Welcome to the pregnancy journal, where I will talk pregnancy, and maybe delivery, and maybe who-knows-what. Consider yourself duly warned.
Scroll down for the newest content. You can’t leave comments on any particular entry, but you can say whatever you like at the bottom of the page, as long as it doesn’t make me cry, which is easy to do at the moment.
—–
February 19, 2008
We had our first scare of the pregnancy last night. When Jason went to the store I started cramping and bleeding suddenly. The midwife on call in Paradise said that my body was probably trying to get rid of the empty sac, and that the baby would probably be fine. But she said if it got worse, I should check into the emergency room.
I kept thinking about all my friends who started miscarriages that way, and about all the lifting and moving I’ve been doing, and all the worrying over the move, and I kind of freaked out. Jason came home, and we just sat there and prayed for a long time. Then he called people to pray with us, because I didn’t want to cry on the phone. I hate that. And then we waited.
It never got any worse overnight, and I think it’s over now. This morning I called the midwife back, and she asked if I’d done any heavy pushing or pulling lately. I had, of course. She thinks that’s what probably caused it. So no more of that. For now I’m supposed to sit around and drink water, which is kind of hard to do. On days like today I think we should hurry up and spring for cable. Maybe then Naiah and Jonah would be still for five minutes straight.
Current Happy Food
Fresh, Red Bell Peppers with Cottage Cheese
—–
February 20, 2008
Well, the bleeding hasn’t stopped. But it’s very slight, and I’ve decided not to worry. I’ve also decided that I really can’t sit around all day, no matter what the midwife ways, because my children are becoming more restless by the hour with no activity from their mother and nothing to do besides play games on pbskids.org. I fear for my walls and floors with a bored Naiah around the house.
So I’m going to go about business as usual, without all the crazy furniture-moving, and trust that the baby is just fine in there. And drink tons of water. That’s the plan.
Current Happy Food
Hershey’s Symphony Milk Chocolate Bar
—–
February 21, 2008
Apparently I’m still not allowed to do much of anything. Since the bleeding continued, however slight, the midwives are concerned it may have to do with the placenta. So until they rule out that possibility on Monday at the ultrasound, I’m supposed to keep relatively quiet.
I don’t mind so much today. It’s gray and gloomy outside, and the kids are playing happily. Seems like a good day for catching the girls up on schoolwork and reading on the couch. I hope that placenta’s working.
Current Happy Food
California Navel Oranges
—–
February 22, 2008
I have come to the conclusion that sitting is bad. The baby feels fine (as far as I can tell). I feel fine. Or I would feel fine if I weren’t sitting all day and tiring myself out with inactivity. (Does that make sense?) Plus, my belly is growing, so I sit all day while my belly changes, and then when I stand up suddenly the round ligaments flare up somethin’ fierce, dude. Sitting is evil and wrong. So says I.
I’m done complaining now.
The baby should be over two inches long now, and starting to show boy or girl parts. It’s swimming around in there, but I can’t feel it yet. It will probably be another few weeks before that happens. I’ll be very relieved when it does.
Current Happy Food
Roasted, Salted Almonds
—–
February 24, 2008
I feel much better today after escaping the house yesterday. It was weird to be out (and alone!) after being so shut in for almost a week straight. I think I had fallen under the impression that it was warm and clear outside, so it was kind of a shock to drive down to Chester in heavy snow. I only went to Holiday market for milk and a few groceries, but by the time I got home I was wiped out. I think all this sitting around has made me a pansy.
Tomorrow I head down the hill to Paradise for an ultrasound and a visit with the midwives. I REALLY hope they tell me everything is just perfect, and I can run around at will from now on. That would be nice.
Current Happy Food
Toasted, Plain Bagel and Cream Cheese
—–
February 25, 2008
Well, I saw the placenta, and the baby, and the midwives. All are well. However, the placenta has taken up residence directly over the cervix (a condition called placenta previa), which means I’m still just as limited as ever, and more assuredly so. Specifically, I can’t lift anything– not even a load of laundry– or vacuum, or push/pull anything remotely heavy, or exhaust myself in any way. I can run the dishwasher and cook, as long as I rest frequently. I can wash and dry clothes, as long as I don’t carry them anywhere in a basket. I can pick up toys in the living room and family room, as long as I don’t pick up too many at once, or clean for too long. And a certain happy aspect of the marital relationship is strictly off limits. Ahem.
The general worry is that any rigorous movement or heavy lifting might cause the placenta to leak or tear, which would of course be bad. And if it continues to block the exit, I will have to schedule my first cesarean section. I do not want a c-section. Not one little bit. But it’s preferable to bleeding out or losing the baby, so I’ll take it if it comes to that. What we’re going to pray for, however, is that as the uterus expands, it will draw the placenta to one side of the cervix or the other. It’s still early in the pregnancy, so there’s plenty of time for it to change and move. Marie (the midwife I saw today) says that you really can’t tell until around the 30th week where the placenta will be at delivery. We’ll check on it again in eight weeks, and more often after that to see if it’s migrating. And we’ll pray a lot.
In pleasanter news, I have the hiccuping-est baby I ever saw. The ultrasound tech had a heck of a time trying to gauge the heartbeat because every time she thought she had a lock on it, he hiccuped again and threw her off. (And no, we don’t know the sex yet, I just say ‘he’ because I have a boy name and no girl name. I’m weird about that, I guess.) And also, I love these midwives just as much as the ones in Camarillo, or more. The Camarillo midwives were young and sweet and fun, but the Paradise midwives are more like eccentric old biddies (not old really, but old enough to be maternally inclined towards the girls who show up to see them). Talking with Marie about the do’s and don’ts of sex was quite a hoot today. And she was so gentle and reassuring about the placenta previa and all the black-listed activity, that I felt like I was talking to a favorite aunt or grandmother (not that she’s old enough to be my grandma). She wouldn’t let me leave until she had squeezed out every inkling of a question I might have had. I like her.
Current Happy Food
Trader Joe’s Organic Kosher Dill Pickles
—–
February 26, 2008
Does anybody have a scanner? I have these baby pics from the ultrasound and no way to put them up here. If you have one and are willing, could I mail you the photos and have you scan them and e-mail the images to me? That sounds complicated. It might work though.
I think yesterday is catching up with me now. I’m probably tired from driving so long and stopping off in Chico for a few errands, but all of yesterday’s news seems so much more ominous today. I have this foreboding feeling that none of this can end well and that I shouldn’t get my hopes up about anything. It’s probably the hormones talking, on top of the fatigue. And it probably doesn’t help that a perfect stranger showed up at my house this morning (to pick up a birthday gift from a friend at the midwives’ office) and commented underhandedly about how many children I had, and one on the way, and “Doesn’t your mommy know what causes that?” (to Jonah), and “Oh, is today a school holiday?” Mercifully, Jason had tidied up the living room, so she had nothing to say about that. Her visit did not lighten my mood one iota. (Incidentally, she works for the doctors in Susanville, which is yet another reason not to deliver in Susanville.)
The entire time I sat with Marie yesterday I felt like she was waiting for me to burst into tears, and I couldn’t understand why she would expect that. Today it makes sense. I’m a little slow with emotions. And I feel like washing dishes. Doesn’t that seem like the best thing to do sometimes? I’m going to go wash dishes.
Current Happy Food
Trader Joe’s Creamy Tomato Soup
—–
February 27, 2008
Today is a sunny relief from yesterday’s bout of melancholy. Pandora has been playing in the background, and Jenn and her littlest three kept us company all morning, and she even washed dishes and made lunch for the kids, too. And I got to hold the cuddliest, quietest baby boy the whole time. So sweet.
I still get flashes of doubt that this new one is ever going to make it into my arms, but I just have to remember that it’s very early yet, and there’s plenty of time for things to straighten out (or more accurately, to be straightened out).
I made the mistake of reading about placenta previa on about.com yesterday, and ever since then I’ve been trying to put all of that morbid information into perspective, or out of my head altogether. It doesn’t matter what the statistics and probabilities may be, because my life isn’t left to chance or fate. And worrying only makes everything worse.
One good thing that came out of reading the about.com article was that I became very thankful I’m not at the mercy of an OB, because according to the article, placenta previa inevitably means complete bed rest with most doctors. Fortunately the midwives have the good sense to know that a mom of four couldn’t do bed rest even if she wanted to. Besides, it would probably be more dangerous than running around all day, with the sure onset of depression and anxiety it would cause. So I’m glad now for the moderate sentence of light duty with lots of rest. I can handle that.
Current Happy Food
Good Earth Jasmine Green Tea
—–
February 28, 2008
I feel good. I feel energetic and optimistic and ready to get something done. This afternoon I’m going shopping for Saturday’s baby shower and some groceries and odds and ends. (But first I’ll pick up Jason from work so he can help me push a cart and contain children.) I’m also paying bills online and making phone calls and feeling very productive. It’s a good day.
Current Happy Food
Tomato Sandwich on White with Mayo and Sea Salt
—–
February 29, 2008
It’s getting harder to remember to be still. I’m into the second trimester now, and starting to feel more healthy and energetic. It feels silly to be sitting around, and last night I felt ridiculous not being able to push my own shopping cart. But it was nice to have Jason’s company, and much less tiring than when I do it all myself. I kind of enjoyed it. Several lovely people have volunteered to help get ready for the shower tomorrow, so I won’t have to push or pull anything during set up. Today I’m going to do sedentary preparations like cutting fabric for the group quilt, and later I’ll head into the kitchen and bake. But I’m using a mix this time. Nothing crazy. I’m even using M&M’s instead of icing. Doesn’t that sound fun? It feels like a kiddie craft project. I’m enjoying myself thoroughly.
Current Happy Food
Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
—–
March 1, 2008
I did a little too much at the shower today. So I’m tired, but glad to have had a little social contact. Not much else to report. I made M&M designs on the brownies. It looked hokey, but it was lots of fun. I plan to hole up in the bathtub for the rest of the evening as penance for my overexertion. It’s not much of a penance. Hey, I’m Baptist.
Current Happy Food
Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownies with M&M’s
—–
March 3, 2008
I’m taking it super easy today, after a hectic (but FUN) weekend. It’s much easier to take it easy when the house is mostly clean, although since it’s so close to totally clean, I’m tempted to come blazing into the family room, where the rest of the moving mess is stored, and just get it done, finally. But that would require lifting and pushing and pulling and other things I’m not supposed to do. So instead I’m deciding to be satisfied with the openness and cleanliness of the other rooms. It’s lovely to behold.
This is the week I might start to feel the baby move. It’s kind of hard to tell though, because after four kids and two fairly recent surgeries my abdominal muscles are a little spastic, and sometimes they twitch in ways that bear an uncanny resemblance to baby kicks, even when I’m not pregnant. So it could be quite a while before I can tell the difference. That was probably too much information. Or just too weird. But there you have it. I’m twitchy.
Current Happy Food
Southern Sweet Tea with Jasmine
—–
March 4, 2008
I found out today that the baby is as big as a lemon, about 3.5 inches from head to rumpus. That seems big, for some reason. I also found out (from a much more sane, less morbid report on placenta previa), that about 75% of women with my type of diagnosis have no problem at all by the end of the pregnancy. That’s very encouraging news. But of the 25% who still have a complete previa, a good number end up with an emergency hysterectomy (either for placenta accreta or hemorrhage), and many end up with very early c-sections. So we’re just going to keep praying that it gets resolved long before then. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time God made good things happen.
Current Happy Food
Trader Joe’s Creamy Tomato Soup (again!)
—–
March 6, 2008
Well, my belly has officially popped out. It’s no longer just the questionable, extra-poochy, pudgy kind of belly. No, no. It is now round and taut and pregnant. That makes me feel better. I hate when people look at me, and I can tell they’re wondering if it’s okay to ask or not, because I could just be fat. And my belly pokes out when I’m not pregnant anyway, so it takes a while to know the difference. And now you know. And also my belt is breaking. I might need some stretchier jeans.
And I feel healthy and optimistic, and I have a feeling we’ve got a boy in there. I’ll let you know about that at the end of April. In the meantime, just keep praying that that placenta high tails it for higher ground.
Current Happy Food
Dark French Roast Coffee
—–
March 7, 2008
Either I’m having a boy, or I’m developing serious anger issues. I guess we’ll find out someday. Anyway, I need to lay off the sarcasm. As Debbie M. would say, it’s not pretty. But there’s no Bay Area court justice around here to kick in the shins! It’s so unfair.
Current Anxiety Food
Roasted, Salted Almonds with Sour Patch Candy
—–
March 9, 2008
Well, I came pretty close to passing out today. There’s nothing wrong with me. I just neglected to eat a good breakfast, and then church ran long past lunchtime because of the surprise time change. (We so weren’t prepared for that!) So it’s my own fault. My blood sugar gets extra finicky when I’m pregnant. And now I’m sitting here blogging while Jason slaps together some beef tacos for lunch. Those ought to help.
Current Happy Food
Santitas Tortilla Chips and Canteca Original Salsa
—–
March 11, 2008
I’ve taken to napping this month. Normally I don’t. Naptime is precious, folks. I can get a few things done, sometimes, while the children are settled quietly in a room somewhere. But lately I can’t seem to stay awake, so I nap.
The problem with napping during pregnancy is pregnancy dreams. They’ve been bad enough at night– $1,000 trips to Walmart for toilet paper and shampoo, store clerks secretly buying Marlboros on my tab and leaving the package in my purse (and what would Jason think?!)– but in the afternoon they’re harder to distinguish from reality. Today my teeth were turning black and falling out, and for some reason this meant that we would held liable for a recklessly built house whose ceiling fell on us. And the dentist wouldn’t do anything except give me candy. This isn’t anywhere close to reality, of course, but it’s harder to realize that waking up from a nap, for some reason.
I need to brush my teeth.
Current Happy Food
Jenn Gonzoles’ Cheesy Potato Casserole
—–
March 12, 2008
I felt a little kick this morning! We were sitting in the Calvary Chapel office watching a Beth Moore video, and I was being very still, and thinking something over (can’t remember what), and he kicked. (Or she, but I really think it’s a he.) There’s actually a baby in there.
And my e-mail says he’s four inches long, crown to rump, about as heavy as an apple. Not a Washington-state-type monster apple. You know. An apple. That seems like a nice size.
Current Happy Food
Pepsi, Slightly Flat, Very Cold (so healthy!)
—–
Belly Shot: Fifteen Weeks
—–
March 15, 2008
Well, I almost passed out again today. I think my blood pressure either spiked or bottomed out when the glass door incident occurred. At first the adrenaline kept me moving, but once Jason F. and my Jason were here and wrapping things up it kind of hit me all at once. I’m still a little shaky.
Usually I’m the calm one when things happen. I pack us up and head out to the E.R. and keep everybody reasonably content. But I think my hormones work against me when I’m pregnant. I’m way more likely to lose it these days.
Current Happy Food
Polska Kielbasa, Seared, and Coated in Garlic
—–
March 17, 2008
I’m not crazy! For the last three days my legs have been horribly stiff and sore, like I just ran a cross country race (which I don’t do at ALL anymore). And I kept wracking my brain, trying to come up with a reason for it. Then I checked pregnancy websites to see if maybe it was pregnancy related, but I couldn’t find a word about it. Finally Google led me to a mom-to-be forum, where someone was asking if anyone else had experienced leg soreness and stiffness, like after a long run, and all these other moms chimed in that they had the same thing, about the same time during the pregnancy, and that they hadn’t been able to find information on it either. I was so happy that it wasn’t just me. So were they, apparently. One of them said her doctor thought it was due to low potassium levels. So I guess I’ll buy some bananas tonight while I’m out. It has been a while.
Current Happy Food
Wilted Spinach with Butter and Herbs
—–
March 19, 2008
Well, apparently the baby is now as big as an avocado. Why is it always food with these BabyCenter people? He (or she) should be doubling his weight and adding inches to his length over the next three weeks. I guess that means that my belly will be growing as well.
My midwife appointment is next Thursday, the 27th. But I won’t be having another ultrasound until the end of April. That seems like such a long way off. I feel like everything is fine now, and like all these restrictions are totally unnecessary, and I would like to have that feeling confirmed much sooner than the end of April. I suppose I’ll just have to wait and see.
P.S. The banana remedy seems to have worked! My legs seem like they’re back to normal now.
Current Happy Food
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich, with Ice-Cold Milk
—–
March 21, 2008
I’m tired. I’ve kind of gotten over the whole doing-practically-nothing routine, so I’ve been making dresses and cooking a little and picking up more around the house. The dresses are fun to make, but I think maybe I should have spent my energy elsewhere, like laundry. This weekend looks tiring too. It’s going to be a lot of fun, I think, and tiring. And I’m already getting a belly shelf when I sit back in the couch. I don’t remember that happening this soon. But then again, I usually pay more attention to the timing than I am this time. This pregnancy seems to be going faster than the others in general.
Current Happy Food
Quesadillas with Medium Cheddar and Sour Cream
—–
March 23, 2008
Happy Easter, baby. And ow. My uterus.
I really overdid it today. I don’t know if it was all the up and down and back and forth, or just all the standing and cooking and moving around, but man. My uterus is very angry about it. I’m actually a little worried that it feels like it felt when I overdid it last time and started having problems. But hopefully the placenta has moved high enough that I can overextend myself without rupturing anything. I’m going to sack out now, in any case.
Current Happy Food
Jason’s Tri-tip Fajitas
—–
March 26, 2008
Mark this as Day 2 of the Battle of the Kitchen. I spent all my non-child-rearing time yesterday facing down the sewing/laundry/Easter dinner/miscellaneous mess in the kitchen, and made hardly a dent. It probably didn’t help that I stopped and napped halfway through the day, or that the kids remained miraculously still and quiet and played games on Noggin.com until I woke up, like two hours later. It also didn’t help that all of the trash bags had been removed from our household and were somewhere in our former shed across town. But today the trash bags have returned; I’m one dishwasher load ahead of the game, and I think I can get ‘er done.
Tomorrow morning I head down to Paradise to see the midwives again. Afterward I’ll rush through Old Navy and Trader Joe’s and then back up the hill, so Jason can make it to his afternoon appointment. Pray that I stay alert. I’m not such a good morning driver.
Current Happy Food
Sour Cream and Green Onions
—–
March 28, 2008
[Excessive Morbidity Warning]
Well, thank you for praying. I somehow arrived at the midwives’ office safe and fully clothed.
My visit was brief. The gist of it was that no matter how perfectly healthy I feel, I still can’t get jiggy with my husband or overwork myself, because if I do I could, in the words of Marie the Menacing, “bleed to death and lose the baby.” There’s a happy thought. And apparently, the reason they’re waiting so long to do the ultrasound is that 20 weeks is the soonest that the placenta might start to move. They don’t expect it to be completely out of the way until at least 30 weeks, if at all.
So I’m back to feeling like a china vase. All the way home I kept imagining the last weeks of the pregnancy, and what it would be like to have to worry about every Braxton-Hicks contraction possibly rupturing something and having to rush to a hospital before I bled to death. And somewhere in the woods between here and there, I realized that I’m not scared of dying, but I’m petrified of how guilty I’d feel. Because seriously, I would totally hate myself if I went and died on Jason and the kids right now. And then I realized that I would be dead and incapable of self-loathing, so there’s really nothing to worry about, except the brief interval between the moment death threatened and the moment it came. That’s not so bad. But it would still suck.
Current Happy Food
Trader Joe’s Fully Cooked California Rolls
—–
March 31, 2008
I think I’m done freaking out now, at least for a while. Looking back over this journal, it seems like it’s been coming in waves– the freaking out, I mean. But I guess I’m being a little more cautious now, and a little more firm with myself on not overworking. Of all the pregnancies so far, I’ve felt the best this time, in general. I haven’t even thrown up once, which is a record for me. And Marie thinks the dizziness I always get during pregnancy has to do with my sinuses and allergy season, which makes sense. She’s the first medical caregiver I’ve had who didn’t seem to think it was normal for a pregnant woman to suddenly start getting dizzy all the time. And the sinus headache I’ve had the last few days along with the dizziness probably confirms her hypothesis. She’s pretty smart, that one.
Current Happy Food
Grilled Ortega Chiles with Beef
—–
April 1, 2008
Well, I’m drinking my 1.5 liter bottle of water every day, plus extra. I’m snacking between meals like I was told to do (because apparently I’m still losing weight, even though I’m eating three good meals a day). And I feel pretty good. It’s been a nightmare trying to find jeans that fit. I’m still too small for the maternity jeans, and I’m too big for my skinny jeans (‘skinny’ being a relative term, of course), unless I leave them unbuttoned, which feels precarious. Last night I made an adjustable elastic waistband for the maternity jeans out of a piece of thick elastic and two buttons, and it seems to be working so far. I’m sure they’ll be way too snug soon enough.
Current Happy Food
Big, Fat, Roasted Chicken
—–
April 4, 2008
Okay, I’m thinking maybe it’s time to slow down. We’ve been carting ourselves all over the place this week, almost non-stop, and in between I’ve been trying to tame the kitchen and laundry monsters at home and generally making myself tired and crampy. Today I insisted on walking the kids to the park (which isn’t far at all) and by the time I got home I was ready to crash. That was unnecessary, and not so smart. So I think maybe tomorrow I’ll just lay low and not run around so much. Maybe.
Current Happy Food
Trader Joe’s Half-Sour Kosher Dill Pickes (they’re fizzy!)
—–
Belly Shot: Nineteen Weeks
—–
April 7, 2008
I am getting Braxton-Hicks contractions like crazy. Almost every time I get up or sit down, and anytime I’m standing around, doing dishes or anything. It’s getting annoying. I think it’s from all the fighting I did with the kitchen this weekend, and the cooking and de-cluttering and such. It’s been fun to take up baking again, which I hadn’t been doing at all this pregnancy. But today I’m sticking to the chair. Mostly.
Oh, and the baby is kicking so high! He’s almost up to my solar plexus sometimes.
Current Happy Food
Buttermilk Biscuits with Honey and Butter
—–
April 11, 2008
Well, the baby’s wiggly. I’m feeling well, and eating well, and getting things done now and then. The second trimester is good. I’m enjoying it while I can, before the bigness sets in. But I’m already getting up twice a night to pee. That’s annoying. I hope that doesn’t mean I’ll be getting up more than twice later.
Current Happy Food
Jason’s Carnitas Burritos, with Chop Salsa, Fresh Cilantro, and Avocado
—–
April 14, 2008
I’m halfway through! It’s 20 weeks today. Actually, I guess I’m a little over halfway if I’m going to need a c-section, since they’ll probably do that around 37 weeks. But let’s just keep praying that I don’t need a c-section. That would be better.
The baby is still kicking and wiggling like anything. And I am SO THIRSTY all the time. Yesterday before I realized it I drank three liters of water. And then I lived in the bathroom for a while. But I was still thirsty by the middle of the night. There’s something so, so wrong about that.
Current Happy Food
Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Cheddar on White, Lots of Butter
—–
April 16, 2008
Contractions!! Stop it!! It’s not like pre-term labor or anything, but it’s getting super annoying. And I’m not even doing anything wrong, like dehydrating myself or overworking.
I’m getting back into the bath now. See you next week.
Current Happy Food
Nearly Ripe Strawberries
—–
April 18, 2008
I think maybe my iron levels are low. Yesterday I couldn’t eat any of the pasta, because all I wanted was spinach. I seriously cooked an entire bunch just for myself, because after eating my serving, and three of the kids’ servings (Bad mommy!) I still couldn’t stop. Maybe I should get back to taking those prenatal vitamins. Hmm. . .
Current Happy Food
Fresh Spinach, Wilted, with Butter and Kosher Salt
—–
April 20, 2008
Okay, if my scale matches up with the scale at the midwives’ office, then I’ve gained about ten pounds in three weeks. Which would actually put me pretty close to my first weigh-in, before I started losing. Even if they don’t match up though, I’m reasonably sure I’m gaining now. I expect I’ll feel chubby soon. Had to happen sometime.
Current Happy Food
Jenn’s Fetuccini Alfredo, with Chicken
—–
April 21, 2008
Last night I dreamed that I gave birth to twins again– a boy and a girl. I was so, so happy. And I still had no girl name, because I wasn’t expecting her at all. But I held her for a long time, and I was pretty sure she was Adela, or something like that. I think it changed a few times. She was much fairer-skinned than the others and so quiet. My husband held the boy all the time, so Adela and I stuck together. And at night I rocked her and her brother in the same cradle. I didn’t even mind all the exhaustion and sleeplessness that I knew was in store. I was just so happy to have them both. And then I woke up and remembered that there was a twin, when they were still embryos. I wonder who that was.
Current Happy Food
Frosted Mini Wheats and Milk
—–
April 22, 2008
So I hear from BabyCenter that the baby is now as big as a large carrot, and weighs 3/4 of a pound. I can’t believe he’s almost a pound already! (And no, we don’t know it’s a he.) Also, according to BabyCenter, the seven pregnancy products I can’t possibly live without are as follows: a body pillow, a belly belt, a fetal doppler system, Mylanta with peanuts, pregnancy underwear, cocoa butter, and overalls. Since I do not own any of these products, I suppose my life will end soon. However, I also never owned any of them in previous pregnancies (except overalls), and seem to have survived somehow. So maybe I’ll make it after all.
Oh, and Enfamil, the formula makers, would like to send me a complementary Breastfeeding Support Package, with free samples, and tips on supplementing and weaning. You know, for when I happen to run out of breastmilk, or get too overwhelmed with my busy breastfeeding schedule two weeks in. They just want to help.
Current Happy Food
Quesadillas, Pan Fried in Butter, with Fresh Salsa and Sour Cream
—–
April 23, 2008
I had my first sleepless night last night. Tons of indigestion. I blame the mocha almond fudge ice cream, consumed around eleven p.m. No more of that now.
Also, I’ve discovered that it’s necessary to have a husband around the house when you live in the Sierras. I never could get my feet to warm up all night.
Current Happy Food
Jenn’s Extra Bacon-y Carbonara
—–
April 24, 2008
The baby has definitely been putting on weight lately. Sometimes I forget all about him (or her), and I’ll panic because all of the sudden something kind of explodes in there. But it’s just the baby, kicking. I think he kicks with two feet. Either that, or he’s head butting me a lot. Regardless, he’s getting bigger. And kicky-er. He’s a kicker.
Current Happy Food
Orange Juice, in a Huge Bottle
—–
April 26, 2008
I was just telling Roxanne about the fact that, although I feel that this baby is a boy, I won’t be disappointed if I find out it’s a girl on Thursday at the ultrasound appointment. I will, however, freak out until I have a name for her. A baby’s just gotta have a name, people. So I thought I’d try to make myself feel better by sharing my current short list of girl names. These are the ones Jason and I have tossed about, but we don’t have a clear preference at all yet.
I like Elya, or Ellia (means the same as Elijah– “My God is Yahweh”), for now, but I’m not sure in the least.
Then there’s Rachael, Moira, Elissa–Eliza–Elisa (and other variations of Elizabeth), Amelia, Moira, Laura, Nora, Delia, Leah, Ella, Adela, Cora, Kayla, Leila, Lilah, Amelie, Jessica, Elena (pronounced ‘el-ay-na’), Alethia (Greek for “truth”), Carissa (from the Greek for “grace”), Bethany, India, Indira, Lily–Lilia–Lillian–Liliana (plays on my Chinese roommate’s name from HK), Felicity, Grace, Talitha (“little girl”), Maria. . .
I really have no idea. But at least I won’t feel completely nameless on ultrasound day, if there’s a girl in there. If he’s a boy, as I suspect he is, then he’ll be Micah James. And there will be no freaking out. Except in a good way.
Current Happy Food
Jenn’s Cha Siu (or any authentic cha siu I don’t have to make myself!)
—–
April 29, 2008
Well, I started to get a little worried because of some swelling in my legs and feet. It’s very normal for this stage of the pregnancy, but since I’ve been prone to toxemia before, the midwives recommended I get my blood pressure checked. So I did, and it was low, which is normal for me. And we’re very glad, because I’m pretty sure that if we add toxemia to placenta previa, it will mean lots and lots of brain-cell-obliterating bed rest. And we don’t want that.
And in other news, my new favorite girl name is Elena. Or Elaina. Or Elayna. All of which sound the same and play on my middle name, Elayne, and my aunt’s first name, Elaine. I’m sure there will be many more favorites before we actually come to a consensus, should we need to name a girl. But I also still like Ellia.
Current Happy Food
Black Bean Burritos, with Pico de Gallo and Sour Cream
—–
Ella Pics: 22 Weeks
May 1, 2008
Okay. . . So. . . I have good reason to stop listening to my instincts. At least in the way of gender prediction. Apparently, the “he” I’ve been thinking and talking about all this time is actually a “she” (poor, misunderstood baby). So I need a NAME. Like NOW. It’s muy importante. Legally I may not have to name her until one year after her birth, but that’s not the way I work, because I cannot have anything UNNAMED in my life. EVER. Words, people. I need the words!!! So yeah. Jason would like to name her Shiloh at the moment. I might be okay with that. As long as it’s her name. Like forever. With no waffling.
And the placenta is nowhere near the cervix. Which means I am normal. And I shall not be cut open. And I can have a water birth (maybe). And I am no longer bound by those heinous words, “pelvic rest”. So my instincts weren’t entirely wrong. I’ve been feeling ridiculous about all this china vase treatment for quite a while now. God is good.
Current Happy Food
A Big, Fat Vegetarian Burrito from Chipotle
—–
May 4, 2008
Well, I feel really good now that I can move around at will, and do yoga, and walk to the park, and get sunburned, and do other things (ahem) that were previously off the table. It all makes my belly kind of aggravated and sore though, because it’s not used to all this bouncing around. But I’ll take it.
Baby girl is kicking harder than ever. Jason finally saw her the other day, having a boxing match with my belly button. Before now, he was always looking the other way when she pushed hard enough to see it, but she’s doing it much more often, and more obviously. She’s a tough little thing.
Current Happy Food
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal and Milk (blood sugar crash!)
—–
Belly Shot: 23 Weeks
In sepia, to hide my raging sunburn.
May 6, 2008
I am SO craving coffee today. And Stephanie had to go and post this beautiful shot of a real, Italian cappuccino, in all its frothiness and sunshine, and that did not help matters one bit. So I fear I shall have to make a pot of coffee. In the middle of the week. And not on a Sunday. I wonder if our coffee maker works on days other than Sunday. We shall see. Anyway, baby Ella will be hyperactive for a while this evening. And that’s all right.
Current Happy Food
Warm, Fresh Country White Bread, with Butter and Cold Milk
—–
May 7, 2008
Ella wants out. I nearly panicked this afternoon during lunch with Jason, because I thought she was actually on her way. But no. She’s just kicking like heck, in all the right places. I hope she doesn’t break anything important.
Current Happy Food
Warm, Fresh Country White Bread (again!)
—–
May 12, 2008
Yup. Still pregnant. And really tired. And seriously confused. (But that could be circumstantial.) I think I have a stronger need for normalcy when I’m pregnant. Right now I’m really wishing I could just magically transport myself back to Nowheresville, California and sit in my yellow house wasting time on the internet while the kids play dust bowl in the back yard. But Jonah needs fun days to make him feel loved and special while Sissies are gone. And Naiah needs a little more time to hang out with cousin Caleb. Ella’s happy anywhere. And I have some good friends I want to catch up with. So we’ll stay. And I’ll do my best to chill OUT.
Current Happy Food
Applebee’s Quesadilla Burger (I am SO going to make that at home!)
—–
May 19, 2008
So I managed to come down to Ojai during the hottest May ever. In a van with no air conditioning. But I shall not complain, because we’ve managed to (mostly) limit our activities to the confines of air conditioned buildings, or shady places with lots of ice water. And on the day we went to Knott’s (which was also the day the heat began in earnest), while Ojai and the surrounding valleys were hitting the 100 degree mark and surpassing it, Buena Park was a balmy 89 degrees. And that was doable. But I still felt the need to lie around all day, the next day, watching Disney with the kids. I was pretty near useless. Heat and I don’t mix. Heat and Ella and I are an especially bad combination. Which is a good reason to live a mile above sea level.
Thankfully, God seems to be planning a few cool days at the end of the week, when I should be able to brave hot valleys and Fresno and Bakersfield and make it home without a heat stroke. So I’ll wait here in the air conditioning until then. That’s the plan.
Current Happy Food
Ojai Pizza, with Pepperoni and Pepperonchinis
—–
May 21, 2008
I feel heavy. . . Oh, so heavy. . . (and I’m having a musical moment over here. Pardon, please.) Yeah, I’m at 25 weeks now, and starting to feel that clumsy awkwardness of having a belly to tote around. I guess 25 weeks is far enough along to start getting that way. It’s been remarkably easy up until now. But I’ve noticed my feet are more heavy on the instep when I walk, and it’s harder to balance in easy yoga poses, like Mountain– I can’t keep my feet together at all without toppling, so I’m having to make like an old lady and widen my stance. I guess that’s to be expected. I’m excited to see what some good yoga breathing could do for labor. It seems like it could be a big help, up until transition.
Ella feels pointy lately. I don’t know how else to explain it. She used to push and roll around vaguely, but nowadays it feels like she’s poking me with her pointy toes or elbows or something. She’s getting pretty big, I think. The Baby Center e-mail says she’s over a pound and a half now. According to them, that’s as big as a rutabaga. (Seriously, how long can they keep up these food analogies?? What’s she going to be when she’s born– a pumpkin?! And who eats rutabagas anyway?)
I just realized this afternoon that I’ve been picturing her as a blonde all this time. I think it’s the name. Naiah seemed dark-haired and olive-complected when I pictured her throughout the pregnancy, just because she was a Naiah. (And it turned out that she was almost exactly as I imagined her, too!) Ella seems fair-skinned and blonde, because she’s an Ella. I guess it’s possible. Jonah was born dark-haired, but turned bleach blond before he was one year old. He’s still the only fair-skinned kid of the bunch. And Jason’s dad was tow-headed as a child. So who knows?
Current Happy Food
Pomegranate-Cranberry Cake
—–
May 30, 2008
May has been pretty slow on the Baby Blog. I think that’s because I’ve been pretty slow, although I’ve been racing around like a mad woman the whole time. My brain hasn’t had much chance to catch up with me. C’est la vie.
Jenn and I drove down to Chico for my midwife appointment yesterday (and Costco, of course). We went over last month’s ultrasound– grade 1 placenta, which is good and very high; healthy baby organs; signs of swallowing and breathing movements; healthy weight; long legs; normal umbilical cord– in short, all as it should be. I measure at exactly 26 and a half weeks, and my blood pressure is normal. And I’m borderline diabetic, which is normal for me when I’m preggo, and which means I should probably lay off the sweet tea and sugary cereal for a while. Or maybe forever. But let’s not get crazy here, people. (And I’m making yeast rolls with tons of honey and butter as we speak. So I’m not about to go low-carb today.)
I’m happy to be at 26 weeks. That was the week I waited and prayed for when I was carrying the twins– that age of viability, when I knew they’d have a good chance of making it into the world if I went into labor too soon. After all the initial wondering and worrying over whether Ella would make it through the pregnancy, I’m starting to believe she’ll be okay, God willing.
Current Happy Food
Plain, Fresh Strawberries, Grown in CA
—–
Belly Shot: 27 Weeks
—–
June 4, 2008
Ella is getting into more of a routine lately. She wakes up and plays (i.e. kicks me in the ribs or punches nearby innards) a few times in the morning and afternoon, and every night around ten p.m. And when I sing. Or talk loudly. Or lie down for a nap. I like her. I’m really starting to look forward to holding her, and cuddling her in the sling, or the wrap, and carrying her around with me, and snuggling with her at night. Le sigh.
Current Happy Food
Bacon and Coffee (Wow, does that look bad in print.)
—–
June 10, 2008
I’ve basically been sitting around for the last few days. I got the cold virus that Jason and the girls had earlier last week, and it won. So I’m not blogging or reading or yoga-ing or much of anything else lately. And today I found out that I’m also anemic, which gives me a second reason to feel brain dead. Guess I should be taking those prenatals. So I am.
Current Happy Food
Steamed Jasmine Rice and Broccoli
—–
June 14, 2008
I think I must have some sort of nesting instinct coming over me lately. Normally I get antsy if I can’t get out of the house at least a few times a week. But lately I just want to be home. And be quiet. It helps that the gas prices are so high. It provides a nice excuse to stay in town and pay exorbitant amounts of money for a can of beans. I like being a homebody. For now.
And pray for the midwives and the other people who live in Paradise right now. I just found out today that over seventy homes have burned, and the fire is about a mile away from their practice. You can see the smoke haze up where we live, so it must be pretty big.
Current Happy Food
Jason’s Bean and Cheese Dip
—–
June 15, 2008
Dude. I’m at 29 weeks. That means I’m like 10 weeks away from having a baby.
Is it just me, or is this the quickest pregnancy ever?
Dude.
Current Happy Food
Bacon Cheeseburgers, a la Franklin
—–
June 22, 2008
And a whole week since the last entry. . .
Ella is tough. I thought so before, but now I’m starting to wonder how the rest of this pregnancy is going to be, because wow. I think she jogs in there. That’s my best guess. All I know is it feels like she’s got a jackhammer and she’s trying to pound her way out through my ribs. She can already jiggle my entire belly, and we’ve still got ten weeks to go. Hopefully once she fills up the space a little more she won’t have so much room to gather momentum and hurt her mother. Hopefully. I’m very interested to see what she looks like. Tiny Schwarzenegger baby.
Today has been slow and relaxed, after yesterday’s birthday frenzy (simple as it was). I’ve been watching way too many Buffy and Angel episodes. It’s slobbery teen drama. But the dialogue is so delightfully sharp, and, really, I can’t resist a good Heathcliff story. It’s an illness. But a nice way to pass the time while I drain the fluid from my chubby ankles. So say I.
Current Happy Food
Ruffles Potato Chips and Soda (Mommy of the Year!!!)
—–
June 24, 2008
I’m having way too many contractions all the time. It’s starting to bug me now, because it distracts me from what I’m doing and makes me feel like I need to be still. We need to get rid of all this leftover soda from the party. I have a feeling that might have something to do with it. Caffeine, anyone?
Current Happy Food
Chicken Legs, Roasted in Ginger and Dale’s Seasoning
—–
June 29, 2008
Things are starting to get awkward now. I was so determined to keep good posture this whole pregnancy, and do my yoga, and ward off back pain, and walk like a normal person. But last night at the community dinner at the park, a friend of mine yelled out, “Look at you, Becky! You’re waddling already!” Nice. But my back doesn’t hurt a bit. And my posture isn’t so bad either. So I guess a little waddling is okay.
Current Happy Food
Jason’s Chicken Legs in Dale’s, again
—–
June 30, 2008
Jenn and I are supposed to go down to Paradise at 2 p.m. today for a midwife appointment and a Costco visit. But since they keep closing and (partially) opening the 32, depending on the state of the fires, we’re staying put. I’d really hate to be stuck down there overnight, or longer. But I talked to the very understanding receptionists at the midwifery office, and they’ve rescheduled me to try it again on Thursday. Hopefully things will be a little more under control by then.
Current Happy Food
Cabin Fever Pizza from Buffalo Chip’s
—–
July 4, 2008
Well, I’ve officially skipped a midwife appointment. Not due to snow, as I predicted would happen sometime between January and May, but due to fire. We tried to reschedule twice, and both times the roads were closed due to smoke and emergency traffic. So Ellie, one of the midwives, arranged for me to see the local family doctor here in town, just for the basics (blood pressure, etc.), which saved me a ton on gas money and smoke inhalation. And I am grateful. Because after this month they’ll be asking me to drive down there once a week. Eesh. But I feel good. And I made it through the holiday busyness and heat without any discomfort at all. Of course it helped that it never got much hotter than eighty degrees in the sun today. Which is the nice thing about living in a place where it’s been known to snow on Independence Day. Very nice, indeed.
Current Happy Food
Taco Bell’s Queso Crunch Wrap, Stolen Shamelessly from Jason
—–
Belly Shot: 31 Weeks
—–
July 11, 2008
I feel big. But not unpleasantly so. It’s been cool inside the house, even when it gets up to the 90’s outside. We sleep with the windows open and let the house cool down overnight, then shut it tight in the morning. So far my fears of being huge and miserable all summer have not come true. That’s a blessing. And although I’m still extra contracty (yes, I just made up an adjective, and I care not), I feel pretty confident that it doesn’t mean I’m going to go into labor any earlier than I should. It’s just part of the game.
Current Happy Food
Butter Beans with Pepper Sauce
—–
July 14, 2008
Ummm. . . 33 weeks. So, like six more weeks before labor-watch begins? Are you kidding me? I am SO not ready. And I’m feeling a huge need to nest and to rearrange the entire house. And I have this nagging restlessness, like there’s something I’m forgetting to do, and when the baby comes I’ll be totally unprepared because I forgot to do it. Whatever it was.
Ella’s big. I can play with her now. When I push her feet she pushes back. She’s getting a little squished in there.
P.S. This week’s BabyCenter email compares my baby to a pineapple. Disturbed much?
Current Happy Food
Jambalaya with Smoked Sausage
—–
July 22, 2008
Well, BabyCenter says Ella is a cantaloupe now. (It’s a sickness with them.) The kids are ready for her to appear, and so they continually try to tempt me to take long walks to the store and to move furniture. They also push her around in my belly at every opportunity and badger her to get out already. So we’ve been having chats about lung development and fat stores and other little niceties that make life outside the womb safer and easier. It’s fun that they’re so interested though. They’ve never been this involved before.
I’m starting to feel like I’m in the third trimester now. I’m slow. And hobbly. And now I’m getting that perpetual kink in my lower back that I can no longer fix with yoga poses, because my belly is in the way. Tadasana always helps a little, but never really eradicates it. Even so, I have to say this has been the easiest, most pain-free pregnancy yet (excepting the scare at the beginning). It might have something to do with the three year interval. The others were all spaced at slightly less than two years, and I think my body needed that extra year off. Or maybe this is just God’s way of being kind. Either way, I like it.
Current Happy Food
Pico de Gallo and Sour Cream, with Tortilla Chips
—–
July 25, 2008
We got a new toy in the mail today! It’s called a Eurotote, by Lillebaby, and it’s meant to serve as Ella’s first Moses basket, bunting, car seat swaddle, and travel bed. So the girls and I have been playing with their dolls all morning, swaddling and carrying and buckling them into carseats with the tote. It’s kinda nifty. And it should make wintry trips to the store much easier, because I can lift Ella right out of her car seat in the warm tote and lay her in the seat of the shopping cart without waking her or exposing her to the cold air and snow. Hopefully it will also make her feel better about the car seat. (Naiah hated hers for a full twelve months, and refused to settle down in the car unless she was exhausted. It was no fun at all.)
We still have a million things to do to prepare for another baby, but now I feel a little more ready. At least she’ll have a cozy nest when she gets home.
Current Happy Food
Lemon-Lime Gatorade
—–
July 29, 2008
Last Thursday I started having way too many contractions at about 2 p.m. I was unconcerned, though, until they started causing pressure and getting a little more painful than your average Braxton-Hicks. They kept up for a good four hours, when Jason came home. By that time, I had started drinking tons of water, figuring it was dehydration. I kept changing positions, lying on my side, doing everything I had ever been told to do to make them go away, but they didn’t, so I called the midwives’ office and was patched through to Marie. I let her know that it was probably dehydration. But since they were coming so often, with pressure, she told me to get to the closest hospital right away and get checked in. Meanwhile she would be at the hospital in Paradise, faxing my records. She gave me her phone number and said to call as soon as we left the house.
So Jenn came over (smiling even!) to watch the kids (and also do laundry and blaze through the kitchen, because she’s lovely like that), and Jason and I packed a bag and left. Of course, as soon as I was settled in the car, I knew the contractions were slowing. Marie called my cell phone before we were out of town, and I told her it was all was fizzling out. But she wanted me checked for dilation, infections, etc., just in case, so we went. The nurse looked for all the usual signs and culprits, but all was well. So it was probably dehydration, and maybe a little fatigue and heat on top of it. Nothing that can’t be handled by a cup of water an hour and lots of sitting, according to Marie. As if I don’t sit enough these days.
So I’m sipping my pregnancy tea. And watching Hulu. And taking a nap every afternoon. There are only a few weeks left, anyway. I might as well rest while I can. At least until our room is almost ready and the crib is up. Then I’m going to nest like crazy.
Current Happy Food
Smoked Beef Sausage, Pan-Seared, with Eggs
—–
Belly Shot: 35 Weeks
—–
August 1, 2008
Well, unless Ellie, and now Marie too, changes her mind about that last-minute induction idea, this is Ella’s birthday month. Let’s just hope she doesn’t share Jonah’s birthday. (Poor kid!)
I’ve been looking over the baby blog today. I honestly don’t remember half of what’s up there. (I should probably journal more. Especially seeing as how my brain seems to be missing huge chunks of my life.) But looking through the blog made me realize how long this process has actually been, even though it feels like I just got pregnant and now I’m about to have a baby. God is faithful, and in this case extremely merciful. It’s been the most comfortable pregnancy I’ve ever had.
Normally at this point, a few weeks out from delivery, I would be desperately watching for any signs of labor. This is usually when I get totally miserable and can’t settle down and regret even having a uterus. But it’s different now. If anything, I feel like the birth is approaching too quickly, because the crib isn’t ready, and our room isn’t set up, and I haven’t made the sling I still want to make. Plus, I don’t feel bad. At most I get a few tough contractions now and then, or some minor back pain for a little while. But nothing to make me hate life.
I guess that could change quickly though, now that the insomnia has set in. It’s only been two nights so far, but if it keeps up I know the minor things will start to look and feel huge. Even so, there are only a few weeks left. And that’s not long at all.
Current Happy Food
Big, Green Garden Salad
—–
August 3, 2008
I’m a total insomniac now. It’s been four nights in a row, and tonight’s not looking too promising either. The weird thing is that I don’t feel sleepy in the daytime. I guess that could still set in later. But I’ve noticed I wear out more quickly and my back is more tense, which are probably direct results of not sleeping. Also, I become extremely alert at around 4 o’clock every morning, and have an anxiety attack about something random for at least a half an hour, sometimes up to two hours. Then reason takes over and reassures me that the world is not going to end quite yet, and I doze off for a little while before waking up again. The only time I can sleep soundly is between 7 a.m., when Jason leaves for work, and 8:30 a.m., when the kids wake up. I guess I’ll be more than adequately prepared to stay up with a wakey baby in a few weeks.
Oh, and I’m at 36 weeks now. That’s when the girls were born. Sarah weighed 5lbs, 8ozs, and Anna weighed 5lbs, 12ozs. I imagine Ella’s a little bigger than that.
And tonight, at the lake picnic with the Greenville church, everyone thought I still had months to go until D-day. That was quite pleasant. And new. 🙂
Current Happy Food
Noah’s Everything Bagel, Toasted, with Cream Cheese
—–
August 6, 2008
Ella’s getting feisty in there, now that her space is dwindling. She keeps pinching and hitting and bumping. And she doesn’t listen very well when I tell her to QUIT IT. Ow. But it’s nice to know she’s healthy.
I’ve been parking myself in my big camping chair with the footrest every evening at the park, while the girls rehearse with Theater for Kids and the littlest two play on the playscape or ride their scooters. It’s fun to chat with moms from the community play group, and occasionally read a paragraph or two from the book I can’t seem to start reading. I think all the fresh air has been helping me sleep better. The last two nights were wakeful, but I was able to stay asleep for a good hour or two between wake-ups. And it helps that the nights are little more chilly lately. I love a cold room and a fuzzy blanket.
Current Happy Food
Sliced Granny Smith Apples
—–
August 8, 2008
I spent the morning running all over the community college campus, trying to send myself into labor. (Not trying, really, but that seemed to be the imminent effect.) It’s kind of hilly. And spaced out. And the uphill parking lot, near the offices, was closed. So there was plenty of walking to do. Then I took the kids to McD’s, while Jason did his registration business, and then ran back to the college to wait in the courtyard while he finished. And then the kids and I ran to another office, and then to the grocery store, and after we were all sweaty and ready for lunch, we drove back home.
And now my uterus is kind of angry. And Ella’s asleep. She probably won’t wake up until I actually find a moment to lie down. That seems to be the way it works lately.
My room is starting to resemble a bedroom/nursery. (It was being used as a family media room before now.) The crib is standing disassembled in one corner, and I still have a lot of clothes to sort through, but it’s much closer to finished. It’s a happy feeling.
Current Happy Food
Sausage, Egg, and Cheese McGriddle
—–
August 9, 2008
Ella’s sling is all cut out and the hems pressed. I should be sewing by tonight, and hopefully finished tomorrow. (If it turns out to be as easy as it seems I might still make another out of some of my nicer quilt fabrics, or maybe even denim, just so I have color options.) Jason will put the crib together this evening. So my job next week will be to get the clothes organized and make the nursery side of the room functional and pretty. That’s the fun part.
My lower back and hips are getting that constant achy feeling now, especially at night. It’s kind of frustrating to try to get anything done when they’re like that. Last night I got miffed at the mess in the kitchen and decided to tackle it all at once, but by the time I had run a dishwasher load and swept, I was already sobbing like an idiot in the middle of the floor because I couldn’t do anymore. Jason didn’t know whether to laugh or panic. I guess I’m finally that pregnant.
Current Happy Food
Marinated Roast Chicken with Roasted Veggies
—–
August 10, 2008
Just for the record, I am now, officially, full term. Hear that, Ella? It’s safe to come out. Whenever you’re ready. And. . . go. 😉
Current Happy Food
Margaret’s Salami and Pepper Jack Sandwiches
—–
August 11, 2008
The crib is up. The sling is sewn. Now it’s just a matter of organizing the bins of clothes in my room and making everything pretty and cozy. But for now I’m taking a nap. That was a long night last night. And heartburn! Ow!
Current Happy Food
Jenn’s Chocolate Cream Pie
—–
August 12, 2008
Well, I’m still having contractions, and they’re getting slightly more painful and frequent, but still not labor-like. I hope they’re accomplishing something productive, because I doubt they’ll be turning into the real thing anytime soon. Other than that I’m still pretty comfortable. While I’m not exactly sleeping all night, I’m at least dozing through it and not just lying there staring at the ceiling. I think I need to find some way to wear myself out in the daytime that doesn’t result in muscle pain later. If only I knew how to knit!
Current Happy Food
Jenn’s Chocolate Cream Pie (the gift that keeps on giving)
—–
August 13, 2008
Oh, where, oh, where has my brain gone? Something is seriously scrambled up there. Last night when the kids and I got into the van to drive to theater rehearsal, I saw the air conditioner dial set on “Hi” and thought the gas tank was full. And I sat there trying my darndest to figure out when Jason could have filled it. It was only when we actually started moving that I remembered where the real gas gauge was.
Then, at the park, I saw Jenn holding her cell phone. A moment later I saw a little girl throw something in the trash can, and I nearly yelled after her, because I could have sworn she threw Jenn’s cell phone away.
I hope I’m not permanently addled. Surely once the baby is sleeping through the night I’ll get some brain cells back. Right?
P.S. I just had to go back and edit the date. I looked it up to be sure today was actually the 13th, and yes, it was the 13th. So I wrote August 12. Ugh.
P.P.S. Naiah has already nicknamed the baby ‘Ellabelle”. That was quick.
Current Happy Food
Orange Juice
—–
August 15, 2008
Well, there’s nothing wrong with me. Darn it.
I got all excited when I did my weighing and urine-testing at the midwives’ office, because the protein test showed +1. Also, my face and hands were kind of swollen. So I put those symptoms together with the dizziness and confusion I’ve been having and concluded that I must be getting preeclamptic. And we all know what that means, right? Let’s go have a baby! Like nowish! That was a happy thought.
Then Ellie had to go and ruin everything by checking my blood pressure, which was low as usual. So she said that the swelling was probably from coming down the mountain into the 100 degree heat, which made sense, and that the protein was from not drinking enough (again), which made sense, and that the dizziness and confusion were from blood sugar fluctuations, due to not snacking enough (again), which also made sense.
Basically, all the exciting preeclampsia symptoms were all my fault. And to top it off, she checked me for any signs of dilation or effacement and got a whole lot of nothing. The baby’s head is low, though, which means Ella’s probably turning into a cone head as we speak. Just like Mommy. Poor baby.
So we’re no longer talking about last-minute inductions. Ellie did, however, broach the idea of getting a hotel room if my water breaks and labor doesn’t immediately start (which has been the case with the last two births), so that she could send me off with a bottle of castor oil to get things going IV-free. Eew. And I say it again. Eew. I think I might try to aim for a day when Marie or Cheryl are on call. Unless I’m already in full-blown labor when I get there, in which case Ellie would totally be my pick of the three. But Eeeww.
Oh, and I don’t have to go back down next week. (Hooray for my gas budget!) Unless I’m in labor, of course. They’re putting a whole lot of faith in the fact that I’ve done this before. And the fact that there’s nothing wrong with me. You gotta love midwives, dude.
Current Happy Food
Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt, and Fresh, California Strawberries
—–
August 16, 2008
I’ve decided I probably shouldn’t be allowed to self-medicate anymore. I accidentally doubled my prenatal vitamin dosage today, and nearly tripled it before I realized what I was doing. The trouble is that this week I started taking the raspberry leaf capsules three times a day, and I’ve been popping a vitamin along with them in the mornings, and then without thinking I take another vitamin with them at noon, or maybe at night. That could mess with a few things I don’t want to mess with. Especially the iron. Too much iron is bad. I should leave myself a note or something. I’ll be one of those people with yellow sticky notes stuck all over the house, reminding myself not to blow dry my hair in the shower. But only until my brain is functioning again.
Ella lifted my belly off the bed this morning. I was lying on my side, and she pushed off the bed with both feet and lifted my side with her back. I guess it’s getting a little cramped in there for her. Soon, baby.
Current Happy Food
Jason’s Noodle Stir Fry
—–
August 17, 2008
I’ve been micro-nesting (and yes, I just made up a hyphenated word, but I needed it to validate my tiny accomplishments). I’m too brain dead and achy to accomplish any kind of large scale nesting, as in nesting which might benefit the haphazard state of affairs in my household. So instead I find myself taking comfort in tiny nests, like the wrap, which I carry with me at all times in my hospital bag, and the sling I made.
I also ordered and anxiously awaited this car seat nest:
And yesterday I made this little crib nest (even though I doubt she’ll spend much time in the crib for quite a while):
They’re small accomplishments, but they make me feel better, even though I know there’s still lots to be done on a large scale; I’m just not sure what that is.
But the little red and pink birdies make me happy.
Current Happy Food
Chocolate Milk
—–
August 19, 2008
And I’ve officially lost it. Weeping and wailing over the crockery is about as bad as it gets, I would hope. It would be lovely if my mental stability could return instantaneously when the baby is born, but I’m guessing there will likely be a few more hormonal fluctuations in the days following the birth. Let’s just pray they’re a little less ridiculous. I’m sure Ella would appreciate that. As would the rest of my clan. Sigh. I really enjoyed being the laid-back, type B personality.
Oh, and mercifully, the people at BabyCenter have stopped finding fruit analogies for Ella’s weight (they quit after honeydew melon), and have switched to approximating her length with vegetables. If she comes this week, I will be giving birth to a leek.
Happiest Happy Food Ever
Jenn’s Triple Chocolate Cake (Maybe I’ll go have a piece.)
—–
August 20, 2008
The last time we visited family in Ojai, Cristin let me borrow her Prenatal Yoga DVD. I had done parts of it before, but today I followed along with all of it. It feels so good to be all stretched out. It even got rid of that kink in my back that’s been bothering me at night lately. I think I might go out for a walk later, after Jason gets home. Not to try to induce labor or anything, but just to keep things loose and ready. I feel like I could use a little exertion today.
If Ella decides to come when Jonah and Naiah did, then she should be making her way here about this time next week. But if not, I don’t want to push her. It would be nice though, if I didn’t have to make more than one extra trip down to Paradise. My next appointment is on Tuesday. So I’ll probably have to turn right back around and make another trip a day or two later. But who knows? You can’t exactly plan it.
Current Happy Food
Yoplait Peach Yogurt
—–
Belly Shot: 38 Weeks
Post-yoga, with a monkey on a stool.
—–
August 21, 2008
So there’s this pose on the Prenatal Yoga video. It’s kind of a low, intense, hip-opening pose. And they say you really shouldn’t practice it past thirty weeks, because it has a tendency to induce labor. Hmmmm. . . I say, Hmmmmm. . . And then there’s this convincing article about how every baby has its own timing, and that you shouldn’t be in a hurry to oust him as soon as you’re full-term, which makes a lot of sense. But really, no induction technique works 100% until your body is ready anyway, so it couldn’t hurt to practice a certain simple hip-opening pose, could it? I think not. Besides, I already tried it. It certainly has a little kick to it, but I’m not in labor. So there. I’m going to see if I can go a little longer with it today.
I’m forcing myself out of my week long bout of homebodying. The lake church is holding its monthly summer luncheon. This is the first time I’ll be showing up without a dish to share. I’m just so not up to cooking for some reason. I don’t even know where to start. My creativity is nil. Hopefully they’ll understand. Honestly, it was a struggle to even make up my mind to go. These days I don’t want to leave my cocoon.
Current Happy Food
Water
—–
August 21, 2008 (Evening)
I’ve been feeling kind of crampy since yesterday, and now it’s turning into more of a crampy-with-contractions type thing. I’m not sure if it’s an early, early phase of labor (really early), or if it’s just that my uterus is irritated with me. I’ll try to let you know if it turns into something interesting.
Current Happy Food
Water. Still. What’s up with that?
—–
August 22, 2008
Still crampy. Still contracting. Nothing special though. It could go on like this for weeks. So I need to quit thinking about it and go about my business, whatever that is. At some point, hopefully this weekend, we need to throw an early birthday bash for Jonah. That way we won’t have to worry about disappointing him if Ella happens to decide to appear on his actual birthday next week. I can’t imagine throwing a birthday party right now. It sounds like a huge ordeal. But I’m thinking we’ll just have it at the church and keep it a cake-and-ice-cream type affair. No fear. I have cake mix. And canned icing. And I don’t even feel sad about that. And Jonah will be happy as long as his friends are there, and a cake, and robotic superheroes. He’s pretty easy to please. Come to think of it though, I should probably start a birthday list. I’d hate to forget the candles or something.
Current Happy Food
Twix Bar
—–
August 23, 2008
Well, things are definitely progressing. Yesterday it went from mildly cramping to flat-out pain all day, with some good contractions thrown in at random. Still nothing too terrible, but it was finally enough to remind me that, Oh yeah, this is actually going to hurt. And that, Hmm, maybe I don’t want this to start quite yet. And then last night about 3 a.m. I actually got into enough of a strong (and painful) pattern that I thought I might have a baby soon, and that was a scary thought, because suddenly there were so many things I wanted to finish first, and I stayed awake for a good long while waiting for it to stop. (I blame Roxanne for that one, because she called last night before bed and made me laugh for about an hour straight, which many people would consider an effective means of triggering contractions. Good going, Roxanne! ;)) So today I’m resting up from last night, and trying to get a lot of last minute things in order, because it’s starting to look like Ella will be here within the week. That or my uterus is very angry with the situation, and would like to lodge an extremely long complaint. Let’s hope for the former.
Current Happy Food
Breakfast Burritos
—–
August 24, 2008
I think I’m feeling better. At least the constant pain has gotten milder. I still have a good contraction now and then, but nothing persistent enough to call in about. I went out for a walk yesterday afternoon, just to the post office, and it helped my back a lot. The weird thing is that when I get a really strong contraction I feel it in my hips and back more than my stomach. It’s never been that way before. I wonder if Ella’s facing the wrong way or something.
And now I need to make a chocolate cake and have a birthday party for a certain boy. I’ll feel less anxious about actually going into labor once that’s all taken care of. I was so worried we’d miss his big day. So we’re pretending it’s today instead of Wednesday. He can be five a few days early this year.
Current Happy Food
Buffalo Chip’s Pizza
—–
August 25, 2008
I’ve altered my situation. I got all mad at the bathroom and scrubbed the whole thing down from top to bottom, and spent a long time crouching by the baseboards, scrubbing them and the floor, and I think I shook Ella down. My hips feel like they’re made of lead, which makes it kind of hard to move. Maybe that will speed things along. Or it could just make me a little more uncomfortable while I wait. Let’s be optimistic.
Current Happy Food
Jason’s Pesto-Alfredo Fettucini
—–
August 26, 2008
I’ve been enjoying my sparkly bathroom. So much so that I find myself interrogating the kids when they go in, “What are you doing in there? Do you have dirt on your feet? Let me see your hands!” I think I’ve gone insane. The kitchen floor is also under watch. I’m afraid to let the kids go outside, because they might get dust on their feet and track it in. They just might. And then Armageddon would descend upon us.
I have very patient children.
I’ll be seeing the midwives this afternoon. Jenn and I were imagining yesterday that they might say, “Oh, no, you’re too dilated to go home right now. Let’s just keep you here and get things going!” That would be nice. Except that it would mean that Ella would probably be born on Jonah’s birthday tomorrow. Thursday would be ideal, really. My parents could probably make it by then, and it’s such a nice round date: 8/28/08. Isn’t that a nice date? I like it.
Current Happy Food
Tin Roof Sundae
—–
August 26, 2008 (Evening)
Well, I’m home, and no baby in sight. But I’m starting to dilate now, and getting much softer, and the baby’s head is in a good spot to put pressure on the cervix and make it ripen further. Ellie gave it an extra hard push, which could very well be enough to set labor in motion tonight, or not. We shall see.
I wasn’t terribly disappointed at going home. I remember at my last midwife appointment of Naiah’s pregnancy I was desperate to be induced and get it all over with, and holding back tears at being sent home empty-handed. (But then my water broke an hour later and all was well.) I really don’t feel that desperate this time. Slightly impatient, but not dying to be finished. I just want to meet her soon.
And once again, Ellie didn’t make me schedule another appointment for next week. We made one for the tenth, more than two weeks out, so that if I haven’t gone into labor we can do a non-stress test and schedule induction. She very tentatively offered to see me on my due date, which would be protocol, and which would be THIS Monday, but I told her I’d rather be in labor the next time I saw her, or at least scheduling labor. And she agreed. I love that. The receptionists thought I must have heard my dates wrong when I told them. Surely they wouldn’t let me go without a check-up for two whole weeks! (Mua, ha, ha!)
And Jason put a Twitter feed right on my front page sidebar, so you don’t even have to check the twitter.com site when I’m away. The bot that fetches the feed is a little slow, however, so if you want instant updates, you’ll still have to navigate to Twitter. But there you have it. Front page news bites from our birthing suite. We’ll see how that works out.
Current Happy Food
Applebees Quesadilla Burger
—–
August 26, 2008 (Late)
Stretch marks! That weren’t there last night! And now are everywhere!
According to my former OB, who reassured me when this happened at 39 weeks with Jonah, it’s a sign of seriously vamped-up hormone production, which usually means less than a week to go.
Yay, stretch marks!
Just thought you’d like to know.
—–
August 27, 2008
Long, hard night last night. Mostly nausea and heartburn and bad dreams. I think it was the Coke on the way home. I guess there’s a reason we’re Pepsi people. So I’m trying to get lots of naps in today. It would be a bad idea to try to have a baby when I’m feeling this exhausted already.
Current Happy Food
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches
—–
August 27, 2008 (Evening)
I’m feeling much better, thank you. I got several little naps throughout the day, and I think I’ll be able to sleep well tonight too. For now I’ve got my mellow, acoustic Pandora station playing, and I’m doing a very good job (for the moment, anyway) of being content with the status quo. And we’re far enough into Jonah’s official birthday that I’m reasonably sure he won’t have to share it with his baby sister. I’m glad he’ll get to be first every year with the partying. He needs all the perks he can get as the one and only, lonely boy. Happy birthday, Jonah. You get to keep your special day all to yourself! 🙂
Current Happy Food
Bagel Sandwich with Fresh Veggies and Roast Turkey
—–
August 28, 2008
I feel good today. This is one of those days when I feel like I could be pregnant quite a while longer and be perfectly okay with it.
Current Happy Food
Quaker Granola Bars
—–
August 28, 2008 (Evening)
It’s been an easy day. Very peaceful and painless.
Since 5 p.m. I’ve been contracting about every twenty minutes. Still nothing terribly painful, but if they keep up they could turn into something interesting. The kids are sleeping in their clothes, just in case.
Current Happy Food
Jenn’s Double Chocolate Muffins
—–
August 29, 2008
Nope. We’re still here. The contractions stopped at around 10:30 last night and never came back. Make up your mind, Ella!
She seems to have two speeds lately: totally lethargic and hyperactive. Yesterday she bounced and wiggled all day long, and today she seems like she’s back to lazing around, kicking occasionally. I suppose she’s content in there.
I, on the other hand, am trying to bear in mind that it’s due time, not due date. And that even though the big date is coming up on Monday, Ella will still be considered right on time for two weeks thereafter. And that if all else fails, I have an appointment on the tenth to talk eviction.
So it’s not forever. It just feels like it sometimes.
Current Happy Food
Cinnamon Gum
—–
August 29, 2008 (Evening)
Something has switched over in my head. It seems like I’ve missed some window of opportunity, and now Ella will just have to stay in there forever, and I’ll always be pregnant. All day long I’ve been walking around in this confused haze, where I forget that she exists, or that she could ever possibly appear outside the womb. I forget to pay attention to contractions and other labor signs. It’s kind of weird. Part of me has involuntarily resigned itself to never giving birth.
Luckily my mind doesn’t have to be all there in order for birth to happen. But it might make things a little more surreal when I suddenly have a baby. On the other hand, it’s kind of nice to be relieved of the tedium of watching and waiting. Maybe I’ll just forget a little longer.
That’s a depressing thought.
Current Happy Food
Jenn’s Enchilada Casserole
—–
August 30, 2008
I am leaving the house. I am going to Susanville. I am bringing my clan. We shall walk. We shall shop. We shall play. We shall bring my hospital bag– you know, just in case we need to take off for Paradise at any given moment. But mostly, I am leaving the house.
Ella made a valiant attempt at escape last night around 2 a.m. She spent a good half hour pushing and head-butting as hard as she could, to no avail. Sorry, baby. Jason thinks it was the little pep talk he gave her last night. Maybe we’ll try that again later.
Current Happy Food
Frosted Mini Wheats
—–
August 30, 2008 (Evening)
Well, we made it though the heat and the shopping without incident. Apparently it will take more than walking the aisles of Walmart to coax my body into labor.
Ella is happy tonight. She’s wiggly. And she’s becoming very recognizable in there– feet and knees and rump and head. She feels like a baby. (Which is probably a good thing.) I keep thinking how cute she is, and then I remember that I’ve never actually seen her, and that she could be hideous. But I doubt it.
Current Happy Food
McDonald’s Sweet Tea (if only we had a Chik-Fil-A!)
—–
August 31, 2008
I’ve never been forty weeks pregnant before. It’s not so bad. Kind of frustrating, maybe. (Due time, not date, due time, not date. . . Repeat as needed.) Mostly I want a baby. I’m still not terribly uncomfortable, unless of course I try to run around too much. It’s just that she keeps getting bigger and more baby-like, and I can’t see her. That’s the frustrating part. But she’s doing her best. She’s spending more and more of her time trying to climb out, which has to help something along, I would hope.
Current Happy Food
Fresh Roast Beef Sandwich on Sourdough
—–
Belly Shot: 40 Weeks
—–
August 31, 2008 (Evening)
I walked to the park. I walked all over the park. I helped fly a kite. I sprinted. Many times. I sat on a volleyball. (I looked like a giant hen.) I walked home.
That’s about all the help I can give you right now, Ella. Maybe we’ll try a few doses of raspberry leaf tea later tonight.
Current Happy Food
More Roast Beef!
—–
September 1, 2008, The Due Date
Happy Labor Day! I celebrated by locking my door and sleeping in. The kids still asked me 200 questions through the door, even though Jason was out there with them, but I dozed through it. It was loverly.
Is it possible to feel less pregnant the further into the pregnancy you go? It seems like I’m having less contractions and less cramping than ever the last few days. If it weren’t for my freakishly front-heavy body and difficulty with movement, I might start to believe I was losing ground somehow. I guess if it’s going to be a while, though, it’s better that it’s as comfortable as possible.
It occurred to me last night that I have things to do within the week. Monday and Tuesday are when the MOPs year begins, and there will be planning, and rehearsal, and set-up, and cooking, and writing, and socializing, and tear-down to do. All along I’ve been picturing myself at the set-up and meetings with a baby in a sling, after a week or two of recovery time. I wouldn’t be moving tables or anything, but I could still be plenty helpful with everything else. But if Ella decides to wait this out until our midwife appointment on the 10th, I’ll be raging pregnant and somewhat braindead and not in the mood when Monday rolls around. And if she waits until a day or two before the meetings, I’ll be severely post-natal and also not in the mood. I would hate to miss the kick-off meeting and let the team down. But I’m starting to wonder how it’s supposed to happen.
I’m realizing more and more how I don’t control the timeline here.
Current Happy Food
Pop Tarts and Milk
—–
September 2, 2008
Last night was hard. Lots of heartburn and stomach pain (but not the productive kind). My head is kind of echo-ish today. I think I might try to get a haircut in while Jason’s home.
Current Happy Food
Steak
——
September 2, 2008 (Evening)
I finally got my hair cut! Today was the first time this whole pregnancy that I’ve had a chance to get away during business hours (other than all those midwife appointments, of course). I was beginning to believe it wouldn’t happen until Ella was old enough to leave at home with Daddy for a little while, but she waited, and it’s done.
Maybe now she’ll feel free to come see us.
You never know.
Current Happy Food
Cold Pepsi
—–
September 5, 2008
Well, she finally made it. I guess she wanted me to be sure and get in that hair cut before she made her debut. How considerate!
Ella is very easy to mother so far. She hardly makes any noise, even when she’s wide awake. Her first night was spent nursing, grumbling, looking around, and nursing some more. Now she’s making up for it with lots of long naps and a good night’s sleep last night.
Despite all that, the postpartum blues are hitting hard already. Yesterday I was terribly angry all day for no reason whatsoever, at everyone and no one in particular. Today I just feel like it’s all falling apart and hopeless. I’m praying it will just flare up and be done soon. The cuddling is very therapeutic.
—–
September 7, 2008
Ella and I are falling into a lazy routine of diaper changes, feedings, and naps. She spends most of her day lounging on a pillow on my lap. It’s a hard knock life.
—–
September 18, 2008
I’m starting to feel like myself again. That weak feeling in my core gets a little smaller every day. Mostly I’m just waiting for my hips to put themselves back together. They still feel slightly out of place, which makes walking painful sometimes.
And I’ve finally figured out the weight issue. (Why I lose when I’m pregnant and gain when I’m nursing.) When I’m pregnant, I hardly ever feel hungry. I get low blood sugar symptoms when I forget to eat, but I don’t have much of an appetite to remind me to eat, and when I’m full, I know it, and I have to stop. On the other hand, when I’m nursing, my appetite never turns off. I could eat anytime, all day long, and I have absolutely no full signal. I have no idea when to stop eating, if I listen only to my body. If I want to do any kind of healthy portion control, I have to contrive it with calorie counting or meal planning. Otherwise I have no idea how much I’ve eaten or should eat. My body tells me nothing. Stupid body.
So I guess if I want to keep the weight off this time, I’ll have to develop some kind of system or plan or something. These are evil, evil words to my highly spontaneous, type B personality. But there you have it. We can’t always eat like we’re pregnant, unfortunately.
—–
Definitely spring for cable! AND sit down and make the kids bring you your water… and the remote… and a good book… and your pillow… and…
(Isn’t that why we have kids?!) haha
That’s the nice thing about having six-year-old girls– old enough to help, and young enough to enjoy it and feel important about it. They’ve been making breakfast for the little ones every day since I started hating food. 🙂
Wow, I will pray for you and your placenta, (hee hee) and the baby of course. If I lived close by, I’d come and move your furniture for you and make you sit! 😉
Thanks for praying, Sarah. And for theoretically moving my furniture. 🙂
I really, really love the baby blog. It is so helpful for those of us praying for you…it makes me feel closer to you. Baby…we are praying for you. Is his name still Michael???? =)
I think it’s changed to Micah, but we still have no clue as to girl names.
Okay, the downside to the baby blog: you are not going to get away with a week without posting. I came on today, just hoping there was something more to read…babies make me happy. I can’t wait to hear what is going on with you next!
How interesting! I was wondering a couple of days ago how Jonah would feel (if a little brother) he was named Micah instead of Michael. I like it! Please take care of yourself.
That’s funny, Lisa. I really thought nobody would be interested besides maybe my mom.
Pearl– It took us a while to realize that we could do Micah instead of Michael. And then it took us even longer to realize that Micah comes right after Jonah in the books of the Bible. I think it’s kind of cool!
Hey there! I’ve been thinking about you – sitting around in the cold with your books.
I have found a great new web-site through school. Jonathan and Kaitlin both enjoy different parts of it. It’s http://www.starfall.com
Your kids may enjoy that.
I’ll be looking forward to a doctor update. I forgot that this blog had the first date first and so when I’ve checked, I haven’t scrolled down and I’ve been missing out. Darn it. Now I know.
The girls love Starfall! Especially the fables and plays. Jonah isn’t so into it. It doesn’t hold his attention long enough. He’s a lot like Jason. I think he’ll probably learn to read the same way his dad did, suddenly and all at once. As it is, the only way I could force any phonics learning on him was through Leapfrog’s Letter Factory video. He wouldn’t take it from a book or a flash card or anything else. But whatever works, man.
Sorry for the troubles the placenta is causing! Glad you are home safe.
I’m so glad to hear that you and the baby are ok, but I am sure that the restrictions are incredibly frustrating right now. We’ll be praying that placenta up and out of the way. Can we pray just enough to have fun, but not enough to have to do full housework?
Jonathan loves Leap Frog as well. We have the whole series. I think its great. Oh, and do you guys play on Sesemestreet.org? It’s fantastic as well. On days when I have to study a lot, I confess that the other computer “baby sits”. He loves it.
We are praying for the placenta to find a better spot!!!
Thanks guys. 🙂
we have a scanner if you really want to mail the pictures all the way down here. walmart might have something in their photo dept. too
Oh, I hadn’t thought of that! I’ll check on it.
Adam just reminded me we need to go over there anyway so we can pick up the pics to scan and email to you if you want.
I just learned that Jenn has a scanner, two blocks from me. Who knew?
It was given to me by my grandma for my birthday 2 weeks ago.
Can’t wait to see the pictures of the baby. . .we are home–arrived about an hour ago. I am glad to finally get to catch up on all of the baby doin’s. BE STILL and get your rest and don’t feel ridiculous even one bit. Your current job is to get this new baby here all safe and sound and keep yourself safe and sound as well.
AND I have a friend who had placenta previa and her “baby” is now 11. 🙂 Love you. Miss you.
You know, I thought I’d share that my placenta was covering my cervix early on for all three of my pregnancies. It moved up every time! I’m praying that’s what yours does too. Looks like the chances are pretty good.
That’s good to hear!
I’m so glad you finally wrote something. I was getting anxiety just waiting for your next baby post. I love reading about it since I can’t be near you…=)
Your dreams sound kind of like they might be a subconscious response to not only the pregnancy, but the attack on all the homeschooling hooplah that is going on.
I’ve been thinking that too. Although the second one is probably due to our old nemesis, the towing company, who recently showed up (a year after they auctioned off our stolen car) demanding thousands of dollars suddenly for who-knows-what. That’s a little more stress than I’d like to deal with when I’m already more angry than usual.
Yuck! Sorry to hear about the towing company, geez.
Like the addition of the belly shots. : )
Oh wook at wo cwute wittle bewwy! (aka – oh look at your cute little belly). You have such pretty eyes.
Sour cream and green onions…like, by themselves, or on a baked potato? Or on a potato chip, perhaps?? Cuz wow, that’s amazing if it is just sour cream and green onions. But as toppings, I am thinking I could put that on just about anything!!
First, take care of yourself! The rest will get done sooner or later.
There were Ruffles potato chips involved, but I was too ashamed to admit it. 😉
First of all, you are a babe! Your beautiful arched eyebrows are HOT!
And second, there is a care package on it’s way to you. It contains items that require NO lifting, jumping, leaping, bouncing or horseback riding.
Thirdly, ahemcoughblowjobcoughahem
🙂
LOL, dude! {snort}
And, as I whined to my midwife, “But it’s just not the same!” 😉
LOL-ing and seconding Stephanie…hee hee hee.
Oh, I so wish I could help- and I understand your feelings, morbid though they are- we are wives and mothers and its hard to put ourselves first, even when we’re still putting our family first by putting ourselves first- does that make any sense???
Ahem… cough… I don’t believe her “pelvic rest” can be relieved with this method… cough cough…
Oh. My. I have been missin’ out over here. . .my computer is blushing. 🙂
I sure am thinking of you today. How are you hanging in there?
I’m already wearing maternity clothes. I know what you’re thinking…that I couldn’t possible be needing maternity clothes yet. I thought that too. I guess fourth pregnancies do this to me.=)
Take it easy there girl! Jenn’s just up the street, has a nifty new MONDOSTROLLER with which to walk the girls down to yer place. She’ll be down whenever you need her.
Becky, you look so great! Whatever is in your bacon grease must suit you better than what’s in mine. You look fantastic. So perfectly preggo. Are you coming for a visit here? And just to clarify…you don’t actually KNOW that it’s a boy (yet?), you just call him a him, right?? I wasn’t sure.
You look HOT!!!!!!! Oh my word. I NEVER looked that good pregnant. Eat more!!!
Thanks, guys! It’s really sad though, because I know as soon as I start nursing, those extra pounds will just pile right back on. Sigh.
And, no, we still don’t know it’s a boy. But I feel like I know. You know?
You are a total babe! Check out those curves 🙂
Now go sit down and prop your feet up. Do you have any grapes? Have Jason feed them to you. And Sarah and Anna can take pictures and videotape it!
🙂
Lookin’ good, mama!
Enjoy those twice a night pees before the 3rd trimester when you get up every hour and only pee a teaspoon each time.
I do not miss THOSE days. . .but I miss wiggly babies inside where I know they are safe and warm and well fed.
I frequently get up to pee that often even when I’m not pregnant…
Whoa. Maybe you should get that checked.. 😉
Atleast it’s something healthy as opposed to the BlueBell Milk Chocolate Icecream and Lime slushes from Sonic that I craved with both of mine.
Give the pregnant woman a steak! That will get your iron up! I can make more pasta anytime…
Oooooooh. . . I haven’t had a steak in forever! I think Jason might have to miss that while he’s gone.
hmmmm. Do you think about it often or have you accepted and moved on for the most part? I don’t know how I would feel.
I had kind of forgotten about it until this morning. Sometimes I think of it briefly when someone mentions the possibility of me having twins again, but I don’t really feel bad about it. It was a little sad this morning though.
Bless your heart. . .and whoever it was/is, they are in good hands. 🙂
OOOOO. . .I had the SAME happy food you did on the 22nd only I had it on the 21st. AND, I made my own salsa. AND it gave me heartburn. AND I’m not even pregnant.
It’s so happy though! My salsa was really just pico de gallo (chopped tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, with a splash of lime juice and some salt), so it wasn’t really hot enough to give me troubles, thankfully! I can’t handle jalapeno even when I’m NOT pregnant. 😉
Poor Naomi has indigestion almost all the time. I know she wont care if I use this medium to tell all, she is for sure having a Boy. I believe the name is goin got be Aiden Alexander. I am already looking at tranctors, firetrucks and drum sets. We love you
Oh, I love the name Aiden! I think she said something about it on myspace too.
Too much bacon? You can never have enough bacon!
Nobody said “too much”! I said “extra”! Extra is niiiiice. 😉
Okay. . .so I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Ellia. . .my vote is for
Ellia Grace Kerr. If, of course, Micah James is not in there swimmin’ around.
I am all for Elya
You gotta keep the “Ah” sounds!!!
Jason has brought to my attention that Elya, or Ellia, could be a little too close to “Hell, yeah!” But maybe not, if we kept it as three syllables. ELL-ee-yah.
I was thinking El-eye-yah
“Gosh, he sure talks about bacon a lot!”
Oh BTW, Cha-siu (fun) is Cantonese BBQ pork (and rice).
Like this
Also nice as Cha-siu bao:
As seen here
See. . .in my little brain it sounded like “Ellie-yuh.” Like Ellie with a “yuh” on the end. Which I think “is not unlike” R’s “ELL-ee-yah.”
Ella seems to be the baby girl name of the moment, future sister in-law (maybe) 9 month old is Ella Grace. I love it though, and it wouldnt be Ella it would be Ellia. But Micah James is my fav. The most amazing man I ever knew was James (G).
Well, Elayna Grace would work just as well. 🙂 But I still like Ellia. Glad the swelling is “nothing”–just being the mother of four while pregnant with one.
Yeah – I was rooting for Elena – loving it! Elayna dawn would be nice. Lol
What does JONAH want to name her? I’m not saying throw caution to the wind and name her that. . .I’m just thinkin’ the boy should have a say. 🙂
Jonah would like to name her “Angel”. He’s been saying that since last night. He says it’s a very pretty name. I’m not so sure how I feel about it.
I’m so glad that the placenta has moved up. That Jonah is an angel to say he’s happy the baby is a girl but would be happier if she were a boy. I’ve hear a name lately of a 28 year old that is on MSNBC that really got my attention: Mika (pronounced Me’ka) Pretty close to Micah. Just a thought!
I had a friend named Mika! I really lie that name. I have also heard of girls named Micah. ??
lie=like (teehee)
How about Angel in another language? Russian is Ahren… I think.
In Chinese it’s “tian shi”. I guess we could do Tiana, but that just means “heaven.” And I just googled it and found out it’s going to be the name of the main character in Disney’s new princess movie for 2009. That would be bad.
Oh, and a friend of a friend of mine has a girl named Micah! I’ve never heard Mika before.
YAY Chipotle!!!
FYI
I researched Mika online. It’s Japanese for “Beautiful Fragrance” & is considered a female name.
In Finnish it is a derivative of Michael and means “Who is like God.” On a couple other sites its also considered a derivative of Micah. P.S. Micah means “King.”
By the way, I have a good friend who had a Mica and a Carly. Both of those girls were born in the early 80’s so theirs were some ground breaking names.
STILL lovely–growing belly, sunburn, and all.
Drink TWO cups of coffee. Ella Mica Grace Jane will be fine.
Thad was 22 1/2″ long, so by the time he was born, his little head was so crammed against my cervix that every time he moved it, I thought the end was near.
Becky’s still guessing at Ella’s middle name. My favorite red herrings so far:
Ella Tricity ~
Ella Morr ❤
Ella Menopie (or Menopie-Cuaresti?)
and my favorite
Ella Vyra (ah-giddyup ah oom papuh, oom papuh, mowmow)
Okay now, that’s just getting down-right scary.
Heeey! You are back to bouncing around!! What a relief!
I’m catching up on everyones lives now that I’m back home, and man, do things happen in two weeks.
What is a quesadilla burger? Share.
Quesadilla Burger– (what I gathered from eating one)
Grill one 1/3 pound burger patty.
Then you need. . .
Pico de gallo
Mexicali ranch dressing
Bacon pieces
Thick slices of medium cheddar and monterey jack
Sandwich all that between two estilo casero tortillas.
Grill it in a little butter.
Eat it. Oh, heck yeah.
Is she still talking about bacon??
Those pepperchinis were sooo hot! I’m impressed that Ella didn’t reject you that night. 🙂
THinking of you and hoping things have calmed down and gotten back to “normal” after the girls’ long trip. My sniffles continue. Might try to call you.
Did try to call you–you were gone. Boo Hoo.
Oh, I love fresh strawberries. We’ve ben munching on California grown strawberries here too, pretty much every day! Thank you California 🙂
Oh, I am so sorry about the cold. I still have the lung gook from my last bought with the virus. Rest. Take it easy. Place the back of your hand against your fevered brow and whimper if you like. A package is on the way but I’m not sure when it will arrive. Sent it parcel.
Well, it’s seemed pretty quick to me, but I’m not the one that’s pregnant.
Dude. It goes quicker every time doesn’t it?
Yes Aidan has finally stopped being able to get a running start into my ribs, however he just loves to run his knee along the front of my belly pushed out real far. Maybe he’ll be a soccer player. I am very very ready.
More water. . .as you already have me “beaten” four pregnancies to two, you know that. And also, sitting still a little bit.
“Only 64 days to go.” Time flies!
Way to be strong in the back, and waddling is cute 🙂
The last two months I was expecting Z, I was pretty much a rolling ball, like a pregnant Violet Beauregarde! Good times.
Waddling is to be expected. . .that is not a small little bag of groceries you’re hauling around there.
Hey, just starting to waddle at thirty one weeks is pretty good!
So glad you got to save some gas before the weekly trips–AND that it’s only 80 degrees in the sun.
It’s getting so close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You’re lookin’ so great! Not much longer now 🙂
Both mommy and baby girl…looking pretty good!
I noticed the blank up there next to Ella’s name. . .I think Ella Roxanne is just a perfectly LOVELY name. 🙂 You look great.
Know what’s really good? Fresh lemonade – made with fresh squeezed lemons. You have lemons in California, don’t you? It is soooo good. Add a sprig of fresh mint leaf, and OH. MAN. It is summertime in a glass with cold ice-cubes.
Oooh, that sounds yummo. We’re not so much with the lemons way up here though. I mean we have them in the store, but they’re from way down the hill where the real California resides. I haven’t made lemonade in forever though. Hmmm. . .
And yes, Ella Roxanne would actually be really pretty! But the rule is it has to start with ‘Jo’ (for Jason’s other grandmother), which is making things difficult. I’m just hoping we’ll be done choosing before labor starts. It’s down to about three or four candidates now. I’m being surprisingly low key about it. But I’ll freak out if we don’t have something nailed down when she’s born.
Johanna starts with JO 🙂
I know. . . 😉
I am not disturbed so much by the SIZE of a pineapple but the spiny-ness of it’s top and skin. OUCH!!! I’m glad that babies are much smoother and pliable. Give Ella a push from me. 🙂
Roxanne, Why are you talking about the size of a pineapple and its top and skin? What did I miss? Pineapple??
Jason’s grandmother, Mary Jo was a very super lady. Why not use Marijo as Ella’s middle name. Just a though! Pat Ella gently for me.
LOL
BabyCenter compared my baby to a pineapple. It’s just wrong. I think they’re really going to keep up these fruit analogies until she’s full term. I imagine I’ll be birthing a honeydew.
We’re pretty set on Ella Jo now. It’s just a question of Ella Jo-what? We’ve almost got it figured out though. Just a few possibilities left.
I have a good friend named Joelle. . .Ella Joelle sounds poetic if redundant. 🙂
And better a honeydew than a watermelon, I say.
If you did Ella Joanne, then you could have Jason’s grandmother AND me–the crazy lady who stalked you until you became her friend even though we’ve never laid eyes on each other.
Or how about simply “Jo” ?
or
Johanna
or
Joy
All possibilities. Except Joy, which I love and Jason does not.
Oh, you know about my love of the word “Joy”–but seeing as how Jason gets a vote and I don’t, then I will bow out gracefully.
You know, the thing about naming a baby is that the baby just grows into owning the name. No one we knew really liked the name Thaddaeus–and we were confident of this enough to keep the name a secret until after it was too late for anyone else to throw in their two cents. But he is SO TOTALLY a Thad–and or/Thaddaeus. It’s just WHO he is.
More people tend to voice their opinions of a baby’s name BEFORE the baby is born than AFTER the baby is born. How do you look at a cute new bundle and her glowing parents and say, “Eunice??? Seriously??? Sounds like a disease.” That only happens BEFORE the baby is born. (And, by the way, Eunice is just an example–it’s a stalwart and much loved Biblical name, and I know a WONDERFUL lady named Eunice.)
Eunice is a very nice elder name, but I can’t imagine naming a new born that for some reason…strange how names work that way sometimes.
And you gotta love the name games after they grow up a bit too 🙂
Zaner-T, Way to Be! Weylin’s wailin’! Zane, Zane, what a pain! Weylin-bo-bailin. Z-T-bone! Weylin? Like the country singer??
Ah, Just go ahead and make it Ella Jo-Kerr! Get it? JOKERR. Oh well, here peers would have fun with that. Love you lots and missing you.
Has Ella arrived a little early? Is everything OK? You are M.I.A.!
She’s still in there, whether she likes it or not. 😉
For the back kink: I recommend laying on your back… on the floor, grab hour knees and rock on your back… then lay there with your feet up on the couch…
But that is just me.
If I had gotten all the way to the floor during either of my third trimesters, I would have stayed there until the baby came. 🙂
Oh, now I’m craving pico de gallo and tortilla chips too 🙂
And for the back, have you tried this – may work even with a cantaloupe in your tummy 🙂
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/684
I am the most inflexible yogi ever. But if I butcher it properly, it might work.
Hello Ella Johanna!
A) You look GREAT. I mean GREAT.
B) I’m so glad that this pregnancy has been comfortable for you after all of the initial scare over the placenta previa. . .AND that turning out to be “nothing.”
C) Put your feet up.
You probably hear this all the time, but MAN, do you and Naiah look like eachother! And yes, you are a babe, and also lots of my favorite people are all born in August 🙂
My favorite person was born in August!!!
Okay, this might be all my preggo hormones kicking in…but I feel all weepy and nostalgic. You look so great Becky, you don’t even look like you’re ready to be having Ella. Do you think it’s possible that maybe we are actually getting BETTER at doing this pregnancy thing? Nah…couldn’t be. Anyway, I am so happy for you about the birth center, it is so comforting. I am slightly envious, but alas, I am just thankful to be in Ventura County and not in my mountains where there is not such a reprieve from the people who really just want to put you on lots of medicine and cut you open. I have so loved the baby blog…I kept thinking that I should do one as well, to remember the different little things during the pregnancy, but alas, we are closing in on the end, and I have not recorded much, if anything. I had so much fun with you at Knott’s Berry Farm…I was just looking at the pictures the other day. I can’t wait to here Ella’s birth story and meet her…Much love to you…
Awww. . . I miss you too. Someday we should do this at the same time AND the same place. Wouldn’t that be a concept?
Have you finished your sling? Is the crib set up? Are you ready?! Dude, that ticker at the top is counting down by DAYS now…
No, No, and No! And today I’m doing things I really shouldn’t because this nesting thing is driving me insane, and I want it to be done. The thing is that there are still like twelve pieces of furniture to be moved around between the three bedrooms and the living room before the crib can be set up, and after that I need to sort through the dressers and weed out the extra/winter clothes so that we can actually fit all our clothes in the dressers and not all over timbuktu, and after that I can set up my sewing machine to make a sling, and hopefully somewhere in there I can set up the baby’s drawers (which are already filling up) and a diaper changing station or two and not have a baby in the middle of it all. But I did order my rings for the sling (from slingrings.com), and they should be here any day, so once I actually do start sewing I shouldn’t have to wait for them. They’re a pretty green and made of aluminum. 😉
Have the midwives decided what day to induce you? I was so sick of being pregnant with Quinn I had them induce me 3 weeks early…I was so done. I want to see pictures of the finished sling!
I’m guessing we’ll talk about that on Thursday. They’ve been letting me come down every two weeks rather than every week, since I tend to know when something’s wrong with me. But I figure they’ll actually check me this time to see if I’m ready at all, and that will probably determine how soon they set a date. They’re not usually amenable to inductions, so I doubt they’ll agree to anything sooner than the last week, and that’s fine with me. I’m way more comfortable than I should be this far along anyway.
Oh…”Ellabelle” is so cute a nick-name. Hee hee..
Been thinking of you. The addled brain sounds like baby on the way to me. I am praying for you as Ella makes that LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG journey to get here. When I was pregnant, I knew the kids were just an inch away from where I could see them, but they seemed so far.
Love you.
I just think it’s s amazing, I mean, i am totally marveling at how you just know your body and the signs and the whole process. Sure, you’ve done this a time or two before, but still. Seriously. I am amazed 🙂
Although I know you are ready to see Little Miss Ella, I am glad there is NOTHING wrong with you other than the fact that you are 9 months pregnant. 🙂
Double eew on the castor oil! (Been there, done that, and NEVER again!) Hope you don’t have to go that route… 🙂
Ticker says 15 days. The suspense is building! I’m gonna have set my kitchen timer pretty soon 🙂
I just keep trying to remind myself that I can’t expect it to happen RIGHT NOW. At this point every little Braxton Hicks gets me all atwitter, thinking, Oh, it could be now! But I’ve never gone into labor before halfway through the 39th week, except for that one induction. So I’m just taking lots of raspberry leaf and setting my thoughts on the week after next. 😉
As long as a leek? Well, I do love that they pick earthy analogies. Better than comparing your growing baby to a coffee maker, or size 14 croc sandal.
Hey, will you post one more belly picture before she’s here? 🙂 We love your belly pics!
I was thinking about it. I’ve been doing them every four weeks, but I guess there’s no guarantee I’ll make it to week 39. So maybe I’ll just go ahead with it, so I have one last shot before I go all squishy.
Well, likening Ella to a LEAK (misspelling intended) is probably the MOST accurate comparison so far>
Go and have another piece of cake.
And the pink and red birdies make me happy too.
Is the monkey in the background naked and going potty? Haha You look so cute with your “little” belly 🙂
No, she’s only mostly naked and climbing on a stool. The monkey. 😉
I glad that that you clarified it was not YOU who was mostly naked and climbing on a stool. I was worried. 🙂
Hmmmmm!
Awww, Becky, you look great. I can’t believe you’re going to be having a baby any day now. And my happy food seems to be ice, so the water thing make sense to me. Okay, just don’t have a baby without telling us. Or sending someone to tell us!! =)
We already have his Bday present… just let us know when the cake is done… I will blow up a ton of balloons at the church.
Sorry about the “In Gods time” ordeal with waiting for Ella… but until you walk 6 miles at 42 weeks (In FEET of snow)… I am just going to smirk.
Yeah, that’s just never going to happen (whether in snow or heat). I’d take pitocin over that. So smirk away, my friend. 😉
Yikes! When do you start driving? Maybe you should check into a hotel near your midwives. I can’t wait to see pics 🙂
Happy Birthday Jonah!!!
Checking in here hourly now 🙂
Would you consider setting up a twitter account so you can txt the minute by minute 😀
I only recently discovered Twitter existed. I DID ask the nurse at the water birth class if there was wireless internet access at the hospital. Apparently she’d never been asked that before. She gave me an odd look.
But anyway, I’ll look into Twitter. That’s a good idea!
Pins and needles here!
Sorry Coke is evil….
Coke is only good to neutralizing battery acid. That is strong stuff!
Keeping you all in my prayers.
LOL!
Mimi
OY…the stretchmarks…that happened to me with Drew. Not there one minute, look away, and boom….bunches of them! I hope your former OB is right!
Come on Ella! You can do it…go towards to light 🙂
Maybe Ella is waiting for Labor Day! (9-1-08)
LOL!!
Mimi
Thats my Dad’s bday 🙂
Yeah, I hadn’t realized my due date was on Labor Day until the midwife pointed it out last Tuesday. That would be kind of funny. And it’s supposed to be nice and cool that day too!
You know Becky, you are such a good sport. It is so good and kind of you to keep posting everyday (especially for all of us who are desperate to see if baby is coming). It is really hard when that “date” is so close, and people keep saying things like, “You haven’t had that baby yet??” I remember with Noah (they induced me with not much choice a week after my due date, and then when he was born they acknowledged that perhaps my dates were wrong, due to the fact that he was still covered in vernix.) The point being, I was so irritated when people kept asking me, because I didn’t have any answers for them as to when the baby was going to come. “Nope, he hasn’t come yet. I’ll let you know!!” Anyway, you are so good and calm and unirritable. At least in your posting. =) So, thank you… I love reading and seeing what’s going on. I check all the time just in case.
Oh, man you crack me up! I actually remember having that same exact “I’m gonna be pregnant forever” feeling. Both boys went over their duedates and I truly got to where I could not morph my imagination around a real baby arriving 🙂
I can’t imagine Ella waiting that long though, you have had too much practice at this sort of thing!
What a beautiful pregant lady… but then, you always were– (pregnant or not). I love you. Enjoy each day as it is. Sometimes we are so busy wishing or waiting for stuff to happen that we let the most wonderful experiences slip by. These days before Ella’s debut are precious too, aren’t they? Enjoy them. –Your mama
It’s been fun to feel her getting so big and recognizable the last few days. I think most of my disappointment is from all these expectations that it would be as short as the other pregnancies. Even the midwives seemed to expect it to be over by now. But I’m not in pain or anything, so there’s really nothing to be upset about. It’s just in my head.
Please do not shoot me for saying this…. You look so absolutely cute and adorable, and not at all like a lady who is 40 weeks pregnant and about to pop at any moment. I hope I am wrong about that, but you look way to good to be having that kid any hour soon. =) But on the up side, you look so beautiful…not uncomfortable or puffy or mean.
Please fill us in on all the lovely details when you have a brain minute 🙂 Did you make the water birth???
Well, after delivering #5 and waiting so paitiently for her arrival, I think you were probably in for some emotional upheaval. That being said, cuddle that baby–take the help of anyone who offers–and be kind, kind, kind to YOURSELF.
I wish I was there to bring you some food.
Well, she has spent the last 9 months “in your lap” so who’s to change a good thing?
I love the way to put things into words, how you can absolutely pin-point the issue – you are listening to your body, but your body isn’t talking! – and how you really hit at the core of the issue. I love how you write!!
Anyway I also get exactly what you are saying… I actually have this draft post called Planning Ahead that I’ve been tinkering with for a while. I touch on my issue with preparation and my natural preference for spontaneity… and how I could stand to warm up to the planning-thing.
I keep thinking it’s about breaking habits, which maybe it is, partly, but more I think it’s about connecting the physiological with the cerebral.
One thing I did in the first few weeks after each boy was born, was keep a bag of trail mix near the chair where I sat while the baby nursed.
Congratulations! Very cool to watch your progress
Can I ask how you set up this Blog?
I suppose I can look it up on the web.
Is it easy to blog and post photos
Theresa
I used wordpress.com for the hosting and template. The Baby Blog is just another page off of the main blog.
[…] up there. Oh, and to give credit where credit is due… I totally got this idea from my friend Rebecca. What can I say, it’s a good idea. Oh, and I will keep the regular non-interested in baby […]
Congratulations! I think Ella will thank you for the Baby Blog when she grows up. I know I would love for my mum to keep a diary of such a wonderful experience.
Instead of taking raspberry leaf capsules three times a day, you could use red raspberry leaves to make a healthy herbal tea!
A natural remedy for morning sickness and breast milk production is red raspberry leaves. Learn how to make a snowy tea from red raspberry leaves. You might discover the tea to be tasty and pleasant. Try it. It could become your favorite remedy to help produce breast milk or for pregnant women with nausea.
You might prefer this snowy tea as a tasty alternative to red raspberry leave tablets for example. However, you will need to spend time to prepare the tea.