Headache, Headache, Go Away!

I have been getting headaches in the afternoon and it is getting old. I try to nap it out or drink lots of water but that has proven mostly ineffective. I think they are tension headaches based upon some personal things I am going through, including but not limited to family drama and hunting for a job while almost 5 months pregnant.

Ever feel like you need a vacation from your life? Ha!

Huh.

At church tonight quite a few people came up to me and said, "What are you having?" One woman even rubbed my belly. This tells me I must be more visibly pregnant than I previously thought, ha! As with most first pregnancies (or so I've heard) it seems like some days I look really pregnant and some days just chubby. I know some women hate to be touched, and I am definitely that way when I'm not pregnant, but I enjoyed the attention and didn't mind the belly rub.

17 Weeks

How Far Along: 17 Weeks

Size of baby: Turnip. Or for those of you who don't speak baby-food combos, about the size of an open hand.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: None. I am ravenously hungry all.the.time. I know intellectually I am supposed to gain weight but I find myself fending off meals for as long as possible to the point of feeling sick. I just need to get with the program and start chowing down.

Maternity Clothes: I am in 90% maternity bottoms, as the Bella Band did NOT work for me. All of my tops still fit however they are coming up short due to the weird height that maternity bottoms hit. I have some maternity shirts but I wasn't planning to bust them out this soon. I guess if my shirts keep riding up I will have to. Pregnant crop tops = completely NOT sexy!

Gender: I am not receiving a lot of support for being on Team Green so it seems that if the rest of my peeps have their way, I will be finding out the sex on March 22nd.

Movement: Still too soon!

Sleep: I can make it through the night without getting up to pee a few nights a week. I still wake up but that's nothing new.

What I miss: Being able to crack my back. My hip is out of place and even after Rob tried stretching me in a million different ways, it wouldn't budge.

Cravings: Gala or Fuji apples. I'm pretty sure I've consumed more apples in the past week than in the previous 2 years combined.

Symptoms: Bad acne, bad hair and a gut.

Best Moment this week: Any week with a healthy baby is good to me!


I keep talking about my bad hair, but I think this week's picture really sums it up. Rob asked if I wanted to delay taking my photo till tomorrow but my reasoning is that this is supposed to be an accurate portrayal of who I am at this stage in my life so I insisted he take it as-is. The weather here is humid, and if there is anything Puerto Rican hair doesn't like, it's humidity. I am hoping the weather will improve tomorrow because I have a work function.

And another thing, last year I lost close to 25 pounds on Nutrisystem (and kept it off!) I was hesitant to throw out all my "fat clothes" even when I went down 2-3 sizes hoping I could use some of the clothes for pregnancy. This shirt, while always loose, at one point was close to fitting. Even in my 2nd trimester, it still has room. I'm so disgusted with myself that this shirt ever fit pre-pregnancy, but I guess I'm glad I saved it. Point is, I intend to be diligent after this baby to lose even more weight. I need to rectify my weight issues but that is a whole 'nother Oprah!

The One Where I Died of Embarassment

I hear my mom's car pull in and the following conversation takes place:

Mom: Casey! Mail call! Your udder covers are here!

Dad: What did you say?

Mom: I said her udder covers were here.

Dad: What on Earth is an udder cover?

Mom: You know what an udder is!

Dad: No, I really don't! I have only heard that term used for an animal so I can't imagine what she ordered for a cow! Is she bringing it to the farm next door?

Mom: Nobody would dare use that word to describe any part of my anatomy!

Dad: So what is it?

Me: It's a FREAKING NURSING COVER and YES THEIR MARKETING DEPARTMENT FAILED DURING THE BRANDING AND NAMING MEETING!

Dad: Well I did not need that visual. Good thing I already ate.

Mom: I still don't have udders.

It's A Hairy Situation

As I have mentioned previously, my hair looks gross. All things considered, I would go bald if it meant a healthy pregnancy, but still, the vain side of me wishes I didn't look like Bozo the Clown. I've also noticed the prenatals don't discriminate on where they encourage hair to grow. Nose hair, anyone? I certainly need to shave my legs more often. I always shave under my arms, etc. Always. And then there's "downstairs"....

....

Now, I am of the less is more mentality. I know it is natural, and some people think it is "beautiful" but I am simply not into pubic hair. The "I Am Woman Hear Me Roar" mantra doesn't fit for me. A friend of mine said it is a generational thing, and maybe it is, but I can't help it. Pubic fluff is not my style.

That all said, I am way too modest to go to a professional. I am pretty militant about personal grooming, and I know the time will come where, despite my best acrobatics, I won't be able to reach everywhere I want to reach. So then what?

Do I ask my husband to do it? Do I suck it up and go to a waxer? Do I attempt to contort with the aid of a bigger mirror? Do you mind sharing your solutions? I truly don't see myself fitting into the, "I'm so hugely pregnant I don't care anymore" group so if that was you, more power to you, but it ain't me. You can post anonymously if it is easier. :)

If You Believe Everything You See and Hear

I'm sure I've shared this story before, but you'll have to excuse a re-tell on account of the notorious "pregnancy brain." Many years ago I was walking when a woman stopped me. She purported herself to be a psychic and felt compelled to tell me some things. One of those things was that I would be the "opposite" of my mom. She elaborated that I would have a son followed by two girls. Basically, the opposite of my familial birth order.

I don't put much stock in that stuff so I remain skeptical, but I have thought since day 1 that this baby was a boy. Aside from the old wives' tales all indicating Team Blue, I have a sense of some sort that there is a person with a penis growing inside of me.

Where am I going with all of this? well, the anatomy scan is on the 22nd and I will need to make up my mind by then if I want to know the true sex of my Puerto Rican Jumping Bean.

For fun (not science, obviously) we bought an Intelligender from Target. This purchase was easily justified by the test being on sale. For those not familiar, you pee into a cup and it measures your hormones to determine the sex of your baby. All my friends who have tried have remarked that it was accurate. So, according to Intelligender:

16 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:


How Far Along: 16 Weeks

Size of baby: Avocado. Mmmmn, guacamole!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: None. Phew!

Maternity Clothes: Rob took me to Motherhood and insisted I buy some higher quality bottoms than I'd gotten at Old Navy. I have such body hang-ups, I'll admit. I started off trying on clothes that were a size too big but the sales associate convinced me to try on pants in my size and they fit much better- I no longer look like I have a load in my pants.

Gender: I am Team Green (still.)

Movement: I was up for my nightly pee break and could've sworn I felt the slightest flutter but I am sure I was wrong. Methinks it's still too soon.

Sleep: My nightly wake up is now between 3-4. Random.

What I miss: Nothing, really.

Cravings: Ice cream. It is sooo hot! Also, carrots and broccoli slaw.

Symptoms: My hair and skin are both disgusting.

Best Moment this week: We got to hear the heart beat!

***If I look horrid in this picture there is a reason. It is hot here, we had just got done cleaning the church, it was late at night and I was annoyed. A lethal combo for taking a happy photo, lol. Rob has this Will Ferrel app on his phone and he couldn't figure out how to turn it off and so the entire time he was trying to take my picture, all I could hear was Will Ferrel making crass, stoopid jokes. Coupled with Dustin sitting on the couch complaining the app was drowning out Jersey Shore, I was ready to junk punch someone!

Sling Safety

When you're pregnant you get bombarded with free offers, coupons, and the like. Most of it is useless. One cool offer I received was for a free baby sling. I quickly ordered one, since I refuse to pass up a deal.

When it arrived I was super excited. But then, I got comments from two family members about how dangerous slings are, how the baby will fall out, how they're difficult to use, etc.

I don't think they're as dangerous as claimed. As for the level of difficulty, well, I am sure some types/brands are more of a pain than others. But what better way to try it than a free one, right? Besides, women have been carrying their children in slings since the invention of fabric so I assume it couldn't truly be lethal.

Have you ever used a sling before? If so, did you love it or hate it?

July, July, July

Went to the doctor this morning. Got to hear a strong, "perfect" heartbeat. I never get sick of that noise! Our appointment was first thing in the morning and I really like getting to go in so early.

We discussed the blood clotting disorder in greater length. Due to my insurance not starting until April 1st, it will be necessary for me to switch to Heparin for a short while. The Lovenox is a superior drug, as it does not impact your blood platelets, require monitoring, etc. However, closer to delivery time, most anesthesiologists won't allow you to have any medicine if you have had Lovenox within 24 hours so were I to go into labor, I would either have to go natural if I chose to push, or I would have to be put to sleep for a c-section (Heparin has a reversal medicine available were it necessary). Obviously, I want to keep my options open. So, for now, I will take Heparin for the month when the meds that were donate to me run out and closer to delivery time they will switch me back to the Heparin. Confused? Sorry.

The verdict is still out on whether the blood thinners are absolutely necessary, however, we are taking a "better safe than sorry" approach due to the high incidence of stillborn births, etc. And, I will get specialized monitoring throughout to ensure the baby is not impacted by a blood clot (the medicine does not negatively impact the baby, for those concerned.)

Oh! And she also told me that because of the disorder, they like to deliver during 38 weeks. I have said this entire time the baby would not be born in August, and now I have my confirmation: this will be a July baby! Do you know what this means??? Only 22 weeks left-Whoa!!

"Just You Wait"

My pregnancy has been relatively symptom-free. Each time I experience something that seems pregnancy-related, my mom negates it with, "Oh just you wait!"

I commented that I feel fuller, sooner, when eating. "Just you wait, you won't be able to finish a sandwich."

My pants don't fit right, "Just you wait, in 2months you won't have anything to wear and you'll be miserable in the heat."

It goes on and on. Has anyone else had this experience with their mother or someone else? It leaves me feeling as though I am not "pregnant enough." How far along must I be before it is legitimate? Having never been pregnant before, it certainly feels like these "symptoms" are real. I mean, how else would I notice these things unless they were happening?

I don't think my mom means anything by it but I do find it annoying. I am sure the comments and assvice will only get worse, especially from others, as my pregnancy progresses.

On another note, I have a doctor appointment tomorrow. I always get nervous and anxious that something will be wrong. I can't shake it. I think it will be easier on me when I can feel the baby move because then I will have something judge upon. On top of that, there is mass chaos involved with our insurance that will be kicking in April 1st. T&P's would be appreciated regarding this issue. Muchas gracias.

15 Weeks

Technically this photo is 15w2d but life is what happens when you're trying to make plans! I had The Kid That Lives on the Couch take this photo and (per usual) I don't look my best but I'm trying to keep it real. I am wearing my new maternity pants and they're simply too big. I fit in a size or two smaller but the pouch part was tight so I got this size because the pouch was comfy and I figured that was more important than showing off my cute bootie. Ha! These days I definitely do not feel cute or fashionable so I might indulge in a new dress for Valentine's Day date night and my anniversary (within 2 weeks of another.)



Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 15 Weeks

Size of baby: Navel Orange

Total Weight Gain/Loss: The 4 pounds I had gained are a thing of the past. I am down those 4 pounds plus 2 more. Gee, I should get pregnant all the time!

Maternity Clothes: I'm in pants but they're too big. I was pleased to learn that I am growing in the belly area but not everywhere else!

Gender: I am Team Green (still.)

Movement: Still too early for me to feel anything.

Sleep: I wake up every morning at 5 a.m. and I can't fall back asleep till about 6:30, only to be woken up by the alarm at 7. Oh well.

What I miss: Wearing cute clothes and the occasional martini.

Cravings: Grapes. I bought some but it's really not their season.

Symptoms: Even though it makes me sort've nervous, I am mostly symptom-free and feeling good. I definitely have heartburn, which my girlfriends tell me means by baby will have lots of hair (yay!)

Best Moment this week: Another week of a healthy pregnancy. I couldn't ask for more!

What's In A Name? Um, A Lot!

Like most people, I feel pretty passionate about the naming of people. In case you missed it, check this blog I posted in December for one of the best videos I've ever seen. No, really, one of the best videos ever. It pretty much sums up my thoughts perfectly.

Anyway, I was watching Say Yes to the Dress this morning and a woman came in with her young daughter and the daughter's name was Duvae, pronounced "duvet." I was hoping to give the mom the benefit of the doubt that perhaps they were French or attempting something fancy and unique, until this little gem from the mom:

"Duvae was our last baby. We named her after the comforter hoping she'd be the comfort in our life. It worked!"

Um, what? You named your kid after a linen?

I can die now because I have heard everything.









P.S. I have a friend named Cadence but she was named that lonnnnnng before it was cool so she gets points for having original parents. The rest is just ridiculous.

Blah

I'm sick. At least, I think I am. One minute it feels (and looks) like I have a sinus infection, and then a few symptom-free hours pass. I doubt it is rhinitis because it is green 1/2 the time. I have also had several headaches, which I have heard is quite common in the 2nd trimester. If it's green it's a problem, right? I'm not gonna waste $80 to go to the doctor if it is only colored on occasion.

I'm taking acetaminophen and drinking lots of water. I never thought I'd say this but (today, at least) I am thankful for being laid off because I can lay down when I need to and not have to worry about answering to anyone.

Against my better judgement I tried to nap today. Usually if I nap it means my insomnia will rage but twice in the past week I have slept for an hour during the day. I couldn't help myself.

Rob has been taking care of me and for that I am so thankful. Let's just say that I have been, uh, a little cranky. He handles me with grace.

Time to turn off the computer-my vision is blurred from being a couch potato!

This and That

I finally called the doctor's office regarding the results of the NT scan. The nurse told she has a "no news is good news" policy but I had been told, specifically, to expect a call so I worried for 2 weeks for nothing. Oh well. The only thing that matters is that the baby looked good. Someone pointed out that because the results of such a test are not positive/negative, it is odd to have that policy for that particular test but digress...

Today I bought two pairs of maternity pants from Old Navy. Ordinarily I despise Old Navy and think their clothes are crap, but in this instance the sale prices were decent and I was able to locate 2 pairs of pants that fit. The 4 pounds I had gained has miraculously disappeared, much to my delight. It seems like though my belly is growing, the rest of me is not. I'm glad for that! All this to say, I fit into the smaller size I was sporting pre-pregnancy but I purchased 1 size up as a precaution so that I could get my money's worth. My middle name should've been "cheap" because that is exactly what I am!

Wow, Friends

I have an internet friend named Libelletage. She sort've flies under the radar so I hope she isn't mad at me for posting this but I wanted to give her kudos for helping me. I don't think she even reads this blog so hopefully I will be fine.

Anyway, she is really helping me with this pregnancy. Specifically, she is a nurse and has never hesitated to answer any of my questions regarding these daily injections I have to give myself. Some of it has been scary-bruising, weird pouches under the skin, etc. It's hard enough to navigate a first pregnancy, but adding heavy-duty drugs can drive a woman mad!

Anyway, she has never once complained that I am burdening her. And that's nice because I quickly feel like I am bothersome. We should all have a friend with such expertise and patience!

Whoops, gotta cut this short as the old MAC is on the fritz and my very dear friend is trying to fix it from 1,500 miles away!

14 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:
How Far Along: 14 Weeks
Size of baby: Lemon
Total Weight Gain/Loss: I haven't gotten on the scale for the sake of my sanity.
Maternity Clothes: My pants do not fit, not even a little bit. OK, that's an exaggeration. They fit but most pairs refuse to cooperate by buttoning. My favorite pair has outgrown using a rubber band. As soon as we are not snowed in I will venture to Target to use a gift card to buy a pair. Can you believe Wal-mart doesn't carry maternity clothes? Such bull! The vast majority of my tops still fit.
Gender: I am Team Green (still.)
Movement: Well, the baby moved during the u/s but it is still too early for me to feel anything.
Sleep: Eh, chronic insomnia prevails.
What I miss: Pooping? LOL, just being real here. Even that could be worse. As cliche as it sounds, I would give up anything for a healthy pregnancy.
Cravings: Donuts and cheese tortellini.
Symptoms: I have been blessed with an amicable spawn thus far. I feel terrific.
Best Moment this week: Another week of a healthy pregnancy. I couldn't ask for more!


***This is not an outfit I would wear in public, I simply chose the tighest-fitting ensemble I had to demonstrate the chub I am passing off as baby bump.