So Tim and I are now legally and lawfully wed, which means Baby Girl won't be illegitimate. We got hitched December 29, 2009, and the baby kicked through the whole wedding and dinner. Miraculously, I started feeling much, much better a few days before the wedding, so I was able to enjoy everything.
The baby kicks me night and day, and Tim has been kicked so hard a couple times that he finally believes me when I say she's got some serious quad muscles. A new exciting development: we can see her moving / kicking / shifting when my belly moves. It's fun to watch.
I've been getting really big, really fast the last week or so. The lunch lady asked me today if I was sure I wasn't having twins, and after coming back from a 2 week break, several people commented on the size of my belly.
Sleeping is a joke these days. Poor Tim usually ends up on the far end of the bed because I toss and turn and ask him for "just a couple more inches" continually through the night. He continues to be a really good sport about it all, and seems happy that I'm not a big, vomiting sloth on his couch anymore.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Monday, December 14, 2009
23 weeks, and she's going to play soccer. I can feel it. Literally.
I'm starting to feel a lot more movement. She used to have two or three kicking episodes a day (morning, evening, and at about 4:00 am), but now she seems to be doing somersaults, backflips, twirls, and 45-yard punt attempts - nonstop. Last night she was kicking so hard that I dreamed she kicked a hole through my stomach and accidentally delivered herself. In my dream I was worried sick because I knew her chances of survival were very slim so early, but also I really liked her so I didn't want to put her back inside (which seemed like a perfectly reasonable thing to do in my dream). She had black hair and big blue eyes (like Tim's) in my dream. I think feeling her for the last few days, though at times uncomfortable, has also made me really excited to meet her in the flesh.
I've also started having Braxton Hicks contractions. The intertubes tell me that these are "usually" painless, but I think they feel like moderately painful menstrual cramps. When I told this to the midwife who examined me at my last appointment, she reassured me that I wasn't actually feeling any discomfort... hmmm. They happen five to ten times a day, usually when I'm quite tired or dehydrated. I'm not worried about them... I think.
In happy news, I haven't given any food back to the good earth for three days in a row. This is a record for me, and I hope a trend that will keep on trending. Tim and I are planning to drive across the country Friday, and it would be nice if it could be free of unpleasant episodes.
I've also started having Braxton Hicks contractions. The intertubes tell me that these are "usually" painless, but I think they feel like moderately painful menstrual cramps. When I told this to the midwife who examined me at my last appointment, she reassured me that I wasn't actually feeling any discomfort... hmmm. They happen five to ten times a day, usually when I'm quite tired or dehydrated. I'm not worried about them... I think.
In happy news, I haven't given any food back to the good earth for three days in a row. This is a record for me, and I hope a trend that will keep on trending. Tim and I are planning to drive across the country Friday, and it would be nice if it could be free of unpleasant episodes.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
22 weeks... and today has been okay.
Three things:
1) I felt good today. Really good. Almost like the old days.
2) Tim is not exactly an effusive person, which isn't to say that he doesn't get excited; it's only to say that he usually shows enthusiasm with a barely perceptible smile, or by slightly raising his eyebrows. He's very quiet about experiencing joy. I did, however, catch him smiling broadly during our ultrasound, and when the doctor told us we'd be expecting a girl. The other day, he wrapped his arms around me and said, "How's my girl?" I said, "I'm okay, a little tired..." and he said, "I didn't mean you... how's my other girl?"
The other day he went to Target to fetch a birthday present for his nephew. He came home with said presents, as well as a stuffed elephant that plays a lullaby and matching blanket for "his girl." I thought it was really cute that he picked out some gifts for her, completely independently from me.
3. I've been begging Tim to let Cami and/or Erin and/or Joanne take a couple pictures of us that we could send out in announcements or frame for the reception. He has been, really, truly, exceesively, adamantly opposed to this idea. He really hates having his photo taken. Today I begged one more time, and he agreed to sit through a ten-minute shoot at... wait for it... Sears (since we had to go to the mall anyway). I think he thought it would be shorter that way... but it was pure and undiluted agony. The waiting room was full of 50-60 screaming children dressed as angels and elves and such. Furthermore, the gal who took our photos seemed to think we were 14 years old and posing for our first prom dates. We finally had to request some conservative poses. She insisted on taking a couple "maternity" shots... which I didn't know existed. We were laughing in 100% of the photos she took, mostly due to the silliness of it all. This is the least silly of the maternity poses (Tim would kill me, really, if I posted the others):
1) I felt good today. Really good. Almost like the old days.
2) Tim is not exactly an effusive person, which isn't to say that he doesn't get excited; it's only to say that he usually shows enthusiasm with a barely perceptible smile, or by slightly raising his eyebrows. He's very quiet about experiencing joy. I did, however, catch him smiling broadly during our ultrasound, and when the doctor told us we'd be expecting a girl. The other day, he wrapped his arms around me and said, "How's my girl?" I said, "I'm okay, a little tired..." and he said, "I didn't mean you... how's my other girl?"
The other day he went to Target to fetch a birthday present for his nephew. He came home with said presents, as well as a stuffed elephant that plays a lullaby and matching blanket for "his girl." I thought it was really cute that he picked out some gifts for her, completely independently from me.
3. I've been begging Tim to let Cami and/or Erin and/or Joanne take a couple pictures of us that we could send out in announcements or frame for the reception. He has been, really, truly, exceesively, adamantly opposed to this idea. He really hates having his photo taken. Today I begged one more time, and he agreed to sit through a ten-minute shoot at... wait for it... Sears (since we had to go to the mall anyway). I think he thought it would be shorter that way... but it was pure and undiluted agony. The waiting room was full of 50-60 screaming children dressed as angels and elves and such. Furthermore, the gal who took our photos seemed to think we were 14 years old and posing for our first prom dates. We finally had to request some conservative poses. She insisted on taking a couple "maternity" shots... which I didn't know existed. We were laughing in 100% of the photos she took, mostly due to the silliness of it all. This is the least silly of the maternity poses (Tim would kill me, really, if I posted the others):
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
20 weeks, and really? Only half-way done?
In some ways I thought the 20-week mark would never come. But in other ways, I feel like I've been pregnant for about 3 years. I'm ready to have the baby now, as in today.
Her movements have gone from faintly perceptible flutters to sleep-preventing uterus poundings. Tim can finally feel her kicking (or punching, or maybe biting) from the outside, which is exciting (for him). I have lost my ability to sleep through the night, and getting up from a reclined position is painful (round ligaments, I'm told). The baby (which Tim has started referring to as Little Emma Hanley) kicked me all through a faculty meeting today, and distracted me from paying proper attention. As though I don't have trouble enough. 
So we (the parental units) have been throwing around names.
Tim's favorites: Emma, Emma Leigh, Emily, Emmaline.
My favorites: Clara, Jane, Lillian, Penny.
We've no earthly idea how to resolve this conflict, so it will probably come down to an arm wrestle. In which I get to use both hands and a pulley system.
Her movements have gone from faintly perceptible flutters to sleep-preventing uterus poundings. Tim can finally feel her kicking (or punching, or maybe biting) from the outside, which is exciting (for him). I have lost my ability to sleep through the night, and getting up from a reclined position is painful (round ligaments, I'm told). The baby (which Tim has started referring to as Little Emma Hanley) kicked me all through a faculty meeting today, and distracted me from paying proper attention. As though I don't have trouble enough.
So we (the parental units) have been throwing around names.Tim's favorites: Emma, Emma Leigh, Emily, Emmaline.
My favorites: Clara, Jane, Lillian, Penny.
We've no earthly idea how to resolve this conflict, so it will probably come down to an arm wrestle. In which I get to use both hands and a pulley system.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
18 weeks and the verdict is in:
This week we finally got to find out a bit more about the wee one that keeps me awake at night. We went in for our 18-week ultrasound and got to see the baby hanging out. It was lying at the bottom of my uterus sucking its thumb with its feet raised and crossed. The technician needed to get several shots of various organs from various angles, but the baby wouldn't budge - even after I rolled from side to side and did downward facing dog. The technician said she thought the baby was "probably not a boy" but couldn't get a good view of much. We had to go back two days later (to get better views of the spine and heart).This time (Thursday, November 12) we had a much more aggressive sonogram technician who jabbed my uterus (yeah... didn't feel that good) until the baby was in the needed positions. She showed us three lines that formed the labia and vaginal opening, so it's 90% official: the baby will now be refered to in the feminine tense. :)
The ultrasound was actually really stressful for me. I started crying when the technician was measuring various body parts to see if they were okay and was really worried that there would be problems. But everything was in normal ranges, and I teared up a couple times watching the cute little baby sitting there sucking its thumb. During the second ultrasound, we watched the baby tapping her foot against the placenta wall - it also was cute, as though she was just biding her time in the womb.
Tim didn't care if the baby was a boy or a girl, but was very happy when we saw the baby. I was secretly (well.. not that secretly) wanting a girl, but I would have been happy either way. Knowing the gender of the baby has made me more excited, and seeing her in the womb again was really neat.
Tim and I went out to dinner the other night, and we were talking about a time when we went to a museum with Erin. He had been really sad that day, and we talked about it a bit. He then said, "But... I'm much happier now." I asked him if he was happier than he was at the museum or if he was happier than he was during that time in general. He said, "Well... I'm happier than I've ever been in my life." We're both so excited for this baby girl!
17.5 weeks - Baby likes music!
November 6th, 2009
Tim and I went out for the first time in what seems like ages. First we went to the macaroni grill to celebrate Bryn's birthday. I thought it was so funny that the Macaroni Grill is her favorite restaurant - it's so adult.
After cake at Cami and Peter's, we went to a Patti Griffin / John Prine concert. Patty was good, but John Prine was awesome. He played some very raucous songs, and the baby moved all over the place. Since then, I've been playing the guitar while it rests on my belly, and without fail, the baby starts kicking and wiggling. Apparently it likes music! Today a Modest Mouse song came on the radio, and it seemed to enjoy (or hate... hard to say) that as well.
Tim and I went out for the first time in what seems like ages. First we went to the macaroni grill to celebrate Bryn's birthday. I thought it was so funny that the Macaroni Grill is her favorite restaurant - it's so adult.
After cake at Cami and Peter's, we went to a Patti Griffin / John Prine concert. Patty was good, but John Prine was awesome. He played some very raucous songs, and the baby moved all over the place. Since then, I've been playing the guitar while it rests on my belly, and without fail, the baby starts kicking and wiggling. Apparently it likes music! Today a Modest Mouse song came on the radio, and it seemed to enjoy (or hate... hard to say) that as well.
15.5 week scare
October 22, 2009
Dear sisters and mom,
Yesterday I was doing some experiments and had to go into the dark room for about a half hour to expose and develop some film. I sat down on a stool because I was feeling sick and really tired, and did a set of leg exercises because I got bored. When I stood up, I felt that my crotch area was soaking wet and there was a fair amount of liquid running down my legs. I of course thought I realized what was happening and prepared myself to deliver an orange-sized fetus. In the dark, because a week's worth of experiments were on the line, and turning on the light would have exposed all the film, yada yada... I'm embarassed how pragmatic I was in the situation. Well, I finally had a two minute break, and went outside into the light only to realize that my water had not, indeed, broken (is that even possible at this stage?), but that I had sat in a huge puddle of leaking film developer. Tim is pretty sure I and the baby will not be harmed by this mishap, though it might come out with 40 kilodalton bands on it's forehead.
In other news, I felt the baby squiggling and wiggling about last night for about a half hour. I liked that. At first, and then I needed to go to sleep, but the wiggling continued. I told Tim about it on the way to work, and he said, "That kid is going to be trouble." Cheers, hugs and such, and happy Thursday (the weekend is almost here!!!).
Laura
Response From Karen:
One time, when I was pregnant with Max, I fell backwards down a short flight of stairs at Albertson's. I fell so hard hard on my bum I thought for sure I had broken my water. Nope. I just wet my pants. Pregnancy is awesome like that.
Response from Cami:
Aren't you glad you didn't ruin your films by rushing out to panic! You deserve a lab Medal of Excellence, or at least your old desk back. That's amazing that you felt wiggling. You've always been very sensitive to your abdominal area (I mean really, who else can tell which side they're ovulating on!), so I'm not terribly surprised. I read all the books and they said that the first movements felt like bubbles popping or butterfly wings. Did you find that true? 'Cause mine felt more like war drums. In any case, we should have a little celebration. Karen- I can't believe you fell- you're always so graceful and steady. Did you go to the doctor to have them check to make sure it wasn't your water breaking? It does sound a little dangerous.
From Mom:
They are never dull days when you three email! Laura, you had me scared to death. I'm happy you were just sitting in film developer and nothing more serious. I am also impressed that little Baby is wiggling enough to be felt. That little miracle! I remember when Karen fell (many times, but particularly this time with Max). It was quite traumatic for a bit. Cami, drums?! I hope everyone has a calm day. And don't sit if you don't know what you're sitting in! And don't fall.Hugs and happiness to all, Mom
From me:
Karen: I like that story a lot. I've started wearing pads in case I fall down, sneeze, hiccup, or blink too hard.
Cami: Last night bubbles and butterfly wings, today war drums.
Mom: I learned my lesson, but I'm pretty sure I've learned that lesson before. One of these days it will stick!
Dear sisters and mom,
Yesterday I was doing some experiments and had to go into the dark room for about a half hour to expose and develop some film. I sat down on a stool because I was feeling sick and really tired, and did a set of leg exercises because I got bored. When I stood up, I felt that my crotch area was soaking wet and there was a fair amount of liquid running down my legs. I of course thought I realized what was happening and prepared myself to deliver an orange-sized fetus. In the dark, because a week's worth of experiments were on the line, and turning on the light would have exposed all the film, yada yada... I'm embarassed how pragmatic I was in the situation. Well, I finally had a two minute break, and went outside into the light only to realize that my water had not, indeed, broken (is that even possible at this stage?), but that I had sat in a huge puddle of leaking film developer. Tim is pretty sure I and the baby will not be harmed by this mishap, though it might come out with 40 kilodalton bands on it's forehead.
In other news, I felt the baby squiggling and wiggling about last night for about a half hour. I liked that. At first, and then I needed to go to sleep, but the wiggling continued. I told Tim about it on the way to work, and he said, "That kid is going to be trouble." Cheers, hugs and such, and happy Thursday (the weekend is almost here!!!).
Laura
Response From Karen:
One time, when I was pregnant with Max, I fell backwards down a short flight of stairs at Albertson's. I fell so hard hard on my bum I thought for sure I had broken my water. Nope. I just wet my pants. Pregnancy is awesome like that.
Response from Cami:
Aren't you glad you didn't ruin your films by rushing out to panic! You deserve a lab Medal of Excellence, or at least your old desk back. That's amazing that you felt wiggling. You've always been very sensitive to your abdominal area (I mean really, who else can tell which side they're ovulating on!), so I'm not terribly surprised. I read all the books and they said that the first movements felt like bubbles popping or butterfly wings. Did you find that true? 'Cause mine felt more like war drums. In any case, we should have a little celebration. Karen- I can't believe you fell- you're always so graceful and steady. Did you go to the doctor to have them check to make sure it wasn't your water breaking? It does sound a little dangerous.
From Mom:
They are never dull days when you three email! Laura, you had me scared to death. I'm happy you were just sitting in film developer and nothing more serious. I am also impressed that little Baby is wiggling enough to be felt. That little miracle! I remember when Karen fell (many times, but particularly this time with Max). It was quite traumatic for a bit. Cami, drums?! I hope everyone has a calm day. And don't sit if you don't know what you're sitting in! And don't fall.Hugs and happiness to all, Mom
From me:
Karen: I like that story a lot. I've started wearing pads in case I fall down, sneeze, hiccup, or blink too hard.
Cami: Last night bubbles and butterfly wings, today war drums.
Mom: I learned my lesson, but I'm pretty sure I've learned that lesson before. One of these days it will stick!
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