I'm at 19 weeks now and nothing really new to report. Next week will be the big news with the whole gender unveiling, so this week seems a bit weak on announcements. I did actually gain two pounds this past week, which is somewhat significant since I haven't gained any weight thus far. I hope my double lunches are working, but we'll get the official stats next Friday when I have my monthly OB visit.
My stomach is continuing to grow, and I'm pretty much unable to button my jeans and dress pants (without causing serious discomfort to my mid-section anyway). I'll probably be 100% unable to button up even with some serious contortionist moves in the next week or two. Luckily, my friend Lauren recommended this belly band thing, which is a stretchy, nylon piece of fabric that looks like a tube top or late 80's mini skirt, depending on position. Anyway, it's tight enough that it fits snugly over the top part of your pants so that you don't need to button the top enclosure but it smooths any flaps/buttons and keeps everything together. Very ingenious, especially because it keeps me in my current pants which I may be in for a while at this pace, when only my belly seems to be growing (not that I'm complaining about this...)
I do believe now that I've begun to feel the baby, without question. It's either the baby I'm feeling or something else is living in my gut and should probably be checked out my a medical professional. I understand why people find it hard to describe - it's really extremely subtle at times, but it doesn't feel like a flutter to me. More like very muted bumps from within (I'm imagining a Super Mario Brothers water level, swimming to the top of the screen and bumping Mario's head against the top). Whatever it feels like, I'm already getting attached to the movement and look forward to more obvious action. Until my ribs or cervix start to get punched that is...
In baby development news, he should be about six inches long and over half a pound in weight. He also just started being able to hear noise, potentially, if it's loud enough. If noise is a factor, he may be most familiar with Cash, our barky Beagle-son, by the time he gets to meet us face-to-face...I'm still researching day care providers and registry stuff, and think I have things fairly well organized, thanks to Google and friend/mom suggestions. I should be able to devote a ton of Easter Sunday time to these tasks and maybe make some real progress. In the meantime, we'll be anxiously awaiting next Thursday's ultrasound, and to see who's speculation was right...
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
18 weeks
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So I'm 18 weeks in now and noticing more obvious body changes. I am no longer able to flex my abs flat or suck in my stomach - there's definitely something in there. My belly button is becoming shallower and the inch or two immediately south of my navel is sort of cone-shaped and definitely hard to the touch. Kinda weird. And my breasts keep growing, which is what they're supposed to do, but I didn't realize how heavy they'd get, and they're starting to look a little swollen. Again, kinda weird.
I think the "bump" is more obvious with my stomach covered. I think future pics will follow the same format, unless there's some crazy veins to show or a protruding navel (to share my own disgust)...
I'm at the stage where I should start to feel the baby (this typically occurs between 16 and 20 weeks). My friends and colleagues with children keep telling me it feels like butterflies in your stomach, or slight-but-different indigestion, or something else really subtle. ?? I thought I may have felt something over the weekend, like really subtle pings on the underside of my navel, but that legitimately could have been indigestion, or made up in my head, or who knows. So, maybe I've felt the baby; maybe not. Until it's obvious, I'm not calling it.
I've most recently been experiencing the tell-tale pregnancy heartburn. It's not awful, but certainly irritating as I'm craving lemonade and the acidity is killing me. I've also been dealing with charley horses or severe leg and foot cramps when I unconsciously stretch upon waking. I typically get those only when I'm dehydrated or low on potassium, but when I looked this up online, charley horses are common in pregnancy. Something to do with hormones. Speaking of hormones...I've been trying to keep them in check, by being aware that I'm crazy sometimes, or irrationally angry in spurts, or quick to frustrate when dealing with infuriating employees at work. I think being more conscious of it is working. I hope the hormones stay in check...
Things are good overall. I'm anxious for the 20-week ultrasound, and not solely for the gender discovery. I really want another image of the baby and to make sure he's in the right position and all things are functioning and growing as anticipated. I'm looking forward to it!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Babies are expensive
A colleague at work (pregnant with her second child) suggested looking into day care early as infant care is often popular and subject to availability and waiting lists. On her suggestion, I started doing some research today and am slightly discouraged, and thankful we're not having twins...
So the plan is to be pregnant, have the baby, and go back to work as financial necessity dictates. Obviously, it would be ideal if I could stay home, even part-time. Realistically, even with the cost of day care, it makes most sense for me to continue working, and I really like my job and would miss getting out of the house every day. My current plan is to be home for two months post-birth then go back to work, working two days from home. All this, of course, is subject to change on any number of factors...like work, Kenny's work/travel schedule, and the timely arrival of Baby Mikkalson.
So, assuming I can work from home two days each week (I'm already home one), I'll only need daycare for three days/week. Which equates to enough of a reduction in day care tuition to really pursue a part-time schedule. Full time rates were ranging from $1200/month (lowest) to almost $1700/month (with diaper supplies included..?). Now, I've not had a child before and not sought out day care before, never lived in the DC metro area before and not quite sure what all to expect. Additionally, I may have inadvertently reviewed search results that are not only highly rated, but highly-priced. Disclaimers aside, I'm having a little trouble digesting potential $1700/month child care tuition costs. That's a rent or mortgage payment. And it will NOT be our child care cost. I would lose my penny-pinching mind.
I guess we're going to have to start interviewing places soon (I've been advised that there's an open house at one of them this weekend) as all contacted providers have reported a 4-7 month wait list. It's weird to have to start arranging for our baby's care when I'm not even halfway through growing him. On a positive note, I haven't yet started researching baby gear, but I'm sure it will seem cheap in comparison...
So the plan is to be pregnant, have the baby, and go back to work as financial necessity dictates. Obviously, it would be ideal if I could stay home, even part-time. Realistically, even with the cost of day care, it makes most sense for me to continue working, and I really like my job and would miss getting out of the house every day. My current plan is to be home for two months post-birth then go back to work, working two days from home. All this, of course, is subject to change on any number of factors...like work, Kenny's work/travel schedule, and the timely arrival of Baby Mikkalson.
So, assuming I can work from home two days each week (I'm already home one), I'll only need daycare for three days/week. Which equates to enough of a reduction in day care tuition to really pursue a part-time schedule. Full time rates were ranging from $1200/month (lowest) to almost $1700/month (with diaper supplies included..?). Now, I've not had a child before and not sought out day care before, never lived in the DC metro area before and not quite sure what all to expect. Additionally, I may have inadvertently reviewed search results that are not only highly rated, but highly-priced. Disclaimers aside, I'm having a little trouble digesting potential $1700/month child care tuition costs. That's a rent or mortgage payment. And it will NOT be our child care cost. I would lose my penny-pinching mind.
I guess we're going to have to start interviewing places soon (I've been advised that there's an open house at one of them this weekend) as all contacted providers have reported a 4-7 month wait list. It's weird to have to start arranging for our baby's care when I'm not even halfway through growing him. On a positive note, I haven't yet started researching baby gear, but I'm sure it will seem cheap in comparison...
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
17 Weeks
This week, I'm focusing on nutrition. I don't think I'm eating enough (not getting enough calories - 2300+) and I'm pretty positive I'm not getting enough protein, calcium and iron, at least on a consistent basis. So I'm going to make a promise to get to the grocery store on a more regular basis and plan lunches and dinners better. Pizza every other night might get me the calories I need, but not the nutrition. And hummus and veggies for dinner might get me some good nutrients, but obviously, not the calories. Planning is time consuming though so I'm hoping I can stay motivated for the next six months...
I've also been thinking about all the stuff I need to start planning/scheduling as we're coming up on the half-way point. I'm researching birthing classes, a potential labor assistant, baby names, baby gear (a wedding registry was so much less complicated), a pediatrician (required prior to admission to the hospital), day care (gotta get on a wait list early...), confirming insurance benefits, arranging for maternity leave at work, scheduling never-ending future doc visits, etc. My mom thinks I'm getting ahead of myself, and maybe I am, but I'm a planner and have no idea how much energy and time I'll have later so...might as well start knocking this stuff out now. And budgeting for all of this, as the costs start adding up...But we willingly signed up for this, so we'll figure it out just like every other new parent.
As far as symptoms, there's not much extra to report (from one week to the next). I have been tired (not sure if that's pregnancy-related or not), light-headed still, craving sweets consistently, and most recently, have been experiencing tight calf and foot cramps (charley horses) in the early AM in bed the last few mornings. That has been rather painful, but fleeting. I think this can be fixed rather easily with extra potassium in my system. My baby bump hasn't expanded much, so I'll wait to add to the photo gallery until there's visible growth from the Honolulu pics - maybe next week? Lastly, my forehead's been breaking out. I've read that while some women get the nice, pregnant "glow," others prone to acne bypass the glow and go straight to oily. Oh well. I'm feeling rather good and normal otherwise and looking forward to more growth and progress!
I've also been thinking about all the stuff I need to start planning/scheduling as we're coming up on the half-way point. I'm researching birthing classes, a potential labor assistant, baby names, baby gear (a wedding registry was so much less complicated), a pediatrician (required prior to admission to the hospital), day care (gotta get on a wait list early...), confirming insurance benefits, arranging for maternity leave at work, scheduling never-ending future doc visits, etc. My mom thinks I'm getting ahead of myself, and maybe I am, but I'm a planner and have no idea how much energy and time I'll have later so...might as well start knocking this stuff out now. And budgeting for all of this, as the costs start adding up...But we willingly signed up for this, so we'll figure it out just like every other new parent.
As far as symptoms, there's not much extra to report (from one week to the next). I have been tired (not sure if that's pregnancy-related or not), light-headed still, craving sweets consistently, and most recently, have been experiencing tight calf and foot cramps (charley horses) in the early AM in bed the last few mornings. That has been rather painful, but fleeting. I think this can be fixed rather easily with extra potassium in my system. My baby bump hasn't expanded much, so I'll wait to add to the photo gallery until there's visible growth from the Honolulu pics - maybe next week? Lastly, my forehead's been breaking out. I've read that while some women get the nice, pregnant "glow," others prone to acne bypass the glow and go straight to oily. Oh well. I'm feeling rather good and normal otherwise and looking forward to more growth and progress!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
16 weeks, II
I had an OB appt today and learned that my due date will not formally be changed to correlate with the ultrasound measurements I had done last month. This is for two good reasons: my 8-week ultrasound dating is technically more accurate as it was done very early, and, with my first child, statistics report that he/she may be slow to arrive and the later due date will give me a little more room for labor to start before someone starts calling for me to be induced. I've heard nothing but bad, painful recounts about being induced so I'd like to avoid that if at all possible. So, my formal due date is still scheduled for August 24th, hence marking this as still my 16th week.
A few other updates: I'm borderline anemic (not really a surprise since I'm really not that great at following a balanced vegetarian diet), have elevated thyroid levels from last month, and have gained 0 pounds. Doc said not to worry about the zero weight gain as I'll probably start to put on the lbs shortly, and that it's not a real concern unless I was losing weight. My next appt is in a month, at 20 weeks, and I'll have another ultrasound and gender details then!
Though I may have started a "bump" last week, and my boobs are growing measurably (finally!), I still don't yet look the part of Preggo Stef. I just told my office this week and they were all incredulous that I was as far along without showing. I'm sure the weight and belly will come shortly. At the moment, I do look pretty hot with my slight bump, swelled chest and sweet tan...perhaps I should enjoy the moments until I'm fat, engorged and uncomfortable...
Outside of the physical appearance, I haven't had too many physical ailments. I'm dizzy every once in a while, have the occasional ligament-stretching cramp, exhaustion, etc, but nothing really worth noting. My worst complaint at the current time is the unchecked emotions. It's not so much that I'm having random outbursts or getting upset without cause, but rather, I'm feeling a bit bipolar. My highs are heightened: my heart seriously could have burst last week just looking at Kenny with the love and adoration I felt for him as he was caring for my sickly, snotty mess of a self, and nothing could have been more perfect than lying in his arms last Friday afternoon on the hotel couch doing nothing but relishing the moment. And on the opposite spectrum...my lows are bad. My frustration tolerance is non-existent, like I'm 10 again trying to do homework I don't understand, subsequently crying, screaming and fleeing the scene (I foresee this proving difficult to navigate at work). And if I'm sad? Watch out for the water works and cries of despair and hours of following melancholy. I've become a melodrama queen. Hope Kenny doesn't mind for the next six months...
A few other updates: I'm borderline anemic (not really a surprise since I'm really not that great at following a balanced vegetarian diet), have elevated thyroid levels from last month, and have gained 0 pounds. Doc said not to worry about the zero weight gain as I'll probably start to put on the lbs shortly, and that it's not a real concern unless I was losing weight. My next appt is in a month, at 20 weeks, and I'll have another ultrasound and gender details then!
Though I may have started a "bump" last week, and my boobs are growing measurably (finally!), I still don't yet look the part of Preggo Stef. I just told my office this week and they were all incredulous that I was as far along without showing. I'm sure the weight and belly will come shortly. At the moment, I do look pretty hot with my slight bump, swelled chest and sweet tan...perhaps I should enjoy the moments until I'm fat, engorged and uncomfortable...
Outside of the physical appearance, I haven't had too many physical ailments. I'm dizzy every once in a while, have the occasional ligament-stretching cramp, exhaustion, etc, but nothing really worth noting. My worst complaint at the current time is the unchecked emotions. It's not so much that I'm having random outbursts or getting upset without cause, but rather, I'm feeling a bit bipolar. My highs are heightened: my heart seriously could have burst last week just looking at Kenny with the love and adoration I felt for him as he was caring for my sickly, snotty mess of a self, and nothing could have been more perfect than lying in his arms last Friday afternoon on the hotel couch doing nothing but relishing the moment. And on the opposite spectrum...my lows are bad. My frustration tolerance is non-existent, like I'm 10 again trying to do homework I don't understand, subsequently crying, screaming and fleeing the scene (I foresee this proving difficult to navigate at work). And if I'm sad? Watch out for the water works and cries of despair and hours of following melancholy. I've become a melodrama queen. Hope Kenny doesn't mind for the next six months...
Thursday, March 4, 2010
16 weeks
I don't know how it happened, but I feel that time is finally starting to pass at more than a snail's pace. I think it helped that I automatically gained a week between week 13 and 14 when the ultrasound placed me a week ahead of schedule. Before then, it just felt that time was going by excruciatingly slowly and I was getting impatient for an observable change. Now that I've got a bona fide bump (albeit, a tiny one as the baby's only ~5 inches & ~5 oz), I imagine changes will start taking place much more quickly. And the baby will start to move and we'll find out the gender and then we'll have to start on everything else, like researching registry items, and figuring out what to name the kid....
It just started raining here in Waikiki. I was wondering where the sun went...not that I'm out in it or anything because I'm still sick, sick, sick. Feels like a terrible sinus infection, and one severe enough to have kept me out of work, if I'd been at work and not trying to enjoy a beach vacation...I'm not going to dwell on that however, because I've still managed to get a tan (from the hotel room balcony and walking around outside) and am still relaxing despite my inability to breathe through my nose. Could be worse.
I did venture out yesterday in search of a real drugstore (Walgreens) as these local touristy shops didn't seem to have the approved homeopathic remedy on my midwives' website. Luckily, Walgreens had it ($15 for six 6-hour doses...terrible) and there just happened to be a regular mall directly across the street so I got a little shopping therapy in too. If only my sinus medication hadn't quit on me in the fitting room...So the latter half of the shopping trip and the walk back to the hotel was pretty awful, but oh well. I got the medication I needed and some really sweet deals on clothes I'll grow out of in a month. Eh.
On a closing note, my mood swings/hormones/emotional bouts sneak up on me at weird times. I'm not sure what I anticipated going into the pregnancy - maybe that I'd be at an elevated emotional level the whole time? That's definitely not the case, which I'm sure Kenny and my coworkers are thankful for, but they do ebb and flow somewhat inconsistently. Take, for example, the simple act of landing in Honolulu. It might have been because traveling is uncomfortable and energy-draining, and we hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, and we were just happy to be there and done with flying, but I literally started tearing up as soon as we got outside to go pick up our bags because of the sun that immediately hit me. I was nearly crying because I was so happy it was warm (I may cry when I have to go back home and deal with snow again). And getting sick has thrown me off - I was feeling so sorry for myself the first day when it seemed the worst and had bouts of crying because I was just so miserable. And I've been hyper-aware of any ache or pain in my stomach region because I'm feeling wary (and guilty) of the drug effects that this pregnancy-approved sinus medication may have on the baby. Which also made me cry. So I may cry because I'm so miserable, take a pill to feel better, cry because I'm feeling guilty that my own selfish desire to quell symptoms may have harmful effects for the baby, and cry some more because I've been crying and my runny nose/sore throat has gotten worse (if that's possible). And yet, I have moments of logic, like now, where I can laugh at myself for being so sensitive and irrational. Not that that means I won't be crying an hour from now...
It just started raining here in Waikiki. I was wondering where the sun went...not that I'm out in it or anything because I'm still sick, sick, sick. Feels like a terrible sinus infection, and one severe enough to have kept me out of work, if I'd been at work and not trying to enjoy a beach vacation...I'm not going to dwell on that however, because I've still managed to get a tan (from the hotel room balcony and walking around outside) and am still relaxing despite my inability to breathe through my nose. Could be worse.
I did venture out yesterday in search of a real drugstore (Walgreens) as these local touristy shops didn't seem to have the approved homeopathic remedy on my midwives' website. Luckily, Walgreens had it ($15 for six 6-hour doses...terrible) and there just happened to be a regular mall directly across the street so I got a little shopping therapy in too. If only my sinus medication hadn't quit on me in the fitting room...So the latter half of the shopping trip and the walk back to the hotel was pretty awful, but oh well. I got the medication I needed and some really sweet deals on clothes I'll grow out of in a month. Eh.
On a closing note, my mood swings/hormones/emotional bouts sneak up on me at weird times. I'm not sure what I anticipated going into the pregnancy - maybe that I'd be at an elevated emotional level the whole time? That's definitely not the case, which I'm sure Kenny and my coworkers are thankful for, but they do ebb and flow somewhat inconsistently. Take, for example, the simple act of landing in Honolulu. It might have been because traveling is uncomfortable and energy-draining, and we hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, and we were just happy to be there and done with flying, but I literally started tearing up as soon as we got outside to go pick up our bags because of the sun that immediately hit me. I was nearly crying because I was so happy it was warm (I may cry when I have to go back home and deal with snow again). And getting sick has thrown me off - I was feeling so sorry for myself the first day when it seemed the worst and had bouts of crying because I was just so miserable. And I've been hyper-aware of any ache or pain in my stomach region because I'm feeling wary (and guilty) of the drug effects that this pregnancy-approved sinus medication may have on the baby. Which also made me cry. So I may cry because I'm so miserable, take a pill to feel better, cry because I'm feeling guilty that my own selfish desire to quell symptoms may have harmful effects for the baby, and cry some more because I've been crying and my runny nose/sore throat has gotten worse (if that's possible). And yet, I have moments of logic, like now, where I can laugh at myself for being so sensitive and irrational. Not that that means I won't be crying an hour from now...
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Look at me now
So I don't look as bad in the bikini as I thought I would. There's a definite bump starting to form though, but I hadn't eaten yet in the bikini pics so my normal bump looks a lot more bloated and round on a normal basis. Thanks goes out to Mom for buying me a "I'm not fat; I'm pregnant" t-shirt which I will be donning on a regular basis shortly, until there's no mistaking that there's a baby inside.
I thought I'd add a comparison and show what I looked like at 12 weeks.
So that's it for the baby bump progress for now. In other news, I'm in Honolulu, which is great, but I just got sick, which is less than awesome. After consulting my midwives page, I'm going to run across the street to see if these tourist stores have the homeopathic remedy that appears okay for me to take, to at least shorten the duration of this hellish sinus nightmare. You'd think the vast quantities of vitamin c-rich, citrus fruit I've been wolfing down would have helped stave this off some. Maybe that's why I had no idea this was coming on - just woke up this morning and all chaos broke out in my nasal passages. I guess things could be worse. I could be at work dealing with this I guess. Once I find some acceptable medication, I'm going to try to sleep, which is easier said than done. This five-hour time zone change is still really messing me up. And it's so very lovely outside that I'm inclined to feel guilty about wasting a day inside my hotel room (even with the patio breeze coming in). I'll focus on resting today and make up for it tomorrow, hoping I feel better... In more upbeat news, I'm almost 16 weeks!
I thought I'd add a comparison and show what I looked like at 12 weeks.
So that's it for the baby bump progress for now. In other news, I'm in Honolulu, which is great, but I just got sick, which is less than awesome. After consulting my midwives page, I'm going to run across the street to see if these tourist stores have the homeopathic remedy that appears okay for me to take, to at least shorten the duration of this hellish sinus nightmare. You'd think the vast quantities of vitamin c-rich, citrus fruit I've been wolfing down would have helped stave this off some. Maybe that's why I had no idea this was coming on - just woke up this morning and all chaos broke out in my nasal passages. I guess things could be worse. I could be at work dealing with this I guess. Once I find some acceptable medication, I'm going to try to sleep, which is easier said than done. This five-hour time zone change is still really messing me up. And it's so very lovely outside that I'm inclined to feel guilty about wasting a day inside my hotel room (even with the patio breeze coming in). I'll focus on resting today and make up for it tomorrow, hoping I feel better... In more upbeat news, I'm almost 16 weeks!
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