Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Oh Baby, Oh My!

Today marked what we thought was our typical December prenatal checkup. A few notable things happened.

First...my weight. I was terrified that I was going to be up 20 lbs or something crazy, and since my belly is clearly showing at this point, I thought for sure that I was going to tip the scale. Not so much! I lost another 5 lbs, so in total I have lost 20 lbs. Eeek!

Next...blood pressure and heart rate. While my bp was low as per usual, my heart rate was pretty high. Dr. Gloria left the room, thinking that would maybe help calm me down, but after seeing the Doppler machine on the counter and hoping that we would hear a heart beat today...I don't think any meditation, breathing, or "calming down" would have worked. BP was 110/70, heart rate at 110. We go in next week to have that monitored.

Finally...the Doppler. She advised us that we might not hear anything at this point, but she said that she would try and hoped that I wouldn't be too disappointed if we didn't catch it this time around. Well...we did and it was positively the most beautiful sound I have ever heard. I'm actually welling up right now just thinking about it. When she looked at me and smiled, saying "Oh! Momma's happy!" I couldn't stop crying.

Having that reassurance is truly amazing, and I am so thankful for the care that our doctor's and nurses are giving us. We've been given the green light to fly at Christmas, even though I've been told to still take it easy and that my heart rate will need to be monitored for the next little while to make sure that everything is okay.

Our due date has changed as well! It's official! We're 14 weeks along at this point, which is a big jump from the 13w2d that I thought we were! June 8th, 2010 - here we come!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Our Stockings

Here are the pictures that wouldn't post yesterday!


Close up....

Sunday, December 6, 2009

The Stockings Were Hung By The Chimney With Care...

And next year, the one on the middle will have a name on it! (picture to come tomorrow - computer is not cooperating!)

We are finally into our new house, and couldn't be happier, though C had to do pretty much everything on his own (dr's orders for Mommy to rest and take care of Bug! No lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, unpacking, bending, squatting....oh my!)

The new couch is in place, TV hooked up. The Christmas tree is sparkle and lovely. The wine bar is set up, our washer and dryer are here. It's actually starting to look like we live here, which is really nice! There is still an awful lot of work that needs to be done, lots of organizing and unpacking, but little by litte it's looking like we're home.

Things in the belly department are ever growing, and at 13weeks today, I have more stretch marks than I'd like to have but that's all right. I'm back to getting sick in the morning if I don't have something to eat right away, and I wake up between 4:00-4:30 every morning these days. Daddy's getting worried that I'm not getting enough rest, but I'm thanking my lucky stars that this baby is still with us and growing stronger everyday. I'm also very thankful for afternoon naps!

As we work our way toward 14weeks, Bug is becoming increasingly expressive! That's right - squinting, frowning (enough of that Little One!!), sucking their thumbs and even peeing! (That really grosses me out, but whatever) He/she has the ability to grasp and make fists now, and by mid-week will be the size of a large lemon. Ultra-fine hair will start covering its tiny body this week as well, and Bug now has a distinct neck (which we saw on an ultrasound last Thursday, very cool!) The spleen will start making red blood cells this week, and the liver starts to make bile as well.

Soon we'll be able to feel kicks and punches, and the baby is already responding to the little pats, pokes and strokes that we give my belly. I can't wait to feel the responses!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

There's No Denying The Bump

No matter how hard I try, there is no denying the ever growing bump that is throwing off my balance and making me dizzy throughout the day. There is no amount of "sucking it in" at this point that is taking the little bulge away...and I couldn't be happier!

My regular clothes are becoming increasingly tight, and I'm starting to worry that they will lose all of their shape. If I can just wait 4 more weeks until we're in Florida at Christmas...that would be great! I'm really hoping to score some good deals on shirts, jeans and pants for work...and might throw in a new handbag or some funky flats for the spring as well if I am fortunate enough to find some good deal on everything and don't blow the budget.

Anyhow, here's the bump!


I can't tell you how much I absolutely adore it! Even with the dizzy spells, and feeling like a freight train when I roll over in the middle of the night, I wouldn't trade this healthy bump for anything in the world!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Old Toy Trains, Little Toy Tracks...

I haven't been able to get this song out of my head, and it just makes me smile every time I hear it! (I actually sent a request to 97.5 ezrock this morning to see if they would play it for me...just waiting and listening now....)

Old toy trains, little toy tracks
Little toy drums, coming from a sack
Carried by a man, dressed in white and red
Little boy, don't you think it's time you were in bed?

Last night over at the new house, I anxiously awaited the arrival of a very special box - the Christmas box! Much to my delight, C and his friend, T, brought it over so that I could decorate the tree, put our Toy Soldier wreath on the door and hum Old Toy Trains to myself while they watched hockey and ate pizza on the floor.

Such priorities! C just wanted to get the cable and Internet hooked up, figure out the surround sound (which he did! I'm very proud!!) while I just wanted to decorate the tree that will bring some magic into our new home.

And what a beautiful tree it is! Red glass balls....mouth blown clear glass balls....gold metal angels...white lights...our glass angel from Malta....green and gold sparkly ribbons....cream and gold sparkly ribbons....and a few homemade ornaments from my childhood tucked in here and there like Hickory Dickory Dock, my white Unicorn, and my little fairy that is painting a snowflake.

Now if only I could remember where I put the snowman family ornament! This "baby brain" is for the birds! I can't remember where anything is!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Happy December!

Today could not be more perfect! I woke up this morning to C grumbling and looking out the window. Excitedly, I woke up, knowing that it could mean only one thing: Snow!!

Sure enough, there was a light dusting of snow and ice on the car this morning, and the ground was covered in the fluffy white stuff. How badly did I want to take the day off today and get the Christmas tree over to the new house!?

It brings to mind some Christmas traditions that I had growing up; putting up the Christmas tree with my Dad on December 1st while listening to Mario Lanza on the cd player, helping him paint and detail the white silhouette Nativity scene cut outs that adorned our front lawn .... wrapping presents on the pool table and trying to get the corners just right.

Christmas morning was the absolute best; waking up rush down to the fireplace to get our stocking, and excitedly watching my family open their gifts before enjoying some sticky, gooey Cinnabons for breakfast. This is a tradition that I've kept going with C's family, and in the past when we've been in Florida for Christmas morning, they've snuck Cinnabons down to surprise me.

I can't wait to start creating our own traditions with Bug. There's already a stocking on the mantle for them, and their Christmas decoration collection will start next year with a "Baby's First Christmas" ornament. Throw in a Christmas family photo or two, and voila! New memories!

Since this is going to be our last Christmas as "just the two of us," we've decided to head back down to Florida for a much needed break. Only 25 days and I'll be lounging at the pool with a good book, while C will likely be out golfing and getting some much needed stress relief. I guess that means I better "become one with the belly" and embrace that it will continue to grow, regardless of what bathing suit I attempt to sport!

Happy December, everyone! May your holidays be magical, filled with memories and joy!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Goodbye Diclectin, Hello 2nd Tri!

I did it without even realizing. This weekend was so crazy for us - we got the keys to our new digs on Friday, C was at the local OHL game on Friday night, and all of a sudden...it was Saturday morning!

There was a flurry of activity at the Szem household as we both excitedly got changed and rushed for a quick McDonald's breakfast (not the healthiest, but it stayed down so that makes me happy!), then drove over to our new house. Even with the silly Toronto Maple Leafs key, our spirits could not have been brighter than on Saturday.

Opening up that door just felt...magical. This is the house that we will raise our family in...I could see them running up and down the stairs, peeking over the railing to look into the kitchen when I'm making pancakes on Sunday, and as soon as I stepped into what will become the nursery...I just about lost it.

So, what did I do without thinking? I forgot to take my morning and afternoon Diclectin pills...and was absolutely fine on Saturday! I did the same yesterday, and was fine all over again! Looks like my tummy is starting to agree that the 1st trimester is behind us! Aside from the little indigestion explosions, I think being pregnant is pretty fantastic!

As we get ready to enter the 2nd trimester this week, I am excitedly getting a little belly and feel very blessed to have the family, the home, and friends that have been so incredibly supportive to us through this journey. Lord knows, it hasn't been easy to get to 12wk1day, but it has been pretty spectacular and I would do it all over again to know that we will be welcoming a baby in just 6(ish) months.

Notable developments this week are pretty amazing ones. Bug will develop its vocal chords this week, and C said that he hopes that the baby gets them and the talent for music from Mommy's side. By midweek, Bug will be about the size of a large peach and their proportions are less alien. Their head will be about 1/3 the size of its body! Hopefully, Bug gets Daddy's brain and knack for numbers!