The Truth About Stretching

WARNING: If you're disturbed by belly pics and stretch marks, you may not want to read on

I think that every woman who is pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or dreams of someday being pregnant imagines herself with a perfect, beautiful belly. Like the ones you see in those Coco Butter commercials, all big and round and stretch mark free.

Unfortunately, that image isn't the reality for 50 - 90% of all pregnant women. And news flash, Coco Butter does NOT prevent stretch marks. So the women in their ads are just naturally blessed with stretchy skin (I know some of you are currently wishing some other heinous pregnancy issue on them, like severe morning sickness...oh that's just me!?!).

There wasn't really much hope for me in this situation. I started pregnancy with stretch marks on my belly from prior weight gain. Gluttony, happy marriage, graduate school, age, etc all contributed to my gain over the years which eventually lead to diabetes. Once I was diagnosed in August 2010 (the same day of my graduation dinner) I quickly lost about 30 lbs. Believe it or not, that still didn't bring me to the weight that is healthy, so I started my pregnancy "overweight" (I use quotations because it makes me feel better #comfortquotations) and with stretch marks.

As my belly got bigger with Baby B, to my complete surprise, my stretch marks started getting bigger too. And redder! Whoa! Where'd these come from!? Despite considering myself a rational person, I must have somewhere deep down still imagined that my belly would be picture perfect. I was mortified and embarrassed, in fact most women are and won't talk about it even though they're in the majority.

But something funny started happening. The bigger my belly got, the bigger my stretch marks got, the more proud I became of them. I think I commented to Johnathan, "These have gotten so gnarly I'm kinda proud of them." I think it ties back to my intrigue with scars and scar stories. We all have one scar or another, with an awesome story to go along with it. Try comparing scar stories with people sometime, it's a guaranteed good time had by all. Some of mine include: go-cart through a barbed wire fence and shovel through the knee while buried in the sand (thanks bro!).

So here I am, with these stretch marks that will most likely stay with me the rest of my life (like a scar). And the story behind it!? I lovingly grew, and sacrificed, and gave birth to the most beautiful little human being. The light and love of Johnathan and my life. The little girl that will change our lives forever. And this "scar"? It's just my badge of honor and my awesome story to tell... later.

     

Giving thanks...

We had a busy week! It was my bright idea to host Thanksgiving this year because we had a new bigger house and could manage it. Of course, I decided that before I knew I would be almost 8 months pregnant at Thanksgiving. Poor Johnathan had to do most of the work, although I tried my best to do my fair share. Regardless of all the hard work we put into it, we are so greatful to have the ability, opportunity, and fantastic friends and family to do this.

We spent Tuesday night doing a thorough cleaning. He mainly worked on the kitchen (because lets admit it, it's his domain not mine) and I spruced up the rest of the house. I swept, vacuumed, and steamed all our floors...among other things. Boy did my back hurt at the end of it! Which of course was made worse when I went to bed, because now when I sleep my lower right back starts hurting. We didn't just clean the common areas, but also the guest rooms because we were having our first serious house guests! My brother, his wife, their new baby, and her parents stayed. So those rooms had to be clean and set-up.

Wednesday evening we went to dinner with our house guests and then started prepping some food. I made my "famous" pumpkin pies and some scratch mashed potatoes (Pioneer Woman recipe). Johnathan prepped a lot of the appetizers that he wanted to make. I think he takes on too much, we didn't need all of those, but he loves doing it and so it's a must. He was up til 4 or so cooking and cleaning.

Thursday was the big day. We woke up and fixed breakfast for our guests: waffle, egg, cheese, and bacon sandwiches with a side of liver mush because my bro now lives in Texas and doesn't get it a lot. Then the real food prep began. We decided to make 2 turkeys because we were having 20 guests and wanted to ensure there was enough for everyone. Of course it was overkill but you live you learn. We had a lot of our guests bring food to help us out, and Johnathan's mom made a lot (green beans, pork loin, apple pies) and helped a lot by allowing one of the turkeys in her oven. It was loud, crazy, and fun.

The Menu
Appetizers- shrimp and asparagus in filo, deconstructed jalapeno poppers in filo, mushroom/spinach/cream cheese/sausage dip in filo, corn/peppers/onions/black beans/feta cheese dip with chips, and mini crab cakes (homemade)
Main- turkey, pork loin, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, homemade cranberry sauce, dressing, mac and cheese, cornbread (plain and spicy), and sweet potato casserole
Dessert- homemade apple pie and pumpkin pie

We also had a 3 month old and a 5 month old to nibble on and fawn over. Both of them are and were fantastic babies. They're my niece and nephew, so that puts the pressure on me to have a baby just as cute and just as mild mannered #bitingmyfingernails.

Johnathan worked so hard cooking and cleaning (I helped a little with the cleaning but was so tired). I'm hoping he had fun and doesn't just think back on all the hard work he put into it. He stayed up until 3:30 cleaning because he just can't bring himself to leave a mess like that. That wouldn't have been so bad if we didn't have to get up at 7:30 the next morning for an ultrasound.

I've been getting them about once a month to keep tabs on the baby's weight, just to be sure she's not getting too big (a complication with gestational diabetes). She was measuring about a week ahead, but the tech said they allow for up to 2.5 weeks ahead, so she's doing good. She weighs 3 lbs 12 oz which is the 45th percentile. So she's right on track, yay for a healthy baby!! She's been head down for a while, so let's hope she stays in that position and doesn't try to go breech. Also, my amniotic fluid, placenta, and cervix all looked great! There weren't as many fun shots to get of her, because the bigger they get the harder it is to see the whole picture. But Johnathan was able to be there again because he was off work, so that was nice! Even though he was like a zombie he was so tired.



This is at least the 3rd time we've caught her with her foot by her face. She seems to like playing with her feet.


Ok I've been slack and haven't taken any belly pics. I'm sure there's some to be seen from Thanksgiving, but I won't get my hands on those for a few weeks. But I can say, I looked dang good in em! :)

Due Date: January 30, 2012. We are almost 31 weeks along, 64 more days!

Weight Gain: I've gained about 10 lbs. It's always nerve wrecking weighing yourself the day after Thanksgiving, but I didn't notice any change in my weight from my endocrinology appt last week.

Symptoms: Starting to get tired quicker and sleeping back pain. I can sleep on my side, no problem because that's how I normally sleep. But I find now that when I wake up to go to the bathroom or whatever, that I have a sharp pain in my lower right back. It makes walking a bit difficult right away.

Cravings/Aversions: Yeah, I can't say I followed my diet plan during this week/weekend very well. Many times I didn't even test my blood sugar because I knew it wouldn't be pretty.

Sleep: Actually not too bad!

I am loving: Feeling her move every day!

I miss: Being able to get around easily. I swear I've hit a belly growth spurt over the last day or so, and I know it's only going to get bigger!

I am looking forward to: My baby shower, it's coming up next weekend!

Best thing about this week: Hanging out with our family and loving on some adorable babies!

Milestones: 3rd Trimester

Movement: She's a good little mover. My fav is when she moves my whole belly. But seriously, she'll be moving up a storm and I'll get Johnathan to put his hand on my belly and she stops. I'm wondering if she chills out when she hears me talk. I may start using sign language to get him to feel.

It's a...: girl!

Heart Burn: Ugh, so much! I regularly take Tums throughout the night. And I recently learned a valuable lesson about not making Doritos my bedtime snack.

Belly button in or out?: In still. But the edge is poking out in a funny way, which almost gives the appearance of an outtie. Grrrr.

Labor signs?: Nope. Just the way I want it, although that resolve is starting to waiver as I get further and further along.

And the beat goes on...

I had an endocrinologist (diabetes specialist) appointment yesterday. I have them once a month in addition to emailing him my blood sugar test results weekly. Honestly, I feel like these monthly appointments are a bit of a waste of my time but I'm nothing if not dutiful. Usually it's a matter of weighing me, checking my blood pressure, checking my feet (diabetics can have issues with their feet), going over my medicines, and he tells me what my lab results are from bloodtests I have done a few days before.

Nothing much to report. With boots on I weighed about 12 lbs above where I started at pregnancy. Blood pressure and heartrate seemed fine. He was happy with my bloodsugars and my A1C was 4.8 for the third month in a row, which is better than some non-diabetics. One good thing to come out of the appointment is that he told me I could start giving my insulin shots in my thighs. So that'll save me some pain!

Now, on to the fun stuff!

Someone once recommended playing music when pregnant and sleeping, so that the baby would hear. That way if you play it during the baby's bedtime they'll know it's time to sleep. Whether this works remains to be seen, but it did lead us to create a CD for Baby B. We call it B's Beats (her name is where the B is). We tried to stick with sootheing piano music, some classical and some modern. We picked either classical artists that we appreciate or modern songs that had some kind of meaning to us, silly or otherwise.

Today, I added one song to the end that has singing (the only one). It's called 'Love is You', written for our wedding by Mary Jo Crandall and Jamie Henderson. They are gifted song writers and I wanted a nice way to have 1 Corinthians 13 incorporated into the ceremony without the normal recitation snoozefest. This song was written to convey our love for one another. Baby B was created out of that love and will experience that love every day of her life. I hope this song will remind her of that every time she hears it.

The Playlist

1. Nocturne in G Minor- Chopin
2. November Rain- Piano Tribute Players (because I used to love it, and just for kicks)
3. Moonlight Sonata- Mozart
4. Can't Help Falling in Love- Steve Siu (Johnathan is a huge Elvis fan)
5. Prelude for piano No. 4 in E Minor- Chopin
6. First Time Ever I Saw Your Face- Steve Siu
7. Nocturne #2 in E Flat- Chopin
8. A Thousand Miles- Steve Siu (because there is a scene in the movie White Chicks that Johnathan loves involving this song)
9. Piano Sonata #14 in C Sharp- Beethoven
10. What a Wonderful World- Steve Siu
11. Piano Sonata #5 in G Major- Mozart
12. Yellow- Steve Siu
13. Clair de Lune- Laura Sullivan
14. The Prayer- David Foster (played while I walked down the aisle. plus an amazing song asking for God's blessing)
15. Love is You- Mary Jo Crandall and Jamie Henderson

This and that

While I wallowed in my grumpy mood yesterday (and worked) Johnathan worked really hard all day to get the nursery painted. It's about 98% complete, but looks fantastic. We're patting ourselves on the backs for choosing such a nice color.

It's Behr- Potentially Purple.

We're planning ahead! Figured we'd take advantage of after Halloween sales to snag a costume for Baby B next year. It's a surprise, but I'll give you a hint!

It's My Pregnancy and I'll Cry If I Want To

The day has just begun and it's already a rotten stinking day. I received an email from my endocrinologist overnight advising me to start taking insulin at lunch. I already take it at breakfast, dinner, and bedtime. I knew it would eventually happen at lunch too. As the pregnancy progresses it's normal to have to increase insulin intake. However, I didn't think that it was necessary yet. Yes, my blood sugars at lunch had been rising but they weren't over my limit of 130 yet. I guess he didn't like that they were going up, so now I have to take a shot then too.

It has gotten SO hard to take my shots. Half the time they hurt. Half the time they bleed. It takes all the willpower I have to just make my hand stab myself and hope it doesn't hurt. Three times a day was enough for me. Not only that, but it means I have to carry a needle with me every time I walk out of the house for a meal.

I know deep down it's my fault that I'm diabetic. I ate myself into this situation. Even though it's hereditary I could have held it off for longer. So at the end of the day, feeling sorry for myself shouldn't really be allowed. But I can't help it. I do feel sorry for myself. This sucks! I'll say it again, this sucks! That is all. *slight sobbing was involved in the writing of this blog*

The class where we decided the Cervix will henceforth be referred to as the Tactalneck (Archer reference)

On Saturday, Johnathan and I participated in what seems a rite of passage for those on the way to parenthood...the childbirth class. I know some people don't bother with it and I could have thought myself too knowledgeable already (what with all my blog reading) to go too. But I figure, ignorance isn't bliss in this scenario. I want to know as much as I possibly can so that I won't be tempted to "freak out" on the day. Plus Johnathan hasn't been reading blogs or watching shows, so it couldn't hurt for him to learn a thing or two.

We decided to attend the class at the local hospital because it was cheaper and closer, even though we're not going there for the delivery. Although it seems to be a very nice place we're going to go to NC, for several reasons. 1. My doctors are all based in NC and 2. I have a long familial history of being born in NC and I didn't want to break that.

The class was supposed to be from 8:30 - 2:30 but the instructor zoomed through it so we could get out by 12:30. Johnathan was NOT looking forward to being there for that long (I may have told him it was 8 hours at one point). But I'll give him credit, he went with an open mind and wasn't a grumpus. The instructor was a nurse named Patty. I think she said she'd been delivering babies for 20 years so she was very knowledgeable, and perky. She called herself an old hippy and you could definitely tell she was. You could tell she had certain opinions on things, but she didn't seem too pushy about it. She's had 9 children, all naturally, so you could tell where she landed in that area.

A few things she got us thinking about:

• List positive (allowable) and negative (not allowed) words or actions during labor
• Research leaving the vernix on the baby. This is the covering on the skin that protects the baby's skin in the womb. Some people want the baby bathed right away, but according to Patty some people leave the vernix on and it can benefit the baby's skin for years to come. Anyone out there have an opinion on this? Leaving it on or not?
• Things to pack: back massager, focal point photo, aromatherapy, a journal to keep track of the happenings, etc
• The wonders of pear juice...I'll leave that to your imagination

What would a childbirth class be without breathing exercises?! There was an entire segment where we had to snuggle up to our partner and practice deep breathing in and out. The room was quiet and dark. And Johnathan made a farting noise on one of the out breaths. I BURST out laughing. Tried to get myself under control and then burst out laughing again! Like tears streaming down my face kinda laughing. Patty said she wanted to be in our delivery room. I think she's right, we will have the funnest delivery room in the hospital.

There was also the obligatory childbirth video. I wasn't sure I wanted to see it in all it's glory, but I didn't look away. Yeah, it was gross but it was also beautiful. I'll admit I got a little teary eyed. Another girl in the class started sobbing, her husband looked back at me like "I don't know what's happening!". Can't really say if she was crying because it was beautiful or terrifying :). I've always told Johnathan that I'd like for him to stay up at my head during the delivery to keep a positive image of me. I think he's on the fence about his preference. I guess if he REALLY wants to he can look...IF he really wants to. #idon'twanthimto

On Tuesday I had another OB appointment, they've already got me on the 2 week schedule. Everything checked out beautifully, no concerns. My belly is measuring 29 which she says you can't do much better than that. The baby's heartbeat was in the 140s and my blood pressure was good. My next appointment in two weeks is for another ultrasound and we'll see another doctor in her practice, just in case she isn't available for delivery. I was able to schedule it the day after Thanksgiving so Johnathan can come too!

                                                                         27 Weeks 6 Days

Due Date: January 30, 2012. We've finally reached the 3rd trimester, 82 more days!

Weight Gain: I've gained about 8 lbs, 1 lbs since my last OB appt 2 weeks ago.

Symptoms: Had a hellacious leg cramp this morning. I had to have Johnathan massage it.

Cravings/Aversions: Not enjoying the strong garlic smell coming from our fridge every time it's opened. Johnathan will cut it and store it in a zip lock and a garlic saver and it still stinks up the fridge to high heaven.

Sleep: Actually not too bad!

I am loving: Feeling her move every day!

I miss: Being able to do my job properly without making boneheaded mistakes.

I am looking forward to: Our next ultrasound with Johnathan!

Best thing about this week: The childbirth class, oh and buying our first fake Christmas tree. Holiday traditions here we come!

Milestones: 3rd Trimester

Movement: Mostly around eatin time. She takes after me :)

It's a...: girl!

Heart Burn: A little. Nothing a little Tums can't handle, lovin the peppermint flavor!

Belly button in or out?: In….barely! Each week my innie is getting smaller and smaller.

Labor signs?: Nope. Just the way I want it!

Halloween and 3D ultrasounds....oh my!

This past weekend Johnathan and I participated in a surprise birthday/costume party. It was my first time dressing up for Halloween ever (or at least that I can remember). Growing up, we weren't allowed to celebrate Halloween which in addition to no trick or treating involved no school activities either. If there was a worksheet with a Halloween theme, I didn't have to do it. If we sang "Witches Brew" in music class, I had to step outside the room. One time we did one of those find words in other words exercises with "Happy Halloween", I got to use the phrase "Merry Christmas" instead (I wonder if these days it would have to be "Happy Holidays"?). I came up with the most words. The other kids complained because they thought I won because I had a different word. Which could be true, but I like to think it was my mental prowess :).

I think because I was raised that way, I hated October as a month and generally hated Halloween. But time moves on, we grow up, and perspectives change. My mental change probably started when my brother had kids and they celebrated Halloween. They are always so cute in their costumes! I started to feel that there can still be an innocence to Halloween if you control your environment. So this year it began for me!

Johnathan and I have already bought a little onesie for the baby for next year's Halloween that says "Daddy's Little Pumpkin". That was my first little step. Next was the costume party. The key as an adult female is to avoid the slutty costumes, plus I'm pregnant so that totally wouldn't have been appropriate. It's not often you're visibly pregnant during Halloween so we had to take advantage of that. We went as a redneck wedding couple, and boy was I comfy! It was a lot of fun!

                                                    Not the best pic, but realistic since I'm running my mouth

                                What you can't see are my slipper boots (this can also double as a 26 weeks preggo pic)

Yesterday, Johnathan's little sister and two neighbor kids (vampire, pirate, and piglet) stopped by for trick or treating. It was a lot of fun for me. They were my first trick or treaters ever, and my only ones since no one else came by. So cute though! The adults got some candy too.

In other Monday news, I had another ultrasound. This one was a fetal echocardiogram to make sure the baby's heart was developing properly. Apparently in gestational diabetes babies can develop heart issues (if the blood sugars aren't well controlled). Dr. N said that "the powers that be" were on the edge of not requiring this particular ultrasound, but since it was still in effect she recommended one for me. She pointed out that she had no reasons to worry about Baby B's heart because all the other ultrasounds didn't show any concerns. So I went to this appointment a little annoyed because I had just had an ultrasound last week. I know, I'm foolish because I should be overjoyed at any opportunity to see the baby in action.

I really liked the ultrasound tech! She was so enthusiastic from the start and because Baby B was so active she switched to 3D without me even asking! It was amazing to see her yawn and stick her tongue out in full view! The tech made me laugh out loud when she went to label her ear and typed "rear" instead. Baby B's heart looked super healthy and everything else checked out. Healthy baby on board!

                                                                She totally looks like Johnathan!

Due Date: January 30, 2012. According to my pregnancy app we have only 90 days to go!

Weight Gain: I've gained about 5-7 lbs. Have another OB appt on Nov. 8th so I'll know more then.

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good! This is the magic season, the second trimester. I sometimes feel something like growing pains, but that's nothing serious.

Cravings/Aversions: On Saturday we did a test kitchen on some Thanksgiving recipes we were considering making. We had a lot to do that day so we decided to go out for breakfast. Johnathan's mom and sister were going to Dunkin Donuts and asked us to join. I said no because it wasn't a safe place for me, breakfast is when I am most restricted on my diet (I'm only allowed 15 carbs). Our breakfast first plan fell through, so we ended up going there anyway. I was NOT happy (pregnancy hormones anyone!?). While standing in line I looked back at Carol and she was lovingly unwrapping a delicious pumpkin muffin... I came SO close to bursting into tears right there in line. I wanted all the "bad for me" things that morning! I'm sticking to my guns, but it's getting hard!
Sleep: It's not perfect, but it could be worse. I wake up a couple times a night to pee, but can usually fall back asleep quickly...unless Johnathan is snoring.

I am loving: Seeing Baby B's face in 3D!

I miss: Being able to put on socks without grunting and groaning.

I am looking forward to: Our baby birthing class this Saturday

I'm spazzing about: my fasting blood sugar...just a little

Best thing about this week: Seeing Baby B's face in 3D!

Milestones: 90 days to go!

Movement: Yes, happening pretty frequently! Looking forward to the inevitable hiccups.
It's a...: girl!

Heart Burn: A little. Nothing a little Tums can't handle

Belly button in or out?: In….barely! Each week my innie is getting smaller and smaller.

Labor signs?: Nope. Just the way I want it!