
Sleep?: Sleep??? Whats that??? Lol, just kidding...its as good as pregnancy sleep can get I suppose
Milestones: getting closer and closer to the finish line of this chapter...ready for the next :o)
She is getting so big, I can feel the difference. My uterus is slowly feeling more and more crammed, but she still moves so much...I love it. She is getting stronger too...the little punches and kicks that used to tickle are now starting to hurt at times, lol, not make me cry hurt but more like "damn, that was quite the punch" hahahaha. She is at the point where from now till she is born she is putting on her baby weight...so I'm sure I will be expanding a little more quickly. Still getting quite a bit of indigestion and the occasional heartburn...its uncomfortable, but I'm dealing with it. Yesterday, I took a 2 hour nap (when I should have been doing laundry and dishes) and she was having a field day in there...she was so active and I was so tuckered and drained. I wish I had half her energy yesterday, could have gotten a lot done :o)
Its so funny how she lets me know when we are hungry, cause sometimes I literally get so distracted that I forget to start lunch or dinner...I know, probably not good, but we are healthy (aside from the common anemia some women experience during pregnancy, which by the way, if you are one of them, careful with the iron supplements...causes mild constipation), so its not as bad as it sounds...anyway, she lets me know with little kicks and punches, and then she lets me know how happy and content she is after I eat...she rolls around in there. I can tell the difference between, "I'm not comfortable" or "I'm hungry" movements to "I'm so happy momma!" movements. *giggle* When I rub her (as she pushes outward) I know what is what. Her face is down in the lower left side and her knees are usually what is pushing out as far as she can on the right side just next to my belly button...its wonderful knowing how she is sitting in there, which as I explained in a previous blog she is "sunny side up". And feeling her elbows and fists wipe across the side of my belly. Gets me all warm and fuzzy inside.
I cant wait till Saturday! Baby Shower #1...Don't worry, pictures to come! *wink*
Time for Another Growth Spurt!
(http://www.parents.com/)
It's time for another growth spurt! (You've been hearing that a lot lately, huh?) For the next eight weeks, your baby's gaining more weight than height -- and she's pushing nearly 5 pounds now! (FYI, the bigger your baby grows, the harder it will be to get an accurate size update via ultrasound. But be assured that she's fattening up and getting nice and ready for life on the outside.) This week also boasts some exciting reproductive developments. Her clitoris is already relatively formed. Her Lungs are completely formed.
♥Diapers: Whether you're going the re-usable or disposable route, you'll need plenty on hand.
♥Burp cloths (fabric diapers can also double as burp cloths).
♥Disposable wipes. Always have a few packets on hand - this is not an item you want to run out of.
♥Diaper rash cream
♥Diaper pail: Choose one that you can operate with one hand, one that uses regular garbage bags, and has an odor control system.
♥Diaper bag: Make sure it hangs well from your stroller handlebars.
♥Baby monitor
♥1 or 2 pacifiers, if you want to use them. Be sure to get ones labeled "newborn."
♥Portable crib, commonly known as a Pack 'n Play, for when you visit the grandparents.
♥Co-sleeper. It's so nice to just reach over to nurse your baby at night. But you can easily substitute the portable crib if it's easier.
♥6 bottles, including nipples: Make sure you buy nipples for newborns.
♥Bottle brush
♥Breast pump: Go for the fancy automatic double pump if you're going back to work.
♥Breastfeeding pillow
♥Nursing pads
♥Lanolin lotion for sore nipples
♥Breast milk freezer bags or storage cups
♥Thermometer. The rectal kind. Don't be freaked out -- once you do it, it's a piece of cake.
♥Nasal bulb syringe for clearing stuffy noses
♥Baby nail clipper
♥Alcohol swabs and bandages
♥Infant bath tub or seat with a newborn "sling"
♥Baby shampoo and cleanser
♥Baby lotion
♥2 to 3 hooded towels that let you swaddle baby post-bath
♥Crib
♥Changing table with pad (you can also covert an existing dresser by topping with a pad)
♥Rocking chair
♥ExerSaucer. You won't use it for a few months, but once your baby hits 4 or 5 months, it will blow his little mind.
♥Swing or bouncy seat. The movement makes almost all babies very, very sleepy.
♥Activity mat (also called the baby gym)
♥Mobile for the crib: Think music, lights and movement. We like ones you can turn off remotely.
♥Mobile for the changing table: Distract your baby from the fact that his bum is cold.
♥Crib bumper
♥2 to 3 fitted crib sheets
♥2 waterproof mattress pads
♥2 or 3 changing pad covers
♥A rear-facing infant car seat with base. If you have two cars, you'll need a second base.
♥Baby carrier and/or sling
♥Stroller: Baby won't sit up for a few months, so you'll need a Snap 'n Go, a travel system or a model in which baby can fully recline.
♥A "take-me-home" outfit. Look for a set that's cute for photos, but practical (something warm for winter or light for summer).
♥6 to 8 onesies, half short sleeve and half long sleeve. Choose kimono styles that don't pull over baby's head to cut down on screams.
♥5 pairs of pants
♥6 to 8 sleepers (aka coveralls) with built-in footies, or rompers if it's spring or summer
♥5 to 6 sleeping gowns, which snap5 to 6 sleeping gowns, which snap, zip, or cinch closed at the bottom, making late-night diaper changes a breeze.
♥At least 3 sleeping gowns should have built-in mittens to cover fast-growing baby fingernails and avoid scratches on smooth baby skin.
♥1 to 3 sweater cardigans or zip hoodies, depending on the season
♥1 snowsuit or winter bunting (for winter babies)
♥1 to 2 pairs of mittens if they aren't included in the snowsuit (for winter babies)
♥8 pairs of booties or socks
♥4 to 6 hats, including at least one sun hat
♥4 to 6 receiving blankets. One should be soft and thick enough to be a blankie contender; two should be thin enough for your diaper bag.
♥4 to 6 bibs. At least two should be waterproof. Once baby starts solids, you'll need something you can just hose off.
♥Velcro swaddle. This crucial miracle item may be the key to peace in your household.
♥Sleep sac, for when baby outgrows the swaddle or sleep gowns, but is still too young for a blanket in the crib.
I heart March. Not only are my baby
shower's this month, but my husbands
birthday (his favorite holiday as he calls it [and he
thinks he gets to celebrate it all month long lol]) and
his graduation from the academy! He is coming
home to me! I'm one lucky wifey!
Baby ~ most babies pack on roughly 6-9 pounds (though some will weigh as much as 10 or more!).
Placenta ~ the placenta generally weighs in at 1-2 pounds.
Amniotic fluid ~ the amniotic fluid generally comprises 1-2 pounds of extra weight.
Uterus ~ the uterus grows and expands to roughly 2 pounds.
Breast tissue ~ most women's breasts add 1-2 pounds of weight during pregnancy.
Blood volume ~ a woman's blood volume adds an additional 2 pounds of weight gain during pregnancy.
Fluid ~ Women's bodies generally retain as much as 4-5 pounds of fluid during pregnancy.
Maternal fat stores ~ your body stores roughly 7 pounds of added fat to help nourish your baby and provide you the energy necessary to breastfeed after pregnancy.
Foods to eat if your anemic: Fruits such as iron-rich apples and tomatoes are great to eat when treating anemia. You can either eat apples or tomatoes or drink 100% pure apple and tomato juice to treat anemia. Also fruits that effectively treat anemia are plums, bananas, lemons, grapes, raisins, oranges, figs, carrots and raisins when eaten in large quantities. Honey is a potent source of iron, copper and manganese. When these elements are combined they aid in hemoglobin synthesis. Honey is therefore a powerful weapon against anemia. You can eat honey with slices of apples or bananas for iron and energy when treating anemia. Red meats such as kidney, heart and liver are effective at treating anemia. Red meat, as the name suggest, is the iron-rich meat that doctors suggest those suffering from anemia consume. Also poultry, fish and oyster are effective against anemia.Vegetables of course are always good for you and carry good source of iron as well.
P.S. The BeBand is AMAZING! Im in Love!
Before Pregnancy, and possibly the day of conception...WOW! I wonder if I will get my figure back??? *giggle*
Okay, so today I went to Bakersfield to hang out with my friend Jenny. We ate at Red Robin's and visited for a few hours. She gave me a book called "Belly Laughs" by Jenny McCarthy (I look forward to reading it...its supposed to be funny), and she got a cute dress for Kylie. It has been so long since we last hung out, so it was wonderful to see her and her boys.
After I left her house, I made a quick stop by the Mall before heading home. I needed to get my wedding ring cleaned and checked as well as get some maternity clothes. Yes, its official, I am too fat for my regular clothes now. My pants are snug, and shirts keep crawling up and my little baby bump is playing peek-a-boo. I have 2 pairs of maternity jeans, but I hate them, so I found a BeBand and I have high hopes that it will work better. I just don't like the fact that maternity clothes are made for women who expand all over...why doesn't there seem to be much out there for us girls who only gain in the uterus? My arms, legs, boobs...even butt, are not any bigger than before pregnancy...so I wanted to find some shirts that are like baby doll style...fitting on top, wide on bottom. I was dreading going to Motherhood Maternity *$pricey$* but I had to...its the only option I had left. I hate how expensive clothes, that are going to be worn for 10 weeks and then pushed to the back of the closet, are...almost depressing. LOL. However, I found 4 really cute shirts that fit me nicely and are comfortable. People comment about how little I am for being 7 months pregnant, they cant believe that I am still wearing my regular clothes, lol, I guess its a good thing, but I am starting to outgrow them a bit quicker as we approach full term. Kylie girl is growing so fast now. My ribs are starting to get sore because she is gradually moving upward. Its amazing how distinctive everything is...every week its a drastic difference in size and location for her.
Super Excited!
So, I never did write about my last check up. February 3rd, I went in for my OB check up and brought my friend Jen with me (since my husband couldn't make it). We got to see Kylie...she is healthy and beautiful of course. Dr. Miller wanted me to go down stairs to the lab office and get some blood tests done...its routine. They had me drink that sugary stuff so they could check my glucose levels...which meant the quick in and out appointment turned into a 2 hour appointment. Lol. Good thing Jen didn't have any plans. I told them that I needed to get the second Rhogam Shot (because of my blood being RH-) and they said that they couldn't do it right away, they had to check my blood type and then I would have to come back after the results to get the shot. WHAT? How dumb is that...they have it on record what my blood type is and that I have already had the first shot back in October. Anywho, a few days later I got a call from Dr. Millers office, they were letting me know that my prescription (the shot) was in at Walgreen's and that I could pick it up and bring it in. I was confused. Why am I picking up the shot and bringing it to them? I get to Walgreen's and end up paying almost $60 for the shot. Thought that was BS too...granted it would have been more than double that if I didn't have insurance...but still. The first shot was injected into my arm...but this time they injected it in my hip and said because I'm so thin, they shouldn't have put it in my arm...its meant to go into fatty tissue. So, now everything is all good. Kylie is progressing wonderfully.
I also talked to the doctors office about my work sending me out on Maternity leave early. I explained to them that they wouldn't put me on desk duty, that I can't do my required job duties (standing for 12 hours straight, lunch breaks when convenient, potty breaks few and far between), and I asked them if they knew what my options were since work isn't paying me for this leave. They said that I can try disability, but its no guarantee...I applied for it and found out that because I'm a federal employee, we don't pay into disability, therefore I'm not qualified...so now what??? Stressed out over surviving on one income, I applied for the donor program that is available on the establishment...THANK GOD FOR THAT! I already have a few people helping me out by donating their unused leave. I think everything will be okay. Just sucks because my job is making me use the FML (Family Medical Leave) which requires them to secure my job for up to 90 days...after that they do not have to hold my job for me...I am due in about 3 months, and I will be needing to continue my leave after Kylie is born to take care of her...I was hoping to save the FML for after I have her so that I could stay home with her and breast feed for 3 months...now I will only have 6 weeks, and hopefully still have a job to go back to. Oye, its like they think its a crime to start a family. This is a beautiful creation...yet my job makes it stressful. But, we do what we have to do...hopefully everything works out in the long run...it usually does, just gotta keep movin' forward. My husband doesn't see TOO worried...he thinks that we will be fine on one income...he actually said I could probably quit and go back to school if I wanted...but I don't think that is feasible. We will see what the future brings. Wish us luck...after all, March is a lucky month *wink*.
***********************************
Maternity Pictures: www.griswoldphotography.blogspot.com