Pregnancy update
Today was my 33 week visit with the good old doc. I also had an ultrasound before seeing her. Baby is very cute and has hands in mouth and eyes open. He or she is practicing his or her breathing, which was really fun to watch.
Adam was sad to have missed this ultrasound, but my mother-in-law came to keep an eye on Ryan who loves to get into the tech's papers.
Anyway, baby is average. At this stage of pregnancy a baby generally weighs around 4 lbs. Our little munchkin weighs about 4.5 lbs and is in the 50th percentile for weight. The heartbeat was 139 bmp for those of you who think this means something. With Ryan that old wives tale meant nothing.
So we proceed with pregnancy like it was any normal pregnancy. Labor will happen when it happens, though Adam has given strick orders that it wait until he's finished taking his NCLE (National Contal Lense Exam) at the end of May. I think that's do-able.
And, oh, I measured a week ahead... it means nothing, if you ask me. I'd read that most women are supposed to measure within two centermetres give or take at each appointment and that it's considered normal. So I'm considering myself and this pregnancy normal.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Boy names?
The husband and I are struggling with a boy name. We had the same problem the year Ryan was born. He didn't get his name for a full day after his arrival. We've read lots of baby name books. We've read lots of baby name websites. If you read names in alphabetical order, it gets really old after a while. I've read lists and lists and still we have no name.
So now we're taking suggestions in hopes of finding that baby boy name just in case this is another boy. We've asked family and had a few possibilities, but nothing we're sold on just yet. I'm worried we'll have another boy and the nurse will ask what we're naming him and I won't have a clue again. And then we'll scramble that night or morning to figure out a name.
Help!
The husband and I are struggling with a boy name. We had the same problem the year Ryan was born. He didn't get his name for a full day after his arrival. We've read lots of baby name books. We've read lots of baby name websites. If you read names in alphabetical order, it gets really old after a while. I've read lists and lists and still we have no name.
So now we're taking suggestions in hopes of finding that baby boy name just in case this is another boy. We've asked family and had a few possibilities, but nothing we're sold on just yet. I'm worried we'll have another boy and the nurse will ask what we're naming him and I won't have a clue again. And then we'll scramble that night or morning to figure out a name.
Help!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Messed up measuring tape
I'm convinced my doctor's measuring tape, the one used to measure my fundal height, is messed up. Four weeks ago, I measured three weeks ahead. Three weeks ago, I measured right on target. This week I'm measuring big again. This lead me to ask if there was something wrong with her measuring tape. I wasn't trying to be rude, I just want to know what is going on. She wouldn't say how big I measured this visit. What really puzzles me is that the week I really measured big was the week that I also put on five extra pounds. This time I've managed to keep it down to almost two pounds.
I go for another ultra sound next week. We'll get to see just how big baby is at that visit. Adam and his mother are convinced that I won't make it through May without delivering ( vaginally or via c-section) this baby. I think I'd be okay with that, mainly because I am so uncomfortable and I look so huge. There's a lot of pressure in the areas the baby is hanging out in these days. I'm not sure he or she should be allowed to get any bigger. Punches and kicks really hurt. When baby decides to do other movements I cringe.
I think I'm just going to keep on thinking that the measuring tape is messed up, even though everyone else is convinced I'll give birth to a toddler. My line of thinking gives me some peace.
I'm convinced my doctor's measuring tape, the one used to measure my fundal height, is messed up. Four weeks ago, I measured three weeks ahead. Three weeks ago, I measured right on target. This week I'm measuring big again. This lead me to ask if there was something wrong with her measuring tape. I wasn't trying to be rude, I just want to know what is going on. She wouldn't say how big I measured this visit. What really puzzles me is that the week I really measured big was the week that I also put on five extra pounds. This time I've managed to keep it down to almost two pounds.
I go for another ultra sound next week. We'll get to see just how big baby is at that visit. Adam and his mother are convinced that I won't make it through May without delivering ( vaginally or via c-section) this baby. I think I'd be okay with that, mainly because I am so uncomfortable and I look so huge. There's a lot of pressure in the areas the baby is hanging out in these days. I'm not sure he or she should be allowed to get any bigger. Punches and kicks really hurt. When baby decides to do other movements I cringe.
I think I'm just going to keep on thinking that the measuring tape is messed up, even though everyone else is convinced I'll give birth to a toddler. My line of thinking gives me some peace.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Ryan's first big boy hair cut
My son had his first hair cut and I am ever so proud. I have to admit, both Adam and I were doubtful about this experience when we left for the barber shop this morning. Adam was worried that Ryan would be terrified of the person cutting his hair based on the fact that he was scared of the Easter Bunny. I was fearful based on the fact that he's been a bit crabby lately.
Yesterday I started preparing Ryan for the visit. I told him daddy was going to get his hair cut and we'd like Ryan to get his hair cut like a big boy too. This morning I reminded him that when daddy got up and ready, we'd be going for a big boy hair cut. No more mommy hair cut attempts.
Daddy went first and had his hair done. We thought the same lady cutting his hair would do Ryan's but then the owner showed up and asked Ryan if he wanted a hair cut to which he replied, "yes."
He took Ramsdell's hand and walked to the chair, got his paper neck thingy and cape put on and let him cut his hair. He hated the cape and neck thing and managed to take both off. Then he saw he was getting dirty, so he allowed Ramsdell to put the cape back on. Toward the end of the hair cut he managed to get the cape off again and proclaimed to all in the barber shop that it was, "trash."
He never cried. We were so proud.
And then he got up and said, "thank you," and picked out his own lollipop.
Amazing.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
You know it's going to be...
a fun day when your kid refuses to wear the clothes you've put on him. It's not that anything is really wrong with them, it's just that the shirt isn't a long sleeved one and the pants are just not what he wants to wear. He protests by crying for a half hour before finally giving up.
The terrible twos have arrived.
a fun day when your kid refuses to wear the clothes you've put on him. It's not that anything is really wrong with them, it's just that the shirt isn't a long sleeved one and the pants are just not what he wants to wear. He protests by crying for a half hour before finally giving up.
The terrible twos have arrived.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Seeing God in the small things
We've had some wonderful weather in southern Maine this past week. Today, I just sat out on the deck for part of Ryan's nap and enjoyed the warmth and the sunshine. It was beautiful. As I watched the birds and looked at the flowers slowly popping up, I couldn't help but be reminded that there is a person who created all of these wonderful things.
That reminded me of the sermon two weeks ago at church. We were looking at Luke 24 and how the disciples wanted Jesus to stay with them (this was after he rose from the dead). The guest speaker urged us to find Jesus in our everyday lives giving an example of how simple that can be.
He told a story of how a little boy's mother packed him a lunch and let him spend a sunny day at the park. When the little boy got to the park he noticed all the tables were filled with families sharing food, except this one table. An elderly lady sat alone and he figured this was a good place to sit and eat his lunch. They exchanged greetings and when the little boy opened his lunch he noticed his mother had packed two of everything and he proceeded to share it with the lady who wasn't eating at all. He talked and she listened.
The day ended and he returned home. When his mother asked him how his day was he said he was glad to have spent it with God. She asked what he meant and he told her about the old lady sitting at the table and that he had shared his lunch with her and that she had reminded him of what God is like. She was a good listener, he explained.
The same old lady went to the nursing home that night and when asked how her day was she also said she enjoyed her day with God, commenting that the little boy reminded her of how thoughful God is and how he provides for us. They both saw different aspects of God in each other.
Another story I am reminded of when I think about God being made known to us is the story of a new family. The wife attended church regularly, but the husband couldn't be bothered anymore. The day their child was born the doctor handed him to the father and, as most fathers do, he looked his son over with much care. He stared at his ear and marveled to his wife at how perfectly it was made. It was the first time he'd seen God in a long time. When he returned to church the pastor asked what made him come back and the father said, that looking at his sons ear had made him realize that God wonderful and loving.
Today I found God in nature and in the joy of the sun. Sometimes it's the small things in life, like a warm sunny day, that help us realize how big God really is and how much he loves us to have created such wonderful things for us to enjoy.
May you find God in even the small things.
We've had some wonderful weather in southern Maine this past week. Today, I just sat out on the deck for part of Ryan's nap and enjoyed the warmth and the sunshine. It was beautiful. As I watched the birds and looked at the flowers slowly popping up, I couldn't help but be reminded that there is a person who created all of these wonderful things.
That reminded me of the sermon two weeks ago at church. We were looking at Luke 24 and how the disciples wanted Jesus to stay with them (this was after he rose from the dead). The guest speaker urged us to find Jesus in our everyday lives giving an example of how simple that can be.
He told a story of how a little boy's mother packed him a lunch and let him spend a sunny day at the park. When the little boy got to the park he noticed all the tables were filled with families sharing food, except this one table. An elderly lady sat alone and he figured this was a good place to sit and eat his lunch. They exchanged greetings and when the little boy opened his lunch he noticed his mother had packed two of everything and he proceeded to share it with the lady who wasn't eating at all. He talked and she listened.
The day ended and he returned home. When his mother asked him how his day was he said he was glad to have spent it with God. She asked what he meant and he told her about the old lady sitting at the table and that he had shared his lunch with her and that she had reminded him of what God is like. She was a good listener, he explained.
The same old lady went to the nursing home that night and when asked how her day was she also said she enjoyed her day with God, commenting that the little boy reminded her of how thoughful God is and how he provides for us. They both saw different aspects of God in each other.
Another story I am reminded of when I think about God being made known to us is the story of a new family. The wife attended church regularly, but the husband couldn't be bothered anymore. The day their child was born the doctor handed him to the father and, as most fathers do, he looked his son over with much care. He stared at his ear and marveled to his wife at how perfectly it was made. It was the first time he'd seen God in a long time. When he returned to church the pastor asked what made him come back and the father said, that looking at his sons ear had made him realize that God wonderful and loving.
Today I found God in nature and in the joy of the sun. Sometimes it's the small things in life, like a warm sunny day, that help us realize how big God really is and how much he loves us to have created such wonderful things for us to enjoy.
May you find God in even the small things.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Adam and Gillian
Our friends Adam and Gillie were married last night. I thought this was one of the only weddings I've been to where the wedding ceremony and reception really matched the personalities of the bride and groom. The food was GREAT and I was thrilled someone had the guts to have an ALL chocolate cake, which was so yummy.
Below: Gillian, Adam, Adam and me.
The groom with Adam (just so you know, there were three Adams all together in the wedding party).
Cutting the yummy chocolate cake.
Adam gives his toast.
Our friends Adam and Gillie were married last night. I thought this was one of the only weddings I've been to where the wedding ceremony and reception really matched the personalities of the bride and groom. The food was GREAT and I was thrilled someone had the guts to have an ALL chocolate cake, which was so yummy.
Below: Gillian, Adam, Adam and me.
The groom with Adam (just so you know, there were three Adams all together in the wedding party).
Cutting the yummy chocolate cake.
Adam gives his toast.
Chuck E. Cheese
Here are some photos from Ryan's first Chuck E. Cheese experience. We went with Adam's dad while Adam and his mother were at an optician seminar. FYI: I think the games are fun, but the food was just okay.
Before we left Ryan was so excited he put on his own jacket. Too bad it was on backward becasue he did a really good job.
Here are some photos from Ryan's first Chuck E. Cheese experience. We went with Adam's dad while Adam and his mother were at an optician seminar. FYI: I think the games are fun, but the food was just okay.
Ryan on the Barney train. He hates it when you put the money in to make the ride go, so we mostly just let him get on and off the rides.
Playing in the toddler gym.
Before we left Ryan was so excited he put on his own jacket. Too bad it was on backward becasue he did a really good job.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Pregnancy update and random news
I think I've lost a little bit of sleep this past week with thoughts of a possible c-section, so I was anxious for today's visit with my doctor. I had all these questions. While I am okay with a c-section, there's so much I just want to know. My fears were calmed a bit when I (a) hadn't put on even an ounce this week (must be all that outdoor play with Ryan) and (b) when I actually measured just right for fundal height. If I keep on this track and my next ultrasound doesn't show a mammoth baby we're doing a normal vaginal delivery... complete with an intrathecal (spinal).
Thanks to all who have been praying for us. This news really lifts my spirits mostly because I know what to expect with this type of delivery and it would take place in the same hospital as last time. We also have this huge "to do" list that was being a bit messed up with the thought of having a baby at the end of May. We have all these things we want to do with Ry before baby arrives like go to the zoo (it doesn't open until May 24), go to the New England Aquarium and the Children's museum. Not to mention, his birthday is thrown in this mix too, though we'd decided it'd be really small this year with just family and his godparents.
Of course my "to do" list also includes getting some baby things ready. I'm psycho, so the hospital bag is already packed, and has been packed since six months (just like last time. I just don't want to forget anything). The 0-3 month clothes and some 3-6 month clothes have been washed and put into their place. But, I still have things like the swing and bouncy seat to get out of storage and clean up. Of course, I have scrapbooking to finish, too. I'm feeling more motivated already.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In some random news...
Ry has been sick this week with a cold, which he so nicely passed on to us. He's been up most nights so we're a bit sleepy, too.
The weather has been nice so we've done lots of playing outside. This can be difficult when you have to get to the doctor's office in just a few minutes and your kid wants to go on the swing and draw with chalk on the driveway. It's also really good because I don't have to invent different things to do every day. We just go outside and he's happy to run around. Next week we're expecting lots of rain, so we'll be back to indoor activities. Sigh.
My friend Sarah C. had baby number three on Monday. Little MaKayla and her mommy are fine and we can't wait to see them soon.
I officially turned in my LOA papers at work today. I really miss being there. I like the people I work with so much and I wanted to stay and hang out, but knew that was a bad idea.
Photos will be coming soon of Ryan's first Chuck E. Cheese experience with me and his grandfather.
I think I've lost a little bit of sleep this past week with thoughts of a possible c-section, so I was anxious for today's visit with my doctor. I had all these questions. While I am okay with a c-section, there's so much I just want to know. My fears were calmed a bit when I (a) hadn't put on even an ounce this week (must be all that outdoor play with Ryan) and (b) when I actually measured just right for fundal height. If I keep on this track and my next ultrasound doesn't show a mammoth baby we're doing a normal vaginal delivery... complete with an intrathecal (spinal).
Thanks to all who have been praying for us. This news really lifts my spirits mostly because I know what to expect with this type of delivery and it would take place in the same hospital as last time. We also have this huge "to do" list that was being a bit messed up with the thought of having a baby at the end of May. We have all these things we want to do with Ry before baby arrives like go to the zoo (it doesn't open until May 24), go to the New England Aquarium and the Children's museum. Not to mention, his birthday is thrown in this mix too, though we'd decided it'd be really small this year with just family and his godparents.
Of course my "to do" list also includes getting some baby things ready. I'm psycho, so the hospital bag is already packed, and has been packed since six months (just like last time. I just don't want to forget anything). The 0-3 month clothes and some 3-6 month clothes have been washed and put into their place. But, I still have things like the swing and bouncy seat to get out of storage and clean up. Of course, I have scrapbooking to finish, too. I'm feeling more motivated already.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In some random news...
Ry has been sick this week with a cold, which he so nicely passed on to us. He's been up most nights so we're a bit sleepy, too.
The weather has been nice so we've done lots of playing outside. This can be difficult when you have to get to the doctor's office in just a few minutes and your kid wants to go on the swing and draw with chalk on the driveway. It's also really good because I don't have to invent different things to do every day. We just go outside and he's happy to run around. Next week we're expecting lots of rain, so we'll be back to indoor activities. Sigh.
My friend Sarah C. had baby number three on Monday. Little MaKayla and her mommy are fine and we can't wait to see them soon.
I officially turned in my LOA papers at work today. I really miss being there. I like the people I work with so much and I wanted to stay and hang out, but knew that was a bad idea.
Photos will be coming soon of Ryan's first Chuck E. Cheese experience with me and his grandfather.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Bedrest and a possible c-section
I could be having baby number two in about eight weeks. According to dear old doc, if baby continues to grow like he or she has been I'll be having a scheduled c-section near the end of May. The thought is that baby will be too large to pass through the birth canal safely and could just grow way too big by 40 weeks. The magic number here is 37. This isn't a sure thing, but she's simply preparing me for what may happen in a few weeks.
It doesn't help that in just about every four weeks I seem to put on five pounds. I swear I am not stuffing my face with chocolate or any other sinful calorie abundant food, but somehow I've still managed to pack on the pounds. This is a red flag, says nurse, and I'm likely to have another ultra sound in the weeks to come to determine if baby is larger than 9.5 lbs or has too large of a cranium to make the journey south.
I also get to be on a form of bedrest. I will not be working at my part-time job until after baby arrives. On Friday, I started having contractions while at work. At first I was convinced I was imagining things and kept working... for two more hours. The contractions weren't that intense and were about 20 minutes apart. I finally decided to call the doctor who sent me over to labor and delivery for monitoring. I had one contraction the entire time I was there so I was sent home with orders to rest and drink lots of fluids (apparently dehydration in late pregnancy can cause early labor). I had three contractions on Saturday while out grocery shopping, but the magic number to rush back to labor and delivery is six contractions in one hour. Still the doctor thinks we should be careful and do what we can to prevent more contractions and stop working.
At yesterday's appointment, aside from the grand weigh-in, urine sample, measuring of the fundal height (still measuring well ahead of schedule) and listening to baby's heartbeat, I also had bloodwork done. The endocrinoligist called this morning to tell me some great news. I can decrease my thyroid meds to just one pill a day. This could have also been the reason for the early contractions. I've been monitored closely during both of my pregnancies because thyroid disease makes me a high-risk case.
As for the two pieces of news from yesterday's visit, I'm okay with having a c-section if it's necessary to prevent a possibly large baby getting stuck in my vajay-jay (yes, I used Oprah's word) and having to break baby's collarbone to get him or her out. I'm really okay with having a c-section. I'm disappointed in two ways... I'd have to have the c-section in Portland rather than in Biddeford because that hospital is more equipped for such things. I really like the hospital where I delivered Ry. It was so restful there and so much like a hotel with room service. I'm sure I'll get over it though. Plus my mum and dad had planned to be here for actual birth... they missed out last time and I'm sure want to be in on all that hoopla this time. With things up in the air about a c-section I've encouraged them to keep the same plans they already have just incase no c-section happens and baby arrives right on schedule.
As for being on a form of bedrest where I stay home with my little boy and get to actually see Adam for more than a few hours each week is okay. I'm a little disappointed though becuase I enjoy going to work. It's my outlet. I get to be with adults. I enjoy my co-workers and their company. Of course, I'd rather not deliver baby at a register in WM so I can deal with this too.
So I'm okay with all of this. I think it's becasue I know there are so many people praying for me and this pregnancy. I know God is in control, even in the nutty-ness of this pregnancy. I've just come to expect that this pregnancy isn't going to be just like my last.
I could be having baby number two in about eight weeks. According to dear old doc, if baby continues to grow like he or she has been I'll be having a scheduled c-section near the end of May. The thought is that baby will be too large to pass through the birth canal safely and could just grow way too big by 40 weeks. The magic number here is 37. This isn't a sure thing, but she's simply preparing me for what may happen in a few weeks.
It doesn't help that in just about every four weeks I seem to put on five pounds. I swear I am not stuffing my face with chocolate or any other sinful calorie abundant food, but somehow I've still managed to pack on the pounds. This is a red flag, says nurse, and I'm likely to have another ultra sound in the weeks to come to determine if baby is larger than 9.5 lbs or has too large of a cranium to make the journey south.
I also get to be on a form of bedrest. I will not be working at my part-time job until after baby arrives. On Friday, I started having contractions while at work. At first I was convinced I was imagining things and kept working... for two more hours. The contractions weren't that intense and were about 20 minutes apart. I finally decided to call the doctor who sent me over to labor and delivery for monitoring. I had one contraction the entire time I was there so I was sent home with orders to rest and drink lots of fluids (apparently dehydration in late pregnancy can cause early labor). I had three contractions on Saturday while out grocery shopping, but the magic number to rush back to labor and delivery is six contractions in one hour. Still the doctor thinks we should be careful and do what we can to prevent more contractions and stop working.
At yesterday's appointment, aside from the grand weigh-in, urine sample, measuring of the fundal height (still measuring well ahead of schedule) and listening to baby's heartbeat, I also had bloodwork done. The endocrinoligist called this morning to tell me some great news. I can decrease my thyroid meds to just one pill a day. This could have also been the reason for the early contractions. I've been monitored closely during both of my pregnancies because thyroid disease makes me a high-risk case.
As for the two pieces of news from yesterday's visit, I'm okay with having a c-section if it's necessary to prevent a possibly large baby getting stuck in my vajay-jay (yes, I used Oprah's word) and having to break baby's collarbone to get him or her out. I'm really okay with having a c-section. I'm disappointed in two ways... I'd have to have the c-section in Portland rather than in Biddeford because that hospital is more equipped for such things. I really like the hospital where I delivered Ry. It was so restful there and so much like a hotel with room service. I'm sure I'll get over it though. Plus my mum and dad had planned to be here for actual birth... they missed out last time and I'm sure want to be in on all that hoopla this time. With things up in the air about a c-section I've encouraged them to keep the same plans they already have just incase no c-section happens and baby arrives right on schedule.
As for being on a form of bedrest where I stay home with my little boy and get to actually see Adam for more than a few hours each week is okay. I'm a little disappointed though becuase I enjoy going to work. It's my outlet. I get to be with adults. I enjoy my co-workers and their company. Of course, I'd rather not deliver baby at a register in WM so I can deal with this too.
So I'm okay with all of this. I think it's becasue I know there are so many people praying for me and this pregnancy. I know God is in control, even in the nutty-ness of this pregnancy. I've just come to expect that this pregnancy isn't going to be just like my last.
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