Baby Update: Week 20

20 Weeks!  Halfway There!

Baby:  According to "What to Expect", the baby is the size of a small cantaloupe or a large grapefruit.  The baby's sex organs are becoming more defined.  If the baby is a girl, it's uterus is completely formed, and she has 7 million primitive eggs in her ovaries.  If the baby is a boy, his testes are starting to descend from the abdomen into the soon-to-be-developed scrotum.  

Mom:  It's been a while since I posted pictures of the belly bump, so I thought I'd update you on the progress.  I told Mitch that I didn't feel like I was getting a lot bigger lately, but as you look at the pictures, it's pretty obvious I am!

Taken at about 18 weeks.

Nineteen Weeks

Almost 20 Weeks

20 Weeks and 1 Day.  

I've had some tests done this week on my heart - I had an incident at work last week with a racing heart, but things seem to be normal and so there are no worries for me or the baby.  My doctor just wanted to be cautious (and as Dr. Martin said, "She is just covering her ass").  

Dad:  The big debate going on between Mitch and I this week is whether Thor is actually a boy or a girl.  (I realize that this is already a big debate raging in the blogosphere).  Mitch keeps having dreams that the baby is a boy, but he thinks it's a girl.  I am the opposite - girl dreams but I think it's a boy.  As we get closer to the ultrasound (only one more week to go!), Mitch is standing firm on our earlier decision to not find out the sex of the baby.  And while I agree with him (overall), my curiosity is killing me!  

Letters from the Womb

Dear Mrs., 

I cannot thank you enough for all of the wonderful baby items you gave to my mom and dad.  They will certainly need them all, as I don't think they're going to have a clue as to what to do with me when I arrive in August.  I'm especially excited about the baby chair, I know mom is going to put me in that thing for hours!  I am so lucky to have a great cousin like you.  Tell Shortcake, Punkin, and the General hello for me.

Love, Thor

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Dear Grama and Pa Poke,

I love my new room!  The paint color is great, and the new trim and doors look so fresh and new.  It will look even better once the new window is installed and the new crib and bedding from Grama and Grampa M. are put into the room.  All my grandparents are so great!  I know you guys worked really hard to make it nice for me, and I am thankful for that.  I know my mom and dad are excited about it, too, because they sure couldn't do that by themselves!  See you in August!

Love, Thor

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Dear Grama M, 

Thanks for bringing over those Lemon Chalet cookies that the Girl Scouts were selling.  Man, do I love when my mom eats, like ten of those things at a time!  You girls really know what I like.  Maybe I can eat them by myself in a year or so when I have teeth?

Love, Thor    

The Time Has Come...

Tonight at my school district's board meeting I'll officially be cut for next year.  My principal informed me last Thursday of the decision.  Basically, they are cutting almost every non-tenured teacher for next year, then hiring them back as needed.  

If you ask me, it's a crock of shit.  

There is the potential of me having a position somewhere in the district that would be part-time, but we won't know for the next few months while everything plays out and the schools determine their needs. 

Here's a question - how can you NOT know your needs?  Seriously?  

I am beyond annoyed and upset about the whole thing, but mostly just annoyed.  This will make RIF #2 for me - why should I continue to teach when my hard work is not valued?  When will the fine arts ever get some freaking support?

Anyone know of any job postings that will hire a pregnant lady who needs maternity leave at the beginning of the year?  Because I'm interested.

Baby Update: Week 19

Baby:  This week, the baby is the size of a large mango - about six inches long and weighs a half pound.  The baby's skin is now completely covered with vernix caseosa, which protects the skin from the amniotic fluid.  (They compare it to cheese - gross.)  To add to the gross factor, the baby can now generate meconium (which is a fancy word for poop).  

Mom:  I have survived the busy weeks at school and have almost survived Mom and Dad's visit, where they have worked tirelessly on the baby's room, installing new doors and trim, and doing LOTS of painting.  I had a check-up this week, and everything is going as it should be.  And, of course, I am growing steadily.  (I promise pics will be coming.)

Dad:  Mitch has (I think) enjoyed the demo process in the house this weekend.  He's learned to install doors and trim, and learned what NOT to do while installing new plugs and light switches.  

It's All About Perspective

Yesterday when I came home from work I started painting the trim for the baby's room outside on my porch with my mom.  It was BEAUTIFUL out - the sun was shining and it was so warm!  While Mom was cold, I went out in a t-shirt, capris and flip-flops and was convinced it was at least 55 degrees.

Fast forward to last night as we watched the weather report - yesterday's high was 39 degrees. 

Who knew 39 degrees would feel so WARM!?!?!  I guess I've earned my Minnesotan status now.

Thor's on the Move

It's happened.

The baby has moved.  And I felt it.

Yesterday as I was writing up the Baby Update for the blog, I felt something funny inside.  I sat quietly, ruled out indigestion and gas, and sat quietly again.  And again, I felt a weird, gurgle-flutter.  

Later last night, when I was laying down to fall asleep, I felt it again.  That weird, flutter-gurgle feeling.

And again this morning.  

I had a doctor's appointment this afternoon and asked if it's normal that I would feel the baby already, and she said that's definitely what it is.  Although it will be pretty sporadic when I feel Thor, by the end of the month his movements should be pretty consistent.  

Mitch's response?  "It's really in there!  OMG!"

I'd say that pretty much sums it up.

Baby Update: Week 18

Baby:  Into the fifth month!  The baby is filling out nicely, this week about the size of a chicken breast.  (A weird comparison, if you ask me.)  He is becoming more active, twisting and turning and practicing his kicks and punches.  He also has his own set of fingerprints on his fingers and toes.  Cute!

Mom:  I haven't felt the baby move yet, but am certain it will happen soon.  I am filling out quite nicely as well - it's so strange to put on a t-shirt you've worn for years that doesn't fit anymore!  This week my parents are coming for a visit, so the spare bedroom upstairs will begin to make its transformation into a nursery.  

Dad:  Mitch is looking forward to the nursery being done so he can put the crib together with his friend Zobs.  I think he's mostly looking forward to having a beer partner.  

Pictures to come next week!

Friday Night At the Target Center

The view from Club Cambria at the Target Center for T-Wolves vs. Knicks. Tickets courtesy of Sal. Refreshments included salad, dinner rolls, chicken saltamboca, grilled mahi-mahi, and Budweiser products. Thanks Sal!

Spring Has Sprung

How can you tell it's spring in Minnesota?  The school track teams are out practicing.  

Too bad it was below freezing today as they were outside running down our street.  I have no idea why those kids would go out for track.  Crazy kids.

Spring Can Start Any Day Now

Writing on the Wall

I had a meeting with my principals today after hearing rumors of the proposed new schedule for next year....no job for me planned.  It's not official yet, but I'd say it's 95% sure that I'm out for next year.  Still a couple of tricks up my sleeve that could keep me in....but it's not good, people.  Short of a miracle, that pink slip will show up in about two weeks.  If only I could drown my sorrows in a few margaritas.....

Baby Update: Week 17

Baby:  According to "What to Expect", the baby is about the size of an opened hand, and weighs about 5 ounces.  Baby will be putting on weight, as body fat is beginning to form (it's forming on mom, too, and it's obvious - ugh).  Baby is practicing sucking and swallowing for its survival outside of the womb, and its heart rate is now regulated by the brain instead of being spontaneous (140-150 bpm).  

Mom:  In the last few days I've come to the realization that I'm probably going to need the epidural.  My back's been sore, and my stomach has felt just a little weird due to stretching muscles and expanding body parts.  I have grandiose thoughts about having a natural childbirth because it's supposedly better for the baby and for me, but let's be honest, people.  We all know me.  I am a total wimp.  I hate pain.  I don't know what I was thinking.  I'm already starting to psych myself up for that needle.  Yikes.  I'm also amazed at how much different my body looks every week.  The baby is really starting to grow now, and I'm even bigger than I was last week.  (I'll post more pics soon).  

I have a busy week coming up, so I'm hoping that my energy will hold up enough so I can get done everything I need to - lessons, accompanying, teaching, and my teacher certification tests are this week.  I'll be glad when this week is over!

Dad:  Mitch does a great job of reminding me when I complain about being uncomfortable or getting big that "it's just going to get worse".  He takes such good care of me.  I do love the fact that he does more around the house.  Or maybe he's just doing more because I've become a complete and utter slob and he has to constantly pick up after me.       

How Do You Test Out Crib Mattresses?

By putting them on the floor and laying on them, of course!  Which is precisely what Mitch did today in Babies R Us.  Hilarious.  

Subbing Stories

Warning!  The following post may not be suitable for any reader who is uncomfortable with reading anything that may be discussed in a 7th grade health class.  

The health teacher in my building had a baby last night, a little girl named Kate (if I would have known she was planning to use that name, I would have warned her...)  There are two points to me telling you this:

1.  She worked all day yesterday, and had the baby at 7:00 last night.  I am in total awe of her.  I also hope that I go that fast.  (I don't think I'll be nearly as lucky)

2.  I got to sub in health today again!

Since tomorrow is the last day of the trimester, the students had put together presentations that they gave today.  Luckily, there was a grading rubric so I had no problems in grading their projects.  They had nine choices for projects and had to choose three.  I'll give you the highlights on what I saw in two classes today:

• One group created a board game based on the female reproductive system.  If you went the wrong way on the board, you came to a dead end (i.e., that fallopian tube wasn't working).
• Another group created a "Go Fish" - style game where you had to find pairs of the male reproductive system.  The cards didn't have words, but pictures of all of the male parts.  For example, penis, vas deferens, testes....you get the idea.
• Several students created their own obituaries.  The most interesting deaths?  Mad cow disease and hit in the head with a hockey puck.
• A few kids presented about different STD's.  They all giggled when they talked about how you could contract diseases like genital herpes.  (7th graders should never use the words "oral" and "anal" in the same sentence.  They can't do it without giggling.)
• Some of them wrote a newspaper column, similar to a "Dear Abby" article.  For example, one girl wrote, "Dear Health Nut, I just switched from pads to tampons, but now have some weird symptoms, like rash and fever.  What should I do?" 

And maybe the best of all....

• Students made both the male and female reproductive systems out of food.  I saw a uterus made out of M&Ms, a bladder made out of a Ding Dong (I thought these would have been better for the testes, but what do I know), plenty of urethras and fallopian tubes made of licorice, and a penis made out of a Fruit Roll-Up.  

And if you're wondering, yes, they had to present this to the entire class.  Out loud.  Talking.  Honestly, how they made it through without a lot of giggling is beyond me.  I felt a little embarrassed at times!

Ah, how I love to sub....

Random Thoughts

• Why on earth do women put their makeup on in the car?  How can it even look good?  And why must they do it when they are driving 10 miles under the speed limit in front of me on a road in which I cannot pass them?  
• What is up with the new Soulja Boy song?  "Kiss Through the Phone"?  How incredibly stupid.  
• I think I got everything caught up on my "to-do" list.  But I'm afraid to look in case I still have a few things to do.  

Baby Update: Week 16

Baby:  According to "What to Expect", the baby is 4-5 inches long now and weighs approximately 4-5 ounces.  The muscles are getting stronger, so much that the baby is starting to straighten out his back muscles.  Soon his kicks and punches should be felt by mom.  His face now has eyebrows and eyelashes, and his eyes are making small side-to-side movements and can see some light.  

Mom:  I thought it was time to post a picture of the baby bump, as in the last two weeks it has become quite defined and developed.  Only one pair of my normal pants still fits, and so I am almost entirely in maternity pants.  While many of my normal tops still fit, they are becoming shorter and shorter as my belly expands.

  

Dad:  Mitch has been taking over more of the house cleaning responsibilities, cleaning the bathroom and straightening/vacuuming the house without even being asked.  Isn't he great?