Ah, surprise of surprises! We are having a GIRL!!!!!!!! I was so certain that it was a little boy, and I was totally wrong. As soon as the doctor confirmed it, I was elated! I didn't feel any disappointment or anything. I mean, I am absolutely thrilled! My mind went to all the pretty dresses and bows and all the fun frilly stuff we'll get to buy! YES! A BABY GIRL!!!!!! Of course, Steve is absolutely excited, and he says "You know I'm going to spoil her, right?" Of course - Daddy's Little Princess. We've already picked out her first name, Stephanie. Yes, I know, it is probably a bit narcissistic of us to name her after the both of us, but it is the one name we totally agreed upon early on, and it really just stuck. So, I can stop calling her a "him" now, and stop calling "him" Junebug and use her first name. We are still working on the middle name, so when that's all set, we'll be sure and update.
My doctor is absolutely AMAZING! He is hilarious and kept us laughing the entire time. He did the ultrasound for us, and really took the time to show us every single thing, and he even did a 3D ultrasound without us requesting it. He said she is looking absolutely perfect and is growing exactly as she should. We were able to see her widdle fingers - at one point, it looks like she is sucking her thumb! We saw her complete and closed (thank the Lord) spine, her 4 chambered heart, her 2 hemisphere brain, her femurs, legs, knees, elbows, feet, arms, hands, stomach, bladder - everything. On the 3D ultrasound, we saw her widdle face, and her nose and her lips! Already a beauty - she got that from me, of course. She is a little longer than we expected for 18 weeks - so I wonder if she will be tall. I have no idea who she got that from, as we are both short/average people. Now, I am really looking forward to meeting her!
We are still working on getting internet up at the house. When we do, I'll be sure and post the pictures from the ultrasound. I even took pictures of the new house, Steve's birthday and a couple pictures of me so you can all see how big I'm getting. Of course, the only comments any of you had better have are how absolutely beautiful, stunning, glowing I look, and nothing about how fat I look! : )
I am already in love with our coming Baby Girl!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Now, about that labor swing . . .
Well, the last week has been very very hectic for us. We moved into our house - FINALLY - and are still in the process of getting settled and unpacked. In the midst of that, I finally got through the OB orientation class, which I largely found to be a waste of time, since I already knew which doctor I was picking and I just wanted to get it over with so I could make an appointment. However, there was some wonderful information.
Apparently, Europeans have a much different view on childbirth and prefer the most natural approach possible. I'm totally okay with that, and that's what I definitely prefer. In fact, my goal was to do a non-medicated birth unless totally necessary. It looks like I won't have much choice in that matter though. They rarely give epidurals, and when they do, it's not like in the states where you are numb all the way down. Naw, they still want you to feel everything. However, I do have some great options when it comes to laboring naturally, like the use of the labor balls and the tub - I may even do a water birth! Some of the other natural methods were a little . . . different. Like this labor swing. It looked like some medieval torture device. But hey, if it works, who am I to knock it. And then there was this "labor island" - and it just looked weird. No palm trees and fruity drinks with umbrellas there, you are there to birth a baby. The births are all attended by a midwife (which I actually prefer) and there is a doctor on call just in case something goes wrong. They are very open there, and have very different standards of modesty. Many hospitals do not even provide gowns! Even with the differences, I really feel good about it, and I think it will be a wonderful experience. I will be free to labor as I need, and not be strapped down to a bed with constant monitoring. In fact, I'm almost looking forward to it. Almost - not quite.
Anyhow, this little Junebug is moving around quite a bit in there. I tend to feel him at certain times during the day (especially at meal times). And when I sing or turn on music, s/he really gets going! Steve even felt a kick for the first time about a week ago - how exciting. I wasn't sure if he'd be able to, since it is still fairly early, but I figured we'd give it a try. He hasn't felt it anymore since then, but the baby still does respond to his voice and touch. Already Daddy's little baby!
Well, we have our first appointment with the German OB on Friday, January 23rd. Apparently, the Germans are ultrasound-happy, and this particular one does ultrasounds at every visit (one of the reasons I chose him), so we are crossing our fingers that we will find out if we're having a boy or girl at the appointment. I had a dream the other night that I had the ultrasound and I could clearly see boy parts. We will be happy either way, but I am leaning towards a boy. Just a feeling I've had. Steve thinks it is a girl. We'll see who's right . . .
Apparently, Europeans have a much different view on childbirth and prefer the most natural approach possible. I'm totally okay with that, and that's what I definitely prefer. In fact, my goal was to do a non-medicated birth unless totally necessary. It looks like I won't have much choice in that matter though. They rarely give epidurals, and when they do, it's not like in the states where you are numb all the way down. Naw, they still want you to feel everything. However, I do have some great options when it comes to laboring naturally, like the use of the labor balls and the tub - I may even do a water birth! Some of the other natural methods were a little . . . different. Like this labor swing. It looked like some medieval torture device. But hey, if it works, who am I to knock it. And then there was this "labor island" - and it just looked weird. No palm trees and fruity drinks with umbrellas there, you are there to birth a baby. The births are all attended by a midwife (which I actually prefer) and there is a doctor on call just in case something goes wrong. They are very open there, and have very different standards of modesty. Many hospitals do not even provide gowns! Even with the differences, I really feel good about it, and I think it will be a wonderful experience. I will be free to labor as I need, and not be strapped down to a bed with constant monitoring. In fact, I'm almost looking forward to it. Almost - not quite.
Anyhow, this little Junebug is moving around quite a bit in there. I tend to feel him at certain times during the day (especially at meal times). And when I sing or turn on music, s/he really gets going! Steve even felt a kick for the first time about a week ago - how exciting. I wasn't sure if he'd be able to, since it is still fairly early, but I figured we'd give it a try. He hasn't felt it anymore since then, but the baby still does respond to his voice and touch. Already Daddy's little baby!
Well, we have our first appointment with the German OB on Friday, January 23rd. Apparently, the Germans are ultrasound-happy, and this particular one does ultrasounds at every visit (one of the reasons I chose him), so we are crossing our fingers that we will find out if we're having a boy or girl at the appointment. I had a dream the other night that I had the ultrasound and I could clearly see boy parts. We will be happy either way, but I am leaning towards a boy. Just a feeling I've had. Steve thinks it is a girl. We'll see who's right . . .
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Preggo Brain
I like to think of myself as a pretty intelligent and witty person, so I thought I'd skip right through the "preggo brain" that I'd heard about. I was SO wrong, and now I provide Steve with lots of entertainment. This is my favorite story by far . . .
When we were home in Florida for Thanksgiving, we were driving to the bookstore in a pretty affluent area of town. Up ahead, I see a little enclosure close to the road, like almost tent like but totally sealed. Now, obviously, I had been in Louisiana too long, because I totally just assumed people were selling pets on the side of the road. You know, "Get your Christmas puppy, kitten, whatever, here!" I'm thinking, wow, they got a fancy tent to sell some pets. So, we get closer, and I can see sheep. Yes, sheep. I am amazed these people could be so country, to be selling some sheep on the side of a busy intersection. I exclaim incredulously, "Steve, those people are selling SHEEP on the side of the road!" He's like "What?!" I'm getting ready to talk about how country they are when we pass and I see it is a . . . wait for it . . . a nativity scene. And no, they were not real sheep, and not even real people! Steve got a good laugh out of that one, and I had to laugh at my own silly self. I just knew those people were selling sheep! I still laugh when I think of that one.
In addition to that, I've given some amazing one liners. However, in keeping with the preggo brain, I can't even remember them anymore. I think Steve is probably secretly keeping a journal of all of them so he can make fun of me later as payback for all the hard times I've given him when he said something crazy.
At least in the midst of the discomforts of pregnancy there are opportunities for humor and laughter!
When we were home in Florida for Thanksgiving, we were driving to the bookstore in a pretty affluent area of town. Up ahead, I see a little enclosure close to the road, like almost tent like but totally sealed. Now, obviously, I had been in Louisiana too long, because I totally just assumed people were selling pets on the side of the road. You know, "Get your Christmas puppy, kitten, whatever, here!" I'm thinking, wow, they got a fancy tent to sell some pets. So, we get closer, and I can see sheep. Yes, sheep. I am amazed these people could be so country, to be selling some sheep on the side of a busy intersection. I exclaim incredulously, "Steve, those people are selling SHEEP on the side of the road!" He's like "What?!" I'm getting ready to talk about how country they are when we pass and I see it is a . . . wait for it . . . a nativity scene. And no, they were not real sheep, and not even real people! Steve got a good laugh out of that one, and I had to laugh at my own silly self. I just knew those people were selling sheep! I still laugh when I think of that one.
In addition to that, I've given some amazing one liners. However, in keeping with the preggo brain, I can't even remember them anymore. I think Steve is probably secretly keeping a journal of all of them so he can make fun of me later as payback for all the hard times I've given him when he said something crazy.
At least in the midst of the discomforts of pregnancy there are opportunities for humor and laughter!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Baby is Moving!!
A few weeks ago, I started feeling some slight movements, or rather, that's what I figured it was. I'm quite sure now that baby is definitely moving around in there! And apparently s/he seems to like Daddy's voice and touch, because I've gotten some extra little taps when Steve is around. It's so amazing! It doesn't happen regularly, but it's enough to know that somebody is definitely growing in my belly.
I feel so incredibly huge already! When I get up the courage, I'll post a belly pic. : ) It's funny - it seems like EVERYTHING grows, not just my belly. I'm carrying a lot of weight in my face, and I even pinched my own chubby cheeks the other day. Sometimes, I swear this little one balls up on one side, and I have to massage my belly until s/he stretches out again. With extra pillows, sleeping seems to be getting a little better. Right now, I can still sleep on my stomach, which seems to be the most comfortable most of the time, but I try to stay on my sides. I wish we had a king size bed for all my pillows though!
I still have my major craving for APPLES, and my new favorite is the "golden crunch" apple. This apple is so incredibly crunchy and sweet - very satisfying to eat. My new craving is Chef Boyardee lasagna cups. They give me crazy heartburn (but so does water) but they taste soooo good. And after watching "Juno" the other night, I got a craving for licorice, so I'm munching on that, too. At least it is a "low fat candy."
We got our first snow today! It even actually stuck and accumulated! Pregnancy is good - I can go out in the cold much easier than I expected, since I'm always warm nowadays. I guess it's a good way for me to get accustomed to this new weather. At least once a day, I go have to go out into the cold with no coat and just cool off. Who would've thought that this Floridian would be able to tolerate these below freezing temperatures?
Well, my OB orientation appointment is finally coming up next Tuesday, and we move into our house next Monday, so next week will be very busy with getting set up the new place. I can't wait to get out of this hotel room!!!!!!!!
I feel so incredibly huge already! When I get up the courage, I'll post a belly pic. : ) It's funny - it seems like EVERYTHING grows, not just my belly. I'm carrying a lot of weight in my face, and I even pinched my own chubby cheeks the other day. Sometimes, I swear this little one balls up on one side, and I have to massage my belly until s/he stretches out again. With extra pillows, sleeping seems to be getting a little better. Right now, I can still sleep on my stomach, which seems to be the most comfortable most of the time, but I try to stay on my sides. I wish we had a king size bed for all my pillows though!
I still have my major craving for APPLES, and my new favorite is the "golden crunch" apple. This apple is so incredibly crunchy and sweet - very satisfying to eat. My new craving is Chef Boyardee lasagna cups. They give me crazy heartburn (but so does water) but they taste soooo good. And after watching "Juno" the other night, I got a craving for licorice, so I'm munching on that, too. At least it is a "low fat candy."
We got our first snow today! It even actually stuck and accumulated! Pregnancy is good - I can go out in the cold much easier than I expected, since I'm always warm nowadays. I guess it's a good way for me to get accustomed to this new weather. At least once a day, I go have to go out into the cold with no coat and just cool off. Who would've thought that this Floridian would be able to tolerate these below freezing temperatures?
Well, my OB orientation appointment is finally coming up next Tuesday, and we move into our house next Monday, so next week will be very busy with getting set up the new place. I can't wait to get out of this hotel room!!!!!!!!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Words to Remember
And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, "Speak to us of Children."
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
~Khalil Gibran
My prayer is that I remember that I am but a vessel to bring forth this child for the glory of God. May I do it as a good steward, and with a good spirit always. May my life teach with love and conviction the truth of the gospel. Let me not seek to make them imitations of myself, but rather, help me to teach them that they are made in the image of God and to strive to reflect His glory and love. Lord, prepare my heart to be the mother that this child needs. I thank You, Father, for this miraculous gift, and in my thanks, I give him or her back to You that You may use this child for your glory. Amen.
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
~Khalil Gibran
My prayer is that I remember that I am but a vessel to bring forth this child for the glory of God. May I do it as a good steward, and with a good spirit always. May my life teach with love and conviction the truth of the gospel. Let me not seek to make them imitations of myself, but rather, help me to teach them that they are made in the image of God and to strive to reflect His glory and love. Lord, prepare my heart to be the mother that this child needs. I thank You, Father, for this miraculous gift, and in my thanks, I give him or her back to You that You may use this child for your glory. Amen.
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