About three weeks ago, I started noticing that my deodorant just wasn't working like it should. Despite how much I washed my armpits (with antibacterial soap no less) and no matter how much deodorant I applied, I could not stave off the eventual B.O.
You know it's bad when when you can smell it on yourself.
At my last doctor's appointment, I arrived wearing a heavy long sleeve shirt. Dr. R asked if I could take it off so she could take my blood pressure on my bare upper arm. I warned her that she might regret asking me to do that and told her she better hold her breath. She laughed and said she was not surprised, adding that towards the end of pregnancy it's not uncommon for women's chemistry to change thus causing them to, well, stink. Apparently it's due to the increase in hormone levels.
And unfortunately, there's not much that can be done about this.
So here I am, sitting in my sun-toasted condo at the beginning of summer with about 7 weeks of pregnancy left to go. Sitting here sweating and stinking. Stinking and sweating.
This is just one of the many aspects of pregnancy that no one ever warns you about. I should write a book about all these bodily surprises I've come across. Pleasant it's not, but I wouldn't trade a second of this for the world.
Stank and all.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Blown Away
I just found out that three of my friends are throwing me a baby shower. It was supposed to be a surprise, but they decided to let me in on it because A) they wanted me to have an opportunity to invite who I want and B) they didn't want me to be so surprised that I suddenly go into labour.
I am touched and moved beyond words. Words can't express my appreciation for this lovely, lovely gesture.
So my baby shower is on July 10th and other than the date and the guest list, I have no other details. I truly have the sweetest and kindest friends in the world.
I'll definitely take lots of pictures and post them!
I am so lucky and so spoiled.
I am touched and moved beyond words. Words can't express my appreciation for this lovely, lovely gesture.
So my baby shower is on July 10th and other than the date and the guest list, I have no other details. I truly have the sweetest and kindest friends in the world.
I'll definitely take lots of pictures and post them!
I am so lucky and so spoiled.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Quick Update
Had my semi-weekly doctor's appointment today... All went very well, and for that I am sincerely grateful.
There was some sugar in my urine this morning, and the doctor said that it could be caused by something I ate and even if it wasn't, she said it's not that uncommon at this point in pregnancy. She basically reminded me to watch my sugar intake (which I usually do) and not worry about it too much.
I only gained one pound in two weeks so that was good news.
My fundal height is only measuring about one week ahead this time. At first, I found this to be a bit of a relief because if you recall, two weeks ago, she was measuring FOUR weeks ahead. But then I started wondering if that meant she hasn't grown at all in the last two weeks. When I asked about it, my doctor laughed and said, what it means is that the doctor who measured me last time tends to measure bigger and it's not an exact measurement anyway. But, because my fundal height has been consistently big, and she could tell I was concerned, she agreed to send me for an ultrasound to verify just how big Maya really is. My scan is scheduled for Monday June 30th at 2:00pm. I gotta admit, I'm nervous! These nerves never seem to settle no matter how far along we get in this pregnancy.
Also, on palpation today, my doctor seems to think that Maya is breech. Which is fine now, she still has plenty of time to turn. And again, this was just a guess on her part and the scan on Monday will confirm just what my little girl is doing in there exactly. I kinda think she is head-down but what do I know?
All in all, a good appointment. As Dr. R was finishing up with me, she made it a point to say that Maya is doing "great". Music to my ears!
Wish us luck for Monday's scan.
There was some sugar in my urine this morning, and the doctor said that it could be caused by something I ate and even if it wasn't, she said it's not that uncommon at this point in pregnancy. She basically reminded me to watch my sugar intake (which I usually do) and not worry about it too much.
I only gained one pound in two weeks so that was good news.
My fundal height is only measuring about one week ahead this time. At first, I found this to be a bit of a relief because if you recall, two weeks ago, she was measuring FOUR weeks ahead. But then I started wondering if that meant she hasn't grown at all in the last two weeks. When I asked about it, my doctor laughed and said, what it means is that the doctor who measured me last time tends to measure bigger and it's not an exact measurement anyway. But, because my fundal height has been consistently big, and she could tell I was concerned, she agreed to send me for an ultrasound to verify just how big Maya really is. My scan is scheduled for Monday June 30th at 2:00pm. I gotta admit, I'm nervous! These nerves never seem to settle no matter how far along we get in this pregnancy.
Also, on palpation today, my doctor seems to think that Maya is breech. Which is fine now, she still has plenty of time to turn. And again, this was just a guess on her part and the scan on Monday will confirm just what my little girl is doing in there exactly. I kinda think she is head-down but what do I know?
All in all, a good appointment. As Dr. R was finishing up with me, she made it a point to say that Maya is doing "great". Music to my ears!
Wish us luck for Monday's scan.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
32 Weeks Today
32 weeks = 8 months! EIGHT MONTHS!!!
This is a very special milestone. A few appointments back, my doctor mentioned that if a baby is born at 32 weeks, the long-term health outcomes are the same as if the baby was born full term. They would have to be in the NICU for a few weeks but a 32-week preemie has the same rate of survival (and long-term good health) as a 40-week baby.
Do I dare breathe a teeny tiny sigh of relief?
Maya has been sleeping a bit more, I have noticed. I still feel her often, but she's a tad lazier than she was in previous weeks. I think it is a combination of her running out of room to move and the fact that she's starting to sleep more to get ready for birth. I read somewhere babies do that near the end. She still goes nutso in the afternoons and in the evenings after dinner, which I look forward to every day.
I am bigger than ever now. My belly seems to stick out a mile and I am truly starting to resemble a beached whale. I go back and forth between feeling beautifully pregnant and horrendously huge. Of course I LOVE my big pregnant belly and it really is the greatest fashion accessory; I can get away with wearing almost any ridiculous or ragged outfit I want because the belly gets all the attention anyway. But I certainly don't feel as sexy or alluring as I used to think I was.
All in all, I feel really good aside from a few very minor discomforts: Heartburn, hip pain, breathlessness, and basically just being slightly uncomfortable. But I certainly can't complain. I am loving every minute of this.
Here are the latest pics of Maya and me:
This is a very special milestone. A few appointments back, my doctor mentioned that if a baby is born at 32 weeks, the long-term health outcomes are the same as if the baby was born full term. They would have to be in the NICU for a few weeks but a 32-week preemie has the same rate of survival (and long-term good health) as a 40-week baby.
Do I dare breathe a teeny tiny sigh of relief?
Maya has been sleeping a bit more, I have noticed. I still feel her often, but she's a tad lazier than she was in previous weeks. I think it is a combination of her running out of room to move and the fact that she's starting to sleep more to get ready for birth. I read somewhere babies do that near the end. She still goes nutso in the afternoons and in the evenings after dinner, which I look forward to every day.
I am bigger than ever now. My belly seems to stick out a mile and I am truly starting to resemble a beached whale. I go back and forth between feeling beautifully pregnant and horrendously huge. Of course I LOVE my big pregnant belly and it really is the greatest fashion accessory; I can get away with wearing almost any ridiculous or ragged outfit I want because the belly gets all the attention anyway. But I certainly don't feel as sexy or alluring as I used to think I was.
All in all, I feel really good aside from a few very minor discomforts: Heartburn, hip pain, breathlessness, and basically just being slightly uncomfortable. But I certainly can't complain. I am loving every minute of this.
Here are the latest pics of Maya and me:
Friday, June 20, 2008
720 Baby Wipes
I'm sorry. I have been lax at posting this week due to being busy. My parents are in town and have kindly been driving me around to a million errands that I have been putting off. D and I don't have a car - we're true blue city folk - so when my parents show up, I'm afraid I tend to take too much advantage of their offer to taxi me around town.
Yesterday was one such trip. We went to Costco! There is a Costco right in the middle of downtown Vancouver (less than half a mile from our home) and although we have a membership, I do find it challenging to make the trip on a regular basis without a vehicle.
Well yesterday was my chance to do some damage. Armed with a fully loaded debit card and my parent's SUV, I arrived with my folks, ready to shop. We timed our arrival for 11:00am - figuring that this would be the least busy shopping time. The world was our oyster.
Costco treated us well, and I managed to get out of there spending less than $300. Notably, my favourite purchase was a big ol' industrial-sized box of baby wipes - 720 to be exact. Buying them felt amazing, exhilarating, exciting. It's the little things in life, I suppose.
This isn't a very exciting post. I apologize for that. I guess that's just where I'm at right now. I'm caught up doing the ho-hum preparations and biding my time until Maya arrives. She is all I think about. All day, every day. I am so excited to wipe her cute little bum with those 720 baby wipes.
Yesterday was one such trip. We went to Costco! There is a Costco right in the middle of downtown Vancouver (less than half a mile from our home) and although we have a membership, I do find it challenging to make the trip on a regular basis without a vehicle.
Well yesterday was my chance to do some damage. Armed with a fully loaded debit card and my parent's SUV, I arrived with my folks, ready to shop. We timed our arrival for 11:00am - figuring that this would be the least busy shopping time. The world was our oyster.
Costco treated us well, and I managed to get out of there spending less than $300. Notably, my favourite purchase was a big ol' industrial-sized box of baby wipes - 720 to be exact. Buying them felt amazing, exhilarating, exciting. It's the little things in life, I suppose.
This isn't a very exciting post. I apologize for that. I guess that's just where I'm at right now. I'm caught up doing the ho-hum preparations and biding my time until Maya arrives. She is all I think about. All day, every day. I am so excited to wipe her cute little bum with those 720 baby wipes.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Shopping!
My parents took me shopping for all kinds of baby stuff today. Thanks to their INCREDIBLE generosity, Maya's room is now outfitted with some gorgeous nursery furniture PLUS we got a fantastic new stroller. Here's what we got:
This crib and dresser/changing table (the one on the left, not the right, and without the hutch):
And PS- the crib converts into a day bed and a full-size bed for when baby girl gets older.
This crib bedding set:
This stroller (The Bugaboo Chameleon in Denim...ahhh drool):
And this diaper bag:
Unfortunately the only teeny tiny issue with the nursery furniture is that, since it is built to order, it won't be ready for 8 to 12 weeks from now. I am a little disappointed that I can't set everything up sooner, but really it's not a big deal. Maya will be in a bassinet in our room for the first few months anyway. And as far as changing her diapers go, well I can just use the changing mat that came in the diaper bag while we wait for the changing table. Plus, the store said our order might arrive earlier anyway so we'll see what happens. Either way, I am really, REALLY happy with our purchases.
My mum asked me today if all this shopping made everything feel more real. I'm not sure how to answer that. But I can say that buying everything was really exciting. I think Maya thought so too; she kicked me all day.
Today was a really fun day. THANKS AGAIN MUM AND DAD!!!
This crib and dresser/changing table (the one on the left, not the right, and without the hutch):
And PS- the crib converts into a day bed and a full-size bed for when baby girl gets older.This crib bedding set:
This stroller (The Bugaboo Chameleon in Denim...ahhh drool):
And this diaper bag:
Unfortunately the only teeny tiny issue with the nursery furniture is that, since it is built to order, it won't be ready for 8 to 12 weeks from now. I am a little disappointed that I can't set everything up sooner, but really it's not a big deal. Maya will be in a bassinet in our room for the first few months anyway. And as far as changing her diapers go, well I can just use the changing mat that came in the diaper bag while we wait for the changing table. Plus, the store said our order might arrive earlier anyway so we'll see what happens. Either way, I am really, REALLY happy with our purchases.
My mum asked me today if all this shopping made everything feel more real. I'm not sure how to answer that. But I can say that buying everything was really exciting. I think Maya thought so too; she kicked me all day.
Today was a really fun day. THANKS AGAIN MUM AND DAD!!!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
31 Weeks Today
Woohoo!! The countdown of remaining weeks is now officially in single digits.
I have indeed noticed that it's true what the books and websites say; Maya's movements have become less forceful and strong lately. While I still feel her moving around often, her movements now seem to be of the squirmier variety and less kicky and punchy. And she does tend to get the hiccups quite often too (which I love).
I am still not sleeping well but I'm just getting used to it. C'est la vie and it's a small price to pay. I honestly don't mind. Other interesting developments include:
1. I can no longer bend over without considerable effort and maneuvering.
2. None - and I mean none - of my bras fit anymore, even my maternity bras.
3. I have far less patience for bullshit.
4. I am feeling unusually and noticeably mushy for my husband, bordering on needy.
5. When I sit in certain ways (i.e. slouching), I get short of breath.
6. Lastly (and this is an embarrassing admission), I am having trouble *ahem* uh, wiping after going to the loo. In other words, my tummy has grown and my ass has grown but my arms have stayed the same length. It's quite a conundrum. I can't seem to reach past my big ol' belly and I can't seem to twist around to reach past my big ol' bum. This is one of those interesting things they never tell you about being pregnant.
I am going crib and changing table shopping with my parents tomorrow. I'm quite excited! It will be great to finally have the nursery complete and ready to go. Not that I want to tempt my little girl to come early; it will just be a relief to feel more prepared.
When I was out for a walk this morning, I saw a mum changing her newborn baby girl on a blanket on the grass at the park. I thought to myself, "I am going to have one of those soon." Amazing. I am so SO excited.
I have indeed noticed that it's true what the books and websites say; Maya's movements have become less forceful and strong lately. While I still feel her moving around often, her movements now seem to be of the squirmier variety and less kicky and punchy. And she does tend to get the hiccups quite often too (which I love).
I am still not sleeping well but I'm just getting used to it. C'est la vie and it's a small price to pay. I honestly don't mind. Other interesting developments include:
1. I can no longer bend over without considerable effort and maneuvering.
2. None - and I mean none - of my bras fit anymore, even my maternity bras.
3. I have far less patience for bullshit.
4. I am feeling unusually and noticeably mushy for my husband, bordering on needy.
5. When I sit in certain ways (i.e. slouching), I get short of breath.
6. Lastly (and this is an embarrassing admission), I am having trouble *ahem* uh, wiping after going to the loo. In other words, my tummy has grown and my ass has grown but my arms have stayed the same length. It's quite a conundrum. I can't seem to reach past my big ol' belly and I can't seem to twist around to reach past my big ol' bum. This is one of those interesting things they never tell you about being pregnant.
I am going crib and changing table shopping with my parents tomorrow. I'm quite excited! It will be great to finally have the nursery complete and ready to go. Not that I want to tempt my little girl to come early; it will just be a relief to feel more prepared.
When I was out for a walk this morning, I saw a mum changing her newborn baby girl on a blanket on the grass at the park. I thought to myself, "I am going to have one of those soon." Amazing. I am so SO excited.
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