So...I don't have a photo of me currently that I can download because our computer is down, but I am HUGE! I am pretty big but happy....most of the time! Zoe is squirming around like crazy and not really kicking anymore as much as she's just readjusting, I guess. I love it though. I really like being pregnant still. I think if I weren't so old and the first 3 months didn't suck so much, I would consider being a surrogate mother.
I have 2 baby showers this week/weekend. One that my co-worker, Debbie, is throwing me and one that sister-in-law, Danalyn, is throwing me with Sheri and mom's help. I have to say that I'm a little weirded out by that though. So much attention and generosity. Sounds weird, but it's so much focus on me (and Zoe and Dirk). People have already given us sooo much stuff! I have had about 6-7 patients already make Zoe blankets, or given toys, a brand new crib!!!, and last week someone gave us tons of baby clothes, a stroller/carseat combo, and diaper genie (which I know sissy Tammie will be happy about). I've even gotten stuff via sister Tammie and her prego friends and some of mine who will also come to the shower with more stuff...grrr. Zoe is already really loved...and spoiled! All really so wonderful and I appreciate it all. To be sappy, it really makes me feel so good that there are such loving and sharing people in this world.
This week I moved Zoe's bassinett into the bedroom and moved Taylor's bed into the other corner. She didn't like that too much at first but we wanted her to get used to the change now. When she does sleep on her bed with no problem, Dirk and I have made sure we tell her "good girl"...Then 3 hours later, in the middle of the night, she's made her way onto the bed with us. Silly monkey. Actually, all this used stuff we've been getting from people, like the stroller, clothes, etc, is great because the girls have had a sniffing frenzy and I think it's good to introduce them to the new smells they'll encounter soon.
I have a doctor's appointment on Friday before one of the showers. If I haven't said it, my doc is terrific! I think this is when they may check to see how dialated I've started to get. Then I start going in every week too. I pre-register at the hospital on Thursday too. Lots of stuff going on. I am having lots of braxton hicks (or Toni Braxton's as friend Sheri calls them). Makes it all seem very tangible now.
Dad wrote me an emai and said he stayed in the waiting room when John and I were born and that when I was born there was only one magazine in the waiting room. The magazine was something like "complications in delivery", in which they showed pictures of spatulas, crow-bars, etc. Nice way to welcome your first born, huh? Funny. I like hearing stories like that from him. Dirk will be there at the delivery and one of the nurses who works with my doctor said that Dr. Robbins asks the husband help "catch" the baby. I don't know how Dirk will like that. If the list of movies he's watched in the last 6 months is any indication, he'll do just fine!!!
Well...enough for now. I have the beginnings or have actually begun to have carpal tunnel in my right hand now, so typing isn't the most comfy now. I'd rather save it all up for my job so that I can continue to work as long as I can. By the way, my boss and co-workers are awesome!!!
Only a month (or 31 days) until the due date!!! Yay for Zoe.
2008-06-17 (29 weeks)
the Third Tri-mester begins!
So...the third tri-mester has begun and I am loving being pregnant!!! LOVING it! The first 3 months were hell but it is so great now. I don't always sleep really well because of discomfort, but I feel great otherwise, and I love feeling Zoe kick and move around. I love not having a menstrual cycle! I even don't mind that my belly is getting so huge! Now...now that I've said all that, I think I'm going to HATE the heat. I'm already sweating like a whore in church and it's only begun to get warm...not even hot yet. But, ce la vie.
I had my checkup yesterday and my blood sugar was good...So, what did I have for dinner last night? KFC and chocolate cake!!!! Ha! Yummo! Now I start going in every 2 weeks. Very exciting.
I have parents of my patients come in and tell me I don't look big at all, which is swell....though my family says, "What? You're really big". One of my co-workers just had a grandbaby and I was looking at her and trying to envision her curled up (they wouldn't let me do it for real...darn) and try to fit her in my belly and she was huge. So, I imagine I'm going to get bigger here in the next couple of weeks to months. Dirk said he wished I could get a silicone implant in my belly after Zoe's born because he likes my belly so much...Sweet, but weird. I don't know if he'd really like it that much when it's done.
Only about 2 months plus days away!!! Going by so fast and, so far, great! Woo-hoo!
2008-05-13 (24 weeks)
Getting Zoe's room ready
So....the walls are painted and the curtains are up!!! I'm thrilled! I also am at a point where it's like, "now, what do I do???!!!" The outpouring of kindness has been soooo remarkable. I've had a number of friends give me little girl outfits and one of my co-workers sold me a changing table and crib for mom and dad's house. AND I had a patient's mother GIVE me a brand new crib for NO cost! What about that? It's extremely beautiful too! It's a "today's baby" crib and it's a black sleigh crib. Dirk and I built it together which was great fun, let me tell you. I didn't take pictures of him this time....Usually it's a 6 hour affair for him to put something together! ha! Mom, Danalyn, Dirk and I painted the room too, which went super fast. I went shopping with Mom and we picked out pink and sheer curtains for one window and a beautiful white, pink and mint green quilt for the other window. I'm very pleased.
Though I still worry how Kia and Taylor will take the arrival of baby Zoe, especially Taylor, Dr. Bruce, our vet, said he thought they'd be fine. I have definitely tried to incorporate Zoe's name into our talking with them and hanging out in her room.
Very excited!!! Can't wait and I LOVE that Dirk is digging all of it as much as I am. He's also been extremely sweet and supportive and LOVING of me and the changes in my body, which have been many!
2008-04-11 (20 weeks)
First journal entry...exciting news!
This is my first on-line journal entry and I thank sister Tammie and friend Mariko for info on this site.
This morning was my second ultra-sound and we found out what the sex of the baby is....She's a girl! It was sooo wonderful. Sister Tammie said she didn't understand how it could be just looking at the screen, but it was really great. First off, and I don't know if others feel this way or if I just have "doom" on the brain sometimes, I was so happy to hear the heartbeat, as I am every appointment. Then to see her moving around was really great. I feel her too! Let me tell you! We saw her feet and hands and face. She had her mouth open like she was singing...just like her mamma...
It was great having friend Sheri there and mamma-in-law and sister-in-law Dana. Would have been even more wonderful with Dad, brother, sister Kelly and Tammie there...they were definitely the first people I called/emailed.
I have to say the BEST part of it all, and made me cry in happiness, was having Dirk there and to look at him and see the awe and pride and love on his face. We created this sea-monkey and it's amazing how fast it's going.....now I definitely have to clean and get 'er ready for the big day.
As Sheri said, I've had wonderful "girls" in my life and I'm adding another one...That is sooo true!
Now I can start calling her Zoe...instead of deciding on Max or Harry or Grace or whatever....brother Shawn said he's sick of nieces and I need a boy so I need to do whatever it takes to take care of that...don't think that's happening....I'm happy she's healthy and symmetrical (silly, but true) and look forward to those teen-age years..YIKES! I certainly remember sisters at 12-18.......
