We took Isabel to the "Amazing Newborn Clinic" today. It's a free clinic on Tuesdays from 12:30-2pm where you can bring your baby in and have them weighed and ask the nurses any questions you have about the baby or feeding or whatever.
So, she's 10 days old and we were excited to see how much weight she put on. She's a pretty good eater; I should know. Sometimes I feel like I am just one big boob. Anyways, at birth she weighed 7 lb. 2 oz. and it's normal for babies to lose about 10% of their weight in the first couple days. So, when we left the hospital her discharge weight was 6 lb. 9 oz. They like to see a baby be back to their birth weight by 2 weeks of age.
So, today at 10 days old she weighed 7 lbs. 11 oz. I knew she was filling out nicely. I didn't have any worries about her not getting enough food. I knew I was producing it and they are leaking all the time. I could have had a couple of kids, maybe get a couple from a third world country and fatten them up too, I certainly have plenty here.
Actually, my milk supply is so plentiful and my let-down reflex is so quick that sometimes Isabel is lazy about latching on because she doesn't have to. The milk just squirts out when she touches the nipple with her lips. So, sometimes she just licks and smacks at my nipple. The nurses at the clinic laughed at that and said she was smart and resourceful.
Well, gotta run. Feeding Time. Again.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Saturday, May 27, 2006
One Week Old Photos
She's such a character. Her facial expressions are just adorable. I was able to remember to take some pictures when she was in an alert phase and not just the eating/pooping/sleeping phases. So, now people can see what she looks like with her eyes open.
"I'm ready for my close-up mom!"
She's just so adorable.
"Pbrrrtt!" She's sticking her tongue out, well, kinda.She's got pretty good color doesn't she.
She's starting to fill out nicely. When she was born her hands and feet were all wrinkly, like they belonged to an old lady, but she's such a good eater and is working out all those wrinkles.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Song for Isabel
Daddy's aunt Dawn made up a little tune for Isabel. This was something she had done for her own daughter to help her learn how to spell her own name. Isabel won't be spelling anytime soon, but it is cute and she will already know how to spell her name. Maybe daddy will put some guitar music to it. He played for Isabel the other day when she was fussy and he said she settled down & made her surprise look on her face (actually the same one she makes after she poops her pants or farts -- as if she was surprised what had just happened; it's a very cute face.)
“THE ISABELLY BUTTON SONG”
You’ve got the cutest Isabelly button, Isabelly button that I ever did see!
Eyes and nose and mouth and the cutest Isabelly button that I ever did see!
I-S-A-B-E-Ly button (Note: say it like I-S-A-B-E elly button), push the belly button and she goes Tee Hee!
“THE ISABELLY BUTTON SONG”
You’ve got the cutest Isabelly button, Isabelly button that I ever did see!
Eyes and nose and mouth and the cutest Isabelly button that I ever did see!
I-S-A-B-E-Ly button (Note: say it like I-S-A-B-E elly button), push the belly button and she goes Tee Hee!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Pretty in Pink
Here is the percious one sleeping during the day yesterday -- of course, she didn't want to sleep at all last night. It was a long night and we are all very tired.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
First day home
A couple of pics from our first day home. We're already looking pretty sleepy, and Dad sure could use a shower.
Isabel, with guests
Grandma M. finally gets a granddaughter!
Daddy's brother makes a good uncle.
Our friend Jessi. She came with a bag of brownies, so we let her stay for a bit...
Daddy's brother makes a good uncle.
Our friend Jessi. She came with a bag of brownies, so we let her stay for a bit...
Day 1 pictures
The first picture taken after she was born.
On the scales. She's a keeper.
Proud Daddy.
She's such a good eater -- she was "rooting" right after birth. Sometimes I call her Rooty McSmack because when she gets hungry she roots and smacks her lips.
On the scales. She's a keeper.
Proud Daddy.
She's such a good eater -- she was "rooting" right after birth. Sometimes I call her Rooty McSmack because when she gets hungry she roots and smacks her lips.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Mom's Thoughts on Labor, Delivery, & the Early Days of Motherhood
Another feeding done and she's down for a nap. I should really be trying to nap right now too, but if I don't type up something soon it's all just going to be old and forgotten.
It all happened so quickly. It was pretty amazing. We were pretty set and prepared for being at the hospital laboring for an entire day. I was pretty happy that when we arrived at the hospital I was dialted to 5cm. I didn't want a repeat of the week before. I wasn't so sure about the doctor since I had not met him before and they seemed to really be pushing breaking my water. I held out on that to the very last minute because I had been told by more than one person to not let them break your water because then the contractions get worse because that water bag is not there to cushion them. When the contractions started to get unbearable I asked for a vaginal exam to see where I was at so I could determine if I wanted meds. I seriously thought I wouldn't be able to do it without meds, until I was doing it without meds. When she checked me I was dilated to 8cm and I knew that the worst contractions were between 7-10cm and I was living through them, so let's so this without meds.
Even when we first got there, the nurse was pretty reassuring that I probably would not need meds and thought if I would let them break my water we would have our baby before noon. She was a really great nurse to have in there. She was very encouraging and so helpful to both of us. When I was at about 9.5cm she asked about breaking the water again, I turned her down until I was fully dilated and by that time those contractions were so intense and they said if they broke my water we can start pushing and get this baby delivered. Ok - break the water NOW! It seemed like the doctor was taking forever to get in there and break it.
I ended up only having to push for 16 minutes which is amazing. I did have to have an episiotomy (I did have a local anestetic for that though) because her heart rate had dropped to low and we needed to get her out quick. I guess there was a whole bunch of people waiting outside the room in case there were problems with the baby. I am glad I didn't know that. All I knew was they said I had to push longer & harder. It took several pushes to figure out what was going on and what I was pushing at. Daddy was couting to 10 (how long I was supposed to push). Once I figured it out I knew I could push for 1-2 seconds longer and would make the last part of the push count. Once her head came out they were able to determine that it was the cord wrapped around her neck that was making her heart rate had dropped. I was surprised how that last push to deliver the rest of her was so easy. But getting head out sure did burn, hurt, sting.
When it came time to deliver the placenta I didn't even have to do anything. It all just sort of happened.
I couldn't help but cry when I saw my beautiful Isabel. It was so great. But I certainly wasn't signing up to have another anytime soon, like you see so often on the birthing shows on tv.
Having the epsiotomy has left my bottom side quite sore and I have taken pain medication for that. The lochia was pretty heavy on Sat. & Sun. and has been decreasing. I'm glad I don't have to wear the big diaper things anymore and can wear regular pads now.
Isabel has made parenting during the day easy. It's at night when she is more active and alert and wants to nurse more. Sunday night was rough because she was frustrated because she was hungry and my milk wasn't in yet and all she had was the little servings of colostrum. She spent most of the night attached to my breast. I originally thought we would have her be in the nursery at night, but I just couldnt bear to have her leave so she roomed in with me, actually she slept on me most of the night. I think that was reassuring to both mom & baby.
I feel like I am getting more rest now that I am home, not that it's much more, but it's some uninterrupted time. It seemed that starting @ 6am both mornings there were people coming in and poking & proding and drawing blood from both of us, ad this continued all day.
So, we've been home for about 24 hours now. She'll sleep in other things (bassinett, playpen, bouncy seat) for a while but not for too long. She starts to get fussy and would rather be in our arms or on our chests or sleeping next to us in bed (which is something we said we wouldn't do, but have changed our minds on that.) We'll keep introducing the other places to sleep.
My milk did come in yesterday and today I experienced leaking and engourgement. That lanisoh lanolin stuff is great. I did find time to get on the computer with Isabel sleeping in my arms and begining to master typing one-handed. She gave me enough time to find a couple of nursing pajamas I wanted & also get another nursing bra tank ordered. I didn't have any nuring sleepwear and after wearing the ugly but functional gowns at the hospital I knew I needed something that was more functional than my current sleepwear.
We are both enjoying parenting Isabel. Daddy has been completly fantastic with everything and he is doing such a great job. He went from never changing a diaper ever to being a master diaper changer (he does the majority of changes) and has been very helpful in making sure that we keep dishes & laundry going. I am so glad he wants to be so active in parenting and running the household. I really don't know how someone would do this alone or with a partner who is not very interested in either the parenting or the household.
Time to go get a few more things done again before it's time to nurse again and then I'm down for a nap with her after that.
It all happened so quickly. It was pretty amazing. We were pretty set and prepared for being at the hospital laboring for an entire day. I was pretty happy that when we arrived at the hospital I was dialted to 5cm. I didn't want a repeat of the week before. I wasn't so sure about the doctor since I had not met him before and they seemed to really be pushing breaking my water. I held out on that to the very last minute because I had been told by more than one person to not let them break your water because then the contractions get worse because that water bag is not there to cushion them. When the contractions started to get unbearable I asked for a vaginal exam to see where I was at so I could determine if I wanted meds. I seriously thought I wouldn't be able to do it without meds, until I was doing it without meds. When she checked me I was dilated to 8cm and I knew that the worst contractions were between 7-10cm and I was living through them, so let's so this without meds.
Even when we first got there, the nurse was pretty reassuring that I probably would not need meds and thought if I would let them break my water we would have our baby before noon. She was a really great nurse to have in there. She was very encouraging and so helpful to both of us. When I was at about 9.5cm she asked about breaking the water again, I turned her down until I was fully dilated and by that time those contractions were so intense and they said if they broke my water we can start pushing and get this baby delivered. Ok - break the water NOW! It seemed like the doctor was taking forever to get in there and break it.
I ended up only having to push for 16 minutes which is amazing. I did have to have an episiotomy (I did have a local anestetic for that though) because her heart rate had dropped to low and we needed to get her out quick. I guess there was a whole bunch of people waiting outside the room in case there were problems with the baby. I am glad I didn't know that. All I knew was they said I had to push longer & harder. It took several pushes to figure out what was going on and what I was pushing at. Daddy was couting to 10 (how long I was supposed to push). Once I figured it out I knew I could push for 1-2 seconds longer and would make the last part of the push count. Once her head came out they were able to determine that it was the cord wrapped around her neck that was making her heart rate had dropped. I was surprised how that last push to deliver the rest of her was so easy. But getting head out sure did burn, hurt, sting.
When it came time to deliver the placenta I didn't even have to do anything. It all just sort of happened.
I couldn't help but cry when I saw my beautiful Isabel. It was so great. But I certainly wasn't signing up to have another anytime soon, like you see so often on the birthing shows on tv.
Having the epsiotomy has left my bottom side quite sore and I have taken pain medication for that. The lochia was pretty heavy on Sat. & Sun. and has been decreasing. I'm glad I don't have to wear the big diaper things anymore and can wear regular pads now.
Isabel has made parenting during the day easy. It's at night when she is more active and alert and wants to nurse more. Sunday night was rough because she was frustrated because she was hungry and my milk wasn't in yet and all she had was the little servings of colostrum. She spent most of the night attached to my breast. I originally thought we would have her be in the nursery at night, but I just couldnt bear to have her leave so she roomed in with me, actually she slept on me most of the night. I think that was reassuring to both mom & baby.
I feel like I am getting more rest now that I am home, not that it's much more, but it's some uninterrupted time. It seemed that starting @ 6am both mornings there were people coming in and poking & proding and drawing blood from both of us, ad this continued all day.
So, we've been home for about 24 hours now. She'll sleep in other things (bassinett, playpen, bouncy seat) for a while but not for too long. She starts to get fussy and would rather be in our arms or on our chests or sleeping next to us in bed (which is something we said we wouldn't do, but have changed our minds on that.) We'll keep introducing the other places to sleep.
My milk did come in yesterday and today I experienced leaking and engourgement. That lanisoh lanolin stuff is great. I did find time to get on the computer with Isabel sleeping in my arms and begining to master typing one-handed. She gave me enough time to find a couple of nursing pajamas I wanted & also get another nursing bra tank ordered. I didn't have any nuring sleepwear and after wearing the ugly but functional gowns at the hospital I knew I needed something that was more functional than my current sleepwear.
We are both enjoying parenting Isabel. Daddy has been completly fantastic with everything and he is doing such a great job. He went from never changing a diaper ever to being a master diaper changer (he does the majority of changes) and has been very helpful in making sure that we keep dishes & laundry going. I am so glad he wants to be so active in parenting and running the household. I really don't know how someone would do this alone or with a partner who is not very interested in either the parenting or the household.
Time to go get a few more things done again before it's time to nurse again and then I'm down for a nap with her after that.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
She has arrived!
I'm pleased, honored & excitied to announce the arrival of Isabel Grace. She was delivered at 10:21am Saturday morning, without any major complications. She weighed in at 7 lbs, 2 oz and is 21 inches long.
Both Mom and baby are doing fantastic. They're happy and healthy, and are resting in the hospital until Monday.
For those good at math, you can see that labor only lasted about 5 or 6 hours. We got to the hospital around 7am, and things got started quickly. She was already dilated to a 5. About an hour later (after some very intense contractions) she was at an 8. It didn't take long after that to be fully dilated. The doc came in, broke her water, and we were off to the races. She started pushing at about 10am, and delivered shortly thereafter. Everything went by really fast... much faster than I ever expected.
The kicker is that Mom never needed any drugs. She is such a strong person... I never could have done it! It wasn't something that we planned on, but the quick labor and her strong will prevailed.
I'm home for the night. Had to take care of the cats and a few other things. I'll be headed back in the morning. If you want to leave any comments, I'll print them off in the morning and bring them in for Mom.
Take care,
Dad
Both Mom and baby are doing fantastic. They're happy and healthy, and are resting in the hospital until Monday.
For those good at math, you can see that labor only lasted about 5 or 6 hours. We got to the hospital around 7am, and things got started quickly. She was already dilated to a 5. About an hour later (after some very intense contractions) she was at an 8. It didn't take long after that to be fully dilated. The doc came in, broke her water, and we were off to the races. She started pushing at about 10am, and delivered shortly thereafter. Everything went by really fast... much faster than I ever expected.
The kicker is that Mom never needed any drugs. She is such a strong person... I never could have done it! It wasn't something that we planned on, but the quick labor and her strong will prevailed.
I'm home for the night. Had to take care of the cats and a few other things. I'll be headed back in the morning. If you want to leave any comments, I'll print them off in the morning and bring them in for Mom.
Take care,
Dad
Try Again?
5:40AM
Well, for about the last hour I have been having regular contractions about 5 minutes apart. They are definitly increasing in intensity. Right now I am laying over my ball waiting for the next one.
I took a shower earlier as I was timing them to make sure before I woke up daddy.
My water has not broke yet. So, I'm not getting too excited yet. We're not jumping the gun yet.
5:43AM
Ouch! That last one REALLY hurt.
Daddy is worried I'll have the baby in the car. He said if I have he baby in the car and get blood in the seats, then we are selling it - no questions asked. He specified blood, so I got a pass on the amniotic fluid.
5:47AM
Another one. My mind just draws a blank right now. I have been up since 3:30. I slept like crap last night. I finally got up because my back was was hurting. So, I got up, made myself some tea and surfed eBay and read email.
5:50AM
Ok - maybe this is really happening this time. Just had another. Man they suck! And they are only going to get worse. Hmmm....3 minutes apart....I suppose we might need to go in soon. My doctor is off this weekend...the other doctor I never met is on call this weekend.
5:54AM
That one seemed small (in comparison) but lasted longer. They have usually lasted about a minute. Not sure if I like the minute intense ones or the 90 second medium intense ones.
6:00AM
Ok - getting ready to go to the hospital. That last one made me shake a little. The baby currently has hiccups. It's been fun seeing Kendra & Tim commenting as I update this. It is almost like they are here. Daddy grabbed some food to eat, as it might be a while til he gets to eat again.
Hmmm.....it's 6:07 and haven't had a contraction since the baby got hiccups. Maybe she had a change of heart.
6:09AM
Ok - that one was MUCH worse! It made up for the one being skipped there. As soon as the hiccups stopped the contraction started. We'll call people as soon as we know we are staying at the hospital. Hmmmm...thought my mom would have logged on by now and would see what's going on. She usually seems to check the blog before she goes out to the barn. Kate just called yesterday to see if I had the baby and said it was nice that the baby was waiting for her to get back to MN. She said she'll come to the hospital and massage by back. She's a massage therapist.
6:17AM
Even thought they are further apart than before, they are certainly getting more intense. That last one was a bitch. When I go in I better be further dilated. If I am still at a 3 I'm going to be wicked pissed. I was at a 3 on Monday, last week when we went to the hospital, and the previous Monday for my appointment.
6:24AM
OK- Time to go in. I hope no one else is using the birthing ball, otherwise I might have to send daddy home to get my ball. That last one sucked even worse. They are making me shake. Just gotta breathe.
Bye for now.
Well, for about the last hour I have been having regular contractions about 5 minutes apart. They are definitly increasing in intensity. Right now I am laying over my ball waiting for the next one.
I took a shower earlier as I was timing them to make sure before I woke up daddy.
My water has not broke yet. So, I'm not getting too excited yet. We're not jumping the gun yet.
5:43AM
Ouch! That last one REALLY hurt.
Daddy is worried I'll have the baby in the car. He said if I have he baby in the car and get blood in the seats, then we are selling it - no questions asked. He specified blood, so I got a pass on the amniotic fluid.
5:47AM
Another one. My mind just draws a blank right now. I have been up since 3:30. I slept like crap last night. I finally got up because my back was was hurting. So, I got up, made myself some tea and surfed eBay and read email.
5:50AM
Ok - maybe this is really happening this time. Just had another. Man they suck! And they are only going to get worse. Hmmm....3 minutes apart....I suppose we might need to go in soon. My doctor is off this weekend...the other doctor I never met is on call this weekend.
5:54AM
That one seemed small (in comparison) but lasted longer. They have usually lasted about a minute. Not sure if I like the minute intense ones or the 90 second medium intense ones.
6:00AM
Ok - getting ready to go to the hospital. That last one made me shake a little. The baby currently has hiccups. It's been fun seeing Kendra & Tim commenting as I update this. It is almost like they are here. Daddy grabbed some food to eat, as it might be a while til he gets to eat again.
Hmmm.....it's 6:07 and haven't had a contraction since the baby got hiccups. Maybe she had a change of heart.
6:09AM
Ok - that one was MUCH worse! It made up for the one being skipped there. As soon as the hiccups stopped the contraction started. We'll call people as soon as we know we are staying at the hospital. Hmmmm...thought my mom would have logged on by now and would see what's going on. She usually seems to check the blog before she goes out to the barn. Kate just called yesterday to see if I had the baby and said it was nice that the baby was waiting for her to get back to MN. She said she'll come to the hospital and massage by back. She's a massage therapist.
6:17AM
Even thought they are further apart than before, they are certainly getting more intense. That last one was a bitch. When I go in I better be further dilated. If I am still at a 3 I'm going to be wicked pissed. I was at a 3 on Monday, last week when we went to the hospital, and the previous Monday for my appointment.
6:24AM
OK- Time to go in. I hope no one else is using the birthing ball, otherwise I might have to send daddy home to get my ball. That last one sucked even worse. They are making me shake. Just gotta breathe.
Bye for now.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Deal or No Deal!
Ok - so there is only a 5% chance that a baby is born on their due date.
But as we get closer to the due date & a possible induction date, I am beginning to feel like we are playing Deal or No Deal, but I have sooooooo much less control than the contestants. In my case, it's the banker (or baby) who has the control.
So, considering that there are 6 days until the induction date (including that date), there is about a 16% chance that my baby will be born on her due date, but still a 16% chance I will need to be induced on Wednesday. But on the flip side, there is an 84% chance I won't have to be induced. We won't even think about that the induction might not take, I don't even know where to begin figuring out those chances. It's like the birthday is the amount inside that suitcase I picked, but I have a whole slew of people cheering on for a certain amount (date). My original choice was May 14th, maybe I should change it to Monday, since no one has it. Here is what people are picking.
Today (Friday - their chances are quickly diminishing):
* Grandpa S.
* Cindy
Tomorrow (Saturday):
* Grandma S. (hmmmmm, not sure she wants to be grandma, are you still wanting to be nana?)
* Daddy
* Oldest Uncle Brian
* Blog Reader Alison (it's her birthday Saturday, Happy Birthday!)
Sunday:
* Kinky Phanie Gates (teehee!, her aunt whose birthday this is)
* Sonya (co-worker of mom's)
Monday:
* NO ONE
Tuesday:
* Kristin
Wednesday:
* Uncle Al (although, he's going against the doctor and saing it's a boy)
* Tony (co-worker of mom's)
And then there are a whole slew of people who wait until May 29th.
I can't remember what all the dates the kids at work picked.
After today passes, there will be a 20% chance whe'll be born on those due dates and a 80% chance of no induction.
But as we get closer to the due date & a possible induction date, I am beginning to feel like we are playing Deal or No Deal, but I have sooooooo much less control than the contestants. In my case, it's the banker (or baby) who has the control.
So, considering that there are 6 days until the induction date (including that date), there is about a 16% chance that my baby will be born on her due date, but still a 16% chance I will need to be induced on Wednesday. But on the flip side, there is an 84% chance I won't have to be induced. We won't even think about that the induction might not take, I don't even know where to begin figuring out those chances. It's like the birthday is the amount inside that suitcase I picked, but I have a whole slew of people cheering on for a certain amount (date). My original choice was May 14th, maybe I should change it to Monday, since no one has it. Here is what people are picking.
Today (Friday - their chances are quickly diminishing):
* Grandpa S.
* Cindy
Tomorrow (Saturday):
* Grandma S. (hmmmmm, not sure she wants to be grandma, are you still wanting to be nana?)
* Daddy
* Oldest Uncle Brian
* Blog Reader Alison (it's her birthday Saturday, Happy Birthday!)
Sunday:
* Kinky Phanie Gates (teehee!, her aunt whose birthday this is)
* Sonya (co-worker of mom's)
Monday:
* NO ONE
Tuesday:
* Kristin
Wednesday:
* Uncle Al (although, he's going against the doctor and saing it's a boy)
* Tony (co-worker of mom's)
And then there are a whole slew of people who wait until May 29th.
I can't remember what all the dates the kids at work picked.
After today passes, there will be a 20% chance whe'll be born on those due dates and a 80% chance of no induction.
Still Here....
Just a little late getting a post on here this morning.....
Had a bad backache last night so I went downstairs and laid on the exercise ball, and finally went to bed around midnight. Then got up around 4am with another backache and went back on the ball (while watching the Tyra Banks show - I never knew she had a talk show) until 5am, then fell asleep watching the 5am news and just woke up again now at 8am.
I have a feeling there will be lots of naps today.....
Had a bad backache last night so I went downstairs and laid on the exercise ball, and finally went to bed around midnight. Then got up around 4am with another backache and went back on the ball (while watching the Tyra Banks show - I never knew she had a talk show) until 5am, then fell asleep watching the 5am news and just woke up again now at 8am.
I have a feeling there will be lots of naps today.....
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Thoughts on Maternity Clothes
THIS IS A LONG POST!
I have shared my thoughts on maternity clothes with some people, but now I want to blog about it. Keep in mind, these are thoughts on maternity clothes in a first-time pregnancy. I understand that with subsequent pregnancies you show earlier, as those abdominal muscles & uterus are not as tights as they were before children ever entered your life.
No one tells you much about maternity clothes. Maybe because it seems trivial compared to caring a life inside of you or maybe they just have no clue themselves. Well, I want to talk about my experiences.
It's kinda exciting to have a reason to go out and shop for new clothes, but that excitement will wear off as you run out of money. I was lucky enough to have someone give me some of their maternity clothes, so I had a base to start out with. And a base it was because they were very plain maternity top & bottoms, but they did the job. One thing I did notice is that some of the pants fit right away at about 2 months, and others were huge on me at that time. I wasn't sure I would ever grow into to them. But grow into them I did. My belly grew into them and as the relaxin hormone does it's magic, your hips spread and well, they grew into them as well.
I think first time moms make the mistake of thinig you just need "one set" of maternity clothes (not one outfit, but one set). By one set I mean, they go out and start buying clothes when they an no longer really wear any of their bottoms anymore (this happens rather early, especally if you wear a lot of bottoms that are fitted and close by a button and zipper). But what fits you at this stage is most likely not going to fit you in 5 months.
In the beginning, a mom friend told me about the rubber band trick of looping a rubebrband (or hair tie) through the button hole on your jeans and attaching to your button so give you a little more time in your normal clothes. This can help keep you in your pre-maternity bottoms through the first trimester. You don't really need to go buy new maternity clothes at this stage, because what fits you here is most likely not going to fit very well in the 3rd trimester.
And of course, if you have pants that ride below the waist or have elastic in them, you can wear them much longer. I have "regular" athletic pants that I have been wearing the entire time, even now with my enormous belly. Keep wearing your pre-maternity tops though at this stage!
You don't really need to be buy any maternity tops until you enter the 3rd trimester. Unless you wear a lot of fitted tops that button, then you might need to go shopping for maternity tops earlier.
In the first trimester, it's easy to hide that rounding belly under your normal tops. You just need to pick tops that end below the belt line. During the second trimester you can hide it with layering, which won't be so easy during the summer. But if you have a jacket or a sweater that you can leave open, it will just hang there and disguise your belly because it will camoflage the protrusion. But by the end of the 2nd trimester, you are starting to really "show" to everyone else.
Now, what you may not realize in the beginning is that you think you are "showing" for a long time. You get to see yourself naked and you struggle with your wardrobe every morning and what might fit you today. But to the rest of the world, they just don't see it in your first pregnancy until you are 5-6 months pregnant. And even at 5-6 month they only may "kinda" see it. This was very frustrating because if you are like me -- you wanted to look pregnant, not like you were just getting fat.
Now, it's in this end of 2nd trimester that you may start to need maternity tops (depending upon how large your wore your pre-maternity tops). If you need or want to continue to diguise that you are pregnant, then you need to go shopping because your pre-maternity tops will only cling more to your belly and actually make you look pregnant. Now, I wanted people to know I was pregnant and not getting fat, so I tried to wear some of my normal tops as long as possible (what I did realize through this was that I have probably been buying tops too big for me beforehand, hmmmmm, maybe I should be on What Not To Wear.) Anyways, but what I did do was start buying a few maternity tops and sweaters for layering, but I shopped tops in the next size up and they provided ample room for my growing belly. Of if your parner is larger than you, raid their closet for tops.
And those "next size up" tops have worked nicely for making me look pregnant, but still keeping me adequately covered through most of my pregnancy. Plus, if you just go up a size in normal clothes, you have a better selection of choices (compared to maternity tops, selection can still be limiting even though it has gotten better) and you have a better chance of getting a deal (I'm always looking for the deal) in normal clothing. It really wasn't until about 35-36 weeks when baby is really increasing in size (about a half pound a week) that my abdomen started to really stick out and the length on those tops was just not enough and I needed the extra added length of maternity tops (which in the beginning if you wear them, it just looks like you are wearing a short flowy dress.)
So, in this last trimester you start to "fill out" those maternity tops, but also by this time that first set of maternity pants don't really fit anymore and you need to go buy some more. I am glad there are so many more maternity clothes options out there now. I could not imagine only having the options the previous generations had. One of the greatest options we have now is choice of waist height/style. You can buy the over the waist kind that may or may not have that built-in panel or you can buy bottoms with a thicker low waist that goes under yor belly. I like the latter. I have plenty of the over the belly kind and don't care for them. I learned I like them better if I folded the waist down to my hips, still leaving the double up panel/fabric covering my belly. But I always hated feeling any, even miniscule, type of pressure on my abdomen.
And when you go shopping -- have fun with picking out clothes. You don't need to go over-sized on maternity, because then you just look like you are wearing a circus tent. You can look cute & stylish and if you are smart you don't have to spend tons of money on new outfits, just be smart about using what you already have.
1st Trimester:
Tops - Keep wearing your pre-pregnancy tops. Maternity tops will just look silly at this point.
Bottoms - Wear your button pants as long as you can, then use a rubberband to extend the waistline for a little while longer. Either use or invest in some elastic waist pants that ride on the hips (these could carry you through the entire pregnancy & beyond).
2nd Trimester:
Tops - Keep wearing your pre-pregnancy tops as long as you can. If you need to, but a sizer larger in normal clothes. Start layering with a loose fitting jacket or sweater that you leave open over your top, this will camoflage yor stomach. Or raid a larger partner's closet.
Bottoms - You will now need to go buy some bottoms, unless you are sticking with elastic waist at the hips pants. Don't go hog wild on how much you spend and how many you buy, because in a couple of months you will be buying a new size.
3rd Trimester:
Tops - You will now need to purchase some maternity tops to fit over belly. You will need the length of maternity tops. Unless your parter is much larger than you and their tops are really long - I could do that with daddys clothes if I wanted.
Bottoms - You will need to go shopping again, as your belly has expanded as well as your hips and many of the bottoms that fit you last trimester won't fit so well anymore.
Now, don't worry that you spent all this money buying some new clothes and only wore them for a few months, because from what I understand, you will continue to wear your maternity clothes (especially the bottoms) for several months after the birth as you will still look 5-6 months pregnant right away and it takes time to get any sort of figure back.
Thoughts on other maternity accessories:
Maternity underwear - a must from the 2nd trimester because your hip joints are relaxing and your normal underwear will start to leave creases on your skin. Plus, then after the birth when you are bleeding, you can continue to wear them and ruin them rather than you nice ones (& then throw them away when you are all finished). I did have a few regular pair that I have been able to wear throughout, but normally people don't have loose underwear. And if they do, they are wearing them wrong in the first place. Buying these are well worth the money and you can get a 3-pack for about $10 @ Motherhood Maternity.
Maternity Tights/Nylons - If you wear a lot of skirts & dresses - then sure, why not. I bought some tights and wore a few times in the winter with my dresses. But like I said, I didn't like things that went over my belly and made me feel any small amount of pressure. Now that it's warmer, I go with bare legs (but then I have to find a way to bend & shave.)
Maternity Bras - Your bra size will increase. For some it will increase several times. But don't waste your money on maternity bras. Just buy a regular bra in your new size. You will find better deals and cuter styles this way. Save shopping the maternity stores for bras when you are nursing and need to buy nursing bras.
Sleepwear - Hmmmm....this is a tricky one, as in the beginning things I already owned fit for a long time. Then winter set in and I wasn't going to be wearing satin & lace, so I bought a couple of new pairs of pj's that were a size larger and covered more of my body. Now that I am at week 40, I still have stuff that fits (from the larger size purchase), but my large belly is pushing it too it's limits. If this kid doesn't come soon, I may have to just start sleeping in the nude because I will not go buy more sleep wear (well, not until I want to go buy something cute & sexy later on.)
Shoes - No, they don't make maternity shoes. But just as your hip joints & pelvis are spreading, so are other joints in your body. And do you realize how many joints there are in your feet? A lot. Many women will experience that their shoes (at a minimum) get tight in the width, some women will experience it in length (or both). I was lucky and only experienced it in the width at the ball of my foot, but I have had talked to people whose shoe size incread up to 2 sizes in pregnancy. Glad that didn't happen to me, as my feet are big enough already. By the 2nd trimester, most dressy shoes my not feel very comfortable (especially if they have a heel, which may be difficult to maneuver, as your center of balance will have changed because of the growing child inside of you.) Either get used to wearing athletic shoes (although, by the end tying your shoes becomes pretty difficult) or go buy a new pair of shoes that slip-on (you will thank yourself for that later) and are roomy. And if you are lucky, you will be able to wear sandals at the end of your pregnancy when you may be retaining water. I am very happy for this, but I do need to get those tennies on when I go for a walk and tying is just not something you take for granted anymore.
Jackets/Outerwear - I bought a lightweight maternity jacket (in the fall before I needed it, on sale of course) and I am so glad I did. Otherwise this spring I would have been chilly. There is not way I could close my normal jackets once I hit the 3rd trimester. I am glad I planned ahead and bought a jacket that would fit durnig this time. If you don't plan ahead, you may spend more money or go cold.
Swimwear - So, you only need this if you think you may go swimming while you are pregnant. I bought a couple of maternity swimsuits at the end of summer before I was pregnant for a very low clearance price. I got them for a steal at about $3 a piece (I bought a M & a L, as I didn't know what size I would need), rather than have to pay $30 later on when I needed it. The M fit me perfectly in the 2nd trimester, but I think the L would fit me much better now. I used them both on our trip to FL earlier this year. But I knew I would want to swim on a trip during my pregnancy, so I new spending those few dollars would be well worth it.
So, now I have a pretty big collection of maternity clothes, which I hope to lend to someone (maybe Carrie someday) later on, until we decide to have another child (if this one ever comes out that is.) I am glad that I did get that starting base of clothes, it helped to give me a few more options as I mixed & matched things from her & things I purchased.
I know this was a long post. But I like clothes and I think they are important enough to have this long of a post. Besides, nothing new has happened and I needed something to blog about.
I have shared my thoughts on maternity clothes with some people, but now I want to blog about it. Keep in mind, these are thoughts on maternity clothes in a first-time pregnancy. I understand that with subsequent pregnancies you show earlier, as those abdominal muscles & uterus are not as tights as they were before children ever entered your life.
No one tells you much about maternity clothes. Maybe because it seems trivial compared to caring a life inside of you or maybe they just have no clue themselves. Well, I want to talk about my experiences.
It's kinda exciting to have a reason to go out and shop for new clothes, but that excitement will wear off as you run out of money. I was lucky enough to have someone give me some of their maternity clothes, so I had a base to start out with. And a base it was because they were very plain maternity top & bottoms, but they did the job. One thing I did notice is that some of the pants fit right away at about 2 months, and others were huge on me at that time. I wasn't sure I would ever grow into to them. But grow into them I did. My belly grew into them and as the relaxin hormone does it's magic, your hips spread and well, they grew into them as well.
I think first time moms make the mistake of thinig you just need "one set" of maternity clothes (not one outfit, but one set). By one set I mean, they go out and start buying clothes when they an no longer really wear any of their bottoms anymore (this happens rather early, especally if you wear a lot of bottoms that are fitted and close by a button and zipper). But what fits you at this stage is most likely not going to fit you in 5 months.
In the beginning, a mom friend told me about the rubber band trick of looping a rubebrband (or hair tie) through the button hole on your jeans and attaching to your button so give you a little more time in your normal clothes. This can help keep you in your pre-maternity bottoms through the first trimester. You don't really need to go buy new maternity clothes at this stage, because what fits you here is most likely not going to fit very well in the 3rd trimester.
And of course, if you have pants that ride below the waist or have elastic in them, you can wear them much longer. I have "regular" athletic pants that I have been wearing the entire time, even now with my enormous belly. Keep wearing your pre-maternity tops though at this stage!
You don't really need to be buy any maternity tops until you enter the 3rd trimester. Unless you wear a lot of fitted tops that button, then you might need to go shopping for maternity tops earlier.
In the first trimester, it's easy to hide that rounding belly under your normal tops. You just need to pick tops that end below the belt line. During the second trimester you can hide it with layering, which won't be so easy during the summer. But if you have a jacket or a sweater that you can leave open, it will just hang there and disguise your belly because it will camoflage the protrusion. But by the end of the 2nd trimester, you are starting to really "show" to everyone else.
Now, what you may not realize in the beginning is that you think you are "showing" for a long time. You get to see yourself naked and you struggle with your wardrobe every morning and what might fit you today. But to the rest of the world, they just don't see it in your first pregnancy until you are 5-6 months pregnant. And even at 5-6 month they only may "kinda" see it. This was very frustrating because if you are like me -- you wanted to look pregnant, not like you were just getting fat.
Now, it's in this end of 2nd trimester that you may start to need maternity tops (depending upon how large your wore your pre-maternity tops). If you need or want to continue to diguise that you are pregnant, then you need to go shopping because your pre-maternity tops will only cling more to your belly and actually make you look pregnant. Now, I wanted people to know I was pregnant and not getting fat, so I tried to wear some of my normal tops as long as possible (what I did realize through this was that I have probably been buying tops too big for me beforehand, hmmmmm, maybe I should be on What Not To Wear.) Anyways, but what I did do was start buying a few maternity tops and sweaters for layering, but I shopped tops in the next size up and they provided ample room for my growing belly. Of if your parner is larger than you, raid their closet for tops.
And those "next size up" tops have worked nicely for making me look pregnant, but still keeping me adequately covered through most of my pregnancy. Plus, if you just go up a size in normal clothes, you have a better selection of choices (compared to maternity tops, selection can still be limiting even though it has gotten better) and you have a better chance of getting a deal (I'm always looking for the deal) in normal clothing. It really wasn't until about 35-36 weeks when baby is really increasing in size (about a half pound a week) that my abdomen started to really stick out and the length on those tops was just not enough and I needed the extra added length of maternity tops (which in the beginning if you wear them, it just looks like you are wearing a short flowy dress.)
So, in this last trimester you start to "fill out" those maternity tops, but also by this time that first set of maternity pants don't really fit anymore and you need to go buy some more. I am glad there are so many more maternity clothes options out there now. I could not imagine only having the options the previous generations had. One of the greatest options we have now is choice of waist height/style. You can buy the over the waist kind that may or may not have that built-in panel or you can buy bottoms with a thicker low waist that goes under yor belly. I like the latter. I have plenty of the over the belly kind and don't care for them. I learned I like them better if I folded the waist down to my hips, still leaving the double up panel/fabric covering my belly. But I always hated feeling any, even miniscule, type of pressure on my abdomen.
And when you go shopping -- have fun with picking out clothes. You don't need to go over-sized on maternity, because then you just look like you are wearing a circus tent. You can look cute & stylish and if you are smart you don't have to spend tons of money on new outfits, just be smart about using what you already have.
1st Trimester:
Tops - Keep wearing your pre-pregnancy tops. Maternity tops will just look silly at this point.
Bottoms - Wear your button pants as long as you can, then use a rubberband to extend the waistline for a little while longer. Either use or invest in some elastic waist pants that ride on the hips (these could carry you through the entire pregnancy & beyond).
2nd Trimester:
Tops - Keep wearing your pre-pregnancy tops as long as you can. If you need to, but a sizer larger in normal clothes. Start layering with a loose fitting jacket or sweater that you leave open over your top, this will camoflage yor stomach. Or raid a larger partner's closet.
Bottoms - You will now need to go buy some bottoms, unless you are sticking with elastic waist at the hips pants. Don't go hog wild on how much you spend and how many you buy, because in a couple of months you will be buying a new size.
3rd Trimester:
Tops - You will now need to purchase some maternity tops to fit over belly. You will need the length of maternity tops. Unless your parter is much larger than you and their tops are really long - I could do that with daddys clothes if I wanted.
Bottoms - You will need to go shopping again, as your belly has expanded as well as your hips and many of the bottoms that fit you last trimester won't fit so well anymore.
Now, don't worry that you spent all this money buying some new clothes and only wore them for a few months, because from what I understand, you will continue to wear your maternity clothes (especially the bottoms) for several months after the birth as you will still look 5-6 months pregnant right away and it takes time to get any sort of figure back.
Thoughts on other maternity accessories:
Maternity underwear - a must from the 2nd trimester because your hip joints are relaxing and your normal underwear will start to leave creases on your skin. Plus, then after the birth when you are bleeding, you can continue to wear them and ruin them rather than you nice ones (& then throw them away when you are all finished). I did have a few regular pair that I have been able to wear throughout, but normally people don't have loose underwear. And if they do, they are wearing them wrong in the first place. Buying these are well worth the money and you can get a 3-pack for about $10 @ Motherhood Maternity.
Maternity Tights/Nylons - If you wear a lot of skirts & dresses - then sure, why not. I bought some tights and wore a few times in the winter with my dresses. But like I said, I didn't like things that went over my belly and made me feel any small amount of pressure. Now that it's warmer, I go with bare legs (but then I have to find a way to bend & shave.)
Maternity Bras - Your bra size will increase. For some it will increase several times. But don't waste your money on maternity bras. Just buy a regular bra in your new size. You will find better deals and cuter styles this way. Save shopping the maternity stores for bras when you are nursing and need to buy nursing bras.
Sleepwear - Hmmmm....this is a tricky one, as in the beginning things I already owned fit for a long time. Then winter set in and I wasn't going to be wearing satin & lace, so I bought a couple of new pairs of pj's that were a size larger and covered more of my body. Now that I am at week 40, I still have stuff that fits (from the larger size purchase), but my large belly is pushing it too it's limits. If this kid doesn't come soon, I may have to just start sleeping in the nude because I will not go buy more sleep wear (well, not until I want to go buy something cute & sexy later on.)
Shoes - No, they don't make maternity shoes. But just as your hip joints & pelvis are spreading, so are other joints in your body. And do you realize how many joints there are in your feet? A lot. Many women will experience that their shoes (at a minimum) get tight in the width, some women will experience it in length (or both). I was lucky and only experienced it in the width at the ball of my foot, but I have had talked to people whose shoe size incread up to 2 sizes in pregnancy. Glad that didn't happen to me, as my feet are big enough already. By the 2nd trimester, most dressy shoes my not feel very comfortable (especially if they have a heel, which may be difficult to maneuver, as your center of balance will have changed because of the growing child inside of you.) Either get used to wearing athletic shoes (although, by the end tying your shoes becomes pretty difficult) or go buy a new pair of shoes that slip-on (you will thank yourself for that later) and are roomy. And if you are lucky, you will be able to wear sandals at the end of your pregnancy when you may be retaining water. I am very happy for this, but I do need to get those tennies on when I go for a walk and tying is just not something you take for granted anymore.
Jackets/Outerwear - I bought a lightweight maternity jacket (in the fall before I needed it, on sale of course) and I am so glad I did. Otherwise this spring I would have been chilly. There is not way I could close my normal jackets once I hit the 3rd trimester. I am glad I planned ahead and bought a jacket that would fit durnig this time. If you don't plan ahead, you may spend more money or go cold.
Swimwear - So, you only need this if you think you may go swimming while you are pregnant. I bought a couple of maternity swimsuits at the end of summer before I was pregnant for a very low clearance price. I got them for a steal at about $3 a piece (I bought a M & a L, as I didn't know what size I would need), rather than have to pay $30 later on when I needed it. The M fit me perfectly in the 2nd trimester, but I think the L would fit me much better now. I used them both on our trip to FL earlier this year. But I knew I would want to swim on a trip during my pregnancy, so I new spending those few dollars would be well worth it.
So, now I have a pretty big collection of maternity clothes, which I hope to lend to someone (maybe Carrie someday) later on, until we decide to have another child (if this one ever comes out that is.) I am glad that I did get that starting base of clothes, it helped to give me a few more options as I mixed & matched things from her & things I purchased.
I know this was a long post. But I like clothes and I think they are important enough to have this long of a post. Besides, nothing new has happened and I needed something to blog about.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
My Body
Actually, I am pretty glad that I am home now before the birth. I just would not be comfortable sitting in those chairs at work or walking around as much as I sometimes do there.
Yesterday morning I was having these contractions, much like the ones I have had before, and I was doing my best to ignore them, because like I said - they were like the ones I had before (which resulted in nothing.) Anyways, all of a sudden I get this pain starting in my left backside and slowly, ever so slowly, it makes it way across my entire back. And all I can think is F*ck that hurts. I am breathing through it and thought I would get up to see if it went away - nope! So, this already feels like it is lasting 10 minutes and probably only 10 seconds has passed. The next thing I can think is that the baby is digging her heel into some nerve and I gotta get her to change her position. This can't really be a contraction, because if this is how it's going to be - we're going to the hospital NOW in my jammies and I'll have to yell to daddy upstairs (who was still sleeping) and scre the living daylights out of him as he comes downstairs all disoriented and confused. But I got on my exercise ball, kept my breathing, and started to break out in a sweat and kept thinking. Sh*t, this REALLY hurts, I am so getting meds! High pain tolerance my ass. Of course while I was laying there on the ball in pain, I had the laptop in front of me, trying to look up information.
Just think of how distracted I could be from the contractions if I could have my laptop there while I was delivering....but Nooooo!....the hospital doesn't have wireless internet. Come on people - get with technology!
Anyways - apparently the baby likes the position where she lays on my back. But I am glad I have my exercise ball. When the back pain starts, I just get on there for a while and then it goes away as she changes positions. So, it's a good thing I wasn't at work because I wouldn't have had my ball.....and I was on it quite a bit. But anytime I started to feel even the sligtest back pain I went on it. I did go see my chiropractor neighbor yesterday to get straightened out, so that was good.
A couple months ago I had blogged about different birthing positions and how I wasn't so hip on the idea of all fours.....I am very quickly changing my mind on that one.....I still don't like the idea of my butt in the air, but I know I won't give a rat's ass about it when I am in labor or having contractions. Because the baby keeps pushing on my back and causing pains there, I just don't see sitting or laying working out at all. And I am pretty sure I don't want to squat -- that would take a lot of energy. So, there is the side position or on all fours....and since they have the birthing ball there which can support the upper half of my body, it might be the most comfortable for me.
Daddy was laughing at me & Larry yesterday. It takes me so long to move from side to side when I am in bed or on the couch - hey! I got this baby with all sorts of fluid floating around inside of me, you try moving fast and see how that works out for you. But then he noticed that the fat cat moves just as slow when he is trying to change positions. I told daddy to leave us alone because it's not so easy carrying around extra weight.
My arms are starting to get a workout now. It's much easier to push myself up with my arms than to use any abdominal muscles, but it's a slower process and I feel like an old woman. Daddy just giggles at me because I am so slow -- he can finally keep up. Although the other day on our walk he asked if I had a sudden burst of energy as he was having trouble keeping up with me & the dog.
I had this dream about breastfeeding last night. I guess it's the one thing I am still unsure about. Not unsure whether or not I will do it - that's not the issue. But it's something I have never done before. And I can read all I want on how to do it and what to do, but it really doesn't mean much until I actually have the baby in my arms and can do it. I know if I have concerns there are plenty of people to ask. The hospital has a lacatation consultant there (actually, one of the ladies who taught a section of our baby classes) and there is also a weekly "Amazing Baby Clinic" - which the lactation consultant is at and I can ask questions (& you get the baby weighed and everything else and they ask you a bunch of questions to make sure the baby is growing fine.) Plus depending upon when she joins us, my mom will either be here around the time of the birth or shortly after and she nursed all four of us. Plus, I do have supportive friends that live nearby who have nursed their own children who woud not hesitate for a second to run over right away and give me whatever support I need. So, I am not really worried. I just had this dream - you know how that goes.
Yesterday morning I was having these contractions, much like the ones I have had before, and I was doing my best to ignore them, because like I said - they were like the ones I had before (which resulted in nothing.) Anyways, all of a sudden I get this pain starting in my left backside and slowly, ever so slowly, it makes it way across my entire back. And all I can think is F*ck that hurts. I am breathing through it and thought I would get up to see if it went away - nope! So, this already feels like it is lasting 10 minutes and probably only 10 seconds has passed. The next thing I can think is that the baby is digging her heel into some nerve and I gotta get her to change her position. This can't really be a contraction, because if this is how it's going to be - we're going to the hospital NOW in my jammies and I'll have to yell to daddy upstairs (who was still sleeping) and scre the living daylights out of him as he comes downstairs all disoriented and confused. But I got on my exercise ball, kept my breathing, and started to break out in a sweat and kept thinking. Sh*t, this REALLY hurts, I am so getting meds! High pain tolerance my ass. Of course while I was laying there on the ball in pain, I had the laptop in front of me, trying to look up information.
Just think of how distracted I could be from the contractions if I could have my laptop there while I was delivering....but Nooooo!....the hospital doesn't have wireless internet. Come on people - get with technology!
Anyways - apparently the baby likes the position where she lays on my back. But I am glad I have my exercise ball. When the back pain starts, I just get on there for a while and then it goes away as she changes positions. So, it's a good thing I wasn't at work because I wouldn't have had my ball.....and I was on it quite a bit. But anytime I started to feel even the sligtest back pain I went on it. I did go see my chiropractor neighbor yesterday to get straightened out, so that was good.
A couple months ago I had blogged about different birthing positions and how I wasn't so hip on the idea of all fours.....I am very quickly changing my mind on that one.....I still don't like the idea of my butt in the air, but I know I won't give a rat's ass about it when I am in labor or having contractions. Because the baby keeps pushing on my back and causing pains there, I just don't see sitting or laying working out at all. And I am pretty sure I don't want to squat -- that would take a lot of energy. So, there is the side position or on all fours....and since they have the birthing ball there which can support the upper half of my body, it might be the most comfortable for me.
Daddy was laughing at me & Larry yesterday. It takes me so long to move from side to side when I am in bed or on the couch - hey! I got this baby with all sorts of fluid floating around inside of me, you try moving fast and see how that works out for you. But then he noticed that the fat cat moves just as slow when he is trying to change positions. I told daddy to leave us alone because it's not so easy carrying around extra weight.
My arms are starting to get a workout now. It's much easier to push myself up with my arms than to use any abdominal muscles, but it's a slower process and I feel like an old woman. Daddy just giggles at me because I am so slow -- he can finally keep up. Although the other day on our walk he asked if I had a sudden burst of energy as he was having trouble keeping up with me & the dog.
I had this dream about breastfeeding last night. I guess it's the one thing I am still unsure about. Not unsure whether or not I will do it - that's not the issue. But it's something I have never done before. And I can read all I want on how to do it and what to do, but it really doesn't mean much until I actually have the baby in my arms and can do it. I know if I have concerns there are plenty of people to ask. The hospital has a lacatation consultant there (actually, one of the ladies who taught a section of our baby classes) and there is also a weekly "Amazing Baby Clinic" - which the lactation consultant is at and I can ask questions (& you get the baby weighed and everything else and they ask you a bunch of questions to make sure the baby is growing fine.) Plus depending upon when she joins us, my mom will either be here around the time of the birth or shortly after and she nursed all four of us. Plus, I do have supportive friends that live nearby who have nursed their own children who woud not hesitate for a second to run over right away and give me whatever support I need. So, I am not really worried. I just had this dream - you know how that goes.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
The Cats Are Funny.
We've been setting up things so that the cats can get used to them and hopefully their curiousity will wane on some of these items before the baby is born. But their curious nature has led to some laughter on our part as we watch them try to figure things out.
Crib: They haven't paid much attention to this. But I think it's because it's too tall to get in and there is no easy way for them to jump in & out. Although Larry did try sticking his head through the slots in an attempt. He banged his head against the slots a couple of times with no success and then finally gave up. It does have a trundle underneath which I keep blankets & sheets in. Periodically I will find a cat sleeping in there and will have sheets to wash, but if I just cover it with a towel then I don't have to worry about the baby stuff getting cat hair on it. Although they are less interested in it since getting the toybox.
Stroller: Since we had to "build" it, it's still in the house. Lucy jumped in there one day and was going to try to sleep in it. I just started pushing her around in it and she got seriously freaked and jumped out and has never returned.
Bouncy Seat: Larry seems to think that this is a cat chair. When I got it and set it up he was VERY interested in it and didn't care what I put in it, as he would lay on top of that in the seat. But he didn't like the vibration option. Once I turned that on low he looked mildy irritated, but when I turned it up higher he didn't like it at all and would leave. He would try again & again if the vibration was off. Finally I decided it just had to go in the closet until the baby comes. I hope he doesn't try to sit on the baby in it.
Swing: I finally picked up one of these. It's crazy how expensive they are. I just can't see paying new prices for something I will use for only 6 months or less. I did pay quite a bit to buy it used. But even the cost of it used with shipping & handling was less than buying it new, plus I am being more ecologially friendly by reusing things and not adding to new material items. I actually bought many items second hand off of eBay. I probably paid more than what I would have gotten them for at a rummage sale, but since the sales are just starting, I don't know that I would have the time to actually go out looking for them after the baby is born anyways or what condition I will find them in at the sales -- everything off of eBay I chose to buy has been immaculate. Anyways - Larry has been very interested in this. It is a travel one and somewhat resembles the bouncy seat. He has attempted many times to get inside the chairn and was successful 2 times, but then it starts swinging right away and he gets a little spooked and tries to compensate for the imbalance he is experiencing and just ends up making it swing faster and gets scared. But that certainly doesn't stop him from trying again, and again, and again. We just laugh at him.
Pack-n-Play: Again, another used purchase (actually I think the only new things were the crib, car seats, & stroller for the travel system - I did pick up a burley & jogger at a rummage sale last fall for great prices.) Anyways, I set this up yesterday. We're hoping she likes it well enough as the plan is to lay her in that when we are on the main level of the house. I like that it's big enough so that we could put her in the swing or the bouncy seat inside of it in case the cats are still too interested in her. Larry kept looking at it and the inside of it, but he just couldn't figure out a way to get inside. I was thinking of putting him in there, but I don't think he would like it. He might yelp to get out if he can't jump out, which I am not sure he would try if there was no place he could see to jump to. But he does enjoy playing underneath it. He's a fat cat and doesn't fit very well under a lot of things, so he was having a lot of fun last night squeezing underneath it and peering at us and trying to lurch out at Lucy as she walked by. Much laughter to be had there.
Bassinett: (Yes, another eBay find. You really should consider it. Personally I am addicted to eBay. But because these items are used for such a short amount of time, you usually find them in "like new" condition and like I said, you'll save money -- which will allow you to buy more used baby things -- and you are not adding to more material consumption.) Anyways, this was the first acquistion that was out and they were slightly interested in it, but never could get into the actual bassinett part, but they have camped out in the basket below a few times, but I don't think it was what they wanted. They like to sleep on things a little higher.
Toybox & Rocker: Both of these have towels over them so I can easily wash them and remove the cat hair, as the cats spend a lot of time on both. The toybox is something my parents made us and has a cushion top and it positioned by the window, so it is a particular favorite of the cats, especially Lucy. She's also pretty fond of the rocker (something we already had.) I am afraid the nursery used to be "Lucy's Room" and she still thinks it is. She might change her mind after a crying child is in there for a while. Although since having moved the bed out of that room (which was where she slept before in there) she does tend to sleep on the bed (now in the office) when daddy is on the computer playing his games.
There are a few things I picked up from eBay that I haven't put out yet (like the exersaucer - which by the way is almost new and hardly cost anything since I arranged to pick it up, or the Baby Einstein Play Mat/Gym). We don't need the exersaucer for quite a while, but it's there in storage. The play mat I think will be interesting to see what the cats do with that, because honestly, I think it will look like a big cat toy to them with all the dangly things on it. The cats have had run of the house & so much attention for so long, that this could be a tough transition for them, especially Larry, who ALWAYS has to be around us. He's not like a normal cat who is aloof with people, he is pretty attached to us. Lucy I think will handle it better. I remember when we got Larry, she was pretty pissed and got depressed & lost weight and pretty much ignored us for 6 months. Whoever said cats don't have personalities are completly wrong, because she certainly has one. Have you ever had a cat give you the "silent treatment"? I have. And she can hold a grudge for a long time too. We're not too worried about the dog, as she is outside most of the time & is relatively well behaved (if not, I raise my voice and she just cowers to the ground - she knows who is boss!)
Crib: They haven't paid much attention to this. But I think it's because it's too tall to get in and there is no easy way for them to jump in & out. Although Larry did try sticking his head through the slots in an attempt. He banged his head against the slots a couple of times with no success and then finally gave up. It does have a trundle underneath which I keep blankets & sheets in. Periodically I will find a cat sleeping in there and will have sheets to wash, but if I just cover it with a towel then I don't have to worry about the baby stuff getting cat hair on it. Although they are less interested in it since getting the toybox.
Stroller: Since we had to "build" it, it's still in the house. Lucy jumped in there one day and was going to try to sleep in it. I just started pushing her around in it and she got seriously freaked and jumped out and has never returned.
Bouncy Seat: Larry seems to think that this is a cat chair. When I got it and set it up he was VERY interested in it and didn't care what I put in it, as he would lay on top of that in the seat. But he didn't like the vibration option. Once I turned that on low he looked mildy irritated, but when I turned it up higher he didn't like it at all and would leave. He would try again & again if the vibration was off. Finally I decided it just had to go in the closet until the baby comes. I hope he doesn't try to sit on the baby in it.
Swing: I finally picked up one of these. It's crazy how expensive they are. I just can't see paying new prices for something I will use for only 6 months or less. I did pay quite a bit to buy it used. But even the cost of it used with shipping & handling was less than buying it new, plus I am being more ecologially friendly by reusing things and not adding to new material items. I actually bought many items second hand off of eBay. I probably paid more than what I would have gotten them for at a rummage sale, but since the sales are just starting, I don't know that I would have the time to actually go out looking for them after the baby is born anyways or what condition I will find them in at the sales -- everything off of eBay I chose to buy has been immaculate. Anyways - Larry has been very interested in this. It is a travel one and somewhat resembles the bouncy seat. He has attempted many times to get inside the chairn and was successful 2 times, but then it starts swinging right away and he gets a little spooked and tries to compensate for the imbalance he is experiencing and just ends up making it swing faster and gets scared. But that certainly doesn't stop him from trying again, and again, and again. We just laugh at him.
Pack-n-Play: Again, another used purchase (actually I think the only new things were the crib, car seats, & stroller for the travel system - I did pick up a burley & jogger at a rummage sale last fall for great prices.) Anyways, I set this up yesterday. We're hoping she likes it well enough as the plan is to lay her in that when we are on the main level of the house. I like that it's big enough so that we could put her in the swing or the bouncy seat inside of it in case the cats are still too interested in her. Larry kept looking at it and the inside of it, but he just couldn't figure out a way to get inside. I was thinking of putting him in there, but I don't think he would like it. He might yelp to get out if he can't jump out, which I am not sure he would try if there was no place he could see to jump to. But he does enjoy playing underneath it. He's a fat cat and doesn't fit very well under a lot of things, so he was having a lot of fun last night squeezing underneath it and peering at us and trying to lurch out at Lucy as she walked by. Much laughter to be had there.
Bassinett: (Yes, another eBay find. You really should consider it. Personally I am addicted to eBay. But because these items are used for such a short amount of time, you usually find them in "like new" condition and like I said, you'll save money -- which will allow you to buy more used baby things -- and you are not adding to more material consumption.) Anyways, this was the first acquistion that was out and they were slightly interested in it, but never could get into the actual bassinett part, but they have camped out in the basket below a few times, but I don't think it was what they wanted. They like to sleep on things a little higher.
Toybox & Rocker: Both of these have towels over them so I can easily wash them and remove the cat hair, as the cats spend a lot of time on both. The toybox is something my parents made us and has a cushion top and it positioned by the window, so it is a particular favorite of the cats, especially Lucy. She's also pretty fond of the rocker (something we already had.) I am afraid the nursery used to be "Lucy's Room" and she still thinks it is. She might change her mind after a crying child is in there for a while. Although since having moved the bed out of that room (which was where she slept before in there) she does tend to sleep on the bed (now in the office) when daddy is on the computer playing his games.
There are a few things I picked up from eBay that I haven't put out yet (like the exersaucer - which by the way is almost new and hardly cost anything since I arranged to pick it up, or the Baby Einstein Play Mat/Gym). We don't need the exersaucer for quite a while, but it's there in storage. The play mat I think will be interesting to see what the cats do with that, because honestly, I think it will look like a big cat toy to them with all the dangly things on it. The cats have had run of the house & so much attention for so long, that this could be a tough transition for them, especially Larry, who ALWAYS has to be around us. He's not like a normal cat who is aloof with people, he is pretty attached to us. Lucy I think will handle it better. I remember when we got Larry, she was pretty pissed and got depressed & lost weight and pretty much ignored us for 6 months. Whoever said cats don't have personalities are completly wrong, because she certainly has one. Have you ever had a cat give you the "silent treatment"? I have. And she can hold a grudge for a long time too. We're not too worried about the dog, as she is outside most of the time & is relatively well behaved (if not, I raise my voice and she just cowers to the ground - she knows who is boss!)
Just Some Stuff....
I just finished reading I Wish Someone Had Told Me. The link is to a newer version than the one I got, but I don't know that it makes much difference. I like that is offers a historical perspective of how things came to be, as well as personal experiences from a bunch of moms. Each chapter there is the "ideal" that each woman might have, but then it is followed by the "fact". I found a lot of chapters really helpful in setting realistic expectations and gave me some things to talk to daddy about and figure out, because I was thinking the "ideal". So, I would definitly recommend reading this book. It's not your regular pregnancy book, it really addresses a lot of your concerns and feelings during labor & beyond. I had bought this "lot" of things off of eBay and this was one of the things in it. I had bought the lot for a couple of other things, so this was just an added bonus. I probably would have not thought or known to read it otherwise.
The above picture illustrates the pelvic bones. I couldn't remember what the doctor said was causing my back pain, it was an "s" word, that was all I could remember from my hospital visit. So, after researching online I believe he was talking about the sacoiliac joints. I should probably go over and see my chiropractor neighbor. (Actually, he sent a different neighbr over to do "neighborhood watch" and see how things were going, after she was at his house.)
The other pain I have occasionally experienced (actually happened shortly before I was told I was dilated more /effaced more /lower pelvic station) was this feelings that my crotch was just going to fall out. It's kinda hard to explain. That pain started yesterday. It is probably just ligaments loosening further and adjusting to the pressure of the uterus & baby upon it. But it feels like I don't have much control over my bones & muscles in the groin area. In the past weeks, these feelings have gone away in a couple days and then I see the doctor and he tells me I have dilated more, effaced more, & the baby dropped into a lower pelvic station. So, we'll see.
Although if it means labor is looming closer, like within the next couple of days, then I probably wont have my own doctor, as he said he is at a conference today, Wednesday, & Thursday (but is on call Thursday night) & back @ work on Friday. I found out the on-call schedule for this week. The other doctor I met yesterday is on-call tonight, and then the one I didn't meet is on-call on Wednesday & this weekend.
Hmmmmmm....Presents.....Presents can be so much fun to get. I got a couple last week. The first was a gift for the baby from Kendra & Tim. It was a witch ball. It is a yellow & green glass ball with a tree-like, web-like thing inside that is supposed to collect & trap bad feelings and thoughts, sort of like a dream catcher. It is very beautiful. I am just waiting until after the new windows get put in the nursery (can't have our baby feeling a draft from our old windows this coming winter) to figure out just how I want to hang it. It says you should hang it in a window. And I also got presents from Daddy (& baby) for Mother's Day. He bought me this necklace I wanted & them picked a bouquet from the yard of purple tulips, lilacs, & apple blossoms. It was very nicely arranged. I haven't been outside enough to enjoy them, so I am glad he brought them in. I try to do that myself throughout the growing season - bring the outdoors in. I do enjoy the smell of lilacs and apple blossoms, and the tulips are just so pretty.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Week 40 Doctor Appointment
Will it ever come to fruition?
Anyways - not a lot new from this doctor appointment. We talked about still having lots of contractions, but that I am basically ignoring them until they make me pay attention. He says he's a little worried that because I have a high pain tolerance (his perception, not mine) that I will end up coming in when I am 9cm dilated. Hmmmm....is that really so bad? I mean, I can't start pushing until 10cm. (Although, Daddy worries about the same thing and says that if I have a baby in his car we are selling it immediately - no questions asked.) I honestly don't think my pain tolerance is all that high, but I guess we'll find out.
The doctor did sign a note having me start family medical leave starting tomorrow. So, I guess I am out until summer school starts. Now I just need to get my short-term diability paperwork in order. I didn't have it with me (it's packed in the hospital bag) and wasn't exactly expecting it, so now I have to get it to the doctor. But I suppose I can still wait to have him fill it out either at my next appointment or at the hospital.
I did tell the doctor I was upset that he was giving me false hopes the last 2 weeks and I didn't want to hear it. But he still insisted on saying several times that before the week is up I should have a baby. I told him I still don't believe him and that I don't believe that we are having a girl anymore. He said he was really surprised that I didn't end up delivering on Friday afterall.
We also talked about an induction for the week after. We had a couple days to choose from (well, we could have chose others, but he wanted it to be on a day that he is the one on call that night so he can do the delivery.) So, if needed, we are planning for an induction on May 23rd. But I really don't want to be induced....so I hope this baby comes all on her own before that.
Guess that's it.
Anyways - not a lot new from this doctor appointment. We talked about still having lots of contractions, but that I am basically ignoring them until they make me pay attention. He says he's a little worried that because I have a high pain tolerance (his perception, not mine) that I will end up coming in when I am 9cm dilated. Hmmmm....is that really so bad? I mean, I can't start pushing until 10cm. (Although, Daddy worries about the same thing and says that if I have a baby in his car we are selling it immediately - no questions asked.) I honestly don't think my pain tolerance is all that high, but I guess we'll find out.
The doctor did sign a note having me start family medical leave starting tomorrow. So, I guess I am out until summer school starts. Now I just need to get my short-term diability paperwork in order. I didn't have it with me (it's packed in the hospital bag) and wasn't exactly expecting it, so now I have to get it to the doctor. But I suppose I can still wait to have him fill it out either at my next appointment or at the hospital.
I did tell the doctor I was upset that he was giving me false hopes the last 2 weeks and I didn't want to hear it. But he still insisted on saying several times that before the week is up I should have a baby. I told him I still don't believe him and that I don't believe that we are having a girl anymore. He said he was really surprised that I didn't end up delivering on Friday afterall.
We also talked about an induction for the week after. We had a couple days to choose from (well, we could have chose others, but he wanted it to be on a day that he is the one on call that night so he can do the delivery.) So, if needed, we are planning for an induction on May 23rd. But I really don't want to be induced....so I hope this baby comes all on her own before that.
Guess that's it.
At Work Again.....
Everyone seems pretty surprised I am back here.....they figured that this baby would come. Unfortunately, I think they are forgetting that she has half my genes and is being stubborn.
But everyone seems pretty happy to see me, which makes me feel good. No mood swings today, yet.
This afternoon I have my 40 week dr. appt. We'll see what he says.
But everyone seems pretty happy to see me, which makes me feel good. No mood swings today, yet.
This afternoon I have my 40 week dr. appt. We'll see what he says.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Glad I'm Not a Single Mom
Daddy & I were talking about this last night. I am so glad I am not a single mom, because when I went to the hospital I would have probably felt really bad by how they phrased some things if I were.
Daddy dropped me off at the door and then parked the car, and I walked in by myself. They asked what they could help me with and I told them I think I may be there to have a baby. Their response was, "You're not here alone, are you?" Now be saying that in a kind of condesending voice and you got the picture. They should have structured the question differently by saying Are you here alone? That way it doesn't sound so accusing and negative.
The next thing was when the OB nurse was doing this questionnaire thing and she asked me, "You're not on WIC, are you?" What the hell is with the accusing sentence structure. Dad was there for that one and thought it didn't sound right. Maybe we didn't look like we would qualify for WIC, I don't know. Not that every single mother is on WIC. There are couples on WIC and plenty of single mothers who would not qualify. But still, the way she said it could have made me feel like it was a bad thing.
And finally - this one isn't about stupid sentence structures - but when daddy left the room to go to the bathroom (he could have used the bathroom in the room, but he loves me enough to go #2 in the public bathroom rather than make me suffer)....but it was very lonely sitting in that room contracting with no one there.
Those experiences made me very happy to have a husband there with me and how some people can make you feel really bad if you are alone. Even daddy realized how lonely the whole experience could be if you don't have anyone going with you.
Daddy dropped me off at the door and then parked the car, and I walked in by myself. They asked what they could help me with and I told them I think I may be there to have a baby. Their response was, "You're not here alone, are you?" Now be saying that in a kind of condesending voice and you got the picture. They should have structured the question differently by saying Are you here alone? That way it doesn't sound so accusing and negative.
The next thing was when the OB nurse was doing this questionnaire thing and she asked me, "You're not on WIC, are you?" What the hell is with the accusing sentence structure. Dad was there for that one and thought it didn't sound right. Maybe we didn't look like we would qualify for WIC, I don't know. Not that every single mother is on WIC. There are couples on WIC and plenty of single mothers who would not qualify. But still, the way she said it could have made me feel like it was a bad thing.
And finally - this one isn't about stupid sentence structures - but when daddy left the room to go to the bathroom (he could have used the bathroom in the room, but he loves me enough to go #2 in the public bathroom rather than make me suffer)....but it was very lonely sitting in that room contracting with no one there.
Those experiences made me very happy to have a husband there with me and how some people can make you feel really bad if you are alone. Even daddy realized how lonely the whole experience could be if you don't have anyone going with you.
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