This is week 28:
And to refresh your memories, this is the previous photo (from week 24):
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Week 28's Bump
I finally took another photo. I missed 26 weeks completely. Grrr. Guess I'll just have to have another baby!!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Unique gifts and other things . . .
My grandmother made this bonnet, which can later be used as a handkerchief at our daughter's wedding day. How cool is that?!?
My friends Sarah found these little buttons. They're funny.
And this is a blanket that will determine the baby's room colors. I am imagining beige or ecru walls with a rainbow of red, yellow, and blue, going up one wall, across the ceiling, and down another wall.
In case you missed it, here is the baby advice jar I've been talking about. Eventually, these curls of paper will go into a shadow box, to be posted on the baby's wall (notice how they match the red, yellow, blue scheme).
Baby Shower Photos!
Hopefully, I can con my sister Christy to send me some larger files of the ones she took, but here are the ones I have so far . . . .
This is the cake . . .
And this is what the cake was supposed to look like . . . ! I heard it was really good, though! Aunt Cheryl was so disappointed with how it turned out, but it was a very good conversation piece!
These were some little favors . . . they're all edible pacifiers (jelly beans, chocolate wafers, life savers, and frosting)!
On the left is a signable photo frame (this was obviously before the signing) and on the right is my baby advice jar. I'll post a closer picture of this in a new blog posting.
Here is a little clothesline, full of baby necessities (useful for the Price is Right game).
This is me with the beautiful cake. See the anger in my eyes? I couldn't have any.
This is me being caught off-guard. Not a good thing to do to a pregnant woman.
Just some of the gifts for baby Peanut! She is already spoiled!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Complete Randomness.
While I have some "free" time, I just thought I would write a little bit of random stuff . . .
1.) First, I think it's strange that she's not even here yet, but she already has a lot of names. Peanut, Lorelai (or Lorelei), JuneBug, Rory . . . . it's funny.
2.) I wish I would have listed articles that I've read over the last several months that I've found useful.
3.) Either there's something in the water, or the economy got to the best of us, because preggos are coming out of the woodwork. Yowsa.
4.) I already find it so much easier to have Peanut in my belly rather than out in the real world. I only have to feed me to feed her, I don't have to change diapers, there's no crying (from her anyway) . . . so much simpler!
5.) I really do love my belly. And as much as I fear strangers touching me, I actually don't mind people rubbing my basketball-like protrusion. It's weird.
6.) Natalie thinks it's funny that I have a big belly. I thought that was funny. Until she said my butt was big, too.
7.) Just when I think my bladder is completely empty, I sneeze or cough and prove myself completely wrong.
8.) I sometimes start getting existential or something, and really try to concentrate on the fact that there is a little body inside of me, and that is how I started. It's like entropy or something. You know, the thought that everything achieves greater chaos and becomes more disordered (or something like that)? It twists my mind up.
9.) I've developed an Earth Day event at work, and we aim to help clean up the environment and promote awareness of our own carbon footprint(s) . . . yet I am still teetering on the use of cloth diapers. Hello!?! I for sure should be using them, right?
10.) Every time I swear now, even if I'm by myself (which I really never am, right?), a little part of me wonders if she heard me and will develop a potty mouth.
11.) Part of me wants our JuneBug to have blonde hair, but part of me prefers brown . . . and I guess there's another part that is hoping for red hair. I guess that just means I don't have a preference. I just hope it doesn't gray as fast as mine did, or fall out as fast as someone else's did.
12.) After a "deep" discussion with a fellow employee, I've realized that I am my mother. I have a feeling I will be just like her with respect to raising children. I think she did a pretty good job, but I'm afraid more than one Alyssa might be a stress on the world.
13.) I always wonder if having a child will change me at all. I mean, I've never gotten too excited over a baby, or talked baby talk, or had the urge to gush over one . . . I wonder if all that will change.
14.) Speaking of, so many people tell me that I don't know what it's like to have children until I've had one. I think that's a crock of poo-poo. After all, I have Natalie, and I feel like I would do anything for her. I would jump out in front of a car to save her. I would go hungry to have her fed. I would be by her side if she ever needed me. And I will cry when she goes to school, and learns to drive, and gets a boyfriend, and . . . but we'll see.
15.) It's funny that pregnant women tend to get more . . . aggressive. I have several stories I can tell about such a thing, but it seems counter-intuitive, at least in my anecdotes. I have probably put myself (and baby) in danger more since I've been pregnant, when I should be sheltering myself (and her) more. Weird.
16.) I am nesting. I can't help myself, but every time I go to a store, I have to look at baby stuff. Food, clothes, gear . . . what do I need still to make our home ready for a baby? And when I'm home, I constantly stare at the details -- where do I need bump guards? How many socket covers do I need? What do I need to get rid of? Are these plants poisonous? . . . .it never ends with me.
17.) It seems sometimes that my life is now an open book . . . which is fine (see number 5 on the list). I kind-of see it as preparation for the moment when multiple heads are staring at my crotch, waiting for Lorelai to show up.
18.) I often wonder what's worse: being pregnant; or being the significant other of a preggo. Clinton thinks I'm crazy. Combine constant hunger, pretty constant pain (maybe in different locales), mood swings, worrying and stressing, sleeplessness, and whatever else I'm dishing out, I make for a pretty loathesome partner. HOWEVER, he gets to drink, smoke, eat whatever he wants, and not deal with the aforementioned trauma. Hmmmmmmm . . . .
19.) I'm to the point now where I'm thinking about the moment I realize I'm in labor. I still haven't gotten to the delivery portion of this journey, but I keep picturing my water breaking in the middle of a meeting, or contractions starting while I walk alone down the hall at work, unable to get help. It is, of course, me worrying, but it's progress nonetheless. Now I just have to think forward a little more and prepare myself for the next part . . .
20.) Sometimes I still think I'm dreaming about this whole pregnancy thing.
1.) First, I think it's strange that she's not even here yet, but she already has a lot of names. Peanut, Lorelai (or Lorelei), JuneBug, Rory . . . . it's funny.
2.) I wish I would have listed articles that I've read over the last several months that I've found useful.
3.) Either there's something in the water, or the economy got to the best of us, because preggos are coming out of the woodwork. Yowsa.
4.) I already find it so much easier to have Peanut in my belly rather than out in the real world. I only have to feed me to feed her, I don't have to change diapers, there's no crying (from her anyway) . . . so much simpler!
5.) I really do love my belly. And as much as I fear strangers touching me, I actually don't mind people rubbing my basketball-like protrusion. It's weird.
6.) Natalie thinks it's funny that I have a big belly. I thought that was funny. Until she said my butt was big, too.
7.) Just when I think my bladder is completely empty, I sneeze or cough and prove myself completely wrong.
8.) I sometimes start getting existential or something, and really try to concentrate on the fact that there is a little body inside of me, and that is how I started. It's like entropy or something. You know, the thought that everything achieves greater chaos and becomes more disordered (or something like that)? It twists my mind up.
9.) I've developed an Earth Day event at work, and we aim to help clean up the environment and promote awareness of our own carbon footprint(s) . . . yet I am still teetering on the use of cloth diapers. Hello!?! I for sure should be using them, right?
10.) Every time I swear now, even if I'm by myself (which I really never am, right?), a little part of me wonders if she heard me and will develop a potty mouth.
11.) Part of me wants our JuneBug to have blonde hair, but part of me prefers brown . . . and I guess there's another part that is hoping for red hair. I guess that just means I don't have a preference. I just hope it doesn't gray as fast as mine did, or fall out as fast as someone else's did.
12.) After a "deep" discussion with a fellow employee, I've realized that I am my mother. I have a feeling I will be just like her with respect to raising children. I think she did a pretty good job, but I'm afraid more than one Alyssa might be a stress on the world.
13.) I always wonder if having a child will change me at all. I mean, I've never gotten too excited over a baby, or talked baby talk, or had the urge to gush over one . . . I wonder if all that will change.
14.) Speaking of, so many people tell me that I don't know what it's like to have children until I've had one. I think that's a crock of poo-poo. After all, I have Natalie, and I feel like I would do anything for her. I would jump out in front of a car to save her. I would go hungry to have her fed. I would be by her side if she ever needed me. And I will cry when she goes to school, and learns to drive, and gets a boyfriend, and . . . but we'll see.
15.) It's funny that pregnant women tend to get more . . . aggressive. I have several stories I can tell about such a thing, but it seems counter-intuitive, at least in my anecdotes. I have probably put myself (and baby) in danger more since I've been pregnant, when I should be sheltering myself (and her) more. Weird.
16.) I am nesting. I can't help myself, but every time I go to a store, I have to look at baby stuff. Food, clothes, gear . . . what do I need still to make our home ready for a baby? And when I'm home, I constantly stare at the details -- where do I need bump guards? How many socket covers do I need? What do I need to get rid of? Are these plants poisonous? . . . .it never ends with me.
17.) It seems sometimes that my life is now an open book . . . which is fine (see number 5 on the list). I kind-of see it as preparation for the moment when multiple heads are staring at my crotch, waiting for Lorelai to show up.
18.) I often wonder what's worse: being pregnant; or being the significant other of a preggo. Clinton thinks I'm crazy. Combine constant hunger, pretty constant pain (maybe in different locales), mood swings, worrying and stressing, sleeplessness, and whatever else I'm dishing out, I make for a pretty loathesome partner. HOWEVER, he gets to drink, smoke, eat whatever he wants, and not deal with the aforementioned trauma. Hmmmmmmm . . . .
19.) I'm to the point now where I'm thinking about the moment I realize I'm in labor. I still haven't gotten to the delivery portion of this journey, but I keep picturing my water breaking in the middle of a meeting, or contractions starting while I walk alone down the hall at work, unable to get help. It is, of course, me worrying, but it's progress nonetheless. Now I just have to think forward a little more and prepare myself for the next part . . .
20.) Sometimes I still think I'm dreaming about this whole pregnancy thing.
Baby Shower Activity Ideas
After having had a shower this weekend, I thought I would compile a list of activities that could be fun at a shower (we did some of these at my shower). I am calling them activities because they are not all really games.
- Have guests address their own envelopes. This takes the stress out of doing it later (and potentially having the wrong address), and can be used to draw names and/or give door prizes.
- The Price Is Right. Have your guests guess the correct price of common baby items. Whoever is closest to the most items wins.
Write a note to the baby. Make a jar or shadow box and cut strips of paper that coordinate with baby's room. Pass out the strips and ask guests to write advice, predictions, or other little notes to the baby. Wrap strips around a pencil to curl and insert into the jar/box. It keeps as decoration and later as a note to the baby.
Stick a tag on guests back. Make strips of paper and write a baby item (stroller, car seat, bottle, etc.) on the strips. When guests arrive, stick one object on each person's back. They must ask each other yes/no questions to figure out which item is listed on their back. Helps with mingling.
Quiz Time! Make a quiz about mom and/or the baby. Most right wins. Sample questions:
What is mom most nervous about with the baby's arrival?
What has mom been craving the most?
What embarrassing thing has happened to mom during this pregnancy?
How long did it take to put the crib together?
You can even add questions about dad:
What was dad's reaction when he first heard the baby's heartbeat?
How many tests did dad make mom take before he was convinced they were pregnant?
How long did it take dad to secure the car seat in the car for the first time?
Guess the girth. Allow guests to cut lengths of string or ribbon to estimated girth of mom. Then measure the actual and compare. Closest to the actual girth wins.
What flavor is it? Somewhat disgusting but also hilarious, this one requires several flavors of baby food. Give each person toothpicks and pass around several numbered jars (labels removed). Guests have to guess what the flavor is. Most right wins.
Save the card. Bring a book. This one is so cool because for the cost of a shower card, your guest can buy a book for baby and sign it. This allows for a more meaningful greeting for the guest, and gives the baby a lasting item that they can use and remember each guest by. Here are some poems that you can put in your invitation:
Although cards are nice with their sentiment and prayer, / They're read once or twice then tucked away with care. / A book is a treasure, words and pictures unite, / Read over and over to teach and delight. / So instead of a card for Baby and mother, / Please give a child's book with your thoughts in the cover. / Your book will be cherished; God will watch from above, / When it's read they will remember your kindness and love.- We can't wait to see you at the shower / When (mom-to-be's name) will be the woman of the hour / We have one request we hope isn't too hard / Please sign your name to a book instead of a card / Then mom and dad will be ready when the baby arrives / To read to their darling for the rest of their lives.
- Just one last request, and we hope it's not hard / Please bring baby a book in place of a card / By signing your book, we will remember and share / Your special gift, even when you're not there!
- Start a piggy bank. Define a list of words that cannot be said during the shower (baby, diapers, bottles, pregnant, etc.). Every time someone is caught saying that word, they have to donate change into a piggy bank for the baby. (You may have to warn the guests ahead of time so they will bring change).
- Candy bars in a diaper. Melt several different candy bars and put the melted remains into diapers (1 candy bar in each diaper). Pass diapers around for inspection. Have guests try to determine what kind of candy bar each was. Most right wins.
- Buy-in is a bag of diapers. If dad is feeling left out, or if you're having a couples party, arrange a poker tournament for the men. Buy-in is a bag of diapers.
- Loaded purses win. Use the baby's name for this one (or nickname if the name hasn't been chosen yet). For each letter of the name, guests must find an item in their purse that starts with the same letter. Points are awarded for each item found. Example: L (for Lorelai) -- lipstick, lozenge, lighter, etc. etc. 1 point for each. O -- Orbit gum. R -- reading glasses, rolaids, etc. . . .
My Favorite Pregnancy Sites
Here are some websites I like . . . There are lots out there, but these I look at regularly.
thebump.com - A great checklist for what to do by week and can send you daily emails if you want, plus shopping links, the chinese gender calendar (very accurate!), and cute pregnancy stories.
whattoexpect.com - Just like the book, but maybe more detailed info, and has a spectacular forum.
thecradle.com - This one was going to shut down, but they got sponsorship. They have a fabulous tool for making personal baby webpages free!!!!! This is where my original baby site was.
parents.com - Gives you more info about children, not fetuses, but good stuff. And, you can get free magazine subscriptions.
babiesonline.com - A little bit of everything . . .
Most of these also offer e-mail services, with newsletters full of good info. I get something every day from most of them, and each one is a little different.
There is also an app on FB called Circle of Moms. It is another cool forum/webpage kind-of place. It allows you to update on milestones of your pregnancy, but also carries on through to childhood. Natalie and Lorelai each have a page.
thebump.com - A great checklist for what to do by week and can send you daily emails if you want, plus shopping links, the chinese gender calendar (very accurate!), and cute pregnancy stories.
whattoexpect.com - Just like the book, but maybe more detailed info, and has a spectacular forum.
thecradle.com - This one was going to shut down, but they got sponsorship. They have a fabulous tool for making personal baby webpages free!!!!! This is where my original baby site was.
parents.com - Gives you more info about children, not fetuses, but good stuff. And, you can get free magazine subscriptions.
babiesonline.com - A little bit of everything . . .
Most of these also offer e-mail services, with newsletters full of good info. I get something every day from most of them, and each one is a little different.
There is also an app on FB called Circle of Moms. It is another cool forum/webpage kind-of place. It allows you to update on milestones of your pregnancy, but also carries on through to childhood. Natalie and Lorelai each have a page.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Sudden Panic!
I just wrote an e-mail to a friend and suddenly started panicking . . . Yikes!
I am not ready for this little girl. Sure, I have clothes for her and a car seat and I'm registered at the hospital and I have been taking my vitamins and seeing the doctor, but I am really getting down to the wire here.
Well, I have 11 weeks, give or take, but what if she comes early? It could only be a month!!!!
There are still so many things that need to be done. We have to get the room painted and buy furniture. I am still teetering on the whole formula/breast-feeding deal, as well as the cloth/disposable diaper option. Plus, I haven't signed up for lamaze or baby classes.
I have seriously changed about 3 diapers in my life. And I am about to be alone with a baby who will need to have that done for her very shortly. I have maybe served 3 bottles in my life, and I have certainly never breast-fed. I am 30 years old!!! Does this all seem crazy to anyone else??!?
We have a crib, but no mattress (or sheets). We have 2 bottles (no formula), and 1 bag of diapers (which I'm guessing will last a day or two).
At work, they're asking me how long I expect to be out, but I have no clue. I get 6 weeks paid in full (8 for C-section), but can take vacation time and/or FMLA . . . I just don't know where the breaking point is -- I don't want to come back to early, but I don't want to go stir-crazy after staying out of work for so long.
I even tried filling out a birth plan, but I have no clue as to whether I want ice chips while in labor. I haven't thought about giving birth -- I 've been too busy thinking about being pregnant.
I guess I need to get my butt in gear.
I am not ready for this little girl. Sure, I have clothes for her and a car seat and I'm registered at the hospital and I have been taking my vitamins and seeing the doctor, but I am really getting down to the wire here.
Well, I have 11 weeks, give or take, but what if she comes early? It could only be a month!!!!
There are still so many things that need to be done. We have to get the room painted and buy furniture. I am still teetering on the whole formula/breast-feeding deal, as well as the cloth/disposable diaper option. Plus, I haven't signed up for lamaze or baby classes.
I have seriously changed about 3 diapers in my life. And I am about to be alone with a baby who will need to have that done for her very shortly. I have maybe served 3 bottles in my life, and I have certainly never breast-fed. I am 30 years old!!! Does this all seem crazy to anyone else??!?
We have a crib, but no mattress (or sheets). We have 2 bottles (no formula), and 1 bag of diapers (which I'm guessing will last a day or two).
At work, they're asking me how long I expect to be out, but I have no clue. I get 6 weeks paid in full (8 for C-section), but can take vacation time and/or FMLA . . . I just don't know where the breaking point is -- I don't want to come back to early, but I don't want to go stir-crazy after staying out of work for so long.
I even tried filling out a birth plan, but I have no clue as to whether I want ice chips while in labor. I haven't thought about giving birth -- I 've been too busy thinking about being pregnant.
I guess I need to get my butt in gear.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
A Baby Shower and a Flub
Okay, so I don't have a new photo to post . . . I'm so bad!
But, I've been quite busy. Last week was full of time spent in the hospital, getting poked for blood here and there . . . for them to tell me I have gestational diabetes. HOWEVER, when I called the doctor's office Monday, they said my sugar levels were within acceptable ranges.
Hooray for sugar once again! I missed out on a lot of good-looking cake over the weekend, but I'm sure I've made up for it over the last couple of days.
Cake? Why cake? Well, in addition to my baby shower back home that my wonderful Stepmom and Aunt provided for me, I was present at my friend's wedding shower. She had a great tea party and great food (and tea) was consumed. The cake looked splendid -- I think it was lime-infused with lemony frosting and raspberry glaze . . . I'm hung up on this, can you tell?
My shower was wonderful. Again, no cake for me (strawberry this time), but I had great family and friends all around. And the gifts abounded. My grandmother (GiGi to Peanut) made a baby bonnet that will turn into a handkerchief for Peanut's wedding day (OMG I can't believe she's not even here yet and we talk of some man someday wanting to take her away from me!). Aunt Bev (Francie's side) quilted a blanket and crocheted a blanket. They are beautiful.
We also received some great stuff from the registry (car seat, crib, umbrella stroller, bathtub, etc.) and some great stuff I never thought of (gas relief medication for baby, hygiene items, potty training stuff and things, photo frames, some clothes for me, and so on and so on). The coolest thing was that we asked for books rather than cards. That way, the books were signed for Peanut, and the cost of a card is about the cost of a baby book, so it's a win-win situation. Peanut has at least 12 new books . . . I'm thinking about reading them to her now.
In addition to all of this, we received a TON of baby clothes. This child will never be able to use "lack of clothing" as an excuse for being nude (I know when I was little, I loved being nude, just because. So, she'll have to use the same excuse: just because.).
There are two best parts to the day, though, not heretofore mentioned: 1) Great Aunt Cheryl and Grandma Francie are spectacular people; and 2) My friends and family were there with me to celebrate Peanut. Aunt Cheryl and Francie fretted over this one day, wanting to make it perfect and memorable. They succeeded. Peanut is going to be welcomed into a very loving family and I am grateful that we can give her that. I am grateful for everyone who helped!! And my friends! They gave up an afternoon to be there with me, and I loved that I had a chance to talk with them all and catch up.
Now that we have the bedding (thanks to Aunt Beth and Aunt Christy!), we will be purchasing the paint and any other necessary materials to convert the empty bedroom into Lorelai's room. Because the original theme I picked out was discontinued, we went with a different Classic Pooh bedding. The colors will end up being easier to match, and I am so excited to get started. The walls will be a tan color (like Pooh), and there will be a rainbow of red, yellow, and blue up one side, on the ceiling, and down the other side. I am still considering having someone paint a mural for us, but at this point, it will be quite simple
But, I've been quite busy. Last week was full of time spent in the hospital, getting poked for blood here and there . . . for them to tell me I have gestational diabetes. HOWEVER, when I called the doctor's office Monday, they said my sugar levels were within acceptable ranges.
Hooray for sugar once again! I missed out on a lot of good-looking cake over the weekend, but I'm sure I've made up for it over the last couple of days.
Cake? Why cake? Well, in addition to my baby shower back home that my wonderful Stepmom and Aunt provided for me, I was present at my friend's wedding shower. She had a great tea party and great food (and tea) was consumed. The cake looked splendid -- I think it was lime-infused with lemony frosting and raspberry glaze . . . I'm hung up on this, can you tell?
My shower was wonderful. Again, no cake for me (strawberry this time), but I had great family and friends all around. And the gifts abounded. My grandmother (GiGi to Peanut) made a baby bonnet that will turn into a handkerchief for Peanut's wedding day (OMG I can't believe she's not even here yet and we talk of some man someday wanting to take her away from me!). Aunt Bev (Francie's side) quilted a blanket and crocheted a blanket. They are beautiful.
We also received some great stuff from the registry (car seat, crib, umbrella stroller, bathtub, etc.) and some great stuff I never thought of (gas relief medication for baby, hygiene items, potty training stuff and things, photo frames, some clothes for me, and so on and so on). The coolest thing was that we asked for books rather than cards. That way, the books were signed for Peanut, and the cost of a card is about the cost of a baby book, so it's a win-win situation. Peanut has at least 12 new books . . . I'm thinking about reading them to her now.
In addition to all of this, we received a TON of baby clothes. This child will never be able to use "lack of clothing" as an excuse for being nude (I know when I was little, I loved being nude, just because. So, she'll have to use the same excuse: just because.).
There are two best parts to the day, though, not heretofore mentioned: 1) Great Aunt Cheryl and Grandma Francie are spectacular people; and 2) My friends and family were there with me to celebrate Peanut. Aunt Cheryl and Francie fretted over this one day, wanting to make it perfect and memorable. They succeeded. Peanut is going to be welcomed into a very loving family and I am grateful that we can give her that. I am grateful for everyone who helped!! And my friends! They gave up an afternoon to be there with me, and I loved that I had a chance to talk with them all and catch up.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Week 27! 91 Days to Go!
First, I will post week 26's photo by Monday . . . I've been slacking.
After a couple of weeks of pure pain (only in the ankles and back . . .), I took the glucose tolerance test that all pregnant women endure around week 24-26. I flunked it. (And I fainted -- I warned them to be gentle, but they didn't listen!!) I should hear back from the doctor today regarding my situation, but his nurse told me 2 nights ago that I can't have pop or ice cream or cake.
I am miserable.
I am miserable not only because I crave that stuff (not the pop so much, but all the rest seems yummy at all times of the day), but because since I've cut it out, I've felt light-headed and kinda sicky. Maybe I need that stuff!!
Otherwise, things are good. Peanut is still breeched, but from what I hear, that means less back pain. And I still have 13 weeks to go, so there's plenty of time for her to roll around.
And, I'm in my third trimester already!! It feels so good to say that, because now if anything should happen, we have an excellent chance of her being totally okay.
My ankles are literally twice their size, and have bruised a little, but I am cutting down on salt and upping the water intake. The diabetes probably has something to do with it too, so it's good to know that it will be taken care of shortly.
The new boss is female, and from what I had heard about her previous to me working for her, I thought she was going to be a bear to handle, especially through the pregnancy. Fortunately, the opposite has been true. She's had 3 children herself, so she understands what I'm going through, and has been very understanding about the time I have to take off for this and for that.
My first baby shower is this weekend, back home. I am soooo excited! Unfortunately, less than half of my friends are able to make it, but I think a large part of the family will be there. I keep having dreams that I go into labor on the way to Michigan. Yikes.
That's about it for now. . . I can't wait for her to get here!
After a couple of weeks of pure pain (only in the ankles and back . . .), I took the glucose tolerance test that all pregnant women endure around week 24-26. I flunked it. (And I fainted -- I warned them to be gentle, but they didn't listen!!) I should hear back from the doctor today regarding my situation, but his nurse told me 2 nights ago that I can't have pop or ice cream or cake.
I am miserable.
I am miserable not only because I crave that stuff (not the pop so much, but all the rest seems yummy at all times of the day), but because since I've cut it out, I've felt light-headed and kinda sicky. Maybe I need that stuff!!
Otherwise, things are good. Peanut is still breeched, but from what I hear, that means less back pain. And I still have 13 weeks to go, so there's plenty of time for her to roll around.
And, I'm in my third trimester already!! It feels so good to say that, because now if anything should happen, we have an excellent chance of her being totally okay.
My ankles are literally twice their size, and have bruised a little, but I am cutting down on salt and upping the water intake. The diabetes probably has something to do with it too, so it's good to know that it will be taken care of shortly.
The new boss is female, and from what I had heard about her previous to me working for her, I thought she was going to be a bear to handle, especially through the pregnancy. Fortunately, the opposite has been true. She's had 3 children herself, so she understands what I'm going through, and has been very understanding about the time I have to take off for this and for that.
My first baby shower is this weekend, back home. I am soooo excited! Unfortunately, less than half of my friends are able to make it, but I think a large part of the family will be there. I keep having dreams that I go into labor on the way to Michigan. Yikes.
That's about it for now. . . I can't wait for her to get here!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Week 25 Starts Today!!
To start, here is a photo of week 24:
And to refresh your memories, here is week 22:
At the doctor's yesterday, I finally discovered that what I thought was possibly just a muscle spasm is actually Peanut kicking my bladder. I was able to watch her kick and feel it at the same time. She is breeched right now, but Doc said there is nothing to worry about -- we still have a lot of time for her to flip. I think she likes being upright, though, because I can feel her roll at night when I switch sides (laying on my left or right side). Doc also said that I shouldn't be surprised if I wet my pants now and again, as she is kicking my bladder constantly (She said it happened to her before!). Awesome.
I have to stop in at the hospital to get my glucose test done . . . that will hopefully happen next week. I also have to get registered there in the next couple of weeks. Classes start soon too. Woo WOO!!!
It's becoming more and more of a reality that there is an endpoint to this pregnancy. I have to face that I will be going into labor soon (hopefully in 3 months or so, not sooner or later). I haven't invested too much time into thinking about that part of all of this. Doc told me what to watch for and to go straight to Delivery if A, B, or C happens. Yikes!!
That's about it for now. I feel reassured that everything is okay. And now that I know what a kick feels like, I am super glad she's active. It gives me some kind of connection to her now.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
In Need of an Update!!!
Hi all -- It's been a couple weeks (a couple rough weeks), but I'm back . . .
As surprising as it may seem, my pregnancy became somewhat masked by the tragedy that has befallen our family. Within about 7 or 8 days, Clint's side lost 4 family members, and we lost our dog, Dill. Unfortunately, I don't have many photos of the family members (I had met 2 of the 4) . . .
This is a 5-generation photo of the Herren side. Grandpa Don Herren passed away last week, and I am so lucky to have met him.
I don't have a photo of Grandma Margie Mosier, but she also was a special woman, and both hers and Grandpa Herren's services were quite unique and spectacular.
This is Dillinger. He ate a sock last week (or something similar), and it seized up his digestive tract. We had to put him down amidst the rest of the chaos. He was 3 years old. I just can't seem to get over it.
The things I'm thankful for:
-I was touched by these people in one way or another (Grandpa Herron for his candor; Grandma Mosier for her devotion; and Dill for his . . . well, fortitude).
-Natalie was able to spend quality time with these people, and has good stories to remember them by.
-They lived good lives.
-We had fantastic support around us through it all.
So . . . aside from all of that, there was good that came too. I met some of Clint's close school friends while we were at his home, and I'm pretty sure the baby was kicking and rolling around this last week.
I haven't gained any more weight (none in 4 weeks, actually), but my belly is much more basketball-like than it was. We go for another ultrasound and checkup today, so I am excited to see a bigger, more active baby in there. They say that Dad should now be able to hear the heartbeat by putting his head on Mom's belly, so we'll have to check that out. I will take a new photo tonight to update you all a little more.
My first baby shower is coming up in 3 weekends. I am excited!! However, I've gone a little crazy on all of the cute clothes I keep finding on clearance racks, so I'm kind-of hoping that I don't get a ton of outfits as gifts (although I'm sure I'll love anything!!).
I am really wanting to start on Peanut's bedroom . . . it's cleared out, but it needs paint. And I can't pick out the paint color until I have the bedding . . . I wonder if I can buy one little piece of the bedding so I have somewhere to start. And don't worry!! I think I can find an able body or two to do the painting!
This month also brings a wedding shower and bachelorette party for my good friend, Sara. I can't wait!! Even though I can't partake in the alcohol consumption, I will surely be welcome as a DD. That's fine with me.
I also started my new role at work on Tuesday. So far, it's been hectic, especially after missing 4 days . . . but I think I am doing alright so far, and the real test will be after my first event Monday and Tuesday next week.
Finally, our friends Sarah and Tom have agreed to be our Peanut's godparents. They are our age, have similar beliefs and lifestyles (at least in most ways), and will probably be planning for a family very soon. I am sooooooo excited for this!
That's all for now. I will try to post more in the morning.
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