Week 22 of the JellyBean Progression

Week 22

Hey, have I mentioned my skin has finally mostly cleared up? Hooray. My skin does not like being pregnant. I am so glad to be over that stage. Urgh.

So, 22 weeks already! I can’t believe how fast it’s going. And maybe the difference between being knocked up the first time and this time is that with Peanut, I spent most of the time on the couch in sweatpants and with JellyBean I am in the office and chasing around after a two-year-old, but I swear either this pregnancy is easier or I am just too busy to notice.

Also possibly things are easier this time around because I am not in the middle of trying to sell a condo and buy a house and driving Steve to 37 doctor’s appointments every week. Things are a little less stressful for me and that itself is probably making the biggest difference.

Once I passed the food aversion stage, which was much milder this time around, I really have had no complaints. JellyBean is being much nicer to me than her big brother was. Let us all keep our fingers crossed that this means she will be a better sleeper than Fletch.

Though there have been just as many Conversations with JellyBean as there were Conversations with Peanut, they are of much less interest because they mostly consist of JellyBean being sweet and agreeable, as opposed to gleefully evil.

For example, an early food-related conversation with Peanut went like this:

Me: *rummaging through kitchen* How about...a cracker?

Peanut: No.

Me: Hmm. Slice of ham? Toast?

Peanut: No and no.

Me: Peanut butter?

Peanut: ...

Me: Sorry. Um, how about some chees-

Peanut: GOD, no.

Me: Okay, how about this other kind of cheese?

Peanut: Yes.

Me: Oka-Really? All right! *nom nom nom*

Peanut: Just kidding!

Me: *is queasy*

Peanut: *gleefully evil cackle*

Me: Sigh.

Whereas, a similar conversation with JellyBean went like this:

Me: *stares morosely into cabinets and fridge* Meh. How about...this? *holds up random piece of food*

JellyBean: Meh. *shrugs tiny shoulders*

However, in the context of teasing Mr. Fantastic, JellyBean is just like her brother. We have this same conversation daily, in which you can replace “Peanut” with “JellyBean”:

Peanut: *twitch*

Me: Oh!

Peanut: *twitch twitch twitch*

Me: Hee!

Peanut: *twitchtwitchtwitch twitchtwitchtwitch*

Me: Heeee!

Mr. F: Really? *feels my belly*

Peanut: *crickets chirping*

Mr. F: *sad* Darn.

Me: Sorry, honey.

Peanut: *gleeful cackle*

Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, we’ll be able to feel JellyBean from the outside and Mr. F will get a chance to feel her. Although I hope he will still keep putting his face on my belly and talking to her because it is darn adorable.

Also adorable is when Fletch says hello or goodnight to JellyBean and kisses my belly. I don’t know how much he really gets that the baby inside will be coming outside and staying with us. But in the mean time, it’s so cute when he pats my bump and says “Baby! In dere!” in his sweet little voice. We have a couple of books about Mommy Having a Baby that are hopefully being helpful in preparing him. He also has a Little Peanut stuffed toy that is basically a little sleeping baby that goes inside a peanut shell. He calls it his “baby” and sleeps with it and so we talk a lot about how Mama has a baby in her belly just like his baby. (It is freaking adorable, let me tell you, and I plan to get the Sweet Pea version for JellyBean)

 This week JellyBean is almost a whole pound and around 11 inches long. She is working on refining things like eyelids and eyebrows and has started sprouting tiny tooth buds under her gums. Still a work in progress but if we could see her, she’d look very much like a teeny tiny newborn.

Update on Dad

Haven't talked much about my dad lately...it's been mostly babies and Steve, so I thought I'd throw a little love Dad's way. (Or, as Fletch calls him, Paw-Paw.)

 Waaay back in October '08, Dad got diagnosed with "moderately aggressive" prostate cancer. At the time he had no health insurance and so his doctor decided on a treatment course of something called Lupron, which is in short a hormone shot that turns off the production of testosterone thereby giving the cancer nothing to feed on so it can't grow. The idea was to basically hold the cancer at bay until Dad turned 65 in August '10 and started Medicare.

 A major drawback to the Lupron is that it causes menopause-like symptoms, the worst for Dad being weight gain. It's made him hungry all the time and he's gained probably 50 pounds which is really bothering him. However, the Lupron has done its job and the cancer has not progressed, so Dad had his last shot a few months ago. He recently started what I consider to be the "real" treatment - radiation and implants. In February, he got the radioactive seeds implanted, and this week he went in for the first of 25 radiation sessions. He goes five times a week at noon for the next five weeks.

We’ll find out in a couple months how it goes. He's been told side effects should be minimal, including the possibility of a sunburn-like effect on his abdomen. It’s only been a few days, but so far, so good. He’s feeling fine and I think, like me, relieved to be doing something more proactive. I know he’s happy to be done with the Lupron, although they did say it would take a while – at least 6 months or more, for it to clear his system. Hopefully once it does, he can start losing some of the weight he’s gained and will be feeling generally better.

In addition to quitting drinking in June ’08, Dad also quit smoking probably a year ago and I am so proud of him for doing both those things. I have always worried about his health and cutting out these two things is the best thing he has done for himself. And aside from the major health benefits, I feel like I have my dad back.

When he was drinking, you just never knew which Dad you were going to get. Some days would be good and I’d love spending time with him and other days I wanted nothing to do with him. Now that I have my son, and a daughter on the way, I am so thankful to have all my days with Dad be the good ones. I am so happy they will get to know their grandfather and hopefully have a lifetime of wonderful memories of him like I do with my own gramps.

Week 20 of the JellyBean Progression

Look! A Bump!

Week 20

So first off…officially, IT’S A GIRL! Yayyayyay! Pink frilly things! Pigtails! Sugar and spice and everything nice! Time to start thinking of names that aren’t Wilma.

We had our 20 week anatomy survey on Tuesday. Everything looks great; all the pieces parts are where they should be. Additionally, all my blood work and tests have come back with good numbers, so as with Fletch we will not be doing any more testing (like amnio, etc.) unless it becomes necessary. Despite my ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE of 37 (not enough rolleyes in the world) all is well and JellyBean progresses apace.

JellyBean is finally stretching out and should now measure about 10 inches long from head to toe, and weighs about 10 ½ ounces. You may compare her to a banana if you like. We are now halfway through the pregnancy – very hard to believe! It seems like July is zooming up on us quickly. I’ve gained about 8 pounds and can expect to gain another pound a week from here out. However, with Fletch, I only ended up gaining about 15 overall, so that’s more like what I’m expecting this time around. It is recommended I eat plenty of steak to keep up my iron – I can get on board with that! (Never mind that I take an iron supplement and eat plenty of spinach and soy…I will happily take some extra steak! Pass the filet.)

Interesting (for me alone, no doubt!) to note that by this time with Fletch, I had already started experiencing the low back pain that plagued me throughout the pregnancy, and which ultimately turned out to be a sign that he was “sunny side up” – or in the less-desirable for birth occiput posterior (OP) position. Basically, he came out face up instead of face down like most babies do. The back pain (and resultant back labor, which OMG DO NOT WANT AGAIN) comes from the back of the baby's skull putting pressure on your lower back and pelvis.

Despite all the measures we took during the last trimester to turn him, Fletch stayed stubbornly face up and made for a long, ouchy labor (much of which I spent eating popsicles in the bathtub) until it was finally time for the epidural. (Bless!)

All this to say, my back is fine so far, yay! Near the end, I was living on the heating pad and spending as many 10 minute intervals in the hot tub as Mr. Fantastic would allow (and accepting as many backrubs as Mr. F could give before his hands gave out) in an effort to relieve the back pain. Hopefully this lack of back pain now is a good indicator that JellyBean will not be as obstinate as her big brother and behave in there.

Week 19 of the JellyBean Progression

Week 19

Not a lot new going on. Just eating a ton and trying to keep up with little JellyBean – who is not so little anymore! I’m finally definitely showing, and the baby is about 8 ½ oz and 6 inches long – bigger than a bell pepper.

Been feeling some little flutters in there the last couple weeks, and the last day or two I’ve really been feeling it. Also feeling pretty good, aside from hungry all the time. Just a little tired and thankfully haven’t been sick again. I think Mr. Fantastic and Fletch may be coming down with something, though. Let’s hope it’s not too awful like last time! At least Mr. F escaped the strep-plague we had back over New Year's.

We’ve had tons of snow lately and it’s been super cold – below 0 during the day. So we haven’t gotten out a whole lot but we have been trying to spend time with Heidi and Brody, either at our house or theirs just to get the boys some play time. Poor Fletch keeps asking to go to the park. We feel so bad when we have to say no but it’s hard to do when there’s a foot of snow!

Looking forward to next week’s appointment for the anatomy scan. Keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll see for sure if JellyBean is a boy or girl – and then we can start thinking about names! (God love you, Mr. F, I’m sure your grandma was a fabulous woman. But we are not naming our baby Wilma. Much as I loved my gram, I am not naming any kid Juanita either.)

Last night Fletch fell asleep across my belly and I guess JellyBean could feel the weight or the warmth or something because s/he was going crazy in there, bumping against him. It was kinda sweet. I forgot how amazing it feels when you really start to notice that you have a living person growing inside you. I sure hope my little ones are always two peas in a pod.

Volkswagen Commercial: The Force

Week 16 of the JellyBean Progression

Week 16

Had my follow up visit at Platte River today. Just a blood draw and a super quick ultrasound just to see if we could tell gender yet. No guarantees, but they’re leaning toward girl! Mostly because they could see no evidence of any dangly bits.

Looks like we’re gearing up for a growth spurt – right now JellyBean's the size of an avocado and weighs about 3.5 oz, but in the next few weeks will be doubling in weight and adding inches to length too.

Week 15 of the JellyBean Progression

Week 15

Hoo boy, I do not know what is going on with me. Maybe it’s part recovering from being sick, maybe it’s part JellyBean doing a lot of growing , but the last few days I have been starving. Like needing to eat a sandwich every two hours and still feeling like snacking in between. Yikes. The scale still isn’t moving much though, so I’m not too worried. I think to date I’ve gained less than 5 pounds. However, it’s hard to keep up with my metabolism. I’ll eat until I’m full and then two hours later start feeling a major sugar low is coming on, which means I need to eat again. I remember feeling this way with Fletch, too, so it’s par for the course.

JellyBean’s about the size of an apple now, weighing around 2 ½ ounces. Hopefully I will start feeling movement next week – that’s always so exciting. And we have two doctor visits next week. One is my usual monthly check up and the other the follow up to the first trimester screening I did a few weeks ago. Hopefully JellyBean will cooperate and we will be able to see the gender!

Thank heavens we are over the plague – poor Fletchie was not a happy camper. But we are feeling much more ourselves now and have stopped quarantine. Fletch really missed Brody and asked for him a lot while we were locked up trying not to spread plague. We had some great snow early in the week so Heidi and Brody came over to go sledding with us. It was a lot of fun but cold so we didn’t stay out very long.

Week 14 of the JellyBean Progression

Week 14

Things were busy and fun over the holidays, with the added bonus that somewhere in there, I got strep and Fletch got strep, an ear infection, pink eye and diarrhea to go along with the cough/cold/general plague he was already working on. Needless to say, things have not been pretty around here. Mr. Fantastic has been a trooper so far but I think he may be starting to succumb to the combined plague of his wife and child.

Fletch and I both saw our doctors yesterday and are on antibiotics, plus Fletch gets eye drops also. Hopefully we’re both on the mend and maybe daddy won’t get as sick as the two of us. You should see the poor kid – he’s a walking disaster and just looks so terrible. He’s not sleeping much, so his eyes are all puffy, plus red and crusty from the infection, and he’s sneezing and covered in snot all the time. Nevertheless, he is still a joy to behold. :)

Despite being plague-ridden, otherwise I’m doing pretty well. Still really tired but that may be due more to the plague than to being pregnant. Been able to eat okay lately, although being sick lost me a few pounds again. JellyBean’s about the size of a lemon now – so hard to believe something that big is in there and I can’t feel it. It should still be at least another couple of weeks at the earliest before I start feeling movement. My pants are definitely uncomfortable now and I’ve gotten out all the maternity clothes to see what I’ve got. Unfortunately, most of the pants I have are for when I’m MUCH bigger. I’m going to have to dig around and see if I’ve got some jeans up a size or two hiding somewhere that might work.

God, there are days – even days like today, with his crusty, puffy, sticky little face – when I look at Fletch and my heart just clenches and swells with pride and love. And then I think, oh boy, I get to have another one of these?! How did we get so lucky? Whether JellyBean is a boy or a girl, it won’t matter because he or she will be ours – that we made! And grew and bore and have the opportunity to teach and love every day.

Overcome by plague.

Overcome by plague. Going to bed. Happy New Year.

Week 11 of the JellyBean Progression: Continued

Still Week 11

We told the family this weekend! Dad, JT & Sherry came over for dinner on Friday and were very pleased to find out. We had been trying to plan a trip to Vegas for all of us in the Spring and I was bummed to tell them we won’t be going. I know I could go to Vegas but honestly, after going when I was pregnant with Fletch, it’s definitely one of the last vacations I would pick to go on while pregnant. Can’t drink and wanting to be in bed by 8 pm means I wouldn’t really get much out of the trip. Especially since I’m not much of a gambler either. We’ll all just have to plan another trip, maybe for later next year.

Told all the Farleys on Saturday night and they were just as thrilled. As I expected, Katie and Kathy had their suspicions but were just waiting for us to announce it. I know Kathy is excited to have another grandbaby to add to her flock.

Also told the Clark girls at the brunch at Ginger’s on Saturday morning. Also as expected, that announcement got the biggest reaction. Heidi and I had discussed how to tell them and decided that I would make a toast, thanking Ginger and saying how nice it was to see everyone and here’s to a healthy baby in July.

It was really funny to watch the reactions – everybody just looked confused for a minute and then there was an explosion of exclamations. Hayley especially was so excited and happy for me – she was shaking when she hugged me. I love that they love me so much.

So, phew. Cat’s finally out of the bag with family. Now I need to tell work but am trying to decide when the best time is. With the holidays it’s hard to find a good time to schedule a call with my boss. I may just wait until next week.

Had my first trimester screening at Platte River Perinatal this morning, which included an ultrasound so I got to see little JellyBean. I remember from my last pregnancy around this time feeling like there’s nothing happening – you’re not showing, you can’t feel the baby moving – and like last time, I have this tiny little worried feeling like maybe something’s wrong. No reason for it, I feel great; I’m sure every pregnant woman goes through this.

Anyway, it was nice and reassuring to see the ultrasound today. The heartbeat was fluttering away – 155 BPM (and the old wives’ tale is that anything over 140 means girl!), and JellyBean was hopping around in there, happy as a clam. Since I’m 37, I’m considered higher-risk than younger women but they were careful to tell me that I’m not an actual high-risk pregnancy. However, initial test results look good, although they also did a blood test which we’ll get results of in a few days, but initially they said everything looks great. And I have to go back again in a month where they’ll do another blood test and I can ask them to do a “gender peek” while I’m there. Can’t wait to find out who our little JellyBean is going to be!