Friday, December 17, 2010

So close...

I was so close. I thought I would make it, but alas, it didn't work out that way. I have focused on trying to not get sick during my pregnancy, but I didn't make it. I know many more people have many more problems than getting a ferocious cold, but many of those problems can't be helped. Not getting sick for 9 months is possible, but I couldn't manage. I even got a stinkin flu shot, but alas, I'm at home instead of at work. And of course, when I left yesterday, everything was fine. But as it goes, things unraveled, and I am now completely unloading an entire day's work on top of someone who is awesome, doesn't deserve it and didn't plan on it. So I'm now screwing up not only my day, but someone else's as well.

On top of not being able to breathe and coughing up green stuff all day long, I've had a migraine for four days. I can't get rid of it because I can't quit coughing. The one thing I'm supposed to do is rest, but as other moms-to-be know, sleep isn't easy to get. Add to that a four-hour car ride I have to take this afternoon for the first round of family Christmas festivities, and you've got a less-than-stellar pregnant woman. Crud is not a good look for me...even when I'm in pink.

Good grief. I complain a lot. So let me follow that up to say how grateful I am for how well Ella has done the last 30 weeks. Only 10 more weeks to go, and she will grace us with her stellar presence. I am so thankful to have family and friends around me who are supportive and as excited as we are, and I'm grateful to work with a few amazing people who tell me to put baby and me first. This handful of people know that I'm struggling with not always being a rockstar right now, and I'm especially thankful for their support. That's it for today. I'm starting to get teary-eyed, and my nose and head can't take it:)

Monday, December 13, 2010

Slowly but surely...

We are making progress. Ella now has a crib and a dresser, but that's as far as I've made it. I thought having a girl would make the decision-making process easier, but I love so many things that it's actually difficult. I'm against posting pictures from her room until it looks more like a room, so for now, I've put pictures below that I found online of her furniture. It's part of the Ma Marie collection from Young America. I've got the bedding narrowed down to three choices, but I'm struggling.


And on a sidenote, it is snowing in Atlanta! It's not actually sticking to anything, but it's still out and about in the air. It makes me very, very happy. I hope it snows a lot next year so that I can bundle Ella up in a pink North Face full body suit that I found and introduce her to the wonder and perfection that is snow. Forget summer. Give me snow, snow, snow:)

And on another sidenote (this one, baby-related), here are two videos of baby animals that are too much for words. 

The first was sent to me - it's of baby ducks that are getting blown around by the wind. It's actually terrible to watch, but I love how the momma duck keeps it (and her babies) together. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEBLt6Kd9EY 

The second one is from the Columbus Zoo, and it shows a mother otter teaching her baby to swim. It's pretty hilarious because the baby has zero desire and zero intention of getting in the water, but the momma drags the baby in by its legs. Sounds terrible, but it's pretty funny. Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpTqV6LPl8c


Thursday, December 9, 2010

Sorry. It's been a minute:)

Update: My glucose was normal, so the orange liquid is now a memory. And the remnants of the orange liquid came out of my cardigan, so uniform saved! Starting Dec. 21, I go to the doctor every 2 weeks instead of 4 weeks. We have our hospital tour this weekend, and my childbirth classes are scheduled for January. I have started the kick count routine, which Ella makes very easy. 10 movements in 10 minutes. Done and done. As of today, there are 11 weeks and 3 days left to go, and little girl is apparently the size of a small cabbage, weighing about 2.9 lbs and measuring at 17 inches long. I've had a couple of less than fabulous nights lately - a lot of tossing and turning (which itself is becoming more difficult) and crazy dreams. I've always had crazy dreams, and I remember every detail, so for me to categorize these as particularly crazy is saying something.

Now, on to my thought for the day. Someone asked me yesterday if I was looking forward to drinking alcoholic beverages again. My answer was simple: no. I've never liked the taste of anything alcoholic. Therefore, I simply don't drink. It's not a moral stance - I just don't like it. Simple as that. So I didn't have to give anything up, and I don't crave it now. This conversation meandered into, "Well, if it's not alcohol, then what did you have to give up?" Oh...many things, my friend....many things. Granted, I'm a bit of an obsessive person, so there are some things I possibly could have been more lenient with, but basically, if the book said, "Don't do it," then I didn't do it. A lot of things I could care less about, but there are a few I'm anxious to have back. So here is my list of things that I look forward to being able to do/have again:

1. Turkey sandwich. Turkey sandwich. Turkey sandwich. I'm going to tear Jimmy John's up. No lie. Not many people know that you can't have deli meats due to the risk of listeria, but it's true. Apparently, as long as it is heated to 165 degrees right before you eat it, you should be safe, but it was a chance I wasn't willing to take.

2. Sleeping on my stomach. I don't care if it is just for an hour or two at a time. It will be glorious.

3. Goody powder. Less than fabulous, I know. But I have always had terrible headaches, and pregnancy really just increased them. If I laugh or cough, I immediately have a throbbing pain in my head. Goody powders are strictly forbidden, as is pretty much everything else. I can take Tylenol, but they might as well be M&M's for all the good they do. The doctor gave me a prescription, but I've been hesitant to take it. I think I've taken two pills the entire time, and it was because I was pretty sure the bones were about to pop out of my head.

4. Cheese dip from Taqueria del Sol and bleu cheese chips from Buckhead Diner. Soft cheeses are another no-no. Again, if it's bubbling hot, then you should be safe, but it still has to be in moderation. I've had about 10 chips from the Taq and 10 chips from the Diner in the last 7 months. This is about a 6,450% reduction in intake. 

5. Diet Coke and Diet Dr. Pepper. I gave up all artificial sweeteners. This means no diet sodas, unsweet tea with Equal, chewing gum, etc. I read the labels on everything to check for artificial sweeteners by their many names, and if they are present, it goes back on the shelf. I've limited myself to one caffeinated beverage a day because it helps with my headaches. 200 mg daily is what you should limit yourself to, but I've been keeping it at about 50 mg.

6. Popping my back. Dear sweet baby Jesus. I've needed every bone in my back popped for about 5 months now, but I can't twist the way that is necessary, and Kyle certainly can't walk on my back. But as soon as Ella is here, I'm going to twist and crack in every way possible.

That's is. There are other things I gave up (hot dogs, steak, Mountain Dew), either because I had to or because I now have an aversion to them, but nothing that I miss. All in all, it hasn't been hard. I mean, it is for a pretty good reason:)