I was going to wait to blog tomorrow after my first baby shower, but today has just been a strange day. Since about 2pm I've had so much pressure in my tummy - the baby's pushing and bulging out like crazy. It kind of feels like she's growing faster than my tummy and she needs more room. It's not scary, but it's certainly not comfortable!! It also feels like I'm having more intense braxton hicks tonight. I actually left work early to take a walk with Chuck before our OB appointment, which was great, but didn't really help much.
This was our 32 week OB check. We'll be 33 weeks this Saturday, so we have about 7 weeks to go. Could be 4 weeks, could be 8... who knows?? In the last 2 weeks I've gained 2 pounds and 2 centimeters on the belly measurement. At the last appointment I was measuring 29, and this time I measured 31, so we may actually be measuring a little small, but Dr. Belt said we're within a normal range and she's growing the way she should be. Did you know that your tummy measurement (from the top of the uterus to the bottom) is supposed to match up with how many weeks along you are? How does that work!?!? Amazing.
Baby girl is moving a LOT these days, and according to the doppler her heart rate is fluxuating a lot too, which is a good thing. No sonogram today and no sonogram in 2 weeks... Dr. Belt thinks everything looks great doesn't want to give me another sono until 36-37 weeks to check her position, weight, and fluid levels. That feels like a long time away, but it'll be here before we know it...
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Are we nesting?
It's a good thing we finished the nursery early, because there are a LOT of other things (besides childbirth education classes) we want to get done before the baby comes. Our new deadline isn't April, it's March 8th, the day we're having a baby shower at my house. This weekend was our first free weekend at home to focus on cleaning and home improvements, and we accomplished a lot! We:
- Started contractors fixing up the detached garage
- Had our air vents cleaned out
- Got the carpet cleaned (including the area rug Tater peed on)
- Secured the TV cable along the wall (instead of under the rug)
- Changed the rear surround speakers to a wireless system (less cords = less tripping hazard)
- Went through all the paperwork cluttering our house to organize taxes and shred what we don't need
- Raked up piles of leaves outside
- Scheduled a cleaning for the dirty kitchen tiles and grout
All that, plus laundry and yoga! This week Chuck has his annual oncologist appt, I have another OB appt, and we have our tax appt. I also have my work baby shower!!! I'm so looking forward to that. It'll be a busy and fun week.
PS: Congratulations to the newest member of the LAF mom-to-be club!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Blueberry's first political rally
Last night we braved the crowds to attend the Obama rally, thanks to VIP tickets we got from the LAF. I was hoping it wouldn’t be so crowded that people would step on me and elbow my tummy the whole time, and as it turns out, our VIP tickets truly were VIP! We bypassed the long lines and ended up in an area right up front with plenty of room and seating.
We didn’t watch the Austin Democratic debates on Thursday night because we had a Moulin Rouge sing-along at the Alamo Drafthouse (gotta have our priorities straight). It was fun, but I must say I wasn’t a very good mom that day. I had a cup of half-caff coffee in the morning, forgot to take my prenatal vitamin, then had a glass of sangria at the show (the alcoholic equivalent of half-caff). But, after all the rallying, singing, and half-strength drinks, baby girl seems to be doing just fine!
While we’re on the topic of the president, I just learned that you can send away for a baby’s birth greeting from George W. Bush! According to the White House website, that’s a standard thing you can request. Who knew? No matter what anybody thinks of the Bush administration, that would be an interesting keepsake for the baby book.
It got me thinking, and I started asking people at work – do you even know who the president was the year you were born? It’s a surprisingly tricky question for a lot of people to answer! I was born under the Ford administration, and Chuck under Carter… but I didn’t know that until Chuck did the math and I confirmed it online. If you are reading this, I want you to post a comment below right here on my blog telling me who the president was when you were born (you don't have to "sign in" and can even remain anonymous if you’d like - so just do it!).
We didn’t watch the Austin Democratic debates on Thursday night because we had a Moulin Rouge sing-along at the Alamo Drafthouse (gotta have our priorities straight). It was fun, but I must say I wasn’t a very good mom that day. I had a cup of half-caff coffee in the morning, forgot to take my prenatal vitamin, then had a glass of sangria at the show (the alcoholic equivalent of half-caff). But, after all the rallying, singing, and half-strength drinks, baby girl seems to be doing just fine!
While we’re on the topic of the president, I just learned that you can send away for a baby’s birth greeting from George W. Bush! According to the White House website, that’s a standard thing you can request. Who knew? No matter what anybody thinks of the Bush administration, that would be an interesting keepsake for the baby book.
It got me thinking, and I started asking people at work – do you even know who the president was the year you were born? It’s a surprisingly tricky question for a lot of people to answer! I was born under the Ford administration, and Chuck under Carter… but I didn’t know that until Chuck did the math and I confirmed it online. If you are reading this, I want you to post a comment below right here on my blog telling me who the president was when you were born (you don't have to "sign in" and can even remain anonymous if you’d like - so just do it!).
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Sleeping through the night
Chuck's been sleeping on the couch this week. Friday he spent the whole night coughing, sniffling, and sneezing, and the next morning - I don't know about him, but I felt like I hardly got any sleep. Not a good idea considering that I really don't want to catch his cold! So, he offered to sleep on the couch. He's mostly feeling better now, but has continued to have coughing fits every night - keeping him in the dog house.
On Monday I went to lunch with my friend Julie and her 10-week old son Ramsey. She gave me some good advice about breastfeeding, and told me how she got her son to sleep through the night (ALREADY!?!). I'm hoping we can do the same thing.
Here I am with one baby in my arms, and one about a third the size in my tummy:
On Monday I went to lunch with my friend Julie and her 10-week old son Ramsey. She gave me some good advice about breastfeeding, and told me how she got her son to sleep through the night (ALREADY!?!). I'm hoping we can do the same thing.
Here I am with one baby in my arms, and one about a third the size in my tummy:
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Are we prepared now?
Chuck & I just completed 11 hours of learning about childbirth and caring for a newborn. We were in a class with 8 other couples between 28-34 weeks pregnant, and I'd guess between 28-34 years old (I'm 31 weeks and 31 years old). Our instructor was a woman who's been a nurse for over 30 years and has been teaching (both this class and a UT nursing course) for about 5 years. She was fine, but a little too hard of hearing.
Yesterday was more abstract for Chuck, and a little more overwhelming for me: the stages and phases of of labor, breathing and birthing positions, watching several childbirth videos, and learning about medical interventions. Our instructor gave very realistic demonstrations of each breathing technique (as though she were in labor), which was... interesting. Chuck learned the 5-1-1 rule, meaning he has to time me and we shouldn't go to the hospital until my contractions are 5 mins apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour. We also learned how the baby corkscrews through the pelvis so that the largest part of her head and shoulders are always going through the largest part of the hip bones. It's crazy how the body knows how to labor and the baby knows how to get out. It's as if we were made to do this.
Today's session was more about baby care, including breastfeeding, diapering, bathing, etc. These topics are all familiar to me - I used to babysit and taught babysitter training - but they were new to Chuck. I think he liked doing the hands on demonstration activities with the baby doll, learning tangible skills that will be within our control.
Afterwards I asked Chuck if he had any questions about the class, and he said "Well, do you feel like you're ready for childbirth now?". I told him that while it was important to learn the facts, the prenatal yoga does a better job of getting me ready mentally. As far as the medical stuff, the philosophy of my doctor and the hospital we're delivering at is in line with how I envision things should go, so I trust they'll know what's best for me if anything unexpected happens.
For now, the weekly countdown to b-day is officially in the single digits, and this certificate proves that we are, in fact, prepared:
Yesterday was more abstract for Chuck, and a little more overwhelming for me: the stages and phases of of labor, breathing and birthing positions, watching several childbirth videos, and learning about medical interventions. Our instructor gave very realistic demonstrations of each breathing technique (as though she were in labor), which was... interesting. Chuck learned the 5-1-1 rule, meaning he has to time me and we shouldn't go to the hospital until my contractions are 5 mins apart, lasting 1 minute each, for at least 1 hour. We also learned how the baby corkscrews through the pelvis so that the largest part of her head and shoulders are always going through the largest part of the hip bones. It's crazy how the body knows how to labor and the baby knows how to get out. It's as if we were made to do this.
Today's session was more about baby care, including breastfeeding, diapering, bathing, etc. These topics are all familiar to me - I used to babysit and taught babysitter training - but they were new to Chuck. I think he liked doing the hands on demonstration activities with the baby doll, learning tangible skills that will be within our control.
Afterwards I asked Chuck if he had any questions about the class, and he said "Well, do you feel like you're ready for childbirth now?". I told him that while it was important to learn the facts, the prenatal yoga does a better job of getting me ready mentally. As far as the medical stuff, the philosophy of my doctor and the hospital we're delivering at is in line with how I envision things should go, so I trust they'll know what's best for me if anything unexpected happens.
For now, the weekly countdown to b-day is officially in the single digits, and this certificate proves that we are, in fact, prepared:
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
After work I had yet another OB appointment. I'm seeing Dr. Belt every 2 weeks now, but this appointment seriously took less than 10 minutes. They weighed me (136), took a urine sample (normal), took my blood pressure (104/62), found her heart rate, and asked me the normal questions: Any unusual discharge? No. Swelling in the hands or feet? No. Are you feeling the baby move? Yes! Taking your prenatal vitamins? Yes. Okay great - see you in two weeks!
Actually, I asked Dr. Belt if she could feel my tummy and tell me what position the baby's in. Lately she's been putting a lot of pressure on my upper belly, and I think it feels like her head and butt sticking up and out (can babies defy gravity in the womb?). Dr. Belt said she was head down at my last ultrasound (11 weeks ago) and she thinks she's probably still head down and that her feet are sticking up and pushing on me. Hmmm... I'm not sure I'm convinced. I think I feel her kicking (or punching??) around my lower belly, and whatever's protruding out of my upper right-side feels bigger than a foot. I guess it could be her heel or knee. Our next ultrasound isn't for another month, so who knows?
You always hear women say that their baby kicks so much, it'll probably end up being a soccer player. I think if that's true, mine will enjoy doing yoga and gymnastics. She's not as much of a kicker as a tumbler and stretcher. I swear she does downward dogs in my belly!
The funniest thing that's been happening lately is that every time we eat out at a restaurant, we'll be waiting for our food and Chuck will say "I wonder if this will be our daughter's favorite restaurant?". The other day we were at a cute French restaurant, and I said "Chuck, I don't think this would be any baby's favorite restaurant," to which he responded "Not when she's a baby, but maybe when she's 30!"... what!? He said it again when we were at this little burger joint, and he said it so sincerely both times, like he was really thinking about it... I laughed so hard, but really I just can't believe he's thinking that far in advance. I have trouble thinking past my first days back after maternity leave!!!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Celebration
This weekend we went out to one of our biggest splurge dinners of all time. I had a free dinner for two that I've been saving from my 2nd place win in the LAF Progralympics, so it'll be reimbursed! We went to the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant where we had cheese fondue, salads, savory fondue, and then (yum) chocolate peanut butter fondue. You would not believe how many other pregnant women we saw eating there.
This was to celebrate an early Valentine's Day (our last Valentine's Day without kids), and one of my favorite anniversary dates; the 4-years of normal life after chemo anniversary. Everybody remembers different anniversaries when it comes to a cancer diagnosis. We never really pegged down an actual diagnosis date (that was a process), and Chuck remembers his first surgery date when they removed the actual melanoma. I always remember the day when he went back to work, I went back to school, and things got "back to normal" (whatever that means!). I'm not sure what date the insurance companies use, but we're definitely approaching the magic 5-year mark.
Anyway, this weekend we hit 30 weeks pregnant. I've been going to prenatal yoga since week 20, so I've always been one of the girls in the 20's. The women in the teens are like newbies, and the ones in the 30's always seem so far along. Even when I was 28 weeks I thought the 30+ week women seemed far away... and now I'm there!!
This was to celebrate an early Valentine's Day (our last Valentine's Day without kids), and one of my favorite anniversary dates; the 4-years of normal life after chemo anniversary. Everybody remembers different anniversaries when it comes to a cancer diagnosis. We never really pegged down an actual diagnosis date (that was a process), and Chuck remembers his first surgery date when they removed the actual melanoma. I always remember the day when he went back to work, I went back to school, and things got "back to normal" (whatever that means!). I'm not sure what date the insurance companies use, but we're definitely approaching the magic 5-year mark.
Anyway, this weekend we hit 30 weeks pregnant. I've been going to prenatal yoga since week 20, so I've always been one of the girls in the 20's. The women in the teens are like newbies, and the ones in the 30's always seem so far along. Even when I was 28 weeks I thought the 30+ week women seemed far away... and now I'm there!!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Go ahead, touch the tummy...
One strange thing about pregnancy is that for the first 5 months or so, the only people who know you're pregnant are the ones you've told. People in the general public can't tell, or it wouldn't be polite to say anything if they suspected. Now that there's no denying it, people in lines at grocery stores and other shops have been asking me when I'm due, and starting random conversations with me about things like diapers. Surprisingly, no stranger has asked to touch my tummy. I think my belly's pretty neat and don't mind people I know touching it - but it's probably not all that exciting unless she's moving around or in an interesting position.
This morning after prenatal yoga, we headed over to St. David's South Austin Hospital for our own personal maternity tour. It's a pretty small hospital, much less crowded than the downtown hospitals. Parking is free and easy, and once we stepped inside, the nurses and volunteers were all so nice - we'd turn a corner and somebody would ask us where we were going and point us in the right direction. A male nurse who's been with the hospital for like 20 years showed us the labor & delivery rooms, the recovery rooms, and the nursery. They encourage women to room in with their babies, so of the 19 babies currently in the hospital, only 4 were in the nursery (and they were so little!). One of the nursery attendants asked me who my OB is, and said they're excited to have Dr. Belt and her practice deliverying at their hospital now. In fact, everybody was welcoming and seemed happy that we'd be delivering there!
This morning after prenatal yoga, we headed over to St. David's South Austin Hospital for our own personal maternity tour. It's a pretty small hospital, much less crowded than the downtown hospitals. Parking is free and easy, and once we stepped inside, the nurses and volunteers were all so nice - we'd turn a corner and somebody would ask us where we were going and point us in the right direction. A male nurse who's been with the hospital for like 20 years showed us the labor & delivery rooms, the recovery rooms, and the nursery. They encourage women to room in with their babies, so of the 19 babies currently in the hospital, only 4 were in the nursery (and they were so little!). One of the nursery attendants asked me who my OB is, and said they're excited to have Dr. Belt and her practice deliverying at their hospital now. In fact, everybody was welcoming and seemed happy that we'd be delivering there!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Random Thoughts
Today 3 people told me I had that pregnant glow and complimented me on how good I look, and I felt really good too! Of course, I got a great night's sleep last night - after hardly sleeping at all the night before.
It can be really hard to sleep with a big tummy and a little creature inside that wriggles and protrudes as it moves. I had a dream the other night that she was reaching out and I could see her little fingers and arms sticking way out of my tummy. I kept trying to get her hands back in but she was pushing too hard. It was freaky!
She's big enough now that I pretty much feel every move she makes. It used to be that I'd only feel her if I was still and quiet, relaxing on the couch or laying down for bed. I told Chuck awhile back that I never felt her when I was walking or standing up, and he said that it's because she was hanging on for dear life! But now I feel her when I'm working, walking, eating, sleeping, you name it. She likes to stretch out and slowly move around from one side of me to the other. I guess once she's bigger she won't have as much room to maneuver.
Now that she moves so much, I think about how neat it is to have her in there, alive and active, yet so quiet and low maintenance. I am enjoying the peacefulness and ease of it all, as I know that will be changing soon.
Last week Chuck teased me that at the next ultrasound (or at birth), they might tell me she's really a he. I suppose that's not outside the realm of possibility, but really... the sonogram tech said she was 120% sure!
And incase you're wondering, my fingernails are longer, stronger, and thicker than ever before.
It can be really hard to sleep with a big tummy and a little creature inside that wriggles and protrudes as it moves. I had a dream the other night that she was reaching out and I could see her little fingers and arms sticking way out of my tummy. I kept trying to get her hands back in but she was pushing too hard. It was freaky!
She's big enough now that I pretty much feel every move she makes. It used to be that I'd only feel her if I was still and quiet, relaxing on the couch or laying down for bed. I told Chuck awhile back that I never felt her when I was walking or standing up, and he said that it's because she was hanging on for dear life! But now I feel her when I'm working, walking, eating, sleeping, you name it. She likes to stretch out and slowly move around from one side of me to the other. I guess once she's bigger she won't have as much room to maneuver.
Now that she moves so much, I think about how neat it is to have her in there, alive and active, yet so quiet and low maintenance. I am enjoying the peacefulness and ease of it all, as I know that will be changing soon.
Last week Chuck teased me that at the next ultrasound (or at birth), they might tell me she's really a he. I suppose that's not outside the realm of possibility, but really... the sonogram tech said she was 120% sure!
And incase you're wondering, my fingernails are longer, stronger, and thicker than ever before.
Monday, February 4, 2008
New Orleans
While Bianca & I may not have been able to join the LAF staff in NOLA, it seems we certainly were there in spirit... and cut-out form!! Check out and all the fun things we did (and my hot little preggo bod):
We also just scheduled the baby showers! Invites are going out soon, and they're going to be great!!! The work shower will be February 29th, and I'm also having a home shower on March 8th. Thank you thank you thank you Daniela, Teresa, and Candace for planning everything :)
We also just scheduled the baby showers! Invites are going out soon, and they're going to be great!!! The work shower will be February 29th, and I'm also having a home shower on March 8th. Thank you thank you thank you Daniela, Teresa, and Candace for planning everything :)
Friday, February 1, 2008
February... Already!?
Wow, time goes by so fast when you're counting weeks! We had an OB appointment today, which included peeing in a cup, getting a heartbeat from baby, measuring the tummy, and getting a Rhogam shot in my hip. I asked my doctor about pre-registering at the hospital, and she informed me that they officially changed which hospital they deliver at! That came as a surprise. We won't be delivering at Seton downtown, we'll be delivering at St. David's South Austin Hospital. It's a convenient location... our only issue is that their maternity tours are only offered on the third Sunday of each month at 1pm. The third Sunday of this month we have our prepared childbirth class, and the third Sunday of next month we have our prenatal for partners class at Yoga Yoga. If only I'd known this LAST month! We'll just have to see if we can schedule a private tour.
Now we start seeing Dr. Belt every 2-weeks. Our next appointment will actually be on Valentine's Day. How romantic.
After today's appointment, we went to the First Friday Film Fest at Seton, where we had popcorn and watched 3 videos. The first was specifically about breastfeeding, the second was about bringing baby home, and the third was all about fatherhood (narrated by Ray Romano). Not bad!
I thought I'd post another photo for you. It's a better angle and outfit to really show off the belly...
Now we start seeing Dr. Belt every 2-weeks. Our next appointment will actually be on Valentine's Day. How romantic.
After today's appointment, we went to the First Friday Film Fest at Seton, where we had popcorn and watched 3 videos. The first was specifically about breastfeeding, the second was about bringing baby home, and the third was all about fatherhood (narrated by Ray Romano). Not bad!
I thought I'd post another photo for you. It's a better angle and outfit to really show off the belly...
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
15 pounds
Okay, so I got this idea when my mother-in-law told me she still doesn't think I look "very pregnant" in my photos. I thought to myself... do you remember what I looked like before!? Well, I guess this isn't quite as drastic a difference as I expected it to be (this outfit must be slimming), but I'm definitely wider; my chest is way bigger, my tummy's bigger, my clothes are bigger, and my hair's even longer (I haven't cut it since then). I've actually gained about 15 lbs so far, and I still have 2-1/2 months to go. This tummy does have lots of growing left to do!
My main "working from home" activity for the day is getting (over-due) oil changes on both cars, gas and maybe a car wash. That, plus yesterday alone I had over 30 emails in my LAF inbox, so I'm working! Emailing, planning, blogging, shopping, cooking... it's all good.
My main "working from home" activity for the day is getting (over-due) oil changes on both cars, gas and maybe a car wash. That, plus yesterday alone I had over 30 emails in my LAF inbox, so I'm working! Emailing, planning, blogging, shopping, cooking... it's all good.
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