Jeff told me yesterday that after the baby is here we need to buy him a toy. This was said after he dropped a two bags from Babies R Us in his former office, now the baby's room. Which is currently covered with clothes, toys, and books from recent showers waiting to be put away. Poor guy! All these gifts coming in and trips to the store and nothing for him! I guess our exciting purchases that evening of burp cloths, bath towels, and bottle nipples must have made him jealous. I oh-so-sympathetically responded that his birthday would be coming up soon after the baby's arrival and I would buy him something nice...like maybe a Reese's peanut butter cup. :)
Speaking of showers, there was another round of showers recently, this time with co-workers. And once again we were showered with generosity. I was thrilled to receive lots of books to build our baby library. If I can find my camera, maybe I'll post a few pictures.
I'm up to weekly doctor appointments now. Everything seems to be progressing along fine. The baby has been head down for a while now, so that's fabulous news. She seems to prefer hanging out on my right side, which is not so great for me. There's often a foot wedged in my side or ribs and I can frequently be seen pressing down on my side or belly trying to coax the appendage to move.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
One month to go!
We're coming down to the wire. Only one month til the baby's due date. We have a nursery mostly put together - there's a crib and mattress, changing table, glider, and some decorations on the wall. A few more organizational issues to take care of and upcoming shower gifts to find homes for. After all that's set, I will post pictures to the blog for your viewing pleasure.
In anticipation of the one month countdown, my body provided my first stretch mark. (Well, the first pregnancy related one at least.) What a gift! I noticed it Thursday evening but wasn't sure if it was just a line from the waistband of my pants. But it was still there on Friday. I had Jeff confirm since it's a little hard for me to see the underside of my belly. Mentally I'm cool with it. One little one didn't throw me for a loop. We'll see how I feel about it when more show up.
And in other positive news, I was able trim my own toenails last night! I noticed they were long and got concerned about whether I could be bent up long enough to trim them up. But I managed just fine. And unlike one of the ladies in our childbirth class, I can still put on my own socks and tie my shoes! Gotta celebrate the little things.
In anticipation of the one month countdown, my body provided my first stretch mark. (Well, the first pregnancy related one at least.) What a gift! I noticed it Thursday evening but wasn't sure if it was just a line from the waistband of my pants. But it was still there on Friday. I had Jeff confirm since it's a little hard for me to see the underside of my belly. Mentally I'm cool with it. One little one didn't throw me for a loop. We'll see how I feel about it when more show up.
And in other positive news, I was able trim my own toenails last night! I noticed they were long and got concerned about whether I could be bent up long enough to trim them up. But I managed just fine. And unlike one of the ladies in our childbirth class, I can still put on my own socks and tie my shoes! Gotta celebrate the little things.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
The post of shame...
It's time I admitted it.
I am avoiding thank you notes.
There I said it. For shame! People have been so loving and generous, showering our growing little family with love, attention, and gifts. But can I take a few minutes to write a short note of thanks?? Apparently not. I just can't get motivated to do it. My first shower was 2 months ago. The latest was last weekend. And I have three more coming up at work in the next week or two. But have I written even the first thank you note? No, I have not.
So, if you are one of the wonderful people who has given us one of the many fabulous gifts we have received, please know that we are ever so grateful. And I will get a thank you note to you. I will!
And if your name is Brandi, get busy writing! You have no excuse anymore. You are not too busy on this dreary three day weekend to get some done!!
I am avoiding thank you notes.
There I said it. For shame! People have been so loving and generous, showering our growing little family with love, attention, and gifts. But can I take a few minutes to write a short note of thanks?? Apparently not. I just can't get motivated to do it. My first shower was 2 months ago. The latest was last weekend. And I have three more coming up at work in the next week or two. But have I written even the first thank you note? No, I have not.
So, if you are one of the wonderful people who has given us one of the many fabulous gifts we have received, please know that we are ever so grateful. And I will get a thank you note to you. I will!
And if your name is Brandi, get busy writing! You have no excuse anymore. You are not too busy on this dreary three day weekend to get some done!!
Friday, January 7, 2011
The joys of the 3rd trimester
The first few weeks of the first trimester were a continuation of the relative bliss of the second trimester. It was the calm before the storm, creating a false sense of security! How things change. All those 3rd trimester issues I've heard about are now rearing their ugly head.
First, and most frustrating for me personally, the insomnia is back. I just don't enjoy laying awake for two hours in the middle of the night a few times a week. Go to sleep!
Then there's the heartburn. It hasn't been too horrible so far but still not pleasant. And it can be brought on by chocolate. What kind of twisted humor is that??
And although I've been tired the entire pregnancy, the fatigue is definitely worse. Issue #1 certainly doesn't help.
Oh and the congestion. How could I forget about that?? I was packing up to come home from work the other day and heard this weird rhythmic noise. I wonder to myself "What is that noise?" I stop and look around. Oh. It's me. Breathing. The funny noise happens each time I inhale. Lovely! And most annoying is that interferes with my precious sleep! It's a vicious cycle: I'm all congested so I have to breathe out of my mouth, which annoys me. Then my mouth gets dry and my lips get chapped. And I'm even more annoyed and distracted and can't fall asleep. The humidifier we have going every night does help. And I bought some of those nose strips to try. Those actually seem to be helping, at least enough for me fall asleep. Thank goodness!
As I'm sitting on the couch the other night, Jeff pushes up my pant leg while asking if my legs are all puffy yet. Just as I'm about to happily respond "Nope, don't have that issue yet," he starts poking at my leg and says "Awww, Brandi has edema." Which would be doctor speak for puffiness/swelling from fluid. I glance down in shock to see that my lower legs are indeed a little bit puffy. When did that happen?! I was not aware of this. I am not prepared for this development! I finally break out of my shock long enough to tell Jeff to stop poking my leg since he's hitting my shin bone and it hurts. I believe he even asked me if I had played with this yet. No dearest husband, I haven't sat around poking my finger into my puffy legs for the fun of it! I'm consoling myself with the fact that my ankles hadn't completely disappeared. And that my legs looked normal in the morning. Because you can be sure that I checked.
But all complaining and joking aside, I try to be positive and acknowledge that things are pretty good overall. Sure I have some discomfort from the growing belly but it's manageable. My back aches now and again, but it did before pregnancy too. And some good stretches and yoga poses help manage that. I've got strategies to manage most things. As long as the insomnia doesn't get too bad I'll be fine. And I'm healthy, feeling okay and growing a healthy baby. And those are the most important things!
First, and most frustrating for me personally, the insomnia is back. I just don't enjoy laying awake for two hours in the middle of the night a few times a week. Go to sleep!
Then there's the heartburn. It hasn't been too horrible so far but still not pleasant. And it can be brought on by chocolate. What kind of twisted humor is that??
And although I've been tired the entire pregnancy, the fatigue is definitely worse. Issue #1 certainly doesn't help.
Oh and the congestion. How could I forget about that?? I was packing up to come home from work the other day and heard this weird rhythmic noise. I wonder to myself "What is that noise?" I stop and look around. Oh. It's me. Breathing. The funny noise happens each time I inhale. Lovely! And most annoying is that interferes with my precious sleep! It's a vicious cycle: I'm all congested so I have to breathe out of my mouth, which annoys me. Then my mouth gets dry and my lips get chapped. And I'm even more annoyed and distracted and can't fall asleep. The humidifier we have going every night does help. And I bought some of those nose strips to try. Those actually seem to be helping, at least enough for me fall asleep. Thank goodness!
As I'm sitting on the couch the other night, Jeff pushes up my pant leg while asking if my legs are all puffy yet. Just as I'm about to happily respond "Nope, don't have that issue yet," he starts poking at my leg and says "Awww, Brandi has edema." Which would be doctor speak for puffiness/swelling from fluid. I glance down in shock to see that my lower legs are indeed a little bit puffy. When did that happen?! I was not aware of this. I am not prepared for this development! I finally break out of my shock long enough to tell Jeff to stop poking my leg since he's hitting my shin bone and it hurts. I believe he even asked me if I had played with this yet. No dearest husband, I haven't sat around poking my finger into my puffy legs for the fun of it! I'm consoling myself with the fact that my ankles hadn't completely disappeared. And that my legs looked normal in the morning. Because you can be sure that I checked.
But all complaining and joking aside, I try to be positive and acknowledge that things are pretty good overall. Sure I have some discomfort from the growing belly but it's manageable. My back aches now and again, but it did before pregnancy too. And some good stretches and yoga poses help manage that. I've got strategies to manage most things. As long as the insomnia doesn't get too bad I'll be fine. And I'm healthy, feeling okay and growing a healthy baby. And those are the most important things!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Christmas in Atlanta
I flew down to Atlanta on the 26th and celebrated Christmas with my side of our family that evening. Jeff made it down on the 29th and we flew back on the 31st. On the 29th we did Christmas gifts with Jeff's parents. We took our moms out for lunch and a movie on the 30th. Mmmm, Mexican! That evening we visited with my brother and sister-in-law at my parents while their schedules allowed. We celebrated New Year's Eve with the Schulze family at a great lunch hosted by Dave and Karen (Jeff's brother and his wife). There was Chick-fil-a nuggets and Karen's dad's famous white chili involved! Yum! Then we flew home that evening for a quiet toast to the new year at home. With sparkling grape juice of course.
Here are a few pictures from Christmas with my family.
Here are a few pictures from Christmas with my family.
 |
| Lots of present waiting for me to wrap |
 |
| Stockings at the Simpson house |
 |
| Tree after our presents were added |
 |
| A little something for Grandma-to-be |
 |
| Someone's excited.... |
 |
| For his Buck Hunter game! |
 |
| I didn't have any pictures of my mom with pregnant me so we had to fix that! |
 |
| The annual Christmas picture of the two of us |
 |
| And a little something for baby-to-be |
Christmas in Chicago
As Jeff noted in his post, it was the last Christmas with just the two of us. We’ve been very fortunate with Jeff’s schedule to have made it to Atlanta for Christmas in past years. This year didn’t allow for that so we celebrated in Chicago. Jeff had to work until midnight on Christmas Eve, so I was on my own. It was harder than I expected it to be as Christmas Eve isn’t typically a big day for me. But I was feeling lonely. So I went to church to sing some good Christmas-y songs (and be reminded of the reason for the holiday, of course). As a non-Catholic I felt weird walking in to the Catholic church all by myself, even though it’s the same church we go to every weekend. The walls didn’t crumble around me and no lightning bolts came from the sky, so I think it was ok. And the song selection didn’t disappoint.
Later in the evening I used Skype to video chat with my family and participate in the Simpson Christmas Eve ritual. This consists of hanging stockings, toasting the season, and opening our Christmas Eve gift (pajamas). The jokes, jabs and insults traded between my family members assured me that even though we’re all growing older and venturing out on our own, some things never change.
Christmas morning came and I once again Skyped with my family. I got to see them open some presents and hear them talk about ones I couldn’t see from my particular viewpoint. I got passed around to different laps as people took turns moving the laptop to change what I could see. Although not nearly the same as being there, it was nice to have a way to feel a part of things. I had to talk loudly enough for them to hear me and my voice carried into the bedroom and woke Jeff up. He stumbled out and promptly crawled under the blanket on the couch. He wasn’t real interested in any on-camera appearances. He turned on the 24-hour marathon of A Christmas Story and texted key lines back and forth with his sister.
Once we finished up with all the Skyping, we had our own Christmas. We each had stockings full of candy and small gifts. Apparently Santa decided to take note of this pregnancy thing and gift me with some chocolate covered potato chips. I’ve only had one so far, but they are definitely full of greasy goodness.
Jeff got me an ipod touch, which I am now addicted to. Thank goodness I can’t access the wireless internet at work with it and thus can convince myself to leave it at home. I also got a pregnancy pillow, some books, and a very cool customized vinyl skin for my Kindle. Jeff used some wedding photos of us to create the front cover and a vibrant flower picture from our Canada trip to make the back. It’s pretty cool. I was telling my mom about it and she said “See, now that’s romantic.” And while it does sound a little silly, I know what she means and I agree. I appreciate the time and effort put into thinking up the idea, picking out pictures that would be meaningful, and cropping and adjusting to make them fit. That is, lots of time spent thinking about what I would like. Can’t go wrong with that.
Jeff got me an ipod touch, which I am now addicted to. Thank goodness I can’t access the wireless internet at work with it and thus can convince myself to leave it at home. I also got a pregnancy pillow, some books, and a very cool customized vinyl skin for my Kindle. Jeff used some wedding photos of us to create the front cover and a vibrant flower picture from our Canada trip to make the back. It’s pretty cool. I was telling my mom about it and she said “See, now that’s romantic.” And while it does sound a little silly, I know what she means and I agree. I appreciate the time and effort put into thinking up the idea, picking out pictures that would be meaningful, and cropping and adjusting to make them fit. That is, lots of time spent thinking about what I would like. Can’t go wrong with that.
 |
| Back |
 |
| Front |
Jeff received a miscellaneous assortment of items including some books from his wish list, some stubby, flexible head ratchets, and a soda rack for his cans of Jeff water (flavored seltzer water). His big gift was a gift certificate to an online lens rental company so that he can try out all these fancy lenses on his wish list. I don’t know how he feels about his gifts, but I don’t think it was one of my better gift-giving occasions.
In the afternoon we went over to Jeff’s grandparents house for the Schulze Christmas gathering. I contributed stuffed mushrooms to the party, which everyone raved about. They’re a good group to cook for; whatever I bring gets such enthusiastic response. We had a Italian/Chicago feast of lasagna, sausage, and Italian beef and enjoyed spending time with all the family.
The next day I was off to Atlanta for Christmas, round 2.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)