Week 28

We went to the doctor's office on Monday. All went well, and Carolina's heart is beating strong and steady. She even dodged the doppler throughout the heart monitoring experience. She really makes me laugh when she hides from the doppler, and she makes me laugh even more when she bats at it. I wonder if it is any indication of her personality.

Current weight gain: + 1 lb in 2 weeks (+ 21 lbs in 28 weeks of pregnancy)

Another one bites the dust...

I wish I were just singing this crowd-pleaser, but it actually happened today.

If you view my picture below, you might notice that I've been wearing glasses lately. It's a long story, but the short explanation is that it's just been easier to wear my glasses lately. The only problem with that is my vision (without correction) is 20/800, so with glasses, I can see clearly in most of my line of site, but have 20/800 vision peripherally. (Don't worry people, Jeff does most of the driving!)

This morning I was moving about my therapy room, trying to grab a box of speech cards to take them to my desk, and I tripped over a box that was sitting on the ground. Luckily, I have cat-like reflexes, and I landed on my knees and hands. I called my doctor, and she wanted me to go to labor and delivery to make sure the baby was okay. She was okay, which made me realize that God really does a great job creating perfect little protective packages for his little miracles.

My knees are so sore, but not bloody, so I consider myself blessed in that regard. I am icing them even as I type, and I plan on "taking it easy", which may change in definition as the weekend goes on.

PS--Belly pics and weight update to follow.

Story Time!

Monday night was a big one in my book. It was the night I read Carolina her first night-night story. I selected one of my favorite books, "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak.

The book has always intrigued me - Max's wolf suit, the brightly detailed illustrations ("Let the wild rumpus start!"), the idea of eating someone up because you love them so (which I never got until I held baby Victoria). I also love Max's imagination, turning his room into the place where the wild things are.

Reading to Victoria when she was in utero was one of the highlights of that pregnancy. We read her children's books and Bible stories. She heard something almost every night, one reason - people tell us - she's as smart as she is. I feel I've dropped the ball with Carolina in some ways. I've known for several days that she was finally really hearing things outside her bubble, but it seems so hard to find quality reading time with her (and Melody). I've actually thought "I'm going to feel horribly guilty if Carolina isn't as gifted as Victoria because I'm not reading to her."

And this, I've found, is one of the traps of the second child. "Well, we did it this way the first time, so..." If there is anything this pregnancy has taught me it's that they're all different, and that's okay. I've been able to apply that to how Melody's feeling, but not in how I'm preparing myself for the arrival of my second daughter. Seven years ago I was a clueless kid, reading everything he could get his hands on...which is really easy to do when you're unemployed (err, job seeking). Now I've got two jobs and less time to really enjoy this pregnancy as much as I've wanted.

But really, it's going to be okay. We're just getting into the third trimester, so there really is time left to read to this baby and make her as smart as her big sis. In fact, I'm going to do something about that right now. Time to sneak into Victoria and Kaylei's room and grab a book off the shelf. I think tonight I introduce Carolina to "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day."

--Jeff

Belly pic @ 24 weeks!

Expectorsize? Expector-NOT

I was so excited last wedensday knowing I'd be starting my first prenatal water aerobics class. My friend told me it would be a fun and relaxing way to keep my activity level up, plus who doesn't love to swim?

Well, you can imagine my saddness when the fitness center informed me that I was the only person to sign up for the class. They did offer another class option, prenatal yoga, so I switched to that class instead.

The class was full of pregnant women, some of which are due in March, and others due as late as June/July. It was really nice to have an instant "bond" with these women, and I felt challenged completing some of the yoga moves. They don't mess around! At one point, I had to balance myself on one foot and close my eyes. Thankfully, I did not tumble.

The funniest comment made by the instructor was, "Tighten your abdominal muscles, as much as you can." Where exactly are my abdominal muscles? I forgot I had those!

I pour a sip on the concrete / for the deceased

If you know the song I'm referencing, then you'll understand why today was a monumental day.

If you don't know, the song is "Ready Or Not" by The Fugees, off "The Score". Released in 1996 it remains one of my favorite hip-hop albums. Another standout track from that album was The Fugees' cover of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly."

As Melody, Victoria, Kaylei and I were driving home today we heard "Killing Me Softly" on KGBX, the "easy listening" station in our hometown. Tears were shed, sips were poured.

I always knew this day would come, when songs of my high school days appeared on easy listening, classic rock or oldies stations. I wondered how it would feel. I can answer that now.

Weird.

Yeah, I know this isn't baby-related. I'm a bit busy right now, but I hope to share some thoughts soon.

--Jeff

P.S. - Here's a link to the video if you want to get really nostalgic. ONE TIME!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYl2pztQjdM

Winds of change

We experienced some wild weather last night. Springfield and the counties surrounding Greene Co. experienced several severe thunderstorms and tornados. The wild weather began around 5 pm, and ended sometime after 4 pm. I thought it would never end, but was greatful to have awaken to the sound of silence (as opposed to the sound of sirens).

The storm experience helped me to gain some perspective regarding my own experiences in regards to this pregnancy. Prior to going to bed, I felt very disappointed in my current weight gain of 5 lbs in the past two weeks. I felt as if I had done all the things that should help me maintain my weight: worked out, ate balanced meals high in protein and low in sugar/fat. So I was really disappointed when I stepped on that scale and saw that I had gained 5 lbs.

However, after spending half the night in the hallway, fearing for our safety, I realized that health and safety are more important to me than the numbers on the scale. I have decided to change my outlook in the following ways:

1. I will continue to make healthy choices in my diet. I will ask myself, "Is this choice healthy for my child?"
2. I will continue to work out lightly, adding water aerobics to my schedule.
3. I will get more sleep at night. I will strive to be in bed by 10 pm.
4. I will keep a positive attitude, and remember that I am surrounded by amazing people.

Current weight gain: + 20 lbs @ 26 weeks

*Belly pics to follow!

Work it OUT!

I have a friend who is days from having her baby. As I watch her work through the process of having contractions and dialating, I can't help but think about my last experience with childbirth.

Victoria was 5 weeks premature, and I did not know I was in labor until it was too late. Due to some "issues" with my doctor's office, I was told to not go to labor and delivery, to walk alot and to take a warm bath and "we will see you on Wednesday!". By the time I followed the advice, I was having contractions that were less than 5 minutes apart, and I was finally convinced by my friends to go to the hospital. They checked me out in triage, and discovered that I was 6 cm dialated. Wow, after all that lovely advice, Victoria was still a healthy baby with little to no complications.

I am glad this time around I have more information and have a doctor who works with well-qualified people. I feel very blessed to have these people on my side:)