Faith

I have this theory that if you truly believe something will happen, it will. I’ve always sort of lived my life this way. For instance with my wedding, we didn’t have a back up plan for rain, I knew the weather would be good and it was. I knew I could fit into my wedding dress (there were a lot of doubter’s haha) and I did.. and I didn't have to give up eating or anything. I have decided to apply this to the pregnancy.
So, the doctor recently told me that I have to do baby kick counts (4 kicks in an hour). I didn’t have any problems, then one day I got 45 minutes into the hour and only had one kick… I drank some juice and he finally got going. I didn’t like that… so I had a talk with Ryan and told him that he needed to start kicking more… it would make me feel better about things. Ever since then he has been kicking strongly, I mean STRONGLY.. significantly more then he was before. I know it doesn’t make a lot of sense that “talking” to the baby would actually change his behavior, but I believe it did and it seems to be working. I also believe that I will have a positive birth that will go smoothly. I will report back about how that goes.

kicking free

During class today, Ryan managed to get his foot stuck under my rib, which would have been an interesting enough feeling except then he seemed to panic and kicked his way free. I nearly jumped out of my chair. I can see where he was coming from with the panic... but still...

Almost done with the paint...

The muralist isn't quite done but she only has one more plane to do which she will do on monday. Don is going to start on the furniture anyway.

Ryan Room Update - Mural Started

Here is the quilt that has inspired the theme of Ryans room. (Let's hope he doesn't develop a fear of flying).



The muralist started today and she is amazing... here are the two completed planes (there are going to be 4 in total). they are pretty big on the wall and it's going to look great! She is coming back tomorrow to finish it up. Then we can start putting together the furniture.

Clumsy Fawn

“Clumsy fawn”, this is one of the descriptions I have read about pregnant women. Now I have never been the primo ballerina, but I am starting to see the effects of a change in my center of gravity. I have nearly fallen out of the shower about 5 times; I now stick close to the far wall. My latest experience: I was walking up the stairs and I tried to set something down. This is where it all falls apart. I hit my head on the handrail, lost my balance and ended up sprawled on the stairs. Luckily I was carrying the babies changing pad which cushioned the fall. Poor Don hears the crash, comes barreling around the corner and finds me curled up on the stairs with a bump on the head. Maybe I should put a helmet on my baby registry.

What Ryan has to look forward to...

With a daddy like this Ryan's coolness is ALMOST guaranteed! Don is going to get me back for this post...

Turn Off Your Brain and Drink It!

Reason #2758 that a lot of people never go to the doctor: Doctors assume you have an IQ of 50 and can't possibly know what is best for you.
My doctor's office and I are in a stand off at the moment. They want me to take another glucola test and I won't do it. Here is the issue... they want to know how my body deals with sugar because excessive sugar is bad for the baby. So to test this they give you this sugar drink that makes me break out in a cold sweat (which can't be good for the baby). Now I would be fine with it if I thought it would get me somewhere, but here is the issue: I am hypoglycemic, I was before the pregnancy and I have taken this test not pregnant and I don't pass it, I can't pass it, my body doesn't have the capacity to deal with sugar as it should. So.... why can't they just act as though I failed and move on... all they tell you to do at that point is change your diet (I called and asked). Why do I need the test I ask you? I have stopped eating sugar, processed foods, white flour, white rice, juice and anything that has sugar added.
Well anyway.. they are mad at me and treat me as though I am a small child who couldn't possibly know how to function without them telling me what to do. They refuse to have any flexibility.

This is how our last phone conversation went...
Them: "The doctor says that you have to come in Monday for the test"
Me: "Well I'm not taking the test."
Them: (pause) "Then I guess we will see you for your next scheduled appointment"

What are they going to do? Tie me down and force me to drink it? I think not...

No more ice cream

They have taken away my ice cream... no more sugar for the rest of this pregnancy. Boo Hiss...

Baby Room Step 1

After enough procrastination we have finally started Ryans room. We will keep you updated through pictures as we progress... (1) base wall color complete. (no need to worry I had my gas mask on when I took these pictures).

Support

This weekend I had lunch with two women from my prenatal yoga class. We ended up sitting around for about 3 hours chatting about everything from lives before pregnancy to what we imagine our lives will be like after to things having nothing to do with babies. We had a lot in common, we are all in our 20’s and married but more then that we are all having our first child, all boys their due dates within about 2 ½ weeks of each other and we are all planning on delivering at the same hospital. Each of our pregnancy experiences have been very different. Hopefully this is the beginning of a much needed support system in North Carolina. But no matter what I know I will have my Chicago girls :)

Baby Butt

Now I knew I had gotten bigger, which is fine, I mean that’s what happens when you have a baby growing in your tummy. I had however convinced myself that scales didn’t exist and my blissful ignorance helped me cope. Damn doctors and their damn scales. If I was having twins I am gaining weight at a good rate! however it is just me and little Ryan. Eh… whatever I want a big healthy baby and that is what I am going to get.
Ryan thinks that me looking bigger is funny and is trying to get to get me to look as big as possible. He has shifted into a transverse position meaning that he is laying sideways, butt out against my stomach.
Don’t worry Ryan and I have had a talk, he understands that he isn’t actually going to fit out of me sideways so he is going to need to flip around. I understand he is comfortable... truly I understand being uncomfortable and finally finding a good spot and not wanting to move. In the long run however it will be better for everyone if he gives in just this once.
I am going to try acupuncture they say they can move baby. I’ll keep you updated.

We found our Camera!

Above is a picture of me at 24 weeks when Don and I went on our weekend away... lets just say I have popped out a little since then.

Below 28 Weeks (that's right just 4 short weeks later)

Secrets to happiness: pillows and ice cream

While I can’t sleep late anymore I am sleeping again… I have discovered one of the great secrets in life… pillows, lots of them… but there is a placement order that MUST be followed in order for this magical discovery to really come to fruition. One FULL pillow for between knees, one squishy pillow under side/stomach, one medium pillow under head and one pillow against the headboard (so that when you are shifting you don’t bang your head into the metal frame.. this one is important!). This might seem excessive, but it is like ice cream toppings, hot fudge is good… hot fudge with nuts, whipped cream and a cherry is better… wow that was a pregnant woman example if I ever saw one.

3rd trimester hits with a vengeance

Last week I smugly looked at a waitress who told me how uncomfortable she was during pregnancy and told her that I was sleeping through the night just fine. Well God thought that my comment was funny and ever since that day I have been so very uncomfortable. Not the uncomfortable like when you have been sitting too long and you get a little sore, no this is the uncomfortable where everything hurts, luckily it generally only hits at night so I am still functioning. Today I went out and bought new pillows (not the all encompassing pillow) so I hope that if I pack enough pillows around me it will take the strain off. I also got some blackout curtains and my mom took pity on me and got me a really nice mattress pad. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband who takes pity on me and rubs my back and gets me water at 2am.
.....28 weeks and an unmentionable amount of pounds down… Less weeks and less pounds (hopefully) to go :)