Flats are for sissies

Who knew

mrsshoelover — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:27:01 GMT

that it could take a week to have a baby? I have been going to the hospital once or twice a day for "cervical ripening" since Monday in hopes of a more successful induction scheduled for tomorrow. I am far from "ripe" so tomorrow is going to be a long day. I am thinking there won't be an arrival until Saturday. I am already exhausted.

On my first official day

mrsshoelover — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:19:12 GMT

as a hausfrau, I took myself out to breakfast (thanks to the gestational diabetes, I didn't get the pancakes I really wanted), went to Target, the bank, and Trader Joe's, finishing my Christmas shopping in the process. My afternoon plans include getting my family's presents packaged up to send, a nap, laundry, and likely scolding the dogs. Ah the joys of final gestation.

Not a ten-pounder

mrsshoelover — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:47:47 GMT

Dodged that bullet. I had another growth ultrasound today. Baby was at 67th percentile again and estimated to be 6 lbs. 10 oz. Baby is still measuring about two weeks ahead overall, but that huge head is at over 39 weeks (wonder who the baby gets that from, hmmm?) despite that I am only 36 weeks. The head is already a little over 9 cm. I am not sure how that is going to work since dilation only goes up to 10 cm? I truly don't want to think about it.

But at least we are talking more like an 8 lb baby if I go to December 2, which is only THREE weeks from today. The very cool thing is I got to see baby "practice breathing." And I had a significant contraction on the NST today, so that was something new.

Homeschooling

mrsshoelover — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:20:12 GMT

My husband has been a big proponent of the concept of homeschooling. I have not been terribly serious in my consideration of the option. Today "change is coming to America." And I really think homeschooling is now very much on my radar.

Stubborn (like mama?)

mrsshoelover — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:35:48 GMT

Our child is most uncooperative at these NSTs. The nurses tsk-tsk at me as if I have anything to do with it. The baby's heartbeat is always very strong and steady, but often the monitor does not show the change in heartrate associated with movement, despite the very strong kicks to the ribs that I experience. So, they make me lie there what it seems like forever and suck down cold water as if I was in the Sahara. And without fail, as soon as the nurse sighs at the not-so-stellar monitor strip and removes it to be checked by the doctor, the little bugger does all kinds of neat patterns on the monitor strip.

Want to guess?

mrsshoelover — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:30:50 GMT

If you are interested in getting in on the guessing of baby's arrival and whether our little critter is a girl or boy, check out this online pool. It's just for fun.

===================================================
To participate, go to:

http://www.expectnet.com/games/CritterAllen

or go to ExpectNet.com and enter CritterAllen as the
game name in the space indicated on the home page.

http://www.expectnet.com/games/CritterAllen

Cloth Diapers!

mrsshoelover — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:15:43 GMT

If you or anyone you know is interested in cloth diapering, a friend of mine has started her own online shop of really cute ones:

http://hyenacart.com/OriginalMama/www.originalmama.com
www.originalmama.com

Tick, tock

mrsshoelover — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:35:24 GMT

I feel like time is slipping by. We still have a lot to do and not too much time in which to accomplish it. Because I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes (which royally stinks, by the way), baby is definitely going to be on time and likely early. So, that leaves us with 8 weeks to go and maybe less. Although I am so excited for baby to come, I wish I felt a little better prepared.

This next weekend, we are taking the intensive all-day for two-days Childbirth and Parenting Preparation Class. Needless to say, the boy is beyond excited to have to sit through that much torture all at once.

On a lighter note, I am having a shower at church on Halloween. Those three things converging gives me a giggle.

baby shower

mrsshoelover — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:08:00 GMT

We had a lovely baby shower in the boy's hometown this weekend. We were blessed to receive some very nice gifts and I am lucky enough to only need to exchange one, which was my fault anyway for putting the wrong thing on the registry. I am so glad I got all of my thank yous written on the way home in the car.

I fear I am getting close to waddling. I feel like I am sort of downshifting with my hips to compensate for my girth.

Baby stuff

mrsshoelover — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:17:17 GMT

The nursery is almost done. Here are some photos of how the room is coming along and few outfits we have acquired for baby. I can't believe the third trimester starts this week!

Critter's room

Craftiness

mrsshoelover — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:29:44 GMT

I am scheduled to take a basic sewing class tonight. If I can get competent enough, I may even ask Santa for a sewing machine for Christmas. All I really want to so is be able to hem my always too-long pants.

My new best friend

mrsshoelover — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:25:11 GMT

Now that bending over is becoming a chore in itself, this is my new best friend. I love it. I can clean the tub and shower without even stretching. Yay for scotchbrite! yay for 3M!

I'm a Porsche

mrsshoelover — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:20:20 GMT

I'm a Porsche 911!

You have a classic style, but you're up-to-date with the latest technology. You're ambitious, competitive, and you love to win. Performance, precision, and prestige - you're one of the elite,and you know it.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Above average baby

mrsshoelover — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 19:25:28 GMT

Well, of course, our kid is above average, he or she is ours, after all. But it was confirmed that our child is indeed in the 66th percentile for gestational age. As my OB put it, someone's kid has to be bigger than the average. My OB (whom I am still trying to decide whether he is gay- he commented on the cuteness of my shoes today- do straight men do this?) said that all the measurements are good and all the parts are in place. At my ultrasound, the baby was measuring about a week ahead and weighed a pound already. The u/s tech didn't do a money shot but I was trying to watch when she was looking at the bladder and nether regions (daddy-to-be looked away per the warning) and I have an idea. I could be wrong b/c there wasn't a clear look. Baby is in a funny position though- basically a V or a pike dive position- imagine holding your feet with your hands and that's pretty much what he or she is doing. Butt down, head and feet up. You can see it in the picture bedlow. The left side of the picture is actually up on me. The baby was sitting wrapped right around my belly button.

I have the glucose tolerance test next month concurrent with my appointment, so I will be pestering Dr. Google for ways to "beat" it.

After my appointment, I celebrated by going to buy baby's bedding set. We are giving baby the stars and the moon!

Our own little fork-tongued baby

mrsshoelover — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:31:01 GMT

I thought on Monday that I had actually felt the baby from the outside but was unsure of myself that I wasn't somehow equating the internal feelings with the external. But yesterday afternoon, I was positive I felt the tap-tap-tap from the outside. I had called daddy-to-be to tell him, but figured he wouldn't be able to feel this for a few more weeks. Nonetheless, as we were walking across a street on the way to a MLB baseball game, I grabbed his hand and asked if he could feel it. And he could!

His response though was, "It feels weird. It's like you have something in there. An alien or something. It's just like X-files." I told him it wasn't like X-files at all. (I should know better than to have an X-files conversation with him.) And his response was, "You don't know, it could be a little alien or fork-tongued baby in there."

Not exactly the heartwarming moment I had imagined.

Baby stuff

mrsshoelover — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:29:38 GMT

Baby furniture was delivered on Thursday before we left to visit the ILs in Topeka! As of tomorrow, I am halfway there. Despite being 20 weeks pregnant, I apparently don't look it. "You don't even look pregnant" was MIL's comment when she first saw me this weekend. Thanks.

And three coworkers in the last week have been "surprised" to learn I was pregnant. Thanks again. Way to make a girl with weight issues feel even fatter.

The ironic thing is that yesterday was the first day I really felt pregnant. I don't know what that baby was doing in there, but in the evening it was if I had acquired a spare tire (not fat either, as it was firm) right around my middle. And there were little bits of kicking here and there.

The most difficult thing for me is not being able to accomplish all of the things that I expect of myself. I don't like using pregnancy as an excuse, but dang I get tired so much more easily.

P.S.- We did pick the moon and stars design , mostly because the boy found some wall lights (one a yellow moon and the other a blue star) at Ikea- so that sealed the deal for him.

P.P.S. I am now on the hunt for a sleeper with Yoda on it a la "Raising Arizona." Guess whose idea that was?

He doesn't relize how lucky he is

mrsshoelover — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:43:10 GMT

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Superior

Take the test!

I think I have to buy

mrsshoelover — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:40:41 GMT

these for baby.

Nursery decision

mrsshoelover — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:14:24 GMT

The boy and I are torn between two different nursery schemes, so we decided to put it up for a vote. We are going for gender neutral and the room is already painted a pale green and is staying that way. Both of these patterns have the same green as accent colors, but it is not readily apparent in the pictures below. The furniture is dark cherry.

Here they are:

The Barnyard Choice (Countryside by Kidsline)

or
Goodnight Star (by Lambs & Ivy)

Lifesavers

mrsshoelover — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:09:18 GMT

When did they make the green ones watermelon-flavored instead of yucky lime or whatever it was? Dang, these are yummy!

Preggo brain

mrsshoelover — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:39:27 GMT

Pregnancy obviously affects people's brains and I am not talking about the brain of the expectant mother. This past weekend we were visiting my family for my little sister's college graduation. I told the rest of the relatives about the pregnancy status. The weirdest responses have included:

from my grandmother: "I am so proud of you"- as if pregnancy is an achievement for a resume?

from my aunt: "Where did it happen?" yeah, that was a stumper. Didn't even have a clue how to respond.

from my 18-year-old clueless cousin: "How can you be pregnant?" Honey, didn't they teach you that one in sex ed?

All of the family is deeply disappointed that we are not finding out the baby's sex (because Mark is stubbornly refusing to know and I am reluctantly acquiescing). My mother has decided to buy and send to Mark lots of pink baby items in an effort to change his mind.

Christmas plans

mrsshoelover — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:34:04 GMT

Although the weather is finally warming up, we are turning our thoughts to Christmas plans. By default, it looks like we will all be staying at home and not traveling this year.

Christmas is a time for miracles. And this Christmas we are expecting the best gift of all. Our little stocking stuffer is due December 10.

Under the knife

mrsshoelover — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:23:06 GMT

Tomorrow, I am having my gall bladder removed. After suffering through multiple attacks and learning that my gall bladder is full of stones, it's become an acute need to get it out. Due to some other health issues, it's more complicated than it would normally be, so hoping for a quick procedure and unenventful outcome.

As a word of advice to the overweight and/or losing weight, apparently gall stones are a very comon side effect of going both up and down on the scale.

End of session

mrsshoelover — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:14:12 GMT

and the time when I really hate my job and politicians of all stripes. Sitting around at work until 10 p.m. with nothing to do, but being unable to leave is maddening.

More snow!

mrsshoelover — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:43:02 GMT

We are supposed to get more snow this evening into tomorrow! This is getting ridiculous. Did someone not inform Mother Nature that it is mid-April?