Bone Marrow Donation

A couple of years ago I wrote an email to the Bone Marrow registry in Ireland saying I'd like to register . They JUST YESTERDAY sent me an email saying they were ready for me to register.  Well, it turns out you cannot donate bone marrow if you are too overweight.  For me to be allowed to donate, I'd have to be no more than 203 pounds.  So now I have my goald set.  Eye on the prize to 203 pounds, a lofty but good goal to have.  So now I need to figure out how to go about the weight loss process.  Yes yes, eat less, move more.  The moving more bit is tough as it's so easy to not!  I need some movement buddies, I think. People who will be pull me out into the rain for a windy walk!  I need to d oit, not just for myself, but for my kids and husband.  I'd like to be here for as long as possible on this earth, and if I keep on going as I'm going, I won't be.  It's time to get off my a$$!

Fit by Fourty

So I've been thinking about this for the past week or so.  And now, as I turn 37, I think I'm going to go for it.  My new mission is Fit By Fourty!  What does fit mean?  Well, healthy, I suppose.  Able to keep up with my children, and a healthier dress size.  I still have the specific goals to work out, but now I'm putting it on my blog, it's a contract!  Fit by 40! FbF here I come!

Wait a Second, Shouldn't I be LOSING Weight?

I think I might have become a bit backwards.  While I was pregnant with Josie, I kept losing weight.  All in all, I lost about 8 kilos from when I went in for my first check up to my last prior to the induction/ birth.  And then, I lost a slew just after (which is, of course, expected).  But then isn't the downward slope supposed to continue?  Am I not due for more weight loss?  Well, apparently no.  This pregnancy blessed me with weight loss.... but in that, it cursed me with a sense of entitlement.  Hey!  Here goes the weight, of COURSE it'll keep going this way!  Yea well.... now that the baby hormones are gone, and the reality of living with two young children has arrived, the consistent meals and focus on what I eat is out the window.  In comes the 'grab breakfast when you can' mentality!  So now is the time to shake off those thoughts and put new ones in my head.  Time to get organized (wish me luck!) so that I DO eat healthy meals daily, so that I DO get my 5 fruit and veg in, my 8 glasses of water AND productive movement/exercise.  Oh the days when I had no life! 

Bra Bind- Come on Designers, Cop On!

I know I have written about my bra woe's in the past, but they are now starting to come to a head.  A few years ago, Lane Bryant discontinued my favorite bra.  To date I have not found a suitable replacement.  I'm now starting to get very worried as my only bra left from this collection is soon going to need to transition to the great brazier pasture in the sky.  I don't think bra designers truly think about comfort and realism when it comes to plus size bras.  Now, I'm sure for the slightly larger women of the world, you are able to find perfectly comfortable and attractive bras that you can wear on a daily basis.  When you are my size, though, your pickings are very limited.  Even my favorite Cacique bra wasn't as supportive as I would have liked. 

So now I'm on the hunt for a replacement bra.  So far, there's none to be found in Ireland.  The ONE plus sized ladies shop, Evans, needs a wake up call when it comes to their bras.  While they are gorgeous and I would LOVE to be able to wear many of them, they are flimsy, with narrow straps.  The material is not comfortable, and when you get to be my size, proportions change.  I'm not sure the designers have fully researched HOW proportions change in larger women's chests, to be honest.  It's not just about the size of the breasts.  It's also about the size of the entire upper body and how the elastic and fabric of the bra interacts with it.

I've even tried Evan's ugly granny bras, but they too are terribly uncomfortable.  Yes, you do want support, and they give you that in abundance.  But there is no give in them so you feel like you are being held in a vice. 

Where's Gok Wan when you need him!   How about upping the ante on plus size bra's for us with even more amplitude??

Brag Book

About a month ago I took some pictures of the kids using my new fancy camera.  I've always wanted one of those cameras that, just because it's so good, the pictures are great.  Now, I know if I had the time to actually LEARN about the camera, aperture, etc., that I could take even better photos, but I'm quite happy with these.  And I get to show off my gorgeous children, so it's win win!

All photos are copyright 2012, and are not to be used without author's permission.

Baby Girl!

As I did with my announcing of the birth of Jacob, I have taken a LONG time to proudly announce the birth of the most beautiful and charming baby girl,

Joanna Mae!

Joanna, nicked named Josie, was born on Friday the13th (muhuha ha) of January at 7:45 pm, 7 pounds
11 ounces. Pictures to come once I can get some onto this computer (iPhone snafu's recently).

Josie is named after my mother, Joanne and her other grannie, Mary.  My mom passed away in 2009 from ovarian/peritoneal cancer, so I'm so glad to be able to honor her memory by naming her newest granddaughter after her.  

The birth of Josie was MUCH easier this time around.  I hear that's typically the case, but I'm so thankful it was!  I went in for an induction 1.5 weeks early because of the gestational diabetes.  Apparently I was the LAST on the list for prostin that night as I received mine at 3am!  At 8am the doctor came in to check me internally and said that I'd need a second dose.  But this doctor, who I'd been seeing at the diabetes clinic often, is rather rough-handed, and by 9am, I was feeling the love.  When she came back for my second dose, she had a look and sure enough, her internal exam had got me going and I was 2 cm dilated.  

Up I went to the delivery ward around 10am.  I got to sit on a pilates ball for a while as the contractions got a little stronger... but not strong enough.  So unfortunately I needed to start oxytocin.  UGH!  Luckily I was allowed an epidural pretty soon after the oxytocin started.

Now, because of my size, the anaesthetist had to use an ultra sound to guide the epi into my spine. He also added what he called a 'block' (I'm guessing spinal block, but I forgot to ask) which allowed me to push a button to top up if the pain was coming back.  Hurray!

Well, the pain DID start coming back on my left side, to the point where the button was doing jack, especially as I could only push it every 20 minutes.   So in again came Dr. Make-the-pain-go-away who topped up the epi.  Of course, it was with the provision that if it didn't kick in in about 20 minutes, he'd have to take out the line and reinstert. And if THAT didn't work, than the epi was a no go and I'd just have to deal with other pain meds. So apparently I'm a huge wimp.  The idea of more than 20 minutes of labor pain was terrifying.  I did talk to mom and ask for her to help get those drugs going. And bar that, just knock me out and take the baby!  Luckily, all it took was the top up and for me to lie on my left side, and the meds kicked in.  BLISS!

From then on it really was smooth sailing.  This time I could move a bit... with Jacob I was paralysed from the waist down the entire time.  But I needed to stay on my left side to let gravity help the epi work.  So there I lay.  To monitor Josie, the midwife insterted a heartbeat monitor to her scalp.  This was actually a blessing as the CTG monitor has never liked me and would keep on losing baby's heartbeat.

So a few hours later (could have been sooner, I really wasn't paying attention), my doctor came in to check on me and I was 9cm dilated!  MUCH faster than Jacob.  And I basically had to just lay on my side until I was 10 cm.  Then after that I lay around again for about 2 hours to allow the contractions to do their work getting Josie's head into the birth canal.  

Eventually I was allowed to push. An hour later Josie Mae was born.  I was allowed to hold her as soon as the midwife did her checks, which was wonderful (especially as I wasn't allowed to hold Jacob who was sent up to baby ICU for a checkup and some oxygen). She came out with a LOT of vernix all over her... apparently babies born after 38 weeks have less vernix. But she was beautiful and mucky and all mine (and Rob's too I suppose).

Love at first sight.

Yes, You DO Lose Your Balance! (Gore alert)

I should have posted this earlier, but just, well... didn't.  This is just a reminder to all preggo's out there that, yes, you can and WILL lose your balance the larger you get (with your pregnancy, that is).  A month ago, I was getting out of the car to bring my son to daycare, and bam! I tripped on a pot hole and down I went.  My bump was too big for me to keep my balance and there was nothing for me to reach out for.  Luckily, I kept my head about me and did my best to 'fall well.'  So instead of falling bump first, I fell knees and then hands and side of bump.... and then proceeded to bash my head well and truly into the ground.  Luckily there was a father who saw it all and came over to me, who lay bleeding on the ground, who was able to call the ambulance (who arrived 30 minutes later... gotta love Tallaght), and a grannie who brought Jacob into the creche.

Well, a 13 centimeter gash and 5 staples to my scalp later, I am living proof that your balance does go WAAAY off when you are pregnant.  So please!  Mind yourself.  Watch for pot holes, slippery things on floors, etc, and TAKE CARE!

(And baby is fine, don't worry. I went straight to baby hospital to have babaloo2 checked out after I was stapled up at the first one)

GORE ALERT!  I've posted pics of the day below, so if you don't want to see a bit of blood and head staples, don't scroll down.

 Triage did a fine job of temporarily bandaging me up.

Me and my bloody-matted hairdo 

 Post-stapling and loving my new bandages...sexy.

 Very thankful I wore a hat (and a red one to boot).  I had to rinse it well to get all the blood out, and it was still wet, but it was better than walking around mummified.

My staples.

"Bump" Pic

Taken on Christmas day, 36 weeks pregnant.  As I said, you can barely see a baby bump!  But the baby-grow helps with the whole "Yes! I AM pregnant!" thing.  :)

Knicker Wars

So I've come to the realization that I'm probably not going to get to a proper Knicker Wars like I did Battle of the Nursing Bras.  BUT, I will talk about my experience this go around.  And to be honest, the pregnancy knickers have won.  Although I haven't gained any weight, thus meaning I can TECHNICALLY still wear my old knickers, and I do when desperate, I find the pregnancy pants MUCH more comfortable, especially around the bump.  Now, if I HAD gained like I did with Jacob, I'd be in trouble, because I'm not sure the preggy knickers would have fit and I probably would have had to buy some from a speciality shop for the even larger pregnant woman.  But thankfully, my Motherhood 3x Maternity Underwear did the trick, so I thank my father for actually going in a buying me new ones and bringing them to his wedding for me!!

The Final Countdown

Ok, so I have been a horrible blogger this pregnancy.  I admit it's mostly because I've been living off my iPhone and typing out a long blog on a phone is just not all that appealing to me.  But the laptop is up and running today, the internet is smooth, and I'm awaiting a skype call, so I've got a little time.

As of tomorrow I will be 37 weeks!!  Happy New Years to me, my baby will be full term!  Of course, have we gotten ready at all.... heck no!  The changing table, sterilizer, etc, is all still in the shed, waiting to come out and be cleaned up.  The moses basket needs to be assembled, and most of all, I need to back my hospital bag!  Of course, with GD, you generally know when you'll go in to labor because they tell you!

So far, I haven't gained a single kilo.  Yes, I know I'm American and I'm using kilos, but that's what they use at the hospital, so it's what I'll use for now.  I'm still the same weight I was at my 8 week initial check up.  This pregnancy has definitely been different.  I can still wear many of the same pieces of clothing, bar trousers.  I've given up my jeans as they have no give, but can still wear my baggy black work pants.  I pretty much live in them now.  With Jacob, I HAD to wear preggy clothes because even going a size up in normal 'fat lady' clothes didn't fit.  I was too big in the boobs and bump.  THIS pregnancy, I still just look mainly fat with a big tummy.  So I try to wear clothes that emphasize the bump to make it clear that I'm not just a royal fatty, but a very pregnant one to boot!

I also feel more fit this time around.  With Jacob, I'd walk across the street to the shop and have to sit down before shopping for my groceries.  This time, I can go into the shop, get all my shopping done WITH over active two year old in tow, and MAYBE need a break once going through checkout.  The benefit to not gaining tons of weight.

And it's not like I'm not eating.  Oh I am.  But I suppose this time around I started BEFORE I knew I was pregnant with the healthy-ish eating.  Wholemeal bread, very little processed sugar, etc.  I suppose that whole eating healthy thing really just works.  This Christmas has been tough as I really want to stuff my gob with mince pies, cookies, etc.  And I think my couple indulgences have backfired on me.  So I'm back to avoiding the 'naughties.'

Babaloo2 (what I'm calling bump) is getting huge I think.  My bump is pretty solid and I'm now really starting to feel the weight, especially when I stand up and the baby sinks onto my bladder.  This past week has been more difficult sleeping and I've become reacquainted with my dear, dear friends, the pillows.  What I would give for a memory foam mattress and a body pillow!  But my wedge pillows and fluffy down pillows are a definite help.  Not to mention the baby belt the physiotherapist gave me...that I can actually wear!  Last pregnancy I was too big to wear it, but it actually fits this time!

So I guess what's the moral of this post?  Well, I suppose it is really to eat healthy. It makes a difference!  And that I'm VERY ready to meet Babaloo2!

Love to all and Happy New Year!!

Water, It's Not Just for Fatties

I was thinking of calling this post 'Survivial of the Fattest' but I think I may save that title for later. :)  I arrived home yesterday after a week away from my husband and 2 year old.  The longest I've been away from Jake ever!  My dad is now happily married to a lovely woman in Calgary, Canada and now that I'm out of their hair they can enjoy the beginning of the honeymoon. :) 

I ended up surviving the multitude of flights to and from Calgary for the wedding, at 20 weeks pregnant.  Starting the diabetic diet at conception or before has actually helped me maintain my weight or lose a healthy amount (for a fat pregnant lady, I do NOT recommend losing weight pregnant unless you are severely obese and have your doctor's blessing). 

So I took my baby aspirins, donned my anti-embolism compression socks and hopped aboard.  Thank God for small blessings, the pharmacy didn't have the full-leg style socks, and the doctor gave permission for me to wear just the knee-length ones.  I wore the full-leg ones when pregnant with Jake and found them very uncomfortable for a 7 hour flight.  And this time, on my way over, I had a 7 hour flight, followed by a 2 1/2 and then a 3 1/2 hour.  So, yea, little miracle there to only have the knee-highs.  Thank you pharmacy!

Travelling fat and pregnant can be pretty difficult.  I ended up twice with non-aisle seats.  Once a very nice gentleman was willing to swap with me with the promise that I would let HIM out to pee if he needed to (he didn't. I on the other hand went about 4 times on the 7 hour flight).  The second time the lovely flight attendant at the gate found me an aisle seat about 5 minutes prior to boarding.  Ladies, if you are in this situation, make SURE you get an aisle seat and do NOT be afraid to play the pregnancy card.  AND, point out that you WILL have to use the toilet frequently.  I think that helped more than anything else.

That being said, the reason I had to pee so much was because of the amount of water I drank.  I brought with me a 1.5 litre water bottle I filled at every possible opportunity.  And I kept drinking.  I honestly think that helped keep me from disintegrating into a pile of dry ash on the floor of the planes.  I've never drank more than on these flights, and I highly recommend to all fliers to do so.  Water isn't just for fatties! 

And on another bright side, my father (gotta love the man), braved the Motherhood in our hometown to bring me my pregnancy underwear!  Let the Knicker Wars begin!

Solidarity, My GD Sisters

Today was a day to dread.... the glucose tolerance test.  Now, because I had gestational diabetes (GD) during my first pregnancy, I was 'lucky' enough to get to forgo the evil tasting glucose drink (Lucozade for the Irish) and get my bloods taken every hour for 3 hours.  Hurray!  I got to go straight to what I've named the 'Tea and Toast Test.'  The TaTT consists of fasting for at least 8 hours, getting your blood drawn and getting a green voucher for "breakfast" (toast with butter and tea or coffee). You go eat your toast, drink you tea and come back in an hour. 

I found it kind of weird walking into the hospitals canteen for my TaT, surrounded by other women with that same green voucher.  It was like a ticket to the TaTT sisterhood...all these women who knew exactly what I was going through.  All these women had either failed their Lucozade test or had had GD in a previous pregancy.  We were all wondering, 'will I have to start insulin tomorrow?' and 'Have I failed that badly at trying to eat healthy?'  We all saw in a solidarity silence and munched our toast, drank our tea, and read our respective choice reading material. 

It's funny how we all kept to ourselves though.  I really wanted to sit down next to one of them and strike up a conversation.  But that probably would have gotten me weird looks... I suppose something I used to, really. 

Now, the waiting room for the Diabetic Clinic is a bit different.  You're jammed into this smallish area awaiting your charts, your pee-cup and your chance to hear the good or bad news.  I've found success in having some pleasant chats with mum's to be in similar situations, which has been really nice.  To find someone to bitch about maltitol and insulin about; someone who gets your story.  But still, you do feel like cattle waiting for the slaughter. 

But today, my success; my light at the end of the 5 and a half hour tunnel.  My temporary reprieve.  My results.  While my body currently doesn't want to process glucose at night properly, it's doing it during the day after eating.  The endocrinologist says this is common in GD women (which I'm probably considered as I've had it before) but that since my body is processing the glucose after meals, I won't need insulin... yet.  And then I may only need it for a while just at bed time!  To some the idea of having to stick oneself ONCE with a needle is just horrendeous, to me it is marvelous!  I have 3 weeks of reprieve from insulin!  Three more weeks I won't need to stick my fingers 7 times a day!  I'll take it!  So if Dr. Endo tells me in three weeks that I need insulin at night... that's it? JUST at night?  You mean I won't have to give myself two different types of insulin four times a day yet?!? Yippie! 

I'm sure as the pregnancy progresses I'll need more, but I'm taking my small victories as exactly what they are...victories. 

Knicker Wars

I have decided to continue my cntrats and comparisons into my second pregnany.  Last time, nursing bras were put to the test.  This time around?  Underwear! 

The question for the pregnant larger lady is what underwear to don while heavily pregnant.  Will I be able to tolerate my granny panties rolling down under bump?  Will I be able to find a COMFORTABLE pair of pregnancy knickers in my size?  Or should I just buy underwear a few sizes larger and deal?

My goal is to help answer this question for my larger readers (and for those curious).  Keep an eye out here because Knicker Wars will begin soon!

Let the search begin!

I saw my doctor today who confirmed my pregnancy! She's saying I'm about 8 weeks pregnant and my due date is around January 21, 2012.  So, I'll probably be a little off of my goal of a baby girl by the end of the year... but I'll take a new baby in the new year! Of course, now comes the search for plus sized maternity knickers.  The ones at Motherhood were good but not great. But they're about all that's out there unfortunately.  I think I may have a "Battle of the Maternity Panties" this time around.  Any manufacturers out there...feel free to send me free samples! :)  Oh wait, there's NOT anything out there.  If I had the capital, I could make a KILLING in super plus size maternity underwear, bump supports and bras.  And probably pants too.  I have to admit I wasn't enamoured with my pregnancy pants last go around.  I found the seam between the elastic and the pant fabric dug under my belly...not so pleasant when you're skin is so hormone-induced sensitive!  Maybe I'll just live in leggings this winter. :)

Pitter Patter

Apparently my grandmother has been reading my blog.  Because of this, I think she has some incorrect information, which has encouraged me to finally write a new, though quick post.  Yes, grandma, I AM pregnant!  My best guess is about 6 weeks, which means I'll be due at the end of January.  I haven't seen the doctor yet, so I haven't gone public with the news.  But seeing as how dad told grandma who then said I wasn't (based on my LAST post), I thought I should set the record straight here.  I'll post the story soon!

Not the Next Best Thing

Well, after 15 days of waiting, wondering and peeing on sticks, we finally have an answer.  I am NOT pregnant.  I FINALLY got my period yesterday morning.  Why it took 15 days to arrive when it's usually pretty consistent, who's to say?  But at least now I know.... and now I can take proper drugs for my sickness, which came on Wednesday afternoon.  I went home early and just went to bed, pretty much for 2 1/2 days.  But Thursday night, Friday morning I was having lower back pains/belly cramps and wondered if it was finally coming...and it did. 
So no little baby for Jacob.... yet.  But at least I've started on my pregnancy vitamins, which I'll continue, and this'll give me a chance to actually go and get the rubella vaccination, which my blood results have been saying I need.  So I suppose this was a little wake up call for mama Jen to get her butt in gear so Grundie baba2 can finally come into the world. 
I'm finally rounding the bend and my fever is almost gone. I think we'll take Jake to Spraoi where he can run around and play and frolick while I drink a cup of tea.... with caffine.  :) 

HCG and Fat Pregnancy

So the question arises to me, does it take more HCG (the pregnancy hormone) coursing through a fat person's body to trigger a positive pregnancy result on a home test?  When I was pregnant with Jacob, it took 11 days after my missed period to get that freakin' plus sign.  And now I'm at 12 days and counting and still no plus sign.  It's pretty frustrating, especially since your skinny (who thinks she's fat but is NOWHERE near fat) friend finds out DAYS before missing her period that she's up the duff.  I did a search online but noone seems to have an answer.  The only thing I could find was people asking the same question, and a few people saying, 'no, it shouldn't make a difference.'  But I think it does.  And I'm curious who I could ask to find out.  Because if the answer REALLY is no, then what's wrong with ME?  So at the moment, for those of you out there crossing your fingers for me, it's a big "I dunno."  I won't say I'm not until I've started bleeding (crass, I know, but that's just me) and I won't say I am until I get a positive pee stick.  Do the limbo!!

Brilliant Article

Hi Everyone,  I just wanted to take a moment to share a fantastic article (albeit written by my husband) on our 'brother' blog, Gentastic.

10 Things I Have Learnt About Parenting that the ‘Experts’ Failed to Mention

Please take a moment to check it out.  I was very much amused.

 

The Next "Best Thing"?

Well, I'm not counting chickens or anything, but my last period started on Christmas Eve 2010.  28 days later is January 21st.  Today is January 23rd.  So, I'm still within my possible cycle.  This could be nothing... but I'm starting to get hungrier at night, I'm having little (minuscule really) moments of nausea, and yesterday when I stood up after going to the cinema, a little acid reflux went up my esophageous.  Oh, and I've been hornier (which could be a sign I'll be getting my period too).  So I've got some clues, but I'll wait another week before being certain.

There's no point in me taking a pregnancy test.  I don't know if any other very large women have the same issue, but I took a pregnancy test when I was pregnant with Jacob the day my period was due and it was negative.  The next week it was still negative.  Doctor's urine sample was negative too.  It wasn't until a further week that it came up positive.  So maybe my hormone levels need to be much higher as I'm that much bigger a woman?  Then I have a friend on her 3rd baby who's test came back positive DAYS after conceiving.  And she wouldn't be a stick figure, she's a healthy size 12-ish.  I WANT to take a test but I don't want to waste the money, you know?  Especially since my husband is now without a job, I'd rather save my money for when I've got a chance of having the most accurate result.  My GP just has me pee on a stick too, no blood tests for her, so there's no point in dropping €70 for what I can buy at a shop for a tenner.

So I suppose for now, I'll start my precautions-  no alcohol, less caffeine, multivitamins with folic acid (good idea anyways as I'd LIKE to have another baby in the near future) and continued focus on healthy eating.

My husband and I both agree that Jacob was the best thing that happened to us.  So now, I just wonder if we are awaiting our next best thing?

Unhappy Mouth

UGH!  I have been suffering with mouth issues for the past week!  A week ago Sunday I could feel that I was going to get one of those things I call tongue zits...those little white raised bumps that hurt like h3ll!  So I was prepared to deal with one... ONE.  But no, something must be wrong with my chemistry at the moment, because come Wednesday, I'd say there were 4.  And the next day, one would be fading and another one would pop up. 

Yesterday I counted 5 on my tongue and a canker sore on my upper gum.  They make it very difficult to talk and the tip of my tongue feels kind of burnt and raw.  I had some aloe juice drink at dinner last night, and that was just lovely on my tongue, but then the drink was gone and the darned spots weren't. 

I tried that liquid that stings then makes all the pain go away.  That helped for a few minutes.  And I tried a gel... but the gels don't really stick to a saliva producing machine like a tongue.  I've been gargling with diluted TCP for the past couple days, but that just tastes nasty and makes me smell like TCP... yeck.  

I just got another gel today, Bonjela and that is definitely working better on my canker sore and slightly on my tongue.  And today my tongue feels like they are all starting to fade.  Was it the vitamins I took last night?  If so, I have GOT to remember to take them nightly! I sure as heck hope it's not in response to the new Tesco diet I'm on!  I'm going to guess that it's not as I started that on Wednesday. 

But even as I feel the tongue zits fading, I can feel another canker sore popping up RIGHT NEXT to the other one! REALLY!?!? 

Has anyone else ever had this happen to them?  If they're not gone totally in the next few days, Dr. H will be receiving a visit from yours truly.  Of course she'll probably say to keep doing what I'm doing and then bill me 70 euro.  Ugh.  Please send on your mouth healing vibes!