I'll share some about the hurricane on TCC, but for here, I wanted to share something funny that happened at work today.
So a lot of people, when they discover someone is pregnant, try to take some of the load off that person, including with heavy boxes and whatever. Matt is not one to do that at all -- I mean, at almost 15w, I was moving couches and bookshelves still crammed full of books in the basement last night to prepare for the possibility of flooding! No problems, but it still made me giggle to think that, hey, this pregnant person is moving couches?!
Today at work, awesome attorney-boss was giving me instructions relative to three bankers boxes that arrived for him while he was out on paternity leave, and I had to bring them to my desk. He tentatively lifted a box, eyed my belly real quick (seriously, like a quarter of a second's glance), and said that maybe he should do it.
LOL, if only he knew about last night!
So I picked one up and was like, oh god, please. This is nothing. And he said that, of course, some women thought it was sexist! I said I didn't think it was, but as he pointed out, I'm not pregnant enough to be incapable.
And at this rate, I doubt I ever will be. ;)
(Oh, and a couple friends at the front desk said I look especially pregnant today. I beg to differ, thank you very much!! LOL)
30 October 2012
25 October 2012
Let's play a few old wives' games!
We're having a couple ultrasounds in November: On the 30th for a full anatomy scan, and on the 21st for an elective gender scan, which we're having in Florida so our families can come and find out with us. ;)
Since we have some time to wait, and lawd knows there's nothing more fun than trying to predict, here are some old wives' tales and, based on my experiences thus far, what they're saying we're going to have!
HeartburnIf a pregnant woman experiences heartburn throughout the 9 months of pregnancy, she’ll have a baby born with a full head of hair.
Nope! No heartburn here. While this isn't a sex-specific tale, I thought it was funny considering my mom's experience: Heartburn with me (full head of hair), heartburn with my sister (no hair... did she leave it behind?!), no heartburn with my brother (bald, bald, bald). :)
Heart Rate
If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl. If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy.
My last two heart rate checks were 146 and "in the 150s".
PREDICTION:
Shape of Belly
If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy.
Of course, this is only thus far. So I can't really say! It feels pretty big and round already, even if it is small (but hey, I'm only 14 weeks, mmm-kay?)
PREDICTION: ??
Ring Test
Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly. You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.
Haven't tried yet. :)
PREDICTION: Inconclusive
Shape of Mom’s Face
When your face gets fuller and rounder when pregnant, it means you’re going to have a girl. If your face is long and narrow, it’s a boy.
I've had someone comment that my face is fuller, which did little for my ego, of course. :P That's the only comment to my face save for it being flushed, so...?
PREDICTION: ??
Key Test
This test involves a key. If you pick up a key at the top (the roundest part), you are going to have a boy. If you pick up the key at the bottom (smallest part), you are going to have a girl. If you happen to grab the key in the middle, congrats, it’s twins!
Haha, I've always picked up from the roundest part! I've never known anyone to pick it up by the other end, actually...
PREDICTION:
Mayan Tale
The Mayan tale adds the mothers age at conception and the year of conception. If the result is a even number then mom is having a girl. If the result is an odd number then a boy is on the way!
27 + 2012 = 2039!
PREDICTION:
Drano Test
The drano test combines a tablespoon of Drano and urine together. If the mixture turns green, it’s a girl. If it turns blue, it’s a boy.
I refuse to do this test because of its possible toxicity. There's a similar one with baking soda, though: If it fizzes when you add your urine, it's a boy; if it doesn't fizz, it's a girl. Mine had no fizz at all... made me wonder if the baking soda was any good, but nope!
PREDICTION:
Acne
If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones.
Ughhhh. Acne all over, especially my chest. My face is greasier, too. That ain't no glow, people.
PREDICTION:
Cravings
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl.
Chocolate, donuts, jelly beans, ice cream, Reese's cups, and maybe some fruit for breakfast... what do YOU think? :P
PREDICTION:
Smell of Garlic
If a pregnant woman eats a clove of garlic and the smell does not come out of her pores, it’s a girl. If the smell seeps out of her pores, it’s a boy.
I can't speak for garlic, but I can speak for Burger King veggie burgers, which usually make me smell funky for a few days. I had one over the weekend (MMM), and nothing, which was VERY strange. So if I swap garlic for a BK Veggie?
PREDICTION:
Skin under Left Eye
The eye test is when a “V” or “branches” appear when you pull down the skin under your left eye. If you see a “V” or “branches” in the white part, you’re having a girl.
This was a weird one. What's it supposed to do if you're having a boy?!
PREDICTION:
History of Parent’s Kids
You can find out the sex by going off of your parent’s kids and the order. If you are the first born, you will have what your mother had but starting with her second child. If you are the middle child, you will have what she said, but starting with the third child. If you are the last child, you will have what your mother had in the exact order. I think this tale only works when the parent’s had three kids.
My sister was born 11 months after I was. LOL (And my brother, 7 years after that!)
PREDICTION:
Time of Conception
The person that is most aggressive in bed at the time of conception is the opposite of what the baby will be.
Um.
PREDICTION: (LOL)
Legs
If your legs get really big, you’re having a boy. If your legs stay in shape and lean, it’s a girl.
Too early to tell! If pregnancy works the same as generally gaining weight, though, then...
PREDICTION:
Moodiness and a Little Pecker
If you are really moody, you are having a girl since you have another extra girl hormones in you. Your pregnancy will make you smile and be more happy if you are having a boy because there’s a little penis inside you. Not sure how true this is, but it sure does make me laugh!
Made me laugh, too. ;)
PREDICTION:
Bread
If you eat the ends of bread, it’s a boy. If you eat the middle of the load, it’s a girl.
I've always eaten the ends of bread. Matt saves them for me. ;)
PREDICTION:
Chinese Gender Chart
The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.
I went by this chart, which is difficult to read at first.
PREDICTION:
Mom’s Beauty
Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy. It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty. If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, you might just be having a little boy.
Hahaha! Well, I keep getting told that I'm "glowing", so I guess I'm going with keeping my beauty! However, my acne is out of control, as is the redness in my cheeks from all this damn blood coursing through my system. I can't call this one. :|
PREDICTION: Inconclusive
Dream of Sex of Baby
If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl. If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy. Dreams show the opposite of what you are having.
I keep dreaming about neither! There's a baby, but there's no sex attached to it.
PREDICTION: Inconclusive
Clumsy vs. Graceful
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy.
I'm always a fucking wreck anyway, so...
PREDICTION:
Toddlers
If a toddler boy expresses interest in a pregnant woman, she is having a girl. If he doesn’t show interest, she’s having a boy.
Oh, definitely a girl, then. My cousin has a 3-year-old son, and the whole family thing aside (as he really didn't seem to care about anyone else), he was trying to hold my attention ALL AFTERNOON. It was sweet, I love that kid. :)
PREDICTION:
Side You Most Rest On
If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy. If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl.
Stomach isn't an option?!
PREDICTION:
Hands
When the pregnant woman is asked to show her hands, it’s a boy if she keeps her palms down and a girl if she shows her palms up.
I find it weird that anyone would show the tops of their hands, anyway.
PREDICTION:
Dad’s Weight Gain
If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl. If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy.
Too early to tell! He DID weigh a bit more before he left for a business trip, but I'm going with inconclusive as I honestly don't know.
PREDICTION: Inconclusive
Breast Test
If a pregnant woman’s left breast is larger than the right breast, she’s having a girl. If the right breast is larger, it’s a boy.
This is tough because it's ALWAYS been bigger, but...
PREDICTION:
Necklace Over Hand
Have someone hold a necklace over your hand. If the necklace swings back and forth, it’s a boy. If it moves in a circle, it’s a girl.
Haven't tried this yet! :D I just got two of my friends here at work to try... one was inconclusive, the other was...
PREDICTION:
What Do You Think?
71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having.
I've always had a strong feeling about this, and while I'm not sure if it's because I want a girl and am prepping myself for the possibility of a boy, or if it's really a boy, but...
PREDICTION:
Morning Sickness
If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl.
UGH
PREDICTION:
Areolae
If your areolae (the part around your nips) have darkened, it’s a boy.
Why yes, they have!
PREDICTION:
Protein
When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy.
Not in the freakin' slightest, save for that one bout with the steak. Otherwise, it's been sweets and carbs, baby.
PREDICTION:
Feet
Are your feet colder now that you are pregnant? If so, you just might be having a boy. If your feet have stayed the same before pregnancy and during, you’re having a little girl.
Hot, hot little feet.
PREDICTION:
Hair on Legs
If the hair on your legs has been growing at record speeds, you might be having a boy.
Nah, same as always. I still don't shave as often as I "should", though. ;)
PREDICTION:
Hands are Dry
If your hands are constantly dry, it’s a boy.
Nope! They feel fine.
PREDICTION:
Urine
What color is your pee? If it is bright yellow, you will have a little boy. If your urine is a dull yellow, plan on a girl.
This is a tough one, as my pee is usually dull, but when I take my vitamins, it's BRIGHT yellow. Which makes sense, I guess! I'm drinking a ton of water, too. So basically, I'm fucking this one up. :P
PREDICTION: Inconclusive
Nose
Do you feel like your nose is growing and getting wider? If so, you might be having a boy.
Um... no? LOL
PREDICTION:
Headaches
If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.
Nope!
PREDICTION:
Baby Names
It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl, you will have that particularly baby.
GUH. Boy names are SO DIFFICULT!
PREDICTION:
22
10
?? 5
Since we have some time to wait, and lawd knows there's nothing more fun than trying to predict, here are some old wives' tales and, based on my experiences thus far, what they're saying we're going to have!
HeartburnIf a pregnant woman experiences heartburn throughout the 9 months of pregnancy, she’ll have a baby born with a full head of hair.
Nope! No heartburn here. While this isn't a sex-specific tale, I thought it was funny considering my mom's experience: Heartburn with me (full head of hair), heartburn with my sister (no hair... did she leave it behind?!), no heartburn with my brother (bald, bald, bald). :)
Heart Rate
If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl. If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy.
My last two heart rate checks were 146 and "in the 150s".
PREDICTION:
Shape of Belly
If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy.
Of course, this is only thus far. So I can't really say! It feels pretty big and round already, even if it is small (but hey, I'm only 14 weeks, mmm-kay?)
PREDICTION:
??Ring Test
Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly. You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.
Haven't tried yet. :)
PREDICTION: Inconclusive
Shape of Mom’s Face
When your face gets fuller and rounder when pregnant, it means you’re going to have a girl. If your face is long and narrow, it’s a boy.
I've had someone comment that my face is fuller, which did little for my ego, of course. :P That's the only comment to my face save for it being flushed, so...?
PREDICTION:
??Key Test
This test involves a key. If you pick up a key at the top (the roundest part), you are going to have a boy. If you pick up the key at the bottom (smallest part), you are going to have a girl. If you happen to grab the key in the middle, congrats, it’s twins!
Haha, I've always picked up from the roundest part! I've never known anyone to pick it up by the other end, actually...
PREDICTION:
Mayan Tale
The Mayan tale adds the mothers age at conception and the year of conception. If the result is a even number then mom is having a girl. If the result is an odd number then a boy is on the way!
27 + 2012 = 2039!
PREDICTION:
Drano Test
The drano test combines a tablespoon of Drano and urine together. If the mixture turns green, it’s a girl. If it turns blue, it’s a boy.
I refuse to do this test because of its possible toxicity. There's a similar one with baking soda, though: If it fizzes when you add your urine, it's a boy; if it doesn't fizz, it's a girl. Mine had no fizz at all... made me wonder if the baking soda was any good, but nope!
PREDICTION:
Acne
If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones.
Ughhhh. Acne all over, especially my chest. My face is greasier, too. That ain't no glow, people.
PREDICTION:
Cravings
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl.
Chocolate, donuts, jelly beans, ice cream, Reese's cups, and maybe some fruit for breakfast... what do YOU think? :P
PREDICTION:
Smell of Garlic
If a pregnant woman eats a clove of garlic and the smell does not come out of her pores, it’s a girl. If the smell seeps out of her pores, it’s a boy.
I can't speak for garlic, but I can speak for Burger King veggie burgers, which usually make me smell funky for a few days. I had one over the weekend (MMM), and nothing, which was VERY strange. So if I swap garlic for a BK Veggie?
PREDICTION:
Skin under Left Eye
The eye test is when a “V” or “branches” appear when you pull down the skin under your left eye. If you see a “V” or “branches” in the white part, you’re having a girl.
This was a weird one. What's it supposed to do if you're having a boy?!
PREDICTION:
History of Parent’s Kids
You can find out the sex by going off of your parent’s kids and the order. If you are the first born, you will have what your mother had but starting with her second child. If you are the middle child, you will have what she said, but starting with the third child. If you are the last child, you will have what your mother had in the exact order. I think this tale only works when the parent’s had three kids.
My sister was born 11 months after I was. LOL (And my brother, 7 years after that!)
PREDICTION:
Time of Conception
The person that is most aggressive in bed at the time of conception is the opposite of what the baby will be.
Um.
PREDICTION:
(LOL)Legs
If your legs get really big, you’re having a boy. If your legs stay in shape and lean, it’s a girl.
Too early to tell! If pregnancy works the same as generally gaining weight, though, then...
PREDICTION:
Moodiness and a Little Pecker
If you are really moody, you are having a girl since you have another extra girl hormones in you. Your pregnancy will make you smile and be more happy if you are having a boy because there’s a little penis inside you. Not sure how true this is, but it sure does make me laugh!
Made me laugh, too. ;)
PREDICTION:
Bread
If you eat the ends of bread, it’s a boy. If you eat the middle of the load, it’s a girl.
I've always eaten the ends of bread. Matt saves them for me. ;)
PREDICTION:
Chinese Gender Chart
The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.
I went by this chart, which is difficult to read at first.
PREDICTION:
Mom’s Beauty
Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy. It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty. If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, you might just be having a little boy.
Hahaha! Well, I keep getting told that I'm "glowing", so I guess I'm going with keeping my beauty! However, my acne is out of control, as is the redness in my cheeks from all this damn blood coursing through my system. I can't call this one. :|
PREDICTION: Inconclusive
Dream of Sex of Baby
If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl. If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy. Dreams show the opposite of what you are having.
I keep dreaming about neither! There's a baby, but there's no sex attached to it.
PREDICTION: Inconclusive
Clumsy vs. Graceful
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy.
I'm always a fucking wreck anyway, so...
PREDICTION:
Toddlers
If a toddler boy expresses interest in a pregnant woman, she is having a girl. If he doesn’t show interest, she’s having a boy.
Oh, definitely a girl, then. My cousin has a 3-year-old son, and the whole family thing aside (as he really didn't seem to care about anyone else), he was trying to hold my attention ALL AFTERNOON. It was sweet, I love that kid. :)
PREDICTION:
Side You Most Rest On
If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy. If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl.
Stomach isn't an option?!
PREDICTION:
Hands
When the pregnant woman is asked to show her hands, it’s a boy if she keeps her palms down and a girl if she shows her palms up.
I find it weird that anyone would show the tops of their hands, anyway.
PREDICTION:
Dad’s Weight Gain
If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl. If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy.
Too early to tell! He DID weigh a bit more before he left for a business trip, but I'm going with inconclusive as I honestly don't know.
PREDICTION: Inconclusive
Breast Test
If a pregnant woman’s left breast is larger than the right breast, she’s having a girl. If the right breast is larger, it’s a boy.
This is tough because it's ALWAYS been bigger, but...
PREDICTION:
Necklace Over Hand
Have someone hold a necklace over your hand. If the necklace swings back and forth, it’s a boy. If it moves in a circle, it’s a girl.
Haven't tried this yet! :D I just got two of my friends here at work to try... one was inconclusive, the other was...
PREDICTION:
What Do You Think?
71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having.
I've always had a strong feeling about this, and while I'm not sure if it's because I want a girl and am prepping myself for the possibility of a boy, or if it's really a boy, but...
PREDICTION:
Morning Sickness
If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl.
UGH
PREDICTION:
Areolae
If your areolae (the part around your nips) have darkened, it’s a boy.
Why yes, they have!
PREDICTION:
Protein
When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy.
Not in the freakin' slightest, save for that one bout with the steak. Otherwise, it's been sweets and carbs, baby.
PREDICTION:
Feet
Are your feet colder now that you are pregnant? If so, you just might be having a boy. If your feet have stayed the same before pregnancy and during, you’re having a little girl.
Hot, hot little feet.
PREDICTION:
Hair on Legs
If the hair on your legs has been growing at record speeds, you might be having a boy.
Nah, same as always. I still don't shave as often as I "should", though. ;)
PREDICTION:
Hands are Dry
If your hands are constantly dry, it’s a boy.
Nope! They feel fine.
PREDICTION:
Urine
What color is your pee? If it is bright yellow, you will have a little boy. If your urine is a dull yellow, plan on a girl.
This is a tough one, as my pee is usually dull, but when I take my vitamins, it's BRIGHT yellow. Which makes sense, I guess! I'm drinking a ton of water, too. So basically, I'm fucking this one up. :P
PREDICTION: Inconclusive
Nose
Do you feel like your nose is growing and getting wider? If so, you might be having a boy.
Um... no? LOL
PREDICTION:
Headaches
If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.
Nope!
PREDICTION:
Baby Names
It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl, you will have that particularly baby.
GUH. Boy names are SO DIFFICULT!
PREDICTION:
And the results are...?!
22 10?? 5
Pregnancy: 14w
What I love: Being in my second trimester!
What I hate: Still having nausea at 14w, lol. And my body changes, which are perturbing, but I’m getting over them. Kinda. LOL [Same]
What I miss: Vegetables! And food that’s good for me! [Same]
What I’m looking forward to the most: Halloween! Seriously, I'm so excited for it. I just wish it wasn't supposed to be so blasted cold.
Worries: That it won’t stick. That’s a big worry right now. [Same]
Symptoms: Constipation, nausea, some acid reflux at night, growing pains (hee!), a bigger belly! [Same] And tired, so very tired.
Mood: Pretty good. :)
Sleep: Very good, if not for the fact that I always feel like I'm getting too little!
Movement: I THINK I may have felt something at my midwife exam during the fetal doppler. It felt similar to someone flicking you, or like a tiny glass bubble popping. SO weird! If that was movement, it was pretty amazing! :D
The belly (and the button!): Belly button still in! Totally weird, though, it’s definitely more shallow! And the belly is bigger! OMG, is it bigger. [Same]
Wedding rings on or off: On!
Weight gain: I changed this one because, let’s face it, I’ll never get around to measuring. :P As for weight, I’m up about 2.5lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight. (But I ate a TON yesterday and my stomach hated me for it, so I think that might be inflated. LOL)
Milestones: SECOND TRIMESTER WHUT!!
Best moment of the week: Hearing the heartbeat at my appointment. It was our first time hearing it, and while Matt was all "whatever, we got to SEE IT recently", I was still in complete awe. :)
In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.
The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.
What I hate: Still having nausea at 14w, lol. And my body changes, which are perturbing, but I’m getting over them. Kinda. LOL [Same]
What I miss: Vegetables! And food that’s good for me! [Same]
What I’m looking forward to the most: Halloween! Seriously, I'm so excited for it. I just wish it wasn't supposed to be so blasted cold.
Worries: That it won’t stick. That’s a big worry right now. [Same]
Symptoms: Constipation, nausea, some acid reflux at night, growing pains (hee!), a bigger belly! [Same] And tired, so very tired.
Mood: Pretty good. :)
Sleep: Very good, if not for the fact that I always feel like I'm getting too little!
Movement: I THINK I may have felt something at my midwife exam during the fetal doppler. It felt similar to someone flicking you, or like a tiny glass bubble popping. SO weird! If that was movement, it was pretty amazing! :D
The belly (and the button!): Belly button still in! Totally weird, though, it’s definitely more shallow! And the belly is bigger! OMG, is it bigger. [Same]
Wedding rings on or off: On!
Weight gain: I changed this one because, let’s face it, I’ll never get around to measuring. :P As for weight, I’m up about 2.5lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight. (But I ate a TON yesterday and my stomach hated me for it, so I think that might be inflated. LOL)
Milestones: SECOND TRIMESTER WHUT!!
Best moment of the week: Hearing the heartbeat at my appointment. It was our first time hearing it, and while Matt was all "whatever, we got to SEE IT recently", I was still in complete awe. :)
How your baby's growing:
This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.
How your life's changing:
Welcome to your second trimester! Your energy is likely returning, your breasts may be feeling less tender, and your queasiness may have completely abated by now. If not, hang on — chances are good it will soon be behind you (although an unlucky few will still feel nauseated months from now).The top of your uterus is a bit above your pubic bone, which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for. Take some time to plan, daydream, and enjoy this amazing time. It's normal to worry a bit now and then, but try to focus on taking care of yourself and your baby, and having faith that you're well equipped for what's ahead.
24 October 2012
Pregnancy: 13w6d - Belly! And a LOL.
It's starting to look like a true preggo belly now! Though I assure you, much of this is food baby, as I'm backed up and I ate way too much today. LOL
I'm sure it doesn't look like much, but I asked two friends at work, and they were like "YUP THAT'S A BUMP" :D It's about at my boobs now! And that's impressive, as THEY'VE grown, too!
And the LOL:
I had orchestra rehearsal yesterday, and a violist friend of mine caught me during one of the breaks and asked what I've been eating lately. So I quipped, "Too many donuts!"
We caught up later, after rehearsal, and he sheepishly said, "I was trying to ask if you were pregnant." I couldn't help but simultaneously laugh and feel bad -- I didn't want him to think he was asking something inappropriate! So I said I was! Apparently, my glow gave it away before my belly. I told him that was just oily skin. ;)
I had joked with awesome attorney-boss that I'd wait for the awkward "Is she fat or pregnant...?" questions, but now that I finally got to experience a bit of it, the guilt is creeping in! Guess you can't entirely ditch the Catholic thing, haha. So I don't think I'll be doing that anymore!
I'm sure it doesn't look like much, but I asked two friends at work, and they were like "YUP THAT'S A BUMP" :D It's about at my boobs now! And that's impressive, as THEY'VE grown, too!
And the LOL:
I had orchestra rehearsal yesterday, and a violist friend of mine caught me during one of the breaks and asked what I've been eating lately. So I quipped, "Too many donuts!"
We caught up later, after rehearsal, and he sheepishly said, "I was trying to ask if you were pregnant." I couldn't help but simultaneously laugh and feel bad -- I didn't want him to think he was asking something inappropriate! So I said I was! Apparently, my glow gave it away before my belly. I told him that was just oily skin. ;)
I had joked with awesome attorney-boss that I'd wait for the awkward "Is she fat or pregnant...?" questions, but now that I finally got to experience a bit of it, the guilt is creeping in! Guess you can't entirely ditch the Catholic thing, haha. So I don't think I'll be doing that anymore!
Pregnancy: 13w6d - Wherein this pregnancy/childbirth/motherhood thingreally hits me...
Matt left yesterday for a business trip, and I always have trouble sleeping as a result. Last night, as I lay in bed trying to drift off, I started really thinking about this whole process of pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood.
And truth be told, it scared the living bejeezus out of me.
It's not that I'm not excited to be a mother. It's not even that our lives would change so drastically -- in fact, I don't see much change at all, save for positive aspects.
The feeling is almost indescribable. I have such doubts of my ability to carry and birth this child, such doubts as to my aspirations for motherhood. Sometimes, I even have doubts about whether my child will turn out normal, or whether I'll fuck him or her up in some way.
Y'all know me, right? That's a distinct possibility. ;) (I keed, I keed!)
Part of me doubts that I'll be able to handle this birth like I want. I'm going to Special Beginnings, a midwifery practice near Annapolis, and I couldn't be happier with the care I've received there so far! The midwives are amazingly kind, gentle, knowledgeable, and take the time to answer your questions and concerns. I have yet to have an appointment that was shorter than 45 minutes, and I appreciate that they take the time with me (and all their patients, I'm sure!).
I keep reassuring myself of a few things: My body is meant to do this. It's fully capable, it's wise, it's totally preparing for this. And if my mom could do it (and she did, with three of us!), then I certainly can, too.
Childbirth itself is a scary thing, though, and I'm afraid I'm putting too much pressure on myself to do it the "right" way. As often as I say that I'm going to remain flexible and will do whatever is necessary, a big part of me is worried that I'll think less of myself if, heaven forbid, I need any interventions, interventions that I certainly don't want. I must be Super Labor Woman!
Another part of this doubt, I'm sure, comes from the fact that I'll be a working mother after Kit is born. After three months of maternity leave, I'll be driving our baby to a daycare close to my workplace and dropping Kit off to be cared for by this room of strangers and these other babies, hoping feverishly that Kit'll be in good hands while I bang away at a keyboard all day. Sure, there will be the hour-long break when I head over to feed and snuggle my baby, that one precious hour amidst eight, then it'll be back to work until the end of the day and another car ride home.
How can I be a good mom to my baby when Kit is cared for by other people for a majority of the day? How can I really bond with Kit when the only real time I get is at home, for those few precious hours? (Car rides don't count unless someone else is driving!)
Then sneak in the other expectations of being a mom in the 21st century -- perfectly clean home, well-kept children, a solid exercise routine, and culinary skills that would make Chef Ramsay look like a common line cook, because you know a mom ain't a good mom unless she fits both 1950s and current ideals of motherhood! -- and it's no wonder that I'm feeling like I'll likely be inadequate.
Sometimes, I'm even afraid that I won't love my child. Not just unconditionally, but in general. I have a difficult time connecting to people on that level, anyway, and to think that some describe that bond between them and their children as unwavering is... unnerving, to say the least. What if I don't feel that way?
I guess these are normal fears, and as this pregnancy progresses, I'll start to feel more at ease with them. Or I'll panic, whatever! :P
I think the gravity of everything, the whole "WHAT DID WE DOOOO" mindset, just hit me full force last night and I couldn't help but think about this -- not that it's the first time I have, but it's the first since we got our positive test, and considering how far along we already are and that we saw Kit recently (as beautiful and perfect as I knew Kit would be!), it was more real than ever.
And it's about to get even MORE real. And even more exciting. :)
And truth be told, it scared the living bejeezus out of me.
It's not that I'm not excited to be a mother. It's not even that our lives would change so drastically -- in fact, I don't see much change at all, save for positive aspects.
The feeling is almost indescribable. I have such doubts of my ability to carry and birth this child, such doubts as to my aspirations for motherhood. Sometimes, I even have doubts about whether my child will turn out normal, or whether I'll fuck him or her up in some way.
Y'all know me, right? That's a distinct possibility. ;) (I keed, I keed!)
Part of me doubts that I'll be able to handle this birth like I want. I'm going to Special Beginnings, a midwifery practice near Annapolis, and I couldn't be happier with the care I've received there so far! The midwives are amazingly kind, gentle, knowledgeable, and take the time to answer your questions and concerns. I have yet to have an appointment that was shorter than 45 minutes, and I appreciate that they take the time with me (and all their patients, I'm sure!).
I keep reassuring myself of a few things: My body is meant to do this. It's fully capable, it's wise, it's totally preparing for this. And if my mom could do it (and she did, with three of us!), then I certainly can, too.
Childbirth itself is a scary thing, though, and I'm afraid I'm putting too much pressure on myself to do it the "right" way. As often as I say that I'm going to remain flexible and will do whatever is necessary, a big part of me is worried that I'll think less of myself if, heaven forbid, I need any interventions, interventions that I certainly don't want. I must be Super Labor Woman!
Another part of this doubt, I'm sure, comes from the fact that I'll be a working mother after Kit is born. After three months of maternity leave, I'll be driving our baby to a daycare close to my workplace and dropping Kit off to be cared for by this room of strangers and these other babies, hoping feverishly that Kit'll be in good hands while I bang away at a keyboard all day. Sure, there will be the hour-long break when I head over to feed and snuggle my baby, that one precious hour amidst eight, then it'll be back to work until the end of the day and another car ride home.
How can I be a good mom to my baby when Kit is cared for by other people for a majority of the day? How can I really bond with Kit when the only real time I get is at home, for those few precious hours? (Car rides don't count unless someone else is driving!)
Then sneak in the other expectations of being a mom in the 21st century -- perfectly clean home, well-kept children, a solid exercise routine, and culinary skills that would make Chef Ramsay look like a common line cook, because you know a mom ain't a good mom unless she fits both 1950s and current ideals of motherhood! -- and it's no wonder that I'm feeling like I'll likely be inadequate.
Sometimes, I'm even afraid that I won't love my child. Not just unconditionally, but in general. I have a difficult time connecting to people on that level, anyway, and to think that some describe that bond between them and their children as unwavering is... unnerving, to say the least. What if I don't feel that way?
I guess these are normal fears, and as this pregnancy progresses, I'll start to feel more at ease with them. Or I'll panic, whatever! :P
I think the gravity of everything, the whole "WHAT DID WE DOOOO" mindset, just hit me full force last night and I couldn't help but think about this -- not that it's the first time I have, but it's the first since we got our positive test, and considering how far along we already are and that we saw Kit recently (as beautiful and perfect as I knew Kit would be!), it was more real than ever.
And it's about to get even MORE real. And even more exciting. :)
Wherein this pregnancy/childbirth/motherhood thing really hits me…
Matt left yesterday for a business trip, and like always, I had trouble sleeping last night as a result. As I lay in bed trying to drift off, I started really thinking about this whole process of pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood.
And truth be told, it scared the living bejeezus out of me.
It's not that I'm not excited to be a mother. It's not even that our lives would change so drastically -- in fact, I don't see much change at all, save for positive aspects.
The feeling is almost indescribable. I have such doubts of my ability to carry and birth this child, such doubts as to my aspirations for motherhood. Sometimes, I even have doubts about whether my child will turn out normal, or whether I'll fuck him or her up in some way.
Y'all know me, right? That's a distinct possibility. ;) (I keed, I keed!)
Part of me doubts that I'll be able to handle this birth like I want. I'm going to Special Beginnings, a midwifery practice near Annapolis, and I couldn't be happier with the care I've received there so far! The midwives are amazingly kind, gentle, knowledgeable, and take the time to answer your questions and concerns. I have yet to have an appointment that was shorter than 45 minutes, and I appreciate that they take the time with me (and all their patients, I'm sure!).
I keep reassuring myself of a few things: My body is meant to do this. It's fully capable, it's wise, it's totally preparing for this. And if my mom could do it (and she did, with three of us!), then I certainly can, too.
Childbirth itself is a scary thing, though, and I'm afraid I'm putting too much pressure on myself to do it the "right" way. As often as I say that I'm going to remain flexible and will do whatever is necessary, a big part of me is worried that I'll think less of myself if, heaven forbid, I need any interventions, interventions that I certainly don't want. I must be Super Labor Woman!
Another part of this doubt, I'm sure, comes from the fact that I'll be a working mother after Kit is born. After three months of maternity leave, I'll be driving our baby to a daycare close to my workplace and dropping Kit off to be cared for by this room of strangers and these other babies, hoping feverishly that Kit'll be in good hands while I bang away at a keyboard all day. Sure, there will be the hour-long break when I head over to feed and snuggle my baby, that one precious hour amidst eight, then it'll be back to work until the end of the day and another car ride home.
How can I be a good mom to my baby when Kit is cared for by other people for a majority of the day? How can I really bond with Kit when the only real time I get is at home, for those few precious hours? (Car rides don't count unless someone else is driving!)
Then sneak in the other expectations of being a mom in the 21st century -- perfectly clean home, well-kept children, a solid exercise routine, and culinary skills that would make Chef Ramsay look like a common line cook, because you know a mom ain't a good mom unless she fits both 1950s and current ideals of motherhood! -- and it's no wonder that I'm feeling like I'll likely be inadequate.
Sometimes, I'm even afraid that I won't love my child. Not just unconditionally, but in general. I have a difficult time connecting to people on that level, anyway, and to think that some describe that bond between them and their children as unwavering is... unnerving, to say the least. What if I don't feel that way?
I guess these are normal fears, and as this pregnancy progresses, I'll start to feel more at ease with them. Or I'll panic, whatever! :P
I think the gravity of everything, the whole "WHAT DID WE DOOOO" mindset, just hit me full force last night and I couldn't help but think about this -- not that it's the first time I have, but it's the first since we got our positive test, and considering how far along we already are and that we saw Kit recently (as beautiful and perfect as I knew Kit would be!), it was more real than ever.
And it's about to get even MORE real. And even more exciting. :)
23 October 2012
Pregnancy: 13w5d - Iron (and Kit's heartbeat!)
I started craving red meat a while ago, specifically steak. I don't have that craving now, but I did have it for a few weeks around 8w, and it was so powerful that I almost ignored the grossness of it (as a veg, I mean -- I know it's not gross to most!) and caved.
I honestly thought it was an iron deficiency, so I emailed Special Beginnings to see what they suggested. I was all set to up my iron intake, but I wanted to get their opinions first.
Then I had my midwife appointment yesterday, and everything was absolutely perfect. BP, urine culture, and blood were all perfect. And that included my iron levels!
If anything, my levels were actually high -- 41%! Fortunately, that's still within the range of normal (20-50%), so I actually have nothing to worry about there.
I was a little taken aback by that as, while vegetarians can (but not always) have difficulty getting iron considering iron levels in vegetables, they tend to not be easily absorbed like from meat sources. In fact, vegetarians being anemic is rather rare so long as the vegetarian is getting a diverse blend of these foods plus vitamin C. :)
Anyway, so I really had nothing to worry about. Pregnancy was just playing tricks on my brain! I don't crave it anymore, and now that I know I'm fine, I can attribute any future cravings to this same brain-trick.
I got to hear Kit's heartbeat yesterday, too!! Just over 150BPM, happy and healthy in there! Kit shied away from the doppler when the midwife first tried, haha. :)
I honestly thought it was an iron deficiency, so I emailed Special Beginnings to see what they suggested. I was all set to up my iron intake, but I wanted to get their opinions first.
Then I had my midwife appointment yesterday, and everything was absolutely perfect. BP, urine culture, and blood were all perfect. And that included my iron levels!
If anything, my levels were actually high -- 41%! Fortunately, that's still within the range of normal (20-50%), so I actually have nothing to worry about there.
I was a little taken aback by that as, while vegetarians can (but not always) have difficulty getting iron considering iron levels in vegetables, they tend to not be easily absorbed like from meat sources. In fact, vegetarians being anemic is rather rare so long as the vegetarian is getting a diverse blend of these foods plus vitamin C. :)
Anyway, so I really had nothing to worry about. Pregnancy was just playing tricks on my brain! I don't crave it anymore, and now that I know I'm fine, I can attribute any future cravings to this same brain-trick.
I got to hear Kit's heartbeat yesterday, too!! Just over 150BPM, happy and healthy in there! Kit shied away from the doppler when the midwife first tried, haha. :)
22 October 2012
Pregnancy: 13w3d - Sonograms!
So I totally shared these all over FB and TCC, and I totally forgot to share them here. Where I post all my preggo stuff. XD
(BTW, due to the sensitivity of some of these posts -- namely about my MIL, lol -- I will NOT be posting any of them to TCC proper. So expect continued updates here and very few crossposts over at TCC.)
Can I just say that this was my favorite ever? Kit was wiggling around once she* finally woke up (never really getting into a 100% perfect spot for the poor tech, whose hand hurt as she was digging so hard! Haha!), and I saw hiccuping! I was like, that's totally my kid. ;)
Matt also saw Kit open and close her mouth a few times, which totally got him riled: "Does that mean she's getting fluid in her mouth?! GROSS!" LOLOL, that was amusing.
That appointment went really well! The tech was incredibly thorough, which I appreciated, and we got to see Kit for a good long time. :) Next up: Anatomy scan! We're looking to get that done in south Florida so our parents can come!
*I don't know if Kit is a girl, but I need to use SOME kind of pronoun until we find out. "It" is just too weird!
**Yup, proper first names now, too, since we're official and all. ;)
(BTW, due to the sensitivity of some of these posts -- namely about my MIL, lol -- I will NOT be posting any of them to TCC proper. So expect continued updates here and very few crossposts over at TCC.)
Can I just say that this was my favorite ever? Kit was wiggling around once she* finally woke up (never really getting into a 100% perfect spot for the poor tech, whose hand hurt as she was digging so hard! Haha!), and I saw hiccuping! I was like, that's totally my kid. ;)
Matt also saw Kit open and close her mouth a few times, which totally got him riled: "Does that mean she's getting fluid in her mouth?! GROSS!" LOLOL, that was amusing.
That appointment went really well! The tech was incredibly thorough, which I appreciated, and we got to see Kit for a good long time. :) Next up: Anatomy scan! We're looking to get that done in south Florida so our parents can come!
*I don't know if Kit is a girl, but I need to use SOME kind of pronoun until we find out. "It" is just too weird!
**Yup, proper first names now, too, since we're official and all. ;)
19 October 2012
We're making a Kit! (A picture and video post!)
I have something to share. :)
Lookit what Matt and I have been working on! Kind of explains my recent absence, huh? ;)
We have been trying since just before the beginning of this year to expand our family, and we finally got our positive on 13 August!
We hadn't told anyone but family (and awesome attorney-boss because, shoot, if I was ever sick at work...!), and we told them around 6.5 weeks with a video, as they're long-distance. They loved it!!
I started bleeding, so I panicked and called up our birth center, who had us come in for an emergency blood draw and ultrasound. We went, I got blood drawn for hCG levels, then off to the hospital it was for the ultrasound.
When the heartbeat came back as 139bpm and a very healthy baby bopping around in there, we cried. Totally broke down. Our little Kit was okay. :)
Scariest moment of my life, though! And to think, all those feelings attached to something that barely measured over a centimeter.
Y'all have no idea how much I wanted to tell you. :) Now I'm so happy that I can share!
The purpose of this blog, partially as a result of this, is going to shift from food, faith, and family to strictly faith and family. Part of this decision is based on my apparent need to update my Recipes tab, and most is based on this little life growing right now.
I'm looking forward to sharing our journey to becoming a coexisting family (and a new addition to boot!) with you. :)
Lookit what Matt and I have been working on! Kind of explains my recent absence, huh? ;)
We have been trying since just before the beginning of this year to expand our family, and we finally got our positive on 13 August!
We hadn't told anyone but family (and awesome attorney-boss because, shoot, if I was ever sick at work...!), and we told them around 6.5 weeks with a video, as they're long-distance. They loved it!!
I started bleeding, so I panicked and called up our birth center, who had us come in for an emergency blood draw and ultrasound. We went, I got blood drawn for hCG levels, then off to the hospital it was for the ultrasound.
When the heartbeat came back as 139bpm and a very healthy baby bopping around in there, we cried. Totally broke down. Our little Kit was okay. :)
Scariest moment of my life, though! And to think, all those feelings attached to something that barely measured over a centimeter.
Y'all have no idea how much I wanted to tell you. :) Now I'm so happy that I can share!
The purpose of this blog, partially as a result of this, is going to shift from food, faith, and family to strictly faith and family. Part of this decision is based on my apparent need to update my Recipes tab, and most is based on this little life growing right now.
I'm looking forward to sharing our journey to becoming a coexisting family (and a new addition to boot!) with you. :)
18 October 2012
Pregnancy: 13w
Since I'm now in my second trimester(!!) and feeling a bit more confident about everything, I'm leaving these weekly updates outside a cut. :D
What I love: Being in my second trimester! According to some, at least. ;)
What I hate: Still having nausea at 13w, lol. And my body changes, which are perturbing, but I'm getting over them. Kinda. LOL
What I miss: Vegetables! And food that's good for me!
What I’m looking forward to the most: My 13-week ultrasound and MW appointment! ULTRASOUND IS TOMORROW OMG!
Worries: That it won’t stick. That’s a big worry right now. [Same]
Symptoms: Constipation, nausea, some acid reflux at night, growing pains (hee!), a bigger belly!
Mood: Up and down. I find I'm less tolerant of bullshit lately and have dropped my filter a bit. But I'm not experiencing any extreme moods one way or the other.
Sleep: Pretty good, actually!
Movement: Um, none. Way too early for that. LOL [Same]
The belly (and the button!): Belly button still in! Totally weird, though, it’s definitely more shallow! And the belly is bigger! OMG, is it bigger. [Same]
Wedding rings on or off: Off! But not because of what you’d think. It’s cooler out, so my engagement ring spin. I end up taking it off during the day, lol. [Same]
Weight gain: I changed this one because, let's face it, I'll never get around to measuring. :P ASs for weight, I'm up about 2lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight.
Milestones: SECOND TRIMESTER WHUT!! :)
Best moment of the week: Getting a lot of stuff done here at work. I feel very accomplished right now. :)
What I love: Being in my second trimester! According to some, at least. ;)
What I hate: Still having nausea at 13w, lol. And my body changes, which are perturbing, but I'm getting over them. Kinda. LOL
What I miss: Vegetables! And food that's good for me!
What I’m looking forward to the most: My 13-week ultrasound and MW appointment! ULTRASOUND IS TOMORROW OMG!
Worries: That it won’t stick. That’s a big worry right now. [Same]
Symptoms: Constipation, nausea, some acid reflux at night, growing pains (hee!), a bigger belly!
Mood: Up and down. I find I'm less tolerant of bullshit lately and have dropped my filter a bit. But I'm not experiencing any extreme moods one way or the other.
Sleep: Pretty good, actually!
Movement: Um, none. Way too early for that. LOL [Same]
The belly (and the button!): Belly button still in! Totally weird, though, it’s definitely more shallow! And the belly is bigger! OMG, is it bigger. [Same]
Wedding rings on or off: Off! But not because of what you’d think. It’s cooler out, so my engagement ring spin. I end up taking it off during the day, lol. [Same]
Weight gain: I changed this one because, let's face it, I'll never get around to measuring. :P ASs for weight, I'm up about 2lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight.
Milestones: SECOND TRIMESTER WHUT!! :)
Best moment of the week: Getting a lot of stuff done here at work. I feel very accomplished right now. :)
How your baby's growing:
Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.How your life's changing:
This is the last week of your first trimester, and your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in pregnancy. Next week marks the beginning of your second trimester, a time of relative comfort for many women who see early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue subside. More good news: Many couples also notice a distinct libido lift around this time. Birth is still months away, but your breasts may have already started making colostrum, the nutrient-rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk starts to flowThis Week's Activity:
Share your view of parenting with your partner. To get the conversation going, try this creative writing exercise: Each of you makes two lists, one titled "My mother always..." and one titled "My mother never..." Then do the same for "My father always/My father never." When you're done, talk about what you wrote down and decide together which behaviors you value and which you'd like to change as you raise your child.16 October 2012
Pregnancy: 12w5d - I've been caught!
Now I'm REALLY wondering if I'm showing or otherwise being obvious, or if this person is just hyper aware. (That's a distinct possibility. ;)) But I was caught today by a coworker!
I was coming out of another part of the office when she beckoned me to her desk. Said she wanted it to come across the right way, but she was curious... "Are you expecting?"
Ohhhh shit. My eyebrows about flew off my forehead when she asked! I think my surprise showed on my face, so I put my finger over my lips, quickly nodded, and was like, "Yup!" She was really excited, asking how far along I was and all that. When I asked how she knew, she said I had been sick a lot lately and was wearing more comfortable clothing (I am, lol), so she just had an idea. This is the girl that I told DH was probably checking out, ah... other parts of me, as they've certainly grown, lol.
(She had the foresight to ask, by the way, when everyone around her was at a meeting. Smart girl! :D)
So now I'm worried that more people in the office know than not! Not like there's anything I can do to change that -- I'm hiding as best I can, but there's only so much I can do -- but it does make me nervous! Especially since I have yet to have my 13w ultrasound. FRIDAY!
Fortunately, I'm pretty sure that everyone who knows me will be excited about the new baby, just as my coworker-friend is. :) Phew, to think that so many people know already, crazy!!
(I'm giddy with happiness and nervousness right now. Ha!)
I was coming out of another part of the office when she beckoned me to her desk. Said she wanted it to come across the right way, but she was curious... "Are you expecting?"
Ohhhh shit. My eyebrows about flew off my forehead when she asked! I think my surprise showed on my face, so I put my finger over my lips, quickly nodded, and was like, "Yup!" She was really excited, asking how far along I was and all that. When I asked how she knew, she said I had been sick a lot lately and was wearing more comfortable clothing (I am, lol), so she just had an idea. This is the girl that I told DH was probably checking out, ah... other parts of me, as they've certainly grown, lol.
(She had the foresight to ask, by the way, when everyone around her was at a meeting. Smart girl! :D)
So now I'm worried that more people in the office know than not! Not like there's anything I can do to change that -- I'm hiding as best I can, but there's only so much I can do -- but it does make me nervous! Especially since I have yet to have my 13w ultrasound. FRIDAY!
Fortunately, I'm pretty sure that everyone who knows me will be excited about the new baby, just as my coworker-friend is. :) Phew, to think that so many people know already, crazy!!
(I'm giddy with happiness and nervousness right now. Ha!)
NASA Goddard encourages and celebrates different faiths – Part 5!
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[/caption]
A very happy holiday to anyone observing this month.
Like the ones in February, April, July, and August, below is the section of the email sent to all NASA Goddard employees with the holidays for the month of July, including some links at the bottom with additional information and a diversity calendar. As always, thank you to Matt for sharing!
October 1
Sukkot (Feast of Booths) (Jewish): An eight day festival commemorating the divine protection given to the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the desert. It is also a festival of giving thanks and celebrating the fall harvest. Begins at sundown the previous day.
October 5
National Diversity Day: “Embrace diversity, embrace our world” is the slogan of this day, celebrated each year on the first Friday of October.
October 8
Columbus Day: Columbus Day was first celebrated on October 12, 1792 to honor the day Christopher Columbus, a well known Italian explorer, landed in the Bahamas in 1492. One hundred years later, it was celebrated again at the urging of President Benjamin Harrison. Since 1920, it has been celebrated annually and, in 1971, became a federal legal holiday to be celebrated on the second Monday in October. Also commemorated in multiple Latin American countries to celebrate shared Spanish and Indian heritage.
October 9
Simchat Torah (Jewish): Means “rejoicing in the Torah” and immediately follows Sukkot. It celebrates the conclusion of the public reading of the Torah. Begins at sundown the previous day.
October 9
Leif Eriksson Day (Norwegian American): A day of tribute to the landing of Norseman on the North American continent around 1000 CE, led by Leif Eriksson from Greenland. This holiday, proclaimed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, honors the Icelandic explorer Leif Ericsson, who is believed to be the first European to land on North American soil. Almost five hundred years would pass before another European landed in the Americas, when Columbus made his voyage of exploration
October 11
National Coming Out Day: Commemorates the 1987 march in Washington, D.C. to support gay and lesbian rights. This is also a day to encourage gays and lesbians to step out with pride.
October 16
National Boss Day: A day dedicated to appreciate our supervisors at work. It is usually celebrated on October 16 but if it falls on a weekend day, it is then celebrated on the work day closest to the 16th.
October 16
Navaratri (Hindu): During the 9 days festival of Navaratri, God in the form of the universal mother, commonly referred to as Durga, Devi or Shakti is honored. Culminates with a celebration on the tenth day “Dassehra” to commemorate Rama's victory over Ravana and honors the goddess Durga. This festival is also known as Vijay Dasami.
October 20
Birthday of the Bab (Baha’i): Remembers the 1819 birth of Siyyid Ali Muhammad, who took the title of “the Bab” and is recognized as prophet-herald of the faith. Begins at sundown the previous day.
October 24
United Nations Day (United Nations): This day commemorates the founding of the United Nations in 1945.
October 26
Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) (Islamic): Commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael in obedience to God’s word (God interceded by replacing a ram for the child). The three-day celebration occurs at the end of the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. This is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar. Begins at sundown the previous day.
October 31
Halloween: This festival, which takes its name from All Hallows Eve (the eve of the feast of All Saints), originated among the Celts of Britain and Ireland, for whom October 31 was new year’s eve. On this night it was believed that the souls of the dead revisited their earthly homes, and huge bonfires were set to frighten away evil spirits. With the rise of Christianity, the autumn festival came to be associated with All Saints Day. Secular Halloween customs reflect its pagan origins and were introduced to the United States by immigrants, especially the Irish, in the nineteenth century. Today the most widely observed Halloween custom is a benign version of “trick or treat,” in which costumed children go from door to door collecting sweets.
October 31
Samhain (Pagan): The first day of the New Year and marks the move from summer to winter in the Northern Hemisphere. This harvest festival, one of the “Greater Sabbats,” honors Saman, an ancient lord of the dead. According to folklore, on this day the souls of all those who had died the previous year gathered.
October 31
Reformation Day (Christian Protestant): Commemorates the day in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses (propositions) to the door of Wittenberg’s Palace Church, which led to the establishment of the Protestant denominations of Christianity.
http://www.diversityresources.com/multicultural-calendar.html
http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/
http://www.diversitycalendar.com/Home.html
[/caption]A very happy holiday to anyone observing this month.
Like the ones in February, April, July, and August, below is the section of the email sent to all NASA Goddard employees with the holidays for the month of July, including some links at the bottom with additional information and a diversity calendar. As always, thank you to Matt for sharing!
October 1
Sukkot (Feast of Booths) (Jewish): An eight day festival commemorating the divine protection given to the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the desert. It is also a festival of giving thanks and celebrating the fall harvest. Begins at sundown the previous day.
October 5
National Diversity Day: “Embrace diversity, embrace our world” is the slogan of this day, celebrated each year on the first Friday of October.
October 8
Columbus Day: Columbus Day was first celebrated on October 12, 1792 to honor the day Christopher Columbus, a well known Italian explorer, landed in the Bahamas in 1492. One hundred years later, it was celebrated again at the urging of President Benjamin Harrison. Since 1920, it has been celebrated annually and, in 1971, became a federal legal holiday to be celebrated on the second Monday in October. Also commemorated in multiple Latin American countries to celebrate shared Spanish and Indian heritage.
October 9
Simchat Torah (Jewish): Means “rejoicing in the Torah” and immediately follows Sukkot. It celebrates the conclusion of the public reading of the Torah. Begins at sundown the previous day.
October 9
Leif Eriksson Day (Norwegian American): A day of tribute to the landing of Norseman on the North American continent around 1000 CE, led by Leif Eriksson from Greenland. This holiday, proclaimed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, honors the Icelandic explorer Leif Ericsson, who is believed to be the first European to land on North American soil. Almost five hundred years would pass before another European landed in the Americas, when Columbus made his voyage of exploration
October 11
National Coming Out Day: Commemorates the 1987 march in Washington, D.C. to support gay and lesbian rights. This is also a day to encourage gays and lesbians to step out with pride.
October 16
National Boss Day: A day dedicated to appreciate our supervisors at work. It is usually celebrated on October 16 but if it falls on a weekend day, it is then celebrated on the work day closest to the 16th.
October 16
Navaratri (Hindu): During the 9 days festival of Navaratri, God in the form of the universal mother, commonly referred to as Durga, Devi or Shakti is honored. Culminates with a celebration on the tenth day “Dassehra” to commemorate Rama's victory over Ravana and honors the goddess Durga. This festival is also known as Vijay Dasami.
October 20
Birthday of the Bab (Baha’i): Remembers the 1819 birth of Siyyid Ali Muhammad, who took the title of “the Bab” and is recognized as prophet-herald of the faith. Begins at sundown the previous day.
October 24
United Nations Day (United Nations): This day commemorates the founding of the United Nations in 1945.
October 26
Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) (Islamic): Commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael in obedience to God’s word (God interceded by replacing a ram for the child). The three-day celebration occurs at the end of the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. This is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar. Begins at sundown the previous day.
October 31
Halloween: This festival, which takes its name from All Hallows Eve (the eve of the feast of All Saints), originated among the Celts of Britain and Ireland, for whom October 31 was new year’s eve. On this night it was believed that the souls of the dead revisited their earthly homes, and huge bonfires were set to frighten away evil spirits. With the rise of Christianity, the autumn festival came to be associated with All Saints Day. Secular Halloween customs reflect its pagan origins and were introduced to the United States by immigrants, especially the Irish, in the nineteenth century. Today the most widely observed Halloween custom is a benign version of “trick or treat,” in which costumed children go from door to door collecting sweets.
October 31
Samhain (Pagan): The first day of the New Year and marks the move from summer to winter in the Northern Hemisphere. This harvest festival, one of the “Greater Sabbats,” honors Saman, an ancient lord of the dead. According to folklore, on this day the souls of all those who had died the previous year gathered.
October 31
Reformation Day (Christian Protestant): Commemorates the day in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses (propositions) to the door of Wittenberg’s Palace Church, which led to the establishment of the Protestant denominations of Christianity.
http://www.diversityresources.com/multicultural-calendar.html
http://www3.kumc.edu/diversity/
http://www.diversitycalendar.com/Home.html
14 October 2012
Pregnancy: 12w3d
Aaaah! 12 weeks!! When did that happen?!
I'mma celebrate with chocolate chip cookies and ice cream. LOL
What I love: That I'm in my 12th week! It's so awesome to be THIS CLOSE to being in my second trimester!
What I hate: Being sick, but not the way that's been typical lately. I've had a cold for four or five days, which sucked more because I couldn't take anything! I have a feeling that, once this goes away, I'll feel better on the m/s side, too. Not that that's gone, it's different -- especially since things are shifting in there, lol. :)
What I miss: Being able to eat normal food at a regular pace. [Same]
What I’m looking forward to the most: My 13-week ultrasound and MW appointment! :)
Worries: That it won’t stick. That’s a big worry right now. [Same] Fortunately, that fear is going away. :) I'm also worried about getting fat because my cravings are all SUGARRR.
Symptoms: Constipation! Fun! That's new. Still a little stomach upset, especially when I eat too fast. Sore nips, same as before. And growing pains!! That's been kind of weird, and while my bloat has gone down, those pains showed they were doing something... even DH noted that I'm in that, "Is she fat or pregnant?" phase, lol.
Mood: More mood swings! Not in a bad way. I'm lucky (and DH is lucky!) they're all goofy mood swings. :)
Sleep: Interrupted more by night pees, but otherwise fine!
Movement: Um, none. Way too early for that. LOL [Same]
The belly (and the button!): Belly button still in! [Same] Totally weird, though, it's definitely more shallow! And the belly is bigger! OMG, is it bigger.
Wedding rings on or off: Off! But not because of what you’d think. It’s cooler out, so my engagement ring spin. I end up taking it off during the day, lol. [Same]
Waist (measured at the belly button: No way to measure. I really should start doing this, lol. [Same... apparently, I never learn... even still!!]
Milestones: SO CLOSE to the milestone I'm looking forward to!! For now, surviving a cold without DayQuil. ;)
Best moment of the week: Awesome attorney-boss' wife gave birth!! Which was TOTALLY exciting!!
How your baby's growing:
The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.
Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.
How your life's changing:
Your uterus has grown to the point where your healthcare provider can now feel the top of it (the fundus) low in your abdomen, just above your pubic bone. You may already be into maternity clothes, especially if this isn't your first pregnancy. If you're still fairly small and not yet ready for maternity clothes, you've no doubt noticed that your waist is thickening and that you're more comfortable in loose, less restrictive clothing.
You may begin to feel heartburn (also called acid indigestion), a burning sensation that often extends from the bottom of your breastbone to your lower throat. Many women get heartburn for the first time during pregnancy, and those who've previously had bouts of heartburn may find that it gets worse. During pregnancy, the placenta produces a lot of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. Particularly when you're lying down, gastric acid can seep back up the pipe, which causes the uncomfortable burning sensation. For many women the problem doesn't begin (or get worse) until later in pregnancy, when your growing uterus starts to push up on your stomach. The discomfort may range from mildly annoying to intense and distracting.
I'mma celebrate with chocolate chip cookies and ice cream. LOL
What I love: That I'm in my 12th week! It's so awesome to be THIS CLOSE to being in my second trimester!
What I hate: Being sick, but not the way that's been typical lately. I've had a cold for four or five days, which sucked more because I couldn't take anything! I have a feeling that, once this goes away, I'll feel better on the m/s side, too. Not that that's gone, it's different -- especially since things are shifting in there, lol. :)
What I miss: Being able to eat normal food at a regular pace. [Same]
What I’m looking forward to the most: My 13-week ultrasound and MW appointment! :)
Worries: That it won’t stick. That’s a big worry right now. [Same] Fortunately, that fear is going away. :) I'm also worried about getting fat because my cravings are all SUGARRR.
Symptoms: Constipation! Fun! That's new. Still a little stomach upset, especially when I eat too fast. Sore nips, same as before. And growing pains!! That's been kind of weird, and while my bloat has gone down, those pains showed they were doing something... even DH noted that I'm in that, "Is she fat or pregnant?" phase, lol.
Mood: More mood swings! Not in a bad way. I'm lucky (and DH is lucky!) they're all goofy mood swings. :)
Sleep: Interrupted more by night pees, but otherwise fine!
Movement: Um, none. Way too early for that. LOL [Same]
The belly (and the button!): Belly button still in! [Same] Totally weird, though, it's definitely more shallow! And the belly is bigger! OMG, is it bigger.
Wedding rings on or off: Off! But not because of what you’d think. It’s cooler out, so my engagement ring spin. I end up taking it off during the day, lol. [Same]
Waist (measured at the belly button: No way to measure. I really should start doing this, lol. [Same... apparently, I never learn... even still!!]
Milestones: SO CLOSE to the milestone I'm looking forward to!! For now, surviving a cold without DayQuil. ;)
Best moment of the week: Awesome attorney-boss' wife gave birth!! Which was TOTALLY exciting!!
How your baby's growing:
The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.
Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.
How your life's changing:
Your uterus has grown to the point where your healthcare provider can now feel the top of it (the fundus) low in your abdomen, just above your pubic bone. You may already be into maternity clothes, especially if this isn't your first pregnancy. If you're still fairly small and not yet ready for maternity clothes, you've no doubt noticed that your waist is thickening and that you're more comfortable in loose, less restrictive clothing.
You may begin to feel heartburn (also called acid indigestion), a burning sensation that often extends from the bottom of your breastbone to your lower throat. Many women get heartburn for the first time during pregnancy, and those who've previously had bouts of heartburn may find that it gets worse. During pregnancy, the placenta produces a lot of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach. Particularly when you're lying down, gastric acid can seep back up the pipe, which causes the uncomfortable burning sensation. For many women the problem doesn't begin (or get worse) until later in pregnancy, when your growing uterus starts to push up on your stomach. The discomfort may range from mildly annoying to intense and distracting.
Sweet treat "Instead of your morning coffee, try a cup of steamed milk with a shot of flavored syrup. Delicious — and good for you and your baby!" —Tracy
08 October 2012
Pregnancy: 11w4d (TW: Body image issues)
Like kismet, this showed up on my Facebook feed thanks to Dana, and it couldn't have come at a better time. I was just musing this morning about the pound that I've gained already (11 weeks and finally gained something!), and about how my mind is already spiraling into this fucked up, terrible "but... but... the number's not supposed to go up!" mantra.
This stems for two different issues: My OCD, which tends to get stuck on and obsessed with loops like this anyway; and the fact that I lost so much weight between moving to MD and now (about 20-25lbs). To finally regain control of my body and somewhat of my mind, then to encounter something that'll force me to gain weight... it's making me really uncomfortable.
It's for good reason. I know this. I try to balance the one terrible mantra with this positive one every time it pops into my head. But I can't help but feel that, for all the years I had struggled to get my weight down, experiencing the opposite and knowing that it's inevitable (and, oddly, healthy!) is making me a little crazy.
And this is with a one-pound weight gain. A pound that I actually want to lose right now.
I'm almost worried about this becoming a disordered pattern of thinking, but the more I research, the more I realize that my fears aren't alone. Obviously, but you know it's always better to read (or hear) others' experiences alongside your own. :) So maybe it won't become disordered, maybe it'll just resolve itself by manifesting as an adorable baby belly and I won't worry nearly as much as I'm worried now, with very little to show but a bunch of bloat.
I have to keep reminding myself that this is healthy, the weight gain is to support Kit, and I really should be proud of my body for what it's doing and what it's creating. It means a few pounds of weight gain (though really, the idea of 25-35lbs by the end of this is a bit... scary, especially when I was freaking the fuck out at 145... without a baby!), but in the end, there can't be a perfect bundle of joy if there isn't anything to nourish it!
(Current weight, by the way: 127lbs.)
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