Sick and pregnant...booo

     I am lucky, I don't get sick very often. In fact, I believe I have not been sick in over a year - even with a little cold. Unfortunately, it was my turn to get sick and it sucks. What has started with a scratchy throat has turned into a full blow cold with sneezing, hacking, and tiredness. Instead of writing this post, I should have been at work tonight; however, when pregnant cold medicine is a "no-no." Usually I can take a couple of Dayquill and feel just fine. I decided that my co-workers and patients would not like me to "share" my germs.
      Usually I would just be stubborn and go into work anyways, but I took the night off for this little girl. I want to get better for her. I feel terrible that I am sick. I have been trying to do the "right" thing all pregnancy for her. I even feel bad when I have an O'douls, but this is out of my hands. I know people say I am not getting her sick, but I feel so guilty, like I am. I figure if I am not healthy, either is she. I am not sure if it is a motherly instinct or just me being a freak. All I want is the best for her! Here's to hoping I get over this cold soon and we back to both being healthy!!!

Showers




Don't mind the lack of makeup and crazy hair

 

 I am a little late on posting this picture as I am close to 34 weeks, but I thought I should get it up here. I had to laugh because I was going back to save some of these pictures to print out for the baby book and boy was I small when I thought I had a belly :) I have my 34 week doctor appointment on Thursday. I can't believe I only have a little more than 6 weeks left! I am more excited than nervous. I was RSVP'ing to another baby shower today for July 31st and I had to say I would make it unless this little one comes early. I am still feeling pretty good for the most part. My foot swelling seems to be a little better which is very surprising for this hot and humid weather. I do notice my left ear tends to hurt when I am laying down and goes away about 30 minutes after being up. I am sure it is related to extra fluid, but I will ask at my doctor appointment. Another thing that is kind of funny is my fingers get numb and tingly sometimes. I read in one of my baby books that is normal and is related to excess fluid...who would have thought? Sleep is the once thing that has been super difficult. I toss and turn trying to find comfortable positions and then wake up several times to pee. Brian has even been doing some sleeping in the basement because I have been keeping him up. I told him to not get to used to it - this will not be a permanent situation :)

 Two weekends ago I was blessed to have two beautiful showers! The first shower was thrown by my lovely sister-in-laws: Jane and Julie, and also my mother-in-law. Brian's side of the family is very large and they have always been so accepting of me since day one. I know people have a lot going on in the summer and it was so heartwarming to see all these people make it. I got TONS of gifts and everyone spent WAY, WAY too much money. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful "in-law" side of the family!! I am bummed I didn't get any pictures, but everything was set up so cute and the food was wonderful!




Me with wonderful hosts! Notice the "P" for Paityn



 My other shower was thrown by my very best friends, Maija and Erika. I knew they were going to go all out, but they really did go above and beyond all my expectations. The decorations were adorable. Maija owns a cricut (sp?) and they did some a lot of the decorations by hand. The girls were hot on the trail of pinterest and a lot of their food ideas came from there. Here is some of their creations, just to mention a few: Cake pops, a cake that was appx 4 tiers and each tier was dyed a slightly darker shade of pink, individual taco dip in martini glasses, cheesecake fruit dip, and these fantastic baked sandwiches. I do have to give a shout-out to Erika' sister Amanda who did a lot of the cooking too!!! They also came up with some fun games. One game had my mom picking picture and then numbering them. The goal was to see who could guess the age and the most would win. I only got two right, two and they are of me!!The other game was a fun memory game and guess the baby food. This shower was thrown for friends and family and I was so touched at the amount of people that showed up. Again, everyone was WAY too kind and spent WAY too much money! Here is  a picture of some of the wonderful decorations and food: 

I got some really cool presents at this shower including: The baby bullet (you can make your own baby food), my rocker (which I LOVE!!), a huge gift basket containing a ton of different stuff (and my Courtney and Nini even got some of my guy friends to go in on it) bottles, blankets, bath toys, etc. Lots and lots of useful things!!!!



Erika helping me keep track of all the gifts




Some good friends: Molly, Nini, and Courtney - Love them!!!



 I had just a blast at both showers and cannot express enough how I feel so lucky to have had all this love from everyone! I know there are a lot of people looking forward to seeing baby Paityn!

Wow, 32 weeks!

 Time is really flying by and I am trying to take it all in! My belly is getting bigger, so much so that I have grown out of most of my scrubs. Luckily I have some long sleeve trauma shirts and the good old hospital scrubs that I can "borrow" that will help get me through the rest of the pregnancy. A few things I have definitely notice in the last two weeks.....swelling, swelling, and more swelling. I was a little concerned it was related to pre-eclampsia, but I did have an appointment this week and my blood pressure is looking wonderful at 110's-120's (they get worried at about 135- 140 and up.) At first I notice my swelling was mostly limited to days I work, but with this heat, it is starting to be a regular occurrence. I worked two 12 hrs shifts and was up walking around today and this is what my foot looks like:

Although the foot is hideous, notice my nicely painted
toenails from my pedicure :)

For whatever reason, my left foot and leg is significantly more swollen than my right. I wondering if it has to do with my scoliosis and where the baby is laying that is causing this back up. Not only are my feet swollen, but my fingers have become rather plump. Brian has been telling me for weeks to take my wedding ring off so it didn't get stuck. I kept thinking I had more time. I mean, some people never have to take it off and wear it through delivery. I am only 32 weeks, I should have more time. Well, this week I was at the point of no return. I knew it was tight and it was time to come off. But low and behold, it was stuck. On my own I tried ice, butter, soap, lotion, saran wrap, olive oil and dental floss. No luck. I told Brian. He gave me a look and was about to say "I told you so" when I started crying. Instead he just gave me a hug and told me that we would get it off without having to cut it. I was at work last night and a guy I work with was sure he would be able to get it off with string, but try as he might it was unsuccessful. Another co-worker and I tried one last time - lots of KY jelly. She twisted and pulled as I pushed from the bottom and after a rather painful few minutes, the ring was off! Thank goodness - I was so afraid I would have to cut it :( Now I have it in safe keeping and I can look forward to when I get to wear it again!

  I am really looking forward to my baby shower's this weekend. My lovely sister-in-law's and mother-in-law are throwing me a shower for Brian's family on Saturday. There should be about 20 people there. I am so blessed to have so many people who want to come celebrate this little girl of ours! My girlfriends are also throwing me a shower for my side of the family (it is very small) and some friends. I can't thank these girls enough. Not only are they going above and beyond with the shower, but they have been there for me through day one of the infertility and have truly been a support system that has gotten me through all of it. I know both of them will love this little girl so much and Paityn is so fortunate to have two wonderful "aunties" to love!

  Speaking of my sweet friends, we came up with some great craft ideas for the walls on Paityn's room and I can't wait to put it all together. We got all the supplies and now just need to plan a craft day. It will be so much more memorable and fun to know we did the artwork by hand!!!! I thought I would include a picture of little miss Bella and her new fun spot to play - she is very, very sneaky :)

 I have been fortunate enough to not have ANY strangers come up and just touch my belly. I get lots of nice people asking when I am due and do I know what I am having, but I did have my first awkward stranger encounter the other day. First off, men should just not say anything to pregnant women - just keep your mouth shut, it is for the best. I was a the grocery store the other day and this guy looks at me and says  "You hoping for twins?" I smiled and said "nope it is just one." I wasn't even offended, but as I was making my way through the aisles I though - "jeez someone could get really offended by that question; are you trying to say I am a large Marge?" Like I said, doesn't even bother me, but some woman may have really been hurt or hauled off and whacked the man!!! Tread carefully men, you don't want to mess with a pregnant woman!

  Can't wait to post some shower pictures on here and I need to get a 32 week picture taken!! It is amazing that I thought I was big at 20 weeks and now looking back, that was nothing! As dorky as I feel taking these pictures, they are really nice to have!