Sunday, October 31, 2010

Hellooo Are you in There?

So I have officially moved from the Sick Stage to the Weird Stage. I still have some pregnancy symptoms (heartburn! fatigue!) but for the most part feel pretty good. I haven't felt the baby kick yet...well last night I felt a little flutter and I think that might have been it...but I am not entirely sure. And I don't really look pregnant, just fat. So what I am getting at is that I don't really feel pregnant anymore, but I know that something is growing inside me, which makes it just....weird. Oftentimes I'll put my hand on my stomach and say, "Baby are you in there?"






Here's my 18 week bump pic. Enjoy!
(don't worry I will never wear my glasses in a pic again, and I will comb my hair!)

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Lifesavers


This week I have been going to the bathroom even more than my pregnancy usual. At work I'll get up from my desk, go to the bathroom, then get back to my desk and have to go again. At least I'm getting some exercise! One night I woke up 7 times to go to the bathroom. Strangely enough, I still slept pretty good, but I think that is because my mother-in-law bought me THE BEST THING EVER! It is a pregnancy body pillow without the top part so you can still use your own pillow. So pretty much I cuddle with it and then put the biggest part in between my knees. The first couple of nights I positioned it according to the directions and it kid of hurt my back. But the past few nights I have just been using it however it fits and man is it awesome. I have slept so well this week.
My mom also bought me a fan and that has been a lifesaver as well. I have been so hot, and I'll just whip that thing out whenever the mood strikes. I don't care if I look dumb or if people stare, I am HOT! I also got some really cute dresses from my step-mom which are so much more comfortable than any pant could ever be. I'll dress them down for the weekend and dress them up for work.
I have the best Moms ever!! And I am so blessed to have three!!






Tuesday, October 19, 2010

The Grizz

J and I went to a Grizzlies game last night. The Boyz II Men concert last week was also an Ovarian Cancer Foundation benefit and they had a silent auction. So we ended up with really good seats (4th row) for a fraction of the cost. Apparently, the dad from "The Blind Side" was sitting in front of us. Never seen the movie so it didn't mean to me, but people around us were excited.
Since we were sitting so close to the action and I of course had to go to the bathroom, I had to climb up what seemed like a million stairs. I had to pause at every landing and when I finally got to the top I exhaled and took a big break. The usher at the top of the stairs starting laughing at me! After going to the bathroom and walking around the whole place trying to find something appetizing, I started the trek back down the stairs. The usher saw me and said, "No need to show your ticket, I remember your panting." Well, I knew she didn't really mean anything by it, but I told her I was pregnant and that I'd see her on the way back up. When you're pregnant, you really don't care anymore what people think. Not that I cared much before either.
J FINALLY did his job and snagged a t-shirt for me that the cheerleaders were handing out. It's about time he used his height for his advantage. I only married him cause he's tall anyways.

Monday, October 18, 2010

16 weeks

16 weeks...starting to feel better the past week or so. Or am I just used to the morning sickness/better at managing it? Either way, I'll take what I can get. Right now the heartburn is the worst. I've never had it before in my life and hope I never get it again. Now am I not only limited to what I eat because of the nausea and gas, but now the heartburn. My go-to foods are filet mignon, baked potatoes and green beans. If I could have that every night, I'd be so happy. I think I've had pretty much every symptom a pregnant lady can get. If I can get away without getting hemorrhoids, I'll consider myself lucky.
This morning I was running late for work when the dog decided it would be a good time to start throwing up. The sight of him throwing up made me start dry heaving...and then while cleaning up I had to stop every now and then to run to the bathroom. All the while the dog is sulking/trying to eat his throw up. The hilarity of the situation hit me on the drive to work and I just started cracking up in my car. Wonder if the dog is having sympathy pains?

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Beef 'n Cheddar

I decided to introduce the kid to Beef 'n Cheddars today. I thought it was appropriate because Arbys was a large part of my childhood. Then I had a nervous breakdown because I realized I just ate "deli meat." Or whatever it is, I think it is close to deli meat. Pregnant women are now not allowed to eat deli meat, or it has to be heated until steaming.
The restrictions put on pregnant women today are crazy: my mother is appalled. When I told her that my prenatal vitamins were making me sick, she asked "What are these prenatal vitamins?" I was appalled that she didn't know what they were, and didn't she take them? Apparently, back in the 70s and 80s women didn't have to take vitamins, as their diet should suffice. Nowadays prenatals are practically shoved down our throat. Heck, I was even taking them for 6 mos before even getting pregnant. And we can't eat soft cheese and hot dogs, and what else? Not to mention all the things we can't do. It's like we are expected to live like bubble boy for 9 (10) months. I have no problem with not drinking alcohol or smoking as those aren't even good for you when you're not pregnant. But you're telling me that if I eat a ham sandwich or have some bleu cheese on my salad that I could harm the baby?
If you read the fine print on most of these things, it really is OK to eat them, you just might get a little sick. Actually, the same effect as if you're not pregnant. Anyone can get sick from deli meat that has been sitting out for awhile...Remember J in college when we had subs and I was violently ill in your dorm bathroom the whole night? As I was puking, he was cheering me on...that's when I knew he was a keeper. Anyone can get sick from unpasteurized cheese or juice.
BUT we are so barraged with "Don't eat this" and "Don't do that" that it scares us. Of course we want the best for our babies, so we stay as far away from ANYTHING that could harm our baby in ANY way whatsoever, even if the risk is 1 in a million. Then have panic attacks when we realized we ate a morsel of bleu cheese on a salad last night. I mean, aren't we supposed to enjoy being pregnant?
I admit, I have been one of those ladies who has not eaten anything suspicious, won't lift up anything heavier than a pound, and has choked down the prenatal vitamins even when I knew they would make me sick. Like any other parent, I just want the best for my child and want them to have every advantage in the world from the first time they cry. I have also not enjoyed this pregnancy much so far either. I would think a happy mommy would make a happy baby more than staying away from a hot dog. So yes, I will do my best, and of course will continue to stay away from the really bad things (which thankfully I don't like anyways). But I am a realistic person, and more than anything I want to enjoy being pregnant.
So bring on the Beef 'n Cheddars baby!!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

The Heart Brings You Back

Driving home from work today I heard a certain Blues Traveler song "Hook" and I got a little choked up and teary eyed...and here is why.
I was in Houston relaxing after work one day in December when my phone rang, and it was my mother. All she said was my name, and I instantly started crying because I could tell something was really really wrong. She explained to me that my grandma and grandpa had been on their way to Virginia for Christmas when they had stopped at a rest area in Ohio. My grandpa passed out and lost consciousness and was rushed to the local hospital. My mom and stepdad were on their way to Ohio to see him and could I come? There was never a question for me; my grandpa "Papa" was my partner in crime, my other pea in the pod. We had been close since I was a very young girl. My grandma always said that it was because we were both Capricorns, but I know that he was my soulmate. At Thanksgiving, when the ladies would go shopping, Papa and I would go to the bookstore. Then we'd spend all the rest of the weekend reading. He was so even tempered, caring, and funny and miraculously always understood me and accepted me for who I was.
I was already planning on going to Virginia for Christmas so I called the airline to get my flight changed. They politely informed me that it was going to cost $1000 for me to change my flight on such short notice. I cried, I screamed at them. Didn't they realize what was going on? This was Papa, my friend, my confidante. I wasn't just changing my flight because I felt like it. I HAD to go there; he needed me. Of course, the money didn't really matter. I was just mad at the world at that moment.
In the hospital, my grandpa was in a coma and the prognosis wasn't good. One nurse told me that she had seen people come back from being in a coma and that a variety of things could aid in bringing the person back. I searched through my iPod and decided that I was going to play some music for grandpa. Maybe he'd like that. So I chose "Hook" because it is commonly mistaken for the title "The Heart Brings You Back", and the fact that he loved harmonica music. I took one end of my earbud and put it into my ear, and the other into his. Nothing magical happened, except that I felt close to him as we were listening to the music. It was my way of telling him goodbye and that I loved him. Memories of my childhood with him flashed before me...reading together, helping me with my Henry Ford project in school, running out of gas in the country, watching Shirley Temple movies, taking trips in the RV...
I had picked up "Memoirs of a Geisha" in the airport before I'd left Houston and was furiously reading it while waiting in the hospital for days. It helped take my mind off of things, and the story was just so touching to me. On the return trip, I was nearing the end of it. I sat next to a teenager who asked how it was and that she really wanted to read it. I told her that when I finished it that I would give it to her. But as I was finishing the book, the story had given me so much comfort over the past horrific few days that I just couldn't part with it. I turned to the girl and told her, with tears in my eyes, "I'm sorry, this book means too much to me. I can't give it to you." Somehow, even though I felt terrible for going back on my word, she seemed to understand. Maybe she had lost someone important in her life too.
For about two years after that time, whenever I heard that song, I would cry. J might hear it first and change the channel or warn me that it was on. Now I can listen to it, and smile as I think of the memories I have of Papa. Today for some reason, it just made me cry again. I don't know if it's the pregnancy hormones (probably) or knowing that my child won't get a chance to know such an amazing man. J never knew Papa either, and that has been hard for me to accept. I just have to know that he is looking down on us from somewhere, and my mom swears that he says "Hi" every time we find a penny.
When I was 7 weeks along, J and I went in for my first appointment and they gave me an ultrasound. When I reached for my clothes to get dressed, a penny fell out of the pocket of my jeans. I didn't notice it at the time, but as we left J handed me the penny and said "Well, your grandpa is the first to know we're pregnant." I just smiled and said "Hi Papa, I miss you."

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

We decided on a daycare. We are going with the more laid back, convenient and less expensive daycare. J suggested pretending that we are paying for the more expensive daycare and then putting the difference towards a college account. He has the best ideas; he really amazes me. So tomorrow I am going to drop off the paperwork and pay the deposit. Cross that off my list!
Speaking of lists, I did find a pregnancy checklist on thebump.com. Of course I amended it, but I am so relieved to know what and when we need to do everything. We are going to register in a couple of weeks when the new Babies R Us opens. I am expecting not to have a shower because it is the same thing as when we got married, our family and friends live across the country and it is just too hard to get everyone together. And honestly I am uncomfortable with all the attention and oohhing and ahhing. I am so Miranda...So I figured we'd still register and then people can use that for Christmas gifts. Plus, they give a discount to any items not purchased off the registry so at the very least we'll get a discount! You know I'm always searching for discounts!
Had my 14 week checkup today and heard the heartbeat again. That is just the coolest thing. Next checkup is the ultrasound and I can't wait to see the baby and have J there to hear the heartbeat. I already told my dr that we do not want to find out the sex. I know we are bucking the popular trend but it is kind of a family tradition not to find out and I figure that I will need something to help me get through the labor!