2nd Trimester Labwork

Since I was the late person at work today, I decided to get my 2nd Trimester labs done prior to work.  Everything came back unremarkable except my 1 hour glucose draw.  I "failed" it.  My level came back at 142 and I should be below 131.  So this weekend I get to go for the 3 hour glucose draw.  On the bright side of it, the lab I'm going to go to is next door to Target.  So I might stop in a pick out a dress for my shower.  I shouldn't say might, I know I will.  Plus that is one less thing I will need to do the following week.  I already know how the morning is going to go, and I'm dreading it.  This morning when I was doing my 1 hour another woman was doing her 3 hour.  So the way it is going to go is I fast after midnight, arrive at the lab, get a finger stick to make sure my sugars are at a safe level to do the test, get my first draw, drink that nasty orange drink, and get stuck every hour until it's over.  If I fail the 3 hour, I get to be referred to an endocrinologist.  I already know that it is because of my diet.  I have been having a sweet tooth almost the entire pregnancy.  So it looks like I need to cut back on my sugar intake tremendously.

On a more positive note, our neighbor has generously given us some baby stuff.  We got a pack-n-play, swing, exersaucer, and travel system.  This weekend, or next, we are going to clean the stuff up real good and maybe take 1 or 2 items off our registry.  But we both think that the duplicates would be great for his mom's house for the days when we're down there for dinner or when she's watching our LO.    My parents already have stuff from my niece so they really don't need it.  So either way, this was win-win.  Plus if/when my SIL has children, or we have more, there is stuff already there hopefully still in good condition.

27 Week Update

Sorry...I have been horrible at keeping up with this especially the photos.  I wanted to do them every week, but lately I haven't been very photogenic.  

How far along: 27 weeks, 3 days...88 days to go

Total weight gain/loss:  Total I am up 10 lbs.  I seem to be gaining 1 lb/week now
How big is Baby: Baby is about the size of a rutabaga.   At 13.6 to 14.8 inches and 1.5 to 2.5 pounds
Maternity Clothes: Yes...I haven't worn my jeans in awhile.  Once I get out of my scrubs I go to my sweatpants.  Which has been my weekend theme as well since I haven't really had anything to do or any place to go.  I got to wear a couple of my new shirts.  And I must say that I feel a bit more normal going into work now.  I now have a variety of shirts instead of a couple.  
Sleep: Sleep is alright...some nights.  I'm starting to have about 2 bathroom breaks I would say every other night.  There are also a few nights out of the week where I wake up in the middle of the night.  Either because I'm uncomfortable or my body feels it's time to get up.  Some times it's rough going back to sleep.

Movement: Yes and it is amazing.  The last couple of days I've been noticing my stomach move with her kicks.  It's very alien like and I love it, especially when I drink I large glass of OJ.  She gets very active after that.  She still has some quiet days, but makes up for it on the active days.

Food cravings:  cereal (fruity pebbles, Kashi Island Vanilla), bananas, milk, oreos
Food aversions: none really.  

Gender: It's a girl.

Symptoms:  Getting more fatigued through out the week (especially when I'm a bit more active around the house cleaning and such), swollen ankles, leg cramps, back aches, and had my first snissing episode Wednesday.  I've been getting more clumsy and forgetful as the weeks progress.  I think I'm starting to nest.  

Best moment this week:  Still going to say my nesting.  My house is becoming more cleaner and organized.    
What I am looking forward to:  Setting up our Little One's crib and nursery.  My baby shower that is set for May 19.

Double Digits

99 days and counting!!!  I can't believe how fast this is going now.  There is only 2 more weeks and 1 day until I say goodbye to second trimester and hello to the third.  I am enjoying every single minute of this pregnancy, good and bad.  Although I must say that I have been very blessed to not have many bad moments.  J has been enjoying it too.  He notices my bump getting bigger and bigger.  We still have a lot to do as far as preparation, but I feel everything will come together nicely.  Our hospital tour is completed, crib has been purchased/arrived, master bedroom almost completed, and baby shower is scheduled.  We still need to stop at the local carpet store and pick out her rooms carpet.  One of these next few weekends we'll get around to it.

Hospital Tour/25 Week Update

Today J & I took a tour of labor and delivery as well as the mother baby unit where I will be delivering.  It was completely surreal.  I just couldn't believe that we were there getting ready for our little one.  The rooms in labor and delivery were quite spacious and even relaxing.  Best part is the nourishment station.  J will have unlimited access to coffee and water right down the hall.  He will also be able to get me snow cones if I want.  We then ventured upstairs to mother baby.  The rooms are a bit smaller, but you're only there for 2-3 days.  I'm relieved to know that I can have my laptop and cell there.  I may not need the laptop, but in the even I need extra entertainment or J does at least it's there.  We'll see if I even take it.  My main concern was where do I go if I go into labor in the middle of the night.  I was completely shocked to know that the hospital has the front entrance open 24/7.  Which does make sense because the ER is completely on the other side of the hospital.  I would imagine it would take awhile to get to L&D that way.  Being there just made me more excited and nervous for the big day.  

How far along: 25 weeks, 3 days

Total weight gain/loss:  Total I am up 7 lbs.  Last Sunday was a horrible day.  I was sick all day long, I think I spent most of it in the bathroom.  I could not keep anything in my system for the life of me.  From that day, and night, I dropped 5 pounds but quickly gained that back by Thursday.
How big is Baby: Baby is about the size of an eggplant.
Maternity Clothes: Yup.  My jeans are now starting to fit a little bit better.  I still have to tug at them every now and then to pull them up.  Just bought a nice stock of maternity shirts and tees from Craving Style.  Spent about $54, not bad for 8 items.  Now I won't feel that much of a dirt ball going into work now.  My shirt supply dwindled down to about 2-3 rotating shirts.  Plus it's getting warmer out, so I'll be able to pull off an appropriate tank under my smock.  If anyone is interested the website is cravingstyle.com.
Sleep: Sleep is alright...some nights.  About a week ago I began waking with back and hip pain, not fun when I have been having long days sitting and scheduling procedures.  So I resorted to sleeping on an incline with a pillow behind my back.  Lifesaver!!!!  I'm getting almost a full nights sleep, with 1 bathroom trip.

Movement: Yes and it is amazing.  The last couple of days I've been noticing my stomach move with her kicks.  It's very alien like and I love it, especially when I drink I large glass of OJ.  She gets very active after that.  There were some days this week where she scared me.  I had about 2 days this week where she barely moved, but she was just resting.  Still scared me compared to how active she has been.

Food cravings:  still oreos, bananas, and saltine crackers.  I'm not sure why the saltine crackers.  That was pretty much all I ate for 1 day last week when I was sick and now I can't get enough of them
Food aversions: none really.  

Gender: It's a girl.

Symptoms:  Some fatigue by the end of the day and slightly swollen ankles.  I've been getting more clumsy and forgetful as the weeks progress.  Starting to get some more sciatic pain too.  I think I'm starting to nest.  

Best moment this week:  I'm going to say my nesting.  I haven't seen my living room this clean in awhile and I have plans on other rooms for the upcoming weeks as well as "small" projects.  
What I am looking forward to:  Setting up our Little One's crib and nursery.  My baby shower that is set for May 19.

24 Week Update

How far along: 24 weeks, 2 days

Total weight gain/loss:  Total I am up 6 lbs.  
How big is Baby: Baby is about the size of a grapefruit.
Maternity Clothes: Yup.  My jeans are still a bit big on me.  I really don't think my jeans will fit right until about another month or 2 by the way I'm carrying.  Still need to bulk up on some t-shirts and tanks.  Next motherhood buy one get one free sale in 1 month.  I still have been checking out that 2nd hand store I got my shorts from, but nothing caught my eye yet.  If anyone is interested the website is cravingstyle.com and the store is called Craving Style Maternity
Sleep: Sleep is alright...some nights.  I'm having some really crazy dreams some nights which keep me from going back to sleep.  I'm also having at least 1 bathroom break a night.

Movement: Yes and it is amazing.  The last couple of days I've been noticing my stomach move with her kicks.  It's very alien like and I love it, especially when I drink I large glass of OJ.  She gets very active after that.  There were some days this week where she scared me.  I had about 2 days this week where she barely moved, but she was just resting.  Still scared me compared to how active she has been.

Food cravings:  still oreos.  last week I went through 2 packages of double stuffed.  And cheese...I've been snacking on cheese slices.
Food aversions: none really.  I've been ok with fried foods now, but I try to stay away from it if I can...less aggravation

Gender: It's a girl.

Symptoms:  Some fatigue by the end of the day and slightly swollen ankles.  I've been getting more clumsy and forgetful as the weeks progress.  Starting to get some more sciatic pain too.  I think I'm starting to nest.  

Best moment this week:  I'm going to say my nesting.  My I haven't seen my living room this clean in awhile and I have plans on other rooms for the upcoming weeks as well as "small" projects.  Baby's crib came on Thursday and I got a free Sealy mattress from one of my sister's friends who barely used it.
What I am looking forward to:  Setting up our Little One's crib and nursery.  My baby shower that is set for May 19.

So Excitied!!

Today the baby's crib came!!  I can't believe how fast it arrived, I just placed the order on Sunday evening.  I can't wait until it's up and her room is put together.  That won't happen for quite some time though, we're thinking about mid June.  Only because we still need to buy carpet for her room and, the most important part, we're currently inhabiting her room until we finish renovating ours.

Here is a picture of the crib we bought for our little girl.



And here is the bedding that we have picked out for her



I can't wait until everything is all set up.  Now all I need to do is look for carpet and think of how I'm going to arrange her room.

MFM Consultation

Today at 23 weeks and 6 days, I had my MFM consultation and fetal echo.  I had to have this consultation due to my epileptic disorder and my anti-epileptic drug (AED).  Due to the types of AED's that are out there, fetuses are exposed to potential health risks and birth defects more than a "healthy" expecting mother (i.e. cleft lip, spina bifida, neural tube defects, heart problems, etc).  I wouldn't say that the consult was a waste of my time, even though I was fully aware of all of these risks prior to becoming pregnant, but it was a good refresher and I realized that I have a few questions for both my OB and my neurologist.  Even though I have no intentions on really having a birth plan, myself and my physicians need to have a plan so that my health and my baby girl's is not in jeopardy during labor.  The nurse practitioner that I met with seemed confident that everything will go well since I have not had problems thus far and is relieved that everyone is going to come up with a plan.  The MFM doctor was even kind of shocked that I needed a consult with them since I'm on such a low dose of medication. But after we started talking he felt more comfortable with everything and that I established a relationship with them as a just in case.

My fetal echo went very well and Baby is doing very well.  Her heart is strong, no abnormalities, no arryhythmia, excellent blood flow going in and out, all four chambers present, valves working properly, heart is correctly placed, and so on.  Everything is just perfect with her.  At first I was a little bummed because I was only going to see her heart.  I wasn't going to get a chance to see her again.  But lo and behold, she actually cooperated for the important part and my sonographer finished ahead of schedule before the doctor was ready.  I got to see my little bug again!  This time, sonographer surprised me with some 3D shots of her.  She was a little bugger, let me tell you.  She was sooo good for the diagnostic portion, I knew it would be too good to be true.  She decided to become very squirmy and play games.  Hiding her face, smooching it against my uterine wall, and rolling around.  Without further ado, here is the best profile we could get on her in 3D

23 Week Update

How far along: 23 weeks, 4 days

Total weight gain/loss:  Total I am up 6 lbs.  
How big is Baby: Baby is about the size of a pomegranate.
Maternity Clothes: Yup.  My jeans are still a bit big on me.  I really don't think my jeans will fit right until about another month or 2 by the way I'm carrying.  Still need to bulk up on some t-shirts and tanks.  Next motherhood buy one get one free sale in 1 month.  I still have been checking out that 2nd hand store I got my shorts from, but nothing caught my eye yet.  If anyone is interested the website is cravingstyle.com and the store is called Craving Style Maternity
Sleep: Sleep is alright...some nights.  I'm having some really crazy dreams some nights which keep me from going back to sleep.  I'm also having at least 1 bathroom break a night.

Movement: Yes and it is amazing.  The last couple of days I've been noticing my stomach move with her kicks.  It's very alien like and I love it.  There were some days this week where she scared me.  I had about 2 days this week where she barely moved, but she was just resting.  Still scared me compared to how active she has been.

Food cravings:  still oreos.  last week I went through 2 packages of double stuffed.  And cheese...I've been snacking on cheese slices.
Food aversions: none really.  I've been ok with fried foods now, but I try to stay away from it if I can...less aggravation

Gender: It's a girl.

Symptoms:  Some fatigue by the end of the day and slightly swollen ankles.  I've been getting more clumsy and forgetful as the weeks progress.  Starting to get some more sciatic pain too.  I think I'm starting to nest.  Saturday I got the bright idea to really clean our living room.  So I cleaned and vaccumed furniture, rearranged some things, steamed vac'd the carpet, and started a couple loads of laundry.  I think I did too much, my back was killing me and I was definitely waddling by 8 pm.

Best moment this week:  I'm going to say my nesting.  My I haven't seen my living room this clean in awhile and I have plans on other rooms for the upcoming weeks as well as "small" projects.  AND one of my co-workers was sooo generous and gave me some baby items: bouncer, carrier, changing pad cover, and hat.  Almost forgot the most important thing, purchased baby's crib yesterday!
What I am looking forward to:  I'm actually looking forward to my fetal echo this Wednesday.  Only because I get to see my little girl again.  Nervous about my MFM consult though.  My OB wants me to become established just in case I would need them down the road.  Very excited about my baby shower that is scheduled for MAY!  


Looking back at my last 2 answers, I'm realizing that everything is going really fast now.  I mean I bought her crib and my shower is in like a month and a half.  July 26 is just around the corner.