Baby stuff

At my last baby shower, the one at school, it was the only shower where everyone knew the gender of the baby. I specifically wanted some clothes, and I was not disappointed! Here are the clothes I got!

I especially like the squirrel sleeper, the formal black coat, the little sweater, and "shake it" onsie with a rattle on it!





Here is the playpen with Hobbes, who decided it was a nice place to sleep.

Pregnancy picture

Last weekend Dave and I took some nice pictures. Here is one:

Getting screwed by STD

No, I don't mean a sexually transmitted disease...STD is the abbreviation for Short term disability. Something I signed up for two years ago to take care of maternity leave. Apparently, I didn't get the whole story about how it works.

I had to elect an 8 or 28 day "waiting period". When I asked insurance lady what the waiting period was, she said you wait to get your check on the 8th day or the 28th day. So why is it a different amount taken out of my check? She says because some people really the need the check at the beginning of the month, or the end of the month. So I get the same amount? "Yep."

I called MESSA to make sure I understood what needed to be done and how STD works...looks like the waiting period means you WAIT that long before you are ELIGIBLE for STD. So for a standard 6 week maternity leave, I'd wait 28 days (4 weeks) before being eligible to get my check...which would only be for two weeks.

So I'm sort of screwed. I can use sick days, though I've been using them and donating them for two years because I thought I had STD and didn't need to worry about days. So I only have 17.

What's more is that apparently every year I was supposed to ask them to up my amount...of course I didn't know this and so my benefit (of which I'm only entitled to two weeks) will be based on my first years salary that is 10,000 less than I make now.

I'm pretty pissed about it, but I know that we'll be okay, the baby will have clothes, etc. But the insurance lady should have the right info, should help people understand that info and make good decisions. Despite evidence to the contrary, I'm not an idiot; I wouldn't sign up for disability knowing that I'd be getting a mere two weeks worth! I am losing money on this overall, and what is worse is that since "open enrollment" is over, I have to keep paying all year, knowing I'm getting screwed!

In other news, I saw the doctor yesterday (appointments weekly now) and all seems well. Good blood pressure, weight, and fundus measure. Supposedly I still have about 3 weeks left...but I have always felt that I'd be done the second week of November.

I'm so excited...a few things left to do. Still have to buy nursing gown, pack hospital bags, put up some hooks in the babies room. Of course the house is a disaster, but I will say my sweet spouse has been pretty darn helpful with stuff. I just need to get some vacuuming done and a little organizing. It seems like I can't get my dining room table clear; there is always something!

Oh, and I have some pictures I'd like to post. But somehow every week is so darn busy...and weekends I am busy, too! Gotta make time for important stuff, like blogging :-)

Reduced foot size and worry

On Sunday I called Dr. Andy to ask about the whole toxemia and preeclampsia thing. He made me feel better, as usual. What do pregnant people who don't have Dr. Andy do?? Apparently the swollen feet was taken off the list of symptoms for preeclampsia since it is so darn common amongst preggos. He said to beware of significantly swollen hands and face. Also, of course protein in pee (can't test that at home) and blood pressure (again, can't test at home). He said to monitor salt, but really the baby is pressing on the venous return and that is what is making me puff out. So instead of "putting up feet", try to lay on my side to take pressure off back.

My feet are slightly better, my right one went down andthe left one is still a little puffy. At the doctor yesterday my pee test came out fine and blood pressure is 109/70 (same as usually and quite good). My belly (fundus) measures right where it is supposed to. Weight gain is in the right window. Unfortunately, the doctor was once again called to L and D at the start of my appointment, so it was short. He took the strep B test and I'll get results next week.

I start weekly appointments now and the doc says if the baby comes now, we won't try to stop it. No kidding! This kid can "head out" any time now. But I do have mixed feelings...As much as I'm ready to have my body back, I am of course a little nervous about the rest of having a baby. Dave and I did the hospital tour last night and it went okay. Being in the delivery room made me a little nervous and pulse racy. Reminds me of shoulder surgery and the hysterics just before I went in. Must stay calm! Dave will help with that :-)

Last baby shower (work) tomorrow. Then a trip to babies R us and target to get the last bits that I think I need.

One small foot for woman, one giant foot for womankind

Yesterday I was at Sara Wiles's baby shower and at the end, I looked down and my right foot seemed puffy. Upon closer inspection and comparrison to my left foot, I saw that it was indeed about twice the size it should be!

I knew that foot swelling was normal for the end of pregnancy, but it really threw me that it was only my right foot. Advice from non-doctor but knowledgable people included limiting salt intake, putting my feet up, and taking it easy. I tried to keep my foot up yesterday and today, but it is still puffy and uncomfortable. I think I need to talk to an actual doctor, but I did check the internet and it sort of scared me.

Apparently toxemia and preeclampsia (which are quite serious) occur in 5-7% of pregnancies and symptoms are swollen feet, headaches, sudden weight gain. Hmmm...sounds like me. And there is little to do about it. And of course I found a cite that claims that limiting salt intake is the worst thing to do because they'd actually cause water retention.

Today I ordered a belly-cast kit and I'm pretty excited to get it. I don't know I'd do with it when it is done, but I thought it'd be nice to have. I have only four more weeks (supposedly) so time is getting short. There are few things I still need to do before baby. SOme organizing and buying a few more things.

Seeing Jen's baby, Keira, helps me to be ready for little Charlotte to come:-)

It's a girl!

The announcement is official: Dave and I are having a baby girl. We plan to name her Charlotte Jane Baker (unless I change my mind!). We're both excited and happy, though I really knew the whole time. I had a dream in March that I Mary had a boy, and Jen and I had girls and I was just sure of it. Dave had dreams it was a boy, though. The only baby dream I've had was that I had to sacrifice Dave for the baby to live- not very nice!

I decided a couple of weeks ago to finally share the news because sharing news is fun! I started at my shower in Cleveland thrown by Dave's family. I made sure the last gift I opened was one that I brought for the baby. It was the little dress I made this summer for her. So it was pretty clear when I opened the box what the gender way. Then the next weekend I told my mom and her family in the same way. I called Daddy and grandma Van then, too. But I couldn't tell anyone before my mom knew!

I'm glad we made that decision. It has been fun to talk about and I can finally say "she". She has hiccups all the time! Her head is down and she is in a good position! Also, we are so fortunate to have almost everything we need her. Now I just need to get clothes so she isn't naked all the time! I still have to pick out an outfit for her to wear home from the hospital.

October already!

I guess I, too, haven't written in a while. I have ideas of stuff to write about...but it hasn't happened. Somehow I'm keeping pretty busy. What's new...

I can't believe it is October. I have just five more weeks. That is good because I'm getting sick of the pain in sleep. I know I won't sleep when the baby comes, but at least it doesn't hurt when you sleep!

I am still going to physical therapy. I go only once per week now. I had terrible pain about a week ago and took a day off work. I looked it up on the internet and found a condition called symphysis pubis dysfunction. Pretty sure that was what I had, the list of symptoms was like reading my mind! Terrible pain turning over in bed, can't stand on one leg, a bad waddle, etc. But when I asked my doctor, he said, "no, you don't have that". He was pretty short with me, which was irking, but I soon found out he had someone in L and D (labor and delivery) who was "going early". Next appointment I plan to talk to him more about it. I think he thought I was suggesting that I had symphysis pubis dystocia (which is where it actually separates- yikes!). I know that isn't it, my therapist has been treating me for dysfunction, where it slips up or down on one side or another.

But today he said that it seems even, though my saccrum is still somewhat torqued. I had to sit down all day since we gave the MEAP all darn day! I thought I'd get so much done, but all kinds of stuff comes up and I didn't do any planning! But I did grade some stuff, organize some stuff, and put out fires. I didn't actually have a prep period, but tomorrow I get two hours!! Yippee.

Babywise, I'm so damn excited!! Jen DiGennaro had her baby girl, Keira Rose, on Saturday evening. She was born 7 pounds 9 ounces, 19.5 inches long. It was a long and hard labor and Keira was delivered by cesarean but baby and mom are recovering well. I visited on Sunday night and now I'm just so eager for it to happen, it makes focusing on school tough. I have most of my showers done, just one at work is left. We are pretty well set on baby stuff. I used gift cards to buy the glider rocker, which I already love. I just like to go into the nursery and sit and dream. But not for too long, because then I start moving furniture around. I love the decor of the room, it is just sooooooo small! THe rocker does take up alot of room, too, so I'm trying to find a way that works well.

Dave is in Kentucky. But hopefully this is the last trip until a while after the baby. If I "go" early, I want daddy home with me!

Oh, my doctor put me on a diet when my weight started to sky-rocket, but I haven't gained any weight in the last three weeks, so it is fine. The weight wasn't even the problem, it was a just a very sudden and severe amount that he didn't want to continue until the end.

I need to take some pictures and post them, hopefully it will happen this week.