Looking for sandals that might hide my swollen ankles. Love these, all from Piperlime. But will my swollen ankles fit in them?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
29 Weeks
My little butternut squash weighs approximately 2.5 pounds now. She is very active, moving and kicking throughout the day and night. When she really gets going, my belly will shift and change shape to accommodate her position. I tried to film this last night with the camcorder, but as soon as I started recording, she got stage fright and stopped moving. 1 minute later, when the camcorder battery died, she went right back to her antics. Little stinker.
I've been exhausted this week. I'm not sure if it's this lingering cold I'm still fighting, or the stressful work week I've had, or the effects of third trimester pregnancy, but at the end of the day, I'm plum wore out. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that this is just a phase, just a bad week, because I'm officially in my third and final trimester and there is still much to be done to prepare for baby's arrival.
When I went for my prenatal appointment two weeks ago, I was tested for gestational diabetes. I had to drink an orange-flavored sugary liquid and wait one hour to have blood drawn. I'd heard horror stories about how nasty the drink would be and how awful this test was, but the worst part? The worst part was the video I had to watch during my one hour wait. It was an interactive sort of thing, and I was prompted to answer a number of questions, like--
Have you taken childbirth classes?
Have you contacted the hospital where you plan to have your baby and made the necessary arrangements?
Have you discussed your birthing plans with your doctor?
Have you selected a pediatrician to look after your baby?
Have you talked about having or not having more children with your doctor?
Have you discussed eating and drinking during labor with your doctor?
No. No. No. No. No. No.
And no, the nursery isn't finished, the crib is still in pieces, I haven't registered at the hospital, I don't know anything about filing for short-term disability, I haven't asked about suspending my gym membership, I haven't bought nursing bras, or packed my hospital bag, or prepared and frozen any meals for later. Baby still doesn't have a mattress! I haven't washed her clothes! I've only bought one pack of diapers! And April is almost over, and then it's May, and then it's June, and THEN - THEN IT'S JULY 2ND.
Okay, perhaps I'm getting carried away, but it does seem like there is an awful lot to do in the last leg of this journey. And since my company doesn't offer maternity leave, and I can't file for short-term disability until after I deliver the baby, I'll be working right up until I go into labor.
I've been exhausted this week. I'm not sure if it's this lingering cold I'm still fighting, or the stressful work week I've had, or the effects of third trimester pregnancy, but at the end of the day, I'm plum wore out. I'm crossing my fingers and toes that this is just a phase, just a bad week, because I'm officially in my third and final trimester and there is still much to be done to prepare for baby's arrival.
When I went for my prenatal appointment two weeks ago, I was tested for gestational diabetes. I had to drink an orange-flavored sugary liquid and wait one hour to have blood drawn. I'd heard horror stories about how nasty the drink would be and how awful this test was, but the worst part? The worst part was the video I had to watch during my one hour wait. It was an interactive sort of thing, and I was prompted to answer a number of questions, like--
Have you taken childbirth classes?
Have you contacted the hospital where you plan to have your baby and made the necessary arrangements?
Have you discussed your birthing plans with your doctor?
Have you selected a pediatrician to look after your baby?
Have you talked about having or not having more children with your doctor?
Have you discussed eating and drinking during labor with your doctor?
No. No. No. No. No. No.
And no, the nursery isn't finished, the crib is still in pieces, I haven't registered at the hospital, I don't know anything about filing for short-term disability, I haven't asked about suspending my gym membership, I haven't bought nursing bras, or packed my hospital bag, or prepared and frozen any meals for later. Baby still doesn't have a mattress! I haven't washed her clothes! I've only bought one pack of diapers! And April is almost over, and then it's May, and then it's June, and THEN - THEN IT'S JULY 2ND.
Okay, perhaps I'm getting carried away, but it does seem like there is an awful lot to do in the last leg of this journey. And since my company doesn't offer maternity leave, and I can't file for short-term disability until after I deliver the baby, I'll be working right up until I go into labor.
Still, I know that things will fall into place. There is time. And what needs to be done will be done. I'm confident that when she comes, we'll be ready for her. After all, I was ready for her before she was even conceived.
PS: I went back for another prenatal appointment this week -- I'm on the every-two-weeks-schedule now. I learned that I do not have gestational diabetes (ice cream, anyone?) and I've gained 11 pounds so far. Baby's heartbeat was strong, my blood pressure was normal, urine was normal -- all seems well.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Aspartame Shame
On Easter Sunday, our church had a cook-out after the service. I loaded my plate with all the traditional cook-out goodies, and headed off to the drink table to grab myself a soda. A diet, caffeinated soda.
Yes, you heard me.
I buy organic, all-natural, paraben and preservative-free, but I still love my diet soda. It doesn't make sense, I know. And maybe I'll give it up one day, but not today. At my first prenatal appointment, my doctor told me that caffeine and artificial sweeteners were fine in moderation, and so I moderate. At some point in my second trimester, I began to allow myself one caffeinated, artificially sweetened beverage a day. Most days, I still only drink water, so when the craving for a diet soda hits, I allow myself to indulge.
Back to the story.
I'm at the drink table, and as I pause to consider the array of beverage selections, the girl responsible for pouring the drinks asks what I'd like. I see Diet Dr. Pepper, Diet Coke, Cherry Coke Zero - all my favorites - and I'm trying to decide which one I want. And the girl who pours the drinks, she sees my pregnant belly and she says, "This one is caffeine free!" She's holding a bottle of some orange, high fructose corn syrup, un-caffeinated, caloric soda and I'm all like, uh, sure, give me that one. Because that is what this girl thinks I "should" drink, and what will she say if I ask for Diet Dr. Pepper instead???
Nothing. That's probably what she would have said. I'll never know though, because I grudgingly took the orange, high fructose corn syrup, un-caffeinated, caloric soda and drank it.
Yes, you heard me.
I buy organic, all-natural, paraben and preservative-free, but I still love my diet soda. It doesn't make sense, I know. And maybe I'll give it up one day, but not today. At my first prenatal appointment, my doctor told me that caffeine and artificial sweeteners were fine in moderation, and so I moderate. At some point in my second trimester, I began to allow myself one caffeinated, artificially sweetened beverage a day. Most days, I still only drink water, so when the craving for a diet soda hits, I allow myself to indulge.
Back to the story.
I'm at the drink table, and as I pause to consider the array of beverage selections, the girl responsible for pouring the drinks asks what I'd like. I see Diet Dr. Pepper, Diet Coke, Cherry Coke Zero - all my favorites - and I'm trying to decide which one I want. And the girl who pours the drinks, she sees my pregnant belly and she says, "This one is caffeine free!" She's holding a bottle of some orange, high fructose corn syrup, un-caffeinated, caloric soda and I'm all like, uh, sure, give me that one. Because that is what this girl thinks I "should" drink, and what will she say if I ask for Diet Dr. Pepper instead???
Nothing. That's probably what she would have said. I'll never know though, because I grudgingly took the orange, high fructose corn syrup, un-caffeinated, caloric soda and drank it.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Nursery Wish List
I can't afford any of these things, but a girl can dream.
Friday, April 9, 2010
We have a name!
I came down with a wicked cold this week. I've been so miserable, I actually went to the doctor today. That's a big deal because I haven't been to the doctor since I went three years ago, when at the age of 22, my pediatrician told me that it was time to find myself a grown-up doctor. I made an appointment with the primary care physician my parents recommended, because they said I needed to establish myself as a patient.
At this appointment, three years ago, my new grown-up doctor asked me to identify any existing health issues or concerns. When I mentioned acne, he told me to talk to a dermatologist. When I mentioned bad period cramps, he told me to see a gynecologist. And when I hinted at some lower back pain, he said I should see a specialist about that too.
So what, I wondered, was I supposed to see this guy for?
A cold, I guess. A really, really, really bad cold.
So I went to the doctor today, and I must have been looking especially pregnant, because everyone noticed, commented, and asked The Big Three Questions:
1. When are you due?
2. Is it a boy or a girl?
3. Do you have a name picked out?
The first two questions are simple, easy. July 2nd, and it's a girl (or so they tell me). But the third question, that one is not so simple. I've already mentioned that we're not sharing the name until baby is born, but I've been reluctant to even commit to having chosen a name. Because it might change. And I'm still looking.
So today, when we got to the third question, I surprised even myself when I answered that yes, we have a name.
We have a name!
Our little girl has a name!
(I think.)
At least, there is a name that we both love. A name that we use when we're talking about and talking to our daughter. A name that just seems absolutely perfect.
So yes, we have chosen a name. It's official.
(But we're still not telling. And of course, we reserve the right to change this name if we think of something even more perfect.)
Friday, April 2, 2010
27 Weeks
Ask me about the baby, and I’ll love you forever. Also, avoid me if the thought of touching my swollen belly repulses you, because when I feel my girl kicking, I’m likely to grab the hand of a stranger, press it to my stomach and ask, “DID YOU FEEL THAT?” It’s just that it’s an incredible experience, feeling my child moving in my womb, and because I get so much pleasure out of it, I assume that others must too. But just in case they don’t, I usually resist the urge to shout out, “SHE’S MOVING! SOMEONE, GIVE ME YOUR HAND!!!”
I feel her multiple times a day. Sometimes, her kicks are so strong and repetitive, my belly jumps like there is popcorn popping in my uterus. And then sometimes, instead of kicks, I actually feel her rolling around in there, shifting, moving against me. It’s these moments that make me forget the swollen ankles, the heartburn and indigestion, the oily skin and acne. These moments are precious because they remind me that I am carrying life, that my little girl is growing, and already, I am a momma. These moments will never get old. She makes me laugh and cry. She fills me with joy. And every day, I fall more in love with my daughter.
I feel her multiple times a day. Sometimes, her kicks are so strong and repetitive, my belly jumps like there is popcorn popping in my uterus. And then sometimes, instead of kicks, I actually feel her rolling around in there, shifting, moving against me. It’s these moments that make me forget the swollen ankles, the heartburn and indigestion, the oily skin and acne. These moments are precious because they remind me that I am carrying life, that my little girl is growing, and already, I am a momma. These moments will never get old. She makes me laugh and cry. She fills me with joy. And every day, I fall more in love with my daughter.
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