Week 31: Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Weight: 144 pounds

Symptoms: extreme fatigue, insomnia, frequent urination, acid reflux/heartburn, back and rib pain, edema (face, ankles, and calves)

Mood: exhausted, grateful, shocked

Watching: Breaking Bad, season 1

I'm so shocked because it seem like it was just last week that I had a super-bionic nose, extreme food aversions, and a mostly flat (but bloated) abdomen. Well, here we are seven months later. I've witnessed my body going through so many fascinating changes, and I've felt the first stirrings of a motherly instinct kick in during this time.

I'm exhausted because of that insomnia I was just talking about in my last post. I honestly don't think I've ever been this tired in my entire life. I am having a hard time coping! At work, I have to get up and walk around the entire office about once an hour just to keep myself somewhat alert.

Oddly, one food aversion has come back: chicken. I don't know why, but it's strange. And yucky feeling.

I'm grateful because, first, I've made it this far. If Torin were born today, he would most likely survive. Second, after my amazing baby shower and the well-wishes from friends and family members, I'm on cloud nine. It's like a dream when I walk in to Torin's room and look at the crib, the clothes laid out on the dresser, the swing, and the toys. I truly cannot believe this is happening!

Now, I wonder when the reality will finally set in...

Yawn.

I just woke up from a nap. I've been doing this a lot lately, this taking a nap when I get home from work. Because I get so little quality sleep at night, I end up spending most of my day concentrating on keeping my eyelids open. Even when I take Benadryl at bedtime to help me sleep, its effect lasts only for four hours, and then I am wide awake. I toss and turn because I can't get comfortable, I get up to pee almost every hour, and I cough and choke because of the acid reflux that has been plaguing me for the past couple of weeks.

I was taking Pepcid for my acid problems, and it had been working fine until last night. I was so restless that Joey ended up sleeping on the couch. I guess I'll try Prilosec tonight.

Of course, Torin likes to stay busy. He's definitely a mover and shaker, especially at night. He often kicks so hard that I am jolted from my sleep. That's okay, I still love him anyway.

Oh, happy day!

I am extremely exhausted by now, but I just wanted to write a quick post about how awesome my shower was today. Jennifer, Stacy, Sarah H., and Sarah C. did such a fabulous job with this event--so much so that I felt my wine basket thank-you gifts were inadequate. These ladies really went above and beyond to make today special, and they definitely succeeded.

It was great to see family and friends I hadn't seen in a long time. My face hurts from smiling so much. Oh, and of course Torin got loads and loads of goodies--we barely had enough room in our Explorer for all of them! I was (and am) overwhelmed and humbled by everyone's generosity.

Later, Joey and I met up with family again, this time at Dick's Last Resort. My aunt married the guy who owns the place, so we all got hooked up with a free meal and tons of laughs.

I hope to post pictures sometime soon. In the meantime, I think I need to kick up my swollen feet and relax in front of the TV. The perfect ending to the perfect day.

On today's agenda: a baby shower!

I am so excited! I feel like a kid just before Christmas morning. I can't wait to see family and friends whom I haven't seen in a long time; some of them are even traveling to town just for this event.

Not one who likes to be the center of attention, I hope I can handle being in the spotlight today. I'm normally a wallflower, a sit-back-and-observe kind of gal. I will do my best not to say or do anything awkward, as I am the queen of social faux pas, it seems.

I am sure Jennifer, Sarah C., Sarah H., and Stacy did a fabulous job planning this shower. They're all so creative--I envy them! I bought each of them a wine basket to show my appreciation for their generosity and hard work.

The guys will all be there today, including Joey and Andrew. I wanted to make sure that they will be around because I've friends with them all for so long, and I didn't want this event to be exclusively for women. Plus, I'll need Joey's help loading the gifts into the car!

Here's to a joyous day of cake and hugs and smiles and laughs!

Photo: Week 30

The insomnia is talking its toll on me, can't you tell? Really, though, I am happier than expression on my face.

Week 30: Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Weight: 145 pounds

Symptoms: fatigue, insomnia, heartburn/acid reflux, back pain (mostly upper right ribs), edema in the face and ankles, shortness of breath

Mood: excited

I had a routine OB visit yesterday. The baby's heartbeat sounds very good, and my measurements are right on schedule. I got a second Rhogam injection (because of my negative blood type). That was about it. Uneventful, which is a good thing these days.

I've had to start taking Pepcid AC before bedtime for the past few days because of the horrible acid problems that have set in. The acid bubbling in my throat wakes me from my sleep--and grosses me out. Luckily, the medicine has taken care of that issue. What a horrid, uncomfortable feeling that is. I've never had heartburn or acid problems in my entire life, so these sensations are new to me. I hope they're only temporary.

Another new development is my having to get out of bed every 2 hours or so to go pee. Between this and the acid issue, I'm lucky to get any sleep at all lately, which means my days are spent with me concentrating on keeping my eyelids open.

But I'm still loving being a mommy-to-be, every moment of it.

A not-so-august August.

We're continuing to make progress in our preparations for Torin's arrival. We finally paid off and picked up his furniture this weekend. Also, we put his stroller on layaway. I hope he loves his Baby Jogger City Select:


We chose this stroller because of its high quality and safety ratings and also because we can add another full seat to it later, should Torin be lucky enough to have a sibling.

Now that it's August, the unforgiving Texas summer heat is at its most powerful. It has drained me of my energy. I have been overtaken by sluggishness and malaise. Not good when I still have so much to do in Torin's nursery!