How far along: 26 weeks
Total weight gain: 20lbs? I wish I knew what I weighed at the OB before I was pregnant so that I could say for sure. But I guess it doesn't matter all that much. Although my OB gave me a tiny lecture at my last appointment because I gained 5 lbs in 4.5 weeks... it was only half a pound more than I was supposed to gain, and that could be due to anything - water retention, heavy clothes, not having gone "number 2" that day... I was kind of ticked off at him.
Stretch marks?: None yet, thank goodness.
Sleep: Not great. My massage therapist informed me that I have bursitis in both of my hips, which explains the excruciating pain I get all night from lying on my sides. I also still spend 2+ hours lying awake most nights. But I'm not going insane from all this, like I would have before I was pregnant. I'm just very tired.
Best moments this week: Well, it was really over a week ago, but buying our glider, stroller, pack and play, and high chair was a big highlight. Our nursery is now 100% finished!
Food cravings: I still crave sweets and pop. The pop I still have not partaken of. The sweets I occasionally succumb to.
Sex: A little boy
Labor signs?: At least 20 Braxton-Hicks a day... yesterday it was at least 40. I've been researching natural childbirth though, and since I've been completely relaxing everything during my BH, they aren't nearly as uncomfortable and none of them have been painful (whereas some were before).
Belly Button: 90% of the way popped.
What I miss the most: Sleeping on my back.
What I am looking forward to the most: I just want time to fly so we can officially meet our little guy. I can't wait for him to be a real part of our lives.
Milestones: I am now in the third trimester!! Also, last night was the first time that Bambino woke me up by kicking me. He often keeps me awake once I'm already awake, but last night he actually woke me up because he was kicking so hard. For awhile his kicking was part of my dream (like when you hear a ringing telephone and the ringing is in your dream), but he eventually woke me right up.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Homebirth Update
All is not completely lost. After talking to the midwives' office and finding out they can't fit me in, I emailed a friend/acquaintance who works part-time in that office (her mom started it years ago). She was so sweet and said she would love for me to have the homebirth I want (she had a homebirth about a year and a half ago). She said she can't make any promises, but she will try to get me in.
I'm really hoping she can do something about this. As much as I love my OB, the more I read about hospital births and the unnecessary interventions they use, the more and more I want a home birth. There are so many things I don't like about birthing in a hospital:
-You have to give birth lying down in a bed (probably on a delivery table with your legs in stirrups), which is the most inefficient and difficult way to push.
-Many hospitals make you get an IV, just as a routine procedure.
-The doctors tell the nurses not to page them until they can see the head. By then you're dying to push, but you have to wait until the doctor gets there (20 minutes+). There's nothing good about that.
-Most doctors perform episiotomies whether you need them or not, and whether you want them or not, because they're too impatient to wait for things to work naturally.
-Many doctors use forceps and vaccuum extraction in almost every situation, which often necessitates an episiotomy or else you will tear. I don't want my baby ripped out of me.
-Most doctors cut the umbilical cord right away, when really they should wait until it stops pulsating before cutting it. Some doctors even try to force the cord blood into the baby more quickly by milking the cord, which can cause heart problems because it's forcing the tiny baby's heart to handle too much blood more quickly than it should.
-Many doctors freak out and make you stop pushing if the baby comes out with the cord around his neck, even if the baby isn't in distress. They immediately cut the cord, which forces the baby to breathe while he's still mostly inside of you. Meanwhile, they could just slip the cord over the baby's head and wait for the appropriate time to cut the cord.
-Many doctors are too impatient to wait for you to deliver the placenta on your own, so they give you a shot of pitocin, which is completely unnecessary. What they should do is let you nurse right away to cause your uterus to contract and expell the placenta naturally.
-You only get to hold your baby for a few minutes before the nurses take him to check him out and clean him up. I don't want to be seperated from my brand new baby. I want to hold him and nurse him for as long as I want. A midwife checks the baby out while he's in your arms, and waits until you are ready to hand him over before she weighs him.
-My husband can't be with me 24/7 after the baby is born. There are visiting hours and non-visiting hours.
Those are only the problems I can think of right now. There are many others.
Even if I can get my OB to agree to a 100% natural childbirth (ie. no drugs or interventions whatsoever), there's no guarantee that I'd actually end up with my OB delivering the baby. I really hope I can get a midwife. Even if it's not a homebirth, at least I would know that all the problems I just named (minus visiting hours) wouldn't happen.
I'm really hoping she can do something about this. As much as I love my OB, the more I read about hospital births and the unnecessary interventions they use, the more and more I want a home birth. There are so many things I don't like about birthing in a hospital:
-You have to give birth lying down in a bed (probably on a delivery table with your legs in stirrups), which is the most inefficient and difficult way to push.
-Many hospitals make you get an IV, just as a routine procedure.
-The doctors tell the nurses not to page them until they can see the head. By then you're dying to push, but you have to wait until the doctor gets there (20 minutes+). There's nothing good about that.
-Most doctors perform episiotomies whether you need them or not, and whether you want them or not, because they're too impatient to wait for things to work naturally.
-Many doctors use forceps and vaccuum extraction in almost every situation, which often necessitates an episiotomy or else you will tear. I don't want my baby ripped out of me.
-Most doctors cut the umbilical cord right away, when really they should wait until it stops pulsating before cutting it. Some doctors even try to force the cord blood into the baby more quickly by milking the cord, which can cause heart problems because it's forcing the tiny baby's heart to handle too much blood more quickly than it should.
-Many doctors freak out and make you stop pushing if the baby comes out with the cord around his neck, even if the baby isn't in distress. They immediately cut the cord, which forces the baby to breathe while he's still mostly inside of you. Meanwhile, they could just slip the cord over the baby's head and wait for the appropriate time to cut the cord.
-Many doctors are too impatient to wait for you to deliver the placenta on your own, so they give you a shot of pitocin, which is completely unnecessary. What they should do is let you nurse right away to cause your uterus to contract and expell the placenta naturally.
-You only get to hold your baby for a few minutes before the nurses take him to check him out and clean him up. I don't want to be seperated from my brand new baby. I want to hold him and nurse him for as long as I want. A midwife checks the baby out while he's in your arms, and waits until you are ready to hand him over before she weighs him.
-My husband can't be with me 24/7 after the baby is born. There are visiting hours and non-visiting hours.
Those are only the problems I can think of right now. There are many others.
Even if I can get my OB to agree to a 100% natural childbirth (ie. no drugs or interventions whatsoever), there's no guarantee that I'd actually end up with my OB delivering the baby. I really hope I can get a midwife. Even if it's not a homebirth, at least I would know that all the problems I just named (minus visiting hours) wouldn't happen.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
So Bummed
I just called the midwife offices to book an appointment and was told that they are completely full for March and can't accept any more patients unless somebody moves out of the area. I am so disappointed. I hadn't realized how much I really wanted to do a home birth until I was told that I couldn't. My heart sank.
I'm on the waiting list, but I'm really not anticipating getting a call back from them. I had no idea that they would be full during this time. Their website made it sound like I could call them at any point during my pregnancy if I decided I want midwifery care.
Bummer:(
I'm on the waiting list, but I'm really not anticipating getting a call back from them. I had no idea that they would be full during this time. Their website made it sound like I could call them at any point during my pregnancy if I decided I want midwifery care.
Bummer:(
Home Birth?
(Just for the record, Bambino has shifted a bit and is moving around move frequently than he was for most of yesterday)
I am now seriously considering a home birth. I had considered it in the past, but not really since I've been pregnant. However, last night I was reading this magazine from my chiropractor's office and there were articles on home births and also on things hospitals do automatically that are completely ridiculous. So I started to rethink the whole "giving birth in a hospital" thing.
This morning I said to my husband, "I think I want a home birth." He immediately replied, "No. Absolutely not," which I was kind of expecting. So I said "Just read the articles before you say no, okay?" And he agreed.
He read the articles, and now HE wants a home birth! I actually think that's what he would prefer now.
I think what I'm going to do is make an appointment with a midwife to see how we like her and ask her some questions. I don't want to cut ties with my OB right now, but I do want to seriously look into this whole thing.
I am now seriously considering a home birth. I had considered it in the past, but not really since I've been pregnant. However, last night I was reading this magazine from my chiropractor's office and there were articles on home births and also on things hospitals do automatically that are completely ridiculous. So I started to rethink the whole "giving birth in a hospital" thing.
This morning I said to my husband, "I think I want a home birth." He immediately replied, "No. Absolutely not," which I was kind of expecting. So I said "Just read the articles before you say no, okay?" And he agreed.
He read the articles, and now HE wants a home birth! I actually think that's what he would prefer now.
I think what I'm going to do is make an appointment with a midwife to see how we like her and ask her some questions. I don't want to cut ties with my OB right now, but I do want to seriously look into this whole thing.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Quiet Baby and My Shrinking Stress List
You'd think at 25.5 weeks, the stress of worrying about something happening to your baby would go away. Especially because the baby moves around like crazy, kicking nonstop. And that's my baby. Yesterday I just finished saying how I was worried that when Bambino was born he would be really hyper and fussy, because he never seems to sleep inside of me.
It appears he overheard me say that, and decided to prove me wrong. Last night I didn't feel him move once overnight. Usually everytime I change positions or go to the bathroom he starts squirming around. It didn't happen once last night. He also didn't move all morning while I was getting ready.
He eventually has given me the tiniest, slightest movements. But absolutely nothing like his constant hard kicking that he was doing for the past 5 weeks.
I think he must be facing my back. I wish he would turn around again. It's disconcerting for my baby to be this quiet. It's completely out of character for him. Of course it has me worried that he's in distress.
On another note, it is now Wednesday and many things are being crossed off my stress list:
-I'm in charge of the Christmas assembly on Wednesday - DONE
-I have a staff meeting after work on Monday - DONE
-We have to find time to return that elliptical - DONE
-I have 4 after school appointments this week - ONE (almost 2) DONE
-DH has a department party after work on Friday that I have to rush home for - I'm pretty sure we're not going, and I made a massage appointment instead!
-I have to go out of town to visit with friends next Monday - this may be cancelled
These things I cannot avoid:
-We have a wedding on Saturday
-I'm in the nursery at church on Sunday after being out late on Saturday for the wedding
-I'm still not done my Christmas shopping
Finally, my dad went in for surgery on Tuesday and I have to try and visit him everyday after work. But I live 25 minutes from the hospital, so it's easier said than done. The surgery itself went fine and I visited him yesterday and am going again today. But he did have a horrible day yesterday. For some reason his pain got absolutely out of control and he went into shock. He whole body was shivering and sweating, his muscles were so clenched that needles were bouncing back out of his skin, and he was crying uncontrollably. Now, you don't know my dad, but he is as tough as nails. He is in intense pain 24/7 from rheumatoid arthritis all over his body. Normally his reaction to pain is to get miserable. I have never seen him cry in my life. My mom has only seen him cry once before (when the doctors told my parents that they thought my little brother had cancer - which he didn't end up having). So the fact that he was crying breaks my heart.
He didn't want any visitors because he was in such bad shape (however, my sister and I went anyway). The nurses maxed him out on percosets, demerol, and morphine. He stopped shivering and crying, but he was still in major pain and could only lie there with his eyes closed grimacing. They were shocked that he wasn't in a coma from everything they gave him, and he definitely shouldn't have still been in pain. But the pain was so far out of control that they couldn't get it back to a manageable level. They then maxed him out on celebrex and another drug that I can't remember the name of right now. I'm hoping he'll be feeling better when I go to see him this evening. Poor guy. It kills me to see him like that.
(During the writing of this post the baby started to squirm a bit more... but it's still nothing like before. This kid needs to smarten up and quit worrying his mom.)
It appears he overheard me say that, and decided to prove me wrong. Last night I didn't feel him move once overnight. Usually everytime I change positions or go to the bathroom he starts squirming around. It didn't happen once last night. He also didn't move all morning while I was getting ready.
He eventually has given me the tiniest, slightest movements. But absolutely nothing like his constant hard kicking that he was doing for the past 5 weeks.
I think he must be facing my back. I wish he would turn around again. It's disconcerting for my baby to be this quiet. It's completely out of character for him. Of course it has me worried that he's in distress.
On another note, it is now Wednesday and many things are being crossed off my stress list:
-I'm in charge of the Christmas assembly on Wednesday - DONE
-I have a staff meeting after work on Monday - DONE
-We have to find time to return that elliptical - DONE
-I have 4 after school appointments this week - ONE (almost 2) DONE
-DH has a department party after work on Friday that I have to rush home for - I'm pretty sure we're not going, and I made a massage appointment instead!
-I have to go out of town to visit with friends next Monday - this may be cancelled
These things I cannot avoid:
-We have a wedding on Saturday
-I'm in the nursery at church on Sunday after being out late on Saturday for the wedding
-I'm still not done my Christmas shopping
Finally, my dad went in for surgery on Tuesday and I have to try and visit him everyday after work. But I live 25 minutes from the hospital, so it's easier said than done. The surgery itself went fine and I visited him yesterday and am going again today. But he did have a horrible day yesterday. For some reason his pain got absolutely out of control and he went into shock. He whole body was shivering and sweating, his muscles were so clenched that needles were bouncing back out of his skin, and he was crying uncontrollably. Now, you don't know my dad, but he is as tough as nails. He is in intense pain 24/7 from rheumatoid arthritis all over his body. Normally his reaction to pain is to get miserable. I have never seen him cry in my life. My mom has only seen him cry once before (when the doctors told my parents that they thought my little brother had cancer - which he didn't end up having). So the fact that he was crying breaks my heart.
He didn't want any visitors because he was in such bad shape (however, my sister and I went anyway). The nurses maxed him out on percosets, demerol, and morphine. He stopped shivering and crying, but he was still in major pain and could only lie there with his eyes closed grimacing. They were shocked that he wasn't in a coma from everything they gave him, and he definitely shouldn't have still been in pain. But the pain was so far out of control that they couldn't get it back to a manageable level. They then maxed him out on celebrex and another drug that I can't remember the name of right now. I'm hoping he'll be feeling better when I go to see him this evening. Poor guy. It kills me to see him like that.
(During the writing of this post the baby started to squirm a bit more... but it's still nothing like before. This kid needs to smarten up and quit worrying his mom.)
Monday, December 14, 2009
Bad Ending to a Good Weekend
A bunch of lame things happened at the end of the weekend that have me frustrated.
-We bought Justin a new winter coat (he didn't have one) that I plan on wearing for yard duty. We looked for sales and went into Sears during the hours that all men's outerwear was 50% off. Good thing, since the coat he wanted was originally $230. Anyway, when we got home with the lovely new coat (home being 25 minutes away from the store where we got it) we discovered that the store neglected to remove the magnetic anti-theft tag. Which meant I needed to make another trip to the store to get it removed (it was the ink-explosion kind).
-We bought an elliptical trainer off of Kijiji. I was pretty excited about the idea because we planned to put it in the bedroom in front of the TV, and I could work out while watching TV (I know, so lame) instead of going into our freezing cold garage gym. When we got the elliptical home we discovered that the tension settings don't work (and it's currently set to the hardest setting) and the computer isn't connected to the pedals, so it doesn't count calories or speed or distance or time or ANYTHING. We took it apart, and discovered that it is impossible to connect the tension cords because they're too short, and the cable that connects the computer to the pedals is completely missing. $75 wasted. DH and I are trying to bring it back to them and get our money back, because they said it was in great shape and it's not. I'm so mad at myself for this. We can't afford to waste $75 on a piece of crap. I hate that we even have to deal with this situation.
-This morning Lexie peed on our bed. It soaked through our king sized comforter (which barely fits in the washing machine, by the way), through all of the sheets to the mattress pad. I'm not going to be home until like 7 tonight, so I don't know what we'll be sleeping on tonight. I don't know if there's enough time to get everything washed before my 9 o'clock bedtime. I might have to stay up late, which SUCKS. Unfortunately for me, I don't have any clean sheets lying around because I like to wash sheets and put them immediately on the bed so that it smells all fresh for a few days. Therefore, we have 3 sets of dirty sheets lying around and no clean ones. And also unfortunately for me, our comforter takes about 2 hours to dry.
Those are the things that happened to ruin the weekend. Now here are my other complaints (because sometimes you just need to complain):
-Last night I was in excruciating hip pain all night long. I HATE lying on my side. It hurts so bad. I just want to lie on my back.
-I have to go pay the chiropractor $650 today to cover all the care I'm going to need through the rest of my pregnancy. I will only get about half of this back from my benefits, which really bothers me. I don't want to spend that money. But after 2 days in a row of chiro, my hips went through a whole night without pain. Then they started hurting again. I'm hoping it's related, otherwise I'll be pissed that I spent all this money.
This week is absolutely insane:
-I'm in charge of the Christmas assembly on Wednesday
-I have a staff meeting after work today
-I have 4 after school appointments this week
-My dad is going in for surgery and I have to try and visit him everyday after work. But I live 25 minutes from the hospital, so it's easier said than done.
-DH has a department party after work on Friday hat I have to rush home for
-We have a wedding on Saturday
-I'm in the nursery at church on Sunday after being out late on Saturday for the wedding
-I have to go out of town to visit with friends next Monday
-I'm still not done my Christmas shopping
-We have to find time to return that elliptical
BAH! I can't wait until it's over!
-We bought Justin a new winter coat (he didn't have one) that I plan on wearing for yard duty. We looked for sales and went into Sears during the hours that all men's outerwear was 50% off. Good thing, since the coat he wanted was originally $230. Anyway, when we got home with the lovely new coat (home being 25 minutes away from the store where we got it) we discovered that the store neglected to remove the magnetic anti-theft tag. Which meant I needed to make another trip to the store to get it removed (it was the ink-explosion kind).
-We bought an elliptical trainer off of Kijiji. I was pretty excited about the idea because we planned to put it in the bedroom in front of the TV, and I could work out while watching TV (I know, so lame) instead of going into our freezing cold garage gym. When we got the elliptical home we discovered that the tension settings don't work (and it's currently set to the hardest setting) and the computer isn't connected to the pedals, so it doesn't count calories or speed or distance or time or ANYTHING. We took it apart, and discovered that it is impossible to connect the tension cords because they're too short, and the cable that connects the computer to the pedals is completely missing. $75 wasted. DH and I are trying to bring it back to them and get our money back, because they said it was in great shape and it's not. I'm so mad at myself for this. We can't afford to waste $75 on a piece of crap. I hate that we even have to deal with this situation.
-This morning Lexie peed on our bed. It soaked through our king sized comforter (which barely fits in the washing machine, by the way), through all of the sheets to the mattress pad. I'm not going to be home until like 7 tonight, so I don't know what we'll be sleeping on tonight. I don't know if there's enough time to get everything washed before my 9 o'clock bedtime. I might have to stay up late, which SUCKS. Unfortunately for me, I don't have any clean sheets lying around because I like to wash sheets and put them immediately on the bed so that it smells all fresh for a few days. Therefore, we have 3 sets of dirty sheets lying around and no clean ones. And also unfortunately for me, our comforter takes about 2 hours to dry.
Those are the things that happened to ruin the weekend. Now here are my other complaints (because sometimes you just need to complain):
-Last night I was in excruciating hip pain all night long. I HATE lying on my side. It hurts so bad. I just want to lie on my back.
-I have to go pay the chiropractor $650 today to cover all the care I'm going to need through the rest of my pregnancy. I will only get about half of this back from my benefits, which really bothers me. I don't want to spend that money. But after 2 days in a row of chiro, my hips went through a whole night without pain. Then they started hurting again. I'm hoping it's related, otherwise I'll be pissed that I spent all this money.
This week is absolutely insane:
-I'm in charge of the Christmas assembly on Wednesday
-I have a staff meeting after work today
-I have 4 after school appointments this week
-My dad is going in for surgery and I have to try and visit him everyday after work. But I live 25 minutes from the hospital, so it's easier said than done.
-DH has a department party after work on Friday hat I have to rush home for
-We have a wedding on Saturday
-I'm in the nursery at church on Sunday after being out late on Saturday for the wedding
-I have to go out of town to visit with friends next Monday
-I'm still not done my Christmas shopping
-We have to find time to return that elliptical
BAH! I can't wait until it's over!
Good Weekend - Bad Ending
I had an excellent weekend - for the most part (I'll get into the other part in another post). Like I mentioned, on Friday there was a big sale at Babies R Us, and when I checked it out I saw that every one of our big registry items was on major sale.
So Friday night DH and I went to Babies R Us and spent a pile of money. We didn't get every single big item we registered for, but we did get a bunch. We got:
I couldn't believe that all our stuff was on sale! Seriously, what were the odds?
Certain things we didn't get, like the convertible carseat we wanted, because we don't need that for awhile. But besides that, the only big-ticket items that are left are our monitors and exercaucer (which were both on sale but I wasn't too concerned about needing them at this point).
Then on Saturday we went over the border to exchange my bridesmaid's dress for the size smaller... here's hoping my boobs don't blow up like balloons and are way too big for the dress come May. The rest of the dress will be fine, and I do have a bit of room left in the boobs... I'm hoping they'll fit in the dress while I'm nursing. I just really didn't want the size I had. It was WAY too big and there was no way I would every be large enough to fit into it, especially not a month and a half after I give birth.
While we were over there we bought some more cute baby clothes. I'm close to having all the clothes I'll need for the first 3 months.
The baby's room is 100% ready now! It's painted, we have every piece of furniture (including the glider), the bedding is on, and we got blinds up in there finally. It's so wonderful in there. It's like walking into a room of dreams come true. That room had gotten so painful to have in our house after trying so long to get pregnant. When we were buying the house (it's brand new) that was the room we called "the baby room" right away. Then it just sat there, empty and bland. Eventually I kept the door closed so I wouldn't have to look at it. But now it's beautiful and calming and wonderful. I love it!
So Friday night DH and I went to Babies R Us and spent a pile of money. We didn't get every single big item we registered for, but we did get a bunch. We got:
Our glider and ottoman
Our pack and play
Our stroller (so now we have a whole travel system)
And our high chair
I couldn't believe that all our stuff was on sale! Seriously, what were the odds?
Certain things we didn't get, like the convertible carseat we wanted, because we don't need that for awhile. But besides that, the only big-ticket items that are left are our monitors and exercaucer (which were both on sale but I wasn't too concerned about needing them at this point).
Then on Saturday we went over the border to exchange my bridesmaid's dress for the size smaller... here's hoping my boobs don't blow up like balloons and are way too big for the dress come May. The rest of the dress will be fine, and I do have a bit of room left in the boobs... I'm hoping they'll fit in the dress while I'm nursing. I just really didn't want the size I had. It was WAY too big and there was no way I would every be large enough to fit into it, especially not a month and a half after I give birth.
While we were over there we bought some more cute baby clothes. I'm close to having all the clothes I'll need for the first 3 months.
The baby's room is 100% ready now! It's painted, we have every piece of furniture (including the glider), the bedding is on, and we got blinds up in there finally. It's so wonderful in there. It's like walking into a room of dreams come true. That room had gotten so painful to have in our house after trying so long to get pregnant. When we were buying the house (it's brand new) that was the room we called "the baby room" right away. Then it just sat there, empty and bland. Eventually I kept the door closed so I wouldn't have to look at it. But now it's beautiful and calming and wonderful. I love it!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Baby Stuff on Sale!
Everyday I've been checking the Babies R Us website to watch for special deals. I'm really not counting on people buying everything for us, and Justin and I have been saving all the money he makes from training clients for this specific purpose.
Today a whole pile of new deals came out, and I was very excited to see what was on sale. When I started scrolling through, I saw that almost every big item on our registry was on sale! Our high chair is $50 off, our playpen is $80 off, our stroller is $80 off, our convertible carseat is $50 off, the base for our infant car seat is $20 off, the original infant car seat we wanted (that matches the stroller) is $50 off... unfortunately I recently bought a different carseat because it was even further on sale, and I can't seem to find the stroller that goes with it at any of the stores, nor is it available to order online... although that stroller is on sale too!
So I think we're going to go buy a pile of baby stuff this weekend. I'm very excited. Add up all those savings plus tax and we have the potential to save $372!!
We're not getting everything, of course. I'm not sure whether we should buy an extra infant carseat (the one that will match our stroller) or an extra base. The carseat comes with a base, so instead of buying an extra base, we'd only be spending an extra $100 to get the carseat as well and it would match our stroller. But that seems a bit silly to me, seeing as the current carseat we have will snap into our stroller. The only problem is that it's not the same colour style. I should just suck it up.
Also, I'm not sure that we're going to get the convertible carseat we had originally registered for. Our reasoning has changed now that we already have an infant carseat that goes up to 30 lbs.
My mom was trying to convince me that we will hate our high chair because it's not one solid piece and it has a cushion... but that's what ALL high chairs are like now! How am I supposed to avoid that? I'm not buying a $400 wooden one piece high chair. That's ridiculous. Plus, our high chair matches our playpen, and it's all on sale! How can I resist?
I know we are for sure getting the playpen, which I'm so pumped for because that's what Bambino is going to sleep in next to our bed for the first few months (the basinette part). And since we're getting that, we'll probably get the matching high chair. And we may get the stroller as well... my only issue with it is that it doesn't match. But nothing will, so I should just bite the bullet and get the $80 savings.
Today a whole pile of new deals came out, and I was very excited to see what was on sale. When I started scrolling through, I saw that almost every big item on our registry was on sale! Our high chair is $50 off, our playpen is $80 off, our stroller is $80 off, our convertible carseat is $50 off, the base for our infant car seat is $20 off, the original infant car seat we wanted (that matches the stroller) is $50 off... unfortunately I recently bought a different carseat because it was even further on sale, and I can't seem to find the stroller that goes with it at any of the stores, nor is it available to order online... although that stroller is on sale too!
So I think we're going to go buy a pile of baby stuff this weekend. I'm very excited. Add up all those savings plus tax and we have the potential to save $372!!
We're not getting everything, of course. I'm not sure whether we should buy an extra infant carseat (the one that will match our stroller) or an extra base. The carseat comes with a base, so instead of buying an extra base, we'd only be spending an extra $100 to get the carseat as well and it would match our stroller. But that seems a bit silly to me, seeing as the current carseat we have will snap into our stroller. The only problem is that it's not the same colour style. I should just suck it up.
Also, I'm not sure that we're going to get the convertible carseat we had originally registered for. Our reasoning has changed now that we already have an infant carseat that goes up to 30 lbs.
My mom was trying to convince me that we will hate our high chair because it's not one solid piece and it has a cushion... but that's what ALL high chairs are like now! How am I supposed to avoid that? I'm not buying a $400 wooden one piece high chair. That's ridiculous. Plus, our high chair matches our playpen, and it's all on sale! How can I resist?
I know we are for sure getting the playpen, which I'm so pumped for because that's what Bambino is going to sleep in next to our bed for the first few months (the basinette part). And since we're getting that, we'll probably get the matching high chair. And we may get the stroller as well... my only issue with it is that it doesn't match. But nothing will, so I should just bite the bullet and get the $80 savings.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Midwife or OB?
Right now I'm struggling with the decision of whether I should start pursuing a midwife. I've always had very positive thoughts about midwives, but I didn't look into getting one when I got pregnant because I had already been seeing an OB before I went to our RE, and I just went straight back to him. We already had a relationship, and I figured it would be best for me to just stick with him.
Lately I've been having second thoughts. It's nothing against my OB, specifically. I have a bunch of reasons:
-Because of where I live, I'm forced to do natural childbirth. No epidurals. A midwife has much better tools to help me deal with labour than my OB. My OB would show up for the last 20 minutes just to catch the baby. He wouldn't even be around besides that.
-It's quite possible that my OB wouldn't even be the one to deliver my baby. Because we have public health care here, there's a rotating on-call schedule for the 4 OBs in my city. Whoever is on-call when I'm about to push is the one who comes. Which might mean that I end up with my student's father staring at my vagina. (Yes, my student's father is one of the four OBs here. I know, I know, a million people have seen my vagina because of IF. But it's a little weird to have several parent-teacher interviews with a man, and then have that man staring at your vagina).
-A midwife gives much more thorough and frequent care. Visits are 30-45 minutes long, as opposed to 10-15 minutes at the OB. She'll also come visit me 3 times just in the week following birth, to make sure everything is going well and breastfeeding is happening and whatnot.
-A midwife will deliver the baby in a way that works for me. Lying on your back to push is the most inefficient way to deliver a baby. The only reason anyone does it is because it's most convenient for the doctor, and most doctors don't accept any other position. I've always thought I'd rather sit on a birthing stool or something while I'm pushing, since that would help things along. A midwife would let me do that! My OB would not.
The only problem is that I don't want to burn any bridges with my OB. While he doesn't know much about getting pregnant, he has been accommodating for me. He ran tests on us before the year of trying was up. He referred us to two different fertility clinics, because I changed my mind on which one I wanted. He performed my HSG for me, even though he doesn't usually do them, because I had to get one done and didn't want to do it in a city an hour away. He also prescribed clomid for me before I went to the RE, which helped me know that Clomid didn't work. So I didn't waste an entire other month while at the RE.
There are only 4 OBs in town, and out of the four he's the only one I ever want to see. I'm afraid that if I switch to a midwife I'll insult him.
I'm not really sure what to do.
Lately I've been having second thoughts. It's nothing against my OB, specifically. I have a bunch of reasons:
-Because of where I live, I'm forced to do natural childbirth. No epidurals. A midwife has much better tools to help me deal with labour than my OB. My OB would show up for the last 20 minutes just to catch the baby. He wouldn't even be around besides that.
-It's quite possible that my OB wouldn't even be the one to deliver my baby. Because we have public health care here, there's a rotating on-call schedule for the 4 OBs in my city. Whoever is on-call when I'm about to push is the one who comes. Which might mean that I end up with my student's father staring at my vagina. (Yes, my student's father is one of the four OBs here. I know, I know, a million people have seen my vagina because of IF. But it's a little weird to have several parent-teacher interviews with a man, and then have that man staring at your vagina).
-A midwife gives much more thorough and frequent care. Visits are 30-45 minutes long, as opposed to 10-15 minutes at the OB. She'll also come visit me 3 times just in the week following birth, to make sure everything is going well and breastfeeding is happening and whatnot.
-A midwife will deliver the baby in a way that works for me. Lying on your back to push is the most inefficient way to deliver a baby. The only reason anyone does it is because it's most convenient for the doctor, and most doctors don't accept any other position. I've always thought I'd rather sit on a birthing stool or something while I'm pushing, since that would help things along. A midwife would let me do that! My OB would not.
The only problem is that I don't want to burn any bridges with my OB. While he doesn't know much about getting pregnant, he has been accommodating for me. He ran tests on us before the year of trying was up. He referred us to two different fertility clinics, because I changed my mind on which one I wanted. He performed my HSG for me, even though he doesn't usually do them, because I had to get one done and didn't want to do it in a city an hour away. He also prescribed clomid for me before I went to the RE, which helped me know that Clomid didn't work. So I didn't waste an entire other month while at the RE.
There are only 4 OBs in town, and out of the four he's the only one I ever want to see. I'm afraid that if I switch to a midwife I'll insult him.
I'm not really sure what to do.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Viability Celebration!!
I'm 24 weeks today!!
I'm very excited about this milestone. If my baby was delivered today he would have a greater than 50% chance of survival. Now, I definitely don't want him to come now (simply for health reasons). And I'll feel much better when I hit the 30 week mark, which seems way safer to me than 24 weeks. But it's still nice to know, especially considering my worries about my cervix and how I'm afraid it's incompetent or something.
We got the nursery painted this weekend. I don't have any pictures to post at this point, but I'll get them and put them up in a bit. It's so beautiful. Two walls are light blue, two walls are light green. It matches everything so perfectly, and it's so peaceful. I need to get a rocker so I can just sit in there and stare at everything. I can't wait for our little munchkin to get here.
My sister was visiting my parents for the weekend and felt Bambino kicking around a lot. I think she really enjoyed it.
She also returned a black shrug that she stole from me a year and a half ago. She claimed she didn't have it this whole time, but I KNEW she did because there was nowhere else it could be. I was complaining (again) about it being gone, so she was like "You can use my roommate's shrug. I think it's the same one you had and I don't wear it."
When she brought it I was like "THIS IS MY SHRUG!" It wasn't her roommate's!! It was mine! She said I could keep it. Of course I can! It's my freakin shrug!!! And now she's just giving it back to me under the "cover" of it being her roommate's. It's so ridiculous! But at least I have it back. It's perfect to wear while being pregnant.
I'm very excited about this milestone. If my baby was delivered today he would have a greater than 50% chance of survival. Now, I definitely don't want him to come now (simply for health reasons). And I'll feel much better when I hit the 30 week mark, which seems way safer to me than 24 weeks. But it's still nice to know, especially considering my worries about my cervix and how I'm afraid it's incompetent or something.
We got the nursery painted this weekend. I don't have any pictures to post at this point, but I'll get them and put them up in a bit. It's so beautiful. Two walls are light blue, two walls are light green. It matches everything so perfectly, and it's so peaceful. I need to get a rocker so I can just sit in there and stare at everything. I can't wait for our little munchkin to get here.
My sister was visiting my parents for the weekend and felt Bambino kicking around a lot. I think she really enjoyed it.
She also returned a black shrug that she stole from me a year and a half ago. She claimed she didn't have it this whole time, but I KNEW she did because there was nowhere else it could be. I was complaining (again) about it being gone, so she was like "You can use my roommate's shrug. I think it's the same one you had and I don't wear it."
When she brought it I was like "THIS IS MY SHRUG!" It wasn't her roommate's!! It was mine! She said I could keep it. Of course I can! It's my freakin shrug!!! And now she's just giving it back to me under the "cover" of it being her roommate's. It's so ridiculous! But at least I have it back. It's perfect to wear while being pregnant.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Cutting out the Fibre
(Disclaimer: I live in Canada, and in Canada we spell a few things differently. Color=colour, honor=honour, etc. And in Canada, it's spelled fibre. I'm not just an idiot who doesn't know how to spell:)
I'm trying to eat a low-fibre diet right now because of my colitis issues. This is difficult for me, because I eat so healthy that I normally consume a TON of fibre. This is fine when I'm not having a flare up, but since the past 8 months have been one long flare up, I'm laying off the fibre for awhile.
Lunches are more difficult for my husband to pack for me now that I'm eating fewer fruits and vegetables than before (yes, my darling husband packs my lunch everyday). So today I asked him to make me a peanut butter and jam sandwich on white bread as part of my lunch (low fibre, remember? Otherwise it's always whole wheat).
It was glorious. I never eat PB&J sandwiches. But my goodness I enjoyed that sandwich! I have no idea why it was so good, but I'm definitely having another one tomorrow.
I'm trying to eat a low-fibre diet right now because of my colitis issues. This is difficult for me, because I eat so healthy that I normally consume a TON of fibre. This is fine when I'm not having a flare up, but since the past 8 months have been one long flare up, I'm laying off the fibre for awhile.
Lunches are more difficult for my husband to pack for me now that I'm eating fewer fruits and vegetables than before (yes, my darling husband packs my lunch everyday). So today I asked him to make me a peanut butter and jam sandwich on white bread as part of my lunch (low fibre, remember? Otherwise it's always whole wheat).
It was glorious. I never eat PB&J sandwiches. But my goodness I enjoyed that sandwich! I have no idea why it was so good, but I'm definitely having another one tomorrow.
Monday, November 30, 2009
23 Week Pictures
Here are my belly pictures from 23 weeks:
You can see my little outie belly button if you look closely:
And my outie here:
Front shot:
I know a couple of people who keep saying that they don't think I'm growing. It's starting to piss me off, because it's absolutely absurd. The last time I posted belly pictures on my blog was at 14 weeks. I posted the same pictures on my facebook. Then I posted 18 week pictures on FB, and I was told that I looked like I hadn't grown at all. I totally had, it just had to do with the time of day the pictures were taken at. The 14 week pictures were taken in the evening, and the 18 week ones were taken earlier in the day.
Anyway, there are a couple of people who, since 14 weeks, have been trying to tell me that I don't look any bigger. Even now, at 23 weeks! It's complete crap, and it drives me nuts. My belly has grown 4 inches in diameter since I was 17 weeks (and it's not extra love handles)! Who knows how much it's grown since 14 weeks (I wasn't measuring at that point).
I just want to slap them and say "Are you BLIND?"
Clearly they are.
You can see my little outie belly button if you look closely:
And my outie here:
Front shot:
I know a couple of people who keep saying that they don't think I'm growing. It's starting to piss me off, because it's absolutely absurd. The last time I posted belly pictures on my blog was at 14 weeks. I posted the same pictures on my facebook. Then I posted 18 week pictures on FB, and I was told that I looked like I hadn't grown at all. I totally had, it just had to do with the time of day the pictures were taken at. The 14 week pictures were taken in the evening, and the 18 week ones were taken earlier in the day.
Anyway, there are a couple of people who, since 14 weeks, have been trying to tell me that I don't look any bigger. Even now, at 23 weeks! It's complete crap, and it drives me nuts. My belly has grown 4 inches in diameter since I was 17 weeks (and it's not extra love handles)! Who knows how much it's grown since 14 weeks (I wasn't measuring at that point).
I just want to slap them and say "Are you BLIND?"
Clearly they are.
Pregnancy at 23 Weeks
How far along: 23 weeks
Total weight gain: about 18 lbs, I think... again, it's hard to say because I was never weighed at the doctor's office before I was 8 weeks pregnant and had already put on some weight.
Stretch marks?: No new ones
Sleep: Still horrible. A few weeks ago I started getting really bad leg cramps every night that make me jump out of bed to walk it off. I am still peeing up to 6 times a night, and waking up multiple times besides that. My OB said I can't sleep on my back (I was really hoping he'd disagree was that particular piece of "wisdom"), so I'm still sleeping on my side and it loads of pain.
Best moments this week: Seeing Bambino kicking on the outside! I realized I could have seen it on the outside a long time ago if I had only looked. It's so amazing to see. Also buying new crib bedding and a car seat. I'm feeling more and more prepared all the time.
Food cravings: Still sweets, particularly chocolate. Also, this past week I have been DYING to drink pop. But I haven't.
Sex: Boy!
Labor signs?: About 20 Braxton-Hicks per day. So glorious.
Belly Button: 80% of the way popped.
What I miss the most: I still gotta say, sleeping on my back.
What I am looking forward to the most: I can't wait until this little munchkin is here in our arms. I cannot wait to meet him. It makes me tear up:)
Milestones: Seeing movement on the outside. And DH now consistently feels Bambino kick and sees it too.
Total weight gain: about 18 lbs, I think... again, it's hard to say because I was never weighed at the doctor's office before I was 8 weeks pregnant and had already put on some weight.
Stretch marks?: No new ones
Sleep: Still horrible. A few weeks ago I started getting really bad leg cramps every night that make me jump out of bed to walk it off. I am still peeing up to 6 times a night, and waking up multiple times besides that. My OB said I can't sleep on my back (I was really hoping he'd disagree was that particular piece of "wisdom"), so I'm still sleeping on my side and it loads of pain.
Best moments this week: Seeing Bambino kicking on the outside! I realized I could have seen it on the outside a long time ago if I had only looked. It's so amazing to see. Also buying new crib bedding and a car seat. I'm feeling more and more prepared all the time.
Food cravings: Still sweets, particularly chocolate. Also, this past week I have been DYING to drink pop. But I haven't.
Sex: Boy!
Labor signs?: About 20 Braxton-Hicks per day. So glorious.
Belly Button: 80% of the way popped.
What I miss the most: I still gotta say, sleeping on my back.
What I am looking forward to the most: I can't wait until this little munchkin is here in our arms. I cannot wait to meet him. It makes me tear up:)
Milestones: Seeing movement on the outside. And DH now consistently feels Bambino kick and sees it too.
Weekend Events
23 weeks
On Friday night I bought a carseat!! It was on sale for like $100 off. It was an infant carrier that goes up to 30lb instead of 22lb, which I really wanted, because our baby would probably grow out of a 22lb carseat in 6 months. The seat is brown and green. I like it!
I also chose and registered for our high chair... after a lot of research I finally landed on which one I wanted... more about that later.
It was a friend's shower on Saturday, then I cleaned the majority of the house, had a fight with David's Bridal (that is ongoing) and went to our provincial secondary school volleyball finals.
Then on Sunday DH and I did a bunch of errands after church. We bought everything we need to paint the baby's room (except the paint... I still haven't decided on the exact shade of blue I want). We also returned the bedding we bought a couple of months ago because it just wasn't practical enough. Here was my reasoning:
-It was $225 (and that was $50 off!), which is a lot of money to spend on bedding, considering we need SO much stuff for the baby and there's no way people are going to buy us everything.
-It was especially a lot of money to pay considering I wasn't going to use the comforter and maybe not the bumper pads
-I really want blue walls, and I wasn't convinced that this bedding was perfect for blue walls
-It's a really wonderfully soft jersey knit fabric. But we have 2 cats who love spending time our crib, and their claws would destroy that soft fabric. Not to mention the fact that their hair would stick to it like mad.
Finally, I had found a dust ruffle and crib sheet (as seperates, since those are all I'm planning on using) that I thought was perfect, so we spent $50 and bought those. So now we have $175 more in our baby envelope that we can use to buy actual necessities.
ALSO on Sunday I registered for a few more things that I wasn't sure about before. I chose the bottles and breast pump I want. I plan on exclusively breast feeding, but you never know when you might HAVE to pump and give the baby a bottle because you are away for longer than you anticipated or something like that.
Later on that day I had tea with my pregnant friend, and then my brother, his fiance, and my mom came over for dinner (my dad was working). I had about an hour's notice, but it was fun!
Some people might think that's it's early to have registered. I don't, considering I'm due in less than 4 months. I don't have any showers coming up, but I just have because I need to feel prepared.
Registering is hard though! Some people can just go pick things no problem. But I have a harder time with that. It takes me awhile to pick big things like high chairs and play pens and car seats and strollers (not to mention the fact that my husband is 6'5" and doesn't fit behind any strollers without kicking them... that really limits my selection to strollers that cost about $700, which I refuse to pay).
I always want what I register for to be in a price range that people might ACTUALLY buy it for us (so no $300 high chairs). But it also has to be something I like, and something that's functional.
For example, it took me awhile to realize what I was even looking for in a high chair. We wanted this cherry wood one where the padding matched the play pen we registered for. But I wasn't sure if we should register for that one because it didn't fold up or recline or anything. But I also wasn't sure if those things were so important.
Then Babies R Us had a high chair on sale, regular $169.99 for $99.99. I liked how it looked online, so I was going to buy it. When I read the reviews a person was complaining about how you had to struggle to get the baby's legs into the leg holes, which were there even when the tray was off. That wasn't even something I had considered when looking for a high chair, but I realized that would be an issue for me.
So that ruled out the high chair on sale, and it ruled out the wooden high chair (after I went to go look at it again I realized it had the same problem). So then I had to pick one that I liked, that went with our house, was reasonably priced, and that I could just sit the baby in like a chair and then slide the tray and leg divider on.
After realizing those were my criteria, I only had one high chair to choose from.
Choosing baby stuff can be difficult!!
On Friday night I bought a carseat!! It was on sale for like $100 off. It was an infant carrier that goes up to 30lb instead of 22lb, which I really wanted, because our baby would probably grow out of a 22lb carseat in 6 months. The seat is brown and green. I like it!
I also chose and registered for our high chair... after a lot of research I finally landed on which one I wanted... more about that later.
It was a friend's shower on Saturday, then I cleaned the majority of the house, had a fight with David's Bridal (that is ongoing) and went to our provincial secondary school volleyball finals.
Then on Sunday DH and I did a bunch of errands after church. We bought everything we need to paint the baby's room (except the paint... I still haven't decided on the exact shade of blue I want). We also returned the bedding we bought a couple of months ago because it just wasn't practical enough. Here was my reasoning:
-It was $225 (and that was $50 off!), which is a lot of money to spend on bedding, considering we need SO much stuff for the baby and there's no way people are going to buy us everything.
-It was especially a lot of money to pay considering I wasn't going to use the comforter and maybe not the bumper pads
-I really want blue walls, and I wasn't convinced that this bedding was perfect for blue walls
-It's a really wonderfully soft jersey knit fabric. But we have 2 cats who love spending time our crib, and their claws would destroy that soft fabric. Not to mention the fact that their hair would stick to it like mad.
Finally, I had found a dust ruffle and crib sheet (as seperates, since those are all I'm planning on using) that I thought was perfect, so we spent $50 and bought those. So now we have $175 more in our baby envelope that we can use to buy actual necessities.
ALSO on Sunday I registered for a few more things that I wasn't sure about before. I chose the bottles and breast pump I want. I plan on exclusively breast feeding, but you never know when you might HAVE to pump and give the baby a bottle because you are away for longer than you anticipated or something like that.
Later on that day I had tea with my pregnant friend, and then my brother, his fiance, and my mom came over for dinner (my dad was working). I had about an hour's notice, but it was fun!
Some people might think that's it's early to have registered. I don't, considering I'm due in less than 4 months. I don't have any showers coming up, but I just have because I need to feel prepared.
Registering is hard though! Some people can just go pick things no problem. But I have a harder time with that. It takes me awhile to pick big things like high chairs and play pens and car seats and strollers (not to mention the fact that my husband is 6'5" and doesn't fit behind any strollers without kicking them... that really limits my selection to strollers that cost about $700, which I refuse to pay).
I always want what I register for to be in a price range that people might ACTUALLY buy it for us (so no $300 high chairs). But it also has to be something I like, and something that's functional.
For example, it took me awhile to realize what I was even looking for in a high chair. We wanted this cherry wood one where the padding matched the play pen we registered for. But I wasn't sure if we should register for that one because it didn't fold up or recline or anything. But I also wasn't sure if those things were so important.
Then Babies R Us had a high chair on sale, regular $169.99 for $99.99. I liked how it looked online, so I was going to buy it. When I read the reviews a person was complaining about how you had to struggle to get the baby's legs into the leg holes, which were there even when the tray was off. That wasn't even something I had considered when looking for a high chair, but I realized that would be an issue for me.
So that ruled out the high chair on sale, and it ruled out the wooden high chair (after I went to go look at it again I realized it had the same problem). So then I had to pick one that I liked, that went with our house, was reasonably priced, and that I could just sit the baby in like a chair and then slide the tray and leg divider on.
After realizing those were my criteria, I only had one high chair to choose from.
Choosing baby stuff can be difficult!!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Father-Son Bonding
22 weeks 4 days
Last night Justin was talking to my belly, and everytime Bambino heard his voice he smoked me with a big kick. It was so cute. Over and over again we watched him make my belly bulge everytime Justin started talking.
It really is a very strange feeling.
Last night Justin was talking to my belly, and everytime Bambino heard his voice he smoked me with a big kick. It was so cute. Over and over again we watched him make my belly bulge everytime Justin started talking.
It really is a very strange feeling.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Bambino Showed Off For Daddy
Last night Justin and I were spending the evening together watching TV, and he saw my tummy move as the baby was kicking! It was so fun to share that with him. It’s just the coolest sight. It’s really amazing for me because I feel it and see it. But Justin was pretty excited that he was seeing my belly move. He also felt Bambino kick a few times, too (which he had already done, but it’s still cool… it never gets old for me, anyway). And we felt his leg lying across the front of my uterus. For a few minutes there was this skinny, long, hard section that came out from where his foot had been kicking me. We’ve felt his head, bum, and back on many occasions, so it was cool to feel his little leg. Although Justin hates when we poke on my belly and feel the baby. He’s afraid we’re going to hurt him.
The baby is getting much stronger. Yesterday was the first day that he was kicking me while I was standing up walking around. Or at least it was the first time I felt him doing it. I could feel it on the inside and the outside, which I found to be pretty impressive, considering all my stomach muscles were engaged as I was walking around.
Today he’s continued on with the kicking me while I’m up moving around. This little guy just loves life. I honestly don’t know when he sleeps.
He was kicking me really hard at one point this morning as I was sitting down and my class was doing art. So I called one of my students over (one I’ve taught for 2 years) and put her hand on my belly. She felt him kick, and seemed pretty awed by it. I’m sure that was the first time she ever felt a baby kick before.
The baby is getting much stronger. Yesterday was the first day that he was kicking me while I was standing up walking around. Or at least it was the first time I felt him doing it. I could feel it on the inside and the outside, which I found to be pretty impressive, considering all my stomach muscles were engaged as I was walking around.
Today he’s continued on with the kicking me while I’m up moving around. This little guy just loves life. I honestly don’t know when he sleeps.
He was kicking me really hard at one point this morning as I was sitting down and my class was doing art. So I called one of my students over (one I’ve taught for 2 years) and put her hand on my belly. She felt him kick, and seemed pretty awed by it. I’m sure that was the first time she ever felt a baby kick before.
Surgical Consult
I had a surgical consult yesterday afternoon. I don’t think I’ve blogged about this (mostly because it’s just TMI), but I’ve been having gastrointestinal issues since April. It started just as I was finishing my first round of injectables; in fact, it started on the exact day of my first IUI. It hasn’t really let up since then. Basically, the problem is loose stools that contain blood and mucous. I wasn’t too concerned about it for quite some time. I thought it would go away, but it hasn’t. Apparently it’s not going to! I first went to my GP about it. He couldn’t figure out what it was, so after a couple of visits he sent me to a surgeon.
The doctors all think I have some form of colitis. Either Crohn’s colitis or ulcerative colitis. Colitis is basically Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which is what I thought I had anyway, so this information didn't shock me.
He wants to do a colonoscopy. I'm not thrilled about that idea just in general (who would be?), but much less while I'm pregnant. It just doesn't seem right to me to have something shoved up there invading space while you're growing a human life. My first instinct was that that’s too dangerous. Besides that, I'm not willing to take the sedatives you need to take for the procedure while I'm pregnant. I told him that.
So the surgeon said "We can do it without the sedatives." WHAT?! Are you friggin insane? Get a colonoscopy with no sedatives?!? Yeah that's definitely not happening.
I said I'm not getting it done until after I give birth. He wasn't terribly impressed with my decision, and I wasn't terribly impressed with him that he thought I should risk my child just over some blood and mucous, and that he suggested they shove something up my bum (an EXIT area only) without drugs.
I asked him what we do if I DO have colitis, and he mentioned the drugs I would go on. I wasn't happy with that either. I don't want to be on those types of medications for the rest of my life. I know people who are on them and they don't seem to help that much, and they have really crappy side effects. Besides that, I won't take them while I'm nursing, pregnant or trying to get pregnant, so it'll be quite awhile before I'd even be able to take them.
After my appointment it suddenly hit me - why have I not gone to my naturopath over this? The thought had honestly not even occurred to me, despite the fact that I've been dealing with this since April. So I headed over to the store. They were all shocked that the surgeon wanted to do a colonoscopy while I was pregnant. First of all, it can puncture the bowel, which would put me into emergency surgery. It can also induce miscarriage. And the very fact that he suggested doing one without sedatives is insane. They made me feel much better about my decision to wait.
They also gave me a bunch of supplements that are apparently fine during pregnancy. Heavy duty (super expensive) probiotics (to super dose me for a couple of months, and then I can go on normal probiotics), L-Glutamine (which repairs tissues and mucous membranes), and Marshmallow root (which soothes mucous membranes). I'm going to take this stuff for a month, then go back and talk to them about how things are going. Hopefully the situation will have improved somewhat and I can continue with this regime.
I would rather deal with this whole colitis thing naturally. Colitis can’t be cured medically, but it can be cured naturally. I would much rather solve the problem, rather than mask the symptoms. I really don’t want to deal with this for the rest of my life. Apparently it can cause such bad problems that you need to get parts of your digestive tract removed… that’s horrible.
I really don’t know why this happened. It’s such an annoyance. I’m really trying to not let it bother me and stress me out, because stress only makes colitis worse. Plus, it’s not good for Bambino.
The doctors all think I have some form of colitis. Either Crohn’s colitis or ulcerative colitis. Colitis is basically Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which is what I thought I had anyway, so this information didn't shock me.
He wants to do a colonoscopy. I'm not thrilled about that idea just in general (who would be?), but much less while I'm pregnant. It just doesn't seem right to me to have something shoved up there invading space while you're growing a human life. My first instinct was that that’s too dangerous. Besides that, I'm not willing to take the sedatives you need to take for the procedure while I'm pregnant. I told him that.
So the surgeon said "We can do it without the sedatives." WHAT?! Are you friggin insane? Get a colonoscopy with no sedatives?!? Yeah that's definitely not happening.
I said I'm not getting it done until after I give birth. He wasn't terribly impressed with my decision, and I wasn't terribly impressed with him that he thought I should risk my child just over some blood and mucous, and that he suggested they shove something up my bum (an EXIT area only) without drugs.
I asked him what we do if I DO have colitis, and he mentioned the drugs I would go on. I wasn't happy with that either. I don't want to be on those types of medications for the rest of my life. I know people who are on them and they don't seem to help that much, and they have really crappy side effects. Besides that, I won't take them while I'm nursing, pregnant or trying to get pregnant, so it'll be quite awhile before I'd even be able to take them.
After my appointment it suddenly hit me - why have I not gone to my naturopath over this? The thought had honestly not even occurred to me, despite the fact that I've been dealing with this since April. So I headed over to the store. They were all shocked that the surgeon wanted to do a colonoscopy while I was pregnant. First of all, it can puncture the bowel, which would put me into emergency surgery. It can also induce miscarriage. And the very fact that he suggested doing one without sedatives is insane. They made me feel much better about my decision to wait.
They also gave me a bunch of supplements that are apparently fine during pregnancy. Heavy duty (super expensive) probiotics (to super dose me for a couple of months, and then I can go on normal probiotics), L-Glutamine (which repairs tissues and mucous membranes), and Marshmallow root (which soothes mucous membranes). I'm going to take this stuff for a month, then go back and talk to them about how things are going. Hopefully the situation will have improved somewhat and I can continue with this regime.
I would rather deal with this whole colitis thing naturally. Colitis can’t be cured medically, but it can be cured naturally. I would much rather solve the problem, rather than mask the symptoms. I really don’t want to deal with this for the rest of my life. Apparently it can cause such bad problems that you need to get parts of your digestive tract removed… that’s horrible.
I really don’t know why this happened. It’s such an annoyance. I’m really trying to not let it bother me and stress me out, because stress only makes colitis worse. Plus, it’s not good for Bambino.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
My Tummy Moved
Last night I saw my tummy move for the first time! I was just sitting in bed watching TV and my belly was exposed because the baby had been kicking, so I was feeling him. Suddenly he started kicking me to the left of my belly button over and over and his little foot kept bulging out.
It was soooooo cool. I almost started crying. Unfortunately, Justin was in the garage training a client, so he didn't get to see it:( If th baby had just done it 10 minutes earlier, he would have been there. He and Bambino have horrible timing with each other.
I realized that I could have seen my tummy move a long time ago if I had only looked (instead of just felt). He wasn't even kicking me that hard compared to how he sometimes does, but I saw every little kick. Sometimes he kicks me so hard it actually startles me, so I'm sure if I would have been looking at my tummy during those kicks I definitely would have seen them!
After the kicking I saw some movements going across my belly on a couple of occasions. I didn't think I would see this until way later.
Take THAT, anterior placenta!
It was soooooo cool. I almost started crying. Unfortunately, Justin was in the garage training a client, so he didn't get to see it:( If th baby had just done it 10 minutes earlier, he would have been there. He and Bambino have horrible timing with each other.
I realized that I could have seen my tummy move a long time ago if I had only looked (instead of just felt). He wasn't even kicking me that hard compared to how he sometimes does, but I saw every little kick. Sometimes he kicks me so hard it actually startles me, so I'm sure if I would have been looking at my tummy during those kicks I definitely would have seen them!
After the kicking I saw some movements going across my belly on a couple of occasions. I didn't think I would see this until way later.
Take THAT, anterior placenta!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wonderful Name News
I got some amazing news this weekend from my husband! It made my entire weekend (despite the intense discomfort I was experiencing).
We no longer have to use "Salvatore" in our son's name. That's his dad's name, and Italian tradition is that Salvatore should be our son's first name, but there's no way that was happening, so it was going to have to be a middle name.
I really don't like that name, and it was embarassing me in advance that that was going to be part of my baby's name. It's just so flippin Italian. However, my husband was insisting that we use it as a middle name, no matter how much I protested. (I'm serious, it was really upsetting me.)
Well, this weekend he was hanging out with his mom and dad and they mentioned that maybe we'd use the name Samuel instead of Salvatore (not that my dear husband told them how much I disliked the name... or at least I hope he didn't). Apparently Samuel is the English version of Salvatore (who knew?) and if we use that as a middle name, they will still see it as us honoring his dad.
I was so excited! Samuel is a normal name!!!! I felt like a weight was lifted off my chest!!
So we have Bambino's middle names picked out (Samuel James). We just haven't landed on his first name yet.
We no longer have to use "Salvatore" in our son's name. That's his dad's name, and Italian tradition is that Salvatore should be our son's first name, but there's no way that was happening, so it was going to have to be a middle name.
I really don't like that name, and it was embarassing me in advance that that was going to be part of my baby's name. It's just so flippin Italian. However, my husband was insisting that we use it as a middle name, no matter how much I protested. (I'm serious, it was really upsetting me.)
Well, this weekend he was hanging out with his mom and dad and they mentioned that maybe we'd use the name Samuel instead of Salvatore (not that my dear husband told them how much I disliked the name... or at least I hope he didn't). Apparently Samuel is the English version of Salvatore (who knew?) and if we use that as a middle name, they will still see it as us honoring his dad.
I was so excited! Samuel is a normal name!!!! I felt like a weight was lifted off my chest!!
So we have Bambino's middle names picked out (Samuel James). We just haven't landed on his first name yet.
Scare
Okay, so I had a freak out this weekend.
First of all, starting on Friday at about 6 pm, my entire abdomen really hurt, but it was concentrated mostly in my uterine area. Everytime I moved or shifted positions I was in major pain. Walking was horrid. I thought it would go away overnight, but it didn't, and at 10pm on Saturday I still had the same pain.
The pain was worrying me a bit, because it was something I'd felt in the past, but only for a couple of hours at a time, never for over 24 hours! But the baby was kicking like crazy, so I wasn't terribly concerned.
However, at about 5 pm on Saturday the baby stopped moving. I waited all evening for him to start again, but nothing. I figured he was just tired or in a weird position. I went to sleep (still in pain).
I woke up many times during the night, as usual, and never felt him. Usually I feel little (or big) kicks throughout the night as I wake up. When I woke up at 3am it really started to worry me, and I couldn't fall back asleep. I laid there awake until 5:30am, and never felt him move the entire time. So I went and ate an apple and some toast and peanut butter. I was starving, but I was also hoping the food would make him move.
It didn't. I stayed awake until 7am, he still didn't move. I fell asleep until 8am. I got up, drank some tea and ate some cookies... nothing. At around 10:30 DH and I had breakfast... still nothing.
At this point it's been 18 hours since I've felt the baby move. I'd eaten multiple meals, I was sitting quietly the whole time, and I was only asleep for a few of those hours. My kid usually moves every hour!
I was totally freaked out, obviously. And then he started kicking again at around noon. Much more softly than normal, but still, he was kicking. I almost cried.
He must be in a weird position, because I'm feeling him move regularly now, but the kicks aren't nearly as strong as they were. Sometimes his kicks startle me, they're so strong. I've actually jumped in my seat before. But now, it's almost like they're punches instead of kicks.
The worries don't really ever end, do they?
First of all, starting on Friday at about 6 pm, my entire abdomen really hurt, but it was concentrated mostly in my uterine area. Everytime I moved or shifted positions I was in major pain. Walking was horrid. I thought it would go away overnight, but it didn't, and at 10pm on Saturday I still had the same pain.
The pain was worrying me a bit, because it was something I'd felt in the past, but only for a couple of hours at a time, never for over 24 hours! But the baby was kicking like crazy, so I wasn't terribly concerned.
However, at about 5 pm on Saturday the baby stopped moving. I waited all evening for him to start again, but nothing. I figured he was just tired or in a weird position. I went to sleep (still in pain).
I woke up many times during the night, as usual, and never felt him. Usually I feel little (or big) kicks throughout the night as I wake up. When I woke up at 3am it really started to worry me, and I couldn't fall back asleep. I laid there awake until 5:30am, and never felt him move the entire time. So I went and ate an apple and some toast and peanut butter. I was starving, but I was also hoping the food would make him move.
It didn't. I stayed awake until 7am, he still didn't move. I fell asleep until 8am. I got up, drank some tea and ate some cookies... nothing. At around 10:30 DH and I had breakfast... still nothing.
At this point it's been 18 hours since I've felt the baby move. I'd eaten multiple meals, I was sitting quietly the whole time, and I was only asleep for a few of those hours. My kid usually moves every hour!
I was totally freaked out, obviously. And then he started kicking again at around noon. Much more softly than normal, but still, he was kicking. I almost cried.
He must be in a weird position, because I'm feeling him move regularly now, but the kicks aren't nearly as strong as they were. Sometimes his kicks startle me, they're so strong. I've actually jumped in my seat before. But now, it's almost like they're punches instead of kicks.
The worries don't really ever end, do they?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Bambino Kicked Daddy
21 weeks 2 days
I've been feeling the baby kicking on the outside of my stomach for weeks. He's a strong little guy apparently. However, for awhile the only reason I would feel him was because I would sit there with a hand on my belly and I was lucky that he would just happen to kick in that spot. He rarely continued to kick there more than two or three times, which wasn't enough time to get my husband to put his hand there to feel something.
Recently, however, Bambino started kicking about 20 times in the same spot, over and over and over again. But never when Justin was around. Only when I was by myself. It was starting to frustrate me, because feeling him kick on the outside is so cool, and I wanted Justin to experience it. Instead, he seemed to be discouraged by his fruitless attempts, and didn't really seem to care to try anymore. Men.
Last night we got to spend a rare evening together watching TV. Justin had no clients to train, and Bambino was awake for a long time last night, moving around, kicking, etc. I felt him on the outside a bunch of times, but once again, he was refusing to kick in the same spot more than twice. I'm pretty positive Justin had his hand there during a couple of kicks that he should have felt, but he said he didn't feel anything. It was driving me nuts.
Finally, WE HAD SUCCESS!! He felt a nice kick right to his hand, and then a bunch of feet squirming around after that. He finally felt the baby's unmistakable movement.
I was so happy.
I've been feeling the baby kicking on the outside of my stomach for weeks. He's a strong little guy apparently. However, for awhile the only reason I would feel him was because I would sit there with a hand on my belly and I was lucky that he would just happen to kick in that spot. He rarely continued to kick there more than two or three times, which wasn't enough time to get my husband to put his hand there to feel something.
Recently, however, Bambino started kicking about 20 times in the same spot, over and over and over again. But never when Justin was around. Only when I was by myself. It was starting to frustrate me, because feeling him kick on the outside is so cool, and I wanted Justin to experience it. Instead, he seemed to be discouraged by his fruitless attempts, and didn't really seem to care to try anymore. Men.
Last night we got to spend a rare evening together watching TV. Justin had no clients to train, and Bambino was awake for a long time last night, moving around, kicking, etc. I felt him on the outside a bunch of times, but once again, he was refusing to kick in the same spot more than twice. I'm pretty positive Justin had his hand there during a couple of kicks that he should have felt, but he said he didn't feel anything. It was driving me nuts.
Finally, WE HAD SUCCESS!! He felt a nice kick right to his hand, and then a bunch of feet squirming around after that. He finally felt the baby's unmistakable movement.
I was so happy.
OB Appointment - 21 Weeks
Yesterday I had an OB appointment at 21 weeks 1 day. Out of the 15+ times I've been there, it was the first time I had to wait to get in, and boy was it a long wait. I was in the waiting room for over an hour. It seemed a bit ridiculous to me considering Bambino was jumping around inside me and kicking for that whole hour, so I already knew he was doing well.
Amazingly, he already had my ultrasound results. The radiologist said everything looked good, no significant abnormalities. Of course, I had to ask about the word "significant." It makes it sounds like "Well, the baby doesn't have anything major wrong with it, it's just missing a baby toe" or something like that. Apparently that's the word that is always used.
I gained 3 lbs in the 5 weeks between my appointments. That puts me at about a 17-18 lb weight gain... I think. I wasn't weighed there until I was 8 weeks pregnant, and at that point I had already gained a bunch of weight. So I'm estimating my pre-pregnancy weight according to my bathroom scale, which is not very accurate.
I was happy it was only 3 lbs, because my weight gain in the previous 4 weeks was 5 lbs. I know pregnancy isn't the time to have body image issues, but I really just don't want to gain unecessary excess weight. I'll deal with the 25-35 lbs I'll probably gain (25 lbs is being far too optimistic... it really will probably be 35 lbs), but I'm not one of those people who thinks that because they're pregnant they have free reign to eat like crazy and pack on extra pounds all over their body. It's not good for me or the baby. I eat really well and exercise about 3 times a week. As far as I can tell, the weight is all in my belly, since my maternity pants fit my hips and thighs exactly the way they fit 10 weeks ago, and my arms haven't turned into hams :) My face is fuller though... unfortunately it's always one of the first places that I put on weight.
He didn't measure my uterus, he just palpated it. So I can't tell you how big I'm measuring at this point, although I am definitely ahead.
He never tells me the baby's heartrate. But this time with the doppler was particularly funny because Bambino kept moving away everytime the OB would find the heartbeat. The OB eventually started laughing.
I asked him about my braxton hicks contractions, which I sometimes get 20+ of per day. He said I just have an irritable uterus and not to worry about it.
I also asked him if it would be the worst thing in the world if I slept on my back at this point, since I'm not uncomfortable on my back but I'm very uncomfortable on my side. He didn't go for that. Sometimes he disagrees with the general consensus out there, but this time he told me what all the books say - that the left side is best, the right side is okay, and try not to sleep on my back.
He did, however, say that if I need to lie on my back because of discomfort, I can just put a pillow underneath one side and if I'm just propped up a couple of inches that'll be okay. I was already doing that sometimes, but I hadn't heard it from my doctor so I was nervous about doing it too often. I was worried that maybe I wasn't propped up enough and my uterus would still be cutting off my blood supply. But apparently those couple of inches are enough to avoid that.
Amazingly, he already had my ultrasound results. The radiologist said everything looked good, no significant abnormalities. Of course, I had to ask about the word "significant." It makes it sounds like "Well, the baby doesn't have anything major wrong with it, it's just missing a baby toe" or something like that. Apparently that's the word that is always used.
I gained 3 lbs in the 5 weeks between my appointments. That puts me at about a 17-18 lb weight gain... I think. I wasn't weighed there until I was 8 weeks pregnant, and at that point I had already gained a bunch of weight. So I'm estimating my pre-pregnancy weight according to my bathroom scale, which is not very accurate.
I was happy it was only 3 lbs, because my weight gain in the previous 4 weeks was 5 lbs. I know pregnancy isn't the time to have body image issues, but I really just don't want to gain unecessary excess weight. I'll deal with the 25-35 lbs I'll probably gain (25 lbs is being far too optimistic... it really will probably be 35 lbs), but I'm not one of those people who thinks that because they're pregnant they have free reign to eat like crazy and pack on extra pounds all over their body. It's not good for me or the baby. I eat really well and exercise about 3 times a week. As far as I can tell, the weight is all in my belly, since my maternity pants fit my hips and thighs exactly the way they fit 10 weeks ago, and my arms haven't turned into hams :) My face is fuller though... unfortunately it's always one of the first places that I put on weight.
He didn't measure my uterus, he just palpated it. So I can't tell you how big I'm measuring at this point, although I am definitely ahead.
He never tells me the baby's heartrate. But this time with the doppler was particularly funny because Bambino kept moving away everytime the OB would find the heartbeat. The OB eventually started laughing.
I asked him about my braxton hicks contractions, which I sometimes get 20+ of per day. He said I just have an irritable uterus and not to worry about it.
I also asked him if it would be the worst thing in the world if I slept on my back at this point, since I'm not uncomfortable on my back but I'm very uncomfortable on my side. He didn't go for that. Sometimes he disagrees with the general consensus out there, but this time he told me what all the books say - that the left side is best, the right side is okay, and try not to sleep on my back.
He did, however, say that if I need to lie on my back because of discomfort, I can just put a pillow underneath one side and if I'm just propped up a couple of inches that'll be okay. I was already doing that sometimes, but I hadn't heard it from my doctor so I was nervous about doing it too often. I was worried that maybe I wasn't propped up enough and my uterus would still be cutting off my blood supply. But apparently those couple of inches are enough to avoid that.
Monday, November 16, 2009
I Wish I Had Skills
I wish I had skills so that I could make things for my baby. I have no idea how to knit. I have no idea how to sew. I don't even know how to operate a sewing machine.
Nobody around me knows how to do these things either. So there's no one to teach me. I have one friend who lives about 4 hours away right now who knows how to knit, but how can someone 4 hours away teach me how to do that?
I'm not someone who enjoys trying to figure out how to do things from instructions that are written down. I'd prefer to have someone right there beside me teaching me. So teaching myself how to knit or sew isn't going to work.
I think I'm just experiencing the nesting urge, and that's why I want to be able to knit blankets, booties, and hats and sew quilts.
I wish someone had taught me these things when I was growing up.
Nobody around me knows how to do these things either. So there's no one to teach me. I have one friend who lives about 4 hours away right now who knows how to knit, but how can someone 4 hours away teach me how to do that?
I'm not someone who enjoys trying to figure out how to do things from instructions that are written down. I'd prefer to have someone right there beside me teaching me. So teaching myself how to knit or sew isn't going to work.
I think I'm just experiencing the nesting urge, and that's why I want to be able to knit blankets, booties, and hats and sew quilts.
I wish someone had taught me these things when I was growing up.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Detailed Ultrasound
I had my detailed ultrasound yesterday. As far as the tech knows, everything looks good. We'll have to wait for the radiologist to send the report to my OB to know for sure though. Bambino measured 21 weeks 1 day (4 days ahead) and was about 3/4 of a pound. His heartrate was 151 bpm. So much for high heartrate meaning girl - the 5 ultrasounds we've had went 146bpm, 146bpm, 168bpm, 160bpm, and 151bpm.
We found out that I have an anterior placenta, which means that my placenta is in the front (and is 2.9cm away from my cervix). I was disappointed to find this out, because it means that I'll probably feel (and see) less movement than a woman with a posterior placenta. I definitely feel what I consider to be plenty of movement throughout the day, but it makes me sad to know that I'd probably be feeling way more if my placenta was in a better location.
The majority of the ultrasound was kind of boring. There was at least 45-60 minutes of measuring where I was just lying there and couldn't see the screen. I was lucky to have gotten in 20 minutes before my appointment time, and my husband hadn't made it there yet. So the whole time I'm lying there getting the ultrasound done I'm staring at the ceiling, wondering if he figured I was already in the room and is just waiting in the waiting room for his turn to come in (where I live, other people aren't allowed in the room until the last 5 minutes, after all the measuring has been done). Luckily he was out there.
Bambino was pretty cooperative for most of the ultrasound. Then at the end he decided to lie on his right arm and not budge - and that was the second last thing the tech had to measure! She was wiggling my stomach around, poking Bambino, having me roll onto my side, back onto my back, onto my side again... it took about 10 minutes before the little guy would reveal his arm. We already knew it was there, but hadn't gotten a picture of it yet.
Then he decided that he didn't want to show us his profile. By the end he had his face turned in toward my back and refused to move that too. After trying with that for 10 minutes, the tech finally had me drink the juice I mentioned 20 minutes earlier. I sat up, drank my juice, kicked myself for having juice with 25% less sugar (we needed the sugar!) and laid back down to try again. Bambino hadn't really moved, so the tech was digging into my stomach so hard to try and get a proper angle. It KILLED!
Finally we got a shot that I thought was pretty darn cute:
This shot doesn't show it as well as we saw it, but the little guy was folded completely in half, with both feet up by his head! That's what's on top of his forehead - a foot. I don't know why he thought this was comfortable, but he was like that for quite a while.
I love his skinny little bum on the left there :) The black spot is his bladder. And I love his cute little profile with his button nose. I think he is just adorable!
We found out that I have an anterior placenta, which means that my placenta is in the front (and is 2.9cm away from my cervix). I was disappointed to find this out, because it means that I'll probably feel (and see) less movement than a woman with a posterior placenta. I definitely feel what I consider to be plenty of movement throughout the day, but it makes me sad to know that I'd probably be feeling way more if my placenta was in a better location.
The majority of the ultrasound was kind of boring. There was at least 45-60 minutes of measuring where I was just lying there and couldn't see the screen. I was lucky to have gotten in 20 minutes before my appointment time, and my husband hadn't made it there yet. So the whole time I'm lying there getting the ultrasound done I'm staring at the ceiling, wondering if he figured I was already in the room and is just waiting in the waiting room for his turn to come in (where I live, other people aren't allowed in the room until the last 5 minutes, after all the measuring has been done). Luckily he was out there.
Bambino was pretty cooperative for most of the ultrasound. Then at the end he decided to lie on his right arm and not budge - and that was the second last thing the tech had to measure! She was wiggling my stomach around, poking Bambino, having me roll onto my side, back onto my back, onto my side again... it took about 10 minutes before the little guy would reveal his arm. We already knew it was there, but hadn't gotten a picture of it yet.
Then he decided that he didn't want to show us his profile. By the end he had his face turned in toward my back and refused to move that too. After trying with that for 10 minutes, the tech finally had me drink the juice I mentioned 20 minutes earlier. I sat up, drank my juice, kicked myself for having juice with 25% less sugar (we needed the sugar!) and laid back down to try again. Bambino hadn't really moved, so the tech was digging into my stomach so hard to try and get a proper angle. It KILLED!
Finally we got a shot that I thought was pretty darn cute:
This shot doesn't show it as well as we saw it, but the little guy was folded completely in half, with both feet up by his head! That's what's on top of his forehead - a foot. I don't know why he thought this was comfortable, but he was like that for quite a while.
I love his skinny little bum on the left there :) The black spot is his bladder. And I love his cute little profile with his button nose. I think he is just adorable!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Pregnancy at 20 Weeks 1 Day
How far along: 20 weeks 1 day
Total weight gain: about 15 lbs... it's hard to say because I was never weighed at the doctor's office before I was 8 weeks pregnant and had already put on some weight.
Stretch marks?: No new ones
Sleep: Horrible. I am peeing up to 6 times a night, and waking up multiple times besides that. I'm awake at least once every hour because sleeping on my side is so uncomfortable. The side I'm sleeping on hurts, but the hip I'm not sleeping on hurts even more! I think it's because my joints are loosening, and gravity pulls my knee down, which in turn pulls on my hip. I use a full body pillow to wrap my arms and legs around but it doesn't help that much. All I want is to sleep on my back! I'm going to bring this up with my OB next week.
Best moments this week: Finding out that Bambino is a little boy, and seeing him move around in 4D :) Also, I'm starting to feel him moving around at nighttime, which just started a couple of nights ago. Before that I only felt him during the day.
Food cravings: Sweets for sure. Candy and chocolate. But that's not that different from my everyday non-pregnant life.
Sex: Boy!
Labor signs?: I've been getting Braxton-Hicks since the first trimester. Probably 10-15 contractions a day. Some days are worse than others.
Belly Button: It was about halfway out starting at 14 weeks. Now it's probably 75% of the way to being fully popped. You can see it through my shirt if I'm just wearing one or two layers.
What I miss the most: Sleeping on my back, for sure.
What I am looking forward to the most: Harder kicks that I can consistently feel on the outside. I feel them on the outside by accident some days, but DH has never felt a real kick on the outside. However, we can feel Bambino's body from the outside. Not him moving around, but just harder lumps where we know it's a head or a bum, because everything else around that spot is softer. And as we push, he slowly moves further into my uterus so that we can't feel that little lump anymore.
Milestones: Over 20 weeks... I'm more than halfway there!!
Total weight gain: about 15 lbs... it's hard to say because I was never weighed at the doctor's office before I was 8 weeks pregnant and had already put on some weight.
Stretch marks?: No new ones
Sleep: Horrible. I am peeing up to 6 times a night, and waking up multiple times besides that. I'm awake at least once every hour because sleeping on my side is so uncomfortable. The side I'm sleeping on hurts, but the hip I'm not sleeping on hurts even more! I think it's because my joints are loosening, and gravity pulls my knee down, which in turn pulls on my hip. I use a full body pillow to wrap my arms and legs around but it doesn't help that much. All I want is to sleep on my back! I'm going to bring this up with my OB next week.
Best moments this week: Finding out that Bambino is a little boy, and seeing him move around in 4D :) Also, I'm starting to feel him moving around at nighttime, which just started a couple of nights ago. Before that I only felt him during the day.
Food cravings: Sweets for sure. Candy and chocolate. But that's not that different from my everyday non-pregnant life.
Sex: Boy!
Labor signs?: I've been getting Braxton-Hicks since the first trimester. Probably 10-15 contractions a day. Some days are worse than others.
Belly Button: It was about halfway out starting at 14 weeks. Now it's probably 75% of the way to being fully popped. You can see it through my shirt if I'm just wearing one or two layers.
What I miss the most: Sleeping on my back, for sure.
What I am looking forward to the most: Harder kicks that I can consistently feel on the outside. I feel them on the outside by accident some days, but DH has never felt a real kick on the outside. However, we can feel Bambino's body from the outside. Not him moving around, but just harder lumps where we know it's a head or a bum, because everything else around that spot is softer. And as we push, he slowly moves further into my uterus so that we can't feel that little lump anymore.
Milestones: Over 20 weeks... I'm more than halfway there!!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Bambino is a...
BOY!!!
On Saturday we couldn't wait any longer. We drove out of town and paid a couple of hundred dollars for a 4D ultrasound to find out the gender of our little bambino (and get pictures and a video of the ultrasound). It was going to be another couple of weeks before we could find out. I figured at 20 weeks, you should know what your baby is going to be (if you want to, that is).
It was a good thing we went to this ultrasound to specifically find out gender, because the accidental first shot of our little guy was right between the legs, and there was no mistaking that he was a boy!
The ultrasonographer went "Whoa!" And I said "It's a boy!!!" I knew he was a boy, so I wasn't at all surprised.
Here are some of the 3D pictures. He was pretty darn cute. There were sections of the ultrasound where he was boxing, and then sections where he looked like he kept throwing his head back and laughing. It was so much fun to see. Here's a picture of him laughing:
And a couple of him smiling:
Here's our little thinker:
This was at the very beginning of the ultrasound... he was all curled up like he was sleeping, before the juice I had drank woke him up:
Here's him covering his face near the end of the ultrasound... like he was tired of us looking at him:)
I'm so glad we went and we now know our little bambino is a little boy!!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
New Bras for New Boobs
About a week ago I decided that it was finally time to bite the bullet and go buy new bras. I hadn't been fitting into my regular bras for quite some time. They were digging in all over the place, giving me four boobs instead of two. It wasn't attractive... or comfortable.
I had a gift certificate to Thyme, a maternity store about an hour away from me. If I spent $100 I got $50 off. The day before my gift certificate expired I was finally able to make it there.
I had a really nice girl helping me out... thank goodness. I had no idea where to start. I was pretty sure I wanted to get maternity/nursing bras, since my boobs will only ever be this size while I'm nursing. Therefore, regular bras would be a waste of money, since I'd only wear them for a few months and then move into nursing bras, where I would stay for at least a year. However, I was aware that my boobs probably aren't done growing, nor is my ribcage, so I didn't know what made sense for me to do.
I decided that the cup size I am now is probably the smallest my boobs will ever be while I'm nursing, so the nursing bras would work for me at least some point after I give birth. However, I found out that my ribcage isn't getting fat, the bones are actually expanding outward (who knew?) and that's why my band size was growing. This could have posed another problem, because while my cup size might work later on, my band size will inevitably shrink back down after my innards are no longer being pushed up into my ribcage area.
I ended up buying nursing bras in 36 D. I didn't expect to be a 36 D in real sizes. I'm normally a 34 C... and not a 34 C from Sears, where C's are huge. Therefore, I originally thought I would be a C at a store where cup sizes are more accurate.
The C didn't fit at all. The 36 D cup size was perfect (I actually let the sales girl in the dressing room with me to tell me if the bra fit properly... I've never allowed anyone to do that before). However, the particular bra I wanted had band sizes that fit snugger than normal. So the band was a little too tight. I tried a 38 D, but while the band fit, suddenly the cup size was ENORMOUS on me.
This problem was solved with a bra extender. I don't know why I wasn't using those already. They are fantastic.
So now I have these super comfortable maternity/nursing bras. When my husband saw them his reaction was "Wow... now those are BRASIERRES!" I couldn't stop laughing. They definitely cover a lot more area than my normal bras! With my other bras I had mega cleavage. With these I have very little (they seperate well). They could actually be the top of a dress or tank top, they cover so well.
Sexy? Not really. But hey, they're functional. And soon my boobs will be, too.
I had a gift certificate to Thyme, a maternity store about an hour away from me. If I spent $100 I got $50 off. The day before my gift certificate expired I was finally able to make it there.
I had a really nice girl helping me out... thank goodness. I had no idea where to start. I was pretty sure I wanted to get maternity/nursing bras, since my boobs will only ever be this size while I'm nursing. Therefore, regular bras would be a waste of money, since I'd only wear them for a few months and then move into nursing bras, where I would stay for at least a year. However, I was aware that my boobs probably aren't done growing, nor is my ribcage, so I didn't know what made sense for me to do.
I decided that the cup size I am now is probably the smallest my boobs will ever be while I'm nursing, so the nursing bras would work for me at least some point after I give birth. However, I found out that my ribcage isn't getting fat, the bones are actually expanding outward (who knew?) and that's why my band size was growing. This could have posed another problem, because while my cup size might work later on, my band size will inevitably shrink back down after my innards are no longer being pushed up into my ribcage area.
I ended up buying nursing bras in 36 D. I didn't expect to be a 36 D in real sizes. I'm normally a 34 C... and not a 34 C from Sears, where C's are huge. Therefore, I originally thought I would be a C at a store where cup sizes are more accurate.
The C didn't fit at all. The 36 D cup size was perfect (I actually let the sales girl in the dressing room with me to tell me if the bra fit properly... I've never allowed anyone to do that before). However, the particular bra I wanted had band sizes that fit snugger than normal. So the band was a little too tight. I tried a 38 D, but while the band fit, suddenly the cup size was ENORMOUS on me.
This problem was solved with a bra extender. I don't know why I wasn't using those already. They are fantastic.
So now I have these super comfortable maternity/nursing bras. When my husband saw them his reaction was "Wow... now those are BRASIERRES!" I couldn't stop laughing. They definitely cover a lot more area than my normal bras! With my other bras I had mega cleavage. With these I have very little (they seperate well). They could actually be the top of a dress or tank top, they cover so well.
Sexy? Not really. But hey, they're functional. And soon my boobs will be, too.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
H1N1
I got the H1N1 vaccine yesterday.
I wasn't going to, but this weekend my pregnant neighbour told me that her aunt called her crying and asking her to get it. Her aunt is an OB and last week she delivered 3 stillborn babies to mothers who all had H1N1. The mothers only had mild flu symptoms, but when the babies were born they couldn't breathe and died right away. The autopsies showed that their lungs were full of the H1N1 virus, and that made them unable to breathe even though they were full term.
That totally freaked me out. With the seasonal flu the baby is protected inside of you. Apparently not with H1N1. I didn't want to get the vaccine because I'm not a fan of vaccines and I was pretty sure I wasn't going to get it and then die. But since the babies can die, even if the mother only has mild symptoms... that pushed me off the fence and onto the side of getting it.
So I got it last night. In the bum instead of the arm, so I could still sleep on both sides. My bum hurts like heck, and I still can't really sleep comfortably on my right side. But oh well. It was worth a shot.
It was a 3 hour wait. It was really bothering me how many people who weren't in the target group were getting the vaccine, even though they're supposed to be turned away right now. The nice thing is that where I live, you can get a number, leave, and come back. I didn't do that, because I was too nervous that they'd suddenly start sprinting through numbers (they obviously didn't). But a lot of people were doing that.
I'm still terrified that this vaccine will do harm to the baby, but what's done is done and I just hope I made the right decision and nothing goes wrong. Hopefully the little munchkin will start kicking me really hard today to reassure me.
I wasn't going to, but this weekend my pregnant neighbour told me that her aunt called her crying and asking her to get it. Her aunt is an OB and last week she delivered 3 stillborn babies to mothers who all had H1N1. The mothers only had mild flu symptoms, but when the babies were born they couldn't breathe and died right away. The autopsies showed that their lungs were full of the H1N1 virus, and that made them unable to breathe even though they were full term.
That totally freaked me out. With the seasonal flu the baby is protected inside of you. Apparently not with H1N1. I didn't want to get the vaccine because I'm not a fan of vaccines and I was pretty sure I wasn't going to get it and then die. But since the babies can die, even if the mother only has mild symptoms... that pushed me off the fence and onto the side of getting it.
So I got it last night. In the bum instead of the arm, so I could still sleep on both sides. My bum hurts like heck, and I still can't really sleep comfortably on my right side. But oh well. It was worth a shot.
It was a 3 hour wait. It was really bothering me how many people who weren't in the target group were getting the vaccine, even though they're supposed to be turned away right now. The nice thing is that where I live, you can get a number, leave, and come back. I didn't do that, because I was too nervous that they'd suddenly start sprinting through numbers (they obviously didn't). But a lot of people were doing that.
I'm still terrified that this vaccine will do harm to the baby, but what's done is done and I just hope I made the right decision and nothing goes wrong. Hopefully the little munchkin will start kicking me really hard today to reassure me.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Little Kicker
Last night the baby kicked my hand!
I was sitting there watching TV after dinner and the baby was squirming around a bunch. I had my hand resting on my lap, which meant my thumb was up against my belly. I felt a nudge on it, and I was like "Hmm... I wonder if that was the baby." So I laid my hand on my stomach and about 20 seconds later the baby gave it a noticeable kick! I was like "AH!! The baby just kicked my hand!"
It was the first time that I knew for sure that what I felt on the outside was an actual kick, and not just a muscle twitch. It was so cool! I started laughing. It was the only way to express how I was feeling.
I have a theory. I've been feeling the baby move for awhile, but it took awhile for it to get any stronger. I think that's because my uterus is so big in comparison to the baby. Normally your uterus just hits your belly button at 20 weeks. Mine hit my belly button at 14 weeks. It's about half an inch above my belly button already now at 17.5 weeks.
However, I'm feeling movement on the outside earlier than one normally would, even though it's still not incredibly strong on the inside. I think that's because my uterus IS so big, and that made the walls thinner than they normally would be at 18 weeks, which makes it easier to feel it on the outside.
I'm an analytical person. I had to come up with some sort of reason tying this all together. ;)
I was sitting there watching TV after dinner and the baby was squirming around a bunch. I had my hand resting on my lap, which meant my thumb was up against my belly. I felt a nudge on it, and I was like "Hmm... I wonder if that was the baby." So I laid my hand on my stomach and about 20 seconds later the baby gave it a noticeable kick! I was like "AH!! The baby just kicked my hand!"
It was the first time that I knew for sure that what I felt on the outside was an actual kick, and not just a muscle twitch. It was so cool! I started laughing. It was the only way to express how I was feeling.
I have a theory. I've been feeling the baby move for awhile, but it took awhile for it to get any stronger. I think that's because my uterus is so big in comparison to the baby. Normally your uterus just hits your belly button at 20 weeks. Mine hit my belly button at 14 weeks. It's about half an inch above my belly button already now at 17.5 weeks.
However, I'm feeling movement on the outside earlier than one normally would, even though it's still not incredibly strong on the inside. I think that's because my uterus IS so big, and that made the walls thinner than they normally would be at 18 weeks, which makes it easier to feel it on the outside.
I'm an analytical person. I had to come up with some sort of reason tying this all together. ;)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
17.5 Weeks
I haven't been posting that much. I just don't have that much I want to talk about. For a little over a week I've been going through a not-so-pleasant time at work with my boss. I could blog about it, but I kind of would rather live in a little fantasy land where he doesn't exist. I haven't talked to him in 8 days, which is a feat when you have a staff of like 11, with only 5 full-timers.
Other than that... I think the baby's movements are finally starting to become more distinct. They're still not really strong though. Everyday I feel a few kicks on several occasions, which is pretty cool. Unfortunately, Bambino's busiest times are while I'm at work, so I usually can't sit there and pay attention. I also always feel like the baby is moving around while I'm driving, but that's really hard to distinguish because I'M moving around while I'm driving. The roads are bumpy and the car vibrates. And in my 25 minute drive home, it's most highway driving with few stops. Sometimes at the stops I feel some wiggling. I think the baby likes the car!
I'm going to my pregnant neighbours tonight for tea. I haven't seen her in a couple of weeks. We had some plans that ended up falling through. I'm going over to see all her brand new nursery furniture that just arrived on Monday. I'm worried I'm going to feel jealous. I know she got really nice dark wood stuff, which is what I would have gotten if I wasn't trying to save money. And they apparently also got this really nice glider recliner. I don't even have a glider yet. AND she knows the sex (a little girl) and that makes me so jealous!
I really like her. I just don't like feeling jealous of material things, because I am so happy and blessed to be where I am. I love my little munchkin and I love his/her little room. I'll find out the sex in about 4 weeks (grrr for late ultrasounds). I just have to be patient.
Other than that... I think the baby's movements are finally starting to become more distinct. They're still not really strong though. Everyday I feel a few kicks on several occasions, which is pretty cool. Unfortunately, Bambino's busiest times are while I'm at work, so I usually can't sit there and pay attention. I also always feel like the baby is moving around while I'm driving, but that's really hard to distinguish because I'M moving around while I'm driving. The roads are bumpy and the car vibrates. And in my 25 minute drive home, it's most highway driving with few stops. Sometimes at the stops I feel some wiggling. I think the baby likes the car!
I'm going to my pregnant neighbours tonight for tea. I haven't seen her in a couple of weeks. We had some plans that ended up falling through. I'm going over to see all her brand new nursery furniture that just arrived on Monday. I'm worried I'm going to feel jealous. I know she got really nice dark wood stuff, which is what I would have gotten if I wasn't trying to save money. And they apparently also got this really nice glider recliner. I don't even have a glider yet. AND she knows the sex (a little girl) and that makes me so jealous!
I really like her. I just don't like feeling jealous of material things, because I am so happy and blessed to be where I am. I love my little munchkin and I love his/her little room. I'll find out the sex in about 4 weeks (grrr for late ultrasounds). I just have to be patient.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Cervical Woes - 16.5 Week Appointment
I'm home sick today. My husband got a bad cold last week, and as hard as we tried to prevent it, I ended up getting it. So lame. I went to work yesterday but I'm taking today and tomorrow off.
Today I was checking my cervix again and the stupid thing was even more open than it was before. I called my OB's office and said that I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon, but I'm worried about my cervix so were appointments open today? I got in less than an hour later (which is a feat, seeing as I needed to shower, blow dry my hair, do my makeup, and drive 25 minutes to the office).
The good news: I've gained more weight, and the baby's heartbeat was good (so the movement-like feelings I've been having are actually the baby and not my imagination, according to the OB). My uterus is still measuring 4-5 weeks ahead. At 20 weeks it's supposed to be at your belly button. Mine has been at my belly button for at least a week and a half now.
The bad news: my OB couldn't put me at rest about the cervix thing. As he said, "I don't know what a 16 week cervix is supposed to look or feel like - I don't check the cervix until later in the pregnancy because there's no point."
HELLO?! You're an OBGYN!! How do you not know what a pregnant cervix is supposed to feel like?
He told me it feels normal, but he has no idea! He didn't even believe me that your cervix opens and softens during ovulation. He obviously knows NOTHING.
So my fears of having an incompetent cervix are not being relieved. He told me to stop checking my cervix. Yeah right! I can fit the tip of my finger in there - there's no way I'm going to stop monitoring that.
To top it off, I've been having contractions several times a day for several weeks now. I'd say I probably have at least 10 every day. I know that's supposed to be normal, but when I pair it with my opening cervix, it's freaking me right out!
Today I was checking my cervix again and the stupid thing was even more open than it was before. I called my OB's office and said that I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon, but I'm worried about my cervix so were appointments open today? I got in less than an hour later (which is a feat, seeing as I needed to shower, blow dry my hair, do my makeup, and drive 25 minutes to the office).
The good news: I've gained more weight, and the baby's heartbeat was good (so the movement-like feelings I've been having are actually the baby and not my imagination, according to the OB). My uterus is still measuring 4-5 weeks ahead. At 20 weeks it's supposed to be at your belly button. Mine has been at my belly button for at least a week and a half now.
The bad news: my OB couldn't put me at rest about the cervix thing. As he said, "I don't know what a 16 week cervix is supposed to look or feel like - I don't check the cervix until later in the pregnancy because there's no point."
HELLO?! You're an OBGYN!! How do you not know what a pregnant cervix is supposed to feel like?
He told me it feels normal, but he has no idea! He didn't even believe me that your cervix opens and softens during ovulation. He obviously knows NOTHING.
So my fears of having an incompetent cervix are not being relieved. He told me to stop checking my cervix. Yeah right! I can fit the tip of my finger in there - there's no way I'm going to stop monitoring that.
To top it off, I've been having contractions several times a day for several weeks now. I'd say I probably have at least 10 every day. I know that's supposed to be normal, but when I pair it with my opening cervix, it's freaking me right out!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Winter Coats
The temperature has really dropped here this week. Coats are a necessity now. Two days this week I wore ponchos, which are great in this weather, especially when you just need to wear them to go from your car to a building. But they weren't so good for yard duty, so today I decided to wear my pea coat.
Unfortunately, I'm already almost too big for it. It used to be super roomy on me, and now I have to force it to button up. In a month (or less!) that won't fit either.
My big winter coat might last a little bit longer, but I'm pretty sure that by the time December starts it won't zip up.
I don't know what to do for yard duty. I don't want to buy an expensive gigantic winter coat made for plus-size people just to wear for 3 months. If I didn't have yard duty I would just stick with sweaters and my ponchos. But those won't keep me warm enough when I'm walking around outside in the swirling snow and freezing wind for 25 minutes during recess.
I wish I could get out of yard duty. But I really can't see that happening. Maybe my doctor can write me a note?? He could use the reason of me needing to stay off my feet as much as possible. Hmm... something to think about. Something tells me he won't do it though.
Suggestions?
Unfortunately, I'm already almost too big for it. It used to be super roomy on me, and now I have to force it to button up. In a month (or less!) that won't fit either.
My big winter coat might last a little bit longer, but I'm pretty sure that by the time December starts it won't zip up.
I don't know what to do for yard duty. I don't want to buy an expensive gigantic winter coat made for plus-size people just to wear for 3 months. If I didn't have yard duty I would just stick with sweaters and my ponchos. But those won't keep me warm enough when I'm walking around outside in the swirling snow and freezing wind for 25 minutes during recess.
I wish I could get out of yard duty. But I really can't see that happening. Maybe my doctor can write me a note?? He could use the reason of me needing to stay off my feet as much as possible. Hmm... something to think about. Something tells me he won't do it though.
Suggestions?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Emotional Me
We had an assembly first thing this morning. At the assembly, one of the teachers read the book I'll Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. The absolute worst book to read to a hormonal pregnant woman.
I can hardly get through this book when I'm not pregnant. I was reading it to my grade 2/3 class last year and I had to take these long pauses because I was getting choked up. Well, today I was literally fighting back sobs. It was ridiculous.
Yesterday Justin and I were shopping for our mothers for their birthdays. We were looking at all these plaques and picture frames with sayings in them. And I was standing there in the English Butler crying. Over a few sayings about mothers and family.
The Grey's Anatomy premiere? I managed to not sob only because my mom was there and I was too embarassed. But I had tears in my eyes the entire show.
On Saturday night I hung out with my pregnant neighbour and we were watching the first season of Private Practice. It was horrible. The first episode was about a mother who lost her only child to cancer and never told her therapist and then suddenly had a breakdown in a department store because she saw a video of a family at the lake, which is where they went when he was dying.
The next episode was one where two babies were switched at birth and the mothers had to trade them back. Forget it. I was an absolute basketcase. I honestly thought I was going to walk home and dissolve into a crying fit as soon as I walked in the door. Miraculously that didn't happen.
"Whatever," you say, "I'd cry at that stuff too, and I'm not pregnant." Fair enough, I cried at those same things in the past.
But would you cry over the fact that you ran out of crackers? Or stuffing? Or because your husband gently teased you about something mundane that doesn't matter and normally would have made you laugh?
I didn't think so.
I can hardly get through this book when I'm not pregnant. I was reading it to my grade 2/3 class last year and I had to take these long pauses because I was getting choked up. Well, today I was literally fighting back sobs. It was ridiculous.
Yesterday Justin and I were shopping for our mothers for their birthdays. We were looking at all these plaques and picture frames with sayings in them. And I was standing there in the English Butler crying. Over a few sayings about mothers and family.
The Grey's Anatomy premiere? I managed to not sob only because my mom was there and I was too embarassed. But I had tears in my eyes the entire show.
On Saturday night I hung out with my pregnant neighbour and we were watching the first season of Private Practice. It was horrible. The first episode was about a mother who lost her only child to cancer and never told her therapist and then suddenly had a breakdown in a department store because she saw a video of a family at the lake, which is where they went when he was dying.
The next episode was one where two babies were switched at birth and the mothers had to trade them back. Forget it. I was an absolute basketcase. I honestly thought I was going to walk home and dissolve into a crying fit as soon as I walked in the door. Miraculously that didn't happen.
"Whatever," you say, "I'd cry at that stuff too, and I'm not pregnant." Fair enough, I cried at those same things in the past.
But would you cry over the fact that you ran out of crackers? Or stuffing? Or because your husband gently teased you about something mundane that doesn't matter and normally would have made you laugh?
I didn't think so.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
14 week pictures
Here is me and my enormous belly at 14 weeks:
I'm feeling pretty good these days. I threw up my banana this morning, but at least I don't have 24/7 nausea anymore. I'm exercising almost everyday, which really seems to help with the back pain. My acne is still bothersome, but today it is somewhat clearer than some other days (some days I literally want to hibernate in my house with a pillowcase over my head). My indigestion happens much more rarely than in the first trimester, when it was every single day.
I'm feeling pretty good these days. I threw up my banana this morning, but at least I don't have 24/7 nausea anymore. I'm exercising almost everyday, which really seems to help with the back pain. My acne is still bothersome, but today it is somewhat clearer than some other days (some days I literally want to hibernate in my house with a pillowcase over my head). My indigestion happens much more rarely than in the first trimester, when it was every single day.
My legs are itchy as heck, despite the fact that they're not dry at all and I moisturize every day. Some days my feet hurt like a bitch, even when I wake up in the mornings (after being off them ALL NIGHT!) I am literally peeing 5 or 6 times a night, which is extremely disruptive. That doesn't even count the other times I wake up and don't go pee. I'd say on average I wake up about 12 times a night. And I am exhausted every day. I can barely make it through the workday. I think I'm actually more tired now than I was through most of the first trimester. However, that could be because I wasn't working though my first trimester.
I'm started sleeping strictly on my sides, using a body pillow. I technically don't need to do that for another week or two, but I figure since I have a giant uterus I should probably start it a little earlier. I'm a back sleeper, so it's really a struggle for me, but I'm kind of getting used to it.
My abdominal muscles have already seperated. When I flex them I get a big bump down the middle of my abs... which is apparently what happens when your muscles are seperated. It kind of freaks me out.
My ligaments and joints are already loosening. I've had several occasions where my hip seemed to almost pop out of joint. And when I was leading the bootcamp in stretches last Tuesday my shoulder was doing the same thing.
I am still feeling the little bambino moving around softly. It's still not distinct, but since it's something I've never felt before two weeks ago and it's right in my uterus, I'm sure it's the munchkin.
So that's my update! No complaining, just sharing:) I am never complaining, even when I talk about the crappy pregnancy stuff. I am very thankful for every wonderful moment, as well as every bad moment.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Mystery Movement
I'm sitting here at work (not working... hmmm) and I'm pretty sure I keep feeling the baby move. I keep feeling these movements in my uterus like something is flipping. And there have been a few soft jabs.
I know I'm only 13.5 weeks, and it's early. But there have been a few moments on the past week or so where I wasn't paying attention but then suddenly thought I felt something. By the time I was paying attention I wouldn't feel it anymore.
But the past few minutes I've been feeling something that seems kind of consistent. It's faint though, and hard to really pin down. I guess because it's so early. I'm not 100% sure that it really is the baby. I guess I'll find out soon enough, when the movements because more distinct and I can say "Okay, that was the baby!"
I can't wait until I start feeling distinct movements everyday. That'll be so cool.
On Tuesdays J and I run a "boot camp" for women in our area. I love going because I get compliments on my belly:) Yesterday someone said "You have such an adorable baby belly. It's so perfectly round and compact!" That's like, the nicest thing you can say to a pregnant woman. Especially when you compare it to my mom a couple of weeks ago. She also loves my bump, but one day she said "Turn around, are you pregnant all over??" (looks at me from the back) "Yeah you're pregnant all over."
Ummm, PARDON ME?!? How rude is that?! And then she tried to say "I wasn't criticizing you! Don't take that as an insult!" Yeah right. How is that not an insult?
I think I'm looking pretty flippin good, considering I've gained about 10 pounds from being so nauseous and having to eat horrible carbs every hour and a half for 8 weeks to try and fend off the sickness. What person in their right mind would come right out and tell someone that they "look pregnant all over"???
I know I'm only 13.5 weeks, and it's early. But there have been a few moments on the past week or so where I wasn't paying attention but then suddenly thought I felt something. By the time I was paying attention I wouldn't feel it anymore.
But the past few minutes I've been feeling something that seems kind of consistent. It's faint though, and hard to really pin down. I guess because it's so early. I'm not 100% sure that it really is the baby. I guess I'll find out soon enough, when the movements because more distinct and I can say "Okay, that was the baby!"
I can't wait until I start feeling distinct movements everyday. That'll be so cool.
On Tuesdays J and I run a "boot camp" for women in our area. I love going because I get compliments on my belly:) Yesterday someone said "You have such an adorable baby belly. It's so perfectly round and compact!" That's like, the nicest thing you can say to a pregnant woman. Especially when you compare it to my mom a couple of weeks ago. She also loves my bump, but one day she said "Turn around, are you pregnant all over??" (looks at me from the back) "Yeah you're pregnant all over."
Ummm, PARDON ME?!? How rude is that?! And then she tried to say "I wasn't criticizing you! Don't take that as an insult!" Yeah right. How is that not an insult?
I think I'm looking pretty flippin good, considering I've gained about 10 pounds from being so nauseous and having to eat horrible carbs every hour and a half for 8 weeks to try and fend off the sickness. What person in their right mind would come right out and tell someone that they "look pregnant all over"???
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Pet Problems
We are having issues with Lexie. We've had her since the beginning of June, and when we first got her there were a couple of incidents where she peed where she wasn't supposed to. But those were mostly innocent. One time she peed in an empty litter box, and another time she peed in an empty laundry basket.
But we're now having a lot of problems with her peeing where she's not supposed to. She's been pretty good most of the summer, but recently she's peed on the rugs in the bathrooms (multiple times), and we just found a big puddle of pee on the top of a bag of unopened litter.
We're going to go buy another litter box today and see if that stops the wayward peeing. I'm wondering if now that she's getting older she doesn't want to share a litter box with Emmie. Whatever it is, this can't continue. What if she pees on the baby? Or on the baby's stuff and ruins it?
I love both of my cats dearly. And I don't want to get rid of them. But we got them because we couldn't get pregnant and we needed something to take care of and nurture. Now that we're finally having a baby, life would be simpler if I didn't have to worry about cats. I have this horrible vision of one of the cats hopping into the crib and smothering the baby. Or thinking the baby's flailing arms and legs are toys to play with and bite at.
How do you have a baby and two cats and feel that the baby is always safe? I'm so glad we don't have a dog.
But we're now having a lot of problems with her peeing where she's not supposed to. She's been pretty good most of the summer, but recently she's peed on the rugs in the bathrooms (multiple times), and we just found a big puddle of pee on the top of a bag of unopened litter.
We're going to go buy another litter box today and see if that stops the wayward peeing. I'm wondering if now that she's getting older she doesn't want to share a litter box with Emmie. Whatever it is, this can't continue. What if she pees on the baby? Or on the baby's stuff and ruins it?
I love both of my cats dearly. And I don't want to get rid of them. But we got them because we couldn't get pregnant and we needed something to take care of and nurture. Now that we're finally having a baby, life would be simpler if I didn't have to worry about cats. I have this horrible vision of one of the cats hopping into the crib and smothering the baby. Or thinking the baby's flailing arms and legs are toys to play with and bite at.
How do you have a baby and two cats and feel that the baby is always safe? I'm so glad we don't have a dog.
Friday, September 18, 2009
12.5 Week OB Appointment
I had an OB appointment yesterday. It was super quick. Not even time for questions, which was kind of disappointing. Probably because I had it at 4:00, the end of the day.
All we did was:
Blood pressure (normal)
Weight (eek!)
Reviewing the ultrasound briefly (apparently with the average of all the measurements, the baby ended up measuring about week ahead - 12.5 weeks when s/he was only 11.5 weeks. The baby is ahead in everything except length, where s/he's right on. What a good baby:)
Heartbeat (for a whole 10 seconds)
Talking about whether I would get the blood test portion of the nuchal translucency. I decided not to. I'm not going to terminate the pregnancy no matter what. And if my odds of having a baby with downs syndrome comes up as a little higher than I'd like, then I know I'd worry about it. But I wouldn't get an amnio to find out because I'm too paranoid about the risk of miscarriage. I decided that since I currently believe that my baby is super healthy because of the ultrasound last week where s/he seemed to have so much personality, I'd rather continue to think that way. So no blood test for me.
It was funny with the heartbeat, because this whole time I had pictured the doppler as looking like a stereo with a wand attached to it. I was always thinking to myself, "Where in the world does he keep the doppler?!?! Does he carry it around like a boom box from room to room?" It was so funny to me when I realized it was this tiny walkman type thing he keeps clipped to his pants. How that could be expensive is beyond me!
Speaking of dopplers, my pregnant neighbour's parents are doctors, and last time they came to visit, they brought a doppler. I was asking her last night "When are your parents coming to visit again? Can they bring their doppler??" because I have to wait 4 more weeks for my next appointment. I just like to hear the heartbeat... it reassures me for about a week at a time. She said she's going to ask them if they have an old one that she can have for the rest of her pregnancy. I really hope they do! I'd love to hear the baby's heartbeat whenever I want. Especially now, before I feel any movement.
I also found out that I can't have my next ultrasound until 20 weeks... :( That's so long to wait to find out gender! I wish there was a way around it. But when I even suggested doing it at 19 weeks 4 days because of my work schedule, there was a lot of hesitancy because that wasn't quite 20 weeks. The receptionist said they'd rather go later than earlier. What the heck?! How could it matter so much?
All we did was:
Blood pressure (normal)
Weight (eek!)
Reviewing the ultrasound briefly (apparently with the average of all the measurements, the baby ended up measuring about week ahead - 12.5 weeks when s/he was only 11.5 weeks. The baby is ahead in everything except length, where s/he's right on. What a good baby:)
Heartbeat (for a whole 10 seconds)
Talking about whether I would get the blood test portion of the nuchal translucency. I decided not to. I'm not going to terminate the pregnancy no matter what. And if my odds of having a baby with downs syndrome comes up as a little higher than I'd like, then I know I'd worry about it. But I wouldn't get an amnio to find out because I'm too paranoid about the risk of miscarriage. I decided that since I currently believe that my baby is super healthy because of the ultrasound last week where s/he seemed to have so much personality, I'd rather continue to think that way. So no blood test for me.
It was funny with the heartbeat, because this whole time I had pictured the doppler as looking like a stereo with a wand attached to it. I was always thinking to myself, "Where in the world does he keep the doppler?!?! Does he carry it around like a boom box from room to room?" It was so funny to me when I realized it was this tiny walkman type thing he keeps clipped to his pants. How that could be expensive is beyond me!
Speaking of dopplers, my pregnant neighbour's parents are doctors, and last time they came to visit, they brought a doppler. I was asking her last night "When are your parents coming to visit again? Can they bring their doppler??" because I have to wait 4 more weeks for my next appointment. I just like to hear the heartbeat... it reassures me for about a week at a time. She said she's going to ask them if they have an old one that she can have for the rest of her pregnancy. I really hope they do! I'd love to hear the baby's heartbeat whenever I want. Especially now, before I feel any movement.
I also found out that I can't have my next ultrasound until 20 weeks... :( That's so long to wait to find out gender! I wish there was a way around it. But when I even suggested doing it at 19 weeks 4 days because of my work schedule, there was a lot of hesitancy because that wasn't quite 20 weeks. The receptionist said they'd rather go later than earlier. What the heck?! How could it matter so much?
Kindergarten Quotes
On Wednesday I was teaching kindergarten gym for the third time. This little four year old girl was standing in front of me and this is how our conversation went (picture a really tiny cute little girl with an adorable voice):
Cassie: You look like you have a baby in your belly.
Me: That's because I do have a baby in my belly!
Cassie (in awe): You do??? Is it a girl baby or a boy baby?
Me: I don't know yet.
Cassie: You're going to be a mommy. You need to buy some sippy cups so you can feed the baby.
Me: Don't worry, I'll buy sippy cups for the baby.
Cassie: (touching her chest) Or you can just feed it with your boobs.
LOL!
Then a few minutes later a little JK boy who didn't hear the conversation said to me "Why is your tummy so full??"
It's really starting to spread around my school now. All the students are figuring it out by looking at me. They talk to their parents, who also look at me and see it. Then those parents talk to other parents. Soon everyone will know. I'm expecting that within the week. I finally told my class yesterday, so they'll all tell their parents too.
A lot of people are coming up to me and straight out asking me if I'm pregnant because of my bump. I get that at least once a day. And people who I haven't seen in a long time are definitely noticing. I ran into a high school friend who I haven't seen since grade 10, so she doesn't even know what I normally look like anymore. But right away she was like "Oh, you're expecting!! Congratulations!! When are you due??"
It's a good thing I'm actually pregnant, or this all would be so insulting:)
Cassie: You look like you have a baby in your belly.
Me: That's because I do have a baby in my belly!
Cassie (in awe): You do??? Is it a girl baby or a boy baby?
Me: I don't know yet.
Cassie: You're going to be a mommy. You need to buy some sippy cups so you can feed the baby.
Me: Don't worry, I'll buy sippy cups for the baby.
Cassie: (touching her chest) Or you can just feed it with your boobs.
LOL!
Then a few minutes later a little JK boy who didn't hear the conversation said to me "Why is your tummy so full??"
It's really starting to spread around my school now. All the students are figuring it out by looking at me. They talk to their parents, who also look at me and see it. Then those parents talk to other parents. Soon everyone will know. I'm expecting that within the week. I finally told my class yesterday, so they'll all tell their parents too.
A lot of people are coming up to me and straight out asking me if I'm pregnant because of my bump. I get that at least once a day. And people who I haven't seen in a long time are definitely noticing. I ran into a high school friend who I haven't seen since grade 10, so she doesn't even know what I normally look like anymore. But right away she was like "Oh, you're expecting!! Congratulations!! When are you due??"
It's a good thing I'm actually pregnant, or this all would be so insulting:)
Sunday, September 13, 2009
New Friends and Nesting
We recently found out that a couple right across the street are also pregnant with their first baby and that they were due around the same time as us. We didn't really know them, but we on Tuesday we talked to some people who did know them and less than 24 hours later we were all outside at the same time and they came over and said they heard we were expecting! Then on Friday we happened to meet up while we were out on walks and when we got back to our houses they invited us in for drinks (nonalcoholic for the pregos, of course).
She is due about 6 weeks before me (but I have a bigger baby bump than her). It was great to hang out with another couple who is expecting, and awesome for us to have made friends out here where we live. We'll both be off on maternity leave for a year together, and our kids can grow up with playmates! It'd be nice if they were the same gender.
We spent a lot of the evening talking about our babies and everything involved with them. It got me in the nesting mode. So on Saturday we set up our nursery! I'd been keeping my eye on Kijiji for nice baby items for a long time now. We've gotten a couple of things so far. There were always lots of cribs available, but none of them really caught my eye. Then suddenly yesterday a gently used crib and change table popped up for $200 that we actually really liked!
It wouldn't have been our very first choice of furniture if we were willing to spend any amount and we were buying brand new, but we still really like it. And I already had the dresser that matches perfectly to all the furniture. The crib and change table are solid wood, really sturdy stuff. I'm thrilled with it. And really happy I didn't have to spend thousands of dollars for furniture for that room. I'm too frugal for that. The only piece of furniture we still need for that room is a rocker.
So now we have a crib, change table, dresser, bouncy chair, and baby swing. We got it all gently used, and only spent $290. I added it up (because all these items are still available in stores) and if we had bought them all brand new we would have spent over $1500.
We still want to paint (I'm thinking greyish-blue), and we need bedding and the rest of the baby items. But I love walking in that room and having all the furniture arranged. The baby's room is across the hall from our bedroom and when I'm sitting in bed I can look right in there and see the crib... it's such an amazing feeling to have that all together! We're going to paint within the next couple of months and probably get some bedding soon too. I just love nesting for the baby.
Here's the new crib:
And the new change table:
She is due about 6 weeks before me (but I have a bigger baby bump than her). It was great to hang out with another couple who is expecting, and awesome for us to have made friends out here where we live. We'll both be off on maternity leave for a year together, and our kids can grow up with playmates! It'd be nice if they were the same gender.
We spent a lot of the evening talking about our babies and everything involved with them. It got me in the nesting mode. So on Saturday we set up our nursery! I'd been keeping my eye on Kijiji for nice baby items for a long time now. We've gotten a couple of things so far. There were always lots of cribs available, but none of them really caught my eye. Then suddenly yesterday a gently used crib and change table popped up for $200 that we actually really liked!
It wouldn't have been our very first choice of furniture if we were willing to spend any amount and we were buying brand new, but we still really like it. And I already had the dresser that matches perfectly to all the furniture. The crib and change table are solid wood, really sturdy stuff. I'm thrilled with it. And really happy I didn't have to spend thousands of dollars for furniture for that room. I'm too frugal for that. The only piece of furniture we still need for that room is a rocker.
So now we have a crib, change table, dresser, bouncy chair, and baby swing. We got it all gently used, and only spent $290. I added it up (because all these items are still available in stores) and if we had bought them all brand new we would have spent over $1500.
We still want to paint (I'm thinking greyish-blue), and we need bedding and the rest of the baby items. But I love walking in that room and having all the furniture arranged. The baby's room is across the hall from our bedroom and when I'm sitting in bed I can look right in there and see the crib... it's such an amazing feeling to have that all together! We're going to paint within the next couple of months and probably get some bedding soon too. I just love nesting for the baby.
Here's the new crib:
And the new change table:
And the dresser:
Friday, September 11, 2009
Amazing - 3rd Baby Ultrasound
Today was our third baby ultrasound. It was amazing. The baby looked even more like a real baby than it did last week, and having an abdominal ultrasound really made the picture better (I would've thought the opposite). You could see everything so much more clearly.
The baby was SO hyper! It was bouncing off all the walls, pushing back when the tech would push down, flipping around, changing positions... everytime the tech would take a still picture in order to measure something, when she came back to the live picture the baby was in a completely different spot in my uterus. Baby was waving his/her arms and legs like crazy. At one point while we had a front view, the baby pumped all of its arms and legs up and down over and over again, like a 4 month old does when it's laughing. It was so adorable.
Another time the tech had a top view of the head looking at the brain, and as soon as she got the view the baby started shaking its head back and forth over and over, as if s/he was like "No way! You're not getting a picture of that! Get outta here!"
She measured the heartbeat at 168 bpm... obviously higher than before because the baby was dancing around. We heard a little bit of the heartbeat, but the baby kept jumping away from the wand when she was trying to play the heartbeat. It was okay though, because we've heard the heartbeat twice before.
Unfortunately, even though she got like 30 awesome shots, I only ended up with one kind of lame picture. The pictures always seem lame after you watch the ultrasound. I also found out that they don't do the CD of pictures or record the ultrasound. That makes me so sad!
By the way, my baby's head is not really shaped like it is in this picture. S/he has a normally shaped head. The back of it just got cut off somehow. This is why I don't like ultrasound pictures!! :)
The baby was SO hyper! It was bouncing off all the walls, pushing back when the tech would push down, flipping around, changing positions... everytime the tech would take a still picture in order to measure something, when she came back to the live picture the baby was in a completely different spot in my uterus. Baby was waving his/her arms and legs like crazy. At one point while we had a front view, the baby pumped all of its arms and legs up and down over and over again, like a 4 month old does when it's laughing. It was so adorable.
Another time the tech had a top view of the head looking at the brain, and as soon as she got the view the baby started shaking its head back and forth over and over, as if s/he was like "No way! You're not getting a picture of that! Get outta here!"
She measured the heartbeat at 168 bpm... obviously higher than before because the baby was dancing around. We heard a little bit of the heartbeat, but the baby kept jumping away from the wand when she was trying to play the heartbeat. It was okay though, because we've heard the heartbeat twice before.
Unfortunately, even though she got like 30 awesome shots, I only ended up with one kind of lame picture. The pictures always seem lame after you watch the ultrasound. I also found out that they don't do the CD of pictures or record the ultrasound. That makes me so sad!
By the way, my baby's head is not really shaped like it is in this picture. S/he has a normally shaped head. The back of it just got cut off somehow. This is why I don't like ultrasound pictures!! :)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Secret Revealed
I finally told my principal that I'm pregnant. There was no "good" way to do it, so while I was talking to him I just said "Aaannd one more thing. I'm pregnant."
He thought he already knew I was pregnant back in June. I told him no, I wasn't. Not technically, anyway. Theoretically I got pregnant on the 22nd, because that was the first day of my cycle. But he was thinking I was pregnant before that.
I couldn't quite understand what he was saying but he totally had the situation confused. Anyway, he knows now. And we have our school community BBQ tonight (which I completely forgot about), so perhaps other people will start finding out. Who knows. I'm wearing a really baggy shirt that's the type of material that doesn't hang down, it poofs out from my boobs. So my baby belly, which sticks out further than my boobs, is more successfully hidden than usual.
Now that my principal knows I'd rather go back to wearing the fitted shirts I wear when I'm around people who know I'm pregnant. But I live 25 minutes from my school, so going home and back before the BBQ is a bit ridiculous.
On another note, Purolator tried to deliver my maternity dress pants yesterday, but I wasn't home to get them. So I'm going to pick them up after work today, while I'm in town. Fingers crossed that they fit properly because if they don't and I return them, I'm out the shipping costs. Which sucks.
He thought he already knew I was pregnant back in June. I told him no, I wasn't. Not technically, anyway. Theoretically I got pregnant on the 22nd, because that was the first day of my cycle. But he was thinking I was pregnant before that.
I couldn't quite understand what he was saying but he totally had the situation confused. Anyway, he knows now. And we have our school community BBQ tonight (which I completely forgot about), so perhaps other people will start finding out. Who knows. I'm wearing a really baggy shirt that's the type of material that doesn't hang down, it poofs out from my boobs. So my baby belly, which sticks out further than my boobs, is more successfully hidden than usual.
Now that my principal knows I'd rather go back to wearing the fitted shirts I wear when I'm around people who know I'm pregnant. But I live 25 minutes from my school, so going home and back before the BBQ is a bit ridiculous.
On another note, Purolator tried to deliver my maternity dress pants yesterday, but I wasn't home to get them. So I'm going to pick them up after work today, while I'm in town. Fingers crossed that they fit properly because if they don't and I return them, I'm out the shipping costs. Which sucks.
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