Back from the BBdr...stud midwife / ND Sara Ohgushi, (you can see a cute photo of her on the main page of her website)and she put the smack down on the sugar consumption! Get behind me lemon bars! My intake on the lemon bar population of Portland has been greatly outpacing the intake of the elk-in-the-freezer population as of late. BAD BAD!
Of course, she put the smack down on me in the sweet, kind, gentle way that she has by just HAPPENING to mention that the more sugar I eat now, the bigger the HEAD of the baby (and proportionately, the baby in general) would be when we have our little EXPERIENCE a bit later on in April.
GAH! Way to terrify a woman!
So...just say no to candy. I need to start a support group. Thankfully this medical intervention MAY come in time to stop me from giving birth to a Chocolate covered, marshmallow filled, lemon bar and perhaps give birth to a human child. Verdict is still out.
Either way, that little lemon bar can KICK! Doggies!
Everything still appears on the up and up. We've dipped into the 130 bpm heart rate realm and the extension of the belly is causing serious consideration of a few pairs of maternity pants. I'm making it to 7 months AT LEAST before plunking down some money for that, I assure you.
I'm sure the baby won't be born stubborn at all...(cough)
I had to drink the kool-aid today (see further the gestational diabetes test substance)and then donate a gallon of blood to the cause. Unlike last visit with lab work, the veins in the arm were way less cooperative and I think there might be some bruising from vein collapse. In any event, I would make a terrible intravenous drug user.
But fear not! The rest of the visit was dandy. We gifted the BBdr with some elk and I finally (month 6, hello) handed in my patient intake form. I was assured that no points would be deducted for lateness, whew!
Things are progressing lovely and I start seeing her every 3 weeks for January and February, then every WEEK in March until the baby comes (I'm still banking on April 10th).
It's really going to happen here folks...that many visits to the BBdr should begin to convince me. I think. I hope!
In other news...SAVE THE DATE for the baby shower which is going to be FEBRUARY 28th from 4-7pm. Invites are being created and will be going out in the next month or so. It's a co-ed event, sans silly baby shower games and mostly to sit around, eat pizza and drink beer and convince folks we really DO want cloth diaper service donations.
Same day as the Infant CPR class...look at how responsible we are being! LOADS of fun, I assure you.
That's all the news fit to print at this junction. I'm feeling great, BP is hanging in there and Tait and the cats still don't know what's going to hit them in April! KAPOW!
Happy New Year to all of you! I look forward to introducing you to a new little person in 2009.
KT and Tenant (aka: the lemon bar)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Week 27: Where has the time gone?
Holy crap it's been 10 days since I posted anything! That doesn't seem possible given all the sitting around BP and I have been
doing.
But first...Califlower! Yep...we've graduated to the almost 2 pound mark and I tell ya, I can feel it. The belly is getting a bit onerous. With more to come they tell me. Belly photos with the NYE BBdr appointment update.
*insert gratitous photo of said vegetable here*
THEN...there was the ARCTIC BLAST 2008 (*cue apocolyptic music here*) that the news media made into a mountain...then made into a molehill...then we had a mountain fall on top of us. Record snow for Christmas with an average 14 inches accumulated in the METRO Area. Wowza to say the least.
Nothing like sitting in your house for days on end watching it snow, reminicing about the good old days when I had to dig my car out every frigging morning to get to class my Senior year of college (ah...Nebraska...) and generally considering most of the natives and transplants from So. Cal whiny pussys. The exception being my lovely stud of a husband who took to the Subaru like a snowbunny takes to Schnaps and to my roommate T. who shoveled it all like a one man snowblower; German widowner's walk across the street included.
The chickens, however...were not amused.
The CATS however, with the exception of Sula who hates everything, were entranced that the Monkeys (i.e. BP, T. and myself) were all at their disposal to play all day long (read: stuck at home). Many a knuckle was bloodied playing with the used shoelace toy that has become a favorite. The fur sparrow has re-emerged as the premiere toy, and much fishing for cats has ensued. I think that BP's catch and release skills with trout have served him well this last few days.
Other than that, we have binged on marathon CSI: Las Vegas viewings and have done some crafting. I am sure that the child is no longer human but has become some modification of a lemon bar, after yesterdays consuption of freshly baked "gifts" for the neighbors, (cough). I'm sure I'll get down the street at some point to deliver them. They sure all pretty tho!
I'll let you know how things go on Wednesday with the BBdr...as per usual. I get to have a gallon of blood drawn for the (enviable) glucose test! Woohoo!
KT & Tenant
doing.
But first...Califlower! Yep...we've graduated to the almost 2 pound mark and I tell ya, I can feel it. The belly is getting a bit onerous. With more to come they tell me. Belly photos with the NYE BBdr appointment update.
*insert gratitous photo of said vegetable here*
THEN...there was the ARCTIC BLAST 2008 (*cue apocolyptic music here*) that the news media made into a mountain...then made into a molehill...then we had a mountain fall on top of us. Record snow for Christmas with an average 14 inches accumulated in the METRO Area. Wowza to say the least.
Nothing like sitting in your house for days on end watching it snow, reminicing about the good old days when I had to dig my car out every frigging morning to get to class my Senior year of college (ah...Nebraska...) and generally considering most of the natives and transplants from So. Cal whiny pussys. The exception being my lovely stud of a husband who took to the Subaru like a snowbunny takes to Schnaps and to my roommate T. who shoveled it all like a one man snowblower; German widowner's walk across the street included.
The chickens, however...were not amused.
The CATS however, with the exception of Sula who hates everything, were entranced that the Monkeys (i.e. BP, T. and myself) were all at their disposal to play all day long (read: stuck at home). Many a knuckle was bloodied playing with the used shoelace toy that has become a favorite. The fur sparrow has re-emerged as the premiere toy, and much fishing for cats has ensued. I think that BP's catch and release skills with trout have served him well this last few days.
Other than that, we have binged on marathon CSI: Las Vegas viewings and have done some crafting. I am sure that the child is no longer human but has become some modification of a lemon bar, after yesterdays consuption of freshly baked "gifts" for the neighbors, (cough). I'm sure I'll get down the street at some point to deliver them. They sure all pretty tho!
I'll let you know how things go on Wednesday with the BBdr...as per usual. I get to have a gallon of blood drawn for the (enviable) glucose test! Woohoo!
KT & Tenant
Friday, December 19, 2008
Newest Blog I am following
As many of you might know, I have gotten into following a couple of alternative "mommy" blogs. The current favorite is "Bite my Cookie", an irreverent look at life, kids, marriage, the universe and everything by a gal who lives in Portland and who I suspect used my same AWESOME Midwife, Dr. Sara.
Check her out, with all the spare time you should have since the world as we know it is supposed to be covered in apocalyptic ice and snow frogs and locust. No? Well, KINDA covered in ice frogs and locust.
She has an great written voice to read. She's irreverent, funny and dealing with the same issues I will / shall be dealing with. I strongly suspect that with a bit of research and pushiness I might be able to befriend this one. I'll keep you posted on my online stalking.
In the meantime, hope over to her blog and read the touching tribute she posted to her Boyband (Boy-friend / hus-Band). If I could say it any better to BP, I would. It applies equally to the fabulousness that is that dude that knocked me up. Word.
Swimmingly,
Kt and Tenant
Check her out, with all the spare time you should have since the world as we know it is supposed to be covered in apocalyptic ice and snow frogs and locust. No? Well, KINDA covered in ice frogs and locust.
She has an great written voice to read. She's irreverent, funny and dealing with the same issues I will / shall be dealing with. I strongly suspect that with a bit of research and pushiness I might be able to befriend this one. I'll keep you posted on my online stalking.
In the meantime, hope over to her blog and read the touching tribute she posted to her Boyband (Boy-friend / hus-Band). If I could say it any better to BP, I would. It applies equally to the fabulousness that is that dude that knocked me up. Word.
Swimmingly,
Kt and Tenant
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Shout out to the newest Tenant being produced in our world
The Purdues! Our friends in Utah already have a couple of chitlins lying around but just informed us of another impending Purdue on the way! Shout out to the Papa and Mama!
When I told him BP and I were pregnant he sprung into action and created a lasting momento...
I love ya Tommy...ya weirdo!
When I told him BP and I were pregnant he sprung into action and created a lasting momento...
I love ya Tommy...ya weirdo!
Little uninspired lately...but it's SNOWING!
Been a little uninspired as of late to post on the ole blog. That doesn't help the communication or readership now does it? It's been kind of hard to blog about the tenant when the tenant hasn't moved out yet. Mostly I feel like I am blogging about ME then...well, perhaps I am.
Onward to week 25 (and 2 days now):
How your baby's growing
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.
Oooh, yeah a word about hair. I got's it! I have much sympathy for those men in the world that just have hair spontaneously erupt from previously smooth body parts. It's creepy! Apparently, mine is supposed to be getting fuller and more lustrous as I am retaining the hair that would normally be shed. I assert that it is just choosing different locales to appear fuller and more lustrous in! Ok, TMI.
ON OTHER NOTES, DID I MENTION IT'S SNOWING!?! I love it when it snows in Portland. Snow is one of the few things I miss about living in the Midwest. Sure snow gets a little old come MAY but for the first few months it's just thrilling to wake up to a thick blanket of new snow on the ground. It makes everything so quiet and cosy! I hope it continues to snow for the full 6 days they are predicting here...but I suspect the weather pundits don't know what the hell they are talking about, as usual. PREDICTION people, no need to freak out until the weather actually HAPPENS...sheesh. Folks get really bent out of shape around here with weather.
Other than the pregnancy trucking right along, there is not that much to report. The little kitties are settling in nicely. We have decided on the names of Leonard and Jane for them. Tho, I have taken to calling Leonard Wapiti, which is Elk in Lakota, because he has this high pitched meow that is not becoming of his stature. He's a pretty big, long cat but when he opens his mouth he sounds like he's sucked in a bunch of helium. If you've ever heard a big, burly male elk open his mouth only to have this weird, high pitched whistle come out you will know what I mean.
So things are moving along well...I have been sleeping through the night less. Sometimes it's cat related or coughing related (darned little head cold for BP and I), more recently it's been bad dream related. Apparently it's common to have all manner of wild dreams as you head into the 3rd trimester. Mine are mostly recurring dreams I have had before but with some sort of sinister twist. I have been successful at waking myself up from most of them, which is uncommon for me. They aren't terrible dreams but they get the heart racing. Very odd.
About the PAPA: Last nights exciting adventure apparently occurred without my knowledge. BP has been up a couple of times the last few nights with coughing fits. He got up last night and when he came back to bed apparently he snuggled up with his lower back on the belly and couldn't figure out what the odd sensations he was feeling were...
...wait for it...
...until he figured out that Junior had just sent a couple of well meaning kicks straight into BP's backside! He said once he figured that out his eyes got all big! He thought it was hilarious!
Enjoy the update...I shall enjoy the prospect of getting a hot chocolate at lunch time and watching it snow some more! YA!
Swimmingly,
KT and Tenant
Onward to week 25 (and 2 days now):
How your baby's growing
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.
Oooh, yeah a word about hair. I got's it! I have much sympathy for those men in the world that just have hair spontaneously erupt from previously smooth body parts. It's creepy! Apparently, mine is supposed to be getting fuller and more lustrous as I am retaining the hair that would normally be shed. I assert that it is just choosing different locales to appear fuller and more lustrous in! Ok, TMI.
ON OTHER NOTES, DID I MENTION IT'S SNOWING!?! I love it when it snows in Portland. Snow is one of the few things I miss about living in the Midwest. Sure snow gets a little old come MAY but for the first few months it's just thrilling to wake up to a thick blanket of new snow on the ground. It makes everything so quiet and cosy! I hope it continues to snow for the full 6 days they are predicting here...but I suspect the weather pundits don't know what the hell they are talking about, as usual. PREDICTION people, no need to freak out until the weather actually HAPPENS...sheesh. Folks get really bent out of shape around here with weather.
Other than the pregnancy trucking right along, there is not that much to report. The little kitties are settling in nicely. We have decided on the names of Leonard and Jane for them. Tho, I have taken to calling Leonard Wapiti, which is Elk in Lakota, because he has this high pitched meow that is not becoming of his stature. He's a pretty big, long cat but when he opens his mouth he sounds like he's sucked in a bunch of helium. If you've ever heard a big, burly male elk open his mouth only to have this weird, high pitched whistle come out you will know what I mean.
So things are moving along well...I have been sleeping through the night less. Sometimes it's cat related or coughing related (darned little head cold for BP and I), more recently it's been bad dream related. Apparently it's common to have all manner of wild dreams as you head into the 3rd trimester. Mine are mostly recurring dreams I have had before but with some sort of sinister twist. I have been successful at waking myself up from most of them, which is uncommon for me. They aren't terrible dreams but they get the heart racing. Very odd.
About the PAPA: Last nights exciting adventure apparently occurred without my knowledge. BP has been up a couple of times the last few nights with coughing fits. He got up last night and when he came back to bed apparently he snuggled up with his lower back on the belly and couldn't figure out what the odd sensations he was feeling were...
...wait for it...
...until he figured out that Junior had just sent a couple of well meaning kicks straight into BP's backside! He said once he figured that out his eyes got all big! He thought it was hilarious!
Enjoy the update...I shall enjoy the prospect of getting a hot chocolate at lunch time and watching it snow some more! YA!
Swimmingly,
KT and Tenant
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Month 6 Letter
Dear Tenant,
Today you have cooked "exactly" 6 months, according to the crazy method the medical folks use to determine due dates. It's been an important last 4 weeks in our world. I have been meditating on the idea of Gestation, not just as something you are going through but as a crucial requirement for your Papa and I to actually get our heads around this parenting concept.
It's been kind of a hard month. Papa and I have had lots of unsolicited advice, stories and fearful things poured into our ears (from ourselves or others)lately. I can't imagine that being pregnant or dealing with becoming parents has gotten any harder in the last 37 years since I was born but I don't remember there being such a high degree of people willing / able to try and freak out newly expectant parents with horror stories. Perhaps, since it never applied to me, I just simply didn't pay attention. This is a trait that I can only hope you acquire, even if you use it against Papa and I often.
It's been a month where your Papa has been a little bit under the weather and we have both been looking at the expectations we have placed on ourselves to "provide" for you. I think that everyone goes through this stage and it's hard for me to watch Papa not have the same hormonal deluge I have that keeps on telling me "it's going to be ok...it's all going to work out". Despite the labor horror stories, terrible economy, fear of being on maternity leave and making the bills and large amount of weirdo's in the world, I can only assume that you wouldn't be cooking in there unless everything was going to be provided for your care AS IT'S NEEDED. What I think trips both Papa and I up is that we are trying to be responsible and PLAN, but most things come when they are needed and not a moment before. Hence the need for more gestation, for both you and us.
The reason for so much more attention in the pregnancy realm had to have come from your excellent construction skills and the fine addition you have been adding on to the existing apartment. I bet it's getting a bit snug in there and a good amount of expansion was in order. From the increase in kicking I can only assume you are a) exploring the boundaries of every enclosing quarters, b) trying to send me a message in morse code or c) preparing for tryouts for a European soccer team.
Either way, keep on kicking there toots! About 2 weeks ago, your Papa and I were laying in bed reading and you were kicking up a storm and I had him feel the belly. His eyes got all big and wide when you gave him (what I can only expect was) a good shot to the palm. It was seriously cute. It was the first time he had felt you moving around. I expect this to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship, at least until the teen years hit.
Just to make our lives that much more complicated, me, uncle T. and Papa went to the pound and got a couple of little kitties to run amok in our world. They have been good training for me since one got instantly sick has had to be medicated 3 times a day and did a good deal of barfing on me in the early, snot filled stages. I looked at this as an opportunity to get prepared for small, hot mammals to expel different fluids on me. So far, I am un phased. I am sure you will be able to gross me out at some point and I am kind of looking forward to the challenge.
Over all, the month has gone faster than I expected and I am sure the time will continue to fly as the holiday's pass and the tax season begins. I told your Papa this morning I was writing the 6 month newsletter and we both had a moment of silence for the impending craziness that will ensue. I continue to be so grateful that you have a wild and crazy community of people to come out and join...all of whom are as excited to meet you and be in relationship with you as your Papa and I are. They are a continued solace during the times when it all seems like it's moving too fast. Thankfully, we both know that there is still a bit more cooking time ahead for you...and gestational time for both of us to be able to work through the wispy spiderwebs that cloud our brains. Not to worry, we'll get it figured out before you move out...or we won't but either way it's going to fun for all of us to be able to figure it out together.
Love,
Mama
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Baby Sign language
Was doing a bit of research on Baby sign language classes yesterday and hit paydirt! This looks amazing! (We're super busy at work, can you tell?)
Portland Early Learning Center is one of many that offer classes in baby / toddler sign language. There are quite a few studies that indicate babies can understand what you are saying to them FAR earlier than they can articulate back to you. The development of the vocal cords and higher brain function that makes active language possible is a bit behind the passive understanding.
So! In order to facilitate kiddo being able to tell you what he/she wants or needs earlier than speaking, you teach 'em simple sign language! Genius! It's amazing how early you can start in with infant sign language that sets a good foundation for toddler comprehension.
We had a 2 yr. old in the office a month or so ago with his parents who were waiting to meet with a partner and the tyke starts to get a bit fussy. As I was walking downstairs the Mama asks kiddo "what do you want? Water? Outside? Snack?" and is doing signs for each of the items. ASTONISHINGLY, this little kid signs for snack and she hands over a bag of Cheerio's...end of tantrum. BANG! Just like that.
I was sold. Check out the link and if you are in Portland and want to join BP and I this time next year in class, let me know. I'll probably do some posting of a few of the simple signs so that others can learn them too...when the time comes. You can see a simple glossary of words at the Babies and Sign Language site.
FUN FUN!
Swimmingly,
KT and Tenant
Monday, December 8, 2008
Week 24
Progress!
It cracks me up that they have photographic reference to fruits and vegetables available on Babycenter.
This week....(drum roll please)...CORN!
Hey, last week we were a mango. And we all know that mango's are *SO* last week.
For other exciting gestational news, see below...
How your baby's growing:
Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.
Dudes....next week, rutabaga! Awesome!
Swimmingly,
KT and Tenant
Friday, December 5, 2008
BBdr visit #4
Yesterday was the obligatory monthly visit to the BBdr, whom we love. She had another ND sitting in with her getting continuing education credit and this woman has 1 year old twins, AND SHE'S STILL ALIVE. It was a hopeful moment.
All is going swimmingly, as predicted. Got my lab results from the half a gallon of blood she drew last visit and nothing was out of the ordinary. A little bit anemic (normal), a little bit low on Vitamin D (duh, it's Portland!). Brandon assured her that he would start stuffing me full of elk and make me take the new, snazzy Vitamin D supplement she gave me.
Did you know you don't even metabolize that stuff unless it's Vitamin D-3? Everyone check your vitamins, stat! I have the gal who can hook you up if you wanna call her!
The big news (in my world) was that I have finally broken the 200lb mark. 201.5 lbs is the current tonnage. 23 lbs! WOW! I feel sorry for those linebacker dudes who are like 300lbs and forced to run anywhere. I would keel over.
The belly is protruding and the heartbeat is a steady 140. Still quite trance inducing.
There has been lots of activity for the last several weeks in the belly and it's been kind of a trip to start feeling the Tenant moving the furniture around down there. The night before Thanksgiving BP and I were lying in bed reading and I had him put his hand on my belly and feel the baby! With a little pressure you can get a good handful of kicking! It was cute to see his eyes get all big.
"Dude, there is someone in there!"
Realization comes at different times and levels for all of us.
In other news, I have dodged all the illness cooties at work that have been plaguing the office the last 3 weeks (knock on wood) and feel stellar. The little girl kitty pulled up with a bad virus a couple of days ago and had a 106 fever (!) when we pulled into the Vet last night. 75ml of fluid under the skin, 2 droppers full of goldenseal / echinacia and a good nights sleep had her charging around the house a totally new animal this morning. Go go modern medicine!
So a productive medical day all around. We'll keep you posted as things come along!
Swimmingly!
KT and Tenant
All is going swimmingly, as predicted. Got my lab results from the half a gallon of blood she drew last visit and nothing was out of the ordinary. A little bit anemic (normal), a little bit low on Vitamin D (duh, it's Portland!). Brandon assured her that he would start stuffing me full of elk and make me take the new, snazzy Vitamin D supplement she gave me.
Did you know you don't even metabolize that stuff unless it's Vitamin D-3? Everyone check your vitamins, stat! I have the gal who can hook you up if you wanna call her!
The big news (in my world) was that I have finally broken the 200lb mark. 201.5 lbs is the current tonnage. 23 lbs! WOW! I feel sorry for those linebacker dudes who are like 300lbs and forced to run anywhere. I would keel over.
The belly is protruding and the heartbeat is a steady 140. Still quite trance inducing.
There has been lots of activity for the last several weeks in the belly and it's been kind of a trip to start feeling the Tenant moving the furniture around down there. The night before Thanksgiving BP and I were lying in bed reading and I had him put his hand on my belly and feel the baby! With a little pressure you can get a good handful of kicking! It was cute to see his eyes get all big.
"Dude, there is someone in there!"
Realization comes at different times and levels for all of us.
In other news, I have dodged all the illness cooties at work that have been plaguing the office the last 3 weeks (knock on wood) and feel stellar. The little girl kitty pulled up with a bad virus a couple of days ago and had a 106 fever (!) when we pulled into the Vet last night. 75ml of fluid under the skin, 2 droppers full of goldenseal / echinacia and a good nights sleep had her charging around the house a totally new animal this morning. Go go modern medicine!
So a productive medical day all around. We'll keep you posted as things come along!
Swimmingly!
KT and Tenant
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