Category: Pregnancy

Posted on

Ramblings of a pregnant girl

Because that’s pretty much how my mind’s working these days, and yes, I still call/think of myself as a girl, even at age 33. Moving on…

So I REALLY can’t believe that Della won’t be my only child in what could be a matter of days. Yes, this pregnancy was planned and not a surprise, but I guess it never dawned on me how much I was going to miss having just her little self running around. I just hope I can be a good mom to both of them when Dv2.0 gets here. I know a newborn needs a lot of time and attention, but there’s no way I’m going to ignore anything about D. I just hope I can handle it.

This time being home with her and not working has been so much more enjoyable than I expected, I can barely stand it. I absolutely love being everything for her all day, even though I’m sure there’s stuff she’s missing out on that they’d be doing at daycare. No, we haven’t done nearly as many art projects as I would have liked or arranged as many play dates or explored more books at the library, but I think she’s still learning and progressing as she should be. She says more and more words each day, she’s excited to see us when she wakes up every morning, she really has had zero major meltdowns, and she’s just so happy. That’s most important and a good sign, right?

It honestly gives me anxiety now when I have to think about going back to work at some point next year. I have been able to do some editing/proofreading work since my job ended this summer which definitely helps to tack onto my severance bundle, and it’s something I would love to continue year-round as a work-at-home gig. Whether or not I could actually build up enough of it to really count as even a part-time second income is the wrench in the plan. I bet I could, but I think I would need 1-2 days of daycare each week back to get big chunks of work done. Especially with 2 kids at home, I’m not sure how well it would work trying to get multiple hours of editing in each day and juggle their demands at the same time.

Speaking of 2 kids, where are the Cliffs notes for how to do that? Before I knew I would be jobless when Dv2.0 came, it was easy – D would be in daycare during the days still, so I could focus all attention on the baby for a couple months. Then when I went back to work they’d both be going to the same place. Simple as pie. Now, I have no idea how I’m going to survive after that first week when I’m home alone with both. D is such a great kid I really don’t think she’ll have a total attitude reversal and turn into a pint-sized terror, but who knows. I just hope the baby is as great and calm as she was. If we get a colicky kid on our hands this time, I may not be so composed as I was with D as a newborn.

I hope D adjusts well to Ryan doing more stuff with/for her when the baby comes, stuff that I mainly do now, simply because I’m here all day with her. Like right now she doesn’t want him to read her bedtime stories anymore, just me. Which is weird, since she’s always loved having both of us do it. I think it may have something to do with the fact that she now likes to pull up my shirt and put her head on my belly when we rock before she goes to sleep so she can be with the baby, but I could be totally wrong. It is super cute, though, how she does that. She always says, “me baby” and just rests her head down there with her arms at my sides. I about die. I hope it’s a good sign that she’ll actually be excited to see and know the baby when he/she arrives instead of feeling any sort of jealousy or resentment.

Like I mentioned in my weekly pregnancy post on Friday, I am now done with my pre-baby to-do list, and that elates me. I have really been worried that we’re just going to be totally unprepared when this kid comes for some reason, but having all the stuff crossed off that bad boy eases my worries a lot. The crib is clean and set up and D’s in her big bed well; the car seat is washed and ready to be installed; we have a bassinet again; the newborn clothes are washed and put away; the newborn diapers are stocked; etc., etc. Now I’m just willing that kid to stay put for a couple more weeks, and we’ll be golden. I just need to remember to keep cherishing these days with just D while I can.

I’m planning to make a couple batches of meals to freeze this week, just another thing to get ready for a house with a newborn again. Lasagna, spaghetti bake, another chicken casserole-type dish. You know, some staples. This is definitely not something I even thought about when D was born, but I figured that since I’m home and should have the time, it’s something I should do, right? How did I get all this stuff accomplished when I was pregnant with D and working full-time? I guess it was a little easier back then because there wasn’t already another kid in the house, but this time should be easier too since we already have all the baby essentials from her.

Hmm… (it’s funny because D now imitates me saying “hmm” all the time, complete with her little finger tapping on her pursed lips) I guess that’s about it for now. The new-baby nerves are in full effect, so it feels good to just get some of this random stuff out of my head. I think the thing making me most nervous this time around is the logistics of it all – when will labor start, what will we do with D if it happens suddenly in the middle of the night (since my water didn’t break last time i don’t know what will happen if it does this time), will she be ok with me having to stay in the hospital a couple nights while she goes home with Daddy, will my mom be able to get up here in time to watch D while we go to the hospital if things do progress during the day again? See, stuff like that. But I know it’ll all work out in the end and we’ll end up a new family of 4.

Wow.

 

Posted on

Well this is no fun

So you know how I mentioned that I’ve developed carpal tunnel syndrome in my right arm these past couple weeks? Yeah, it can kiss my @$*!

Last night it got so bad I finally had to get out of bed at 4am and move onto one of the recliner ends of the couch in the living room. I thought a little elevation in my upper body would help the fluid stop pooling in my wrist/arm/hand. Ha! Apparently that was far too logical a thought to have for this body.

It was a little better for a few minutes, then the pain just started right up again. It was like someone was twisting a knife in the middle of my hand, with the stabbing pain shooting into my fingers and up to my elbow. So that was fun.

Finally, sometime shortly before I needed to get up this morning to take Ryan to work, I put the recliner all the way up so I was in a full sitting position with my legs out, arm still resting on pillows next to me, and that seemed to do the trick. Unfortunately I ended up getting about 3 seconds of sleep in those last 2+ hours of the night.

You’re really preparing me for those middle of the night feedings, aren’t you, kid?

Don’t get me wrong – I have thoroughly enjoyed this pregnancy again and really, REALLY want this baby to stay in there for at least another week (2 would be the best, 10 days would be better, but i’ll settle for a week so we’re back from peoria), but man oh man. This arm thing is miserable.

So if you see me walking around looking like a newborn-mother-zombie already, blame my arm. Or if you see me walking around looking totally well-rested but minus my right hand and forearm, you’ll know I finally had to take some drastic measures to get these last few precious weeks of sleep.

 

Posted on

Friday Funk – 36 weeks

Tomorrow is full term, and we all know what that means, right? This baby could now come AT ANY TIME! Oh dear lord.

  • How far along?  36 weeks, 6 days
  • Total weight gain:  30.5 lbs. as of yesterday morning. I think I may end up spot on the same 33 lb. weight gain I had with D after all.
  • Maternity clothes?  Bottoms – definitely, now with the exception of some yoga and cooler weather pj pants (much to my surprise!). Tops – some, but I find I can still wear most of my regular shirts too, which is nice. And dresses and skirts are quite comfortable but are making less frequent appearances as the weather cools off.
  • Stretch marks?  Thankfully, no. I didn’t get any from D, so hopefully Dv2.0 doesn’t give me any either.
  • Sleep:  Downright shitty. Rolling over is a huge process, and I’m always just sore all over when I wake up. Getting up to pee is still a nightly thing, and it has now progressed to multiple times a night. Remember that arm pain I mentioned last week too? Well it’s still there, and I finally figured out what it is. See below in my symptoms…
  • Best moment this week:  Spending last weekend down at my mom’s house with D was definitely wonderful. It was fun, relaxing, and filled with delicious food. It’s so hard for me to believe, though, that it was the last time D will be there as the only grandchild. Crazy. And another high point of this week was…are you ready for this? My pre-baby checklist is DONE!!! You have no idea how good it feels to look at that thing and see all 20 items crossed off. However, Dv2.0 (yes, i’m talking to you in there, oh ye who keeps nailing me in the ribs), that does NOT give you permission to come out now! I respectfully request (or order you as your mother, whichever you prefer) that you stay put until at least October 15. Anytime after October 20 would be much more ideal, but I’ll settle for anytime after the 15th as well.
  • Miss anything?  Beer and wine. And a good, solid night’s sleep.
  • Movement:  Yes, since about week 16 I believe. Kicks have become all over – I can feel what I now think are feet kicking under my right ribs while simultaneously getting bumped by probably the head on the lower left/back side. Must be a long kid in there.
  • Cravings:  In general, no, but when I get really hungry I want protein – meat, cheese, etc.
  • Aversions:  Food, no. Smells, not nearly as bad as last time, fortunately. I just get sick of scents quickly and have to get rid of them completely.
  • Gender:  Not finding out.
  • Labor signs:  No. Wait, are Braxton Hicks contractions considered a labor sign? If so, then yes, I’ve started having those (see below).
  • Symptoms:  Daily heartburn (yes, it switched to daily from nightly. awesome. and sometimes i can feel it come on as soon as i take a bite of something. hooray), SI pain (which, thankfully, has eased up on me a little these past few weeks), my hair isn’t shedding much when I wash/brush it, and I have some serious pregnancy brain. My stomach muscles have stopped tweaking as much, though, when I try to use my abs, so I’m just assuming that means they’ve gotten totally worn out. And the Braxton Hicks have arrived. I started feeling my lower abdomen tighten (painlessly) every once in a while within the past month or two, and my doctor confirmed those are the BH again. Let’s not forget the butt cheek cramps, either. They still come and go as they please. As for that weird arm thing I mentioned above, it’s pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel syndrome. Ta-da! And it’s worse at night because all of the water and fluid I’m retaining right now is able to spread out when I lie down, putting pressure on that nerve in there. I read, too, that whichever nerve it is that runs through the carpal tunnel affects your thumb, index, middle, and the thumb side of your ring fingers, plus the middle of your hand and up to your elbow in severe cases, and that is exactly what I have. Excellent. Just what I always wanted! To not be able to use my dominant hand when I wake up every day, hooray!! Fortunately it’s supposed to go away shortly after delivery, which it better. I have found that sleeping with my wrist and hand propped up on a pillow does help keep the pain away, but that’s so awkward and it rarely stays put.
  • Belly button in or out?  Definitely starting to bulge on the right side, but still not fully out. Never went fully out with D, just a little crooked, but it’s already farther out than how it went with her. Weird.
  • Wedding rings on or off?  On.
  • Looking forward to:  Well let’s see… This upcoming week is actually pretty busy. This afternoon we’re heading up to Parnell Tower outside Sheboygan to check out the beauty of the changing leaves. Tomorrow I’ll be watching the Badgers play in the afternoon (at home, not in Madison unfortunately). Sunday I’m having lunch with girlfriends, for which I can’t wait! Tuesday I have my last hair cut/color pre-baby, and Wednesday is my next doctor’s appointment. I am PRAYING that there is no further dilation by then, because next weekend is when we’re supposed to be going to Peoria for my high school Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony, one PHS event I definitely don’t want to miss. So if you were wondering why I chose October 15 as the mandatory stay-in-there-until date for Dv2.0, that’s why. That is the date a week from Monday, which would put us home from Peoria without a newborn in tow.

And yes, another week of side-by-sides. Left is me 36w1d pregnant with D; right is me 36w2d pregnant with Dv2.0. Let’s start taking bets – what do you guys think, boy or girl this time?

 

 

 

Posted on

Friday Funk – 35 weeks

I think I did a little better on backing the picture away from the wall this week, yes?

  • How far along?  35 weeks, 6 days
  • Total weight gain:  Back to 30 lbs. exactly as of Wednesday morning. I had my next doctor appointment that day, so I always like to compare how the scales read, as you know. Theirs had me about 3.5 lbs. heavier than ours did that morning, but since their measurements started a couple lbs. after mine did, they only have me gaining like 25 lbs. so far. Suckers. 😉
  • Maternity clothes?  Bottoms – definitely. Tops – some, but I find I can still wear most of my regular shirts too, which is nice. And dresses and skirts are quite comfortable but are making less frequent appearances as the weather cools off.
  • Stretch marks?  Thankfully, no. I didn’t get any from D, so hopefully Dv2.0 doesn’t give me any either.
  • Sleep:  Downright shitty. Rolling over is now a process, and I’m always just sore all over when I wake up. Getting up to pee is basically a nightly thing now too, so that’s always an interruption. And these past 2 weeks my right arm has started falling painfully asleep in no matter which position I lie. I wake up multiple times each night with numb fingers and an aching hand. Whether or not this is actually pregnancy related I have no idea, but man, is it annoying. Anyone else experience this while pregnant?
  • Best moment this week:  There were actually a couple again. D had to come with me to the doctor, but she loved hearing the baby’s heartbeat. Then she gave the baby, aka my belly, a hug and kiss. So sweet. Oh, and we found out this kid is definitely head down already, so at least we don’t have to worry about that. And there’s no dilation so far, which is another good sign since I want this one to stay in for a good couple more weeks. Then yesterday I took D to have lunch with friends at my ex-place of employment, which was a lot of fun.
  • Miss anything?  Beer, especially this summer. And a good, solid night’s sleep.
  • Movement:  Yes, since about week 16 I believe. Kicks have become all over – I can feel what I now think are feet kicking under my right ribs while simultaneously getting bumped by probably the head on the lower left/back side. Must be a long kid in there.
  • Cravings:  In general, no, but when I get really hungry I want protein – meat, cheese, etc.
  • Aversions:  Food, no. Smells, not nearly as bad as last time, fortunately. I just get sick of scents quickly and have to get rid of them completely.
  • Gender:  Not finding out.
  • Labor signs:  No. Wait, are Braxton Hicks contractions considered a labor sign? If so, then yes, I’ve started having those (see below).
  • Symptoms:  Daily heartburn (yes, it switched to daily from nightly. awesome. and sometimes i can feel it come on as soon as i take a bite of something. hooray), SI pain (constant now, which is oh-so pleasant), my hair isn’t shedding much when I wash/brush it, and I have some serious pregnancy brain. My stomach muscles have stopped tweaking as much, though, when I try to use my abs, so I’m just assuming that means they’ve gotten totally worn out. And the Braxton Hicks have arrived. I started feeling my lower abdomen tighten (painlessly) every once in a while within the past month or two, and my doctor confirmed those are the BH again. Let’s not forget the butt cheek cramps, either. They still come and go as they please. And that weird arm thing I mentioned above.
  • Belly button in or out?  Definitely starting to bulge on the right side, but still not fully out. Never went fully out with D, just a little crooked, but it’s already farther out than how it went with her. Weird.
  • Wedding rings on or off?  On.
  • Looking forward to:  Going down to my mom’s house for the weekend. Ryan’s going to Green Bay for the weekend with some friends, so D and I are headed south so she can spend some more only-child time with Grandma and Grandpa. And maybe I can take a nap. 🙂 I’m also almost completely done with that to-do list I’ve mentioned the past couple weeks, and I can’t even tell you how happy that makes me. I definitely feel more “ready” for Dv2.0’s arrival the more finished that thing becomes.

Now the event you wait for every week – baby belly comparison, yippee! On the left we have me 35w1d pregnant with D, and on the right we have me 35w4d pregnant with Dv2.0. I think my stomach looks a little more pointed now vs. with D than it did last week. Or am I making that up?

 

 

 

Posted on

Friday Funk – 34 weeks

Sorry, these pictures are terrible this week. I really need to remember to stand farther back from that wall so I don’t look all squished against it.

  • How far along?  34 weeks, 6 days
  • Total weight gain:  29.5 lbs. as of yesterday morning. Why is that down half a pound from last week, you ask? I have no clue. I know the weight gain tends to level off at some point toward the end of the 3rd trimester, but I didn’t think I was at that point yet. Now watch – next week I’ll be up like 5 lbs. just for fun.
  • Maternity clothes?  Bottoms – definitely. Tops – some, but I find I can still wear most of my regular shirts too, which is nice. And dresses and skirts are quite comfortable but are making less frequent appearances as the weather cools off.
  • Stretch marks?  Thankfully, no. I didn’t get any from D, so hopefully Dv2.0 doesn’t give me any either.
  • Sleep:  Pretty shitty. Rolling over is now a process, and I’m always just sore all over when I wake up. Getting up to pee is basically a nightly thing now too, so that’s always an interruption.
  • Best moment this week:  Getting to have both Ryan and my mom along for our zoo trip this week. D was in heaven. My mom was up for a few days while my stepdad was out of town, and Ryan was able to do his Monday morning work from home then play hooky for a few hours. So we got to show them all of D’s favorite animals, ride the choo-choo train (a must!), and she even went on the carousel for the 1st time. Of course then she had to ride it twice and cried when we made her get off the 2nd time. Boog.
  • Miss anything?  Beer, especially this summer. And a good, solid night’s sleep.
  • Movement:  Yes, since about week 16 I believe. Kicks have become all over – I can feel what I now think are feet kicking under my right ribs while simultaneously getting bumped by probably the head on the lower left/back side. Must be a long kid in there.
  • Cravings:  In general, no, but when I get really hungry I want protein – meat, cheese, etc.
  • Aversions:  Food, no. Smells, not nearly as bad as last time, fortunately. I just get sick of scents quickly and have to get rid of them completely.
  • Gender:  Not finding out.
  • Labor signs:  No. Wait, are Braxton Hicks contractions considered a labor sign? If so, then yes, I’ve started having those (see below).
  • Symptoms:  Daily heartburn (yes, it switched to daily from nightly. awesome. and sometimes i can feel it come on as soon as i take a bite of something. hooray), SI pain (constant now, which is oh-so pleasant), my hair isn’t shedding much when I wash/brush it, and I have some serious pregnancy brain. My stomach muscles have stopped tweaking as much, though, when I try to use my abs, so I’m just assuming that means they’ve gotten totally worn out. And the Braxton Hicks have arrived. I started feeling my lower abdomen tighten (painlessly) every once in a while within the past month or so, and my doctor confirmed those are the BH again. Oh and here’s a new one – butt cheek cramps. Yes, that’s correct. Last weekend and earlier this week my left butt cheek was plagued by a deep, middle-of-the-glute muscle cramp. Why? Because I’m almost 9 months pregnant, that’s why.
  • Belly button in or out?  Definitely starting to bulge on the right side, but still not fully out. Never went fully out with D, just a little crooked, but it’s already farther out than how it went with her. Weird.
  • Wedding rings on or off?  On.
  • Looking forward to:  Getting more stuff done around here so I can cross things off my million-and-one pre-baby to-do list. I know this is the same as last week’s “looking forward to” entry, but I’m still working on that list. Fortunately this week I did get a ton of stuff crossed off it, like getting D moved into her new bed and the crib set up in our room as you can see in the pictures, but I still have a fair amount left. Once that thing is done I will feel much better. But then it’ll be time to get the hospital bag ready – WHAT?!?!

And now this week’s comparison shot. I was 34w1d pregnant with D on the left, and I’m 34w4d pregnant with Dv2.0 on the right. For some strange reason I just can’t get myself to take these pictures on the actual weeks lately. Ah well.

 

 

 

Posted on

Friday Funk – 33 weeks

All right seriously, time really needs to slow down right about now. I have WAY too much to do before this kid arrives, and I’ve realized I’m very quickly running out of time.

  • How far along?  33 weeks, 6 days
  • Total weight gain:  30 lbs. as of Tuesday morning. Finally hit that big 3-0 mark. Only 3 lbs. left until I catch up to my total weight gain with D.
  • Maternity clothes?  Bottoms – definitely. Tops – some, but I find I can still wear most of my regular shirts too, which is nice. And dresses and skirts are quite comfortable.
  • Stretch marks?  Thankfully, no. I didn’t get any from D, so hopefully Dv2.0 doesn’t give me any either.
  • Sleep:  Pretty shitty. Rolling over is now a process, and I’m always just sore all over when I wake up. Getting up to pee is basically a nightly thing now too, so that’s always an interruption.
  • Best moment this week:  Hearing the doctor say she’s pretty sure the baby is already head down on Tuesday. She’ll check for sure at my next appointment in 2 weeks, but that’s a good sign right now.
  • Miss anything?  Beer, especially this summer. And a good, solid night’s sleep.
  • Movement:  Yes, since about week 16 I believe. Kicks have become all over – I can feel what I now think are feet kicking under my right ribs while simultaneously getting bumped by probably the head on the lower left/back side. Must be a long kid in there.
  • Cravings:  In general, no, but when I get really hungry I want protein – meat, cheese, etc.
  • Aversions:  Food, no. Smells, not nearly as bad as last time, fortunately. I just get sick of scents quickly and have to get rid of them completely.
  • Gender:  Not finding out.
  • Labor signs:  No. Wait, are Braxton Hicks contractions considered a labor sign? If so, then yes, I’ve started having those (see below).
  • Symptoms:  Daily heartburn (yes, it switched to daily from nightly. awesome. and sometimes i can feel it come on as soon as i take a bite of something. hooray), SI pain (constant now, which sucks), my hair isn’t shedding much when I wash/brush it, and I have some serious pregnancy brain. My stomach muscles have stopped tweaking as much, though, when I try to use my abs, so I’m just assuming that means they’ve gotten totally worn out. And the Braxton Hicks have arrived. I started feeling my lower abdomen tighten (painlessly) every once in a while within the past couple weeks, and my doctor confirmed those are the BH again.
  • Belly button in or out?  Definitely starting to bulge on the right side, but still not fully out. Never went fully out with D, just a little crooked.
  • Wedding rings on or off?  On.
  • Looking forward to:  Getting more stuff done around here so I can cross things off my million-and-one pre-baby to-do list.

For your viewing enjoyment, the comparison shots are back. I know you were saddened by the lack of them these past couple weeks. On the left I was 33w pregnant with D; on the right I’m 33w4d pregnant with Dv2.0. Yep, same shorts.

 

 

Posted on

Friday Funk – 31 weeks

Seriously, this whole being past 30 weeks thing is really freaking me out. We have done NOTHING to get ready for Dv2.0 yet. I foresee lots of loads of little tiny laundry in my future…

  • How far along?  31 weeks, 6 days
  • Total weight gain:  28 lbs. as of Tuesday morning. I had my next doctor appointment that day and wanted to compare my scale to theirs, even though I know they’re always very different. Again, I’ll stick with my scale. But that’s up half a pound since last week. I’m only 5 lbs. away from my total gain with Della, so we’ll see how far I go past it with this one.
  • Maternity clothes?  Bottoms – definitely. Tops – some, but I find I can still wear most of my regular shirts too, which is nice. And lots of dresses and skirts.
  • Stretch marks?  Thankfully, no. I didn’t get any from D, so hopefully Dv2.0 doesn’t give me any either.
  • Sleep:  Pretty shitty. Rolling over is getting to be a process, and I’m always just sore all over when I wake up. Getting up to pee is basically a nightly thing now too, so that’s always an interruption. Plus D’s been waking up in the night now, so there’s that to contend with as well.
  • Best moment this week:  Hmm… Buffett concert was awesome, and so was hearing Dv2.0’s heartbeat again. So we’ll go with those.
  • Miss anything?  Beer, especially this summer. And a good, solid night’s sleep.
  • Movement:  Yes, since about week 16 I believe. Kicks are pretty low, which I’ve heard signals there’s a boy in there. They are, however, starting to move higher – I’ve noticed the top of my belly getting kicked now too. Must be a long kid in there. I think they’re getting stronger as well.
  • Cravings:  In general, no, but when I get really hungry I want protein – meat, cheese, etc.
  • Aversions:  Food, no. Smells, not nearly as bad as last time, fortunately. I just get sick of scents quickly and have to get rid of them completely.
  • Gender:  Not finding out.
  • Labor signs:  No. Wait, are Braxton Hicks contractions considered a labor sign? If so, then yes, I’ve started having those (see below).
  • Symptoms:  Daily heartburn (yes, it switched to daily from nightly. awesome. and sometimes i can feel it come on as soon as i take a bite of something. hooray), SI pain (constant now, which sucks), my hair isn’t shedding much when I wash/brush it, and I have some serious pregnancy brain. My stomach muscles have stopped tweaking as much, though, when I try to use my abs, so I’m just assuming that means they’ve gotten totally worn out. And the Braxton Hicks have arrived. I started feeling my lower abdomen tighten (painlessly) every once in a while within the past couple weeks, and my doctor confirmed those are the BH again.
  • Belly button in or out?  Starting to bulge a little, but not out. Never went fully out with D, just a little crooked.
  • Wedding rings on or off?  On.
  • Looking forward to:  VACATION!!!! That’s right, we’re off again this afternoon for a good solid week, coming home next Saturday. We’re going to a remote wilderness area in Canada, so I won’t be around here for awhile. Miss me you will, but I’ll be back with some good pictures, as usual.

Sorry, no comparison again this week. Don’t worry, though, they’ll come back when I do – after vacation!! Have a great week next week. Hasta luego.