Edema = not fun

Last night my feet doubled in size. There were no wrinkles, no ankles, no definition at all. They looked like huge, rubber feet. And while they looked funny, it was not fun. The swelling continued to the bottom of my feet, which made walking or even standing nearly impossible.

It was a sudden transformation. I had been fine all day. In fact, I've been fine all summer which has been a pleasant surprise. Last Saturday, I hadn't been able to put on my wedding band, but by Sunday morning, it fit again. Just in case, I'm now wearing it on a chain. My feet have been puffy, but my shoes still fit so I wasn't too concerned.

So, Saturday night was a big surprise. My feet are slowly getting back to normal, or my new semi-puffy version of normal.

33 week appt

Switching from monthly appointments to ones every 2 weeks has certainly created the illusion that time is passing by more quickly. My next appointment is in another 2 weeks, and then I start going weekly. I have a feeling September is going to be a blur.

"Pregnancy brain" struck and made me late for my appointment. Tony and I had dropped off one car for service in the morning, and I had driven him to work. After the dealership called to say it was ready and I made arrangements for the shuttle to pick me up, I realized I couldn't find my purse. So I went down to the car to check, and sure enough it was sitting on the seat. I took a moment to hang a Chinese tassel up in the back seat, and then grabbed my purse and shut the door, locking my keys in the car. Now, I was locked out of the car and the apartment. Luckily, the apartment office manager (also pregnant) was very helpful and loaned me an extra key. The shuttle arrived shortly after, and I was able to drive the other car back because Tony had left his car keys with the dealership. When I got home I called roadside assistance so I could rescue my other set of keys before my appointment and also before my in-laws arrived for a holiday weekend visit. Everything worked out, but I felt like a complete dope.

Appointment went well. Heartrate was good, although I had a little scare when the doctor couldn't find it right away. Bean's hanging out upside down which means the mass I feel almost under my ribs is his butt. He's also laying on his side which explains why I feel almost all the kicks on one side. He likes to work my right side on a regular basis. Kicks have gotten stronger, but not as frequent since he doesn't have as much room to wind up. The squirming feeling is no longer subtle though and the pressure can be pretty intense. No complaints though. All in all, I'm still feeling pretty good...even if I'm kinda dopey.

bean blanket 2...the sequel

I've learned a lot since I started knitting back in April.
1. Use a pattern. I'm a beginner after all and I don't have any concept of what needles and yarn to use to achieve a specific gauge.
2. Be realistic. Again, I can't visualize or anticipate gauge yet, and I now realize that tiny needles with over 150 stitches cast on was a bad idea.
3. Yarn matters. The yarn (in Aspen Print) I chose for the first bean blanket was pretty and inexpensive, but also scratchy and difficult to work with.
4. Hobbies should be fun. If I keep the first 3 points above in mind, knitting is a lot more enjoyable.

So here's my progress on the blanket 2. I'm following the same pattern I had used for Elaine's blanket, but I like how different it looks with this yarn. I'm using TLC Essentials in Light Thyme. It's inexpensive, but still soft. I think it will be pretty durable.

My second finished knitting project

Tonight I finished my second knitting project ever--a baby blanket for my "belly buddy" Elaine. I've been working on it since June, and it's accompanied me on many a roadtrip. Elaine had the good fortune to inherit a whole room of nursery furniture from her brother, and I was certain that there would no shortage of gifts at her baby showers. Her wedding had over 250 in attendance! I really wanted to give her something special.

The yarn I used was Sirdar Snuggly Domino in Mint which I found at the knitting shop where I had taken my lessons. It's super soft and was pretty easy to work with though you have to be careful that you keep the strand together. I followed a free pattern I found on line with a few adjustments for gauge. The pattern was subtle because of the texture of the yarn.

Yes, I know the status on the bean blanket hasn't changed in a long time, but Elaine's due date is a month before mine, so her blanket was a priority...especially since she learned last week that she's already begun to dilate. I've had to hustle!

Also, the sad truth is that the current bean blanket may never be completed. I cast on way too many stitches and the gauge is really tight. BUT, I haven't given up completely. Keeping in mind the lessons of the first bean blanket and the blanket I made for Elaine, I've started a whole new bean blanket...one that is much more reasonable. I'm confident I can finish this one, and so far I'm really happy with how it's coming together. Photos will follow soon.

31 week appt

The eight month mark is just around the corner, and I can hardly believe it. Today's appointment went well. Blood pressure still fine, and I managed to gain only 1 lb. in the last 2 weeks. Heartrate was good, a little lower because the Bean was taking one of his rare naps.

The visit got interesting when my doctor began to discuss a date to schedule an induction. Apparently, it takes so long to schedule the procedure that they always set a time for it just in case. I have the option of seeing Dr. Patel on 10/22 or Dr. Sweeny on 10/23, and when asked whether I had a preference for the doctor, my immediate response was "Everyone's been great. I don't really have a preference, so why don't we just go ahead with 10/22." The truth is that at that point I'll be a week overdue, and I don't care who the doctor is as long as I'm induced as soon as possible!

Hopefully, none of this will be necessary, but I'll find out at my next appt (8/28) when I'm scheduled to be induced.

I'm such a phony

Today I visited 3 clients and one printer...my last meeting hurrah before the Bean arrives. I wanted to assure my clients that I am still willing and able to handle their projects. If anything I'm more motivated than ever given the lousy economy and the fact there will be another little mouth to feed. I've been fortunate to keep a steady flow of work despite losing a few clients to layoffs and cutbacks, and I don't want to risk losing that.

So off I went in my most mod maternity wear armed with business cards and baked goods. Every meeting went well. One client even took me out for lunch and presented me with 2 nightgowns and 5 little blankets for the Bean. Honestly, things couldn't have gone better. Everybody was very nice, sincerely supportive, and they were openly confident that it would be business as usual as far as our working arrangements are concerned.

The funny thing is that while I ran around trying to prove to everyone that I've still got IT and energy to spare, I completely wore myself out. I was one tired, pregnant CEO, and when I got home I needed a nap...but they don't need to know that.

reflux update

When the acid reflux first began back in March, I flipped to the index of my "pregnancy bible" for some information. The index led me to the chapters for the seventh month, and I realized I was in trouble. Reflux and heartburn are common pregnancy problems, but usually not until the third trimester.

I did get a mini break during the second trimester, but now that I'm in the home stretch, the reflux has really taken over. What used to be a night time nuisance, is now nearly a constant discomfort. I've given up on rationing my Tums and I only restrict my diet when it's really painful. There aren't any triggers for it, like tomatos or citrus, anymore. It's just always there. The other day I ate cereal and a banana for breakfast, PBJ for lunch, and still had reflux. What's a girl to do?

I sleep propped up on the couch a lot for a few hours at a time, and I drink a lot of fluids (maybe I can dilute the acid!). I rest when I can during the day, because it's still at its worst at night.

I spoke with Tony's grandma the other night, and she shared that she suffered with reflux throughout her 13(!) pregnancies. In fact, during one pregnancy, she had it the entire time. She said she didn't feel relief until immediately after the baby was delivered. She said she felt like a new person. Imagine that! After the pains of labor, delivery, and the joy of her new baby, what she felt more than anything was relief from the reflux.

Baptism class

No, it's not a class where you learn to baptize...it's yet another requirement of our church. Having experienced adult confirmation and my wedding at the same church, I'm used to jumping through hoops. They have a knack for making matters complicated.

Last Monday (8/4) Tony and I attended an hour long class along with about a dozen other couples, and a few fussy babies. I don't blame the babies one bit for crying. It was painfully dull. One of the parish priests used to teach the class, but recently passed the responsibility onto a well-meaning member of the church. I'm sure she's very nice, but public-speaking is not one of her strengths. She read to us in a monotone voice from a written script, pausing not for emphasis, but only to turn the page.

Mostly, she spoke about the importance of baptism, and a little about the ceremony itself. Things got a bit more interesting when she began to cover the requirements for godparents. This was the only part people asked questions about, and instead of livening up the talk, it seemed to just throw her off. If it wasn't in the script, she was lost.

I had done some research on line prior to us choosing the Bean's godparents, and what I had read was that only one godparent needs to Catholic. Technically, you only need one godparent. The other non-Catholic, can serve as a witness. Therefore, I didn't foresee any problem with Glen and Annie. She's Catholic. He's atheist. As it turns out, the witness has to be Christian, and have proof that they've been baptized and are active members of a church, and only certain Christian faiths are "acceptable."

BUT, it's not going to be a problem. Annie will participate in the ceremony with us, and Glen will have the equally important job of videotaping it for us. And while the church may not recognize Glen as a godparent, it will be official to us and the Bean. It's silly really. Glen and Annie were married in the church. He has agreed to raise his own children as Catholics, and he lives a better example than many Catholics I know....and he does so without the fear of God in him...he just does the right thing because that's who he is. He's going to be an awesome godfather.

high tech

We ordered our Christmas present to ourselves this week...a digital camcorder. We wanted to have it before the Bean arrives, so we'll be able to get some practice. All of our immediate family have got DVD players now, so it will be a nice way to bridge the geographic distance between Bean and his fans.

There will be no video of the actual birth! Still photography, above the waist only! To be honest, I don't think I'd ever watch it if we did tape it, and I definitely wouldn't share the footage with anyone. I think I'd rather just remember it the way I want to. I don't think I'll need video to refresh my memory.

Glucose results

I passed the glucose test! The nurse called to tell me that all my bloodwork came back normal...but I'm mildly anemic. To get more iron, she suggested eating more green, leafy vegetables, red meat, raisins, bran (or raisin bran), and peaches. I had no idea peaches were rich in iron!

baby time

I received this from a client about a month ago. The funny thing is he didn't know I was pregnant.

Back in January, Stork Airways was referred to me through a printer friend. It was a small start-up that needed some serious design help after being burned by another designer. I was skeptical at first and also not that excited about their business since I was still recovering from my miscarriage. I thought it was sure proof that the Big Guy has a sense of humor. I think it turned out to be therapuetic to a degree. The work that kept me busy so I couldn't sit around and be sad.

Anyhoo, I had never told the client I was expecting because by the time I was feeling confident enough to share the news, the projects were all completed. He sent me the watch as a sample for my portfolio, not realizing how appropriate it was. I hadn't known he was going to use it on a watch. The original idea was to produce a wall clock. After reviewing his recently launched web site (not my design), I saw he also used the Baby Time image for an oversize, old-fashioned alarm clock.

Maybe he'll send me some more goodies, now that he knows about my pregnancy!

Hospital tour

Keeping with my tradition of out of date posts, here's one about the hospital tour we took on July 12, 2003.

My doctor recommended I take a tour of the maternity ward at the hospital sometime during my second trimester. I wasn't sure why it was important to do it then, until afterwards. It was a whole hour on my feet, but I was a trooper. We'll see if I'm as strong when I'm actually admitted.

There were five couples on the tour including us. Our guide was a very nice woman who works as a liaison between maternity patients and their insurance companies. She must have a tough side to her to do that job, but she was as sweet and gentle as a kindergarten teacher to us. One insight she shared with us was that while your insurance company may try to tell you that your approved 48 hour stay begins the minute you set foot into the hospital, the reality is the clock doesn't start ticking until you deliver. You are guaranteed by law a 48 hour stay after delivery if you choose. You may leave earlier with your doctor's approval, but they can't just boot you out.

The tour began with an explanation of registration procedures and a necessary clarification of where to park and what entrance to use. The hospital is undergoing a major renovation, and the parking lot is a total wreck. Luckily, the parking garage and the entrance area will be completed this month. I had already begun to worry about the possibility of waiting for a shuttle bus from a remote lot while in active labor.

Next we saw the maternity floor which is also part of the renovation, but the expansion won't be ready until sometime next year, and I don't think I can wait that long. The floor is really nice as is though, and we spent most of the tour in one of the labor and delivery suites. I was the least pregnant (or so it appeared) of the ladies on tour, so I opted to stand while the others sat. One poor lady sat on a stool in front of her husband, who when he rested his foot on its base, released the hydraulic and she dropped a few inches in a split second. We all laughed, but I'm sure it won't be as funny if its repeated during her next trip to the hospital.

Reston Hospital has all private rooms for labor and delivery and you also have a 1:1 ratio of patients to RNs. 90 minutes after your delivery, you're moved to a semi-private room that you share with another new mom. Tony and I were really impressed and surprised after seeing sitcom births where you're in shared room until you're ready to really get to business.

One of the other expectant fathers was not as impressed, and for the rest of the tour he made it known that he will be paying extra to insure his wife has a completely private room during her entire stay. He also plans to bring their own food and both of their immediate families....at that point, why not plan a home birth?

All in all, it was an informative hour, and it gave us the illusion of feeling a bit better prepared for October. At least we know where to park and what door to use.