Week 31

Date/Week: November 10; week 31 (6 weeks (42 days) to C/S)

Total weight gain/loss: -.25 (total gained 21.75lbs)

Milestones: Our c-section date is now official! I also had to have 2 steroid shots - one on the 9th and the other today. So it looks like we're set for any eventuality. I also had a lovely baby shower on Nov 6th and I passed my oGTT!!! In non-baby related organization, we ordered our Christmas tree!

Physical Progress: We got the maternity pics and even though I think I looked pretty much like me my mom said that my face is fatter. 

Symptoms: feet and calf cramps; today I got a stitch in my side that hurt like hell ; dry nose; stuffed up nose; heartburn; mild siatica; nausea; fatigue

How do I feel about my body: I'm feeling tired a lot and have really started to take it easier in my work and activities. It is weird to do so much less but I guess it is preparation for other changes that are going to be taking place in the coming weeks. I really do miss my energy though...

Food cravings/aversions: I haven't really been craving anything this week. I can't do milk anymore... 


Sleep: What's sleep????

Energy level: What's energy???

Exercise: walking - well, trying to go walking; prenatal yoga

Baby Movement: I constantly have extra lumps because sproglet seems to be stretching and exploring a lot. He seems to like to play 'poke daddy' when Aidan rests his hands on my belly. 

Thoughts and Feelings? Going to the hospital over the last two days has been a little mind blowing - it's happening soon! I've now been in the 'admitting room twice and the next time I go should be for pre-op. I really need to get things in order...

What I am looking forward to: holiday events starting with a ball on Saturday night; working towards milestone #3 (Nov 17) and #4 (Dec 15); spa afternoon on November 21; decorating for Christmas; finishing up the nursery; finalising my birth plan.

Maternity Photos

I received the maternity photographs today. Still don't know what to do with the 4 prints... I haven't been able to find the type of frame I was thinking about for 4 5x7s. In any case, we're pretty happy with the photos. I'm now really looking forward to the newborn photo shoot. I know I've posted the link to the In Harmony Portraits website but I haven't posted the link to the blog, which is In A Delightful Way.

That said, here are our photos, here is the link to our photos and one photo that I really like:

Week 30 Doctor's Appt

Today was doctor's appointment day. I now know why I don't like having the first appointment of the day - we always seem to get there before the office opens and then have to wait around for someone to get there. Added to that, I have more time to work myself up into a state. This morning we were 30 minutes early. Thankfully Aidan took me to get a newspaper and a donut for afterwards. By the time we got back to the office, someone had arrived and we read the newspaper in the waiting room until we were called.


It turned out to be our 'decision-making' appointment. We're officially delivering in Bermuda on December 22nd! Dec 29th isn't an option because the hospital isn't taking any elective surgeries that week since Dec 27 & 28 are holidays (observing Christmas and Boxing Days) and plus my doctor will be in the US with his family that week. I lost weight (only 1/4 lb) and my BP was ok but definitely higher than it was over the last 2 weeks of testing at home. I thought I was home free for 2 weeks until he said that I need to go to the hospital for the series of 2 steroid shots to mature sproglet's lungs, just to be safe in any situation. And to do that, I'd have to go over to the hospital... today and again tomorrow. So I got my appointment card for 2 weeks hence and we were off to the hospital.

The registration desks are located next to the emergency area of the hospital so it has a tendency to be pretty busy. We had to wait in line for me to check in - and no, the yoga breathing wasn't helping any! I had to have my paperwork processed twice because the first set had me going into emergency to be seen... I was not amused! The second set of documentation was correct so we quickly went up to the Maternity Ward, were buzzed in and taking to the admitting section of the ward. I received instruction on what they were going to do - a shot to my backside and I would need to come back for a 2nd shot the same time tomorrow. There was some confusion over the time (the ward clocks had not been shifted back to reflect daylight savings time) but it didn't stop the shot from being given. And boy, did that thing sting. Aidan said it was because I moved - well I'm sorry, I am not good with needles! She wanted to then take my blood pressure but we convinced her otherwise. Once she understood that I had an interesting case of white coat fever she said it was probably for the best since they would have kept me there until the levels were ok (like that would have happened).

So after tomorrow morning's shot, my next appointment is Nov 23rd and perhaps we'll then go weekly until 'Eviction Day'. Aidan and I are feeling a bit stunned - the countdown is for real. We have some significant stuff to sort out in the coming weeks. And silly us, we're actually contemplating holding our annual Open House on Dec 18th since... we'll see.

Baby Shower

Saturday was Baby Shower Day! While I was looking forward to it, I was also really nervous. I had no idea how I would handle a shower since I've never really been a shower type of girl - I even managed to avoid having a bridal shower! Added to my nervousness, I hadn't had much sleep thanks to my frequent loo trips. So when Aidan drove me over to his mom's house, I was hoping for the best.

Well, it was the best and then some. Emily, Aidan's mom and my mom put together a very comfortable and enjoyable tea party. The food was superb - finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, banana bread and a lovely red velvet cake made by Jeane. There was also punch and tea - and I made sure that I had a bit of everything - YUM! The food was amazing but the guests made me so happy. I was overjoyed to see family members and friends from all aspects of my life. I tried to catch up with as many people as possible. I couldn't stop smiling because it was great to have everyone around me.

Emily had a scrapbook that people were writing advice and best wishes. She put the pages in the book at the end and it is such a lovely keepsake. I also had a guestbook that they recorded the gifts to help me with the thank you cards. The gifts were lovely- granted, I will have to figure out what to do with some of them. I guess that's par of the learning curve of this whole journey. And then came the most amazing part of the afternoon - my Aunt had flown in from Georgia as a surprise!!! My mom didn't even know she was coming. I was so shocked and happy and just burst into happy tears. I can't even describe how wonderful it was to have her there!

I am just so grateful for such wonderful family and friends and to have everyone share in this event. I couldn't have planned a better event.

Week 30

Date/Week: November 3; week 30 (7 weeks (49 days) to C/S)

Total weight gain/loss: 

Milestones: [B] We've made it to 30 weeks and I am not overseas, not on bed rest and sproglet is still inside of me!!! Believe me, there was a time at the beginning when I was afraid that I wouldn't see this week without it being associated with adversity. I am so grateful to have gotten this far, this mobile and this happy.

We also participated in a maternity photo shoot last Thursday and selected images last night. And we've booked (and paid for) the newborn photo shoot (8 weeks away!) 

I had the oGTT last week and hope the results will be good. I'm also on iron supplements (3x per day) and it has been interesting getting used to them. And we put the crib together to see what it will look like. Now we need to sort out the rest of the room. Perhaps we'll do that during the Nov 11th holiday after the parade.

Physical Progress: I feel like my proportions are a bit better. Looking at the photo shoot proofs, I was stunned to see so much belly but in comparison to other pictures in the studio, everything works well together. No, my legs and arms are not as streamlined as they ordinarily are but they do not show excess weight either. My face is a bit more filled out though.

Symptoms: feet and calf cramps; occasional soreness in the pelvic area ; dry nose; stuffed up nose; heartburn; mild siatica; nausea; fatigue

How do I feel about my body: I am actively trying to savour the experience of having sproglet moving so much. I try to stop, particularly at work, and pay attention to what he is doing. Using the hiccups as a direction, I think I know where his head, butt and feet are located. Aidan also has been in awe over the movement, particularly in the morning before we get up. He is amazed at how much he moves.

Food cravings/aversions: pears, peaches and french toast 


Sleep: Still getting up about every two hours to go to the loo (a blessing and a curse); thankfully it's getting cooler; dreams are getting vivid again; I'm up pretty much at 4.30am and can't get back to a restful sleep... I did a lot of napping over the weekend to try to catch up on some rest

Energy level: I'm slower and I am coming to terms with that. I know I need to slow down as it is if I want to get through the next 7 weeks. My goal is to work up until the end (we'll see if that is realistic over the next month or so...)

Exercise: prenatal yoga; highland dancing warm-ups and teaching; water aerobics; walking

Baby Movement: He loves to move to sounds so I think I may download an instrumental Christmas album for him to enjoy for the holiday season (Aidan also needs to put together a classical music ipod that will be used for him). I think he's going to be one of those children that is always moving - which is no surprise because both of us were like that too.

Thoughts and Feelings? I'm trying to work on the dissonance between being excited about sproglet almost being here and my fear of being in the hospital. While I know that it will be (i) a positive experience, (ii) a festive time and (iii) full of mental and physical support from family and friends, I am just trying to get over the things that I know that I do not like about hospitals. I just keep praying that all goes well and we're released at the lower end of the average time a person is in the hospital for a c-section.

On a positive note, I am very excited that the holiday season is starting. It will aid in my continued positive feelings, particularly when the music and lights kick in...

What I am looking forward to: baby shower on Nov 6; holiday events ; working towards milestone #3 (Nov 17) and #4 (Dec 15); spa afternoon on November 21; ordering our Christmas tree (have to do that by Nov 12)!!!

What am I reading / things I’m learning: Reading about c-sections, both from books and other's experiences. Need to therefore plan what will be in my downstairs "nest" to aid in my c-section recovery.

Week 29

Date/Week: October 27; week 29 (8 weeks (56 days) to C/S)

Total weight gain/loss: +3 (+22 lbs total)

Milestones: [B] Set-up the local shower registries. I also ha my milestone #2 treat - an afternoon at the spa. The reiki was amazing. I have a feeling that I'll be doing the massage/reiki for milestone #4. Finally, it appears we have a c-section date - December 22nd. Now we can focus on working towards that goal - plus we get to order our Christmas Tree now that we have a date!

Physical Progress: I'm still 'neat' even as the belly gets larger... 

Symptoms: feet and calf cramps; soreness in the pelvic area ; dry nose and nosebleeds; heartburn; mild siatica; nausea; leakage from the bbs and even more the regions below (I swear, I should buy stock in pantiliners...)

How do I feel about my body: I go back and forth between being in awe over the movements that I am feeling and frustration over my physical limitations and the pain. I often wonder what normal feels like. I also wonder if I will forget what it feels like to have someone moving inside of you.

Food cravings/aversions: cheese and crackers 


Sleep: between being kicked, having the white cat sleeping on me and running to the loo many times a night, I miss what it feels like to have a proper night's sleep. I would love to sleep in and actually sleep and feel rested at the end of it.

Energy level: I have energy for maybe 1/2 of the day. If I don't rest, I feel like I am falling apart. Weekends are tough because I am used to just going and going until everything is done and at the moment I can't do that.

Exercise: prenatal yoga; highland dancing I'm not jumping - really!); walking

Baby Movement: In addition to the kicking, he is also moving about and pushing his body parts out all over the place. Sometimes it startles me and sometimes it even tickles. When I am at work it is weird to feel so much movement while I am sitting still. Aidan is enjoying feeling the movement.

Thoughts and Feelings? I'm happy to have a c-section date but I am a little disappointed that I'll probably be in the hospital for Christmas. Aidan and I have discussed it and we know we'll make the best of it. Ultimately, it is the best Christmas present that anyone could have given us and we're just grateful to be experiencing this at such an amazing time of the year. And yes, the Christmas Season kicks off in our house after Guy Fawkes (Nov 5th) this year - and I plan to enjoy every second of it!

What I am looking forward to: doing the maternity shots with Aidan on October 28; baby shower on Nov 6; 4 holiday events between Nov 13 and Dec 9th (I have 3 dresses and they all look pretty good thus far); working towards milestone #3 (Nov 17) and #4 (Dec 15)!!!

What am I reading / things I’m learning: Reading about the oGTT since I have to take it on Oct 28th. I need to learn how to do the front wrap cross carry (fwcc) for my Didymos woven wrap and how to tie the knot on the rebozo.

Looks Like We Have A Date...

Doctor's appointment was good. It looks like I'll be having the c-section on December 22 at 37 weeks (he wanted to push me to full-term, which I expected he would do). December 29th is option #2 but he thinks he may be off Island for that date. He's consulting with my pediatrician and the high-risk OB in Boston and I will most likely end up receiving steroids for lung development in the lead up to that date. In any case, it looks like I'll be delivering at home but I may not be home for Christmas).