Friday, September 14, 2007

Running Scared!

Okay. I'll admit it. I'm a baby when I think about the whole labor/delivery process. I can honestly say that I'm not scared of anything-heights, spiders, snakes, dogs, the dark (lol), skydiving, the ocean, even pain in general I generally do well. Now, I am scared. I don't really know why. The odds of something going drastically wrong and losing our little girl are not even the issue. I honestly don't know what it is. Maybe it's fear of the unknown. I've never even seen someone in labor or giving birth so maybe that's the difference. Do I talk t my doctor and ask questions? Yes. Do talk to other mothers? Yes. Do I read evey book and magazine to be well informed? Yes. Do I talk to Chris? Absolutely. The only thing left in my mind to help relax a bit is take some childbirth classes.

Now some people say it was beneficial for them and others say it's a waste of time but I can tell you that I felt better even after just attending one class. It wasn't really that I learned some huge peice of factual information or the commraderie that was there....I guess it was just everything. Maybe it was also that the instructor is also a yoga and massage professional so she brings a calmness to the room. It was also nice to hear some of the other women say they too were also scared or nervous so I didn't feel so abnormal!

All was going okay until near the end when I started feeling sick for some reason. We were just practicing some relaxation breathing when I couldn't get my breathing under control and literally ran from the room. So instead of breathing easy I was getting sick in a hospital bathroom. I went this whole 7 months w/o getting sick and now twice within a week! (I also got sick on the way home from the fair on Friday night for no apparent reason). Something tells me the last two months are going to make up for a relatively easy 7!

So anyway, I'm looking forward to the next 4 classes because they should get more in depth and information. The last is a tour of the birthing area and such (which I've unfortunately already seen!).

I guess I should get back to work now.... :)

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Checkup

It seems silly that I have to go back two days later but I did. I gained 5 ounces in two days...hee hee. That just sounds funny to me. Don't mind me. I'm in a good mood because I really like the doctor I saw and everything looks very good! I'm measuring at exactly 30 weeks, which means my weight and that of the baby is on target. It's absolutely insane to think that I have a three pound baby inside me (more than half the weight of a bag of sugar!) and that she is about 17 inches long! I still wonder if it's hit me...

I was also told that my next visit (2 weeks) will be when we start to go over pre-registration for the hospital and birth plan and such. Crazy! 10 weeks feels like a long time but then again, not really. I don't want to deliver early but you do have to be prepared! Speaking of, we just need to paint the baby's room and then we are pretty much there...ready for the baby to move in! We've done a lot around the house with regards to cleaning and organizing because I'm sure it won't get done with an infant around!

So I saw a woman my age in the waiting room with me today that was 37 weeks...she looked phenomenal! I truly don't think I've ever seen anyone carry so well! Posture, figure, glow-everything! I give that woman all the credit in the world because even though i know I'm not doing too bad, she puts most pregnant woman to shame! I mentioned it to my doctor and she went on to say that most pregnant women gain 45-55 pounds from what she's seen. Insane! Ideally, it should be 25-35 depending on what you weighed before. I was put closer to 35 which is probably about where I'll be.

Oh! In case you're wondering about names that we've thought about or maybe even decided on, it's a secret! :) We had to keep something a secret!

Not to go off on tangets or anything but as I was dropping Chloe off at school this morning, she burst out with, "I love my little sister already!". That was one of the most awesome things I've ever heard...right on up there with when Chris told me for the first time that he was in love with me!!!

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Scare

So I'm a pretty "give it to me straight and don't beat around the bush" kind of person. This being the case, my body tells me when I'm overdoing in not-so-subtle ways as well.

Chris worked on 2nd shift all week and it was a three-day weekend so I was able to get soooo much done! Bad idea. Thuursday I started cleaning out the old office/new nursery of old computers, tools, etc, and decided to bring everything upstairs to the spare room/new office. I didn't really over do it, but probably not the best idea. Then Friday night, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, I really didn't take ANY time to just relax and being 30 weeks along now, I probably should have.

Late Monday afternoon I noticed some spotting at which point I ceased any activity and kinda relaxed. I didn't say anything to anyone because I didn't want to upset anyone if it didn't mean anything. I figured it might just be a one-time fluke thing. Well, Teusday afternoon I noticed more and that combined with being really tired, feeling like crap, and more contractions than normal, I figured I should call the doctor. They wanted to see me right away and did a quick examination before sending me over to the hospital for some monitoring. Which meant another two hours of laying down hooked up to a contraction monitor while they ran a couple of test. My cervix remained closed (thank God!) but they weren't too fond of the frequency and intensity of the contractions. I wasn't about to go into labor or anything but I was given a stern speech by by doctor to start taking it easy and watching for signs of overdoing it. My response was "but it's not like I'm moving furniture around the house". Her reply was that it's not necessarily the extent of the physical activity but that I need to take time and just start to relax and spend time not doing anything no matter how easy or light the activity may be...that my body needs more rest. Well, fine. So as instructed by her AND the man of the house, I came home, started reading, and fell asleep for the night...man that felt so awesome!

Friday, August 24, 2007

Checkup

It's always an interesting gamble when I step on that scale in the office. 2 pounds in the last two weeks! Doing good as long as we keep it to one pound a week! I'm measuring right where I should be for 28 weeks...third trimester! Whoo hoo! Both of are looking good and I love hearing her heartbeat! Between her heartbeat in the 150's consistenly and her NON-STOP kicking, I think we have quite the active tomboy on our hands! Is it true that if you were a terror for your parents than you'll be "blessed" with the same? If so, I hope Chris knows that we are soooo in for an adventure! Chloe...we're gonna need you help big sister!

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Jaime's Wedding

So last night Chris and I attended my friend Jaime's wedding. This is the same friend who's bachelorette party in Montreal I missed because I was pregnant (I didn't think Canadian bars were too appropriate), and the shower I was 2 blocks from when I cracked up my car. I was praying that I could at least make it to the wedding!

We should up late (of course) because neither of us are EVER on time anywhere but lucky for us the bride was stuck in traffic. Hee hee! We sat at a table with two other couples, both of which were our age (late 20's) and recently each had a baby. It was reassuring to see that both new moms looked great! (Sorry, still slightly hung up on the weight thing). However, I'm glad I was glad I persuaded by Chris that a glass of wine in fornt of me wasn't a good idea with all the peole around. I only wanted a few sips! needless to say, in random conversation both couple were apalled that anyone would consider even a drop of red wine while pregnant. In my opinion, it's a perfect example of being narrow minded and ignorant. I felt like saying that "Drs. have perscribed a glass of red wine for very painful Braxton-Hicks contractions as a muscle relaxer for the uterus" and " but oh well. It really wasn't a big deal but I think I'll keep my half-a-glass theory to myself! It was these same girls that thought I should be sitting down and not out dancing on the dance floor to Justin Timberlake and Vanilla Ice! Bizzarre since it was theses same girls were the ones coommenting over and over how great I look for being 6 months pregnant and barely showing (I was wearing a regular dress-no maternity).

I guess I'm just surprised for the ultra-conservativeness of 20-somethings.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Checkup

Yesterday I had a checkup that left me in a waterfall of tears. It sounds silly now that I tell it but at the time I was so upset!

So in the last 2 weeks I have gained 4 pounds. Doesn't sound like much but since I've already gained 20 and I am only half-way there, the Dr. laid into me about watching what I eat, portions, etc. or she'll refer me to a dietician because I have the potential to gain a total of over 50 pounds! Now I have never been overweight but did have a couple of extra pouds in my drinking days; however, I eat healthy virtually ALL of the time! Except ice-cream :)- I even told her that my diet that day consist of all-natural peanut butter on whole grain toast, an apple, yogurt, and water and I was told that I should have cut the sandwich in half. The appointment was at 4:00 mind you! Should I strave myself! Dear Lord! I was freaked out that not only would I gain 50 pounds but that my baby would be a 10-pounder and I'd have gestational diabetes.

I have been pretty good about not being overly emotional during pregnancy but this sent me over the edge and I called Chris in hysterics. He brought me back to center saying that she was crazy, I still look good, and it's not like something was discoverd wrong with our little girl. The latter kinda put me in check but I couldn't make her words go away. He made me prmoise to eat!

In the end, I guess being 145 pounds at almost 6 months pregnant isn't too bad and as long as she looks good from every checkup and still kicks me like crazy, I should be an extrememly happy mom-to-be!

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Our Trip

Okay, the trip out was horrendous! Not only did we get delayed at Bradley because of storms down south, but when we got to Charlotte, we were delayed yet again. Sitting in airports AND pregnant is not pleasant and heartburn wasn't exactly making it any easier! We didn't get into Vegas until 2:00AM Vegas time...5 hours late! Needless to say we missed our connection and was told our flight would leave at 930AM. Great. Splurge on a hotel room? Nope! Rent a locker, throw our carryon stuff inside (yes, including my dress) and hit the strip! We were totally up for it but by the time we got down there ate breakfast at a casino, and walked around a bit, we were beat. Not to mention my feet we swollen beyond belief becasue it was 100 degrees. We vowed that we would go back! Around 6AM we headed back to the airport and met up with a lady from our flight. It didn't feel like 6AM and we have been awake at this point for 27 hours so why not hit up the bar at the airport? I took advantage of the free refills of Sprite...aren't ya jealous? :) We got to Seattle, met up with his bro and crashed at his house, 36 hours of adrenaline later!

Seattle was gorgeous though and yes, we had sun virtually ALL week! I know...bizzarre for Seattle right? I even managed to get some golf in at the range! We surpirsed his parents and picked up Chloe and spent the week visiting his brother and his girlfriend, his parents, his grandmother, Cory (his childhood friend, and taking in downtown Seattle, Pike Place, Seattle Center (amuesment park), and some beautiful state parks! The week was topped off with the wedding...

Yep...we did it! We got married in Seattle on Saturday (the 4th)! We decided to keep it a low-key affair by having the ceremony in Washington. Baby Girl Johnson will be born out here so we kept the two big events in our lives split evenly between the coasts! :) Chris was quite the stud in his tux and he was joined by his brother and childhood friend. Chloe was a little princess in her dress and was all smiles! Me and Baby Girl Johnson fit nicely into my dress which was quite the surprise since I actually gained weight...redistribution? Anyway...the weather was perfect, the location beautiful! We had the ceremony at sunset at a park overlooking the Puget Sound, a marina, and the Olympic mountain range.

All in all, the trip was great but it's nice to be back also. I missed my "special needs" puppy! :) Now it's time to start preping the house for girl #2!