So, we survived the scary movies this past weekend. Believe it or not, watching the live birth was not the worst of it (though I truly could have done without seeing the placenta passed, I almost lost my breakfast!). No, of course - for me - the worst part was finding out that an epidural is not a one-time shot. It is a shunt they put into your back and feed medication through. So, believe it or not, if I can deal with a non-medicated birth, that's what I'll do. The medication delivery system wigs me out more than the idea of birth. Yes, I know I am strange.
The class was supposed to have 9 couples in it but we ended up with 3. We were the loudest of the group (the instructor called us her "hecklers") but it helped us get through it. There was an interesting exercise we did on the 2nd day where we each held ice cubes and tried to divert our attention from the pain of the cold by using various techniques (breathing, music, relaxation, visualization, etc). It was neat to figure out what did and didn't work and Ken and I are going to try and start practicing various types of distraction each week so he can be ready when the time comes.
That's about it for now. Appetite is good (though the films really didn't help with that this weekend) and I'm starting to get tired again, but I hear that is to be expected. Thanks all for reading this and I hope you're doing well.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Sonic Flying Rodent Man!
So, we're already planning futures for the kid who has not even been born yet. Ken's dearest wish for him is to be Batman. I pointed out the legal issues surrounding him being able to be Batman and Ken offered a suggestion - Flying Sonic Rodent Man. I don't think it has quite the same ring.
Not much else is new, I've been very hungry eating two dinners and a decent sized lunch. No real cravings just yet and I'm trying to keep my overall diet in shape. I keep reminding myself that whatever I eat, he eats. We'll see how long that lasts.
The only plea I can make is that if you come across a Batman onesie of any kind, please let me know. Ken would absolutely LOVE it if we could dress the baby in Batman gear.
Not much else is new, I've been very hungry eating two dinners and a decent sized lunch. No real cravings just yet and I'm trying to keep my overall diet in shape. I keep reminding myself that whatever I eat, he eats. We'll see how long that lasts.
The only plea I can make is that if you come across a Batman onesie of any kind, please let me know. Ken would absolutely LOVE it if we could dress the baby in Batman gear.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Midwifery
So, I think we found the midwife we like - she didn't give me crap about my weight (said that losing 4 pounds - now that I've gained it all back - was just fine, it probably meant I was eating healthy - shows her, I really just wasn't eating at all) and she was able to provide the next line to "You're that clever land shark, aren't you?" from an old SNL skit. Anyone with that type of sense of humor can't be bad.
On the downside of things, I do have another blood test to do - the blood sugar test. I don't have to fret too much about that until my next appointment but it will have to be done. I tried to beg off on it, asking if they could just check my urine for sugar and unfortunately it doesn't always show up there. So that sucks - and I'm sure the women at Qwest Diagnostics are not going to be pleased to see me again. Oh well, I'll survive. I did the last time.
Other than that, things are good. We did a VERY short stint of helping my brother out this past weekend with his 3 little ones. They are all so cute! Pete adores his Uncle Ken and continued to scream to get his attention. Becca liked to help me ensure that Ken was studying and not watching TV and Zack scored a goal at his soccer game, though I think he enjoyed the breaks more than the game itself.
Not much else to tell, I am back up to my starting weight (gained 4 pounds) and am keeping a food journal to try and keep myself healthy-ish as this progresses. I think I may have actually hit a few cravings. Mac and Cheese and mushrooms so far. Though I'm not sure if that was me or the little one. Probably a bit early for that. We started filling in the baby book and the room will be done by the end of this week (at least the drywalling, etc will be done, we still have to paint and install carpet). We've changed themes from an underwater one to a jungle/animal theme. I think they're both fun but we'll have to make up our minds soon as we need to paint and get carpeting.
For those who have asked on how they can post - under each post of mine is a "comments" section. Click on this (even if it says (0 Comments)) and you can add your 2 cents' worth. I do check this often and love the feedback. Everyone will be able to view your comments so keep that in mind as you post.
Love to all.
On the downside of things, I do have another blood test to do - the blood sugar test. I don't have to fret too much about that until my next appointment but it will have to be done. I tried to beg off on it, asking if they could just check my urine for sugar and unfortunately it doesn't always show up there. So that sucks - and I'm sure the women at Qwest Diagnostics are not going to be pleased to see me again. Oh well, I'll survive. I did the last time.
Other than that, things are good. We did a VERY short stint of helping my brother out this past weekend with his 3 little ones. They are all so cute! Pete adores his Uncle Ken and continued to scream to get his attention. Becca liked to help me ensure that Ken was studying and not watching TV and Zack scored a goal at his soccer game, though I think he enjoyed the breaks more than the game itself.
Not much else to tell, I am back up to my starting weight (gained 4 pounds) and am keeping a food journal to try and keep myself healthy-ish as this progresses. I think I may have actually hit a few cravings. Mac and Cheese and mushrooms so far. Though I'm not sure if that was me or the little one. Probably a bit early for that. We started filling in the baby book and the room will be done by the end of this week (at least the drywalling, etc will be done, we still have to paint and install carpet). We've changed themes from an underwater one to a jungle/animal theme. I think they're both fun but we'll have to make up our minds soon as we need to paint and get carpeting.
For those who have asked on how they can post - under each post of mine is a "comments" section. Click on this (even if it says (0 Comments)) and you can add your 2 cents' worth. I do check this often and love the feedback. Everyone will be able to view your comments so keep that in mind as you post.
Love to all.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Scary Movies
So, we've signed up for the childbirth class next weekend (its a bit early but Ken will be in finals in November which were the only other dates available) and he and I are both dreading The Film. You all know the one I'm talking about - that film they showed you in 7th grade that made all the girls say "I'm NEVER gonna do that!"
Ken asked if we really had to watch it. I said probably, but I'm bringing popcorn and shouting things at the screen (like "Don't go in there - that's where the doctor is!") as if I were watching a horror movie at home. I then checked with a few guys at my office who have been through this before - they told me it would be perfectly OK to do that. We'll see what our class thinks about it all next weekend.
Somehow I think the little one is getting his revenge on me for this. I've had nothing but nightmares for the past few nights. One night I dreamed about a killer who could stop time - it actually will make a fantastic movie, it had an indie feel to it with great mass audience appeal. It wigged me out so bad I made Ken get up and check the bathroom for the killer. I'm happy to report that Ken and I are both alive - no killers hiding in the bathroom (no zombies either, but that's a story for another day...). Anyway - I had a few other nightmares this week, not a single one about the kid, just about work, zombies, or serial killers (I am so not not normal...). They each wake me up about 1 hour before the alarm goes off. Just early enough that I can't get back to sleep. AARRGH.
That's all for now. Hope all is well with everyone out there. Keep commenting!
Ken asked if we really had to watch it. I said probably, but I'm bringing popcorn and shouting things at the screen (like "Don't go in there - that's where the doctor is!") as if I were watching a horror movie at home. I then checked with a few guys at my office who have been through this before - they told me it would be perfectly OK to do that. We'll see what our class thinks about it all next weekend.
Somehow I think the little one is getting his revenge on me for this. I've had nothing but nightmares for the past few nights. One night I dreamed about a killer who could stop time - it actually will make a fantastic movie, it had an indie feel to it with great mass audience appeal. It wigged me out so bad I made Ken get up and check the bathroom for the killer. I'm happy to report that Ken and I are both alive - no killers hiding in the bathroom (no zombies either, but that's a story for another day...). Anyway - I had a few other nightmares this week, not a single one about the kid, just about work, zombies, or serial killers (I am so not not normal...). They each wake me up about 1 hour before the alarm goes off. Just early enough that I can't get back to sleep. AARRGH.
That's all for now. Hope all is well with everyone out there. Keep commenting!
Monday, September 11, 2006
The Fear of Dad
So, first let me say thanks to everyone who's been commenting - I love to know that I'm not just writing this for my own benefit. Being pregnant is really weird, and sharing it with the world is a little stranger. Oh well, I guess that's normal for any blogger.
This weekend was entertaining - specifically yesterday. Ken and I decided, kinda spur-of-the-moment to head to IKEA to get some bookshelves to replace the system we had in the living room. Mainly we wanted to hide all the wires we had everywhere - make it a little more baby-safe.
We didn't exactly plan to get the system we did. And our only vehicle is a Honda Civic, not exactly the most roomy of vehicles. Our inital plan was to go to IKEA, pick up the system then head over to Wegmans for our grocery shopping, then back home. Well, the IKEA bookshelves we got were a lot taller than the items we had been thinking about when we left the house. In order to put them into the car and be able to close the trunk, I had to sit right up on the steering wheel. Ken got a little bit more legroom (only because he's nearly 6 feet and I'm only 5 feet). We had to stop and get gas and Ken was frantic about me sitting so close to the airbag - so we switched places.
I wish I had a camera to show you just how silly it looked for Ken to sit that close to the steering wheel. His head was touching the roof of the car. He, however, had insisted that he prefer to do that instead of me driving as "If something goes wrong, it's only me that gets hurt." We realized - after we were on the road, of course - that the logical thing was to move the seat up on the passenger side so the driver could sit back. The passenger side does have an airbag, but not one that is right in the steering wheel, so it was a little more comfortable on the way home.
Anyway - I guess Ken's paternal instinct is already kicking in. He wants to protect the little one as much as possible. Its so sweet, and kinda funny at the same time, we were both laughing so hard as he drove, he'd make weird exclamations "I'm looking out of the blue!" (referring to the top, tinted portion of the windshield) and we'd both giggle. I'm really glad he's excited and I'm also very happy he drove - it was REALLY uncomfortable being that close to the wheel. Which is also funny considering how close I normally have to sit in order for my feet to reach the pedals.
We'll definitely be writing this story up for the baby book. I'm not sure how best to title it, suggestions on the title are welcome!
This weekend was entertaining - specifically yesterday. Ken and I decided, kinda spur-of-the-moment to head to IKEA to get some bookshelves to replace the system we had in the living room. Mainly we wanted to hide all the wires we had everywhere - make it a little more baby-safe.
We didn't exactly plan to get the system we did. And our only vehicle is a Honda Civic, not exactly the most roomy of vehicles. Our inital plan was to go to IKEA, pick up the system then head over to Wegmans for our grocery shopping, then back home. Well, the IKEA bookshelves we got were a lot taller than the items we had been thinking about when we left the house. In order to put them into the car and be able to close the trunk, I had to sit right up on the steering wheel. Ken got a little bit more legroom (only because he's nearly 6 feet and I'm only 5 feet). We had to stop and get gas and Ken was frantic about me sitting so close to the airbag - so we switched places.
I wish I had a camera to show you just how silly it looked for Ken to sit that close to the steering wheel. His head was touching the roof of the car. He, however, had insisted that he prefer to do that instead of me driving as "If something goes wrong, it's only me that gets hurt." We realized - after we were on the road, of course - that the logical thing was to move the seat up on the passenger side so the driver could sit back. The passenger side does have an airbag, but not one that is right in the steering wheel, so it was a little more comfortable on the way home.
Anyway - I guess Ken's paternal instinct is already kicking in. He wants to protect the little one as much as possible. Its so sweet, and kinda funny at the same time, we were both laughing so hard as he drove, he'd make weird exclamations "I'm looking out of the blue!" (referring to the top, tinted portion of the windshield) and we'd both giggle. I'm really glad he's excited and I'm also very happy he drove - it was REALLY uncomfortable being that close to the wheel. Which is also funny considering how close I normally have to sit in order for my feet to reach the pedals.
We'll definitely be writing this story up for the baby book. I'm not sure how best to title it, suggestions on the title are welcome!
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
The Origin of Spike
Ok, so several people have asked me where the heck "Spike" came from. A quick note on this and then back to work for me....
When we first found out I was pregnant we saw what looked like a dot on the ultrasound images. For a long time we called the baby-to-be Dot in honor of this image.
As the kid grew he/she (because we didn't know at that point) looked more like a baby and less like a dot. We couldn't keeping calling him/her that for much longer. After we got our amnio results and knew that we had a normal boy on our hands, I got a lot of flack for continually calling him Dot. One of my co-workers began teasing me that it was "Baby Spike" the nickname stuck. Like I've said, Spike will NOT be the kid's name, just what we'll call him for now.
As an aside, my brother's kids were known as Peperoni (Zack), Broccoli (Becca) and Zucchini (Pete) respectively when they were in the womb. A different co-worker names the kids to be via a Last Name + McBean naming convention (Gauvey McBean). Just some ideas for those thinking of getting knocked up. OK, back to work.
When we first found out I was pregnant we saw what looked like a dot on the ultrasound images. For a long time we called the baby-to-be Dot in honor of this image.
As the kid grew he/she (because we didn't know at that point) looked more like a baby and less like a dot. We couldn't keeping calling him/her that for much longer. After we got our amnio results and knew that we had a normal boy on our hands, I got a lot of flack for continually calling him Dot. One of my co-workers began teasing me that it was "Baby Spike" the nickname stuck. Like I've said, Spike will NOT be the kid's name, just what we'll call him for now.
As an aside, my brother's kids were known as Peperoni (Zack), Broccoli (Becca) and Zucchini (Pete) respectively when they were in the womb. A different co-worker names the kids to be via a Last Name + McBean naming convention (Gauvey McBean). Just some ideas for those thinking of getting knocked up. OK, back to work.
Don't Mess with the Pregnant Lady
So I'm going crazy about the eating/gaining weight thing along with freaking out if I don't feel the kid move at least once a day. I'm certain Ken is going to gag me shortly as he's sick of hearing me freak out.
I don't think I've gained any weight right now, but I am still keeping my food journal. When I'm at the office I do pretty well ensuring that I eat every few hours. It's when I'm at home that I don't do as well. Though my appetite is increasing a bit, and I'm hoping that soon my food aversions will go away - I'm still having the hardest time eating chicken unless it's breaded. Which isn't all that good because most of the places that serve it breaded only serve it that way fried. Kinda defeats the purpose of ordering that and not beef. Oh well, hopefully Spike will get over his fear of poultry.
Other than that, things are going well. Saw lots of family this past weekend, which was very fun. Ken was excited because Zack and Pete (my brother's boys) were all over him, calling for his attention (though sometimes they called him "uncle crazy" instead of Uncle Ken), and generally just hanging out. He's going to be a GREAT Mr. Mom, even if he is freaked out about it.
I do believe that we have 100% decided on a name - though I won't post it until I'm 24 weeks. Yes, this is dumb superstition but I don't care. I can be as crazy as I wanna be. As Andy would say "Don't f*** with the pregnant lady." Or, Ken's more PG rated "What the pregnant woman wants, the pregnant woman gets." I'm trying not to take advantage of that right now, but who knows what hormones will bring in the coming months.
OK, somebody please comment on all this - I'm DYING without feedback!!!
I don't think I've gained any weight right now, but I am still keeping my food journal. When I'm at the office I do pretty well ensuring that I eat every few hours. It's when I'm at home that I don't do as well. Though my appetite is increasing a bit, and I'm hoping that soon my food aversions will go away - I'm still having the hardest time eating chicken unless it's breaded. Which isn't all that good because most of the places that serve it breaded only serve it that way fried. Kinda defeats the purpose of ordering that and not beef. Oh well, hopefully Spike will get over his fear of poultry.
Other than that, things are going well. Saw lots of family this past weekend, which was very fun. Ken was excited because Zack and Pete (my brother's boys) were all over him, calling for his attention (though sometimes they called him "uncle crazy" instead of Uncle Ken), and generally just hanging out. He's going to be a GREAT Mr. Mom, even if he is freaked out about it.
I do believe that we have 100% decided on a name - though I won't post it until I'm 24 weeks. Yes, this is dumb superstition but I don't care. I can be as crazy as I wanna be. As Andy would say "Don't f*** with the pregnant lady." Or, Ken's more PG rated "What the pregnant woman wants, the pregnant woman gets." I'm trying not to take advantage of that right now, but who knows what hormones will bring in the coming months.
OK, somebody please comment on all this - I'm DYING without feedback!!!
Friday, September 01, 2006
The Name Game
So, now that I'm fully in hormonal swing, we've decided this is a perfect time to think about names. We've got a few favorites and a few that we keep coming back to, but I'll let you comment, even if I don't pay attention to what you say (everyone reading this knows we'll make up our own dang minds). If you can think of what kids might call a child named this, please do include any possible future taunting in your post - that's what I'm worried about most.
Possible names:
Kieran (pronounced keer-an)
Devin
Daylin
I'll add more as they come, we're only at the N's in the baby names book. Suggestions are welcome but may not be taken seriously!
Possible names:
Kieran (pronounced keer-an)
Devin
Daylin
I'll add more as they come, we're only at the N's in the baby names book. Suggestions are welcome but may not be taken seriously!
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