(Found my old journal entries that I realized I never uploaded to my blog. Crazy.)
April 29, 2008 (4w3d)
It’s officially one week since one tiny little pink line changed our world forever. Funny how something so big doesn’t feel like anything at all. If anything, I still feel like Aunt Flo is going to rear her nasty head anytime now. From what I’ve read (not that I’m obsessively researching on the internet or anything!), it’s normal but still…I definitely don’t feel pregnant yet and probably won’t for another couple weeks.
Actually I take that back…I have been enjoying the distinct pleasure of sore and aching boobs. Fun, huh? And thirst…I’m thirsty all the freakin’ time…which leads to peeing all the freakin’ time. I wonder if there’s a way to install a sewing machine in the bathroom. At least I could get some work done!
Of course, the standard “worse case scenario” possibilities pop into my head every once and a while. The statistics for a miscarriage are astonishingly high so it’s important Jim and I remain cautiously optimistic. It’s because of this that we’ve decided not to tell anyone outside of our immediate families until around the 4th of July. So, essentially, I’m writing this post for 2 months in the future when I’ll finally feel safe enough to post it for the whole world to see!
May 14, 2008 (6w4d)
We’re both still here. Went to the doc last Wednesday to make sure the little bean was developing in the correct spot, sure enough…little blob exactly where it should be. Saw a gestational and yolk sac…which has led to Jim calling me his Little Egg….nice. We go back on the 19th to see the heartbeat!
Not feeling 100% wonderful nor 100% terrible, just kinda blech. I’m pretty much tired all the time and most foods don’t look good to me…other than fruit. I could eat that all day long! Or Taco Bell…totally caved into my craving yesterday and ate two Cheesy Gordita Crunches (minus the meat, of course!). I probably would have eaten them even if I wasn’t pregnant so that somehow makes it all better. Heh, I’m already getting good at rationalizing pregnant behavior. Funny.
We officially told all of our immediate family members. Mixed responses of extreme happiness and lukewarm pleasure. Meh, it happens. Unfortunately, we found out that I’m borderline for immunity to rubella. Rubella is an incredibly rare but since it can cause some pretty severe disabilities in a developing fetus, I’ve been told to play it safe and not subject myself to large groups of children. Bummer…there goes giving tours to kids at the History Museum. Going to Mexico in June is also out of the picture. So incredibly sad.
So yeah, two words to sum up these last couple weeks: “so tired.” Going to go and veg on the couch for a little while.
May 22, 2008 (7w4d)
Saw the little flicker of a heartbeat and it all became so much more real. I don’t know what the problem is but every time my Mom mentions “the baby” (and that’s quite often!) I get kinda uncomfortable and try to change the subject as soon as possible. I mean, I’m fine talking about symptoms and all but mention “the baby” and then is seems so…I don’t know…dangerous? It’s still so early in the pregnancy and absolutely anything can happen. Although seeing the heartbeat, I must admit, made me feel a little more confident.
Keep on truckin’ Little One!
June 25, 2008 (12w3d)
Well, here we are…sliding into the 2nd trimester. Whew, things were a bit tough there for a while but I must admit, I’m feeling much better. Don’t tell Jim that, though! I’m hoping for at least another week of pampering.
Last saw Jackson (everyone insists that we’re having a boy) on the 2nd after I had a little bit of spotting after sex. Went in just to make sure everything was ok and there he was, snug as a bug with a nice fast heartrate (188!). Mama was probably stressing him out! Told my extended family when we were in Phoenix during Gera’s wedding. Telling everyone made it seem so much more real.
But all in all, this pregnancy has been entirely too easy. Haven’t had to worry about weight gain since all I really want to eat are carrots, spinach and fruit. Haven’t had any true morning sickness, if anything it’s more “afternoon queasiness.” Haven’t had to buy maternity clothes, just wearing some of my larger pants.
Not bad, Jackson, not bad.
July 30, 2008 (17w3d)
Still in normal clothes…thought I was making some leeway on the little bump until yesterday, during hospital and birthing center visits, every single nurse asked when we were planning on getting pregnant. Oh well, maybe 5 months.
Have decided to look into going with a midwife instead of an OB. The Dr. was nice enough but I worry that his opinions on natural childbirth will sway decisions made during my labor. I completely realize that a birthing plan may go right out the window if complications arise but to walk into the birthing process knowing that all the important players aren’t on the same page seems a bit counterproductive. Looking into birthing at Thomason with one of the Texas Tech Nurse Midwives but decisions won’t be made until we get a chance to interview with them.
Feeling absolutely wonderful, energy high and staying pretty active. Trying to walk everyday and do yoga three times a week. Having some slight tailbone discomfort (damn that fall down the steps in Costa Rica last year!) but trying to take the constant pain as conditioning for the insane amount of pain I’ll be in during labor. Pain does not have to equal suffering.
Have been adding a few baby things here and there: receiving blankets, baby backpack for hiking, bouncer, some cute onesies. Most of the stuff is either thrifted or off of Craig’s List. Reusing…better for the environment and the checkbook!
Over all this pregnancy is quite normal, if even boring. And we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Next up: Big Ultrasound on the 14th!
August 15, 2008 (19w6d)
Well, it turns out my Mother and Sisters were 100% correct!!! It’s a sweet baby boy! How am I going to know what to do with a boy?!
Having only sisters, mostly girl cousins and a ton of aunts; I guess I just figured it’d be a girl. You can imagine my surprise when the sonogram technician pointed out the little bump between the baby’s legs. Afterwards, while talking to Jim, we realized that you can’t have it both ways. Had it been a girl I would have been a little sad that we weren’t have a boy. So, here we are…expecting our first little Baby Boy and super excited!
Blood pressure has been a little up during visits unfortunately (126/83) and the Dr. wants to see me back in a couple weeks. Depending on how the visit with the Nurse Midwife goes, I may not have to keep that appointment!
Had been feeling what I thought was movement (or gas) for a couple weeks but since he was moving so much during the ultrasound, knew for sure that the little sensations were sweet little kicks! It was crazy to see Jackson completely flip from one side of my uterus to the other. At some point, he decided to stretch out all the way, arms up and legs down. Careful Jackson, Mama doesn’t have that much room in there!
September 18, 2008 (24w5d)
Just got back from our visit with Midwife Betsy…and we absolutely looooooved her! We went in with a list of questions to ask her so that we could get an idea of whether or not she supported natural childbirth. We thought she’d have to be sympathetic since she was a midwife but didn’t realize just how aligned she would be with our views on labor. She answered every question exactly how we would have wanted!
What a relief it was to have her mention that it’s in the best interest of the mother to be able to walk around during labor or be able to have something small to eat to keep up energy. She wasn’t into inducing any earlier than 41 weeks and was open to alternative positions to labor in.
What an absolute dreams Midwife Betsy was! Even my mother said that I sounded so much less stressed out. Guess I didn’t know how much the Dr. was affecting my mood!
On another happy note, Jackson’s soon to be good friend, Seferino was born on Sept. 19!!! Only four more months until little Jack can meet him!
Both Jim and I have been feeling and seeing movement on the outside since a little after our last ultrasound. Yana, Gelica and my Mom have all felt him too but Jackson definitely likes to move the most for his Papa! Got to see the first huge sweeping movements from one side to another while bathing the other day. So glad that Jim just happened to be there talking to me!
October 5, 2008 (27w1d)
Oh my. We are officially in the 3rd Trimester!!! Where did all the time go? Reading back on these entries it’s crazy to remember how slow it felt like time was going by and now…now I wish it would all kinda slow down. I love being pregnant. I love feeling the little movements of my sweet baby boy. I love seeing my belly grow just a bit more every day. I will definitely miss these times.
Another part of me will miss all the time Jim and I share alone. It’s been 8 years of pure joy and selfishness. I know all couples love to spend time with each other (why would they get married then, right?) but Jim and I have always been obnoxiously into each other. He’s my best friend and husband all rolled up into one. It’s just nice to have someone who completely gets you. I hope we can continue to love and grow in our relationship. It’s essential to our wellbeing as parents and it’s probably the best gift we could ever give Jackson.
I adore you now, more then ever, Jim!
October 22, 2008 (29w4d)
Almost 30 weeks! Eek!
Had the most amazing Baby Shower thrown for us on Sunday!!! My mother and sisters outdid themselves! The food was perfect (mmm, quiche!) and we were so touched that so many people came out to celebrate the soon-to-be arrival of Jackson into this world. He is such a lucky boy to have so many people already love him.
Now that the shower is done, it feels like the end is suddenly very near. Don’t know that we’re 100% ready yet (office/playroom isn’t done, need carseat, haven’t started pain management) but I’m fairly certain that we’ll be just fine. I keep on telling myself that Jackson won’t know the difference if his baby room isn’t done. He’ll probably be sleeping with us for a while anyway!
Have to go in and take my Gestational Diabetes test this week. I have to wait at the clinic for an hour so I figure I’ll take the shower thank you cards and get some work done. Thankfully, my blood pressue went down during my last midwife meeting (116/76). What a relief!!!
Oh my…week 30. Jackson, are you as freaked out as your Mama is?
November 20, 2008 (33w3d)
Another month has gone by…only a month and a few weeks to go! Saw Betsy the Midwife today, everything is going just fine. Gained a “good” amount of weight since the last visit but she wasn’t worried, said it was normal to start swelling a bit in my feet and hands. We scheduled our Childbirth Classes at Thomason so those will start on Dec. 1. We also started working on pain management exercises described in the Birthing From Within book. Who knew holding ice to your wrists could be so painful.
All in all, things are going quite well. Room isn’t done, we still don’t have a car seat and there’s a thin layer of dust on everything in the house…but we have each other and we have people who love and support us. What’s there to complain about?
We’re almost there, Jackson!
December 10, 2008 (36w3d)
A few more weeks and you’ll be full term…way to go, Jackson! You’re still moving around a ton (I thought you were supposed to slow down!) and my belly now dwarfs my breasts (no small feat!).
December 24, 2008 (38w2d)
Oops! Guess I didn’t finish that last entry…just another indication of how we’re running around crazy over here trying to prepare for you. Things are going pretty good, today is your grandmother’s birthday and tomorrow will be Christmas. Bit of family drama occurred last week but as you will soon find out, we should have expected it with our crazy family.
Your room is close to being done. Adri came into town a few weeks ago to help paint it in one weekend (whew!). I don’t know what I would have done without her! We still need to paint the grey gears on the wall but at least there’s a crib and changing station ready.
I’m feeling much better lately. After adding daily naps, walks and massages; most of the swelling in my ankles (cankles!@#$) and feet has gone down. It’s hard trying to relax as much as possible when you’ve got a small business to run, Christmas shopping to do and a new baby to prepare for but with Jim as my constant reminder, we’re not doing too bad.
So now we’re just sorta trying to take it easy and enjoy these last few weeks (days?!) as a married couple without children. We talk about what you’re going to be like all the time and hope that we can be the parents you deserve. You have an entire group of fans already eager to meet you. You’re going to have so much fun with your Aunts, Grandparents and friends!
Take your time, Jackson, we’ll be here when you’re ready.