Word Play

I don't think it is by any mistake that the word "prenatal" can be rearranged to spell "parental" (Xing, stop saying, "WEIRDO!"). Obviously too much time on my hands (or in my head).

Fly Me To The Moon

My pregnancy has made me delectable to flies!!! They seem to be immediately attracted to me, I am embarrassed to say! And it's not just when I am out and about. I was in Target not too long ago and I don't even know where the fly came from, perhaps he/she was shopping too, but lo and behold there was the fly zipping around my arms and following me throughout the entire store! It was so annoying and off-putting (I don't want passersby to think I'm dirty!). Yesterday, I was leaving the doctor's office and a fly followed me into the car! It's gotta be the pregnancy hormones boosting my pheromones (or I need to double up on the showers!).

In The Clear

Got my glucose tolerance testing results back and I do not have gestational diabetes. Hooray! I am still going to watch my sugar intake, however, which I should do anyway, regardless of diabetes - just being considered for the 3 hour testing concerned me. And I should still walk on the treadmill - my favorite past-time ever! But right now, I am about to enjoy a plate of pumpkin pancakes. Yum.

Head Of The Class

As if children's learning wasn't competitive enough, now they have a "prenatal learning system" called Baby Plus, that even Oprah featured on her own website (so it's GOTTA BE GOOD!!!). You use it from weeks 18-32, and I have to admit that the desire to do the very best for my child did have me consider purchasing this for about a minute or so, but then again, I am already past 30 weeks, apparently the system would only serve me for one 1/2 more weeks...and then I couldn't help but hear my gut scream that perhaps this is just pushing it a bit. Children have plenty of challenges and learning opportunities ahead outside of the womb, perhaps we should let them just relax and grow at their own pace in the womb. Perhaps? I don't know. If it were earlier in my pregnancy, I could see myself trying it (and K laughing his butt off at me), and only, again, because it appeals to every mother's desire to feel that she is doing the best for her child, that she is equipping him/her with the best to do well in the world. But still...what do you think? Check it out here at babyplus.com

Belly Laugh

29 weeks and 6 days! Peace! (Thanks MOS for the top, I love it!)

Making Lemonade

What a morning! Or rather, what a string of mornings! Yesterday morning, after fasting for nearly 12 hours, I went to get my 3-hour glucose tolerance testing done. I had made an appointment online to cut down any waiting time, and my OB's nurse had already called the order in. After waiting only 15 minutes, I was called into the back, where I was poked in the arm with a needle, blood was drawn, and then I was instructed to drink an orange, syrupy-sweet drink (which I did in 60 seconds flat). I then waited for the restroom - only one of the two bathrooms were working in the whole place - and as I was waiting, I heard bits of a conversation between a female lab technician and the man who took my blood that went something like this, "There was an error in the order. You have to let her know that she'll have to do the test over." I was praying I wasn't "her" but sure enough, I was. For whatever reason, the order for my test came in incorrectly, and they followed the order and gave me the wrong glucose drink. It wasn't until afterwards that the female lab tech caught the error. Unfortunately, the drink is very specific to the testing, and because I had already had the wrong drink, which would take 24 hours to leave my system, I had to come back the next day (today) and take the test all over again. SO DISAPPOINTING!!! But, ok, whatever, I got over it after about 20 minutes and came home and ATE, I was starving!

This morning, after fasting again for 11-12 hours, I got up, got dressed, walked Brooklyn, and checked my email. And I guess I was just on autopilot and STARVING, so without even thinking about it, I dove into a bag of tortilla chips and ate about 5 chips, then went back to my computer. About 3 minutes later, the gravity of what I had just done sank in...I ATE TORTILLA CHIPS!!! I WAS FASTING!!! I had an hour before my test and I blew it. I ran into K's studio and told him in horror that I ate tortilla chips and then just broke down into a crying fit that would rival a 2 year-old's worst tantrum. K kept trying to calm me down, but I felt so STUPID! I had forgotten all about my fast and all I knew was that I was hungry. This meant I would have to delay my testing yet another day, and I SO want to know whether or not I have developed gestational diabetes!!!

So, after about 45 minutes, I was calm enough to remember that yesterday I was lamenting the fact that I would miss my prenatal yoga class today because of testing. Now that the testing was botched, I could go and try it out. I got myself together, decided to turn the day around, and drove myself, yoga mat, towel and water bottle in tow, to the yoga class. And let me say, I had a WONDERFUL time. It was very relaxing, but there was also some workout to it, nothing too intensive, but when you've been pretty immobile for the past 3 months or so, you definitely feel the difference. My muscles are so tight, but it was nice to stretch. The baby moved quite a bit, I think he was doing some of the poses too. I was still feeling cautious about doing some poses - not wanting to push too hard after not exercising for a bit - so I didn't do anything I wasn't ready to do. There were only 3 of us in class, so it was an intimate setting, and the whole place is very welcoming and has a nice spirit about it. I'm glad I found it, and it is relatively close to me (about 15 minutes of driving). It completely changed my mood around! And as a bonus to the day: I modified my mobile plan with Sprint and got a $200 credit to my account!! Now that's a good day!!

A Scanner Lightly

This evening, K and I went to Babies R Us and finished up our registry, scanner in hand. It was really fun to be there with K, picking out things for the baby, imagining our life with a baby in the mix. K was laughing at me because he still can't believe I'm pregnant, it is very cute. He said he sees me waddling through the aisles, stopping by cribs and shaking them to see if they are sturdy, and he looks down and sees my belly, and the whole picture just cracks him up. I had a lot of fun. Our friend is going to be sending out shower invites that have all the registry information, for folks who have been asking. In short, we are registered at Babies R Us, Target, and Amazon.com.

Good night to all!

Cry, Cry, Baby

Today, I played a loop of the sound of a baby crying, to get Brooklyn used to the sound (and quite frankly, me too) and it was very humorous. Brooklyn's head tilted to the side as the audio started, and she stared at the iPod in the speaker for a little bit, and then that was about it, that's about as much interest it held for her. I kept it playing for hours, actually, as Brooklyn and I napped, which was a little weird, because then it became background noise which, obviously, it wouldn't be when the crying is real. But it was a good start in preparing for the change that is about to come.

Tour of Duty

Today, K and I went on a tour of the hospital where we plan to deliver our son. It only took us about 10 minutes, maybe less, to drive there from our house, which is perfect. The hospital itself was very calming. We walked through a corridor which had windows with a gorgeous garden view, and in this garden there was a gazebo and a pond with a little fountain. Really pretty, and unexpected. K said it felt like we were in a hotel. Once we reached the main lobby, there was a marble archway with the quote, "God Shine Your Face Upon Us" etched in delicate print, really beautiful. I felt protected. We arrived at the greeting station for the tour, and we were joined by 9 other couples. K said we looked like a gang as we strolled the halls in unison, all of us women waddling past. He and I were trying to come up with our pregnancy gang sign (couldn't figure one out) - it was very funny! The nurse who gave the tour was very nice, very informative and very approachable, and the hospital was clean and the rooms were neat and personable. It was still all a bit unreal for me. I think there's a part of me that prefers going into these unknown situations with a bit of distance, so that I don't obsess. She explained all the protocol and where the baby goes and where the Mom goes and the "Coach" (I had to ask K if he was my "coach" - he explained that "coach" was a more appropriate term than "dad" since there would be situations where it may be a single mom or a gay couple - I'm a little slow these days!!!), and how they get the Mom and baby together, etc. There are single birthing rooms, no sharing with other pregnant women, and all the rooms have couches for the "coach" to stay 24 hours. We registered after the tour. On our way!!

I made it back to the gym today for my third go at the treadmill (3rd time in this whole pregnancy, pretty pathetic) and walked for 10 minutes. There was a bit more urgency for me in this attempt, however. I had blood drawn to test for glucose levels earlier this week and got a call from my Doctor's office that my levels were a little high and I have to do further testing, a 3 hour glucose testing, to determine whether or not I have developed gestational diabetes. I read that exercise can keep your blood sugar levels down, so off to the treadmill I went. Can't imagine that I did much for my sugar walking only 10 minutes without breaking a sweat or anything, but it's the thought that counts, right? The mothering has already begun, and I can't help but feel responsible somehow for my high levels (I haven't exercised, I could have eaten more vegetables & fruit, etc.), even though I've read and been told that it is unknown why 1-4% of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. Diabetes does run in my family, and I have a close sibling with the disease (my brother), and I am African-American, and I am over 25, so these all put me at higher risk for developing it. But the verdict isn't in yet, I am hoping that I don't have it, but if I do, I feel confident that I can pull through and successfully manage it. I do my testing this Monday, I guess I'll get results back in 3 days or so (I don't think it comes back immediately) and we'll see. In the meantime, I am going to have to try to incorporate more exercise in my days, avoid sugar, and just wait and see. Keep your fingers crossed!

The Way To A Woman's Art Is Through Her Belly

I absolutely LOVE these pictures. And there are plenty more to see here at doulashop.com. Or here at proudbody.com (Proud Body actually makes the casting kit). The entire gallery makes me feel very cheery! I just found out they sell belly casting kits at Babies R Us and Burlington Coat Factory and I am going to try to pick one up tomorrow. A former castmate and mother was telling me months ago to get a kit. I've already let K know about the kit, so he is prepared, sounds like it will be a fun thing to do together.

As a side note, I can't believe how clumsy I've become. In the time span of about three minutes, I managed to spill the juice from a jar of pickles, clean it up off the floor with Brooklyn's help, only to then immediately spill a glass of lemonade as I was pouring it. It would have been funnier if I was doing it on a soundstage in front of a live audience and was getting paid $50,000 an episode. A girl can dream.

The Final Stretch

28 Weeks - Third Trimester!
Feeling good and really excited. My mind is full with all sorts of things, mostly with the anticipated joy of meeting my son, mixed in with the mental busy-ness of figuring out how to get the house baby ready. Preparing for a baby has also got me thinking about the future and what I plan to do with my life in the bigger picture, and I have no idea!!! And that is stressful. Of course I want to perform, but recently it hit me that, while I like to daydream about being the leading lady in a movie, I am steadily moving into new age groups that don't necessarily include being the leading lady (at least not in Hollywood movies). But what is interesting is that the things that I like to do are the same things I've liked to do since I was little - perform, write, be in charge, teach, anything with languages. That sums it up. And I do like numbers too, but I don't necessarily remember that as much as a kid - I was always good in math, even in 1st Grade. However, I've decided to just focus on the now, enjoy this last trimester, and not stress too much about the future - I have faith that things will all fall into place. I got some great story books from the adorable four-year old daughter of one of my dearest and childhood friends, and I started reading them to the baby, and it was so much fun! There's definintely something more gratifying about reading a book in hand than reading a story off of the computer (as I've been doing since all our children's books are in storage). It's completely wonderful!

What A Gas

Well, I had hoped to blog about my first prenatal yoga class, which I had planned to take this past Tuesday. However, my body had completely different plans - and I think it was gas again. My abdomen was so achy, to the point where it was really uncomfortable to even walk. And I couldn't find any trick to relieve the discomfort, although it got minimally better from day to day. This lasted for a full two days, during which I confined myself to bed (and scared K from the bed with my gaseous outbursts). Gas just takes on a life of its own when combined with pregnancy, completely takes me out of commission. This morning, I felt so much better. I went to the doctor's anyway, I had set up the appointment yesterday. My doctor checked my abdomen to make sure the pressure I had experienced wasn't caused by the baby dropping prematurely - he hadn't dropped, he was lying horizontal up in my tummy, so all good! I was advised to wear a maternity belt to help take the pressure off of my stretching ligaments and abdomen. K and I immediately went and purchased one, and I get to try my new purchase tomorrow, when I'm up and about at work. Personally, I am going to lay off the hummus, because I think that may be what set the discomfort off. My doctor said I am doing a great job with my weight, looks like I've only put on an additional 5 pounds in the past 6 weeks, which brings my weight gain total to 29 pounds with 3 more months to go, so looks like I am on track. I am such a dork, once again I felt like I was in school and had gotten an A on a retake or make up exam. My inner overachiever was victorious! And I took my first French class today and I loved it! Definitely the right move, I love French!

Class Is In Session

I am so excited! I just finished registering for all these birthing classes: Hospital Tour, Infant CPR, Lamaze, Natural Childbirth, Prepared Childbirth. September and October are gonna be stock-full of mental birthing bombardment! But it is starting to feel like I am approaching the runway for my take-off into birthing. We've chosen to register at a hospital about 10 minutes away, maybe less (depending on who's driving), that was enthusiastically referred to me by two people in the show, whose children were born there in the last two years. A doula also recommended this hospital as the cream of the crop here in Las Vegas, so that was reassuring. I think I am going to register for French classes too - yes Birthing In French: instead of screaming, "Ow!" you scream, "Ooh!" It's very cosmopolitan! KIDDING, I mean regular French classes, completely non-related to pregnancy. I won't be able to finish the entire semester, as classes go well into mid-December, but I thought it could be my last "Hurrah" before my days are wonderfully occupied by mothering a newborn. And because I am feeling like all I do is work and sleep and wait for the baby. I need to connect to myself again, to the things I like to do, ya dig? C'est magnifique!