Sunday, September 27, 2009
Showers, Shots, and Swine Flu
Shower: I had my second baby shower on the 19th. It was my "family" shower, and my mom, Nason's mom, and my grandma hosted it. It was so much fun, and I (or Gunnar, actually) got SO many great gifts. Sadly, I hardly took any pictures, and the few that I did are so bad, that I'm not even going to post them (although there are a few on Facebook). Nason's Aunt is supposed to be emailing me some that she took, and once she does, I'll post them. Anyway, the shower was great, and I was very thankful to my two mom's and my grandma for all the hard work that they put in. I'm also very thankful for the generosity of all of our family and friends! We have gotten so many things at both showers, that we hardly have anything left to have to buy for ourselves! Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!! Although I have been extremely appreciative for EVERY gift that I've received, there are a few in particular that, for whatever reason, I have been especially excited about. If the gift you got me is not on this list, don't get your feelings hurt : ) Everything I've gotten, I've needed AND requested. There were just certain things that were especially fun to get:
- The letters that spell out "Gunnar" that my mom and grandma gave me
- The picture that hung in Nason's birthday when he was a baby, that his mom gave me
- The "Pajama Time" book that Beth gave me
- The aquarium (for Gunnar's crib) that my Aunt gave me (even though I'm actually not sure anymore that it's going to fit correctly on the crib)
- The bubble bath Michelle gave me
- The sound maker my mom gave me
- The cushy leopard print robe Nason's Aunt Deb gave me
- The "boppy" Cassie gave me
Shots/Swine Flu: For the first time in my life, I got the flu shot. I've never even had the flu before, but there's been so much hype about the flu this year, and especially how dangerous it is for pregnant women, that I figured I better think about getting it. The news was saying pregnant women should get it, my doctor was saying pregnant women should get it, and the overwhelming vote on Facebook was that pregnant women should get it, so I got it. Then, I freaked out about getting it, and second guessed my decision for the next 24 hours. This was my first big "mom" decision. Should I get the shot, and risk the theoretical risk of the stupid ingredient that I can't even pronounce ( "thimerosal") that's in the shot, OR should I NOT get the shot, and risk DYING, or giving the flu to Gunnar once he gets here? Talk about two crappy scenarios! Is there a "win" in this situation? (I know I'm being dramatic, by the way). Anyway, the whole decision, combined with the guilt/worry/anxiety/second guessing afterwards reminded me of how I DON'T want to behave as a mom. I have vowed to not be a worry-wart, not freak out about everything, not be paranoid, etc., and before the little guy even gets here, I already am. This does not bode well for the next 18 years. I haven't even decided if I want to get the swine flu shot too, which is also being recommended by my doctor. One traumatic decision at a time, please!!
- The letters that spell out "Gunnar" that my mom and grandma gave me
- The picture that hung in Nason's birthday when he was a baby, that his mom gave me
- The "Pajama Time" book that Beth gave me
- The aquarium (for Gunnar's crib) that my Aunt gave me (even though I'm actually not sure anymore that it's going to fit correctly on the crib)
- The bubble bath Michelle gave me
- The sound maker my mom gave me
- The cushy leopard print robe Nason's Aunt Deb gave me
- The "boppy" Cassie gave me
Shots/Swine Flu: For the first time in my life, I got the flu shot. I've never even had the flu before, but there's been so much hype about the flu this year, and especially how dangerous it is for pregnant women, that I figured I better think about getting it. The news was saying pregnant women should get it, my doctor was saying pregnant women should get it, and the overwhelming vote on Facebook was that pregnant women should get it, so I got it. Then, I freaked out about getting it, and second guessed my decision for the next 24 hours. This was my first big "mom" decision. Should I get the shot, and risk the theoretical risk of the stupid ingredient that I can't even pronounce ( "thimerosal") that's in the shot, OR should I NOT get the shot, and risk DYING, or giving the flu to Gunnar once he gets here? Talk about two crappy scenarios! Is there a "win" in this situation? (I know I'm being dramatic, by the way). Anyway, the whole decision, combined with the guilt/worry/anxiety/second guessing afterwards reminded me of how I DON'T want to behave as a mom. I have vowed to not be a worry-wart, not freak out about everything, not be paranoid, etc., and before the little guy even gets here, I already am. This does not bode well for the next 18 years. I haven't even decided if I want to get the swine flu shot too, which is also being recommended by my doctor. One traumatic decision at a time, please!!
Friday, September 18, 2009
With 5 1/2 weeks to go....here are the things I'm most curious to find out....
1) If Gunnar will have hair: I've always thought, in the competition for cuteness, bald babies win out over "hairy" babies. Therefore, I've always said that I hoped my baby would be born bald. HOWEVER, for whatever reason, I've recently really begun to hope that Gunnar comes out with hair on his head. I don't know why. It's kind of a weird thing to have a strong preference on, or to care so much about, but I just really do hope he has hair! Only time will tell!!
2) What Nason will be like in the delivery room: Nason is typically the epitome of calm, laid back, and in control. He never (or rarely ever) worries about anything, and HE is usually MY rock. However, he is getting a little freaky on me when it comes to the whole labor and delivery thing. I feel like I am pretty calm about all of it, and not too worried or nevous, whereas HE is the one "crumbling" for once. He has two big fears about the labor process: 1) Not being able to be in control, and do anything for me, while I'm in so much pain. 2) Having to witness all the "yuck" involved with birth. He's not sure his stomach can take it. In fact, he came dangerously close (and I'm not exaggerating) to passing out in our birth class on Tuesday. What's funny though, is that as unsure as he is in his ability to handle his role as "labor coach", I am COMPLETELY confident in him. I have a feeling he's going to end up being a lot cooler in there than he thinks he is. However....only time will tell!!
3) Who Gunnar will look like: Me? Nason? One of our parents? My brother or sister? Some random relative that neither of us have ever even seen, and only one of our grandparents (or someone in that age category) can recall? It could go so many different ways! I feel like the Hengst side of the family has stronger, more dominant features, so I think he's going to look like Nason, but there's really endless possibilities! Will he be cute?? I know he will cute be to US, because we're his parents, but will he be one of those kids where only his parents can recognize his "true beauty"? Only time will tell!!
4) If I TRULY have a "high pain tolerance" like I always say I do: I think I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. In fact, I've even been entertaining the notion of going "all natural" with this birth (much to Nason's dismay). Because of my scoliosis, and having rods attached to my spine, I can't have an epidural. Instead, I have to have a "spinal block", which basically accomplishes the same purpose as an epidural (it's actually even stronger), BUT it doesn't last as long, so it can't be given to me until the VERY end of the labor process. Basically, right before the pushing begins. Part of me wonders if, since I will have already gone so far with no medication, should I just go all the way? I really feel like I could do it, BUT the very idea of it freaks Nason out, plus, at this point, I can only use my imagination to try to figure out what labor feels like. I really have no idea, and therefore, no way of knowing if it's worse than what I'm picturing. Only time will tell!
5) Where will I be/what will I be doing when Gunnar decides "today is the day": I'm working right up until I have him, so I feel like the likelihood is high that I could go into labor while at work. Which would be a little awkward. Awkward especially considering the nature of my job...speaking to high school classes all day every day. What if my water breaks in front of 20 17-year olds? What if the school nurse has to deliver Gunnar? Ha ha. Only time will tell!!
2) What Nason will be like in the delivery room: Nason is typically the epitome of calm, laid back, and in control. He never (or rarely ever) worries about anything, and HE is usually MY rock. However, he is getting a little freaky on me when it comes to the whole labor and delivery thing. I feel like I am pretty calm about all of it, and not too worried or nevous, whereas HE is the one "crumbling" for once. He has two big fears about the labor process: 1) Not being able to be in control, and do anything for me, while I'm in so much pain. 2) Having to witness all the "yuck" involved with birth. He's not sure his stomach can take it. In fact, he came dangerously close (and I'm not exaggerating) to passing out in our birth class on Tuesday. What's funny though, is that as unsure as he is in his ability to handle his role as "labor coach", I am COMPLETELY confident in him. I have a feeling he's going to end up being a lot cooler in there than he thinks he is. However....only time will tell!!
3) Who Gunnar will look like: Me? Nason? One of our parents? My brother or sister? Some random relative that neither of us have ever even seen, and only one of our grandparents (or someone in that age category) can recall? It could go so many different ways! I feel like the Hengst side of the family has stronger, more dominant features, so I think he's going to look like Nason, but there's really endless possibilities! Will he be cute?? I know he will cute be to US, because we're his parents, but will he be one of those kids where only his parents can recognize his "true beauty"? Only time will tell!!
4) If I TRULY have a "high pain tolerance" like I always say I do: I think I have a pretty high tolerance for pain. In fact, I've even been entertaining the notion of going "all natural" with this birth (much to Nason's dismay). Because of my scoliosis, and having rods attached to my spine, I can't have an epidural. Instead, I have to have a "spinal block", which basically accomplishes the same purpose as an epidural (it's actually even stronger), BUT it doesn't last as long, so it can't be given to me until the VERY end of the labor process. Basically, right before the pushing begins. Part of me wonders if, since I will have already gone so far with no medication, should I just go all the way? I really feel like I could do it, BUT the very idea of it freaks Nason out, plus, at this point, I can only use my imagination to try to figure out what labor feels like. I really have no idea, and therefore, no way of knowing if it's worse than what I'm picturing. Only time will tell!
5) Where will I be/what will I be doing when Gunnar decides "today is the day": I'm working right up until I have him, so I feel like the likelihood is high that I could go into labor while at work. Which would be a little awkward. Awkward especially considering the nature of my job...speaking to high school classes all day every day. What if my water breaks in front of 20 17-year olds? What if the school nurse has to deliver Gunnar? Ha ha. Only time will tell!!
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