Today is the first day during the pregnancy that I've felt like I had MS again. I was tired, and my legs were all tingly for a few hours. Everything felt heavy, and it was hard to do stuff, even decorate the miniature tree we have. I couldn't bring myself to tackle the big one. I resigned myself to taking a nap even. First time in a while I've done that.
But I have to look at not what's happened today, but this past week. It's Thanksgiving week, so of course, it's been busy. (more on Job)
There was one other weird feeling I had today, that I think is pregnancy related, but got me a little worried. On my lower abdomen, close to my navel, I had a sensation of needle pricks. Not one at a time, but a line of a bunch of them. And not pins and needles, or the tingly feeling, but scratchy pointy needles, all at once... in a line. It's still there, it comes and goes now, but it lasted a while. I thought maybe LBG scratched me, because it felt like it was coming from inside. It's got to be one of the odder sensations, and has me a bit worried. But, I'm sure it's nothing. Just wanted to document that it started today, sometime before I took my nap because I remember feeling for it when I laid down and it was still there.
Alright, I should try to get some sleep.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Life's Coming At Us Quick
Wow... it doesn't seem like "just yesterday", but it does seem like it wasn't that long ago I had a whole different look on life.
I never thought I'd be the domesticated type... I guess Chris just brings that out in me... and I have no idea how/why.
I always imagined being independent, single, and without boundaries. I look back on parts of my life and cringe... and wonder "will she be like that?" I just feel like a contradiction sometimes.
But life is coming, and she's coming fast. I would never change having her and I thank the Lord for bringing Chris into my life. He's made my world so much better.
I never thought I'd be the domesticated type... I guess Chris just brings that out in me... and I have no idea how/why.
I always imagined being independent, single, and without boundaries. I look back on parts of my life and cringe... and wonder "will she be like that?" I just feel like a contradiction sometimes.
But life is coming, and she's coming fast. I would never change having her and I thank the Lord for bringing Chris into my life. He's made my world so much better.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
How To Travel With Young Kids
I found this article in Rachael Ray's Magazine and loved it. I wanted to keep the article for future reference, but needed to get rid of the magazine... clutter and all. So here it is, for someday in the future:
How to Travel with Young Kids
If you've been hesitant to take a family trip with little tykes in tow, fear no more.
By Besha Rodell Photography by Lori Foy
Fear
I’ll lose her in the crowd!
Solution
Dress your child in bright colors so she’s easy to spot. An ID bracelet is a good idea—try one from ID on Me ($14, idonme.com). And, just in case, carry your child’s photo with you.
Fear
My darling will turn into a screaming monster on the plane.
Solution
That’s usually due to pressure-induced earaches, which are the worst during takeoff and landing. Encourage constant swallowing during those times. Infants get a bottle or a breast; give older kids chewing gum or hard candy.
Fear
My child will get bored in the car.
Solution
Make stops every few hours: Find spots where you can picnic and run around. Remember to bring plenty of snacks and water.
Fear
Jet lag will clobber the poor dear.
Solution
In the days leading up to the trip, move bedtime at home closer to bedtime at the destination, but don’t worry too much. Children are much more adaptable to time changes—their bodies respond to dark and light as much as to a schedule.
Fear
I won’t eke out one moment of relaxation.
Solution
You set the tone for your family vacation, so do your best to remain stress-free. Start out well rested: Don’t leave Friday after a hectic week at work. And each parent should have an afternoon alone, to get a massage or read by the pool.
Fear
She’ll get cranky while we’re seeing the sights.
Solution
Set a loose itinerary. If you planned to hit a museum but your child is having a blast at the pool, go with the flow. Also, kids are creatures of habit, so stay at just one hotel if possible.
Fear
My kid will puke before we even get there.
Solution
Dramamine is safe for most kids, but check with your doc, and if your child is prone to motion sickness, pack plastic bags, wipes and a change of clothes.
Fear
Getting through the airport will be a nightmare.
Solution
Start with the right luggage, like the streamlined Eagle Creek’s Pack- It system (from $8, eaglecreek.com). Instead of carrying a car seat with you, bring a plane-safe harness that can fit in your purse ($75, kidsflysafe.com). Rent hefty equipment, such as car seats and cribs, at your destination.
THE PERKS
Unexpected benefits of traveling with little ones.
1. You have license to be a kid again. Drop the sophisticated act and whoop it up—on a zip line, waterslide or the hotel bed. Turns out it’s a lot more fun than taking an architecture tour.
2. Your children will see a new side of you. Away from carpools and bosses, you’ll have time to be silly. Your bond will be strengthened.
3. You’ll be treated better. Most people you come across—taxi drivers, hotel clerks—will be friendlier now that you have a charming child in tow.
4. You’ll bring home a new kid, one who’s more patient, worldly and, if you’re lucky, open to new experiences.
THE COUNTDOWN
Two months before
Include your child in the planning process. Show him places you are considering and let him help choose activities. The more involved he is, the less anxiety he’ll feel.
One month before
Call airlines and hotels and ask about kid-friendly amenities.
The airline:
• Do you provide infant bassinets?
• Do you have special meals for children?
• Does the in-flight entertainment include kid-specific games or movies?
The hotel:
• Do you provide cribs?
• Is there a pool, and does it have a shallow end?
• Are there activities for kids, such as a movie night?
Two weeks before
Buy a special backpack. Over the next two weeks, fill it with inexpensive new toys, but don’t let him play with anything until you’re on the road. Keep a few surprises socked away in your purse, to be revealed along the way.
One week before
At bedtime, read them books about traveling, like Lisa’s Airplane Trip ($12, madallie.com), and show them where you’re going on a globe or in an atlas.
Four days before
Cook a meal or visit a restaurant that serves the type of food you’re likely to encounter on your trip.
One day before
Have your child pick one special toy or blanket that will be a comfort to her.
THE STORIES
Tricks of the trade from family-travel bloggers.
"I always make my kids carry their own luggage. It saves the parents' backs and teaches the kids responsibility. When my son was 3, he complained about it, so I put a Superman cape on him and told him that his hero always hauled his own load. He proudly wheeled his suitcase through the airport and loved when travelers called out, 'Look, it's Superman!'"
- Amy Graff, blogger for Best Western and the San Francisco Chronicle
"I buy strips of 'admit one' tickets and hand them out for good behavior. My boys cash them in at the end of our trip for souvenirs at $1 per ticket. That way, I avoid the 'Can I have that?' at every store."
- Jennifer Michaels, familytravelplanet.com
"Each family member calls the shots for one afternoon. I get my shopping in, my husband has his nature walk, and each kid chooses a favorite activity. We're teaching the kids the art of compromise."
- Kara Williams, travelingmamas.com
*Prices and other details were accurate when we published this article in October 2009.
How to Travel with Young Kids
If you've been hesitant to take a family trip with little tykes in tow, fear no more.
By Besha Rodell Photography by Lori Foy
Fear
I’ll lose her in the crowd!
Solution
Dress your child in bright colors so she’s easy to spot. An ID bracelet is a good idea—try one from ID on Me ($14, idonme.com). And, just in case, carry your child’s photo with you.
Fear
My darling will turn into a screaming monster on the plane.
Solution
That’s usually due to pressure-induced earaches, which are the worst during takeoff and landing. Encourage constant swallowing during those times. Infants get a bottle or a breast; give older kids chewing gum or hard candy.
Fear
My child will get bored in the car.
Solution
Make stops every few hours: Find spots where you can picnic and run around. Remember to bring plenty of snacks and water.
Fear
Jet lag will clobber the poor dear.
Solution
In the days leading up to the trip, move bedtime at home closer to bedtime at the destination, but don’t worry too much. Children are much more adaptable to time changes—their bodies respond to dark and light as much as to a schedule.
Fear
I won’t eke out one moment of relaxation.
Solution
You set the tone for your family vacation, so do your best to remain stress-free. Start out well rested: Don’t leave Friday after a hectic week at work. And each parent should have an afternoon alone, to get a massage or read by the pool.
Fear
She’ll get cranky while we’re seeing the sights.
Solution
Set a loose itinerary. If you planned to hit a museum but your child is having a blast at the pool, go with the flow. Also, kids are creatures of habit, so stay at just one hotel if possible.
Fear
My kid will puke before we even get there.
Solution
Dramamine is safe for most kids, but check with your doc, and if your child is prone to motion sickness, pack plastic bags, wipes and a change of clothes.
Fear
Getting through the airport will be a nightmare.
Solution
Start with the right luggage, like the streamlined Eagle Creek’s Pack- It system (from $8, eaglecreek.com). Instead of carrying a car seat with you, bring a plane-safe harness that can fit in your purse ($75, kidsflysafe.com). Rent hefty equipment, such as car seats and cribs, at your destination.
THE PERKS
Unexpected benefits of traveling with little ones.
1. You have license to be a kid again. Drop the sophisticated act and whoop it up—on a zip line, waterslide or the hotel bed. Turns out it’s a lot more fun than taking an architecture tour.
2. Your children will see a new side of you. Away from carpools and bosses, you’ll have time to be silly. Your bond will be strengthened.
3. You’ll be treated better. Most people you come across—taxi drivers, hotel clerks—will be friendlier now that you have a charming child in tow.
4. You’ll bring home a new kid, one who’s more patient, worldly and, if you’re lucky, open to new experiences.
THE COUNTDOWN
Two months before
Include your child in the planning process. Show him places you are considering and let him help choose activities. The more involved he is, the less anxiety he’ll feel.
One month before
Call airlines and hotels and ask about kid-friendly amenities.
The airline:
• Do you provide infant bassinets?
• Do you have special meals for children?
• Does the in-flight entertainment include kid-specific games or movies?
The hotel:
• Do you provide cribs?
• Is there a pool, and does it have a shallow end?
• Are there activities for kids, such as a movie night?
Two weeks before
Buy a special backpack. Over the next two weeks, fill it with inexpensive new toys, but don’t let him play with anything until you’re on the road. Keep a few surprises socked away in your purse, to be revealed along the way.
One week before
At bedtime, read them books about traveling, like Lisa’s Airplane Trip ($12, madallie.com), and show them where you’re going on a globe or in an atlas.
Four days before
Cook a meal or visit a restaurant that serves the type of food you’re likely to encounter on your trip.
One day before
Have your child pick one special toy or blanket that will be a comfort to her.
THE STORIES
Tricks of the trade from family-travel bloggers.
"I always make my kids carry their own luggage. It saves the parents' backs and teaches the kids responsibility. When my son was 3, he complained about it, so I put a Superman cape on him and told him that his hero always hauled his own load. He proudly wheeled his suitcase through the airport and loved when travelers called out, 'Look, it's Superman!'"
- Amy Graff, blogger for Best Western and the San Francisco Chronicle
"I buy strips of 'admit one' tickets and hand them out for good behavior. My boys cash them in at the end of our trip for souvenirs at $1 per ticket. That way, I avoid the 'Can I have that?' at every store."
- Jennifer Michaels, familytravelplanet.com
"Each family member calls the shots for one afternoon. I get my shopping in, my husband has his nature walk, and each kid chooses a favorite activity. We're teaching the kids the art of compromise."
- Kara Williams, travelingmamas.com
*Prices and other details were accurate when we published this article in October 2009.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
3-D 4-D Imaging Take 2
So we went to Anticipation Studios today for the second time to see if LBG would let us take some pictures of her. This time went a bit better than last, and we got some really great pictures. She was moving around a little bit beforehand and my stomach was jumping, but it's as if she knew what we were doing and quickly quieted down. By the end of it she was wrapping herself more and more into a little ball (a quite impressive one at that. Her feet were over her head!).
Here are some photos from the session. Hope you Enjoy them!
Okay, baby... no more pictures... for now.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Ultrasound Video
This is the video from our ultrasound! It's sooo cool! Check it out:
www.AnticipationBabyView.com/AUSTUL/Baby0911111350.asf
www.AnticipationBabyView.com/AUSTUL/Baby0911111350.asf
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
3-D 4-D Imaging Done Today... Kind of
Well, today was a busy day for baby and me, so understandably LBG was tired (despite some devious tricks of my own) by the time the 3-D/4-D ultrasound went on today. I think I put her in a sugar coma. (you can see here her heartrate is still good but slightly elevated)
>
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You see, earlier today I had that glucose test, so I had all that sugar this morning, and then I knew that to get her to move I should take some more sugar close to the ultrasound viewing. I packed in the orange juice (the real stuff, not the glucose orange stuff), cinimon roll bites, and ice-cream. Needless to say, I wasn't feeling up to doing much movement after all that stuff hit me today, I can't imagine a little fetus feeling the effects.
Anyway, we went and she was moving somewhat before we got in the room, I could feel her kicks and whatnot, but she was tired out by the time we saw her on the screen.
The images were distorted because her umbilical cord was in front of her face (above you can see the cord in the black & whites). There was a cute moment where she yawned though (below), it was so sweet!
We were able to see/tell some features, but she wouldn't move the cord out of the way.
But the people there were really cool about the whole thing and stopped us after 15 minutes and asked if we'd like to re-schedule for a free re-do. We of course agreed. We'll be doing it again Nov. 11, at 1:30pm, and hopefully she'll be up to it by then. I know I went home and crashed, with a little bit of a ickie feeling to my stomache, I'm sure she felt the same.
I hope you enjoy the pictures of what we did get. At one point, I rolled onto my side and she put her feet above her head... not a feat I look at doing any time soon.
Don't worry too much about the ones we did get, because we will be getting more (and hopefully better ones) soon!
Glucose Test
Well, I had the glucose test just a little while ago and it went well. This test required that I fasted for 10 hours (I could have water during that time) and come in to do it. At first the doctor said that I wouldn't really have to fast, that I could eat, and then four hours later go in, but when I went in and tried to do it yesterday (I ate breakfast then worked a normal 4 hour shift with just water) but the lab techs said no, that I should fast for 10 hours and try it otherwise my results will be such that I have to come in for the 3 hour test (I'll explain in a minute).
So I went home and ate like normal the rest of the day. Today when I got up for sleep, because I had the day off, I didn't have a lick of breakfast, and went in to take the test. It was the right amount of time and everything worked out well.
They gave me this thick orange flavored (and bright orange colored) drink that I quickly drank down and they started the clock. I had to wait an hour in the lobby, so I had taken a sudoku puzzle book from the house and set to work. An hour went by, and they took some blood.
The orange drink wasn't as bad as I would have thought. I guess there are a lot of flavors out there, but I think RMLabs only offers the orange (someone said there was lemon-lime, fruit punch, grape, and orange). I've had worse tasting beverages so I was plesantly surprised. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't order it if it was offered at a resturaunt, but I wouldn't say it was horrible enough to cause a gag reflex. The only part that was suckie was the blood drawn. I mean, I knew I'd have to have it done and whatnot, so I was prepaired. But she really did a number on my arm and it's a bit bruised. For half the day afterwards it felt like the needle, or at least part of it, was still in there.
Otherwise all good on the glucose front.
Oh, I was going to tell you what happens if I fail real quick: I have to do the same test for three hours. I drink an even larger amount of the orange stuff and then they have to take my blood every hour for three hours. Hopefully I won't have bad results.
Adendum (11/4/9): Wehn I went in to the doctor today they said my glucose test results were really good, 114... whatever that means?
So I went home and ate like normal the rest of the day. Today when I got up for sleep, because I had the day off, I didn't have a lick of breakfast, and went in to take the test. It was the right amount of time and everything worked out well.
They gave me this thick orange flavored (and bright orange colored) drink that I quickly drank down and they started the clock. I had to wait an hour in the lobby, so I had taken a sudoku puzzle book from the house and set to work. An hour went by, and they took some blood.
The orange drink wasn't as bad as I would have thought. I guess there are a lot of flavors out there, but I think RMLabs only offers the orange (someone said there was lemon-lime, fruit punch, grape, and orange). I've had worse tasting beverages so I was plesantly surprised. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't order it if it was offered at a resturaunt, but I wouldn't say it was horrible enough to cause a gag reflex. The only part that was suckie was the blood drawn. I mean, I knew I'd have to have it done and whatnot, so I was prepaired. But she really did a number on my arm and it's a bit bruised. For half the day afterwards it felt like the needle, or at least part of it, was still in there.
Otherwise all good on the glucose front.
Oh, I was going to tell you what happens if I fail real quick: I have to do the same test for three hours. I drink an even larger amount of the orange stuff and then they have to take my blood every hour for three hours. Hopefully I won't have bad results.
Adendum (11/4/9): Wehn I went in to the doctor today they said my glucose test results were really good, 114... whatever that means?
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