Ok ok so I know I said that I couldn't wait to get the baby bump... well I have it. I feel huge. I know that I'm not, but I feel that way. I don't feel fat, I just feel awkward.
For anyone who has never been pregnant, I am here to tell you the truth! Being pregnant does not feel cute. Yes, I feel happy and I love feeling the baby move, but I'm also really uncomfortable. I'm experiencing pretty severe pelvic pain. It hurts to walk after sitting or standing still for too long. I have to sleep with a huge body pillow between my legs just to get some rest. I hurt all the way from my back, down to my hips, to my thighs... I hurt in places I didn't know could hurt! Yeah, and I'm not even halfway there. FUN!
As a follow up to my "she's a ... boy" post yesterday - I have to say that I'm adjusting much more quickly than I imagined. It really is true what they say about a mother's love... you will love your child no matter what. We are working on picking out a new name quickly so we can give the 'new' baby his own identity. It's been fun. So far Jason's top picks are Romeo, Elvis and Jesus. hahaha
I've received lots of offers from my mom friends to pass along their old baby boy clothes, and I think that's great. I'm still a bit sad about getting rid of the girl clothes, because we all know that girls clothes are just SOOOOO cute.... But I look forward to dressing my little man in his cool guy clothes.
I wrote a Yelp review about my experience at Goldenview (where they told me that the baby was a girl.) I have to say that I'm very happy with their quick response. Yes, my yelp review was a bit harsh, but I wrote the truth. They offered me a full refund of the Gender Check package and a free visit for the 3D/4D package.
Ok enough about mama... how is baby?
Well he's growing...a lot! Hence all my new discomforts and awkwardness. Head to bum he's about 5 1/2 inches (the size of a bell pepper.) In just 2 more weeks he'll be the length of a banana - double in length! Oh boy!
He's moving and kicking around, which we saw on the ultrasound. I feel it sometimes, but not too strong just yet. He's healthy and everything is tracking where it should be.
I'm reading that this week is about poop! The baby is starting to collect meconium. (ick!)
I think that baby's life is going to get a bit boring from here on out. His main role is to just keep growing, and chub up! I'm pretty sure that I've had my last ultrasound for this pregnancy so I won't see him again until I schedule my 3D/4D ultrasound.
I'm sure that there will be lots of changes to ME however so stay tuned as we follow this crazy journey together :-)
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
She's a .... BOY!!??
NEVER doubt a mother's instinct...
I had my 18 week ultrasound today and wouldn't you know, my fears were right. My little baby girl is actually a baby BOY!
(pause for shock)
Yes, you heard it. Einhorn is Finkle!
So, we go in today and during the ultrasound I decided not to mention our early elective gender check. The u/s tech is going through all of the motions... measuring baby's head, abdomen, 10 fingers, 10 toes, strong beating heart... and a scrotum...!!?? Cue the tears.
Of course, that's not the typical reaction to finding out the gender of your baby and so the tech started to question why I was crying. Jason explained and she felt badly for me. She had actually worked at Goldenview for a few months and quit.
First let me say this: the baby is completely normal and healthy and every way. And for that I am so very thankful. I love this little being inside of me with such a protective and fierce love that it doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl.
BUT - I felt such a sense of shock, and loss, that it took me a while to come to grips with this news. I connected with what I thought would be a daughter... I bought clothes, I received pink gifts... Who would believe this would really happen!?
I'm surprisingly feeling ok about it now. Not 100% ok, but a lot better than I expected. So, I lost some $$ on some clothes. I can return most of it hopefully, and I can donate the rest to a family who needs it. So I have to pick out a new nursery theme... No big deal. The furniture and glider I picked out is neutral, the room hasn't been painted. And so life goes on...
I'm disappointed that Goldenview advertises that they can check gender so early and I think it's a terrible business practice. I'm disappointed that the u/s tech had sent us out of there saying that it was "100% a girl" when she should have known that it may not have been. The doctor said that the scrotum sometimes doesn't descend until around 18 weeks, and the boy parts can be hiding. Today, our little boy was having a baby boner and so it was clearly visible. Yes, a baby boner. Jason suprisingly stifled his beavis and butthead laugh when she said that the baby has erections.
So now my mentality shifts a bit. No more cute dresses and hair bows. No cute cupcake outfits, pink polka dots or frilly hearts... Now I have to adjust with another man in the house. We have to teach him how to be respectful of women, smart, strong and focused. I will love him just as much, but just a little differently.
And MAYBE my idea of only having one has changed a little bit... maybe... ;-)
I had my 18 week ultrasound today and wouldn't you know, my fears were right. My little baby girl is actually a baby BOY!
(pause for shock)
Yes, you heard it. Einhorn is Finkle!
So, we go in today and during the ultrasound I decided not to mention our early elective gender check. The u/s tech is going through all of the motions... measuring baby's head, abdomen, 10 fingers, 10 toes, strong beating heart... and a scrotum...!!?? Cue the tears.
Of course, that's not the typical reaction to finding out the gender of your baby and so the tech started to question why I was crying. Jason explained and she felt badly for me. She had actually worked at Goldenview for a few months and quit.
First let me say this: the baby is completely normal and healthy and every way. And for that I am so very thankful. I love this little being inside of me with such a protective and fierce love that it doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl.
BUT - I felt such a sense of shock, and loss, that it took me a while to come to grips with this news. I connected with what I thought would be a daughter... I bought clothes, I received pink gifts... Who would believe this would really happen!?
I'm surprisingly feeling ok about it now. Not 100% ok, but a lot better than I expected. So, I lost some $$ on some clothes. I can return most of it hopefully, and I can donate the rest to a family who needs it. So I have to pick out a new nursery theme... No big deal. The furniture and glider I picked out is neutral, the room hasn't been painted. And so life goes on...
I'm disappointed that Goldenview advertises that they can check gender so early and I think it's a terrible business practice. I'm disappointed that the u/s tech had sent us out of there saying that it was "100% a girl" when she should have known that it may not have been. The doctor said that the scrotum sometimes doesn't descend until around 18 weeks, and the boy parts can be hiding. Today, our little boy was having a baby boner and so it was clearly visible. Yes, a baby boner. Jason suprisingly stifled his beavis and butthead laugh when she said that the baby has erections.
So now my mentality shifts a bit. No more cute dresses and hair bows. No cute cupcake outfits, pink polka dots or frilly hearts... Now I have to adjust with another man in the house. We have to teach him how to be respectful of women, smart, strong and focused. I will love him just as much, but just a little differently.
And MAYBE my idea of only having one has changed a little bit... maybe... ;-)
Here are his little feet:
And a profile pic:
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Black Friday + Crazy Pregnant Lady = Success
Ah, black friday. Separating the crazy from the sane. Because seriously, who does this!? Well, I did, but I went to ONE store and I was there at 5am and I saved over $800 in one trip.
Taking advantage of the first black friday that I was not hung over, I set my alarm clock for 4:15am. I made myself a coffee and headed out on this chilly morning. The roads were dark and empty. When I got to Babies R Us, there were a few women in line. This was their LAST stop. I'm telling you, these people are crazy. Except for the women with their newborns. They were probably thinking, FINALLY! A store that's open when I am. Because they had probably just finished their 4am feeding.
I was on a mission. I was there to make a very specific purchase and get the hell out of there. Fast. The black friday deal was on a complete set of nursery furniture (crib, changing table and dresser.) Buy all three and you save $750, which is about 50% off the total cost of the set. That's HUGE. I was also there to purchase a glider. A few months earlier I spent time sitting in every glider in that store and found one that was just right for me. Well, the black friday gods saw fit to put that very same glider on sale for 50% off. Oh yeah.
Here is the gorgeous furniture set:
Taking advantage of the first black friday that I was not hung over, I set my alarm clock for 4:15am. I made myself a coffee and headed out on this chilly morning. The roads were dark and empty. When I got to Babies R Us, there were a few women in line. This was their LAST stop. I'm telling you, these people are crazy. Except for the women with their newborns. They were probably thinking, FINALLY! A store that's open when I am. Because they had probably just finished their 4am feeding.
I was on a mission. I was there to make a very specific purchase and get the hell out of there. Fast. The black friday deal was on a complete set of nursery furniture (crib, changing table and dresser.) Buy all three and you save $750, which is about 50% off the total cost of the set. That's HUGE. I was also there to purchase a glider. A few months earlier I spent time sitting in every glider in that store and found one that was just right for me. Well, the black friday gods saw fit to put that very same glider on sale for 50% off. Oh yeah.
Here is the gorgeous furniture set:
I was in and out of the store and I have to say that my experience was a good one. I will definitely go back next year because the sales on diapers and wipes were insane. However, I doubt I will be up that early again...unless there is another door buster that I just can't resist! Until then, don't count me in the crazy category just yet...
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
17 weeks and more thankful than ever....
The thought of Thanksgiving, and giving thanks, has a whole new meaning to me this year. I have so much to be thankful for.
I am thankful for the little girl that is strong and healthy in my belly. I am thankful that the second trimester seems to be going by 10 times more quickly than the first did. I am thankful that I have an amazing husband who keeps me laughing and who supports me when I need it most.
I am healthy and happy and very very thankful.
My little bundle is now about 5 inches long and weighs as much as a turnip. Who knows how much a turnip weighs... I sure don't. I've never bought one.
She has her own unique fingerprints in place, her skeleton is hardening and the umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger.
I have been feeling her move, but it's not strong and not frequent. It kind of feels like I swallowed a goldfish. I'm looking forward to feeling her kicks stronger and more often. But I know... careful what you wish for...
We get to see her again next Monday for the "big" ultrasound, and probably our last. (sad face.) This is called the anatomy ultrasound and I'm told that they check out the baby from head to toe, literally. they will measure her head and measure her abdomen to make sure that she is growing the way she should. They will check to make sure her structures are growing correclty and that she doesn't have things like a cleft palate.
This is also supposed to be when the gender check occurs. I have been stricken with slight panic that they will suddenly tell me I'm having a boy. I've become so attached to my little girl. I know in my heart I would be ok with having a boy, and that I could return all of the clothes that I bought, but I'm hoping that is not the case. So, keep your fingers crossed and hopefully I will be posting more pictures of my 18 week old baby GIRL.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!
I am thankful for the little girl that is strong and healthy in my belly. I am thankful that the second trimester seems to be going by 10 times more quickly than the first did. I am thankful that I have an amazing husband who keeps me laughing and who supports me when I need it most.
I am healthy and happy and very very thankful.
My little bundle is now about 5 inches long and weighs as much as a turnip. Who knows how much a turnip weighs... I sure don't. I've never bought one.
She has her own unique fingerprints in place, her skeleton is hardening and the umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger.
I have been feeling her move, but it's not strong and not frequent. It kind of feels like I swallowed a goldfish. I'm looking forward to feeling her kicks stronger and more often. But I know... careful what you wish for...
We get to see her again next Monday for the "big" ultrasound, and probably our last. (sad face.) This is called the anatomy ultrasound and I'm told that they check out the baby from head to toe, literally. they will measure her head and measure her abdomen to make sure that she is growing the way she should. They will check to make sure her structures are growing correclty and that she doesn't have things like a cleft palate.
This is also supposed to be when the gender check occurs. I have been stricken with slight panic that they will suddenly tell me I'm having a boy. I've become so attached to my little girl. I know in my heart I would be ok with having a boy, and that I could return all of the clothes that I bought, but I'm hoping that is not the case. So, keep your fingers crossed and hopefully I will be posting more pictures of my 18 week old baby GIRL.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Baby Disco
I decided to take a recording of baby's heartbeat heartbeat so you all can hear what this sounds like on the doppler. It's kind of cool for me to have the recording too so I can listen to it again without having to go through the trouble of taking out the doppler (which isn't much trouble but the ultrasound gel makes it a teeny bit messy.)
Jay thinks it sounds like house music. It definitely makes me want to dance.
PS: You can see that it says Baby V's heartbeat. If you don't yet know her name, don't ask, we will announce soon :-)
The Preggie Smoothie
So another one of my new obsessions is what I'm calling the preggie smoothie. When it comes to pregnancy cravings, this one isn't weird, and luckily it's healthy, but it's SEVERE. I MUST have this smoothie every morning or I feel that the day is ruined. I know, dramatic, but I'm pregnant. Don't ask.
So finally my Magic Bullet blender, which I had given up on completely, is my savior. Despite the moments I've spent cursing at this thing, I now cannot live without it. I make my smoothie in 5 minutes, and the cleanup is even quicker.
Ingredients I must have in the house so nobody dies:
Bag of frozen fruit (berries)
Orange juice
Vanilla rice milk
Vanilla greek yogurt
I've also been adding flaxseed to the smoothie. I tried adding peanut butter. The result was ok, but a little weird.
Since I don't like actually eating first thing in the morning, but baby is HUNGRY, this smoothie holds me over for a while. Also, with the cold weather here, the heat in the house has been severely drying out my mouth and nose and so the ice cold smoothie is so soothing first thing in the morning.
Here it is:
So finally my Magic Bullet blender, which I had given up on completely, is my savior. Despite the moments I've spent cursing at this thing, I now cannot live without it. I make my smoothie in 5 minutes, and the cleanup is even quicker.
Ingredients I must have in the house so nobody dies:
Bag of frozen fruit (berries)
Orange juice
Vanilla rice milk
Vanilla greek yogurt
I've also been adding flaxseed to the smoothie. I tried adding peanut butter. The result was ok, but a little weird.
Since I don't like actually eating first thing in the morning, but baby is HUNGRY, this smoothie holds me over for a while. Also, with the cold weather here, the heat in the house has been severely drying out my mouth and nose and so the ice cold smoothie is so soothing first thing in the morning.
Here it is:
Friday, November 18, 2011
Out with the old, In with the new...
Habits and obsessions that is.
Let's face it, I have a lot of time on my hands these days. Although I would have loved to think I was going to be that super cool pregnant chick that could hang out and go on partying with my friends (with Odoul's of course)... the fact is that I am just not capable of staying awake.
Sleeping is my "new thing." I thought this was supposed to be isolated to the first trimester. HA. I slept 11 hours last night. No exaggeration whatsoever. I slept through one of my favorite programs...that starts at EIGHT. Yup. I fell asleep on the couch at roughly 730pm.
I can't really complain about this, since the most common piece of advice I receive is "sleep now before the baby comes." Don't worry folks - I've got it covered.
Next on the list - Shopping. The minute that the ultrasound tech announced I was having a little girl, I swear my credit card smiled. Everyone knows that girls clothes are irresistible. And being the super awesome bargain shopper that I am, I really can't resist. I found $4 outfits at the Children's Place last week at the mall! With sites like zulilly and totsy I'm impressed that I'm actually showing the restraint that I am...
I justify my new shopping habit with the fact that I'm no longer spending $100/week on alcohol and cigarettes.
Many of my friends say "Don't! Wait for the shower!" I say "You're crazy!" First, if they think that this bored momma isn't going to shop, they must be drunk. Second, I cannot wait until I'm 8 months pregnant to start peanut's wardrobe. Next, I need a LOT of things off my registry. I know that I will get lots of cute clothes (and I can't wait!) but trust me, I have that part covered! I need diapers, and a stroller, and all the other equipment that this little human is suddenly going to require. So while I appreciate that I will be showered in gifts (including clothes) I am going to continue adding that onesie that "I MUST HAVE" to my virtual shopping cart!
Sleeping and shopping are definitely at the top of my list of habits and obsessions. But there is a host of other super crazy pregnancy things that I obsess over.
The nursery - I've spent hours pouring over nursery themes to find the one that is just right for our family. It's kept me up at night. Literally. There was one night that I obsessed over lighting and the possibility of installing track lighting with a dimmer. I don't want to wake up baby with a too bright lamp! Can it be done? Who can do it? Will it be expensive? Should I do it before or after I paint!?
My belly - The belly is a badge of honor. It serves the purpose to tell the world, hey! I'm pregnant. (That's why I just ordered an O'doul's!)
One day I'm so happy! Look at my belly, it's big, it's round, I look pregnant! The next day I think, hey, where is my belly! I don't look 'pregnant enough.' Or I think, what is that lumpy thing!? That's not what it's supposed to look like!
I hear from friends "Oh wow you're huge for 16 weeks." And the next person will say "Oh, I can barely see you showing." I'm self conscious about this whole thing enough as it is. The only thing anyone should say to a pregnant lady is "You look great." End of story.
My belly AFTER baby - Bathing suit season almost immediately follows my delivery. So, yeah, that should be fun. If you see me swimming in all of my clothes - just tell me I look great.
Breastfeeding - Nothing is more controversial (besides safe sleep techniques maybe) than breastfeeding. Those who breastfeed will INSIST that you HAVE to do it. They will tell you how many months you should breastfeed. "6 months minimum!" "I pumped for 18 months!"
I plan on trying it. I'd like to do it in the beginning so that I can pass along all that healthy good stuff that comes with breast milk. And selfishly, they say it helps you lose weight faster. But you know what!? It sounds HORRIBLE. It sounds painful and it sounds time consuming. Mixing formula looks SO easy. I was bottle fed and I'm smart and healthy... I refuse to feel guilty about the way I choose to feed my baby. So again, please just smile and tell me I look great :-)
Exhibit A: Delivered today! Surprisingly this one was actually for ME and not baby :-)
Let's face it, I have a lot of time on my hands these days. Although I would have loved to think I was going to be that super cool pregnant chick that could hang out and go on partying with my friends (with Odoul's of course)... the fact is that I am just not capable of staying awake.
Sleeping is my "new thing." I thought this was supposed to be isolated to the first trimester. HA. I slept 11 hours last night. No exaggeration whatsoever. I slept through one of my favorite programs...that starts at EIGHT. Yup. I fell asleep on the couch at roughly 730pm.
I can't really complain about this, since the most common piece of advice I receive is "sleep now before the baby comes." Don't worry folks - I've got it covered.
Next on the list - Shopping. The minute that the ultrasound tech announced I was having a little girl, I swear my credit card smiled. Everyone knows that girls clothes are irresistible. And being the super awesome bargain shopper that I am, I really can't resist. I found $4 outfits at the Children's Place last week at the mall! With sites like zulilly and totsy I'm impressed that I'm actually showing the restraint that I am...
I justify my new shopping habit with the fact that I'm no longer spending $100/week on alcohol and cigarettes.
Many of my friends say "Don't! Wait for the shower!" I say "You're crazy!" First, if they think that this bored momma isn't going to shop, they must be drunk. Second, I cannot wait until I'm 8 months pregnant to start peanut's wardrobe. Next, I need a LOT of things off my registry. I know that I will get lots of cute clothes (and I can't wait!) but trust me, I have that part covered! I need diapers, and a stroller, and all the other equipment that this little human is suddenly going to require. So while I appreciate that I will be showered in gifts (including clothes) I am going to continue adding that onesie that "I MUST HAVE" to my virtual shopping cart!
Sleeping and shopping are definitely at the top of my list of habits and obsessions. But there is a host of other super crazy pregnancy things that I obsess over.
The nursery - I've spent hours pouring over nursery themes to find the one that is just right for our family. It's kept me up at night. Literally. There was one night that I obsessed over lighting and the possibility of installing track lighting with a dimmer. I don't want to wake up baby with a too bright lamp! Can it be done? Who can do it? Will it be expensive? Should I do it before or after I paint!?
My belly - The belly is a badge of honor. It serves the purpose to tell the world, hey! I'm pregnant. (That's why I just ordered an O'doul's!)
One day I'm so happy! Look at my belly, it's big, it's round, I look pregnant! The next day I think, hey, where is my belly! I don't look 'pregnant enough.' Or I think, what is that lumpy thing!? That's not what it's supposed to look like!
I hear from friends "Oh wow you're huge for 16 weeks." And the next person will say "Oh, I can barely see you showing." I'm self conscious about this whole thing enough as it is. The only thing anyone should say to a pregnant lady is "You look great." End of story.
My belly AFTER baby - Bathing suit season almost immediately follows my delivery. So, yeah, that should be fun. If you see me swimming in all of my clothes - just tell me I look great.
Breastfeeding - Nothing is more controversial (besides safe sleep techniques maybe) than breastfeeding. Those who breastfeed will INSIST that you HAVE to do it. They will tell you how many months you should breastfeed. "6 months minimum!" "I pumped for 18 months!"
I plan on trying it. I'd like to do it in the beginning so that I can pass along all that healthy good stuff that comes with breast milk. And selfishly, they say it helps you lose weight faster. But you know what!? It sounds HORRIBLE. It sounds painful and it sounds time consuming. Mixing formula looks SO easy. I was bottle fed and I'm smart and healthy... I refuse to feel guilty about the way I choose to feed my baby. So again, please just smile and tell me I look great :-)
Exhibit A: Delivered today! Surprisingly this one was actually for ME and not baby :-)
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