Now Entering the THIRD TRIMESTER!

OHHHHH GOLLY GEE!

I'm PUMPED!

Only 12 weeks to go!!  It is absolutely CRAZY to me that we have been pregnant for 7 months.  7 MONTHS, PEOPLE!?!  My pregnancy has been great... except for one thing...

No heartburn.. no vomitting in the first trimester.. my hair looks AWESOME thanks to hormones and pre-natal vitamins.. and I love feeling Easton kicking and punching away.  But about 2+ weeks ago... all of the sudden out of nowhere, my right leg started PULSATING with pain.  Prior to that, it had been numb and tingly for about 3 weeks.. and while it was annoying, it wasn't PAINFUL for the most part.

THIS SUCKS.  It sucks worse than cleaning bathrooms, without gloves, when you live with two younger teenage brothers who don't care about hygiene or clean toilets.  Take that and multiply it times a gagillion.

Drama Queen?  Anyone?  Anyone??

So yeah.. my leg hurts.  ALL THE TIME.. it never stops.  Add to that acute, lighting bolt pangs of pain that seemingly hit right above my kneecap or within my outer quad whenever they feel like it.  I've literally sat up in bed gritting my teeth at night.. I've done laps around the newsplex to keep myself from crying.. I've yelled inside my car to pass the minutes until I was home on my couch with an ice pad.

I've talked to my doctor.
I've been to a chiropractor.
I've been to a massage therapist.
I've tried stretches.
I've tried heat and cold.
I've eaten bananas and drank lots of water.
I've tried extra "hurt no more" vitamins, athletic tape, even a special electromagnetic thing-a-majig device I stuck to my leg at night.

NADDA.

Finally.. I think I've got a diagnosis: MERALGIA PARESTHETICA.  Basically, whereas about 90% of pregos with leg pain suffer from issues with their sciatic nerve in their spine.. my issues are stemming from the femoral nerve in my groin, up front. AND THERE'S NO WAY TO FIX IT, except to pop out a baby :)  That's just where Easton wants to sit.. and God willing, he'll only get bigger, not smaller.

My favorite part.. is that everything I look up about this puts preggos in the same 'common causes' category as 'obesity and/or weight gain.'

Super Duper.

So I've pretty much accepted the fact my new 'condition' will be around until Easton is born.  I'm starting to get a little more used to the pain and I travel with ginormous gel-ice-packs wherever I go.  I'm sure I look super sexy waddle-limping at work.  Guess what--I don't care :)  I'm done with speaking engagements until after I get back from maternity leave, and as long as our relatives have a place for me to sit down over the holidays, I'll just grin my way through it.

Bottom line, I know in 3 short months, this will all be a distant memory.. and SOOO WORTH IT.  And just so I'm sure of that, God's given me two little reminders:  I dreamed about our sweet little baby last night--the first time I woke up and could clearly remember every detail... and my friend Molly's latest blog post talks about even after a MUCH more difficult pregnancy and some trying moments with her adorable little boy, Jack, how much she wants Baby #2.

Awesome :)  But if any of you have advice.. I'd gladly take it :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Because I Need To Be STUPID Excited

Every month, my friend Megs posts a special edition of her blog called "Little Things That Make Me Stupid Excited."  I should mention here Megan has 514 followers reading Twinsomnia.

People, 514 followers.  As in Megs could quit her job, write books about babies and motherhood, and really clean up.  She kicks ass.

I am in DIRE need of little things that cheer me up.. it's been that kind of week.  So I am shamelessly stealing her button and making my own list.  In my defense, Megan encourages this every week.. she even created a button that you can take and include on your own page!

514 followers.  Me = in awe.

**ONE**

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

KICKS ASS.  If money was no object, I'd get one every, single morning.  And afternoon. 

Our son would be born asking for a pick-me up.

**TWO**

The Biggest Loser

LOVE this show.  So inspiring.  Not to mention I'm a reality TV junkie.  It's definitely something I look forward to every week.. especially since I've broken up with Project Runway.

Gretchen sucks.  Mondo rules.

**THREE**

Jenny McCarthy

Former Playmate, very loud, not exactly the role model you'd expect. 

But this week, I felt SOOOOO hideous.  I caught some glimpses of myself in video during a story and almost cried... I AM HUGE.  GINORMOUS.  Yes, I'll say the f* word... I AM FAT.

So I decided to break out a book my ladies Melissa and Jenni SWEAR BY, 'Belly Laughs' by Jenny McCarthy, in which she VERY CANDIDLY talks about her pregnancy and everything that came with it.  Not to compare (because it truly is comparing the planets to gravel..) but she talks a lot about being self conscious throughout her pregnancy because she is in the public eye.. preach on, sister!! Preach on!! Because I feel like all of our viewers are at home, watching, saying "wow.. Brandi's really let herself go..."

So this week, I cracked open her book.  To read "I was a size 12 the first time I went shopping for new clothes".. and to read "by 7 months I had gained about 35 pounds"...

INSTANT RELIEF.  I'm at 6 1/2 months and I've gained about 25 pounds. If supermodel Jenny McCarthy, stunningly gorgeous Jenny McCarthy, gained that much weight during her pregnancy, then maybe I'm ok afer all.  Granted, this fat ass is getting a personal trainer after Easton is born. 

**FOUR**

Easton Kicking

My sweet little man is absolutely kicking and punching up a storm lately.. and I absolutely LOVE IT. 

I love putting my hand on my belly and feeling him go to town.  Sometimes I wonder if this is his way of talking to me:  "Momma!  I need love!"  And since I can't hold him yet.. I just rub my fingers along my belly to let him know I love him and I'm here!  Now, if we can just time it out so when I put his Daddy's hand on my belly so HE can feel his little boy... Easton KEEPS kicking.  So far, no dice :)

Ok.. so I only have 4 things.  But I can't top my baby kicking.

So, for now, I bid you adieu :)

What To Wear When You're A Planet

So I've finally conquered the "running out of clothes that don't cut off my circulation" problem.  I finally 'womaned' up and forked out the dough for a few pairs of maternity pants.  2 pairs of black pants complete with kangaroo pouch for work, and a pair of maternity jeans.

By the way, I Heart the consignment section at Belly Bumps.  Definitely beats the three figure price tag on most of the other options I looked at.

So I thought I was doing better.. until this week... when I looked at my calendar and realized I'm emceeing three fancy pants events coming up--fancy pants, minus the pants.

Ew.

So I forked over more dough and found a nice little black cocktail dress complete with extra fabric in the online maternity section of Nordstrom.  Perfect... until this week, when I had a working-planning lunch regarding one of the events.  Fancy pants X $250 a plate dinner = BLACK TIE EVENT = LONG GOWN.

So much for my little black extra fabric dress.

I tried on one of my Miss Nebraska dresses for my seamstress mom to see if there was any hope in resurrecting it for post-pageant/pre-Momma me.  Did I mention pageant-Brandi was a size 2?  I'd like to Nancy Kerrigan her right about now.. ('Why me?!?! Why?!?!?!?!!!!')  Suffice it to say, there's no chance in hell we can alter it.

So I spent my Friday night researching some options.. and I need help.  VOTES, PLEASE!

OPTION #1, BUT IN BLACK

OPTION #2, ALSO IN BLACK

OPTION #3, COME DOWN WITH SMALL POX THAT NIGHT AND STAY HOME

Thank you for voting. :)

Random... Like My Brain Right Now

I'm jumping from thought.. to story.. to feeling.. to wish.. to worry.. back to thought.  If you proceed reading this post.. proceed with caution!!

1) THE HOUSE
  We cut ties with our first realtor, and signed with a new.  The same girl Jenni used to sell her house and sold it 'lightning fast'.  Day one on the market--2 showings.  One is 'very interested'.  Keep your fingers crossed for us.. WE WANT THAT HOUSE SOLD!! It's been almost 5 months.. enough!

2) THE CLOTHES
  I have not yet gone maternity shopping, so everyday is a "What To Wear" challenge.  This week, I have one pair of pants that still fit--barely--and they are at the cleaners.  That leaves me with one maternity skirt Melissa loaned me, and two other skirts that I can hike up high enough that they still fit.. and are long enough I don't look like a hooker.  Thank goodness this is a short work week for me, or I'd be in trouble.

3) THE POLITICS
  We (everyone at KETV) are knee-deep in election coverage right now.  I love politics.. but after logging interview.. after interview.. after interview.. my brain is MUSH.  EconomyillegalimmigrationsocialsecuritywhyIwantyourvotemwwwwwaaaaahhhhhh.
It's very important for us to produce these stories for our viewers.  But I don't have much left in the noggin' at this point.

4) THE VIEWERS
  I just spent 15 minutes arguing with an irate caller, convinced that we had not aired ANYTHING about a man who duct taped his girlfriend's baby to a wall.. and how appalled she was that she had to find out about it on Nancy Grace.  News flash--we've shown the photos 8 times just since Saturday (I counted), and we've covered the case consistently from the beginning.  She's never seen it.. therefore I'm lying.
  I also received my third letter/email from 'fans' in the last week.  Today's was from England.  Last week's was from a man who told me, "I can't smoke.  Do you smoke? You should come visit me."  Before that, a facebook photo a viewer 'created', superimposing my picture over the ocean.

5) THE TRIP
  I'm making my debut in Canada this week (woohoo!) for my good friends' wedding.  Dilemma: what to wear? We've already covered my clothing crisis.  Carrie--can I wear Brian's sweat pants to your Niagara Falls wedding?

6) THE BABY
  Why should anything else matter when I have this to look at all day?  :)  Our little boy will make HIS debut in just four short months!!  And WE CAN'T WAIT!!

Halfway There!

Yes, you read that right.  This week marks the halfway point through our pregnancy!!!

We are so excited--getting more and more pumped as every day passes.  I honestly don't know how I'll make it through waiting 5 more months.. not that I have much say in the matter :)

THIS WEEK we find out if Baby Paul is a boy or girl!!!  WE ARE THRILLED!! Brian and I have both had SUPER stressful work weeks lately and this is such a shining light we are looking forward to :)

I am completely STUMPED as to what we are having... a few times people have asked me "what is your 'motherly instinct' telling you?  AND I HAVE NO IDEA!!  Sometimes I think GIRL.. because I'm totally breaking out like a junior high band kid, ADORE sugar and ice cream, and maybe.. just a bit of wishful thinking to go overboard on frilly dresses and cute clothes.  BUT.. I'm carrying STRAIGHT OUT.. looking at me from the front you don't even see I'm pregnant.. and according to the Chinese Baby Chart thing it'll be a boy.  PLUS, my mom changed her vote to a boy.. based on 'how I'm carrying'... that folklore business is serious stuff, folks :)  Plus.. I always wanted a big brother.. Brian would have a buddy to watch football and baseball... etc.

Either way we'll be ecstatic.  We just pray Baby is healthy and happy.

In the meantime, I've started pouring over "What to Expect In The First Year".. and I've had a few moments (including last night) I've actually had to put the book down and walk away because I got TOO EXCITED!!!  I have no patience.  I make Brian open his gifts days before holidays... I can't help but giving clues to people when I have a surprise for them.. I'M RIDICULOUS.  This is no different.

So there you have it!! 4 MORE DAYS and we get to see Baby Paul's sweet little face!!

HALFWAY THERE!

Stealing From Molly

And proud of it :)

BRANDI'S 10 on Tuesday

1. What’s the one thing you always do when you’re stressed?
Listen to my I-Pod.. when I can. Or nerd out with crossword puzzles or computer games.



2. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done for a friend?
Helped a bride use the bathroom in her dress.  I just had to explain to a male friend at a wedding last weekend WHY bridesmaids need to assist in this endeavor.


3. What cleaning supply could you not live without?
Laundry detergent.  I HATE the smell of B.O. and REFUSE to wear clothes, febreezed or not, if there is even a trace of it.


4. How long do you plan on living where you currently reside?
FOREVER.  Because selling a house is a NIGHTMARE. However, Brian and I do have a little dream of retiring in a condo in San Diego someday.


5. Do you usually vote straight party, a mixture, or not at all?
As a journalist, I am NOT sharing my vote on this question :)


6. What’s something that you love to do, but seem to never make time for?
Scrapbooking.  Playing sports.  Karaoke.  Baking for my husband.  What can I say.. being pregnant has not helped my lazy-ass tendencies.


7. What’s your favorite store to buy things for other people?
Target. Molly is GENIUS.


8. What’s the weather like around you today?
Gloomy.  Humid.  Icky.


9. What’s the worst book you’ve ever bought and read?
Recently, the Golden Compass.  SO disappointed.


10. What’s the closest thing to you that is yellow?
Adrian's Fatburger certificate for completing the Triple King Challenge.  Gross.

Shopping Spree

Brian has banned me from buying anymore baby clothes until we know if we are having a boy or a girl.

I've banned either of us from buying ANYTHING unnecessary until we get our taxes and plates paid on both of our new cars.

So why was I even TEMPTING myself today by browsing these baby onesies online?

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it says ONE DOLLAR, BOB!  It's a Price Is Right inside joke...

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PEOPLE!

I AM OUT OF CONTROL!!

But damn, our kid will be cute.