lbl-masthead.png

"OMG! I Felt The Baby!" (Weeks Ago)

Posted by Pamela Vaughan

Aug 29, 2008 3:45:51 AM

This probably should've been a much more exciting post, except the first few times I felt Baby Lump move, I wasn't exactly sure it was Baby Lump moving.� So yeah, the title of this post probably should've JUST been, "OMG! I Felt The Baby!"

I'm not going to lie - I've always been under the impression that the first time you feel your baby, it's some kind of monumental kicking sensation that anyone else who has their hand on your belly can also feel.� This is not the case.� James has yet to feel a thing.� In fact, the first few times I felt movement, I was pretty sure it was indigestion.� It wasn't until several feelings of "indigestion" later that I realized I was an idiot.

What's cool is that lately, Baby Lump's movement has been much more pronounced.� Most women describe the feeling of movement as butterflies fluttering and goldfish swimming around (or, just plain gas).� I can generally agree with this, but honestly, it just feels like there's a baby moving around in my belly :o)

Oven Timer: 20 weeks, 4 days
more

Topics: Milestones, pregnancy, little baby lump, kicking, movement

20 Down, 20 To Go - I'm Halfway There!

Posted by Pamela Vaughan

Aug 27, 2008 4:54:54 AM

I hit an important pregnancy milestone on Monday - the halfway point!� It's hard to believe I only have about four and a half months left before Baby Lump pops out.� I had another appointment Monday, and Dr. Stagg says everything is looking A-okay.� She also whipped out the tape measure and started measuring my belly this week.� Things are right on track!

If any of you are curious since my last post, I did remember to ask her about the hiccuping sitch.� She said hiccups are a result of an irritation of the diaphragm and speculates that the added pressure of the baby is just causing more frequent irritation.� And no, apparently it's not that common.� I'm just weird.

Also, the beach was great!� The weather was perfect, the water was beautiful, and despite James' unwillingness to wear sunscreen and his subsequent sunburn, he had a great first time at the Jersey shore.

I've also been looking into some childbirth education classes, since apparently it's about that time.� After some careful thought, I decided I want to give birth naturally.� That's right - no meds for me.� My mom delivered both my sisters and I naturally, so I decided I wanted to be brave as well.� Plus, I love myself a challenge (as if raising the the pending baby won't be enough of a challenge).� Anyway, when my mom basically laughed in my face after I told her I was planning on just winging the natural childbirth thing sans instruction, I figured I'd look into some classes.

As of this coming October, Mass General Hospital will be holding all of their family education courses through Isis Maternity, a series of pregnancy wellness centers in Massachusetts, which works out great for us since we can attend classes right in Brookline - much closer than downtown at MGH.� I'm hoping to enroll in the Natural Childbirth class in October, but I'm still banging out the details.

Enjoy the last few days of summer!

Oven Timer: 20 weeks, 2 days
more

Topics: Weekly Updates, Milestones, beach, natural childbirth, pregnancy, Isis Maternity, little baby lump, Mass General Hospital, 20 weeks, family education classes

What's With All These Hiccups?

Posted by Pamela Vaughan

Aug 21, 2008 6:07:17 AM

So I literally get the hiccups just about every day now - it's so odd.� Sometimes I get them multiple times a day, though they usually only last for about two or three hiccups at a time.� Obviously my first thought about it was,

"Well, pregnant ladies must just get hiccups more frequently for some strange reason, probably for the same reason pregnant women get weird cravings for things like pickles and ice cream."

Honestly, though, I can't find any explanation on the Internet about being preggers and getting hiccups!� Although, funny enough, there are tons and tons of search results addressing the fact that babies are known to get hiccups in utero (how adorable!).� I must be the only crazy pregnant lady who doesn't really suffer from the common weird pregnancy side effects (i.e. cravings for pickles and ice cream, morning sickness, etc.) and instead makes up her own quirky ones.

I have a dr. appointment on Monday, so maybe she can shed some light on my hiccuping situation.� I'll keep you posted.� Until then, I'm off to the Jersey shore this weekend to enjoy some fun in the sun and to model my new maternity bathing suit from Target!

Oven Timer: 19 weeks, 3 days
more

Topics: shopping, Bizarre, hiccups, pregnancy, little baby lump, side effects, Target, pickles, ice cream, maternity bathing suit

Hooray For Body Pillows!

Posted by Pamela Vaughan

Aug 18, 2008 9:02:44 AM

So I just got back from a super long walk and, man, am I wiped!� James keeps saying we should go for more walks, and yeah, I know exercise is good for pregnant women, but I'm thinking four miles was a little much.

On the bright side, I did make out with a pretty comfy body pillow from Bed Bath & Beyond, which is going to make sleeping on my side much easier.� My regular-sized pillows just haven't been cutting it lately.

In other news, today marks my 19th week, and apparently Baby Lump should be about 10 inches long now.� A little strange considering he/she was only supposed to be six inches last week, but apparently this week is when they start measuring babies with their legs included (before this week, they were only measured from crown-to-rump) - interesting!

Enjoy this funny, three-headed baby cartoon from Baby Gaga until my next post.

Oven Timer: 19 weeks
more

Topics: Weekly Updates, shopping, little baby lump, 19 weeks, pregnany, Baby-Gaga, Bed Bath & Beyond, exercise, body pillow

Okay, One More Cake Wreck (Last One, I Swear)

Posted by Pamela Vaughan

Aug 17, 2008 12:06:27 PM

I was browsing through some of the older posts on Cake Wrecks, initially intrigued by a comment in the previously mentioned August 11th post indicating that baby shower-themed cakes "tend to be the worst offenders," when I found this (be prepared to look away in disgust) ...



I mean, honestly - just what were Olivia's friends thinking?� Yikes.� Sorry - I had to share.� No more, I promise.

Oven Timer: 18 weeks, 6 days
more

Topics: Internet Fun, cake, Bizarre, little baby lump, pregnany, Cake Wrecks

Creepy Pregnant "Cake Wrecks"

Posted by Pamela Vaughan

Aug 15, 2008 8:45:49 AM

I was horrified (yet completely entertained) to come across this amazingly funny blog, "Cake Wrecks," thanks to a tweet by my buddy, Laura today.� The blog features professional cakes that have gone "horribly, hilariously wrong."� Definitely check it out.

What caught my eye most was the series of "baby bum"and pregnant belly cakes highlighted in the blog's August 11th post.� Could they be more ridiculous?� Please, friends, don't ever buy me one of these - not even as a joke.� They're creepy.

Oven Timer: 18 weeks, 4 days
more

Topics: Internet Fun, Bizarre, pregnancy, belly, little baby lump, Cake Wrecks

Maternity Pants: Not JUST for Expecting Mothers

Posted by Pamela Vaughan

Aug 11, 2008 12:06:52 PM

I had a fun little pregnancy milestone today: I broke out and wore my maternity jeans for the first time.� Let me tell you - you've been missing out.� I can't stress how incredibly comfortable maternity pants are.

I actually encourage every woman to invest in a pair for the sole purpose of wearing during major food consumption holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, the Super Bowl.� Not a huge investment either - I bought mine on sale for only $14.99 at Old Navy (be careful though; not all Old Navy stores have maternity sections).� I bet you it'd be completely worth your money.� No need to unbutton your pants when your waste band stretches to accommodate your growing belly - whether it be full of baby or full or turkey.� Just a thought.

I'm also 18 weeks today, which means Baby Lump weighs between five to seven ounces and is almost six inches long.� To stick with the food metaphor, this means he/she is about the size of a deli pickle.

Why do I have a craving for ice cream all of a sudden?� I kid, I kid.� ;o)

Oven Timer: 18 weeks
more

Topics: Weekly Updates, Milestones, holidays, shopping, pregnancy, little baby lump, Old Navy, 18 weeks, motherhood, maternity clothes

On a Hot Pursuit to Find My "Due Date Buddy"

Posted by Pamela Vaughan

Aug 8, 2008 7:05:15 AM

I'm not gonna lie, it's a little tough being preggers when most of my friends aren't even so much as thinking about babies.� I'm at an age where my peers are most concerned with adjusting to post-college life; they're struggling with questions about careers, not childcare.� And while my friends have been nothing but supportive (I already have a pretty impressive army of extremely anxious babysitters), it's understandable that it's difficult for them to relate.


Here's where the Internet comes in!� I'm so lucky to have grown up as a "digital native" and have access to so many wonderful online resources.� I always knew there was a social network out there for practically anyone, so it was no surprise when I discovered Baby-Gaga, an online community for expectant and current parents.


The best thing about Baby-Gaga is the overwhelming number of young, soon-to-be mothers like me who populate it.� Most are in their early- to mid-twenties, with many even in their teens.� For me, it's been evolving into an excellent support system.� I can search for mothers by due date, age, location, and members often share advice, sonograms and general pre-motherhood concerns.


Currently, I'm on a hot pursuit to find the perfect "due date buddy." Wish me luck!


Oven Timer: 17 weeks, 4 days

more

Topics: pregnancy, little baby lump, social media, Baby-Gaga, motherhood, social network, expectant parents, Support, digital native, due date buddy, social support

Butt Pregnancy

Posted by Pamela Vaughan

Aug 7, 2008 10:47:41 AM

No, I'm not having one of these, but when my good friend, Amanda Gravel found out I was pregnant she passed this along, and I thought it was too funny to pass up.� Enjoy!
more

Topics: Uncategorized

My Baby is a Baked Potato

Posted by Pamela Vaughan

Aug 6, 2008 5:56:29 AM

[caption id="attachment_76" align="alignleft" width="266" caption="baby lump's head/brain"]baby lump's head/brain[/caption]

On Monday I had my second ultrasound, and I'm happy to report James and I were able to stick to our guns and deny the opportunity to find out baby lump's sex.� Although I'm not sure how well James would've done on his own - he got kind of excited when the technician mistakenly said "And those are his legs ... ummm or hers!"

An easy enough slip-up, I'm sure.� It's much easier to say "his" than "the baby's" all the time.� Plus, I'm pretty sure they're not really allowed to address the baby as "it."� I bet that has some kind of controversial connotation.� You know, the whole "is a fetus really a person yet?" argument.

Anyway, I'm also happy to report that (as far as they can tell via ultrasound) Baby Lump is completely happy and healthy (okay - I added the happy part).� James and I could see all of the bones (fingers, toes, spine, ribs, etc.) as well as the eyes, kidneys, brain, stomach and beating little heart (132 beats/minute - normal!).� It was pretty amazing, to say the least.

I asked the technician how big the baby is at this point, but he said it's tough to tell since he/she is confined to the womb and can't exactly stretch out straight.� However, all the week-by-week pregnancy sites I visit tell me the baby is approximately five inches long - "about the size of the baked potato."� It's funny how many of these sites use food - often fruit - as a means of measurement.� I swear, a few weeks ago the baby was the size of a peach.

Check out the "Sonograms" page for more baby pictures!

Oven Timer: 17 weeks, 2 days
more

Topics: Weekly Updates, Milestones, Announcements, ultrasound, gender, pregnancy, sonogram, little baby lump, fetus, 17 weeks

Subscribe by Email

rss   RSS Feed

Recent Posts

Popular Posts