Ummmmmmmmazing

I started prenatal yoga yesterday and I think I have a new addiction.

I have ALWAYS wanted to get started in yoga. I really wanted to do it when I was pregnant with Carter, but couldn't get out of work in time. This time, with all the physical pain and weakness I've been dealing with its become absolutely necessary. Probably knowing that I would procrastinate my way out of ever going, Russ bought me a mat and gave me the money and all but pushed me towards the door.

Art of Yoga studios in Paseo has a prenatal yoga class each week at a great time. Don't have to rush to get there. I was a little surprised at the number of pregnant women there. As I was parking I could see them coming from all directions..it was a little Alfred Hitchcock-esque. There were women there that were due last week, some due tomorrow, some my stage, some brand new preggers...all sizes of bellies...it was really neat to think of all these little babies silently kicking around in all these bellies in one room.

So we get into the large yoga room and I find a spot and unroll my new mat. I'm watching all the experts intently so I can mimic how they set up and what they get and what they brought and how they sit....I hate that "new girl at school" feeling sometimes, especially when there is a lot of unknown procedure involved.

They started with a birth-story from one of the instructors. She just had her second child and opted for the 'home birth.' Which is REALLY interesting to me. Her husband and her Doula just chilled at home and delivered a baby. I think a few midwives were present when things were progressing, but it sounded really relaxed...Flashbacks to screaming and crabwalking over my mother while a little asian man directed "yoo fiting yosef wowa" ... I found myself mentally taking notes of her detailed story of calmness and ease of childbirth...This makes two stories I now know of that proves it can be done without areal suspension harnesses.

Then we got the yoga kicked off. All the poses were pretty basic, but really helpful. I didn't find myself unable to get into any of them. I had a hard time holding a few that required thigh strength, but I pushed myself through it. Most of the time, since I was in the back, I was able to watch the other girls and see how they get into them, until one time when we had to turn and i was facing the wall, I was that clumsy chick at Incahoots with my head turned to a 180 trying to get through the steps of the electric slide....Then at the end we had a relaxation time, that involved lights out and I seriously almost fell asleep..it was great.

All yogying aside, Gracyn is well. She is super active and getting bigger. I have been eating like a mad women. I crave stuff, but nothing weird. Mostly salty stuff, or sometimes sweet stuff. Just depends on my mood. I've noticed I've had more mental energy lately and my mood is stabling. I've been able to keep up with housework and not want to trim off Russ's head with my laser beam eyes. I still find myself needing a quick nap during the day. Sometimes I come home at lunch, or sometimes I chain Carter to the recliner with a bag of frozen peas and pop in Thomas the Train. (DHS disclaimer, J/K!) Carter has begun phasing out his naps during the day...always working in two directions..story of my life.

Time is flying by! I am at 26 weeks ( I think) Russ closes on his house at the end of the month and we've got a pretty good plan to be prepared for December. At this point, I fear the entire month more than I do child birth...In fact, I might opt for the epidural just to get me through Gracyn's birth, Christmas, Carter's birthday, being unemployed, and snow....

And now all of a sudden the dream about the Anaconda living under my christmas tree makes sense...

Inhale through nose...release your breath through the mouth with a slight hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

namaste

Making Changes...Gettin Ready.

Man, I really need to blog more. So much has happened.

Carly and Clay had baby Elizabeth last Tuesday.. She is perfect and cute and I just want to take her home with me...but alas, I must wait 4 more months for mine.

So I was given the honor of being allowed to witness the birth of my neice...of course I did so at the head of the bed because I still have no desire to see all that action. And I have to give Carly and Clay kudos for being the best birthing team ever.. Seriously, compared to my first labor it was completely under control. Its got me inspired to make sure that I do what I can to be in control.

So control step No. 1: I got a new doctor. Dr. Ryan at St. Anthony's. My first male OB/Gyn. LOVE HIM...cept that to give you an mental image...he is about 6'6" and large! he seriously looks like he should be out herding cattle and roping steer, tooling around on his 1 ton truck around his 2000 acre ranch...which i'm sure he still does when he's not delivering tiny humans out of the delicate parts of a lady...its a very odd combo, but hey, it works for him! He had me very comforted that I would be in the hands of someone that likes to also have things under control.

He recommended I check out hypnobirthing???? Sounds kinda cooky..again coming from Rancher Ryan...but I'll read up on it.

Gracyn seems to be sticking as the name. She is doing well inside of the belly. She's been exploring her territory, tho. Usually she stays down very low, but the other night I woke up about 3 am and I found her right under my chest.

So far I have been regaining my physical energy. Mental stress is still pretty high. Having trouble sleeping. Appetite is crazy. So far i've only gained about 10lbs.

Rounding 2nd, Middle of the road, half full/half empty, somewhere inbetween

I'm such a slacker. I haven't posted the good news and we've known for a few weeks now....

WE ARE HAVING A GIRL!

I'm really excited. So far, the name Gracyn is our favorite.

Other than that, everything is good. I'm still tired all the time and trying to figure out why my body has a hard time keeping up with life.

I am switching doctors soon. Gonna give Dr. Ryan at St. Anthony's a shot. Wasn't really appreciating the attitude from Dr. Bishop and her office, so we went elsewhere.

Baby is kicking and growing well as I can tell. Yesterday I hit 20 weeks which is exactly half way through....yay!

Moment of Honesty

COMPLAINING OUT OF THE WAY:

I feel horrible! Even in the morning when i should be chipper and ready to start the day, the walk back to the bed seems too challenging for me...maybe i clear off counter space in the kitchen and sleep there...

Some things I have trouble doing: holding a cell phone to my hear, talking for very long (tragedy I know), walking from my car to a building, and breathing..

Today I am calling around to find an Endocrinologist to have my thyroid tested..doc says its a little low..doesn't make sense to me..as i feel like its a heart/blood circulation thing..but we'll see what they have to say.

ON A MORE POSITIVE NOTE...

I have made a personal decision to spend the rest of this pregnancy refering to this baby as a her....at the risk of later offending my future son..i cannot go another 5.5 months refering to a baby as IT...Our ultrasound is on July 13..which will be at 17 weeks gestation, which is ALMOST too early to tell what it is anyway...Russ is pretty adamant about not confirming that this is a girl...so i will just go about saying she is a girl...

I'M SO EXCITED...

In two weeks she will be able to hear...which you know means that I can start introducing her to my #1 passion...music...(some of you think its art..its not)....I'm digging out my Beethoven, Motzart, Portishead, and Tori Amos's Under the Pink...every girl must memorize Under the Pink...never too late to start..This is the most exciting part of pregnancy for me...this is really where the fun begins...i really miss my piano..thats one thing i did for carter that i can't do this round...i'll figure something out...

TO CONCLUDE:

As you know, I'm almost right in line with dates compared to when i was pregnant with Carter...however, my journal with carter ( www.babyhomepages.net/ourangel) didn't start until July 6. its kinda neat to go read the old stuff and see how things progress....

Have a good day!

13 weeks

Had a doctor's visit today.. since the last one, I have only gained 4 pounds! right at 116lbs.

I talked with her about the lack of energy I have been having and she said that my thyroid tested a tad low and if I wanted I could go and have that checked out if I wanted, but that more than likely its just normal...she also suggested protein shakes..so maybe I will try that first..

There is something about being interupted in mid-converstation by the sound of your little baby's heart beat...aside from the growing waistline I've not been feeling very pregnant, so getting that little audible confirmation that she/he is tucked in there probably sleeping, is very comforting. I remember this time with Carter where you can't feel the baby move so you are always worried if its still in there...amen for fetal heart dopplers..

Last couple of weeks have been whirlwind. Russ and I took a mini-vaca to San Antonio and rocked out to Coldplay. Had a great time..but ever since its been broke down cars, house issues, dog issues, kid issues, etc....

I'd give up cupcakes if I could sleep for 24 hours uninterrupted...

The Name Game

I feel big.

I don't look big..

but I feel big...

My tummy was having growing pains this morning, but feeling much better after lunch...ice cream sandwich is a cure-all.

Russ and I are still doing the battle of the names...I suggested Hadley yesterday and he goes "EW NO THATS TOO ENGLISH" (in his english accent)....(this coming from a guy who is eagerly suggesting London as a name)...how is Hadley any more english than London?? I bought him a name book to help him with his search...

We are heading to San Antonio next week to see a Coldplay concert...9 hours in a car with a bladder the size of a lima bean...should be really interesting. But i'm ready for a mini-vacation! Never been to San Antonio!

This is my last week of the first trimester! yay! i got a short break from the fatigue, but its been wearing me down lately..My sweet mother came and played with Carter the other day so i could take a quick 30 minute nap...it was heaven..

I'm still pretty convinced i'm having a girl. Just one of those gut feelings I have. Still trying to work on Russ's idea of not wanting to find out....I'm so ready to buy little girl things.

Well back to work. Such a beautiful day outside!

11 weeks and counting

I really enjoyed blogging when I was pregnant with Carter. It was a good way to spread news and stories about the happenings along the way. And they always say, you do less with the second, third or fourth, so I have to make a conscious effort to not get lazy.

I was flipping through my journal with Carter before I started this one and it brought back all kinds of memories. For the most part this pregnancy is really different than my first. I had horrible bouts of nausea and the fatigue is full force. However, I am exiting the first trimester so things are starting to wane.

I am very happy that I have been able to locate Dr. Bishop. She was my doctor with Carter and she is very awesome. She is now over at Lakeside Womens Hospital and was very happy that I found her. I made her promise that she will not be on vacation when I deliver.....Images of Dr. Wei holding my placenta haunt me ;) please do not make me relive that! WE HAD WIWD NIGH WOWA!

So far baby is healthy. Russ and I are name surfing and crashing at every wave, but I'm sure we'll find something that we can agree on...

I'll get back and give more status and post the ultrasound pic and jazz this page up again, but its back to work I go.