Friday, July 27, 2007

The Nursery


We picked out a crib at last. Don't know when we're actually going to get the office cleaned out so we can start painting it and moving furniture in, but at least I found one we both really like...

Surprisingly, we aren't going with black furniture, but antique white. My plan for the colors of the room are dark, so dark furniture won't work. The room is going to be chocolate brown, antique white and green, probably with some bright accent colors but I haven't decided on everything yet. I'll have to take a picture of the blanket that inspired my color scheme.

Anyway, I'm really excited to get started on it but am going to try really hard not to go overboard. Like everyone keeps telling me, newborns need love and food and attention, not room decor. So our priority is being home with her for the first six weeks at least...

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

The Connection

Two nights ago, I had my first dream about the baby. Friends have told me that they believe it is my maternal instinct kicking in, my way of connecting to the little growing person inside of me.

In the dream, I’m in labor. I can hear people telling me to push, but in the dream, I’m inside the womb with my baby. I remember cradling her head in the crook of my arm, soothing her and telling her that this part was going to be a little rough... I basically pushed her out with my elbow (ouch, vagina!) and once she was out, I was back “in my body” and wasn’t with her anymore.

The next thing I know, we are home and I am trying to figure out the whole breast feeding thing. It’s not working for us. I keep trying to get her to latch on but it’s just not happening and we are both getting frustrated. I’m not sure what happened after that, but I remember yelling at Cory to stop ignoring her. She was 1 day old and he kept setting her on the couch and then going off to do something else. Probably play halo. ;)

I’m not sure what else happened, that’s all I really remember, but I do recall there being another couple there who had their daughter at the same time we did. They kept trying to take ours instead. And yes, the girl had a name. But the name I called her in the dream is the name I hope to give her so I can’t tell you until she is born.

This is so exciting. :)

Saturday, July 21, 2007

The Measurement

38C, peoples... at 8 weeks. That's all I'm saying.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Sleep Deprivation

You know, I am well aware that there will be a chronic lack of sleep once the baby comes, but I had no idea that I would be short on sleep before the little bugger ever shows up and makes a peep.

I've really been struggling with fatigue the past couple weeks, most notably this week, and I kind of expected that. But what I didn't expect was that it wasn't just fatigue from all the stuff going on, it's from actual insomnia. I am having real trouble getting quality sleep and it's killing me.

My boss told me to look online for suggestions on what I can take or do, so I just googled it. Who knew, 78% of women report lack of sleep during pregnancy more than any other time. First and third trimesters are the worst. And just to fill your heads with a little knowledge, here's why the first trimester sucks:

Frequent urination: This is because your body produces 30% to 50% more blood while you are pregnant, and your kidneys need to work harder to filter the additional volume. Also, as your baby grows, there is increased pressure on your bladder, causing you to need to go more frequently.

Napping: While progesterone makes you sleepy, it can also disrupt your sleep, leaving you feeling more fatigued during the day. So, indulge your busy body and take catnaps whenever you feel the need.

Getting comfortable: Always been a stomach sleeper? Tender breasts during your first trimester may make you reconsider. If possible, try learning to sleep on your left side. This allows maximum blood flow to the fetus, improves kidney flow, helps reduce swelling, and reduces the amount of pressure on your liver. Another reason to avoid sleeping on your stomach is to avoid putting pressure on the fetus.

It's time to spend some money on some quality pillows. And go maternity shopping, because tight clothes are making me crazy. I don't like clothes touching me much when I'm a size 6, much less double that.

Consider today a Bad Day! Hmmpf!

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

The Feeding

Coming out of the theatre after Harry Potter...

I told Cory, “That was the best one so far. Did you like it?”

“Yeah,” he mumbled. Good stuff.”

“It was long though, I’m starving. And I need you to run me by the hospital for a sec...”

I continue on with the food talk. “I need sustenance. Real food. The popcorn didn’t do it for me. I want mashed potatoes and gravy. Let’s go to KFC.”

Cory: “OK. We’ll go run your errands first.”

My head spun round like the exorcist. “NO! We are going to KFC!”

“Uh. Ok. Right. Food first.”



While the above is a dramatization of real events, there is a lesson to be learned. If I go too long between having something to eat, I get so incredibly hungry that I feel as though I need to hunt and kill, and will do so if I’m not fed immediately. You know in the movies when someone eats a turkey leg (why is it always a turkey leg? So disgusting) after they’ve been imprisoned for some time? How they shovel it all in their mouth and grease is dripping everywhere and they don’t care, then they gulp down red wine while food is still in their mouths, waiting to be chewed? Ick. Gross. I hate those scenes. Loathe them. I always think of that horrible actress from Indiana Jones.

Well, in a way, that’s been me. I was at home alone one morning and woke up not feeling so great. I fell back asleep and when I woke up the second time, I was ravenous. I got up, shaking, and went into the kitchen. I saw lemon-blueberry bread and tore into it, not waiting to slice it like a civilized person, but ripping it from its snug plastic wrap. From there, I moved on, peeling the skin off a Clementine, and then tossing back a handful of almonds, which made me thirsty. I opened the fridge, grasped the milk with both hands and gulped from the jug. OK, not really, but you get the idea.

The lesson, people? Don’t mess with Momma when she’s hungry. Feed her, or die.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Mark My Words

We're having a girl, I just know it...

Monday, July 9, 2007

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Boobies Boobies Boobies!

Cory says I am obsessed with my boobs. I know, I should call them breasts or something less juvenile, but I like the sound of the word - boobies. It just makes me giggle.

I’ve always heard that one of the early signs of pregnancy is tenderness and/or soreness of your boobies (hee, hee) and nipples. I’ve had moments before in my life where I was sore so I just knew I was pregnant. Let me tell you all, there is no denying it when it happens. It’s not the same. It freaking hurts. It hurts as in when I get out of the shower, I place the towel under the boobies so as not to have to come in contact with the super-soft cotton.

The other weird thing about them is they feel so heavy. Like each one must weigh twice what it did two weeks ago. I came out of the bedroom topless the other day with one cupped in each hand.

“Cory, my boobies feel enormous! Feel them! Lift up the boobies!”

He laughed at me, of course. I think this was when the “obsessed” comment came about. “They do look bigger,” he said grinning. Hmm, I wonder why the smirk?

He placed his hands on the boobs. Gently.

“Wow. They feel so... dense!”

He agreed with me. Aha! I knew I wasn’t crazy.

Just wait...I’m going to start posting pictures of my boobies. You all can watch them as they grow larger and larger... You can bet your asses I’m going to be sporting the low-cut, cleavage baring tops when they arrive. I have to take advantage of them while I can...

Monday, July 2, 2007

Oh here it comes...

Last night, as soon as we got back I started cleaning and putting the house back together. I had to go to walmart, like it or not, so I sent Cory off to Ratatouille alone so I could be productive.

Our walmart sucks, just in case you ever thought about driving to STW to go to the store. The new one is good, but I haven't learned my way around it yet and this needed to be a speed trip, I was pooped.

Anyway, the produce section was what I was most interested in since I need to be eating healthy. The frackin place didn't even have any bananas. WTF? Who runs out of bananas?

After walmart, I go to Albertson's to buy their twice-as-expensive produce. I see a little round container of figs. Ever had a fig? Seen a fig? I know I like 'em in newtons, and Diane had said they were wonderful so I figure what the heck, I'll pay $5.99 for a new fruit experience.

Cory gets home, and I ask, "Ever had a fig? Wanna try one?"

He looks at the container and sneers. "Not really, but I guess."

While he stands there I take a bite. "Not bad. Tastes just like the newton without the cake. Only crunchier. They sure are ugly."

I pop the rest of it in my mouth. They're about the size of a date and very chewy.

My husband, known in his circle of friends as Too Far Cheney, says, "They look like an old man's shriveled little testicles."

And that, my friends, is when I had my first experience with nausea.

The figs are with Diane on a plane to Thailand right now...