So happy with the way everything turned out (and baby finally decided to swish around earlier tonight, so I'm in much better spirits). =)
Proofs are in!
Without further ado, scans of the finished product:
So happy with the way everything turned out (and baby finally decided to swish around earlier tonight, so I'm in much better spirits). =)
So happy with the way everything turned out (and baby finally decided to swish around earlier tonight, so I'm in much better spirits). =)
Mellow baby
This week will be my 29th (hello, third trimester!) and supposedly the time when baby's movements will become more regular and/or recognizable. Now, I'm usually not one to worry about what goes on in there, but lately I can't help but be concerned because, well, my little guy is so quiet!
A few weeks ago I remember feeling very distinct, very regular movements - baby would kick and swish around at about the same time each day (especially after mealtimes) and would always make sure to jab me in the ribs at least once a night. Now I'm lucky if I feel a little shove every two days or so!
I don't mean to worry (especially when everything else seems to be just fine), but I still can't help but wonder why he's so quiet. Some people have reassured me that it's all just part of his temperament (not all babies are regular kickboxers on the inside), but almost all the expectant mommies I know have the reassurance of constant activity.
Another worry I have is whether or not I should be starting "kick counts". My OB mentioned that a good time to start them would be after 26 weeks, but... baby's been so quiet and inconsistent that if I did start counting his movements right now, I'd only end up stressing myself out even more.
What's a paranoid first-time mother to do?
The answer is simple: rent a baby doppler online.
Early on in my pregnancy I swore I wouldn't turn to a doppler for reassurance - after all, my doctor's appointments are only 4 weeks apart and baby's movements should be enough to keep me confident, right? - but... I finally gave in last night because this mommy-worry is just too much to handle.
The way I figure it, so long as I can keep an ear out for baby's heartbeat and make sure that it falls within a normal range, I won't have to fret so much about whether nor not his movements (or lack thereof) are a cause for concern.
On the other hand, my mother brought up the possibility that baby might just be too cramped for regular movement. After all, he's been measuring large for his age since around 8 weeks and he could just be running out of space a little early. I just hope that everything's okay and he's not in any sort of danger or discomfort... I've only spent the past, oh, 7 months trying to make the best environment for him. ♥
A few weeks ago I remember feeling very distinct, very regular movements - baby would kick and swish around at about the same time each day (especially after mealtimes) and would always make sure to jab me in the ribs at least once a night. Now I'm lucky if I feel a little shove every two days or so!
I don't mean to worry (especially when everything else seems to be just fine), but I still can't help but wonder why he's so quiet. Some people have reassured me that it's all just part of his temperament (not all babies are regular kickboxers on the inside), but almost all the expectant mommies I know have the reassurance of constant activity.
Another worry I have is whether or not I should be starting "kick counts". My OB mentioned that a good time to start them would be after 26 weeks, but... baby's been so quiet and inconsistent that if I did start counting his movements right now, I'd only end up stressing myself out even more.
What's a paranoid first-time mother to do?
The answer is simple: rent a baby doppler online.
Early on in my pregnancy I swore I wouldn't turn to a doppler for reassurance - after all, my doctor's appointments are only 4 weeks apart and baby's movements should be enough to keep me confident, right? - but... I finally gave in last night because this mommy-worry is just too much to handle.
The way I figure it, so long as I can keep an ear out for baby's heartbeat and make sure that it falls within a normal range, I won't have to fret so much about whether nor not his movements (or lack thereof) are a cause for concern.
On the other hand, my mother brought up the possibility that baby might just be too cramped for regular movement. After all, he's been measuring large for his age since around 8 weeks and he could just be running out of space a little early. I just hope that everything's okay and he's not in any sort of danger or discomfort... I've only spent the past, oh, 7 months trying to make the best environment for him. ♥
Glamour Shots Maternity Portraits
During a trip to the mall last week, Fred and I were stopped by a photo studio representative from Glamour Shots. Apparently there was a special promotion going on - if we scheduled an appointment for either Thursday or Monday, we would get a free hair & make-up session with one complimentary 10 x 13 picture.
Fred says we were "easy pickings" because of my obvious baby belly, but I couldn't help it - what mother-to-be wouldn't want a memento of her pregnancy (especially since this has been such a long haul for me)? That being the case, I scheduled a photo session for 6:30 PM yesterday evening and wondered if we could afford more than just the free promotional offer. XD
To make a long story short, the photo session last night was a lot more fun and relaxed than I thought it would be. Ours was the last appointment of the evening, so we got a lot of special one-on-one attention (that, and the fact that I was obviously pregnant made the staff go out of their way to make me comfortable ♥). I love how my hair and make-up turned out (the artist on call wanted to "glam" me up as much as possible and did a wonderful job), and the photographer had some amazing ideas as far as poses were concerned.
Sadly we couldn't purchase all of the proofs (there were about 12 - 16 photos taken during the entire session), but we did end up buying our favorite 6 (in 4 different sizes and collage-form for the living room). A bit on the pricey side (as expected), but we were still happy with the finished product. The retouched proofs should be arriving in 5 to 7 days, so when they do I'll be sure to scan some copies and post them for future reference. =)
A word for the wise, though - splurging like this should be done only once every pregnancy (which means I have the next two to four years to pay off the bill XD).
Fred says we were "easy pickings" because of my obvious baby belly, but I couldn't help it - what mother-to-be wouldn't want a memento of her pregnancy (especially since this has been such a long haul for me)? That being the case, I scheduled a photo session for 6:30 PM yesterday evening and wondered if we could afford more than just the free promotional offer. XD
To make a long story short, the photo session last night was a lot more fun and relaxed than I thought it would be. Ours was the last appointment of the evening, so we got a lot of special one-on-one attention (that, and the fact that I was obviously pregnant made the staff go out of their way to make me comfortable ♥). I love how my hair and make-up turned out (the artist on call wanted to "glam" me up as much as possible and did a wonderful job), and the photographer had some amazing ideas as far as poses were concerned.
Sadly we couldn't purchase all of the proofs (there were about 12 - 16 photos taken during the entire session), but we did end up buying our favorite 6 (in 4 different sizes and collage-form for the living room). A bit on the pricey side (as expected), but we were still happy with the finished product. The retouched proofs should be arriving in 5 to 7 days, so when they do I'll be sure to scan some copies and post them for future reference. =)
A word for the wise, though - splurging like this should be done only once every pregnancy (which means I have the next two to four years to pay off the bill XD).
Just realized...
Boy, am I behind on my pregnancy reflections... about three months behind, to be sure.
Currently battling stomach pains, a bit of reflux, and some serious insomnia after my two-hour nap, but I'll try my best to do some updating later on in the day.
For now, I think I'll try to get some rest (whether or not this will work out is completely beyond me). Here's to hoping that I'll be asleep again within the hour.
Currently battling stomach pains, a bit of reflux, and some serious insomnia after my two-hour nap, but I'll try my best to do some updating later on in the day.
For now, I think I'll try to get some rest (whether or not this will work out is completely beyond me). Here's to hoping that I'll be asleep again within the hour.
Because it takes two to make a third...
| Basics | |
|---|---|
| 1. What is your favorite thing about your partner? | His sensitivity and philosphical sense. I can have hour-long conversations with him and always feel like the time is well-spent |
2. What is your least favorite thing about your partner? | He's just too much of a good guy, sometimes, and far too passive. I wish he'd stand up for himself more often. |
3. If you could change one thing about your relationship, what would it be? | Cliché as it sounds, I wouldn't change a thing. |
4. Are you happy in your relationship? | Deliriously happy - well, okay, maybe that's a LITTLE dramatic, but I do feel as fulfilled as I'm ever going to be. |
| 5. If not/so, why? | I don't feel like I have to go out looking for anything - I have friendship, acceptance, love, and even a bit of challenge right here at home. |
6. How long have you been together? | Roughly 18 months (or, to be exact: 1 year, 6 months, and 6 days). |
Favorites | |
1. What is your favorite physical feature about your partner? | One of my favorite things to do is figure out what color his eyes will be today - they're usually hazel, but can switch from green to brown easily. |
2. What is your favorite personality feature about your partner? | Again, I love the fact that he's sensitive to my insecurities - he makes me feel a lot better about myself, even if I refuse to believe him sometimes. |
3. What is your favorite place to be with your partner? | Just about anywhere: at home, taking a walk around the park, visiting the mall... you name it. |
4. What is your favorite memory with your partner (or, one of them)? | Too many to name, really, but they're some of the best-kept memories I've got. |
5. What is your favorite inside joke with your partner? | We have a ton. Usually it has to do with baby-talk, though - we butcher words just to make them sound cuter in everyday conversation. ♥ |
6. Which gift from your partner is your favorite? | The little guy kicking me from the inside isn't a bad keepsake... ♥ |
7. Which nickname is your favorite from your partner? | I don't remember when this started exactly, but instead of calling me by my name, he has a tendency to call me "Chu". It's really very cute. |
Facts About Your Partner | |
| 1. Birthday? | May 28, 1987 - I'm about 15 hours older than he is. =) |
2. Birthplace? | Lebanon, Pennsylvania (in Lebanon County XD). |
| 3. Pets? | Jointly, we have a Dwarf rabbit, a Mongolian gerbil, and a baby Slider turtle. His parents are currently babysitting his adult Slider turtle and Bearded Dragon lizard, along with three family cats (Chica, Pepper, and Luna). |
| 4. Parents' Names? | Kathleen McDonald (Katy) and Jose Renato Mendez de Seixas (just Renato XD). |
| 5. Siblings? | Two younger sisters, Claudia and Julia. |
| 6. Favorite food? | Oh boy. I joke that he'll eat anything that moves, but anything "meaty" does the trick - tacos, beef patties, hot dogs... and mashed potatoes. Can't forget the mashed potatoes. XD |
| 7. Favorite color? | I remember this one because the first time he said it, it made me laugh: Crimson Red. Not just "red", but "Crimson Red". Sheesh. ♥ |
| 8. Favorite song? | We've both got too many to name, but our tastes are really similar, so just about anything I listen to. |
| 9. Favorite animal? | He's a cat person, hands-down. No matter how many cute little puppies I try to send his way, he still prefers fluffy-wuffy kitty-cats. |
| 10. Favorite TV show? | He likes science-fictiony shows (Doctor Who, Star Trek Enterprise) and "how-stuff-works" shows (MythBusters, Futureweapons). |
| 11. Dream car? | Lately he's been going on about getting a pick-up truck in the future, but he also has a secret dream of buying a motorcycle someday. |
12. Favorite sports team? | Neither one of us likes sports very much. |
| 13. Favorite movie? | The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Like me, he considers it one of the greatest achievements of modern cinema. |
| 14. Pants size? | 32 to 34 - what REALLY matters to him is the number of pockets and how much weight they can hold up with (or without) a belt. |
| 15. Shirt size? | Usually medium, but some large sizes fit him just as well (he's pretty muscular). |
| 16. Shoe size? | 10 1/2 to 11, depending on the kind of shoe and how much "reinforcement" it has (ie, steel-toe boots). |
| 17. Height? | 5 foot 6 (but he's occasionally mentioned wishing he were at least 5'10"). |
| 18. Weight? | Fluctuates depending on what we've been eating lately, but he's usually a steady 160-170. |
Firsts | |
| 1. Movie? | Escaflowne: The Movie (his idea, and I missed an entire days' worth of class just to be there with him ♥). |
| 2. Kiss? | Strangely enough, while I was playing Devil May Cry in his dorm room (September 27, '05). |
| 3. Date? | We never really did much "dating", just hung out everywhere together (going down to the cafeteria for meals, walking around campus, going to class). |
| 4. Fight? | To be honest, we've never really had a "fight" - just periods of disagreements that end with someone needing a hug. |
| 5. Dance? | A TKE frat party we went to on January 26, '06 - my first and last (it's not really my scene). |
| 6. First time? | It's amazing how specific I can get with dates - October 02, '05. |
Moments | |
1. When was one moment when they surprised you with something cute? | He's always surprising me with cute little things - random stuffed animals, little post-it-notes while I'm still sleeping... |
2. What was one moment when you knew that they truly cared about you? | The first time he promised he'd always be there for me (after which I cried myself to sleep in his arms). |
3. What was one moment when you realized how much you cared for them? | When I saw him truly make an effort to make me his past, present, and future - in his own words, "nothing else mattered". |
4. What was one moment when you realized that you'd be together forever? | Our wedding ceremony in August pretty much cemented it for me. |
5. What was one moment when you knew they were the one? | Let's just put it this way: I would never have pursued a relationship if I hadn't thought that this was for keeps. |
Forget the sugar and spice - it's a BOY!
A visit to the Clear View Ultrasound Studio in Brooklyn, NY confirmed what I've secretly been hoping for all along:
We're having a boy!
I won't bore you with details or sentimental rantings just yet, but I'm absolutely over the moon about this and can't wait to show him off to the world!
So, without further ado, here's Baby Boy #1 at 19 weeks (approximately 5 months):
Baby's heartbeat - a strong 154 BPM.
Baby's profile.
The money-shot!
Baby in 3D.
My mother swears he's going to end up with my nose.
And another.
Isn't he gorgeous? ♥
We're having a boy!
I won't bore you with details or sentimental rantings just yet, but I'm absolutely over the moon about this and can't wait to show him off to the world!
So, without further ado, here's Baby Boy #1 at 19 weeks (approximately 5 months):
Baby's heartbeat - a strong 154 BPM.
Baby's profile.
The money-shot!
Baby in 3D.
My mother swears he's going to end up with my nose.
And another.
Isn't he gorgeous? ♥
Pregnancy Reflections - Fourth Month
Pregnancy Reflections
Fourth Month)
Fourth Month)
What I least expected with this pregnancy was:
Believe it or not, that I would conceive on the very first "try". I've been doing my research for months now, and even my wonderful OB pointed out that we fall into the 20% of couples who manage to get pregnant right away.
The best bit of advice I've received is:
To get as much rest as possible. I never realized it before, but even just a five-minute break gives me the energy I need to put up with the backaches, stomach aches, and all the other unpleasant symptoms of pregnancy.
What has changed the most in my life with this pregnancy is:
Learning to take better care of myself. Of course I'd heard the warnings before (particularly in the case of morning sickness, body aches, and other inconveniences) but I never realized how debilitating these things could be. Now I'm constantly on watch - am I eating the right foods? Have I remembered to take my medicine? Am I stressing myself out too much? It's a tough job keeping an eye on myself!
What made me realize that I was really pregnant was:
My second ultrasound at 15 weeks. Unfortunately I don't have a memento of it (my OB couldn't figure out how to work the new printer), but seeing baby hiccup and hearing a steady heartbeat were extremely reassuring. It also made the baby seem more human to me - at only four months he (or she!) sleeps, turns over, and hiccups just like I do.
This month's ultrasound was:
More reassuring than recreational. It was great to see my baby again after 6 weeks, and even without a print-out of the event I still felt extremely accomplished. I was hoping to catch a peek of the gender while we were at it, but apparently we have a very lazy baby. ^^
At my prenatal visit this month I discovered that:
Babies require an awful lot of bloodwork. ^^ I know it sounds silly, but I wasn't expecting the lab technician to fill eight vials' worth of my blood in just the first visit. The results should be back in time for my big appointment (the Anatomy Scan after 20 weeks), so it's something to look forward to.
My hopes:
Smooth sailing! I was hoping the second trimester would magically make things more bearable for me, but there's still time for my body to work out its issues. I'm just hoping it happens soon - there's no way I want to be sick to my stomach when I go in to find out my baby's gender!
My fears:
Now that I've gotten preliminary bloodwork done, I'm a little nervous about the results - this is the real test to see if everything is going well with baby. Also, my Anatomy Scan is in 4 weeks - this is the big one, ladies and gentlemen, so hope and pray that baby's growth is on target... it'll give me a lot less to worry about!
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