....Baby Girl Rinker! The amniocentesis results are in, (we went back for another one last Tuesday) and everything is peachy! The baby is definitely going to be a girl, and she's got all the right bits, bobs, and chromosomes. That's definitely a load off the mind, though we weren't really worried. Let the wild rumpus start!
Another milestone was that yesterday marked the first day of my 20th week. I am officially half way through the estimated length of pregnancy. Woo hoo! We made it this far, only another 4.5 months to go.. we can do it.. right? Right?? (I know.. I sound a little bit like I'm convincing myself.. well.. that's because I am.)
I'm definitely feeling a lot more pregnant. The belly is finally turning from ample midsection into actual baby bump, which is gratifying. I'm having to sit farther away from tables and think about where my body is so that I don't run into things. My lap is getting shorter and shorter, too. The cat has mainly noticed that one. :)
I also have been having some funny pains and aches, all of which I'm sure are normal. My massage therapist is pretty sure I have acute achilles tendonitis in my left heel, which is very painful and really stinks. Especially because he's not allowed to do any work in that area because there are neural connections to the reproductive organs that can cause premature labor. Bah. I'm sure, though, that it will be temporary and hopefully resolve once the baby's born.
I continue to have more energy than before, but the gagging has gotten worse. Thankfully it usually doesn't go anywhere, but when it does I'm sooo miserable. This whole process is not for the faint of heart, I tell ya. But then again, it's a cakewalk compared to actual parenting, which will be on us soon enough.
Speaking of parenting, it's extremely refreshing to feel like Eric and I are so much on the same page. We have had several discussions and roleplaying scenarios, and we are very well matched in terms of what we are envisioning for the little one. Who knows what will happen when the theory gets put into practice, but it's nice to come from the same starting point.
Time for this mama-to-be to rest.. there's a lot going on inside my tummy! I promise to post sooner this time. There's plenty to say.. I'm just lazy!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
LTNS..
(Long Time No See, for those of the over-40 set..)
I was gently reminded by Grandma that I haven't posted in, oh, a month or so. I suppose 'no news is good news' is kind of a cop-out! But, in some ways, true.
Let's see... I'm a ton less queasy, which is wonderful. The flipside is that I now seem to have a hair-trigger gag reflex. So I'm doing a lot of dry heaving in the morning, and can't tolerate things that 'gross me out.' The other day I vomited after seeing someone spit on the ground. (I"m salivating right now just remembering it.. blech!) I'm not a fan of vomiting, so I wish it would stop. Interesting that I didn't ever actually ralf when in the morning sickness stage.. but began once it was done. Lame!
I have been feeling the baby move a lot lately, which is a great thing. Last night I could swear I felt them do a somersault. I rolled over in bed, and so they rolled over, too. Funny feeling! I can't wait for Eric to be able to feel something.
I'm getting bigger. Still losing weight everywhere but the belly, which is growing bigger. I'm now turning down booths to sit in, and I've stopped wearing my best jeans. *sigh* It's muumuu city from hereon out, I suppose.
We went in for the amniocentesis on Dec. 1st, and had the detailed ultrasound. I was anxious about going, though not worried exactly. Just ready to have the damned thing done. I had the ultrasound, and apparently they found that my uterine lining hadn't completely fused with the exterior (or something like that!) so doing the amnio was contraindicated. They rescheduled me for a few weeks later, which was very disappointing, but I had to trust that the docs knew best. The biggest bummer was that Eric and I had both arranged to be off work, and had driven to the city. Let's just say that it was a very grumpy car ride home.
I'll be going in again on Tuesday the 20th, which will be better since I'm now officially on winter break from work. (Woo hoo!) I can truly rest afterward without worrying about work. I'll let you know how it goes.
The great news is that the ultrasound showed that the baby is very much the right size, shape, and has all its appropriate bits! Any major problems would have been clear through the ultrasound, so it looks like so far so good! They also said that they're relatively certain that it's a girl! The way she put it was "Don't go out and buy anything pink.. but it looks like you've got a girl." Eric and I are both cautiously pleased. :)
I was gently reminded by Grandma that I haven't posted in, oh, a month or so. I suppose 'no news is good news' is kind of a cop-out! But, in some ways, true.
Let's see... I'm a ton less queasy, which is wonderful. The flipside is that I now seem to have a hair-trigger gag reflex. So I'm doing a lot of dry heaving in the morning, and can't tolerate things that 'gross me out.' The other day I vomited after seeing someone spit on the ground. (I"m salivating right now just remembering it.. blech!) I'm not a fan of vomiting, so I wish it would stop. Interesting that I didn't ever actually ralf when in the morning sickness stage.. but began once it was done. Lame!
I have been feeling the baby move a lot lately, which is a great thing. Last night I could swear I felt them do a somersault. I rolled over in bed, and so they rolled over, too. Funny feeling! I can't wait for Eric to be able to feel something.
I'm getting bigger. Still losing weight everywhere but the belly, which is growing bigger. I'm now turning down booths to sit in, and I've stopped wearing my best jeans. *sigh* It's muumuu city from hereon out, I suppose.
We went in for the amniocentesis on Dec. 1st, and had the detailed ultrasound. I was anxious about going, though not worried exactly. Just ready to have the damned thing done. I had the ultrasound, and apparently they found that my uterine lining hadn't completely fused with the exterior (or something like that!) so doing the amnio was contraindicated. They rescheduled me for a few weeks later, which was very disappointing, but I had to trust that the docs knew best. The biggest bummer was that Eric and I had both arranged to be off work, and had driven to the city. Let's just say that it was a very grumpy car ride home.
I'll be going in again on Tuesday the 20th, which will be better since I'm now officially on winter break from work. (Woo hoo!) I can truly rest afterward without worrying about work. I'll let you know how it goes.
The great news is that the ultrasound showed that the baby is very much the right size, shape, and has all its appropriate bits! Any major problems would have been clear through the ultrasound, so it looks like so far so good! They also said that they're relatively certain that it's a girl! The way she put it was "Don't go out and buy anything pink.. but it looks like you've got a girl." Eric and I are both cautiously pleased. :)
Thursday, November 17, 2011
New development..
...so now I'm apparently dry heaving in the mornings. Joy!
But the good along with the bad, I've been feeling a ton more movement, so that's exciting. :)
But the good along with the bad, I've been feeling a ton more movement, so that's exciting. :)
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Babydoc Visit #2
The baby is very healthy and doing just great!
The doctor was very pleased, everything looks excellent, fluids are good, nice healthy placenta. She was tickled that the baby seems to be doing an awful lot of moving - zie was kicking and punching and rolling around in there. It made getting a heartbeat measurement nearly impossible, but the movement itself told the whole story, and we could see the heart very clearly, so no worries there. We can now see their whole head, spine, ribcage, and full hands and feet! Speaking of hands...
The little one kept punching out at us, showing us all 5 fingers. It was absolute magic being able to see that happen. I cried a little, seeing the little person inside, doing its own thing, floating in a sea of safety. What a wonderful thing to see! Science is pretty amazing.
The doctor was unconcerned about what she suspects is round ligament pain, and said that I was doing very well. She's having me take an iron supplement because I'm a little bit anemic (which I knew already), and upping my Vit. D. She is also having me run the 3 hour glucose test, because my 1 hour was slightly elevated. Not so much as to be alarming, but worth further investigation. I'm really hoping that I'll be able to control things with diet and some exercise. I really don't want gestational diabetes to dictate when and how I have the baby, so I'd like to avoid it if I can at all help it. We aren't 100% powerless to avoid it, and it's all still a big mystery. I feel like I know the building blocks to a healthy, low-sugar diet, I just need to put my knowledge back into practice. Still a bit difficult when all I am ever wanting is fruit and carbs.. but we'll work on it.
Overall, she was very pleased with the progress and was telling me to expect more flutters coming up soon. I'm planning on building some time into each day to meditate and try to send love vibes to the baby. I'm finally allowing it to be real, which is a really big deal for me. I finally feel like we've moved away from peanut/lump to a little being, and it's just so wonderful.
Thanks for reading. :) It's lovely to know so many people care.
(Also, my doc was TWO AND A HALF HOURS late seeing us today. This had better not continue throughout this thing. She was very apologetic, but it was just inexcusable.)
The doctor was very pleased, everything looks excellent, fluids are good, nice healthy placenta. She was tickled that the baby seems to be doing an awful lot of moving - zie was kicking and punching and rolling around in there. It made getting a heartbeat measurement nearly impossible, but the movement itself told the whole story, and we could see the heart very clearly, so no worries there. We can now see their whole head, spine, ribcage, and full hands and feet! Speaking of hands...
The little one kept punching out at us, showing us all 5 fingers. It was absolute magic being able to see that happen. I cried a little, seeing the little person inside, doing its own thing, floating in a sea of safety. What a wonderful thing to see! Science is pretty amazing.
The doctor was unconcerned about what she suspects is round ligament pain, and said that I was doing very well. She's having me take an iron supplement because I'm a little bit anemic (which I knew already), and upping my Vit. D. She is also having me run the 3 hour glucose test, because my 1 hour was slightly elevated. Not so much as to be alarming, but worth further investigation. I'm really hoping that I'll be able to control things with diet and some exercise. I really don't want gestational diabetes to dictate when and how I have the baby, so I'd like to avoid it if I can at all help it. We aren't 100% powerless to avoid it, and it's all still a big mystery. I feel like I know the building blocks to a healthy, low-sugar diet, I just need to put my knowledge back into practice. Still a bit difficult when all I am ever wanting is fruit and carbs.. but we'll work on it.
Overall, she was very pleased with the progress and was telling me to expect more flutters coming up soon. I'm planning on building some time into each day to meditate and try to send love vibes to the baby. I'm finally allowing it to be real, which is a really big deal for me. I finally feel like we've moved away from peanut/lump to a little being, and it's just so wonderful.
Thanks for reading. :) It's lovely to know so many people care.
(Also, my doc was TWO AND A HALF HOURS late seeing us today. This had better not continue throughout this thing. She was very apologetic, but it was just inexcusable.)
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Overdue post.. (wait, I shouldn't say that..)
I really should be posting more often, but instead I'm just slogging through and making more news to report.
The biggest news is that Eric and I will be moving on Nov. 19th to a lovely house in San Mateo. We began looking because we know that there won't be enough room in our current place for a dog and a baby combined! The house is really cute, 3 br, 2 bath. It's a cool 20's style split level with some really neat details and a huuuge yard for Sasha. I'd much prefer to be buying, but since things are going so poorly selling Eric's house, we're going to have to rent until further notice. Even now it'll be a stretch to cover expenses, but hopefully things will change at some point. And until then, we can always have beans and rice. :) Elbow room is worth a lot.
Baby-wise, I'm doing pretty dang well. I have had less nausea, which is wonderful and relatively expected at this point. I'm 13 weeks now, so I am officially into the 2nd trimester, which (I've heard) is the golden period of pregnancy. I fully expect my energy to return soon, and the appetite is finally coming back. Still having trouble at certain points with the food aversions. The other day I was in tears because I couldn't find anything to eat from the Cheesecake Factory. Y'know.. the place with the 17 page long menu?? Ah well. You know you're in trouble when even soup doesn't sound edible.
We've been talking about names, but not terribly in earnest because we're waiting to find out the sex. I'm hoping that the next sonogram will tell us, but if not, we only have a few more weeks to wait for the amnio. Which I'm a little bit apprehensive about. But I think we'll still go ahead with it. Don't worry, we've picked out a few great names.. Darcy has been helping. Dorcas is in the front of the pack, along with Humphrey and Django. Maybe Hortense? We were discussing inappropriate cultural appropriation names, like Shaniqua Villareal Rinker. Or maybe Thuy Mbubebe Rinker? We'll surely be asking for your input soon, dear readers. The baby is now the size of a small peach. Delicious!
I felt the baby flutter the other day. Either that or I had some sort of muscle twitch or gas bubble. I'm voting flutter, because that's more fun. It's way too early to feel a kick, but movement can start happening any day now. I'm both excited and apprehensive about the whole kicking thing. I know that it's magical, and really can't make you forget that you have another being inside of you. But on the other hand, it's creepy, and can't make you forget that you have another being inside of you. I can imagine that at some points I will be feeling the need for some alone time, and won't be able to achieve that once there is a little dude boogieing around in my belly. (Let's just forget about AFTER they're born... I know I can kiss my alone time goodbye, as all my mommy friends feel compelled to remind me.)
We have our big next appointment on Thursday. I'm anxious and excited to hear the results of my blood work and glucose tolerance test. I'll be sure to update once I have more info!
The biggest news is that Eric and I will be moving on Nov. 19th to a lovely house in San Mateo. We began looking because we know that there won't be enough room in our current place for a dog and a baby combined! The house is really cute, 3 br, 2 bath. It's a cool 20's style split level with some really neat details and a huuuge yard for Sasha. I'd much prefer to be buying, but since things are going so poorly selling Eric's house, we're going to have to rent until further notice. Even now it'll be a stretch to cover expenses, but hopefully things will change at some point. And until then, we can always have beans and rice. :) Elbow room is worth a lot.
Baby-wise, I'm doing pretty dang well. I have had less nausea, which is wonderful and relatively expected at this point. I'm 13 weeks now, so I am officially into the 2nd trimester, which (I've heard) is the golden period of pregnancy. I fully expect my energy to return soon, and the appetite is finally coming back. Still having trouble at certain points with the food aversions. The other day I was in tears because I couldn't find anything to eat from the Cheesecake Factory. Y'know.. the place with the 17 page long menu?? Ah well. You know you're in trouble when even soup doesn't sound edible.
We've been talking about names, but not terribly in earnest because we're waiting to find out the sex. I'm hoping that the next sonogram will tell us, but if not, we only have a few more weeks to wait for the amnio. Which I'm a little bit apprehensive about. But I think we'll still go ahead with it. Don't worry, we've picked out a few great names.. Darcy has been helping. Dorcas is in the front of the pack, along with Humphrey and Django. Maybe Hortense? We were discussing inappropriate cultural appropriation names, like Shaniqua Villareal Rinker. Or maybe Thuy Mbubebe Rinker? We'll surely be asking for your input soon, dear readers. The baby is now the size of a small peach. Delicious!
I felt the baby flutter the other day. Either that or I had some sort of muscle twitch or gas bubble. I'm voting flutter, because that's more fun. It's way too early to feel a kick, but movement can start happening any day now. I'm both excited and apprehensive about the whole kicking thing. I know that it's magical, and really can't make you forget that you have another being inside of you. But on the other hand, it's creepy, and can't make you forget that you have another being inside of you. I can imagine that at some points I will be feeling the need for some alone time, and won't be able to achieve that once there is a little dude boogieing around in my belly. (Let's just forget about AFTER they're born... I know I can kiss my alone time goodbye, as all my mommy friends feel compelled to remind me.)
We have our big next appointment on Thursday. I'm anxious and excited to hear the results of my blood work and glucose tolerance test. I'll be sure to update once I have more info!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Requisite post..
The thing about inviting you all to my blog is that now I get nice little reminders when I forget to post for days on end. :) Thank you for the kick in the buns.
We spent the better part of lunch discussing names.. whether or not to follow the conventions of our families, or create something totally new. I think that the discussion will have to be tabled for after the gender is determined.. it's too difficult to narrow things down when so much is unknown.
I'm feeling pretty dang good, all told. The nausea has given way to apathy and aversion to food as I mentioned in my last post. The good old standbys are Chobani pineapple flavored 2% greek yogurt, bananas, and sometimes smoothies. These things always sound good. Which is great, because between the yogurt, cereal, and strawberry milk I've been drinking, I seem to be getting a ton of calcium. My doctor suggested that I stop taking the calcium supplement I had begun a year ago, and see if I need it later, since I'm getting so much in my diet. Woo hoo! I'd like to cut my sugar even further back, but right now I just have to go with what tastes good, I think.
It's exciting to talk with family and friends, everyone is so eager to meet this baby! Since I recently went through watching two of my best friends have their first babies, I can completely identify with the feelings of anticipation and delight at the prospect of having a new little one in the family. It's just neat to be the one doing the 'cooking' this time!
My stomach feels... different. It's not the baby proper that is making the bump, I don't think - it feels more like the muscles are firming up and things are moving around in prep for my growing uterus. The websites say that it is now the size of a large grapefruit, with the baby being about the size of a prune. (Now there's an excellent visual..) The idea of having a grapefruit in my belly somewhere is a bit wild. Hopefully soon I'll actually be able to see something. Maybe when Canteloupe season strikes. Let's not talk about Watermelon.
On a more serious note, I had a significant breakdown the other day as a tidal wave of grief hit me regarding the loss of my mother. I was listening to a beautiful Irish song, from the perspective of a child singing about their grandmother and how loving she was, and I simply lost it. It just sort of hit me in the face that these two beings would never ever meet. Two of the most important people that will ever be in my life, and I'm their only connection to one another. I have always said that I would do everything in my power to keep my mom's memory alive when I had my own children. To talk about Grandma Jane as though she were still a living, breathing part of my family. But the fact remains that they will never know her beautiful loving way and patient heart. Stories just aren't enough. It really breaks my heart into pieces, and I'm sure this won't be the last time I grieve in this way.
Adopt, adapt, and improve.
*sigh*
We spent the better part of lunch discussing names.. whether or not to follow the conventions of our families, or create something totally new. I think that the discussion will have to be tabled for after the gender is determined.. it's too difficult to narrow things down when so much is unknown.
I'm feeling pretty dang good, all told. The nausea has given way to apathy and aversion to food as I mentioned in my last post. The good old standbys are Chobani pineapple flavored 2% greek yogurt, bananas, and sometimes smoothies. These things always sound good. Which is great, because between the yogurt, cereal, and strawberry milk I've been drinking, I seem to be getting a ton of calcium. My doctor suggested that I stop taking the calcium supplement I had begun a year ago, and see if I need it later, since I'm getting so much in my diet. Woo hoo! I'd like to cut my sugar even further back, but right now I just have to go with what tastes good, I think.
It's exciting to talk with family and friends, everyone is so eager to meet this baby! Since I recently went through watching two of my best friends have their first babies, I can completely identify with the feelings of anticipation and delight at the prospect of having a new little one in the family. It's just neat to be the one doing the 'cooking' this time!
My stomach feels... different. It's not the baby proper that is making the bump, I don't think - it feels more like the muscles are firming up and things are moving around in prep for my growing uterus. The websites say that it is now the size of a large grapefruit, with the baby being about the size of a prune. (Now there's an excellent visual..) The idea of having a grapefruit in my belly somewhere is a bit wild. Hopefully soon I'll actually be able to see something. Maybe when Canteloupe season strikes. Let's not talk about Watermelon.
On a more serious note, I had a significant breakdown the other day as a tidal wave of grief hit me regarding the loss of my mother. I was listening to a beautiful Irish song, from the perspective of a child singing about their grandmother and how loving she was, and I simply lost it. It just sort of hit me in the face that these two beings would never ever meet. Two of the most important people that will ever be in my life, and I'm their only connection to one another. I have always said that I would do everything in my power to keep my mom's memory alive when I had my own children. To talk about Grandma Jane as though she were still a living, breathing part of my family. But the fact remains that they will never know her beautiful loving way and patient heart. Stories just aren't enough. It really breaks my heart into pieces, and I'm sure this won't be the last time I grieve in this way.
Adopt, adapt, and improve.
*sigh*
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Less Queasy, More Breezy
Thank goodness! The constant queasiness is subsiding! I'm still having food aversions (right now it's anything fried, and spiced meat like kebabs or mediterranean.) That said, I was able to go to Espetus last night for Brazilian Rodizio buffet, so that was a nice surprise. Pineapple always sounds good. Smoothies sound great, though I really haven't had many. Fruit is always appealing, too. At least it seems like once I start eating, I can keep going and get it all down. Eric and I are definitely going to be trying to get out to do things that aren't baby-friendly, to try to squeeze them in before Blinky's arrival. So dinner and a movie was a great start. We also have a bunch of tickets to concerts coming up.
In terms of other symptoms, there really haven't been many changes. Eric calls me his 'supersniffer'. Which sounds more glamorous than it is.. mostly I get the privilege of checking to see whether his t-shirts are clean or dirty before he gets dressed. :) It has mostly been fine, although occasionally I have to cover up my nose or find something more pleasant stat.
I'm still trying to keep my attitude pretty light about the baby. I have a dear friend who was recently pregnant, but lost the baby at 10 weeks. So, even though I might feel like things are going well, and that I'm out of the woods, it really isn't true just yet. So there isn't much planning going on, or thinking about parenting, or any of that bondy stuff. I'm trying to just take it easy and focus on my health and keeping myself under as little stress as possible. Soon I'll get to throw myself into this whole-hog. But for now, still a bit cautious.
We made the big announcement last week after the appointment, and we've gotten nothing but great well-wishes and offers of help. We're so lucky to belong to such amazing families and communities. I have a feeling that we'll barely have to buy anything with all the hand-me-downs!
Altogether feeling great and rockin' it.
In terms of other symptoms, there really haven't been many changes. Eric calls me his 'supersniffer'. Which sounds more glamorous than it is.. mostly I get the privilege of checking to see whether his t-shirts are clean or dirty before he gets dressed. :) It has mostly been fine, although occasionally I have to cover up my nose or find something more pleasant stat.
I'm still trying to keep my attitude pretty light about the baby. I have a dear friend who was recently pregnant, but lost the baby at 10 weeks. So, even though I might feel like things are going well, and that I'm out of the woods, it really isn't true just yet. So there isn't much planning going on, or thinking about parenting, or any of that bondy stuff. I'm trying to just take it easy and focus on my health and keeping myself under as little stress as possible. Soon I'll get to throw myself into this whole-hog. But for now, still a bit cautious.
We made the big announcement last week after the appointment, and we've gotten nothing but great well-wishes and offers of help. We're so lucky to belong to such amazing families and communities. I have a feeling that we'll barely have to buy anything with all the hand-me-downs!
Altogether feeling great and rockin' it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)