Week 21

Date/Week: September 1; week 21 (16 weeks (112 days) to C/S)

Total weight gain/loss: ?

Milestones: We get our c-section date tomorrow. It will most likely be somewhere between Dec 15 and 17... hope we'll be home for Christmas!

Physical Progress: I have an increasingly rounding belly that generally looks pretty cool - even the boobs don't look so bad since they are now protrude less than the belly. I've been experimenting with various LUSH massage bars to mix up the tedium of moisturizing the bump... great scents!

Symptoms: been pretty tired this week, some leg cramps and a bit of nausea.

How do I feel about my body: It has been a good week. My mom and I had a conversation about the boobs - that would have helped a few months ago. I am growing to not mind the bump but sometimes forget it's there when I feel normal. I am still kind of startled to see it in the mirror when I go into the bathroom in the morning though.

Food cravings/aversions: chicken noodle soup; cheddar cheese on toasted raisin bread with butter (think I'll go get one when I finish this)

Sleep: Much better since Aidan is home. Strangely, the furbabies have been sleeping pretty well so we've both gotten some good sleep. Looking forward to sleeping in on Labour Day (a tiny bit anyway)

Energy level: I've been feeling tired when I get home but since Aidan is doing construction type things to the house (installing the large mirror in my office; putting in a heated towel rack) I've just been crocheting or knitting elsewhere in the house. I do need to organise my office - particularly my desk - but I may do it once he has finished painting that room. Also, once he finishes paining the nursery and moves the furniture, I can start dealing with washing cloth diapers and clothes that I've gotted off of eBay.

Exercise: Walking. Planning to go to prenatal yoga tonight and water aerobics on Saturday.

Baby Movement: He's a pretty active sproglet. He was moving those arms and legs all over the place during the level 2 u/s yesterday. He is stubborn though as he would not move from lying on his back. We've already started discussing where he gets his stubborn streak from...

Thoughts and Feelings? We're viable in 3 weeks and even though we're taking each week at a time, I will probaby breathe my first sigh of relief then. Still, we still need to get to 30 weeks to feel comfortable about delivering early at the hospital here. I just really want my blood pressure to cooperate and for us to get to December safely and healthy.

What I am looking forward to: Seeing my OB on Sept 2nd to book the new c/s date and seeing sproglet again on Sept 13th. I am in the midst of knitting or crocheting 3 blankets - I think I'll be sick of yarn (again) once they're done. I also find that I look forward to Sundays when I make soups and stews and other meals and freeze them for the forthcoming winter. Sure, Aidan cooks but I have a feeling we may have our hands full and he won't be interested in cooking!

What am I reading / things I’m learning: I started reading up on cloth diapering preparations since I have to start washing covers and cloth inserts soon. We're also purchasing some pampers swaddlers sensitive as backups.

Level 2 U/S

The level 2 ultrasound went well today. Sproglet wasn't in a cooperative mood. While he would move his arms and legs alot he would not rotate to allow for a proper scan of his spine or heart. He moved a bit when they had me roll to my side and such but they didn't think that the imagaes would be good enough. I have to go back on Sept 13th for another scan - which I don't mind at all. It will be great to see him again! Anyhow, he's a bit of a contortionist. He had his legs up by his head and he was grabbing his feet. He was also sucking his thumb again...


Afterwards I went to my nephrologist's office for a BP check. It's been up and down since Sunday. I need a prescription renewal so hopefully she'll adjust it a bit. Granted, my OB may want to change it on Thursday. I just need to get both of them talking to the high-risk OB in Boston...

The Tough Part...

Hitting 20 weeks has brought home the realisation home that a lot has to be done in preparation for sproglet's arrival. Sure, there's the physical stuff like a crib and diapers but there is also the budget. Last night was budget discussion night and it was tough. It meant talking about how we do things now - which has worked well - and how we need to do things considering schooling and the lot. It was a very difficult conversation for me because I had to admit to myself that I am not where I wanted to be with the arrival of sproglet. Way back when, when I was an idealistic newlywed in 2006, I wanted to be part-time when sproglet arrived. Follow on a few year years as my plans (and it seemed, my life) fell apart as I let the infertility journey get to me, and I am nowhere near that goal. In fact, I just took on a fulltime position recently to ensure my income is regular. Granted, part of this is thanks to the fire in February (we still need to renovate) but it is also as I look at childcare and schooling and wonder if being a consultant will allow us to meet the possible expenses.

Part of the discussion was how to deal with childcare. We're exploring hiring a nanny and sharing her with 1 or 2 other families. We'd provide the apartment (once renovated - Aidan has until January) so that would hopefully cut down on our 1/2 or 1/3 of the cost. It's a good plan if we can make it work...

In the end, we are in a good place still. We have enough in savings to deal with the renovation, pay for me to stay home 12 weeks if the new job makes me take unpaid leave and still have stuff left over. Still, I am not happy using savings (I'll get over it if I have to). We're going to work on new household and personal budgets including an account for sproglet and we're still going to fund our vacation account at the same level (we're going to need it).

I know the anxiety I felt last night was just due to dealing with a new stage of planning. It was also that my previous plans were not attainable. Still, I've done a lot this year to pull things back together. Sure, there is still a lot to do but my confidence is so much better than it was last year. Still, sometimes I look back on who I was and year for those days...

Life According to Retail Measurements...

Over the last few days I have been visiting various stores looking at their prices for potential registry additions. After visiting the second of 4stores that actually have registries on the Island, I came to verbilise what I have been seeing for years. The calendar year is majorly contracted when one looks at life according to the holidays and occassions that stores stock their shelves for.

I always notice this in the fall because they seem to change the displays and shelves so quickly. One store I visited today has just finished their 'Back to School' display and shelves. Schools are back in on Sept 7th so the displays will probably remain until the 17th or so. Then it'll be on to Hallowe'en. There's a decent shelf life for Hallowe'en thanks to the costume parties that many organisations hold for charitable and social purposes. On Nov 1st, the Hallowe'en stuff gets pushed to the side (50-75% off candy!) and last year they put out the artificial trees - undecorated but a sure sign that Christmas is around the corner. We don't have American Thanksgiving but sometimes we might get something fall related. Generally, they slowly put out the Christmas stuff - candy first, followed by decorations and gift sets - around the middle to end of November.

I went into a grocery store today and they were stocking shelves with Hallowe'en candy. Back to School isn't a big deal for them and I guess people start picking up packages of minature chocolate bars early. Due to this shelf stocking, I will now go to this grocery store's dollar store to see what Hallowe'en goodie bags that they've brought in. Last year I got minature plastic jack o' lanterns that I put small chocolates into for distribution in the office. These items sell out before September settles in so I look for the signs... sad, I know.

While from a retail perspective 2010 is on the way out, there are still some out of season bargains to be had. I love to see what Oriental Trading has to offer online - particularly for scrapbooking. I used to hold pretty regular scrapbooking parties that now only seem to take place during the fall for holiday cardmaking. I used to purchase supplies from them regularly but now I just shop their sales. I have just managed to get a few great deals on Christmas supplies. I think they'll probably be putting out their 2010 holiday supplies in the coming weeks but I have enough stuff to make a quite a few cards if I wish (not sure what I will do yet... need to see what the fall has for my schedule...). There are also some deals through places like QVC as they get ready for the seasonal transition.

I hope to enjoy the transition of retail occassions this year. It may be the last time for a long while that I even consider something as trivial as this (I only say trivial since I do not work in retail). To think of the years and years that this has transpired, like the changing of the seasons in nature. A wonder to behold and yet an indication of the passage of time.

Week 20

Date/Week: August 25; week 20 (17 weeks to C/S)

Total weight gain/loss: ?

Milestones: Half-baked!!! Sure, I am more than halfway there thanks to the scheduled c-section but it is an amazing milestone to reach for us!!!

Physical Progress: Even when I do abdominal exercises (elevators), my belly size doesn't change much anymore - I guess my baby belly is truly settled in!

Symptoms: some feet and leg cramps. Heartburn!!!

How do I feel about my body: I have my moments. I look and feel better in fitted clothing - I look huge in those maternity empire tops but then I put on a maternity t-shirt and look ok. Additionally, my belly has become a magnet for people to touch. I try to keep the look of horror off of my face. It is getting a bit easier to deal with but it is just the strangest thing for people to do to me!!!

Food cravings/aversions: Glazed donut; soup

Sleep: I am currently a single mom to 4 furbabies while Aidan is in Toronto. I am up at least three times every night to let someone in or out. I can't seem to do this in zombie mode so I suffer between 9.30 and 11.30am. I do feel better in the afternoon though. I can't wait to catch up on my sleep this weekend!

Energy level: I am parking and walking to and from work while Aidan is away and it is a hike (there are a lot of hills). In this humidity it drains me. However, I have quite a bit of energy at night so my to-do list is getting sorted beautifully.

Exercise: Walking and some pilates.

Baby Movement: He definitely likes to move!! He likes it when the cat purrs next to my stomach as well.

Thoughts and Feelings? I took inventory of all of the baby related stuff that we've purchased or have been given since 2007 last night. It was supposed to be in preparation for developing a shower registry. It did make me a little sad because I saw our journey towards sproglet in the corner of one room. Yes, knowing that sproglet is growing strong is a happy feeling but the infertility experience was not a good one and I am still working to put some aspects of my life back together. 

Anyhow, we have a good cloth diaper stash and some nice g-pants, grobaby shells and bumgenius 3.0 diapers. I hope we'll do well cloth diapering. I need to wash everything but I'll wait until the fall to start doing that.

What I am looking forward to: Seeing sproglet again on August 31st and seeing my OB on Sept 2nd to book the new c/s date. I am also looking forward to the baby shower (whenever that happens) for the advice that will come with it. I think I want to capture the advice creatively - in a scrapbook or something. Oh - and I am looking forward to Christmas in 4 months!!!

What am I reading / things I’m learning: Since the purchase of the Stokke Xplory, we've been watching youtube demonstrations on how to use it. My goodness, it is amazing. I am officially a Stokke geek - after Aidan, of course!

Where did the week go?

Wow - the week has flown! Aidan just flew out to Toronto for business meetings for the week so I am home alone. Actually, I am the single mom of 4 furbabies!!! Ptomely is a little sick so I am in the process of boiling chicken and rice for him. I am also starting on making soups and stews for Dec/Jan to freeze so we won't have to worry about food once sproglet gets here.

We've started the search for a name. We've narrowed the first name down to two Gaelic names. We're having a bit of a problem with one. Since we intend to use 'Klaus' as the middle name, one name starts with a 'C' and the sound clashes a bit. We're considering a second name to go before 'Klaus' but nothing is resonating with me - and Aidan won't take my suggestion of the name 'Tiberius' seriously... 

I have a week and 2 days before our level 2 scan and then on Sept 2 we'll find out what the c-section date will be. I'm excited and nervous. Time has flown and there is so much to do. Plus, we'll have to prepare for Christmas before the surgery - much like we did last year. Needless to say, I will be reviewing my 2010 Christmas purchases and my card list soon... and I think I need to throw in a few prenatal massages for good measure!

Other than that, Aidan is going to concentrate on renovating the apartment in the coming months. Having the apartment unrented really has made us realise the cushion it has provided. Sure, we're still doing ok (plus, I just went fulltime with my govt client in order to get mat leave and vacation in the new year) but it was nice to know that we had that extra income for emergencies. With the house pretty sorted for sproglet and the major items purchased, he can concentrate on the renovation while I do preparations here. I am so hopeful that the apartment will be rented in January.

Week 19

Date/Week: August 18; week 19 (18 weeks to C/S at 37 weeks)

Total weight gain/loss: ?

Milestones: It's a Boy!!!!!

Physical Progress: I look pregnant and don't mind it anymore!!!

Symptoms: some feet and leg cramps. Not feeling too tired anymore.

How do I feel about my body: Good week! I guess I finally am comfortable with my pregnant look. 

Food cravings/aversions: Italian food

Sleep: Horrible before the doctor's appointment an not optimal after the appointment - I miss my tempurpedic mattress and pillow (and my dogs snuggling in at night)

Energy level: The heat in Boston drained me a bit but the humidity was low. I am now going back to lower temperatures but higher humidity.. Thank God for A/C. Other than that, I probably need to do something about my allergies in the coming weeks because that takes my energy away too!

Exercise: Lots and Lots of walking in my Shape-Ups

Baby Movement: He's moving and his bones are getting ready to start some serious kicking and punching. I feel him quite a bit now since he is so active.

Thoughts and Feelings? We're on the downward slope to a 36 week arrival date. There is so much to do to prepare - plus so much to also do to try to keep my blood pressure down. I really don't want to be hospitalised during the last weeks so I need to see what I can do to stay on the 75% chance of not having pre-e. 

What I am looking forward to: Seeing sproglet again on August 31st and seeing my OB on Sept 2nd to book the new c/s date. Plus it'll be good to see how he takes the high-risk doc's report and his new plan of action for me.

What am I reading / things I’m learning: This is from Aidan - The u/s was intriguing. They managed to get so many angles of sproglet by working over a very small area of skin. I was trying to figure out how the process worked scientifically as I was watching the screen. It was also cool to be able to see that sproglet was a boy on the screen before the u/s technical had even said a word about what we were looking at.