Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Lots of Little Stuff

Haven't posted in a few days, and I have lots on my mind, so I'm just gonna bullet point it.  Ahhhh, for the love of bullet points!
  • Hubby got a part time job.  Nights, 3-4 nights a week.  It will help dull the loss of the other income, but he has to work a lot more hours for less money.  I worry about his back.  And I won't get to see him at night :(  Booooooo.  Still, he knows it's necessary and seems more than happy to "man-up" and do what we need. 
  • Went to my mom's Sunday and Monday - we talked about the shower, and have some tentative plans.  She also gave me a lot of stuff from when I was a kid, including a bunch of handmade receiving blankets and kimonos.  I believe we have a coming home outfit :)  I will have to post pics of some of it.  Some of it my mom wore, and then I wore, and was made by my grandmother before her arthritis got too bad.  Pretty cool.
  • Saw Sister and Niece and we went to Trader Joe's.  Oh, how I miss that place.  And there is a reason pregnant women should not be allowed to grocery shop.  OMG did I stock up.  LOL. 
  • Since we are expecting a settlement for Hubby's back soon, and Sister is looking to purchase a new vehicle, we may be buying her 2001 Chevy Malibu for a nice, cheap price, and do the work on it.  Yay for a potential 2nd car! 
  • Hubby and I felt a bit sleighted at my mom's.  Sister's wedding photo is prominently displayed, as well as, of course, Niece photos.  Our wedding photo is nowhere to be found.  It seems to have disappeared.  I am trying not to be a cranky, over-reactive daughter.  I didn't say anything.  But really?  Where did it go???  My mom couldn't be more excited about Cricket, but I always feel like the odd duck out with family, and this didn't help.  Why do I have to notice things like that??
There are more substantial posts to come, this is just kinda the highlights, not full-post worthy, stuff.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

19w0d

WEEKLY UPDATE

How far along: 19 weeks 0 days. Crciket is the size of a mango. Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might actually get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature. Approximately 8.5 oz.


Total weight gain/loss: Just shy of 21lbs this morning :( 134.2.

Maternity clothes: Oh, yeah! Been using the bella band to cover gaps below shirts and cover up the maternity pants stretchy band.  Plus it gives the belly more support...feels less jiggly, and therefore more comfortable.

Stretch marks: Hip and thigh ones are flaring up from puberty.

Sleep: Able to sleep harder now in between bathroom runs :) Lovin' that! I am up to something like 10-ish hours a night. What a BUM!

Movement: Pattern seems to be after food is the most active, due to my spike in blood sugar, but she is also active late in the evening, and in the car pretty often. 

Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Nothing specific this week. Aversions: Stinky odors, red meat, and whatever doesn't agree with me on any given day.

Gender: at this point, we have decided not to find out...let's see if we hold steadfast to that! DH says boy, I say girl.

Symptoms: That chemical called Relaxin that loosens up your joints?  There is NOTHING relaxing about it if you already have joint problems.  I am so going to be on a cane as I get further along.  Oh, well.  I'm used to that, so no big.

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach. My feet...anyone seen them?  Ease of movement.  Hubby laughs when I try to get out of the recliner...calls me a turtle on my back.  LOL. 

What I look forward to: Seeing Hubby's face when he gets to feel her move. Ultrasound in 1 week - soooooo excited for that!

Moods: Pretty happy overall :) 

Milestones: I have lost the ability to lift my legs up high enough to climb over the baby gate into the "cat room".  LOL.

Medical Concerns: Hypothyroid, anxiety, migraines. Ready for the list? Syn.throid 50 mcg, Zo.loft 100 mg, Zo.fran pump, Iron, D3, B12, Vitamin C, Folic acid, no more prenatals, Bene.fiber, stool softeners. I feel like a major pill popper.

Weekly Wisdom: Let Hubby play his video games until all hours of the morning for now.  Because in 5 months, it's GAME OVER for a few months.  LOL.

Best moment this week: Overall less illness.  Still there, but lessening each week.  This is majorly good!
Worst moment this week: Pain in my hip and sciatic so bad I often cannot move off the couch.  Blech.

A couple questions came at me this week in comments, so I thought I'd answer them.

Are your BBs still all veiny?  Yup, but it's not terrible.  Just more than used to be there.  I'm dark-ish skinned, so it's harder for that stuff to show up.

What do Braxton-Hicks feel like?  Ack, this is difficult to explain, but I will try.  Make a loose fist.  Now tighten it.  Feel that pressure?  That's what it feels like my uterus is doing.  But it's not necessarily painful.  It is uncomfortable, and can make me stop for a minute, and it's WEIRD.  And it makes me instantly have to pee, LOL.  And it makes me waddle if I try to walk through it.  They have been pretty frequent this week.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Married, Expecting Child

You all remember Married, With Children, right?  Remember Al Bundy watching TV with his hand down his pants?  Ever wonder why he does that?  Yeah, me, too.  Don't get it. 

But I get why I do it!  Oh, yeah, I touch myself.  And it's not just down my pants that my hands go, it's up the shirt as well.  For oh, so, different reasons.

Why am I copping a feelsy of the 2nd base variety?  So glad you asked!  I have to admit, I am completely fascinated with the new and "improved" BBs.  A couple months ago, some of you may remember me complaining.  But I've settled in, and they don't hurt constantly now.  And they feel so DIFFERENT!  Like what we dream of when we dream of fondling a good pair of them.  Well, those of us that dream of it, anyway.  If you have NO idea what I'm talking about, move along. 

The Al Bundy move?  Cricket is still sitting low enough that her kicks are way below my belly button.  I am in search of the ever elusive external feel of a kick.  I THINK I felt one the other night, but I could be totally imagining it, too.  LOL.  Anyway, I sit watching TV (when not crocheting or catching up on blogs) with my hand down the front of my pants whille Cricket kicks me.  Walk in and you may very well think I've gone redneck.  I can't help myself.  Much like the BBs, the kicks are fascinating.  I won't know they are strong enough to be felt outside if I don't test it, right?  So, hand down the pants it is.  Bonus: Great way to get Hubby to stick his hand down my pants as well.  LOL.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Winter Arrives

We got snow for Thanksgiving! Winter has arrived here in Eastern PA. Gobble Gobble y'all!
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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving my lovely ladies. 

The whole concept behind Thanksgiving, the "first" Thanksgiving, absolutely annoys me.  I still don't know what I'm going to do when Cricket comes home from school and tells me she learned about Columbus disovering America, and the Pilgrims first harvest in America.  When is it too early to read Lies My Teacher Told Me to your child and NOT mess up their test scores? 

Anyway, regardless of how the holiday came to be, the spirit of thanks is one that I can get into. 

This has been a rough year, for so many of us.  But, I am happy to say, I am still thankful for so many things.  I've been thinking about it while reading others' posts this week.  So, here is my list.

  • I could not be more thankful than I am about this little Cricket kicking the hell out of my innards. 
  • My husband is amazing, supportive, and loving.  What more could I ask?
  • I have a roof over my head, some food on the table, and a (icky) job. 
  • Wonderful friends, IRL, and here, have come into my life this year, and have made this whole journey that much more bearable.  Can't imagine where I would be without you all!
  • Our dear, supportive family who have been with us every step of the way in their own, sometimes dysfunctional, way.
I'm sure I could come up with more.  But I don't want to overthink it.  This is what came out first thought.  I love you all, and hope your holiday is fantastic, drama free, and full of good food and good times.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Dear Baby #4

My dear Cricket,

I thought you might like to know just HOW we chose your donor, as I know it will come up one day.  At some point, you will wonder, and we are not going to hide it from you.  How you came to be is so important.  Not more important than how much you will be loved, but important nonetheless. 

I have to be honest, we had to really take financial burdens into consideration when choosing where your donor came from, and who it was.  Which led us to Cryogenic Laboratories, as they were the least expensive, and offered a "basic" donor, with very basic information.  You will not get to meet your donor, but you have us, so I hope that doesn't matter as much to you, though I will understand if it does.

So, once we had narrowed down which company we could afford, we also had the requirements of the doctor.  They preferred a specific type of sperm preparation (EWWWW, I know, but there you go).  We also preferred a donor with known pregnancies to make sure we weren't up against any quality issues. 

So now we had a list of potential donors.  Dad and I have a wicked sense of humor, and for a time talked about having a biracial baby, just to screw with people.  There were definitely some Asian and other donors on the long list.  But in the end, we decided to try for someone who shared a similar ethnic background with Dad, as well as some physical characteristics.  Keep in mind that we had some pretty severe limitations, so we are talking close, here, but no cigar, okay?  But, it became important for Dad to have the possibility of you being recognized as his baby to the outside world.  So you have been spared the question of, "Were you adopted???"  Aren't you happy logic prevailed? 

All the other stuff, the degree, interests, etc, of your donor were just bonuses.  Things we liked, but not uber-important.  Because when it comes down to it, we just wanted you.  And we want you healthy.  And genes are certainly not everything, not by a long shot.  Ask any adopted child.  (And you have an "aunt" who is adopted, so you can have long talks with her some day about it, if you want.)

So, while it's not an exciting story, it's the beginning of you, and you should know it, and not be ashamed or embarassed about it.  We all come about in different ways.  The important thing?  You were desired, wanted, worked for, and loved long before you even came to be a fertilized egg in a petri dish. 

Love you,

Mama

Monday, November 22, 2010

OB and Baby Daddy

Saw the OB today, perfunctory as usual.  Got poked but no measuring.  When do they do that, anyway?  Cricket was playing hide and seek, but we finally heard her; that sound never gets old.  Had blood work done for Dr. Head, as well.  Fun with needles!  Didn't get yelled at about my weight, so I guess I'm okay.  But really?  I'm feeling worried it'll never all come off.  Some of you have put on less than half of what I have and are farther along!  Eek.

OB: "No movement yet, right?"
Me: "Actually, for 3 weeks now! And Braxton-Hicks contractions."  (Forgot those in my updates - they are WEIRD!)
OB: "Really?  This early?"
Me: "Yup!"
Hubby: "She keeps giggling when she gets kicked."

The rest of this post is the DS information that we were able to get, minus the feature sketches, which didn't save properly.  I've wanted to document it for some time now, so if need be, we can print it in the future.  So, meet the Baby Daddy, LOL.

Basics:
Mr. F1738 is Caucasian, with a fair complexion.  At the time his profile was filled out, he was 6'3", 153 lbs.  He has green eyes, blond/wavy hair, and is right handed.  He has a BA in General Studies and is a Videographer/Writer.  He likes films, music, and snowboarding. He likes fish and reptiles, outdoor recreation, and considers himself to be creative/artistic.  And he's a Taurus (just like Cricket might be). He comes from a German and Irish background, has 3 sisters, 2 brothers, and loves to sing and play the guitar, write, make films, snowboard and wrestle. He describes himself as lively, curious, temperamental and fun-loving.

Medical:
Family history of allergies (cats, hay fever), heart attacks. O+ blood type.  Excellent eyesight.


So, that's our Donor, in a very brief nutshell.  Preserved for Cricket.  10 days until the ultrasound.  Not that I'm counting...
 

Sunday, November 21, 2010

My New Word

We are all familiar with the words/phrases/nonsense words we have to enter to leave comments on many of each others' blogs.  I have it set up on mine! 

I think I may have found my favorite.

CODPROTS.

Tell me that isn't FANTASTIC!  I think it sounds very much like a British curse/insult.  And so I shall be incorporating it into my vocabulary.  As in:

  • Codprots!  I dropped x all over the floor.  Again.
  • They are such codprots.  What were they thinking.
  • This is total codprots. 
  • Keep your codprots off of me.
  • Don't be such a codprot! 
You get the idea.  I haven't figured out how to make it a verb yet, but I know I will at some point :)  Yay for new words :)

Cherries on Top!

Babybaker gave me this award a couple weeks ago, and I just haven't gotten around to actually posting it! 



Thank ou sweet lady!!!!  

The rules:  link back to the person who gave you the award, pass it on to five (or a bunch of) other blogs, and leave them a comment telling them of the award!

Kir
Fran
AnxiousMummyto3
The2weekwait
Rachel

I love all my ladies!

Saturday, November 20, 2010

18w0d

WEEKLY UPDATE

How far along: 18 weeks 0 days. Crciket is the size of a sweet potato! Your fetus has become amazingly mobile (at least compared to you), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking and swallowing. And, baby's finally big enough that you'll be able to feel those movements soon.

Total weight gain/loss: 19 lbs this morning :(  132.4.  So much for slowing down.  19 lbs!  Wowzers.
Maternity clothes: Oh, yeah!

Stretch marks: Hip and thigh ones are flaring up from puberty.

Sleep: Able to sleep harder now in between bathroom runs :) Lovin' that!  I am up to something like 10-ish hours a night.  What a BUM!

Movement: Picking up in strength in regularity, but no patterns yet.  One day I thought she had moved a trampoline in there...it was the most I have felt.  I am openly admitting that each kick kind of surprises me, and weirds me out a bit.
Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Nothing specific this week. Aversions: Stinky odors, red meat, and whatever doesn't agree with me on any given day.

Gender: at this point, we have decided not to find out...let's see if we hold steadfast to that! DH says boy, I say girl.

Symptoms: Let me update you on the nasty stuff, as I've been silent on it.  Spike has been absent for nearly 2 weeks, but his kid, Junior, is here EVERY day for at least a while.  So, daily headaches, still.  And I get excited now and then because I will get a day or 2 with no vomit...and then it comes back.  So still dry-heaving quite a bit.  Kinda freaked out my new boss this week.  LOL.  I warned him!  Apparently he didn't realize just HOW serious I was.
What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach.

What I look forward to: Regular movement, seeing Hubby's face when he gets to feel her move. Ultrasound in 2 weeks - soooooo excited for that!

Moods: Not bad, mostly happy :)  Except when I'm sick, but oh, well.  Yay for Zo.loft.
Milestones: A complete stranger was sitting with me at work, and I was doing a potty dance.  She said, "I remember what that's like when you're expecting."  I hadn't told her :)  So strangers can tell I'm pregnant!
Medical Concerns: Hypothyroid, anxiety, migraines. Ready for the list? Syn.throid 50 mcg, Zo.loft 100 mg, Zo.fran pump, Iron, D3, B12, Vitamin C, Folic acid, no more prenatals, Bene.fiber, stool softeners. I feel like a major pill popper.

Weekly Wisdom: Stop freaking out over my morning weigh-ins.  It's out of my hands for the most part!
Best moment this week:  Being told that I'm glowing, feeling my babe move.
Worst moment this week: Feeling sick at least part of every day.  I'm used to it, but over it at the same time.  Sigh.

I'm doing 3 pics this week, so you can see a 2 week progression, because, as I mentioned last week, I popped.  To be fair, the week 18 pic is AFTER breakfast, but still accurate.
16 weeks




17 weeks
18 weeks!  See, lots of me getting bigger the last 2 weeks!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Pro-Choice or Not...

...this really crosses a line.  In my opinion.  And now, many others.  A couple in Minnesota have posted a website allowing the general public to vote on whether to keep their pregnancy or not.  News articles have generated a TON of feedback, swaying the vote now way toward keeping the pregnancy.

Minnesota's state law allows for aborting a baby up to 20 weeks, and they have the poll set to end 2 days  before their deadline.  This is a HEALTHY child, sex determined, and even nicknamed.  This leads me to believe there is some attachment. 

Here's the thing.  I am completely pro-choice.  And I think there are definite times when it is the right decision.  And it should be our choice.  OUR CHOICE.  But to leave it to strangers?  Really?  I am simply outraged.  If you can't make the decision yourself, perhaps that is an indication that your uncertainty is too high to sway toward aborting. 

I can't bring myself to go and vote, because that, to me, is showing support for the site, for their decision to well, share their decision.  And that I do not approve of it.  At all.  Sigh.  Thoughts?

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Dear Baby #3

My Dear Cricket,

It's time for a chat.  I do not think you asked before moving a trampoline into Helga, your temporary home.  Although I am glad one of us is getting some exercise.  LOL.  No one told me how bizarre it was going to feel having you kick me.  While I love it, at the same time, I feel rather like an alien has taken over my body from the neck down. 

As of now, it's obvious that you are a part of me, even to strangers, unless I wear something truly baggy and shapeless.  Pretty cool :)  And in 2 weeks we get to see you again!  You have no idea how excited we are about that!  But you'd better keep those wobbly bits from our prying eyes.  That's an order.

Your kicking, my expanding belly (and boobs) are making your existence so much more real to me, and I'm feeling so much safer about you making it to us safely.  I can't believe we are nearly half-way there!  You are growing so fast!  I can't imagine what it's going to be like once you arrive and blow our minds every day.  I imagine you are going to be a handful, given the way it's been going so far.  Seriously, I forget what it's like to not throw up regularly.  Bring it on, Cricket, we can handle you.  I promise.  We are eagerly awaiting the day we get to meet you (but not too soon, you hear me?  We want you all the way cooked!).

Love you, baby.

Mama

How To?

A couple of people have pointed out that I need to associate an email with my comments and I thought I had. What am I doing wrong? Steps, PLEASE???
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Namibia

So, I had some time to hop on a computer today and get you some pictures.  Hope you enjoy it!  I have umpteen more, but they are in storage, these are the only ones I had scanned to Snap.fish ages ago.  I thought somewhere there was one of me in traditional garb, but I can't find it this morning for the life of me.  Too bad, so sad, no pic of me looking enormous.  LOL.  Anyway, a little taste of things there.  Someday I will get all my stuff out of storage and be able to finally scan tons more.

2 of my brothers, Tjirongo and Tupi

Donkey grazing outside the town where I trained

Fish drying in a hut in northern Namibia

Elephants in Etosha National Park


Herero woman walking

Kids at the school where I worked

My host mom and her youngest daugheter, Tjiandjeua

Traditional huts in northern Namibia

San men showing off for the camera

Sisters :)

Sunrise one of my first mornings

Amazing sunsets


Kids in the school yard

The young kids at my homestead

Tate and Mama

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

A Day Of Memory

When I was 14 (longer ago than I care to admit!), I travelled to Australia with an organization called People To People.  It was my first dive into real travel, and I was HOOKED.  It also ended up being a life-altering experience, but not until the ride home.

It was the plane ride home that essentially made the difference.  Sitting next to me on that long flight was a woman returning from the Peace Corps.  She had this...aura about her.  Peace, calm, worldliness.  Instant crush.  She told me where she had been, how it affected her, etc.  I actually don't remember most of the details, but I was in awe.  Absolute awe.

That was the day a dream was born.  I was going to join the Peace Corps.  When I went to college, I studied International Studies, and as soon as I could, got myself accepted to "the toughest job you'll ever love." 

9 years ago today, I left that job.  I had a nervous breakdown, cried for 2 weeks straight, and when I went to see my "boss", she made the mistake of saying, "Do you want to go home?"  Umm, YEAH!  In hindsight, if they had gotten me therapy, in-country, I could have made it.  I LOVED living there.  It was my every dream come true, the life I had dreamed of.  The job - not so much.  But I know WHY now. 

Regardless, of the whys or anything, it was, hands down, the most difficult decision I have ever made.  It is also perhaps the one thing in life I truly regret.  It took me YEARS to be able to discuss it.  A while back I posted a song that, for me, is a reminder.  I may repost it tomorrow, along with the poem I wrote.  The one and only poem.  I'm not a poet, LOL.

So much of who I am, of my dreams, hopes, EVERYTHING, is based on that time.  That very small 6 months of my life oh, so long ago.  I swore I would go back.  Hasn't happened.  But I hold onto that time for dear life.  Nothing will ever compare.  And very few decisions will match up to the one that led to me giving up my dream and facing reality.  The pain, the despair I have felt with IF are very similar to the pain and the meltdowns I went through following my return to the States.  It was the first time I ever really felt I had lost something I had fought for.  The first time I felt like a failure. 

Today, the 16th of November, will always be that day for me.  Over time, it has gotten easier.  But it will never go away.  It will always be a part of me.  Namibia, Africa, will always be a part of me.  Forever.  Just like IF.  I don't have pictures I can show you right now, but maybe some day....

Maybe some day I will go back....

Saturday, November 13, 2010

17w0d

WEEKLY UPDATE


How far along: 17 weeks 0 days. Crciket is the size of an onion! Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.


Total weight gain/loss: 17 lbs...right on target - to hit the full 40 lbs.  Eek!

Maternity clothes: Oh, yeah!

Stretch marks: Hip and thigh ones are flaring up from puberty.

Sleep: Able to sleep harder now in between bathroom runs :)  Lovin' that!

Movement: We have movement! It's irregular and infrequent, but it's there. Can't wait for more :)

Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Nothing specific this week. Aversions: Stinky odors, red meat, and whatever doesn't agree with me on any given day.

Gender: at this point, we have decided not to find out...let's see if we hold steadfast to that! DH says boy, I say girl.

Symptoms: Let's see, heartburn mildly kicking in, about to go up another cup size in the BBs to a D...borderline right now, otherwise the usual.

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach.

What I look forward to: Regular movement, seeing Hubby's face when he gets to feel her move.

Moods: Chipper :)  Sappy bawling at times as well (like this morning!)

Milestones: My belly popped.  I woke up Tuesday morning and I now look pregnant, not just full.  I am amused that something like that can happen overnight!

Medical Concerns: Hypothyroid, anxiety, migraines. Ready for the list? Syn.throid 50 mcg, Zo.loft 75 mg, Zo.fran pump, Iron, D3, B12, Vitamin C, Folic acid, no more prenatals, Bene.fiber, stool softeners. I feel like a major pill popper.

Weekly Wisdom: Carry TUMS.  The extra bottle is worth it when the heartburn randomly kicks in.

Best moment this week: Finishing registering without getting kicked out!  And getting started on the nursery.

Worst moment this week: Ummm, actually had a fairly good week, for me :)

Friday, November 12, 2010

Identity

This week I have read a few posts about whether or not one is infertile after successfully achieving a viable pregnancy and subsequent child/children.  Apparently, some people feel that if you are able to get pregnant, you are no longer infertile. 

Ummm, really? Now, the posts I read totally disagreed with this statement, but had read it elsewhere.  I do as well.  Seriously.  Why do I disagree?

Hmmm, let's start with the fact that Hubby and I will NEVER get to see his kind eyes or goofy smile looking back at us from the face of our child.  NEVER.  I haven't talked much about this, but it's not easy.  We joke about the "baby daddy" and blaming all the bad traits on Mr. F1738.  It's our way of coping.  But it's a fact that will never change.

Another reason is that there is an excellent chance that this will be our only child, because we are not made of money.  And we did not want an only child.  We both had siblings, and it saddens us to think our child will be alone.  We got VERY lucky.  And we still hope there is a twin hiding in there somewhere.  In order to have another child we have to go through hell again.  This means we are, in fact, still infertile.

We try not to think about these things.  We try to make light of them, joke about them.  But they are always in the back of my head, eating away at me a little bit at a time.  But right now?  I get to be in the pregnant club.  And I am going to enjoy it for as long as I can until I have to face IF reality again.

In this same vein is my identity as a sexual being. (I watched the L Word all weekend...brought up some buried feelings)  In this area, I'm not as keen on labels.  Mainly because it is harder to define sexuality sometimes, I think.  But where the are you/aren't you thing comes into play is in my situation.  My 20's were spent almost entirely with women.  When I met my husband, or intermittently had boyfriends, I would get asked, "So you're straight again?" 

NO!  I'm still me.  I'm still attracted to A PERSON, not a GENDER.  I still consider myself a dyke.  And I'm polyamorous.  I don't like bisexual, but rather humanist, LOL.  Just because I am with a man does not change my attractions.  Just as being pregnant does not change the fact that I cannot have children without medical intervention. 

So what does all this mean?  It means I am a Pregnant Infertile Polyamorous Dyke who is married to a man.  LOL.  Did you catch all that?

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Mysteries of Life

A few things are driving me nuts. One has bothered me since only last night. One for the duration of my pregnancy so far.

First mystery of life: women's clothing sizes, specifically bra sizes. Alright, stick with me here. We start with AA. Then A, B, C, D, DD, etc. Now, can someone PLEASE explain to me how AA comes before A, but DD comes AFTER D? No, really, this is really bothering me. The arbitrary designation of sizing in women's clothing really gets me. And don't even get me started on pants sizes!

Okay, second myster of life: my bladder. How can 2 small sips of liquid after 1 middle of the night bathroom run lead to an overly full, painful bladder 2 hours later? Seriously. What kind of biological weirdness is going on there??? LOL.

Oh! I hope you weren't looking for some sort of wisdom or answers or profound statements here!
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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The Bearded Lady

Come one!  Come all!  Welcome to the PREGNANCY CIRCUS FREAK SHOW!!!

Here, for your viewing pleasure, we have....THE BEARDED LADY! 

No, really.  I have always been, shall we say....hirsuit.  But it's out.of.control.  I used to need to pluck a hair or 3 from my chin, just underneath. And there was peach fuzz on my neck.  NOW???? I look like I have an Amish beard.  Seriously.  IT'S BAD.  And embarassing.  The fuzz on my belly is so not just fuzz anymore.  I had to shave to attach Pancho comfortably.  I am a furry beast. 

Which brings me to the circus.  Think about it.  What pregnancy does to a body is truly freak show worthy.  Extra hair.  Unbelievably expanding uterus (up to 20 times its original size!!!).  Not only would someone seeing me get a beard, if they visit regularly, they get to see my body grow in strange and obscene ways.  OH!  And then, they can watch the alien being move inside my belly.  Because that's not weird AT ALL.  And that's just the REALLY obvious stuff. 

I refuse to wax it.  Bleach maybe?  And will it go away after???  Oh, goodness, I hope so.  Please don't let me be saddled with a permanent beard.  The unibrow and hairy mole are enough to deal with, thank you very much.

So, thank you for visiting my little freak show. That will be $5, please.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Perfect Moment Monday: An Unexpected Gift

Saturday I received an unexpected package in the mail, from LisSis.  I opened it, read the card, and started weeping.  In a good way!  Here is what she sent us.

It is by far the coolest baby journal I have seen to date.  Gender-neutral, and far from traditional.  I am IN LOVE with it.  She could not have chosen better!  Thank you, LilSis, for making my day!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Nana Talks To Cricket

So, my mom came for a visit the other night to bring me nummy food (lasagna and 3 bean soup!!) and to sit for a short chat.

She does not like the idea of us repairing the donated crib, so...we are getting a new one. I would love that money to go to other things, but she will not be swayed. She went around checking bookshelves and stuff, too (too wobbly, LOL). She is more paranoid than I am! (Case in point she called me when she got home to make sure I am not changing the cat litter. LOL) She is also going to help make curtains for the nursery :)

We also talked L&D and postpartum help. I explained we would prefer her not to be there for delivery because it took so many people, and no privacy, to get us here, that we would prefer it to be OUR experience alone, and she seemed to understand. I also explained the first 24 hours are ours, and then people can visit. She is totally cool with it. Hopefully, so is Dad.

She is offered to spend the first few days home here to help us settle into a routine and allow us sleep as necessary, which I think is awesome of her. We talked cloth diapers and then she talked to Cricket, hand on my belly, bent over, and introduced herself. Cricket liked it because she kicked me right after, and nothing since, I don't think.

It was a good, if brief, visit. She is such a Nana. Grins.

We also talked to Pappy and Grandma - they are flying out with their other halves shortly after Cricket arrives, ideally before I go back to work.

Everyone is so excited to meet our little Cricket :)
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Saturday, November 6, 2010

16w0d

WEEKLY UPDATE

How far along: 16 weeks 0 days. Crciket is the size of an avocado! Watch what you say... tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean the little one can now pick up your voice. Eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming. And, if you're interested, an ultrasound might be able to determine gender.

Total weight gain/loss: 15.5 lbs...weight gain has slowed down, which reassures me that I might stay within normal limits.

Maternity clothes: Yes. Still have some shirts that fit, so that's a mixed bag. But pants are all maternity or stretchy.

Stretch marks: Hip and thigh ones are flaring up from puberty.

Sleep: Same old, same old. Tired all the time, but can't sleep 8 hours straight. It's a conundrum. I love naps.

Movement: We have movement! It's irregular and infrequent, but it's there. Can't wait for more :)

Cravings/Aversions: Cravings: Nothing specific this week. Aversions: Stinky odors, red meat, and whatever doesn't agree with me on any given day.

Gender: at this point, we have decided not to find out...let's see if we hold steadfast to that! DH says boy, I say girl.

Symptoms: Time for some TMI. Boogers galore, morning bloody noses. Also getting those sexy blue veins on my BBs.

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach.

What I look forward to: Regular movement, seeing Hubby's face when he gets to feel her move.

Moods: Frustrated, mostly.

Milestones: I can play her music now :) And she can hear me!

Medical Concerns: Hypothyroid, anxiety, migraines. Ready for the list? Syn.throid 50 mcg, Zo.loft 75 mg, Zo.fran pump, Com.pazine suppositories 25 mg, Iron, D3, B12, Vitamin C, Folic acid, no more prenatals, Bene.fiber, stool softeners. I feel like a major pill popper.

Weekly Wisdom: Just because I feel good doesn't mean I am Super-Preggo. Baby steps.

Best moment this week: That first little roll in my belly, realizing what it was :)

Worst moment this week: Days with Spike, feeling like I have no control.
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Friday, November 5, 2010

The Return of Spike

First of all, thank you all for helping me choose :) I went with "Letter To Myself" as it was the resounding winner, followed by "How Do I Cope?". So, it is submitted!

I had 3 good days in a row, and I think I overdid it on Day #3. I am sooo tired of not doing anything, so I got up and finally did the yoga DVD I bought, and that made me feel GREAT! Boy, are my muscles feeling it today. I will have to work up to every day workouts.

Anywho, I got my arse up and cleaned the bathroom and kitchen (not the floors), no nap, and was out cold by 10 or so. Woke up with Spike back for a visit, and he stayed all night. Trying to see if the butt pills do their job this morning.

I NEED to go back to work Monday. Desperately. I am definitely making progress...a couple days with no Spike whatsoever. But nothing helps when he shows up. And I haven't gone out to see how I react to the car, lights, etc. Which I should probably do...SIGH.

In other news, a dear friend came to visit, bringing me a bigger, fluffier pregnancy pillow. And Mom came...but I think I will save that for another post, as that covers a lot. Now I am going back to the recliner for the day. Send good thoughts, pretty please :)
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Thursday, November 4, 2010

Your Help, Part 2

I have narrowed it down to 5 posts. So please do me this huge favor, read them, and comment with your choice. I hope they are good choices! It is difficult to be objective about my own "writing".

I realized that I tend to ramble and cover more than one topic in a post, which makes the powerful parts not pack as much of a punch, so I will work on that.

Here are the choices. Hope you enjoy reading :)

Letter To Myself

I'm So Dizzy My Head Is Spinnin'

How Do I Cope?

What IF?

Whoosh Whoos Whoosh

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

I Need YOUR Help!

Well, my dear Bleeps, it is time to choose your posts for Creme De La Creme. This is my first year, so I am DEFINITELY participating.

Which is where you come in. I need your help! I need my best ALI post. I am terrible at these decisions. What do you think was my best post? OR would you rather I choose a few and take a vote? Please let me know...I would very much like to participate.

Thanks in advance ladies! More to come on this topic.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Was It Or Wasn't It?

I have been able to feel the pressure of Cricket for weeks now because of where she sits, but no movement. But I'm not sure...I may have just felt her roll...

It was right where she normally sits, and it felt differently than my gas normally does. I have NO idea!
But it very well could have been! Right?
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