I had my 33 week (almost 34 week) doctor's appointment yesterday. I wanted to specifically talk to my OB about the numbness and pain in my hands and wrists. I have noticed for the past week or so that not only are my hands incredibly swollen but they are painful too. I can no longer wear my wedding ring and I have taken to calling myself Gorilla Hands.
The numbness started out as tingly fingertips but it has now spread to my whole hands. My wrists ache, almost like I have arthritis. I will be eating something with a fork and my hands go numb. Talking on the phone, numb hands. Sleeping, numb hands. Putting on mascara, numb hands. Typing, numb hands.
I did some reading and sought some advice online and thought it might be carpal tunnel caused by all the swelling and pressing against the joints.
My OB confirmed it. Carpal tunnel. Did I mention that a major part of my job includes typing? I write documentation, so I spend my whole day at the computer. Yes, I can take occasional breaks, but when I am typing a sentence (like right now) and my hands go numb, I have to stop. I have no choice.
There is absolutely nothing I can do other than to keep drinking a lot of water and perhaps get myself some of those neat wrist braces.
So, add this to the list of pregnancy maladies that I have had. It's all worth it. That is what I keep telling myself. The morning sickness (all day sickness), worry over weight gain, feeling fat, having heartburn, the fear of miscarriage, lack of sleep, numb hands, and other gross "lady" issues all mean that I get to hold my little man after 9 months.
Oh, and let's not even talk about how I gained 8 pounds in 2 weeks! Holy crap! My doctor isn't concerned. He thinks, and I am sure a majority of it is water retention. Hence, the crazy Gorilla Hands.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
A Pregnant Girl's Best Friends
Well, at least THIS pregnant girl's best friends. I will elaborate more, but here are my best friends these days:
* Orange juice
* Warm baths
* Body pillow
* Oversize t-shirts
* Fuzzy socks
* A coworker who is due at the same time as I am
Orange juice. I haven't really experienced any pregnancy cravings. In the first trimester, someone would mention a particular food item and I would instantly want it. The urges were never consistent. Until now. The past two weeks, I am drinking orange juice like it's going out of style. Seriously, I must have a vitamin C deficiency or something.
Warm baths. I wake up every morning feeling like I did not rest well. Add that to the constant hip pain and it makes for a very grumpy pregnant person. I find that if I take a warm bath (yes, baths are okay as long as the water isn't so hot that you cook your baby) and a Tylenol before bed and lie on the heating pad for a few minutes, I wake up feeling so so so much better.
Body pillow. See above. Hip pain and now the belly seems to hurt at night so I sleep with a body pillow. Poor Jason probably feels like he has to compete for bed space. I sleep with the pillow wedged between my legs and also under my belly. Keep in mind, a body pillow doesn't have to cost a fortune (Hello! Snoogle anyone?). I spent $20 and got mine at Target.
Oversize t-shirts. Most pajamas don't fit me anymore. I have taken to wearing my husband's old t-shirts to bed. He is bigger than me, and his old shirts are perfect! Right now I am wearing a t-shirt from Jamaica that says Red Stripe Beer. Ironic? Who cares! It fits, it's soft and it's comfortable. I still have some room in it too for my belly to grow into.
Fuzzy socks. My sister gave me two pairs for Christmas. I love them. God bless my sister. I don't like wearing slippers because my feet get too hot and start to sweat. Not pretty. The fuzzy socks are so much better, and let's face it, they are damn soft!
A coworker that is due the same time as I am. It has been so nice to compare notes to my coworker. We seem to have the same symptoms at the same time. It's a little creepy actually. She knows all about body issues, morning sickness, not finding clothes that are cute, cravings, aches and pains and other maladies. Thank goodness for her because I might go crazy at work if I couldn't talk to her.
Those folks are my pregnancy best friends. I would love to hear your's! Comment on this post and let me know who/what your best friends are right now.
* Orange juice
* Warm baths
* Body pillow
* Oversize t-shirts
* Fuzzy socks
* A coworker who is due at the same time as I am
Orange juice. I haven't really experienced any pregnancy cravings. In the first trimester, someone would mention a particular food item and I would instantly want it. The urges were never consistent. Until now. The past two weeks, I am drinking orange juice like it's going out of style. Seriously, I must have a vitamin C deficiency or something.
Warm baths. I wake up every morning feeling like I did not rest well. Add that to the constant hip pain and it makes for a very grumpy pregnant person. I find that if I take a warm bath (yes, baths are okay as long as the water isn't so hot that you cook your baby) and a Tylenol before bed and lie on the heating pad for a few minutes, I wake up feeling so so so much better.
Body pillow. See above. Hip pain and now the belly seems to hurt at night so I sleep with a body pillow. Poor Jason probably feels like he has to compete for bed space. I sleep with the pillow wedged between my legs and also under my belly. Keep in mind, a body pillow doesn't have to cost a fortune (Hello! Snoogle anyone?). I spent $20 and got mine at Target.
Oversize t-shirts. Most pajamas don't fit me anymore. I have taken to wearing my husband's old t-shirts to bed. He is bigger than me, and his old shirts are perfect! Right now I am wearing a t-shirt from Jamaica that says Red Stripe Beer. Ironic? Who cares! It fits, it's soft and it's comfortable. I still have some room in it too for my belly to grow into.
Fuzzy socks. My sister gave me two pairs for Christmas. I love them. God bless my sister. I don't like wearing slippers because my feet get too hot and start to sweat. Not pretty. The fuzzy socks are so much better, and let's face it, they are damn soft!
A coworker that is due the same time as I am. It has been so nice to compare notes to my coworker. We seem to have the same symptoms at the same time. It's a little creepy actually. She knows all about body issues, morning sickness, not finding clothes that are cute, cravings, aches and pains and other maladies. Thank goodness for her because I might go crazy at work if I couldn't talk to her.
Those folks are my pregnancy best friends. I would love to hear your's! Comment on this post and let me know who/what your best friends are right now.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
I'm Drowning!
In baby stuff. Not that I mind of course. Christmas was yesterday and our families outdid themselves. I got spoiled and Jason got spoiled and Baby Walter got spoiled and he's not even here yet! I have a mountain of stuff in our living room to sort through and put away.
My in-laws kept saying over and over that they were cutting back this year. Well, they lied. Our stockings would have been enough to be considered all our gifts. I got so many gift cards that I don't know what I am going to do with myself.
Here's the big gift: They managed to buy up the rest of our bedding and crib items! They bought our pricey baby mattress. We thought for sure that we were going to have to buy it, which is perferctly fine! However, Mike and Lynn got it for us, along with two sets of crib sheets, the mattress pad cover, a sheet saver, the bumper for the crib, the Soothe and Glow Seahorse (adorable!) that we wanted as well as the changing pad and changing pad cover. Seriously, our nursery (once we have it set up) is complete. The only thing we have to worry about now is the car seat.
So I mention the car seat. Huh, well, it looks like we might not have to buy that either! Our travel system that we registered for is $300. With all the gift cards and money that I got for Christmas, I have enough to buy the travel system. Seriously! I am spoiled rotten. This baby is spoiled rotten.
That is only the half of it. I got Target gift cards as well! That means that whatever isn't purchased off our Target registry will get snagged in a shopping trip after the shower.
My little sister outdid herself. She bought baby Walter the CUTEST stuffed dinosaurs. They are organic cotton and so soft and cuddly. Our little man is going to love them! Plus, she bought us enough clothes to outfit him for the first year of his life. Monkey outfits, dinosaur t-shirts, sleepers, little baby boots, tons of socks and other stuff. I have no idea where I am going to store all these things!
It's really time to get started on the nursery. That's actually coming up next weekend. Look for a post from me with all sorts of griping. When Jason and I do house projects, we typically want to strangle each other afterwards. Thank goodness his parents are coming over to help.
My in-laws kept saying over and over that they were cutting back this year. Well, they lied. Our stockings would have been enough to be considered all our gifts. I got so many gift cards that I don't know what I am going to do with myself.
Here's the big gift: They managed to buy up the rest of our bedding and crib items! They bought our pricey baby mattress. We thought for sure that we were going to have to buy it, which is perferctly fine! However, Mike and Lynn got it for us, along with two sets of crib sheets, the mattress pad cover, a sheet saver, the bumper for the crib, the Soothe and Glow Seahorse (adorable!) that we wanted as well as the changing pad and changing pad cover. Seriously, our nursery (once we have it set up) is complete. The only thing we have to worry about now is the car seat.
So I mention the car seat. Huh, well, it looks like we might not have to buy that either! Our travel system that we registered for is $300. With all the gift cards and money that I got for Christmas, I have enough to buy the travel system. Seriously! I am spoiled rotten. This baby is spoiled rotten.
That is only the half of it. I got Target gift cards as well! That means that whatever isn't purchased off our Target registry will get snagged in a shopping trip after the shower.
My little sister outdid herself. She bought baby Walter the CUTEST stuffed dinosaurs. They are organic cotton and so soft and cuddly. Our little man is going to love them! Plus, she bought us enough clothes to outfit him for the first year of his life. Monkey outfits, dinosaur t-shirts, sleepers, little baby boots, tons of socks and other stuff. I have no idea where I am going to store all these things!
It's really time to get started on the nursery. That's actually coming up next weekend. Look for a post from me with all sorts of griping. When Jason and I do house projects, we typically want to strangle each other afterwards. Thank goodness his parents are coming over to help.
Monday, December 21, 2009
It's Official
Well folks, it's official. I am a fat ass. I had to remove my wedding ring over the weekend. I am still able to wear my engagement ring (for now), but my wedding band was becoming so tight that I was afraid I wasn't going to get it over my knuckle. Being that I am insecure and don't want people to think that I am not married, I ordered a fake set from Avon. Hey, if it's ugly, I am only out about $13.
I know I must be retaining water. My rings have fit just fine until now. Plus, I stepped on the scale this morning and I am five pounds heavier. I know that is not possible to gain 5 pounds overnight (well, I suppose it is if you ate an extra 25,000 calories in one day) so it HAS TO BE water retention. At least that's what I am telling myself.
Hopefully my doctor agrees next week when I go in for my appointment. I really don't want the "weight talk" or the side eye from him.
In other news, my husband is adorable. Seriously. He has a daily (morning ritual). Since he works a different shift, he comes to bed around 6:00am. I am just starting to wake up at that time. So, he comes to bed, snuggles with me and then proceeds to put his hand on my belly to feel the baby move. It's the only time we see each other so he takes advantage of the snuggle time before he goes to sleep.
I asked him the other morning what he will do when he can't feel the baby move anymore. Meaning, what will he do when he's born? Well this is what he says:
"I will hold him". Awwwwwww. I just thought that was cute. He honestly is excited about this baby. Much more so than I ever expected him to be. It touches my heart.
I lurve him but not my water retention.
I know I must be retaining water. My rings have fit just fine until now. Plus, I stepped on the scale this morning and I am five pounds heavier. I know that is not possible to gain 5 pounds overnight (well, I suppose it is if you ate an extra 25,000 calories in one day) so it HAS TO BE water retention. At least that's what I am telling myself.
Hopefully my doctor agrees next week when I go in for my appointment. I really don't want the "weight talk" or the side eye from him.
In other news, my husband is adorable. Seriously. He has a daily (morning ritual). Since he works a different shift, he comes to bed around 6:00am. I am just starting to wake up at that time. So, he comes to bed, snuggles with me and then proceeds to put his hand on my belly to feel the baby move. It's the only time we see each other so he takes advantage of the snuggle time before he goes to sleep.
I asked him the other morning what he will do when he can't feel the baby move anymore. Meaning, what will he do when he's born? Well this is what he says:
"I will hold him". Awwwwwww. I just thought that was cute. He honestly is excited about this baby. Much more so than I ever expected him to be. It touches my heart.
I lurve him but not my water retention.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Oh the Burn!
On Wednesday, my heartburn went from mild to unbearable. It has been okay up to this point. Typically, when I get heartburn, I just take a few Tums and it goes away. Well, half a bottle of Tums later (well at least it seemed like that) and milk, it was still going strong. I was desperate and willing to try anything.
So I tried the most vile, disgusting suggestion I have ever heard. Now, before you vomit all over this post, realize that it really truly worked. 15 minutes after my remedy, I was heartburn free.
White vinegar. That's my secret weapon. Just drink it plain. I am not talking gallons here or even a glass. I drank the equivalent to about three or four tablespoons. It was gross, don't get me wrong. It burned slightly on the way down. It made me burp vinegar for a few minutes. But it worked. That is all that is important.
If you need a failproof solution, turn to your kitchen and drink some vinegar. In a pinch, pickle juice would probably work too since it's mostly vinegar.
Halleluah! A solution that works for my new fun experience of heartburn.
So I tried the most vile, disgusting suggestion I have ever heard. Now, before you vomit all over this post, realize that it really truly worked. 15 minutes after my remedy, I was heartburn free.
White vinegar. That's my secret weapon. Just drink it plain. I am not talking gallons here or even a glass. I drank the equivalent to about three or four tablespoons. It was gross, don't get me wrong. It burned slightly on the way down. It made me burp vinegar for a few minutes. But it worked. That is all that is important.
If you need a failproof solution, turn to your kitchen and drink some vinegar. In a pinch, pickle juice would probably work too since it's mostly vinegar.
Halleluah! A solution that works for my new fun experience of heartburn.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Kung Fu Fightin'
I don't know where he gets it, but this little guy is definitely active! My husband is so laid back so I know he doesn't get it from him. I don't think I was an active baby, but I am definitely energetic. I guess he gets it from me.
At any rate, he moves and kicks like crazy! I will sit on the couch and just watch my belly move. It cracks me up every time. He definitely has his busy times, and he has a pattern which is funny for a baby. In the morning, Jason comes to bed around 6:00am and that is when the baby starts to move. Then I get up around 7:00, eat a bowl of cereal and then he REALLY goes crazy. He's typically quiet until my MAX ride around 8:45. Maybe he feels the movement. It must be nap time after that because he's calm until noon. Then I eat. He moves again. Quiet time until 3:00 and then more movement! In the evenings after dinner he is usually active until bed time around 10:00. Yep, he has a schedule. That must take after his momma.
Whether our kid is going to be a karate master or a World Cup soccer player, I am not sure. All I know is that he definitely kicks! Sometimes he kicks so hard that it takes my breath away. His newest trick is to move around so much that he irritates my cervix. That is definitely an unpleasant experience. It really catches you off guard to be going along your business and then OW! Yes, that is my cervix little guy. Thank you!
I don't care that he scares me sometimes. I love feeling baby kicks. That will be the ONLY thing I miss about pregnancy. You can have the rest of the issues. I will keep the baby kicks.
At any rate, he moves and kicks like crazy! I will sit on the couch and just watch my belly move. It cracks me up every time. He definitely has his busy times, and he has a pattern which is funny for a baby. In the morning, Jason comes to bed around 6:00am and that is when the baby starts to move. Then I get up around 7:00, eat a bowl of cereal and then he REALLY goes crazy. He's typically quiet until my MAX ride around 8:45. Maybe he feels the movement. It must be nap time after that because he's calm until noon. Then I eat. He moves again. Quiet time until 3:00 and then more movement! In the evenings after dinner he is usually active until bed time around 10:00. Yep, he has a schedule. That must take after his momma.
Whether our kid is going to be a karate master or a World Cup soccer player, I am not sure. All I know is that he definitely kicks! Sometimes he kicks so hard that it takes my breath away. His newest trick is to move around so much that he irritates my cervix. That is definitely an unpleasant experience. It really catches you off guard to be going along your business and then OW! Yes, that is my cervix little guy. Thank you!
I don't care that he scares me sometimes. I love feeling baby kicks. That will be the ONLY thing I miss about pregnancy. You can have the rest of the issues. I will keep the baby kicks.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
My Boring Life
I haven't updated my blog in some time because frankly, there is really nothing extraordinary to write about. I have been very busy with school, but that's mostly over with. I had been doubling up on classes so I can get done sooner and thankfully, last Thursday was my last week of doubling up. I have a little bit more free time now. I have one more week of my Wednesday night class and then I am on Christmas break for two weeks. After that, I return for my final class. Then my very long (69 days) break starts. I will have to go back to school about a month after our little bug is born, but I will be on maternity leave so hopefully, it won't be too terrible. My mother-in-law (I love her like my own mother) and my aunt have already lined themselves up to watch our little guy while I am in class.
Speaking of class, here is something funny that happened on Wednesday. Keep in mind I have had this professor for several weeks now.
I pulled an extra chair over to the desk so I could put my feet up. My back was bothering me and I wanted some extra support. My instructor says "What are you doing?". I told him that I was pulling a chair over to put my feet up. "How come? Is everything okay?". Sigh.
Yes, Mr. Professor. I am fine. I told him I was tired, pregnant and that my back hurt and I wanted to put my feet up.
"You're pregnant?!" I thought that was hysterical. How could he not tell? It looks like I have swallowed a basketball. I said "Did you think I was this fat normally?". The rest of the night, he kept saying "I didn't know she was pregnant" and he backtracked and said that he couldn't tell, blah blah. Too funny!
In baby news, I had my 31 week appointment yesterday. Can you believe it? 31 weeks! Crazy. Everything is fine. I haven't looked to see what my total weight gain is, but I have a feeling it's around 23 pounds. GULP!
Little man is moving around like crazy. Jason and I have taken to calling him The Goblin. It really fits. You know how goblins are short, slightly crazy and active? That's just like our Baby Walter (that is not his name FYI). I love feeling him kick and move around. Honestly, with the icky pregnancy I have had, that is the best part. I honestly think that is the only thing about pregnancy that I like. My belly moves all over the place and every once in a while, he will kick my so swiftly that it makes me gasp. I don't care. I love it. He can kick me in the ribs all he wants.
Now, Baby Walter is another of our nicknames. I picked that because I personally think that Walter is a completely ridiculous name for a baby. No offense to any Walters out there. Don't you have a hard time picturing an infant named Walter? It makes me giggle.
It's getting so close to Christmas and it seems this year has snuck up on me. Granted, I have had other things on my mind, but where has the time gone? I hope to get some neat Christmas pictures of me, Baby Walter, Jason and the Christmas tree to put on our New Year's cards. We do those every year rather than Christmas cards. Hopefully this pregnancy can inspire me to be creative.
Merry Christmas if I don't post again until afterwards!
And while this might be controversial, I don't care. If you could pray for Michelle Duggar and family, that would be wonderful. She delivered her 19th baby yesterday at 25 weeks. The tiny little baby is only 1 pound 6 ounces and babies that tiny have a lot of fighting ahead of them. God bless her and the entire family.
Speaking of class, here is something funny that happened on Wednesday. Keep in mind I have had this professor for several weeks now.
I pulled an extra chair over to the desk so I could put my feet up. My back was bothering me and I wanted some extra support. My instructor says "What are you doing?". I told him that I was pulling a chair over to put my feet up. "How come? Is everything okay?". Sigh.
Yes, Mr. Professor. I am fine. I told him I was tired, pregnant and that my back hurt and I wanted to put my feet up.
"You're pregnant?!" I thought that was hysterical. How could he not tell? It looks like I have swallowed a basketball. I said "Did you think I was this fat normally?". The rest of the night, he kept saying "I didn't know she was pregnant" and he backtracked and said that he couldn't tell, blah blah. Too funny!
In baby news, I had my 31 week appointment yesterday. Can you believe it? 31 weeks! Crazy. Everything is fine. I haven't looked to see what my total weight gain is, but I have a feeling it's around 23 pounds. GULP!
Little man is moving around like crazy. Jason and I have taken to calling him The Goblin. It really fits. You know how goblins are short, slightly crazy and active? That's just like our Baby Walter (that is not his name FYI). I love feeling him kick and move around. Honestly, with the icky pregnancy I have had, that is the best part. I honestly think that is the only thing about pregnancy that I like. My belly moves all over the place and every once in a while, he will kick my so swiftly that it makes me gasp. I don't care. I love it. He can kick me in the ribs all he wants.
Now, Baby Walter is another of our nicknames. I picked that because I personally think that Walter is a completely ridiculous name for a baby. No offense to any Walters out there. Don't you have a hard time picturing an infant named Walter? It makes me giggle.
It's getting so close to Christmas and it seems this year has snuck up on me. Granted, I have had other things on my mind, but where has the time gone? I hope to get some neat Christmas pictures of me, Baby Walter, Jason and the Christmas tree to put on our New Year's cards. We do those every year rather than Christmas cards. Hopefully this pregnancy can inspire me to be creative.
Merry Christmas if I don't post again until afterwards!
And while this might be controversial, I don't care. If you could pray for Michelle Duggar and family, that would be wonderful. She delivered her 19th baby yesterday at 25 weeks. The tiny little baby is only 1 pound 6 ounces and babies that tiny have a lot of fighting ahead of them. God bless her and the entire family.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)