For about four months now, I’ve been searching high and low for the perfect diaper bag. Most people probably don’t find this task as difficult as I have, but we all know that I’m just a wee bit picky. It has to be the right size, right style, right color and right material. No cartoon characters, crazy designs or animals are allowed (that’s just my personal preference, nothing against those who like that). It has to be something that Chris wouldn’t mind carrying (which totally knocks about 85% of them out of the running). Oh yeah, and did I mention it can’t cost a bazillion dollars?
The search continues…maybe in the next five weeks or so, I’ll get lucky and find the perfect bag. Or I’ll just settle. Or I’ll just throw a box of diapers and wipes in my car and wing it! ;)
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The birthing process
I’m not gonna lie – I’m starting to freak out a bit. I knew when we decided to have a baby what that entailed. Okay, maybe not ENTIRELY what that entailed, but a pretty good idea. I knew about morning sickness and swollen feet and peeing a lot. I also knew about ultrasounds and feeling the kicks and the excitement that leads up to the birth. Oh, yeah, there’s that pesky word – birth. The baby has to be born. One way or another, this kid is coming and there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it. And honestly, I’m terrified.
When I was 12 weeks or so along, my doctors told me I had pregnancy-induced chronic hypertension, which is a fancy way of saying high blood pressure, except in pregnancy, it’s pretty freaking serious. One of my doctors pretty much told me that I would be induced, need a c-section and that we had to focus on making it to 26 weeks. (Apparently, 26 weeks is the earliest that a baby can really survive on its own. Not to say if he came earlier they wouldn’t do everything possible, but 26 weeks was the milestone we were looking for.) Needless to say, I was terrified. Well, about 23 weeks, when everything was going completely normal, thanks to bi-weekly visits and medication, one of my other doctors said a c-section wasn’t absolutely necessary, but I would need to be induced around 38-39 weeks. (Naturally going into labor with blood pressure problems can be bad.) In talking about my options (c-section or not) with the OB, she said that she is still leaning toward a c-section, but as long as things progress as they have been, it may be my decision.
So, for the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about this and then it hit me – one way or another, the baby is coming out of me. Holy crap. I am not the least bit nervous about him being here. In fact, I can’t wait to look into his eyes and kiss his little hands and feet. But what I am completely freaking out about is the birth part! I’ve always known this coming, but now, when we are like 6-7 weeks away, I’m really freaking out. The thought I’ve carried in the back of my head is, “If so and so can do it, so can I.” That’s not a dig against any of my friends and family, sometimes I even think about the girls on 16 & Pregnant – if they can do, I can, too. But I’m quickly losing confidence. Maybe I can’t.
But I have to. There’s really no choice, is there?
When I was 12 weeks or so along, my doctors told me I had pregnancy-induced chronic hypertension, which is a fancy way of saying high blood pressure, except in pregnancy, it’s pretty freaking serious. One of my doctors pretty much told me that I would be induced, need a c-section and that we had to focus on making it to 26 weeks. (Apparently, 26 weeks is the earliest that a baby can really survive on its own. Not to say if he came earlier they wouldn’t do everything possible, but 26 weeks was the milestone we were looking for.) Needless to say, I was terrified. Well, about 23 weeks, when everything was going completely normal, thanks to bi-weekly visits and medication, one of my other doctors said a c-section wasn’t absolutely necessary, but I would need to be induced around 38-39 weeks. (Naturally going into labor with blood pressure problems can be bad.) In talking about my options (c-section or not) with the OB, she said that she is still leaning toward a c-section, but as long as things progress as they have been, it may be my decision.
So, for the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking a lot about this and then it hit me – one way or another, the baby is coming out of me. Holy crap. I am not the least bit nervous about him being here. In fact, I can’t wait to look into his eyes and kiss his little hands and feet. But what I am completely freaking out about is the birth part! I’ve always known this coming, but now, when we are like 6-7 weeks away, I’m really freaking out. The thought I’ve carried in the back of my head is, “If so and so can do it, so can I.” That’s not a dig against any of my friends and family, sometimes I even think about the girls on 16 & Pregnant – if they can do, I can, too. But I’m quickly losing confidence. Maybe I can’t.
But I have to. There’s really no choice, is there?
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Single digits
Technically, since I’ve been told they will induced at 39 weeks because of my blood pressure issues, I’ve been in the single digits weeks for a week, but now it feels more real. I am 31 weeks pregnant. There are 40 weeks in a normally pregnancy. That means (using my awesome math skills) that there are only 9 weeks left. I remember being 9 weeks pregnant! How can there only be 9 (or less!) weeks left? I feel like there is so much left to do. I mean, there IS so much left to do, but it will get done. This I know. Some of it might get done after he’s here, but you know what? Who cares!? He’ll be here and as long as he’s healthy and safe, that’s all that matters!
I do believe, however, that I will not see a full night’s sleep again for the next 18 years and 9 weeks. Jack's new favorite game is called "Poke Mommy in the Ribs" and he really likes to play it about 2AM. :)
I do believe, however, that I will not see a full night’s sleep again for the next 18 years and 9 weeks. Jack's new favorite game is called "Poke Mommy in the Ribs" and he really likes to play it about 2AM. :)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Showered with lots of love!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Wait? What was I doing?
My friend Lori said I should write this and since I always listen when I’m told to do something, here it goes. I’ve done some stupid things while I’ve been pregnant. Baby brain is real, my friends and for all my preggo friends, it will happen to you, too! Here are a couple of the highlights:
1. One day, I come out to my car at lunch to drive home. I unlock the door and am immediately ticked off because there is a pile of crap in the seat (mail, papers, magazines, an empty water bottle, etc.). How did it get there? Who was in my car? It obviously wasn’t there when I drove to work this morning? Did Chris come to the car to get something out and leave this mess? I was just pissed. So I throw all the stuff into the other seat, got in the car, keys in hand and go to put them in the ignition. Except, there was no ignition. Only the dashboard and the glove box. Yup, I had gotten in on the passenger side.
2. I forgot to wear a bra to work one day. I have big boobs; therefore this is not a good thing. When I realized it, I went back home and put one on because no one needs to see Pam and Tori run free.
3. I paid the same bill three times in one day. In my defense, the site didn’t update that I had any payments pending, so I thought that each time I logged in, I had just forgot to pay it. Plus side: A credit with Georgia Power! :)
4. Last night, I made spaghetti for dinner. After I finished the sauce, I drained the noodles and mixed it all together. Only thing is the noodles had cooked for maybe five minutes (i.e., no where near being done). Of course, I didn’t realize that I hadn’t cooked the noodles long enough until I took a bite. I guess in my head, once the sauce was ready, the noodles should have been, too! Chris (bless his heart) said, “They’re fine - just al dente!” He tried to eat them. I threw the rest down the garbage disposal. Cereal for dinner is fine by me!
There are more stupid things I have done, but I’ll leave it at that. :) I have a couple more updates, too – pictures from an amazing baby shower, new ultrasound pics and nursery pics are coming soon! :)
1. One day, I come out to my car at lunch to drive home. I unlock the door and am immediately ticked off because there is a pile of crap in the seat (mail, papers, magazines, an empty water bottle, etc.). How did it get there? Who was in my car? It obviously wasn’t there when I drove to work this morning? Did Chris come to the car to get something out and leave this mess? I was just pissed. So I throw all the stuff into the other seat, got in the car, keys in hand and go to put them in the ignition. Except, there was no ignition. Only the dashboard and the glove box. Yup, I had gotten in on the passenger side.
2. I forgot to wear a bra to work one day. I have big boobs; therefore this is not a good thing. When I realized it, I went back home and put one on because no one needs to see Pam and Tori run free.
3. I paid the same bill three times in one day. In my defense, the site didn’t update that I had any payments pending, so I thought that each time I logged in, I had just forgot to pay it. Plus side: A credit with Georgia Power! :)
4. Last night, I made spaghetti for dinner. After I finished the sauce, I drained the noodles and mixed it all together. Only thing is the noodles had cooked for maybe five minutes (i.e., no where near being done). Of course, I didn’t realize that I hadn’t cooked the noodles long enough until I took a bite. I guess in my head, once the sauce was ready, the noodles should have been, too! Chris (bless his heart) said, “They’re fine - just al dente!” He tried to eat them. I threw the rest down the garbage disposal. Cereal for dinner is fine by me!
There are more stupid things I have done, but I’ll leave it at that. :) I have a couple more updates, too – pictures from an amazing baby shower, new ultrasound pics and nursery pics are coming soon! :)
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
My Son’s A Genius
Oh yes, most parents are quick to boast their claims of intelligence on their children. It’s natural, I think, and of course, most people who actually know the child in question will smile and nod as not to insult the parent. Since I am technically the only one who “knows” Jackson right now, I can claim that he is smarter than the average baby and you are just going to have to believe me. Don’t worry, though – he’ll prove me right. You’ll see. But you might be wondering why I say Jack is so smart. Well, I have one word for you: Rice. My son doesn’t like rice (see previous posts) and he cannot be fooled.
Saturday night, we had a lovely dinner with our friends Rey and Heather, who are expecting their own bundle of joy in August! (BTW, my new “thing” is to encourage all my almost-ready-to-be-parent friends to become parents-to-be. I think it’s one of those annoying pregnancy side effects, but more on that later…) We were at this delicious Italian restaurant called Dominick’s in Buford. I mean, the food was to die for good! In looking over the menu, there were lots and lots of yummy choices – ravioli, chicken parm, rigatoni – but in the end I decided to get the risotto. Oh man, I love risotto. The creamy texture and the flavor – so yummy! Oh yes, this was going to be a good dinner. And it was. It was so good. We had a wonderful dinner with great friends and I was full and happy.
Until about an hour after we got home. Then I got sick. I mean, throwing up, crying, hurts so bad sick. I couldn’t figure it out. I didn’t feel sick at all during the day. My sickness had come on quickly that it reminded me of…morning sickness. But I’m like 26 weeks pregnant! I shouldn’t have morning sickness! What the French Toast???? About 20 minutes or so into my vomiting spell, with my loving husband holding back my hair and rubbing my back, it hit me. “Chris,” I said, “Risotto is rice, isn’t it?” His eyes got big and said, “Yes, it is.” We both knew that rice is on my no-no list. Jackson reminded us why. He doesn’t like rice. You can fancy it up and call it something different. Doesn’t matter. He knows and he doesn’t like it, which means I can’t eat it.
And that’s why my son is a genius.
Saturday night, we had a lovely dinner with our friends Rey and Heather, who are expecting their own bundle of joy in August! (BTW, my new “thing” is to encourage all my almost-ready-to-be-parent friends to become parents-to-be. I think it’s one of those annoying pregnancy side effects, but more on that later…) We were at this delicious Italian restaurant called Dominick’s in Buford. I mean, the food was to die for good! In looking over the menu, there were lots and lots of yummy choices – ravioli, chicken parm, rigatoni – but in the end I decided to get the risotto. Oh man, I love risotto. The creamy texture and the flavor – so yummy! Oh yes, this was going to be a good dinner. And it was. It was so good. We had a wonderful dinner with great friends and I was full and happy.
Until about an hour after we got home. Then I got sick. I mean, throwing up, crying, hurts so bad sick. I couldn’t figure it out. I didn’t feel sick at all during the day. My sickness had come on quickly that it reminded me of…morning sickness. But I’m like 26 weeks pregnant! I shouldn’t have morning sickness! What the French Toast???? About 20 minutes or so into my vomiting spell, with my loving husband holding back my hair and rubbing my back, it hit me. “Chris,” I said, “Risotto is rice, isn’t it?” His eyes got big and said, “Yes, it is.” We both knew that rice is on my no-no list. Jackson reminded us why. He doesn’t like rice. You can fancy it up and call it something different. Doesn’t matter. He knows and he doesn’t like it, which means I can’t eat it.
And that’s why my son is a genius.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The new normal - for now.
There’s a commercial that says “Having a baby changes everything.” Well, I’m sorry, but they are wrong. Getting pregnant changes everything. I am sure that once Jack gets here, everything will change (again), but from the moment I saw that second line, my life changed. From what I eat and drink, to the way I sleep, to even what I watch, I can’t think of an aspect of my life that hasn’t changed. I can’t even imagine what it’s going to be like when he is here, but I can honestly tell you I wasn’t prepared for half of what happens during pregnancy.
Food: Oh, I had “morning” sickness (all day long) and I had a few cravings here and there. Mostly, it’s been foods I can’t eat. My husband has said I’m probably the only pregnant women alive that eats less now than I did before I got pregnant. I mean significantly less. I’m just not hungry and I’m more careful about what I put into my body. Except s’mores. Man, I love s’mores. But I was really looking forward to the crazy cravings (i.e., pickles and ice cream) because anyone who knows me knows I’m a picky eater. I thought this would be my chance to branch out. Nope. This kid is just a picky as me. Maybe more.
Peeing: Sorry if this is TMI, but I pee. A LOT. At least 3-4 times a night. Probably 8 times a day at work, if not more. Not mention I pee first thing in the morning, before and after I take a shower and then again before I for leave work. Yes, I drink a lot of water, too, but man, I never thought I’d have to pee so much. That’s probably more about me than you want to know.
Sleep: See above. Since I’m peeing so much at night, I don’t really sleep through the night. Furthermore, you aren’t supposed to sleep on your back or belly when you are pregnant. Only on your side. And your left side at that. So, I bought a fancy body pillow that takes up half of the bed (yeah, Chris was thrilled with that purchase) and I try to sleep on my left side, but somehow, that darn pillow ends up in the floor and I end up on my back. My perinatal doctor said there’s not much you can do about ending up on your back, but he calmed my fears by saying he’s never lost a baby to a mom sleeping on her back.
Sleep, Part 2: Funny things happen to pregnant women. Dreams, for example, are really crazy and vivid. I have had some really screwy dreams and I wake up thinking they really happened. For example, I dreamed we bought a new car. We went to the dealership, picked it out, test drove it and financed it. We drove it home and parked that baby in the garage. The next morning, I get up to go to work and I’m sitting there wondering where the hell my new VW Routan was and how my Hyundai got back in the garage. Seriously. I was confused for like five minutes. Carpal tunnel is another new joy that I have recently discovered. Who knew you can develop carpal tunnel during pregnancy? Honestly, I didn’t even know what it was until it happened to me. Apparently it has something to do with the circulation and blood flow during pregnancy. It mostly happens to me at night, but sometimes during the day, too. There is nothing like waking up at 3 in the morning with your arm and hand numb and tingling. It’s just so pleasant, let me tell you. My BFF Lori tells me I have restless leg syndrome to look forward to, as well. I can’t wait.
Television and Movies: I love scary movies. Or I used to. Actually, I still do, but now, for some reason, I’m scared to watch them. Not because I’m afraid of them, but something inside me is worried that I’ll get too scared and go into preterm labor or something. Again, I cleared this with my doctor who said he has never seen that happen. But who knows? I could be the first. Also, I used to be a big news buff. I could watch the cable news channels for hours on end. Now I don’t want to. It’s all too depressing. The economy sucks. There’s way too much violence in the world. The disaster in Haiti is awful and sad. AND – did you know the world is going to end in 2012? Apparently, this is true. My husband is obsessed with the History channel that is now devoted to showing programs about the pending doomsday. They all say we’re going to die in two years. Right before Christmas at that! Happy freaking holidays, everyone. Nope, I don’t want to see that. Ignorance is bliss, my friend.
There’s probably like 50 more examples I could give you and go on and on about this. But this blog entry is long, I’m tired, my carpal tunnel is flaring up and I have to pee. :)
Food: Oh, I had “morning” sickness (all day long) and I had a few cravings here and there. Mostly, it’s been foods I can’t eat. My husband has said I’m probably the only pregnant women alive that eats less now than I did before I got pregnant. I mean significantly less. I’m just not hungry and I’m more careful about what I put into my body. Except s’mores. Man, I love s’mores. But I was really looking forward to the crazy cravings (i.e., pickles and ice cream) because anyone who knows me knows I’m a picky eater. I thought this would be my chance to branch out. Nope. This kid is just a picky as me. Maybe more.
Peeing: Sorry if this is TMI, but I pee. A LOT. At least 3-4 times a night. Probably 8 times a day at work, if not more. Not mention I pee first thing in the morning, before and after I take a shower and then again before I for leave work. Yes, I drink a lot of water, too, but man, I never thought I’d have to pee so much. That’s probably more about me than you want to know.
Sleep: See above. Since I’m peeing so much at night, I don’t really sleep through the night. Furthermore, you aren’t supposed to sleep on your back or belly when you are pregnant. Only on your side. And your left side at that. So, I bought a fancy body pillow that takes up half of the bed (yeah, Chris was thrilled with that purchase) and I try to sleep on my left side, but somehow, that darn pillow ends up in the floor and I end up on my back. My perinatal doctor said there’s not much you can do about ending up on your back, but he calmed my fears by saying he’s never lost a baby to a mom sleeping on her back.
Sleep, Part 2: Funny things happen to pregnant women. Dreams, for example, are really crazy and vivid. I have had some really screwy dreams and I wake up thinking they really happened. For example, I dreamed we bought a new car. We went to the dealership, picked it out, test drove it and financed it. We drove it home and parked that baby in the garage. The next morning, I get up to go to work and I’m sitting there wondering where the hell my new VW Routan was and how my Hyundai got back in the garage. Seriously. I was confused for like five minutes. Carpal tunnel is another new joy that I have recently discovered. Who knew you can develop carpal tunnel during pregnancy? Honestly, I didn’t even know what it was until it happened to me. Apparently it has something to do with the circulation and blood flow during pregnancy. It mostly happens to me at night, but sometimes during the day, too. There is nothing like waking up at 3 in the morning with your arm and hand numb and tingling. It’s just so pleasant, let me tell you. My BFF Lori tells me I have restless leg syndrome to look forward to, as well. I can’t wait.
Television and Movies: I love scary movies. Or I used to. Actually, I still do, but now, for some reason, I’m scared to watch them. Not because I’m afraid of them, but something inside me is worried that I’ll get too scared and go into preterm labor or something. Again, I cleared this with my doctor who said he has never seen that happen. But who knows? I could be the first. Also, I used to be a big news buff. I could watch the cable news channels for hours on end. Now I don’t want to. It’s all too depressing. The economy sucks. There’s way too much violence in the world. The disaster in Haiti is awful and sad. AND – did you know the world is going to end in 2012? Apparently, this is true. My husband is obsessed with the History channel that is now devoted to showing programs about the pending doomsday. They all say we’re going to die in two years. Right before Christmas at that! Happy freaking holidays, everyone. Nope, I don’t want to see that. Ignorance is bliss, my friend.
There’s probably like 50 more examples I could give you and go on and on about this. But this blog entry is long, I’m tired, my carpal tunnel is flaring up and I have to pee. :)
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