All day, I barely feel the little kid growing inside of me. Occasionally in the afternoon I'll get a reminder kick, but for the most part, my days are movement free. And then I get ready to go to bed and the kid starts kicking up a storm. It's getting to be stronger and more pronounced. And the kind of kicks that start to make me uncomfortable. So I wiggle around until I get into a spot where the kicks don't bother me so much. I know the poor little guy can't tell if it's day or night when it's floating around in amniotic fluid, but I really hope it gets on a better schedule when he decides to make an appearance in the world!
Last night, when I was feeling some pretty major kicks, I grabbed Nick and said, "I think you can feel these movements" and grabbed his hand. Luckily, Baby S heard me and gave me a big kick nice and hard so Nick could feel it. Nick giggled and thought it was great. So, here we are, feeling kicks from the outside at 20 weeks 1 day.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Half Way!
I have reached the half way point. Or should I say, the hopefully halfway point - and cross my fingers I'm not overdue again! So far, things have been pretty good. I have to go look at my journal from #1 and see how I was feeling last time around this time. I am definitely more sore than I think I was last time at this point, but otherwise, I cannot complain at all.
I will brag a bit (which I can since it's my blog and I can do whatever I want) and say that I can still wear non-maternity pants! I am still easily wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans and have a few pairs of work pants I can still wear. I have switched to some of the low waisted elastic waist pants for work so I'm not completely in non-maternity, but I cannot wear the pants with the panels (you know, those big ugly elastic bands that are a few inches wide) yet. Yes, it's the small things like knowing that I'm 20 weeks and not fully in maternity clothes that make me happy. Sounds pretty vain, huh? I just have always heard the stories on the message boards I go on where girls that are only 8 weeks pregnant break out the maternity wear so I'm glad to know that it's not always that way.
Tonight, Katarina & I were discussing the baby. She told me last night that she loves the baby in my belly. Tonight she wanted to see my belly and gave it lots of kisses. She still thinks it's going to be a girl. We discussed names too. Basically, I suggested a name for every letter of the alphabet and Katarina would say "no" and laugh hysterically. I'm not quite sure why she found the whole game as funny as she did, but I enjoyed laughing hard too. She's a tough cookie though and didn't like any of the names I suggested! I even threw out the real names we were considering and she "no-d" them. In the end, she finally picked two names for her new baby brother or sister. What are the names? Elmo or Aunt Lotta. Yes, those are her name choices for her sibling.
I will brag a bit (which I can since it's my blog and I can do whatever I want) and say that I can still wear non-maternity pants! I am still easily wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans and have a few pairs of work pants I can still wear. I have switched to some of the low waisted elastic waist pants for work so I'm not completely in non-maternity, but I cannot wear the pants with the panels (you know, those big ugly elastic bands that are a few inches wide) yet. Yes, it's the small things like knowing that I'm 20 weeks and not fully in maternity clothes that make me happy. Sounds pretty vain, huh? I just have always heard the stories on the message boards I go on where girls that are only 8 weeks pregnant break out the maternity wear so I'm glad to know that it's not always that way.
Tonight, Katarina & I were discussing the baby. She told me last night that she loves the baby in my belly. Tonight she wanted to see my belly and gave it lots of kisses. She still thinks it's going to be a girl. We discussed names too. Basically, I suggested a name for every letter of the alphabet and Katarina would say "no" and laugh hysterically. I'm not quite sure why she found the whole game as funny as she did, but I enjoyed laughing hard too. She's a tough cookie though and didn't like any of the names I suggested! I even threw out the real names we were considering and she "no-d" them. In the end, she finally picked two names for her new baby brother or sister. What are the names? Elmo or Aunt Lotta. Yes, those are her name choices for her sibling.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Our Big Ultrasound
Today was the "big" ultrasound! I gave it one last ditch effort in trying to convince Nick that we should find out the sex, but he is stubborn and wouldn't give in. (And trying to convince the tech to tell me with no luck.) Argh! Do you know how frustrating it is to have the answer to what sex your child is right there but not find out? Oh well. It's over and done with and I just have to wait 5 more months. And Nick only has 5 months of listening to me whine.
The ultrasound was interesting. The tech spent about 30 minutes measuring various body parts, and I spent the whole time just staring intently at the screen (trying to see if I could see boy or girl parts!) and just watching my little baby move around. So far, this kid hasn't been too active in the movement department, but today, boy was he pissed about the ultrasound. He (I say he, but I really don't know for sure and it's just easier than typing he/she each time) was moving everywhere. He flipped around a few times while she was trying to measure. At one point, I had my hand above where she was measuring and I felt a punch from the outside! This baby was pissed. She laughed because she saw it happen and even rewound so I could see it happen. We had a good laugh over that - it's so strange to see what all the bumps and pokes are!
She finally brought Nick in and took a few more pictures and measurements. Baby S 2.0 is just as ornery as his sister and his father because despite me even getting up and walking around to get him to change positions the tech couldn't get all the measurements she needed since he wouldn't cooperate. I guess I might have to go back again. All because of my stubborn child!
We saw that Baby S 2.0 has 10 fingers and toes and a cute little nose. He had the hiccups while we were watching. From the tech's measurements she said that the due date was around 6/15. Duh! Like I haven't been saying that since day 1! So now armed with that information I will try and convince the OB to change my due date again. It just makes sense! Baby S 2.0 is about 9 oz right now. We have a long way to go!
The ultrasound was interesting. The tech spent about 30 minutes measuring various body parts, and I spent the whole time just staring intently at the screen (trying to see if I could see boy or girl parts!) and just watching my little baby move around. So far, this kid hasn't been too active in the movement department, but today, boy was he pissed about the ultrasound. He (I say he, but I really don't know for sure and it's just easier than typing he/she each time) was moving everywhere. He flipped around a few times while she was trying to measure. At one point, I had my hand above where she was measuring and I felt a punch from the outside! This baby was pissed. She laughed because she saw it happen and even rewound so I could see it happen. We had a good laugh over that - it's so strange to see what all the bumps and pokes are!
She finally brought Nick in and took a few more pictures and measurements. Baby S 2.0 is just as ornery as his sister and his father because despite me even getting up and walking around to get him to change positions the tech couldn't get all the measurements she needed since he wouldn't cooperate. I guess I might have to go back again. All because of my stubborn child!
We saw that Baby S 2.0 has 10 fingers and toes and a cute little nose. He had the hiccups while we were watching. From the tech's measurements she said that the due date was around 6/15. Duh! Like I haven't been saying that since day 1! So now armed with that information I will try and convince the OB to change my due date again. It just makes sense! Baby S 2.0 is about 9 oz right now. We have a long way to go!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
"Big" Ultrasound Tomorrow
Tomorrow is the "big" ultrasound. The one and only one insurance typically pays for, the one where they measure all the various body parts to make sure things are growing right, and the one where if you wanted to (and the baby cooperates) you can find out the sex. Unfortunately, my husband has decided to torture me and said we are not finding out the sex. He didn't want to find out last time and I told him so I guess I'll let him "have" this time. Boo.
My strange ailment is feeling better. I mean, it does still sort of feel weird, but not nearly as painful and uncomfortable as it was earlier in the week. I have been trying to take it easier and I haven't picked Katarina up as much. No matter what it was, I'm glad it seems to be going away!
My strange ailment is feeling better. I mean, it does still sort of feel weird, but not nearly as painful and uncomfortable as it was earlier in the week. I have been trying to take it easier and I haven't picked Katarina up as much. No matter what it was, I'm glad it seems to be going away!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Whew, It's Not a Hernia...
Yesterday, after having a day of work with lots of walking, my belly was killing me. And not like the "I really need to go to the bathroom but I'll say my 'belly' is hurting me way" and not a cramping way, but pain/pressure near my belly button. Pain/pressure that hurt more when I laughed, sneezed, coughed, but generally has caused me much discomfort. My belly button has also been looking strange so I was scared it was a hernia. I did some research online and found that pregnant woman get something called an umbilical hernia and a lot of the symptoms that I read about were what I was (and still am) feeling.
At work today, I showed my belly to my co-worker and she thought the strange lump near my belly button looked quite a bit like her daughter's pregnancy related hernia. Great. Not really what I wanted to hear! Unfortunately, as the day progressed, my aching belly also continued to hurt. My only thought has been, 'how am I going to get through another 5 months with this pain?" I called and made an appointment with the OB.
I went into the OB's office and talked to the doctor. I showed her where the pain was and she looked perplexed. She started poking and pushing and it hurt so bad my eyes started tearing up. I can't even explain it - it tickles a bit, it hurts a lot more. She told me it's not a hernia (thank god) but she has no clue what it is instead. She said my belly button and skin around it is extremely sensitive and she has never seen anything like it and didn't know what to tell me. She said to keep watching for a rash since it could be the beginning of shingles, but didn't think so. Unfortunately, because she didn't know what it was, she also doesn't know how to stop the pain/discomfort for me, which makes me want to cry too because really, I can't handle it if I have to deal with this until the baby is born!
I did get to hear the baby's heartbeat again. A nice, reassuring sound, especially since I haven't felt it move in a few days - probably because I'm too busy feeling my "issue". The big ultrasound is Friday and I must say I am dreading the full bladder AND the painful belly - I can't even imagine how uncomfortable this little procedure is going to be.
At work today, I showed my belly to my co-worker and she thought the strange lump near my belly button looked quite a bit like her daughter's pregnancy related hernia. Great. Not really what I wanted to hear! Unfortunately, as the day progressed, my aching belly also continued to hurt. My only thought has been, 'how am I going to get through another 5 months with this pain?" I called and made an appointment with the OB.
I went into the OB's office and talked to the doctor. I showed her where the pain was and she looked perplexed. She started poking and pushing and it hurt so bad my eyes started tearing up. I can't even explain it - it tickles a bit, it hurts a lot more. She told me it's not a hernia (thank god) but she has no clue what it is instead. She said my belly button and skin around it is extremely sensitive and she has never seen anything like it and didn't know what to tell me. She said to keep watching for a rash since it could be the beginning of shingles, but didn't think so. Unfortunately, because she didn't know what it was, she also doesn't know how to stop the pain/discomfort for me, which makes me want to cry too because really, I can't handle it if I have to deal with this until the baby is born!
I did get to hear the baby's heartbeat again. A nice, reassuring sound, especially since I haven't felt it move in a few days - probably because I'm too busy feeling my "issue". The big ultrasound is Friday and I must say I am dreading the full bladder AND the painful belly - I can't even imagine how uncomfortable this little procedure is going to be.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Appointment #4
We just got back from our fourth appointment with the OB office. Today we met yet another new doctor, this one is a female from Russia. She was nice, but still wouldn't listen to me about due dates. That is my one complaint about OB offices - they are just so by the books, regardless of anything I'm trying to explain to her. I mean, it is physically impossible for me to have conceived when the due date is saying it happened and they just won't change it. So, according to my OB office, I am 19 weeks today.
It was a pretty uneventful appointment. It seemed to take hours for her to find the baby's heartbeat and I was getting nervous, but in reality is was probably about 15-20 seconds. I've just been so paranoid because of having the headaches and having to take medication for them this time around, and then I didn't really feel any movement the past few days. Anyway, we finally heard the heartbeat - right around 140 bpm. She told me that my AFP bloodwork came back and there doesn't seem to be any markers for possible problems, which is also reassuring. She reminded me that I'll have to get the Rhogam shot at 28 weeks. And she gave me the paperwork for my "big" ultrasound to get done.
We also discussed the medication I'm taking for my headaches and SHE prescribed me 50 mg of Imitrex and went on about how it's a Class C but that it means it's safe, etc. It so funny how the doctors within the same office differ on things since the midwife also said to take that, but the other doctor said to take Fiorocet. (Not counting the pharmacist said to take it only if I desperately needed it.) It also doesn't help that this is the internet age and I go online to message boards and everyone on there has a different opinion too. My consensus is that I'll only take something if I really, really, really need to.
It was a pretty uneventful appointment. It seemed to take hours for her to find the baby's heartbeat and I was getting nervous, but in reality is was probably about 15-20 seconds. I've just been so paranoid because of having the headaches and having to take medication for them this time around, and then I didn't really feel any movement the past few days. Anyway, we finally heard the heartbeat - right around 140 bpm. She told me that my AFP bloodwork came back and there doesn't seem to be any markers for possible problems, which is also reassuring. She reminded me that I'll have to get the Rhogam shot at 28 weeks. And she gave me the paperwork for my "big" ultrasound to get done.
We also discussed the medication I'm taking for my headaches and SHE prescribed me 50 mg of Imitrex and went on about how it's a Class C but that it means it's safe, etc. It so funny how the doctors within the same office differ on things since the midwife also said to take that, but the other doctor said to take Fiorocet. (Not counting the pharmacist said to take it only if I desperately needed it.) It also doesn't help that this is the internet age and I go online to message boards and everyone on there has a different opinion too. My consensus is that I'll only take something if I really, really, really need to.
Monday, January 7, 2008
The Beginning of the Belly Shots
I am 17 weeks today. (Well, 19 weeks if you go by the OB's last due date). Today, I started getting comments from people at work who hadn't known I was pregnant, so I guess I'm not hiding it very well anymore. Not that I was hiding my belly, I'm actually quite proud and excited of the little human I'm percolating inside of me, but just last time I didn't start really showing until about 19 weeks, so I just didn't want to be sooooo much bigger than last time. I wouldn't say I'm a lot bigger, but I did pull out my pregnancy journal, where I saved my weekly belly shots and we didn't even start doing them until week 18, and I feel like I looked like that size this time around even before I was pregnant! With latter pregnancies though, woman tend to show earlier - it's like the body is already sort of stretched out and remembers the whole routine. I will flaunt my belly with pride, starting with my first belly shot for this go around.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Wardrobe Changes
I spent hours this morning packing up all my regular clothes and pulling out all my maternity ones. It took forever but I feel like I accomplished alot. I actually have a ton more maternity clothes than I remembered. I can't wait until my belly is big enough to wear them. Right now I'm wearing basically the same 4 outfits over and over and over and over. They aren't maternity clothes but loose fitting regular clothes and that is basically all I can wear. I'm too big for my regular work clothes and too small for the maternity. Who knew I'd be dying to get big?
We have our next appointment on Thursday. I'm looking forward to hearing the baby's heartbeat again. And we'll schedule our "big" ultrasound. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like I'm convincing Nick that we want to find out the sex. I don't know if I can be sooooo close to getting that big news and not finding out. Oh well. I just want to hear that everything looks good with the baby. I'm feeling horrible, horrible guilt over having to have taken so much medication because of my migraines this go around. I am just dying for this baby to get here and I can see he/she is ok.
Nick & I had a long talk in the car this weekend about being parents of TWO children. It's so hard to imagine, yet we are excited. It certainly is going to be a juggling act, that is for sure. We aren't sure how we're going to do it, but we know it will be done somehow!
We have our next appointment on Thursday. I'm looking forward to hearing the baby's heartbeat again. And we'll schedule our "big" ultrasound. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like I'm convincing Nick that we want to find out the sex. I don't know if I can be sooooo close to getting that big news and not finding out. Oh well. I just want to hear that everything looks good with the baby. I'm feeling horrible, horrible guilt over having to have taken so much medication because of my migraines this go around. I am just dying for this baby to get here and I can see he/she is ok.
Nick & I had a long talk in the car this weekend about being parents of TWO children. It's so hard to imagine, yet we are excited. It certainly is going to be a juggling act, that is for sure. We aren't sure how we're going to do it, but we know it will be done somehow!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy 2008!
It is the start of another year. A big one for us as we add a new addition to our family and make our life a little crazier than it is now.
I woke up with a big fat headache this morning. I wish I could say it's from a wild New Years Eve, but unfortunately, it's just a normal headache from nothing at all. I broke down and took a fiorocet with tremendous guilt. But the feeling like I'm going to throw up and what feels like a hammer slamming up and down on my head is just not something I want to deal with all day. Sorry little Baby S 2.0. Mommy doesn't want to drug you all up. Hurry up and develop so I can get you out of me and you can not be affected by my ailments!
On a side note, we watched Knocked Up last night. Let me just say that that movie was realistic in ways I wish it wasn't. The birth scene was very reminiscent of how I felt and I turned to Nick and said, "I don't know if I can do that again." Oops!
I woke up with a big fat headache this morning. I wish I could say it's from a wild New Years Eve, but unfortunately, it's just a normal headache from nothing at all. I broke down and took a fiorocet with tremendous guilt. But the feeling like I'm going to throw up and what feels like a hammer slamming up and down on my head is just not something I want to deal with all day. Sorry little Baby S 2.0. Mommy doesn't want to drug you all up. Hurry up and develop so I can get you out of me and you can not be affected by my ailments!
On a side note, we watched Knocked Up last night. Let me just say that that movie was realistic in ways I wish it wasn't. The birth scene was very reminiscent of how I felt and I turned to Nick and said, "I don't know if I can do that again." Oops!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)