Week 28 - Needles, Needles, Needles

Well we have begun the third trimester, which will likely be the hardest and longest. So far both Robert and I feel like the pregnancy has gone by very fast, but we have heard rumors that it is about to slow way down. :) The second trimester was by far better than the first. More energy, better appetite, and actually looking pregnant made a huge difference. We began feeling baby movements, got over the acne, and settled into a state of contentment.

I feel things are about to change but not quite sure what makes me feel that way. I have and still do refer to Baby Gerrans as "him" and "he", but had a weird feeling the other day that I have a girl inside of me. Still feeling more boy than girl, but something is telling me not to count a girl out just yet. Maybe it is the stories of couples who were convinced they were having boys and their little ones came out as little girls! Either way I really have no preference. This baby is our first one and all I want is a healthy one. Dad pretty much feels the same except he has nailed a percentage to his preference 51% boy, 49% girl :) 100% healthy!! He is also having a harder time waiting to find out than I thought he would. I on the other hand have no desire to know, this has surprised me, I thought roles would be reversed.

Since my ultra easy & happy pregnancy seems to annoy a few I thought it would be fun this week to write about all the things I don't enjoy about pregnancy. The things we don't necessarily talk about, there aren't many but you may find them entertaining.

1. Physical Restrictions - I am big, but I am weak. Not being able to pick up the shovel and a dig a hole is uber-frustrating. I can't even carry a laundry basket full of clothes anymore. Having to truck my rolling cart to the farmer's market instead of my cute African basket is a drag too. I have to wait for Robert to roll out our stone-aged dishwasher, get bakeware out of the high cabinets, to move the potted plants around the patio, and, scrub the shower. I am such a busy body and it drives me nuts that I can only go so far on my "projects". I impatiently pushed it when we were installing shelving in our closets, but I ended up hurting myself so that lesson was learned very quickly. Poor Robert his "honey-do" list is longer by the week and I am sure that will only increase as we get deeper into the next 12 weeks.

2. Food Limitations - I want to eat sushi everyday. I would love to have some raw fish, some seared tuna, a deli sandwich, eggs benedict, blue cheese, or some ultra rare beef, but alas these are a no go for pregnant women. Not to mention wine or coffee. This with the fact that I actually have to watch my weight has been really annoying. I like to eat what I want and since I cannot have these things it makes me want them more, so typical.

3. Dehydration - My skin is as dry as an alligators, I have never used so much lotion. I can't wear any synthetic fabrics without wanting to tear them off immediately. Sometimes I feel like a gigantic static ball. To top this off I have discovered that I am a horrible water drinker. I need to get about 72 oz of water a day and I find that I consume about 48 which is no good. In the coming weeks this lack of water could be dangerous so I am measuring out and keeping track of every oz of liquid I consume to insure that I am getting enough. Its water, not cough syrup, you would think this wouldn't be so hard, but for me it is such a challenge. Any tips you may have for getting more water down would be great. I have tried flavoring it which does help and carrying around my mason jar helps me see my progress.

4. The Needles - They have taken enough blood from me to fill another human being - I swear. I go for my first injection tomorrow, but they have had their fill, literally, of my blood. As most of you know I have a major needle phobia, and you would think with all the practice I have been getting that I would be getting better, ha no way. Robert experienced this for the first time and I think he was a little surprised how real it is. I cannot control it, every time I tell myself that I am going to just do it this time and it never works out that way. At least I am not hiding in the bathroom anymore, so maybe I am getting better? In reality it is not the needle going in that bothers me, it is the feeling of something leaving or entering my body through the needle/syringe. It is making me squirm as I write this. Below you will find a humorous story from this week about needles.

5. Sleeping on My Left Side - I am a stomach sleeper and I cannot sleep that way for obvious reasons. I am sleeping fine, actually pretty good, but I catch myself wanting to lay on my tummy all the time. Fighting something that seems perfectly natural is never fun.

6. Getting Dressed - I have not purchased any maternity clothes yet, but getting dressed is so much more of a chore than it used to be. Probably because most of the clothes in my closet cannot accommodate this huge belly. I am limited by what I can wear and dressing for a new figure is difficult. Most days I want to stay in my bathrobe and that is sooo not like me!

7. Bathroom Visits - It is what every pregnant woman complains about, but what she often won't tell you is that this combined with the fact that her sense of smell is heighten makes it even worse when you are on the go. I have gagged my way through many a public bathrooms in the last six months and let me tell you it is no picnic.

8. Burping - If I have broccoli watch out, I turn into a sailor at a pub. So gross. I am the lover of etiquette, yet I am also the one grossing out my poor husband. I cannot wait for this to stop!!

These are not in order (I am sure you can guess what my number one is) but if this is all I have to complain about you can see why I don't. None of these are truly terrible. I feel blessed that these are the only complaints on my list so far.

Now I will leave you with a story that may make you giggle. This week I had to be tested for gestational diabetes and iron levels. Apparently many pregnant women get diabetes, probably due to unhealthy choices in diet, so they test everyone instead of waiting for the symptoms to set in. In order to complete this test you must drink a bottle of sugary water and within an hour get your blood drawn. Well I of course waited until the last moment for this a) because I didn't want to drink the nastiness and b) because of the needle. I waited for a day when I could be escorted by Robert and drank the liquid as I was told. It was disgusting just like everyone said it would be, it tasted like a concentrated, room temperature, flat, lime soda, but I kept it down. We made it to the lab in perfect timing. As I was beginning to sweat knowing that I would be faced with a needle in a matter of moments who do you think was in front of me, an elderly man like usual? No, a five year old girl. She was the bravest thing I have ever seen. She sat up in her chair and watched as they put the needle in her arm and took her blood. She didn't fidget  she didn't squirm, I swear she didn't even blink. Her parents weren't even close by her, why didn't I get that skill??? I told myself I wanted to be like that! What do you think I did? I let out a scream, a few tears, I even bit Robert's arm as I buried my face into it, and moaned through all three vials that they collected. I think in my hysteria I let out a "I wish I was like that little girl". I have 22 years on her and she could definitely teach me a lesson or two about getting blood drawn.

On a happier note, no diabetes here and my iron levels are perfect so no more of these tests yay!! But these weren't my last needle experiences for this pregnancy.

Happy Easter hope you had a nice holiday!!

Here is a pic Robert snapped after one of our evening walks, yes I am wearing a real sweatshirt :)