Things are a bit off at the Heerssen household lately. Joshua has been gone a lot, first with chaperoning kids for a week at a theatre convention out of state, and now he's started grad school and stays with our very good friend David downtown 3 nights a week. He's at school 12 hours a day, 4 days a week and it just makes sense so he doesn't have to drive so far every day. I am so proud of him and happy for him that he loves what he does so much... but at the same time I miss him badly.
It's kind of hard on me because there are things that I can't do around the house that NEED to be done... cleaning, yard work... but because I'm pregnant, I simply can't. I've tried and I just get too out of sorts too quick, dizzy, crampy... all those things you're not supposed to be feeling. I don't feel safe, but I feel like a huge slacker because I'm not doing these things. We're having our annual July 4th party this Saturday and I feel anxious just thinking about it because there is so much to do, most of it I'll be doing without help.
Anyway, that kind of explains the lack of updating and belly pics and all that. I wish I were better at taking pictures of myself so I could continue to document my growing belly like I have been. I've missed 2 weeks now and that's kind of depressing.
Outside of the real world and in womb land, Baby Girl is doing great. She's flipping around and bopping me all the time. I don't really feel her from the outside yet... I touch my belly and she knows it and stops grooving. When she's really active at work and it's distracting me I'll rub my stomach and she's quiet for several minutes... then she'll start up again. I've started talking to her, asking her what's up and why she's moving so much. My coworkers are used to it.
I've also started singing to her when we're alone, just singing whatever is on the radio or on my iPhone. She can hear my voice now, which is cool. I'll put my phone on my lap sometimes while I'm driving or on my belly when I'm laying down and turn on Explosions in the Sky, an instrumental rock band that I love. Mozart it isn't... but I'm not a Mozart person. I downloaded a bunch of string quartet covers of classic and modern rock songs to play too. Happy medium I think. I don't put much stock in the whole "play music to your baby in the womb" thing really... but it makes her wiggle, so I like to do it.
Her Nonni, my mom, has started calling her "Whooz-it" seeing as no one will know her name until she's born. We may or may not already have it picked out. We'll never tell!!
Other news, I've started to knit. I have one practice headband 95% done... surprisingly easier than I expected. I'm looking forward to cranking out more and putting them on her little head.
She'll be here before I know it...
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The baby hoarding has begun...
Now that we know we're having a girl, I've been shopping... and I'm not buying anything else.
So far, from gifts and from the 4 things I bought this weekend, we have... a dresser for free, a pack n' play and a bunch of toys for free from Joshua's teaching partner Maggie, lots of outlet covers and more toys from my sister-in-law Karen, 3 footed newborn-sized pajamas and a robe from Joshua's mom, several 0-3 sized outfits, 2 size 6 outfits, 4 footless gowns, one pack of 9 month onesies, and one Darth Vader toddler t-shirt (thanks Julia!) From what I hear about how fast she'll grow out of them, hoping for no more newborn-sized stuff... but we'll see.
I'll be trying very hard to keep her in neutral colors, like blue, red and green, that are still distinctly "girl." I've never been a pink person so I don't want too much that looks like a floral shop threw up all over her. But I know that's going to be hard to combat, given the choices out there and given the fact that people think girl and think pink. Gag me.
As far as my registries are concerned, I really think I've added everything I can that is absolutely essential. Mom is helping me decide what crib bedding I like. The nursery plan is neutral colors, green, brown and blue, with really fun artwork and accents all over the room.
Cloth diapers are going to be a whole different animal. I'll probably just get those on my own.
I'll be ramping up my knitting in the coming months, totally to stereotype, and learning how to make little hats. Because seriously, who doesn't love a baby girl in a cute little headband or hat. I'd rather her be super girly with the little hats. People who wear hats have character.
So far, from gifts and from the 4 things I bought this weekend, we have... a dresser for free, a pack n' play and a bunch of toys for free from Joshua's teaching partner Maggie, lots of outlet covers and more toys from my sister-in-law Karen, 3 footed newborn-sized pajamas and a robe from Joshua's mom, several 0-3 sized outfits, 2 size 6 outfits, 4 footless gowns, one pack of 9 month onesies, and one Darth Vader toddler t-shirt (thanks Julia!) From what I hear about how fast she'll grow out of them, hoping for no more newborn-sized stuff... but we'll see.
 |
| Reeses, inspecting the pack n' play. All of the cats were pretty concerned about this particular piece of furniture. |
 |
| Boba Fett and the toys. |
I'll be trying very hard to keep her in neutral colors, like blue, red and green, that are still distinctly "girl." I've never been a pink person so I don't want too much that looks like a floral shop threw up all over her. But I know that's going to be hard to combat, given the choices out there and given the fact that people think girl and think pink. Gag me.
As far as my registries are concerned, I really think I've added everything I can that is absolutely essential. Mom is helping me decide what crib bedding I like. The nursery plan is neutral colors, green, brown and blue, with really fun artwork and accents all over the room.
Cloth diapers are going to be a whole different animal. I'll probably just get those on my own.
I'll be ramping up my knitting in the coming months, totally to stereotype, and learning how to make little hats. Because seriously, who doesn't love a baby girl in a cute little headband or hat. I'd rather her be super girly with the little hats. People who wear hats have character.
Friday, June 11, 2010
It's a squirrel!
TP measurement for today is 11.75 squares... but that's not at all the biggest news of the day.
We're having a sweet baby squirrel... I mean girl and I couldn't be more thrilled!!
I'd gotten to the point of quitting trying to decide what I felt like "it was" and just let it be. Not like I could change anything, nor could anyone else who may have wanted things one way or another. So, with that attitude, despite all my trepidation and whining about surprises, we were off to the land of 30 minute ultrasounds.
The found the placenta and Head measurement first, looked great. The technician said there was a good-looking brain in there, like her mom. Then onto arms, hands, spine, stomach, kidneys, legs, feet, heart, arteries and those "3 lines" they always look for when they don't see a twig and berries. Her legs were crossed during the ultrasound, which if I remember correctly from my mom, my legs were also crossed at my ultrasound. We're ladies.
At one point the tech had her foot in full view. The tech was pushing and prodding around still, and baby girl did NOT like that at all and kicked away from the wand. I can't wait until Joshua and I can really feel her kick and punch. We got to see her face too. She was just chillin' and grinning.
Two of our friends also found out the sexes of their little ones today... a girl and a boy. Out little jellybean will surely have her pick of all the boys in our group of friends.
I have to say, calling her "she" instead of "the baby" or "symbiote" or "it" feels a lot better. We got a video and pictures, albeit only a few pictures. Once I get them online I'll add them to the blog.
We're having a sweet baby squirrel... I mean girl and I couldn't be more thrilled!!
I'd gotten to the point of quitting trying to decide what I felt like "it was" and just let it be. Not like I could change anything, nor could anyone else who may have wanted things one way or another. So, with that attitude, despite all my trepidation and whining about surprises, we were off to the land of 30 minute ultrasounds.
The found the placenta and Head measurement first, looked great. The technician said there was a good-looking brain in there, like her mom. Then onto arms, hands, spine, stomach, kidneys, legs, feet, heart, arteries and those "3 lines" they always look for when they don't see a twig and berries. Her legs were crossed during the ultrasound, which if I remember correctly from my mom, my legs were also crossed at my ultrasound. We're ladies.
At one point the tech had her foot in full view. The tech was pushing and prodding around still, and baby girl did NOT like that at all and kicked away from the wand. I can't wait until Joshua and I can really feel her kick and punch. We got to see her face too. She was just chillin' and grinning.
Two of our friends also found out the sexes of their little ones today... a girl and a boy. Out little jellybean will surely have her pick of all the boys in our group of friends.
I have to say, calling her "she" instead of "the baby" or "symbiote" or "it" feels a lot better. We got a video and pictures, albeit only a few pictures. Once I get them online I'll add them to the blog.
Did I mention I hate surprises?
Even if they're good surprises. I can't stand it when there's a plan laid out and a wrench gets thrown in.
Like when your doctor schedules you for an anatomy scan for one day but makes it sound like it's on another day.
Like when I found out some news yesterday, when my office called to confirm my anatomy scan appointment for 9 am on Friday. As in today Friday. Not Monday at 3:30 pm like I originally thought. THAT is just a monthly exam with the doc. Huh what?
Cue anxious and excited feelings coming at me like a train from completely out of nowhere. Instead of having the weekend to psych myself up for Monday, I had to get ready for today.
Work yesterday was almost pointless for an hour or so... extremely hard to concentrate. I tossed and turned all night last night... so did Joshua. He whispered to my stomach last night "You can tell me if you're a boy or girl, I won't tell mommy..." Then this morning when he woke up I got "I'm so excited, I'm so excited!" whispered over and over again in my ear. We both asked baby not to be shy.
It's finally getting really real for him. I'm just excited to stop calling symbiote "it".
Just over an hour to go before we get going... I should probably go take a shower.
Like when your doctor schedules you for an anatomy scan for one day but makes it sound like it's on another day.
Like when I found out some news yesterday, when my office called to confirm my anatomy scan appointment for 9 am on Friday. As in today Friday. Not Monday at 3:30 pm like I originally thought. THAT is just a monthly exam with the doc. Huh what?
Cue anxious and excited feelings coming at me like a train from completely out of nowhere. Instead of having the weekend to psych myself up for Monday, I had to get ready for today.
Work yesterday was almost pointless for an hour or so... extremely hard to concentrate. I tossed and turned all night last night... so did Joshua. He whispered to my stomach last night "You can tell me if you're a boy or girl, I won't tell mommy..." Then this morning when he woke up I got "I'm so excited, I'm so excited!" whispered over and over again in my ear. We both asked baby not to be shy.
It's finally getting really real for him. I'm just excited to stop calling symbiote "it".
Just over an hour to go before we get going... I should probably go take a shower.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Week 18, or The Santa Effect
This is pretty torturous, looking at the growth of my belly over spans of time. This is a fat kid's worst nightmare.
But I'm glad I still haven't fluctuated on my weight, up or down. Hold steady!
But I'm glad I still haven't fluctuated on my weight, up or down. Hold steady!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Lots of new milestones...
I'm horrible at blogging.
So, starting this past Tuesday, a day before I hit 17 weeks, some new stuff happened...
1. I can feel the little symbiote in there swimming laps and doing somersaults... and whatever else fetuses do in their spare time. It's always right before bed and it's pretty indescribable. My friend Brittnee let me borrow her home doppler, which has been interesting the two times I've listened. It's like drive-by heartbeats... pretty cool. I'm trying not to use it too much, I don't want to get too used to it. Plus, surprises of this sort are more fun.
2. The hair on my stomach is turning black. I don't want to talk about that.
3. Maternity clothing is more and more a part of my daily life. It depends on the day, but the rubber band with the jeans isn't cutting it like it used to. I have my closet sectioned off now based on tops that are too tight on my belly. I am more and more grateful every day that I get to wear whatever I want to work, within reason of course. And my yoga pants totally pass for dress pants.
4. We got a free dresser for the baby's room off Freecycle. It's a 6-drawer Ikea piece that will double perfectly as a changing table. Just need to sand it down and paint it before we move it upstairs.
Speaking of paint, we painted the living room and rearranged the furniture. Much more open... and baby-friendly, funny enough. We can see everything on the floor from the kitchen now, and the dead corner that used to plague my every waking moment is no more.
Also, my TP measurement for the past 2 weeks has been 11 squares. No change... although I can definitely tell a change in shape. We'll keep growing and see what happens!
Two weeks from today we find out if symbiote is a boy or girl. I'm excited to find out!
So, starting this past Tuesday, a day before I hit 17 weeks, some new stuff happened...
1. I can feel the little symbiote in there swimming laps and doing somersaults... and whatever else fetuses do in their spare time. It's always right before bed and it's pretty indescribable. My friend Brittnee let me borrow her home doppler, which has been interesting the two times I've listened. It's like drive-by heartbeats... pretty cool. I'm trying not to use it too much, I don't want to get too used to it. Plus, surprises of this sort are more fun.
2. The hair on my stomach is turning black. I don't want to talk about that.
3. Maternity clothing is more and more a part of my daily life. It depends on the day, but the rubber band with the jeans isn't cutting it like it used to. I have my closet sectioned off now based on tops that are too tight on my belly. I am more and more grateful every day that I get to wear whatever I want to work, within reason of course. And my yoga pants totally pass for dress pants.
4. We got a free dresser for the baby's room off Freecycle. It's a 6-drawer Ikea piece that will double perfectly as a changing table. Just need to sand it down and paint it before we move it upstairs.
Speaking of paint, we painted the living room and rearranged the furniture. Much more open... and baby-friendly, funny enough. We can see everything on the floor from the kitchen now, and the dead corner that used to plague my every waking moment is no more.
Also, my TP measurement for the past 2 weeks has been 11 squares. No change... although I can definitely tell a change in shape. We'll keep growing and see what happens!
Two weeks from today we find out if symbiote is a boy or girl. I'm excited to find out!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Check up, check in
I was a little disappointed that there was no ultrasound with my most recent appointment on May 13. I was hoping to see more baby acrobatics! That's ok though, everything was great, 150 bmp heartbeat and baby was very low.
In the days since the appointment I've started feeling for baby. We've borrowed a stethoscope and have had a little luck hearing baby's heartbeat and movements. I'm starting to tell the difference between what's just digestion and what's baby jiggles. It's a different kind of bubbly feeling.
As I'm typing this, baby's doing something..... I really can't wait to be used as a punching and kicking bag in a few weeks!!
Speaking of a few weeks, June 14 we find out if we're having a Male Symbiotic Jellybean or a Female Symbiotic Jellybean. Exciting!
A lot of women I talk with wanted their docs to do ultrasounds early to try and figure out the sex. At week 12 or 13 some trained technicians can tell, apparently. But it's funny... For the first time in my life I'm ok with waiting for something. I was the kid who knew where the Christmas presents were and peeked at them all (sorry Mom!) but this is one little present that I don't mind waiting for.
In the days since the appointment I've started feeling for baby. We've borrowed a stethoscope and have had a little luck hearing baby's heartbeat and movements. I'm starting to tell the difference between what's just digestion and what's baby jiggles. It's a different kind of bubbly feeling.
As I'm typing this, baby's doing something..... I really can't wait to be used as a punching and kicking bag in a few weeks!!
Speaking of a few weeks, June 14 we find out if we're having a Male Symbiotic Jellybean or a Female Symbiotic Jellybean. Exciting!
A lot of women I talk with wanted their docs to do ultrasounds early to try and figure out the sex. At week 12 or 13 some trained technicians can tell, apparently. But it's funny... For the first time in my life I'm ok with waiting for something. I was the kid who knew where the Christmas presents were and peeked at them all (sorry Mom!) but this is one little present that I don't mind waiting for.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)