Baby update.

my growing boy! (36 weeks)

As I mentioned in my last post, it looks like this little guy will be here *very* soon....as in (probably) next week (!!) (original due date was September 19th). This is all due to some complications that arose a couple of weeks ago, and so doctors are talking about inducing me at 37 weeks. Eek. 

It's been quite the emotional roller coaster around these parts lately. Besides the fact that this turn of events has been worrisome and scary, we're also still getting settled into our new home and aren't exactly feeling prepared for this life-changing event to happen quite so soon! 

Here's the sort of/semi-short version of the story: only a few days after my first doctor's appointment here, I started developing strange symptoms (incredibly itchy hands and feet) which I then googled, leading me to find out about a condition called cholestasis that typically occurs later in pregnancy -- strange, but seemingly non-alarming symptoms that are actually a sign of something going on in the mother's liver that can be dangerous for the baby. I seriously didn't think I had this, but called my doctor anyway just to be safe. They had me come in for tests and a day later called to say I did in fact have cholestasis, which was pretty shocking to hear. I'm now on medication and getting weekly non-stress tests to make sure the baby is doing alright (he's been doing great!) and the doctors have assured me that everything is under control and will be just fine. The tricky thing about this condition is that things can change very quickly and become more risky towards the end, especially beyond 39 weeks, which is why they typically induce between 37-38 weeks. So as much as I hate the idea of going in before we (me and baby) are ready, it's what needs to happen for his safety and health. 

I'm trying hard not to stress about everything and to really trust God through all of this (some days that's easier to do than others). I am so thankful for my competent and caring doctors and that this was caught early -- and also thankful that, despite this turn of events, baby is doing great and is more active than ever. And one positive to all of this is that we get to meet him SO soon! (okay, so that kind of excites me and terrifies me all at once!)   

I would so appreciate your prayers for his safety and for a smooth and safe delivery. I also wanted to share this story in case there are any other preggers out there who might be feeling itchy (with no rash -- that's the indicator!): call your doctor! Or if anything pops up that seems unusual/questionable...make the call no matter how silly it seems. I really wrestled with calling with such a 'minor' thing, especially since I was new to the practice and didn't want to be seen as their new, high-maintenance patient. But that's what they're there for, so it really is worth it to have peace of mind and a safe/healthy pregnancy and baby.

I'll hopefully know more about everything (induction date, etc.) later this week and will keep you posted. Thanks for listening (reading) :)

The ever-growing baby bump.

28 weeks!

Thought I'd post my latest belly explosion! Here I am at 28 weeks. Apologies for the strange orange color -- as charming as our apartment is with all of it's brightly painted walls, it doesn't make for the greatest photo backdrops/lighting!

I am officially in the third trimester now (according to my doctor, that is -- I didn't even know I had reached such a milestone!). I definitely have more aches and pains these days, and getting out of chairs as become quite the challenge with all that extra weight in front (like a little bowling ball!) and the lower back pain. BUT...aside from that, I am feeling pretty good! This little guy likes to move and wiggle and kick constantly, and Dan and I love staring at my belly at night, waiting for a big kick or (what we think is) a tiny foot poke out. Fascinating! 

Past belly shots here: 25 weeks, 21 weeks, 18 weeks. 

Magical nooks (and belly shots).

secret garden

I was walking down the street today towards Harvard Square and there it was. A perfect, magical nook. Like The Secret Garden (one of my favorite books growing up, which is not surprising....I do love nooks). The pathway was covered in pink blossoms, ivy climbed the wall, flowers bloomed. It was a catch your breath moment. Too bad for me I only had my phone to capture the moment, hence the somewhat blurry, un-magical-ness of the photo. But trust me, it was beautiful. 

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And in other news...a new bump picture! (I've been bad about taking these). Remember 18 weeks? This was last week at 21 weeks...

...and still growing! Although there are some days, in some outfits, that I mysteriously don't look pregnant at all. It's all about how you dress the bump, I guess :) And the baby is moving and kicking like crazy lately. Yesterday I was able to see the first external movement -- every time the baby popped me one, my skin jumped up a little, like a twitch. So wild! 

(random) Tuesday thoughts.

more Boston blooms

~while it's strange to not be so busy anymore with rehearsals and shows and events, I have to admit: I'm digging the down time (and so is my tired body). 
~w/o all that activity, I'm trying to get back into yoga again now.
~I can feel the baby moving like CRAZY lately! so surreal. not big movements -- I can't really tell what's what -- but lots of flutters and pops and shifts. Dan even felt it for the first time yesterday! still hard to believe this is happening sometimes.
~dressing my ever-growing bump has become a  challenge (but is kind of fun, too :) it's like a whole new look to play with!). 
~as a result of the ever-growing bump, I'm down to only a couple of options in the pants department lately so have maternity clothes on the brain. this site has tons of cute things. I'm especially digging all the stripes. And this. Pretty :)

goodnight.

xo

Baby News: It's a.....

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BOY!!!!!!!!!

We had our big 18 week ultrasound appointment yesterday and were thrilled to see a healthy, active (very active) baby boy! Even though my gut all along said GIRL (and I've always been good at guessing other people's babies!), I am so incredibly happy to know Dan and I get to raise a little boy together. (So much for those early "maternal instincts," eh?!).

It is interesting because the night before the appointment I had at least three different dreams in which we were told the baby was a boy at our appointment. And I felt confusion and disappointment in those dreams, because I was so sure it was a girl! After waking up, I took those to dreams to heart and tried to 'mentally prepare' myself for either outcome. And then I read this blog post (on having a boy) about 15 minutes before leaving for our appointment. Think God was trying to prepare me, perhaps? :) It's not that I even *wanted* a girl more, necessarily, it was just what I felt. So when we were in that quiet, dimly lit room with the technician, watching our baby dance on the screen and she said, "Yup, it's definitely a little boy" (then pointed out the evidence), all I felt was relief and joy and excitement (after the initial "REALLY??" moment and mental readjustment, that is). I'm not sure why I felt relief....maybe I *did* really want a boy after all?! Or perhaps it was finally knowing who this little person inside of me was...a HIM, not an IT! And you know? It feels right. It just made sense when she said boy...of course it's a boy! It is what was always meant to be :) 

We had a few minutes alone with our baby up on the screen while the technician went to print out her report and that's when it really hit me. Images flashed in my mind of our future: of a little boy who looks like Dan, with those big, kind eyes (be still my heart!) running around and getting dirty at the park, playing with toy cars, building forts, etc., and my heart just melted.  

All this to say: I am so, so happy :) Above all else, I thank God for a healthy baby so far and for a chance to witness such a miracle yesterday.

More fun shots from the day: 

on our way to the hospital to find out (I was so nervous!)

there he is! (it looks like he's smiling, I think)

belly shot! I feel like I look super-pregnant in that close-up, profile shot.

I think that outfit accentuated the bump :) 

celebrating that night w/ dinner and a concert...perfect ending to a perfect day 

(even w/ the crappy weather!)

xo

Colors of Spring (Hipstamatic-style).

 

buds & blooms!

Work and random errands brought me into Boston from Cambridge today, which was a real treat. The sun was shining, it was in the 50's (balmy!) and there were *actually* splashes of color here and there, which I haven't seen much of yet around these parts. It made me happy.

And in other random news: guess who seemed to pop overnight?! Me (and my belly), that's who. It literally seemed to come out of nowhere! It may be time to retire my jeans soon.

And (also randomly) a great article came out today in the Boston Globe about our show.....the Boston Globe! That's the Big Time! You can read that here.

That's all for now. Goodnight and Happy Weekend-ing (b/c I won't be on here after tomorrow's show, I am sure)!

Happy News!

Remember how yesterday I mentioned that there was *much* more to say, but I thought I'd save it? That's because it's SUCH BIG NEWS that it needs it's own post! Drumroll, please..........it's with a very happy heart and great excitement that I announce that.........Dan and I are expecting our first baby!! (it still feels so unbelievable to type out those words!). 

I am about four months along and it feels *so* good to finally share this happy news on here. My belly has just started to pop ever so slightly, making this all feel much more real lately. We heard the heartbeat (loud and strong!) last Friday at our 16 week doctor's visit and are eagerly awaiting our next appointment on the 19th when we'll find out whether this little one is a boy or girl! 

The last few months have been a struggle, for sure, in coping with the extreme tiredness and nausea (that explains why I've been a bit blah on the ol' blog), especially with the rough and long winter we've had. BUT...spring is coming (despite the endless chilly temps) and I am officially in the "Glory Days" of 2nd trimester! Feeling pretty good these days, although the show this past week was certainly a challenge to my stamina. I've been trying to catch up on sleep and rest as much as I can during this crazy Ragtime season, but I have to say: it's been kind of neat dancing and singing on a great big stage alongside so many talented people with this little one along for the ride :) Will make a great story for him/her later, I think :)