(almost) 33 weeks... stuff and updates!

Helllllooooo all!

So what's going on with us, I know you've all been on the edges of your seat- just anxiously awaiting our next update---- well the waiting can end now, here's your fix! (ROFLMAO)
Under the WTF? Category:

Yesterday was our first Non Stress test... and the belts couldn't hold the little sensors tight enough and poor Tim had to work on his isometric exercises and hold them there for the requisite 30 minutes... so the nurse comes in halfway to check on us (since WeeKat had been especially shy about letting them have her heartbeat for more than a minute before squirming away) and looks at the long sheet of paper coming out of the machine...

So she is showing it to Tim and explaining, because all the medical stuff fascinates him and he wants to know what every number means... and he looks at the bottom and says- "What's that?" the nurse looks and goes, "Oh my goodness those are a bunch of contractions!" looks mildly panicked for a minute and says "Let me get your chart, I'll be right back!" Since I'm stuck on the bed staring at the ceiling tiles, and he's holding all the sensors on, we're stranded and looking at each other going "Wha...?".... Finally the nurse comes back in and says, "You're only 32 weeks aren't you?" I say yes... and Tim asks "Is that bad that she's having contractions?" and the nurse says: "Well how early did you guys plan on having this baby?" Then she laughs and says she'll be back to check on us at the end...

Umm.... seriously? When she comes back in Tim is totally quizzing her asking if that's bad, does that mean that we're going into labor soon... etc etc... she basically says she doesn't know, but that the doctor looked over the papers and said the baby looks good, slaps us on the arse and sends us home with no answers... WTF??? I don't get to see the actual doctor until next Thursday, so looks like we'll have to wait for answers... this means 1 of 2 things:

Thing 1: I'm going to be having this baby sooner than anyone thinks... or
Thing 2: The nurse had no clue what she was doing, this is normal, and the doc will confirm that next Thursday.

Stay tuned....

Under the Everything Else Category:

Busy busy busy... Everything is coming together- we finally got everything we needed for the most part, and I'm working around the house today cleaning and getting everything organized and ready. I've mucked out 3 closets and reorganized them all so that we have more room and so that Kat can have her own closet! We've got the hospital bags packed, just missing a few things we need to run out and get... and I'm running Tim around making him carry stuff today. Luckily I'm cute, so he has no choice.

I feel great! Aside from being hippo like, and having lots of contractions. WeeKat is just be-bopping away in there, I think she may have invited friends over and could- in fact- be having a large rave complete with glo sticks in there....

So that's the update with stuff, and crap, and all that good stuff... Back to organizing and cleaning!

Cravings and Insane Urges...

Cravings:
-Pumpkin Cheesecake, though anything with Pumpkin in it would satisfy me!
-Candy Corn with Peanuts mixed in... *drool*
-Pickles and Cream Cheese, creamy and tangy and YUM!
-Cinnabon... *sigh*
-Chai Tea Latte... with extra cinnamon and whipped cream!
-Thanksgiving Turkey with Mashed Potatoes, Corn, and Pumpkin Pie!
-Overflowing never ending bowls of Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden...
-Bottomless bowls of Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.

Insane Urges:
-Go shopping... as broke as we are, this is actually insane... but mostly I just want to go buy the things Tim is going to need for his hospital bag. And a diaper pail... and baby meds...
-In line with that- finish getting Tim's bag together (it's becoming a completely manic urge, and he is refusing to do it! I'm gonna pack it when he's not looking!!!!)
-Get nekkid and go play outside in the rain.... but I'd rather not scare the h*** out of my drunken neighbors who watch our house all day long!
-Carve a pumpkin (totally not time for that yet, but I wanna!!)
-Go buy myself a Cinnabon and Chai Tea Latte and say SCREW my Gestational Diabetes LOL
-Reorganize Kat's clothes for the umpteenth millionth time!


Instead I'm going to go curl up on my couch, listen to the rain, and work on making more Christmas Presents for everyone, and hope that a Pumpkin Pie mysteriously shows up in my fridge when I'm not looking!

32 Week appointment update...

Hey all!

Just got back from my ultrasound and Dr's appointment today. The last 2 days have been really rough and I've been having contractions on and off with a lot of rather severe pain at random times so we have been pretty concerned, but didn't want to freak everyone out until we'd seen the doc.

According to my doctor, I need to start spending more time laying down during the day and cut back on my work load around the house as much as possible. I've been over exerting myself, and was warned that if I don't cut it out and spend more time relaxing that she's going to order me on Bed Rest and that could mean WeeKat showing up earlier than she really should.

Apparently Kat gained a pound and I lost 3 pounds... Doc said losing weight in the 3rd trimester is not good at all, and if she needed any more proof that I wasn't taking it easy that it was right there. Sooo... the one time in my life I've been ordered by a doctor to put my feet up and not lose any more weight, and I'm feeling too cranky and in too much pain to really enjoy it!

Kat still isn't showing any real effects from the Gestational Diabetes, she's still measuring 2 weeks ahead of where I am, but the doc said she's been doing that the whole time so they aren't worried about it. She checked over my blood sugar stuff, and basically it's all really great other than my morning numbers being a hair over the line, so I may need to start taking some oral meds before bed if the numbers don't even out a bit more.

As for the WeeKat: She's officially 4 1/2lbs and measuring in at 34 weeks 2 days. She slept through this ultrasound (first time she's ever done that) but she was sucking her thumb and sleeping with her other hand tucked under her chin (I've always slept like that, so that's actually kinda cool- well sans the thumb sucking part) She was doing her little practice breathing as well, so they're pretty confident that her lungs (the part we really want to make sure develops well between now and L-day) are growing nice and strong. I got to see a face shot of her, and it wasn't just bones, you could really see the outline of her little cheeks and nose and lips... she's got super chubby cheeks and a tiny little button for a nose. You could see the little 'O' of her lips because she was sucking her thumb... I think we're going to have one cute little girl!

So now what? I officially get to go back twice a week to the office, once for a test that checks her environment and how well she's moving around, and then another visit to see the doctor and get an ultrasound to check on how Her Royal Chubbiness is growing.

Things that keep me sane...

It seems like my entire world is about waiting right now.... waiting for Tim to come home from work, waiting for my next Doctor's appointment so I can see the WeeKat and make sure she's healthy, waiting for the next kick from this alien baby in my belly to reassure me, waiting for our first Childbirth class and wondering what that'll be like, and finally: Waiting for Kat to make her Grand Appearance....

I know that I shouldn't be getting too impatient yet, because it's definitely not time. It's like when a horse has been on a very long ride, and he finally gets the scent of home at the end of the road and hits a burst of energy that no one thought he'd had in him just to GET there... I'm feeling the burst and there's nowhere for it to go!

So thankfully there are some things keeping me sane right now:

1~ Sugar Free Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches- feels like I'm cheating my diet, but I'm SO not, thank the Gods for fake sugars!

2~ My dog Freya, getting to chill in her world even for a few minutes when nothing is more important than WHEN momma is gonna throw the ball again seems to keep me more zen than anything else!

3~ My iVillage message board, spending time with all those ladies every day who are going through the same thing, and sometimes worse, seems to really keep my head level and not feel so alien-like. Misery loves company LOL

4~ The internet- oh bless that wonderful tool, I'd really lose it if I lost it. I keep in touch with the world and all my friends there anymore...

5~ Everquest and World of Warcraft- yeah, I'm a HUGE nerd I know... but when I'm frustrated it's the only place I'm allowed to blow something up and have it be an accomplishment rather than a felony. It's a nice break from reality and keeps me calm...

6~ Stephenie Meyer... more specifically The Twilight Series, currently re-reading the series for the 4th time in 2 months... Edward and Bella have bigger problems than I do, and spending time in that world is keeping my mind off of this one.

7~ My old worn out quilt... you know, the one you gotta wrap yourself in on a rainy day while READING number 6.... lol.... I'm a comfort junkie.

8~ My mom, yeah normally she falls into another category, but her calls from home are my touchstone now. And mysteriously every time I start to stress about something I need that we simply can't afford a box comes from home. She's been supermom, and getting more super the closer we get. I know she can't afford it, but somehow she's spoiling me from afar, it's nice to feel so connected to a woman who normally makes me crazy! She also helps me get perspective before I inflict any crazy ideas on the rest of the world. Plus she's always on my side anyway, we all need someone like that! LOL-I can't wait to see her when Kat comes.

9~ Add Tim's Parents to the equation here too... they've been beyond fantastic. Without their help, we'd have never even gotten this far. And just when I think I'm REALLY gonna go too crazy from boredom, Tim's mom drags me out for a girls day of lunch and shopping. Spending time with both of them has really helped keep my homesickness at bay, they really feel like my parents now too and I adore them. There's not even room to LIST all the wonderful things they've done for us.... but they keep me sane and I'm grateful for them both! I won the in-law lottery!

10~ Tim... if he didn't keep me laughing, there are times I'd cry. During the times when he can't make me laugh, he puts on his 'sweet husband hat' and totally supports and coddles me.... what would we do without each other???

Just gotta stay sane for a little longer..... *twitches*

Finally got my diet!!

For those of you counting I got my Gestational Diabetes diagnosis almost 3 weeks ago, yesterday (due to delays from the insurance company/idiots at St. Joe's) I finally got in to see a dietician at the actual hospital I'm having the baby at- Crittenton.

The dieticians were super, and honestly the diet isn't very diet-y for the most part. The only thing they're limiting for me are carbs, and aside from that I can pretty much eat whatever I want, as they want to be sure I don't actually start LOSING weight at this point in the pregnancy. I honestly get a decent amount of yummy carby things too, so I think this should be totally do-able.

I've been working with a self-made diet pieced together from the little bit I know about what I should and shouldn't have, and during the 3 week period have actually been getting lower numbers and doing well, but every once in awhile they'd spike without me really understanding why. Apparently there are a few tricks of the trade I wasn't aware of... like- eating a spoonful of peanut butter (to make up for all the protein (read: Meat) I lack in my diet) or a hard boiled egg after each meal actually helps lower blood sugar even more because the protein helps the body process it better.

So here I sit, sucking on a spoonful of peanut butter (yum) and I think this is going to work just fine- at least I hope so, because I don't wanna have to go on insulin if I can help it! Either way, I just really really really want Kat to get here safe and sound. I learned some of the risks yesterday, and though a few were far fetched, it made me really glad that the doctor is monitoring my wee Peanut so closely until she's ready to arrive.

On that note, looks like we're in a real final countdown here... only about 7-8 weeks left to go! Am I the only scared one here? LOL

31 Weeks Pregnant...

Ugh.... so round.... and heavy....

7 more weeks (or less!) to go....

All that typing made me sleepy, nap time now!

Yay for Tim!

He just got his annual review back, and got scored as Excellent on every single thing... and then his supervisor pushed a merit raise through for him! Go Tim!!!!

The county cut the yearly raises for all employee's to the bone, which makes getting this merit raise even more fantastic for Tim.

He works so hard to support us, and this just shows how awesome he is! I wish I could give him a husband raise... but since I pay him in cooking and cleaning, perhaps I'll just make him a super nice dinner...

Also, the little extra we're going to be getting from the raise, including cutting back our bills as much as possible, is really going to help us do a little bit better financially. *breathes a sigh of relief*

Kat has an awesome Daddy... but I bet she already knows that!

Busted...

Eating mini-dill pickles dipped in cream cheese...

Tim totally busted me... but it was soo GOOOOD!

I'm gonna do it again *chuckle* just when no one is watching me do it!

30 Weeks and all is well...

Just a quick check in...

Feeling massively huge, but that aside everything is going really well. Kat moves really vigorously almost all day long, and you can actually see my whole belly jump sometimes when she really gets going (quite the entertainment in our house right now! LOL)

According to the last appointment she's only measuring a little bit big, but they are planning to induce me at least 1 week early, if not more depending on how she's doing and how I'm holding up. As good as that might sound, we really want to try to keep her in there as long as possible so her lungs develop as much as they can before her world debut. My mom is thrilled that they'll be inducing me, because that means she knows when the baby is coming and can be here for the birth. (She was really upset that she was going to miss out on that, being so far away)

It basically means for her what it means for Tim's folks, come hang out with me all you want during the waiting period, but when the labor starts getting serious- to the waiting room with you! I worry so much about other people (what they're doing, if they're okay, grossed out, whatever) that if I had a bunch of extra family members in there, I'd have trouble focusing (or feel guilty for ignoring them). It's easier for me that way, and luckily no one minds. Tim will be in there with me, of course. But I've requested no interns, students, or curious unnecessary staff either. One of those things I'm really firm about, I'm a private person- and as much as this is an anticipated moment, I'd like to keep it just between Tim and I as much as possible.

That also means no cameras during the interesting parts... so there will be no video shot of "The Birth of Kat" though Tim's dad said he may take some before and after footage, which I don't mind at all. I have always maintained a strict policy to keep my lady bits off film in any form, and I consider this falling under that particular rule! Luckily, again, everyone involved thinks this is great, so I haven't had to yell at any aspiring directors like some of my other pregnant friends! Perhaps they're all just going along with whatever I say because they fear the pregzilla beast... hmmm.... either way, I'm getting my way with no fuss at all! :o)

Things I hate today... a lovely little rant...

Kitteh is NOT pleased!

1. Dizzy spells... I felt like I was going to pass out/vomit/die for like an hour this morning, Tim had to actually drag me to bed and tuck me in... grrr I hate dizzy spells!

2. The idiots at Charter that are going to make us drive all the way down to the office just to make a change on our freaking cable bill. They guzzle money from us for services that we only receive half the damn time. Oh and they were going to start charging us almost 50 more dollars a month starting next month, without notifying us. Luckily I'm smarter than those ass baskets... I HATE Charter!!!! I also hate that they're the only game in town, so I HAVE to deal with them. GRRRRRrrrrrr.....

3. Feeling like we can never get ahead, and feeling guilty for not working and not being able to work... I hate that I can't just let myself relax on this front, and it' s no one's fault but my own (my own hangups, not anyone else's judgement at all). I hate feeling dependent on people, and like I can't take care of myself.

4. That I can't have anything sweet or yummy to eat anytime soon.... that sucks....

5. That everything turns out to be something it really isn't. That you can put your trust and hope in something and have it turn up crap later and not being able to explain quite why. Luckily the best things in my life are sticking around, and give me enough joy to keep me from running amok.

6. Feeling guilty for things that I have no control over, or for good things that happen to me.

7. Feeling forgotten

8. Not being able to trust new people, because all the old ones f'ed up so badly....

9. This carpet.... lol seriously... I vaccuum and a day later it looks awful! Dark blue carpet = badness and frustration!

10. The economic state of the country right now, and that good people can't even get decent work to take care of themselves and their families. The fact that raises get cut to the folks who need it the most, and that we have to worry constantly that the one job keeping our family afloat might vanish someday....

11. Gas Prices- need I say more?

12. Ligament Pain, Braxton Hicks Contractions, and Sciatica.... ditto....

13. People who let their dogs crap in my yard!

14. Being so darned moody! Oh, and don't forget adorably neurotic....

15. Indigestion/acid reflux *burp*

16. Feeling fat, gross, and generally unattractive.

17. Big companies sticking it to the little man every chance they get.

18. Being too far away from anything fun to do this summer aside from the Ren Fest (which we can't afford anyway!)

19. Not being able to sleep more than an hour at a time, and having people wonder why I'm less than cheerful during the day.

20. I hate people bitching, just like I'm doing here.... but at least I can get it out of my system on a blog rather than spewing this all over everyone all day today.

I actually feel a little better!

Induction early?

Also forgot to add to the appointment update blog that the Doc said are currently planning to induce me at least one week early, but that we'd monitor Wee Kat to see if it needs to happen earlier than that! Something about Gestational Diabetes can make for a 'hostile environment' the farther along a woman gets. Don't worry, they're monitoring me twice a week to keep an eye on her, and when she's ready and I'm ready, we'll have our healthy little Katherine in our arms finally!

So that actually means they'll be inducing me (according to our current plan) somewhere between the 29th and 31st of October!

Halloween Baby anyone?

Feeling loved....

Lonely has been the mood du jour lately.... obviously interspersed with being extremely happy about wee Kat and having fun with The Tim... not feeling as lonely or as far away today.

Today I got a box from my Mom from home... my first one! Just a few days ago I was working on my 'packing list' for the hospital and realized that I didn't have a nursing gown, and that I was likely going to need one for the hospital and after. After looking online, we decided we likely would just need to go with a less expensive nightgown from Wal Mart that would pull down somehow, as we couldn't afford a nursing gown. Today my Mom sent me the prettiest nursing gown, it's white with pretty little pink flowers, and came with a matching robe... she also sent me cute little fuzzy footies to wear in the hospital and some other breastfeeding things I was needing.

I opened the box and it smelled like my Mom, I almost cried... how odd is that?

I'm feeling loved and remembered. It's a nice change from feeling a bit forgotten... I love my Mom! I'm going to be the prettiest girl in Labor and Delivery in a couple of months!

Here is the set she got me.... obviously not wearing high heels, more fuzzy pink footies...

Toes are tasty...

In Kat's little world anyway. We got to see our little girl today on the ultrasound (and we verified that she's DEFINITELY a girl :)) and she really put on a show, she had her little hands wrapped around her ankles and was trying her darnedest to get her toes in her mouth. You could see her little mouth opening and closing and her scrunching up trying realllllly hard to eat her some baby toes.

It was one of the cutest things in the world.

Also during the ultrasound when Tim started talking to the tech, Kat started kicking up a storm. She really loves the sound of her Daddy's voice. As far as Daddy is concerned, the only word that sums it up is: Smitten... he's totally smitten with our little Kit Kat. He's been patting my tummy ever since we left. Awwwww....

Otherwise the appointment was great! The doc said that my Gestational Diabetes is very borderline, and that the diet alone should be plenty to keep it in line. I've only gained 2 more pounds (and since between the last appointment and this one Kat gained a full pound, I definitely am proud of me!)

Kat is doing great, she did her 'practice breathing' on the ultrasound which they try to catch babies doing but they don't always do it for them, it means her lungs are developing well- her little heart was fantastic- all her organs are coming right along- her head and tummy both measured about a week ahead- and she's turned with her head down in preparation for her big day! She weighs approximately 3 1/2 lbs now, and isn't showing any real sign of being affected by the Gestational Diabetes at all. All in all, we have a healthy happy little girl in there! Even if she does eat her own toes. *silly grin*

Tonight is our tour of the Birth Center at the hospital, something we're both looking forward to. We've heard lots of good things about them, and we know it's a nice hospital. As a cool sidebar, it's also the same hospital where both Tim and Katie were born. Granted the Birth Center is brand new now, and completely up to date, but still very cool that our wee Kat will be born in the same hospital as her Daddy and Auntie.

Long days...

Most days I feel like this pregnancy has just flown by. I was just remarking last week to Tim that it's really hard to believe that I'm already in my third trimester, because it feels to me like we just made the announcement to everyone... and got everyone's reactions to it.

Then there are the days... days when I remember just how far I am from where I started and how far away what little family I actually have actually is... days when all this lovely quiet alone time that I normally cherish gets to be too much, and there's no real option for me to relieve the boredom until it's time for Tim to wake up... days when a good book just doesn't cut it (and that's pretty rare for me lol)... days when I feel like my old friends from my old life maybe have just forgotten I'm up here since they don't see me every summer at festivals like they used to... days when I'm just hormonal, know it, and can't help it!... days when I feel a little lost and alone no matter what a great support system I have here.

I'm never homesick enough to wish I hadn't moved here, coming to Michigan was the best decision I've ever made, and 98% of the time I'm extraordinarily happy here (which is more than most people can ever boast no matter where they are!). I love the new family I have here, and I'm working hard to find friends I feel like I can rely on and trust... and there's really nowhere else I'd want my little girl to grow up because she's going to have such a big and loving family...

But then that other 2% of the time my days are just really long... and a bit empty... can't wait for Kat to get here so I have someone to play with!

Yes it's pitiful, LOL, but I'm feeling pitiful today and that's okay too...

Lots of stuff, including the 7 month update!

Okay, so where have I been?

My best friend from back home Dove came in from Kansas with her little sweetheart Johnny, and we completely fell in love with him! He's such a doll, he just giggles and laughs all the time, and flirts with all the ladies. It was a nice way to acclimate the animals (and the Tim) with having a baby in the house, and all the stuff that entails. We're working now to get the house ready for when ours gets here, having Johnny here definitely helped us with those kinds of organization ideas.

We had a lot of fun while Dove was here, even though both she and Johnny had a nasty cough and cold while they were here. We got to go to the Michigan Ren Faire for the first weekend, and even though that trip was cut short due to me getting really dehydrated and having nasty contractions- we had a blast listening to Bocca Musica, and getting to see the Washer Women again!

I also had my baby shower in Grand Haven, and we got SO spoiled!! Rather I should say Kat got totally spoiled! We got almost everything we needed, there are a few bigger items we're still looking to get, but mostly we're taken care of when it comes to the WeeKat's arrival. The party was really fun, and they even got a Tinkerbell cake along with some super yummy chicken salad croissants... mmmm food....

So now for the 7 month update:

Mommy Tara:
- I'm finally in the 3rd Trimester officially!!! *happy pregnant lady dance time*

-We did get some not so great news: I was diagnosed last week with Gestational Diabetes. It basically means that my body is having difficulty dealing with both my insulin levels as well as the baby's insulin levels. It goes away after the baby is born, and though there are some risks, as long as we keep it under control all is well. Basically the biggest risk here is something called Macrosomia (actually latin for Fat Baby Syndrome- I couldn't make this stuff up LOL) and if she gets too big they'll have to induce early and likely do a c-section (no way I'm pushing out a 10+ lb baby!!) So now I'm on the diet from hell the last 3 months of the pregnancy, but it's all worth it for the KitKat.

- I'm feeling pretty great otherwise, getting tired much more quickly, but otherwise pretty good! I need naps at least once a day now, but my sleep gets pretty disrupted by the pregnancy pee pee dance (if you don't know the dance, ask anyone whose been pregnant, they'll explain) My belly is growing and getting really hard, kinda like a peach! The belly button watch is going to be disappointed- no poppage yet, and it looks like it just WON'T pop... so it makes my belly look even sillier. Between the freckles, weird line, and non popping belly button, you all won't be seeing me in a tube top any time soon!

- I'm nesting like crazy now, especially with the new influx of baby stuff from the shower. I've reorganized it at least 3 times in the last 3 days, and have also refolded everything and re-sorted all the clothes twice today alone!

Daddy Tim:

- He's doing really well, and being totally completely supportive. Even when he knows I'm being crazy, he totally indulges me and helps me with all my crazy schemes... what a Good Tim I have.

- He got to hold his first baby this week (Johnny) and got his first taste of having a baby around. At least he knows what his obstacles are now, and where he needs to learn to loosen up before WeeKat gets here. He certainly loved getting to play with Johnny, now we just need to work him up to diaper changing!!

- The big event in Tim's life for the month happened at the Renaissance Faire this past week (seriously when I asked him what his 7 month update was, he advised this was the biggest one!) Tim is a fantastic axe thrower, and has been saving his RenFest tokens for axe throwing for about 4 years... he finally got 30 tokens, and sweet talked the wenches in the redemption booth into knocking 5 tokens off the mug he's been eyeballing for a year or two and now he is the proud owner of his very own Michigan Renaissance Faire Pottery Mug! Yay Timmy! Now just buying this could have been much easier, but since he WON it... it means much much more.

- He still hasn't smoked, and he's going on something like 42 days now... he's doing much much better. So another milestone for Tim.

Baby Kat:

- She's a mover and a shaker already! She kicks almost all day long, and is becoming more and more of a Night Owl. We still play her music and everytime Daddy talks to her she gets WAY more active. She's Daddy's girl already!

- According to the books she's fully developed now, and will just be gaining fat and increasing lung and brain capacity the next few months until birth.

-I get to see her every week now! Due to the Gestational Diabetes, I get an ultrasound once a week to check her growth and monitor what's going on in Kat-Land, so Momma will be seeing MUCH more of her the next 3 months. According to our last check, she's growing right on target (a little on the chubby side, but hey- I'm her momma lol) and is perfectly healthy as far as they can tell.

The Fairies have arrived!!

Fanfaire, fairy dust, and hide your car keys!!!!!!

Yay! The fairies I ordered for the wall in the nursery are here... and they're bigger and prettier than I thought they would be. They actually have glittery wings and everything.

We got them from the Disney Fairies collection, apparently now Tinkerbell has a posse... and they have SO much cute fairy stuff now! They are adorable, and easier to do than a border, and will come off the walls (eventually) with no mess at all.

I'm super tickled, this should really put the whole 'fairy tale' touch on this little girl's magical bedroom. I'm planning to bribe Tim to help me put them up tonight. I'll take some pics after the baby shower next weekend, as currently the nursery is full with an extra bed in there for Dove's stay next week. Once we have everything cleared out and up, I'll be posting our pictures!

Here is the stock picture of the wall sticker things, though in person they're waaay cuter: (we also aren't using the border you see pictured in the bottom pic)

Little bit of a scare, but everything is okay!

We had a little bit of a scare in the Lewis household last night. Around 6 in the evening my entire abdomen got tight as a drum with no relaxation at all and was pretty painful. There weren't any contractions, just this painful tightness. The tightness lasted all evening, and I couldn't stand straight up at all. It was like a rock.

I kinda wrote this off as 'weird pregnancy crap' (WPC if you will) until I started to have some really intense pressure pushing down on my lower back and pelvis.

Here I'm slightly alarmed, but okay...

Then I realize I haven't felt Kat move in hours (and lately she's totally active in the evenings, to the point that you can SEE her moving if you watch my stomach)

Okay so tight belly, lots of pressure, no movement... we're stressing pretty badly here. Still we decide it's likely not the end of the world, and that we'd call the doc first thing this morning.

I spent a looooong sleepless night... woke up with an awful headache.... bleh... poor Tim had to work all night and I'm sure was jumping everytime he heard something thinking it was his cell phone going off!

I talked to Dr. Lambert this morning, and she was fairly alarmed as well (GAH!) but asked me to lay down on my left side, drink a lot of water, and if I didn't feel the baby move within 2 hours that I should go to the hospital for a non-stress test.

Luckily at the very end of the 2 hour mark, she started kicking the crap out of me.... THANK GOODNESS!!!!!!! (of course the little stinker had to make me freak for an hour and 50 minutes thinking I was ready to head to the hospital!) The tightening has subsided and so has the pressure. I'm under stern instruction to 'take it easy' and not push myself anymore than I need to. Also to keep the stress as low as possible.

Guess this busy week I have coming up is something I'll have to be careful with. Luckily Dove has JUST had her baby, so she'll totally understand that I need to rest every so often!

Good Goddess, that was scary..... wish it were November, my heart can't take this! LOL

Mean Mommy Tara

Poor Freya is having a 'Day of Beauty' today, which makes me the meanest mommy on the planet. Momma has to clip her nails (while Freya cries), clean her ears (ditto), and brush her teeth (while she cries and retches- I'm the anti-puppy)...

So right now Daddy is taking the rest of the show on by bathing her... geez, my dog is freaking exhausting! I wouldn't bother with all this if I didn't love her to death, but I always feel so guilty!!

She's going to hide from both of us the rest of the night and act like we've beaten her...

I feel like the meanest mommy evah! I'm feeling sorry for Poor Kat lol

Things that make you go Hmmmm.....

I'm currently munching Tums like they're candy... do we have a fuzzy Kat growing??

Pregnant Mothers with Heartburn Can Expect Babies with Lots of Hair

New Study Shows Old Wives' Tale to Be True

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<strong>Pregnant Mothers with Heartburn Can Expect Babies with Lots of Hair</strong><br />Researchers at Johns Hopkins have released a study in the journal Birth showing that a correlation between heartburn and the hairiness of a newborn actually exists. <br /><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/318037/pregnant_mothers_with_heartburn_can.html">View more »</a>

There are many wives tales associated with pregnancy. Most of these deal with gender-prediction and include such clues as the baby's heartrate, whether the mother is carrying the baby high or low, where the mother is carrying extra weight. One wives' tale deals with how much hair your baby will have: If you struggle with heartburn during pregnancy, your baby will have a lot of hair. This belief, like many others, has been chalked up to myth although some mothers swear it is true.

It turns out that these mothers may be right after all. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have released a study in the journal Birth showing that a correlation between heartburn and the hairiness of a newborn actually exists.

The research was conducted by Kathleen Costigan, a registered nurse in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at John Hopkins, and colleagues. The study followed 64 women throughout pregnancy. These women were asked to rank the severity of their heartburn symptoms. When their babies were born, two independent observers rated the thickness of the newborn hair using photographs taken after birth.

Seventy-eight percent of the pregnant women reported some level of heartburn, and were able to participate in the study. Of the 28 women who reported moderate to severe heartburn during pregnancy, 82% gave birth to babies with above average hair thickness. Of the 12 women who reported no heartburn symptoms at all, 83% gave birth to babies with very little or no hair.

Costigan writes "Contrary to expectations, it appears that an association between heartburn severity during pregnancy and newborn hair does exist." She adds, "We've heard this claim hundreds of times, and I've always told people it's nonsense. Since the study came out, I've had to eat a lot of crow."

While investigating this myth, I personally ran across a number of websites that are going to have to do the same.

My musical baby...

Hey there WeeKat-

Right now you're totally loving all the Enya I'm playing for you... in fact you kick like crazy everytime I play you music. Just thought I'd remark on the fact that you're more active right now than mommy is! I'm just really really tired... but you're dancing for both of us, so that's okay too. Also when Daddy is talking to you, you like to kick his hand to say hello.

Only 14 more weeks until you're here, and you can dance all on your own.
Love-
Mommy