Get your mumps out of my face.

Last night, while chatting with the hubs and sister-in-law, and then while perusing the 2010 Ikea catalog (many earmarks were made, let me tell you) - I half-watched the Dateline special called "A Dose of Controversy" about vaccinations, autism, and the he-said she-said war of who's right.

A statement given by the American Academy of Pediatrics to Dateline pretty much sums up why I WILL be vaccinating my child. Specifically:

While it is likely that there are many environmental factors that influence the development of autism, vaccines are not the cause of autism. We know this because many careful and repeated studies show no link between vaccines and autism. Specifically, numerous studies have refuted Andrew Wakefield’s theory that MMR vaccine is linked to bowel disorders and autism. Every aspect of Dr. Wakefield’s theory has been disproven.

Don't get me wrong, I am concerned about Autism and the possibility of my child developing it. However, it's sounding more and more like a genetic defect (which one study says possibly develops sometime in the 2nd trimester) and at this point, may be unavoidable. In the meantime, since almost all studies show that there is NO LINK between childhood vaccines and Autism, I will have my kids vaccinated. It's more important now than ever to have your kids vaccinated since so many parents are NOT vaccinating their children, exposing EVERYONE to the possibility of any number of diseases and infections that haven't been widespread for years, like whooping cough and measles.

It's a very sensitive subject with parents, and one I would probably leave on the shelf among strangers (like religion and politics) because people's mind's are usually pretty made up on the topic. I will not try to convince someone otherwise if they choose to not vaccinate. I WILL protect my child from those people's children by vaccinating them.

In less controversial news, I'd like to give a shout out to my sciatic nerve for ruining my day.

Was that a Mack truck? Oh wait - it was just the weekend.

This weekend was a good one for sure, but completely wiped me out. We got so much done, spent a lot of time with my parents, and had a lot of fun. However, I am paying the price today. And last night. I paid the price last night too.

Anyway - we started the weekend out with a De La Soul concert at First Avenue on Thursday night, and after that wrapped up, headed to the hotel where my parents would be staying.

Friday, the hubs and I cleaned up the house, and once my parents arrived, my dad and I installed a ceiling fan/light fixture in the baby's room. And we did it - we powered it up and it worked without smoking or blowing up. (High-five, Dad!) It looks pretty nice. I'll take some more pics when we have a little more done. Friday night we went to a bar/restaurant in Northeast and then called it a night.

Saturday, my mom and I went to the Mall of America where she purchased early birthday gifts for me - work (maternity) clothes. The passing of labor day means no more "casual summer" at my job. Le sad. But now, I am set. Like my mom said - hopefully I don't get put on bedrest or something and can actually use those clothes for the rest of my pregnancy! Saturday evening we went to the state fair, walked and ate tons of food, watched The Wailers play. I also froze to death. It was about 57 degrees...at 9:30 at night...at the end of August. Gotta love Minnesota weather. Anyway, contractions started up like the weekend before, and I had to get home. Once home, I reclined on the couch where my body pretty much gave up on itself, and every muscle ached. My dear hubs ran a bath for me (the first I've taken since being pregnant) and it was HEAVEN. It really helped. But, sleeping was another matter. I couldn't get comfortable and my whole body was cramping up. I'll assume it was rebellion for the miles I walked in both the mall and the fair. In any case, I slept pretty shitty.

Today we had breakfast with my parents and then they left. It was sad, but I think I was too tired/achy to cry. I don't know if I'll see them again before the baby's here...we're going to try for them to come again in October. Anyway - I've pretty much been parked on the couch since then, sleeping and relaxing, something I haven't done in a while.

And, to round out this post to be the LONGEST EVER...I have a gallbladder update. This is where I get red faced and slightly embarrassed. The thought occurred to me last week that maybe the constant rib pain on my right side was caused by something else. I always felt better in the mornings, and some evenings...and (get this) whenever I would wear a sports bra. So, I moved my bra to the next loosest hooks.

The pain went away.

I am Jack's complete and utter embarrassment.

Granted, I still get occasional pains here and there, but the constant ache I was experiencing is gone. I'm so relived, but still trying to eat a lower fat diet to get everything under control.

Later...or tomorrow, I'm going to post about the Dateline special on (right now) about vaccines and autism.

I'm feeling ballsy.

Therefore, internets...I've decided to post a bare belly picture.

Forgive me.

THE HORROR.

(as I type this, the ninja is working through it's 4th bout of hiccups today. Poor lil' ninja.)

29 weeks.

How far along? 29 weeks.
Total weight gain/loss: About + 25 lbs, give or take a pound.
Maternity clothes? Yes. Yes indeed. My "large shirts" (non-maternity) I bought earlier in the pregnancy are starting to not be so large anymore.
Stretch marks? I can't bare to even look at my thighs anymore. So I'll continue to enjoy my stretchie free tummy.
Sleep: Not so good the past few nights. Cannot get comfortable. Where can I put my arms where they won't fall asleep?!
Best moment this week: Hmmm. I guess NOT going into labor at the cabin was pretty cool.
Movement: Yes'm.
Food cravings: Everything high fat. EVERYTHING. I always want what I can't have...
Gender: EVERYONE and their mom says girl. This week I'm kind of leaning boy again.
Labor Signs: See a couple posts below. The BH are fighting with my gallbladder to see which can be more annoying.
Belly Button in or out? Both. (And yes, it's totally possible.)
What I miss: Junk food. Specifically those donuts pictured below. All I did was think about them just now, and my mouth is watering.
What I am looking forward to: My parents visiting this weekend!!
Weekly Wisdom: Gallbladders are annoying.
Milestones: Turned the corner into the 7th month!!

The Fruit: 29-32 weeks (Month 7)

Yeah, that's a squash.

Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments.

In all honesty, I haven't felt kicks to the ribs yet. Is that weird? Maybe because I'm too busy holding onto the ribs on my right side for fear of my gallbladder blowing through them.