Geek in Heels - Page 159

Mar 16, 2010 • In Pregnancy

Week 11

Dear Baby,

In exactly one week we will be going to the hospital (not the OB’s office) for your first trimester screening, which includes a high-res ultrasound and bloodwork to test for the risk of common genetic defects such as down’s syndrome. This is an optional test for most expectant mothers, but our OB highly recommended it for us.

I recently found out that our hospital has a 3D and 4D ultrasound machine on premises, so there’s a chance that we might see a very detailed picture of you! It’s been two weeks since our last OB appointment so I am naturally anxious and excited for next Monday.

Congratulations on reaching week 11! Each new week is a new milestone and I’m already so proud of you. By now, you are about the size of a lime (or a fig) and you have a 1:1 ratio between body and head.

Your hair follicles and tooth buds are starting to develop, and you are starting to open and close your little fists! Due to the development of coordination as well as the sense of touch, you can’t help but explore your body, touching your face and mouth in amazement. Your swallow reflexes are also in development this week.

Lastly, your smelling and other olfactory senses will begin developing this week, which when combined with the maturing taste buds, will provide you with your first experiences of taste and smell.

How does it taste and smell in there, baby? Not too bad, I hope!

As for your mother, there isn’t anything new to report. I am still constipated, bloated, and gassy — lovely! I stocked up on some Benefiber and Gas-X today in hopes of gaining some relief.

Your father is worried that I spend too much time using the computer. Whenever he sees me with my laptop, he pushes it FAR away from my stomach and tells me to be careful. He may act tough, but he’s really a big softie. I can see him being overly protective of you (and myself being the voice of reason…which is usually the opposite case).

Continue to keep growing and stay healthy! We can’t wait to see you next week!

Judging Others for Their Financial Decisions

I once knew a blogger who lived an enviable life. Not only was she gorgeous, her husband was extremely wealthy and handsome. She constantly wrote of her designer purchases, exotic getaways, and decorating their mansion with custom-made furniture and one-of-a-kind decor.

Soon, she started getting snarky comments from readers who judged her for her lifestyle. “Shallow bitch,” they would write. “Don’t you know there is a recession going on? How can you brag about being rich when so many people are hurting? Why don’t you donate some money to charity?”

After receiving numerous comments of this nature, she shut down her blog.

I felt bad for this girl, because she genuinely seemed interesting and wrote of her extravagant life without sounding snobby.

Then I realized…I’ve done it too. I’ve judged others based on their purchases and lifestyles. And I’m sure many of you have too.

Financial decisions are coming into play more than ever, as we slowly begin budgeting for the baby’s arrival. (I know I have 6 months left, but it’s never too early to plan and prepare, right?)

Do we really need a $500 stroller?

Is a recliner/glider — which can run upwards of $1000 — really necessary? What’s wrong with the couch? I love my couch. Can’t I just feed the baby and read to my baby on the couch?

Why pay an extra $300 for a doula when my husband can do the same thing?

What the heck is a lactation consultant and why do I need to fork over additional money to be told how to breastfeed? (Read the harsh comments a NYTimes article about lactation consultants received.)

(ETA: these were my initial reactions. I am not dismissing, or looking down on anyone who chooses to do these things. I just didn’t realize the numerous options that are out there, or how much they cost…nevermind the number of women who become trained to think that they need these options.)

As I browse mommy blogs and pregnancy boards, I can’t help but be astonished at how much some families spend in preparation for their little ones.

Alright, I’m a bit jealous too.

J and I aren’t wealthy. We will rely on a lot of hand-me-downs when the baby arrives. I don’t plan on adding anything to the second bedroom (which will be the nursery) aside from a crib.

So as much as I would love to paint the nursery, set it up with new furniture and decorate it with nice accessories, we realize that these are unnecessary expenses that can be better spent on other things.

And this is when the judging comes in.

Because I can’t help but ask myself: Will a baby really appreciate a nicely decorated nursery, an expensive stroller, or a $1,000 crib? Are these things necessary for a happy and healthy baby?

Maybe it’s my own jealousy talking — for not being able to provide for the baby these nice things that seem to be the norm for so many of my friends’ households. For being made to feel like I’m an inadequate mommy for not being able to afford these things. Maybe it’s my own form of rationalization.

Maybe it’s guilt for planning a babymoon — our first vacation together in over 2 years and probably our last for another few years — when that money could be spent on nicer things for the baby.

Wow, I’m judging myself here.

And yes, I’ll probably be judged for choosing a babymoon over nice baby stuff.

How do you rationalize your splurges and luxury items?

Do you ever get worried that you will come off as shallow and materialistic as you share your latest purchases (whether via a blog, Twitter, Facebook) and talk about numerous vacations, especially in light of the current economic climate?

The Reason for My Claw Fingers

(Also, a major reason I have been MIA and probably will be for the next week or so…)

Final Fantasy XIII was released earlier this week.

I have only had time to play two days, but in those two days I managed to log over 26 hours of gameplay. I officially reached the halfway point (according to the guides) tonight and managed to let J pry the PS3 controller out of my fingers — which are stuck in nasty claw-like grips — for him to start playing too.

J forwarded me this comic on Tuesday, right before he came home with the pre-ordered game, and I found it hilarious and extremely fitting:

I’m loving the game so far. It started slow with a slightly confusing plot, but as I continued to play and the pieces of the story fell into place, I simply became addicted. Just like a good Korean drama. In addition, the graphics are simply amazing with no dip into the uncanny valley at all.

However, I must say that FFXIII is still no match to what I believe to be the best Final Fantasy game to date: Final Fantasy VII. There is a reason Square Enix decided to make a feature movie out of it. It’s just that good.

short interlude:

I had a crush on Sephiroth (I tend to have crushes on animated characters. Others have included Gambit of X-Men fame and Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid.) and I cried like a baby when Aeris died. And Cloud! My my what big hair…and sword…he has!

FFVII is also the driving force behind my famous 36-hour game binge. I’m being completely serious here — I really did play for 36 hours straight!

Is anyone else a devoted Final Fantasy fan? Anyone else enjoying FFXIII at this moment?

EHD Movies

Today I found a fantastic website called The Endowment for Human Development (EHD). The EHD website’s “Movie Theater” has some great videos of babies in development.

I have no idea how they got these in-womb footages, but they’re pretty amazing! Certainly a lot better than illustrations.

P.S. — The last video in the “10 – 12 Weeks” section, Responds to Touch, is unbelievable. I can’t believe my baby is doing this inside of me right now!

Would You Try Human Breast Milk?

Last week, a NY chef made headlines by adding cheese made of human breast milk to his menu.

The dish caused quite a stir and even managed to make its way to national news outlets. Those who tried the dish found it quite tasty; however, the general public found the mere idea of healthy adults consuming human breast milk disturbing.

As an avid Friends fan, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the episode where Ross, Chandler, and Rachel freak out upon witnessing Phoebe and Joey try Carol’s breast milk.

I think that once I start breastfeeding my children, I wouldn’t mind trying a bit just to see what it tasted like. I asked J if he would try my breast milk, and he said, “Sure, why not?”

That being said, I can’t imagine trying someone else’s breast milk.

Are you comfortable with the idea of dishes made of human breast milk? Would you ever try a family member or a friend’s breast milk?

(And if you’ve tasted breast milk, does it really taste like cantaloupe, as Susan and Joey state?)

Week 10

Dear Baby,

Congratulations on reaching week 10! I celebrate each new week with a prayer and renewed hope. You are truly a gift and I can not be thankful enough.

You are now the size of a kumquat, or a small prune as pictured to the left. The best news? You have now passed the most critical stage of development! From now on your tissues and organs will only continue to grow and mature.

All of your vital organs are in place and starting to function. Last week I mentioned that you have started to urinate…well now you’re beginning to poop as well. It’s a bit gross when you think about it, but I’m happy to know that this is all normal.

They say that if I could take a look inside my womb right now, I will be able to see tiny fingernails developing. Fingernails, baby! I would also be able to see tiny peachfuzz developing on your body.

One last big milestone — you are developing reflexes! It may not seem like a big deal, but knowing that you are now able to instinctively protect yourself (no matter how small of a movement) makes your momma smile like an idiot.

As for your mom? Some of the most attractive parts of pregnancy — bloating, gas, and constipation — are now in full effect. My stomach looks to be about 4 months pregnant just from the excess gas and bloating. Sometimes it is so painful that I have to contort myself in various yoga-like positions in order to even let out a little burp. As for constipation, I sometimes go for days and days without being able to relieve myself…and I could swear that I pack on an extra 5 lbs on days like this!

Note to self: seek pregnancy-safe remedies ASAP.

Despite these discomforts, I am loving pregnancy. I am not complaining about the above symptoms; I was just stating the mere facts. I know how blessed I am to be carrying a baby…and especially in light of my last loss, I have nothing but joy and thankfulness for this miracle.

I love you, baby, and keep growing well!

The Second Prenatal Visit

I just returned from my second visit and everything went well! Praise God!

We were able to see the baby moving around, and the heart was flickering like crazy. The baby looked like a gummi bear!

I hate these ultrasound pictures because you can barely see anything. The doctor we had today didn’t seem to be as interested in getting us a good ultrasound picture, as our last doctor had been. I also thought I would be getting a vaginal ultrasound again, but this was done abdominally. Hence the less details.

Our next OB appointment isn’t scheduled for another 4 weeks, but in-between I will be having my first trimester screening (more technically known as the nuchal translucency scan, or NT scan) at the hospital. I will be about 12 weeks along then, so we will be able to see the baby’s features and even get the famous profile shot!

I know that I am still not in the clear, and that I won’t be until I deliver a healthy child. They say that the real worrying comes when the baby is born…but if I’m this worried and anxious now, how will I be 7 months down the road?

Nervous as a Cat

We will be leaving shortly for our second prenatal appointment. I am so nervous that hardly slept last night. I’m so scared that the doctor will once again tell us, “I’m sorry, but there is no heartbeat…”

Please wish us luck! I will update as soon as I return.

Psyched for “The Office” Baby Episode Tonight!

Yesterday, I received a sample diaper in the mail. I’m not sure where they got my name and address (probably from one of the many online pregnancy communities to which I belong), but the gesture was appreciated nonetheless.

“Do you know how to change a diaper?” I asked J.

“No.”

“Why don’t you practice on this teddy bear? Or the dog?”

He looked at me like I was crazy.

Can you guess where I got the idea from? If you guessed the promo clip for tonight’s The Office one-hour special event, you’re correct!

I am so, so excited to see Jim & Pam’s baby. When I first became pregnant last August, one of the first things that popped into my head was, “Ooh, I’m gonna be pregnant at the same time as Pam!” I was devastated when I lost my baby, but continued to cheer on the Halpert baby. And now that I’m pregnant again, I’m extra psyched and extra excited for my favorite TV couple.

Is anyone else looking forward to tonight’s The Office?

My Thoughts on “The Business of Being Born”

Yesterday I watched what many women claim the must-see movie for all expectant mothers: The Business of Being Born.

My take on this documentary is that while it was informative and had some valid points, but it cast hospitals and OB-GYNs in a very harsh light. I fear that many women who watch this movie will be scared into not trusting their doctors (who are apparently only there to push drugs/procedures on you so they can get home before dinner).

Many times throughout the movie I felt like I was being lectured into thinking drug-free is the only way to have a “natural” birth and the “best” way to birth. Although it was never directly stated, the feeling I got was that giving birth in a hospital was the “wrong” way to birth and women who would choose that were not making the “right” choice for them and their babies.

I fully trust my OB and that she will make the right decisions for me. If your doctor were ever to push a procedure on you that you are not comfortable with, it’s time to find a new doctor and that’s that.

I believe that giving birth is a natural process and that a low-risk pregnancy should not be treated as a medical condition that needs to be “cured.” However, I have no problem with being given drugs, or to have a c-section if my baby’s life was in danger.

And personally, I really can’t imagine giving birth at home. I just can’t.

I want to make it clear that I have nothing but respect for women who choose to give birth at home with midwives. It’s only when they try to push their agenda on me that I get annoyed. Birth plans are very personal choices; once a woman has done her research and made her choice, she should not be tried to be persuaded otherwise (unless she is putting her or her baby’s life in danger).

Week 11

You may also like:

Judging Others for Their Financial Decisions

You may also like:

The Reason for My Claw Fingers

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EHD Movies

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Would You Try Human Breast Milk?

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Week 10

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The Second Prenatal Visit

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Nervous as a Cat

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Psyched for “The Office” Baby Episode Tonight!

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My Thoughts on “The Business of Being Born”

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