Preparing for a New Baby
First, I was told that this picture needed to be posted. This is Ellis at Whole Foods with Mike, where she he was very helpful in "making groceries."
But for once, this post is not really about Ellis. It is about all of us, preparing to add another person to our family. I am 30 weeks pregnant now and, as I have fussed before, regularly told how huge I am -- in spite of being exactly as big as I am supposed to be. This pregnancy has been mostly similar to the 1st one but has some notable differences.
1) I was plenty tired in the first trimester, but not as tired as I was with Ellis. However, I snapped out of it with Ellis at about 15 weeks, and it took much longer this time. This was partially the pregnancy and partially being a parent already.
2) I am carrying more out in front than I did with Ellis. This fact, combined with the fact that Ellis is 36 lbs and still likes to be carried, has stressed my back. Luckily, I have Mike, who selflessly massages my back on a regular basis to make me feel better.
3) No sickness in either. Thank you, my delightful children. But there have been a few minor difficulties. For a while, the baby camped out on my sciatic nerve. And the pressure on my bladder this time is quite strong, giving me symptoms that sound like prostate difficulties. My sympathies to all the men out there. Finally, my blood pressure went a little high to around 135 over 85. But again, my hero of a husband fixed it by looking up information on acupressure for high blood pressure and massaging those points every few days. As a result, my last reading was 112 over 72. Seriously, how awesome is my husband?
4) Ellis moved all the time. All day long, taking a break only when I slept. She moved constantly, gently and smoothly, though quite visibly (picture the movie "Alien"). This baby is active mid-morning and in the evening and more fluttery in movements. Sometimes I will feel this crazy, frenetic movement on both sides of my stomach at the same time. There are also some elbows thrown from time to time, many times in the middle of the night. Ellis would also react very strongly to the warmth of Mike's hand when he touched my tummy. This baby is more independent, moving when it wants to and responding to little we do.
5) Ellis was breach as late as 35 weeks. I worked like crazy to get her to turn: hanging upside down, doing yoga positions that are supposed to help, having Mike talk to the bottom of my tummy, placing earphones at the bottom of my tummy, etc. One night, Mike and I watched her head go from the top of my belly, slowly down to the right position and then right back to breach over about 20-30 minutes. She finally got in the right spot but there was some concern. This baby is already there and has spent most of the pregnancy head down.
Many have asked if Ellis is excited. I have to to say she is wary. She is good with other kids, including babies. Shushing them when they cry and petting them to make them feel better. But she has figured out that babies take a lot of attention away from her and that she will have to share her space, toys and parents. So we are trying to focus on how excited the baby will be to have her as a big sister as well as the perks that come with being a big sister. Perks like presents when the baby comes and her first trip to the movie theater, as well as big girl dates with her parents.
Mike and I are excited but also a bit nervous. Mostly, we worry about the logistics of having one kid in school and one in daycare, across the city from one another. But also, as I said in the last post, we have gotten used to being able to talk to Ellis and simply ask what she wants and why is she upset. It is also nice that she is potty-trained and can run off and play with friends without us. So going back to diapers, the mystery of babies that can't communicate and less sleeping is a bit scary. Luckily, babies are snugly, cute and soft. Plus, I can't wait to see the two siblings interact and play together.
But for once, this post is not really about Ellis. It is about all of us, preparing to add another person to our family. I am 30 weeks pregnant now and, as I have fussed before, regularly told how huge I am -- in spite of being exactly as big as I am supposed to be. This pregnancy has been mostly similar to the 1st one but has some notable differences.
1) I was plenty tired in the first trimester, but not as tired as I was with Ellis. However, I snapped out of it with Ellis at about 15 weeks, and it took much longer this time. This was partially the pregnancy and partially being a parent already.
2) I am carrying more out in front than I did with Ellis. This fact, combined with the fact that Ellis is 36 lbs and still likes to be carried, has stressed my back. Luckily, I have Mike, who selflessly massages my back on a regular basis to make me feel better.
3) No sickness in either. Thank you, my delightful children. But there have been a few minor difficulties. For a while, the baby camped out on my sciatic nerve. And the pressure on my bladder this time is quite strong, giving me symptoms that sound like prostate difficulties. My sympathies to all the men out there. Finally, my blood pressure went a little high to around 135 over 85. But again, my hero of a husband fixed it by looking up information on acupressure for high blood pressure and massaging those points every few days. As a result, my last reading was 112 over 72. Seriously, how awesome is my husband?
4) Ellis moved all the time. All day long, taking a break only when I slept. She moved constantly, gently and smoothly, though quite visibly (picture the movie "Alien"). This baby is active mid-morning and in the evening and more fluttery in movements. Sometimes I will feel this crazy, frenetic movement on both sides of my stomach at the same time. There are also some elbows thrown from time to time, many times in the middle of the night. Ellis would also react very strongly to the warmth of Mike's hand when he touched my tummy. This baby is more independent, moving when it wants to and responding to little we do.
5) Ellis was breach as late as 35 weeks. I worked like crazy to get her to turn: hanging upside down, doing yoga positions that are supposed to help, having Mike talk to the bottom of my tummy, placing earphones at the bottom of my tummy, etc. One night, Mike and I watched her head go from the top of my belly, slowly down to the right position and then right back to breach over about 20-30 minutes. She finally got in the right spot but there was some concern. This baby is already there and has spent most of the pregnancy head down.
Many have asked if Ellis is excited. I have to to say she is wary. She is good with other kids, including babies. Shushing them when they cry and petting them to make them feel better. But she has figured out that babies take a lot of attention away from her and that she will have to share her space, toys and parents. So we are trying to focus on how excited the baby will be to have her as a big sister as well as the perks that come with being a big sister. Perks like presents when the baby comes and her first trip to the movie theater, as well as big girl dates with her parents.
Mike and I are excited but also a bit nervous. Mostly, we worry about the logistics of having one kid in school and one in daycare, across the city from one another. But also, as I said in the last post, we have gotten used to being able to talk to Ellis and simply ask what she wants and why is she upset. It is also nice that she is potty-trained and can run off and play with friends without us. So going back to diapers, the mystery of babies that can't communicate and less sleeping is a bit scary. Luckily, babies are snugly, cute and soft. Plus, I can't wait to see the two siblings interact and play together.
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