26w Belly Button Watch 2013

I have now initiated BELLY BUTTON WATCH 2013. When I was pregnant with Ana my belly button sort of flattened out but was still a bit concave. Judging from how things are looking now I'm guessing that it will pop out this time - probably by the end of August. You read it here. I'll keep you posted on my prediction.

I'm also currently accepting suggestions for my Halloween costume. My due date is November 2nd so the belly will be good and baked at that point. I'm looking for something really creative and cheap - so keep your pumpkin suggestions to yourself.

Pregnancy observations:

1. The amount of urine excreted by a pregnant woman is apparently greater than the amount of fluids she actually consumes. I have visited the washroom about a gazillion times today. Don't worry - I'm well hydrated.
2. I currently have amazing skin. Not a pimple in sight. I also have pretty great hair too.
3. This kid is way more active than I remember Ana being. So much so that I Googled whether babies could be TOO active. The answer is no... I'm still going to double check with my midwife next week though.
4. My favorite question/game these days is when people ask me when I'm due. I like to see how big their eyes get and how flustered they are when I tell them I have another three months to go. To their defense I look like a could pop any day.

Family Vacation - Rhode Island & Massachusetts (July 2013)

We recently took a week-long holiday with my family on the boat my brother Andrew runs. He'd recently sailed the MaHa up from the British Virgin Islands to Newport, Rhode Island where we met up with him, my dad, step-mom, brother James, and Andrew's fiancee Cat. We had a great time!

That's right, that big one at the back!

Here are some pics featuring the belly on our trip:

Our first time under sail. Ana and I both got sick (this was the only time). Ana went to sleep. I threw up.

  

Cuttyhunk, MS - Yes, this is what 6 months pregnant looks like (for me)

Yup, still only 6 months...  

 Family shot with the four of us (number 4 in utero)

 Quiet moment on the beach

 Walking around Martha's Vineyard

Golfing at Priate's Cove in Cape Cod, MS

24w6d ga

All is well with my pregnancy. I have been much more comfortable this pregnancy - mostly because I know how to manage some of the symptoms better. The heat wave we're currently experiencing isn't fabulous but fortunately both work and home are air conditioned so I have been managing fairly well. 

I definitely haven't been blogging every new pregnancy symptom the way I did last time. However, I haven't been completely neglecting my son in social media! Here, for all perpetuity, are some pregnancy related posts.

I was pregnant in this picture but didn't know it yet. That same night I climbed out the passenger side window of Laura's car (without getting footprints on the ceiling) when she ditched the car.

 Announcement! (It isn't real until you post it on Facebook after all)

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

July17, 2013

 

July 18, 2013

20w 6d Ultrasound Results!

Bebe numbero dos' ultrasound was yesterday. He was as uncooperative and evasive as his sister - he even kicked the ultrasound probe a few times. The poor sonographer had to chase him around to get a look at all his parts. Mark says its because he's got the Rossi leg shaking disorder...

He was however much less shy than his sister in giving up the goods. As you can tell from the masculine pronoun we found out that a baby boy will be joining us in the wider world this Fall. Ana, who has recently become very interested in and excited about becoming a big sister, is also excited at the prospect of a little brother. 

For the record, my maternal instinct was correct again, there is facebook proof that I predicted a boy the day before the ultrasound. It took a while longer to confirm my hunch that Ana was a girl as she was 'shy' and wouldn't give up the goods in her ultrasound and we had to wait until she was born.

Here are a few ultrasound pictures for your viewing pleasure:

 In profile

Feets!

Ana art - Our family:

19w1d

Not much new to report. Most days I feel pretty good although I've had more headaches this time around which I think is, in part, due to the weirdo (dramatic) changes in weather we've had so far this spring which I'm susceptible to even in a non-pregnant state (don't get me started on what happened when i lived in Calgary and there was a chinook).

We've got a checkup with the midwife on Tuesday and are really excited about the ultrasound on the 20th.

Here, for your viewing pleasure, is bebe número dos' very first belly picture! I am much bigger compared to same time last time around which is normal (but still a bit disconcerting!).

14w6d

I think there's probably something to the idea that birth order has an affect on your life. Bebe numero dos is already not getting near as much blog coverage! Ah well, s/he will benefit from all the experience I got figuring out how to be a mom with Ana.

My morning sickness seems to have resolved and I have weaned myself off the mecation I was taking to manage it. On the flip side I've had a few migraines with vomiting this pregnancy which I didn't get during my pregnancy with Ana. I'm trying to sort out if there are any triggers that I can avoid to minimize the migraines as I can't take anything (that works - Tylenol is allowed but ineffective) for them.

I've felt a few little flutters and the odd light kick from bebe. I'm not sure I would have noticed or been able to identify these last time around as I wasn't familiar with the feel wee baby dance moves. 

My weight, which soared in the first eight weeks of my pregnancy, has leveled off which is a relief. After having lost all that weight prior to my pregnancy I was a bit freaked out to watch the scale climb the way it did for awhile there. A couple of people have asked me about my weight loss and pregnancy. I lost the weight, in part, to be healthier for a subsequent pregnancy (I also harbored a secret hope that I wouldn't get morning sickness... I was clearly deluded). So I'm' not concerned about the fact that I'll have some weight management work to do in the postpartum.

Wendy, my step-mum, was kind enough to sew up a few maternity shirts for me. I picked out the pattern and five different materials and away she went! They're all the same pattern - here's a (not very good) picture of one of the five:

We had our second visit with the midwife today and got to hear bebe's heart beat for the first time. It was loud and strong and just the right tempo. We brought Ana along for our visit and, to be honest, she was kind of uninterested. I don't think she really gets that there's an actual little person growing in mama's belly. We don't push her as we know she'll figure it out in her own time.

Without further ado here is the video of bebe's first hearing of the heart beat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_4qhOhC1W8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Next exciting happening will be the mid-pregnancy ultrasound at the end of June!

11w 7d

We had a lovely visit with Zia, Uncle Lou, cousins, and second cousins in Michigan last weekend. I picked up a few maternity clothes States-side too as a lot of the clothes from my pregnancy with Ana are currently ginormous on me - I was heavier starting out in my last pregnancy.

Conversely, looking back at some of the belly pictures we took during my pregnancy with Ana my belly is much bigger compared to the same time in my last pregnancy. Its all popped out much more quickly this time.

I've also decided to alter some of my current clothes - I just added in some stretchy panels to the sides of cute skirt I bought shortly before I found out I was pregnant. I never got a chance to wear it before the bloat set in! I should be able to remove the panels and sew it back in the many, many months from now when I get back to my pre-pregnancy weight.

The weather has been a bit odd around here. It suddenly spiked to well into the 20's yesterday evening and is supposed to drop back down to more seasonal temperatures by tonight. I think the changes in atmospheric pressure have resulted in some crazy pregnancy puffiness for me - my hands, feet, and lips are all swollen today. Hopefully the swelling will go back down with the temperature!

10w5d

We (Mark and I) went to meet with our midwife for the first time yesterday. We went through my medical history and talked about my pregnancy and birth with Ana. We tried to hear the heartbeat,  knowing that it was likely too early, and thought we heard a few faint beats before the doppler waves scared him or her off.

We'll be bringing Ana to future midwife visits so she can feel apart of things but I knew this initial visit would just be lots of talking and not very interactive for her. Mark tried to explain to Ana about hearing the baby's heart beat to which she responded "What you talking about daddy?". She'll get there :)

My nausea is thankfully mostly under control. I have been much more comfortable this time around as I started the Diclectin (medication to manage the nausea) much earlier. I've been really tired and taking lots of naps but have noticed my energy level increasing the last few days. Hopefully only a few more weeks of taking medication for my nausea are in my future as was the case last time around.

I'm tired but mostly cheerful and looking forward to this, likely my last, pregnancy.

7w3d

We told our Ana yesterday that there's a new baby growing in mummy's tummy. This is earlier than we'd planned but I'm turning into the first trimester zombie and I wanted her to understand why her mom is such a sleepy flake these days. She took it in stride, although I'm pretty sure she doesn't entirely understand, but we've got some books to read to her to help her understand over the coming months.

Am I ever glad that I got that prescription. My nausea still feels very close to the surface and its pretty distracting at work to perpetually be taking deep breaths to try and relax and feel comfortable in my body but it would be much worse if I was going through my full on nausea unmedicated. 

Pregnant Couch Zombie

7w0d ga

I took the day off yesterday to catch up on some sleep I've lost on account of waking up painfully hungry at 2 and 4am every night. I also hit up the walk-in clinic for a prescription for Diclectin - a medication that helps control the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. My nausea is becoming worse and worse and I want to get it under control before I become as miserable as I was in my last pregnancy. I had forgotten how much the medication knocks me out and have spent a good part of the weekend napping. I do feel much less nausea fortunately. If this goes the same way as my last pregnancy the nausea should end in about 6-7 weeks. Yay?

First craving of this pregnancy: Anything that goes with hot sauce. Weird.

6w4d ga

My energy level has been pretty good although I notice if I don't take a relaxed approach to things as my energy level is quick to drop.

My stomach is increasingly unsettled but nothing I can't manage on my own so far. I'm drinking lots of water and upping my fibre intake as some of my discomfort is due to the slowing down of my digestive system. Gaaaaaasy!

I'm feeling really determined to not feel so miserable as last time and trying to be proactive about my diet and sleep to minimize my pregnancy sickness as much as possible.

I've ordered some books for Ana that talk about being a big sister and what is going on with mummy and the baby growing inside of me. We haven't told Ana yet - November is eons away from her perspective! We'll likely tell her at the end of March though as we plan to tell the family on the Easter long weekend and the rest of the world shortly thereafter.

5w5d GA

I seem to have gotten the worst of the bloating and constipation under control. I have a 1400ml bottle on my desk that I fill and drink at least once every day at work. This is a huge accomplishment for me - humble though it may seem. I am not much of a water drinker usually but I'm determined to put off digestive upset and maternity pants for as long as possible!

Mark and I haven't told anyone yet. We're holding off until Easter weekend when well gather with the Rossi clan for dinner and make calls to my family.

Bebe Número Dos

Hurray! It only took us 13 months but we finally made another baby! I'm sure this one will be just as cute as our wee Ana.

Just like last time around I was absolutely convinced last month that I was pregnant and was pretty disappointed when I got my period. And just like last time I was equally convinced that I hadn't conceived this month. I was delighted to see the positive test sign appear on Sunday (February 24th, 2013) night.

The estimated date of birth is November 2nd, 2013 and we will be going with a midwife again. We wont be planning a home birth this time however as, if memory serves, it's not recommended for moms who had a c-section last time around. I am planning to try for a vaginal birth though so you better all cross your fingers for me that I don't have to go under the knife again. It takes so much longer to recover from a csection than it does from a normal delivery. With a busy girl already running around as fast a recovery as possible is very welcome.

So far no nausea. I've been tired and have lots of bloating, burping, and some mild constipation. I'm working on mitigating this by increasing my water and fiber intake and eliminating my fizzy drink consumption. Also, I've had pregnancy brain since a few days before my positive test! I can barely keep myself organize these days.

Wishing and Hoping and Thinking and Planning and Dreaming

We gave it a try last month but didn't really try that hard. This month we've been at it in earnest! Poor Mark - a wealth of booty like he couldn't imagine. Only a few more days and then I'll leave him alone and hope for the best in early February.

If we conceive this month the baby would be due very near Ana's birthday! The due date I calculate is around October 10th - Ana's due date was the 20th and she was born on the 19th.

It will be so wonderful to watch Ana with a little sister or brother. She will make a great big sister.

BIRTH!

In the interest of completeness I'm including the Facebook note I posted on Thursday October 22, 2009, just 3 days after Ana was born.

________________________________________________

Hello all!

Thank you all so much for your lovely notes and best wishes. A quick version of our birth story which I hope to expand when my brain starts functioning again. These details are coming from my foggy postpartum/postoperative brain so I reserve the right to revise them in the future :)

I was in labour for many hours much of it back labour (translation - much more painful than regular labour). I made it to about 5cm dilation at about the 24 hour mark. I was exhausted and starting to feel like I wanted to push which is bad when you're not fully dilated to 10 cm. So we decided it was time to head into the hospital, get me an epidural, with a plan to get some rest and dilate pain free then push out a baby. After the longest 1.5 hours of my life I got the epidural and returned to the world (Mark actually said "welcome back"). Then little Ana's heart rate started to do some funny things and we decided the best thing was to get her out quickly. She was born shortly after midnight by c-section with meconium found in the waters (this is baby's first bowel movement and has a consistency very similar to tar). Fortunately the meconium stayed well above her lungs. Regular procedure is to get an x-ray of baby's lungs and some other tests and so off Ana and daddy went to the neonatal intensive care unit. While she was being tested and observed her breathing got really fast and so she had to stay in the NICU for 48 hours for observation. She is now totally well (her breathing is normal and there were no complications from the presence of meconium in the waters). I was admitted for 48 hours as well because of my c-section.

We are totally ecstatic with our lovely healthy daughter. Mark has truly been nothing short of amazing. He's been taking great care of both me and Ana. I'm really sore from the surgery and working on getting breastfeeding well established. I'll probably be MIA for the next little while as I'm feeling pretty exhausted but please know how much I appreciate all your support!

Sam

Pre-Labor Activity

Had an exciting night last night. Woke up around 2 am with mild contractions every 7 minutes or so for about two hours. I woke up Mark around 3 am and he made me some toast because I felt hungry. After a little time on the exercise ball the contractions started to be less intense and we headed back to bed. Things stopped around 4am and we slept the rest of the night.

This morning I had some bloody show (mucous plug) which means my cervix is starting to open. Things are slowing starting!

No more contractions today so far - bloody show sometimes means that labour will start in the next few days.

I've been taking it easy today. After breakfast I went back to bed because I hadn't slept very well after we went back to bed. Feeling much more rested after my nap.

One week to my 'due date'

So due dates are only guestimates of when a baby will actually be born. I'm 7 days away from my October 20th estimated date of birth.

Here's a pic of my great big belly full of baby:

39 weeks pregnant

Nothing else has happened since our false alarm of Sunday. I'll keep you posted.

Thanksgiving False Alarm

We had a little bit of excitement at Thanksgiving dinner this afternoon. We were in Owen Sound for dinner at Aunt Lillian and Uncle Blair's which is about a 2 hour drive home. Fortunately we'd had an opportunity to enjoy most of the afternoon and all the great food already.

I had what turned out to be a 45 minute 'practice' contraction. When it started I thought it was just some ligament pain on my right side. The discomfort got stronger and stronger and started to radiate up my side and across the front and back of my torso. I got pretty uncomfortable so Mark and I decided it was time to head home.

We paged the midwife on the road because we were concerned that the pain wasn't easing up. It was like a 45 minute charlie horse that got worse and worse! I started using some of the techniques that I learned in our self-hypnosis course which I found really helpful for coping with the discomfort. Of course by the time we actually talked to the midwife the pain was fading.

So, after about an hour, I was pretty much fine. We got home and I had a nice hot bath. My right side is still a bit tender and my belly is still pretty taut but there isn't anymore discomfort. The baby has been really active this evening.

So, we're back where we started. I could have this baby anytime between tonight and early November...

38w4d ga

My first week of maternity leave was glorious. Its much easier to be pregnant when you don't have to go into work everyday! I spent the first few days taking it easy and resting. The last few days I've been puttering around the house, doing some last minute running around, and getting things organized.

We had our home visit with the midwives on Wednesday where we talked about what to expect at a home birth, reasons we would move into hospital, and checking to make sure we have everything we need at home. We're all set so this baby can come whenever s/he's ready.

The baby's and my health are good. My blood pressure is excellent (118/68), urinalysis normal, and babies heart beat is great (146). Baby is squirming around throughout the day and night and I occasionally get some little feet pushing up against or under my ribs. It doesn't hurt but it does feel weird. I've gained about 35 lbs which has leveled off and I don't anticipate putting on much more weight as weight gain usually slows down or stops at this point. I have a bunch of stretchmarks on my lower abdomen which are kind of ugly but I'm trying to think of them as pregnancy souvenirs :) I developed very fat feet earlier this week - around the same time the baby dropped into my pelvis. Its sandals only for me for awhile.

No signs of early labour yet although my body does seem to slowly be moving that way. The baby is nice and low in my pelvis with its head tucked and facing my right side (her/his back is lined up with my left side). So far this just means I have to pee several times an hour!

I'm doing a couple of things to help prepare my body for labour. I'm drinking a couple of mugs of raspberry leaf tea a day which is a uterine tonic. The midwives recommended a prenatal homeopathic regime of Arnica (helps with healing after the birth), Actaea Racem (helps the uterus contract in a coordinated and effective way in labour), and Caulophyllum (helps stimulate contractions and promotes blood flow to the pelvis). I'm also taking evening primrose oil caplets orally and vaginally which helps my cervix get ready for birth. None of these things will actually induce labour but rather help my body work as effectively as possible once labour gets going. I have lots of energy (considering I'm pregnant anyway - I still have a nap most afternoons) and so have been doing lots of walking which is also good for bringing on and coping with labour.

I'm feeling pretty relaxed about labour. I have no idea what to expect so I figure there's no point in worrying about it. Also, worrying will probably make it hurt more :) We'll see how I feel after the first few twinges when I have a better idea of what the expect!

Now - we just wait...

36w 4d ga

Only one more week of work left and then I can slow down, relax, catch my breath for a few weeks and then its baby time! We're both really excited to finally meet our little one.

Here are promised pictures from our photo session with Jordan and Shaun on August 23, 2009: