Notes from the week: 12/9
Walking has become progressively more difficult every day. Climbing up the stairs, I clutch on for dear life and use the the stair rail to propel myself upwards. When I reach the top, I usually need to take a little break. If I forget something downstairs, it will usually stay there, or Iโll ask Tom if heโd please bring it up for me. Making two trips isnโt worth it.
Along with walking becoming more of a challenge, Iโve also become more clumsy, which isnโt an ideal combo. Yesterday, Bella was in the backyard refusing to do her business, so I went scrambling towards her on the brick, telling her to hurry the heck up. Brick + cold = slippery, frosty brick.
I almost fellโฆ HARD. I still have no idea how I managed to catch my balance, because my feet went flying out from underneath me.
I canโt decide if the baby loves or absolutely loathes the weekly midwife appointments.
After they check the heartbeat, theyโll feel around to get an idea of her size and position. Today, the midwife got kicked and said โsheโs trying to make sure you know her shoe size before sheโs born!โ as a little foot was protruding from my belly. For the rest of the day after my appointments, sheโll be a kicking and squirming little thing. As amazing as the midwives are, I donโt think she likes being messed with like that. Good news from todayโs appointment: negative on the group B strep, and little lady is estimated to weigh a little over 6 lbs right now.
Weโd like to get a jogging stroller, but might wait until sheโs here and a little bit bigger. Youโre not supposed to run/jog with the baby until theyโre around 6 months old, but Iโd like to have a more rugged, adventure-type stroller for places like Sabino Canyon, farmerโs market and vacays. Our everyday stroller is the Orbit travel system, and from what we can tell so far, we love it.
As far as the jogging strollers go, Iโve been scoping out the BOB strollers and Phil and Tedโs, and will see if there are any end-of-the-year or after-Christmas sales.
Everyone has been so generous with the words of advice and kindness this week. Here are some of the tips that were shared with me:
-Stay home to labor as long as you can before heading to the hospital if youโd like to have a natural childbirth. This way you can be in a comfortable home environment, and wonโt set yourself up for unnecessary interventions if the hospitalโs clock is ticking. Also, it will reduce the chance of going in too soon before youโve progressed enough and being sent back home, anyway.
-Maybe have a half-birthday celebration if the babyโs birthday is close to Christmas. This is something weโve considered doing โmaybe 4th of July party?- since so many people are busy or out-of-town over the holidays. Weโd also like to start a tradition where we do something fun (like Disneyland) for her birthday instead of focusing on gifts.
(the now-shirt that used to be a tunic)
-Envision myself being relaxed and peaceful during the birth and everything going the way weโd like it to. Iโve used this technique with races before, and while things didnโt always pan out the way I imagined, I felt calm and ready to deal with plan B, instead of scrambled on race day. Hopefully using the same technique will help me feel more confident and relaxed on the big day, too, especially since we have no idea what will end up happening or how sheโll get here. It really is an exciting surprise, and we just want everyone in our little family to be healthy.
As far as the kindness goes, Iโve talked about this before, but nothing will make a pregnant girlโs day like encouragement or compliments. Everything is magnified while youโre pregnant, especially senses and emotionsโฆ so the bad hurts even worse than it usually would, and the good is really, really good. Itโs definitely important to surround yourself with love and positivity while someone else is depending on you and feels everything that you feel. Iโm lucky that Iโve been surrounded by so much love during the pregnancy, from my family, Tom, and from all of you. Iโm very thankful <3
A girl from our Bradley class brought her baby in this week, and I melted. She was born two weeks ago and her sweet little face and the way she was sleeping โ I canโt believe that weโll be the next ones in our class to experience that. I was so distracted and elated that it kept me from being traumatized by the birth video we watched. Whenever I watch birth videos, they make me feel so anxious (and a little queasy) up until the end. And then I cry every time, because itโs beyond beautiful and amazing.
One of the guests at work asked me if I can believe I have a tiny human growing in my belly. Itโs funny because while you know itโs there, can feel the baby moving, kicking, and like itโs a part of you, itโs hard to picture an actual little person. She said, โOnce that baby comes out, and you see those tiny fingernails and that face, youโll know what a real miracle is. Thereโs nothing like it in the world.โ
I am so excited for you… the best is yet to come!
I have an almost two and a half year old. If I think about the day he was born I am immediately transported to that day and how WONDERFUL it was to finally meet him. A miracle indeed!!!
After hearing your little review on the orbit stroller system I went and checked it out and bought one for ourselves. Our baby is 11 days old and everyday I am even more in love with the orbit. It is the best car seat/ stroller system I have ever used. You’ll love it!
I am excited for you! You’re almost there!
yayyyy! i’m glad to hear you love it! i can’t wait to use ours
Hi Gina!
I don’t know if you read new comments to old posts, but I wasn’t sure how to email you. I was curious where you bought your Orbit (I know it has been a long time so you may not remember), since I know you mentioned you got the bassinet with it for free. I would love to get the system, but I am looking for the best deals. Thanks!