Hospital tour and Comments

We went on the tour of Methodist Hospital on Monday night for our class...first, we met in a conference room and learned some info on c-sections...I know there's always a possibility that I may have to have one (1 in 3 deliveries is a c-section...how's THAT for learning something?) but the thought of having one really freaks me out...more so than a regular delivery. Bleh. Of course I'll do whatever it takes to get PIP here safely, so bring it on...I'll be fine.

Sidenote--the conference room was set up with a bunch of long tables forming a U-shape with one table in the center. On that table in the center (where we couldn't get to it since we were on the outside of the U) was a platter of an assortment of cookies. WHY would someone want to tease and torture a bunch of pregnant women like that? I couldn't keep my eyes off of them! I pictured myself hurdling the table to get to them...

Ok, moving on...the tour was actually very interesting and helpful. We had the opportunity to see a labor and delivery room, which was surprisingly homey. We also saw a post-partum room where we'll stay til we get to go home. Unfortunately, Dean is going to have to sleep on a chair. I think he should bring a sleeping bag and stretch out on the ground. Either way, it's not going to be too comfy for him...but it's also pretty likely that we won't be getting much sleep anyways those couple of days! We were shown where everything we might need is located...cafeteria, bathrooms, nursery, etc. It made us feel a little more prepared to kind of know what to expect once we arrive.

And now to a completely different subject...I've gotten some pretty strange comments from people (mainly at work) pertaining to my pregnancy. I know most of the time people mean well, but when a simple "congratulations" or "when are you due?" would suffice, they instead, decide to take it five steps further and make an ass out of themselves (entirely MY opinion...they probably don't see anything wrong with what spilled out of their mouths). SO, for your entertainment, here are a few of my favorites:

"I remember when you were skinny!"

"When did THIS happen?" (Umm...hold on, let me grab my calendar...)

"Looks like you got into some trouble!"

"So, you're married, right?"

"Wow, the last time I saw you, you were thin! Er, uhh, I mean, you're still thin...umm..."

"What happened to YOU?"

"When are you due? Oh hmm...well, you don't look big enough to be THAT far along." (this is said in an accusatory tone...like they've decided that I'm starving myself and the baby for shits and giggles and that's why I'm not meeting their expectations of hugeness.)

Nice, huh? I still have a couple months...I'm sure I'll have more to add to the list. And I realize I look young for my age, which will be great as I continue to get older, but seriously, some people make poor assumptions and jump to conclusions when they know absolutely nothing about me. I've gotten looks of pity and disparagement...I hear whispers as I walk by...annoying! BOO on them! I feel like I should wear a sandwich board that says "28, married, bachelor's degree, household income of..." so people will leave me alone! It REALLY bothered me at first, but honestly, I've learned to ignore it...I have better things to worry about!

Ultrasound and appointment

I had an ultrasound today to check and see if the placenta had moved from its low-lying position. GOOD NEWS!!! It moved!!!! If it had still been low, I would have to have a c-section...not saying that I still won't but at least not for this reason. Dean went with me today so we could both see PIP again and he asked the ultrasound tech if we would get any new pictures today...she said sure!

After she checked the placenta, we got to see PIP's face! At first, she was just doing the regular pictures and it looked like she had some big lips!! But then she switched over to the 3D pictures and we were able to see more clearly...no worries, not so huge. I didn't think we'd get to see the 3D ones at all (I thought it was some special thing that you had to go in for) so it was a surprise! I was a little worried at first...I don't know why. Just didn't know what to expect, I guess! But it ended up being really cool! It was amazing to see more than just a fuzzy, flat, black and white picture. She wouldn't move her arm away from her face, so the first picture looks like she's shaking her fist at us...like she's telling the world, "Don't mess with me!" In the other two, you can see her face a little better...in one, she's starting to stick her tongue out. We decided that she looks like me when I'm pissed off...uh-oh. I just can't believe that she's in there...this cute little person with all her little features. It's incredible.

After the ultrasound, we went to my regular appointment...everything is still right on track...weight, blood pressure, baby's heartbeat and position (her head's down right on top of my bladder...feels good.) She said my feet look a little swollen...I told her that they don't get too bad until the end of the day, so it's not too big of a deal. All in all, we're doing well!

One more random thing before I post this entry...last night I dreamed that I met Justin Timberlake (!!!) and I, somehow, got to be on stage right before he ended his show. He decided to throw his shoes out to the crowd and before he threw the second one, I stepped in front of him and begged him to give me his shoe...he hesitated for a second and I pointed down at my belly and said, "For the baby!!" I got the shoe. Uh-huh, I totally used PIP to get Justin Timberlake's shoe...

3rd Class...the nursery...my feet...and a crazy day!

We went to our third 'prepared childbirth' class last night and it was soooooooooo boooooooooooring. This is so bad, but the only topics I can recall talking about are epidurals and the heart monitor that they stick on the baby's head. Looks like I'll have to go back through our book and do some reviewing. I was extremely distracted because of my stupid allergies. I don't know what it is about those classrooms but pretty much as soon as I step into them, my nose gets all itchy and plugged up. I was miserable! We ended up leaving a half an hour early because I was so frustrated and bothered by it. I don't think Dean was too disappointed about leaving. Next week, we are going to the hospital for a tour...I'm actually looking forward to it!

The shelf in the nursery has been hung!!! YAY!!! (Thanks to Dean and his dad!) So now, everything is basically done...minus her name in wooden letters that will go on the right side of the shelf (once we figure out what her name is.) Here are a few pictures:

I think my feet are continuing to expand...they're wide! I tried on a couple different pairs of shoes that I haven't worn in a while and they were pretty snug. The good thing is, they don't tend to get puffy until later in the day/evening. At that point, it kind of looks like my toes are being eaten by the rest of my feet...pretty.

So, on to the crazy day I had...allow me to vent for just a minute or four. I just have to get it out of my system and I'll be much better. Today, the freshmen up at the high school by our restaurant started classes, but only had a half-day. The words "half-day" are like nails on a chalkboard when spoken in our restaurant. The school is basically right across the street and since freshmen can't drive, they all stampede into our restaurant and torture us for a couple hours. These craptastic little punks come in all at once and fill our entire dining room so that our regulars are either forced to get a to-go order or sit in the midst of chaos while dealing with the deafening decibels of mindless teenage chatter. They're loud, they're messy, they don't tip, some don't even eat and just want to turn our restaurant into a hang-out, they're disrespectful, and they plain just don't care. Honestly, really, truly, if I had to describe a personal hell, this would be it. Yes. It's THAT bad. I DESPISE half-days. I don't know to how many kids I had to say "knock it off!" One would think a 14 or 15 year old could act like a normal human being in public...but we could only be so lucky. And add the August heat and being nearly 8-months pregnant to the mix...you get the picture.

SIGHHHHHHHHHHHH.

So cute...

Dean sent me a text this morning that said:

"I just had a totally involuntary smile thinking about our little girl. "

How cute is that??

We compared our name lists last night before we went to bed...it was pretty interesting. I was actually nervous before we compared them because I was afraid that we would be on completely opposite ends of the spectrum...and that was kind of the case! We had ONE name that was the same...different spelling, but that's okay. We each had a couple that the other liked, so we went from a total of 22 names down to 6. Not bad for now...we're going to sit on these for a while and see how we like them and try to eliminate some more later on. Picking a name is HARD! What if we pick one and end up not liking it!?!? What a decision!

BLAH.

I'm stressed.

I'm trying really hard not to be, but it's not working. Next week, kids go back to school...you'd think that wouldn't have anything to do with me, but everyone going back to school means our crew at work heads back to school too. And THAT means the hours they're available to work decreases. This happens every year and usually it's not a big deal, but we have a handful of new servers right now which makes things even more more stressful. Also, I hate to admit it, but I'm worried about being able to keep up with having to work more hours...especially as I get closer and closer to my due date. This summer, I was lucky enough to only have to work a few hours a day!

I'm sure everything will be fine...it always works out. But in the meantime, I'm stressed. Have I mentioned that?

On a more positive note, I found chocolate marshmallows at the store today. I had no idea there was such a thing. And they are YUMMY...they taste like poofs of hot chocolate. Mmmm....

Appointment and 2nd Class

(Kody staring at my 30 week belly! How funny...)

I had another appointment yesterday...I had to leave work an hour early because it was the only available slot for the day. I felt so bad leaving because it was CRAZY!!! Business has been great, but it seriously wears me out everyday. So anyways, I left about 10 minutes late and was completely frazzled by the time I made it to the doctor's office. When I went to the bathroom to do my urine sample, I was horrified at my reflection in the mirror!! My face was bright red, my hair was sticking out in all the wrong places and my shirt was all twisted. I looked like a maniac! And this is totally gross, but I just feel the need to mention it (being pregnant has thrown all modesty out the window)...I have to give a urine sample at every appointment and it's something I'm NOT good at. You'd think that after all these months, I'd have figured it all out. Yesterday was the very first time that I didn't pee on my hand. Yep. And I was pretty darn excited about that.

It was a really quick appointment as usual...everything is looking great and I DON'T have gestational diabetes, which is fantastic. I wasn't sure how I was going to break the potential bad news to all my cold, sweet, chocolatey friends in the freezer had the test results come back high again. My next appointment is in two weeks...the ultrasound to see where the placenta is sitting is also scheduled for the same day. My doctor said that 99% of the time, it has moved up and out of the way, so I'm hoping that's the case with me as well. She also wants the ultrasound tech to check out the position of the baby...I can't wait to see her wiggling around in there again!

We went to our second class last night...pretty boring. We talked about the stages of labor and when we should head to the hospital and then "practiced" different breathing techniques at various stations that were set up in the classroom. While we "breathed", we had to try different things to help ease pain and discomfort...massage, sitting on big exercise balls, etc. We also watched a birth video but it wasn't what I expected. I thought we would see the whole thing, but it was just snippets of three different women...nothing too traumatic!I've witnessed an actual live birth, so nothing can beat that.

I'm feeling well for the most part...like I mentioned above, work has started to really wear me out. It just gets SO busy that I feel like I can't keep up. I can only walk so fast and lately, the right side of my stomach aches while I'm speedwalking around the restaurant. It's not horrible, but pretty bothersome especially while I'm trying to keep up with everything. I'm just about on my last nerve with annoying customers...I'm surprised I haven't flipped out on anyone yet. You all should hear the bitchy thoughts running through my head...it's awful! Once I get home though, and sit and relax, the achiness and bitchiness goes away and all is well until the next day at work...sigh.

Miss PIP has crazy dance parties everday...her movements remind me of Elaine's nutty dance moves in Seinfeld...spastic and off-beat. It's so amazing to watch her move...I can't get enough of it. I'll try to read or watch tv but I always get distracted by her wiggling around...I HAVE to stop what I'm doing and watch my stomach. I love putting both hands on my tummy and feeling actual parts moving back and forth. SO cool.

Dean and I may be getting closer to picking out a name. We have both made lists of names that we like and we're planning on comparing the two lists to see if we have any of the same ones. We'd like to have two or three favorites picked out and once we finally meet this little baby we'll figure out which name she looks like.

We only have about two more months to go, which is so scary and exciting at the same time! I can't wait though!!!

First Prepared Childbirth class...and a few other things

Dean and I went to our first Prepared Childbirth class last night. I think we were both a little weary about it because we didn't know what to expect. It turned out to be all right! We went through the usual dreaded introductions...there were 8 or 9 other couples in the class. Our friends, Bill and Taylor, who are expecting twins in November, happened to be one of them! We had no idea they would be in the same class, so that will be fun! The instructor went through what we should expect as the third trimester rolls along...discomforts and how to deal with them. She also talked about different relaxation, massage, and breathing techniques that will be useful during labor. Dean got the giggles a couple times during the class and once one of us gets them, it doesn't take long for the other to follow suit. Good thing we were sitting in the back corner! At the end of the class, all the dads had to give the moms neck and back massages. That was easily my favorite part. Overall, I think these classes will be good for us...some of the information may be pretty elementary, but it never hurts to hear it all again. I also know there will be lots of new things for us to learn as well. If anything, it's fun to know that for the next several weeks, Dean and I have this set time that we get to spend together.

This morning, I received a call from my modeling agent! I told him several months ago that if anyone needed a preggo woman for anything, I'd be open to it. I really didn't expect to hear from him, but he called with a booking for tomorrow at Pamida. PIP's going to be famous! Hehe...ok, maybe not famous, but it's kind of fun. Hopefully I'll be able to get a copy of the picture so I can stick it in her baby book.

So I finally caved. Almost 30 weeks in and I decided it was time to spend my two Motherhood Maternity gift cards (one from Dean and one from Angie...thanks!) I've picked up a handful of maternity shirts from the clearance racks at Target, but other than that, I've been wearing the one pair of jeans that still fit (kind of) and I've just been buying bigger sizes in regular pants (also from Target clearance racks.) Shirts and dresses have been pretty easy with all the current styles...big and flowy. BUT, everything seems to be expanding quickly and I still have another couple months to go, so I figured it was time to get a few things that fit AND are comfy. My mom went with me and we found a pair of jeans and three shirts at Motherhood Maternity. I love the shirts...the jeans are a little baggier than I would like, but I'm sure I'll grow into them. I'm not gonna lie though, they are REALLY comfortable! It's funny to be able to pull up a pair of jeans and not have to zip or button anything...not that any of my other jeans could zip or button at this point! We also went over to Old Navy and I found another pair of jeans and some capris (both on the clearance rack!) I think I'm set for now...once the weather starts to cool down, I'll have to pick up some more long-sleeve shirts.

So far, I have not received a call from my doctor's office about my test results...

2nd round of gestational diabetes testing

I went back to get some more blood work done this morning. I arrived around 8:00, armed with a book and a magazine and my fingers crossed that something good would be on the tv in the waiting room.

They took a vial of blood when I got there and gave me another bottle of the sugary orange drink and sent me back out to the waiting room for an hour. PIP was wiggling all over the place...I think she was wondering where breakfast was!

A different nurse did the second blood draw and she tried to use the same vein as before. Apparently, it didn't work because I heard her make a strange "ooh-hmmm..." noise. Nice. Then I felt her wiggling the needle around (I couldn't look)...she took it out and tried again but it still didn't work so she finally switched to my other arm.

I went back out to the waiting room and we did the whole process two more times. I was there for a little over three hours and had a total of four blood draws (and a couple extra pokes). The time surprisingly went a lot quicker than I had expected, which was nice.

They'll only call me if the results come back high again...so no news is good news. Hopefully I don't hear from them!!