28 going on 82

We officially set into our second trimester YESTERDAY! (July 24, 2012).  I am happy to report that the nausea and huge aversion to almost any and all food has been gone for a week or so.  And I am super thrilled to have my energy level back (even though I did nap twice last week).  We had our 12 week appointment and little Pop Kern was doing somersaults on the big screen.  PK also had a strong heart beat of 165bmp, measured 2.5 inches long and weighing in at an ounce.   

Now, let's talk about what happening now that I am in the second trimester.  In the books there is all this talk about energy levels on the rise and you will be going, going, going just like your pre-pregnancy days.  What they fail to mention is the pace at which you will be able to GO-GO-GO.  In two weeks I have gone from a peppy 28 year old to a slow moving 82 year old. Well, at least when I get off the couch, out of bed or for my multitude of visits to the loo.  Instead of springing of my bum at whatever rate the situation calls for, I now have to pace myself like granny with a bad hip.  It's not because I have a huge belly already or I have retained so much water weight I resemble a small home.  Nope, its a little thing called round ligament pain.  Every had it?  If so, you know exactly what I am talking about.  It is a pulling, painful sensation that occurs in my abdomen pretty much every time I stand up, walk funny or I sleep in the wrong position.  The once semi-toned muscles in my stomach are beginning to expand to make room for a growing Pop Kern thus they ache. Often.  Some women experience this their entire pregnancy.  I have been experiencing it for the majority of my pregnancy but they have really picked up A LOT lately. Earlier in my pregnancy I didnt want to tell my doctor b/c they were not that often or severe and I didnt want him to think I was a sissy who had to tell him about every ache and pain.  So now, when I get up- I look like an 82 year old trapped in a 28 year old's body.  But hey, if this is the most I have to deal with for the next trimester, BRING IT ON! I can handle this much better than first trimester symptoms.

Water Wait..Whoops!

Tuesday morning of July 12 2011, the front desk of the doctor’s office calls to let me know I will need to drink FOUR glasses of water an hour before my visit tomorrow morning.  My jaw dropped when she told me that.  There is no way on God's green earth I can:

A) Drink that much water   B) Hold it for an hour (my bladder is about the size of a pea- I drink a few sips and I have to run to the loo.)  And let’s not forget the real issue.. C) They weigh me every time I am there.  Do they really expect me to step on a scale and let them note my weight while I have 4 glasses of water inside me?  Heck, they keep it 30 degrees in that office and yet I still wear the lightest sundress possible and flip flops as not to add any extra weight to the scale.  This lady is of her rocker if she thinks I'm stepping on it with a full bladder!

After serious thought (of about 15 seconds) I decided, once again, that I know my body better than the front desk lady. I devised a plan in which I will  drink the water 30 minutes before I see the doctor..an hour is just uncalled for. Well,  we all know once you get there, there is a 30 minute minimum waiting time.  This meant, I didn’t need to drink the water until I was leaving for the doctor’s office! It's a perfect win-win for all of us! I don’t have to be miserable and worried I may have an accident on the doctor office floor and the ultra sound tech gets the full bladder she requested.  

Did this happen??  Well....


Wednesday morning arrives. I drink my water as I’m walking out the door.  We arrive as I am finish my water; we wait 30 minutes (just as I predicted).  We go into the ultrasound room, I kind of have "the urge" but it’s not bad.  I have figured this system out!  I get to see my baby and my bladder doesn't feel like Mount Rushmore.  The ultra sound tech squirts the warm gel on my stomach (which is the only warm thing about that doctor’s office..I say this as I go willing into the frigid doctor’s office with a sleeveless linen sundress on). The tech starts pushing down on my belly with a force I was sure to squish my Pop Kern.  After a bit of difficulty finding a good picture she asks (in voice similar to that of a teacher catching a student cheating) "When did finish drinking your water?"  I reply confidently "Umm..about 30 minutes ago."  She immediately puts her magic baby wand away and tells me to sit in the waiting room for 20 minutes.  Wait..Did I just get put in Mommy time-out??  To make matters worse, after all the pushing she did, I seriously have to pee.  I cant believe she is going to make me weight another 20 minutes! Not fair! After all that planning, devising and calculating on my end..I still had to sit in the cold doctor’s office worrying about soiling their carpet for 20 minutes.  Awesome London- Great Job.  Needless to say, this was the longest wait to date.

 She finally came back and summoned us back to the ultra sound room.  I did notice she made me wait longer than 20 minutes. I bet she was in her office laughing evilly while watching me squirm uncomfortably. Once she had her fill she decided to let me out of my misery.  We settled back into position with the gel and the magic baby wand to watch our little Pop Kern on the big screen. And do you know what?  During the “movie” using the restroom was the furthest thing from my mind.  I could have watched our little one squirm and play around in my belly all day.  We saw 2 hands, 2 feet, facial profiles (such a cute nose) and heard the heart beat (165 bpm). 

Mommy time-out worked like a charm.  Next time I will do as the front lady tells me and drink my water earlier. 

Oh, and just so you know- they weigh you after the ultra sound and bathroom break at this appointment.  :)

The Dryer Shrunk My Favorite Jeans.

So Hal and I decided to have a little impromptu date night. It's 4:00 in the afternoon and I decide that Mellow mushroom pizza is needed and needed now. Not sure he will go for this super unhealthy request at an odd time of day I suggest afterwards doing something he can't resist..movies. He agrees and we are off to start date night with a 4:30 dinner and 6:00 movie. Going to my closet to see what I can tolerate, I decide I think I can handle a pair of cute fitted jeans. Now at work, I must let you know, I have pretty much been wearing the same 5 loose dresses for the last 3 weeks as anything on my stomach drives me bonkers. However, it's date night (and freezing in movie theaters) so I decide to give my favorite pair of jeans a night on the town. I grab them, get pulled half way up and think to myself "huh, these are a little tight..I must have dried them too long." I proceed to finish dressing in them. Still tight, they obviously need to be stretch out a bit. I do a squat and that's when I hear the worst sound known to women.."riiiiip" I look down and its what I was scared of- my favorite pair of white skinny jeans (that I found on sale)..fatally wounded. I still dont think I'm ready to admit it was ME that caused them to rip. I'm blaming it in the dryer. Instead, I put on another pair, opted to not even attempt to "stretch" this pair, tossed on my belly band (for the first time), give myself a one over in the mirror and as I looked at my baggy shirt and my belly banded jeans, I realized- things were changing. No more little black dress with a cocktail before heading out to table 16 for tuna tartar and a 9pm movie. It's comfy clothing and pizza at 4:00 in the afternoon. I tirn off the light and walk down the hall to meet my husband at the front door and that's when he says "you look beautiful". I'm no longer mad that "the dryer" shrunk my jeans.

12 Weeks! We Made It!!

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for the 12 week mark. I guess I have been waiting about 12 weeks now..and it's FINALLY here! I had this day all built up in my mind that I would instantly sprout a baby bump, have tons of energy, no morning sickness and a big neon sign that said "Pop Kern is now safe!"  Well, there were no fireworks, no baby bump and no off the chart energy to note.  In fact, I woke up this morning a bit nauseous and hungry..just like every other morning.  I guess this huge milestone is more something we pregnant women build up in our mind but you know what..I'm still stoked to be here!!  Even if I don't feel or look different- I know that my baby is now past the fragile stage and that in one week I will be in the second trimester. Now, hopefully when I have a morning in which I don't feel like crap, I wont be thinking "Oh no something is wrong" I can just be excited that I feel good.  So go ahead ladies..celebrate that 12 week mark..We deserve it! Even if no one else knows why you're so excited.