With James' second birthday right around the corner, its really hard not to think "2 years ago..." all the time. But that's really all I've been doing lately, reminiscing on two years ago and how much life has changed and how lucky I am to have a brilliant, funny, adorable little boy. A brilliant, funny, adorable, and often TAXING almost two year old... This age is hilarious and exhausting simultaneously.
Over the weekend it was two years from the time time that I was put on bedrest for the 6 week duration of my pregnancy. I felt so scared and worried and stressed at the time. My doctor told me that I only really needed partial bedrest, but that she would put in the paperwork so I could stay home from work. I remember leaving the appointment, getting in the car, and calling my mom in an absolute fit of tears. I'm sure she loved that one, but you know, what are mom's for, even when you're 27 and hugely pregnant. Funny enough, she also had an appointment with our doctor that day (yea, we share a GYN, for the added bonding experience! ha!) so she came to the hospital early and listened to me blubber. Funny enough, almost all my stress was about work, I wasn't really worried about James at that point. He never moved during non-stress testing (as he should have...) so they did an ultrasound twice a week and saw the little guy moving around in there. I like to think that he knew his momma would rather see him than feel him kicking for those 30 minutes. Once he even waved at us on the screen, sort of like "ha ha, I'm in here and I won't move just because you want me to!" James was always active at night, which accounted for his napping during testing.
I wish I could sum up the stress I was feeling in that very moment, most was very irrational, but I was so upset and scared. I knew that I would be leaving my job for a new position shortly after my maternity leave ended and that I wasn't as caught up at work as I wanted to be and I really just didn't know what to do with myself. But I pulled it together and listened to my mom's advice. The next day I went to work, packed up my desk as though I was not coming back at all, told them I was going on bedrest, and went home. Actually, I think I stopped by Wendy's for a Frostie on the way home, but that was that.
Flash forward two years, if someone told me I got to stay home from work and rest, I think I would hug them and do a happy dance, but oh how two years can change a person. The rest of my last week without a child was pretty uneventful. I went to both doctor's 2 or 3 times and I went to see a movie with Adam and my girlfriends Jackie and Sarah.
All of it seems like a long time ago, but also like it was yesterday.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Pictures
Here are two of the pictures we took Monday. Okay, the only two that came out even remotely good. I'm trying to update my sidebar, but Blogger is being a pain. I'll try again later.
This one is very cute, but I think I look ridiculously pregnant in it. The angle is just not the best, but oh well, we're all smiling and James isn't making a break for the door.
This one is pretty cute too, but you can see the slight bit a sweat starting to form on James' parents foreheads. Chasing him around a photo studio is hard work!
Early pregnancy differences
So far this pregnancy has been fairly different than my pregnancy with James. My silly side wants to believe that these differences will mean that we're having a little girl this time around, but I know that may not be the case.
I was very lucky with James, while I was nauseous, I never actually got sick with him. I was tired, obviously, and moody, but for the most part, the first and second trimesters were very easy. This time around I am feeling very nauseous, but am also having lots of tummy problems. Without being too gross, there have been issues on every end of the tummy spectrum. Again, I haven't been puking, but things have been rough the last few days. I have also been much more tired that I was with James. While this could be a difference in the pregnancy, it is more likely a product of our current situation. James is constantly on the move and we are always running after him. We are lucky that after James gets home from daycare he is very interested in playing independently. I guess after sharing all day, he enjoys doing what he wants with his own toys.
Either way, I know that the tummy issues will pass and once I'm into the second trimester, I will hopefully be feeling better and more energetic. Even though I know that its better to find out that you're pregnant early on in order to avoid complications, sometimes I feel like it draws the 9 months out even more. We were exactly 4 weeks when we found out about James and at 3 weeks, 4 days this time around, so there is a long way to go!
I was very lucky with James, while I was nauseous, I never actually got sick with him. I was tired, obviously, and moody, but for the most part, the first and second trimesters were very easy. This time around I am feeling very nauseous, but am also having lots of tummy problems. Without being too gross, there have been issues on every end of the tummy spectrum. Again, I haven't been puking, but things have been rough the last few days. I have also been much more tired that I was with James. While this could be a difference in the pregnancy, it is more likely a product of our current situation. James is constantly on the move and we are always running after him. We are lucky that after James gets home from daycare he is very interested in playing independently. I guess after sharing all day, he enjoys doing what he wants with his own toys.
Either way, I know that the tummy issues will pass and once I'm into the second trimester, I will hopefully be feeling better and more energetic. Even though I know that its better to find out that you're pregnant early on in order to avoid complications, sometimes I feel like it draws the 9 months out even more. We were exactly 4 weeks when we found out about James and at 3 weeks, 4 days this time around, so there is a long way to go!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
New photos
On Monday, we attempted to get photos of James for his second birthday. To call it an epic failure would be an understatement. We did manage to get a few family shots, which I will be updating shortly, but James refused to take pictures on his own. Toddlers are so much fun! But we tried and that's the best we could do. Hopefully James will be cooperative in a backyard photo shoot sometime in the next few days.
We went to The Picture People this time and I don't think we'll be going back, as James started to cry the second we entered the store. My silly child! I think the next time we get photos done, we may try to work with a photographer and maybe do something outdoors. Then again, the cost of doing this may make me change my mind. Until then, I'm going to keep working on my father, brilliant photographer extraordinaire, to come visit his Grandcub!
We went to The Picture People this time and I don't think we'll be going back, as James started to cry the second we entered the store. My silly child! I think the next time we get photos done, we may try to work with a photographer and maybe do something outdoors. Then again, the cost of doing this may make me change my mind. Until then, I'm going to keep working on my father, brilliant photographer extraordinaire, to come visit his Grandcub!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
The joys of diabetic pregnancy
There are a lot of things about being a pregnant Type 1 diabetic that make the 9 months a fairly challenging time. The pregnancy is classified as "high-risk" from the beginning, your blood sugars are monitored almost hourly, and towards the end of the pregnancy there are more visits to various doctors than you can imagine.
This time around, we're doing a few things differently, but for the most part are sticking to the regime as with my previous pregnancy. I found out that my previous OB-GYN is now only doing GYN (I think, I have yet to confirm this, but she's definitely not doing OB anymore). When I went to see her, she told me this and I almost cried, but it actually has ended up being a good thing. When I was pregnant with James I saw the regular OB and the high-risk OB. This time, the high-risk OB, Dr. Rossiter, has agreed to do my basic pre-natal care as well. After 32 weeks, I will going to non-stress testing, as well as weekly appointments and being able to combine those is a lovely thing. After 35 weeks, I will be going twice a week for non-stress testing and so again having one doctor is going to cut down on my visits. I suppose that assumes I will make it beyond 35 weeks this time, which is definitely a goal. If we can get to 37 weeks, I will be a happy camper.
I am testing my sugars a lot, which isn't so bad. Really, I feel like I'm still in the habit of doing it since it wasn't too long ago that I was doing it with James. Having good control, especially during the first trimester is really what lowers the chances of birth defects. Even with good control during that time, James has a birth defect (his heart murmur counts as a birth defect, we've been told), so I am trying to be vigilant this time around as well.
For me, its really not so bad, my sugars are under control, I have a handle on what I'm doing and what I need to do to maintain my health, and I'm so excited to be a mommy again!
But here's the kicker -
One of my biggest "issues" with diabetic pregnancy is this - ill informed people wanting to butt in! Okay, I sound irritable, probably because I am. But it really gets under my skin when people (co-workers, random strangers, etc.) ask me about what I'm eating or should be eating or should be doing, when really, they have no freakin' idea. I know people mean well, but are you a board certified endocrinologist? Did you study to be a perinatalogist? Have you been living with the disease for 15 years?
I didn't think so.
Okay, I'm done complaining now. Although I guess my complaint could be used during pregnancy overall - everyone has an opinion.
This time around, we're doing a few things differently, but for the most part are sticking to the regime as with my previous pregnancy. I found out that my previous OB-GYN is now only doing GYN (I think, I have yet to confirm this, but she's definitely not doing OB anymore). When I went to see her, she told me this and I almost cried, but it actually has ended up being a good thing. When I was pregnant with James I saw the regular OB and the high-risk OB. This time, the high-risk OB, Dr. Rossiter, has agreed to do my basic pre-natal care as well. After 32 weeks, I will going to non-stress testing, as well as weekly appointments and being able to combine those is a lovely thing. After 35 weeks, I will be going twice a week for non-stress testing and so again having one doctor is going to cut down on my visits. I suppose that assumes I will make it beyond 35 weeks this time, which is definitely a goal. If we can get to 37 weeks, I will be a happy camper.
I am testing my sugars a lot, which isn't so bad. Really, I feel like I'm still in the habit of doing it since it wasn't too long ago that I was doing it with James. Having good control, especially during the first trimester is really what lowers the chances of birth defects. Even with good control during that time, James has a birth defect (his heart murmur counts as a birth defect, we've been told), so I am trying to be vigilant this time around as well.
For me, its really not so bad, my sugars are under control, I have a handle on what I'm doing and what I need to do to maintain my health, and I'm so excited to be a mommy again!
But here's the kicker -
One of my biggest "issues" with diabetic pregnancy is this - ill informed people wanting to butt in! Okay, I sound irritable, probably because I am. But it really gets under my skin when people (co-workers, random strangers, etc.) ask me about what I'm eating or should be eating or should be doing, when really, they have no freakin' idea. I know people mean well, but are you a board certified endocrinologist? Did you study to be a perinatalogist? Have you been living with the disease for 15 years?
I didn't think so.
Okay, I'm done complaining now. Although I guess my complaint could be used during pregnancy overall - everyone has an opinion.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Hi Colin!
James and I are surviving our week alone, so far. He was a bit of a grump on Sunday afternoon, but went to bed with no problems and woke up Monday in a great mood. Monday evening we had dinner, walked the dog, skyped with Adam and again James went to bed with no problems.
This morning, James and I were sitting together, enjoying a sippy cup and watching the Today Show. I was telling James who everyone on the program was and he would wave and say hi. So we said hello to Matt and Chuck (Chuck Todd, the main White House guy) and then we said hello to Colin Powell, who was the guest while we were watching. Each time they would cut away to a graphic or video and then cut back, James would wave and say "Hi Colin!". Funny enough, he didn't want to say hi to Mr. President, so either he's a Republican toddler or he couldn't get the word out.
As it was time to leave, I was turning off lights and the television and James grabbed his lunch box. He made it all the way to the door, then doubled back, waved at the TV and said "Bye Colin!".
Now if that's not cute, I don't know what is.
This morning, James and I were sitting together, enjoying a sippy cup and watching the Today Show. I was telling James who everyone on the program was and he would wave and say hi. So we said hello to Matt and Chuck (Chuck Todd, the main White House guy) and then we said hello to Colin Powell, who was the guest while we were watching. Each time they would cut away to a graphic or video and then cut back, James would wave and say "Hi Colin!". Funny enough, he didn't want to say hi to Mr. President, so either he's a Republican toddler or he couldn't get the word out.
As it was time to leave, I was turning off lights and the television and James grabbed his lunch box. He made it all the way to the door, then doubled back, waved at the TV and said "Bye Colin!".
Now if that's not cute, I don't know what is.
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