Okay, little Missy is growing... clearly. She is sucking the life from me because I am TIRED ALL THE TIME! What happened to that energy I had just a few weeks ago? I want the 2nd trimester back! I could be pregnant forever if I felt like I did back then... so much energy. I think it's a cruel joke that nature is playing... giving me this burst of energy for months and then taking it away.
I know Zoey is growing because at my last check-up they had her measuring a few days ahead and approx. 4 lbs at 32 weeks. I know not to take the estimates to heart because they are almost always wrong (from what I've read) but it's a relief knowing she's in the 58th percentile. My diet has been doing it's thing and she isn't a huge baby (giant sigh of relief).
I'd like to say I'm ready for her. I can't say that I am. I've started freaking out a little about how I am going to manage everything. The company I work for is very small and there is no protection (no FMLA or any sick/vacation days to use). My boss knows I'll be taking at least 1-2 weeks off after delivery and I am grateful for that but I am also worried that I'll be coming back to a giant mess and it'll just cause more stress. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to work from home but I am realizing that the work load isn't going to "lessen" and there is nobody else to rely on when it comes to that. I will have to try my best to keep up with everything myself and learn how to take care of a newborn at the same time. Part of me wishes I had the traditional job with a few months off to spend time with baby and then "back to work". But then I know I wouldn't want to miss things and would have to utilize some form of childcare/daycare. Honestly, I won't know how things will go until it happens... and I am ready to make changes if need be. I am now of the mindset that my family and this little one will come first with everything. Rant over... sorry about that. It's been looming over my head these past few weeks and I can't seem to relax about it all. I am such a "planner" and it's so hard to have to "wait and see".
What else? We've started putting together some of the bigger baby things. We've set up the bouncer Aunt Lisa and John Thomas got for Zoey and we ordered the pack and play from some of the gift cards/money from the shower. Chris had a blast putting that together - photos below. We still have to set up the stroller/car seat combo and the high chair. I also ordered a glider/rocker from Amazon that should be coming in this week. We went to an antique mall in Gastonia called "The Sleepy Poet" and looked for a bookcase... no luck. I did find one I liked on Amazon but I'll keep my eye on it. It's one that Zoey can push around and has 2 sides for books - I'll add a photo below and let me know what you think. Arianna donated LOTS of books... so I want to properly display them and also make them easy for Zoey to rummage through.
Oh, I now have to go to the OBGYN twice a week for NST's (Fetal Non-Stress Tests). It's a non-invasive test that involves attaching one belt to the mother’s abdomen to measure fetal heart rate and another belt to measure contractions. According to the American Pregnancy Association: "The primary goal of the test is to measure the heart rate of the fetus in response to its own movements. Healthy babies will respond with an increased heart rate during times of movement, and the heart rate will decrease at rest. The concept behind a non-stress test is that adequate oxygen is required for fetal activity and heart rate to be within normal ranges.When oxygen levels are low, the fetus may not respond normally. Low oxygen levels can often be caused by problems with the placenta or umbilical cord." So... off I go twice a week to the OB for 45 minutes a pop. I'll let you know how they go. :)
I know Zoey is growing because at my last check-up they had her measuring a few days ahead and approx. 4 lbs at 32 weeks. I know not to take the estimates to heart because they are almost always wrong (from what I've read) but it's a relief knowing she's in the 58th percentile. My diet has been doing it's thing and she isn't a huge baby (giant sigh of relief).
I'd like to say I'm ready for her. I can't say that I am. I've started freaking out a little about how I am going to manage everything. The company I work for is very small and there is no protection (no FMLA or any sick/vacation days to use). My boss knows I'll be taking at least 1-2 weeks off after delivery and I am grateful for that but I am also worried that I'll be coming back to a giant mess and it'll just cause more stress. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to work from home but I am realizing that the work load isn't going to "lessen" and there is nobody else to rely on when it comes to that. I will have to try my best to keep up with everything myself and learn how to take care of a newborn at the same time. Part of me wishes I had the traditional job with a few months off to spend time with baby and then "back to work". But then I know I wouldn't want to miss things and would have to utilize some form of childcare/daycare. Honestly, I won't know how things will go until it happens... and I am ready to make changes if need be. I am now of the mindset that my family and this little one will come first with everything. Rant over... sorry about that. It's been looming over my head these past few weeks and I can't seem to relax about it all. I am such a "planner" and it's so hard to have to "wait and see".
What else? We've started putting together some of the bigger baby things. We've set up the bouncer Aunt Lisa and John Thomas got for Zoey and we ordered the pack and play from some of the gift cards/money from the shower. Chris had a blast putting that together - photos below. We still have to set up the stroller/car seat combo and the high chair. I also ordered a glider/rocker from Amazon that should be coming in this week. We went to an antique mall in Gastonia called "The Sleepy Poet" and looked for a bookcase... no luck. I did find one I liked on Amazon but I'll keep my eye on it. It's one that Zoey can push around and has 2 sides for books - I'll add a photo below and let me know what you think. Arianna donated LOTS of books... so I want to properly display them and also make them easy for Zoey to rummage through.
Oh, I now have to go to the OBGYN twice a week for NST's (Fetal Non-Stress Tests). It's a non-invasive test that involves attaching one belt to the mother’s abdomen to measure fetal heart rate and another belt to measure contractions. According to the American Pregnancy Association: "The primary goal of the test is to measure the heart rate of the fetus in response to its own movements. Healthy babies will respond with an increased heart rate during times of movement, and the heart rate will decrease at rest. The concept behind a non-stress test is that adequate oxygen is required for fetal activity and heart rate to be within normal ranges.When oxygen levels are low, the fetus may not respond normally. Low oxygen levels can often be caused by problems with the placenta or umbilical cord." So... off I go twice a week to the OB for 45 minutes a pop. I'll let you know how they go. :)
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