Still Cooking.. and things I wish I would have known..

Hey all, well, I'm still here and baby boy is still cooking and appears to have no intention of going anywhere in the outside world fast!!!  I am officially 38 weeks today and will see my dr. again tomorrow morning. I thought I had some contractions on Sunday but haven't felt anything since. I was actually in the pool and was somewhat bored so I started doing some squats and once I got out started having some cramping but once I laid down, they left me..  sooo...  here I sit.. just waiting.

I had a dream last night that involved a beach and a tidal wave, which woke me up in a panic thinking my water had broken, but it didn't.

I woke up this morning and forgot I was pregnant for a minute, which was wierd too. did that happen to anyone else ever??

I'm off tomorrow to get some things taken care of. Important things like Pedicure, Eye-brow Wax, and Hair cut/color.. can't be having this baby looking like a hot mess.. 

Sarah  posted a really great blog yesterday about her thoughts on being banded and pregnant.  I remarked to her that I thought it was ironic that she did that post b/c I had been thinking a lot about things I wished I would have known and also how I think being banded has affected this pregnancy. So, I'm kind of stealing her idea with some thoughts of my own!

THINGS I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN

• first let me say that my girlfriends/moms rock, however, they were blatant in their non-disclosure or  lack of information on all things pregnancy!  I mean, we have beaten the subject of pooping on the table during birth and "down-there" pain after birth to death, however, how could they have left out some of the following?? 
• The peeing situation. I knew what I signed up for when I got pregnant that I would be peeing A LOT, what I didn't know was how much money we would be spending on toilet paper due to said peeing situation..  I also thought that it was supposed to taper off a bit during the 2nd trimester.. um.. not so much!! And then to take it to a whole 'nother level..  I thought that your bladder got loose AFTER you had the baby.. notsomuch with me..  I can't tell you the number of times I've had multiple undies changes during a day due to laughing,coughing,sneezing, moving and subsequently wetting my pants..  ridiculous!
• While we are talking about things "down-there" - DISCHARGE..  WTF?? 
• The pain I've experienced in the past month or so as baby got bigger and started pushing down on my lower regions is enough to kill a horse.. pregnancy is definitely not for the weak. 
• Baby kicks are not all cute and "awwwwww" inducing.. they can be violent, like "get me the eff out of here" violent..  I am continuously amazed that babies haven't figured out an alternative way out of the belly. 
• The looks, the smiles, the "how are you feeling"s, the "when are you due"s...  are enough to make you crazy. I want to wear a sign that says, "I feel pregnant", "I'm due 7/7/11" and "No, I don't have any idea if he's coming early" so that people leave me alone.. I can barely get to the bathroom in time before my next undie change without getting 20 questions on the way there!! 
• I'm increasingly surprised that the divorce rate isn't higher during pregnancy..  my poor husband has been a trooper. There are days when my mood swings are so beyond that if he even looks at me funny, he's in for a doozy of a fight.  I'm not making any excuses, I've been a crazy bitch these last few months..

BEING BANDED

• I have to say that being banded is the number one reason why I believe I was even able to get pregnant. As many of you know, we've been strugging to get pregnant for a long, long time and I truly believe that the weight was keeping me from it (that and a a little bit of miracle going on!)
• With that said, I wish I would have lost more prior to getting pregnant. I had lost 80 lbs when I found out I was pregnant.  I have gained about 40 lbs back and it's been rough on my body. Thankfully, I worked out up until about a month ago and really only gained in my belly area, but that extra 40 lbs is no joke. Sometimes, I'm really shocked that I carried an additional 40 lbs on top of that less than 2 years ago. 
• I was definitely naive in thinking that I wouldn't gain too much weight or that I'd be able to follow the band rules during my pregnancy.  When I was about 10 weeks, I had 1/2 the fluid taken out of my band.  I was at 9 cc in an 11 cc band and now have 4.5 cc.  For a long time, you would think I had NO cc's in my band. Releasing the fluid in my band eliminated any morning/afternoon sickness I had and when I discovered I could eat the things that I couldn't with a higher fill level, I went to town.  So, my only advice to any bandsters who are trying to get pregnant and using the band as a tool for weight-loss, LOSE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN prior b/c you will gain weight.  The three bandsters I know on here who have been pregnant, have all gained around the same amount. It's unrealistic for anyone to tell you that you won't.  Maybe it happens, but I haven't seen it yet! 
• I find I have more restriction in the past couple of weeks. I think it's due to baby boy getting larger and pushing up against my band and there just being a lack of room in there these days.  I'm not able to eat as much as I was 2 months ago.
• One good thing is that I know from where I came. I know how it feels to be 40lbs lighter and I have some mad motivation to get back there and then keep losing the additional 70 or so lbs I wanted to lose to get to where I think I'd be happy with my weight.  I find myself already looking up gym class schedules and planning my plan to get back on track with weight loss in a couple of months! 

So, with all the (really not so major) annoyances, I know how lucky I am that this is happening to me. I'll take a million sleepless nights and repetitive questions to be able to go through this experience, especially one that I honestly never thought was possible.  I'm surrounded by people who are generally sooo excited for me and for my family and who can't wait to meet him.  We've had a rough 1st part of our year and I can only hope that this little one brings the joy that we all so desperately need! 
I'll keep ya'll posted!!!

Bowling Broads, Bieber and Over It....

Hey all!

First off, congrats to my belly twin Sarah who got to meet sweet little Liam yesterday!!!  I'm so happy and a little jealous of her right now!!! I didn't think I would get to this point, but I am SO OVER being pregnant!!!  Seriously, this has all come in the last 2 days or so but everything has gotten harder..  I can barely walk to the bathroom without breathing heavy, my belly has all of a sudden started resembling a very large watermelon and everything aches more than ever!!  I'll be 37 weeks tomorrow, which according to everything I read is considered full-term so bring on baby!  I have the nursery ready (barring a bookshelf that I want to get this weekend), car-seat installed, and clothes washed, so I'm ready! 

I have a confession - I watched the Justin Bieber movie this weekend and I have to say, I loved it!!!  I would even venture to say I would watch it again!!! 

Last Friday night was our annual Bowling event at work.. normally it's a fun-filled beer fest, however, this year, as I could not bowl, I was a cheerleader for my team "Broads with Balls"..  here's a pic.  I actually think I look pretty decent in this pic..  I really haven't gained a lot of weight anywhere other than my belly and even though that's close to 40 lbs (yowzers!!!), I'm excited to see that I'm not dreading pictures being taken of me!!   That's a NSV without even trying to be one!! :)

xo,js

In case you missed me..

Ha! Updated pics of the bump...  dare I say I'm ready for this to be over??  I AM!!! 

**Still can't comment unless I'm on my phone, which blows***

xo, js

Shower, Blogger Issues and heading into the home stretch!

Hey all, Happy Memorial Day!!! Hope you are all enjoying your 3 day weekend, if you get one!!!  We have had a really nice, very low-key weekend and it's been awesome!!  I've seen two movies  - Hangover II and Bridesmaids. Both were funny, but Hangover was so much like the first one that it wasn't nearly as funny or shocking. Bridesmaids made me laugh so hard I cried and almost peed my pants at times..  which isn't that hard to do these days since I seem to have quite a loose bladder!!! :)

So, Blogger seems to be a pain in the ass for quite a few of us here!!  I still can't comment unless I'm reading blogs from my phone.  And, while I wish that the reason I only got one comment on my last blog was due to the comment issue,I know it wasn't!!! I've come to the realization that I'm just not an avid blogger anymore and just don't have that connection with people that a lot of you do.. add to the fact that the majority of the peeps I follow are lap-banders and right now, well, we know that I don't have much to say about the weight loss front these days..  and really all I have is this baby stuff going on..  oh well, such is life.  I'll keep reading and doing blogs as I have something to say and if people read, they read, if not.. whatyougonnado?

Speaking of lap bands..  seems like while mine seemed to take a hiatus for awhile, my restriction is back!!  Last week, I attempted to eat a sandwich on two seperate occasions and got completely stuck and actually PBd.  I think it's probably b/c baby boy is running out of room and might be putting some pressure on the band. It's not bad enough that I need to go in and get completely filled and I'm still getting in most foods no problem, just have noticed it quite a bit lately! AND, my weight gain has subsided as well, which is fantastic, since I'm up about 40lbs..  which blows!!

Baby is good.. went in for my growth ultrasound this week and he's estimated at 5.5lbs already so he's right on track.  The ultrasound tech even showed me that he's already got quite a bit of hair which is hilarious.. we always knew the poor kid is genetically predisposed to having lots of hair, being short and chubby so that was just a little confirmation!!!  Otherwise, my pregnancy has been remarkably problem free - just have the usual hip pain, lack of sleep and waddle going on still!!!  Only 5 more weeks until I'm due!! CRAZY!!!


My shower was last weekend and it was nothing short of fabulous.  The hostesses, Michelle and Joy went completely overboard and really outdid themselves!! My mom came to town as well as my friend Angela and her little one Delaney.. it was a fun girls weekend... I'll leave you with some pics!! 

Cute Invites!!

Me and Michelle - the creative hostess!!

Mom and Me!

girlfriends from work!!

Lisa and Kelly

Yummy Cake and DONUTS!!! 



Blog Neglect and Doing Good Deeds....

Ay yi yi..  I'm such a neglectful blogger. I hate it!! 
Work has been incredibly busy lately. Mainly b/c I'm training my temp replacement who will be here when I go on Maternity leave.  It's exhausting to spend 8+hours talking!!  Plus, poor girl gets me at my most flightly..  I'm all over the place!!  I start one conversation and end up talking about the most random things!   I went home last night and probably had the best night of sleep I've had in months.. just from all the talking and walking I did yesterday!!  hmmmm.. maybe I should keep this habit up.. will get more sleep!!

Anyways, what else is going on??  My shower is this weekend and I'm so excited! Feels like it's been on the books forever!!  My mom is coming into town on Thursday and I could not be more happy to have her be here!  My friend Angela is also coming to town as well so it'll be a full house. Lots of fun!!  AND, my girlfriends at work are throwing me a "Open House" in a couple of weeks as well for my work peeps.  I do not for a minute not realize how lucky I am to have such great friends!!! 

So, last week, 7 of my co-workers and I volunteered at a homeless shelter.  Why, you ask, would a 8 1/2 month preggo volunteer to organize a volunteer event where we would be feeding the homeless? Good question!! Not sure what I was thinking but it was so fun and rewarding!  AND exhausting!!! My body ached for days. Luckily my friends asked the coordinator to make sure I had a seated job while there, but that didn't stop me from sweeping floors, mopping floors, chopping vegetables, manning the food processor.. I just don't know how to stop!!  Like I said, it was super fun and we are hoping to organize more of these types of events for our departments to do as a group.  My company gives everyone 8 hours of philanthropic time a year so there is no reason to not do it!  I'll leave you with some pics of the event!

hope you are all doing well!!
xo,js

Old Pants, New Pants, Khaki Pants, Blue Pants...

So, I'm finding that my pants situation has really taken a turn for the worse as I round out the last 8 weeks (8 weeks?? Holy SHIT!!!) of this pregnancy..  Early on, I bought a bunch of maternity jeans and while they still fit me, they are getting a little snugger.  And honestly, I'm at a point where I kind of refuse to buy any more b/c I've only got 8 weeks left..  soooooo, what's a formerly overweight girl to do??   You guessed it, dip into her old stash of pants that a year ago were swimming on her, but fortunatly, now, are only big in the legs but just right in the belly.  Part of this makes me feel bad b/c a  long time ago, I was supposed to ship these said pants to several bandsters as part of the "sisterhood" thingy and truth be told, just never got around to it.  PLUS, I did send out a TON of clothes early on and it cost a pretty penny to do that, so I was trying to watch my funds..  So, sorry to those bandsters who never got my goods, but happy day to me to find out that I have something to wear in the last stretch!!!  I'll be happy to never wear these pants again once the babe is here and I'm back to my losing again..   but for now, they'll do..

I have been thinking a lot about what will happen post-baby and I can get back on the "band" track... I hope I'm as motivated as I want to be right now.. Frankly, I'm over not being able to work out as much and I find myself wanting to walk for miles or do tons of ab work and I just can't!!!  I still work out a few days a week, but I've had a lot of problems with low pelvic pressure, that I'm a bona-fide waddler nowadays.. it's not cute!!! I'm seeing a chiropractor for the hip and back pain and that all has seemingly gone away, so now it's just the pressure down below which my dr. says to just get used to b/c it's not going anywhere until he arrives.. 

Otherwise, I'm feeling pretty good.  My allergies have been HORRIBLE this year and my sleeping has been affected, but all things considered, I've been soo lucky with this pregnancy and can't really complain about much! 

Hope you all are doing well!!

xo,js

Catching Up and Checking In..

Just looked at the last time I blogged and it's been almost 2 weeks.. I guess there really hasn't been too much going on that I needed to blog about, either that or I keep forgetting things that are happening and then by the time I blog, all my memory is lost..  I think that's the case. Preggo brain is for real people..

• I had a really really good 4 day weekend and was so super sad last night when it came to an end.  Thursday, my girlfriends, the Jens and I, along with my friend TMac who came in for the week on her spring break, went to the Spa for our annual spa day.  The weather was perfect and my massage was exactly what I needed. I've been having a TON of pressure in my lower belly and back as a result of this kid getting bigger and pushing down that I needed some pampering big time!! We just hung out at the pool for the rest of the day and chilled.. PERFECT!

• Spent the rest of the weekend prepping for Easter Sunday.  I had 8 adults and 4 kids over and while it was chaos personified, it was so fun and again, such a beautiful day!!!  The food and the company was amazing and by 8:00, I was snoozing in bed..  We had a little easter egg hunt for the kids in the backyard, the boys watched baseball and basketball in between rounds of putting golf balls and throwing the football out back and the ladies sat by the pool sipping on bellini's and mimosa's..  I myself indulged in a mimosa and it was fabulous!!!  another Perfect day!! 

(not that big of a fan of this pic, but it's the only one we got!! I was sweating like a beast in the kitchen and my hair is a disaster!! )

• I hit 30 weeks preggo tomorrow and I can definitely feel it..  my body is aching something fierce and this little guy likes to spend a lot of time practicing his soccer kicks..  but I'm so excited that it's getting semi-close!!  
• This weekend, my sweet friends, the Jens, offered and are coming over to paint the nursery.. apparently, I just get to supervise.. I love them for this!!  

Hope you all had some fun on your Easter weekend and got to enjoy yourselves!!  I'm off to catch up on blogs. I've been a bad commenter but what's new..  I'll try harder at that!!

xo,js