Category Archives: About the family

1 Week Left! (3rd Trimester Recap)

Today I am 39 weeks which means only one more week to go (maybe)! Here’s what I’ve been up to (pregnancy-wise) during this trimester since my last update.

(2011-11-16 28w3d)

At 28 weeks I had an appointment. I found out that I passed my glucose test, baby’s heart-rate, and my blood pressure and fundus measurement were good. This was my first appointment with “Dr. Motormouth”…called such because of his tendency to say a lot quickly and not give you much opportunity for questions. He didn’t seem concerned about the VBAC either way but was sure to let me know that I can (and should probably) schedule a c-section anyway because I can always cancel it and the schedule fills up quickly. I declined. He also gave me a VBAC consent form to sign.

(2011-11-17 28w4d) Total Weight Gain: 19.2 lbs

Signing the VBAC consent form.

(2011-11-20 29wks)

Thanksgiving Day.
It looks like I smuggled the turkey under my shirt!
(2011-11-24 29w4d)

Around this time I stopped the prenatal workouts that I’d started the month prior. Mostly just from being busy and tired.

(2011-11-27 30wks)

(2011-12-04 31wks)

At 31 weeks I had another appointment with “Dr. Sunshine” (see this post for more info). My sister had to take me to this appointment since Cool Daddy had to work. I gave her my signed VBAC consent form and she started right away with the negativity. Without getting into much detail about our exact conversation she just kept repeating to me that I might need another c-section, that I was “making it harder on myself” for attempting a natural birth, and then nearly yelled at me about needing to understand that they might just have to take this baby by c-section. Golly-gee, that appointment was a lot of fun. I was infuriated, however, instead of arguing with her I just nodded and said, “I understand.”. I called my husband on the way home and I was in tears for fear that I would end up with this same OB again for delivery. My husband calmly told me not to worry and that when I’m in labor we’ll simply call and find out who the doctor is and if she’s there…we’ll go to a different hospital. I was so proud of him for understanding how important this is to me 🙂
All of that aside, that day once again baby’s heart rate and my blood pressure were good (she didn’t measure my fundus). And thankfully I haven’t had to see Dr. Sunshine at an appointment since then and shouldn’t have to.

(2011-12-09 31w5d) Total Weight Gain: 21 lbs
Don’t let my smiley face fool you…I was furious!

Here is where I tell you that on 12/13 I came down with a stomach flu and was sick all day. Worse than that my husband came down with it 3 days later…the very day we were supposed to go for our 3D/4D ultrasound. I called everybody that I knew to try to get a ride up there for the appointment, but nobody could take me. We couldn’t reschedule because they were booked up clear through January. So disappointing 😦
On the plus side after I had that stomach bug the little guy started moving around like crazy. I really hadn’t been feeling him too much before that. Maybe it was just coincidence but after being sick he became much more active…particularly in the evenings. I love baby wiggles 🙂

(2011-12-18 33wks)

At 33 weeks I had another appointment. This one was with “Dr. Tiny” (she’s seriously little and thin). I asked her all of the same questions I’d asked Dr. Sunshine at my previous appointment. Somehow she managed to answer everything without raising her voice, being negative, or raining gloom and doom down upon me. Fancy that.

(2011-12-23 33w5d) Total Weight Gain: 22.2 lbs

On Christmas Eve my nephew became very interested in my bump and it quickly became the favored source of entertainment among the toddlers.

Which then led to this…

For our 2nd annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Competition I decided to deck the bump out in style.
I know…that sweater vest is awesome-sauce!
(2011-12-24 33w6d)

New matching jammies for the whole family is another Christmas Eve tradition of ours. This year I went with the grand-daddy of all Christmas pjs…red footed long johns with a drop seat! Don’t be jealous.

(Left: cousin Aunia Center: Jenn and her big belly Right: sister Jess)

After Christmas I had maternity photos taken.
Here are a few of my favorites.
(2011-12-26 34w1d)

Another OB appointment with Dr. Tiny. Everything went well.
(2012-01-04 35w3d) Total Weight Gain: 24.6lbs
Apparently if you take photos with a crappy cell phone it will result in you looking like a squashed mushroom from Super Mario Brothers.

So…a hippo gets dressed up for a wedding…
(2012-01-07 35w6d)

My sister-in-law got married. She looked beautiful and thin therefore I will not be posting her picture here 😉 Seriously, though, I do hope to write a post in the future about Adaline’s experience as a flower girl. Anyway, there was a wedding and I went to it and I was all big and I totally shook my pregnant groove thang on the dance floor. Coincidentally this causes complete strangers to fear that your water will break before their very eyes.

By the way…a few days after this I caught a head cold (which I got from Adaline) and the stuffy/runny nose continued for several weeks. Nice.

OB appointment with “Dr. Favorite” (She’s been my favorite since before I got pregnant with Adaline. She’s that doctor that I saw for preconception/infertility treatments as well.). My blood pressure and fundus measurements were good and baby’s heartrate was good in the 150s. I had to be swabbed for the Group B Strep test and had to do a clean catch sample so they could check for a UTI.
(2012-01-11 36w3d) Total Weight Gain: 26.4 lbs

This OB appointment was with “Dr. Lurch” (he’s quiet and kinda creepy with a mortician vibe to him). Everything was good and baby’s heartrate was 137. I didn’t have an internal exam (yay!).
(2012-01-19 37w4d) Total Weight Gain: 28.4 lbs

(2012-01-22 38wks)

Another appointment with “Dr. Tiny” went well. Blood pressure, fundus, and heartrate were all good. Internal exam, bleh, but showed I’m making some progress. I experienced some pain and difficulty walking the rest of the day.
(2012-01-25 38w3d) Total Weight Gain: 28.4 lbs

(2012-01-29 39wks)

And here are the weekly belly shots from my 3rd trimester.
(Click photos to enlarge)

As far as pregnancy symptoms go…

My heartburn has been on and off. It’s unpredictable.
For the most part I don’t ever seem to get back or rib pain anymore.

Around 37 weeks my belly started to get super itchy and within a week I developed a rash. I asked the doctor and she didn’t think it was PUPPP rash and said it just seems to be irritated, dry, stretched skin. The itching has lessened over the past few days and the rash hasn’t spread.

I’ve been having hip pain during the night for most of the third trimester. This past weekend it’s getting worse and sometimes I can barely walk even during the day as they pain has also spread to my pelvis.

This weekend I’ve experienced an increase in Braxton Hicks contractions.

Since it’s unlikely that I’ll post again before baby boy gets here I suggest keeping an eye on my Facebook page for baby updates. I’ll probably post the birth announcement there long before I get a chance to blog about it.

Make your predictions now…
When do you think baby boy will get here?
How big do you think he will be?
(If this helps…Adaline was 5 days late and she was 8lb6oz 21.5”.)

Related Posts

Click for the latest pregnancy news
*Our Infertility Story: The Short Version
*Trying to Conceive: Take 3 (Secondary Infertility)
*Trying to Conceive Tuesday (Take 3 Continued)
*Wordless Wednesday: Two Lines
*Early Ultrasound 7 Weeks 2 Days
*Early Ultrasound 9 Weeks 2 Days
*The Night I Got Arrested and Changed My Name to David (not really): A trip to the ER, Ultrasound 11 Weeks 4 Days
*NT Ultrasound 12 Weeks 4 Days
*Half Way There! 20 Weeks
*It’s a…
*Wordless Wednesday: Is That a Pumpkin Up Your Shirt?
*Third Trimester Already?!: 2nd Trimester Recap (Weeks 20-27)
Cool Baby Boy due 02/05/2011
(Clomid baby) VBAC hopeful 🙂

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Posted in Jenn, Jonathan, Pregnancy

Third trimester already?

Nov 16

Posted by Jenn Rian

I hit the 28 week mark on Sunday, so I’m now officially in my 3rd trimester! Here’s what I’ve been up to (pregnancy-wise) during the past 8 weeks since my last update.

I was 20 weeks on 09/18/2011 and the following day we found out that our little one is a boy! 🙂 A few days later I had a prenatal appointment. Everything looked good and baby’s heart rate was in the 150s.
This is how Cool Mama rocks an OB appointment…
(09/22/2011 20 weeks 4 days)

On 9/30 I turned 32. That has nothing to do with the pregnancy, I just never bothered to blog about it and thought I’d mention it.
(09/30/2011 21 weeks 4 days)

(10/02/2011 22 weeks)

(10/09/2011 23 weeks)

My sister was taking these photos and she said, “You’re boring just standing there…do something.”
This is what I came up with…

It’s also a cruel joke that my wedding photo is visible in the background when I was 8 years younger and 40ish pounds lighter.

Around 23-24 weeks the rib and back pain started. It’s only the right rib (mostly when I sit working at the computer desk for hours) and my back pain is on the upper right side. I had the same pains only on the same side while pregnant with Adaline, however the pain with her was more constant.

(10/15/2011 23 weeks 6 days)
Click here for more photos of me in the pumpkin shirt. You know you want to.

(10/16/2011 24 weeks)

Around 24 weeks I had another OB appointment. Baby’s heart rate was good again although they didn’t tell us a number. Adaline came with us to this appointment and the OB I was meeting this time was the one that delivered Adaline in 2009. Adaline was a very good girl during the appointment.

This OB (who I’ve taken to calling Dr. Sunshine…sarcastically) spoke to me briefly about my desire for a VBAC. To make it short she basically said that I can try for a VBAC but that my daughter was a big baby and chances are this baby will be big too and I may end up with another c-section. Mmm-kay.

After the appointment they let Adaline choose a toy to take home. She chose a small yellow Frisbee with a dinosaur sticker on it. In the car on the way home she says, “Thank you for the…what is this?” 🙂

At my 24 week appointment I wasn’t thrilled with my 7 pound weight gain, although no one seemed concerned with it. I started doing some prenatal exercise dvds. In the past four weeks I’ve done 8 days of prenatal aerobic, 5 days of prenatal sculpting/strength, and 5 days of prenatal yoga. I can only work out once Adaline is in bed so I don’t have a real schedule going yet, but my goal is to do aerobics 5 days a week and strength and sculpting 3 days a week. For weeks now my weight has stayed the same (although my belly is definitely growing) but all of the sudden yesterday I weighed in 5 pounds heavier than the rest of the month! Seriously, 5 pounds in one day? I hope my scale’s just wonky.

(10/30/2011 26 weeks)

Last Tuesday I had my 1 hour glucose tolerance test. The stuff that they gave me to drink was a bright red fruit punch flavor. I decided to check the ingredients while I was drinking and sure enough there was the artificial color Red #40 in it. That kinda really irritated me. I’m a grown woman who could care less about the color of the nasty stuff you’re making me drink. Is it really necessary to put fake junk in my body so that we can all pretend that it’s red? I don’t get it. Anywho, I’ll get my results at my OB appointment tomorrow.

This month I interviewed a couple of doulas and I made a decision over the weekend. I’m so excited about having doula for this birth. It makes me feel much more confident that I can achieve a successful VBAC. Yay for me!

Now I shall leave you with the lovely weekly belly shots from my entire 2nd trimester. I’m sure you’ll want to set this as your computer wallpaper (um, please don’t…creepy stalker!)
(Click photos to enlarge)

Proof that my belly is really that big…

Related Posts

Click for the latest pregnancy news
Preconception / Trying to Conceive
*Our Infertility Story: The Short Version
*Trying to Conceive: Take 3 (Secondary Infertility)
*Trying to Conceive Tuesday (Take 3 Continued)
First Trimester
*Wordless Wednesday: Two Lines
*Early Ultrasound 7 Weeks 2 Days
*Early Ultrasound 9 Weeks 2 Days
*The Night I Got Arrested and Changed My Name to David (not really): A trip to the ER, Ultrasound 11 Weeks 4 Days
*NT Ultrasound 12 Weeks 4 Days
Second Trimester
*Half Way There! 20 Weeks
*It’s a…
*Wordless Wednesday: Is That a Pumpkin Up Your Shirt?
Cool Baby Boy due 02/05/2012
(Clomid baby) VBAC hopeful 🙂

Posted in Jenn, Jonathan, Pregnancy

7 Comments

Tags: 2nd trimester, pregnancy

I sold my teacher what?!!!

Sep 22

Posted by Jenn Rian

This is for Mama’s Kat Writer’s Workshop prompt #4.) A time you felt wronged by a teacher. I had considered writing about this last year during my Mommy’s Piggy Tales series but thought it may be too scandalous for my nice, respectable, Mommy-blog and instead wrote about the time my grandma ran over my foot with the car. Still the story is begging to be told…

It was around March or April of 1991. I was in 6th grade. I was 11 years old. I had the misfortune of having the same math teacher two years in a row. He wasn’t all that bad and still I wasn’t very fond of him. Maybe because Math was my least favorite subject and my grades were slipping that year.

(Look at that face of innocence! And also that sa-weeeeet outfit ;))

Middle School was the time when we learned what “going together” was all about (sorta). Kids were “going together” and breaking up every week. “Going together” more than 2 weeks was rare and nearly unheard of during these formative years. I myself had already had one other “going together” and breaking up experience so far that year. Now I found myself “going with” another boy. I don’t remember much about our “relationship”. I don’t remember how we got together or how we broke up…I only remember that it happened and was, in the scheme of things, quite an uneventful period of time in my life. The only mention of the “relationship” in my diary was short, cryptic and written 3 months after the fact.

(Names were erased to protect the privacy of those mentioned in my diary ;))

There’s probably more I don’t remember about this experience than what I do remember and I regret that I can’t provide you with all of the compelling details. All I know is that the halls had recently emptied, I’m guessing that the bell was about to ring for the start of class. My boyfriend was in the hall with me and before he left he gave me a quick peck. I’m fairly certain that this was the first time that had happened, yet it happened so quickly it almost seemed routine. I’m not even sure the kiss hit my lips although I know it had intended to. Then he came walking up to me…my math teacher. Tall (in comparison to me), round, balding, and bearded he towered over me with his eyes narrowing at me through his round glasses. He informed me that he had just seen what had happened and would be calling my mother. I wanted to yell that he had kissed me and that I was the innocent victim of a hit and run (which was the truth), but I said nothing and walked with my head down, red-faced and embarrassed into class.

I don’t think my math teacher ever bothered calling my mother because she never talked to me about it, and believe me, she definitely would’ve talked to me about it. I suppose there was nothing to worry about, yet I still couldn’t help feeling embarrassed that my teacher thought me a naughty girl. In fact this very incident may have been what led to the ultimate demise of my “relationship” with Mr. Kiss-and-Run. I bet you’re thinking that this is rather a boring story and so far you’re right. Little did 11 year old me know the irony that awaited me 7 years later.

It was around September or October of 1998. I was 19 years old. I was working in the lingerie department of a very newly opened department store in the mall. Half of our department’s merchandise consisted of respectable sleepwear and robes, the other half of bras and panties and other foundations. Far from being Fredrick’s of Hollywood or even Victoria’s Secret we only carried a few racks of “special occasion” lingerie, otherwise known as…the sexy stuff.

(Me 1998, still the picture of innocence.)

Because the store had recently opened I was scheduled to work with several other cashiers, something that would be unheard of in the future as many resignations and lay-offs would occur. I was standing near the register talking with another girl when I happened to glance over towards the “special occasion” lingerie…
And then I saw him. Looking through the racks of sexy lingerie was my 5th-6th grade math teacher. He didn’t appear as tall since I was now (a little) taller than my 1991 counterpart, but he was still round (although perhaps more round), still balding (although more bald), still bearded (although more gray), and still wearing round glasses.

Before I had a chance to tell my co-worker and then flee from the scene…horror of all horrors he came walking up to the cash register. Suddenly I found myself alone. Where did my co-worker go so quickly?! I took my long hair and threw it in front of my face to hide my features and turned my name badge around to hide my name. I was hoping he would quickly purchase a nice tasteful negligee for his wife without recognizing me (I wasn’t sure whether or not he was married…nor did I care at the moment.). Well, he didn’t recognize me…at least he didn’t acknowledge that he recognized me. In fact I’m not sure he even looked directly at me as I’m sure he may have been quite embarrassed of himself. Embarrassed because, no…he was not in fact buying a nice tasteful negligee. Instead I found myself ringing up a pair of crotchless panties…in size 2XL…for my 6th grade math teacher! (*shudder*) Paying with a credit card confirmed my suspicions that it was indeed him. Aside from me mumbling the purchase total I’m quite sure that neither of us spoke during the whole transaction including any hellos or goodbyes.

He left and I pulled my hair back out of my face which was much redder than it had been 7 years ago in the hallway at school. Once I had a moment to recover from the horror of what had just happened, a smile broke across my face and I found myself wishing that I had his mother’s phone number…that naughty, naughty boy!

Other Writer’s Workshop Posts:
*07-13-11 A bad day: Oh, no he didn’t!
*07-13-11 Has your child thrown a temper tantrum in public?
Create a video describing what happened and how you handled it.: And so it begins… (Video)
*07-06-11 A list of 10 old TV shows you’d like to make a comeback.: 10 Shows I’d Like to Make a Comeback
*06-15-11 Share a Summer Camp memory.: Youth Camp Stinks
*05-25-11 Write about a time you got in BIG trouble as a kid.
The Newsboys Wouldn’t Ditch Their Friends
*05-18-11 Describe a time when your child said or did something that made you laugh out loud.: Funny Things Adaline Says (Video)
*05-18-11 What was your big dream for yourself when you were 18 and had graduated from high school?: Dreams and Aspirations
*05-18-11 List ten favorite things about one of your favorite people.: 15 Reasons Why My Hubby is Awesome
*05-11-11 Write a love letter to someone (some thing?) you love.
The One That Got Away
*04-06-11 A rule I broke: In School Suspension

Posted in Flashbacks, Jenn, Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

7 Comments

Tags: Writer's Workshops

It’s a…

Sep 19

Posted by Jenn Rian

BOY!

This morning I had my 20 week ultrasound. There’s no doubt about it…there’s definitely a tiny little man in there! 🙂 Today he weighed 13 ounces and his heart rate was 145. Everything looked good, he’s perfect!

We brought Adaline with us and at first she was very excited to see the baby on the “tv”. After awhile she got bored with it and my mom took her out into the waiting room. I’m glad that we brought her, though. It seemed like she understood what was going on a little better being able to see the baby moving on the screen.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Once again he was much more docile than Adaline was during her ultrasounds. I’d really like to feel him move more, but I hope the “laziness” is a sign of a nice, calm, laid back personality. That will make it nice and easy on mommy in the future 🙂

We tried to get a family photo in the lobby. Didn’t turn out too good. Oh well.

Now we’re going to be busy preparing the nursery and picking out a name. We pretty much had the girl’s name pinned down already, but boy’s names are harder for us for some reason.

Well, I’m off to the baby name books!

(The internet hasn’t been working at my house all day. So even though I got home from the ultrasound at 10am, I wasn’t able to post anything about the baby until I decided to walk over to my mom’s house and use her internet at 5pm!)

Posted in Jonathan, Pregnancy, Ultrasounds

4 Comments

Tags: pregnancy, ultrasounds

Half Way There! 20wks

Sep 18

Posted by Jenn Rian

I’m 20 weeks pregnant today. I can’t believe I’m already halfway through the pregnancy! This pregnancy is going by so fast compared to Adaline’s…probably because I’m chasing a toddler around now, I’m too busy to think about it.

(Ignore the grumpy looking face. I thought I was smiling, but I’m just too tired to tell anymore ;))

The baby’s given me a few really good kicks over the past few weeks, but they’re limited to maybe one a day and at first only one every few days. The past couple of days I’ve been feeling a lot of squirms and flutters, but they’re all very small and very low and not strong enough to see or feel on the outside yet. I’m hoping the movement really picks up soon because that’s my favorite part of pregnancy and it’ll be so great to see Adaline’s reaction once she’s able to see and feel the baby move 🙂

Tomorrow (Monday) morning we’re going bright and early to have the 20 week ultrasound. We’ll get to find out the baby’s gender (hopefully)! We’re bringing Adaline with us so that should be interesting.

Now’s your chance make your guess before the announcement after the ultrasound…

Do you think it’s a girl or a boy?!
Let me know in the comments!

Posted in Jonathan, Pregnancy

7 Comments

Tags: pregnancy

Birthday Tradition: Professional Birthday Photos

Aug 17

Posted by Jenn Rian

One of our birthday traditions is to have professional photos taken each year. For the past two years I’ve taken Adaline to J.C. Penney’s on her actual birthday, August 4, where she has pictures taken in her birthday dress. We might not always do it on her actual birthday but it worked out that way the past few years and I’m glad that we have some good birthday photos of her.

Birthday Photos 2011
Adaline is 2!
(Click on photos to enlarge.)

(Click on photos to enlarge.)

Birthday Photos 2010
Adaline is 1!
(Click on photos to enlarge.)

Adaline also had her 1st birthday photos taken in a romper that I wore in my 1st birthday photos. There’s at least one slight difference in our appearance 😉
(Click on photos to enlarge.)

I know that’s way bigger than a smash cake. I forgot to ask my mom to make a little cake to take with us so she stopped by the grocery store and this was the smallest cake they had! Let’s just say that between this and her actual birthday cake, smash cake, and cupcakes we were eating cake for weeks and I literally gained 10 pounds!
(Click on photos to enlarge.)

Posts COMING SOON…
Balloon Wreath Tutorial and Links Post
Ladybug Picnic Centerpiece Tutorial
Free Ladybug and Bug Fonts Links Post
Ladybug Picnic Products List
(I’ll be creating a separate post that contains all of the info and links for the supplies from this party. In the meantime if you want to know where I got something just ask in the comments.)