*Navalgazing* Reflections at 41 Weeks Pregnant

We're still here.

I'm still pregnant.

This week was tougher than I expected it to be.  Physically things are difficult, and only continue to get more difficult, but beyond that, emotionally I been a bit of a mess. 

People, understandably, keeps asking if Sprout has arrived yet.  We've said we will keep everyone updated, but there are still calls and emails daily.  While I appreciate that we're in peoples' thoughts, it's also a constant reminder that we are still waiting. 

I'm not able to get around easily, so I've mostly been at home, wondering when/if I am going to go into labour.  I try to distract myself.  The reminders don't make that any easier. 

Last night she didn't seem to be moving around as much as usual.  I said something to Jen about it and she asked if things were okay.  That got me worrying that they weren't.  I ended up sitting up in bed, in tears, hands on my belly waiting for some of the big kicks that she usually gives me in the evenings.  Eventually she did, but I was a mess waiting for them.  Thoughts of a long-time family friend who's son was stillborn at full term kept running through my head.  I wondered if I should be calling the midwife or going to the hospital or having an ultrasound just to make sure things were okay.  I worry that she would be better off outside than in, at this point.  I worry about the cord wrapping around her neck.  I worry that she'll grow to large for me to have a vaginal birth. 

I talked to my midwife and she agreed to an induction on the 27th.  I don't really want to be induced, but they would do it by the 30th anyway.  And I feel ready to meet this little one now.  I am confident that she is grown and developed and that those three extra days would not make a difference to that.  I also don't feel like those three days would make the difference of NOT needing the induction.  Plus, Jen's parents were going to stay until the 26th and then come back for the 30th.  That seemed silly.  With the induction scheduled for the 27th they'll just stay here until after the birth.  I feel better not worrying about them travelling 6+ hours to and fro on winter roads. 

Accupuncture this week was slightly more painful that in has been.  I probably won't make any more appointments.  The 24th and 26th would be the two days my accupuncturist is available and I already have a midwife appointment on the 24th.  I feel like if the accupuncture were going to make the baby come, it would have happened by now, though I do still hope it's helped my body prepare.  My midwife suggested inserting the Evening Primrose Oil and perhaps trying Castor Oil, but I think I'll just be to disappointed to have put myself through the discomfort if it turns out that those methods don't help.  So basically I've decided to just wait.  I'll keep taking my EPO and homeopathics,  I'll try to walk when/if I feel up to it, but I'm not going to start anything else. 

Please continue to send all your baby-come-soon thoughts out to the universe on our behalf. 

One way or another she will be here with us by next week. 

And we'll keep you updated.  Promise. 

41 week belly:

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 40(+2) Weeks Pregnant

This will be a very quick update as a wolf down a sandwich and get ready to go to my accupuncture and midwife appointments. 

 

I was hoping that I wouldn't be making this update, that we would have a birth announcement to post by this time, but here we are, still waiting. 

 

I continue to grow more and more impatient.  I worry about going to 42 weeks and being induced --something I'm sure my midwife will be discussing with me today.  I continue to become increasinly uncomfortable.  The Braxton Hicks seem to have increased in both frequency and intensity.  Not enough to believe that they are "real" contractions, but enough for me to now wince and have to sit down.  I feel bad that I can't be more productive.  I especially miss being able to play with The Bean the way I would like to in the evenings.  (Evenings are worse.)  But again, there's not much that can be done. 

 

On a lighter note, Jen and I went out for what will likely be our last pre-Sprout date on Saturday night.  Our favourite band, the band that brought us together, is on tour supporting another larger band.  The show that they had scheduled here was cancelled because the lead singer of the other band was sick, so they quickly booked their own headlining show.  It was my due date, so we didn't have tickets to the original show, but with no signs of imminent labour, we bought tickets to the last-minute show.  It was awesome.  We haven't seen them since Jen was pregnant with The Bean.  Sprout kicked up a storm so we figure she either loves them or hates them, but being in this family, I'm sure it's the former. :)  We got to go backstage afterwards and the girls wished us well, telling us it's likely they'll be back soon, perhaps with a family-friendly show scheduled.  We'll be looking forward to it almost as much as Sprout's arrival.

 

Here's the (huge) 40(+1) week belly:

 

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 39(+2) Weeks Pregnant

(Potenially) less than a week to go! 

My goodness.  That is both exciting and slightly terrifying! 

I am very much looking forward to meeting this little one and holding her in my arms soon.  The "unknowns" of delivery are the part that I am finding slightly terrifying.  I am really trying to stay calm and hope for the best, but I am worried about pain both during and after.  I am sure it will all work out, and perhaps it's best not to know exactly what will happen beforehand, but I am so Type A that not knowing is difficult. 

Everything is pretty much ready to go.  Our bags are packed and waiting in the co-sleeper.  The carseat is in the car.  (Though it will have to be replaced as the missing stickers make it illegal even though it is perfectly safe.)  I picked up the antibiotics I will need during labour. 

I have a midwife appointment this afternoon and am following it up with a visit to the accupuncturist.  We'll see if that gets the ball rolling at all.  I have another appointment for accupuncture on Wednesday and will also book one for Saturday, if nothing has happened by then. 

The baby is really starting to feel big.  She still moves around a lot, especially in the evenings, but I can tell she's running out of space in there.  I'm pretty uncomfortable and am finding it increasingly difficult to get around, plus I tire a lot more easily than I ever have.  I guess that's to be expected.  I'm also pretty puffy, especially if I've been up and about a lot that day.  Sleeping is difficult, though I'm quite tired most nights.  I'm glad to have such a relaxed schedule right now, though I keep finding things to add to the "To Do" list.  I'm trying to take the attitude of what gets done, gets done, but I hope that most of things on the list do get done before I go into labour.  (Dusting our bedroom, washing The Bean's diapers, another big grocery shop, a few last minute gifts to pick up...) 

Of course, chances are I'll still be hanging out here on the 29th saying the same things.  Right? 

Here's the belly photo from yesterday (39+1):

     

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 38(+1) Weeks Pregnant

Getting there! 

I'm happy to say that it's starting to feel like the end is in sight.  I'm eager to meet our little girl and, as I've said before, ready to not be pregnant anymore, though I'm sure there are aspects of it I will miss.

This week was slightly better than the past few.  My rib wasn't giving me as much pain.  I think the baby may have dropped a bit, as I've been feeling slightly less heartburn.  I even got a few stretches where I was able to sleep 3 hours at a time vs. the 1.5-2 I was averaging before.

The midwife did her home visit on Tuesday and all went well.  She prescribed an alternative antibiotic for me to use during labour because of the GBS.  I tried taking it to the local pharmacy to have filled, but it looks like I may have to go to a hospital pharmacy.  She also did a urine test because of my UTI suspicion, but so far I haven't received any results from her.  In the mean time, I've been drinking lots of water and cranberry juice, hoping that it clears up quickly.  I'm not sure that it is. 

We got a bunch of our baby gear back from my sister yesterday, and are starting to set things up in preparation for Sprout's arrival.  We had loaned her our infant carseat and she returned it without the Canadian compliance sticker, which poses what we consider to be a pretty big issue, especially with all the border-crossing we do.  She doesn't know what happened to it so now we're left trying to contact the manufacturer to see if they can reissue a sticker to us.  I really hope they can.  I hate to have to buy a new carseat just because the sticker came off.  (Who knows how, those things are IMPOSSIBLE to remove.)  Otherwise everything seems pretty good. 

The Bean is napping right now, and if I want to get my nap in I should get going!  I have another appointment tomorrow, but I suspect everything will still be status quo. 

Here's the belly shot for this week (taken yesterday).  Jen and I were looking back through the photos and there is such a HUGE difference from Week 5 that it's almost impossible to believe that they're both me.  I wonder if I'll ever look like Week 5 me again...

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 37 Weeks Pregnant

37 weeks! 

I have officially reached "full term".  (Though I think my FIL was quite confused this morning when I said that, and must have thought they had made a mistake with the due date if I was full term now.  Fortunately my MIL was able to explain.) 

Okay, so I am really feeling ready to have this baby.  Not that we're prepared at all.  Most of the baby gear is still at my sister's waiting to make it's way back to us.  But really, what do we need?  The carseat for sure, and the co-sleeper would be good to have, but someone could surely pick that stuff up if I were to go into labour, say, right now. 

Also, I think we're in agreement on a first choice of name and a few back-ups, so we really are ready! ;) 

Another visit to the chiro helped sort out some back issues earlier this week.  Unfortunately, last night the rib started hurting again, so I'm thinking there will be another visit before Sprout makes her appearance.  My hips haven't been bothering me much, but I wouldn't object to having them adjusted as well.  

Then there's my arm.  It's been at least a week, maybe slightly longer, that I've been experiencing numbness/tingling in my right middle and ring fingers.  I was crocheting when I first noticed it and thought I must be holding the hook in a funny way, but it's been off and on (mostly on, in varrying degrees) since then.  After checking things out on Google, I believe it's probably carpal tunnel syndrome, which I read can happen because the water you retain can increase pressure on the nerves.  Nice, right?  As if being swollen weren't annoying enough.  And yes, I've been feeling rather puffy these days.  My feet moreso than my hands, but at least I can feel my toes, even if they do look rather sausage-like. 

Sleep is becoming increasingly difficult.  I seem to be up about every two hours to go to the washroom and/or adjust my position.  I know it's probably not true, but I feel like I'll be better rested AFTER the baby is born. 

Oh, and I think I may have UTI.  But then again, maybe it's just that I have a bladder the size of a peanut. 

I am telling myself that I just need to hang in there for another few weeks, but if I go late I think I may cry.

This week I will start the teas and oils and other labour-inducers.  Not that I expect them to make a big difference, but at least I'll feel like I'm doing something. 

Come on baby girl... Mama is getting impatient! 

Photo from 37 (+1) weeks:

Oh yeah, just one more thing: I must be looking like I'm ready because I at least a half dozen strangers this week asked me when I was due. 

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 36 (+2) Weeks Pregnant

Again, a fairly uneventful week.  

I got out a few times, which was really nice, but I can tell I don't have the stamina I did even a month ago.  On Thursday I did a lot of running around and then was EXHAUSTED (and BHy and swollen) by the evening.  I think one outting per day is enough right now.   I don't seem to have gotten that final burst of energy that I've heard people talk about.  Maybe when I do I'll finally get around to dusting the apartment. 

I'm up to weekly visits with the midwives now.  Today's visit went fine.  Everything continues to be on track.  Good blood pressure and FHR and all that stuff.  My midwife said something along the lines of being made to be pregnant, but I don't know that I agree.  I love babies and there are aspects of pregnancy that I have enjoyed and am sure to miss, but I'm also ready to be done and wouldn't necessarily be jumping at the chance to do this all again (not at this moment, anyway). 

I've got another chiro appointment tomorrow.  Same rib.  Before I doubted that it was baby-related, but I've noticed that the spot that seems to be hurting is right in line with where Sprout sticks her little bum out, so I wonder if she's pushing it out of place.  The regular appointments seem to be keeping the pain at a manageable level, and there are only a few weeks left, so hopefully the issue goes away after the birth. 

I'm feeling increased pressure and the midwife said Sprout has dropped slightly, so maybe she'll actually come on/before her due date...  This weekend (37w) I'll start with evening primrose oil and red raspberry leaf tea etc. and see what happens.  (My inclination is actually to think she'll be late.)

Photo taken at 36 (+1):

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 35 (+1) Weeks Pregnant

This was a quiet week.  My back still wan't feeling great and I mostly stayed home and didn't do much of anything aside from a little baking and cooking and a fair bit of napping.  By the end of the week I was feeling a bit stir crazy, but weekends are always busy and there are a few little things lined up for this week, so I expect that feeling will pass. 

Sprout continues to move around like crazy.  She seemed to shift from her usual left-lying position a few times this week, making me pretty uncomfortable, like she was trying to exit through the front of my stomach.  Things must be getting kind of cramped in there. 

I'm also starting to feel some pressure down low.  Not unbearable, but certainly not comfortable. 

We started setting stuff aside for our hospital bag this week.  We took SO MUCH to the hospital when The Bean was born.  I definitely think we'll be scaling back this time around.  Right now we have two sleepers and two outfits, plus a blanket, snowsuit and some diapers ready to pack up for Sprout.  This week I'll probably try to gather some toiletries and maybe some pajamas and warm socks for me and Jen, and make a list of other stuff we may want to pack closer to my due date.  I'm hoping we won't have to stay in the hospital long (we only stayed one night after The Bean was born, and he was born at almost 11pm) so we really shouldn't need much.  Things like books that are on the "what to bring to the hospital" lists were untouched, so this time we're trying to stick to essentials -clothing, toiletires, snacks and camera -is there anything we're missing?  

Just over a month until Sprout's arrival!  My FIL asked if I was anxious about the labour/delivery, and I'd have to say that I'm not really feeling too anxious about it at this point, just impatient! 

Here's the belly this week:

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 32(+2) Weeks Pregnant

I was reading Lex's blog and she got me thinking, I hope that these Navalgazing posts do not make it sound that I am anything less that thrilled that we are expecting another child.  I know I've complained of various aches and whatnot on here, but I am happy that I have those aches to complain about!  Well, at least what those aches are representative of. 

I truly feel for the many individuals and families that have struggled with TTC and hope that they are blessed with happy, healthy, gorgeous children whose presence makes their struggles to conceive seem entirely worthwhile.  I know Jen and I have been very lucky to have relatively uncomplicated TTC and pregnancy experiences. 

That said, I have been in absolute agony the past two days and in a good bit of pain for the better part of the week.  I think the issue is that I have a rib (or perhaps a few ribs) out.  Sitting on the couch was getting increasingly uncomfortable, as were car rides.  I was also feeling some discomfort on my front ribs, which I chalked up to baby girl growing, though she hasn't been kicking me near my ribs.  Anyway, yesterday things got really bad.  We were out on a neighbourhood walk with The Bean and I didn't think I'd be able to make it home.  Fortunately I did.  Jen gave me an amazing massage and we put on the TENS machine and then some Icy Hot before bed.  I managed to sleep through the night and woke up feeling much better, but still not great, so later today I am going to the chiropractor and for a quick massage.  I won't be surprised if follow-up appointments are in order, but hopefully this gets me headed back in right direction.  Not sure if there is a cause, beyond being pregnant, but I'm trying to watch my posture/gait. 

With all this going on the past few days, I hardly can think of anything else pregnancy-related to tell you about. 

Hopefully next week things are better!

Updated with a 32(+3) week photo:

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 31(+2) Weeks Pregnant

I guess I'm a little late it getting to this week's update (again).  There's really not too much new to report.  I had a midwife appointment this morning and things continue to progress as they should.  They drew blood to test my iron levels and I'm a little sore where I got poked.  I think I was spoiled by the expert lab techs at the fertility clinic. 

Just over two months to our due date seems a lifetime away, but I know the time between now and then will pass quickly.  It doesn't feel like there's a lot we need to do to prepare this time around, which I suppose is a good thing, but does leave me feeling slightly antsy.  Last week I sorted some of the newborn clothes into the dresser in the nursery and a portable Sterilite drawer thingy.  We plan on having Sprout room with us for the first several months, and so decided having some of her basics easily accessible would be a good idea.  We don't want to have to go into The Bean's room and disrupt his sleep if she spits up during the night. 

The past week has brought on some back pain.  I'm not sure if it's how I'm walking or how I'm sleeping or what, but I've been quite uncomfortable.  Heat patches and massages seem to help, but if it continues much longer I think I'll book a chiro appointment. 

I've been trying to think of the due date as being two and a half months away, rather than two, so that if I go late, I'm not too anxious about it.  I've also been trying to think of any aches and pains (back, leg, etc.) as good practice for labour.  Silly maybe, but there's really not much I can do to prepare myself for what I might feel then, and I figure practicing with these (comparitively little) pains now might help, though I haven't completely ruled out the idea of an epidural. 

A final note, I don't usually complain about family here (I think) but I have to say that my mother is driving me CRAZY asking us about the baby's name and offering unsolicitied advice on what both good and bad names for her would be.  As with The Bean, Jen and I are trying to agree on a short list that we'll be able to choose from once Sprout is born and I feel like we've made some progress finding names that we both like based on all our various criteria (now it sounds with middle and last name, how it sounds with The Bean's name, nickname options, overall popularity etc.)  I really don't appreciate my mother telling me that she hopes we'll use my Oma's name (we don't plan on it) or that we won't pick something like Jewel or Princess (also, not in the plans).  Ugh!  We've told her that there won't be any final decisions made until she's born, yet every time I see or talk to her our unborn child's name seems to be one of the first things she brings up.

Anyway, here's the 31(+2) week belly. 

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 30 Weeks Pregnant

Monday was my midwife appointment.  Everything continues to be fine.  I got back the results from my glucose screening.  They were well below the level where there would be any concern, which I was releived to find out.  Though I've limited myself, I have definitely craved sweets throughout a good bit of this pregnancy and even though I've been told my weight gain is fine, I have found it somewhat concerning to gain so much.  The past two weeks I only went up 1/2 a pound, so maybe it'll slow down for a little while now.  My blood pressure was still nice a low.  The baby's heartrate was about 150bpm and she was lying with her back curved to my left side. 

Monday afternoon I went down to one of the local universities that trains midwives, to volunteer.  They were looking for pregnant women for their second year midwifery students to practice palpations on.  I didn't have other plans for the day and I think it's really important for people to get hands on experience in their field.  When I was doing my teacher training, actually being in the classroom was what I found most valuable, and so I sort of thought of this as a way of giving back.  The students were super excited as this was their first experience working with actual pregnant women (there were four of us).  They took turns feeling for the baby's position, measuring fundal height, and looking for the heartbeat.  I was there for three hours and had about 30-someodd ladies poking at my belly.  It was fine, but by the end of it I was DONE.  I think Sprout was too.  She got pretty fiesty towards the end and kept kicking me on the way home. 

On Tuesday I kept the car so that I could go pick up some used baby clothes.  Back in the summer a lady had listed a bag of her daughter's old clothes for a very reasonable price.  We purchased them and were really happy after bringing them home and taking a closer look through them, so I told her if she wanted to contact us directly in the future, we would buy from her again.  So, I guess they were done with most of their summer stuff and she emailed to let me know she had another bag ready.  It was as great as the first one she gave us.  I'm really, really happy to have her as a contact.  Hopefully she'll continue to stay in touch.  Another friend came by to visit, and even though her daughter is seven, she dug up some little sleepers and outfits she had found from her baby days.  I'd say we're doing quite well! 

My sister and an old friend have also decided they are going to host a welcome baby celebration for us at the beginning of November.  Both Jen and I were reluctant as didn't want a shower, but they were fairly insistant and it will be nice to get together with some family and friends to celebrate this little one's upcoming arrival. 

And now for the belly shot, taken today: 

Notice how my lower back is all archy?  I have to work on that. 

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 29 Weeks Pregnant

So, 29 weeks.  Even though I officially started into my third trimester last week, I think it took me a little while to realize that this little baby is going to be arriving (relatively) soon. 

I feel pretty good about everything.  As I've said before, I think Jen and I are both much more relaxed about this pregnancy than we were when she was pregnant with The Bean.  Of course, we also had quite a few scares when she was pregnant and therefore more reason for concern.  Right now I think our two biggest concerns are 1) how The Bean will react to having a baby around and 2) sleep.  Jen doesn't do well with little sleep, and The Bean is quite a good sleeper, so hopefully this baby doesn't throw either of them too off their schedule.  I know we've still got a few months to go, but I'd in terms of nighttime, she seems to have a very active period around 9-10pm (Jen was freaking out last night watching her move my belly) and again somewhere around 3-5am.  I'll be curious to see if it remains the same once she's born. 

This week has been pretty bad on the sleep front for me as I'd had a number of bad nightmares. There were a few nights where I woke up with my heart racing and had a very, very hard time falling back asleep. I hope it's a brief phase. 

In other news, it seems I am starting to develop what Jen lovingly refers to as "the creepy line"  (the linea nigra) and losing my belly button.  I feel enormous and constantly seem to be misjudging how much space I now take up.  Friends and family have told me I look great, which I wouldn't necessarily agree with, but is nice to hear just the same. 

I bought some cheap prenatal vitamins at the grocery store and seem to be digesting them much better than the "good" ones from my naturopath.  The Charlie Horses have eased up, but my legs are still getting sore/tight in the nights.  Jen has been really good about rubbing them out for me before bed. 

So, things keep ticking along.  We're nearly 3/4 of the way there! 

Photo from 29 weeks +2 days.

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 27 (+2) Weeks Pregnant

I did intend on having a photo taken this weekend and writing this update on Saturday (which feels like it was a week ago), but the days were too busy with lovely fall outtings and visiting friends and family so, here we are. 

It was a good week pregnancy-wise.  I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that it's likely I will feel crappy in the evening (heartburn) and have a hard time overnight (peeing every two hours and Charlie horses every third night or so).  Not having many set obligations in the day and the ability to lie down for an afternoon nap, if I so choose, makes things easier.  I'm still heartbroken over losing my job, but I have thought many times about how exhausted it's likely that I'd feel if I were there right now.  Silver lining?

I had a midwife appointment this morning and met Bianca, who will be our primary midwife from here out.  I was a little worried about not liking her as much as Kirsten, who took care of us with The Bean, but she seems LOVELY.  My weight gain (27lbs) and fundal height were both deemed "perfect" though I am somewhat concerned about gaining too much.  Baby's heartbeat was a nice steady 140bpm and she is, as I suspected, head down now. 

I was given the choice of doing a blood glucose screening, so I am going to book that hopefully for sometime next week.

I'll have to get Jen to take a photo this evening, so hopefully I'll be able to post it along with the photo challenge photo.  Hope everyone's week is off to a good start. 

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 26 (+1) Weeks Pregnant

I have stretch marks. :( 

I was really hoping I'd make it through without getting any, but alas...

Pretty early on this week I was getting out of the shower and noticed them on the undersides of my breasts.  I actually had noticed a red mark on the top of one of my breasts last week, but The Bean had pinched me, and I thought it was from that.  I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.  I've gone from a B to a D in five months.  I should probably go and get fitted for some new bras (right now I'm wearing hand me downs from Jen and my sister that fit), but I was really hoping to put it off until post-baby and be able to get some nice nursing bras.  (Recommendations on styles/brands welcome!) 

I've been pretty good about putting on lotion all along, so I guess it was unavoidable.  One of my favourite Ani DiFranco lyrics is "I've got highways for stretch marks, see where I've grown?"  I guess I'll just have to embrace that.  (And yes, I LOVE Ani DiFranco and have since I was 14 or so and my brother played me "Back Around" in his bedroom.  I didn't even know I was gay then. ;)  )

Getting a full night's sleep continues to be a challenge.  I seem to be able to get a good stretch early in the night, but after whenever I get up for the first time I only go for another hour and a half before having to get up again.  And that's if I don't get a Charlie Horse.  Yes, they continue to be an issue even with the added Cal/Mag supplements. 

I've been surprised recently by the number of people who have been telling me not to carry The Bean.  Mostly I just brush it off as unsolicited advice but it does make me wonder what the concern is.  He's not very big/heavy and I'm in reasonable shape physically, even pregnant.  The boy likes me to carry him, I've cut back, but I'm not going to deny him completely. 

I'm looking forward to the fall -more of a routine, cooler weather, different wardrobe choices.  This will be our last season as a family of three and I'm trying to prepare for this number four as the days until she join us are becoming more and more limited.  I met up with a few other new and expecting moms from the BabyCentre website for tea on Friday.  It was nice.  I always feel a little awkward meeting new people, but I don't want to feel lonely once the new year rolls around and I'm ready to get out and about again and figured connecting with a few new people may help with that.  I'm also looking into childbirth classes.  Trying to find something that will be a good fit.  I feel like I am far to analytical/critical for Hypnobirthing to work for me, so am considering a different natural childbirth class.  Part of me hates to spend the money to prepare for something that will hopefully only take a relatively short period of time, but at the same time I would like to try for natural childbirth and feel that if I don't educate myself more it is unlikely to happen.  Again, any suggestions on methods, books, etc. would be appreciated.

Photo from 26 (+2) Weeks:

Jen tells me she'll have to start taking them horizontally soon.  Thanks babe.

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 25(+2) Weeks Pregnant

This has been a pretty good week overall.  Some round ligament pain and lots of indigestion in the evenings, but no big complaints otherwise. 

Sprout keeps wiggling around and Jen can feel her quite regularly now.  The Bean will point and say baby and kiss my tummy, but we're still not sure he really understands.  He hasn't felt movement yet (he won't sit still long enough to), but I'm curious as to how he will react when/if he does. 

The only other thing to mention is that I am considering updating my facebook page with the news.  Most of my close friends know, but I intentionally tried to keep it from my co-workers because I didn't want to jeopardize any chance I might have of getting an assistant position at my school this fall.  I still haven't heard anything, so I'm pretty confident that the assistant thing isn't going to happen.  I'm diasppointed, but also feel like the summer has (mostly) given me the distance I needed to resign myself to the fact that for all intents and purposes I am unemployed and will be for at least the next year.  I'm sure once Sprout is born it won't bother me as much as it does now.  Anyway, I'd like to share the news with these friends and don't see much of a reason to hold back anymore, but it does still feel like I'm finally conceeding that that chapter of my life is over.  Not the easiest thing to come to terms with. 

Here's the belly photo for the week, taken yesterday at 25(+1) weeks:

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 24 Weeks Pregnant

Wow!  Twenty-Four Weeks.  For some reason this seems like a milestone to me.  I guess every four-week increment does to some degree, but twenty-four seems particularly significant. 

I had a midwife appointment on Monday that was relativley uneventful.  I did take a glucose and protein test that looked a little green when I first arrived,  and so was slightly anxious, but my blood pressure was very low (as usual) and when I redid the test before leaving it was normal.  Sprout was, and has been, extrememly active and was kicking the doppler.  It made me laugh. 

She is moving around so much now and has gotten strong enough that we can see it when she's kicking.  I could watch for hours.

My bellybutton is starting to stretch out a bit.  I'm glad that it's remained an innie so far and kind of hope it doesn't get to the point where it pops out.  This is going to sound totally bizarre, but my bellybutton is one of my favourite features, so I'll be a bit sad if it doesn't go back to normal after Sprout is born. 

I got some cal/mag and so far that seems to be helping with the leg cramps.  My gums have been a bit sensitive lately, but I also changed my toothbrush so it could just be that. 

Photo from 24(+2) weeks pregnant:

Vacation Recap and *Navalgazing* Reflections at 23 Weeks Pregnant

We had a bit of a crazy week here.

We went "up north" to cottage country for a family vacation.  Jen's parents as well as her brother and his family (wife and two kids) met us there.  It was great to see everyone.  The Bean LOVED having big kids to play with and all the extra adult attention.  It was fun, but not exactly relaxing, having a toddler to entertain/chase around.  Fortunately the grandparents stepped in a couple of afternoons when I needed extra down time. 

There was some added stress surrounding The Bean's older sister, Mo.  (Our cat.)  We'd noticed that she hadn't been eating much lately and had taken her to the vet the week before leaving.  They put her on fluids and an antibiotic and gave her an appetite stimulant.  A few days later we got her home but didn't notice much of a change, so brought her back to the vet for boarding while we were going to be away.  We wanted them to be able to keep an eye on her.  Mid-vacation we got a call and ended up having to drive back to the city to take her to the emergency vet.  After an ultrasound we found out that she had a blocked gall bladder and needed surgery to reroute the drainage.  She is home now sporting a lovely blue cone and on a heavy schedule of various medications, but seems to be on her way to recovery.  Thank goodness.  We love that kitty. 

So, even though we were on vacation, this week has been tiring.  The king-sized bed at the resort was lovely and sharing a room with The Bean wasn't as difficult as I worried it might be. 

In pregnancy news, Sprout's movements have become even more pronounced.  Now I'm not only getting the flutters, jabs and stretches, but I've started to notice two simultaneous pokes at a time.  Arms and legs, perhaps?  Have I mentioned she's an active one?  Between her and her brother, we're going to have our hands full! 

I got another wicked Charlie horse while away.  Probably from being on my feet a lot.  A few people suggested it in my last update and I've also read calcium and magnesium help (in addition to potassium) so in addition to eating bananas I've been trying to drink more milk.  I may also start taking a supplement. 

Even though it's only been a few days, I'll post another belly photo soon.

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 22 (+2) Weeks Pregnant

I've started to feel quite large.  I can't imagine what I'm going to feel like at 40 weeks given how I'm feeling now.  I'm starting to notice more of a "stretch" along the sides of my stomach.  Perhaps needless to say, I haven't been too comfortable lately.  Sleep continues to be a bit of a challenge and I've been very tired during the days.  A few nights ago I woke up with a Charlie horse.  Did it ever hurt.  I'm trying to eat more bananas now. 

 

Despite all that I can say with confidence that I will miss being pregnant.  The thing I'll miss the most is feeling Sprout flutter around.  I just love it. 

 

The photo is from 22+4 weeks.  We were on vacation and got sidetracked.  I didn't even think to pack the right jeans or tank top.  Close enough though, right?

 

 

 

*Navalgazing* Reflections at 20 (+2) Weeks Pregnant

Halfway there!
...assuming this baby comes when she is due, which I'm not really counting on.  I think a 12.12.12 birthday would be super cool (especially as it would be a nice complement to The Bean's 1.11.11 birthday), but I tend to think that this little one is more likely to be a Christmas baby. 

It's been a pretty good week.  I'm still up and down tummy-wise, but made a huge effort to get more water this week, which I feel helped a bit.  I was also able to get a few naps in, which was wonderful since nighttime sleep hasn't been the best.  It seems I have at least one hour every night where I'm tossing and turning.  A lot of times I end up on the couch, which seems a lot more comfortable than bed for some reason.  My sister loaned me a wedge, which has helped a lot more than I expected it to, but it's still not a fix-all. 

The midwives confirmed (via the radiologists report) that we are expecting a girl.  I've joked with Jen that I hope she's a tomboy since she'll have to wear all her big brother's hand-me-downs, but I'm thinking she'll probably do okay clothing-wise.  I picked up a few little things at Goodwill this week.  For $1 a piece I figure you can't go wrong.  (The Bean even got a new shirt and a few potty books.)  A friend who's given us a ton of boy's clothes for The Bean told me we could have anything she's still got from her daughter, so I'm sure there will be a few cute things coming our way from her.  Ashleigh from 2moms2dogs2babies also offered to loan us some of her girls' stuff and I'm hoping my highschool friend who had (boy/girl) twins back in February will do the same.  Between all that, any gifts we may receive, and the gender-neutral clothes we already have we should be set for a while. 

Now that we know the sex we've started talking about names a little more seriously.  We had two girls names we really liked with The Bean, but one is completely out since it's the feminine version of his name.  The other we still like, but aren't as sure about as it's quite common and I've since had a student with that name and it's hard to break the association.  Jen isn't crazy about most of the names I've suggested, stating that they're "too girly", she tends to go for names that can be shortened into more boy-ish nicknames, but I don't really like many of those.  I guess we have a while to come to an agreement. 

And, we did manage to get a belly shot yesterday, so here I am in all my 20 week glory:

Happy Monday everyone!

*Navalgazing* Nineteen (+2) Weeks Pregnant

Once again, I feel like there's not a whole lot to update on this week.  I've been anticipating the ultrasound this afternoon and feel like once we get the results from it, that will be the update. 
This past week ended up being a good bit busier than I had planned, and I thinkI got pretty tired out as a result.  I'm not usually one for napping, but I think I've had at least three good naps in the past week.  I've also continued to find that being out in the heat is not a good thing for me right now.  I end up feeling really sick.  Hopefully it starts to cool down a little over the next few weeks, though it's often quite warm through September here. 

I thought I was over the worst of the pregnancy sickness, but this morning it hit me.  Hard.  For a long time I wasn't able to drink my morning cup of tea, but in the past month or so have started to enjoy it again.  I don't know if that was just too much this morning or if I ate something that disagreed with me yesterday, but I was in the washroom with a not-good feeling stomach and all of a sudden just threw up.  All over myself.  All over the floor, and toilet, and even the walls.  I wiped things up and got in the shower and feel much better now, but that was a pretty unpleasant way to start the day.  

In much cuter news, this weekend The Bean started pointing to my stomach and saying "baby".  I still don't think he really understands what's going on, but it's really too adorable not to make note of.

We missed taking a photo again last week, and are late with this week's.  I intended on having Jen take one this morning, but all three of us slept in and it didn't happen.  I can't figure out the self-timer on the camera, so hopefully it happens tonight.  I'll update when it does.  (The camera battery also died about 3 shots in to The Bean's 18 month photoshoot, so those are still coming too.  Hopefully before he's 19 months.)

*Navalgazing* Reflections at Eighteen Weeks (+2) Pregnant

The good news this week is that my headaches seem to have have subsided.  Maybe it was just the heat last week.  Maybe I needed to drink more water.  I don't know, but I'm glad they have let up.
My pregnancy sickness also seems to be almost entirely gone.  I can't eat as much as I once did and I'm finding that I'm getting some indigestion after dinner, but it's a far cry from the constant nausea I was feeling before. 

It's likely that this is at least partially due to the hotter weather, but I have noticed that my veins are bulging out quite a bit (arms/hands and feet).  My feet have also been getting a bit swollen in the evenings, especially if I've been doing a lot of walking.  I'm trying to make sure I put them up and rub out my legs and feet. 

I've been feeling some discomfort on the sides of my stomach just in from my hip bones.  My guess is that it's just the muscles stretching.  I can also feel some pressure on the underside of my stomach (there's an underside of my stomach!) when I'm out walking longer distances.  It's not the most comfortable, but I think it's important for me to keep active.

Sleep is becoming increasingly difficult.  It feels like I'm often up from about 4am onwards just tossing and turning in bed.  It's been a bit of a challenge to break the habit of sleeping on my stomach, but that's just not possible anymore.  I've been wedging a second pillow under my stomach, which makes things slightly more comfortable.  I can't imagine what I'll feel like in another 18 weeks. 

Later this afternoon I have a midwife appointment.  They said there's not much to discuss at this one, so I imagine it will be rather brief.  Next week we have the ultrasound where we shoudl be able to find out the baby's sex.  I'm excited to know! 

Finally, last night I could really feel the baby moving around so I had Jen put her hand on my stomach and she felt it too!  So cool!  (It also happened to be our 6th wedding anniversary.) 

Photo update later today or tomorrow...