Welcome to the Third Trimester Complaints

My back was KILLING me today. Did I sleep in the wrong position? Were the meeting room chairs to uncomfortable? Is it constipation or gas pressure? Whatever it is, I was miserable until I finally got into bed at 9 pm…

I am extremely sleepy. I went to bed at 11:30 yesterday – and woke up at 9 this morning. Yes, after waking up to pee at 5 am my sleep wasn’t deep (I kept waking up), but nevertheless: I slept for 9 hours. Still not enough for the pregnant me?..

The baby is big. Most of the time if I stroke my belly, I come across little bony bumps just under the surface – a knee, a foot, a hand… Sometimes a whole bum. Only the head remains at the very bottom, applying lovely pressure on my organs. And when the baby moves – my whole belly is moving, changing shape. It’s quite eerie sometimes.

Heartburn visits me more often.

My ankles are normally swollen by the end of the day – nothing too bad, but I am glad I bough ugg knock-offs – whatever happens to my feet and ankles,they will still fit. And they’re warm

The good thing is my glucose test came back and all is well.

The awesome thing I still enjoy being pregnant, even though now I produce lots of grunts and sighs as I sit down, stand up, climb stairs and often for no reason at all.

I still enjoy my huge belly, the shape of it, the way it is still growing. I love being pregnant.

I love the closeness to my belly. You know, like I am sitting in a meeting and there is my baby with me. Moving. And I am stroking him, trying to soothe and comfort him. In a work meeting. It’s bizarre and awesome at the same time.

So overall – yes, I am starting to feel a bit tired and grumpy, but in no way am I ready to say “alright, baby, get out”.

Gro, my baby, grow – your mama loves you. Even when you try to dislodge my laptop off my lap/belly

Scary Holiday Season

So it looks like I gained 4 pounds in 5 days of U.S. Thanksgiving while visiting the relatives.Yikes!

I do hope it’s not real gain. I had some constipation issues, so maybe I will get rid of some of it shortly?.. And there is xmas coming… and cold (which equals less walking/moving) coming… at this rate I will be HUGE by the end of this pregnancy!!!

Where’s my metamucil? I gotta make those bowels work overtime

30 Weeks (Yesterday)

I was away for a few days visiting some relatives – so didn’t post the 30-week post on time! Nevertheless.

I am 30 weeks! Feels like a milestone. Three quarters of the way there. 10 weeks to go. Time is running out!

I was slightly worried about flying at this stage – especially on those tiny propeller airplanes. I don’t think I have ever flied on such a plane. It’s noisy. On the way there baby really did not appreciate all the goings on. he moved and kicked and just generally protested. We were sitting tight next to the turbine, it was really loud. On the way back, he was fine – just his usual active self But I’d rather feel him being active – and know he’s doing fine.

Got a bit freaked out by a slight lower back pain after we landed – after all, they say it might be a labour sign. But all is well.

While traveling, I started feeling really drained and exhausted – although we didn’t do much. Stayed at our relatives’ place, ate some Turkey, talked, played with their kids… But I felt like taking a nap all the time! I guess this is what trimester numero three is all about?

And from what I am hearing, it will only go down the hill from there. It will get much worse before the baby learns to sleep through the night. Oh well.

I also had an ugly dream where I wake up and discover my legs covered in ugly varicose veins that looked like warms. You know, the kind they dig from the ground for fishing. Yuck. I was relieved to wake up and find my legs fairly normal. there are a couple of spider-veins spots, but that’s about it. For now.

Got more hand-me-down baby stuff from our relatives. Yay!

We also bought a video monitor by Safety 1st – and it was ATROCIOUS. We returned it. The sound and image were good, bu the parent device had defective batteries. The very moment I unplugged the batteries (having charged them for the prescribed 12 hours), it just switched off. I went online and discovered that EVERYONE was complaining about the batteries. What’s the point of the wireless monitor if it is not, in fact, wireless? So we’ll have to do more research and find something else.

Anyway. Before this post gets too long-winded, I’m gonna end it. 30 weeks – yay!

Weird Dream

I had a dream this night that my baby stretched his foot so much that I could actually see the contours of his little foot through my belly – the toes, the heel, the whole thing… It was FREAKY.

And then I dreamed that we somehow got him out – to have a looksie. He looked much older – he even knew how to crawl and go down the stairs! And then we panicked because we didn’t know how to put him back inside me – and we knew we needed it to, it was to early for him to be born.

I woke up.

Sure enough, baby was safely tucked inside me. doing the stretches. But I couldn’t see any toes

Prenatal Class #5 – Tour

Today was our fifth prenatal class – first we saw a video of a c-section (which was really not as good as the one I saw on baby centre… it was filmed way too far from the epicentre and staff were blocking the view all the time, couldn’t really see anything.

And then we had a tour of the facilities. I heard they’re opening a new wing, but the grand opening has been pushed back – I won’t be able to hold the baby for that long… And the old facilities are just okay. Dark, low-ceiling corridors. Tiny birthing room with flowery wallpaper. REALLY tiny. Shared bathroom – with no shower/tub.Did you know they don’t actually wash babies? Just wipe them with towels. And overall, bathing babies is unnecessary – wiping under-diaper area as pretty much sufficient.

Afterbirth rooms are a bit bigger – and they have a lovely view of Lake Ontario. Again, shared bathroom and no shower. The bassinet is a see-through plastic crate. That’s nice – I will be able to look at the baby next to me as the baby sleeps

But you know what? I bet while I will be in labour, I won’t pay much attention to wallflowers. And I bet after giving birth, I will have my eyes only for my son.

What is really good is that all the staff seemed really nice and smiley and friendly. that’s more important than rooms!

Note to self: bring some “homey” stuff like a cheerful throw and a robe. And a magic bag – to heat the aching lower back up until they administer the epidural.

Anyway, seeing the rooms made the idea of having to go through labour more real. It still feels vague with over 2 months to go, but the reality of this event is starting to hit me. I am focusing on the moment when they will place my baby boy on my chest. I winder – am I going to cry?..

Upholstering the Chair, Day Two – and More Baby Stuff

Bought a curved needle today. The upholstering is moving along much easier now! I actually felt really cool and in the know when I walked into a fabric store and inquired whether they have curved needles and was immediately lead to where they were.

The fabric is pastel green with some green-blue-orange snails and turtles. So I am thinking turtles and snails are going to be the nursery theme. I now have grandiose plans of MAKING snail and turtle toys. We’ll see about that

Anyway, I am enjoying my upholstery project – I feel satisfied and accomplished. I am taking step-by-step pictures – which I will share when I’m done, whenever that happens I will be pretty busy for the next 2 weeks – but I definitely am going to finish this!

On another bright note, hubby spoke to his colleague. The colleague inquired whether we have all the stuff we need for the baby’s arrival. he said – well, only car seat and crib among the big items. And just like that, out of nowhere, she offered to give away her car seat!

We got so much hand-me-downs – and gifts – that crib + mattress is going to be the ONLY big item we’ll purchase. Which releases funds to enjoy decorating the nursery! Yay!

Anyway. I am in a happy mood today. Even though I woke up at 5:30 today and couldn’t fall back asleep. Baby calisthenics didn’t help, either Off to bed!

29 Weeks and Upholstering the Gliding Chair and Venting About Hubby

29 weeks!

Still no stretchmarks. Still no back pains (unless I am forced to sit without back support for too long). Leg and hip pains in the morning – yes. Vein pains under the knee at the back side of my right leg – ouch!!!

Baby’s head down. I am sure soon enough he’ll be able to kick me in the ribs. So far he is kicking the top of my stomach and is doing some hard-core stretching. Sometimes huge lumps move across my belly – that’s pretty scary stuff!

I FINALLY started working on the nursery today.

I went shopping for fabrics, was FLOORED by the prices. I mean, I went to those stores where rolls of fabric are packed so tightly you can hardly see what’s there, the air is dusty, and overall the stores look shabby – so I figured the prices should be good. Ha-ha-ha! Naive me.

First of all, there were virtually no baby-themed fabrics, whether designated for upholstery/drapery or not. Second, what was available was infinitely dull. Third – when I found a fabric I kind of liked, it was $14 per yard! And according to my calculation, I needed about 6 yards (it’s a large gliding chair with lots of details, plus the leg rest). Seriously, for that much money, I can buy a whole new chair!

I got very upset and went to Wal-Mart, looking for baby/kid curtains/linens, hoping I’ll be able to use it. But there were NO baby/kid curtains or bedding. Weird, huh?

I went to a couple of other stores – same thing.

Finally, I went to Toys’r'us and got 2 packs of lovely flannel receiving blankets that were on sale (although at the time I picked them up, I had no idea – even the cashier was surprised). I know flannel isn’t exactly upholstery fabric, but it looked cute. And we got the gliding chair for free. So – whatever. It’s a project, and I wanna do it!

I got home and started right away. It’s a LOT of work. 4 hours of work yielded the seat covered. There’s still the back, the armrests, pockets under each armrest and leg rest thingy… But I like the way it looks. No idea how durable it will be, but it looks lovely. And I am so excited to have finally started!

Seriously, I will spend so many hours in this chair, it better look nice.

Btw, my hubby really pissed me off yesterday by throwing a totally uncharacteristic fit about the idea of upholstering the chair being stupid, and that he doesn’t understand how I’m gonna do it, and that we should just throw a blanket over it… he kept going on and on – and I just couldn’t understand how this even was his business and why he was so upset about it. He even told me that I cannot do it – or won’t finish it – or something insulting to that extent. Very supportive. Phhh.

He got me so upset, I couldn’t fall asleep. I got so aggravated, thoughts kept pulsing through my head – and my baby definitely felt my anguish – it was going crazy inside there. While hubby slept peacefully next to me. So I got up, collected all of my pillows, and went to the spare bedroom.

He rarely upsets me – and this time I just cannot understand what was this all about – at all! It’s not like I asked him to help me in any way. It’s not like he will have to do anything. What’s the big deal?

Sorry for fuming. He got me really angry.

Of course, he apologized this morning, but this incident still remains a mystery to me.

And as I set working on the chair today, he avoided the room. Then before going to bed, he came in, gave me a hug, gave the chair a perfunctory glance and announced it looked really good. He barely looked at it.

Ahhh. Anyway, time to go to bed… I should think of the baby and remain calm. For the baby’s sake. Whatever this tantrum was about, I am glad I am doing this little project. It makes me happy. And there is no harm in it – whatsoever.

So, whatever drove my hubby to throw a tantrum – will have to be shoved back to wherever it came from.

Sorry for the vent.

Anyway. 29 weeks!

Baby Stuff

This is the pile of presents and hand-me-downs in the baby shower aftermath. It’s all sitting in the living room since at some point we will be painting the nursery and this will be in the way there, then.

There aren’t many things that we still need to get. Crib. Carseat. A bit more sheets for the crib. I also wanna buy the walky-talky-mit-camera to keep an eye on my little one.

And that’s it, I think.

The hand-me-down clothes will have to be washed. By the way, do I have to use a special detergent? And do I have to wash baby clothes separately from ours?

I am actually itching to start redoing the nursery. But first I need to buy some fabric to redrape the gliding chair and to make curtains…

Planning the Nursery

I am almost 29 weeks and we haven’t even started on the nursery.

Yeah, we have lots of stuff – stroller, bath, diaper genie, playpen, TONS of hand-me-down clothes (looks like I won’t need to buy any until he turns two!!!) – but we still haven’t started on the nursery.

Every now and then I’ll browse the internet, looking for inspiring ideas, save some that I like and… put all this to rest. I don’t seem to know where to start. It’s even harder since I am planning to keep a double bed in the nursery for the first little while, which will make the conditions a bit crowded – and makes it hard to decide what goes where.

Today I finally decided which thread needs to be pulled to get this ball going: I need to get curtains and some fabric to re-drape the rocking chair (or are they called sliding chairs?)

The colours and patterns will dictate the choice of paint colour for the walls – and the paintings on the wall which I would love to do myself.

I intended to take a trip to the area of Toronto that has the highest concentration of fabric stores per square foot, but woke up with pretty big pain under my right knee, at the back of the leg. Ahhh, I suspect varicose veins aren’t to be avoided for me ;( Anyway, I decided to take it easy and stay put today. What saddens me is that next time I will have any free time to go shopping will be after Dec. 4th!!! Isn’t that crazy?! My life got too busy with all kinds of activities related to friends, family, and work. Which makes me feel like I am running out of time.

Well, maybe – just maybe – I will be able to go to those stores on Wednesday… we’ll see. It won’t help much for I won’t be able to do anything with the pieces of fabric until December even if I do buy them on Wednesday… sigh.

Oh, and if anyone’s interested – here’s a pretty good online nursery layout planner: http://babysdream.icovia.com

Head Over Heels

Yesterday I woke up and immediately felt something different about my belly. It felt heavier. I felt more pressure on my bladder. It felt harder at the bottom.

And then when I started seeing my baby’s heels bumping through the very top of my belly, I realized that my son went into the head down position. Just over 6 months (28 and a half weeks) and he’s in birth-ready position. I hope he’s not actually planning to try and get born yet.

I know that he might still wiggle around, but since yesterday morning he stayed upside down, his heels sticking out of the top of my belly.

He’s obviously facing the front part of my body for his hands keep massaging my belly somewhere in the navel region. And he got so strong! When he’s moving hands AND feet, it feels like someone is rubbing my belly very firmly with their fingertips. It’s a very odd feeling. Actually, on Tuesday I thought my hubby was rubbing my belly a bit too strongly to my liking – only to realize he wasn’t. It was my baby boy rubbing my belly from the inside…

My belly button is pretty much completely flat now.

And… only 80 days to go!