Monthly Archives: November 2013

A blueberry? A grape? I’m so confused.

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In my explanation of my first ultrasound experience, I kind of glazed over my latest predicament, which is the fact that I do not know how far along I am. I’m not sure that it’s actually crucial for me to know to the day at this point, but it’s kind of frustrating not knowing if I’m 7 weeks, or almost 8 weeks, or even 9 weeks as we originally thought. So much happens with the little nugget in such a short amount of time, it feels like I’m missing out a bit by not being able to know where we’re at on our little journey.

Based on the ultrasound, I am anywhere from 7 weeks, 2 days pregnant to 7 weeks, 6 days pregnant. AND, based on my schedule, I’m 9 weeks pregnant. The first option seems like a pretty big stretch, because I swear I was already feeling symptoms prior to what my ovulation date would be if I were only 7 weeks, 2 days. SO, for my own sanity’s sake, I am going to say that tomorrow I am 8 weeks pregnant. That seems like a good in-between, right? And really, it probably doesn’t matter either way, because the baby is going to show up when he or she is ready. Also, I’m pretty sure that at 12 weeks, they will be able to get a better idea as to where I’m at and it will only improve from there.

So, little baby, tomorrow is your 8-weeks of life day in the world according to mommy. It’s probably fitting that you get used to this little world I live in, as to prepare yourself for your future. Sometimes, I refuse to accept what I don’t feel makes sense or what the world won’t let me control, and I make up my own rules. I apologize in advance for any confusion this might create. xo

Weekend Recap: Announcements, Celebrations, Shopping & More

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We had a pretty busy and fun weekend. On Friday, we went downtown to meet up with our two friends for their first night out on the town since having their sweet little baby and a couple other folks. Due to the intimate size of the group and the quiet bar we selected, they all seemed to notice that my soda water was sans vodka. The waitress didn’t help either with her obnoxious little comments… “One water, straight up!” Thanks, lady.

Honestly, I don’t think it really mattered, because we were just not on our A game. At one point pretty early on, they asked Mark if I was drinking and as he lied, he nervously knocked his entire drink all over his lap. Anyway, we ended up telling them we were trying to get pregnant and left it at that. Sheesh.

Saturday was a nice little day with my mom. After we got our nails done with my sister, mom took me shopping for some maternity clothes. All of my clothes still fit, but I just feel a little fatter in them. My tum is sticking out a bit and to mask it, I’ve been dressing like a frump. So, being the amazing lady that she is, mom took me to get some new items… and play around a bit.

How am I going to be able to walk?

How am I going to be able to walk?

After our FULL day of shopping, we met back up with the boys and the four of us (mom, dad, Marky and I) went to dinner and a movie. We saw About Time, which I really enjoyed. I just love Rachel McAdams.

Grub time.

Grub time.

Sunday was pretty special as well. In the morning, we got together with the family to celebrate my sweet little niece’s 2nd birthday.

Make a wish!

Make a wish!

Then, I met up with my girlfriends for an afternoon full of surprises. We met up at Louise’s in Brookfield, which I have to mention was pretty terrible. During lunch, we were all talking about engagements when my friend Erica, who recently got engaged, flung out her ring-bearing hand and announced that her and her man had gotten engaged. The girls jumped up for hugs and screams and were just so excited.

Erica and I had schemed to get the ladies there that afternoon by telling them I had won tickets to a Christmas decorations show put on by the American Cancer Society. In reality, we had scheduled a dress fitting at Bliss Bridal, a local bridal dress salon. It was so much fun to watch little Erica get all dolled up and just spend time with the lovely ladies.

Once the dress-up session was over, I told the girls that out of guilt for lying to them about the Christmas show, I bought them all an ornament. Suspiciously, the girlies opened their ornaments to find this inside…

Baby Announcement Ornament

Baby Announcement Ornament

My husband thought it was a bit too much and a bit too creepy. I found it funny… creepy funny, but still funny! Anyway, after all the anticipation of telling my friends, it was finally out there! It was a huge relief to tell them and felt good to share the excitement of our new little family member. 

After all that excitement, I went home and just crashed in my husbands arms. It was a busy and wonderful weekend, but I think I might need another weekend to recover!

 

Symptoms

Holy nauseous. What is happening? Beginning last night, I’ve been feeling pretty darn uneasy. Brushing my teeth this morning literally turned my body inside out with a gag that I can only imagine looked like my cat coughing up a hairball. Oofta. I hope this fades. Between wanting to throw up and feeling exhausted, today is a bit rough.

Wait, what’s that? I think my bed is calling me…

Wait, what? My First Ultrasound Experience.

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Wait, what?

That’s the best way to describe my ultrasound appointment this past Friday. First of all, I had to drink my weight in water to fill up my bladder, which was absolutely horrible. I could barely walk and when I laid down on the table, you could visibly see my bladder bulging out of my body. Anyway, the tech explained that since I wasn’t very far along, they would have to do an internal ultrasound anyway, as that’s what they always do this early in a pregnancy, but took some measurements of my uterus and ovaries externally first. (My first, “wait, what?” moment.) Why the heck would they put me through the water torture if they were going to stab me with the internal ultrasound wand anyway? That seems cruel.

Anyway, they finally allowed me to pee, and I’m not exaggerating when I say that I must have been peeing for 3 minutes straight.

When I got back into the room, the tech had wheeled in the internal ultrasound machine (“wait, what” moment # 2). My reaction only got worse when the tech explained that I would have to insert the ultrasound… wand… into my lady part myself and then she would take over. Uhhh… what? That made for an interesting little experience for the tech, my husband and I to share. I wish I could have gotten a picture of Mark’s face. But, mine will have to suffice (note the scary wand)…

Wait, you want me to do what with that?

Wait, you want me to do what with that?

Honestly though, it wasn’t that bad. After I got over the whole awkwardness of the request and the appearance of the “wand,” I didn’t really notice.

Then came the good part… seeing our baby and seeing her little heartbeat (124 beats per minute)!

First glimpse of our tiny little baby!

First glimpse of our tiny little baby!

BUT, then came my next surprising moment. Our little baby who we thought was measuring over a half inch was actually less than a centimeter! This led the tech to estimate my progress at 6.5-7 weeks, versus the 8+ we had been told before. I know it’s only a week or so off, but I guess I feel a little disappointed because I was really looking forward to the relief of hitting the 8 week mark with a solid heartbeat. From what I’ve heard, though, just hearing the heartbeat is already a very good sign. So I should probably just feel grateful for that and stop over thinking it. Although, for a controlling person like myself, it drives me a little nuts to not really know how far along I am… hopefully when I see the doctor this Thursday, she’ll provide me with a little clarity.

Anyway, more importantly, I’d like to introduce our little baby blob… meet Baby Lang:

 

Baby Lang!

Baby (Blob) Lang!

 

Symptoms

The latest and greatest is getting super nauseous before and as I get hungry. It’s so annoying. First I’m sick to my stomach, then I’m hungry and also want to throw up… so lovely! The trick seems to be powering through it and eating. Once I get a decent base of food in me, the nausea goes away. Other than that, I’m still quite sleepy. BUT, feeling happy and excited.

Nursery Ideas

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Okay, so this is obviously a very premature post, but sometimes, I get excited and carried away.

Here's one sketched idea for a nursery floor plan.

Here’s one sketched idea for a nursery floor plan.

 

And here are the two main walls in more detail, with my inspiration…

Here is the wall with the crib.

Here is the wall with the crib.

 

And here is the wall with the glider chair and changing table.

And here is the wall with the glider chair and changing table.

 

No bedding options just yet, but here’s a general idea of what I’m thinking for the room itself. I think a decent amount of this can be made or purchased from Craigslist or garage sales, but only time will tell what will happen!

Take a Moment

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I received an email update about the 9th week of pregnancy from BabyCenter with a tip that I really enjoyed:

Start a daily ritual to connect with your baby. Diane Sanford, a clinical psychologist who focuses on pregnancy and postpartum adjustment, encourages women to set aside two five- to ten-minute periods a day to think about their baby. Just after waking up and before going to sleep works well for many expectant moms. During these times, sit quietly and gently rest your hands on your belly. Focus on your breathing and then start thinking about your baby (your hopes and dreams, your intentions as a parent, etc.). It’s a great way to initiate the bonding process and to help you plan for the kind of parent you want to be.

I loved the idea, so a few nights ago, my husband and I started “connecting” with our little babe. Once we’re in bed, we take a few minutes, with our hands on my belly, to think about what it is going to be like to have our baby in the outside world. To kiss the little fingers and feel the warmth. To see our reflections in the face of this little child we made together. To dress the baby in the sweetest and softest little onesies. To smell that distinct baby smell. Could anything be more exciting?

Anyway, this was definitely a really great tip that I’d encourage others to try. It’s just such a great way for Mark and I to connect to each other, to this experience, and to our growing baby. Not to mention, warm hands on my belly feels really nice and comforting.

 

Our First Visit with the Nurse

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Our first visit with the nurse was very informative… and, I must say that our nurse, Debbie, was a VERY sweet lady. I sat in a big, comfy rocker chair and we literally chatted for over two hours. The purpose of the appointment was to get as much information about me (and Mark) entered into the system and to answer any of my questions. And, I’m not going to lie, I was VERY happy I had filled out the March of Dimes worksheet with both of our families beforehand. It was so helpful in answering the questions about our family medical history.

Here are some things I learned…

  1. No need to feel bad about my coffee yesterday. 200 mg of caffeine is in fact okay.
  2. I can stop worrying about sleeping on my side for awhile… doesn’t really come into play until 22-27 weeks.
  3. My 9rounds workout is great, but I should be working out 4-5 times per week (not the 3 times per week I have been exercising)… and that means breaking a sweat at each workout!
  4. To help combat the nausea caused by my prenatal vitamin, I should try taking my vitamins before bed with some OJ. The acidity in the juice will help break down the iron.
  5. I should add a Folic Acid supplement to my prenatal vitamin regimen. The supplement should be at least 400mcg.
  6. I should be drinking 2 liters or 64ish oz of water/liquid per day.
  7. I should be getting more calcium. This can be added with a supplement and/or through daily food intake.
  8. My husband is amazing. He took notes through our entire appointment.
  9. The “baby bump” I’m seeing is actually a displacement of fat, intestines,etc. because of my enlarged uterus. So, while it’s not technically a baby bump, it is baby related.
  10. I CAN GET AN EARLY PREGNANCY ULTRASOUND! And in fact, mine is scheduled for this FRIDAY!!! Yay!
  11. I had to give 5 vials of blood. I’m not going to lie, I was fighting back tears. I hate needles. But, important to note, this was the only medical / procedure-type activity at my appointment. Everything else was conversation only.
  12. After about 14 weeks, I should switch to prenatal yoga only (no regular yoga).
  13. I should aim to gain 25 lbs during my pregnancy… 2-6 during the first trimester is average.
  14. I can take extra strength tylenol, according to the package, as needed. Although, I’m still going to try to avoid taking any medication.
  15. I might get a 3D ultrasound picture at 19 weeks if they can get a good angle. Prepare yourselves for a creepy little photo!

So, all-in-all, it was a great appointment. We left with a little tote bag that they gave us filled with parenting, pregnancy and baby magazines; a baby book; and, our first baby items: a TINY diaper and a nook. We’re having a baby!!!

 

For your enjoyment, a funny husband story:

Mark: So, how do you take a baby home from the hospital?

Melissa: Uhhh, what do you mean?

Mark: Well, they don’t make car seats small enough for newborns, right?

Melissa: No, they do (as I’m laughing)

Mark: I thought you held them in your lap or something… do they grow out of the mini car seats in a week?

He’ll learn 🙂

 

Symptoms

At officially 8 weeks, I’m feeling great! No nausea really or at least nothing too annoying. Just feeling good. Although, I am pretty darn tired. But I’m starting to even get used to that. Otherwise, happy as a clam!

Once it hits your lips…

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photoThis morning I decided to indulge in a caffeinated treat for the first time since we found out I’m pregnant. Everything I’ve read says that as long as you consume less than 200 mg of caffeine per day, you’re good to go… yet, somehow, I felt guilty ordering my delicious morning pick-me-up. And, I’m not going to lie, I had a legit experience with my skinny vanilla latte. I’m not sure if any of you are Ally McBeal fans, but this was pretty much my experience this morning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBrXby8BqgU

So, despite the fact that everyone says a limited amount of caffeine is okay, why does it feel like I’m breaking the rules at the expense of my little blueberry baby?

Symptoms

Last night I took my prenatal vitamins right before I ate and I didn’t seem to get sick at all. Maybe that’s the trick? Or maybe my body is getting used to the vitamin intake? Who knows. Regardless, I was pretty darn thankful. The rest of the day was pretty much just as good, despite it being Monday. I’ve felt pretty great! Maybe the worst is over?

Other than that, Mark and I literally played house last night. We babysat for a friend, which entailed caring for two adorable little boys (one is 2, one is 4). I think we were both pretty proud at our performance. We divided and conquered, which worked really well.

So, the 4 children I’m hoping to have (eventually) might be complicated, but two was feeling somewhat manageable. 

I’ve got the itch…

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The pregnant belly itch, that is! Beginning on Friday night, I had the itchiest dang belly ever. So much so, that it woke me up in the middle of the night all weekend. I have some argan oil next to my bed that I literally squeeze onto my belly (usually around 2 am) and then quickly go back to sleep.

I’ve been trying to combat the itch by loading up on Palmers Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion – compliments of my sister – the argan oil, any other lotion I find nearby, and am trying to drink as much water as possible. I’m hopeful that the combination will make my itching short-lived… or at least help in the prevention of evil stretch marks.

Besides the itching, the weekend was pretty low-key, just as I had hoped. We saw Last Vegas with my parents on Friday, which was actually entertaining and silly, did some cleaning / winter-prep around the house on Saturday and Sunday, and had Mark’s dad and step mom (Amy) over for a birthday dinner on Sunday evening. Because they were away for Amy’s son’s wedding in Hawaii, we hadn’t told them about the little baby boo yet. So, that was pretty fun! We used the same card and pregnancy test that we had used for our mothers, and actually, Mark’s dad seemed to register the note the quickest. They seem very excited for us.

Our "Hey, we're pregnant" card!

Our “Hey, we’re pregnant” card!

Other than that, I got a good amount of rest this weekend and am feeling pretty good… minus the fact that it’s Monday, which means another week of work. On the positive, only two more days until our first appointment and we have family coming into town next week for my mom’s birthday party… so I have a feeling, this month is just going to fly!

Symptoms

As mentioned, I’ve got the itch. Other than that, I’ve been finding that my prenatal vitamin has been causing some severe nausea and a bit of a headache. It takes about an hour from the time I take the pill to the time the symptoms begin, but once they do, it’s pretty bad. I’m guessing it lasts about 45 or so minutes, which isn’t awful, but it’s definitely not pleasant.

In terms of exhaustion, I’m feeling better than I was at the beginning of last week, but I will say that I’m still pretty darn tired come 2:30 pm. That seems to be the magical time where my brain shuts off and my body starts begging for sleep. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t feel appropriate to put my head down at my desk. Plus, when I get to that point, it doesn’t feel like a cat nap will do it. My body is looking for some serious rest.

I also seem to have random waves of nausea throughout the day, especially when I’m getting hungry. It’s kind of a pain. I’ll feel nauseous until all of a sudden I’m ravenous.

BUT, enough complaining. Honestly, I’m feeling pretty great considering I’m sharing my energy and my body with another person. And, I’m feeling very excited. I’m thinking a grey and white nursery. Maybe later this week I’ll post some inspiration photos.

One more thing before I go, seems like the chat with the husband really helped. He’s been wonderful and amazing. Very sweet and nurturing.

The Pregnancy Pillow

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I’ve been practicing sleeping on my side with little success. To help in my efforts, I’m looking to purchase a pregnancy pillow, but I need a little help. I’ve looked at a ton online and read reviews, and here are the two that have stood out the most to me…

1. Today’s Mom® Cozy Comfort Pregnancy Pillow

Cozy Comfort

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This pillow is $79.99 with free shipping, no returns, when purchased here

The Pros: 

  • It’s HUGE – talk about being engulfed in a pillow.
  • There’s support for your giant belly.
  • It has a large, rectangular area for your head to rest.
  • It looks SUPER comfortable

 

The Cons:

  • This thing is $80!
  • It’s HUGE! Thankfully, we have a King-Sized bed, but I don’t see how this and a husband could fit in a Queen-Sized Bed
  • It doesn’t have the wedge/incline to help relieve pressure on your arm and reduce acid reflux, etc.
  • No returns.

 

2. Bump Nest Relief System

Preg System

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This pillow is $199.99 with free shipping, 30-day money-back guarantee, when purchased here

The Pros: 

  • Again, this pillow is pretty big!
  • The wedge props you up to help reduce acid reflux.
  • The wedge has a cut-out for your arm so your poor arm doesn’t have to support your body weight.
  • Love the colors.
  • 30-day money back guarantee.

 

The Cons:

  • If you thought $80 was bad… this this is almost $200!!
  • The area for your head is rounded, which isn’t always the best.

 

Has anyone out there tried one of these? Or have you tried a different pillow that you’ve loved? I want to buy one soon, so any help you can provide is MUCH appreciated!