Finally figured this machine out!
Finished!
Inside! The next page has the shower info. I put the wrong zip code in there though. :( Oh well! Pleased overall.~Jessy
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Baby Shower Invitation aka Look What I Made!
Finally figured this machine out!Finished!Inside! The next page has the shower info. I put the wrong zip code in there though. :( Oh well! Pleased overall.~Jessy
Friday, March 21, 2008
Week 27 - I've Been A Busy Bee
I remember the days during this pregnancy when it felt like the morning sickness would never go away, the first trimester would never end, I would never make it to 24 weeks... Now it feels like the third trimester kinda crept up on me. Before too much longer I'll be graduating from "blognant" to the "mog-mom with a blog" section of this page. It's truly amazing how quickly time is passing. But then again, I've read about and seen on message boards where ladies are just wanting the baby to get here already because those last few weeks are miserable and taking forever. So, we'll see how things change for me as the stretch continues.
What I've Been Up To
I have been incredibly busy this past week. I finally finished the baby shower invites and got them all mailed out. I have one more to hand deliver and the rest are up to my mom and sister to get out to their guests. They turned out really cute. I know I have a lot of pictures to get up for you guys. I want to put up pictures of the invites, belly pics, pics of the nursery as it progresses and some book/product reviews too. This just wasn't the week to do any of that. I took care of the chores I do less often (steam clean the rugs, get my car serviced, the bug guy came, bleach out the sinks and disinfect and scrub all the toilets etc.) in addition to my regular load. I've also had to stay on top of getting things ready for my in-laws to visit in a couple weeks. I installed a Pur water filter on my sink, got a great breastfeeding book from the library and scheduled a 4D ultrasound as well.
Somewhere within that whole mix, a girl I haven't seen since high school myspace messaged me that, if I was interested, she had a bunch of baby girl stuff she was getting rid of. She already has 2 girls and is pregnant with a boy. Whatever she couldn't give away she was just going to donate to charity. So, we made a date and I went over expecting a bag or 2 of baby clothing. Instead I found 2 huge totes of nearly new or new baby girl clothing along with blankets, towels, burp cloths etc. I left with about a tote and a half's worth and an extra bouncy seat she had. I couldn't believe her generosity. Especially since we hadn't seen each other in almost 10 years now. It was pretty amazing.
So it's been go go go for me.
How I'm Feeling Physically
The backaches are still there at night, especially if I've worked hard during the day. My hands and feet swell at night as well. They are slightly puffy during the day now, but you can really see a difference at night. I was a little embarrassed because I don't get to see my feet very often any more and the other day I regretted not making more of an effort to take a close look. I had officially started to grow what Napoleon Dynamite might refer to as "talons!" It was quite a chore, but I took care of that pretty fast. I just kept thinking about how it's been so hot lately and how my swollen feet make my shoes feel tight. S0, I usually slip on some flip flops when I'm running quick errands. I wonder how many people noticed the claws. If I ever see a pregnant lady with not so cute toenails I can now feel her pain. I think I'm actually going to schedule a pedicure with my little sister the month before my due date. I know my toes will probably be at the bottom of my list of priorities once the baby gets here. Plus I've had this gift card burning a hole in my pocket for a nice salon/spa since around Christmas.
The stretch mark fairy came this week. Evil pixie that he is. It's gotta be a guy. I was examining my belly and noticed my first stretch mark. I went to my husband just to be sure because he can get a lot closer to the under side of my belly than I can. I asked him if it was really a stretch mark or just a dark vein. He confirmed my suspicion; stretch mark. I noticed the cream I was using before on my body contained parabens. So, I've started using the stretch mark oil and lotion from erbabviva. I bought this little sample kit of their pregnancy products a while back. I don't really expect the stuff to prevent stretch marks or get rid of them. I do totally believe it's mostly genetics that causes them. But it feels good to be moisturized and paraben-free. Once I run out of the little samples I'll probably buy some Burt's Bees baby lotion to use. It'll give my dogs a chance to get use to the smells that'll most likely be around once the baby gets here. Either that or I'll check out the Belli or Glowology maternity products I've been reading about in magazines.
How I'm Feeling Mentally
I was feeling a bit crappy because my eating this week took a drastic turn downward. I had fast food and frozen yogurt 2 days in a row and made some yummy chocolate cookies to top it off. I feel better about it now though because after reading about the Blue Ribbon Baby pregnancy diet on a message board I decided to give it a try. It looks like a pretty well-rounded diet. No calorie counting or anything like that. It's only been a couple days for me so far, but I'm finding it incredibly easy to follow. At the end of the day I feel good knowing that, if all my little boxes are checked, I've given my baby the best possible nutrition I can. I took the list of foods required daily and weekly and made little tables for each day of the week in Microsoft Word. Then I printed out 13 copies; for the 13 weeks I have left. I guess my only gripe is that I do really crave chocolate now. Unfortunately Dr. Brewer didn't include a little box on his diet for a daily chocolate serving. Oh well. I figure I can just have chocolate milk for a milk serving if I want and maybe be naughty and do chocolate frozen yogurt for one every once in a while. Once I'm on it a little longer and have more feedback, I'll put up a post with links to sample daily meals and the little check lists I made for myself.
I'm excited about a couple of other things. The baby shower for one. I perused through my baby registry one last time before mailing out the invites. I feel a little guilty about leaving the Cariboo Earth Bassinet on my Giggle.com registry, but it's the only all wood, 100% cotton, no-formaldehyde emission bassinet I can find. It's just so pricey. So are the Dwell baby products I put on the same registry. I really like the prints on them though. I figure most people will probably get us stuff from Baby's R Us anyways. Giggle.com just has a lot of cute stuff I like. So, I registered there too. On of my sister-in-laws is coming to town for the occasion. A friend I haven't seen in a couple years is coming with her girls. My best girlfriend is also coming along with the girl who gave me all the baby girl stuff. So, that's mostly why I'm excited; just to celebrate with old friends. I'm happy that they are making such an effort to be there for me.
I get pretty down sometimes because, although I know they love me and are excited about my pregnancy, the ones I depend on the most for companionship and advice really haven't been here for me this whole time. They either are busy with their own lives or are the ones scaring me to death or depressing me with worries I shouldn't have to carry right now. So, I've had to rely more on my little online communities and women I don't usually reach out to, but whose opinions I truly value and whose advice I know I can trust; like my sister-in-law and my old friends. It bothers me because I know I'm going to feel resentful when the people who I wish had been there for me during my pregnancy are all of a sudden trying to break down the door to see the baby. I'm going to be dealing with those feelings as well as all the new mommy stuff. I just keep thinking that this is a very special time for me (I'll only be pregnant with my first baby once), and the people I thought would be there for me through it are missing out. It's unfortunate. But on the other hand, at least I've found a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends that had kind of fallen along the wayside of my life. I've also found a great online community of women/mothers who are just as thirsty for knowledge as I am and just as willing to share their experiences/recommendations/advice with me as I am with you.
Overall, this has been a week of getting things done. I feel good about the chores I've done and dietary changes I've made. I'm also so greatful for the new relationships I've been able to build with old friends and online friends. I'm excited to continue my journey through pregnancy and into mommyhood.
What I've Been Up To
I have been incredibly busy this past week. I finally finished the baby shower invites and got them all mailed out. I have one more to hand deliver and the rest are up to my mom and sister to get out to their guests. They turned out really cute. I know I have a lot of pictures to get up for you guys. I want to put up pictures of the invites, belly pics, pics of the nursery as it progresses and some book/product reviews too. This just wasn't the week to do any of that. I took care of the chores I do less often (steam clean the rugs, get my car serviced, the bug guy came, bleach out the sinks and disinfect and scrub all the toilets etc.) in addition to my regular load. I've also had to stay on top of getting things ready for my in-laws to visit in a couple weeks. I installed a Pur water filter on my sink, got a great breastfeeding book from the library and scheduled a 4D ultrasound as well.
Somewhere within that whole mix, a girl I haven't seen since high school myspace messaged me that, if I was interested, she had a bunch of baby girl stuff she was getting rid of. She already has 2 girls and is pregnant with a boy. Whatever she couldn't give away she was just going to donate to charity. So, we made a date and I went over expecting a bag or 2 of baby clothing. Instead I found 2 huge totes of nearly new or new baby girl clothing along with blankets, towels, burp cloths etc. I left with about a tote and a half's worth and an extra bouncy seat she had. I couldn't believe her generosity. Especially since we hadn't seen each other in almost 10 years now. It was pretty amazing.
So it's been go go go for me.
How I'm Feeling Physically
The backaches are still there at night, especially if I've worked hard during the day. My hands and feet swell at night as well. They are slightly puffy during the day now, but you can really see a difference at night. I was a little embarrassed because I don't get to see my feet very often any more and the other day I regretted not making more of an effort to take a close look. I had officially started to grow what Napoleon Dynamite might refer to as "talons!" It was quite a chore, but I took care of that pretty fast. I just kept thinking about how it's been so hot lately and how my swollen feet make my shoes feel tight. S0, I usually slip on some flip flops when I'm running quick errands. I wonder how many people noticed the claws. If I ever see a pregnant lady with not so cute toenails I can now feel her pain. I think I'm actually going to schedule a pedicure with my little sister the month before my due date. I know my toes will probably be at the bottom of my list of priorities once the baby gets here. Plus I've had this gift card burning a hole in my pocket for a nice salon/spa since around Christmas.
The stretch mark fairy came this week. Evil pixie that he is. It's gotta be a guy. I was examining my belly and noticed my first stretch mark. I went to my husband just to be sure because he can get a lot closer to the under side of my belly than I can. I asked him if it was really a stretch mark or just a dark vein. He confirmed my suspicion; stretch mark. I noticed the cream I was using before on my body contained parabens. So, I've started using the stretch mark oil and lotion from erbabviva. I bought this little sample kit of their pregnancy products a while back. I don't really expect the stuff to prevent stretch marks or get rid of them. I do totally believe it's mostly genetics that causes them. But it feels good to be moisturized and paraben-free. Once I run out of the little samples I'll probably buy some Burt's Bees baby lotion to use. It'll give my dogs a chance to get use to the smells that'll most likely be around once the baby gets here. Either that or I'll check out the Belli or Glowology maternity products I've been reading about in magazines.
How I'm Feeling Mentally
I was feeling a bit crappy because my eating this week took a drastic turn downward. I had fast food and frozen yogurt 2 days in a row and made some yummy chocolate cookies to top it off. I feel better about it now though because after reading about the Blue Ribbon Baby pregnancy diet on a message board I decided to give it a try. It looks like a pretty well-rounded diet. No calorie counting or anything like that. It's only been a couple days for me so far, but I'm finding it incredibly easy to follow. At the end of the day I feel good knowing that, if all my little boxes are checked, I've given my baby the best possible nutrition I can. I took the list of foods required daily and weekly and made little tables for each day of the week in Microsoft Word. Then I printed out 13 copies; for the 13 weeks I have left. I guess my only gripe is that I do really crave chocolate now. Unfortunately Dr. Brewer didn't include a little box on his diet for a daily chocolate serving. Oh well. I figure I can just have chocolate milk for a milk serving if I want and maybe be naughty and do chocolate frozen yogurt for one every once in a while. Once I'm on it a little longer and have more feedback, I'll put up a post with links to sample daily meals and the little check lists I made for myself.
I'm excited about a couple of other things. The baby shower for one. I perused through my baby registry one last time before mailing out the invites. I feel a little guilty about leaving the Cariboo Earth Bassinet on my Giggle.com registry, but it's the only all wood, 100% cotton, no-formaldehyde emission bassinet I can find. It's just so pricey. So are the Dwell baby products I put on the same registry. I really like the prints on them though. I figure most people will probably get us stuff from Baby's R Us anyways. Giggle.com just has a lot of cute stuff I like. So, I registered there too. On of my sister-in-laws is coming to town for the occasion. A friend I haven't seen in a couple years is coming with her girls. My best girlfriend is also coming along with the girl who gave me all the baby girl stuff. So, that's mostly why I'm excited; just to celebrate with old friends. I'm happy that they are making such an effort to be there for me.
I get pretty down sometimes because, although I know they love me and are excited about my pregnancy, the ones I depend on the most for companionship and advice really haven't been here for me this whole time. They either are busy with their own lives or are the ones scaring me to death or depressing me with worries I shouldn't have to carry right now. So, I've had to rely more on my little online communities and women I don't usually reach out to, but whose opinions I truly value and whose advice I know I can trust; like my sister-in-law and my old friends. It bothers me because I know I'm going to feel resentful when the people who I wish had been there for me during my pregnancy are all of a sudden trying to break down the door to see the baby. I'm going to be dealing with those feelings as well as all the new mommy stuff. I just keep thinking that this is a very special time for me (I'll only be pregnant with my first baby once), and the people I thought would be there for me through it are missing out. It's unfortunate. But on the other hand, at least I've found a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with friends that had kind of fallen along the wayside of my life. I've also found a great online community of women/mothers who are just as thirsty for knowledge as I am and just as willing to share their experiences/recommendations/advice with me as I am with you.
Overall, this has been a week of getting things done. I feel good about the chores I've done and dietary changes I've made. I'm also so greatful for the new relationships I've been able to build with old friends and online friends. I'm excited to continue my journey through pregnancy and into mommyhood.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Week 26 - Help! I sat down and I can't get up!
According to some resources I've offficially finished the second trimester. Some have me with a week to go. Either way it's come way too soon. Only 14 weeks to go and that's IF the baby comes right at 40 weeks. If I give myself the last whole month to just be pregnant, and pitter patter around waiting to go into labor, I have about 10 weeks left to get everything I want to get done before the baby comes. And to think, 10 weeks used to sound like forever to me.
How I'm Feeling Physically
I thought if I didn't already have it by now, I'd never get it, BUT on the 7th of this month I noticed that I DO have the line negra. I don't know if it just appeared or if I just don't get to see that portion of my tummy that much anymore so I missed it. My is very faint, but it's definitely there. It runs from just under my belly button down. Another less pleasant discovery also has to do with my skin. I noticed just a couple days ago that I had a spot of acne on both sides just under my underarms. Bizarre place. This pregnancy acne is so wierd to me. I mean I get the occasional breakout every once in a while normally. Usually, however, the spots are just little bumps that go right away with treatment. These pregnancy "blemishes" though are gi-normous and look disgustingly like they're about to erupt at any moment. I use burts bees blemish roll-on on them. It's all herbal. So, no salicylic acid or benzol peroxide (my usual non-pregnancy stand-by's). It has a strong smell, but it takes care of business pretty quick. I get a little annoyed once the zits do go away though because they leave dark spots. Something I haven't had happen since high school really. On a happer note, no stretch marks just yet. I know it's not really suppose to help, but I put on lots of this avacado butter cream my mom bought me right before I go to bed at night. I also try to moisturize all my stretching parts right out of the shower.
On a non-skin note, my back aches like crazy at the end of the day. I'll be sitting on the couch for a little while with my husband and when I go to stand up and get myself ready for bed (or get a drink or use the restroom for the gazillionth time) you'd think I'd spent the day liften heavy objects the wrong way. My lower back will just kill me! It's hard to walk very far withought hanging on to something to hold me up. The pain actually does go away though if I stay standing or walk around for a little bit. Just that initial standing up and attempting to walk hurts.
How I'm Feeling Emotionally
The more I talked to other moms about how they "couldn't" handle breastfeeding the more I get concerned about whether or not I'll be able to do it. Every book and breastfeeding website I've found tells me that if breastfeeding hurts it's because you're doing it wrong. I really really want to breastfeed and cloth diaper. So I want to believe that it's possible for anyone to do these things even if everyone doesn't. But I'm trying really hard to accept the fact that, although I'm absolutely determined to give them my very best attempts, things might not happen the way I want them to no matter what some book says. I'm not trying to be negative. I just want to prepare myself mentally in case things don't work out ideally. I don't want to hate myself when I'm at the grocery store, sleep deprived and miserable, buying a package of diapers and a can of formula. You know? From online mothering communities and resources I know that plenty of women are able to make certain situations work with their babies. On the other hand, from a couple books (few and far between) and real life advice from friends and family, I also know that plenty of women don't or end up not being able to do certain things and their babies turn out just fine. So, I want to be as prepared and open to whatever situation arises as I can be.
Overall this past week has been pretty good. Little annoyances here and there, but nothing I can't handle. I would like to be back to my normal self, but if these little blemishes, pains and worries are what it takes to bring a baby into the world then bring it on.
How I'm Feeling Physically
I thought if I didn't already have it by now, I'd never get it, BUT on the 7th of this month I noticed that I DO have the line negra. I don't know if it just appeared or if I just don't get to see that portion of my tummy that much anymore so I missed it. My is very faint, but it's definitely there. It runs from just under my belly button down. Another less pleasant discovery also has to do with my skin. I noticed just a couple days ago that I had a spot of acne on both sides just under my underarms. Bizarre place. This pregnancy acne is so wierd to me. I mean I get the occasional breakout every once in a while normally. Usually, however, the spots are just little bumps that go right away with treatment. These pregnancy "blemishes" though are gi-normous and look disgustingly like they're about to erupt at any moment. I use burts bees blemish roll-on on them. It's all herbal. So, no salicylic acid or benzol peroxide (my usual non-pregnancy stand-by's). It has a strong smell, but it takes care of business pretty quick. I get a little annoyed once the zits do go away though because they leave dark spots. Something I haven't had happen since high school really. On a happer note, no stretch marks just yet. I know it's not really suppose to help, but I put on lots of this avacado butter cream my mom bought me right before I go to bed at night. I also try to moisturize all my stretching parts right out of the shower.
On a non-skin note, my back aches like crazy at the end of the day. I'll be sitting on the couch for a little while with my husband and when I go to stand up and get myself ready for bed (or get a drink or use the restroom for the gazillionth time) you'd think I'd spent the day liften heavy objects the wrong way. My lower back will just kill me! It's hard to walk very far withought hanging on to something to hold me up. The pain actually does go away though if I stay standing or walk around for a little bit. Just that initial standing up and attempting to walk hurts.
How I'm Feeling Emotionally
The more I talked to other moms about how they "couldn't" handle breastfeeding the more I get concerned about whether or not I'll be able to do it. Every book and breastfeeding website I've found tells me that if breastfeeding hurts it's because you're doing it wrong. I really really want to breastfeed and cloth diaper. So I want to believe that it's possible for anyone to do these things even if everyone doesn't. But I'm trying really hard to accept the fact that, although I'm absolutely determined to give them my very best attempts, things might not happen the way I want them to no matter what some book says. I'm not trying to be negative. I just want to prepare myself mentally in case things don't work out ideally. I don't want to hate myself when I'm at the grocery store, sleep deprived and miserable, buying a package of diapers and a can of formula. You know? From online mothering communities and resources I know that plenty of women are able to make certain situations work with their babies. On the other hand, from a couple books (few and far between) and real life advice from friends and family, I also know that plenty of women don't or end up not being able to do certain things and their babies turn out just fine. So, I want to be as prepared and open to whatever situation arises as I can be.
Overall this past week has been pretty good. Little annoyances here and there, but nothing I can't handle. I would like to be back to my normal self, but if these little blemishes, pains and worries are what it takes to bring a baby into the world then bring it on.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Week 25 - Blood sugar test good. Formula bad?
I got weeks 23 and 24 up here kinda late. So I can't believe week 25 has already come and gone. That means only 15 more weeks until my due date. My mom keeps commenting on how big she "knows" my baby is going to be. Finally, a couple of nights ago, I told her that most people who see me say I look small for 6 months so maybe it's just her. She has 4 kids and is a size 1! I, my friends, am nowhere close to a size one. She is this gorgeous tiny Hispanic lady. I got pretty much all of my genes from my father I'm thinking. His family is very white, tall and big. So, people generally don't believe us when they find out I am my mother's daughter. Her pregnancy pictures show her only looking pregnant at the very end. She looks like this super model in her post delivery pictures. There's even one of her lying on the beach looking perfect just weeks after one of us was born! Ah! So, I was getting a little upset thinking that she was trying to compare how she looked during her pregnancies and how I look now. Then, I mentioned something about already being 6 months along and she was like "Oooooh!" I guess because I was so sick for the first 4 months, and wasn't getting out much, we hadn't had much time to hang out together then. So, she still kind of feels like I just got pregnant and didn't realize how far along I was. The light-bulb definitely went on. So, I feel better. She still thinks we'll probably have a big baby because both my and my spouse have big statured families (not including my mom's side of course).
What I'm Up To
This past week I've been busy mostly with little errands. My mom and sister are giving me a baby shower. So, they've asked me to please think of some things I'd like them to have for me. I guess they just want to make sure I have the shower I want. Since I like crafty stuff, they also gave me the opportunity to make the invitations. I think I will. I have so much stuff for scrapbooking that I probably won't even need to buy anything. I guess it's a little strange, but (in my opinion) it's also a good thing. Many of the guests are going to be friends that my mom has known for years and years. I know a lot of them are going to be very generous because they love my mom and to share in her joys. I think that being able to be a part of making sure we've planned a nice event for "my" guests will make me feel a little more comfortable accepting everyone's generosity come present-opening time. I hate being the center of attention though. I always feel a little awkward at Christmas with my family or at my birthday when I'm opening presents. Like "Ah! Stop looking at me!" :o)~
Things that I'm putting on my lists of ideas for the shower are: 1. Food from California Pizza Kitchen. My mom wants to have the shower at her house. She has this gorgeous backyard with lots of grass and a pool. I know she has this canopy type of thing in the garage that's never been set up. So, I think, if they set that up and we do most of the party ouside lighter foods like yummy salads and gourmet pizza would be a good idea. 2. Favors from Nothing Bundt Cakes. I read about this idea for a favor online where you bake a bunch of pillsbury cinnamon rolls and wrap them in pretty plastic wrap with a tag that says something like "So glad you could come, from ___ and her bun." I also read a few comments on baby shower sites where people doing the shower said it's a little silly to just do like a baby themed plastic favor and have the guest throw it away later; Better to do something they can actually use as a thank you. I know my mom and sister aren't going to want to bake a crapload of cinnamon rolls on top of everything else. So, I thought the mini bundt cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes would be an easy and delicious replacement. They're just over $3 each. I know there are lots and lots of other options that you can make yourself for less. I just think this option is tasteful and what's $3 for someone who is spending let's say $20 at the least on a gift? 3. A Cake from Freed's Bakery. My family has been going here for years for our birthday cakes. This is also where I got my wedding cake. They can make anything. My favorite is their strawberry shortcake cake. The strawberries are always fresh and the cake and frostings never taste too sugary or sweet. I had ideas for the design of the cake and for the colors of the shower. I think I'm just going to let my mom and sister surprise me though. It'll probably be pinks, red and green. I'm pretty sure that's how I'll do the invitations. Those are the colors I plan to use in the baby's nursery to match the cute bedding set I bought her. 4. Games etc: I think for a guestbook type keepsake I found a good idea online. The idea was to take a picture of each guest with me with a polaroid camera. Then, the guest can sign in (with name, address, and email - that way I'll have all the information for thank yous and birth announcements) a book next to their picture. I think it would be neat to have a little envelope or pocket on each guest page. That way, as an activity, the guests can write one wish for the baby, piece of advice etc. on a piece of paper to be put in the pocket next to their picture. Another activity I think would be cool is to have each guest write down a name they like for the baby's middle name (because we don't have one yet) and why we should pick it and put it in a big baby bottle. I've heard of people decorating or signing onesies as a keepsake. Maybe the guests could do this in groups and then we could vote on the best one for a prize. There are lots of other more rowdy fun games. I think I'll leave all that up to them though.
I had a prenatal visit this week too. I had an appointment for 10:40am, but I had to be there at 8am to drink this solution and sit with it. I had read some pretty icky stories about this test. I must've just gotten lucky to be taking the test now. I had to come in fasting from midnight the night before. This was pretty easy for my because I usually sleep in until 9 or 9:30am anyways. So, I'm not used to having food in between midnight and 8am. The sugary solution came in either fruit punch or orange. I chose fruit punch and it tasted...exactly like fruit punch. I had five minutes to finish the contents of a plastic bottle the size of a very small plastic water bottle. I think I did it in less than 2 minutes. Then, I had to sit in the waiting room for an hour. I wasn't allowed to eat anything, but I could drink as much water as I liked. Time went by pretty quick. I came prepared with magazines and watched a little bit of what was on the office TV (Saved By the Bell & Fresh Prince of Bel Air). Then, the lab tech poked her head out of the door and I went back to have blood taken. She took 1 vial. I love the lab tech in my OB's office. She just chats away with you about random things and I (who hate hate hate needles) never feel a thing. Also, unlike when I go for thyroid bloodwork and spend days with a huge purply green area where they've taken blood, all I ever get after she's done is the tiny red dot where the needle went in and that goes away pretty quick. After she took my blood the nurses went ahead and got me back for my appointment. That was nice. I did the usual: weigh-in (ah!!!), blood pressure check (good), fetal heart doppler (138) and questions about how I was doing and if I had any concerns. The OB wrote down what hospital I plan to use and told me I didn't have to register until around week 32. I asked him about those 3D/4D keepsake scans and whether or not they're safe. He said they are perfectly safe. I told him I had read that the machines usually aren't run by medical professionals. He said that is correct, which means they can't really tell me much about the ultrasound.
I had been thinking recently about maybe getting a 3D/4D scan done with my mom and sister. I thought it would be a fun way for them to bond with the baby. Plus, I really want to include my in-laws more. When I set up the baby's website with her ultrasound pictures, they were SO EXCITED. They live in Idaho and Northern Utah. So, we don't exactly get to go for lunch on a weekly basis and talk about the baby together (like I do with my mom and sister). They're also very excited that this baby will be the first female grandbaby/niece on their side. So, I thought making copies of the 4D scan for them would be special. Only if it was safe though. If I do go ahead and get the scan done, I plan on only doing a short scan. They have all kinds of packages with different features and lengths of time. I'd just rather do the shortest possible for my own piece of mind. I trust my doctor's judgment, and that is the only reason I'd even ever consider the scan just for fun at all.
How I Am Feeling Physically
I've felt good this week. I'm finding more and more that vegetables and me just don't get along during this pregnancy though. I'm loving salads. It's just that later I don't love what the salad does to my digestive system. I almost always get gassy or diarrhea. :o( Gross. My nose bleeds have been a lot better since I really started hitting the water and saline nasal gel hard. I still feel and sound a little stuffy a lot of the time though. I get hot flashes on and off. Still having the sweaty-pit syndrome too. I'll get out of the shower, get dressed, and by the time I get downstairs to put shoes on I have underarm wet spots! So, it's light colors and frequent deodorant application for me. My appetite is great. (As in great BIG when I'm hungry. :/) Still not into fish (I had salmon at least once a week pre-pregnancy.) though. I gained 2 pounds instead of one this past week. :( In my opinion, I'm looking a little squishier than I'd like.
How I Am Feeling Emotionally
I know pregnancy is this beautiful natural process. I've just been thinking lately that the women in my pregnancy magazines are more in tune with the "beautiful" part than me. Don't get me wrong, I love love love my belly. I think it's awesome. My legs arms and face seem to slowly be expanding little by little too though and I don't like that. I'm still wearing my prepregnancy size in my maternity styles. I just feel more chunky underneath my clothes. So, my self-image is suffering a bit. I find myself thinking more and more about how to get the weight off ASAP after the baby comes. I want to start getting more exercise in here and there too. Nothing too crazy though. The baby's safety is more of a concern to me than whether I'll look good in my baby shower pictures.
I was so sure I'd be one of those prenatal yoga, speedwalking, gained the minimum weight needed kind of pregnant ladies. My body just wasn't going to let me go that route though I guess. Being so sick the first 4 months kinda started me off on the wrong foot. It doesn't help that, even though I always chose healthy meals, I give in to cravings too. Chocolate custard with heath bar is just the best sometimes. :)
A friend's wife gave me this little book of exercises she used during her pregnancy. This was around 12 weeks. I think I'll finally start using it. At least while I can. Before I'm deciding whether it's worth the effort to try and stand with my gi-normous belly. :)~ I think that, as long as I'm doing SOMETHING active like that, it'll help me feel better about myself and help me transition back into exercising after sleep-deprived new-mommy mode later. So, wish me luck with that.
Another thing I'm trying to do, to help calm this supposed unconscious fear I have of not being able to breastfeed, is learn more about breastfeeding. I bought a book. If it's any good I'll review it when I put up my 26 week post. I'm kind of getting annoyed by the whole 'formula is evil' mentality I keep picking up from different sources. I do plan on breastfeeding my baby exclusively. It does irritate me that I keep getting tons of formula samples and coupons in the mail. I do also wish the "free baby bag" offers I can supposedly get at my hospital after delivery would come with a choice of a manual pump and breasfeeding lotions or pads and coupons instead of more formula and samples. I've read that women who have formula around are more likely to give up breastfeeding and go to the formula. So, I do have my gripes and am aware of the "danger" of having formula around. I'm also aware of the many MIRACULOUS benefits my daughter may or may not receive from breast milk as well as my own physical and mental benefits from the process. The list of these seems to be aplenty and growing. Taking that into account though, I don't feel that it's right to demonize formula companies. If for whatever reason I can't breastfeed, I'm glad I have options and that I'll have a gazillion coupons to make the switch less painful financially. More and more I'm seeing articles in magazines and online that try to include bottle-feeding mothers in their dialogue. It always just seems like that though, an inclusion. The focus is always on how much better it is to breastfeed. I understand fully the benefits of breastfeeding. I think all the information available for mothers who chose to breastfeed is awesome. I just don't see the benefit in telling a mother that can't do it that formula companies are evil. What a way to pour salt on the wound of someone who may already feel like less of a mother. The mother who mixes a bottle of formula or who gets an epidural or c-section is no less of a mother than the one who has a natural vaginal homebirth and breastfeeds. They both still have the same cares, worries, hopes, and love for their baby. So, why make one feel bad for a choice that is hers to make for whatever reason. It just seems like so many resources for pregnant mothers tend to put one mother on a pedastle and look at the other with a kind of sympathy. Like "oh...we know dear...some people just can't do it this ideal way...but it's ok." Anyways, that's my rant about that.
~Jessy
What I'm Up To
This past week I've been busy mostly with little errands. My mom and sister are giving me a baby shower. So, they've asked me to please think of some things I'd like them to have for me. I guess they just want to make sure I have the shower I want. Since I like crafty stuff, they also gave me the opportunity to make the invitations. I think I will. I have so much stuff for scrapbooking that I probably won't even need to buy anything. I guess it's a little strange, but (in my opinion) it's also a good thing. Many of the guests are going to be friends that my mom has known for years and years. I know a lot of them are going to be very generous because they love my mom and to share in her joys. I think that being able to be a part of making sure we've planned a nice event for "my" guests will make me feel a little more comfortable accepting everyone's generosity come present-opening time. I hate being the center of attention though. I always feel a little awkward at Christmas with my family or at my birthday when I'm opening presents. Like "Ah! Stop looking at me!" :o)~
Things that I'm putting on my lists of ideas for the shower are: 1. Food from California Pizza Kitchen. My mom wants to have the shower at her house. She has this gorgeous backyard with lots of grass and a pool. I know she has this canopy type of thing in the garage that's never been set up. So, I think, if they set that up and we do most of the party ouside lighter foods like yummy salads and gourmet pizza would be a good idea. 2. Favors from Nothing Bundt Cakes. I read about this idea for a favor online where you bake a bunch of pillsbury cinnamon rolls and wrap them in pretty plastic wrap with a tag that says something like "So glad you could come, from ___ and her bun." I also read a few comments on baby shower sites where people doing the shower said it's a little silly to just do like a baby themed plastic favor and have the guest throw it away later; Better to do something they can actually use as a thank you. I know my mom and sister aren't going to want to bake a crapload of cinnamon rolls on top of everything else. So, I thought the mini bundt cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes would be an easy and delicious replacement. They're just over $3 each. I know there are lots and lots of other options that you can make yourself for less. I just think this option is tasteful and what's $3 for someone who is spending let's say $20 at the least on a gift? 3. A Cake from Freed's Bakery. My family has been going here for years for our birthday cakes. This is also where I got my wedding cake. They can make anything. My favorite is their strawberry shortcake cake. The strawberries are always fresh and the cake and frostings never taste too sugary or sweet. I had ideas for the design of the cake and for the colors of the shower. I think I'm just going to let my mom and sister surprise me though. It'll probably be pinks, red and green. I'm pretty sure that's how I'll do the invitations. Those are the colors I plan to use in the baby's nursery to match the cute bedding set I bought her. 4. Games etc: I think for a guestbook type keepsake I found a good idea online. The idea was to take a picture of each guest with me with a polaroid camera. Then, the guest can sign in (with name, address, and email - that way I'll have all the information for thank yous and birth announcements) a book next to their picture. I think it would be neat to have a little envelope or pocket on each guest page. That way, as an activity, the guests can write one wish for the baby, piece of advice etc. on a piece of paper to be put in the pocket next to their picture. Another activity I think would be cool is to have each guest write down a name they like for the baby's middle name (because we don't have one yet) and why we should pick it and put it in a big baby bottle. I've heard of people decorating or signing onesies as a keepsake. Maybe the guests could do this in groups and then we could vote on the best one for a prize. There are lots of other more rowdy fun games. I think I'll leave all that up to them though.
I had a prenatal visit this week too. I had an appointment for 10:40am, but I had to be there at 8am to drink this solution and sit with it. I had read some pretty icky stories about this test. I must've just gotten lucky to be taking the test now. I had to come in fasting from midnight the night before. This was pretty easy for my because I usually sleep in until 9 or 9:30am anyways. So, I'm not used to having food in between midnight and 8am. The sugary solution came in either fruit punch or orange. I chose fruit punch and it tasted...exactly like fruit punch. I had five minutes to finish the contents of a plastic bottle the size of a very small plastic water bottle. I think I did it in less than 2 minutes. Then, I had to sit in the waiting room for an hour. I wasn't allowed to eat anything, but I could drink as much water as I liked. Time went by pretty quick. I came prepared with magazines and watched a little bit of what was on the office TV (Saved By the Bell & Fresh Prince of Bel Air). Then, the lab tech poked her head out of the door and I went back to have blood taken. She took 1 vial. I love the lab tech in my OB's office. She just chats away with you about random things and I (who hate hate hate needles) never feel a thing. Also, unlike when I go for thyroid bloodwork and spend days with a huge purply green area where they've taken blood, all I ever get after she's done is the tiny red dot where the needle went in and that goes away pretty quick. After she took my blood the nurses went ahead and got me back for my appointment. That was nice. I did the usual: weigh-in (ah!!!), blood pressure check (good), fetal heart doppler (138) and questions about how I was doing and if I had any concerns. The OB wrote down what hospital I plan to use and told me I didn't have to register until around week 32. I asked him about those 3D/4D keepsake scans and whether or not they're safe. He said they are perfectly safe. I told him I had read that the machines usually aren't run by medical professionals. He said that is correct, which means they can't really tell me much about the ultrasound.
I had been thinking recently about maybe getting a 3D/4D scan done with my mom and sister. I thought it would be a fun way for them to bond with the baby. Plus, I really want to include my in-laws more. When I set up the baby's website with her ultrasound pictures, they were SO EXCITED. They live in Idaho and Northern Utah. So, we don't exactly get to go for lunch on a weekly basis and talk about the baby together (like I do with my mom and sister). They're also very excited that this baby will be the first female grandbaby/niece on their side. So, I thought making copies of the 4D scan for them would be special. Only if it was safe though. If I do go ahead and get the scan done, I plan on only doing a short scan. They have all kinds of packages with different features and lengths of time. I'd just rather do the shortest possible for my own piece of mind. I trust my doctor's judgment, and that is the only reason I'd even ever consider the scan just for fun at all.
How I Am Feeling Physically
I've felt good this week. I'm finding more and more that vegetables and me just don't get along during this pregnancy though. I'm loving salads. It's just that later I don't love what the salad does to my digestive system. I almost always get gassy or diarrhea. :o( Gross. My nose bleeds have been a lot better since I really started hitting the water and saline nasal gel hard. I still feel and sound a little stuffy a lot of the time though. I get hot flashes on and off. Still having the sweaty-pit syndrome too. I'll get out of the shower, get dressed, and by the time I get downstairs to put shoes on I have underarm wet spots! So, it's light colors and frequent deodorant application for me. My appetite is great. (As in great BIG when I'm hungry. :/) Still not into fish (I had salmon at least once a week pre-pregnancy.) though. I gained 2 pounds instead of one this past week. :( In my opinion, I'm looking a little squishier than I'd like.
How I Am Feeling Emotionally
I know pregnancy is this beautiful natural process. I've just been thinking lately that the women in my pregnancy magazines are more in tune with the "beautiful" part than me. Don't get me wrong, I love love love my belly. I think it's awesome. My legs arms and face seem to slowly be expanding little by little too though and I don't like that. I'm still wearing my prepregnancy size in my maternity styles. I just feel more chunky underneath my clothes. So, my self-image is suffering a bit. I find myself thinking more and more about how to get the weight off ASAP after the baby comes. I want to start getting more exercise in here and there too. Nothing too crazy though. The baby's safety is more of a concern to me than whether I'll look good in my baby shower pictures.
I was so sure I'd be one of those prenatal yoga, speedwalking, gained the minimum weight needed kind of pregnant ladies. My body just wasn't going to let me go that route though I guess. Being so sick the first 4 months kinda started me off on the wrong foot. It doesn't help that, even though I always chose healthy meals, I give in to cravings too. Chocolate custard with heath bar is just the best sometimes. :)
A friend's wife gave me this little book of exercises she used during her pregnancy. This was around 12 weeks. I think I'll finally start using it. At least while I can. Before I'm deciding whether it's worth the effort to try and stand with my gi-normous belly. :)~ I think that, as long as I'm doing SOMETHING active like that, it'll help me feel better about myself and help me transition back into exercising after sleep-deprived new-mommy mode later. So, wish me luck with that.
Another thing I'm trying to do, to help calm this supposed unconscious fear I have of not being able to breastfeed, is learn more about breastfeeding. I bought a book. If it's any good I'll review it when I put up my 26 week post. I'm kind of getting annoyed by the whole 'formula is evil' mentality I keep picking up from different sources. I do plan on breastfeeding my baby exclusively. It does irritate me that I keep getting tons of formula samples and coupons in the mail. I do also wish the "free baby bag" offers I can supposedly get at my hospital after delivery would come with a choice of a manual pump and breasfeeding lotions or pads and coupons instead of more formula and samples. I've read that women who have formula around are more likely to give up breastfeeding and go to the formula. So, I do have my gripes and am aware of the "danger" of having formula around. I'm also aware of the many MIRACULOUS benefits my daughter may or may not receive from breast milk as well as my own physical and mental benefits from the process. The list of these seems to be aplenty and growing. Taking that into account though, I don't feel that it's right to demonize formula companies. If for whatever reason I can't breastfeed, I'm glad I have options and that I'll have a gazillion coupons to make the switch less painful financially. More and more I'm seeing articles in magazines and online that try to include bottle-feeding mothers in their dialogue. It always just seems like that though, an inclusion. The focus is always on how much better it is to breastfeed. I understand fully the benefits of breastfeeding. I think all the information available for mothers who chose to breastfeed is awesome. I just don't see the benefit in telling a mother that can't do it that formula companies are evil. What a way to pour salt on the wound of someone who may already feel like less of a mother. The mother who mixes a bottle of formula or who gets an epidural or c-section is no less of a mother than the one who has a natural vaginal homebirth and breastfeeds. They both still have the same cares, worries, hopes, and love for their baby. So, why make one feel bad for a choice that is hers to make for whatever reason. It just seems like so many resources for pregnant mothers tend to put one mother on a pedastle and look at the other with a kind of sympathy. Like "oh...we know dear...some people just can't do it this ideal way...but it's ok." Anyways, that's my rant about that.
~Jessy
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Weeks 23 & 24 What a pain.
Yay! We've passed the 24 week milestone I've been waiting for. If she is born any day now, our baby will be considered a viable fetus. Let's hope she decides to cook for at least a few more months. It's just good to know that if she did come early now she'd have a fighting chance.
What I've Been Up To
The last 2 weeks I did get out of the house a lot. My outings were mostly just lunch with my mom or little sister or both. Those in addition to little errands to the bank or grocery store made me feel pretty active.
I ended up adding to my maternity wardrobe. I got 6 new shirts from Old Navy during their maternity sale and 2 pairs of pants and a bathing suit from Target's Liz Lange collection. The belly panel on my maternity jeans is starting feel a little binding. So, I bought a pair of khaki pants in a light summery material/fashion and dark grey capris with a panel that sits under the belly. Sooo Comfortable. The bathing suit is a 2 piece. It has black bottoms and a white tankini-style top with a black pattern and red stripe under the bust. The shirts I bought were to add a little color to my maternity stash. They are nice, but I still love my Gap T's the best. I'd like to buy a couple more, but I'll wait to see if they go on a really good sale.
I've rearranged our bedroom to make it a little less thrown together looking and a little more cozy. I still have a lot to do in there, but it's going slow. I haven't done anything with the baby's room.
How I'm Feeling Physically
I've been eating way more candy than I should. :o( It's all these Valentines/Easter displays at the grocery store! On the other hand I've been drinking a lot more water.
I spend most of week 23 and 24 with a horrible headache. I worried my throid levels might be out of whack. My primary care physician said my levels from my most recent bloodwork looked fine though and to just stay on my regular dose of meds. So, I just tried to relax and got plenty of sleep and stayed well hydrated. The headache finally just went away.
I'm still having nightime congestion/nasal dryness which has progressed into nose bleeds. So, I keep water, nasal saline drops and gel and tissues by my bed. Everytime I get up to pee I drink water and add a bit more gel to my nose to keep everything moist and happy. It's really helped.
My weight gain is still at about a pound per week. So, I think I'm doing good there.
How I'm Feeling Emotionally
I've been pretty irritable and short tempered lately. Mostly at my dogs. :o)~ Probably because they're with me all day. Everyone else just sees me a couple hours here or there. Even my husband and I usually only see each other for a couple hours at night between the time he gets home and I go to bed.
I feel like time is still flying. All the little plans and projects I thought I'd take care of during the pregnancy are no where near where I thought they'd be. It all seems to be filed in the "just one more thing to take care of" department of my life. I feel really guilty sometimes, but there are just days when I don't want to do anything but sit here and play video games or surf the net. I do get the daily obligations taken care of. It's just all the little extra stuff that I don't ever seem to get around to.
The baby's kicks/movements are getting a lot stronger. She seems to like it when I hum. I love it! I'm getting more curious about what she'll look and be like. Will she be a little girly girl or a total tom boy like I was? Whose eyes, hair, nose, skin...will she get? Will she be a fussy or easy going baby? These kinds of questions wander through my mind more and more.
I'm having baby dreams more often too. They still have the same general theme. No matter how different the dreams are, it seems like at some point I realize I haven't fed the baby in a LONG time (or ever) and I'll try and get her to breastfeed and she won't! Ah! So, maybe I have some underlying fears that I won't be a successful breastfeeder. I don't know.
All in all I'm doing good. Aside from some irritability and a headache from hades, everything seems to be progressing ok. By the end of week 25 I should have my next prenatal visit and my gestational diabetes test done. So, I'll keep yah posted.
~Jessy
What I've Been Up To
The last 2 weeks I did get out of the house a lot. My outings were mostly just lunch with my mom or little sister or both. Those in addition to little errands to the bank or grocery store made me feel pretty active.
I ended up adding to my maternity wardrobe. I got 6 new shirts from Old Navy during their maternity sale and 2 pairs of pants and a bathing suit from Target's Liz Lange collection. The belly panel on my maternity jeans is starting feel a little binding. So, I bought a pair of khaki pants in a light summery material/fashion and dark grey capris with a panel that sits under the belly. Sooo Comfortable. The bathing suit is a 2 piece. It has black bottoms and a white tankini-style top with a black pattern and red stripe under the bust. The shirts I bought were to add a little color to my maternity stash. They are nice, but I still love my Gap T's the best. I'd like to buy a couple more, but I'll wait to see if they go on a really good sale.
I've rearranged our bedroom to make it a little less thrown together looking and a little more cozy. I still have a lot to do in there, but it's going slow. I haven't done anything with the baby's room.
How I'm Feeling Physically
I've been eating way more candy than I should. :o( It's all these Valentines/Easter displays at the grocery store! On the other hand I've been drinking a lot more water.
I spend most of week 23 and 24 with a horrible headache. I worried my throid levels might be out of whack. My primary care physician said my levels from my most recent bloodwork looked fine though and to just stay on my regular dose of meds. So, I just tried to relax and got plenty of sleep and stayed well hydrated. The headache finally just went away.
I'm still having nightime congestion/nasal dryness which has progressed into nose bleeds. So, I keep water, nasal saline drops and gel and tissues by my bed. Everytime I get up to pee I drink water and add a bit more gel to my nose to keep everything moist and happy. It's really helped.
My weight gain is still at about a pound per week. So, I think I'm doing good there.
How I'm Feeling Emotionally
I've been pretty irritable and short tempered lately. Mostly at my dogs. :o)~ Probably because they're with me all day. Everyone else just sees me a couple hours here or there. Even my husband and I usually only see each other for a couple hours at night between the time he gets home and I go to bed.
I feel like time is still flying. All the little plans and projects I thought I'd take care of during the pregnancy are no where near where I thought they'd be. It all seems to be filed in the "just one more thing to take care of" department of my life. I feel really guilty sometimes, but there are just days when I don't want to do anything but sit here and play video games or surf the net. I do get the daily obligations taken care of. It's just all the little extra stuff that I don't ever seem to get around to.
The baby's kicks/movements are getting a lot stronger. She seems to like it when I hum. I love it! I'm getting more curious about what she'll look and be like. Will she be a little girly girl or a total tom boy like I was? Whose eyes, hair, nose, skin...will she get? Will she be a fussy or easy going baby? These kinds of questions wander through my mind more and more.
I'm having baby dreams more often too. They still have the same general theme. No matter how different the dreams are, it seems like at some point I realize I haven't fed the baby in a LONG time (or ever) and I'll try and get her to breastfeed and she won't! Ah! So, maybe I have some underlying fears that I won't be a successful breastfeeder. I don't know.
All in all I'm doing good. Aside from some irritability and a headache from hades, everything seems to be progressing ok. By the end of week 25 I should have my next prenatal visit and my gestational diabetes test done. So, I'll keep yah posted.
~Jessy
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