Mandatory Glucola poisoning complete

I've already pointed out how horrible glucola's ingredients are now today I can share how horrible it is in general.  Granted I was fearing way worse, but it definitely was not appealing.  It smelled like orange crush, which doesn't sound bad - but it didn't taste like flat soda to me.  There was an almost heavy feeling to it that had my stomach a little displeased before I left for my appointment.

It took them a little longer to get my blood draw past the hour point since they once again took a stab, couldn't get a vein and had to bring in the ob nurse.  She ended up sticking my hand - again.  I had 4 large pint glasses of water this morning so seriously, what is the problem here?  Regardless, it's done, now I wait and hope I don't need to concern myself with a 3-hour test and/or gestational diabetes.

Ding ding - third round!

Some calculations say the third trimester starts next week, but the calendar I am following says it starts today!  It feels crazy to acknowledge I am this far along.  They say the third trimester is a challenge so I know things will be a changing.

This evening I did get started on the decal on the baby's wall.  An hour or so later I called it a night and I'll save the last few pieces for him to help finish up tomorrow.  Hopefully this will buy the time to also get the brackets up for curtains, so when I finally get them here they too can go up immediately (after ironing).

Pretty sure on the first name?

We talked a little today and while we already had a short list and weren't too far off - I think we have a first name.  I want us to say "this is it" out loud, but I am pretty sure we're there. Do I dare start calling her by this name when I talk to her?

Am I becoming that woman?

Today the box containing my dark purple Ubbi diaper pail arrived and I was excited!  Who would have ever thought?  I think part of it was the good deal in my opinion.  Sure Amazon had other colors for close to the price I paid, but in the dark purple they wanted nearly 2x as much.

I'm feeling girl moving stronger and stronger each day.  The one thing I'm still waiting for are hiccups.  This is one of those things that reminds me there are lots of 'milestones' to look forward to.

Making sure I've got things covered

I've now purchased a few nursing bras.  It seems early as my boobs haven't actually changed size, but my ribs are definitely shifting a bit wider and some of my regular bras feel like they're cutting into me by the end of the day.  The two I bought today do not have underwire and are more of a stretchy fabric. They're designed to 'grow with you' or so they proclaim.  I went with the one that was for 40C (and a few other larger cups) (rather than my normal 38C) since I'm already feeling the need for something larger around my ribs.  Since I'm going to need to get use to sleeping in something, or so I'm told, these seem like they'd be pretty comfortable and up to the task.  It was so odd and foreign to buy bras that didn't come from Victoria's Secret.

It's pretty wrong that this seems like one of the strangest baby-related purchases that needed to be made.

One purple wall!

Mum W came today and painted the one wall in the nursery for me today.  I so appreciate her getting this done for me and allowing me to stay out of the paint fumes.  I think it looks pretty nice - but I'm eager to see it with the decal, but I will wait a while to allow the paint to dry fully and avoid any issues when the decal would get peeled off down the road.

The second trimester is not the easier for me

They say the second trimester is usually the 'easiest' of the three.  Since I didn't have morning sickness and whatnot I have to disagree (that's saying a lot since I don't think I've had blood draws in my second trimester).  Sure I only have two weeks left in said second trimester, but I'd already say it's less pleasurable than the first.

My hip and around to my lower back has been hurting for a week, the periodic rib pains as they expand, the sore belly button, the headaches are always on my mind as to keep them at bay with stretches and sitting properly, sleeping has become more challenging, I cannot do as much without feeling achy and needing to sit, I'm moodier lately too (more tears than I want to admit), and I'm putting on too much weight (IMHO) whereas in the first trimester I was concerned that I wasn't putting on weight.

Sure there are perks here that I didn't have in the first trimester - like feeling her move, although that has slowed and been less defined already too (normal to my understanding).

I'm not miserable, but it does leave me wondering (and worrying a little) about how things will progress pain and discomfort wise.  I'm not trying to complain just document.  I know this is all worth it.

Baby's First Baseball Game

I reported on baby's first hockey game, so I guess I need to also point out that we went to her first baseball game last night, with thanks to company free tickets her Daddy got from work.  Of course the Pirates facility was no where near sold out or as loud as PPG Paints for the Penguins, so the noise didn't get her riled up.

Does this mean I need to get to an early Steelers game before she comes too?

The baby's name is...

NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.  I have no issue with people asking if we've picked a name yet, don't get me wrong... but I was about at the end of my rope with people randomly sending me names.  Now I just got a message with bullet points on don'ts for names.  Not a link to an article, but a personal list of directives.  I'm half pissed and half insulted with a candy coating of crying about it.  Don't people, just don't.

Another chiro visit and picking out a glider chair

I had my second trip to the chiropractor and received the contact information for doulas and a pediatrician.  I did reach out to the doulas via their website but have not yet heard back.  My hips were aching as I left the chiro, and I'm not doing them any favors as I've needed to get some things accomplished (mowing the lawn, getting items that needed donated loaded up and out of the house), but at least those items are finished - now I just need to clean in preparation for painting the wall in the baby's room next weekend.

I also made the trek to the Lazboy Gallery and picked out my very own glider/recliner.  It will be a while until it arrives, but this will head to the nursery so I can relax for all of those middle of the night rocking sessions.  I truly believe this means all we NEED still in the nursery (other than getting the painting and decal up) is the mattress.

Seeing where it will all go down

Yesterday felt like it was all about baby.  First the furniture I ordered for her room was delivered.  I'm very pleased with the sizing and the color - it matches QUITE well with the crib and the changing topper.

Last night we the headed north to the hospital for a tour of the facility.  Once again I am pretty sure I was the least far along of the mothers there.  I don't know what I was expecting, but I had a few moments while there.

First, I could clearly see their agenda painted on things.  I don't mind a hospital saying "we recommend" or "we encourage" but I do not like hearing "here at ... we always" or "required".  Mmm, no.  This makes me instantly want to resist because I know my opinions/concerns won't be received much less considered.  I'm stubborn, this I know.  There are some things I can waffle on - like their view of bedding in vs having a little bit of quiet time w/ the kid in the nursery and there are some things that I will dig my heels in on.

Second, I was ready to cry a little - maybe nerves?  It didn't feel more real, but it definitely feels more imminent to be there and see where it will all go down.  It was pretty quiet there, only a few doors closed which I presume contained mothers who recently gave birth.

Finally, it was nice to see the security measures they have in place to protect your baby, but at the same time it was also a little unnerving to even think about that being a necessity - which then gave me the wee bit of panic that leads me to say I am willing to waffle on the bedding in vs nursery thing.  With all of the things they "require" testing your child on I kind of don't want them taking my child from my sight for fear they'll be assessing and sticking her with needles unbeknownst to me.  Well hello there overprotective mothering instinct.

Little one on the other hand has been exceedingly peaceful the past day or so.  Time for me to get up, move around, and get her moving a little bit too.

Chiropractic care and potentially more doctors?

I'm not hurting - yet.  But I know that with my past issues of my hips moving out of alignment and the fact that ligaments and whatnot will loosen throughout the pregnancy I figure it is a matter of time.  So yesterday I had my first chiropractic appointment with a local doctor.  I am thinking I chose wisely.

It is a husband/wife team.  They too see it the way I do:  give me ways to fix the situation rather than creating a cycle where I am dependent upon coming to your office for relief for the rest of eternity.  Granted, for now I don't mind regular appointments, as from what I read (and it makes sense) getting and staying aligned during pregnancy can help a lot of things - including labor and delivery.

They had some neat toys I hadn't seen before to assess the nerves and muscles in my back without x-rays.  It is kind of interesting when the areas that 'light up' are the ones you do have issues.  The first is the left side of my neck in the back, which is where my tension headaches keep forming.  That was off the charts and over 3000% by their unit of measure.  The other was a spot Ben keeps saying feels bulged around the middle of my back, also on the left.  It hasn't been hurting me, but there it was also lit up red and above and beyond all good readings.

I did get a few unexpected perks from this visit.

First (TMI warning), when I got up this morning I poo'd immediately and not a rabbit pellet little thing, this was legit!  At my morning weigh in I am back down a little even, which makes me feel a little better, but I know I'm still pushing the upper boundary of the acceptable range for this point in time.

Second, she also is going to give me the name of a pediatrician that they use (they have a 5 month old daughter) who is open to discussing vaccinations and altering the schedule there - which is good news because my hunt on this front has been fruitless thus far and met by cold responses of "I don't know anyone who would see patients who don't vaccinate" (*sigh* - that's not what I said!)

These responses at the obgyn and the comment of "that's not typically something the hospital does" in response to my inquiry at the baby basics class with regard to delayed cord clamping also makes me think I need an advocate beyond Ben and I when we're in the act of having kiddo.  I've thought about a doula, but the cost and not knowing where to start has put it at the back of my brain.  Thirdly, the chiro will also be giving me a name for a doula they used.

Baby's First Hockey Game

Last night baby went to her first hockey game!  I was blessed enough that a friend invited me to the 4th game, 2nd round of the Stanley Cup playoffs (Pens vs Caps).  I was very curious how all of the noise would go over.  She was definitely pretty active throughout.  I'm going to assume that means she loved it.  Thank goodness I already have a "I'm told I like hockey" onesie ready for her.

Gearing up for the shift into overdrive

This morning I spoke with a photographer and got on her calendar for maternity photos.  I'm a little uneasy about this, but better to have them and never share them with the world than regret not having them.  Unless something catastrophic happens with this photo shoot, I will also have the photographer do newborn shots too, but for obvious reasons we cannot book a date for that.

Quick appointment today - all looks well.  This was the first visit they took a measurement to the top of the fundus and she stated I was good there.  I was surprised the heart rate was back up to 160 again, but they say that is within normal range.

I asked about the shape of my stomach when I flex the muscles, let's say to sit up from a laying position.  This is diastasis recti and she also said this is common during pregnancy - but it's kind of creepy to know that my stomach muscles are separating.  From what I read this can aggravate lower back pain and pelvic instability - so I'm glad I also asked about visiting a chiropractor and got the thumbs up there.  My hips have gotten out of alignment in the past and I suspect it is likely to occur as we progress.  I've also read that adjustments later in pregnancy can also help ensure an easier delivery.  No guarantees, but if there's a chance why not, right?

One more 4-week span before the next appointment and then into 3-week spans.  Next visit we also do the glucose test.  Now let's take a look at this syrup they call glucosa.  I wasn't thrilled about it to begin with.  The last time I had a sugary soda (since I'm no longer a soda drinker) I felt ill all evening, almost like you would if you were boozing too hard.  Now I get this thing and see what's in it - crap you shouldn't be drinking, much less if you're pregnant.  Bleh.

On a bright note, kiddo gets to attend her first hockey game tonight!  I wonder if I'll feel her reacting to the crowd (or hopefully the horn).

Steady Growth

This past week I have found myself watching the scale with a bit of fear.  I feel like I'm gaining too much now, especially for where I started at pre-pregnancy.  I guess we'll see what the doctors say when I climb on the scale tomorrow.

She too (the wee one) is making steady growth progress - or at least I as far as I can tell from the frequency of her movements that I am experiencing.  I've started to note distinct patterns in the morning and at night as I settle down for bed, but as time has passed I've been feeling her more through the day as well.

On a final note, I did find a youth dresser and a matching adult lingerie chest (taller item) that I ordered for use in the baby's room.  I think these items will work nicely for the size of the room.  While I won't put the mirror on the dresser right away that too is ordered.  In the mean time I also ordered a topper for changing purposes.  It will sit on the dresser (a piece is longer on the back to keep it from sliding forward/off the dresser) and the foam changing pad will go in there.  At this point the only remaining big items left to put the nursery together are the mattress and a rocking chair of some sort.  I did buy the paint too - but we haven't scheduled when it's going up on the wall just yet.