Hiccups

Brandy: Saturday night I had one of those nights... one of those yucky nights where I wake up to pee for the 100th time, and then I am wide awake... I can't go back to sleep. Ugh! This particular night it was a bit worse than usual because Brian decided that he was going to snore... LOUDLY. I was awake for over 2 hours, tossing and turning, and wanting to smother my husband. Now, when I say smother, I don't mean to death... just enough to mute out the buzz saw noises coming from his face... that's all. The highlight of this middle of the night episode was that I felt hiccups coming from my belly region for the first time. It was really cute. My baby was hiccuping... and every few seconds my entire belly would bounce in unison. It only lasted for about a minute or so, but that rhythmic bounce was very recognizable. So cute!

Did I mention yet that heartburn SUCKS? I have acid reflux anyway, but now it is SO much WORSE.

Today marks the start of week 25. September is going to be very, very busy. I have a La Leche meeting, my normal checkup with Dinah, my follow up sonogram, interviews with 2 more pediatricians, my first appointment with a chiropractor, a friend's baby's 1st birthday party, and a weekend in Houston for my first baby shower! Not to mention that I have prenatal yoga every Saturday morning. Whew! I am just trying to get as much done now as possible, before I get tired again in the 3rd trimester. Plus, I know that the next 3 1/2 months are going to fly by!

First Pediatrician Interview

Brandy: I interviewed my first pediatrician today. Her name is Dr. Julie Linderman. She is in a group practice with three other female pediatricians over in Inwood Village. They have a nice set up. They reserve the waiting room for sick kids, always take the well kids straight back to an exam room, and they always use the same rooms for well exams/sick exams. They have a pretty good method to make sure the well kids are not exposed to sick kid germs. I have also been reading a lot on the topic of vaccinations. There is SO MUCH information out there, and it is quite confusing and contradictory. This doctor is open to whatever the parents decide. She is in favor of vaccinating, but supportive if the parents decide to wait or pass. She is also conservative with prescribing antibiotics, and is open to other forms of treatment when the situation fits. I like the fact that antibiotics will not be shoved down my child's throat at the slightest sign of illness. The doctor was very nice and open to answer all of the questions that I had. I go interview another doctor next Friday, and a 3rd doctor the following week. All were recommendations from friends or my midwife. This preparation is hard work, but definitely worth the time and effort. I want to make sure that my child has the best care possible from day one, and that the doctor's beliefs don't butt heads with our beliefs. I hope I am on the right track. So far, so good. Oh, I also have compiled a list of questions and discussion topics for the interviews. If anyone is interested in using them, let me know and I can email you. I know there are a couple of preggo friends out there that read my blog. I just compiled the list from various online resources and friends. Let me know if I can help!

Two More Giveaway Wins

Brandy: I have managed to win two more blog giveaways this week. The first win was a paddle boat bath toy from Playground for Parents and North Star Toys. North Star toys has been making non-toxic wooden toys since 1979! Here is a link to the toy I won: http://www.northstartoys.com/collections/all-collections/products/paddle-wheel-boat. I also won the item of my choice from My Wee View and Our Side of the Mountain (Etsy Store) http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5937578. I have chosen an outfit for the little one, although I will not be sharing which one for obvious reasons! You didn't think I would make it that easy for you to figure out the sex, did you?

24 Week Appointment

Brandy: I had my checkup with Dinah this morning. Everything is going well. The baby's heartbeat was good, and my fundal height is 25 cm. We go back in another 4 weeks, and I am doing my glucose testing then. All is well!

I had the weirdest thing happen on Saturday. I have somehow managed to turn our toilet seat a weird hazy purple color. I think it might have something to do with the pregnancy hormones. I can't think of any other reason. I used the toilet, jumped in the shower and when I got out I noticed the odd coloring of the toilet seat. I called Brian in to make sure I wasn't seeing things. The color is totally ingrained in the seat. It will not come off! Brian jumped online to search for causes, and surprisingly there are a small handful of posts where the same thing has happened to other pregnant women. I asked Dinah, and she has never heard of it before! It really is the weirdest thing...

Belly Movin'

Brandy: In the past week, the baby has really started moving and grooving! I have been able to feel the baby since week 17, but now the kicks and punches are much more forceful. I can actually see my belly move and jump around! Brian has felt the baby several times, and now he has gotten to see my belly move too. I am totally enchanted by this new development. I like to lay in bed, expose my belly and just watch. There is a sweet little life in there, and I can't wait to meet him/her. I try to imagine what the baby will look like, and sometimes I even dream about it. Regardless of the sex, I have a feeling the baby might have red, curly hair. Brian's facial, arm and leg hair are red, and back in the day when he had hair on his head, it was super curly!!! I had red hair when I was little, and still have red highlights in it to this day. My grandmother had red hair her whole life. My half brother and his wife both have dark brown hair, and 2 out of their 3 kids came out with fiery red hair. So, I think the odds are in our favor for a red-headed baby. Only time will tell... 4 months of time to be exact!

Babies Galore!

Brandy: This was a pretty eventful weekend. Friday, while at work, I got an email that a friend had gone into labor. I was so excited for her! I didn't hear any news Friday night, so I went to bed. I got up early for prenatal yoga, which is at my midwife's office/birthing center. We had just started yoga class when Dinah, my midwife, walked through the front door with a couple. The woman was very obviously in labor. They hurried past us into one of the birthing rooms. A few minutes later, Dinah's assistant arrived and joined the laboring couple. Within moments, we began to hear screams coming from the back room. They were deep, heart wrenching screams of labor pain. The screams would come every few minutes, and I am quite sure my eyes bulged larger with each one. There were five of us in class, plus the instructor. She talked to us about how yoga can prepare you to concentrate and breathe through distractions when we go into labor. Yes, concentrate through the distractions... wait there was another scream. Wow, this is hard! I knew that right down the hall there was a woman and a man who were about to welcome a precious little life into the world. It made me stop and think how real everything was... that I would be welcoming a life into the world in just a few months. Could this be real? Another scream... yes, this is REAL. This pattern continues for the entire class. Towards the end of class, I could hear encouraging words coming from the back room. I think she is pushing! A few poses later, a tiny cry wafts down the hall to my ears. I turn to look at the lady next to me in excitement. We had both heard it! The new life was here, and I was trying to fight back tears of joy. It seems we were the only 2 people who had heard the tiny cry, since we were in the back closest to the birthing room. A few moments later, our instructor asked if that had been the baby crying? Yes it was! The entire yoga class beamed from ear to ear. Okay, now class is almost over. We just have some breathing exercises and resting position. As I lay on my left side with my eyes closed, the tiny cry emerged again. A couple of tears slid silently across my face. I did not know this couple, but I was so HAPPY for them. Just then, my baby started moving around inside my belly. I placed my hand on top of the movement and laid there smiling, eyes closed and watery. I was no longer scared of the pain... just knowing what comes at the end of it all will be worth it. As class was over, our instructor told us she was going to peek in on the birthing room to check if we could see the new arrival. Mother said yes! We all crept very quietly into the birthing room, where mom was wrapped in sheets on the bed, with a tiny little person laying on her chest. She pulled back the towel to reveal a tiny little back and head. She then pulled it back a little more to reveal a naked little baby butt! We all simultaneously said "Ahhhhh". Dinah picked the baby up , who we discovered was a boy, and brought him closer to us. He was perfect! We all said our congratulations to mom and dad, and left the room so they could enjoy their new son. This was by far the best yoga class EVER! Later that day, Brian and I were shopping when I got a call that my friend had indeed had her baby. I listened intently as she told me her birth story, amazed at her strength. She had succeeded in a natural birth. Wow, two in one day! I can do this too! Congratulations to the couple at the birthing center, and congratulations to Teresha and Damon. Welcome to the world little baby boy, and welcome to the world Marlie!

La Leche Meeting

Brandy: Last night I went to my first meeting of La Leche League. I had heard about them before, but Dinah (my midwife) urged me to start attending meetings now to help make breastfeeding more successful. I was a little nervous, because I did not know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. It was a nice forum to discuss questions and concerns about breastfeeding. It was a room of moms and soon-to-be moms who were all there to support each other. My biggest concerns are having experienced women around to help get me successfully started, and how to continue to be successful once I have to go back to work. I think the work thing has me more stressed out than anything else. They gave me some good options and ideas to work with. It is nice to know I have people to ask questions who have already been through it. There were also two women at the meeting who had babies with Dinah. They also LOVE her! I think it is very important for me to surround myself with people who understand my decision to birth naturally and out of a hospital, as well as breastfeed my baby. I believe these are some of the greatest gifts I can give to my baby. I love this child so much already, and I would do anything for my baby. I can't wait for that love to grow once he/she is here.

Child Care Solution - DONE!

Brandy: So if you read my prior blogs on childcare, I have been waiting to see if I there will be a place open at the home day care (run by Chantell) our neighbor uses for their little girl. I found out yesterday that we are in! This is great, only a few children in her home (more attention/less germs), licensed with the state, no violations at inspections, she will pick up our child during the school year (after she drops her own daughter off at school across the street... Yay! This is a big load off my mind! I also set up backup childcare in case Chantell is sick or closed for the day. We are using another home day care near us... This is the lady named Elvira I mentioned in my previous post. I am dropping paperwork and registration checks off to both of them when I leave work today. I am happy that this is finally taken care of and that Chantell had a place for us!

Random Ramblings

Brandy: So life has been fun lately. Brian and I have been doing lots of things to prepare for the baby. Also, there has been a lot more movement. I consistently feel our little one throughout the day. I started writing down times, and it seems like the baby is moving and shaking every 3 1/2 to 4 hours. I have felt the movement from the outside as well, but Brian hasn't yet. He tried to a couple of times, but the baby got shy and he got bored waiting. It will happen soon enough! Monday will be 22 weeks. The baby will be around 1 pound, and nearly 11 inches long from crown to heel. It is kind of scary how quickly this pregnancy is flying by.

Other updates... well my prenatal yoga class used to be at a baby boutique near work every other Saturday. Starting tomorrow, they are moving class to my midwife's office every Saturday. I am super excited. I hope I get to meet some other women who are seeing Dinah as well.

This morning I woke up and for the first time felt like my baby bump looked really big. I know it will only get bigger... Up until now, it has been there, noticeable, but not the center of attention. I think now the race has begun for lots and lots of growth! I have started to notice that my bump is starting to get in the way ever so slightly. For instance, when I am laying down, it is hard to sit straight up. Instead, I have to roll to one side, and get up that way. It is also getting a bit more difficult to shave my legs. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT complaining!!! I know I have it easy now compared to the end of pregnancy. It just happens to be what I am going through, and since I am sharing my experiences on this blog, you get to hear about it!

My belly button has not "popped" out yet, but I can tell it is getting larger. I kind if hope it does pop... I think it is cute when that happens! Plus, it will go back to normal after the baby is born anyway. I won't have an outie forever!

Don't forget that there are 2 baby showers coming up shortly! My Houston shower is Saturday, September 26th, and the Dallas shower is Saturday, October 10th. I can't wait to see everyone! It seems like FOREVER since I have made it to Houston! Well, that is about it for now. I think I have rambled on enough for one day... Happy Friday!

Study for New Moms: aka I Hate Wal-Mart

Brandy: Yesterday Brian and I took part in a paid study for first time moms. Two interviewers came to our house and asked us questions about baby items and our thoughts on registering. After that, we took a trip to a local Wal-Mart where we were supposed to register, while the interviewers waited at a nearby Starbucks for us to finish. We went in and the hellish nightmare began (more to come on my nightmare shortly). Can I just say for the record that I HATE Wal-Mart with a passion. I avoid it at all costs. I cannot even remember the last time I went in to a Wal-Mart prior to this. So why go? Because we had already registered at Babies-R-Us and Target and I wanted to participate in this study for the money! Wal-Mart was the only choice left on the list of approved stores for the study. We get paid $450 in total... just to register and talk about our experiences. We got $150 yesterday, and we get the other $300 after the final interview which is after the baby is here. So back to my nightmare... When we entered Wal-Mart, it was exactly opening time for the store. We headed straight to the computers set up in the customer service area to set up the registry, but they were not on. So we started to stand in the customer service line to ask about this, since there were no other associates around to help us. The line, by the way, was already about 15 people deep... UGH! While I stayed in line, Brian asked the greeter how we were supposed to start a registry, but there was a language barrier. A lady in line at customer service chimed in and told us that there is usually another computer in the jewelry area. So we headed that way, and on the way asked another associate where the computer in the jewelry area was (we didn't even see the jewelry area), and she said there wasn't one... we could only do the registry at customer service. So we headed back up to the front of the store to get back in line at customer service, only to discover that the line had multiplied. When we got there, the greeter looked at us oddly and started saying to go to jewelry. So Brian stayed in line and I went to jewelry, asked the associate that worked there, and there is NO computer in the jewelry section. So I head back to customer service AGAIN!!! This time an associate we had spoken to previously was walking by so we stopped her and asked for her help since we were still at the back of a very long line. She grabbed a manager for us. We told him our issues, and asked if he could please turn on the computers. He tried to turn on the computers, but it did not work. So he walked to the front of the line to ask the person who was actually working customer service. When he came back to us, he said the system was down, but we could do it online. So I asked if I could set up the registry using the Internet on my phone, and then get a "gun". He looked at me and said he didn't know what I was talking about. I asked him again... I need a scanner gun! The light went off, but he told us there were not set up for registries and they did not have the scanner guns. AAGGGHHH!!!! So after 25 minutes of utter insanity and no one in the freaking store knowing what was going on, we find out we cannot set up a registry there. Heck, even if someone came in to buy from a registry, there was no way to print it out and shop from the list. Stupid Wal-Mart! So we went to the designated Starbuck's to meet the interviewers and tell them what happened. After rehashing the whole story, we found another Wal-Mart online, called to verify that their registry system was working, and headed there. This time, when we walked in there were no computers in customer service, but the jewelry section was at the front of the store and there was a computer with a large sign above it reading "Gift Registry" and it was on. Finally! So I set up the registry and went to the jewelry counter for the scanner gun. I had to give up my license to get it, and I did not have to do that anywhere else. I guess they thought I would steal it. After learning how to use the gun, the associate told us she was going on lunch and if we were done before she got back we would have to find someone to give our license back. So, off we went to register. It was really disappointing. The infant section was very small, and there was not a good selection of products and brands to choose from. We tried to register for things we really need... onesies, gowns, sleepers... only to find that there was nothing to choose from in the unisex department. We looked at blankets, toys, walkers... all kinds of things but everything was stamped with a Disney character. This is great if you are decorating your nursery with Disney characters, but if not it was a little much! I literally could not find anything I liked without Disney on it. We did manage to find some bath toys, shampoo, lotion, cotton swabs, diapers, wipes and various other small items. I was pretty disappointed in the selection of large dollar items like car seats and strollers compared to Target and Babies-R-Us. When we were done, we headed back to jewelry. The original associate who helped us was not there, but someone else was. So we asked her for our license back and what needed to be done so we could print the registry. I did not know if she needed to do something with the scanner or if it transmitted via wireless internet? She had no clue either... surprise! Another associate was walking by so the lady in jewelry stopped her and asked her for help. She took the scanner and began pressing buttons, only to look up and say that she had no idea. She told us to wait there and she would go get help. She came back several minutes later, handed us the gun and told us to go to the photo department for help. So off we went... We asked the man working in photo, but he didn't know how to work the registry stuff. He did say there were some computers there we could look at. So we went over to those, and a lady came up to us (apparently this was who we were supposed to ask for help). She said she didn't really know about registry either but she would try to help us. We collectively decided to get on the computer just to see if the stuff happened to be there so we could print it out. Normally I would have just left, but I was required to take a print out to the interviewers. We found the registry and hit "print". It said printing 4 pages, which seemed like all of the items were there... only nothing printed. So she tried it again, and nothing printed. I tried the second computer, and again nothing printed. She called the guy in photo over and asked him to check if the printer was out of paper, but he did not have the key to unlock the box that contained the printer. He also told us the computer I was on didn't work. Of course there was no sign! So we decided to go to the computer in jewelry to try that one. We trekked back up there, and finally we were able to print out the registry. Two seconds later, the guy from photo came walking up to us with a crumpled, skewed printout that had been stuck in the printer. He handed it to us, and walked away. You could not read most of it, the paper was torn and it was a mess all of it's own. I could not get out of that store fast enough! We met back up with the interviewers and told our second story. We received our $150, and I was never so happy to be done with anything! Bottom line, we are registered for a few things at Wal-Mart, but I could care less if anyone ventures in that store to buy them. You can get the same items at Target or Babies-R-Us, and probably get a lot less hassle. If you do decide to venture to Wal-Mart, do so at your own risk. I, for one, will not be returning to that store anytime in the near future. In fact, I plan to avoid it at all costs!