The Results are In

Ya'll called it but I was shocked:

Team Blue!

Last Chance to Vote!

We have one for Team Pink and one for Team Blue. Leaving for the doctor in 30 minutes. Anyone else?

The Polls Are Open!

Alright folks, cast your vote!

18 Weeks, 3 Days

This post is about pregnancy. If you're not in a good place, feel free to pass. Take care of you!

I'm trying hard to remember that the point of this ultrasound is NOT to find out the sex of our baby. It's called the Anatomy Scan and is done to look for proper growth and check for certain health issues. I've read several bloggers who have received heartbreaking news during this scan. The anatomy scan is not a joke! We hope and pray that we receive confirmation of a healthy, thriving Smudge on Wednesday.

THAT BEING SAID.

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!! I can't believe we're finding out who's in there in just two days!!! I am BEYOND excited! I have tried so hard during this pregnancy not to get too attached to either name or sex. To not get set in my thinking of who is in there. And now we are just days away! Eeeee!

Okay, ANYWAY. Let's talk about my totally boring pregnancy. The bump is not the only thing growing around here! My hair is out of control. I am trying to fit in a haircut next week because UGH. It's about two inches too long at this point.

Aaaaand other hair is growing. Legs, eyebrows, freaking chin. I hate it! I mean, yay for the hormones and whatnot causing little Smudge to grow and thrive. Couldn't do this without 'em! But still. SO over this part.

My current food obsession is Morning Star Spicy Black Bean Burgers. I've been warming them up and then sticking them in a spinach wrap with 2% mexican cheese and BBQ sauce. NOM! Still not that into meat and only managing to fit it in during dinner. The rest of the time it's fruit, veggies, and cereal.

OH! And pie. R brought home a lemon meringue pie last week and, umm, it's gone. *sigh* I would really appreciate it if he stopped bringing home sweets because I can't control myself. I still get a little obsessed about my weight gain (I was up 1.75lb when I weighed in during our drama) even though I'm only up 9 pounds total. I know I keep saying it but I really need to get weight lifting back into my routine. I've only managed to fit it in twice last week - the tired gets in the way.

The tired, OH the tired! I practically fell asleep sitting up at Little K's gymnastics class! I could barely stop myself from lying down on the staging couches during Parade of Homes. It's ridiculous! I'm getting eight hours of sleep a night but it's just not enough. I'm constantly exhausted. Blah.

Travel plans are being made for Christmas and Baby Shower. It's 90% certain that I will be going to TX for Christmas. Although I'm bummed about not being with R during that time, I'm really excited to see my sister and niece. This is the last Christmas for me to travel without R (who hates to travel) since I won't keep him and Smudge apart on holidays. Obviously.

My sister scheduled her flights for the baby shower, which is SUPER exciting! She visited us several times in NC the first year I was up here but hasn't been up since we moved into our new house almost 4 years ago. I can't wait to have everyone here for a few days!!

That's about it over here. Getting bigger (and hairier) every day. Can't wait to find out who's in there! People are coming to visit in a few months. And I need a nap.

Healthcare

So, it feel weird to talk about something political on my blog. But it's been on my mind the past week. Here we go.

We buy our own health insurance. R's corporate office is in Atlanta and the health coverage is terrible. SUPER expensive and every doctor in NC is out-of-network because we are out of state for the plan. Really terrible.

The company I work for is under 10 employees and does not offer health coverage. Although I did receive a weird email from them last week regarding an allotment/bucket for employee coverage, but not dependent, and no follow up information. I responded asking for more information.

So, anyway. We buy our own health insurance. I pay for it  monthly and, with dental coverage, it comes up to $500/month. It's a little more than I was paying when I had an employer sponsored plan but much better coverage.

I received a letter from our provider last week explaining how the plans will be changing to be compliant with the ACA. Now, I want to make sure this doesn't turn into a debate or war zone, k? This isn't about the ACA.

This is about how darn expensive health insurance continues to be.

Our hope was that the ACA would make health insurance less expensive for our family. At the least, keep the equivalent of our current coverage at the same price, maybe a little less. Hopefully better coverage at the same price.

Noop.

Our current plan will no longer exist in 2014. Our equivalent plan has slightly WORSE coverage and has almost DOUBLED in price from $350/month to $675 a month. NOT including dental. This brings our monthly health insurance payment to almost $850/month before we ever step foot in a doctor's office.

I can't believe it. Do I think that everyone should have health insurance? Yes, I do for a number of reasons I don't want to go into here.

Do I think that, as a family who has had continuous self-pay health coverage with the same company for the past year that my rate should go up as a result of the ACA? Honestly?

No. I don't.

It was my understanding that my self-pay coverage would become LESS expensive. Not more expensive.

Our estimated premium in 2014 is 1/3 of my monthly net income. That is before I pay for my car, our family groceries, gas, student loans, tithe, misc. debts, and trying to build a savings account. The premium doesn't include the child I'm carrying, which is estimated to raise our premium by another $150/month. Let's be clear: Once the baby is born, our health and dental will be $1000/month. Almost HALF of my net pay.

I've been trying to access the gov't website in the hopes of finding a less expensive plan but it continues to be unavailable.

I'm not a happy camper right now. Feeling frustrated and disillusioned.

Trying to remind myself that, as with all things, God is in control. He knew that our coverage would become more expensive and He will provide for us.

Creme de la Creme

It's that time of year again! Mel has posted the official heads up for the 2013 Creme de la Creme list. Are you excited?? I know I am! I loved contributing the past two years and reading everyone's submissions. It's always so special for me to see what everyone has pulled out from a year of posting. I hope you plan on participating this year! If you do plan on participating, Mel has requested that you pop over and give her a heads up in the comments section.

The list opens for submissions October 15th. See you there!

One Week

This is a pregnancy specific post. If you are not in a good place, please feel free to pass. Take care of you!

Yesterday afternoon, R and I realized that we are one week away from finding out what kind of Smudge we are having. ONE WEEK! That's  so soon! But it also feels like it's been ages since we found out the IUI worked. I'm just so excited!

We have picked out two sets of the big items on our registry (stroller and car seat, pack and play, bedding) with gender neutral of others (diaper bag, jumper, rocker/bouncer, playmat). We have a plan/theme for the nursery that works for either sex. I'm such a planner that this was inevitable. The first inspiration board I put together was in January 2012! Eighteen months later and it's really happening. Wow.

I'll be honest, two years ago I was sure I wanted a girl, hands down. But the Lord working on me since then. Much like His work getting me to a place where I was at peace with the outcome of the IUI cycle, I am at peace with whoever is growing in there. I still feel that a girl would be more convenient (hello 30 pounds of girl clothing!) but I know that God will provide, no matter what. I just want to know!

I can't wait to call this little one by name.