30 Weeks - Tennies and Tutus

My Hometown shower was this past weekend. Baby P got the most adorable outfits and lots of fun stuff for the nursery. I can tell she's excited sine she's really picked up the movement in my belly. I think I'm running out of room since her favorite place is to kick right into my ribs. I am experiencing a little back pain and sometimes heartburn during the night. Overall things are well - she was measuring right on target at the last appointment. Here's something else to mention - my due date is also a full moon!! I take that as a good thing - hopefully this means we might go into labor around the due date. I'm not looking forward going over my date because that increases my chances of possibly needing to be induced - so Yay for fullmoons!!

Here are some pictures from my shower. The theme was Tennies and Tutus - hosted my aunt and two close friends of my mom. I'm so blessed to have all the people who attended the shower in mine and soon to be Baby P's life.

The Cake

The Cake Topper

Me at 30 Weeks

The glasses wore Tutus

More Cute Decor!!

HELLO Week 29 - Third Trimester

This week we have completed through T2 and making our way along the final leg - The Third Trimester. Now, not to complain too much here but is anyone else aware that nausea returns the during the third trimester. Well I wasn't. Starting around week 26 through 27 I thought I was having very ill effects due to the heat. Everyday I got on the bus was worse, I even had to get off one time, grab water from 7-11, and just chill for a bit. I was convinced I was going to puke and pass out every morning. First I blamed the heat, then I blamed motion sickness and stopped reading while on the bus/train, then I was certain it was my blood pressure. Not yet ready to surrender and call the doc (with a week left until my next appt) I did my favorite google search "Pregnancy and...... third trimester nausea". BINGO! Due to increasing hormones and less room for the tummy nausea can return during the third trimester. I went back to wearing my seaband bracelets and everything if fine. Reading on the train still gets me a bit but the bracelets really help combat the nausea and I think it helps with my acid reflex too.

TAKE THAT GLUCOSE TEST

At my 28 week appointment I took my glucose test. Dr. G said it would taste like orange Fanta...never had the stuff so still not sure what I was in for. The office I go to has a rule that they do not give out "the drink" ahead of time-that's city living for you. They do this because you have to get your blood drawn exactly 1 hour after drinking and a lot of women ending being late because of a delayed train or traffic. So unless you have a really good excuse - bring a book. Ok, now back to my experience. I go in, tell them I'm there for a glucose test, girl brings me my drink. ..... It's red, Doc said orange, I like orange, not sure I can stomach red. Since I also had a scheduled appointment that day she showed me to a room, told me I had 5 minutes to drink it and to note the time once I finished. I am able to chug a little over half the drink when the other nurse comes in to take my blood pressure.
Nurse: "Oh you're taking the three hour test today?"
Me: "No, the one hour."
Nurse: "STOP! Who gave you that"...she goes into the hall "Who gave her this?"

She takes the red drink from me and explains that I was given the 100 bottle and not the 50 bottle. Luckily I was only able to get a little over half down. Thus Doc said that its ok, they will do the test and if it comes back normal thats double good since I drank extra. Guess what - I kicked that glucose test in the booty - NORMAL!!

I'll post some belly pics later this week. 

Unsolicited Pregnancy Advice

Yesterday I was at McDonalds. I had a later appointment, some time to kill, and Micky D's was the closets place with a bathroom. As soon as I'm in line an older man moves closer to me then says "Have you read the book What Not to Eat While Expecting"? He continues to tell me all the names of the chemicals in food preservatives and dyes. He said it will give me and my baby cancer. Thanks dude! But I have a reply, I tell him I'm pretty sure I got a dose of radiation from the subway, stood in front of a microwave this morning, and tell him its a bit late now to watch what I eat. He continues his little rant then I get to order "Bottled water, please" - really that's all I wanted.
"Order #203, Big mac and large fry". The preacher goes to get his food.

The Skinny and not so Skinny - 26 Weeks

Here's a bit of a catch-up on what's been going on the past few weeks. Over the Fourth of July weekend hubby and I went up to my parents cottage on Walloon Lake in Michigan.

Last year on July 4th I had Coach G telling me to do a 90 mile bike ride with a 4 mile run off. I did this in the hills of Michigan between Boyne City and East Jordan. What a difference a year makes - I now have a new coach - my birth coach.

Hubs and I met with Coach H this weekend. She is a certified Doula who will assist us with the birth of Baby P. A Doula helps us through the birth to postnatal care. Although she is certified, she does not take place of the doctor, but is there to help me follow the birth plan and make informed decisions. Obviously, this being our first, hubs and I are clueless on what will or could happen but having Coach H there will bring us peace of mind and make the process a better experience(hopefully!!).

I had an appointment this morning, I've gained 5 pounds since last time which is a total of 18 lbs so far. I also learned that as of last Friday I now weigh more that 95% of the riders currently participating in the Tour de France.

Things I'd Never Thought  I'd Do When Preggo

1. Stop Running - I had stopped around 20 weeks and although I miss it, I'm coping. Its really too hot to run outside and I can't force myself to run on a treadmil

2. Wear a Bikini - Yes on 4th of July I wore a Bandu Bikini, not sure if there will be a repeat showing next time I'm at the lake

3. Wear Skinny Jeans - Yes, I bought a pair of skinny maternity jeans from Gap. I don't even own a normal pair so what would make me want some now? Well at a certain point in pregnancy you start loving your legs - Why? Because they now have become the smallest part of your body, or at least they appear smaller since my tummy is HUGE!

4. Not able to wear ANY of my shoes - this is two parts
A) In the summer I wear flip flops to work then slip on a pair I kept stored at my desk - Ok, I store about 10 pair here and none of them fit so I've been strolling my office in Rainbow flip-flops for quite a while now. I do plan to buy a new pair or two today.
B) I can't tie my own shoes thus I can't go work out at the gym unless hubby is home to tie my shoes for me before I leave

Here's two pictures - My 26 weeks belly shot and the Skinny Jeans (not  a fan of the picture, i feel stumpy)

 

23 Weeks

Here are TWO belly pics. I've not been afraid to post a naked belly it just hadn't reached that point.... until now.

 Hubby says it looks like I'm pushing it out, trust me, that's the last thing I want - it looking bigger. I learned this week that Baby P is the size of a large mango and my uterus is the size of a soccer ball..... I'm pretty sure my belly looks bigger than a soccer ball. Either way back to why it looks like I'm pushing out the belly - notice how much my back curves. Yes, I have a shelf butt, always have, always will and that's why I've been going to a chiropractor these last couple of weeks. Not only do I have minor curvature in my lower spine but it causes my pelvis to rotate forward. I was like this before pregnancy and have attempted therapy to help correct the problem. Now with the added belly weight its tilting even more and putting more strain on my hamstrings, lower back, and hips.

So as I did with my previous ailment to Google I go. I researched chiropractic therapy for pregnancy. There are a number of great benefits of chiropractic therapy during pregnancy. Since our bodies are getting pulled every which way it helps bring our bodies closer to that original state and allows our bodies to grow a little more pain free. There are also benefits during early stages of labor - getting an adjustment during early labor stages can help put the hips into better position for birth. Luckily I had another prego friend recommend an office. So I had an assessment and learned that I can receive chiropractic and massage therapy - all covered by my insurance (i pay a $15 co-pay per visit). I did look into other prenatal massage but its expensive to go often so key reminder to pregos - its possible to get your massage covered by insurance.

Like I said, I've been going for a couple of weeks now and the pain in my lower back and hips is becoming more manageable. The massage is not a glorified lotion rub its what I expected from a trained massage therapist - mostly deep tissue incorporate with sports massage techniques. I still haven't been going to the gym as much as I would have liked but the temp is Chicago is pretty cool at the moments so I've been taking afternoon walks at work. I'm starting to hit the 3 o'clock slump thus taking a walk helps get the blood and brain juices flowin' so I can stay on task....otherwise I'd definitely be face down on my keyboard.

For those wondering - Yes that's a tattoo on my hip and its actually starting to stretch.....yikes!

22 Weeks - The Registry

Is it fall yet...No Joke - I'm cooking here and its just starting to get over 90. Chicago gets HOT in the summer even with the wind - ick Hot Wind, creating HOT dust storms - its just gross. Beside that things are starting to heat up I'm progressing along quite well. Had an appointment today with Dr. G. Just a little check up and to discuss the ultrasound where everything was normal. Heartbeat is around 156 and Belly size is right where it should be. According to online sources Baby P weighs about a pound and from here on out gains 1/4 lb per week.


This weekend hubby and I decided to start our registry. I already had the stroller, car seat, and high chair picked out. Initially I didn't want a high chair because it'll take up too much space and not be used for the first few months. So we loaded into the car and drove out to a Babies R Us which is right on the city border, its stop and go the whole way - it was not a fun drive. Unfortunately I was highly disappointed when we arrived. All the items I planned to go view were all online orders only so not even demos were available. We did go around and scan some other needed baby items like a play mat, nursery items, and bath time fun.Warning to all moms - don't let dad run off with the gun - the next day I checked the registry online and hubby had scanned legos and anything with kitties on it.

Leaving in a disappointment we decided to check out baby row in Lincoln Park. Baby row is actually an area in LP that happens to have a number of baby stores in a quarter mile radius. The stores are Land of Nod, Bellini Baby, Baby Gap, Galt Baby, and Pottery Barn kids.  So we headed for the intersection of North/Sheffield/Clyborn streets. First we went to Land of Nod and although they carried the brand we were looking for they also did not stock it in store - they carried the very high end strollers. Next was Bellini - mostly I went there to get an idea of the cribs they carry.

Finally I got dragged we went to Galt Baby. Praise Baby Jesus for Galt Baby, not only did they carry the brand (PegPerego) in store but they have every single item I wanted and knowledgable staff to explain everything I needed to know. Also something important to know about Galt Baby - they will professionally install all car seats purchased and have an in-store service department which most store items receive free service for a year (might be 2).

Back to the high chair - at GB my first pick got trumped by the grand daddy of high chairs. Now first I must say I understand that even decent high chairs do not have to cost an arm. My goal of items we are selecting for our registry are to be multi use - our condo is not that big, meaning, I can't get a high chair, a Bumbo chair, and a swing....it needs to be one item that sufficiently has the purpose of those items.

Here comes this!!!! It starts as an infant high chair thru toddler, its got wheels so I can put Baby P in there, and move her around with me throughout the condo - to the bed room, nursery, even right outside the shower door. Here's the kicker - its also a swing!!! Thats right, it converts into a swing.... It is a very awesome item in my book but the price screams NO! So we'll have to research some other items and make a decision but for now its staying on the list.

21 Weeks and Counting

First off BIG NEWS - Its a Girl!!!! We had our midway point ultrasound last week and its was a very exciting experience. All I knew was the appointment would take around 30 mins and we would be able to find out the sex of the baby. What I didn't expect were the 150+ different types of measurements taken. It was breathtaking to sit there for 30 minutes and see our little baby girl - I wish I could have an ultrasound every week.

On the Workout Front

Well I'm done running. I thought the belly support band would help with the lower abdomen pain and provide some stability in my hips but unfortunately my body just wasn't made to run prego. The support band will come in handy for walks where I still get some pain and soreness but its not nearly as bad. I signed up for a new gym membership this week. Since the move we've canceled our other gym to switch to something a bit closer. I'm not a huge fan of the new gym since they pack all their cardio equipment into one small space and the weights area seems 'meaty'. Since I'm no longer in triathlon training mode I now workout with everyone else at peak times. Yesterday I went for the first time and did the elliptical for 20mins and the reclined bike for 20. The equipment was nice, the ventilation was not so nice.... and I totally blame the ventilation, not the fact I've gained 15 pounds, am slowly becoming out of shape, and refuse to wear anything less than a t-shirt!

What I've been eating

*kid cereal-Crispix, Coco Krispies(whole foods brand), and Frosted Flakes(whole foods brand)
*fruit - every night I have a fruit bowl before I go to bed - strawberries, blueberries, peaches, & apricots
*yogurt & pudding - Activia fruit yogurt and can't have enough tapioca pudding
*pancakes - especially the pancake delight from victory banner!!!
*pie - mostly apple but any seasonal fruit will due. i went through 2 a week my first trimester
*pulled pork - i dream daily of pulled pork sammies and baby back ribs

What used to be my staple foods

*oatmeal - mostly oatbran w/ pumpkin butter
*eggs - i loved restaurant omelets w/ feta and asparagus
*protein fruit smoothies
*my leafy greens - spinach & brocoli
*chocolate - which is a huge surprise i can't stand the stuff now

 The Sunburst Crew