Life Archives - Page 24 of 26

38 weeks: a review

July 5, 2011

{38 weeks pregnant: June 25 – July 1)

This past week it became pretty apparent that my body and my mind were beginning to slow down. Running errands suddenly seemed to require the energy of a marathoner, and I’ve been struggling to maintain my focus on nearly every task at hand (including writing this blog post!). Pair those frustrations with a constant urge to nap and the need to pee every 30 minutes, and you’ve got yourself the reason why I’ve been feeling so cranky lately. Oh yeah, that and I just can’t sleep comfortably though the night anymore…

I also feel as though I’ve gained an extra 10lbs overnight and am most definitely waddling instead of walking. Such an odd sensation!

Perhaps that’s why the Shellac pedicure I had last Sunday was so delicious. My feet and legs, though not swollen, were in desperate need of some pampering. And I’m happy to report that a week later the polish is still chip-free! I’m also happy to report that, as of last Tuesday, my platelet levels were where they needed to be in order for me to have an epidural during delivery. We’ll see if they’ve stayed above 100 at my doctor’s appointment later today.

In other news, my mom arrived in Omaha last Tuesday to assist us with last minute baby preparations and has been a huge help around the house. She cooks and then washes the dishes, does laundry and puts it away, and constantly tidies–all without being asked (and with the help of two cartoon bluebirds on her shoulders, I imagine.) What a lifesaver! Especially since I now assume my digestive pose (laying on my side on the couch) after every meal to ward off indigestion. She will be staying in Omaha for several weeks after our little guy’s arrival to help us as we get used to our new “normal.”

Thank goodness for family!

{self-portrait taken at 38 weeks, 4 days}

37 weeks: a review

June 27, 2011

This past week went by in a blur. It began with a weekend packed with errands, including a 2+ hour shopping experience at Target that required a break at the in-store Starbucks, to check off all the really important things we still needed to buy before our little guy’s arrival. Sunday evening we started freezing food to eat after he’s born so we don’t have to bother with cooking, and after my doctor’s appointment on Tuesday, we finally packed our hospital bags. I also learned that my platelets took a nose-dive below 100 and was prescribed steroids to help bump them back up.

JB and I had an impromptu dinner date at Ryan’s Bistro on Thursday that ended with a trip to Lowe’s. How romantic! There we found some simple floating shelves for the nursery that will come in handy for storing books, picture frames and small toys. I still need to decide what (besides the shelves) I want to hang on the walls. Since our nursery doesn’t really have a theme, I’m open to all types of artwork or photography… making the decision-making process that much harder. Too many choices!

Friday night we visited friends who had just brought their newborn home from the NICU after a 2 week stay. She was such an adorable and well-behaved baby, and we had a great time eating dinner and playing Apples to Apples with them and another couple, who are also expecting their first child.

What I think I loved the most about the evening was that we didn’t spend the entire night talking about babies. Yes, of course we chatted about them for a little bit, but we also shared funny stories about our jobs, pop culture, sports and drinking. It was reassuring to see that you don’t necessarily have to lose your identity or completely change who you just because you’re having — or have just had — a baby. You can still (sometimes?) continue to be the same you that you were before the baby.

Does that make any sense??

{self-portraits taken at 37 weeks, 4 days pregnant}

sleeping in

June 25, 2011

JB and I slept in until almost 10am this morning, and I didn’t even attempt to get out of bed for a good 15 minutes or so. I felt it was important to relish what could possibly be our last lazy Saturday in bed for a very long time…

Scary thought.

It’s cruel that pregnant women aren’t able to sleep well during the final weeks of their pregnancy because they certainly don’t get quality sleep for the first couple of months after their babies are born. We should be stocking up on good sleep now so that we can tap into our energy reserves later on.

I know I should be thankful that I don’t need to get out of bed six times a night to pee, but I have such a difficult time getting comfortable that I’m just as exhausted when my alarm beeps. Every time I want to change positions I have to wake up to readjust myself and my extra pillows. Not fun! Plus, I sweat through the night from all of the anxiety-ridden dreams I’ve been having.

I miss being able to sleep on my back or my stomach and without body pillows hogging up our king-size bed. I miss sleeping straight through the night… and being able to take sleeping pill if I need one to help me catch up on my zzz’s. Most of all, I miss waking up feeling refreshed and ready to start my day. I am tired of being tired ALL THE TIME.

{my photo}

36 weeks: a review

June 20, 2011

This past week was incredibly exciting, productive and emotional. It began last Saturday with a 6-hour Prepared Childbirth Class at the hospital where I’ll be delivering. Oh, and did I mention that my mom, sister and mother-in-law were in town? Unfortunately, JB and I had to ditch them for most of the day, but they managed to entertain themselves just fine.

I was hoping I’d leave the class feeling more confident about giving birth than when I entered but watching the dated videos of partially naked (and underage?) women squirming and moaning freaked me out more than anything. They all looked SO uncomfortable. Yes, I suppose now we know the technical stages of labor, but I’m still not emotionally prepared for it!

On Sunday the 12th, two wonderful friends threw me a lovely, intimate baby shower. From the flowers and the decorations to the food and the favors, every detail was perfect — and perfectly me. I received such thoughtful gifts from my family and Omaha friends, and the baby is well on his way to having everything he needs to start his brand new life. There’s definitely more to say about the shower, so I’ll recap and post photos later this week.

I saw my doctor on Tuesday and learned I was now 3cm dilated but still 75% effaced, but she still thinks I’ll have the baby closer to my due date. I also had blood drawn to have my platelets counted. In April I was told that my platelets were on the low end of normal, so I’m now having them checked at my weekly appointments. At 35 weeks, they were at 107,000. At 36 weeks were, they dropped slightly to 104,000. We need them to stay above 100,000 because, if they don’t, I may not be able to have an epidural if I want one. Think big numbers for me, friends!

Unfortunately, the week ended on a very sad note. Friday night I learned that my hairstylist, an amazingly talented and kind woman, died tragically early Thursday morning. She did my hair Wednesday evening for our maternity photo shoot, and it’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I was one of her very last clients. She was the only person who thought I was having a boy before we knew the sex of the baby, and the last thing I said to her when I was leaving the salon was that I’d bring the little man with me at my next appointment. I’m so shocked by her death that I’m not even sure what else to say…except that every time I look at our maternity photos, I’ll know I’ll be thinking about her.

{self-portrait taken at 36 weeks, 5 days}

what should i pack in my hospital bag?

June 17, 2011

A perpetual over-thinker, my latest preoccupation is with what I should bring to the hospital with me. Granted, the brand new building is more like a 5-star hotel than a hospital…minus the toiletries in the bathroom. (Although they do provide hairdryers!) Plus, it’s only 15 minutes away from my house, so if I forget something crucial, JB or a family member can run home to pick it up.

Still, my goal is to pack my hospital bag as thoroughly as I can this weekend, as I will officially be 37 weeks on Saturday, but I’m honestly not sure what I need to bring! I’ve heard of some women who live in their hospital gowns for the full two days of their stay and others who change into stylish lounge pants and nursing tank tops. Should I bring a robe, socks and slippers? Will the baby need any clothing other than his going home outfit…and what should I dress him in for that? Are hospital receiving blankets sufficient or should I bring a special swaddling blanket? Do I need My Brestfriend while I’m there?

At 29 weeks (way to be ahead of the game!), Claudia drafted an extensive list of possible items to bring with her to the hospital, including multiple changes of clothing for her and her baby, pillows, massage oil and a laundry bag.

Marichelle had fewer items on her list when she packed her bag at 36 weeks (that’s more like it!), which included comfy pajamas to lounge in, nursing bras, a baby book (I still need to find one!) and a Boppy.

So tell me, friends: What do I really need to pack in my hospital bag? What clothing should I have on hand for me and for the baby? What essentials should I be sure not to forget, and what extras might I want to bring just in case?

Please share your thoughts below!

{checklist via Lay Baby Lay}

35 weeks: a review

June 14, 2011

This past week I had the first of my weekly OB/GYN appointments. Unfortunately, my doctor was on vacation, so I had the, umm, pleasure of meeting another doctor during a very, umm, intimate visit. She told me I was 2cm dilated and 75% effaced but assured me that I can stay at those measurements for weeks and should not worry about delivering early.

You hear that, opinionated strangers? You can stop asking me if I think I’m going to give birth at your feet.

Moving on.

This emotional roller coaster that has been my pregnancy hit a peak this week, as I found myself being almost able to cry on cue. If I stopped whatever it was I had been doing for even a split second, fear and anxiety about going into labor, giving birth and taking care of a newborn seeped into my mind and overwhelmed me. I began to feel as though I was now walking on eggshells and couldn’t stop wondering, “Is this the day my whole life is going to change?”

I know that the baby train left the station 35 weeks ago, but I’d really like it to slow down. I don’t think I’m ready for any of it yet…

{self-portrait actually taken at 36 weeks — oops!}

more things not to say to a pregnant woman

June 7, 2011

I recently had an awkward interaction with a store clerk at Sephora.

Her: When are you due?

Me: July 9th!

Her: Oh, wow. Do you think you’re gonna deliver early?

Me: Um… no. I hope not.

Unfortunately, I’ve also had similar conversations with other strangers, including the masseuse who assumed I was carrying twins. (That’s the first thing you should never ask a pregnant women.)

I don’t really understand why everyone seems to think I look ready to pop. Yes, I recognize it looks like I have a beach ball for a belly, but I’m also almost 5’8″ tall. I have a huge baby bump, but I don’t think it’s disproportionately large. Granted, I can’t really see my toes anymore, but I can squat and bend over and get in/out of bed without my husband’s assistance. Plus according to my doctor, who I saw yesterday, my bump is measuring 35cm — and I’m exactly 35 weeks!

I’m paranoid enough that I’m going to give birth before the baby is done “cooking,” so I really don’t appreciate strangers making predictions that I’m going to go into early labor. Really, who do they think they are?

What comments or questions did you hear during your pregnancy that really got your blood boiling?

{before the big ol’ bump: self-portrait taken at 20 weeks, 2 days}

33 and 34 weeks: a review

June 6, 2011

Two weeks ago I was 33 weeks pregnant…

Unable to effectively communicate the type of tightening of the belly and/or Braxton Hicks contractions I had been experiencing, and paranoid I might go into labor while my husband was still deployed, my doctor ordered a fetal fibronectin test and a vaginal ultrasound to measure the length of my cervix. I cried as I made my way upstairs for the ultrasound; the last time I had one, JB was with me. I was nervous at the prospect of receiving bad news, and I was truly sad to be alone.

My doctor instructed me to take the rest of the day off from work and relax while I waited for a nurse to call me with the test results. I drove home in tears and curled up on the couch, nervous because it doesn’t usually bode well when a medical professional suggests you alter your daily routine. Thankfully, the test came back negative, meaning there was only a 1% chance I’d give birth in the following two weeks.

Phew.

However, my OB/GYN recommended I stop doing cardio and lifting weights for the next couple of weeks. I can probably start exercising again around 37 or 38 weeks. She also implored me to drink more water and eat more protein. I’ve never been a big water drinker because I don’t think to drink when I’m not thirsty, but now I’m consciously trying to sip from my CamelBak throughout the day.

Of course, more water means more bathroom breaks… especially now that he’s putting more and more pressure on my bladder. Oh, and he has hair! The ultrasound tech was able to point out that the baby has a head full of short hair. I wonder what color it will be…

Last week I was 34 weeks… and JB returned from his deployment!

The Saturday before his Tuesday return, I finally had my pregnancy facial and massage. Although I’ve had better facials, I still enjoyed being able to close my eyes and relax. The massage was pure bliss, but it got off to an awkward start when the masseuse asked me (with certainty in her voice) if I was expecting twins.

“Haha, no,” I laughed uncomfortably. “I guess I’m just big.”

And I do feel particularly big. I actually feel substantially larger than I did a week or so ago, although JB insists that I only look pregnant from the front. The first thing he said when we reunited was how amazing I looked and how he couldn’t even tell I was pregnant from behind. He even thought my arms and legs looked smaller than they did before I was pregnant. I’m not sure I completely believe him, but it was really nice to hear anyway!

Now we get to experience that final weeks of my pregnancy together, and I fully intend to take advantage of him being home. The more he can do means the more I can be off my feet, and I’m so looking forward to that after having to take care of everything for the past two months.

{top self-portraits taken at 33 weeks, 5 days; bottom self-portraits taken at 34 weeks, 5 days}

happy anniversary

May 25, 2011

Today is our 3rd anniversary.

Although JB and I couldn’t celebrate the special occasion together, I’ve been thinking about him all day. And I know he’s been thinking about me too because I received a beautiful delivery of peonies this morning.

JB knows that the peony is my favorite flower. I even carried a bouquet of gorgeous (and heavy!) white peonies. My husband tried to surprise me with peonies on Valentine’s Day but couldn’t find them in Omaha. Perhaps it just wasn’t peony season yet.

Happy anniversary, JB. I love you and feel incredibly lucky to have you as my partner in this big, bad, crazy world.

{portrait of me on my wedding day by Heather Waraksa}