I've decided to run through the various gender predictors to see what the main guess is for Baby Reeder. We'll have to wait until he/she pops out to determine the validity of these, but until then...
According to the following Old Wives Tales, I'm having a:
Carrying high instead of low = GIRL
Carrying it all in front (no one can tell I'm pregnant from the back) = BOY
Craving sweet rather than salty snacks = GIRL
Lots of fetal movement = BOY (a sexist OWT about women being placid and complacent....)
Heartbeat is higher than 140 bpm = GIRL
Baby dreams I've had have been about boys = BOY
Dad-to-be has not gained weight along with Mom = GIRL
Didn't actually get sick with my morning sickness (for the most part) = BOY
Sum of mother's age at conception (24) + number of the month of conception (April = 4) is even = BOY (an ancient Chinese thing)
Headaches during pregnancy = BOY
The child my mother had after me was a boy = BOY
I do not eat the heel of a loaf of bread = GIRL (the lamest of them all)
Everyone tells me I look better than ever now (I promise I'm not making this up, I get it all the time now, which is so lovely to hear) = BOY (apparently girls take away their mother's beauty, ha!)
Conclusion from all of this? Who the heck knows. All of these add up to a 61% likelihood that the munchkin is a BOY. This will delight the husband - and just about everyone else. So far, the guesses on the Baby Reeder Split-the-Pot Pool are 63% boy, 37% girl. Either way, I can't wait to meet him/her!!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
64 days :)
I will absolutely be holding my child in my arms in no more than 64 days! How thrilling is that?! My doctor assured me this morning that Baby Reeder will indeed be born in 2009. I asked about induction and she told me she typically will let a woman go as many as 10 days over her due date. When I explained my anxiety over giving birth in the new year (with scary 2010 insurance rates), she promised we'd get this little tyke out before then. Hooray!!
64 days. That's not a lot of time, and that's the maximum # of days. We still have so much to do! Finish the nursery, put away all the baby stuff still littering the living room, pack the hospital bag, tour the hospital, have the car seat inspected.... I feel unprepared, the husband feels over-prepared, and odds are we are somewhere in the middle. Time to get our butts in gear!
Our appt went just as perfectly as usual this morning. Baby's heartbeat is 155 bpm. She measured my belly for the first time and evidently our growth is perfect, so she isn't concerned about the baby's size at this point. Everything still looks great on paper for both of us! And actually, despite some back pain, I'm feeling really good this week, too.
How far along?: 32 weeks, 0 days.
Total weight gain/loss: +1.5 this week, +14 overall.
How big is baby?: 3.75 lbs and 16.75 inches long. The baby should double his weight in the next 7 weeks.
Maternity clothes?: Full-time.
Sleep: Never enough.
Movement: As the nurse was trying to get the baby's heartbeat this morning, he kept squirming away from the doppler, so much so that we both started laughing. Clearly, we were invading his personal space :)
Labor signs: A few more BH. Speaking of labor, the OB confirmed that Baby Reeder is head-down again. For some reason the phrase "locked and loaded" won't leave my head.
Food cravings: Oh sugar, how I love thee. This week has been filled with brownies, buckeyes, and caramels. Mmmmm.
Gender: It has one, we just don't know what it is.
Belly button in or out?: Strange.
What I miss: Comfortably bending over to pick things up.
What I am looking forward to: Wednesdays. This is my last working Wednesday at F+W (ever!), plus my next 3 doctor's appts are scheduled on Wednesdays. It's like a mid-week treat.
Best moment this week: On my way to work today, I saw a car with antlers attached to the windows and a red nose on the front bumper. It's the most wonderful time of the year :)
Weekly Wisdom: (Somehow this question got deleted the last few weeks. It's back, so soak in my wisdom.) Slip-on shoes are ESSENTIAL in pregnancy. Tying your shoes at 7+ months pregnant is so very, very difficult.
Milestones: The start of bi-weekly doctor's visits. To quote my OB, "We're getting closer!"
64 days. That's not a lot of time, and that's the maximum # of days. We still have so much to do! Finish the nursery, put away all the baby stuff still littering the living room, pack the hospital bag, tour the hospital, have the car seat inspected.... I feel unprepared, the husband feels over-prepared, and odds are we are somewhere in the middle. Time to get our butts in gear!
Our appt went just as perfectly as usual this morning. Baby's heartbeat is 155 bpm. She measured my belly for the first time and evidently our growth is perfect, so she isn't concerned about the baby's size at this point. Everything still looks great on paper for both of us! And actually, despite some back pain, I'm feeling really good this week, too.
How far along?: 32 weeks, 0 days.
Total weight gain/loss: +1.5 this week, +14 overall.
How big is baby?: 3.75 lbs and 16.75 inches long. The baby should double his weight in the next 7 weeks.
Maternity clothes?: Full-time.
Sleep: Never enough.
Movement: As the nurse was trying to get the baby's heartbeat this morning, he kept squirming away from the doppler, so much so that we both started laughing. Clearly, we were invading his personal space :)
Labor signs: A few more BH. Speaking of labor, the OB confirmed that Baby Reeder is head-down again. For some reason the phrase "locked and loaded" won't leave my head.
Food cravings: Oh sugar, how I love thee. This week has been filled with brownies, buckeyes, and caramels. Mmmmm.
Gender: It has one, we just don't know what it is.
Belly button in or out?: Strange.
What I miss: Comfortably bending over to pick things up.
What I am looking forward to: Wednesdays. This is my last working Wednesday at F+W (ever!), plus my next 3 doctor's appts are scheduled on Wednesdays. It's like a mid-week treat.
Best moment this week: On my way to work today, I saw a car with antlers attached to the windows and a red nose on the front bumper. It's the most wonderful time of the year :)
Weekly Wisdom: (Somehow this question got deleted the last few weeks. It's back, so soak in my wisdom.) Slip-on shoes are ESSENTIAL in pregnancy. Tying your shoes at 7+ months pregnant is so very, very difficult.
Milestones: The start of bi-weekly doctor's visits. To quote my OB, "We're getting closer!"
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
It's official!
As of Monday, I will be a part-time employee!
I've been waiting to blog about this until it was a done deal, mostly because I didn't want to jinx anything. I've been stressed out about my crappy insurance (and stress = bad for baby). Switching from FT to PT is the only way for me to ensure that I will be covered by the husband's insurance when Baby Reeder chooses to pop out. We will save a lot of money this way if the babe comes out early, as my current insurance blows. When I told HR that the reason I was requesting this switch was to "lose my benefits", they looked at me like I should be immediately admitted to a psych ward. Apparently, this was a first for them. But, nonetheless, it was approved!!
What does PT entail, you ask? It means I'll work 29 hrs over 4 days each week, with Wednesdays being my days off. Most of my OB appts have been scheduled on Wednesdays, so this will allow me to choose better appt times now that I start going bi-weekly (and soon, weekly!) I have a feeling I'm really going to appreciate these mid-week breaks, too. So, if I am able to work through Dec 11 as planned, I only have 27 work days left before I "retire" :)
Speaking of retiring, have I mentioned yet how blessed I am to have a husband that both understands and supports my desire to be a stay-at-home mom? I know it's not for everyone, but it's always been really important to me. I was blessed with one myself and I must say, the benefits are irreplaceable. We waited to have kids until we knew we could afford this arrangement - another blessing that came sooner than I had expected. Things might be tight for a while, but I truly believe our children will thrive because of it.
I had 4 distinct dreams as a child (that I can remember):
1. Marry a handsome man.
2. Have babies.
3. Stay home to raise those babies.
4. Own a vehicle with a bathroom so we never have to stop on road trips.
I'm thrilled to say that 3 of those 4 dreams are just weeks away from having come true (the RV dream might have to wait until retirement...) Soooo very blessed :)
I've been waiting to blog about this until it was a done deal, mostly because I didn't want to jinx anything. I've been stressed out about my crappy insurance (and stress = bad for baby). Switching from FT to PT is the only way for me to ensure that I will be covered by the husband's insurance when Baby Reeder chooses to pop out. We will save a lot of money this way if the babe comes out early, as my current insurance blows. When I told HR that the reason I was requesting this switch was to "lose my benefits", they looked at me like I should be immediately admitted to a psych ward. Apparently, this was a first for them. But, nonetheless, it was approved!!
What does PT entail, you ask? It means I'll work 29 hrs over 4 days each week, with Wednesdays being my days off. Most of my OB appts have been scheduled on Wednesdays, so this will allow me to choose better appt times now that I start going bi-weekly (and soon, weekly!) I have a feeling I'm really going to appreciate these mid-week breaks, too. So, if I am able to work through Dec 11 as planned, I only have 27 work days left before I "retire" :)
Speaking of retiring, have I mentioned yet how blessed I am to have a husband that both understands and supports my desire to be a stay-at-home mom? I know it's not for everyone, but it's always been really important to me. I was blessed with one myself and I must say, the benefits are irreplaceable. We waited to have kids until we knew we could afford this arrangement - another blessing that came sooner than I had expected. Things might be tight for a while, but I truly believe our children will thrive because of it.
I had 4 distinct dreams as a child (that I can remember):
1. Marry a handsome man.
2. Have babies.
3. Stay home to raise those babies.
4. Own a vehicle with a bathroom so we never have to stop on road trips.
I'm thrilled to say that 3 of those 4 dreams are just weeks away from having come true (the RV dream might have to wait until retirement...) Soooo very blessed :)
Friday, October 23, 2009
Unfit mother, part 2.
I've done it again. I've managed to get the "You're Going To Be a Terrible Mother" badge again. This time, at my work baby shower. Ugh. I was asked by a new dad in our dept if we had done any birthing classes or planned to. We're not. The husband and I have decided it's unnecessary because no 2 birthing experiences are alike and very few go according to any "birth plan". When I responded with a simple "no", the earth stopped spinning on its axis - well, in the eyes of my favorite co-worker at least.
Her: You're not doing any at all?
Me: Nope.
Her: Don't you want to be prepared for labor?
Me: I have a sister and a mom that have told me everything I need to know. Plus, you can't plan things anyway when it comes to labor. What will happen will happen, regardless of how many breathing techniques I've learned.
Her: Well, I still use those breathing techniques now, 31 years later. It doesn't hurt to be well-informed.
I think I'm going to invite her to stay with me the first few weeks after Baby Reeder is born to help out. You know, since she CLEARLY knows what it's like to give birth and raise a baby in 2009. Breathing techniques? I prefer drugs, thanks. And feel free to flame me for that one, too. I'll keep my badge all shined up for our next encounter.
T-minus 5 days until I tell them I'm never coming back once this baby makes his exit, and I'll do my very best not to grin like an idiot or yell out "Suckers!" while I do it.
Her: You're not doing any at all?
Me: Nope.
Her: Don't you want to be prepared for labor?
Me: I have a sister and a mom that have told me everything I need to know. Plus, you can't plan things anyway when it comes to labor. What will happen will happen, regardless of how many breathing techniques I've learned.
Her: Well, I still use those breathing techniques now, 31 years later. It doesn't hurt to be well-informed.
I think I'm going to invite her to stay with me the first few weeks after Baby Reeder is born to help out. You know, since she CLEARLY knows what it's like to give birth and raise a baby in 2009. Breathing techniques? I prefer drugs, thanks. And feel free to flame me for that one, too. I'll keep my badge all shined up for our next encounter.
T-minus 5 days until I tell them I'm never coming back once this baby makes his exit, and I'll do my very best not to grin like an idiot or yell out "Suckers!" while I do it.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Oh my...
Notice a difference? We started taking weekly belly shots (headless, so it doesn't matter how crappy I look.) After taking this week's photo and looking back a few weeks, I think Baby Reeder and I have hit a major growth spurt. Good lord.
On the left is 28 weeks. On the right is 31 weeks. We're talking 3 weeks, people. And, just for fun, below that is my 9 week photo (please excuse my dirty mirror.) I'm wearing the same shirt in this one as the 31w pic. What a difference 5 months makes, huh? :)
On the left is 28 weeks. On the right is 31 weeks. We're talking 3 weeks, people. And, just for fun, below that is my 9 week photo (please excuse my dirty mirror.) I'm wearing the same shirt in this one as the 31w pic. What a difference 5 months makes, huh? :)
Totally TMI.
DISCLAIMER: The following is going to delve into TMI territory. Consider this your warning, boys (and any childless females that'd like to continue to believe that pregnancy is all sunshine & rainbows - although, you'd have to be a new blog reader to still feel that way....) Stop reading now. Don't scroll down. I mean it. And if you don't heed this advice, you can't say I didn't warn you.
Sitting on the couch in my PJ's last night, things started to...um...leak. Now, there's been some slight leakage in the past, but nothing that has left a quarter-sized wet spot on my (husband's, lol) tshirt. It has begun. Looks like my days of sleeping braless are over for the next year or so.
Ironically, I was accused of stuffing my bra in 7th grade by some mean boys (I was an early bloomer.) Now, I will actually be stuffing my bra - with breast pads. Ah, pregnancy.
Sitting on the couch in my PJ's last night, things started to...um...leak. Now, there's been some slight leakage in the past, but nothing that has left a quarter-sized wet spot on my (husband's, lol) tshirt. It has begun. Looks like my days of sleeping braless are over for the next year or so.
Ironically, I was accused of stuffing my bra in 7th grade by some mean boys (I was an early bloomer.) Now, I will actually be stuffing my bra - with breast pads. Ah, pregnancy.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
You're waddling.
So we get home last night after dinner and, as I'm walking into the house, I look at the husband. He has wide eyes and this strange look on his face as he watches me.
Me: What's the look for?
Him: You're waddling. (boyish grin on his face)
Me: I'm 7 months pregnant. What do you expect?
Him: I guess this is just the first time I've seen it.
Me: (no words, just continued to waddle inside after a quick eye roll and shake of the head...)
How far along?: 31 weeks, 0 days.
Total weight gain/loss: +0.5 this week, +12.5 overall.
How big is baby?: 3.5 lbs and over 16 inches long. Getting fatter every day :)
Maternity clothes?: Sweatpants are becoming my at-home norm. I'd imagine they'll soon become my out-of-home norm as well.
Sleep: Afternoon naps are in order.
Movement: More intense than ever this week. I can't tell you how many times I've looked down at my belly and said "please stop, you're hurting Mommy."
Labor signs: A few BH.
Food cravings: Baked goods of all types. I cannot get enough. Trying very hard to fight the urge to make brownies, as the husband's been really good about eating healthy lately.
Gender: No idea.
Belly button in or out?: Getting flatter.
What I miss: Breathing normally. Apparently the struggle to breathe will let up some once the baby starts dropping, so I've been pushing her down all week (fully knowing this will not help.)
What I am looking forward to: Doctor's appt next week.
Best moment this week: Dancing with the husband at the wedding reception, though the baby belly did get in the way a bit :)
Milestones: 2 months to go!
Me: What's the look for?
Him: You're waddling. (boyish grin on his face)
Me: I'm 7 months pregnant. What do you expect?
Him: I guess this is just the first time I've seen it.
Me: (no words, just continued to waddle inside after a quick eye roll and shake of the head...)
How far along?: 31 weeks, 0 days.
Total weight gain/loss: +0.5 this week, +12.5 overall.
How big is baby?: 3.5 lbs and over 16 inches long. Getting fatter every day :)
Maternity clothes?: Sweatpants are becoming my at-home norm. I'd imagine they'll soon become my out-of-home norm as well.
Sleep: Afternoon naps are in order.
Movement: More intense than ever this week. I can't tell you how many times I've looked down at my belly and said "please stop, you're hurting Mommy."
Labor signs: A few BH.
Food cravings: Baked goods of all types. I cannot get enough. Trying very hard to fight the urge to make brownies, as the husband's been really good about eating healthy lately.
Gender: No idea.
Belly button in or out?: Getting flatter.
What I miss: Breathing normally. Apparently the struggle to breathe will let up some once the baby starts dropping, so I've been pushing her down all week (fully knowing this will not help.)
What I am looking forward to: Doctor's appt next week.
Best moment this week: Dancing with the husband at the wedding reception, though the baby belly did get in the way a bit :)
Milestones: 2 months to go!
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