And I lived happily ever after

Can I just say that her hands were amazing?! Sure they were aged, not as strong as they used to be. Perhaps a little thinner, but they did a great job.

I went for a prenatal massage today. Blondie gave it to me for a baby shower present. Actually, she gave me 2 prenatal and 2 postnatal massages. Today was the first *sigh*

I had to drive through The Tunnel to get there, just me and my apprehension. I mad sure that I had my music, water and cell phone just in case something happened. It wasn't that bad actually. Traffic flowed nicely and I made it out the other end before I could be swallowed whole *whew*

I got there, "signed in" (their words not mine), entered the bathroom/locker room/shower room. It was pretty much plushy plushy. I had a robe, slippers, disposable underwear, and as many towels as I could use at my disposal. As big as my belly is, the robe still swallowed me up. Heh.

When my masseuse came to get me, I really hoped she was just the go-fer. She looked really frail and...old. But, boy, oh, boy, could she massage. She found this one spot, a muscle with a knot that I didn't even know I had. The muscle, that is. She rubbed and kneaded and pressed and oiled and kneaded some more *melts at the memory of it*

I hope she didn't mind my legs. They're not exactly hairy, but I wouldn't call them smooth, either. They're almost a cross between sandpaper and cacti. Know how legs get when you put lotion or oil on them...and if there's the slightest bit of growth on them...it becomes awful like...porcupine prongs. Or is it prines? Or prickles?

The drive back...of course there was a "disabled vehicle" in the tunnel. But really, I only spent about 15 minutes or so extra, waiting on the vehicle to be towed away. Yet again, the tunnel let me slip through it's jaws unscathed.

*sigh* I love happy endings.

Family Pictures

But with only with half the family around. I was worried at first, cause my dad seemingly started to snap pictures while we were standing in the sunniest spot of the yard, in front of the worst background... The sun was VERY bright, as you can see, the light colors are glowing.

So Dad and MCM and Blondie were glowing in the sun light, Thing 1 and Thing 2 were looking all springy, without being too bright. And then came me in dark blue. Eh, oh well, I think they turned out pretty cool.

Now I just have to get some of them printed out for my mom's wall of frames. The picture she has up there of MCM and me is from...2006. That's 3 years ago!

I know it looks like I'm posing WITH the tree, but really, I was in front of it. It just so happens that when I turned to show the profile, I ended up next to the tree.

Me and my daddy and the baby. See how his shirt glows, the shadows accentuate the faces...and my dress absorbs all that extra light....LOL

















Blondie, Me, MCM, Thing 1, Thing 2. The best part of the family, no?

And now my feet are swollen....

Base of the Washington Monument

I tried to upload a post from my iPhone, and it says it uploaded, but they aren't showing up. Bummer. Do any of you upload from a mobile device, and if so, how and which app (if it happens to be an iPod/iPhone) do you use?

Original Ruby Slippers

That out of the way, MCM and I are visiting my parents for Mother's Day (and to stop at the Cinnabon to get a free cinnamon bun for Nurses' Week :D). We decided to spend the afternoon in Washington, D. C. It was great fun, way better than just sitting around all day.

Kermit the Frog

We rode the Metro up, and stopped at the American History Museum. Here's some highlight pictures.

Stradivarius, I think

I didn't have my camera, so all these pictures were taken with my iPhone, and I think they turned out pretty decent.

Nice car, no?

After we made our way around the crowds of people also deciding to look at all these old artifacts and such, we meandered downstairs where we spent a small forturne on lunch. MCM's cousin, we call her Crazy Cousin, gave us some moolah that we used for lunch. We were going to try the ride simulators, if they let preggers people on them, but they were charging for them, so we passed it up.

Abe's top hat. He added the black velvet ribbon in memory of his son, Willie

We weren't quite ready to go home, so we chose to visit the Washington Monument on our way to see the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. It was a long, long, long walk. I considered mugging a few cyclists for their bikes, but then I remembered that I hadn't ridden a bicycle in...years. And, given my balance issues lately, I wouldn't get far.

Honoring the fallen and their memories

All these little presents made me wish I had something to give them. I was taking one of these pictures, and this guy stepped right in front of me. I was *this* close to moving around him, when he snapped to attention and saluted what I can only guess was one of his CO's/buddy's names on the wall. It was beyond words.

Proving I was there...where ever there was

Just to prove to you that I did go and did walk all the way, with my belly leading the way. Oh, someone gave up their seat on the Metro for me! I wasn't expecting it at all. We entered a really full train, with only standing room. This lady, who maybe remembered being pregnant on the Metro with no seat, stood up and said, "Here, sit down." Wow, huh?

You are not forgotten.

Week 30

Yeah, it's time. Here's some pictures from today. I've had to revert to wearing regular t-shirts, rather then the in-style baby doll T's. They just don't cover the belly. And this one is getting tight. *sigh*

I keep on getting asked if I'm ready to have the baby...NO! I'm not! I'm happily pregnant, feeling great, and usually can pull of the cute preggers look! There are times when I feel huge, when my back hurts, and I just want to lay around like a couch potato.

I had another doc's appointment this week. Guess what!? Doc didn't mention my weight; and when he did the fundal (uterus) measurement, his non-verbals indicated I was smaller than he had anticipated. Meaning??? This low-calorie stuff they have me eating is too low-calorie. But he would never ever say that, cause that would mean he was *gasp* wrong or something.


I've been able to schedule my work hours differently. Instead of working three 12-hour shifts, I only work one 12 and then I have three 8 hour shifts. I like that a whole lot more. Yeah, I have to go to work more often (thus getting up earlier more often than not), but I don't work as late. I have a whole lot less stress at work, though too.

Yup, that about sums it up.

Too Big, Too Small...I'm confused

So, I was reading in this one baby book a friend lent me. It was telling me all about the 28th week, what tests the docs would do, what's developing in the baby--everything you'd expect to find in a baby book. Then I read this sentence..."Your weight gain should be between 17 to 24 pounds by now." Seventeen to twenty-four...I'm like right in the middle of that. I guess because I started small, I should be closer to 17 than 24, but I'm smack in the middle of it...why would Doc decide that my weight gain is too rapid? That's what she said, "We (as if she's going to be working on it with me) need to sloooow down on the weight gain." I know I'll be gaining about a pound every two weeks for the last two months or so (and by me gaining the weight, I know it's really Brendon), but I feel like I'm right on schedule.

And to make matters worse, no one can make up their mind if I look too small or too big. I know they all feel like they just *have* to say something, but couldn't they all agree?!? Like today, I was talking to Gwen at work, and she's like "You're so tiny, look at the bitty baby bump." Then I mentioned how I feel so huge (cause I do!!), and she's like "don't you dare starve that child!" And then I told her how Doc wants me to slow down on the weight gain, and all. She said

My mind just blanked. I *hate* it when that happens. Hang around, it'll come back...I hope.

Oh yeah. She asked how much further I have, and when I told her 12 weeks, she goes "Oh yeah, you'd better slow down on the weight." Talk about mixed signals!?

Then we discussed how that if this child has the genes to end up huge, like his great-grandpa (a 13 pounder), then there's he's going to do it. And in the next breath, she says you'll need a C-section for sure. How does she know what my inside measurements are?! I learned in school (from an experienced OB nurse, Wuanita) that just because a woman has a small frame, does not mean she cannot handle a 10, 11, or 12 pound baby; and just because a woman is "large boned" doesn't mean she won't get stuck trying to push out a 6 or 7 pounder.

But whatever, I am going to eat healthier, like cut back on the sweets (sugar cereal, fruit juice, and sugary snacks) so that at my next visit I can say I'm trying it. I am currently drinking a vanilla coke, though, but that's only because I can feel a huge migraine coming on (something I haven't had since about week 15 or so) and it's the only caffeine in the house.

But I guess the bottom line is listening to Doc (cause they do this sort of thing every week), but also listening to my body and not starving little Brendon.

Oh, on a good note, I had my 1 hour glucose test yesterday. My glucose was only 123, so I'm good for not having gestational diabetes. My hemoglobin was 12, they also told me, which is on the low side of normal but I don't have to take iron pills. And my blood type is still B negative. Glad to know it hasn't changed since my blood donating days :D. That also means I have to get a shot tomorrow, RhoGAM, and another at delivery so I don't make antibodies to this and subsequent babies' blood.

Baby Update

I finished up the last, the truly last bit of painting in the baby's room. And I even cleaned up the mess that was left. Then I was tired, so I sat in the glider for a while. Man, that thing is comfortable! I really don't have anything specific to write about, but I know it's time to update.

I'm having a hard time putting my socks and shoes on, the bean bag is in the way :D I did manage to paint my toenails about a week or so ago. I don't know if I'll be able to change it myself though...wanna come have a pedi-party??

Brendon is really learning his moves in there. I think his favorite spot to poke some appendage out is right around my belly button. I can almost always find him there. My co-workers are really excited about my pregnancy. They rub the belly for luck, for a good shift, for any reason really. And he kicked Renea. He also likes kicking my badge. I have a beaded necklace that I wear it on. It ends up sitting right on top of my belly. It is kinda heavy from the stuff I have on it, so when he kicks, it bounces back. I think he can feel it, because he'll do it once...then do it again....then again, just right there. Kinda funny, no?

I'm starting to get excited, like really, really, really, really excited. But the more I get excited about having him in my arms...I also get more and more apprehensive about the birthing part. Like, what if I forget everything I've learned and I freak out?!


I just saw this scroll across the bottom of Discovery Health. "Drinking three or more alcohol drinks daily may result in involuntary muscular movements, says Spanish researchers." Maybe they're on to something???

My little project/Wordless Wednesday with a post

My mom and sister came down for my ultrasound and stayed to help paint Brendon's room. This first wall is done, except I just threw those stickers up there. I'm going to move them to the top, like a border. That way, it'll keep the busyness away from hitting you in the face.


This is the wall opposite the other stripey one. We ran out of tape...twice...and time. But Mom and Blondie really helped to get it going. I just have to pick up one more roll of tape, finish the stripes, and paint the other two walls. They're going to be solid. I'll show you the finished thing when it's done.


Oh, these are the letters I'm painting for his name. They're going to go above the window on a solid wall.