desperately seeking sleep!

I'm at six weeks of increasingly uncomfortable sleep. It's mostly due to worsening hip joint pain when lying in bed, and also because I need more belly support now. I shouldn't complain because I've had a good pregnancy so far and all that matters is that Sweet Pea (or Cupcake, as some friends call her!) is healthy... but last night I had a little meltdown. Nighttime has become quite a dramatic routine, and I've just about given up on my strategic combination of pillows and rolled up towels. I wake up multiple times, sometimes every hour, not just to pee but to try and find a comfortable position. I'm supposed to sleep on my left side, but it's been impossible to not flip sides back and forth. Considering that I wake up at 5:30 for a long commute to work, it's getting to be pretty draining.

I know this will all sound silly when I'm up for 3am feeds and diaper changes, but please... one step at a time!

My manager recommended the Snoogle body pillow after hearing that a friend, who is expecting twins, can't sleep without hers. I've found lots of great reviews online, and discovered that it's actually sold at Toys R Us. Why haven't I bought this sooner?? It's a bit pricey at $59.99, but with two more months to go (and hopefully a baby #2 in the future) the thing could cost $200 and I'd be in. Apparently the Snoogle will provide both back or belly support, help keep the hips aligned, and make it easy to roll over when needed.

I called Ian at work in desperation, begging him to pleeeeasssse go pick one up that I put on hold near where he works. I'll report back in a few days about how it's working... or, if my posts get increasingly illogical/grumpy, you'll know why!

Snoogle Body Pillow

Toys R Us link to buy online

baby knit patterns

I've been scouring the web for cute, unique and *free* baby knit patterns because I want to make some clothes for the little one, and don't really want a whole book. Today I found these two totally adorable and simple patterns ... they are so cute I can hardly wait to get started! If it wasn't -400,000 degrees and snowing outside I would have headed straight over to my fave yarn store.

Blossom dress (I'll get to embroider on this one too)

Kimono sweater

Tonight I came home and found a Cabbage Patch Doll strapped snugly into our car seat. Daddy-to-be is practicing!

the mommy network

One of the things I'm learning is how great friends who are moms can be. My own little "mommy network" has been so generous and forthcoming already with tips, advice, clothing, gear, and books (I was asking around for recommendations.) I'm pretty emotional lately so when I think about it I get all mushy. I feel kind of guilty reaping the rewards of their experiences when I have none of my own to share yet. I hope to return the favour for other friends!

When I went for lunch today a group of girlfriends were at a nearby table, taking turns holding a very happy baby girl who looked to be about 5 or 6 months old. She was looking adorable with her blond hair and big smile, sporting a little pink shirt and embroidered corduroys -- and I was the crazy pregnant lady across the room who could not stop staring! Thinking about how that will be me with our friends soon, I could have cried right there. Did I mention I'm emotional lately? Don't even get me started on how sucky I am with Ian these days.

bellies and bubble baths

First of all, I have to say that pre-natal massage is just about the best thing ever, especially in the winter on a cold day. My therapist set up the table with a heating pad (non-electric), soft blankets and relaxing music... and the preggo pillow. It's two special pads attached by velcro straps, and after getting onto the table in a most un-graceful way, your belly drops in the space between so that there's no pressure. Massage is fantastic for all the aches and pains of pregnancy, and for me that includes my hips which are still painfully sore at night. They felt bruised as she massaged them!

Anyway, after I got home I wanted to ease my muscles even more by soaking in a bath. I haven't taken a bath in a couple of months, so here's a recap of bathing at 31 weeks pregnant...

1. Poured warm (not too warm!) water. Usually I like it almost hot tub hot, so this was not my usual pre-preganancy temperature.
2. Carefully eased self into tub. Not as hard as I thought. So far so good.
3. Listened to gush of water get sucked into the overflow drain thingy, because I'm huge. Pretty funny, gives a new meaning to 'displacement'.
4. Realized that my belly didn't fit below the water level, even though we have a large soaker tub. Shimmied down some more into the tub, belly still not fitting underwater.
5. Laughed realizing that 'the girls' also do not fit under the water and were like two large buoys.
6. It was pretty cold in the bathroom, thus belly and boobs were cold. Tried splashing warm water over them, wondering if baby likes the water washing over her.
7. Struggled upright to use soap on bath puff. Decided against further soaking, due to #4 and #5.
8. Pondered how to get out on my own. Carefully got up and noticed how little water was actually in the tub. Heh.

May be my last bath until AFTER baby arrives... and then I'll dream for the time to have a bath!

31 weeks

This weekend we finished our pre-natal classes at the hospital, and feel much more prepared for what's to come than we did before. The morning this weekend focused on C-sections and the possible situations that could require intervention during the birth. That part was a bit scary but it's good that we know about even the rare situations. Until now I haven't been concerned about labour, and now that the time is closer I can' t help but rethink the whole 'pushing the baby out of me' part... but it's too late now! This weekend we also did practice feeding, swaddling, bathing and diapering, and 90% of us had Cabbage Patch Kids as our models. Lots of great information to absorb, also making it a very tiring day!

We also worked on getting the baby's room more ready, and I sorted through all the clothes (from other people) and books (some from my childhood) we have so far. I held up some of the newborn onesies -- they are so small, I can't believe she will fit inside them... and that we have to get them on her!!

This morning I got my first hard knee or elbow jab up near my rib cage. It was so strange, and although I had the duvet over me I'm sure my belly stuck way out -- we could feel how hard it was in that spot!

I'll post some belly pics soon (our last pictures are from Xmas), and some room pictures when we have it ready.

body movin'

One of the things I love the most about being pregnant is feeling her little (but strengthening!) body moving about in 'hotel belly'. It's so reassuring, and makes me feel so connected to her. Although I am getting more tired and everything seems awkward, this is one thing I will miss once she is born. It's amazing what they respond to -- certain foods, songs, voices, and Ian loves how she'll get going under wherever he puts his hand on my belly (unfortunately she doesn't move on demand for anyone else!) The movements are changing now too, sometimes it's like a roller coaster sensation and it's so visible!

Last week I had my first scare though, she did very bizarre move like a fast-paced pulsing/twitching. Although I still felt her moving for the rest of the day, it was a bit quieter than her usual gymnastics (or at least it seemed that way in my anxiety). As soon as I said I had a "very weird feeling" to my obstetrician, he said "Did it feel like a seizure?" For obvious reasons I had been avoiding this word, but that's exactly what it felt like. He said that he hears it quite often, and it's nothing to be concerned about. Apparently it is something called the Moro or Morrow Reflex, and relates to our evolution from apes. Because the baby's neurological system is not yet fully developed, this kind of involuntary action can occur like a startle reflex. While pregnant, mom doesn't need to actually 'startle' the baby to have it happen, although newborns sometimes do it while sleeping if startled (like if you knock lightly against the crib). I was SO relieved to hear this, and wanted to share it because it wasn't in any of my pregnancy books.

Anyhow, all is well and she's been her active little self and practicing her 'floor routine' ever since!

cravings and cupcakes

Today was baby's first snow day as Southern Ontario got its first blast of winter in the form of freezing rain, ice pellets and snow. There was no way I was venturing out, and fortunately Ian didn't have to work until the afternoon.

As a fitting winter dinner, I'm having turkey chili tonight. People always ask what foods I've been craving, and whether the baby seems to like anything in particular. Here's the lowdown (in no particular order):

1. Peanuts. I've always had trouble restraining myself from dry roasted peanuts once I get my hands on a jar, but I've hit new limits during pregnancy.
2. Cottage cheese. This is a good thing, high amounts of both protein and calcium.
3. Chocolate cake. I went through a phase at the beginning of needing chocolate cake, in particular a La Rocca chocolate truffle cake that you can buy by the slice at our grocery store. So decadent, so good.
4. Chocolate milk. I can drink this until the cows come home (har har), but I usually mix it with half 1% regular milk to cut down on the sugar.
5. Scalloped potatoes. This craving has mostly gone away, but for a month or so I wanted them all the time.
5. Cereal. We have six different kinds sitting on top of our fridge.
6. Cupcakes. This is the latest. I've been mildly obsessed with cupcakes for the past few years, and now I want to make all kinds! Last week I made Barefoot Contessa's classic Coconut Cupcakes, pictured above.

As for food aversions, there's just one and it has stuck so far. Lettuce. Yes, that's right, lettuce (and any other kind of leafy green, actually). All I can eat is one piece hidden in a sandwich, or Dr. Oetker's Ristorante Spinach pizza.

So, no stereotypical cravings like pickles and ice cream (does anyone really crave that?). And, like me, the baby seems to like food in general... but I get extra kicks after anything with dairy!

29 weeks and baby book mania

Week 29 kind of feels like my 29th birthday did so far. In that last window before turning “30”, I’m suddenly realizing that time is flying along and things are about to change dramatically! Soon my energy will likely start to dip again too, I’ll walk (aka waddle) even slower, and there will be more sore muscles to contend with. Not to mention all the things we still have to do … Set up the rest of the baby’s room, pick up the change table and mattress, get the baby gear together, and do one or two last projects around the house while there’s still time or motivation to do them. Of course I have two crafty projects on the go as well, to decorate her room!

High on the list is also learning more about being parents of a newborn. Tonight is our hospital tour and we start pre-natal class on Saturday, which I’m sure will make us feel MUCH better. I’m also hunting for good books, and am unsure about which ones are really worth reading. I’ve looked at The Mother of all Baby Books: An All-Canadian Guide to Baby's First Year , What To Expect in the First Year and The Baby Book as good possibilities. I’m also interested in Better Baby Food by The Hospital for Sick Children, I just wish it included little “menus” which I think would be really helpful in learning how to plan meals when babies start solid foods.

I’m going to wait a bit longer in case we receive any books as gifts, but in the meantime I’m a bit overwhelmed by the selection and all things to learn.

Any book recommendations are welcome!

baby's first blanket

This is the finished baby blanket I've been working on, taken in the baby's room in progress! It's knit with yarn that I bought last spring at The Naked Sheep in Toronto. It's 'Coco' by Lang, a cotton and acrylic mix that's washable and it comes in beautiful, fresh colours -- different than the traditional 'baby' yarn. It also comes in other variegated colours, like a lovely lavender.

I cast on 95 stitches and just knit in garter stitch since the yarn is already so textured -- it couldn't have been easier. I used 6 balls in total, one yellow for each border and 4 green balls for the middle. It's super-soft. I can't wait to cuddle her up in it!

Now I'm knitting a toy cat, from a Knitty pattern I used last year to make one for another special little girl. This one will have a different colour scheme and I picked up some flannel fabric to sew some coordinating accessories. Stay tuned for photos when it's done.

the hooter hider

Baby and mommy gear is a whole new world of shopping -- and while there are many trendy things that I find unnecessary and/or way too expensive, there's some pretty cool stuff out there. This is one thing I must have!

I've been wondering how to breastfeed discreetly while in public or with bigger groups of people I'm not particularly comfortable flashing the boob for. I've seen some nursing canopies, but they're typically bulky or not exactly stylish... enter the Hooter Hider. As the name implies, it hides umm... "the girls".

A friend of mine recently got one at her baby shower so I decided to look for it and found their web site. This thing is genius! It allows mom to see baby clearly, has a comfy terrycloth lining inside, and slips easily over your neck.

According to their web site, in Ontario only a few baby boutiques carry it -- including a store in Richmond Hill called Baby Bumps & Bellies. And look at the colourful mom chic fabrics it comes in!

28 weeks!

Yesterday was my 28 week check up, as well as my gestational diabetes screening. The check up was great --

Belly Measurement: 28 cm
Blood Pressure: 110/70
Baby's Heartbeat: 140
Baby's Position: Sideways - apparently this is fine, she will be turning and somersaulting for several more weeks before 'getting into position'.
And, like the last appointment, the second the stethoscope settled on my belly the baby promptly gave it a good head-on kick!

I also had my first post-holiday weigh-in, which I was a bit nervous about. Like most of us, I indulged over the break in favourites like turkey, gravy, baking, chocolate truffles, and cheese. But, I only put on 5 lbs!

The gestational diabetes test was far less pleasant. In theory it sounds fine -- drink an orange-flavoured drink, wait an hour, have some blood taken, wait a few days for the results. But... this drink is, hands down, one of the most vile things I've ever consumed. I arrived at the lab first thing in the morning and it was already really busy. The nurse gave me a benign looking bottle and a cup, and directed me to the one free chair where I had to down the bottle's contents in no more than 5 minutes.

The first sip wasn't that bad, but by the third I'd had enough. It tastes like McDonald's orange pop, but with the sugar and carbonation magnified about 10x. It didn't help that I had been awake since 3am with hip pain in bed, plus, a waiting room full of mostly seniors was watching at me chug it down as if we were playing some sort of drinking game. The label warns of side effects including 'nausea, vomiting, bloating and headaches'. Lovely. I can understand the sweetness, but whose sadistic notion was it to feed pregnant women, already prone to heartburn, gas, bloating and a host of other digestive issues, a crazily carbonated concoction -- and force them to gulp it down in 5 minutes? You can't even have so much as a drink of water for an hour afterwards. I felt awful, and aside from the obvious reasons, am praying that the bloodwork results are normal ... if not, I get to go back and drink MORE of it than the first time, then wait TWO hours to get blood taken.

Trust me ladies, if you need a reason to put away the ice cream and choose a less sugary way to satisfy your pregnancy appetite, this is it!