~ Journal ~
"Can I regard my pregnancy as
anything but one long festival?...
I especially remember how at odd
hours sleep overwhelmed me and
how I was seized again, as in my
infancy, by the need to sleep on the
ground, on the grass, on the sun-warmed
hay. A unique and healthy craving."
Colette
Sunday, May 28th, 2006
Toward the end of April we decided that we
were finally ready to add to our family and today I found out that I am 3
weeks and two days pregnant with an early home pregnancy test. I confirmed
this with a second test the following day.
Tuesday, June 6th, 2006
I quit smoking today - yeah!!!
Tuesday, June 13th, 2006
I had my first doctor visit today with my
new Obstetrician in the West End. It went well, not much to report yet.
Isabella was delivered by Dr. Langton (Allin Clinic) at the Royal Alexander
Hospital (we lived downtown at the time). Our new baby will be delivered by
Dr. Burkhardt at the Miseracordia Hospital (hopefully - as long as everything
goes according to plan!).
Today marks one full week smoke free - no
cigarettes for a whole week - pretty good!
I am 5 weeks and 5 days today.
Friday, June 16th, 2006
I am six weeks today.
I Have been not smoking for almost 2 weeks!
Some symptoms are starting to kick in: I have been feeling really tired the
last week, very very hungry and a little nauseous.
Tuesday, June 20th, 2006
OK, I have officially been
not smoking for 2 weeks - yeah!
Thursday, June 22nd, 2006
OK, amendment to symptoms
- have been feeling very nauseous the last few days - yikes!
Friday, June 30th, 2006
I am 8 weeks today and I
now have a little bump!
I am still feeling quite tired, nauseous and very hungry!
Friday, July 14th, 2006
10 weeks today!
I am finally starting to feel better (knock on wood), less nauseous and less
tired!
Can you believe that it has been almost six weeks since I quit smoking - yeah
me!!!
I have been feeling little bits of movement kind of like bubbles or hiccups...but
it could just be gas!
Tuesday, July 25th, 2006
I had my second prenatal
exam today. George and Bella came along and all of us got to hear the baby's
heartbeat for the first time - it was nice and strong!!! My tummy is growing
and so far everything else is good! (I am currently 11 1/2 weeks along; only
1 1/2 weeks more and I will be starting the second trimester!)
Monday, August 7th, 2006
So far, I have gained 7 pounds
since the beginning (which is right on track). I am now 13 1/2 weeks, so am
now in my second trimester!!! I am still not smoking, I have not had a glass
of wine in months, nor have I had coffee or tea. I can do without the coffee
and tea and I am very happy that I quit smoking but I have to say that sometimes
I miss that nice cool, crisp glass of wine with my pasta...oh well it will
taste that much better in 6 months or so!!!
Friday, August 11th, 2006
14 weeks. Yesterday I felt
the baby move for the first time and then again today! It felt a bit like
fluttering but a lot more like something swimming around...
Tuesday, August 28th, 2006
16 1/2 weeks. I had my third
prenatal exam today and it went well. We listened to the baby's heartbeat
again and it was much easier to hear (as the baby is much bigger now, 5 inches
long) and was about 150. Dr. Burkhardt said I am growing at a good rate and
am right on schedule. I have been feeling the baby move a lot more the last
few days!
Tuesday, September 12th,
2006
18 1/2 weeks. I had my ultrasound
yesterday. It went really well, the technician said everything looks good
so far and that the baby is very cute. The technician put me at 19 weeks and
1 day (as of yesterday) and gave me a new due date of February 1st. Visit
the Guestbook for more information about my ultrasound!!!
99 days no smoking - wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, October 5th, 2006
Wow, I haven't made an entry
in awhile. There is so much to share. I am now a little over 22 weeks and
in my sixth month. The baby is approximately 10 inches in length now and weighs
about a pound and is extremely active: He kicks in the morning, the afternoon,
the evening, when I am sleeping, he kicks when I am still and resting, he
kicks when I am moving a lot in dance class...I am beginning to think this
little guy never sleeps...ahhhhh!!!
I recently had my monthly
prenatal checkup and things look good so far; baby's heartbeat is very strong!
I have had my blood tests (twice actually) and peed in a cup (a few times
- what a pain in the you know what!). I am staying active by teaching two
dance/yoga classes per week and trying my best to eat healthy and get lots
of sleep (the getting lots of sleep is not a problem!!!). Other than being
more tired than usual the only other thing I have really noticed is the shift
in my pelvis, hips and back: so some back ache and hips a little sore sometimes,
I really notice it when I am stretching in dance.
I am starting to get really
excited to meet my son, but still have a while to wait...
We're having trouble choosing
a name for this little guy, it seems more difficult to pick a boys name. We
want to choose a name that is either Scottish (Gaelic) or Italian. We have
lots of really great Gaelic names, so many that it is hard to choose. We also
have quite a few really nice Italian names but the thing with Italian names
is that they are rather eccentric sounding in Canada. For example, one name
I rather liked was "Panteleone", George's response to that was "no
way are you going to name my son 'Panty'", so that was the end of that
name. I had thought about giving the baby my father's name in some capacity,
but my father's name was a little strange: "Oddone", and like other
Italian names probably won't work as well in Canada... Anyway, I think we
are leaning more toward a Gaelic name.
We are starting to think
about what we will need to get for the baby. With some research I put together
a list and wow, I forgot how much stuff a little baby needs. You think some
sleepers and something to sleep in but that is just the tip of the ice berg...
Anyway, so far the baby has two sweater sets I got at La Cache & 2 hat/bootie
sets I got on sale at Sears for $3.50 each. Beyond that I am scared to purchase
anything because I guess I think once we start buying for the baby we won't
be able to stop, so I am trying to leave it as late as I can (PS anyone who
has baby stuff they don't need, let me know!).
In the mean time I am enjoying
being pregnant for the most part...what an experience!!!
Tuesday, October 24th
I am now a little over 25
weeks, only days away from beginning my seventh month and starting the third
trimester (home stretch - yehhhh!!!). I had my monthly prenatal exam today
and it went well. Results from all tests are good. When the doctor was checking
my tummy and listening to the heartbeat, the baby started to move around like
crazy (trying to get away from the probing I imagine); his heartbeat was 160
today instead of 150 (I think he was a little excited!).
We had our first Prenatal
class this evening and it was quite enjoyable. We signed up for a six week
session that runs one night per week. We took Bella with us and she enjoyed
it as well. We watched a rather funny video to begin with which was a good
icebreaker, discussed physical and emotional changes, talked about recognizing
the onset of labor and reviewed nutrition and exercise during pregnancy.
One evening while working
at La Cache, I was approached by an older lady who rubbed my tummy and said
"You're having a boy aren't you?", I responded by saying "how
did you know?". The lady answered by saying it's obvious because I am
carrying low and don't look pregnant from the back (meaning I am carrying
it all in the front). A while later, another lady came up to me, rubbed my
tummy and said "You're having a boy aren't you?"... Apparently it
is really obvious I am having a boy, and whether or not there is any truth
to some of these old wives tales, I am carrying rather low and all in front
(It's kind of funny, because from behind I don't look pregnant at all but
then when I turn around it's like 'wow, where did that basketball come from?'...)
Wednesday, November 1st
6 months now and the third
trimester begins...
We had our second prenatal
class this week and it was good. We went over breathing and relaxation techniques
as well as different positions to labour in.
October was a busy month.
We had a lovely Thanksgiving with a beautiful fall walk. We attended the Scarecrow
Festival (a Halloween festival with games and crafts for kids) with an Aunt
& Uncle. We had more family over for dinner which was nice (I
am keeping names anonymous here because this is public website). We
had a spookey walk through Fort Edmonton Park for Spooktacular during the
lovely little blizzard that hit just this past weekend. We ended the month
with some fun trick or treating at West Edmonton Mall with Bella (and the
lump!).
Tuesday, November 14th
Well the little guy is moving
all the time now. He is very low and loves to punch my bladder. In dance class
yesterday, he was very active punching my bladder and made dancing rather
uncomfortable. Today, he was laying "across" in my uterus for a
little while (pushing in both directions) which was extremely uncomfortable.
It is not all bad though. His little kicks and punches are happy reminders
that he is thriving. He loves to push his feet up as high as he can until
it looks like there is an alien trying to come out of my belly. He has pushed
his little bum out a few times on my right side (which is so cute!).
Tuesday, November 21st
I had my monthly prenatal
checkup today and it went well. I had the opportunity to ask the Doctor about
some of the hospital procedures. When Dr. Burkhardt was doing the checkup
portion of the exam she was able to tell me the position of the baby and location
of his various parts. At the end she laughed and said, "Well, he's not
small". Looks like I am expecting a big baby, the doctor thinks around
8 pounds if I go to term (ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!).
Up until now my appointments
have been every 4 weeks but this time Dr. Burkhardt told me to come back in
3 weeks...getting close.
We also had prenatal class
tonight. The topic for this week was prenatal care. Isabella came along and
brought one of her babies along with baby gear, she did a great job of taking
care of her baby! A funny thing happened though: we were just in the middle
of learning about diapering, the instructor asked us whether or not we thought
baby powder should be used when just as we were all saying "no",
Bella pulled out her pretend baby powder for her baby, and we all had a good
laugh (poor Bella). (Baby powder is no longer recommended as the baby can
breath it in). We covered many other very helpful topics: circumcision, car
seats, bathing and general care.
Wednesday, December 6th
6 months since I quit smoking
- WOW!!!
Tuesday, December 12th
Had my prenatal checkup today,
nothing to report except now I am to visit every two weeks.
I think we are going to name
the baby "Hiccups"...I am not sure what this little guy is up to
in there but he gets the hiccups at least once a day, often twice (which seems
like a lot to me as I don't remember Bella getting hiccups much on the inside
or outside!)!!!
I forgot to mention that
we had our hospital tour yesterday which was quite informative. We were able
to see the maternity ward, where we will labour, deliver and recover. We were
also given a very strict list of hospital rules. Anyway, it's good to have
a picture in mind of the environment in which you are to deliver.
Wednesday, January 3rd
Wow, the last few weeks have
been busy, but good busy! We had a very nice Christmas at home this year with
lots of good Italian food (because I don't know how to make Turkey!) and homemade
baking (Bella and I made sugar cookies and a candy cane cake for George's
birthday which was on the 30th). We had some family over on the 22nd which
was really nice. We went to Bright Nights and of course were at Festival of
Trees earlier in the month. Bella and I have made many many Christmas crafts,
done some painting, read a lot of books; we also visited Santa. We went for
ribs (I didn't have any) on George's birthday and attended the festivities
at Churchill Square on New Years Eve. And we have been busy getting the nursery
ready too! December went by so quick and now only about 4 more weeks until
baby hiccups arrives!!!
Tuesday, January 9th
Had my (now weekly) checkup
with the obstetrician today. She said everything seems good. Her guess is
that the baby is close to 7lbs now (so not as big as I had thought) and his
heart rate is good. My only complaint at this stage is feeling a little tired
and low on energy which she says is very normal the last 4 weeks of pregnancy
(I am having a blood test just to make sure it isn't anything else though!).
Tuesday, January 16th
Weekly checkup again. Blood
test came back good! Nothing happening yet, but eagerly waiting!!!
Wednesday, January 31st
He's here!!!
see Baby Journal for more...