kat, unedited

Is bugging me more than I care to admit. She really is.

Joe is an only child and in the past 6 months or so, I’ve started to notice things about his mom that I don’t particularly like. There was some family drama between her and her now-deceased brother, and I think it was around this time that I even began to allow myself to think of her in a different light. I’ve always really liked her and she’s always been really nice, but something has changed in the past year. Having just spent some time with Joe’s dad and stepmom make my feelings towards his mom glaringly obvious.

I think it’ll help to mention that she has not been that personal with my pregnancy. She hasn’t asked me what kind of birth I’m having, or where I’m delivering, or if the baby’s been moving, or how I’m feeling about becoming a new parent. It’s not really the actual questions themselves that I care about, but I feel like she really is just interested in the baby that is coming out of me and not me or my well-being. Like, I’m just here to pop the baby out for her. I know that she’s very excited for the baby to come because she already has plans to spoil her and she’s purchased a bunch of stuff. Sigh. I’m not really sure what I’m trying to get at here.

What led me to thinking about all that stuff above is that she asked Joe if we’re going to let her know when the baby’s born. “You’re going to let me know when the baby’s born, right?” were her exact words. What kind of a question is that anyway? Of course we will! But then I’m thinking, does she expect to be there while I’m birthing the baby? Because in that case, NO, we won’t let her know. I don’t feel comfortable enough around her to be with me during such a personal, intimate, intense time. I may ask for my mom, but at the same time, I’m not sure I want her there either. Right now, I’m set on just Joe and our doula, and of course any hospital staff, but that’s it. And I don’t see myself changing my mind at this point. I’ve read too much about how having someone you’re not comfortable with around while you’re in labor can stall it, and I’m not taking any chances. People can come visit after the baby comes out, but not before or during.

I really shouldn’t be complaining, but at the same time I just feel like the arrival of our baby is really going to spur some stuff with her and I’m just hoping that Joe and I are able to handle them ok. I hate dealing with stuff like this—I don’t even have any of this with my own family! Just her. Oh, and Joe’s stepdad did make a comment last week while we were there about how “[I] just get to have her…but [I] don’t get to keep her”, and by “her” he means my daughter. He was joking of course, but him saying that just shows how much Joe’s mom is going to be trying to be around the baby, which is another thing in and of itself. Oy vey.

Whew, ok, vent over. I see her again at my shower next weekend and that should be interesting. After that, I shouldn’t see her again until after the baby’s born! FIST PUMP!

This is the beginning of my 30th week, which means it’s 11 weeks until my due date. Redonkulous.

This past week has been awesome, save for my allergies. I’m coping though—as long as I don’t get sick, I’m happy. There’s been a little bit of rain over in my corner of the world and that’s helped the pollen settle. Joe and I were in Colorado the past 4 days visiting with his dad and stepmom and I had an awesome time. I do wish we lived closer because they are spectacular grandparents and I would love to have them around for our little girl. Joe and I both agreed that we would have no qualms having her spend a few weeks (or summers!) with them when she’s older—they’re that great. I guess we’re just gonna somehow have to work something out! I also got to see some snow, which is a first for me since last winter.

Another great thing this past week was that I passed my 1-hr glucose test! I really did feel like crap after all that sugar I drank for the test and I’m glad that I don’t have to do the 3-hr. My levels were way below the cut-off and I was pleased and surprised since Valentine’s candy and then Easter candy has been my downfall the past few months.

Here were my stats the past week:

Symptoms: linea nigra is darker—and is now visible from my bellybutton and up. It used to only go from my bellybutton down.

Stretch marks? none in my belly, but possible in my left boob. Ha. Not sure yet though.

Bellybutton? still in

Maternity clothing? Yup, although I’m finding some treasures in my dresser. This past week I wore 2 tops that were longer pre-pregnancy and they fit me just fine.

Milestones: really regular movement, passing glucose testing, one week until 30 weeks!

Wisdom: Still hydrate, and get some extra pillows. Right now I’m still able to sleep on my back but not the whole night. I’ve been propping myself up a lot more though and I’m up to 3 pillows at this point.

How I feel: Good, but tired today. Feeling more hungry BUT running out of room sooner. I found this out a couple of times in the past week when I had tummy aches from eating too much in one sitting.

What I’m looking forward to: Our late pregnancy class and hospital tour this Thursday!! The weirdest thing about this was that when they talked to me about scheduling this class when I was 8 weeks pregnant, I couldn’t even fathom it. And now here we are, and we’re taking the class!!! I’m also looking forward to the countdown (well, not like I haven’t been counting down, but after next week I’ll only have single digit weeks left!)—my midwife and I scheduled my appt up to 40 weeks. I mean, what the heck?! I’m also looking forward to our first meeting with out doula next week. AND I’m looking forward to getting the diaper bag that Joe’s stepmom is making for us—I picked out the fabric and everything! I canceled the one I registered for because I know this one’s gonna be so awesome.

My little girl is growing and my midwife said that everything is on target. I’m really glad I stuck with my midwife because I initially felt like it wasn’t going to be a good fit, but now I love her. She’s most likely not going to help me with birthing (depending on if she’s available the day I go into labor), but I’m still glad that she’s been following me. I’ve only seen my OB twice this pregnancy—once at 8 weeks (my first appt) and then again at 20 weeks (after the anatomy scan). After that, I switched all my appts to my midwife.

The baby was the size of a butternut squash this past week, according to Babycenter:

She was a tad over 15 inches from head to heel and about 2.5 lbs. This week she’s working towards getting to be a small cabbage!

Not much going on with me, but I am ready for this day to be over because then I’ll officially be on vacation! I think I need the break—it’s been a while since I’ve had a day off.

• Today is my Friday! Flying to Colorado early tomorrow morning.
• Tonight we’re driving to Joe’s mom’s to spend the night and to get the dogs set up. I’m not looking forward to spending the night at Joe’s mom’s because I’m never 100% comfortable there, but oh well. One night won’t kill me :) I’m gonna miss my boys though, and I always feel like nobody can take care of them as well as I do. I’m a little relieved that this will be our last big trip before the baby comes, which means that we don’t have to leave the dogs anywhere for a while. 
• I have my 28-week appt with my midwife this afternoon, along with my glucose testing. I hope I pass!
• How much longer before pollen goes away? My allergies are really sucking this year, mostly because I can’t take Zyrtec. AND because being pregnant just makes you stuffy in general.
• I am looking forward to not being at work since this whole week I’ve been so unmotivated. Here’s to coming back feeling better on Monday!
• I went to Rite-Aid yesterday and paid $0.99 for a tub of Lysol wipes thanks to a special they’re doing and a couple of coupons. I’m really loving this couponing thing so far. I’ll put a post together soon on how much I saved this week.
• I then went to the grocery store (Safeway) to get 6 lbs of strawberries (for $2 total) and a few other things and my total went from about $25 to $8. I was amazed and the checkout lady said “Wow”.

mysocalledttclife replied to your post: 28 Weeks—THIRD Trimester!

Congrats! And may I ask—what is a Chinese cabbage? I swear they choose the oddest vegetables and fruits sometimes! :)

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Hey B! Here’s a Chinese cabbage. Looks like big bok choy, but lighter green with flatter stalk things :) Happy second trimester!!!

And here we are. One thing I’ve noticed as the weeks have gone by is how much less emphasis I’ve put in the weekly milestones (although it may seem otherwise). I used to wait for Monday starting every Tuesday, waiting until my weekly updates were in the double digits (10 weeks, yeah!), until I was in the upper teens, then the twenties (halfway there!). But now, I’m baffled when I realize it’s already Wednesday, because that means that the week is almost over, and then it’ll be Monday again and I’ll be one week further along!

I’m so thankful to have made it this far in this pregnancy. I can remember in the beginning when I felt so much anticipation and anxiety during the days leading up to my midwife appointments, where the time in between was spent fretting then reminding myself to enjoy my pregnancy as if something bad were to happen, there is nothing I can do to prevent it. Now I have a constant reminder that my baby girl is doing just fine in my belly, that we’re in this for the long haul. She is actually here to stay. Of course by typing that, I’m wondering if I just jinxed myself, but whatever. We’ve made it so far.

This week I think I’ve grown. I just grow everyday—it’s a given :) I do miss feeling fit and exercising as much as I used to pre-pregnancy, but then I think about how little time we have left of pregnancy and I stop myself and just revel in the moments leading up to meeting my baby.

This past week, my seasonal allergies kicked my ass big time. I’m not a big fan of taking meds, but after my 60+ sneezes yesterday, I decided to try some Claritin. It didn’t work. So now I’m in the in between phase where I’m so congested and my body is really trying to fight off the allergens, which then makes me so vulnerable to germs. All day today I’ve felt hot and just uncomfortable, and I’m reminding myself not to touch my face and disinfect my hands after each doorknob that I touch. I’m really hoping I don’t get sick!

Here were my stats from the past week:

Symptoms: hot flashes, mild finger swelling

Stretch marks? still none

Bellybutton? still in

Maternity clothing? yes, although sometimes I unearth something not maternity in my closet and it fits—barely. I think what I love about maternity tops is that they are long—even if my non-maternity tops fit, they’re usually too short and look funny!

Milestones: third trimester today! Also, I think I may have started feeling hiccups this past weekend, though I’m not sure. Twice yesterday (in the morning then when going to bed), I felt rhythmic movement that lasted a good 5 mins or so.

Wisdom: Hydrate. When I forget to hydrate, I just feel crappy.

How I feel: I feel stuffy :/ It’s no fun when you can’t breathe and you can’t finish sentences because you have to sneeze 5 times. I kinda just want a day to sit and rest. What a downer, huh?

What I’m looking forward to: Vacation!! Joe and I are going to Colorado on Thurs am (and staying through the weekend) to visit some of his family and I’m excited! I’ve never been, so it should be lots of fun!

The baby is the size of a Chinese cabbage this week :)

Have you ever seen the Extreme Couponing show on TLC? It’s awesome and just plain unbelievable. It is, of course, extreme—I mean, I don’t think I need 100 toothbrushes and hundreds of toilet paper—but it could definitely be applied practically.

With maternity leave around the corner (I have no shorter than 9 weeks and no longer than 11 weeks of work left!), I’ve decided to try my hand at couponing, especially since my income will be close to nonexistent while I’m off for at least 4 glorious months. I’m going to start collecting them from the newspaper and looking for coupons online, then matching them with my grocery store and drugstore deals, and see what I can save. I’m pretty excited! I mean, Joe and I always find ourselves needing toilet paper and toothpaste, so hopefully we can save more than a few bucks on these items. I also need to try to find detergent on the cheap because of the amount of laundry we’ll be doing when the baby comes. I’ll keep you ladies updated :)

Do you have any experiences in couponing? Any tips??

It’s official, my belly has crossed over to being undeniably, no-doubt-about-it pregnant. Joe is afraid to do the dance because he might hurt the baby.

I somehow thought we wouldn’t go through this (oh the naivete!), but since he’s been back from his little mini-vacation (where he was gone 3 nights), we have not, well, you know…So this morning while I was getting ready for work, in all my naked belly glory, he remarked that I’ve really grown in the past week and that my belly is really out now. So I asked him if that’s why he has not excitedly devoured my sexy self we haven’t had sex since he came back the other night, and it is! 

“What if I hurt the baby?”, he asked.

I think this is common for most men (says my What to Expect book, at least). So I told him not to flatter himself that he wouldn’t hurt the baby, and that there is nothing to worry about. Besides, I’m only gonna get huger and if we don’t make the most of it now, we sure as heck are going to be limited when I’m further along AND we can’t even do anything for WEEKS (!!!) after this little girl makes her debut!

I guess we’ll just have to keep the lights off for the next 3 months…