Monday, October 17, 2011

38 weeks 6 days

Oh my...how time is flying by! It honestly seems like yesterday that we found out that I was pregnant! Now here I am almost 39 weeks pregnant!

We had a baby shower a few weeks ago. Our family and friends blew us away with their generosity. We are all set for when the baby decides to make his or her appearance! Everything is washed, assembled, and put away. We just need the baby now.

At my 36 week appointment, I was 1 cm dilated and 60% effaced. At my 38 week appointment I was 4 cm dilated and the doctor could feel the baby's head. In fact, he truly thought I was in labor and that I didn't know it. I got hooked up for a non-stress test and proved him wrong. No contractions! I jokingly told the doctor that I am just trying to get as much of a head start as possible before actually having to deal with the pain of contractions!

Although the doctor told me I will have the baby within a week, I made my weekly appointment for next Thursday. Honestly, I just don't feel like this baby is coming any time soon. I only have a little light period like cramps now and then...nothing regular. I even went to a concert on Saturday night (the Fab Faux) and still nothing despite all the walking and music vibrations.

I keep telling everyone that this is a stubborn child who is going to hang on by his or her toes to stay in!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

What? I am 30 weeks...

I am not sure where the time has gone! It seems like yesterday I was standing in disbelief in our bathroom with a positive pregnancy test in my hand. It seems like yesterday we heard the heartbeat for the first time. And yet, time has flown by and now I am 30 weeks along! Only 10 more weeks (give or take) until we meet our little one!

The baby has been kicking and punching like crazy lately. You can literally watch my belly ripple as the baby moves around. It's the most amazing thing! Every night, DH lays in bed with his hand on my belly talking to the baby and feeling it move. It's my favorite time of day. We're all in bed...including the dog...and we just relax as a family before we drift off to sleep.

The baby also seems to really hate the doppler. When it was smaller it would just keep rolling away from the doppler and it would literally take the nurse 15 minutes to get the baby's heartbeat. Now, the baby is too confined and can't roll away so the baby start punching and kicking the doppler to the point where it comes off my belly. Apparently our child doesn't like to have its privacy invaded...an issue that I am sure will come up in the future.

I am getting VERY big! I gained way too much weight last month even though I don't feel that I ate any differently. I gained 7lbs instead of 4-5. My legs, ankles, and feet have been swelling on a daily basis. Every night it goes back down and during the day my ankles puff back up. Oh, and the girls have continued to grow. I keep stuffing them in my too-small bra because I just don't want to deal with buying yet another round of bras. I've been holding out, but I don't think I can do it much longer...a bra shopping trip is in my near future. The fatigue of the first trimester seems to be coming back as well.

Despite the minor discomforts, I am so happy to be experiencing all of this - the good and the bad! I love feeling the baby move around inside me. In some ways, I am going to miss having the baby all to myself. And at the same time I cannot wait to meet this little one.

We have the room mostly ready. All we have to do is put up a few pictures on the wall and some curtains. We also have the swing all ready to go as well as the bassinet. We wanted to have the room all done so in the last month all I have to do is put away anything we get from a baby shower and do some last minute shopping for any few items we are lacking. I plan on working my full time job up until I give birth so that I can have all of my time off spent with the baby. My part-time job I will be giving up at the end of this month. I need the time to get ready for the baby and rest.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

22 weeks and sick

We had our 20 week ultrasound and much to our delight all was perfect with the baby! We held strong and did not find out the gender. The technician doesn't write it down so I don't have to worry about the doctors accidentally letting it slip. We also found out that my hubby is O+, so I definitely have to get some shots since I am B-. No biggie...I can deal with a shot or two if I have to!

It's been a whirlwind few weeks. We had the anatomy ultrasound and we also had my brother's wedding last weekend. The wedding preparations kept us busy almost every night for the last few weeks, but it was all worth it! Their wedding was beautiful! I am so happy for them.

Along with some candy, I got a parting favor of a summer cold. I must have picked it up from one of the guests. I have a sore throat and tons of congestion. Not much I can do about it. I am allowed to take Sudafed, but I have an allergy to it, so I still can't take it. So, I am just riding this cold out with cough drops, orange juice and lots of sleep! At least my morning sickness seems to have gone away!!! Apparently I just take until the 5 month mark!

I can't believe that I am so far in this pregnancy. This is flying by quickly. I can now feel the baby move pretty much daily. I have prayed so hard for a healthy child to be born...that is all I want. I can endure anything if I have that end result!

Friday, May 27, 2011

18 weeks and bumpin'

You know you got me goin', now
(Got me goin')
Just like I knew you would
(Like I knew you would)

Well, shake it up, baby, now
(Shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout
(Twist and shout)


Well, I have definitely popped. While I have started to have a bit of a belly before, now my bump is very obvious! In addition, last week I began to feel movement. At first it was just some swirly, fluttery feelings. This week it became a definite KICK feeling. And the best part is that hubby could feel one of the kicks by putting his hand on my belly! It was definitely a shining moment.

It's hard to believe that in 2 weeks I am half way through this pregnancy! Time is flying by SO quickly. And we have begun our preparations for the baby's arrival. I have gotten talks going at work with my boss about working from home a few days per week. I have started calling daycares in the area to look for someone to watch my baby. And we have the baby's dresser picked out and ordered. Once the dresser is in place, I can begin to put things away.

In a week and a half we have our anatomy ultrasound and soon after that I think I want to make a list of what we need for the baby and register for it.

I still have morning sickness, but it isn't every day any more. I have just resigned myself to the fact that I am going to throw up most days of this pregnancy...and that is okay. I just want a healthy baby...I can deal with vomiting!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

16 weeks 6 days...where did the time go?

I have no idea where all the time has gone, but I woke up one day and realized that I was 16 weeks! I guess I am so busy trying to survive morning sickness as well as work a 50-60 hour week that I just don't realize how much time has passed.

I had my 16 week appointment last Wednesday. I did the usual pee in the cup, step on the scale, and blood pressure taken. All was good. The doctor found the baby's heartbeat...it was in the 140s. All is looking good.

I asked about hubby's blood work. About a month before, he went and got his blood drawn so that it could be typed. Since I am B negative, we need to know what his blood type is to determine if I need to get a shot at 24 weeks and at the birth. Apparently, the lab did the WRONG blood test, so he has to go and get the blood work done again! (Needless to say, he is none to pleased at the prospect, but he'll do whatever he has to for me and the baby.) Apparently the lab checked his red and white blood cell count instead of actually typing his blood.

Additionally, hubby has gone off the Hcg shots (with the permission of his doctor.) He is going through MAJOR withdrawal symptoms right now including dizziness, migraines, and irritability. You can tell he just feels like poop. I truly wish that there was something I could do to make him feel better. (Although he says the same to me when I am puking in the mornings.) The doctor is having him go for blood draws 1x month for the next few months to see what his body does on its own. And if (and when) hubby begins to feel tired again, then he is to call and the doctor will put him on a low dose of androgel to help him maintain a healthy testosterone level. Hopefully hubby will be through the worst of it soon. As he says, it was worth it to be on that medication because now we're having a baby!

I am still experiencing morning sickness although it is not every day anymore. Sometimes I wonder if I am going to have morning sickness through the whole pregnancy (like my grandmother.) Even if I do, it will be totally worth it if this baby comes out healthy. This morning was pretty rough. I will spare you the details, but it involved lots of vomit and a nose bleed.

It's starting to be uncomfortable when I sleep now. I wake up multiple times a night to switch positions. My arms and legs sometimes feel a bit restless as well. Sleeping on my tummy and back aren't really an option anymore...it hurts too much. I just sleep on my side now.

I had a lot of cramping yesterday, but it seemed to go away. I read that the baby is hitting a growth spurt right now...I think all the cramping was everything growing to make some room for the baby! I read that this coming week the baby will be 5 inches long and weight 5 ozs (the same as a turnip.) It is so hard to believe that our little speck has turned into a 5 inch long baby!

I cannot wait until our next ultrasound. I have it at 20 weeks exactly (June 8th.) Hubby is able to come with me to this one. I cannot wait to see how big the baby is now and what the baby is capable of doing (ie sucking its thumb, making facial gestures, etc.)I love watching the baby move! I also just need the reassurance that the baby is growing well in there. This morning sickness has made it hard to eat anything all that healthy. I try to when I can, but on the days when I am really sick, I am just happy to get anything down at all. Even though I am almost 17 weeks, my weight is still only up 3 lbs. I know its okay and that I will gain it through the rest of the second and third trimesters but I still worry that the baby isn't getting everything it needs.

We're still on Team Green, so we don't plan on finding out the sex at the 20 week ultrasound (much to the dismay of our family and friends). We're just hoping that the baby isn't an exhibitionist. We don't want to accidentally find out. In my purely evil mind, I have thought about sending out an email after our ultrasound with the subject of "We're having a..." with the text continuing on to say "a healthy baby!" with a picture or two from the ultrasound. I know a couple people who would be so excited when they see that subject...it's evil I know, but sometimes it is fun to just mess with people!

Monday, May 9, 2011

15 weeks 4 days: My almost-a-Mother's day

"It's getting better all the time..."

My first "Almost-a-mother's" Day was fantastic. Yes, I did still have some morning sickness. (I do think it is starting to get better...I don't vomit EVERY DAY now...just some days.) I think that was the baby's way of saying "Hi, mom! I'm still in here...don't worry that you killed me! Have a good day!"

After speaking to various family members relaying Happy Mother's Day wishes, my husband and I picked up my mom and took her out to a Mother's Day breakfast. When we got back, my hubby asked me what I wanted to do to celebrate. I of course replied...clean out the baby's room...organize the basement a bit more. So, hubby and I headed out to Target, got some cube shelf storage with fabric totes for the basement. We are going to use that to hold various toys. Then we worked on cleaning out the baby's room as well as organizing the basement. It was a lot of work, but the results are fabulous. I can now fit baby furniture in...and the basement is also looking a lot less of a mess as well!

It's supposed to be nice over the next few days, so I think I am going to try to get outside and plant some flowers and do some weeding. Later in the week, I am going to try to work on the baby book!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Saying Goodbye

My grandfather passed away early Saturday morning. He had been in hospice care since Tuesday afternoon due to stage 4 and stage 3 cancers throughout his body. In addition he was septic from a perforated bowel.

I knew the instant the phone rang what I was going to hear. It was news that brought both sadness and relief. Relief that he didn't have to labor breathing anymore or feel any pain. Sadness that I was saying goodbye to a wonderful man who had always shown us such love.

My last conversation with him was about the baby. I had just had my 12 week ultrasound done and I went over to show him it. He was SO excited to see those pictures. He was thrilled that he was finally going to be a great-grandfather. He suffered short term memory loss, but remembered that he saw the photos and told my grandmother to see me...that I had pictures of the baby to show her. The baby left quite an impression.

I am sad that he will never get to hold his great-grandchild. Or see his grandson get married in June. But I am glad that he doesn't have to suffer a slow painful death from the cancer. I have been on that journey with other family members. I know he is in heaven looking down on us. I know he will be watching over our child.

I do believe that things happen for a reason. When we went to hubby's endocrinologist appointment last week, we found out that his count hadn't gone up much. So, basically we have a miracle baby...one that is meant to bring our family joy when we have such sorrow this year. One generation left this earth but another generation is on its way to join us.

Now I just need to get through the viewing tonight and the funeral tomorrow. I dread these things...I am a person who deals with grief privately. And I still have some morning sickness...so hopefully I can get through the next two days gracefully.

I love you, grandpop! Thank you for always taking such good care of our family. I have so many happy memories with you...I will always love and miss you, but I celebrate your return to heaven.