Can we say STRESS?

Evan & I think this shirt is great. It's from his favorite movie, Revenge of the Nerds. Booger wears it in the movie.

Yeah, stress just comes with the territory in the design world. Demanding clients, eager account executives, and stressed out designers. That's been my story lately. I welcome the overtime money, but the lack of sleep and crazy stress that is forced on me at work makes it almost not worth the extra cash.

Example, I was told yesterday morning that a 24-page annual report was due to the client today. Annual reports require a significant amount of time organizing all the text, placing photos, and of course making the report look nice and well-designed. I had about 8 hours to complete the task. Sounds like plenty of time right? No. Not when your phone is ringing with clients wanting to discuss projects, emails demanding responses, pressmen calling me for press checks, etc. So, I came in at 6:30am this morning to finish the project that I started yesterday afternoon and got it sent out to the client by 2pm. Now I'm completely exhausted.

After a 10-hour day, I think I'm going to take it easy tonight.

Introducing…

Well, here is the first look at Baby Hammersmith. Everything is just fine and as it should be at this stage. The baby waved at us today as we were looking around. The arms were up and the legs were crossed. Very cool.

Houston, we have a heartbeat!

Yesterday was my check-up at the doctor and we listened for a heartbeat. I was prepared to not hear anything due to it being so early, but Evan & I got to hear our baby's heartbeat loud and clear! It was so neat and kinda scary at the same time. There's another human inside of me!

Today is the ultrasound. If I get a clear picture of our little peanut, I will post it.

Monday-Friday

Welcome to the place I spend 40+ hours a week. That's right, this is a peek at my office. I had to bring my camera to work today for work purposes, so I thought I'd share this. I just recently got upgraded to this space, and I must admit I really like it. My previous location was more out in the open and people were always walking by, etc. This office is more closed in and feels more like, well, an office.

Other than needing some artwork on the walls, it's pretty colorful. I keep the 2007 calendar I designed for Evan's aunt's chocolatier/catering business (remember the chocolate at our wedding?) on the wall. It often makes me hungry, but as you'll notice, I keep water and an apple in reach.

Well, that's all for this Friday. Hope you all have a great (and warm!) weekend. Ciao!

Chinese New Year & Birth Chart

OK, so it starts. Everyone chipping in their two cents on my pregnancy:

I tell our elderly neighbor lady across the street that I am expecting, and the first words out of her mouth: Don't find out what you're having! Well, sorry, I'm leaning towards finding out. It's just how I'm wired, I'm a planner. It would be a cool surprise, but then we come home to a closet full of yellow and green clothing and accessories. Not to say I need all pink or all blue, just not ALL neutral. Our baby, our choices. That's the beauty. She had three kids to be surprised about, she doesn't need to be surprised about mine too.

Then, one of the first things my sister tells me is that I need to look up the Chinese Birth Chart. My reply is of course: what?? Anyway, she swears that it has been right for her all 3 times. So, I Google it. It predicts that I'm having a boy. Now I get to wait several more weeks to see if that's true.

What I have learned is that 2007 is not only the year of the Pig, it is the Year of the Golden Pig. According to Chinese Folklore, this is an event that occurs once in every 600 years and will ensure that a baby born on this year will experience a prosperous and wealthy life! Bonus!!

UPDATE: The ultrasound office just called and pushed my appointment to next Wednesday (14th)! Bummer!!

How have I been feeling?

This question seems to be the #1 question asked by family and friends as they've learned of my big news. So, I have an answer for you:

Due to my all-day, every day nausea, I'm snacking on something just about every waking hour. Now, I'm not throwing up (as of yet) and I'm so very thankful for that!! But my steady diet of granola bars, granny smith apples, and pretzels to keep my stomach at ease is getting old. I'm completely fine as long as I'm sleeping or eating. ha! what a life, right?

Other than my stomach, I'm feeling pretty great. I get tired a little earlier in the evening and take a nap on weekends whenever possible. I still try to make it to the gym on a couple weeknights for something low-intensity, but lately I've opted out due to the "morning" sickness issue. Some nights I'm just not up to doing anything but going home and chilling on the couch. I am very much looking forward to a somewhat back-to-normal routine! I want spring to get here so I can go on walks outside in the evening and get fresh air and move around.

I'm having my first ultrasound on Friday, March 9. They are going to see how I'm progressing and confirm how far along I am. I'm very excited to see what's going on in there! I guess I still have a hard time believing this is all for real. Well, the nausea reminds me frequently. I have my next check-up on March 13, I think we'll get to listen for a heartbeat but I'm not sure.

Thank you all for checking in on me. I feel very loved.

Happy Valentine's Day: Official Announcement

Happy Valentine's Day! (There's so much snow here it's not even right.)


Anyway, on to the official announcement:

It is with great joy that I announce that Evan and I are expecting our first child!! I've known for a few weeks, but waited to get the doctor's confirmation this morning before sharing. I am 7.5 weeks along on this 40-week journey. I'm not out of the woods yet as far as miscarriage goes, so hopefully the next month is uneventful in that way. They say I'm due on September 29, Evan's birthday is the 30th. So, he might have to begin sharing it with his son or daughter.

Again, Happy Valentine's Day from myself, Evan, and Baby Hammer!