An Uncomplicated Life Blog: Wednesday Currently: Feeling Grateful

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Wednesday Currently: Feeling Grateful

I haven't done one of these posts in months! I know, you've seen a lot of sponsored content and social media/blogging tips posts around here lately. Let's pause with the tips and tricks and money and get back to what makes a blog fun: talking about life! Currently, I'm feeling pretty grateful.

Last week I had a prenatal appointment to check a whole host of pregnancy issues: I had my gestational diabetes test, an ultrasound to check to see if this baby was going to be breech just like Henry was, a cervix check to see if I was headed down the preterm labor path AGAIN, and the basic weight/blood pressure/etc that they always do.

Focusing on what matters and what you have instead of what you're disappointed about

First off, let's just have a little conversation here. I do NOT understand why women complain so loudly about their gestational diabetes test. Here's what happens: you have to eat a reasonable, protein only breakfast, then not eat for an hour before you drink a special drink they give you. You chug a drink that tastes like extra sweet Powerade. Then a half hour later, they do a quick blood draw. That's it. That's all. But you'd think women were dying when they talk about taking this stupid test!

Maybe I lack sympathy because I had situations go down with Henry that were life threatening to him. Those are the things that are really worth complaining about. Those are the hard things. Chugging a drink and getting pricked with a needle? Not even on my radar as a struggle, problem or concern. It is, however, blaring loud and clear on my "first world problems radar."


I digress... Gratefulness! So I don't have GD, which wasn't a shocker since Otto is sizing exactly at gestational age. But get this: Henry had to come with me since hubs was out of town and it wasn't a preschool day. This little 17 month old sat quietly and watched me get my blood work done! Then he played while we waited for my ultrasound. Then he sat at my feet while I had my ultrasound and clapped his hands at his brother!! Then he ate a snack while my OB checked me out. And then, he fell asleep in the car on the way home and still took a two hour nap. WHAT TODDLER ACTS LIKE THAT? That, friends, is repayment for a hard, difficult, nasty pregnancy with him. I'm sure of it. The appointment took almost two hours, and he was literally perfect the entire time. A toddler. Acting perfect. In public. I cannot even.

Selfie from the morning of the appointment:

If that wasn't awesome enough, and it totally was, Otto is HEAD DOWN! This is entirely unremarkable to most reading this, even to those who've had children/are pregnant. But he was breech up until now. My OB wasn't sure if some medical conditions I have were causing my babies to be breech and told me at the last appointment to mentally prepare for another c section.. I know that anything can still happen, including a c section, but y'all - I've never had a head down baby! My VBAC isn't off the table! Things might go maybe kinda sorta the way I want them to, and if I can get only 5% of what I hope for in Otto's birth I will be a happy, ecstatic woman.

The good news continued: Despite the contractions I've been having, there is not immediate concern for preterm labor -  my cervix is still closed! Again, I'm sure you're like, "Great Paige... Most are at 29 weeks!" or you're all "TMI, dude" over there. But see, I had time-able contractions with Henry right as I entered my third trimester, and for a while there it was looking like he was going to come SUPER early. He stayed put for until 36 weeks, thankfully. But we don't need to worry about a super-premie with Otto! I might even make it to full term. Y'all, if I can have a full term baby, I will do cartwheels into the delivery room. I'll have hubs periscope it if you don't believe me. Promises, promises.

Now do you see why I can't stand people who complain about a friggin gestational diabetes test? That's just the shallow end of the Olympic-sized pool of pregnancy issues I had with Henry, and feared with this pregnancy. So please, next time you want to complain about drinking a lemon-lime sugar water drink, remember that there are women out there with real problems, who would take that drink with all the needle pricks and 100 more if they could just have a pregnancy go well. I'm one of them.

And so far, things are looking GREAT, and currently, I'm feeling so, so grateful for that.

26 comments:

  1. Glad you're feeling great! There's even a further point to this that women some women need to feel blessed that they are even pregnant! I had a friend who had issues getting pregnant for years and I would feel awful when anyone would complain about anything minute about their pregnancy around her.

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  2. So glad that things are going well and that you're feeling great! So many things to be thankful for, big and small...but I think one of the biggest (other than good health) and most amazing is your toddler being so awesome for so long! HUGE!! :)
    You should link this up with jessi and I today

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  3. I was so excited when you told me this. I know how bad you want to bring Otto to term. I'm crossing my fingers (and my legs) for ya! ;)

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  4. I agree, most women act as though they are being taken to the rack when they go to the GD test. I've never experienced it, but you are the first person that has given perspective, haha. So glad everything worked out. You have a fabulous attitude about life and I'm so glad I found your blog :)!

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  5. So happy to hear that things are going well. You have a wonderful outlook on things and it's so refreshing. It's a blessing to be pregnant, so many woman are unable to. People need to me more grateful in general. Glad to hear things are going well.

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  6. Your son looks JUST like you! How sweet :)

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  7. I remember taking the GD drink, it was sugary but i'm used to sweets so nothing too bad.

    Good to hear it's going better than the first time around... and it's always a proud moment when a child behaves extra well!

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  8. Your son is so adorable! Congrats on everything being good for you so far. I hope it continues to go well for you & baby Otto.

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  9. I had GD with both boys. The second test (after you fail the first one) is a bit more of a pain. You drink the drink, like before BUT then you get your blood drawn multiple times in a 3 hour time span.

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  10. Its so good to hear the little guys is head down! Miracles do happen!

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  11. It's so awesome to hear so many good things happening for you! I hope they continue on that way!

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  12. Yay for Otto being head down! Let's hope he stays that way. And good for Henry for being such a well mannered boy for you that day. Makes up for the days they act like crazy people.

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  13. That's great news! Glad to hear everything is going so well. And I cannot believe how good Henry was! That is pretty amazing for a two-year-old.

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  14. I totally can relate; after going through a year of chemo treatments when people complain about head colds or getting shots I'm like.....really? Haha, I need to remind myself that not everyone has the same battles as me so I shouldn't complain or compare! I'm so glad your appointment went well!

    xo, Chelsie @ Life with Rosie

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  15. I'm so happy that so many good things are happening!

    xx Chelsea
    www.organizedmessblog.com

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  16. So happy to hear that baby boy is where he needs to be and even happier that henry did you proud for your appointment! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  17. I am happy to hear you are having a wonderful pregnancy, its truly a miracle! Just wanted to say be careful how you come across with some of these posts, while the test in hindsight is not a big deal,for some it is. I always fainted when it came time to take these tests and my veins were almost always impossible to get to. It would take a long time for me to wake back up and feel normal the rest of the day. Even though I followed all the orders and ate a good protein breakfast it was still rough on me. Let alone some women have to do the 3 hour one. We all handle things a different way and to some people its a huge battle while to others its nothing. We shouldn't knock other moms down because we may dread these test or can't handle them as great as others. We each have our own pain tolerance. Again I am thrilled for you and that Otto is head down, its such a relief to come out of those appointments with good news!

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  18. Glad to hear that pregnancy is turning out lovely this time around! no GD, baby head down, cervix sealed tight AND a well behaved then sleeping toddler? All individually great reasons to be grateful, combined you should be over the moon!

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  19. yayyy congrats girl!
    so i honestly thought the GD test was something super crazy the way women complain about it. thanks for clearing it up. i HATE powerade so i will probably complain if it tastes anything like that.. but seriously, like you said... first world problems ;)
    also, Henry is a fabulous kid because you are a fabulous parent. Duh ;) but seriously, that is so fabulous that Otto is head down. and yay for no super premie!! i want to see those cartwheels if you make it to full term. I can't even do a cartwheel as is right now so that will be super entertaining :)

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  20. Couldn't agree more with you on the GD test...seriously, it's NOT that bad! If you keep in perspective that it's literally a tiny window of time involving a slightly syrupy drink...you''ll live, lol! So glad to hear that you're doing well. Keep up the great work momma!

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  22. As the daughter of a mom who had a lot of pregnancy issues I am so glad you're pregnancy with this new blessing is going so well so far! Fingers crossed for a wonderful rest of your term! Also, Otto is the cutest and such a good boy for sitting so well! Definitely deserves a treat :)
    http://figuringoutmyeverafter.com

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  23. So happy to hear the good news!!! Your OB is willing to do a VBAC? That is amazing! Florida is the most sue happy state that I don't think you'd be able to find anybody who would even talk about it. It's terrible. Your little man was on his A game today! He knew that it's time to step up and be the big brother ;-)

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  24. I have not been pregnant now, however I am so happy the pregnancy is going good for you! It is a relief when you hear everything is going okay. Henry is an amazing toddler for staying so good so long, and especially in a public appointment setting. congrates!

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  25. When I was in high school, my doctor momentarily suspected that I had diabetes (false alarm thankfully) so she ordered a blood sugar test. I remember the drink was like super sweet orange soda and I remember the worst part was waiting around the boring doctor's office. I'm not someone who has a fear of needles at all (I let my best friend practice inserting IV's in my arm when she was in nursing school) so it wasn't a big deal at all to me. I was surprised to hear some women say their gestational diabetes test was so difficult. I kept thinking that they must have had some horrible experience because I remembered it being no sweat. Hmm. Different strokes, I guess? Glad to hear your pregnancy is going more smoothly this time around! My friends who've had multiple babies have all kind of said the same thing, that each one is different. Fingers crossed you can avoid that C-section! Rootin' for your uterus over here! HAHAHA!

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  26. So glad to hear everything is going well (and a lot smoother than your last pregnancy)! Amazing that your little boy behaved so well at your appt!

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