I'm about 36 weeks today. Do you know how exciting this is?
Had another sonogram today. All is still well with the baby. The baby had a heart rate of 155, which is higher than normal for our Bean. But I had just eaten a pack of crackers, so the little one was on the move in there. He/she was throwing back their head and having biig yawns! The baby is still in the same exact position as the last 10 or so weeks.
The doc also gave me to okay to stop my Procardia...like, today if I want. I did tell her I want to stay on the meds until after the shower, which she had no problem with. I'm soo excited I can stop taking them. I sure do get tired of waking up at midnight and then at 6am to take it every night. You know I have been struggling with not being able to sleep well and it always seems that just as I'm dozing off the alarm goes off to alert me it's medication time. Uhg. Over it.
Today was a pretty good day. I got lots accomplished. I had a lot to-do today--lots of running around town. Most of it was getting ready for the shower and preparing to have family in town and over the house. I love getting out and having busy days, though, it makes me sleep so well. It tires this chick out.
I also got word that my mother who will be here in 2 days is sick with a bronchial infection and the flu! Uh, yea, you heard that right! The flu! Not only is she playing an integral role in pulling off our shower this weekend and I hate that she is having to do all of this while being sick, but I also don't have the flu shot! And we all know how bad the flu can be in pregnant women. And I do not want to get sick in my final weeks of pregnancy, just when things are feeling good. I told her she better come with some Swine Flu masks this weekend. Funny thing is that I think she thinks I'm joking. Hahaha. She did hit up the doc yesterday and got medications, so I sure hope she gets to feeling better. I know it has to be crummy to feel so sick with so much to do.
Please pray my mom experiences a speedy recovery and that me and Kevin do not get sick. We still have a lot to do to prepare for the baby and I want to thoroughly enjoy these last few weeks without being sick.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Maternity Pics are In
Here are some of our maternity pictures! So glad we got some of these back in time for the baby shower.
We were fighting time, weather and ultimately the sun in these pictures, but I still think we got some good ones. :)
We were fighting time, weather and ultimately the sun in these pictures, but I still think we got some good ones. :)
Sunday, February 26, 2012
My Funny Husband
Funny story from today.
Kevin kneeled down beside the couch where I was trying to take a little cat nap and I guess wanted to spend a little QT with The Bean. I already had my shirt pulled all the way up--so my belly was exposed-- because earlier I had been mesmerized by the tremendous number of hairs growing all over by stomach! And not mesmerized in a good way. I guess I was laying at the perfect angle and the sun was illuminating each new hair perfectly. Yes, they are blonde and unless you're looking really diligently for them you can't notice them, but they are everywhere! And they are sticking straight up in the air! I have heard of this happening to friends, but it's rather disconcerting when it's your own belly that's a hairy beast!
Anyway, so Kevin came over and kneeled beside me and began rubbing on my belly and talking to the baby. I guess Kevin was in a funny mood. His opening line was, " Hellllllooooo" in his best movie phone voice. He then went on to tell the Bean that he wasn't sure if he/she would ever have the opportunity to see and really enjoy Seinfeld reruns (Kevin really appreciates old Seinfeld reruns). Yea, I don't know if old Seinfeld reruns will be all the rage in 10 years or so either.
Kevin then went on to share with the baby a few classic, all-time great episodes that he/she would be missing out on, such as the " Soup Nazi: No soup for you!" episode. Poor Elaine can't catch a break in that one. So in all of his best voices from the episodes, Kevin went through some classic episodes the baby would probably never get to see. Hilarious. Kevin cracks me up! At least there will be no shortage of jokes and lots of laughs around our house for the baby to enjoy courtesy of Dad. :)
An Exciting Week Ahead
This week is a very big week for us. Again, I have a very full week with lots of to-do's, appointments, and preparations. This is the last week I'll be taking Procardia, my anticontraction medication, AND it's the week of our baby shower! Can't believe it's here! It's also the week we get to go to Just Between Friends as first time parents, which is the largest consignment sale of baby items in the state. It's huuuuge!
After the baby shower Kevin and I will quickly get the baby's room organized, finish any final set ups, put away any gifts we received, and purchase any must-haves we may be missing. I'll then get the house spic-and-span so I can hurry up and stop taking my meds. We def don't want to have all of these things we want to get accomplished looming and take the chance of going into labor by stopping my medication too soon. So I won't stop taking my meds until we get these things done, so probably a a few days after our baby shower in our 36th week.
I am sooo excited about this week. It is my prayer that my body will maintain as it has been through the rest of the week so we can make it safely to the shower without going into labor or already having a baby by then. And we're praying for great weather, no rain, or worse, any ice or freezing temps. We def want everyone to make it out to celebrate with us.
Last I heard it sounds like we will have a pretty good turnout at the shower, too! I can't wait to see everyone there! I know it's going to be a fab day! Being able to finally have a baby shower of my own is completely surreal. I'm still waiting to wake up and find out none of this has been real for the last 8 months.
For us, our baby shower does not just represent a day, or a party where we receive gifts for the baby. It is soo much more than that. Our shower is truly a celebration and represents a culmination of the last 2 and a half years of our lives and all we have experienced. So it's a day of releasing some of that past and walking into the future. It's a day of utter thankfulness. It's a day of over-the-top excitement about our sweet baby. It's a day that we can publicly give all the glory to our amazing God who has grown our hearts, our marriage, and blessed our lives through our journey. ..And the list goes on and on. So for us, this is not just a baby shower.
I believe that every baby is special, not just my own. And the majority of moms' in the world are over-joyed to welcome their new bundles and are just as exited to attend their own baby showers. Just like me. So I'm not at all saying that our baby shower is any more special than anyone else's. But, for us, this baby shower is awe-inspiring and fueled by a long journey that marks this day as unbelievable.
We are marking an end and a new beginning. And it feels so sweet. The thankfulness and excitement we feel is immeasurable. God will always work things in our lives for our good. But it's always in his time.
On a side note completely unrelated, as I'm sitting here writing this post, I can look out our living room windows and watch my husband as he's mowing the backyard. And he looks really sexy doing it. This is def one of the reasons I can't wait for spring---more mowing by the hubs and more starring by me. He looks pretty hot after he's been doing work outside.
I have been feeling awesome! My body feels amazing, I love being pregnant!, and I have no signs of going into labor in the near future. It is my sincerest prayer that this trend continue and God keep my body, heart and mind, and the baby safe from any complications or an early delivery. We would be honored if you, too, would pray this prayer on our behalf.
After the baby shower Kevin and I will quickly get the baby's room organized, finish any final set ups, put away any gifts we received, and purchase any must-haves we may be missing. I'll then get the house spic-and-span so I can hurry up and stop taking my meds. We def don't want to have all of these things we want to get accomplished looming and take the chance of going into labor by stopping my medication too soon. So I won't stop taking my meds until we get these things done, so probably a a few days after our baby shower in our 36th week.
I am sooo excited about this week. It is my prayer that my body will maintain as it has been through the rest of the week so we can make it safely to the shower without going into labor or already having a baby by then. And we're praying for great weather, no rain, or worse, any ice or freezing temps. We def want everyone to make it out to celebrate with us.
Last I heard it sounds like we will have a pretty good turnout at the shower, too! I can't wait to see everyone there! I know it's going to be a fab day! Being able to finally have a baby shower of my own is completely surreal. I'm still waiting to wake up and find out none of this has been real for the last 8 months.
For us, our baby shower does not just represent a day, or a party where we receive gifts for the baby. It is soo much more than that. Our shower is truly a celebration and represents a culmination of the last 2 and a half years of our lives and all we have experienced. So it's a day of releasing some of that past and walking into the future. It's a day of utter thankfulness. It's a day of over-the-top excitement about our sweet baby. It's a day that we can publicly give all the glory to our amazing God who has grown our hearts, our marriage, and blessed our lives through our journey. ..And the list goes on and on. So for us, this is not just a baby shower.
I believe that every baby is special, not just my own. And the majority of moms' in the world are over-joyed to welcome their new bundles and are just as exited to attend their own baby showers. Just like me. So I'm not at all saying that our baby shower is any more special than anyone else's. But, for us, this baby shower is awe-inspiring and fueled by a long journey that marks this day as unbelievable.
We are marking an end and a new beginning. And it feels so sweet. The thankfulness and excitement we feel is immeasurable. God will always work things in our lives for our good. But it's always in his time.
On a side note completely unrelated, as I'm sitting here writing this post, I can look out our living room windows and watch my husband as he's mowing the backyard. And he looks really sexy doing it. This is def one of the reasons I can't wait for spring---more mowing by the hubs and more starring by me. He looks pretty hot after he's been doing work outside.
I have been feeling awesome! My body feels amazing, I love being pregnant!, and I have no signs of going into labor in the near future. It is my sincerest prayer that this trend continue and God keep my body, heart and mind, and the baby safe from any complications or an early delivery. We would be honored if you, too, would pray this prayer on our behalf.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
35 Week Picture
35 Weeks
February 25, 2012
128#
Gained a total of 16 pounds
Yes, I know, another poor choice of shirts. Sorry.
One month to go!!! Feeling soo excited, then overwhelmed, then scared of out of mind, then I can't wait, then a little stressed...and the list goes on an on...
Thursday, February 23, 2012
35 Week Update
Well, technically, I'm 35 weeks tomorrow, but, hey, who's counting days. Definitely not me. :) Today was my weekly trip to see my lovely OB. So here's what happened at this week's visit:
The baby looked great on sonogram and is still in the same exact position as the last 10 weeks.
Baby's HR was in the 130's
The baby's head is measuring 2 weeks ahead for its gestational age. Who in our family is causing this sweet Bean to have such a huge head. More importantly, who can I pinch for passing along the 'big head gene' when I can't push that dang thing out of my body or after the baby has to be sectioned out.
The baby's femurs are measuring one week behind. So this baby will not have long legs, nor will he/she be tall.
Everything else on the baby is measuring on track. Kevin jokes that our Bean is going to be short, have large feet, and have a huge head, so it might just fall over when starting to walk. Poor thing. Hope he/she doesn't look odd. :)
The baby passed its BioPhysical Profile Test today and was caught yawning up a storm again.
My fluid level was lower today at 19.5 cm, but still at a high normal level. But no reason for concern. Looks good!
I did ask the doc about watching the baby's head size, as I really hope to have a vaginal delivery and def want to avoid having a c section at all cost if I can. I asked her if as I get closer to term, 37 weeks and beyond, if she would induce me if the head gets large enough that she doesn't think it would pass through my pelvis. She said that the national standard states that a baby's size is no reason to induce delivery before 39 weeks. She would only induce before 39 weeks if there is a medical issue affecting me or the baby. So, basically, she said no, that she would not be planning on inducing me anytime before 39 weeks regardless of how large the head is even it is means I will then be required to have a c-section because the head won't pass through my pelvis. That kinda sounds like crap to me. She then went on to say that due to my height I am already at a higher risk of requiring a c-section. Lovely. But good info. to know, as this will give me and YOU something more specific to pray over regarding our delivery.
I passed my second Glucose Challenge Test!! I do not have gestational diabetes, so this is not the cause of my high fluid levels. Great news! I was sure wondering how I was going to cut back on my chocolate obsession if I did have gestational diabetes. :)
She also told me that the redness, burning, and heat sensation coming from my legs when I have ankle or leg swelling is normal. She said it's just blood trying to get back up my legs from my feet and it's getting stuck in my legs. No worries. It doesn't happen but every few days or so.
I weighed in at 128# today. Up one pound from last week.
Only one more week of Procardia, my anticontraction medication! OMG, the day is almost here! The day I started these meds, when the doc told me how long I would have to stay on them, I thought 36 weeks sounded soooo far off. And we're almost there. Amazing. God is amazing to pull us through.
I feel great! ( Now that I have that pesky kidney stone out!) Good thing, because we have a busy weekend. And I have a baby shower to go to on Saturday, can't wait! For obvious reasons I went through a season of totally avoiding baby showers, but now, of course, I want to do all things baby and help celebrate with all my sweet pregnant friends. This is certainly so much easier to do when your heart is not utterly broken, as mine once was when Baby Wicker was no where to be seen on the horizon.
I also had my Group B Strep test and state required third trimester repeat HIV test done today. I was thinking the Group B Strep test was going to be more uncomfortable than it was, as they have to swab your vagina and rectum with a QTip. I've been referring to it as the 'butt test' all day for some reason. My friends have gotten a real kick out of that euphemism. But it was a piece of cake. No biggie. I think I heard these two are the final tests of the pregnancy! Whoo hoo! This means the end is really nearing. I'm really glad to hear this. I'm about over being poked and prodded. I had four pregnancy related appointment this week, one every day so far, and three of them required me to give blood--so three days in a row. My poor arms have ugly, sore hematomas now.
Lets recap:
Monday: Perinatologist
Tuesday: Glucose Challenge Test
Wednesday: Recheck thyroid/medication levels ( more thyroid medication is often required during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. So I have gone every 6 weeks for blood tests since being pregnant to make sure my levels have stayed stable.)
Thursday: OB exam/sono and HIV and Group Strep B test
Friday: No appointments on the book! Yes! 'Clean house' in def on the agenda.
And on a side note, I hate insurance companies, I hate the cleaners, I hate doctors' offices Business Departments. Everything seems like a rip off. Everywhere I turn, no matter what, it seems everyone wants more money, everything is more expensive than it was last year, and it takes foooorever to get any type of reimbursements that are owed to us. Arg! Why must I be so Type A and methodical and actually force myself to follow-up and dig through all the details to make sure we're not getting ripped off or losing unneeded money. No likey.
Otherwise, I'm feeling great all the way around and totally looking forward to our baby shower! Super excited! I'm going to make this weekend a good one, too.
The baby looked great on sonogram and is still in the same exact position as the last 10 weeks.
Baby's HR was in the 130's
The baby's head is measuring 2 weeks ahead for its gestational age. Who in our family is causing this sweet Bean to have such a huge head. More importantly, who can I pinch for passing along the 'big head gene' when I can't push that dang thing out of my body or after the baby has to be sectioned out.
The baby's femurs are measuring one week behind. So this baby will not have long legs, nor will he/she be tall.
Everything else on the baby is measuring on track. Kevin jokes that our Bean is going to be short, have large feet, and have a huge head, so it might just fall over when starting to walk. Poor thing. Hope he/she doesn't look odd. :)
The baby passed its BioPhysical Profile Test today and was caught yawning up a storm again.
My fluid level was lower today at 19.5 cm, but still at a high normal level. But no reason for concern. Looks good!
I did ask the doc about watching the baby's head size, as I really hope to have a vaginal delivery and def want to avoid having a c section at all cost if I can. I asked her if as I get closer to term, 37 weeks and beyond, if she would induce me if the head gets large enough that she doesn't think it would pass through my pelvis. She said that the national standard states that a baby's size is no reason to induce delivery before 39 weeks. She would only induce before 39 weeks if there is a medical issue affecting me or the baby. So, basically, she said no, that she would not be planning on inducing me anytime before 39 weeks regardless of how large the head is even it is means I will then be required to have a c-section because the head won't pass through my pelvis. That kinda sounds like crap to me. She then went on to say that due to my height I am already at a higher risk of requiring a c-section. Lovely. But good info. to know, as this will give me and YOU something more specific to pray over regarding our delivery.
I passed my second Glucose Challenge Test!! I do not have gestational diabetes, so this is not the cause of my high fluid levels. Great news! I was sure wondering how I was going to cut back on my chocolate obsession if I did have gestational diabetes. :)
She also told me that the redness, burning, and heat sensation coming from my legs when I have ankle or leg swelling is normal. She said it's just blood trying to get back up my legs from my feet and it's getting stuck in my legs. No worries. It doesn't happen but every few days or so.
I weighed in at 128# today. Up one pound from last week.
Only one more week of Procardia, my anticontraction medication! OMG, the day is almost here! The day I started these meds, when the doc told me how long I would have to stay on them, I thought 36 weeks sounded soooo far off. And we're almost there. Amazing. God is amazing to pull us through.
I feel great! ( Now that I have that pesky kidney stone out!) Good thing, because we have a busy weekend. And I have a baby shower to go to on Saturday, can't wait! For obvious reasons I went through a season of totally avoiding baby showers, but now, of course, I want to do all things baby and help celebrate with all my sweet pregnant friends. This is certainly so much easier to do when your heart is not utterly broken, as mine once was when Baby Wicker was no where to be seen on the horizon.
I also had my Group B Strep test and state required third trimester repeat HIV test done today. I was thinking the Group B Strep test was going to be more uncomfortable than it was, as they have to swab your vagina and rectum with a QTip. I've been referring to it as the 'butt test' all day for some reason. My friends have gotten a real kick out of that euphemism. But it was a piece of cake. No biggie. I think I heard these two are the final tests of the pregnancy! Whoo hoo! This means the end is really nearing. I'm really glad to hear this. I'm about over being poked and prodded. I had four pregnancy related appointment this week, one every day so far, and three of them required me to give blood--so three days in a row. My poor arms have ugly, sore hematomas now.
Lets recap:
Monday: Perinatologist
Tuesday: Glucose Challenge Test
Wednesday: Recheck thyroid/medication levels ( more thyroid medication is often required during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. So I have gone every 6 weeks for blood tests since being pregnant to make sure my levels have stayed stable.)
Thursday: OB exam/sono and HIV and Group Strep B test
Friday: No appointments on the book! Yes! 'Clean house' in def on the agenda.
And on a side note, I hate insurance companies, I hate the cleaners, I hate doctors' offices Business Departments. Everything seems like a rip off. Everywhere I turn, no matter what, it seems everyone wants more money, everything is more expensive than it was last year, and it takes foooorever to get any type of reimbursements that are owed to us. Arg! Why must I be so Type A and methodical and actually force myself to follow-up and dig through all the details to make sure we're not getting ripped off or losing unneeded money. No likey.
Otherwise, I'm feeling great all the way around and totally looking forward to our baby shower! Super excited! I'm going to make this weekend a good one, too.
I'm Giving Myself a Gold Star!
Yes, you heard that right. I'm giving myself a gold star for having to deal with a whole lot of not fun stuff during this pregnancy. And you better bet once I stick that gold star on my cheek, I'm going to wear it proudly...like, for days.
So you are probably wondering why in the world I all of the sudden want to give myself this gold star. Okay, so here's the latest.
Today, about 11am, as I was driving to my endocrinologist appointment for a routine check on my thyroid levels, I get this really sharp pain shooting through my vagina. It was def a different kind of pain that I haven't felt since being pregnant. I tell myself it's probably just some weird bodily reaction to having a full bladder and needing to pee. I did have some water before leaving the house. The pain stays with me the entire drive to the doc's office and it's pretty uncomfortable, but I was still able to talk on the phone. :)
As soon as I get to my doc's office I make a quick trip to the potty. What?! I barely had anything to pee out. Huh. My thoughts then turn to a possible UTI. But then I quickly remind myself that I drink way too much water and never drink really anything else other than an occasional coke. Plus, there was no burning or discomfort while I was going. I've had UTI's in the past and at this point it just didn't feel like an obvious choice.
So I head into my appointment. The pain stays constant and is ever- present in my thoughts. I give my blood sample and finish up at my appointment and I'm on my way shortly. Kevin calls me as soon as I get back to the car and I tell him that I'm having really strong shooting pains in my vagina. I'm sure he loved hearing this tid- bit of info. while at work. :) At this point, I can tell the pain is increasing as I'm finding myself wanting off the phone and I'm feeling agitated.
I make the long drive back home and the pain is def getting worse. What in the heck is happening to my body now, I wonder?! By the time I make it home the once 'discomfort' I was feeling is now full fledged pain. Even though I had no urge to pee, for some reason the only place I wanted to be was sitting on the toilet. I know, weird. It didn't take away the pain at all, but for some reason I felt like I need to bear down some. Of course, I'm totally thinking this is the start of labor or something.
I end up taking a really small dose of hydrocodone/Tylenol about 3pm per Kevin's request. Much to my surprise within 20 minutes I feel substantial relief. So at this point I tell myself I must be experiencing some type of pregnancy induced round ligament pain/muscle stretching, etc. I get a few things done around the house since I'm feeling normal again, but within an hour of taking the medication, the pain is back all of the sudden full force. What in the world is going on, I wonder. So I'm then back to pacing, rocking on all fours, and sitting and rocking on the toilet. No relief. Arrg!
Since I took such a small dose of pain medication before, after another hour passes and still no relief, I take another small dose of pain medication. In between these two doses of medication I have also talked with my OB's nurse. By this time the pain is much more well defined. It is a constant sharp, throbbing pain dead center right about my pubic bone that passes all the way down through my vagina and a little in my left groin. Almost like severe period cramps that extend all the way down. But no contractions, which is great news! This is what made me think it wasn't anything baby related. My nurse says the doc thinks it's either the start of a UTI or the baby really pressing on my cervix and/or moving down lower into my pelvis. Seems totally plausible to me. She recommends I take pain meds and rest and the doc will check me out tomorrow at my appointment.
After the second dose of pain medication, no relief at all. Why not, I wonder. I thought it helped the first time. Or did it. Was it just a coincidence the pain stopped shortly after taking pain medication? This is weird. Where is this pain coming from? About an hour and a half after taking the second dose of pain medication, all of the sudden, I get a small break: the pain seems to have stopped. Okay, this is getting weirder. I get about 30 minutes of relief, and then it's back. No position change decreased the pain. As a matter of fact, there was absolutely no position that I was comfortable being in. Not one.
The whole evening I kept going back to the toilet---just to sit and kinda rock back and forth---usually in the dark. It was just more relaxing. As I said before, it didn't offer any relief, as a matter of fact, as the night went on it did kind of begin to hurt every time I finished peeing, but still no burning or blood or anything like that. Even still, I just felt this weird need to be in a position to bear down a little. Not like major pushing or anything.
After about 11 hours of this today, 10pm rolls around and I make another trip to the trusty ol' toilet. This time I do have a pretty long pee. I'm sitting in the dark, on the toilet, praying out loud to God asking for him to heal whatever is happening with my body, to provide pain relief, and to keep the baby in and not let us deliver quite yet. Literally 2 seconds later as I'm still peeing, I feel a 'plop' in my urine stream. I'm immediately reminded that I still have kidney stones in my body left over from the last time I passed stones.
I look down in the toilet and find what appears to be a kidney stone and sand-like material around it sitting at the bottom of the toilet. I immediately felt relieved, as I knew if this really was a stone, the pain would be over immediately. And it was! Completely gone in that second. But was it another weird coincidence? I don't put anything past my body.
Gross, I know, but I get what I think is the stone out of the toilet. It's small, light brown, has a rocky and irregular shape, and also has a little red colored something smeared on it--possible blood? I have convinced myself this is a passed kidney stone, as I remember feeling tremendous pain last time I passed a stone and also immediate relief once it was out.
I have an appointment with my OB tomorrow, so I'll be bring that bad boy in a ziplock bag for her to give me her opinion. I'm sooo hoping she agrees with me, as this means this was an isolated day of pain and I should be pain-free from here on out...barring anymore oddities. Which we all know can't be ruled out. We are talking about me. Any medical condition that has less than a 2% chance of occurring while pregnant will find and afflict me. Okay, okay, I know this isn't completely true, but I do feel this way some days.
So this is why I'm giving myself a gold star. I think I've earned it.
Update: I went to see my OB today and showed her my good ol' find in the bottom of my toilet and she confirmed it was in fact a kidney stone.
So you are probably wondering why in the world I all of the sudden want to give myself this gold star. Okay, so here's the latest.
Today, about 11am, as I was driving to my endocrinologist appointment for a routine check on my thyroid levels, I get this really sharp pain shooting through my vagina. It was def a different kind of pain that I haven't felt since being pregnant. I tell myself it's probably just some weird bodily reaction to having a full bladder and needing to pee. I did have some water before leaving the house. The pain stays with me the entire drive to the doc's office and it's pretty uncomfortable, but I was still able to talk on the phone. :)
As soon as I get to my doc's office I make a quick trip to the potty. What?! I barely had anything to pee out. Huh. My thoughts then turn to a possible UTI. But then I quickly remind myself that I drink way too much water and never drink really anything else other than an occasional coke. Plus, there was no burning or discomfort while I was going. I've had UTI's in the past and at this point it just didn't feel like an obvious choice.
So I head into my appointment. The pain stays constant and is ever- present in my thoughts. I give my blood sample and finish up at my appointment and I'm on my way shortly. Kevin calls me as soon as I get back to the car and I tell him that I'm having really strong shooting pains in my vagina. I'm sure he loved hearing this tid- bit of info. while at work. :) At this point, I can tell the pain is increasing as I'm finding myself wanting off the phone and I'm feeling agitated.
I make the long drive back home and the pain is def getting worse. What in the heck is happening to my body now, I wonder?! By the time I make it home the once 'discomfort' I was feeling is now full fledged pain. Even though I had no urge to pee, for some reason the only place I wanted to be was sitting on the toilet. I know, weird. It didn't take away the pain at all, but for some reason I felt like I need to bear down some. Of course, I'm totally thinking this is the start of labor or something.
I end up taking a really small dose of hydrocodone/Tylenol about 3pm per Kevin's request. Much to my surprise within 20 minutes I feel substantial relief. So at this point I tell myself I must be experiencing some type of pregnancy induced round ligament pain/muscle stretching, etc. I get a few things done around the house since I'm feeling normal again, but within an hour of taking the medication, the pain is back all of the sudden full force. What in the world is going on, I wonder. So I'm then back to pacing, rocking on all fours, and sitting and rocking on the toilet. No relief. Arrg!
Since I took such a small dose of pain medication before, after another hour passes and still no relief, I take another small dose of pain medication. In between these two doses of medication I have also talked with my OB's nurse. By this time the pain is much more well defined. It is a constant sharp, throbbing pain dead center right about my pubic bone that passes all the way down through my vagina and a little in my left groin. Almost like severe period cramps that extend all the way down. But no contractions, which is great news! This is what made me think it wasn't anything baby related. My nurse says the doc thinks it's either the start of a UTI or the baby really pressing on my cervix and/or moving down lower into my pelvis. Seems totally plausible to me. She recommends I take pain meds and rest and the doc will check me out tomorrow at my appointment.
After the second dose of pain medication, no relief at all. Why not, I wonder. I thought it helped the first time. Or did it. Was it just a coincidence the pain stopped shortly after taking pain medication? This is weird. Where is this pain coming from? About an hour and a half after taking the second dose of pain medication, all of the sudden, I get a small break: the pain seems to have stopped. Okay, this is getting weirder. I get about 30 minutes of relief, and then it's back. No position change decreased the pain. As a matter of fact, there was absolutely no position that I was comfortable being in. Not one.
The whole evening I kept going back to the toilet---just to sit and kinda rock back and forth---usually in the dark. It was just more relaxing. As I said before, it didn't offer any relief, as a matter of fact, as the night went on it did kind of begin to hurt every time I finished peeing, but still no burning or blood or anything like that. Even still, I just felt this weird need to be in a position to bear down a little. Not like major pushing or anything.
After about 11 hours of this today, 10pm rolls around and I make another trip to the trusty ol' toilet. This time I do have a pretty long pee. I'm sitting in the dark, on the toilet, praying out loud to God asking for him to heal whatever is happening with my body, to provide pain relief, and to keep the baby in and not let us deliver quite yet. Literally 2 seconds later as I'm still peeing, I feel a 'plop' in my urine stream. I'm immediately reminded that I still have kidney stones in my body left over from the last time I passed stones.
I look down in the toilet and find what appears to be a kidney stone and sand-like material around it sitting at the bottom of the toilet. I immediately felt relieved, as I knew if this really was a stone, the pain would be over immediately. And it was! Completely gone in that second. But was it another weird coincidence? I don't put anything past my body.
Gross, I know, but I get what I think is the stone out of the toilet. It's small, light brown, has a rocky and irregular shape, and also has a little red colored something smeared on it--possible blood? I have convinced myself this is a passed kidney stone, as I remember feeling tremendous pain last time I passed a stone and also immediate relief once it was out.
I have an appointment with my OB tomorrow, so I'll be bring that bad boy in a ziplock bag for her to give me her opinion. I'm sooo hoping she agrees with me, as this means this was an isolated day of pain and I should be pain-free from here on out...barring anymore oddities. Which we all know can't be ruled out. We are talking about me. Any medical condition that has less than a 2% chance of occurring while pregnant will find and afflict me. Okay, okay, I know this isn't completely true, but I do feel this way some days.
So this is why I'm giving myself a gold star. I think I've earned it.
Update: I went to see my OB today and showed her my good ol' find in the bottom of my toilet and she confirmed it was in fact a kidney stone.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Insomnia Go Away
My insomnia has been rampant lately. It has really taken hold of my nights and it's killing me. For some reason my belly gets uncomfortable when I sleep. I'm not sure why. The only thing I can think of is that hours of laying on my side causes my belly to sag down and pull on my belly skin, making my stomach slightly sensitive. But this is not the reason for my insomnia, it's not painful enough to keep me from sleeping.
Which leads me to ask, WHY AM I NOT SLEEPING?! I'm absolutely in love with sleep, so when I lay in bed for hours without the slightest hint of being sleepy, it just about kills me to know that my precious night is passing me by. I wondering if I'm not sleeping so hot because I'm not getting enough physical or mental stimulation during the day. All the bed rest really took me out of my normal routine when I was one busy chica, a movin and a going all the time. And, of course, still, even though I'm off bed rest, I'm not trying to over due things with a lot of physical activity and rush myself into labor.
But who knows, really, why I can't sleep. I just hope my insomnia leaves me to go visit someone else really soon. I am missing my sleep terribly. And it only makes it worse to hear Kevin sawing logs off in la la land every night.
Which leads me to ask, WHY AM I NOT SLEEPING?! I'm absolutely in love with sleep, so when I lay in bed for hours without the slightest hint of being sleepy, it just about kills me to know that my precious night is passing me by. I wondering if I'm not sleeping so hot because I'm not getting enough physical or mental stimulation during the day. All the bed rest really took me out of my normal routine when I was one busy chica, a movin and a going all the time. And, of course, still, even though I'm off bed rest, I'm not trying to over due things with a lot of physical activity and rush myself into labor.
But who knows, really, why I can't sleep. I just hope my insomnia leaves me to go visit someone else really soon. I am missing my sleep terribly. And it only makes it worse to hear Kevin sawing logs off in la la land every night.
Monday, February 20, 2012
*The Hot Topic of Circumcision: God knows best how to make little boys. And he has made them perfectly.
Since we don't know if we are having a dude or a dudette, as I have talked about before, we have to prepare for both. Part of not knowing the sex of our baby is making a decision on circumcision should we have a dude in our lives really soon.
If you read my blog then you know that there is nothing about this pregnancy or baby that hasn't been thought out or planned for...well in advance. This, of course, also includes making a well-informed decision on circumcision. I'm so glad that Kevin and I are the same on this type of thing. We both like to thoroughly investigate things and appreciate 'getting to the bottom of something' and finding the answer or a solution. This definitely allows us to work well together as a team. So glad we're both incessant planners. I had no idea when I started looking into and asking questions about circumcision it was such a fiercely debated topic. There are definitely two sides to this one who have their heels dug in the sand.
It was important to me to NOT make a decision " just because"--especially after reading all of the pros and cons according to advocates and proponents on both sides. I think it's safe to say that it's no secret that I don't have a penis. But since Kevin does AND since he's pappa of our Bean, I was really important to me that he feel really comfortable with whatever decision we made. I know how much is wrapped up into the whole ' penis thing' for a man. It really is a big deal.
In an effort to make the best decision for our family, we have talked to pediatricians, become more well read than I would like on male circumcision, watched tons of surgical videos, read studies, and talked to friends who have boys--both circumcised and uncircumcised. And after all this, the consensus is that choosing to circumcise a boy is merely a personal choice should you have no religious reason mandating that you do so. Biblically, we do not feel that we as Christians are forging against God's will if we do not circumcise any boys we may have. And there is no proven medical reason to circumcise according to doctors and the medical community. So it's a personal choice based largely on social mandates for most in the U.S. The United States has the highest rate of circumcision anywhere in the world, and it's almost never done for religious reason for the vast majority.
I have talked to some friends, some who have kids and some who don't, as we've gone through the process of making a decision, and I have to say I'm shocked at some responses from people. Some seemed appalled that we are even open to the idea of not circumcising. Really?! If we have a boy he can always get it done later by a urologist, but once you make the decision to cut it, it's gone forever.
I won't go into all the pros and cons and the plethora of info on the topic, but suffice it to say that Kevin and went through tons of information and talked a lot about making the best decision for possibly our son and our family based on what we are comfortable with. Kevin actually made the final decision, which is not to circumcise.
Kevin watched a current video, not some sloppy 1970's video from Mexico, of a baby boy being circumcised in the exact way doctors have told us our baby would be circumcised. This included the same surgical technique, offering the baby a pacifer dipped in a sugar solution as a distraction, and, most importantly, giving lidocaine injections at the base of the penis to help combat some of the feeling and pain, which studies show takes away about 55% of the sensation in their penis. I think this video did Kevin in. It was horrific to hear the heart- wrenching gurgling screams of the baby once the actual procedure began. I know every baby is different and some say not all babies cry this way, but given the actual facts and statistics on the matter, this is our choice. Our choice is not the correct one for everyone, and we certainly don't believe those who choose circumcision are in the wrong. It's just a personal matter, especially for Dad's. They are the ones who know what it's like to live with a penis. If we do have a boy, which, of course, we would love to have, we are very comfortable and confident in our decision and feel we will have made the very best decision for our Bean.
In nooo way do Kevin and I believe we are condemning our maybe baby boy to a life without God or harming his spiritual oneness with Christ by not circumcising him. Nor do Kevin and I believe that we ourselves will be held responsible in any way by God for not choosing circumcision should we be blessed with a boy. Our baby will be brought up to love and know the Lord. He or she will live in a home where the Lord is put first and at the center of our lives...and if someone doesn't believe this is the most important thing we can do for our child, then you have missed the point of what walking with Christ means.
*********************************************
According to the Bible, it was in the Old Testament that circumcision was initiated and it was for Jews only, which is why Jesus was circumcised. And again, many things that were laid down as law in the Old Testament were refuted by God in the New Testament and taken out of Law. For example: If anyone was born out of wedlock they and all of their decedents would all be out of favor with God, or an eye for an eye, or if a women was raped by a man she would have to marry the man who raped her so she would stay pure. According to Biblical scholars, circumcision in Biblical times is very different with regard to the actual procedure that boys receive today. Circumcision was also very controversial in Biblical times, it was never a clear cut issue and it also fueled controversy. There are also many uses in the Bible for the word circumcision, which, in Latin, means 'to cut'. The Bible talks about circumcising your heart from the Lord and so forth. So one cannot just look up all 'circumcision versus' and state they are referring to the act of male penile circumcision.
Here are some great Bible versus:
If you read my blog then you know that there is nothing about this pregnancy or baby that hasn't been thought out or planned for...well in advance. This, of course, also includes making a well-informed decision on circumcision. I'm so glad that Kevin and I are the same on this type of thing. We both like to thoroughly investigate things and appreciate 'getting to the bottom of something' and finding the answer or a solution. This definitely allows us to work well together as a team. So glad we're both incessant planners. I had no idea when I started looking into and asking questions about circumcision it was such a fiercely debated topic. There are definitely two sides to this one who have their heels dug in the sand.
It was important to me to NOT make a decision " just because"--especially after reading all of the pros and cons according to advocates and proponents on both sides. I think it's safe to say that it's no secret that I don't have a penis. But since Kevin does AND since he's pappa of our Bean, I was really important to me that he feel really comfortable with whatever decision we made. I know how much is wrapped up into the whole ' penis thing' for a man. It really is a big deal.
In an effort to make the best decision for our family, we have talked to pediatricians, become more well read than I would like on male circumcision, watched tons of surgical videos, read studies, and talked to friends who have boys--both circumcised and uncircumcised. And after all this, the consensus is that choosing to circumcise a boy is merely a personal choice should you have no religious reason mandating that you do so. Biblically, we do not feel that we as Christians are forging against God's will if we do not circumcise any boys we may have. And there is no proven medical reason to circumcise according to doctors and the medical community. So it's a personal choice based largely on social mandates for most in the U.S. The United States has the highest rate of circumcision anywhere in the world, and it's almost never done for religious reason for the vast majority.
I have talked to some friends, some who have kids and some who don't, as we've gone through the process of making a decision, and I have to say I'm shocked at some responses from people. Some seemed appalled that we are even open to the idea of not circumcising. Really?! If we have a boy he can always get it done later by a urologist, but once you make the decision to cut it, it's gone forever.
I won't go into all the pros and cons and the plethora of info on the topic, but suffice it to say that Kevin and went through tons of information and talked a lot about making the best decision for possibly our son and our family based on what we are comfortable with. Kevin actually made the final decision, which is not to circumcise.
Kevin watched a current video, not some sloppy 1970's video from Mexico, of a baby boy being circumcised in the exact way doctors have told us our baby would be circumcised. This included the same surgical technique, offering the baby a pacifer dipped in a sugar solution as a distraction, and, most importantly, giving lidocaine injections at the base of the penis to help combat some of the feeling and pain, which studies show takes away about 55% of the sensation in their penis. I think this video did Kevin in. It was horrific to hear the heart- wrenching gurgling screams of the baby once the actual procedure began. I know every baby is different and some say not all babies cry this way, but given the actual facts and statistics on the matter, this is our choice. Our choice is not the correct one for everyone, and we certainly don't believe those who choose circumcision are in the wrong. It's just a personal matter, especially for Dad's. They are the ones who know what it's like to live with a penis. If we do have a boy, which, of course, we would love to have, we are very comfortable and confident in our decision and feel we will have made the very best decision for our Bean.
In nooo way do Kevin and I believe we are condemning our maybe baby boy to a life without God or harming his spiritual oneness with Christ by not circumcising him. Nor do Kevin and I believe that we ourselves will be held responsible in any way by God for not choosing circumcision should we be blessed with a boy. Our baby will be brought up to love and know the Lord. He or she will live in a home where the Lord is put first and at the center of our lives...and if someone doesn't believe this is the most important thing we can do for our child, then you have missed the point of what walking with Christ means.
*********************************************
According to the Bible, it was in the Old Testament that circumcision was initiated and it was for Jews only, which is why Jesus was circumcised. And again, many things that were laid down as law in the Old Testament were refuted by God in the New Testament and taken out of Law. For example: If anyone was born out of wedlock they and all of their decedents would all be out of favor with God, or an eye for an eye, or if a women was raped by a man she would have to marry the man who raped her so she would stay pure. According to Biblical scholars, circumcision in Biblical times is very different with regard to the actual procedure that boys receive today. Circumcision was also very controversial in Biblical times, it was never a clear cut issue and it also fueled controversy. There are also many uses in the Bible for the word circumcision, which, in Latin, means 'to cut'. The Bible talks about circumcising your heart from the Lord and so forth. So one cannot just look up all 'circumcision versus' and state they are referring to the act of male penile circumcision.
Also, Paul believed firmly that circumcision was not a mandate of God and that it was not about cutting skin from one's penis in order to bring one close to God. It was about your spiritual oneness with Christ and he adamantly refuted publicly that boys/men needed to be circumcised. "The requirement for circumcision relates to the Old Testament Jews, and to them only, according to the covenant given to Abraham." Being saved from our sins is received through faith in Christ, and it is this act of turning from our sin and self righteousness and turning instead to the reliance upon Christ's finished work on the cross that makes us " circumcised of heart" and that the works of the flesh accomplish nothing.
Here are some great Bible versus:
1 Corinthians 12:18
"But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. "
Romans 2:25-29
25For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? 28For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh . 29But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men , but from God .
Corinthians 5:1–11
5 For sfreedom Christ has tset us free; ustand firm therefore, and do not submit again to va yoke of wslavery.
2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that xif you accept circumcision, yChrist will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that zhe is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are asevered from Christ, byou who would be justified1 by the law; cyou have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly dwait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesuseneither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but fonly faith working through love.
Here are some versus showing the different uses for the word circumcision in the Bible:
Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.”
Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—
Philippians 3:1–3
3 Finally, my brothers,1 krejoice in the Lord. lTo write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
2 Look out for mthe dogs, look out for nthe evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For owe are the circumcision, pwho worship qby the Spirit of God2 and rglory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—
Colossians 2:8–12
8 See to it that no one takes you captive by nphilosophy and oempty deceit, according to phuman tradition, according to the qelemental spirits1 of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For rin him the whole fullness of deity dwells sbodily, 10 and tyou have been filled in him, who is uthe head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also vyou were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by wputting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 xhaving been buried with him in baptism, in which yyou were also raised with him through faith in zthe powerful working of God,zwho raised him from the dead.
Live as You Are Called
1 Corinthian 7:17-20
1 Corinthian 7:17-20
17 Only let each person lead the life3 lthat the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. mThis is my rule in nall the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? oLet him not seek circumcision. 19 pFor neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but qkeeping the commandments of God. 20 rEach one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
Here is the bottom line for us:
1 Corinthians 12:18
God put every different part of the body, just as he wanted it to be.
Galatians 5:
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
God knows best how to make little boys. And he has made them perfectly.
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