21 Weeks

The most difficult part of Jonas being sick is the part where he is getting better. Maybe its like this for all parents, I don't know. Two weeks ago Jonas spiked a high fever which continued on for 4 days and was accompanied by a cough. He mostly slept and watched DVD's. Oh and of course he wanted mommy attached the entire time. I got some good rest but was beginning to worry about my lack of movement during those days. I had just had my H1N1 shot the week before and therefor was not fully immune against this influenza if this is indeed what Jonas had. I believe it was H1N1. I don't know how ANY parent can avoid all the coughing, snot and other bodily fluids being thrown in their direction during such an illness - mind you I didn't think too much of it while I took care of him during that week. Lots of love and snuggles, massage, teas, humidifier, juice, Tylenol, vitamins, cold cloths and some homeopathy and Jonas was better within the week. Once he felt better, however, is when things always seem to get tough. He wants to play and tires himself out quickly, he gets cranky. He doesn't eat dinner then wants snacks in bed at night. He is so freakin cranky! On again, off again. We see bits of our little boy and then out comes the psycho dragon.

I can even tell the all patient Jordan wears thin after all of this. As I write, he is still in Jonas's room, laying with him in bed and waiting for him to fall asleep. He's been in there for 1.5 hours with many ups and downs. Its tough. We took shifts tonight. I made dinner, Jordan did some art with Jonas to keep him busy, we sat down to eat, luckily we finished in time to deal with more meltdown which I dealt with for an hour while Jord went to our room and rested (he had a really hectic school day today and got off to a late start - more Jonas drama in the middle of the night and a major accidental sleep in for everyone!). Anyway Jord and I went back and forth a few times to give each other a break and then alas bedtime! phew. There's some honest parent rambling for you! Inspired by Reesh (in a good way!) because as we all know there are some great ups and some serious downs in the work of parenting. But, for me, the most fulfilling experience of my life so far.

These past 2 weeks have gone from having a slight baby bump to having a full on baby bump. All of a sudden I feel huge and I still have 19 weeks left! sheesh! Everything is stretching and I swear baby has had a growth spurt recently. I have gained 3 pounds in about 10 days, so in total I have gained maybe 7 or 8 lbs. It was like this for the last pregnancy as well - none to slow weight gain at the beginning and then much quicker halfway through. I never did write down any numbers and I wish I would have because its nice to know for future reference. I think this stuff can be passed down through genetics. My mom always gained 30 lbs with each pregnancy and her first baby (me) weighed 6 lbs 14 ounces and labour was a back labour - Same as me - Jonas weighed 6 lbs 14 ounces, I had a back labour and in the end I gained between 25 -28 lbs. Same as my mom.

On a side note, a prenatal client I recently had said that her mother had very quick and easy labours for all of her children. Her mom actually came to some of our meetings and talked a bit about her labours. I shared with them that I felt that her daughter would labour just as she had. And you know what? She did, exactly!

So if I have a daughter, I will share with her as much as possible about my own pregnancy and labor and about her grandmothers and I think she will appreciate this knowledge being passed down to her. Maybe it will help to empower her and really trust in her body and all that it can do!!!

I had my regular midwife appointment today which was, as always, really nice. Everything is great and baby measurement is slightly above average (fundal height) which is nothing to be concerned about.

I am making an effort to get back into the yoga now - I have a great Bikram yoga DVD for pregnant women that I really enjoy. I feel so great after I finnish the session and wonder why I don't do it every day. I have not gone back to swimming since the first few times in the first trimester. This is another activity that I will put more of a focus on this Dec. I am no longer as tired so I think its best that I get back to being active.