"Hive" Got an Itch!!

Okay, nobody prepared me for what I went through last evening.

Out of nowhere, I developed the worst case of hives I have ever had in my entire life! It started out as a random itchiness throughout the my torso, so being the Einstein that I am, I decided to take a lukewarm shower and then moisturize, thinking that my skin was simply dry. Boy was I in for a surprise!

Shortly after my shower, my entire torso turned an angry shade of red (picture the worst sunburn you have ever had...), and then I started getting welts - the worst of them on the sides of my body beside my tummy and my breasts. My back was all blotchy with welts as well, and the rash was quickly making its way up my neck and behind my ears. Needless to say, it was not pretty. I drove over to the local walk-in medicentre, but was frustrated to discover a sign that said "Due to a shortage of physicians, we are closed at 4:00 p.m. today". Ack! I zipped home, then made a phone call to a nurse at Healthlink.

She asked a ton of questions ("Is the baby still moving? Have you had any abdominal pains? Have you vomited? Is there any bleeding?"), but by the end of it, even she was stumped about what had brought this on! She made a referral for me to go to the "after hours clinic" for the next morning, and gave me some coping strategies to ease the itch in the meantime. I ended up lying in a lukewarm baking soda bath, with my dearest husband bathing me tenderly with a washcloth. I'm sure that I looked a fright!! By after the bath, the welts began to go away...and by morning, they were all gone. Weird.

My research on Dr. Google tells me that I either a) had an allergic reaction to something I had eaten, or b) had "PUPPP - Pruritic Uticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy". Apparently, PUPPP is a common rash amongst pregnant women, and whilst its cause is unknown, it is most common in the third trimester of first pregnancies (average onset, 35 weeks!) and interestingly is more common amongst women who go on to deliver baby boys! Quite honestly, though, I don't think that I had PUPPP, because it's supposed to last on average up to 6 weeks - and my rash went away overnight. But boy, was it ever freaky!

In other news...

DH and I went to our first pre-natal class last week, led by what could be the cheeriest woman I have ever met! It was interesting to watch DH's reaction to things that were being shared...he has so much less experience with infants than I do that I think this course will benefit him the most. We didn't see "the video" - which, according to the instructor, was NOT edited for television (that will be this week's class). I am bracing myself for the horror. Can I tell you a secret? I am scared to have my husband see me in the labouring stage...the moaning and grunting and shrieking....I'm pretty sure it'll freak him out. Can others relate?

35 weeks as of today. Wow. We don't have much more time before our little Dim Sum is delivered. I can't wait to hold him and look into his eyes...

The REAL Inspiration...

On and off over the course of these last two years that I have been blogging, I have had some lovely individuals post a comment or two about how I have inspired them....which has meant more to me than anyone could ever know.

But this week, I happened upon a story of REAL inspiration. After reading this entry and looking at all of the pictures, I cried. And it renewed my belief that with spiritual support and the love of family and friends, we can fight any challenge, no matter how difficult.

I would have to say that this lady is the true inspiration...read her story: Enjoying the Small Things

XOXO,
Springroll

Family Day

What a fantastic weekend this has been.

First of all, it afforded me some much needed rest, as I had the luxury of a 4 day weekend (got Friday off, which is normally the time that local teachers working for school boards had to attend Teachers' Convention...but because we are a private school, we did our PD on the Thursday instead...and of course, it was provincial Family Day holiday today...) I am finding that sleep is one thing right now that I cannot seem to get enough of. I've had such a difficult time sleeping through the night - constant visits to the bathroom, coupled with awkward sleep positions have me up at least once every evening, usually around 4:00 a.m. Then when I return to bed, I can't seem to fall back asleep. So this four day weekend allowed me to take some quality naps and just putter around the house...it's been great.

Valentine's Day was absolutely amazing. I awoke to a bedroom decorated with red balloons and beautiful heart cut-outs. My husband gave me the most wonderful gift - what he called the "Love Connection Game". Basically, he presented me with a scroll tied in red ribbon - which contained five questions about our relationship. I was to answer each question at a specific time of the day - and if I got the correct answer, I got to peel back a red ribbon on the scroll that described what my prize would be. My 9:00 a.m. prize was breakfast in bed. My 10:00 a.m. prize was a bouquet of beautiful roses. My 3:00 p.m. prize was a 30 minute back massage. My 6:00 p.m. prize was my favourite meal (chicken parmigiana) cooked for me. And my 9:00 p.m. prize was a foot massage with peppermint lotion. I tell ya - he went above and beyond to spoil me on Valentine's Day, and I fell more in love with him than ever. I have the most wonderful husband in the world...

Now, this weekend was also Chinese New Year, and we got the chance to go out with my family to celebrate on Saturday night. I love to go for dinner with my family, as it's always big and festive! On Sunday, DH and I went down to our local Chinese Cultural Centre to watch the traditional Chinese Dragon Dance...spectacular. Even though DH is Caucasian, he really loves everything about the Chinese culture and he has learned so much since being married. I can't wait until we can share our Chinese traditions with our little Dim Sum.

Time, of course, continues to fly by (I know I say that all the time!!) and pretty soon, our little Dim Sum will be here. He has been quite the gymnast this weekend - tossing and turning inside my tummy. I think he especially liked the drumming of the Dragon Dance - I could almost feel him moving to the rhythmic beat as I stood watching the colourful display! Each time I feel him moving, my heart swells with happiness and I cannot wait to meet him...

Only 7 more weeks, Baby, until I get to hold you in my arms...

31 weeks and counting...

Only 63 days left!

This countdown is even better than the countdown to Christmas!! I still find myself amazed that I am where I am...it seems so surreal.

Little Dim Sum is an incredibly active baby, and these days not an hour goes by that I don't feel him either hiccuping or turning a million somersaults inside my tummy. I do find myself wishing that my husband could feel these same sensations; even though he puts his hand on my belly to feel "the show", I just don't think it's the same! I know that he would think it's amazing to feel what I feel.

Sooo...starting to get a little nervous about the whole birth thing. I'm worried that I'm not fit enough to go through labour. From what I've read, it's a HUGE workout, requiring a lot of energy and stamina. Have I got what it takes?

Last month, in an effort to get myself into said shape, I signed up for a pre-natal fitness class at my local gym. The description said "No previous fitness experience required". So I got myself registered and eagerly looked forward to the first class.

When I showed up, the instructor gathered us all, took attendance, and then immediately started in on us. Without any kind of warm up, she asked us to do lunges for about 100m, then 20 push-ups. This was followed by another set of lunges for 100m, then 20 more pushups. I thought I was going to DIE. And part way through the lunging, she came over to me and said, "Oh, you're putting your weight on the balls of your feet; you should be stepping down on your heel." Did she realize that I was putting weight on the front of my foot because my big belly was dragging me forward?!? The lunging/pushups were followed by stairs (up, down, up down for 40 reps on each foot). This was followed by squats for 200m, 8 minutes on the rowing machine, weights (biceps and triceps), then stomach crunches (pilates style).

Needless to say, I couldn't walk for days afterwards...

And p.s. - I have since dropped out of that class.

No fitness experience necessary, my ass!!

But then this got me thinking - am I really THAT out of shape? If I can't handle an exercise class, what makes me think I can handle childbirth? What if I'm so out of shape that labour takes forever? What if I don't have the strength to push little Dim Sum out of me? Ack!

There is no point in asking my sister for advice. She ran a marathon when she was 4 months pregnant with my niece, and continued to work out throughout both of her pregnancies. When I told her about my exercise class experience, she tritely said to me, "Well, if that were me, I would be able to handle it..." I felt like jumping through the phone and clobbering her.

Sigh. I know it's too early to panic. But does anyone out there have any advice for me? I don't mind hearing bad labour stories...I'd rather be prepared than blissfully ignorant, only to be slammed when the sh*t hits the ceiling!

I'm Going Crazy...

Okay, this is going to be a stupid blog entry....so to my IF friends who faithfully read my updates, I apologize in advance. To those newcomers who have stumbled upon my humble little blog, I don't blame you if you never want to read my blog again. But I am going crazy!

I can't decide what to do with the nursery. Quite simply put, I am overwhelmed. First of all, DH and I disagree a bit on what we would like to see - I would like something soft, understated, and "elegant" looking (for lack of a better word..) Here are just a few examples of what I love:



I really look the love of a handsewn quilt, and the above sets have them! The first set is called "My First ABC", from Kidsline, and the other two sets are from Pottery Barn Kids ("Cottontail Friends" and "Jungle Friends".

DH, on the other hand, would like to see as much colour as possible. Bright reds, blues, and greens. His favourite set is this one:

It's called "T is for Tiger". I don't mind it, but I don't love it - and shouldn't I love the room that we put little Dim Sum into? I have spent literally hours upon hours combing the internet looking for crib bedding that will appeal to me and appease my husband. And so far, we can't seem to agree on anything.

Told you this was a lame entry.

P.S. For those wanting a good deal, check out Baby Supermall. Their prices are amazing! For example, the T is for Tiger set is being retailed at our local children's store, E-Children, for $270.00, while the fine folks at Baby Supermall have it on for $138.00. You can't beat a $140.00 savings!!

P.S.S. 28 weeks and counting!

Happy New Year!

Is it me, or is time just zooming by? The winter holidays were wonderful, and I dare say this was the best Christmas I have ever had (...soon to be replaced by next Christmas, when our little Dim Sum waits for Santa for the first time...) Despite everyone's request that I pass along a Christmas wish list to make shopping easier, there honestly was not one thing that I wanted. I have everything that I could have every wished and prayed for - a loving husband, an inviting home, and a baby growing inside my tummy. Life is good.

DH and I went with friends out to Panorama Ski Resort for New Year's weekend, and it was simply spectacular! While the others went swooshing down the slopes, I had the chance to sit in our cozy condo (by the fireplace), and just look out at the gently falling snow. I got to visit the resort spa for a (much-needed) massage, and get caught up in my pregnancy journal. And I got to eat! I went for walks and watched young families tobogganing down snowy slopes, and I even rode the resort gondola down to the "lower village" to shop at the General Store. Dim Sum and I had a great time!

But of course, it's back to reality for us now, with work and other real-life inconveniences!

Dim Sum is an incredibly active little boy, and the constant kicks are reassuring. I am finding it increasingly difficult to stay asleep at night; no sleep position is really that comfortable, I find I am waking up in the middle of the night to pee, and Dim Sum enjoys thumping away at me if I am sleeping in a position that he doesn't care for. But know what? I worked damn hard to feel this way, so I wouldn't trade it for the world!! :)

DH and I talked the other day about what our plans would be for a second child after Dim Sum arrives...hard to imagine that we are already discussing it, given our struggles just getting to where we're at. But we're nothing if not realistic - even though we are pregnant, we still consider ourselves to be infertile. And because of this fact, our eyes are wide open to the need for planning. We have decided that our plan of action will be to try for a natural conception soon after Dim Sum's birth (but within a reasonable timeframe for healing! Ouch!), and if nothing happens in a year, we will go back to the Clinic. But in our hearts, both of us know how lucky we are to even have Dim Sum, so if Dim Sum is all that God blesses us with, we are thrilled.

Life really is good.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Boy...I have been missing in action, haven't I? Terrible. December has been the most hectic month ever, with various winter concerts at school, Christmas functions to attend, and Christmas shopping to pack in. Add to that the fact that we are hosting Christmas dinner for thirteen people, and that my in-laws are in town and staying with us for ten days...and I am bushed!! I feel as though I haven't had a minute to myself...but I do have some respite this morning, as my in-laws have gone shopping. So here I am.

It's hard to believe that a year ago this week we were praying for our little Nemo. We were so devastated on Boxing Day...I remember it like it was yesterday. But here we are, a year later, with our little Dim Sum kicking up a storm inside of me. Sometimes it takes patience, but we know that God answers prayers.

I was chatting with a mother of one of our students at school last week, and she gave me the sweetest suggestion, ever - she told me that when she was pregnant with her first child, she spent Christmas Eve reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to her unborn child. She said to me, "Next year, when the baby's here, he'll belong to everybody. But this Christmas, that baby is only yours. This is your special time with him - it'll just be the two of you, so enjoy it." This made me cry. I never thought of it that way. But she is so right. This little lovebug, snuggling inside of me- rolling, kicking, turning - it's our special time together. We are in our own little world right now, and I should cherish every minute of it. Because all too soon, it'll be over.

Sigh. What could I possibly ask for this Christmas that I don't already have? My every wish has come true. There is not one thing that I wanted more than the chance to be a mother - and here I am. In all of the Christmases that I have had, I cannot recall one more special than this one.

Merry Christmas to all of my wonderful IF friends. For those of you that have won the IF fight - I hope that enjoy every second of this special Christmas, as I will. For those of you that continue the battle - my Christmas wish for you is that you never give up hope; I know that one day, in some form, you will become the loving mothers that you were born to be.

May your holidays be filled with joy, laughter, and love.

XO,
Springroll