Just a small piece of a beautiful Halloween Town village set at a friend's house.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Advice
Breast cancer has found one in our family, (Funny how you think it won't) and big surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. I would love it if anyone who has had experience with this disease would let me know what helped them the most as far as gifts, support, well wishes etc go. I want to provide support with the sensitivity and caring that she deserves.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Not Immune
I am back from the 3 hour glucose tolerance test. Well, I've been back for a while, but food and sleeping had to come before blogging. It really wasn't so bad. I mean, it wasn't as bad as you would think for guzzling the orange crap and having 4 blood draws in 3 hours with an empty tummy. I was really lucky to have the very gentle guy who has a soothing voice and rarely hurts me at all and never leaves a bruise. He was so careful to not do the same draw twice. As for how I felt, the first hour and a half were bleeeeeh, but then I felt better. I'm hoping this is a sign my body dealt ok with the sugar? I know, I know. Don't get ahead of myself.
In any case, I had all these plans that I was going to write down blog ideas I had, make shopping lists and in short, just be all productive. Yeah right. I'm really glad I had my easy read book, Betrayed with me. I finished the whole thing. I liked it. I think I liked it enough to read the next few.
I did at least think about blogging while I sat there. I thought about the fact that while I'm pretty comfortable with this pregnancy now most of the time, I am most definitely not immune to the terror of something happening to my baby. As long as everything is going exactly according to plan, I feel great. But if one of my blood tests comes back a little off, or I don't feel him kicking quite so much one day, I worry.... a lot. People were so wonderful to me when I had my chemical pregnancy.* I was obviously devastated that one of our expensive, crappy procedures ended that way and that my possible little life was gone. However, I did know that it wasn't the same for me as losing it later on would have been. And people were so kind in saying that it was the same, that I was still a Mom and all that. But now I know for sure that for me, the loss of this pregnancy would be a devastation nowhere near what I felt then. I would mourn the loss of my child with all my heart. The stakes are so much higher now that when anything goes even a little off, that panicky voice tries to pipe up.
That's partly why I got the flu shot, and why I kick myself that I delayed on getting the H1N1 and now it's not here anymore. It was available for one day. I can handle getting sick and feeling miserable. What I can't handle is the guilt if I got sick and something happened to my baby when I had the possible power to prevent it. I dodged a bullet this week. We just found out that a friend we just visited was coming down with the swine flu while we were there. Luckily both Hub and I are past the point where we would be showing signs if we were to get it. However, Hub has been working his tail off and seems to catch everything, and I work around lots of people every day. I hope we continue with this luck.
*fyi just in case - meaning that you had a pregnancy.. implanted and all but you only had blood test results to prove it because it was lost so early. It always bugs me when people say it was a pregnancy that didn't implant. Because if it didn't implant, you wouldn't get a positive pregnancy or blood test. And you usually lose the pregnancy much after it should have implanted with a chemical.
In any case, I had all these plans that I was going to write down blog ideas I had, make shopping lists and in short, just be all productive. Yeah right. I'm really glad I had my easy read book, Betrayed with me. I finished the whole thing. I liked it. I think I liked it enough to read the next few.
I did at least think about blogging while I sat there. I thought about the fact that while I'm pretty comfortable with this pregnancy now most of the time, I am most definitely not immune to the terror of something happening to my baby. As long as everything is going exactly according to plan, I feel great. But if one of my blood tests comes back a little off, or I don't feel him kicking quite so much one day, I worry.... a lot. People were so wonderful to me when I had my chemical pregnancy.* I was obviously devastated that one of our expensive, crappy procedures ended that way and that my possible little life was gone. However, I did know that it wasn't the same for me as losing it later on would have been. And people were so kind in saying that it was the same, that I was still a Mom and all that. But now I know for sure that for me, the loss of this pregnancy would be a devastation nowhere near what I felt then. I would mourn the loss of my child with all my heart. The stakes are so much higher now that when anything goes even a little off, that panicky voice tries to pipe up.
That's partly why I got the flu shot, and why I kick myself that I delayed on getting the H1N1 and now it's not here anymore. It was available for one day. I can handle getting sick and feeling miserable. What I can't handle is the guilt if I got sick and something happened to my baby when I had the possible power to prevent it. I dodged a bullet this week. We just found out that a friend we just visited was coming down with the swine flu while we were there. Luckily both Hub and I are past the point where we would be showing signs if we were to get it. However, Hub has been working his tail off and seems to catch everything, and I work around lots of people every day. I hope we continue with this luck.
*fyi just in case - meaning that you had a pregnancy.. implanted and all but you only had blood test results to prove it because it was lost so early. It always bugs me when people say it was a pregnancy that didn't implant. Because if it didn't implant, you wouldn't get a positive pregnancy or blood test. And you usually lose the pregnancy much after it should have implanted with a chemical.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
30 Weeks 2 Days
Wearing my $6 Target clearance capris that almost don't fit anymore* and Jen's shirt for later pregnancy because many of my shirts also do not fit anymore.
*Hence why I only buy clearance stuff.
*Hence why I only buy clearance stuff.
Last Night...
I rode a boat upriver and up a waterfall on my way to Niagara Falls - which happened to be moved to Ottawa. So what did you accomplish?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Book Challenge
Wow. My pitiful list of books is pretty sad compared to Kristin's. Way to go Kristin! There was a time when I read more, I swear.
Here is my original list.
1. The Sight - David Clement-Davies
2. Chalice - Robin McKinley
3. Number the Stars - Lois Lowry (thanks to Jen)
4. A Swiftly Tilting Planet - Madeleine L'Engle
5. Valiant - Holly Black
6. Marked - Kristin & PC Cast
7. Shadow Mountain - Renee Askins
8. Auralia's Colors - Jeffrey Overstreet
My synopsis of what I've actually read:
1. I tried valiantly to like this. All the descriptions and reviews pointed to the fact that I should like this, but I just couldn't. I rarely give up so quickly on a book, but I never got past the first few chapters. It was tedious. The descriptions and language were very overblown and flowery for me. The wolves in it had way too much human bent. Oh well. That's one more series to which I will not become addicted. (Which could maybe mean a cleaner house? Ah who am I kidding?)
2. I finished Chalice. I didn't fall in love with it like I have many of McKinley's other books, but I did enjoy it. Her writing is always masterful whether or not I like the direction it takes. She seems to try to change her style just to challenge herself, so her stories can be as different from one another as if it were a different author. The reason this book wasn't one of my favorites was that I felt the set-up was very drawn out and the secondary characters not as fleshed as they usually are. The ending, however, tied everything together so well that I ended up liking the whole story much more than I thought I would. And I really enjoyed the main character.
3. Haven't read it yet. :(
4. FINISHED! I enjoyed it very much, but for me, it still doesn't come close to A Wrinkle in Time.
5. I really didn't enjoy this book. The ideas and setting were intriguing, but it was too dark for me with too little to redeem the main characters. (Can you tell I'm a big character girl?) I also was very drawn into the characters from the first book, Tithe, and they are largely missing from this story. I was disappointed.
ADDITION: I also finished Ironside, the 3rd in the series. This one brought back my favorite characters and a lot of the humanity (as much as possible considering many of the characters are not) that the second book lacked.
6. This was a decent non-thinking sort of read. The writing wasn't stellar, but the story was good. Sometimes I feel like the authors try too hard to fit into the teenage mindset and language though. It's distracting to me. I don't know how teens feel when they read it. I'm on the second book, Betrayed, now and feel that it does some of that even more so far.
7. Haven't yet read.
8. I've read the first few chapters. The premise and world seem very interesting, but I haven't yet been drawn enough into the characters for me to feel like I can't put it down. There also isn't much action and plot development at the moment. I don't know how much of my disinterest is the book and how much is my mood. I'll pick it up again later and see. I don't dislike it at least.
I'm also still working on Silent Spring. It's a book I pick up and read in little bits. The writing is lovely, but it's hard to connect sometimes to it being so long ago. It's also not something you read for fun.
Thanks Kristin!
Here is my original list.
1. The Sight - David Clement-Davies
2. Chalice - Robin McKinley
3. Number the Stars - Lois Lowry (thanks to Jen)
4. A Swiftly Tilting Planet - Madeleine L'Engle
5. Valiant - Holly Black
6. Marked - Kristin & PC Cast
7. Shadow Mountain - Renee Askins
8. Auralia's Colors - Jeffrey Overstreet
My synopsis of what I've actually read:
1. I tried valiantly to like this. All the descriptions and reviews pointed to the fact that I should like this, but I just couldn't. I rarely give up so quickly on a book, but I never got past the first few chapters. It was tedious. The descriptions and language were very overblown and flowery for me. The wolves in it had way too much human bent. Oh well. That's one more series to which I will not become addicted. (Which could maybe mean a cleaner house? Ah who am I kidding?)
2. I finished Chalice. I didn't fall in love with it like I have many of McKinley's other books, but I did enjoy it. Her writing is always masterful whether or not I like the direction it takes. She seems to try to change her style just to challenge herself, so her stories can be as different from one another as if it were a different author. The reason this book wasn't one of my favorites was that I felt the set-up was very drawn out and the secondary characters not as fleshed as they usually are. The ending, however, tied everything together so well that I ended up liking the whole story much more than I thought I would. And I really enjoyed the main character.
3. Haven't read it yet. :(
4. FINISHED! I enjoyed it very much, but for me, it still doesn't come close to A Wrinkle in Time.
5. I really didn't enjoy this book. The ideas and setting were intriguing, but it was too dark for me with too little to redeem the main characters. (Can you tell I'm a big character girl?) I also was very drawn into the characters from the first book, Tithe, and they are largely missing from this story. I was disappointed.
ADDITION: I also finished Ironside, the 3rd in the series. This one brought back my favorite characters and a lot of the humanity (as much as possible considering many of the characters are not) that the second book lacked.
6. This was a decent non-thinking sort of read. The writing wasn't stellar, but the story was good. Sometimes I feel like the authors try too hard to fit into the teenage mindset and language though. It's distracting to me. I don't know how teens feel when they read it. I'm on the second book, Betrayed, now and feel that it does some of that even more so far.
7. Haven't yet read.
8. I've read the first few chapters. The premise and world seem very interesting, but I haven't yet been drawn enough into the characters for me to feel like I can't put it down. There also isn't much action and plot development at the moment. I don't know how much of my disinterest is the book and how much is my mood. I'll pick it up again later and see. I don't dislike it at least.
I'm also still working on Silent Spring. It's a book I pick up and read in little bits. The writing is lovely, but it's hard to connect sometimes to it being so long ago. It's also not something you read for fun.
Thanks Kristin!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Relief?
After weeks of problems I slept (mostly) through the night last night! I was actually able to wake up to the alarm! The only thing I did differently was buy and wear a maternity belt that supports your belly the past 2 days. Let's hope it's that and not that Venus was in the 7th house. Ah life is so much better when you're rested.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
I wish it wouldn't come to this...
I got up over an hour before I had to for work. I went to bed an hour after I usually would for work. I got far less done in the house this weekend than needed to be done. I am becoming desperate for relief. Work and doctor talks must commence I guess.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
What's that SMELL?
You all know I've been leaking regularly. It's not a secret. Anyway, quite a while ago, I noticed that I smell different from my normal smell. No I'm not talking about the slaving away in the Florida sun smell. It's just your normal aroma - the one that when you bury your nose in your spouse's shoulder makes it feel like home. But a while back, I noticed that I didn't smell like me anymore. I smelled like baby. This perplexed me. How could I smell like baby? He's not even HERE. Then I realized it... yes the colostrum is partly to blame, but what if, just what if, babies actually smelled like their mommies? Revolutionary idea eh? Being an animal person, you'd think I'd already realize that was bound to happen. You don't want the mommy animals going all wild animal instinct on their babies. But you know, you don't really think about it in a human, my-nose-doesn't-work-that-way sense. Oh but mine is working that way. It's always been a bit more sensitive, and now I'm a bloodhound. So here I was, thinking that babies smell like babies, and the mommies pick that up from holding them all the time, when the correct answer was basically slapping me in the face. It was a pretty cool revelation, but I'm still getting used to it. Luckily Hub likes it. The massage therapist and I also talked about it the other day and completely agreed which is what gave me the push to post this. The funny thing is, one of my pets has finally started to relax around me. He has been acting strangely since early in the pregnancy and hates change of any kind. I'm sure the house changes are bothering him, but it can't help that I smell like a whole different human. Poor little booger.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Did You Get Your Flu Shot?
I have never gotten a flu shot before. And the last time I had the flu was when I was about 12. That being said, circumstances are a little different this time around. I caught a cold once already, and it was completely miserable. I'll be knocking on my neighborhood clinic's door tomorrow morning when it receives its supply. My doctor can then be very happy and stop recommending it at regular intervals.
As for the H1N1 shot, I've already decided to get that one too as soon as it is offered. There is one offered about 20 miles from here, but I just really don't want to schlep up there to get it. I'm hoping one will be offered closer soon and that waiting is not the wrong decision considering some of my co-workers have contracted the virus already. I don't know when they're contagious but they often come to work sick, because who has the time off or money to stay out as long as that damn flu seems to last? The vaccine is completely killed pieces of the virus, so according to what I learned in college microbiology - pretty darn safe. You can however, have various reactions to it. I found lots of information that may be helpful to others in making a decision on the CDC website.
As for the H1N1 shot, I've already decided to get that one too as soon as it is offered. There is one offered about 20 miles from here, but I just really don't want to schlep up there to get it. I'm hoping one will be offered closer soon and that waiting is not the wrong decision considering some of my co-workers have contracted the virus already. I don't know when they're contagious but they often come to work sick, because who has the time off or money to stay out as long as that damn flu seems to last? The vaccine is completely killed pieces of the virus, so according to what I learned in college microbiology - pretty darn safe. You can however, have various reactions to it. I found lots of information that may be helpful to others in making a decision on the CDC website.
More Letters to Babybutt
Dear Babybutt,
I'm glad you have a few things that make you happy and chill. It's nice to know that classical lullabies help keep you from kicking Mommy's guts out in the car. It's much easier to drive that way. It's also very handy to know that if Mommy sings and rocks herself while trying to sleep that you will ease up on the nightly cartwheels and somersaults that always accompany Mommy's quiet repose. (Don't worry. You'll learn these words later.)
It's also really interesting to learn that sometimes when you poke an appendage out, that Mommy touching it will startle you and you'll yank it back in. But on the other hand, a professional massage means sleepy time for baby.
Thanks for letting me know what you like. Hopefully these things hold true when you're a squirmy crazy man on the Outside.
xo
M
p.s. I love your hiccups. Sorry if they suck for you.
I'm glad you have a few things that make you happy and chill. It's nice to know that classical lullabies help keep you from kicking Mommy's guts out in the car. It's much easier to drive that way. It's also very handy to know that if Mommy sings and rocks herself while trying to sleep that you will ease up on the nightly cartwheels and somersaults that always accompany Mommy's quiet repose. (Don't worry. You'll learn these words later.)
It's also really interesting to learn that sometimes when you poke an appendage out, that Mommy touching it will startle you and you'll yank it back in. But on the other hand, a professional massage means sleepy time for baby.
Thanks for letting me know what you like. Hopefully these things hold true when you're a squirmy crazy man on the Outside.
xo
M
p.s. I love your hiccups. Sorry if they suck for you.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
My Day Part Two
Oooooooooh I feel good. The weather today was beautiful, and my massage was so wonderful. The therapist was a doll. She said she loves giving pre-natal massages because "they're so sweet." She liked to hear how the baby was moving during it and she and I talked about mommying everything from babies to animals to cousins. I liked her very much, and she made me feel absolutely and completely at ease. That is such a gift in a massage therapist.
She worked the horrid knots out of my neck so that my head doesn't feel so weird anymore. She also worked on the muscles around the sciatic nerve. It's amazing to me how they can feel a little bit and then go right to the problem area. I couldn't have even really told her where to massage, but she got it perfectly. When I flipped to the side for her to get it, it hurt as usual. By the time she was done and I flipped back, it wasn't hurting at all! I do believe some angels sang. The babybutt seemed to like the massage too as he was the quietest he's been in weeks throughout the whole thing. Normally, me lying down like that would cause a whole lot of stretching and punching protest. But there was not a peep from the little bugger for at least 40 minutes.
After my massage I went to DSW and bought brand new sneakers with divine gel insoles. The sciatica doesn't stand a chance now! Then I picked up a peanut butter cup smoothie (banana, chocolate and peanut butter) and drove home with the windows down and a blissful smile on my face.
She worked the horrid knots out of my neck so that my head doesn't feel so weird anymore. She also worked on the muscles around the sciatic nerve. It's amazing to me how they can feel a little bit and then go right to the problem area. I couldn't have even really told her where to massage, but she got it perfectly. When I flipped to the side for her to get it, it hurt as usual. By the time she was done and I flipped back, it wasn't hurting at all! I do believe some angels sang. The babybutt seemed to like the massage too as he was the quietest he's been in weeks throughout the whole thing. Normally, me lying down like that would cause a whole lot of stretching and punching protest. But there was not a peep from the little bugger for at least 40 minutes.
After my massage I went to DSW and bought brand new sneakers with divine gel insoles. The sciatica doesn't stand a chance now! Then I picked up a peanut butter cup smoothie (banana, chocolate and peanut butter) and drove home with the windows down and a blissful smile on my face.
When Will I Learn?
Overconfidence is completely foolish where my body is concerned. I was actually just thinking that last night as I prepared to get the results for my 1 hour glucose tolerance test and reflected on my assertion that I thought it would be fine. "Silly Barb," I thought to myself. It's still not horrible, but not ideal.
So the bad first: my level was one point above normal. Isn't that annoying? When I asked what that meant for me, the doctor said that though he's not too concerned, he'd like me to do the 3 hour test just to be sure. ACK gag me. That's going to suck big hairy ones. He says that while he thinks there's only a 5 to 10% chance that it's actually gestational diabetes, with my PCOS history and the fact that my level jumped from 86 last time to 131 this time, he'd like to err on the side of caution. He seemed genuinely regretful about it though. He also said that even if it is GD, that we could manage such a mild case with diet alone. So I know there are a lot worse things. In fact, I've been through a lot worse things. It's just that I so hate that test, so I'm bummed about it. I keep thinking that if I just hadn't eaten as late as I did the night before, or eaten better or something like that, that I would have passed it and wouldn't have to do this bullshit. Oh well. There is a LOT to be thankful for without dwelling on that.
So the GOOD news is that the doctor thought my weight gain "fabulous." Who can figure these guys out? He said I'm on track to gain a total of about 30 pounds, and he's completely comfortable with that. OK. That was a nice surprise. Thank goodness, because he might have made me cry otherwise. That's not too difficult to accomplish these days. He said that I look fabulous and that again, this pregnancy is progressing beautifully. He's generally quite the cheerleader.
My sciatica has been getting much much worse. It's now on both sides, but the right side is horrible. I overdid it with the in-laws for 2 weekends and then overdid it at work the day before yesterday. That night I had some of the worst pain I've had. It was horrible trying to sleep. Tylenol barely touches it, and sleeping on my sides makes it hurt more. Lovely. When I brought this up with him, his attitude was pretty much that he knew it was going to happen because I'm small, and that there's not much I can do about it. He suggested sleeping in a recliner - which for us means buying a recliner. I know it's a really good idea, it's just that with all the expenses we have coming in lately, I don't want to have to do that. But I guess my continuing to work is a bigger issue than spending a few hundred dollars. Because if this problem gets much worse, I may have to ask for light duty. And if they can't accommodate that, they'll put me on maternity leave early. bleh. So perhaps we'll be on the lookout. If you've heard any good deals with a decent, but not expensive, fancy chair, please pass it along.
And lastly - the very best news of all - I have my prenatal massage today that the Hub so kindly gave me as a birthday gift! Maybe she can work on those stubborn nerves and muscles!
So the bad first: my level was one point above normal. Isn't that annoying? When I asked what that meant for me, the doctor said that though he's not too concerned, he'd like me to do the 3 hour test just to be sure. ACK gag me. That's going to suck big hairy ones. He says that while he thinks there's only a 5 to 10% chance that it's actually gestational diabetes, with my PCOS history and the fact that my level jumped from 86 last time to 131 this time, he'd like to err on the side of caution. He seemed genuinely regretful about it though. He also said that even if it is GD, that we could manage such a mild case with diet alone. So I know there are a lot worse things. In fact, I've been through a lot worse things. It's just that I so hate that test, so I'm bummed about it. I keep thinking that if I just hadn't eaten as late as I did the night before, or eaten better or something like that, that I would have passed it and wouldn't have to do this bullshit. Oh well. There is a LOT to be thankful for without dwelling on that.
So the GOOD news is that the doctor thought my weight gain "fabulous." Who can figure these guys out? He said I'm on track to gain a total of about 30 pounds, and he's completely comfortable with that. OK. That was a nice surprise. Thank goodness, because he might have made me cry otherwise. That's not too difficult to accomplish these days. He said that I look fabulous and that again, this pregnancy is progressing beautifully. He's generally quite the cheerleader.
My sciatica has been getting much much worse. It's now on both sides, but the right side is horrible. I overdid it with the in-laws for 2 weekends and then overdid it at work the day before yesterday. That night I had some of the worst pain I've had. It was horrible trying to sleep. Tylenol barely touches it, and sleeping on my sides makes it hurt more. Lovely. When I brought this up with him, his attitude was pretty much that he knew it was going to happen because I'm small, and that there's not much I can do about it. He suggested sleeping in a recliner - which for us means buying a recliner. I know it's a really good idea, it's just that with all the expenses we have coming in lately, I don't want to have to do that. But I guess my continuing to work is a bigger issue than spending a few hundred dollars. Because if this problem gets much worse, I may have to ask for light duty. And if they can't accommodate that, they'll put me on maternity leave early. bleh. So perhaps we'll be on the lookout. If you've heard any good deals with a decent, but not expensive, fancy chair, please pass it along.
And lastly - the very best news of all - I have my prenatal massage today that the Hub so kindly gave me as a birthday gift! Maybe she can work on those stubborn nerves and muscles!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Weighing In
Well, I'm now up to the 25 pound total weight gain my doctor wanted to see by the time I delivered... except that I'm only at the 29 week mark. That means I gained four pounds in 2 weeks. I am not excited to be weighed at this week's appointment. I'm sure he's going to have a few things to say. I wouldn't have anxiety about it at all if it weren't for the big weigh in and lecture crap. That's the only thing that bothers me about my otherwise perfection of an obgyn.
Send me happy thoughts please.
Send me happy thoughts please.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Breast Pump Help (Again)
I called my hospital about this, and they gave me an answer, but I'm not sure I remember it all correctly. So rather than call them again, I thought I'd ask all of you bright people. I think my hospital says they carry Ameda and Medela breast pumps to show their new moms. Now since they carry both of those, would you get the attachment stuff for free to take home with you from one of them? You know, like the suction thingies and tubes. Yes I am very technical. I was mistaken in some of my info on my first call, so I didn't remember what I needed to know correctly.
Thanks peeps!
Thanks peeps!
Bribery Already
Dear Babybutt,
I love you lots and lots. Do you think maybe you could not bounce so much on my bladder and kick where it hurts when I'm trying to sleep? If you could do that, I'll try to be more generous in my cookie portioning later when you're on the "outside."
Love,
Mama
I love you lots and lots. Do you think maybe you could not bounce so much on my bladder and kick where it hurts when I'm trying to sleep? If you could do that, I'll try to be more generous in my cookie portioning later when you're on the "outside."
Love,
Mama
Friday, October 16, 2009
Last night Hub loaded the dishwasher just to be nice. I was going to do it, but I was so tired after my sojourn of the day that I kept dragging my feet. He just got up and did it. Then he eagerly dragged my clothes out to the washroom for me to do, because he was afraid he'd forget otherwise. Those of you who know him know that that's a HUGE deal because he usually waits until the last minute and forgets stuff like that.
And finally, when he crawled into bed he hugged me and said, "You know I just don't love you right? I also LIKE you a lot. You're my favorite person." It was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment, and we had a very productive, brief conversation.
Lots to be thankful for today.
And finally, when he crawled into bed he hugged me and said, "You know I just don't love you right? I also LIKE you a lot. You're my favorite person." It was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment, and we had a very productive, brief conversation.
Lots to be thankful for today.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Big Day
Today I felt like a character in one of those children's books. You know the ones. They have titles like, "Suzy's Big Day Out!" or "Sammy's Zoo Adventure!" But mine would have been titled, "Barb's Big Day Out that Would Have Been Bigger Had She Not Been Stymied at Every Turn!" Too long? I'll have to work on it.
In any case, here's how today went. First I woke up at 7am to head out for the wonderful glucose tolerance test. I had imagined it was the two hour, but nope! It was the one hour! Huzzah! That was a wonderful gift to a tired, hungry, pregnant lady. I guess this gift came with caveats though, seeing as it's still the dreaded sugar-sludge-chugged-in-under-5-minutes-prisoner-for-an-hour-before-bloodletting crappy test that it always is. I have very high hopes of passing it. It feels weird to trust my body at this late stage, but I believe I'm starting to do just that.
After that I wolfed down the first breakfast I could find and then collapsed for a nap before getting ready to head to our hospital for pre-registration! I am quite excited about our beautiful hospital and had only seen it from afar and on the website before today. It's exclusively for women and babies and has pretty much everything you could want for delivery and infant care. And all rooms are private! My excitement waned some this afternoon though when I came upon rain and 2 accidents on the interstate - never a good thing. It took me almost 2 hours to drive the 13 miles necessary.
When I got to the hospital parking garage, what I had thought was a $5 bill in my wallet turned out to be two ones. I told the attendant I'd just turn around, but then he asked how much I had. I told him $2.50. He told me it would be silly to turn around and to just give him the money. I thought this was a very gracious gesture on his part before he handed me the stub that said "$1 Parking Pass." Upon reflection I came to the conclusion that the arrangement was perhaps more beneficial to him than I had thought. If he gave me a $1 parking pass, and I gave him $2.50.... Well, I imagine you can put 2 and 2 together. Oh well. He could probably use the money, and I still saved $1.50 on parking, so all benefit.*
The hospital itself is beautiful. There is a waterfall people - and lots of glass. The lobby is gleaming, and the staff are almost frighteningly pretty. I was directed to admissions for my paperwork. It was sobering to fill out information about my son. My son. I was feeling very sentimental of course. Then the mobile NICU went by with lights flashing, and the thought of someone's precious baby in there almost made me cry. Of course the crying is pretty frequent these days.
When I took the forms back to the desk, they handed me a buzzer like you get at restaurants. Weird. Has anyone else had these? I was glad of its portability though because by this time, I had not used a restroom in over 2 hours.** Even the restroom was fancy. Something that tickled my funny bone was the sink set up. There were no real sinks. There was a slab of frosted glass a few feet across that angled to a trough. The faucets were positioned above the trough at the back of the slab. I thought to myself, "How fancy!" before leaning over to wash my hands. I often forget that my belly doesn't clear things like it used to. I had to chuckle as I huffed and oomphed leaning into that damn glass to reach the faucets. The cleaning lady chuckled with me too when I said, "This sure is pretty, but they weren't thinking much about the patients here when they designed it!"
When my buzzer rang... "Please return to the admissions desk at this time. Thank you!" I was directed to a little office where a woman sat to sign a bunch of consent forms. I can't imagine doing all this while in labor. If you can pre-register, do it!
I signed a bunch pertaining to my health and care, and then she handed me a set of what looked to be identical forms. "These are for the baby," she said at my quizzical look. I initialed and signed and then came to the part that says, "relationship." At this she said, "Now instead of self, you write Mother," and gave me a warm look. Wow. That almost did me in. I'm signing for my baby. I'm signing for another human being's welfare. I am responsible for another human's life. My face got warm and my eyes burned. My chest felt light and full at the same time. Our baby. It doesn't get better than that.***
*Well, except perhaps the hospital coffers, but I think they're getting enough from me and my insurance company. What they don't know won't hurt them.
**Not an acceptable amount of time even when I wasn't pregnant.
***And indeed it didn't as my next adventure involved trying to find some maternity shirts that fit as I'm rapidly running out again. It's hard to do regular large shirts anymore due to the damn bazoombas. I wanted some dresses. Yeah right. Out of 10 try on items, I found 2 that were ok. (Mainly because they were so cheap). Then I drove home through yet MORE awful traffic, and this trip took me 50 minutes. I guess it was an improvement over 2 hours.
P.S. The hospital cafe is AWESOME
In any case, here's how today went. First I woke up at 7am to head out for the wonderful glucose tolerance test. I had imagined it was the two hour, but nope! It was the one hour! Huzzah! That was a wonderful gift to a tired, hungry, pregnant lady. I guess this gift came with caveats though, seeing as it's still the dreaded sugar-sludge-chugged-in-under-5-minutes-prisoner-for-an-hour-before-bloodletting crappy test that it always is. I have very high hopes of passing it. It feels weird to trust my body at this late stage, but I believe I'm starting to do just that.
After that I wolfed down the first breakfast I could find and then collapsed for a nap before getting ready to head to our hospital for pre-registration! I am quite excited about our beautiful hospital and had only seen it from afar and on the website before today. It's exclusively for women and babies and has pretty much everything you could want for delivery and infant care. And all rooms are private! My excitement waned some this afternoon though when I came upon rain and 2 accidents on the interstate - never a good thing. It took me almost 2 hours to drive the 13 miles necessary.
When I got to the hospital parking garage, what I had thought was a $5 bill in my wallet turned out to be two ones. I told the attendant I'd just turn around, but then he asked how much I had. I told him $2.50. He told me it would be silly to turn around and to just give him the money. I thought this was a very gracious gesture on his part before he handed me the stub that said "$1 Parking Pass." Upon reflection I came to the conclusion that the arrangement was perhaps more beneficial to him than I had thought. If he gave me a $1 parking pass, and I gave him $2.50.... Well, I imagine you can put 2 and 2 together. Oh well. He could probably use the money, and I still saved $1.50 on parking, so all benefit.*
The hospital itself is beautiful. There is a waterfall people - and lots of glass. The lobby is gleaming, and the staff are almost frighteningly pretty. I was directed to admissions for my paperwork. It was sobering to fill out information about my son. My son. I was feeling very sentimental of course. Then the mobile NICU went by with lights flashing, and the thought of someone's precious baby in there almost made me cry. Of course the crying is pretty frequent these days.
When I took the forms back to the desk, they handed me a buzzer like you get at restaurants. Weird. Has anyone else had these? I was glad of its portability though because by this time, I had not used a restroom in over 2 hours.** Even the restroom was fancy. Something that tickled my funny bone was the sink set up. There were no real sinks. There was a slab of frosted glass a few feet across that angled to a trough. The faucets were positioned above the trough at the back of the slab. I thought to myself, "How fancy!" before leaning over to wash my hands. I often forget that my belly doesn't clear things like it used to. I had to chuckle as I huffed and oomphed leaning into that damn glass to reach the faucets. The cleaning lady chuckled with me too when I said, "This sure is pretty, but they weren't thinking much about the patients here when they designed it!"
When my buzzer rang... "Please return to the admissions desk at this time. Thank you!" I was directed to a little office where a woman sat to sign a bunch of consent forms. I can't imagine doing all this while in labor. If you can pre-register, do it!
I signed a bunch pertaining to my health and care, and then she handed me a set of what looked to be identical forms. "These are for the baby," she said at my quizzical look. I initialed and signed and then came to the part that says, "relationship." At this she said, "Now instead of self, you write Mother," and gave me a warm look. Wow. That almost did me in. I'm signing for my baby. I'm signing for another human being's welfare. I am responsible for another human's life. My face got warm and my eyes burned. My chest felt light and full at the same time. Our baby. It doesn't get better than that.***
_______________________________________________________
*Well, except perhaps the hospital coffers, but I think they're getting enough from me and my insurance company. What they don't know won't hurt them.
**Not an acceptable amount of time even when I wasn't pregnant.
***And indeed it didn't as my next adventure involved trying to find some maternity shirts that fit as I'm rapidly running out again. It's hard to do regular large shirts anymore due to the damn bazoombas. I wanted some dresses. Yeah right. Out of 10 try on items, I found 2 that were ok. (Mainly because they were so cheap). Then I drove home through yet MORE awful traffic, and this trip took me 50 minutes. I guess it was an improvement over 2 hours.
P.S. The hospital cafe is AWESOME
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Seven Months Photo
You all have convinced me you won't be horrified, so I'm posting my 7 mos photo. It's just so different from even 2 weeks ago!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Seven Months!
Oh my goodness gracious, this is really going to happen! We're so close now, and I'm starting to feel frantic about getting things done! Once his nursery is in place, and we have a better grip on where the hospital is etc, I think I'll feel better. I may have to take up some people on their offers of help. For those of you I know who may wonder why I've been turning down social engagements... well this is part of it. I feel like I need every weekend to get this stuff done. And Hub is always so busy, I just get snippets of his time. OK. If I don't stop, I'll work myself into a tizzy.
So to honor the seven months, I have a moment I'd like to always remember from the little one.
When I hunker down to do something, the babybutt often starts rumbling around a little. Then he taps me lightly a few times.. then a few times more. I always feel like he's saying in a sweet little voice, "Um. Mom? Excuse me. Excuse me? But I'm feeling a little scrunched in here. Have you noticed? Hello?" Then the taps will become a little harder and a little more frequent. "OK Mom. Seriously. This isn't comfortable. Do you think you could maybe move?" Then there are a few actual pops and rolls. "All right. I'm sorry to say this, but if you don't move soon, I'm going to have to be a bit more insistent. I mean it!" And then finally come the kicks and rolls that startle an "OOF!" out of me. It really cracks me up every time I feel it and imagine the little scenario in my head. I don't do it on purpose. Sometimes I have to be hunkered like I am for a particular task. But man does he not appreciate that. As I've said before, that is just NOT acceptable.
And here are some nice Hub quotes from last night:
"I love your pregnant belly!"
"I missed you so so so much!"
"I can't wait to meet the baby. He's going to be so cute!"
(In response to my discomfort when getting in bed...) "Aaaaaw. Baby. I'm sorry."
Photo to come, but I feel like I look enormous in it. And even though the doctor declares me right on target, I'm starting to feel a bit insecure from all the "You're enormous!" comments. It makes me hesitant to post photos.
So to honor the seven months, I have a moment I'd like to always remember from the little one.
When I hunker down to do something, the babybutt often starts rumbling around a little. Then he taps me lightly a few times.. then a few times more. I always feel like he's saying in a sweet little voice, "Um. Mom? Excuse me. Excuse me? But I'm feeling a little scrunched in here. Have you noticed? Hello?" Then the taps will become a little harder and a little more frequent. "OK Mom. Seriously. This isn't comfortable. Do you think you could maybe move?" Then there are a few actual pops and rolls. "All right. I'm sorry to say this, but if you don't move soon, I'm going to have to be a bit more insistent. I mean it!" And then finally come the kicks and rolls that startle an "OOF!" out of me. It really cracks me up every time I feel it and imagine the little scenario in my head. I don't do it on purpose. Sometimes I have to be hunkered like I am for a particular task. But man does he not appreciate that. As I've said before, that is just NOT acceptable.
And here are some nice Hub quotes from last night:
"I love your pregnant belly!"
"I missed you so so so much!"
"I can't wait to meet the baby. He's going to be so cute!"
(In response to my discomfort when getting in bed...) "Aaaaaw. Baby. I'm sorry."
Photo to come, but I feel like I look enormous in it. And even though the doctor declares me right on target, I'm starting to feel a bit insecure from all the "You're enormous!" comments. It makes me hesitant to post photos.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Your Ideas, Thoughts, Help?
OK. I need help again. Sleeping is becoming a not fun exercise. The sciatica is getting worse on the right side and moving up into my lower back. My belly is uncomfortable much of the time too. And even when I get those things situated, then my neck hurts. Does anyone have any recommendations, ideas, etc for sleeping better? I have lots of pillows, a body pillow, a foam thingy on the bed and a pregnancy wedge which I find too hard for under my belly. I personally favor the sleeping for a while, getting up and then going back to sleep later, but that doesn't work so well when you're working...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Grateful
I've been feeling pretty good the past few days. And babybutt is a crazy crazy little man. I'm grateful for that! I'm also deciding to post how I'm grateful for my husband. See the why here at Jen's.
Today I'm grateful for the fact that Hub has been so nice every time I talk to him on the phone about what his family is up to. I'm grateful that he seems appreciative and grateful for what I'm doing now and have done for our home. I'll have better ones as soon as I see him more, I'm sure.
Today I'm grateful for the fact that Hub has been so nice every time I talk to him on the phone about what his family is up to. I'm grateful that he seems appreciative and grateful for what I'm doing now and have done for our home. I'll have better ones as soon as I see him more, I'm sure.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Emotional
I would like to blog about how I went to an Aveda open house and got a free 5 minute massage, a hand scrub and massage, make-up consult and some yummy finger food. I would also like to blog about how nice it is to have a good friend with which to do that, and how I booked a hair AND massage appointment with the wonderful massage therapist I met there.
That's what I would like to feel like talking about. Instead, I'm so focused on negative shit. I find myself so very sensitive to criticism lately. It's been difficult. Sometimes even the slightest criticism makes me want sit in my room and mope. The crying is frequent. Yes I am normally an emotional girl, but this is ridiculous. Negative comments, no matter how nicely worded, on the condition of my house, my looks, my hair (of course happened at the salon), my thoughts, my husband... all of it either makes me anxious or depressed. One of the big triggers right now is I've just grown out of a bunch more clothes and am not looking nice again in the wardrobe department. It's especially bad if I think I've made a lot of progress in one area or another and then someone casually comments on how bad it is. Then it's so much worse because I was proud of myself. What the Hell? I know it's hormones, but it's still so difficult. I'm seriously thinking of just becoming a hermit for the rest of this pregnancy. Or at the very least, I'm considering not having most people over to the house ever again.... unless perhaps they sign a contract that only permits them to say shiny happy things while here. I was always self conscious about the condition of my house in a cleanliness sense and in a "it's not finished" sense, but it's gotten a million times worse now. I'm so insecure about the fact that it's not yet in any way a finished product. But at the same time, we've just gotten the money to start doing that stuff, and it really is coming along! AAAAAAAAAHH.
All of this, and the in-laws are coming tomorrow. And I will be alone with them a lot. And MIL has promised to "get information" from me on Hub that he won't give to her. And yes again, this is the same MIL who said my arms and face were looking fat, not just pregnant.* Internets - please be nice to me the next few days... or maybe weeks... or months?
*Amongst many other issues on which I'm sure she'll have more commentary.
That's what I would like to feel like talking about. Instead, I'm so focused on negative shit. I find myself so very sensitive to criticism lately. It's been difficult. Sometimes even the slightest criticism makes me want sit in my room and mope. The crying is frequent. Yes I am normally an emotional girl, but this is ridiculous. Negative comments, no matter how nicely worded, on the condition of my house, my looks, my hair (of course happened at the salon), my thoughts, my husband... all of it either makes me anxious or depressed. One of the big triggers right now is I've just grown out of a bunch more clothes and am not looking nice again in the wardrobe department. It's especially bad if I think I've made a lot of progress in one area or another and then someone casually comments on how bad it is. Then it's so much worse because I was proud of myself. What the Hell? I know it's hormones, but it's still so difficult. I'm seriously thinking of just becoming a hermit for the rest of this pregnancy. Or at the very least, I'm considering not having most people over to the house ever again.... unless perhaps they sign a contract that only permits them to say shiny happy things while here. I was always self conscious about the condition of my house in a cleanliness sense and in a "it's not finished" sense, but it's gotten a million times worse now. I'm so insecure about the fact that it's not yet in any way a finished product. But at the same time, we've just gotten the money to start doing that stuff, and it really is coming along! AAAAAAAAAHH.
All of this, and the in-laws are coming tomorrow. And I will be alone with them a lot. And MIL has promised to "get information" from me on Hub that he won't give to her. And yes again, this is the same MIL who said my arms and face were looking fat, not just pregnant.* Internets - please be nice to me the next few days... or maybe weeks... or months?
*Amongst many other issues on which I'm sure she'll have more commentary.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Kermit Had it Right
In an emergency run for allergy medication for Hub:
A Wal-Mart cashier goes to put my 3 items - a bag of chips and two small bottles of medicine - in one of those annoying plastic bags.
Me: Oh, don't worry. I don't need a bag. I'll just carry them.
Her (still putting them in the bag): Are you sure? You need one.
Me: No I don't. I'll just put these in my purse and carry the chips.
Her: But they like you to have a bag!
Me: I'm sorry. I'll just tell them I told you not to give me one if they ask. (I never asked who "they" were.)
Her: But they might ask for proof when you exit!
Me: Yes. That's ok. I'll just show them.
Her: But they'll ask for your receipt I mean!
Me: Yes. That's what I'll show them. I'm ok with that.
Her: Are you SURE?
Me (exasperated but calm look): I'm SURE. These bags are a waste.
Her: No! They can be so useful!
At that point I cut eye contact and moved quickly away. These are the same people that often also look at me like I'm crazy when I have my own bags and then get all huffy about not wanting to pack them and watch me while I do so. Whatever. Sometimes we're so backward here. By the way - "they" didn't want to see my receipt even when I offered.
A Wal-Mart cashier goes to put my 3 items - a bag of chips and two small bottles of medicine - in one of those annoying plastic bags.
Me: Oh, don't worry. I don't need a bag. I'll just carry them.
Her (still putting them in the bag): Are you sure? You need one.
Me: No I don't. I'll just put these in my purse and carry the chips.
Her: But they like you to have a bag!
Me: I'm sorry. I'll just tell them I told you not to give me one if they ask. (I never asked who "they" were.)
Her: But they might ask for proof when you exit!
Me: Yes. That's ok. I'll just show them.
Her: But they'll ask for your receipt I mean!
Me: Yes. That's what I'll show them. I'm ok with that.
Her: Are you SURE?
Me (exasperated but calm look): I'm SURE. These bags are a waste.
Her: No! They can be so useful!
At that point I cut eye contact and moved quickly away. These are the same people that often also look at me like I'm crazy when I have my own bags and then get all huffy about not wanting to pack them and watch me while I do so. Whatever. Sometimes we're so backward here. By the way - "they" didn't want to see my receipt even when I offered.
Climbing that Hill...
I am now 32 years old. What a sobering thought! I'm quite glad I'm this young, but at the same time, I'm bothered that I'm this old. Does that make any sense?
In any case, I had a lovely birthday. Hub bought me some beautiful gifts including a prenatal massage! WOOOOOOOO! I could really use that now seeing as my back, shoulders, neck, feet and calves are really starting to feel it. I don't know if it will help the sciatica or not, but that would be a bonus!
I got other wonderful gifts too and had delicious food. Then Hub spent most of the night with me instead of working. I told him that was his plan all along. He just wanted to get me used to not spending much time with him so that I'd be so grateful when he could that it would seem extra special and would be an easy Barb pleaser! Half kidding.
The only downside to the food thing? Apparently the nausea is back. It's not really as bad as the first trimester nausea, but I have that same sour taste in my mouth, and food doesn't taste quite right or quite satisfy. It fills the angry gaping void that is my stomach, but the type of thing I eat is quite important to my feeling of well being afterward. On top of that, there isn't much room in there anymore, and eating is getting more difficult. Babybutt likes to kick the heck out of that area as well. Lots going on in the gastronomical world of Barb!
In any case, I had a lovely birthday. Hub bought me some beautiful gifts including a prenatal massage! WOOOOOOOO! I could really use that now seeing as my back, shoulders, neck, feet and calves are really starting to feel it. I don't know if it will help the sciatica or not, but that would be a bonus!
I got other wonderful gifts too and had delicious food. Then Hub spent most of the night with me instead of working. I told him that was his plan all along. He just wanted to get me used to not spending much time with him so that I'd be so grateful when he could that it would seem extra special and would be an easy Barb pleaser! Half kidding.
The only downside to the food thing? Apparently the nausea is back. It's not really as bad as the first trimester nausea, but I have that same sour taste in my mouth, and food doesn't taste quite right or quite satisfy. It fills the angry gaping void that is my stomach, but the type of thing I eat is quite important to my feeling of well being afterward. On top of that, there isn't much room in there anymore, and eating is getting more difficult. Babybutt likes to kick the heck out of that area as well. Lots going on in the gastronomical world of Barb!
Monday, October 5, 2009
But I'm the PRINCESS*
When we found out the babybutt was a boy, I went through that inevitable "What do I do with a boy? I don't know as much about boys as I do about girls! Is it going to be difficult?" It took me about half a day to adjust before it felt like the most wonderful thing in the world. But then I still occasionally thought about specific things that crop up with a boy that worried me: circumcision, activity level, playground fights, adolescence. But now I've moved to a really fun place. My fun place now is, "Won't it be awesome to be the princess of my household?"
I can really be the girl here even though I'm half tomboy. We've got 2 male pets, the Hub and the little baby boy. I rule. ;-)
*Name the movie from which I snagged that line.
I can really be the girl here even though I'm half tomboy. We've got 2 male pets, the Hub and the little baby boy. I rule. ;-)
*Name the movie from which I snagged that line.
An Email from Baby to My Sister
Hi Auntie!
Mommy doesn't feel very good this morning so she stayed home from work. I think she blames me because every time I get a growth spurt she gets really tired, hungry, emotional and achy. But I don't know what's going on! I just get really really active! I'm a very kicky baby. Oh, and I like to roll, punch, push and squirm too! It's so much fun. I HATE when Mom sits still. It's already so boring in here! Sitting still is the pits! Do you think I could come play with my cousins? I think they would like to not sit still with me.
I think it's going to be really fun to not only look like my Daddy, but to have his hyperactivity levels too! I guess we're going to play a lot. That way Mommy can sleep. She likes it when I kick, but she says she's worried about "keeping up with me." Whatever does she mean?
Anyway, I just thought I'd introduce myself. Come see me when you can. I'm already cute.
Love,
Probably some Celtic type name that Mom and Dad have not decided.*
*And probably won't completely decide until birth
Mommy doesn't feel very good this morning so she stayed home from work. I think she blames me because every time I get a growth spurt she gets really tired, hungry, emotional and achy. But I don't know what's going on! I just get really really active! I'm a very kicky baby. Oh, and I like to roll, punch, push and squirm too! It's so much fun. I HATE when Mom sits still. It's already so boring in here! Sitting still is the pits! Do you think I could come play with my cousins? I think they would like to not sit still with me.
I think it's going to be really fun to not only look like my Daddy, but to have his hyperactivity levels too! I guess we're going to play a lot. That way Mommy can sleep. She likes it when I kick, but she says she's worried about "keeping up with me." Whatever does she mean?
Anyway, I just thought I'd introduce myself. Come see me when you can. I'm already cute.
Love,
Probably some Celtic type name that Mom and Dad have not decided.*
*And probably won't completely decide until birth
Adoption Support Information
The AFA recently sent this one of their mailings. I thought it sounded like a wonderful support idea. If we were doing adoption right now, I'd be on that phone! So much of it seems to hard to navigate to me. Hopefully if we do decide (we're taking it one day at a time here.. Hub especially) to adopt, they'll offer something like this again around that time. The only thing is, we're really only considering State adoption. Is that covered here? It seems to me that there is so much less on that method until you actually start going through the process. Then the State itself seems to offer a lot. But it bothers me that you don't see it much anywhere else.
During this one hour conference call you will have the opportunity to get clear information on:
**Information courtesy of the American Fertility Association.
Considering Adoption: A Free Phone Coaching Support Group
Tuesday, October 13th
This telephone coaching support group is for couples and individuals who are exploring the possibility and "how to's" of building a family via adoption.
During this one hour conference call you will have the opportunity to get clear information on:- Adoption practices and domestic/international adoption option
- Exploring the myths and challenges of domestic and international adoption
- Considering which options may be right for you
- Learning about the role of birthparents in the adoption process.
You will receive professional and peer support as you consider and learn about the adoption option.
WHEN: Tuesday October 13, 2009
TIME: 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM, EST
FACILITORS: Bob Bamman, LCSW and Carolyn Berger, LCSW
TIME: 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM, EST
FACILITORS: Bob Bamman, LCSW and Carolyn Berger, LCSW
COST: FREE!
For further information, please contact:
Bob Bamman, LCSW - Email BobBmmn@aol.com or call 646-872-9032
Carolyn Berger, LCSW - Email cnberger@optonline.net or call 914-834-6396
Bob Bamman, LCSW - Email BobBmmn@aol.com or call 646-872-9032
Carolyn Berger, LCSW - Email cnberger@optonline.net or call 914-834-6396
**Information courtesy of the American Fertility Association.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
This Weekend in Good and Bad
Good:
Ikea
Jen
Elizabeth
Calliope
W
Outlets
Tijuana Flats
Cooler weather
Paying someone to trim the bushes (yes.. actual bushes.)
Busy busy baby
Pretty necklace purchase
Bad:
Cooler weather teasing us
Arguments
Insecurity
Depression coming off and on (making it harder to appreciate the busy busy baby)
Anxiety
Workload
Fatigue
Horrible, aggressive, stupid drivers
Money worries
Messy house
The End.
Ikea
Jen
Elizabeth
Calliope
W
Outlets
Tijuana Flats
Cooler weather
Paying someone to trim the bushes (yes.. actual bushes.)
Busy busy baby
Pretty necklace purchase
Bad:
Cooler weather teasing us
Arguments
Insecurity
Depression coming off and on (making it harder to appreciate the busy busy baby)
Anxiety
Workload
Fatigue
Horrible, aggressive, stupid drivers
Money worries
Messy house
The End.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Sometimes it's just like you thought it would be...
May be a non-read for current IFers....
All the books say your baby is supposed to respond to this or that. He's not moving? Try a flashlight, or something cold, or push on your belly, or drink something quickly and many more suggestions. But none of it seems to phase this kid. I swear he's in there saying, "Cool! Finally something different to experience!" He hasn't even had any startle responses to some of the loud noises I've been around. Don't get me wrong. He's VERY active. I was just starting to wonder about his response to stimuli. Although I guess he doesn't like to be scrunched. I know that only too well.
In fact, lots of stimuli seem to make him stop moving. Something that is always sure to work is for Hub to come in to see movement or to put his hand on my belly. He's gotten to feel the baby, but only when he's really on the go and doesn't seem to want to slow down. Otherwise, Hub's hand goes down, baby stills. It's like clockwork. He even seems to sense his eyes on my belly. We had found though that Hub could make him wriggle slowly be rubbing just below my belly button. It was almost like a purr to me, though too light for Hub to feel. Then tonight, Hub tried talking to him gently and sweetly in that same spot, with his lips right on my belly. And success! Hub finally doesn't feel like such a pariah. Baby pushed on that spot or kicked lightly every time he spoke. It was lovely.
Sometime I want to write a post concerning MY truths about pregnancy... much in the vein of how Farah is so open and honest about the things she experiences, I want to talk about what I found to be true for me and not so true - the horrible and the wonderful. But this - this right here is exactly one of the things that make it all worth it and that is as perfect as I had hoped.
All the books say your baby is supposed to respond to this or that. He's not moving? Try a flashlight, or something cold, or push on your belly, or drink something quickly and many more suggestions. But none of it seems to phase this kid. I swear he's in there saying, "Cool! Finally something different to experience!" He hasn't even had any startle responses to some of the loud noises I've been around. Don't get me wrong. He's VERY active. I was just starting to wonder about his response to stimuli. Although I guess he doesn't like to be scrunched. I know that only too well.
In fact, lots of stimuli seem to make him stop moving. Something that is always sure to work is for Hub to come in to see movement or to put his hand on my belly. He's gotten to feel the baby, but only when he's really on the go and doesn't seem to want to slow down. Otherwise, Hub's hand goes down, baby stills. It's like clockwork. He even seems to sense his eyes on my belly. We had found though that Hub could make him wriggle slowly be rubbing just below my belly button. It was almost like a purr to me, though too light for Hub to feel. Then tonight, Hub tried talking to him gently and sweetly in that same spot, with his lips right on my belly. And success! Hub finally doesn't feel like such a pariah. Baby pushed on that spot or kicked lightly every time he spoke. It was lovely.
Sometime I want to write a post concerning MY truths about pregnancy... much in the vein of how Farah is so open and honest about the things she experiences, I want to talk about what I found to be true for me and not so true - the horrible and the wonderful. But this - this right here is exactly one of the things that make it all worth it and that is as perfect as I had hoped.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
