The dreaded appointment

I’ve been dreading this Monday’s six-month appointment for her spherocytosis (a type of hereditary anemia she has) checkup. They have to do blood work. It’ terrible watching someone hold down your little baby and stick with a needle. So, I threw in a lot of treats in to my bag and tried to warn my innocent girl that we were going to see the doctor. She seemed so happy all morning too. I felt awful about what was to come.

The hospital is HUGE and overwhelming too. Last time we were there we had to ask around about where the Pediatric Oncology/Hematology (luckily we just need the hematology part) department was and several people didn’t know. People who worked there. Apparently they’ve undergone major renovations though, so it was all very new. But this time, I had no trouble at all.

Anyway, the people there couldn’t have been nicer. And they just acted like Ella’s the cutest, sweetest little girl they’ve ever seen. I mean, she IS (you read about her award, right?) but they see kids all the time, so it’s nice that they still have that excitement for mine.

The waiting room is also filled with books, puzzles, a train table and little rideable animals. I appreciate that so much. Instead of a long wait of me keeping her restrained and making sure she’s not getting into anything she shouldn’t, she is having fun. That is huge.

Before we knew it we got called in. They let Ella drag a rideable lion she spotted in ANOTHER playroom into our room. And right away the nurse asked if we wanted drinks. She brought us apple juice and water. This is practically fun!

Ella sat really still as she had her breathing checked, her blood pressure done, her height and weight checked. Then while we waited for the doctor I pulled Ella through the halls in a wagon (yes, they have several wagons in the hall.) The doctor then spoke with us for awhile. Pretty routine. And the good news is that after she’s three she’ll only have to go once a year. Awesome. She will have to have a couple extra vaccines in the next few years though.

Finally came the dreaded blood draw. At first Ella sat still as they poked her. They had put numbing lotion on when we first got there. But the nurse wasn’t getting any blood, so she readjusted the needle, Ella jumped and some blood squirted out. Then she bawled. I quickly grabbed her a sucker and that mostly calmed her down. But then the nurse had to do it AGAIN. She cried some more. But it was over pretty quickly.

All in all, not too bad at all. The nurse let us play in the playroom while she “checked us out” so we didn’t have to wait up at any counter either. Are they good or what?

So it went about as well as it could. I don’t think I’ll be quite as anxious about it next time.

Nephew’s arrival adds to anticipation

OK, it’s been an exciting 8 and 1?2 months, but I have to say, I’m ready to not be pregnant anymore. I don’t mean at all that we’ve had a change of heart about our baby. We can’t wait for her to be here. I just am ready for her to be OUTSIDE of my body.
I’m not sure what’s going to happen with my internal organs these final weeks as the baby grows another half pound per week. I think something’s going to have to go. I know my stomach is squished, because whenever I eat I fill up very quickly — then am met with a new side effect, heartburn.
And my poor, poor bladder. I thought I had to go to the bathroom a lot a few months ago. Now I miss those nights when I only had to get up twice to go. And it’s so unsatisfying, too. It feels like you will be unleashing Niagara Falls when you finally make it into the bathroom. But somehow, there’s just not that much. And you still feel like you have to go.
My biggest incentive for crossing the finish line happened last Monday though — the arrival of my nephew, Finnegan Everett Cupp.
My sister Sara went into labor for the second time in her life, and for the second time, it began with her water breaking. Although, I hear this is very uncommon, despite what you see in the movies.
She spent the next 18 hours in labor before Finnegan arrived. I was so nervous all day, both for my sister, and for myself, knowing that I’d be in there soon. And I knew she was in pain. We kept in contact with her and her husband all day, and when she ordered pain medication, then an epidural, I couldn’t help but think, the pain must be really bad. She never complains about anything.
Luckily, just when I was wandering what kind of mess I had gotten myself into, we got the call that the baby was here. Sara even called me herself. I thought – “You can make a phonecall after all that?” She sounded so good, too.
She said “He’s here. And he’s perfect.” And he was perfect. I had never seen such a young newborn before. His skin was so smooth and his tiny hands were all grey and wrinkly. He was very alert, and he stared at my family as we walked in. He was so cute.
So I’m feeling ready for baby Ella to be here. And maybe then I’m going to miss these nights that I slept at all, but after seeing Finn arrive, I know it will all be worth it.

Third trimester a whole new ballgame

It makes sense to me now why pregnancy is split into three periods — otherwise known as trimesters. Each three months comes with a whole new set of symptoms, emotions and a whole different body.
That burst of energy I felt during my second trimester seems to be fading away. I would love to take a nap, right now in fact. And I would, except it hurts to lay down. The careful pillow configurations I had mastered for peaceful sleep in my second trimester seem to not work anymore. My back aches from the weight of my belly, and flip flopping from side to side in bed is not so easy anymore.
And I thought I was all set when it came to a maternity wardrobe. Plenty of expandable pants and long shirts. They seem so small to me now. Ok, you may remember I hit Arby’s pretty hard for awhile a few months back, but really I hardly ever go there anymore. I’ve replaced it with an ice cream addiction.
The good news is there’s no question anymore about my condition — I clearly am pregnant. My baby bump has finally evolved into a big, rounded baby belly. And this is good for several reasons:
I can not only feel her movements and kicks, I can see them. I spend a lot of time just staring at my belly watching it twitch and wave and change shape. And my husband has now been able to feel her move too. It’s a great feeling.
People are nicer to pregnant ladies. People ask me how I’m feeling all the time, or when I’m due. Even strangers. I had a waitress recently tell me all about her new grandaughter when she saw me. And she brought my coffee cake out quickly and constantly refilled my water — because she said “she understood.”
As far as emotions go, I’m feeling more excited than ever. My sister, with the help of my mom and sister-in-law, threw a great baby shower for me and about 25 friends and relatives. It was so fun filling her nursery with the new clothes, diapers, books and toys people bought her. We’re getting very anxious to meet her.
Of course, I’m also getting more nervous as it gets closer. Not to have a baby, but to give birth to a baby. At my last visit, my nurse practicitioner actually told me when I need to get to the hospital when I’m in labor — when my water breaks or when my contractions are about five mintues apart. I was thinking “Oh my gosh, are we really talking about that stuff already? I’m not ready! I have two more months.”
I guess it’s a good thing pregnancy lasts 10 months. We need that long to mentally and emotionally prepare!

It’s a girl!

My baby radar is way off. For six months I’ve been comparing theories, comparing bellies and trying to tune in to my own instinct to determine the sex of our baby. It seemed so conclusive that we were having a boy.
I seem to be carrying lower, which is what some say boys tend to do. The baby seems more like a basketball, than oblong, as girls are known for. And I’m feeling a lot of movement — which I guess was my own theory about boys I was working on. And I only based it on my sister’s experience with her two pregnancies. Not very scientific, I know. There was also the case of the fetal heartbeat. The myth is that a lower heartrate indicates a boy, a higher one a girl. And in my family it seemed to hold true. And my own mother also firmly believed that I was carrying a boy. She seemed so certain.
But, as the ultrasound revealed at our 25 week appointment — it’s a girl! We’re extremely excited. I know it sounds a little fake when people say they don’t care what the sex is, as long as its healthy, but we really felt that way. But now that we know, it’s so fun to imagine and plan, and I already feel like I’m bonding more with our baby girl we call Ella, instead of “it.”
Today, ultrasounds are better than ever too. As you can see in the
photos, the latest 3D technology really lets you see your baby closeup. Still, many women choose to forego knowing and keep the sex a secret until the tiny baby makes his first appearance in the world. These women have way more will power than I do.
I knew before I even became pregnant that I would want to know as soon as possible. I just know myself. I like to plan ahead, make lists, imagine the future … decorate. I would have to find out. No thanks on the big surprise in the delivery room. I think there will be enough surprises.
I have heard one story that made me reconsider my decision for a minute though.
My brother Nate and his wife Rachel did not find out the sex of their baby. Nate really wanted it to be a surprise, and Rachel agreed to do that for him. She patiently told the ultrasound tech she didn’t want to know and never found out. She said she understood my brother’s point of view.
She, and all women, are deeply involved in their child’s birth. They carry their babies. They’re with them all the time. They give birth to them. So, Nate wanted to be involved by sharing the news of his baby’s sex when he was born. And after their baby was born, Nate had his moment. He got to walk proudly out to all of his family and friends and say “It’s a boy.” I’m sure he’ll never forget that.
Anyway, we had our moment too. The ultrasound tech asked if we wanted to know and I said “as soon as you can say the words.” And just seconds later she pointed to the screen and said “It’s a girl.” And we’ll never forget that.