When I first wrote about being pregnant I said that I wouldn't complain about it on this blog. I'm sticking to that, but I'm going to talk about some pain I've been having, not because I want you to feel sorry for me, but because I want to document it. I use this blog all the time to go back and see what I was doing and this is no different.
I've mentioned before that I was seeing a massage therapist because of some pain in my leg. For the past month, my right quad has been hurting and my doctor is convinced that the extra weight I've gained is pushing on the nerves that run along my spine. The nerve that goes to my right quad is being especially effected. I tried massage and got very little relief and decided to go back to the doctor when I was having more intense pain more often. I now have a prescription for physio, which, like massage, is covered under my health care plan. I was recommended a physio therapist in my neighbourhood and went yesterday to speak with him. I have my first appointment booked for next Monday.
That's not all. After seeing my doctor, she thought that maybe I should get an ultrasound on my quad in case the problem isn't in my bck but in my leg. Her admin called me and set up the appointment. With non-pregnant people they would x-ray the back, but an ultrasound is safe for me and baby so that's the route we will go. I have that appointment this afternoon.
The leg pain doesn't seem like a typical pregnancy symptom and was really getting to me. I can handle the nausea and the crying and the food aversions/cravings. I can handle the symptoms that everyone seems to have, to some degree. But this isn't something that everyone seems to have and it's been affecting my ability to do any kind of physical activity and is now waking me up at night. Believe me when I say that I need my sleep!
After learning about the ultrasound and making the physio appointment, I'm feeling much better. Kind of like how I was feeling at the beginning of the massage treatment - optimistic. I'm optimistic that it's possible something can be done and I can get on with being pregnant and having the regular pregnancy symptoms. I can get back to going to the gym and running without feeling like I'm killing the muscles in my leg. In time anyways.
We're getting places in good time.
Wednesday, April 29
Tuesday, April 28
Social weekend
The big goings on of this past weekend were the social events that I've been avoiding all too often in the last few months. There was a bachelorette party and a baby shower. But let's back up to Friday night so I can regale you with my super exciting night: I went to bed before 9pm and slept for almost 12 hours. How is that possible you ask.. well I don't know. But it happened and my life got more exciting after that.
Saturday was beautiful. Honestly. Summer weather in April. That hardly ever happens, but it did and we took advantage. J and LS spent hours washing and waxing their cars. I went for a run and got sunburnt. My run was better than the last one so I'm hopeful I'll still be able to pull off the 5K. Speaking of the race, I'm really proud of J for signing up for the 1/2 marathon at race weekend. The 5K is Saturday night and the half is Sunday morning. The poor guy though doesn't just want to finish, he wants to beat my time and his dad's time from last year's Army race. Probably doable, but I'd rather him just go to finish and see how things go. He's too competitive for that. I'll be cheering from the sidelines.
I knew that running is hard on me these days so I slept for a while in the afternoon before heading out. We had dinner with J's family. A nice bbq on the deck before the storm rolled in. When the storm was gearing up (apparently a tornado touched down even!) I was heading downtown for JK's bachelorette party. I found the little restaurant in the market and spent the next 4 hours playing games and catching up with some ball girls. JK was done by the time I left. Poor her, the party was only gearing up, heading to the bar. I headed home exhausted.
Sunday day was nice. We actually had no plans so I had a chance to make two onesies for JB's shower, time to do laundry and catch up on tv. J had time to sleep in. Hardcore. I managed to drag him into Walmart (he didn't even cry!) and to some other stores. The boy hates shopping. We had dinner so I could go to my party.
The baby shower was actually the first one I'd been to outside of work. BC organized and hosted and did a great job. There was tons of food and drinks and games and presents and I had a great time. I was worried it was going to be a huge group of girls that I didn't know all squeeling over pink and frilly baby stuff, but it wasn't. There were maybe a dozen of us and hardly any squeeling at all. The games were actually fun. I won a little massager thingy.
[Let me go on a rant here for a minute. Possibly a hormonal rant, but I have my excuse.]
A couple of weeks ago, a woman at work told me that I looked pregnant from the back. People, I don't care if this is true, in my case or with anybody else: NEVER say this to a pregnant woman! She is hormonal and may cry and have to "go home sick". Tell her (i.e. me) that she looks good, that she looks like she did before except the little belly sticking out, that she's glowing... pour on the compliments. Believe me, she doesn't want to hear how big her ass has gotten or that her face is getting fat. Be nice to the crazy lady.
[End rant.]
The girls at the shower said all the right things to me. I didn't cry. It was nice.
Even after a busy weekend, I was dreading going back to work. I can't wait for my new coworkers to be trained enough to take on their own work. It's busybusybusy and I'm tired. I'm *this* close to starting a countdown until my mat leave, not that I know when that'll start yet. Decisions decisions.
Saturday was beautiful. Honestly. Summer weather in April. That hardly ever happens, but it did and we took advantage. J and LS spent hours washing and waxing their cars. I went for a run and got sunburnt. My run was better than the last one so I'm hopeful I'll still be able to pull off the 5K. Speaking of the race, I'm really proud of J for signing up for the 1/2 marathon at race weekend. The 5K is Saturday night and the half is Sunday morning. The poor guy though doesn't just want to finish, he wants to beat my time and his dad's time from last year's Army race. Probably doable, but I'd rather him just go to finish and see how things go. He's too competitive for that. I'll be cheering from the sidelines.
I knew that running is hard on me these days so I slept for a while in the afternoon before heading out. We had dinner with J's family. A nice bbq on the deck before the storm rolled in. When the storm was gearing up (apparently a tornado touched down even!) I was heading downtown for JK's bachelorette party. I found the little restaurant in the market and spent the next 4 hours playing games and catching up with some ball girls. JK was done by the time I left. Poor her, the party was only gearing up, heading to the bar. I headed home exhausted.
Sunday day was nice. We actually had no plans so I had a chance to make two onesies for JB's shower, time to do laundry and catch up on tv. J had time to sleep in. Hardcore. I managed to drag him into Walmart (he didn't even cry!) and to some other stores. The boy hates shopping. We had dinner so I could go to my party.
The baby shower was actually the first one I'd been to outside of work. BC organized and hosted and did a great job. There was tons of food and drinks and games and presents and I had a great time. I was worried it was going to be a huge group of girls that I didn't know all squeeling over pink and frilly baby stuff, but it wasn't. There were maybe a dozen of us and hardly any squeeling at all. The games were actually fun. I won a little massager thingy.
[Let me go on a rant here for a minute. Possibly a hormonal rant, but I have my excuse.]
A couple of weeks ago, a woman at work told me that I looked pregnant from the back. People, I don't care if this is true, in my case or with anybody else: NEVER say this to a pregnant woman! She is hormonal and may cry and have to "go home sick". Tell her (i.e. me) that she looks good, that she looks like she did before except the little belly sticking out, that she's glowing... pour on the compliments. Believe me, she doesn't want to hear how big her ass has gotten or that her face is getting fat. Be nice to the crazy lady.
[End rant.]
The girls at the shower said all the right things to me. I didn't cry. It was nice.
Even after a busy weekend, I was dreading going back to work. I can't wait for my new coworkers to be trained enough to take on their own work. It's busybusybusy and I'm tired. I'm *this* close to starting a countdown until my mat leave, not that I know when that'll start yet. Decisions decisions.
Friday, April 24
Regular week
Who knew that a regular 5-day work week would be so hellish? The hell started early Monday morning when a new admin started just down the hall from me. She has the most annoying voice I've ever heard and because she's an admin, she talks all the time. I don't normally keep my iPod on all day because too many people call me and come to see me, but it was on the minute she opened her mouth and packed up when I left for the day. It's been this way all week. And, to drive my point home, I was looking forward to meetings this week if I meant I wouldn't have to hear her voice. I don't normally enjoy meetings. At all.
I need to get some new music.
Yesterday was busy. I had yoga at lunch, a massage after work and a hair cut at night. All this after a crappy sleep and a full day of work.
Yoga was good. It was the second last class and there won't be another session. I might have to start going to the gym regularly. Too bad my body feels like I've been at the gym every day even though I haven't. Maybe I'll just work on running 5K so I don't die on race day.
I've been seeing a massage therapist because of some pain in my leg. My doctor thinks it's the extra weight (you'd think I'd gained 100 pounds, but no, not even 10) pushing against the nerves in my back making my right quad go numb. Good times. Yesterday I got to try the pregnancy pillows. They were hard to get onto because they slid around the table, but once I was all set up, it felt good. I felt kind of drunk afterwards, a feeling I am no longer used to. I sat in the car awhile before driving away.
My haircut was a bit of a disaster. I was afriad what it would look like this morning when it was up to me to style it. Turns out I like how it looks today better than last night. It's not a dramatic change and no one has noticed so far. I do have pictures, but not for posting. Yet.
Speaking of pictures, my Pro Flickr account expires in May so I've stopped posting my pictures there. I've looked into Picasa, which is linked to Google (I do everything through Google so Picasa will fit in nicely). There's an application to migrate all Flickr pictures to Picasa. It even keeps your tags and descriptions. I tried it out, but wasn't able to get more than 2 pictures transferred. I need the help of a techie and thankfully am married to one. I just need to strap him to the computer chair and make him help me. Easier said than done.
Back to work and music.
I need to get some new music.
Yesterday was busy. I had yoga at lunch, a massage after work and a hair cut at night. All this after a crappy sleep and a full day of work.
Yoga was good. It was the second last class and there won't be another session. I might have to start going to the gym regularly. Too bad my body feels like I've been at the gym every day even though I haven't. Maybe I'll just work on running 5K so I don't die on race day.
I've been seeing a massage therapist because of some pain in my leg. My doctor thinks it's the extra weight (you'd think I'd gained 100 pounds, but no, not even 10) pushing against the nerves in my back making my right quad go numb. Good times. Yesterday I got to try the pregnancy pillows. They were hard to get onto because they slid around the table, but once I was all set up, it felt good. I felt kind of drunk afterwards, a feeling I am no longer used to. I sat in the car awhile before driving away.
My haircut was a bit of a disaster. I was afriad what it would look like this morning when it was up to me to style it. Turns out I like how it looks today better than last night. It's not a dramatic change and no one has noticed so far. I do have pictures, but not for posting. Yet.
Speaking of pictures, my Pro Flickr account expires in May so I've stopped posting my pictures there. I've looked into Picasa, which is linked to Google (I do everything through Google so Picasa will fit in nicely). There's an application to migrate all Flickr pictures to Picasa. It even keeps your tags and descriptions. I tried it out, but wasn't able to get more than 2 pictures transferred. I need the help of a techie and thankfully am married to one. I just need to strap him to the computer chair and make him help me. Easier said than done.
Back to work and music.
Monday, April 20
Full week and weekend
The work week, which was only three days for me, was extremely busy. I left every day feeling like a zombie and wanting desperately to be in bed. Trying to cram 5 days of work into 3 will do that I guess. And because of my tiredness, I didn't do much on the weeknights last week.
The weekend though was full. I cleaned the house Saturday before my family came over. It was my dad's side - about 15 people. We all live in town and hardly ever see each other so I thought a family get together was in order. It was two hours of food and drinks and catching up. My aunts got all squeely about my belly, which is quite obvious now. After all that, I needed a nap.
Saturday night was C&Ss house warming party. They moved in to an old row house but made it their own with a very colourful paint palate. It made me really want to get going on painting our place. It was nice to see everyone again. I think the last time was in the fall, but can't remember when exactly.
Sunday was more relaxing and I managed to fit in a run and lots of quality time with Sandy before we headed over to S&Ls for dinner. It was like old times. I was exhausted by the time we got home (are you seeing a pattern here?) and went right to bed. I didn't take my vitamins all weekend and found I slept better and wasn't nauseous during the day. I feel guilty and am going to start taking them again tonight. We'll see how it goes.
Other than that, it's a new week. My body is tired from my run yesterday. I only went 3K so I'm thinking that the 5K race at the end of May might be a little tougher than I originally thought. But I have decided on a t-shirt for the race thanks to L for her idea of a baby on board sign on the back. Now I just have to figure out if I can make it or if I should order one. Decisions decisions.
The weekend though was full. I cleaned the house Saturday before my family came over. It was my dad's side - about 15 people. We all live in town and hardly ever see each other so I thought a family get together was in order. It was two hours of food and drinks and catching up. My aunts got all squeely about my belly, which is quite obvious now. After all that, I needed a nap.
Saturday night was C&Ss house warming party. They moved in to an old row house but made it their own with a very colourful paint palate. It made me really want to get going on painting our place. It was nice to see everyone again. I think the last time was in the fall, but can't remember when exactly.
Sunday was more relaxing and I managed to fit in a run and lots of quality time with Sandy before we headed over to S&Ls for dinner. It was like old times. I was exhausted by the time we got home (are you seeing a pattern here?) and went right to bed. I didn't take my vitamins all weekend and found I slept better and wasn't nauseous during the day. I feel guilty and am going to start taking them again tonight. We'll see how it goes.
Other than that, it's a new week. My body is tired from my run yesterday. I only went 3K so I'm thinking that the 5K race at the end of May might be a little tougher than I originally thought. But I have decided on a t-shirt for the race thanks to L for her idea of a baby on board sign on the back. Now I just have to figure out if I can make it or if I should order one. Decisions decisions.
Tuesday, April 14
When quotes resonate
I like quotes. There's something about reading words written by someone else that mean something to me. Lyrics are good too, especially when it's a good song.
This morning, while I was at home waiting for the guy to come and fix the water heater that crapped out sometime last night, I was watching tv. The words below were said in the opening scene to the show I was watching:
time is priceless yet it costs us nothing
you can do anything you want with it but own it
you can spend it but you can't keep it
and once you've lost it there's no getting it back
it's just gone
A couple of days ago it hit me that my life is going to change dramatically in not too long. Also, that my body, which is changing every single day, will never be the same as it was. Neither is a bad thing and I'm quite happy being pregnant and quite looking forward to having a baby.
Having a whole day off gave me a lot of time to think about the quote and my changing life. At least the guy came inside the window we were told and fixed the heater and I was able to clean. Sandy didn't like being locked up for the hour, but forgave me by sleeping in her jail for most of the afternoon. Interesting.
J got home from work early and we were able to spend some time together walking around the neighbourhood while it was still light out. Leaving the house was much needed for me.
Today was the kind of time well spent and my belly is only slightly larger than it was yesterday.
This morning, while I was at home waiting for the guy to come and fix the water heater that crapped out sometime last night, I was watching tv. The words below were said in the opening scene to the show I was watching:
time is priceless yet it costs us nothing
you can do anything you want with it but own it
you can spend it but you can't keep it
and once you've lost it there's no getting it back
it's just gone
A couple of days ago it hit me that my life is going to change dramatically in not too long. Also, that my body, which is changing every single day, will never be the same as it was. Neither is a bad thing and I'm quite happy being pregnant and quite looking forward to having a baby.
Having a whole day off gave me a lot of time to think about the quote and my changing life. At least the guy came inside the window we were told and fixed the heater and I was able to clean. Sandy didn't like being locked up for the hour, but forgave me by sleeping in her jail for most of the afternoon. Interesting.
J got home from work early and we were able to spend some time together walking around the neighbourhood while it was still light out. Leaving the house was much needed for me.
Today was the kind of time well spent and my belly is only slightly larger than it was yesterday.
Sunday, April 12
Racing - A History
May 2005 was the first time I signed up for and ran a race since cross-country in high school. That year I did the 5K in the National Capital Race Weekend. I didn't know how far 5K was to run and all of my training happened on a treadmill at the gym. I didn't know then that the treadmills are in miles so I was running 5 miles (8K). The race went by much quicker than my training runs.
The year after I did the 10K. I was quite pleased with myself having never run that far in my life.
2007 was going to be my break through year. I was training for the half marathon, but ended up with a calf injury. I did the 10K instead.
My breakthrough came last year when I trained for a completed the half marathon in the Army Run.
This year I really want to run in the May race again. So J and I signed up for the 5K. This will be my only race while pregnant so let's hope I make it the whole way. My goal is not to beat my previous time or even to run the whole way. My goal is to cross the finish line and stay active and healthy while I grow a new life.
Suggestions for what to put on my t-shirt are welcome.
The year after I did the 10K. I was quite pleased with myself having never run that far in my life.
2007 was going to be my break through year. I was training for the half marathon, but ended up with a calf injury. I did the 10K instead.
My breakthrough came last year when I trained for a completed the half marathon in the Army Run.
This year I really want to run in the May race again. So J and I signed up for the 5K. This will be my only race while pregnant so let's hope I make it the whole way. My goal is not to beat my previous time or even to run the whole way. My goal is to cross the finish line and stay active and healthy while I grow a new life.
Suggestions for what to put on my t-shirt are welcome.
Wednesday, April 8
IT'S A BOY!!
The ultrasound this morning went really well - the baby has all the right parts and measured at the size he should according to the dates. I can't believe that the techs can decipher anything they see. All I see is white-ish-gray blobs on a black background. At one point I thought we were looking at the head when we were looking at the kidneys. Could have fooled me! But she said everything looked good and I will take her word for it.
I was a little surprised to find out it's a boy. There isn't any way I could have known, but I was thinking it was a girl. I don't know a thing about babies either way so it'll be fine either way.
We went back to work after the appointment and started telling people, starting with the family. I think J's grandfather is happy that the family name will live on, not that we were the only hope, but still. We told friends and the people at work. I don't feel any different, but people seem excited all over again. It's a strange thing.
Also strange was feeling the baby move for the first time tonight. For the last week or so, I've been feeling movement but was completely unsure whether it was the baby or gas (nice, I know, but true). Tonight was the baby, no question, and it was strong enough that J was able to feel it too. Incredible.
Today it all became more real.
I was a little surprised to find out it's a boy. There isn't any way I could have known, but I was thinking it was a girl. I don't know a thing about babies either way so it'll be fine either way.
We went back to work after the appointment and started telling people, starting with the family. I think J's grandfather is happy that the family name will live on, not that we were the only hope, but still. We told friends and the people at work. I don't feel any different, but people seem excited all over again. It's a strange thing.
Also strange was feeling the baby move for the first time tonight. For the last week or so, I've been feeling movement but was completely unsure whether it was the baby or gas (nice, I know, but true). Tonight was the baby, no question, and it was strong enough that J was able to feel it too. Incredible.
Today it all became more real.
Boy or Girl?
What do you think: boy or girl? Respond in the comments!
If the baby cooperates during the ultrasound, we'll know the sex in about an hour.
Concentration levels at work this morning: non existent.
If the baby cooperates during the ultrasound, we'll know the sex in about an hour.
Concentration levels at work this morning: non existent.
Monday, April 6
Resolutions in April?
I went to the gym today for the first time in two weeks. Yes, it had been a while. I'm not freaking out because the membership cost is ridiculously low, but my body is happily tired and I'm just tired tired now. Such is life on a dreary Monday.
While I was at the gym, I was reading Chatelaine. I can read while I bike on the recumbant bike, which makes the time fly by. Anyways, I grabbed a magazine that I didn't think I'd read before. I base this on the colour of the cover. Very scientific of me. Turns out, I hadn't read it and it was the January edition. This year's or not, I'm not sure.
The big deal around January is resolutions and getting out of debt from all that money you spent over Christmas. I'm quite a ways away from Christmas and resolution- and debt-time, not that I'm big on either, but still, reading some of the articles about resolutions was interesting. It's good to take a minute to check at the progress we've made or just to reflect on where we are, whether it's a long distance from where we came or not.
Now that I think about it, making resolutions around the new year for a whole year, is pretty silly. The 101 things to do in 1001 days is even harder to come up with "resolutions" or things that will still matter after that long. I don't care, at this point, if I do many of the things on my list. At least not before the deadline, though I do have another year and a half. I'm wondering if I can update the list. It's my list so why not?
My April resolution is now to update my 101 things to do in 1001 days and really try to make the things doable yet challenging. Looking at my list, I know what works and what doesn't, and why not make it a little easier to cross things off the list? That sounds like fun. Having fun is good. Making lists is good. Done!
While I was at the gym, I was reading Chatelaine. I can read while I bike on the recumbant bike, which makes the time fly by. Anyways, I grabbed a magazine that I didn't think I'd read before. I base this on the colour of the cover. Very scientific of me. Turns out, I hadn't read it and it was the January edition. This year's or not, I'm not sure.
The big deal around January is resolutions and getting out of debt from all that money you spent over Christmas. I'm quite a ways away from Christmas and resolution- and debt-time, not that I'm big on either, but still, reading some of the articles about resolutions was interesting. It's good to take a minute to check at the progress we've made or just to reflect on where we are, whether it's a long distance from where we came or not.
Now that I think about it, making resolutions around the new year for a whole year, is pretty silly. The 101 things to do in 1001 days is even harder to come up with "resolutions" or things that will still matter after that long. I don't care, at this point, if I do many of the things on my list. At least not before the deadline, though I do have another year and a half. I'm wondering if I can update the list. It's my list so why not?
My April resolution is now to update my 101 things to do in 1001 days and really try to make the things doable yet challenging. Looking at my list, I know what works and what doesn't, and why not make it a little easier to cross things off the list? That sounds like fun. Having fun is good. Making lists is good. Done!
Thursday, April 2
And then...
J and I had a great time yesterday with our big reveal. We wanted to wait to tell everyone until yesterday, but if you've seen me in person lately, you'd know that my belly is getting hard to hide.
Yesterday morning J and I both updated our status on Facebook to "is totally pregnant". In the comments, people hesitatingly congratulated us and J's work friends debated all day whether it was real or a prank. I have to admit that I don't like being pranked, but this was fun.
It's a big relief to finally be able to blog about being pregnant. It's been my reality for the past 4 months yet I haven't been able to say anything. We kept things relatively quiet for the first three months, telling our parents and siblings and some close friends. We told more family and friends at the 3 month mark, but wanted to wait a little longer to tell the whole world. Four months seemed like a good time for the big reveal, especially since that fell on April Fool's.
This is definitely real. I'm due at the beginning of September. I'm not too attached to the due date because chances are it will change. I've had some ups and downs along the way, but generally things have been good.
I'm hoping this blog doesn't morph into a forum where I complain about my situation. Of course there are things that are uncomfortable and things I don't like but those conversations are for me and J (sorry J!) Tomorrow I will come up with something interesting and non-pregnancy related to say.
Yesterday morning J and I both updated our status on Facebook to "is totally pregnant". In the comments, people hesitatingly congratulated us and J's work friends debated all day whether it was real or a prank. I have to admit that I don't like being pranked, but this was fun.
It's a big relief to finally be able to blog about being pregnant. It's been my reality for the past 4 months yet I haven't been able to say anything. We kept things relatively quiet for the first three months, telling our parents and siblings and some close friends. We told more family and friends at the 3 month mark, but wanted to wait a little longer to tell the whole world. Four months seemed like a good time for the big reveal, especially since that fell on April Fool's.
This is definitely real. I'm due at the beginning of September. I'm not too attached to the due date because chances are it will change. I've had some ups and downs along the way, but generally things have been good.
I'm hoping this blog doesn't morph into a forum where I complain about my situation. Of course there are things that are uncomfortable and things I don't like but those conversations are for me and J (sorry J!) Tomorrow I will come up with something interesting and non-pregnancy related to say.
Wednesday, April 1
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