I’m beginning to question my math July 19, 2008

I don’t know if you remember, but way back when I went in for my first appointment of this pregnancy I was stunned to be able to hear Baby Baby’s heartbeat loud and clear. Stunned!

Now, looking back, I’m wondering if all of the hearing Baby Baby’s heartbeat at 8 weeks, and measuring 3 weeks ahead of where I think I should be might be some sort of indicator that my math is fuzzier than generally believed.

Maybe I am closer to 34 weeks?

That would make me feel better about the fact that I’ve been having contractions all afternoon. I have mild feeling contractions that have definitely settled into an “every ten minutes” event. Normally I would assume that these are braxton hicks, but I feel suspiciously like I did when I went into surprise labor with Mister. Anyone have experience with braxton hicks? Are they mildly painful?

I called my office and had the on-call OB give me a buzz, just to check in. I was totally bummed when she called back and it turned out that I got the bitchy one that is infamous for her glaring lack of bedside manner. Dr. B asked me a bunch of questions to rate my pain, wanted to know what my treating OB had been recommending as a course of action (for the pain that just started today, but whatever), and recommended I drink some Maalox and put my feet up until I feel better. And also, if it turns out it’s not gas or heartburn, I should call back and schedule an appointment to see a non OB to have my gallbladder checked. And I asked her what I should think if an increase in activity seems to prompt the pain to worsen, and she suggested that we would need to have my musculoskeletal system looked at. To see what might be triggering this pain.

Um, could it have anything to do with the 4 pound person currently residing in my uterus?

I didn’t go to medical school or anything, but I HAVE had experience with three pregnancies, and it might seem to ME that this would either be A) braxton hicks, B) standard uterine growth related nonsense, C) somewhat related to the 100 degree temperatures outside of my house, OR D) preterm labor which isn’t going to be helped by Maalox. Or is it? I don’t know, medicine advances all the time when I’m not looking.

So anyway, I AM taking her advice to take it easy to see if that helps. I am NOT taking Maalox since this seems to be totally unrelated to anything I’ve eaten. I’m biding my time until these mystery contractions stop, or until I know Dr. B is off-duty so I can call and speak to a reasonable person who might have another working theory.

Sigh. A good doctor is worth his or her weight in Gold. No, PLATINUM!

Anyway, I’ll keep you all posted on these contractions and all of the possible hoopla. I’m keeping it low key tonight in hopes that I wake up contraction-free in the morning.

Baby Baby and the Big Giant Melon Head. July 17, 2008

Ok, so I have good news and interesting news.

The good news is that once again, my fears about some mystery cause for being put on bedrest remain unfounded.

The interesting news is that Baby Baby is now measuring at 33 weeks, and for those of you keeping score at home, if I’m 30 weeks, that means that he’s measuring THREE WEEKS ahead.  Last time I was in the office, he was measuring two weeks ahead, so, um……huh.

This week I had my ultrasound, as you know.  Everything on Baby Baby measured spot on for 33 weeks- his head, his legs, arms, belly, everything.  Even MY belly measured at 33 weeks. At 30 weeks gestation, this puts him in the 91% percentile, and tentatively at 4 pounds 1 ounce.  HILARIOUS considering that outside of the womb, we consider it a victory when my children even register in a percentile.

As for my end of things, I gained another 2 pounds, which puts me at 20 pounds gained, and my blood pressure looks good.  My midwife now seriously considers Baby Baby a candidate for coming a little early, and at my next appointment (in 2 weeks), she wants to schedule me for another ultrasound to check in on the “little” guy.

Le sigh.

More updates, and anticipation July 16, 2008

Ok, I’ve been progressing on my Baby Baby list like you wouldn’t believe. This, coupled with the fact that I’m filled with glee over the idea of re-organizing my linen closet leads me to believe I have not moved past nesting, as previously thought.

Ok, here’s where I stand:

• cradle bumper, white
• cradle fitted sheets (2), white
• waterproof pad for cradle mattress
  
• Born Free GLASS bottles (2 sets of 3)
  
• bottle drying rack
• muslin swaddling wraps, white (1 pack of 4)
  
• BPA-free pacifiers
• white side snap newborn tees (2 packs of 4) (loved these for Lady and Mister)
• white long sleeved newborn onesies (2 packs of 4)
• lovey
• blankie
• Bebe au Lait
• crib bedding (Thanks to my GENEROUS parents)
  
• newborn tub
• coming home outfit
• tiny little hats to fit a newborn head (2)
• pump
• nursing tanks (4)
• nursing Bras (3)
• ultimate baby wrap, gray
• booster seat (for Mister so Baby Baby can take the high chair when he’s ready)
• tiny newborn cotton pants (2-4 pair)

And seriously, thoughts on nursing bras? Which ones are the good ones and when should I make the purchase?

Above and beyond all of this prep and nesting and being highly organized well in advance of Baby Baby’s arrival, I still can’t shake this nagging feeling that he’s A) going to come significantly early, or B) something new and exciting is going to happen with this pregnancy like I’ll end up on bed rest with my 3 year old and my 18-19 month old beating each other senseless on the other side of the room. I don’t know what’s making me feel that way, random worry I suppose? But still, I have my surprise bonus ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow to check in on the Baby Baby himself since he seems to be measuring a leettle beeeg. I’ll keep you posted, and in the mean time let’s all just assume I’m making up both scenarios A) and B), k?

K.

Calling all working boobs July 14, 2008

I need your input on two things: nursing bras and nursing shields.

Any particular brands and styles you love in the nursing bra department?  Nursing pads?  I’m in a whole new territory here so lay it on me- are those little cotton dealies not going to cut it for me anymore?

HA! July 12, 2008

Our backyard experiment continues to be a raging success. So much so that we’ve decided to carry that effort into the front so as to dazzle the front of the house as well as the back. Nothing is really wrong with the front yard per se, except that it’s pretty thin on account of the truly massive shade we get out front, and we have a wee clover problem, which compared to the backyard, is almost not worth mentioning.

But still! High on the grass that is coming up in the back (or something like that), we’ve decided that we cannot contain our glee and must continue with the rehabbing of the Cricket Yard. This time, I’m going to provide photo documentation, the likes of which will not be nearly as dramatic as the back yard, but still. Photo proof.

Sweetie and Lady are outside as I type, working to dethatch our front yard. Sweetie’s plan then is to lower the blade as far as he can on our mower and just shear the existing grass down as much as can be. We’ll spot treat the clover, till that over, and then spread a very thin layer of topsoil. Then: WE SEED (which is my favorite part. What else can we put in a spreader??). Included today for your viewing pleasure:

Swetie hard at work in the front yard and Lady hard at supervising.

Our unbelievable back yard. One week ago this was 100% topsoil, and now just LOOK! This is why we’re addicted to seeding our lawn.

Here’s Lovey sincerely wishing that there might be some job for a Bichon to do.

And here is a dejected Lovey after learning that when prepping the yard for reseeding, there is simply no job for a Bichon to do.