My carpet cleaning went well and was fairly uneventful. The most significant thing that happened was Abby and I were pretty much locked in my room because the carpets and couch were too wet to use for a majority of the day. When I finally took her outside, it was like a scene out of...well a movie where people come out of a cave into civilization after being in said cave for quite some time. Neither of us could open our eyes all the way and there was a bit of stumbling as we stepped off the porch. All is dry and clean now and we are back to living and moving throughout the entire house.
On Tuesday night I went to a breastfeeding class. I had heard that this was a good class to take and you learn a lot of useful information and a lot of that information I forgot as soon as the words left the instructor's mouth.
I had also heard that dads are welcome to attend the class. This is odd to me seeing as I will be doing the breast feeding. Josh has nipples, but you can't milk him Focker!
Friends of ours went to this class too and the wife made the husband come along. I knew she was going to make him come and about an hour before the class, I feared that I would look bad not having a husband there.
Not to worry, I had already made up a story in my head about how he would have come, but he was stuck in a meeting where he was getting a very generous promotion and his company was also going to buy us a boat.
My friend's husband ended up being the only guy there.
I just felt that it was not necessary for Josh to be there. If there was any burning important information he needed to know, I could just as easily tell him upon my return, provided I was not sworn to secrecy upon leaving the class, which I wasn't.
After attending the 2 hour class, I found there was no information that Josh needed to know in order for my breast feeding experience to be successful. It was suggested that the dads, or the PC term the instructor used- mommy's support system, could help keep the baby stimulated while mommy is feeding the baby. One suggestion was to tickle the babies feet while baby is nursing.
I do not know about you, but I sure would hate for someone to tickle my feet while I am trying to eat. I shared this information with Josh and he agreed, eating time is not tickle time. I would much rather Josh help me out by cleaning the toilet or making something for me to eat than crowding over me tickling Parker, while I'm trying to feed him.
Most of the information in the class was very useful. It is an interesting thing, breastfeeding. Whether you choose to do it or not, you have to admit that it seems like a natural thing to do, your body produces the milk, and that process starts as soon as the placenta is out. However, you have never done anything like it before in your life, (and if you have, I'm not sure I want to know about it) so although it is natural, it is new and awkward. If any one is planning on breast feeding or even just considering it, look into going to one of these classes. Leave the hubby at home so he can make dinner or draw you a warm bubble bath or whatever.
There was one interesting thing that occurred in class. We were kind of introducing ourselves and this one girl, young girl, probably 18 or 19 said a few sentences that struck me and I wished someone who would appreciated their awkwardness was there to hear them. Here is what she said:
"I go to a Christian school down the road. I tried to talk my boyfriend into coming tonight, but he wouldn't do it."
In case you are reading this in a drunken stooper or if you are not really on the ball today, I will point out the three things that immediately ran through my head:
1. She is 9 month pregnant and goes to a Christian school.
2. Obviously she is not married, which is fine, but probably not fine for someone who goes to a Christian school.
3. Is the boyfriend the father?
(I thought of this in the car a few minutes later.)
4. I wonder what kind of drama this baby is going to be born into.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Trials and Tribulations of Bedrest: Week #1
The title is a bit misleading. There have been few, if any, tribulations throughout the first week of bed rest. This is mainly because, aside from a brief venture into St. Mary's County, every day is pretty much a repeat of the previous one. I live in my own personal version of Groundhog's Day, and I'm telling you it is about as much fun to live through as the movie was to watch. In other words, bed rest sounds like a marvelous idea, until you are actually living it.
Here is my calendar of events for the past week Try to keep up will ya?
Tuesday, May 27: Put on bed rest. Came home from the doctor's office, notified work, ate lunch waited until Josh got home, made dinner, watch Hell's Kitchen*, went to bed. (Bed rest or not, my week revolves around Hell's Kitchen. I am not into reality TV but I am into judgemental Brits who use the word "ballics" and can reduce men twice their own size to tears.)
Wednesday, May 28: Take a shower, eat breakfast, read, walked Abby, ate lunch, read, watch Judge Judge, wait for Josh to get home. On this day I had a special treat, my parents came down to deliver the crib and glider and took us out to dinner.
Thursday, May 29: Repeat first few steps from previous day, get a call from Josh that he forgot his wallet and his gas light came on. My mom does not know this area, so we drove Josh's wallet the 40-50 miles it needed to travel in order to get to Josh. I also bought a new trash can from Target. Repeat last few steps from the previous day.
Friday, May 30: Repeat the first few steps and the last few steps from the previous days. In the middle of the day I alternate taking Abby for short walks to the mailbox, about 50 yards away and reading copious amounts of books. Thinking to myself: You've got to be kidding me! This is still going on?
Saturday and Sunday were not so bad since Josh was around. In between trips to the mailbox and books, I have made Josh quite a few "to do" lists. Some of them pertaining to the baby, some of the for my own entertainment!
Monday, June 2: Repeat Friday. Although, Abby and I did get into a bit of a scuffle. I wanted to go read on the deck and thought she should join me. She had other thoughts. In my effort to coax her onto the deck, she headbutted me, resulting in a bloody nose. I will keep you posted if things turn ugly around here. She seems to be in better spirits today.
Things I have realized since being confined to 9458 Seagull Court:
-I will never do anything that will result in a long term house arrest. Short-term maybe, but nothing more that a month!
-I get an intense urge to cook when I am home alone. The problem is, I am then home alone with lots of food. Not good.
-I have to take a shower and get dressed in real clothes, not PJ's, everyday in order to feel like I have ended the previous day and began the next. Yes I have even blown dry my hair some days.
-I am lazy. My neighbor just had a baby girl about a week and a half ago. She is home all day and so am I. Think we have gotten together just once, just for a few minutes even? No, no we have not. We will catch each other outside when we are walking our respective dogs to the mailbox, but that is about it.
-I LOVE Chelsea Handler. She has two books out- "Hello Vodka, Are You There it's Me Chelsey" and "My Horizontal Life" She also has a show on E!- Chelsea Lately. She is real life friends with Jenny McCarthy, my other hero and mentor. If I everturn this blog into anything more than a blog, it will be partly because Chelsea is my idle.
-In about the 3 weeks or so, since I have been stripped of my work-out routine, I have become a fast reader. I have read no less than 5 in 3 weeks. For a dyslexic girl, that is damn good.
-I have an burning desire for my carpets to be as clean as possible and I am having them steam cleaned tomorrow.
-If I do not carry my cell phone and house phone with me every where I go, people assume I am in labor.
I had a doctors appointment today. No further dilation, but I was given the ok for short (1 mile) Abby walks once a day. I am having contractions although they have no pattern yet and are not painful <--words I am sure to eat in a few days/weeks time.
My aunt and uncle want to start a pool for when I am going to go into labor. My aunt says June 12, my uncle says June 16. No one thinks I will make it to July 2, my original due date. Any takers? Prize TBD--
I have a breast feeding class to go to tonight. I'm sure it will be interesting and I will report back tomorrow...while my carpets are being cleaned!
Here is my calendar of events for the past week Try to keep up will ya?
Tuesday, May 27: Put on bed rest. Came home from the doctor's office, notified work, ate lunch waited until Josh got home, made dinner, watch Hell's Kitchen*, went to bed. (Bed rest or not, my week revolves around Hell's Kitchen. I am not into reality TV but I am into judgemental Brits who use the word "ballics" and can reduce men twice their own size to tears.)
Wednesday, May 28: Take a shower, eat breakfast, read, walked Abby, ate lunch, read, watch Judge Judge, wait for Josh to get home. On this day I had a special treat, my parents came down to deliver the crib and glider and took us out to dinner.
Thursday, May 29: Repeat first few steps from previous day, get a call from Josh that he forgot his wallet and his gas light came on. My mom does not know this area, so we drove Josh's wallet the 40-50 miles it needed to travel in order to get to Josh. I also bought a new trash can from Target. Repeat last few steps from the previous day.
Friday, May 30: Repeat the first few steps and the last few steps from the previous days. In the middle of the day I alternate taking Abby for short walks to the mailbox, about 50 yards away and reading copious amounts of books. Thinking to myself: You've got to be kidding me! This is still going on?
Saturday and Sunday were not so bad since Josh was around. In between trips to the mailbox and books, I have made Josh quite a few "to do" lists. Some of them pertaining to the baby, some of the for my own entertainment!
Monday, June 2: Repeat Friday. Although, Abby and I did get into a bit of a scuffle. I wanted to go read on the deck and thought she should join me. She had other thoughts. In my effort to coax her onto the deck, she headbutted me, resulting in a bloody nose. I will keep you posted if things turn ugly around here. She seems to be in better spirits today.
Things I have realized since being confined to 9458 Seagull Court:
-I will never do anything that will result in a long term house arrest. Short-term maybe, but nothing more that a month!
-I get an intense urge to cook when I am home alone. The problem is, I am then home alone with lots of food. Not good.
-I have to take a shower and get dressed in real clothes, not PJ's, everyday in order to feel like I have ended the previous day and began the next. Yes I have even blown dry my hair some days.
-I am lazy. My neighbor just had a baby girl about a week and a half ago. She is home all day and so am I. Think we have gotten together just once, just for a few minutes even? No, no we have not. We will catch each other outside when we are walking our respective dogs to the mailbox, but that is about it.
-I LOVE Chelsea Handler. She has two books out- "Hello Vodka, Are You There it's Me Chelsey" and "My Horizontal Life" She also has a show on E!- Chelsea Lately. She is real life friends with Jenny McCarthy, my other hero and mentor. If I everturn this blog into anything more than a blog, it will be partly because Chelsea is my idle.
-In about the 3 weeks or so, since I have been stripped of my work-out routine, I have become a fast reader. I have read no less than 5 in 3 weeks. For a dyslexic girl, that is damn good.
-I have an burning desire for my carpets to be as clean as possible and I am having them steam cleaned tomorrow.
-If I do not carry my cell phone and house phone with me every where I go, people assume I am in labor.
I had a doctors appointment today. No further dilation, but I was given the ok for short (1 mile) Abby walks once a day. I am having contractions although they have no pattern yet and are not painful <--words I am sure to eat in a few days/weeks time.
My aunt and uncle want to start a pool for when I am going to go into labor. My aunt says June 12, my uncle says June 16. No one thinks I will make it to July 2, my original due date. Any takers? Prize TBD--
I have a breast feeding class to go to tonight. I'm sure it will be interesting and I will report back tomorrow...while my carpets are being cleaned!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Moving right along...literally!
A few weeks ago I told you how I was no longer allowed to work out because Parker is sitting so low. Well when my doctor told me this, I asked her if I could still walk my dog. She told me that should be ok, as long as I listen to my body and if I start to feel tired or like I need to stop I should.
We live near a small boardwalk that is a 1/2 mile from one end to the other, so one round trip is 1 mile. Abby and I have a routine of doing this loop about 3 times in about 45 minutes, if we are moving at a good clip and Abby does not need to stop and smell EVERY single flower along the way, we can make it in less than 45 mins.
I say this because after being told I could not Jazzercise, I was planning on relying on dog walking to take the edge off the weight gain. No no no I was not going to do 3 miles in 45 minutes, but maybe 2 miles in...well..in however much time it took.
Josh came with my on my first "non-workout stroll" down the boardwalk. When we finished up the first lap and he saw that I was rounding the bend for lap #2 he abruptly stopped me. "NO! You do not have your cell phone with you. The doctor just told you to stop working out. No more laps."
Josh does not put his foot down like that very often, so when he does, I try to respect it.
From that point on, Abby and I only did 1 lap on the boardwalk, much to both of our dismays (is that a word..dismays?) and that one lap took us about 30 minutes. Clearly, not up to par with our normal routine. Abby was/is pissed to say the least. She LOVES those boardwalk walks and now they were cut considerably short.
However, maybe not short enough...stay tuned
Last Monday we went for our last sonogram, partly because Parker is so low and my doctor just wanted to check things out. This third visit is usually when mom's and dad's get that cool 3-D sonogram picture of their baby where they can pretty much see the baby's facial features. Parker is so low, that picture was impossible. All we got was a vague white-ish yellow-ish profile shadow that basically looked like a squiggly line.
Side note: I fear that my baby will have a severely misshaped head and be forced to wear one of those clear head-shaping helmets since his heads seems to be down so far in such a narrow spot. Let's all pray that is not the case.
Back to the main story at hand...
So the lady doing the sonogram last Monday told me that my cervix was completely in tact and there is no evidence of dilation.
Well on Tuesday, about a week after the sonogram, I went to the doctor. I am 1.5 centimeters dilated and now on bed rest because I am only 35 weeks.
A lot of women I know who are already mom's have told me that I can hang out at this stage for quite a bit and I knew that already and am fine with it. However, keep in mind, this change happened in about a week. I went from no dilation to 1.5 cm.
I am fine with whatever happens at this point. If Parker comes early, great! (As long as it is after next week so I will be a solid 36 weeks), if he waits until the due date or a bit after that is fine too. I have only marginally unpacked some of the baby shower stuff and Josh is slowly, but surely putting together baby items included and LIMITED to the stroller and bassinet. The car seat is still in the car, but not securely.
Last week we went grocery shopping and I had a coupon for diapers that was about to expire, so I picked up a pack and put them in the cart. When Josh saw them he said, "You are buying those already?" I reminded him we are only a few weeks away from baby-time, that the coupon was going to expire and that we only have 1 pack of diapers, which we got as a gift, and that pack will likely be depleted within the first hour of us bringing Parker home.
Don't let out lack of setting-up "baby shop" fool you. We are more than excited about meeting, playing with, and enjoying Parker. However, the mechanics of getting our crap together seems to be lacking a bit. Not to mention that this nesting need I keep hearing about seems to be completely nonexistent within me in all regards.
People keep asking if I have hit the uncomfortable stage yet. My answer to them is this:
I am fine during the day. Around 8:30/9:00 at night, I start to get restless and need to just lay down. (Though I am on bed rest, I am mostly sitting on my couch proped up with a mountain of pillows.) Bed rest is not my favorite, but this is my first sacrifice as a mom for my child and I kind of think that is neat. I am doing something that I do not really enjoy, to make sure my baby is healthy, comfortable and happy and that makes it all a little more bearable.
We live near a small boardwalk that is a 1/2 mile from one end to the other, so one round trip is 1 mile. Abby and I have a routine of doing this loop about 3 times in about 45 minutes, if we are moving at a good clip and Abby does not need to stop and smell EVERY single flower along the way, we can make it in less than 45 mins.
I say this because after being told I could not Jazzercise, I was planning on relying on dog walking to take the edge off the weight gain. No no no I was not going to do 3 miles in 45 minutes, but maybe 2 miles in...well..in however much time it took.
Josh came with my on my first "non-workout stroll" down the boardwalk. When we finished up the first lap and he saw that I was rounding the bend for lap #2 he abruptly stopped me. "NO! You do not have your cell phone with you. The doctor just told you to stop working out. No more laps."
Josh does not put his foot down like that very often, so when he does, I try to respect it.
From that point on, Abby and I only did 1 lap on the boardwalk, much to both of our dismays (is that a word..dismays?) and that one lap took us about 30 minutes. Clearly, not up to par with our normal routine. Abby was/is pissed to say the least. She LOVES those boardwalk walks and now they were cut considerably short.
However, maybe not short enough...stay tuned
Last Monday we went for our last sonogram, partly because Parker is so low and my doctor just wanted to check things out. This third visit is usually when mom's and dad's get that cool 3-D sonogram picture of their baby where they can pretty much see the baby's facial features. Parker is so low, that picture was impossible. All we got was a vague white-ish yellow-ish profile shadow that basically looked like a squiggly line.
Side note: I fear that my baby will have a severely misshaped head and be forced to wear one of those clear head-shaping helmets since his heads seems to be down so far in such a narrow spot. Let's all pray that is not the case.
Back to the main story at hand...
So the lady doing the sonogram last Monday told me that my cervix was completely in tact and there is no evidence of dilation.
Well on Tuesday, about a week after the sonogram, I went to the doctor. I am 1.5 centimeters dilated and now on bed rest because I am only 35 weeks.
A lot of women I know who are already mom's have told me that I can hang out at this stage for quite a bit and I knew that already and am fine with it. However, keep in mind, this change happened in about a week. I went from no dilation to 1.5 cm.
I am fine with whatever happens at this point. If Parker comes early, great! (As long as it is after next week so I will be a solid 36 weeks), if he waits until the due date or a bit after that is fine too. I have only marginally unpacked some of the baby shower stuff and Josh is slowly, but surely putting together baby items included and LIMITED to the stroller and bassinet. The car seat is still in the car, but not securely.
Last week we went grocery shopping and I had a coupon for diapers that was about to expire, so I picked up a pack and put them in the cart. When Josh saw them he said, "You are buying those already?" I reminded him we are only a few weeks away from baby-time, that the coupon was going to expire and that we only have 1 pack of diapers, which we got as a gift, and that pack will likely be depleted within the first hour of us bringing Parker home.
Don't let out lack of setting-up "baby shop" fool you. We are more than excited about meeting, playing with, and enjoying Parker. However, the mechanics of getting our crap together seems to be lacking a bit. Not to mention that this nesting need I keep hearing about seems to be completely nonexistent within me in all regards.
People keep asking if I have hit the uncomfortable stage yet. My answer to them is this:
I am fine during the day. Around 8:30/9:00 at night, I start to get restless and need to just lay down. (Though I am on bed rest, I am mostly sitting on my couch proped up with a mountain of pillows.) Bed rest is not my favorite, but this is my first sacrifice as a mom for my child and I kind of think that is neat. I am doing something that I do not really enjoy, to make sure my baby is healthy, comfortable and happy and that makes it all a little more bearable.
To wrap things up, I basically feeling fine, save for even more frequent bathroom trips. Abby is confused as hell as to why I am home and we are not at the beach or taking long walks on the boardwalk. Josh seems to think this baby is going to crawl out at any second and I desperately want a pedicure!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Not about Parker, but still entertaining
Ok, ok a little tidbit about the baby:
Although Parker is sitting pretty low and Josh has me on some form of bed-rest that still allows me to do the laundry, but forbids me to walk Abby to the mailbox, everything is moving right along nicely. We are getting a sonogram today to see exactly how low he is and what else, if anything, is going on in there.
The real reason I write today though is to let you all in on some other news, Josh got a new job! He is leaving Booz Allen for Wyle Laboratories. He applied for this job sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas last year. He has had a ridiculous amount of interviews and phone calls with this company. Some of the phone interviews bordered on them asking him his favorite color and what he preferred on his pizza. Basically we got the impression they were stringing him along, but Josh has a friend who works with the company already and he loved the job. It was through this guys encouragement only that Josh entertained these strange "Getting to know you" phone interviews.
Finally about a month ago, the friend called Josh and said, "I can't tell you why just yet, but you should get down on your knees and thank me." When Josh told me this, I asked him if there was more to their friendship that I should be aware of.
The company finally called Josh and asked him to come in so they could make an offer.
He went.
They offered.
He did a back flip in the office and kissed everyone in the room.
He accepted the position. It's more money, more responsibility and he has an overall good feeling about it, which makes me feel SO much better. He HATES his job at Booz. It's very corporate and in a typical day the phrases "proactive" "team-player" "go-getter" "think outside the box" and "grab the bull by the horns" are uttered every hour seemingly on the hour. Very Office Space, minus the TPS reports, although I am sure they have something equally as annoying.
Now, I have no idea what Booz Allen Hamilton is or what they do. I have about the same amount of knowledge when it comes to Wyle Laboratories.
I do know for sure though that Josh will really be getting a chance to use his mad skillz managing and directing some punk-asses through some government project.
I also know this new job is pretty much located a mile away from his current job. When he went into his boss's office at Booz the boss asked where Josh would be going. For reasons neither of us are aware of, nor do we expect to ever figure out, Josh blurted out, "Nik and I are moving to the Eastern Shore." (We are not. We talked about it, but we are not.)
So for the last week or so (and for the next week until he is officially out of there) they have been asking Josh various questions about his new life on the Eastern Shore. Rather than brushing the comments off or down playing the whole thing, Josh is answering the questions as if we are picking out buckets and shovels for our waterfront property. He is actually proud of how well he is answering them. He made up a story about how we are going rent out our house. When they ask what he will be doing for a job he replies, "I've got something lined up." They probably think he has lost his marbles or is going to be selling drugs to teenage vacationers this summer.
Ummm, also, remember when I said this new job is ONE MILE away from his old job?
He is probably going to run into some of these people at some point.
Then what?
I guess I should not be surprised. When Josh and I first got engaged he moved into the house I was already in. We has been together for about 3 years at that point and has know each other for about 6 or 7. Point being I thought I knew him pretty well. Well the first morning we were getting ready for work together, I walked into the kitchen and Josh was eating a banana that he wrapped in a paper towel. When I asked him what that was about he said, "I don't want my fingers to get all banana-y." I tried to explain to him that they come in their own natural wrappers that can prevent banana-y fingers. He said eating bananas out of the peel was awkward...some how not as awkward as eating one wrapped in a paper towel.
Given this prior knowledge, I should not have been surprised about the moving to the Eastern Shore response.
Although Parker is sitting pretty low and Josh has me on some form of bed-rest that still allows me to do the laundry, but forbids me to walk Abby to the mailbox, everything is moving right along nicely. We are getting a sonogram today to see exactly how low he is and what else, if anything, is going on in there.
The real reason I write today though is to let you all in on some other news, Josh got a new job! He is leaving Booz Allen for Wyle Laboratories. He applied for this job sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas last year. He has had a ridiculous amount of interviews and phone calls with this company. Some of the phone interviews bordered on them asking him his favorite color and what he preferred on his pizza. Basically we got the impression they were stringing him along, but Josh has a friend who works with the company already and he loved the job. It was through this guys encouragement only that Josh entertained these strange "Getting to know you" phone interviews.
Finally about a month ago, the friend called Josh and said, "I can't tell you why just yet, but you should get down on your knees and thank me." When Josh told me this, I asked him if there was more to their friendship that I should be aware of.
The company finally called Josh and asked him to come in so they could make an offer.
He went.
They offered.
He did a back flip in the office and kissed everyone in the room.
He accepted the position.
Now, I have no idea what Booz Allen Hamilton is or what they do. I have about the same amount of knowledge when it comes to Wyle Laboratories.
I do know for sure though that Josh will really be getting a chance to use his mad skillz managing and directing some punk-asses through some government project.
I also know this new job is pretty much located a mile away from his current job. When he went into his boss's office at Booz the boss asked where Josh would be going. For reasons neither of us are aware of, nor do we expect to ever figure out, Josh blurted out, "Nik and I are moving to the Eastern Shore." (We are not. We talked about it, but we are not.)
So for the last week or so (and for the next week until he is officially out of there) they have been asking Josh various questions about his new life on the Eastern Shore. Rather than brushing the comments off or down playing the whole thing, Josh is answering the questions as if we are picking out buckets and shovels for our waterfront property. He is actually proud of how well he is answering them. He made up a story about how we are going rent out our house. When they ask what he will be doing for a job he replies, "I've got something lined up." They probably think he has lost his marbles or is going to be selling drugs to teenage vacationers this summer.
Ummm, also, remember when I said this new job is ONE MILE away from his old job?
He is probably going to run into some of these people at some point.
Then what?
I guess I should not be surprised. When Josh and I first got engaged he moved into the house I was already in. We has been together for about 3 years at that point and has know each other for about 6 or 7. Point being I thought I knew him pretty well. Well the first morning we were getting ready for work together, I walked into the kitchen and Josh was eating a banana that he wrapped in a paper towel. When I asked him what that was about he said, "I don't want my fingers to get all banana-y." I tried to explain to him that they come in their own natural wrappers that can prevent banana-y fingers. He said eating bananas out of the peel was awkward...some how not as awkward as eating one wrapped in a paper towel.
Given this prior knowledge, I should not have been surprised about the moving to the Eastern Shore response.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Get Low
Subtitle: Let the pampering begin!
I had a doctor's appointment yesterday.
When my OB's assistant asked if I had any questions or issues I wanted to discuss with the doctor, rather than smiling and politely saying, "Nope, all good." like I would typically do in a typical non-pregnancy visit so as not to waste my doctor's time, I told her about two issues I have been having. Since my doctor's appointments in the last few moths have really focused on the baby I feel they are not typical and therefore require honesty, no matter how awkward or gross I may feel verbalizing some of the things happening to me. (I use the term "me" loosely at this point. Don't misunderstand, I love being pregnant, but it's amazing how little control you have over yourself- bladder, emotions, hunger, fatigue, gas etc.- at this point.)
Anyway, back to the OB's office. Two distinct things have been happening. One is very common. I will briefly explain: Occasionally I get this pain where my leg meets my hip. This happens when I am standing or walking for too long. I have been in the middle of a walk with Abby and had to basically limp back to my car because it hurts so much. Let me tell you, a limping pregnancy lady with a panting dog gets a lot of sympathy looks, however no one has ever offered help...interesting. This is a normal pain and is caused by stretching ligaments and goes away after I sit down for a minute.
The other pain is something I have not had, nor have I missed, in the last few months. (Pregnancy = no period = h-e-a-v-e-n!)
I have been having these menstral-like cramps. There is no pattern to them and I can go days without having them, but then out of no where, I will have one or two in a day. As soon as I said this the OB assistant, she seemed to get kind of nervous and told me the doctor would need to check to make sure I was not going into early labor. (Before I continue, I'm not going into early labor.)
However, the doctor did say that Parker is sitting very low. She could feel his head...here is the gross, but amazing factor, I could feel her feeling his head...if that makes sense, I'm trying not to get too graphic here. She felt his little head with no trouble. She immediately said, "Ok so, no more working out. He is too low and you are 33 weeks. We need to get you to 35 safely. If/when you get to 36 weeks and if you went into labor we would not stop it at that point. It's too early right now." I want to make sure you did not miss a very important part of her statement. I am 33 weeks pregnant. If/when I make it to 35 weeks-which is 2 weeks away- and go into labor, they would not stop it. THEY. WOULD. NOT. STOP. IT. ---2 weeks...
Anyway, I'm suppose to sit still as much as possible.
Me.
Sit still.
For long periods of time.
Me.
Have you ever been to the beach with me? I'm good for about 30 minutes of sitting still and then it's all over.
I am allowed to walk my dog, but that is about it, physical activity speaking.
Poor Josh.
For many many reasons.
*Note: I am not dilated at all, Parker is just very close to the exit.
I have another appointment with her in 2 weeks and she will let me know if I can start working out again, or if I need to just maintain my Abby-walks only activity level or maybe even less. I am not on bed-rest (THANK GOD), but I am suppose to just take it easy.
I will keep you all posted. If I am put on bed rest, expect many blogs about random things and what ever Abby happens to be doing that day, which is typically sleeping, also, something I do not do well- sleep. Not necessarily because of the pregnancy, I am just not a sleeper, never have been. Josh is. Let's hope Parker has my good looks and brains and Josh's ability to fall asleep in minutes and stay that way until I deem him ready to wake up.
I had a doctor's appointment yesterday.
When my OB's assistant asked if I had any questions or issues I wanted to discuss with the doctor, rather than smiling and politely saying, "Nope, all good." like I would typically do in a typical non-pregnancy visit so as not to waste my doctor's time, I told her about two issues I have been having. Since my doctor's appointments in the last few moths have really focused on the baby I feel they are not typical and therefore require honesty, no matter how awkward or gross I may feel verbalizing some of the things happening to me. (I use the term "me" loosely at this point. Don't misunderstand, I love being pregnant, but it's amazing how little control you have over yourself- bladder, emotions, hunger, fatigue, gas etc.- at this point.)
Anyway, back to the OB's office. Two distinct things have been happening. One is very common. I will briefly explain: Occasionally I get this pain where my leg meets my hip. This happens when I am standing or walking for too long. I have been in the middle of a walk with Abby and had to basically limp back to my car because it hurts so much. Let me tell you, a limping pregnancy lady with a panting dog gets a lot of sympathy looks, however no one has ever offered help...interesting. This is a normal pain and is caused by stretching ligaments and goes away after I sit down for a minute.
The other pain is something I have not had, nor have I missed, in the last few months. (Pregnancy = no period = h-e-a-v-e-n!)
I have been having these menstral-like cramps. There is no pattern to them and I can go days without having them, but then out of no where, I will have one or two in a day. As soon as I said this the OB assistant, she seemed to get kind of nervous and told me the doctor would need to check to make sure I was not going into early labor. (Before I continue, I'm not going into early labor.)
However, the doctor did say that Parker is sitting very low. She could feel his head...here is the gross, but amazing factor, I could feel her feeling his head...if that makes sense, I'm trying not to get too graphic here. She felt his little head with no trouble. She immediately said, "Ok so, no more working out. He is too low and you are 33 weeks. We need to get you to 35 safely. If/when you get to 36 weeks and if you went into labor we would not stop it at that point. It's too early right now." I want to make sure you did not miss a very important part of her statement. I am 33 weeks pregnant. If/when I make it to 35 weeks-which is 2 weeks away- and go into labor, they would not stop it. THEY. WOULD. NOT. STOP. IT. ---2 weeks...
Anyway, I'm suppose to sit still as much as possible.
Me.
Sit still.
For long periods of time.
Me.
Have you ever been to the beach with me? I'm good for about 30 minutes of sitting still and then it's all over.
I am allowed to walk my dog, but that is about it, physical activity speaking.
Poor Josh.
For many many reasons.
*Note: I am not dilated at all, Parker is just very close to the exit.
I have another appointment with her in 2 weeks and she will let me know if I can start working out again, or if I need to just maintain my Abby-walks only activity level or maybe even less. I am not on bed-rest (THANK GOD), but I am suppose to just take it easy.
I will keep you all posted. If I am put on bed rest, expect many blogs about random things and what ever Abby happens to be doing that day, which is typically sleeping, also, something I do not do well- sleep. Not necessarily because of the pregnancy, I am just not a sleeper, never have been. Josh is. Let's hope Parker has my good looks and brains and Josh's ability to fall asleep in minutes and stay that way until I deem him ready to wake up.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Abby, carseats, stretch marks and that ho Jamie Lynnn Spears
I have gotten into the habit of reading my previous posts before I write the new one. The last one I wrote always makes me tear up a bit when I read it. This is a new post, and likely not to cause any sort of water-works.
This past weekend was the baby shower for Parker. On the way there Josh had made the comment that this was my day. Interesting because never in a million years did I think of it as my day. That day was about Parker, as most days will be in the very near future...actually they have all centered around him since October 2007. Anyway, it was a great day and I really appreciate everything everyone did to be a part of it and all the awesome things Parker got.
We set up the Pack and Play in the living room and Abby, our dog (see photo below), is very sceptical of it. I would not say afraid, but she glares at it when she walks by. We also put all of Parker's things in what will be his room, which is current Abby's favorite room. She refuses to give up the room without a fight. She goes in there, sniffs around and perches herself on top of an old toy chest. Not the queen-size bed, but the toy chest. For those of you who have not had the distinct pleasure of meeting Ms. Abby, she is not at all territorial. I could very easily take a treat right out of her mouth and she would just go sit on the couch. The point being she would have no reaction. She is kind of handling this baby thing that same way. She is just confused about where all this stuff came from. She is super sweet though and at night when I am laying in bed she puts her paw on my stomach or curls up right against me. The only concern I have regarding Abby and Parker is that Josh and I called Abby our goat. She looks very goat-like to us. We are concerned that when it comes time for Parker to learn about animals he will struggle with the difference between an Abby-goat and an actual goat. Eh, it's all semantics anyway...
After we got everything into the house on Sunday, I realized some of the items were going to have to be dealt with right way and others could wait a bit longer. For some reason I deemed the car seat as something that needs to be dealt with right away, quickly and now.
We got it out of the box ok. Thankfully for Josh, and the neighborhood children, the seat was already assembled. Josh has a habit of cussing worse than me (!) when he is putting stuff together. Despite adverting this potential catastrophe, we still have not quite figured out the car seat.
I can say it is in my car.
However, I cannot guarantee that if Parker, or any baby, were in the seat that they would not be ejected out of the seat and through the back window, if I say, slammed on the brakes or am involved in some sort of fender bender, God forbid something more severe happen. It is not exactly secure at the moment. Apparently I have about 66-ish days to work this issue out...I have little confidence.
At night Parker likes to move around a lot. I can see my stomach move, but I cannot (thankfully) identify body parts. It looks kind of like what I would imagine it would look like to be inside a conga drum or something. Anyway, at night I usually sit on the couch with my shirt up over my belly...nothing X-rated people, only the belly is showing. I do this because it is just so cool seeing him be-bopping around in there. The other night I must have been wearing my shorts low too because Josh looks over in horror and said, "Oh my God are you ok? Did you cut yourself or something?!" No.
No dear.
I did not cut myself.
I...I have...stretchmarks.
Enough on that...
Jamie Lynn Spears is a ho. First the little witch gets pregnant right around the same time as me. In fact, I think we have very similar due dates.
She is having a boy too*, I'm not sure of the name she is planning on, but it's probably Parker or something close. *{correction: On Thursday night I read she is likely having a girl. Who cares, she is still a ho}
I read somewhere that she is not concerned about weight gain because she is young and knows she will bounce back. PUH-LEEZE. We have all seen what your gene pool does to a Spears post-pregnancy. Good luck sweetheart!
As if all that wasn't enough, this little Britney in training also had her baby shower this past weekend. Can I do ANYTHING without her copying me!? The article I read said "She open all of her gifts." Like this is a great feat of some sort. Like most of us non-Hollywood moms-to-be glare at these strangely wrapped boxes and marvel at how difficult it is going to be to get the actually object out of said box. Thank God JLS is here to guide us all.
I do have to say, I bet she did not have grown men chugging beer out of baby bottles for a lottery scratch-off. Game, set, match JLS. Game, set, match indeed!
This past weekend was the baby shower for Parker. On the way there Josh had made the comment that this was my day. Interesting because never in a million years did I think of it as my day. That day was about Parker, as most days will be in the very near future...actually they have all centered around him since October 2007. Anyway, it was a great day and I really appreciate everything everyone did to be a part of it and all the awesome things Parker got.
We set up the Pack and Play in the living room and Abby, our dog (see photo below), is very sceptical of it. I would not say afraid, but she glares at it when she walks by. We also put all of Parker's things in what will be his room, which is current Abby's favorite room. She refuses to give up the room without a fight. She goes in there, sniffs around and perches herself on top of an old toy chest. Not the queen-size bed, but the toy chest. For those of you who have not had the distinct pleasure of meeting Ms. Abby, she is not at all territorial. I could very easily take a treat right out of her mouth and she would just go sit on the couch. The point being she would have no reaction. She is kind of handling this baby thing that same way. She is just confused about where all this stuff came from. She is super sweet though and at night when I am laying in bed she puts her paw on my stomach or curls up right against me. The only concern I have regarding Abby and Parker is that Josh and I called Abby our goat. She looks very goat-like to us. We are concerned that when it comes time for Parker to learn about animals he will struggle with the difference between an Abby-goat and an actual goat. Eh, it's all semantics anyway...
After we got everything into the house on Sunday, I realized some of the items were going to have to be dealt with right way and others could wait a bit longer. For some reason I deemed the car seat as something that needs to be dealt with right away, quickly and now.
We got it out of the box ok. Thankfully for Josh, and the neighborhood children, the seat was already assembled. Josh has a habit of cussing worse than me (!) when he is putting stuff together. Despite adverting this potential catastrophe, we still have not quite figured out the car seat.
I can say it is in my car.
However, I cannot guarantee that if Parker, or any baby, were in the seat that they would not be ejected out of the seat and through the back window, if I say, slammed on the brakes or am involved in some sort of fender bender, God forbid something more severe happen. It is not exactly secure at the moment. Apparently I have about 66-ish days to work this issue out...I have little confidence.
At night Parker likes to move around a lot. I can see my stomach move, but I cannot (thankfully) identify body parts. It looks kind of like what I would imagine it would look like to be inside a conga drum or something. Anyway, at night I usually sit on the couch with my shirt up over my belly...nothing X-rated people, only the belly is showing. I do this because it is just so cool seeing him be-bopping around in there. The other night I must have been wearing my shorts low too because Josh looks over in horror and said, "Oh my God are you ok? Did you cut yourself or something?!" No.
No dear.
I did not cut myself.
I...I have...stretchmarks.
Enough on that...
Jamie Lynn Spears is a ho. First the little witch gets pregnant right around the same time as me. In fact, I think we have very similar due dates.
She is having a boy too*, I'm not sure of the name she is planning on, but it's probably Parker or something close. *{correction: On Thursday night I read she is likely having a girl. Who cares, she is still a ho}
I read somewhere that she is not concerned about weight gain because she is young and knows she will bounce back. PUH-LEEZE. We have all seen what your gene pool does to a Spears post-pregnancy. Good luck sweetheart!
As if all that wasn't enough, this little Britney in training also had her baby shower this past weekend. Can I do ANYTHING without her copying me!? The article I read said "She open all of her gifts." Like this is a great feat of some sort. Like most of us non-Hollywood moms-to-be glare at these strangely wrapped boxes and marvel at how difficult it is going to be to get the actually object out of said box. Thank God JLS is here to guide us all.
I do have to say, I bet she did not have grown men chugging beer out of baby bottles for a lottery scratch-off. Game, set, match JLS. Game, set, match indeed!
Monday, April 28, 2008
In the words of an old Whitney Houston song, "I get so emotional baby everytime I think of you..."
Yesterday Josh and I had to run some errands, which involved us going to the mall. I need a few more maternity t-shirts and Josh...you know I'm not sure what he needed, but I forced him to join me just the same.
In an effort to not relive the frustration that is buying maternity clothes with 2 months of pregnancy left, I will condense the event. Basically, the people who make maternity clothes should be shot. The manufacturers know you will be wearing these clothes for less than a year, and yet they cost as much, if not more, than "normal" clothes. The lady in the store even said something to effect of me needing to do this again whenever I have my next baby. LIKE HELL! I'm wearing these same clothes for every pregnancy and if we end up having three, I'm sure the clothes will still be very cute...cute meaning full of holes, but whatever. I have my maternity uniform and here is what is consists of: big-fat elastic waisted paints that I could probably pull up over my boobs, a maternity tank top and some sort of cardigan. Occasionally, since it has been warmer, I may mix things up with a dress, but basically the aforementioned ensemble is what I wear. Clearly, its timeless.
So much for condensing that part of the story...
Moving on.
When Josh and I go to the mall, I have to prep Josh about a week ahead of time and promise we can go out to lunch and we MUST go to the book store while we are at the mall. It's a Borders, if you are curious.
I found the books I was looking for and handed them to Josh, so I could go to the bathroom (see previous entries. I have visited more bathrooms in the State of Maryland in the last 7 months than I ever have ever in my life ever.)
Oh my way to the bathroom is where the emotion, again, came into play. I saw a pretty girl, about my age sitting in one of those over sized chairs that are always tucked away in a corner in those books stores.
She was holding a teeny tiny precious baby boy.
She was holding him so that he was facing her. He was wearing a little blue striped cardigan. They were quietly studying each other's faces. Just watching each other. Both totally unaware of what was going on around them. They were in this very cool, mom and new baby son vacuum of existence.
I have made an effort in my life to not be a jealous person. I genuinely try, and usually am, happy for people when good things happen to them. However, I was intensely jealous of this woman.
I interrupted their moment to ask how old he was. She said about 2 and a half weeks. She asked me how much longer I had and I told her 2 months. Her son's name is Finley, Fin for short. I told her I was having a boy and naming him Parker. This was a first baby for each of us. She told me it is really hard in the beginning, but the smile on her face overshadowed the words coming out of her mouth. I never asked her name, she didn't ask mine, but there was a
camaraderie between us I thought.
I was just struck by how these two people, the mom and Fin, were so enthralled with each other that the rest of the world not only went silent, but it's like there never was a world around them. I have a friend at work who just had a baby in February, another boy named Josh. She said that when he was born and she was sitting in the hospital bed holding him, just staring at him. Taking in every thing about him, she was unaware of her surroundings and the people witnessing the bonding session between her and Josh. She said she has seen pictures of that day and looking back, never realized how many people were actually in the room with her at that point. Have you seen the movie Waitress? I highly recommend it, Josh even liked it. At the end, Keri Russell's character has a baby girl. I know it's a movie, but the same thing happens to her. It seems like everything is really just starting for these women. Like that silence, the moment of studying this new person is really where it all begins.
I cannot wait to be sitting with Parker in the hospital after he comes, in a bookstore, at the park, reading to him and the world around us just...doesn't matter.
Tissue please...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)