Checking Up

I had another pre-natal appointment this morning, my last with my family doctor. Next time it's off to meet my OB/GYN.

I thought I'd write a little about what goes on, mostly for my remembrance, but feel free to laugh along if you'd like.

Pre-natal's, for the most part, are pretty painless. The first one I had wasn't pleasant, but I don't know many women who would call a pap smear and internal exam something to enjoy. DEFINITELY NOT ME! However, all subsequent visits have been a harmless routine, and really something to look forward to because they mark the passage of each month of pregnancy.

To begin with, all exams start with a urine sample. I try to schedule all my appointments in the morning, partly because I hate waiting around a crowded doctor's office, and partly because I never seem to have trouble going on command in the morning. Now, peeing in a cup is not something that you easily master, at least not for me; rather, it has taken a few tries to finess the art of peeing without... ... ... ... dripping...eek... But, master it I have, and today was my most accurate round yet! Yay me! Plus, good news: No sugar or protein present! Double Yay Me!

After the, uh, sample, is most least favourite part: The Weigh In. I know that this is necessary, and the weight really doesn't bother me that much, but I'm sorry, stepping on the scale, and watching the bar meet, then exceed, then WAY exceed your normal mass is a little...hmmmm...unsettling. Especially when the nurse is doing it in KG, and the scale is different, and you about have a heart attack because your pretty sure you didn't weight THAT much on the scale at home. (She did inform me of this little tidbit, after I about jumped off the scale in tears and shock...the pound conversion was much more comfortable.)

After the scale--blood pressure. I have watched enough medical dramas to know that normal BP is 120/80, but the nurses never seem to want to let on where you're at. No, they like to keep you in suspense and let the doctor tell you, which is fine, but a little annoying. Plus, I think they have commented on the fact that I have goose bumps every time, whatever that means. Oh, and lesson #1 involving Blood Pressure: don't wear a shirt that you can't roll/push the sleeves up. They make you disrobe to gain access to the fleshy part of your arm.

Then the doctore usually comes in and you play a bit of Q&A with them. This is the part where if anything weird has happened, you get to tell them, and they get to explain. For instance, I had a little light headedness yesterday and almost passed out while teaching a class full of grade twelve history students...super fun...apparently in your second tri, your blood pressure, which is already low at this time, can plummet if you are on your feet for prolonged periods of time. Lesson learned.

Next, comes my favorite part--you get to hear the heartbeat. Our little Jelly Bean is one active fetus and moves around like crazy. But wow, when the doppler machine finally catches up to him/her, that little heartbeat comes through, and I'm pretty sure my heart bursts. Matt gets a really wondrous, proud, look on his face, and all is well in the world. This little moment definitely makes the visit, and suddenly, peeing in a cup, stepping on a scale, and all the other jazz takes a back seat.

You just have to marvel at the amazing thing that is growing and developing right there inside you. I know we do. :)

A Jumble of Stuff...

What can I say? 24 Weeks yesterday. Sometimes I feel such a jumble of emotions and sensations that it is hard to put into words. Perhaps, it is pregnancy hormones, or just the complete overwhelming nature of having another human being, being manufactured inside of you, but it is an understatement to say that I have my ups and downs.

For example, random things make me cry--strike that--Random things can send me into hysterics. Not crazy, psycho, your-not-a-nice-person hysterics, just bawling fits that leave me breathless, and Matt unsure of how to comfort me. Like the other night when we started watching 'Panic Room', and old movie with Jodie Foster and Kirsten Stewart. Kirsten's character played Jodie's daughter and had a scene in the movie where she goes into diabetic shock. I've seen the movie a few times, and it's never bothered me before, but I broke down into a ridiculous crying fit. I was fine after a while, but for about 5 minutes I was inconsolable. Is it bad to admit that sometimes I am absolutely terrified to be a mom? Sometimes I think about all the things that can go wrong, and I about drive myself crazy.

Now, please don't misunderstand me. I have my sanity at times too. I am mostly excited about being a mom. I have absolutely loved being pregnant up until this point, and plan on continuing to love it. I really do look forward to the challenges motherhood and parenthood in general will present, but I would be lying if I didn't admit to the fact that, every once in a while, I completely lose it and bawl my eyes out with fear, worry, and frustration at not being able to control everything. My mom says I'm normal. So does my sister. So I guess I will just continue on this journey, enjoying as much as I can, with as much heart as I can, holding onto Matt's hand for dear life, and praying that someone else watching over me, Matt and our little Jelly Bean, who knows a lot more than us, has it all under control.

:)

I JUST FELT MY BABY KICK!!!

Like 4 TIMES!!! It was wicked awesome! I felt it a little before, but not as clear as this time! And then it kept kicking! This is my most intellectual post yet!!!

And no, I'm not hurt. (Ram)

The Stuff of Dreams....

So, lately I have been having the weirdest, most vivid dreams. Those of you who know me know that I'm not exactly a light sleeper, and have been known to have a few nocturnal encounters, (sleep walking, talking, arranging cereal boxes while not awake....etc....) and naturally, I've always dreamed, but somehow these dreams are different.

Sometimes, the dreams freak me right out. I won't tell you any of my scary ones, quite frankly, I don't really want to relive them, but last night, I had dreams that made me laugh out loud, so I thought I'd share.

Tomorrow I'm 23 weeks pregnant, and about to start my 6th month. I'm getting bigger, well my belly is. My pants are tight, my shirts are riding, and I sometimes feel as if I'm losing my ability to see my toes. To put the icing on the cake, last night I had a dream that went something like this...

I was out shopping, in a mall, looking at Halloween candy. I was wearing my favorite pair of pre-pregnancy jeans, when all of a sudden, my belly exploded (not literally, but it got big) and I split my pants. Mortified, I ran into the nearest store, bought another pair, and no sooner had I done up the top button, when I split those pants. I kept running store to store, desperately trying on pants, and bursting each right open. I finally woke myself up, and once I realized I was awake, I couldn't help but chuckle. I don't know what the dream meant, but maybe it IS time to go maternity shopping for real... :)

A Jumping Bean

Having a baby brings more cool things and changes everyday. Jelly Bean has been kicking fairly regularly now, and I have been so looking forward to sharing with Matt. However, Jelly Bean appears to know whenever I call Matt to come look at or touch my stomach, so for the past little while we've been playing a bit of a game, that goes something like this:

I am getting ready for bed, lying down, and enjoying watching/feeling the show in my stomach. Jelly Bean will be attempting what I think, are pretty amazing acrobatic feats, and I call to Matt, thinking he'd want to join the party. Matt will come running, ready to participate in the marvel, he'll put his hand on my jumping belly, and then, without fail, Jelly Bean goes quiet. Matt will sit for a bit, ask me if the baby is moving, and though I want to say yes, that little JB has decided to indulge in a sudden bought of narcolepsy.

This has happened multiple times, so finally, Matt and I decided we had to be a little more tricksy if he ever wanted to see/feel Jelly Bean kick. We developed hand signals, which basically involve me frantically waving at the right time, and trying not to laugh.

Finally, just the other night, Matt was able to be sneaky enough and not only SAW our little Bean jump, but FELT it too. I sometimes forget what it must be like for Matt to not be as intimate with the whole pregnancy thing as I am. I get to feel everything, and he just has to trust me. When he felt the movement of our baby he got the biggest grin on his face and said "Whoa." It was the best thing ever. We have a little Jumping Bean, and now Matt knows it too!

Beautiful Bella Band

As I have been mentioning, my growing Jelly Bean has been making my pant life uncomfortable for the last little while. SO, today, when yet another pair of jeans just wouldn't do up, I decided it was time to stop squishing my poor little JB and do something about the situation. I know that it is ridiculous, but I have a hard time buying things for myself--I love to shop, but when it comes down to purchase time, I hesitate and feel guilty, and end up with nothing. (Just ask Matt, it drives him bonkers.) I have been in a few maternity stores as of late, just looking, but I am a complete deer-in-the-headlights when it comes to buying. But today, it was the last straw. I gathered enough courage, and on the recommendation of a good friend(thanks Ceri,) went looking for the Bella Band.

It is nothing special, just a piece of stretchy material that goes around my waist, but Hallelujah! For the time being, I can still wear some of my old pants, BUT keep them unbuttoned and breathable, without running the risk of exposing more than I anticipated. It is SUCH a relief. I would recommend the thing (even though it was $40) to anyone--Jelly Bean is happily kicking away, and I am enjoying the luxury of popping my buttons--on purpose!

So all you moms to be (and I know quite a few): feel free to check it out:

http://www.ingridandisabel.com/bellaband.html

An Early Lullaby

It's been a few days now since we've been back from Hawaii, and it's back to focusing on reality. And right now, our reality is definitely making sure we are ready for this baby!

Suzie has been on me a little bit lately for not blogging enough. My only problem, as I tell her is that I have a hard time blogging without some good inspiration! Especially because I'm not the one carrying the baby, and not the one with the changing body and feeling the kicks and so on.

But the other day, I got the BEST inspiration. I walked upstairs to our bedroom to the cutest scene! Suzie had fallen asleep in our bed with headphones on her belly, with Anna Netrebko playing on her iPhone. The funniest thing was that she fell asleep to her own lullaby. I can only wonder if the baby did too?? Now, my choice of music may have been slightly different than the opera diva that Suzie chose, so I'll have to start putting my foot down and making the baby listen to some good classic rock as well.

Anyhow, it was so cute that I couldn't resist taking pictures. Hope you're not too embarrassed honey!