Thursday, April 9, 2009
Quotable Polks 3
"I have a daughter." I am still getting over the amazement that makes the previous statements true. "I'm going to be someone's parent, and that someone is inside Rita's tummy." All things that I simply can't begin to understand. My brain can hardly remember how to put a sentence together. Life is pretty rad.
- Kyle PolkThis was Kyle's "status" on facebook. And I thought it was too special to let it get lost in the clutter of facebook forever. So I put it here where I can remember it.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Seeing Makes All the Difference
I am surprised at what a big difference yesterday made. We're having a little girl. We know her name. And, with our very patient ultrasound tech "in control", we could see and hear her heart beat, and we got to watch her wiggle around, move her mouth like she's already trying to talk (I'll save the Peanut Gallery some effort -- yes, she's like her mom already), fiddle with her hands, kick her little feet around. And we marveled at her little personality already beginning to show itself. For a few minutes, we watched her and were really fascinated the whole time. She's a baby - our baby!! Crazy!!
I've been feeling her kicking around for a couple of weeks now. Kyle hasn't been able to feel her yet, (though my mom did very briefly over the weekend) but he definitely likes to try. It seems like if she's moving around and we put a hand over her, she settles down. So, while it's sweet that she already finds comfort from our touch, it's disappointing because I really want Kyle to be able to feel her kicking around in there. All in due time, I suppose.
I've heard stories from expecting mothers whose husband's are musicians and whenever the baby hears their daddy start playing, they dance all around. I've always kinda hoped for that - some kind of recognition of "That's my dad!" from the baby (silly, perhaps). But just watching her being so laid-back yesterday made me know that she's reacting completely naturally - being herself. Besides, her dad plays the drums so often, it's probably just as natural for her as hearing her mom snore at night!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
IT'S A GIRL!!!!!
We had our ultrasound this morning at 9 AM. Sitting in the waiting room, we had this conversation:
Kyle "What do you think it's going to be."
Rita: "I honestly have no idea. What do you think?"
Kyle: "It's probably a girl. (10-second pause) ... or a boy."
Rita: "Way to cover all your bases!"
Really, going into this, I think we both just "knew" it was going to be a boy. Kyle's family doesn't have girls, it seems. In the Polk line, I believe the "Family Historian" (John - Kyle's brother) told us that there hasn't been a girl born in 90 years. And she was the 10th child in her family! So it just seemed like we'd definitely have a boy.
And we'd be happy either way ... but really, I wanted a girl. :)
So when the ultrasound tech finished doing some of her measurements, she said, "You guys want to find out what it is, right?" Two emphatic affirmations from us and she said, "Good. I've got it right here. You're having a girl!"
Kyle and I were so surprised -- and kept saying how surprised we were -- til the point she said, "You guys have got me second-guessing myself. I'm going to go back and check." She tried, but little Iva was being modest and stubborn (she is her mother's child). She was covered up and refused to move.
The tech couldn't finish all of her measurements, because the baby refused to move so she could get the other side. I guess she was comfortable! So that means we'll have another ultrasound in a few weeks, most likely. And we'll get another look at her!
In summation: IT'S A GIRL!!!! I'm still in shock! And welcome, Ivalee Grace!!
Kyle "What do you think it's going to be."
Rita: "I honestly have no idea. What do you think?"
Kyle: "It's probably a girl. (10-second pause) ... or a boy."
Rita: "Way to cover all your bases!"
Really, going into this, I think we both just "knew" it was going to be a boy. Kyle's family doesn't have girls, it seems. In the Polk line, I believe the "Family Historian" (John - Kyle's brother) told us that there hasn't been a girl born in 90 years. And she was the 10th child in her family! So it just seemed like we'd definitely have a boy.
And we'd be happy either way ... but really, I wanted a girl. :)
So when the ultrasound tech finished doing some of her measurements, she said, "You guys want to find out what it is, right?" Two emphatic affirmations from us and she said, "Good. I've got it right here. You're having a girl!"
Kyle and I were so surprised -- and kept saying how surprised we were -- til the point she said, "You guys have got me second-guessing myself. I'm going to go back and check." She tried, but little Iva was being modest and stubborn (she is her mother's child). She was covered up and refused to move.
The tech couldn't finish all of her measurements, because the baby refused to move so she could get the other side. I guess she was comfortable! So that means we'll have another ultrasound in a few weeks, most likely. And we'll get another look at her!
In summation: IT'S A GIRL!!!! I'm still in shock! And welcome, Ivalee Grace!!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
What Not to Say.
Some people have no filtration system between their head and their mouth. And lately, I'm noticing a trend with older women who speak "down" to younger, pregnant women. As though they feel their experience with child-bearing however many years ago gives them the right to say whatever they please, no matter how harsh. Like they're inducing me into the "I've Been Pregnant Before and Now I Have All the Answers" Club.
I've heard some of the strangest things. And some of the people who say them, I kinda tilt my head to the side and think, "What?!" as they're walking away. So with that in mind, I present:
Things You Should Not Say to a Pregnant Woman.
(Note: While this is presented in jest, everything listed has been said to me over the course of the past couple months and weeks.)
And on a much more positive note, we received what will probably go down as my favorite baby compliment yesterday. Joe is one of Kyle's good friends, a coworker whose wife is also pregnant. They were talking about baby stuff yesterday and got on the subject of names.
Don't know if I've ever shared this on here, but the names we have picked out are (boy) Darby Bishop and (girl) Ivalee Grace (we'll call her Iva). It was surprisingly easy for us to come up with names that we agreed on. It took all of two or three weeks to commit and we LOVE both of the names so much!!
Back to Joe & Kyle: When Kyle shared the names, Joe's reaction was so awesome! He said, "Wow! Those are such great names! That kid is gonna be somebody!"
It seems like there can be such negativity surrounding pregnancy. Yes, some of the symptoms aren't fun and I'm definitely treading new territory with a lot of what's going on in my body. But every single thing that happens, I try to view as a celebration of the miracle of what's going on in my body. God is shaping my child. There's going to be a personality to get to know, a temperament to adjust to, a will to mold, a soul to invest in. My Child! Iva Polk. Darby Polk. And I know the process of child-bearing is not a foreign one - it's part of the circle of life, having taken places billions and billions of times in the course of history. But that doesn't make it any less miraculous. And it doesn't decrease our anticipation at all!
So to the recruiting members of the "I've Been Pregnant Before and Now I Have All the Answers" Club, I make one request: Take a tip from Joe. Celebrate this child with us. And please don't try to take my happiness and put dread and fear in its place.
Thank you.
I've heard some of the strangest things. And some of the people who say them, I kinda tilt my head to the side and think, "What?!" as they're walking away. So with that in mind, I present:
Things You Should Not Say to a Pregnant Woman.
(Note: While this is presented in jest, everything listed has been said to me over the course of the past couple months and weeks.)
- "You're due in August?! Are you CRAZY!? My baby was born in June and I swore I'd never have another summer baby. I (insert lengthy list of end-of-pregnancy symptoms that can be made worse by extreme heat including but not limited to swelling, general aches and pains, inability to pee, and inability to walk) so much worse than with my other pregnancies."
- "Well I'm just really sorry for you that you didn't get to give your parents their first grandchild." (I've heard this from two separate sources, and always with such sympathy in the voice. WHY?!?!)
- "Don't listen to anything anybody else tells you." Which almost always comes before they tell me something that, if I heed their advice, I will ignore.
- "Summer babies! You and Amy are going to be so miserable this summer! Your sister was smart and got hers out in the Spring."
- "So I guess you felt bad that your sister and sister-in-law were giving your parents grandchildren before you and you had to jump on the bandwagon, huh?" (Yep. Bandwagon-jumping. That's how babies come to be.)
- And the REAL kicker: (this was over the office phone one day earlier this week - allow me to emphasize - I'm at work) "I was talking to my daughter the other day. She said you're not really showing yet. I told her it's probably because your boobs have gotten so big they're overshadowing whatever little pregnancy bump you might have." (This is just so disturbing on so many levels. How the size of my boobs comes into play in any conversation where I am not present just befuddles me.)
And on a much more positive note, we received what will probably go down as my favorite baby compliment yesterday. Joe is one of Kyle's good friends, a coworker whose wife is also pregnant. They were talking about baby stuff yesterday and got on the subject of names.
Don't know if I've ever shared this on here, but the names we have picked out are (boy) Darby Bishop and (girl) Ivalee Grace (we'll call her Iva). It was surprisingly easy for us to come up with names that we agreed on. It took all of two or three weeks to commit and we LOVE both of the names so much!!
Back to Joe & Kyle: When Kyle shared the names, Joe's reaction was so awesome! He said, "Wow! Those are such great names! That kid is gonna be somebody!"
It seems like there can be such negativity surrounding pregnancy. Yes, some of the symptoms aren't fun and I'm definitely treading new territory with a lot of what's going on in my body. But every single thing that happens, I try to view as a celebration of the miracle of what's going on in my body. God is shaping my child. There's going to be a personality to get to know, a temperament to adjust to, a will to mold, a soul to invest in. My Child! Iva Polk. Darby Polk. And I know the process of child-bearing is not a foreign one - it's part of the circle of life, having taken places billions and billions of times in the course of history. But that doesn't make it any less miraculous. And it doesn't decrease our anticipation at all!
So to the recruiting members of the "I've Been Pregnant Before and Now I Have All the Answers" Club, I make one request: Take a tip from Joe. Celebrate this child with us. And please don't try to take my happiness and put dread and fear in its place.
Thank you.
Labels: pregnancy
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Assorted Update Post
- I heard the heartbeat again this morning. At 154 beats per minute, my midwife said everything sounds perfect. And the best part is -- we scheduled the appointment for the ultrasound!! On Tuesday, April 7 we find out if we're having a "he" or a "she" -- a Darby or an Iva! Can't!! Wait!!
- I was really nervous about this appointment for some reason. I had myself worked up, I guess. I don't know why. Do the uncertainty and the nagging "What ifs" ever really go away?! I hope so.
- Part of the anxiety about this morning is that I was involved in a
very minor accident on Saturday. While sitting at a red light, a driver wasn't paying attention and didn't even make a move to slow down until his tires squealed about 10 feet behind me and he plowed right into me. (Kudos to the ol' Saturn for toughing it out. She did lose two reflectors off the sides of the fender, but not a dent or a crack to be seen. Who needs a Hummer!?) Well because of the fact that it was SO MINOR that my seatbelt didn't even catch/pull ... and because of the fact that I was running LATE and didn't have time to wait on a police report for a couple of missing reflectors ... I thought, "Everything's fine." And only when people started asking me incredulously why I didn't go to the hospital to get checked out did the idea occur to me that "maybe that's what pregnant people do". So I started questioning myself and the "wisdom" I exhibited in not getting checked out immediately. Therefore, the moments before the heartbeat came through this morning were a little tense for me, but once it did and I got the 'everything sounds great' from my midwife, I breathed a sigh of relief. Saved from my own stupidity! (Isn't God good for that?!) - An Update on my sister. There was a lot of talk from last Thursday until yesterday afternoon about inducing her yesterday. So if you saw my "I'm going to be an aunt today" status on facebook yesterday ... I wasn't lying! That was the plan. But, as plans often do, hers has changed and she's at home just waiting. The doctors are keeping a close watch on her blood pressure and platelet count. They're not high/low enough to be of REAL concern yet, but just in the range that inspired her doctors to keep a close watch.
As of Sunday night, her contractions were at 7 minutes apart and intensifying. (Sunday night, she was still able to talk through them, so they were nothing major. But Monday morning, she was hurting a good bit more.) She was dilated 2 cm on her own yesterday. And now she just waits on progress -- fast or slow as that might be -- at home. No induction -- which is ultimately good but was disappointing for her to find out late yesterday afternoon after waiting hopefully all day. - This weekend is The Amazing Race. And, while I have no idea what to expect at all (the Cinnamons are really good secret-keepers, it seems), I'm really excited about the weekend!!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Pregnancy Dreams
I figured this was worth documenting. Since I've been pregnant, I've had some pretty weird dreams. (Some might say this is not JUST a pregnancy thing, but something I'm kind of known for, but it's different now. They're much more vivid, or something. And I always wake up kind of half-way believing them.
The dream I had last night was about Amy and Craig, my sister-in-law and brother.
I dreamed that they were pregnant, but not married and the whole family was about to find out about the pregnancy. So the three of us were walking down the beach and I saw this preacher that I know and I was like, “Here, can you marry these two?” And he was happy to do it, so we all stood under a pier on the beach and they got married while I just walked around awkwardly. And then they lived in our old house from Georgia.
WEIRD!!
Labels: pregnancy
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Looking Forward:
There are lots of things going on in my life these days. Lots of fun things to look forward to, and a brighter outlook on everything, enhanced by my new-found nonsickness. (Yes, that's a word.) So today I will share a list.
Things I'm Looking Forward to:
Things I'm Looking Forward to:
- My sister is going to have her baby in the next couple of weeks. So while we're not planning to head down for the birth (head down... hahaha, unintended pun), there's a good chance that a weekend in our very near future will involve a drive down to Georgia to meet the new addition. Very excited to meet little Wesley Malcolm!! (I'm holding out for a Friday the 13th baby! The next generation needs to be able to carry on the tradition my mom and I have started.)
- Our friend Till is visiting from Germany!! He flies in this Friday and will spend several days -- maybe a week -- with us. Till was an exchange student who lived with Kyle and his family while we were all in high school. And we've all stayed in touch with him since then. He came and spent Thanksgiving with us in 2006, I think. (Was it that long ago!?!) And I learned on that trip that (a) he's a REALLY good cook and (b) he really LIKES to cook! So I'm looking forward to his visit for very selfish reasons as well as just looking forward to the visit.
- We're planning to visit our good friends Alex & Jana in Atlanta next weekend. We haven't seen them since just before they left for a year-long stint in London. And that was two years ago! So we're very excited about seeing them. Plus they're planting a church that's doing some pretty crazy stuff in Atlanta. And we're really excited to see what that's all about.
- Have I mentioned that Till is coming to my house? AND COOKING FOR ME!? I might get spoiled. (He made leek and bacon quiches last time ... with homemade pastry and everything. SO GOOD! I'm hoping for a repeat.)
- The Amazing Race. (Not the TV show, though it is somewhat "inspired".) It's a service project / fundraiser / camp-out / pretend to be homeless for a night weekend sponsored by the Journey Church. Kyle and I are on a team (probably the winning team, if I'm being honest) with the Jernigans. Not exactly sure what all will be happening, but you can bet there'll be a photo-heavy recap at the beginning of April!
- Sometime during April or May, my sister and I (and maybe Amy!?!? Ya wanna??) are going to spend a weekend with our aunts in Georgia so they can meet and spoil the new baby. And so we can rest and relax in a NORTH GEORGIA SPRING! How awesome will that be?! I love spring. And I love the mountains. So that combination works out well for me! Also ... YARN SHOP!!
Labels: Aunt Rita, Friends, pregnancy
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Ladies and Gentlemen, We Have a Heartbeat!!
Today is February 25. I said in this post that this day would probably come sooner than I realized, and I was right. But now my next appointment is March 24, and yet again ... THERE'S AN ETERNITY BETWEEN NOW AND THEN!!!!
We heard the heartbeat. Kyle's mom came to town for the "occasion" and we all filled up the exam room with "oohs" and "ahhs" and "Did you hear that!?"s. (Ok, that part was mostly me!)
We recorded the audio, and I'd love to find a way to post it (I have an mp3), but I just don't have time today to figure out how to do that. So if someone has a recommendation of a way I can upload the audio to put on here, I'm open for suggestions.
So it took a few minutes for my midwife to find the heartbeat. She warned me that it might, but I was still just a little anxious. And then suddenly, there it was. And I reacted by moving around so that we lost the audio briefly. But no worries. She found it pretty easily and then for a few short seconds, the sound of the heartbeat -- our baby's heartbeat -- filled the room. And we all giggled.
So now we wait. Next appointment, to check the heartbeat and measure some other stuff, Tuesday, March 24. AND THEN we get to schedule the "Find out the sex of the baby" appointment for two weeks after that.
We heard the heartbeat. Kyle's mom came to town for the "occasion" and we all filled up the exam room with "oohs" and "ahhs" and "Did you hear that!?"s. (Ok, that part was mostly me!)
We recorded the audio, and I'd love to find a way to post it (I have an mp3), but I just don't have time today to figure out how to do that. So if someone has a recommendation of a way I can upload the audio to put on here, I'm open for suggestions.
So it took a few minutes for my midwife to find the heartbeat. She warned me that it might, but I was still just a little anxious. And then suddenly, there it was. And I reacted by moving around so that we lost the audio briefly. But no worries. She found it pretty easily and then for a few short seconds, the sound of the heartbeat -- our baby's heartbeat -- filled the room. And we all giggled.
So now we wait. Next appointment, to check the heartbeat and measure some other stuff, Tuesday, March 24. AND THEN we get to schedule the "Find out the sex of the baby" appointment for two weeks after that.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Quotable Polks 2
"You know the baby has ears now! So I wonder if he* can hear us talking."
"Yeh, sometimes when I come to bed at night, I lean over and talk to him*."
"Really? What do you tell him*?"
"I say, 'Hey, baby! You hear that loud snoring? That's not me. Just thought you should know.'"
*No, we do not know the sex of the baby yet and have no inclinations one way or the other, but "him" just sounds better than "it"!
"Yeh, sometimes when I come to bed at night, I lean over and talk to him*."
"Really? What do you tell him*?"
"I say, 'Hey, baby! You hear that loud snoring? That's not me. Just thought you should know.'"
*No, we do not know the sex of the baby yet and have no inclinations one way or the other, but "him" just sounds better than "it"!
Labels: baby, pregnancy, The Hubby
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
It starts!
At almost 12 weeks, I am almost exclusively in maternity pants already. They're millions of times more comfortable than regular pants with the "belly band" thing and regular pants without the belly band thing haven't been an option for several weeks now. Despite my recent weight loss, I've got a little gut going.
(Aside: The first time Kyle saw a pair of maternity pants [not on me, just on a hanger] his first reaction was, "Those pants are NOT HOT." Hahahahaha! So true!!!)
Yesterday after work, my mom and I were leaving the office. She said, as we were walking out the door, "Rita, I'm really surprised at how much you're showing! Are you sure you're just at 11 weeks? Are you sure there's just one in there?" Both rhetorical questions, I assumed and just shrugged. According to the ultrasound, both pieces of information are correct.
Then we stopped by the grocery store on the way home. At the check-out counter, the manager of the store came up and spoke to my mom and me. (We shop there a lot. And the manager is very friendly.) When she was greeting my mom, I overheard her say quietly and excitedly, "Look at her!" (pointing to the belly) "She's having a baby, isn't she?" My mom grinned and nodded emphatically.
Yes, I'm in maternity pants, but not necessarily maternity shirts. I was just wearing a regular shirt -- a little snug, I guess, but nothing indecent. I was, after all, just leaving work.
I wasn't put-off by her noticing at all. At least she assumed it was a baby and not just me putting on weight! :-D But I am quite surprised that people are able to tell by looking already! Isn't it kinda early for that?
__________________
To my loyal readers: I don't mean for this to become a Pregnancy Blog. Sorry if I'm boring you, but it's kind of a big deal. You'll think so too when you see how awesome this kid's gonna be! :-D
(Aside: The first time Kyle saw a pair of maternity pants [not on me, just on a hanger] his first reaction was, "Those pants are NOT HOT." Hahahahaha! So true!!!)
Yesterday after work, my mom and I were leaving the office. She said, as we were walking out the door, "Rita, I'm really surprised at how much you're showing! Are you sure you're just at 11 weeks? Are you sure there's just one in there?" Both rhetorical questions, I assumed and just shrugged. According to the ultrasound, both pieces of information are correct.
Then we stopped by the grocery store on the way home. At the check-out counter, the manager of the store came up and spoke to my mom and me. (We shop there a lot. And the manager is very friendly.) When she was greeting my mom, I overheard her say quietly and excitedly, "Look at her!" (pointing to the belly) "She's having a baby, isn't she?" My mom grinned and nodded emphatically.
Yes, I'm in maternity pants, but not necessarily maternity shirts. I was just wearing a regular shirt -- a little snug, I guess, but nothing indecent. I was, after all, just leaving work.
I wasn't put-off by her noticing at all. At least she assumed it was a baby and not just me putting on weight! :-D But I am quite surprised that people are able to tell by looking already! Isn't it kinda early for that?
__________________
To my loyal readers: I don't mean for this to become a Pregnancy Blog. Sorry if I'm boring you, but it's kind of a big deal. You'll think so too when you see how awesome this kid's gonna be! :-D
Labels: pregnancy
Monday, February 9, 2009
A very brief musical post that shall describe my feelings on the weekend.
Is it safe to say that, at least for Charleston at least for the past weekend and the coming week, the groundhog just didn't look close enough? Because the past few days have been GLORIOUS!!!!! I spent as much time outside as possible on Saturday. And I wore flip flops yesterday! :) SPRING!!!!!!!!
Also making the weekend much more enjoyable was the fact that I FEEL SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER!!!!!! The past four days have been immeasurably better than the month's worth of days that preceded them. I do a little jig in my office chair just thinking about it. :-D Sweet relief! Stay with me now, ok!?
Labels: Good for a laugh, pregnancy
Monday, February 2, 2009
Dooce = Genius
I am well aware that things only get more uncomfortable from here, no need to give me a warning that begins with the detestable phrase, "Just wait..." I can guarantee that every time you use that phrase in conversation with a pregnant woman you are earning cosmic points that when added up one day will result in a piano falling on your head.
from The Halfway Point
Labels: Good for a laugh, pregnancy
Thursday, January 29, 2009
An Update
I had an appointment yesterday with my midwife. She came highly recommended by my sister-in-law. And with good reason. She is sooo sweet! And answered all my questions thoroughly and put me at ease about the concerns I was having. It was just a consultation, so ... no tests or "fun stuff" like ultrasounds or heartbeats or anything. But I have an appointment on February 25. I'll be at 14 weeks, and we'll hear the heartbeat for the first time.
The biggest outcome of yesterday's meeting was a prescription that has proven (already) to be quite handy. Reglan is my new drug of choice. No more nausea!! I feel a ton better already! I haven't been very faithful on the ol' blog lately because I feel like all I would've done was complain. I've been pretty sick this whole time. So hopefully that's behind me and we can move forward now.
In some ways, it feels like time is creeeeeeeeping by. I'm sure I'll be surprised how quickly my 14-week appointment will come up when it does get here. But, gosh! February 25 seems soooo far away!!! And August!?! A lifetime. I try not to get overwhelmed by all this, but in so many ways, I just want the baby to be here. I don't want the process.
I don't want the aches and pains and sickness. I certainly don't want the labor and delivery! (OUCH!)
But I've already learned that there's a reason for this preparation time. Every part of the process is developing Kyle and me into a team that is working together and making plans and learning to appreciate each other on whole new levels. I'm sure this will come in handy over the next few months (years?) of my hormonally-challenged-ness. :)
The biggest outcome of yesterday's meeting was a prescription that has proven (already) to be quite handy. Reglan is my new drug of choice. No more nausea!! I feel a ton better already! I haven't been very faithful on the ol' blog lately because I feel like all I would've done was complain. I've been pretty sick this whole time. So hopefully that's behind me and we can move forward now.
In some ways, it feels like time is creeeeeeeeping by. I'm sure I'll be surprised how quickly my 14-week appointment will come up when it does get here. But, gosh! February 25 seems soooo far away!!! And August!?! A lifetime. I try not to get overwhelmed by all this, but in so many ways, I just want the baby to be here. I don't want the process.
I don't want the aches and pains and sickness. I certainly don't want the labor and delivery! (OUCH!)
But I've already learned that there's a reason for this preparation time. Every part of the process is developing Kyle and me into a team that is working together and making plans and learning to appreciate each other on whole new levels. I'm sure this will come in handy over the next few months (years?) of my hormonally-challenged-ness. :)
Labels: pregnancy
Friday, January 23, 2009
This is Awesome.
I got a phone call last night from an "Unavailable" number. You know the ones you always ignore? Yeh, well I ignored it. And a few minutes later, I checked my voicemail and there was a message from our insurance company. The message was, "This is Kendra at ICI [indistinguishable] calling to talk to Rita about [indistinguishable]. Please return this call at 866-761-[indistinguishable]." She spoke SO FAST!!!! It made me MAD. I listened to it at least ten times trying to get the phone number and finally took the phone to Kyle. I wrote down the numbers I could figure out and he finally, through trial and error, figured out what the last four numbers were.
As it turns out, the call was totally worth the struggle to get the number. It was someone calling with information about a particular program that the insurance company offers to expectant mothers. I had to answer a lot of questions and they're sending me some "educational materials" - probably similar to the ones I'll be getting from the doctor's office. But I also get two $150 gift cards to Babies R Us!
As it turns out, the call was totally worth the struggle to get the number. It was someone calling with information about a particular program that the insurance company offers to expectant mothers. I had to answer a lot of questions and they're sending me some "educational materials" - probably similar to the ones I'll be getting from the doctor's office. But I also get two $150 gift cards to Babies R Us!
Labels: pregnancy
Monday, January 19, 2009
Ahhh ... the joys of Pregnancy
In the interest of full disclosure and remembering this stage of pregnancy as well as possible, I will put this information on the record: Omigosh, it sucks.
I made the comment to my friend, Jenny, a couple of months ago that "I'd much rather be stomach-sick than cold/flu-sick." My reasoning, at the time, was that a stomach bug will usually pass pretty quickly and with a cold/flu, you never know how long it'll stick around.
This weekend, I ate those words. So, to Jenny: I changed my mind. Stomach-sick is the PITS!
I try to keep my outlook brightly on the END of the process rather than getting bogged down in the yuckies that can be quite consuming at times. But sometimes the "yuckies" become the I-Can't-Get-Out-Of-Beds and the Constant-Pukies that take your whole weekend and flush it down the toilet.
Friday night, in a heap of end-of-the-week exhaustion, I laid in bed while Kyle entertained some friends of his. I stuck my head out of the room enough to be friendly, and they were very understanding.
At around 2:30 AM, I woke up, and very quickly realized that I wasn't going to be able to "wait out" the feeling in my stomach. Something was coming up. (Full disclosure, remember?) And so it started at 2:30 AM and continued til about midnight the next night. Every single thing I put on my stomach came right back up. And I was SO THIRSTY, but couldn't drink anything because it'd kick-off the gag reflex and ... oh boy.
By 8 PM on Saturday, I was sitting in the bathroom floor rocking and crying like an insane person, begging Kyle to make it stop. "I don't want to throw up anymore. I'm tired! This SUCKS!" (Not my finest moment, admittedly.)
Sunday morning was better. I was able to move around much more freely and was only sick twice (and not nearly as severely) and ate a lot more without being sick.
Amy, my sister-in-law, shared some of her B6 vitamins with me. And I don't know if that did the trick or if it was just that the "bug" had finally passed, but I spent the afternoon with my family and was mostly ok for the whole afternoon.
And this post is sure to start a round of "Have you tried ... ?" recommendations. So, let me share this list of things I've already tried with you, so you know not to recommend them again! :)
I made the comment to my friend, Jenny, a couple of months ago that "I'd much rather be stomach-sick than cold/flu-sick." My reasoning, at the time, was that a stomach bug will usually pass pretty quickly and with a cold/flu, you never know how long it'll stick around.
This weekend, I ate those words. So, to Jenny: I changed my mind. Stomach-sick is the PITS!
I try to keep my outlook brightly on the END of the process rather than getting bogged down in the yuckies that can be quite consuming at times. But sometimes the "yuckies" become the I-Can't-Get-Out-Of-Beds and the Constant-Pukies that take your whole weekend and flush it down the toilet.
Friday night, in a heap of end-of-the-week exhaustion, I laid in bed while Kyle entertained some friends of his. I stuck my head out of the room enough to be friendly, and they were very understanding.
At around 2:30 AM, I woke up, and very quickly realized that I wasn't going to be able to "wait out" the feeling in my stomach. Something was coming up. (Full disclosure, remember?) And so it started at 2:30 AM and continued til about midnight the next night. Every single thing I put on my stomach came right back up. And I was SO THIRSTY, but couldn't drink anything because it'd kick-off the gag reflex and ... oh boy.
By 8 PM on Saturday, I was sitting in the bathroom floor rocking and crying like an insane person, begging Kyle to make it stop. "I don't want to throw up anymore. I'm tired! This SUCKS!" (Not my finest moment, admittedly.)
Sunday morning was better. I was able to move around much more freely and was only sick twice (and not nearly as severely) and ate a lot more without being sick.
Amy, my sister-in-law, shared some of her B6 vitamins with me. And I don't know if that did the trick or if it was just that the "bug" had finally passed, but I spent the afternoon with my family and was mostly ok for the whole afternoon.
And this post is sure to start a round of "Have you tried ... ?" recommendations. So, let me share this list of things I've already tried with you, so you know not to recommend them again! :)
- Preggie Pops/Preggie Pop Drops - check
- Crackers beside the bed - check
- Eating small meals every two hours - check
- Vitamin B6 - check
- Ginger snaps - check
- Ginger ale - check
- Changing prenatals to Flintstones vitamins - check
- Waiting for the end of first trimester while praying for relief from constant nausea - CHECK!!
Labels: pregnancy
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Two Nephews!!
Amy & Craig found out today that they're "95% sure" they're having a boy. Really, they're only at 13 weeks, so it's "too soon to tell" for 100% sure, but supposedly you can tell sooner when it's a boy?? And there's an ultrasound picture with an arrow pointing to a designated area that says "boy parts" ... so, there ya have it. It's a boy.
So, two nephews. And a few nights ago, I dreamed I was having a girl. Time will tell, I suppose.
So, two nephews. And a few nights ago, I dreamed I was having a girl. Time will tell, I suppose.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Christmas 2008
Kyle and I were in Hampton for Christmas and I'd been thinking that a pregnancy test was probably in order for a few days, at that point. But for some reason -- let's call it Holiday Distraction -- I hadn't. So when his mom needed to run some errands, I said I'd go along. I tried, and I think I succeeded in hiding the test from her under some unnecessary items also tossed into the basket. But it made for a rather tense few moments in the ol' CVS.
Back at the house, Kyle was in the shower and I knew I couldn't possibly wait a moment longer. So I didn't. I tested while he showered and:
Back at the house, Kyle was in the shower and I knew I couldn't possibly wait a moment longer. So I didn't. I tested while he showered and:
...dun, dun, dun...
I held the test stick up over the shower door and said, "Um ... Merry Christmas?"
Kyle is such a pro. He said, "Cool" and seemed genuinely excited. My first reaction was not quite as calm and collected. My hands started shaking and sweating, and I had to go lay down. I was very excited, but also shocked! A few minutes later, Kyle came out of the shower and said, "What's next?" I told him I wanted to get one of the tests that says "PREGNANT" or "NOT PREGNANT".
So I chugged a couple bottles of water (you know, so I could pee again) and drove back to the store.
Confirmation.
And we told his mom. We showed her the test pictured above. She squealed a little and hugged Kyle. Then, turning to me, she said, "You're ok, right? You're going to be ok!" Guess I was still a little shell-shocked. And it showed.
We told his brother later on that evening. We wrapped up another pregnancy test and put it under the tree for him. When he opened it, he acted confused. And I finally had to say, "John. Do I need to spell it out for you? Kyle and I are going to have a baby."
He looked at his friend, Kari, and she said, "I think you should give her what you bought for her."
That's right. He'd bought me a pregnancy test. No wonder he was confused. We'd given him, basically, the same thing!
I knew the first thing I wanted to do was to call my brother, Craig. He and his wife, Amy, had been trying to conceive for several months and, if I was going to tell my family on Christmas morning (which I what I really wanted to do), I didn't want her to be completely broadsided and get upset. I wanted Craig to know so he could "warn" her if he felt like he needed to.
Craig called me about 20 minutes later and asked me to hold my announcement until the day after Christmas. Disappointed, I said, "I guess I could. Why?"
As it turns out, he and Amy had their own news to share and had been holding it for almost a month and a half.
I jumped up and down (don't tell the doctor!) and squealed and cried and acted COMPLETELY girly and then told Craig to have Amy to call me so we could talk -- and maybe break the news to my parents together.
And, thus, a plot was conceived. (pun completely intended)
Amy and Craig went to Walmart that night and purchased stockings and wrapped them in separate boxes. After all the other gifts were unwrapped, Craig gave one box to each of my parents and instructed my dad to go first.
And after a few minutes, my mom remembered that she had an unopened box to return to.
"I wonder what it is!!"
And I was too busy laughing to get her first reaction. But it went something like this:
"Hahaha. Baby Polk."
(realizes, wide-eyed, what she'd just read out loud)
(re-reads in silence)
(looking at me) "Is this for REAL?!"
And then my dad cried again, while my mom laughed. A lot.
My mom excitedly purchases gifts in the months leading up to Christmas in order to "Wow" all of her kids on Christmas morning. And while we were all still wowed this year, Christmas 2008 will forever be branded in our family memory as "The Christmas She Was Outdone".
Kyle is such a pro. He said, "Cool" and seemed genuinely excited. My first reaction was not quite as calm and collected. My hands started shaking and sweating, and I had to go lay down. I was very excited, but also shocked! A few minutes later, Kyle came out of the shower and said, "What's next?" I told him I wanted to get one of the tests that says "PREGNANT" or "NOT PREGNANT".
So I chugged a couple bottles of water (you know, so I could pee again) and drove back to the store.
Confirmation.
And we told his mom. We showed her the test pictured above. She squealed a little and hugged Kyle. Then, turning to me, she said, "You're ok, right? You're going to be ok!" Guess I was still a little shell-shocked. And it showed.
We told his brother later on that evening. We wrapped up another pregnancy test and put it under the tree for him. When he opened it, he acted confused. And I finally had to say, "John. Do I need to spell it out for you? Kyle and I are going to have a baby."
He looked at his friend, Kari, and she said, "I think you should give her what you bought for her."
That's right. He'd bought me a pregnancy test. No wonder he was confused. We'd given him, basically, the same thing!
I knew the first thing I wanted to do was to call my brother, Craig. He and his wife, Amy, had been trying to conceive for several months and, if I was going to tell my family on Christmas morning (which I what I really wanted to do), I didn't want her to be completely broadsided and get upset. I wanted Craig to know so he could "warn" her if he felt like he needed to.
Craig called me about 20 minutes later and asked me to hold my announcement until the day after Christmas. Disappointed, I said, "I guess I could. Why?"
As it turns out, he and Amy had their own news to share and had been holding it for almost a month and a half.
I jumped up and down (don't tell the doctor!) and squealed and cried and acted COMPLETELY girly and then told Craig to have Amy to call me so we could talk -- and maybe break the news to my parents together.
And, thus, a plot was conceived. (pun completely intended)
Amy and Craig went to Walmart that night and purchased stockings and wrapped them in separate boxes. After all the other gifts were unwrapped, Craig gave one box to each of my parents and instructed my dad to go first.
He opened it.
And he cried.
And there were many hugs.
And after a few minutes, my mom remembered that she had an unopened box to return to.
"I wonder what it is!!"
And I was too busy laughing to get her first reaction. But it went something like this:
"Hahaha. Baby Polk."
(realizes, wide-eyed, what she'd just read out loud)
(re-reads in silence)
(looking at me) "Is this for REAL?!"
And then my dad cried again, while my mom laughed. A lot.
My mom excitedly purchases gifts in the months leading up to Christmas in order to "Wow" all of her kids on Christmas morning. And while we were all still wowed this year, Christmas 2008 will forever be branded in our family memory as "The Christmas She Was Outdone".
Labels: family, holidays, photo, pregnancy
The Rest of the Christmas Story
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