Growing a human being inside of my body is the most miraculous thing I'll ever encounter in this lifetime. Nothing about the process of being pregnant and giving birth is not worth it. I'll never discount what an incredible thing it is. And that is my disclaimer. Let's continue.
Being pregnant is also not awesome in a lot of ways. I think a list format will most effectively convey my feelings.
1. You get big in a lot of places, not just your belly- For some people, this is not entirely true. Especially people who start out really small, and somehow, they maintain their tiny butt and only grow outward from their belly. Yay for them! Seriously, I'm jealous, but I've learned that being happy for people is way better than feeling contempt, so yay. For me, I'm disproportionately large from the waist down as it is, and I'm completely okay with that, it's just that everything gets so much bigger when I'm pregnant.
Being pregnant makes me so hungry, even and especially during the first part, when I also generally feel terrible. I know the biological basis of this is those hormones telling your body to increase the calorie intake and put on some weight for extra energy storage in case you encounter a situation where you're forced to stay in your cave and starve. I don't know why biology can't always catch up with modern times, but that is how it is. For me, I could not get enough processed carbs in those early weeks of pregnancy. There is not a situation where processed carbs are good for you, not even this one, and yet logic did not speak to me. My hunger was too much, and I think I went through two packs of white bagels before I was over this hump. When I was in Oregon, I never cooked (except when I made eggs), and it was one of the hungriest times of my life. I went through a shocking amount of yogurt, milk and cereal, cheese, peanut butter toast, fruit, and dark chocolate peanut butter cups. It was a probably a world record for most weight gained in a month. And the weight shows up in my face, which is the worst part. This was into my second trimester, too. The enormous appetite does not quickly pass.
I am reading Amy Poehler's book, Yes Please, right now. In it she makes reference to the fact that she had a difficult time losing weight after her second baby (and presumably not her first), which made her really sad. This provides no comfort to me. The only glimmer of hope is that she was 40 after giving birth to her second child, and I'll be 34. I'm old, but she was older, so hopefully that works in my favor.
I'm over the hump of being controlled by my appetite, but I still crave sugar. I eat ice cream about 70% of nights. Yesterday, we were out all day and stopped at Trader Joe's on the way home. (Gavin said "Bye Trader Joe's, see ya next time," all the way home. He loves it as much as I do.) Anyway, before the groceries had been unpacked, I had chugged most of the kefir right from the bottle (the kind with a lot of sugar), eaten two dark chocolate peanut butter cups, and had my Chai latte (first ingredient: sugar) brewing. I feel like I have pretty accurate knowledge of how much sugar is in most things, so I'm aware of what I'm consuming and know that it's bad for me. It doesn't stop me...but at least I can feel guilty about it. Because feeling guilty on top of feeling fat is totally awesome.
I have that terrible glucose challenge gestational diabetes test soon. If I get cut off from sugar, I'll be angry.
2. You can't sleep, and even if you can sleep, you're tired- You know that thing where you're not supposed to lie on your back when you're pregnant because your huge uterus crushes the return blood flow and it compromises the amount of oxygen you and your baby get? Yeah, I feel that almost instantly. I can't sleep on my stomach for obvious reasons, I can't lie on my back, and recently, if I'm sleeping on my right side, I wake up short of breath and with my heart racing. Which leaves only one option for sleep position. So when my left shoulder starts to ache or my left hip falls asleep, I'm up a creek. Also, I pee a lot and I'm really thirsty all the time. In the first part of pregnancy, at least this time around, my hormones had me waking up all hot and irritated. Which is not the same as the urban dictionary definition of "hot and bothered." (Let's not even go there...I don't even want to be touched with a ten foot pole right now.) I've lost so much sleep over the last five months or so. And now I'm reaching the point where I'm just exhausted, even if I do sleep. I feel like it's too early for me to be at this point already. I have over three months to go...
3. It's hard to bend over- Dropping something is so much worse than it used to be. Putting on shoes takes a long time because you have to sit there and motivate yourself to just do it. Shaving your legs is no longer a walk in the park, and painting your own toenails is something else entirely. But picking up your 32 pound kid off the ground is flirting with disc rupture. I try to avoid it at all costs but have found that it's nearly impossible. Somebody has to get him in and out of the car, put him in his chair for dinner (it's a really high chair), and get him in and out of the crib.
4. Then you have a baby, and it is so, so hard- You instantly fall in love with your baby, and it's incredible and all those things. But man is it hard. I still have post-traumatic stress. I had several key factors which contributed to it being the hardest (I suppose I can't call it the worst?) year of my life. The most prominent of which was that it was the most that Dylan has traveled and been away from home since I've known him. To compare, he has flown less than half the number of hours this year than he did last year. And it was usually something like getting a call one day in advance for a six day trip or something. So super uncool. Dylan is my rock, my light in the night, the voice of reason in our family, the most unshakeable person I've ever known. He's also a terrific dad and a terrific person. His absence shakes us up every single time he goes away. It's not something that ever gets easier. So when you haven't slept in months, your baby never stops crying or needing you, and you feel like you've lost control of everything in life, including your sanity, it makes for an especially trying time when you're forced to go it alone. Anyway, this is supposed to be about pregnancy, not the part that comes next. I have high hopes that this part of things will go much better the second time around because it's really the only option. If I have a repeat of round one, plus I have a toddler on board, I know that we simply will not survive. Anyhow, we'll be off to a good start if I can deliver a healthy baby and refrain from paralyzing any limbs in the process, leaving me bed-ridden in the hospital for four days, hooked up to a Foley catheter and compression stockings.
5. Then there's breastfeeding- Yeah, I tried to keep this just about pregnancy but decided to go all-inclusive. I remember I once asked Dylan if things were different and the man and woman could collaborate on having a baby, where one person is pregnant for months and months and has to give birth and the other person has to breastfeed, which would he choose? He chose being pregnant and giving birth. Definitely the correct answer. For all that your body has endured for 9+ months of growing the baby and pushing it out, breastfeeding is so much worse (but no less miraculous). I know lots of people think it's beautiful and love it. I do not. It's imprisonment and sometimes terrible, terrible pain. I'd rather give birth ten times than deal with a clogged duct that last for days and causes swelling up to my shoulder and deforms me and makes me incapable of sitting up straight. It's the longest lasting form of incredible pain I've ever experienced. I couldn't even make enough milk to keep Gavin satiated, even when I'd sit for hours and hours and hours nursing him. I can't remember what I did about eating and peeing during those endless hours, but somehow I survived. Oh, and breastfeeding ramps up my appetite again, right at the time that I feel most disgusted with my body. I cannot get enough to eat. I should start stocking my bagel supply right now.
Anyway, I continued nursing for as long as I could out of guilt, and I threw in the towel just shy of six months when I melted down because Gavin's constant crying was unbearable and making me mentally unstable. The doctor thought he had reflux and a milk allergy, and so we switched him to a special and very expensive formula and called it a day. He cried about 5% less, which still made a difference in improving my mental state, and being free of breastfeeding almost made me feel human again. (Almost. That first year is tough.) Let it be known that I'll try breastfeeding again, and I also have high hopes that it'll go much better this time around. I have no logical reason to think that, but if I can't believe that it will be better this time, then I will curl up in the fetal position in a dark corner and probably never return to normal life.
So, when people ask me how I'm feeling, I reply, "Good!" with a smile. Because all things considered, I do mostly feel good. (And because replying with "Terrified of what comes next," only plays to my social awkwardness.) I never get sick and throw up, and I'm fully mobile and not swollen yet (but I know it's coming). Everything else that's happening that makes me feel like crap just kind of goes along with the territory.
So that's being pregnant, in a nutshell. If you've never done it before, do not allow me to dissuade you. Plenty of people love it. Go talk to one of them.
Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pregnancy. Show all posts
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Family Photos
Just a quick gathering of a few photos of right before and right after Gavin's birth, now that I've done some organizing of most of the images that are out there. Thanks mom for capturing the first two.
Waiting a whole day for the hospital to call for the induction...little did we know we'd wait another whole day and end up in the hospital in natural labor.
One of dad's first glimpses at son. I'll spare you the rest of the delivery room photos.
Gavin telling Kristin and me what he really thinks of us trying to take his photos.
Baby G and I were on our own yesterday but received lots of love and attention. We took a stroll across the street to visit G's aunt and cousins, then Elaine paid us a visit and left us the set-up for a yummy crock pot meal. Later, Jess and Hazel came over with a quiche, some tea, and a co-sleeper. Before they hit the road Jess had vacuumed for me and assembled the awesome co-sleeper, which made my night even easier last night. We are lucky to have such awesome company! By the time Dylan got home, Baby and I were resting happily and peacefully. Slowly we are getting the hang of this!
Friday, August 23, 2013
Patience is a Virtue
If you're one of our dear friends or family members who sent many warm wishes our way leading up to my scheduled induction on August 22nd, we haven't forgotten to update you. We just don't have an update. The Blue Moon this week, or perhaps some other atmospheric force, sent an insane amount of women into labor, flooding the Family Birthing Center at The Baby Factory. Somehow I was unaffected by this force (or maybe just mildly so), and so they've had absolutely no room for elective inductions.
I know a few people who have had scheduled inductions at this exact same hospital in the past. The protocol is that they'll call between midnight and midnight on the day of your induction. I don't know of anybody who hasn't gotten a call before the rising of the sun. But here I am 45 hours after midnight on the 22nd, and no call. Poor Dylan has been put in charge of calling the crabby ladies at the OB Command Center for updates, and I'm always at the top of the list, but they have had an astonishing amount of women in labor and just can't fit us in. And unfortunately some people spend 2 hours in labor and some spend 27 hours in labor, so they don't know what to tell you about when they'll have availability. The call was supposed to come last night. Then it was supposed to be this afternoon. Now it's a 35% chance we'll get called before midnight...but probably early tomorrow morning. And hopefully it won't be before midnight, as I'd much prefer sleep over labor tonight.
I am mildly frustrated, but something in me insists that this is happening for a reason. I think the baby needed to bake for a couple extra days. Maybe these days will make the difference between healthy and immature lungs? I was never very thrilled about scheduling an induction, as anyone who has done any reading on the matter knows that it's a 100 times better to go into natural labor. So maybe the extra couple days will give me the opportunity to do just that.
It's a bummer because we've coordinated for Dylan to have a little bit of time off work, and now a couple of days have been wasted. But the purpose of the induction, as far as the doctor is concerned, is because the baby is so big. The reason I agreed to it (as I've become much more a lover of nature and slightly skeptical of Western medicine) was just so that Dylan could be here for the birth. I hate the idea of an induction, but I hate the idea of Dylan missing the birth of his baby even more. Even with the delay, he won't miss the birth, so what's a couple extra days, right? Unfortunately his parents flew out late Wednesday with plans to go back to Oregon tomorrow afternoon. So they're changing their plane tickets, and as anyone knows, that is neither cheap nor convenient. But it is what it is.
Because I had the time to be super-prepared earlier in the week, I made sure my house was cleaned, the dishes were done, the laundry was done, etc., etc. We've spent the past two days doing a whole lot of nothing, except hanging with family. Which is actually not nothing, but something to be valued. And hence, the house is a little more lived-in and not quite as pristine. So I may have some simple chores to attend to when we bring the baby home, but it's really not a big deal.
So things are fine. I've never had a reputation for being a patient person, and maybe this was an important lesson for me. I don't know what my labor will be like or even when I'll get to the hospital, but as long as the outcome is good and I have a healthy baby to hold, nothing else matters to me.
I know a few people who have had scheduled inductions at this exact same hospital in the past. The protocol is that they'll call between midnight and midnight on the day of your induction. I don't know of anybody who hasn't gotten a call before the rising of the sun. But here I am 45 hours after midnight on the 22nd, and no call. Poor Dylan has been put in charge of calling the crabby ladies at the OB Command Center for updates, and I'm always at the top of the list, but they have had an astonishing amount of women in labor and just can't fit us in. And unfortunately some people spend 2 hours in labor and some spend 27 hours in labor, so they don't know what to tell you about when they'll have availability. The call was supposed to come last night. Then it was supposed to be this afternoon. Now it's a 35% chance we'll get called before midnight...but probably early tomorrow morning. And hopefully it won't be before midnight, as I'd much prefer sleep over labor tonight.
I am mildly frustrated, but something in me insists that this is happening for a reason. I think the baby needed to bake for a couple extra days. Maybe these days will make the difference between healthy and immature lungs? I was never very thrilled about scheduling an induction, as anyone who has done any reading on the matter knows that it's a 100 times better to go into natural labor. So maybe the extra couple days will give me the opportunity to do just that.
It's a bummer because we've coordinated for Dylan to have a little bit of time off work, and now a couple of days have been wasted. But the purpose of the induction, as far as the doctor is concerned, is because the baby is so big. The reason I agreed to it (as I've become much more a lover of nature and slightly skeptical of Western medicine) was just so that Dylan could be here for the birth. I hate the idea of an induction, but I hate the idea of Dylan missing the birth of his baby even more. Even with the delay, he won't miss the birth, so what's a couple extra days, right? Unfortunately his parents flew out late Wednesday with plans to go back to Oregon tomorrow afternoon. So they're changing their plane tickets, and as anyone knows, that is neither cheap nor convenient. But it is what it is.
Because I had the time to be super-prepared earlier in the week, I made sure my house was cleaned, the dishes were done, the laundry was done, etc., etc. We've spent the past two days doing a whole lot of nothing, except hanging with family. Which is actually not nothing, but something to be valued. And hence, the house is a little more lived-in and not quite as pristine. So I may have some simple chores to attend to when we bring the baby home, but it's really not a big deal.
So things are fine. I've never had a reputation for being a patient person, and maybe this was an important lesson for me. I don't know what my labor will be like or even when I'll get to the hospital, but as long as the outcome is good and I have a healthy baby to hold, nothing else matters to me.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Bye, Bump
This might be the last you'll see of the bump. Which could be good news, depending on how you take to bump photos.
I'm so very ready for normal clothes again. So much so that I took full advantage of the 30% and 40% off at Old Navy and Gap online right now in preparation for the muffin-top, though bump-free, days ahead of me. I know that experienced mothers are laughing at me and thinking that there's no way I'll have time to put on anything besides pajamas in the coming weeks. But I just can't see me letting that part of myself go. Also, my sweet husband surprised me with a pair of hot pink Nikes this week to thank me for all the hard work I've done around this place. My excessive fatigue probably has him overestimating the amount of work that's actually getting done...but I'll accept the gift all the same. Thanks, D! I'll let you know whether or not I'm successful at showering and getting dressed on a semi-regular basis once the baby arrives. Or maybe I won't...because if I don't have time to get dressed, I probably won't have time to post on the blog.
Switching gears...one of my fellow pharmacists, Randy, assigned me the nickname 'Slim' months ago when I tried to squeeze through a small space by turning sideways and it only made the situation worse. As the days ticked by, I received more and more exclamations of surprise that I was still showing up to work, coupled with assessments of the size of my belly. Just a few days ago, Randy warned me to not lean too far forward, as I may just tip over. To which I replied, as long as you brought your crane to work today, there shouldn't be any problem getting me back on my feet. I have actually been pretty entertained by all the funny comments about my bodily transformation. My belly is huge and garnishes a lot of attention, which is just part of the package deal when you become pregnant. It's actually something to marvel at- how the human body can change so drastically in a relatively short amount of time. So here it is for you to assess for yourself. A 38 week and some days pregnant lady with what is to believed to be a hefty baby growing in there. I know I'm in the home stretch now that most of my maternity shirts even fail at completely covering my belly.
Dylan and I made the most of this past weekend together by making big breakfasts, having lazy mornings, getting some exercise, meeting up with our friends for a Saturday happy hour, watching movies (both at home and in the theater), and having dinner with our friend Ted, who is in town for training. We watched 10 Years, a low budget film with a great cast, which we both really liked. We also saw The Spectacular Now at the Camelview Theater. I think low budget indie films are just my kind of thing. Our leisurely weekends are quickly coming to an end, and I'm so glad we were able to be so self-indulgent with this one. It'll probably be a very long time before I enjoy another pizookie from Oregano's or a movie in the theater.
Which leaves me wanting to share this article with you, I Became a Mother and Died to Live. It's about how it's okay for mothers to mourn their former lives, even though the joy of bringing new life into the world is one of life's greatest pleasures. I'm sure I'll experience the unparalleled joy that people say you can't know until you actually become a parent. But I'll miss the way things were, I'm pretty sure of it, and I'm glad to know that it's okay to feel this way. I know there's no use dwelling on the past, but if you can look back with fond memories and miss the days of yore, then you must've done something right, and so it's not a bad thing to miss your carefree days while simultaneously giving thanks for life's greatest blessing and knowing that the best is ahead.
I'm so very ready for normal clothes again. So much so that I took full advantage of the 30% and 40% off at Old Navy and Gap online right now in preparation for the muffin-top, though bump-free, days ahead of me. I know that experienced mothers are laughing at me and thinking that there's no way I'll have time to put on anything besides pajamas in the coming weeks. But I just can't see me letting that part of myself go. Also, my sweet husband surprised me with a pair of hot pink Nikes this week to thank me for all the hard work I've done around this place. My excessive fatigue probably has him overestimating the amount of work that's actually getting done...but I'll accept the gift all the same. Thanks, D! I'll let you know whether or not I'm successful at showering and getting dressed on a semi-regular basis once the baby arrives. Or maybe I won't...because if I don't have time to get dressed, I probably won't have time to post on the blog.
Switching gears...one of my fellow pharmacists, Randy, assigned me the nickname 'Slim' months ago when I tried to squeeze through a small space by turning sideways and it only made the situation worse. As the days ticked by, I received more and more exclamations of surprise that I was still showing up to work, coupled with assessments of the size of my belly. Just a few days ago, Randy warned me to not lean too far forward, as I may just tip over. To which I replied, as long as you brought your crane to work today, there shouldn't be any problem getting me back on my feet. I have actually been pretty entertained by all the funny comments about my bodily transformation. My belly is huge and garnishes a lot of attention, which is just part of the package deal when you become pregnant. It's actually something to marvel at- how the human body can change so drastically in a relatively short amount of time. So here it is for you to assess for yourself. A 38 week and some days pregnant lady with what is to believed to be a hefty baby growing in there. I know I'm in the home stretch now that most of my maternity shirts even fail at completely covering my belly.
Dylan and I made the most of this past weekend together by making big breakfasts, having lazy mornings, getting some exercise, meeting up with our friends for a Saturday happy hour, watching movies (both at home and in the theater), and having dinner with our friend Ted, who is in town for training. We watched 10 Years, a low budget film with a great cast, which we both really liked. We also saw The Spectacular Now at the Camelview Theater. I think low budget indie films are just my kind of thing. Our leisurely weekends are quickly coming to an end, and I'm so glad we were able to be so self-indulgent with this one. It'll probably be a very long time before I enjoy another pizookie from Oregano's or a movie in the theater.
Which leaves me wanting to share this article with you, I Became a Mother and Died to Live. It's about how it's okay for mothers to mourn their former lives, even though the joy of bringing new life into the world is one of life's greatest pleasures. I'm sure I'll experience the unparalleled joy that people say you can't know until you actually become a parent. But I'll miss the way things were, I'm pretty sure of it, and I'm glad to know that it's okay to feel this way. I know there's no use dwelling on the past, but if you can look back with fond memories and miss the days of yore, then you must've done something right, and so it's not a bad thing to miss your carefree days while simultaneously giving thanks for life's greatest blessing and knowing that the best is ahead.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Stick a Fork in Me, I'm Done
"Oh my gosh LP, your belly is a planet."
"I don't know if this is even possible, but your belly looks bigger than it did yesterday."
"I can't believe you're still here, LP."
...are just a few of the things I heard over the past week. Which made me feel really glad that today, Friday, was my last day of work till November. My original goal was to just go till I popped, but it's just too hot, and work is just too far away and stressful and false-labor-inducing, so I think that at 38 weeks and 1 day, I've put in just about as much as I can in this condition. When I decided on today as my last day five weeks ago, I wasn't so sure I would even make it this far.
I received lots of very kind and encouraging words as I made my departure today, and I threatened to put my picture on the fridge so nobody would forget me. I was assured that was not necessary, but I did make one or two people promise to keep me on the up and up with the work gossip so that I don't miss out on too much during my leave. And I know at least a few people were disappointed that my water didn't break at work...a widely predicted and much anticipated event that did not quite pan out. There's nothing quite like a big life event to bring out the sentimental side of people.
And now that I've honored my commitment to my job, I've given my little guy permission to evacuate his crowded quarters at any time. We are as ready as we can be for him to get here and so excited to see his sweet face. I heard that this point in a pregnancy can be such a never-ending waiting game. But I'm sure the pay-off is more than worth it!
"I don't know if this is even possible, but your belly looks bigger than it did yesterday."
"I can't believe you're still here, LP."
...are just a few of the things I heard over the past week. Which made me feel really glad that today, Friday, was my last day of work till November. My original goal was to just go till I popped, but it's just too hot, and work is just too far away and stressful and false-labor-inducing, so I think that at 38 weeks and 1 day, I've put in just about as much as I can in this condition. When I decided on today as my last day five weeks ago, I wasn't so sure I would even make it this far.
I received lots of very kind and encouraging words as I made my departure today, and I threatened to put my picture on the fridge so nobody would forget me. I was assured that was not necessary, but I did make one or two people promise to keep me on the up and up with the work gossip so that I don't miss out on too much during my leave. And I know at least a few people were disappointed that my water didn't break at work...a widely predicted and much anticipated event that did not quite pan out. There's nothing quite like a big life event to bring out the sentimental side of people.
And now that I've honored my commitment to my job, I've given my little guy permission to evacuate his crowded quarters at any time. We are as ready as we can be for him to get here and so excited to see his sweet face. I heard that this point in a pregnancy can be such a never-ending waiting game. But I'm sure the pay-off is more than worth it!
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
What's In a Name?
Oh, there's so very much that goes into choosing a name for a person. He has to take it with him his entire life. Your name is your identity. People form first impressions from it, and if it's difficult to say or spell, then you spend your entire life correcting it for people.
I think that Dylan is a great name, for example. When I first heard it, I thought "That guy is probably cool." I was right! It's a name we've all heard, but it's not a moniker shared by a huge percentage of other men our age. It is extremely popular for the younger generation, but for those of us 30 and over, it's just a good, solid name. Unfortunately Dylan is often misspelled as Dillon (which is obviously a LAST name), or pronounced Dolan or Daylan or something else weird, but who could have known people would be so clueless?
For me, picking out a name has been the most time-consuming decision since I found out I was having a baby. Yes, among ALL the other decisions, this is the one I have mulled over for the longest. I do have a few guidelines that I've followed throughout this process. First, good, classic names are very strong. However, when paired with the last name Miller, they are also very vanilla. For example, James is a great name, but the world has already met at least half a billion James Millers. On the other hand, weird compilations of consonants and vowels that nobody has ever heard of but which new parents call a "name" are off limits to me. So are words (nouns, adjectives, and verbs) that we are all familiar with but which are not actually names, like many of the celebrity babies (North, Apple, etc.). I would love a good, strong name that is not overwhelmingly popular so it adds just a little flavor when paired with one of the most common last names in the world. Something that everybody has heard of and knows how to say and spell. Basically, something that does not prompt a lot of questions, like Where did that name come from? I'd rather err on the side of over-popular than question or confusion-provoking.
So as of this point in time, we've come up with Gavin. Actually, that's what we've been calling the baby for months but we didn't want to commit in case we heard of something we liked better. It won't be set in stone until we're forced to report it to Social Security. But Gavin is a good and normal name that we all know. Gavin Miller won't knock the socks of anybody, and it's probably shared with a few million people across the world, but it's got a touch more flavor than, say, John Smith. I don't need my child to have the most unique name in the world. I'm not out to prove anything, and he won't be either. We already know this kid's gonna be awesome. If there's another Gavin or two in his class at school, it won't be the end of the world. But if I came across a guy named Gavin Miller, I would think that he was probably pretty cool.
So now it's time to pick a middle name. I have fewer requirements for this. I just don't want it to make initials that spell something weird or offensive, and it should flow well with the entire name. But it can be weird or crazy. Most people never know your middle name anyhow. In all seriousness, Dylan's first pick for a middle name is 'Danger.' I'm not actually completely opposed to it, though I doubt I'll have the guts to give our child the middle name Danger when it comes down to it. Especially after learning that Anthony Weiner's alias on Twitter was Carlos Danger. Family names are fine, but I'd prefer to choose a name just because we like it. I'm thinking we'll end up with one of the classics...James, Marcus, etc. We have a little time to mull this over, and we're open to suggestions for first and middle names, but that is where we stand.
Whew, what a process! But it's such an important decision in my opinion. What are your thoughts? Except if you hate the name Gavin, I don't wanna hear it.
I think that Dylan is a great name, for example. When I first heard it, I thought "That guy is probably cool." I was right! It's a name we've all heard, but it's not a moniker shared by a huge percentage of other men our age. It is extremely popular for the younger generation, but for those of us 30 and over, it's just a good, solid name. Unfortunately Dylan is often misspelled as Dillon (which is obviously a LAST name), or pronounced Dolan or Daylan or something else weird, but who could have known people would be so clueless?
For me, picking out a name has been the most time-consuming decision since I found out I was having a baby. Yes, among ALL the other decisions, this is the one I have mulled over for the longest. I do have a few guidelines that I've followed throughout this process. First, good, classic names are very strong. However, when paired with the last name Miller, they are also very vanilla. For example, James is a great name, but the world has already met at least half a billion James Millers. On the other hand, weird compilations of consonants and vowels that nobody has ever heard of but which new parents call a "name" are off limits to me. So are words (nouns, adjectives, and verbs) that we are all familiar with but which are not actually names, like many of the celebrity babies (North, Apple, etc.). I would love a good, strong name that is not overwhelmingly popular so it adds just a little flavor when paired with one of the most common last names in the world. Something that everybody has heard of and knows how to say and spell. Basically, something that does not prompt a lot of questions, like Where did that name come from? I'd rather err on the side of over-popular than question or confusion-provoking.
So as of this point in time, we've come up with Gavin. Actually, that's what we've been calling the baby for months but we didn't want to commit in case we heard of something we liked better. It won't be set in stone until we're forced to report it to Social Security. But Gavin is a good and normal name that we all know. Gavin Miller won't knock the socks of anybody, and it's probably shared with a few million people across the world, but it's got a touch more flavor than, say, John Smith. I don't need my child to have the most unique name in the world. I'm not out to prove anything, and he won't be either. We already know this kid's gonna be awesome. If there's another Gavin or two in his class at school, it won't be the end of the world. But if I came across a guy named Gavin Miller, I would think that he was probably pretty cool.
So now it's time to pick a middle name. I have fewer requirements for this. I just don't want it to make initials that spell something weird or offensive, and it should flow well with the entire name. But it can be weird or crazy. Most people never know your middle name anyhow. In all seriousness, Dylan's first pick for a middle name is 'Danger.' I'm not actually completely opposed to it, though I doubt I'll have the guts to give our child the middle name Danger when it comes down to it. Especially after learning that Anthony Weiner's alias on Twitter was Carlos Danger. Family names are fine, but I'd prefer to choose a name just because we like it. I'm thinking we'll end up with one of the classics...James, Marcus, etc. We have a little time to mull this over, and we're open to suggestions for first and middle names, but that is where we stand.
Whew, what a process! But it's such an important decision in my opinion. What are your thoughts? Except if you hate the name Gavin, I don't wanna hear it.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Still Here, Still Huge
Hi there. I don't have a lot to report from my neck of the woods. We've just been carrying out the activities of daily living and doing our best to stay cool and stay healthy. This weekend has been mellow with just some errands and chores and also swimming and eating with good friends. We've got some finishing touches to do on the nursery, and we're just waiting on the glider to arrive. At this point, I don't know which will be here first...the baby or the glider.
My check-in with the doctor on Tuesday revealed that the baby was measuring at 7 lbs. and 6 oz., which is only an estimate, but still...that is definitely plus-size. Babies typically gain a half pound a week at this stage, so we're hoping our guy realizes he's ready to see the world sooner rather than later. I'm doing my best to rest as much as possible while tying up loose ends, like stocking up on food, dentist/eye/etc. appointments, fitting in some light exercise, cleaning, and reading about what on Earth I'm supposed to do with a newborn before I'm mostly homebound and otherwise occupied for a few weeks or months.
The energy level is low, the sleep is mediocre, movement is slow, the comfort level declines with every passing day, but spirits are high. My nurses have been pleasantly surprised by my vitals and overall well-being at this stage, and the baby is doing great, so I should consider myself lucky. After going decaf for the last eight months (except iced tea with a meal here and there), I had to start adding some real coffee to my morning shake because, as bad as caffeine is supposed to be, I think that falling asleep behind the wheel on a long commute is even worse. I have three remaining shifts at work, and even if the baby takes a little while longer to arrive after that, I won't feel bad about wasting my maternity leave time because I'm running only on fumes, and I've given it all I've got. We're nearing the end, and everything is looking good, and my only hope is that it stays that way. It is a scary and exciting time, to say the least! If you don't hear from me for a while it's most likely because I'm coasting along and don't have much else to share. I think everyone's heard just about all they want to hear about this pregnancy and my laid back, uneventful summer!
My check-in with the doctor on Tuesday revealed that the baby was measuring at 7 lbs. and 6 oz., which is only an estimate, but still...that is definitely plus-size. Babies typically gain a half pound a week at this stage, so we're hoping our guy realizes he's ready to see the world sooner rather than later. I'm doing my best to rest as much as possible while tying up loose ends, like stocking up on food, dentist/eye/etc. appointments, fitting in some light exercise, cleaning, and reading about what on Earth I'm supposed to do with a newborn before I'm mostly homebound and otherwise occupied for a few weeks or months.
The energy level is low, the sleep is mediocre, movement is slow, the comfort level declines with every passing day, but spirits are high. My nurses have been pleasantly surprised by my vitals and overall well-being at this stage, and the baby is doing great, so I should consider myself lucky. After going decaf for the last eight months (except iced tea with a meal here and there), I had to start adding some real coffee to my morning shake because, as bad as caffeine is supposed to be, I think that falling asleep behind the wheel on a long commute is even worse. I have three remaining shifts at work, and even if the baby takes a little while longer to arrive after that, I won't feel bad about wasting my maternity leave time because I'm running only on fumes, and I've given it all I've got. We're nearing the end, and everything is looking good, and my only hope is that it stays that way. It is a scary and exciting time, to say the least! If you don't hear from me for a while it's most likely because I'm coasting along and don't have much else to share. I think everyone's heard just about all they want to hear about this pregnancy and my laid back, uneventful summer!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Let the Celebrations Continue
With so many baby boys due to make an appearance in the next couple of months, I had yet another baby shower on the agenda for the weekend. This time it was to celebrate Nicole and the little Kennedy on the way. We all gathered at Anne's house, a soon-to-be 2nd time mama herself, to have lunch, eat mini bundt cakes, and do the things we do. Anne was born to host parties. She always does the most beautiful job. Meanwhile, some of the boys decided they'd like to play golf in 105-degree weather, which sounds like my idea of pure misery. But it's just about the cheapest round of golf you'll ever play, so....whatever. I hung out with them for the first portion of the night then hit the sack early so boys could be boys.
Sunday ushered in a 4th birthday party for Sumer's little guy, Jaylen. A pizza party, to be exact. I love seeing my sweet cousin and her kids. I also love pizza and birthday cake. Birthday party perfection! We met my parents off the freeway and hitched a ride with them into Tempe, so we got a good, full dose of family. Just right for a Sunday.
I am embarking on my final two weeks of work for a while, and I'm bringing what feels like the world's most enormous belly with me. The hugeness and exhaustion have taken their toll, but with a little over three weeks until my due date, I'm still going strong.
That is all from my corner of the world. Will somebody please do a rain dance to bring the moisture back into the atmosphere?
Sunday ushered in a 4th birthday party for Sumer's little guy, Jaylen. A pizza party, to be exact. I love seeing my sweet cousin and her kids. I also love pizza and birthday cake. Birthday party perfection! We met my parents off the freeway and hitched a ride with them into Tempe, so we got a good, full dose of family. Just right for a Sunday.
 |
| Dylan, ever the baby whisperer. |
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| Hands-free. The benefits of a shelf belly. |
I am embarking on my final two weeks of work for a while, and I'm bringing what feels like the world's most enormous belly with me. The hugeness and exhaustion have taken their toll, but with a little over three weeks until my due date, I'm still going strong.
 |
| After Chau brought me the checkered Vans as a baby gift on Friday, I realized that between gifts, a couple pairs on loan from the baby's big cousins, and a couple impulse buys by myself, this baby is all set on footwear for a while. |
That is all from my corner of the world. Will somebody please do a rain dance to bring the moisture back into the atmosphere?
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
R & R is the Priority
I spent the weekend as a party of one, with my immediate family all spread out around the country and Dylan in Oregon to visit his family. But I was so lucky to be invited to Jess's house for a girls' dinner of Mexican food...and red velvet Nothing Bundt Cake! It was the highlight of my weekend and so much fun. This group of girls is a very tight-knit crowd since high school, and while I grew close with Jess and Nora in college and see them regularly, I hadn't seen many of the other girls in a long time. Thanks so much for the fantastic dinner, Jess, and for including me with the girls! Nora thought ahead and brought her camera, so I took the liberty of stealing this photo off her blog. Thanks, N! As with most circles I run in, half of the girls at the dinner party were pregnant.
I kicked off the work week with an intense fatigue brought on by the early start, a poor night's sleep, and probably my current condition. The job involves a lot of get up, get down, go, go go, and I think the others could sense my sluggishness and picked up my slack on some of the things that involved getting up. When I acknowledged this and thanked them, they said that's fine, we don't want this place to send you into early labor because that would really mess up the schedule. I've signed up to work for a few more weeks, and I don't think that will be a problem. However, I will take today to catch up on some rest.
I've always attributed the high-activity job and high-activity days off for my doing relatively well throughout this pregnancy. Yes, my right ankle has a bit of puff and my right carpal tunnel does not appreciate the extra fluid, but in the heat of the summer and with my blood volume having just reached the highest it will be throughout this process, I guess this is to be expected to some extent. I think the regular exercise has made a huge difference, too. But today, I am taking some time to rest and do what I can to preserve my energy. On my other days off, I have vacuumed and steam cleaned everything in this house that is not made of hardwood or stone and done everything I can to remove the dust and grime everywhere else. The sheets are clean, the dogs are clean, we've got lots of meals in the freezer, and everything that will touch this baby has been washed. I've got most everything I need for this guy to come home, and we are in good shape. The blinds and windowsills are still filthy and the nursery needs some attention, but those can wait. Because today I'm taking a load off. And after all, we are surrounded by dirt. It will all need to be wiped down again in the coming weeks anyway.
I might even fire up my Amazon Instant Video and take in an episode or two of The Good Wife, which previously I only indulged in when going to sleep at night. I'll probably fit in a light workout in the afternoon, and I have a dinner on the books with the girls, so all in all it will be a pretty fantastic Tuesday. If I ever have a second go at this pregnancy deal, I won't have the luxury of taking a day to rest. And since a good night's sleep is not in the books for me for a very long time, I need to take advantage of the peace and quiet while I can. The only items on my to-do list that will receive any attention today are those that can be completed from a sitting position (with my feet propped up). I am feeling so grateful right now to have this day of recovery because I know most grown-ups aren't taking the time on a Tuesday to do the same thing, and I might not get another chance at a day like this for a very long time.
Tomorrow will be the first time Dylan and I have shared a day off in two weeks due to conflicting work schedules and because he has hit the road for the past couple weekends. We've got some fun things on the agenda, and I'm sure I'll be ready for the go-go-go by tomorrow!
I kicked off the work week with an intense fatigue brought on by the early start, a poor night's sleep, and probably my current condition. The job involves a lot of get up, get down, go, go go, and I think the others could sense my sluggishness and picked up my slack on some of the things that involved getting up. When I acknowledged this and thanked them, they said that's fine, we don't want this place to send you into early labor because that would really mess up the schedule. I've signed up to work for a few more weeks, and I don't think that will be a problem. However, I will take today to catch up on some rest.
I've always attributed the high-activity job and high-activity days off for my doing relatively well throughout this pregnancy. Yes, my right ankle has a bit of puff and my right carpal tunnel does not appreciate the extra fluid, but in the heat of the summer and with my blood volume having just reached the highest it will be throughout this process, I guess this is to be expected to some extent. I think the regular exercise has made a huge difference, too. But today, I am taking some time to rest and do what I can to preserve my energy. On my other days off, I have vacuumed and steam cleaned everything in this house that is not made of hardwood or stone and done everything I can to remove the dust and grime everywhere else. The sheets are clean, the dogs are clean, we've got lots of meals in the freezer, and everything that will touch this baby has been washed. I've got most everything I need for this guy to come home, and we are in good shape. The blinds and windowsills are still filthy and the nursery needs some attention, but those can wait. Because today I'm taking a load off. And after all, we are surrounded by dirt. It will all need to be wiped down again in the coming weeks anyway.
I might even fire up my Amazon Instant Video and take in an episode or two of The Good Wife, which previously I only indulged in when going to sleep at night. I'll probably fit in a light workout in the afternoon, and I have a dinner on the books with the girls, so all in all it will be a pretty fantastic Tuesday. If I ever have a second go at this pregnancy deal, I won't have the luxury of taking a day to rest. And since a good night's sleep is not in the books for me for a very long time, I need to take advantage of the peace and quiet while I can. The only items on my to-do list that will receive any attention today are those that can be completed from a sitting position (with my feet propped up). I am feeling so grateful right now to have this day of recovery because I know most grown-ups aren't taking the time on a Tuesday to do the same thing, and I might not get another chance at a day like this for a very long time.
Tomorrow will be the first time Dylan and I have shared a day off in two weeks due to conflicting work schedules and because he has hit the road for the past couple weekends. We've got some fun things on the agenda, and I'm sure I'll be ready for the go-go-go by tomorrow!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Lots of Information, Not Much Coherence
We finished our final of three birthing classes last night. A lot of the night consisted of showing the husband how to give the wife back/neck/head massages while she's in labor. I was okay with being on the receiving end of that. I have not done much research on this labor thing, but I do know a few things. First, the baby will come out of me one way or another, no matter how much or how little I know about labor. (But I am a sponge for information, so I know pretty well how it goes by hearing the stories of others and also from this class.) Second, it will be very painful, and it will probably last a long time. Third, I can't stand the idea of someone putting a needle in my back for an epidural, but if I'm in enough pain, I have a feeling that I might suddenly be okay with that happening. Also, I'm not scared of childbirth. I'm sure it will be very intense and some of the most severe pain I've ever known, but it's just nature. Bad things can happen, I know, but bad things can happen driving home every day from work, too. I'm more scared of how I'll feel dropping off my tiny baby at daycare when I have to go back to work after 12 weeks.
I'm rapidly losing my right ankle to the puff. Two long, hot days and all that sitting in that class last night did me in, I think. Also, I've developed carpal tunnel issues in my right wrist, which has made sleeping more tricky than it already was. My feet hurt at night in the same kind of way they hurt after standing for 12 hours for a shift at the Target pharmacy. Also, I am getting shooting pains down my groin and inner thigh, which they say is due to a stretching ligament. Other than that, things are great, and I'm ready to take on this final month of sharing a body with another person head-on!
I'm excited for a Mexican fiesta themed dinner party with a bunch of girls over at Jess's house tomorrow night. It will be my second trip into the Tempe/Chandler area this weekend.
My first trip into the Tempe/Chandler area this weekend was to visit the TOMS warehouse sale, the details on which were given to me by a co-worker with fabulous taste. (Thanks, AH!) I came home with two pairs of sunglasses, two pairs of shoes for me, and one pair for the little person who currently resides in the area between my boobs and hips. All for less than what one pair of shades costs normally. Booyah.
At the TOMS warehouse sale, I encountered some good samaritans. It was in an un-air conditioned warehouse, and I was wearing jeans. Not comfortable. Cold bottles of water were kept in trash cans, but I didn't know that because usually trash is kept in trash cans. But this nice lady handed me a cold bottle out of nowhere, and I'm pretty sure it saved my life. As I was walking out, the security guard asked where I parked because he did not want me walking around in the heat. How thoughtful. I am soaking this up now because I hear that when you're hauling around a baby, when you need the help the most, is when people just glare at you and offer you nothing because they're annoyed that your baby is crying. Being pregnant is cool sometimes. Except for the things I told you about in #2.
I have one more reason why I think pregnancy is sometimes not that cool, which is because I am so incredibly tired of my maternity clothes. I won't be buying any more because I find it wasteful at this point and because I'm buying so many other things right now. But in other ways, pregnancy is so, so cool. So I'm okay with it.
Today at work I was told I had a visitor up front, and I found Dylan up there with a yummy treat from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for me. In the words of some of the (not so) sweet (but more so brother-like) gentlemen at work, Dylan is WAY too good to me. Given the way that I've acted like an energy-less old stick in the mud lately, I'd have to say that I agree. Thanks for keeping things upbeat, D. You kick ass.
These rainy, stormy mornings have been great. Like any true Arizonan, I really appreciate the recent moisture...even the humidity. It's not nearly as bad as the humidity of the South in the summer, and it's so much better for your skin than the dry heat.
Actual mail was received with these stamps from an apparently very old lady. Maybe not so PC? We just couldn't bring ourselves to throw away the envelope.
John Krasinski and I have a lot in common.
It was a very good, very productive week. I did some think-ahead cooking and now have a freezer stocked with a few meals for those days when there's hardly enough time to even think about eating. People tell me that that will happen, and the thought of being short on good food had me feeling very nervous because you know how I am with food. But problem solved...at least for a few meals!
With that, I'll leave you with an article on why soda is so awful for you. I love, love, love a Diet Coke, but I won't drink it anymore. I still crave it, but I just won't do it, and if you still drink soda, I am jealous of you. But I am just so scared of artificial sweeteners rotting my insides and all the other awful things. Here, take a look at this article, which is mostly about the kinds of soda with actual sugar and not the diet kind. Just make sure to enjoy your soda before you read it!
I'm rapidly losing my right ankle to the puff. Two long, hot days and all that sitting in that class last night did me in, I think. Also, I've developed carpal tunnel issues in my right wrist, which has made sleeping more tricky than it already was. My feet hurt at night in the same kind of way they hurt after standing for 12 hours for a shift at the Target pharmacy. Also, I am getting shooting pains down my groin and inner thigh, which they say is due to a stretching ligament. Other than that, things are great, and I'm ready to take on this final month of sharing a body with another person head-on!
I'm excited for a Mexican fiesta themed dinner party with a bunch of girls over at Jess's house tomorrow night. It will be my second trip into the Tempe/Chandler area this weekend.
My first trip into the Tempe/Chandler area this weekend was to visit the TOMS warehouse sale, the details on which were given to me by a co-worker with fabulous taste. (Thanks, AH!) I came home with two pairs of sunglasses, two pairs of shoes for me, and one pair for the little person who currently resides in the area between my boobs and hips. All for less than what one pair of shades costs normally. Booyah.
At the TOMS warehouse sale, I encountered some good samaritans. It was in an un-air conditioned warehouse, and I was wearing jeans. Not comfortable. Cold bottles of water were kept in trash cans, but I didn't know that because usually trash is kept in trash cans. But this nice lady handed me a cold bottle out of nowhere, and I'm pretty sure it saved my life. As I was walking out, the security guard asked where I parked because he did not want me walking around in the heat. How thoughtful. I am soaking this up now because I hear that when you're hauling around a baby, when you need the help the most, is when people just glare at you and offer you nothing because they're annoyed that your baby is crying. Being pregnant is cool sometimes. Except for the things I told you about in #2.
I have one more reason why I think pregnancy is sometimes not that cool, which is because I am so incredibly tired of my maternity clothes. I won't be buying any more because I find it wasteful at this point and because I'm buying so many other things right now. But in other ways, pregnancy is so, so cool. So I'm okay with it.
Today at work I was told I had a visitor up front, and I found Dylan up there with a yummy treat from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for me. In the words of some of the (not so) sweet (but more so brother-like) gentlemen at work, Dylan is WAY too good to me. Given the way that I've acted like an energy-less old stick in the mud lately, I'd have to say that I agree. Thanks for keeping things upbeat, D. You kick ass.
These rainy, stormy mornings have been great. Like any true Arizonan, I really appreciate the recent moisture...even the humidity. It's not nearly as bad as the humidity of the South in the summer, and it's so much better for your skin than the dry heat.
Actual mail was received with these stamps from an apparently very old lady. Maybe not so PC? We just couldn't bring ourselves to throw away the envelope.
John Krasinski and I have a lot in common.
 |
| From The Chive |
It was a very good, very productive week. I did some think-ahead cooking and now have a freezer stocked with a few meals for those days when there's hardly enough time to even think about eating. People tell me that that will happen, and the thought of being short on good food had me feeling very nervous because you know how I am with food. But problem solved...at least for a few meals!
With that, I'll leave you with an article on why soda is so awful for you. I love, love, love a Diet Coke, but I won't drink it anymore. I still crave it, but I just won't do it, and if you still drink soda, I am jealous of you. But I am just so scared of artificial sweeteners rotting my insides and all the other awful things. Here, take a look at this article, which is mostly about the kinds of soda with actual sugar and not the diet kind. Just make sure to enjoy your soda before you read it!
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Nursery Preview and Bump Status
Things are really coming together with the baby's room. As far as other stuff for our little guy, I am done. Every now and then I'll come across an exciting sale like an extra 40% off sale items at the Gap and buy some more baby clothes, which this kid absolutely will not need, but when it's from the Baby Gap and it's actually affordable, I won't say no.
I spent the late afternoon yesterday finishing up some crafts for the nursery, and even though I still have to buy some of the major stuff before it's actually complete, I'm excited to put a preview out there of something other than a heap of stuff. I can't wait until I do the finishing touches. The space, with a strong emphasis on orange, aqua, and birds, is not exactly masculine, but it'll work. Small Dude won't know the difference. And as much fun as it was to create, it will be re-used by any other babies that may come into this home, boy or girl. If multiple children are in our future, then this mama will have bigger fish to fry than nursery designing and decorating.
My favorite thing is the bird mobile from Etsy. It hangs in the corner but not over the crib. I don't want that thing falling on my baby's face. The floor lamp has these subtle little birds. It's from the Land of Nod, and I'm pretty sure I'm not done doing damage from that store.
I bought a few small prints of birds and other animals to hang up clothesline-style over the crib and also this large map print from Society 6 for over the dresser. Rather than finding a huge poster frame, I rigged it up to look old school scroll-style. I'm going to let the glue fumes air out for a few more days outside of the nursery before I hang it in it's final resting place.
Here's a peek at the crib skirt my mom and I just completed, and the matching window valance is our project for this week. My dear friend Tariq's mom came to my work on Thursday to drop off a gift which consisted of this beautiful handmade blanket.
I hand-painted these birdhouses, which will find their place hanging on the wall by the closet.
I've got some other fun projects in the works, and I'm hoping to get everything hung on the walls by next weekend with a final nursery tour to be published some time in early August.
As for me, I'm chugging along at a strong 34 weeks pregnant. The small man is hiccuping several times daily and having a great time punching my guts. I will take these things as good signs. I've done everything I can to fend off the edema, but this morning I noticed that my right foot is looking fatter than normal. It may be the beginning of the end of normal ankles for the summer. I'm going to hit the pool to do some laps and eat a bunch of mango this morning, but I won't be surprised if I'm walking around on tree trunks pretty soon.
Luckily I have plenty of junk in the trunk, or else I fear I would fall forward with that belly. I'm feeling rather fatigued these days, but coasting along just fine. I'll be at work for four more weeks if everything continues to go well. And that about sums it up!
I spent the late afternoon yesterday finishing up some crafts for the nursery, and even though I still have to buy some of the major stuff before it's actually complete, I'm excited to put a preview out there of something other than a heap of stuff. I can't wait until I do the finishing touches. The space, with a strong emphasis on orange, aqua, and birds, is not exactly masculine, but it'll work. Small Dude won't know the difference. And as much fun as it was to create, it will be re-used by any other babies that may come into this home, boy or girl. If multiple children are in our future, then this mama will have bigger fish to fry than nursery designing and decorating.
My favorite thing is the bird mobile from Etsy. It hangs in the corner but not over the crib. I don't want that thing falling on my baby's face. The floor lamp has these subtle little birds. It's from the Land of Nod, and I'm pretty sure I'm not done doing damage from that store.
I bought a few small prints of birds and other animals to hang up clothesline-style over the crib and also this large map print from Society 6 for over the dresser. Rather than finding a huge poster frame, I rigged it up to look old school scroll-style. I'm going to let the glue fumes air out for a few more days outside of the nursery before I hang it in it's final resting place.
Here's a peek at the crib skirt my mom and I just completed, and the matching window valance is our project for this week. My dear friend Tariq's mom came to my work on Thursday to drop off a gift which consisted of this beautiful handmade blanket.
I hand-painted these birdhouses, which will find their place hanging on the wall by the closet.
I've got some other fun projects in the works, and I'm hoping to get everything hung on the walls by next weekend with a final nursery tour to be published some time in early August.
As for me, I'm chugging along at a strong 34 weeks pregnant. The small man is hiccuping several times daily and having a great time punching my guts. I will take these things as good signs. I've done everything I can to fend off the edema, but this morning I noticed that my right foot is looking fatter than normal. It may be the beginning of the end of normal ankles for the summer. I'm going to hit the pool to do some laps and eat a bunch of mango this morning, but I won't be surprised if I'm walking around on tree trunks pretty soon.
Luckily I have plenty of junk in the trunk, or else I fear I would fall forward with that belly. I'm feeling rather fatigued these days, but coasting along just fine. I'll be at work for four more weeks if everything continues to go well. And that about sums it up!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Tidbits of Life
Really, things are all pretty normal around here. If all the news about Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman, Cory Monteith, Edward Snowden, etc. has you craving some stories about a normal person with some minor complaints, well then you've come to the right place. Here's what's up.
Tomorrow is my second of three marathon Thursdays. I'll get up at 5 and head to work, and after hitting the gym, grabbing some grub, and going to my birthing class, I'll roll up to the house at about 10pm so that I can get myself together and wake up at 6 and go back to work. Not a homebody's favorite way to spend the day, and I certainly won't clock enough hours of sleep to feel rested for the next day, but all things on the agenda are certainly worthwhile. I survived last week, and I can do it again. Also, I will reward myself with a trip to the Nordstrom anniversary sale on Friday afternoon. If I have the energy for that.
The Land of Nod is a dangerous website when shopping for nursery furniture and decorations.
Never a neat freak, I'm beginning to get annoyed with the clutter and dust in this house for some reason. The bathroom and bedroom got a good wipe down today, and then I did some magic on the carpet with the Dyson and a steam cleaner. Then after cooking dinner, my legs gave out. They're carrying so much weight these days, and after kicking off the day with a spin class, it was time to throw in the towel and write on the blog. Dinner was the Pioneer Woman's Summer Chicken Salad. It was fantastic. What a good little housewife I was today. We'll see if that ever happens again.
My mom and I finished the crib skirt yesterday, and it's awesome. Next up is a window valance. I'm excited to show off the final nursery, but it will be a little while. I still have some crafts to complete and things to buy. It's been fun.
USPS left a notice for me to pick up a package and then mistakenly gave said package to my brother about five minutes before I got there to get it myself. My sister-in-law wondered why the box he brought home was filled with peacock-decorated storage bins. I wasted a half hour at the post office while they tried to track down my package, which they (obviously) never did find. The Palmers across the street now have to go back to retrieve their correct package, and the trip to the post office is not a short drive. It was very confusing for all parties involved.
I'm back on the Book! I don't know how long it has been, but I think I've trained myself to not want to look at Facebook more than once a day. It was fun to read people's status updates, though as always, I could do without the opinions on everything. I probably won't be a huge participant, but I like being in the know because I'm nosy like that. So there.
Tomorrow I'll hit 34 weeks. That means I only have six weeks left. It's gone by so slowly, but I finally feel like we're getting there. Pregnancy can be scary if you're a realist like me, and I am so eternally grateful that everything has been fine so far and that I feel pretty good, and I'll continue to hope for the best. Late pregnancy is the best stage (except for the major hindrance of toting around a humongous belly). You can feel the baby move all the time. I appreciate every startling jab to the ribs and head butt to the bladder, and the hiccups are just so funny. What a crazy and amazing process this is. Good times.
That's probably more than you needed to know. Nighty night!
Tomorrow is my second of three marathon Thursdays. I'll get up at 5 and head to work, and after hitting the gym, grabbing some grub, and going to my birthing class, I'll roll up to the house at about 10pm so that I can get myself together and wake up at 6 and go back to work. Not a homebody's favorite way to spend the day, and I certainly won't clock enough hours of sleep to feel rested for the next day, but all things on the agenda are certainly worthwhile. I survived last week, and I can do it again. Also, I will reward myself with a trip to the Nordstrom anniversary sale on Friday afternoon. If I have the energy for that.
The Land of Nod is a dangerous website when shopping for nursery furniture and decorations.
Never a neat freak, I'm beginning to get annoyed with the clutter and dust in this house for some reason. The bathroom and bedroom got a good wipe down today, and then I did some magic on the carpet with the Dyson and a steam cleaner. Then after cooking dinner, my legs gave out. They're carrying so much weight these days, and after kicking off the day with a spin class, it was time to throw in the towel and write on the blog. Dinner was the Pioneer Woman's Summer Chicken Salad. It was fantastic. What a good little housewife I was today. We'll see if that ever happens again.
My mom and I finished the crib skirt yesterday, and it's awesome. Next up is a window valance. I'm excited to show off the final nursery, but it will be a little while. I still have some crafts to complete and things to buy. It's been fun.
USPS left a notice for me to pick up a package and then mistakenly gave said package to my brother about five minutes before I got there to get it myself. My sister-in-law wondered why the box he brought home was filled with peacock-decorated storage bins. I wasted a half hour at the post office while they tried to track down my package, which they (obviously) never did find. The Palmers across the street now have to go back to retrieve their correct package, and the trip to the post office is not a short drive. It was very confusing for all parties involved.
I'm back on the Book! I don't know how long it has been, but I think I've trained myself to not want to look at Facebook more than once a day. It was fun to read people's status updates, though as always, I could do without the opinions on everything. I probably won't be a huge participant, but I like being in the know because I'm nosy like that. So there.
Tomorrow I'll hit 34 weeks. That means I only have six weeks left. It's gone by so slowly, but I finally feel like we're getting there. Pregnancy can be scary if you're a realist like me, and I am so eternally grateful that everything has been fine so far and that I feel pretty good, and I'll continue to hope for the best. Late pregnancy is the best stage (except for the major hindrance of toting around a humongous belly). You can feel the baby move all the time. I appreciate every startling jab to the ribs and head butt to the bladder, and the hiccups are just so funny. What a crazy and amazing process this is. Good times.
That's probably more than you needed to know. Nighty night!
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Progress Made
Finally, something noticeable has happened with the nursery. After probably 12 loads of laundry over the last few weeks, it seems that we're finally getting organized. It looks pretty underwhelming right now, as I have yet to bite the bullet on a nursery glider and a bookcase, and also I haven't hung anything on the walls yet. But compared with cleaning out all the old stuff that was in there and getting all the little things organized, the rest seems like no big deal. Furthermore, I finally got up early to get started on washing the cloth diapers, as many of them required being put through five (5!) wash cycles before being ready to soak up lots of pee and poo. And I'm happy to announce that they're finally ready for pee galore! I'll undoubtedly be adding more diapers to the collection, but I've got what I need for now.
Just to give you an idea, here is a picture of the nursery before.
And now.
And here's the organized closet!
I know that pictures of a closet do little to boost a person's excitement, unless you're the person that actually cleaned the closet. So just humor me, please.
Other than that, it was a pretty good and mellow weekend. All the usual stuff happened...hit the gym, went out to lunch, caught a flick at the Camelview theatre, made the rounds at Costco and Trader Joe's, caught up on my favorite Food Network show, and we'll probably take a dip in the pool with our neighbor-family later today. Dylan has been working hard at replacing the flooring in my closet while I've been working hard in the nursery. He ripped up the old carpet, which was straight foul from all the dog pee, and he's in the process of laying down laminate flooring...which hopefully the dogs won't use as their personal toilet this time. And now we have the big idea to do the same thing in the office but don't know if we can stomach such a huge undertaking. I know, it's a thrilling way of life out here.
The movie we saw was The Way, Way Back with Steve Carell. Dylan and I both really enjoyed it, except that Steve plays the part of a real jerk, which does not suit him well. It was much better than the movie we saw last weekend, This is The End, which starred all the Superbad goofballs. It was entertaining, but I wouldn't see it unless you're a HUGE Seth Rogan/James Franco/Jonah Hill/Michael Cera/etc. fan.
I had the big idea for us to head north to the cooler air to take our dogs on a hike and get lunch for one day this weekend, but when I had a difficult time getting comfortable in the car just on the way to the gym, I decided that a two hour car ride was probably not in the cards for me. I now gladly accept assistance when getting up from a sitting or lying position. And it seems we've got a feisty baby on our hands...at our first birthing class the other night, the baby was moving around with such zest that the girls behind us commented on how much my belly was jumping around. It really is quite a sight to behold. I think he's getting claustrophobic in there, so I don't blame him for trying to punch and kick his way out. His face is so jammed down into my pelvis that they could hardly get a look at it on the ultrasound. If he can just hold tight for a few weeks so his dad doesn't have to miss out on his birth and I can get a few more things done around here, then we'll be ready. But I'm sure he'll hold out much longer than that if it all unfolds in the usual way.
So that is the status on my life and my body. I hope the summer is treating you well and that you find relief from the heat. I would love to escape this place for a bit, but I'm pretty much homebound, mostly because traveling sounds like no fun at all and also because I'm in nesting mode. If you need me, you'll be able to find me at home, cooking meals for the freezer and cleaning the house...unless I'm working, or at an appointment, or at a lunch or dinner date, or at the gym, or at a birthing class, or doing a whole host of other things...you get the point. Buh-Bye.
Just to give you an idea, here is a picture of the nursery before.
And now.
And here's the organized closet!
I know that pictures of a closet do little to boost a person's excitement, unless you're the person that actually cleaned the closet. So just humor me, please.
Other than that, it was a pretty good and mellow weekend. All the usual stuff happened...hit the gym, went out to lunch, caught a flick at the Camelview theatre, made the rounds at Costco and Trader Joe's, caught up on my favorite Food Network show, and we'll probably take a dip in the pool with our neighbor-family later today. Dylan has been working hard at replacing the flooring in my closet while I've been working hard in the nursery. He ripped up the old carpet, which was straight foul from all the dog pee, and he's in the process of laying down laminate flooring...which hopefully the dogs won't use as their personal toilet this time. And now we have the big idea to do the same thing in the office but don't know if we can stomach such a huge undertaking. I know, it's a thrilling way of life out here.
The movie we saw was The Way, Way Back with Steve Carell. Dylan and I both really enjoyed it, except that Steve plays the part of a real jerk, which does not suit him well. It was much better than the movie we saw last weekend, This is The End, which starred all the Superbad goofballs. It was entertaining, but I wouldn't see it unless you're a HUGE Seth Rogan/James Franco/Jonah Hill/Michael Cera/etc. fan.
I had the big idea for us to head north to the cooler air to take our dogs on a hike and get lunch for one day this weekend, but when I had a difficult time getting comfortable in the car just on the way to the gym, I decided that a two hour car ride was probably not in the cards for me. I now gladly accept assistance when getting up from a sitting or lying position. And it seems we've got a feisty baby on our hands...at our first birthing class the other night, the baby was moving around with such zest that the girls behind us commented on how much my belly was jumping around. It really is quite a sight to behold. I think he's getting claustrophobic in there, so I don't blame him for trying to punch and kick his way out. His face is so jammed down into my pelvis that they could hardly get a look at it on the ultrasound. If he can just hold tight for a few weeks so his dad doesn't have to miss out on his birth and I can get a few more things done around here, then we'll be ready. But I'm sure he'll hold out much longer than that if it all unfolds in the usual way.
So that is the status on my life and my body. I hope the summer is treating you well and that you find relief from the heat. I would love to escape this place for a bit, but I'm pretty much homebound, mostly because traveling sounds like no fun at all and also because I'm in nesting mode. If you need me, you'll be able to find me at home, cooking meals for the freezer and cleaning the house...unless I'm working, or at an appointment, or at a lunch or dinner date, or at the gym, or at a birthing class, or doing a whole host of other things...you get the point. Buh-Bye.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Well Above Average
The average person finishes pursuing higher education at some age WAY younger than 26. (I was 26.)
The average woman gets married at age 25. (I was 27.)
The average couple has been married for 2 years before having their first child. (We've been married over 4 years.)
The average woman has first child at age 27. (I will be 31.)
Some people may think of this as failing to mature in a timely manner, but I like to think of it as maximizing the benefit of each phase of life before closing the door and moving onto the next. Or just being above average, in general.
So it's no wonder that this kid of mine is measuring WAY above average in the 98th percentile at 5lbs 5oz at only 33 weeks. That means he is about the size of a small full-term baby but with about 7 weeks yet to grow. If you look at how fast babies grow in the last couple months and do the math, that has him exiting my body at about 57 pounds. I have heard many, many people say that this ultrasound measurement was really inaccurate for their babies, so that brings me some peace of mind. But the doctor is taking it pretty seriously and had me schedule an extra ultrasound in a few weeks to check him out again. When she came in the room and read the ultrasound results she said, "5 pounds 5 ounces at 33 weeks. That is impressive." But everything else looked good, so for that I am grateful. And really, when you look at my belly is it any surprise at all that I'm growing a whopper-baby?
It seems as though, on many different occasions, ladies who are nearing the end of their pregnancy are just big and tired and ready to get their babies out of their bodies. They will the child to come a few weeks early. And it never happens that way. The baby always seems to stay put right up until or after the due date, and the mother is left to suffer through the last few weeks. So I'm probably just going to be another one of those ladies. But, in my mind the baby is coming early. With the way my uterus has been contracting like crazy and how when I get up from laying or sitting, the baby has his head jammed into his port of exit causing me to grab myself in inappropriate ways because it HURTS, I'm thinking that he's already received his eviction notice from my uterus and will be making an early entrance. And now with the results of this ultrasound, I'm thinking (hoping) that maybe for once we will fall below the average and he'll get here a little early so he doesn't rip my body in half on the way out. In any case, I'm just hoping for everyone to be healthy, as always. Plus, I really do feel fine, just easily fatigued and overheated, so as long as he comes when he's good and ready, everyone will be happy. I'm getting excited to meet this little bugger!
The average woman gets married at age 25. (I was 27.)
The average couple has been married for 2 years before having their first child. (We've been married over 4 years.)
The average woman has first child at age 27. (I will be 31.)
Some people may think of this as failing to mature in a timely manner, but I like to think of it as maximizing the benefit of each phase of life before closing the door and moving onto the next. Or just being above average, in general.
So it's no wonder that this kid of mine is measuring WAY above average in the 98th percentile at 5lbs 5oz at only 33 weeks. That means he is about the size of a small full-term baby but with about 7 weeks yet to grow. If you look at how fast babies grow in the last couple months and do the math, that has him exiting my body at about 57 pounds. I have heard many, many people say that this ultrasound measurement was really inaccurate for their babies, so that brings me some peace of mind. But the doctor is taking it pretty seriously and had me schedule an extra ultrasound in a few weeks to check him out again. When she came in the room and read the ultrasound results she said, "5 pounds 5 ounces at 33 weeks. That is impressive." But everything else looked good, so for that I am grateful. And really, when you look at my belly is it any surprise at all that I'm growing a whopper-baby?
It seems as though, on many different occasions, ladies who are nearing the end of their pregnancy are just big and tired and ready to get their babies out of their bodies. They will the child to come a few weeks early. And it never happens that way. The baby always seems to stay put right up until or after the due date, and the mother is left to suffer through the last few weeks. So I'm probably just going to be another one of those ladies. But, in my mind the baby is coming early. With the way my uterus has been contracting like crazy and how when I get up from laying or sitting, the baby has his head jammed into his port of exit causing me to grab myself in inappropriate ways because it HURTS, I'm thinking that he's already received his eviction notice from my uterus and will be making an early entrance. And now with the results of this ultrasound, I'm thinking (hoping) that maybe for once we will fall below the average and he'll get here a little early so he doesn't rip my body in half on the way out. In any case, I'm just hoping for everyone to be healthy, as always. Plus, I really do feel fine, just easily fatigued and overheated, so as long as he comes when he's good and ready, everyone will be happy. I'm getting excited to meet this little bugger!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Showered With Love
This past weekend I was given TWO baby showers by my loving family. First, my sister, friend, and neighbor, Kristin, threw me a pool party themed shower at her house on Saturday. The record-breaking 118 temps made it too hot for a bunch of pregnant ladies to go outside to even get in the pool, but that did not stop us from having a great time! Kristin put so much time and thoughtful planning into this shower. Thanks so much, K! If you've ever been to any of her parties, you know that the decorations are always fantastic, and so is the food! This was no exception, and it even included an awesome diaper wreath. She went above and beyond, and I am so grateful.
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My mom spearheaded a committee with my aunts, as well as help from my cousin Sumer and dear friend Jess L, to throw me a nautical themed baby shower on Sunday. They surprised me with the cutest decorations, an awesome cake, and tasty food. We had a great turnout that included family, friends of mine, and friends of the family. It was so nice to see everyone. I felt very loved and came home with some great loot! This baby will be so spoiled. He has just about everything he needs, but now it's just a matter of getting it all organized. Thank you so much to everyone who came out to celebrate the little guy and for all of your generous gifts.
My mom snapped a bunch of great pictures at the shower, so I'm sure I"ll have more to post in the future.
It was an overwhelming, exhausting, and amazing weekend, and I am so appreciative to my family for all the time that went into planning this special weekend for me. It couldn't have been any better.
And just one last shout out to family...my nephew Hudson is so darling and so excited for his cousin. He asks me "How's your baby doing?" all the time, and lists all the things he will teach the baby to do. So far that includes:
Riding a bike
Riding a motorcycle
Riding in a monster truck
Riding a quad
Brushing his teeth
Swimming
Reading stories
And more!
The list grows every day. He also asked Uncle the other night, "Hey Uncle, how does the baby get out of Lulu's belly?" I don't think he really wants to know about that quite yet. How lucky we are to have two precious nephews across the street to show our kid the ropes. We are all excited for the memories to be made.
Thanks to K for capturing this cute shot.
Have a fun and safe 4th of July! Over and out!
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My mom spearheaded a committee with my aunts, as well as help from my cousin Sumer and dear friend Jess L, to throw me a nautical themed baby shower on Sunday. They surprised me with the cutest decorations, an awesome cake, and tasty food. We had a great turnout that included family, friends of mine, and friends of the family. It was so nice to see everyone. I felt very loved and came home with some great loot! This baby will be so spoiled. He has just about everything he needs, but now it's just a matter of getting it all organized. Thank you so much to everyone who came out to celebrate the little guy and for all of your generous gifts.
 |
| With my cousin's girls, Bianca and Felicia |
 |
| Sumer and me with our Aunties and Moms. |
My mom snapped a bunch of great pictures at the shower, so I'm sure I"ll have more to post in the future.
And just one last shout out to family...my nephew Hudson is so darling and so excited for his cousin. He asks me "How's your baby doing?" all the time, and lists all the things he will teach the baby to do. So far that includes:
Riding a bike
Riding a motorcycle
Riding in a monster truck
Riding a quad
Brushing his teeth
Swimming
Reading stories
And more!
The list grows every day. He also asked Uncle the other night, "Hey Uncle, how does the baby get out of Lulu's belly?" I don't think he really wants to know about that quite yet. How lucky we are to have two precious nephews across the street to show our kid the ropes. We are all excited for the memories to be made.
 |
| Baby Love. The baby loves you too, H! |
Thanks to K for capturing this cute shot.
Have a fun and safe 4th of July! Over and out!
Friday, June 28, 2013
Which is Bigger?
The baby growing in my belly, or this monstrous zucchini from Ben and Amanda's garden? My vote is the baby. I wish somebody would offer to carry this belly for a little while. I am tired. And can you believe I still have two months to go? How is this even going to work?
We'll get an ultrasound soon to take some measurements and find out just how big he really is. Legend has it that my grandmother gave birth to her first child, my oldest uncle, at home in the old country of Sicily, and he weighed in at a whopping 13 pounds! Despite this experience, my grandmother then went on to have seven more children. The subsequent babies probably had no trouble at all finding their way out of the birth canal. I am hoping for better luck than she had.
The heat is insane, and yet I am hanging in there and doing fine for the most part. I'll be at
32 weeks this coming week. Does that mean I can say I'm 8 months pregnant? It feels like cheating, since a calendar month is usually slightly longer than four weeks. Who really cares anyway. Well, the most difficult two months are yet to come, so I haven't lost sight of the fact things are not going to get any easier. Here's to hoping for the best, and I am off to bake some zucchini bread. Thanks B & A!
We'll get an ultrasound soon to take some measurements and find out just how big he really is. Legend has it that my grandmother gave birth to her first child, my oldest uncle, at home in the old country of Sicily, and he weighed in at a whopping 13 pounds! Despite this experience, my grandmother then went on to have seven more children. The subsequent babies probably had no trouble at all finding their way out of the birth canal. I am hoping for better luck than she had.
 |
| The view from below is the scariest of all. |
The heat is insane, and yet I am hanging in there and doing fine for the most part. I'll be at
Friday, June 21, 2013
Speaking of...
Everything is status quo around here. After battling an intense fatigue for the last few days, I think I am up and at 'em again. I thought for a short moment that I might be ready to throw in the towel on work and everything else productive and just sleep for the next 10 weeks straight. I knew something was out of the ordinary when I was waiting at the light to get on the freeway yesterday morning and I had to try to keep my body in motion so I wouldn't fall asleep. But then my energy found its way back into my life somewhere around midday today, and everything was right with me again. So right, in fact, that I was able to meet up with Dylan for our favorite sushi happy hour this afternoon.
Speaking of sushi, I was telling Lukas at work today that I don't know what I miss more right now...spicy tuna or alcohol. But actually, I miss being comfortable when sitting in any position more than anything, I think. I am, however, really, really glad that nothing is swollen. With a history of poor circulation, I thought I'd be sporting hobbit feet starting several months ago, but I'm still wearing my same rings and same shoes. Let's hope I can keep it up!
Speaking of positions, I think this child in my belly is really big because when I sit still or in certain positions his movements make me feel like my guts are being pushed around, and it looks I have an alien life form in my belly, and it's an odd sensation.
Speaking of guts, or not really, I took advantage of a free facial and a discounted massage special this week, and it was heavenly.
Speaking of spa stuff, tomorrow kicks off a summer of baby showers (seven to be exact!) with Anne's spa-themed baby shower. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of great ladies.
Speaking of tomorrow, I'm also going to a pool/birthday party, where nobody will actually get to (or want to) see this body in a bathing suit. But we'll have lots of great food and great times. I've been instructed to BYONAB (bring your own non-alcoholic beverage). Drinks sans alcohol are in short supply at a pool party, especially one sponsored by a co-worker of mine, as one would expect.
Speaking of work, Dylan got up and went to work for a full day every day this week. This is not such a huge feat for the average person, but for someone who has never worked at a desk job or something with normal business hours, it is sort of a big deal. When I offered to pack him a lunch he explained that no thanks, he'll have to go out and get something because otherwise he'd be inside that building all day. (Goodness, can you imagine the horror in that?) But, when all was said and done, he came home a lot more cheerful and energetic than did yours truly each evening. He passed his oral exam and check ride today. Yay!
Speaking of Dylan, have you seen his brother's crazy successful Kickstarter campaign? Having never been a gamer, or a person interested in space, I am unable to get into the details of the board game that he's been designing for the last seven years, but it's received amazing reviews and astonishing support on Kickstarter. The campaign ends in three hours...hurry and support him so you can get a copy of what is sure to be next year's Game of the Year. We are all impressed, Cody, but I think your brother Dylan is your biggest fan. I've received minute-by-minute updates from him, and he is so very excited for you.
That is all.
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