Pregnancy 1: Week 32

32 Weeks:

Symptoms: Back pain, abdominal pain, constant peeing, lack of sleep (due to pain), breast soreness, inability to eat, nausea/vomiting, heartburn.

Weight: 12 lbs gained so far, meaning I lost a pound this past week, which makes sense as I struggled with eating more and was actually throwing up again.

Jury Duty: This week I received a card in the mail (actually to my old address with my maiden name on it) for jury duty. My first thought was well do I really have to respond when they can't even get their act together, literally I am a registered voter, my name change was finalized just a couple months after our wedding, and I have it proper on my social security card, license, etc. So what the heck? I decided to be a good citizen and respond anyway. However, I have been throwing up and in so much pain that I also knew there was no way I would be able to sit through jury duty if it actually came about. However, I went through the questionaire and was thankful to actually be disqualified the next day (apparently they too agree my "condition" including hormones and such would not be the best suited for jury duty). I jokingly took this picture and sent it to Tomek...I have never in my life been happy to NOT qualify for something. heehee.

Church Festival: This week we had our church festival. I worked it for 2 of the 3 days.

The first night we just went and walked around, I was a little bummed because one of the games that I enjoy the most from the carnies wasn’t brought this year (literally the first time in the 7 years I have been to this festival!) but we still enjoyed ourselves. We went and played bingo (with Michelle), ate some yummy food- mine was a corn dog and cheese covered french fries! Tomek enjoyed a tenderloin and some sweet tea!

The second night I worked the elephant ear booth (a tradition for our family to do). I always take care of the money and so I got there ready for my shift from 6-9. I will say that both the second and the third nights working led to me actually having swollen feet for the first time in our pregnancy. But sleeping overnight with them elevated did make a huge difference and now (days later) there are no signs of swelling or anything.

The third night I worked the booth again. We went early so we could spend some time chilling with my friend Wade (I forgot to get a picture of all of us together, sorry!). We played bingo again (and I actually won one!!!) and when I went to start working Wade and Tomek went and played blackjack and such. I did my best to try to take care of myself, with lots of water but still ended the day with my body hurting beyond measure. I wanted to end the night on a more positive note so we went and played bingo again for a bit then headed home.

Doggie Update: Remember I told you all about our precious new addition Ruby. Well an update is that basically she has been doing pretty well. A new house, new dog, and new family for her to adjust to is not surprising that it would be a little difficult for her at first. Let me explain….she also was only with us for a short period of time (less than a week) before she went into heat. So we got some doggy diapers for bedtime and have been dealing with that (she became a little more aggressive with Maggie at first but actually let that go pretty quickly). THEN all of a sudden earlier this week she developed this awful cough/hacking and the first night we literally didn’t sleep at all (talk about trying, it was definitely hard on me when I already had so many symptoms going on myself).

Thankfully the next day Tomek was able to get her to the vet and our worst fears (Kennel Cough, since we had just taken her to a groomer only 3 days after we got her the vaccine- she didn’t have it prior to us getting her) was actually denied! Thank goodness.

However, she does have a slight upper respiratory infection that we have to treat for 10 days with antibiotics and a cough suppressant (thank goodness for the cough meds, we actually got to sleep the next day). The vet explained that this could be due to stress of moving to a new home, the long car ride, and the heat all decreasing her immunity and taking her to the groomer could have increased her risk but the truth is there is no known reason for why she had this happen but she is getting better and as long as she isn’t coughing (which the vet said she shouldn’t be) we will still be getting her spayed on the 30th! YAY! I was really hopeful about getting her spayed early enough that she should be all healed and I don’t have to watch out for her when we are going into labor and worry about her being at home by herself (well with Maggie) while we are in the hospital (Though we do plan on having Tomek come by and check in on them).

Birthing Class: This week our birthing class covered topics like pain medications, epidurals, medical procedures for a general admission, and what will be done when after baby is born. This class was very helpful in learning all about what they will want to do with Patrick immediately, how we will get our golden hour, and when we will call family and invite them to the hospital when we are truly ready for guests. This class definitely reinforced our no epidural and no medication plan. And unless we have to have a c-section due to an emergency related situation we are absolutely not wavering on this plan. I think when people go in for delivery you should be as stuck on a certain way as possible BUT acknowledge that if there are complications or emergency situations you can trust the hospital to veer the least from your goals while having a goal to deliver your baby in the safest way possible!

Guests/Visitors: Speaking of guests, many have certain family members at the hospital (even in the labor room) but many also don’t! So when you are thinking about what you want to do don’t feel obligated to let people in on your special moments if you don’t want to, even if they guilt trip you. Personally we will NOT be calling anyone to tell them that we are going into labor, we won’t be updating people on our progression, and we won’t be pulling out our phones as soon as Patrick is born. Why? Because this is our moment, our special first few moments to celebrate together. Because I am going to look terrible (most likely) and don’t want to focus on trying to get ready for guests until after we have had our golden hour and special time with our little guy. Because there are so many tests, examinations, and things such as a lactation consultant coming in to help with breastfeeding that will all very quickly happen and so we don’t need to add even more stress and discomfort (I am a very private person) to that. Because we will likely both be exhausted, hungry, and need to worry about taking care of ourselves before everyone else.

So, despite occasional guilt pushed on us Tomek and I BOTH are very happy to start our own family with our own special moments. After which we will of course call family and friends and share the news. But we want our moments together first, just to share the sheer joy of our little guy and our new family of 3 (plus 2 pups of course). At first I really let people dig into me, making me feel bad that maybe I wasn’t seeing it fairly of course others want to meet Patrick. However, after discussion with so many other moms, my instructor, and our OB I am realizing what I am asking for is actually less than most ask for. Most don’t share until basically 24 hours later, that social media has caused this frenzy of immediate notification that really can take away from the private joy of the moment. Thus, we just won’t be doing that.

Pictures: We also won’t be allowing people to take pictures of him in the hospital that way we don’t have to worry about others sharing OUR little boy before we are ready. I understand that people are going to want to play pass the baby and take pictures and so I have already agreed to take the pictures myself on my phone so eventually people who are there will get to see those pictures and we will share them but not until we are ready. As far as playing pass the baby we will be limited on that as well (due to germs) but with there only allowed to be 1-2 guests in at a time I don’t think it should be too bad and each person obviously won’t be kissing him or putting him near their face anyway.

Reality Setting IN: We both obviously have been so excited to have a baby but it has really been sinking in this week. I went to the store and I always reach for the milks with the furthest expiration date however, in my skimming I noticed this milk….The milk’s sell by date is literally our due date! WOW! I couldn’t believe it. We will have a baby in our arms so soon!! We are both excited but I definitely think we are experiencing the nerves a bit more now than we have at all before.

Anniversary: We ended this week with our 3rd wedding anniversary. It is hard to believe we have already been married for 3 years and together for 7 years now! We have both done so much through these years. We met when we were just freshmen in college, we were engaged 2 years later, and married 2 years after that during the summer between my undergraduate graduation and my masters program beginning. Now I have completed my masters, Tomek has completed his education, and has a great job, AND we are expecting a baby. Whew! So what did we do for our anniversary this year….

Caliente: I started the morning off with Tomek having me shower and catch a ride up to his work for a lunch date! We went to a place called Caliente (This is where you go when your go to craving through the entire pregnancy is burritos and queso).

Imperial Spa: Once we finished lunch I thought I was ubering home but actually he took me to the Imperial Spa where I was surprised with the Imperial package he had reserved for me. I had a 30 minute foot massage by Micah. Initially he was scheduled to do my full body massage next but it definitely freaked him out when he realized I was pregnant (Tomek told the establishment but the person who booked it forgot to tell everyone else). Thankfully Jeanne was able to sort things out and Amy came to the rescue (with a background in doing prenatal massages) I switched rooms and she did my full body 1 hour massage, which was amazing. The only thing that I would have changed is when she was done I think they should let you lay in the dark for 5-10 minutes, honestly even 20 would be great, to enjoy instead when the massage was complete she told me to take my time to get dressed but turned on the very bright overhead lights. After my body massage I had a 1 hour facial that Jeanne did and it was very refreshing. When I was done I went back to Tomek’s office and hung out until we were able to leave for home.

Dinner Reservations: After we got home he told me to dress fancy, and he got all dressed up too, so we could go for our dinner reservations (which he wouldn’t tell me where). Well he had made reservations at an amazing restaurant called St. Elmo’s and I can’t even begin to tell you how wonderful of an experience it was. When we first arrived we were congratulated on our anniversary repeatedly and when sat we were given a card that was signed by all that were working that night. Tomek got the shrimp cocktail which they are known for (apparently it packs a lot of heat but was delicious--I am allergic to shrimp so I left that all to him). I was weary when they said their starters aren’t the traditional salads and soups but rather bean soup or tomato juice. However, Tomek convinced me to try the bean soup and he did the same, it was good! I was surprised I liked it but I actually ate the entire bowl. We had a variety of breads brought out that were so good and then we had our main entrees brought out. He ordered a marbled steak and red skin mashed potatoes while I got the filet mignon with a baked potato with cheese. I was in heaven! The steak was so tender and juicy it was melt in your mouth perfection! I couldn’t finish all of my food so I took the potato home for the next day because I was definitely going to finish that steak! When we thought we were done and about ready for the check the waiter came over with a dessert and set it on our table and said it was his anniversary gift to us...Creme Brulee which the restaurant is known for! Initially we planned on skipping dessert since little Patrick isn’t big on sweets and so I end up sick but the creme brulee was perfect. Very creamy and a touch of sweetness, not decadent. It was the perfect end to a perfect night with my wonderful husband! We both were very happy to spend money making memories together rather than on items or stuff that neither one of us need.

Needless to say I had the perfect end to week 32! Tomek really helped me remove stress and relax and my back to feel a bit better from this pregnancy (where my back has been hurting quite a bit)!