Me at 26 weeks

So, for those of you who have been pestereing me for photos, this one will have to do for now.

It is from this morning, day 1 of my 26th week, so at the end of the second trimester.

My hair is still wet, no makup, still kinda sleepy and you can see that our place is kind of in disarray due to the upcoming move. I'll work on getting some better ones soon!

Although I noticed when I looked at the photo that I am actually bigger than I thought I was!

Oh yeah.....

Something else I don't like is not being able to see your bikini line anymore! And seeing the inside of your belly button is weird....

Do I like being pregnant?

People keep asking me if I "like" being pregnant....like I have a choice now huh?
For the record, I don't mind it, but am in the "good" phase now...not sick, and not too big! Although I can't really say that I enjoy getting my skin all stretched out and being tired all the time. But I guess it is the first of a long list of sacrifices that we make for our children, huh? If my mom did it for me, and her mom for her, then I guess it is my turn!

So, here is my list of things I like, and do not like, about being pregnant

Things I like:
- When people give me seats on the bus or metro. Even though I am not really tired, or don't need a seat, it's nice to have one. Sometimes I try to stick out my belly a little more so it is more evident that I am pregnant so they will give me their seat. Sometimes it works...more on this later.

-Ice cream. I can eat it and not feel too bad. I did not even really like ice cream until a few months ago. This weekend I actually bought a whole Dairy Queen ice cream cake and attack it with a fork every night. Yum.

- When people won't let you carry stuff or do stuff that you know you could do if you wanted to. Like put paper in the printer, carry boxes or bags.

- People are generally nicer to you and smile at you more.

-Shopping for baby stuff is actually kinda fun.

Things I don't like
-Heartburn. Really really don't like this one.

-Being stuck having to buy ugly maternity clothes at Thym because there are not enough nice maternity shops, or the nice ones are too expensive to buy since I won't wear them long enough.
The tops are boring and and are all the same, the jeans and pants look cheap, the dress cuts are bad...they stock colours, prints, fabrics and styles of clothes that I would never wear if I was not pregnant, things that old people wear...has anyone ever found anything remotely "chic" or stylish in that store???

- Answering the same questions all the time. "August 4th", "a girl", "no, no more morning sickness", "no, no weird cravings", "my last day at work will probably be July 15th", "no the nursery is not ready yet", 'No I don't need help with this, thanks"

- Can't eat chocolate or shrimp

- Having everyone give you advice...I don't give a shit about your sister in law's breastfeedng habits and that your cousin's baby slept through the night at 6 weeks old.

- When assholes cut in front of you and steal your seat on the bus, or "pretend" not to notice that you are pregnant so they don't have to give you their seat. It's no so bad now, but when I satrt to get "cankles" I think I will mind more.

- Crazy people who do exactly what the other crazy peope on the internet tell you that you can't do, and then tell you that you are not allowed to get any sunlight, sleep on your stomach, go to the dentist, reach for stuff on shelves above your head, eat hot dogs, turkey sandwiches, sushi, peanut butter, honey, feta cheese, french fries, caffeine, diet stuff with Splenda.........moderation, people!

I'm back!

Dear Blog,
I am very sorry for having neglected you these days, I am spending way tooo much time on Facebook!

So, last night was the hospital visit and I am officially freaked out. CATHETERS? IVs? Those heart monitor pads like you see in soap operas? I was not aware of all the medical devices that would be used in labour.....you see, I have never spent any time in a hospital. Never an overnight stay, never a broken bone (ok, I broke my big toe when I fell off my bike in grade 6 but I did not even go to the clinic for that), never even a trip to emergency...heck, I have only had three blood tests in my life and 2 of them have been in the past 4 months! So the prospect of getting hooked up to all that stuff is pretty scary to me...I actually set my PVR last night to record "A Baby Story" every day so I can do some "research".

Question of the week: Did you choose to have an epidural? If not, why not? Maybe it's me, but why would someone want to experience the birthing process in pain? Other than hippie, "earth mother" types (and there are quite a few of them in my Prenatal yoga class), is there any reason why you would not want to get one? I know, a needle in the spine is not very pleasant, or maybe you didn't have time, the anesthesiologist was busy, etc, but did anyone out ther consciously decide not to have an epidural?

Question of the week # 2: To breastfeed or not to breastfeed? Actually, let me rephrase...to try to breastfeed until your nipples rae purple and bleeding or to give up and bottle feed? I have heard horror stories about evil nurses saying, "try one more time, it's better for the baby" as your nipples are sprouting blood...is this true? When do you give up and move to a bottle? HOW much better is breatfeeding?