Hospital Tour.

Eek.  So hubby and I went on our hospital tour on 10/20/2012.  It was overwhelming, interesting and exciting all at the same time.  This was our second attempt at touring the hospital (the first one was cancelled).  I was thinking I would have to go by myself.  Ras was supposed to work but luckily he worked his magic and was able to attend.  We started out by going into the hospital and seeing where to check in at.  We will be delivering at the Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, SC.  A South Carolinian baby.  :)  They have an actual Women's Center which is gorgeous. 

http://www.piedmontmedicalcenter.com/en-us/ourservices/medicalservices/pages/maternitycare.aspx

We started the tour and went up to the Labor & Delivery rooms.  We were shown the waiting area as well as cafeteria.  Then we went into a labor room.  It is very a single, private room which is awesome.  Very spacious with a couch which becomes a bed (for daddy) a TV, X-Box or Play Station Connection, free Wi-fi, etc.  The birthing room at first looks like a bed but the it transforms into whatever you need it to be.  You can pull the leg stirrups from underneath and use the stirrups for your feet, your legs or even squat to birth...yes squat.  There are hand rails that can go on your sides, in front or above you.  Really you can give birth any way that feels comfortable.  The botton of the bed pulls out for when the doctor comes and a bucket with a red hazard bag is attached to the bed to catch all the nasty stuff!!  That part was overwhelming.  We were also told you could have up to 4 people in the room with you.  So if anyone other than Ras is in the room it would be my mom.  Also no video cameras (thank god!!!) and no vagina shots except for the birth.  I want to remember my vagina nice and pretty not stretched out and huge.

Then the nurse started talking about the baby and how they do the skin to skin method (aka the Kangaroo Method).  I have heard a lot of positive things about this method so I am excited they practice it.  The other awesome thing is that the baby gets cleaned, weighed, etc right there in the room with you.  Each room has a small area where baby can get the extra TLC he or she needs after birth.  The nurse even stated they have a nursery but now a days no one uses it.  The baby stays in the room with mom and dad the entire time...unless you need a break and want to send them to the nursery. 

The hospital also has lowjacks for any child under 10 years of age.  She stated that if baby gets anywhere close to a doorway the entire hospital locks down until baby is located.  I absolutely loved hearing this.  A few months ago I had read an article on a women in Cali attempting to steal a newborn from the hospital.  They had lowjacks and were able to stop her and retrieve the baby (whom she had placed in a duffle bag).  People are crazy so that extra piece of mind made my day.




http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/jack_newman2.html

She also went over with us some classes they offer for free to mommas and daddies to be who are planning on giving birth at the Women's Center.  I plan on taking advantage of these classes and the lactation specialists on call to help. 

http://www.piedmontmedicalcenter.com/en-us/cwsapps/findanevent.aspx

The last part of the tour was the nursery.  I was really hoping to see some babies but it was empty.  See previous paragraph.  But all in all the tour was amazing.  I feel better knowing and seeing where Baby Patel will be born.  Now I just need to mentally get ready for him to come out of my vagina....

What's in a name??

Hmm.

Interesting question to ask.  Ras and I have been debating about what to name our little guy.  I will say choosing a baby name is no easy task especially in the Indian culture.  Apparantly based on the birth (date, time, etc) and astrology decifers how the baby name is chosen.  This process is called Raashis.  There is also a ceremony known as Namkaran which is held at home or in the temple where the baby's name is shared.  I find this process of deciding a name to be interesting however it is not necessarily my first option.  I like the idea of the two of us being active participants throughout the pregnancy in choosing a name we both love-not a name based on when the baby is born.  It seems more stressful to me to have someone tell us what the name should sound like or start with and choose a name on the spot.   



To be quite honest I already have a name I love for our little guy so while I can respect my husband's culture I also want to have a name picked out.  After doing some research I found the name Ari (which is Indian) and a name I love.  I wanted to incorporate my Nonna's middle name into the baby's name (no matter the sex) so I really like Ari Domenico. 

Hubby has said he likes Ari as well.  We have also discussed the names Deven and Dhru (Drew).  The more this little guy moves around and beomes active the more I want to give him a name. 

Small rant:
Some people (family and friends) have an opinion on everything.  I like that name, I don't like it, it's ugly, it doesn't sound Indian or Italian enough.  UGH.  How annoying.  PS it is not your kid and not coming out of your vagina so thanks but no thanks on your opinions!  Name your kid whatever you want but this is our son. 



Rant over.

We were thinking if we find a name we love-we will just keep it a secret until he arrives and then announce his name. 

Juliet:
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

Babymoon...Day Two.

Day two of our babymoon was all about being touristy.  We started the morning with eating at Paula Dean's restaurant.  I would like to say Paula I love you dearly but the reservations and long wait was not worth it!  Lady and Sons was a nice little venue but you paid $17 for a buffett.  I was thinking you got to order whatever you wanted.  Um no.  The buffett had your typical southern fixin'-chicken, mashed potatoes, collard greens, mac 'n cheese, sweet potatoes, etc.  Definitely southern but not worth it.  I had more fun at the little shop attached to the restaurant where I bought some cute knick knacks.



True story.



Those sweet potatoes were delicious!



After Paula's we went back to downtown Savannah and took a tour bus around town.  We paid $27/per person and go to get off and on as much as we wanted to.  We were able to see some pretty awesome places along the way.



Gorgeous fountain.





I see dead people.



Call me-maybe??



I want to suck your blood.



Walk the plank.

Babymoon...Day One.

Ras and I decided to take a babymoon. 

Babymoon Definition:  The period before the baby is born-can be compared to a honeymoon.  After the baby is born the mother and father will not get to do the same things due to the responsibility of having a baby.

One last hoorah-I guess you could say.  So back to the babymoon.  We decided to go to Savannah.  Ras has been there in the past.  I heard it is beautiful there (comparable to Charleston, SC-which I loved).  We left for our babymoon early Saturday morning and spent the weekend and most of Monday in Savannah. 

Savannah is quite gorgeous.  There is a lot of history there.  The buildings are stunning and the food is pretty awesome.  My husband is very touristy by nature so he had some ideas planned on places to go and things to do.  On Friday we went to a lighthouse on Typee Island.  The Island was fun and low key.  We got some beautiful pictures while there.  We did walk the entire lighthouse....all 178 steps.  I guess I missed the memo that it is not recommended for pregnant women to walk the lighthouse.  21 weeks pregnant and I was totally out of breathe but I made it!  The view was worth it.  Once we left there we ended our night at the beach.

http://www.tybeelighthouse.org/index.php




Hubby and I.  (Baby boy as well!)



Lighthouse.



Beautiful.



21 weeks preggers.



We made it to the top!

Let's move on to the candy store:



Making taffy.



Yes it really flew at you!



Mama needs some gelato after that workout.

Things no one tells you about being pregnant.

So I am slowly learning all these new things as my body changes.  First of all I have always been a person who pees a lot.  Well hello holy crap I am peeing like every 45 minutes.  This makes for an interesting car ride back north to my mom's.  8.5 hours of driving equals a crap ton of peeing.  This has got to be the best sign ever on the drive!!



Speaking of liquids not only do you pee a lot but you secrete a lot of liquids in your chach...stock up on panty liners.  You will need them daily literally.  I wish I would of known this sooner!!!  With that extra liquid comes extra yeast...yes yeast and yeast infections.  FML. 

PS your boobs really do get sore and hurt so damn much!!!!!!!!!  Oh and they start to get dry and almost crusty.  Vomit.  I know this is all part of being pregnant but really no one lets you know about these things.  I have literally 'googled' these things to make sure I am normal.  Oh and definitely join pregnancy blogspots like thebump.com.  Those ladies will talk about and share anything with you.

In closing apparently during labor you can TEAR your vagina like seriously tear it and it hurts.  I have read about getting sewed back up and having to wear an ice pack in a diaper to ease the pain.  On top of all that you need to take stool softeners to make your poop softer so you do not have to push as hard for a bowel movement and your vagina does not hurt (as much) while healing.  WTF???  I asked my obgyn is it is at all possible to be put under anesthesia during birth and he laughed.  I guess he thought I was JOKING!!!

Gender Reveal (20 Weeks Pregnant).

September 30th, 2012:
Well keeping secrets is definitely not my thing but I was able to keep Baby Patel's gender a secret (well almost a secret.)  We opted to tell my mom over the phone together on Saturday since using the computer is not her thing. 

We did a gender reveal on Ras's day off.  I had to keep the secret for a good four days and it was rough!!  I ordered some baby blue balloons from the party store and made a cute sign with baby blue and pale pink polka dots that said 'It's A...'.  I also made a few signs to use in the reveal.  Daddy's Girl for Ras, Mama's Boy for me and a sign for our dog which said  'I'm getting a little brother'. 

All in all the idea, theme and pictures came out cute.  Our neighbor came over to help us to take the pics-thanks again Christy!  I will say balloons coming out of a box is not an easy thing to take pictures of.  Next time I will use the string of the ballon and put it through the bottom of the box then tie a knot.  Once that box opened and those balloons took off it was hard to actually capture that moment! I could of faked the moment again and again until it was picture perfect if I had tied those balloons down.  ;)  We put the pics together as a collage and emailed/facebooked it to family and friends. 

19 Weeks Pregnant.

Hubby and I went in for our monthly appointment and got an awesome surprise.  Our ObGyn asked us if we wanted to due our ultra sound early instead of having to come back in two weeks.  Um HELL YES!!  After our normal check up she sent us both to eat some breakfast.  I guess baby respond better to food.  That previous weekend we had gone up north and collectivily decided (I think he just gave in for me...) that we would find out the sex of the baby but I was thinking this would not happen until 10/10.  Oh my.  I feel nervous.

In the mean time our doctor recommends an amazing Greek restuarant and we have the best and cheapiest breakfast with a crap ton of food.  I think Baby Patel is enjoying his breakfast.  He keeps kicking away.

After an hour we head back to the doctors office and wait about 5 (LONG) minutes for our U/S & A/S.  EEK!!  The technician is super sweet and goes into details with us where baby's brain is, kidneys, heart, arms, legs, etc.  Baby Patel keeps running from the ultra sound and she gets the best picture of him or her kicking the wand.

She asks if we want to know the sex and we say yes.  I let her know I think boy and Ras thinks girl....and guess what???  MAMA was right.  It's a boy with no shame and his legs spread wide open showing off his man parts.  Oh my goodness!  It is no longer a him or her or he or she-it's a baby boy!!

Speaking of boys...I am one of four girls.  I know nothing about boys expect that can shoot pee into your mouth when you change them.  I remember seeing those TeePee Pee-Pees at Motherhood.  I will definitely need those!  Ras is stoked.  He gets a son to watch football with and to go to sporting events with.  I get to start planning a boy's nursery and wardrobe.  Um he will be the best dressed little guy out there!!  Of course after our appointment we stop off at the store and buy our first baby boy purchase-little chuck taylors.  :)  Precious!!

Oh my lord.  I need to think of a cute gender reveal....like ASAP.  I will need to stay strong with my secret until this weekend when Ras is off.  And this weekend is my sister's birthday.  I cannot cave in and tell them yet.  Must stay strong!!!!!!!!!!

Baby Boy Pat's Stats.
Heart Rate:  150
Weight:  10 ounces (perfect!!)

Mama gained 2 lbs this week for 6 lbs total.  :)

Nausea: 2
Linda: 3
I like it!!

17 Weeks Pregnant.

Wow.  I feel awesome!!  Just got back from a week off work due to the DNC coming to Charlotte.  I went home to PA to see my family and in-laws.  I slept in, took naps and shopped for some Maternity clothes.  I used the Belly Bands for about 3 weeks and will keep using them but I knew while I was in PA (no tax on clothes!!) I needed to score some stuff.  I hit up Old Navy and bought four dresses then the Motherhood Outlet and got three pairs of pants and two tops.  I am ready to get my maternity cuteness on!!  At 16 weeks I feel like I was showing a little bit but this week I feel like I have popped!!  I am getting that baby bump going. 

I found out this month I gained four lbs!!!  Dang!!  I need to relax on my eating!!  ;)  I guess I packed it on once the nausea went away.  But I have read up on the weight gain based on my height and weight and I am right on track.  It just seems like a lot of weight in about 4 weeks.  Oh well-someone told me this is the one time gaining weight is okay so I will go with it. 

Our sonogram is set for 10/10/12.  Oh my lord it seems like so far away!!  I just want to see Baby Pat again.  Last time he or she was like a lima bean and now will look so different.  I am trying so hard to be TEAM GREEN but I do not think I can do it!!  I hate surprises and my Type A personality is in planning mode.  We still have some time to figure it out so we will see what happens.  I cannot believe the will power of some people-I am secretly dying to know but told my husband I would be okay with no knowing.  I think it's a boy and he thinks girl so who knows???

I have been talking to him or her and playing some music at work on my iPhone.  Usually Beetoven and I swear I feel swishes or something in my tummy.  Like belly flicks...could it be baby??  Some people have told me it seems to early but I am going to pretend he or she likes my music selection and is rockin' out.

NAUSEA:  2
LINDA:  2
Suck it nausea!!!

I won't know Baby Pat's heart rate until next appointment.  I wonder how true the old wives tales are.  I think it's over 140 is girl and under 140 is boy.  So far with heart beat = girl.  Break outs = girl.  Cravings = boy.  Chinese chart = girl. 

I still think it's a boy!!  Gut feeling.

14 Weeks Pregnant.

It's me the slacker.  I have not had the energy, will or drive to do anything but work, sleep, and do homework.  I have no idea why I decided to take summer classes to graduate early but I made it.  Officially graduated with my MS on August 11th, 2012!!  Thank goodness it is over and I have to say that I am finally feeling a little bit better. 

I was told around 14 weeks the nausea would subside and I believe the doctor was right!!  Thank the lord.  I literally had night, evening and morning sickness.  Like clockwork every night from 7 pm to noon the next day.  I was so sick that I barely stayed up past 10 pm <----LOSER!!!  I know I have been a miserable, cranky bitch.  My poor husband!!  I can laugh, cry, freak out, then laugh again all within an hour time frame.  I know he is trying so hard to be patient but if I was him I would kill me! 

I am finally starting to feel better and Mexican food has been my vice.  I love it!!!  I finally gained some weight-about two lbs.  But I can loose that with a good poop so I hope it is okay that I have not gained too much.  The nausea really made eating up until this week rough.
I love that my dog comes over and lays her head on my belly.  I read somewhere that dogs can hear baby heartbeats before humans so that is pretty sweet!  Little Miss Nahla has been my partner in crime these last few months while my husband traveled for work.  She has kept me from being too lazy which is a plus!  I am still able to wear my regular clothes but they are getting tight.  I plan on going to Target for a couple Belly Bands to help me out!

Speaking of Target I went in for my daily pizza fix and the man working there made a comment about my pizza fetish.  I explained to him that with my nausea it is the only thing I can stand.  His response 'girl you better watch with all that pizza-you will blow up!!'  Um eff you (I of course said this internally).  Really I just smiled and said well thank you so much for the concern but my weight has not been an issue and I have barely gained 2 lbs.  What an ass!!!  I heard with pregnancy comes annoying people and their opinions....well he can take his opinion and shove it!!!  Happy Monday!

NAUSEA: 2
LINDA: 1

Baby's Heart Rate:  160

10 Weeks Pregnant.

I have no idea how to keep up with this journal when I feel so horrible.  Please tell me it gets better.  I dry heaved twice today at work.  The way people smell is the worst.  I walk around all day with a tumbler of h20 and a bowl of cheerios...how the hell does no one catch on that I am knocked up?  I guess they must really just think I like cheerios???

And why the hell is it so hot out??  Oh my lord.  I hate the sun and heat.  This will be my pastiest summer ever.  No energy to lay out or go to the pool.  I'll take my AC, kindle and plenty of naps. 

I am pretty sure I am keeping PIZZA HUT in business.  Not a real one-but the one located in the Super Target.  I go there EVERY day for a personal pan pizza.  It is the only thing I can stand eating other than cheerios and bagels.  Someone told me carbs = boy.  Where do they come up with this stuff?  I guess in about ten weeks we will see.

My skin is a JOKE.  I look like a 13 year old who needs Proactive.  Again reading up online and breakouts = girls.  I guess they steal your beauty or something crazt like that.  I feel like death, look hideous, cannot stand smells and might kill my husband.  Welcome to pregnancy!!!

CRAVINGS:  Same as two weeks ago.

NAUSEA: 2

LINDA:  0

Baby's Heart Rate:  170

I will attempt to look cute in these pics...NO MATTER WHAT!! 

8 Weeks Pregnant.

Dear Jesus.  I feel like death.  Why did I miss the memo on the nausea (all day long) and the tiredness.  Why can I smell everything so strongly?  Smoke, B.O, food, someone's breath, feet, etc.  VOMIT.  I feel tired all day long and our office is slammed at work all the way through mid-late August.  I can get through this.  I have to pretend to be okay while not vomiting on my coworkers and smiling with our students.  This may not be that easy.

Cravings: Water, OJ, Pizza, Dry Cheerios, Bagels.

I find I am having to eat every 2-3 hours with the nausea.  I realize I have to sit down with my assistant director and let her know on the DL what is going on.  Pray for me....

I sit down with her the next day and tell her I am pregnant...of course I cry.  Damn I am doing a lot of that lately.  She hugs me and congratulates me.  I feel better emotionally (that is!!)

NAUSEA: 1
LINDA: 0