Birth plans

I worked on writing my birth plan this weekend. I was following a guideline that the hospital provided to us with check boxes of what we want and don't want to consider adding to our birth plan. 


In the "episiotomy" section, Seth asked something (I can't remember what exactly) but the next thing I know, I'm google imaging "episiotomy."


Please, learn from my experience: do not, under any circumstances...pregnant, not pregnant or trying to conceive...whatever, DO NOT google image an episiotomy. Just don't. Take my word. 


Consider this your warning!

Aches and pains of pregnancy

Off and on for the past two weeks or so, I've woken up with a really annoying pain in my hips. It's kind of like a shooting pain and it hurts with each step I take. My lower back has been hurting a lot too. Last week I was putting a warm bean bag on it throughout the day, but that didn't help it. Then I decided to try ice one morning when it was reallllly hurting. I think that helped it, because the next day or two, it didn't hurt nearly as much. As I type this, I've got an ice bag on my hip. I hope it helps today.


But really, I can't complain. I've made it this far (35 weeks today!!) with very little aches, pains, and nausea and a relatively easy, uncomplicated pregnancy. I've only gotten three stretch marks (that are bright red, one is right above my belly button and the other two are on each side of that one, almost symmetrical), and I don't have the dark line down the middle of my stomach like a lot of women get. I've only gained 5-7 lbs, depending on the scale I use and the time of day I weigh myself.


On the bright side, for Christmas, Seth got me a "blissful experience" spa package to a day spa in Seattle. I'm going to redeem the facial portion (90 minutes!!!) of it this weekend and the 90 minute prenatal massage in two weekends. They didn't have any massage openings this weekend, so I have to wait a little bit. I already can't wait. That will be about 2.5 weeks before my due date, so it will be much appreciated at that time. While we're in Seattle this weekend, we're going to a cloth diapering store and deciding what we need to buy for that.


I've been painting my own toenails this pregnancy...and I think that came to an end yesterday. I usually give myself manicures and pedicures during my "work day" since I work from home but yesterday it was prettty difficult. Thankfully Seth wasn't home so he couldn't see how ridiculous I look.


I spent last Sunday sorting, organizing and inventorying all the clothing items we have and what we still need. We only need basics, and it really isn't that much. I'm definitely in the nesting phase though. We have the boarder/trim to finish in the nursery and then we'll be done. I bought the laundry detergent to wash all his little clothes, but I forgot dryer sheets, so I haven't started that yet. Oh I can't wait to start folding his little baby clothes!!!!

The Best...

This is usually my daily lunch. It's my new favorite thing of all time. It tastes best on toasted sourdough bread with some mayo. Add fresh avocado and tomato and voila...a heavenly lunch just like that! 

Side Effects of Pregnancy

For the most part, this has gone pretty smooth and easy. I’ve only actually thrown up a handful of times (although each and every time, I cry and hate it…throwing up is just gross, regardless of the circumstances) but I did have a lot of nausea the first trimester. I constantly felt like I was going to throw up, but rarely did. And for that, I was extremely thankful. I have a friend who had to go on medication her entire pregnancy because she couldn’t keep a single thing down. No thank you!

Besides the nausea being the most common side effect, here are the other side effects I’ve been experiencing.

Constipation. By far the worst side effect. Enough said.

When I brush my teeth and tongue, I often gag. This has gotten better since starting the second trimester, but throwing up was easily triggered when I brushed my tongue. I had to proceed with lots of caution and I’m glad that I can brush it like normal again!!

Sometimes when I brush my teeth, my gums bleed. It’s mostly when I floss though.

Constantly peeing. I’ve always had a small bladder, but I definitely go more frequently now. I currently get up twice each night…I can’t wait to see how much more frequently I get up at the end of this pregnancy!

Craving wise, I haven’t had any of the weird food cravings people talk about. Just strong urges for normal things more often. I can’t drink enough milk and so I have to limit myself. Did you know pregnant women are supposed to drink 2 GALLONS of water each day? That’s literally impossible for me. I have a 32 oz Nalgene bottle that I use to keep track of how much I drink. I struggle to drink a whole one a day. I’m a really slow drinker (I was never good at doing shots!!) and I’m just not a thirsty person in general. If I craved water as much as I crave milk, I’d be doing great. I try to allow myself to only drink milk twice a day, and usually it’s only a glass. I make myself drink water the rest of the time, but it’s just not as good. I also love cheese. String cheese to be exact. And Cheese-Its. (Although, I haven’t bought a box of these in a few weeks!) Favorite fruit is apples (with peanut butter) or strawberries.

I’ve really really been liking sugary, fruity, sour candies.  Sour gummy worms? My BFFs. Skittles? I want to be BFFs with them too. Gummy worms or bears in general will do too. I don’t really buy these, but when I do get the occasional pack, I try to savor them. Ok, let’s be honest. In reality, I devour them.

On that note, I'm 22 weeks today :)