Saturday, December 20, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Birthday July 20, 2008
Connor James Lawson arrived on Sunday, July 20th, 2008 at 11:16 am weighing in at 6 lbs 8 oz and 20 inches long.
How it all happened:
Saturday, July 19th, I woke up at 9:45 am and realized that I had slept 10 hours that night! It was amazing to sleep that long and feel that rested. But, I realized that I hadn't felt little Connor move all night. I got up and ate a really big breakfast: 2 nectarines, 2 eggs and 2 Pop Tarts (strawberry). Now, I was fully rested and had a nice full stomach. Now it was time to clean house.
It then was 11am and I woke up Ryan to tell him that I still hadn't felt the baby move. (I had felt hiccups once, but never a kick or anything since Friday.) He convinced me to page the doctor. The OU doctor on call told me to go to the hospital immediately to check it out. After hanging up the phone, I cried because I was scared and in my gut I knew that it was a God sign that I had a good nights sleep and a big breakfast...
I was able to wash my face and put on deodorant before Ryan was frustrated and said, "get in the car!" We arrived at the hospital around noon. My blood pressure was 140 something over 96. I still had swelling in my feet that didn't go away over night and I now had 1+ protein in my urine. It was only a trace just 2 days ago at my doctor appointment. So, within 5 minutes of being there the nurse came in to my room in triage and said, "We're going to have a baby today!" My first reaction, in a loud voice with bug eyes, "WHAT!" I didn't know what to think. I was not prepared for that statement, but in my gut I knew that was going to happen. After the nurse left I cried to Ryan saying "I'm not ready yet!" Ryan, of course, was so elated. He could not stop smiling. I could not grasp the situation forth coming. I started listing off things that still needed to be done at home....I didn't get to vacuum or do the laundry!
Within an hour I was wheeled up to a Labor and Delivery room. They hooked me up to an iv, after 3 tries in different veins. My cervical exam resulted in me needing to have Miso (sp?) put into me via a disolvable pill to make my cervix thin out and start to dilate. While they were hooking me up to everything and getting me situated, Ryan went home to grab all the hospital bags and bring Chief back to town for him to go to my parents house. In the mean time, mom came up to the hospital to be with me.
The miso was inserted at around 4p. It began to give me contractions, but they were very bearable. After the miso wore off (4 hours) they checked my cervix again (8p). I had dilated to a 2, but since I had contractions, they could not do another round of miso, instead they started pitocin. I was scared to labor on pitocin, but I did not want the epidural because I had to prove I could give labor naturally! I did get to use the hospital birthing ball. So, for the first 5 hours of being on pitocin, I sat on the birthing ball and had Ryan rub my back. The first 5 hours were bearable. I forgot to mention that every 30 minutes they would up the pitocin dosage. After about 5 hours I had dilated to 3cm...slow, but it was progression. My contractions started to become too uncomfortable and I knew I had a long road ahead since it took me 5 hours to gain a centimeter. I did take Stadol. I was warned that it is really only affective for the first dosage and it only lasts an hour. I wanted to try it and see how it helped. Stadol made me feel drunk and it took the edge off the contractions. I was able to rest, with my eyes closed for about 30 minutes. Each hour, for about 4 hours, I asked for another round of Stadol, but looking back, they were right because it did not help ease the pain at all after that first dosage. Sometime during those 4 hours they said I did dilate to "barely 4cm." They decided to break my water. Thus far, the most painful thing is to lay flat on a hospital bed and have them poke and prod me. They broke my water and it was clear, but at the same time, they put in an internal monitor. I had no warning they were going to do this, nor did I have a real reason why. But, this monitor was able to tell them the accuracy of how strong my contractions really were. I think they wanted to make sure I was having adequate contractions to help me progress. But, during the water breaking and insertion of the monitor, I started shaking, crying and moaning really loud. It was SO painful.
Through the rest of the wee hours of the morning I still labored through the pitocin contractions but with moans and groans. Finally, at around 9:00 am on the 20th, I couldn't take the pain anymore. I asked for an epidural. Ryan was out of the room when mom and the doctor helped convince me to get it. He was glad he was not in the room because he didn't know how to handle that situation as the labor coach, knowing I didn't want to get an epidural, but also seeing how much pain I was in. It took about 20 minutes until the epi was inserted. Once inserted at about 9:30am, they said it might take about 10 minutes for it to take full affect. I finally was able to rest during my contractions and I fell asleep for 30 minutes. I woke up suddenly from my sleep to burning in my vaginal canal. The contractions were not bad, but the burning was horrible. I immediately said to the nurse, "somethings not right, the epi is not working right because I feel horrible pain down there." She had me sit up more to get the medicine to flow "down there." She did a cervical exam and within 30 minutes of being on the epi, I dilated from 4cm to 8 cm. As soon as the nurse left the room, I became very verbal with my moans and still insisted the epi was not working because I thought you aren't supposed to feel anything and I still felt horrible burning and stretching pain down there. I suddenly had the urge to push. Ryan called the nurse right back in the room and she did another cervical exam. I was now 10 cm and ready to push! It took 45minutes on the epi for me to relax and dilate from 4cm to 10cm. I didn't know that my body was too tense for the past 17hours to dilate.
The nurse immediately sat at the end of the bed and guided me to begin pushing during contractions. Ryan was on one leg and a nurse was on my other leg holding them up.(Later on, after birth, Ryan said that with the first pushes they could already see the head.) Basically the pushing was very painful, enough so that I said I might throw up, so they had a barf bag on standby. I pushed from 10:18am to 11:16am. Throughout the pushing they kept thinking that the next push would get his head out. In my head, I was horrified and didn't think I could "do this" because I thought I would have to push this hard, all over again, to get the shoulders out too. I screamed at the staff once because it was more painful to have them pulling apart my vagina, making way for the baby's head. They decided to finally do a small episiotomy. I knew it was happening, but it wasn't uncomfortable. After they cut me, he came out! And, 5 seconds later they said the shoulders were out. I was so relieved to know that I didn't have to push hard to get the rest of him out. Once out they took him over to the bed to get his measurements. Ryan went over there to him. I laid there and was stitched up. Getting stitched was painful too because I was so sore down there. It didn't help that I had some brand new resident doing the stitching. He was being trained as he did the stitching, so it took forever. Apparently, this was one of his first births too. While being stitched, I asked loudly, "It's a boy, right?!"
Now, we have baby Connor James Lawson, whom, based on pictures from Ryan as a baby, looks just like Ryan, only with my dimples!
How it all happened:
Saturday, July 19th, I woke up at 9:45 am and realized that I had slept 10 hours that night! It was amazing to sleep that long and feel that rested. But, I realized that I hadn't felt little Connor move all night. I got up and ate a really big breakfast: 2 nectarines, 2 eggs and 2 Pop Tarts (strawberry). Now, I was fully rested and had a nice full stomach. Now it was time to clean house.
It then was 11am and I woke up Ryan to tell him that I still hadn't felt the baby move. (I had felt hiccups once, but never a kick or anything since Friday.) He convinced me to page the doctor. The OU doctor on call told me to go to the hospital immediately to check it out. After hanging up the phone, I cried because I was scared and in my gut I knew that it was a God sign that I had a good nights sleep and a big breakfast...
I was able to wash my face and put on deodorant before Ryan was frustrated and said, "get in the car!" We arrived at the hospital around noon. My blood pressure was 140 something over 96. I still had swelling in my feet that didn't go away over night and I now had 1+ protein in my urine. It was only a trace just 2 days ago at my doctor appointment. So, within 5 minutes of being there the nurse came in to my room in triage and said, "We're going to have a baby today!" My first reaction, in a loud voice with bug eyes, "WHAT!" I didn't know what to think. I was not prepared for that statement, but in my gut I knew that was going to happen. After the nurse left I cried to Ryan saying "I'm not ready yet!" Ryan, of course, was so elated. He could not stop smiling. I could not grasp the situation forth coming. I started listing off things that still needed to be done at home....I didn't get to vacuum or do the laundry!
Within an hour I was wheeled up to a Labor and Delivery room. They hooked me up to an iv, after 3 tries in different veins. My cervical exam resulted in me needing to have Miso (sp?) put into me via a disolvable pill to make my cervix thin out and start to dilate. While they were hooking me up to everything and getting me situated, Ryan went home to grab all the hospital bags and bring Chief back to town for him to go to my parents house. In the mean time, mom came up to the hospital to be with me.
The miso was inserted at around 4p. It began to give me contractions, but they were very bearable. After the miso wore off (4 hours) they checked my cervix again (8p). I had dilated to a 2, but since I had contractions, they could not do another round of miso, instead they started pitocin. I was scared to labor on pitocin, but I did not want the epidural because I had to prove I could give labor naturally! I did get to use the hospital birthing ball. So, for the first 5 hours of being on pitocin, I sat on the birthing ball and had Ryan rub my back. The first 5 hours were bearable. I forgot to mention that every 30 minutes they would up the pitocin dosage. After about 5 hours I had dilated to 3cm...slow, but it was progression. My contractions started to become too uncomfortable and I knew I had a long road ahead since it took me 5 hours to gain a centimeter. I did take Stadol. I was warned that it is really only affective for the first dosage and it only lasts an hour. I wanted to try it and see how it helped. Stadol made me feel drunk and it took the edge off the contractions. I was able to rest, with my eyes closed for about 30 minutes. Each hour, for about 4 hours, I asked for another round of Stadol, but looking back, they were right because it did not help ease the pain at all after that first dosage. Sometime during those 4 hours they said I did dilate to "barely 4cm." They decided to break my water. Thus far, the most painful thing is to lay flat on a hospital bed and have them poke and prod me. They broke my water and it was clear, but at the same time, they put in an internal monitor. I had no warning they were going to do this, nor did I have a real reason why. But, this monitor was able to tell them the accuracy of how strong my contractions really were. I think they wanted to make sure I was having adequate contractions to help me progress. But, during the water breaking and insertion of the monitor, I started shaking, crying and moaning really loud. It was SO painful.
Through the rest of the wee hours of the morning I still labored through the pitocin contractions but with moans and groans. Finally, at around 9:00 am on the 20th, I couldn't take the pain anymore. I asked for an epidural. Ryan was out of the room when mom and the doctor helped convince me to get it. He was glad he was not in the room because he didn't know how to handle that situation as the labor coach, knowing I didn't want to get an epidural, but also seeing how much pain I was in. It took about 20 minutes until the epi was inserted. Once inserted at about 9:30am, they said it might take about 10 minutes for it to take full affect. I finally was able to rest during my contractions and I fell asleep for 30 minutes. I woke up suddenly from my sleep to burning in my vaginal canal. The contractions were not bad, but the burning was horrible. I immediately said to the nurse, "somethings not right, the epi is not working right because I feel horrible pain down there." She had me sit up more to get the medicine to flow "down there." She did a cervical exam and within 30 minutes of being on the epi, I dilated from 4cm to 8 cm. As soon as the nurse left the room, I became very verbal with my moans and still insisted the epi was not working because I thought you aren't supposed to feel anything and I still felt horrible burning and stretching pain down there. I suddenly had the urge to push. Ryan called the nurse right back in the room and she did another cervical exam. I was now 10 cm and ready to push! It took 45minutes on the epi for me to relax and dilate from 4cm to 10cm. I didn't know that my body was too tense for the past 17hours to dilate.
The nurse immediately sat at the end of the bed and guided me to begin pushing during contractions. Ryan was on one leg and a nurse was on my other leg holding them up.(Later on, after birth, Ryan said that with the first pushes they could already see the head.) Basically the pushing was very painful, enough so that I said I might throw up, so they had a barf bag on standby. I pushed from 10:18am to 11:16am. Throughout the pushing they kept thinking that the next push would get his head out. In my head, I was horrified and didn't think I could "do this" because I thought I would have to push this hard, all over again, to get the shoulders out too. I screamed at the staff once because it was more painful to have them pulling apart my vagina, making way for the baby's head. They decided to finally do a small episiotomy. I knew it was happening, but it wasn't uncomfortable. After they cut me, he came out! And, 5 seconds later they said the shoulders were out. I was so relieved to know that I didn't have to push hard to get the rest of him out. Once out they took him over to the bed to get his measurements. Ryan went over there to him. I laid there and was stitched up. Getting stitched was painful too because I was so sore down there. It didn't help that I had some brand new resident doing the stitching. He was being trained as he did the stitching, so it took forever. Apparently, this was one of his first births too. While being stitched, I asked loudly, "It's a boy, right?!"
Now, we have baby Connor James Lawson, whom, based on pictures from Ryan as a baby, looks just like Ryan, only with my dimples!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Dr. Bundren appointment
After circling the OU-Tulsa campus, I found the new building where the OU-Physicians have a private practice, which is where Dr. Bundren is located. (His invetro office is not on the OU campus.) The office building is new and really nice.
An OU nursing student took my vitals. Dr. Bundren checked my cervix, the outside measurements of my uterus/stomach and evaluated the urine test and my blood pressure. My cervix is soft, but not dialated yet. Based on the outside measurements of my uterus, I am measuring right at 37 weeks and not 3 1/2 weeks ahead. So, maybe he won't be a huge baby after all. My blood pressure was 140/90 and I had a trace of protein in my urine. Dr. Bundren did not like those two factors. Prior to me leaving, they checked my blood pressure again and it went back to 126/80.
I am scheduled to go back to the doctor office on Monday at 8:30a. During this appointment they will monitor my contractions, blood pressure and do an ultrasound to check the amount of amniotic fluid. At one point during my doctor visit, Bundren mentioned that we may need to get this baby out of me depending on what my appointment shows on Monday. He gets concerned when high blood pressure and protein show up all the sudden. I am bummed that he has inferred inducing because that will not be "natural birth" friendly. Dr. Bundren rotates with about 7 other doctors. He mentioned that he is going out of town at the end of next week. So, I really don't know what to think...is he trying to induce me so that he can for sure be there during the delivery, rather than have me be delivered by one of the rotating doctors? I am just a little bummed about going from a doctor that I was guaranteed to have during delivery..and always seeing the same office nurse to now being a patient in a practice of many doctors, nurses and even medical students. I'll try not to draw any more conclusions until I find out what he wants to do after my appointment on Monday.
An OU nursing student took my vitals. Dr. Bundren checked my cervix, the outside measurements of my uterus/stomach and evaluated the urine test and my blood pressure. My cervix is soft, but not dialated yet. Based on the outside measurements of my uterus, I am measuring right at 37 weeks and not 3 1/2 weeks ahead. So, maybe he won't be a huge baby after all. My blood pressure was 140/90 and I had a trace of protein in my urine. Dr. Bundren did not like those two factors. Prior to me leaving, they checked my blood pressure again and it went back to 126/80.
I am scheduled to go back to the doctor office on Monday at 8:30a. During this appointment they will monitor my contractions, blood pressure and do an ultrasound to check the amount of amniotic fluid. At one point during my doctor visit, Bundren mentioned that we may need to get this baby out of me depending on what my appointment shows on Monday. He gets concerned when high blood pressure and protein show up all the sudden. I am bummed that he has inferred inducing because that will not be "natural birth" friendly. Dr. Bundren rotates with about 7 other doctors. He mentioned that he is going out of town at the end of next week. So, I really don't know what to think...is he trying to induce me so that he can for sure be there during the delivery, rather than have me be delivered by one of the rotating doctors? I am just a little bummed about going from a doctor that I was guaranteed to have during delivery..and always seeing the same office nurse to now being a patient in a practice of many doctors, nurses and even medical students. I'll try not to draw any more conclusions until I find out what he wants to do after my appointment on Monday.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A blessing disguised as chaos at 37 weeks
After much thought regarding the doctor and hospital change, I've realized there are many positives that have come from this chaotic situation.
First, it was great to go to a high risk doctor throughout the majority of my pregnancy because I had reassuring ultrasounds at every appointment. But, I'm far enough along now that I don't need those reassuring ultrasounds.
Secondly, if I was still with Dr. Stewart, he would be doing the circumcision. I was never comfortable with him doing that because he's not a pediatrician. Now that I'm going back to Dr. Bundren, his policy is that the pediatrician does do the circumcision.
Lastly, Hillcrest hospital is known to have the best Women's Center in town and they are proponents of natural birth.
I am happy to go back to Dr. Bundren because I had planned to have him be my regular OB after the pregnancy. I was unaware that he has a separate offices: one for infertility and one for Obstetrics. I will now be put in the situation that I could get one of the other doctors on call for the delivery because Dr. Bundren does work in a private practice with a few other doctors in his OB office at the OU Schusterman Center.
Tonight I am going on a hospital tour with mom because Ryan is teaching a class at the fire department. I am just concerned that I get to see a visual of where I'll be giving birth. So, after the tour and my appointment with Dr. Bundren tomorrow, then I'll be at ease with having the baby at any time...plus I'm now 37 weeks (full term).
As for what my body is doing right now, well, it's cramping a lot and it feels like I have to hold the baby up or he'll fall out. I KNOW he has dropped. If he hasn't, then I can't imagine how much lower he could go. I now feel more kicking directly in the center, below my chest. So, I also think he is definitely as vertical as he can get.
I'm still rotating between the couch and the bed. I can only sleep in each one for a few hours and then it gets uncomfortable. Chief usually follows me wherever I sleep. He's still my baby puppy. Although, I think I scared him last night because I had moved out to the couch and he didn't hear me until I did a toss and turn. He came out there and frantically sniffed my face (to make sure it was me). I was a bit startled, but we both calmed down and he laid down beside me on the floor.
My blood pressure has gone back down to normal. I think it's because the roof is done and Ryan is back in town for good. But, my ankles have been getting really swollen since Monday. Usually they have only been getting a bit swollen at work, where I sit all day and cut off circulation. But, now they are staying swollen.
The baby has hiccups at least twice a day now. I think it's probably because he's swallowing amniotic fluid now. I read that they swallow stuff now and that's what causes the merconium (first stool to be black).
My car is washed, house is clean, and my bags are packed. Let's go!!!!
First, it was great to go to a high risk doctor throughout the majority of my pregnancy because I had reassuring ultrasounds at every appointment. But, I'm far enough along now that I don't need those reassuring ultrasounds.
Secondly, if I was still with Dr. Stewart, he would be doing the circumcision. I was never comfortable with him doing that because he's not a pediatrician. Now that I'm going back to Dr. Bundren, his policy is that the pediatrician does do the circumcision.
Lastly, Hillcrest hospital is known to have the best Women's Center in town and they are proponents of natural birth.
I am happy to go back to Dr. Bundren because I had planned to have him be my regular OB after the pregnancy. I was unaware that he has a separate offices: one for infertility and one for Obstetrics. I will now be put in the situation that I could get one of the other doctors on call for the delivery because Dr. Bundren does work in a private practice with a few other doctors in his OB office at the OU Schusterman Center.
Tonight I am going on a hospital tour with mom because Ryan is teaching a class at the fire department. I am just concerned that I get to see a visual of where I'll be giving birth. So, after the tour and my appointment with Dr. Bundren tomorrow, then I'll be at ease with having the baby at any time...plus I'm now 37 weeks (full term).
As for what my body is doing right now, well, it's cramping a lot and it feels like I have to hold the baby up or he'll fall out. I KNOW he has dropped. If he hasn't, then I can't imagine how much lower he could go. I now feel more kicking directly in the center, below my chest. So, I also think he is definitely as vertical as he can get.
I'm still rotating between the couch and the bed. I can only sleep in each one for a few hours and then it gets uncomfortable. Chief usually follows me wherever I sleep. He's still my baby puppy. Although, I think I scared him last night because I had moved out to the couch and he didn't hear me until I did a toss and turn. He came out there and frantically sniffed my face (to make sure it was me). I was a bit startled, but we both calmed down and he laid down beside me on the floor.
My blood pressure has gone back down to normal. I think it's because the roof is done and Ryan is back in town for good. But, my ankles have been getting really swollen since Monday. Usually they have only been getting a bit swollen at work, where I sit all day and cut off circulation. But, now they are staying swollen.
The baby has hiccups at least twice a day now. I think it's probably because he's swallowing amniotic fluid now. I read that they swallow stuff now and that's what causes the merconium (first stool to be black).
My car is washed, house is clean, and my bags are packed. Let's go!!!!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Changing doctor and hospital!
Today I found out that Dr. Stewart has personal issues that probably aren't going to be resolved and so he is closing his practice! As of 4:30pm today I have spoke to Dr. Bundren's office for them to see me through the rest of the pregnancy and we also registered at Hillcrest Hospital. Dr. Bundren delivers at Hillcrest. Now, I am trying to set up a last minute private tour of the hospital! I have to have my weekly appointment at Hillcrest this week because Dr. Bundren's office doesn't have any open slots, but I should be seen by him in the office starting next week. I just hope that I get to tour the hospital and see Dr. Bundren before I go in to labor. I want to be able to explain to him my birth plan and allow him to check everything over before he actually delivers the baby!
I am sitting in the recliner with my feet propped up on pillows. My feet and legs are extremely swollen. My legs and feet feel like my skin is stretched to the max. I only get swollen when I sit during the day (i.e. at work). If I'm up and around, they don't get swollen at all.
I am sitting in the recliner with my feet propped up on pillows. My feet and legs are extremely swollen. My legs and feet feel like my skin is stretched to the max. I only get swollen when I sit during the day (i.e. at work). If I'm up and around, they don't get swollen at all.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Yoga hurts
I went to yoga class on Wednesday and I was only able to do a few of the instructed positions. It was painful and not a good pain. The baby is just too big. I could not even attempt to get comfortable during the relaxation time on the floor...granted we get to use pillows...that still didn't help.
Speaking of pillows, there is really no amount of pillows that can help me get comfortable enough to sleep in bed. My upper back really hurts from laying on my left side and my right arm having to hang over across my body. I would give anything to be able to lay on my back or right side again. Ahh...the luxuries in life that I miss. I have found that the couch is much more comfortable because of the back support that the cushions give and also the way that my stomach weight only sinks the middle couch pillow, leaving the end cushion up higher to keep my head elevated. The couch conforms to my body where as the bed has begun to feel like a board working against all my body's curves, er, baby curves.
Ryan and I finished our shingle medications today. He was un-quarantined earlier this week because all of the shingles scabbed up and went away. He also only had to take pain medication for 2 days. I think he caught it early. We are so thankful that I did not go in to labor while he had the shingles.
Robbin brought me the rest of the parts to the bassinet. It is all put together and in our bedroom. Chief will begin learning that he can't sleep in that area of our bedroom floor...that corner, where the bassinet sits was one of his prime sleeping areas. I really think Chief knows the baby is coming soon. He has been very attached to me. He even has been sleeping on the bed with his head on me! He never does that. He usually spoons with daddy at night. If I go in the living room to sleep on the couch, then he follows me and sleeps either on the floor next to me or on the couch (at the other end) with me. Sometimes he gets the great idea to nuzzle in behind the curve of my knees.
This past week we took a tour of St. John and pre-registered. Dr. Stewart closed his office this week, so he had me go to St. John for my normal, weekly appointment. For the first time during this whole pregnancy, I got high blood pressure while at my hospital appointment. It creeped up to 138/95 at it's highest. So, I had to stay in the hospital for two hours while they kept monitoring it. My BP hovered around the lower 90's and upper 80's, but since I didn't have any protein in my urine or any major swelling, the doctor decided to let me go. Ryan has been taking my BP at home, per my request, and it has stayed in the upper 80's and lower 90's, so I can't say that the hospital caused it to go up, although it was very strange being in L&D for the first time!
Also, while at my hospital appointment, they had me hooked up to a contraction monitor and apparently I'm having contractions. I can feel the contractions when I'm standing up, but I can't tell that I'm having them when I'm sitting down. I can't wait to see if I'm dialated at my appointment next week with Dr. Stewart. I know the baby is lower because it is much more uncomfortable to stand up. He is so heavy, lower, and I get frequent contractions when I stand.
Ryan is leaving this weekend to go teach some fire classes in Weatherford. Mom and dad are still on vacation in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, so I'm supposed to wait to have the baby until at least Monday. I'll try and hold off. Carol is on hospital call for me.
Speaking of pillows, there is really no amount of pillows that can help me get comfortable enough to sleep in bed. My upper back really hurts from laying on my left side and my right arm having to hang over across my body. I would give anything to be able to lay on my back or right side again. Ahh...the luxuries in life that I miss. I have found that the couch is much more comfortable because of the back support that the cushions give and also the way that my stomach weight only sinks the middle couch pillow, leaving the end cushion up higher to keep my head elevated. The couch conforms to my body where as the bed has begun to feel like a board working against all my body's curves, er, baby curves.
Ryan and I finished our shingle medications today. He was un-quarantined earlier this week because all of the shingles scabbed up and went away. He also only had to take pain medication for 2 days. I think he caught it early. We are so thankful that I did not go in to labor while he had the shingles.
Robbin brought me the rest of the parts to the bassinet. It is all put together and in our bedroom. Chief will begin learning that he can't sleep in that area of our bedroom floor...that corner, where the bassinet sits was one of his prime sleeping areas. I really think Chief knows the baby is coming soon. He has been very attached to me. He even has been sleeping on the bed with his head on me! He never does that. He usually spoons with daddy at night. If I go in the living room to sleep on the couch, then he follows me and sleeps either on the floor next to me or on the couch (at the other end) with me. Sometimes he gets the great idea to nuzzle in behind the curve of my knees.
This past week we took a tour of St. John and pre-registered. Dr. Stewart closed his office this week, so he had me go to St. John for my normal, weekly appointment. For the first time during this whole pregnancy, I got high blood pressure while at my hospital appointment. It creeped up to 138/95 at it's highest. So, I had to stay in the hospital for two hours while they kept monitoring it. My BP hovered around the lower 90's and upper 80's, but since I didn't have any protein in my urine or any major swelling, the doctor decided to let me go. Ryan has been taking my BP at home, per my request, and it has stayed in the upper 80's and lower 90's, so I can't say that the hospital caused it to go up, although it was very strange being in L&D for the first time!
Also, while at my hospital appointment, they had me hooked up to a contraction monitor and apparently I'm having contractions. I can feel the contractions when I'm standing up, but I can't tell that I'm having them when I'm sitting down. I can't wait to see if I'm dialated at my appointment next week with Dr. Stewart. I know the baby is lower because it is much more uncomfortable to stand up. He is so heavy, lower, and I get frequent contractions when I stand.
Ryan is leaving this weekend to go teach some fire classes in Weatherford. Mom and dad are still on vacation in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, so I'm supposed to wait to have the baby until at least Monday. I'll try and hold off. Carol is on hospital call for me.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Ryan has shingles!!!
Ryan has shingles and thats the worst news. The relief is that I'm far enough along in pregnancy that all the organs have developed so there is no risk, if I got it, for there to be organ development deficiencies in baby Connor. Actually, I can't get shingles, he can only give me chicken pox. Shingles is a flare up of the chicken pox virus. Shingles is not contagious, only the virus that causes the chicken pox can be spread. I have not had chicken pox. I actually got the immunization shot to chicken pox before college. But, my OB is putting me on Valtrex, just in case.
As for today's doctor appointment, the baby only gained 4 ounces in two weeks. That is a relief to me. I was hoping he didn't gain another 2 pounds in 2 weeks. My cervix is beginning to get soft and I'm dialated the size of a finger tip. But, that doesn't mean anything. Some people dialate over night and others can stay dialated at 3 centimeters (or so) for weeks. It just merely means my body is progressing naturally for birth.
Baby Connor's head is meausuring 41 weeks! This is just getting comical! The rest of his body parts are measuring 38 & 39 weeks. Again, his estimated due date still says July 17th.
The baby shower given by Steph, Tara, Amy and Elena was this past Saturday. It was so perfect! It was at Steph's house. Mom and Carol brought baby pics for decorations. We all had fun looking at baby pics of Ryan. I was given my car seat and the diaper champ, which that was a relief! Now, we are officially ready for the baby to come. Although, I still don't know how to work the car seat. I'll figure that out when the time comes. But, my bags are packed and everything is ready in the baby room!
Now, we just have to focus on making sure I don't get chicken pox and getting Ryan's wounds better. Now the concern is him giving chicken pox to a new born baby. Hopefully it'll be out of his system by then...or he'll just have to be VERY careful when holding the baby...that he won't have any open wounds. I'm worried that he's that stressed out to get shingles. They are caused from stress. I'm afraid he's going to give himself a heart attack at age 30. I know his family history of health is not the greatest...heart attacks, high blood pressure, and work-a-holics.
As for today's doctor appointment, the baby only gained 4 ounces in two weeks. That is a relief to me. I was hoping he didn't gain another 2 pounds in 2 weeks. My cervix is beginning to get soft and I'm dialated the size of a finger tip. But, that doesn't mean anything. Some people dialate over night and others can stay dialated at 3 centimeters (or so) for weeks. It just merely means my body is progressing naturally for birth.
Baby Connor's head is meausuring 41 weeks! This is just getting comical! The rest of his body parts are measuring 38 & 39 weeks. Again, his estimated due date still says July 17th.
The baby shower given by Steph, Tara, Amy and Elena was this past Saturday. It was so perfect! It was at Steph's house. Mom and Carol brought baby pics for decorations. We all had fun looking at baby pics of Ryan. I was given my car seat and the diaper champ, which that was a relief! Now, we are officially ready for the baby to come. Although, I still don't know how to work the car seat. I'll figure that out when the time comes. But, my bags are packed and everything is ready in the baby room!
Now, we just have to focus on making sure I don't get chicken pox and getting Ryan's wounds better. Now the concern is him giving chicken pox to a new born baby. Hopefully it'll be out of his system by then...or he'll just have to be VERY careful when holding the baby...that he won't have any open wounds. I'm worried that he's that stressed out to get shingles. They are caused from stress. I'm afraid he's going to give himself a heart attack at age 30. I know his family history of health is not the greatest...heart attacks, high blood pressure, and work-a-holics.
Friday, June 27, 2008
When you put it that way...
Ryan really wants me to just get induced tomorrow. He's "ready to have someone to play with."
His reasoning that I should get induced now is because he assumes I'm just miserable for the following reasons:
I can't eat hot dogs
I can't eat lunch meat
I can't drink alcohol
Acid reflux all day long, especially at night
I wake up every 2 hours to pee
I can only sleep on my left side
My stomach contracts
My feet and legs are swollen
I can't go to the lake
Well, when you put it that way, I do sound miserable, but actually I'm not. I'm still doing quite good! For some reason, I've slept a lot better the last few nights. I still wake up the same amount, but I've been able to fall in to deep enough sleeps to have dreams. I feel more rested.
To reduce my swelling, I've tried to increase water intake and I also went to Forest Ridge swimming pool. I look like a beached whale, but getting in the water does something for the swelling. The nurse commented how the pressure of the water against my swelling helps. While I was in the water, I did numerous leg lifts to get the fluid in my legs to move back up my body and distribute evenly. It worked!!! Plus, I got a tan.
The baby is still ALWAYS kicking on my right side. Although I do know he is a lot farther down than he has been in weeks past. I tend to sit very un-ladylike to accommodate for the lower belly. I'm sure I'm looking more like a waddler when I walk.
Chief continues to sleep on the floor by my side of the bed. He always used to sleep under the window on the other side of the bedroom. I think it's because he's being protective and that he does have a sense of what's in my stomach. I can't wait to see if he will sleep in the baby room after the baby is born. Ahh, the years to come where the baby will be a toddler running around the yard with Chief and probably pulling on his tail to play. So cute.
My doctor appointment is on Monday, then they become weekly. I'm 34 weeks right now. Birthing and breastfeeding classes are over. My baby shower with friends is tomorrow and the hospital tour and registration is in a week! The countdown has begun, although I still can't even fathom what it's going to be like to have a baby. It still doesn't seem real. I haven't been one to talk to my baby, while he's been in my belly. It's just so unreal still!
His reasoning that I should get induced now is because he assumes I'm just miserable for the following reasons:
I can't eat hot dogs
I can't eat lunch meat
I can't drink alcohol
Acid reflux all day long, especially at night
I wake up every 2 hours to pee
I can only sleep on my left side
My stomach contracts
My feet and legs are swollen
I can't go to the lake
Well, when you put it that way, I do sound miserable, but actually I'm not. I'm still doing quite good! For some reason, I've slept a lot better the last few nights. I still wake up the same amount, but I've been able to fall in to deep enough sleeps to have dreams. I feel more rested.
To reduce my swelling, I've tried to increase water intake and I also went to Forest Ridge swimming pool. I look like a beached whale, but getting in the water does something for the swelling. The nurse commented how the pressure of the water against my swelling helps. While I was in the water, I did numerous leg lifts to get the fluid in my legs to move back up my body and distribute evenly. It worked!!! Plus, I got a tan.
The baby is still ALWAYS kicking on my right side. Although I do know he is a lot farther down than he has been in weeks past. I tend to sit very un-ladylike to accommodate for the lower belly. I'm sure I'm looking more like a waddler when I walk.
Chief continues to sleep on the floor by my side of the bed. He always used to sleep under the window on the other side of the bedroom. I think it's because he's being protective and that he does have a sense of what's in my stomach. I can't wait to see if he will sleep in the baby room after the baby is born. Ahh, the years to come where the baby will be a toddler running around the yard with Chief and probably pulling on his tail to play. So cute.
My doctor appointment is on Monday, then they become weekly. I'm 34 weeks right now. Birthing and breastfeeding classes are over. My baby shower with friends is tomorrow and the hospital tour and registration is in a week! The countdown has begun, although I still can't even fathom what it's going to be like to have a baby. It still doesn't seem real. I haven't been one to talk to my baby, while he's been in my belly. It's just so unreal still!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The doctor said it...
He predicts a July baby! I sure hope I go in to labor naturally in July and not by induction. I hear that the pitocin from induction makes for very painful contractions. With pitocin, the contractions never let up, but with natural contractions, you get a break in between them...so I hear from birthing class.
We have one more Monday night of birthing class. I just finished my breast feeding class and then we take the hospital tour and register on July 7th.
Here's the full scoop from my doctor appointment yesterday: The baby is already 6 pounds and has dropped some, but not all the way yet. I can definitely tell he's lower and bigger because it's harder to get out of bed or off the floor and some of my shirts barely cover the bottom part of my belly. I am now 33 weeks. My next doctor appointment is in 2 weeks and they'll do a strep B test. I have no idea what that is, so I guess I better research it.
My fingers and feet are starting to stay consistently swollen, but just a little bit. It's just enough to make my rings tight, but they still fit on me.
This weekend is Brandon and Erin's wedding, thankfully I've had a very healthy and easy pregnancy and that I'm not on bedrest! I made it through Steph's wedding, so now it's just one more to go. Although, my other baby shower is on June 28th, so I need to make it to that, then Connor can come anytime he wants!
To Connor: When you can read, I want you to know that you are a VERY active baby in the womb. You never stop kicking or punching, but that's reassuring to me that you are okay. You always kick and punch on my right side. You kick and punch hard enough that I can watch my whole stomach move up, down, and sideways. Swaddling you in blankets might be hard if you continue to kick and punch this much outside of the womb. Are you going to have your father's head because the doctor said your head is really big. I'm afraid how painful that will be during delivery!
We have one more Monday night of birthing class. I just finished my breast feeding class and then we take the hospital tour and register on July 7th.
Here's the full scoop from my doctor appointment yesterday: The baby is already 6 pounds and has dropped some, but not all the way yet. I can definitely tell he's lower and bigger because it's harder to get out of bed or off the floor and some of my shirts barely cover the bottom part of my belly. I am now 33 weeks. My next doctor appointment is in 2 weeks and they'll do a strep B test. I have no idea what that is, so I guess I better research it.
My fingers and feet are starting to stay consistently swollen, but just a little bit. It's just enough to make my rings tight, but they still fit on me.
This weekend is Brandon and Erin's wedding, thankfully I've had a very healthy and easy pregnancy and that I'm not on bedrest! I made it through Steph's wedding, so now it's just one more to go. Although, my other baby shower is on June 28th, so I need to make it to that, then Connor can come anytime he wants!
To Connor: When you can read, I want you to know that you are a VERY active baby in the womb. You never stop kicking or punching, but that's reassuring to me that you are okay. You always kick and punch on my right side. You kick and punch hard enough that I can watch my whole stomach move up, down, and sideways. Swaddling you in blankets might be hard if you continue to kick and punch this much outside of the womb. Are you going to have your father's head because the doctor said your head is really big. I'm afraid how painful that will be during delivery!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
A kick that made a difference
As I was sitting on the toilet, going #1, I got kicked in my bladder and suddenly the urine flow became full force during that kick. Thank's baby for pushing it all out of me because maybe I won't have to go to the bathroom until at least 3 hours now!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
4 pounds
Supposedly the baby is 4 pounds now! We had a doctor appointment yesterday. Everything is healthy. I don't think the doctor can tell this from an ultrasound, but he did say, "You have a cute baby!" =)
I only gained one pound this last month. I think the baby is sucking all the food that I eat because my one pound that I gained went straight to him. Now, if I can only keep that weight gain schedule...
The baby is still an over-achiever because the ultrasounds estimate July 19th as his due date based on his size. I wish!!!!
We go back in two weeks. Our appointments are getting closer together. It's all surreal now. I can't wait. I'm so excited, yet at the same time, I can't even picture going to the hospital or having a baby (since I've never done that before).
Our birthing classes started 2 days ago. We have them every Monday for a week. My breast feeding classes are the 2nd and 4th Tuesday in June. It's all coming to a headway!
This weekend is Stephanie's wedding. It's outside at 7:30p and it's supposed to be 92 degrees. Ask me how I'm doing after that. I'm sure my ankles will swell on that day.
I only gained one pound this last month. I think the baby is sucking all the food that I eat because my one pound that I gained went straight to him. Now, if I can only keep that weight gain schedule...
The baby is still an over-achiever because the ultrasounds estimate July 19th as his due date based on his size. I wish!!!!
We go back in two weeks. Our appointments are getting closer together. It's all surreal now. I can't wait. I'm so excited, yet at the same time, I can't even picture going to the hospital or having a baby (since I've never done that before).
Our birthing classes started 2 days ago. We have them every Monday for a week. My breast feeding classes are the 2nd and 4th Tuesday in June. It's all coming to a headway!
This weekend is Stephanie's wedding. It's outside at 7:30p and it's supposed to be 92 degrees. Ask me how I'm doing after that. I'm sure my ankles will swell on that day.
Monday, June 2, 2008
My size is getting uncomfortable
I hope last night was a fluke situation, but it might be the starting point of many uncomfortable nights ahead. My back was hurting all day, feeling like there were pins and needles in it by my shoulder blades. It may have been because I was standing up too much. But, then my lower back started hurting too. The best relief for lower back pain is to get on all 4's on the floor and it takes all weight off the back. Last night I tossed and turned. It takes groaning and grunting effort to get all the pillows situated in place. But, then it takes more grunting and groaning when I realize I have to get up to go to the bathroom every two hours. It's a constant battle of getting situated or getting un-situated so that I can go to the bathroom.
The baby room is completed! It's so strange to think that this baby inside of me has no idea that this bedroom that we've been working on for him is where he'll be sleeping in just 2 months!
The baby room is completed! It's so strange to think that this baby inside of me has no idea that this bedroom that we've been working on for him is where he'll be sleeping in just 2 months!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
If you have lemons, make lemon desserts!
Lemon's seem to be my food of choice lately. I've made lemon tarts, lemon cupcakes, pasta with shrimp and a lemon sauce. My clue that my taste buds are off is when Ryan had some of the pasta and said it was very "acidic." Oops...because I kept adding more lemon to it; more than what the recipe indicated.
Avocados are a great source of protein and good fats! My lunch for the past three days has been freshly sliced avocados on top of reduced fat wheat thins with a hint of fat free Laughing Cow cheese. Sometimes I had some fresh basil to top it off. YUMMY!
It's getting harder and harder to get up from sitting or laying down positions. I'm learning to get out bed by rolling to my side, then putting my legs on the floor. I can't just pop up, using my abs anymore. For one, there's not much room to just sit up since my belly is in the way. Secondly, the abs are working too hard to pull up all that weight!
I can tell when I over-do-it. Yesterday I de-weeded the flower beds, watered them, folded laundry, ironed for an hour, ran errands, unloaded dish washer, and cooked dinner. After a day of all those chores, my back felt like it had needles and the baby felt like he dropped (just like he did when I took that 45 minute walk).
I did purchase my first maternity swimsuit. It took 10 swimsuits to find the right one that didn't hurt my stomach. Some of them sit in the wrong spot on my tummy and they hurt! I did lay out yesterday for about 20 minutes and I am now burnt to a crisp. Either I'm really pale or I burn easily with pregnancy. I think it might be both. Don't worry, I had my stomach covered and a magazine blocking the heat to my belly.
Our first baby shower was this past Sunday (May 18th, 2008). This was the one given and attended by family. We got our stroller, swing, bouncer, boppy, baby shoes, clothes, and books. I personally gave Ryan a gift for the baby. It was a set of camo overalls, camo onesie, and a camo bib! By Sunday night, Ryan had all the items put together and we had everything hung up on hangers! We haven't talked about Connor's "coming home outfit" yet.
I almost forgot, I passed the glucose test! I officially do not have gestational diabetes, nor have I had any signs of pre-eclampsia. I'm thankful I passed the glucose test because that means I can still have my chocolate!
All is healthy with me and the baby. Ryan and I are so excited. I have to be careful not to get my hopes up that he'll come early. But, I really want him to be here now. Last night we watched "The Happiest Baby on the Block" instructional dvd. It taught us how to calm a crying baby. We are expert parents now that we watched it.
I've also been reading the Natural Child Birth Book: The Bradley Method. Our child birth and breast feeding classes start in under 2 weeks! It makes me stress out about all the things we need to get done at home, including putting a new roof on our house due to recent hail storms.
I just spoke to my employer about me coming back to work 2 days a week after the baby is born (Wednesday's and Friday's). I did confirm that I would not be back before 8 weeks. Some people come back to work at 6 weeks, but that just seems too soon for me. I can be gone up to 4 months, but I don't plan on taking that long. I hope it works out for me to work 2 days a week. I want to be able to bring home some money, but nothing is set in stone for child care with family, Ryan or friends.
Time to go to pre-natal yoga! My next doctor appointment is June 3rd.
Avocados are a great source of protein and good fats! My lunch for the past three days has been freshly sliced avocados on top of reduced fat wheat thins with a hint of fat free Laughing Cow cheese. Sometimes I had some fresh basil to top it off. YUMMY!
It's getting harder and harder to get up from sitting or laying down positions. I'm learning to get out bed by rolling to my side, then putting my legs on the floor. I can't just pop up, using my abs anymore. For one, there's not much room to just sit up since my belly is in the way. Secondly, the abs are working too hard to pull up all that weight!
I can tell when I over-do-it. Yesterday I de-weeded the flower beds, watered them, folded laundry, ironed for an hour, ran errands, unloaded dish washer, and cooked dinner. After a day of all those chores, my back felt like it had needles and the baby felt like he dropped (just like he did when I took that 45 minute walk).
I did purchase my first maternity swimsuit. It took 10 swimsuits to find the right one that didn't hurt my stomach. Some of them sit in the wrong spot on my tummy and they hurt! I did lay out yesterday for about 20 minutes and I am now burnt to a crisp. Either I'm really pale or I burn easily with pregnancy. I think it might be both. Don't worry, I had my stomach covered and a magazine blocking the heat to my belly.
Our first baby shower was this past Sunday (May 18th, 2008). This was the one given and attended by family. We got our stroller, swing, bouncer, boppy, baby shoes, clothes, and books. I personally gave Ryan a gift for the baby. It was a set of camo overalls, camo onesie, and a camo bib! By Sunday night, Ryan had all the items put together and we had everything hung up on hangers! We haven't talked about Connor's "coming home outfit" yet.
I almost forgot, I passed the glucose test! I officially do not have gestational diabetes, nor have I had any signs of pre-eclampsia. I'm thankful I passed the glucose test because that means I can still have my chocolate!
All is healthy with me and the baby. Ryan and I are so excited. I have to be careful not to get my hopes up that he'll come early. But, I really want him to be here now. Last night we watched "The Happiest Baby on the Block" instructional dvd. It taught us how to calm a crying baby. We are expert parents now that we watched it.
I've also been reading the Natural Child Birth Book: The Bradley Method. Our child birth and breast feeding classes start in under 2 weeks! It makes me stress out about all the things we need to get done at home, including putting a new roof on our house due to recent hail storms.
I just spoke to my employer about me coming back to work 2 days a week after the baby is born (Wednesday's and Friday's). I did confirm that I would not be back before 8 weeks. Some people come back to work at 6 weeks, but that just seems too soon for me. I can be gone up to 4 months, but I don't plan on taking that long. I hope it works out for me to work 2 days a week. I want to be able to bring home some money, but nothing is set in stone for child care with family, Ryan or friends.
Time to go to pre-natal yoga! My next doctor appointment is June 3rd.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Braxton-Hicks
Yesterday Chief and I went on a 45 minute "puppy walk." During the entire walk, my uterus was like a rock. It stayed contracted, making it very uncomfortable to walk. Mr. Baby also dropped really low during the walk. It took a few hours of laying down, in bed that night, for the baby to move back up. Although the 45 minute contraction did go away once I got home and sat down. I have "hardening of the uterus" every now and then, but it goes away after a few seconds. Apparently, those are Braxton-Hicks contractions that I'm experiencing. I just thought it was his head sitting in a low spot and pushing on my uterus, but what do I know? I'm new to this.
I called my doctor to ask them about the 45 minute contraction and the baby dropping during that time. They told me to lay off the walks until I go in next week for my appointment. I'll mention it to the doctor and see what he says. Everything else seems normal though!
I read online that now is the time to start researching pediatricians. Thank goodness for that pregnancy time-line online because I would've never have thought to line up a pediatrician before the baby. I think I found one, based on friend referrals, location, he's a DO, and he does practice at St. John Hospital. Now I just need to "sign" Connor up on his patient list!
Food aversions are back along with being really tired! I am back on the vegetarian band wagon. Well, not really, but meat just doesn't sound good. I am also very tired now. I would like to take a nap every afternoon, but I can't. I never was this tired in the first trimester. This new tiredness may be due to the fact that my social schedule is hoppin' these days. Between bunco, yoga, fire auxiliary, wedding showers, graduations, wedding rehearsals, bachelorette parties, baby showers and holidays, I'm booked! But, it does make time fly! 3rd trimester, here I am!
I called my doctor to ask them about the 45 minute contraction and the baby dropping during that time. They told me to lay off the walks until I go in next week for my appointment. I'll mention it to the doctor and see what he says. Everything else seems normal though!
I read online that now is the time to start researching pediatricians. Thank goodness for that pregnancy time-line online because I would've never have thought to line up a pediatrician before the baby. I think I found one, based on friend referrals, location, he's a DO, and he does practice at St. John Hospital. Now I just need to "sign" Connor up on his patient list!
Food aversions are back along with being really tired! I am back on the vegetarian band wagon. Well, not really, but meat just doesn't sound good. I am also very tired now. I would like to take a nap every afternoon, but I can't. I never was this tired in the first trimester. This new tiredness may be due to the fact that my social schedule is hoppin' these days. Between bunco, yoga, fire auxiliary, wedding showers, graduations, wedding rehearsals, bachelorette parties, baby showers and holidays, I'm booked! But, it does make time fly! 3rd trimester, here I am!
Friday, April 25, 2008
When does Karate Class end?
Ryan walked into the bedroom last night when I was already laying in bed watching tv with Chief. The first comment out of my mouth was, "we're waiting until karate class is over to go to sleep."
He kicks so much that he moves my whole stomach and abdomen area and it's visible from the outside! It is a given that if I lay down, I will feel him move. Well, actually, if I sit up, I feel him move too. Really, the time I don't feel him move is if I'm walking. So, the baby kicking is the last thing I feel before I fall asleep and the first thing I feel when I wake up. Luckily it's not enough to wake me up in the middle of the night.
Stephanie asked me yesterday if I had any cravings. I really feel like I don't have cravings. I feel as if I still have food aversions though. The only food that I can eat on a daily basis is chocolate and fruit. But, I don't have a craving for a certain cuisine or specific casserole. Right now, my snack is Teddy Grahams!
I noticed, since last week, that the swelling in my ankles and fingers have gone down. For a few days, I thought I was going to have to start taking off my rings. But, I'm back to normal now. I must have just eaten too much salt those days. I'm very relieved that I'm not starting to swell up this soon. But, what is "soon?" I'm 25 weeks and probably still measuring 3 weeks ahead.
It is so crazy to think that the baby could be here in just a few months.....14 weeks! I'm really leaning towards July.....cross my fingers. Since the birth is around the corner, I signed up for birthing and breast feeding classes in June. I guess I better start doing my research on natural births. I have always wanted to try it naturally, but I haven't done the research on what to expect. I will probably buy the book "Natural Childbirth The Bradley Method." The only book I've read thus far is the Sleepsense Program about getting babies to sleep through the night.
Ryan is finishing up the final painting on the baby room and he only has to put together the dresser, then I can start arranging and decorating! I'm so excited to do that! I'll post pics of it as soon as I get it decorated.
Our next doctor appointment is at 28 weeks and they also do a glucose screening. I think it tests for gestational diabetes? I really don't read up on all the tests that I could possibly have. I figure, if something is wrong, then the doctor will explain it to me and tell me what I need to do. Some women on babycenter.com know all about every single test, the medical terminology, and the possible outcomes. I think I'll cross that path if I have to. My doctor is so laid back that he doesn't bombard you with information you don't need. He does his thing and I just lay there and watch the ultrasound. I'm sure he's checking for many different things on the ultrasound, but I don't know about it. I just see a healthy baby and I leave with no worries. Some might not like this type of a doctor, but with all that I've been through, the less I know, means the less I have to worry about.
He kicks so much that he moves my whole stomach and abdomen area and it's visible from the outside! It is a given that if I lay down, I will feel him move. Well, actually, if I sit up, I feel him move too. Really, the time I don't feel him move is if I'm walking. So, the baby kicking is the last thing I feel before I fall asleep and the first thing I feel when I wake up. Luckily it's not enough to wake me up in the middle of the night.
Stephanie asked me yesterday if I had any cravings. I really feel like I don't have cravings. I feel as if I still have food aversions though. The only food that I can eat on a daily basis is chocolate and fruit. But, I don't have a craving for a certain cuisine or specific casserole. Right now, my snack is Teddy Grahams!
I noticed, since last week, that the swelling in my ankles and fingers have gone down. For a few days, I thought I was going to have to start taking off my rings. But, I'm back to normal now. I must have just eaten too much salt those days. I'm very relieved that I'm not starting to swell up this soon. But, what is "soon?" I'm 25 weeks and probably still measuring 3 weeks ahead.
It is so crazy to think that the baby could be here in just a few months.....14 weeks! I'm really leaning towards July.....cross my fingers. Since the birth is around the corner, I signed up for birthing and breast feeding classes in June. I guess I better start doing my research on natural births. I have always wanted to try it naturally, but I haven't done the research on what to expect. I will probably buy the book "Natural Childbirth The Bradley Method." The only book I've read thus far is the Sleepsense Program about getting babies to sleep through the night.
Ryan is finishing up the final painting on the baby room and he only has to put together the dresser, then I can start arranging and decorating! I'm so excited to do that! I'll post pics of it as soon as I get it decorated.
Our next doctor appointment is at 28 weeks and they also do a glucose screening. I think it tests for gestational diabetes? I really don't read up on all the tests that I could possibly have. I figure, if something is wrong, then the doctor will explain it to me and tell me what I need to do. Some women on babycenter.com know all about every single test, the medical terminology, and the possible outcomes. I think I'll cross that path if I have to. My doctor is so laid back that he doesn't bombard you with information you don't need. He does his thing and I just lay there and watch the ultrasound. I'm sure he's checking for many different things on the ultrasound, but I don't know about it. I just see a healthy baby and I leave with no worries. Some might not like this type of a doctor, but with all that I've been through, the less I know, means the less I have to worry about.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Isn't that the size his foot should be at birth?
Today is April 15, 2008 and we had our 24 week appointment. Well, I am 24 weeks later this week. I was able to tell the doctor that I no longer have any sciatic nerve pain. I've graduated to stiff calves (when I go on a dog walk) and a little bit of acid reflux. He told me to make sure I'm drinking my water and eat more potassium and calcium. But, it's really just another side affect of pregnancy.
We had another ultrasound today. He does one every time we have an appointment. There was one angle where the ultrasound was directly over the baby's foot print. We all laughed at the size of that foot. I said, "Isn't that the size his foot should be at birth!!!!?" The computer screen showed everything in life size and this foot was BIG! He did say it should still get bigger. EEEEEK.
The baby is weighing in at 1 pound 11 oz. He's measuring 26w1d. I'm really hoping for a July birth! Based on what he's measuring, the due date would be July 21st. But, who knows when he'll really be ready to come into the world.
The best part of our doctor appointment was getting to see the baby yawn! The doctor was able to rewind it and we watched again! It was amazing to see something that a real life human does. It made him more real.
I CONSTANTLY feel him kick and move. My placenta has moved up to the very top. The baby's head is down with his butt up towards my chest, leaving one leg and one arm on each side of my stomach. So, I just feel kicks, elbows, and feet on all sides of my basketball stomach.
I forgot to mention that I had my first instance of cankles! I got them this past weekend at Elena's wedding. I was up on my feet for 3 days straight and wearing heals half the time. Sunday night, after elevating my feet for a day and a half, the swelling went away. I knew it was just from being on my feet too much because no other limbs were swollen. I wonder if and when I will swell to where I can't wear my wedding ring? And, how painful will it be and how swollen will I get in June when I'm in Steph and Brandon's weddings? Yikes! They seriously might have to get me a stool, unless they promise not to have a long ceremony!
Today I brought home a baby doll that cries. I'm going to try and use it to show Chief that he's not the only one that will be getting attention in this house. Right now he seems scared of it. He's been around other babies, so I think it's the fact that he knows this is not a real human and it's some kind of a freaky toy. But, I'll mainly just use it to give the doll attention and ignore him sometimes.
Ryan has put a coat of paint on the baby room. He's going to finish it this weekend. The furniture has been ordered, thanks to the gracious generosity of Richard and Carol!!!!
It should be here in a week from JC Penny's.
I'm watching a commercial about stretch marks and that reminds me just to state that I don't have any stretch marks yet! With the rate of growth of this child, I don't see how I'll avoid them in the future. All I can use is Aveeno lotion though and not any of that cocoa butter since it's full of fragrance.
I'm so excited about this baby! It's very much more real to me that he's coming. I'm the most excited to see the look on Ryan's face when he gets to see his son. I like to see the reaction on other people's faces when I give them a gift and giving Ryan his son will be 1000 more exciting to see his reaction. I get to feel the baby kick all the time and it's just not fair that Ryan doesn't get to feel anything. I wonder if it's just as real to Ryan, as it is to me, that a baby is coming?
We had another ultrasound today. He does one every time we have an appointment. There was one angle where the ultrasound was directly over the baby's foot print. We all laughed at the size of that foot. I said, "Isn't that the size his foot should be at birth!!!!?" The computer screen showed everything in life size and this foot was BIG! He did say it should still get bigger. EEEEEK.
The baby is weighing in at 1 pound 11 oz. He's measuring 26w1d. I'm really hoping for a July birth! Based on what he's measuring, the due date would be July 21st. But, who knows when he'll really be ready to come into the world.
The best part of our doctor appointment was getting to see the baby yawn! The doctor was able to rewind it and we watched again! It was amazing to see something that a real life human does. It made him more real.
I CONSTANTLY feel him kick and move. My placenta has moved up to the very top. The baby's head is down with his butt up towards my chest, leaving one leg and one arm on each side of my stomach. So, I just feel kicks, elbows, and feet on all sides of my basketball stomach.
I forgot to mention that I had my first instance of cankles! I got them this past weekend at Elena's wedding. I was up on my feet for 3 days straight and wearing heals half the time. Sunday night, after elevating my feet for a day and a half, the swelling went away. I knew it was just from being on my feet too much because no other limbs were swollen. I wonder if and when I will swell to where I can't wear my wedding ring? And, how painful will it be and how swollen will I get in June when I'm in Steph and Brandon's weddings? Yikes! They seriously might have to get me a stool, unless they promise not to have a long ceremony!
Today I brought home a baby doll that cries. I'm going to try and use it to show Chief that he's not the only one that will be getting attention in this house. Right now he seems scared of it. He's been around other babies, so I think it's the fact that he knows this is not a real human and it's some kind of a freaky toy. But, I'll mainly just use it to give the doll attention and ignore him sometimes.
Ryan has put a coat of paint on the baby room. He's going to finish it this weekend. The furniture has been ordered, thanks to the gracious generosity of Richard and Carol!!!!
It should be here in a week from JC Penny's.
I'm watching a commercial about stretch marks and that reminds me just to state that I don't have any stretch marks yet! With the rate of growth of this child, I don't see how I'll avoid them in the future. All I can use is Aveeno lotion though and not any of that cocoa butter since it's full of fragrance.
I'm so excited about this baby! It's very much more real to me that he's coming. I'm the most excited to see the look on Ryan's face when he gets to see his son. I like to see the reaction on other people's faces when I give them a gift and giving Ryan his son will be 1000 more exciting to see his reaction. I get to feel the baby kick all the time and it's just not fair that Ryan doesn't get to feel anything. I wonder if it's just as real to Ryan, as it is to me, that a baby is coming?
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
You don't have to kick me every hour. I believe you that you are in there!
I think my title sums up what's been going on since the last post. I think the only time I don't feel him kick is when I'm too busy, up and around, doing chores or something. He's still on my right side, but since he's longer, I feel like his hands are punching near my belly button and his legs are kicking near the lower left side. Basically, I think he's in the shape of a crescent moon in my uterus on the right side. However, he does like to play games with me and kick me in my bladder every now and then to make me think I need to pee. But, then he moves his foot and that sensation goes away. It's kind of like a game of cat and mouse...."(kicks bladder) you gotta pee, don't ya!!! (then moves foot) Just kidding!!! HAHA mommy!"
Life with someone inside you just makes for a whole new way of thinking. For instance, we had bad storms on Monday night and all I could think about is protecting my stomach if a tornado does come.
In addition, life with a bigger stomach makes everything different. When I go grocery shopping, I can't stand as close to the shopping cart as I used to be able to! Clipping toe nails is also hard now. My stomach just gets in the way of everything. Do you see a trend here???
I still have an "innie" belly button and I don't have that black line on my stomach that some people get. So, for now, it's just a really large, albino stomach. Actually, all of me is albino.
This weekend I'm going to OKC for Elena's bachelorette party and wedding. I'll be the DD for everyone. I have no idea what to wear and for some strange reason, all the Old Navy's in Tulsa do NOT have a maternity section, but they all do in OKC. So, before the party starts, I'm making a special shopping trip to Old Navy in OKC.
Ryan plans to paint the baby room while I'm gone. Our next step is to pick out baby furniture.
As for my appetite changes...I like to eat snacks every few hours. I haven't been cooking dinner because I just basically snack all day, rather than eating full meals. I hope that's okay for the scales because that's what's working for me and the baby's appetite.
I'll update after my appointment on the 15th. By the way, I'm 23 weeks today and it is April 9, 2008 (mom & Resa's birthday).
Life with someone inside you just makes for a whole new way of thinking. For instance, we had bad storms on Monday night and all I could think about is protecting my stomach if a tornado does come.
In addition, life with a bigger stomach makes everything different. When I go grocery shopping, I can't stand as close to the shopping cart as I used to be able to! Clipping toe nails is also hard now. My stomach just gets in the way of everything. Do you see a trend here???
I still have an "innie" belly button and I don't have that black line on my stomach that some people get. So, for now, it's just a really large, albino stomach. Actually, all of me is albino.
This weekend I'm going to OKC for Elena's bachelorette party and wedding. I'll be the DD for everyone. I have no idea what to wear and for some strange reason, all the Old Navy's in Tulsa do NOT have a maternity section, but they all do in OKC. So, before the party starts, I'm making a special shopping trip to Old Navy in OKC.
Ryan plans to paint the baby room while I'm gone. Our next step is to pick out baby furniture.
As for my appetite changes...I like to eat snacks every few hours. I haven't been cooking dinner because I just basically snack all day, rather than eating full meals. I hope that's okay for the scales because that's what's working for me and the baby's appetite.
I'll update after my appointment on the 15th. By the way, I'm 23 weeks today and it is April 9, 2008 (mom & Resa's birthday).
Monday, March 24, 2008
Was it a growth spurt?
Sitting in the Easter service yesterday, I sneezed and then immediately grabbed my stomach because that sneeze felt like it pulled every muscle I had in my lower abdomen. All day, my abdomen did not feel normal. It hurt to stand up because it felt like gravity was pulling extra hard on my muscles and ligaments. As of two days ago, I can no longer lay on my right side either. I can still lay on my back, but with my legs bent and open as if I'm about to give birth. Oh yeah, and with a pillow under each knee.
Today, the soreness in my stomach has gone away, but now I'm starving!!! So, did the little guy go through a growth spurt or something? I forgot to mention that the last two days I have been very emotional. I broke out in tears 3 times, for silly reasons. My reasons were mainly frustration with something that annoyed me. I'm blaming it all on hormones!
Today, the soreness in my stomach has gone away, but now I'm starving!!! So, did the little guy go through a growth spurt or something? I forgot to mention that the last two days I have been very emotional. I broke out in tears 3 times, for silly reasons. My reasons were mainly frustration with something that annoyed me. I'm blaming it all on hormones!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
This time it's long legs
I'm officially 19 1/2 weeks, but I'm measuring 21 weeks. The trend is that I've continued to measure a week and a half ahead. I'm hoping that means the baby will come in July.
During the ultrasound the baby was laying down with his legs bent back up over his head. His legs were long enough to go back up over his head! He is weighing in at 14 oz, just 2 oz shy of a pound. He is still in the 97th percentile. No complications and everything looks perfect!
As for me, I'm feeling great now that I got a maternity support belt. I was having bad lower back pain and sciatic nerve pain on my left hip. My sciatic nerve isn't completely normal, but it's much better with the $15 belt. I just wear it underneath my clothes on a daily basis.
I don't really have any food cravings. I did eat my first steak a few weeks ago. I hadn't had a big hunk of meat my whole pregnancy up until about week 18. I still have yet to gobble up a chicken breast. Chicken sounds blah to me. I have been addicted to sushi made with shrimp. Once I realized I can still eat that kind of sushi, I've been buying it about 3 times a week at Reasors.
I feel completely fine.....good enough that I forget I'm pregnant sometimes. I was having a conversation with a friend about the lake and a boat this summer. I told them we need to take their boat out a lot. Then, after a few more sentences, I said, "Wait, NEVERMIND, I totally forgot I'm pregnant and that I'll be huge this summer. I'm not going to be in a swimsuit in public!" Don't get me wrong, if I look in the mirror right now, I'm reminded that I'm pregnant, but if I'm not looking down at my belly, then I forget sometimes! By the way, my belly button hasn't popped out. It just not as deep.
I've been registering for things online as I think of them. I created a registry at Babies R Us and have registered for items like fragrance free baby lotions, diaper rash cream, wipes and then a diaper bag and a play mat toy. I'm finding it less stressful to register for things as I think of them, although there are many items that I need to see in person before I register for them. I can't wait to go register for everything. I have a feeling it'll be a long few hours to make it through the whole store and register for everything!
The baby room is starting to be a collection of random items that we've already purchased. We even have the paint, but Ryan hasn't had time to paint it yet. It's going to be navy blue on the bottom and cream on the top half. There's a chair rail that goes across the middle of the wall that will remain white to match the trim.
My most recent concern is preparing Chief for a new baby. I read in a magazine to play a cd that has baby sounds on it and to also start playing the music that are on some of the baby toys we have. I also might get a cheap baby doll and pretend with that...this is all at the front of my mind due to the recent dog attack we experienced and the other dog owners claim it's because they just had a baby and their dogs are angry. Chief goes in for stitches on Thursday, after any infection he might have, is gone out of his bite wound. It was hard for me to handle his painful accident, the vet emergency hospital, and the blood. Someday our little hellion boy will get in to the same trouble and I'll have to deal with it. I just imagine what Carol Jo had to go through with Ryan and his mischief.
During the ultrasound the baby was laying down with his legs bent back up over his head. His legs were long enough to go back up over his head! He is weighing in at 14 oz, just 2 oz shy of a pound. He is still in the 97th percentile. No complications and everything looks perfect!
As for me, I'm feeling great now that I got a maternity support belt. I was having bad lower back pain and sciatic nerve pain on my left hip. My sciatic nerve isn't completely normal, but it's much better with the $15 belt. I just wear it underneath my clothes on a daily basis.
I don't really have any food cravings. I did eat my first steak a few weeks ago. I hadn't had a big hunk of meat my whole pregnancy up until about week 18. I still have yet to gobble up a chicken breast. Chicken sounds blah to me. I have been addicted to sushi made with shrimp. Once I realized I can still eat that kind of sushi, I've been buying it about 3 times a week at Reasors.
I feel completely fine.....good enough that I forget I'm pregnant sometimes. I was having a conversation with a friend about the lake and a boat this summer. I told them we need to take their boat out a lot. Then, after a few more sentences, I said, "Wait, NEVERMIND, I totally forgot I'm pregnant and that I'll be huge this summer. I'm not going to be in a swimsuit in public!" Don't get me wrong, if I look in the mirror right now, I'm reminded that I'm pregnant, but if I'm not looking down at my belly, then I forget sometimes! By the way, my belly button hasn't popped out. It just not as deep.
I've been registering for things online as I think of them. I created a registry at Babies R Us and have registered for items like fragrance free baby lotions, diaper rash cream, wipes and then a diaper bag and a play mat toy. I'm finding it less stressful to register for things as I think of them, although there are many items that I need to see in person before I register for them. I can't wait to go register for everything. I have a feeling it'll be a long few hours to make it through the whole store and register for everything!
The baby room is starting to be a collection of random items that we've already purchased. We even have the paint, but Ryan hasn't had time to paint it yet. It's going to be navy blue on the bottom and cream on the top half. There's a chair rail that goes across the middle of the wall that will remain white to match the trim.
My most recent concern is preparing Chief for a new baby. I read in a magazine to play a cd that has baby sounds on it and to also start playing the music that are on some of the baby toys we have. I also might get a cheap baby doll and pretend with that...this is all at the front of my mind due to the recent dog attack we experienced and the other dog owners claim it's because they just had a baby and their dogs are angry. Chief goes in for stitches on Thursday, after any infection he might have, is gone out of his bite wound. It was hard for me to handle his painful accident, the vet emergency hospital, and the blood. Someday our little hellion boy will get in to the same trouble and I'll have to deal with it. I just imagine what Carol Jo had to go through with Ryan and his mischief.
Monday, March 10, 2008
He didn't like that!
Ryan brought home a doppler from work that is strong enough to hear our baby's heartbeat. Last night I slept all through the night. Well I only went to the bathroom once, where as I usually go about 3 times. So, this morning, I thought I'd use the doppler just to make sure everything is okay. Don't worry, I'm not obsessed with using it every day.
Remember in my last post that I said the baby is pushed very far forward and there is just my layer of fat between the baby and the outside world....Well, in addition to that discomfort, the doppler has a point on the end. It's not flat like the kind you see in the doctor's office. It's more like an over-sized pen, a jumbo pen. So, imagine, a baby that's very close to the front of my stomach, with a pointed thing pushing down on him, well, he didn't like that. He either kicked or punched, the doppler and made the doppler raise up off my stomach! I watched my stomach move and the doppler move and I didn't do it! It was crazy!! So, needless to say, I got my fulfillment that he is okay.
I think I slept all through the night because I was very active on Sunday. Ryan and I took Chief on a "puppy walk," which included a swim in the neighborhood pond, for Chief, of course. I also de-weeded part of my flower bed, bought the baby room paint, shopped for flip flops, had Bible Study small group and then went to Ryan's grandma's. It was a full day. Oh yeah, and Ryan finished putting the rest of the new door knobs in the house. The "spring cleaning" has begun.
Remember in my last post that I said the baby is pushed very far forward and there is just my layer of fat between the baby and the outside world....Well, in addition to that discomfort, the doppler has a point on the end. It's not flat like the kind you see in the doctor's office. It's more like an over-sized pen, a jumbo pen. So, imagine, a baby that's very close to the front of my stomach, with a pointed thing pushing down on him, well, he didn't like that. He either kicked or punched, the doppler and made the doppler raise up off my stomach! I watched my stomach move and the doppler move and I didn't do it! It was crazy!! So, needless to say, I got my fulfillment that he is okay.
I think I slept all through the night because I was very active on Sunday. Ryan and I took Chief on a "puppy walk," which included a swim in the neighborhood pond, for Chief, of course. I also de-weeded part of my flower bed, bought the baby room paint, shopped for flip flops, had Bible Study small group and then went to Ryan's grandma's. It was a full day. Oh yeah, and Ryan finished putting the rest of the new door knobs in the house. The "spring cleaning" has begun.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Big feet= Big.....
Yep, our baby boy officially has big feet and is weighing in at 8oz. Based on BabyCenter.com, he should only be about 5oz. The doctor says he's in the 97%, meaning he's bigger than 97% of babies at this age, which is a great thing! I'm developing faster and he also said my uterus has already shifted upwards and that doesn't usually happen until a few more weeks.
Today, I'm officially 17 weeks, but the ultrasound measures me at 18w2d. Maybe the baby will come early! The doctor said my due date will stay the same, but to always be prepared for 3 weeks early up to 2 weeks late.
I was complaining to the doctor how it was hurting when he was pushing on the doppler/ultrasound. I also mentioned how it hurt to wear low rise maternity pants. Well, our baby boy is pushed very far forward in my body and there is only a small layer of flesh between my baby and my outside layer of skin! So, my clothes and the ultrasound were literally pressing right on the baby.
I do not have to do any tests for down syndrome or spinal defects because the ultrasounds look perfect. He only gives those tests if the baby doesn't look normal on the ultrasound. I'm glad we don't have to take those tests because they have many false positives and whats the point because it won't change the outcome! I don't understand people that want to take those tests. I couldn't believe that one of my friends said they'd abort if their baby came back with a positive test. Crazy!
I'm not really craving anything...I don't think. I just get on kicks where I like some thing and want to eat it every day, then I get tired of it. Right now I'm on a BLT kick with chocolate something! It used to be ice cream, but now I've moved on to cookies (Oreo's and those really soft baked sugar cookies, but with chocolate frosting, from the grocery store).
I have ordered the baby bedding off Ebay. I can't wait for it to arrive. I got a steal. The whole 9 piece set went for $41. If I bought a 9 piece set in the store, then I would have at least spent $300. I got a bassinet from Robbin and Steph's mom is going to give me a breast pump. I'm all about a bargain! It's not like I'm going to use these items for a long time, so I can't justify paying full price.
I did ask the doctor if he is supportive of natural births, and he is. He stated that St. John doesn't even make you pre-pay for the epidural, leaving the option open to everyone if they want it. St. John apparently has a hot tub to labor in and he said there are many things they can do to help ease the pain to avoid an epidural. The only reason he would make me use an epidural is if my body is too tense to even let the baby deliver.
Thats all for now! Time to be patient until April, when we register and start looking at baby furniture!
Today, I'm officially 17 weeks, but the ultrasound measures me at 18w2d. Maybe the baby will come early! The doctor said my due date will stay the same, but to always be prepared for 3 weeks early up to 2 weeks late.
I was complaining to the doctor how it was hurting when he was pushing on the doppler/ultrasound. I also mentioned how it hurt to wear low rise maternity pants. Well, our baby boy is pushed very far forward in my body and there is only a small layer of flesh between my baby and my outside layer of skin! So, my clothes and the ultrasound were literally pressing right on the baby.
I do not have to do any tests for down syndrome or spinal defects because the ultrasounds look perfect. He only gives those tests if the baby doesn't look normal on the ultrasound. I'm glad we don't have to take those tests because they have many false positives and whats the point because it won't change the outcome! I don't understand people that want to take those tests. I couldn't believe that one of my friends said they'd abort if their baby came back with a positive test. Crazy!
I'm not really craving anything...I don't think. I just get on kicks where I like some thing and want to eat it every day, then I get tired of it. Right now I'm on a BLT kick with chocolate something! It used to be ice cream, but now I've moved on to cookies (Oreo's and those really soft baked sugar cookies, but with chocolate frosting, from the grocery store).
I have ordered the baby bedding off Ebay. I can't wait for it to arrive. I got a steal. The whole 9 piece set went for $41. If I bought a 9 piece set in the store, then I would have at least spent $300. I got a bassinet from Robbin and Steph's mom is going to give me a breast pump. I'm all about a bargain! It's not like I'm going to use these items for a long time, so I can't justify paying full price.
I did ask the doctor if he is supportive of natural births, and he is. He stated that St. John doesn't even make you pre-pay for the epidural, leaving the option open to everyone if they want it. St. John apparently has a hot tub to labor in and he said there are many things they can do to help ease the pain to avoid an epidural. The only reason he would make me use an epidural is if my body is too tense to even let the baby deliver.
Thats all for now! Time to be patient until April, when we register and start looking at baby furniture!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
It's Moving!!!!!
For the past two hours, it has been kicking me on the lower right part of my uterus. It feels like a thud. It started as a flutter, but it's a bit stronger now. Honestly, it was weird at first, but it's also annoying. Just imagine someone tapping you in the same spot, over and over for a long time...yeah, that's what it's like. HA
But, at least I know it's awake and moving! I'm 2 days shy of 16 weeks.
But, at least I know it's awake and moving! I'm 2 days shy of 16 weeks.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Flu & Sinus Infection- 15 weeks
Here I am, day three of laying in bed. Don't think I'm alone, Chief is right here with me. I think he knows I'm sick because he hasn't asked to go in and outside all day long, actually, not once. Or, it could be that it's 28 degrees outside and he's a pansy. Can dogs get the flu?
Having the flu and a sinus infection while pregnant is absolutely miserable. Does that mean the baby has the flu too? The doctor gave me a prescript for a Z pack and then I've been using Tylenol Sinus. I don't see an end in site. My throat is so sore that it looks like it's about to bleed. I have numbing spray, cough drops, bought a heated humidifier...
Ryan went out of town to Guymon. He is teaching all weekend. I think it's best he's gone so that he doesn't get the flu. Last night he slept in the other room to avoid getting sick.
Did I mention that yesterday was Valentines Day? I'm pulling a Steph...she ALWAYS is sick on V-Day, but not this year. Thanks for the jinx Steph. All I wanted for V-Day was to try Marble Slab Creamery. We went, but I couldn't even manage to stand up in line. I had to sit down because I had no energy. I told Ryan that I was going to die. Once I let a few bites digest, I threw it out. I'll go back some other time.
Later that evening I was able to eat some cheese and then a corn dog. Amazing what food can do to my body. I know the baby was hungry, so I had to force myself to eat something. Today I'm doing better with food. I've had applesauce with a banana for breakfast, then two corn dogs for lunch, with a granola bar as a snack. I'm still at a 7 lb gain. No weight gain in 3 weeks.
Almost forgot to tel you what I got Ryan for Valentines Day. I bought a white onesie and got it monogrammed with the following "My dad fights fire. My grandad fights crime. Over protected!" Ryan loved it. He held it in the air as if he was holding the baby. He told me, "Now if you'd just hurry up and hatch the baby." I'll get right on that...We find out on the 19th of Feb if it's a boy or a girl!
On a side note, the only good thing about me being the most pregnant during the summer is that I don't have to find pants that are long enough. I can't find any casual pants that are long!! I will enjoy just buying capris without worrying about length. The fashion world doesn't accomodate tall pregnant people.
Having the flu and a sinus infection while pregnant is absolutely miserable. Does that mean the baby has the flu too? The doctor gave me a prescript for a Z pack and then I've been using Tylenol Sinus. I don't see an end in site. My throat is so sore that it looks like it's about to bleed. I have numbing spray, cough drops, bought a heated humidifier...
Ryan went out of town to Guymon. He is teaching all weekend. I think it's best he's gone so that he doesn't get the flu. Last night he slept in the other room to avoid getting sick.
Did I mention that yesterday was Valentines Day? I'm pulling a Steph...she ALWAYS is sick on V-Day, but not this year. Thanks for the jinx Steph. All I wanted for V-Day was to try Marble Slab Creamery. We went, but I couldn't even manage to stand up in line. I had to sit down because I had no energy. I told Ryan that I was going to die. Once I let a few bites digest, I threw it out. I'll go back some other time.
Later that evening I was able to eat some cheese and then a corn dog. Amazing what food can do to my body. I know the baby was hungry, so I had to force myself to eat something. Today I'm doing better with food. I've had applesauce with a banana for breakfast, then two corn dogs for lunch, with a granola bar as a snack. I'm still at a 7 lb gain. No weight gain in 3 weeks.
Almost forgot to tel you what I got Ryan for Valentines Day. I bought a white onesie and got it monogrammed with the following "My dad fights fire. My grandad fights crime. Over protected!" Ryan loved it. He held it in the air as if he was holding the baby. He told me, "Now if you'd just hurry up and hatch the baby." I'll get right on that...We find out on the 19th of Feb if it's a boy or a girl!
On a side note, the only good thing about me being the most pregnant during the summer is that I don't have to find pants that are long enough. I can't find any casual pants that are long!! I will enjoy just buying capris without worrying about length. The fashion world doesn't accomodate tall pregnant people.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Slushies and meatloaf
Ryan hates meatloaf, so I haven't cooked it, but it actually sounds really good. I stil don't want to go eat a steak or pork tenderloin, but the consistency of meatloaf could be a way that I could get my protein and enjoy eating it.
I also want a slushie. I've wanted one ever since I saw a Sonic commercial for them on Saturday. Today is Monday. I think I might have to go get one during lunch. I resisted the temptation to get one at the Boat Show on Saturday night because I didn't want all that sugar in me that late at night.
My obsessive checking of baby websites and stages of development has calmed down a bit. I haven't even looked to see what food item they compare my baby to this week. (I.e. a kumkwat, lime, etc...)
Prenatal Yoga is still happening twice a week. I love it! I can't wait to do Mommy & Me Yoga. In Yoga class I had to ask if it was normal to not feel connected to the baby yet. I just feel as if I'm getting more fat and that's it. I'm almost back up to my weight when I was at my heaviest. I'm not there yet, but it's depressing. I just want my stomach to look like a baby and not chubby. Although, when I press on my stomach, it's hard, so I know it is the uterus underneath my skin and not all fat.
It's tax time again and I saw on the Government website that we can write off part of the IVF costs! Wahoo!! I'm still nervous that we could have to owe in taxes again this year. We'll see after we file it with a tax man.
I'm still working at TBN. God made me realize that I need to be here and not worry about being a career woman right now. I am at ease with working here and then potentially scaling it down to 2 days a week after the baby is born. I would think that 2 days a week would be perfect to earn some extra money and have just a little bit of time away from home. Ryan works 4-10's so he could be home with the baby one day a week and then hopefully a grandma or friend could have the baby on the other day that I work. Just a thought for now.
I also want a slushie. I've wanted one ever since I saw a Sonic commercial for them on Saturday. Today is Monday. I think I might have to go get one during lunch. I resisted the temptation to get one at the Boat Show on Saturday night because I didn't want all that sugar in me that late at night.
My obsessive checking of baby websites and stages of development has calmed down a bit. I haven't even looked to see what food item they compare my baby to this week. (I.e. a kumkwat, lime, etc...)
Prenatal Yoga is still happening twice a week. I love it! I can't wait to do Mommy & Me Yoga. In Yoga class I had to ask if it was normal to not feel connected to the baby yet. I just feel as if I'm getting more fat and that's it. I'm almost back up to my weight when I was at my heaviest. I'm not there yet, but it's depressing. I just want my stomach to look like a baby and not chubby. Although, when I press on my stomach, it's hard, so I know it is the uterus underneath my skin and not all fat.
It's tax time again and I saw on the Government website that we can write off part of the IVF costs! Wahoo!! I'm still nervous that we could have to owe in taxes again this year. We'll see after we file it with a tax man.
I'm still working at TBN. God made me realize that I need to be here and not worry about being a career woman right now. I am at ease with working here and then potentially scaling it down to 2 days a week after the baby is born. I would think that 2 days a week would be perfect to earn some extra money and have just a little bit of time away from home. Ryan works 4-10's so he could be home with the baby one day a week and then hopefully a grandma or friend could have the baby on the other day that I work. Just a thought for now.
Friday, January 25, 2008
1st Appt with High Risk Doctor
We went to the new doctor today. This will be the doctor that does my delivery and the one that I will see from here on out. He was very nice, calm, and spent a lot of time with us to answer any questions and explain everything in lamens terms.
As I sat talking to the doctor, he told me to get up on the exam table. I was still wearing my pants. I didn't get what he was going to do. Did he not know that I still had my pants on? He began to roll down my waist band and put that gel on my stomach. At that point I realized that I actually get to have an external ultrasound. It was my first time!
The very first thing the doctor said while doing the ultrasound is, "You have a big baby!" I thought, oh great, I was 8.6 and my brother was 9 something when born, so I'm doomed. He said that it is much better to have a bigger baby that has NO problems developing than a smaller baby. He actually said that since we did Invetro and they pick out the best of the best embryo that the baby is the best of the best in me and it tends to gobble up the food and develop easily. I think he said it's about 2" long now.
He did try to determine the sex today. He is 65% sure it's a boy. I'm not totally set on a boy, I still think it could be a girl. If it is a boy, it could be vegetarian because I still get disgusted at eating meat. Last night I had broccoli and a baked potato for dinner.
I go back to the doctor in 4 weeks. We'll for sure be able to tell the gender on that date. All is healthy and so I am I! I'll brag and say that my blood pressure was 104/68, so I'm definitely healthy! =)
One bad bit of news, the doc said I shouldn't be doing gardening in the heat this summer. I LOVE gardening. Oh yeah, and bigger babies can deliver early. It better come after Brandon's wedding and after his honeymoon! I'm sure it won't be THAT early. Although, I do have a to get a dress made to wear at his wedding since I have no idea what size I'll be in month 8. HA
As I sat talking to the doctor, he told me to get up on the exam table. I was still wearing my pants. I didn't get what he was going to do. Did he not know that I still had my pants on? He began to roll down my waist band and put that gel on my stomach. At that point I realized that I actually get to have an external ultrasound. It was my first time!
The very first thing the doctor said while doing the ultrasound is, "You have a big baby!" I thought, oh great, I was 8.6 and my brother was 9 something when born, so I'm doomed. He said that it is much better to have a bigger baby that has NO problems developing than a smaller baby. He actually said that since we did Invetro and they pick out the best of the best embryo that the baby is the best of the best in me and it tends to gobble up the food and develop easily. I think he said it's about 2" long now.
He did try to determine the sex today. He is 65% sure it's a boy. I'm not totally set on a boy, I still think it could be a girl. If it is a boy, it could be vegetarian because I still get disgusted at eating meat. Last night I had broccoli and a baked potato for dinner.
I go back to the doctor in 4 weeks. We'll for sure be able to tell the gender on that date. All is healthy and so I am I! I'll brag and say that my blood pressure was 104/68, so I'm definitely healthy! =)
One bad bit of news, the doc said I shouldn't be doing gardening in the heat this summer. I LOVE gardening. Oh yeah, and bigger babies can deliver early. It better come after Brandon's wedding and after his honeymoon! I'm sure it won't be THAT early. Although, I do have a to get a dress made to wear at his wedding since I have no idea what size I'll be in month 8. HA
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Maternity Clothes
I had to give in. I had to buy maternity pants. My jeans just don't fit right. I can button them, but the back gaps and the front is tight. My black dress pants have to have a safety pin in them for me to wear them. I can't get them buttoned. So, today, I broke down and went to the maternity section in JCPenny and then Motherhood. I was really surprised at how reasonably priced it is at Motherhood. Today I bought a pair of jeans, gray dress pants and two pairs of black dress pants. I couldn't believe they were long enough too! But, I'm keeping the receipt because the Maternity Resale shop in Broken Arrow is open Wed-Sat and if I find the same pants there, then I'll return them to the full priced stores.
I'm not really feeling sick anymore. I have some spats where I really NEED WATER!!!! I have excessive thirst problems, which then lead to excessive bathroom problems. My lunch today was a rice cake with cheese, mushroom soup, and some peanut butter M&M's. I also have been drinking a lot of Fresca. It seems to settle my stomach. I also really like milk, but of course it has to be skim.
My TBN job still does not know about my pregnancy. However, today I was supposed to interview for a full time sales job in the natural gas industry. The interviewer has to reschedule. I'm so confused about why this job interview seems to have fallen in my lap when I'm pregnant. The money would be really great, plus a company car and a cell phone. It would be the highest paid job I've ever had. But, I may not even get the job offer, so I need to stop getting my hopes up.
This past weekend we cleaned out the "fire room" so that it will be easier for the new carpet to be laid. Now, the office is an extra bedroom and an office. The "fire room" is completely empty.
Ryan had a hard time with me packing up all of his items in the fire room and the office. I'm one who thinks if you don't use it within a year, then get rid of it. He's more of a person that sees the sentimental value in the item, so he wants to hang on to it. I think we compromised. I'm happy because everything managed come together nicely in the office. The attic is full though. Someday we'll get a bigger house.....
Also, this past weekend, I went bridesmaid dress shopping. Honestly, it was a nightmare. None of the dresses came in maternity in the material that I was looking for to match the other bridesmaid dresses. If I ordered a regular dress, but in a bigger size, it would cost more. It would also cost more to get an extra yard of material, blah, blah, blah. I was not willing to pay $250 for a dress that normally costs $165. So, I came home and Googled dresses. I found one at Nordstroms. Oklahoma doesn't have a Nordstroms, so I ordered it and it should be here by the end of the week. It's black and in the tafeda material that Steph was wanting. I hope it works!!! I plan to wear it for both Steph and Brandon's wedding in June.
I'm not really feeling sick anymore. I have some spats where I really NEED WATER!!!! I have excessive thirst problems, which then lead to excessive bathroom problems. My lunch today was a rice cake with cheese, mushroom soup, and some peanut butter M&M's. I also have been drinking a lot of Fresca. It seems to settle my stomach. I also really like milk, but of course it has to be skim.
My TBN job still does not know about my pregnancy. However, today I was supposed to interview for a full time sales job in the natural gas industry. The interviewer has to reschedule. I'm so confused about why this job interview seems to have fallen in my lap when I'm pregnant. The money would be really great, plus a company car and a cell phone. It would be the highest paid job I've ever had. But, I may not even get the job offer, so I need to stop getting my hopes up.
This past weekend we cleaned out the "fire room" so that it will be easier for the new carpet to be laid. Now, the office is an extra bedroom and an office. The "fire room" is completely empty.
Ryan had a hard time with me packing up all of his items in the fire room and the office. I'm one who thinks if you don't use it within a year, then get rid of it. He's more of a person that sees the sentimental value in the item, so he wants to hang on to it. I think we compromised. I'm happy because everything managed come together nicely in the office. The attic is full though. Someday we'll get a bigger house.....
Also, this past weekend, I went bridesmaid dress shopping. Honestly, it was a nightmare. None of the dresses came in maternity in the material that I was looking for to match the other bridesmaid dresses. If I ordered a regular dress, but in a bigger size, it would cost more. It would also cost more to get an extra yard of material, blah, blah, blah. I was not willing to pay $250 for a dress that normally costs $165. So, I came home and Googled dresses. I found one at Nordstroms. Oklahoma doesn't have a Nordstroms, so I ordered it and it should be here by the end of the week. It's black and in the tafeda material that Steph was wanting. I hope it works!!! I plan to wear it for both Steph and Brandon's wedding in June.
Friday, January 11, 2008
It had a head, arms, and legs!
On Wednesday, January 9th, we went to our second ultrasound appointment at Dr. Bundren's office. First off, we sat in the waiting room for an hour. I almost started to bite my nails. I was so nervous that for some reason there wouldn't be a baby anymore or that the baby wasn't developing at a normal rate.
At this appointment they only took my weight and my blood pressure. Based on their scale I've only gained a pound. HA Well, their scale weighed me too heavy the last appointment (7 weeks). Maybe I wore heavy clothes or ate too much beforehand. My scale at home has shown that I've gained 5lbs and my current weight matches up exactly on my scale at home and at the doctor's office. My blood pressure was back to normal. For a while there it was running high for me. It was back to 124/70.
Dr. Bundren was there this time to do the ultrasound. We still have one little bean, but it's not a bean anymore, it actually had a head, legs, arms, and a body!!!! It measured perfectly for 10 weeks. Actually it measured 10w1d. My ovaries are almost back down to normal size too. They printed out the ultrasound pic, but the printed pic is undecipherable. It was easy to see on the live monitor, but not on a still photo. The baby must have been moving when they took the picture.
It is now time for me to be referred on to a high risk OB doctor. Ryan chose for them to refer us to a St. John doctor. Our only choices were St. Francis or St. John. Ryan didn't want the clustered nightmare-St. Francis. Also, St. John has some new Women's Center that is really nice. On Monday, I am supposed to call Dr. Stewart's office to set up my first appointment. They will probably see me on week 12. I know that I need to have some lab work done in the first trimester and they will be doing that. I was referred to a high risk OB just because I did go through IVF and there is a greater risk in IVF-ers to have uterine growth and pre-term labor? I have no idea what uterine growth means...I'm not even 100% sure thats what he said.
So, here I'm at work, at TBN, and they still have no clue I'm pregnant. I have an interview next week for a Flow Measurement Sales job. I really have no clue if I will want to work after the baby, but I'm soo antsy right now just working part-time at a "job." I'm just going with the flow on the interview. Who knows if anything will happen. I'll just have to wear my black pants with a safety pin in them and a really long shirt to cover it!
By the way, I forgot to mention that many people have asked if I'm really excited and honestly, I don't think it's really hit me yet. I have always been a person that reacts very slow to news. I know that I'm emotionally reserved with this pregnancy too. Who wouldn't be if they were in my shoes?
Just yesterday Ryan took apart the desk in the office. The new carpet is going to be installed soon, so we figured we might as well get the desk out of there now. Dan and Kathy are going to utilize the desk for their theater business until we want it back.
If you are reading this and you are pregnant or are going to become pregnant, join YOGA! I joined a prenatal yoga class about a week ago. The class is every Wednesday and Saturday. I love it. I hope it really helps me to stay calm throughout the pregnancy and labor. Also, after the baby is born, they have Mommy & Me Yoga! My favorite part of yoga is the lavender eye masks during the last 15 minute meditation period of class. I love the smell of lavender!
At this appointment they only took my weight and my blood pressure. Based on their scale I've only gained a pound. HA Well, their scale weighed me too heavy the last appointment (7 weeks). Maybe I wore heavy clothes or ate too much beforehand. My scale at home has shown that I've gained 5lbs and my current weight matches up exactly on my scale at home and at the doctor's office. My blood pressure was back to normal. For a while there it was running high for me. It was back to 124/70.
Dr. Bundren was there this time to do the ultrasound. We still have one little bean, but it's not a bean anymore, it actually had a head, legs, arms, and a body!!!! It measured perfectly for 10 weeks. Actually it measured 10w1d. My ovaries are almost back down to normal size too. They printed out the ultrasound pic, but the printed pic is undecipherable. It was easy to see on the live monitor, but not on a still photo. The baby must have been moving when they took the picture.
It is now time for me to be referred on to a high risk OB doctor. Ryan chose for them to refer us to a St. John doctor. Our only choices were St. Francis or St. John. Ryan didn't want the clustered nightmare-St. Francis. Also, St. John has some new Women's Center that is really nice. On Monday, I am supposed to call Dr. Stewart's office to set up my first appointment. They will probably see me on week 12. I know that I need to have some lab work done in the first trimester and they will be doing that. I was referred to a high risk OB just because I did go through IVF and there is a greater risk in IVF-ers to have uterine growth and pre-term labor? I have no idea what uterine growth means...I'm not even 100% sure thats what he said.
So, here I'm at work, at TBN, and they still have no clue I'm pregnant. I have an interview next week for a Flow Measurement Sales job. I really have no clue if I will want to work after the baby, but I'm soo antsy right now just working part-time at a "job." I'm just going with the flow on the interview. Who knows if anything will happen. I'll just have to wear my black pants with a safety pin in them and a really long shirt to cover it!
By the way, I forgot to mention that many people have asked if I'm really excited and honestly, I don't think it's really hit me yet. I have always been a person that reacts very slow to news. I know that I'm emotionally reserved with this pregnancy too. Who wouldn't be if they were in my shoes?
Just yesterday Ryan took apart the desk in the office. The new carpet is going to be installed soon, so we figured we might as well get the desk out of there now. Dan and Kathy are going to utilize the desk for their theater business until we want it back.
If you are reading this and you are pregnant or are going to become pregnant, join YOGA! I joined a prenatal yoga class about a week ago. The class is every Wednesday and Saturday. I love it. I hope it really helps me to stay calm throughout the pregnancy and labor. Also, after the baby is born, they have Mommy & Me Yoga! My favorite part of yoga is the lavender eye masks during the last 15 minute meditation period of class. I love the smell of lavender!
Friday, January 4, 2008
New panties
I went to Target yesterday to buy some new panties. I was tired of having my current pairs hit me right on my uterus. It just felt annoying, especially late at night. I started sleeping in the nude, except for a sports bra, of course.
Tomorrow I am going to start prenatal yoga classes. I'm going to sign up for a year membership because they also have Mommy & Me Yoga, breast feeding and birthing classes. I'm really excited. I need to do something to keep me relaxed, plus I love yoga, and this place makes it affordable.
I weighed myself yesterday morning and I have gained 3 pounds. I read that it is normal to gain 2-5 pounds in the first trimester. I'm currently at week 9 and 2 days.
I really haven't been tired. My queeziness usually comes when my stomach is empty and also in the evening. I can't ever decide on anything that sounds good to eat. I also get full really easily. Last night I was able to put back half of my mint chocolate chip shake in to the freezer to save for tonight! I haven't really had cravings, but I can say that the foods that I have been choosing to eat are breads, pastas, and carbs. I went all day yesterday without having any meat. I think the worst sounding food could be BBQ or Mexican right now. Ryan wishes I'd eat BBQ because we've heard that what you eat when you are pregnant is what your baby will grow up to like the most! I'm gonna have an Italian and vegetarian child! HA
Our 2nd ultrasound is on Wednesday, January 9th. I will be 10 weeks. I wonder if they are going to do any testing of blood sugar and protein yet? I read that those tests should be done in the 3rd month.
The Lawson, Griffith, and Call family like to use food analogy's for the baby's size. This week it's a grape!
Tomorrow I am going to start prenatal yoga classes. I'm going to sign up for a year membership because they also have Mommy & Me Yoga, breast feeding and birthing classes. I'm really excited. I need to do something to keep me relaxed, plus I love yoga, and this place makes it affordable.
I weighed myself yesterday morning and I have gained 3 pounds. I read that it is normal to gain 2-5 pounds in the first trimester. I'm currently at week 9 and 2 days.
I really haven't been tired. My queeziness usually comes when my stomach is empty and also in the evening. I can't ever decide on anything that sounds good to eat. I also get full really easily. Last night I was able to put back half of my mint chocolate chip shake in to the freezer to save for tonight! I haven't really had cravings, but I can say that the foods that I have been choosing to eat are breads, pastas, and carbs. I went all day yesterday without having any meat. I think the worst sounding food could be BBQ or Mexican right now. Ryan wishes I'd eat BBQ because we've heard that what you eat when you are pregnant is what your baby will grow up to like the most! I'm gonna have an Italian and vegetarian child! HA
Our 2nd ultrasound is on Wednesday, January 9th. I will be 10 weeks. I wonder if they are going to do any testing of blood sugar and protein yet? I read that those tests should be done in the 3rd month.
The Lawson, Griffith, and Call family like to use food analogy's for the baby's size. This week it's a grape!
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