Sneakey foods

I find it interesting that most of the food we aren’t supposed to eat when we are pregnant we probably shouldn’t eat even when we aren’t pregnant. The reasons they give effect us all, pregnant or not. Like how hot dogs have bad preservatives in them and can give you botulism… then why would I want to eat them at all? And how sushi can have parasites… then why would I eat it when I’m not pregnant?

I love my hot dogs and sushi, don’t get me wrong. But if it’s bad for you when you are pregnant it’s probably bad for you when you’re not (for most things). Like caffeine and artificial sweeteners. I don’t know. I doubt it will make me not eat them after I have the baby but its just a thought…

Maybe everyone should read books on what not to eat when you’re pregnant. You learn a lot about food that is bad for you that you thought was good. Most of it stems from genetic engineering, chemical preservatives, and artificial things like sweeteners and flavors. Really, If you stick to organic produce and don’t touch anything processed like canned veggies (which have aluminum and tons of salt) or ‘quick meals’ like hamburger helper (What kind of sauce is made from powder?) then you might be ok.

Did you know they put sugar in your salt? That’s what makes it look white. Try using sea salt instead. It has made me a paranoid shopper. Seriously. I want to know what I’m eating. They’re so sneaky with our foods.

19 weeks – Baby updates

At our last OB appointment we heard the babies heartbeat again. I could listen to it all day. They’ve told us all along they wait till 20 weeks to do the big sexing ultrasound but all of a sudden this time they said they’ll do it at 22 weeks. So it’ll be longer than we thought but we have our appointment set for 2 weeks from Monday (Monday the 22nd). Can’t wait!

As for baby hes roughly 6 inches long and can hear sounds outside mom’s belly. Baby is starting to grow hair and giving my bladder a good pounding. Also, this week Arthur felt the baby kick for the first time. I’ve been feeling it since 16 weeks. At first it was like once a day now it’s like ten times a day but still pretty light. It’s nice to feel that reassurance that baby is ok.

Don’t forget to vote on Facebook whether you think its a boy or girl!

Mustard grossness

I just really need to express right now my hatred for the tiny piece of dried mustard on the tip of the bottle. You know when you use it and put it in the fridge there’s that little bit of mustard left on the end that dries into an unrecognizable crusty yellow thing. Its like a circle of mustard grossness.

I make every effort to make sure I don’t eat the mustard crusties. I have to pull it off before I squeeze out the mustard so it doesn’t end up on my food. I need a t-shirt. “think before you squeeze” and it would have a little mustard nozzle with the crusty piece on it. Ew.

See also:  spoon crap

16 weeks- Movement!

This week at my bi-monthly acupuncture appointment I felt the baby kick like ten times in an hour! I had felt it before only not as strong and I didn’t know for sure if it was kicking or not. My acupuncturist said its normal and that the pins increase blood flow and the baby becomes excited/more active. That has to be proof that acupuncture works. It’s so great. I feel a kick about two to three times a day. Usually when I’m sitting still. It feels really small like a twitch or a tiny thump right in between my pelvic bone and belly button. I wish I could explain it better and I wish Arthur could feel it. It has got to be hard to connect when all he can tell is that I’m eating more and getting a belly.

15 weeks- Strong heartbeat!

Wednesday Arthur and I went to the doctor for my monthly appointment. I always get nervous driving there. I knew she would check the heartbeat and was terrified if it would be there or not. Our appointment, being at 4:15, was the last appointment of the day. So doctor Stewart walked in holding that heartbeat machine in hand ready to go. I was amazed that she knew exactly where the baby was and where to find the heartbeat. She said it was a nice and strong 160! Baby is doing good!

Speaking of baby,  s/he is 4 inches long and can move all his/her joints, has eyebrows, and his/her own fingerprints! Even more amazing is that baby’s eyes are sensitive to light! Even though the eyelids are still fused shut, if you shine a light at your belly the baby is likely to move away from the brightness! Baby is also likely to be discovering his/her own face, sucking his/her thumb, and making breathing movements with his/her lungs. I have felt a few things now and then… still not sure if its baby or not. I’m told in another week or two the kicks will get more obvious and I’ll know it the baby. Some times I imagine baby using my bladder as a trampoline and I FEEL that one.

As for me, the morning sickness has nearly disappeared but only to be  replaced by heartburn. Every day at 9-10pm I get what I call the fire ball in my chest. Apparently I have pregnancy acid reflux. I never knew it was so painful. I’m also still getting the sciatic nerve pain but not as often.

Only 5 more weeks till we find out the sex of the baby! And Arthur painted the nursery. It looks so good! When I get to decorating I’ll post pictures.

Have a happy what?

If you are female and watch TV, I’m sure you roll your eyes with me when you see the Always pads commercials with their slogan of  “have a happy period.” My husband has had to deal with my protest of these commercials for a few years. The second I heard it I knew a man wrote that slogan. Anyone who understands would not appreciate anything cheerful while dealing with the effects of a monthly menstrual cycle. Anyways, Arthur sent me this link to a letter to the Brand Manager of Always and its hilarious. Its a bit lengthy but worth it.

Little bean- 11 weeks

Yesterday we had an appointment with the dr. They did an unexpected ultrasound so I was glad Arthur was there. The little guy was jumping all around wiggling his legs and moving his arms. We could see his tiny heart pumping so fast.  It was great and a relief to know right then everything was ok. The dr showed us what looked suspiciously like boy parts but still too early to tell. I loved him more just seeing him on the screen. I can’t wait to feel him move. I guess that’s supposed to be around 16-18 weeks. I bet I’ll appreciate it less when he uses my bladder as a trampoline.

The morning sickness has been better. Well, I still get sick in the mornings but at least I don’t feel nasty all day.  the other day, I had the first person rub my belly. Its really embarrassing especially now since I’m NOT showing at all. It would be different if I was showing. I’m like “uh that’s all me, sorry.” Since baby is just 1.5 inches I don’t have the round baby belly yet but I can feel the pressure on my bladder and feel bloated most the time. I can start showing as early as next week or as late as 16 weeks. I hope it’s soon. I’m not looking forward to being huge but having a tiny belly might be nice so people believe me when I say I’m pregnant.

Barocky Road

I got this from a forward my mom emailed me. Not sure where it was originally plagiarized from but I have to post it.

-

In honor of the 44th President of the United States, Baskin-Robbins
Ice Cream has introduced a new flavor; “Barocky Road”.

Barocky Road is a blend of half vanilla, half chocolate, and
surrounded by nuts and flakes.

The vanilla portion of the mix is not openly advertised and usually
denied as an ingredient.

The nuts and flakes are all very bitter and hard to swallow.

The cost is $100.00 per scoop.

When purchased it will be presented to you in a large beautiful cone,
but then the ice cream is taken away and given to the person in line
behind you.

Thus you are left with an empty wallet, no change, holding an empty
cone, with no hope of getting any ice cream.

Are you feeling stimulated?

Maternity clothes, baby stuff, and other expenses

I always rolled my eyes when I heard a pregnant woman say they felt fat. I mean helooo, there’s a baby in there. I can now say that I can relate. Its WAY to early to be showing and I feel like I’ve gained tons of weight. I have to eat ALL DAY or else everything I’ve eaten all day comes out for round two.  I looked in the mirror the other day and noticed MY WAISTLINE IS DISAPPEARING. I don’t know how or why but its nearly gone. I think I would have been extremely depressed if I hadn’t read in my book in the chapter for week 8 that your waistline will start looking different. I guess even though baby is 1 inch there is a lot more going on right now. Organs start moving up and your blood in your body doubles.

I finally gave in and got one of these bands that help you transition between your clothes and maternity clothes. I’m at the point where my clothes are not comfortable and maternity clothes are too big. These bands make it so you can wear your old jeans longer. you just unbutton the top and wear the band over top and it holds your pants up. It’s been great.

Things are seeming more real. When I went to NC for my acupuncture appointment my mom told me about this consignment fair for kids stuff. We got the sweetest Classic Pooh crib bedding set. As well as some other misc. Beatrix potter decorations. It all looks brand new and we got all the loot for under 60 bucks. Sweet. Also, I think I’m going with my friend to a similar consignment sale here in L-burg tomorrow. Not that we have any money to spend.

We got the bill in from my OB. We were totally prepared to pay every cent of my deductible but they want us to pay it all before I’m even 7 months pregnant. We have 5 months of payments in line and it seems like its going to be tight. Luckily, we pay 0% after the deductible is paid. So that’s nice. At least we have insurance.

Baby stuff

I’m 8.5 weeks today. It’s weird to think that in 3.5 weeks I’ll be in my second trimester. I think at that point I can take a deep breath and finally relax some. There are infinite things that can go wrong.

I’m having trouble finding things to say about this baby. I can tell you morning sickness isn’t just in the morning. I can tell you s/he is supposed to be 1/2 inch now and already has eyelids, a spine, and a little heart pumping blood. The problem is I don’t really know how things are going and I wont until 18 weeks when they do the sexing ultrasound.

I have this strange feeling it’s a girl. Which I can’t explain. I guess if anyone knew it would be me, right? Its just that when ever I envision us holding the baby its a girl all in pink. Arthur and I both originally wanted a boy. You know, the older protective brother thing. Besides both of us come from families where the oldest was a boy, second was a girl. Seemed to work out for us. Besides my girl feeling, my friends pointed out when I would talk about the first ultrasound I kept saying she. I didn’t mean to at all. It just happened. I know it could be a boy but I guess we will see.

So heres a picture. Doen’t show much but its proof I’m pregnant. This was at 5 weeks,  more than 3 weeks ago.

and for good measure, heres the hpt that told us the good news!