I'm so sorry to say, well, not really, but the 2nd trimester is not nearly as entertaining as the 1st. As I mentioned last time, I've got my body back!! The only symptoms I'm having now are congestion and swollen gums. Pregnancy is such a strange thing. I used to watch "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant," and I thought pregnancy was more of a state of mind than anything else. For those women, they never really had any symptoms, they only gained 10lbs at the most, and labor only felt like you need to have your appendix out. All of that, to me, means pregnancy equals cake walk. And if you are in the right state of mind you don't really experience the trials and discomforts of it. Well, I can say, from experience, pregnancy is not a state of mind! It effects, not just your lady bits, but your ENTIRE body. Literally, from the crown of your head to the tips of your toes, pregnancy infest. However, in certain areas, that isn't necessarily a bad thing. My hair is absolutely fabulous. And my boobs? Amazing!! Unfortunately, those are most of the perks, the rest is bad, bad, bad.
As I mentioned, my gums are swollen. In the 2nd trimester those hormones that make you congested are working their magic on your mouth. It causes your gums to swell and bleed. Awesome. Even better is the fact that now I'm more susceptible to plaque and bacteria which may lead to tooth decay. So while I have luscious locks and an amazing rack, I might not have any teeth. Thanks baby! I remember my mom would say that she used to wear a smaller shoe size and she would blame pregnancy for her larger foot. I pretty much thought my mom was insane. Really, having kids makes your feet bigger too? Really, we're saying that? Really?! Well, turns out she's right. When you're preggo, your hormones are nuts, completely insane, thus the uncontrollable rage and then the uncontrollable sobbing. Well now, let me introduce you to Relaxin. This hormone loosens joints and ligaments so your pelvis and hips widen to fit a baby. Sadly, this hormone isn't reduced to just your hips, which is bad enough, but it spreads all over your body, feet included. Some women gain a full shoe size! After birth everything tightens up again, but for some, their extra large feet are here to stay. Sad, scary, but true. Fortunately for me, my feet are the same size and maybe if I wear small shoes my feet won't have room to grow...maybe.
The baby is now about 5-5 1/2 inches long from head to bum. The baby now knows how to yawn. How cute is that?! He is even hiccuping. He can roll around, kick, and punch, which I'm pretty sure I can feel sometimes. The baby may already have a preference for his left or his right hand. Did you catch that? I said he. I have no scientific reasoning or explanation, but I feel like we're gonna have a boy. I think its kinda funny myself, because I have not one reason for why I think its a boy. Maybe its because I want a girl so bad my subconscious is at work so I won't be too set on a girl and/or disappointed if it is a boy. That's my theory, anyway. Either way, the baby has all its parts to make me a grandmother. If its a girl, her ovaries are already forming eggs. That's kinda weird to think about, so lets not. If its a boy, he has all his parts, but some are still tucked away. They'll drop more in the next month. How exciting.
Well, that's the latest. Our 1st big ultrasound is in 2 1/2 weeks and I'm excited and very nervous about it. I'll keep you posted on our progress.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
to cloth, or not to cloth...
So, call us crazy, but we have decided to use cloth diapers instead of disposables. Let me give you a minute to laugh...are you done? I am completely serious about this and I'm actually looking forward to trying it, I mean, dominating it. It's hard to believe that most people my age and older were all cloth diapered, it was apart of life. It was really no big deal, because everyone used cloth. But now, you even hint at the idea and you'll be laughed off the block. "Cloth diapers?! That's so gross! You'll never be able to do it. What do you do with the poop?" Those are just a few comments I've heard. I've learned to make my cloth diapering ambitions my little secret, so I'm not ostracized by my peers. Well, this is my coming out party! Yes, I will being using cloth diapers!
Why cloth, you might ask? Well, the pros far out weight the cons...at least right now, considering I've never changed or even seen a cloth diaper on a baby. Cloth diapers are better for the baby. The material is softer and more breathable. They don't retain as much liquid, so you change them more often, keeping baby dry. As a result, cloth diapered babies have few instances of diaper rash. They also don't wick away wetness the way disposables do, so your baby feels the wetness, leading cloth diapered babies to be potty trained earlier. Let's be honest, it's not very cute to see 3 year in diapers. Its green! Better for the environment, blah, blah, blah. Honestly, the environment didn't even register in my reasons for going cloth. The biggest, brightest, most wonderful reason of all? MONEY!!! Babies are expensive and so are their throw away panties! I can't, in a million years, every imagine spending almost $900 for a years worth of underwear that just goes into the trash. Granted, I'm not pooping in my underwear, but still, you are literally throwing money away. Lets just say I invest $500 into cloth diapers. In 2 years, when my genius baby is potty trained and wearing cartoon character underwear, I still only spent $500, not close to $1800. I'm no mathematical genius, but I'd say that those savings are about half the cost of a couples getaway to Mexico. The savings are phenomenal. Not to mention you can use them for baby number 2. Or, don't get sick on me, you can resell your used diapers for 75-90% of the original price, based on the condition of them.
I'm not going to lie, there are some major, major cons, poop being number 1 on my list. I have to agree with most people, cloth diapering is gross. So is the idea of carrying a dirty diaper around with you. However, depending on where you are, even if you use disposables, you have to carry dirty little diapers with you. And yes, I'm completely disgusted by the idea of flipping poop from a diaper into the toilet, yuck. But again, you may have to do that with a disposable, the directions suggest that you do so every time. I'm worried bout the smell and the washing, but I think I can handle, fingers crossed.
There is a large community of cloth diapering families online and its kind of inspiring. If you look up cloth diapering on YouTube, a million videos pop up. What really has cemented my determination is the fact that women who cloth diaper don't just tolerate it or even like it, they are enthusiast, they love it! They all swear by it and are kicking themselves for not doing it sooner. They all say its really easy. Plus, cloth diapers have come along way from those massive safety pins. They are also super cute now, and I'm not going to even going to try to deny the fact that their cuteness played a big part in my decision too (need I remind you of my love of shopping). Maybe I'm being overly ambitious and after one week I'll chicken out and give up, but I'm feeling pretty determine. I got this! I think...I hope...I'm a good 45% sure I got this. Did I mention that I've never changed a poopy diaper before?
I already bought a few, experience their cuteness:
Why cloth, you might ask? Well, the pros far out weight the cons...at least right now, considering I've never changed or even seen a cloth diaper on a baby. Cloth diapers are better for the baby. The material is softer and more breathable. They don't retain as much liquid, so you change them more often, keeping baby dry. As a result, cloth diapered babies have few instances of diaper rash. They also don't wick away wetness the way disposables do, so your baby feels the wetness, leading cloth diapered babies to be potty trained earlier. Let's be honest, it's not very cute to see 3 year in diapers. Its green! Better for the environment, blah, blah, blah. Honestly, the environment didn't even register in my reasons for going cloth. The biggest, brightest, most wonderful reason of all? MONEY!!! Babies are expensive and so are their throw away panties! I can't, in a million years, every imagine spending almost $900 for a years worth of underwear that just goes into the trash. Granted, I'm not pooping in my underwear, but still, you are literally throwing money away. Lets just say I invest $500 into cloth diapers. In 2 years, when my genius baby is potty trained and wearing cartoon character underwear, I still only spent $500, not close to $1800. I'm no mathematical genius, but I'd say that those savings are about half the cost of a couples getaway to Mexico. The savings are phenomenal. Not to mention you can use them for baby number 2. Or, don't get sick on me, you can resell your used diapers for 75-90% of the original price, based on the condition of them.
I'm not going to lie, there are some major, major cons, poop being number 1 on my list. I have to agree with most people, cloth diapering is gross. So is the idea of carrying a dirty diaper around with you. However, depending on where you are, even if you use disposables, you have to carry dirty little diapers with you. And yes, I'm completely disgusted by the idea of flipping poop from a diaper into the toilet, yuck. But again, you may have to do that with a disposable, the directions suggest that you do so every time. I'm worried bout the smell and the washing, but I think I can handle, fingers crossed.
There is a large community of cloth diapering families online and its kind of inspiring. If you look up cloth diapering on YouTube, a million videos pop up. What really has cemented my determination is the fact that women who cloth diaper don't just tolerate it or even like it, they are enthusiast, they love it! They all swear by it and are kicking themselves for not doing it sooner. They all say its really easy. Plus, cloth diapers have come along way from those massive safety pins. They are also super cute now, and I'm not going to even going to try to deny the fact that their cuteness played a big part in my decision too (need I remind you of my love of shopping). Maybe I'm being overly ambitious and after one week I'll chicken out and give up, but I'm feeling pretty determine. I got this! I think...I hope...I'm a good 45% sure I got this. Did I mention that I've never changed a poopy diaper before?
I already bought a few, experience their cuteness:
Saturday, February 12, 2011
I'm back!
I just picked up my computer yesterday and the virus is gone! I'm back! Just to update you I'm 16 weeks along. That's 4 months! I can't believe it. I'm also happy to report that I think I finally got my body back, with a few new additions. I finally have a nice rack I'd be proud to go to a topless beach with. However, along with my new ladies come a bloated, is she fat or is she pregnant, stomach. So, I'm sad to say, no French Riviera for me. My bodily functions have seem to calm down and have gone to a place I'm comfortable with. I'm finally saying goodbye to heartburn, constipation, and gas, I'm a lady again! I do have a new symptom to share, sinus congestion. When you're preggo, your hormones caused increased blood flow and your mucus membranes to swell. So my nose has that dry swollen feel and bleeds when I blow my nose too hard. But other than that, all is well.
About a month ago, we did have a little excited, or scare is a better word. Just when I thought I would have 10, period free, months, my worst nightmare happened, I went to the bathroom and saw that I was bleeding, not spotting. They squeezed me in at my doctors office 4 hours later. 4 HOURS!! Those were the longest 4 hours of my life. All I could think was, "this is it, this is how a miscarriage starts." Well, thank goodness, it turns out I was wrong. Apparently, the placenta is located in the wrong spot, covering the cervix. So what was happening is the placenta was moving back to where it should be, thus the bleeding. The baby is alive and well. However, I was put on bed rest for 2 days, just to be sure I wouldn't aggravate anything. But now everything is peachy and trust me, I know. I bought my own personal fetal heart Doppler so I can listen to the heartbeat when ever I want to. I guess you could say those hypochondriac tendencies of my are creeping back to the surface.
I do have a bit of bad news to report-I have gained 7lbs. I'm 2-3lbs over my weight budget for this point in my pregnancy....and I'm scared. I really don't know whats happening...well, I kinda do. I haven't been to the gym in about 3 weeks and I've been eating a bit like a pig. But don't worry, this has been a wake up call for me and I'll reign it back in...starting Monday!
I have a new, 16 week belly sight:
11 weeks
16 weeks
There is a difference between those pictures, I promise. Btw, a few weeks ago I said I thought I felt the baby move....well it was gas. I hate my life! :)
About a month ago, we did have a little excited, or scare is a better word. Just when I thought I would have 10, period free, months, my worst nightmare happened, I went to the bathroom and saw that I was bleeding, not spotting. They squeezed me in at my doctors office 4 hours later. 4 HOURS!! Those were the longest 4 hours of my life. All I could think was, "this is it, this is how a miscarriage starts." Well, thank goodness, it turns out I was wrong. Apparently, the placenta is located in the wrong spot, covering the cervix. So what was happening is the placenta was moving back to where it should be, thus the bleeding. The baby is alive and well. However, I was put on bed rest for 2 days, just to be sure I wouldn't aggravate anything. But now everything is peachy and trust me, I know. I bought my own personal fetal heart Doppler so I can listen to the heartbeat when ever I want to. I guess you could say those hypochondriac tendencies of my are creeping back to the surface.
I do have a bit of bad news to report-I have gained 7lbs. I'm 2-3lbs over my weight budget for this point in my pregnancy....and I'm scared. I really don't know whats happening...well, I kinda do. I haven't been to the gym in about 3 weeks and I've been eating a bit like a pig. But don't worry, this has been a wake up call for me and I'll reign it back in...starting Monday!
I have a new, 16 week belly sight:
11 weeks
16 weeks
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