44 Days Until Baby

Look what I got for FREE today!

I am pretty excited! It was the last big thing I needed.

46 & 45 Days Until Baby

When I first found out I was pregnant I was prepared for certain changes in my body and in my life. I expected morning sickness (which I strangely only had like once). I expected stretch marks. I expected mood swings. What I didn't expect was how much it would affect SLEEP.

For one thing I am so0o tired. I think that there was a brief grace period somewhere in the second trimester where I felt like I could function on less than 12 hours of sleep. Definitely not the entire second trimester like I was led to believe (thanks a lot What To Expect!) but a few weeks. Unfortunately, that means about 35 weeks of my pregnancy have been spent sleeping 12 hours a day. That is 17.5 WEEKS OF SLEEP!

Which might sound good to some but this isn't really great, soul restoring, relaxation inducing sleep. It is struggling to find a position where I won't smush the baby/smush my back/smush my face and trying to find a position where my feet won't swell and the heartburn won't flare up, and then dozing of for about 45 minutes until my first of no less than 4 bathroom trips of the night (even though I haven't had a sip of water for hours). After each trip it is another 15-30 minutes of adjustment until the next time I wake up to repeat the cycle all over again.

Even more strangely, sometimes during these trips I will wake up and not be able to fall asleep...Until whatever time it is that I should be waking up and then I sleep half of the next day and wake up in time to cook dinner and then it happens.

Again. and Again. and Again.

And this is how I have spent 17.5 weeks of my life.

Maybe I should have expected it but I totally didn't.

-45 Days Until Baby

47 Days Until Baby

Hello, Hello!

Today has been a pretty good day.

I spent a couple of hours running errands and such and even though it wasn't much it feels good just to...get out. I never realized (or maybe I did, but just tried to ignore the fact) how difficult it was going to be to take so much time off between school and work. Unfortunately, even at 24 or 25 weeks pregnant, when I first came home from school, I was already to obviously pregnant to be hired by anyone who actually needs a specific job to be filled. I am managing, trying to frame it in my mind as relaxation as opposed to boredom.

Anyway, I digress. I began this post by saying it was a good day and indeed, it was.

I was finally able to get in touch with my doctor this morning regarding the concerns I had from my last appointment about low amniotic fluid. I spoke with her on the phone and she said that my fluid levels are adequate but I need to drink more water (I guess because they are on the lower end of adequate???) Luckily, neither the doctor or the nurse laughed at me on the phone which was a plus (I am a bit of a worrier, and they have picked up on this!) and hopefully at my next appointment they will be nice as well...

Later, while I was out running errands I decided to stop by a gift store to look for Thank You cards, as my baby shower is this Saturday and I wanted to make sure that I am able to send out the cards in somewhat of a timely fashion. Luckily, the store was going out of business so everything there was 75 % off! I bought 28 really cute cards for only $6.60. I tried to find a picture online and then when that didn't work I tried to take a picture but that didn't work either so you are just gonna have to trust me...they are cute. And I get really excited about good deals (way too excited about them for someone my age at least...or anyone under the age of 40 for that matter.) If I am able to either find a pic or take a good one I will definitely post. I was definitely worried about being able to afford cards that were not cheesy and I am so glad I was able to.

I also had my second to last childbirth class today. It sort of got off to a rocky start... My little sister who has been my "support" person and I got into a bit of a tiff about her showing up at the house late to leave for the class and then her saying that she didn't want to go to the stupid class anyway. It made me really mad so I told her to stay then and I would go by myself and I did.

Her attitude just really bothered me... I never really wanted for her to be the person... I mean I appreciate that she was willing, considering I am going through this pregnancy alone and such, but your little sister isn't exactly the person you want to be leaning on through hours of hard labor. I am not really sure she wanted to be either, I am sort of convinced that it may have been something orchestrated by our mother and she led both of us to feel obligated to fill the role to the other in fear of hurting the others feelings... I actually just thought that all out as I typed and I am pretty sure that is the case. It is just a bad situation because it has led to sooo many arguments between my sister and I and this awkwards resentment... I had a friend who had offered to take the class with me too and it probably would have been a lot more fun with her so I just wish it never happened how it did but it did so I guess now I can just move on...Next class I will probably go to by myself and then its over.

The content of today's class was relaxation and pain management techniques and also post-partum care. I am trying to think of anything in particular that stuck out but am drawing a blank.... The nurse suggested using a plug-in air freshener in a scent like lavendar to aid in relaxation. I am considering adding this to the list of things to bring to the hospital because I think it might be a good idea.

They also showed us these mesh underwear that they give women post-partum which I really don't get at all. I didn't see how they would fit on a woman??? Maybe I just needed to actually hold them to get a better idea. Hmm...

On an unrelated note I did end up catching Entourage last night. It was good. I'm excited for this season!

I think now I might grab a blanket and watch The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Please don't tell anyone!

-47 Days Until Baby

53, 52, 51, 50, 49 & 48 Days Until Baby

Akk.

So I am way far behind. My original plan really was to post here everyday. I promise those were my intentions. The whole countdown from 101 days is a lot less effective when I am trying to post about a week. I literally can't remember where I parked 20 minutes ago, much less recount the trials and tribulations of my life for an entire week at a time (although, admittedly the life I am recounting is a bit dull at the time). It is just too overwhelming.

Some things I can tell you about the past few days.

• Worst. Doctors. Appointment. Ever. this Wednesday. Stupid internal exam SUCKED and they told me the fluid surrounding the baby is low. The doctor didn't seem too concerned but google has freaked me out so now I am going to demand that they at least look into the situation a little more closely. Find out how low is low and make sure baby looks perfect, stuff like that. Is this crazy? She says she isn't concerned because the baby is still growing, but do we wait until she stops growing to worry? Also, fluid levels can effect development of certain organs, to little can lead to cord compression, etc. I can't just trust her without a little more investigation/reassurance. I already have such a hard time feeling baby's movements and it makes me more nervous that something could go wrong.
• My thoughts are still a little dark but I have been doing a lot better than I was.
• I am rethinking law school because I am worried I won't be able to get a job to pay back all of the loans...and I am not really positive I want to be a lawyer. I don't know what else I would do though and sadly enough a huge reason I am considering keeping with law school (as opposed to another form of grad school) is that I already have lsac submitted recommendation letters (I wouldn't have to scramble for more.)
• My insurance is being a PAIN.
• Our kittens are currently huge sources of entertainment...We watch them forever at a time.
• I finally finished reading the book about little people. It wasn't what I wanted it to be but it was okay. Now I am reading The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan which is a random choice but it was really cheap at a book sale and I like Amy Tan so I went for it. Since I have been home it feels like I can't really get into books the way I used to. I read like 15 pages and I am tired. I have NEVER been like this. I used to be the kind of person who could lay in bed and read for HOURS.
• I miss boys. I really want a boy that is my boy. I have never had a serious relationship before (and I am pregnant...does that even make sense) but now I crave the stability. The random boys thing obviously hasn't worked out. Unfortunately I have a feeling it will be quite a while before I can even think about dating...
• My baby shower is in less than a week. About 7 of my friends say they are coming and I am hoping at least most of them show because I am afraid I will be crushed if they don't. (There is also family and family friends but these are friends from college, from my old life, that I am really hoping to get to see.) It is amazing what a source of anxiety baby showers can become.
• As of yesterday I am 33 weeks pregnant. Yikes. Supposedly the baby is putting on 5-9 oz every single week from this point on and is about 4 pounds already. I can't believe it. It's like...a baby now or something!
• Entourage started tonight! It is actually on as I type...But I forgot when exactly it was premeiring so now I have to wait to watch it.

OHHHHH. And I almost forgot. For the sake of this blog we have crossed a VERY important milestone. My countdown is OVER halfway done. Granted, the baby could be born a little late or whatever but still. It is hard to believe that 53 days have passed in this pregnancy since I have begun. The baby had grown and developed so much.

Yet, we still have so far to go!

-48 Days Until Baby

54 Days Until Baby

I am OVER halfway done with childbirth classes! I am a little disappointed because these classes are one of the few things I have to do in life (it's sad I know, don't judge me!) but it also means I am getting closer and closer to the BABY!

Today's class was on pain management and breastfeeding.

The pain management part wasn't exactly satisfactory. I had read about something called a walking epidural, with which you are still able to move around during labor which is good, it helps avoid the stall in labor that can be caused by an epidural which sometimes leads to a c-section. What I wanted was a really thorough comparison of the two to better help me make my decision and instead I got two sentences out of the nurse, even after asking for clarification. At this point I am seriously considering just getting the standard epidural because I am frustrated with the little bit I have learned about the walking epidural.

I was a little happier with the info learned in the breastfeeding part of the class. Our substitute teacher for the day is the actual lactation specialist at the hospital so she seemed really knowledgeable. What I appreciated the most is that it seems as if she is pretty much willing to meet with women whenever after the baby is born in cases where you are having problems and such. I was worried that I would have to find (and pay for) a service like this so I am excited to learn that it is just sort of an available service.

I think the best thing about my class might be the snacks. They have all of these chips and cookies and random things to choose from. Today I had these really yummy chips.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/files/2009/01/hpim1319.jpg

I tried to add a picture but it wouldn't let me! They are REALLY yummy if you haven't tried them. They also had mini cokes but I had already had quite a bit of caffeine today so I restrained myself and didn't have one even though I LOVE Coke. And anything mini for that matter, so it was extra hard not to! I can't figure out what the "safe zone" is for caffeine and from what I understand I pretty much push it on a daily basis. I was able to quit all of my other bad habits, quit lunch meat, quit hot dogs...I take vitamins pretty much every single day and have for a very long time. I just can't stop with the soda and sweet tea. I'm not sure why but it is insane how addicted I am.

In other pregnancy related news I invested in bio oil today which says it will minimize the appearance of existing scars and stretchmarks and prevent new ones. I also bought the Palmer's stretch mark stuff so I am going to see how well I can fare in the battle against stretch marks...

I will definitely keep you updated!

-54 Days Until Baby

57,56 & 55 Days Until Baby

Despite still not feeling well it ended up to be a pretty nice 4th of July weekend.

It is interesting to see how other people react to my pregnancy as I am getting bigger and bigger. There are the name questions (No, I still don't have one. Yes, _____ is a good name I will definitely think about it.) and comments on my size (which range from whale references to I can't believe you are so tiny). I get overly personal questions to which I use the relationship I have with the asker to determine the most appropriate way to avoid them.

I really wish I had been able to enjoy being outside just a little more yesterday. This cold/allergy/whatever it is definitely had me hiding in the house for the sake of breathing. I had so much family around, and it was nice to visit, but I spent a lot of time just sitting in the house gossiping with old ladies.

I am way tooo cool :)

Yesterday also marked 32 weeks pregnant! Only 8 more weeks until my due date. When the baby will be born has become a recent topic of discussion as the end is almost in sight, I can't believe I can finally say I am due next month (even though it is still basically 2 months away, probably more if the baby is born late). It sounds soon. I have gotten requests and basically I was told that I am not allowed to have the baby any day but Friday or Saturday, and Thursday's the family would be slightly annoyed but could manage. Personally, if I am late enough to be induced and have any choice in the matter , I think September 9th, 2009 would be kind of a cool birthday to have (and that is a Wednesday).

It is hard to believe I am far enough along to where there are no huge developmental milestones, pretty much the baby (and I) are just getting bigger and bigger. Of course major organs are developing further, which is critical, but the parts and pieces are all finally there. It is hard to believe a few months ago the weekly update would be "Now baby has eyeballs" or whatever. I can't believe how far I have come.

On another sadder note, I have been obsessing over my little stretch marks. I really thought I was gonna get lucky.

-55 Days Until Baby

62, 61, 60, 59 & 58 Days Until Baby

I am sorry for not posting lately.

So sick.

Hopefully I will be feeling better and have a lot to write about the holiday weekend.

Until then, if you want to help me name this baby vote here:

http://www.babynames.com/namelist/9718176

I promise more as soon as I am feeling well!!!

-58 Days Until Baby

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