I haven't sorted through pictures from the weekend yet, but today marks week 25, so I thought I'd give a pregnancy update. This week I got a glimmer that the summer isn't going to be all puppies and roses. I started to feel a bit of uncomfortableness - it's hard to bend over, sleeping isn't as comfortable, continued heartburn, and tonight I noticed that my ankles are swollen. That's a new one. I thought I had a bit more time before the swollen ankles started. The flight/drive on Saturday also caused the first bit of sciatica, which I was also hoping to avoid. Now that it's flared up, it seems to be a bit persistant. I'll try to do some exercises we did in yoga class that will probably help. So, in essence, the second trimester honeymoon phase is ending and I fear it's going to be a long summer. I'm still determined to enjoy it all, but I might occassionally need some encouragement. Please don't think that my reports on symptoms are a bunch of complaining (although they may sometimes be), I just want to record everything that's going on.
In baby texan's world, here's what's happening this week:
- The structures of the spine begin to form -- joints, ligaments and rings.
- Blood vessels of the lungs develop.
- Nostrils begin to open.
- The nerves around the mouth and lip area are showing more sensitivity now.
- Swallowing reflexes are developing.
- Dexterity is improving. She can make a fist and would clasp objects placed in palm.
- She is approximately 13.6 inches long.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
We're home
We just walked in the door (Ok, not quite. i have eaten a bowl of cereal since getting home) after a delayed flight out of Seattle. Due to an electrical problem with the cabin intercom system, we sat on the tarmac in Seattle for about 1.5 hours. I was very uncomfortable for most of the flight, but it was uneventful otherwise once we got going.
It was a great trip. Pictures to follow.
It was a great trip. Pictures to follow.
Friday, May 25, 2007
On Vaca!
Tomorrow I'm off to Seattle for Chris and Corinne's wedding. The wedding is in Leavenworth on Sunday, and there is a whole weekend of festivities planned. Graeme is coming out on Sunday morning, since he is still in Virginia and can't get back before the last flight to Seattle tomorrow. We're staying a few extra days until Wednesday so that we can go to all our favourite restaurants, see some movies at the film festival and visit with friends. Yay! I'm really looking forward to it.
I even, shockingly, found a dress for the wedding (there is another wedding in a month that I needed it for too).
I even, shockingly, found a dress for the wedding (there is another wedding in a month that I needed it for too).
Thursday, May 24, 2007
24 weeks
Week 24. Wow, it seems to be going so quickly now. Maybe that's because I definitely look pregnant:
Sorry about the flash. Graeme is away, and the 'hold the camera out and click' thing doesn't get the angle or the full glory of the growing belly.
I've been feeling really good, although I'm sorry to report that the heartburn has returned, which I knew it would, but it was quite nice when it was gone for a few days. Otherwise, no side effects to report. She is very active, and continues to improve her aim at punching my bladder. I'm really enjoying this second trimester, it's just like they say - the honeymoon trimester.
I failed to post last week's developmental milestones. Week 23:
- Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a newborn although thinner since she hasn't begun to form body fat.
- Bones located in the middle ear harden. She is able to hear.
- The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks pigmentation.
- The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. She has begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars.
- If born now, your baby has a 15% chance of survival, his odds going up with each passing day. .
And week 24:
- Bring on the bulk! Baby gains about 6 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs.
- Her body begins to fill out with his appearance increasingly becoming more like a newborn.
- Taste buds begin to form.
- Little creases have appeared on the palms. The muscular coordination of his hands has improved.
- Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be forming in the skin.
- Lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.
- This week the baby is officially considered viable.
Sorry about the flash. Graeme is away, and the 'hold the camera out and click' thing doesn't get the angle or the full glory of the growing belly.
I've been feeling really good, although I'm sorry to report that the heartburn has returned, which I knew it would, but it was quite nice when it was gone for a few days. Otherwise, no side effects to report. She is very active, and continues to improve her aim at punching my bladder. I'm really enjoying this second trimester, it's just like they say - the honeymoon trimester.
I failed to post last week's developmental milestones. Week 23:
- Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a newborn although thinner since she hasn't begun to form body fat.
- Bones located in the middle ear harden. She is able to hear.
- The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks pigmentation.
- The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. She has begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars.
- If born now, your baby has a 15% chance of survival, his odds going up with each passing day. .
And week 24:
- Bring on the bulk! Baby gains about 6 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs.
- Her body begins to fill out with his appearance increasingly becoming more like a newborn.
- Taste buds begin to form.
- Little creases have appeared on the palms. The muscular coordination of his hands has improved.
- Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be forming in the skin.
- Lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.
- This week the baby is officially considered viable.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
What's cooking Wednesday
Graeme left this morning for a meeting in Virginia for a few days. We have emptied the fridge over the past few days, so I stopped by Central Market to get some food for myself - at least to hold me over until Saturday when I head to Seattle. I had planned to have my recent favourite dinner:
But I decided to check the prepared food section. I decided to get a twice baked potato and some veggies. The potato was huge, so I'll also have it for lunch tomorrow:
But I decided to check the prepared food section. I decided to get a twice baked potato and some veggies. The potato was huge, so I'll also have it for lunch tomorrow:
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Pig Pickin'
Tonight we were invited to a 'pig pickin', which is a sort of pig roast, but done on a bbq. You just cut off pieces as you want them. I only had one bite, but Graeme enjoyed it, as did Westley, who got a whole hoof. The second picture is Dan, the chef. He is one of Graeme's students, and the party was to celebrate him passing his quals last week.
What's cooking Friday
I haven't been cooking on Wednesday's because I'm currently doing the Self-Expression and Leadership Program course which is on Wednesday nights. But I do cook other nights, both Thursday and Friday this week, for instance. Last night we were hosting movie night, and filled the grill with chicken and jalapeno poppers. The chicken is one of our new favourites for the grill.
This recipe came from Karen, who got it from some ex-boyfriend's mother's neighbour. Got that? It's super simple:
Mrs. Logue's chicken
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp pepper
4 tsp paprika
2 tbsp tarragon
3 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp lemon juice
Combine everything together and brush on skinless (bone-in) chicken thighs just before grilling. Don't put it on ahead of time, or it will be too strong. Enough for 8 thighs.
We made enough to have lots of leftovers. They are great cold, or on sandwiches.
Jonathan came through with a delicious dessert. He hollowed out an angel food cake and filled it with chopped mango, kiwi and whipped cream, and then topped it with strawberries. Yum.
This recipe came from Karen, who got it from some ex-boyfriend's mother's neighbour. Got that? It's super simple:
Mrs. Logue's chicken
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp pepper
4 tsp paprika
2 tbsp tarragon
3 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp lemon juice
Combine everything together and brush on skinless (bone-in) chicken thighs just before grilling. Don't put it on ahead of time, or it will be too strong. Enough for 8 thighs.
We made enough to have lots of leftovers. They are great cold, or on sandwiches.
Jonathan came through with a delicious dessert. He hollowed out an angel food cake and filled it with chopped mango, kiwi and whipped cream, and then topped it with strawberries. Yum.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
ahhhhhhhh
It became clear from the picture I posted yesterday that I'm fooling myself by thinking my regular clothes still fit. Clearly, they do not. So, this morning I dug into one of the two boxes of maternity clothes that people have lent me (thanks Karen and Jocelyn!) and pulled out a pair of maternity shorts. Oh. My. God. They are so comfortable.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Finally a new post
Erika has been visiting since the weekend, and I've neglected posting all week. She has been taking a few pictures, so not much excuse not to post. She took this one after I said "these clothes fit last week!":
We had a prenatal appointment this morning. Everything is going great, with 13 lb weight gain so far, great blood pressure, and measuring right on target. We asked if we could take a little peek at her on the ultrasound so that Erika could see her. She didn't cooperate and show us her profile, but we did get to see her which is always exciting.
And here is me and my sweet dog:
We had a prenatal appointment this morning. Everything is going great, with 13 lb weight gain so far, great blood pressure, and measuring right on target. We asked if we could take a little peek at her on the ultrasound so that Erika could see her. She didn't cooperate and show us her profile, but we did get to see her which is always exciting.
And here is me and my sweet dog:
Sunday, May 13, 2007
More mother's day thoughts
Some wikipedia seaching turns up the fact that Mother's Day is much older than Hallmark, and has much better, loftier intentions than flower and card sales, and long distance telephone charges. Julia Ward Howe, abolitionist, activist and poet, wrote the "Mother's Day Proclamation" in 1870 as a call to women and their responsibility to promote peace.
What she wrote:
Arise, then, women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts,
Whether our baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."
From the bosom of the devastated Earth a voice goes up with our own.
It says: "Disarm! Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."
Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace,
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God.
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And at the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.
Just as apt today as in 1870 and a whole new perspective on Mother's Day.
What she wrote:
Arise, then, women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts,
Whether our baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country, will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."
From the bosom of the devastated Earth a voice goes up with our own.
It says: "Disarm! Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."
Blood does not wipe out dishonor, nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace,
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God.
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And at the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.
Just as apt today as in 1870 and a whole new perspective on Mother's Day.
Thoughts on Mother's Day
I generally ignore what I refer to as 'Hallmark Holidays'. You know the ones - Valentine's day, Secretary's day, Mother's and Father's Days. But I find this year that Mother's day has been on my mind a bit, both because I'm in the process of becoming a mother and because I no longer have my mum. After my mum's death, I found I got angry when anyone complained about their mother. I felt everyone should be grateful they had a mother. I still feel that way, but I don't get worked up when someone talks negatively about their relationship with their mother since it is a very complicated, important relationship. But I do find at Mother's day those feelings return. Complaints about having to call your mother? I wish I could call my mum.
This isn't meant to be a guilt post. I have also been thinking about what kind of mum I'll be, of how I'm already becoming a mother which is a gradual process. I hope to be as good at it as my mum was, and I hope my daughter will look forward to calling on Mother's day.
This isn't meant to be a guilt post. I have also been thinking about what kind of mum I'll be, of how I'm already becoming a mother which is a gradual process. I hope to be as good at it as my mum was, and I hope my daughter will look forward to calling on Mother's day.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Week 22
The belly shot this week was taken in the evening, when the belly is at it's finest. B.T. has been getting stronger, with more visible belly movement and strong kicking this week. The great thing this week is that the heartburn has gone. yay! I've been feeling really good, and definitely falling in love with her already.
This week:
- She can now hear your conversations more clearly.
- Eyelids and eyebrows are fully formed.
- Fingernails have grown to the end of the fingers.
- The brain has entered a stage of rapid growth, especially in what's called the germinal matrix. This structure deep in the middle of the brain serves as a kind of factory for brain cells and disappears shortly before birth.
- The liver is starting to break down bilirubin, a substance produced by red blood cells.
- Length is 10.94 inches (27.8cm); weight is nearly 1 pound (430gm).
This week:
- She can now hear your conversations more clearly.
- Eyelids and eyebrows are fully formed.
- Fingernails have grown to the end of the fingers.
- The brain has entered a stage of rapid growth, especially in what's called the germinal matrix. This structure deep in the middle of the brain serves as a kind of factory for brain cells and disappears shortly before birth.
- The liver is starting to break down bilirubin, a substance produced by red blood cells.
- Length is 10.94 inches (27.8cm); weight is nearly 1 pound (430gm).
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Tagged
Karen tagged me for the 4 things meme. So, here we go:
Four jobs I've had.
1. Camp counsellor
2. Waitress
3. HVAC engineer
4. Bike Mechanic
Four Movies I can watch over and over again.
1. The Princess Bride
2. When Harry met Sally
3. Office Space
4. Off the Map
Four places I have lived (oh, where to start - we've moved A LOT).
1. Fonthill, Ontario
2. Seattle, WA
3. Los Alamos, NM
4. Brisbane, Australia
Four television shows I love to watch.
1. Lost
2. House M.D.
3. The Amazing Race
4. Survivor
(who knew that this meme would be so embarrassing)
Four places I have been on vacation.
1. France
2. Australia
3. Domincan Republic
4. Cayman Brac
Four of my favourite dishes
1. Chicken Tikka Masala
2. Pad Thai
3. Sushi, specifically yellowtail nigiri from Toyoda's in Seattle
4. Margherita pizza
Four Websites I visit daily.
1. Dooce
2. Virtually There
3. Google news
4. Mighty Goods
Four Places I'd rather be right now.
1. Hiking with my dog
2. Mountain biking
3. At the cottage
4. Any mountain town in Colorado
Four bloggers I am tagging.
Ok, I don't have many friends who blog, and I'm not going to re-tag my sister. So, just one tag: Heather
Four jobs I've had.
1. Camp counsellor
2. Waitress
3. HVAC engineer
4. Bike Mechanic
Four Movies I can watch over and over again.
1. The Princess Bride
2. When Harry met Sally
3. Office Space
4. Off the Map
Four places I have lived (oh, where to start - we've moved A LOT).
1. Fonthill, Ontario
2. Seattle, WA
3. Los Alamos, NM
4. Brisbane, Australia
Four television shows I love to watch.
1. Lost
2. House M.D.
3. The Amazing Race
4. Survivor
(who knew that this meme would be so embarrassing)
Four places I have been on vacation.
1. France
2. Australia
3. Domincan Republic
4. Cayman Brac
Four of my favourite dishes
1. Chicken Tikka Masala
2. Pad Thai
3. Sushi, specifically yellowtail nigiri from Toyoda's in Seattle
4. Margherita pizza
Four Websites I visit daily.
1. Dooce
2. Virtually There
3. Google news
4. Mighty Goods
Four Places I'd rather be right now.
1. Hiking with my dog
2. Mountain biking
3. At the cottage
4. Any mountain town in Colorado
Four bloggers I am tagging.
Ok, I don't have many friends who blog, and I'm not going to re-tag my sister. So, just one tag: Heather
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
I rode to work today, a last minute decision since I was planning to drive. But riding just seemed like a good idea. However, my road bike is getting more and more uncomfortable, and I didn't feel like riding it. I also haven't put slicks on any of my mountain bikes, so I just hopped on the other option. This:
Not exactly designed for a 25 mile round trip commute, but it turned out to be super fun. I did get a bit of chafing from the big seat, but that can be easily addressed. It takes longer to get to work, of course, but it's very relaxing and quite comfortable for everyone (me and b.t.) involved.
Not exactly designed for a 25 mile round trip commute, but it turned out to be super fun. I did get a bit of chafing from the big seat, but that can be easily addressed. It takes longer to get to work, of course, but it's very relaxing and quite comfortable for everyone (me and b.t.) involved.
Monday, May 7, 2007
ommmmm
I know I've posted about prenatal yoga before, but I just got home and I love it so much, I have to gush a bit. It's just so lovely to be surrounded by other pregnant women. To see various bellies and hear how people are feeling. I went twice last week, and I'm going to plan to do that again this week. The expense it totally worth it.
Ommmmmmm.
Ommmmmmm.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Visible belly movement!
Baby Texan is being very active as I sit catching up on email this morning. I pulled my shirt up to see the belly, and there is visible movement - bulges here and there as she stretches. She also has a knack for direct hits to the bladder.d
Saturday, May 5, 2007
21 weeks
21 (and a half) weeks. I've been feeling great, in fact in the last week or so I've really started to enjoy being pregnant. I feel her moving throughout the day, and I'm starting to look pregnant (the picture today definitely emphasizes it because of the angle). I've been going to prenatal yoga, which I also really enjoy. I went to a class yesterday and there were nine beautiful pregnant woman. It is starting to feel like a really cool adventure.
This week:
- White blood cells are under production.
- The skin has changed from translucent to become more opaque.
- The tongue is fully formed.
- The uterus and vagina are formed.
- She swallows more this week.
- Wake and sleep periods become more consistent. My eating and sleeping habits as well levels of light and noise serve as her signals.
- Length is now measured crown to heel.
- Baby measures about 10.51 inches.
This week:
- White blood cells are under production.
- The skin has changed from translucent to become more opaque.
- The tongue is fully formed.
- The uterus and vagina are formed.
- She swallows more this week.
- Wake and sleep periods become more consistent. My eating and sleeping habits as well levels of light and noise serve as her signals.
- Length is now measured crown to heel.
- Baby measures about 10.51 inches.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Nothing's cooking Wednesday
Nothing is cooking other days around here either. Actually, we had savoury pies for dinner (classic chicken for me, traditional beef for Graeme) from the Australia pie shop. They are delicious, but it's heating, not cooking. I haven't cooked a meal in awhile actually. Don't really remember when I last did. Unless you count the scrambled eggs I had both Monday and Tuesday nights. I have been pretty busy this week, and we haven't gotten groceries in awhile. I'll cook on the weekend, but for now I'm managing to eat well (protien every meal per midwife's instructions) without actually cooking.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
I can't believe I forgot to post this!
On Friday, Graeme felt Baby Texan move! It was very exciting. She's been very active today, so there might be a repeat performance.
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