My Rock-a-Belly Baby

Rockin' and Rolling all night long

2007-05-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

30 weeks PREGNANT and counting!

"I wanna rock and roll all night! And party everyday!"-KISS

It's been a while and I believe I will have make time to sit down and do this my when life slows down. My job is occupying abuot 80% of my life at the moment and won't stop until June 11th. I am directing a school musical that debuts this week...I am nervous and excited for the kids. We have worked on this show since January and now it is curtain time.

I have never directed before...I've assisted, but have never ran the project. I know I am only putting on a school production...but when you think about it...I must ask: Would you rather direct 50 adults (ages 19-50) or 50 kids (ages 8-13)? And why?

Anyway, it has been stressful, yet fun. However, Report cards are looking more like a break from everything rather than another pain the @$$. I am sure I'll be singing a different tune in another week.

This baby of ours has some jimmy-legs like you wouldn't believe.

At night, when my head finally hits the pillow...it begins. The pushing, punching, kicking, rocking and rolling like Steven Tyler to Walk this Way.

You can actually see the blankets move by her force. She is havin' just a good ole time in my uterus while I am trying to catch a few winks. When she got the hiccups the other night, it felt like a John Bonham drum solo..head bangin' and everything. When Don leans in to say "hello," she pops him one right in the ear! Hmmm....Tommy Lee? I have no doubt that when she is born, her first gesture will be ...

This April Fool has Pregnancy Brain!

2007-04-02T06:15:00.000-07:00

I am 22 weeks pregnant and have been feeling her kick and push and roll for the past few weeks. She's active when I am not and still and quiet when I am not. Notice the hip "white bra showing through the black shirt" look . Sexy!

Don went to a Black Sabbath concert in London last weekend. He went shopping while he was there and bought our daughter the cutest onesie.

After 3 weeks of pondering what the hell I am going to write about this time, it dawns on me that concentrating on the tiniest thoughts is becoming an increasingly greater challenge. The other day, I was at a workshop with my friend and colleague, Tom. I had something to ask him, so I turned to speak and opened my mouth, "Ah...er," was all I muttered. Whatever it was that I needed to ask him was gone, lost in the abyss of my pregnant brain, never to be discovered again. I am facing a new reality and it is a monster. Stupidity that comes with its own excuse. Watch out!

THIS CAN HAPPEN TO YOU!

1. lock your keys in the car.

2. lock them in your spouse's car...in plain sight of onlookers and realize it much later!

3. accidentally throw out the hard copies of baby's ultrasound pictures....I'm still guilting over this one.

4. forget obligations and responsibilities such as, school yard duty. Sshhhh..please don't tell my principal.

5. while driving...ask yourself if you remembered to grab the car keys.

6. accidentally put your underwear on inside-out more than once a week.

7. search high and low for the sunglasses that are gently nestled on top of your head.

8. pull into a gas station on the wrong side of the gas tank...only to realize it after you get out of the car.

9. check the gas prices and gawk in shock at how much people pay for premium grade gasoline..what are they thinking? Lift the nozzle, select the grade and start pumping $20.00. At $19.75 you notice that your are in fact pumping premium grade gasoline into your car for the 1st time ever. Dammit!

10. rub hair product all over your face like moisturizer, just after you have already moisturized.

I'll have a Mexican Hot Chocolate and a Baby GIRL please.

2007-03-12T05:42:00.000-07:00

I am a few days late in adding this post. So let's pretend it is Tuesday, March 6th, the day of my 2nd ultrasound. (I am also feeling like crap, sore throat and achy and tired...and I've been having such a good run of things so far! Happy friggin' March Break... at least writing this post will definitely cheer me up.)

Anyone who has had an ultrasound, knows how brutal the bladder feels after you have to hold 40 oz. of water in it for more than an hour. I knew it was coming, but man I didn't know how bad!

Don woke up so excited this morning, because we knew that we were going to find out the sex today. We washed up and went out early to have breakfast at our local greasy spoon. During and after my Belgian waffle and fried ham slice, I guzzled a good 32 oz. Standing up to pay the bill was a shocker! It felt like the water plummeted from my guts to my bladder like Niagara frickin' Falls. Okay, 4o mins. until my appointment. Now what? I didn't wanna do anything but sit cross-legged. Don recommended driving to the Imaging Centre to see if they could take us early. Well, for the 2nd time, we went to the wrong location (same for our 1st ultrasound). Huh, well back into the car we went, crossed my legs and held the seat belt as far away from my midsection as I could. We got there and I got to wait 20 mins. They called me in for 30 mins. of measuring the baby and all of its internal organs.

19 weeks old.....so cute.

2/3rds of the way through, the technician told me my bladder was too full and to empty what I felt to be about 1/2. Thank God! 1/2? Hmmm..alright, she seemed to trust me. I emptied "1/2" (whatever) and finished measuring. Don was allowed to come in now and find out what we were going to have. The moment we had been waiting for and the technician showed us the missing scrotum and 3 lines representing the labia and opening. It's a girl and she was 99.9 % sure. Unless it's a boy with no scrotum. We'll take our chances that it is a girl. Don did a silent cheer behind behind the tech's back and I giggled. I tried to completely enjoy the moment but I still had to pee like a mofo. The tech gave me the go ahead and I emptied Niagara Falls right back to whence it came. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

The rest of the day was also amazing. Don and I spent it revelling together. First, we went to Don's parent's house and showed his mom the images. She cried and had to sit down. After visualizing Christmases to come (Christmas is a HUGE deal with Don's family...it's great), she told us we had to go and buy something for our daughter. Gladly! We go to the mall and find a cute little onesie that says "Busy Bee" on the front. Then we went to The Mini. A Vietnamese restaurant in Windsor that we frequented when we first started dating, 13 years ago. Yum! Next, we were off to Taloolah Lounge for my favourite beverage at the moment....Mexican Hot Chocolate. Last, we went home for a well-deserved nap, since neither of us slept well the night before. It was a beautiful day and we made the most of it. Thank you Donnie!

We'd be happy to hear any favourite girl names! Please feel free to offer any ideas! I need a losenge......later.

3:28 am

2007-03-10T00:28:00.000-08:00

I did not realize that once you start a journal and you let it go for a little bit, that your brain starts to store ideas and thoughts for later. My brain never used to do that. Now, I wake up (just like now) to make sure I don't forget to mention this thought and that feeling. I am a tad behind and must warn that I may take this post into a non-linear direction.

So, here I am awake for no reason. My nose dry and stuffed at the same time. It only does this at bedtime, mind you. My nose can whistle like a snowstorm under these conditions and keep me up for a while. It's ridiculous!

I am supposed to sleep on my left. But it seems, I can only fall asleep on my right. I hope baby don't mind. I can hear my whistling kettle of a nose more clearly when I lay on my left side. I have severe hearing loss in my left ear. So when I sleep on my right side, my left ear is open and my good right ear is perfectly muffled by my pillow. Hearing-loss..it's a blessing and curse, but more so the latter.

Yesterday I experienced my first sensation of boob meets stomach. ME...miss little chest...can now say that her boobs can touch her stomach at the slightest bend. WOW! I think I will take some pride in this fact for now. Can you believe that that was one of the feelings that I had to make sure I wrote down? That that was one of the thoughts that kept me awake tonight? "Michelle, don't forget to mention the boob thing!"
Minutia becomes a big deal when your pregnant. Everything matters.

My school had a class walking field trip to the local ice rink for skating. The 6th grade teacher and myself were to walk together with his class. He took the front and I took the rear. Well, the days of keeping up are long gone. At my quickest pace, that class managed to outwalk me by almost 1/2 a block. Good thing the special needs students like to walk slow too. I had great company on my waddle to the ice rink. Once we got there, I decided to make the most out of not being allowed to skate and grabbed a chunk of change from my pocket and waited in line with the 8 and 9 yr. olds for one of the best things in the world...arena fries! Drown them in Ketchup and Vinegar and eat them with a tiny, plastic, 2-pronged fork. Aaah...sweet bliss. I washed them down with a hot chocolate and the world was great even though my ass was freezing.

Cute part: Last year, when the school went skating, one of the behavioural needs students and I skated all over together. We sort of bonded. Well, this year that very same kid decided to sit this one out with me and keep me company in the stands. He was also one of the kids who walked nice and slow with me, not that he had to, mind you, he just did.

Happy Bums..Happy Mums!

2007-02-24T05:26:00.000-08:00

As I gradually become accustomed to being pregnant, I am also beginning to wonder, "when the hell am I going to start getting "things" ready?" So far, the nursery is painted and that is all! No little doohickees or bumbledoos or squeeky things to mention. Not even a little shirt! Well...wait..I do have a free sample of diaper rash cream from the maternity store on the window sill, waiting so pathetically to be opened. The slogan keeps me amused: "Happy Bums, Happy Mums." Quite honestly, I am starting to feel utterly unprepared and a tad overwhelmed. Some of our old apartment-living habits are kicking in again too and I hate it! What I mean is a glass here, a sticky ice cream bowl there. Here we are with a brand new dishwasher that we longed for for years, and we neglect to put our used dishes in it right away. Why are such small things getting to me in such a big way? Our computer/ guest room is still in the same condition it was in a week after we moved. I want all of the comfort and reassurance of being prepared yet I am hesitant to get started. I am doing laundry weekly, yet the dryer is slowly turning into another dresser drawer. I forgot to water the plants last week. If you ask me, it seems like quite the daunting task to be one of those people who knows what they need to solve a problem and make an effort to get tasks done. Here's the kicker...at work, I am one those ready-for-anything people. Then, when I get home... not so much. When I read excerpts from Pregnancy Weekly, or any other PG magazine, they bombard me with so many choices and goodies that I will eventually need (stress), while at the same time dangling this sense euphoric calm and beauty. The moms in these magazines are doing yoga, eating healthy, watering plants, moisturizing their skin, their homes are nicely decorated, wearing the coolest maternity clothes and making me wish I could transport myself to that perfectly prepared-for world. Am I rubbing my belly enough to comfort and connect with my baby? Am I paying enough attention to myself? I don't have belly cream...I want belly cream. Perhaps I will make belly cream a starting point toward comforting me and baby. First, I'll get the belly cream, and then I'll get a move on.

My friend Heather sent me a list "goodies" that she found very helpful during her 1st pregnancy. Thank you Heather! This list has definitely helped calm me down:

MUST HAVES Both Big and Small

Stroller (think about winter….by this I mean wheels)
Breast Pump (if you plan on nursing). I recommend electric
Baby Bjorn (or some sort of baby carrier)
Bottles (make sure you have the right nipples) Unfortunately there is no way of knowing if your baby will ever take them…but if you are lucky, they will, and you will have them, if not, you have lots of bottles.
Portable Diaper Changer
Diaper Gene (it’s where you put the stinky diapers)
Some sort of baby chair (vibrating is nice, but not necessary. Toys that dangle are also nice. A chair that lasts until their toddler years is a good choice). Miles spent a lot of time sleeping in his chair for his day naps.
Pack n Play (it’s basically a bassinette and play pen and kids bed all in one…it’s good for traveling, and when you have baby company, and when baby sleeps in your room)
Monitors
If you want baby to sleep in bed with you, there are co sleepers, sort of like my change table (if you know the shape I mean)but for your bed….they are cool. I’m soooo getting one.
High Chair
Books
Lots of receiving blankets & face clothes (you will get plenty of these without asking)
Nursing Pillow. I used “My Breast Friend”. LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!! To each their own, but I really didn’t like the nursing pillows that were literally a pillow shaped like a crescent moon…they didn’t fit properly. Even if you don’t plan on nursing or can’t, it’s great to use for bottle feeding too!
Car Seat

NICE BUT NOT NECESSARY

Swing
Exercaucer
Bouncer
Diaper Warmer
Ocean Wonders (it’s that noise maker in the crib)
Mobile
Mirror for the car to look at baby in the back

Crumbs in Bed

2007-02-16T13:28:00.000-08:00

So here are the latest developments in this pregnancy of mine.

It figures, like clockwork, that almost to the minute that I have hit 4 months, I have begun some sudden changes.

I shall list them for you:

1. Small and numerous bumps on my face. Not pimples....bumps. So many that my entire face has taken on a new texture and appearance. It is dry and tight and feels like elephant skin. Moisturizer only seems to stay on the surface it is so stiff. But if forget to moisturize..look out! I peel like a snake sheds its skin. Totally gross! Good news is...the zits are gone (for now) due to the dryness. This one is first on my list due to its high level of annoyance and unending ability to baffle me. I was supposed to start swimming this week. Now I am totally afraid of what chlorine will do to it.

2. 3:00 am hunger pains that wake me up. Do I feel like getting up to eat? Hell, NO! Crackers by the bed it is then. I've heard of women doing this, just never thought it would be me. I am a sound sleeper. Poor Don, was startled last night by the crackling of my cracker bag. Damn those things are loud. Apparently, he had just fallen asleep after a night of insomnia. Oooops! Better use a plate next time. I don't think he got back to sleep either.

3. Hmmmm. Not bending over all the way anymore. Time to bend at the knees. How am I going to take off my knee-high boots?

4. Itchy! Itchy! Itchy!

5. Falling asleep in front of the T.V. (well this has been happening since 1st trimester). But, it is happening even during my favourite shows! Can anyone tell me how HEROES ended?

6. Red rashy bumps on my chest. Kind of like what is on my face but redder and bumpier! V-neck sweaters are a no-no right now.

7. Stinky pee. What is up with THAT?

Thursday Thirteen...Let's give it a try shall we?

2007-02-08T04:49:00.000-08:00

13 Elementary School Teacher Realities

13. A morning without coffee is a day without mercy. The kids know this...and that's why we get stacks of Tim Horton's gift certificates on holidays.

12. Gotta pee? Too fricken bad. No class shall be left unattended. When the recess bell rings, it's like I am the gladiator running through a gauntlet of little bodies packed in snowsuits, swinging their arms every which way, kicking their indoor shoes off to put on their boots, mittens flying everywhere, and those unfortunate souls who still can't do up a zipper and stop me every time I've made a step closer to that washroom to say,"I can't zip it! It's stuck!"
"It's not stuck", I say. "You are wearing mittens!" Yes, I still zip it. I run for it with precious few minutes to spare (though you really shouldn't run in the hall).

11. Gotta pee? Part II: "Miss Green, phone call line 2, Miss Green." Oh, the dreaded-mysterious-who-could-it-be phone call. Did I mention, I still haven't peed?
-"Heloo, Miss Green speaking."
-"Hi, this is Mrs. Sonso, Sara's mom. I was wondering how she did on her audition for the school play?"
-"Well, we had our last one yesterday, but we have not yet made our selections."
-"Did she do alright? I mean with what her father has been through recently, she really wants to make it. You should have seen her practising and singing and trying so hard in her room. She can't wait."
-"Yes, I see. Well, we will have our selections up this week. Myself and the two other directors must go through the names still. I wish her luck." -"Oh she will be so happy if she makes it. I work all the time and only see her at night. Her father is still getting better and she needs cheering up."
-"Yes, well we won't know until later this week. Have a good day. I think the bell is going to ring, so I must go. Okay. Sure. Alright. Mhmmm. Yep. Okay. Bye bye now. Have a nice day. You too. Bye bye." AAAAAAArRRRR! Rrrrrriiiiiiinnggggg! Sweet Jesus!

10. Boogers on the face. Boogers on the fingers. Is that a booger on the chair?

9. Instant classroom clinic:

1 trash can
1 chair
a book or two
a box of kleenex

a drink of water

8. Children won't listen? Say whatever it is you want to say, but sing it!

7. Children are honest creatures. a)"Miss, how come you cut your hair? You were pretty when it was long." b) "My mom says you are going to feel pain when the baby comes." c) "Miss, I put Logan's mitten in the toilet because I felt like it." d) "I don't wanna say PLEASE. It takes too long." e)"Miss Green....I wuv you." (My personal fave.)

6. A hallway locker can double as a changing room.

5. Red Crayola Marker= Red Lipstick.

4. I miss Peanut Butter Sandwiches.

3. The trick to get them to move quicker (eg. when cleaning up activities, getting dressed to go home). Say: "On your mark, get set....go!" You can make anything a race.

2. Nothing is as it seems: a) a line is not a line..it's a train. b) children don't sit in their spots, they sit in their special spaces. c) it's not a shoe bin, it's a magic shoe box. d)it's not "sit up straight", it's criss-cross apple sauce.

1. When I take a "mental health day" and stay home...I end up thinking about the kids and can't wait to see them tomorrow. I hope they missed me.

My Man the Emperor

2007-01-31T16:08:00.000-08:00

So Don enjoys his world domination games. Did I say "enjoys"? I meant is addicted!!!!!!!!

Can I just get a few moments to quietly meditate and focus on my blog? Geez..I want to pour myself onto a page and he is practically dancing and fidgeting around me, awaiting his return to the Greek City States that he must conquer. Can't a girl get a little peace and quiet without the pressure?

I have my first OB appointment next month. A little nervous. My 2 close and also pregnant friends (Heather-the one I called 1st and Natalie-the most pregnant one out of us 3) have decided to go with a midwife: the same one, in fact. I went in the other direction. I don't necessarily feel strongly about one or the other. I would probably be nervous meeting a midwife for the 1st time too, now that I think of it. I put a lot of faith into what is considered "professional opinion." I suppose it comes from the perspective of my own profession: a teacher. Whether it be a doctor or a midwife, both are professionals and give information and advice based upon their experience and knowledge. I have never really considered myself to be a naturalist or purist. I don't know if that swayed my decision process, but I guess the cold and clinical perception of hospitals and clinics doesn't really dissuade me. What is important to me is what I'm carrying, Don's love and support and my dearest friends. Put me in a cold hard cell, and as long I have what is most precious to me I am happy and comfortable.

I thought I was going to write about how funny my kids at school are. I guess I can save that for another time.

I wish I had more photos to post. Sadly, I don't own digital camera at the moment. Silly I should choose to start a BLOG and not have access to camera. Oh well. Enjoy a pic from my archives.

Ouch! Grade 12 and Grade 8.

Aaah the Flowerhead.

Interesting....I think I still pull my hair behind that ear! Scary.

Lucky 13

2007-01-27T05:21:00.000-08:00

After 2 tries at little rocker #1, we were successful! I am now 13 weeks pregs and I'm finally starting to enjoy the authentic feeling of knowing it for sure.

Just so that I can feel comfortable talking about my day to day ho-hums and who-wha's, I have overbearing urge to catch new readers up on the symptoms and feelings leading up to the day I that peed on a stick. I know that when women are trying to conceive, the wait is unbearable and all you can do is Google, Google, and Google some more. I know..cuz I was one of those women. And believe me...I've read my share of stories, both uplifting and sad. I felt like an expert on Early Pregnancy before I knew that I could conceive.

Anyway....here's the lowdown on what I remember to be my earliest inklings to being pregnant.

This was our second attempt...can't believe our luck. Well, we did time it around ovulation, and I did do the CM checks and all that jazz. No temp. readings though!

Cycle Day 1- Oct. 29, 2006

CD 14-17- We do the deed. My CM was just right and yah...I laid in bed and waited like 15 mins. after each romp.

6 Days Past Ovulation- The cat starts trying to climb my lap...as if compelled to. If you knew Wimpy, you would think this strange. I also should have started getting sore-ass boobies..due to George (my girlfriends have had this name for our periods since highschool) being on its way. But, my boobs didn't get tender or sore........yet!

10 DPO- Wimpy is overstepping his boundaries by sneaking into the bedroom to sleep on my sweaters. This is an outdoor cat folks. I kicked him out repeatedly only to find him right back in the armoire. Not to mention, he is jumping on my lap constantly. My CM isn't drying up either. Staying pretty moist down there. I put off taking the TEST yet...because of the disappointment I felt the last time we tried. It's hard...but I resist.

13 DPO- George is due! "Not here...could it be? Nah! Things like this don't happen to people like me. I'm going to have to try a gazillion times before it works..I know it!"

14 DPO-"Nope! Not here yet. Okay..I'm a little excited."

15 DPO- Took a mental health day off work..was feeling strange. Tired, unmotivated, and had a feeling that work could wait a day for me. I felt really run-down. I call my Heather and tell her I'm 3 days late. She says I should TEST...I am afraid to....the Negative results are heartbreaking! I hang up. I watch TV. I pace the floor. Watch a little more TV, but not really. I get up cuz I gotta pee. "Well, what the hell...I'm gonna pee on that there stick!" I saw a faint pink line and nearly tripped on my way to the phone to call Heather. The rest is history.

The sad part is Don was not the 1st to find out with me. I feel horrible about making that phone call before telling him first. I honestly think his feelings were hurt.

So sorry, Donnie! My emotions got the better of me that day.

Here I am at 13 weeks...and feeling pretty frickin' awesome...except these mood swings..whoa! Watch out!

Ultrasound at 10 1/2 weeks.

11 weeks...a slight bump? Uumm..13 weeks..a slight bump?

C'mon man! If you knew how I looked before..this is huge!

Yaaaaah...I hope I am eating enough too.