April 29, 2011

Random Thoughts & Happenings

Gestation:  27 weeks 3 days
Weight:  116 lbs

My third trimester is just around the corner - I can't believe it!  The time is going by so fast.  In the beginning, days felt like weeks and weeks felt like months and I was always counting...waiting to get to to 8 weeks, 10 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks.  Now, the weeks are flying by and in the blink of an eye I'm going to be 30 weeks then 36 weeks then 40 weeks!!!

I went for my glucose screening test this week - I should get the results next week when I see my midwife - fingers crossed I passed.  There's no reason to believe I won't pass, but you never know.

We started painting Cub Scout's room - finally.  It's not finished, but I'm glad we've started.

My baby registry is done.

Cub Scout continues to remain in the exact same position as always.  I find this very strange because I always thought babies moved around a lot.  He kicks a lot and his kicks are definitely getting stronger and they are not as cute as they used to be, especially when I am trying to go to sleep :)  Is it uncommon for a baby to not change position?  Does he not have enough room in there?  Or is he just a calm, peaceful baby who doesn't feel the need to do gymnastics?

Eating...ugh.  I eat all the time.  I'm never really hungry but I just eat one small thing after another.  I am so tired of eating.  My weight gain seems to be slowing down.  For a while there it seemed like I was gaining about one pound per week but now it seems to be less.  I really hope I can make it to my recommended weight gain or close to it.

Back pain persists.  It is always the worst at work.  Sitting at a computer most of the day is so uncomfortable.  I am ready to finish work now!

I still can't believe I'm going to be a mommy.  I don't know how to be a mommy.  I have no idea how to care for an infant.  I'm reading all the books, but still, I feel completely clueless.

Less than 13 weeks to go....holy crap!

April 13, 2011

My Lovely Baby Bumps

Cub Scout is pretty darn comfortable incubating in my uterus.  So comfortable that he never changes position.  Oh, he kicks and punches - a LOT - but always in the exact same spots. 

In addition to my overall baby bump, I have two very distinct bumps that are always in the same place which is how I know that Cub Scout never changes position.  My midwife confirmed for me that the larger bump is in fact his little butt and legs and the smaller bump is his head. 

Being slender with no excess body fat and my baby weight in my belly and my boobs I guess is what helps makes my lovely baby bumps so visible.  I constantly sit with my hand resting on his bum - it fits so perfectly in my palm.

Cub Scout is being born in the Chinese year of the Rabbit.   Here's what is said about children born in this year:

A child born in the Rabbit's year will have a sweet disposition. Even-tempered and obedient, he will be sensitive to the moods of his parents and act accordingly. He may or may not be talkative, but he won't be rowdy or offensive. He can sit quietly and concentrate on one toy or game at a time.

Usually he is a light sleeper and may fret a lot when he is sick. He will be easy to discipline and should have little trouble fitting in at school. He learns his lessons well and with ease. But although he has better than average manners, this does not mean he will not be argumentative in his own soft-spoken way. He can grasp both sides of a question quickly and debate his point with intelligence.

At times, it will be difficult to decipher his thoughts or deeds. Smooth at masking his feelings, the Rabbit will only say what he knows will please you and thus maneuver you to his way of thinking without your even noticing it.

He will be able to fend for himself and protect his possessions. Remarkably observant, he can calculate his chances for getting his way. Instead of directly resisting rules, the subtle Rabbit will carefully devise ways around them. In short, this polite little angel is going to bargain for a better deal every time.

He can take reproach with a defiant or philosophical sort of indifference. Shrugging off his setbacks, the Rabbit will patiently start again from square one. Helpful at home, conforming in school and well-tuned to his environment, this child will know his way around people and problems. Rest assured he will be well-liked and accepted in all circles.


So maybe his lack of rowdiness in my uterus is a sign that he is going to be a calm, reflective child?  Or perhaps that is just wishful thinking and he'll come out raring to go after spending 40 weeks waiting peacefully to join us :)  One of my biggest curiosities is what his personality is going to be - I can't wait to find out!

April 12, 2011

Week 25 - Everything You Want to Know and Everything I Want to Remember

How far along:  25 weeks 
Total weight gain/loss:  Up 17 lbs. (Current weight = 115 lbs)
Maternity clothes:  I love them - they are so comfortable.  And finally found a pair of skinny maternity jeans!  Boot cut jeans aren't my favourite, I've been missing my skinny jeans oh so much, so finding a pair of skinny mat jeans makes this fashionista very, very happy :)
Stretch marks:  None (Thank God)
Sleep:  Meh.  Sadly, I'm now used to not getting a full night's sleep.  I have created a pillow fort in the bed with all the pillows I now need around me to sleep semi-comfortably.
Movement:  Every day.  Last night for the first time we saw LOTS of movement on the outside.  I've seen little jumps in my belly a couple of times but last night was a full-on dance party going on in there.  Cub Scout was having a grand old time.
Cravings:  Chocolate
Aversions:  None - but eating is becoming more difficult.  I can only eat small amounts now before feeling really full.  I'm eating less, more often.
Gender:  A little man
Symptoms:  Back pain, constantly congested, my belly feels heavy
What I miss:  Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot...
What I look forward to:  Getting the nursery painted 
Moods:  Amazed at everything - amazed I'm pregnant, amazed at my body and more and more apreciative every day that I get to experience this.
Milestones:  I'm in my 6th month! 
Medical Concerns:  None
Weekly Wisdom:  Continue to appreciate being pregnant - enjoy this time - it goes by too fast!
Worst moment this week: None
Best moment this week:  Being offered a seat on the streetcar :)

April 5, 2011

Baby, I'm Amazed

Gestation:  24 weeks
Weight:  114 lbs

Today for the first time in weeks it struck me as amazing that I'm actually pregnant.  I caught a glance at myself in the mirror and for some reason today it reminded me that I always had a feeling I would never be pregnant.  I recall having that feeling since I was a teenager. 

I've said before that I never longed to be a mom.  I did not grow up dreaming about having kids.  Obviously after being with Mr. Scout for several years things changed and I started to think about being a mom.  But all my life I always had a little feeling in the back of my head/heart that I would never be pregnant.  Whether by choice or because of infertility I didn't know.  It was just something I felt.

It's very strange to see my body as a pregnant body.  It doesn't look like my body or feel like my body.  It's a very weird experience for me to be pregnant.  Me?  Pregnant?  Who would have thought it would  happen?  Certainly not me.

I look forward to everything.  I look forward to experiencing labour and childbirth.  I look forward to feeling the indescribable love that people feel for their children.  I look forward to being infatuated with Cub Scout.  I look forward to hearing a little boy voice call me "Mommy."  I look forward to seeing Mr. Scout hold Cub Scout in his arms - just the image of it in my head makes me teary-eyed.  I look forward to seeing the love that Cub Scout's grandparents are going to lavish on him - he won't know what to do with all that love :)

It's amazing to me that this is my life right now.  How did I get to be so fortunate?

March 30, 2011

Oh, How You Are Loved

Dear Cub Scout,

We haven't yet met you or held you in our arms, but oh, how you are loved. 

Your daddy and I marvel at your growth and movements every day.  Feeling you move is the greatest feeling in the world.

Your daddy gazes at my belly every day and loves to rub it and talk to you.  He is smitten and you are going to be so fortunate to have him as your Dad.

I think of you every moment that I am awake and often sit and wonder about the type of person you will be.  I can't wait to watch you learn to walk and talk.  I can't wait to watch you learn new things.  I can't wait to watch you form your own opinions.  I can't wait to watch you make life choices.  I can't wait to see the man you will become.

March 23, 2011

Week 22 - Everything You Wanted to Know and Everything I Want to Remember

How far along:  22 weeks  1 day
Total weight gain/loss:  Up 12 lbs. (Current weight = 110 lbs)
Maternity clothes:  Definitely wearing them now.  Mostly jeans and a few tops. Fortunately I can still find loose non-maternity fashions to fit me, though it is getting harder.
Stretch marks:  Still none (Thank God)
Sleep:  Uncomfortable.  Lots of back pain.  Some hip pain.  I seem to toss and turn a lot trying to get comfortable.  Have started sleeping with a pillow tucked under by belly and boobs which helps a bit.
Movement:  Lots of movement these days.  Especially (like now) when I'm sitting quietly at my desk at work.   Also movement at night when I go to bed and am lying there trying to fall asleep.  Recently saw my stomach 'jump' from the outside - it was amazing!
Cravings:  I'm craving just one night of uninterrupted sleep!  Food cravings - none
Aversions:  Maternity clothes - it's so hard to find decent looking ones that don't make me want to vomit.  Food aversions - none
Gender:  Boy (see She's a He post below).  Mr Scout still thinks it's a girl (he didn't want to know) and all our family and friends think girl.  Boy, are they going to be surprised :)
Symptoms:  Mildly sore hip, constant back pain, constantly congested, huge boobs (ugh, I hate them!)
What I miss:  My pre-pregnancy size zero body :(
What I look forward to:  Meeting my new little man! 
Moods:  Excited.  Happy.  Positive.
Milestones:  Anatomy ultrasound was perfectly normal!
Medical Concerns:  None
Weekly Wisdom:  Embrace being pregnant and try not to sweat the small stuff - it's goes by too fast
Worst moment this week:  None.  I really am so happy.
Best moment this week:  Taking a day off and reading out loud to Cub Scout while lying in bed.

March 21, 2011

Little Things

Just want to document a few little things that I want to remember but don't necessarily require their own post.

Anatomy Scan
I had my ultrasound a couple of weeks ago and Cub Scout and his little organs are developing perfectly normally. Woo Hoo!  It's such a relief to have a normally progressing pregnancy.

I had a 3D ultrasound and it was amazing.  The images of Cub Scout were so clear and it made it really real that I've got a little one incubating in there.  It was love at first sight.

Heartbeat
Mr. Scout came to my last midwife appointment with me and he got to hear Cub Scout's heartbeat for the first time.  I'm so glad he finally heard it.  It's an amazing thing to experience and I sometimes forget how different this pregnancy is for him than me.  It's nice for him to have moments he can experience other than just watching my belly and boobs grow!

Leg Cramps
Holy pain!  Thankfully I've only had one episode of leg cramping but it was a doozy.  It was brief but it was painful.  Here's hoping it was a one-time only occurrence!

Gifts
We have been so fortunate to have been gifted many baby items already.  A dear friend gave me tons of clothes and baby gear.  As did a neighbour.  My mom bought Cub Scout his first "I Love Daddy" item.  My mom also got us a high chair, playpen and car seat.  My dad and his wife bought Cub Scout his first rattle.  My mom's partner bought Cub Scout his bassinet.  Another dear friend bought Cub Scout his first teething toy.  And of course Mommy, being the fashion whore that I am, has been buying Cub Scout far too many cute clothes :)  And the best gift of all - the baby book that Daddy gave Mommy on Christmas morning to record all of Cub Scouts firsts - I can't wait to start using it.

Kicks
Little Cub Scout is kicking up a storm and there's a definite pattern to his kicking.  I feel the kicks most often during the day as I'm sitting quietly at my desk at work.  I also feel kicks at night upon retiring to bed.  Last week for the first time I saw my belly jump when he kicked.  What a sight to behold!  On days when I feel less movement all I can think about it how much I want to feel him kick :)  Mr. Scout has felt the kicks a few times and he loves it too.

Prenatal Yoga
What a treat!  My yoga instructor is a doula and a mom of two boys.  The wealth of knowledge that she shares with us is priceless.  I love being in class with the other pregnant mommas and seeing everyone's beautiful bellies.  When doing our deep breathing exercises the instructor reminds us to "hug our babies into our bellies" and in those moments I feel like I'm sending my little one so much love.

Belly Rubs
Mr. Scout loves to rub my belly and talk to Cub Scout and it melts my heart every single time.

Back Pain
Not pleasant, but not much I can do about it.  My thin body frame was not built to handle big boobs and a big belly :)