Updates
Thursday is becoming my day to do posts related to and updates about my pregnancy. Today is no different. Without further ado….
Suits! So, I’ve been taking this prenatal aqua fitness class. And I’ve kind of been loving it. I spoke with the instructor on ways in which this class differs from the general aqua fitness classes my gym offers. She gave me some good pointers on how to incorporate the other classes with pregnancy. And that’s when it hit me. I need a good maternity bathing suit. The one I have now? It’s a tankini on loan. And while I can tuck it in now, I won’t be able to as my belly grows. And when it’s not tucked in, it tends to float to the top of the pool (super annoying, let alone unflattering!). So, I did it. I purchased my own maternity tankini. Only, this one is more fitted, so hopefully it won’t be a floatin’ as I’m moving around! Isn’t it glamorous? Ha!
Diagnosis! As many of you know, I had to take a test for gestational diabetes. How this came about was based on some initial tests that came back with concerning results. First, I pee in a cup every time I go to the doctor. They measure things like sugar and proteins. Apparently, two elevated sugar readings equals a referral to get a 1-hour sugar test for gestational diabetes. At that test, I drank a sugary drink. Waited an hour. They took blood. And the results came back high (159 when normal range is below 140). What that meant was a referral for an even longer sugar test. I had to fast overnight. Had an initial blood draw. Drank a uber-sugary drink. Waited an hour. They took blood. Waited another hour. They took blood. Waited one final hour. They took blood. And the results? Completely normal! Meaning, there is no diagnosis. No concerns. No more talk about gestational diabetes. And I just need to remember to cut out the sugary snacks before my doctor’s appointments in the future!
Nuisances! Lately, I’ve had a few physical symptoms of pregnancy. The more common of the two has been leg cramps. Specifically, the ones that wake you up in the middle of the night in crazy pain. The ones that cause me to shock Sweets out of his slumbers and scare SoMi off the bed. I hate hate hate them, but apparently, they come with the territory. The second? I have this really sensitively itchy spot on the top of my belly, where it almost joins my chest. I think it has to do with how my bras are hitting it or maybe how my boobs are beginning to rest on it. But, it itches and sort of hurts. And if clothing lightly rubs it, it almost stings. I’ve been lathering up with lotion to make sure it isn’t dry skin and covering it up with BandAids on the worst days, but will check in with my doctor next week to make sure it shouldn’t be a bigger concern.
Purchase! Once the furniture was purchased for the nursery, the whole decorating process began to feel more real. I began a conversation with an Etsy artist about making some bedding and window coverings. And Sweets and I became a little more serious about what art we would like to put on the walls. We have a couple galleries around the corner from where we live and it just so happens one of their recent shows had some work of interest to us. Given our nursery colors of lime green, turquoise and orange, and our penchant for nature, these paintings seemed perfect. Plus, we like the fact we’re supporting a local artist (she happens to live in our neighborhood!).
Shelving! A couple months ago, Sweets and I went to The Container Store in search of an additional shelving solution to match the shelving that’s already in our laundry room. We worked with a designer to come up with a plan. And then we left the store. Spending not one penny. Because, The Container Store is expensive and we wanted to wait until one of their pretty sweet shelving sales. Like the one that’s going on now through early October. 25% off shelving. It’s the exact sale we’ve been waiting for. So, Sweets and I are moving forward with our shelving project. Hooray!
Thanks! A special thanks to the gal behind musings, graces and fate. She is making sure Grasshopper’s library continues to grow with some really great Dr. Seuss additions. I know for a fact, these books will be well-read!
Question! What’s the one baby item you never thought you’d use, but now can’t live without? Sweets and I are trying to tidy up our registry and want to make sure we’ve covered all bases!
September 2nd, 2010 at 7:49 am
I love those paitings for the nursery. So pretty. I’m glad that the gestational dibetes test came back free and clear. Thats great news.
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:09 am
The paintings are beautiful! I’m going to need to know when your shower is so I can time sending something to you :)
Also, leg cramps sound awful!! I wish those didn’t come with the territory for your sake!
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:10 am
Nilsa, I am so happy to hear that you do not have gestational diabetes! What a relief!
And wow. I love the artwork you chose. As always, top notch taste! What else would I expect though? ;)
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:15 am
I am so happy to hear the results of your test were normal! I was worried and hoping for good results for you.
I love the paintings you chose. So pretty!
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:30 am
that’s so awesome that you are getting books for Grasshopper’s library! As for baby items, I have no idea. But if you ever need someonen to come hold Grasshopper for a weekend, let me know =) Offer is on the table!
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:39 am
Love the artwork, it will go great with the color scheme that you and Sweets selected.
I am glad you got the books, I love seeing books on registries. Happy reading!
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:58 am
I REALLY like the tankini and the artwork. The tankini is super cute and the artwork is beautiful, especially for a nursery.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:15 am
I’m so glad to hear you don’t have GD. It’s a huge hassle to have to eat on a schedule.
I had the same itchy, raw skin problem around my bra line. I actually found that sleeping with a nursing bra on helped.
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:15 am
I can totally see how the nursery decorations blend with the rest of your house. And I kind of love that I’ve been to your house so I can picture it!
My friends with newborns have been singing the praises of white noise- either a machine or downloading some from iTunes. It helps the baby be soothed and go to sleep. We used to make a shushing sound constantly in Finn’s ear (it’s exhausting after a 10 minutes of that!) so maybe we should have tried the white noise? Just a thought (from a woman who hasn’t had kids).
Your new suit looks a lot like my old suit. Land’s End is having a 70% off swimsuits sale right now. Just FYI!
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:33 am
If you would like some more art for your nursery, I would be happy to help!
I love the little paintings that you’ve gotten and I’m so sorry about your discomfort lately. That sucks. And, glad you don’t have diabetes.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:13 am
Lovely paintings!
I second the white noise either by CD or on the iPod/speaker deck (which is how we did it…one ten minute white noise “song” played on a loop now for over two years!). I think we now turn it on out of habit but it sure helped Noah sleep those first months.
September 2nd, 2010 at 1:45 pm
That maternity bathing suit? HOT!
And I love the paintings. They’re beautiful.
September 2nd, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Can you believe I never bought one…and I gave birth in July…in Florida??? Crazy!
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:20 pm
I am crossing all my fingers and toes that I will manage to avoid the curse of the pregnant leg cramp. Our bed is high off the floor and I will totally kill myself jumping out of bed in the middle of the night someday.
Glad you guys were smart enough to wait for the sale!
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Glad to hear the glucose test went OK!
I’ve managed to stretch most of my leg cramps out myself, with the exception of one where I just slung my leg over to my husband yelling “Leg cramp! Leg cramp!”
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:28 pm
First off, I love the bathing suit. Totally cute. Second, I love the art. I knew hummingbirds symbolized something, so I looked it up -- and was so delighted by what I found:
The hummingbird symbolizes many different concepts. Because of its speed, the hummingbird is known as a messenger and stopper of time.
It is also a symbol of love, joy, and beauty. The hummingbird is also able to fly backwards, teaching us that we can look back on our past. But, this bird also teaches that we must not dwell on our past; we need to move forward. When the hummingbird hovers over flowers while drinking nectar, we learn that we should savor each moment, and appreciate the things we love.
Seems like a really nice symbol to have in the baby’s room. :)
September 2nd, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Love your bathing suit. I’m sure you look adorable in it. I’m also a fan of the artwork. But where is the grasshopper painting? LOL!
I could avoid the middle-of-the-night leg cramps if I spent a few minutes stretching just before I went to sleep. I also second what Erin suggested about sleeping in a nursing bra. But, you didn’t ask us for advice on leg cramps and nursing bras…
I second the white noise. We used a cd of some delightful brown noise early on and then switched to a nature sound machine when she was a little older.
One thing we didn’t have that we ended up buying after baby was born and then worshipping was “The Happiest Baby On The Block” by Dr. Karp. I secretly laughed at other parents-to-be who read it, but then found that we probably could benefit from it and then couldn’t live without it.
September 3rd, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Great paintings!
September 4th, 2010 at 12:52 am
Love, love, love the art work!
September 5th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
I have been thinking about you & hoping that the test for gestational diabetes came out negative. My best friend also ‘failed’ the first one and did the 2nd test and was in the clear also, and was relieved. Glad you are both in the clear on this!
Love the paintings -- and how great that you are supporting a local artist!!! Can’t wait to see pics of the nursery!!
September 6th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
Love those art pieces!! :)
September 9th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Finally catching up on my reader…so happpy to hear that you don’t have to worry about gestational diabetes. Sorry you’re having crazy leg cramps though. I had a leg cramp once while laying in bed and wanted to punch the wall. I don’t know how you pregnant ladies do it.
Loving the artwork you picked out. I have this thing about birds lately. The Lakeview Arts Festival is this weekend if you’re looking for anything else. Hope you guys have a good weekend.
September 15th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Waking up in the middle of the night with leg cramps is horrible! I used to get them all the time when I was a dancer. The thought of them makes me shudder. Hope they’re a temporary symptom!