Matt has Jury Duty today, so please send him your bestest thoughts, cross your fingers, and kiss your rosaries that he doesn't have to sit on a Jury.
Washington DC, Day 1
10 years ago
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
13 weeks
Doctor visit:
We had our 13 week check up yesterday, and now I don't have to go back for 4 more weeks! I've gotten used to this 1st trimester where I was there every week, or every other week. This will feel like eternity.
The baby's heartrate measured 157bpm, and for a few seconds we didn't hear anything and Matt and I had that brief moment of panic until the doctor said, "There it is!" My heartrate, on the other hand, was 98! See what the doctor's office does to me.
Although I think that heart rate of 98 was in reaction to the number that appeared on the weight scale. Matt said I just kept staring at it, like it would go down if I gave it the stink eye. Afterwards Matt said, "You should have taken off your sweater." I answered, "The sweater doesn't weigh 8 lbs!" Then Matt and the nurse had a nice laugh at my expense when they said, "It must have been the 7-layer dip at your aunt's house!" "More like the 7lb dip, ha ha!" Yes, ha ha - muck it up. I was obviously in the room with Laurel and Hardy!
Other than gaining 8lbs in 2 weeks, my other concern was that I'm getting what I think are gallbladder attacks. The doctor said they are common in pregnancy, but that nothing can be done (i.e. surgery) while I'm pregnant. So if they continue, I'll have a consult with the internist and maybe see what the problem is. I'm hoping it's something that once the baby is born will magically go away - like stretch marks or the 75 lbs I'll probably gain.
We did decide to turn down any genetic tests - the NT screen needed to get done now if we wanted it. The next time I go in, I can get the quad screen. But in talking to my doctor, if hearing a result won't change our minds as to how we continue with this pregnancy, these tests can really cause un-necessary stress. For some people, I know it's necessary to know, but for us ... I'm content to move along.
Symptoms:
Other than that, I'm ecstatic that I'm at 13 weeks which, according to which book you read, is the beginning of the 2nd trimester. I'll be on my progesterone until the end of this week, but I have been taken off the baby aspirin. My visits to the tinkle-torium have officially increased - my nighttime bathroom visits are always at midnight and 3AM. Have you gone to the bathroom in a house that's at 55 degrees? It's cold. But I couldn't have it any other way as I already sleep with my feet out of the covers (I'm getting warmer as this progresses).
But my nausea has decreased to where it's occasional and not an all-day love affair. I'm still vomiting on occasion too. And if I don't get my daily intake of fiber, I'm in trouble. I officially can't button any of my pants - I'm using a belt to hold them up. Eventually I'll get the Bella Band, but for now this works. And I've had more aching in my abdomen than ever before. My bo.obs are still enormous and hurt like hell, so don't hug me.
Oh ... and Caligula, in honor of making it to the 2nd trimester, has gotten a name change. It's now "Mr Bojangles."
We had our 13 week check up yesterday, and now I don't have to go back for 4 more weeks! I've gotten used to this 1st trimester where I was there every week, or every other week. This will feel like eternity.
The baby's heartrate measured 157bpm, and for a few seconds we didn't hear anything and Matt and I had that brief moment of panic until the doctor said, "There it is!" My heartrate, on the other hand, was 98! See what the doctor's office does to me.
Although I think that heart rate of 98 was in reaction to the number that appeared on the weight scale. Matt said I just kept staring at it, like it would go down if I gave it the stink eye. Afterwards Matt said, "You should have taken off your sweater." I answered, "The sweater doesn't weigh 8 lbs!" Then Matt and the nurse had a nice laugh at my expense when they said, "It must have been the 7-layer dip at your aunt's house!" "More like the 7lb dip, ha ha!" Yes, ha ha - muck it up. I was obviously in the room with Laurel and Hardy!
Other than gaining 8lbs in 2 weeks, my other concern was that I'm getting what I think are gallbladder attacks. The doctor said they are common in pregnancy, but that nothing can be done (i.e. surgery) while I'm pregnant. So if they continue, I'll have a consult with the internist and maybe see what the problem is. I'm hoping it's something that once the baby is born will magically go away - like stretch marks or the 75 lbs I'll probably gain.
We did decide to turn down any genetic tests - the NT screen needed to get done now if we wanted it. The next time I go in, I can get the quad screen. But in talking to my doctor, if hearing a result won't change our minds as to how we continue with this pregnancy, these tests can really cause un-necessary stress. For some people, I know it's necessary to know, but for us ... I'm content to move along.
Symptoms:
Other than that, I'm ecstatic that I'm at 13 weeks which, according to which book you read, is the beginning of the 2nd trimester. I'll be on my progesterone until the end of this week, but I have been taken off the baby aspirin. My visits to the tinkle-torium have officially increased - my nighttime bathroom visits are always at midnight and 3AM. Have you gone to the bathroom in a house that's at 55 degrees? It's cold. But I couldn't have it any other way as I already sleep with my feet out of the covers (I'm getting warmer as this progresses).
But my nausea has decreased to where it's occasional and not an all-day love affair. I'm still vomiting on occasion too. And if I don't get my daily intake of fiber, I'm in trouble. I officially can't button any of my pants - I'm using a belt to hold them up. Eventually I'll get the Bella Band, but for now this works. And I've had more aching in my abdomen than ever before. My bo.obs are still enormous and hurt like hell, so don't hug me.
Oh ... and Caligula, in honor of making it to the 2nd trimester, has gotten a name change. It's now "Mr Bojangles."
The pebbles are "genius"
Yesterday I was watching "Bang for Your Buck" on HGTV. If you haven't seen this show, a designer and a realtor look at 3 renovations in the same city done for the same amount of money (so 3 bathrooms in Chicago renovated for $35,000). Then they say who got the biggest bang for their buck. It's one of the HGTV shows, I haven't gotten sick of yet.
So yesterday they were in Seattle looking at Master Bath renovations done for $55,000. In one of the showers, they did a tile wall and pebble floor (just like we did in our downstairs bathroom -- see picture) . I freaked out and kept telling myself, "If the designer doesn't like it, I don't care - I love it."
Verdict? "Genius!" the designer said. And both he and the realtor kept fawning over the pebbles! Success!
So yesterday they were in Seattle looking at Master Bath renovations done for $55,000. In one of the showers, they did a tile wall and pebble floor (just like we did in our downstairs bathroom -- see picture) . I freaked out and kept telling myself, "If the designer doesn't like it, I don't care - I love it."
Verdict? "Genius!" the designer said. And both he and the realtor kept fawning over the pebbles! Success!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Old
Someone has high blood pressure ....
And it's not me ...
I remember a time when dating a 30-year-old man felt like I was volunteering at a nursing home. When and how did we all get so old? And 36 (Matt's age) is not old, but it sure feels like it when you have to accompany him to Walgreens to pick out a blood pressure monitor. Anyway, if it weren't for my many trips to the pharmacy, Matt wouldn't have tested his BP on the machines and never realized he has high blood pressure. That prompted a much needed visit to the doctor (and blood tests - yeah! not just me!). Now he has to check it 2x a day and go back to the doctor in 1 month.
Okay, he just checked it and it was 125/83 and his pulse was 49. That sounds fine to me! Bring back that machine, we want our $70 back!
And it's not me ...
I remember a time when dating a 30-year-old man felt like I was volunteering at a nursing home. When and how did we all get so old? And 36 (Matt's age) is not old, but it sure feels like it when you have to accompany him to Walgreens to pick out a blood pressure monitor. Anyway, if it weren't for my many trips to the pharmacy, Matt wouldn't have tested his BP on the machines and never realized he has high blood pressure. That prompted a much needed visit to the doctor (and blood tests - yeah! not just me!). Now he has to check it 2x a day and go back to the doctor in 1 month.
Okay, he just checked it and it was 125/83 and his pulse was 49. That sounds fine to me! Bring back that machine, we want our $70 back!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Trainsmoking
To the college kids smoking pot in the stairwell of the Metra station ... thanks. I really appreciated taking a nice deep breath of your second hand drug the other evening when I was catching my train.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
New Lunch Bag
It was time for a new lunch bag and not just any one would do. This cute little tote is not only cute, but can be thrown into the washer. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich never looked so good.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Lasagne intervention
Last night all I could dream about was fiber, roughage, and my colon. It did not make for "sweet dreams."
And speaking of dreams, over the weekend I was having a dream and then I woke to go to the bathroom. As I was meditating on the porcelain throne, all I wanted to do was go back to bed and back to my dream. Then it hit me that I couldn't remember what my dream was – was it a man? was it Cary Grant? All of a sudden it came back to me. Lasagna. I was dreaming about lasagna! I was at the grocery store and a chef had just made some delicious lasagna and I was ordering 1.5 servings all for myself. It was gooey and saucy and my mouth was watering as he served it to me … but I never got it. Thats when I woke up.
So what happened next? Last night, my mom comes over and what does she bring for Matt and me? Her homemade lasagna! I didn't even say anything to her!
Now can I dream about baked Mostaccioli tonight?
And speaking of dreams, over the weekend I was having a dream and then I woke to go to the bathroom. As I was meditating on the porcelain throne, all I wanted to do was go back to bed and back to my dream. Then it hit me that I couldn't remember what my dream was – was it a man? was it Cary Grant? All of a sudden it came back to me. Lasagna. I was dreaming about lasagna! I was at the grocery store and a chef had just made some delicious lasagna and I was ordering 1.5 servings all for myself. It was gooey and saucy and my mouth was watering as he served it to me … but I never got it. Thats when I woke up.
So what happened next? Last night, my mom comes over and what does she bring for Matt and me? Her homemade lasagna! I didn't even say anything to her!
Now can I dream about baked Mostaccioli tonight?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Fiber & the Real Food
I've decided to combat my constipation and hopefully that will help my gassy problem (cause I'd really like a social life). Although I did find this hilarious website where a husband describes his pregnant wife's "problems" way for funny than I ever could – I sent it to Matt and he was crying from laughter. The whole part about the bed covers hits really close to home!
So last night we went to Trader Joe's where I heard that they have these "Moral Fiber" muffins with as much fiber as Super Colon Blow. They were out. The fiber movement is really on an upswing in the western suburbs. But I found another batch of small hockey puck sized muffins that claim the same intense fiber. They're about ¼ the size of those bakery muffins but, as I sit here eating one, they are super dense and filling. You couldn't (and shouldn't) eat more than one. Matt's eating one too because he's having sympathy gastro-intestinal problems.
I also picked up some prunes – a nursing home staple – and more fiber-rich cereal. This has got to get things going.
Last night was one of my better nights, I felt good and I was dying for some REAL food. No more frozen pizza crap, no more restaurant take out. I needed some proper food out of one of my own pots. So I followed Artichoke's lead and made brown rice and veggies. I seasoned and sautéed the peppers and bok choy (instead of steaming), and sautéed some seasoned tofu as well for protein. I always have miso in the house and her simple sauce reminded me that it's been a while since I used some. I can't give you a recipe because I never measure anything out but just mixed miso with tamarin sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to taste and drizzled it over my rice, veggies, & tofu. Matt and I were in HEAVEN. Real food never tasted to good.
Thanks Artichoke for inspiring me!
So last night we went to Trader Joe's where I heard that they have these "Moral Fiber" muffins with as much fiber as Super Colon Blow. They were out. The fiber movement is really on an upswing in the western suburbs. But I found another batch of small hockey puck sized muffins that claim the same intense fiber. They're about ¼ the size of those bakery muffins but, as I sit here eating one, they are super dense and filling. You couldn't (and shouldn't) eat more than one. Matt's eating one too because he's having sympathy gastro-intestinal problems.
I also picked up some prunes – a nursing home staple – and more fiber-rich cereal. This has got to get things going.
Last night was one of my better nights, I felt good and I was dying for some REAL food. No more frozen pizza crap, no more restaurant take out. I needed some proper food out of one of my own pots. So I followed Artichoke's lead and made brown rice and veggies. I seasoned and sautéed the peppers and bok choy (instead of steaming), and sautéed some seasoned tofu as well for protein. I always have miso in the house and her simple sauce reminded me that it's been a while since I used some. I can't give you a recipe because I never measure anything out but just mixed miso with tamarin sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to taste and drizzled it over my rice, veggies, & tofu. Matt and I were in HEAVEN. Real food never tasted to good.
Thanks Artichoke for inspiring me!
Monday, January 11, 2010
11 weeks: Noxious fumes ahead
I have gas!! Plenty of it and harmful to pets and small children! I read that this is normal, but I can't be farting bombs at work or on the train??! The doctor said it's probably what I'm eating, but I read that this may just be a normal part of pregnancy and it's not going away. Oh no! I asked the doctor about it today and she said she thinks it's what I'm eating because I'm farting regardless of my bowel movements. But I haven't been having a lot of veggies, just more fruit. What do I need to do, go on a bland diet of applesauce and toast? I think some of the problem is that I'm eating less fresh items (more frozen) because of my morning sickness (no dsesire to cook). Any relief ideas??
So I had my 11 week check up this morning. This was my first pre-natal checkup after my new OB appointment so Matt came with me, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't have to come to every one (although he wants to).
After trying to strategically pee in a very small cup, they weighed me. It's January so I have a lot of clothes on, not to mention boots. I got on the scale and said, "Oh no, that's not right. I've got boots on!" So the nurse let me take them off and I quickly shedded 2 lbs. The nurse said, "Who would have thought your boots were 2 lbs?!" So far I've only gained one pound since going to the doctor.
I got to meet a new doctor at the practice and while she was very accommodating and nice, she didn't have much of a spark. She put the doppler on my belly and said not to be surprised if we didn't hear anything, but there it was - the heartbeat. Matt got up so he could see what the doppler said - 168 bpm. But then she would lose the heartbeat because she could tell the baby was really active and everytime it moved she would lose the heartbeat. So we have a hyper fetus in there - Matt said it'll be just like me!
So I had my 11 week check up this morning. This was my first pre-natal checkup after my new OB appointment so Matt came with me, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't have to come to every one (although he wants to).
After trying to strategically pee in a very small cup, they weighed me. It's January so I have a lot of clothes on, not to mention boots. I got on the scale and said, "Oh no, that's not right. I've got boots on!" So the nurse let me take them off and I quickly shedded 2 lbs. The nurse said, "Who would have thought your boots were 2 lbs?!" So far I've only gained one pound since going to the doctor.
I got to meet a new doctor at the practice and while she was very accommodating and nice, she didn't have much of a spark. She put the doppler on my belly and said not to be surprised if we didn't hear anything, but there it was - the heartbeat. Matt got up so he could see what the doppler said - 168 bpm. But then she would lose the heartbeat because she could tell the baby was really active and everytime it moved she would lose the heartbeat. So we have a hyper fetus in there - Matt said it'll be just like me!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Saying goodbye to 2009
Oh 2009, bu-bye.
I started off this year with some well- intentioned goals and some got done while others were not as successful. I never ran my 5K race (broken toes and pregnancies have gotten in the way), but we did save $10,000 which we put towards our new car in May. I came very close to reading 50 books (39 books, but I only read 22 last year so I consider that a success), but I didn't lose my 15 lbs. Oh well.
We continued updating our house; we completely gutted the downstairs bathroom, ripping out the plastic shower and replacing it with beautiful creamy marble and pebbles. We even tackled the upstairs bathroom in a less chaotic way - more botox than facelift. We also ripped out the last of the gross carpeting from the previous owners, and had a new staircase built.
Upstairs bath After
Matt and I fulfilled our dream of going to Vermont in February, which did not disappoint! We took ski lessons and stayed at a beautiful Inn with scrumptious breakfasts and snowshoe trails. We also went to Louisville, Nashville, & Milwaukee. And in September, we finally got some sun in St Simon's Isl GA in September where we ate great seafood, bbq, and visited family in Savannah.
But it was also a trying year, with a happy ending (so far). We had miscarriages in June and October, and a chemical pregnancy in April. A lot of time in the last 1/2 of the year was spent in a Doctor's office. The last time I had a bloodtest before 2009 was in 1996 - in 2009 from June - Dec, I got stuck 13 times. I'm not over my fear, but I'm making up for lost time. In November, we got pregnant again and now I'm 11 weeks, although I've been pregnant a total of 27 weeks this year! My daily nausea is a reminder of our little miracle.
I'm putting 2009 on the shelves and right now, the only thing I can do is look forward to 2010 and all that it will bring.
Happy New Year!
I started off this year with some well- intentioned goals and some got done while others were not as successful. I never ran my 5K race (broken toes and pregnancies have gotten in the way), but we did save $10,000 which we put towards our new car in May. I came very close to reading 50 books (39 books, but I only read 22 last year so I consider that a success), but I didn't lose my 15 lbs. Oh well.
We continued updating our house; we completely gutted the downstairs bathroom, ripping out the plastic shower and replacing it with beautiful creamy marble and pebbles. We even tackled the upstairs bathroom in a less chaotic way - more botox than facelift. We also ripped out the last of the gross carpeting from the previous owners, and had a new staircase built.
Upstairs bath Before (when we moved in)
Upstairs bath After
But it was also a trying year, with a happy ending (so far). We had miscarriages in June and October, and a chemical pregnancy in April. A lot of time in the last 1/2 of the year was spent in a Doctor's office. The last time I had a bloodtest before 2009 was in 1996 - in 2009 from June - Dec, I got stuck 13 times. I'm not over my fear, but I'm making up for lost time. In November, we got pregnant again and now I'm 11 weeks, although I've been pregnant a total of 27 weeks this year! My daily nausea is a reminder of our little miracle.
I'm putting 2009 on the shelves and right now, the only thing I can do is look forward to 2010 and all that it will bring.
Happy New Year!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Christmas Day
Matt and I slept in late on Christmas morning ... hopefully our last time to do this so we took advantage of a quiet house. We made Christmas breakfast of Early's sausage (that Matt's parents sent us) with toast and eggs, and drank coffee with chocolate milk (we ran out of creamer).
Click for pictures.
Matt and I exchanged presents at home -- Matt got me a sweater and a Peugeot pepper mill and salt mill that I've been wanting. And he also surprised me with a replica of a 1840 Peugeot spice grinder. I got him 2 Wii games, pj bottoms, a wallet, and cologne. What I really wanted from Santa was an iPhone, but he told me that we needed to get that together.
At noon we went to my mom and dad's to open more presents. My mom cleaned out Lord & Taylor's because I got 8 boxes of new clothes from her. And Matt got a nice Lacoste jacket and Scrubs DVD. We sat in the living room and drank hot cocoa, tried on our new presents, forced my dad to try on his new jeans.
After my mom's we went to my aunt's at 3PM for Christmas dinner which wasn't served until 5:30PM (is that right?). But they just had their kitchen and family room remodeled so it was just nice sitting around her huge island and chatting with everyone eating appetizers. Everyone was in good spirits, dinner was delicious, and the peppermint ice cream for dessert really hit the spot. -- My cousin posted some pictures on her blog here.
The day after Christmas, my spotting stopped, my morning sickness came back in full force, and I puked 3 days in a row. I guess somebody was trying to give me some a Christmas break!
Click for pictures.
 |
| Christmas 2009 |
Matt and I exchanged presents at home -- Matt got me a sweater and a Peugeot pepper mill and salt mill that I've been wanting. And he also surprised me with a replica of a 1840 Peugeot spice grinder. I got him 2 Wii games, pj bottoms, a wallet, and cologne. What I really wanted from Santa was an iPhone, but he told me that we needed to get that together.
At noon we went to my mom and dad's to open more presents. My mom cleaned out Lord & Taylor's because I got 8 boxes of new clothes from her. And Matt got a nice Lacoste jacket and Scrubs DVD. We sat in the living room and drank hot cocoa, tried on our new presents, forced my dad to try on his new jeans.
After my mom's we went to my aunt's at 3PM for Christmas dinner which wasn't served until 5:30PM (is that right?). But they just had their kitchen and family room remodeled so it was just nice sitting around her huge island and chatting with everyone eating appetizers. Everyone was in good spirits, dinner was delicious, and the peppermint ice cream for dessert really hit the spot. -- My cousin posted some pictures on her blog here.
The day after Christmas, my spotting stopped, my morning sickness came back in full force, and I puked 3 days in a row. I guess somebody was trying to give me some a Christmas break!
Christmas Eve
I'm so late posting, I thought about skipping my Christmas Eve/Day blog post, but then it just wouldn't feel like there were any holidays. So late is better than never ...
My holiday was weird because I started spotting on the 23rd which sent me into complete panic mode. Matt made me call the nurse on duty (I like to spot when all the offices are closed of course) and she told me to rest and relax and that if it turned heavier, to call the doc on duty. OK, but rest and relax for Christmas don't go hand in hand. The other problem was that my nausea went away and that freaked me & Matt out too.
For Christmas Eve, I wanted to help my grandparents and instead I was forced to spend the evening on the couch with my legs up. Our traditional appetizers (zeppole, baked clams, calamari) had to be brought to me. By the time dinner came at 8PM, the only thing I really wanted to eat was some jello. All my favorites - the fried shrimp and stuffed fish - just didn't want to go down. I slept during the games (holiday charades), only waking in time for Santa's appearance and gift opening. Over cookies and coffee, I got my mojo back and all the women shared their baby tales while me and cousins ordered more birth control (well, too late for me). By the time we left after midnight, I was beat.
I didn't take any photos and my mom hasn't sent me hers yet, but my cousin wrote about her version of Christmas Eve on her blog so you can check that out here.
My holiday was weird because I started spotting on the 23rd which sent me into complete panic mode. Matt made me call the nurse on duty (I like to spot when all the offices are closed of course) and she told me to rest and relax and that if it turned heavier, to call the doc on duty. OK, but rest and relax for Christmas don't go hand in hand. The other problem was that my nausea went away and that freaked me & Matt out too.
For Christmas Eve, I wanted to help my grandparents and instead I was forced to spend the evening on the couch with my legs up. Our traditional appetizers (zeppole, baked clams, calamari) had to be brought to me. By the time dinner came at 8PM, the only thing I really wanted to eat was some jello. All my favorites - the fried shrimp and stuffed fish - just didn't want to go down. I slept during the games (holiday charades), only waking in time for Santa's appearance and gift opening. Over cookies and coffee, I got my mojo back and all the women shared their baby tales while me and cousins ordered more birth control (well, too late for me). By the time we left after midnight, I was beat.
I didn't take any photos and my mom hasn't sent me hers yet, but my cousin wrote about her version of Christmas Eve on her blog so you can check that out here.
9w ultrasound
Sometimes, I feel like Miranda from Sex & the City when she was pregnant with Brady. I want to be all excited and use a lot of !! but I'm not there yet. It's not that I'm not excited, I just can't be right now. I keep saying, "Once I hit the 2nd trimester..." and that will be January 25th. Then maybe I'll have my baby-smiley face on.
On the 28th, I went in for a 9week ultrasound and got to see something that looked more baby than clump. I was so scared because it was just with the technician and if something is wrong she can't say anything, but she saw the heartbeat fluttering right away and reassured me. It was 163 bpm. My mom was with me and we both studied the picture like we were in an anatomy class at school - neither one of us is the type to break out into tears or get all moopy. When she pointed out it's leg, I did say, "Aw that's cute." Are we weird?
Baby's head is to the left:
On the 28th, I went in for a 9week ultrasound and got to see something that looked more baby than clump. I was so scared because it was just with the technician and if something is wrong she can't say anything, but she saw the heartbeat fluttering right away and reassured me. It was 163 bpm. My mom was with me and we both studied the picture like we were in an anatomy class at school - neither one of us is the type to break out into tears or get all moopy. When she pointed out it's leg, I did say, "Aw that's cute." Are we weird?
Baby's head is to the left:
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