I know several of my bloggy friends who have opened the floor for questions...so I am totally copying that idea because I suffer from writer's block as well.
Also- today it's officially ONE MONTH till baby's due date. It's hard to believe!!
Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
35 week checkup
I had a checkup with my OB/GYN today- it was going well until she started to talk about my weight gain--which is apparently not quite adequate. However, the baby's heart rate and activity level is very good and I am measuring okay in terms of uterus-size.
Still, I hate to feel as though I am doing a bad job of being pregnant. So she told me to schedule an ultrasound for next week- which I did get a Thursday afternoon appointment. But now I am going to worry between now and then about the baby & what I am doing wrong.
I generally don't pay attention to weight gain, as long as they tell me it is okay, then I am okay. I try to eat good stuff despite my strong attraction to all things junk food during this time. I also drink those Ensure drinks- especially early on when my morning sickness is so bad- because I figure they at least pack in some extra vitamins, etc. I just hope that the baby is growing well and that everything checks out At 20 weeks, all was well but this is now 15 weeks later.
With Michael, I had low amniotic fluid and was induced 9 days prior to my due date, so even then, he was full term and a-okay. I did not have that problem with Liam.
Please just keep a positive thought in your prayers for me--I am more than a little worried! And I will feel even worse if something is wrong and it's actually my fault somehow...
Still, I hate to feel as though I am doing a bad job of being pregnant. So she told me to schedule an ultrasound for next week- which I did get a Thursday afternoon appointment. But now I am going to worry between now and then about the baby & what I am doing wrong.
I generally don't pay attention to weight gain, as long as they tell me it is okay, then I am okay. I try to eat good stuff despite my strong attraction to all things junk food during this time. I also drink those Ensure drinks- especially early on when my morning sickness is so bad- because I figure they at least pack in some extra vitamins, etc. I just hope that the baby is growing well and that everything checks out At 20 weeks, all was well but this is now 15 weeks later.
With Michael, I had low amniotic fluid and was induced 9 days prior to my due date, so even then, he was full term and a-okay. I did not have that problem with Liam.
Please just keep a positive thought in your prayers for me--I am more than a little worried! And I will feel even worse if something is wrong and it's actually my fault somehow...
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
False Alarm
We just returned from an unplanned trip to the hospital due to some pesky contractions that were a bit too frequent & also packing a little punch since around 4:00 on Monday afternoon.
The short story is: false alarm, no dilation/progression, no bladder infection, no other signs of true labor, no signs of some other problem...whew!
I guess my body is just practicing? I am relieved because while I am sure everything would have turned out just fine, I am more than happy to let this baby bake just a bit longer :)
The short story is: false alarm, no dilation/progression, no bladder infection, no other signs of true labor, no signs of some other problem...whew!
I guess my body is just practicing? I am relieved because while I am sure everything would have turned out just fine, I am more than happy to let this baby bake just a bit longer :)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Things to do...
Here are some of the things I would like to have done before Baby #3 arrives- in order of priority:
1. Finish a good cleaning/dusting/etc. of our bedroom and then maintain that as best I can. (The other two bedrooms are in good shape).
2. Get cradle put back together as well as papasan (infant) seat (the swing can wait)
3. Set up pack and play downstairs
4. Rearrange living room in anticipation of holidays+extra baby stuff (also so I can get the little nooks and crannies cleared of any dust) and then maintain...this also includes putting together a new TV stand- which will a)give us some additional storage and b)look nicer!
5. Make Christmas gift decisions so that if we don't shop before baby, we have our game plan. Money is a little tight due to a random (costly) car repair so I don't want to blow a bunch of money right now. We are torn between a train table and Geotrax as the main joint gift.
6. Boys moved to 3rd row and infant car seat installed- I am getting the boys' seats checked for correct installation next Thursday at a safety check--done in by finding local car seat safety checks on http://www.safekids.org/
7. Move a few things in our basement and clean off two other outdoor riding toys so they are in our basement which will allow the boys to blow off steam during the bad weather days when we can't get outside
8. New crib put together--this isn't higher on the list because the baby will be in the cradle in our room for the first couple of months
9. Finish washing some of the baby clothes I pulled that we can use regardless of boy or girl baby.
10. Finish packing bag- which is mostly packed and I have a list of the few things that need to be put in there so if Mike needed to finish up, he could without any difficulty.
I also need to buy tapes for our video recorder because we only have 12 minutes left on the last tape. That, as well as charging the camera, are up at the top as well but I just thought of it!!
It sounds like alot, doesn't it? If anything isn't completely ready, I am not going to sweat it. NOTHING was worse than moving one week after having a baby!!! We survived that with Michael so the fact that most of what we need is in our house & readily accessible is just fine with me. I'll keep you posted on our progress with this list :)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Just over a month...
Happy November!
I can't believe I am typing this but I have just a little over a month to go before my due date...I keep saying to myself, how has this gone by so fast? Truthfully, the first 2/3rds did NOT go by quickly at all but once the 3rd trimester arrived, the passage of time feels faster.
I think I have finally started to hit a period of being organized and that has brought about a sense of calm. We have made steady process towards preparations & that has eased alot of my anxiety. Having certain things in order helps me feel ready. I feel very strongly that this baby will arrive early so having the physical environment ready is comforting to me...this is the most "nesty" I have ever been.
I am still going to try to post each day for NaBloPoMo- no promises though! Today the boys were up bright and EARLY- ugh. They are currently sacked out--I am very thankful for that because I think I will be hitting the hay early as well. We went to my niece and nephew's birthday party this afternoon, so the party + early rising + no naps = tired family.
On another note, one bummer piece of news I recently learned about: the hospital where I will deliver is not allowing any visitors under the age of 16 at all. I am sure many hospitals are implementing these types of policies. Of course, I completely understand with the swine flu/flu concerns--which are most definitely present in our area-- they have to be extra careful. I am not particularly surprised. Still, it bums me out because Michael was actually present for Liam's birth- along with Mike's mom and my mom..and of course Mike. And it was wonderful...to give Michael one last bottle while I was in labor (before it got intense)...to have pics of Michael looking at Liam in the baby warmer right after he was born...amazing to have those precious memories. Now I am guessing that the boys won't even be able to visit us based on the current policy.
Please know, I am not thinking that hospitals shouldn't be taking every precaution and obviously we will follow whatever rules we need to...it still makes me sad. Somewhere in my mind, I envisioned all of us together for this birth as well. So I am adjusting my vision and know that things will fall into place no matter what- and we will have more pictures than we ever imagined.
I am hopeful that this new month is a peaceful one and that we can continue to feel more and more ready for "Baby Sassy" :)
I can't believe I am typing this but I have just a little over a month to go before my due date...I keep saying to myself, how has this gone by so fast? Truthfully, the first 2/3rds did NOT go by quickly at all but once the 3rd trimester arrived, the passage of time feels faster.
I think I have finally started to hit a period of being organized and that has brought about a sense of calm. We have made steady process towards preparations & that has eased alot of my anxiety. Having certain things in order helps me feel ready. I feel very strongly that this baby will arrive early so having the physical environment ready is comforting to me...this is the most "nesty" I have ever been.
I am still going to try to post each day for NaBloPoMo- no promises though! Today the boys were up bright and EARLY- ugh. They are currently sacked out--I am very thankful for that because I think I will be hitting the hay early as well. We went to my niece and nephew's birthday party this afternoon, so the party + early rising + no naps = tired family.
On another note, one bummer piece of news I recently learned about: the hospital where I will deliver is not allowing any visitors under the age of 16 at all. I am sure many hospitals are implementing these types of policies. Of course, I completely understand with the swine flu/flu concerns--which are most definitely present in our area-- they have to be extra careful. I am not particularly surprised. Still, it bums me out because Michael was actually present for Liam's birth- along with Mike's mom and my mom..and of course Mike. And it was wonderful...to give Michael one last bottle while I was in labor (before it got intense)...to have pics of Michael looking at Liam in the baby warmer right after he was born...amazing to have those precious memories. Now I am guessing that the boys won't even be able to visit us based on the current policy.
Please know, I am not thinking that hospitals shouldn't be taking every precaution and obviously we will follow whatever rules we need to...it still makes me sad. Somewhere in my mind, I envisioned all of us together for this birth as well. So I am adjusting my vision and know that things will fall into place no matter what- and we will have more pictures than we ever imagined.
I am hopeful that this new month is a peaceful one and that we can continue to feel more and more ready for "Baby Sassy" :)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
33
33 weeks pregnant...the time is going very fast and rather slow- all at the same time. A day can drag on for an eternity but the week is over before I know it!
I can't believe it's Fall. October is here and almost gone. I find myself caught between two very strong desires...
One is the desire to hold on to what is familiar and known. To stay in the present and soak in every minute before making the jump to a family of five. To see Michael and Liam, in all of their beauty, where they are right now. To take advantage of time with Mike because that will be the first thing to go, right?
The other is the desire to prepare and be ready to meet this new baby, who I already feel as though I know. He or she IS Sassy. That is, if in utero movement is any indication. I think the activity level of the baby, while reassuring & at times freaky, is also fueling my anxiety about having everything ready. I know we have done this before...but I also know how HARD it is to complete any extra tasks once you live in newborn world. So I want to have as much done as possible. And of course, the mental prep is in there too--as in me telling myself "Jane, you will need to actually WAKE UP when the newborn cries, not just wait for the patter of little feet down the hall way coming to join you in your bed"
These two desires are at odds with one another. It's hard to be focused on the moment when there is a long, long list in your head just begging to be checked off. We just put the boys in the same bedroom and that transition is going fairly well overall. I think that once I have everything sorted between the two bedrooms, have a few clean baby clothes ready and the cradle put back together, then I will start to feel less stressed.
There is a big part of me that suspects this baby is going to arrive early--not super early but I don't think I am going to make it until December 10th. So with November rapidly approaching, I feel like time is slipping away from me.
I am trying to keep some degree of balance-for my own sanity and for our family.
It's a struggle but it's a really exciting time and I am keeping that worry bug of mine at bay so that I don't miss out on the fun! Wish me luck as worrying comes more naturally to me ;)
I can't believe it's Fall. October is here and almost gone. I find myself caught between two very strong desires...
One is the desire to hold on to what is familiar and known. To stay in the present and soak in every minute before making the jump to a family of five. To see Michael and Liam, in all of their beauty, where they are right now. To take advantage of time with Mike because that will be the first thing to go, right?
The other is the desire to prepare and be ready to meet this new baby, who I already feel as though I know. He or she IS Sassy. That is, if in utero movement is any indication. I think the activity level of the baby, while reassuring & at times freaky, is also fueling my anxiety about having everything ready. I know we have done this before...but I also know how HARD it is to complete any extra tasks once you live in newborn world. So I want to have as much done as possible. And of course, the mental prep is in there too--as in me telling myself "Jane, you will need to actually WAKE UP when the newborn cries, not just wait for the patter of little feet down the hall way coming to join you in your bed"
These two desires are at odds with one another. It's hard to be focused on the moment when there is a long, long list in your head just begging to be checked off. We just put the boys in the same bedroom and that transition is going fairly well overall. I think that once I have everything sorted between the two bedrooms, have a few clean baby clothes ready and the cradle put back together, then I will start to feel less stressed.
There is a big part of me that suspects this baby is going to arrive early--not super early but I don't think I am going to make it until December 10th. So with November rapidly approaching, I feel like time is slipping away from me.
I am trying to keep some degree of balance-for my own sanity and for our family.
It's a struggle but it's a really exciting time and I am keeping that worry bug of mine at bay so that I don't miss out on the fun! Wish me luck as worrying comes more naturally to me ;)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Boy or Girl: Consider the Evidence
Mike and I do not know the sex of baby #3. We didn't opt for advanced notice with Michael or Liam either. I have been wondering about this ALOT, especially as we discuss name possibilities and imagine what our family life will be like with another little one in the mix.
1. Same type/duration of morning sickness
2. Same moodiness in general- although it has gotten progressively worse with each pregnancy and this fact can be confirmed by my poor, abused husband.
3. Same rate of tummy growth (as far as I can recall and from husband report)
4. Same 3rd trimester ice-crunching obsession
5. Same love of milk especially first thing in the AM and last thing in the PM. Ice cream is also very popular.
My pregnancies with Michael and Liam were similar but not exactly the same. Morning sickness was worse with Liam...I carried bigger with Liam although I didn't gain quite as much weight.
Throughout this pregnancy, I have been comparing experiences and just having fun guessing based on what I have felt and experienced this time around. I can't say that I have a strong feeling either way...but then again, I never do.
So have some fun guessing with me, okay? I present you with some evidence- not based on some old wives' tale but on the pregnancy experience itself as compared to the past 2:
Similarities:1. Same type/duration of morning sickness
2. Same moodiness in general- although it has gotten progressively worse with each pregnancy and this fact can be confirmed by my poor, abused husband.
3. Same rate of tummy growth (as far as I can recall and from husband report)
4. Same 3rd trimester ice-crunching obsession
5. Same love of milk especially first thing in the AM and last thing in the PM. Ice cream is also very popular.
Differences:
1. No line on my belly yet--usually have it by now
2. Some odd things like: tooth pain, EXTREME dry eye problem, foot cramps
3. Carrying lower (by report of others and my own feeling)
4. No rib pain- probably due to the above
5. Lots of pressure down low- again could be due to difference#3
7. LOTS of movement and BIG movements at that, more than I recall- this one is fiesty that's for certain
What do you think? Boy or Girl?
Sorry for the weird spacing, blogger is not cooperating with me!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
79 days...
79 days?! Until my due date?!
That number makes me a little bit nervous...I have been so busy being pregnant that I forgot that this part does end and a whole new world begins for our family. It seems like just a few weeks ago I was still experiencing morning sickness and trying to determine when I could no longer make regular pants fit.
Don't get me wrong, I am so excited to welcome this new child into our lives. I am excited that for at least 3 months, I will be WITH my children. I know that I will be exhausted and overwhelmed at first...and that we will be making adjustments. I also know that our family is so supportive and that we will get through the tough spots just fine.
These next couple of months are going to fly by and I am trying to savor every moment with the boys while also getting some things in order to smooth out our transition.
One thing I am hoping to be successful with this time around: breastfeeding. I never attempted it with Michael...ended up mostly pumping for about 6 weeks for Liam...I am hopeful that this baby and I will finally get the hang of it.
For anyone reading who struggled with that process, can you tell me what book, resource, technique, etc. was most helpful to you? Or if you were just instantly good at the whole nursing thing, what do you think made it easy?
Any advice is appreciated! Thanks friends...time for me to go to sleep.
I have a 7am glucose screening tomorrow...wish me low blood sugar :)
That number makes me a little bit nervous...I have been so busy being pregnant that I forgot that this part does end and a whole new world begins for our family. It seems like just a few weeks ago I was still experiencing morning sickness and trying to determine when I could no longer make regular pants fit.
Don't get me wrong, I am so excited to welcome this new child into our lives. I am excited that for at least 3 months, I will be WITH my children. I know that I will be exhausted and overwhelmed at first...and that we will be making adjustments. I also know that our family is so supportive and that we will get through the tough spots just fine.
These next couple of months are going to fly by and I am trying to savor every moment with the boys while also getting some things in order to smooth out our transition.
One thing I am hoping to be successful with this time around: breastfeeding. I never attempted it with Michael...ended up mostly pumping for about 6 weeks for Liam...I am hopeful that this baby and I will finally get the hang of it.
For anyone reading who struggled with that process, can you tell me what book, resource, technique, etc. was most helpful to you? Or if you were just instantly good at the whole nursing thing, what do you think made it easy?
Any advice is appreciated! Thanks friends...time for me to go to sleep.
I have a 7am glucose screening tomorrow...wish me low blood sugar :)
Friday, May 22, 2009
Random Friday Updates
Wow- I am so out of touch with SO many people, it's unreal.
So let me at least get a little bit caught up in the bloggy world...
*Potty-training & Michael: Continuing on a good path...a few accidents, nothing major. Using pull-ups at nap/night...other than that, underwear all the way. He even got out of their little pool today to pee. Michael is AMAZING--I give him full credit for sticking with it & taking the lead. I am so proud of him!!
*Other Michael-stuff: He seems so much older to me in the past month. Aside from the potty progress, he is using different words, speaking more complete thoughts, sharing his ideas. We have hit a new level & it is WONDERFUL to see his curiosity & love of learning new things. I got a great compliment today from one of his teachers about his "pre-reading skills". I am not over-focused on this type of thing for his age but it's still nice to know that he is on a good path. He has always been very into books and I have noticed the increased interest in letters/words/ numbers & desire to read.
*Then there is my LIAM: my little comedian, he is coming into his own, asserting his opinion, taking control. Yes, you can imagine the power struggle between him and his brother. But it's all good- I am happy to see him blossoming & realizing that he is his own person. His language is also blowing my mind. He can't say everything clearly but I usually get the gist. On our morning drive, I get to hear all about the skoool bus, 'ment mixer, uh-oh cows!, motorcycle man, big truck, police car man or whatever else we happen to see along the way.
*Michael and Liam are starting to have their own little chats--very entertaining. I asked Michael to repeat what he said the other day and he told "I wasn't talkin' to you Mommy, I was talkin' to LEEEam." Well, excuse the intrusion!! It's so great to see their relationship forming.
*Pregnancy: Going well. My only complaint at this point is nausea which is the norm for me. The fact that I have only gotten sick 2 mornings in the past 10 weeks is nothing short of a miracle. The past 2 pregnancies found me sick every day for about 2-3 months. So this is much easier to manage.
*Mike has been working his butt off- doing side work with a friend which has been awesome for our bank account but hard on our family time. He is also doing weight watchers and has lost over 7 lbs. I am very proud of his efforts. He is such a good husband!!
*Work is perking along with not too much to report there. I have finally stopped torturing myself about leaving my boys & have realized how much they enjoy their "school". Not sure how this is going to feel when #3 makes his/her appearance.
*Along those lines, since we only have a 3 bedroom house, I will be asking advice on what to do with our sleeping arrangements for the kids. More on that in another post!
So those are my updates for now--I am sure I have more to include but my brain is tired & it is WELL past any reasonable bed time.
Hope you enjoy the weekend...I am happy to have an extra day off & a wedding to attend tomorrow. Mike and I totally count that as a date :)
So let me at least get a little bit caught up in the bloggy world...
*Potty-training & Michael: Continuing on a good path...a few accidents, nothing major. Using pull-ups at nap/night...other than that, underwear all the way. He even got out of their little pool today to pee. Michael is AMAZING--I give him full credit for sticking with it & taking the lead. I am so proud of him!!
*Other Michael-stuff: He seems so much older to me in the past month. Aside from the potty progress, he is using different words, speaking more complete thoughts, sharing his ideas. We have hit a new level & it is WONDERFUL to see his curiosity & love of learning new things. I got a great compliment today from one of his teachers about his "pre-reading skills". I am not over-focused on this type of thing for his age but it's still nice to know that he is on a good path. He has always been very into books and I have noticed the increased interest in letters/words/ numbers & desire to read.
*Then there is my LIAM: my little comedian, he is coming into his own, asserting his opinion, taking control. Yes, you can imagine the power struggle between him and his brother. But it's all good- I am happy to see him blossoming & realizing that he is his own person. His language is also blowing my mind. He can't say everything clearly but I usually get the gist. On our morning drive, I get to hear all about the skoool bus, 'ment mixer, uh-oh cows!, motorcycle man, big truck, police car man or whatever else we happen to see along the way.
*Michael and Liam are starting to have their own little chats--very entertaining. I asked Michael to repeat what he said the other day and he told "I wasn't talkin' to you Mommy, I was talkin' to LEEEam." Well, excuse the intrusion!! It's so great to see their relationship forming.
*Pregnancy: Going well. My only complaint at this point is nausea which is the norm for me. The fact that I have only gotten sick 2 mornings in the past 10 weeks is nothing short of a miracle. The past 2 pregnancies found me sick every day for about 2-3 months. So this is much easier to manage.
*Mike has been working his butt off- doing side work with a friend which has been awesome for our bank account but hard on our family time. He is also doing weight watchers and has lost over 7 lbs. I am very proud of his efforts. He is such a good husband!!
*Work is perking along with not too much to report there. I have finally stopped torturing myself about leaving my boys & have realized how much they enjoy their "school". Not sure how this is going to feel when #3 makes his/her appearance.
*Along those lines, since we only have a 3 bedroom house, I will be asking advice on what to do with our sleeping arrangements for the kids. More on that in another post!
So those are my updates for now--I am sure I have more to include but my brain is tired & it is WELL past any reasonable bed time.
Hope you enjoy the weekend...I am happy to have an extra day off & a wedding to attend tomorrow. Mike and I totally count that as a date :)
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