Friday, July 30, 2010

UnDeR tHe WeAtHeR

Ugh.

I am feeling under the weather today. Being 9 months pregnant and sick is not the greatest feeling in the world. It started a few days earlier with me feeling a little tingle in my throat and an itchy ear. Today, I just feel sluggish, loss of an appetite, and a post-nasal drip dryness. I hate not being able to take medication to treat my symptoms. I've been trying to keep my fluids up and get some things done since I have lots to do.

I still have to get the nursery organized, pack my hospital bag, wash baby clothes, etc. I feel like I don't have enough time to get everything done and getting sick won't help me with time management. Today, I managed to get the hubby an oil change on his car; thus, walking to and from the auto place allowing me to get my daily walk in. I also finished my thank you cards for my baby shower gifts I received (so excited I'm done since I have another shower in a couple weeks and didn't want to be drowning in thank yous and gifts). I plan on doing a post discussing my baby shower with pics, so stay tuned.

On another note, I received the "Business of Being Born" DVD, I ordered the other day and can't wait to watch it. I'll be sure to discuss my thoughts about the documentary once I watch it. Have you heard of this movie or have you watched it? If so, what are your thoughts?

Wish me luck on getting better soon :)

Thursday, July 22, 2010

PrOgReSsIoN nOtEs: 34 weeks

How far along? 34 weeks 4 days


Gender: Little GIRL!! I'm soo excited to meet her :)

Total weight gain: Starting weight: 127 lbs.  Current weight: 156 lbs.  Total weight gain: 29lbs.

Maternity clothes? I am wearing mostly maternity bottoms, now. My shirts are still a mix of maternity and regular. I feel much more comfy in dresses (yes, I said a dress...not typically something I usually wear) and loose fitting clothing.

Sleeping Habits: I have some nights that I sleep right through the night. However, most nights consist of me waking up around 3:30-4:30am for a bathroom visit and back to bed I go. 

Best moment this week:  This past Sunday, I had my PA Baby Shower! It was great seeing friends and family. I got much needed gifts for my daughter and feel somewhat ready for her arrival. Her furniture in the nursery is all painted and looks fabulous (Thanks, Cheech!) and hubby got her crib and assembled it. I'm loving her crib!! Can't wait to get her bedding to set it all up :)

Movement: I feel "full of baby".  Apparently, she has been head down for a while (according to midwife) so I get to feel her kicking under my ribs from time to time. When I'm driving she must feel cramped cause she is always trying to get comfy.

Belly Button in or out? Still an inny.  

What I miss: I'm starting to miss sleeping comfortably at night. If it isn't baby waking me up, its a bathroom break, or restless legs or my side becoming sore. 

Food Cravings/Aversions: No aversions but I'm skipping the steak these days, as I can't stand my steak well done so I don't bother having it at all. If I'm out and about, I love a Starbucks frap but who doesn't, lol.




Does my tummy look small to you?

Friday, July 16, 2010

PeDiAtRiCiAn

At my last pre-natal appointment, I was told by one of my mid-wives that I had to begin my search for a pediatrician for my daughter. She went on and on about how I need to ask around to see where other parents take their children, then I have to pick a couple so I can interview them, and finally decide on one so they can fill-out some paper work about seeing my baby the first week she was born. Throughout her chatter, I began thinking "what in the world is she talking about, can't I just have her see my family doctor?". Apparently, that was not the suitable option. So, I began my journey to finding a pediatrician for my daughter...

I started where anyone who is addicted to the internet would start, I posted a status update on my Facebook page asking if anyone had any recommendations for a pediatrician near me, lol. After two days with that status I got some leads :) Then I did what a smart person would do and I went to my health insurance website to look for providers in my area who were board certified. After getting sidetracked from other topics/web pages, I finally picked three pediatricians. I called all three offices and I was able to schedule to meet with two pediatricians the next day, free of charge. I say "free of charge" cause some offices charge you to meet with them which I found out was the case with one of the pediatricians on my list, so I decided it wasn't worth it. They were going to charge me $40 and reimburse me if I chose them, no, thank you!

I suggest if your looking for a pediatrician that you ask around and then look up your approved providers so you aren't wasting your time or theirs. Also, there are a lot of good interview sheets online for questions you may want to ask the pediatrician who you are interviewing. I used a couple of those sheets to customize my own interview questions. The next day, I went on my interviewing journey.

The first person I interviewed had his practice near my home (about 10 min. away). I loved that it was a convenient location near me so that if an emergency came up I could get there soon. They had two separate waiting rooms (one for sick and another for well visits) which is important to me. It seemed kid-friendly and the interview went great, since we were on the same page on a lot of the topics I wanted to cover (i.e. breastfeeding, vaccinations, co-sleeping, etc.). The only negative thing I could think of was that the pediatrician was older than I would have liked and the office seemed boring. I really liked that one of the nurses is a lactation consultant and as the doctor put it "can get milk from a stone", which is really big for me since I plan on nursing.

The second person I interviewed had his practice about 20 min. away from my home and on a busy intersection (which made it hard to get to his office). As soon as I entered the office, I was greeted by two dogs, eys you read it right, two dogs. Apparently, the dogs are there everyday. Don't get me wrong I love dogs but I don't think they belong in the doctor's office. The office was overstimulating as there was not one bare wall in the place, very colorful/murals. They did not have two separate waiting rooms and the wait to see the doctor was a little longer than I would have liked. The interview went fine but I wasn't really comfortable. Although, the said they were supportive with me nursing, they made sure to send me home with formula coupons.

In a nutshell, I chose the first pediatrician and hopefully it will be a good fit. For those of you who have had kids, how did you choose your child's doctor? For those of you, who don't have kids, do you think you will interview doctors when that time comes or will you just chose the first one recommended?

Friday, July 9, 2010

FoUrTh oF jUiY: rEcAp


This past weekend was the famous 4th of July weekend that many people across the country look forward to for some reason whether its for BBQs, family gatherings, or fireworks. For hubby and I, we were looking forward to this weekend for many reasons. First, it was his bi-annual family reunion in Pittsburgh. Second, we got great seats for the Phillies game. Third, hubby was looking forward to star-gazing since the house we rented didn't have loads of light pollution and lastly we were going to be relaxing (which we always love). 


Friday:
My MIL and I drove down to our rental (located in Seven Springs Resort, one hour away for Pittsburgh) house early morning. We stopped for lunch at this awesome place (can't remember the name of it but it was a country club) in Bedford, PA. The lunch was yummy, too. After we arrived at our rental, we were able to relax a little until we had to meet the gang (hubby's side of the family) for dinner at another cool place near Uniontown, PA. Hubby didn't make it to dinner since he had to work that day and wouldn't arrive to the house till about 10pm. The gang met, socialized, ate dinner, and we all were excited for the events planned for the weekend.


Saturday:
The gang met for lunch at an Italian restaurant in Pittsburgh, which if you haven't guessed already was so yummy! I love to eat :) Afterwards, we went on the local "Duck" tour around the city of Pittsburgh (which to be honest, I found boring and just for the record, I don't like to be told when I should "quack", lol). After the duck tour some of us went on the "Incline" while others just hung around town until it was time to catch the ferry to the PNC BANK ball park to watch the Phillies kill the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Phillies game was such a great game and the Phillies won, of course. 


We had club seats and I discovered a Pittsburgh novelty called "Funnel Fries" which can be described as funnel cake in the form of fries, very easy to consume :) After the game, the ballpark had the best fireworks display ever, hubby got some pictures of it. At the end of the night, I was sooooo exhausted and we still had a long car ride back to the house, which I did not enjoy. 



Sunday
The gang went rafting and the hubby and I relaxed at the house since preggo people are not allowed to put their soon to be children in danger. It was a very hot day so I'm glad I was able to sleep in and relax. Later the gang returned to the house and we had a family BBQ/potluck dinner. There was sooo much food and you guessed it, it was all so yummy! After everyone caught up on life stories and ate dinner, we all lined up for our family reunion photo. Check us all out!


Overall, the family reunion had a great turn-out and everyone had a great time. It was my first time being in that part of PA and I enjoyed the experience but could live without all the winding roads that cause me to be a sick passenger :(


Happy 4th everyone!!



How was your fourth of July weekend?