We need some advice.
Travel system or "snap 'n' go" stroller system OR... no system at all?
It's driving me up the well. I don't know WHY it's making me so crazy, because it's not like it's a decision that has to be made now. I might be projecting all of my anxiety about maybebaby into this one area of baby preparation.
So, until a few weeks ago, I had never even heard of a travel system. For those of you who were like me, a travel system is made up of a car seat that can be put into a large stroller, which seems pretty convenient. We looked at some when we went to Babies R Us, and something that does seem pretty cool is that after the baby gets bigger, you can just put it into the bottom part of the stroller. (You can see this from the picture in the link below.) (Click here)
A snap 'n' go stroller is similar to a travel system; in fact, the only differences that I can see: the stroller is not as heavy as the travel system stroller and as the baby gets bigger, you have to get a separate stroller for it.
(Click here)
Benefit(s) to the travel system: stroller can be used for longer
Benefit(s) to the snap 'n' go system: stroller is a lot lighter and easier to store
Now, I've heard from at least one person on each side, but I feel like I need more recommendations. Reviews online are basically split in half.
So, people, let me know what you think! That includes people with babies and without! Poll your friends! Tell me the stories!
In fact, any other recommendations about must-haves for babies would be helpful. It looks like we might be having a family shower over the holidays, so I'll need to have a WalMart registry by then, and I've sort of hit a wall with it for now. So, any and all suggestions are welcomed!
In other news, most of the nausea has passed and things are going pretty smoothly. I have an appointment at the obgyn in the next two weeks (I guess I should call and figure out when that is -- I'm such a caring mother-to-be that I lost my appointment card), but we won't know what the sex of the baby is until December. GRRRR. I can't imagine waiting until the very end to find out. I'm not that patient, obviously.
Here's to week 15!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
PICTURES
The ultrasound technicians first started by showing us a blob. I was like, "Oh boy! It's a baby blob!" (I mean, I said that in my head.) I was actually excited. Then she said, "That's the head." Then she moved around the ultrasound thingamajigger and then said, "Look, now you can see the head and the body," and I was like, "HOLY CRAP! IT LOOKS LIKE A BABY!" (Again, I didn't say exactly that out loud. But it was almost that.) I don't think we were expecting to see a thing that actually looked like a baby. I was actually not even sure that we would see a picture at all; I thought maybe we'd just be trying to hear a heartbeat. (It's not like this stuff is instinctive, you know.)
This is when the ultrasound ladies told me it looked like it would be a girl and I got super excited, even though I knew in my heart of hearts that they couldn't tell this early. They said, "Look, it has its little legs crossed like a lady!" Oh.
This one they said made the baby look like a boy, because he was "lounging" and it looked like he was watching tv with a remote in his hand.
Keep in mind that these ladies kept saying how CUTE it was. Ian and I just kept looking at each other, both of us thinking, "Uh, it's cute for an ALIEN."
Now, this one is ACTUALLY A PICTURE OF AN ALIEN MONKEY BABY! It looks awesome. It's really a top-down view of the head (on the left -- those are the two parts of the brain you can see there) and then its stomach, I guess. Or, you know, it's an alien monkey baby. (You can decide.)
Creepy.
I'd also like to add that when I step back and think about this, it occurs to me that putting up pictures of your uterus online is kind of strange. I mean...I don't know. What do you think?
Creepy.
This is when the ultrasound ladies told me it looked like it would be a girl and I got super excited, even though I knew in my heart of hearts that they couldn't tell this early. They said, "Look, it has its little legs crossed like a lady!" Oh.
This one they said made the baby look like a boy, because he was "lounging" and it looked like he was watching tv with a remote in his hand.Keep in mind that these ladies kept saying how CUTE it was. Ian and I just kept looking at each other, both of us thinking, "Uh, it's cute for an ALIEN."
Now, this one is ACTUALLY A PICTURE OF AN ALIEN MONKEY BABY! It looks awesome. It's really a top-down view of the head (on the left -- those are the two parts of the brain you can see there) and then its stomach, I guess. Or, you know, it's an alien monkey baby. (You can decide.)Creepy.
I'd also like to add that when I step back and think about this, it occurs to me that putting up pictures of your uterus online is kind of strange. I mean...I don't know. What do you think?
Creepy.
Fat or MaybeBaby?
Okay, for real, I will post the ultrasound pictures later tonight or tomorrow.
So, we went to the closest "metropolitan area" last weekend and I got to get new clothes. Sounds like fun, but when I spend lots of money and get a few new outfits, I usually feel this sense of glee (slightly tinged with guilt). This time, it was all about duty and necessity. We went to Motherhood Maternity, which, overall, was cheaper than I expected. However, when you buy three pairs of pants, two pairs of jeans, some shirts, and a dress (oh, and a coat), it racks up the bill pretty fast.
The experience was positive in a few ways, though --
The fake pregnancy belly was scratchy and confusing, but still fun. I didn't know which way was "up" and the velcro straps were annoying, but I was just excited that I could see what I would look like later on. The verdict? FAT!
I already feel like people are just looking at me, thinking, "That girl could stand to lose a few." I mean, I've read a few pregnancy books, and no one ever talks about worrying that people think you're fat. That must be because I'm stupid, or because everyone else is telling EVERYONE THEY MEET that they're pregnant to avoid the whole issue altogether. But then doesn't it seem like you're one of those bragging pregnant ladies? Even if it's relevant in conversation, it just feels awkward to say, "Yeah, you know I'm pregnant, so blah blah blah." Instead, I just have to hope that people are talking behind my back.
So, we went to the closest "metropolitan area" last weekend and I got to get new clothes. Sounds like fun, but when I spend lots of money and get a few new outfits, I usually feel this sense of glee (slightly tinged with guilt). This time, it was all about duty and necessity. We went to Motherhood Maternity, which, overall, was cheaper than I expected. However, when you buy three pairs of pants, two pairs of jeans, some shirts, and a dress (oh, and a coat), it racks up the bill pretty fast.
The experience was positive in a few ways, though --
1. There was someone there who could actually give me advice (other than Ian, who would say things like, "Yeah, that looks good," or "Yes, that makes you look pregnant")
2. There was a fake baby belly you could put on underneath the clothes to see if they would "work for the entire pregnancy"
and
3. Maternity pants have those awesome panels that are SO INCREDIBLY COMFORTABLE that I may wear them even after I deliver! Dude! I seriously do not know why people don't wear maternity pants all the time. (Okay, at least 80% of the time?)
The fake pregnancy belly was scratchy and confusing, but still fun. I didn't know which way was "up" and the velcro straps were annoying, but I was just excited that I could see what I would look like later on. The verdict? FAT!
I already feel like people are just looking at me, thinking, "That girl could stand to lose a few." I mean, I've read a few pregnancy books, and no one ever talks about worrying that people think you're fat. That must be because I'm stupid, or because everyone else is telling EVERYONE THEY MEET that they're pregnant to avoid the whole issue altogether. But then doesn't it seem like you're one of those bragging pregnant ladies? Even if it's relevant in conversation, it just feels awkward to say, "Yeah, you know I'm pregnant, so blah blah blah." Instead, I just have to hope that people are talking behind my back.
"Erin looks SO FAT now!"Dang!
"Oh, didn't you know? She's pregnant!"
"OH.... How far along is she?"
"Just into her second trimester, I think."
"Hmm. Well, it looks like she'd better watch her weight and not gain too much. That can be a real problem."
Friday, October 17, 2008
Wow!
Apparently blogging just isn't that hard.
So, to give you a little background....
My husband and I moved to a new state recently, and we've been lucky enough to make some great friends. We moved over the summer, which was about when I went off the Pill. (See, I can already tell there will be some personal stuff just laid out for everyone to see! Guys, please don't tell my parents or yours about this site....) We figured "if it happens, it happens," but I really didn't think anything would happen for a while.
I talked to my mom recently (now that she knows I'm pregnant), and she said it took her and my dad TWO YEARS to conceive me. They didn't use any kind of fertility treatments; the problem was my mom's irregular cycle. The doctor told her that it was a miracle she conceived at all!
I kind of expected that we would have "problems" getting pregnant. It was just a feeling I had. Also, being pregnant is just kind of inconceivable for me, and I gather other people my age feel the same way. I mean, what is it all about? Pregnancy is WEIRD. I know how it happens, but HOW DOES IT HAPPEN? It seems impossible. So it surprised me when I started to get symptoms of pregnancy in August.
Now, as you well know, when you go off the pill, things go wonky. I've been on the pill for a long time, so I can't remember things like whether I was a 28-days kind of gal, or whether my periods were usually 6 days long or 12. (Well, I know they were usually longer than most people's -- or so I gathered -- but the rest is just a haze.) So, I went off the pill, and then my period would appear and things would continue as normal. I got my period during the third week of July and I remember it lasted a while; then I got my period again in the second week of August, which just seemed way too early, unusual, and also unfair. It seemed normal in every other way, except that it was shorter. Then about a week later, I woke up in the morning, went into the bathroom, and felt weird. I felt like there was a vice all around my stomach and hips, squeezing, and I was lightheaded. I thought to myself, "If this is what pregnancy is like, then I've decided I don't want to be!"
For all those who don't know me that well, know this: I have little tolerance for pain or discomfort. I am admittedly a huge wuss. This is okay in most situations, but not pregnancy. I knew it would be hard and uncomfortable and painful before we decided to "let things happen," but I also knew that it would be even more difficult if I waited until I was older. A "get it over with" kind of attitude, if you will.
I recovered myself (did not throw up, and have yet to do so, actually - knock wood), and went back to the bedroom, where I informed my more-than-half-asleep husband that I was probably pregnant. He said, "Oh!" There was a pause. "Are you okay?" "Yes, now I am." Then I think we just went back to sleep.
I postponed taking a test -- first of all, I didn't know which kind to get, and secondly, I was also just nervous. We'd been sort of prepared for the idea of getting pregnant, but it turned out we were not actually prepared at all. I felt a bit at sea -- this kind of thing happens to other people, right? Who decided I was ready to be pregnant? I guess we did. It still felt like we weren't responsible for it (in that crazy way that isn't true at all).
I went to Wal-Mart and stood in the family planning aisle for a while. I finally picked out the pink stripey test (First Response). I took it home and didn't use it. I waited until that Friday, when we were having friends over, to do it. I probably wouldn't have taken it for another few days if it hadn't been for them; we were planning to drink wine with dinner, and I just couldn't bring myself to drink the two or three (or eight) glasses I might drink unless I knew for sure that I wasn't pregnant. So, I took the test.
It was confusing. My advice, DON'T DO LINES. So, here's what the directions kind of look like:
| = Not pregnant
| | = Pregnant
(Imagine the first line in the "Not pregnant" category lining up over the SECOND line in the "Pregnant" category -- I've forgotten all the html I taught myself in high school and don't know how to format this so that it looks like that.)
Okay, to me, that looks like, the right line will show up no matter what, but if the left line shows up, that means you're pregnant, right? Right. But what I got was: a really dark left line and very, very faint right line. I mean, now I know for sure that it was a positive. But when you're not sure of anything and kind of confused and nervous, you're looking for ABSOLUTELY SURE. Not faint lines that aren't the ones that are supposed to be faint.
Also, I was kind of thinking it might be a false positive, because of the time constraints. All the tests say you can take the test five days before your period is expected. Of course, if you're just off the pill and your cycle is whacked out, how do you KNOW when your next period is expected?! That frustrated me to no end. All I could do is just drink a half glass of wine (guiltily, admittedly), and take the second test from the box in another week.
Then not really trust it, because again, I didn't know when my period was due to start.
Then -- I bought a Clear Blue test. I liked it much better, since it was either YES or NO. (Well, technically it was PREGNANT -- or NOT PREGNANT. But the former, obviously, in my case.) So.
I took those tests over a period of about a month and a half, never quite sure when my period was due. My co-workers made fun of me for not really believing it, when I was obviously nauseous and tired and any weird smells made me ill. (It was obvious to them that I was pregnant, since I was eating crackers and drinking ginger ale for a couple weeks straight. It's much easier to hide from people who don't see you often!)
The weirdest thing for me was trying to determine when I got pregnant. I figured that the weird August period must have been "implantation bleeding," which I read about online, but it didn't fit the description completely. (The only thing abnormal had been its timing and the length.) However, I'm aware that every person is different, so what happened to me may not match up with others' experiences. It got even more confusing a month later (actually it was three days ago), when the doctors told me I probably conceived in July -- BEFORE I got what I thought was a regular period -- and said that my July cycle was probably implantation bleeding.
WHAT?
Being pregnant makes no sense. At any rate, someone told me that she's heard of people having regular periods after they conceive (that is not implantation bleeding) -- but if I had known in August that I was pregnant, I would have flipped out when I started whatever-it-was in the middle of that month. BODIES ARE WEIRD. I also have to admit that I'm not really buying into this whole "conceived in July" thing. So when people ask me about my due date, I say, "End of April, beginnig of May," when the nurse told me it was probably April 22nd.
I deluded myself for almost 2 and a half months into being not really sure I was truly pregnant ("is it all in my mind?" "are these symptoms actually real or do I just want them to be real?"), so I guess I can delude myself about the due date if I want.
More later! I imagine future posts will not have to be as long. (You can hope.)
So, to give you a little background....
My husband and I moved to a new state recently, and we've been lucky enough to make some great friends. We moved over the summer, which was about when I went off the Pill. (See, I can already tell there will be some personal stuff just laid out for everyone to see! Guys, please don't tell my parents or yours about this site....) We figured "if it happens, it happens," but I really didn't think anything would happen for a while.
I talked to my mom recently (now that she knows I'm pregnant), and she said it took her and my dad TWO YEARS to conceive me. They didn't use any kind of fertility treatments; the problem was my mom's irregular cycle. The doctor told her that it was a miracle she conceived at all!
I kind of expected that we would have "problems" getting pregnant. It was just a feeling I had. Also, being pregnant is just kind of inconceivable for me, and I gather other people my age feel the same way. I mean, what is it all about? Pregnancy is WEIRD. I know how it happens, but HOW DOES IT HAPPEN? It seems impossible. So it surprised me when I started to get symptoms of pregnancy in August.
Now, as you well know, when you go off the pill, things go wonky. I've been on the pill for a long time, so I can't remember things like whether I was a 28-days kind of gal, or whether my periods were usually 6 days long or 12. (Well, I know they were usually longer than most people's -- or so I gathered -- but the rest is just a haze.) So, I went off the pill, and then my period would appear and things would continue as normal. I got my period during the third week of July and I remember it lasted a while; then I got my period again in the second week of August, which just seemed way too early, unusual, and also unfair. It seemed normal in every other way, except that it was shorter. Then about a week later, I woke up in the morning, went into the bathroom, and felt weird. I felt like there was a vice all around my stomach and hips, squeezing, and I was lightheaded. I thought to myself, "If this is what pregnancy is like, then I've decided I don't want to be!"
For all those who don't know me that well, know this: I have little tolerance for pain or discomfort. I am admittedly a huge wuss. This is okay in most situations, but not pregnancy. I knew it would be hard and uncomfortable and painful before we decided to "let things happen," but I also knew that it would be even more difficult if I waited until I was older. A "get it over with" kind of attitude, if you will.
I recovered myself (did not throw up, and have yet to do so, actually - knock wood), and went back to the bedroom, where I informed my more-than-half-asleep husband that I was probably pregnant. He said, "Oh!" There was a pause. "Are you okay?" "Yes, now I am." Then I think we just went back to sleep.
I postponed taking a test -- first of all, I didn't know which kind to get, and secondly, I was also just nervous. We'd been sort of prepared for the idea of getting pregnant, but it turned out we were not actually prepared at all. I felt a bit at sea -- this kind of thing happens to other people, right? Who decided I was ready to be pregnant? I guess we did. It still felt like we weren't responsible for it (in that crazy way that isn't true at all).
I went to Wal-Mart and stood in the family planning aisle for a while. I finally picked out the pink stripey test (First Response). I took it home and didn't use it. I waited until that Friday, when we were having friends over, to do it. I probably wouldn't have taken it for another few days if it hadn't been for them; we were planning to drink wine with dinner, and I just couldn't bring myself to drink the two or three (or eight) glasses I might drink unless I knew for sure that I wasn't pregnant. So, I took the test.
It was confusing. My advice, DON'T DO LINES. So, here's what the directions kind of look like:
| = Not pregnant
| | = Pregnant
(Imagine the first line in the "Not pregnant" category lining up over the SECOND line in the "Pregnant" category -- I've forgotten all the html I taught myself in high school and don't know how to format this so that it looks like that.)
Okay, to me, that looks like, the right line will show up no matter what, but if the left line shows up, that means you're pregnant, right? Right. But what I got was: a really dark left line and very, very faint right line. I mean, now I know for sure that it was a positive. But when you're not sure of anything and kind of confused and nervous, you're looking for ABSOLUTELY SURE. Not faint lines that aren't the ones that are supposed to be faint.
Also, I was kind of thinking it might be a false positive, because of the time constraints. All the tests say you can take the test five days before your period is expected. Of course, if you're just off the pill and your cycle is whacked out, how do you KNOW when your next period is expected?! That frustrated me to no end. All I could do is just drink a half glass of wine (guiltily, admittedly), and take the second test from the box in another week.
Then not really trust it, because again, I didn't know when my period was due to start.
Then -- I bought a Clear Blue test. I liked it much better, since it was either YES or NO. (Well, technically it was PREGNANT -- or NOT PREGNANT. But the former, obviously, in my case.) So.
I took those tests over a period of about a month and a half, never quite sure when my period was due. My co-workers made fun of me for not really believing it, when I was obviously nauseous and tired and any weird smells made me ill. (It was obvious to them that I was pregnant, since I was eating crackers and drinking ginger ale for a couple weeks straight. It's much easier to hide from people who don't see you often!)
The weirdest thing for me was trying to determine when I got pregnant. I figured that the weird August period must have been "implantation bleeding," which I read about online, but it didn't fit the description completely. (The only thing abnormal had been its timing and the length.) However, I'm aware that every person is different, so what happened to me may not match up with others' experiences. It got even more confusing a month later (actually it was three days ago), when the doctors told me I probably conceived in July -- BEFORE I got what I thought was a regular period -- and said that my July cycle was probably implantation bleeding.
WHAT?
Being pregnant makes no sense. At any rate, someone told me that she's heard of people having regular periods after they conceive (that is not implantation bleeding) -- but if I had known in August that I was pregnant, I would have flipped out when I started whatever-it-was in the middle of that month. BODIES ARE WEIRD. I also have to admit that I'm not really buying into this whole "conceived in July" thing. So when people ask me about my due date, I say, "End of April, beginnig of May," when the nurse told me it was probably April 22nd.
I deluded myself for almost 2 and a half months into being not really sure I was truly pregnant ("is it all in my mind?" "are these symptoms actually real or do I just want them to be real?"), so I guess I can delude myself about the due date if I want.
More later! I imagine future posts will not have to be as long. (You can hope.)
The MaybeBaby
Welcome to our MaybeBaby blog! I've never blogged before, but I'm willing to start! First I have some special thanks to hand out -
To Abbey: For suggesting the blog, and who may be the only person who follows it,
To Emily: For suggesting calling the little thing inside me the MaybeBaby, and
To Ian: For, um, making this all possible.
This blog will be mostly for friends and (young) family far away, and while men are welcome to look at it, I'm not sure they'd want to hear some of what I may want to say! The blog is "public," but only because it might (somehow?) be useful to someone else who is expecting or wants to get pregnant. At this point, it's hard to imagine that I would have anything unique to share that couldn't be found out in a book or on another website, but at least this will be nice for people who actually know me.
I do have ultrasound pictures to post and more to write, but that will have to wait. I hope you guys enjoy this! (I know I will!)
- E
To Abbey: For suggesting the blog, and who may be the only person who follows it,
To Emily: For suggesting calling the little thing inside me the MaybeBaby, and
To Ian: For, um, making this all possible.
This blog will be mostly for friends and (young) family far away, and while men are welcome to look at it, I'm not sure they'd want to hear some of what I may want to say! The blog is "public," but only because it might (somehow?) be useful to someone else who is expecting or wants to get pregnant. At this point, it's hard to imagine that I would have anything unique to share that couldn't be found out in a book or on another website, but at least this will be nice for people who actually know me.
I do have ultrasound pictures to post and more to write, but that will have to wait. I hope you guys enjoy this! (I know I will!)
- E
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