Much better

If I knew that the day I made an appointment with the doctor I would start feeling better, I would have made an appointment a lot sooner! I've been following the advice I read on the internet (which was also the same advice the doctor gave me) for the last 4-5 days and I've noticed a huge improvement. Yesterday was the first day that I close to being pain-free - yay! The dr. took a urine sample to make sure I don't have an infection and I already got the results back which were fine (as expected). She suggested if the pain continues, I should schedule physical therapy to strengthen my joins and muscles. I have my yoga class this Saturday so I will talk to my instructor about any recommended stretches and exercises.
I am loving feeling more back to myself again and while I don't plan on over-doing it this weekend, I am looking forward to being more productive than I have been able to be lately.

Banjo is kicking tons. I'm supposed to start timing the kicks now. Make sure he kicks 10 times in 2 hours. Ha! That's not an issue. He is such an active little guy and I think we're close to the same sleep pattern since he isn't really keeping me up at night. For awhile he was kicking more at night than during the day. But of course, that may be a temporary thing as well.

We got tons of snow here and I am not going out unless I absolutely have to - which isn't until I have to go to work tomorrow morning and I will be bundled up with my super warm coat (which has a fixed zipper) and boots with a good tread. I don't want to fall with my lil bundle.

Here's to a weekend with nothing scheduled (other than yoga) and I plan to stay INDOORS!

It figures

The one day I am actually starting to feel a little better is the day I have my doctor’s appointment to discuss my pain. I guess I will just explain when everything started happening, what I’ve been doing to deal with the pain and discuss what I should be doing in the future when the pain gets really bad again. I can’t imagine I’ll be able to (or want to) spend every weeknight sitting on the couch with my feet propped up for the next 3 months. But the belly belt has helped along with some other things, so we’ll see what the doctor says. I hope my appointment today isn’t with the doctor I didn’t like very much.

I want to spend my time daydreaming about my little baby not scrunching my face in pain from walking.

Pete and I were trying to figure out what Banjo will look like and our best guess is he’ll have dark brown hair and brown eyes. His eyes will be a little more wide set and he’ll have Pete’s chin and nose. I’m guessing he’ll be average height and build and we both think he’ll be smarter and funnier than both of us. I will have no problem laughing at all of Banjo’s jokes – even if they’re not funny. But I have a feeling I will be in a state of awe over every little thing he does.

Good stuff

First off, the belly belt is AMAZING! I highly recommend it to every pregnant woman out there. It’s relieved a lot of the pressure and helped with some lower back pain. G is a goddess for lending me hers because I may have procrastinated longer and thought I didn’t need it. I feel a bit like I'm wearing a weird harness but it provides great support and is helping immensely!

Staying off my feet last night helped the pelvic joint pain but it’s not really getting better. Basically, it hurts when I walk and hurts a lot when I walk the stairs and this is getting worse – not better. After lying on the couch with my feet up after taking some Tylenol last night I didn’t have any pain. I sent an email to my doctor because the pain may be worse because I’m double jointed (hypermobility) so I’m waiting to see if there is something he recommends. I’ve been doing everything else they (the internet) recommend for this type of pain with no relief yet. I’m still snap crackle and popping when I walk.

On the plus side…no Braxton Hicks contractions, so Yay!

I am trying to reprioritize on things that I’d like to get done vs. what must get done and also place more realistic time frames on the things that must get done. As I have been reminded by a very wise friend, the nursery does not need to be done any time soon because even after the baby comes home, he’ll be sleeping in my room in a co-sleeper thing. And from what I’ve heard, babies aren’t very judgmental on the interior design of their rooms so I think I have several more weeks until he gains his sense of style.

One of my goals in the next day is to make a list and try to a) assign realistic dates of when those things could/should be done and b) assign things on that list to people who have volunteered to help out.

So, yay on trying to be positive about things and boo on still being in pain. But let’s end this post on a positive note…

I will be having a baby in about 12 weeks….less than 100 days!

Seriously?

Three more months of pain, pressure and misery? I’ve had two Braxton Hicks contractions this morning – probably because I ran for the train first thing this morning. I firmly resolve to not run for the train for the rest of the pregnancy. If I am a few minutes late to work because I get the next train nobody will care. I was so out of breath and I felt pain in my pelvic joints and my lower abdomen but didn’t get the contractions until I got to work. I put my feet up while working and have already had so much water that just the thought of water makes me feel sick. (doctor said water and put your feet up to try to prevent more BH contractions) I’m trying not to walk more than needed but every time I do I just feel TERRIBLE. I may ask if I can work from home one day this week until I’m feeling more normal (in 3 months – ha). I just don’t want to get into the habit of doing that now in case I REALLY need to do it later.

Banjo has decided to wage war on my internal organs. He’s been leaning, kicking, punching and thinking really bad things about my liver and bladder and whatever else is around him. I bet if I had an ultrasound right now you could see little puncture wounds from the knife that he somehow smuggled inside me.

Also I am confused on when the third trimester officially starts. Some books/articles say it begins at the beginning of week 27, some say at the beginning of week 28. I’m almost in the middle so I guess I can solidly say that by Friday I will most definitely be in the third trimester.

On the plus side, no swollen feet or hands which are normal symptoms for this time of the pregnancy.

Other good things are that I have not heard back from the doctor about my gestational diabetes test and I figure no news is good news. I took the test a week ago and I think I would have heard something by now.

I don’t mean to be a complainer. There are women having much more difficult pregnancies than I am. For some reason my hormones are really kicking into over drive and I was such a smidgen away from tears this morning when the zipper on my coat broke. My new super warm perfect pregnancy coat that I just bought about a month ago. Grrrr. And I don’t know how to fix it. At least there are snaps on it so I don’t have to leave my coat open.

It’s the first Monday after a nice break and I have another day off from work on January 18 so that’s good. And then no time off until the baby’s born.

Earlier this week Pete said we have to get the baby’s room done soon because what if the baby comes early. I told him if the baby comes this early, he’ll he in the hospital for several weeks/months and that will give us plenty of time to finish his room. But that thought got stuck in my head and now I think…”oh yes..we have to finish the room this week. Must finish room. Oh and pack a bag for the hospitaland...and...and....” Sheesh I need to relax. I have 3 more months to panic and obsess – no use starting now.

27 week belly

My New Year's Resolution

Have a baby

Goodbye 2009

I can't believe 2009 is almost over. This next year will be bringing so many changes - most of them which revolve around the new baby. Banjo's birthdate will be in 2010. It seems odd to think of it. I look at my friends who have children and I have such an odd mixture of excitement and panic. I'm thrilled to be able to meet my baby and experience all of the joys that go along with it. But I feel a little anxious about not knowing what to expect with the baby. I'm well aware that certain things will change, such as me not being able to go out after work with no notice so things like grocery shopping, any other shopping, dinner or drinks (drinks...what are drinks? I miss that) or concerts and plays after work are a thing of the past. Not to say those things won't ever happen, rather it will take a bit more planning and preparation. There are so many unknowns ahead of us that I won't feel ready for even after reading every single book, magazine article and blog around. Every baby will be different and I hope Banjo is not a terror.

I am looking forward to taking some time off of work after the baby's born but I'm also worried that I'll miss working and being around people. Banjo will be born at a great time of the year because I'll be able to take him for walks around the neighborhood.

I'll be ringing in the new year at our friend's house with some fondue and drinks (sparkling cider for me). My great grandmother always said you shouldn't be home on New Year's Eve - you should always go out somewhere. I've tried to make it a habit every year but that will likely change after Banjo's born. My family also used to have some type of seafood on New Year's Eve for good luck. Since Pete hates seafood most years I've managed to bring my good luck with a fish sandwich from McDonald's. Not quite what we used to do but it seems to have brought me better luck in the last few years than when I've had some expensive seafood. I've also heard that 2 grapes is good luck. I'm not sure of the story behind why. But I'll take whatever good luck I can get.

I have the highest expectations that 2010 will be an incredible year for me and for all of my friends and family! Happy 2010!!