Week 16

Date/Week: July 28; week 16


Total weight gain/loss:

Milestones: We're at 4 months! We enter our 5th month next week (according to the Mayo Clinic book)!

Physical Progress: I look less pregnant than I did last week - sorta...

Symptoms: off again, on again nausea (still); a little tired

How do I feel about my body: I'm happier since I have clothes that fit and look pretty decent (particularly for work)

Food cravings/aversions: watermelon; waffles

Sleep: Pretty good this week - trying to sleep on my left side is kinda tough at times (I'm a right side sleeper)

Energy level: Not as good as last week - need to be more regular with the exercise!

Exercise: swimming/water aerobics on Saturdays; pilates and yoga; walking

Baby Movement: There's a dance class going on in there (not always felt but I'm picking it up on the doppler)

Thoughts and Feelings? Actually have found myself wondering whether we should consider a second - would we do IVF again - where would we go to do it. I had to put those thoughts aside and now I am contemplating daycare options (hoping to find a Montessori-based programme... or a live-out nanny share)

What I am looking forward to: relaxing over the long Cup Match Weekend (July 29 - Aug 1) and our Boston appointment in 2 weeks

What am I reading / things I’m learning: Weight Gain - I am within my ideal range and my doctors are happy with it. I just hope I don't hit the maximum number they expect - that would be mental hell!Still, I know I'll be able to get rid of it at the end so I need to get over the shock of eventually seeing numbers I've never seen before.

Christmas in July

When I used to spend summers in NY as a child I used to look forward to Christmas in July. July 25th - a day where I could watch Christmas cartoons and movies, listen to Christmas songs and see the great toys that 'might be popular' in December. I used to pour over the New York papers and cut out the ads for the toys that I liked and share them with my grandmother. She would usually do her magic behind the scenes because one or two items would end up under the tree on December 25th. Even though my grandparents rarely made it to Bermuda for Christmas, their presence was definitely felt.

Anyhow, yesterday was Christmas in July day and I enjoyed it somewhat. No newspapers to pour over but there was QVC and some online catalogs to give me ideas on what to get for my 3 nieces. I also spent some time on Cartoon Network for a few Christmas cartoons. All was well until I began wondering what this Christmas would be like. Would we even be in Bermuda? Will we have any family with us if we are in the US? If I haven't delivered by then, will we have any decorations? stockings? cassava pie with our turkey dinner? I was down for a little bit because I love our family Christmases (and Easters). I soon got over it as I thought that we'd be awaiting the best present ever and our families will be with us in spirit (and who knows who might come to visit). We'd still find a place for midnight Mass (hopefully we could go) and at least we'll be there together. And I love Boston at Christmas time - actually, I love most places I've visited during that time of year. So we'll have a great Christmas 2010, no matter how it presents itself!

Week 15

Date/Week: July 21; week 15

Total weight gain/loss: 

Milestones: Wearing maternity clothes more than my regular clothes. The suit jacket that I got for work looks amazing!

Physical Progress: OK - I am looking pregnant if I wear a fitted shirt

Symptoms: some round ligament pain; boobs are still growing (damn)

How do I feel about my body: I'm going to have to get used to my stomach, particularly as it continues to grow

Food cravings/aversions: nachos; peanut butter & bacon on toasted english muffins

Sleep: The dreams are crazy!

Energy level: Pretty good - loving the water aerobics

Exercise: swimming/water aerobics on Saturdays; pilates and yoga; walking

Baby Movement: Still light flutters - baby is getting higher up

Thoughts and Feelings? Thinking about the second half of the year and what life will be like 6 months from now. I am a bit more comfortable telling friends but I haven't shared with everyone.

What I am looking forward to: relaxing over the long Cup Match Weekend (July 29 - Aug 1) and I want to do some shopping in Boston next month (I really want a ipad)

What am I reading / things I’m learning: Janet Evanovich - Sizzling Sixteen (needed a break from pregnancy related reading) / I need to go on vacation in Rotorua, NZ sometime in the future... this has nothing to do with the latest Stephanie Plum novel

Week 15

July ICLW

I can't believe we're in July already! This year is more than half over and I am simply stunned. Still, the rest of the summer (yay swimming) and the fall (my favourite) are ahead so I will merrily run into the downside of 2010.

I've been trying to think of how to do the intro this month. Our TTC details are on the side for those of you who want to know how we got to this point. As for me. here's some more info - theme: entertainment:

Favourite TV Show: At the moment, it's a tie between 'Leverage' and 'Doctor Who'

Favourite Movie, Musical: Singing in the Rain

Favourite Movie, Sci-Fi: too many but I love 'Star Trek: Wrath of Khan' and 'Star Wars: A New Hope'

Favourite Stage Musical: A tie between 'Wicked', 'Phantom of the Opera' and 'A Chorus Line'

Favourite Movie Song: There are so many but at the moment it is "You're All The World To Me" from 'Royal Wedding' (whewre Fred Astaire dances on the ceiling

Favourite Song: 'The Way You Look Tonight' sung by Frank Sinatra

Favourite Dance Number, movie: Cyd Charisse Dancing with Gene Kelly in the Broadway section of 'Singing In the Rain'

Favourite Dance Number, stage: 'One' from 'A Chorus Line'

Favourite Dance Style: I love ballet and highland dancing

Favourite Dancer, male: Mikhail Baryshnikov

Favourite Dancer, female:  (tough one) Again, so many but I would say Ann Reinking

Nursery Planning

We layed out the nursery on AutoCad this evening. It was pretty cool. We've had to do some rearranging to our living room in order to move Aidan's grandfather's clavichord out of the room. We've managed to fit the following in the nursery: a dresser with hutch (we've found 2nd hand and will get it when the owners move on Aug 15), a crib (have - 2nd hand), glider & ottoman (have - second hand) and changing table dresser from IKEA (have owned since we moved in). 

Now that this is sorted, we just need to begin to disassemble the guest room. We're going to see if we can sell the two twin beds (used as a king) that are in there and we'll move the bookcase into our bedroom. In addition to the clavichord move, we also need to sort out Aidan's pre-marriage boxes (yeah, they're still sitting under the windows...). I assume we should be able to begin constructing the nursery in September.

Week 14

Date/Week: July 15; week 14

Total weight gain/loss: 

Milestones: Firmly into 2nd tri and we can immediately find the heartbeat on the doppler.

Physical Progress: I think I've popped somewhat... darn weak abdominals...

Symptoms: Still having a few nauseous moments

How do I feel about my body: I love my Old Navy Maternity shorts. I don't look fat anymore

Food cravings/aversions: roast beef carvery and spring rolls

Sleep: Up maybe 2-3 times a night

Energy level: Pretty good - back to regular exercise!

Exercise: swimming/water aerobics on Saturdays

Baby Movement: Still light flutters

Thoughts and Feelings? I feel more organized. We'll be laying out the nursery in autocad tonight!

What I am looking forward to: relaxing over the long Cup Match Weekend (July 29 - Aug 1)

What am I reading / things I’m learning: Fit Pregnancy / I actually understand more what the articles and ads relate to

Week 14

Why Does Getting Organised Mean That I'm Nesting...

Yeah, I got that comment this weekend. I didn't appreciate it because I would have had to sort out the closets in my house whether I was pg or not. Aidan said I just shouldn't tell anyone what I am doing if I don't want the comments. Good point but if I don't say anything then they start bothering me with a ton of questions...

Anyhow, back to clearing out closets. We've gotten into the habit over the years of putting things into the closet for storage. Needless to say, the closets had everything from wedding stuff to dance stuff and even boxes of Aidan's stuff from his childhood (my childhood stuff is still at my parents' - I keep hoping they forget the stuff is there because I don't have anywhere to put it...). So we purchased a few plastic containers and divided things into keep (back into storage), donate (off to the Salvation Army) and yard sale (got to set a date). We got through all three closets but now need to sort out my office (stuff on bookcases and in the room) and the basement (Aidan's job). Then there's the kitchen cabinets to organise - I say every Christmas that we need to do that and have yet to do so (I honestly don't know where to start...)

If I were to be nesting - and I didn't tell anyone that we did this - we did put maternity clothes and wearable normal clothes in my closet... 

Prep Class - take 2

Yes, there was a take 1, in the fall of 2007. I even have the information recorded in this blog. That was a time when we were optimistic, didn't know what IF entailed and had just (and I mean only just) thrown the birth control to the side. Needless to say, we haven't had any interest in even learning what preparation courses were available until recently. So we had to start from scratch. The landscape has completely changed in 3 years. People have retired, programmes have been discontinued while others have popped up. Thank God for my SIL. She recommended 2 that we should check out. Both were for parenting and one would provide specific info related to c-sections. Both are cheaper than their advertised price since we won't be doing the labour and delivery prep segments. And one had an 'early-bird' session that covered nutrition and other prep. I called both and I am glad that I did.

The one with the c-section info isn't until October 16th. It'll be a 12 noon - 6pm session and I've now spoken to 4 friends who did this course who had c-sections - only one was scheduled btw. It is actually the second session as the week before is labour and delivery. So we've booked and are paying 1/2 price.

As for the second option, we decided to do it as well. It is usually a 3 stage process - the early-bird one-on-one session, a 5 week (2 hour session each week) Lamaze and parenting workshop and an amazing baby session. The facilitators are phenomenal and one was my nurse forever in my pediatrician's office. Unfortunately she is retired (her son had twins last fall so she's being grandma, in addition to her regular job) but she's agreed to do amazing baby one-on-one when we are ready because she loves us so much!!! We did the early-bird session with her former partner last night and will only have to do the parenting classes in November (2 sessions) - again, at a reduced price. We're going this route because it'll let us meet people who will be due around the time we are (if we're here... I hope we will be).

Last night was great. It was a two-hour session and she covered so very much. I've decided to capture my favorite bits below:

• Nutrition - eat small meals throughout the day; eat at least 5 portions of fruits and veg daily; a balanced diet is important; floradix is a good addition; drink lots and lots of water
• Relax - go walking, go swimming, turn off the tv during meals, turn off the blackberry for an hour when you get home and rest
• Allergies and Asthma - remove unnecessary pillows, cushions and stuffed toys from the bedroom; Do not use perfume, household sprays or plug-ins (I was banned from these when I was diagnosed with asthma...); Keep the baby's bedroom simple.

There was a lot of other information provided (and 2 books). It was great because Aidan really enjoyed the session and liked many of the recommendations on decorations (minimal) and child development (yeah, he'll be setting up a special ipod for sproglet). It was a good entry back into this world and I am so happy that it was one-on-one. Discussing our journey and our high-risk status at the beginning was difficult but she made us feel so very comfortable. She also evaluated my diet and exercise (high marks), our nursery plans (a great big yes since it takes into acount our allergies and my asthma) and our product research (she gave us recommendations since we are 'tall parents'). It was money well spent!

So many thoughts in my head

It has been a busy week. Monday was my Godfather's funeral. It was lovely and in the end I was asked to read a poem. It basically enabled me to 'come out' since it was tough to hide my expansion adequately in a non-air conditioned church. Anyhow, it was a beautiful service and I cried twice; once when we sang 'Blessed Assurance' (I could hear my Great-Grandmother singing it in my head and I miss her so very much) and the second when they were lowering him into the grave while Aidan played 'Amazing Grace' on the bagpipes. It was great to see family and friends but I don't like that it only seems to happen at funerals.... there hasn't been a wedding since mine so that isn't even a factor.

As for the whole concept of telling people, I did have a few people say on a board that I belong to that the PC ideal of waiting for the 2nd tri to tell people isn't that big a deal since things can go wrong at any time. That statement made me think because our choice not to tell anyone outside of immediate family and those who knew our IF battles was the furthest thing from PC. Sure, the 2nd tri is a major milestone for us - but we have so many more ahead of us and I don't believe that we're truly living in the joy of the moment because we know those future milestones are so critical. That said, we also wanted to savour this wonderful event by ourselves for a while. No one IRL really knows our IF struggles so this pg to them is just like any other. For us, however, I see my husband smile, and I mean really smile, for the first time in so long when we go to a scan and I am so happy that for these last few weeks that we've been able to share it without outside commentary.

With that, life keeps moving. We found a second hand glider and ottoman and I tried to wash the cushions last night in the washer. After almost flooding the floor twice, I soaked them in the bathtub overnight and they're out in the yard drying right now. I may try the upholstery cleaner this weekend and scotchguard everything at that time. Our list of needs is finalised and in the coming weeks we'll have to figure out how to deal with the transition of the guest room into nursery. The closet has been reconfigured so now we need to plan for what we need to do for the rest of the room (plus I want to add a 5-drawer dresser in there)

Week 13

Date/Week: July 7; week 13

Total weight gain/loss: 174.75 (+.25)

Belly measurement: will start that next week

Milestones: According to 'What To Expect When You're Expecting', we're in our second trimester today - "Fit Pregnancy' says it's next week.

Physical Progress: I've been wearing some maternity tops since my regular tops are popping buttons and wearing a large looks strange on me. I've purchased a few maternity pants for use soon since the hair elastic method of buttoning my pants is getting painful.

Symptoms: Still having a few nauseous moments; Feeling run down in the evening

How do I feel about my body: I actually look much better in maternity clothes, even though I am not mad about the styles that are currently out there.

Food cravings/aversions: craving burritos, avacadoes and yoghurt

Sleep: Still actively dreaming but also waking up to pee at about 2am consistently

Energy level: Better but I have no desire to go running anywhere!

Exercise: still walking; plan to add some swimming/water aerobics on Saturday.

Baby Movement: At the NT scan I realised that when sproglet moved that I felt a fluttery sensation. I've been paying attention to the fluttery sensation since as it isn't a strong feeling yet. The doctor said I'll feel it really well at around week 16-18

Thoughts and Feelings?  I am more comfortable (again) with being high risk and with the possibility of having to stay in Boston near the end of this journey. It will be another interesting adventure!

What I am looking forward to: feeling what it is like to swim while pg on Saturday.

What am I reading / things I’m learning: Baby Bargains / buying 2nd hand is wonderful (and I totally agree)

Week 13

Hello Boston, Good bye Ireland

We've booked Boston. We'll fly out on Aug 15 and fly back on the 18th. We've decided to stay at the Newbury Guest House this time - wanted to make it a little more fun! Aidan said we can buy the Stokke high chair while we're there. 

I looked at some extended stay rentals for if I have to be there for more than a few weeks in the fall. There are some good options. I think I'll be more comfortable than I thought if I end up out there - my only issue might be the weather!!!

It looks like we won't be going to Ireland in September. The Regiment are sending Aidan to a Band Camp in the UK for a week - during the week we would have gone to Ireland. I might still go up for the second part of the trip in London but we've decided to play it by ear. In any case, I can pay extra to extend my ticket to another trip in the future so it isn't a loss - particularly since we're supposed to go to Norway next July for Aidan's dad's 70th.

Well, the 2nd tri starts next week. I am so amazed that I'm reaching this milestone. It seems like it was such a long time in coming. I am so, so , so very grateful for the last 12 weeks and I intend to enjoy the next two trimesters as much as I can!

NT Scan and July OB Visit

Yeah, two days straight of nervousness because of back to back  appointments. It's been worth it though as we both feel much better as we go into the 2nd tri...

First was the NT Scan. I read so many books and websites on what it was about and what to expect. Needless to say, I was praying hard for a result under 2.5mm. I was so happy with the 3 measurements. The first was 1.8mm, the second 1.5mm and the third 1.4mm. We were so very happy. Sproglet was moving a lot, so much so that Aidan said it looked like a hamster on one of those wheels. I couldn't stop laughing, which didn't help with the u/s. Finally, we got a measurement of 12w 2 days which was the same as our June u/s.

Today was not as much fun. My blood pressure was up but it varied so much when it was measured again and again that I was asked to take it daily at home. If it starts creeping up, I have to call to have the meds adjusted. Second, there was protein in my baseline urine so I've been asked to go to the consult in Boston on August 16th. I've contacted my coordinator so we'll book the flights when she confirms how long I'll have to be out there. I also will be seeing my nephrologist on the 22nd so they'll keep an eye on me!

Anyhow, we got to see sproglet again today. Very active again and we even got a wave. And I swear, I'm feeling a fluttery sensation in my belly when all of this movement happens. I'm going to have to pay attention going forward...

ON a non-doctor's visit related note, we also purchased a 2nd hand Bugaboo Frog today. It was an amazing deal. We're pretty psyched about the purchase!