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Monday, November 23rd, 2009
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9:25 pm - Cuteness abounds
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We've been playing with different animals and making all kinds of ridiculous animal noises with Zoe...
"What does the lion say?"
"Raaar!"
"What does the monkey say?"
"oooh oooh oooh!"
"What does Lucy [the dog] say?"
"Woof woof woof!"
And it is the cutest thing everrrrr! Now when she picks up her stuffed lion, she raars. (and her whole face scrunches up!) Lately, she has also been pointing at *everything* and asking "What's that?" It is so cute and her enunciation is getting better and better ;).
33 week appointment was today with Beverly! Continuing on modified bed rest. I'm still effacing. Bev told me I've got to be more careful and no squatting, no tailor sitting on the floor, nothing that would put the pressure of the baby on my cervix. Basically, I can't do anything that they would tell other pregnant women to do to prepare for labor, haha.
Heart rate is good, consistently slower than Zoe's was which reinforces my instincts that this baby is a boy. Head is down and I'm carrying much lower than I did with Zoe (thankfully, head is not engaged yet... if that were to happen, I'd likely go into labor very quickly). Zoe liked listening to the heart beat. Blood pressure and weight are right on track. I weigh less this time than I did with Zoe (I have my old chart, and it is fun to compare).
While I'm trying to be careful with what I eat... I am totally guilty of snagging a couple of cookies here and there (every day!). I've had the worst sweet tooth! All my meals are so healthy, but man... I'm trying to curb the cravings by eating yogurt and raspberries instead (without much success- but I am *trying*!). Since I can't exercise, I need to behave better.
And I have been extremely careful about fat content, since the last gall bladder attack I had. I eat regular eggs but I've switched to light milk, cheese and yogurt (I can't bring myself to go skim). I still use butter in just about everything, but I have cut back the amounts. And NO NUTS! So far, so good!
Whitney is in town, and we went over to Tom and Terie's for dinner tonight. Terie has perfected the art of smoking brisket, and we had the most delicious brisket tacos over there tonight... she had it all set up: lettuce, pico, avocado, carmelized onion, GRAVY, corn tortillas... we are SO spoiled.
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| Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
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8:53 pm - 33 weeks
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We went out to Graford yesterday to visit Zoe's great-grandparents. They live way out in the country in a house that took six months to make move in ready (they had to re-do the plumbing, the windows, the floors, etc). There are foundation issues (the house is almost 100 years old), but they've done a fabulous job making the place livable. No heat or a/c, so Josh, his dad and his grandpa went out in the truck with a chainsaw and cut a ton of firewood, which they hauled back and stacked neatly on the front porch.
I really like Josh's grandparents. They have an easy, loving spirit about them that has always made me feel at peace when I'm in their presence. When we got there, Josh's aunt and uncle and a couple of their kids were over visiting too (they live close, in Mineral Wells). There was steaming chili on the stove and Josh's aunt had made cornbread and cookies for dessert. We had the chili Texas style (I guess?) with Frito's crumbled into it and cheese. Yum, yum.
The Rasmussen side of Josh's family is huge, and I think it is really neat to see how everyone interacts with the kids and babies. Josh's grandma reminds me a bit of my own grandmother, with lots of childrens' books, baskets of fun toys, etc, to offer all the kids when they visit. She gave Zoe some of her favorite toys while the men were out- wooden spoons, a small pot and some metal measuring spoons.
I found it really interesting that Zoe, who gets horrid stranger anxiety around new people (especially men), settled right into her great-grandpa's arms with a huge grin on her face. She seemed very comfortable in that home and was in a great mood.
Josh's grandparents are lifelong missionaries, who, in the 70's, still go on mission trips all over the midwestern US in the summer. We talked a little bit about some of the experiences they had over the summer, and I shared some stories from my religious ed classes. Catholicism is a bit of a touchy subject... they have always been polite to me in person, but they sent Josh an anti-Catholic book before we got married. Accompanying the book was a note that warned him to beware of "witch craft and idolatry" among other things. When we're together I try to always focus on what we have in common with them (which is a LOT, they are beautifully Christian people). I also try to be a good example of my faith... I think many people who are biased against Catholics have not met members of the church who are good witnesses to their beliefs.
I wonder if they are praying for us to convert, sometimes, but I definitely appreciate their willingness to pray with us when we're together and to have open discussions about faith. Josh's grandma gave me a CD of spiritual music to listen to and lent me a couple of books that discuss "evolution" from a Christian perspective. I'm interested to see what these books have to say... I had mentioned that some of my students were making snide remarks about the creation story in Genesis, so she gave the books to me to read.
Today we've relaxed. We're making a double batch of chicken wild rice casserole to eat and freeze. It's Josh's Granny's recipe. I made a few changes- lowered the fat, and used fresh celery, mushrooms and sage, and added chopped pecans, along with the onion. It smells so good.
I love how some families have maintained their own food culture. Both sides of Josh's family have these wonderful heirloom recipes that they have now passed down to Josh and me. It makes me feel wonderfully connected to Josh's folks to be able to cook these kinds of meals. My own family doesn't do much of that kind of stuff (granted, pierogi and ravioli are both high maintenance foods).
Thanksgiving is just around the corner! I'm trying my hand at pumpkin cheesecake this year. Cooking has been tough on bedrest, but I've managed by doing everything I can while sitting down at the table. Josh helps a lot.
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| Friday, November 20th, 2009
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12:40 pm - Welcome weekend
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Next week, there's only a day and a half of work before Thanksgiving holidays. This weekend is my first weekend off in more than two months. I am so excited about taking a break and spending time with my husband and daughter! Hopefully I will have time to bake a little bit.
I am the planner in my family, and I am absolutely committed to getting baby prep ready before the Christmas holidays start (the sooner the better, really). We have been SO busy trying to keep the place tidy while attacking various projects around our apartment. I bought us a washer dryer this month and we had our rentals picked up, then a week later we got rid of our old glass table and Josh and his dad moved in his family's old dining set. I have been working hard on de-cluttering our bedroom and bathroom so that we have room for the bassinet, the baby bath stuff, the diapers, the clothes, etc. Closets are all cleaned out. We have to baby proof our lamps and electrical cords.
Our bedroom is super dark. I wish there was some way to make it brighter and more baby friendly, since that is where our new child will be spending nights until we move. I want to at least put up some baby looking wall decor in there, but first we have to move some bookshelves (where?!).
My meeting with Patrick went well and I am going to be teaching dance this spring. Now we have to figure out how long my leave will be, how much my pay will be docked (or whether they'll just delay paying me and pro-rate it through the rest of the year), and how I'm going to finish lesson planning for the spring! I am praying that this unexpected, extra money will allow us to save for a move this summer. We need another full bath for the kids, a larger kitchen and at the very least, a den or a study. Not ready to buy yet, but considering a rental house.
Zoe, at thirteen months, is cuter and makes more mischief every day. When we tell her "no" she tells us "no" right back ("NA NA NA NA!") and we've started one minute time outs. If she doesn't like what we feed her, she looks at us, chucks the food on the floor, and cackles (or closes her eyes, scrunches her face and shakes her head from side to side while screaming). We are always cleaning our dining room floor. She's got a full mouth of teeth!
Zoe's words are: Mama, Daddy, Cat, Ball, Bear, Book, Hi, Bye Bye, Bathtime (Bah-Bum), and she said shoes this week for the first time. She can point out noses and toes. Felicity has learned to run when Zoe is coming. We've recently taught her to "woof" like Lucy (the dog) and to "moo" like a cow. I'm working really, really hard on "please" and "thank you" but so far to no avail. She can play patty cake and she is into everything. Not walking quite yet, but standing on her own and finally taking steps with our help. She gives us (and her animals) hugs and kisses. Her word recognition is incredible. She knows how to "share."
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| Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
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6:55 am - :)
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I'm getting my hair cut today! YAY!!!!!!!!
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| Monday, November 16th, 2009
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9:21 am - Somehow
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We made it through the week. Ugh. I had to work all day on Sunday so I really don't feel like I got much of a break. And now it's Monday again!
I am very glad that I have a couple of weeks off from STA. Josh and I will have to really hunker down to get all this baby prep finished. I had a dream last night that I was 3 cm dilated but wasn't in labor.... yet. I hope that we make it to the date of the labor start. While I was working yesterday, I got far too many contractions. It was really uncomfortable. Josh and I went out to dinner at a tiny Italian restaurant last night, and I was still contracting. After dinner, we rented a movie and by the time we got home I was in so much pain we had to watch the movie on the laptop in bed. Once I was finally laying down with my feet up, the pain subsided and I felt fine in a couple of hours.
Working has gotten more and more difficult. The teaching is fine, it's all the standing and walking around. I'm supposed to sub two days this week, in addition to my regular work schedule. I might have to just sub once, instead. And after this week, I will not be offering to sub at all anymore. It's just too much, and the contractions make me really grouchy.
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| Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
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8:30 pm - Getting ready
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I am so beat! Open house last night and busy nights every day this past week have left me beyond drained. I'm getting stuff together for my birth bag, as much as I can and a little at a time. When I'm moving around too much I get contractions. If I'm still, I feel completely fine and normal, so I'll think maybe it's passed.... but if I walk for more than a couple of minutes at a time, there they are again! They're pre-labor feeling- uncomfortable and with lower back pain, but not so bad I'm incapacitated. It's still too early for that, though, so I have to be careful.
Besides, if you've ever had a contraction, you know that you really *don't* want to be *doing* anything during one.
I wish Josh was able to help me more with new baby prep. I've done almost all of it myself.... got the bathroom baby proofed and completely cleaned out so that we have room for more baby stuff. Went through Zoe's closet and drawers and cleaned everything out to make room for layette stuff. I've gone through our bedroom, which we will have to share with our newborn, and gotten out tons of junk, things to donate, trash, etc. We still have to make room for the bassinet.
These are things I really wish that Josh could share with me, but whenever he's home one of us is doing baby duty, or lunch/dinner duty, or just trying to keep the place maintained... or we're frankly too exhausted to do anything. Ah, the juggling act of parenthood.
I feel bad that this child hasn't had all of the attention that Zoe had before she was born. We're both working, we're parents already.... we're not having a baby shower of any kind and I haven't had a single ultrasound or gotten a single belly picture. There's no nursery to prepare, and we haven't bought anything yet... not even a layette! We're not going to childbirth classes, we're not decorating or painting anything, or even assembling any baby stuff. I want this kid to be a big deal, too!
We've talked about names, at least. If it is a boy, we will name him Joby after Josh's brother who passed away two years ago. If a girl, we are undecided but we like the names:
-Noel (or Noelle)
-Sienna
-Juliet
-Thalia (pronounced Thah-LEE-ah) (muse of comedy)
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| Monday, November 9th, 2009
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12:36 pm - Yay!
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Just heard back from Mario! I have another course for the spring! That will almost double my income from BDHS, making is more like what I make from STA! And I'll get to keep teaching dance! w00t!
It'll be interesting to see how my post-partum body takes to teaching something so physical. I think I'll probably start off with dance history and use the computer lab, then do a short yoga unit until I get clearance from my midwives to be that physically active again. I really hope my recovery goes more quickly this time.
And I'm curious how my post-partum body will squeeze into my old dance clothes. Hey, it might be a fun opportunity to buy a couple of new items, since I'll be dancing so much again.
The nice thing about working for a school is that your income is supposed to remain steady for the whole contract year (August-August). Since they've only been paying me for a single, one semester class up to this point, the amount that they owe me for the new class should be pro-rated through the rest of the school year. It also means that the increased pay should start taking effect as soon as I can sit down with the principal! It will make a big difference as far as our pay schedule for the birth.
Wow. I've got a lot of planning to do! Hopefully this is a good sign as far as work for next year goes.
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10:24 am - we need a vacation!
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Our last football game was Friday night. I didn't get home until after 11 pm... I had to work that morning, too, so I was really tired. I don't know how the full time teachers who have to stay straight through the afternoon til the game do it... that is one helluva work day!
I've been enjoying Sunday school so much! I really like being involved in our parish, and I have met a lot of people who teach at other Catholic schools in the area. It has been a wonderful experience, and Fr. Vic already asked me if I would work for him again next year =). I may only do one class... we'll see how finances fall out. We're hopefully done having babies for a while, so it will soon be time to start saving for private school and (maybe! someday! we hope!) a house.
Josh has been fabulous as far as trying to keep up with the housework and balance Zoe time and work. When I am on my feet a lot or lifting anything heavy, I get labor-like contractions and I have had to pretty much stop all my regular activities. I'm still working, but I have to be very careful. Josh made shepherd's pie for dinner last night and had it all ready when I got home from teaching. He's been doing almost all of our cooking.
It's a little stressful, with the due date so close. Since Josh has to take up the slack around the house, we have no time left over for baby preparations. Every ounce of free time and extra energy goes into just maintaining the place and getting our family fed. We've saved a lot of money by not ordering food in, but it takes a lot more time and effort to grocery shop and cook.
There is a chance that I will have a dance class to teach in the spring, after all! The guidance counselor in charge of schedules got word to Josh last week that he was able to move drill team and dance to the same day next semester. Since the kids haven't enrolled for Fall 2010 yet, that can only mean spring. I am praying, praying, praying that the class has made. It would be a challenge working out maternity leave and post partum stuff (I won't be able to teach dance for about six weeks after the baby is born), but I would happily deal with it and have some extra work!
For next year I really want to get some ballet barres for the MP room so that I can do a proper unit on classical technique. If enrollment is good enough, I bet my department chair would allow it.
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| Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
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6:32 pm - Second time around
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I've noticed a lot more crampiness in my third trimester with this baby. I've heard it gets more painful with each one... I'm totally requesting pain killer for the after pains this time, too (I didn't do that last time, but I should've!). Had to go in for a check today due to contractions. I'm effacing already, but not dilating (thank God) so still modified bed rest and still allowed to work. I think I'm going to have to increase my iron too... still feeling anemic. It's this awful, wilty feeling that drives me crazy. I almost fainted in the shower this morning.
Dance class went SO WELL today. I wish I had more opps to brag on some of my girls. We worked on our class dance and the first group began teaching their 24 counts. It looks so good! Needs polishing (particularly the roll) but I'm proud of the choreography and the girls seem to like the music. It is so much fun to work on stuff with the kids, and they're always surprised when I announce it is time for prayer and locker room (class goes by quickly). I had 100% participation today and was very pleased. I hope they get a chance to perform for the school.
The school's president mentioned me during our faculty meeting today (I wasn't there, being part time) when she was bragging on the drill team. She requested that the girls perform their Thriller dance for open house next week. Most all of the credit is Erica's, but it is nice to be included. This weekend is our last football game, and it is also Senior Night. I've been working with the middle schoolers for two weeks on their dance, which will be separate.
It'd be nice to have more work next year. I enjoy teaching dance so much! It will be a very different experience NOT pregnant, too... much easier and I'll be able to do more "fun" stuff like jumps and rolls. If I can teach another class or two, like art or history, I would be very happy.
Next semester I'll just be doing drill team during H block. It'll get me out of the house a little, so that will be nice. While I'm on bed rest I've got to work on camp proposals for summer. It'd be a great way to earn some money for our move in July.
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| Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
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6:58 pm - So.....
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We bought a washer dryer! Emailed a guy about them (from Craigslist) today and he was able to deliver them tonight! He came with his wife, and they were real nice folks. God bless Texas. The units are all hooked up and working fine! They don't have as many settings as the ones that we were renting, but it will save us SO much money not to rent anymore, and in two months we'll have made up the cash we paid tonight. I've been wanting to do this for a long time.
haha, we're so adult- our first appliance purchase! It was kind of thrilling... =) They're older, but in great shape.
Too bad we have to wait until Wednesday next week for Azuma to pick up our rentals. They are sitting in our dining room!
I'm not allowed to do shopping, grocery or otherwise, so I went online and ordered a nursing set for myself. I never got nice PJs for Zoe's birth, and it will be nice to have something to change into once New Boo arrives.
So after a couple of purchases today, we are back to the land of tight belts and penny pinching.
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| Monday, November 2nd, 2009
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6:48 pm - 30 weeks and change
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I'll be getting my sonogram for my gall bladder this week... how exciting (blah).
Baby is doing well. Heart rate was 137 bpm. I think this one is Thumper from Bambie- I get the strangest kicks! Rat-a-tat-a-tat-a-tat. I'm on modified bed rest until further notice for preterm labor. Carol said they'll check me at the next appointment and if things haven't improved they're going to put me on strict bed rest and I'll have to stop working. I'm praying that doesn't happen.... if Mama doesn't work, Mama doesn't get paid.... if Mama doesn't get paid, we can't pay our bills. As a part-timer, I'm not eligible for things like "benefits."
We discussed the possibility of induction a little more and I got some more information today. Looks like the BIG DAY will be Monday, December 28th. I'll come in and they've got this whole routine they do for a labor start (it doesn't involve any medicine). I'll have to bring all my birth center bags and be prepared to go home with a new baby!
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| Thursday, October 29th, 2009
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8:01 pm - I'm on modified bed rest and need something to DO!
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1. When you look at yourself in the mirror, what's the first thing you think?
Baby belly!
2. How much cash do you have on you?
I never carry cash.
3. What's a word that rhymes with "TEST"?
zest!
4. Favorite planet?
Earth. It's a good place to live.
5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
My mom in law :) "Mom D"
6. What is your favorite ring on your phone?
I prefer no ring at all.
7. What shirt are you wearing?
I'm still in my "work clothes"- a double layer yoga tank, maternity of course ;) Fun to be a dance teacher!
8. Do you "label" yourself?
Yes. In fact, I carry around a label maker for that sole purpose. I'm always changing my mind, you see. Some days, I'm positively covered in labels by lunchtime! (some of my favorites, on a more serious note, are: wife, lover, mother, teacher)
9. Name the brand of your shoes you're currently wearing right now.
I'm wearing these lovely slippers Mom D got me a couple years ago... they're "goody goody" brand, and they're cute and comfy and I lerve them.
10. Bright or Dark Room?
Depends. I like lots of natural light.
11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
_________
What happened to 12?
It got ambushed by a demon llama.
13. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Probably getting up out of my cozy bed because I had to go to the bathroom AGAIN.
14. What did your last text message you received on your cell
say?
Christopher: Having BBQ pork tacos and Greek coffee for lunch-- for some reason made me think: it's high time I hang out with Katrina. Hope you're well. Peace and tacos.
15. is missing?
is confused?
16. What's a saying that you say a lot?
I tell my daughter that I love her all of the time, and I also ask her for kisses (which she usually gives me, puppy dog style with a nice, big lick)
17. Who told you they loved you last?
My hubby :)
18. Last furry thing you touched?
Felicity, the cat.
19. How Many Drugs Have You Done In The Past three Days?
I'm pregnant! I limit drugs to prenatal vitamins and iron supplements (and the occassional tylenol)
20. How many rolls of film do you need to get developed?
I'm devastated: I lost my camera charger. Oh, but I need to do SOMETHING with our wedding photos... so probably a billion?
21. Favorite age you have been so far?
Actually, as stressful as it's been, 23-24 have been great. It has been lovely to become a mommy. Also, 22, when I got married, ranks highly. Before that, I'd have to say probably fourth grade.
22. Your worst enemy?
My uterus, which won't stop contracting! Stop it, you! This baby needs to stay put for seven more weeks!
23. What is your current desktop picture?
Blueeeee
24. What was the last thing you said to someone?
"Thanks honey!" - Josh is going out for Pei Wei (25% off our online order!). He is very sweet to cater to my cravings.
25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to take something back, which would you choose?
Hands down a million bucks. I could do things like get out of debt, get my parents out of debt, help protect women from domestic violence in other parts of the world, maybe buy a house....
26. Do you like someone?
I even *love* someone. More than someone, even! Someone(s)?
27. The last song you listened to?
That terrible organ grinder music or whatever that blares at baseball stadiums. Watching the world series! GO PHILLIES!!!!
I'm a bit worried about all this preterm labor stuff. I kind of feel like I have too many conflicting expectations to meet. I've got to take care of my daughter and be a good mommy... I've got to teach and be able to dance... I'm supposed to be able to exercise and maintain a strict diet..... I've got to work or we can't pay our birth center bills..... I've got to take care of the apartment and get ready for the new baby.....
and on top of all of that, I'm supposed to stay in bed all day?!?! What to do with Zoe? What to do about our bills? What about my students? I can't just "sit this one out"- I'm involved in things and I have obligations to people.
The stress of it has really weighed on me today. It's hard to balance being a good mommy to Zoe and being a good mommy to our new baby (who seems to require that I lay in bed and not move). Plus, I'm finally healthy again and I have energy and I want to be able to do THINGS.
Well, my next appointment is Monday. I'm sure they'll check me out, and hopefully they'll decide that as long as I rest moderately things will be OK. I only get painful contractions when I go on walks.
It wouldn't even be that big a deal, except that if I go into labor before 36 weeks I will not be able to have my baby at the birth center. I don't have maternity insurance (you can't get it in Texas unless you're with a group, and I'm privately insured) and we're already paying a few thousand dollars for the prenatal, delivery, and post natal care at B&WC. I can't imagine what the hospital costs would be, and aside from that I really DO NOT want a hospital birth experience. I trust my midwives and am deeply committed to their mission.
GAR.
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| Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
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7:44 am - Late pregnancy dance teacher!
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I'm glad that I planned the semester so that the girls would be working mostly on their own stuff during November and December. I can still lead our strengthening exercises and stretches, but there is little actual "dancing" that I can do at this point... and really, if I were to satisfy my midwives 100% I wouldn't even be teaching right now (they want me on bed rest!).
The dance that we're working on as a class is almost done. I decided to add in student choreography to the last section, so that I would have to do any more cardio work. The kids are in three groups, and they are each responsible for 16 counts of the song. That should take up a good chunk, and then I'll finish it off with a repeat section and then a simple conclusion.
As I announced the project, everyone was really excited! When you're a teacher, you always hear either groans or excitement and I definitely prefer the latter. One of the groups in particular has come up with some really cool looking stuff. We're working on it next class, and then we'll devote a class to letting the groups "teach" their portion of the dance to the other girls.
That should take us into November, and then they will be picking out their own music (which I approve, of course) and making up a 2 minute dance for their final.
I had several girls ask if they can perform for the school, and do costumes, etc. Sadly, I don't have a budget for dance class this year, but I might make it extra credit. Then we can do rehearsal time on the stage and all the fun things that go along with a performance. It'd have to be during the school day, but we could invite classes to come and watch. I can teach them how to do stage makeup... pretty cute!
Most of the other Catholic school in our area have full time dance teachers and offer dance levels 1-3 at least. I really hope that this job turns into a full time opportunity for me. As it is, working at Bishop Dunne has saved us about $10,000 on childcare... that number will increase to about $22,000 once our new baby arrives... so really we shouldn't complain. Daycare is *expensive*. Infants are around $1000/month, and the rates only go down slightly year by year.
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| Monday, October 26th, 2009
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8:47 pm - "The J in Jack is for fat!"
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(Josh, referring to the quesadillas we ate this weekend)
I have had an interesting evening! I had to go to the birth center for an emergency check up. Josh and I were in the kitchen preparing dinner when I was sledgehammered with abdominal pain around my ribs. It hurt so bad, I almost threw up and I wanted to pass out, and it wrapped around my back. I spent thirty minutes trying to convince myself that it would pass and it wasn't a big deal before I melted down into tears and begged Josh to call the birth center.
That pain was on par with labor pains. I've experienced it only a couple of times in my life- when Josh and I lived at Rio House and went on our wedding retreat, and a year or two earlier when I interned at the Kimbell.
I have to say, again, that I adore and admire the midwives at the birth center. I've never received better care. Carol met us up there and did an evaluation on me, then asked me if I had ever been diagnosed with gall bladder problems. What?! Well, the attack was just like what happens with gallstones so she's ordering an ultrasound for me for sometime in the next week or so to check it out. She's going to email me info on prevention and diet. Whew. The big thing, she told me, was to avoid fatty foods.
The pain has abated on its own, thank God. It kind of comes in waves, and it feels a bit like I imagine a heart attack must feel. I was in tears, and I don't think I even cried when I was in labor- it just hurt *that* bad.
So I'm glad it has gone away! While I was at the birth center, Carol had to check the baby's heart rate and also my cervix to rule out preterm labor (with the abdominal pain). Wow, I hadn't missed those exams! And actually, just like last time, I'm showing preterm cervical changes. Carol tried to put me on bed rest but I was able to talk her into letting me go to work (I'm so part time), so long as I'm not dancing myself. And no walking for me. I *knew* that walk I took on Saturday had done something! I had one, solid, painful contraction that lasted more than thirty minutes.
Unfortunately, the cervical exam triggered some contractions too. Nothing too bad, but very frequent. I have an achy feeling in my pelvic. As if tonight wasn't already stressful enough! I'm going to take a warm bath and lay down... I'd drink a glass of wine, too, but I don't want to mess with my digestive system. I do not want to be on bed rest again, so I am going to follow Carol's advice completely and take it easy as much as possible. I also don't want this baby to come early! Keep on cooking, little one!
Luckily, baby is doing great. Lots of movement, good heartbeat, blissfully unaware of the problems Mama is having today! Ah, pregnancy is never predictable. I'm 29 weeks. I've got to make it to 37 weeks. Eight weeks to go!
If we have a girl, I really like the name "Eden." Maybe Eden Elizabeth? We've got to figure out the circumcision thing too, if it is a boy. Do we, or don't we?
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11:14 am - 29 weeks
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Staying fit is going to be a challenge during that last part of my pregnancy. Cherie and Carol want me walking an hour a day, but both times that I have been out for a walk in the past week I have had very strong contractions... Much stronger than I remember having when I was 7 months pregnant with Zoe. Saturday we went on the Katy trail and within minutes my whole abdomen was hard as a boulder, and I felt severe pelvic pressure as though there was a hot belt wrapped tightly around my whole middle, from front to back, squeezing and pushing down. Those are the kinds of pains that I felt with Zoe when I would go walking right before my due date. Labor is like a 10 on the pain scale, and these were about a 7.5.
We turned around immediately, and the feeling went away within an hour once I laid down and stopped moving. I haven't experienced anything like it since then, just regular B-H's, but I want to be very careful. Luckily, dance doesn't seem to do this to me... it just happens anytime I go on a walk.
I've decided not to call the birth center about it. My next appointment is in a week anyway, and the contractions have stopped. I'll definitely mention it when I go, but I already know what to do (or what NOT to do!).
Otherwise we had a good weekend. I taught, as usual, almost all day on Sunday. Saturday we took it easy, worked around the apartment and visited Eric and Rosemary in the evening. I ended up having Friday off, so we had Tim and Avery over for a while.
Not sure what I'm going to do today. Zoe just woke up from her nap and I've got to rustle up something to feed her. I want to get out, but usually we go on walks together. With that (obviously) out of the question... I dunno. An exciting trip to the grocery store? Boo, I wish it wasn't so wet outside- then we could go to the park!
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| Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
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7:26 pm - What a low blow to low income parents!
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Somebody broke into our Jeep and stole our stroller! I'm so peeved! It's not even *worth* much except to a couple of busy parents who like to go on walks together with their child! It got stolen from our apartment parking lot.
Reasons I want to move NOW and not wait until July:
-Our place has already been broken into once, by a drunk neighbor, at 3 am less than a year ago
-We have mold
-Lead paint. We have to be so careful of flakes!
-Inefficient heating and cooling; our electric bills are astronomical
-Fickle plumbing
-Foundation cracks all over the place, in the ceilings, in the walls, scary place to raise kids!
-The window screens a) don't fit (ya have to see it to believe) and b) aren't nailed in properly. Another child hazard.
-Our neighbor's apartment got broken into two weeks ago
-We don't have enough space here anyway, and our kitchen is far too tiny to store bottles, baby bowls, breastmilk stuff and our regular, adult people things
-Our new neighbor sits right outside our window and conducts loud, lengthy phone conversations about nothing at all times of the day and night. AND he has yippy dogs.
The place is basically falling apart anyway, but now with all the crime in our apartment complex I am SO SICK of living here. Having our stroller stolen is like the last straw....
I can't wait for JULY!!!!!!!!! We've got to save, save, save!!!! I want to rent a house in Lakewood. We had the opportunity to rent there last summer (an ENORMOUS 1800 sq ft place, just $1000/mo) but Josh didn't want to move. This time, it's on brotha'. I want our stroller back!!!! Waaaaaaaaaaaah!
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| Wednesday, October 21st, 2009
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9:25 pm - Like a FOX!
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This whole working and getting paid thing is really nice. We just paid all our bills and gave $500 to the birth center.... and we have money left over! HOLY CRAP! I can't even imagine what our lives will be like once we're out from under this $4500 baby birth debt. Sorry to post about money, but it really is just unbelievable that we are PAYING our BILLS without starving. It feels so good. I mean... if I wasn't hugely pregnant I'd be rolling around on the floor in glee.
Now we can get Josh's guitar (which he had to pawn last month for a loan) back from the pawn shop! Haha. Seriously, this is our life. Haha.
Josh and I went on a really lovely date last night. We had dinner on the patio at Taverna- split the pasta special and had salads and an appetizer. We lingered over the food and enjoyed relaxing outside. It was lovely. We haven't eaten out in a long, long time. We missed our movie (long dinner), so we went to Half Priced books afterwards instead. Sold a couple of things and used the cash to buy some books to read together... we're going to try one by Anaias (?) Nin. We felt like such goons, giggling over that one. Snicker snicker. It's good to be in love.
My nesting instinct has really kicked in again. I'm planning my labor bag... Gosh, I hope I'm better organized this time than last. I ended up laboring naked for a good chunk of time because I hadn't brought enough clothes and the ONLY nursing bra I brought with me got soaked in the tub. Not that I cared at the time (yeah, Josh's mom has seen me naked, lol)... it just made getting pictures a bit difficult. My goals are not to get dehydrated and to get a shower this time (last time I nearly fainted... like very, very nearly.... and was forced to stay in bed after the birth).
We're going to wait on doing anything to the nursery until we know whether "IT'S A-" boy/girl. If it's a girl, nothing will need to be done... if it is a boy, we're going to try and section the room a bit. Luckily sage green will provide a good background for either gender. In our bedroom, we plan to move a bookcase and I want to get rid of Josh's enormous dresser.
I don't know if I write often enough about how nice it is to be up in Dallas, and close to family, old friends and new friends. Really, the only complaint I have about Texas at all is the weather. We've been able to get jobs, we like where we live and have PLENTY to do when we go out, Josh and I are both taking lessons in things we love to do, and we have wonderful people with whom to share our time. I'm so glad that Zoe and Boo II will know their grandparents, and many of their aunts, uncles and great grandparents too. The cost of living here is so low, we will soon be able to budget for travel, even on our meager teachers' salaries... and we'll have the time off to do it, too!
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| Monday, October 19th, 2009
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7:39 pm - Here the flu, theraflu... :-P
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Josh and I got a Santa Fe style sweet potato soup on the stove :). It smells SO good. The weather is just perfect- 60's all day today and chilly tonight. I don't remember a fall like this in Texas since I was a little girl. It is just wonderful! I was actually cold at the football game!
So far I'm doing well (I hope) with my diet. My one indulgence has been hot cocoa made from scratch with less sugar and soymilk. I make it very rich (lots of cocoa), but hey... cocoa has protein and fiber in it! And soymilk has calcium! My tests came back. No gestational diabetes (YAY!) but I am very anemic so I have to take iron supplements on top of my prenatal vitamin. I was surprised by that- the vitamin already has iron in it.
And we've all got the FLU! Seasonal, not H1N1 (thank God). I actually thought I just got a bad head cold, but Josh's mom came down with the same thing and got tested at the doctor. Sure enough... I'm getting better now, but I have to be careful of catching pneumonia. I followed our school nurse's advice and began drinking a lot of steaming hot beverages and clearing my nose and throat with saline solutions. I swear by this now! I think it saved me from having a more severe case.
Even so, I decided to take the day off work tomorrow. I don't want to expose anyone, and even though I'm feeling better (I can breath through my nose again!) I am still coughing and really weak. I'm just glad that I didn't have to go to the hospital again!
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| Thursday, October 15th, 2009
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2:36 pm - "And I will shelter you"
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( Pregnancy things )The big news is that, after reviewing my charts, Cherie has decided that they will try a "natural induction" at 37-38 weeks.... which means Christmas! Hopefully, we'll wait til the 26th to do anything. No medicine, they have other things (including things that Josh will... er... "help" (?) with) that they are going to try. So ... wow, I'm in my final ten weeks! The reason Cherie wants to get this baby out a little early is that Zoe was, at 8 lbs 4 oz, about as big as my body could handle. She doesn't want to risk another shoulder distocia.
Oh, and I'm on a really strict diet :-P. I'm NOT happy about that, but a healthy baby is my priority. I'll make up for all the pizza I'm missing after he/she is born. POO! It's not like I got hugely fat last time or anything, but again.... they don't want me to have a big baby. (pizzzzzaaaaaaaa!)
Cherie also said that they will give me pain relief after the birth this time. I'm so excited about that! I don't think I need any interventions during labor, but I would welcome something afterward to help me rest. Talking with her really helped, but reliving the experience I had last year was difficult. I had largely put it out of my mind, but boy it was rough... even by labor and delivery standards. I'm glad that we're doing some things differently to try and minimize the odds of having to go through it again.
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| Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
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9:04 am
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Glucose screening test tomorrow morning. I can't believe I am already at the point in my pregnancy where my appointments are every two weeks! I think I'm going to have Zoe go to daycare for tomorrow's appointment... I have to fast, and she weighs 20 pounds. I'm not sure how much energy I'll have to chase her around and carry her up stairs, etc. Plus, I'm not sure how long the appointment will take.
The Little Miss is 30 inches long now, weighs a hair over 20 pounds and can now sit in a big girl carseat, facing forward! It is the cutest thing ever.
After ballet, I was having a lot of contractions. The midwives have told me that I have an "irritable" uterus (ohhhhkay), so I am going to get in the tub for a while and see if I can calm myself down. Honestly, I think it's because I'm a compact, muscular woman and I'm pretty active anyway. I'm not too worried about it, but I'll talk to the midwives tomorrow. I think my belly has gotten a lot bigger just in the past few days!
Lately I have been craving chocolate... dark, dark chocolate. I really need to find a good way to curb this craving because I've been eating a lot more dessert than usual. I don't want to pack on any extra pounds beyond what the baby needs! I've been eating really well at meal times, it has been snacks that I've had problems with, especially late in the day. I can't get enough hot cocoa!!! It is a problem!!!
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