How big is baby: Estimated at somewhere around 6 pounds. Nurse Kim came in to see me today at my appointment and and gave me a very sympathetic look and said, "Oh love, I saw the ultrasound results. He's so big." Haha! But he's growing strong and healthy.
Cravings: Cinnamon and crushed ice, though not together.
Symptoms: So tired. Holy cow. My right hip has been in some kind of constant spasm that will not surrender no matter what I attack it with (including yoga balls, massages, epsom salt, stretching, and heat packs. What can I say, it's stubborn.) I've started taking Tylenol PM to help get some sleep, but am only getting about 5 hours a night thanks to the angry hip and the constant need to pee. Plus poor Baby J got himself turned around last night and I woke up to his irritated kicking as he tried to remedy the situation. I was assured he is comfortably head down again as of this morning.
Mom is feeling: Nervous! The nerves finally kicked in. There's the usual- is labor going to be too painful? Will breastfeeding be difficult for us? Will D and I be able to find time for each other? And then more complicated things I wasn't expecting- Will we be able to save enough for this PCS? Will I be able to find a doctor overseas who can adequately manage my medications when I start them again? Should we try and make it back to California for a visit before heading to Spain, or should we save the money and try and visit later? I've taken to practicing my slow-breathing when these worries pop up. I have to remind myself that these fears are normal and that D and I have done everything we can to prepare. Some of these are issues we will have to face fairly soon, but there is very little I can do about them this moment. So I'm giving myself permission not to have a total meltdown over them.
Dad is feeling: I think D is enjoying the quick burst of "nesting" I've experienced this week. The laundry is done, the dishes are clean, the floors are sparkling, and I went a little crazy and cooked a bunch of homemade snacks. I've also organized a couple of closets and cupboards and sorted through all the junk mail that's been stacking up. Now I just need to buy a paper shredder and I can be rid of the mess for good!
Belly: Large and in charge, by which I mean it basically calls the shots at this point. Oh, you want to get up from the couch? Nope. Want to roll onto your other side in bed? Hahaaa. D keeps saying he thinks I've dropped, but I don't see it yet.
Weight Gain: Two pounds since my last appointment two weeks ago, which adds up to a total of 24 so far.
Doctory stuff: BP was great, fundal height is measuring one week ahead like it has been for about a month. Baby J's heart rate was beautiful and got the midwife laughing, she says I'll have my hands full when he gets here! We talked about birth control options that will still allow me to breastfeed, but I need to do some more research before picking one. I'll have my GBS test next week and weekly appointments from here until delivery. Nurse Kim said they won't be checking for dilation until 38 weeks. I'm okay with that. Of course it would be nice to know where my body's at, but since it doesn't actually give a good indication of when labor will start, it will likely just stress me out. Other than that, nothing new! She patted my bump and said that with the slow weight gain, I'm basically all baby at this point, and my belly button sure agrees. In other words, I miss my innie.
Things we’ve done to prepare: RE-registered for the childbirth class since they lost my paperwork, packed a rudimentary diaper bag, washed the bassinet sheets (which don't fit our bassinet, of course, so we'll have to find different ones.) I tried out a freezer meal recipe that I promptly tossed. Needless to say I'm glad we tested it before having to rely on it for dinner. I've also been practicing my hypnobirthing every night. It's getting a little easier to relax, and all of the BH contractions have been good practice, since I'm now fully aware what muscles are where ;)
Cravings: Cinnamon and crushed ice, though not together.
Symptoms: So tired. Holy cow. My right hip has been in some kind of constant spasm that will not surrender no matter what I attack it with (including yoga balls, massages, epsom salt, stretching, and heat packs. What can I say, it's stubborn.) I've started taking Tylenol PM to help get some sleep, but am only getting about 5 hours a night thanks to the angry hip and the constant need to pee. Plus poor Baby J got himself turned around last night and I woke up to his irritated kicking as he tried to remedy the situation. I was assured he is comfortably head down again as of this morning.
Mom is feeling: Nervous! The nerves finally kicked in. There's the usual- is labor going to be too painful? Will breastfeeding be difficult for us? Will D and I be able to find time for each other? And then more complicated things I wasn't expecting- Will we be able to save enough for this PCS? Will I be able to find a doctor overseas who can adequately manage my medications when I start them again? Should we try and make it back to California for a visit before heading to Spain, or should we save the money and try and visit later? I've taken to practicing my slow-breathing when these worries pop up. I have to remind myself that these fears are normal and that D and I have done everything we can to prepare. Some of these are issues we will have to face fairly soon, but there is very little I can do about them this moment. So I'm giving myself permission not to have a total meltdown over them.
Dad is feeling: I think D is enjoying the quick burst of "nesting" I've experienced this week. The laundry is done, the dishes are clean, the floors are sparkling, and I went a little crazy and cooked a bunch of homemade snacks. I've also organized a couple of closets and cupboards and sorted through all the junk mail that's been stacking up. Now I just need to buy a paper shredder and I can be rid of the mess for good!
Belly: Large and in charge, by which I mean it basically calls the shots at this point. Oh, you want to get up from the couch? Nope. Want to roll onto your other side in bed? Hahaaa. D keeps saying he thinks I've dropped, but I don't see it yet.
Weight Gain: Two pounds since my last appointment two weeks ago, which adds up to a total of 24 so far.
Doctory stuff: BP was great, fundal height is measuring one week ahead like it has been for about a month. Baby J's heart rate was beautiful and got the midwife laughing, she says I'll have my hands full when he gets here! We talked about birth control options that will still allow me to breastfeed, but I need to do some more research before picking one. I'll have my GBS test next week and weekly appointments from here until delivery. Nurse Kim said they won't be checking for dilation until 38 weeks. I'm okay with that. Of course it would be nice to know where my body's at, but since it doesn't actually give a good indication of when labor will start, it will likely just stress me out. Other than that, nothing new! She patted my bump and said that with the slow weight gain, I'm basically all baby at this point, and my belly button sure agrees. In other words, I miss my innie.
Things we’ve done to prepare: RE-registered for the childbirth class since they lost my paperwork, packed a rudimentary diaper bag, washed the bassinet sheets (which don't fit our bassinet, of course, so we'll have to find different ones.) I tried out a freezer meal recipe that I promptly tossed. Needless to say I'm glad we tested it before having to rely on it for dinner. I've also been practicing my hypnobirthing every night. It's getting a little easier to relax, and all of the BH contractions have been good practice, since I'm now fully aware what muscles are where ;)