Thursday, May 28, 2009

29 Weeks


Is it just me or does that squash look like a GIANT WANG?
One week away from week 30!!! For some reason week 30 has been considered the beginning of the "home stretch" for me. I am SO READY for week 30! But for now I'll concentrate on week 29.

Here is the update for 29 Weeks from http://www.babycenter.com/. My commens today are in BLUE.

How your baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash - or veggie that looks like an enlarged wanger.) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain (Feels like it's the size of a baseball to me!). To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.


How your life's changing:

Your baby's very active now. (You can say that again!)Your practitioner may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks (I've been really bad about my kick counting BUT I have been getting so many kicks that I am not worried about it. I can get 10 kicks in 10 minutes before I even get out of bed -- and the doctors want 10 in 1 hour. ) and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let her know if you ever notice a decrease in activity. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.

Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now (Yes, thanks!). The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract (Everybody just blames the progesterone? Nobody wants to blame the enormous iron pills I'm taking now???? Sounds suspect to me!). This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion, which in turn can cause gas (pardon me....)and heartburn (I've learned to follow every meal with a tums or a Pepcid!)— especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation as well.

Your growing uterus may also be contributing to hemorrhoids(Beware - TMI - I get these in "real life" but haven't had them too bad in pregnancy, which is odd. I'm hoping for a comfortable 2 more months!!). These swollen blood vessels in your rectal area are common during pregnancy and usually clear up in the weeks after giving birth. If they're itchy or painful, try soaking in a sitz bath or applying cold compresses medicated with witch hazel to the affected area. Also avoid sitting or standing for long stretches. (This makes me laugh -- and forgive the FRENCH but what the fuck else am I supposed to do during the day? Dance?) Talk with your practitioner before using any over-the counter remedies during pregnancy (I've got the A-OK on Tucks), and let her know if you have any rectal bleeding. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet (Check!), drink plenty of water (Leave me alone already! I drink gallons a day!), and get some regular exercise (hmmmm....no comment....don't tell my dad but I am not the most active of girls! I have been cleaning the house and doing the laundry though! Doesn't that count?).

Some women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy, where laying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. I get this at night if I accidentally roll over on my back in my sleep. It's weird but it wakes me up.)You might note that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too (Not had an issue yet but I have passed out from standing up too fast in the past...so I'm careful about it). To avoid "the spins" lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Belly Comparison

9 Weeks
12.5 Weeks
15 Weeks
20 Weeks
26 Weeks
28.5 Weeks

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

28.5 Weeks Belly Shot

Ugh - these are so not pretty. Jen wanted me to get some belly pictures with my face included. I made her do them that way so she's making me do it. So I did. Double ugh! I guess if I made 3 of my other friends do this I must do it too.


Big Baby

The baby has gotten so big at this point that I can feel actual body parts. And if a particular baby part gets in the way, causing me to feel uncomfortable, I just push on the part and the whole thing moves! It's great! Often times the baby is floating right behind my belly button and for some reason it hurts. This is when I exercise my right to point and shove my baby a little to the right or left. It's a little weird -- but it works. Sometimes my tummy can appear to be lopsided. It's because a baby's head or butt is on one side or the other. This again is where the point and shove technique works wonders! One must be careful when using this technique....sometimes a little toot can work it's way out too!

Linea Nigra

I still have not gotten my linea nigra. I would like to think that it means I won't get one but that's rare. Could I be so lucky? Probably not. Keelee thought she wasn't getting one and then it popped up at the last minute. Grrrr....

Prenatal Heart Listener

My sister came over last Thursday for a surprise visit. We spent our quality time together laying on the couches, eating Thai food, listening for the baby's heart beat through a monitor I bought and watching The Secret Life Of Bees. (The movie was much better than the book by the way!) I have 2 heart beat listeners. A lightly used one that a friend gave me and another one of a different brand - new and in the package. So far neither has worked. My sister did get to hear our child thumping around inside my womb though. With every kick there was a coordinating thump. That was pretty neat.

If I can't hear a heartbeat before the end of the 9 mos I plan on taking back the new heart listener. The lightly used one I have never found a heartbeat either. I'm getting a strong feeling that the heartbeat monitors on the market now are a RIP OFF! Normally I'd feel very jipped but since I'm going to the doctor every 2 weeks now, and I hear the heartbeat each time I go in, I'm fine with not being able to hear it on my $25 monitor.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

28 Weeks! (10 to 12 more weeks to go!)


My comments today in Red.
How your baby's growing:


By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes All this use of "her" is making think I'm having a girl! . With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb Hopefully at my Sister-In-Law's bachelorette part we'll hit some venues with a disco ball. Lets see how this baby can dance! She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.
How your life's changing:
You're in the home stretch! Ok. Ok. A little scary. But a little exciting too. The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester. Ummm...sorry, this really doesn't work for me. I'm under strict instruction from the Weight Nazi to not loose it now! At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Yep! Doing that now! Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Depending on your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis now What? Is there a strong likelihood that I've picked up an STD during my pregnancy? I'm not a hooker. This WAS a planned pregnancy, as well as doing cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea Ok, now I'm just insulted, to be certain of your status Status? My status is married, stupid. I don't have anything wrong with my crotch other than a baby living in it! before delivery. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test. As we all know I "passed my Glucose Challange"!And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. I haven't heard anything about this at the doctors office. I'm assuming they would have already told me? (If your baby is Rh positive, you'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth.)Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. I've had this for several months now. I find that cool temperatures helps. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your caregiver if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS. I have enough Iron, thank you. Just ask my bowels.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The Weight Nazi

Today I saw the Weight Nazi. {There is one doctor in my OBGYN practice that is referred to as "The Weight Nazi". He is my regular Gynecologist, so I saw him at the very beginning of my pregnancy, but I've had to make my rounds to the other doctors since then. Today I had come full circle and it was time to see him again.....} I was pretty scared. My big plan was to eat nothing but cucumbers and Melons for 3 days before the appointment so I could avoid being bloated. Did you know that melons are natural diuretics? That didn't really work out though. So I went in today and I had only gained 2 lbs from my last appointment. I was hoping that would satisfy the Weight Nazi. He said..........."You're doing really REALLY good on your weight" YIPPEE! Then he told me he didn't want me to leave the office all happy that he didn't yell at me about my weight and just start eating like crazy. (WhatEVER) He also said he didn't want me eating any summer picnic foods because it all had salt in it. So I didn't get out of the office without some sort of talking-to but at least he didn't make me cry.

My Uterus measured 29" which is perfect. The baby's heart rate was in the 140s again which is also good. I start my kick counts tomorrow. I have to keep track of the baby's kicks from now until the very end. That means, I need to pick an hour every day and check a box every time I feel a kick. Once I get 10 kicks I'm done. This child has never lacked in movement so I'm sure that will be easy.

The doctor also told me that if I have that problem with my butt nerve again I should sleep on my right side. Get the pressure OFF my left side.

My next appointment is June 3rd. Things are going to start going really fast now. It's all getting crazy!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I'm Cured!

It must have been all that nesting! My pinched nerve is pinched no more! I'm so happy because now I can nest at a faster pace! =) I don't know how it got unpinched really. I just woke up this morning and it was gone! I think it was a miracle. =)

Speaking of nesting, I just cleaned out our whole supply room today. It looks immaculate! I'm so proud!

Monday, May 18, 2009

My Nest Has Clean Closets!

....I think they call it "nesting". I've been cleaning closets. All of them. Oh, and I completely revamped the laundry room too. It's amazing! I reorganized and threw out so much junk. I moved all the baby stuff to the baby's soon-to-be room. I made room for the crazy wave of baby "stuff" that is about to hit our tiny little house. My basic rule of thumb was if it doesn't have a use, or hasn't been used in quite some time, it's gone! We're either attempting to sell all this stuff in the yard sale this weekend or it's being thrown out. No mercy!

I think I'm going to have a hard time sleeping tonight. I have a plan to sort through my craft box tomorrow and I'm SO TEMPTED to do it tonight. I can't stop myself! This nesting stuff is SICK! I'm so driven I took the trash out to the street one night early. I thought it was Tuesday.

**Yes, I did all this with my pinched ass. I had Eric carry everything heavy but I really couldn't help myself. Luckily, most of the organizing and trashing I did while standing still. I know some of my friends and family think I should sit or lay down for the remainder of my pregnancy, but I just can't! I'll go crazy! I have so much I want to get done by the time the baby gets here, and strange as it may be, I have to be the one to do it. God forbid I get put on bedrest and Eric has to organize my nursery. I just can't have that!**

I've pinched my own ass!

So, my lower back/butt pain is definitely more like a pinched nerve. And it comes and goes. Yesterday (Sunday) it was pretty painful all day. I was a slllllooooooowww mover. Today, I woke up and I was fine but after a short ride to work the pain was back. Although I've been off my feet for most of the day today (thank you desk-work) it's still hurts to get up and walk to the bathroom, etc. Basically I go from wanting to cry out in pain to being fine.

Suggestions have been:

Acupuncture - Which I am currently looking in to
Yoga Ball - Which I now have, thanks to Jen, and will use tonight
Rest - Which I do when I can but I can't possibly sit or lay down all the time
Massage - Doesn't work, tried that last week
Wiggle - (To make the baby move off the nerve - I haven't tried this yet. It's too painful)

Other things I've tried that don't work!

Warm bath
Glass of wine
Heating pad
Tylenol

I will see the doctor on Wednesday but I have a feeling I'm going to be told to tough it out. Saturday night and yesterday I was in such pain I wanted to ask for an Epidural. Keep your fingers crossed!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Hip/Lower Back Pain

For the last week or so I've had bad hip/lower back pain. It starts in right at the top of my butt crack and fans out to my outter hips. It's unbearable today but that's probably because I was walking more than usual. It's Saturday and on Saturdays we do stuff -- so I've been active. I've taken 3 doses of Extra Strength Tylenol throughout the day and it doesn't help. It's the only pain killer I'm allowed to take.

Earlier today, while we were in Target, I lost my sense of humor over it.

Eric: "Why the bad mood?"

Me: "Because my back hurts so much I want to punch someone in the face!"

Eric: "Maybe you should wait for me in the car?"

To make matters worse I'm more than tad uncomfortable from being constipated. These new Iron Pills that the doctor put me on have my systems in a bind. And I know that is just adding to the lower back pain. This hurting back and constipation better ease up or this is going to be a very long 3rd trimester!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Medical Bills

As soon as we found out we were pregnant the medical bills started coming in. And being paranoid about having bad credit, or bills that I cannot pay, I just paid them to get them out of my way. But then they just kept coming. None of them really amounted to that much, I mean, we have medical insurance, but it was just the sheer volume of them that freaked me out! $40 here $10 there. We had bills for lab fees, ultrasounds, my emergency room visit, you name it -- they billed. It didn't take long before I was quite sure we'd met our deductible and then I started to worry that I was paying bills that didn't need to be paid.

Last week, I had a balance of $2.35 at the OBGYN, and they wouldn't see me until I paid it. That's TWO DOLLARS AND THIRTY FIVE CENTS. Seriously? Then the billing department laughed at me when I asked them to send me a bill so I could reconcile it against my paperwork. They said, "Ha. We don't send bills for $2.35." Right. Because it's a rediculously small amount. So to refuse me treatment over $2.35 just seems a little strange, right? I mean, it's not like I haven't already written them hundreds of dollars in bills already. Its not like I don't have medical insurance. And it's not like if I died tomorrow and no one could pay the $2.35 bill the entire practice would sink. Now.... I guess technically I could have gone down to my car, pulled my seat forward and found $2.35 in change that has been hibernating under my car seats for the last 6 months, by why bother? It's $2.35. $2.35 doesn't even get you a coffee at Starbucks or a dozen eggs.

So yesterday I audited the whole pregnancy bill sitaution! It was enormous fun, and I mean it. I had excel spreadsheets and statements stacked all over the place. I was reconciling my world. It was great. It's been settled. But I can't deny the fact that it chaps my growing ass to no end that they refused to see me at the doctor for a $2.35 bill.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

I haven't been getting your e-mails!

So, my sister-in-law Heather mentioned to me that she's been sending me things that I have not been recieving. So after a brief investigation it was discovered that she was sending me e-mails through this blog. Well, blogger has been using my gmail account. An account that I ONLY set up for spam and as a required component to having this version of blogger. SO -- I never check it. Ever.

Well, except I just checked it! I had SO MANY kind and loving e-mails from my Mom, my aunt Diane, and other friends and family regarding my blog that I had no idea existed! Not only that but I feel TERRIBLE for not responding! So I appologize to you my family and friends for not reading these e-mails in a timely manor! I do believe I have fixed the problem though so you CAN E-MAIL ME NOW AND I WILL RECIEVE THEM! I just had to make a minor adjustment.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Mommy & Daddy

Here is the first picture of Eric and I as a couple since I got pregnant. As you can see. Mommy weighs a nice 45lbs more than Daddy. The bad news is I'm huge. The good news is I can kick his ass!
And of course it wouldn't be a true to life picture if we didn't have one of these in the mix! Here you have Aunt Heather and I looking beautiful as ever while Eric allows himself to be distracted by my fun bags.

27 Weeks!



This news is from www.babycenter.com. My comments today are in.....Orange.

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. So big! She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now Lets not!. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups Only 2 times so far. I'm happy with just 2. They're annoying., which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle. "Tickle" ya right!

How your life's changing:

The second trimester is drawing to a close Per my chart I'm technically in my 2nd trimester. The 27th week begins the 7th month of pregnancy. So don't be confused if I start referring to myself as being in the 3rd tri., but as your body gears up for the final lap, you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back Yes! My bones actually hurt. It's my hip bone I guess. It's the bone that is at the very top of my butt crack. Nice, eh? I don't know what it's called, and I don't care, I just want it to stop. I have a sneaking suspicion it's my hips widening for my growing cauliflower head..... for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then No, not yet but I do get restless leg syndrome. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs. Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give you some relief. Straighten your leg and then gently flex your toes back toward your shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.

It may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's not too soon to think about family planning. You'll want to have made some decisions about postpartum birth control before your baby arrives. Noted! I will talk with the doctor about this next week at my check up! If you're considering a tubal ligation Um...no., be aware that most states require you to sign a consent form at least 30 days beforehand. So if you'd like the option of having the surgery during your postpartum hospital stay, don't wait too much longer to discuss it with your caregiver. (You can still change your mind later.)

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Belly Comparison at 26/27 weeks

Here is the belly comparison between Jen and I. Jen is in the green pants.


Tuesday, May 12, 2009

New Belly Pic!

9 weeks!
12.5 Weeks
15.5 Weeks
20 Weeks
27 Weeks

Book I Want!

I Passed!

I just got word from my OBGYN that I passed the Glucose Screening Test! Yipee!! I'm so relieved. When I first saw their number on my phone I panicked. They have a "no news is good news" policy in that office. So if you don't hear from them then you can assume everything is fine. So why did they call then? I am apparently low on iron and I have to take an over the counter supplement, twice a day, to fix it. No biggie. Much better than worrying about giving birth to a 13 pound baby as a result of Gestational Diabetes!

Friday, May 8, 2009

PeeWee Trumpette Socks

I had lunch with my Mom earlier this week. It was really nice. We had lunch at Bistro Bistro in Shirlington -- that's where I ate the Shrimp Bisque that blew up my ankles, legs and hands just before my doctors appointment. But it was worth it. So yummy.


Afterwards we walked down to this little Frech Gift Shop where Mom bought the baby these cute little socks! They're called PeeWee Trumpette Socks which means cute little Arguile Socks for babies.





When I brought them home to show Eric he looked at them and said:

Eric: "Wierd"

Me: "What?" Right about now I was thinking he was going to say something about how wierd I was for thinking the socks are too cute for words but instead he said.

Eric: "Weird. Weird that we're going to have little feet to put in those."

Me: "ya...it is huh..."

Awwwwwwwww!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Gestational Diabetes Test Today

Today was my Gestational Diabetes Test. I was SO NOT looking forward to it. I'd heard from friends and from my Pregnancy chat room that the "juice" you have to drink is an orange sludge and that some even throw up from the horror of it all. I was definitely expecting to have to drink a gallon of orange flavored charcoal, which I was convinced was going to make me puke all over myself. And I don't puke. Ever. I have puked like twice in my life (Once in the 4th grade I had the flu and another time I drank too much Tequila at very high altitude). I do not like to puke. I cannot be around it or hear puking stories. Puking in movies makes me green. Real life puking would make me run out of the room screaming. No puke for me - thanks.

...Not to mention I was expected to fast before hand and not eating is never a mood enhancer for me. =)

To my sweet surprise it wasn't that bad! In fact, I could do that every day for the rest of my life and be just fine! I have to laugh at myself because I seriously treated this appointment like a kid who goes in for annual shots. I was crabby all last night because of the dread of going in today. I didn't want to go to bed because I knew the morning would be hell. All that just to find out that it was fine.

I also found out that the juice comes in different flavors and you can actually request a certain flavor if you really can't handle a certain one. Here's how I found out..

Patient #1 (also taking test): I don't know. I think I like the orange better!

Me: I love this Lemon-Lime! I heard orange was THE WORST! I'm really pleased with mine!

Patient #2 (not taking test, just nosey): Personally, I think Fruit Punch is the best of them all.

Me: They have fruit punch too?

...and then my doctor said that she will ONLY drink the fruit punch drinks. She said that all of them made her throw up except fruit punch and so she just refuses any and all other flavors when she's pregnant (I was afraid to ask how many kids she has...sounds like a lot!)

Test Results come in 3-4 days. They said I won't get a call if things are all good. If things are not good then I have to go back and do a 3 hour test. Worst case I have gestational diabetes and I have to go on a "strict diabetic diet". Which really isn't all that strict since my brother is a diabetic and I've had to live with this "diet" most of my life as a member of my family.

Moving on....

I found out today that I'm now starting my every 2 week check up schedule. So now I'll go see the doctor every 2 weeks instead of every month. My next appointment is May 20th. Oh, and they're measuring my belly now too, which is neat.

26 Weeks!


As always this article is from www.babycenter.com My comments today will be in green. Get it? Cucumber = Green!
Your pregnancy: 26 weeks

How your baby's growing:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. Eric talked to the baby last night and we definitely got a response. When we talk the baby moves. When we stop the baby stops. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. This must be causing the hiccups, right? I felt more hiccups last night while I was reading. Apparently reading sets the young one in the hiccups because that's what I was doing the first time I felt them. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. OH goodie! I hate being the only fat one in the family! He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum I'm sure daddy is proud — a trip that will take about two to three days So by Mothers Day the kid should have full blown balls? Nice!.

How your life's changing:


Are you rushing around trying to get to childbirth classes No! They're scheduled to start June 1!and prepare your baby's room Eric's been told that the nursery has to be done by June 28th. while still taking care of all your other daily tasks? I really do feel like I have it all under control. I'm a planner so this getting prepared stuff is really no sweat off my back. Now, planning life while taking care of a baby might throw me for a loop! I'm not a miracle worker! Make sure that you also continue to eat well and get plenty of rest. Around this time, your blood pressure may be increasing slightly, although it's probably still lower than it was before you got pregnant. (Typically, blood pressure falls toward the end of the first trimester, and it tends to reach a low at about 22 to 24 weeks.)

Preeclampsia — a serious disorder characterized by high blood pressure and protein in your urine — most often shows up after 37 weeks, but it can happen earlier so it's important to be aware of the warning signs of this condition. Call your caregiver if you have swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes Just ankles, legs and hands for me!, more than slight swelling of your hands, excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles (My swelling is not sudden. It's always been because I ate something I shouldn't have - Shrimp Bisque yesterday with my Mom), or rapid weight gain (more than 4 pounds in a week It may look like 4 lbs in a week but it's honestly not! 4-6 lbs a month is more like it...). With more severe preeclampsia, you may experience other symptoms. Let your caregiver know immediately if you have a severe or persistent headache, vision changes (including double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, sensitivity to light, or temporary loss of vision), intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen, or vomiting.

If your lower back seems a little achy lately, you can thank both your growing uterus Hey! Didn't I just complain about this yesterday? — which shifts your center of gravity, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve — as well as hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight you're carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why you may feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting can all put a strain on your back. A warm bath or hot compress might bring relief. (Some women, though, find cool compresses more comforting.) Try to maintain good posture during the day, avoid activities that require bending and twisting at the same time, take frequent breaks when sitting or standing, and sleep on your side with one or both knees bent with a pillow between your legs, using another pillow (or wedge) to support your abdomen.


Soothing sore feet "To help yourself relax, immerse your feet in a basin filled with warm water. Add a few drops of scented oil and enjoy." — Anonymous Maybe I'll do this tonight!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Love This Cartoon


Lower Back Twinges

I have this sharp pain in my lower/lowest back. It's where my butt meets my back. It feels like a pinched nerve deep within my butt cheek. http://www.babycenter.com/ had a description of a common back pain that seems to hit the nail on the head. Not only that but my back twinge started when I was carrying loads of laundry up and down the stairs last night.

Here is an excerpt from the article I found:

Even more pregnant women have posterior pelvic pain, which is felt lower on your body than lumbar pain. You may feel it deep inside the buttocks, on one or both sides or in the back of your thighs. It may be triggered by activities such as walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of a tub or a low chair, rolling over in bed, or twisting and lifting.

It's not a big deal. I will talk to the doctor tomorrow if it's not gone by then. In the mean time I'm just taking things slow.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

100 Days

Today my pregnancy ticker says 100 more days until the baby is born! Tomorrow I'll be in double digits! Crazy! Approximately 100 more days until I have a screaming crying hungry baby in my hands. WOW! I feel really prepared and ready for the big day. Aside from not having the nursery put together I have all my other ducks in a row. I've researched recommended check lists and so far I'm on target. Next up, Gestational Diabetes test on Thursday!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Update on Sex of Baby

On April 16th I posted "It's A Girl" which was based on a gender predictor/Old Wives Tale. This highly scientific gender predictor was not only preformed on me but also on a pregnant co-worker. During this procedure all signs pointed toward BOY for my co-worker but a GIRL for me.

This just in: On May 1st -- co-workers doctors medically confirmed she's is in fact having a BOY.

So that has to mean we are in fact having a girl! Right?

Pediatrician

Researching and interviewing pediatricians is up on the Pregnancy To-Do List. I'm not sure that I'm the type of Mom to interview pediatricians but I'm certainly open to recommendations and maybe a quick tour. Instead of going the Helicopter Mom route, which requires an interview of at least 5 pediatricians before making a decision, I've decided to ask our close friends about where they take their children. After some research I've decided to go with CMA. Children's Medial Associates of Northern Virginia. They were more than highly recommended. They were praised.

Check!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Hiccups

Thursday afternoon I laid down for nap only to have my unborn child begin hiccuping. This was the first time it's happened. I knew that unborn babies do hiccup but being a new Mom I didn't know what to expect. It's really fast and annoying. Being A.D.D. I think the less this baby hiccups in the womb the better. It's so distracting to me -- Keelee -- you were right! =)