Wake-up call

I fell down the stairs this morning. Well, it wasn't really a fall. More like a slide.

One of the dogs woke me up wanting to go outside. I was half asleep (and wanted to stay that way so I might be able to go back to bed). As I walked down the stairs, I slipped and fell. It was only two or three steps, so not a big deal. And baby and mom were completely fine. I did, however, manage to get a pretty good scrap/bruise on my arm (where I caught it on the banister). And later on, I discovered a small scratch on my leg. Of course, it was bleeding a bit.

I've got to admit...it scared me more than anything. For one, it took me back to my big fall in May. I'm still dealing with the after effects of that one. While the worker's comp insurance company wasted no time in clearing me from my injuries, I'm still hurting a bit. There are areas of my upper tail bone/lower back that I still struggle with. They're easy to find. I scream in pain when Dan touches them...and they're still mushy (like it's a never-ending bruise that won't go away). But today's fall also convinced me I need to be more careful. I'm a klutz as it is. This pregnancy just makes me more of one.

Breech

I suspect, but I don't know for sure, that our little one may have flipped. As of Dec. 17 (the date of our last appointment), he was definitely breech. But today I noticed a difference in my belly. While it used to be really easy to pick out his head (that was the area of my belly that stuck out really far and was really, really hard), it's a little bit more difficult now. There's still a lump, but it doesn't seem as large. It seems like it's more butt-like than head-like. That being said, I'm only guessing.

The kicks still seem to be coming from the same area; however, I feel a lot more comfortable today. It's easier to get up and down from a sitting position. I have a lot less aching pain. And I just feel different.

I might actually worry a bit if the baby wasn't taking every opportunity to remind me that he's still in there.

Update time

• As of today, I'm 29 weeks and 5 days along in this pregnancy. I could be a mom in 72 days (or 65 days if we're going with the fact that I'll probably be induced at 39 weeks).

• The nursery is coming along well, and the list of things we need to purchase before baby gets here is down to a very, very small list. Dan put together our rocker yesterday. The crib and changing table have been set up for months, and I folded and put away another load of clothes last night.

• I know this is a long way off, but I can't wait until Christmas next year. It was so fun watching my niece Kayla unwrap presents this year. I know next year our little one will be the same exact age. I'm so excited.

• We meet with the photographer who is going to be doing the little peanut's newborn session tomorrow night. I've checked out some of her work on her blog. It's fantastic. It will be so nice to have those lasting memories.

• What we're going to name our little one continues to be a big topic of conversation. Not for us, but for others. I think yesterday, alone, I was asked four or five times if we've picked a name out. Most people are very respectful when we tell them we have, but that we're not sharing. That's good. Some people like to provide advice. "Don't name him xxxxx." "Or my uncle's daughter's sister named her kid xxxx. I hope you don't do something like that." For the most part, I find it all pretty funny. While the name that we've picked is not in the top 25 boys names of the past few years, it is in the top 100. It's not that unusual, but it's not the most common name either. Months ago, when we first started telling people that we were expecting, we shared some name ideas with my grandma. On Christmas Eve, she told us that she liked all of them but one. The one she hated? Our back-up name. Good thing name No. 1 seems pretty secure at this point.

• Have I mentioned that I'm exhausted?

• No swelling in the feet or the hands yet, but I'm expecting that will start soon.

• Our next doctor's appointment is on Jan. 3. On Jan. 13, we have another ultrasound.

• We've finally signed up for classes. We'll be doing the all-day childbirth class on Jan. 22. And the transition/breastfeeding class on Feb. 7.

No sleep...again

I haven't really been sleeping. And it really has nothing to do with me being uncomfortable. For the most part, the physical part of sleeping is going well. Sure, it's not easy to roll over, and if I'm sleeping on my right side, my arms fall asleep. But still, it could be so much worse.
My biggest problem is my head. If I'm up, I stay awake. There's no falling asleep. And if I'm sleeping, I'm having nightmares. Strange ones. Last night, the last one I remember (and I say last one, because I know I have several a night) had to do with work.
I came to work and my co-workers had turned against me. They were making fun of me for being pregnant and saying that they don't think I should work here anymore. Then my boss told me he wanted me to cover a 12-hour concert event in the hot, summer heat. (nevermind that it's not even summer) I asked him if I could take breaks and he said no. I told him that I was pregnant and I didn't know if I could stay in the heat that long. And he said "Tough. I guess it's either cover the event or quit." He did however remind me not to have a drink of alcohol until I was done working. "But I can't even drink right now," I said.
As my co-workers chanted "Quit. Quit. Quit" I finally woke up.

Completely touched

A week or so ago, I got an e-mail from my friend, Jackie, saying that she had just gotten me the best present for a momma-to-be that she could think of. She was excited, and I was excited to see what it was.

Well, when Dan and I got home from work tonight (we rarely get home at the same time; that was a victory in itself), a small package was waiting for us. I opened it up and there was a small box and a card. The card didn't give away what it was, so I quickly opened the box. I was shocked, touched and just plain old excited all at the same time.

Jackie bought us a newborn photo session with a local photographer. While it's totally something that she would think of, it was so generous of her that I immediately teared up a bit.

One of the things I really, really love about Jackie is that she totally recongizes what it took for us to get to this point. We didn't just start trying to have a baby one day. It took three years and a lot of tears. I've always felt like she understood those obstacles. Since she became a mom earlier this year, she probably understands it a little bit more. I think she also knew what that kind of gift would mean to Dan and I. It means that we get to document our son...forever. What a fantastic gift.

Ahh...sleep

I slept 10 hours last night. 10!
Dan and I were both falling asleep on the couch, so we decided to go to bed really early...at 8 p.m.
I'll admit, it did take me an hour or so to fall asleep. And I woke up several times in the middle of the night, only to lay there for at least 15 minutes before falling back to sleep. Still, I slept 10 hours!
It's been several years since I slept that long.

And...it's back

The exhaustion has returned. I'll admit...I had hoped I'd be able to ride this second trimester energy surge a little longer. But when I got home from work this evening, I couldn't keep my eyes open. I napped off and on on the couch for about 30 minutes or so. Now, I'm debating on whether I should just head to bed.
I'm 28 weeks, 4 days along today. I think a combination of that, the time of year and how many things are going on and the stresses of work probably are to blame for my current state. Or maybe I'm just not getting enough sleep. Who knows.

Excitement

I just logged in and my ticker on the side says 81 days until baby is here. (if we go with the fact that my doctor said she'll likely induce at 39 weeks, it's more like 74). That's crazy.
It seems to be going so fast...and I'm getting excited. A few months ago, it seemed like we had so long to go. Now, it feels like it's right around the corner.
While we're prepared, I feel like there's so much to do before he gets here. At the same time, I can't wait to meet him.

Good appointment

I really do love my doctor. For some reason, she has the ability to put my mind at ease...no matter what the issue.

We had our 28-appointment today, and I went in scared of what the doctor would say about the fibroid that was discovered at my 24-week appointment. The doctor I saw at that appointment told me not to worry, but then proceeded to tell me about the pain it would cause, the issues it likely caused with my fertility and the fact that it could cause pre-term labor.

Today, most of my worries were taken care of. We had an ultrasound and it looks as if things with the fibroid are as well as can be expected. It hasn't grown. And it's actually moved to a different area (that's one that my doctor couldn't quite explain --she said it's possible my uterus has twisted a bit). They'll still keep an eye on things, but the fibroid news is the best we could have gotten.

As for baby boy, he's perfect. He's currently about 3 pounds and measuring in the 83rd percentile. But the doctor said the higher percentile has more to do with the fact that he has "really, really long legs" than his current weight. She even took the leg measurements twice, because she couldn't quite believe it. It sounds like we might have a tall little boy.

He's also still...well, a boy. "There's the junk right there," the doctor said. No joke.

I'll go back on Jan. 3 for a checkup and then on Jan. 13 for another ultrasound. It sounds like we'll have many more ultrasounds before this thing is finished...just to keep an eye on things. Right now, the plan is to induce at around 39 weeks.

I've been worrying lately about the fact that I look really pregnant. The doctor did make a quick comment about how she could see exactly where little boy's head is and that I've really popped. But he and I are still well within every statistical category. Baby is measuring right where he should. And I've gained 15 pounds -- nothing to be concerned about. Whew!

Updates

* I still have that nasty cold I've been fighting for almost three weeks.

* I experienced the true meaning of "pregnancy brain" last night. While playing cards with friends, I couldn't do anything right. My brain just wouldn't...think. It was actually quite embarassing.

* I also experienced my first braxton hicks contractions last night. There were just two of them (about five minutes apart). It didn't really hurt. It was just a little uncomfortable.

* Sleeping has become damn near impossible. Between the cold, being hot all the time, my mind running wild and the beginning of hip pain, it's not a pleasant experience. If I get to sleep and stay asleep, I'm fine. But if I get woken up for any reason (which happens at least five times a night in my household) I can't go back to sleep. I wake up singing songs in my head, I find myself grinding my teeth when my head hurts and because my hips hurt I'm constantly flipping sides. I'm not complaining though. It could be so much worse.

I'm being silly

I know this is crazy, but I've started thinking maybe I look "too pregnant." I still haven't hit the 15 pounds gained mark yet, but over the last three weeks, my belly has really popped...again.
Little comments here and there from friends and family have started making me pretty self aware of this growing baby inside of me. They mean nothing by them and really, it should make me feel good. I mean, it's not my lumpy fat rolls that people are seeing. It's my baby boy.
At 24 weeks, I was measuring a week ahead. Tomorrow, I'll be 27 weeks.
I've started googling pictures of other women and how they look at 27 weeks. Some look smaller, some look about the same and some are quite a bit larger. Actually, the majority of the ones I've found are probably about the same or larger. It's made me feel a bit better.
I think I need to keep reminding myself that every woman is different. Is my belly large...definitely. Do I look further along than I am? I might. Does it make a difference? Not really. My baby is healthy, and judging by the number of kicks, very happy. Right now, that's all that should be important to me.

(Check back later for belly pics. I wasn't going to post any, but I think it's only fair).

Must-have purchase

This morning I was up a little earlier than normal and didn't have to be to work for a while, so I headed to Target to pick up some essentials for the baby's room (clock, changing table mattress, changing table cover, etc.). But while there, I found something I had to have.
Throughout this pregnancy, co-workers and family members have taken it upon themselves to name our little one. Names range from Rocky and Rufus to my brother James's favorite, Denard.
Target had this piggy bank shaped as a dog. Around the dog's neck was a collar and a tag with the name...you guessed it...Rufus. It was just $12.99 and it made me laugh...a lot. I'm sure Dan will get a laugh at my expense, but I had to have it.

Must needed vacation

Today is my last day of work before getting five days off. And I need them. I feel like the last few weeks have been sick, sick, sick, sick, sick, run, run, run, run, run. I've gotten to the point that exhaustion is commonplace instead of the exception (maybe I'm just being prepared when for baby gets here?). When I've had time to nap, which hasn't been often, I haven't been able to.
I have no plans for those five days. Sure, I'd like to catch up on laundry, work a little on the baby's room, clean the house, wrap Christmas presents, etc., but it doesn't really matter whether I do all that on day 1, day 3 or day 5. My first plan of action is relaxation. Sleeping in is impossible in my household, but that doesn't mean I can't take a morning nap...and then maybe another one in the afternoon. :)

The need to pee

One thing I won't miss once this baby is born -- the constant need to pee. I never used to get up in the middle of the night. Now, I get up at least two times...sometimes three.
But during the day is worse. Little boy likes to kick my bladder, which has me running to the bathroom. Work only has two stalls in the women's restroom, which means that sometimes I end up waiting. Then as soon as I pee, it almost immediately feels like I need to pee again.
As I move towards the third trimester (26 weeks today...yay!), it will almost certainly get worse.