Tiredness, Breast Pump, Yard Saling, Freecycle, Life's Gonna Change

I've just thought of a few things I want to write about! First, I am just SO TIRED. I have been fighting the excuse of pregnancy, but I'm just not so sure anymore. I have been sleeping, overall, pretty well (better than I use to with all my insomnia issues). And my body is USED to surviving on less sleep than most people. But it's so frustrating that even after sleeping good for a couple nights in a row, I am just still EXHAUSTED in the afternoons (and sometimes late morning too). I'm trying not to complain, as that's really the only symptom I've have (besides sore breasts). So I'm just trying to plug along and get through it. I think it's so frustrating for me, because it's hard for me to 'sit still' and not always be doing something that 'needs done'. Even right now I'm fighting the tiredness that is going to get in my way of being productive this afternoon - ugh! Luckily, with my new schedule I have Thursdays and Fridays 'off' (well, for Momplicity stuff), and I've still not had quite the hectic schedule that I will have. Choir hasn't started yet, and I'm still ironing out my school-year teaching schedule. I am SO GRATEFUL that the Lord has let me have more 'down time' than I've had in a long time. I do feel guilty, but it would be more difficult to teach when I'm constantly so tired. There have been a few teaching hours where it's everything I can do just to hold my head up. I almost feel like I'm cheating my students, but I guess I have to work. And A LOT of women have it A LOT worse than I do - so I'm really not complaining. Other than the tiredness, I've been sleeping better than before and more regular than before (woo hoo!), and I've really been trying to keep up exercising (training twice a week and walking/running every few days).

On a different note, I bought a breast pump the other day!!!!!! Sooo exciting (no, really!). It's a $330 (or more) breast pump - really nice, good brand, electric, does both sides at once, in good shape, and I got it for $40 at Paula Agnew's friend Leeanne's yard sale! I also bought a maternity shirt and dress! I am really going to start yard saling while there's still time left in the yard saling season. It's difficult not knowing the sex, but there's still a lot of things we can buy, and I'm all about good deals! If anyone knows of any other means to get good deals on baby stuff, let me know! I also belong to a local group online called freecycle, where people post things they need/want, or things they're offering, and you can have it (for free)! Pretty cool!

On a final note, it just hits me all the time now how our life is going to change. I KNOW it's gonna be hard. I was just watching the show 'Bringing Home Baby', and every time I watch it I can just see how exhausted, run-down, and overwhelmed the new moms and dads are. So, I'm going in to it knowing that, and knowledge is power. I already accept the fact that I'll be just absolutely sleep-deprived and cranky for the first few weeks, but I know IT'S JUST A NORMAL PART OF THE PROCESS. Women have been doing it for hundreds of years, and I can too. Plus, it will be SOOO worth the hard work. Nothing that beautiful comes without difficulty. I know that being a 'family' is going to be so different than being a couple, and I'm just so excited for that next season of life. I'm so ready to be a mom, in a family. It will be so fun to have family game nights, cooking for them - just hanging out with them! And making humans that are half me and half George is just amazing! Also, we have amazing families. I know my mom will be here helping us on those sleepless nights, and I think G's parents are going to come down too. And my best friend Angela is coming to help too. And of course my sis will help out in any way she can. I feel very blessed to have such a great support system. Anyway, bring on the difficulty, bring on the love. I'm READY! As ready as I can be!

Just a Few...

I just wanted to take a few minutes. So I told one of my friends tonight (not a real close friend, but a friend) that we were expecting. She is one that I thought would be pretty excited, and she was...SORDOF. After I told her I felt a little insensitive. I remember her sordof implying in the past that the reason her and her husband didn't have kids (they're a few years older than G and I) was because they couldn't. I just remember taking that out of the conversation, though I don't know exactly what she said. I didn't delve any further, as I didn't want to be rude and bring up a sensitive subject. She was happy for me, but I saw a sadness in her. It made me VERY SAD. And I was talking to another girl tonight who had miscarried last winter, and who would've been due right around now. I felt kindof bad telling her about our pregnancy experience so far (first try, normal, healthy (as far as I know), as planned, and no morning sickness). It just hit me, talking to two women tonight who have experienced fertility issues to some degree, that I am truly lucky. In fact, I actually feel like I've won the lotto! This sounds silly, but with all the reading and research I've done lately, healthy pregnancies don't just come a dime a dozen. I also just heard recently of another friend and his wife who have been trying, in vain, for 5 years. They actually did just get pregnant, but then lost the baby after 9 weeks. I am DEVASTATED for them. It truly makes me SO SAD to think of those who face this issue, as having children is one of life's most rewarding experiences. I feel humbled and almost guilty to a degree. I am going to try to be more sensitive to those around me who may have struggled with fertility (I have another friend too). The thought of my news, and my joy, bringing them sadness, anger, resentment, and hopelessness makes me want to cry. I am so sorry if I've ever hurt anyone, or caused anyone pain. I'm not lucky in every aspect of life for sure, but this is one the Lord has SO BLESSED us. I just want to say 'thank you God. I don't for a second take this for granted. I know I'm so blessed, and I wish there was a way I could help others that aren't as 'lucky' in this department of life. Thank you, even for 8 1/2 weeks of getting to have our baby inside me. I love her/him SO MUCH already, and I will do my absolute best to raise this blessing knowing and thanking you. Amen.'

Email Angela Sent Me on August 18th

So I just read your blog, and I am sooooooooooo excited that I was the
first! This is why you and Janae are my BFF in the whole world!!!!!!! I am
really considering doing what you talked to me about and supporting pregnant
women :) I wish I could do it for you, maybe I can with you other kids and
who knows, Janaes first :) I am coming down when you have the baby. Let me
know when your mom or mother-in-law can't help anymore and I'll come down
and be your other "mother helper", I'll even do night duty. Keep me posted
and send some pics via email!
Also, I think it's a girl too because when I had Alex all I wanted was bland
food and fruit and watermelon, with Liam I craved Chicken fried steak and
potatoes for a month, and I ate it every day and I even lost weight that
month :) Therefore I knew it was a boy before they even told me, the person
doing the Ultrasound was really impressed that I knew.

Love ya,
Angela

8 Weeks!!!!! Wow! - From BabyCenter

How your baby's growing:
New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. You may be daydreaming about your baby as one sex or the other, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl. Either way, your baby — about the size of a kidney bean — is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it.

See what's going on in your uterus this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.


How your life's changing:

Quick Clicks
Is It Safe?
From poppyseed to pumpkin: How big is your baby?
Being pregnant at work
Pregnant again: What to expect this time around
Frequent urination during pregnancy
You may notice that your bra is getting more snug. Soon you'll likely need a larger size with better support. Rising levels of hormones cause breast growth and other tissue changes, all in preparation for lactation. Your breasts may continue to grow throughout pregnancy. Don't be surprised if you go up a cup size or two, especially if it's your first baby. Keep this in mind, and allow for room to grow when investing in a new bra.

Feeling fatigued? Hormonal changes — in particular, a dramatic rise in progesterone — may be contributing to your sluggishness. Nausea and vomiting can certainly cost you energy, too. And you may be having trouble getting a good night's sleep at this point, especially if you're uncomfortable or find you need to get up to pee.


Walking to beat fatigue "Taking a short 15- to 20-minute walk helped me cope with the overwhelming fatigue that hit me in the first trimester. It was the only way I made it through a day at work without a nap!" —Gabriela



Decision Guide: Which prenatal tests are for you?

Your healthcare provider will offer you a range of genetic screening and diagnostic tests during your pregnancy. Some are simple blood tests, while others involve more invasive procedures — and all are optional. Before you agree to any test, ask your caregiver to explain what it is, how it's done, whether the test itself is risky in any way, and what the results will tell you. Many prenatal tests are for screening rather than diagnostic purposes. Screening tests give you a sense of your risk for certain conditions. But only a diagnostic test can tell you for sure whether your baby has a problem. Here are your options during the first trimester:

First-trimester combined screening test: This relatively new screening test combines a nuchal fold scan (using ultrasound to measure the clear space in the tissue at the back of your developing baby's neck) with a blood test to measure two proteins. The scan is performed between 11 weeks of pregnancy through the end of 13 weeks, and the blood test may be done at the same time or possibly a few weeks earlier. First-trimester combined screening gives you information about your baby's odds of having Down syndrome and may tell you whether your baby's at higher risk for a few other problems as well. Although it's not diagnostic, the screening is essentially risk-free and may help you decide whether you want invasive diagnostic testing such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis, which slightly increase the risk of miscarriage.

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): This diagnostic test involves collecting cells from the placenta, which are then sent to a lab for genetic analysis. CVS can identify whether your baby has any of hundreds of chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic disorders. It's done in the first trimester, usually between 11 and 12 weeks, making it an earlier alternative to another diagnostic genetic test called amniocentesis, which is done between 16 and 20 weeks.

Feeling This Week

I'm feeling GOOD!!!!! I can't believe my lack of morning sickness! I have very small, fairly rare waves of very mild nausea. As long as I eat, it eases the discomfort. I've been craving carbs (not necessarily sweets - more like breads), and I think my body feels like the carbs will soak up the nausea, whereas protein doesn't seem like it does that. I've probably been lacking in protein (don't eat very much meat), but I've been trying to make up for it by eating lots of cheese. I did have a spark the other day, but other than that I've pretty much cut out caffeine. I'll have a sip of coke or wine once in a while, but just a sip. I have been really tired, which isn't that abnormal for me, but it is a little unusual because I've been sleeping quite good and quite a bit. It's really helped my insomnia issues! I've been going to bed (and falling asleep!) earlier that I have in a long time (usually 10-10:30). Haven't really had that side pain much at all. Occasionally weird twinges of mild pain, but I assume it's normal. I'm having a great peace about this pregnancy, and I really think it's a girl. Now, the waiting game! I have definitely been bigger in my middle (I was gaining weight there though, before I got pregnant). A lot of my clothes are becoming uncomfortable. I know it's really too early to really be showing or feeling it much, but I do feel like I'm going to need to buy some maternity pants sooner than later. The weird thing is, I almost feel like I've been eating less than before I got pregnant. But I've gained 3 lbs. So it must be SOMETHING pregnancy-related! Later!

Dinner With Sneddons

We had the Sneddons over for dinner last Thursday. Misty is my good friend from middle and high school, who I've recently reconnected with (last November). We get along so well with them, and love having them over! They had a baby girl April 3 of this last year (2010), and so our baby's might share birthdays! It's cool to be going through what Misty went through, almost exactly a year after her! She has lots of good advice and suggestions, and is going to let me have some of her maternity clothes! It was so funny, because we kept our mouthes shut up until then (so hard!) so we could tell them at dinner, in person. We were probably going to announce it while we were eating. G was running a little late, and got here RIGHT when they got here. RIGHT when Misty walked in to our family room and glanced at the digital photo frame, she said "TAAARA...ARE YOU PREGNANT?" I couldn't believe she asked before we could even tell them! The thing is, the pictures (out of probably hundreds) that were coming up on the digital photo frame just HAPPENED to be one of my two pregnancy tests, then a 'belly picture' of me!!!! DANG! We were so disappointed to not get to tell them (and bring it up), and George wasn't even here! He was outside! Oh well - I guess EVERYTHING can't go as planned!!!!

Card My Mom Sent Me

She sent this e-card a couple weeks ago! Love her.