Summer Pregnancy Must-Haves

Since this is my first and only pregnancy so far, I don't know what it's like to not be pregnant in the summer.  Technically, I've been pregnant through all 4 seasons.  Although the summer has not officially started, it is hot enough for me to consider it summer here.  Plus, school is out now which constitutes as summer vacation.


Anyway, many people have said that being pregnant during the summer is not desirable. And I think they meant being in your third trimester.  Because this is the time that I've found pregnancy really starts getting to you. :) But seeing as how I have no other experiences to compare this pregnancy to, I have to say it isn't intolerable.....as long as you are prepared with the right things!


What are those things? You ask.  Well, in my personal experience, these are the things that a woman who is pregnant during the summer must have for optimum comfort.


1.) Flip Flops or Sandals

For a number of reasons, regular shoes have become nothing more than an aggravation to me.  My feet really aren't even swollen.  They are slightly puffier than usual, but they aren't bad at all.  Still, a full-coverage shoe feels restricting. Plus, not to be gross, but your body heat is higher when you are pregnant.  Therefore, I've found myself sweating VERY easily in the summer including my feet.  Imagine having that stuffed into a shoe.  GROSS! So, I feel that flip flops let my feet breathe.  I haven't worn anything except flip flops since the beginning of May.

2.) Water!

Pregnant women are supposed to up their water intake as it is to 2 liters of water a day.  It's actually very hard to do when you aren't thirsty.  I have found that pregnancy often leaves you feeling thirsty, which makes the water intake easier.  Yet, I have found that with this summer heat I am craving even more water.  I never leave the house without my water bottle now.  I carry around a 1 liter bottle of water that I refill when necessary.  And I actually think I remember to grab my water before my keys or my purse now!

3.) Lightweight Maternity Dresses!

The pictured dress is actually one that I own.  I did not feel like modeling my maternity dress just for a blog (besides, in my Weeble Blog, you can see two of my dresses).  So, I went to the Motherhood website and found a dress that I own.  A lightweight summer dress is essential.  I couldn't imagine wearing anything else! I have a couple of dresses that I wear and that's pretty much it.  I do have 2 skirts with tank tops, but I actually prefer my dresses to anything else.  

4.) A Pony Tail, Bun, or ANY way to get my hair UP

Granted, most women don't like having their hair in the way when they are hot.  But, as I said before, you are even HOTTER when you are pregnant. ;) And I can hardly go a day without getting my hair up.  It's just another way to stay cool.

So, for anyone who is also pregnant during the summer, or might be, I hope these little things could be helpful.  I imagine those who are also pregnant right now have probably found their own ways of getting comfortable anyway. :)

Sunlight

I don't know what it is about sunlight, but its capacity to rejuvenate is undeniable.  I know there are people who prefer overcast weather, and that is part of the world's diversity.  However, most people thrive on sunlight more than on cloudy days.  It has actually been proven that people who live in areas where it rains a lot tend to get depressed more than people who live in places with adequate sunshine.

Anyway, that is beside my point.  I am now on day #4 of official summer vacation for me.  So, I have plenty of time on my hands to do almost anything I want to do.  I was planning on getting a lot of cleaning done this week.  And, although I have made good progress, I thought I would have more done by now than I do.  But I have to say that the sunshine and my willingness to let it in has a lot to do with that.

Yesterday, we had thunderstorms at 4 o'clock.  So, there wasn't much I could do it about it then.  But I have found that if I do the simplest thing as opening the blinds, I can't help but get things done! I first noticed this correlation back at our other house.  It would be a Saturday and I would initially feel happy just to sit on the couch watching television...until...my husband opened the door.  When he opened the door and let the sun in, I couldn't just sit there and watch TV.  I felt the need to get up and get things done.

Today, I was sitting down finishing my breakfast and not at all feeling like cleaning things.  At which point, I made the decision to go around the house and open all of the blinds.  Instantly, I was motivated to clean up and organize.  We had several boxes sitting around in our kitchen that I had been wanting to clean up and get out of the way. But I knew I would have to go through them and I didn't want to.  Yet, with the energizing sunlight pouring in through the windows, it felt like it was no problem at all.  And now I'm happy to say our kitchen is free of clutter and boxes! YES! Again, I wish I could take a picture but I don't have a camera.  So, you'll have to take my word for it.

I've done laundry, given my filthy dogs a bath, and spent most of the morning just getting things done! It's amazing what a little sunlight can do! :)

I Feel Like a Weeble

Or Humpty Dumpty or some other rotund character that probably could not walk a straight line if they tried...

Every time I get up to walk, I now waddle.  I had plenty of people point that out to me on Monday. "Hey, you're waddling!" Why, yes I am, and I wish I wasn't! It is hard to walk without waddling when you are toting around a 4-5 pound baby plus fluids.  Let's just hope I stay in keeping with the weeble and only wabble but not fall down! My entire movements are now controlled by my baby bump.

This was the baby bump at about 27 weeks.

THIS is the baby bump somewhere between 30-31 weeks! I am now almost 33 weeks according to my original due date and I certainly feel it!

The nursery is coming together and I would LOVE to take pictures of it.  But my husband has the camera at work now and has forgotten to bring it home despite reminders.  Oh well! Pictures of the nursery can wait.  Besides, I have a few more things I need to add to it anyway before it is completely finished.  

I am now on summer vacation for good! Yesterday was my first full day off and I spent most of it sleeping.  I am not ashamed of that at all! I was tired and I needed rest.  Friday was the last day with the students, and Monday was a very short teacher work day. I was home by about 1.  But it is hot here and I was sapped of my energy.  It got up to 95 degrees yesterday! 

On Monday, they had a little baby shower for me at work and I got some nice little things for Gordon Lee.  I got a headrest, which is something I was really wanting and nobody had gotten for me yet! I am SO glad to have it! I also got some bath supplies such as baby shampoo, bath toys, lotions, etc.  Very nice! Plus, a few people went in together and got me a Target gift card! Wonderful! I plan to go to Target soon (probably today) and pick up a few things I still need! 

Now, for a few things that I would like to put out there as I have been experiencing them recently.  Most people I know who read this blog wouldn't do this, but maybe a random stranger will find it who could benefit from it. 

Just because somebody is pregnant does NOT mean you can say whatever you please to them.  I am shocked at the things people say to me because I always thought people were more considerate of pregnant women (which many are), but the further along I am the more random people say things to me.

What NOT to say to a pregnant woman (based on my personal experiences):

1.) (this only applies to those pregnant in the summer) You are going to be miserable in this heat! 

Ummm...thank you? I wish you well too!

2.) When are you due? Wow, that long? You still have a ways to go!

Thank you for reminding me that pregnancy lasts a long time!

3.) Are you sure you aren't having twins? It must be a big baby then.

What are you trying to insinuate? Would you like to go ahead and just call me fat? Last time I was measured, I was measuring the right size for my due date...thank YOU! 

4.) I don't know how you're going to make it to your due date. (This one is often said in reference to me having to go through the summer pregnant)

So, what are you saying? I am going to die before the baby gets here?

Now, there are plenty of nice things people have said to me as well! I am very appreciative of the considerate comments people make. I am just shocked at some of the things people will say to you. 

And I have found that the further along I am the more likely people are to come up and say whatever they please to me.

Anyway, at this point in time, I am now less than 2 months from my due date no matter which due date I go by! Come on July!

Staying Home with the Baby

I made the final decision and the announcement this past week that I will not return to work next year.  As strange as it is, this wasn't an easy decision to make.  I had thought that I would have no problem stopping work for children until I came across an unplanned pregnancy! :) It caught me in the middle of everything I was doing and all I kept thinking was "I don't know what to do."


I know I wrote a blog on this earlier about breaking the news to people at work.  Then, later, I actually didn't want to leave my job! I went back and forth for a little while there.  I think I would have more easily been able to make the decision to stay home if the people I work with hadn't just expected me to come back.  That was what started me on thinking I should stay.  Then, I actually felt like I'd miss going to work.  


I talked with the principal who didn't want me to leave.  One of my reasons I gave him for not returning was that there is a possibility we will be moving in December.  I have 6 weeks of maternity leave starting at the beginning of the next school year.  So, I'd basically work 12 weeks and then leave.  To me, that didn't make much sense.  He suggested that I sign my contract. He said he'd get a long-term sub who would cover while I was gone.  Then, I could come back while he gave the sub other positions to fill and the sub would have my position in January.  At first, that sounded reasonable.  But then I got to thinking about it and I really felt it would be selfish of me to do that.  I couldn't imagine what that sub would go through being tossed around like that.  I thought it would be better for the students, the substitute, and the school (and of course my child) for me to just take the time to be a stay-at-home mom.  I told the principal I would take time to think about it, and that was the decision I came to.


Ultimately, I just felt like I was supposed to take the time to be with my child.  This was the decision that brought me the most peace.  I started writing this blog a couple of days ago and I just didn't feel like finishing it right then.  I'm not sure which date will post with the blog.


But anyway, it's kind of funny that I waited because I went to school this week.  And, after I had spoken with my principal, I received the nicest card in my box.  Plus, he also told me that if I ever do want a job, I could have one again.  That was very nice! 

Here is the card he gave me

No matter how silly it may sound, this card was the final reassurance to me that this is the best decision to make. :)

Believe it or not, not everyone has manners (I know, shocking)

I was visiting yahoo and came across one of their daily little articles.  And, after reading it, I felt the need to post it to my own blog.  As a teacher (and honestly someone who has been around children without manners), I can attest to the fact that there are plenty of kids who do not use these 25 simple manners that many of us were taught.


I have highlighted the ones that I see happening most often and that stand out to me.

25 Manners Every Kid Should Know By Age 9

By David Lowry, Ph.D.

Your child's rude 'tude isn't always intentional. Sometimes kids just don't realize it's impolite to interrupt, pick their nose, or loudly observe that the lady walking in front of them has a large behind. And in the hustle and bustle of daily life, busy moms and dads don't always have the time to focus on etiquette. But if you reinforce these 25 must-do manners, you'll raise a polite, kind, well-liked child.-


Manner #1


When asking for something, say "Please." 

Manner #2


When receiving something, say "Thank you."

Manner #3

Do not interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other unless there is an emergency. They will notice you and respond when they are finished talking.

Manner #4

If you do need to get somebody's attention right away, the phrase "excuse me" is the most polite way for you to enter the conversation.

Manner #5

When you have any doubt about doing something, ask permission first. It can save you from many hours of grief later.

Manner #6

The world is not interested in what you dislike. Keep negative opinions to yourself, or between you and your friends, and out of earshot of adults.

Manner #7

Do not comment on other people's physical characteristics unless, of course, it's to compliment them, which is always welcome.

Manner #8

When people ask you how you are, tell them and then ask them how they are.

Manner #9

When you have spent time at your friend's house, remember to thank his or her parents for having you over and for the good time you had.

Manner #10

Knock on closed doors -- and wait to see if there's a response -- before entering.

Manner #11

When you make a phone call, introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak with the person you are calling.

Manner #12

Be appreciative and say "thank you" for any gift you receive. In the age of e-mail, a handwritten thank-you note can have a powerful effect.

Manner #13

Never use foul language in front of adults. Grown-ups already know all those words, and they find them boring and unpleasant.

Manner #14

Don't call people mean names.

Manner #15

Do not make fun of anyone for any reason. Teasing shows others you are weak, and ganging up on someone else is cruel.

Manner #16

Even if a play or an assembly is boring, sit through it quietly and pretend that you are interested. The performers and presenters are doing their best.

Manner #17

If you bump into somebody, immediately say "Excuse me."

Manner #18

Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and don't pick your nose in public.

Manner #19

As you walk through a door, look to see if you can hold it open for someone else.

Manner #20

If you come across a parent, a teacher, or a neighbor working on something, ask if you can help. If they say "yes," do so -- you may learn something new.

Manner #21

When an adult asks you for a favor, do it without grumbling and with a smile.

Manner #22

When someone helps you, say "thank you." That person will likely want to help you again. This is especially true with teachers!

Manner #23

Use eating utensils properly. If you are unsure how to do so, ask your parents to teach you or watch what adults do.

Manner #24

Keep a napkin on your lap; use it to wipe your mouth when necessary.

Manner #25

Don't reach for things at the table; ask to have them passed.

Originally published in the March 2011 issue of Parents magazine.

How many weeks exactly?

It seems Gordon Lee is all over the place when it comes to how far along I am with him! My original due date was July 14th (as I'm sure I've said before), which would put me at somewhere around 30 weeks.  I had a few ultrasounds where they estimated (based on his femur length) that he is about 8 days behind that.  In that case, I am 29 weeks and just turned 29 weeks yesterday.  BUT on Thursday, I had my OB appointment at which point he started measuring 31 weeks! 


My doctor also told me that we are not going to go any longer than 1 week past my due date.  So, if he isn't here by July 14th, I will be induced on July 21st.  I had changed my pregnancy tickers from the due date of July 22nd, but I guess I'll change them back to the 14th because I thought I was going to be able to go to 42 weeks if possible (not that I want to).  I really really really HOPE that I do not have to be induced. 


I personally feel that inductions are harder than natural labor.  I have seen them hundreds of times on television and they always seem longer and more intense than natural labor.  The pitcoin is supposed to cause stronger contractions.  I also think that the body is often not ready to labor when induced, so it doesn't always respond other than having contractions.  I just really don't want this.  So, if anyone is reading this blog, please pray for me that I will not have to be induced on July 21st.  


The baby is now the size of a squash. On my ticker, it has a squash that looks like this.

I have learned this is called a golden nugget squash.  Naturally, I looked for it in the produce section yesterday, but they don't seem to sell it here (at least not right now).  They did have other types of squash and they were rather large.  So, I suppose Gordon Lee is the size of any large squash right now! :)  The measurable size (according to my Lilypie ticker) is 16 inches and 3 pounds! I think that's about right.  

In other news, we are actually moving right now! It might sound crazy, but it's only 2-3 minutes away and I can literally take several car trips over there.  I've loaded up the car quite a few times now with things that I can carry and taken them over there.  We just needed more space.  This new house (that we are renting) has 3 bedrooms where the one we have now has 2.  It also has a fenced-in backyard where the dogs can run around.

Our two dogs, Amber and Chloe, who love being outside, really need space to run around.  Amber loves the new yard so much that she started running laps around it! I tried to get a picture of her, but she was running so fast it just came out as a brown blur.

After we're moved in, I'll take pictures of the nursery.  But the new room is PERFECT for Gordon Lee! :) Here are a few pictures of the house for anyone interested :)

A Few Updates! :)

First of all, I LOVE the fact that it is now May and the end of the school year is within sight! We only have 3 more weeks to go and then we are done! In fact, the seniors have only 2 more weeks to go.  And since I happen to teach 2 classes with seniors, my load will get a lot lighter in that last week. YES! 


I don't know how people work up until their due date because it just gets harder.  It's actually kind of an inconvenience and I really feel as though I'm not much of a help there when I have other factors which keep me from doing my job the best that I would like to do it. Here are some of the things that I'm talking about...

• I'm not sleeping as well at night because I have to turn every so often to keep my circulation going right (this started a little after 20 weeks).  Also, I'm getting up about 3 or more times a night to go to the bathroom now.  The school's schedule doesn't change just because you're pregnant! So, now I'm going in very tired every day.
• I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday, which is my last monthly one.  From there on out, I have to go in every 2 weeks.  Then, I'll have to go in every week.  I'm so glad school will be out because it is very hard to schedule doctor appointments when you are working.
• It's getting harder to move around.  Getting up and down, bending over, etc. are all getting much harder when you have a belly in the way.  Plus, I must constantly warn the students to LOOK OUT! LOL I accidentally got one kid in the back of the head with my belly because I didn't have enough room to walk behind him.  
• You're actually supposed to keep your feet elevated for a certain amount of time.  And when you have to walk around all day, that's pretty hard.
• If I had a problem (which so far I haven't), I'd have to just leave.  It's not good for my coworkers.

I just couldn't imagine doing my job much past the 3 weeks I have left.  People have done it though, and I commend them for being able to make it work.  For me, I wake up every day waiting to be able to just cater to the pregnancy as needed without having work getting in the way.

I did take a picture of my belly today at 28+2 days pregnant.  I will leave my head in this one because I don't I think I look HORRIBLE but I still hate how I look from that angle.  And in my own mind, I don't even look like myself.  But anyway, here's the most recent belly picture! By the way, these aren't even maternity clothes! Ha! You can find things that work as maternity clothes if you really look.  For example, tops that are longer or skirts with elastic waistbands are just like maternity clothes to me!

I haven't updated the fruit comparison of the baby in awhile! This is mostly because I only have 3 more fruits after this one.  Each fruit lasts 4 weeks now and I just start forgetting.  The last fruit I gave you was a papaya.  But we are long past the papaya now! We have been since about 25 weeks.  Now, Gordon Lee is the size of an eggplant!

It's debatable as to whether an eggplant is really larger or smaller than a papaya.  And I have done some in-store comparisons to only come to no real conclusion.  Either way, eggplants vary in size.  So, we'll just say he is the size of a large eggplant.  At this point, he is actually slowing down in growth in length and starting to put on pounds! 

Some people go by what's called a fundal height measurement to find out how large the baby is.  I think I wrote about this on here before.  But I can't remember and I don't feel like searching my blogs to see.  The fundal height is the measurement lengthwise of the stomach in centimeters which should be equal to the number of weeks you are.  I'm not sure how to measure mine.  I asked my doctor but I was only more confused.  But I KNOW my baby is growing without needing to measure any fundal height because...1.) I can feel his kicks  A LOT more now! and 2.) I have to go to the bathroom more meaning he is larger and putting more pressure on my bladder. :)

My stomach will shake like an earthquake when he moves now.  I tried to capture it on film to share, but he got camera shy and didn't move.  It's funny when he does do it, though because my stomach will literally shake from side to side.

In other news, going back 2 blogs ago on the formation of the nursery.  A very generous donor (i.e. Aunt Megan) either read the blog and felt the compulsion to contribute or just had intuition.  Because about a week ago, we received the Lambs & Ivy Enchanted Forest crib bedding as a gift from her in the mail! I was elated.  I didn't write that blog as a plea to get anything.  I was just trying to explain that the nursery still had a ways to go.

But now, that ways to go has come one step closer as the crib bedding is set up and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! Thanks, Megan! :)

Now that this blog has gone in every possible direction, I will wrap it up here! Woohoo 12 weeks left until the due date!