We went to our perinatal physician yesterday. Afterwards, we planned on doing some shopping for the children (and me), then P.F. Changs, and then our birthing class.
What happened was that the doctor became concerned when he saw our baby hadn't even gained a full pound since we saw him before Thanksgiving, and had basically stopped growing. He suggested delivery, faxed our papers to our OB, and told us to call the OB within 20 minutes.
We weren't too concerned, because she's been a small baby all along, and figured we'd just call the doctor on our way to the mall. After all, we had a sonogram appointment with him the next day, so maybe everything was getting blown out of proportion.
Well, our doctor called US and told us to come over. We did, and he told us their concern. The baby should be gaining a half pound a week, which would have brought her up to a little over 6 pounds by now. As it is, she is barely over 5. They felt it was better to have her come now then wait the two weeks, as a lack of growth could indicate she's not getting the nutrients and oxygen she needs from the placenta, which could lead to a stillbirth. This is actually something the specialists have warned us, but still. We really didn't expect that this could actually happen.
So, my plan of all natural (except for epidural)birth is out the window, but I'd rather have this then risk something going wrong with the baby because I wanted to be stubborn and insist that my way was better.
It's pretty scary, but on the bright side, my sister and stepson's mom have both been through this, and the latter had really good advice and words of wisdom. It made me feel a little better. Plus, apparently it's going to be a full house in the waiting room, which is a wonderful sign of support.
I'm sad that she probably won't be next to me in the room. Since she's coming two weeks early, I'm sure they'll have her in an incubator the couple of days we'll be there.
I also haven't revised my birth plan, but I think the only thing I want to make sure of now is that her name is spelled right and she has all her fingers, toes and organs.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
16 Days
Now that the due date's coming closer, I've been wondering when that nesting instinct is supposed to kick in. According to my friends, the last stretch the mom-to-be is obsessively cleaning, organizing, and decorating. Now, I clean, keep up with the laundry, and have gotten part of my bag for the hospital ready, but really, this is all I feel like doing:
I've also been trying to make money doing online work. While fun, it's not really bringing in the cash. However, I don't know if it's the place, or just me. Supposedly, you can make $100 a week. Not a lot, but it's taken me 5 days to make almost ten dollars, so something isn't working here. It's too bad, because I was hoping to make money for the holidays, but that's not going to happen.
I do like our new room. I didn't want to switch with my sister; she had just reorganized her room and now that she's in our smaller one, she can't play her Kinect. I have to say, though, that we do have a lot more space. I don't trip over wires because they are actually out of the way. We can easily fit in a Moses basket or bassinet. Plus, when I make the bed, I can move the pillows without risking stepping on them because the only place to put them is on the floor.
The best part? There is now a table and chair for my laptop, which means I don't have to sit on the bed and then lean over to read my screen. My back is very grateful for that.
Okay, physically...well, it takes longer for me to get out of bed. I haven't had any weird dreams about giving birth to a litter of kittens or puppies or piglets, but I have very vivid dreams which put me in an almost coma-like state. Until I wake up to adjust my belly. My pelvic area is sore because apparently that whole area is stretching and widening for the baby, which means even the tiniest stretch or plie hurts. Of course back, but it's actually not been as bad. Once again, it must be the new seating arrangements.
And the Braxton-Hicks. Thank you Jesus that I only get them once a day or so. Because these things HURT. Like, take your breath away, blood leaving face hurt. The best thing I found is to make yourself get up and walk until the pain is gone. Unless we're in bed, then I squeeze Al's hand until it feels better.
AnnaBella still moves around. We hope we can catch her yawning or doing something again when we go to the specialist tomorrow. Then there's a 3-hour maternity class we take at the hospital that night. Then I have a sonogram scheduled Thursday morning. You get a lot of doctor's visits this last month or so. We started a bit late because of the Medicaid nightmare red tape issue we went through when we moved, but all signs are healthy.
Okay, I'm signing off for now to do makeup. See? That's really what's been on my head. And I have two trashy shows in the background going on. I'm completely hopeless, I tell ya.
- Drink decaf pumpkin lattes OR hot chocolate with whipped cream (an indulgence I wholeheartedly embrace now)
- Play with makeup
- Read my sister's old Cosmos and trashy novels/chick lit/book recommendations from the library
- Watch all my real housewives/jersey/vh1 Celebreality shows
- Sleep
- Eat cookies
I've also been trying to make money doing online work. While fun, it's not really bringing in the cash. However, I don't know if it's the place, or just me. Supposedly, you can make $100 a week. Not a lot, but it's taken me 5 days to make almost ten dollars, so something isn't working here. It's too bad, because I was hoping to make money for the holidays, but that's not going to happen.
I do like our new room. I didn't want to switch with my sister; she had just reorganized her room and now that she's in our smaller one, she can't play her Kinect. I have to say, though, that we do have a lot more space. I don't trip over wires because they are actually out of the way. We can easily fit in a Moses basket or bassinet. Plus, when I make the bed, I can move the pillows without risking stepping on them because the only place to put them is on the floor.
The best part? There is now a table and chair for my laptop, which means I don't have to sit on the bed and then lean over to read my screen. My back is very grateful for that.
Okay, physically...well, it takes longer for me to get out of bed. I haven't had any weird dreams about giving birth to a litter of kittens or puppies or piglets, but I have very vivid dreams which put me in an almost coma-like state. Until I wake up to adjust my belly. My pelvic area is sore because apparently that whole area is stretching and widening for the baby, which means even the tiniest stretch or plie hurts. Of course back, but it's actually not been as bad. Once again, it must be the new seating arrangements.
And the Braxton-Hicks. Thank you Jesus that I only get them once a day or so. Because these things HURT. Like, take your breath away, blood leaving face hurt. The best thing I found is to make yourself get up and walk until the pain is gone. Unless we're in bed, then I squeeze Al's hand until it feels better.
AnnaBella still moves around. We hope we can catch her yawning or doing something again when we go to the specialist tomorrow. Then there's a 3-hour maternity class we take at the hospital that night. Then I have a sonogram scheduled Thursday morning. You get a lot of doctor's visits this last month or so. We started a bit late because of the Medicaid nightmare red tape issue we went through when we moved, but all signs are healthy.
Okay, I'm signing off for now to do makeup. See? That's really what's been on my head. And I have two trashy shows in the background going on. I'm completely hopeless, I tell ya.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Musings
Even though I only have about a month left, it's still amazing to me that I'm pregnant. I've gotten used to her moving around, still surprised to see how monstrous my bazooms are in pictures, can't believe the ultrasounds are actually real sometimes. I think I"ll miss her being in me, but I really can't wait to meet this little being.
I can't even imagine her future, because we'll be learning along with her. I know what I'd like, but in the end all we can do is try to guide her to making the right choices. Hopefully she'll be better at that than we've been in the past! I'm glad we are in Florida, although I miss my friends, family and life in Atlanta. We have a lot of support here, and even though Al's work hours are long and I hardly get to see him, it's nice to have a schedule and to have a better source of income here. Plus, you don't have to worry about people running out on tabs at a car dealership!
I wish we could see more of my friends that are here, but everyone has their own lives, and honestly, they have work and families of their own. Sometime in the future I know we'll get together, but for now the priority is to make sure my AnaBella arrives healthy and happy.
I can't even imagine her future, because we'll be learning along with her. I know what I'd like, but in the end all we can do is try to guide her to making the right choices. Hopefully she'll be better at that than we've been in the past! I'm glad we are in Florida, although I miss my friends, family and life in Atlanta. We have a lot of support here, and even though Al's work hours are long and I hardly get to see him, it's nice to have a schedule and to have a better source of income here. Plus, you don't have to worry about people running out on tabs at a car dealership!
I wish we could see more of my friends that are here, but everyone has their own lives, and honestly, they have work and families of their own. Sometime in the future I know we'll get together, but for now the priority is to make sure my AnaBella arrives healthy and happy.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Getting It Together
We are establishing more of a routine now. Al's been working for almost a full week, and I FINALLY got a doctor's appointment for next Tuesday! We are really relieved about that. Tuesday we had Date Night and celebrated with a delicious Cuban dinner at Little Havana, this amazing restaurant in Deerfield Beach. For only $36.00, we ate croquettes and mariquitas for appetizers, Al had the palomilla with rice and beans while I had two pork chops, rice, beans and plantains for entrees, rolls, Sprite (for me), El Presidente (for Al), and of course, yucca and lots of mojo. We brought back half our meals! There was a mountain of food for us, and for once, I exercised caution and did not stuff myself into a coma (although I came dangerously close).
Their website has been temporarily down for "exceeded bandwidth," but I will provide a link when it's back up.
We ate outside (my body temp was on the fritz, and I needed the cooling 65 degree air), but I did go inside a few times. The decor is nice, with large paintings, some for sale, all of Cuba. The ladies room has the kind of stalls that provide your own private room.
Other than that, I've been mostly around the house cleaning, or running errands with my mom, visiting my grandmother, things like that. I also have been working on my NanoWriMo (although VERY behind), and I started a fun painting.
The only downside is I'm still a bit lonely. I haven't seen my friends since the wedding, and plans I made Monday fell through. With it being the holidays though, people are busy, and of course everyone works but me. People keep telling me to enjoy it while I can, because I'll be super busy after the baby, but to me, that's all the more reason to see my friends. I did get to see my cousin and his super cool wife last night, so was a definite plus.
Their website has been temporarily down for "exceeded bandwidth," but I will provide a link when it's back up.
We ate outside (my body temp was on the fritz, and I needed the cooling 65 degree air), but I did go inside a few times. The decor is nice, with large paintings, some for sale, all of Cuba. The ladies room has the kind of stalls that provide your own private room.
Other than that, I've been mostly around the house cleaning, or running errands with my mom, visiting my grandmother, things like that. I also have been working on my NanoWriMo (although VERY behind), and I started a fun painting.
The only downside is I'm still a bit lonely. I haven't seen my friends since the wedding, and plans I made Monday fell through. With it being the holidays though, people are busy, and of course everyone works but me. People keep telling me to enjoy it while I can, because I'll be super busy after the baby, but to me, that's all the more reason to see my friends. I did get to see my cousin and his super cool wife last night, so was a definite plus.
Monday, November 8, 2010
busy, busy busy
Al started a new job, and right now I've been working on my NaNoWriMo, helping around the house, and just trying to keep busy and not stuff my face. To tell the truth, I've been bored. Not that I expected the whirl of the social season when we moved down here, but I haven't seen anyone outside of family since the wedding, and I leave my house to visit the in-laws, my grandmother, or shop. I like visiting family, and thank god my in-laws and I get along so great. There are people who can't stand their spouse's family, and both our families mesh really well. So, I should be grateful instead of whiny. However, I am excited because I am supposed to hang out with one of my really great friends today. IF I don't sleep through the day because I woke up early.
In our old hood there are so many festivals and fun things going on.I hope my friends are making the most of it and having a blast.
In our old hood there are so many festivals and fun things going on.I hope my friends are making the most of it and having a blast.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
New Life
Since I last wrote, we have moved to Florida and gotten married! It's been a crazy month. Florida is completely different from what we're used to. I thought I'd slide back in, because I grew up and lived here for 21 years, but I don't think it's registered yet. It probably won't until we get our doctors set up, or Al starts working, or we get our own place. Right now it seems like a long vacation. I have changed my address, and we sent off our marriage certificate today, so soon I can start with the name change, etc etc.
The wedding was fabulous. All the things I was worried about never happened; in fact it was all better than I thought it would be. We had a lot of last minute drop-outs, but most people did come. There was a lot of love in the room. A lot of our Atlanta friends made it and looked fantastic. Plus, our families get along great! What more can you ask for? Also, with everyone in the same hotel, people could visit and relax without a lot of travel.
We used Blue Sky in Miami for most of the food, and Tom Caminiti dj'ed. He and my dad have known each other for years, and Tom was very patient and cool dealing with our song choice jitters.
My sister made our cakes. People are still going on about them; three days later. We have a lot left over due to the last minute drop outs, but oh my gosh, she actually makes tasty fondant. I'll have to include a picture later. The groom had a blue cheesecake, going up against the shores of the wedding cake. Cinnamon graham crumbs scattered between the layers as a sand motif, and white chocolate/peppermint seashells were inlaid throughout. Our layer for the one year was three small tiers of devil's food, marble, and red velvet. The main cake was vanilla.
And....my parents reserved a suite for us, for the wedding night. Thanks Mom and Dad! The view was of the roof, but who's paying attention to that? It was our first private, spacious place in forever and perfect for the night.
The wedding was fabulous. All the things I was worried about never happened; in fact it was all better than I thought it would be. We had a lot of last minute drop-outs, but most people did come. There was a lot of love in the room. A lot of our Atlanta friends made it and looked fantastic. Plus, our families get along great! What more can you ask for? Also, with everyone in the same hotel, people could visit and relax without a lot of travel.
We used Blue Sky in Miami for most of the food, and Tom Caminiti dj'ed. He and my dad have known each other for years, and Tom was very patient and cool dealing with our song choice jitters.
My sister made our cakes. People are still going on about them; three days later. We have a lot left over due to the last minute drop outs, but oh my gosh, she actually makes tasty fondant. I'll have to include a picture later. The groom had a blue cheesecake, going up against the shores of the wedding cake. Cinnamon graham crumbs scattered between the layers as a sand motif, and white chocolate/peppermint seashells were inlaid throughout. Our layer for the one year was three small tiers of devil's food, marble, and red velvet. The main cake was vanilla.
And....my parents reserved a suite for us, for the wedding night. Thanks Mom and Dad! The view was of the roof, but who's paying attention to that? It was our first private, spacious place in forever and perfect for the night.
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