WE....ARE....FAMILY (song to the tune of the Sister Sledge 1979 hit)

I find it both very entertaining and interesting the morphism in the meaning of the word "family" as your life progresses.  As a young child, its whomever you reside with as you are growing up.  When asked by your kindergarten teacher to draw a picture of your family with your favorite crayons, these are the people who are lucky enough to make it onto that white sheet of paper.  Usually this means, that in addition to the humans you live with it is also the cat, the dog, and the goldfish too.

As you grow and mature, while the core family unit remains the same, you begin to welcome many other people in and out of your family unit.  Friends, classmates, boyfriends, girlfriends, a mentor, or a coworker.  Then comes your ultimate family unit, the one your children will draw with their favorite crayons.  However, just as recent as a year ago, my family drawing was much different than it is now.  Derek and I have two cats whom we absolutely adore, and he and I along with these two spoiled furballs, we were a family. 

Now my family also consists of someone who is not yet here.  Still a few more weeks til we get to meet this little one, but it is profound how much this child is already impacting our life.  All of those "families" that I had growing up did not play the same role as my new growing one.  I easily made decisions that did not involve or require me having to think about their impact on my "family."  Now every decision I make, I find myself taking the time to think about how my decision will impact my child.  Amazing how just a year ago I would have never thought about a large decision impacting my cats, despite that they are family.

The aches and pains...I mean joys of growing a human.

So this is the end of my sleep I suppose.  Atleast for the next 18 years is what I hear.  I have been trying to get comfortable with sleeping for weeks with no luck.  When I wake up (every hour to either flip or pee) my hips feel like someone took a sledge hammer to them.  If I didn't know any better, I'd start worrying about a pressure ulcer.  Due to my impressive bump (which currently measures 11 weeks ahead!!) it is impossible for me to sleep in any other position than directly on my sides or on my back.  And I really only prefer one side, but have to turn because of the pain. 

My other dilemma is this pregnancy induced carpal tunnel.  Apparently all of the extra fluid floating around in pregnancy puts added pressure in the small area of the wrist called the carpal tunnel, and this causes numbness and tingling in the hand, wrist, and arm.  Fortunately, I don't experience this irritating sensation of pins and needles/numbness all day.  It is only when I am in a sitting position and when I sleep.  And it is only three fingers on my right hand.  You'd be surprised how disturbing it is to your sleep to wake up to a numb hand....all night long.  I used to be able to get it so subside in different positions, but recently that is no longer helpful.  However....I have potentially found a resolution.  Many years ago I had surgery on my left wrist and was given a splint.  Last night I got the bright idea to put the splint on my right hand.  Al beit it fit a little awkwardly since it was made for the opposite hand, it gave me some much needed relief.  I only had one very minor episode of numbness the whole night. 

Now if I can just figure out how to make my side of the bed a water bed to ease my hip pain.......

I didnt fall of the edge of the Earth...I swear.

You would think that with as much available time I have right now that I would be posting something new every day.  I think with the recent changes in life I must have just needed some time on my own for some reflection.  I am back to me now and and learning to enjoy the life of no job :)  However, I certainly could enjoy spending the extra funds on this precious baby to be. :)   :)   :)

Speaking of precious......

Here is our sweet baby at my 29 week appointment.  Looks like me don't you think?  Definately has my nose and mouth.  Technology is so amazing.

So Life's updates in the past two months or so since I posted. 

1.  I was put in a different employment situation than I had ever anticipated, but beginning to accept that God's plans are not always what I had planned, and I am ok with that.

2.  I have pretty much finished the nursery.  The Virginia Tech theme turned out to be a hit.

There are some additional items in there now that aren't included in the pictures, but I am quite proud of myself thus far!

3.  The baby kicks and plays all the time, though I am not so sure its the most active baby in the world.  I do love feeling my little love taps on the inside.  At my last appointment they confirmed that the baby is breech (meaning butt down instead of head down) so this is why all of my kicks have been in my pelvic region.  At night time though, when I lay on my side, the baby kicks more on the side.  Which helps Derek to be able to feel the baby move.  As far as the baby turning....yeah there is still plenty to time for the baby to get in the right position, but to be perfectly honest, I could care less.  I know that there are some moms out there that
"need" to have a vaginal birth in thier book of life experiences, but I am not one of them.  If this baby decides not to turn, never fear, I am sure we will get this kid out one way or another.  I am not opposed to the slice and dice option a.k.a C-section.  In fact, based on stories from those who have experienced both, the slice and dice option seems to be a bigger hit anyway.

4.  I have ventured into the world of every 2 week appointments with my OB.  Which means that this baby will be here before we know it!  As of now, I am 31.5 weeks, so based on my early induction, this baby should be here within the next 7-8 weeks.  Phew!!!!  That feels like it is right around the corner!  Though I will say that I am happy to have this baby any time after 35 weeks....will take 34 if the baby is anxious!  I am not particularly uncomfortable at this point (I know this can change very quickly) but I am anxious to meet our little one!  And since the baby will be born in June, and not the peak of respiratory season, I'm comfortable with a little early :)  Once I hit 36 weeks, I start weekly appointments with my OB.  :)   :)   :)

5.  I start weekly appointments with my Perinatologist at 32 weeks.  So that means I have an ultrasound every week from that point on.  Due to all of my health issues (the diabetes, the hyptension etc) they want to keep a super close eye on this precious life.  Which is fine with me and lets me see this baby very frequently.  The ultrasounds that they will be doing from 32 weeks are called Biophysical Profiles (BPPs).  Basically its a checklist of criteria that the baby has to meet during a certain time period.  It looks at 5 different components, for a total score of 10 points.  Here are the different components:

• Non-Stress Test  This is looking to make sure that the baby's heart rate responds appropriately to different things.  They want to see 2 or more increases in HR by 15 beats per minute.
• Breathing One or more breathing movements during 30 seconds.
• Body Movements  3 or more movements of the arms, legs, or body
• Muscle Tone One or more extensions and return to flexion of the hands, arms, legs, or neck.  So basically stretching and returning to a ball  :)
• Amniotic fluid Atleast one pocket of amniotic fluid measuring 2 cm.

So I get to have this done each and every week, with each one taking about 45 mins to an hour.

6.  I have been shopping at consignment sales like a crazy woman.  I LOVE IT.  And I figure, why not buy used, as long as it is in great condition...this baby is not going to care how many people wore something before they did.  I can definately see myself waking up early on Saturday mornings and rumaging through yard sales to catch the best deals.  My mom would be so proud!

7.  We picked Godparents for this precious life and those siblings that follow in the future.  You never know what could happen from day to day and we wanted to make sure we chose a couple that share in the same morals and values that we do when it comes to children.  I know my brother Scott and his wife Kim would raise our children just as we would if we were no longer here on Earth.

8.  Last but certainly not least, I and my two best friends have been planning my baby shower.  We are having it this weekend and I could not be more excited.  I can't wait for everyone to touch and love on the belly and wish it well.  Oh, and the gifts are great too!  I'll post pictures after!

So that's our life in a nutshell since I have been MIA from my blog.  And here is one more picture for your viewing pleasure.  Me at 31 weeks......