Morning Quickie!

Very quietly, Five Guys Burgers and Fries is becoming one of the most popular fast food chains in America. And they’re doing it the old fashioned way . . . by making their burgers as greasy and unhealthy as possible.

*According to the new 2010 Zagat Survey, Five Guys has been voted the best fast food burger in the country.

*The runner-up was In-N-Out Burger.

*Here are some of the other most popular fast food items in the country, based on Zagat’s survey of more than 6,500 Americans.

*Best French Fries: McDonalds.
  Runner-up: Five Guys.

*Best Salads: Panera Bread.
  Runner-up: Wendy’s.

*Best Fried Chicken: KFC.
  Runner-up: Popeye’s.

*Best Value Menu: McDonalds.
  Runner-up: Wendy’s.

*Best Coffee: Starbucks.
  Runner-up: Dunkin’ Donuts.

*Best Breakfast Sandwhich: McDonalds.
  Runner-up: Panera Bread.

*Best Milkshake: Dairy Queen.
  Runner-up: Cold Stone Creamery.

*Best Overall Chain Of Over 5,000 Loactions: Wendy's.
  Runners-up: Subway, KFC, Taco Bell, Burger King.

25 Weeks 5 Days

How far along? 25 weeks 5 days

Weight gain/loss: around 17 pounds

Symptoms: Back aches, lots of peeing, leakage .. er .. heartburn/acid reflux

Maternity clothes? I'm in love with my maternity jeans from Old Navy, they're heaven

Stretch marks? *sniff sniff* there on my belly. stupid genetics.

Sleep? I’ve been getting really warm while I sleep which makes it hard for me to get comfortable. I’m the type of person who needs it to be cold and fans running.

Best moment this week? Finding out I passed my Glucose Test. Always a good thing not to have gestational diabetes.

Food cravings: Eh. I’ve noticed that I don’t really have cravings, It’s just whatever I see is what I want.

Gender: A beautiful girl.

Belly button in or out? Still an innie.

Movement? Mornings & nights is when she shines.

What I miss? Autumn, not having heartburn/acid reflux, the cold (i’m not a fan of the heat, I seriously prefer jeans and a hoodie)

Labor Signs: None, which is a plus.

What I'm looking forward to: Autumn, Justin going back to 1st shift, finishing the nursery, baby shower and I’m honestly excited for my belly button to stick out.

Milestones: I passed my Glucose Test!

 

What's Laila Up To?

Your baby is growing by leaps and bounds, reaching nine inches in length and passing the pound and a half mark. Under her skin, capillaries are forming and filling with blood and by week's end, air sacs (also lined with capillaries) will develop in her 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 her vocal chords are getting ready to roar.

Emergency Room

Ever have a UTI? (urinary tract infection)

Me neither...until last night. 

***

Justin has been working 2nd shift for a couple months now :( it's a super bummer and hard time for me. I really feel like he is missing out on a lot of the small stuff Laila is doing in my belly and I've been feeling pretty lonely. I've also been super paranoid something bad was going to happen and I would have nobody home with me. I was right!

I remember doing my business on the toilet and then having some horrible abdominal pains. Last time I felt this much pain was when I got my IUD and this pain was so freaking uncomfortable. I brushed it off and jumped in the shower to see if that would help. Showers usually calm everything for me. This didn't help though, if anything it was just making it worse. It was one horrible, long and never ending pain. I still managed to wash up while bawling my eyes out and yelling to no one that Justin wasn't there when he should have been. 

By the time I was all done rinsing off I got down on all fours and just rocked back and fourth, still bawling. The pain was just getting worse and I'm a baby when it comes to pain. I can't handle a lot. I decided to get out and get some pj's on and try and lay down. I barely got my pj's on. My eyes were blurred, I was shaking and nauseous and I was constantly having the urge to pee so after the shower I spent most of my time sitting on the toilet.

By this time I had noticed I was bleeding. It wasn't a lot but I think any blood during pregnancy can scare the crap out of someone. I was terrified that this was something bad. I tried calling the nurses and the ob/gyn department was closed and I couldn't even get a hold of the on call doctor. So I text Justin and called my mom and had her come and get me. We decided the best thing was for me to go to the emergency room. :( 

Good thing the emergency room was pretty dead. The only other person in there just happened to be a neighbor of my mom and dad. Once checked in, they admitted me to the New Life Center right away. When they hear that someone who is ONLY 25 weeks pregnant with bleeding and abdominal pain, I think they expect the worse but hope for the best. 

I was wheeled up to my room, put in a gown, and hooked up to all the monitors. I almost had a panic attack when the nurse couldn't find Laila's heartbeat. My heart pretty much felt like it was sinking and then there she was. Big relief to hear her heart beating away. It's such a beautiful sound. By the time everything was set up they had guessed that I had a UTI but needed a urine sample to confirm. Ya right, I've had to pee for the last hour or so and nothing comes out, there's no way I can pee in a cup for a urine sample. Catheter it is. 

I've had a catheter inserted before and I find them uncomfortable and the whole UTI just made the whole situation even more uncomfortable. Good thing she was quick and careful at the same time. About 30 minutes later she came back to confirm I had a UTI. By this time Justin left work and came to the hospital so my mom could go home. I think it was around 10 when he got there. 

I was so glad he was there to comfort me, I felt like such an idiot and so embarrassed and just needed him there with me. My mom had left by this time and Justin and I were waiting to see what would happen next. My bladder was getting pretty full now since I was drinking a lot of water to flush the infection out. Guess who LOVES to kick my bladder when it's pretty full. Oy boy, I started crying because her kicks her so forceful and painful to my bladder. Justin was more than willing to go get the nurse for me and have her unhook me. 

It was such a relief to pee. I honestly thought I was going to pee right there in bed or on my way while walking. Once I finished I got hooked back up and the nurse decided to administer some antibiotics through an IV. This process went pretty quick and after that we were free to go home. YAY! I was tired and still in some pain and just wanted to lay down next to Justin. 

Today, August 24th: After only getting about 5 hours of sleep I toughed it out and went to work...but only to be sent home a half an hour later. Everyone agreed that I looked like crap and I did. I was a walking zombie. I've slept pretty much all day and spent some time with Justin before he had to go to work. Picked my prescription up and have just been taking it easy. 

UTI's are painful and very uncomfortable and I never want to have to deal with that again. 

I'm just glad Laila is still doing amazing :]

Other good news, I also passed my 1 hr glucose test. Woot woot!!! 

xo.

me

What Motherhood Really Means

"We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of starting a family. "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations." But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a souffle; or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation. I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for child-care, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that rest-room. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a Cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future.

I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.

I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.

This blessed gift from God... that of being a Mother."

(By Brittney Maricle)

V-DAY !!

How far along? 24 weeks 2 days. I’ve reached V-DAY (viability day)

Weight gain/loss: I’ll find out at my appointment on Thursday. Yikes.

Symptoms: Back aches, lots of peeing, leakage .. er ..

Maternity clothes? I’ll be getting my maternity jeans in the mail tomorrow. I don’t think I’ve ever felt happier to be getting jeans.

Stretch marks? *sniff sniff* I found some on my belly.

Sleep? It comes and goes.

Best moment this week? The week JUST started. My weekend was nice. Justin and I did a while lot of nothing but it was so relaxing.

Food cravings: Eh. I’ve noticed that I don’t really have cravings, It’s just whatever I see is what I want.

Gender: A beautiful girl.

Belly button in or out? Innie but I’ve been noticing that my belly button is CLOSING up on me. What the heckers? And I’m thinking it’s going to pop soon.

Movement? Mornings & nights are when she’s most active. If I eat a certain something she’ll start kicking. I really enjoy feeling her kick and every day her kicks seem to be getting higher and higher.

What I miss? Autumn, seeing my feet, seeing Justin every day, him working 2nd shift is really killing me (only 2 more weeks)

Labor Signs: I’ve been having Braxton hicks. No big deal though. Otherwise, no labor signs! !

What I'm looking forward to: I’m really ready for it to be December.

Milestones: V-DAY!!!! 24 weeks gestation – that if I go into Labor, the NICU will do everything in their power to save my child.

What's Laila Up To?

Your baby is about eight and a half inches long and weighs one and a half pounds, gaining steadily at a rate of six ounces per week. Much of that weight comes from accumulating baby fat, as well as from growing organs, bones, and muscle. Those little ears of hers are getting sharper and can hear very loud sounds, from a yapping dog to a jackhammer. Also by now, that fabulous face is almost fully formed, complete with eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair. Is she a brunette, a blonde, or a redhead? Actually, right now her locks are white since there's no pigment yet.

23 Weeks 4 Days

How far along? 23 weeks 4 days

Weight gain/loss: I’m sure I went up a little since my last appointment but I honestly feel like it’s not THAT noticeable.

Symptoms: The back aches are getting worse so I bought a heat pad and some ice packs.

Maternity clothes? My mama bought me some cute tops that are maternity but don’t even look like it. I love them :] and just the other day I ordered 2 pairs of maternity pants from Old Navy.

Stretch marks? No new ones, just the old ones.

Sleep? Um..eh. She kicks a lot when I try and sleep and my hips have been hurting like...a lot, as well as my feet.

Best moment this week? I turned 20 on August 7th. I just made sure Justin and I relaxed. Sunday I went shopping and saw a movie with my mama and Aunt. I miss my family.

Food cravings: Eh. I’ve noticed that I don’t really have cravings, It’s just whatever I see is what I want.

Gender: A beautiful girl.

Belly button in or out? Innie but I’ve been noticing that my belly button is CLOSING up on me. What the heckers?

Movement? Mornings & night. During the day she’s pretty quiet.

What I miss? I can’t see my feet anymore :[

What I'm looking forward to: Receiving my maternity jeans.

Milestones: My birthday :D

23 Weeks 2 Days

23 Weeks 2 Days

What's Laila Up To?

Your little doll-sized babe is about to chub up a bit. Her saggy skin will start to fit her frame as fat deposits fill things out. Beginning this week, she'll start to pack on the pounds (which means you will too!) and by month's end she'll be double the weight she is now (though you won't be — whew!). Right now, your baby's organs and bones are visible through her skin, which has a red hue due to developing veins and arteries beneath. But once those fat deposits settle in, she'll become less transparent.

22 Weeks 2 Days

How far along? 22 weeks 2 days

Weight gain/loss: Around 15 lbs. Up, up & AWAY!

Symptoms: Back aches, constant peeing, I *snissed* (sneezed and peed) for the first time on Saturday. I thought that was bad, but on Sunday, my nipples starting leaking.

Maternity clothes? Still managing to squeeze into my jeans.

Stretch marks? No new ones, just the old ones.

Sleep? I’ve actually been feeling very tired lately.

 

Best moment this week? Justin and I started working on refinishing Laila’s dresser.

Food cravings: Eh. I’ve noticed that I don’t really have cravings, It’s just whatever I see is what I want.

Gender: A beautiful girl.

Belly button in or out? Innie

Movement? I’ve actually been noticing that she doesn’t kick as often as I would like her too but she has some powerful kicks.

What I miss? No pain in my hips, seriously, something is wrong with those things. It must be the way I sleep. I feel like an old lady.

What I'm looking forward to: At this very moment, I’m looking forward to going home and seeing the fabric I ordered to make curtains.

Milestones: None really since my last post. Unless you call snissing and leaking a milestone.

What's Laila Up To?

This week, your baby weighs in at a whopping pound and measures nearly eight inches, about the size of a small doll. But your little doll (who now has eyebrows, eyelashes, and maybe even some hair on that little head) is a living one who can now perceive light and dark. She can also hear your voice, your heartbeat, your gurgling stomach, and the whoosh-whoosh of blood circulating through your body. And as her brain and nerve endings develop, she may reach for her face (or whatever she can reach) just to experiment with her newfound sense of touch.