I'll do my best to conceal my whining as an informative update:
Last summer when I lost 5 pounds, I was delighted with how my pants fit (as in, the way they were supposed to and did when I bought them). I am especially glad fnow that I worked so hard last summer because now I'm starting to feel snug in them again. I'm sure I've got a week or two left in some pants, and maybe more than a month in some of my favorites, but I can see the end in sight. And I don't look pregnant, either, because there's no baby in a muffin top. That's allllll me (and the cookies I made this weekend).
I am SO tired... weary, really. I'm not sleepy, so much, as I am just drained of energy. I have slept 11 hours a couple times on the weekends, and if I get less than 8 on a weeknight I am worthless the next day. Who am I kidding, I've got Placenta Brain so bad I'm worthless anyway. Apparently, so much of my blood is going towards building a placenta that I suddenly have no idea what's coming out of my mouth when I talk. And it's not like I can't think of a word, just that the wrong word comes out. It's so bizarre.
And a funny story from my parents, who most of you know and enjoy:
Because of the ice storm last weekend, most of North Iowa was without power for this week, but my parents are on a different power grid than most of their surrounding area so they had power back by Sunday. Last night during dinner, an anonymous caller informed them that they had too many lights on and were using too much power, and that they should be conserving power because there were so many people without. Nevermind that the problem is power lines on the ground and not lack of resources - they said their lights are burning brighter than ever because there's so much power available. The caller wouldn't leave her name, either. Such a friendly small town.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Methane baby
Travis and I didn't have any particular plans for this weekend, which was nice because an ice storm ravaged most of the midwest starting Friday afternoon. We were fortunate to not lose power this weekend, but I know lots of people didn't. It's kind of sad to see the trees hanging low with the weight of the ice and snow on their branches, but I have to say that it is beautiful. And something strange about living in town - the snow makes it very light outside at night (when the power is on, anyway). A strange feeling for a farm girl like me!
Anyway, with my free time this weekend, I've been doing some more reading about what my baby is doing / growing these days. The most guilt-laden book I've encountered thus far is "What to Eat When You're Expecting," which claims that I should ask myself with every bite of food whether it's something that feeds my baby. I don't know that the book agrees, but I think Baby likes cookies, so I made some this afternoon. Mmm! Seriously, I'm supposed to eat insane amounts of protein, yellow & green leafy veggies, and fruits. Now, I can do the fruit thing, and I understand the protein and veggie thing, but I just cannot eat the quantities they suggest. It's hard this time of year to find appetizing vegetables in the market, and it's just not the kind of weather that has a person hankering for a salad 5 nights a week. Plus, they say I should eat as little refined sugar as possible. Devastating, my friends. Devastating.
So I know what I should be doing, and honestly I've been trying, but instead of feeling like I'm growing a healthy baby I am fighting two evils: flatulence and constipation. I am having issues that literally stink. This is all normal, apparently, as those are some of the first symptoms listed after nausea for first-trimester symptoms. They also say that while I shouldn't be really showing yet, if I do seem to be showing it's probably just "bowel distention." That's right - I'm full of shit. So the good news is that I am apparently feeling pregnant, and I'm only up 2 or 3 pounds which I think is pretty standard for me during February of any year. The bad news is, if I eat lots of veggies and fruits (dried, especially), I can lessen one symptom but cause the other to worsen and I would therefore not be someone you'd want to take a long car trip with, or be anywhere near, actually. (Travis is both horrified by and jealous of my gaseous abilities). So, most of the time I have some degree of both issues. They say that exercise can help, but, well, I'm still confined to walking for at least another week. I guess that's just as well considering the weather. Meanwhile, I'm left feeling like the 'before' picture in a Gas-X commercial - and holding my nose.
What a strange journey this is!
Anyway, with my free time this weekend, I've been doing some more reading about what my baby is doing / growing these days. The most guilt-laden book I've encountered thus far is "What to Eat When You're Expecting," which claims that I should ask myself with every bite of food whether it's something that feeds my baby. I don't know that the book agrees, but I think Baby likes cookies, so I made some this afternoon. Mmm! Seriously, I'm supposed to eat insane amounts of protein, yellow & green leafy veggies, and fruits. Now, I can do the fruit thing, and I understand the protein and veggie thing, but I just cannot eat the quantities they suggest. It's hard this time of year to find appetizing vegetables in the market, and it's just not the kind of weather that has a person hankering for a salad 5 nights a week. Plus, they say I should eat as little refined sugar as possible. Devastating, my friends. Devastating.
So I know what I should be doing, and honestly I've been trying, but instead of feeling like I'm growing a healthy baby I am fighting two evils: flatulence and constipation. I am having issues that literally stink. This is all normal, apparently, as those are some of the first symptoms listed after nausea for first-trimester symptoms. They also say that while I shouldn't be really showing yet, if I do seem to be showing it's probably just "bowel distention." That's right - I'm full of shit. So the good news is that I am apparently feeling pregnant, and I'm only up 2 or 3 pounds which I think is pretty standard for me during February of any year. The bad news is, if I eat lots of veggies and fruits (dried, especially), I can lessen one symptom but cause the other to worsen and I would therefore not be someone you'd want to take a long car trip with, or be anywhere near, actually. (Travis is both horrified by and jealous of my gaseous abilities). So, most of the time I have some degree of both issues. They say that exercise can help, but, well, I'm still confined to walking for at least another week. I guess that's just as well considering the weather. Meanwhile, I'm left feeling like the 'before' picture in a Gas-X commercial - and holding my nose.
What a strange journey this is!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Names. Are you kidding me?
I can't believe that the few simple things that Trav and I did to get into the pre-parental state have earned us the right to bestow a name on another human being. I mean, think about your name, and what it says about you. Could you picture yourself with any other name?? When I was little I could, but they were always names like Kristy or Krista, so, yeah, not really that adventurous. I really like my name, and I can't imagine being anything besides Kristin. How on earth am I supposed to find the exact right name for my kid? In 10 years, will he/she be hating the name I will spend the next 7 months choosing?
And why can I not find a suitable website to help me with this enormous task? I know it's not looming yet or anything and I've got plenty of time, but the engineer in me is tempted to use that time to build a database out of an existing list and put some usable searches on it! I need something better than sorting by what letter they start with (stupid if you ask me), or even national origin. Let's try groups by categories like Names with Nicknames, Number of Syllables, Number of Different Common Spellings, Single or Double Gender names... wouldn't it be cool to be able to see where most people with certain names live, and sort by geography? Or like in Freakonomics, where you can see names descend the economic ladder to simmer forever in white trashiness. If I were able to sort with these groups, there'd be probably 20 names to choose from and I'd feel much happier. Really, who wants to name a kid Hallam??
Of course, Travis says the search would be that much easier if we'd be willing to find out if it's a boy or a girl... still not worth it. The more he wants to find out, the more I don't want to! :-D
Now, I will leave you with an anecdote that will make you laugh. or make your jaw drop. whatever.
My friend was on her way to the hospital last summer to have her baby - her water broke in the middle of the night. All summer long she had been suggesting names to her husband whose response to every name was "Yuck, no, I don't like that." In the car on the way to deliver the baby, he turned and said to her, "Um, so, what were some of those names you liked?" So, yes, I have time. The joy of being 8 weeks pregnant - 32 weeks of TIME!
And why can I not find a suitable website to help me with this enormous task? I know it's not looming yet or anything and I've got plenty of time, but the engineer in me is tempted to use that time to build a database out of an existing list and put some usable searches on it! I need something better than sorting by what letter they start with (stupid if you ask me), or even national origin. Let's try groups by categories like Names with Nicknames, Number of Syllables, Number of Different Common Spellings, Single or Double Gender names... wouldn't it be cool to be able to see where most people with certain names live, and sort by geography? Or like in Freakonomics, where you can see names descend the economic ladder to simmer forever in white trashiness. If I were able to sort with these groups, there'd be probably 20 names to choose from and I'd feel much happier. Really, who wants to name a kid Hallam??
Of course, Travis says the search would be that much easier if we'd be willing to find out if it's a boy or a girl... still not worth it. The more he wants to find out, the more I don't want to! :-D
Now, I will leave you with an anecdote that will make you laugh. or make your jaw drop. whatever.
My friend was on her way to the hospital last summer to have her baby - her water broke in the middle of the night. All summer long she had been suggesting names to her husband whose response to every name was "Yuck, no, I don't like that." In the car on the way to deliver the baby, he turned and said to her, "Um, so, what were some of those names you liked?" So, yes, I have time. The joy of being 8 weeks pregnant - 32 weeks of TIME!
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Now for buying stuff...
See, I can do this frequent posting thing, really I can!
Travis and I went shopping this afternoon, and after months of research and procrastination (mostly the latter) we made the big splurge and bought a new gas stove. I've filled the house with smoke too many times using my electric cooktop, and I just lacked the patience to ever think that a stove set to "high" wouldn't even sizzle until it was good and ready, not to mention all the things I've melted because the burner was off but still hot. I can't say this will make me a better cook, but perhaps a less frustrated one.
With the purchase made and delivery scheduled, we actually had the nerve to stop through the baby furniture section of the store. I didn't know that they don't sell cribs with the drop-down side anymore. That store's selection consisted of white, light wood finish and dark wood finish, so I decided to start looking on eBay and Craigslist for baby furniture. They apparently still do sell cribs with the drop-down sides. So it appears I am faced with my first test of "If you really love your baby you'll spend lots more than is first apparently necessary." My answer for the time being is:
Baby, you're the size of a raspberry right now (upgraded overnight, it seems). You don't need no stinkin crib or high chair or car seat/stroller/casserole-covering nursery on wheels yet!
*phew* Procrastination saves the day yet again.
Travis and I went shopping this afternoon, and after months of research and procrastination (mostly the latter) we made the big splurge and bought a new gas stove. I've filled the house with smoke too many times using my electric cooktop, and I just lacked the patience to ever think that a stove set to "high" wouldn't even sizzle until it was good and ready, not to mention all the things I've melted because the burner was off but still hot. I can't say this will make me a better cook, but perhaps a less frustrated one.
With the purchase made and delivery scheduled, we actually had the nerve to stop through the baby furniture section of the store. I didn't know that they don't sell cribs with the drop-down side anymore. That store's selection consisted of white, light wood finish and dark wood finish, so I decided to start looking on eBay and Craigslist for baby furniture. They apparently still do sell cribs with the drop-down sides. So it appears I am faced with my first test of "If you really love your baby you'll spend lots more than is first apparently necessary." My answer for the time being is:
Baby, you're the size of a raspberry right now (upgraded overnight, it seems). You don't need no stinkin crib or high chair or car seat/stroller/casserole-covering nursery on wheels yet!
*phew* Procrastination saves the day yet again.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Blogland, here I come!
Hello friends!
After typing a few long emails, I decided a blog might save my fingers (and my voice) from repeated tellings of the same thrilling events that have accompanied the beginnings of my pregnancy. Because it seems that many of my most treasured friends are scattered about the country, I thought a blog might be an efficient way for me to keep in contact with you all. I suppose it probably means I'll be telling you the same things over and over again, but I have "Pregnancy Brain" so ... tough! Smile and pretend to be interested again! :)
I have to admit the thill of telling you all has been quite the regular high for me. I don't know what I'll do when I am out of people to tell and I can't get my fix anymore. Even telling my boss was way too much fun - though my coworkers are still in the dark.
To summarize the situation for the purposes of the initial posting:
After typing a few long emails, I decided a blog might save my fingers (and my voice) from repeated tellings of the same thrilling events that have accompanied the beginnings of my pregnancy. Because it seems that many of my most treasured friends are scattered about the country, I thought a blog might be an efficient way for me to keep in contact with you all. I suppose it probably means I'll be telling you the same things over and over again, but I have "Pregnancy Brain" so ... tough! Smile and pretend to be interested again! :)
I have to admit the thill of telling you all has been quite the regular high for me. I don't know what I'll do when I am out of people to tell and I can't get my fix anymore. Even telling my boss was way too much fun - though my coworkers are still in the dark.
To summarize the situation for the purposes of the initial posting:
- I am 7 weeks pregnant. I believe this means I'm in week 8, putting my estimated due date around October 4 or so. whattoexpect.com says my baby is the size of a blueberry!
- I haven't seen my OB yet because they want to wait until I'm at 11 weeks. This is torturous for me since I have no idea if what I've experienced thus far is normal. Apparently "normal" takes on a whole wacky definition during pregnancy. I anticipate this topic taking up numerous blog entries in the future.
- I have not been vomitous or uber-sleepy thus far, just a little nauseous from time to time and thoroughly enjoying solid nights of sleep. I just wouldn't be me without a healthy appetite! I am, however, CRABBY, short-tempered, and therefore quite potty-mouthed. I guess that's more of a warning than an update. :)
- I cannot go running again until after my next appointment, at soonest. I had a few instances of my cervix not appreciating 3 miles of jostling (spotting), thus resulting in a frustrating trip to my regular doc and a ban on any more jogging. So much for staying in shape!
- I will be 6 months pregnant at the time of RAGBRAI this summer. I had been hopeful that regular exercise and the motivation of this being the flattest RAGBRAI ever would mean I could do a day or several, but it's looking bleaker with this running prohibition.
Trav and I are really excited about this adventure. I have the most wonderful, supportive partner a that mom-to-be could ask for. The "what-have-we-done?" feeling is still lingering, although once we hear a heartbeat I'm sure it'll come surging back.
Hopefully I'll get a chance to update this weekly from here on. I love to hear from you all, and wish you the best where you are!
K
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