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Where Did My Feet Go!?!?

I had feet. I've had feet for 30 years. Now, they are no where to be seen. I look down at the scale and I have no feet. My 6 1/2 month soccer ball-sized belly has totally obscured my feetal- view (get it? Feetal view??!! I crack me up). FYI: I weigh myself every morning when I get up, to make sure I am on track- since I started out with a high-risk pregnancy, if I lose weight, the OBGYN will check me for uterine/amniotic fluid loss; if I gain too much weight in a short time, they do a check for gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Fun.

Pre-natal massages and physical therapy have become a must. My back cramps up to where I can barely move sometimes, and the leg cramps/ankle issues are not cool. (See info from last blog regarding ankle: A Sprain By Any Other Name). Oh, how I wish I could have an "awesome" pregnancy! But for those of you who have told me about your pregnancy and labor horror stories, I feel for you. Pregnancy is so individual: some of you have told me about how amazing you felt during pregnancy, while others have told me about scary complications. The same woman can have 2 pregnancies and one is perfect, while the other pregnancy is fraught with complications. Pregnancy is definitely not for the faint of heart.

We attended that Car Seat Safety class I have mentioned in previous blogs and learned a lot about car seats and traveling with babies- and laws regarding travel with babies. Mostly, we learned that you have to read your car's owner's manual AND any car seat instructions- and always bring the car seat to your car before buying it to make sure it fits properly so you don't have to return it later. So far, it seems car seats are very complicated- there are many types and you need to get one to fit your family needs and desires.

I made the 3d/4d ultrasound scan appointment today. Our 3d/4d appointment is set for Saturday, September 26 (my 29th week of pregnancy). If the images come out okay and the baby is cooperative, we will be receiving a DVD with the 25 minute video of our little one, a CD with download-able pictures and images of him, and 2 hard-copy photos for scanning. Not to mention, a brief diagnostic to make sure all his little parts are growing properly. Michael said he will be scanning short splices of the video, as well as some of the better color photos from the pictures and CD onto this website as soon as we receive them. I am so excited! I have to stay very hydrated for 4 days prior to the appointment, and we need to bring our 19 week diagnostic ultrasound picture scan to the 3d place for verification of prenatal care.

Our week: I got a hair cut and eyebrow wax yesterday, which was very nice. We looked at some property yesterday to see what our options could be if we decided to buy land and build a home in the future (if our family expands, that may be a necessity, huh?). I worked on a cute little project in the nursery (I am making a "100 Acre Woods" wall hanging sign all on my little ol' lonesome- I love crafts and it is nice to have the time and health to do them). Michael and I are attending a friend's 40-something birthday party this weekend. It is a Rock Legends-themed Costume Birthday Party and I am attending as "Mama" Cass Elliot (from the Mamas and the Papas 60's Rock Group- ironic, no?), and Michael will be Billy Idol. We will take pics of the attendees and post them in the Family Photos section of this website this weekend. Also up for posting this weekend is our next belly Baby Bump picture! Yay! I will be 25 weeks along this weekend (4 weeks from our last belly Baby Bump photo). We take the Baby Bump photo every 4 weeks to see my belly in progression. It is always a shock to watch it grow and grow!!!

A Sprain By Any Other Name

Yesterday, I sprained my ankle and damaged the soft tissue around my knee. I swear I wasn't doing anything strenuous: I was just getting up off the couch to go into the kitchen, and apparently my left leg went numb. I crumpled straight down to the floor (I did not hit my head, or hurt my hands, or land on my belly), and landed directly on my knee, then twisted my ankle a little. The ankle feels much better today (a little tender in the back), but my knee- not so much good feelings there right now. Michael immediately took me to the doctor (I am sure Michael will be posting the hilarious pic of my "I hurt myself" look as we were in the doctor's waiting room). My GP says I damaged the soft tissue all around my left ankle and my left knee, but she felt no bone fragments floating in there, which was a blessing. Her opinion of what happened: this is a phenomenon that sometimes occurs in pregnant women and overweight people where the weight of the belly area (in my case, the uterus and baby) cuts off the major blood vessels leading to the leg and the leg goes numb for an instant. Never happened to me before and I had no warning. She said from now on when I have to get up (from bed, from a seat, from the floor, etc), I have to scoot to the edge of the seat and test my legs first to make sure they are functioning before I rise. A little of a pain in the butt, but I'll get used to doing it, I am sure. Her prescription: 72 hours of staying off the leg as much as possible, Tylenol (can't take anti-inflammatory meds at this point b/c they are bad for the baby) and ice for the swelling. If after 72 hours, there is still persistent pain and swelling, I will need to go back to the doc for "reevaluation." The baby seems fine and wasn't fazed by it: he was just a kickin' away as Michael fussed and got ice packs and helped me up from the floor as we called my GP. The doctor says I was soooo lucky I didn't hit my head when I fell (I landed right next to the coffee table). Sadly, this means I will not be able to get my scheduled haircut today (I would have no one to drive me, as Michael is in the office today so I rescheduled the haircut for next week), and I will be unable to go hang out with my Mom and brother Chris while Michael has his Poker Party at our house this weekend. Maybe I'll play poker- haven't done that in a while. Hmmm...

We are planning on going to the local 3d/4d Ultrasound Business at the end of September and getting some fun prenatal photos of our baby boy. We are sooo psyched! We will post the pics on this website when they come in, of course. Our OBGYN already "ok'ed" it and we are excited to see the progress our little man has made. Right now (24 weeks gestation), he is almost 1 1/2 pounds, 12 inches long from head to toe, and his lungs are starting to mature. By the time we see him in the 3d/4d ultrasound (at app. 29 weeks gestation), he should be well over 2 1/2 lbs and be over 15 inches long from head to toe! How cool is that!!?? Michael and I continue to marvel at our little Tigger every day and we adore watching my belly move as he performs various acrobatics for our viewing pleasure. For more info on what both my body and the baby's body is doing week-by-week, you can click on any of the "Favorite Baby Sites" pregnancy links we provided on the home page of this website.

Next week, Michael and I are scheduled to go to a free Car Seat Safety Workshop. We look forward to learning more about what car seat is best for our vehicle and needs. I am still confused on whether to buy a convertible car seat (one that converts from an infant car seat to a toddler booster seat) or to get an infant car seat that does not convert, but has a strap base that we could use to move the infant carrier in and out of the car easier. Ohhh, the plethora of things to consider when having a baby! Any suggestions?

6 months of drama and goofiness

Today begins my 23rd week (in gestational terms, the beginning of my 6th month) of pregnancy. I read that the baby will double in size this month (hopefully, I will not double in size this month- hehehehe). If you would like any info on the last 6 months of our pregnancy experience, or you think you missed some older blog entries, you can check out our archived Blogs by going to Blogs (click Blogs tab on upper-left hand side), then go down to the bottom on all the blogs on that page and click on Older Entries. Continue to follow this process until you get to our very first Blog on this website, "Happy Mother's Day," or until you find the blogs you have missed. Enjoy! If you would like to see any pictures, go to the Photos tab in the upper- left hand corner and find the category you are looking for and click on it (the Photo categories, as of right now, are New Car, Family Photos, Prenatal Photos, and Belly Pics).

I had an OBGYN appointment yesterday for a check up on Baby Martin, Jr. His heartbeat is strong at 143 beats per minute and he seems to be doing well. My weight is up 12.6 lbs since pregnancy began 23 weeks ago and the doctor is happy about my weight gain- woo hoo. I done good. My nausea is still present, but appears to get better every week. The indigestion is not fun, but what do you expect? There is a baby pressing against all my gastrointestinal parts, so I can't be too shocked that I have indigestion, huh? My pulse rate is still pretty high, resting between 96-120 beats per minute, but the doctor didn't seem too worried for the time-being. My next appointment will mark my glucose tolerance test: like most pregnant women in the US today, I will have to drink a sugary sweet liquid at the beginning of my third trimester and then have my blood drawn 1 hour later to test my glucose levels (make sure I have not developed gestational diabetes). I was told by my Doc that it will probably make me nauseous- yay. I am sooo excited. *dripping with sarcasm*

We had a fun week, though. Last Saturday, Michael and I attended a free Breastfeeding workshop, and learned a lot about babies and breastfeeding (and got some freebies too). We also received a generous coupon for the Medela breast pump we have had our eyes on, so I went ahead and bought one at Babies R Us. Wednesday, I had my monthly lunch and pedicure with my girlfriend Meagan. We ate at Sweet Tomatoes this time, and it was yummy- I love salad with all the fixins.' Then she and I went to have our nails done- I had my toes painted a sparkly red and she had beautiful acrylics applied to her fingers. It was a lovely day. On Thursday morning I pulled a goofy prank: I woke up early and decided to take a shower. I turned the shower on in order to begin heating the water, and promptly began cleaning the house and doing the dishes and working on the computer. Over two hours later, Michael woke up and asked me if I was ever going to take that shower. AHHHHH! "Shower??!!" I ran into the bathroom and the whole room was steamy and hot, and our bath mats and towels were all soaked. Amazingly, the water was still hot! I felt so embarrassed and promptly began to wash all the now-dirty linens. *sigh*

Today was a rough day for the Boyd family: Michael, my brother, and my brother's fiance all went tubing together (I couldn't go because...well, ya know). They decided to take my brother Chris' car last minute in order to leave me a vehicle with a working AC. My mom and I decided to take the day to do a little baby shopping. I got hot and felt sick around 3pm so we came home and I took a nap. I woke up at 5pm a little worried because I had yet to talk to everyone who went tubing. I called and left several messages on my brother Adam's cell phone, wondering where everyone was. About an hour later, I finally received a call from Michael saying that they were fine, but that they had lost a bag of stuff when they hit some rapids (and almost lost their lives, from what I understand), and one of the things lost was the key to my brother Christian's car. I thought, well they are safe and that is all that matters- they are just inconvenienced- and I am sure Chris' and Dad's car insurance covers road side assistance so they can get reimbursed for the key by the insurance. Little did I know this would turn into a family drama. It was a huge misunderstanding on all parts- my Dad, my brothers, me, my hubby- filled with hurt feelings and harsh words, but I hope it is cleared up now- b/c this pregnant woman would really like her family to get along and try to have some cohesion and understanding- especially before the baby is born. Wish us luck.

Weight Gain Breakdown

Since I am half way through the 22nd week of pregnancy, I thought I would research how I have gained a little over 11 lbs in this pregnancy. In a woman of healthy weight, the American Pregnancy Association recommends gaining between 25-35 lbs during gestation (less if the woman started out obese, more if the woman started out under weight). Ideally, doctors recommend putting on approximately 5 lbs in the first trimester and a little over 1 lb a week in the second and third trimesters. My doctor would like me to put on 30 lbs by my 40th week (estimated due date for our son). So far, I have put on a little over 11 lbs and have about 19 more to go. I looked up the breakdown of my 22 week maternal weight gain and here it is:
Baby: 1+ lb
Placenta: 1 lb
Amniotic fluid: 1 lb.
Uterine enlargement: 1 lb.
Extra maternal Breast tissue: 1 lb.
Extra maternal Blood volume: 2 lbs. (yikes! no wonder my veins are so big)
Extra fluids in maternal tissue: 2 lbs.
Extra maternal fat storage for the baby: 2 lbs.
Wow!!! I never knew the baby needed all this extra maternal body weight to live on. Blows this first-time mother's mind. By the end of my pregnancy, we hope that the numbers up top will double, except for the Baby and maternal fat storage, which the doctors hope will be at around 7 lbs by the time I give birth. Making my total weight gain approximately 30 lbs. Of course, these numbers reflect a perfect pregnancy and may be a little higher or lower, depending on: the size of the baby, if the baby is delivered close to his due date, if there are no complications affecting the baby's or the mother's weight gain, etc.

The 22 Week Adventure

So far, the 22nd week has been quite a roller coaster ride!!! A lot of fetal movement and baby hiccups and Braxton Hicks contractions (the uterus hardens for a few seconds then retracts to normal as a "practice" movement for future labor; so far, these contractions have not been painful for me, just weird). The baby hiccups have only happened once that I know of and the Braxton Hicks happen about twice a day. My weight gain has stayed steady at 11 lbs and 4 ounces. My sleep patterns have been very erratic (sometimes I can sleep all through the night, sometimes I only get a few hours sleep and wake up wide awake to baby movement in my tummy or to painful indigestion and nausea (which is a belly movement I can live without, let me tell you). People also keep asking me if my belly button has popped out yet and the answer is nope; it has definitely become a shallower "inny" at this point, but no "outy" to report yet. And so far, no stretch marks anywhere. I am hoping it stays that way for the next 4 months. Oh yeah! And even though I haven't hiccuped in months (my diaphragm is totally squished by my uterus right now), I can still sneeze like a pro- and sneezing hurts like the dickens!!

On a scary front, I haven't been feeling "quite right" since last weekend, so I have been in contact with my doctor's office quite a bit. On Saturday night, at Michael's urging, I spoke with one of the doctors who is taking over while my OBGYN is on maternity leave and she doesn't feel anything is out of the ordinary aside from unexplainable "normal" pregnancy issues, but she told me if I keep feeling odd/nervous about certain symptoms then to call and get an appointment some time this week. On Monday, I called and was able to get an appointment to see a doctor on Friday (they are very busy right now delivering babies and taking over shifts for my doctor, and that was the earliest appointment they had available). Of course, I could always go to the Emergency Room and get checked out if I get really nervous, but the fact that I have been feeling so much fetal movement lately has prompted me to feel optimistic. Michael says the fetal movement is our little Tiger (let's call him "Tigger" for now since we have a Tigger/Pooh themed nursery and we have no name picked out for him yet) letting us know he is okay and that Mommy is just experiencing yet another weird pregnancy symptom that no one can explain- in fact, I still get quizzical looks when I tell people and doctors that I have continued to get "morning sickness," even though I am almost 6 months pregnant. (Side note: our friend Elaine nicknamed him our little Tiger, as stated in an earlier blog from June).

On a nice front, Mom spent this past weekend with us and helped out around the house. She put up the nursery window treatments that Dad gave us a gift card toward and helped put on the nursery bedding that Aunt Marty gave us a gift card toward. The nursery is slowly-but-surely becoming a full-fledged nursery and we love to look at it every day! It is so exciting!! Mom had to sleep on the couch for the 2 days she was here and she probably has a crick in her neck the size of Texas, but she didn't complain. On Sunday, we all went down to Dad's BBQ lunch. He made homemade ribs and brisket and baked beans and deviled eggs and had veggies to snack on. Yum! He also surprised us with a gift card to Babies R US and money toward nursery items for the baby! Yay! There is still so much to get for our little Tigger- babies need so much stuff and we don't even have half of it yet! And the time is starting to pass quickly for us now as we head into the 6th month of pregnancy (did you know that a healthy first, full-term pregnancy can actually last almost 10 months, not 9? Provided all is well, of course. Craziness.). We continue to pray that all will be well and our little man will come into the world happy and healthy and kicking and screaming!

Family Visits Scheduled

Michael's family is set to fly out here from Louisiana on December 26, in celebration of both Michael's birthday and of our baby boy's birthday. They are set to be here till Dec. 31 and will be staying at a local hotel close to our house. We are gonna have a family "Welcome To The World" Party on Dec 27 in celebration of our little one's arrival, and hope that my family will be able to make it by that day too. I hope my aunts and other family will be able to join us in this celebration of our little boy's arrival to the world. Michael and I hope to have some time to adjust to his schedule in his first few weeks of life, and will relish the time we will have alone with him to bond when we bring him home (even if he is born a little late, he will still be home by Dec 27, God-willing, so we figured that would be a good time to have his birthday party and get together with our family). I have also heard terrible things about postpartum "Baby Blues" caused by the drop in hormones a new mother experiences within a few weeks after birth, and I hope to be in good spirits when our out-of-town families meet our little guy.

My Aunt Marty gave us a gift card to Home Depot and some money toward a new glider & ottoman in the baby's room. We picked up the glider yesterday and picked out some shelves for the baby's room with the Home Depot gift card. Thanks Aunt Marty!! Also, my Dad and Aunt Dino gave us gift cards to Walmart for my birthday. I was able to buy curtains and curtain rods for the baby's room with those gift cards, as well as a few thin maternity sweaters for me. Thanks Aunt Dino and Daddy! Both the baby and I will be stylin.'

On Monday night, Adam, Brandi, and my Mom stopped by to pick up our exercise bike from us. We will no longer have room for it, with our little arrival coming, so we figured we would give it to someone who could use it. While they were here, my Mom cleaned my kitchen (thanks, Mom), and we had decaf coffee and polished off my leftover birthday cake.

My brother and his fiance are celebrating their anniversary this weekend, so my Mom is gonna come over to stay with us in order to give the lovebirds some privacy. While Mom is over, I figure she could tackle some painting projects Michael won't let me do. And I will hang the new curtains I got for the baby's room.

Today, I am set to have coffee with my theatre director Anna (I will be having decaf, of course). We are meeting to catch up for 30 minutes before she teaches an acting class. Tonight, my friend Marcia will be stopping by to see me and to pick up some Mary Kay facial cream she ordered.

FYI on the pregnancy front: I have gained 11 pounds in this pregnancy so far (I am almost 22 weeks pregnant now). Yes, I am still experiencing morning sickness every day (some days are worse than others- yesterday was terrrrrible). I am irritable at least a few times a day and get annoyed pretty easily (my poor cats and hubby have to suffer the wrath of my tantrums the most). But the best part is that I am also having quite a bit of fetal movement! Hehehe. He is poking and kicking and dancing up a storm at least twice a day for about 10 minutes at a time. Michael has even been able to feel him thrust his tiny legs out to kick a couple times. It is just awesome! Tell him to keep it up! It is a source of endless entertainment for his mommy and daddy.

14 Fun Fetal Facts

Did you know:

1) During 9+ months pregnancy, a woman produces as many hormones as she would in 150 years of not being pregnant?

2) Only 20% of women who experience "morning sickness" actually experience it in the mornings? The other 80% exhibit symptoms throughout the day. *yuck*

3) Only 5% of babies are actually born on their "Estimated Due Dates?" (My due date is Dec 12, but he has a 95% chance of being born on any day other than that day). The majority of babies are born between 37-42 weeks gestation (this is a huge 5 week range). A pregnancy is considered "full-term" after 37 weeks, but the baby can be born from natural full-term labor ANY TIME after 37 weeks. Most doctors today will not let a woman go past 41 weeks due to health concerns for the mother and/or baby. Also, scheduled inductions and c-sections happen too.

4) 30% of women in America today have C-sections? This comprises both scheduled and emergency c-sections. 70% of women go through vaginal delivery.

5) Of the women who choose to have a vaginal birth, 70% of them today will choose to have an epidural for pain relief during contractions?

6) At approximately 18 weeks, the baby's heart rate is regulated to between 140-160 beats per minute? The baby's heart beats so fast because he/she is growing so rapidly.

7) Vernix (a white, sticky substance that coats a baby after 13 weeks in the womb) is thought to protect the baby from the amniotic fluid so that the fluid does not cause the baby's skin to dry out and get too wrinkly at birth? It can be easily wiped off of the baby after delivery if he is born full-term.

8) An ultrasound after 18 weeks has a 98% chance of accurately determining gender? Other tests (fetal dna tests such as amniocentesis and cvs) have almost a 100% accuracy sex determination rating and can usually be done any time during a pregnancy, although they carry a slight miscarriage possibility.

9) After 22 weeks of pregnancy, the baby begins to react to most loud noises? Most especially he reacts to his parents' voices. If you startle the mother after this stage, it can take hours for the baby to "get over it." So don't scare the pregnant woman please.

10) A fetus spends up to 90% of his time in the womb asleep?

11) In swallowing and inhaling amniotic fluid, a baby tastes the same thing the mother tastes b/c his taste buds have fully developed? (So pass the salad, mom)

12) Only 15% of women actually start labor by their "waters breaking?" Even though this is how labor always begins in the movies and on tv, most women in the US have their water broken (the amniotic sac ruptured) by their doctor in a hospital after contractions and other labor symptoms have already begun.

13) Most hospitals in America will not let you take the baby home after check out unless the hospital staff has inspected the parents' car seat in their car? It is a good idea to have this checked by a police officer or car seat safety specialist in the beginning of the third trimester (just in case of pre-term labor).

14) In order to reduce the risks of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), the American Pregnancy Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development issued these recommendations as of 1999: no blankets or toys be allowed in the crib of an infant less than 1 year old, a baby should lay on his back while sleeping, a baby should be swaddled in a swaddler or put into a sleeper/sleep sack instead of being wrapped in a blanket while asleep.

Birthdays and Belly Pics

Our 21 weeks Baby Bump belly pic will be up today. Click on the Photos tab in the left- hand top corner, then click on Baby Bump. You can click on the photos to see the evolution of Bree's belly as her little Tigger roars inside her. This will be our 4th Baby Bump pic to date.

Yesterday was a busy day! Bree woke up at 5:30am, unable to sleep, and did a little work around the house and gazed at the nursery occasionally. Then at 8:30am, Bree and Michael went to the 20th Annual Baby Fair at the TCC. Loads of fun and freebies! The booths had many reps from companies and hospitals and the Tucson Police Department to discuss pregnancy and child safety issues. Very informative. We received lots of cute little diapers, literature, breast feeding tools, BPA-free bottles and coupons- all for free.

In the afternoon, Michael and I attended my 29th-again Birthday Party at my brother's house. It was also celebrated in conjunction with my Dad's 29-again-for-the-25th-time Birthday party. We don't age in this family. My birthday present from my brother and his fiance was a visit from my Mom! Wow!! Thank you guys so much for volunteering your home for Mom while she stays here in Tucson to help plan for the baby's birth. My brother Chris gave me tons of great Disney movies I love. My Mom and Aunts Marty and Tracy bought me a ton of Pooh/Tigger-themed baby stuff (bibs, teethers & rattlers, wash cloths and sponge, sleep sacs, baby brush and comb set), an Andrew Lloyd Weber cd, strawberry cake (my favorite), and gift cards (always good to have when you are working on a nursery, btw). My Dad got me a sweet card and gift card as well. Michael got me satellite radio for our new car Geordie, cleaned the house, took me to Phoenix last weekend, and bought tickets to see Margaret Cho when she comes to AZ in October! He made sure to tell me that the seats were located near an aisle so my pregnant body will be able to access a bathroom. Michael's mom sent me some awesome Disney movies and baby stuff (clothes, bottle warmer, etc). My Aunt Donna sent me a card and gift card. And my Nanaw sent me a precious birthday card. I also received a lot of love from friends and family in the way of phone calls and e-mails/e-cards wishing me a Happy Birthday: thank you Belinda, Emmy, Wendy and Brad, Anna, Grandpa and Honey, and all the people listed above who made my birthday special. My Dad also received lots of great gifts and gift cards and candy- and my Mom made him an egg custard pie for dessert (his favorite). We ate grilled burgers and veggies and chips (yum) that my brother, his fiance, and Michael supplied. A fun time was had by all at the party.

After the family party, my bro had a Poker Party scheduled at his house that evening (attended by my hubby and our poker-playing friends) while my Mom and brother Chris and I did a little shopping and went out to eat at Sauce and Frost. Awesome dinner combination of pasta and gelato. Needless to say, yesterday was the most exciting/exhausting day I have had in months! Michael will have pictures of the birthday up today in the Family Photos section of this website (click on Photos in the upper-left hand corner, then click on Family Photos and scroll until you find the pictures and captions of the birthday(s) party).