Week 40: Yup, Still Pregnant

Quick Recap: 166lbs. Up 41 lbs from pre-pregnancy. Bit more pressure on pelvis from baby. Same ol Same ol for the most part. Still at 1cm dilated. Effaced to 2cm (I'll explain that later). Lots of braxton hicks when walking.

Peanut's Progression: Should be around 20inches long. Doctor estimates baby weighs about 8lbs. Heart rate was 136.

Dilation vs Effacement

Everyone always talks about "how far are you dilated" when really that actually doesn't matter nearly as much as how much you have effaced. I had no idea but your cervix is actually about 5 cm long (or thick, depending how you think of it) and before you give birth it completely thins out which means it is easier for it to stretch. Makes sense if you think about it. If you had two stretchy items, one 5cm think and one less than 1cm, it would be MUCH easier to stretch the thinner one.

So, that being said, my doctor is much more focused on how effaced I am. At this point I'm measuring about 2cm. Again, moving in the right direction but in his words "I'll see you next week" and he didn't mean in the hospital.

Maternity Leave in BC

What a process!!! If you happen to be a salaried employee consider yourself incredibly lucky! Applying for your EI will be much simpler. For me, I work part time and do a fair amount of overtime/fill in work. My paychecks can vary quite a lot. Services Canada made a change to EI as of last April which causes more work for your when applying but means you will get more money from them. Well worth the extra effort.

For Vancouver, you are able to enter in your 22 highest paid weeks (not pay periods) and that will bring up your average income and help offset any of the weeks where you may not have made very much money. Now here comes the annoying part. I would say 99% of employers don't pay you weekly so figuring out how much you made each week takes a bit of time. I had to go back through all of my timesheets to add up the hours, over time and holiday pay manually and then sort it from highest paid to lowest paid. Then adding into the system when applying is a whole other project.

I'll be happy I did it when we have more money coming in though.

The Hardest Part

Today is my due date, as if that means anything. No sign that labour is near. I am coping well but I would be more than happy to have contractions start at any moment. Before I actually say what the hardest part is let me preface it with a disclaimer. I am SO thankful for the large support group I have, so many family and friends are beyond excited for baby to arrive and are really involved in a great way. That being said, every day that goes by I get more and more messages asking if baby is here yet.

No matter how many times you tell friends and family "I will text you if something changes" it is still impossible for them not to ask. I have been that person so I understand it comes from a place a love. They are so excited to meet the little one and want to reach out to see how you are feeling. The trouble is, they don't realize that several other people are doing the same thing everyday and that almost every morning and night I feel frustrated that nothing has changed and baby is still stuck inside. I want nothing more than to be able to send that text and say "we are at the hospital, we'll let you know when baby arrives".

Now after all that, don't you dare stop sending me texts and messages and calling. I want to hear from you and I love to hear from you, just don't take it personally if I come across a bit crabby when I respond.

Week 39: I'm Not Nesting, I'm Bored Out Of My Mind!

Quick Recap: Weight has plateaued. Been sitting at 165 for a few weeks now. Belly is about 42 inches around. ALERT ALERT! Too much information coming at you in 3...2...1... Cervix is soft and dilated about 1cm. Lots of braxton hicks. Sleeping kinda sucks. Peeing way more than last week. Found more stretch marks.

Peanut's Progression: At this point Wiggles is just hanging out and enjoying the ride. More neural connections are made everyday but let's be real, he/she is just fuckin around in there, punching my cervix and kicking my ribs. Happy as a clam. And the lil bugger hasn't really dropped deep enough into my pelvis to start labour. Maybe tomorrow?

Maternity Leave = Bored as Hell = Nesting (or so I'm told)

Saturday marked my first day of maternity leave and naturally I found a million things to do! While I was still working I cherished my couple days off and chose to do little to nothing, now that I have literally nothing to do except relax I clearly have to do anything else BUT relax!

I managed to clean the whole kitchen, which doesn't mean put away dishes and wipe the counters. It means wipe all the cabinets and handles, wash and bleach the garbage bin, reorganize some cabinets, wipe down every appliance etc etc etc. Then of course there was laundry to do. And while I was at it I made sure to vacuum and then obviously noticed that the hall closet was in disrepair and would not function with our winter coats front and center. I refolded every towel and sheet, and reordered our coats for spring.

So tell me again what this nesting business is? Ok ok I know I'm nesting but part of this really is because I'm so bored. People keep telling me to rest but c'mon do you really expect me to park my ass on the couch for 12 hours a day watching tv or reading? That is NOT going to happen. Besides, I'm pregnant not sick. I may be slower and walk more like a penguin than I did before but I'm feeling great and may as well take advantage!

Cook, Cook, Cookin up a Storm!

What else do you do when you're bored and cleaning doesn't sound appealing, COOK! Make a crap load of freezer meals for those days when you aren't functioning well enough to even boil water.

For about $100, I made approximately 15 servings of meat lasagna, 6 servings of chicken cacciatore and 8 servings of beef chili. So that averages about $3.50 a serving. I'm sure if we added coupons to the mix we could have made it cheaper but I'm just happy to have a stock of food that just need to be defrosted and put in the oven (not the chili though).

Just today I made some healthy muffins too. Loaded up with zucchini and carrot! We'll pop those in the freezer too and will be great for a quick snack. 

Mirrors Are NOT Your Friend

I haven't seen my lady bits in months nor can I see my belly below what used to be my cute innie of a belly button. Which by the way, is SO popped that its actually flat now!

So before you get this visual of me trying to see my lady bits, that isn't where I'm going with this! I decided I needed to know for sure if I also had stretch marks (as I suspected I did) below my belly button. Since my skin is so stretched right now it's tough to tell but the stretch marks are shiny so if you get the light right you can see whats going on. I never should have grabbed that mirror. Of course I was right and I have a whole bunch of shiny squiggly lines below my belly button. I'm only left wondering what they will look like once my skin isn't a taute as a face lift gone wrong.

Breastfeeding Class

Fraser Health offers a 2 hour FREE breastfeeding class. It fills up quickly so I would recommend booking yourself in a about 3 months ahead of time.

It is super informative and full of great tips and tricks and really explains all the benefits of breastfeeding. My one criticism is that it really pushes only breastfeeding and discourages any kind of supplementation including breast milk in a bottle.

Obviously a breast feeding class is going to push "breast is best" and push it hard however I do think it can put some unnecessary pressure on Mom to feel like she has to be exclusively breast feeding for at bare minimum 6 months and if she doesn't then she is failing her baby. I hope to avoid formula at all costs because I would rather feed my baby what she/he is meant to have from nature. That being said, I also want the freedom to have a break and for Steve to enjoy feedings as well. I fully intend to pump so that we can share the responsibility of feeding and so that if I want to do back to back yoga classes I can do that because there will be a bottle of breast milk for the babe at home with Daddy.

I suppose I would leave you with one thought, sign up for informational purposes but in the end take it all with a grain of salt and remember, you need to do what is best for you and your baby and your family as a whole. And if that isn't what 1 person preaches, that is ok!


8 days left, but who's counting?!

Week 38: Counting Down!

Quick Recap: Uber emotional. No weight gain. Grease monkey hair. Car seat installed.

Peanut's Progression: Doc estimates the baby is about 6.25lbs. Should be around 19-20 inches. Still just getting chubby and bigger each day.

The Emotional Rollercoaster

Oh! Hi there pregnancy hormones! I've missed you! NOT!!! On Monday, for absolutely NO reason, I could not contain my tears. Any remotely sad song, cry. Think about our baby, cry. Something good happens, cry. Something not so good happens, cry. Cry cry cry cry cry!

This whole week my emotions have been quite topsy turvy. Happy one moment and depressed the next. Thankfully the happy moments outweigh the sad ones.

Give Me My Old Clothes Back!

I just want to wear my old clothes again! I've been wearing the same 5 tank tops for the past 6 months and I am SO OVER IT! Leggings, while SO comfortable. OVER IT! Give me back my skinny jeans!!! Maternity clothes are some of the most comfortable items I've ever owned but I can't wait to go shopping in my own closet again! There are so many great dresses and tops and JEANS I want to wear again.

Obviously I know that it will take a bit more time after baby arrives for those clothes to fit again but it will be nice to be one step closer.

Just a Grease Monkey

I'm not sure if its a weather thing or a hormone thing but for the past week I can no longer go more than 1 day without washing my hair. I'm assuming that using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner is completely unnecessary since my body is secreting more oils than usual. I have really noticed in the past month or two the lack of shedding as well. I read early on that you don't lose hair while you are pregnant but it took a while for that to happen for me. Now, I quite literally do not lose any hair! Steve even commented that he's noticed it missing from his clothes.

Itchy and Numb

The worst thing ever when you are itchy is not being able to feel a scratch. The numbness probably started 2 weeks ago but I just started really noticing it this week. Back when I was 15 I had my appendix removed, after the surgery I was left with some minor spots of numbness on my stomach that eventually went away. Until now. Although this time around it has nothing to do with surgery and everything to do with this big round belly!

As your belly grows your spine curves more to offset your posture so that you don't fall over. This correction can sometimes pinch nerves and cause numbness. The area around my bellybutton is now completely numb and let me just tell you, when my skin gets itchy, there is nothing more frustrating than not being able to feel a nice scratch sensation to relieve that itch.

The Glider Fiasco

Finally our glider chair has arrived. The first one we ordered came very badly damaged so we sent it back. Sadly the colour combination is out of stock everywhere, even directly from the manufacturer. We settled on a light denim cushion and white wood. It's a bit more blue than I would have liked but at this point I am just happy to have something comfy to sit in for future feedings and cuddle times.

2 weeks left.... c'mon lil baby time to get out!

Week 37: Wow! This Baby sure is Loved!

The favour I made for the Baby Shower

Quick Recap: 164lbs (up 39lbs from prepregnancy). Feeling big and awkward. Group B Strep negative (whoo!). Labour and delivery class. Hospital tour. Baby Shower!! :)

Peanut's Progression: Officially full term (ok time to come out now!).19.25 inches. 6.3lbs. All organs ready for the outside world.

Labour and Delivery Class

The only thing my doctor has really hounded me about is signing up for a labour and delivery class. At $50 a couple I was hesitant because I figured I could just read it all on the internet. I ended up signing us up for the class and it was well worth the $50.

If you will be delivering at Langley I highly recommend you take this class (I'll put the contact details below). Two nurses (Trudy and Sandra) teach it and they are just fabulous! They have both been working in the maternity ward of Langley for 10+ years and are very funny and sweet.

A lot of the information given I already had a good idea about (mostly because of my pregnancy app obsession) but it was a great refresher and reminder that all my questions and concerns are totally normal. The most impactful part of the class was learning that my goals for birth are very closely aligned with those of the hospital. They want to keep baby and mom and dad together as much as possible. They even wait for the cord to stop pulsing before cutting it (I was shocked that they adopted this idea and it seems to be a more midwife/naturalistic viewpoint).

You will leave with a much clearer understanding of what to expect and probably feel more confident too!

If you are interested in taking their class (and are delivering at Langley Memorial Hospital) their number is: 604-229-2241

Hospital Tour

This was mediocre. It started off with a bitter taste in my mouth because of a nurse in maternity. I was told when I booked the tour to go to the maternity ward, so I did. I was greeted not so pleasantly by a nurse who told me (as if I should know) I needed to go to the basement. Well I don't know about you but thankfully, I haven't been in that hospital for 8 ish years, and I have no idea what floor you consider the basement. Sometimes I think staff at hospitals forget that this is a place most people (hopefully) don't have to visit very often and they probably have NO idea where anything is.

Anywho, once I finally made it to the correct room the nurse leading the tour was, well, more like one of those teachers you hated in high school. Instead of telling you what you needed to know, she insisted on asking everyone. "Who knows when to call the hospital?" "Do you swaddle babies still?" etc etc... It felt like high school all over again. I was more annoyed than usual because, well, let's recap... I'm 164lbs of big bulging belly, in short shorts because I can't help but sweat ALL THE TIME, I'm sticking to these vinyl seats because I wore shorts, my boobs are itching and I sure as hell won't be scratching in front of these strangers and my brain hardly functions regarding topics I know like the back of my hand. And you want me to answer questions about something YOU are the expert on?! Don't waste my time, just tell me what I need to know and show me where to waddle myself to.

The GOOD part about the tour was, well, the tour! It was nice to see the actual ward (even though its under renovation and could look totally different when I get there). We were shown really helpful things like where to keep our snacks and food, where hubby can get extra linens and ice packs for our tender bits after birth. Seeing the rooms was great too. I was surprised how spacious they are and I was SO excited to find it had a bath tub. Momma loves herself some baths so you best believe I'll be in that tub during labour. Now if only we could add a glass of wine to the mix!!

BABY SHOWER!!!

WOW! That is the only way I can start this section. I have never felt so loved or so special (except when Steve proposed of course). Until the past couple years I've always struggled to keep friendships alive. I didn't try very hard to keep in touch and also never felt that they put the effort in either. Something switched when I moved away and I got so much better at keeping in touch, maybe it was because I was so lonely living in a city where I knew no one. It was a change for the better and I must admit I just can't get over how much support I really have in my life.

As a self professed control freak it was SOOO hard to ignore the planning process and just let my girls take over. My bridesmaids took care of everything with some help from the grandma's to be and a few others. I can't express my awe at everything they did for me and baby. They remembered how much I've loved sour keys and used them as part of a game. They had a custom cake made with the PERFECT elephant to go on top. Filled the room with balloons and streamers and had so many delicious things to eat! Even got a whole pile of classic kids books and had guests write message in them.

Speaking of guests, I had no idea so many people would want to come and celebrate our little baby with me. I was truly touched by how generous our guests were and how truly thoughtful their gifts were. My only regret is not being able to talk to everyone more. I sat that night reading through the messages guests wrote in books for Wiggles and felt guilty for missing out on some of our guests. I can only reassure myself that there will be plenty of visits once the lil monkey is here and lots of time to talk then.

I've entered the last 3 weeks of this journey with a very full heart (and belly, that cake was SO yummy!)

Week 36: You're Putting That Q-Tip Where!?

Quick Recap: Weight 162lbs. Now weekly Dr. appointments. First stretch mark. Insatiable hunger. Friggen pelvis pain.

Peanut's Progression: Almost 19inches. 5.75 lbs. Head down still. Getting fatter every day.

Give Me More FOOOOOD!!!!

OMG I didn't know it was possible to feel so hungry! Thankfully I'm not like this everyday but my god there isn't enough food in the house to possibly satisfy my hunger.

According to the books, around this time I should experience "lightening" which basically just means the baby drops a bit and my stomach and lungs get more space again. I haven't really noticed any change in the shape of my belly but then again I've haven't carried high so I'm not sure I would notice anyways. If I really think about it, breathing isn't as challenging and I certainly can stuff WAY more food in my face now.

Stretch Marks

Don't worry Christina I'm not going to tear you to shreds here for pointing out my first stretch mark :). Despite my constant belly inspection I never noticed the new addition on my skin, perhaps I was too busy counting all the silly little bumps I have. I consider myself quite lucky that it took until 35 weeks for any stretch marks to show up but it doesn't mean I wasn't annoyed about it.

In fact the whole thing went down like this... "Ok thanks for coming over Stina! Have a great night." I close the door and immediately go to my bathroom and begin the inspections. "Stretch mark!? Where!? How could I have missed it!!! THERE IT IS! Mother fucker. Stupid friggen stretch mark" Cue the pouty face. I have a moment of distress over this stupid mark but then immediately let it go. Wow! I've made some serious progress. Weeks ago that pout would have turned into a full fledged ugly cry meltdown, probably resulting in spending the rest of the night lotioning up my stomach.

I blame my 16 year old self for getting a belly button ring. I took the piercing out several years ago but that ended up being exactly where the stretch mark showed up. Makes sense I suppose since there is scar tissue there not to mention the fact that my belly button couldn't possibly push out any farther from my stomach.

The good news is there are only 2 and they are less than an inch each and pretty hard to notice. 

Group B Strep Test

Short and sweet. WHY didn't any of the books mention this!? 36 weeks and you get a q-tip swabbed into places you would rather it not. I suppose at this point I really shouldn't be surprised by anything anymore.



Baby is full term next week!

Week 35: NO! Not another Sneeze!!!

Quick Recap: Weight still steady at 160lbs. More fatigued. Back to the sour key craving. Now on meds for my barf burps

Peanut's Progression: All major organs nearly complete. Light hair called lanugo is all gone. Still fattening up.18 inches long. 5.25lbs

Beware The Sneeze!

Seriously! I never thought sneezing could be so terrifying! For my whole life I've been a 3 sneezer. It is super unusual for me to sneeze only once. That little fact makes sneezing that much scarier for me. Why? Bladder Leakage! That's why! At 28 years old, pregnancy has made me a senior citizen. Not only do I roll out of bed like I'm 80, walk slower than people 3 times my age and have to sit with lumbar support but now I also can't seem to clench hard enough to keep things contained while sneezing.

I suppose when I bought my massive pads for post pregnancy I also should have picked up some adult underwear. That satisfaction you feel after a good sneeze is now replaced with the thought of "ah shit, did I dribble?!". Perhaps this is my punishment for being able to still get through an entire night without having to get up to pee. You can't have it all ladies!

Hey Hey! Look at me!! Notice ME!!!

Did someone install a neon sign over my head when I wasn't looking?? Does it happen to say "HEY! Talk to me! Mention my belly! NOTICE ME!"?? Sure feels like it. I literally cannot go anywhere in public without questions now. That being said, everyone has been very kind and non invasive but sometimes I just want to go pick up groceries and not talk about pregnancy. I've been talking about it for 8 1/2 months!

I ran some errands the other day and out of the 3 stores I was in, I received at least 1 comment in each.

Canadian Tire - Sales lady was walking me to find burlap and passed a guy, asked if we were together (super random) he says "no, but I sure hope she has someone". Could you imagine if I didn't have a lovely man to come home to?! I probably would have burst into overly emotional irrational tears!

Walmart - Cashier asks how long I have left. I answer just about a month. Granny behind me says "Oh wow! That much still!?" this makes me chuckle... Especially because I've been about the same size for a solid month now. (ps - she thinks its a girl, and according to her Grandmas are always right)

Fabricland - Some random dude in front of me in line says, "6 months pregnant?" HAHAHAHAHAHA oh god! Yes, because men have even the slightest idea of what a 3 month/6 month/9 month belly looks like. I actually laughed out loud after he said it and replied "oh gosh no, much farther than that thank god!" His wifey, clearly the more intelligent one, laughs and says "that means, get this thing out". The best part about this one was that his comment essentially told me I looked small which is a welcome compliment for me!

Barf Burps Be Gone!

After visiting my doc last week and asking about exactly how many tums I could take in a day he ended up prescribing me something for my raging silent reflux. It's basically Zantac but in prescription form, called Ranitidine. Quite safe for pregnancy and has certainly helped tremendously. I just take 1 in the am and 1 at night. I still very occasionally feel some discomfort but 90% of the time I have no pain at all. And that need to burp all the time!? GONE! Something tells me Steve is happy about that.

Week 33: Is It Over Yet?!

Quick Recap: Ultrasound. Weight steady. Grumpy. Tired. Emotional. Uncomfortable. Really sore pelvis. Burning throat and lump all the time.

Peanut's Progression: Per ultrasound estimate 4 lbs 13oz. 17 inches long. Skeleton is hardening. Rapid weight gain will start to slow next month.

7 More Weeks of THIS!? UGGGGH

I was really hoping I wouldn't get annoyed with pregnancy until closer to the end. I've had several days this week where I wished it was all over and done with. Walking is now really more of a waddle, especially when I first get up from sitting. I may as well be 50 years older the way my joints stiffen up. My pelvis has decided to start acting up again and in a whole new level of discomfort. I rarely sleep without 5 or more interruptions. My acid reflux is super duper lame and means my throat hurts all day every day and even wakes me up at night.

To sum it up, I'm grumpy as all hell. Really though, I have nothing to bitch about, my pregnancy has been quite easy but I am so done already. When I think that I have to do this for another 7 weeks I am utterly exhausted at the thought.

The bright side? I still have 7 weeks to go and good thing because lord knows I DO NOT have everything I need, nor is anything organized enough.

Last Ultrasound

We had our last ultrasound with our specialist this week. Honestly it was kind of disappointing. For some reason we had a different doctor this time and although he was quite nice he wasn't nearly as charismatic as the last one. At the last appointment she made sure to mention that I shouldn't do a 3D ultrasound (and pay for it) because she would give me pictures next time. Well I didn't really think that through. If I had given it any thought I would have realized we are probably too far along to get good images. Baby is just too crowded. The doctor did try to get a face shot for us after I asked but baby is head down face down so it wasn't possible.

Even though we didn't really get to see much of the baby this time it was nice to find out that the placental lake that was once measured at 8cm wide is now much much smaller, so much smaller in fact that the doctor said it wouldn't even be something he included in a report. Yay! And to top it off our lil wiggles is growing right on schedule. Everything looks good and is within a normal growth range. Go wiggles go!  

Silent Reflux aka Barf Burps 

I have finally found some relief from the dreaded barf burps! This past week has been a rough one in terms of throat pain. After many Google searches I decided to try taking Tums daily as a preventative measure. Small meals and staying upright weren't helping so it was worth a try. Almost immediately I felt better! I purchased the Ultra strength Tums and can take up to 3 a day. I take one in the morning, then afternoon and then before bed.

It has made a huge difference. I no longer NEED to burp after eating and the lump in my throat is gone! I'm only 1 day in and feel so much better! One last note, if you have heartburn choose an antacid made from calcium bicarbonate not sodium bicarbonate, the sodium will increase water retention and our feet are fat enough already!

Also, after speaking with my doctor I was cleared to take up to 5 tums a day, after that you risk an excess of calcium in your system and that can cause kidney stones.

Week 32: What's sleep?

This isn't me but it definitely show my eating issues

Quick Recap: Dropped 3lbs from last week (water retention?), Fundus height spot on. Baby settled into head down position. Sleep deteriorating. Baby's room progress.

Peanut's Progression: About 16.5 inches long. 3lbs 9oz. Doc says he/she is long and skinny. Brain creating more and more neural connections.

Cranky Calves! 

Several weeks ago I had my first and only calf cramp of my pregnancy and then this week happened. Every night (despite drinking lots of water) I have at least 5 calf cramps. The interesting part is that I can feel them starting in my sleep and I automatically flex my foot to stretch out the muscle. I've managed to avoid a full on cramp so far. I talked to my doctor about it in this weeks appointment and he warned Steve that I may suddenly sit up in the middle of the night and scream bloody murder if a big cramp hits. Considering some of the strange things I do in my sleep, that wouldn't be overly unusual.

Doc's tip for relieving the cramps were to:
1 - stay hydrated
2 - wear compression socks (remember those sexy things from my travel adventure)
3 - elevate my feet before bed

Barf Burps (only the nastiest part yet)

As my coworker put it, I've had an entirely unremarkable pregnancy and for that I am very thankful. Not too many gross things have happened to me but these barf burps are the worst ever!

At the end of December our household came down with Norwalk, which meant a lot of praying to the porcelain gods. All the acid ended up burning my esophagus and causing a sensation of a permanent lump in my throat. Some women will also get this in the 1st trimester if you have really bad morning sickness.

It has gone away for the most part until one of the dreaded barf burps sneaks up on me. At 32 weeks pregnant my stomach has basically experienced its very own lap band surgery. Baby has taken up most of the real estate in my abdomen pushing up all the other great organs that used to reside there. Which means my food container has now been squished beyond belief, which really is a cruel trick when you consider how hungry you get and how little your stomach will hold. WTF mother nature!? You could have designed this better!

So here's the deal... I cram as much food as humanly possible into my stomach and then immediately regret it. There is a desperate need to burp to relieve some of the pressure but then instead of air its gnarly tasting partially digested food. UGH worst thing ever! Not only does it taste vile! But it burns my throat and brings that pain back all over again.

The absolute worst of it happened one night this week. I succumb to my sour patch kid craving and lay in bed reading and shoveling handfuls of the sweet/sour treats into my face, all while mostly reclined in the flat position. Yes, because that is a perfect spot to be in when your trying to keep food down. The scary part happened a few hours later when in the middle of a peaceful sleep I "burp" and instead I almost vomit in my sleep. Obviously I wake up and realize what just happened, and terrified that it will happen again I prop myself up on pillows and attempt to fall back to sleep. Ya right. Sleep. Instead of resting I battle the rest of the night, waking up with either a calf cramp or with the painful sensation of barf burps in my throat.

Still think pregnant women are sexy??

Stained Shirts, Can I get a Bib please?

This is serious business, do not attempt a meal without a belly bib. You heard me! Immediately after sitting at a table to eat, proceed to place your napkin under your boobs and over your belly. You'll thank me later when every single one of your shirts DOESN'T have a food stain on it like mine. I never thought I was a sloppy eater, at least I wasn't until I was prego. Apparently I can no longer properly judge how to hold a fork full of food, how wide to open my mouth and how to chew. Just a hot mess.

How to Survive Traveling While Pregnant

A lot of people told me I was crazy for traveling to Mexico in my 3rd trimester. Sure, a lot could potentially go wrong but a lot can also go right! Certainly traveling while pregnant poses its own set of challenges so if you plan on embarking on a baby moon here are some tips to get you through!

Cut off Dates

Most airlines will let you travel up until you are 36 weeks pregnant, the catch here is that the majority of Canadian travel medical insurers and cancellation insurance will not cover pregnancy related health problems after 32 weeks.

On the Plane

I'm a die hard window seat girl. I like to look outside and watch the landscape or rest my head against the side to sleep. Do yourself a favour, get an aisle seat. And get it close to the bathroom. There is nothing easy about trying to walk down the plane aisle to get to the bathroom. Inevitably someone is trying to get back to their seat and it is basically impossible not to molest them with your belly as you try to sneak by. I can't tell you how many people I belly bumped on the plane. Not cute. 

Even though its a total pain in the ass to walk the aisles it is also a really good idea since you WILL get stiff just sitting in your tiny seat for several hours.

Embrace the layover. I was actually really glad we had a layover on both our flights. It gave me a chance to walk a good amount (without having to avoid bumping people) and allowed me to get the blood flowing and release some tension.

Swelling isn't so swell

While the 3rd trimester means you are that much closer to meeting your lil bundle of joy it also means saying goodbye to your ankles. That has certainly been the case for me. Thankfully I am in the last stage at the end of winter and into spring so hot weather hasn't been an issue. Until I went to Mexico of course.

Flying, regardless of your destination, will cause your feet to swell, and I meant A LOT! I armed myself with compression nylons designed for travel, a pair of knee high socks (because my feet are always cold on planes, comfy flat shoes and a maxi skirt (because NO ONE wants to see your puffy feet!

Compression socks will run you about $30, OR you can go to Walmart and buy the nylons for $5. They work just as good! There is nothing sexy about compression stockings but they are way better than having to walk around with Shrek feet.

If you head to a hot destination be prepared to allow time to kick your feet up and relax. I made a habit of propping my feet up on several pillows before bed for at least 30 minutes. Most of the swelling stayed in the tops of my feet and ankles until I spent a whole day on my feet. I'm sitting at dinner and trying to wiggle my toes, its exceptionally hard to do. I lift my dress to expose my feet and I see that my feet are basically webbed! My toes are so fat they can hardly move independently. Pillows weren't going to help me now.

Up to my room I went and filled a bucket of ice. Grabbing the garbage can (clean obviously) I fill it with water and add some ice. I plunge my feet into the icy cold water. Oh MY GAWD! The pain! It's for the good of my feet, I'll feel better, just a bit longer. Holy wow that water was so cold but boy did it do the trick! I soaked them as long as I could bear and then propped them up for a bit. The swelling began to come down and by the next day they were much better.

Foods with high water contents will help you battle swelling also. Think cucumber and watermelon. Mint also helps so sip away on those virgin mojitos.

Eating and Drinking

I was really concerned about what I would be able to eat and drink while I was in Mexico. I certainly didn't want to be stuck with pasta and bread all week. We were at a 5 star resort and typically they have better filtration systems throughout the resort which means you can worry less about things like brushing your teeth with tap water and drinking bevvies with ice.

Initially I was worried about fruit but then I figured if I chose the fruits that were peeled and not washed they should be the safest bet. I loaded up on pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe and honey dew. Protein was more difficult for me. A lot of the meats available are processed and I have a bit of an aversion to eggs. I love seafood and fish but I was concerned about how well they were cooked after seeing a few items a bit too rare/raw.

When it comes to drinking it can feel like your missing out on all those delicious bevvies but let me tell you, the virgin versions are DEEEEELISH! My 2 favs ended up being the blended mojito (so much better than on the rocks) and the virgin mudslide, which is essentially just milk and chocolate syrup blended with ice. Other great options are your fav fruit juice bended with ice. Pineapple with a bit of mint was really yummy too!

My biggest tip is to bring a double walled tumbler cup! You can buy them just about anywhere. Starbucks sells them but they are much more affordable at big box stores. Just be sure it is double walled, it keeps your drink super cold and the ice does not melt, even after an hour in the sun. HONESTLY! Best ever!!!

Montezuma's Revenge

This is the one thing that can really reek havoc on your vacation. The only thing my doctor cleared me to take during my trip was Pepto Bismal. Well if you've ever had a bout of tummy troubles in Mexico you already know the pink stuff isn't going to help much. My best advice is to stay hydrated (sealed bottled water of course) and keep your electrolytes up.

My, What a Nice Shade of Red You Are

I very rarely burn and if I do it is a tan by the next day. And then I got pregnant. I was prepared from the start. I slathered on 15SPF before I even hit the beach. Normally 15 was more than enough for my skin, not the case anymore. Even after several applications of sunscreen I finished the day with some very pink legs, only on one side though since I couldn't lay on my stomach.

If you are going to tan and lay around in the sun, do not underestimate how sensitive your skin is now that you are pregnant. Load up on sunscreen and use a higher SPF than you think you need.

As for tanning your back. It's a bit of feat. One of the other girls in our group packed along a floaty and it was only the greatest idea ever! It was the kind with mesh in the middle and the inflated bit around the edges. I was able to lay on my stomach in the pool VERY comfortably. My belly was weightless in the water but also supported by the mesh and my back got all the colour I could have asked for!

The other contraption I made was good for out of the pool. If they are available at your resort, rent a cabana at least one day. Well worth a couple of bucks for the comfort you get. Ours had a large mattress with big body pillows. I desperately wanted to lay on my stomach to read and tan so I placed 2 body pillows beside each other with a gap between. When I kneeled on the bed the first pillow was in front of my knees. I gently lowered down so the first pillow supported my legs and the second was supporting my chest. I belly sunk into the space between. Again whats important here is that you belly does not hang freely with no support underneath but also that your weight is not supported my your belly. Mine touched the mattress but did not support my body weight. Letting your belly hang with no support can damage the ligaments in your stomach as they over stretch trying to hold the weight.

Week 30 & 31: Finally Loving my Junk in the Trunk

Quick Recap: Up 35lbs Ugggggghhhh.... Good energy levels. Skin is clear! No stretch marks. Faaaat feet/ankles. Pelvis pain is improving. More patient and relaxed than I've ever been.

Peanut's Progression: 16 inches long. 3lbs 5oz. About the weight of a coconut. Getting fatter and less wrinkly every day. Loves to push it's lil feet into my ribs and sides.

And In This Corner, Weighing In At...

Now at 31 weeks pregnant, I've reached the top end of where I should be for weight gain for my entire pregnancy. 2 months left and I've hit the 160lbs mark. Honestly all I can do is laugh now, and that's exactly what I do. We spent the last week in Mexico and I thoroughly enjoyed the food. I wouldn't describe it as excessive but I sure didn't deny myself the desserts. I knew full well that coming back I would have put on weight so jumping on the scale I wasn't all that surprised. 6 pounds in 7 days. What's that doctor? I'm supposed to gain 1 pound per WEEK? You sure its not per DAY!?

Honestly though, at this point what can I really do. I'm not about to "diet" and try to maintain this weight or lose some. My Mom put on 50lbs with me so maybe a part of this is genetic.Thankfully I don't look like I weigh 160lbs which leads me to ....

Dum Dum Dummmmm Bikini Time!

If you are a regular reader of my blog you already know the battles I've had with my changing physique and my absolute terror when it comes to baring my belly in a bikini. Somewhere along the way I just accepted my tummy and embraced it and began to love it. I've been constantly reassuring myself that once the baby is here I'll be able to bounce back no problem.

So how did the whole bikini thing go??? It was actually awesome! I am so glad I didn't waste money on a maternity swimsuit!!  We went into Cabo for a Vegas style pool party as a part of our vacation away. Obviously, being surrounded by tonnes of fit and beautiful people all partying and drinking up a storm made me feel a bit out of place. Any discomfort I was feeling was quickly squashed by the lovely comments I got from complete strangers. Of course my friends have been so kind and are always reassuring me that I "look great" but there is just something about a total stranger taking a moment to tell you something kind. I am so flattered that women expressed the desire to look like me when they got pregnant. I mean how sweet is that!? I'm so busy feeling like a blimp and others are thinking the exact opposite. Those feel good moments are exactly why I didn't have a meltdown when I stepped on the scale this morning. I may weigh 160lbs,  have a bit more junk in the trunk, my arms "have meat on them" (as my doctor pointed out), my thighs rub together when I walk and I certainly have some solid love handles going on but all that doesn't matter one bit. No one else sees my new bum dimples, they see my beautiful baby belly and the miraculous life that I'm carrying.

31 weeks in and I have completely, wholeheartedly embraced this change.


Next up: Traveling in Mexico while pregnant...

Week 29: Hot Sweaty Mess

Quick Recap: So sweaty! Cankles keep growing. Pelvis pain is manageable. DIY Diva.

Peanut's Progression: Weighs 2 lbs 10 oz (close to a butternut squash). 15 inches long. Bones are hardening. Lungs and muscles getting stronger.

Project Supermom

In my never ending attempt to save money I've been searching out DIY's for baby. Anything from sewing my own cloth diaper covers to homemade baby wipes. This week I searched out baby safe laundry detergent. I tested it out on a load of our clothes and they seem to come out clean. I made a batch large enough for about 120 loads for a cost of approximately $8. I purchased all the ingredients from Walmart in Bellingham. Used the whole box of washing soda, 75% of the Borax and half of the bar soap. Check out the recipe below.

Baby Safe Laundry Detergent:

1 Part Zote Soap (castille soap) finely grated ($0.97/bar)
2 Parts Washing Soda ($4/box)
2 Parts Borax ($4/box)

Use a fine cheese grater to grate the Zote soap. In a airtight container mix all ingredients together. That's it. That's all. SUPER easy! 

1/8 cup to 1/4 cup per load depending on size and dirtiness.

Next up is the DIY baby wipes which I probably won't post until after baby because I'll want to test them prior to telling you they are awesome.

Oh Hai There Anxiety!

With 10 weeks to go, it's crunch time and with that has come a boat load of anxiety. A wide range of concerns including my ability to mother a child, building a connection with our baby, how our cat will react to the little one, whether or not Steve is actually happy to be having an unplanned baby etc etc etc. The list goes on and on and logically I know I don't need to worry about any of this but my mind sure does like to run through a million scenarios and freak me the hell out.

Holy Hot Flashes!

Oh. My. GAWD! Why is it SOOOO hot while I sleep!? The past 2 nights I've started waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat. Why the hell can't my body wake me up when I start to get too warm rather than after I've already sweat through the sheets and am a sweaty hot mess. Our heat has been off completely and February isn't exactly known for being too hot to sleep.

The other night, I partially woke up and realized I was uncomfortably hot, so instead of kicking off the covers I began vigorously lifting and lowering the covers to essentially fan myself, moments later Steve wakes up and asks if I'm ok. Shit! How did I manage to forget I share the bed with someone else and that my cover shaking could possibly wake them. Total middle of the night baby brain blonde moment.


FUN FACT: your blood clots faster during pregnancy and for about 6 months after birth.

Week 28: Ugly Cry Time!

Quick Recap: 151lbs (up 26). Belly measures: 38 inches around. Retaining water like a mofo. Crotch is still broken. Stroller drama.

Peanut's Progression: 15 inches 2.25lbs. Brain is developing more tissue. Has more defined sleep patterns in 20-30 intervals.

Feeling Fat + Being Pregnant = Ugly Cry While Using Excess Amounts of Body Butter

One of the best things about my 2nd trimester (which Steve will probably also agree with) has been my stable emotions. I hardly ever have mood swings anymore and when I do they aren't the completely irrational clinically insane kind. Well, that is until this week.

Monday was a long day. I MC'd an event and spent a lot of the day on my feet in heels. Little did I know, that was the beginning of the end. The days I spend more time standing, my broken crotch acts up and is more painful so a nice warm bath was exactly what I needed to help me relax. Except that wasn't quite the result.

Sure, initially it was lovely. Warm water relaxing my muscles. Closing my eyes and enjoying a moment of silence and then... Then. I opened my eyes and saw it! Or rather saw what was no longer there. My feet and ankles had swelled to epic proportions. They may as well be mammoth feet! I feel sorry for my neighbours beneath us, because these beasts must make quite the racket.

That was only the beginning. I managed to enjoy the rest of my "relaxing" bath, albeit the whole time scrutinizing my fluffy footsies. As they say, all good things must come to an end. And it sure came to a screeching halt when I got out of the tub. I began my routine of lotioning up and let me tell you. DO NOT INSPECT YOUR THIGHS! I took one look at those buggers and burst into tears. Who thought a couple extra inches on your legs could cause such a fuss.

Just picture it... I'm sobbing, and we're talking full on ugly cry here folks. But still I continue to slather on the body butter. Just a hot mess. I pulled myself together but instantly fell apart again when Steve came home and asked if I was ok. Thinking back, my smeared mascara, blood shot puffy eyes and snotty nose probably gave me away. I was pure sexy in that moment.


Where Are All The Strollers!?

I've had my eye on a specific stroller for a while now. It's affordable ($130) and is compatible with our carseat (without an adapter). In the past few weeks I've started feeling a sense of urgency to get the stroller. A major case of FOMO (fear of missing out). I concluded, it would be silly to buy a stroller before we move because it is just one more thing to move and who wants that!

I do! I want that! I want that stroller!!!!

Well we moved in and went off to Walmart to buy the stroller, we are casually strolling to the back of the store to the baby section, I am getting excited to look at it and finally buy it. We round a corner and BAM! I am left with my mouth gaping open. EVERY. SINGLE. STROLLER.  Gone!!!! No where to be found. GONE GONE GONE!

Frantically I find the first salesperson I can get my hands on and as calmly as possible (which probably sounded more like I was about to have a breakdown) say "ummmm excuse me.... where are the strollers? Did they get moved?" She respsonds with "They are all sold"

WHAT!? How can they ALL be sold!? Why doesn't she seem as panicked as I do!? Doesn't she realize my baby will not survive without this exact stroller!? Life as I know it is over! I'm never going to find that stroller again. I'm going to HAVE to drop more cash to find one even remotely suitable. Seriously, why isn't she worried that they have ZERO strollers. She hates children, she hates my baby.

Then she proceeds to tell me they are waiting for the 2014 stock and they don't know when they will come in. So in essence she is telling me that I'm going to give birth before they get stock. PANIC PANIC PANIC.

Steve squashed my near meltdown reassuring me that we will find another stroller, there are plenty of Walmarts. Since I don't want to guess when they will get new stock we are planning to go to the states and buy our stroller there. God help me if we get there and they are out of stock too!

***** UPDATE *****

After posting this entry a friend on Facebook found the stroller I was looking for on a local swap group. I ended up getting the model I wanted, in neutral colours for only $25! Its in great shape and only needs one minor fix to a tire (which will cost $10 max). We still went to the states to pick up other items and ended up seeing that the Bellingham location of Walmart had ZERO 3 wheel strollers so thank goodness for Facebook swaps!

Week 27: Broken Crotch

Quick Recap: 148lbs (up 23lbs). New pelvis pain. I NEED to nest! End of 2nd trimester. Felt the baby hiccup for the first time.


Peanut's Progression: 14.5 inches. 2lbs. Immune system is maturing. Practicing breathing. Starting to recognize voices. Taste buds more developed and may react to different foods.

Help! My Crotch Is Broken!!

I had a great leg day workout with my girl Krista and had some seriously sore legs for 2 days after. Then I noticed after the leg pain was gone my crotch was SO SORE! And not my inner thighs, I mean it honestly feels like someone kicked me in the box with steel toed boots! WTF!

A few days passed and the pain didn't go away. Putting on socks, even pants, hurts. Standing on one leg, hurts. Rolling in bed, hurts. Getting off the couch, hurts.

So naturally the next step was Dr. Google. I found this: Broken Crotch Syndrome aka SPD aka Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction. 

Essentially, it is pain that occurs because of your pelvis separating to accommodate the baby and assisting with labour.  Your pelvis is made of 2 halves and as your pregnancy progresses your body produces more relaxin which allows your ligaments to soften and stretch which will aid you in labour later on. While the ligaments and joints shift and open and stretch it can cause inflammation and pain.

The crappy news is that I will probably deal with this until after I have the baby. The good news is, just like my weird red skin bumps, linea nigra and general aches, it will go away shortly after birth.

My Only Gut Instinct

A lot of people have asked me the following 2 questions and in this order. "Do you know if it's a boy or girl?" "What do you think it is?". To be honest, I have no idea if it's a boy or girl. I still don't really have any gut instinct or feeling about gender. My wives tale symptoms really could swing it in either direction. 

I do have one very strong gut feeling though. I'm going to have the baby early. My due date is May 2, 2014. I'm thinking our little babe will decide to join us a few weeks sooner than expected. This feeling just came on within the past week or so but I am adamant that Wiggles will showing up in April. There is really no solid reasoning behind this. Nothing about my pregnancy indicates that I would deliver early but my mind sure is committing me to this idea.

To top this off, out of no where my Mom tells me this week that she also thinks the baby will be here early. We never spoke about it prior and she brought it up on her own. Interesting how we are both feeling the same thing. I'll admit though that I would rather this lil munchkin show up a few weeks early (completely healthy and happy of course) than go late and be induced.



Bring on the 3rd trimester!

Week 25: Bikinis Aren't So Bad...

Quick Recap: Calf cramps. Bikinis aren't so bad. Specialist ultrasound results. Glucose Tolerance Test (gestational diabetes).

Peanut's Progression: 13.5 inches. 1.5 lbs. Blood vessels are filling with blood. Nostrils unplugging.

Specialist Update

We had our ultrasound with the specialist this week. My second trimester ultrasound showed a placental lake (you can read about it here). What was awesome about this appointment is that because she is more highly trained they give you all the information and details of you ultrasound during the appointment. You don't have to sit anxiously through a tech being quiet and waiting until your doctor calls you.

Typical Wiggles moved and kicked during the whole appointment and played shy when we wanted to get a face shot. Seems she/he just loves to lay with her/his hands by their face.

The best part of the appointment was hearing that she is confident it is a very typical placental lake and it doesn't pose any risk to my pregnancy. Our baby is right on track with growth and doesn't show any signs of defects. As far as she is concerned, I can expect to have a normal delivery and remainder of my pregnancy. I will go back in 2 months just to ensure the baby is still growing normally. What a relief!

Bikinis Aren't So Bad

It seems all that anxiety over wearing a bikini in Mexico was for nothing. I randomly decided to try on one of my bikinis this week just to see, for argument sake, how it looked on. I was pleasantly surprised. The first one was, well, a tad risque especially with my expanding chest. But the second option was actually pretty cute! Of course it helped the cause when Steve had nothing but lovely things to say, including ignoring the fact that the bottoms are a touch too tight.

Cramping Calves

I've suffered from calf cramps at various times in my life so when I read that it is common during pregnancy I felt pretty lucky that I wasn't experiencing any. Until now.

Thursday morning I was woken up with a big ol calf cramp. Thankfully, having had many of these in the past I was able to flex my foot and stretch it out quite quickly. The only thing I can contribute it to is being poorly hydrated yesterday. I got a great tip of eating bananas to help them. So bananas and more water here I come!

I'm Pregnant And You Want me to FAST!?

On the recommendation of my doctor, I booked my GTT (glucose tolerance test) for gestational diabetes as close to 24 weeks as I could. That came up this week, and while it wasn't terrible it certainly wasn't the best thing ever.

You are required to fast for 8 hours before your test so I finished my night with a protein heavy fruit smoothie. It was easy to digest overnight and I didn't wake up with the urgent need to eat. If you haven't had your GTT yet, you will arrive at the clinic and they will start by taking your blood. Then immediately after you are asked to drink a glucose syrup. I was surprised by how much I had to drink. It was the size of one of those mini pop cans. I didn't think a sweet drink could be so awful but it was just nasty! Sip after sip it was worse and worse. They only give you 5 minutes to down this concoction and unfortunately she didn't tell me that at first so I had to gulp down the last 1/3 in 1 minutes.

Now you wait... 1 hour... surrounded by sick people in the clinic. Sounds like a great way to spend a morning, no? After you 1 hour is up they will take more blood. Then you get to wait, again. For another painful hour. I highly recommend you bring someone with you. Steve fasted with me and waited at the clinic with me, the time went by much fast. After the 2nd hour you will have one more sample of blood taken.

I have good veins and lots to choose from but it was super annoying that they had to stick me 3 times. My inner elbow is dotted with bandaids and a bit tender.

Fingers crossed the results come back well in the clear because goodness knows I've given enough blood to last me for the next year!

Week 23: Noooo NOT Norwalk!

Quick Recap: No weight gain again thanks to a bought of Norwalk. Still waiting for a call from the specialist. Braxton hicks galore

Peanut's Progression: 1.1 lbs. 11.5 inches. Very active. Skin is still transparent. Strong ass kicks!

Well Isn't That Convenient!?

This bump is proving to be quite convenient. It's the perfect little shelf for my cup of tea or container of dinner! Although it's getting tougher every week to get off the couch or roll out of bed it sure is nice to have a built in shelf so I drop less food on my belly. Yep, it seems I have lost the food to face connection somewhere along the way. I am WAY better at missing my mouth than I am at shoveling it in.

Norwalk and Pregnancy

I'll save you the intimate details but a simple Google search of Norwalk virus will clearly tell you what my New Years Eve consisted of. It was messy and terrible but thankfully short lived.

Obviously as Murphy's Law would have it, the one time I get violently ill my doctor is on vacation. Thankfully the interwebs were very helpful in my self treatment.

Important points to note: Norwalk does not transfer via your placenta to your baby. Dehydration is the biggest risk, in most severe cases it could cause preterm labour.

When it comes down to it, treatment is the same for a pregnant woman as any one else. DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS! I opted for water, Gatorade and Lipton chicken soup.

Big Time Braxton Hicks

It comes and goes but one day this week I had at least 6 Braxton Hicks contractions. Definitely the most in one day so far. They are really just annoying and inconvenient more than anything. Out of nowhere my whole belly gets hard and tight and then randomly releases. Its actually very strange but totally normal. Kind of like how little wiggles needs to move and shake to practice and build muscles before birth, the uterus needs to practice and get ready to push that lil munchkin out.

Awaiting the Specialist

Ever since getting the news from my doc that I have a large placental lake I've been anxiously awaiting the phone call from the specialist. I suppose it couldn't have been worse timing over the holidays but my hope is I will finally receive a call next week.

Week 22: Writers Block

Quick Recap: I'm an eating machine. Up 3 inches on both my boobs and butt. Waist (around belly button) is about 34 inches (pre-pregnancy was about 27) Weighing in at 141lbs. Back pain continues. Haven't gotten a new pimple all week!!

Peanut's Progression: Weighs 1 whole pound! 11 inches long. Can sense touch now.

Writer's Block and Too Much Attention

I don't know if it was the craziness of the holidays this week or perhaps a self induced sugar coma from all the cookies and chocolate but I'm having a hard time writing an entry for this week.

Nothing really major happened this week. No weight gain like last week. No bad news from doctors. The only thing even worth mentioning is my coping with the added attention from family dinners.

For the majority of my family (and Steve's) this was the first time they have seen me since I announced we were expecting. Of course, they are incredibly excited and made a lot of comments about my shape. I am so grateful that we have a supportive family and group of friends but it can become a bit overwhelming at times when people are consumed by your belly, especially when you are still a bit self conscious of it.

It's a very odd sensation for me to feel awkward with all the attention. As an only child, and a major extrovert, I've always craved attention and now I tend to shy away from it. Just another hormonal shift I'm sure.


Post Pregnancy Project:

OK, this scares me but I also think its a great thing to share to help all women post pregnancy. As of this moment I am committed to sharing my physical transformation from pre baby, pregnant and post baby. 

My plan is to show photo progression of my stomach. I will take a photo daily after I give birth for the first week and then every couple of days to show how the body really recovers post birth. I think its an important thing for women to be able to see how REAL Mom's and NOT celebs recover and gain their body back. I will also include all my exercise and diet habits.

Likely I will continue to post on a weekly basis because let's be real, I will not have the time or energy to post daily and you don't need a daily update on my stomach!


Hmmm that didn't turn out so bad for having a mental block :)

Week 21 - Unsettling Ultrasound Results

Quick Recap: Up 17 lbs, not really sure where it's hiding though. Fighting off a cold without meds. Coping much better being the DD. Back pain.

Peanut's Progression: 10.5 inches long, a banana. 12.7 ounces. Sleeps 12 - 14 hours a day. Swallows amniotic fluid and can taste differences in diet. Lots of wiggle room still.

Ultrasound Results Are In! 

Well the good news is everything with our baby is normal. All of the organs look good and there are no problems. The bad news is I have a large placental lake. Before today I had never heard of this so, naturally, after my doctors appointment I took to Google.

Here's a basic description for you: Placental lakes are enlarged spaces in the placenta filled with maternal blood. Think of the placenta like a hunk of swiss cheese and the holes are filled with blood.


So what does that mean for me and the baby? Thankfully nothing serious. Small placental lakes are quite normal to find on ultrasounds and do not pose a risk to mom or baby. There is no associated risk of hemorrhage or growth concerns. In my case, the lake is quite big. Measuring 8cm long by 2cm deep (can't remember how wide). There is a possibility that my baby could experience some slight growth issues but as of now everything is on schedule and he/she is measuring normally. 

Where do we go from here? My ultrasound is being sent to a specialist and they will be meeting with me directly to consult on my case specifically. We will likely have a few more ultrasounds to monitor the lake and ensure no complications.

For more information: I found this blog entry helpful CLICK HERE

Big Butts and Back Pain

This week has been a big one for weight gain. I've put on about 5 lbs just this week alone. My total weight gain is now 17lbs and slightly above the normal range for where I am in my pregnancy. That being said I never would have guessed by looking at my figure that I'm up that much. I'm still all belly and the rest of my body is pretty similar. If I had to guess I'd say my butt has gained a few pounds, although it nicely balances out my belly LOL.

With my expanding midsection I've started to experience some back pain. From what I can self diagnose, it is posterior pelvic pain. It hovers around my sacrum and spreads into either side of my butt. Pretty much everything you do daily can aggravate it. Climbing stairs, walking/jogging, rolling in bed, sitting too long, etc etc. I'm pretty sure I brought it on myself during a yoga class. I remember hugging my knees to my chest on my back and being able to roll on a sore spot, ever since then it has been irritated. My plan of action is to avoid doing that from now on. 

Week 20 - Half Way!

Quick Recap: Officially half way through. LOTS of kicking. More mood swings. Skin continues to clear.

Peanut's Progression: 6.5 inches long. 10 ounces. Starting digestion. Covered in vernix to protect the skin.

Our Ultrasound

Easily the most amazing moment so far. Almost an hour of watching our baby move and wiggle. We won't get confirmation from our doctor until next week that everything looks as it should but as far as I'm concerned our baby is perfect!

Some of my favourite moments were:
- watching the heart pump and seeing the little arms flail around
- seeing the perfect outline of the feet. Just so cool to see these tiny feet with cute little toes!
- looking at the profile and seeing the baby practice sucking, swallowing bits of amniotic fluid.

We went to MedRay in Coquitlam and they were just excellent! Our tech, Victoria, was so lovely. Very kind and appreciative of how special the moment is for us. The clinic itself is clean and nicely modeled. Even the reception staff are very nice. They also provide a few photos for free :)

Mood Swings

I'd rather not re-live me losing my mind this week but I must admit I lost all control of my emotions. A completely out of character freak out. I won’t divulge the details but it involved some serious yelling and hysterical crying.  Hopefully I got it out of my system because in the days since that freak out I have been happy go lucky normal me!

We are now officially closer to the end than the beginning... so crazy!

Week 19 - A New Big Girl Bra!

Quick Recap: Fastest week yet! Tired (mostly from working too much). Belly button now flat. Strongest kicks yet.

Peanut's Progression: 6 inches long. 9 ounces in weight. Starting to swallow amniotic fluid. Kidneys continue to make urine. Hair on the scalp is sprouting.  If it's a baby girl, she already has roughly six million eggs in her ovaries.

Holy Cleavage Batman!

For any male readers kindly sit on your hands while I discuss my new big girl boobies. Pre-pregnancy I was usually around a 32B depending on where I was in my cycle that bra could be tight or loose. Small lil ladies that fit my small frame. Now that the hormones are flying around like cottonwood in Spring I've graduated to a big girl's 36B (and there isn't much room left)! Never, did I think I could toss on an unpadded bra of that size and fill it out let alone have cleavage.

My favourite game is putting on a slightly too small bra and reveling in my new found cleavage. I mean those suckers touch without any effort on my part! 

Belly Button Obsession

It's not lost on me that this is weird but it's tame compared to some of the topics I've discussed. I am obsessed with touching my belly button. IT'S SO SOFT! Yep, I'm officially a total weirdo. But I just can't help it. My belly button has started to pop out (just at the very top) and the rest of it is flush with my belly. I was never a belly button fondler before but now that its all out in everyone's business its hard not too. And let's review the logic of the softness... the belly button has spent its whole life tucked away in darkness away from any stimulation. No rubbing fabric, no scratches or cuts. So naturally its like the softest skin EVER! The ironic part of all of this... I really dislike outies. Pregnancy is probably the only exception to that rule.

The Source of True Happiness

Every little kick, punch or wiggle is an instant smile on my face. Last week, perhaps because of the baby's position, I didn't feel as much movement. But the past 3 days the kicking and moving has really ramped up. The other night Steve and I tried something new. We used his stethoscope to listen to the baby's kicks. It was the neatest thing! You could hear all the tummy grumbles and then these little thumps. So fun! The kicks are pretty visible now too.

I've been trying to figure out my fundus height (how far up my uterus reaches) and after staring at my stomach move for quite a while we saw a strong kick right at my belly button. As per Baby Center, that is right where it should be!


Ultrasound next week!!!

Week 18 - Clinically Insane I'm Sure

Taken minutes apart, totally different looking belly

Quick Recap: Mood swings are back. 10lbs up. All maternity clothes all the time. Baby is crazy active before bed. Skin is the best its been, and yet my doctor notices the acne for the first time!? WTF


Peanut's Progression: Almost 6 inches long. 6.5 ounces (about the weight of a chicken breast). Bones are hardening. Can yawn now. Nerves are making connections especially the senses (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching)


You Sure I'm Not Clinically Insane?

When looking up insane and irrational in the dictionary my face is now officially pictured beside the definition. The majority of this week was "normal" but my moments of insanity were off the charts.

I dare you to try and find logic in these two instances: 

1) I woke up stiff from sleeping in one spot too long. Even after shifting to the other side I was uncomfortable. So what do I do? Almost burst into tears because its the worst thing ever! WHY OH WHY at 28 years old do my hips ache like I'm 80!? And WHY is Steve taking up 40% of the bed! I mean talk about a bed hog! And this damn body pillow! Could it take up any more real estate? Wait, no. I'm sorry pillow, I love you. Oh and Steve... yes I love Steve too. Cooper (our cat) thinks this is a perfect time to walk up and stand on my sore hip. I'm immediately even more upset until moments later I realize it is actually helping. Smart kitty.

2) After a normal shift at work, no annoying callers, no major mistakes, I head home and the moment I walk in the door everything begins to irritate me. Like EVERYTHING! My internal thoughts included (but are not limited to) "why are the boys home right now" "No, why is he leaving me to go to the gym" "what is wrong with this water" "could these 5 minute fries cook any slower" "SHUT UP fire alarm! I'm NOT burning dinner" "Where is the hammer, this fire alarm must die"

Yet Another New Name 

In the past week our little babe has become very active and strong! Without fail, during my shifts at work I will feel little shifts and kicks here and there. Then at night, as soon as the lights go out, it's party time! All that wiggling has brought on a new nick name... Wiggles!

Tuesday night Wiggles was particularly wiggly (notably after 2 bowls of gelato). 10 minutes of constant kicking, punching and back flips. I could feel the movements in so many places I have actually started to worry there is a party of two in there.... Oh... My... Gawd... That will be a whole new level of freakout if we find out its twins. But it couldn't be. Right!? I mean there are no twins in our families. The 1st ultrasound only showed one baby. Our doctor has only ever found one heart beat... Right!? It can't be twins RIGHT!? Please someone talk me down from this ledge!

Most Magical Sound

I caught the baby's kick on video this week and although I share A LOT on social media, I also think we share too much. Too many intimate moments become public moments and lose their "specialness". So with that being sad, I've decided not to share the baby kick video. That is a special moment for only those closest to me.

However!!! I do want to share with you the "whomp whomp whomp" sound I described in Week 13. It's not super clear but you can hear the heartbeat behind the clicking noises. Ahhh I've listened to this clip too many times to count, just the most amazing thing!



2 weeks to the halfway mark and only days till we get to see our lil wiggles again!