On July 4th, we went to a BBQ, where we were the youngest in attendance. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to pig out and delve into the awesome display of potatoes salads, baked beans, and other scrumptious foods, I settled for just a hamburger, some veggies sans the dip, and my very own salsa and whole grain chips. As we literally baked in the sun, (my lovely legs got more burned than anticipated and I was smart to cover up my arms, shoulders, and chest), the ladies of the group kept asking about the baby and when she was due, etc. It hit me, then, that we were 8 weeks away and I said, "8 months." "Really? You're 8 months pregnant? You're so small!" was their response. I had to double take myself in the mirror a few times after this response when I stole away to the bathroom, but I think I'm huge.
In pondering these comments, I asked my doctor if I was progressing fine. She said I was measuring perfect and my weight is right on track, having only gained 15 lbs. I was overjoyed. Heck, even today I put on a pair of shorts that I normally fit into, that barely button, but are easy to subdue under a belly band. It made my day!
Needless to say, we officially started our birthing classes and it has been interesting so far. There are maybe 13 or so couples in there, with a good chunk of parents-to-be expecting close to the end of September. There are a two couples in there that are so young, it breaks my heart. They are teenagers, looking scared and out of place among us older, married couples, and I just think about the kids I teach and pray that they will make the right decisions. I also think of the MTV show Teen Mom and 16 and Pregnant, and think about their naivety and immaturity to handle such a complex situation. It does make me sad.
But it's fun to look around the room at all the parents-to-be and see the reactions of the dads in comparison to the moms on some of the topics discussed. I was so excited to see that they offer, in two of the birthing suites, jacuzzi tubs. I am already nervous with anticipation for the whole experience of labor and delivery and watching TLC's A Baby Story is not making me feel much more confident, by all means. Brad is joking that I won't be relaxed enough with just breathing and other techniques they suggest, so as soon as the OB nurse said that they had Jacuzzi tubs in two of the suites, he turned to me and said, "Now I know that will calm you down in a heartbeat." He is probably 100% right. I love the water. I love to swim and be near it. I loved our Jacuzzi at our old house. I can only imagine what it will do for me in the most intense portions of my labor. This may not be so bad after all.
But we've been fortunate. Despite our financial stress and trying to figure out what will happen in the next year or so with our careers and possibility of moving, yet again, we have been blessed by an abundance of support from family and friends. Brad's mom has done more than her share to get ready for the Baby Schroeder and we keep getting things that we find useful and need. It is so exciting. But then I feel completely OCD when I talk to other mom's at our class who have barely even started organizing or cleaning and here we are, with just the carpets left to clean. Seriously, I organized the clothes by age, have washed everything, put everything together, and we are waiting on the diaper bag to pack her overnight bag for the hospital...yeah, pathetic, I know. :)
This journey has been interesting and fun. Best moments have been hearing her heartbeat for the first time and feeling her move, for sure. We're dealing with gestational diabetes and I'm trying to control my blood sugar at all costs. I've done everything right, just wish it would stay within a range we can all be satisfied with. The OB nurse said that I'm in the "high risk" birth category now, so this is much less fun for me as I look at the end in sight...8 weeks.
In pondering these comments, I asked my doctor if I was progressing fine. She said I was measuring perfect and my weight is right on track, having only gained 15 lbs. I was overjoyed. Heck, even today I put on a pair of shorts that I normally fit into, that barely button, but are easy to subdue under a belly band. It made my day!
Needless to say, we officially started our birthing classes and it has been interesting so far. There are maybe 13 or so couples in there, with a good chunk of parents-to-be expecting close to the end of September. There are a two couples in there that are so young, it breaks my heart. They are teenagers, looking scared and out of place among us older, married couples, and I just think about the kids I teach and pray that they will make the right decisions. I also think of the MTV show Teen Mom and 16 and Pregnant, and think about their naivety and immaturity to handle such a complex situation. It does make me sad.
But it's fun to look around the room at all the parents-to-be and see the reactions of the dads in comparison to the moms on some of the topics discussed. I was so excited to see that they offer, in two of the birthing suites, jacuzzi tubs. I am already nervous with anticipation for the whole experience of labor and delivery and watching TLC's A Baby Story is not making me feel much more confident, by all means. Brad is joking that I won't be relaxed enough with just breathing and other techniques they suggest, so as soon as the OB nurse said that they had Jacuzzi tubs in two of the suites, he turned to me and said, "Now I know that will calm you down in a heartbeat." He is probably 100% right. I love the water. I love to swim and be near it. I loved our Jacuzzi at our old house. I can only imagine what it will do for me in the most intense portions of my labor. This may not be so bad after all.
But we've been fortunate. Despite our financial stress and trying to figure out what will happen in the next year or so with our careers and possibility of moving, yet again, we have been blessed by an abundance of support from family and friends. Brad's mom has done more than her share to get ready for the Baby Schroeder and we keep getting things that we find useful and need. It is so exciting. But then I feel completely OCD when I talk to other mom's at our class who have barely even started organizing or cleaning and here we are, with just the carpets left to clean. Seriously, I organized the clothes by age, have washed everything, put everything together, and we are waiting on the diaper bag to pack her overnight bag for the hospital...yeah, pathetic, I know. :)
This journey has been interesting and fun. Best moments have been hearing her heartbeat for the first time and feeling her move, for sure. We're dealing with gestational diabetes and I'm trying to control my blood sugar at all costs. I've done everything right, just wish it would stay within a range we can all be satisfied with. The OB nurse said that I'm in the "high risk" birth category now, so this is much less fun for me as I look at the end in sight...8 weeks.
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