Butternut squash and skeletal growth

So, yeah. Here's the facts from BabyCenter

How she's growing:
"Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because her bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day."

And then there's the below, which so far just does not apply to me:
--no heartburn, but when I'm full (it takes liquid to achieve this delightful effect), the little flap that should keep my food out of my throat and further down my digestive tract is not flapped closed, so I can bend over, hike up a hill, or roll over in bed and announce: "ew, tastes like I just threw up a little in my mouth." But, no burning!
--no hemorrhoids, yet...
--constipation has not returned. I'm all regular and happy about it! (But, um, the poo is stinky in a new way. From the fish oil supplements?)
--I can still sleep or kick it on my back
--Dizzy everyonce in a while. It passes, so, no big.
--Boobs! Still got 'em. Still lovin' 'em. New addition to boobage area: big blue veins after a bath or a hike. And every once in a while the left, sorry, my left boob (they're so darn big I sometimes forget they're mine!) aches a bit. I think it's cause they're busy getting ready for baby. Cool!
--She/Ginger Crash/Kahli/August/yeah, we don't know yet kicks a lot! And maybe punches. It's still cute and not yet uncomfortable. So, more yay!

How the experts say my life should be changing:
"Your baby's very active now. Your practitioner may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let her know if you ever notice a decrease in activity. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.

"Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion, which in turn can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation as well.

"Your growing uterus may also be contributing to hemorrhoids. These swollen blood vessels in your rectal area are common during pregnancy and usually clear up in the weeks after giving birth. If they're itchy or painful, try soaking in a sitz bath or applying cold compresses medicated with witch hazel to the affected area. Also avoid sitting or standing for long stretches. Talk with your practitioner before using any over-the counter remedies during pregnancy, and let her know if you have any rectal bleeding. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise.

"Some women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy, where laying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might note that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too. To avoid "the spins" lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing."

This week in cravings

I am right now pounding a whole milk, peanut butter, banana, ice shake/smoothie. Yum! Happily settling into week 29, I am resting a tiny bit more, craving less fruit, less sweets and stuffing myself with protein and fat. Sometimes it's cause I'm craving it (like this here milky goodness) and sometimes it's just because.

I'm supposed to. Eat a TON of protein and fat and calcium-rich foods during this trimester. Tiny human is making bones right now. And she'll take all the calcium I've got. I'm happy to share with her, but I figure consuming calcium (in my leafy greens and mostly milk products) is a good idea.

Fats: well, we gotta have them. Me and the little lady. Lots of avocado, cheese, coconut oil rather than vegetable or olive oil. Lots of meats and cheeses. And chocolate, cause why not!

In this week's reading queue:
The Doula Advantage
The Vaccine Guide

After only a few dozen pages into The Doula Advantage, I was convinced that working with a doula is for me and Ross. This week I will begin to interview and get to know potential doulas. I want my, hopefully, at home birth experience to go as smoothly as possible. I want to work well with Ross without jeopardizing my ability to 100 percent rely on him. As well, I don't want to be in a freaking panic by the time the midwives arrive. And, I want an expert on hand to pamper, massage, feed, water, clean etc. me throughout. Yup, a doula is for me!

And then there was happiness

Halle-friggin-lujah. The days-long frustration ended. It was for sure related to changes that I should expect and welcome and all that jazz. But as well, life, was, frustrating. For more than a minute. As life is likely to be. Mixing frustration with new hormones meant the dog's life was in danger. (See previous posts.)

But really, that is in the past. And spider is still alive. And cute as ever. Spider might even be cuter than ever, in fact, because Monday he demonstrated that he is fully over being afraid of/aggressive towards Charile (Nicole and Sanders' wonderful 7 year old.) At the annual Pt. Richmond massive yard sale extravaganza, Spider barked at a few folks, as per usual, but as soon as he saw Charlie, he headed right over and made with the nice. They hung out in town, and at home, while the boys bbq'd.

It was almost cute enough for me to rethink his upcoming operation. But really, really, he's not using his nuts. So he can live without them. Right?

Also, at said bbq, he was less than 100 percent accepting of baby Piper. Who really likes to crawl quickly towards him, and kinda screams in delight whenever she sees him, and is then crawling towards him. Spider barks, and eventually runs away. Which is good. Because we don't want him to eat/bite/scar the baby.

This week I've let myself sleep in til 10 twice(!), but consequently, missed out on a hike with the dog. Which I find compromises my mood a bit too much. Today, I was on the hill hike even before coffee. Then dishes, meatballs by Ross, and work. The hike, and a well-walked dog are integral to my mood-management. But then, this is nothing new.

Also, I downloaded a photo or two from a recent sushi date-night. And I'll be damned, but, hey, look at that, I'm still cute! Also good for mood-maintenance!

28 weeks = a whole new third

Rather than rant about my grumpiness (which does nothing to relieve the grumpi-stabbiness I feel today/yesterday, I will now share with you what the weekly website update says about my wunderbar baby.

"How she's growing:
By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world."

And for the below, looks like I'll continue to pork up (which is fine, cause I have no problem eating everything in sight, apparently) and my legs will continue to act as if they were attached to, well, somebody's body that is not mine.

On the happy-joy-joy side of things: Had a lovely visit with one of our midwives. Had a fun birthing class. Enjoyed a delish dinner with friends w/ child and arrived home with a breast pump, new book to read and a baby bed/massager thing. But more on that when I feel like smiling, or being at all pleasant or complimentary.

"How your life's changing:
You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.

"At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Depending on your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis now, as well as doing cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea, to be certain of your status before delivery. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test. And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (If your baby is Rh positive, you'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth.)

"Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your caregiver if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS."

Today is grr

So, this is hormones? Frustration way beyond what ordering a washer and dryer should cause. And WAY beyond what an afternoon cup of coffee should fuel. And later tears. And today the same: frustration. While on my hike! Glad I didn't kill the dog. It was tempting.

Then, as the GRRR coursed through my veins I recalled with our birthing class instructor mentioned at our a recent class: Gots to counter those stress/anger juices with some good old oxy.

"I want you to look down at your belly. Think about your baby. Rub your belly. Now, say aloud to your baby, "I love you." And yeah, she's right, flood of oxy-happy hormone.

"I want you to bathe your babies with love."

OK. Tried that, on the hike = flood, of near tears.

So, then I realized, indeed, this is, these are, hormones. What did not cure the grumpy, frustrated, angry, tired new me:
--a nap
--getting stuff done
--a hike
--masturbating
--ice cream
--friggin anything, nothing cured my ills

My neck hurts.

And Grr.

Welcome to the third trimester. Fuck.

Put the wand down, and walk away

So, I can sleep in these days, if I want. But I don't always want. Today, I shouldda. Couldda. Kinda did. Is this what it's like to be a lady of leisure? I always thought there would be more champagne.

Earlier this week (2nd trimester, remember), I was up at 7 am and on the hill hike by 8 or 9. Waking up with yogurt and banana, a cup of coffee and a hike was great! Back home for second breakfast with the boy by 10. But I over did the whole damn thing Wednesday, with a hike, office workday, writing AND a a social event.

The social event was great! Six pregnant ladies, a lot of mom-tails, a few partners/husbands, 1 sister, my glass of wine, Kate's beer, Ross's tequila and Kitty's bar (Kitty and husband Abel took turns DJing.) It was a gorgeous night. Boobs and bellies were out.

By the time I got home, I could barely keep my eyes open. And I had a mean, huge, pulsing blister on the bottom of my heel! So: tired, limping pregnant lady, barely able to climb the stairs. Oh joy.

And Thursday I was tired. I toned down the amount of office work, and had to stick to the flats for the hike.

Friday: baby sitting Piper from 10ish to 2ish was GREAT. And afterwards I napped for 2 hours. Two solid hours. (Piper is Nicole's little 9-month-old lady)

Today: My alarm went off at 7. I turned it off til 8. There may have been sex, I can't remember right now. Plans to hit the hill by 9 were scrapped in favor of more food. Back to bed by 11!

How many times can a pregnant lady masturbate before noon? Well, I have a pretty good idea. And the number seems to be rising. Along with my electricity bill...

Ross once asked me if I would always remember to leave enough sensitivity for him... ulp. Time to get to work. Or get out of the house.

I did write a story for work so far. Too. And I will hike, after 6, when it cools down (veins and dog will appreciate the wait), but I wonder, is this what boredom feels like? Kinda like, "Hmm, well, I guess I'll go masturbate." Guess I better enjoy it while I can.

This week: we make room for a crib. And a piano.

91 days to go, or so it says

But that was last week. This week, we're talking cauliflower and hiccups.

Not sure if they are hiccups or karate chops, but the little lady has been MIGHTY mobile this week. I know that for myself and the other pregnants (Kitty and Lan) we still think it's all cute and wow! to feel the kicks/chops. But moms, and preggos who are farther along feel otherwise. Or seem to. They are all good at biting their tongues and smiling and saying "I remember when I first felt (insert name here) kick!" but the stories leak out. On facebook, on blogs, after a few drinks: Aliens, human feet visible through your bulging skin, bladder kicks... oh boy.


So: Yes: 27 Weeks. Kicks are still cute.
"This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle."

See, still cute, even the BabyCenter says so.

How life and bod are a-changin':
The second trimester is drawing to a close, but as your body gears up for the final lap, you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp up now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs. Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give you some relief. Straighten your leg and then gently flex your toes back toward your shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.

"It may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's not too soon to think about family planning. You'll want to have made some decisions about postpartum birth control before your baby arrives. If you're considering a tubal ligation, be aware that most states require you to sign a consent form at least 30 days beforehand. So if you'd like the option of having the surgery during your postpartum hospital stay, don't wait too much longer to discuss it with your caregiver. (You can still change your mind later.)"

No leg cramps for many months. But Nicole suggested banana and milk shakes before bed. Sounds yummy. I'm on one shake a day lately. I need more bananas! And time for whole, unpasteurized milk!