March 29, 2009

Living Hell: Migraines

I’m suffering my first pregnancy migraine.

Before this pregnancy I got migraines quite often, and Excedrin was my best friend.

I can now only take regular old Tylenol, one 650 mg pill, and it’s supposed to help.

It doesn’t help.

I’ve been a crabby, bitchy, weepy mess.

I’ve yelled at everyone and everything in my path.

I’ve tried to sleep it off, only to wake up feeling nauseas and ready to poke skewers in my eyes.

My poor family is steering clear of me, and I don’t blame them.

This sucks ass.

Le sigh.

March 28, 2009

He’s Growing Up Too Fast

Back in February I registered Dawson for 4-year-old kindergarten.  I wanted to write a post about it then, but I really wasn’t sure how I felt about my baby, the beautiful fruit of my womb, going off to school.  (I’m still not sure how I feel about it.)  It was difficult enough (for me) to enroll him in preschool last fall.  Even though I knew he was ready, I wasn’t sure that I was ready.

Looking back on it now, we made the right decision.  Dawson loves preschool.  He loves his teacher, he loves his friends, and he always comes home excited to tell me all about his time in school.  And, over the last six months, I’ve gotten used to it, too.  The two hours and 15 minutes of free time, two days a week, is enough time for me to recharge my Mom Battery as well as get things done around the house.

But 4K is different.  Dawson will be in school four days a week for 3 hours and 40 minutes.  I worry about him missing me and I worry that he won’t adjust.  He’ll be going to a new school, with new friends (hopefully some of his current classmates have enrolled in the new school, too) and a new teacher.

When I ask him if he’s excited about 4K, he tells me, “Momma, I want to go to school and ride the bus and be with my friends.”

Truthfully, I think he’s just excited about riding a school bus.  He has no idea that he’s going to a different school and I’m not sure how to introduce him to this idea.  He thinks he’s going to the YMCA “school” again this fall.

My husband says I’m worrying too much.  I shouldn’t dwell on it, he says.  And I know he’s right.  Dawson will be fine.

But will I?  Will I be fine?

“You’ll be too busy with the baby to fret over Dawson.  He’s a good kid.  He’ll be just fine.”

Yes, he will be fine.  But I think I still need more time.  I’m not ready to let go just yet.

Can’t he just stay little for awhile longer?  Why does my baby have to grow up?  Please, Time.  Stand still.  If only for a moment…

March 27, 2009

Cloth Diapering: Is it for me?

A few days ago when I went to drop off Dawson at preschool, I had to wait in the hallway with the other moms until his classroom was open.  I’ve gotten to know some of these ladies since Dawson started school in September, and can I just say that some of the conversations these moms have are sort of, I don’t know, nuts?

Some brag about how wonderful and brilliant their children are.  Others talk about the best places to find affordable kids clothes.  A few others like to play the One-Up Game.  You know, the whole “my kid did this, what about yours?” thing.

The conversation this week was about breastfeeding and the cost of formula, and disposable vs. cloth diapers.  The mom who started the conversation was saying how expensive formula and diapers were and she told us she spends $150 a week on the two necessities.  Now, it’s been awhile since I’ve purchased diapers and formula, but $150 a week sounds way too high.

Then one of the moms who recently had her second baby piped up.

“See, that is just, like, too much money.  That’s why I breastfeed and cloth diaper.”

I could tell she was very proud of her decision.  Both are very great choices.  But this mom was almost gloating, and it made me uncomfortable.

Another mom asked about the type of cloth diapers she was using, and how many she had to have on hand.  So Gloating Mom explained that her investment in cloth diapers cost her about $500, but that she wasn’t one of the many parents paying $2,000 a year in disposables.

When I had Dawson I went with disposable diapers because I knew I’d be returning to work six weeks later, and I didn’t think I’d have the time (or patience) to constantly wash cloth diapers.  Plus, it seemed kind of messy, and visions of plastic pants made me uneasy.

Now that I’m working from home, I’m actually considering the cloth diapering idea.  It would be very eco-friendly, as well as cost effective.  My only concern is about the time commitment.  I’m worried I’ll make the investment, but that I’ll give up after a week of washing.

What are your thoughts?  Disposable or cloth?  Pros and cons?  Links to great posts about cloth diapering, and where to buy these?  I’d love to know more!

March 26, 2009

Morning Sickness

Throughout these first nine weeks of my pregnancy, I’ve had some mild morning sickness.  I’ve officially entered the realm of Severe Morning Sickness and I feel like I’m dying.

Nausea, vomitting, a feeling of general malaise — oh dear God, make it stop.

I have been in and out of the doctor’s office this week, mainly due to blood pressure issues.  I had to switch medications, and the new med seemed to be working wonderful (I wasn’t feeling like I usually do when I know my BP is through the roof) but my last reading was horrible and the doctor decided to double the dose.

That’s when the dizziness began, and I freaked out, thinking the medication was causing all these symptoms.  Today, my reading is much lower so the new dose is doing what it’s supposed to.

This damn morning sickness decided to kick in full force.  I can no longer stand eggs, ground beef, chicken, pork, bacon or any meat product — or any food with protein for that matter.  So, according to the doctor the dizziness is a result of low iron and now I must take a supplement until my body decides it likes meat again. Fantastic.

So far, the only foods I can stomach are unsalted saltines, boiled potatoes (without skin) and plain noodles.  Oh, and English muffins.  Maybe a slice of cheese or two.  I’m drinking water and Sprite.  Milk makes me want to puke.

I’m sorry to complain.  I know there are bigger problems in this world.  I just didn’t expect morning sickness to get this awful at week ten.

In addition to this, I’m weepy.  The stupidest things will send me to tears.  For example, I cried while watching the Golden Girls, the evening news, the Frontline commercial and (here’s the nutty part), while watching Spongebob.  I swear I’m having a girl, because I was never weepy when I was pregnant with Dawson.  Damn hormones.  I think I’m ramped up on estrogen or something.

Here’s hoping this ends soon.  I don’t know how long I can endure this!