28 weeks + 1 day

Packing, moving and playing house is so very exhausting! And that is my excuse for being late for posting this week's weekly update. I am insanely grateful that we have all of our crap stuff in one place, now I just need to see how I can manage to get it all straightened out. I have been cleaning, organizing and moving things around to try to get us into a more organized living space. It's slowly getting there!

This new place is ~35m2 (with stairs) bigger than our apartment, but it sure does seem like we have less space. Mostly, I think it is just a matter of getting used to the new layout and the differences between new spaces compared to old spaces. I do know the kitchen has less cupboard space than the previous place, which is a bummer because I love being in my kitchen, but I'll manage. If anything, this will be a great opportunity to get rid of extra stuff we don't really need.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: Still hanging in there at 77kilos this week. The neuvola nurse did say I should start watching what I eat a little bit (meaning less sweets) as I am most likely still going to gain more weight in this last stretch.

Maternity Clothes: I really really should find a couple of maternity shirts. Most of my regular shirts just aren't long enough anymore and I don't like my tummy hanging out. Plus, I really need to get the clothes sorted out before heading back to work next week's Tuesday or I won't have any appropriate things to wear.

Stretch marks: None yet, although I'm thinking I'll have an outtie bellybutton very soon (eeew!).

Sleep: Still not getting enough sleep, but most of it is due to a stuffed nose and allergies. I do get a bit uncomfortable if I lay on one side for too long, but rolling over helps that. Although, to roll over, I do have to semi-wake up because it isn't as easy as it used to be.

Movement: I thoroughly enjoy it when Paxlet wiggles. It's so much fun knowing that he is in there wiggling around, growing bigger and stronger. Paxlet has kicked me a couple of times quite hard this last week. One time I was laying in bed on my right side when he kicked me, which made my body wiggle! Another time my elbow/arm was resting on my tummy right where Paxlet happened to kick and my entire hand/arm wiggle. I love it!

Cravings/Aversions: Nothing lately. Still liking my sweets, though.

Gender: It's a boy!!

Symptoms: I had my first of swollen ankles! Although, I think that had more to do with the very late night (3 am) and lots of moving around to get our old place packed than it did of pregnancy.

I'm still getting some quick sharp pangs in my lower tummy and pubic area now and then, but nothing that lasts more than a quick sec. I still don't believe I've had any Braxton hicks.

What I miss: Not having a tummy in the way of things. Haha, I know! That's what a healthy pregnancy is about, so really, it isn't a complaint, but more of an observance. 

What I look forward to: The rest of my holiday time. I don't have to be back at work until Tuesday. And then I work the rest of that week, the whole of the next week and then I have another week off. After that, I only have 2,5 weeks (at most) before I start my maternity leave! Time is flying by.

I'm very much looking forward to the baby shower my friends are throwing me in two weeks! I need to get the downstairs of our new place in presentable order before then...

Moods: I've been feeling quite good, if a bit stressed from the moving. Thankfully Mr Siili and I managed quite well and didn't bite each others' head off too badly. Although, I do hate it when he tells me I'm in a bad mood, when I completely wasn't until he did or said something stupid and wouldn't let it go. After that I am in a bad mood.

Milestones: Paxlet is the size of an eggplant still, yet again! When's this kid gonna grow some more? He has grown in weight though. This week Paxlet weights as much as a head of kiinankaali aka Chinese cabbage or bok choy (I learned something new! I didn't know bok choy was the same as Chinese cabbage and vice versa. I have always just known the Finnish name for it and thus the directly translated name.), which is about 1 kilo (2,2 lbs).

Medical concerns: Being able to breathe is a good thing! My nose was still so stuffed up at the end of last week that I went to the doctor again, this time asking about a sinus infection. No signs of a sinus infection were found, but the doctor gave me some antibiotics just in case. Sometimes my nose is just fine and other times it is so 'stucked' that I have a hard time breathing even while awake.

It isn't such a wonder why I am having such a bad time with allergies this year. Sure, part of it could be because of the pregnancy and not being able to use my known to work medications, but there are so many others I know that don't normally have any sort of allergies that are having problems too. I read that this year is the worst count of birch pollen there has been in the last 30 years!! 

It hasn't rained in the last few days, so I think that is why my allergies and stuffiness is getting worse again. However, it's supposed to start raining today and carry on for the next several days. Cheers to a lot of the birch pollen being washed away!

I had my diabetes test on Monday and I still have the bruises to show for it. I got the results back today at my neuvola appointment. (See, something good came out of me posting this only today instead of yesterday: you didn't have to wait a week to find out the results.) I passed the test with flying colors and there is no sign of diabetes.

My hemoglobin has also gone back up to a normal range (120 this time instead of 109 like last time). So, I'll continue to randomly take iron capsules to keep it there. 

Sex?: I've given up on the idea of a crazy sex drive during this pregnancy. We'll just have to do with what we've got. ;)

Misc: I've been slowly reading Fifty Shades of Grey during this last week. I don't get too many pages read before I start passing out from exhaustion, but it has been a fun read so far.

The sauna in our new place doesn't have enough rocks in it to cover the heating unit so we haven't been able to break it in yet. That makes me sad. Hopefully the site building manager will bring enough rocks tomorrow when he comes to check on a few other (minor) things we've noticed that are not quite right about the place so that we can go to sauna in the evening!!

Yesterday was first day since we moved that I woke up without insanely sore calves. It's going to take a while to get used to having stairs.

This week's bump pictures can be seen in the Paxlet Pictures tab.
So I've been very bad and still haven't uploaded the picture from last week. It is taken and still on the camera. And I still need to get this week's taken...and then put both up. I just don't know where the clothes are that I've been wearing every week. If I can't find them today, I'll just have to find something else for this week's picture.

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We're moved

It's be a long and exhausting weekend, but all of our stuff is in the new place. The old place has been cleaned and now it's time to get the new place clean and in order.
We had a great group of friends helping us move. We definitely would not have been able to do it without them. Mr Siili's organized-ness worked very well (and we both managed to work together very well with minimal bickering). Everyone was impressed that it only took about 5 hours to get the bulk if things moved on Saturday. Although we did do some minor moving Friday and Sunday.
We've slept in our new place 4 times, but only 2 nights. It doesn't quite feel like home yet, rather more like we are at a summer cottage, as Mr Siili said.
I'm very thankful to have this week off from work. I hope to get lots done around our place, but also find a bit of time to relax and sleep. Sleep especially. I'm so tired!
Right this instant I'm waiting to be called back for the diabetes test.
(Posted on the go from my phone.)

27 weeks + 1 day

Another week where I'm a day late posting my weekly update. Life happens and so we move on. Yesterday I was just so insanely and utterly tired that I couldn't be bothered to even try to blog. I didn't get much sleep the night before (in bed and semi-asleep after 1am and awake at 6am to go to work). Work itself was really busy trying to get last minute things done and caught up before I started my week and a half (moving) holiday. Mr Siili and I ran to the bank in the middle of the day to release our loan and pay for our house. We were rich! And now we are poor (again) in under two minutes! Yes, I know, it's for a very good reason. I didn't leave work until just before 7pm, when I re-remembered that I had library books with me that needed to be returned on the other side of town. I got home at 8pm, heated myself some leftovers, which I really needed as I hadn't eaten since lunch time at 1pm. And then I started cleaning and packing for a while until Mr Siili came home from basketball. By the time I stopped packing and sat down to watch one show with Mr Siili, my body was aching and trembling. I felt like I might pass out, which hasn't happened during the pregnancy yet. It was a little bit scary. And by the time we managed to crawl into bed, again close to 1am, my body and especially my tummy just ached! You know that feeling when gravity starts working in a different direction (sideways instead of down) and that achyness that comes with it? Yeah, that's what I was feeling. It definitely means I did too much.

I have now used the sarvikuono (neti pot) 4 times since I bought it earlier this week. I'm still not quite sure what to think about it. The main thing is that I don't think it is working for me. My nose is just as stuck afterward or maybe I get 5 minutes of relief, but mainly I just have a slight feeling of water in my nose and saltwater taste in my mouth. Thankfully I don't mind saltwater flavor that much. Either I am just not using it correctly or my nostrils really are so plugged up that I can barely get water to flow through them. I honestly think it is the latter. The first time I used it, water flowed quite well through one nostril, but not the other. The other 3 times, I was lucky if I got a drip-drip motion to happen. In any case, my nose it still plugged, I'm still not breathing well at night and I'm not getting a decent night's sleep. Also, it doesn't look like we'll be getting any rain for the next few days, so allergies will continue to plague me. Such is life.

I found out yesterday that my former team leader is pregnant again. What's funny, is that a co-worker of mine and I was just discussing the day before the possibility of her being pregnant again. (Now, this was only a conversation between the two of us and we would never express this to anyone else. We have a close working relationship and talk about lots of stuff that I wouldn't talk about with anyone else at work. We trust and know the other won't blab it around work.) He (co-worker) said that she was wearing a maternity/big baggy hide-the-tummy type of sweater the other day. And I said that she couldn't be pregnant because I swear I looked 2 days before and she was wearing skinny-minny clothes. LOL. He won the "bet".

Her first kid is 1,5 years old. And while I am very happy for her, (you can hear the 'but', coming, can't you?!) infertility reminders can't help but rear their ugly head and give me a very small pang of sadness at how unfair it is that she is fertile enough to conceive so quickly and easily. Stupid infertility! Yet, I am so very grateful that I am healthily pregnant right now as I am in a much better head space to hear news like this.

I also found out this week that a friend and co-worker is getting divorced. I'm heart broken for her and her situation.

As I took the bus to the other side of town yesterday to return the library books, the bus path is directly through the center of town, which has cobbled streets. These cobbles made Paxlet decide to wiggle a bit, both directions, afterward. It made me smile.

As I was leaving work yesterday, I had a conversation with another friend/co-worker about the passage of time. She remarked to me that time has really flown by these last 6 months. It made me pause for a second and then agree with her wholeheartedly, kind of. As I explained to her, some aspects of the past 7 months to a year have gone by insanely fast and other parts not so much. I remember telling people that we won't be moving for a year or 6 months or 4 months. And now, we're moving this weekend!! Like, in 2 days! I also told her that I'm 7 months along now and that in some respects, this pregnancy has taken its time, but in others respects, OMG! I'm 7 months and Paxlet is going to be here in 3 months! I've been enjoying every day of this pregnancy and I haven't been wishing it to go any faster or slower, but just as it is.It really is crazy to think about the passage of time.

And now on to the weekly update. 

Total Weight Loss/Gain: I'm up another kilo this week, which makes 11 total so far.

Maternity Clothes: My black maternity pants and a bright and colorful dress (non-maternity) are by far my most favorite clothes right now. I've been going through my clothes trying to figure out what still fits, what definitely doesn't and what sort of wardrobe I have and what I need to buy in order to survive another 3 or so months. I definitely need a few shirts that are longer in length.

Stretch marks: Still no marks, but my tummy is getting more taught. And with that, my belly button is getting more and more shallow. Eeew!

Sleep: Sleep is difficult to come by. I'm exhausted each night, but with my allergies still raging on in the form of a stuffed up nose, I just can't sleep well. Hopeless thinking is that once we move to our new place, maybe there will be less allergens in the air inside. Like I said, hopeless thinking.

Movement: I'm still amazed (and slightly weirded out) that I have a little someone wiggling around inside me. Paxlet's kicks and movements are getting stronger, but they aren't painful yet. Or rather, if he kicks in just the right place when I'm not expecting it, I will give a little "oof" but it isn't painful.

So far, most all movements have been concentrated on the right side of my tummy, most of them in the lower region. I wonder if and when that will change. Not that I want him kicking my ribs, as I've so often heard of.

Cravings/Aversions: I can still go for some sweet things, but the craving for them isn't as strong as it was the last couple of weeks. Although, even if I crave sweets right now, I do wonder how much of that is just me normally (as I am a candy rat) and how much of it is pregnancy related cravings.

Gender: It's a boy!!
I jokingly suggested to Mr Siili that we should name our little boy Urpo (as I noticed yesterday that Friday is his name day). Mr Siili replied that he still thinks Ylermi would be the better choice. So Paxlet's unofficial never-going-to-be-his-name is Ylermi Urpo.
(To hear a correct, but in my opinion strange, pronunciation of Ylermi, follow the link.)

Symptoms: This week I've started noticing how the area over my pubic bone is quite sore. I don't think it is the bone itself, maybe more of the tissue above it. I'm not worried about it, as the last time I was at my neuvola appointment the nurse asked if that area was sore/hurting and when I replied it wasn't, she said something along the lines of "don't worry, it will be in the future". So, it's now sore/hurting.

The last two days, I've gotten some sharp stabbing pains in the right side of my stomach. It has been in the same spot each time and it feels like someone is sticking a long pin in me. Not pleasant at all.

What I miss: I miss sleep! I also miss being able to breathe normally most of the time.

What I look forward to: Many things to look forward to this upcoming week.
For starters, Mr Siili and I are going out to dinner this evening. (We've got a gift card that needs to be used before the end of the month. *sheepish grin*)

While I don't look forward to the rest of the packing we have to do, I do look forward to moving into our new place and being fully moved!

I have the glucose test on Monday. While I've heard good and not so pleasant experiences with it, I'm just excited to experience another part of the pregnancy journey. Plus, I'm taking a few books with me (finally got 50 Shades of Grey) so I won't be bored.

Moods: Tired, a bit stressed, happy (especially happy to be on holiday) and everything in between

Milestones: Paxlet is the size of an eggplant still! But he is also about the weight of a head of cauliflower (900g).

In the books I've read and online sites I've been following, yesterday marked the start of 7 months and the 3rd trimester! 

Medical concerns: Nothing pregnancy related. I think allergies are going to get the best of me this year. People who know me and I talk to on the phone always ask: Are you ok? Your voice sounds funny/different. Yup, that's what happens when your nose is so plugged up you can't breathe or talk without getting winded.

Sex?: A distant memory of the past, unfortunately. Although, I do hope we'll find the desire and time to break in our new house. Heheehe

Misc: We should have internet at the new place from the start, but who knows when I'll have time to post an update.

This week's bump pictures have not yet been taken, but hopefully this evening Mr Siili can take them. And when I get a moment, the pictures will uploaded and then can be seen in the Paxlet Pictures tab.

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7 weeks

Another trip to the doctor for allergy meds

It's been 2 weeks now since the birch trees have let their pollen into the wind and I am still suffereing! Most of the symptoms during the day are managable. In addition to my regular allergy pills and daily asthma med, I have another asthma medication for when my chest feels constricted from an acute asthma attack, I have eye drops for when I want to scratch my eyeballs out and I have nasal spray that sort of unblocks my nostrils, for a short while, sometimes. While none of these seem to fully relieve my symptoms, they do well enough that I can survive until it rains again and the birch, plus other pollens, lessen.

It's during the night that I'm having problems. I am not a mouth breather normally, so sleeping is difficult to do when you have to sleep with your mouth open. The reason for this is because one of my nostrils is usually fully blocked and the other one isn't fully open either. Although, which nostril it is seems to depend on which side I am sleeping on and they switch every couple of hours anyway.

So, after a particularly bad night last night for Mr Siili and myself, I called to our work nurse again to ask for another appointment with the doctor to see if there was anything else I can take to help with my nose. Our work doctor wouldn't be in the office until Thursday, so I was booked with a general doctor in the same building (still paid for by work).

This doctor was one I had seen last November for a throat infection when I was going through IVF #3. He was quite nice then and now. After asking what's the problem and me telling my symptoms, he started suggesting things I could use. I quickly interupted that I am pregnant. When I mentioned this little fact, he remembered that I had/we had been trying to get pregnant and congratulated me. Next the doctor spent probably 20 minutes looking through his medicine book to try to find something more or different I could take for my blocked nose. Unfortunately I am already taking at least one type of medication in each form that I can while pregnant.

The only thing I can really do is to try some other non-medicinal nose sprays or washes. Which, has brought me finally get up the courage and try the Sarvikuono (rhino horn), which is the Finnish version of the Neti Pot. So, this evening I'll be mixing up my solution of sea salt and warm water and rinsing out my sinuses. Wish me luck!

Finnish maternity package

My maternity package finally arrived!! Ever since I moved to Finland almost 13 years ago and my SIL received her maternity package for their first child, I have looked forward to the day I would be pregnant and get my own maternity package from KELA (The Social Insurance Institution of Finland). This has been a long time coming, but it has finally arrived! 

As I wrote in my last post, the mail notification came on Wednesday afternoon, but Mr Siili and I didn't get home until 7pm. I know that our local post office is open until 8pm, so I rushed to go get it before they closed. What I didn't count on was that they would close early on Wednesday because Thursday was a national holiday (Ascension Day). So, I had to wait until Friday after work to pick it up! And then I waited some more until Mr Siili got home from basketball practice to open it. Torture, I tell you!

What is a maternity package you ask? It is basically a starter kit with almost everything a new mother (and father) would need for their child to come into their life (adoptive parents can get this too). There are onsies/bodysuits, pants, shirts, leggings, romper suits(?), sleeping bag, towel, hairbrush, book, toy and more! All the stuff comes in a big sturdy box (that can be used as a crib). 

A new maternity package is published each year. The items in the package are mostly the same from year to year, but the colors change. My package contents are from the year 2011 (2012 won't be sent out until late summer/early fall as they had so many of the previous year still).

To receive this package, the mother needs to fill out a KELA form, attach a certificate from the doctor stating that the pregnancy has lasted at least 154 days and that the mom has been seen by the doctor before the end of the fourth month of pregnancy. (If you don't go to the doctor before then, I don't believe you are entitled to this benefit, free.) This box of stuff is valued around 350€ or so I've been told. If you decide you don't want the package or if this isn't your first child and you still have everything you need, you can opt to receive a money benefit instead (although the amount is less than the package itself). Also, if a Finn is living abroad, they can buy one of these packages to be sent to them.

A quick history of the maternity grant:
This maternity package and/or cash grant for Finnish mothers has been around since 1938. Although, in the beginning this grant was meant only for low-income mothers. By 1949, all mothers were able to apply for this grant. Each year, around 60 000 grants are awarded by KELA and of those 40 000 are in the form of the maternity package. Most all first time mothers choose the maternity package and those mothers (first time or not) who don't choose the package, can receive 140€ in cash. The colors of the package are neutral so that the clothes can be used for boys and girls alike.

Now I can't wait until we move (next weekend) so that I can wash all of these clothes and start putting them where they belong on their shelves and in drawers.

Below are the pictures I took of my box. If you want to see professional pictures, with descriptions of each item, click the link in the first paragraph of this post.

The box with the blanket, sleeping bag, snowsuit (mittens & booties in the hood) and light suit.

Everything else still packed in the box.
(Mattress at the bottom of the box not pictured anywhere.)

Knitted suit (left) and romper suits (no idea what these would be called in the US).

More romper suits.

Bodysuits!

Play suit, leggings & sweatpants.

Hats of all types, mittens (with the smiley face) socks and 2 cloth diapers of different brands.

Bib, duvet for the blanket (top center), towel, washcloth, muslin squares, etc.

Book (Little Reindeer's day), toy, condoms (for mom & dad), thermometer, hairbrush, nail scissors, bra pads, lotion (I love this lotion: non scented and not greasy, but soothes the skin) and a toothbrush.

26 weeks + 1 day

Allergies are kicking my butt! Ok, so they haven't touched my butt, but my eyes, nose and breathing have all been affected. I knew allergy season was upon us, but this year is possibly the worst I've had with symptoms for quite a few years. I just want the birch pollen to go away quickly.

I'm also blaming allergies and how excruciatingly tired they make me on why I didn't post this yesterday. By the time Mr Siili and I got home from picking up even more boxes after work, making food and watching a TV show I couldn't keep my eyes open., In fact, I was falling asleep half way through the show. There was no way I could think straight enough to post or take pictures.


Total Weight Loss/Gain: I'm up one more kilo: 10kg total (22 lbs) this journey. Thankfully I seem to be carrying it all in the right places: boobs and tummy.

Maternity Clothes: I'm starting to think I may have to buy some maternity shirts because most of what I have now just isn't fitting anymore. Unless I don't mind my tummy possibly hanging out, which I do mind!

Stretch marks: Still nothing! But my bellybutton is getting shallower each week. I also know my stomach is getting bigger because it's quite difficult to seem my lady bits on my own these days. LOL

Sleep: Sleep is very challenging at the moment. I don't think this is due to the pregnancy itself, although I know that is making sleep a bit harder to come by, but rather allergies. I can't breathe through my nose most of the time, which means I have to be a mouth breather. And being a mouth breather is making me snore, which makes Mr Siili poke me so I'll move to a different position and stop snoring. I'm getting sick of his poking!

Movement: Oh, Paxlet loves moving! I think lately I've been feeling him stretch out a bit as I can feel pokes on the right hand side of my tummy and also down lower in my pelvic area at the same time. Talk about weird sensations.

One evening this last week Mr Siili and I were watching some TV show when Paxlet was moving about. I told Mr Siili to feel 'here' as that is where Paxlet was kicking. Paxlet waited a bit, wiggled a couple of times but not very much and then he gave one BIG kick. Mr Siili gave me a grin and exclaimed that was a big kick! I told him imagine what it's like feeling it from the inside and outside. Mr Siili knows now for sure that he has felt Paxlet move. Seeing the movement, well, that's still up for debate.

Cravings/Aversions: Still wanting to eat sweet things. But more so, I'm just plain hungry quite often.

Gender: It's a boy!!

Symptoms: I've got a whole list of them this week (although not all started just this week):
- slight shortness of breath (in addition to or in spite of allergies),
- tiredness (again, partly due to allergies),
- my fingers are a bit swollen (some rings won't be worn for much longer),
- my ankles are a tiny bit swollen (I've noticed some socks leave indent lines at their tops),
- my poo is the nastiest of color and smell, but thankfully I'm still somewhat regular (for me),
- clumsiness, I've always had troubles navigating corners, but now I'm dropping everything too,
- an achy tummy if I stand or walk too long without my support belt,
- these last few days I've occasionally gotten a very sharp and intense pain in my pubic area. It's almost as if someone is stabbing me with something very sharp, quickly and then it goes away,
and more symptoms that just aren't coming to this tired mind of mine.

What I don't have is heartburn, nausea, insomnia, spotting, pain, Braxton hicks and so many other unpleasant symptoms. For that, I am even more grateful.

What I miss: I miss sex. I miss wanting sex and having sex. I don't think Mr Siili finds my big tummy attractive, but at the same time, I really don't care to have sex, so I guess it all works out. Yet, it still makes me feel sad about it.

What I look forward to: The most immediate thing I am looking forward to is picking up my maternity package* on Friday. We got a notification in the mail yesterday that my box was ready to be picked up from our local post office, but we didn't get home until 7pm and the post office had already closed at 6pm because of Helatorstai (Ascension Day). So, I've got to wait until Friday after work to get it!!

The next thing I look forward to and also dread a little bit is packing and moving. Mr Siili and I have packed a lot of stuff, but there is still more to pack before moving day just over a week away. Ack!

Milestones: Paxlet is the size of an eggplant (still) or (the length of) an English cucumber!
We're nearing the end of 6 months and next week will be the beginning of 7 months and the 3rd trimester. WooHoo!

Medical concerns: I think I have/had a yeast infection, so I've taken the oh-so-fun medication for it this week.

This allergy season has really only just started and it's a bad one. My worst enemies are birch and alder trees, the first being worse. I am now taking 5 different pregnancy safe medications in the hopes of being able to live somewhat normally during this time.
1. I'm on my 2nd type of allergy meds, as the first one didn't work. I don't really think this one is working either or if it is working, it must mean that my allergies are even worse than I thought.
2. Eye drops, 2 times a day at most as needed.
3. Nose spray as often as I feel like I need it. It is supposed to stop pollen from attaching to the mucous membranes in my nose. It seems to work ok, sometimes, but it feels like I've accidentally snorted pool water up my nose each time I use it. (Anyone else remember that feeling?)
4. My regular asthma meds, although the dose has been upped to 3 times a day instead of 2 (and I really should remember to take them all).
5. Just yesterday I got a new prescription for another asthma med, but this one is to open up my lungs. This is taken on an as needed basis when it feels like my lungs are constricted and I can't breathe (even after siting at my desk at work for 3 hours like yesterday).
6. This last item of digestive enzymes is my own doing. I've heard that they can help with breaking down pollen. And especially right now when my digestive system isn't at its best from being pregnant, I thought this couldn't hurt to try. Really, I'm willing to try almost anything to be able to breathe and not feel like I have a flu.

Misc: We have boxes upon boxes and more boxes to get us ready for moving in just over a week. We've packed up most of our book shelves, parts of the living room, bedroom and hallway. I know we've done quite a bit, but it just feels as if we still have way too much to do before the actual moving date.

I know that I shouldn't be lifting too much stuff and over exerting myself, but we also need to get stuff done. Don't get me wrong, I'm not lifting really heavy items, but I'm also not just lazing around. Ok, I'm not lazing around all of the time. I'm not crippled, I'm just pregnant! (And that's a topic for a post in itself.) So, I'll continue to do what I can and leave what I can't for Mr Siili.

This week's bump pictures can be seen in the Paxlet Pictures tab.

*I'm planning to write more about this Finnish "phenomenon" called a maternity package soon. With pictures too!

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First mother's day

Whether you've lost your little one too soon, have your little one with or are still waiting for your little one, I wish you a Happy Mother's day!

Today is also Mother's day here in Finland. (Father's day is on a different day, though.) It's an actual holiday here and the stores are closed. I've never paid too much attention to Mother's day, whether I was in the US or in Finland. My mom never wanted any of us kids to go out and buy her stuff, she'd rather we make her something, do something nice for her and/or just be nice (every day of the year, not just this one day). But this year's mother's day is completely different than any other year.

This year is the first year my mom is no longer with me. She died in June of last year. And if I remember correctly, Mother's day was the last time I heard her voice. I called her that day and we chatted a bit and that's the last time I actually talked to her. I did type-chat with her one last time for a short period after that on Facebook where she told me my/our cat, Sabby, had died and I taught her how to make smileys.

This year is also the first year I'm a mother myself. After trying so hard and for so long (almost 3,5 years), I've finally got a little one growing in me. I'm nearing 7 months along and in another week and a half I'll be in the 3rd trimester. This still feels nothing short of a miracle and for this I am grateful.

This year is such a mixture of emotions. I can't help but be sad that my mom isn't here to celebrate this long awaited event. But at the same time, I'm looking forward to the day when Paxlet is born and here with us.
Wherever my mom is, I'm thinking of her and missing her.

25 weeks

I met up with my good friend R today. We had a piece of cake and a short chat. It was great to catch up with her and also bounce pregnancy thoughts and possible baby needs off of her.

Spring is here! The grass is growing green, tulips are blooming, daffodils too. The trees are getting their leaves and the world is becoming alive once again. The weather was just amazing today, unless you are allergic to pollen (especially birch, right now). AND I AM! I have been insanely miserable since Tuesday morning and it is only getting worse.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: No weight gain this last week. I'm still up 9kg, to a whopping 75kg.

Maternity Clothes: I wore a pair of regular jeans yesterday with an elastic piece holding the button and hole together and a homemade belly band over the top... They were so uncomfortable!

Stretch marks: I'm beginning to wonder if I will get them at all. In my opinion, my skin is still quite elastic and stretchy. Plus, I'm not growing at such a fast rate that my body seems to have time to adjust. (I have no idea if those thoughts and ideas are valid or not, but they sound good to me.)

Sleep: I could definitely use more of it. Mr Siili keeps poking me at night because I am snoring and bothering him. But I can't breath because of these darn allergies!!

Movement: Paxlet's kicks and punches are getting stronger. I'm loving it. Mr Siili finally saw movement from the outside, although he doesn't seem to want to believe what he saw. He keeps telling me "you're breathing". Well, no, I mean yes, I am breathing, but when I breath my tummy doesn't jump around like that in one spot, instead it moves up and down slowly and evenly. Silly guy.

Cravings/Aversions: Lately, I just can't seem to get enough of sweet things. I made some Easy Flower Sugar Cookies (recipe from Real Mom Kitchen) on Saturday, but I only baked half of them with the intent of baking the other half Sunday afternoon and take them to work. Well, I did bake the other half Sunday afternoon, BUT, I ate (with Mr Siili's help of a couple cookies only) all but four of the cookies... *blush* Yeah, that wasn't my finest food moment, but these were so yummy! Now I don't have any eggs in my house and I'm hoping to keep it that way until we move at the end of the month.

Gender: It's a boy!! 
A lady at work today asked me if I was sure Paxlet isn't a girl, because I'm glowing/radiating and according to her girls are supposed to do that to their moms. I've heard the opposite, only just recently. *shrug*

Symptoms: Many little minor things and nothing that I can't live with, but here they are: aches (especially back and neck), can't roll over or get out of bed so easily, can't sit as close to my work desk (bump gets in the way), can't sit for too long without getting stiff, tummy itches off and on, not too bad usually. It's all just normal stuff.

What I miss: I miss not being able to take my regular and proven to work allergy meds! *aaachhooo!* The only "good side" about allergies is that I'm not contagious.

What I look forward to: Just the usual stuff like the diabetes test, some parenting courses (how to look after the baby, breast feeding, daddy stuff, etc).

Moods: A bit of emotions all over the place, but mostly happy this past week. Meeting up with friends 2 weekends ago and another today makes me feel better.

Milestones: Paxlet is the size of a eggplant!

Medical concerns: Spring is finally here and I know this because the birch trees have started blooming as of Monday night/Tuesday morning. I started taking a pregnancy safe allergy medication about a week ago, but now that the birch are kicking it into high gear I'm concerned this new medication isn't going to work. I've gotten the go ahead to double what I am taking now and I can go get some nose spray if I need to, but ideally I'd like to take as little medications as possible. But, allergy season is here and this spring is supposed to be a doozy!

Sex?: Reverse cow-girl works quite well.

Misc: Earlier this week, I realized that for the last few weeks I haven't been checking the tp every single time I go to the bathroom. I really have no idea why I was checking to fanatically in the first place, but I did.

I've said it before, but I need to say it again: our girl kitty, Mansi, is a spaz!

On Sunday, Mansi was running around like crazy. She ran into the bathroom and into the washing machine. I went to check on her to make sure she was ok and she came tearing out of the bathroom and into the bathroom, skidding the whole way. I went back to the computer and sometime later I heard a *thunk*. I ignored it, because I knew it was just Mansi being her usual self. After a bit I got up to get some water in the kitchen. As I went towards the kitchen, I heard another *thunk*. I then asked Mr Siili if he had Mansi on his lap. Nope. *thunk* I walk back into the kitchen and say "Mansi?". No reply. I walk back into the hallway, open the hallway closet. *thunk* I walk back into the kitchen, because I swear that is where I heard the noise coming from. By this point Mr Siili has gotten up and is coming to look too. When he starts to talk to me and walk into the kitchen I told him to be quiet because each time I am in the kitchen and making noise *thunk* Mansi is quiet. I start opening all the cupboards in the kitchen. When I get to the upper cupboards where we keep our plates, Mansi jumps out, down the counter and out of the kitchen. I would have fallen over from laughter and peed my pants if it wasn't for the counter top. As it was, I had tears streaming down my face and I couldn't stop laughing. Mansi spent most of the rest of the day curled up on Mr Siili's lap.

This week's bump pictures will be seen in the Paxlet Pictures tab when I can get it taken and uploaded (tomorrow I hope), as I am so exhausted today.

24 weeks
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7 weeks

Fertility treatments in Europe

Edited at the bottom of this section.

About a month ago, Mel shared an article in Promt-ly about Fertility treatment bans in Europe and how these bans are drawing criticism.The article states the bans and restrictions on who can receive fertility treatments in different countries in Europe and how they are old and outdated.

Here's a quick breakdown of the countries mentioned and what they ban or allow:
- France & Italy ban single women and lesbians from artificial insemination & IVF
- Sweden, Germany & Italy ban artificial insemination (Denmark, Spain & Belgium allow it)
- Austria & Italy ban all egg & sperm donations for IVF (Many couples travel to the Czech and Slovak republics and Spain instead if this is needed)
- Germany & Norway ban donating eggs, but not sperm.
- Sweden (and other countries not mentioned) require couples to have a stable relationship for at least a year to qualify for fertility treatment
- Switzerland (and other countries not mentioned) requires couples to be married.
- Ukraine is the main exception in Europe where couples are allowed to use surrogates, most other countries ban it
- France, Italy, Switzerland (and other countries not mentioned) only allow one partner to be the child's legal father or mother in gay and lesbian couples

That's quite a few countries telling women and couples what they can't do with their own bodies.

One country that wasn't mentioned in this article and one that I am more familiar with, is Finland. And I know that Finland allows many of the above issues. The article seemed quite selective in which countries it used for its basis on the bans. It makes me wonder which other European countries are more in line with Finland on what they allow.

At the time that Mel shared this prompt with us, there were ads (picture above) in the city buses for one of the local private fertility clinics. The ad states that nearly 1 in 6 couples hope for a baby - in vain. And then they go on to say that you, the person reading this (male or female), could help your fellow people by giving the greatest gift of all, life! And then they tell the basic requirements you would  need to fulfil to donate and that the person will be compensated accordingly.

A few weeks later, I saw the below picture, for the same clinic, in our local newspaper. This ad was for the other end of the spectrum: those who want kids but are having trouble conceiving. The big frilly text says: What if the stork gets lost?. The clinic will be having open doors for people to come and hear about what the clinic does and for people to be able ask questions. There will also be a light brunch offered. In addition, the clinic states that usually a solution to childlessness is found, you just need to find the right procedure/method. And finally, sometimes the stork just needs a bit of directions on where to go, that's where the clinic will help.

I've not used a private clinic (as I was lucky to go the public route, more on that below), but looking at the clinic's ads and website, I can tell you for sure that donor eggs and sperm are allowed for use. I can also tell you that their website talks about single women and women couples who would like to pursue treatments. And as single and women couples are able to pursue treatments, I don't believe there is a set period of time how long a couple must try before they can be treated. (How would the be able to try? Unlike heterosexual couples...) Freezing embryos are also allowed (I have one little one on ice right now). The one thing that Finland does not allow (except in rare cases,) is surrogacy. I'm not 100% sure of the reason, but from what I under it has to do with legal issues.

Edit: Many of the countries that have such strict rules and bans against the different aspects of fertility treatments are the more religious oriented countries.

This section is about my own experience, rather than the bans and allowances of fertility treatments in Finland. Not quite on the same topic, but at least in the same vein.

My experiences (so far) with fertility clinics are a 1 time introductory visit to the above mentioned private clinic, for free. I checked this place out while I was waiting for my endo surgery, just over 2 years ago. As a result of my endo diagnosis (I think), I was referred to the local hospital's (public) Reproductive Endocrinology (RE) department, where we were able to get an appointment a month and a half later. (I've heard the waiting time can sometimes take 6 months or more just to get in there.)


The public system can (and at times does) take longer to get appointments. The public RE's are not open on holidays, weekends and take a full month summer holiday/break in July. On the other hand, everyone I met at the clinic was very nice, professional and willing to speak to me in English if/when I needed it. The prices are also much much cheaper! Each doctor visit was approximately 28€. And after I paid/spent 660€ in medications (per year), my prescription medicines would be 1,50€ each (with a letter from the Finnish social system). This deduction in medications would happen to anyone, regardless of where you are being treated.

I know there are some restrictions that apply to the public RE system in Finland, as opposed to the private sector, but I'm not sure what they all are. I do know for example that a couple needs to have seriously tried for at least a year and have a referral to get into the public clinic. I'm not sure if the couple needs to be married or not (many Finns don't get married), as Mr Siili and I are married, the subject never came up. In the public RE system, they will generally only do 3-4 IUIs and 3 fresh cycles of IVF (plus any FETs you have). I also know that you have to work around the holidays and weekends, which has caused a canceled cycle or two for me. As with other public health sectors here in Finland, you don't always have one doctor specifically assigned to you; you get who is in that day.

While I know Finland is quite different than other countries, I've not had any bad experiences with the public RE system nor any of the staff there. (There was one doctor I didn't like as much as the others, but she was still nice and very knowledgeable.) I feel very fortunate that it all worked out for me and Mr Siili as in Nov/Dec of last year were were on our 3rd and final fresh IVF cycle which produced this pregnancy (with one frozen one to spare). We can't wait to bring home our little Paxlet later this summer.

TGIF + Paxlet picture update

*phew* I am so glad I didn't promise to get the weekly Paxlet picture updated last night, seeing how I just now got it added (Friday at 2:30pm).

This has been a short work week for me, but still very busy and long days. As usual, I am thankful it is Friday! It also means I'll probably be in bed by 9 or 10pm. Mr Siili and are just THAT exciting. LOL

24 weeks + 1 day

I got too tired and lazy to publish this last night. In fact, I didn't even get pictures taken last night. So, I'm posting this today and getting pictures up this evening. I promise! I will do my best to follow through with getting the pictures up this evening. *cheeky grin*

It's back to work today. I had a nice and relaxing 4 day weekend in honor of Vappu, Finland's Labor Day aka Walpurgis Night aka May Day , yesterday. Only the 1st of May is a holiday, but I took Monday off also, just because. The main thing you need to know about Vappu is that it is a huge celebration that is undertaken by engineering students, but definitely not limited to them. For the students, the partying begins a week or so in advance, but for the rest of the population it starts on April 30th. Celebrating entails lots of alcohol (especially sima (a sweet mead that is easy to make at home), sparkling ciders and whatever else tickles your fancy) and lots of drunk people. In my opinion, it is best to stay home or at a friend's house, which is exactly what I did. On Monday went to the stores early in the day (to beat the crowds) and then I hung out at home the rest of the day. On Tuesday, I spent most of it at a friends house eating way too much, playing games and generally just having a good time.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: I have no idea this week, as I forgot to check the scales this morning. but I am sure I've gained at least a bit of weight.
Update: So I didn't weigh myself yesterday, but I did this morning. Starting weight: 66kg, this morning: 75kg. Holy cow! That's 3 kilos in one week!!! Not that I'm complaining, I was just surprised. But, it might also explain why my bump is much more visible these last few days.

Maternity Clothes: I bought a second-hand maternity support belt this past Monday. I've only used it for a quick walk to the stores, but it sure seemed to work. My belly didn't feel tired after that.

I have a jean skirt (that used to be bell bottoms, which my mom made into a skirt for me when I ripped the butt out one day) that I've had since I was in high school (18 years ago). Yes, this skirt still fits, or at least fit until recently. Today, I think I'm wearing it for the last time for a while. It still fits, but I have not zipped it up one bit and I've tucked the zipper flaps inside the skirt and worn a long shirt. It looks quite cute, but it isn't 100% comfy. Just in case, I brought my favorite pair of maternity pants to change into...

As for other clothes, some shirts just aren't long enough anymore. LOL

Stretch marks: Still no stretch marks and I'm not complaining. I have noticed that my belly button is getting more and more shallow. I truly hope it doesn't become an outtie. Outties just give me the creeps. Sorry if you have one, it's nothing personal! Belly buttons have always been a weird thing for me, especially when the umbilical cord is still attached to wee infants. Gives me the heebie jeebies.

Sleep: It's definitely getting harder to sleep comfortably and for longer periods of time (say, through the night!), even if I don't have to get up and go pee! I'm feeling quite exhausted most evenings and naps are my friends, usually.

Movement: Paxlet is a wiggler! I feel him move off and on throughout the day. His kicks and punches are getting stronger. The weirdest feeling kicks are when he kicks straight down into my lady bits (have I written this already?). He did some light kicks down there today while I was at work and man, it's all I can do to not wiggle.

Cravings/Aversions: No cravings of any sort at the moment. I'm not even really feeling the desire to eat pickles like I was a few weeks ago.

Gender: It's a boy!!

Symptoms: My tummy is definitely getting bigger. If I wear the right clothes (not the flowy dress I wore during the weekend), you can definitely tell I am pregnant. There's no more guessing if I've just gotten a bit chubby or if there is something going on in there. I've also noticed today that it's getting a bit uncomfy to sit at my desk. I seem to lean into the desk, pushing my bump right at the belly button into the desk. What's going to happen as I get even bigger? LOL

My back and neck are usually sore these days and more-so in the morning when I wake up. I just can't sit so much or for so long. I need to start taking short breaks more often at work and walk around a bit. Putting a cold pack on the areas seems to help, I just need to remember to do it more often.

What I miss: I've been trying to think of things that I miss and the ones I come up with are quite plain and silly: bending over easily (to pick something up or tie my shoes), getting a very uncomfortable bloated feeling if I eat too much (duh, don't eat too much!) or the fact that my breasts have gotten to huge (yes, it's for a good thing, but I didn't like my breasts before this).

What I look forward to: I am so very much looking forward to being moved into our new home at the end of the month. What I am NOT looking forward to is the packing and actually moving and these few weeks before it.

In a curious and try something new sort of way I am looking forward to the diabetes test in a few weeks. I've heard mixed reviews on the test (some like the drink, some don't) and as with all things pregnancy, I'm totally enjoying trying everything, at least once.

Moods: Feeling quite well this week. A bit weepy off and on, usually triggered by something I read or see on TV, but nothing too bad.

Milestones: Paxlet is the size of a papaya (still?!) or an ear of corn! I've also come to understand that if Paxlet were to decide to come into this world now, he'd have a 50-50 chance of survival. Not the best of odds, but they are getting better by the day!

I read that Paxlet's taste buds are forming and that he could be developing "a weakness for sweets". If that is the case, I don't think it is "developing". In this case it will be more like inheriting it from me and my mom. *giggle*

Misc: It's month end closing at work which means lots of work and longer days. Thankfully I've got chocolate with me. Yum! Although, I wonder if this bit of extra chocolate and sweets is what helped me gain 3kg this last week. I have also been more hungry lately. I try to eat healthier snacks, but some not so healthy ones make their way into my mouth too. It's all for a good cause though. Hehehe

This week's bump pictures can be seen in the Paxlet Pictures tab.

23 weeks
22 weeks
21 weeks
20 weeks
19 weeks
18 weeks
17 weeks
16 weeks
15 weeks
14 weeks
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12 weeks
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9 weeks
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7 weeks