Jaggerdom

Elizabeth - 3 Weeks Old

2009-03-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

As you may well imagine, I haven't blogged since our baby girl came home. Still trying to figure out how to best use my spare moments and prioritize. Here's how life is breaking down for now:
1. Sleep
2a. Food for baby and related outputs
2b. Food for mom
2c. Food for dog
3. Laundry
4. Everything else (which includes blogging and posting pictures I'm sorry to say :)

But really, this isn't a complaint. I'm loving every minute of it (minus that latching on part). I have the most beautiful and intelligent baby girl on the planet and I get to say she's mine. I'm on cloud nine. It has helped immensely that she is a very easy baby, thus far anyway. She only cries when she has something wrong and stops when it is remedied. She is sleeping through the night except for her one, middle of the night feeding. I am SO lucky and grateful that she's taken it easy on me - I suppose I should be concerned that the karma could change when she's a teenager because parent has to pay some dues at some point.

10 Days Late Update

2009-02-20T08:01:00.000-08:00

This is getting serious. The OB said this baby is likely upwards of 9 pounds. This is NOT what I had in mind. I'm going to have to birth a toddler. She better come out singing her ABCs. But she's otherwise happy and healthy in there. The NST was perfect. Her fluid levels are good. There is technically no hurry, but are you kidding me!

So I did go to another acupuncture appointment. I have to say, I started contracting more intensely after my treatment yesterday afternoon. Lasted through the night, but has pretty much stalled this morning, typical. Probably going to have to wait until this evening again to see if my uterus wants to play ball or not. In the mean time, I'm back to hunting down a new child care provider as my "perfect" gal has flaked. Awesome - so glad the 6 references I checked on her paid off. Anyway, went and saw 5 daycares yesterday. 2 more today. Just looking for what will work best for all of us and doesn't cost the same as our mortgage.

Really, all is well. The sun is out. We're all happy (relatively) and healthy and eager. Thanks for all your thoughts and emails-

The Interminably Pregnant

What's it mean when the Baby Due Date Clock poops out?

2009-02-17T11:18:00.001-08:00

A full one week late and no signs that anything is brewing. Also, an ominous sign - the Baby Due Date clock I bought when I found out we were pregnant died. No more clock, just a blank, sad little digital screen. Guess it was tired of waiting too :)

With that, I decided to take matters into my own hands and I scheduled an acupuncture appointment with an acupuncturist who specializes in fertility and women's health (read "able to charge more" :) She spent a whole hour and 45 minutes placing needles, heating them, putting low voltage electricity to them, I dunno what else, but let's just say that it's now been 18 hours and no baby. I have another appointment scheduled for Thursday. She even put me at the end of her schedule to ensure she'd have enough time to spend to really "get things going." Evidently my chi needs some work.

Otherwise still feeling fine. Sleeping okay, but my bladder is shrinking by the minute. Samba and I enjoy relaxing around the house as most of the work is done - just still doing little projects which I think are the things normal people do, but having been living in a construction zone - just having to clean the bathroom and sort through old magazines is a luxury.

Oh and is it raining! It is truly Oregon like around here. It has been raining non-stop for the last 4 days (spoken like a Californian eh?). Yesterday we got 1.3" alone which for around here means drains flooding and people either driving 40 or 80 on the freeway, neither really safe. We are also so grateful we got our new roof on this past spring before this winter as we would have been putting out some buckets in the living room otherwise.

Well, I'm prattling on at this point. Will keep things posted when I can. Hopefully I will be preoccupied with other things soon!
SJ

3 Days Late Update

2009-02-13T15:17:00.001-08:00

Hey Everyone!
I'm still pregnant! I did have an OB appointment on the 11th which showed that all is well, but there's little evidence that she's all that eager to make an appearance. So, we wait. Technically, my statistical due date is next Tuesday or Wednesday the 17th or 18th, so I'm crossing my fingers for then, (first time mom's usually deliver around 41 weeks). I have another OB appointment scheduled for Wednesday as well and that's about it.

Otherwise, I feel ok. By that I mean huge, plodding, achy, and heavy. Super hard to turn in bed at night particularly with the not so comfortable, yet evidently unproductive contractions wake me up. I am still getting around pretty well. Walking the dog, running errands: the bank, the grocery store, deciding all of a sudden that I need new storage containers for my flour and sugar, a few extra cans of dog food, to exchange something at Babies 'R Us and then to pick something new up there as well. I manage to fill my days with random activities and baking in my new oven, Yum!

Will be sure to keep you all posted. I appreciate the emails and phone calls and apologize if I don't get back to everyone, but do love hearing from you all,

The Interminably Pregnant Suzanne

The "Due" Date

2009-02-10T06:43:00.000-08:00

Today is Baby J's due date and she's thus far not interested in joining us. Although, I have been contracting a little more frequently than my usual. (For those of you how don't know, I've been contracting since 22 weeks, so it's old hat by now.) I want to thank many of you for your sweet emails and phone calls. Evidently many thought I would have delivered by now and I was holding out hope for yesterday, the 9th, which was a full moon, but to no avail. She's happy where's she's at. Can't blame her. It's been a little chilly these past few days down here. Perhaps she's waiting for a warmer, sunny day :)

I'm holding up well. Able to sleep through the night which is a real gift (except for one or two pee breaks - not bad all said). I'm still able to go about running errands and continuing to get the house organized. It's almost there. My kitchen is fabulous. Having lived 4 months without it, I'm in hog heaven and baking up a storm. Even made muffins before Justin left for work yesterday (ok, it was a mix - I'm not a total Suzy Homemaker).

My next OB appointment is Wednesday. We'll see what she says. She'll check my progress and if nothing has happened by Friday, I'll go have a non-stress test which basically means I go sit on a monitor for half an hour while they watch the baby's heart rate to make sure she is happy where she's at. Then we'll go from there. The average first time mom doesn't deliver until 41.2 weeks, so having not delivered yet is really to be expected albeit mildly disappointing.

Hope all is well with everyone. Keep in touch and I'll keep you posted as well!
SJ

Nursery Pic #2 with Samba

2009-02-05T17:17:00.000-08:00

Nursery Pic #1

2009-02-05T17:14:00.000-08:00

There are window blinds too, but they're out being cleaned. Due back Friday, only 2 days late.

The New Kitchen Sans Range (a very long story)

2009-02-03T11:56:00.000-08:00

Belly with Kitchen

2009-02-03T11:53:00.001-08:00

39 Weeks

2009-01-31T16:10:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'm a bad little blogger. Totally skipped over last week. I know, I'm on maternity leave, so what possible excuse do I have??? Well I'll offer a few, but the sum of it is, is I think it unlikely anyone wants to hear anymore about housework which is what my days are consumed with. The good news: our kitchen is DONE. My range is being delivered tomorrow morning and that is it folks. Finito. Finally!

On the baby front - had an appointment on Wednesday and everything looks perfect. She's measuring right on schedule. She's already dropped into proper position and now it's just a matter of time. I'm hoping for sooner than later as I enjoy frequent nerve pains down my butt or legs, can't turn in bed, and can't be active for more than a hour or two at a time without absolutely having to sit down and relax for another hour just to recuperate. Not how I like to operate! I have things to do! But all said, I really can't complain all that much. I hear some women are down right miserable at this point. I can't say I'm miserable, just inconvenienced.

Not much else new to share. I have another appointment with the midwife on Wednesday, if I'm not in labor before then . . . we shall see.

Happy SuperBowl to everyone!
SJ

This past weekend in South Lake Tahoe

2009-01-18T07:49:00.000-08:00

Last Day at Work

2009-01-18T07:08:00.000-08:00

Preggie Pic at 8.5 months, Thanks Rio!

2009-01-18T07:02:00.000-08:00

37 Weeks = Term!

2009-01-18T06:56:00.000-08:00

We are officially term. No more possible premie for this little one, and do I believe it. I think I'm getting bigger my the hour. Entirely possible as she's theoretically gaining an ounce a day. Seeing as I have 23 days until she's "due", that means another pound and a half of baby to carry around - and then have to push out . . . . So, yeah, I'm not nervous about that or anything. Feeling pretty good overall. Just really big and awkward. Mornings are much better for me than evenings so I try to get most active things accomplished by 1 or 2. Yesterday, I even took a nap. What a luxury!

Good news on the nursery and kitchen front. The kitchen should be done by middle of next week. What a relief. Will start putting back some things into the upper cabinets today and also start on cleaning up the dust that has settled into every nook and cranny in the front of the house. Daunting task, but must be done! Also, the nursery now looks like a nursery. Jen and Seth were kind enough to assemble my changing table for me, and Justin and I put together the crib this weekend (see pic at left). Looking very cute and almost usable. Another week and I should have it all ship shape. I am SO thankful I don't have to be at work!

Lots of love,
SJ

9 Months!!!!

2009-01-16T05:33:00.000-08:00

Can't even believe it's here. 9 months of pregnancy has passed and she could come any day, altho I see from the poll, many think I still have a few more weeks of waddling in my future. We shall see. I just had my 36 week appointment on Wednesday and everything looks perfect. We even got a glimpse of her little face on ultrasound and saw that even tho she looks on the small side - around 5 pounds or so, she already has chubby cheeks. If she's anything like her mother, she doesn't miss any meals either :)

I'm feeling pretty good overall. I get pretty tired in the evenings. I also kind of alternate a really active, energetic day with the next day feeling fatigued - or like today, unable to sleep after 3:30 in the morning, so might as well blog! But no bother. Now that I'm on pre-maternity leave, I can take a nap if I need, which is GREAT. Thank you FMLA and the State of California!

On the home front. Our kitchen should be done in the next few days so I can try and put it back together and functional (minus a stove which isn't available until Feb 1 - don't ask, long story). The nursery is about half done. Justin and I will be putting the crib together this week and then it will officially look like a baby's room.

That's the news for now. I'll be posting some pictures here shortly. I got my new laptop over Christmas and I'm still figuring everything out, but pix are on the way.

Lots of love-
SJ

35 Weeks

2009-01-06T17:40:00.000-08:00

I'm thrilled to be 35 weeks. Now if she were born, she'd no longer be an automatic NICU candidate. We are just 2 weeks from being considered term and 5 weeks from the due date. Getting closer! I'm regularly stunned at how time has flown. After all, my last day at work is on Friday! I have plenty to keep me occupied at home, getting settled into our kitchen which should be finishing up in the next week or two. Also, the nursery is started - painted a calming shade of green with a dresser and bookshelf. The crib is still needing assembly and I just learned the changing table was supposed to arrive today, so that makes me very happy to have it finally coming together.

Not much else new to report. New Year's was unremarkable. Since I was fortunate enough to have both Thanksgiving and Christmas off, I worked New Year's and New Year's day. Justin had company shut down last week, so he was home eating Bon Bons and watching soaps, yeah right, he was working on the house. I continue to get bigger and bigger, now at almost an exponential rate. I look like I swallowed a basketball!

Happy New Year to Everyone!
SJ

34 Weeks - Happy New Year

2008-12-29T12:55:00.000-08:00

Merry Post Christmas and Happy Early New Year!

We just had another successful trip up to Oregon. Mother Nature accommodated our travel nicely and even gave us our first White Christmas in recent memory. What a treat. Also had a wonderful time at my baby shower thrown for me by my mother and sisters. So much fun to see all the cute baby stuff - and thank you to all of you who made time to be there during the busy, and icy holidays.

Baby News: She's doing great. My sister, Lindsey, gave me little ultrasound scan over the weekend and she looked perfect. Was great to have an opportunity to get another look at her now that she's 5 times larger than when we saw her last at 18 weeks. Shes now 4 to 4.5 pounds, so still has some weight to gain before she's ready to make her grand entrance.

Only 2 more weeks of work before I start maternity leave. I have mixed feelings about it. I do really enjoy my job and will miss all (ok, most) of my collegues. I also look forward to having a little time to get all the things I want to get done before she arrives.

Best wishes to everyone!
SJ

33 Weeks

2008-12-21T10:48:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!
Fortunately the Christmas spirit has set in and I feel far more charitable towards my fellow man - no more ranting! Things are going well. I'm growing exponentially at this point. About ready to go up yet another scrub size. Disheartening, but oh SO grateful that I haven't had to drop loads of money on work clothes. My condolences to you out there that don't have the luxury of wearing pajama uniforms at work. I had the delusional idea last weekend that I'd finish up my Christmas shopping last weekend and actually managed to assemble a cute outfit with some cute shoes to match. What a joke! Or perhaps a stroke of brilliance because I my shopping trip became instantly more efficient because I couldn't standing walking any further than absolutely necessary.

We're still planning on heading up north for Christmas - I know nuts. Leaving sunny beautiful weather for the frozen tundra of the Northwest tho unarguably far more Christmasy. Good news that the roads look clear for our drive up.

To close out last month's poll about the pillows, the answer everyone has been waiting for . . . 4 pillows is the big winner. One being one of those enormous square Euro pillows then two more to build a ramp and the fourth, a squishy down pillow for my neck. I end up sleeping at about a 30 degree angle, but whatever works. Look forward to seeing the results of the next poll . . .

Merry Christmas!
SJ

8 Months!

2008-12-14T17:39:00.001-08:00

It's official. I'm 8 months pregnant. Unfortunately, it is popularly believed that you deliver at the 9 month mark. However, we ladies are painfully aware that this is merely a cruel joke crafted by many with potential vested interest:

1) Men: who just want their pre-pregnant, less-moody wives back
2) Hallmark: 9 months sounds better than 10 on a sappy "Congratulations!" card
3) Hollywood: so they can make goofy pregnancy movies with people like Kate Hudson and Hugh Grant

I actually have 6 weeks to go until she's considered "full term" or 8 weeks to be at my 40 week due date. On one hand that seems really, REALLY close, on the other, it seems a long time to wait to take a full deep breaths again, and to stop being lapped by 85-year old ladies with walkers at the mall.

I'd also like to take a moment to thank all my blog commentators for their support. Their fun to read and also nice to know that y'all been there too and sympathize.

On a different note, we have our 32 week midwife appointment this Wednesday, followed by a tour of the labor and delivery department. Even though I rotated through the OR at the hospital where we plan to deliver, I never saw the L&D rooms nor even know where to go! Will be important for Justin as I will likely be in no state of mind to help with directions when the time comes.

So very exciting stuff. Drawing closer to the end. It's about now that if I start to think about it too much I wonder how did we ever get ourselves into this (spare me the obvious answers, this is a rhetorical question :) How did we decide to go and have a baby and how in the heck is it going to be that we, Suzanne and Justin, are going to be Mommy and Daddy to an undoubtedly perfect little being? Look, I'm already biased, guess I'm supposed to be a mom :)

XOXO
SJ

31 Weeks - Ode to Weird Back Pains and Rude People

2008-12-12T18:47:00.000-08:00

In the last few weeks I've been plagued with pains deep in my low back/sacral area that sometimes gives me a real hitch in my already slow-moving giddy-up. According to Babycenter.com - the most popular pregnancy website, my condition is "triggered by activities such as walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of a tub or a low chair, rolling over in bed, or twisting and lifting." Yes! One more excuse to be able to sit around and do nothing! Don't think my work or Justin is going to buy it. :)

Despite my complaining of aches and pains, Baby J is continuing to grow. As one kind holiday Costco shopper informed me, "Wow, it looks like you're ready to pop at anytime". Gee thanks. I made the unfortunate mistake of telling her I still have 2 months to go. That got her started, "oh no honey, if you're this big now, she's coming early, you have no idea, you're going to be huge!" I love people. It's part of why I went into anesthesia. Strangers start shooting their mouths off, I get to shoot them full of drugs, shove a tube in their throat, and viola, no more rude or annoying conversation. It's a miracle.

On that ranting note, I'll make sure to work on my disposition so that my next entry is a little more upbeat. Really, everything is going fine and looking forward to the home stretch-
Lots of love,
SJ

30 Weeks

2008-12-03T16:55:00.000-08:00

Dear Baby,
Now that you're 30, there's a few things we need to get straight. There will be no more lackadaisical days of your 20s left to be had. It's time to shape up. This staying up all night, kicking and tossing isn't going to make your "room" any larger. I promise. So please, stop ramming your head into my full bladder. Also, when I eat, please don't practice your flutter kicks into my full stomach. It's really quite uncomfortable. These little fits are just not becoming of a lady.

No, your job is now to behave like the little grown up fetus that you are. You should lie back and relax. Enjoy the last few weeks of vacation. Eat up, you still have 3-4 pounds to gain after all.

We look forward to meeting you at the ripe old age of 38-40 weeks, but also keep in mind that no one like someone who is too late to the party, if you know what I mean.

Lots of love always,
Your Mommy

29 Weeks - Bring on the GERD

2008-11-24T13:06:00.001-08:00

For those of you not in healthcare or don't watch enough pharmaceutical television ads, GERD = Gastro-Esophogeal Reflux Disease, more commonly known as really bad heartburn. I knew this was likely going to hit at some point and did it ever. One night after dinner I had full on chest pain from it. Fortunately TUMS solves the problem - temporarily. But if I bend over too fast after eating, I pay the price.

Baby J is still moving and a grooving in there. I fear she's going to hamper my Thanksgiving feasting as she's not really interested in sharing too much space with my post-meal expanded stomach. I've been relegated to eating meals about half the size of my normal portion. But don't you worry, I'm hardly wasting away. I've been gaining weight right on target and have totally stopped weighing myself at home. Just better not to know.

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I can't believe it's already here and Christmas is around the corner. Soon I'll be 8 months, then delivery . . . Ahhh!

Gobble Gobble,
SJ

Third Trimester and Rounding for Home

2008-11-20T17:19:00.000-08:00

28 Weeks!
A good milestone. Only 6 more weeks to be comfortable that she is well baked and can be welcomed into the world at anytime. Until then, I waddle on.

You may have noticed that I'm late in posting this week - altho not terribly unusual. This week I have an excuse. My hormones kicked in. So when I spoke to my sister Lindsey last night, she said, "Oh, you need to write that stuff. That's what makes blogs interesting." So here it is.

Hormones totally mess with your mind and in my case, I became a walking Eore from Winnie the Pooh for 36 hours. It sucked. I felt gloomy and grouchy and tired. Went to bed at 9 o'clock, annoyed when my alarm went off at 6, still exhausted. Driving to work, invariably everyone was out to get me, Suzanne Jagger, in the silver Ford Escape. "Let's cut her off," they'd say and then I'd lay on the horn dripping my hot tea on my shirt. Arriving to work, we had a sick call so that made my day even busier and every one there is telling me, "Oh my gawd Suzanne, you're so big, are you sure you're not having twins??" Yeah, cute. And now I'd like to tell you how big you look and at least I have an excuse!

Fortunately by Wednesday, I woke up back to cheerful Suzanne. I was so ecstatic not to feel like a loping rain cloud. I knew I needed to write something for the week, but didn't know what to say because who really wants to hear me complain? Lindsey, for one :) So that's how I started my 3rd trimester. Hopefully it's out of my system, but we shall see. . .

Don't forget to make a guess in my new poll I just posted. I've learned that pillows are indeed the pregnant woman's best friend. So make a your guess and I'll post the answer in a few weeks.
Love to all and kicks from Baby J-
SJ

27 Weeks

2008-11-10T18:34:00.001-08:00

Almost 7 months. Ahhh. Ok, it's starting to feel very real and it feels like in just the last week I've started to feel truly pregnant. I feel just big. It's starting to get hard to bend over and turn in bed. I can't even imagine what it's going to be like in just a few more weeks! She now weighs in at an estimated 2 pounds and is supposed to be gaining about half a pound a week until delivery. Wow. But I'm feeling good and she loves to move around in there. She was a big fan of the Giants' great win over the Eagles yesterday (sorry Shane) - she was shimmying all over the place.

Jim and Laurie will be visiting Casa Jagger de Remodel this weekend. Should be fun. The weather is still 70s and beautiful and you wet and cold Oregonians out there ask why we live here??? :)

Lots of love-
SJ

26 Weeks

2008-11-03T10:12:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!

We just spent a lovely weekend with my parents who came down for a visit. Nice and relaxing even if the weather didn't cooperate. We had fun handing out candy to the neighborhood kids on Halloween even tho I missed out on my golden opportunity to dress up as a pregnant cheerleader. Ah, maybe I'll have opportunity again :)

The rain kept us from heading north for the Oregon vs Cal game on Saturday. It was raining and blowing so horrifically we watched the game from the comfort of our warm, albeit dusty, living room. Perhaps our absence was why they lost, but I'm still glad we didn't have to go be soaked to the bone.

On the baby front, Mom and I were very successful in wrapping up loose ends on the baby registry. I don't know a thing about all those little things that you need like baby lap pads and wipe warmers and different types of onesies. And perhaps most important was finding the crib. You'd think it'd be easy, I was so wrong. We have a small space and evidently I'm very picky, but we found the perfect thing and couldn't be happier.

SJ

25 Weeks

2008-10-27T15:25:00.000-07:00

I'm finally on the road to recovery - yesterday was the first day that I felt truly human again, but the stuffy nose and hacking cough continue to linger. Can't complain too much, tho. We just enjoyed a lovely weekend in Palm Desert visiting my grandparents. We flew in Friday where we proceeded to have lunch and then crashed for a nap. Boy, aren't we fabulous house guests! On Saturday, we drove out to Joshua Tree for a look around. We tried to do a couple short walks, but anything longer than 20 minutes totally maxed me out. I'll be posting pictures in the next day or two. Sunday was spent as usual, Justin watching the Giants take it to the Steelers and Grandma and I had a bit of shopping. What a great weekend!

Baby is doing well. We had an appointment last week and everything looks good. Next appointment is Nov 18th. Between now and then, my mom is coming down to visit where we'll hopefully finally pick out a crib. I just can't make a decision and need some professional help.

Will post again next week or if anything exciting happens.
Happy Halloween (BTW, I'll be a pregnant witch this year. That should confuse some children!)
SJ

24 Weeks

2008-10-18T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!
I'm at work right now with some down time so I thought I'd get my blogging done. Unfortunately I have absolutely nothing exciting to report. Things are going along as they should. I did get my flu shot this week as is recommended to all pregnant women. What they failed to mention is the increased risk of pregnant women getting the "pseudo-flu". Yep, I got that. Low-grade fever, achy, icky, coughing, but not bad enough to stay home and be a total bum as much as I'd like to. This too shall pass and theoretically should reduce my chances of getting the full-blown badness and also is good antibodies for the baby. Already, I suffer for this child! Is it too early to start giving her a guilt complex??? :)

Lots of love-
SJ

Oct 22nd: 24 Week Addendum
As a little birthday present to myself, 2 days ago my "pseudo-flu" evolved into full blown, knock you on your butt, go ahead and call in sick, you're not going anywhere - flu. Awesome. I'm already tired of watching television, but whenever I get enough strength to do something, I take an hour (or three) to recover. Argh. At least my fever broke last night and this morning, I actually put on clean clothes. How's that for recovery. Could be worse. Couldn't imagine feeling like this 3 months from now, so I will count my blessings for which I have many, and go watch some more Bravo television :) As an aside, Baby J thinks all this coughing is fun. I think she enjoys the ride because after a coughing fit she starts rumbling around in there like, "can I ride again, pleeeaaase???"

23 Weeks = 6 Months?

2008-10-14T18:28:00.001-07:00

Well according to the books, I'm now 6 months pregnant. Whoa. I'm looking pregnant, feeling good, still going about my business. Getting kicked a lot at night and with such force that you can now see my belly move when she gets busy in there.

The picture above was taken this past weekend when we went with Justin's mom to the new California Academy of Sciences museum up in Golden Gate Park. This was actually taken in their 3 story tall butterfly exhibit. Justin was a hit with the butterflies - one actually landed on his shoulder and proceeded to stay there for a good 10 minutes!

People have been asking what the nursery is going to look like. Here is a link to the bedding we chose. http://www.wendybellissimo.com/products/product_detail.php?id=63 Justin was sweet enough to dig up the last set in the state as it was recently discontinued, what a guy. Nothing in the nursery is really done yet at all. Hoping to start that in December as the next two months are being consumed by the kitchen which currently consists of floorboards and drywall. I have in the mean time made myself a respectable little kitchen with a microwave, double burner hotplate thingy and a prep area. It's working out so far and it allows us not to eat out every night. And bless the creator of paper plates - dramatically reducing my dish washing in the bathroom sink.

Will try and post in a more timely manner next week. Lots of love to all-
SJ

22

2008-10-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

How fast it's going. I'm blinking and the weeks are flying by I'm supposing because thus far, this has all been pretty easy. I feel good. Still going about my business. Had my last USTA tennis match on Wednesday - which was a lot of fun even tho we lost, but not before serving up a couple aces! Hoping to continue with the tennis as long as I can . . . one, because it's fun to see my opponent's concern about playing with a pregnant lady and two, because my strokes are still looking pretty good, if I do say so myself. :)

On the baby front, she's doing great and I feel now can be officially listed as a night owl. From about after dinner and through the entire night, she is moving moving moving! I wish I had a little window so I could see exactly what she is up to in there because her gyrations make me think she's working on a whole Saturday Night Fever dance routine.

Best wishes to everyone!
SJ

Baby's First 21er!

2008-09-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

Apologize for not being more timely in my postings; however, Justin and I were enjoying a little weekend getaway to Yosemite this past weekend. It was wonderful. Not only was it partly subsidized by work (I went to a conference while there), but the weather was a perfect 70 degrees, sunny, but cool. Very relaxing although I have to laugh at my decreased exercise tolerance. We went for a short, easy trail ride (and I use the word trail loosely) and you would have thought I was climbing a peak on the Tour de France. Whew, it was a work out. So the following day, I thought we'd take it easy with a short hike. It was short, and again, I was sucking wind. Justin had to laugh. I even took time to find a large downed tree that I could lay out on and put up my feet for a few minutes. I'm going to blame it on the altitude.

On the baby side of things, Baby J is one active little girl. Kick, kick, kick, rumble, rumble. She gets particularly active when we're watching football! (Go Giants by the way). Whenever I sit down for a few minutes, particularly in the evening, she decides it's time for her exercise routine. Everyday, the movements are getting a little stronger. Can barely feel them through my tummy, but I sure feel them on the inside. Also, I believe I spoke a little too smugly about my jeans fitting in my last posting because boy, that is history. I am amazed at the rate of my growing belly. Bring on the stretch maternity pants. Though we're swamped with work and the push into getting our kitchen remodelled, I don't think I have a choice but to go to the mall to get a couple pairs of pants so I have something other than scrubs and pajamas!

You'll notice a few new pictures. The first a short video of our ultrasound from a couple weeks ago and some pictures of the my belly at Yosemite - I think it could be called "Baby Half Dome"?

Lots of love to all
SJ

Half Way! 20 Weeks

2008-09-24T14:14:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!
I know it's been a little while since my last posting, but I had nothing to write as everything has been going along as it should. We had our appointment with our midwife yesterday. Very nice, very calm, my kind of gal. Also got the formal results from our ultrasound and Baby J is confirmed to be perfect, but we knew that.

I'm really starting to grow in the belly area. Still proudly wearing my old jeans, but shirts are becoming a real problem. Thank goodness long tank tops are around to go under my normal shirts for as long as I can pull it off, which may not be much longer. I also had to go the maternity store to get a pair of shorts as we're going to Yosemite this weekend. I have an anesthesia conference and we're going to enjoy a little hiking and R&R.

So things are going for all three of us and Samba too.
Lots of love-
SJ

It's A Girl!

2008-09-13T11:27:00.001-07:00

After much anticipation, we have conclusive evidence . . . It's a Girl! And she is totally healthy. Was great to see all her perfect little parts and she doesn't stop moving, which I can corroborate from all the little movements I've been feeling. Great news. Also, I've been given an official due date of February 10th - which literally means that there is a 95% chance she won't be born on that day. I also learned that I'm now closer to 19 weeks, 18 and 5 days to be exact. So things are going great.
Lots of love and check out the new poll!
SJ

17 Weeks

2008-09-05T11:25:00.001-07:00

Short entry today as we're leaving for my surprise anniversary weekend. We alternate years planning a weekend away. Last year was my turn, now it's back to Justin so I'll have to let you know next week what we were up to.

On the pregnancy front, still feeling good. I think I felt the first movement a couple days ago. Just like everyone else describes it as this faint "fluttering" in my lower abdomen. First couple times I thought it might just be the power of suggestion after reading these "What to Expect . . ." books, but now I'm feeling something every few hours when I sit down for a moment, so that's pretty cool. Although, I'm still not totally convinced it's not all in my head - always a skeptic.

Only one week to go until the big ultrasound. Thanks everyone for casting their votes. I'm still waiting for a dream or something to allude to the possible outcome, but nothing yet.

Best wishes
SJ

16 Weeks

2008-08-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

Short post this week as we are laboring this Labor Day weekend, on none other than . . . the house. This weekend's adventure . . . painting the exterior. Ah, the fun of home ownership. At least Home Depot is running a sale on paint this weekend. And I also got a fun tennis game in this morning before it got too warm. Hoping if I play while Baby J is in utero, his/her groundstrokes may come a little more naturally and then we can retire on his/her Wimbledon winnings in a few years-

16 weeks, beginning of the 4th month. Now I'm really beginning to show. 3 people at work ran up to touch my "bump". Thank goodness for Bella Bands. Heard about them online. Essentially wide tubes of elastic fabric that look like the bottom of a shirt that you wear to hold up your now unbuttonable pants. Works great and saves having to buy pants at this early stage.

Counting down the days until the next ultrasound. Sept 12th is not coming fast enough! I also want to thank everyone for posting little comments. They're very fun to read and I do check them, so post away!

15 Weeks

2008-08-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

Morning All!
15 weeks, not much to report. Insomnia has resolved, thankfully, however napping still feels great regardless of how much sleep I got. Food aversions are in full swing. Chicken is out. How chicken can taste bad, I have no idea, but it does. Steak is in. Never been a huge red meat person, but evidently baby is. And ah, cottage cheese, never tasted better as does any kind of cereal, but that's always been true for me.

This week we bought our first baby item - a Bob Revolution stroller, orange. Thanks to my friend Stacey letting me know about a once a year sale, we were able to get a smoking deal on this highly coveted piece of baby transport equipment. Thanks Stac! Guess the thing is going to take up much needed space in the mean time, but how can you pass up 20% off?

On the home front, the kitchen remodel is in full swing. Although the kitchen cabinets and appliances are still intact for at least another month or so, the alcove to the skylight has been built, sheet rocked, and mudded. The useless wall between our kitchen and family room that used to house the washer and dryer is gone making the whole area feel much larger, and more dusty. I try to clean, but the dust always wins and will likely do so until the whole project is over.

Best wishes to everyone.
SJ

14 Weeks - Second Trimester!

2008-08-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

Good Morning-
We've made it officially into the second trimester - the so-called honeymoon phase of the pregnancy. Things are going well. Nausea has abated, but I still can only eat what sounds good, and that isn't much. Last week it was cottage cheese of all things. And being someone who is usually starving for dinner, now I'm more of a lunch person and a few bites at dinner is all I can stomach. Whatever, I'm not exactly wasting away :) Insomnia is creeping in. Approximately every other night I wake up at 2am and that's it, I'm up. Great for when I'm doing night shift, but it's becoming a real drag the rest of the time. Hopefully this will abate as well.

On a less complaining note, I found a midwife. Linds and Jen - good salesmanship! Learned that they keep a couple midwives locked away at the Kaiser San Jose that is actually closer to our house than the one I work at. Also, working in the OB dept at my Kaiser, Santa Clara, I just see way too many things that make me nervous and have heard nothing but good things about this other Kaiser's dept. So, I have my first appointment with Roseanna on Sept 23rd. At K-San Jose, midwives manage all the normal labors and have a very active roll in coaching you through the whole process. Perfect!

Heading off to the gym to try and stay as active as possible. Still hitting the ball about once a week - as that's all my schedule permits, but my work life looks much better in September.
Will post again next week. Lots of love-
SJ

First Trimester Screening - All Clear!

2008-08-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

So exciting!!! We can breathe a huge sigh of relief now that Baby J. has passed his/her first test with flying colors (how could we expect anything less?). Everything looks perfect and it was amazing to see the little being move and hiccup. We saw all ten fingers and ten toes. We even saw a somersault. Not bad for only being 3 inches big. Really fantastic. I teared up of course. Next on the appointment schedule is September 12th for a good look at anatomical development as well as whether we're having a boy or a girl. I still can't get a read from the kid, maybe you have??? If so, put your vote in for boy or girl and half of you will likely be right :)

12 Weeks

2008-08-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

Hello Family and Friends!
What's new this week . . . my tummy is seriously starting to pooch. Not, cute, pregnant pooch, but, "has she gained a few???" kind of pooch. I've heard this is a drawback to this period of things. You don't look pregnant, you just look like you've been skipping the gym - which I haven't! Maybe not as often as I should, but I had a nice tennis game this morning.

On the home front. Our washer and dryer just went kaput last weekend. Ah appliances. I'm just glad they made it until I was out of school. So off to Sears we went and brought home these two beauties (see picture at left). Wasn't exactly in the budget, but are they wonderful. What a treat. And as cheesy as it sounds, I even got sentimental over the fact that there is a "baby wear" wash cycle. Likely useless, but makes me smile.

Hope this message finds you all well. Very much looking forward to our First Trimester Screening ultrasound on Friday morning. You can read about it if you wish thru this link http://sanjose.obstetrix.com/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0&id=45&action=detail&AEProductID=Client%5FSanJoseM998383&AEArticleID=188
Will be sure to let you know how it goes-
Lots of Love,
SJ

11 Weeks

2008-07-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

1 week to go until the first trimester is over. Can't believe it's happened so quickly! Suppose that's how this whole thing is going to go. Wake up tomorrow and there will be a little Jermajesty Jagger. Like the name choice? Came with compliments from Jermaine Jackson who had the audacity to actually name his kid, "Jermajesty". Ouch.

Nothing too interesting to report at this point. Feeling pretty good. Still fit into normal clothes - hopefully that will last as long as possible. I read online somewhere this girl lamenting she gained 13 pounds in her first trimester. What a nightmare - I fortunately have avoided thus far. I do have weird food cravings and aversions. My new thing in the last couple weeks is drinking through a straw. It just tastes so much better, but like really, does it make a difference? Seriously odd. Thanks Jermajesty :)

Hope you like this week's baby image. It says that the kid is already moving around "busy kicking and stretching". Whoa.

10 Weeks and Counting

2008-07-22T11:21:00.001-07:00

Hello Family and Friends!

Welcome to my first entry and foray into the "blogosphere". This is at the behest of a very excited father-in-law, and you know who you are :) that I should start a blog to share this exciting time with everyone. Having never blogged before and not being a terribly clever or colorful writer, I hope I may at least post some fun photos and debatably interesting insights into my first pregnancy. Here it goes.

At 10 weeks, I think I'm starting to feel better. The fatigue I've had sporadically over the last 4 weeks was worse than I had expected. Just an overwhelming need to sleep - worse than my usual need to sleep which many of you know is already quite profound. The nausea is abating, although it now rears it's heaving head around 8pm, sometime after dinner and before bed. Fortunately I've found ginger is a great help, and feel fortunate that I've found something that does ease the queasies, which is better luck than many women have.

I'm also doing a pre-natal yoga class on Monday nights. While I'm one of the earliest ladies there, it's good to hear tips and advice from women going through the various stages of pregnancy. Makes it all feel more real. Without of having the tell-tale tummy, I'm often left feeling just unwell instead of appreciating the symptoms that come with carrying a 1 oz future human being. That alone is a mind-blowing concept. Babies are born everyday, and historically and naturally speaking this is not an unusual or unique event, but this one is ours and it's growing in me, and that makes me teary just contemplating how awesome that is.

That should do it for my first post. Not sure how often I'll write. Our next big appointment is Aug 8th - for the first trimester screening test, which looks for Downs and other chromosomal abnormalities. It will also again confirm that everything still looks viable, which is my greatest fear, that I think I'm still pregnant, but it's made a turn for the worse - tho unlikely. So positive thoughts until then-
SJ