Family Musings

What good news I received today! I had my 29 week appt with Dr. Salamon and my test results from the 4-hour glucose tolerance test were just fine. Only one number was high and it was the 3-hour number. She said it just meant my system slowed down and there was no reason for me to test my 3-hour blood sugar. Her only recommendation was to watch my sweets. I can do that. I really didn't mind following the low-carb plan anyway as I was getting more protein and felt full for longer. I do need to get more fiber incorporated into it though. Thanks for reading my blog about this little thing. It is nice to have a way to share my ups and downs. On another note, the doctor checked me out after I explained the abdominal pain and some spotting and said everything was okay there as well. She said I probably just overexerted myself getting ready for this weekend. All's well though. No need to be concerned now. Have a good night! I'm going to bed early tonight!

I am so happy to report that Baby Sabin has formally introduced himself (or herself) to Daddy! Today, while we were watching TV, I had Bruce just sit with his hand on my belly until he felt Baby Sabin kick. Once that happened, he got a little more into it and actually got to see my belly moving around when the baby kicked me. This was the first time (after several attempts) that he was able to feel Baby Sabin moving. He of course gave me some good natured teasing because it felt subtle to him. I explained that it was very different from the inside. :-) I really like watching my belly move when I get a chance to just sit and stare. There will be a lot of time to do that this summer. I am feeling better today after having quite a bit of lower abdominal pain since Thursday. I am still planning to mention it to my doctor during today (Tuesday's) appointment. Yes, I am still up. I haven't stayed up until midnight for quite a while and am just about ready to call it a night. We have ...

As promised, here are a couple of pictures from my brother's wedding. I know the official photographer's photos will be way better, but you will have to wait for those. The ceremony was very long, but the minister had a good sense of humor. I think this was the first wedding I had been to where the whole audience laughed more than a couple of times. While he did talk a lot, he had an interesting idea for making peace in marriage. He gave Nick and Michelle each a red rose and asked them to use the red rose as a reminder of their love. (At this point I thought the rose thing was a bit cheesy myself, but he went on...) Next, he said if they ever got in a situation where they were upset or had argued but couldn't find the words to say "I'm sorry," they could bring home a single red rose and put it in a designated place of their home as a message to the other that they were ready for reconciliation. Nick & Michelle - They had those smiles all night and were tru...

Today, my brother is getting married. I am so excited for him and Michelle (his fiance). She is great and is like a long lost sister to me. We get along very well and she is perfect for my little brother. Last night was the rehearsal and dinner. My parents did an excellent job picking the place and the menu. I can't wait to tell you more about the wedding once I have some pictures to post. The ceremony isn't until 6 pm, so it will probably be tomorrow or Monday before I get a chance to post anything. I am also happy that Michelle asked me to be a bridesmaid, but sad to report that I had dress issues. When I tried the dress on in February, David's Bridal gave me a maternity belly to wear and everything fit perfectly. Unfortunately, the belly didn't take into account any other areas that might gain some weight. Fortunately, I have a friend who is a great seamstress and she was able to take care of the problem for me since there was no way to exchange my dress for another...

Well, today was the big test. I began fasting last night around 9 pm and then was at the lab by 7:15 this morning. They were able to take the fasting blood sugar level fairly quickly. However, it took over an hour to get the results back. Apparently, they won't give you the glucose solution to drink until they verify that your blood sugar is in range for a fast. Mine was and I quickly drank all 10 ounces of the stronger, 100 gram orange flavored syrup. It is so sweet it almost stings the back of your throat as it goes down. But I get it over with quickly. The first hour passed just fine. I was able to work on my Daniel Bible study and listen to some music on the iPod Bruce lent me. By the end though I was feeling sleepy from a restless night and possibly from all of the glucose now in my system. They stuck me again for the 1-hour test and then I went out to my car to take a nap and listen to a HypnoBirthing CD. It was very relaxing and I am looking forward to learning more about t...

Good morning! Today is my last official day of work (at school at least) until after my maternity leave. Since there are no students, I am going in just a little later than usual. I realized as I fell asleep last night that I didn't tell you about Baby Sabin's progress now that we are at the 28 week mark. Here is what BabyCenter.com says: "By this week, your baby weighs a little over 2 pounds and measures about 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can open her eyes — which now sport lashes — and she'll turn her head toward a continuous, bright light from the outside. Her fat layers are beginning to form, too, as she gets ready for life outside the womb." I've noticed that, as I've tried to eat low-carb, I can feel Baby Sabin more regularly. I don't know if it is related to what I am eating or if I am just at the point in my pregnancy where the baby is stronger so I can feel him or her more often. Old Wives' Tale: I was told on Mo...

As of today, I am now in my third trimester, 28 weeks. There are only 12 to go if Baby Sabin is as punctual as his or her momma. I decided I'd give you all a treat and let you see how pregnant I look. This photo was taken before school this morning, and more importantly for you to know, before I put my make-up on! I have only 2 days of school left, then one planning day! My first school year is over. I am very excited that I made it through and did so well, but I am a little sad about not seeing my students again (except in the halls and in 4 years at their graduation). I want to tell you more, but I'll have to do that later. Right now, I have to get ready to leave for my last week of school!

I have had a very pleasant day so far. Try as I might, I could not sleep past 6:45 am. That was rather disappointing given my summer vacation is only a few days away. But, I woke up happy and well-rested so there isn't much to complain about here. After a while, I met Bruce out at our lot to check on the progress of our Dome Home (site last updated 5/19/7). We came back for a quiet lunch and I took a nap. Nap is over now and I am wasting away my afternoon browsing the internet. I'll probably work on my Beth Moore study of Daniel in just a little bit as well. Since finding out that I need to take the 4-hour glucose test, I have decided to try and practice with the gestational diabetes diet. It hasn't been the hardest thing I've ever done, but well, let me tell you about it. One thing I hate about trying to learn a new way to eat is the amount of time it consumes. On this particular diet (approved by a dietitian) I am to consume no more than 180 grams of carbohydrates a ...

I went back to the ObGyn today for my monthly appointment and was able to get my GCT results. Turns out they did come back higher than expected, so I will be taking the more involved, Glucose Tolerance Test . I am a bit bummed about that, but mostly on account that it has been scheduled for my first day of summer vacation, Thursday, May 24. I have to be at the lab by 7:30 AM that morning which doesn't exactly thrill me. I had such dreams of sleeping in that day and then lazily getting up to head north for my brother's wedding. Oh well. Everyday I start my class with a writing assignment called "Prime Time." The students have five-minutes to give a written response to a question posed on the board. Today's question was, "What advice do you have for Mrs. Sabin as a new mom to be?" I only got to read over their shoulders a little bit since they won't turn in journals for a couple more days, but it was interesting to say the least. I'm going to tease...

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I apologize for the long wait between posts. I really did mean to post something this weekend in honor of Mother’s Day, but I was very busy. Fortunately, most of what I was busy at on Saturday was spending time with my own mother. We had a nice breakfast together at Mimi’s Café and then saw a movie and did some shopping. She picked out Georgia Rule all on her own. I am glad it was not a movie I picked out for Mother’s Day! It was a fine movie, just not the feel-good, chick-flick we were looking for on Mother’s Day. I did receive my first Mother’s Day card from Baby Sabin. Though I must confess, Daddy Sabin did most of the work, as Baby Sabin’s fine-motor skills are not all there yet, along with many other skills needed to pick out and buy a card. J It was nice to think of this as my first Mother’s Day, but I know next year will be even sweeter when I actually am holding a baby of my own on this holiday. Now, about the Big Test I mentioned in my subject… Today, I am feeling as anxious ...

Have I mentioned yet that I am trying to become more familiar with the birthing process by watching videos of births online? I won't overstep your comfort zone and post any of those videos, but this video on CNN.com made me wonder, what would happen if we got stuck in traffic and Bruce had to deliver our baby? I think he might faint, kind of like this guy: Video: Special delivery BREAST FEEDING ALERT: If you don't want to know anything about breast feeding, stop now! Since this is supposed to be a journal of my experience as a pregnant lady, I think that I would be remiss if I did not include a comment or two about how my breasts are changing during this time. Now, before you get visions of Victoria Secret models in your head, you should know, it isn't sexy. It's beautiful in a natural way, but this is not titillating stuff here. Of course, my breasts are getting bigger. This is what happens to pregnant ladies, but that is only because they are having to accommodate bre...

It has been said that a baby changes everything. I don't think whoever said that first meant I would have a thicker head of hair either. Each day however, it becomes more clear to me how our life will change once Baby Sabin arrives. Bruce and I were talking about camping gear tonight, since this is one way we think we will be able to take affordable vacations once our income has to be stretched further. He was looking at a 3-person tent that is on sale right now at REI and suggesting we go ahead and get it now, while the price is right. I looked at him and pointed out that a 3-person tent really won't accommodate 2 adults and a baby while camping. We need to just go straight ahead into the full-size tent that includes a family room attachment. They aren't much more expensive and will last much longer as our family continues to grow. Either way, we won't be camping anytime soon! I don't think sleeping on the ground right now would keep this momma-to-be happy. Anothe...

Not sure how true this little joke is, but it made me laugh so I thought I would share it with you as well. I was out walking with my 4 - year - old son. He picked up something off the ground and started to put it in his mouth. I took the item away from him and I asked him not to do that. "Why ? " my son asked . "Because it's been on the ground, and you don't know where it's been ; it's dirty and probably has germs," I replied. At this, my son looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Mommy, how do you know all this stuff?" "Uh," I was thinking quickly. "All moms know this stuff. It is on the Mommy Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy." We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but he was evidently wondering about this new information. "OH... I get it!" he beamed, "So if you don't pass the test you have to be the daddy." "Exactly ! " I replied with a...

Even though Bruce thinks he is being clever by publicly suggesting the name Theophilus, please know, it is not under serious consideration. I know that certain members of my family took it hard when we told them we didn’t want to share the top names, we really had our reasons. I think a name is a very important thing. It has the power to help someone succeed in life because of unconscious activity in brains. Also, I found that the few names I had loved and planned to use for years, have finally lost their luster due to over-thinking them. I want names that are original and reflect a certain degree of classic taste while still allowing for some quirkiness. I think it is possible to find these names so I am open to suggestions. Privately, I have received some very nice names. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas. What do you wish you had been named? Is there a name you never got to use for your own children? A while back, my friend Beverly sent me a fun website for names. You can find ou...