Preggers...zzz

Blogging on the other site...

2007-10-12T12:25:00.001-07:00

I'll probably be blogging on my original site, Catpeople - since, as Prarie Biker brought up months ago, I'm not "Preggers" anymore...

Birth Story

2007-10-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm...where to start. Well, remember that list the doctor gave me? "Ways to Initiate Labor"?

I tried the castor oil. What can I say? I was desperate. And it worked. Or at least my trying it coincided with the right timing to have the baby. The doctor was going to induce me on Monday and I knew didn't want that. So, the girls and I went out at lunch on Friday and bought the ingredients. Root beer and castor oil. I think the recipe was supposed to include ice cream for a root beer float type mixture but I skipped that.

I remember it like it was yesterday. Makes me want to gag just thinking about it! (So, I'll type fast.)

Drank the mixture. Tried to keep it down by lying on the couch for an hour...I thought: "If this feels this bad going in..." And I gave in to my nausea and threw the rest of the mixture up. Felt better immediately and decided to go to bed. The other effects kicked in and I visited the throne a few more times before getting a pretty good night's sleep. I woke up around 7:00 a.m. for another bathroom break and...my water broke!!! Yayyyy! I actually don't remember feeling (or at least recognizing) labor pains/cramps until that point.

I told Mike that my water broke. He asked me if I was sure - "Sure, I was sure!" And I've never seen us get ready so fast. He took a shower and got everything ready to leave the cats for a couple of days in less than an hour. This process normally takes us both several hours but I guess we were motivated. I was trying to time my pains and it felt like about 5 minutes apart but what did I know really...I just knew it was getting more intense so I wanted to go in. I took a shower and made sure I had everything and away we went. And was able to call everybody on the way in to the hospital...

We got to Carle at about 8:45 or so. I was admitted and they confirmed that - yes, indeedy - my water had broken. They checked me and said I was about 2cm. Hmph. We settled in...looked around the place because she had suggested I walk a bit. I quickly tired of that and wanted to rest. We waited...

My timing seemed perfect - we were there early on a Saturday morning. I hadn't missed a day of work! I'd even worked a week longer that I'd ever thought possible. But, my doctor wasn't in on the weekends. He has a place in Chicago that he stays at every weekend...so, I had the on call physician. No big deal really.

We met the doctor - she thought we should try some pitocin. My contractions seemed infrequent and not regular enough to make any progress. I'd heard that the administration of pitocin normally results in some fairly strong contractions so I asked for an epidural...They thought it was probably too soon. Again, I wasn't far enough along. Well, I wanted something. So, they gave me a little nubane and I conked out for a while. Could not keep my eyes open.

When I did wake up it was to realize that I was feeling some pretty strong contractions. They decided I could get the epidural and the anesthesiologist would be there in about 15 minutes. That time came and went...

I told Mike I needed something - could he go get them? Then - - I just knew that I had to push. RIGHT NOW. I asked Mike to go get the nurse. He had the ingenious idea to press the nurse call button. The nurse got came very quickly and said that I was, indeed, about to have the baby. Something that did and didn't surprise me.

I'd seen that lady on the birthing video. I'd seen them telling her she had to wait to push. I even remember the birthing instructor teaching us ways to keep from pushing. Well, there wasn't anything that seemed to keep me from that uncontrollable urge to push. I had a fleeting freak out thought about giving birth without the epidural. You hear so much about epidurals - and I wasn't sure I wanted one - but I knew that I probably needed one. Right?

I remember the nurse telling me not to push and my acting like that whiny lady on the video: "I have to push!!" Thankfully, the doctor came quickly and with a couple of pushes, Matilda was born. They placed her on my tummy and I looked at her. Decided right away that I thought she looked like her dad and I was very pleased. Mike cut the cord and said that he almost dropped the scissors on her head.

Not at all like I'd expected. Much easier in some ways. But, I'm a bit disappointed they only checked me once at 8 something in the morning and then upped my pitocin until - "Poof!" she popped out without checking my status again. But, I didn't have to think about hear about the seemingly slowly increasing centimeters...didn't have to anticipate labor really - it just sprung up on me. I was in labor for about 10 hours so I know I'm lucky. And now I can say I didn't have an epidural (maybe even pretend like that was my choice). :0)

And, what did all of that matter? I had a healthy little girl.

Hiatus

2007-10-04T19:28:00.000-07:00

Wow. I definitely didn't mean to quit blogging. Had the baby...wanted to blog the news but just couldn't find the time. AND we had dial up at our old place that was painfully slow...had a new baby to take care of and a house to pack up. The Woofs have moved!! We're in North Carolina...lots and lots of changes here...lots to blog about. Soon...

Doctor appt. update

2007-07-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

Back from the doctor.

He offered to induce me on Wednesday! (Wow - that's quite an offer and it was hard to refuse.) He said he wouldn't let me go any later than Monday, so we're on the schedule for then. Hopefully, she'll come on her own before that time!

I'm at 2cm and 80% effaced. (I'm not sure if he had time to fib today - he had to go deliver two babies!)

They put the monitor on me and determined that Baby Woof is not stressed. So, we wait...

Why didn't I go with Wednesday, again?? ;0)

Still here!

2007-07-23T07:37:00.000-07:00

She's still in here...and I'm here at work this morning. I have a doctor's appointment this morning...we'll see what he says. I don't want to induce - I've never thought of that as an option.....buuuuuut I am getting somewhat impatient. Although, I'm not so uncomfortable that I can't stand it. My hands and feet have been swelling at night and that drives me a little crazy, but I really can't complain. I mean, here I am at work a day after my due date. I never thought I'd work this long - thought I'd be propped up on the couch or something by now.

A definite date would be good. I know I can't ask for that though...and the due date passing this weekend was a bummer...

I hope I don't let him talk me into something...but I am a very impatient person too. I also know that inducing doesn't always work, can make labor more painful, creates a higher risk of having a C-section, etc., etc....

I still hope that this appointment will bring some clarity or something. I know we'll talk about options...and I know he's going to give me some speculation (any guess on a cm? I'll say that he'll probably say 3...whether it's true or not!)

Bellah pics...

2007-07-20T14:09:00.001-07:00

at 39 1/2 weeks!

This next one is pretty shocking for me! I'm surprised I'm even posting it - but here goes nothing!

39 weeks

2007-07-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been what I will call "downgraded". Went to the nurse practitioner this morning and I'm at 1 cm now (instead of the 2cm the doctor said last week).

I'm pretty disappointed. Prior to last week's appointment, I had myself psyched up that the baby would come on the due date or, most likely, be late...and then he told me she'd be here by today. I knew, knew, KNEW that wasn't the truth but somehow my gullible brain let me start believing it.

I guess the plus side is that the baby's room is ready. Everyone at my work is ready. Essentially, everything is ready. I keep picking up more items here and there - but I honestly can't say that there's anything I need. Maybe some rubbing alcohol in a bottle...but I already have alcohol wipes - which would work, right? I don't need the q-tip and the bottle if I have wipes, right? These are the crazy things I'm thinking about/doing now. Undoing things...and waiting.

I really did not want to be this person.

Baby steps...

2007-07-13T13:02:00.001-07:00

I bought the Evening Primrose Oil capsules at lunch. So far I've had one...

And I'm drinking raspberry tea...two cups already...

She's kicking - but I think that's about it.

We shall see!

I hope she comes!

Wait - I'm not ready...

Initiation of Labor

2007-07-11T11:46:00.001-07:00

As PrairieBiker mentioned in his comment on my last post, there are ways to try to induce labor. Ironically, I was planning on blogging this list the doctor gave me the other day because we got such a kick out the castor oil recipes! Of course, please let me give the disclaimer that no one is supposed to try these tips unless their doctor recommends them and their body and baby are ready!

Initiation of labor

Prior to labor beginning, the cervix softens and goes through changes we refer to as ripening. The following interventions will help ripen the cervix:

Nipple stimulation: this can be done as foreplay -with your partner, using warm compresses on the breasts to get circulation there, then do nipple rolling 5 minutes on 10 minutes off for 20-30 minutes at a time, 1-4 hours between episodes.

Prostaglandin: (natural form) there are prostaglandin in semen that will help ripen the cervix, stay laying down (on your side) for about 20 minutes after intercourse (this helps keep the semen close to the cervix to aid in the effect).

Evening Primrose Oil: 500 mg three times a day

To initiate labor once the cervix is ready you can try the following things.

All of the above

Castor Oil: use any one of these three recipes

Best done in the morning

1) ½ glass of pineapple juice, add a pinch of baking soda, when it bubbles up stir in 3 oz. castor oil, stir well, drink down, catch a breath and drink the rest. Chase with a Reese's peanut butter cup.

2) ½ glass of root beer with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, put in the blender with 3 oz. castor oil, blend, drink and follow with a Reese's peanut butter cup.

3) 3 oz. of orange juice, add 3 oz. castor oil, blend, drink and chase with a Reese's peanut butter cup.

Usually it takes about 1-6 hours to work. Take a warm shower when the cramping begins.

That is word-for-word (unless there were typos in transferring it) the list that they gave me. You'd think they had stock in Hershey or something with the references to Reese's peanut butter cups...thankfully, I have a bag of those at home!

38 weeks...and counting

2007-07-10T14:36:00.000-07:00

I didn't want to be a person that freaked out near the end...but I may be turning out to be "one of those" people.

Went to the doctor yesterday and he says we might see Baby Woof by next week!! Wha?!?!?

He told me that I'm 2 cm and 80% effaced...is he making this stuff up as he goes?

He had previously admitted that he might fib to me to make me feel like there was progress, so I don't know whether or not to believe him. I think he's very, very generous with his guesstimates and this was without my even asking for an estimated time of arrival!

I told me husband that we can't believe him - but that I guess we should be prepared (though not expecting it to happen).

But now, I am starting to expect it. This is what it must be like to be "one of those people". Aaaaaah - I can't stand it!

I'm in a tizzy at work - - trying to figure out what I need to do. Do I tell my boss? I agonized about that all day today (because I'm afraid to tell them how long I want to be gone...maybe forever...shhhhhh!) But, did I do that today???? Of course not.

And I don't feel like anything's happening - like nothing is progressing. I'm not going into labor for at least 2 more weeks!!

Diaper Bag

2007-07-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

(For Leeanthro)

I really agonized over my choice for a diaper bag...I think I can be pretty practical at times (or can I?) but there are certain things that I like to splurge on. I like to have a nice purse for instance - so it just followed that I'd want a "name brand" diaper bag.

I looked and looked and gazed longingly at bags over $100...(the Fleurville brand being one of my most recent favorites) and finally decided to be practical and get one from my favorite store - Turrrrrget. I have soooo many other expenses to worry about and am trying to save extra $$$$$$ so I can stay home with the babeh for a while so I picked this one:

It was about $25.00 and I got free shipping. I checked out the brand, Kalencom, and found they had quite a few cute bags - but they were beyond my limit at the moment. This one is classic and simple and had the few items I wanted: an insulated bottle holder-thingy and a changing pad. AND, it's divided in three parts and has tons of pouches and cubbies inside. Now, I just want to buy a mini-wipes holder thing-a-mah-jig.

Other than that, her bag's packed and ready to go!

37 weeks

2007-07-06T07:30:00.000-07:00

Ah, this week is almost over...I'll be 38 weeks on Sunday, I guess. I have my first, uh, "check" on Monday - I'll probably be dilated to a big, fat ZERO. :0)

Baby Woof's car seat is in my car now - waiting for her to come home in it! Her clothes are washed and ready. I got my diaper bag in the mail yesterday (yay!!) - it's pretty large so I think I'll pack her stuff in it this weekend and get myself at least partly packed.

Mike's been rearranging her room. And he's staining an antique chest that his parents gave us. It belonged to his grandma's brothers. It already looking great! I'll have to post some room photos soon...

37 weeks

How your baby's growing: Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, her lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.

Your baby weighs a little over 6 pounds and measures between 19 and 20 inches, head to heel. Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz. [Ok, anyone who knows me knows that I'm keeping my fingers crossed for peach fuzz...my sister and I didn't have any hair - and that's just what I'm used to. I would be astounded by a full head of hair!!!]

36 weeks (9 months!!!)

2007-06-27T11:49:00.000-07:00

It's getting closer! I think I'm going through some nesting. I did most of my baby laundry this past weekend so she'll have something to wear...she has mittens (to keep her from scratching her face since I hear they don't clip their nails at the hospital) and socks and hats and tons of blankets. The only thing I'm not sure of is her clothes. I mean, I think I have plenty but I just worry about her size. Will she be too small? And would that really matter? She could just float around in them I guess...I have some pretty small onesies so she'll be fine in those I guess. Whatever, right? As long as I get to bring her home.

I have my work shower on Friday so I'm very excited about that! (More baby laundry???) :0)
And next week I start my weekly doctor appointments so that's something to look forward too...something to break up the week if nothing else, I guess.

I still feel pretty good. A little tired at night...tossing and turning...and regular bathroom breaks but, no other problems really so that's good. It's hard to believe it's 3-1/2 weeks away!!!

I better get my filing done at work!!!

36 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby is still putting on the pounds — about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds and is a little less than 19 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the creamy substance that covered and protected her skin during its submersion in amniotic fluid.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Babies between 37 and 42 weeks are considered full-term; a baby born before 37 weeks is pre-term and after 42 is post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position by now, which is optimal for a smooth delivery, but if she isn't in the next week, your provider may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying he'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position manually, by manipulating her from the outside of your belly. [Turn baby, turn!!!! We don't want no manipulations!!]

35 weeks

2007-06-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

Soooo...went to the doctor on Monday and nothing eventful occurred there. I'm not having a cervical exam (or "cow appointment" as I like to call it) until the 38th week (I think?).

Whew! But my doctor did say those "checks" can be traumatic for some people...I'm sure that I'm one of those people and I've decided I don't want to know how dilated I am - just surprise me!!! (Pleeeeease!)

It's getting so close sometimes I worry I won't be ready. Still, I put off some tasks for whatever reason and it's hard to believe it's actually coming so soon! Of course, she can refuse to come on her due date and then we'll have plenty of time, right?

Right.

35 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 pounds plus. Because it's so snug in your womb, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

34 weeks

2007-06-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

I've updated my little e-mail system so it sends me info. about my weeks a little earlier...I don't want to ick anyone out by the details but the site had a different due date for me than my doctor. Add that to the fact that I'm growing slightly impatient and I want my time to go by faster and the extra four days was bugging me! (Even though she probably won't come until the later due date...)

Monday I have another doctor's appt. They're getting more frequent now...and I not excited about them becoming more "invasive" so I'm a little nervous.

We finished our birthing class and we toured the new rooms at Carle. I'm ready to go ahead and check in and get this thing going...and I'm paranoid that the day I have my baby - they'll be completely full. That'd be just my luck. They deliver tons of babies at Carle.

34 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is probably almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her central nervous system is still maturing and her lungs are well developed by now. If you've been nervous about going into preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that 99 percent of babies this age can survive outside the womb — and most have no major long-term problems related to prematurity.

Another pic of the expectant parents:

Babeh Shower

2007-06-11T14:42:00.000-07:00

My family threw a lovely shower for me over the weekend. Everything went perfectly. I got lots and lots of clothes (which I kind of expected since everyone told me that's what I'd get and is the fit I usually like to buy) that I already have too many of but are always cute to look at and open so...she won't be nekkid that's for sure.

My mom was up ver-very early cleaning and cooking and working hard...my aunt got up at 5:00 a.m. to finish making the cake (she'd worked all week on the fondant decorations)...my grandma and her sister brought beautiful salads...my sister gave me a beautiful card that made me cry and got me a carrier for the baby...my in-laws came up from Tennessee and brought tons of gifts (including my crib net/bat/cat keeper outter!). I definitely felt special. Not to mention, Grandma and my aunt both made quilts for the baby!

[My Dad - wondering: "What the heck is this thing???]

33 weeks

2007-06-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh...getting closer all the time! I had a doctor's appt. this week and I'll be going every two weeks now. Fun, fun, fun! I'm almost done with my birthing classes. (Did I mention how much I like the teacher? She's hilllllllaaaaarious!)

I have my family shower this weekend - I'm very excited! It'll be nice to see everyone. Maybe someone will take a lovely picture of me that I can post here. If I approve it, of course...

33 weeks

How your baby's growing: This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds and measures 17.2 inches from the top of her head to her heels. Her skin is becoming less red and wrinkled, and while most of her bones are hardening, her skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. This will help her ease out of your relatively narrow birth canal.

8 months! (32 weeks)

2007-06-01T11:27:00.000-07:00

Wow! 8 months...I get more excited everyday! There is still a lot of preparation that needs to be done. I have my family shower next weekend so I'll see what goodies I get and know more what I might need to shop for. I'm antsy to get everything bought - but I know I need to wait to see what we still need. But, I wanna buy it all NOW! And be prepared! I know I still have some time (7 weeks...or more!) but I also know that it could really fly by! I've started lists of what I still need to buy and what I need to pack for the hospital. I'm sure we'll get it all done. Then I'll probably forget my bag at home! :0)

32 weeks

How your baby's growing: By now, your baby probably weighs almost 4 pounds and is almost 17 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. She has tiny toenails now, and her fingernails have grown in, too [I knew I felt them scratching me! ;0) ]. Some babies have a head of hair already; others have only peach fuzz.

31 weeks

2007-05-25T09:13:00.000-07:00

8 weeks to go! (Maybe??? Who knows??) If I were a betting woman (and I am, aren't I?), I'd say she comes the first week of August...so that's 10 weeks. But, we're still gonna say 8!

A coworker brought in her 4 week old baby the other day. She was just beautiful! It was sooo hard to hold her and try to keep myself calm. I don't want to get too impatient. (It's already too late for that, but...) I held her and tried to downplay it...but she looked right at me and even smiled. (Could be gas, right?)

I can't wait to hold my little girl!

31 weeks

How your baby's growing: This week, your baby measures about 16 inches long. She weighs a little over 3 pounds and is headed for a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and she's beginning to accumulate a layer of fat underneath her skin in preparation for life as a newborn. As a result, her arms, legs, and body are filling out.

30 weeks

2007-05-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Time is flying! (Kind of.) Sometimes I feel that way...and other times I just can't wait! I'm very excited to see her and hold her for the first time. But, at the same time, I have stuff to do to get ready for her arrival. And, of course, I want her to be as healthy as possible...

We started our birthing classes. That's a little scary. But very informative and our instructor is really funny. (The cookies they had for snacks were verrrrrry good too! Is it any wonder I've gained nearly 30 lbs.???? I hope they have those again next week!)

I stare at the calendar (usually on my cell phone) and count down the weeks...it's 9 to go until my actual due date. I'm trying to prepare myself that she will most likely be late. Still, I do the countdown all the time. It's one of my favorite pastimes...

30 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby's a bit more than 15 1/2 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds. [She already does! :0) ] A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and fills out your uterus. Her eyes open and close, she's able to distinguish between light and dark, and she can even follow a light source back and forth. Once she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have a visual acuity of only 20/400 — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face.

Sono pics

2007-05-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

We had the second ultrasound on Monday. It was really exciting. She weighs about 3 lbs. now and is right on track growth wise. Whew! I'm betting she'll be close to 8 lbs. or so...any guesses??

It was also reconfirmed that she's a girl so I'm relieved to not have to return anything. The pics didn't turn out too well...but we could see her on the screen opening her mouth and sticking out her tongue. Say it with me now: "Awwwwwww."

It's so surreal though. I still can't believe that's all happening inside me! I really can't wait to see her and meet her for the first time.

29 weeks

2007-05-11T08:41:00.000-07:00

The 29 week picture from babycenter is really starting to look more and more like a real babeh!

Speaking of pictures, on Monday I will hopefully have new sono pics of Baby Woof! I'm soooo excited. My due date is about 10 weeks away. It's all really mind-blowing. I think my belly grows everyday. I've gained about 27 lbs. now...it's getting ver-very close to 30...and I'm feeling it!

29 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to accommodate her brain — which is busy developing billions of neurons. With this rapid growth, it's no surprise that your baby's nutritional needs reach their peak during this trimester. To keep yourself and her well nourished, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, iron, and calcium. (About 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in your baby's skeleton — which is now hardening — every day.)

7 months!!! (28 weeks)

2007-05-07T14:33:00.000-07:00

We start our first class tonight - "Infant Illness". All I know so far is that the ladies that run these programs are super, super nice. I've spoken to them many times signing up for classes and changing class dates and - it'll be neat to meet them.

Baby Woof has been moving and flipping and flopping today. She likes my new caramel yogurt. Anything with sugar actually. I think she's going to come out of the womb and go through withdrawals...

28 weeks

How your baby's growing: By this week, your baby weighs a little over 2 pounds and measures about 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can open her eyes — which now sport lashes — and she'll turn her head toward a continuous, bright light from the outside. Her fat layers are beginning to form, too, as she gets ready for life outside the womb.

27 weeks

2007-04-27T07:48:00.000-07:00

"Your baby is really starting to fill up your uterus."

No joke!! I can feel her moving all the time now. It almost drives me to distraction sometimes. And I think I can feel her doing more than just "kicking" now. I can feel the rolling around that other moms have described to me. I have not gotten to the point of seeing a foot or arm drag across my belly or a wave of movement yet - but I can imagine that it will happen!

It's very exciting to feel her move. Sometimes it's almost like I forget and it reminds me: "Oh yeah, someone's in there!" It's really mind blowing. Even after seeing her on the sonogram - it's just hard to imagine that someone's really in there growing and moving. And that the food I eat everyday fuels a new human's development. I'll have to see it to believe it! And, even then, I'm sure I won't be able to figure it all out. It's amazing...

27 weeks

Your baby is really starting to fill up your uterus. This week she weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14.4 inches long with her legs extended. She can now open and close her eyes, and she sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. She may suck her fingers, and although her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if she were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to her, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what she's thinking? [probably - "Mom, why are you eating so much chocolate?!?! It makes me crazy!!"]

26 weeks

2007-04-23T12:20:00.000-07:00

Every week that passes brings us closer to....a new person in our world. My mom visited this last weekend and bought us lots and lots of baby goodies. It was fun (and tiring) doing all that shopping and I'm so grateful for everything we got! I feel more prepared now. My brain is still spinning with items I need - but, thankfully, it's mostly small stuff now - whew!!

26 weeks

Your baby now weighs a little under 2 pounds and measures about 14 inches, from head to heel. The nerve pathways in her ears are developing, which means her response to sounds is growing more consistent. Her lungs are developing now, too, as she continues to take small breaths of amniotic fluid — good practice for when she's born and takes that first breath of air.

25 weeks

2007-04-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

Yayyyy! I took my diabetes test (along with some other labs) yesterday and I didn't feel sick at all! Unfortunately, that leaves with no exciting stories. Except for the lady who let her little daughter crawl all over the waiting area until she found me and decided to climb me. Awwwww...how cute, right? I wasn't feeling it. Sometimes, I'm happy that I am kind of a kid magnet...but I just wasn't this time. I just said: "Hiiiiiiiii" and stared at the kid like I was dumbfounded. And I was thinking:

"Lady, get your kid."

"Please call my name now!"

"Maybe could you care about your kid?? I'm not your kid's babysitter??!?" I don't know...

Most of the time it's people being overly worried about their child that's turned around and smiling at you in the booth adjacent to you...and you just smile and say it's OK and that they shouldn't worry. Well, she wasn't worried one bit. Not one: "Oh, honey come back - leave the nice lady alone." And then I would have said: "Nooo, that's OK. What a pretty girl you have..."

Oooooookaaaaay - that was just another glimpse inside my moody pregnant mind ! I've been kind of emotional lately.

Oh, what the heck, here's another example. This may be too much information for any male readers I might have.

Mike and I were discussing pooping while in labor. I said I really wasn't too worried about it because they've seen it all at the hospital and I'm not going to be embarrassed about it if it does happen. Though, I did mention to Mike that he "hadn't seen it all" and maybe he'd be disturbed by it. I asked him if he was going to look "down there" when she was born.

He replied, smiling: "Of course! I'm going to watch her be born into a pile of $hit."

Normally, we would just laugh and laaaaaaugh! We like to tease and joke about almost everything. But, for some reason, at that moment - I felt sorry for myself and felt my eyes stinging...just a moment of self pity. "Poor wittle ol' me - I'm gonna crap my pants in front of everyone."

Who cares? I'll have a little girl to bring home with me to love...

25 weeks

How your baby's growing: Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — doesn't sound like much, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. Her hair is probably recognizable now (in color and texture), although both may change after she's born.

Diabetes test on Monday, anyone?

2007-04-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

[My desk drawer at work.]

Anyone wanna sit in for me?

Anyone?

Bueller?

Six months!!!

2007-04-06T07:04:00.000-07:00

Wow, time flies when you're having...fun (is that the right word??). Maybe it is. It's definitely an exciting time - full of new experiences. We went shopping over the weekend for some baby clothes and some fun stuff like that. And I bought what seems to be my millionth new bra in a new size (with more to come????) and some more pants and shirts. I'm hoping these pants are huge enough to see me through the end...but I'm not counting my chickens juuuuust yet.

24 weeks

Your baby's growing steadily, gaining about a quarter of a pound since last week. Since she's almost a foot long, that makes for a pretty lean figure, but her body's filling out proportionally. Your baby's brain is growing rapidly, and her taste buds may be working now. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily. Your baby can hear more now, and you may even notice her startle at loud, sudden noises. But she's probably getting used to the regular noises she hears around the house, such as your dog barking (how about cat screeching? yowling?!? mewling?!?) or the roar of a vacuum cleaner. (Yeah, right!!! Like she hears that very often!! :0)

23 weeks

2007-03-30T06:53:00.000-07:00

I guess we're both getting bigger and bigger every day. I read this story on Yahoo yesterday: Pregnant moms' weight affects toddlers. So, I've decided that Baby Woof will probably be an overweight toddler because I am most definitely going to gain, at the very least, the "recommended" amount of weight. I've prepared myself (and my husband) that I'll probably gain 40 lbs. or so. Who knows how high I can go?!?!?

I've gained 20 lbs. so far...if anyone would like to guess how much I'll weigh by the end - I'd like to hear it! Winner gets...ummm...the winner gets...the satisfaction of being right! (I promise not to be offended by any weight gain estimates.)

23 weeks

Your baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound. She may be able to feel your movements now, so put on some fun tunes and dance around the house. No matter what race your baby is, her skin is red and wrinkled at this stage and will likely look pink or reddish at birth. Blood vessels that show through your baby's transparent skin cause this coloration. Her true skin tone will develop over the course of her first year.

Blood vessels in your baby's lungs are developing to prepare her for breathing, but complete lung development will take many more months. The lungs are the last organ to fully develop in babies. That's why premature babies (those born before 37 weeks) often have such a hard time breathing. Babies born this week have a chance of surviving with the help of intensive medical care, but their risk of serious complications is very high.

22 weeks

2007-03-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

Ah, Baby Woof is growing and growing. I had a doctor's appt. this past week. I got "great" news...At my appointment next month, I get to have more labwork and ORANGE DREAMSICLE, (a/k/a pukesicle) delight!! Yayyyy! I'm sure you'll all want to come along and watch this. Maybe, Mike will come along and make a video...

22 weeks

Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches and almost 1 pound. Her skin will continue to appear wrinkled until she gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her head and body is now visible. Your baby's eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks some pigment. Her pancreas, essential for hormone production, is also developing steadily. Your baby's lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath her gum line. You won't actually see her first tooth until she's around 4 to 7 months old unless she's one of the rare babies who's born with teeth.

Halfway there!

2007-03-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Baby Girl Woof is now about 10 inches long. Wow, that's kinda hard to believe. What's even more hard to believe is that she'll be twice that size when she's born. Wooooo, golly!

I was lying in bed the other night thinking: "I want my body back!" I know it's a little early for those thoughts, but I'm starting to feel bigger and bigger everyday. At the same time, it's exciting that I'm starting to show and I even bought some maternity shirts. It's kinda fun to wear them.

Oh, I removed some of the "gross" stuff from this update below - something about a coating and...uh, her excretions. We'll ignore that for now...(while we can!)

20 weeks

You've made it to the halfway mark — congratulations! Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel. (For the first 20 weeks, we use measurements taken from the top of the baby's head to her bottom — known as the "crown to rump" measurement. After that, we use measurements from head to toe. This is because a baby's legs are curled up against her torso during the first half of pregnancy and are very hard to measure.)

19 weeks

2007-03-02T07:03:00.000-08:00

She's a zucchini! We've made the transition to vegetables I guess...I think they want me to get hungry(er). I'm still waiting for that infamous watermelon. Will they call it that? Wait - I guess not. The baby wouldn't get THAT big, would it?? [fingers crossed]

Uh, this picture looks pretty crazy. I kinda thought it'd be too early for her to be this scrunched up (if you're claustrophobic, don't look!):

19 Weeks

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and she measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. If your baby is a girl, she has an astonishing six million eggs in her ovaries.

This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. While you may think your womb is a quiet place, it's far from it and your baby may be able to hear what's going on now. What's she listening to? The main sounds are blood moving through your vessels, digestive noises from your stomach, and your voice. Some women like to talk directly to their babies, but even if you don't, your baby can still hear you as you talk to others. Research shows that she's learning to distinguish your voice from others and she'll soon show a preference for it. Studies have shown that when a pregnant woman speaks, her baby's heart rate will decrease, indicating relaxation. Let Dad get in on the act too — encourage him to talk to your baby.

Sweet Potato PIE...

2007-02-27T11:09:00.000-08:00

Baby (girl) Woof is a sweet potato...I never really liked those but I can definitely imagine her size and it's always interesting to me to see what she's compared to each week and learn about how she's growing. Nothing can be quite as exciting as the sonogram of last week..but I do feel her kicking more and more. That's really amazing to me. I'm sure a little later on I'll want her to "sit still" but for now, it's a reminder that something's happening!

18 weeks

How your baby's growing: Head to bottom, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a large sweet potato) and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you'll likely start noticing more and more. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin and her ears are now in position and stand out from her head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

It's a...

2007-02-21T11:41:00.000-08:00

GIRL!

At least - we're pretty sure. The ultrasound person said she was 95% certain...since Baby Woof was acting like a real lady and keeping her legs together, so...

I think I'm just going to believe her and go with it. She sure seemed to know what she was doing.

The only telling picture shows four lines...or pancakes...or...or...whatever you might want to call them.

Here she is:

On'yun Young'n

2007-02-19T14:30:00.000-08:00

B-I-G week this week! On Wednesday, I go for my first ultrasound. I hope, I hope, I hope I get to find out the sex then...and unless I'm completely crazy distracted on Wednesday, I hope to post a picture here! I'm extremely excited - I can't wait!

In other sorta BIG news, I think I felt the little bugger moving!! I think, I think that's what it was...it felt kind of like a teeny, tiny frog jumping around.

17 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby weighs about 5 ounces now, and he's around 5 inches long — about the size of a large onion. He can move his joints, and his skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone. His sense of hearing is also developing. The umbilical cord, his lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker.

16 weeks...

2007-02-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

Sooooooo...I met my doctor the other day. He seemed pretty nice and all but he really got my approval when he said: "Let's do a sonogram in two weeks." Two weeks?!?!?! YES!! We're ver-very excited!

I also found out that it will be on the standard machine. The 3D machine is only being used to diagnose "problems" right now. But, I'm really not disappointed. I'll get to see things I've never seen before. It'll be a wonderful experience I'm sure. I can hardly wait!!!

In other slightly less exciting news - the food/size references are back this week!

16 weeks

How your baby's growing: At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

15 weeks

2007-02-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

Baby Woof is now a....uh...nothing, I guess. No food reference or anything this week. Just about 4 inches long. Getting bigger all the time!

I go to the doctor tomorrow and meet my actual doctor for the first time. And, I'm soooo excited because I hope we can schedule a sonogram. The even more exciting news is that I just heard they might have a 3D sonogram machine there! I think the older machines are 2D and the baby ends up looking like a skeleton-alien type thingy. I'm very excited about the possibility of having a 3D sonogram. Hopefully, I'll have the news tomorrow about whether or not I'll get to get one! But, either way, I'll get to see the baby and how it's doing and hopefully find out what "type" it is. I'll be thankful for anything more I can know/see...

Here's an example of a 3D sonogram at 15 weeks:

Baby Report at
15 weeks

At around 4 inches long, crown to rump, your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 ounces. He's busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which will help the air sacs in his lungs develop. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all his joints and limbs. That means his hands are more functional, too. Sweat glands are appearing, and although his eyelids are fused shut, he can sense light. If you were to shine a flashlight at your tummy, he'd be likely to move away from the beam.

If you're scheduled for an ultrasound in the coming weeks (most women have one between 16 and 20 weeks), you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! Don't be disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down the gender depends on how clear the picture is and the position of your baby during the ultrasound; he may be curled or turned in such a way as to keep you in suspense.

Your baby's taste buds are beginning to form now, too, and a study at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia suggests he may be able to taste what you've been eating. Researchers found that flavors from the food pregnant women ate ended up in their amniotic fluid. They also found that eating healthy foods during pregnancy may help your baby develop a preference for those foods that could last a lifetime.

Citrus-sy

2007-01-30T07:38:00.000-08:00

They're baaa-aaaack.

The fruits, that is. Baby Woof is a lemon now. I can hardly wait to see what it will be the end of this week. But, I really, really can't wait to know what it is. I don't want to wait any longer to buy stuff. I haven't bought one single, solitary thing yet. That is insane for a consumer like me. And, it'll be just my luck that the day of the sonogram (which has yet to be determined) - the baby will have its legs crossed or have its "naughty bits" facing my spine or something.

14 weeks

How your baby's growing: Head to bottom, your baby's 3 1/2 inches long — about the length of a lemon — and weighs about 1 1/2 ounces. Her body's growing faster than her head, which now sits upon a more well-defined neck. By the end of this week, her arms will have lengthened and will be in proportion to the rest of her body. (Her legs still have some growing to do, though.) She's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair all over her body (called lanugo). Her liver starts secreting bile this week, a sign that it's already functioning properly, and her spleen starts contributing to the production of red blood cells. She's also producing and discharging urine into the amniotic fluid, a normal process that she'll keep up until birth. You still can't feel your baby's movements, but her hands and feet (which are now half an inch long) are more flexible and active. Thanks to brain impulses, her little facial muscles are getting a workout as she squints, frowns, and grimaces. She can grasp now, too, and she may be able to suck her thumb.

13 weeks

2007-01-22T08:04:00.000-08:00

The food references haven't stopped yet! But, surprisingly, this time the baby is not a type of fruit...and, no, it's not a pack of smokes...it's a jumbo shrimp this week. This is the first picture I found that had an item placed next to the shrimp as a size reference. I thought it was pretty ironic so I just had to post it. It actually does help me get an idea of the size!

13 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your belly may soon be big enough to announce to the world that you're expecting, but your baby is still tiny. In fact, he's only about 3 inches long crown to rump — roughly the size of a jumbo shrimp — and weighs just about an ounce. Despite the small proportions, there's a fully formed baby inside your womb now. Much more proportional than it was a few weeks ago, his head is now only about a third the size of his body. His tiny, unique fingerprints are already in place. His kidneys and urinary tract are functional, and he's starting to urinate out the amniotic fluid he's been swallowing. As you start your second trimester, most of your baby's critical development will be completed, and your odds of miscarriage will drop considerably.

Lime a dozen...

2007-01-16T13:42:00.000-08:00

Wow. Do you think this fruit comparison thingy will ever stop? Will it be the size of a watermelon someday? Basketball?? Guess I'll have to wait and see!

Oh, and I can't tell you how relieved I am to know that the baby's eyes have moved from the side of its head to the front. That sounds like a real plus!

12 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby's hit the 2-inch mark (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce. Her face is beginning to look more human. Her eyes, which started out on the sides of her head, have moved closer together on her face, and her ears are near their final positions on the sides of her head. Your baby's intestines, which have grown so rapidly that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into her abdominal cavity about now. Her kidneys are secreting urine into her bladder. Her nerve cells have been multiplying rapidly, and synapses (neurological pathways in the brain) are forming. Your baby may have acquired more reflexes by now, including sucking, and she'll even squirm if you prod your abdomen, though you still won't be able to feel her movement for several weeks.

"Doctor" visit

2007-01-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

I went for my first visit yesterday. I still haven't met my doctor yet (didn't even officially have one until yesterday) because I am a loser of a woman. I have not been to have an "annual" since I moved to this area like three annuals ago. That's right - remember - I said I'm a loser. And I know how important it all is - I have no excuses really.

So, I saw the nurse practitioner and we picked a doctor that will be available in July when baby Woof is due. I hear really good things about him and I think I'm going to like him. Yes! It's a him! I never thought I'd want my OB/Gyn to be a man - but I've matured I guess. In one visit and one "delicate condition" I've already decided that I know what they mean when they say you lose all sense of modesty. Who cares how they see me?? And who they are?? It's their job. And they've seen it all...

The only news from the visit was that we got to hear the heartbeat! It was exciting! I didn't know how I'd feel. But I definitely felt emotional and I kinda wanted to cry. Although, I couldn't really move or the lady would lose the sound. I laughed at one time and there was a bunch of loud static blocking the heartbeat. The baby's heartbeat was 162 miles an hour. (Or beats per minute, I guess. It's just more fun to say miles an hour!)

It seems a little more real now. There is something in there besides a virus after all!! I was half thinking that there wasn't anything in there and I told the nurse as much. She laughed and said that she thought that too when she had her kids. Until she worked at the clinic she didn't realize how accurate the home pregnancy tests were. Not that I don't believe them - they're like 99.99999999% accurate but that is the only test I've taken so far. No blood test to confirm it. This was my first doctor's visit after all. It makes you kind of wonder if you're making all this up and just getting fat and being crazy...

But there WAS a little swishy heartbeat saying that something's going on in there...something's happening! I can't wait to hear/see more!

This little figgy...

2007-01-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

At 11 weeks, baby Woof is now fig-sized. I don't see too much progress but getting these weekly e-mails helps. And, of course, there's the 10 lbs. I've already gained. Not that I'm worried about that - I just hear that they can get kinda nasty at the doctor's office...I don't wanna hear it!

I had my first visit on Friday. It was a paperwork/orientation visit entitled "Great Expectations" [insert knee slapping laughter here]. It was a fairly uneventful visit. Four couples, some pamphlets, some paperwork, drink the extra sugary orange soda to check your blood glucose, wait an hour (filling out paperwork and such takes up the hour), go down to get your first set of labs...pretty inane stuff - but also kind of exciting. Something's happening! We're making progress!

So....six tubes of blood later (taken from two different arms because one just stopped working) we're heading out to our respective vehicles in the parking lot. Mike is concerned that I haven't eaten in a while and I'm calling my friend Amy at work to set up our lunch.

The usual chorus of: "Where do you want to go? I don't care, where do YOU want to go?"

"Blech!"

"Bless you! I hope that was a sneeze." Amy says.

It wasn't. It was a "real puke" I tell her. The rest of the orange soda escaped. (Thank goodness! I felt better instantly.) And there was nothing to do but laugh and laugh at the crazy-rudeness of my puking while I was talking to someone on the phone. Oh, and Mike wondered what I was going to do the mess in the parking garage.

Uh, leave it. "Remember that dead mouse we saw on the ground on the way in??"

11 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your fig-sized baby is now fully formed — measuring 1 1/2 inches long and weighing in at a quarter of an ounce. His skin is still transparent, allowing many of his blood vessels to show through. Some of his bones are beginning to harden, and tiny toothbuds are starting to appear under his gums. His fingers and toes have separated, and he may soon be able to open and close his fists. He's already busy kicking and stretching, and his tiny movements are so fluid they look like water ballet. These movements will increase as his body grows and becomes more developed and functional. As his diaphragm develops, your tiny tenant may also start to get the hiccups. Because he's still so small, though, you won't feel any of his workouts or intrauterine gulps until sometime between weeks 16 and 20.

10 weeks

2006-12-29T07:29:00.000-08:00

The baby is as big as a.....kumquat! How exciting!

That reference doesn't really do much for me...the description says that the baby is one inch long from head to booty - now that I understand. But I've looked up pictures of kumquats and they look bigger than that!

(Is is just me or does that thing look bigger than an inch? What are they measuring with anyway? Is that centimeters?) I've decided that I prefer Gnightgirl 's guess that it would be a walnut this week...maybe we'll stick with that. Although, kumquat is fun to say!

How your baby's growing: Your baby is no longer an embryo! Though she's barely the size of a kumquat — just an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, she now has completed the most critical portion of her development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in her body rapidly grow and mature. Her vital organs — the liver, kidney, intestines, brain, and lungs — are now in place and starting to function (although they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy). Her liver continues to make blood cells, and the yolk sac, which previously supplied these cells, is no longer needed and begins to disappear. During the next three weeks, your baby's length will more than double to nearly 3 inches. Her head is proportionately smaller now than it was a few weeks ago, but it's still almost half the length of her entire body. Her forehead temporarily bulges with her developing brain and sits high on her head; it will later recede to give her a more human appearance. Each day, more minute details — including tiny fingernails, toenails, and peach-fuzz hair — start to appear on her body. Her fingers are now completely separated; her arms bend at the elbow and curve slightly; her hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over her heart; her legs are lengthening; and her feet may be long enough to meet in front of her body. She is busily swallowing amniotic fluid and kicking her legs. If you could take a peek at your baby this week, you'd be able to clearly see the outline of her spine through her parchment-thin skin. Spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from her spinal cord.

9 weeks (and counting)

2006-12-27T11:24:00.000-08:00

How your baby's growing: Your baby is nearly an inch long — barely the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce, but he's poised for rapid weight gain now that his basic physical structure is in place. He's also starting to look more and more human. His embryonic "tail" is now completely gone and his body parts — including organs, muscles, and nerves — are kicking into gear.

His eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. He has earlobes, and by week's end, the inner workings of his ears will be complete. His upper lip is fully formed, too, and his mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The tips of his fingers are slightly enlarged where his touch pads are developing. All major joints — his shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles — are working, enabling your baby to move his limbs. As for his heart, it has divided into four chambers now, and the valves have started to develop. External sex organs are there, but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks.

Soooo...it's a grape now! Yay! Wonder what food item it will be on Friday? (10 weeks) I'll be sure to let you know! And the upper lip is fully formed which leads me straight to the conclusion that it probably has a cleft palate and cleft lip. I'm trying to prepare for the worst here (while hoping for the best). Cleft palate/cleft lip is nothing compared to the things that could be wrong with the baby. I now totally understand the answer to the question: "Do you want a boy or a girl."

I don't care. As long as it's healthy.

Food issues...

2006-12-21T11:59:00.000-08:00

I've had several tips about curbing my nausea. The most popular one seems to be:

before you even lift your head off the pillow - eat some saltines...

Since I never expected to get sick, this "morning" sickness thing really caught me off guard. I really thought that since I'm a food pig - none of that sickness would happen. I'd just eat like a horse like I always do. I mean, I'm constantly thinking about my next meal. "What's next to eat??"

Anyway, I'm usually pretty unprepared for most things that happen in my life so I don't have any saltines in the house. We don't eat crackers really so we don't own them. Sooo...I thought I was doing good to get up and eat a Go Tart (a new fangled Pop Tart that you don't toast - I loved 'em!). I found out quickly that those things weren't going to cut it. At all.

I switched to Kashi granola bars. They're really good for you. I will be honest and say that they are not the most delicious thing I've ever eaten but - right now - when smells and sights of certain foods are making me sick, a bland granola bar is my best friend. They have verrrry little sugar (again, the taste reflects this), they are not made with preservatives and "bad things" like that, and they have a good amount of protein and fiber which I need more of in my diet. I eat two of them every morning (and whenever I need a late night/middle of the night snack). They've saved my life!!

Foods I hate:

Ham (I never DID really like it - I hate it actually. But just the sight of seeing my coworker eating it made immediately ill.)
Anything with ham in it
Turkey bacon (Mike made a split pea soup with Turkey bacon - it turns out - I hate that type of bacon.)
Breakfast sandwiches and hash browns (I though these were the cure all for a while - now the thought of them makes me gag.)
Go Tarts
Almost anything I've eaten recently and don't want to eat again with the exception of a Jack's Mexican pizza which I ate two nights in a row. I actually went to the store and bought another one for dinner again the next night.
Clear soda (another overdose victim of mine).

Foods I bought at the store and
have yet to use and maybe never will:

V8 juice (low sodium)
Sparkling pear juice
Ginger Ale
Ginger soda
Root beer
Goldfish crackers
Unsalted saltines
Pretzels
Various soups that don't appeal to me anymore
50,000 breakfast sandwich items which I made Hubband move to the fridge in the garage because I can't stand to look at them - I just gagged thinking about them.
Almost anything that's in the house - I usually crave food items that are not at home. (When used here, the word "crave" means anything that I think I might be able to stomach and absolutely nothing else will do.)

8 weeks...

2006-12-19T09:21:00.000-08:00

Sooo...one of the first things I did was try to look up a due date. (Near the end of July by most calculations.) Boy, was I surprised to see that I'm farther along than I thought...the way "THEY" calculate it anyway. They go from the first day of your last period - women usually ovulate about two weeks after that and aren't supposed to be able to get pregnant except during that very limited time...

Anyway - so I'm about two weeks farther along than I originally would have thought. But - what do I know??? And if they want me to jump two weeks ahead - I'm already ready all over that.

The website sends me updates as to the baby's development and I have to say, they really blow my mind!

8 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby is now 5/8 of an inch long, about the size of a kidney bean. She's constantly moving and shifting, although you won't be able to feel these womb wiggles for several weeks yet. Her embryonic tail is disappearing, and her eyelids practically cover her eyes. Still slightly webbed, her fingers and toes are growing longer. Her arms have lengthened, too, and her hands are now flexed at the wrist and meet over her heart. Her knee joints have formed, and her feet may be long enough to meet in front of her body. With her trunk straightening out, her head is more erect. Breathing tubes extend from her throat to the branches of her developing lungs. The nerve cells in her brain are also branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. Though you may be daydreaming about your baby as one gender or another, the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl.

It

2006-12-13T13:13:00.000-08:00

I was talking with a co-worker yesterday and referring to the baby as "IT".

"It's not an IT! It's a real person!" etc., etc.... "Let's call it "shim"! (Actually, I think that is kinda cute, I guess...)

"No! It's an IT. Until we know what IT is! It's either IT or baby Wofford. Or maybe $hit." (I've always like that. He - She - It - Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!)

"And, anyway - IT applies to people too." I say. Without anything to back that up.

So I go to my trusty Merriam-Webster online and look IT up. Here IT is in relevant part:

a person or animal whose sex is unknown

That's IT!

For now.

Shock

2006-12-12T09:43:00.000-08:00

I've been blown away by the reactions I've gotten to my little announcement. (Thanks, everybody!) I'm really touched! And everyone has been so excited and positive. I've had cryers...I even had a jumper!

But, I have not been more shocked by any one reaction than by my own. I think I'm still kind of in shock. This IS what I wanted (right?) - no turning back now that's for sure. And, maybe it's my way of protecting myself (because you never know what will happen with these things - will it "stick"?, etc.) but I feel more like there's a virus growing in me than a real, live baby. I feel nauseous. And gassy and crappy (uh, literally).

I'm an expert at "masonry". So, I think that's why I don't let myself dream about the future. I won't let myself envision holding a baby at the end of this...

And I can't imagine the responsibility...

I HAVE known for a long time that this is what I wanted to do. With this person. I can't fathom going through this without him here to help me. And I'm really not afraid of how our life will be - whatever happens.

I just wish this nausea would stop!!!!

Two Lines Two Times

2006-12-05T14:25:00.000-08:00

Soooooo....some big changes for us Catpeople...a little baby kitty - I mean, baby (a real, human baby) is on the way.

Today, I told (almost) everyone at work. I'd been a little hesitant to post anything about it here until everyone knew but, it's been the ONLY THING ON MY MIND!!

And I'm still in shock!

Before:

After:

(I hope it doesn't gross some of you out to see my pee sticks - but I'm sure it won't be the grossest thing to be posted on here before this whole thing is over.)