Dear Baby - 29 Weeks

29 Weeks

Dear Baby,

Ouch. For real. What are you doing in there? You better come out with an in-womb-homemade dagger set, or some serious nun chucks because I don't think it's possible for a 2.6 pound, 16 inch little boy to cause that much discomfort and movement. Wow. Your dad and I (and some others) are convinced that you are perhaps super intelligent, growing at Jack-like rates or are incredibly bored and just haven't quite figured how to get out yet. (Please don't do this. You need to cook longer) I'm serious BL, people can see you move from the outside from across a room. You're such a little show-off!

This past week was a challenge for us, as we were used for a human pin cushion since Friday and you went on two separate sugar-induced highs from the lovely glucose drink. Good news though - I passed the 3-hour glucose test and all is fine and dandy in the world of sugar consumption and gestational diabetes. I have also began my twice-monthly appointments, and you know what that means - we are almost there. I will go at 30, 32, 34 and 36 weeks THEN I will start once-a-week appointments until you decide to come out and play. Time is flying by and with showers starting soon, and the impending births of all of your little friends, I know you will be here in no time. We cannot wait to meet you and see what all the in-womb fuss was about.

You are demanding more calcium from me, which explains my constant milk/cheese/yogurt cravings, so that your bones can continue to get stronger (you know, because the hard elbows and knees protruding from my stomach weren't enough). Your brain is also growing larger, so that means that your head is too. Perfect.

Your dad and I were having fun looking at the progression of my belly shots last night and I was making fun of myself for thinking I was SO HUGE at 12 weeks. Pfft. I was SKINNY. I have gotten bigger from last week and I know it will continue to happen as you grow. I am sure I will look back at this week's picture towards the end and laugh that I had no clue just how huge I was capable of getting. But the good news is that there are no noticeable stretch marks yet (that I can see) and that I am still wearing my wedding rings. I also have been noticing that infamous dark line making it's presence known under my belly button.

Only 11 more weeks until we can begin teaching you how to clean up cat puke at 6am.

Baby Booms and Constellations

28w 6d

Yesterday went well. The phlebotomist was able to get the first three blood draws out of my non-battered arm on the first try, then on the very last draw my vein blew so she had to go to the bruised side. She got it the first try though. She told me I would probably have a matching bruise on my right arm because the vein gave out but so far so good. Now I just have a constellation-looking pattern of needle pricks. I didn't feel queasy after drinking the orange goodness on an empty stomach, but I was soooo sleepy the entire 3.5 hours I was there. I was that creepy girl in the waiting room doing all the things I hate. I asked people coming out of the ultrasound room with yards of pictures and huge smile on their faces, "What are you having?!"
I also sat there and read my breastfeeding book with a giant picture of a woman breastfeeding her child on the cover, trying to see who squirmed when they looked at it. I had a good time. I should know by today if I am good to go or not.

Moving on, have I ever mentioned the baby boom on here? Can't remember. Well, I know a lot of people having babies. I belong to a super secret society called a message board and there are currently 7 of us that are pregnant (one JUST gave birth on Sunday to a girl). I also have a pregnant sister-in-law, and 3 friends that are expecting. So far the grand total for still-inside baby's genders is 4 girls, 6 boys and one to be determined. Penises are taking over! I wanted to take a quick minute and say CONGRATS to Mrs. Markley, an avid blog reader and grade-A comment-leaver. She is also a great friend and will make a wonderful mommy. She is the newest to join the club and finally told pretty much the world recently, which gives me the right to broadcast it on here. She is due for an outside baby around Feb. 8, 2009.

So in case you didn't get the memo, don't drink the water. Or drink it. Your choice.

Failure.

28w 4d

As I wrote last week, I had my glucose test on Friday. They told me no news was good news, so when my phone rang this afternoon with a familiar number, I was instantly disappointed. I failed, "not by much" so they told me. I decided to get the 3 hour test over with and take it tomorrow morning. The nurse wasn't very pleasant on the phone, pretty much talking to me like I was a horrible person and/or child. Yes, I get it, no eating after 8pm. I am not some ogre-like character burning through boxes of Little Debbi's all night.

So here I am, fasting until 8:15am tomorrow at which time I will show up at the doctor AGAIN and have my blood drawn AGAIN, drink the glucose drink AGAIN, then proceed to have my blood drawn every hour for the next 3 hours. Good thing I have some reading material. I think what I am most upset about are my horrible veins that refuse to show themselves when the time is right. This usually involves a lot of digging with needles for long periods of time, resulting in something that looks like this:

Basically what I am trying to tell you is that there won't be an early post tomorrow. Think of me, sitting in the lab, getting poked every hour while you are enjoying your needle free day. *tear.

The Two Smartest Men I Know.

28w 4d

So I bet you think I forgot about Father's Day, huh? Actually I didn't and I meant to write yesterday, but the day was so busy I pretty much collapsed by the time we got home last night. On with the tributes!

First up, my dad.

I would like to think that I have one of the best dad's on earth. Actually, I know I do. It's so hard to even begin to write about my dad so that readers that do not know him well will understand the kind of person he is. My dad is the Jack of all Trades, or the Jerry of all Trades if you want to get technical. He is one of the smartest men I know, whether he believes it or not. I am proud to say that I inherited his common sense, technical, and artistic abilities. The man can literally build you a new car, draw you a new car, then teach you how to negotiate properly to make sure you do not pay too much for a car.

His smile lights up rooms, and his personality sets them on fire. He can walk into a new place, (let's use the Happiest Place on Earth, Walt Disney World, as an example) not knowing a single soul, and walk away with complete strangers clamouring to have dinner with him and his family because they are now best friends. He makes friends everywhere he goes!

My dad has taught me so many things in life that I carry with me every day - and always will. I love him so much and admire him in so many ways. I already know he will be a wonderful grandfather to BL, because if he applies HALF of the love he did towards me, it will be more than enough. I love you dad!

Next up is the newest daddy to the bunch, my wonderful hubabubs, Paul:

I have to tell a story about Paul and an encounter that he recently had with his son. On Saturday night, we were relaxing on the couch, watching some TV and like I always do, I let Paul know that my stomach was moving like crazy. BL has been so active lately I am convinced now more than ever that he is trying to escape via belly button. Paul came over to where I was laying, put his face close to my stomach and started talking to BL. He also wanted front row seats to watch the movement. Well Paul said something funny, which made me laugh, causing my entire stomach to bounce up and down. But Paul didn't know it was me that was making it do that. The look on his face was priceless! He actually was so startled that he had to run for the bathroom for fear of wetting himself! BL is strong, but not THAT strong!

That is an example of one of the many encounters that Paul has had with BL so far, but not my favorite. Watching Paul during ultrasounds is the best thing EVER. I am so lucky to be married to a man that cares so deeply about this baby. It is so evident that he already loves him so much. I never had any doubts though, since I know what kind of a man he is towards others. Paul is the other smartest man I know. I have learned so much from him in the short time that I have known him. I hope that I have taught him as well and I cannot wait to take this journey of parenthood with him. I cannot think of a better man to be the father of my children. I wish I had half the compassion and love that Paul exhibits every day of his life.

Paul, I appreciate everything you are doing, and have done to make my life and BL's life as wonderful as possible. Thank you for being such a wonderful and supportive husband - I can't wait to see what you do with fatherhood! Happy 1st Father's Day! I love you!

Let's chat.

28w 1d

I had a doctor's appointment this morning. I also had to do my glucose test today, which involved chugging a bottle of orange yumminess at 7 this morning and then getting my blood drawn at the doctor's office to see if I am at risk for gestational diabetes. Of course my veins were stupid today. Of course they had to dig around in my arm to catch one. Of course my arm now feels like it will fall off by lunchtime. Other than that, it was a fun appointment!

I normally don't ask about how much weight I have gained because I figure that if I am doing something wrong, they will tell me. I do always peek at the scale as the nurse weighs me. She always tries to be so sneaky about it, but I see the number! Today I did ask where I started and through some awesome math, I figured that I have gained about 19 pounds. That is right on track, if you want to know. The American Pregnancy Association recommends that women who are a normal weight (based on your BMI) gain 25-37 pounds during pregnancy. Overweight women gain less, underweight gain more. I was at a normal BMI index at the beginning of my pregnancy. Also very interesting is how much the baby factory weighs by the end of the pregnancy:

• 7 1/2 pounds is about how much the baby will weigh by the end of pregnancy.
• 1 1/2 pounds is how much the placenta weighs.
• 4 pounds is attributed to increased fluid volume.
• 2 pounds is the weight of the uterus.
• 2 pounds is the weight of breast tissue.
• 4 pounds is because of increased blood volume.
• 7 pounds is attributed to maternal stores of fat, protein and other nutrients.
• 2 pounds for the amniotic fluid.
• Total: 30 pounds

Of course if you are someone whose name starts with a "C" and ends with a "olleen", you would tack on another pound plus some change for the baby's weight as your estimate. Which brings me to my next thought - Notice the new little ad on the sidebar? Click on it and join in the fun! Make your guesses now for Baby Luc and I promise the winner will get some sort of fabulous prize that I have not thought of yet. Be nice with the baby's weight and length, I am hoping some good vibes will be sent to BL and he stays a 'manageable' size.

Dear Baby - 28 Weeks

28w

Dear Baby,

Moo. That's right, moo. Evidently you are producing androgen and estrogen now that will stimulate my breast milk to come in. I haven't sprung a leak yet, but I suspect it will happen at a very inopportune time - like while I am out to eat, with a client, or when I finally get to meet Barack Obama. So this whole edema thing, it keeps happening every other week. So strange. From what I can tell, it has NOTHING to do with the weather but more to do with your position. So do me a favor little one, move your ass off of whatever you are sitting on and let some fluid and blood flow in and out of my legs. Was that a no that I just heard? Okay then, I will have the masseuse help me out in that department tonight. Yes, internets, I am bragging. But this will surely make you feel sorry for me:

If the hugeness of the State Puff feet don't make you sad, the state of my toenails and leftover burnt skin surely will.

Besides playing with my organs and causing me to swell all of the time, you now enjoy running your elbows up and down my insides. You only do this when I go to bed and I lay on my left side. I must say, it the weirdest feeling EVER. Are you doing baby yoga in there? I suspect that you are. That or you are practicing your form for free-throws and using my ribs as a target. I know I sound like I am complaining little one, but I am not. I know I will miss feeling you inside of me when you transition to an outside baby but it is SO DAMN WEIRD. You are for sure my little wiggle worm. Binx is not impressed as he is the original baby, or OB (kinda like OG):

You now weigh about 2.5 pounds and are 15.75 inches long! AND guess what? We made it to the third trimester OFFICIALLY. The final countdown has begun (cue the music). You continue to put on fat, make red blood cells, and your eyesight may be good enough to detect light filtering through the womb. I don't really run around with my belly out so much, so I am not sure if you have witnessed this yet. I thought about this fact last night though, and decided it was time to start doing bare-belly shots for that added shocking effect. Look! No stretch marks so far:

Do you like my hot pj shorts baby? Well get used to them, because in 12 weeks you will be seeing a lot more of them!

It just keeps happening.

27w 5d

I'd like to think that I'm not bad to look at, or so I've been told. I'm not one to fish for compliments by going around complaining that "I feeeel soooo ugly and faaaat!!!" pregnant or not. I am also not one to stand in front of a mirror for hours on end brushing my hair Marsha Brady-style and fish for compliments by saying, "My hair is pretty, don't you think my hair is pretty?". Men (and some women) look at me. I know this. My mom, Paul, friends have pointed this out to me. I never really noticed before.

Now, I DO notice. I notice that they see my face, look down at the belly and immediately look away. It keeps happening everywhere I go. Just last week I went to Chipotle and it happened TWICE! The first time was as I was parking. Some younger boys saw me in my car (belly unseen of course) and started making googly eyes at me. Then as soon as I stepped out of the car, belly in full force, they looked away. Obviously scared of catching pregnancy by staring for too long. The same way a laser beam permanently damages you retinas. The same thing happened, this time by men in business suits inside the restaurant as I was waddling to order my food.

I'm thinking about carrying a brush in my purse so I can stand in front of these men brushing my hair and proclaiming, "My hair is pretty. Don't you think I'm pretty? Stop looking down. FOCUS! Eyes up here! Look how magnificent my new boobs are!"