Did someone say Circus?

Joe and I both have a love for animals which means that we are regulars at the yearly circus acts. Whether it be the big show of Ringling Brothers or the smaller Shriners Hamid circus, we are always front and center.

Well, this year was like every other. We had center row seating at the local Shriners Circus. Now, I'm not going to sit here and sugar coat that we to watch these unbelievable, amazing spectacular acts. We go more for the people watching and the "cheesiness" of the circus! Most of the performers perform in multiple acts throughout the show. So the trapeze artists are also the tight ropers who also do the equestrian and elephant acts. It's quite a sight to see and here are a few highlights:

Yes..those are Lions...never seen a lion at a circus before

These are the three Russian triplets/sisters/mother/daughter (who knows) who looked like they were about 60 years old. They were performing magic tricks. They even made the "Grandma" disappear at one point

This 17 year old couldn't finish the routine because some light was in her face and scaring the horse

These tight ropers were actually a lot closer than they appear. This man literally fell about 3 times during the routine...catching himself on the rope, but none the less falling. All I kept imagining was the large pole crashing down and smashing me while I was sitting there.

Once again, the lady magicians are now the amazing dog trainers!

And last but not least....the one and only....elephant of the show! Who actually turned out to be quite the entertainer!

It was a great evening and I'm sure we will be back again next year!!

The B ig 3-0

I am officially 30 weeks along! 3/4 of the way through this pregnancy! WOW! But, by the looks of things, I'm definitely "growing" in the right direction! I just can't believe we are here already....we really better get that nursery done!

Nothing too exciting to mention from this week! The next few weeks are going to be by in a hurry as we have a lot of fun and exciting things planned: Circus, Ohio Baby Shower....I can't wait! So, in the mean time, here is a quick snapshot of the belly book for weeks 29 and 30.

Week 29




Week 30







Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Childbirth Class #3

Title of Class: "Medical Interventions"

What we learned: All of the scary things that can happen during labor that would require interventions such as forceps, vacuums, Scalpel monitors and Cesarean Sections.

What did Kristen learn: That she can't watch videos of such items. This may cause lightheadedness, dizziness, clamminess and the potential of passing out during class.

What did Joe learn: his wife still can not handle blood and such and he should be prepared with orange juice, cookies and the ability to tell me to sit with my head between my legs.

While we were watching these amazing videos (with a hint...and a slight hint of sarcasm)...I was having trouble sitting during class. For a couple of days, I had been experiencing some bad stomach pains due to the fact that I think I sit all day at a desk and my stomach is scrunched up a bit. So as we are watching the video on C-Section, I tell Joe that I need to stand up and stretch a bit because my stomach just couldn't handle sitting any longer. I walked to the back of the class and realized that not only did I need to leave the room, I had the sudden feeling that I was going to pass out. I walked out to the hallway to sit on a bench and things just went from bad to worse. The class broke for a break and I grabbed the first woman that came out and told her to go back and get my husband. He then grabbed the nurses and they did their thing! They came out with orange juice and cookies and sat with me until I felt better. Their theory - although I felt fine watching the videos, some people subconsciously can't handle them. Funny thing was - the one nurse told me they had plenty of men that had passed out during the classes but never a mom. Ha ha..I guess there is always a first time for everything.

Joe and I had a great discussion on our way home about childbirth in general. See...I am really serious about trying to have a natural childbirth. Well, after seeing the information on epidurals (over 90% of women take an epidural during labor) and with my almost passing out episode during class...I think Joe is losing faith in me that I can do it naturally. I have to admit...I may be losing a little faith myself. It's going to take a little more than class to make the decision. It may be time for some research and a little bit of prayer.

Last Week Catch Up

I'm sorry that my last post was actually last Tuesday. I'm not quite sure where the time went! I do know that it has been a very, very busy last two weeks. Here's what you missed:

1. Last Wednesday was my birthday! Yippee!~ Another year older! But on the amazing note...my wonderful husband bought my the New iPad2 for a birthday present. He's the greatest. Ironically, he is sitting next to me playing on the iPad while I sit on the lap top typing out my blog entry! And he said he wasn't interested in one! Please... but I am totally excited about it. I absolutely LOVE it. Especially because I can use it to facetime with my friends like the Thornhills and the VanTuyles.  But I got to spend my actual birthday at Childbirth class. Ugh! It was an okay class. Nothing exciting to report from there.

2. That Saturday night, I got the rare chance to spend the evening by myself with my favorite gal, Abbie! Joe had tickets to see the Flyers play in the playoffs, so he spend the evening in the Philadelphia. Too bad that I get bored when I'm by myself. I miss him terribly when he goes away. But it will prepare me for his weekend get away here in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, while I was home alone, we had a terrible, terrible storm. It actually took Joe almost 4 hours to get home because the rain was so bad on the highways. Can't say it was any better sitting in the house listening to the wind and rain BEAT against the house. It was so loud that I thought the dog was going to jump out of her skin. Thankfully, Joe got home safe and the storm was over by the morning.

3. Sunday - we headed back to Philadelphia for a Phillies game. We aren't much of baseball fans, but we love to attend any type of sporting events. We actually had 5th row seats right behind 1st base! Great seats and the stadium is AWESOME! They have this amazing food area that any pregnant woman would walk through drooling at the smells and sights of everything around her. Oh..and I forgot to mention: the weather was PERFECT. We had this horrible storm the night before and we went to the game and sat in the SUN with 65 degree weather. Couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the afternoon.



It was Philly Phanatic's Birthday - so he had some special guests visit from out of town

 After the game, we headed to the Great KOP (King of Prussia Mall) for some birthday summer maternity clothes shopping. I was completely outfitted for the winter, but didn't quite have anything to wear for the summer. Unbeknown to Joe, they have fake "bellies" to wear if you aren't quite showing so you know what size of clothing to buy. Joe thought it would be funny to try on and see how he would look as a pregnant man. I tell ya..it's never a dull moment in the Cavanaugh household. We all got quite a kick of him walking around the store with his pregnant belly. Joe actually posted a 29 week picture op on facebook comparing his belly to mine. I think Mrs. Berlin had the best response "Joe, better cut back on the beer at the Flyers games!"

Lastly, we FINALLY made it to PF Changs for dinner. I actually had to call the night before and make dinner reservations. Joe and I were on cloud nine for finally getting a chance to eat there. Then...we finally made it home :)

Wedding Announcement

I keep forgetting to post this! A few weeks ago, I received my OSU Alumni magazine in the mail. I always check the wedding and "new additions" in the back to see if I know anyone...and much to my surprise...Joe and I had our own little wedding announcement in the back of the magazine! I don't know how it got there, but it sure was a nice surprise and brought a little smile to my face!

Week 28

Large. Slow. Out of breath. Back aches. Exhausted. It hit me like a ton of bricks this week. I actually went to bed at 7:30 last night. What in the world has happened? This giant belly I think! I know that I shouldn't be concerned about weight gain and how I look and such..I just can't help it. I get out and walk during the week at work and a few nights a week with Joe...yet I am constantly hungry! Famished! All.Day.Long! My doctor says my weight is fine and I'm where I should be, but I think it's the other people in this world that make me question myself. For example: When women come up to me and ask me when I am due. When I say July2nd...they respond with "OH!"  Makes me feel like I am this giant hippopotamus that looks like she is ready to explode and they can't believe that I have 12 more weeks to go. Sheesh..give a woman some credit!  I have a few wedding pictures that I keep on my desk for a small reminder that I will look like that again..someday and it's all worth it right now! ;)

So..here you go:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Your Body

Have you turned into a stereotypical pregnant person and developed a waddle? Have you even noticed your new walk? Once again, this can be chalked up to the wonderful pregnancy hormones that have relaxed your joints and spread your hips to make the birth canal wider.

Your Baby

Baby will be getting some color this week — eye color, that is. Pigment will fill in your baby's irises, but it might take six months after he/she is born for the eyes to settle in to their true color. Eyelashes, eyebrows and hair are continuing to grow, and brain tissue is rapidly increasing. You'll also be happy to know that your baby is plumping up as more much-needed body fat develops (one step closer to those adorable baby thigh rolls and Buddha belly), even though he/she still only weighs 2 ½ pounds.

1st Childbirth Class

Just a few notes about our first childbirth class.

1. We did actually learn quite a few things.

2. When you introduce yourself, don't say that one of your favorite things about pregnancy is all of the attention that you get because God blessed with you a small belly. You should watch yourself, you just p*ssed off all of the other pregnant women in the class.

3. It's not that quite funny to everyone else in the room when you talk about how your husband has gained more weight than you during the pregnancy (whereas you have only gained 20 pounds) and we can't even tell you are pregnant sweetie! Take a look at the rest of us! We have swollen basketballs underneath of our shirts and don't want to talk about weight gain.

4. When you are married to a funny person, you know there are going to be comments during the "breathing and relaxation" moments. All of the lights dimmed low, relaxing music, eyes closed...and my husband whispers in my ear.."Wouldn't it be hysterical if someone....(fill in the blank)...right now?" As the two of us try to stifle our laughter and get the angry eyes from the couples next to us.

5. This goes to a certain couple: This is a childbirth class. There is no need to dress up like you are going to a club in NYC. That means no zebra print shoes and shoes that have zippers coming up the side. No one cares how you look. Again...take a look at the rest of us: Do we look like we are enjoying ourselves?

6. Cookies and juice for a snack: Gone in 60 seconds.

7. Way to choose a location that only has 2 bathrooms. Yes...2 and one of them is a men's restroom. And they also happen to be a mile down the hallway. Break time = 20 women waiting in line to use the one restroom that is available after it took them 15 minutes to walk to. Grr...

8. Last but not least (for now...until I think of other things that happened during our class...) Is it really necessary to show us a live childbirth on our first class? I thought you saved that for last? Way to get the men back for the next class!!