First post of the new year and 25 weeks pregnant to boot

Hello my lovelies and a most-happy-new-year to you all!  It's been a very busy weekend and I'm still wondering what day it is because of the days off from work.  But here we go with a quick (I hope) synopsis of the holiday, where we stand after Dr. OB's appointment today and the 25 week update. 

First off, our holiday events.  J and his buddies always go camping on New Year's Eve.  Many friends ask me why I am okay with that and I just say that we never have anything huge planned, and it's tradition.  I'm surely not going camping when the low temp is 30 degrees, and doubly sure not going camping when there is no indoor plumbing and I am 6 months pregnant.  Not-gonna-do-it.  So he left Saturday morning and came home Monday afternoon.  He always comes back tired and dirty ... not my cup-o-tea either.  But he says he had fun and he knows this may be the last trip before Baby Girl comes.  Saturday, after he left, I hit the gym.  I hadn't gone Friday (as I usually do) because for some reason I was just exhausted.  So I opted for Saturday to try and change my workout a little bit and add some more cardio.  Trainer always tells me that "labor is cardio" so I need to build up my endurance.  Worked out, hit the grocery store for New Year's Eve party fixin's, home to make stuff to take to MBM's in-laws' NYE chill-party, showered and picked up by MBM's parents.  We had a grand time eating, laughing and just hanging out.  Of course, with the knowledge of Baby Girl's initials the topic of conversation became what her name would be.  If I thought my parents and J's parents were bad, they were nothing compared to 9 people doing it all at the same time.  After what felt like forever (maybe an hour!) of guessing, they finally figured the names out and I had promised I would tell them when they hit it.  Sorry to say folks, they ALL ARE STILL SWORN TO SECRECY THOUGH!  Watched the ball drop and the highlight of my evening was MBM's sister's 2 year old walking around with a champagne flute partially full of apple cider clinking glasses with everyone at midnight, and then-after, every time she took a sip!  So cute!  Or "Oatmeal Man" but you had to be there to understand that joke.  Got home about 1 am and to bed about 1:30 am.

Sunday, slept in a bit, then showered and headed to Mom and Dad's for a New Year's Day brunch with friends of the family.  Very low-key, but fun.  My Mom's Mom (Grandma E) flew in that day to spend a month at Mom and Dad's, so she was picked up that afternoon and I think a little excited to actually SEE me pregnant (as she walked in the door, she dropped whatever she was carrying to give me a huge hug!).  Caught up with her a bit, then home to rest and head for bed earlier than the night before.

Monday I really slept in and dawdled.  Finally up and ready to attack taking down decorations, organizing and getting ready for 2012.  To say it was a busy day is underestimated.  I did a lot...took down all the Christmas decorations in the house, washed all the linens on our bed, organized the pantry and refrigerator (getting rid of things opened that we haven't eaten/don't like/passed their expiration date), swept, vacuumed, put all the important (birthdays, anniversaries, etc) dates on new calendars and put them up around the house, took out trash from all the rooms, and probably 3 other things that I can't remember.  J got home about 2 pm and unloaded, then cleaned the yard.  By 9 pm, we were both in bed, however I couldn't fall asleep until maybe 11 or 12.  BOO.

So that wraps up our holiday events.  Today we had our monthly visit at Dr. OB's and J was able to come with me this time.  Blood-pressure check and weight (ugh).  Blood-pressure is great, as usual.  Weight, not bad, but still gaining more than I'd like.  Doc says nothing to worry about for the baby, but I just have to lose it afterwards and that is the battle.  I'll get it done, don't you worry!  We talked about my burping (which happens like 20 times or more a day) and she explained it is normal and nothing to worry about, but not much can be done to fix it.  She asked if I had any more incidents like 2 weeks ago and I said no and still taking Zantac every day twice.  Got our 30 week ultrasound scheduled (this is to monitor the cyst in Baby Girl's brain) and next appointment with her, then we'll start going twice a month.  New insurance has kicked in so the doc's office can finally bill us and get their money, haven't paid them a dime all the time as they patiently waited for the better insurance.  Talk about awesome people!  I can't believe we are almost to the 3rd trimester folks!  Oh, and I need to go in for my glucose test to see if I have gestational diabetes...yuck.  Pray that I don't!

And with that, I give you our 25 week update....
Your Baby in Week 25 of Pregnancy
Your baby is growing by leaps and bounds, reaching nine inches in length and passing the pound and a half mark. Under his skin, capillaries are forming and filling with blood and by week's end, air sacs (also lined with capillaries) will develop in his lungs, getting them ready for that first breath. Mind you, those lungs aren't ready for prime time just yet — but they are developing surfactant, a substance that will help them expand after birth. And speaking of breathing, your baby's tiny nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, are starting to open, and his vocal chords are getting ready to roar.
Your Body in Week 25 of Pregnancy
Let's face it, some pregnancy ailments are a real pain in the butt, especially hemorrhoids! More than half of all pregnant women experience swollen, itchy veins in the rectum due to that big old uterus pressing down — as well as to increased blood flow to the area. And while they're not dangerous to your body, hemorrhoids can be downright painful — so try your best to avoid them by eating right (and avoiding constipation, which aggravates those pesky piles), doing pelvic-floor exercises (Kegel exercises), and trying not to strain when you poop. With any luck, they’ll go away after delivery (and yes, you probably are getting tired of hearing that phrase!).
Week 25 Pregnancy Tip: Dental Health
Want to keep your baby safely inside you until term? Put your dental floss where your mouth is. Surprisingly, research links good dental health and oral hygiene with longer pregnancies. Sounds crazy — doesn't it? Crazy, but true. Something as simple as brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly can reduce the risk of gingivitis — a common condition in which your gums become inflamed, red, and even begin to bleed. Untreated gingivitis (that's where the regular dental checkups come in) can progress to periodontitis — a more serious infection of the teeth — which has been linked to premature birth and even an increased risk of preeclampsia. Keep on top of your teeth, and that old (untrue) wives' tale — the one that claims that a woman loses a tooth with each pregnancy — can finally be put to rest.
Week 25 Pregnancy Symptoms
Heartburn or indigestion: Does it feel as if stomach acids are burning up your esophagus and setting fire to your chest? Always have some Tums or Rolaids nearby so you can cool your heartburn as soon as it strikes.  (Taking Zantac every morning and night to avoid future occurences of this)
Snoring: Snoring is quite common during pregnancy since increased blood flow to mucous membranes in your nose can cause congestion. But if you find your snoring is seriously interfering with your sleep, this could be a sign that you have sleep apnea (which can deprive you of oxygen) — so ask your practitioner about it. (J hasn't woken me up complaining of this, more me complaining of his!)
Tingling hands (carpal tunnel): Increased blood volume during pregnancy can cause swelling that puts pressure on nerves in the wrists, resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome. Ask your practitioner about wearing wrist braces, or consider trying acupuncture to alleviate the pain and tingling.(I have noticed this more, and it takes more time for it to go away.)
Varicose veins: The extra blood volume you produce during pregnancy also puts pressure on your blood vessels and causes them to bulge, resulting in varicose veins. Help keep blood circulating by avoiding clothes that are binding. (Thankfully no)
Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD): If you’re feeling pain in the pelvic area, you may be experiencing SPD, caused by relaxed and stretchy ligaments that normally keep your pelvic joint (the symphysis pubis) aligned. Stay on top of your Kegel exercises and pelvic tilts, which will strengthen the muscles in that region, and if pain is severe, ask your practitioner for a referral to a physical therapist.(A little bit, but I'm working on the kegels).
Restless legs syndrome (RLS): As if you didn’t have enough to worry about with tingling hands, you may also feel a tingling in your legs accompanied by an urge to move them. Ask your practitioner to test you for iron-deficiency anemia since some experts think it’s linked to RLS; keep a food journal too — some women find that a sensitivity to certain foods makes symptoms worse.(Again, thankfully not yet).
Skin, hair, and nail changes: Because normal daily hair loss is suppressed by pregnancy hormones, you may notice that your hair feels thicker and more lustrous than ever before. Enjoy it now — after delivery, all the hair that didn’t fall out during pregnancy will shed.(I do think my hair is thicker these days.  We'll see what my stylist says this week).


Alright folks, that completes my update.  I hope you all had a great holiday and welcome to 2012.  When I say it's gonna be different than ever before, I truly mean it!