Week 27 Update

As you can see, I look pretty pregnant now. Feeling good, so thanks to everyone who keeps asking. Potus is pretty active. I did learn an important lesson on Saturday. Milkshakes quickly downed before bed do not make for a good night's sleep.

Yesterday, I got in a few of the decorations for the nursery. We cleaned out the nursery this weekend, so we have a pretty good idea where everything will fit. And, P has finished most of the changing table. He just needs to make the drawers. Then, he can start on the crib.

My replacement starts tomorrow. I've prepared about as well as I know how for her. I've got lists on lists of things I feel she should know. We'll see how well the first day goes. Wish me luck....

26 Week Update

Got my baby shower invitation last week and saw how cute they turned out. I sent A some bird pics and she printed them on cardstock and mounted them on an invitation with vellum overlay.

We received our first shower gift of this round yesterday. It's a jumperoo from Rick's Aunt J and Uncle M. And, judging by how active Potus has become, he/she will get a lot of enjoyment out of this toy in a matter of months.

I have a couple more weeks to go until I have to go for my Glucose test and RhoGam shot. Since I'm 0 Negative and P is Positive, we have to take precautions.

So, according to Baby Center, this week, we should start thinking about a birth plan and whether to circumcise if Potus is a boy. Apparently, about 50% of birth plans are completely disregarded and almost 50% did help them create the birth experience the mothers wanted.

So far, the pregnancy is going well. I'm finding it more uncomfortable to bend over these days. Getting in and out of my car feels like I have low bucket seats. The only weird symptom I've developed is a bruise sensation about 4" to the left and 1" above my belly button. It has no discoloration, but feels like a bruise. I did a search, and apparently it's fairly common and doesn't mean anything serious. Still, I'll be asking about it at the next appointment just in case.

24 Weeks

Today, we had our 6 month appointment. Midwife L (ML) met with us. There was some disagreement about the due date. According to the little wheel calculator, Potus could be due as late as December 1st. (We've been working with a date of November 28th.) However, everyone agreed a few days either way wouldn't really matter since Potus would come out when he/she was ready. Apparently, I'm on track with weight gain and fundal height. And, I should gain approximately another pound per week. Calculated out, that seems like more weight than recommended generally, but not much.

One thing ML recommended was adding a DHA supplement. Apparently, it can really make a measurable difference in mental strength. I also found it reassuring that nobody at the doctor's office batted an eye at my being vegetarian.

My parents also left today. They drove up from Texas this week and stayed a couple days. Today, they headed back and made it to just south of Little Rock, Arkansas. We didn't do a whole lot while they were here. But, we had a nice visit. P flew us all to Schaumburg for their 36th anniversary dinner at Pilot Pete's, so they had a closeup of the Chicago skyline.

Week 23

Surprise! Instead of a day or two late, I'm posting the weekly update a few hours early. Apparently, Potus is about 11 inches long and just over a pound. I'm supposed to be on the lookout for swelling and water retention. My ankles do feel a little swollen, but they also are covered in mosquito bites at the moment, so I think that is the reason. I did about an hour and a half of weeding yesterday and have been feeling it in my lower back ever since. Maybe I'll try to limit that to half hour stints from now on.

My work sent out a nice email today notifying anyone who wasn't aware that I was leaving and announcing my replacement. It feels like a funny time to voluntarily leave a job when so many people are in need of one. However, I think ultimately this is the best for the company and for our family. So, I'll do my part to facilitate the transition and set up K for the best start I can manage.

I got a strange phone call today at lunch. Dr. W1 called because he'd been notified of our records transfer to the new doctor. Apparently, he likes to call each case personally to find out why he's losing the patient/client. I answered thinking it was someone from his office calling to confirm that I'd requested the transfer. After I recovered from the shock of his voice on the line, I told him straight out that I felt we had different philosophies regarding childbirth. He was very professional and offered his services if the new folks didn't work out. He did also propose that he was more interventionist because it made for a lower incidence of c-sections, which to me seemed at odds with what I had read. Not that I'm an expert. However, it seems to me that the new practice is more willing to listen to my wishes and at the very least take them into account and make me feel like we're discussing options.

Also, we bought the lumber for the baby furniture this weekend. Apparently, it's a pretty popular pasttime for woodworking dads. The guy at the store said we were the third set of parents to come through this week with that particular project. P has the wood stacked in his shop now to acclimate for a while before he starts working on it. I think he's secretly hoping my dad will want to work on the furniture while my parents are up here next week. I've told him not to hold his breath. They're coming up on an anniversary road trip and will only be in town about 3 days.