Not quite sure my comfort level with the bare belly shots (ironic, seeing as how I still wear a bikini!), so not sure if they'll be bare belly in the future, but here's one for those inquiring minds!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Belly Shots: 22 Weeks!
Ok, so now that I'm really starting to show, I figured I would do belly shots every two weeks so that you can see an actual difference, not the results of too much dinner the night before :)
Not quite sure my comfort level with the bare belly shots (ironic, seeing as how I still wear a bikini!), so not sure if they'll be bare belly in the future, but here's one for those inquiring minds!
Not quite sure my comfort level with the bare belly shots (ironic, seeing as how I still wear a bikini!), so not sure if they'll be bare belly in the future, but here's one for those inquiring minds!
22 Weeks!
How your baby's growing:
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.How your life's changing:
At this point, you may find your belly becoming a hand magnet. It's perfectly okay to tell folks who touch your tummy that you'd rather they didn't. And if people are telling you that you look smaller or bigger than you should at this point, remember that each woman grows — and shows — at her own rate. What's important is that you see your practitioner for regular visits so she can make sure your baby's growth is on track.You may start to notice stretch marks on your abdomen as it expands to accommodate your growing baby. At least half of all pregnant women will develop stretch marks by the time they give birth. These small streaks of differently textured skin can range from pink to dark brown (depending on your skin color). Although they most commonly appear on your tummy, stretch marks may also show up on your buttocks, thighs, hips, and breasts. There's no proof that lotion helps prevent stretch marks, but keeping your skin moisturized may help with any itching.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Christmas.
Since a lot of my blogging friends are due right around the same time as myself, I'm wondering this: What are you all planning to do about Christmas?
Are you going to go all out with decorations and gifts for little one and each other? Our baby is due afterwards, so barring any surprises, I'm not even considering the issue of 'Baby's First Christmas'. That's an entirely separate problem! I'm just wondering how much thought you're putting into Christmas this year with a newborn due right around the holiday. We're scheduled (tentatively!!) to be induced on 12/28, so Christmas is barely a speck on my radar. I'm thinking I'll put up a tree and decorate (again, barring a massive increase in my size and ability to function), but I'm not planning on doing any Christmas shopping or gift-exchanging with anyone other than my SO (sort of a last pre-baby focus on 'us' gift). I'd much rather have that extra cash for my massive end-of-year hospital bill (Merry Christmas to us!), and any needs we didn't foresee (maybe my breasts will actually grow and I'll need to finally buy new bras?! Please. God.)...is that selfish?
Note: I definitely am not expecting anyone to be buying us Christmas gifts - we're already getting the best gift of all!
Vivienne?!
While Ava remains my number one choice for the baby's name, lately I've really become enamored with Vivienne. I hate the 'an' spelling (Vivian), but love the name. I'd ask for thoughts, but honestly, that opens up a door I'm not particularly interested in opening to very many people, so the only one whose thoughts I care about are D's!
For a middle name, I'm still loving Elizabeth, but also like Grace, since Vivienne Elizabeth might be a mouthful! Hopefully we'll be making some sort of decision soon!
Pain.
When I found out I was pregnant, and for the years and years beforehand that I worked around pregnant women and imagined what my own pregnancy would be like, I immediately thought of the pain of labor. I NEVER in my wildest dreams considered the fact that pregnant in and of itself would be painful, and yet, it can be and currently is. Almost intolerably so.
Now before you start calling me a whiner (amongst other, less blog-appropriate things), I'll elaborate a bit. I expected the backaches, though not quite to this extent. I expected my feet to hurt from supporting the extra weight and my newly-shifted center of gravity. What I did NOT expect, however, was my left wrist to become almost unusable for weeks on end. Two years ago, in the summer of 2007 when it rained and rained and rained all summer long, I broke my wrist. Lame story, right? Well, how about this. I slipped at the Barton Creek Greenbelt (a fantastic summer spot, btw), and broke my left wrist while breaking my fall. Having consumed a bit of alcohol I brushed the injury aside, had a bit stronger of a drink, and didn't bother shuttling myself over to an ER until it became two to three times it's normal size a couple days later. See? I'm not a huge wimp after all! While that incident alone wouldn't really stand out from any other broken bone stories, four weeks to the day later (and incidentally the same day I got my little makeshift cast off), I slipped again on some wet outside stairs and BROKE IT AGAIN. No joke. The doctor even recognized me at the ER. I explained to her that she was not, in fact, having a deja vu, but that yes, I'd been there before. That same month. With the SAME issue. I'm pretty sure she thought I was a junkie, since that's far more likely than the concept that I'm actually dumb enough to have the same injury twice in one month to the same exact bone. After that, the doctor sent me to see an orthopedic surgeon (or something like that...) to see how bad the break was, and he informed me that while I wouldn't need anything drastic like surgery, my wrist would probably never perform to it's previous level of greatness again, and that any significant impact could easily break the bone over and over and over. Awesome. While it's never been too much of an issue before now, other than the occasional volleyball game or typing marathon, IT HURTS LIKE HELL NOW.
The lovely and amazing (NOT) hormone relaxin, that's currently being pumped through my system to loosen up my joints and such in preparation for childbirth, has surged several times in the past month, leaving me to feel like I've broken it all over again, but this time, without the lovely assistance of painkillers to see me through. Not so fun. Also, despite never having had a back injury, I'm pretty certain it's messing with my back as well, since this isn't your mother's backache. This is a, "D, I'm absolutely incapable of getting off the couch to get so much as a glass of water, so can you please help me?" type of backache. I'm pretty over it.
So, in conclusion to this long, rambling and probably pointless diatribe about how much being pregnant sucks sometimes, I leave you with this: Being pregnant sucks sometimes.
Now before you start calling me a whiner (amongst other, less blog-appropriate things), I'll elaborate a bit. I expected the backaches, though not quite to this extent. I expected my feet to hurt from supporting the extra weight and my newly-shifted center of gravity. What I did NOT expect, however, was my left wrist to become almost unusable for weeks on end. Two years ago, in the summer of 2007 when it rained and rained and rained all summer long, I broke my wrist. Lame story, right? Well, how about this. I slipped at the Barton Creek Greenbelt (a fantastic summer spot, btw), and broke my left wrist while breaking my fall. Having consumed a bit of alcohol I brushed the injury aside, had a bit stronger of a drink, and didn't bother shuttling myself over to an ER until it became two to three times it's normal size a couple days later. See? I'm not a huge wimp after all! While that incident alone wouldn't really stand out from any other broken bone stories, four weeks to the day later (and incidentally the same day I got my little makeshift cast off), I slipped again on some wet outside stairs and BROKE IT AGAIN. No joke. The doctor even recognized me at the ER. I explained to her that she was not, in fact, having a deja vu, but that yes, I'd been there before. That same month. With the SAME issue. I'm pretty sure she thought I was a junkie, since that's far more likely than the concept that I'm actually dumb enough to have the same injury twice in one month to the same exact bone. After that, the doctor sent me to see an orthopedic surgeon (or something like that...) to see how bad the break was, and he informed me that while I wouldn't need anything drastic like surgery, my wrist would probably never perform to it's previous level of greatness again, and that any significant impact could easily break the bone over and over and over. Awesome. While it's never been too much of an issue before now, other than the occasional volleyball game or typing marathon, IT HURTS LIKE HELL NOW.
The lovely and amazing (NOT) hormone relaxin, that's currently being pumped through my system to loosen up my joints and such in preparation for childbirth, has surged several times in the past month, leaving me to feel like I've broken it all over again, but this time, without the lovely assistance of painkillers to see me through. Not so fun. Also, despite never having had a back injury, I'm pretty certain it's messing with my back as well, since this isn't your mother's backache. This is a, "D, I'm absolutely incapable of getting off the couch to get so much as a glass of water, so can you please help me?" type of backache. I'm pretty over it.
So, in conclusion to this long, rambling and probably pointless diatribe about how much being pregnant sucks sometimes, I leave you with this: Being pregnant sucks sometimes.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Godparents.
Anyone have any useful tips about selecting godparents? I have someone in mind for her godfather, but no one for godmother at this point.
Here are some criteria I'm using to narrow down (aka why you're not being considered if you think you should be) my choices:
*Must be local. I'm not delusional enough to think you're going to want to fly in for her baptism/blessing (still up in the air about these events), first and subsequent birthday parties, etc, and these are things I'd want you to be close enough to her (and us) to want to be a part of.
*No family. You're already getting the title of aunt/uncle/grandparent/etc, so to me family should be out.
*Someone I've been friends with for at least a few years, and could see having in my life for the remainder of hers.
*Someone who has had some sort of substantial impact on my life, or it's direction.
I have a couple really great girlfriends, but only a couple, and both are out-of-town/out-of-state. Luckily, I'm a guy's girl and D's a girl's guy, so I'm hoping to work out a "I'll choose the godfather, you choose the godmother" type of deal.
Also, how do you go about asking people to take this sort of role? What does the role of godparent even mean these days? I'm open to all sorts of opinions on this, so I'd love to hear from any and everyone, both new parents-to-be and those who have numerous children :)
Here are some criteria I'm using to narrow down (aka why you're not being considered if you think you should be) my choices:
*Must be local. I'm not delusional enough to think you're going to want to fly in for her baptism/blessing (still up in the air about these events), first and subsequent birthday parties, etc, and these are things I'd want you to be close enough to her (and us) to want to be a part of.
*No family. You're already getting the title of aunt/uncle/grandparent/etc, so to me family should be out.
*Someone I've been friends with for at least a few years, and could see having in my life for the remainder of hers.
*Someone who has had some sort of substantial impact on my life, or it's direction.
I have a couple really great girlfriends, but only a couple, and both are out-of-town/out-of-state. Luckily, I'm a guy's girl and D's a girl's guy, so I'm hoping to work out a "I'll choose the godfather, you choose the godmother" type of deal.
Also, how do you go about asking people to take this sort of role? What does the role of godparent even mean these days? I'm open to all sorts of opinions on this, so I'd love to hear from any and everyone, both new parents-to-be and those who have numerous children :)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
10 Things NOT to say to a Pregnant Woman!
My cousin that just had a baby sent this to me (Thanks, Teresa!), and I thought I'd share:
It's bad enough that women's bodies are already community property--objects to be sized up, assessed, commented on and ogled. When you're pregnant, the concept of personal space--physical or theoretical--flies out the window right along with your ability to control your gag reflex. Having complete strangers rub your belly is disturbing enough, but brace yourself for the onslaught of running commentary and nosy questions about your body, eating habits, and worst-case birthing scenarios people seem compelled to send your way.
10. "Is that a venti Starbucks coffee you're drinking?" Only excessive amounts of caffeine have been linked to miscarriage, but that doesn't stop the average Joe from expressing dismay at your caffeine intake apparently. Best bet? Take a magic marker and write DECAF across the cup, or better yet, "accidentally" spill it on your interrogator. Pregnant women are so gosh-darn clumsy!
9. "What size bra are you wearing now?" Yes, your boobs have grown monumentally--and practically overnight--to prepare for milk production. There's nothing you can do to prevent it, and there's nothing roving eyes--male and female--seem to be able to do to avoid staring at your newfound friends. Turn the awkward around--when they ask how big, you can ask them, "How big do you think they are? Come on, guess! Wait--let's ask your boyfriend."
8. "Oh, don't worry--you're going to carry all your weight up front and in your thighs."Every gal's dream is to find out that the folks in her life have already gone to the trouble to determine your body type and propensity for weight gain. Consider it a blessing when your friends and coworkers let you know they've already identified your problem areas. "Thanks for the recon work, Jenny Craig!" you can tell them.
7. "You know about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, right? Just checking!" Yeah, so everyone you work with knows you drink--a lot. But they just can't be sure you're smart enough to drop your bad habits just because you're expecting, so they're happy to point out the dire consequences if you keep boozing it up. "Do I know about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? Sure do--did you know the average IQ is only 100?"
6. "Is that your third breakfast for the day?" Everyone knows you're eating for two, and yet, they can't help but shake their heads in amused dismay at the sight of you gobbling away all those Triscuits and cheese cubes. It's just so funny that you're just ballooning up right in front of their very eyes. And even though you've never so much as held a conversation, they suddenly feel they have the right to inquire about your nutritional habits. Just tell them you're having triplets.
5. "Sorry we didn't invite you to the movie--you just haven't been out lately."You're already nauseous and exhausted most of the time in early pregnancy, but people still manage to be offended that you haven't been hanging out at the rock shows drinking PBRs and smoking a pack of cigs a night. They finally get the hint and stop pestering you to meet for drinks, but the downside is they won't invite you to any events at all--ever again. Time to make new friends.
4. "Wow--you're pregnant? I'm stunned." So maybe you made the mistake of saying you're not a breeder about a thousand times in your life. Maybe you publicly expressed on more than one occasion that babies are little terrorist parasites and you don't need that noise boning up your ambitions. So maybe now you're pregnant, and maybe now people want to mention that they just can't imagine your smoking, drinking, wise-cracking self conjuring up a maternal instinct. As always, a crass remark will throw most people off their scent. "Yep, little old me is pregnant. And now that I am pregnant, I've decided to embrace the whole shebang, including eating the placenta."
3. "Aren't you right about the age where all the high-risk starts?" More women than ever are delaying childbearing, and while the risk certainly increases, most women go on to deliver healthy babies. Being over 30 shouldn't give folks a license to talk to you like you're a dried-out old cooch. Response: "Aren't you an asshole?"
2. "Do you hope it's a boy?" Wow, that this sentiment is even uttered is like ringing a big old sweeping bell of an indictment for the patriarchal culture we still inhabit. Response: "What is this, China?"
1. "Do you think you'll go back to work?" Of course, you will. This isn't the '50s. Response: "Only if you don't."
It's bad enough that women's bodies are already community property--objects to be sized up, assessed, commented on and ogled. When you're pregnant, the concept of personal space--physical or theoretical--flies out the window right along with your ability to control your gag reflex. Having complete strangers rub your belly is disturbing enough, but brace yourself for the onslaught of running commentary and nosy questions about your body, eating habits, and worst-case birthing scenarios people seem compelled to send your way.
10. "Is that a venti Starbucks coffee you're drinking?" Only excessive amounts of caffeine have been linked to miscarriage, but that doesn't stop the average Joe from expressing dismay at your caffeine intake apparently. Best bet? Take a magic marker and write DECAF across the cup, or better yet, "accidentally" spill it on your interrogator. Pregnant women are so gosh-darn clumsy!
9. "What size bra are you wearing now?" Yes, your boobs have grown monumentally--and practically overnight--to prepare for milk production. There's nothing you can do to prevent it, and there's nothing roving eyes--male and female--seem to be able to do to avoid staring at your newfound friends. Turn the awkward around--when they ask how big, you can ask them, "How big do you think they are? Come on, guess! Wait--let's ask your boyfriend."
8. "Oh, don't worry--you're going to carry all your weight up front and in your thighs."Every gal's dream is to find out that the folks in her life have already gone to the trouble to determine your body type and propensity for weight gain. Consider it a blessing when your friends and coworkers let you know they've already identified your problem areas. "Thanks for the recon work, Jenny Craig!" you can tell them.
7. "You know about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, right? Just checking!" Yeah, so everyone you work with knows you drink--a lot. But they just can't be sure you're smart enough to drop your bad habits just because you're expecting, so they're happy to point out the dire consequences if you keep boozing it up. "Do I know about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? Sure do--did you know the average IQ is only 100?"
6. "Is that your third breakfast for the day?" Everyone knows you're eating for two, and yet, they can't help but shake their heads in amused dismay at the sight of you gobbling away all those Triscuits and cheese cubes. It's just so funny that you're just ballooning up right in front of their very eyes. And even though you've never so much as held a conversation, they suddenly feel they have the right to inquire about your nutritional habits. Just tell them you're having triplets.
5. "Sorry we didn't invite you to the movie--you just haven't been out lately."You're already nauseous and exhausted most of the time in early pregnancy, but people still manage to be offended that you haven't been hanging out at the rock shows drinking PBRs and smoking a pack of cigs a night. They finally get the hint and stop pestering you to meet for drinks, but the downside is they won't invite you to any events at all--ever again. Time to make new friends.
4. "Wow--you're pregnant? I'm stunned." So maybe you made the mistake of saying you're not a breeder about a thousand times in your life. Maybe you publicly expressed on more than one occasion that babies are little terrorist parasites and you don't need that noise boning up your ambitions. So maybe now you're pregnant, and maybe now people want to mention that they just can't imagine your smoking, drinking, wise-cracking self conjuring up a maternal instinct. As always, a crass remark will throw most people off their scent. "Yep, little old me is pregnant. And now that I am pregnant, I've decided to embrace the whole shebang, including eating the placenta."
3. "Aren't you right about the age where all the high-risk starts?" More women than ever are delaying childbearing, and while the risk certainly increases, most women go on to deliver healthy babies. Being over 30 shouldn't give folks a license to talk to you like you're a dried-out old cooch. Response: "Aren't you an asshole?"
2. "Do you hope it's a boy?" Wow, that this sentiment is even uttered is like ringing a big old sweeping bell of an indictment for the patriarchal culture we still inhabit. Response: "What is this, China?"
1. "Do you think you'll go back to work?" Of course, you will. This isn't the '50s. Response: "Only if you don't."
Monday, August 24, 2009
Paint Ideas?
One of the many productive things to come of the past week, besides nearly completing her nursery furniture, was going to look at paint samples. I have a pretty good eye, so luckily I brought home matching samples on the first go without any of her bedding on me...go me! Anyhow, despite the fact that this is starting to feel like I AM in fact hosting a reality show where I let others decide everything for me*, let me know what your opinion is:
Here are three options:
I really am a HUGE fan of matching, so I figured the only two colors I could pull off with her bedding are pink, or brown. And since brown is so un-babylike in a bad way, I thought it we were going to go brown, it'd have to be a mocha/cappuccino color (Man, I miss my morning Starbucks!). So let me know where you stand here. The hamper, valances, wall art and other finishing touches will all be brown, which is why I'm leaning towards pink despite pink being the main color in her bedding. I don't want to do an overwhelming pink, though, so the second one down in the second picture is my first choice at the moment...but as we all know that could change at any second!
*Today at lunch, it took me longer to decide between the pork tenderloin spinach salad and the verde chicken enchiladas than it did for us to get our food, consume it, and pay the check. Poor S. Good thing she's too little to know that ordering doesn't have to be a forty-minute long process.
Note: Only since I've been pregnant have I been unable to make any decisions. I fully expect my brain to return to me the second she's in my arms :)
Here are three options:
I really am a HUGE fan of matching, so I figured the only two colors I could pull off with her bedding are pink, or brown. And since brown is so un-babylike in a bad way, I thought it we were going to go brown, it'd have to be a mocha/cappuccino color (Man, I miss my morning Starbucks!). So let me know where you stand here. The hamper, valances, wall art and other finishing touches will all be brown, which is why I'm leaning towards pink despite pink being the main color in her bedding. I don't want to do an overwhelming pink, though, so the second one down in the second picture is my first choice at the moment...but as we all know that could change at any second!
*Today at lunch, it took me longer to decide between the pork tenderloin spinach salad and the verde chicken enchiladas than it did for us to get our food, consume it, and pay the check. Poor S. Good thing she's too little to know that ordering doesn't have to be a forty-minute long process.
Note: Only since I've been pregnant have I been unable to make any decisions. I fully expect my brain to return to me the second she's in my arms :)
Exciting Milestone!
D felt her move this morning, FINALLY! She's been moving for about six weeks now, four of those being pretty regular and strong movements (minus early last week!), but it seems that everytime I grab his hand, she immediately stops moving to spite me. Apparently she has her mother's stubborn will. Fantastic.
Anyhow, she was apparently still strung out either from the Banana Milkshake I had last night or the midnight snack I insisted upon of OJ and graham crackers, and was doing her best Beckham impression (just because she's a girl doesn't mean she has to play like one!) first thing this morning, and he finally got to feel her! How cute!
Baby B's getting pretty strong!
Anyhow, she was apparently still strung out either from the Banana Milkshake I had last night or the midnight snack I insisted upon of OJ and graham crackers, and was doing her best Beckham impression (just because she's a girl doesn't mean she has to play like one!) first thing this morning, and he finally got to feel her! How cute!
Baby B's getting pretty strong!
Not feeling so hot.
Yesterday, I felt a bit off. I was moody and weepy and just not feeling quite myself. Figuring I was overtired, I decided to take the first nap I've had in a while...we're talking a couple weeks! That's a long time considering my nap track record since becoming pregnant! When I awoke, however, I noticed terrible pain in my lower back. I went back to sleep to try to sleep it off a bit, but woke up an hour later feeling even worse. This continued for much of the night. By 9PM I was in so much pain that I decided to just crawl in bed, since hours and hours of laying on the futon didn't seem to be relieving it, nor did two doses of extra-strength Tylenol. I thought of calling my doctor, but their weekend advice always translates into, "Go to the ER," and frankly, I can't afford yet another trip to the ER until it's time for her to arrive, so off to bed I went.
Luckily, I woke up feeling better this morning, except for a slight stomachache I could live without. Sadly, however, I didn't sleep well, and I've traded in my killer backache for equally crippling fatigue. I had tons of terrible dreams about the baby coming early that kept me up most of the night, and at 2AM I woke up so hungry I couldn't go back to sleep without a snack. Hopefully today/tonight will be better!
Luckily, I woke up feeling better this morning, except for a slight stomachache I could live without. Sadly, however, I didn't sleep well, and I've traded in my killer backache for equally crippling fatigue. I had tons of terrible dreams about the baby coming early that kept me up most of the night, and at 2AM I woke up so hungry I couldn't go back to sleep without a snack. Hopefully today/tonight will be better!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
I Won a Onesie!
Yep, you read that right. I WON something. Maybe Baby B's luck is rubbing off on me :)
A big thank you to Grow, Bean, Grow, one of the fantastic blogs I read daily, in partnership with Lil'Bagoo's merchandise at Etsy for holding the giveaway!
Here's a picture of the onesie I've won...so perfect for Texas!
Happy Saturday, everyone!
A big thank you to Grow, Bean, Grow, one of the fantastic blogs I read daily, in partnership with Lil'Bagoo's merchandise at Etsy for holding the giveaway!
Here's a picture of the onesie I've won...so perfect for Texas!
Happy Saturday, everyone!
21 Weeks!
(Is that mommy in the picture already having her belly button turn out? When does that start to happen? Anyone? Also, that baby is the cutest one yet...no more looking like an alien!)How your baby's growing:
Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.How your life's changing:
You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. If you're feeling good, relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints.That's not to say you won't have some minor glitches to deal with now. For example, increased oil production may contribute to the development (or worsening) of acne. If that's the case, be diligent about washing well with a gentle soap or cleanser twice a day, and make sure that any moisturizer or make-up you use is oil-free. Don't take any oral acne medications — some are very hazardous during pregnancy — or use any topical acne products without first checking with your practitioner.
You're also more prone to varicose veins now. As your pregnancy progresses, there's increasing pressure on the veins in your legs; higher progesterone levels, which may cause the walls of your veins to relax, can make the problem worse. You're more likely to get varicose veins if other family members have them. Also, they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you age. To help prevent or minimize varicose veins, exercise daily, prop up your feet and legs whenever possible, sleep on your left side, and wear maternity support hose.
You may also notice so-called spider veins (a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin), particularly on your ankles, legs, or face. They may have a spider- or sunburst-like pattern with little branches radiating out from the center, they may look like the branches of a tree, or they may be a group of separate thin lines with no particular pattern. Though they may be a bit unsightly, spider veins don't cause discomfort and usually disappear after delivery.
(Note: I was told by my amazing yoga instructor that if you spend a minute or two each day with your butt on the floor and up against the wall and your legs above you (not an inversion, since your pelvis is still on the floor - inversions are not recommended during pregnancy, FYI), it will help to increase the blood flow back up to your heart and major organs, and will go a long way towards preventing varicose veins. Just an FYI! )
Friday, August 21, 2009
Just a reminder...
it's tax-free weekend! And while normally I couldn't give a crap, I learned today that (drumroll please!) IT APPLIES TO BABY STUFF! Yep. Not only baby clothing, but also baby blankets! So I shopped a bit. For our economy, of course :)
Hello!
While it seems a bit...overdue, I'm sure..I just wanted to extend a friendly hello to any and all readers of this blog! It has been overwhelmingly successful, with readers in many countries all over the world! What a fantastic thing, to be able to communicate with people living in places like Bolivia, Pakistan, Iran, Australia, Thailand, Germany, Spain and many other countries that I've never had the good fortune to visit. What started out as an attempt to fill as many family members and out-of-state friends in on Baby B's development with as little effort as possible has become a fairly successful blog, with 100-200 hits each day!
As always, I love to hear from people, so feel free to shoot me an email or leave a comment! I may not always listen to some advice (ie. as much as I like to know your input, she won't be named reality-show style where my readers get to decide, or anything nuts like that. Can't you tell I'm a bit of a control freak by now?), I welcome input and respect all opinions. What's the point of putting yourself out there, if not to learn from others points of view?
Anyways, hello out there :) Thanks for reading!
As always, I love to hear from people, so feel free to shoot me an email or leave a comment! I may not always listen to some advice (ie. as much as I like to know your input, she won't be named reality-show style where my readers get to decide, or anything nuts like that. Can't you tell I'm a bit of a control freak by now?), I welcome input and respect all opinions. What's the point of putting yourself out there, if not to learn from others points of view?
Anyways, hello out there :) Thanks for reading!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
How about Beyonce?
Just kidding. But seriously, what the hell are we going to name this kid? I know, I know, there's a name poll in the corner, but to be completely honest, none of those were names on my original list. You know, the list you make as a little girl dreaming to be a mommy, and imagine your child with one of those names in all your daydreams? Yeah, that list.
I can let some of them go. I love Reagan, but a.) am NOT even remotely republican and would hate to be mistaken for a right-wing fanatic, and b.) would HATE it if anyone decided to shorten such a cute name to something horrifying like...Rae. Boo. So I can let that one go.
Then, there's Kennedy. Loved it, was sold on it for several years, and then my aunt had a baby and stole it. It's ok, though. I'm over it :) D doesn't like it anyhow, or anything else remotely modern and updated, as opposed to the generic, old-fashioned, traditional names from our childhood and many other generations' childhoods. Whatever.
I loved Natalia, and still do, but I hate Nat/Natty. Way to trash out a beautiful, sophisticated name. I guess this one isn't completely off the list. I'd be 100% fine saying, "Look, don't call her Nat/Natty!" to any of my family/friends, but what if (God forbid) she grows up and asks to be called that. Bleh.
My absolute favorite name that I've wanted since finding out the big news, however, is Ava. I LOVE it. It's beautiful, elegant, classic and feminine, without being overdone or old-fashioned. I hear it sometimes in elementary schools, but not so often that I want to blow my brains out (like Ella or Bella or anything ending in -ella). I LOVE it. D, however, hates it. Despite it even being a family name for him. I had decided to respect his wishes, and not push it, but I'm changing my mind. That is THE only name I think of this baby having, and the only one that fits the, "when you know, you know" description of how many people 'knew' their baby's name when they heard it. To me, this baby is Ava Elizabeth. Now how to get D to agree?
I can let some of them go. I love Reagan, but a.) am NOT even remotely republican and would hate to be mistaken for a right-wing fanatic, and b.) would HATE it if anyone decided to shorten such a cute name to something horrifying like...Rae. Boo. So I can let that one go.
Then, there's Kennedy. Loved it, was sold on it for several years, and then my aunt had a baby and stole it. It's ok, though. I'm over it :) D doesn't like it anyhow, or anything else remotely modern and updated, as opposed to the generic, old-fashioned, traditional names from our childhood and many other generations' childhoods. Whatever.
I loved Natalia, and still do, but I hate Nat/Natty. Way to trash out a beautiful, sophisticated name. I guess this one isn't completely off the list. I'd be 100% fine saying, "Look, don't call her Nat/Natty!" to any of my family/friends, but what if (God forbid) she grows up and asks to be called that. Bleh.
My absolute favorite name that I've wanted since finding out the big news, however, is Ava. I LOVE it. It's beautiful, elegant, classic and feminine, without being overdone or old-fashioned. I hear it sometimes in elementary schools, but not so often that I want to blow my brains out (like Ella or Bella or anything ending in -ella). I LOVE it. D, however, hates it. Despite it even being a family name for him. I had decided to respect his wishes, and not push it, but I'm changing my mind. That is THE only name I think of this baby having, and the only one that fits the, "when you know, you know" description of how many people 'knew' their baby's name when they heard it. To me, this baby is Ava Elizabeth. Now how to get D to agree?
Austin Pregnancy & New Moms Group
A couple months into my pregnancy, I joined a meetup group called Austin Pregnancy & New Moms Group. Whie I'm not necessarily one to join random groups of strangers, it occurred to me that I had no friends that were married, let alone expecting a baby, and Baby B was going to have a very slow social start if I didn't do something to rectify the situation. Not to mention, I've worked with many infants and been stranded basically at home with them, and IT. IS. CRAZY-MAKING. Every new mom needs to know some other new moms to vent to, even if they give birth to an angel. It's just a fact of life.
Anyhow, today was the first meetup that this group has had that I've been able to attend, and I had a (surprisingly) good time. I say surprisingly not because I'm a major snob that doesn't enjoy meeting new people, but because the stereotypical moms group doesn't appeal to young, hip, twenty-five-year-old me. To me, a 'moms group' should be a covert term for an organization that really enjoys happy hours, and just needed a convenient excuse to get together. While sadly, we didn't meet at a bar (half of us are pregnant-to-very-pregnant, rather than new moms), I did have a great time.
First off, there wasn't any judgmental glances being thrown my way, which is more than I can say for any regular ol' trip to Babies R Us. Not a single person seemed to mind that I was young and/or unmarried, and I really, really enjoy and respect a group that keeps an open mind. Score one for me. Second, I met three other moms that are due around my same time frame (one a few days before, one the same day, and one a week later). And we're ALL having girls! Suh-weeeeet! Looks like Baby B might have a shot in hell at having a playdate with someone other than her gay uncles. Score another for me (and Baby B). It was also GREAT hearing perspectives of new mothers, who had babies attached to them (by sling, not breast, thank God) ranging from 4 weeks to 4 months. And rather than being a whine-fest, which so many of these type of things easily turn into, it was a very productive and yet informal forum to vent about husbands, colicky babies, breastfeeding, etc. What can be more helpful than that? I'd like to think that I know it all, having 'raised' many other peoples babies, but at the end of the day, I always got to go home. And I know that when the time comes when we finally get to bring her home, it will be one HELL of an adjustment. Why not have support?
I am SO glad that I went this morning, and happy to have met some wonderful ladies that I hope will turn into wonderful friends of both mine and Baby B's. Here's to getting out there, despite your reservations, and taking a proactive and productive start to parenthood :)
(Note: For anyone interested in this sort of thing, visit www.meetup.com to search for a local meetup group in your area.)
Anyhow, today was the first meetup that this group has had that I've been able to attend, and I had a (surprisingly) good time. I say surprisingly not because I'm a major snob that doesn't enjoy meeting new people, but because the stereotypical moms group doesn't appeal to young, hip, twenty-five-year-old me. To me, a 'moms group' should be a covert term for an organization that really enjoys happy hours, and just needed a convenient excuse to get together. While sadly, we didn't meet at a bar (half of us are pregnant-to-very-pregnant, rather than new moms), I did have a great time.
First off, there wasn't any judgmental glances being thrown my way, which is more than I can say for any regular ol' trip to Babies R Us. Not a single person seemed to mind that I was young and/or unmarried, and I really, really enjoy and respect a group that keeps an open mind. Score one for me. Second, I met three other moms that are due around my same time frame (one a few days before, one the same day, and one a week later). And we're ALL having girls! Suh-weeeeet! Looks like Baby B might have a shot in hell at having a playdate with someone other than her gay uncles. Score another for me (and Baby B). It was also GREAT hearing perspectives of new mothers, who had babies attached to them (by sling, not breast, thank God) ranging from 4 weeks to 4 months. And rather than being a whine-fest, which so many of these type of things easily turn into, it was a very productive and yet informal forum to vent about husbands, colicky babies, breastfeeding, etc. What can be more helpful than that? I'd like to think that I know it all, having 'raised' many other peoples babies, but at the end of the day, I always got to go home. And I know that when the time comes when we finally get to bring her home, it will be one HELL of an adjustment. Why not have support?
I am SO glad that I went this morning, and happy to have met some wonderful ladies that I hope will turn into wonderful friends of both mine and Baby B's. Here's to getting out there, despite your reservations, and taking a proactive and productive start to parenthood :)
(Note: For anyone interested in this sort of thing, visit www.meetup.com to search for a local meetup group in your area.)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Bathroom Ideas
Just when you thought the endless barrage of, "Which do you like better?" was over, now I need to settle on a bathroom theme. There is a great pink/brown mod dot set on Target's website, but I want to do something unisex, so we don't have to repaint in the future, etc. Just makes more sense to me. Also, her room is pretty girly, so we'll play down the femininity in the bathroom so we don't end up with a high-maintenance diva on our hands :)
Here are my ideas so far:
Option 1:
Option 2: (Can't decide on a shower curtain, either)
Option 3:
Option 4:
Frog accessory link (since it's a flash image with zoom features and won't load)!
Feel free to let me know what you think. I'm extremely undecided on this one! :) Thanks, everyone!
Here are my ideas so far:
Option 1:
Option 2: (Can't decide on a shower curtain, either)
Option 3:
Option 4:
Frog accessory link (since it's a flash image with zoom features and won't load)!
Feel free to let me know what you think. I'm extremely undecided on this one! :) Thanks, everyone!
Stress.
I would like to give off the impression that I'm handling this whole pregnancy thing with grace and as much dignity as one can muster up when they're getting regular pelvic exams, but right now, I feel like I'm coming unglued.
Am I freaking out about parenthood? Nope. I have a pretty good handle on parenting from my time spent as a nanny for many, many infants. Am I worried about labor? Not yet, but that post will come in the future, I assure you. I'm just not handling pregnancy all that well. Yeah, yeah, there are things that are disconcerting about being pregnant that are fairly obvious. For one, you have to get fat. Bummer. Add to that the digestive problems, serious constipation, heartburn, food aversions, cramps, backaches and aches and pains, and I'd almost like my period back, please! Geeeeeez. But all of that is doable. You get used to it, and then you get over it. You keep your eye on the prize. What I'm really freakin' about is the overwhelming task of getting her here safely.
It seems simple enough, right? Just don't do anything stupid, like base-jumping or extreme dirt biking, and they'll be fine...right? Eh, that's what I thought, but now, I just don't know. I know that D thinks I've jumped ship and lost my damn mind, and he has every reason to from his perspective. But to me, the one that spends all day with Baby B nestled inside me, I am terrified. I wake up on my stomach, and then can't go back to sleep for fear that I've suffocated her. God forbid I wake up on my back, either, because then maybe I've compressed my vena cava and she hasn't gotten enough blood flow to stay alive. Or the other day when I screamed at the cat? If your memory serves you well, you'll remember that this is how my last goldfish died. I screamed at the cat so loudly one night when he got out for the 2397240th time, that my goldfish up and had a heart attack minutes later. It occured to me the other night, mid-screamfest, that the same could happen to poor, unsuspecting little Baby B. Shit. I've since kept my voice down. Do I know that these are ridiculous fears? Yes, absolutely. BUT, it's my responsibility to keep her safe and get her here in a few months, and I've never taken anything so seriously.
Besides these obviously batty thoughts, I have some realistic fears as well. If you know me in what I like to call "real life", you'll know I have terrible luck. I've been bitten by a brown recluse, had early-stage cervical cancer, broken the same bone twice in one month, had a serious car wreck at 16 weeks pregnant, had TWO apartments catch on fire (both of which I was several states away at the time), fainted while crossing the street in NYC and almost got ran over by a cab...the list goes on and on and on. I tend to be the exception, not the rule. The story you heard about something off-the-wall that happened to a friend of a friend? I'm usually her. It's insane. So I don't think it's that off-base that I am terrified for her safety, and think there could be no worse person for her to be attached to. Luckily, by the grace of God, I've been healthier than I've been in a while since I've gotten pregnant, so maybe her luck is rubbing off on me instead? But either way, I sit and worry. Constantly.
Anyhow, I had to go into the doctor today. The baby hadn't moved in a couple days, whereas she had been kicking strong and regular before, and I was freaking out. I was even more freaked out when my nonchalant doctor's office said, "Can you come in at 2:15?" I was ready to be given a lecture about how that's normal, but was met with a hint of panic. Long story less long, she's ok. After some searching that left me hysterical, they found her heartbeat and said that chances are, she's just moved back somewhere where it would be more difficult to feel her. Naturally, she kicked the shit out of me the entire drive home from the doc. All's well that ends well, right?
The point is, dear readers, pregnancy is terrifying. It's a huge responsibility. And sometimes, you'll feel overwhelmed. I know I do. But just take a deep breath, do your best, and know that the overwhelming majority of pregnancies culminate in happy, healthy infants. THEN you mess them up. Lord knows if I can get this far, you can too!
Am I freaking out about parenthood? Nope. I have a pretty good handle on parenting from my time spent as a nanny for many, many infants. Am I worried about labor? Not yet, but that post will come in the future, I assure you. I'm just not handling pregnancy all that well. Yeah, yeah, there are things that are disconcerting about being pregnant that are fairly obvious. For one, you have to get fat. Bummer. Add to that the digestive problems, serious constipation, heartburn, food aversions, cramps, backaches and aches and pains, and I'd almost like my period back, please! Geeeeeez. But all of that is doable. You get used to it, and then you get over it. You keep your eye on the prize. What I'm really freakin' about is the overwhelming task of getting her here safely.
It seems simple enough, right? Just don't do anything stupid, like base-jumping or extreme dirt biking, and they'll be fine...right? Eh, that's what I thought, but now, I just don't know. I know that D thinks I've jumped ship and lost my damn mind, and he has every reason to from his perspective. But to me, the one that spends all day with Baby B nestled inside me, I am terrified. I wake up on my stomach, and then can't go back to sleep for fear that I've suffocated her. God forbid I wake up on my back, either, because then maybe I've compressed my vena cava and she hasn't gotten enough blood flow to stay alive. Or the other day when I screamed at the cat? If your memory serves you well, you'll remember that this is how my last goldfish died. I screamed at the cat so loudly one night when he got out for the 2397240th time, that my goldfish up and had a heart attack minutes later. It occured to me the other night, mid-screamfest, that the same could happen to poor, unsuspecting little Baby B. Shit. I've since kept my voice down. Do I know that these are ridiculous fears? Yes, absolutely. BUT, it's my responsibility to keep her safe and get her here in a few months, and I've never taken anything so seriously.
Besides these obviously batty thoughts, I have some realistic fears as well. If you know me in what I like to call "real life", you'll know I have terrible luck. I've been bitten by a brown recluse, had early-stage cervical cancer, broken the same bone twice in one month, had a serious car wreck at 16 weeks pregnant, had TWO apartments catch on fire (both of which I was several states away at the time), fainted while crossing the street in NYC and almost got ran over by a cab...the list goes on and on and on. I tend to be the exception, not the rule. The story you heard about something off-the-wall that happened to a friend of a friend? I'm usually her. It's insane. So I don't think it's that off-base that I am terrified for her safety, and think there could be no worse person for her to be attached to. Luckily, by the grace of God, I've been healthier than I've been in a while since I've gotten pregnant, so maybe her luck is rubbing off on me instead? But either way, I sit and worry. Constantly.
Anyhow, I had to go into the doctor today. The baby hadn't moved in a couple days, whereas she had been kicking strong and regular before, and I was freaking out. I was even more freaked out when my nonchalant doctor's office said, "Can you come in at 2:15?" I was ready to be given a lecture about how that's normal, but was met with a hint of panic. Long story less long, she's ok. After some searching that left me hysterical, they found her heartbeat and said that chances are, she's just moved back somewhere where it would be more difficult to feel her. Naturally, she kicked the shit out of me the entire drive home from the doc. All's well that ends well, right?
The point is, dear readers, pregnancy is terrifying. It's a huge responsibility. And sometimes, you'll feel overwhelmed. I know I do. But just take a deep breath, do your best, and know that the overwhelming majority of pregnancies culminate in happy, healthy infants. THEN you mess them up. Lord knows if I can get this far, you can too!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Baby Bedding!!
Her bedding arrived today, and I LOVE it! Clearly it doesn't have the same touch as in the pictures online, since we don't have the accessories yet and haven't painted her room, but I immediately liked it far better than the ladybugs. Here are some preliminary pics:
I believe we have our winner!!
I believe we have our winner!!
She has a dresser!!
Yes, the ladybug bedding is still up, mainly because I want to keep it up until the other gets here to make sure I really DO like the elephants better. I know I do, but lately my decision making skills have been...shoddy...so it's worth saving the extra effort just in case.
I am so happy we have a dresser! The best part - it was only $30 on Craigslist. I love you, Craigslist. The entire room has been done for less than $250, including the rocker, crib, changing table, dresser and crib mattress. The bedding, however, was another story, but isn't the point of saving big bucks on things that don't matter so that you can divert those funds to things that do? I'm excited :)
Now all we need is a bookcase, and Baby B's room is complete (minus the bedding accessories we're registered for)!!! YAY!! WAY ahead of schedule :)
Monday, August 17, 2009
Inappropriate Questioning!
So D, it seems, didn't find this appalling, saying that I get 'shocked too easily', but yesterday my mind was blown twice by people asking inappropriate questions. I know that pregnant woman are targets for intrusive strangers, but this crossed the line to me. Tell me what you think.
First, we ran into our next door neighbor at the grocery store. We're not really the type to hang out with our neighbors or know them very well at all, so while some of you may think your next door neighbor can be up in your business, it's worth mentioning that we don't have that type of relationship. In fact, we've said hello maybe four or five times, with one full conversation about our dogs. That's it. Anyhow, we run into our neighbor, who (being that I'm wearing maternity pants) says, "Wow - you're expecting!" Appropriate, whatever. Then she gets a bit closer and lowers her voice. "Was it a surprise?" Um, f#$* you. I'm pretty sure that five minutes could've elapsed with my mouth gaping open and me pondering how on Earth to react to this comment tactfully but get the point across that it's none of her f#$*ing business. I also was trying not to cause a scene since this was the EXACT same spot that I had an altercation with a woman who bullied me for eating a donut before having paid for it. I think when I finally came to, I might have said something like, "No, but we've only been telling our friends before now." Even now, I am appalled by the audacity.
THEN, later on, we went to go see Wicked at the UT Performing Arts Center (great show, btw). At one point I couldn't hold it any longer and had to ask to get out, which I HATE HATE HATE doing, so naturally when I came back I felt apologetic.
"Sorry," I told the woman next to me, who couldn't have been nicer about it.
"It's OK, I'm pregnant," she told me, "so I'll probably have to do the same."
"Oh really? Me too!" I said, despite the fact that it was looking a bit..obvious.
"You are?! How old are you? Like 15?"
What I should have said is, "No, 13 actually," and told her where to shove it. Instead, I graciously smiled and said, "25, actually," which apparently she found to be to her approval because then, to continue the inpropriety, she decided to mention tomorrow was her first doctor's appointment and asked me what to expect. I'm sorry, but when five minutes ago you were passing major judgment about me looking young, I hardly want to describe the pelvic exam you're about to get tomorrow.
So much for open-minded Austinites!
First, we ran into our next door neighbor at the grocery store. We're not really the type to hang out with our neighbors or know them very well at all, so while some of you may think your next door neighbor can be up in your business, it's worth mentioning that we don't have that type of relationship. In fact, we've said hello maybe four or five times, with one full conversation about our dogs. That's it. Anyhow, we run into our neighbor, who (being that I'm wearing maternity pants) says, "Wow - you're expecting!" Appropriate, whatever. Then she gets a bit closer and lowers her voice. "Was it a surprise?" Um, f#$* you. I'm pretty sure that five minutes could've elapsed with my mouth gaping open and me pondering how on Earth to react to this comment tactfully but get the point across that it's none of her f#$*ing business. I also was trying not to cause a scene since this was the EXACT same spot that I had an altercation with a woman who bullied me for eating a donut before having paid for it. I think when I finally came to, I might have said something like, "No, but we've only been telling our friends before now." Even now, I am appalled by the audacity.
THEN, later on, we went to go see Wicked at the UT Performing Arts Center (great show, btw). At one point I couldn't hold it any longer and had to ask to get out, which I HATE HATE HATE doing, so naturally when I came back I felt apologetic.
"Sorry," I told the woman next to me, who couldn't have been nicer about it.
"It's OK, I'm pregnant," she told me, "so I'll probably have to do the same."
"Oh really? Me too!" I said, despite the fact that it was looking a bit..obvious.
"You are?! How old are you? Like 15?"
What I should have said is, "No, 13 actually," and told her where to shove it. Instead, I graciously smiled and said, "25, actually," which apparently she found to be to her approval because then, to continue the inpropriety, she decided to mention tomorrow was her first doctor's appointment and asked me what to expect. I'm sorry, but when five minutes ago you were passing major judgment about me looking young, I hardly want to describe the pelvic exam you're about to get tomorrow.
So much for open-minded Austinites!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
20 Weeks: Belly Shots!
Ok, Ok, you asked for it, you got it :)
I think this may be the last shot in my regular clothes...at least I made it halfway?!
I think this may be the last shot in my regular clothes...at least I made it halfway?!
20 Weeks!
How your baby's growing:
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)
He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).
If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations.
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)
He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).
How your life's changing:
Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron to keep up with your expanding blood volume, as well as for your growing baby and the placenta. Red meat is one of the best sources of iron for pregnant women. Poultry (especially the dark meat) and shellfish also contain iron. Some common non-meat sources of iron include legumes, soy-based products, spinach, prune juice, raisins, and iron-fortified cereals.If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
BTW...
...has anyone else noticed how disturbing large the 'baby' in the ticker to the side has gotten? It was bad enough when it routinely got tangled up in the umbilical cord, leaving me to hours spent pondering if she was actually tangled and suffocating, but I'm equally disturbed that that kid is BIG now.
Is that supposed to be her size in relation to my uterus already?! Holy crap.
Is that supposed to be her size in relation to my uterus already?! Holy crap.
Starting to love UPS!
I am SO incredibly blessed. First off, D's coworkers rock my world with all the Texas garb. Here's the newest addition:
You know I've already started reading her that book, so she can recognize terms like Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium, Bevo & Hook 'Em. I think we have a future Longhorn on our hands :)
Then, on top of that, one of my girlfriends, a wonderful family I babysit for, and my lovely aunt have sent me all of this:
While I desperately need a dresser, there isn't much else I am needing in order to fill it! What's great is that it's all in varying sizes, so she won't be the most stylish baby on the block for the first three months of her life and then...naked. She'll have clothes for quite some time. Thank you to everyone! You all rock.
Too bad my own wardrobe sucks these days. I'm in a very strange adjustment period, where the last of my non-maternity clothes may be pushing it these days. I probably have two weeks, max, before I'm fully into maternity clothes. Until then, though, I'm making do. Maternity clothes are just SO terrible.
In other news, I've been swimming three times this week..in public. IN A BIKINI. Go me. Rocking the baby bump, since the alternative is a maternity swimsuit, and that just ain't me. Hoping to rock the bump for a while...this is Austin, after all. I'm seldom anywhere where you can't find another pregnant woman bearing her beautiful belly as well ;)
You know I've already started reading her that book, so she can recognize terms like Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium, Bevo & Hook 'Em. I think we have a future Longhorn on our hands :)Then, on top of that, one of my girlfriends, a wonderful family I babysit for, and my lovely aunt have sent me all of this:
While I desperately need a dresser, there isn't much else I am needing in order to fill it! What's great is that it's all in varying sizes, so she won't be the most stylish baby on the block for the first three months of her life and then...naked. She'll have clothes for quite some time. Thank you to everyone! You all rock. Too bad my own wardrobe sucks these days. I'm in a very strange adjustment period, where the last of my non-maternity clothes may be pushing it these days. I probably have two weeks, max, before I'm fully into maternity clothes. Until then, though, I'm making do. Maternity clothes are just SO terrible.
In other news, I've been swimming three times this week..in public. IN A BIKINI. Go me. Rocking the baby bump, since the alternative is a maternity swimsuit, and that just ain't me. Hoping to rock the bump for a while...this is Austin, after all. I'm seldom anywhere where you can't find another pregnant woman bearing her beautiful belly as well ;)
I am a PAIN. IN. THE. ASS.
So I'm taking the bedding back. I'm just not feeling it. Instead, I'm set on this:
I just don't like the idea of a ladybug theme...I want a baby elephant theme damn it! D isn't sold on this, but I'm shelling out the dough for it, so I'm using my veto power to get it anyhow :) He's come to the conclusion anyhow that he just 'doesn't like little girl stuff', so if that's the case, we're never going to find something! I'm sure it'll grow on him.
What color to paint the room though? I'm thinking either a cappuchino or this pink seen here. I know, I know...I'm going against lots of things I previously said. Whatever. At least I've made a decision?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Last Bedding Post (I hope!)!!
I now present to you Baby B's bedding!!! It was bought on a whim and a sale :) Hopefully D will like it, or it's back to Babies R Us, and back to the drawing board!
I like this SO much better without the green sheet, and with the cream and pink one instead! Also, this in NO WAY means we're going with a ladybug theme. The only ladybugs you'll find in her room are the ones you see here already. And certainly nothing with red and/or black :) Now I just need the changing table cover and the valances for the two windows, and we've got a complete set WELL under budget :) It'll probably be painted mint green, keep in mind, with pink letters when she actually has a name. Thoughts?
I like this SO much better without the green sheet, and with the cream and pink one instead! Also, this in NO WAY means we're going with a ladybug theme. The only ladybugs you'll find in her room are the ones you see here already. And certainly nothing with red and/or black :) Now I just need the changing table cover and the valances for the two windows, and we've got a complete set WELL under budget :) It'll probably be painted mint green, keep in mind, with pink letters when she actually has a name. Thoughts?
Monday, August 10, 2009
Dizzy Spells.
This weekend, after the George Strait concert (AHHHHHHH!!!! Still so exciting to think about!), I woke up in the middle of the night with severe vertigo. We're talking, couldn't-get-to-the-bathroom-or-stand-up-without-help severe. SCARY.
I fell back asleep after the first episode, and woke up still completely off balance and unable to walk straight. Not sure if it was due to a.) my extremely low blood sugar since I only ate breakfast Saturday thanks to no appetite and traveling, or b.) dehydration because I didn't drink much Saturday because frankly, my bladder is a pain in the ass. I can hardly sit through a six-hour show at Reliant having to pee every five damn seconds, can I?! Either way, I rehydrated and forced some food down, despite my aversion, and went back to sleep for four more hours until noon, and it seemed to be a bit better. We made the trip back home from D's parents without much event, but once we got home it seemed to be striking again. Even now, as I type this, I'm feeling a bit lightheaded.
I called the doctor this morning, and his nurse seemed unconcerned, stating that it was normal. She did say that blurred vision would need to be checked out immediately, and I feel a wee bit of that, but I'm keeping an eye on things for now, especially with my 20-week appointment looming on the horizon (Weds).
Until then, bring on the Sunny D to boost my blood sugar!
I fell back asleep after the first episode, and woke up still completely off balance and unable to walk straight. Not sure if it was due to a.) my extremely low blood sugar since I only ate breakfast Saturday thanks to no appetite and traveling, or b.) dehydration because I didn't drink much Saturday because frankly, my bladder is a pain in the ass. I can hardly sit through a six-hour show at Reliant having to pee every five damn seconds, can I?! Either way, I rehydrated and forced some food down, despite my aversion, and went back to sleep for four more hours until noon, and it seemed to be a bit better. We made the trip back home from D's parents without much event, but once we got home it seemed to be striking again. Even now, as I type this, I'm feeling a bit lightheaded.
I called the doctor this morning, and his nurse seemed unconcerned, stating that it was normal. She did say that blurred vision would need to be checked out immediately, and I feel a wee bit of that, but I'm keeping an eye on things for now, especially with my 20-week appointment looming on the horizon (Weds).
Until then, bring on the Sunny D to boost my blood sugar!
One more bedding option...
OK, so I thought I was set on one, but D doesn't particularly like it. He says it's too 'Partridge Family', whatever that means. I digress.
What about this? I don't LOVE it, but I'm sure it'll grow on me, and I am feeling the baby elephants and koalas:
I'm also able to get this one half price, so $70 for the six-piece set, instead of $150 for the four-piece love bird set...thoughts?
What color do you paint the room, though, if you're pink-adverse?
Sunday, August 9, 2009
19 Weeks!
How your baby's growing: Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.
See what your baby looks like this week.
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."
These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.
(Yeah, yeah, I'm a day late with the 19-week update. I've been out of town!)
Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.
See what your baby looks like this week.
Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.
How your life's changing:
Think you're big now? You'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, you may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when you shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support your uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight. This is nothing to be alarmed about, but call your practitioner if the pain continues even when you're resting or becomes severe.You may be noticing some skin changes, too. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from the extra estrogen. You may also have patches of darkened skin caused by a temporary increase in pigment. When these darker patches appear on your upper lip, cheeks, and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may also notice some darkening of your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line."
These darkened spots will probably fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.
(Yeah, yeah, I'm a day late with the 19-week update. I've been out of town!)
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Presents from Grandma & Grandpa!
Thanks, Mom & Dad!!!(Note: It is SO strange to be referring to my mom as grandma. Weird. It is equally strange to be referring to my dad as grandpa, but for an entirely different reason!)
Kids Say the Darndest Things!
S, the little girl I watch that's nearing three, has been asking some VERY interesting questions lately...I'm pretty sure she's a bit ahead of her time with this curiosity!
The most recent:
We were driving to the Children's Museum the other day, when S started yelling, "B, where's your baby?! We forgot your baby!" Hahaha. So cute!
Then, shortly after on the same day, I was reading to her in her bed, with her sitting in my lap.
"I'll be careful of your baby," she tells me, sweetly.
"I know, S. Thank you," I replied. Then she sat there looking at my stomach for several minutes.
"How's the baby going to get out of your belly?" SHIT. Think fast, think fast.
"Um, I'm not quite sure yet, to be honest," I told her, since it's plausible that I may not know.
"But how did the baby get in your belly?" she probed. Ay ay ay. Luckily we were saved by the arrival home of her mother. Hallelujah! I'm sure it's only a matter of time before she remembers her question, though!
Tuesday I was showing her a recent ultrasound picture. "Why's your baby black?" she asked, referring to the amniotic fluid present in the majority of the picture. Ha! I love this kid.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Naming Dilemma.
I am really conflicted about what her last name should be. I automatically assumed she would take mine, seeing as we're not married. But I am getting overwhelming resistance from...just about everyone except my family and D himself. All our friends, with the exception of a reasonable few, are practically outraged that the baby will take my last name. Am I wrong here?
Let me explain. Whose last name she'll take has nothing to do with shunning his part in creating and parenting her, or is meant as a slight to his family or anything like that. It isn't because I think we're going to split up down the line, or indicative of our future in any way. Simply put, we're NOT married (and no, it's not a dig to speed us getting married along. I'm perfectly happy with us not being married. In fact, there will soon be a follow-up blog about this topic alone, given the constant grief I get about if we're going to tie the knot now. The short answer: No.). And since we're not married, she should take my name. If we end up getting married, then of course I will change her name when I change my own. And NEITHER OF US will be hyphenators. I think it's tacky, personally, and not for me.
I just don't think Baby B and Mommy should have separate last names. My mom was unmarried when I was born, and I took her last name. To me, that's how it should be. Apparently, however, there is a LOT of controversy on this topic. Think about it this way: What about when I take her to the doctor? Or when I register her for preschool/school/whatever. I never want to have to show ID to pick up my own child.
Just my opinion on the matter! And unless the controversy moves to my own home, she'll take my last name.
Let me explain. Whose last name she'll take has nothing to do with shunning his part in creating and parenting her, or is meant as a slight to his family or anything like that. It isn't because I think we're going to split up down the line, or indicative of our future in any way. Simply put, we're NOT married (and no, it's not a dig to speed us getting married along. I'm perfectly happy with us not being married. In fact, there will soon be a follow-up blog about this topic alone, given the constant grief I get about if we're going to tie the knot now. The short answer: No.). And since we're not married, she should take my name. If we end up getting married, then of course I will change her name when I change my own. And NEITHER OF US will be hyphenators. I think it's tacky, personally, and not for me.
I just don't think Baby B and Mommy should have separate last names. My mom was unmarried when I was born, and I took her last name. To me, that's how it should be. Apparently, however, there is a LOT of controversy on this topic. Think about it this way: What about when I take her to the doctor? Or when I register her for preschool/school/whatever. I never want to have to show ID to pick up my own child.
Just my opinion on the matter! And unless the controversy moves to my own home, she'll take my last name.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Despicable!
This morning, I saw the most despicable thing. A heavily pregnant woman SMOKING. While it would've been equally screwed up if she was only slightly showing, it seemed worse somehow because it was almost as if she was saying, "So what, world? Yeah, I'm pregnant and smoking. What's the big deal?" Uh, you're a dipshit.
This type of thing really, REALLY pisses me off. Yeah, yeah, I've made some DUMB decisions in my life. I'm not trying to be all holier-than-thou and pretend I've lived a life of sainthood. I can, however, say with certainty that those bad decisions had consequences that I alone paid for.
I could go on and on and ON about what a terrible, awful, horrible decision this was on her part, and for a minute, I shall. Despite the obvious (you wouldn't give a baby a cigarette, would you?!), there are so many long-standing consequences of a decision SO stupid:
First off, that little, innocent, unborn baby you're carrying around and 'claiming' to love more than anything (except for cigarettes, of course!)? She/he's now predisposed to picking up that filthy habit later in life. You know how some people say they have 'addictive personalities' where they pick up bad habits easily? A lot of that, especially with nicotine addictions, is due to prenatal exposure. Way to go, mom. What a nice first thing to do for your child.
Second, your rate of miscarriage is at least four times as high as a non-smoking pregnant woman. YOU HAVE A FOUR TIMES HIGHER RISK OF YOUR BABY DYING IN UTERO. Do you know what it would do to me if we lost this baby now? I can't even bear to think of it.
Third, your baby is more likely to born premature and/or low birth weight. Do you know how many health problems are associated with preemies? If that doesn't get through to you, how about in these terms: Do you know what it cost to keep a preemie in the NICU PER DAY?! Your smoking habit for a year, at least. Toke on that.
And back to square one - would you give your baby a cigarette? Shotgun smoke into their little baby lungs? Then kick the habit, will you?
This type of thing really, REALLY pisses me off. Yeah, yeah, I've made some DUMB decisions in my life. I'm not trying to be all holier-than-thou and pretend I've lived a life of sainthood. I can, however, say with certainty that those bad decisions had consequences that I alone paid for.
I could go on and on and ON about what a terrible, awful, horrible decision this was on her part, and for a minute, I shall. Despite the obvious (you wouldn't give a baby a cigarette, would you?!), there are so many long-standing consequences of a decision SO stupid:
First off, that little, innocent, unborn baby you're carrying around and 'claiming' to love more than anything (except for cigarettes, of course!)? She/he's now predisposed to picking up that filthy habit later in life. You know how some people say they have 'addictive personalities' where they pick up bad habits easily? A lot of that, especially with nicotine addictions, is due to prenatal exposure. Way to go, mom. What a nice first thing to do for your child.
Second, your rate of miscarriage is at least four times as high as a non-smoking pregnant woman. YOU HAVE A FOUR TIMES HIGHER RISK OF YOUR BABY DYING IN UTERO. Do you know what it would do to me if we lost this baby now? I can't even bear to think of it.
Third, your baby is more likely to born premature and/or low birth weight. Do you know how many health problems are associated with preemies? If that doesn't get through to you, how about in these terms: Do you know what it cost to keep a preemie in the NICU PER DAY?! Your smoking habit for a year, at least. Toke on that.
And back to square one - would you give your baby a cigarette? Shotgun smoke into their little baby lungs? Then kick the habit, will you?
Monday, August 3, 2009
Belly Shots: 18w2d
Note that I can still wear my normal, pre-pregnancy shorts (but not pants). Not sure how much longer on that by the looks of things, but I made it 18 1/2 weeks, OK?!? I'm realllllllly hanging onto the hope that if I could wear my normal clothes into my fifth month of pregnancy, I'll be able to wear them again come March, at the latest, please God. Since you know, shorts season starts in about February here!
I'm a Pregnant Supermodel! Wait, huh?!
For whatever reason, I thought it would be fun to see what celebrities are pregnant and due around the same time as me. Why is this fun, you ask?! When you see this list, you'll know it wasn't. Here's the list:
*Heidi Klum - due in October
*Adriana Lima - due in December
*Camilla Alves - due in late December/early January
*Giselle Bundchen - due in late December
*Karolina Kurkova - due in December
*Kendra Wilkinson - due in December, days from me
Hmm...I'm sure you noticed the same thing I did: They're all supermodels, except for one former playboy bunny!!! That's not entirely fair, now, is it?! Especially when you consider that for most of my friends, this is the first pregnant friend they've had, and I'm being compared to images of pregnant supermodels?! WTF!
On the upside, here are recent pictures of these women, in which they ALL look bigger than I do. MUAHHHAHAHA!
*Heidi Klum - due in October
*Adriana Lima - due in December
*Camilla Alves - due in late December/early January
*Giselle Bundchen - due in late December
*Karolina Kurkova - due in December
*Kendra Wilkinson - due in December, days from me
Hmm...I'm sure you noticed the same thing I did: They're all supermodels, except for one former playboy bunny!!! That's not entirely fair, now, is it?! Especially when you consider that for most of my friends, this is the first pregnant friend they've had, and I'm being compared to images of pregnant supermodels?! WTF!
On the upside, here are recent pictures of these women, in which they ALL look bigger than I do. MUAHHHAHAHA!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
H1N1 Vaccine - To Get, or Not to Get?
Hmm...not sure if I'm even really looking for opinions here, maybe just trying to sort things out in a concrete way? Either way, I'm very skeptical of this new Swine Flu (H1N1) Vaccine. Seeing as how it is BRAND SPANKIN' NEW and the effects of this vaccine on a fetus are unknown, I'm seriously doubting I'll go anywhere near it. The only thing about that worrying me is my a.) CRAP immune system, and b.) time of year I'm due. Still, I highly doubt I'll go for it, though I may ask my doctor's opinion at my 20-week visit on 8/12. We'll see, though. I trust my gut over the doctor, to be completely honest.
She's Moving!
Yay!! I thought I felt some slight flutters around 15.5 weeks, but then nothing for quite some time, so I chalked it up to gas or stomach movement or something besides the baby. NOW, however, I am QUITE certain that I am feeling her move! It's not frequent - maybe 3-4 times a day - but very, very CUTE! Our little girl is moving around in there! Which, yeah, yeah, I know from the ultrasound, but she's big enough that I can feel it now! I just can't wait until D can feel it, too! Especially since when I first told him I thought I felt her, he said, "No way. You're lying." Haha...thanks, hon. Most of my friends were surprised that I could feel her already, but the doctor said anytime between 16-20 weeks I could feel first movements, and since I am small-waisted (correction: was), he said it could be on the early side of that. Yay!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Bedding Decision!
It's a miracle! I've made an actual decision...I suppose I better get used to it, seeing as how I'm having to make trillions more before baby arrives (more on this later).
And the bedding set winner is...(drumroll, please):
I just love all the different colors in it, but still the femininity. And with a name like 'Love Bird', how can one go wrong?
And the bedding set winner is...(drumroll, please):
I just love all the different colors in it, but still the femininity. And with a name like 'Love Bird', how can one go wrong?
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