Pregnancy Updates: 36 Weeks

How far along? 36

Total weight gain/loss: Over 25 lbs

Maternity Clothes:  I wore the stretchiest pants I own to Thanksgiving yesterday, and today I wore sweats (but fancy sweats) out in public.  

Sleep: Lots of insomnia this week.  I got a good chunk of Christmas shopping done between the hours of 2 am and 4:30 am this morning.  

Best Moments this Week: Thanksgiving with my family.  Seeing baby's face in 3D during today's ultrasound.  I debated whether or not I should put the picture up here cause 3D baby images are pretty much the stuff nightmares are born from, but it's my blog, and I'll do what I want.  

I showed Madeline the pictures.  She studied them with raised eyebrows for a few minutes before tossing them on the floor.  "I'm all done," she stated before walking away.  Hmmm.  

Movement: On my way to my non stress this morning, baby was kicking up a storm.  When they hooked me up to the monitors, her heart rate was really high.  Too high.  At my test on Tuesday, her heart was around 130 BPM.  Today, it came in at over 200 BPM.  I was told that everything between 120 to 180 is considered normal.  It started to fall as baby calmed down, but was still high, so they did an ultrasound.  Everything looked great, and when they performed a second non stress test, her heart rate was back to the normal 140s.  I did have some leftover pie for breakfast this morning....so I 'm wondering if she was having a sugar high.  I guess that means more leftover pie for Eric!  

Food Cravings:  I finally got my gravy fix!  About to do leftovers in a few minutes too.  Yum! 

Food Aversions: As if you have to ask...

Gender: Baby girl!

Labor Signs:  As I mentioned the other day, I'm having contractions.  I was really crampy the past few days, but today I felt normal again.  

Pregnancy Symptoms: Heartburn like whoa.  

Belly Button In or Out? Out

What I Miss: Nothing really.  I'm trying to enjoy these last few weeks.  

What I am Looking Forward to: Having a baby!

Upcoming Appointments/ Events: I have my next non stress test on Tuesday.  I'm looking forward to it after today's little hiccup.  Let's keep an eye on this somersault-performing little lady.  

Current Food Comparison? A crenshaw melon.  Whatever that means... 

Meanwhile, I'm the size of...

And here's what I looked like at 36 weeks last time! 

Things You Should Not Say to Your Pregnant, Redheaded Wife

There are probably many things men should not say to the pregnant women in their lives.  Things like, “You’re overreacting,” or “You have no idea how tired I am today,” or “Did you just eat another slice of pie?” 

Luckily, although I sometimes catch Eric giving me the side eye as I struggle to get into my pants, he’s very sympathetic toward my swollen state.  He doesn’t judge the amount of pie I eat.  In fact, he even brings home cake on occasion.  Still, he’s not a perfect human being, and sometimes, he says stupid things. 

Over the weekend, I was lounging on the couch like a much cuter version ofJabba the Hut, daydreaming aloud about what baby girl might look like when Eric piped up with the following:  

"Groan. I hope we don't have another redhead. We've had enough."

I blinked…twice…and resisted the urge to slap him. (Mostly because slapping him would require getting up, and by the time I waddled his way, he'd have had plenty of time to duck anyway.) 

In a tone that I hoped communicated that he was treading in very dangerous waters, I reminded him that his two favorite people are redheads and that he should count himself very lucky. 

Besides, what did he mean by, "We’ve had enough?" Enough what?  Enough awesome?  I know he didn't mean enough sunscreen.

He tried to explain himself while I glared across the room.  He wants baby girl to be special, he argued.  He doesn’t want just another redhead thrown into the mix. 

I was unconvinced.  “Redheads are special!” I cried. 

Later that night, after eating some cheesecake that I refused to share with my own child, I began to process what he said, and now I think I get it.  He loves Madeline, but he doesn’t want our second child to be a carbon copy of her. She already has to use Madeline’s old toys and wear Madeline’s old clothes, so he wants her to have something that’s her own.  Red hair might be considered rare, but when your mother and older sister are already redheads, it’s not really special anymore.  She’d be more unique with brown hair. 

Of course, if he had phrased it that way instead of groaning about the abundance of redheads in his life, I probably would have been more forgiving.  Then again, maybe not.  I hate to be a walking stereotype, but the redheaded temper, lack of patience, and stubborn tendency to be right are all qualities I possess.  Madeline is quicklyfollowing in my footsteps, so it can’t be easy for Eric to live a peaceful existence amid all those gingery emotions. 

As it is, I can't wait to meet this new little lady no matter what her hair color may be, and I know Eric feels the same way. It's going to be fascinating observing the similarities between her and Madeline, but it will be equally interesting to discover their differences.  One would think that the same set of parents would produce similar offspring, but we all know that’s not the case.  Siblings can be drastically different both in looks and personality. 

Personally, while I was open to any hair color before, I’m now routing for another redhead simply to annoy my husband.  

via

 

One Month...Theoretically Speaking

My due date is one month from today.

Of course, I laugh in the face of due dates and fully expect this baby to say howdy-do anytime between tomorrow and the year 2014.

I had my first non stress test this afternoon. Just like last time, I'm having steady contractions already. The nurse came back in the room half-way through with her eyebrows raised. "Summer, are you feeling any of these contractions?" she asked. Nope. I have some light menstrual-like cramping, but that's about the extent of it.

On my way home, I listened to Christmas music. I usually wait until after Thanksgiving to indulge, but since the season to celebrate the Baby Jesus might be interrupted by our own holy child, I figured it's okay to cheat. The Little Drummer Boy came on twice. Bonus. Now I just need to convince Eric to let me get a tree this weekend...

I also need to finish setting up baby furniture, getting the house clean, and I have about 200 papers to grade. It's going to be a busy long weekend. Good thing there will be turkey and pie to get us through it.

Pregnancy Updates: 35 Weeks

How far along? 35

Total weight gain/loss: 25

Maternity Clothes:  My wardrobe is becoming seriously limited again as my girth steadily increases.  

Sleep: Yes, please?

Best Moments this Week: I had an ultrasound this morning!  Eric took the day off to tag along, which was awesome since he missed the earlier ones.  We got some clear views of little baby's face.  Cheeks for miles! I think she looks just like Madeline did in her last ultrasound picture, but Eric says all babies look the same.  She's breathing, rolling around, head down, and about 5 lbs.  Hooray for healthy babies!  

If you're curious to see what Madeline looked like, click HERE.  

Movement: She's getting snug in there, so the movements aren't as strong.  I can feel little elbows, fingers, and toes poking me though.   I can feel her bum pushing up against my ribs now and again as well.  

Food Cravings:  Not particularly, but I've been ravenous.  

Food Aversions: I laugh in the face of food aversions.  

Gender: She's still a girl!  We made sure to check at the ultrasound just in case...

Labor Signs: Major cramps every night around bedtime.  Braxton Hicks, I guess.  

Pregnancy Symptoms: I'm epically large.  Cartoonish even.  And I work with teenagers who don't let me forget it.  I've seen stars a few times over the past week too, but I checked in with the doctor, and he said it's normal.  All the blood is going to my belly instead of my brain...That explains so much.  

Belly Button In or Out? Out

What I Miss: Walking like a normal person.  

What I am Looking Forward to: The holidays!  It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Upcoming Appointments/ Events: Next week I'm starting up non stress tests twice a week, and a check-ins with the doctor once a week.  I've got more appointments than brain cells.  

Current Food Comparison? A honeydew melon!   

Meanwhile, I'm the size of...

For a comparison of what I looked like last time I was with child, click HERE! 

Don't Call Me Ma'am

I know in some parts of the world, this word is used as a sign of respect.  Maybe it's because I'm a curmudgeonly northerner who doesn't understand life below the Mason Dixon line, but "Ma'am" might be the most offensive word in the English language. And since when did people start tossing it in my very youthful direction?

A few years ago the word "Ma'am" was very rarely directed at me.  Then something shifted.  People started using it more, I stopped getting carded, and my students stopped assuming I knew what a Wiz Khalifa was.  Then it hit me. Holy hell, I'm middle aged!  

The past decade has flown by so quickly, that I sometimes still write 2008 on my checks.  Yes, that's right, I'm five years behind.  Yet, here I stand.  It really is 2013, I really do own a house which I share with a husband and, soon to be, two children!  My children.  When did I become somebody's mother?  I keep finding white hairs, the weight doesn't come off as easy as it used to, and I really do need to use the facial creams those bitchy twenty-somethings with flawless skin hawk in the commercials.  And yes, youngsters now address me as "ma'am."    

The problem is that I don't feel like a grownup.  Most of the time I don't know what the hell I'm doing.  I still need to call my mom for laundry advice.  I've never balanced a check book in my life.  I still find myself giggling, "That's what she said," in my head throughout episodes of Downton Abbey.

So I think what old people say about being young at heart is probably true.  Maybe nobody ever feels like a grownup.

All bag boys, drive-thru attendants, theater ushers, and children trying to sell me cookies, take note:  On the outside, I may be a thirty-two-year-old pregnant lady toting a toddler while wearing clogs and a coat from LL Bean.  Yet, do not let my ill-fitting jeans and Toyota Corolla fool you.  On the inside, I am still a fabulous twenty-five, and you should treat me the same way as you'd treat one of those young ladies sporting Uggs and a lack of legitimate pants.  

But yes, I would like to buy all the cookies, and I would like you to carry my groceries to the car, young man.

Maddie Bear Sings

Madeline makes up songs as she tries to fall asleep. Meanwhile, we giggle listening to her voice echoing through the baby monitor. Here are some highlights from two nights of listening:

Cockadoodle-doo is not a question.
I love you, is a question,
And I love you,
And I love you,
And the mother is not feeling well!

(Sung to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star")
I love you Wild Kratz.
Now that I love you Wild Kratz,
Now that we have a square.
Chod Chod Chod Chod Chod Chod Chod.

Sorry we're closed today.
Nick! Sally! In the house!
Quick in the house!

Boo!
Ahhhh!
Boo!
Ahhhh!
Boo!
Ahhhh!

I wish I had a friend!
And I don't have friends in my bed,
And I don't have talking friends in my bed.
And I don't need this pillow!
In the skyyyy!

They grow big on the big tree,
And they grow little on the little tree.
Blah, blah, blahblah, blahhhh


I'm not sure if she'll be he next Taylor Swift or a great modern poet.

Dear Maddie Bear: November, 2013

Dear Madeline,

Forgive me for being a little late with your letter this month.  I'd like to blame it on the postage service, but it's really because your poor mumma's brain has been misplaced.  I may have left it at the obgyn's office last week, or maybe on top of the photocopy machine at work.  You see, in my world, it's still the first week of November.  It's really the middle of the month though, which means this could be the last letter I write to you before you become a big sister.

 Maddie Bear, my darling, you have been so very, very three the past two weeks.  People have warned me for years that three is a tough age.  Those people were right.  You do not follow directions well.  You are stubborn.  You scowl and pout most of your waking hours.  You've stopped talking and have instead invented your own language consisting of various whining noises and grunts.

A big problem we've been dealing with is your adoration of the iPad.  We let you use it on occasion, but now every time you see it, you ask for it, which obviously leads to many tears.  When we do let you use it, you cry when your time is up.  You shed giant, sorrowful tears, and sob for Olaf...the only person bear in the world who can truly understand just how mean your parents are.  I guess this is parenting in the age of technology...

I'm not sure if this difficult phase has to do with all the big changes you sense happening around you, or if it's simply a three-year-old thing.  My guess it's a little of both.  Either way, you're seriously testing the patience of both your parents.  Normally I'd turn to wine in times like these, but I'm too busy incubating your baby sister to find any relief.

Luckily, you're also adorable and funny, so we don't stay angry with you for long.  I so enjoy listening to the things that come out of your mouth.  Conversations with you are the best.  I never know where they'll lead.  The other day we started talking about the baby and ended the conversation talking about how it's good to try square cookies but not green eggs and ham.  You sing all the time.  This afternoon you propped a book up on the top of your toy piano and sang the story at the top of your lungs while banging on the keys.  

You're starting to get excited for Christmas, but still don't seem too sold on the whole Santa idea.  We saw him at the mall, but you hid behind my leg and scowled when he waved at you.  We talked about him bringing us presents on Christmas Eve, but you seemed freaked out by the idea of a strange man in our house while we're sleeping.  We'll see how this year's visit to the jolly man in red goes.

This is the first year you can tell us what you want for Christmas.  You've made very few requests, which is nice.  However, you did ask for a toy version of Chili's restaurant for your princess Little People.  I don't think Santa makes that in his workshop.  Sorry, Maddie Bear.

We finally set up your big girl bed this afternoon, and as you can see from the photographs, you were thrilled!  You look so tiny in it!

I was a little apprehensive about letting you sleep there tonight.  We haven't received the rails yet, so I was worried you'd fall out.  For the time being, we removed the box spring to keep you low to the ground, and I surrounded the bed with giant pillows to break any falls.  I was also worried that you'd be so excited that you'd bounce around for hours.  Instead, it took you about ten minutes to fall asleep.  Maybe this big girl bed will solve our bedtime issues...but I'm not holding my breath.

I'm so very proud of you, Madeline.  Even with the attitude, temper tantrums, and strange noises you make, I'm still convinced that you're the smartest, sweetest, and best little girl on the planet.

Love you to the moon!

-Mumma Bear