Pregnancy Woes

The whole thing with gestational diabetes has taken an interesting turn. I went to the dr last week, and found not only had I lost 3 lbs, I had ketones in my urine.

From Wikipedia:

"Ketone bodies are three water-soluble compounds that are produced as by-products when fatty acids are broken down for energy in the liver and kidney. They are used as a source of energy in the heart and brain. In the brain, they are a vital source of energy during fasting"

It happens when either: too much insulin is produced and the cells cant get glucose, or you aren't eating enough calories , and your body turns fat to energy. The diet Ive been on is 2000 calories a day to control my blood sugar....apparently too strict. So I was told to eat more, but not told how to go about it. The I was told I still have to keep my blood sugar in the same range, but still do it with more calories. Grrrrrr...if I keep losing weight by the next dr's apt, who knows what the will do. So I have been still measuring all my portions, I haven't had caffeine in weeks, and I can smell sugar a mile away. But here is something worthwhile: a sneak preview of my baby Zane:

midweek update

It has been a long week already and, the week truly hasn't started yet . Fighting with the hotel over the party, talking to a lot of guests, getting the DJ squared away. Tomorrow begins the first of two straight days of medical crap, first with a critical Dr.s apt., then Thursday with a 3 hour diabetes class at the hospital. Friday will be a travel day, which will be pretty gruelling, and technically, forbidden by my Dr. ( no travel over 1 hour ANYWHERE). Adult oriented baby shower on sat, as well as party, both on top of brunch with the family. Sun. to travel home, recuperate, and get Daniel ready for next week. Whew....

Well Well..McCain's big surprise

I am not the worlds earliest riser; I'm a stay at home mom now, so I don't have to be (until the baby insists I become one ). So I didn't get the news about John McCain's choice of running mate until noonish. Surprise Surprise.
To me, Sarah Palin is a confusing, if ballsy, choice. McCain supporters have been bitching about Obama's lack of experience for months, then picks a candidate with less experience? Palin does have a maverick reputation, but is this woman ready to drag her life and family into the often brutal world of national politics? Is this choice really going to help lure Hilary's female supporters over to the Republican side, who wanted a candidate with experience to begin with? This all seems pretty dicey, and desperate, to me. Did Obama's speech shake McCain so badly? As I told my husband this morning, I have been waiting for one of the parties to misstep,and this might be it.
The amusing thing is seeing how the local white male populace handles this. Because, what is the worst threat to an older white male in the south: a woman, or a black man? My father in law, who falls into this category, is shaking his head. So is the rest of them. Good, I say. They need this little cultural shake up.

Obama's Cotillion speech

"But the record's clear: John McCain has voted with George Bush 90 percent of the time. Senator McCain likes to talk about judgment, but really, what does it say about your judgment when you think George Bush has been right more than ninety percent of the time? I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to take a ten percent chance on change." Barack Obama

This is one of my favorite quotes from the entire speech. Obama needed to go into tonight's speech and give details on how he plans to run this country, and answer McCain's criticisms. He masterfully did both, in my humble opinion. He defined what he intended to for the economy, foreign relations, and the environment. Kudos to you , Barack, I applaud you.
I admit, I really wasn't that excited about him choosing Biden as a running mate (He of famed foot-in-mouth disease gaffs of the past). But, you can't accuse Biden of being wishy washy. And since change is what Obama intends, after some thought on it, getting away from the Clintons was probably the best thing he could do . I love Hilary and it still smarts she didn't make it, but that's ok, she probably will be Senate Majority Leader eventually.:)
So now I get to watch the Republican convention. I didn't say it wouldn't be without difficulty; trying to swallow vomit and listen to republican rhetoric at the same time is a challenge. But you cant say I'm not fair.

Gestational diabetes, or, a big pain in my ass

I couldn't wait for the phone call, so my dumb ass had to call the doctor's office myself. I failed half my 3 hour gestational diabetes test. The test is simple, but boring. You go in, drink a pint of stuff that tastes like really sweet Hawaiian Punch, then get your blood tested every hour for 3 hours. My fasting blood sugar was 2 points too high, hour 1 was 210, hour 2 was 240, then hour 3 was 100. So I kinda sorta have Gestational diabetes, which is kinda sorta like being pregnant: you are or you aren't. So, I wait for another call from my doctor tomorrow to tell me I have to go to the Diabetes educator at the local hospital to be told not to eat sugar. On top of spotting, no weight gain, NO SEX, and being of an "advanced maternal age" ( I would rather be of a 'certain' age), I have diabetes to ponder over-with 10 weeks to go.
Lovely...

Swing Parties, the agony and the ecstasy

In the middle of all the chaos of pregnancy and life in general, we are planning a swing party for our swing group. Yes, even though we live in one of the most (to put this generously) conservative areas in the South, we have a fairly active online swing club. It had been running quite smoothly, with minimal drama, for about 3 years now. Membership is about 400 people. So, we are trying to get one more party in before I am permanently grounded from travel.
Planning one of these get togethers is really no different than planning a vanilla party, but there are a few challenges. Location is the worst. Most hotels don't relish the idea of 150 half naked, quite possibly drunken people running around the property. Good security and diplomatic skills are a must, as in, "Everyone must have genitals covered before they leave the party room!!". Interpersonal skills can be challenged, since we have a "no MEANS no" policy which is tested when you have drunk people who don't take rejection well acting out their frustration.
Luckily, we have a good group where most trouble makers have been weeded out. So it should be a rip roaring good time for all.

Yes Im Pregnant

As of this past Saturday, I am 29 weeks pregnant. Our son is set to make his grand entrance in November, the day before my husband's birthday. He swears he's hanging me upside down until his birthday, then turning me right side up to insure the proper shared birthday with his son (hehe good luck with that honey). Yes, for Appalachia, I am old to be breeding my first child. My hus is 35, I am 37. I feel like Grandma Moses at the OB/GYN visits. I have read other "mommy" blogs, and I can assure you with reasonable certainty this blog will not be one of them. I believe that a child enhances ones life, but should not take it over. I am unique individual giving birth to a unique individual. Thus, I wont post every time I change a diaper (you are welcome).
This pregnancy, because of my "Advanced Maternal Age" has not been without issues. I will keep you reasonably posted on my and my son's condition in upcoming posts-as I get a swift kick to the bladder as a reminder on how unique an individual he is.....