Friday, February 24, 2006
Cereal, the Olympics & a 40+ inch waist?
Everyone talks about how they have these bizarre cravings during pregnancy. The book even mentions that some women crave things like dirt and tree bark. (what??!) But this baby is simple. Throughout this pregnancy, I've craved four basic flavors - cinnamon, cereal, milk and raisins. We go through about 4 gallons of milk every week! Last night, I spent another night watching the Olympics from 2am - 6am. This is the new routine for me. Bed at 11, wake up at 2 and camp out on the couch....thank God for the Olympics this month. There is nothing else to watch from 2 to 6am. I am convinced this is God's way of preparing me for sleepless nights. My inability to sleep is caused by a number of things - back or tailbone pain, a baby that kicks me all night, heartburn, leg pain, and/or a lot of extra energy. I am quickly realizing that the standard 8 hours of sleep I used to get is not as necessary as I thought. I handle myself fine during the day after 3 hours of sleep...although I think Todd would disagree. Today he told me to go take a nap because, "...everything's bothering you..." I chose to appreciate his concern instead of crying that he "...just doesn't understand..." He's also started to laugh at me when I walk into the living room. He says, "You are starting to look uncomfortable..." I guess I've begun the pregnancy waddle. Today at work, the ladies at lunch were laughing at me b/c I was sitting so far from the table. Yesterday, I underestimated my girth and rammed my belly into the door. That was embarrassing. I measured my waist today and it's 42 inches around! How will I ever fit into my old clothes? I'm not complaining...I know it's all worth it because this little baby is growing, moving and thriving - Thank God!!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Lessons in Labor & Delivery
We took a Labor & Delivery Class with hopes to learn about the whole "birthing" process. They taught us breathing exercises, labor positions, and lots of "What to Expect" at each stage of labor. They also showed a video of some normal birthing procedures including c-section, natural birth, epidural, etc.
I guess Todd and I learned how immature we still are. When we saw the placenta being pulled from the woman's body, we both said, "Whoa" and looked at each other in shock. Neither of us realized how big that thing is. I mean, at least I knew it was large - I was picturing something the size of a liver...but poor Todd - he was imagining a carrot-sized little thing.
When we looked at each other, we lost it and started laughing like 6th graders during sex ed class. There were 12 other people in the classroom, and we were causing a disturbance. I realized our laughter was not subsiding and our immaturity was annoying some people, so I left the room before we got kicked out. It took us the rest of the day to stop laughing about it. Wow...what a shocker that was.
At the end of the class, the teacher gave each new dad a "product" that is commonly used post-partum. Things like breast pumps, hemorrhoid cream, formula, etc. Todd was handed a large ziploc bag full of the largest Maxi pads I've ever seen. I mean, they don't sell these in stores. They were industrial, hospital-sized....these pads would fit a woman from her belly button to her mid-back. Very large.
Each new dad was supposed to give an explanation as to what the product was used for. When it was Todd's turn, the teacher pulled one of those hefty pads out of the bag and handed it to him. He says, "I don't know what the technical name is for these things...but I think they're some kind of maxi pad or something." He was holding it with his index finger and thumb - kinda like you'd hold a dead fish.
Needless to say, we learned a lot and had some fun. And I guess it's good we saw the videos, otherwise, when the day comes....Todd may have fallen out on the floor seeing that non-carrot-sized placenta come out of me.
I guess Todd and I learned how immature we still are. When we saw the placenta being pulled from the woman's body, we both said, "Whoa" and looked at each other in shock. Neither of us realized how big that thing is. I mean, at least I knew it was large - I was picturing something the size of a liver...but poor Todd - he was imagining a carrot-sized little thing.
When we looked at each other, we lost it and started laughing like 6th graders during sex ed class. There were 12 other people in the classroom, and we were causing a disturbance. I realized our laughter was not subsiding and our immaturity was annoying some people, so I left the room before we got kicked out. It took us the rest of the day to stop laughing about it. Wow...what a shocker that was.
At the end of the class, the teacher gave each new dad a "product" that is commonly used post-partum. Things like breast pumps, hemorrhoid cream, formula, etc. Todd was handed a large ziploc bag full of the largest Maxi pads I've ever seen. I mean, they don't sell these in stores. They were industrial, hospital-sized....these pads would fit a woman from her belly button to her mid-back. Very large.
Each new dad was supposed to give an explanation as to what the product was used for. When it was Todd's turn, the teacher pulled one of those hefty pads out of the bag and handed it to him. He says, "I don't know what the technical name is for these things...but I think they're some kind of maxi pad or something." He was holding it with his index finger and thumb - kinda like you'd hold a dead fish.
Needless to say, we learned a lot and had some fun. And I guess it's good we saw the videos, otherwise, when the day comes....Todd may have fallen out on the floor seeing that non-carrot-sized placenta come out of me.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Let the countdown begin...
67 days left. Lil'E is supposed to arrive on April 25. He's really not that "Lil'" though. Todd tries to figure out which body part is pressed forward on my belly - I'm worried it's his head and Todd's just poking him over and over...but it could be his bottom...we can't tell yet. So far pregnancy has been ok. I'm definitely not one of those women who would describe pregnancy as the "best they ever felt" - sometimes I wonder if they've just forgotten how they really felt the whole time. But, I can't complain. I have been blessed with a mildly easy 7 months. Let's hope that continues. The books say that some women lose 3-5 % of their brain functioning during pregnancy. Todd says I've lost more than 5%. Poor guy. Every day he's wondering where his sweet wife went. Every day I'm wondering where my feet went. Well, hopefully this will be a fun way for you to be informed of our happenings. We look forward to hearing from you as well!!