supposed to do?
194. Hilary said:
I vote for moving to California. I also second the whole "I will smile when I WANT TO SMILE" thing. And what is your exercise routine? Just curious. Hope the sun comes out today.
195. Dana (The Hopmesteading Housewife) said:
Prince Aurora. **giggle** gotta love the names young'ins come up with.
My 5 year old daughter wants to change her name to Bob.
196. Sarah said:
It's -23c here in Montreal. Which by an online converter is equal to -9.399999999999998 F! Whatever .. it's FREAKING cold!!
You look great and I'm jealous you are going somewhere warm for a week! Trying to arrange that too, trouble it, somewhere warms is VERY VERY far from our igloo!
197. Erin said:
Boo! What's up with the Boston hating? :( It's a great city, you should come visit! (well, not right now, right now the weather sucks and I'm living in snowboots and long underwear...but in the summer, definitely!)
198. Bec said:
... well, at least she didn't suggest Prince Charming.
199. Nicole said:
The winter funk is painful this year. I'm in MN and we have the most snow we've had in 10 years which would be great except for the fact that it's been below zero for what feels like 2 months straight. The actual air temp yesterday morning was -32. actual.air.temp. Tomorrow is supposed to be worse, but we may see 30 on Monday which means I will be running around nude. I'm growing a unibrow from this bad mood.
200. lessie said:
-29 degrees celsius with the windchill in Toronto today, baby!
I'm obsessive about checking the sunrise/sunset times during the winter months. Sunset is now past 5pm. I'd kill for above zero temps right now.
201. Michelle said:
Before I even read the text I thought, "she should smile", then I had to laugh at what you wrote. Now that you say it, it does look like a warning to a husband! We called my 12 year old "senator" during my preganacy. We started with president, but we figured if it was a girl that wouldn't work in our country (this was 13 years ago), so we went with senator. lol. I'd forgotten about that until now.
202. Cathy said:
Heather, go ahead and be as surly and grumpy as you want to. It's your space, so go for it. And while orange-juice lids can be annoyingly obtuse, the worst is when you can't get the bag of Cheetos/Ruffles/Doritos open and you're pulling at the edges and tugging and pulling and ... well, we all know what happens next.
203. Elizabeth said:
I know exactly what you are going thru. The sun and warmth always recharge my batteries. Sometimes I miss the weather in San Diego, and then I remember the traffic. You might try a little drive up to Park City or Heber(Spin Cafe) for lunch to get out of the haze and into occasional sunshine. Not much we can do about the sun setting early and it being pitch dark at 5:30. Take care.
205. Shelley said:
I personally have NO idea how people live anywhere north of the Mason-Dixie Line, although I'm not really sure if that's a real thing, a real place? It is supposed to be between 10 and 15 degrees here Friday morning and I'm planning to stay in bed until noon. I was on the phone with a customer service rep this morning and she asked how the weather was in Alabama and I said well it's cold for us and she said what is it? Like 60? And I said yes and said oh come on it's 15 here in Pennsylvania. Exactly, and that's why I don't live in Pennsylvania!
206. Anonymous said:
I moved from Boston to Orlando, Florida 3 years ago. I check the news in Boston just so I can see how cold it is and thank God I moved down here.
Oh, and for the crack on the Boston accent (especially from a woman who cannot pronounce crayon), I hope you have 3 more days of grey bleakness!
207. RobynS said:
Our guesthouse in South Florida is available.
208. brandy said:
I was around the same age as Leta when my sister was born.
Oh the names I came up with! I remember driving with my dad as he dropped me off at my aunts house and going nuts just saying things like "we can name her Star! Ohh Lamp! McDonald! Red! Midnight! Night! Street! Twinkle! Bob!"
Luckily they didn't take any of my suggestions.
That's why we have to be adults to have children otherwise we'd all be named Cinderella or Lamp!
209. Just Jiff said:
I was a little depressy (yes, that's my word) during my first trimester because my hormones were out of control and I was so. effin. tired. Seriously. I would nap during my hour lunch at work, come home and sleep for 2-3 hours then get up, eat dinner, and go to bed. Hubby asked, "Why do you sleep so much??" I wanted to kick him in the head. "I'm pregnant, you idiot! You try growing a leech inside of you and see if it doesn't sap your energy!!" And I hear ya on the season... enough of the cold, dreary stuff already. I WANT SOME SUN! :)
210. laurie said:
Your 18 weeks look like me after I've eaten a light breakfast.
211. Patricia said:
I vote for blogging from the beach in January and February!
212. Tavin said:
When I was due with my twin boys (16 yrs ago) I asked their older brother what we should name them. He thought that "Big Bird" and "Cookie Monster" would be appropriate names (he was not even two years old yet). They are Jason and Matthew. I couldn't go with his suggestion.
213. juliloquy said:
I have been thinking you'll have a boy. Can't wait to find out (whenever you decide to share)!
214. HeartMyShoes said:
I think Prince Aurora has a chance. First name prince, middle name Aurora. But I'd still enroll him in a few martial arts programs just in case. Because with that name, the Prince will often be defending the throne.
215. steroids said:
Wow, so nice and clean. ...I hope you start to feel better.
Love your blog! :o)
216. Enna said:
It could be worse, Leta could be into Battlestar Galactic or Star Trek like my man. No, Eric, we will not be naming our future children Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan.
217. RC said:
I just found out I am pregnant...I am guessing about 7-8 weeks but it is hard for me to pin -point and exact time. Just wanted you to know that I look forward to reading your blog even more now, than I did before! Thanks Heather!
218. Wendy said:
Congratulations! Will you be sharing the gender news with your readers? I just had my second girl.......and wished I would have found out the gender before delivery. My husband really wanted his boy & was sort of "let down" when little Ashley came out! Best wishes!
219. jlj said:
Oh, hey, I have the same thing. I feel so much better about everything in the spring and summer and even fall. Winter sucks, which is why I've been living in Southern California.
I hope the weather is 70 and sunny for you when you come to the LA area.
Aurora, ha! I have a little girl, and she already steeps herself in Imagination Movers. I'm guessing the Curse of the Princesses is not far behind.
On a stalkerish note, your hair color, I want it bad. I'm going to assume it's your own, darn you, because mine used to be that color before gray came in my mid-twenties, but now, I'm afraid I'm going to have to 'single white female' you because I've been trying to get the stylist to do this exact color for some time, without success. Always too dark. I'm bringing your photo in.
I promise not to otherwise stalk you.
220. Lisa said:
you called it an "it"...i love that!
221. AA said:
I swear to god this is true. I taught a girl whose name was Princess Arial _____. (This was in a small Texas town with predominantly white kids - including her. Just so you know we were not rich in cultural diversity or unusual names.) She was a great kid and eventually we were talking and I asked how she got her name? (She requested on the first day of class to be called Arial) She told me that when she was born her parents let her sister, who was 6 at the time, name her. Just sayin', ya might not want to give Leta this option.
222. tlo said:
You look great! Congratulations. We called our wee one Birl (yeah, for boy or girl, not original, I know) when pregnant.
What lipstick/gloss are you wearing? It's very natural and pretty.
223. Liberal Banana said:
You at 18 weeks (I almost wrote "months" - oh god, wouldn't that be horrible?) pregnant look the way I do after I've only eaten a big meal.
224. Jett said:
BOY. Even though it looks like you might be carrying a wee bit high for one.
You're from the South....you ever hear of the Drano test? Don't worry, you don't drink it or nothin'.
225. Susan said:
I'm traveling from Massachusetts to Denver in February. How's that for curing the winter blues? You look AWESOME, Heather!
226. Jill said:
From a Canadian buried in snow, California sounds sublime right now.
I just wanted to add to the UV lamp discussion.
While I've had my own struggles with depression and anxiety, my father is another story. 5 years on disability, many cocktails of drugs(litihium et. al.), several near lethal shock treatment therapies, and 8 weeks in a university mood disorder clinic to try and figure out his meds. After all this, he came home from the hospital, not much change, plugged in a lamp for 1/2 hr each morning with his tea and he's a new man. We're thrilled. Dad is back.
When he isn't doing the lamp thing, we can definitely tell.
Something to think about.
Much love and health to you.
xox
ps. That belly is real purdy.
227. Dani said:
Well at least she's flexible on the sex.
228. SheyFey said:
Always stop before you use their middle names... That way no one gets hurt!
SheyFey
http://www.sheyfeymind.com
http://lulabellebc.blogspot.com
229. Anonymous said:
Prince Aurora is better than Cletus the fetus, which is what my husband and 4 year have been calling mine since about week 9. We've even named the baby and still he is referred to as Cletus!
230. rusalina said:
Leta is sooo cute and darling for saying that! It's exactly what my son would have said about 12 years ago :)
231. Texie said:
It’s the inversions. That is the killer in Utah. And they don’t come along in November when you may still have enough sanity to handle it, nooo, they come in the middle of January and do not clear out for weeks at a time! I’m feelin it too. It can’t help that breathing is nearly impossible with all the smog, smoke and clouds hovering down on us (or should I say…In Us). January is over soon and at least the sun will come back (on occasion) in February.
232. christine from boston - sans accent said:
Sweethaaaht.....
Aurora from Terms or Endearment!
233. Joy said:
Jeesh, you don't even look pregnant. Maybe just like you ate a pasta dinner. You are still thinner at 18 weeks pregnant than most non pregnant women in the world.
It has been very warm and sunny here in LA, but I miss the snow and naked trees so much. Sunny can get boring too after 3 years of it nonstop.
You look so beautiful and happy, even with that expression.
234. Patrick said:
You could vacation here to MN and have A WEEK OF -10 DEGREES.
Glad to hear your not getting sick anymore. Blessings on the pregnancy.
235. Shannon said:
Oooh pins and needles! I can't wait til' Friday! I hope you're sharing with us the results of the ultrasound!
236. Lene said:
I hear you. Oh, dear god, I hear you. I am sick to death of winter already and it's only the middle of January. I usually hit the "wishing to jump off a curb" stage around mid-February, but it's here already and I'm not sure how I'll make it until the sun comes back. And warmth. I'm sick of being cold all the time. I'm sick of being trapped inside half the time because there's too much snow for my wheelchair to get through. I'm sick of watching the weather forecast like a hawk so I can be sure to stock up on groceries before it snows AGAIN or gets really super cold AGAIN and can't we all just vote to stop with all the winter already and...
Sorry. I appear to have hijacked your comments for an extended whinge. My apologies.
p.s. I like Stretch. Good name. ;)
237. dre said:
Hang in there Heather! I struggle to maintain (so to speak) in the winter months as well. You're doing great by planning little trips to the sunshine, keeping a positive attitude and exercising. I know it sounds trite, but you just gotta take it one day at a time. SLC sure is gorgeous, and it could be far, far worse.
Hope everything goes well at the ultrasound - can't wait to hear!
238. California Mom said:
Heather! I hope the warm weather holds up for your visit in February. It was 81 in Orange County yesterday and I had my A/C on the car for most of the day. Come on out, and enjoy the sun now! Best of luck on the pregnancy. It's not easy, but it's so worth it!
239. Meg said:
Similar to my daughter when I was pregnant. If it was a sister, she wanted to name it Baby Brother. There was no changing her mind.
And Stretch is a nice gender-neutral name.
240. Taz Tagore said:
Congratulations and keep your chin up. I mean, pregnancy is just like parenthood. It's hard and it changes every day and it's supposed to be that way, don't you think? It's a mirror of parenthood and the joys and challenges to come. You're not supposed to glow every day for 40 weeks. At least I didn't!
http://laboroflove.typepad.com/
Taz
241. Cynthia said:
When my daughter (then 3 yrs old) found out we were having another child she immediately asked if she could name "it". I said "No way- get your own baby". She reinforced the wisdom of this decision by suggesting "Cloud-face". My mom saved the day and named her paint colt Cloudface, which is a perfect name for a paint horse. Grandma Rocks!
Good Luck Heather
242. Adina said:
I think that is an acceptable face, considering you are growing a person in your belly.
243. GMom said:
Take some smiley pics anyway, even if you don't post them. Prince Aurora will like to see them in years to come and know the thought of him made you happy.
244. Denise said:
Hey...at least Leta is warming to the idea of a baby brother...
245. Tammy said:
First time to comment....woo hoo!
I get that mood dip thing in October, and then in February. I finally broke down and bought the damn sun lamp. I really, REALLY didn't think it would help. But guess what? Here I am, cheerier than a toddler at McDonalds. I sit in front of it for 25 minutes every morning. The first 10 minutes are brightly lit hell. By the end, I'm alert, alive, awake enthusiastic! Trust me, I'm not normally like this....
246. Mirinda said:
I love how you look so pissed off in each pregnancy pic...that's what we want to do when pregnant, right? Put our pic out there for the masses to criticize! But you look wonderful and OMGosh so tiny...I had a huge tummy at this point with all three of mine.
247. mj said:
It's simply stunning in Cleveland right now! You would love it here--why don't you bring your book tour here and give it a whirl? I swear I'll even put the chains on my tires and come see you if the weather's a bit "iffy"...
Actually, we aren't allowed to use chains, so how bad could it get? not to beg, but, would love to see your book tour brought to n. ohio.
248. Myrinda said:
am I missing something? A friend sent me the link to your site, which I am finding very interesting and I'm enjoying...she must have sent it because MY KID IS NAMED AURORA. And what is wrong with that? NOT like the Disney Princess, though we do call her PA (as in Princess Aurora) for short sometimes and she DID happen to be born the day after the re-release on DVD (coincidence)
Aurora is the goddess of the dawn and breezes, which I think is great if you are trying to capture the feeling of lightness and happiness that warm weather brings. The entire preganancy I actually thought we were having a boy and his name would be Orion (like the constellation) see...it's like a celestial theme....no one was more surprised when they turned and told me it was a GIRL, lol! Luckily we had already decided on the back up name.
I also know several other women named Aurora, NONE of whom were named after the Disney princess.
And in case anyone is wondering, our second girl is named Ziva, which has a variety of meanings including splendor and golden light, so see? the girls "go together"
Anyway, it's your baby, name it whatever you want! LOL! And if you give it an unusual name, and people give you a funny look, you can always freeze them with above look...you'll need to practice that to use on the kid in the future anyway, LOL!!!!
249. jayne said:
Forgot to mention before - both my kids were referred to as "Shim" - my son for my whole pregnancy and my daughter up until we had the ultrasound and my husband had a heart attack (kidding) because "we don't have girls in my family." Anyway - "shim" (as you've probably guessed) stood for "she" and/or "him." I hadn't thought of that in a while....
250. Boston Reader said:
Sweethaht, you look wicked good. Going to So Cal in Feb will be pissa.
251. tina said:
You spoke not a day too soon! The sky is BLUE and gorgeous from here in Taylorsville! :") SOAK IT UP WHILE YOU CAN!!
252. phylly3 said:
Heather, you look great at 18 weeks, scowl included. Since I have this orderly, disorderly mind, I realized your baby's name should begin with F or N, since there is a letter separation between yours, Jon's and Leta's names. Can you tell I need to get outside more or just get busy in general? Glad to hear you are going where the sun shines soon.
253. Anonymous said:
Would it have killed you to smile? Seriously. You look totally unhappy. I read your reasoning behind the look, but come on... I love your site and check in and read it everyday but you're having a baby... try to look like you want it.
254. Kelly B. said:
Now I have My Name Is Prince in my head.
Thanks!
I totally know what you mean about the warm weather. I hadn't worked out in months (it's been a long winter already) until I got my doc to up my Zoloft. Energy Out Of Nowhere.
Just have to watch for hypomania. Which is different from Hippo mania.
255. Domestic Goddess (in training) said:
Too bad you live in Utah and I live in Indiana because Prince Aurora could play with Olivia (whose real name is Jack) but my 9 year old refuses to give in that he is a boy and has been since birth and before so he is still (and may always be) Olivia to her. Poor kid.
256. Sonya said:
You look great. 18 weeks! Phew. I'm 39 weeks and it would be nice to go back to that time when I could sleep on my belly! We call the baby "it" since we are not finding out the sex (it's our first) - and sometimes ClaraAngus - which are our 2 name choices. A nickname would have been most useful though! I hear that a mere 5 minutes a day of sunlight gets you your vitamin D for the day, and I tell myself that I am going to go outside and get it on a daily basis, but it's just too damn cold here in NYC. Best wishes for some sunnier days!
257. Jill said:
Just making sure you know about nameberry.com. I'm loving it!
258. WW said:
Congratulations on the baby and best of luck.
259. Carolynn said:
I know that winter blues feeling! the Willamette Valley in Oregon gets some serious cloudiness in the winter, and after a few weeks of NO BLUE SKY and endless rain, I'm popping the Vitamin D pills like they're candy.
260. Toni said:
I second Prince Aurora! :-D Go Leta!
Hey, it's either that, or you let the dogs name the baby :)
Or... maybe the Internet weirdos (in which case they'll probably say something obnoxious like Satan's spawn) :-D Asswipes.
Hang in there Heather...in the words of Bela Karolyi (sp??)
"You can DO it!!!"
261. Leah said:
If it makes you feel better, I live in Texas, and, while it's beautiful (MOSTLY) during the short winter, I feel the same way as you during the 9 months of summer we have. It's just too f-ing hot...too hot to do anything except swim, but when you have 3 young kids that's just not always an option. And it seems to never end. And I want to start drinking at breakfast. So come July...or even October, you'll be happy and I'll be miserable!
262. Anonymous said:
At least you have snow. Here, in Ireland, it's just fucking miserable all day. Everything's gray and moody. Especially people. There's no fire in a Hell.
263. Peggy said:
You look beautiful even when you're pissed! I see that you are coming to Mountain View,CA. for a book signing on April 1. Too bad you can't be here now. It was almost 80 degrees here yesterday. It's lovely but we need rain.
Leta has an answer for everything. Such a smart girl.
See you in April!
264. Tracylea said:
Leta has Wonderful taste. Of course, I'm SLIGHTLY biased as my daughter's name is Aurora.
And perhaps you can mail order some spring... they seem to have just about everything to buy nowadays.
265. ZDub said:
Aurora Armstrong has a nice ring to it, I think.
My daughter wanted to name her brother Anchorman Hot Cheesy Junk. For real.
266. All Inclusive Travel Deals said:
I so hear you about the long winter affecting your mood. If it wasn't for family and friends I'd have forced my husband to move us somewhere tropical years ago. Each year I think I'll get tougher but each year winter kicks my ass six ways from Sunday and sticks its tongue out at me to boot.
We don't need those sun lamps--what we need is one of those Star Trek Holodeck thingies where we program in a Caribbean beach and lock the doors for a couple of hours. That'll cure what ails us! :)
267. Anonymous said:
Am I the only one who finds if funny that Heather is wearing Under Armour underwear for the photo?
268. Linda said:
I can relate! Growing up in England there was usually about four months of that kind of thing, and then the blue sky came out and wow, all the moods lifted. Here in NorCal I've been missing the blue, so the last few days have been kind of sweet--it's just barely warm enough to sit outside and read for an hour in the afternoon.
I hope spring comes soon.
269. drsue said:
I am not sure what Utah you are living in, I live here too and it has brilliantly sunny for the past week. Sure the haze of inversion is starting to build up, but you can still see blue sky and sunshine. You are far better off than those of us who work in cubicles without windows all day, often both arriving and leaving work in the dark. Yes it is not beach weather, but is is in the 40's, which means you can go sit outside in the early afternoon for an hour or so in a light fleece and get your much needed sun time.
Re: the light boxes, why slam them if you haven't tried them? My husband also suffers from clinical depression and SAD, and he has one of the boxes which works really well for him, when he uses it. It amazes me that people with depression will fight tooth and nail against using the therapies that may or will help them. Why don't you try a light box for a week or so BEFORE you decide it won't work for you? What will it cost you?
It is not my intention to be mean, in general I enjoy your blog and you frequently make me laugh, but this entry was a more than a little pity party that doesn't seem to have much of a basis in reality.
270. Cornelia said:
I am still so happy for you!!! I hope you'll share the sex of the new little one. I ended up loosing mine 3 weeks ago. I had the first ultrasound and there was no heart beat. After a second one and no heartbeat I had the d and c. I suddenly understood your posts from last year so much better. Congratulations!! I also highly recommend a sun box. I've been using one for years and years and it always helps with the moods at this time of year. :-)
271. Mary said:
My brother and his wife are expecting a boy. When they told my eight year old that they were naming him Patrick; she said, "Will he be living under a rock?" We were like, "What?" and she replied, "You know like Patrick from Sponge Bob." Very funny indeed.
272. Jaime said:
I think you are getting SMALLER.
Completely not fair. I am due the same day as you, and I am huge. BLAH
273. Susan said:
When I was Leta's age, I wanted to name my twin brother and sister Tom and Jerry. Obviously that was shot down, but I still think they're both fine names, just not in combination. You should *definitely* go with Prince/Princess Aurora. Think about how regal that child would be!
If it's ok for pregnancy, you could try some L-Tyrosine. I had to stop tanning bed tanning after discovering some skin cancer, but the lack of UV induced melanin production made me sad. The L-Tyrosine stimulates melanin production AND dopamine receptors and it makes me feel SO MUCH BETTER. It's just an amino acid, and I had my doubts that it would work, but now, if I miss my dose for a couple of days, my husband notices and grabs the bottle in a hurry. :)
274. Joy said:
Weird. My step daughter has an ultrasound this Friday as well to determine the sex of the baby. I bet girl for her -boy for you.
Joy
275. jdubya said:
i feel like an ass... we had to turn the AC on in the car all week as well as at home last night.
move to so cal already! houses are totally cheap nowadays. getting a loan, however.. a little harder. heh.
276. Tracy said:
Our daughter turns 5 on Tuesday. She wanted a Princess Barbie, "but not one of the MEAN ones". Grandma and Grandpa got her a barbie "princess"; meaning it is dressed in a ball gown,... and, since darling daughter was not adequately able to describe exactly WHICH of the princesses were mean, we're all just holding our breath and hoping it's not the one she's getting!
Sending you brilliant-sunshine-vibes and warm-summer-breeze thoughts...
277. sheila said:
And I find exercising IN the sun whenever possible is best ... here in MN, that means before 4:30. Although I just noted with GLEE two things: 1. it is ZERO!! Balmy! and 2. yesterday it was not pitch dark at 5:10 p.m.
I posted a link to more about exercising and PPD here: gofastmommy.com
Cheers,
Sheila
278. Stephanie said:
What is up with all the haters here? Sheesh.
Good luck on Friday - I hope that the baby cooperates with the whole finding out thing! Such an exciting time.
You look wonderful, and the sky is blue today and while there isn't much warmth from the sunlight, the snow covered mountains do look pretty with the blue sky above them. That's something at least lol. I am with you on missing the warmth. Very ready for Spring.
Southern California is one of my favorite locations - we went last September and it was sublime. I would move there in a heartbeat if I could afford too ... well that and if my father didn't live there lol. Regardless, I hope that your time there is filled with warmth, blue skies and relaxation!
279. maddnessofme said:
You have to start taking vitamin D. I live in Michigan. A holistic doctor recommended Bio D Forte (vitamin D drops, high quality) and I no longer have any seasonal depression at all.
The sun is all about vitamin D.
280. Real Julie said:
At least Prince Aurora will know how to fight, right up there with "a boy named Sue!"
281. teetotaled said:
You are so teeny! :) I am 16 weeks and I look nine months preggers compared to you LOL.
Be well!!
282. Tracy said:
drsue....
I seriously wonder where you read a "slam" against lightbox therapy in that post. I also cannot believe YOUR slam against Heather for what you describe as her refusal to use "therapies that may or will" help her. Do you realize you're comment here is addressed to a woman who voluntarily admitted herself into a hospital for depression, and who has actively sought and utilized therapeutic relief for depression for years - and who continues that throughout this pregnancy? We're all different. Your husband's choices may be perfect for him (and you), but they may or may not be perfect for everyone. Additionally, I don't read anywhere in the post where Heather was asking for sympathy. Lighten up!
283. Susie Q-sie said:
Hey Heather,
I hear you about missing blue skies and warm sun, and being able to be outside and WANT to be outside... I live in Northern Canada and it is so f-ing cold and grey, well lets just say that it is a good (very good) thing that I am going to Mexico at the end of January, otherwise I think I am likely to turn into Jack Nicholson on "The Shining".
On a side note, congratulations on your pregnancy! I saved my son from being named by his older sister as well... She thought that our baby should be named "Eunice"... Eunice!!! Where the hell did a 3 year old child hear the name Eunice and why would she fall in love with the name and think it good for boys or girls???
Take care.
284. Caitlin said:
Well, at least Leta's acknowledging it could be a boy now, eh?
Wishing for some sunshine for you, I'd love to see a pregnant photo of you smiling :) Good luck!
285. lili said:
This post seems extra ironic to me, considering I've been living in Seattle for 8 years and just decided this morning that I'm going to relocate to Utah- YEEHAWWWW!!
286. Janie said:
Hey!! What's wrong with a Boston accent, sweethaht dahling?
Love the recent baby pic of Leta. Those cheeks! I don't now how you could stop yourself from biting them right off!
Janie
Boston, MA
287. Tracy said:
Congrats on Stretch, Prince Aurora or whatever you plan to call the little bugger.
By the way, you look fab - pout and all.
Tracy
http://themoxiereport.blogspot.com
288. Becky..Absent Minded Housewife said:
My third and last baby, in utero, was given the name "Cletus the Fetus".
Now little Cletus is three and refuses to wear clothing, except for wearing his tighty whities backwards, and was caught this morning eating large scoops of hot chocolate mix right out of the can.
I'm fixed, thank god in the heavens I'm fixed.
289. Kristina said:
Under Armour! You are/must be wearing Jon's underwear. Awesome!
That is all.
290. bmac said:
These are some very bershon pregnancy pics.
291. Anonymous said:
At least Leta is open to the fact that it may be a boy :o)
292. Anonymous said:
Your look says, 'just take the got-durn picture already, fer cryin-out-loud!'
You go girl!
293. Heather said:
I am vicariously enjoying your pregnancy! Spa pedicures can work wonders, can you get those in SLC?
Just keep repeating "This too shall pass!"
I LOVE the stretch armstrong reference. Did you ever cut one of those toys open? What was that, DDT??
294. laura said:
Everytime i complain about the winter, my Father reminds me that i am a "Hearty Northern Woman" and to suck it up.
Oddly, that helps.
295. Susan said:
Actually, I consider "Tadpole" a very darling name for a fetus and used it liberally for my son.
Princess Tadpole, if need be.
Come to San Diego, but don't get all vomitus this time. It is 70 degrees on the coast and I'll take you to Quail Botanical Gardens and let you touch and smell the flowers and plants.
Mwah!
296. carrie said:
look at your adorable little flat stomach. i'm zero weeks pregnant, but look to be about 15wks. i think i'll go exercise now. can't wait to find out about the little one!!
297. Anonymous said:
Prince Aurora sounds much better then what we called out 10 pound newborn . . . Hubba Bubba King Kong Kowski!
298. wendy said:
Aurora- hmmm...as in Terms of Endearment...very interesting.
299. christie said:
you have really nice ears.
300. Lynn Gorham said:
Forgive me if someone mentioned this already, because while I am totally addicted to dooce.com, I can't read 250+ comments without getting fired.
If you don't want to tether yourself to a lightbox for an hour a day, talk to your doc about checking your vitamin D level. As someone who suffers from SAD and lives at about your same latitude (Denver), I can tell you that taking 50,000 IU of Vitamin D 2x a week does more for my winter blues than 2 hours in front of a $300 light box. Why? the bottom of the "normal" serum VitD level is 30nl/l. Mine hovers in the low teens without supplementation. With supplementation I get it up around 40, and that's the best antidepressant there is. It doesn't conflict with my Wellbutrin either, or my thyroid meds, and actually makes the latter work better.
Most people in the northern hemisphere are chronically deficient in Vitamin D, and living in SLC, there is no way, even if you are outside completely naked, drenched in baby oil, lying on tin foil for the entire summer, and using Chuck's shiny fur as a reflector, you can store enough Vitamin D for the winter at your latitude.
So when you go to SoCal, say no to the sunscreen most of the time. Wish I could join you.
Lynn
www.humanbeingblog.wordpress.com
301. aimee said:
I hate gray skies also. Come on spring!!
302. drsue said:
Tracy,
Sorry to disagree, but to dismiss a possible therapy WITHOUT EVEN TRYING IT, is a slam. "I know it works for a lot of other people, but it just won't for me". How could she possibly know it won't work if she doesn't try it?
I really like Heather and her blog. I find the stories about her life interesting, poignant and funny. I have a hard time, however, with "I can't smile because the sun isn't shining" when the sun IS shining. It seems to be asking the reader to feel sorry for her. (I know the sun is shining because I live in the same city, and it is definitely sunglasses weather this week). I wouldn't have said anything at all if it was actually dreary, but it isn't. If she believes it is dreary this week, than she REALLY needs to do something to try and help herself, because when the inversion sets in next week, there will really be no sunshine, and things will get much worse for her.
I know that she has taken MAJOR steps to deal with her illness, and I applaud her for it. I admire her greatly for sharing that painful story with everyone, I don't think I could have done it if it happened to me. My husband has done the same. I have the same issues with him about dealing with the "small" ups and downs that become major ones when not dealt with. That's is what I meant by "when he uses the light" because he frequently complain about SAD, but won't take the simple step of using the light when he knows it will help. To me this is the same as "it won't work for me so I won't use it" People who don't suffer from depression can ride out the bumps without major distress, but for the depressed, it can take over and the treatment for the major depression can be less effective, making everything harder to deal with. I know this because I have seen it happen.
If 20 minutes a day with a light box could help this, especially in her condition, I just don't know why she won't even try it.
I am not calling her names, or being mean just for the sake of it, but everyone needs someone to lay out the facts and give them a kick in the behind sometimes. I have people who do it for me, and I hope you have people who do it for you. Tea and sympathy will only go so far, sometimes you need that kick, even if you don't want it.