Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Baby's First International Trip

On Sunday evening (2/8) Jon and I returned from the Dominican Republic after a week of sun, sand, Mamajuana (a Dominican drink that Jon enjoyed lots of) and most importantly, my brother Andrew's wedding. It was also the baby's first trip overseas and from the activity going on inside my belly, he certainly seemed to enjoy himself. During the wedding and at other various points during our vacation, there was loud music playing and there was a dance party going on inside of me. Blueberry was having his own little rave in there. I can just picture him now with miniature glow sticks or challenging somebody to a dance battle. Traveling to an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean while pregnant (especially 6 months pregnant) definitely had its ups and downs:

Positives:
  • I had a valid reason why I did not look good in my bathing suit
  • I didn't feel guilty eating dessert at dinner
  • I was able to exceed the 8 glasses of water a day quota as water is pretty much all I drank
  • I got to lie around on a lounge chair and have people bring me food and drinks
  • I got to spend some quality time with my family and friends and actually remember the conversations that we had
  • I learned the Spanish word for pregnant (Embarazada)
  • I learned the baby really reacts to loud music and likes to party at night
  • I got to see my brother get married to the love of his life and welcome a new sister (officially) to the family
Negatives:
  • It is not fun to watch everyone around you drink non-stop for a week while you sip on a bottle of water (I really used to enjoy my cocktails)
  • If you are pregnant and go to the Ocean Blue Resort understand that they will not let you go snorkeling, fishing or have a massage. Be prepared to sit around and do nothing
  • I saw what happens to pregnant feet once they meet humidity and salty foods (it wasn't pretty)
Quickly going back to the drinking and not being able to do much of anything thing - there were a number of people who said "yes, they can all drink and go to the disco and go fishing, but in the end YOU get to have a baby." Let me just tell you, while I am more excited for this little boy than anything that I have been in my life, when everyone else is whooping it up and you are laying on a lounge chair with your balloon-like feet propped up telling me that I get to push a person out of a very small, private place does not sound like a consolation prize. I am pretty sure that as the others were enjoying their all-inclusive drinks or getting a relaxing massage they weren't thinking "Gee, if only I could trade this delightful fruity beverage for the chance to give birth. That lucky Joslyn with her elephantitus of the feet. I guess I will just have to get another cocktail to drown my sorrows."

Anyway...

I am now almost 26 weeks along and close to my third and final trimester. Soon enough my crazy little dance machine will be gracing us with his presence. Am I even close to prepared? No.

According to BabyCenter.com at 26 weeks Blueberry (or Soybean as he has been so nicknamed by his "Unc" - my brother-in-law Tom) now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. The network of nerves in his ears are better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both mine and Jon's voices as we chat with each other. He's also inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. Also, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days. (I'm not going to lie- that's kind of gross). Next week I head to the doctor for my glucose test, sign a bunch of consent forms and start meeting other doctor's in the practice. Then for the next couple of months I will be going to the doctor every two weeks until my last month when I will be there every week.

A few photos:
Preggo bridesmaid


Jon and his catch

Bride and Groom before their first dance


Me and Jon (soon to be Mom and Dad)

The family at dinner

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

It is written: I shall be called Unc. So let it be written, so let it be done.

What is Blueberry up to?