Wednesday, July 29, 2009

You ask, I answer...


26 1/2 weeks! Welcome to the third trimester!

I don't know if other women share this opinion, or if it is just because I am one of the first of my close friends to have a child...but I feel like a broken record answering the same pregnancy related questions over and over and over again. So, I thought I would pick some of the frequently asked questions to answer on here, just to be sure everyone gets all the juicy details they desire. (I get so many requests for blog updates from people! I didn't think anyone read this other than our families-but thats awesome, so I need to keep the updates coming!)

So for week 1 in my FAPQ (frequently asked pregnancy questions) series:

Q: Have you continued to exercise during your pregnancy? how has your work out routine changed since becoming pregnant?

A: YES!!! I have remained very active throughout my pregnancy. However, my exercise routine has changed quite a bit because of the limitations during pregnancy. I used to run multiple times a week, but since becoming pregnant I haven't really felt that running was a good idea. Doctors say its okay, but the whole idea of bouncing the baby up and down in the heat and humidity of Atlanta just hasn't been real appealing to me. So, I've gone back to my old stomping grounds at the pool! We live 2 blocks from a huge city pool! I've been walking over a few days a week and swimming laps. Not only does it feel amazing to move your body and use your muscles, but the water takes all the strain off your aching back and ankles! (not to mention the nice golden tan you get logging hours at the pool)

On my off days from the pool, I've taken up walking my old running route around the park (about 3 miles with steep hills up and down) or at the river trails. I set a stopwatch and work to walk a certain distance within a certain amount of time. Johnny and I have been walking a lot together, so its nice to spend that time together too! At least once a week I try to do my prenatal yoga-I bought a great video that is similar to the type of yoga I did before I was pregnant. It has modifications for each trimester, and it feels absolutely amazing to stretch all the muscles out!

So thats pretty much my exercise program during pregnancy. Aside from exercising, I stay active working in the yard, always taking the stairs at work, etc etc. I notice a huge increase in my energy levels if I've been exercising or not.

Although there are some days when the overwhelming urge for a nap takes over, and I have my hubby to thank for pictures like these....


Friday, July 17, 2009

Rounding second, headed to third...





24 weeks-6 months pregnant! Time flies when you're having fun!

So at my appointment yesterday, my midwife reminded me that in another week I'd officially be in my third trimester! YIKES!! That snuck up on me. She also handed me a packet of information with a to-do list that has to be completed by 36 weeks-double YIKES! Of course this list did not include things like "build walls in the nursery", "obtain diaper genie", or "figure out what to name this baby". Thank goodness I'm a natural-born nester, I thrive on to-do lists!

Baby Ritger is doing wonderfully, he or she spends pretty much all day and all night kicking and
punching me. If you're sitting next to me you might get a surprise when you see my belly jump out all of a sudden on one of his or her head over heels flips! I think we're currently laying sideways in my belly, but that may change within the hour! I read this week that my baby is the size of a foot-long hot dog, we're getting up there! At work this week, I was working in the NICU with a baby that were born at 25 weeks-thats the same size as the baby growing inside of me now! Crazy!

Baby preparations continue to progress in our house. We purchased our crib and changing table last weekend (craigslist of course). Johnny has been trying out his plumming hat in recent weeks he is trying to install our clawfoot tub and all associated plumming. You will have to ask him how that is going:) We finished painting the back side of our house last weekend in preparation for the wedding shower I'm throwing for my sister-in-law and her fiancee this weekend. Only
one side left to paint!

In a few weeks we start childbirth class, and I had a long discussion with my midwife this week about natural childbirth vs. the epidural. I'm still on the fence with this one, and during our conversation she gave the analogy that childbirth was like playing a game of poker becuase you never know what card you will draw when its time to get the baby out! I'm a terrible card game player, so this worries me a little :) We'll see how the class goes, and if I commit to the natural decision we will sign up for hypnobirthing classes that focus completely on laboring and delivering naturally.

Next weekend is our hospital tour. It's funny because I work in a hosptial, but am absolutely terrified to be a patient in a hospital. I'm hoping the tour helps put some of my fears to rest.


A few pictures of recent happenings....

My wonderful hubby working on another one of my nesting projects, we all know a baby cannot come home to a half painted house!
The current state of affairs in the nursery and bathroom. Yes that is a huge hole in the wall leading directly into the kitchen, but at least the floors are finally gone! You can see the paint colors on the wall-green for the nursery and bright yellow in the bathroom.


Baby Ritger's new bed and changing table! At least baby will have somewhere to sleep even if his or her room isn't quite done yet :)

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Hilton Head


At the end of June, I went on our annual extended family beach trip to Hilton Head. We had beautiful weather for the whole week, got to see family that I wish I saw more, and of course a week off of work! I thought I would share a few pictures from the week.....




Monday, July 6, 2009

Hi Baby Ritger!

We recently went for our 20 week ultrasound and got to see our little bundle of joy ! The baby is perfect with all parts and organs developing normally-10 fingers and 10 toes. We're now at about 1 whole pound! I couldn't believe how active the little one was during the ultrasound-kicking, punching, rolling around, and we could even see baby sucking his or her thumb and yawning. It is absolutely amazing to get to see the person growing inside of me, doing everything a baby does. I am so relieved that everything is right on track and healthy. I asked the ultrasound technician about a hundred and two questions about possible heart defects, cleft lip and palates, and brain hemispheres, when she eventually asked me what I did for a living. When I told her I'm a speech therapist, and I work with special needs children, she smiled and said "that explains all the questions" before reassuring me again that everything looked perfect :) As planned, we turned our head when promped and I did not give in to the urge to peek at the ever- popular between the legs shots! Take a look at our little one...I think he/she is absolutely adorable already, but that just might be my mommy instincts kicking in...



The above is a picture of baby making a fist and getting ready to punch mom in the belly (one of baby's favorite activities at the moment)...look at that muscle definition-hopefully he/she will get mom's calf muscles!


Here's a picture of me at 20 weeks examining my belly....however this was taken
3 weeks ago. We are now at 23 weeks, and I feel like I've about doubled in size since then. The baby is moving all the time now, and every once in a while I get a really hard punch or kick right in the ribs-its amazing! Almost 6 months along-I can't believe it. We've been busy working on the nursery and bathroom renovations. I've bought paint colors for both, picked out my bedding, and am searching for the perfect crib in addition to fabric for drapes that I need to start working on. We're all registered for all our baby gear, and are putting together a guest list for our shower at the end of August! We have our boy name picked out, but are still working on the perfect girl name-both to remain a surprise until baby arrives. We're signed up for childbirth classes and go on our hospital tour in a few weeks. I feel wonderful, and continue to have absolutely no complaints. The questions of the moment from complete strangers in the grocery line include "is it a boy or a girl?" "do you have names picked out?" "are you swelling?", and "can I touch your belly?"

In case you are wondering...no, I am not swelling, the heat doesn't bother me at all , and I do not mind at all if people I know touch my belly-but I would prefer the random old women in Kroger to back away from my baby.


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