Why I wish my watch went to 13.

Hi all. I feel bad that I haven't been so attentive in updating my blog. Erik and I were busy teaching CERT classes and whatnot that time just slips away. CERT classes are over though and the web site I was working on for work was having issues, so that gave me the time to come here and update you a little of what's going on.

I'm officially at 28 weeks today. Had a check up today too. The baby is growing big and strong and according to the last 2 ultrasounds, his due date has been moved up 2 days. Not enough to go.. WOW! But I thought it was worth mentioning. So much goes on in 2 days when you're that small and still growing. I'm hoping this continues and Braeden won't be staying as long as his dad did in the womb. From what I hear though, now a days, as long as the child has been in for the full time, they will encourage being induced. They don't want the child getting so big that he causes complications in delivery.

Went for my glucose screening last week. Basically I had to go in to the lab, drink a bottle of something that tasted like flat Sprite, sit in a chair for an hour, then have blood drawn. Passed the test! YAY! If I didn't, they'd have me in for a 3 hour test. No thanks.

Erik and I started birthing classes at the hospital. We meet on Monday nights for about 5 or 6 weeks. The teacher is a professional doula. Nice gal with oodles of knowledge. If you don't know what a doula is, it's basically a trained birthing coach that you can hire to help you out before, during and after labor and she'll even come in for a couple post delivery visits to check up on you. It seems that we have a good group of about 8 couples.. all of which will be delivering way before me. While I feel huge on normal days, these ladies make me feel tiny. I know that I'll soon enough be there though. Here's Erik trying out how much weight we typically put on while pregnant. Personally, I think it needed to sit lower and they needed to wear it the entire class.. or at least for 30 min.


I've thought about taking other classes at the hospital. There's some kind of newborn care class (diapers, bathing, medical, burping.. all that kind of stuff) and a breast feeding class. I really don't know how to specifically care for a newborn but I think that I'd be able to figure it out. The breast feeding though... I know it should seem natural, but it's really not. It's a learned skill. There are various ways to hold your child that might help in feeding, there's trying to get the correct latch so you child can actually eat and not just get smothered, there's how far in and the placement of breast to child... there's even instances where the child forgets how to suck. Yes.. it seems weird that a child might forget how to do something that seems so natural, but even my friend's daughter had the hospital faked out at first. For a day or so, the little one was going through the motions, but not actually eating! Do I trust that things will naturally fall into place? or do I take a class? Don't know.

Braeden's room isn't really coming along very well right now. But then, we have a little time. I'd really like to get it cleaned out and the crib up.. but that will come in time I guess. We did have the manager remove the old nasty drapes and replace them with new blinds! THAT... already made a lovely improvement in there. Still so much to do though.

Can't really go out shopping for him yet. Stupid bills. But we have been looking at things. We've settled on a Baby Bjorn carrier that we really like for holding our little one... but while at REI, I caught Erik scoping out the big hiking carriers! LOL.

Looked at the stroller that we really want too. It's expensive, yes.. but it's really sturdy and well designed for safety while parents and child are on the go! It's a BOB jogging stroller. We figure that this will also give us a chance to get out, exercise, be able to take him with us and also instill the desire and importance of getting out and exercising (or.. having fun running as we'll call it).

I did buy him one thing though... the first thing I've bought him.... I got it while working a disaster/eco fair on the Disney Studios lot. Because we had worked that day, we were able to get a discount on stuff in their store. I saw this... and couldn't pass it up. While the Baby Disney stuff is ok, I seem to like the regular Disney stuff in mini-me size.

It's incredibly soft and so adorable.

OOhh!! Hey!! Got a new bed finally! Well, kinda. Our old mattress and box springs were so badly needing to be put out of their misery but we just couldn't see spending that kind of $$$ on getting anything new right now. Started talking with a friend of ours and it turns out that for the past 6 years she's had a King sized mattress and box springs just sitting, taking up space in her storage unit that she just didn't know what to do with! I'm so thankful to her and her S.O. for helping us out like that. So now we have a practically brand new bed and I'm sleeping so much better now and I can also get up easier out of it too!! To Grant & Sherilyn... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! I can not thank you enough! THANK YOU!

In other news... I just found out that the Los Angeles U2 concert is sold out. I'm both sad and relieved. I would have loved to have gotten tickets... I just couldn't see spending the cash right now. So, by it being sold out, it's a little less depressing knowing that I can't get tickets anyway.

That's really about it for now. If anything else comes to mind, I'll let you know.
Ciao for now!
xoxo

24 Weeks and Counting!

Hi all! I've officially hit 24 weeks today and realized that I've got some updating to do.

First of all.. we've decided on finally announcing the name. We've been too excited not to.

Braeden Mitchell Day

Isn't it just wonderful?!! We liked other names, but when we found just how popular they are... we just weren't as excited about them for our little guy. I found Braeden on a Gaelic/Irish baby names web site and just loved it. Erik came up with Mitchell. Mitchell is the name of a character in a book he's trying to get published and this character has been close to his heart for years. The name sounds wonderful... it isn't terribly popular and is yet very cool and so far very well received. Its masculine and yet compassionate. AND it's not a name he'd get his as kicked for at school! LOL

Now.. on to other news. I had an ultrasound done on Monday and Good News!!!... The placenta has in fact moved out of the way! Whoo-Hoo! And as my friend put it... "now you get to experience the joys of childbirth!" .... Oh yay. But in all seriousness, now that I know that Braeden has a much better chance of going to full term... I'll take that "joy".. even in the blistering summer heat.



Another thing about that ultrasound... last time he was quite shy and we couldn't see him all that well. Monday we got a beautiful face-shot of him and OH.. MY... GOODNESS!!! He already looks like his daddy. Seriously! The Day Men seem to have the same dramatic eyes and the same nose and it looks like little Braeden has them as well! Erik says "Poor Kid", but really.. I've always loved these features. Check out this picture. I put together Braeden... Erik as a little boy... and his father. It's unmistakable!



In other news...we've started working on converting the office to the nursery. This is not an overnight task seeing as we still use this room.. but it needs to be done and it actually feels really good. Our friend Paul and Mia are giving us their crib that their daughter is too old for now. I can't wait to get it. It will help us plan out Braeden's room and how we're decorating it.

We've started the baby registry at Babies R Us and it's amazing just how much STUFF they need. I'm trying to be lean on what we Actually need.. but even those things seem expensive and really adds up.

There seems to be days that I would think, "Wow.. I've really come a long way and don't have much longer to go!". But then yesterday I was doing the math.... I've still got 4 months!! Just when i'm feeling huge, I'll see another pregnant woman who's much further along and realize that yeah.. we've still got quite a bit of growing to do. However, I do feel that I'm going through a certain right of passage. It's getting harder to bend down, Sleeping is disturbed with either being uncomfortable or having to get up to go pee, having to pee so much now that when I go someplace I take mental note of just where exactly the bathroom is, crossing my legs and flexing my inner muscles when I sneeze so I don't pee, I've had my first random nose bleed, and I've learned to appreciate just how wonderful those ugly-but-oh-so-wonderfully-comfortable elastic bands are on maternity pants and skirts. I also think that skirts are the way to go. I've already grown out of my first pair of maternity pants. Skirts have far more stretching room and will be comfy in those months after delivery too.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with my belly piercing yet. I've heard you can keep it in for some time, but it's really irritated this week. There are maternity piercings that are longer and flex with mommy's expanding belly. I just don't know what i'm going to do yet. I really don't want to lose it. I've had it for over 10 years and I'm still fond of it. But I don't know how well that belly bar will work or if i'll just get irritated by it and in a fit of hormonal irritation, just *gently* yank it out.

I'm kind of irritated with the doctor juggling at the Ob/Gyn office. I chose my doctor because I really like her.. she has wonderful bedside manor. What I didn't know when I chose that office is that she is also pregnant. She's 8 weeks ahead of me. She's also recently had to take medical leave and won't be back for a while. Now, I seem to be juggled between the doctors that are filling in for her and normally.. if I were to go to a doctor for a cold... I wouldn't mind so much. However, this is someone who needs to know my history, someone I can share my concerns with and will understand where I'm coming from, someone I can trust and who I'll feel comfortable with when that time comes to deliver the little one. The only regular there right now is the Midwife. I know she can deliver the baby... but she doesn't have hospital privileges like the doctors do. From what I've heard though, once you're in there, you barely see your doctor and you're mostly taken care of in there by the maternity nurses. Thats fine. It's just in this emotionally turbulent time, I'd like to have some consistency.

OOhh!! Completely forgot to mention... I'm totally feeling him bop around in there now. It's really kinda neat. It's not to the point where some random person can have their hand on my stomach and feel it... but if I'm laying really still... sometimes I'm lucky enough to see him kick out. I've been told to hold this time as being precious... for soon enough he'll be kicking ribs and I'll be begging for mercy. LOL.. Got a little taste of vengeance today while at the doctor's office. The midwife was pressing down significantly to be able to measure where the uterus was. Once I sat up, Braeden found my bladder and kicked at it 3 times. Each time my immediate thought was Please don't pee!. That was some rough kicking!

Thats about it for now I think. Gotta actually get some work done.
Ciao for now!

Talk about turning 180 degrees!

I saw the OB/GYN on Wednesday for the usual prenatal checkup and heartbeat listening session.

I asked him about exercising while having the Placenta Previa and I was so elated when he said that I could still exercise... but lightly. Lightly was good with me! As long as I was allowed to move!!

I also found out that the results from the Amnio were all good and yes.. we're definitely having a little boy! I'm so pleased that he's healthy in all ways that can be tested! AND.. we can finalize a name. (Actually, we have one, but we're not telling yet! )

We then continued to talk about the Previa condition and what it possibly meant down the road in the weeks ahead. He said that because of the placement he didn't see it moving. There's the chance it could move.. but he doubted that it would. Poop. He then warned me that if it didn't move..I might see a bit of bleeding between 30 & 32 weeks and then because of the pressure on the placenta and the baby not be getting the nutrition he needs, a c-section would probably scheduled between 34 & 36 weeks. Um.. medically speaking... baby isn't full term until 37 weeks. That would mean a preemie.. and with preemies often come mental and physical difficulties. Now, there is a steroid out there that can be given to baby in those last weeks to help give him a much needed development spurt... but we'll come to that when it's time. I also know that many preemies come out wonderfully fine... But like I really needed more stress. I'll know more after the next ultrasound on the 30th of this month if the placenta is on the move or not.

So, wow.. Ok.. now with the new news.. I'm feeling so incredibly selfish. Here I was.. all whiny because I wasn't allowed to exercise.. and now... if it would help get junior to full term and be as healthy and happy as he possibly can be.. I'd take bed rest right now! Life is difficult enough without him having a tough start. Suddenly, things are in a whole different perspective now that I know there's a possibility that junior might not get to full-term. I'm sure I'll be fine being active for a while, but honestly, with the prospect of junior coming 6 or more weeks early... I think that once it starts getting a little cramped in there for him.. I'm putting myself on bed rest if it will help him and the placenta even just a little. I'll have plenty of time to exercise once I'm healed from delivery. The summer will be ending as will the sweltering heat... good time to get out there with the jogging stroller, move this butt of mine and introduce junior to the world and the world to junior!

Cheers,
Jen

Limited and Depressed

So.. I've been recently told by my ultrasound doctor that I have Placenta Previa (where the placenta covers the cervix... and will hopefully move eventually as the uterus grows) and I'm now considered "high risk". I'm not allowed to have sex, not allowed to exercise.. not even lightly... Not allowed to do really much of anything. I can walk. I can walk at a normal walking speed. Thats it. It's been almost a week since I've been told this and I feel I'm falling deeper into anger & depression. I'm not the type to throw hangers.. and I broke and threw a hanger today followed by sobbing quietly under the covers so my DH wouldn't worry about me (he already knows I'm frustrated).

I had already accepted that my body is not my own while I'm pregnant and have accepted certain changes and limitations. But this news and new "you can't do anything" rule I feel is sending down Depression Drive. I ran 3 half marathons last year. I'm an active person now being told I can get up ... and walk to the couch.

I know it's not the baby's fault nor is it mine... It just IS. I can't even ask my regular OB/GYN (whom I LOVE) about it because she just went on maternity leave herself! Now I'm stuck with a doctor who doesn't know me... and is a male. I chose my doctor because I wanted a female doctor.

Anyway.. I'm frustrated as hell and the thought of having 5 more months of this is breaking my heart.

Figuring it out

I've had a week to let things settle in my head about the boy vs girl situation. Yeah.. I still stand on what I said about not having a clue how to relate with and raise a boy... but after thinking about it for a while.. Boys really aren't so bad. They can be really quite wonderful as long as they are brought up right and not let them become little beasties like the boy in our building. I'm excited now. I really am.

I also started to think deeper about my concerns. I still have this concern that I'm going to feel clueless once the child comes. And perhaps I will feel clueless. I've heard it's not uncommon to feel this way. Especially for your first child.

I also realized that I was feeling bad for already failing at being the mommy I wanted to be. I had these goals that when I became pregnant, I wanted to eat really healthy foods.. cut out the crap food as much as possible and be in the gym all the time so I can be a fit and healthy mommy for my unborn child. What I didn't expect was the 2 and 1/2 months of exhaustion and nausea. I was sleeping constantly and too tired to even consider the gym and could only eat things that didn't make me gag. This was mostly either comfort foods or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I had heard that nuts were a good source of goodies for both baby and me. So when I found I was pregnant, I made this big bag of my favorite kinds of nuts. However, once they were mixed, I was repulsed by them. I could eat them if they were separated.. but not together. Same thing with vegetables. Mixed.. gag! Separate.. Yum! So basically.. I wasn't prepared for the food aversions, nausea or the exhaustion but I hear that it gets better in your second trimester. I hope so.. I'm feeling like a tired potato. I'm dressed for the gym today and hope I don't fall asleep on the treadmill. *thonk*

Lastly, since I've seen the ultrasound I've felt horrible about how active i've let myself be. I feel bad even sneezing or even bending over. I know that while I should be cautious about what I do, I can't let myself freak out and turn into this glass house that needs to be protected at all times. What I do have to do is trust my body more to be the safehouse that nature created it to be. I'm not going to squash the baby by sneezing! Just like I discovered before about all the advice people was giving me, telling me I can't have this, I can have that.. no .. I can't have that either... I just have to let it go, not drive myself nuts... and live in moderation. I have to have faith in my body and realize I just have to go with what it wants. I WILL still try to eat healthier and get into the gym.. but I'm not going to let the disappointment of what I wanted to be and how I failed to meet that standard depress me. My body is not my own right now. Baby has other things in mind. He/She wants to sleep or have a growth spurt... I'll take that long nap. If baby craves mac & cheese instead of raw vegetables.. Then so be it.. for now. Happy mommies make happy babies... And I've always said.. I want this child to come out laughing.
Cheers

Sounds & Sights

Wow. Ok.. so this has been a busy and emotional week.

I had my second pre-natal appt on Monday. Erik was going to come with me but unfortunately he had quite the cold and we thought it would be unwise for him to be around other pregnant women and have the possibility of getting them sick. But, I figured it would just be like last time anyway and nothing really new to discuss. Boy was I wrong. Dr. McKenzie brought out a fetal doppler and had me lay back, put some goo on my belly and started listening. It only dawned on me then just what she was listening for. Once I realized.. I nearly held my breath. Static, static, static... woosh, woosh... woosh woosh... woosh woosh!. OMG.. the baby's heart beat!!! Awwwww.. Admittedly I got a little misty eyed. Doctor said that it sounded strong. I'm so pleased. I've heard that the baby's heartbeat sounds like a race horse galloping.... I didn't hear that. I heard something that was faster than my own, but still calm. I hope that is so.. I hope baby is happy and calm.

I felt terrible that Erik wasn't here to experience this. I debated whether I should tell him... but I knew there would be no way I could keep that information to myself. We've been nursing Erik back to health because there was no way he'd miss the first ultrasound.

While heading to the ultrasound doctor's office today I felt lighter than air, bubbly and so very excited. Today we were going to see our child for the first time. So very nervous too. You read so much about the problems the child could have that it's hard not to be nervous.

Both the doctor and nurse were really pleasant and calming. They did both belly and vaginal ultrasounds. At first, it looked like a baby chicken... then the classic alien. OMG.. we're having an extra terrestrial chicken! LOL But then we got a good clear picture of baby. He/she measured just fine and passed the initial tests for Down syndrome. We saw the blood flow through the heart and baby was wiggling up a storm. It surprises me that I don't feel it yet considering just how acrobatic it was. Baby has fingers and toes and little jumpy legs! We asked if it was too early to tell if the baby was a boy or girl. The doc gave us fair warning that it's probably too early to give a definite answer. He looked and there was something between the legs. He reminded us that girls can look like this too a this stage, but there's a 51% possibility that baby Day will be a boy. It's not something to bet money on.. but just a possibility right now.

I figured we'd get a picture of baby Day today, but I had no idea about the DVD we walked home with! Baby has his or her first home movie!!

I was surprised my by reaction driving away. Erik was flying with probably more glee than I've seen in him yet. I however went into this sort of shock. Not a depression kind of shock.. but a weird realization kind of shock I suppose. I still can't fully describe it. I knew I was pregnant before the test... I heard the heartbeat and melted with this little life in me. So why did this hit me the way it did? I almost feel bad about it except for the fact that I know that I'm genuinely happy we're having this child.

My only guesses on explaining this are...
1.) Actually seeing the baby jumping around just made it all the more real... and a little odd that I have this little thing growing inside of me. But I knew this.... I don't know.
2.) I realize that I have no idea how to raise a boy. Honestly, little girls have always made me melt. Dance lessons, petite demeanor, dresses... Most of the little boys I've seen are little loud destructive beasties. It's been few and far between that I've met a little boy that I was so completely charmed over. I've grown up with girls.. I've babysat mostly girls... I have a far better grasp on raising a girl than a boy.

Please understand that we are overjoyed and feel blessed that we are having this beautiful child. I think #2 might be it though... A feeling like I have no idea what I'm doing. If baby really is a boy though.. I will do my best to raise the most charming, creative and polite little non-beastie out there.

Here is baby Day's first picture!



After the appointment we headed to the mall to do an exchange of something and thought while we were there, we'd look in the GAP Maternity store. First of all.. it turns out that 3/4ths of the store is all baby stuff. Adorable clothing I can't wait to get my little one into. Melted over mini cargo pants!! LOL But the maternity selection was bleak. It was the closet of the store basically. We did find a pair of Khaki pants and I now own my first pair of maternity pants. I've been told that there are larger stores with a far bigger selection.. but they are about a 40 minutes to drive to. It would be worth it. I love the GAP and their maternity clothes are reasonably priced... but I'm a little disappointed that I'll have to make it a "trip" instead of just popping into the mall.

Oh yeah.. last thing. My mom's cousin Karen is here visiting and she brought me the christening dress and slip that was made by Emma Kunstman (my mother's father's mother) in 1916 from her wedding dress (1913). It was worn by her 5 children, worn by their children (2nd generation), worn by me (3rd generation), and by my cousin's daughter (4th generation). It's stunning, hand sewn and remarkable as it's the only thing that I'm aware of that is a family heirloom. Baby Day shall wear it too. Thank you Karen. Thank you so very much!

Well, that's all for now. I'm positively beat and gotta get some sleep. I now know why I'm so tired all the time! It's gotta be baby Day's dancing in there!
Cheers!

Oh yeah...

Kinda forgot these little updates..
Had my first doc visit since my home preg test... They've confirmed it.. I'm pregnant! (duh). Also had blood work done... I have another appt in 4 weeks and in 5 weeks i'll have my first trimester screening. This will be my first ultrasound to make sure baby is ok. :)

Due to some really painful cramping we didn't run/walk the LA Half marathon on the 7th. We think it was really the best choice AND after telling my doc about it.. she's glad we made that decision also.

And I'm really getting sick of everything giving me conflicting advice. Caffeine is bad... drink decaf. Oh.. but the process to make decaf is harmful. Don't drink water with those little Lipton packets... Caffeine. Best to have Crystal light or Propel. However those have artificial sweeteners.. which are bad. Black licorice is bad... Black licorice is fine to have. Drink Herbal teas.... Herbal teas are harmful.. only some herbal teas are harmful.. on second tuesdays of the month and under a full moon...

Honestly.. I think the best advice I've heard so far is... do what you like.. but in moderation... And that advice came from a mother of 3 healthy children. Yes.. I'll stay away from most caffeine.. no alcohol for me, no soft cheeses or sushi... and yes, fine... I'll nuke my deli meat for 20 sec before I nosh. Most other things though.... Moderation. If I keep trying to figure it out.. I'm going to lose my mind.