PuddleMamam went in for her now bi-weekly baby appointment today. Without giving TMI (although based on the rest of my blog I'm way past the point of restraint) we discussed some "concerns" with my favorite doctor so far, Dr. Woo (woo woo!)
Dr. Woo inspired confidence that everything was healthy and normal. He also was more vocal about what he was doing and why, which was comforting to me (or I would think to anyone who is watching another man feel around his wife in places that are usually off-limits, even to the best of friends.) Dr. Woo warned us that he "measures larger than his colleagues" (which can be taken a couple of ways, but if taken in the "size doesn't matter" way is still not all that impressive since all of his colleagues at our clinic are female.) He was referring to measuring a part of PuddleMama's belly of course, which he measured at 36 cm (right about where it should be.) This was a whopping 8cm larger than two weeks ago (but like I said he did warn us about being larger.) And it's not all that surprising since I hear on a daily basis from PuddleMama "I think I'm way bigger today than yesterday."
The heartbeat was in the 140's, and I also appreciated Dr. Woo letting use hear the heartbeat for probably longer than medically necessary, and even holding the speaker over his shoulder so I could hear it better (woo woo!) As always, that was amazing!
One more note, up to this point I have been telling people "the first week of March" as the due date because using the calendar menstruational period method we arrive at March 1, and using the ultrasound method we arrive at March 9th. Dr. Woo explained the ultrasound method is much more accurate, and because of PuddleMama's longer cycle length (okay, if I was trying to avoid TMI in this post I just failed miserably) March 9th is a much better target. So instead of launching into an rambling explanation every time I hear the question "When is PuddleMama due?" I'm just going to say "March 9th." It's official.
And finally- a teaser. Check back soon as a user-involved competition will be going up soon. And I promise prizes for the winners and excitement for all!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
January Showers Bring March Babies
Our wonerful family and friends are throwing PuddleBaby a number of showers over the next month or so. There is even rumour of a beer tasting baby shower, which is one of the more brilliant ideas I've ever heard with regards to baby showers.
The first shower is scheduled in Duluth in a few weeks. I wanted to share the invite to the shower, because I thought it was great! And don't you think it will be fun for PuddleBaby to someday see the original invite to their very own shower?
The first shower is scheduled in Duluth in a few weeks. I wanted to share the invite to the shower, because I thought it was great! And don't you think it will be fun for PuddleBaby to someday see the original invite to their very own shower?
Saturday, January 10, 2009
GD, we're going to kick your a$$!
PuddleMama and I went to see the specialist on GD last Thursday. The Doc actually had quite a good bed-side manner and provided a plethora of good information. Here is what PuddleMama has to do everyday:
1. Take a pee test in the morning: This is to make sure she is getting *enough* carbohydrates and the body doesn't begin to break down protein. This is kinda like a HPT (see previous blog rant) but even worse in that you have to expose the stick for *exactly* 15 seconds. Also, unlike an HPT a positive result is not cause to jump up and down and scream "We're going to have a baby!" Instead, you get a sad frown on your face and worry about proteins breaking down. Both positive tests do, however, result in a trip to the doctor.
2. Test blood sugar levels four times a day: PuddleMama has a little machine that pricks her finger and then tests the blood sugar level. In the morning, PuddleMama needs to be under 95. One hour after breakfast, lunch, and dinner, she has to be under 130. So far so good, with only one morning test coming in slightly above where it should be. PuddleMama is getting better at pricking her finger already. The second time she was doing it she was replacing the "lancet" and didn't even get the lancet into the machine before accidentally pricking herself. Who needs a machine to bleed?!
3. Watch the diet: PuddleMama has to watch carbohydrates intake. She is doing an unbelievable job with this, and I am very impressed with her discipline. On a related note, PuddleDaddy hates wheat spaghetti. Eick.
We go back in about two weeks to discuss her progress with the doctor, and are hoping the above three steps are enough to control the condition.
1. Take a pee test in the morning: This is to make sure she is getting *enough* carbohydrates and the body doesn't begin to break down protein. This is kinda like a HPT (see previous blog rant) but even worse in that you have to expose the stick for *exactly* 15 seconds. Also, unlike an HPT a positive result is not cause to jump up and down and scream "We're going to have a baby!" Instead, you get a sad frown on your face and worry about proteins breaking down. Both positive tests do, however, result in a trip to the doctor.
2. Test blood sugar levels four times a day: PuddleMama has a little machine that pricks her finger and then tests the blood sugar level. In the morning, PuddleMama needs to be under 95. One hour after breakfast, lunch, and dinner, she has to be under 130. So far so good, with only one morning test coming in slightly above where it should be. PuddleMama is getting better at pricking her finger already. The second time she was doing it she was replacing the "lancet" and didn't even get the lancet into the machine before accidentally pricking herself. Who needs a machine to bleed?!
3. Watch the diet: PuddleMama has to watch carbohydrates intake. She is doing an unbelievable job with this, and I am very impressed with her discipline. On a related note, PuddleDaddy hates wheat spaghetti. Eick.
We go back in about two weeks to discuss her progress with the doctor, and are hoping the above three steps are enough to control the condition.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year everyone, with the emphasis on "new!" PuddleMama and I are going to have may new experiences this year, and if you haven't noticed we are so excited to meet the new little Puddle (have I said that before?)
The holidays were fabulous, and filled with family and friendships and all the kinds of experiences that make us truly happy. As great as it was, I kept thinking about having all those experiences with a little dude or dudette running around! Spending time with our parents really emphasized the change of roles ahead, and I know it will be difficult but that will never (nor should it) temper my excitement!
I'm already looking forward to the sausage and beer that will be left for Santa (that's how the Kleczka's do it- forget milk and cookies.) PuddleMama says we have to leave carrots for the reindeer too. "Tradition" this holiday season means not only the meaningful history in our families, but also thinking about the new traditions we will start with our growing family.
Anyway, enough of that gobbley-gook- on to the important question. PuddleMama's belly-button is *still* an innie. It has been stretching a bit lately, and I have been threatening to attempt to pop it out while PuddleMama is sleeping. I don't think it would take that much. I really want to see it pop.
PuddleMama is going in to the "specialist" on GD on Thursday. We hopefully will learn a little more information on how to manage the condition and keep everyone as healthy as can be. PuddleMama has been doing absolutely awesome watching what she eats, and even lost 3 pounds last month (which to her chagrin the nurse blamed on being weighed on a different scale at the doctor's office.) PuddleBaby has grown though and is right where he/she should be, so don't worry about that.
A final note- my pop offered a name suggestion tonight: Seamus. Thanks dad, did you happen to read the FAQ? Really- Seamus? Seamus The Kleczka. Actually...... not.... too.... bad.
The holidays were fabulous, and filled with family and friendships and all the kinds of experiences that make us truly happy. As great as it was, I kept thinking about having all those experiences with a little dude or dudette running around! Spending time with our parents really emphasized the change of roles ahead, and I know it will be difficult but that will never (nor should it) temper my excitement!
I'm already looking forward to the sausage and beer that will be left for Santa (that's how the Kleczka's do it- forget milk and cookies.) PuddleMama says we have to leave carrots for the reindeer too. "Tradition" this holiday season means not only the meaningful history in our families, but also thinking about the new traditions we will start with our growing family.
Anyway, enough of that gobbley-gook- on to the important question. PuddleMama's belly-button is *still* an innie. It has been stretching a bit lately, and I have been threatening to attempt to pop it out while PuddleMama is sleeping. I don't think it would take that much. I really want to see it pop.
PuddleMama is going in to the "specialist" on GD on Thursday. We hopefully will learn a little more information on how to manage the condition and keep everyone as healthy as can be. PuddleMama has been doing absolutely awesome watching what she eats, and even lost 3 pounds last month (which to her chagrin the nurse blamed on being weighed on a different scale at the doctor's office.) PuddleBaby has grown though and is right where he/she should be, so don't worry about that.
A final note- my pop offered a name suggestion tonight: Seamus. Thanks dad, did you happen to read the FAQ? Really- Seamus? Seamus The Kleczka. Actually...... not.... too.... bad.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
GD
Last Tuesday PuddleMama took a screening test for Gestational Diabetes. The screening returned a higher than normal level of sugar in the blood, and so we had an extended test on Friday. Unfortunately, the results show that PuddleMama has Gestational Diabetes (GD.)
I won't go into depth on this posting about the details, but here is a brief summary. The placenta in pregnant women blocks the natural production of insulin. Pregnant women may need to make up to three times the normal amount of insulin to keep all blood levels normal. In some pregnant women, the body isn't able to keep up with this increased demand, and the result is GD.
GD has several negative affects on the mama and baby. Increased risk of diabetes for both mother and child exist later in life, the baby can be "big" because its getting too much sugar (the baby loves Gummies already- just like it's mama) which could cause labor difficulties, and the baby is at an increased risk for jaundice and breathing issues because the little stinker's kidneys are working harder than they should be.
Fortunately, the condition is very treatable and the diagnosis will help us keep everyone healthy. Here is a link I found on GD if you want to read a bit more about it:
http://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes.jsp
We don't meet with a specialist until early January, but the interwebs has given us some reassuring information. We are planning to eat healthier and track intake. Diet and exercise can in most cases control the issue.
It's of course troubling to both PuddleMama and I, but we still are grateful that in the big scheme of things it could be a lot worse.
On a more positive note, I felt (and even saw) the biggest kick ever this morning. PuddleBaby is going to be a NFL kicker, I know it.
I won't go into depth on this posting about the details, but here is a brief summary. The placenta in pregnant women blocks the natural production of insulin. Pregnant women may need to make up to three times the normal amount of insulin to keep all blood levels normal. In some pregnant women, the body isn't able to keep up with this increased demand, and the result is GD.
GD has several negative affects on the mama and baby. Increased risk of diabetes for both mother and child exist later in life, the baby can be "big" because its getting too much sugar (the baby loves Gummies already- just like it's mama) which could cause labor difficulties, and the baby is at an increased risk for jaundice and breathing issues because the little stinker's kidneys are working harder than they should be.
Fortunately, the condition is very treatable and the diagnosis will help us keep everyone healthy. Here is a link I found on GD if you want to read a bit more about it:
http://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes.jsp
We don't meet with a specialist until early January, but the interwebs has given us some reassuring information. We are planning to eat healthier and track intake. Diet and exercise can in most cases control the issue.
It's of course troubling to both PuddleMama and I, but we still are grateful that in the big scheme of things it could be a lot worse.
On a more positive note, I felt (and even saw) the biggest kick ever this morning. PuddleBaby is going to be a NFL kicker, I know it.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Names
On our way up to Duluth for a family Thanksgiving with my folks and brothers PuddleMama and I began to discuss a few potentail names for PuddleBaby. Well, I'm not going to share any of the favorites, but after throwing back names for an hour the conversation began to degrade to names of whatever we saw on the road: "Fir Tree Kleczka", "Stop Sign Kleczka", "Giant Voyageur Kleczka", etc. You get the idea. We were also inspired by the thought that the babies name should reflect something significant from our pasts. I thought I'd share some of the "better" ones:
Boof Kleczka: This was the only name that the baby actually kicked PuddleMama hard when I said (or shouted...) obviously meaning PuddleBaby loved the name (PuddleMama thought that it was displeasure with the name instead of excitement. Pish.)
Old Mexico Kleczka: Old Mexico (the restaurant) has a solid place in family history already, as both the site of our wedding rehearsal dinner and also the lucky spot where PuddleMama first took the positive pregnancy test for PuddleBaby. Yes, she took the test at Old Mexico (Walgreens had no public bathrooms, but that's okay- I much prefer Old Mexico Kleczka to Walgreens Kleczka.)
Cabo San Lucas Kleczka: Where we took our honeymoon.
Ted Splendid Splinter Kleczka: See previous blog post (if you don't know what I'm talking about here is a hint- look at the blog posts labeled with the "Photos" keyword.
Pacarrie Kleczka: Celebrity couple name, appropriate for a female PuddleBaby.
Capaul Kleczka: Celebrity couple name, appropriate for a male PuddleBaby.
Clancy Kleczka: Kinda like a reverse Indiana Jones scenario.
The Kleczka: Props to my oldest PuddleBrother for this suggestion. Brilliant. "The" also could be a middle appropriate for just about any first name (i.e. "Pacarrie the Kleczka.")
There ya have it. Send me any "suggestions" for names, and I promise PuddleMama and I will take it very seriously.
Oh, on an unrelated note- PuddleMama signed us up for a baby class and a breast-feeding class. She sent me Outlook calendar invites so that my boss knows not to schedule any important meetings during breasty time. The classes aren't till January, but you can start looking forward to a few "explicit" blog posts right now.
Boof Kleczka: This was the only name that the baby actually kicked PuddleMama hard when I said (or shouted...) obviously meaning PuddleBaby loved the name (PuddleMama thought that it was displeasure with the name instead of excitement. Pish.)
Old Mexico Kleczka: Old Mexico (the restaurant) has a solid place in family history already, as both the site of our wedding rehearsal dinner and also the lucky spot where PuddleMama first took the positive pregnancy test for PuddleBaby. Yes, she took the test at Old Mexico (Walgreens had no public bathrooms, but that's okay- I much prefer Old Mexico Kleczka to Walgreens Kleczka.)
Cabo San Lucas Kleczka: Where we took our honeymoon.
Ted Splendid Splinter Kleczka: See previous blog post (if you don't know what I'm talking about here is a hint- look at the blog posts labeled with the "Photos" keyword.
Pacarrie Kleczka: Celebrity couple name, appropriate for a female PuddleBaby.
Capaul Kleczka: Celebrity couple name, appropriate for a male PuddleBaby.
Clancy Kleczka: Kinda like a reverse Indiana Jones scenario.
The Kleczka: Props to my oldest PuddleBrother for this suggestion. Brilliant. "The" also could be a middle appropriate for just about any first name (i.e. "Pacarrie the Kleczka.")
There ya have it. Send me any "suggestions" for names, and I promise PuddleMama and I will take it very seriously.
Oh, on an unrelated note- PuddleMama signed us up for a baby class and a breast-feeding class. She sent me Outlook calendar invites so that my boss knows not to schedule any important meetings during breasty time. The classes aren't till January, but you can start looking forward to a few "explicit" blog posts right now.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Who we mourning? (and other tidbits)
Well more than one of you has chided me for a lack of posts lately. I have no excuses, and hope the four of you out there who actually read this blog didn't give up on me (well, I know PuddleMama, PuddleMama's mama, and my mama didn't give up, so if anyone else is reading this.... Thanks!)
I've been creating a lot of documentation, presentation type material at work the past few weeks, and by far my favorite tool of this type of trade is the bullet-pointed list. In fact, I just modified my profile and added "bullet-pointed lists" to my interests (right between baseball and cigars.)
So in that vein, I figured I'd catch everyone up (all four of you) on the latest developments using.... a bullet-pointed list. Here we go:
I've been creating a lot of documentation, presentation type material at work the past few weeks, and by far my favorite tool of this type of trade is the bullet-pointed list. In fact, I just modified my profile and added "bullet-pointed lists" to my interests (right between baseball and cigars.)
So in that vein, I figured I'd catch everyone up (all four of you) on the latest developments using.... a bullet-pointed list. Here we go:
- Latest prenatal appointment was yesterday. Everything looked good. Apparently the placenta is a little low, but is not enough of a concern to even warrant another ultrasound (a low placenta could potentially cover PuddleBaby's escape route come evacuation time requiring a c-section type rescue, but this is a long shot.)
- Next appointment PuddleMama has to drink "glucola" before a Gestational Diabetes test. The term "glucola" tickled our funny bones, which registered a blank stare from the nurse. Not to be denied, PuddleMama asked the nurse if "glucola" came in diet (without aspartame of course.) The blank stare continued. Carrie and I hope we get the other nurse next time.
- I FELT THE BABY MOVE! Last weekend at my brother's house I was falling asleep with my arm across PuddleMama's belly. I felt a definite kick on my forearm, and the next night I felt another kick. PuddleMama can even *see* her belly move occasionally now, although I haven't seen this alien experience yet.
- PuddleMama was contemplating a belly photo shoot yesterday. If I convince her to show her beautiful belly I'll be sure to post it on the Internet immediately. Immediately.
- PuddleMama says goodbye to me every morning before she leaves. I tell her to spin around and I tell her how beautiful she is and I fall back asleep. I'm usually about 3/4 asleep and the room is dark, but I noticed this morning that I couldn't remember seeing her in any color other than black lately. I asked her today if she was mourning someone, and if so why wasn't I made aware of this sooner. She told me black was slimming, which is probably why people still refuse to give up their seats on the bus for her. If you ask me, having a big belly when you are pregnant is ideal, and I wish PuddleMama just wore tight tank tops every day.
- Speaking of, PuddleMama is deathly afraid her belly-button will turn into an outie. It is trending that direction, but so far the turkey-timer has not popped. If it does, I will update the blog immediately. Immediately.
- We visited our good friends and their month old baby tonight, and were greeted with a bunch of poop stories.
- Dang their baby was cute though. I held her for awhile (don't worry, I was sitting the whole time and I didn't move a muscle) and looking at those tiny TINY fingernails for some reason made me so excited for every moment of PuddleBaby's life.
- Except for the poop stuff.
- I was considering a post "Pregnant Lady at Thanksgiving" in the same light as "Pregnant Lady at the State Fair" but I think this bullet-point will provide the appropriate image, and besides, I'm still trying to convince PuddleMama to do that belly shot.
- Warning: Shameless plug. We registered at Target and Babies 'R Us.
- Registering at Babies 'R Us made me feel like I was joining a cult. The 20 minute registering to register session (initiation) was creepy, and the suggestion to register for over 200 items (to make sure the shower guests all had something to buy) was downright laughable after registering for approximately 30 items in 3 hours at Target.
- Don't worry, none of the bullet-pointed lists I create at work have this many bullets, or this much detail per bullet. I just felt in my very own blog I could splurge.
- I'm a bit disappointed that I've only seen two user-filed comments on my blog, and one of those I removed because it was a spam-bot posted advertisement for a personal dating site. I'm not sure I can count that as reader number five....
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