Celebration!

I'm riding on a high today that I just HAVE to share.  I found out today at my OBGYN appointment that I passed the one hour glucose test!  I'm so unbelievably happy that I past the first time around and didn't have to go through the second part of the test.  With my first pregnancy I failed the 1 hour and 3 hour glucose test and was diagnosed with gestation diabetes.

It was a huge wake up call and a major change in life style.  Looking back the care I had with my last OBGYN was amazing.  They took this very seriously and paired me up with specialists to educate me and monitor my progress.  After attending a conference on gestational diabetes I was set up with an educator that tracked my progress.  My task was to track all my intake and pre-meal blood sugars into a log to be reviewed by the educator weekly.  She would then respond with improvements I should make to my meals or activity to improve my blood sugar the following week.

I was also followed by a neonatologist that reviewed the blood sugar/food intake log I sent to the educator and ordered frequent ultrasounds to track my baby's growth.  Even though it was scary and stressful I felt confident that my Dr. was doing everything for the health of my little girl.  So, I couldn't be happier tI don't have to worry about that for this pregnancy.  I still remember all the great education I received and adhere to the diabetic diet more liberally than before.  I'll still be careful not to eat too many over processed foods, sweets and carbohydrates.  Although, starting THAT tomorrow since I celebrated with a meal from Jack N the Box tonight.  ;)  Did you have any concerns during your pregnancy that gave you a wake a call?

Thankful

In my profession I see all kinds of family dynamics.  Today I saw one that made me appreciate what I have even more considering how close I am to delivery.  After I delivered my first child I was beyond exhausted.  The sleep deprivation those first few weeks made me wonder how I survived.  As a first time mom I thanked my lucky stars that I only had one newborn to care for.  I felt lost and overwhelmed even with the help of my hubby and my mom.

I came across a new mom today that was feeling the same multiplied by two.  The hard thing to see was that her support system was there, JUST to sleep.  They slept through the crying, the screaming and even slept through people talking in the room.  This poor mom didn't sleep more than 1 hour at a time in three days.

Today, I feel so thankful for the family I was born into and the one I've created with my husband.  Has there been a defining moment that made you stop and gives thanks? 

Large and in Charge

Okay, I'm starting to get a complex!  In the past week over eight people have commented on how BIG I am.  Really?  It wouldn't be so bad if it was one or two but almost everyone that brought up my pregnancy talked about the size of my belly.   I've heard comments like "Are you sure you're not having twins?"  "Maybe one baby is hiding behind the other one." "You're STILL working?  Aren't you like due any day now?" "Wow, you still have a few months and you're already THAT big?"  Thank you, no really thank you for all those lovely comments. (Yes, I'm being sarcastic.)

What is it about being pregnant gives random people the license to touch you, give you unsolicited advice and even comment (unflattering I might add) about your size.  Now I haven't gained much weight, I'm going into my 7th month and I've only gained 13 pounds.  By all the books that's healthy weight gain.  Also I've only gained baby, it's all in my belly.  I'm also carrying this baby like a beach ball, it's all out in front.  My first pregnancy I carried my daughter wider around my hips. Sigh.

Now, I'm not sure if it's just the comments about my size that's getting to me or that it's unsolicited advice from people I don't know.  During your pregnancy what kinds of comments did you hear?  What was the weirdest thing you heard?  The best? The most unflattering?  How many people invaded your space just to cop a feel?

Aches and Pains

I've heard from plenty of moms with multiple children that each pregnancy is harder on your body.  All the aches and pains come a bit earlier because your joints and muscles are already loose from your first pregnancy.  Simply, they were right.

Maybe, it wouldn't have been so bad if I had children at a younger age or I was in better shape.  Yep, I'm sure both would make the difference.  Unfortunately, I don't fall in either of those categories.  I'm turning 37 this December and I'm twenty pounds heavier than I was before I became pregnant with my first child.  Trust me when I say that I'm not proud to admit either of those facts.  I could go on and on reminiscing "When I was younger..." or "When I was your age..."  My only consolation is the Asian in me helps me look younger then I really am.  I still get guesses that I'm in my 20's.  Those don't come as often anymore but when they do I'm smiling from ear to ear for the rest of the day.

This pregnancy I've just been so achy in my lower back and pelvis. I just started my 27th week and I don't remember being this uncomfortable.  I don't recall being as much in pain until I was past 30 weeks the first time around.  This time I'm just counting down the days until this child pops out.  I'm at the point where rolling over in bed is a comedy act.  When I stand up after sitting for a long time I need to do a little shimmy to move my pelvis around.  Falling asleep and staying asleep is about as obtainable as winning the lottery.  Walking around short distances leaves me gasping for a deep breath.  What happened to the nostalgia I remembered from my last pregnancy.  I even uttered the words "I loved being pregnant!"  Now I keep thinking "What was I thinking?!?!"  I'm happy and excited about having number two but I'm just not enjoying this pregnancy as my first one.  Did you feel the same?