I've had a cold for the last two weeks and over the last two days it's gotten really bad. I've been feeling pretty sorry for myself. Up all night coughing for two nights! Coughing so hard I've pulled a stomach muscle and thrown up!
After throwing up at 2 am, I finally resigned myself to calling in to work the next day. I went to the doctor and was told to stay home one more day and not to be outside where the cold air can trigger bronchiospasms. Then I got three different prescriptions! Yikes.
Well the combination of rest and meds is already helping. I didn't realize that Vicodin was used for coughs, but it works better than any cough medicine I've ever taken! I've gone about four hours now without coughing!! It's starting back up again now, but it's just about time to take another.
It's interesting to try to balance the amount of stuff I do with taking care of myself. I have a very hard time calling in to work. Luckily, my doctor is one of my employers. So when she says to stay home and that I can't go outside, even to walk her dog, I guess I'd better take it seriously. But now that I'm pregnant, I have to remind myself that to take care of her, I HAVE to take care of me. And I have to remind myself that this will be true for the rest of my life.
So to any moms out there reading this, whether your children are younger or older, remember to take some moments to take care of you. It's easy enough to forget to do this before you have kids! I'm currently finding out how much harder it is as a mother.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Poop
Did you know that a VAST MAJORITY of women POOP during labor? I read this the other day and freaked out. Then I was actually glad that they no longer allow the birth to be recorded.
The article I read was written by a labor and delivery nurse and really worried me at first. But thinking about it later, I realize that I was choosing to dwell on the scary thought that I might be one of the vast majority because dwelling on the rest is even scarier.
The process of labor is something that I've thought about and witnessed and know that my body is made for. It is totally natural. But I find myself thinking, "Can I do this?" I know I can be a mom. I'll be a great mom. But I'm scared of the part where I BECOME a mom.
To comfort myself, I look around in busy places and try to wrap my brain around the fact that every single person I see is here because a woman went through what I'm going through. And what I will go through. It's overwhelming and comforting and makes me appreciate women (and my mom!) even more than I already did!
I guess I sort of feel like I'm on an extremely tall roller coaster and I'm already most of the way up. Now there is only one way down and that's the scary part. Sometimes I feel like I want to slow it all down so I can realize what's actually going on here.
In the meantime, I will just try to deal with the fact that I might poop during labor and I will pretend that is the scariest part of it all.
The article I read was written by a labor and delivery nurse and really worried me at first. But thinking about it later, I realize that I was choosing to dwell on the scary thought that I might be one of the vast majority because dwelling on the rest is even scarier.
The process of labor is something that I've thought about and witnessed and know that my body is made for. It is totally natural. But I find myself thinking, "Can I do this?" I know I can be a mom. I'll be a great mom. But I'm scared of the part where I BECOME a mom.
To comfort myself, I look around in busy places and try to wrap my brain around the fact that every single person I see is here because a woman went through what I'm going through. And what I will go through. It's overwhelming and comforting and makes me appreciate women (and my mom!) even more than I already did!
I guess I sort of feel like I'm on an extremely tall roller coaster and I'm already most of the way up. Now there is only one way down and that's the scary part. Sometimes I feel like I want to slow it all down so I can realize what's actually going on here.
In the meantime, I will just try to deal with the fact that I might poop during labor and I will pretend that is the scariest part of it all.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Six Months!
Today I am officially six months pregnant! And although one would figure by basic math that that means I'm starting my third trimester. Pregnancy math is a completely different thing. I will officially be in my third trimester on December 3rd. And although I am six months pregnant, I have three and a half months until my due date.
This is okay with me. I cannot believe how time is flying! I welcome the extra half month! I think about how fast the last six months have gone and can't imagine that in half that time I'll be holding her! And eating SUSHI!! I'm excited about both...
I wanted to reflect upon something I've discovered since I became pregnant. This is the sense of community that exists between women. The generosity that so many women have shown me is amazing. I didn't know how I would afford my temporary wardrobe and before I could think too much about it, I had a closet FULL of clothes! People have given me a crib mattress, toys, baby clothes, baby hats, sheets, a changing mattress, and the list goes on! One woman is even lending me her daughter's bassinet! It's genuinely heartwarming.
This is okay with me. I cannot believe how time is flying! I welcome the extra half month! I think about how fast the last six months have gone and can't imagine that in half that time I'll be holding her! And eating SUSHI!! I'm excited about both...
I wanted to reflect upon something I've discovered since I became pregnant. This is the sense of community that exists between women. The generosity that so many women have shown me is amazing. I didn't know how I would afford my temporary wardrobe and before I could think too much about it, I had a closet FULL of clothes! People have given me a crib mattress, toys, baby clothes, baby hats, sheets, a changing mattress, and the list goes on! One woman is even lending me her daughter's bassinet! It's genuinely heartwarming.
It's a Girl!
I'm so behind! I had the ultrasound on October 4th and anyone reading this probably already knows that I'm having a daughter! But I thought I ought to post it here with the ultrasound pics anyhow...
The last picture is the girlie evidence! Yay! I know I would've been just as happy with a boy, but I've always ALWAYS pictured a girl.
The last picture is the girlie evidence! Yay! I know I would've been just as happy with a boy, but I've always ALWAYS pictured a girl.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Firsts
Yesterday I finally bought a couple of pieces of clothing for the baby. For MY baby. And while I know that I will be spending the next 19+ years buying clothes for this kid, this was the first time. I've bought clothes for my nieces, for the children I've taken care of throughout the years, for myself, even for dogs and cats, but wow what an experience to buy my child something warm and snuggly for the very first time.
Another first happened last week when I felt the baby move. I had read that the baby is now moving around quite a bit and will respond if I poke my belly. So while I was waiting for Piper and Rowan to get home from school, I laid down on the couch and poked. I immediately felt a little flutter. It reminded me of the sensation I would get as a kid in a car that would go quickly down a hill and back up, only milder. It happened twice and then I just felt mean poking at it while it was trying to grow and develop. But on Sunday while I was watching football, the baby was really starting to move around in there! I think I have a little fan! Now I feel something in there at least once a day. I have to be lying still to notice it. I can't wait until it's really obvious!
The crazy thing is that I am still having a hard time believing that at the end of all of this, I will be a mommy. I go around all day doing the things I'm supposed to do and eating the things I'm supposed to eat and avoiding the things I'm supposed to avoid. I do all this because I'm pregnant. But then it will really hit me. Not just the words, but the reality. It literally knocks the wind out of me! It happened while I was paying for the clothes at Old Navy last night. I almost started to cry! I had to tell the cashier that this was the first time I had actually bought something for the baby. Saying it out loud made me laugh at myself a little which is great cause it was that or start crying!
Now I'm waiting for other firsts. The ultrasound is one, seeing the baby move and having others be able to see and feel it is another. But what really gives me goosebumps is the other firsts. The first time I hold the baby, breastfeed the baby, change its diaper, kiss its booboo. All the times I've done these things (minus breastfeeding haha) for so many kids. Now I get my own. My own Mackenzie, Breanna, Emmalee, Piper, Rowan, Kathleen, Danny, Duncan, Miller, Gray, Audrey, Melanie, Carly, Connor, Abby, Ethan, Jake, Chloe, Ryan, Bethany, Kristian, Lauren, and the list goes on...
I have loved so many children and now I will finally get the ultimate title of Mommy.
Another first happened last week when I felt the baby move. I had read that the baby is now moving around quite a bit and will respond if I poke my belly. So while I was waiting for Piper and Rowan to get home from school, I laid down on the couch and poked. I immediately felt a little flutter. It reminded me of the sensation I would get as a kid in a car that would go quickly down a hill and back up, only milder. It happened twice and then I just felt mean poking at it while it was trying to grow and develop. But on Sunday while I was watching football, the baby was really starting to move around in there! I think I have a little fan! Now I feel something in there at least once a day. I have to be lying still to notice it. I can't wait until it's really obvious!
The crazy thing is that I am still having a hard time believing that at the end of all of this, I will be a mommy. I go around all day doing the things I'm supposed to do and eating the things I'm supposed to eat and avoiding the things I'm supposed to avoid. I do all this because I'm pregnant. But then it will really hit me. Not just the words, but the reality. It literally knocks the wind out of me! It happened while I was paying for the clothes at Old Navy last night. I almost started to cry! I had to tell the cashier that this was the first time I had actually bought something for the baby. Saying it out loud made me laugh at myself a little which is great cause it was that or start crying!
Now I'm waiting for other firsts. The ultrasound is one, seeing the baby move and having others be able to see and feel it is another. But what really gives me goosebumps is the other firsts. The first time I hold the baby, breastfeed the baby, change its diaper, kiss its booboo. All the times I've done these things (minus breastfeeding haha) for so many kids. Now I get my own. My own Mackenzie, Breanna, Emmalee, Piper, Rowan, Kathleen, Danny, Duncan, Miller, Gray, Audrey, Melanie, Carly, Connor, Abby, Ethan, Jake, Chloe, Ryan, Bethany, Kristian, Lauren, and the list goes on...
I have loved so many children and now I will finally get the ultimate title of Mommy.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Getting Better. . .
Sorry that the last post was such a downer. I was really feeling terrible! But things have improved quite a bit this last week! I am able to eat and keep food down. I can even brush my teeth without triggering a gag reflex!
I'm very excited about being able to eat semi-normally again.
Another exciting development is that I can now feel the baby when I lie on my stomach! I can't feel it move yet, but there is definitely something in there that wasn't before!
My next midwife appointment is in one week. I will have to get my blood drawn which I hate. If one more woman with a needle tells me, "Well Honey, you better get used to it. If you can't handle a needle, how are you gonna handle childbirth?!" I'm gonna stab her with her own syringe!
More exciting is that in 28 days I get my ultrasound! And then I'll find out if it's a boy or a girl! If the baby refuses to show us, then I'm planning to take a later trip to a 3D ultrasound tech to find out anyway. But I really want to know sooner than later!!!
I am planning on purchasing a sewing machine within the next month and teaching myself to sew. I will have to see how good I am, but I'm thinking about sewing the crib bedding myself. I definitely want to learn to make baby clothes!!! So I want to find out the gender so I can start choosing fabric and patterns!
It is still very hard to believe that the frenzy that is pregnancy will eventually be a little human being that I am completely and utterly responsible for. Its health and happiness, its nutrition and education. This baby has no issues right now, no blemishes, and it will be up to me to take this perfectly clean slate and fill it with what I hope will be the right ingredients for a happy and fulfilling life. Whoa! Of everything I've ever done, this will be the most important job of my life.
It's overwhelming and wonderful and I can't wait to meet this little person!
I'm very excited about being able to eat semi-normally again.
Another exciting development is that I can now feel the baby when I lie on my stomach! I can't feel it move yet, but there is definitely something in there that wasn't before!
My next midwife appointment is in one week. I will have to get my blood drawn which I hate. If one more woman with a needle tells me, "Well Honey, you better get used to it. If you can't handle a needle, how are you gonna handle childbirth?!" I'm gonna stab her with her own syringe!
More exciting is that in 28 days I get my ultrasound! And then I'll find out if it's a boy or a girl! If the baby refuses to show us, then I'm planning to take a later trip to a 3D ultrasound tech to find out anyway. But I really want to know sooner than later!!!
I am planning on purchasing a sewing machine within the next month and teaching myself to sew. I will have to see how good I am, but I'm thinking about sewing the crib bedding myself. I definitely want to learn to make baby clothes!!! So I want to find out the gender so I can start choosing fabric and patterns!
It is still very hard to believe that the frenzy that is pregnancy will eventually be a little human being that I am completely and utterly responsible for. Its health and happiness, its nutrition and education. This baby has no issues right now, no blemishes, and it will be up to me to take this perfectly clean slate and fill it with what I hope will be the right ingredients for a happy and fulfilling life. Whoa! Of everything I've ever done, this will be the most important job of my life.
It's overwhelming and wonderful and I can't wait to meet this little person!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Trying to Have a Good Attitude.
So I'm in my second trimester now. The morning sickness is supposed to subside now. So far it has only gotten worse. I have had to make sure to nibble on something before I am even hungry in order to not be nauseous, but nothing sounds good. Being pregnant so far has been a lot like having an eating disorder, I eat, I puke, I don't eat, I puke, I'm hungry no matter what, nothing sounds appetizing, I puke. Lots of fun, I tell ya!
This kid is so grounded!
So despite the eating problems, my energy levels are definitely up (as long as I can eat). I started a new schedule at work that I love. I still work the same hours, but my days are broken up differently. Two of my days are broken up into 3 parts, and while that sounds like a lot, it makes the day fly by.
I really don't have much else to update everyone on. I can't wait for the next appointment and the ultrasound!!! Or, ya know, THE BABY! Then I'll have endless things to write about!
Til then. . .
This kid is so grounded!
So despite the eating problems, my energy levels are definitely up (as long as I can eat). I started a new schedule at work that I love. I still work the same hours, but my days are broken up differently. Two of my days are broken up into 3 parts, and while that sounds like a lot, it makes the day fly by.
I really don't have much else to update everyone on. I can't wait for the next appointment and the ultrasound!!! Or, ya know, THE BABY! Then I'll have endless things to write about!
Til then. . .
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
There Really IS a Baby in There!
So I've been going through this strange phase in which I feel as if I'm making all of this up in my head. Babies happen to other people, not me! Logic tells me that yes, I'm pregnant. But then the surrealism hits and it's just weird.
Today at my appt, the midwife couldn't find a heartbeat right away because of the whole tilted uterus thing and so she got out the old ultrasound machine!!! As soon as her assistant walked out to get it, she found the heartbeat, but I was like, "Can I still see it????"
So guess what??? PICTURES!!!!! They don't look like much and I can't find my scanner cords to upload them, but I will soon. For now, here is a video of the ultrasound from my iPhone. YAY!
My full anatomical ultrasound is scheduled for October 4th. That's when I'll (hopefully) find out the sex of the baby as well. I can't wait!!!
Today at my appt, the midwife couldn't find a heartbeat right away because of the whole tilted uterus thing and so she got out the old ultrasound machine!!! As soon as her assistant walked out to get it, she found the heartbeat, but I was like, "Can I still see it????"
So guess what??? PICTURES!!!!! They don't look like much and I can't find my scanner cords to upload them, but I will soon. For now, here is a video of the ultrasound from my iPhone. YAY!
My full anatomical ultrasound is scheduled for October 4th. That's when I'll (hopefully) find out the sex of the baby as well. I can't wait!!!
Monday, August 16, 2010
And We're Off. . .
Welcome to my new blog! If all goes as planned, this will be a place to let anyone who is interested keep up with my pregnancy and eventual baby!
In case anyone doesn't know, I'm due on March 4, 2011. I'm 11 weeks and 3 days today and have my first midwife appointment tomorrow. Hopefully I will hear the heartbeat tomorrow, but my tilted uterus may make it difficult.
I will get one ultrasound at 18 weeks unless there is a problem or they suspect multiples. I'm planning to go to a 3D ultrasound tech with my sister after that. So there will be baby pics here, but not for about 7 more weeks.
Well it's a boring start and I will hopefully have more entertaining stories to tell in the future, but this pregnant woman is tired right now.
In case anyone doesn't know, I'm due on March 4, 2011. I'm 11 weeks and 3 days today and have my first midwife appointment tomorrow. Hopefully I will hear the heartbeat tomorrow, but my tilted uterus may make it difficult.
I will get one ultrasound at 18 weeks unless there is a problem or they suspect multiples. I'm planning to go to a 3D ultrasound tech with my sister after that. So there will be baby pics here, but not for about 7 more weeks.
Well it's a boring start and I will hopefully have more entertaining stories to tell in the future, but this pregnant woman is tired right now.
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