Daycare is go!

Yesterday Chris and I signed our lives away (not really) and enrolled BabyBaby in a 3-day fulltime daycare program so that I can go back to work once maternity leave is over. Yeah, sure, it's close to a 2nd mortgage, but we both think it will be really worth it, plus both my mother and I will get a day to spend with her, so I'm definitely looking forward to that!

Another bonus - we initially thought we wouldn't be able to get her in until February 2011, but in talking to the director yesterday, and finding out about a new infant room they're going to be adding to the center, there's a chance we could get her in there by January 2011, which was our initial ideal plan. Fingers crossed!

The Birth Plan: Revised?

Our birthing class on Wednesday was very informative... so much so that I think I am revising my birthing plan.

Crazy, I know... but hear me out.

Initially I was all about the full on drugs... lemme get to 3cm and then stick an epidural in me, and I'm done! But now, not so much...

Once I learned that the high c-section rate at my hospital was directly related to the epidural rate, my mind quickly ventured down other avenues.

Now the plan is for a pain shot of Nubain (similar to Demerol) until about 6cms, to make sure I have an active labor pattern in place, and THEN we'll go for the epidural.

Wishful thinking, I know. They say the best birth plan is to not have a birth plan at all, but hey, at least it's something!

Want.

Thinking on getting something like this off of Etsy for the door to BabyBaby's room:

And no, that's not a hint to BabyBaby's name either. ;p

The Etsy artist seems really nice, and able to personalize everything, from accents, to colors, to colors of the accents. The sign I'm looking at is decent size too -- I think it said 6" high by 12" wide.

CUTE!

Nursery Update #2 - The Crib

Chris set it up on Sunday. Perfect.

yay anterior placenta!

I had my first biweekly appointment today, as well as an ultrasound to check out my low-lying placenta, and it appears as if everything is looking awesome.

I had the ultrasound first - since I hadn't had one since May the tech wanted to check everything out top to bottom. No worries here, I was happy to see BabyBaby again! They wanted to make sure I didn't have a placenta previa, which means the placenta covered or partially covered the cervix, which would mean a scheduled c-section since the placenta can't be born before the baby, and that would not have been ideal. But everything looks great! The placenta is completely out of the way, though anterior. Not a problem though - it just means that there's a little more tissue to cushion between her and me, which means less noticeable movements, and more lower back pain. She was being a butt, though, and this was the best picture we could get of her. If you look really closely you can see her sucking her thumb. She's going to be so worth it.

And of course the tech wanted to do a vaginal ultrasound as procedure to make sure the placenta was completely out of the way, even though she could clearly see it looked fine on the abdominal ultrasound, but BabyBaby's head was low, and in the way! She asked me to try to move her and it just wasn't happening... stubborn brat.

The heartbeat was 143bpm, which is excellent. Per the ultrasound, she's measuring 29weeks 4 days, 3.1 lbs in the 43rd percentile. I went in at 30 weeks 1 day, so it's not THAT far off. And she's going to be gaining about a pound a week in the last month, so she's well on her way!

My regularly scheduled appointment with my midwife was uneventful, and I'm OK with that. She checked the position, measured the belly, heard the heartbeat... all standard procedure at this point. Per the measuring tape we're at 31weeks... so yeah, I'm just going with right on time, here. Heartbeat is in the 140s, and again, LOVE listening to it every time! And we were both very, very happy to discover I did not have a placenta previa and that I would NOT be needing a scheduled c-section. And she assured me that having an anterior placenta will have no negative effect on a vaginal labor & delivery, so yay! The only thing she mentioned to me was possible cramping at this stage, to which she suggested getting a HUGE bottle of water and chugging it, because it means I'm most likely dehydrated. If there's cramping and bleeding, don't hesitate, but call the office... let's hope we don't have to deal with that any time soon.

In other news, everyone was asking about my rash. Yes, it's PUPPPs, and yes, it still itches, but I'm getting better, I swear! I'm actually starting to think it might be something else as well - I have these weird little inflamed patches on my arms, and now my cheek and right under my chin... PUPPPs isn't supposed to be on your face. So watch this just be my luck that I now have to deal with PUPPPs AND some other pregnancy heatrash/rosacea. As of right now, I'm on the last leg of the streoid ointment, which I'm putting on my arms morning and night, and my legs at night. Other than that, I'm washing with the Pine Tar soap, using my Belli lotion for the scaly, peeling skin on my chest, and then Palmer's stretch mark cocoa butter for the belly (though at this point it's moot, but it makes me feel better). I found a tea tree toner and an overnight tea tree blemish lotion that I'm going to start using, especially on my face, and then this weekend, once I have da monies, I'm stocking up on The Body Shop's Tea Tree lotion and body wash, and then taking a trip to LUSH for their Tea Tree Water spray. Good times.

(and now for some reason it's not letting me space out my paragraphs? This layout is starting to annoy me...)

30 WEEKS!!!

I can't believe I've hit the 3/4 mark... 10 weeks left to go, give or take, more or less. Crazy. And we still have so much we need to do... but alas, it will get done when it gets done. But for now, picturetime!



First belly picture in front of the new nursery wall - yay!


And what kind of fruit/veggie is BabyBaby this week? A squash!

Actually at this point the fruits/veggies are on a month-to-month basis, so I have a few more weeks of squash-ness.



And now that there are 10 weeks left, I guess now is as good of a time as any to finally start answering that pregnancy blog questionnaire I've seen floating around, so here goes... (Thanks, JCam, since you were the first one I noticed to use it!)



Total Weight Gain/Loss: I have gained 28 lbs. The doctor told me 15-25... oops.
Maternity Clothes: Oh yes, though my pants are starting to get tight. I just can't bring myself to buy another pair of pants that I'm only going to be wearing for a couple months.
Stretch Marks: The ones on the belly are getting longer and much more noticeable. I have 3-4 on either side of my belly button right now, and it's gross. They're also showing up on the inside of my thighs.
Sleep: It's getting very, very hard. Between the temperature and the joint pains and just the trouble breathing, it's making for long nights and miserable days
Movement: Yup, and I learned that as my placenta is anterior, the movements may not be as strong or as often because of the extra cushion between me and the uterus, so that makes me feel better.
Food Cravings/Aversions: Salt & Vinegar potato chips! I hate them, but if there's an open bag near me I can't stop eating them!
Gender: BabyBaby is a girl - we've had two different techs and a doctor confirm it.
Belly Button In or Out: It's still in, but getting shallower and stretching.
What I Miss: Sushi and real coffee and alcohol.
What I am Looking Forward To: Right now, getting the nursery done.
Best Moment This Week: Seeing BabyBaby again on the ultrasound, finding out I don't have a placenta previa, and to hear that everything is looking perfect.
Labor Signs: None. Yet, anyway. And let's hope it stays that way for another 7 weeks.

an update about work...

I had my meeting with the partners at the end of the day yesterday, and it went really well.

I let them know my absolute last day will be Friday, October 1, 2010, unless something happens before then.

They OK'd my request for a 12-week maternity leave, so my first day back won't be until Monday, January 3, 2011. And they'll let me use my saved vacation and sick time towards it as soon as I officially leave.

And when I come back in January, they'll let me have a 4-day work week with Thursdays off.

My mom also got the OK that she could have a 4-day work week as well, with Tuesdays off.

We sent an email to the daycare center, hoping they still had the Feb '11 spot open. If not, then we'll put ourselves on the waiting list and hope for the best.

But things are finally getting done, and I finally feel more comfortable that I can start making legit plans and cross things off my list. Yay.

Dermatologist Follow-up

So, the general consensus between my OB and my dermatologist is that I do indeed have PUPPPS.

Luckily, my bloodwork from the OB's office came back fine, so we now know the rash isn't because of anything serious having to do with my liver or my gall bladder or anything like that.

Bad news it that, since it is PUPPPs, it's going to be with me for the duration of the pregnancy. The NP at the dermatologist's office seemed sympathetic because I "have a ways to go" but for some reason, 10 weeks, give or take, doesn't seem that long to me. *shrug*

Anyway, I'm supposed to be weaning myself off of the steroids now. Since the chest is no loner bothering me, I'm not going to be using it there anymore, but for the other areas on my arms and belly and legs, they only get 2 weeks tops then its no more steriods. Apparently the ointment can cause the skin to thin... eww.

So now I'm on the search for more natural and/or homeopathic anti-itch and skin irritation remedies. Though I'm not one for baths, I do have Aveno on the list. I also picked up a bar of Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap from GNC after my appointment today, so we'll see how that works. Other than that, Tea Tree Oil seems to be another good suggestion, so I might need to make a trip to LUSH and The Body Shop next payday!

Finally looking pregnant!

I had someone that wasn't family or friend ask me when I was due this morning - first time ever! I went to my usual Dunkin Donuts this morning, and the woman behind the counter, who I see just about everytime I go in there, asked me when I was due. I literally brought a smile to my face... I was getting sick of people being afraid to ask out of fear that I wasn't pregnant, but just fat. And don't get me started on my manicurist who didnt realize I was pregnant at 24 weeks....

Nursery Update #1 -- The Painting

Like I mentioned earlier, we were busy this weekend, and mainly with the painting of the nursery, so finally I give you the Before and After pictures! (Note: the dresser in the room is my own - We just haven't figured out exactly where it's going to be going yet, so it's still sitting in the middle of the room.)

The paint of choice? Benjamin Moore's Regal Premium Interior 100% Acrylic Paint, in Grape Ice, Matte finish

Before:

A work in progress:

... And proof that I helped paint!

After:

And now, for my own personal project - the closet:

The prior owners had it the same Eggshell-y color as the room's walls, so we decided to make it white to match the trim, and eventually, the furniture. Only one coat is on it so far, but it gives you an idea of how it's going to look.

And last but certainly not least, we picked up the rocker and ottoman from Babies R Us last night, and I'm SO excited to finally have it in the room!

Getting it home from the store was a trip, though. I forgot to bring rope, so Chris was able to nudge the chair in the truck so that it was snug enough to last the drive home. We were driving less than 20mph with the trunk open and the hazards on -- luckily Babies R Us is only a mile from the house, and we got it there in one piece!

Next on the list? Assembling the crib. We have it, Chris just has to do it.

I also bought sheer panels for the windows to go underneath the valances. After the shower, we should finally have both valance, and once I get the right rods and fixtures we should be able to get everything hung.

Other than that, it's a trip to IKEA for the dresser, a nightstand, and possibly the matching bookcase. A few other accents here and there, and we should be just about ready.

more presents have arrived!

Have I mentioned I love my Niners?

Steese and Ames sent us the Fisher Price Rocker/Sleeper last week:

I was so very happy when I saw this come off the registry, because this is what we were planning on using in our bedroom for the first couple of months until BabyBaby is ready for her crib. Friends of ours suggested this to us, and they've told us they love having it for their son, so I'm really excited we have it. =)

Also, Ames is too much! She sent me a separate box full of goodies!

First, there was this hooded towel her mom made:

I love the Hello Kitty detail!

She also sent along this Hello Kitty Blanket:

Baby Hello Kitties!

LOVE IT!!!

So thanks again, SO MUCH, Steese and Ames! You girls are awesome. =)

29 weeks

First things first -

29 weeks, 1 day, taken in the bathroom of my office. And that shirt is definitely one of my favorites. Though looking at this picture now, I swear my belly looked bigger at 28 weeks than it does now...

What else, what else.....

We have made MASSIVE headway on the nursery, but I need to upload the pictures still, so there will be another post dedicated to our weekend progress forthcoming!

The rash is still getting the best of me, and my fears that it may be PUPPPs seem to be coming true. The dermatologist had told me that if it was the pregnancy rash to expect it to spread to my belly, arms, and thighs... well guess what! It has. -_- And it's itchy as hell, to boot. But I've been doing what they told me to do - apply steroid treatment once the rash breaks out and hopefully we can maintain it. Luckily the rash on the chest area has been staying put, being less itchy, and actually drying up, so that's a plus. Having to scratch at my boobs while I'm at work has not been ideal.

Of course, I still don't know if what I have is, in fact, PUPPPs. I called my doctor this afternoon and was informed that the blood work results were in, but my midwife still needed to review them, and that she would be giving me a call later this afternoon. Luckily they told me they would forward a copy of the results to the dermatologist, so that when I got for my follow-up appointment tomorrow, we'll all be on the same page.

But assuming the worst, I've started to do some research into this lovely pregnancy rash. It apparently shows up 1 in every 240 pregnancies, occurring in the 3rd trimester, in first-time mothers and those carrying multiples, and studies have shown that 70% of cases are while the mother is carrying boys, leading researchers to believe there is something about the male DNA that contributes to the rash. Although not harmful to mother or baby, it's annoying as hell, and won't go away until after the baby is delivered. Treatment includes steroids - topical and in some cases oral - as well as oatmeal baths and cold compresses. I was taking Benadryl to help with sleeping, and it did help at first, but last night was just a bizarre drug-induced sleep and I was not enjoying it. Plus I know taking anything like that affects BabyBaby, and I don't want her to be any less active, I don't care how "safe" it may be to take. Some sites I've read says that the itching goes away 1-2 weeks after treatment... I can attest to that for the chest, but the arms, belly, and thighs still have a few days to go before they stop, and for that I cannot wait.

In other news, we went to a Carseat 101 class at Babies R Us last night. It was all right, but definitely informative. So much so, we added a forward-facing carseat to the registry because we have a feeling BabyBaby is going to have her father's height and grow out of the infant seat before she hits 35lbs.

And Childbirthing class #2 is tonight -- gotta remember my 2 pillows!

In other news....

Chris and I went to our first childbirthing class at the hospital last night. It was crazy, because now it's starting to get really real. Not that it wasn't real before, but sitting in the room with 9 other couple and talking with the instructor about the different stages of labor... it doesn't make you realize that this is really happening more than that. It was good though, and I'm looking forward to the rest of our classes...

A funny thing happened today though. As I had to go to another office this morning, as soon as I walked into the waiting room, there in front of me was another one of the women who was at the class last night! We chatted it up a bit, so it was nice to get to know someone else in the class a little bit better.

Add to THAT another woman in the class contact me via TheBump on the Boston Babies board, so now that's two women I have had contact with from our class last night... Talk about a small world!

So, let me tell you about MY day...

**copied/pasted from an earlier post to the September '09 board**

A little backstory: Monday night I started feeling really itchy in my cleavage (this is prolly gonna be TMI from here on out...) and come Tuesday it was just obnoxious, so I called my OB's office and talk to the nurse. They thought it could be fungal, so they told me to wash with Selsun Blue and use Gold Bond cream to take the itch out, and if it didnt get better in a couple of days, call them back.

Fastforward a couple of days: Yesterday the rash that was in my cleavage spread further on, under, and around my boobs and up my chest, prolly to about my collarbone, and OMG was it itchy. So itchy, in fact, that it kept me up a majority of last night, and the only relief I got was alternating between cold compresses and appling the cream. Not to mention, the rash spread to a spot on my lower back, so it clearly wasn't getting anywhere near better.

I told work I was going to be late this morning, because the last thing I want to do is talk about a rash on my boobs in the office, and I got in touch with the nurse as soon as I could this morning. Luckily it was the same one I had talked to on Tuesday, so she helped me get an appointment first thing this morning with the OB... of course, it was 25 minutes away, but hey, I'll take what I can get.

The OB had no idea what it was. She didnt even want to speculate what it may or may not be, and said my best bet would be to see a dermatologist asap. The OB's office called the dermatologist that I used to see before the wedding, and luckily enough they were able to see me this afternoon, which is VERY rare for this practice. So another 25 minute drive and I was back closer to home and waiting at the dermatologist's office.

The nurse practitioner has no idea what it was. She definitely ruled out fungal, but she didnt want to make any more assumptions before the doctor looked at me, especially being 28.5 weeks pregnant. So she went and got the doctor and they both looked me over like I was a medical specimen, I swear.

The doctor thinks it's PUPPS... basically it's a pregnancy rash that is supposed to occur closer to the end of the pregnancy, where your body basically has an allergic reaction to the fetus... it it doesnt go away until the baby is born. She's not 100% sure though, where this rash began on my chest, and PUPPS starts on the belly and works its way out. She did say, however, that if it is, it's bound to start spreading to my belly and to my arms... so she wants to see me in a week. They also prescribed me a topical steroid, Benedryll, and oatmeal bath compresses. Of course, the nurse wanted me to check with my OB to make sure the steroid was going to be OK, and lucky me, the OB's office I normally get to was only a suite down from the dermatologist.

So I walk in and explain everything to the receptionist, and she's uber-skeptical because of my walk in that the nurse will see me right away... well lucky me, this is the same nurse I'd been dealing with these last few days, and when she finally saw my chest I swear her eyes popped out of her chest. I explained to her what the dermatologist said, and the moment I mentioned PUPPS she ordered bloodwork to be done so that we can hopefully cross it off the list, so there I was, exhausted, dehydrated, and hungry, now giving blood randomly at my OB's office.

And the phlebotomist had to poke me twice. =(

So I went to the drug store, got my drugs, stopped at the pizza place on the way home and ordered some cheesy breadsticks, and here I am... ready to get off my feet and sleep the rest of the day away.

I won't get the bloodtest results back for another 4 days or so, but I'm really just hoping I'm not going to have to deal with this damn rash for the rest of my pregnancy... it's driving me crazy as it is now, I can only imagine how it's going to be in a few weeks.

I just have to keep reminding myself that this is all worth it, and the prize at the end if going to be the best prize ever!

TMI--

I just put two pieces of paper towel, wet with cold water, into my bra to help soothe the itchy rash on the boobs. I wish I was joking.

faaaaat~

I got lazy and forgot to take a picture on Sunday, so here you have 28 weeks 3 days...

Also, third trimester sucks. The end.

28 Weeks Later...

I swear, this week has been one of the most miserable so far...

Between sore joints when sleeping, an aching back waking me up at night, and now this rash growing between my boobs, I'm pretty much ready for this pregnancy to be over, right about now...

The only solution to the joints it rest.

The only solution to the aching back is a heating pad.

And so far, the only solution to the rash is washing it with Selsun Blue and rubbing Gold Bond cream on it... my midwife said that if it doesnt go away in a couple of days they want to see me, but they think it's fungal, and OMG is it itchy...

I also went to the dentist yesterday, and had the most bloodiest gums ever. I know it's all part of the fun pregnancy package, but I felt wicked back for my hygenist. Plus, its just gross...

And we inquired with HugsPlus about getting on the 3-day waiting list. They said they have an opening starting in February. 1) I don't know if I can even get a day off during the week yet, and 2) What will we do for the month of January?? I hate feeling like I'm between a rock and a hard place... and I won't have a better idea of where I stand until my meeting with the partners next week.

Blargh......

*happy dance*

I PASSED!!!

I just received a call from my OB's office telling me I passed the 1-hour glucose test with flying colors!

... ok, so maybe I called them first, left a message in the nurse's mailbox, and they got back to me.... but still!

Platelets and iron also look great, so I am on the right track to being a healthy mama with a healthy baby!

No gestational diabetes for me - w000t!!!

glucoooooose

Sugar is not a pregnant woman's friend, but I enjoy it oh-so much! And it's the worst when you starve yourself of it for 24 hours+ because you don't want any showing up in your system.

Yesterday was my glucose tolerance test (GTT for short - reminds me of a 90s child star) and it wasn't as bad as I was thinking it was going to be. It went a little something like this:

A month ago at my last appointment they gave me a little 10oz bottle of orange liquid (it was that or lemonlime) that needed to be drunk an hour before the test to see how my body would process the sugar, and that little bottle has been chilling in my fridge for the same month. It reminded me of those teenie tiny barrel drinks we used to have over the summers when we were kids - good thing I chose to have orange since that was one of my favorite flavors. Said drink needed to be completed in 5-10 minutes 45 minutes before my 8:15am appointment, so doing the math, I was drinking the most sugary sweet concoction at 7:20am... talk about a sugar high.

I got to my appointment right on time, did my business, weighed myself (yikes) and sat down with the nurse with 10 minutes to spare before my blood draw. She said there wasn't any sugar passed in my urine, so that was a good sign - not a true sign that I was going to pass the GTT - but a good sign nonetheless. The nurse was surprised with my jump in weight ("Wow, you did go up this month!") but the midwife didnt say anything so I'm just going to keep chuggin' along.

The blood draw wasn't that bad... once for the GTT, another to make sure I'm not anemic, and a third for something - I don't remember. I'm glad I ate an egg first thing, because I could feel myself getting slightly lightheaded, but no stars... or maybe that was just my usual blood-giving anxiety.

My monthly appointment went well - the midwife said BabyBaby is measuring at 28 weeks, which is only a few days ahead of schedule, so that works for me! And her heartbeat is in the healthy 150s - it's such a great feeling hearing it every time! I panicked a little, though... the first doppler she tried to use was completely broken and wasn't picking up anything! She must had seen the worry on my face because she assure me there wasn't anything wrong, and went to get a new doppler. Still nervewracking... stupid machinery.

And then there's the issue of the low-lying placenta. Back when we had our little scare, this was something else that came up on the ultrasounds. It appears that the placenta is quite close to the cervix - not covering, but enough to cause minor concern. Of course, everyone said that the only way it can move as the baby gets bigger is away from the cervix, so no one seemed too worried. My midwife still wanted me to have another ultrasound to make sure it's moved safely away, but since maternal-fetal medicine at the hospital never told me to go on any kind of pelvic rest when I was there for the level 2, then there most likely isn't an issue. Fine with me - I'm just excited I'm going to be able to see BabyBaby again!

AND I've graduated to biweekly OB appointments, so my next one is two weeks from Monday, so I'll have the ultrasound when I go then. Plus, I'll be seeing my favorite midwife, so I'm pretty psyched!

But beyond all that good news, other than the usual joint pains and headaches, things are going well. She's lying low, so my back and sciatic nerve are starting to give me problems, especially when I have to get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, but thanks to Angel's body Boppy, sleep has been comfy.

Chris has also finally felt a kick! 1 kick, but he's felt it nonetheless. She's active, but not really one a schedule - the doctor said this is ok, so long as I'm feeling something daily, so it makes me feel better.

So yeah... thats my story. Now I'm just waiting for the call back from the OB's office to let me know how the GTT went, and then I can start enjoying my weekend! I should know when they get the results back around 2pm, so keep your fingers crossed!

3rd trimester, and the evil that is heat

As of Sunday, my wonderful journey that is pregnancy is now 2/3 of the way complete. There are roughly only 3 months to go, and O. M. G. is there still a lot to do... that's why I've designated next weekend as "BabyBaby Weekend" - one while weekend with nothing else going on where we can just focus on getting the nursery painted and everything organized and done. I hope.

This past weekend, however, was the 4th of July weekend, and dear gods, was it hot. I'm not going to lie - I was incredibly uncomfortable. All I could do was drink water and then pee it out... food didn't even seem like a good idea because the last thing I wanted was a bothersome stomach.

I am grateful for our central AC, though - lemme tell you that! Of course, Chris is starting to freak me out with hypotheticals about the AC breaking because it's been blasting non-stop during this heatwave.... I would die.

This coming weekend is our Maine trip with friends, and talk about dying if there's no AC. We're staying in condo-like cabins up in northern Maine, and of course it didn't occur to me until this weekend that there is a chance they might not be AC'd... yikes. At least it's going to be cooler up there, and there's a pool... and I'd be really surprised if the main lodge wasn't AC'd... but then there's also the 4.5 hour car ride up. How many times do you think we're going to have to stop so that I can use the bathroom? Good times.

And I went outlet shopping yesterday - I only bought one outfit for BabyBaby, so I'm getting better! I also purchase a pair of maternity yoga pants for myself, and the Vera Bradley outlet had a bottle cooler that matched the same pattern as the Baby Bag I have - woot!

Its the littlest things that make me happy these days...

27 weeks

Oh, hai, 3rd trimester!

doctors and stuff

I think we finally figured out the pediatrician situation. I believe we're going to be going to Crown Colony Pediatrics per the suggestion of a family friend. Plus sides - they're open regular hours 7 days a week, will do same-day sick appointments, and are affiliated with South Shore Hospital. Downsides? Not many, other than we have to wait until the beginning of August for our prenatal meeting. But that's ok... it'll be nice to have one more thing checked off the list.

I also registered us for a carseat workshop at Babies R Us at the end of the month. Supposedly they run through all the different types of carseats out there, and when you need to change them up and why... should be interesting, seeing that neither of us really have any experience with anything careseat related. Hopefully we'll get something out of it (and maybe some swag to boot!)

I went to prenatal yoga again last night with my friend Lily - have someone to go with makes me want to go more often, but I was thinking about it. They gym offers a $100/10 class punchcard, which would save me $5 a class, but I was looking at the upcoming schedule and our childbirthing classes start in 2 weeks, which knocks out 5 Wednesdays in a row... so if I start counting all the remaining Wednesdays I have left, it brings me right up to Week 40. Yikes. Scary. And no, I don't think I'll be wanting to do yoga as much towards the end of the 3rd trimester either, so I don't know. What I DO know is that I have a prenatal yoga DVD at home that is just begging to be opened, so I think I might partake first thing Saturday morning...

Beyond that, the end of the 2nd trimester is fast approaching, it's the beginning of July, and the reality that Ocotber is only 3 months away is a little rattling. Not that I'm nervous about being a mother... no, I'm just starting to get nervous about labor and delivery. I'm trying to tell myself that all I need to do is endure those bad period-like cramps until I can get an epidural... but then I have to remind myself that it might not be that easy. Something could not be quite right, and next thing I know I'm on my way in for a C-Section... *shudder* I'm really hoping going with a midwife will help me do everything I possibly can to avoid that, because if I have to be awake while they're literally cutting me open, I might have an anxiety-induced heart attack. No lie.

But in the meantime, BabyBaby is snug and secure... and she's kicking daily. That's another concern, though... I mean, how do I know if she's kicking enough? I mean, I feel her at least once or twice a day, but it's not like it's a constant schedule, or she does it in response to anything Chris or I do. Maybe it's me being paranoid since our last scare, but I just can't wait until my appointment next week where I can hear her heartbeat again, and the doctor can tell me how well she's growing, and know that everything is all right.