So far in my pregnancy I've been prone to complaining - complaining about my back and hip pain, my weight, my lack of sleep and loss of my Me-Time. I've tried to keep it minimal (except for on this blog which, sorry, is mine and I'll complain if I want to!) but growing a person is hard work, even when you don't see it from the outside.
Let's go back: when I started this blog I was 15 weeks pregnant. At 15 weeks, baby was the size of a naval orange, 4 inches long and about 1 3/4 ounces. Now, at 23 weeks and a few days, she's as big as a grapefruit, 11 inches long and one pound! Not to mention all the stuff that's happening that has nothing to do with her size. So yes, it's hard work. With all the stuff that's going on in there, it's amazing that the only change in my outward appearance is my size. It's kind of like when you see an apartment building being built, but it's concealed by a very large tarp. You know things are happening, but you have know idea how much is happening until you peek under the tarp and exclaim "whoa, they've already put doors and windows up!"
I use that as my visual because I really do feel like an apartment building. Or a barge, but I've never seen a barge being built.
That's why I think it's so great that I can finally feel little kicks from my baby. Those little nudges are a sweet reminder of why I've allowed myself to resemble a barge. She feels like an old soul because she seems to give me a little boot right when I'm having a negative thought or feeling - like she knows, somehow. With each movement I get more excited to meet her and show her the world. I'm scared of course - labour will be hard, and taking care of a newborn is difficult too - but I know with every kick from her that it's going to be so worth it.
I keep getting told that I will soon get irritated with kicks, but for now, I'm very much in love with them.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
23 Weeks - 25 Pounds... Eeep!
I stepped on the scale and immediately wished I hadn't when I peered over my bump at the number. Quick math in my head made me second guess my original weight to begin with, but nope! 25lbs. That's a lot of weight. According to my doctor, I should really only gain about 35lbs total. That sounds fine, right? I bet you're thinking "10lbs - that's some wiggle room!" Well, it's about as roomy as my teeny first apartment. I should have gained 5lbs or so in my first trimester and a pound a week after that. That would put me currently at about +16lbs now, and instead I'm a month ahead, weight-wise. I worry about that because I don't want to gain way too much weight! Losing 35 lbs is not nearly as bad as losing 45 or 50. Or more. Not to mention it's not very healthy for you or baby to be carrying so much extra weight. Gluttony, you and I are fighting.
Okay, enough panicking.
This week I felt more movement and even little kicks that were strong enough to feel from the outside! Feeling pretty good but also very uncomfortable. I pulled something in my back earlier in the week and as a result couldn't sleep on my left side without crying, so yep - spent a couple of nights trying to sleep the whole night on my right side only. Even if I was allowed to sleep on my back I couldn't, because the weight of my belly now makes it hard to breathe. Not very restful. I also get a stitch in my side every morning on my short walk from the parking lot to work (about 15 minutes.) But I mustn't complain as I'm certain that as baby grows bigger, so will my discomfort. With that said, stuff I am in love with this week: my new heating pad and Epsom salt lavender baths. So helpful with sore, tired muscles. Plus it makes your skin soft, and makes you smell like a meadow for hours afterwards!
A fantastic friend gave me a heap of barely used baby clothes and I'm so grateful! Winter stuff too, which is great (I'm assuming finding Winter clothing for a baby now would be quite difficult, and as I'm having my little one at the end of September, I know it will get chilly especially in Calgary.) Unpacking and sorting all the clothes really made everything feel very real, and I'm starting to let go of that grief over losing my "me time" and excitement about having a new little person to love and raise.
The very same friend also gave me a book that every new mother needs to go buy right this moment! That book is The Happiest Baby on the Block. I have already read What to Expect When You're Expecting although I found some of it completely useless as I don't live in the States, and when it occurred to me that I had no idea what to do with the little one after I had her, I bought Baby 411. Both very useful books but the one my friend gave me is, I can tell, going to be a lifesaver.
Go buy it. Now. Preferably before baby is born. Trust me - trust my friend, who said she wished she'd bought it sooner. And you should see her giggly, happy baby girl! She's an example I hope to follow.
Okay, enough panicking.
This week I felt more movement and even little kicks that were strong enough to feel from the outside! Feeling pretty good but also very uncomfortable. I pulled something in my back earlier in the week and as a result couldn't sleep on my left side without crying, so yep - spent a couple of nights trying to sleep the whole night on my right side only. Even if I was allowed to sleep on my back I couldn't, because the weight of my belly now makes it hard to breathe. Not very restful. I also get a stitch in my side every morning on my short walk from the parking lot to work (about 15 minutes.) But I mustn't complain as I'm certain that as baby grows bigger, so will my discomfort. With that said, stuff I am in love with this week: my new heating pad and Epsom salt lavender baths. So helpful with sore, tired muscles. Plus it makes your skin soft, and makes you smell like a meadow for hours afterwards!
A fantastic friend gave me a heap of barely used baby clothes and I'm so grateful! Winter stuff too, which is great (I'm assuming finding Winter clothing for a baby now would be quite difficult, and as I'm having my little one at the end of September, I know it will get chilly especially in Calgary.) Unpacking and sorting all the clothes really made everything feel very real, and I'm starting to let go of that grief over losing my "me time" and excitement about having a new little person to love and raise.
The very same friend also gave me a book that every new mother needs to go buy right this moment! That book is The Happiest Baby on the Block. I have already read What to Expect When You're Expecting although I found some of it completely useless as I don't live in the States, and when it occurred to me that I had no idea what to do with the little one after I had her, I bought Baby 411. Both very useful books but the one my friend gave me is, I can tell, going to be a lifesaver.
Go buy it. Now. Preferably before baby is born. Trust me - trust my friend, who said she wished she'd bought it sooner. And you should see her giggly, happy baby girl! She's an example I hope to follow.
How far along?: 23 weeks
Baby is the size of a: Grapefruit!
Total weight gain/loss: Twenty. Five. Whopping. Pounds.
The Bump: Protruding!
Symptoms/How I'm feeling: Some burning upper abdominal pain and round ligament pain. Today, the 23 week mark, I feel pretty good.
Food Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Nothing exciting. I still drink way too much orange juice. Slight aversion to milk again, and cigarette smoke.
Sleep: Not very restful. And when I do get a good sleep-in going my cat's meowing in my ear for no apparent reason so no sleeping in allowed!
Weddings Rings On or Off: On
Exercise: Walking & Yoga - the pain in my shoulder has limited my movement significantly and I've been spending a lot of quality time with my bathtub and heating pad. Obviously not to be used together.
Any Names Picked Out Yet: Brynn (my personal favourite) Kiera, Morgan. I kind of like Indy but I think that will pass pretty quickly. Haven't had a name that really jumps out at me - it's kind of hard work to be honest!
Gender: Girl!
Movement: Lots more movement and harder kicks. It's been reassuring to feel her wiggling around - I don't feel the need to worry about her as much. J has still not felt anything, sadly.
Maternity Clothes: Mostly maternity clothes now, the only exception being yoga pants. I still need good jeans and a hoodie. My fantastic Aunt bought me some nice consignment maternity clothes, which were a steal!
Labor Signs: None yet, but I read that I may start experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions this early! I don't know why that is exciting but it is!
What I miss: Seeing my feet. Fitting through doorways.
Best Moment of the Week: My first experimental Epsom salt bath was amazing! What I wouldn't give for one of those over-sized bathtubs though. I'm seriously hoping that PLC has a tub that I can labour in but I highly doubt it. They do have showers though, so that will be a relief I hope.
What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Meeting my OBGYNs next Friday. I turned in my doctor's note and started getting my maternity leave stuff going today too so now I'm just dying to get things started! There's so much to look forward to now that I hardly know what to be excited about first!
Friday, May 23, 2014
22 Weeks - Slow Moving Mama
My usually brisk walking pace has turned into more of a relaxed stroll - a necessary change, since the brisk walk now gives me a stitch in my side. I just find that everything I do now is slower - walking, sitting, standing. It's all just harder work as I get bigger. I'm also not really puffy, but I feel very puffy. Bleh.
My solution is definitely the yoga. Yoga is gentle and soothing and keeps me moving, albeit slowly. I wish I'd started earlier! Especially since having seen the size of my backside. The frustrating thing is that doing yoga is still doing nothing for my hip pain! I think the only thing that makes it better is heat, so I'm going to buy a heat pad this week to see if it helps out.
Not too much to report this week - I go to bed so early and have little energy so what could possibly be happening? The only thing I can think of worth noting is that I'm feeling much, much more movement. I've also learned that I can't eat my usual portions (which already weren't huge) so now I'm eating much less, but much more frequently. I feel like I'm always eating!
My solution is definitely the yoga. Yoga is gentle and soothing and keeps me moving, albeit slowly. I wish I'd started earlier! Especially since having seen the size of my backside. The frustrating thing is that doing yoga is still doing nothing for my hip pain! I think the only thing that makes it better is heat, so I'm going to buy a heat pad this week to see if it helps out.
Not too much to report this week - I go to bed so early and have little energy so what could possibly be happening? The only thing I can think of worth noting is that I'm feeling much, much more movement. I've also learned that I can't eat my usual portions (which already weren't huge) so now I'm eating much less, but much more frequently. I feel like I'm always eating!
How far along?: 22 weeks 3 days
Baby is the size of a: Papaya
Total weight gain/loss: too scared to look.
The Bump: Sprouting quite quickly now
Symptoms: Sciatic pain
Food Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Food? I just want to eat everything. No aversions.
Sleep: Harder again. Sciatic pain and hip pain keep me from getting a really good long sleep
Weddings Rings On or Off: On
Exercise: Walking & Yoga - next week, I'm adding in some cycling!
Any Names Picked Out Yet: Brynn (my personal favourite) Kiera, Morgan. I liked Amelie until I realized that everyone would just think it was Emily and that would probably drive me crazy. More to come. Actual name will be kept private until baby girl arrives.
Gender: Girl!
Movement: Pressure and KICKS!
Maternity Clothes: Mostly maternity clothes now. I still need good jeans and a hoodie. I really don't feel very attractive in anything these days, so maybe a nice big tent will do...
Labor Signs: None
What I miss: As my previous post states, I miss my body being mine.
Best Moment of the Week: Feeling more kicks!
What I’m excited about/looking forward to: Buying the crib and other baby room stuff! Hope to do that in the next couple of weeks. Also, it's a little soon but I'm looking forward to not being pregnant... 4 months to go....
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Pregnant Rambles: 2nd Edition - My Body is Not My Own
This is not my bellybutton.
This is not my belly.
These are not my hips.
I don't even want to talk about my backside.
This body is a completely foreign entity to me. I don't know who I'm looking at in the mirror. What happened to my innie? What happened to my waist?
Pregnancy. Daily applications of vitamin E cream and aloe to keep the stretch marks at bay (I hope.) Label reading and nutrition balance calculating and cramming myself full of water to keep baby healthy. Drifting off to sleep on the couch before Bones is over because I'm too tired not to. Sleeping in, going to bed early, cancelling plans.
I'm a living, breathing, walking (well, waddling) baby incubator. My body is no longer my body, it is a house. A rather large house for a tiny little human. I love her, but I miss my body being my own.
Pregnancy kind of sucks.
I'm tired all the time, sore all the time, full all the time. While I'm grateful for this beautiful little miracle growing inside me, I'm also quite fed up - and I have 18 weeks to go, at least.
People keep telling me to wait, I'll get bigger, my back will ache even more, I'll see! Just wait! Can't I just be tired of it already? I'll see it through, don't worry. I just miss doing my own thing, like pouring myself a glass of wine or eating cold cuts without having to worry about hurting my baby. I miss jogging. Really. Jogging.
It's all worth it. I already know that with every little kick from my baby girl. But sometimes I just wish I could take off the pregnant lady hat and just be me again.
So there you have it; Pregnancy Truth #452. Your body is no longer yours. You are now a houseboat.
This is not my belly.
These are not my hips.
I don't even want to talk about my backside.
This body is a completely foreign entity to me. I don't know who I'm looking at in the mirror. What happened to my innie? What happened to my waist?
Pregnancy. Daily applications of vitamin E cream and aloe to keep the stretch marks at bay (I hope.) Label reading and nutrition balance calculating and cramming myself full of water to keep baby healthy. Drifting off to sleep on the couch before Bones is over because I'm too tired not to. Sleeping in, going to bed early, cancelling plans.
I'm a living, breathing, walking (well, waddling) baby incubator. My body is no longer my body, it is a house. A rather large house for a tiny little human. I love her, but I miss my body being my own.
Pregnancy kind of sucks.
I'm tired all the time, sore all the time, full all the time. While I'm grateful for this beautiful little miracle growing inside me, I'm also quite fed up - and I have 18 weeks to go, at least.
People keep telling me to wait, I'll get bigger, my back will ache even more, I'll see! Just wait! Can't I just be tired of it already? I'll see it through, don't worry. I just miss doing my own thing, like pouring myself a glass of wine or eating cold cuts without having to worry about hurting my baby. I miss jogging. Really. Jogging.
It's all worth it. I already know that with every little kick from my baby girl. But sometimes I just wish I could take off the pregnant lady hat and just be me again.
So there you have it; Pregnancy Truth #452. Your body is no longer yours. You are now a houseboat.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
21 Weeks - Movement for SURE!
Yesterday, while working at my desk I definitely felt two little kicks from Baby! Most exciting moment for me. Feeling her move around was awesome too, don't get me wrong, but feeling her kicking was somehow even more amazing. I am looking forward to feeling more kicks and having Jared finally feel kicks too.
This past week has been emotional for me. Mother's day just passed and it occurred to me that next year I'll be a Mommy too! It's also been emotional because I've been mourning the loss of my most cherished free time (a feeling I'm told is 100% normal for new Moms.) I'm an introverted person who loves coming home to a quiet household with no one to worry about but herself and sometimes her husband and that has always been such a comfort to me. I will now have a little person to care for and while that will be wonderful I know I'll miss having more "me" time. My husband and I have agreed that raising this baby is a partnership and we'll take care of each other whenever we can, and if that means he takes over so I can have a half an hour for a bath or I take over so he can retreat to his man cave, we're going to make it work somehow!
More baby room ideas:
Mobiles:
Bedding:
Decor:
I am mostly just keeping track as ideas come along - I definitely (obviously) like owls and am liking the whole friendly-forest theme. I have discovered that too much pink makes my stomach turn so I'll probably just add touches of girly pinks here and there. When I start making changes to the baby room I'll post updates then.
I will be posting a picture next week of my ever expanding tummy!
This past week has been emotional for me. Mother's day just passed and it occurred to me that next year I'll be a Mommy too! It's also been emotional because I've been mourning the loss of my most cherished free time (a feeling I'm told is 100% normal for new Moms.) I'm an introverted person who loves coming home to a quiet household with no one to worry about but herself and sometimes her husband and that has always been such a comfort to me. I will now have a little person to care for and while that will be wonderful I know I'll miss having more "me" time. My husband and I have agreed that raising this baby is a partnership and we'll take care of each other whenever we can, and if that means he takes over so I can have a half an hour for a bath or I take over so he can retreat to his man cave, we're going to make it work somehow!
More baby room ideas:
Mobiles:
Bedding:
Decor:
I am mostly just keeping track as ideas come along - I definitely (obviously) like owls and am liking the whole friendly-forest theme. I have discovered that too much pink makes my stomach turn so I'll probably just add touches of girly pinks here and there. When I start making changes to the baby room I'll post updates then.
I will be posting a picture next week of my ever expanding tummy!
How far along?: 21 weeks
Baby is the size of a: Pomegranate
Total weight gain/loss: 18 lbs
The Bump: People are starting to notice that it's a baby and not a food baby!
Symptoms: Sciatic pain. But I'll take that over months of morning sickness
Food Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Fruit. I've also been on the lookout for those sour Twizzlers-looking candies but to no avail. No Aversions.
Sleep: Pretty easy lately. I could sleep for a lot longer if my bladder would let me!
Weddings Rings On or Off: On, but I'm keeping a close eye!They'll likely come off when it gets hot here, finally.
Exercise: Walking mostly, and I promised myself I would start working out this week. So we'll see!
Any Names Picked Out Yet: Brynn (my personal favourite) Kiera, Kali, Jade. More to come. Actual name will be kept private until baby girl arrives.
Gender: Girl!!! And she's cute!!
Movement: Pressure and KICKS! Can't wait for more!
Maternity Clothes: Mostly maternity clothes now. I still need good jeans and a hoodie.
Labor Signs: None
What I miss: Wine (still!) and not having to worry about getting enough calcium, iron, etc. I miss my body being my own.
Best Moment of the Week: Feeling her little kicks!
What I’m excited about/looking forward to: More kicks - but honestly I just want to meet her. I'm pretty tired of pregnancy! I think fixing up the baby room will help a lot.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
20 Weeks - The Big Reveal!
Without further delay:
And we couldn't be more thrilled! We both sort of wanted a girl (okay we both reallllly wanted a girl) and Jared even seemed to know somehow - he was adamant that Baby was a she since the 9 week ultrasound! Superpowers. Hope those get passed down to Baby.
This past week has been great, and I have zero complaints! My belly has grown and people are starting to smile at me when I pass them, which is always nice. My ultrasound obviously went very well as we found out what we are having, and SHE is very healthy and active! I've also started to feel movement, which does not feel the way I had expected! It feels like she's pushing up against my abdomen from the inside and sometimes it feels like she's doing flips in there! I feel like a dryer filled with tumbling clothes, which sounds weird but I can't find another way of explaining it.
I've begun cleaning out what used to be our guest room (which let's face it, it's a junk room) to convert it to my little baby girl's room. I found this picture of a nursery:
and would really like to mimic a few pieces. I realize this is a boy's room however there are many ways to "girly" it up, such as changing the colour of the leaves on the tree or paper lanterns. I've already discovered that the colourful drawers and chocolate brown shelving unit come from Ikea and will cost about $130 (win!) and my absolutely wonderful parents are buying a crib similar to this one anyway. The wall decals can be bought on Etsy:
like this and a million other designs, which is awesome. I may try to paint them myself, rather than buy decals but we'll see how creative I'm feeling when I'm the size of a house! I will probably also buy the paper lanterns at Party City, and the rest I'm going to just let happen as it happens.
After learning we are having a girl it's all starting to feel so real! It's really happening!
How far along?: 20 weeks
Baby is the size of a: Banana
Total weight gain/loss: 15 lbs
The Bump: Looking pregnant now!
Symptoms: None (really!)
Food Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Oodles and oodles of orange juice with ice, and meat which I've started to eat for the first time in 18 years - I think it may stick! No Aversions.
Sleep: Figured out the sleeping situation (I was only sleeping on a part of my hip putting pressure on the rest. Now I lie flat on the hip and sleep very well.)
Total weight gain/loss: 15 lbs
The Bump: Looking pregnant now!
Symptoms: None (really!)
Food Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Oodles and oodles of orange juice with ice, and meat which I've started to eat for the first time in 18 years - I think it may stick! No Aversions.
Sleep: Figured out the sleeping situation (I was only sleeping on a part of my hip putting pressure on the rest. Now I lie flat on the hip and sleep very well.)
Weddings Rings On or Off: On, not really puffy yet
Exercise: Walking mostly, and I keep forgetting to exercise more. Honestly. My brain is broken.
Any Names Picked Out Yet: A couple but we have some morefighting discussing to do.
Gender: Girl!!! And she's cute!!
Movement: Pressure which I guess is Baby pushing against me, becoming more frequent
Maternity Clothes: Mostly maternity clothes now. I still need good jeans and a hoodie.
Labor Signs: None
What I miss: Still missing a nice glass of red wine, but I'm appreciating the break too - it's nice to know I don't NEED it.
Best Moment of the Week: Finding out about baby girl!
What I’m excited about/looking forward to: More regular movement and picking some names
Any Names Picked Out Yet: A couple but we have some more
Gender: Girl!!! And she's cute!!
Movement: Pressure which I guess is Baby pushing against me, becoming more frequent
Maternity Clothes: Mostly maternity clothes now. I still need good jeans and a hoodie.
Labor Signs: None
What I miss: Still missing a nice glass of red wine, but I'm appreciating the break too - it's nice to know I don't NEED it.
Best Moment of the Week: Finding out about baby girl!
What I’m excited about/looking forward to: More regular movement and picking some names
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