It's really starting to stick out....

Those were Jay's words the other day, and now that I see it for myself I must say he's right. Due to the largeness of the belly I'm a bit limited in my clothing these days, but with only 7 weeks to go I think I'll wait until after the baby arrives to go shopping (going to the mall to look for maternity clothes just doesn't sound fun at this point). Several folks have commented that I officially "waddle" now. And I'm sure they are right too. But other than that, and waking up a couple times each night (for no other reason than to roll over it seems), I'm still feeling great. The baby moves around quite a bit, but nothing that is bothersome. Seems to be a kicker as opposed to a puncher (good thing Jay bought that soccer outfit in Ireland). It's funny to watch my stomach explode into action but whenever I try to show someone else the kid stops as if it knows it has an audience. Must not be as outgoing as it's parents....yet.

Baby in 4D

It doesn't look nearly as good here as it did in person (the pictures they gave me are much clearer than the scan I used to post them online), but here are a few samples of our baby captured in 4D by one of the GE Ultrasound machines at work. Hopefully you can tell which one is the foot and which one is the face. It was cool to watch the baby sucking it's thumb and see the mouth and feet moving. The picture was actually so clear that you can already tell the baby has my lips. Jury's still out on who's nose it is.

The Head is Down

Yes, the head is down where it's supposed to be and the heart is still thumping along (sounding less like a choo-choo train and more like a human now). Still amazing to me how the doctor can feel around on the belly and tell exactly what's what...neither Jay or I posses that kind of talent. From now on the appointments are every other week (we've reached a significant milestone), with only 8 weeks left until April 15th!

Check out that baby move!

It is 3:51pm and I'm sitting at my desk watching my belly move as the baby wriggles around. At other times this has occurred during meetings, and I always wonder if anyone else notices the amazing amount of movement that can easily be viewed by those nearby. Unfortunately I still can't get the baby to move on command when people are actually interested in seeing it, poking and prodding doesn't seem to do the trick, but Jay did get to catch a quick glimpse last night. He arrived back from his trip yesterday evening, bearing gifts of course. The baby will be sporting an Ireland onesie in it's first few months, and maybe around age 2 a very sporty Irish soccer outfit.

I'm pretty sure I just got kicked in the bladder....

It's starting to look like a baby lives here...

This past week both my co-workers and neighbors threw baby showers for me, which made for a very fun week!

The crib is now baby ready, and there's even a bed for mom or dad to sleep if we so desire. Else I'm sure Rosco will enjoy taking his naps next to the little one! A few decorations for the walls and then I think the room itself will be complete. Still need the baby of course. ;)

How do you define a healthy breakfast?

I had my last appointment with the Diabetic Educator this week...key word being last. All of my 2hr readings were normal, and consequently she believes we will have a "normal" sized baby (whatever happens to be normal for the combination of our genes, I'm hoping that means under 9 lbs) So I now only have to test my blood sugar levels three times a day, and possibly less as the weeks go by. One area I have been advised to make a change in is breakfast. Apparently I don't produce enough insulin to breakdown cereal, milk, fruit, and oatmeal. It has been suggested that I have eggs and toast instead. (though some people might find this delicious, I personally do not like eggs enough to eat them on a daily basis). But for now I will do as advised, which is why I have 2 dozen eggs in the fridge along with a package of Jimmy Dean breakfast sandwiches for those days where I just don't have enough time to cook in the morning. (which will likely be most days monday through friday!) Did you know that 3 eggs with cheese, 3pieces of bacon, 2 sausage patties, toast and a glass of juice is considered a healthy breakfast? Who'd a thunk a McDonald's or Denny's style breakfast would be better than a bowl of oatmeal with fruit? (I'm sure if my problem was cholesterol I'd be given a different definition of a healthy breakfast.)

Bear Down...

The jersey fits even better with a big belly! The loss was disappointing but the game started out with a bang. I got so excited during the opening kickoff (who knew that would be the only shining moment for the Bears during the Superbowl) that it wasn't until after the touchdown was over that I noticed Jay on the floor laughing hysterically, picking up empty plates and glasses. I then realized that in all my cheering and enthusiasm my belly had in fact almost turned the entire table over, spilling all of our drinks out onto the floor of the pub. Quite funny. Thankfully hardly anyone else noticed as the crowd was enthralled with the touchdown itself and Bud Light commercials that followed. Then today I was writing on a white board and sat back down at the table when it was pointed out to me that I had smeared black dry erase marker all over my lower belly. It seems as my hand was writing the belly was erasing. Even funnier eh? This time everyone noticed, as it's very hard to hide black marker on a huge cream and tan belly.

Sofari So Goody...

This is day 3 of testing my blood sugar after each meal, and so far so good. Only one meal has put me above the "acceptable" blood sugar range and it was grilled cheese on wheat with tomato white bean soup. Interesting, because my body handles pasta just fine (WOOO HOOOOO!) and I thought for sure that reading would be horrible given that there is no other food that I love more than pasta. No diet yet, just avoidance of certain things like regular pop, candy, baked beans, asian food, BBQ sauce, jelly, and syrup. Which all are pretty easy for me to avoid actually (though over the holidays the candy part would have been a bit of a challenge) Next week based on my readings from this week we then determine how many carbs I can have per day. So 4 times a day, starting with when I wake up in the morning, I prick my finger and use this little gadget to determine my blood sugar level. And I keep a diary of everything I eat throughout the day. Pretty easy to do most of the time, and it will continue up until the point the baby arrives, and then all goes back to normal. Related to eating and blood sugar that is.

Oh and I had to laugh when the diabetic educator asked if I had an "exercise plan" that I was following. I responded with "Does walking up the stairs at work everyday qualify as a plan?"

The View at Week 29

Brown versus Orange...

In the battle between brown sugar drink and orange sugar drink, orange is the winner in terms of most nasty. Today I had the pleasure of experiencing the brown beverage, and it was hands down better than the orange. Of the four blood samples taken this morning, I was above the normal glucose range for the first hour and second hour following the super sugared brown drink. And so I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and have an appointment to meet with a diabetic educator at the hospital next week to determine what I might need to adjust in my habits. Apparently only 5% of pregnant people have this condition, and I am one of the lucky women that will actually get put on a diet while pregnant. Perhaps this is the universe's way of pointing out that the entire pregnancy cannot be easy and effortless. Better now than during labor. ;)

A three hour test...a three hour test

That's what I get for complaining about needles and orange flavored pop. I will be returning to the doctor's office on Friday for a three hour gestational diabetes test because my glucose count was 3 points above the "normal" range. Thankfully the nurse has assured me that the needle will not be in my arm for three hours (yes, I asked). So bring on the nasty flavored orange drink....BRING IT.

Jay finds this all rather amusing as it means we may both be starting a low-carb diet in the near future. I however find the thought of a pasta, bread, dessert and fruit restricted diet to be absolutely tortureous.

Oh, and while visiting with the doctor today she has assured me that pushing or poking at the baby will not "break" it.

Wha wha wha, bla bla, blabla

We read that now is the time that the baby starts to recognize voices (which I find interesting as I imagine it sounds something like the teacher's voice on Charlie Brown), so Jay has been communicating with the belly every now and then. And twice now the baby has responded by pressing it's body up against my belly so that you can actual feel it's body with your hand. The first time that happened I was a bit weirded out and told Jay not to push to hard so we don't break it.

We have another doctor's appointment Monday, and this time I get to pee in the cup and get tested for gestational diabetes. I really dislike orange pop but I am going to do my best to chug it down as instructed as my dislike for needles is much worse, and I do not want to have to come back for the follow up test where they poke you for hours. At our first appointment while they were drawing the 5 viles of blood (most I recall ever having taken out of my body at once) I was asked 3 times if I was doing ok. Apparently I looked a little freaked out.

So Long Second Trimester

Today marks the last day of the second trimester, as Sunday is the official start of the third and final trimester. During this exciting time I have come to the realization that putting on socks and shoes are no longer easy tasks, and some of my maternity clothes are in fact too small. I think my "nesting" phase has concluded, after cleaning out most of the drawers and closets in the house. The basement and attic will have to wait for the next round of motivation. I've submitted my disability claim for work and am going to request the full 12 weeks of FMLA time, which would put me back to work after the 4th of July holiday. I am looking forward to having my days with the baby during warm weather, and have grand plans for us to walk to the grocery store and dog treat shop (we'll see how it goes after we try it for the first time). But for now I am mostly indoors, planning and getting as many "to do" items checked off the list as possible. Today I even put together our 2006 photo album. Hmmm...maybe the nesting phase isn't over yet...

Diana in Chestnut

So titled is the name of our crib. Jay put it together and minus a few bolts it's ready to go (the box was two short). The baby moves around on a daily basis, though some days it's more active than others. Sometimes Jay is able to feel it kicking, but the little one hasn't learned yet how to do this on command. Rosco fell off the bed the other night which could be an indication that I'm getting bigger but more likely is a sign that he is not getting any smarter. I have a bit of a waddle to my walk now, and there's not as much space for my bladder, but I'm still sleeping through the night just fine (except for when woken by the sound of a 90lb lab hitting the floor). Other than that not much is new....Diana is our latest excitement.

Beginnings of a Baby Room

We completed phase 1 of project baby room this week, painting the walls light green, installing a new ceiling light, and putting up new curtains. Phase 2 will be Jay putting together the crib that we picked out today, and of course there will be a phase 3 also so stay tuned. ;)

Now we just have to get the queen size boxspring out of our dining room....

Week 23 and all is well!

We've entered the 23rd week of the pregnancy and boy does it show! I think I have to retract what I said about the "growth" slowing down as now that I see myself on film I have to admit that the belly is growing at a fairly steady pace. We had our monthly appointment with the doctor this week and the heartbeat now sounds more like an actual heart as opposed to a choo-choo train. The doctor gave me the delicious looking orange carbonated drink to gulp before my next appointment to check for diabetes. (I detest orange pop but I think I can manage). And we've found ourselves a pediatrician nearby that comes highly recommended from several friends. He isn't associated with the hospital where we will deliver, but that's no problem because my obgyn is also a ped and said she will do the initial slap on the butt and inspection. My feet seem to have gone back to almost their regular size so I guess they must have been swollen last week. And last but not least...I can feel the baby move on a fairly regular basis, usually right when I wake up in the morning and then several more times throughout the day. Hopefully Jay will be able to feel it soon!

Even my feet?

I knew it could happen eventually, but now, in week 22 of my pregnancy? My shoes are tight!!!! Shoes, the one apparel item I thought I would remain the same size in and be able to blissfully shop for while pregnant. I have been a size 8 shoe since junior high and now it seems even my feet are growing. That's right growing, they don't look swollen, their size doesn't change throughout the day, they actually seem to be wider than they were before from the minute I put my shoes on in the morning. Normally I would be excited to have an excuse to go out and by new shoes, but oddly I find myself dreading a trip to the store. I instead choose to try on every pair in my closet and identify which ones are "bigger" that still fit comfortably without hindering my walking ability.

I mean an 8 1/2 wide? How the heck am I going to find that size on the sale racks?

Things I've Learned While Pregnant

• Grey's Anatomy is not for the paranoid or emotionally unstable. I have only had 3 emotional breakdowns so far during this pregnancy, and two of them have been during episodes of this beloved ABC show.
• There is an Early Today Show. It comes on at 4AM central time, and isn't quite as good as the actual Today Show, but it beats Saved by the Bell.
• The belly is cute and adorable to everyone except the person with the belly. I am pretty sure this only applies while you are actually pregnant or if you are a belly dancer in some exotic country.
• Never be without matches. (for those of you that can't figure this one out, sorry, that's all the detail you get)
• There is no such thing as average. Everyone is different, so why even calculate an average to have people compare themselves to? Thankfully my doctor does not do this else I might punch her.
• Your sign actually does describe you, quite accurately. Patience is not a virtue I posses. I am responsible, analytical, energetic and witty, determined and aggressive. I like to be in control, and can be argumentative. AND according to the due date I am bringing someone into the world who is going to be just like me! (How did I not realize this sooner?!?!?!)

Boots, Cribs, and Cookies

We experienced our first blizzard in Milwaukee on Friday, which resulted in about a foot of snow and temperatures under 20 degrees (when I woke up the other morning it was 8 degrees outside). And so the pregnant lady now wears boots as part of her latest fashionable attire. Provided Rosco doesn't see any rabbits as I'm walking through an icy patch I think I'll be ok (not that I'm going on very long walks these days...I'm a bit of a wimp in the cold). And I even still have a winter coat that zips (though I look like George Costanza when I wear it, remember the puffy coat?)
Since we ended up with a free weekend and couldn't enjoy the snow by going sledding (due to the belly), Jay and I went and looked at baby furniture. Similar to the baby registry experience shopping for baby furniture is not quite as fun as looking for regular furniture. ;) We were however able to nail down what color wood we'd like, but we'll need to work on picking out a style. (crib with a drop side, crib without a drop side, crib with a hinge on the side, changing station vs. dresser) And we've settled on a wall color, it's a shade of light green, which probably contains a hint of khaki or taupe in it which is why I like it.
Despite the cold, I seem to be on an ice cream kick lately. Though I don't seem to be growing as fast, which is quite a relief! For a while I was afraid I was headed for the 80 pound pregnancy. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. ) I've packed in 20 so far, and I'm sure with Christmas and Chanukah that won't hold for long (cuz I love me some latkes and cookies). Yes mom, I realize that's not proper English. ;)

Bare Naked Belly

Get it? As in Bare Naked Boppy but instead this passage is titled Bare Naked Belly. HAH! There seems to be some action going on in the belly over the past couple weeks, even though the baby is only 10.5 ounces I am pretty sure that I can feel the baby moving every now and then, usually two or three quick bubble popping sort of sensations from inside the belly, but nothing that can be felt on the surface. So riddle me this . . .if the baby is under a pound and only 8 inches in length, how is it exactly that my belly is so huge? Yes, yes, I know, there's the placenta and fluids and all that other junk in there but mathematically it still doesn't all add up. And they say it will get even bigger . . .yikes.