I'm now counting my weeks changing on Saturday, to go with my new due date of May 24th, but I've been too lazy to change my ticker at the top of the page, so it's 2 days ahead.
I think I've turned a corner this week. I'm still really tired, but have days with no icky feelings. Now I feel sick mostly if I let myself get too hungry. My mood has also improved (thank goodness). I've actually been in a good mood the past couple of evenings versus before when anyone who spoke to me was at risk of having their heads ripped off. This has certainly improved conversation between Eric and I. I think he's glad it's getting better too.
My next belly picture isn't due until next week, but I certainly think I'm "showing" now. If I tell someone I'm pregnant, they notice my little bulge. I also am wearing maternity pants the majority of the time. Haven't felt the need to switch shirts yet, but probably will need to in the next few weeks.
Timing of the "feeling better" part seems to closely coincide with Grace's pregnancy, although I hadn't switched to maternity clothes yet that time.
In other news, Grace has been making progress on the potty front. She's very good at daycare. She wears underwear all day except for naptimes and her only accidents are usually poopy accidents or if she's playing outside and they don't make it inside fast enough (although she's telling them she has to go). At home she sometimes goes when waking up (although many mornings her pull-up is wet, so she doesn't have anymore to go. She also will go before or after her bath on most nights. They usually send her home in underwear only, so we've been going without pull-ups until bedtime. I haven't tried her for a whole weekend yet. I was going to this weekend, but we have a pampered chef party to go to and I'm nervous about accidents when we aren't at home. I still ask her about going even when she's in a pull-up, but she doesn't always say yes and rarely tells me she has to go if she's not in underwear.
Ok, gotta get dressed for the party.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Painting in the Sun
Because pictures of Grace were requested. Here are pictures from our visit to the pumpkin farm a couple of weeks ago. Click the picture to visit the set in Flickr.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
8 week 5 day ultrasound
I had my first official doctor's appointment today, thus the photos...Here's the play-by-play.
My nurse appointment was at 10:00 a.m. They took me back and had me give a urine sample. Eric hadn't arrived yet, but he came in right after I was done. Then they weighed me. I'd gain one pound since my appointment a couple weeks ago. Then we went to an office to sit with the nurse. She took my blood pressure 114/71. Then she asked some questions relating to my medical history/previous birth etc. Then she went over some information they gave me in a packet. A pregnancy book, some flyers on the hospital, pain management, drugs I'm allowed or not while pregnant, etc. Then she did a TB test. After that, they sent me to the lab (still in the doctor's office) to take some blood. I didn't really pay attention to what they are testing for. We finished all that by 10:30, so we went back to the waiting room to wait until Dr. B was ready to see me at 11:00.
Once we went back to that appointment, I had to undress and get under the gown. Dr. B asked me a couple more questions about Grace's birth. We told her about her size (8lb, 11 oz, 6 days early) and the shoulder dystocia). We confirmed no other pregnancy complications last time. Spontaneous labor with my water breaking and contractions starting afterwards. She went over the schedule of visist and ultrasounds. I'll have appts. every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, at that point they'll go to every 2 weeks, and then at 36 weeks, I'll start going weekly. She'll do another ultrasound between 17-19 weeks to look for any abnormalities (and the sex if we want), then because Eric and I were both large babies and we had a large baby, she'll likely do an ultrasound at 32-34 weeks to see what she estimates the size of this one to be. If it looks to be on track to be about the same as Grace, she'll let nature take it's course (at least until my due date). However, if this one looks much bigger, she may suggest an amnio to check for lung maturity and an early induction.
We discussed a couple more important questions including what types of cheese I need to avoid and exactly how dangerous they are. Bad news, I need to completely avoid soft cheeses including blue, feta, gorganzola, goat, and brie unless I can be sure they are pasturized (like my Feta from the grocery store that says it's pasturized on the package). The risk is from Listeria which if you get can make you very sick (pregnant or not), but if you get it while pregnant, you can miscarry or lose the baby, even into the 2nd trimester. The good news is that heating or other processing kills Listeria, so it's ok to have melted blue cheese on a steak or blue cheese dressing that has been processed.
She told me not to worry about my Mammogram and X-Ray. She said that radiation in early pregnancy can cause miscarriage, but since I didn't, nothing to worry about now. It's an "all or nothing" type of risk. She said MRI's are fine and if I need a breast MRI during pregnancy, it would be perfectly safe.
Finally we had the ultrasound. The baby did look much larger than last time. It measured just a hair over 2 cm and appears to have a head area and a body (approximately equal sizes). Upon closer examination, the heart was still happily beating away. My placenta is high up (good) and probably posterior (back of the uterus). We got to see the cord also. As we were looking the baby twitched, so it's beginning to have movement. At this stage it's mostly trunk and torso movements because the arms and legs aren't fully extended yet. Although at the very end we saw a tiny arm fly up like it was waving to us. I think it looks mostly like an alien pinto bean, but I'm sure it will get cuter.
My nurse appointment was at 10:00 a.m. They took me back and had me give a urine sample. Eric hadn't arrived yet, but he came in right after I was done. Then they weighed me. I'd gain one pound since my appointment a couple weeks ago. Then we went to an office to sit with the nurse. She took my blood pressure 114/71. Then she asked some questions relating to my medical history/previous birth etc. Then she went over some information they gave me in a packet. A pregnancy book, some flyers on the hospital, pain management, drugs I'm allowed or not while pregnant, etc. Then she did a TB test. After that, they sent me to the lab (still in the doctor's office) to take some blood. I didn't really pay attention to what they are testing for. We finished all that by 10:30, so we went back to the waiting room to wait until Dr. B was ready to see me at 11:00.
Once we went back to that appointment, I had to undress and get under the gown. Dr. B asked me a couple more questions about Grace's birth. We told her about her size (8lb, 11 oz, 6 days early) and the shoulder dystocia). We confirmed no other pregnancy complications last time. Spontaneous labor with my water breaking and contractions starting afterwards. She went over the schedule of visist and ultrasounds. I'll have appts. every 4 weeks until 28 weeks, at that point they'll go to every 2 weeks, and then at 36 weeks, I'll start going weekly. She'll do another ultrasound between 17-19 weeks to look for any abnormalities (and the sex if we want), then because Eric and I were both large babies and we had a large baby, she'll likely do an ultrasound at 32-34 weeks to see what she estimates the size of this one to be. If it looks to be on track to be about the same as Grace, she'll let nature take it's course (at least until my due date). However, if this one looks much bigger, she may suggest an amnio to check for lung maturity and an early induction.
We discussed a couple more important questions including what types of cheese I need to avoid and exactly how dangerous they are. Bad news, I need to completely avoid soft cheeses including blue, feta, gorganzola, goat, and brie unless I can be sure they are pasturized (like my Feta from the grocery store that says it's pasturized on the package). The risk is from Listeria which if you get can make you very sick (pregnant or not), but if you get it while pregnant, you can miscarry or lose the baby, even into the 2nd trimester. The good news is that heating or other processing kills Listeria, so it's ok to have melted blue cheese on a steak or blue cheese dressing that has been processed.
She told me not to worry about my Mammogram and X-Ray. She said that radiation in early pregnancy can cause miscarriage, but since I didn't, nothing to worry about now. It's an "all or nothing" type of risk. She said MRI's are fine and if I need a breast MRI during pregnancy, it would be perfectly safe.
Finally we had the ultrasound. The baby did look much larger than last time. It measured just a hair over 2 cm and appears to have a head area and a body (approximately equal sizes). Upon closer examination, the heart was still happily beating away. My placenta is high up (good) and probably posterior (back of the uterus). We got to see the cord also. As we were looking the baby twitched, so it's beginning to have movement. At this stage it's mostly trunk and torso movements because the arms and legs aren't fully extended yet. Although at the very end we saw a tiny arm fly up like it was waving to us. I think it looks mostly like an alien pinto bean, but I'm sure it will get cuter.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
8 Weeks, 1 Day (4 days later)
I wrote this last Friday (8 weeks, 1 day), but never got around to posting. So here’s how I felt at 8 weeks. I also took a belly picture that day and uploaded it finally last night.
Here is the comparison between my 8 week symptoms with Grace and 8 week symptoms with #2 (I need a better name.)
Last time my symptoms included:
• Nausea (worst between 8 and11 a.m.) – This time I am generally more queasy than nauseous, but mostly an overwhelming “blah” sensation. It does seem to get worse if I’m hungry, but then I feel less like eating. I feel the best right after lunch, but then I get extremely tired. UPDATED: Now closer to 9 weeks, we’ve moved from queasy to nauseous. Uggh.
• I had lost 2 to 3 pounds. – No losing weight. I’ve gained about 3 pounds. Not an obscene amount, but still going the opposite direction.
• Bra size increased by 1 cup size. – This time it doesn’t seem as noticeable, although Eric’s made some comments. I haven’t switched to a bigger size or anything. UPDATED: Had some growth since last Friday. I think I wore my favorite black push-up bra for the last time this week.
• Fast growing fingernails. – This time I haven’t really noticed any abnormal growth.
• Wanted more carbs and milk, but less protein. – This time I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary, except I want my food to be very flavorful. Sodium sounds good. I had to get Chinese the other day and alfredo sauce sounds wonderful. No problems eating any kind of meat. I haven’t really been drinking milk either, although I had cereal a couple days this week and did have some milk and graham crackers for a snack one night.
• Slight constipation – This time I have no noticeable constipation. If anything I’ve been incredibly regular
• Fatigue – worse after lunch and right at 5 pm. – This time it’s getting bad. I would die for a nap everyday, but life doesn’t really allow for that. I am barely on time for work in the mornings (can’t get out of bed). I also catch myself drifting off while watching TV which I never used to do.
• Increased emotionalism. This time nothing really obvious. Although, the dog has been incredibly annoying lately. I find myself snapping at Grace when she’s whiney, and I think I’m complaining a lot at work about feeling icky. UPDATED – I’m more cranky with Eric too. He’s kind of walking on egg shells.
• Acne (a couple of blemishes) – This time, thankfully, no problems.
• Felt like waistline was expanding – This time I have pulled out my “fat pants” from after I had Grace. I also made a purchase and pulled all my maternity clothes out. I’m going to put it off until my regular pants don’t fit, but expect I only have 2 more weeks or so. Although, last night I think I felt my uterus. It was a hard roundish surface just at my bikini line. Funny, that isn’t where my pants are getting tight… UPDATED – I’m on my last days of non-maternity wear.
Also, a new symptom this time is that I’ve been having sexual dreams. I’m not overly interested when I’m awake, but I dream a lot at night. Good dreams.
I have my first OB appointment on Wednesday. I’m really excited about this pregnancy with Dr. B. I’ll update with the details hopefully before the end of the weekend.
Here is the comparison between my 8 week symptoms with Grace and 8 week symptoms with #2 (I need a better name.)
Last time my symptoms included:
• Nausea (worst between 8 and11 a.m.) – This time I am generally more queasy than nauseous, but mostly an overwhelming “blah” sensation. It does seem to get worse if I’m hungry, but then I feel less like eating. I feel the best right after lunch, but then I get extremely tired. UPDATED: Now closer to 9 weeks, we’ve moved from queasy to nauseous. Uggh.
• I had lost 2 to 3 pounds. – No losing weight. I’ve gained about 3 pounds. Not an obscene amount, but still going the opposite direction.
• Bra size increased by 1 cup size. – This time it doesn’t seem as noticeable, although Eric’s made some comments. I haven’t switched to a bigger size or anything. UPDATED: Had some growth since last Friday. I think I wore my favorite black push-up bra for the last time this week.
• Fast growing fingernails. – This time I haven’t really noticed any abnormal growth.
• Wanted more carbs and milk, but less protein. – This time I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary, except I want my food to be very flavorful. Sodium sounds good. I had to get Chinese the other day and alfredo sauce sounds wonderful. No problems eating any kind of meat. I haven’t really been drinking milk either, although I had cereal a couple days this week and did have some milk and graham crackers for a snack one night.
• Slight constipation – This time I have no noticeable constipation. If anything I’ve been incredibly regular
• Fatigue – worse after lunch and right at 5 pm. – This time it’s getting bad. I would die for a nap everyday, but life doesn’t really allow for that. I am barely on time for work in the mornings (can’t get out of bed). I also catch myself drifting off while watching TV which I never used to do.
• Increased emotionalism. This time nothing really obvious. Although, the dog has been incredibly annoying lately. I find myself snapping at Grace when she’s whiney, and I think I’m complaining a lot at work about feeling icky. UPDATED – I’m more cranky with Eric too. He’s kind of walking on egg shells.
• Acne (a couple of blemishes) – This time, thankfully, no problems.
• Felt like waistline was expanding – This time I have pulled out my “fat pants” from after I had Grace. I also made a purchase and pulled all my maternity clothes out. I’m going to put it off until my regular pants don’t fit, but expect I only have 2 more weeks or so. Although, last night I think I felt my uterus. It was a hard roundish surface just at my bikini line. Funny, that isn’t where my pants are getting tight… UPDATED – I’m on my last days of non-maternity wear.
Also, a new symptom this time is that I’ve been having sexual dreams. I’m not overly interested when I’m awake, but I dream a lot at night. Good dreams.
I have my first OB appointment on Wednesday. I’m really excited about this pregnancy with Dr. B. I’ll update with the details hopefully before the end of the weekend.
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