My Lil’ Parasite Baby Blog

Just a little update… May 28, 2008

We had a nice little co-ed baby shower on Sunday and got some really cute clothes, a Swing-n-Bounce baby seat, a Boppy, several baby blankets, a monitor, and some various baby cleaning supplies, which I am sure will come in handy! It was nice to see Brian’s family again and we all had a great time. Later that evening, I felt the Captain for the first time while I was lying on a recliner in Brian’s parents’ living room. I’m not talking about his movements; I actually felt one of his body parts sticking out of my abdomen, most likely his rump! It was delightful, but I was very surprised that I would feel that so early, since I’m only 24 weeks. His kicks are getting a lot stronger and more frequent. I can also tell when he turns over, which, to me, feels like there is a thick rope in my belly and someone is twisting it. It’s a burning sensation, not too painful, but very foreign to this first-time mama. When I told Mom about all the baby’s activities, she said “I guess he’s not going to be a sleeper like you were!” Dang it. She’s probably right! I’m going to have to drink a lot of caffeine to keep up with this little monkey…

23 Weeks May 23, 2008

I just had my week 23 appointment with the OB and our little guy’s heart rate is an excellent 141 beats per minute. My blood pressure is nice and normal at 108/70. The wee bairn is writhing around in my belly quite a bit now, which feels similar to riding a roller coaster, or going over a hill in a fast car. My fundal height is currently at 23 cm, which is right on target. Peanut’s first baby shower is this Memorial Day weekend, and we’re really looking forward to seeing everyone again. One of Brian’s co-workers was nice enough to give us some baby clothes, and we’ve already accumulated some toys and baby books. I can see we’re going to need a bigger house before too long! Speaking of Brian’s co-workers, a woman who just started working there this week is due the day after me. Crazy, huh? I guess Christmas was a romantic time for a lot of other folks, too…

Sorry this is kind of boring, but there’s just not a whole lot to report right now. There are no new pictures or anything, so the anticipation of seeing our boy is driving me crazy! I’m trying to get used to all the extra weight I’ve gained (22 lbs. - yowza!) and the other weird stuff that happens to you when you “fall” pregnant, as the Brits say. All in all, it’s been very easy so far, but I know I’ve got a long way to go still.

In three weeks I’ll have a blood glucose check, which I’m anticipating will be normal since everything else has been up to this point. Until then, the Captain and I bid you adieu.

19 Weeks, Almost Half-way There! May 1, 2008

Well, I’m posting this up a week and a half late, so I’m actually over the 20 week hump now. On Monday, April 28, 2008 I felt Captain PeanutbutterBananapants (this kid is going to be weighed down with a lot of nicknames) kicking for the first time. I’d been having the fluttery, bubbly sensations other women describe, but I could never be quite sure whether he was moving or I just had gas. Well, I shall wonder no longer! I can tell the Capt. has a lot of energy and will be running circles around my uterus in no time. All the pictures below came from our Level 2 Ultrasound appointment. They made me go in for a thorough work-up that lasted over an hour. This was to make sure no birth defects resulted from my taking RetinA for a few days when Capt. PB was still a piece of flotsam in my uterine canal. I didn’t think there would be any issues, but those doctors get off on scaring the bejeezus out of us pregos. Anyway, everything looked fine, and if you couldn’t tell from perusing the pix, we found out that we’re having a boy. Brian and I are both really excited! As for my health, I’m feeling pretty good and have a lot more energy than I did a month ago. My belly is growing and I’ve gained about 17 pounds since I found out I was pregnant. Yeah, that’s a lot, but what are you gonna do? I’m trying to hold steady, but it’s hard since I’m hungry all the time. I’m embracing the weight gain and love showing it off in all my new maternity clothes. Well, that’s all for now. Our next appointment is the first week of May when we will go in for a fetal EKG, just to be absolutely sure that everything is developing nicely. I’m starting to get sick of all these appointments, but it’s nice to hear that our baby is looking good!