Posted by ~*Lou*~, 27/10/2009, 06:53 PM
14/08/09
Finally made it under 60kg – was 59.15kg yesterday (to my immense surprise as the last months has been reduced exercise and increased eating with both Claudia and I being sick with colds). All my pre-pregnancy clothes fit again now – had a trying-on session about a week ago and was pleasantly surprised . Skin on tummy flabbier than before and bust reduced (12A now, sob!) but hey, she’s worth it. Shame it took me just under 2 years to get back to this! A good week is 2 x BodyPump classes and 2 x BodyAttack classes and nothing else – jogging at 5am hasn’t happened in weeks. I do my pelvic floor and Pilates exercises as often as I can, aiming for 3 times a day for PF and every second night for Pilates. Diet-wise, most days I would have cereal or porridge for breakfast (I like the oat, all-bran, sultana recipe from WW 21 Day Wonder Diet book), lunch is grainy bread toasted with vegemite and tasty cheese, plus salad – as much cucumber, sugar snap or snow peas and green capsicum as I can squash into a 250ml plastic tub to take to work. Dinner is whatever A cooks and we try to stick to things C will eat – chicken, cheesy pasta (made with celery soup and asparagus), mustard chicken and mash (made with potato, corn and chives), lamb and potato wedges with green beans, and chicken leek lemon pie. I try to avoid snacks, try to remember to eat fruit to demonstrate good habits to C, oddly do better on work days (one piece morning and another in afternoon) than non work days. Definitely cutting back on snacks and avoiding the chocolate A eats in the evening has probably made single biggest difference.
17/08/09
Claudia has been doing lots of "Mummy, cuddle?" and bursting into hysterical tears over the weekend. And not even Daddy can calm her down, it HAS to be me. No idea why. I'm happy to give her lots of cuddles, but at same time don't want it to become a habit if no good reason for it. Mind you in few years time I will struggle to get cuddles from her at all, should take them while I can LOL! Last night she did it in the highchair. Now I was not, mid-meal, fishing her out for a hug over nothing (not like she's fallen over and hurt herself for example) so I put my arms round her as best I could and tried to divert her with "round and round the garden like a teddy bear" and "this little piggy went to market" on her fingers until she giggled and smiled, then we got on with the meal. A bathed her but she was inconsolable when he got her out so I had to dry and dress her, then he tried to put her to bed, again more tears, so I gave her small cuddle (while A tried to read story over her cries) then I managed to get her back on his lap "to see the story book" and relatively calm while I knelt on floor in front of them (tried to let A get on with it), then at the end of the story I turned off the light and slipped out of the room and left him to put her into the cot - more cries of "Mummy, cuddle" but she did calm down quickly without me going back in. Phew! Slept fine and was fine at child care this morning to be dropped off.
18/08/09
Ohhhh. Positive HPT. So due late April-ish. 2 yrs, 7 mths gap – nice, much smaller gap would have really freaked me out! Have rung and booked in with new OB, really liked her midwife on the phone, which is a good start. Don’t see her until late September. Have also rung and made a Pilates appt with “the best person for pelvic floor and pregnancy issues” at the Pilates studio, that appt is early September, find out then what she advises I do/don’t do activity-wise. No symptoms besides missing AF, except slightly sore (.)(.) yesterday. This might explain Claudia’s tears over the weekend, maybe she “knows something is up” (although how??). Also felt few suspicious niggles in my hips/glutes over weekend, please don’t tell me the Pelvic Instability (PI) is coming back this fast! Wait and see!
13/09/09
Happy 2nd Birthday Claudia!!
Claudia turned 2 today. Where did that last 2 years go?! That babyhood part is so intense but its over so fast (she was well clear of being a "baby" by 16 mths, a month after starting to walk, starting to wear proper shoes and dresses...) She had no idea what all the fuss was about but had fun anyway! 12 adults plus 5 children and 1 baby in our backyard, with the toy library party pack, afternoon tea and cup cakes. Super tired toddler by the end of it, she did really well.
Wednesday we’re hosting a joint Mothers group party, since I will still have the party pack in the garden. Then I may well be birthday-ed out, so tired..!!
14/09/09
Hmmm feeling very bloated today, although may be as much the junk food I ate over the weekend (and more cup cakes today) as anything. I think I'm 8w1d but won't really know until see OB next week. Have been feeling very queasy on and off through the day, lightheaded on and off and super super tired. Some headaches, but since symptoms vary across the day and not mostly afternoon headache/evening queasiness of last time, this seems worse to cope with. Tend to get to work and crave to lie down on office floor for a nap! And train trip into office is such hard work, crowded trains, no spare seat, very sensitive to changes in temperature even without a winter coat on. Moving office next week so will start driving to work, which not really looking forward to, but maybe for the best right now!
PI pain niggling away, doing pilates once a week (1 on 4 session) and booked for every week until Christmas, hoping it will keep it at bay. Guess ultimate goal is to stay off crutches. Currently doing BodyPump at gym (no lunges) once a week, not got energy for 6am classes currently so only once a week, and that's ok, hoping to keep going with that, physio said I could. Wear the pelvic stability belt on days I know I will be more physical with Claudia, lifting her etc, for now, and not days I'm sitting down a lot, like work days.
21/09/09
Claudia has had a cold/cough for over a week now, up and down a lot, I try to keep her quiet in between days at work (ie, we wanted to go to the Royal Melb Show but had quiet day home last Thurs for her sake), then we had AWFUL weekend away, she slept so badly, waking every single hour all night (7pm-6am) both nights needing her back rubbed and then last night (first night home) similar so I am beside myself with sleep deprivation! Then child care rang me at 3.30 today saying she had a temp and to please come collect her, so I'm home early ...
23/09/09
I saw my (new) OB today and she did a quick scan and confirmed dates (9wks 3days) which was exactly what I had worked out for myself (I don't have 28 day cycle, I worked out EDD based on guessed 30 days cycle which turned out to be right). So EDD Anzac Day!! Anyway so not telling the world until after 12 wk scan - which will be 21st Oct, at 13wks 3 days as they can't fit me in earlier :-/
New OB is Kate Duncan and same hospital (Cabrini) - the person J tried unsuccessfully to get into see when she had J (she made her phone calls about 5 wks which was too late!!) - this person used to share consulting rooms with my old OB which I thought might be significant - that they parted ways as not operating in same way. Anyway I liked her on meeting and explained I had seen my old OB first time round and not gone back because of "bedside manner" that we didn't really gel. She said that fine, its a very personal thing, she is sure some of her patients don't go back to her for some reason. She said its not like having appendix out when you go to any good surgeon and it doesn't matter if he's in grumpy mood! She also said that we lived in a big city so plenty of choice, not like stuck somewhere remote with no choice. Also I really liked her manner, for example when I explained my previous labour, the 37 hrs of 2-3min contractions and no ability to rest in between, she stopped writing notes, put her pen down and looked at me and said "oh my gosh you must have been so tired” - real empathy which I NEED because I am scared of next labour so need her to understand what I am worried about. Also when I told her C was never sleepy newborn, that I had to pace up and down for an hour after every feed even in middle of night in hospital to get her to sleep, so again no rest, she said "wow, its amazing you've come back for a 2nd at all!" - I said "yeah well, you'll note she's 2 yrs old, that decent gap was deliberate, I didn't exactly RUSH back for number 2!!
A is ok, understand the cautiousness more leading up to the 12/13 wk scan this time (last time was far more excited when I was more cautious and kept giving me a hard time about being too negative, but ever since we saw a lady come out of the ultrasound ahead of me, while we sat in waiting room, she was in tears so clearly not good news, he now understands there are real risks). I'm not trying to be pessimistic, just realistic. Also my cousin (exact same age as me) and his wife (also same age as me) had a Downs baby 2 yrs ago - so risks are plenty real to me, hence me not wanting the world to know yet!
I've been super super super tired, like I get to work and just CRAVE to lie down on the floor and they can walk over me LOL. And I've been going to bed as soon as I've had dinner to try to compensate but barely makes a difference. Also nausea and queasiness on and off, lightheaded on and off, super sensitive to temperature changes so the train in the mornings to work was hard work (one bonus of now driving to work!), headaches on and off, food aversions galore (living mostly on cereal and toast, forcing down a banana a day so I've had some fruit ....). So bit different to pregnancy with C which was just tiredness, headaches every day, queasy in evenings only and adverse to vegies only. Ho hum. Hoping to feel better in couple of weeks. The weeks around C's birthday, her party and then the MG party just 3 days later after 2 days at work, that was VERY hard work but worth it!!
As for pelvic instabilty, that started before I knew I was pregnant! I had 2 "symptoms" before positive HPT, one was PI niggles and one was C doing "mummy, cuddle" followed by hysterical crying at all times, mid meal etc. Anyway so I have seen a physio and already fitted with a belt, which I wear on days I am physically looking after C, not work days (yet, by end I will wear it 24/7). The goal is not to keep me out of pain, but to keep me off crutches ...! This is why I now do Pilates once a week rather than just the at-home exercises which are not nearly effective enough. Big time commitment but I am HOPING it helps. A doing heaps extra already, lifts C wherever possible, in/out highchair, on/off change table etc. I can't do supermarket shop without him, I can't touch vacuum, I’m not meant to push stroller but sometimes I just have to, etc.
24/09/09
Had really crap day with Claudia - lots of full-on tantrums, ie, in highchair throwing head backwards and screaming, turning round in her chair to bite the back of the seat, hitting own head with hands, hitting and kicking at me, sobbing uncontrollably, throwing spoon, food etc (quite a distance). Partly tantrum, partly not well I think. Had temp again today so 8.45am tomorrow GP appt, I will take morning off sick from work for that, its month-end and my busiest afternoon of the month so must be in office by lunchtime, A to take afternoon off sick (Mum can look after Claudia if A can't but he says he can) - been 2 wks (yesterday) since this cold/cough started and to have temp on/off even now is bit odd, I had assumed it was a virus and needed to run its course, but after all this time want her ears and chest looked at/listened to. Also her appetite has been very up and down, like today small breakfast, normal morning tea, not one crumb for lunch (never done that before), snacked in afternoon, medium dinner, anyway she has visibly lost weight, thighs, tummy, bum, even less chubby cheeks, over last few weeks, having to pull in waist bands, use smaller settings on nappies etc, esp in the last week, with each cold.
25/09/09
Back from GP - one ear "quite red" and throat "gunky" so first ever script of antibiotics (quite impressive I got her to 2 yrs without need for them before now!). Chest all clear. GP said started viral as I guessed and picked up bacterial infection due to lowered immune system fighting virus. Not worried about weight loss. A will be home by lunchtime so I can go to work.
28/09/09
Driving to work is so far ok but its school holidays so will be worse next week and I'll have to play round with leaving for work earlier, maybe talk to boss about starting and then finishing work bit earlier each day. Will see. Today was hard, juggling umbrella and toddler and child care bag and my own hand bag into the car and out again at the child care centre - it was tipping down with rain and I didn't want C wet!!
The antibiotics have helped, she seems much better in herself. But she slept badly last night, I think I was up about 3 times rubbing her back. So bit tired ...
30/09/09
Had C's 2 yr check today at MCH nurse
Weight - 13.5 kg - 75-90th percentile (up from 11.5 kg - 50-75th percentile at 18 mths and up from 8.5kg - 10-25th percentile at 12 mths)
Height - 92.5cm - 97th percentile (up from 84cm - 90th percentile at 18 mths and up from 73cm – 50th percentile at 12 mths)
Head - 49.5cm - 90-95th percentile (up from 47.5cm - 75th percentile at 18 mths and up from 50th percentile at 12 mths)
So not stopped growing rapidly then!!
Still can't believe she was 8.5kg (10-25th percentile) and 73cm (50th percentile) at 12 mths!
02/10/09
Claudia started saying "please" without having to be prompted in last week or so. Sometimes she says it right, normally, in context. Othertimes she does it with huge Labrador-puppy-who-has-not-been-fed-for-a-week eyes (like asking my mum for a biscuit!) whish is very funny!!!
05/10/09
Not at work today, we have not had a good night with C overnight since that ruddy weekend away 2 weeks ago and Friday and Saturday nights were quite bad in particular, Sat night I spent 2 hrs lying on the floor in C’s room with my pillow and fleece blanket (and darling Tab curled up on floor with me! that got me quite teary!), because every 10 mins she'd wake and need her back rubbed yet again and I was SOOO over getting in and out of bed. Anyway so I spent whole weekend feeling really queasy because I was so tired (hadn't felt queasy for about a week before this, thought it was behind me) and slept badly again last night (although C FINALLY slept through!) so at 3am this morning I decided I needed a day in bed. So I got up, showered, dressed, took C to child care, dropped her off, came home, pj's back on and am spending day in bed. I'm up now for lunch and then back into bed, am dozing, staring at ceiling, flipped through one magazine, just lying there doing NOTHING and man do I need it!!
06/10/09
Oh god, just shoot me now :-(
I feel sooooo crap. Spent all day in bed yesterday resting, only got up when A brought C home and did her dinner and bath and into bed then back into bed myself after I'd had dinner and done dishes and lunches for today. Had a lousy headache at that point but assumed I'd sleep it off. Well didn't sleep and certainly its not gone, its THUMPING away, I feel unbelievably bad. Have taken Panadol (not that I expect it to help). then there was drive in to work - 50 mins :-( Mind you I left later than I wanted because A was running late, ideally I'd have left a good 20 mins earlier, I would expect that would help. Anyway here now, just want to lie in cool dark quiet room, not be in front of computer in artificially lit room (no where near a window).
09/10/09
I had mothers group Wednesday and went to see C with son T (2 yrs 3 mths) and new baby E (4 wks) yesterday morning. She had full face of make up and seemed to be doing amazingly well. She is in small 2 bedroom house, atm E sleeps in bassinette in corner of living room, I am tipping that won't last!! Mum came by both Wed and Thurs afternoon to help me with C - took her to park and short trip on train to the market so I could rest - so grateful.
Think I'm feeling ok-ish today, all week has been headaches on and off, tired on and off, queasy on and off. Food aversions really meaning I don't have balanced diet at the moment! Last night we were meant to either have chicken and leek pie or chicken and veg risotto (had all ingredients in fridge/freezer) and because I am anti-chicken atm, we opted for Thai takeaway (beef dishes!) -not exactly budget or waistline friendly :-/
22/10/09
I've had queasiness, lightheadedness, headaches and super tiredness plus heap of food averisons (between what you can't eat when preg and what I don't feel like eating I'm on a pretty carb-rich diet!). I'm now 13.5 wks and "only" tired and headaches left, the other symptoms eased off. I'm in bed by 8pm every night and have a nap when Claudia naps on the days I don't work.
Unfortunately the Pelvic Instabilty/Pelvic Girdle Pain I had with Claudia is back and worse - niggles started at 4wks (started at 12 wks with Claudia) and I'm already in the level of pain that I remember from about late 2nd trimester with Claudia. Heaven help me in later pregancy this time - how bad will it get - right now I am very confident this will have to be last baby, surely a 3rd pregnancy would be too much to bear. A is already doing heaps extra, with Claudia, round the house, clenaing, supermarket etc, I don't touch supermarket trolley or vacuum, I really minimise lifting Claudia etc, but wow its hurting and getting worse. I was fitted with the support belt at 6 wks, sometimes I wonder if its helping. I now have a "support recovery comfort" branded pregnancy garment (similar to bike pants) to wear instead, again some days I wonder if its actually helping. My goal is to stay off crutches, lot of days I am not optimistic.
Had the 12 wk scan yesterday and its all good, saw arms and legs moving which is always cute. I had that scan at 12 wks with Claudia and wow the difference in what you see with extra week gestation is quite amazing, I don't remember seeing leg bones and toes at 12 wk scan with Claudia!!
23/10/09
Thank goodness its Friday afternoon at last!
I've told my boss (who said "congratulations" and then "when are you off?") and then few colleagues who sit near me - as with when I announced C's pregnancy almost everyone around me is older and already have children and are mostly male so they're all quite pleased for me in genuine way which is quite sweet. Emailed a couple of other people in other offices who I have previously worked more closely with. Nice to have it out in the open and not have to worry about state of waistline!! At least 2 people have commented they had thought I looked very tired lately ...
Have OB appt at 4.15pm so have to leave work early today - unfortunately its month end so lousy day to leave early, so have told boss I will take laptop home and finish off couple of things tonight (not a big deal, just checking timesheets are in and approving any that have been missed).
26/10/09
OB appt on Friday went well, I do like her more than previous OB and A came with me Friday so he's met her now too (couldn't make first appt) and he agrees she's nicer, seems more interested in me (as mum-to-be) than previous OB. We talked about my headaches, she has said its ok to take Panadeine if Panadol just not cutting it and headaches really bad, which is nice to know I have that as back up (will try hard to not need it though). She suggested food intake may be part of it (hormones clearly part of it too), so headaches come on when blood sugar drops - which explains things like me waking with headaches most mornings but generally after I have eaten breakfast I'm ok. So I need to concentrate on having low-GI snacks to hand I think. Also I mentioned how badly I sleep even though I'm in bed long enough (ie, I'm wakeful for hours in the night, I'd been partly blaming cats on bed but they now sleep on sofa, and partly blaming A's snoring, and partly blaming C who most nights cries out at least once even though I don't have to get up to rub her back (did have to get up last night though). Anyway she suggested more gentle exercise - I then said I was limited by PI - now the only downside to OB is that she did not seem at all interested in my PI pain even though I said I was already in the level of pain now that I was in at end 2nd trimester last time, so quite a bit more advanced (from what I read online, in the PI buddy group on EB etc, its normal, most OB's write PI pain off as normal aches and pains of pregnancy ....) but she may well be right in that more exercise, the stuff I can do (which is limited but its not nothing yet) might help -I've been getting to gym for weights once a week and desperately want to get a 2nd session in each week - this week will try to get back to 6am Wed class I'd stopped doing because so low in energy. Also physio had said I could sit on exercise bike so again if I can get to gym one or two days a week for even half an hour for that (so maybe need to think about evenings after C in bed I guess, then its a trade-off between getting to bed super early and getting some exercise and hoping that leads to better quality sleep ....). Anyway so stuff to think about.
