Pain in my @$$

So, the last time I wrote I touched on the back pain I was feeling. I just tried to rest and take a few warm baths for the pain. Well, later that day I slipped a disk and pinched a few nerves. It was terrible. Anyone who has ever suffered from a slipped disk knows that this is possibly the worst, insufferable pain that exists. Now imagine being pregnant, and not being able to take ANY pain medication. The same thing happened to me exactly 1 year ago on our way home from Istanbul. When that happened, I was given cortisone shots, daily steroid pills for the inflammation, and a strong pain killer. Pregnancy = just a hot water pillow under my back! This time, the doctor said I also have sciatica, since the slipped disk is pinching my sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back, through your butt (hence the title of this post) down to your knees. Fun!

A week later, I am still feeling a bit of pain, but it is getting better little by little. The thing is, when I slipped a disk last year, the doctor told me that it would most likely slip again if I ever got pregnant. He meant late in the pregnancy when the belly is huge and putting a lot of pressure on your back. This happened at only 4 months! So I am prepared for this to happen again, but am praying for an easy pregnancy here on out. I bought a pregnancy pillow (not the Snoggle, unfortunately) and it has helped ease some of the pressure off my back while sleeping.

Side note no.1:
I forgot to mention in the last post, I weigh 3 kilos (about 7 pounds) less now than I did before I was pregnant! I think this is from not drinking alcohol, because I eat just about the same I was eating before, and also maybe a little bit of muscle loss since I am not as active at the gym. But, can you believe alcohol accounts for so much weight? Food for thought!

Side not no.2:
A great mommy friend of mine has given us her barely used (her son slept in it 3 times) crib and highchair. We can already see how small our home is going to be with one more person in here. I told Gian I am not popping out any more babies until we get a new apartment :)



Until next time friends....

I think we have a classy lady on our hands

So we went to have the sonogram yesterday. It was a bit of a relief meeting with a doctor and having a full check up. Since I got pregnant, I have been doing all my exams at the hospital, and they only check the baby, heart rate, my blood, etc, but I never get to sit down and tell the doctor my symptoms and suspicions, etc. Well, yesterday I finally got to tell my doctor about my terrible headahces and some questions I have about birth and my vajayjay (hoo-ha, chee-cha, front butt)- if you don't like my honesty, don't read my blog! And just wait until you or your wife/partner/girlfriend/one night stand gets pregnant because let me tell you that things are HAPPENING down there when you are pregnant.

Well I am pretty sure he heard and understood me because I had practiced out the medical terms in the car and I definetly pronunciated and made my worries known, but he just told me to get on the chair. I did as I was told, he was holding a long wand with a condom on it, ferchristssake!

Later, Gian said "So what about what Claudia said about her, you know?" And the doctor just said, "oh I didn't see anything out of the ordinary". Men. This brings me to another point about how prenatal care in Italy is solely focused on the baby, and doesn't really involve much of the mother other than whether or not she is healthy enough to carry the baby to term. I feel like in America, there is a much more of a welcoming feeling about making the mom comfortable and secure about what she is experiencing and what her body is going through.

Moving on, at the appointment, I had my first internal sonogram (see: wand with condom, and yes, it is as uncomfortable as it sounds) and the baby was sleeping. Baby had completely flipped positions from the last time we met, but since Baby was sleeping, Gian didn't get to see all the fun movements. We did hear the heartbeat, though! Unfortunately, the baby had its legs crossed, so we didn't get a clear picture.

Anyway, we have to wait another month to find out, as that is our next scheduled exam. My mom says that its legs are crossed because it's just a modest and classy lady like her grandma!

I cannottttt wait to confirm my suspicions that this is a girl!

Boy or girl?

On our way to have a sonogram...hopefully finding out the sex today!! Ah I am so excited. Get your votes in!!!!!!!!!!!

15 weeks and I am fat

Sorry I haven't blogged in so long! But you get past a certain point in the pregnancy and your mind stops going 5,000 mph, and life as a housewife becomes redundant again: I just haven't had much to write about.

However, I am getting much rounder and the cuteness of early pregnancy is blending into the newly acquired love handles I am growing. I just don't think I am going to be one of those women who look like they have a basketball under their shirts (ahem, you know who YOU are).

I had my birthday this Friday and on Thursday night all my close friends around Rome came over for a pizza and champagne dinner. I got lots of great gifts! One of them being my new Nikon D3000! I am starting photography classes soon, so it is the perfect way to start!

There have been a few milestones along my pregnancy where I have felt renewed and closer to my baby. The first was listening to Bob Marley on the first spring day in Rome, the second was the 13 week sonogram where I saw the baby kick, and the third was my birthday. I felt like my birthday had new meaning. I was born in part to give life to the baby inside of me. It also made me feel something special for my mom, and the feeling she must get when my sister or I have a birthday. I can't explain it, but I am sure other moms out there understand what I mean.

Anyhow, here are some pics of me with my birthday dress:





Gian and I have a wonderful tradition we started from the beginning of our relationship with a trip to Amalfi Coast for my birthday in 2006. Instead of spending money on birthday gifts, we take trips for our birthdays. Last May, Gian took me to Istanbul and this year, he took me back to my old stomping grounds, Sevilla. This will definitely be the last time I take a touristy trip during pregnancy! I am so exhausted and think I pinched a nerve in my back (which coincidentally I also did last year in Istanbul!).

Here are a few shots of our trip (these were not taken with my new camera!):







Hope to blog more often! Stay tuned. Going to get rest for my back!

Mom of the Year Video

My mom sent me this video for Mother's Day...maybe it's a bit premature (no pun intended), but such a funny video!

13 weeks!!!!

Today, I step out of the 1st trimester, and into the 2nd, and am so happy for this!

This means that:
1. I can stop worrying about 1st trimester complications
2. Will have more energy
3. I can start my step classes again at the gym. I have been itching to get sweaty, and all I have been doing lately is swimming laps and walking the course at the park.
4. Have a pedi/mani
5. I got through the 1st trimester without ANY vomiting, nausea, etc. etc. I am a star!


Meanwhile, a lot has happened in the past few weeks, and I just haven't had any motivation to update the blog. Here goes,

1. I was discriminated against for the first time

I had been interviewing with this American university, John Cabot University, here in Rome since February (since way before I knew I was pregnant) and finally in April after 5 interviews and 5 practical exams, they offered me the job. They told me I was way above everyone else who applied, that they were so happy to have me join the team, took me on a tour and introduced me to everyone, had me join in a faculty-student meeting, and then I dropped the bomb to my boss. I told her I was pregnant.

At first she and the Manager of Executive Office and Personnel Relations were very positive "pregnancy is not a disease" and assured me that we could work out some plan one way or another and that I would start working May 5th. They asked me to hold off the weekend while they spoke to their Chief Officer of Operations and the President of the University to figure out the contract

Well, from there it just went downhill. I came in the following week and was basically interrogated my the COO, who is a male Italian, which may not be very relevant, but I think it is. He pretended at first to not know that I was pregnant and that this was just a routine interview (even though I had already been offered the job officially, by an email sent from the president's email address). Now, I knew he already knew I was pregnant because I was informed so right before the meeting. But for some reason, he insisted on playing this game. Creepy, right?

Once I told him I was pregnant he went into a whirlwind of inappropriate questions such as "What will you do on the crowded tram when you have a huge belly" and "Have you even thought about the implications of pregnancy and motherhood? What are your post-labour plans?" I told him that yes, "Obviously I had thought A LOT about many scenarios since the moment I found out I was pregnant, but that these discussions were usually held between me and my husband. And whether it is with your university or not, I will be working "post-labour".

The meeting with the President was more friendly, although in retrospect had to have been fake and superficial. When I got home, I sent him this email:

Dr. P,

I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I really look forward to having the opportunity to work with you in the future.

I want to let you know something about me personally, that I didn't mention today.

As you know, "B" and I started interviewing in February. In mid April, I found out that I was pregnant. When "B" offered me the position, I told her that I had found out just a few days before that I was pregnant. I wanted to be honest from the beginning, as is my character, and I didn't want to lie about something that is actually a very positive thing happening in my life.

As I told "B", "K", and "A", I am a worker and a fighter and I do not think that there is any reason why being pregnant should stop me from working. Obviously, I have thought long and hard about this, and I know that I can handle this position, and handle it well, both before and after the new addition to my life.

I have spoken about options with "B" and "K" and have informed them that once my baby is 3-4 months old, I am prepared to have the baby in either a daycare center, or in my mother-in-law's care. I am committed to come back to work at JCU and be the best employee that I can be.

Since I had previously been offered the position by "B", and also had come in to JCU to turn in my documents and paperwork, I was under the impression that my meeting with you today would be to specifically touch on the fact that I was pregnant and talk about what type of contract would be the best option. Since this didn't happen, I wanted to put this out in the open for you now.

I hope that you will make the best decision based on my experience, references, writing and commitment to JCU, aside from the fact that I am pregnant.

Again, it was a pleasure meeting you today, and I thank you for your time.

Sincere regards,
Claudia Stevens



He responded with:

Dear Claudia,

It was also my pleasure to meet you today and to discuss your interest in JCU as a work place.

As I have told you in our meeting I have to decide where to put our limited resources between competing urgent positions which need to be filled. Obviously each sector sees a paramount urgency compared to others and tends to be enthusiastic, but I have to keep a bird’s eye view of the university’ needs and decide accordingly.

As far as you being pregnant, this is not a consideration that will enter in deciding which area of the university has the greatest need at the moment.

I am also sure that you understand well that as legal representative of the University I am the sole authority empowered to make hiring decisions, and anybody else is speaking for his or herself, and not authorized to make commitments for the University.

Today we had our first meeting, and I was I believe quite open and transparent in informing you of my position concerning this job opportunity.

I will be happy to communicate a final decision to you early next week.

It was a pleasure to meet you and let me extend to you my very best regards,

Franco P.


2 points:

1. I have never heard of a President doing the entry level hiring, and any offer made from an official email account is legal, especially one that is titled president@jcu.edu.

2. I actually have 2 emails proving that they offered me the position:

Hi Claudia,

I too am very pleased that you have accepted the position. Thanks for letting me know about the starting date. I’m sure that you will hear from Kathryne F. soon.

Best,

"B"

and from the address president@jcu.edu

Dear Claudia,

Congratulations on joining the John Cabot University team! we're all excited to welcome you aboard . . .

I was hoping we could get to work on drafting your official contract, starting date May 15. Would you be available to pass by our offices this Friday (April 23) around 3pm with your documents so that we may begin the process? We would need from you a carta d'identità or passport, your Codice Fiscale and your Italian working permit. Please let me know if you could come by the university this Friday. If that's impossible for you, we can find some other time next week to take care of these things.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon,
"K"

Manager of Executive Office and Personnel Relations

John Cabot University


Anyway, a week passed after my meeting with the President before I heard from them again, and I only heard from them because I kept emailing them. Eventually, the President's secretary answered one of my calls and said that the President was out of the country on a financial emergency for the University and that they were putting a hold on all hiring until further notice. CONVENIENT. We contacted our lawyer, but at the end just said to hell with them, I don't want to work there anyway. I would have thought an American university, or educational institution and higher-level learning environment, would have had more prestige, understanding, and class than that. Guess not!


2. I had my 2nd sonogram

Sonograms are really God's modern gift to moms. It is the most AMAZING experience to be able to not only see your baby, but to watch it move, to poke your stomach and see it react, and to hear its heartbeat. Now, I wasn't into this whole mommy thing in the beginning, but I am FULL BLOWN excited and so mommyish now. When I am on the phone with ex-colleagues (and great friends) from the UN who talk about mobile distributions in Haiti, or emergency preparedness in Niger, or how the Price of somewhere in the UK is visiting their office, all I can respond with is "this week my baby has grown to 3 inches from crown to rump" which means nothing to them. But my friends here do a really good job at being interested and listening to me and asking questions and wanting to spend time with me. I am very lucky!

Ok onto the sonogram:
Since my mother-in-law works at the hospital, she brought me in after hours to have a special sonogram which lasts 1 hour and tests for certain chromosomal diseases. I was so lucky because since it was after hours, and I am the daughter-in-law of the favoured obstetrician, I had the 2 top OBGYN doctors doing my sonogram, 1 of which is the professor (it is a teaching hospital) of reading and analyzing sonograms. They just played around with my uterus while I watched. At first the baby was asleep, with his legs crossed, with one hand on his knee, and one hand on his tummy. The doctor wanted him (I am going to refer to the baby as him until we find out the sex, it is just easier!) to wake up so he started jabbing my uterus with the sonogram joystick (I have no idea what it's called) which kind of hurt, to be honest. The baby was resisting to wake up, and he moved the hand from his belly up to his face as if he was rubbing his eyes or something! It was so cute!

Everything with baby was PERFECT, both doctors said. Not just the sonogram, but all blood work and urine tests came back outstanding! No problems what-so-ever. Then I had to find out how much weight I had gained. I went to the bathroom trying to push out any extra weight (I said I would be honest!) and started jumping up and down to burn off any calories I could. I was so scared of my mother-in-law. She is from the old school where doctors think that it is really bad to gain over 25 pounds during pregnancy.

On top of that, I don't weigh myself. EVER. So I had no idea how much weight I had gained. However, the only time I do weigh myself, is when I go home to the States. I weigh myself when I get there, and when I leave, to see how much I have gained and have a laugh. I swore off scales long ago as I think they bring bad energy and just make me obsessive. Your weight doesn't matter, but how tight your jeans and underwear are, does! Since I had just arrived back from the states, I knew my weight and told the doctor that number. And...drum roll please...

I only gained 3.1 pounds in my first trimester, and I was weighed at night! The doctor said for my height and pre-pregnancy weight, this is just perfect.

Everything is perfect!

Here are some 13 week belly shots:

11 week pop and we are at 12 weeks!!!!

I just finished the 11th week. The 11th week is a period of major growth for the baby. In fact, the baby doubles its size in just 1 week. I am 12 weeks and I think I woke up with a popped belly this morning!

OK...before you see the pics...READ THIS:

I usually take my belly pictures on Sunday morning before eating or drinking anything (which is also how I use to weigh myself...it makes you feel much better that way!). Today, however, I took my pictures on Sunday evening after eating the best thing in the world. Let me tell you what I ate.

We went to Castelli Romani to this little restaurant that makes the best pasta dish ever. Basically, they make the pasta (ours was with panna, porcini mushrooms, and spicy sausage) then, table side, they take a big wheel of Parmesan cheese and set it on fire (!) and throw the pasta inside, and roll the pasta around the inside of the melting wheel of cheese so that each single piece of pasta is covered in the delicious goodness.


AHHHH

Anyways, this, combined with bread, dessert, and LOTS of water, has led to my belly being seemingly bigger than what it really is. (MOM-no comments needed about how unhealthy my meal was, I know...but every once in a while I think I deserve to splurge).

Here are my 12 week pics:






Here are some beach pics from Saturday...in a bikini!