1) Mom-to-be hits 20 weeks. Half way there!
2) Dad-to-be gets kicked. He's been able to feel what I call "baby lumps" (my lumps, my lumps, my freaky baby lumps) for a couple of weeks, but last night was the first time he felt a real kick. Followed by a boatload more this morning.
3) Mom-to-be outgrows her first pair of maternity pants. Boo.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
It's a ........
We had our big ultrasound Thursday. It was pretty freaking cool, even though the u/s tech couldn't let us record any video of our crazy kicking kid. (There's something totally different about seeing it move on screen that is just not captured in the fuzzy black and white pictures they print for you.)
That little kicker turns out to be a girl. The very first picture was of her giving us a thumbs up, like, "See, Mom and Dad, I'm doing fine in here." It took a while for the tech to get her to show us her goods (I hope she stays modest!) but after quite a bit of bouncing, she finally jiggled up enough, and next thing we know, "It's a girl!" flashed on the the monitor. Good thing they label it, because we had no idea what we were looking at.
The tech said she can usually get some cool feet pictures, but our kid wouldn't hold still long enough. Her feet just kept fluttering back and forth. Like a swimmer with nowhere to go.
A cool thing I learned is that the hard parts that sometimes poke out of my belly are actually her feet or butt or even head. But mostly feet. Apparently, when she stretches out, so do I. For a couple of weeks, I actually thought I might be having Braxton Hicks contractions (I even called the nurse to see if that was normal). Then last weekend, I was pushing on a lump and felt a corresponding pressure on the opposite side of my uterus. And that's when I realized, those lumps were baby parts! Of course, when I relayed that to Chris, he freaked out that I was pushing anything on my belly ('cause you know, I might give the baby a concussion).
What's really kind of freaky is that one of my earliest pregnant dreams was of feet pushing out of my belly. It was totally alien and grossed me out at the time, and I guess it has sort of come true.
I forgot to ask the tech where the placenta was located. I only feel the baby on my right side, which makes me wonder if it's normal to hang out on one side of the uterus, or if maybe the placenta's on the left side and I just can't feel her through it.
As far as being pregnant goes, I'm feeling better but still exhausted ("The new normal," my best friend termed it). At least now, if I start to feel sick, it's because I'm tired or hungry, and I can actually do something about it. So I'm accepting that this is probably as good as it's going to get, and I need to enjoy it while I can.
That little kicker turns out to be a girl. The very first picture was of her giving us a thumbs up, like, "See, Mom and Dad, I'm doing fine in here." It took a while for the tech to get her to show us her goods (I hope she stays modest!) but after quite a bit of bouncing, she finally jiggled up enough, and next thing we know, "It's a girl!" flashed on the the monitor. Good thing they label it, because we had no idea what we were looking at.
The tech said she can usually get some cool feet pictures, but our kid wouldn't hold still long enough. Her feet just kept fluttering back and forth. Like a swimmer with nowhere to go.
A cool thing I learned is that the hard parts that sometimes poke out of my belly are actually her feet or butt or even head. But mostly feet. Apparently, when she stretches out, so do I. For a couple of weeks, I actually thought I might be having Braxton Hicks contractions (I even called the nurse to see if that was normal). Then last weekend, I was pushing on a lump and felt a corresponding pressure on the opposite side of my uterus. And that's when I realized, those lumps were baby parts! Of course, when I relayed that to Chris, he freaked out that I was pushing anything on my belly ('cause you know, I might give the baby a concussion).
What's really kind of freaky is that one of my earliest pregnant dreams was of feet pushing out of my belly. It was totally alien and grossed me out at the time, and I guess it has sort of come true.
I forgot to ask the tech where the placenta was located. I only feel the baby on my right side, which makes me wonder if it's normal to hang out on one side of the uterus, or if maybe the placenta's on the left side and I just can't feel her through it.
As far as being pregnant goes, I'm feeling better but still exhausted ("The new normal," my best friend termed it). At least now, if I start to feel sick, it's because I'm tired or hungry, and I can actually do something about it. So I'm accepting that this is probably as good as it's going to get, and I need to enjoy it while I can.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Dictionary of hurls
WARNING: Readers with weak stomachs and/or virus or hormone-induced nausea may want to stop here.
*********
Tuesday night broke my vomit-free record of 8 days. After 12 weeks of this, I think I am a certifiable expert on hurling. What follows is list of different types of this activity. Did I miss anything?
Whoops hurl: This one typically begins with a tickle in the back of your throat. You cough, and next thing you know, you're running for the nearest repository, often a sink or trash can. In a worst case scenario, you're stuck in your car with no receptacle bin and have make do like a cow (swallow and digest again).
Skimming-the-cream-off-the-top hurl: This may occur when you've just eaten a little too much and just that little bit pops back up. Usually not too traumatizing. One cough, and it's over.
Fruity hurl: You might think that fruit would be less offensive to vomit. After all, it's juicy and sweet going down; why not coming up? Wrong! Something happens in your stomach that causes fruit like apples and watermelon to become among the worst to hurl. One exception is strawberries, but only if they are regurgitated within an hour of eating.
Solid hurl: This happens when you think you've outsmarted your stomach by avoiding any liquids near mealtime. Carbs contribute to the most solid of hurls. Chewing thoroughly may help reduce the offensiveness of this type of hurl, but it's usually pretty raw.
Chunky hurl: This can happen if you drink liquids with your meal, or if fruits and vegetables - particularly salad - have been incorporated with your meal. It's best to avoid this. A sore throat is a common side effect.
Liquid hurl: This can occur after solids have been extracted and/or if you have been dutifully hydrating. Once you've experienced a few of these, you know why clear liquids are recommended.
Bile (or empty) hurl: This happens after the solids and unoffensive liquids have been extracted. One of the worst. Energy exerted typically exceeds return. Many a bile hurler has been surprised to see a relatively empty toilet, given the the effort expended.
Extended hurl: This usually brings the hurler to her knees; she may even find herself accidentally hugging a filthy toilet for support. It typically starts with a solid hurl, followed by a chunky one. There may be a brief moment of respite where the hurler thinks she is done, only to be surprised by a violent liquid hurl. If the hurler is lucky, she will feel relieved once her stomach is completely emptied of foreign matter. But in a worst case scenario, this may be followed by a bile hurl and/or what is frequently known as dry heaving. Just try to remember to breathe.
Morning-after hurl: It's been a long time since I've experienced one of these. But from what I recall, these frequently start with a chunky hurl, followed by an extended liquid hurl that may still reek (or burn) from the shots you thought were a good idea the previous night. After one of these, the hurler may be overcome with a sense of relief and a strong desire to eat something greasy. Do not delay, drive immediately to the closest McDonalds.
*********
Tuesday night broke my vomit-free record of 8 days. After 12 weeks of this, I think I am a certifiable expert on hurling. What follows is list of different types of this activity. Did I miss anything?
Whoops hurl: This one typically begins with a tickle in the back of your throat. You cough, and next thing you know, you're running for the nearest repository, often a sink or trash can. In a worst case scenario, you're stuck in your car with no receptacle bin and have make do like a cow (swallow and digest again).
Skimming-the-cream-off-the-top hurl: This may occur when you've just eaten a little too much and just that little bit pops back up. Usually not too traumatizing. One cough, and it's over.
Fruity hurl: You might think that fruit would be less offensive to vomit. After all, it's juicy and sweet going down; why not coming up? Wrong! Something happens in your stomach that causes fruit like apples and watermelon to become among the worst to hurl. One exception is strawberries, but only if they are regurgitated within an hour of eating.
Solid hurl: This happens when you think you've outsmarted your stomach by avoiding any liquids near mealtime. Carbs contribute to the most solid of hurls. Chewing thoroughly may help reduce the offensiveness of this type of hurl, but it's usually pretty raw.
Chunky hurl: This can happen if you drink liquids with your meal, or if fruits and vegetables - particularly salad - have been incorporated with your meal. It's best to avoid this. A sore throat is a common side effect.
Liquid hurl: This can occur after solids have been extracted and/or if you have been dutifully hydrating. Once you've experienced a few of these, you know why clear liquids are recommended.
Bile (or empty) hurl: This happens after the solids and unoffensive liquids have been extracted. One of the worst. Energy exerted typically exceeds return. Many a bile hurler has been surprised to see a relatively empty toilet, given the the effort expended.
Extended hurl: This usually brings the hurler to her knees; she may even find herself accidentally hugging a filthy toilet for support. It typically starts with a solid hurl, followed by a chunky one. There may be a brief moment of respite where the hurler thinks she is done, only to be surprised by a violent liquid hurl. If the hurler is lucky, she will feel relieved once her stomach is completely emptied of foreign matter. But in a worst case scenario, this may be followed by a bile hurl and/or what is frequently known as dry heaving. Just try to remember to breathe.
Morning-after hurl: It's been a long time since I've experienced one of these. But from what I recall, these frequently start with a chunky hurl, followed by an extended liquid hurl that may still reek (or burn) from the shots you thought were a good idea the previous night. After one of these, the hurler may be overcome with a sense of relief and a strong desire to eat something greasy. Do not delay, drive immediately to the closest McDonalds.
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