Sleep When Baby Sleeps

A mom blog for when you're sick of people making it look easy.

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Forgot to tumblr.

So how's it going? The past few weeks have been eventful but also not. Soooo, I had the anatomy ultrasound. Baby was transverse (aka: sideways across my uterus, ouch) facing outwards, so they weren't able to get clear enough images. I had my doctor appointment about a week later for ultrasound results, and to bring up that I'd been having some cramping with exertion. She wrote me up for a urine test to rule out bladder infection or UTI, and brought up ultrasound results. Turns out I need to repeat it due to baby's position, which I had suspected. Also, I have an ovarian cyst, which is a first for me, but not uncommon so not terribly worrisome. And lastly that I did not expect, there was some blood visible behind the placenta, and I need to "Take it easy". No lifting Mr 2yo, no exertion, and according to nurse friend and Dr google, pelvic rest and I'm lucky to not be on full bedrest. Oh, and no UTI, but there was sugar present so I have to try and cut down. So....I'm a little stressed, but also forced to be pretty lazy. We made our last family road trip before baby, which was really nice but I probably should not have done it. Came home yesterday with cramping and swollen feet and hands and legs, tingling (I suspect from sitting in the car so long, but definitely bringing it up at my next appointment). I don't think I will travel further than half an hour from home until baby comes. I need to take care of my body, I'm not the only one who needs it at the moment. Repeat ultrasound this coming Friday. Hoping for improvement and baby in a better position. So that's where I'm at right Now! Kind of bummed. But what can you do.

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Its a warm, sunny, beautiful day...

So naturally, we are inside with the AC, watching Charlie Brown. It's like 22 degrees outside and I was frying in my shorts and tank! Child was pretty content wearing long sleeves and pants. But...he's not pregnant. Why did I have to do this timing again? Super huge and pregnant all summer. If I had a million dollars...I'd install my own personal slurpee machine. And dine on crab and lobster, my only real food cravings.

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I feel like child is not wrong about me being big.

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He loves the baby.

So I was kind of worried about how child might feel about becoming a big brother. Also, how a 2 year old might deal with the uncertainty and mechanics and changes surrounding pregnancy and birth. Not going to lie, it was super rough before I got the diclectin. He was acting out and very worried about me and having a hard time with me being essentially absent as a parent. But since then, he's been learning a lot and seems to be pretty happy about his upcoming sibling! He's also been coming to my appointments so he's very included in the process. So far, this is what he knows: He's going to have a baby sister or a robot. Baby lives in the restaurant (occasionally, he says "utrerus restaurant"). Baby has a heartbeat. Mummy's back hurts. Baby told him he or she is going to buy him a balloon. Sometimes mummy feels yucky. Baby's going to give him a bump. "Mummy's biiiiiiiiiig." So, not bad! I'm curious how it will be when baby is born, though. Especially if this one is as high needs as he was. And I'm not sure of the mechanics if I need to birth a robot :/ Do you breastfeed, or formula feed, or just plug it in? Or bring it to the gas station? If those are my options, I'd prefer a girl.

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SUPERPOWERED FIT PREGNANCY

Ok, so I like to check the hashtags for my current weeks pregnant on instagram. I've come across a lot of ladies like me. But I come across a lot of people who have total unicorn pregnancies that have NO IDEA they have it so easy. Ok, so today I found one. First time pregnancy. Fitness enthusiast. She's amazed at how she's learned "the truth" about pregnancy. At 16 weeks, she's not showing, she keeps up her previous fitness routine. Ok, cool. That's really admirable if you can do that! But then she goes on about how being pregnant isn't an excuse to sit at home and eat everything and get fat, and how she's going to be in prime ass-kicking competition-winning shape within a year to show how pregnancy doesn't have to be an excuse. And she doesn't have it easy, she gets tired and nauseous just like anyone! Now, I wish this was the first time I had heard people talk like this. Buuuuut...nope. it seems to be a growing theme. Pregnancy isn't easy. But if you are well enough to do all that exercise AND pick and choose what you want to eat? You are super lucky. Like now. I wasn't in great shape when I was pregnant with my first, and didn't exercise much beyond my typical working retail. Then I got brutal sciatic pain at 8 weeks and had to waddle very slowly for the rest of my pregnancy. So this time, I vowed to get all fit and not gain too much weight and eat healthy so I'd be in prime shape for gestating!! And then I got pregnant and got morning sickness at 6 weeks, and was barely able to drag myself off the couch. And even though I'm feeling better Now, exertion still makes me throw up, my feet are swollen ALREADY, and I'm eating constantly, anything that stays down because I need NOURISHMENT. I still need the maximum dose of diclectin to function. Buuuuut it's just an excuse to be fat, right? I actually think it's adorable. I'm glad some people have super easy pregnancies, because if they all sucked, nobody would want to have children. But you can't just assume everyone has it so simple. And my experience is actually not that difficult (hello to the ladies with HG, multiples, complications of all kinds--superheroes). It's like those first time moms who figure parenting is so easy and can't get why people complain, when they have one child who sleeps through the night, eats like a champ, poops like clockwork, and quietly pops out teeth like dandelions. My advice to women like her: COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. You've got it good. Your body is cooperating. You can absolutely achieve your goals. And by the way, NOT ALL GOALS ARE THE SAME. I enjoyed my fitness routine when it was not making me vomit. I want to strengthen my body. But I don't mind if I stay pudgy. And lastly...DONT BE ASHAMED IF THINGS CHANGE. Pregnancy is hard. Childbirth is hard. Postpartum recovery, physically and mentally and emotionally, is hard. Newborns and toddlers and children and teenagers are hard. Give yourself a break if you need it. Eat a snickers. Do some backflips. Care for yourself! Success is not defined by the shape of your body.

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That pregnancy glow.

15 weeks today! Woo-hoo! My pregnancy app raves about the many changes I will surely experience, such as getting a little baby bump, an increased sex drive, improved appetite, and the legendary "pregnancy glow" that people will surely notice. Well, pregnancy app....things are interesting. For example, my little bump is now the same size as it was at 25 weeks with my first pregnancy. What comes with it is severe back pain when I walk for any length of time, and stretching growing pains in my belly. I feel like my stomach is smooshed and I can't sleep comfortably. As for glowing...I don't think so. I'm having constant minor nosebleeds. I have increased pigment, so I have a nice little mustache and ring around my mouth. I have a giant cold sore because opportunistic virus. But, I can count my blessings. I'm starting to feel baby move more regularly. Its the size of a canary now, apparently. And the nausea is slowly slowly starting to fade, giving me hope of not totally relying on medication the entire pregnancy. Of course, I will if I have to, because I do enjoy not gagging constantly all day. I also ordered some essential oils, because good smelling things are really my ally right now. Also, apparently I can sell them now, so I guess that's cool. And I can stay up past 6pm! Rejoice with me.

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Imagine a picture of pills. Tumblr ate mine.

These have been my little helpers over the past week.  I didn't plan or want to go on medication at first.  After all, I know of many women who have suffered more than me with pregnancy.  Then I realized how poor of shape I was really in.  I could barely eat, and I could barely parent.  I couldn't properly nourish myself or this little womb inhabitant, and I was almost constantly dehydrated.  My son was feeling my near absence and worrying about me in his little 2 year old way.  I couldn't prepare his meals, I couldn't put him to bed or bathe him, and I was pretty much just a gagging mess on the couch.  So, at my 12 week appointment I asked for help, and I was prescribed Diclectin.  So far, it has been a lifesaver.  I can function again!  I can even play with my son, and he's stopped asking so much if I feel yucky.  I can eat, I can drink, I can look in the fridge or pantry without running off gagging, I can keep supper down.  I can sleep without waking up nauseous.  I can spend time with my husband instead of dropping my responsibilities on him and going to bed at 5.  I still hope I don't need this the entire pregnancy.  It's not cheap, and insurance only goes so far.  But health is a priority, so I hope if I do continue to need it, we can find a way to make it work.

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It's been a while...

I haven't posted in a while because my life is about to get a lot more sleepless! Baby #2 is due in September. I'm suffering with the pregnancy sickness right now, so...I may not drop in much. Hoping this eases up soon. Going to see if I can get some medical help with it.

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Let's get to know each other!

Things I like: Naps Church Pumpkin spice latte The Simpsons Vietnamese food Pancakes with all the toppings Ice cream Musicals Arcade Fire Glitter Summer Dislikes: Black licorice Discrimination Sprinkles on ice cream (beautiful but annoying) Gross bugs

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Laws of parenting a toddler.

When you are sick, that's when they need you the most and have the most energy. When you figure out something they will eat without fail and get a million of it, they change their mind. It's more fun if mom and dad say no. Good naps only happen at the most inconvenient times. They want to do everything all by themselves, except when you really need them to. Any others to add?

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Tough decision.

It's nap time for a little boy. Do I want ichiban noodles, or cupcakes? Or both?

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So, my kid has a heck of a time sleeping, let along in his own bed. He's now big enough to just climb right in bed beside me, and my hair is some kind of comfort item, so I wake up with hairstyles like this. It took me like half an hour to brush all the mats and tangles out. But isn't it glamorous?

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See?

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Me today.

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I need this to be a regular strip to keep my childhood happy

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This one makes me all mushy inside.

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This recall perfectly demonstrates my superiority as a parent.

So, there's been a recall on PC Organics baby food pouches (see Health Canada's website for details). And instead of sharing to alert their friends and being like "hopefully you are all well, etc", I'm seeing ALL OVER MY NEWSFEED: "This is why I don't trust store bought baby food and only make my own!" "This is why I only do BLW, no junk like purees!" "Those pouches are scary anyways, who knows what crap is in there!" "Processed foods are terrible for you, why would you give it to The BABIES?" And so on and so forth. Know what? I freaking love fruit pouches. They are easy, convenient, healthy, useful for babies who want to self feed and are awful with a spoon, good for car rides, super portable (good luck bringing an avocado or banana unscathed for that BLW on a road trip). If you want to feed your infant chewy chunks, cool. Be safe. If you want to make your own purees, whatever. They make blenders for a reason. If you don't want to use pouches, nobody's going to make you. But don't use this as an excuse to pretend to be superior. BABY POUCHES ARE A SAFE AND VALID OPTION. Well, except the recalled batch. Skip those.

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Pups.

So I'm lying on the couch, watching Paw Patrol with my boy. So....does Adventure Bay only have like 3 kids, or what? They don't have enough for a basketball team. Just dogs. And chickens. And I do realize I'm totally over thinking for a show where dogs talk and a tween has enough money to build a tower and unlimited technology. And where you can drive in one day from downtown to the beach, jungle, mountains, or antarctic. And merpups are a thing. I'm tired. Thank you, Pups, for providing entertainment so I can rest 😪