38th & 39th Week Check-ins!

Gonna have to double up these posts as the weeks are flying by quicker than I can get my posting of my stats act together!

38^th Week Check-in

1) slight weight gain

2) 126/84 blood pressure

3) Trace of protein in my urine (not high enough to cause any concern and typical for this late stage

4) Heartbeat in the mid 140s

5) Mamacita measured in at 38” – once AGAIN spot on.

6) No dilation but cervix had softened

So once again, everything and everyone checked in as normal & on target!!

39^th Week Check-in

1) Lost ½ a pound! PHEW – was hoping to not gain anymore!!

2) 122/74 blood pressure – nice that the bottom number came down a bit

3) No protein in my urine

4) Heartbeat 144

5) Mamacita measured at 36” cause BEBE DROPPED!! Must have been that lovely PUNCHING sensation I felt – nothing like ‘lightening’ by the way.

6) Cervix thinned

7) NO dilation AT ALL.

8) Head FULLY down in cervix – so much so that even if they wanted to induce they would not be able to BREAK MY WATER cause the head is so much in the way!

Now we are just waiting for Mamacita to get her act together & start dilating!! GAH!! We are in the final 7 days, folks! I haven’t had any Braxton Hicks or any contractions – I have had some new, strange, sensations but nothing that I would classify as Contractions & nothing that happened more than once in a 24 hour period. So we wait. For me to dilate. Due date still looks around the 11^th but of course that’s merely a guideline…

I created our Phone Lists & Birth Plans to be printed off…phone list is for us to carry around ourselves and plan is to give to the hospital. I finished up my shopping – still have to get some baskets but I’m somewhat slacking on that cause I just don’t think it should be so hard to find what I’m looking for so I’m just going to lay off of that for a bit and then just get what I need when I need it. Ordered my nursing bras – couldn’t find the ones I wanted anywhere – can you tell me why Babies R Us or even Baby Depot don’t sell nursing bras? All they need to do is put them in with all the other feeding/nursery gear and they’d be set…

We have to pack our Hospital Bag(s) & Diaper Bag for Bebe this week still but I have the lists written out for those and the only thing I have to buy for that is some reading material for when my contractions are still far enough apart that I’m not losing my mind…

I have to create an email announcement list & see if Grandmamcita wants to Live Blog from the Waiting Room at the hospital…there is wireless internet access from the rooms so I’ll try and have pictures up ASAP!!

I have 3 more days left at work & the replacement we are, hopefully, hiring is out of town all this week so there will be no on-hands training for her so I really have to get going on writing this Training Manual…whoops…

Thankfully, the temperature is supposed to drop into the pleasant 80s for the rest of the week and not the horrible 90s we’ve been experiencing the past 2-3 days. The heat is going to bring me down, I think, so I’m thankfully that it will only be in the 80s and I can hopefully get some productive work done.

I did 3 loads of 0-3 month and receiving blankets laundry today – I am just so not sure if we have enough & I’m being dead serious. I don’t know how much we need or how much we’ll go through – except “a lot” – so I’m not real confident I actually bought enough. I suppose only time will tell! I got the basket for the bathroom supplies and have all that set up now!! Need to do one more load of burp cloths and plain old white onesies & then I think we are totally done. My nursing chair has shipped, I got my Boppy slip cover, and the last ‘shipment’ to come is the nursing bras. I got some board books that I NEEDED to have in our starter collection & discovered that Julie Andrews writes kids books!! So I got the one called “Bo goes to France” with a fluffy grey cat in front of the Eifel Tower on the cover – couldn’t pass it up really. We even looked through the Spanish language books and just didn’t see one we HAD to have – we being Amanda & I, naturally.

Now, I’m just not sure what to do with the things, like the playmate and papasan chair, do we set those up before the Bebe comes home? It’s not like we’ll be using them RIGHT AWAY but it would probably be good just to have them set up…so who thinks I’m Nesting? HA.

Oh, Grandmamacita – I have a question for you!! Do I need to wash the crib sheets? I have to finish putting that together & not sure if I need to clean anything before I do!!!

I asked Matias to shave my legs and he said no. He claimed he didn’t want to take the chance of cutting me but even after I assured him my ankles/legs were too swollen for him to nick the most nick-able of places he still resisted. So I struggled this afternoon and got it done myself – wasn’t THAT hard, I just held onto the towel bar (why is there a towel bar on the inside of the shower stall anyway?) and tried to keep my leg balanced on the wall and when that stopped working I just bent over and prayed I didn’t topple all the way over or puke on the way back up.

Deadlines & Missed Opportunities

With the Arrival of Bebe Nino pending we’ve started to miss deadlines and opportunities that although not imperative are just kinda cool, in my book.

The first one being that yesterday was Canada Day (HAPPY CANADA DAY!) and also my grandfather’s birthday. Grandmamacita was hoping for contractions and water breaking & I’ll admit, I think it would have been damn cool also! Now that July 4^th is sneaking up on us, I get a little nervous and am practicing crossing my legs for neither of us really, honestly want to have a Little Firecracker. Maybe for a Team USA member but not quite so much for us – the couple out yesterday wearing a Argentine soccer jersey (damn you, you Germans) & a ROOTS Canada shirt…

My actual due date is my parents wedding anniversary – so naturally that sounds like a GREAT idea! And I like being on time – none of this late business – I have a DUE DATE, let’s stick to it, ok? HA! See, in my control freak mind (and YES I KNOW HOW WRONG I AM) this Bebe WILL COME ON THE DUE DATE. There will be no Typical Nino Family LATENESS! (although admittedly, I was 10 days late arriving myself…), there will be no early arrival, THERE IS A DUE DATE – let’s all stick to this plan, ok? PLUS, there are a higher number of babies born on full moons AND days it rains. Hello, July 11^th? FULL MOON. So far, only Partly Cloudy in the TEN DAY FORECAST (cause holy shit, I’m due within the TEN DAY FORECAST!!) but damnit, there’s t-storms for the 4^th AND 5^th…

(/end delusional tendencies)

Can you see how this brain works now?

BUT I did inform Matias that if and when I have to pick an induction date it WILL BE 7.19 – yes because of the DMB RFK show in 2000. THE BEST DAMN SHOW EVER. He didn’t even consider arguing. ALTHOUGH he WOULD prefer a Leo – that would have to be after the 23^rd…and I don’t think they let you go over 10 days from your due date…

(I tend to think Cancer is an exact match for us though - You are emotional, intuitive, sympathetic and moody. You enjoy shopping and visiting with friends. Cancer is sentimental, sensitive, and needs to have a sense of security. Cancer may be interested in politics even if it's only on the local level. You tend to over protect what is yours. Cancer is intensely romantic and has a vivid imagination. Your home and family are very important to you.)

ANYWAY!

So with the passage of Canada Day & my grandfather’s birthday I’m starting to realize that we are on The Other Side of this little adventure…and it’s making me a little sad and of course nervous. I haven’t Freaked the Fuck Out yet but came REALLY close yesterday when Mystic decided to “Christian” the new dining room rug. You know, kiddo, if a new RUG makes you uneasy, I’ve got a lovely surprise waiting for you…

Marathon Shopping Day!

We basically checked everything off our lists!!

I still have to make one more run tomorrow but I’ll do that with Amanda since Matias had hit his Shopping Limit & plus it’s fun to go with a Girlfriend.

Things We Bought Today

1) CAR SEAT & STROLLER!!

2) Papapsan Chair

3) Diaper Pail (we ended up getting a different one than we registered for because it was smaller & cheaper – by about 10” and $15!)

4) Gymini Play Mat

5) Hamper

6) Pack & Play crib sheet

7) Nice white blanket (Matias is thinking of Baptism)

8) (I think I bought out all the) Winnie the Pooh newborn outfits

9) 1 GIRL coming home sleeper

10) 1 BOY coming home sleeper

11) Diapers

12) Baby Butt Cream (as Matias calls it)

13) Baby Einstein – Meet the Orchestra CD (exchanged duplicate Lullabies CD)

14) Disney (instrumental) Lullabies (thankfully Matias is a Disney fan & I wont have to ‘fight’ for viewing or listening to all the music and movie!)

15) 1 cute lion toy (Matias picked it out even though he claims we have “enough toys”)

16) Nursing chair (ordered online from WALMART) – we ended up moving away from the traditional “nursing glider” cause this was nicer looking and more our tastes but it still rocks and swivels and comes with an ottoman – all for under $150 compared to spending at least $150 on the glider than an additional $80 or so for the ottoman!

17) Ordered a Boppy slipcover from Target since I cannot ever find one in stock ANYWHERE! I’m waiting until after we discover what bits & bobs this Bebe has to buy an additional one so that I can go gender specific (and CUTE!)

18) Ordered SALE items from Old Navy – TOO CUTE denim shortalls and these blue cotton track pants – don’t worry, I can Girl those right up! Plus they had a great deal on onesies that I couldn’t pass up since Matias is all about the bebe basically living in onesises and being swaddled 45740% of the time! At least he?she can have CUTE COLORFUL onesies, right?

I THINK that’s it! PHEW. It was a lot of shopping and it started out rough but ended up well. We found a mobile that we like but we wont be needing that until they are in the crib so for now we are just “keeping it on our list”. Same with the highchair – no need to get that right away! Matias is also looking into a more “manly” sling/backpack – he says he’ll use the sling but started looking at the ones that are more “sturdy” (like the Baby Bjorns and the ones Infantino makes) for his own use.

For some reason not a lot of stores carry baskets – they sell them all online but I cannot for the life of me find them in the Baby Sections –strange! So that remains 2 more items on the list! I can already have 3 for the changing table but have discovered that we need at least one for the bathroom stuff & another couple/few for the changing table area – I think I’ll get various sizes for those and see what happens. It’s hard to organize for something you’ve never done before without actually doing it first!

I put all the 0-3 months clothes and blankets in the hamper to start doing the laundry and reorganized the dresser drawers – all the 0-3 and 3-6 clothes will be in one drawer and then the 6-9, 9-12 will go in the bottom drawer. The top drawer right now is bibs, socks, hats & burp cloths – I’m not sure if that will stay like that though. I’m thinking bibs might be best in the kitchen area (or where feeding will take place…), socks might go in a basket with hats & burp cloths might stay with the bibs, but I think it will take some actually USING OF the articles to know exactly where they Belong – for now they’ve looked cute all folded up in the top drawer but with ONE WEEK to go, looking cute is no longer my priority!!

Amanda is coming over today & I have my list ready for Babies R Us and I think we are also hitting Barnes & Noble for I feel my book shelf is lacking! Then I have to hit Bath & Body cause I’m almost out of my stash and have no idea when I will be able to run out and grab some girlie bathroom goodies – plus Matias requested more hand soap and I don’t think you can ever have enough hand soap with a newborn on the way!

I AM so thankful that this weekend is a four day weekend!! I also have to write my Thank You cards from the shower two weekends ago but I’ve been a bit busy so I think it’s alright that they aren’t out yet – plus Matias keeps trying to convince me that in Argentina a phone call is all that is needed – Grandmamcita didn’t raise no fool, I’m not playing that game! PLUS his mother ‘bragged’ about how every single person who got a wedding Thank You card called her to read it to her and gush about how nicely they were written – SO – there’s a precedence here, people! AND we were SO spoiled by all the gifts & goodies that the Bebe got last weekend when we had our Housewarming/DMB BBQ. AND my work threw me a Baby Shower luncheon…so it’s not only Thank You cards for the shower but also just Thank You cards in GENERAL for all the people who have been so generous to Bebe already!

Back to pregnancy talk though – cause I basically just realized that my notepad was on the kitchen table and how I didn’t want to struggle to get up and get it!

Things I Can NO Longer Do and Feel Slightly Retarded Asking Matias to Do For Me

1) pick anything AND everything up off the floor that I drop – I SUPPOSE this is good practice for when the Bebe starts the same game

2) scratch my feet when they itch & tell him “no I cannot see how bad my feet look CAUSE I CANT SEE THEM”

3) I’m SERIOUSLY thinking about having him shave my legs for me – anyone else do this?

4) Pick up the cat food bowls & hand me the canned food from the pantry

5) LAUNCH me out of bed in the mornings

6) PULL me up off the couch at nights

7) Come around my side of the car and give me a hand getting out

8) Pick up all the garbage in the nursery – actually this had a little Evil Intentions attached to it as I seem to be the one In Charge of Preparing the Nursery so anytime I pull tags off or empty bags, I just throw the garbage on the floor then make him come around after me and pick it all up. HEH.

9) At the DMB show I was wrapping my ankles in ACE bandages between songs and I could NOT reach my ankle or even GRAB my ankle to pull it onto my leg SO I had to ask Matias to bend over and hand my foot to me!

Hormonal!

I've always been very emotional over the DMB song So Right for numerous and sundry reasons but the main one being that Matias & I played it right after New Years at our wedding for our guests. It was kind of our "gift" to them - it totally encapsulates how we feel about everyone and that night and each other and our relationship when it was first starting out (this album was just leaked/released)

And they played it at Nissan & the Bebe got to hear it and we danced and sang and maybe made out a little and my heart just about burst cause it was raining. And I'm listening to the show now (waiting for Matias to come home from a soccer game) and I all I could do was sit here with my eyes closed and cry - but for all good reasons! So I'm going to post the lyrics here so everyone can see what I mean.

So Right

Roll uptown to midnight
Then roll on downtown till its light
Because tomorrow we may die
Oh but tonight we’re dancing in the fate light
Don’t you
Rob yourself of what you’re feeling
Don’t rob yourself of all that you could be
Roll hard ‘til midnight
Roll ‘til its light
Come on now

Stay up and make some memories here
With us now
To roll red carpet out with friends
To love and roll on
Our love is so right
I won’t waste a minute here tonight
Our love is so right
And tonight my dance is all about you

To midnight love you
Roll on and run the red lights
Game now is keep it tight
How I love her pretty rock and roll kisses
Come on and stay with me
Roll on and run the red lights
Come this love is so right

Stay up and make some memories here
With us now
To roll the red carpet out with friends
To love and roll on
Our love is so right
I can taste we’re in it here tonight
Our love is so right
And tonight my dance is all about you

I’m going crazy and it’s all cause of you
It’s all cause of you
I’m going under over you
Over you

This time now is so alive
Everybody’s trance dancing tonight
So beautiful and so strange
It was empty till you came

Holy ONE WEEK LEFT!!

Busy times in the Nino Casa!!

I'll try and do a catch up later today on everything that's happened in the past 2 weeks or so BUT a quick round up would include:

Baby Shower in CT
Bebe's First Met's Game (probably only game at Shea Stadium)
DMB Show & Housewarming BBQ
Bebe Stats
Car Seat Update (stay tuned!!)

But I thought I would also post some pictures :)

First, we have the ICES - cute, tiny, fashionable Rach with the littly tyke & husband.
Second, well, we have the Mets game!
Third, my swollen piggies after IKEA the weekend we moved in.

4 Cravings That I Cannot Live Without

(and as much as that sounds like a redundant statement, you wouldn’t want to find out what happens if I TRY and live without these 4 things)


1) Raspberry Sorbet – I PREFER the Haagen-Daaz one, please and thank you.
2) Peanut Butter Cups
3) Peanut Butter Cookies (not one OR the other, I NEED both but not at the same time)
4) ICED mochas (I’ve been able to have up to 16 oz. of coffee a day throughout the whole pregnancy ((don’t hate me, please)) but just recently have I LOVED the iced mocha and it did take me getting over The Sickness to be able to enjoy ANY coffee again)

There are some more things that I REALLY PREFER but I don’t think CRAVING would be an appropriate moniker.

1) Sweet Tea – a nice refreshing alternative to water or soda
2) Fountain Soda and NOT in a can or plastic bottle – makes Mamacita LESS gassy

You know, I really cant think of anything else…everything else is somewhat par for the course as far as Things I Prefer so I would go as far as chalking them up to Pregnancy Cravings…

P.S.

My belly button hasnt popped. YAY.

But Matias' sister's has and guess what? She TAPES IT DOWN. I dont know which makes me squirm more - a popped belly button or TAPING it down.

P.P.S. Bebe went to their FIRST MLB game - one last Mets game before Shea Stadium goes bye-bye.

P.P.P.S. I think I'm on Sports Overload.

37-Week Check in!

Ok, I think we can all collectively FREAK OUT now – I am now only 3 weeks away from my due date.

WHAT?!?!? This has either been the fastest 10 months EVER or I’ve just totally lost track of time altogether.

I’m starting to get a little nervous but so far nothing that I cannot handle just the little things are starting to make me squeak a bit.

So without further ado, here are my stats for this week:

1) I gained 5 pounds. WHOOPS. I’m SO totally hoping this is all water weight and when/if you see my ankles you will probably agree with me. And if you don’t, I’ll just punch you in the face until you do agree with me. GRIN. So I’ve gained a total of 30 lbs. over these 37 weeks. Was hoping to stay under the 30 lb. mark but I suppose we will just see what happens with the water weight over the next couple of weeks…
2) Blood pressure is 122/84 – bottom number went up a bit but still in a really good range
3) Bebe heartbeat is in the “high 140s” HA! Try and apply your voodoo witch doctor logic to that one! This one is keeping everyone guessing! Definitely, OUR kid!
4) Mamacita's Belly is measuring at 37”

Dare I brag that the doctor said this was a “PREFECT PREGNANCY”??!?! I am inclined to agree with that myself – well prefect BEBE not necessarily the perfect PREGNANCY for Mamacita in the ‘let’s not forget who had The Sickness for 16 weeks’ sort of way, but if the Bebe is healthy, I don’t really care. So if you happen to ask me how I’m doing/feeling, etc don’t be surprised if I respond with PERFECT. But I’m sure you knew that already, eh?

We are starting our interviews today for my Mat Leave replacement – not a lot of people took any interest in it because it’s only a 6 month contract position so I hope we can find something out of the slim pickings (but with good resumes) we have.

The 8 hour work days are really killing me and then add in the 1 ½ commute EACH WAY and my day is just way too long AND that doesn’t count everything I do once I get home AND that doesn’t take into consideration how JAM PACKED our weekends have been! Tired. I’m so TIRED. But I’m taking care of myself and doing everything I can to make sure I’m at least SAFE while doing all the things I need to be doing – drinking plenty of fluids, taking breaks when I need them, relaxing when I get even a moment, and treating myself to Peanut Butter Cups (hello, 5 lbs!). I am able to “sneak” out of the office early when my boss is traveling (I could probably do it when she is here but I’d rather not!) and at least get home earlier than normal so that DOES help out a LOT. My patience/tolerance level is dipping back down though – but that definitely has something to do with being tired and grumpy and not liking the people who are annoying me in the first place. HEH.

I’m so excited though for everyone coming into town this weekend for the Freak Family Fest at CASANOVA (and maybe go see a DMB show!) – I cannot wait to see pregnant RACH! And all my girls are in town (Nikki, your cousin really DOES suck) and all Matias’ boys are in town so we are ALL excited to see everyone and just spend some QUALITY FAMILY time together!! Yes, Grandmacita – that includes you too!! We’ll just have to make sure Bill doesn’t drop too many F-Bombs around you this year!

YAY!! SO EXCITED!!!

I’m making an EXTRA HUGE EFFORT to spend as MUCH quality time with the Kids (the monk and mystic have been upgraded from Babies to Kids since we are in fact “getting” a BABY soon…) as possible. I will miss being able to baby them as much as I do & I hope that they know they can go to Daddy for love also – both DO go to Daddy but it will just break my heart if they go lonely instead of seeking out love from him – we’ve made a point of Daddy KNOWING he has to take over some of Mommy’s LOVE DUTIES so…fingers crossed…I have to start having The Talk with them about the Newcomer, I suppose. We ARE getting that close…

I’ve got our Babysitter on Stand By for Mystic’s insulin in case Grandmacita isn’t in town during the time frame Missy Mys needs to get shot up…so I think I’m starting to get everything under control. Maybe. Yeah, I do. I think. HA.

Ok, back to work, I go – I have to get ready for the interview this afternoon!

BUT before I go I’ve got two more things to say!!

LET’S GO CANES!!! CONGRATS TO CAM WARD!!! and GO GET ‘EM ARGENTINA!!

Things That Really Kind of Suck

(written so that you don’t think I’ve gone some kind of delusional and wacko during this pregnancy and am now all rainbows and unicorns)

1) Not being able to wear my wedding rings and feeling like people just think I’m “knocked up” and not married also
2) Not being able to sit cross legged – especially at work – I would love to be able to alternate the way that I sit here at my desk all day long
3) Not being able to smoke – don’t listen to anyone when they say the craving goes away and so does the attitude cause that’s total bullshit
4) I miss our Tavern. We’ve gone twice in the past week or so and each time I just miss going there and relaxing with a drink (or 10) and a smoke (or 10) and singing along to the jukebox
5) Not being able to shave my legs properly. It’s somewhat difficult in the new shower (large shower stall separate from soaking tub) that has no edge for me to prop my foot on and the fact that I cannot really see the entirety of my lower body area
6) (I was going to write that I can only wear one TYPE of shoe & then I realized that “jesus, Jen, they’re FLIP FLOPS that’s all you WEAR anyway” but yeah, I would at least like to make that CHOICE!!)
7) Not knowing if I need to fantasize about little pink, frilly dresses or dark, solid polo shirts with trains and trucks and possible monkeys on them…

36th Week Check in!!

I’m officially FOUR WEEKS AWAY FROM MY DUE DATE!!!!


Here’s a quick run-down of my stats (been watching too much World & Stanley Cup – everything is now a statistic or point…!) from my doctor’s appointment this morning:

Minutes spent waiting in the Waiting Room after my appt. time: 40 – yeah don’t know why either, except that if I had been made to wait much longer I would have missed the last commuter bus out of Manassas…

Blood Pressure: 125/84
Weight Gain: NONE!!
Heartbeat: 155
Belly Measurements: 36 ½” (SPOT.ON. well actually ½” larger than “spot on”)
Bebe Position: head down
Cervix: effaced*

I asked how much I had gained since the last appointment and was somewhat shocked to find that I hadn’t gained anything since I had been on such a steady track of gaining a couple pounds here and there…but that lead the nurse to go over my entire pregnancy history and exclaim how delighted she was with my progress and what a perfectly healthy pregnancy this was! YAY! So I treated myself to a Chicken Mole sammmich with large iced Mocha for lunch finished off with some peanut butter cookies Matias made for me last week. Heh.

I always walk away from these appointments feeling really good about myself, the pregnancy and, of course, the Bebe. I cant really explain it without sounding too damn mushy but it definitely helped lift my mood from yesterday, I can tell you that much. There was a little girl in the waiting room with us & just seeing her made me want to hurry up and be holding this Bebe already!! But on the other hand that totally doesn’t mean that I’m ready to stop being pregnant…if I could just get rid of the swollen feet/ankles, the acid reflux I get while lying on my right side and occasional hard wood floor splashing puke sessions I wouldn’t mind being pregnant at all. Seriously. I didn’t really think I’d hear myself saying that…ever. But I do really like the bonding and the squirming and the zooming around and the conversations we have together and the cats lying on my Belly and purring and having Bebe kick them and have them just stare and wonder how in the world did Mom just kick us with her stomach and Matias talking & singing to Bebe and not having to change the litter box…oh I kid, see I just didn’t want to get too mushy on y’all. And yes, I’ve heard all those flowers and rainbows go away in the last month but I’m there now & it hasn’t hit YET. Come back in two weeks and let’s see where I am! Oh wait, in two weeks I’ll be at the DMB SHOW AT NISSAN!! HA!

* What is effacement?
Effacement is the process by which the cervix prepares for delivery. After the baby has engaged in the pelvis, it gradually drops closer to the cervix; the cervix gradually softens, shortens and becomes thinner. You may hear phrases like "ripens," or "cervical thinning" which refer to effacement.

Childbirth Prep Classes – We Graduated!!

We got our ‘diplomas’ yesterday – but sadly they are only to prove to our insurance companies that we did participate in a prep class and can we please be reimbursed for some of this expense, please and thank you.

Matias & I both learned, I think, what we needed to out of the class – although I would have a liked a little more “what to expect once you get home” kind of instruction but all the labor and delivery information, medications & instrument details was a great, big help to both of us and helped cement our Birth Plan.

I was hoping we might meet some people in class but no one was really very friendly with anyone in the class…somewhat strange…people were totally friendly and more outgoing in our So You’re Getting Married in a Catholic Church classes…but I took some information on the New Mommies Group and made Matias promise to not let me get all New Mommies Status Quo on myself. I’m hoping the pool will be good for that also!!

I’m taking a LOT of naps lately – at least one a day for a good 2-3 hours – usually those types of naps are reserved for Hangover Days, which do not occur anymore, obviously. I’m trying to “listen” to my body more and just STOP what I’m doing and rest even though it means not getting “extra” stuff done – the house/kitchen is still clean, the cats are still alive and happy, the plants aren’t dead – but also the pictures aren’t hung on the walls, none of the rooms are fully “decorated”, and my craft area hasn’t even been touched – BUT I’m attempting to convince myself that those things are NOT the priority at the moment! It’s working, but it’s taken a while. And of course, I’ve noticed that the swelling in my feet has subsided when I DO rest [more] – well thanks, Captain Obvious so I’m happier when it comes to my personal discomfort also…

I just WISH we had a free weekend sometime SOON. And I know I will freak out when this thought actually sinks in but:

WE DON’T HAVE A FREE WEEKEND TO OURSELVES AT ALL BEFORE THE BEBE IS BORN

We are trying to get things done at night after work and it’s getting done and our To Do Lists are smaller (still don’t have car seat, please don’t ask again, until I post a freaking picture of it installed in the car that needs to be cleaned/detailed before putting a newborn Bebe in it) but I just wish we had a FREE WEEKEND where we could both relax together and not have a List of Things To Do Before World Stops Spinning on it’s Axis…

We have our CRIB & CHANGING TABLE now but we haven’t had time or daylight to put it together – I’ve asked that the changing table get done first (we have a cradle) so that I can put together more of the nursery and just wait (not as urgent) on the crib…the last thing I need to do in the nursery is get some window coverings & I already know what I want I just have to get it…Story Of My Life…

AND

I KNOW, I KNOW THINGS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN. GET USED TO IT. THIS IS LIFE FOR YOU NOW.

So excuse me, if I pour out my 40 oz. from time to time, but I’m finding some of the more recent adjustments a little tough to swallow. Going on Mat. Leave for 6 months means a lot of adjustments in how you run a household and which expenses remain priorities and which ones do not & everyday finances and cutting back on ‘normal’ things to make room in the checkbook for Mamacita & Bebe to be home doing the right thing for our Family…

I’m not resentful of the changes, as I know can tend to happen I’m just a little shocked by how they are making me feel [already] as I am discovering what most consider the loss of their own Independence. I didn’t experience any of that after we got married (I’m sure in part because of us living together for 4 years…) but I am now and it’s mainly centering around me closing my personal bank account and getting registered on Matias’ account – we are no longer keeping separate finances and that’s a HUGE thing for me. I’m not sure that I like what that implies. And I don’t even think I believe what I think it implies to begin with!! I’m just overwhelmed by it all and by it’s suddenness. Trust me, I KNOW it’s for the Greater Good of the Family & I BELIEVE that, but there is still this little part of me (and I know this isn’t absurd either) that wants to hold onto what is mine & also let Matias hold onto what is his…

So, already it’s this strange tug of war between everything changing (for the Best) & anticipation of Bebe’s arrival. Thankfully, Matias understands & I’m not left howling at the wind…

BUT at least my belly button hasnt popped [yet].

God Bless Monkey Toes

(and not of the feline variety)

I just retrieved a dropped grape from under my work desk with my toes (little piggie still worked!) and put it in the garbage can – ALL without having to bend over and attempt to pick something up off the floor!

ALL HAIL MONKEY TOES!!!

Childbirth Classes start today!

We got our Express Childbirth Classes starting today at the hospital – two Sundays from 9:30-4:30!

I’m not quite sure what to expect, except that I know a Lamaze teacher is instructing the class & that I hope they don’t want me to sit on the ground the entire time. My feet will not be able to handle that at all. I think we might pack a camping chair so that if they do expect that I can at least send Matias out to get me a chair.

It’s way too early to be up though on a Sunday. We did a lot of work around the house yesterday (finally!) and I’m just tired, as usual. But it’s time to get up and get moving so here I am! We realized on Friday that yesterday was our last “free” day until Nissan & that we maybe needed to get some more work done before having guests descend upon us. There’s still more work to be done, of course, but at least we made a dent & I got some things crossed off my To Do List (which is the *most* important thing, right?).

I’ll check back in after the class and left y’all know how it went. I hope they don’t show that scary emergency childbirth film I saw when I was in lifeguard training and I SWEAR when her water broke it HIT THE SCREEN in full on 3D fashion. That made an impression, to say the least, on this young girl.

Give Me a B!

I SWEAR I have a little cheerleader in my Belly. Just spelling stuff out, throwing out Bebe arms and legs and elbows and knees and headbutting (just for added effect) ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

Not much room left for this action but good lord...this one is moving...

GO BEBE NINO!!

Where is Christina?!?!

Where did you go sister??

I've missed all your spot-on advice and encouragement :) So I thought I'd call you out!!

Pregnant Jen at Wedding

Here I am in all my Hugeness at Bri's wedding this past weekend in Cincinnati. The reason for the face, yes there is a reason this time, is that Huff (in the background making face also) was going around all night getting behind people in his OWN pictures (this was taken with his own camera) and doing the whole Rock On gesture. But anyway...here I am with Nikki & Anne-Marie (Scotty's girl) with the Boys in the background goofing as usual.

The Preeclampsia Scare of 2006

Tuesday I had my 8 ½ month check in and everything is going really well!! Bebe is healthy and in position. Although I did get a little freaked when I was asked if I have been experiencing any contractions – uh no, not yet, thank you very much! Blood pressure good (120/64), heartbeat good (between 137-140 for those playing at home), and few more pounds and inches gained in the Belly Region.

Then I got home & the headache hit and the queasiness settled in. I decided to stay home from work that day to attempt to make myself feel better and my little nap in the middle of the day seemed to do it. I went into work on Wednesday not feeling well at all. The heat (over 90 degrees) wasn’t helping matters, my ankles and feet were swollen upon waking up and the nausea hadn’t gone away. All day at work, I kept popping TUMS and feeling worse than I had with The Sickness and I struggled through until the end of the day. I fell asleep on the couch watching General Hospital around 10:30 or so and was woken up violently by THROWING UP on the couch (while still lying down) and on the hardwood floors. I attempted to get up quickly, yeah right and make it to a bathroom but didn’t succeed and barely made it to the kitchen sick before heaving all over again. Matias came running upstairs to see what was going on and promptly starting gagging after seeing dinner all over the floors. I started crying cause this was just damn disgusting & started to clean up after myself and lie back down. I thought I had coughed in my sleep while being in the full lying position – something that has proven dangerous during this pregnancy (so is coughing while putting my hair up in a towel with my head upside down but that’s another story) so I thought I was safe to lie back down and recuperate from this session of vomiting. Sadly, I was wrong and as I tried to get back up to run to a bathroom (things don’t happen so quickly with The Belly these days though) I sadly didn’t make it even anywhere near the kitchen sink and vomited something like 6 times into my hands and onto the HARDWOOD floors (splashing is LOVELY!!). And let me tell you, the smell that was emanating from this was not pleasant AT ALL, only making matters worse.

So after cleaning up this lovely mess, I made a visit to Dr. Internet & looked up “vomiting 3^rd trimester” and all the hits brought back the symptoms to preeclampsia.

• A severe or persistent headache

• Vision changes, including double vision, blurriness, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or temporary loss of vision

• Intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen

• Nausea or vomiting

Now, granted I didn’t have the vision issues or any swelling in my face (but my ankles and feet were another story) but having most of the symptoms caused me some concern. Especially when you read that the only “cure” for it is DELIVERING THE BABY. If I had it I would be INDUCED since I was far enough along OR put on modified bed rest. I was not ready to be induced like tomorrow, you know? So I went to bed with plans to contact my real life doctor in the morning and get this all straightened out.

Woke up Thursday still not feeling well but I had managed to not vomit again that night. Still had a headache and was queasy though and to ask me if my feet/ankles were swollen is like asking Matias if he likes to eat “meat”…got an 11:30 appointment with my doctor and waited. And stressed. And waited. And stressed. I am not ready to have this Bebe this week. Or probably even next week. We haven’t bought the car seat yet people!!! You cant have a baby without a CAR SEAT! You can see where I’m going with this…

ANYWAY. BEBE IS FINE!! Let’s say that straight out here. Mamacita – not so much. Normal ugly virus OR I “just might feel this way for the rest of the pregnancy”. For once, let’s root for a virus, mmmkay? I think I actually picked up Quinn's kennel cough ;)

The entire time Bebe was moving around and kicking and poking and everything was feeling fine within, it’s just ME who feels like poop. And now, Matias is sick. And he’s complaining of his face feeling bloated. Another symptom for preeclampsia. So I’m home sick again today, no need to get everyone in the office sick & trying to rest to help myself get better.

It’s a scary thing though to not know what’s going on and if something is happening to the Bebe. Thankfully, nothing was wrong with Bebe and everything is still very strong and right on track. Heartbeat still great, blood pressure still the same and Belly still growing!! I just wish it didn’t have to be so damn hot these days. But I am thankful that I don’t have to go through the WHOLE summer pregnant. And I’m very thankful that Bebe is healthy and happy.

Now, here’s to hoping that the next talk of vomit being spewed on the hardwood floors is from the Bebe!! Only 5 ½ more WEEKS, folks.

8 Month Picture

I'm trying to post this picture from Matias' machine cause mine hasnt been set up yet (we got the network cabling issue resolved yesterday!!) & he doesnt have the software that I use to post pictures but blogger claims to have the ability to post pictures from this setting...we'll see! This was taken last Friday at like 7am waiting for the movers to come as I was scrambling around taking pictures of our place all packed up. I had 3 hours of sleep and had just pulled my hair straight back after getting out of the shower so excuse the lovely look I've got going on :) Sorry for the lack of posts but I've got a doozy of one waiting to be written regarding the status of my swollen piggies feet and arthritic ankles!! OH the JOY!! We are heading to Cincy today for Brian's wedding & staying with Nikki & Chris, whom we havent seen since my first bout of morning sickness - still thinking it was a hangover at that point!! I *might* be able to post in between our excursions to High Tea and pedicures!! YAY Girlie Weekends!!

Happy 8 Months Pregnant!!

I had my 8th month appointment this morning and, thankfully, everything is PREFECT!!

Quick rundown of stats:

1) I gained 3 [more] lbs. up to a 21 lb. total weight gain but still well under the “average”.
2) My blood pressure is still low and steady
3) Bebe even kicked the OB Nurse AWAY when she was finding the heartbeat – she literally said “oh, this little one just PUSHED me away”. I said, “He’s shy”. She laughed. Then she commented on how much he does move around.
4) I measured at 32” EXACTLY spot on – you are supposed to measure an inch for every week along you are (I just found that out from my mom this weekend who found it out from her friend…)
5) Doctor noticed my swollen feet before I had to bring it to his attention & I didn’t think I was that bad already.
6) I got the A-OK to sleep more on my back if it stops me from wanting to puke due to my acid reflux when I try and sleep on my side.

And that’s it, folks! Same thing, different week, bigger Mamacita!!

Baby Shower pictures are here - http://ninocentral.com/_WEBAPPS/PhotoAlbums_APP/PhotoAlbums/BabyShowerNC/default.asp

They aren’t in any order and they aren’t labeled because there are 60+ pictures!! Excuse the typical Goofy Faces from Mamacita – I have no idea what happens when I open gifts but I’m going to be eternally thankful that my wedding pictures didn’t turn out like some of these did!

I’ll write a longer post on the shower when I get the chance – ha! Ok but seriously, that is my intention I just don’t know when that will happen considering we move in 3 days!

Baby Pool!!

Ok since I have enough free time on my hands for some reason, here’s a Baby/Birth Pool!! Just write out your guesses in the comments & I’ll collect them into an excel sheet (you couldn’t have guessed that one, could you?) to keep track of all the responses. I’m also going to send this out to people who don’t have the link to the site so that we can see what EVERYONE (!) thinks. You can email your guesses to jennifer.nino(AT)gmail.com (replace the (AT) with a @, please!!) if you’d like.

I wasn’t really thinking of doing this for money, BUT if the demand is there I suppose I could turn my sweet, innocent, Bebe Blog into a gambling site!! Although it might be difficult with us all so scattered…maybe just save the gambling for in-office activities…


Without further ado – here are the Baby/Birth Pool Questions!!

1) Date of birth?
2) Time of birth?
3) Weight?
4) Length?
5) Eye Color?
6) Hair Color?
7) Gender?
8) First Names? (although any family members who already know are EXEMPT from answering this question based on the grounds that I will kick your ass if you tell everyone our names!!!)

Which of these sex prediction methods was true for you?

I carried high (girl) or low (boy) BOY
I carried way out front (boy) or wide (girl) BOY
My morning sickness was worse in early pregnancy (girl) GIRL
My looks improved (boy) or worsened (girl) during pregnancy BOY (or so I’ve been told…)
My partner gained weight with me (boy) or stayed the same (girl) BOY (HA!! 10lbs!!)
The baby's heart rate was fast (girl) or slow (boy) Too Close to Call – 144 is smack dab in the middle AND if you know otherwise, please don’t tell me!!!

Do we need to start a Pool? If I knew how to set one up I would…I think the Office Folks want to do one too…is it strange to start your own Baby Pool?

Things I Think I Know About Our Bebe Already

1) Bebe is shy around others – even Daddy sometimes – Bebe can be zooming around like crazy and my belly can be bumping to the skies but as soon as I call someone over to look or feel Bebe stops moving. And then starts again when the person is gone/isn’t looking. Sometimes this happens to Daddy but then he plays his little “knock-knock” game or “hello Bebe” game and he gets a response. But Auntie Leanne sat for about 20 minutes with her hand on my belly and nothing, she moved away and the Bebe started zooming again. And Bebe doesn’t stop when I put my hand on the belly.
2) This makes Bebe a “Momma’s Bebe” since Bebe is NEVER shy around me!
3) Bebe is a Homebody – movements picked up in speed and strength almost as soon as we got home last night – as if Bebe knew we were home.
4) Bebe likes the Sweets – or maybe Mamacita is just using him as excuse to indulge but Mamacita doesn’t think so since Mamacita usually doesn’t have this Sweet Tooth. Just ask Mamacita’s family.

Southern Bound

I’m leaving in about a ½ hour to catch the train to Cary (NC, for those who don’t know!) for my Baby Shower!!

I’ve got my Super Cute outfit on – the one I’ve been saving for warm weather and Cuteness to come out and damn it all if the pants aren’t LOW RISE. Who makes pregnancy LOW RISE (and I bought them online…so don’t start in on me for not trying them on) pants? My crack is gonna be hanging out all over the Amtrak place. Don’t worry, it’s not the same Cute outfit I have for tomorrow!

We got our first Bebe presents yesterday!! TOO CUTE!! Thanks so much – and don’t worry, I’m sending out a REAL thank you next week – right after I buy some more cause I, uh, already packed up the ones I have. Whoops. Along with my 12x12 scrapbook pages for people to sign at the shower tomorrow. Whoops. I hope my sister has some! I think she does…

I also packed all my little decorative pillows – which, silly me, would have been prefect to take on the train for my back – I’m pretty sure Amtrak doesn’t offer pillows. The airplane pillows TOTALLY saved my back on the flights so I’m not sure what I was thinking except “must pack everything”. Also packed the sonogram pictures BUT I just remembered RIGHT NOW that Grand-mamacita has copies! In case, you know, anyone wants to see Bebe tomorrow!

Heartburn is back with a vengeance. But thankfully it’s containing itself for certain times of day – right around General Hospital watching time & bedtime and 2am & 4am. Don’t fear, I keep a bottle of TUMS on my nightstand and have transferred it to my luggage today.

Matias has been spoiling us on our travels lately – he’s been bringing his laptop, per usual, but now he brings all sorts of downloaded (we’re PIRATES!!) shows that we love to watch – Sopranos, Bill Mahr, No Reservations and Good Eats and we just spend our time watching and trying not to laugh out loud with headphones on. Sometimes that doesn’t happen though & I know we look like crazy fools laughing together on a plane or train…but anyway…I wont have the laptop this time so I might actually have to read something!! I haven’t been reading lately cause I changed to my Spring Purse and it’s smaller and does not hold my hardcover book that I’m reading now (Saving Fish from Drowning, if you are interested) so this will be nice to catch up & I’ve stashed my Pottery Barn catalog to day dream about decorating the Dream House (that we move into next Friday!)!! I managed to read all my magazines on the flights to CA so I have NOTHING mindless to read. Might be a struggle. Might have to buy some trash at 7-11 when I gas up for the drive to Alexandria…

The meeting at the Embassy with the #2 in charge went very well yesterday – I managed to wear a nice outfit that wasn’t 100% maternity wear – seems some of my LOFT sweater sets still fit & since it was rainy yesterday every single woman in DC Metro Area was wearing a sweater set. Even some people at the meeting were more dressed down than I was…

My feet are still swelling, of course, but I’ve been able to take pretty good care of them minus the time spent on the bus in the evening (and yesterday it was 2 hours, stupidstupid bus driver) and while packing. My arthritis reared it’s ugly head last weekend and caused a somewhat major breakdown for me – thankfully it’s been in check this week. My feet are just fugly though. I’ll get pictures of them soon so you can see my Little Piggies for yourself!

And with that lovely image, I’m out of here! I’ve got my snacks and water packed and should have everything I need for a fun, relaxing, train ride and weekend home (my last one before becoming a Mamacita – how’s that for trippy??)!!

Things

Thing #1 – People, mainly men [surprisingly], are telling people to give up their seats when they see me get on the metro. It’s a little weird and makes me feel a little uncomfortable but I take the seat cause usually my feet are swollen and they hurt. It’s strange, we all board the train and someone beside me will just SHOUT “there’s a pregnant lady here who would like to give their seat up for her???” and they are talking about me.

Thing #2 – I don’t feel old enough to be a Mother. I’m 33 tomorrow and I don’t feel like I’m old enough to be doing this – does that sound weird? Sometimes I still feel like I’m in my 20s (not because of my looks but because of the things I like to do) so I forget that I’m “old” and “adult” and “responsible”. PLUS, when your husband is 4 years younger than you it’s easier to fall into that state of mind.

Thing #3 – I will 51 (!) years old when our Bebe graduates from high school. Ok, THAT made me feel old.

Thing #4 – the Bebe moves more often that he is still – or at least it seriously feels that way. I’ve read that sometimes your doctor will make you keep a record of the number of kicks per hour and I’m dreading being given that assignment simply because there are times I’m like “please stop kicking me for just a few minutes” or “I cant remember the last time you weren’t zooming around in there” – seriously bebe moves ALL the TIME. It would be easier to record the times he wasn’t moving.

Thing #5 – We got FRONT row tickets to night 1 Charlottesville!! We might need grandpa to babysit for that one, not quite sure if we want to do front row, even with the high tech headphones on, at that age.

Thing #6 – Since I’m in my 3rd Trimester (how did that happen already?!?!) I will start going to the dr. twice a month now. Last week I had my 7½-month appointment and everything is still going very well! My belly measured at 31”, I gained a whopping 8 lbs., the fetal heartbeat was 144 and my blood pressure is still really good. I’ve only gained 18 lbs. total for 30 weeks so that’s not too bad and still within acceptable ranges but it is a shock to have gained that much in one month!

Thing #7 – I’m due in 8 weeks. HOLY WHAT THE FUCK?!?!

Thing #8 – I have three of my bestest friends and my mom & sister coming to visit about two weeks before I’m due. Thank god. These people kept me sane before my wedding & I’m praying that they can do the same this weekend. Plus, I have 4th row tickets to the Nissan show.

Thing #9 – I don’t have anything Super Cute to wear to our Baby Shower this weekend. And that bums me out. I have a Cute top and pants to wear but not Super Cute. BAH. I have a very important work meeting at the Embassy with the No. 2 Minister on Thursday and I don’t have a maternity suit. I will be able to wear a nice outfit although not a suit. BAH.

Thing #10 – I cannot wait to get into our new pool at our new house and just FLOAT. I want my ankles to be weightless and free. There is nothing that would feel better. Well let’s not get crazy here but also remember Grand-mamacita reads this site too. HEE HEE.

This is Mammcita & Daddy at the Tech Museum in San Jose - You can see Bebe in my belly on the right!! It appears that Matias has a cold heart though! 

We’re baaaaaack!!

When Grand-mamacita asks for an update, you KNOW it’s time to update!

The Babymoon was a fantastic hit – a much needed relax-athon spent with family in Tahoe and Northern California. I even managed to get a little tan on my face! Matias “wanted cancer” so he didn’t use anything (well neither did I but I tan better than my little Latino…) and after wearing goggles all day ended up with a frighteningly funny sunburn. I’ll post pictures later!

It was a little difficult not being able to “do” anything – no skiing, no skating, no snow-shoe – NOTHING! But I do understand that it’s only for these 10 months & that I’m making good decisions but DAMN, am I BORING. Also no hot toddies at the lodge after a hard day of skiing, no hot tub for hours on end (15 minutes then sit on the edge for me!), no wine with dinner, no casino hopping until 7am…yes it’s hard to change your lifestyle but it’s hard to watch other people around you do it (mainly husband and family) and have to sit back and on the sidelines. I know it’s for the greater good, people, but it’s still a shift!! I still have to get used to it Happening to Me sometimes. I wouldn’t rather be doing those things, don’t get me wrong, if I had to choose between making the right decision for my baby and having the Rock Star lifestyle 24/7, I choose doing the right thing for my baby BUT sometimes I will throw a fit like any good recovering Rock Star. And then my husband goes and buys me a sign that says “thou shalt not whine” and I can laugh about it all. Plus, it wasn’t torture to spend my days walking around Tahoe in 60 degree weather with my parents, you know?

I think I did really well walking around San Francisco also – we spent a day there doing the Touristy Thing – cause sadly, that seems that’s all there is left to do in SF these days. And I didn’t get us lost, AT ALL. And I even found all the places we wanted to go WITHOUT A MAP. Plus, I got a cute little onesie with a trolley car on it for the bebe.


I feel like I’m all talked out about our vacation cause I’ve talked to so many people about it outside of writing about it…it sure was more exciting than I’m making it out to be…that’s for sure…

The flight home was really rough on my pregnant body – 5 hours from LAX to BWI, and then almost 3 ½ hours from BWI to home – DON’T ASK! Discovered that my ligament along my pelvic area can become QUITE sore from sitting for 5+ hours.

Also this week has marked the extreme swelling of my feet and OF COURSE my bad ankle is more swollen than my non-bad ankle. Just my luck, right? Now it doesn’t hurt but I cannot wear my regular shoes anymore because then that hurts from the pressure so I get to wear my flip flops to work. HA! Just when I thought I had lost that right at my new job, I still get to wear them!! HA HA! The leg cramps are lasting longer than just in the morning. I was starting to get them right before waking up, during that time when you are moving around in bed a little more than usual but now my legs are cramped basically throughout the entire day. It’s fabulous. It’s not painful, it’s just uncomfortable. What’s been painful is my commute but that’s another story! Just don’t put a 7½ month pregnant lady on a bus and tell her the HEAT WONT TURN OFF for two days, ok? I need to start getting up more during the work day also, but since my feet have been hurting from wearing my shoes, I’m not really motivated to get up and walk around when that causes displeasure also, make sense?

I know, I know, “thou shalt not whine” but F THAT. I packed that up last weekend when we started packing! I’m not complaining or bitching, I’m just saying “damn this is uncomfortable”.

You know what though? It’s also amazing. I’ve got this little one in my womb - a happy, healthy, active little Bebe - and all of these BS side effects of doing this amazing thing is just enough to make you want to scream. And I’m telling you if I even glance side-ways at a Pregnancy Symptom I will get it AND I’m not even a hypochondriac! It just sucks that you have to deal with these annoying things in order to have this experience…but at least my belly button hasn’t popped [yet]. BUT on that note, who the hell knew I had a MOLE INSIDE my BELLY BUTTON?!?!!? Thought I had some major disgusting something or other in my belly button and when I attempted to dislodge it I discovered it was ATTACHED on PURPOSE. The things you discover about your body when you are pregnant. Simply amazing.

Yog-aaaaahhhhhh

I started YOGA on Saturday & was a little nervous before going in as I’ve never done yoga before & didn’t really know what to expect of myself (which is usually pretty high). I’m not the most stretchy person alive and don’t have the greatest of balance (Hi! I fall off of bikes still!).

I can report that I only almost fell over once and did so gracefully and then tried the position (Half Moon) again and did it just fine. The breathing techniques were really good – breathing through your belly, your ribs in the front and back & you can really feel the difference and the room it gives the bebe. I can totally see how these positions are going to come in handy for a natural delivery also & that is the most exciting thing for me! Matias would like me to be able to channel my “feelings” a little better and cut out some stress that I let bubble up so as not to effect the bebe – I think I’m doing pretty well with that considering…but I do know I can also use some help with that and the circular breathing definitely does help!

Bebe LOVED it too! When we were doing our relaxation breathing for 6 minutes to warm down he was moving EVERYWHERE and just cruising around – such a good feeling – I just laid there with my eyes closed with the sun on my face and smiled. I’m sure I looked like a doof but knowing that the bebe was zooming around in there happy as can be, it made me feel really good about what I was doing for the bebe and for me. And, I think that’s the point of it all.

There are a lot of stretches that rotate your hips and pelvis and you can tell that it’s supposed to help get you into delivery mode which I think also helps prepare your mind for what is going to happen if you have never experienced it before. Lots of squats that actually didn’t hurt but felt good to be opening those areas up, cause lord knows those areas are gonna be opened up in a few months’ time. I felt confidant doing all the poses too! And it’s nice to be a room with other pregnant women who are all in the same boat as you. I could probably blame my center of gravity being off for nearly falling off the wall while standing on one leg with my other leg basically over my head BUT I think it’s just the weak left ankle that was somewhat getting in my way. I was fine balancing on my right ankle though. THANKFULLY my ankles DID NOT hurt!! That’s a main concern for me at this point since my hands and ankles are swollen already & I know they can only get bigger – my doctor has assured me that the swelling will not effect my arthritis but what can I say, I suppose I wont believe it till I see it & by me doing these yoga positions I was worried I would over-extend my ankles and cause myself some pain. YAY for that not happening!

It would be nice to picture myself just squatting this bebe out BUT I’m pretty sure that’s not on the agenda! On a somewhat related note – there is a CD player in the delivery room & a DVD player in the recovery room in the hospital – I asked if there was a DVD player in the delivery room and then Matias turned to me and said “you’d NEVER be able to watch that DVD again if you did that” & of course, he’s probably right but wouldn’t GORGE or RED ROCKS be perfect? I know I can still listen to them but having those boys to “focus” on would be nice too. GRIN.

Now that I’ve switched gears here a little bit, I should probably get thinking about what music exactly we will take in with us. This probably will take 3 months to decide. Do we just bring his laptop with the portable hard drive in and put it on random? Do we make a track listing? Do I obsess too much over weird things? Do you realize that was rhetorical? Heh.

In other news! Sometime last week, I started SEEING the bebe squirming around in my belly!! SO SURREAL!! Monkey was lying down with me at the time and he kind of spied the movement but didn’t have the patience to keep staring to see if it happened again – I’m sure that when he does really notice it though a little Monka paw will be extended to try and “catch” the movement. And for some reason, I just think that’s the cutest damn thing EVER. It doesn’t happen all the time and for very long though so it’s been tough to get Matias to see him in action – I’m sure it will happen soon enough though! Rach says she can feel the head or foot but not me…I can feel more of what he is doing that what part of him is doing it…and honestly I don’t know if I’m quite ready yet for the whole “that’s a damn foot in my ribs” experience!

And the whole “no bathing suit anytime soon for me” statement? Yeah, I packed my tankini (and some clothes to wear over top) for the hot tub in Tahoe. I just think it’s going to be scary. I don’t have any stretch marks YET so it wont be that hideous. Maybe.

It’s getting more and more difficult to sit with my legs closed or without wanting to put my belly in between my legs and just lean forward, and I know it’s only going to get more desirable to do just that. For some reason, I haven’t been enjoying the Cuddle Pillow as much as usual…I normally just toss it out of bed now in the middle of the night. Don’t know what’s up with that though…

And with that, I’m going to finish packing for our Baby Moon since Matias got up and I can be loud in the bedroom! I might be able to post from my brother’s house but I don’t know about Tahoe.

But HAPPY 7 MONTHS PREGNANT DAY!!

*almost* 7 Months!! This was taken Friday before work in a shirt that I bought last year - I joked that I had bought a Maternity shirt by accident cause it was so big in th belly! As you can see it still fits quite nicely :) As does Bebe! 

Post Delivery/Recovery Room with Bebe's bed 

Warm Blankets for Mom after delivery - they say I will just love it but I'm not sure since it will be July and all... 

Labor & Delivery Room 

Sleep to Dream Her

I had another dream about having a baby girl last week. Also included another LOVELY episode of passing out during the delivery and not remembering one single thing from it all. So much so that I had to ASK what we had!! I would remember everything up to the point of starting to push the head out and then NOTHING.

I woke up and saw that my mom was carrying a pink blankie around but wasn’t sure if it was for me and the bebe or what…so I had to ask and when she responded with “you don’t know, do you?” I realized once again that I had completely blocked it out. I had to go to the nursery to meet our little girl – thankfully Matias hadn’t changed the name on me!

I’m starting to really dig this ‘don’t remember a damn thing’ whole approach to delivery without meds! Wouldn’t that just be the best of both worlds??!!? No drugs but also no pain? You know your body/brain shuts down and blocks things that are too hurtful for you to go through so why cant this be a true concept? Wouldn’t that be grand? Your body is still reacting but your brain has given you a pass!!

I suppose the larger aspect of this is that I’m beginning to be afraid of the pain. Duh, people. But I like the way it’s manifesting itself in my dreams! I haven’t had one dream that is painful – everything has been painless!! I like those odds – what’s it called – [jesus, hello Mommy Stupids] Projecting!!

But it was also the second dream I had about having a girl. I’ve heard that whatever you dream it is, usually is wrong, so…your guess is as good as mine, I suppose. Strange thing is that I’ve “felt” like we are having a boy, and supposedly, the Mommy Instinct is correct a high percentage of the time and couple that with the dreams of girls (which are supposed to be wrong) then I think if you’re a betting person, I would go with Boy. Logical, right?! HA.

freaking blogger

I dont know why that last post is showing up twice...and I cannot seem to fix it...

:)

Baby Talk

Matias is continuing with his conversations with bebe – and last night we did a little “test”.

He was just talking to him, through my belly button-area, and there was no response but he had just been awake a minute earlier so I told Matias to “tap to him” and see what happens. He responded RIGHT AWAY in the exact spot Matias tapped!!

He was also singing songs to him and when he responded he would make a specific noise to let the bebe know he had “heard” him. It was too cute.

After a while though the pressure of Matias lying on me and my organs gets a little much & I have to ask him to say goodbye so I can get some relief. I always feel bad doing that but it a little uncomfortable. So he says good night and kisses my belly.

Matias asked me the other night how it feels to be pregnant with a growing belly – sometimes my belly ‘hurts’ like the skin is stretching more and just aches around my ribs so he rubs my belly cream on me and that helps soothe it. When I responded that it didn’t really feel any different – to actually have the belly – he was surprised but not as much as I was! Sure, it’s different but it doesn’t feel “alien” & that’s something I wasn’t expecting. When I feel the bebe wake up I always say hello or good morning and then I talk to him throughout the day (but quietly so as not to seem too crazy) – I don’t feel like he is a separate entity in my body, taking over and changing Me – I feel like he’s a part of me/us that just happens to be inside of me. If anyone has ever had a conversation with me about pregnant women you know I’m not that thrilled about it all & I’m not saying I’m one of those people who suddenly is all like “oh wait until it happens to you…”, I didn’t expect this feeling & feel quite “blessed” (for lack of a better non-catholic word) to be sharing this time and giving our bebe a Home. I still really don’t think pregnant bellies are beautiful but I don’t feel like I’m looking at a stranger when I catch a glimpse of myself either. And perhaps this feeling will diminish when I get to a larger stage…but at the moment it hasn’t & I don’t mind at all. I also think that since Spring has Sprung I’m feeling more “loose” – mostly in my clothing! No big jacket to lug around and encapsulate my growing belly, no heavy shoes & socks – just wearing ONE layer of clothes is such a nice feeling. Don’t think you’ll be getting me into a bathing suit anytime soon though!! And I am truly NOT looking forward to the day when my belly button Pops. I hate belly buttons, period. And this Popping thing – I still think that’s gross. I had to check last night though as my draw string on my pants (thanks for the black yoga pants, mom!) was in a conspicuous position – thankfully – not the Button!! I do feel comfort in the bebe’s movements too – I LIKE feeling him move and tumble around in there. And I also, GASP, RUB MY BELLY. Not in public, mind you, unless some asshat pushes me on the metro than I just comfort him to let him know we are ok. Not to sound like an idiot but it’s like petting your cat when they sit in your lap – they are there, they want love, so give it them! Don’t worry, I’m not comparing my bebe to our cats – although…if we could have a bebe as sweet and loving as Monkey & as fierce and strong willed as Mystic, I don’t think you’d have any complaints from the Ninos. Maybe just more controllable fur, I mean hair.

I looked up at our sonogram picture last night and I turned to Matias and said “that’s OUR bebe in that frame there – not someone else’s, isn’t it amazing?” and he just squished my face and called me a weirdo.

Which was a lot nicer than being called Cork – which sadly he called me for most of the night since I got an extreme case of Mommy Stupids.

In other belly news – I am running into things Belly First now. It’s almost as if I don’t know it’s there. Cube walls at work get rammed if I turn around too quickly, drawers get shut by it when I’m cleaning the kitchen, and corners get hit when I’m doing the laundry. And yes, my center of gravity is off. If I stand up too quickly I can tilt a little before righting myself – which is comical to my co-workers cause they just love watching me so animatedly go through this. One would think one would realize that this belly is going to go first but you just kind of forget that it’s there. Getting off the couch can be difficult, depending on how long I’ve been there & Matias hoisted me up with a nice shove of his legs last night and nearly sent me over the ottoman cause the whole center of gravity thing kicked in too.

Let me explain a little about the Mommy Stupids – they aren’t of the ‘forgetting’ simple things variety. I seem to experiencing the type that regress my base of knowledge to that of a teenager. Things we know usually, I have to question and sadly sometimes I do ask out loud and regret it instantly because of the looks I receive from Matias over it! It’s like I’ve forgotten that the Sun is this orb that heats us…strange. High learning intense TV shows (like NOVA) are a little much for me to handle at the moment so I just nap through them praying osmosis kicks in. Thankfully, Matias is grateful that I’m sending all my brain power to our child. But it would be nice if I could have some left over for myself.

See, I was going to write about something else but Matias just asked me to shut a window and I took Mystic to him to warm him up in bed and I’ve completely forgotten. It could have been really important too. But I’m sure it wasn’t!

For example, I cannot remember if I wrote about my dream last weekend – I was waiting to write about it until I had told Matias & my mom about it but now I have to go back and see if I actually did mention it already. Alrighty, I haven’t written about it – so I’ll make that a separate post now!

Week 26 Update

We had our Week 26 doctor appointment on Tuesday & I also had the lovely Diabetes Screening Test – gotta love the ORANGE flavored something or other you have to drink in less than 5 minutes.

Everyone is VERY good & healthy!! Heartbeat was found RIGHT AWAY!! YAY!! I’ve gained 5 lbs. which puts me at 12 lbs. total for 6 ½ months, I hoping I don’t gain more than 20 but at the MOST 25. I’m afraid of that 30 lb. mark. Blood pressure is still very good 120/74 (I think, if that sounds right), they claim that my swollen ankles will NOT affect my arthritic ankles and he did measure my bump, but I forgot to ask.

I also talked to him about Lamaze techniques and wanting to go Au Natural (no meds) and he sees nothing wrong with that and since my pregnancy has been so “great” (YAY!!!) that he foresees no problems with that route. He was also pleased that I will taking the prenatal yoga and also suggested water aerobics BUT I don’t think I have time in my schedule to add something else at this point…considering we are moving, going on a 9 day vacation AND working FT…I don’t think I should add anything more!

April, a co-worker, exclaimed this morning “did you grow over night? You look huge!!” so maybe I’ll take a 6 ½ month belly picture this weekend??!?! LOL.

I do think I’m going through a growth spurt – I’ve been waking up hungry which is not normal for me & I woke up last night at 2am (actually the husband woke me up eating CARROTS IN BED) hungry so I made a peanut butter (organic!) sammich and chugged some milk. Which promptly woke the bebe up and he proceeded to do flips and kicks for about an hour – at that point I spooned my belly up against Matias & let him feel the movements – he started giggling right away.

I bought some apples this week and they are SO yummy BUT they make me burp. Always have – I remember I would eat one before softball practice and then do our warm-up run and I’d have the HUGEST burps out there – shocker, I know, eh? So now I’m sitting at my desk après pomme and trying not to burp. FUN. Not as much fun though as trying not to fart when you cough. Kidding, I’m kidding. Or AM I? Bebe really likes the apples though.

I think the Real Cravings are setting in though – the other day I REALLY wanted two scrambled eggs. And then later I got the craving for those Cadbury Finger cookies (dark or milk chocolate, I don’t care!) – sadly I haven’t satisfied that craving yet. Usually, I’ve had hunkerings for things we actually have in the house but this week, I’ve found myself REALLY NEEDING these things. I’ve given Matias strict orders that I MUST be taken for Mexican food this weekend. Taco Bell doesn’t count.

Grandma sent us the CUTEST sonogram picture frame EVER! It says “the first time ever I saw your face” – go on and try not to tear up, I dare you. So I put the “profile” picture from below in it and put it on our TV. GRIN!! So now I can see his (OR her) face whenever I’m watching my marathon L&O episodes!

This weekend I am definitely hitting up the Spring/Summer Maternity Fashions…I desperately need some clothes. And underwear. Why the BEEP has Target pulled their maternity underwear? I ADORE it and there’s no more. Old Navy’s is “so-so” AND one of them ALREADY has a hole in them (I have underwear older than our cat that doesn’t have holes in it) so I’m done with them…Motherhood has a good selection and not horrible prices so I’m going to check that out this weekend also. Matias tried to talk me down off the ledge over the underwear and wanted me to just order if from Target on line – they don’t even have it AT ALL anymore. Sadness and bitterness.
I believe the date has been set for my Baby Shower – May 13th!! YAY!! EXCITING!! I think I’ll take the train down for that and leave Matias at home with the Our First Babies – I’ll be leaving the goodies there anyway since we will be moving the following weekend & I really don’t need to bring more stuff into the house to move to another place, you know? I should probably book that now, before I forget!!

Funny.

We were with Pace & Chris last night for the GMU game & Pace made a comment about the babies first words out of the womb would be "dancing nancies...", I retorted with "I'm thinking it will be more along the lines of 'Hey La'". Cause seriously, this bebe LOVES that song. Instant reaction every time it's played.

Not that I have a problem with that. At all.