Milestones

A lot has been going on here and I haven't had the time to post any of it. Ok, strike that, I've had the time, but sleep seemed such a better use of it. So here it is in bits and pieces.

Aidan is 4 weeks old today! So hard to believe he's been here a month already. Also hard to believe that he was only supposed to be getting here a few days ago. I'm so glad he's here already, and so glad I didn't have to go through Christmas incredibly pregnant and still on that stupid diabetic diet!

Aidan's doing well, gaining weight, despite being the world's greatest spit-up champion. We'll be going back for a check-up next week, so more details on how the jaundice is going then. He's still not sleeping for any longer than 3 hours at a time, and night still seems to equal day. Oh well, we'll get there.

I went to a Bridal shower for Grace, Penn's fiance. Because she lives in CT, Mom suggested having a card party. i.e. giving her gift cards. Because I'm going to be her sister-in-law, and even though it wasn't on the suggestion list, I gave her a Victoria's Secret gift card. I wasn't the only one though who is determined to keep alive the spirit of a bridal shower. One of Dad's co-workers (and Penn's boss from this summer!) actually gave Grace a piece of lingerie. Go Priscilla!!

This past Saturday was also 2 years since we lost Stuart. I thought about him several times that morning, but had actually forgotten that it was the day. It seems so odd not to have remembered, but good in a way. I can think about him with happy thoughts now, that are only slightly sad. The saddest thing for me is that he's not here to play with his little brother. Some day though we'll all be together again.

That's the latest from me. Anything else new and exciting I'll post as it happens. Otherwise you can assume I'm changing diapers, wiping up spit-up, doing masses of baby laundry, bouncing a baby, or even very rarely, sleeping.

132!!!

So I knew breastfeeding burned a lot of calories, but I didn't realize quite how many.

I weighed less this morning than I did before I got pregnant. In fact I weighed less this morning than I have in over 2 years.

I could really begin to like this!

Aidan Emery Glendinning

Well, I've been meaning to post something for a few days now. Andy's already posted the most relevant info on his site, but I wanted to write a little blurb as well.

Aidan decided to join us early, on Monday the 3rd. Not just early for his scheduled due date of the 26th, but a full two weeks early for his scheduled c-section on the 17th.

When I woke up on the 2nd I felt a bit odd, but wrote it off to all the housework I'd done the day before. That night I woke up from a sound sleep to go to the bathroom (no surprise there), and my water broke.

Since I didn't go through labor with Stuart, this was all a bit new and shocking. Andy and I got to the hospital about 20 minutes later at which point, contractions started.

Now, we're doing the fun stuff!

Turns out there was a premature set of twins being delivered at that point, so they decided to let me labor and if he came on out "licktey-split" then I would be having my baby naturally.

After about an hour, they checked me out again, and although he was anxious, he apparently wasn't so anxious that we could skip the c-section.

They had me walk down the hall to the operating room (yeah that was fun with the contractions) and got everything all set up. The spinal was unpleasant but the warm numbness and sudden lack of contraction pain was certainly welcome.

All went as expected and at 2:39 AM, Aidan joined our family.

He was born at 36 weeks and 4 days, just 3 days short of being considered full term. Not too shabby!

We finally got to leave the hospital Friday morning, and since then we've all been learning each others schedules. He's a little jaundiced (but, not some much so that we need to do the photo-therapy) which is why we didn't leave the hospital until Friday. Normally we would have been sent on home on Thursday morning.
He had his first doctor's appointment this morning and has managed to gain 5 oz back that he'd lost since being born. He's gained these 5 oz since Friday morning, so apparently I'm not too shabby at the breast-feeding thing.

I have to say that having him here with us has been the most wonderful thing ever to happen to me, and although sleep seems to come in short supply I couldn't care less.

Here's to a wonderful Christmas ahead for our family, and I hope each and every one of you has as happy a holiday season as we're already having!

Who says opening your presents early take away the fun?

Aidan
Originally uploaded by apg

I am so smart. S...M...R...T

We were watching "Are you smarter than a 5th grader" last night. And a very "bright" frat boy was the contestant. The game show flashed up, as a tidbit, what the boy had gotten on his SATs and they seemed amazingly high for how well he'd been answering the questions up to that point.

I reminded Andy that they'd changed the SATs and the scores were all a lot higher now. I also made the comment that low SAT scores are not something I could comment on considering how low mine were. This is not a subject that has ever come up before, and he asked what exactly I had gotten.

Now, we both went to a Magnet high-school, we've both been in the Talented and Gifted school program since we were 6. We both went to an Honor's college (which my scores were obviously good enough to get me into I might add). We both love to read, and I feel we're pretty well matched on the intelligence level albeit in different areas.

Upon hearing my SAT score he sat bolt upright in the chair. He then proceeded to talk directly to my belly "don't worry little boy, my good genes will wipe out Mommy's bad ones."

The rest of the evening went well after that.

November showers bring...baby gifts

Lots and lots and lots of baby gifts. I think my son will be clothed for the better part of the first two years of his life. AND he will look adorable.

This child is already so loved by the entire family both immediate and extended, I can hardly believe it. It's a good thing to have this much love in the world.

Andy's Mom and Grandma did an amazing job on the shower. Organizing, decorating, food, people, the whole works.

Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am to have found Andy and become part of his amazing family.

Some day very soon Aidan will know it too!

My toes...let me show you them

My toes...let me show you them
Originally uploaded by lglendinning

I had a pedicure today, probably the last one I'll have before the baby gets here (hence the holly, I'm anticipating being pretty tied up before Christmas). I've managed to squeeze in three this year. Usually this is a treat I save just for my birthday, but considering I'm pregnant I threw in a couple extras.

I've always liked having my feet rubbed, I mean who doesn't, right? But it's something that has always relaxed me. When I was little and my grandmother would sit on the front porch in the evenings I would go sit on the old couch next to her and prop my feet up in her lap. She would sit there and just absent-mindedly rub my feet as she watched the happenings on the street and the sun went down.

It's one of my favorite childhood memories.

I've never out-grown it. As a teen-ager, I had a foot-rub deal with a guy I used to lifeguard with. He was willing to rub my feet for as long as I was willing to rub his. It wasn't ever a kinky sort of thing. After walking around barefoot all day on concrete that was hot from the sun, it was simply a mutual appreciation kind of a thing.

So needless to say getting a pedicure is a real treat for me. The pretty toes at the end are definitely a nice touch, but it's the foot rub that I really enjoy.

You know how when you were a kid and Christmas seemed soooo far away?

We had our second to last sonogram yesterday. Assuming, as the doctor said, I don't go into labor early, we'll have only one more before our little boy gets here. Pictures should hopefully be scanned and posted soon. Y'all have simply got to see his little nose. It is quite simply the world's cutest nose ever.

We also got the reassuring news that he now weighs 5 lbs. 11 oz. and should anything happen that would cause him to get here before he's scheduled to get here it would all be ok at this point.

Several things went through my mind after hearing these things. The first being "early labor?" Why have I not considered this as a possibility? My brain had simply accepted that I will have a c-section on the 17th and that's when he'll get here. Somehow it hadn't occurred to me that he might make his own schedule.

The second being, we've edged out of the danger zone now. The worst case scenario at this point isn't bad at all. And with that safely out of the way I can actually start routing for him to get here. So far I've been afraid to be too anxious or excited about him coming in case that actually made him come too soon. But we're good now. I can start actively looking forward to my Christmas present, and MAN does four weeks suddenly feel like the longest time in the world!

38 Days and Counting...

I looked at the calendar today and completely panicked. Baby boy will be here on the 17th of December. Yes, that's official, we've planned the c-section.

That means I only have 38 days to get an extremely long list of chores done! Not least among them, finish all the Christmas shopping.

People if it's not been bought and wrapped before December 17th, it's not going to get done. My apologies if you A. Don't get a present this year or B. Your present is given to you in the Amazon box it came in with a bow stuck on top!

Water Water Everywhere

Since becoming pregnant I've taken to drinking water at almost all times. On the way to work, at work, with dinner, after dinner, before bed, when I wake up during the night...

Last night Andy figured out for me approximately how much water I do drink in a given day.

Roughly 1 gallon. No really, a gallon of water everyday.

Now if only the bladder capacity weren't the equivalent of 3 tablespoons.

Look what I can do!

I can make a pretty awesome Mango Lassi with my 1/2 cup of fruit and 1 cup of yogurt allotment for dinner.

What can you do?

Chubby Bunny Chubby Bunny Chubby Bunny

Today was sonogram number 6 and our little boy gets cuter every time, even if I do say so with a slight prejudice! He weighed in at a whopping 4 lbs 6 oz with just a little over 2 months to go.

Also new this time, he was sucking on his fingers. Piggy little man already eats enough to measure nearly two weeks ahead of schedule and wants to eat more!

I suppose this is some massive foreshadowing for his teenage years. Good thing we joined the discount food warehouse!

Yummmmmmm

'Nilla Wafers with a huge glass (at least a pint glass full) of milk and Banana Nesquik. That would be SO tasty right now.

Do you think a very good imagination can turn a slice of whole wheat bread with peanut butter and some water into 'Nilla wafers and banana milk?

No, I didn't think so either.

Open Note to the Women in my Office

Stop flushing the toilets with your feet.

You're coming out of the stall to wash your hands anyway. The three seconds between flushing the toilet and getting out to get your hands under hot water will not harm you. Think about the germs that are already on the doors and locks of the stall. You didn't open and close those with your feet did you?

They do not mop every day in our restroom and when they do, they don't use bleach. All you are accomplishing is to drag the muck from the floor onto the toilet handle for all of us who flush the toilet using our hands.

Please stop.

8 Years Ago...

I was worried about tripping down the aisle and falling on my face.

I hadn't eaten in about 2 weeks.

I had no clue where we would be spending that night.

I was totally shell-shocked.

I was the happiest I had ever been up to that point in my life.

Today...

I'm not worried about embarrassing myself, you've seen me at my worst.

I just ate an hour ago.

I'm spending tonight asleep next to you.

I'm shocked that you still love me just as much now as you did then (see above note about my worst).

I am the happiest I have ever been.

Happy Anniversary my love. Here's to many many more.

You win this round baby-brain

Normally I like to think of myself as a sane person. Normally I would be able to think things all the way through and then execute them.

My brain during pregnancy however, does not function this way. My limbs start moving of their own accord and I just seem to follow along until I notice something, perhaps, isn't quite right.

Like the other day after making a sandwich for lunch when I put the bread away...

Under the kitchen sink.

Two and two is four, four and four is eight...

I got to meet with a dietician today to find out what's allowed and what isn't. It all went pretty well. As expected no more cookies/candy/etc. She said I'd be allowed a piece of cake for my baby shower, but that's it sweets-wise.

Other than that I don't think it will be too hard. I was already doing three meals a day with a morning and afternoon snack and usually some sort of nibble before bed. So I've got the meal spacing down. The hard part is figuring out what combination of the amount of protein/starch/fat/vegetable/milk/fruit allotments makes up each meal.

I'm allowed 2 meats, 1 starch, and 1 fat for breakfast. NO milk. NO fruit. So I could have oatmeal and 2 hard boiled eggs. Or 4 sausage links, and half an english muffin with some margarine. Or... or... and that's where I get stuck.

I'll have to sit down this weekend and plot out a menu plan for next week. In the meantime I've gotten some good tips from girlfriends who've had gestational diabetes too.

Peanut butter spread on one slice of whole wheat bread and a cup of milk EXACTLY fits my afternoon snack allotment. Just had that and I'm quite satisfied, thanks Sandy!

Cocoa Butter is awesome

After holding on to my belly for a fruitless five minutes trying to feel the baby kick, Andy takes his hands away and asks...

Why do my hands smell of chocolate?

Fun at the lab

Yesterday was just as fun as a barrel full of monkeys. I went in for my extended glucose screening which started the night before with nothing to eat or drink.

I had to wait in line to sign in at the lab, which was unusual until I realized it was Rosh Hashanah and kids were out of school. So every kid that needed a sports physical or blood drawn for any reason was there.

They took my initial baseline blood about 20 mins. after my appointment time. Which, considering how busy they were was impressive.

After about another 20 mins. I still hadn't been given the flat soda stuff to drink so I went up and asked. They had to get my baseline back from the hospital first before they gave me the stuff to drink. Just sit down, they'll call me.

Another 20 mins. and they call me up. "We're trying to find your lab slip." After seeing the tape on my arm..."Oh, they've already taken the first one and I guess we're waiting for the hospital now. Sorry, we'll call you when we hear from the hospital."

Another 20 mins. I went back up and asked if they'd heard anything at all. It was now 10 AM, my appointment was for 8:30, I haven't eaten anything since 8:30 the night before. I'm pregnant and just a little bit cranky. "No, we haven't heard from them. We'll call them since they haven't called us."

5 mins. later "They're running the test right now, we should have the results in a few minutes."

10 mins. later I get my bottle of flat, syrupy fruit punch. It was delicious.

Now my three hours begin, with a brief break every hour when they draw another vial of blood. I've already been at the lab for two hours at this point. I'm actually cheering in my head every time they call someone else back. One less person in the waiting room.

I brought a book with me, thankfully. And there was always the TV in the room. I have never tuned in on purpose to Regis & Kelly, or The View, or Martha Stewart. I certainly never will again.

Between my book and people-watching, the day passed, albeit slowly. I noticed a few particular people and one general sort of trend.

The particular ones:
A trio of women came in together. Only one had an appointment. All three took turns filling out and verifying the paperwork. All three were dressed oddly, as in kelly green t-shirt dress with pink Ugg boots, pink canvas bag, bright blue cardigan. All three were in their early 30s.

An entire family came in. Mom, dad, two sons. Dad and one son needed to have blood drawn. Son would not stay in the waiting room. He kept slipping away down the hall. When dad got called in, mom tried to take son in to watch. Presumably to see that it wasn't a big deal. As soon as dad was done, son took off. Son got called about 2 mins later. He was no where to be found. Mom chased him around the hall for a while. We all heard the tantrum. Son was about 11 years old, by the way. Dad went out to try and help. Entire family never reappeared. Son lost his turn in line.

Another mom came in with a 3 year old girl. Wasn't clear who the appointment was for until they went back. And the screams started. Heartbreaking screams. Especially when the "Mommy what are they doing to me?" turned into "Mommy don't do this to me!!"

The trend:
Mothers with girls in high school tended come with them to the appointment. The girls had on t-shirts with their high school on it. The moms all had a variant of a Vera Bradley bag, and so did the girls. Mom's was usually the big carryall, daughter's was the beensy clutch with just enough of a strap to slip up onto their shoulder.

I finally got to leave a little before 2. Five hours packed full of fun.

The result? My sugar's still too high. On to the special diet I go.

Stuck? Stuck!? STUCK!

I'm feeling a bit jealous. My grandmother and sister just returned from a two week road trip to Canada. My parents are on week two of their four week tour of Australia. My in-laws have been around the country in general, mom has been to Scotland, and Kit has just gotten home from Puerto Rico.

And I'm not allowed to go farther away than an hours drive as per strict instructions from my OB. Well, technically what he said was "I don't want you going anywhere that you can't get to us quickly." Which to me translates to if you can't get there in an hour, it's not "quickly."

For the most part I don't mind, and I truly appreciate how careful they're being with me. But this is the time of the year when I get itchy feet. I want to go somewhere, do something, see the world!

Diabeetus, you say?



I went for my glucose screening and apparently I'm slightly above the approved cutoff. So back I go to the lab next week for the 3 hour version of what I did this week.

Fingers crossed that I pass my test this time!

Well stocked

We went to BJ's Warehouse over the weekend. I got a deal on a membership through work, and with baby on the way I figured being able to buy diapers in bulk was not a bad idea.

I used to go to warehouse stores with my grandmother when I was younger and I HATED it. They were SO borrrrrringgggg, and who cares about all this stuff? I had similar feelings about going to the hardware store with my dad. There were no toys, why was he so thrilled to be here?

I'm not sure whether it's a good or bad thing that my perceptions have changed. We walked into the building and the massive quantities of things was very appealing although, I must admit, still overwhelming. I know there will be more people in our house to start using things, but for just the two of us it's a little hard to adjust your mentality. Buying in bulk is good, but why don't they just make a four-pack instead of a tenner?

I'm happy to say we managed to adjust well and that we now have enough toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, razor blades, and facial cleanser to last us through the apocalypse. And we were forward-thinking enough to make a gift purchase for an upcoming festive occasion.

Buying in bulk and selflessness! Amazing!

And the point is...

So, I'm trying to understand the logic behind this question:

"Are you bigger this time than you were last time, or am I just imagining it?"

This question has now been posed to me by two family members and several co-workers.

I think that this is motivated by care and concern. Which would be nice if that is the case. For the record, I am bigger, because the baby is bigger, which has been the best news we've gotten so far.

But on the whole, does it really matter??

Cravings

Ok, see I've been telling people I haven't had any bizarre cravings. Which is strictly true. But if I've decided I want something to eat, I must have this thing to eat. The world will soon come to an end if I cannot have this one thing. The thing is never bizarre in and of itself, but I must have it.

I didn't quite realize how strong of an urge this was until Andy discovered my stash of turkey in the fridge.

I'd been wanting a turkey sandwich. So when I went to the grocery store last time I picked up some turkey. Two packs of turkey. One deli sliced, and one of turkey breast sliced into strips.

Oh and I picked up some ham too. I bought it because it was on sale. But quite possibly, as Andy suggests, it was to cover up the fact that I bought so much turkey.

And some cranberry sauce to go with the turkey.

And some cranberry gingerale.

BUT, I didn't buy any stuffing! Aren't you all proud of me?

Hmmm stuffing....that sounds awfully good....

This makes me laugh. EVERY time.

My node is stubbed up

Can I just say that of all things that have to be sacrificed during pregnancy, cold medicine is by far the hardest to give up. No alcohol, ok, fine. I don't drink much of anything anyway. No unpasteurized cheese, well, that brie will still be waiting for me in a few months. A little harder is eating meat cooked medium when I prefer it close to bloody (sorry T, I'll never be a convert). But, having a miserable head cold and not being able to take the medicine that would offer a bit of comfort is by far the worst.

I know there are medicines that I can take, but they're the kind that never give me any relief even when I'm not 5 months pregnant. So if they don't work normally, why add the extra chemicals to my body now when I'm being so careful about everything else?

So if you happen to run in to me, I apologize. If the hormones weren't enough to make anyone cranky, that combined with the cold...well, maybe I should stay out of the public domain for the next day or so anyway.

My child, the exhibitionist

I had my third sonogram this morning. I will actually wind up having 4-5 more before this baby is born. Have I mentioned they're being extra special careful with me this time? Nothing like good pre-natal care folks!

During both the previous scans, the baby was too small to have made any sort of guess at gender so there was no chance of finding out what we were having. We both prefer it this way. You don't get too many surprises in life like finding out what your child is while it's being handed to you. So we had no intention of finding out this time.

Now, given our situation and that we were going to wind up having so many pictures of this little one before it's even born, I thought we might find out somewhere along the line by accident.

This morning started out very well, the tech promised to keep the secret for us and did a fantastic job of getting all the right measurements while managing to avoid the baby's nether regions. Almost the entire time she scanned, our little one kept both hands over it's face almost as if we were paparazzi desperately trying snap Brittney doing something else foolish. "No pictures please!"

The doctor came in shortly after the tech finished up and was scanning here, there, everywhere to make sure everything looked good to him. As this was happening I got a smack on my elbow from Andy.

Sure enough, clear as day, no denying anything, the baby was laying pretty much spread-eagle in front of us. Both hands still covering HIS face.

Overheard at the Orioles game

We went to Tuesday's game this week at which there was a ceremony for Cal Ripken in honor of his upcoming induction to the Hall of Fame. In line behind Andy were two people who were clearly not locals.

Couple from out of town: Wow there's a lot of people here tonight. Is it always like this?
Local cop patrolling: Well, not always. Tonight's a little special.
Couple: Oh, it's for that Cal Ripken. You think it's crowded tonight because of him?
Local cop: Well, it sure as hell ain't for the Devil Rays.

And the florescent lights took on an angelic hue and a choir of voices began to sing...

We went to the grocery store yesterday on the way home from the movies. Ostensibly, (oh yes I DID just use that SAT word!) to pick up something for dinner. But something always happens when Andy and I grocery shop together. Usually a lot of silliness and me pretending not to know him.

We took a turn down the organic food aisle, him joking about getting the system cleaned out, me pretending to be offended but really enjoying every joke...when we saw it...

A small shelf full of imported foods. Not any imported foods, mind you, but foods imported from the UK, Ireland, and Australia!

Bounty bars! Violet Crumble! Ploughman's pickle relish! HP BROWN SAUCE! Club Lemon and Club Orange! Marmite! (EWW! That could have stayed overseas!) McAvitie's Hob Nobs! Fine cut marmalade, made with sugar and fruit, and NOT high fructose effing corn syrup!!!!!

We gazed in wonder at the miracle before us. Someone had obviously made a recent trip overseas and decided they liked it. We agreed with them.

These were the real deal too, not made-in-Canada-for-dumb-Americans-junk (like Cadbury so often does. WOE to Americans eating Cadbury that tastes like brown wax and not like the good stuff they sell everywhere else in the world). These products had American labels pasted over the British ones so you couldn't read the price in pounds sterling anymore. Perhaps so you wouldn't realize how much more you were paying for the product.

We managed to drag ourselves away with only a bottle of brown sauce for us and two Violet Crumble bars for my dad. We really wanted some Club Orange but it was $2.29/bottle and we're aren't talking a two liter here, we're talking 20 oz.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed the little section will expand to eventually, maybe, another shelf. Get some of the great flavors of Nesquik that the Aussies love, like Caramel or Banana. Some of the European Fanta. Or maybe even... some Cadbury Crunchie bars.

Again, again!

I've been trying to formulate how to word this post for quite some time and I still haven't come up with anything very clever. The stumper has been a combination of my utter joy and complete terror of all things that could possibly happen. This seems to have frozen the part of my brain that would allow me to create something "cutesy."

However, you simply can't box yourself in safe and sound somewhere and hope that bad things never happen. You have to continue living life. So we've decided to continue bravely forward and pray for the best.

We will be welcoming a new Glendinning to the clan in December. The day after Christmas if the guesstimates of the doctors and sonogram tech are accurate.

I hope they are, because it would truly be the Best Christmas Present Ever.

Yarr Matey

My pirate name is:

Calico Mary Rackham

Often indecisive, you can't even choose a favorite color. You're apt to follow wherever the wind blows you, just like Calico Jack Rackham, your namesake. You have the good fortune of having a good name, since Rackham (pronounced RACKem, not rack-ham) is one of the coolest sounding surnames for a pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
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Brand Loyalty

I bought a pair of Saucony running shoes in college because a friend recommended them. I liked them. It was good.

Since then, they've been my preferred brand of sneaker. I didn't really understand just exactly the implications of that until the other day when we took the dog out for a walk. I didn't want to wear my brand new sneakers out since it had just rained, so I dug in the hall closet for an old pair.I reached in and pulled out 3 left shoes. All sneakers, all Saucony. It was good.

Included in the way back, the first pair from college, right up through the latest pair, my "grape" pair.