if i pass out in walmart so help me God ...

Week 29:

Well I guess I needed something to blog about so here is the lovely tale of my episode in Walmart this past week ... enjoy... 

I had a few things on my list to buy so I decided I would hit up Walmart the other day. After I had some breakfast (a honkin' bowl of cereal) I primped and headed out. I know the store like the back of my hand so I got what was needed, spent a little extra time picking out greeting cards and was ready to end my trip. While I was walking up to the registers I started to feel this very familiar heaviness in my belly and I noticed I was getting out of breath. This happened to me not too long ago - in the same store and several times before that in other stores, but not nearly this bad. I continued to the cashier and started to put my items on the belt. One by one the items felt heavier and harder to lift. I was now sweating and getting lightheaded. I remember thinking WHY did I have to buy detergent today?? It just seemed impossible to lift. I started to lose my hearing and heard a faint ringing while I tried to rest against my shopping cart. I knew if I didn't sit down immediately I would be on the floor. I have never passed out in my life but I just KNEW it was coming. I told the cashier that I had to leave my things and sit down. She was displeased to say the least. Another cashier came over to help walk me to a nearby bench at the front of the store. She asked what was wrong and if I wanted her to call an ambulance. I thought to myself if I pass out in Walmart so help me God. She called her manager over, who was very nice and understanding. She asked what I was feeling, did I need an ambulance, had I eaten anything, was I feeling hot, if I wanted a bottle of water etc. I explained that while I was sweating bullets I felt completely cool throughout my shopping experience. She brought me a bottle of water and told me to just sit and relax and let her know if I needed anything at all. Once I was seated it only took about 2-3 minutes for me to feel much, much better. I gathered my things and made my way back to the angry, inconvenienced cashier who had since turned her light off. She didn't say one word to me as she finished cashing me out. I walked out of the store, got into my car and went straight home. 

I decided to call my doctor because I had forgotten to tell her of my previous episodes at my last appointment. Now that it had happened in a much scarier manner I felt it was something I needed to disclose immediately. I explained everything to the nurse and she called me back with my doctor's input. They feel that I probably just didn't eat enough that morning. I told her that I have spent many a morning shopping around with nothing more than a giant bowl of cereal in my belly and been completely fine. She said to just keep an eye on it and keep my appointment for next week. (I have an ultrasound next week due to the fact that I am measuring a bit big as of my last appointment and I also have a regular checkup). I am not at all convinced that these episodes are due to my breakfast choices. In fact, I am positive that it has happened on a belly full of eggs, toast and chocolate milk as well. I'm wondering if maybe this baby girl is positioned all wacky and causing me to measure big and nearly pass out. Maybe she is laying on the big, super important artery?? Who knows. I guess we'll wait and see what the ultrasound has to offer. 

side note: I am excited that I get to see how much the baby has grown since week 19! Wish me luck! :o)

28 weeks ...

Wow. Who'd-a-thunk it? I am nearing the end of my 28th week of this wonderful pregnancy. So far all is well! We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of this baby girl and prepping all things beautiful to welcome her with. 

Her room is "summer morning" yellow with clean, white trim. She has a brand new floor to set her toes on when she's ready. We are buying (and Gregg has made) unique pieces to hang on the walls of her room until she demands that they be taken down and replaced by some new fangled Disney motif. We placed the glider in its perfect position where it will rest until it is called upon for active duty. The adorable bookcase is begging me to find whimsical toys, stuffed animals and stacks of books to fill the empty spaces. (And don't you worry, I'm working on it...). The crib has been ordered. Gregg is working on refinishing an old chest of drawers. There is a place for everything and so many lovely things to put in their place. This is truly "the fun part".  Well until I get to the curtains I suppose.

As for the not-so-fun part? Well, there isn't much to complain about really. Of course there is the trouble getting a great night's sleep. It is a little uncomfortable switching sides every hour since I have always been a stomach sleeper. But I have these wonderful aching hips that alert me as to when it's time to "flip". I haven't had really horrible heartburn or indigestion (I hate to add the word yet here)- just brief bouts of them here and there. One thing that has become a little daunting is the "tightening" in my belly which I imagine are the Braxton Hicks contractions but am not 100% sure of that. I first noticed it while walking around CVS one morning. I felt like all of a sudden I had a charlie horse the size of a bowling ball in my belly. I was getting a little out of breath and just wanted to sit down. I cut that trip short and felt better in just minutes. The same thing continued to happen during various shopping trips. Once in a furniture store and the most recent in Walmart. Ugh. That one was rough. I became very short of breath, I was sweating and felt unsteady. I was actually forced into sitting down at the pharmacy until the feeling passed in just a minute or two. I had never felt like that before - it wasn't painful at all - just overwhelming. But those are the only real complaints that I can think of! I am certain it could be a whole lot worse... and hoping it doesn't get that way! 

The days are just flying by - I can't believe we are into July already! I have heard that the last month seems like an eternity though, so I guess I'll make up for it then. Why do people constantly tell a pregnant woman things like that? For instance, they ask how I have been feeling and I say "great, other than the lack of sleep" and they almost ALWAYS reply with "OH JUST WAIT!! You aint seen nothin yet!!" Hmm. How is that helpful?? Don't you think I know about the no-sleep clause? Or I will mention my plans/hopes to still keep the house clean and prep food with the use of a baby carrier and they'll say, "Yeah that's not gonna happen, you'll see." Again - NOT helping. Hahaha if you want to give me tips and advice please feel free to do so, however, no need to play your little negative "been there done that" trump card. If I seem like I am being naive by assuming I can still keep a clean house - let me be! It's the new mom free pass. And I'm quite certain all moms have been there. :)