The reflux is back. Just as I got over the pregnancy nausea, the allergies (well, almost), and finished a huge paper for school, the reflux kicked in. It happened overnight. I seriously thought I would escape it this time. I was sadly mistaken.
Oh, and I've tried everything. Holistic medication, over-the-counter drugs, special diet, etc. The only thing that helped was a Rx from my ENT. The acid reflux was so bad with Olivia, my teeth suffered some minor damage.
My number one acid reflux trigger: WATER. If anyone knows why that is, I'd love the answer.
I can probably put off Rx meds another couple of weeks. Maybe a month. But, the first time I wake up at 3:00am with acid spraying out my nose, will be the last time. I should probably schedule an appointment now and have the medication standing by.
Just when I had started to feel better, this horribly painful and uncomfortable pregnancy discomfort set in. I am, however, still determined to embrace and enjoy this trimester of pregnancy!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Baby Boy Bottom Cuteness X's 1000
We are going to cloth diaper again with this one (Please, no, "ewwwws" because it is, actually, very easy). I lent out almost all of my cloth diapers to siblings and relatives over the years and my sister informed me recently that most need to be replaced (they've made it through four or more babies - so, they held up well for longer than I thought they would). This means, much to my husband's dismay, I'll have to buy all over again. Oh, darn.
I've already started up a registry at Green Mountain Diapers with some cloth diapering basics. Diaper covers, prefold diapers (the most economical and easy to wash- no pins anymore - they have an elastic thing called a Snappi Fastener), one size fitted diapers, newborn baby diapers, and so on. However, I saw the brand pictured above on a baby at a breastfeeding support group. I loved them so much, I had to celebrate having a boy by buying Bright Star's Ultimate Trim Fit All-in-One diaper in Retro Owl and Nantucket Plaid (obvious boy prints). All-in-one diapers (cover and diaper together) tend to take a lot longer to dry but are less absorbant than regular cloth diapers. These, however, have room to snap in an extra soaker. So, it'll hold up for a couple hours, at least. And, I love that each layer snaps out so the diaper will dry very quickly!
It's so easy to go overboard with cloth diapers. So, I'm promising myself I won't go too crazy. I'm even going to see if I can save some money by buying some wool yarn, a pattern and asking my mom to make some wool covers and pants (pants serve as diaper covers too) for the baby. I bet she'd be happy to do it! Grandmas are the best!
You may see some more cloth diapering posts throughout my pregnancy journey. So, if it's something that interests you, you'll want to stay tuned.
Monday, April 25, 2011
It's Over.
The pregnancy sickness is over. Well, I shouldn't say that too loud because I still have days where I feel slight remnants of it - which are probably days the baby is going through a growth spurt (because I'll be especially hungry too). I'm so ridiculous happy it's over!
The first trimester and even a bit into the second is, for some (me), the worst part of pregnancy. Since we're not "supposed" to tell everyone we're pregnant right off, we suffer in silence. And, when we do tell people, especially if it's early on, it's almost like people are afraid to ask you how you're feeling because it's such a sensitive time during pregnancy.
The first trimester has always been the suckiest for me. And, now it's over and I feel brand spanken new! I was sick so long (weeks 5-16), I forgot what it felt like to be normal. I thought I'd feel that way forever. I was also taking a college class. I'll be happy if I got a B or C. I just didn't care a bit about it. Interesting subject (Human Milk in the NICU), but could not put any heart into it. I'm glad I didn't drop it - because I got through it - but, whew, barely!!
The second trimester (my favorite) has been off and running for a while now and it's just the past few days I've been able to enjoy it. Allergy season (which also kicked me in the butt in a big way) is almost over. The paper is finished, the weather has been wonderful and I'm no longer drowning in nausea everyday!! Let the fun times of the second trimester officially begin!
The first trimester and even a bit into the second is, for some (me), the worst part of pregnancy. Since we're not "supposed" to tell everyone we're pregnant right off, we suffer in silence. And, when we do tell people, especially if it's early on, it's almost like people are afraid to ask you how you're feeling because it's such a sensitive time during pregnancy.
The first trimester has always been the suckiest for me. And, now it's over and I feel brand spanken new! I was sick so long (weeks 5-16), I forgot what it felt like to be normal. I thought I'd feel that way forever. I was also taking a college class. I'll be happy if I got a B or C. I just didn't care a bit about it. Interesting subject (Human Milk in the NICU), but could not put any heart into it. I'm glad I didn't drop it - because I got through it - but, whew, barely!!
The second trimester (my favorite) has been off and running for a while now and it's just the past few days I've been able to enjoy it. Allergy season (which also kicked me in the butt in a big way) is almost over. The paper is finished, the weather has been wonderful and I'm no longer drowning in nausea everyday!! Let the fun times of the second trimester officially begin!
What Cravings?
Many have asked me if I've been craving anything this pregnant. Funny enough, no. Not a thing. Not even with the girls. Ok. That's not entirely true. With one of the girls I craved ice water. That was it. This pregnancy has been no different. No pickle cravings, not peanut butter-bacon sandwich cravings. Nothing!
That being said, I find that my taste buds are more alive than ever before when I'm pregnant and my nose much more sensitive (probably why I taste things more intensely). I'm not a huge ice cream person. However, when pregnant, it will taste like never before. Several weeks ago, I couldn't get enough peanut butter. Not because I craved it, but, because the girls eat a lot of it. As soon as that jar was opened up, I would dive in and eat it by the tablespoons. If I walk past a restaurant, I can smell what they're cooking and want it immediately. Most everything I taste is delicious. I can't stop eating and I want more.more.more.
The downside is that I can tell when a cook needs a little help creating favorable dishes. This is because he or she will have salted the heck out of it. When pregnant and sensitive to flavors, I simply can't eat overly-salted food. When a chef over-salts food, it speaks for his or her skills (lack thereof).
The same goes for chocolate. I usually only buy chocolate that is organic - no fake ingredients. I recently had some chocolate that tasted like plastic. I almost gagged and spit it out! When pregnant, I can especially taste fake foods.
So, no, my husband hasn't had to make any late-night ice cream, potato chip, bacon runs!
That being said, I find that my taste buds are more alive than ever before when I'm pregnant and my nose much more sensitive (probably why I taste things more intensely). I'm not a huge ice cream person. However, when pregnant, it will taste like never before. Several weeks ago, I couldn't get enough peanut butter. Not because I craved it, but, because the girls eat a lot of it. As soon as that jar was opened up, I would dive in and eat it by the tablespoons. If I walk past a restaurant, I can smell what they're cooking and want it immediately. Most everything I taste is delicious. I can't stop eating and I want more.more.more.
The downside is that I can tell when a cook needs a little help creating favorable dishes. This is because he or she will have salted the heck out of it. When pregnant and sensitive to flavors, I simply can't eat overly-salted food. When a chef over-salts food, it speaks for his or her skills (lack thereof).
The same goes for chocolate. I usually only buy chocolate that is organic - no fake ingredients. I recently had some chocolate that tasted like plastic. I almost gagged and spit it out! When pregnant, I can especially taste fake foods.
So, no, my husband hasn't had to make any late-night ice cream, potato chip, bacon runs!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Something New and It's Blue!
Today, we got gender confirmation. I don't know how all of you post your vivid ultrasound pictures on your blogs and circle things. This is as good as it's gets for me (Obviously, I need a better photo-editing program). Anyway, I think you can figure "it" out.
I'm so used to seeing girly parts around this time of pregnancy. This was such a new and welcoming sight! The doctor, last month, was right on when she predicted boy! Looking back, I don't know why I doubted her for one second, despite people warning me. I can still vividly see her checking gender three times, nodding her head and saying, "Yup. Yup. Boy."
Today, it took the ultrasound doctor about three seconds to identify gender. He did not even hesitate. I believe Matt had, "That's my boy!" out of his mouth before the doctor even finished confirming it. I love an obvious, easy gender confirmation.
As I've mentioned earlier, I have three sisters, no brothers and two daughters. I am more than thrilled to be having a son. I know that it will be a big change in my life. Everyone is sure to start telling me all about it. As of right now, I can't even imagine being a mother to a boy. I'm sure, just like with the girls, I'll figure it out as I as go along! What a journey it's going to be!
Excuse me while I hop online and buy some cloth diapers in BOY prints and start packing up a box of girl clothes for my niece to have!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Stroller People We Are Not
This weekend, we took a trip to Prague. It was there, at the zoo, Matt and I were reminded why we are not stroller people.
Shortly after Olivia was born and after we assembled the stroller/car seat combo we had registered for, we realized this. Now, two children (and a third on the way) later, we still feel the same way.
First of all, they are bulky. Parents pushing those things around tight spaces at the zoo, cramming in between kids and picture takers at the lion, polar bear, and guerrilla exhibit. Annoying! They take up so much space and block pathways. Often, parents don't even notice the stroller is in the way.
Secondly, we've spent a lot of time traveling abroad. I don't know why Europeans are so buggy crazy. What, with the bumpy, often narrow cobblestone walkways, cars parked on sidewalks (Portugal), metros without good access to elevators, etc., they seem like a hassle.
We have traveled all over Europe and I can't remember a time we used a stroller for travel. Not throughout Portugal, not in Italy, not in Gibraltar, not in Ireland, not in Spain. In six years, I have probably used a stroller no more than two dozen times. That includes both children and never, if I remember correctly, during travel.
What we use, instead, is a infant carrier of some sort. Matt has a frame pack (Deuter - like a Kelty child carrier) and I have an Ergo Baby Carrier (Matt uses both, actually). We wore our girls in those and had so much more freedom. No parking a stroller anywhere while we climb an ancient ruin. No blocking narrow rows, no trying to figure out what to do with a stroller when using the restroom. None of that. We threw diapers and extra clothes, sippy cups, etc. in a backpack (or the Deuter) and took off on whatever journey was planned.
That being said, we do have a stroller. Three of them to be exact. We have a umbrella stroller for when Matt wasn't with me and I had two kids under the age of three. There were times when Olivia didn't want to walk far. I put Lila on my back, Liv in the stroller and took off to easy places - like the park. I've also used it once or twice when I really needed to clothes shop and couldn't try on clothes with a baby on my back. The other two strollers we own are the Chariot jogger. A single and a double. Matt's a runner - so, it has come in handy for him. Mostly, however, we have used these as bike trailers (they are combo-strollers). Recently, I did get the walking wheel attachment because this jogger comes in handy when it's raining and baby-wearing would be a wet mess (there is an attached rain hood). The jogging wheel juts out and, while perfect for jogging, not so perfect for maneuvering through a rainy festival. Matt has also used the cross-country ski attachment when we were stationed in Alaska. We love the versatility of this "stroller" however, rarely have used the stroller/jogger component.
So, all over Europe and even the States, we're the "crazy" baby-wearers. I can't even tell you how many times people have either tried to help me get an infant or toddler on my back - scared to death of the thing, or how many times someone has asked me, "Doesn't it make your back hurt?" NO!!
So, where do I store all the baby "stuff?" Not in a diaper bag. I've never really used one. Sure, I've had a few. Each time thinking "this is THE one." By the time Olivia was one, I'd given up on them. I stored extra diapers and clothes in the car and used a somewhat bigger purse for storing one extra diaper, wipes and a wet bag. I see really cute ones here, boutique-style ones that sure are tempting to buy. However, I know I'll hardly use it. Ok. It would probably turn into a gymnastic/ballet bag with a couple diapers thrown in. But, I already have a ballet bag and plenty of other bags...So, my only excuse for getting one would be the cuteness. I'd rather spend my money on cute cloth diapers and baby clothes - to be honest.
There are so many things, as a first time parent, I thought I had to have. Turns out, I didn't need half of it! If Matt wasn't a runner, we probably wouldn't have even got the Chariot. We would have gotten a bike trailer and a simple, sturdy umbrella stroller for those rare times I wrote of above.
Recently, someone asked me if I'd have to buy all over again - since we got rid of a lot of baby things before we moved here. Aside from the crib and car seat, everything we got rid of, we didn't use anyway! At some point, I'll write a post, or a series of posts about that. One things for sure, I will not be ordering a stroller/car seat combo again!
Shortly after Olivia was born and after we assembled the stroller/car seat combo we had registered for, we realized this. Now, two children (and a third on the way) later, we still feel the same way.
First of all, they are bulky. Parents pushing those things around tight spaces at the zoo, cramming in between kids and picture takers at the lion, polar bear, and guerrilla exhibit. Annoying! They take up so much space and block pathways. Often, parents don't even notice the stroller is in the way.
Secondly, we've spent a lot of time traveling abroad. I don't know why Europeans are so buggy crazy. What, with the bumpy, often narrow cobblestone walkways, cars parked on sidewalks (Portugal), metros without good access to elevators, etc., they seem like a hassle.
We have traveled all over Europe and I can't remember a time we used a stroller for travel. Not throughout Portugal, not in Italy, not in Gibraltar, not in Ireland, not in Spain. In six years, I have probably used a stroller no more than two dozen times. That includes both children and never, if I remember correctly, during travel.
What we use, instead, is a infant carrier of some sort. Matt has a frame pack (Deuter - like a Kelty child carrier) and I have an Ergo Baby Carrier (Matt uses both, actually). We wore our girls in those and had so much more freedom. No parking a stroller anywhere while we climb an ancient ruin. No blocking narrow rows, no trying to figure out what to do with a stroller when using the restroom. None of that. We threw diapers and extra clothes, sippy cups, etc. in a backpack (or the Deuter) and took off on whatever journey was planned.
That being said, we do have a stroller. Three of them to be exact. We have a umbrella stroller for when Matt wasn't with me and I had two kids under the age of three. There were times when Olivia didn't want to walk far. I put Lila on my back, Liv in the stroller and took off to easy places - like the park. I've also used it once or twice when I really needed to clothes shop and couldn't try on clothes with a baby on my back. The other two strollers we own are the Chariot jogger. A single and a double. Matt's a runner - so, it has come in handy for him. Mostly, however, we have used these as bike trailers (they are combo-strollers). Recently, I did get the walking wheel attachment because this jogger comes in handy when it's raining and baby-wearing would be a wet mess (there is an attached rain hood). The jogging wheel juts out and, while perfect for jogging, not so perfect for maneuvering through a rainy festival. Matt has also used the cross-country ski attachment when we were stationed in Alaska. We love the versatility of this "stroller" however, rarely have used the stroller/jogger component.
So, all over Europe and even the States, we're the "crazy" baby-wearers. I can't even tell you how many times people have either tried to help me get an infant or toddler on my back - scared to death of the thing, or how many times someone has asked me, "Doesn't it make your back hurt?" NO!!
So, where do I store all the baby "stuff?" Not in a diaper bag. I've never really used one. Sure, I've had a few. Each time thinking "this is THE one." By the time Olivia was one, I'd given up on them. I stored extra diapers and clothes in the car and used a somewhat bigger purse for storing one extra diaper, wipes and a wet bag. I see really cute ones here, boutique-style ones that sure are tempting to buy. However, I know I'll hardly use it. Ok. It would probably turn into a gymnastic/ballet bag with a couple diapers thrown in. But, I already have a ballet bag and plenty of other bags...So, my only excuse for getting one would be the cuteness. I'd rather spend my money on cute cloth diapers and baby clothes - to be honest.
There are so many things, as a first time parent, I thought I had to have. Turns out, I didn't need half of it! If Matt wasn't a runner, we probably wouldn't have even got the Chariot. We would have gotten a bike trailer and a simple, sturdy umbrella stroller for those rare times I wrote of above.
Recently, someone asked me if I'd have to buy all over again - since we got rid of a lot of baby things before we moved here. Aside from the crib and car seat, everything we got rid of, we didn't use anyway! At some point, I'll write a post, or a series of posts about that. One things for sure, I will not be ordering a stroller/car seat combo again!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
First Trimester Weight Gain
 |
| 15-weeks |
All the weight I've gained must be in the boobs (though, as you can see, I do have a bit of a bump). I've jumped up two cup sizes. I only have one bra left - a bra I purchased very shortly after Lila weaned. Matt is in heaven. He wants to keep them forever and ever. He loves this part of the pregnancy. Just a bit of a baby bump and ginormous breasts . To him, those two things equal a whole lot of sexy.
Give it a few months, hon...
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
A Confession
I have been a despicable grump during this pregnancy. On Friday, I'll head into week 15 - planted firmly in the second trimester, yet, so very far away from the finish line.
The mood swings started with the spotting. I've had bleeding problems almost since day one. Sometimes barely anything, sometimes, so alarming, I've rushed to acute care. I think the OB I'm seeing (Until the midwife starts seeing me) has correctly diagnosed the problem. It's insignificant. However, seeing red can make you pretty darn emotional and moody.
Shortly after I found out I was pregnant, all-day sickness kicked in. Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as it was with the girls - but, it came and went. Some days, I didn't feel sick at all. This never happened with the girls and was, therefore, alarming. Those two pregnancies were identical in almost every way. I don't know if it's because it may (a big MAY) be a different sex, or because I eat differently, or because I'm older, or all three. Nonetheless, it put me in a bad mood b/c I like consistency. I wasn't expecting a different pregnancy and when I got it, I freaked out.
Then there was the cough. It was horrible. It contributed to the bleeding because it irritated my cervix. Not only that, it made me vomit. I pulled a muscle in my back coughing. The cough virus took six weeks to disappear. The pulled muscle lasted about three weeks.
Oh, and then there's the allergies. Why am I always in early pregnancy when allergy season hits? My allergies are so much worse when I'm pregnant. I have it all. The stuffy nose, the itchy, watery eyes, the scratchy throat. I wake up two-three times nightly just to have an allergy attack (this does not include all the times I get up to pee).
So, you see, it's hard to enjoy your pregnancy with all that going on. Now, as the sickness starts to wear off, I'm at the stage where you don't really feel much of anything. There are pregnancy signs - my slowly forming baby-belly, my breast size jumping from a B to a D+. A pregnancy mask (face), also not very visible with the girls (and certainly not at this point) getting darker each day, despite daily use of sunscreen, dry hair, dry skin and so on. This stage is also alarming because I can't yet feel the baby move. There have been a few times where I thought I felt something familiar, bringing me back nearly five years. But, no, I can't really be sure. After I eat, I sometimes sit on the couch and poke at my belly. Is the rolling sensation I feel just above my public bone my food digesting, or the baby moving? Who can tell? I can't. I know I'll feel much better in a couple weeks when I should feel real flutters and, possibly, pokes.
Last week, I overheard someone tell another pregnant friend (who is also pregnant for the last time) to savor it. Savor every second. I needed to hear those words. It's been so easy for me to be caught up in all the discomfort and uneasiness of pregnancy. Yet, after I give birth to this child, it will be over. I will never again go through this. The tender moments of feeling your baby move inside of you, watching your spouse smile as he rests his hand on a foot or bottom - will be over. I want to feel as if I closed that door properly, made peace with it and, surely, savored it. As much as I want to hold this baby, nurse him or her and watch him or her grow and play with siblings, I know I need to hold on to this.
I'm so thankful that I was reminded that this is my last baby. I'm going to try to push aside my grumpiness, despite it being somewhat hormonal and, therefore, justified and spend some quiet time each day savoring pieces of this pregnancy.
The mood swings started with the spotting. I've had bleeding problems almost since day one. Sometimes barely anything, sometimes, so alarming, I've rushed to acute care. I think the OB I'm seeing (Until the midwife starts seeing me) has correctly diagnosed the problem. It's insignificant. However, seeing red can make you pretty darn emotional and moody.
Shortly after I found out I was pregnant, all-day sickness kicked in. Fortunately, it wasn't as bad as it was with the girls - but, it came and went. Some days, I didn't feel sick at all. This never happened with the girls and was, therefore, alarming. Those two pregnancies were identical in almost every way. I don't know if it's because it may (a big MAY) be a different sex, or because I eat differently, or because I'm older, or all three. Nonetheless, it put me in a bad mood b/c I like consistency. I wasn't expecting a different pregnancy and when I got it, I freaked out.
Then there was the cough. It was horrible. It contributed to the bleeding because it irritated my cervix. Not only that, it made me vomit. I pulled a muscle in my back coughing. The cough virus took six weeks to disappear. The pulled muscle lasted about three weeks.
Oh, and then there's the allergies. Why am I always in early pregnancy when allergy season hits? My allergies are so much worse when I'm pregnant. I have it all. The stuffy nose, the itchy, watery eyes, the scratchy throat. I wake up two-three times nightly just to have an allergy attack (this does not include all the times I get up to pee).
So, you see, it's hard to enjoy your pregnancy with all that going on. Now, as the sickness starts to wear off, I'm at the stage where you don't really feel much of anything. There are pregnancy signs - my slowly forming baby-belly, my breast size jumping from a B to a D+. A pregnancy mask (face), also not very visible with the girls (and certainly not at this point) getting darker each day, despite daily use of sunscreen, dry hair, dry skin and so on. This stage is also alarming because I can't yet feel the baby move. There have been a few times where I thought I felt something familiar, bringing me back nearly five years. But, no, I can't really be sure. After I eat, I sometimes sit on the couch and poke at my belly. Is the rolling sensation I feel just above my public bone my food digesting, or the baby moving? Who can tell? I can't. I know I'll feel much better in a couple weeks when I should feel real flutters and, possibly, pokes.
Last week, I overheard someone tell another pregnant friend (who is also pregnant for the last time) to savor it. Savor every second. I needed to hear those words. It's been so easy for me to be caught up in all the discomfort and uneasiness of pregnancy. Yet, after I give birth to this child, it will be over. I will never again go through this. The tender moments of feeling your baby move inside of you, watching your spouse smile as he rests his hand on a foot or bottom - will be over. I want to feel as if I closed that door properly, made peace with it and, surely, savored it. As much as I want to hold this baby, nurse him or her and watch him or her grow and play with siblings, I know I need to hold on to this.
I'm so thankful that I was reminded that this is my last baby. I'm going to try to push aside my grumpiness, despite it being somewhat hormonal and, therefore, justified and spend some quiet time each day savoring pieces of this pregnancy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)