Fabric Arrived!

Here is what I got for the curtains. It is actually green with polka dots on top, and these fun sock monkeys on the bottom.

Good Morning Vietnam

...or China to one of my friends : )

It is a glorious morning...because I have a day off! Yesterday was one of the busiest days ever. I had 8am non-stress test, followed by an OB appt, 11am ultrasound, 2:30and 3pm employee evaluations, 4pm student evaluation. Whew. I'm not sure I did any actual work yesterday.
Anyways, the non-stress test was much more "non-stressful" than last time. My mom came and sat with me since she had the day off, which was very nice and reassuring. I have learned that the baby likes to jump around after I drink OJ, so I brought a cup with me to sip on every once in a while. Baby performed as needed, and the nurses/doc got their readings (showing that the baby was just fine) in about 30 minutes.

OB appointment was same as always,

• get weight
• pee in a cup
• "Hey kiddo"
  
• listen to heartbeat "Let's see if there's still an alien in there"
  
• "any questions"
• "nope"
• "OK, come back in 2 weeks"

My mother confirmed my doc's lack of "bedside manner". She was in the room, and he would have not acknowledged her presence the entire time if I had not introduced them at the very end. argh.

Ultrasound took a long time, but it was fun to see Baby Cady for so long. Baby is definitely getting cramped in there! It almost looked like he (or she, we still don't know!) was sucking on his toes. We will have to wait until the ultrasound doctor looks at the results, but as far as my untrained eye could see, the heart seemed to beat right, and everything else seemed where it should be. And baby had hair on his head : )


Since last post, I had another baby shower. My hubby's family came to town, and the shower was at a home of a family friend. I had a really fun time with everyone, and baby got lots of neat items to use. We are getting pretty well stocked for baby's arrival. Thanks LaurieM for the cloth diaper! My new task is re-stocking the registry for my family shower coming up in 3 weeks. Like 1st time moms have a clue as to what and how much baby will need!

How far along? 32 weeks
Weight gained (for all you inquiring minds)?30 lbs. (I have appreciated anyone's comments on how I don't look like I've gained weight anywhere but my belly...I know it isn't true, but feels quite nice : )
Maternity clothes? I think that you can tell by looking.
Stretch marks? none on the belly...not that I can see the underside of the belly, though
Sleep: After I got over my allergy-induced coughing, I've slept really well the last few nights.
Movement: Comes in waves. Baby will be less active for a day or two, then hop into gear and kick non-stop. Yesterday=non-stop kicking.
Food cravings: Same old things, I could eat pizza at every meal.
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In. my sister-in-law told me that if my "turkey timer" hasn't popped by now, it probably won't. Yippee.
What I miss: Seeing my feet. I'm much more unsteady without that visual. I tried to kick a ball last night and realized how hard it was without actually being able to see your foot hit the ball (I was able to do it, though!)
What I am looking forward to: Shorter work hours.

How baby's growing:

By now, baby weighs about 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long (size of jicama....which I'm sure you all pick up and use on a daily basis), taking up a lot of space in the uterus. Mom's gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

31 weeks

Not much has happened this week (beside the previous posts).
I am continuing to move furniture around in the second bedroom to make way for baby items, but our small abode is getting smaller really quickly with all this baby stuff. Organization has never been something I've excelled at, so trying to figure out how to make everything fit is becoming very challenging for me! Thank goodness baby clothes are small.



How far along? 31 weeks
Maternity clothes? Most definitely
Stretch marks? none on the belly.
Sleep: It's not getting any better from here, I'm afraid. I was 2-4 times per night, and toss and turn a lot. But still more that I'll get with a new baby around, so I shouldn't complain.
Movement: Active as always, at nighttime, middle of night, and in the morning when I wake up. It also kicks after I eat.
Food cravings: Pizza, chips, salty things
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In. Hubby think it will pop, I don't think so.
What I miss: Bending over with ease
What I am looking forward to: Ultrasound next week and working a few less hours per week starting May 1st!

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Hmmm, why do they call is a Non-stress Test?

So, I had my 1st non-stress test (NST) this morning. A NST is about the most non-invasive test you could ask for. They simply attach a heart rate monitor to the belly, and monitor the babies heart rate. When the baby kicks, I click a button. The baby's heart rate should increase when it is kicking. Easy peas-y Japenese-y!
I was actually not very stressed when I went this morning because baby has been very active, so I was sure baby was doing OK.
I got checked in, went to OB dept, and got taken to a room where they laid me down, attached me to monitors, and told me the drill. To ensure a lively baby, I had eaten some OJ and a granola bar right before going to the hospital, played the music really loud in the car, and told baby that he better behave for his first test...mom has always been a good test taker, and I didn't want to be disappointed. Baby kicked the monitor as it was being placed on my belly. He really doesn't like being confined (baby also does not like seatbelts, or tight pants). So after lying down for about 10 minutes, I started to feel like I couldn't breath very well, and I started getting really hot. "Calm down" I told myself....I could see baby's heartbeat was perfect (130-160), so why would I be worried? Then it started to get worse, I started getting really hot, clammy, and queasy. (I have felt this way two other times in my life, once I passed out, and the other time, I almost passed out). Thankfully, the nurse had placed the call button close by. I told nurse how I was feeling, so she got me a wet cloth and then remembered that she hadn't gotten my vitals. After taking my blood pressure, she said it was a low, to which I answered that I normally have low bp, around 100/60. She said "Well, your blood pressure is 70/40". "That's not good" I replied. Thankfully after moving onto my side and getting some OJ, I bounced back quite quickly, but it was not very fun! Baby's readings were fine. I get to repeat this every week from here until baby arrives. So much for the "Non-stress Test"!

Childbirth Class

Hubby and I attended our 1 and only childbirth class last night. At least it was free! While I didn't learn much about the actual birthing process that I didn't already know, I was glad that I went. I learned some general hospital policies/my doctor's policies that I didn't know about, and I was pleasantly surprised. Barring no issues, the hospital pushes for the "magical hour" or something like that, which means they allow mom, dad, and baby one hour together to bond/breastfeed before giving shots, eye ointments, etc. They highly discourage any visitors during this time. I also learned that my doctor doesn't make women get their legs up in stirrups. yeah! I have heard that this increases chances of tearing (ouch,ouch). And, he doesn't clamp the cord until baby has been outside of womb for at least a minute, which decreases the chance of an anemic baby. Learning all of these things about my doctor's preference, does make me respect him much more, which is a good thing. I would much rather have a competent/knowledgeable doctor with less that perfect bedside manner than the other way around!
Not much other news to report. Baby is still kicking me a lot, I go for my 1st non-stress test tomorrow, and I have a shower coming up with weekend!

Letter to baby:

Dear Baby,
I know that you are growing and getting ready for your "independence" from my womb, but the all-night dance party needs to stop. While you are too young to get in trouble, last night's escapade from 11-midnight, and again at 5am made mommy a little cranky (ok, you did hear me laugh, but don't think that was encouragemen!t). Just remember to reserve these circus acts for when I am hooked up to the machines every Wednesday morning.
Love,
Mom


Ohh, and my mom and I went "garage saleing" around town today. Not much available, but Gma Cow did get a pack n play (for $20) and a few outfits!

30 weeks down, 10 to go!

Yippee, I'm 3/4ths the way done with my pregnancy! It has flown by so far, but I hear the last few weeks seem to drag on forever (probably b/c I'll get more miserable as time goes on).
I had an appt today. Dr said the usual: "looks like there's a baby in there"...thanks doc.... the hour of kicking last night really got me convinced it was an kangaroo playing hopscotch, so I'm glad you confirmed the "baby" diagnosis.

Hubby and I did have a wonderful shower at work yesterday. The ladies I work with are so thoughtful! They had lots of monkey themed items, and we were "showered" with wonderful gifts for the baby. I am certainly freaking out less than I was before about not having anything for baby!


How far along? 30 weeks

Maternity clothes? Yes, but I can still fit into my pre-pregnancy scrub pants!
Stretch marks? Still none on the belly.
Sleep: Last night was the worst yet. I tossed and turned all night long.
Movement: Yes, baby kicks so hard I can see my belly shake.
Baby was crazy last night. Seriously. Jump rope with the umbilical cord. I told hubby to sing baby lullabies to calm her down, but he wasn't really into that.
Food cravings: (Other than chocolate, every day) Potato Chips. I did not eat them all in one setting, but I was bad and bought some for myself. I did get the "Natural" lays....only potatoes, salt, and PURE fat!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? IN
What I miss: Sleep. People not commenting on how round I'm getting (thanks zarah). My old clothes
What I am looking forward to: Our childbirth class next week.


Something about pregnancy that I wasn't prepared for: doctors appointments. I knew about the weight gain, mood swings, fatigue, etc, before getting preggo, but I never really considered the amount of time spent at the Dr. office. I am not someone who is sick very often. I remember going to the doctor once because of a throat infection...when I was about 10. Other than that, I've just had some heel pain, hernia/heartburn, and the required yearly gyn exams, certainly no regular appointments. I don't really know how a working woman is supposed to fit all of these exams into her schedule!
From here on out, I get a weekly non stress test (which I assume is because of the single umbilical artery), and every 2 week regular doctor appts (until I'm 36 weeks, then weekly) and in two weeks, I have another ultrasound. So in two weeks, I'll basically be at medical appointments from 8am to noon.


Baby Update (from babycenter.com)

How your baby's growing:

Baby is about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Aahh 75 days left!

How can this be going so quickly? While I've been reading like a fiend (too much according to my Dr....but we won't talk about that), I still feel like I have so much to learn before I'm ready for the "Big Day"...not that I'll ever actually be ready. Hubby and I do have a Childbirth class to go to in a few weeks, but I doubt I'll learn all I need to know in 2 hrs. That is one of the downsides to living in rural America...access to healthcare. In the "city" there are a plethora of 4 wk -12 wk childbirth classes of all types as well as breastfeeding classes, which I would go to if I lived there. But alas, "Green Acres" is the place to be....

Pregnancy is still moving on relatively uneventfully. Other than my expanding waistline (and possibly backside), everything seems pretty normal. I don't know what I expected pregnancy to be like, but it sure has been pretty easy so far. Sadly, I had to put one of my favorite pregnancy shirts to rest this week. My belly has the tendency of popping out of it...and since I refused to wear midriffs pre-pregnancy...I think it is wise to continue my modesty.

Last week, I forgot to brag on my hubby. When I came home from my mini vacation, hubby had vacuumed the entire house, mopped the kitchen floor (which he had never done by himself before), cleaned the bathroom, and the second bedroom (formerly known as my "closet room" on it's transition to nursery) and he assembled our crib that arrived while I was gone! Whew, he was a busy little bee over the weekend. I was quite surprised since I didn't know our crib had arrived. We just need to get a mattress, mattress protector, and sheet, and baby will have a very nice place to sleep!

How far along? 29 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: We'll see at Dr appt Thursday...but I'm sure my mom's scrumptious Easter dinner isn't going to help (or my consumption of brownies over the weekend)
Maternity clothes? Yes..and even some of those don't fit
Stretch marks? Still none on the belly.
Sleep: I have been needing to wake up to go to the bathroom more frequently, and turning over is getting more laborious, but still pretty good. We'll see how tonight goes since I accidentally took a 2.5 hrs post-Easter dinner nap.
Movement: In the morning, evening, and after most meals. Baby has been kicking or punching quite low lately, which makes it difficult for others to feel the baby.
Food cravings: None
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? Still in...although last week I felt like the area above my belly button was going to stretch open (I'm assuming this will only get worse)
What I miss: Being 25 lbs lighter, being able to go about my daily business without running my belly into a million things. (ie work counter, car door, kitchen chair, etc...I still forget how big I'm getting)
What I am looking forward to: Pushing baby around on walks.


How baby is growing:
This week he weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is getting bigger to accommodate his growing brain — which is busy developing billions of neurons. Every day, about 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in your baby's skeleton, which is now hardening. With this rapid growth, it's no surprise that baby's nutritional needs reach their peak during this trimester.

Yippee!

All my blood tests came back within normal limits! (Downside...I'll have to wait until my next pregnancy to taste that glorious drink again, ha).
Today I had the day off, which was wonderful. While it did rain off and on all day, my mom and I were quite productive. We took a quick trip to KC. I got my headlight on my car fixed (Buddy the Jetta no longer has a lazy eye!), shopped at Sams Club (2 lbs of jalapenos...here I come!), ate a yummy lunch at Thai Palace, bought my stroller (grandmother tested and approved), did a few quick stops at the mall, and headed home.
I will get a new belly picture posted tomorrow. Good night, sleep tight.

Glucola Strikes Again!

I got call Monday morning letting me know that when I went for my oral glucose tolerance test (for gestational diabetes), I should have also had a CBC and blood type drawn. Oops! The doctor's office did not get the orders. So I made an appt for today to get those blood tests drawn. Oh well, I have super veins, and at least I didn't have to do the OGTT again. Well...on Tuesday, I get a call from my OBs office saying that my OGTT results came back, and there must have been a lab error. My glucose level was 12 (normal 70-120). Most people die if theirs goes below 30-40. Since I'm not dead...I have redo that test as well. Oh well, anything for baby. (I told the nurse...."Well, at least I don't have gestational diabetes" but she didn't buy it)
So I got to drink the stuff again this morning, and get three vials of blood drawn 1 hour later. I am really hoping my numbers come back good so I don't have to do this a third time.

Vacation

Sorry everyone for no new picture, I may get it up Monday. I'm on a mini vacation with my sister and friend... although it is yet to be seen if lafa will show up, her flight was cancelled twice, and now she is in route to another airport where her mom will pick her up and drive her to her final vacation destination. Hopefully it will quit raining by the time she arrives!

Baby news:
Baby is kicking a lot!!! Baby does not like to be confined, so she kicks when I wear a seatbelt and when I cross my arms and rest them on my belly. Baby is also still very active at nighttime, and now when I wake up in the morning.
The OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) wasn't as bad as expected, despite my nightmare of not getting to the Dr.'s office on time. The drink was carbonated, which made it much more palatable, think double concentrated orange soda. Not that I would ever choose to drink it of my own free will, but as bad as expected. It did however make me a little queasy for a few hours, I think that was just the sugar overload.
Since I am now in my "final stretch", I get to visit the doctor every two weeks.

How your baby's growing: (from babycenter.com)

By this week, baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

How far along? 28 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 24 lbs
Maternity clothes? Most Definitely
Stretch marks? None on my belly, and since I had the hip stretchmarks
Sleep: I flip flop all night long, but I give myself 9 hrs to sleep, so I usually am well rested
Movement: lots!
Food cravings: cravings are mostly gone
Labor Signs: Nope.
Belly Button in or out? Still in. I have a pretty deep innie, so I doubt mine will pop
What I miss: bending down with ease
What I am looking forward to: Seeing the kiddo