To vaccinate or not.....

Today at our 18 week appointment the doctor asked about whether or not I had gotten my flu shot yet. I knew this question was coming, because it comes every year, pregnant or not, if I go to the doctor prior to or during flu season. As a general rule I usually avoid most adult vaccinations (Flu, HPV, etc.), but now that I'm pregnant I feel like I have a lot more to consider. As the doctor so kindly pointed out, "you're pregnant, you could die from the flu"and if I manage to make it out alive all sorts of complications can happen with the baby if I run a high fever or dehydrate. On the other hand there are a multitude of reasons not to get the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine isn't approved for children under the age of 6 months, so why should I feel safe injecting it into me, and subsequently my developing fetus? In addition, flu vaccines (most vaccines) contain mercury or thimerosal, a mercury like substitute. Not something I want in my body, and especially not in the baby's body. (Which is why you should all stop eating/drinking things with high fructose corn syrup in it! It's processed with mercury!) Some research suggests that vaccinations are linked to autism, but a quick google search shows that this belief is highly debated. The question is who do you believe? One of the biggest cons is that the flu vaccine far from guarantees protection against the flu. The vaccine contains 3 different strains of the flu which are thought to be most common for the upcoming flu season, but the H1N1 outbreak showed us that this doesn't mean much when a new strain (or old, dormant strain) pops up. This years seasonal flu vaccine does contain the H1N1 strain, which has had a slew of bad press over the quick release and lack of testing of that vaccine. There are also rumors that the H1N1 vaccine can cause miscarriage. In spite of all of this, I 'd like to believe that the flu vaccine is a good thing, I like the idea of not dying. So, I've been looking for some legitimate trials testing the short term/ long term effects of the flu vaccine on pregnant women and babies, but I haven't been able to find much (admittedly, I haven't put too much time in). And I'm getting frustrated because I feel like I need to make a decision soon! If anyone has any input, ideas, info, I'd love to hear it!

Eli and I will write a way more fun 18 week post soon, with the new pics!

A Shopping Cart Cover

Is this real? Is this what I need to have to be a good parent? I don't even know anymore. I figured I could get away with a few cloth diapers and a papoose. I guess not. :/

I can't believe how much paraphernalia there is for having a tike. I can't tell what the deal is. I can't tell what of me is just being cheap and what of me is the last sensible man on the planet realizing that there are some things a baby just doesn't need. Like a shopping cart cover.

Another Sabres fan is about to enter this world...

Whether Tail wants to or not! The Sabres pre-season started yesterday and I got super excited about watching with my little tike. Hopefully Tail is going to want to be my best friend and get into the hockey spirit. Even if not, Tail will be draped head to toe in Sabres paraphernalia. Tail is already getting a taste of the holy garments....

Seriously though..I was thinking about when I was a kid and I thought my dad was the coolest thing going...and that I might be that to this little kid. It could be a lot of fun.

Tail's Playlist v 2.0

Echoes- Pink Floyd
Black Dog- Robert Plant
Get Low- Lil' Jon
Time of the Season- The Zombies
Deal- Grateful Dead
Bertha- Grateful Dead
Comfortable Numb- Pink Floyd
The Cave- Mumford & Sons

Annyong.

A lot has happened in the 2 weeks since we last updated!

Most importantly, Eli and I started Tail's baby registry!

We had a ton of fun making it, but after spending almost 2 hours in Babies "R" Us, we still only had a few small items on the list. Making a baby registry has proven way more difficult than making a wedding registry.  I may be over thinking it, but all we had to consider with the wedding registry was "what do we want?". While registering for the baby we have to take into account safety ratings, size charts, and a whole slew of other factors. Don't get me wrong, we were and still are very excited about making the registry, but there are at least 20 different versions of every baby item, how are you supposed to choose which is the best when you really have no experience in the matter! It's very overwhelming and I've sort of been avoiding the registry since we created it.  I've been researching none stop but I can't seem to commit and just register! Oh well, diapers and bottles, that's all we need, right?

Super cute Dad alert! Eli added the Babies "R" Us rewards card to his key chain and proudly proclaimed that he was "a real Dad now"! I love the juxtaposition with the bottle opener!

In other news, I bought my first pair of maternity pants (at 15 weeks)! Lizzette had the misfortune of shopping with indecisive me, but with her help I was able to settle on a pair. I pretty much wear them exclusively now when I go out, they are super comfy! All pants should come with an elastic band! I definitely need a few more pairs though!

Eli and I (and Tail) also attended Mary and Eric's wedding! Yay Mary and Eric! It was a ton of fun and we pretty much danced all night! The next morning I seemed to have popped even more, I guess all that shaking helped my ligaments stretch! Eli had a total of 2 pictures on his phone, so I picked the best one. I swear I only had a teaspoon of champagne!

Now for a size update! Here's me at 13 weeks:

Now here's me on the cusp of 16 weeks:

Yikes!
Look for a daddy update soon!

Pop Goes The Weasel!

I don't know if I've "popped" or if it's just bad angles. This is the first week I wore my bella band (thanks Beth!). I can still close my pants, but why do it if you don't have to! Plus my pants are getting a little snug and they are definitely uncomfortable to be in for long periods of time. I haven't been able to find maternity pants that I really like, so for right now I'm stuck with my own pants. 

Last Week(13): 

 

This Week (14):

I also saw a midwife this week and got nothing but good news! All the prenatal tests have come out great! We were also able to hear the heartbeat. This wasn't the first time but it doesn't really get old, I think I'd get a sonogram every day if I could! 

There are a lot of pictures on this blog of me, for obvious reasons, so here's one of Eli taken during his birthday trip to State College. I think if this baby is half as cute as he is, it'll be in good shape!

I mean c'mon! CUUTE!