Happy Thanksgiving!

Last Thanksgiving I ran a half marathon then cooked and hosted dinner for 8. This year I ran about 3 miles around the neighborhood, and then Sweet LJ and I went to Chateau Elan, where their chefs whipped up a lovely Thanksgiving feast for us.

We took our bikes and went on about a 1.5-hour bike ride when we got there. The hotel guy gave us a map and suggested a route that would take us around the grounds. The map was terrible and apparently the hotel guy never has ridden a bike around the Chateau Elan property. We went through several golf course neighborhoods, which were lovely, but filled with cul-de-sacs and locked gates. Eventually we made it back towards the inn and found this:

A four-story climbing wall. I wanted Sweet LJ to climb, but we noticed it was all locked up. I guessed it was a team-building ropes course, and I was right! Some kind of corporate team-building center. It wasn't just the climbing wall but a bunch of ropes courses in the trees and platforms, with signs along the way like this:

This one made me laugh. We needed this earlier when we had to turn around on yet another cul-de-sac.

Sweet LJ thought it was appropriate for me to pose with this one.

We made it back, tired and hungry, and checked in about an hour before our dinner reservation.

Before dinner, hungry and ready to eat. Thanks to my wonderful friend Kerri for sending me this dress!

After dinner looking tired from going through the buffet line too many times. Did I mention this was a huge buffet with everything you can imagine? Turkey, prime rib, dressing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, butternut squash ravioli, caviar, crab legs, smoked salmon, and then the dessert table . . . Forget eating for 2. I ate for 4 or 5.

Friday morning we hiked on the nature trail around the property. It was cloudy and a little foggy, but beautiful.
The vineyards are right at the front of the property, which was very cool. After promising myself I wouldn't eat again for at least 4 days, we went to the breakfast buffet after the hike, and I ate. A lot. Again.

We stopped by the Mall of Georgia on the way back home so Sweet LJ could get a new Florida shirt to wear to the SEC championship game next Saturday. There were times I feared for my life--will I get trampled by the Abercrombie kids trying to make the last 15 minutes of the 25% off sale?--but we made it out safely. I even bought a few Christmas gifts.

We had such a wonderful trip. Thank you so much, my sweetest LJ! I'm so thankful to have you in my life and that soon we'll have a sweet little girl join our family.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday filled with peace, happiness, and thanksgiving.

27 weeks, 5 days appointment

My BP: 100/70
Weight gain: +6. I am a weight-gaining machine!
Val's heart rate: in the 140's

Really, I have nothing much to report. Everything was fine. Dr. H was happy with my glucose results and last week's ultrasound. I asked her whether the doctors in the practice (I go to a group practice) have a shared philosophy regarding labor and delivery. She said no, but that everyone is fairly laid back and will communicate nicely with me. No one will rush me or pressure me into anything (pitocin, epidural, etc.) as long as everything is going well. I really like Dr. H and will be thrilled if she's on call when I deliver. I know I need to meet all the doctors in the practice, though, so my next appointment is with another Dr. H.

Morning conversation

Sweet LJ: I should warn you that on Friday on our way back from Chateau Elan, I need to stop by the Mall of Georgia. I know it's Black Friday. I just need to stop by a few stores.

Me: The Mall of Georgia? On Black Friday? Are you [gigantic, echoing, unexpected belch]...

Sweet LJ: [huge, belly-grabbing laughter]

Me: Sorry. No warning.

Ahh, pregnancy gas: What's more entertaining?

Chicken suit

Two Thursdays ago after dining out, Sweet LJ and I took advantage of Decatur's Terrific Thursdays, because really, there's nothing more fun than going in cool shops and drinking free wine out of small plastic cups (if you're not pregnant!) LJ picked out this darling outfit for our girl, and we bought a nice Christmas surprise for our niece Georgia at Hoopla. I like how the outfit is subtly Gamecocky.

Baby hiccups

make me laugh

26 weeks, 4 days ultrasound

Yesterday was the follow-up ultrasound to check on the kidney problem detected in the first ultrasound. The problem is pyelectasis, a dilation of one or both kidneys due to too much accumulated fluid. There are numerous possible causes--none of which are preventable--and there is no in-utero treatment. They monitor the size of the kidneys throughout the pregnancy to keep track of whether the condition is getting worse or better.

Her kidneys looked really good! One has gotten smaller and has a normal measurement now, and the other one is the same size as last time--no change, but at least it hasn't enlarged. I can't explain how relieved and peaceful I feel. Part of my relief came from the wonderful perinatologist we saw today. She was much more reassuring than the last one.

Other stats:
Heart rate: 142
Estimated weight: 2 lbs, 6 oz
Other measurements: all normal
Interesting tidbits: We got to see her yawning, waving her arms around, and a nice shot of her femur.

Looks like a sweet little smile to me.

Sorry for the crooked scans. I didn't feel like scanning them again.

Yoga

Yesterday was my first pregnancy yoga class. There were 8 students, and everyone was between 24-31 weeks, I think. I thought it would be mostly relaxation techniques, gentle stretching, and deep breathing. It wasn't; in fact, it was pretty challenging. We did all the usual stuff, minus inverted poses like plow and bridge. There was lots of down dog and warrior II. The instructor, a very cute, small woman named Tran, explained how each pose would help us pregnant ladies. After savasana, she gave us a little pep talk after about how we were already good mothers because we were exercising. Aw...thanks, Tran!

Product review: The Mother-to-Be Maternity Support

In case anyone ever is in the market for a belly band/bra, I decided to write up what I think about the Mother-to-Be Maternity Support I ordered. What I read about it suggested that it might relieve some sciatic nerve pain and pressure on my bladder. I mainly got it to wear when I run.

It arrived in 4 pieces, and I actually had to read the instructions to figure out what to velcro together. There is an under-belly brace that hooks around you with its own velcro strap, a back brace that hooks to the belly brace, and an optional over-the-belly strap for "maximum stability." The day it arrived I wore it to walk the dog. The instructions say that if you want super-deluxe support, then you should lie down on your back and make the back brace tighter. I did this, and about halfway through the walk I thought I was going to pass out. Too tight. Sweet LJ also said I was walking slightly sideways, but that might have been unrelated to the M-t-B.

Today I ran in it for the first time, and I liked it.

Is it attractive? No, it is very unattractive. I wore a shirt over it so no one could see it. It looks just like the photo.

Would I wear it in summer? No way. Nothing about this item is breathable. In fact, all I could think about while running is that if it were summer, I would be one gigantic chafe after wearing the M-t-B, even with a shirt under it.

Did it move around? No. I was worried it would ride up, but it stayed put. This might have been because I wore a shirt under it.

Did it relieve pressure on my bladder? I think it really did help. I didn't get that desperate feeling 15 minutes into my run like I usually do.

Are my sides sore? Lately, my sides sometimes are sore from running, but today they aren't. Coincidence?

Did I wear the optional velcro strap? No, but I might need maximum stability later on.

Does my butt hurt? No, and usually by this time of day it does. Another coincidence?

I'll keep wearing it and see how it goes.

11/17/08 Update: I ran in it this morning, and I still like it!

whoa

I just realized I'm in the double digits now--only 97 days to go. I knew I was knocking on 3rd tri's door, but under 100 days already?

Bedside table

Not mine, but Sweet LJ's. One of us is going to be very prepared, and one of us will rely on her wits and instinct (and husband who has read all the books).

Glucose challenge test

I forgot to post about the results of my glucose challenge test, and I'm sure some of you were simply dying to know the results. I passed. My score was 88, and I think anything over 180 means you have to take the 3-hour test. I did not gorge on candy to celebrate, but it was nice knowing that I could if I wanted to.

More questions people like to ask pregnant women

Continued from Part 1

1. How are you feeling?


2. How much weight have you gained?


3. Have you picked out a name?


4. Are you pregnant/are you expecting/is that a bump?


5. Random rhetorical question followed by, "you just wait." For example:
   
   • You think you're tired now? You just wait.
   
   
   • You think you'll be going out after the baby is born? You just wait.
   
   
   • You're not buying a _____? You just wait.
   
   
   • You think you'll have time to _____? You just wait.
   
   
   • You think finding a babysitter is easy? You just wait.
   
   

My responses:

1. I feel GREAT. Every time someone asks, that's what I say.


2. How much weight have YOU gained?


3. Yes, but we're keeping it a secret. Sometimes I feel guilty not telling, so I say, "we're still thinking about it."


4. A bold question!


5. I just smile and nod and wonder whether the children of these people can sense their parents' resentment.

Sunday bike ride

To Starbucks and a walk around Decatur's shops


I haven't ridden in weeks (maybe months?) and it was tough. Before we left, Sweet LJ let me know he was putting extra air in my tires to compensate, you know, for the extra weight. He's so funny!

Val's second race

To help motivate me to run more regularly, I decided to sign up for the Run for Justice 5K not far from my house. It started at 9 AM, and the weather was gorgeous. I wasn't feeling too optimistic about my time, and I told Sweet LJ to look for me to come in no later than 40 minutes. The course route was well-marked, but the miles weren't. At about 15 minutes and no 1-mile marker, I was either running much slower than I thought or I'd missed a mile marker. Soon I saw the 2-mile marker, then before I knew it the race was over. I haven't run a 5K in awhile, and I forgot how short they are (3.1 miles). Anyway, I finished in 31:10, and I was proud of my 10-minute miles at almost 6 months pregnant. I told the people at the time table that they should have a pregnant ladies category. They had, of course, age-group awards, and at this race they also had first stroller and first dog. (This was a rare race that allowed dogs and strollers.) Alas, no prize but still a good time.

Waiting to start

Maybe I should've stood by the "female" sign

My fans

25 weeks, 2 days

Thank you

Wow--thanks, everyone, for all the great baby gear recommendations. I really appreciate the input. What a great little network!

Val will know a better USA

I won't prattle on about the outcome of the 2008 presidential election, but I will say I'm pleased that Val will be born during what I believe will be an era of improvement for America that will make it a respected world power once again. I feel peaceful and hopeful.

[sigh]

Today someone told me my face looked fat. Oh, she also told me I looked tired. Thanks! I feel so pretty now.

Girl clothes are so cute!

My neighbor Shawne received some girl clothes from a friend of hers, but she found out recently that she's having a boy. She generously passed on a few girl outfits to me. Sweet LJ likes the flamingo suit, but I love the sack sleeper with the matching hat.

Val went to her polling place

I voted today and hope you did, too.

Necessities?

As we s-l-o-w-l-y buy other things for Val, what is number one on your baby necessity list? What, looking back, was a waste and what was a lifesaver?

Sciatica

Well, for all you ladies who were cursing me because I haven't been sick or anything, my good fortune is running out. For about 3 weeks I've experienced some bad pain in my left hip area. It's usually on the weekends when I tend to do more--longer runs, more standing, raking, vacuuming, slaving over a hot stove, whatever. Last night was particularly bad. I think Val is killing my sciatic nerve. In reading about it, I found out the sciatic nerve is as thick as your thumb and runs "deep within the buttocks." And, technically, my pain is deep within my left buttock. (I was trying to be diplomatic when I euphemistically wrote "left hip area" before.) I hope it goes away when Val is born, because people get nervous when I announce that my butt really hurts.

Val has a place to sleep

Sweet LJ became a little concerned last week when he realized we'd bought nothing for the baby. So, on No TV Wednesday we went shopping and bought a crib we'd looked at a couple of times. We bought a mattress on Saturday, and Sweet LJ put the crib together today. Even though the instructions were "squirrelly" and "not entirely complete," he had no trouble because he's so clever. I made vegetable soup and ate snacks while he worked.









It holds the super deluxe mattress very nicely, and I'm certain it will entice Val to sleep through the night immediately.