November

November was the best month of my life so far. And the worst. First, let me say that everything is OK with Abby. She is the best most wonderful baby ever. Her birth brought something amazing into our lives and we will never be the same. She is what made November the best month. And then my dad had a heart attack on Saturday the 21st and died at 12:20 AM on the 24th.

By some miracle we had Sunday and Monday with him. We thought he was going to be ok but I guess it wasn't meant to be. Thank god Abby came three weeks early because he died days before her due date. I hate that she won't get to know him except through us but I am happy that he saw her and held her. But I am devastated that it was only three times in her life, and that there isn't a single picture of any of those moments.

So that's why I haven't written. At first it was just because we were adjusting to having a new baby - we had 5 days in the hospital - the recovery was quick from the c-section - breast feeding a failure - jaundice a big deal for the first two weeks - a baby who needed to be fed every two hours - it was all a blur at first.

And then I couldn't write because I would have to say this...and I didn't want to. But it's been three weeks. That was how old Abby was when he died. It just sucks to be honest. A million times I want to call him - to talk to him - to have him see her.

But there is joy - in the sweet baby above. She is just amazing and we are so happy she is here, healthy and happy.

Hello Abby

Abigail Elizabeth Grace born on November 4th, 2009 weiging in at 6 lbs 14 ounces.

Julie had to endure a c-section, so needless to say she is still sore.

Abby is being monitored because her blood sugars were low, but she is doing great other than that.

Thank you everyone for your prayers and positive thoughts, it was a hard journey, with an unexpected last path, but a great, beautiful ending.

Day two

As we reach the next 24 hours of Abby's birth, there is progress. Julie had an epidural in the middle of the night after having some nasty contractions. As of 930 this morning she is about 5 centimeters dilated, so we are hoping Abby gets the hint to come on down since we all can't wait to see her!!

at the hospital now

This is Dan, Julie and I are at the hospital now. Julie went in for a check up and her fluids were low, so the doctors said today is the day!

So we are waiting now to see what the plan is, but Abby will be on the way soon!!

todays the day

Nesting...full moon...one baby's room complete

Remember you should be able to click the image to inlarge it...

One baby's room done!

Well except for the big ticket item...Abby :)

36 Weeks or can you believe we made it this far?

And according to Dr. Go.ggle:

How your baby's growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.




How your life's changing:

Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to "drop" down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you've given birth before, it probably won't happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you'll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs!


And according to Julie:

The words have been uttered this week... it feels like a bowling ball is pressing down between my legs. I laughed when I read that today because I have definitely felt that pressure and the lovely back pain that seems to accompany it.

So... lets see. We moved. We both got a lovely cold. We didn't have Internet for bit so that is why we haven't updated but all is well. Colds are almost gone. We've had many a doctors appointments.... highlights are:

• baby Abby is measuring 36 weeks on the nose
• estimated weight as of yesterday is 6 lbs 9 oz
• fluid level is dropping from an 11 last week to a 7 this week so if it goes lower (below a 5)next week we might end up being induced before we expected - watch for an update Tuesday
• she passes her non stress tests with flying colors - which is twice a week now
• she has moved in position for birth - head down and facing my spine - and she has dropped into the pelvis - hence the bowling ball effect
• blood pressure this week has been the lowest its been in my pregnancy - actually in the normal range
• blood sugar has been excellent the last few weeks
• Cervix is getting ready...moved forward and soft... so at least something is happening!
• her room is ALMOST ready - most everything is washed - the crib is put together (great job Daddy!) just a bit more work
• There can not be one single thing this child needs...seriously we've covered it all! Or it seems like it!
• Mommy might be nesting - organize and make things perfect...is it too late to paint?
• Mommy says Abby LOVES chocolate ice cream and she must have it every day (smores or rocky road are recommended choices)
• Bad news that the cousins can't visit at all at the hospital - thank you h1.n1
• Probably not more than three weeks to go!
• Mommy cries a lot when she thinks about that!
• Both Mommy and Daddy can't wait to see, hold, snuggle, kiss and just love on baby Abby!
• Daddy is still the champ of getting a response from Abby - even better than the buzzer to wake her up at the doctors office...all he has to do is start talking to her and she reacts.
• Mommy's favorite nurse is working tomorrow night...and she likes the idea of a Halloween B-day (what fun b-day parties!) So maybe Abby wants to be born tomorrow?

Week 34

Dr Goggl.e says this is what is happening in week 34:

You're not seeing things — at least not as well as usual. That's because your eyes are yet another part of your body that falls prey to those pesky pregnancy hormones. Not only can your vision seem less sharp these days, but a decrease in tear production can leave your eyes dry and irritated, especially if you wear contact lenses. Plus, an increase in fluid behind your eyes' lenses can temporarily change their shape, making some women more nearsighted or farsighted than usual. Happily, these vision changes during pregnancy are all temporary. Things should clear up as your eyes return to normal after delivery (so there's no need to change your prescription just yet).

What's new with your baby? He's clocking in at five pounds and could be as tall as 20 inches by now. This week, a boy's testicles start making their way down from his abdomen to their final destination: his scrotum (look out below!). While about three to four percent of boys are born with undescended testicles, it's nothing to worry about — they usually head downtown before junior turns a year old.

In other baby-related developments, those tiny fingernails have probably reached the tips of his fingers by now — and getting ready for that first postpartum manicure.

From Julie:

I have noticed the vision changes at times, it doesn't seem to be a constant change for me at this point. Sometimes it seems to be distance and sometimes when I am reading a book - which is only when I am in the bath these days. Ahh, the bath. I am going to miss this bath tub a lot. I've taken a bath pretty much daily for the last 4 months or maybe even longer. Some days - if it was a bad day - I could take 4 baths in a night. I guess baths have always been my feel better thing - when I am sick with a cold or something baths always seem to make it feel better. Anyway I am quite sad to be leaving my soaker behind. Only one more night. I wonder how many baths I have time for?

Overall feeling ok, there are times when exhaustion hits but I think there have been some bursts of energy where I feel almost normal. Nothing really feels normal at this point. LOL. If I over do one day I am useless the next so now I am going for the work a while then go relax and to listen when I need to take a nap. There just is much pressure to get stuff done with the move (self inflicted of course). But after tomorrow it will be over - and all that's left is the unpacking! Ugh.

Belly has finally (or I just noticed) reached the point where it feels super hard at times. I can tell where Abby's space is and the little that is left for me. Movement has changed a bit - less dramatic big movements and more kicks and swishes. I've had cramps a lot in the last two weeks so it will be interesting to see what the Dr says about that tomorrow. My guess is we'll be having the first internal exam. We have ultrasound, NST and MFM appt tomorrow - well baby and I do - Dan is with the movers at that point. And will she be closer to 6 lbs this week (based on the 1/2 lb a week rule?)

Coolest thing is that every time and I do mean every time Dan talks to the belly Abby starts moving around. I love that she recognizes Daddy's voice and reacts to it. I can't wait to see them together. Best Episode Ever! (OK, that is probably the result of too many nights of falling asleep to the Simpsons :))

Wow

If we go with the "they won't let you go past 39 weeks" theory one of the nurses had at the MFM clinic - we have 40 days left. OMG! 40 days. I can't wait!

Week 33

From Dr. Gogg.le:

This week your baby may be anywhere between 17 to 19 inches in length and weigh more than four and a half pounds. At this stage in fetal development, your baby could grow a full inch more this week alone — especially if he or she has been on the shorter side. Weight gain can range from a third more growth to a full doubling before the big debut.

The level of amniotic fluid in your uterus has reached its maximum at 33 weeks pregnant, making it likely that you have more baby than fluid now. That's one reason why you're probably feeling lots of nudges and pushes — there's less liquid to cushion the blows. (Of course that means you're even closer to your baby now!)

If your uterine walls had eyes, here's what you'd see: your fetus acting more and more like a baby, with his or her eyes closing during sleep and opening while awake. And because those uterine walls are becoming thinner, more light penetrates the womb, helping your baby differentiate between day and night (now if only baby can remember that difference on the outside!).

And good news! Your baby has reached an important milestone about now: The development of his or her own immune system that (along with antibodies from you) will be able to provide protection from mild infections.

From Julie:

Well my guess is that she is closer to 5 lbs now - since she was almost 4 and a half last week when we went to the doctor. Feeling lots of movement at times and other times I know she must be asleep. Yesterday I went to bed at 11-11:30 and woke up at 1:20...and didn't go back to sleep until 7:30 in the morning. That sucked. There were at least two different times I tried to go back to sleep and was kept awake by Miss Abby rocking and rolling around. I will say that sometimes it does hurt now - or it feels like she is trying to leave manually. She had an amazing 10+ minute session of just moving and kicking and "I don't know what she was doing" session one of the times I tried to go back to sleep. It was really long!

I love that she responds to our voices or even the phone ringing when it was right next to me. I know it sounds weird but I almost think she knows her name...obviously I talk during the day and she doesn't move every time I do that but when I say her name over and over (maybe 5 or 6 times) she will start to move around...more times than not. Maybe its the way I am saying it that she is recognizing but still its cool.

We were showered with gifts on Sunday at our amazing baby shower from our wonderful family. We are so blessed with lots of family and friends who love us. I know we can't thank them enough!

I don't have a lot of pictures from my camera but honestly I would rather not post a picture of myself at this point. OMG I am so fat. I don't have a double chin, I have a second neck or something. If I hadn't been pregnant I would have deleted any picture with me in it. Since I am, I saved them for Abby but still I was temped. Most of the time I don't think I look pregnant just huge. BUT while I want to never leave the house until this is gone, I will say that I don't care in the sense that we get Abby out of it, which makes anything worth it. BUT I will be happy to be off this much insulin and not feel like I am a fat making machine because of it.

We are moving in about a week - are we ready? Not so much but we'll get it done - now I wish we were staying until Nov 1st but I think we'd still be procrastinating anyway. Hate moving. Ugh. But as long as Abby holds out we'll be good.

Just a NST on Wednesday... will keep you posted :)

The day of Doctors Appointments

We started the day with an endo appt - she was happy with me because I only gained 1 1/2 lbs. OK, and there I was worrying that she was going to yell at me because my blood sugar was sitting higher - but she basically said that I am not always in contol of this. She didn't like my blood pressure - 142/70 and wanted to add another med. And on the the MFM appts...

Up next we have an ultrasound - a NST (non stress test) and last but not least an OB appt.

Ultrasound was great - she looks good - LONG legs!! And can you believe it...she is measuring that she weights 4 lbs 5 oz! They said she was right on track - but when I looked at home she was a little ahead of what I've read. Plus if you factor in the 1/2 a week...and 8 weeks left...we are looking at at least a 8 lb baby! Wow. She is head down and facing my left side as of now.

NST - well she did well but it was QUITE the production to get the kid to hold still long enough for the nurse to find her heartbeat and monitor it for 20 minutes...lets just say we were there for over an hour. Everything looked beautiful and as much as I've tried to say she's just shy - there might actually be something to the stubborn thing. She really didn't like all the poking at my stomach and didn't want to stay in one place. Lots of kicks for mommy.

OB visit was good - they questioned the med from earlier and were going to talk to the endo about that and get back to me. She was putting me on a diuretic which I actually thought you couldn't take during pregnancy but I guess you can if you did all along. They would rather add to the does of blood pressure med I am on now - while the thought of retaining less water and being less swollen is appealing - having a problem with fluid levels overall is not what I am looking for and it could end up hurting the baby. I did get a flu shot - Dan will probably get one tomorrow - I guess its important to protect the baby and she will get the antibodies from me when we start breastfeeding.

The only other thing that was interesting was Abby trying to jump out of my belly. We were turning a corner next to a big truck that started to back up - my window was open and the truck had a VERY loud back up beep - that actually made Dan and I jump - just as Dan was saying "Did that scare you" so what 15 seconds later...Abby kicks my stomach SO hard I thought for a second she was coming out - it actually hurt for a while afterwards. The sound was so loud that it actually woke her up and scared her - poor baby. But it was kind of cool - that she responded to outside stimuli - I mean she moves around when I talk to her and say her name but this was different.

Poor baby had a rough day - somehow I am thinking that she is going to take it easy tomorrow.

And still I am thinking...4 lbs 5 oz! WOW! Ok so I looked back - she's gained almost 2 lbs in 4 weeks. Crazy!

Week 32 - whats happening

Dr. Goo.gle says:
Week 32 of Pregnancy: Fetal Postion

This week your baby weighs almost four pounds and could be up to 19 inches long. And though that's a head-to-toe length, your baby is actually back to a curled-up position (you try standing up in those cramped quarters!). At 32 weeks pregnant, you're likely feeling tapping and squirming instead of your baby's signature rocking and rolling. That's because, while comfy, your baby is a bit tight for exercise space right now. Your baby has also probably settled into the head-down, bottoms-up position in your pelvis in prepartion for birth. That's because the fetus's head fits better at the bottom of your inverted, pear-shaped uterus. It also makes it easier during childbirth if your baby comes out head first. Fewer than five percent of babies prefer the bottom-down (or breech) position by full-term. Don't worry if your baby hasn't assumed the head-down position yet. There's still a good chance he or she will flip head-side-down before birth — even in the tight confines of your uterus.


While your baby is still getting nourishment through the umbilical cord, it won't be long before you'll be bringing on the breast milk or formula (and soon after, the mashed carrots and peas). In anticipation of that momentous transition to mouth feeding, your baby's digestive system is all set and ready to go.

And because your baby is accumulating more fat, his or her skin is finally turning opaque (like yours), which means those see-through days are over. Though weeks away from D-day, your baby's looking more and more like a newborn.

And speaking of that big day, hope you're resting up for it — because your bambino certainly is. In preparation for that big first date with you, your baby is sleeping like a baby — with sleep cycles of 20 to 40 minutes long (which would also account for the decrease in movement you're likely feeling these days).

And then I wondered who does she look like?

Julie

Dan

Meet Abby

Hand on the left by her face

And this would be her foot on the right now by her face

I have to say that the 3D ultrasound was amazing - just to see a picture of what she looks like was so surreal and beautiful. She is even more real now, if that is possible! I just can't stop looking at the pictures!

Remember you can click on the picture to make it bigger :)

Week 31

Wow! Week 31!!

Fetal Development This Week (per Dr. Goo.gle)

Week 31 of Pregnancy: Activity in the Womb
Your baby's on a roll, measuring an impressive 18 inches and weighing in at more than three pounds. You can still expect your developing baby to gain at least three to five pounds, possibly more, before you two meet.

As far as growth goes, your baby's still on a roll, measuring an impressive 18 inches and weighing in at more than three pounds. At 31 weeks pregnant, you can still expect your baby to gain at least three to five pounds, possibly more, before you two meet.

Your baby's brain is working overtime these days, developing faster than ever. Connections between individual nerve cells are growing at a frenetic clip, and your baby can now perceive information from all five senses. Sure, your baby can't smell anything right now, but that's only because he or she is still submerged in amniotic fluid and needs to be breathing air to get a whiff of anything. Lucky for you — and your baby — yours will be one of the very first scents your baby breathes in, a scent that will quickly become his or her very favorite.

So what's your little dove doing all day while you're busy feathering your nest for his or her arrival? Making faces, hiccuping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with little hands and feet along your uterine wall, and even sucking his or her thumb. In fact, some babies suck their thumbs so vigorously while in the womb that they're born with a callus on their thumb (what a little sucker!).

This morning I scheduled all the classes - Hospital Tour (10/20) - Breast Feeding (10/15) - Birthing Class (10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9). This is in addition to all the other appts! Yikes - things are starting to hop. Oh wait and we are moving on the 14th? Yep. Well there is still a chance we could move the week before but boy we'd really have to get moving on the whole packing thing! Can you say procrastination?? The only thing I didn't schedule was the baptism class - which is every third Tuesday of the month - 10/20...and then 11/17 which I thought might be pushing it. So we will see if we can do it in December - I wonder if they would have a class 12/15? So right, you know I had to call and make sure - and now we are signed up for that. We just need to call and confirm once Abby is born. Cross that off the list too!

I think Dan is the only one with a doctors appt this week! We are also going to the 3D ultrasound on Thursday night - exciting!! And flu shots this week! Hopefully we can get them at the doctors office but if not the hospital has them free all week. I just don't want to stand in line. Makes my back hurt.

Feeling good - sleep is weird - sleep for 2-3 hours wake up for 2-3 hours - go back to sleep for 2-3 hours. And maybe if its a slow day go back to sleep again for 2 hours :). Using the mask faithfully - and I actually made the call to see what I can do about the masks not staying "tight" to my face all night. Since I am not "due" for a new mask until the end of October they have to have a therapist come and see what the problem is and see if I have the wrong kind of mask or whatnot. My first thought was...ugh...that means I have to clean for someone to come over! Yeah - between the limited packing and just general pulling stuff out and going though bins - having a messy house has been the norm... oh well, I guess it will provide some motivation!

Baby Abby seems to be doing well - shes been moving and grooving - especially at night. Seems to be responding more when we talk to her...lol... I woke her up just talking to her the other night and saying her name. Probably just my imagination but it was cool at the time.

Wednesdays Dr's Appts

Had a good appts - blood pressure is where it should be - blood sugar is ok but some time periods were tweaked because I might sit a little bit too high after lunch and dinner. Perfectly normal considering the insulin resistance is increasing as pregnancy progresses. I got a little lazy around my birthday about what I was eating - so now I need to go back and pay more attention - I was craving ice cream a little too much and it was killing my overall carb intake. That and I take too many baths so I can't take the pump off when I take a bath - because I guess on a bad day I ended up having it off for 3 hours. So I was missing the basil (continuous stream of insulin) during that time. I guess those nights where I took three baths plus a shower during the day were too much. I am SO going to miss this tub. It has been a savior during this pregnancy.

We had our first non-stress test because I didn't have as much movement the day before - not surprising that a little girl we know was not so cooperative in the heartbeat area - both when the nurses wanted to listen with the Doppler and when they did the NST test Abby didn't want to stay in the same place. She didn't like all the poking on my tummy and was kicking me a lot but in the end they got her. The poor nurse had to hold the monitor on me for at least 1/2 an hour by hand to keep moving it to keep track of the heartbeat. But either way she looks great. Hopefully these will get easier as she gets bigger.

Starting at week 32 I start weekly NST's and then at week 36 go twice a week. Ultrasound at 32 and 36 for growth (woo hoo - two more weeks). The MFM (Dr. appts) stay at two weeks until 36 weeks and then becomes weekly. As of what I know now Endo appts stay at every two weeks but I can and sometimes do send her reports weekly (if something looks wonky). So looks like I will be spending some time at the clinic over the next 2 months - yikes.

I got a no go on anything before week 39 when I asked about 38 weeks and my fear of stillbirth and basically he said as long as she looks good and my blood pressure stays good we are going to 40 weeks unless Abby decides otherwise. Knowing this kid so far - I'll be going to 40 weeks. Basically he said with the monitoring I am covered and if it looks weird at all they know so we should be ok. I didn't think it was possible but I am actually getting the idea that she might be a little stubborn. Could that be genetic? I don't think she is getting the message about having a personality like Dan... This could be interesting.

I asked about what I thought were braxton hicks contractions I've been having... which I've been having a lot of some days - apparently not anything to worry about - normal at this stage but goofy when it happens because from ribs to pelvis everything seizes up for 10 or 15 seconds - which takes my breath away and I make a funny groaning sound like an old man in the morning. It seems to happen a lot when I move or switch positions - which even happened in my sleep last night. As in I woke myself up! But normal and does no harm. He went over what to look for in real labor - you know I can see us being the people who go too early to the hospital and its false labor...or waiting too long because we aren't sure if its labor. D'oh. Maybe we'll just get induced...lol...we can't screw that up can we?

Here's voting for something obvious to happen - like water breaking! DO I need to say - after 38 weeks? Probably...you know...be careful what you wish for and all that.

Guess what she did today?

She kicked me hard enough to show outside - as in I could see my stomach move when she kicked me. Weirdly enough it didn't feel that hard from the inside - plus it was on the right side next to my ribs - not a place I usually feel her kick me.

I wish Dan had been home, that part made me sad. But she was kicking at his hand a lot last night - hopefully she will show him what she can do when he gets home. We miss him since he is working a double today...the animals are looking out the window for him...me...I'm lonely without him. Oh well, six more hours. I think the lack of activity and never leaving the house is bugging me a little today.

Last week I had probably almost a week of almost full nights sleep every night...and then the last three nights have been back to the old school - waking up every half hour at certain points- the last two nights I wake up after sleeping an hour or two - stay awake for 2 or 3 hours and then do the every half hour thing until 5 - stay awake until 8 and then wake up every half hour until 10 or 11. I can take everything but the every half hour thing - it drives me crazy. The mask is going wonky stuff so I have to find out who to call about that - it looses suction and then blows the air out into my eye or just gets really noisy - which makes me think it isn't working correctly at that point anyway. But I still use it - I have a hard time sleeping without it or at least falling asleep without it now. Our air was on the fritz last night and this am so maybe that was part of the problem - but (knock on wood) it seems to be working. Me and the heat and the swelling that goes with it don't get along so well - so hopefully that was my problem last night?? Or is this practice for the days to come???

Week 29 (a little late)

Whats happening from Dr Internet...

Your baby's packing on the pounds, which look so cute on her. Your baby weighs nearly three pounds now and measures about 17 inches. Though she's getting pretty close to her birth length, she still has to chub out a bit. In fact, over the next 11 weeks, she'll more than double — or even come close to tripling — her weight. And as she grows and room in your womb gets tighter, you'll be less likely to feel those big kicks and more likely to get poked by an elbow or jabbed by a knee.

Whats happening from me...

Lots of movement most days - I can tell that she is still head down because she kicks upward and I feel the vibration in my stomach or a sharp pain over on the side. Plus sometimes it just feels heavier lower and there is more pressure. You can tell she is getting stronger because sometimes it actually hurts or is shockingly strong when she kicks or punches me. She always wakes up when we are in the car - which I think is funny because that puts me to sleep. I think she had hiccups for the first time yesterday - it felt really funny - this little bumping that happened every 15 seconds or so.

We both are so excited to meet her and seem to be feeling emotional about it lately. Lets just say we've been pretty sappy the last two weeks. I think we are both wondering what it will be like when she is here. I watch baby sto.ry or bir.th day and watch a baby being born and put on the mothers tummy and wonder what that will feel like... to be able to look at her and hold her for the first time. I know we both love her already - and I think about when Zoe was born and how everything seemed full of wonder and I can't wait to see this little girl. We've waited almost 4 years to get there and we are so close, its crazy to think that she could be here in 8 or 9 weeks. And I just wanted to get to 12 weeks...and then 26 weeks. Now just get me to 38 weeks :)

We decided we are going to do the 3d/4d ultra.sound soon - we just have to pick the place. There aren't actually tons of them around...but I think it will be exciting to see her - I hope she won't be as difficult as she has been and we can get a good shot of her face or a profile. I'd say sometime in the next two weeks...fun!! And on to week 30!!!!! Woo hoo!!

The Pictures :)

Oh and I forgot...I was checking out Child.rens Pl.ace yesterday...just to look...lol...mommy spent all her birthday money on lots of cute outfits - at least they we on sale and we got an extra 15% off - but the girl has an outfit for x-mas!!! And a bunch of other days - I just love this pattern on the dress - I even got overalls that match! And tights...and a sweater...and two hats... and shoes...and two shirts and pants...lol. Hey, I waited until Dan came home...but he loved it too and said go for it! And the jacket - OMG so cute!! A girl has to have a few special outfits right? Everytime I swear I am done buying clothes until she is born...

28 week Dr.s Appt - Growth Scan

Her face is on the right sort of facing you - so you see the eye sockets...

Looking good...baby Abby weighs 2 lbs 9 ounces - measuring exactly 27 weeks 6 days - as in exactly today's age. She is exactly on target. She is head down now - which is crazy but I was not surprised at all - the movements felt different and slightly more pressure below then their had been in the past. At one point we could see one hand playing with her feet and the other over her forehead in a pose. She just wouldn't turn her head for a good profile shot.

My BP was 140/72 - which is ok - not great but ok. Swelling significant...braces for both arms at night for the carpel tunnel - and if needed I can wear them during the day. I had one on today for the afternoon and it seemed like the instances of the dead feeling were less in that hand.

I have to figure out a way to get my wedding band off or I will have to get it cut off :( This will be a project!

Lots and lots of kicking/movement today. I think the days we go out or I am moving around more - she is more active - but anytime we are in the car she wakes up. I have to count three separate times and make sure there are movement/kicks at least 6 times in an hour.

We did get some picture but with her being head down and at a slight angle there really isn't a good profile shot. I'll have Dan scan them and post them later.

Weirdly enough we had to fill out the paper work for admission to the hospital just in case we go into labor early... and next appt I have to set up my appts for non stress tests...so soon on to every week appts. - where they check for contractions and monitor the baby's heartbeat. Wow - look how far we made it! Woo hoo Abby!!

Updates

Well here we are almost at week 28. Can you believe it?? She should weigh 2 1/2 lbs now!

We have a check up tomorrow and a growth scan so (HAHAHAHA) maybe a postable picture? Sorry but I am not counting on it at this point. I'm just happy to have them check and make sure everything is ok.

Let see where we are at - I've been working from home for the last 3 weeks until my short term disability was approved...which it was last Friday. That's a relief...now just to get someone at work to give me an idea of how to proceed...

The doctors had originally moved me to part time because of the sleeping issues and how crappy I was feeling overall but what ended up happening was I was working at home and then going in and working - so actually working more than I was before. And totally stressed out, overwhelmed and still not sleeping. So they cut me off completely from going in and said no more work. In order to help work out I ended up working from home a bit so that I was still getting paid during that time. Actually was a blessing since it took them a long time to decide to approve it. Did it help - omg yes. Just not having to make what had become a huge effort to drag myself in was a help. The cpap has been making sure that I at least get some good sleep at night when is helpful over all. Can I go out and walk around for a long time or stand or be normal right now...no, even going to a movie was too much. But I feel better so I'll take it.

But it means that we will get 60% of my salary while I am out - so we are safe to actually start looking for a new place...oh I didn't tell you that? Our lease was up Nov 1st...we knew we didn't want to stay - this may have been new construction but it wasn't good construction ( leaks, moldy walls, no insulation between floors) and there were a lot of "rules" that started happening when they set up the association that actually made it more difficult to live here. And honestly the parking situation was never ideal - it stunk for anyone to visit because there was nowhere to park close by. Plus the rent is more than we can afford right now - at least without making Dan work a ton of extra shifts to afford it.

So I got them to push the lease end date back a month...we have to move by Oct 1st. We spent a little time looking yesterday - one apartment rented two minutes after we left it and the second we couldn't see because the keys were locked in it or missing. We ended up seeing a lot of signs in the area and called on a few - looked at one that might work but is more then we want to spend. So we will go out again tomorrow... At least we got rid of a lot of stuff at my dads doing a family garage sale last weekend - well some of it. Less to pack and a little moving money.

What else - I've taken swelling to a new level and have carpel tunnel in both arms. My feet and legs never go back to normal now and I just look like I have elephantitus or something. At least it doesn't hurt most of the time...just some of it :) Added a new blood pressure med to the mix...because it was creeping back up last week. At least the weight gain had stayed steady. I really think I will drop 20 lbs in water right away, I am so bloated now. Blood sugar did jump up around week 26-27 but we've got it back under control - I guess that this time you are the most insulin resistant in pregnancy - so joy - I am using a lot!

We have a name...would you like to know? We were going to keep it a secret but a little person let the cat out of the bag so we told our families.

Abigail Therese - with the Therese after my grandmother Rita Therese or
Abigail Grace... because Grace means something like Gods gift or blessing - which she is.

So we have an Abby on the way :) It's lots of fun to talk to her and use her name.

Nice birthday yesterday with Dan having the day off - actually he had been off since last Wednesday to work on the garage sale and it was really wonderful to have him around more. Somehow a 40 something birthday is a lot easier than 40 was last year. Guess it could be Abby :)

Level II Ultrasound Part 2

And still no PICTURES!!! Can you say bad US tech again :(

But she passed with an A+ - so she has all her important parts and they measure and look normal. We could see a lot more when the doctor came in but it doesn't seem to be that "kind" of ultrasound - or maybe they figure you get to have more ultrasounds so they don't give you pictures?? She just wasn't being photogenic.

Weight is 1 lb 6 ounces and she is measuring 23 weeks and 5 days - so right where she should be.

Otherwise went well except I managed to gain 6 lbs since the 28th - so I get to go back in a week. Since I woke up with swollen feet/hands/face I don't think that my actual gain was 6 lbs - its a ton of water right now. This happened one day last week and it was better the next day.

Used the cpap machine for the first time last night...will take some time to get used to it. But I have high hopes of some wonderful slumber soon. I think I still work up 5 times last night but that is much less than what I've been doing. If I could go to normal pregnant lady slumber - I'd e ok.

We did ask about what to expect in terms of if we would have her early (as in need to have her early) - how late could she go - c-section vs. vag and all that.

Because of complex medical issues - his guess seemed to be slightly early but with an amnio to make sure her lungs are done cooking - so between 36-38 weeks. No c-section but more likely to end up with one - but also more likely to have complications because of it. So while I think I always thought I would rather have a c-section, I might actually want to try for a vag birth - as long as someone is going to PROMISE that there will be no scary tearing. Yikes!

So back in a week to check weight/water/and bp. But since bp is good its probably just the swelling.

What can happen in a week?

1 - You can have swelling in your feet and legs (up to your butt) so badly that it doesn't go down overnight and seems to be getting progressively worse each day. Enough to make you check your blood pressure more often again- which seems a little high. So you call the doctor to see if you should be concerned...

2 - and you can end up only being about to work 1/2 days because you need more rest and that
sleep depravation is a big deal

3 - which is a joke because the ability to sleep has apparently taken a vacation - all you can do these days is fall asleep (while sitting up, peeing, almost in the car driving, in the car for a nap, at your desk, in front of the tv, in the bathtub, in front of the computer )- but you can't stay asleep. I immediately seem to go in to weird dreams where half the time you are talking in your sleep - flailing around with your arms - waking up still in the dream and yelling at Dan about something - or snoring so loud you wake yourself up. And this is with adding caffeine back @ work and in the AM to stay awake. You know its bad when you can fall asleep chewing gum - and still be chewing it when you wake up.

4 - there is just no rest - I never feel better - always some level of exhaustion from I can move slowly and slightly function to I just need to sit down- and then I got the call with the actual results of the sleep test - she said out of the 2:45 min I was watched without the mask - I "was asleep" 1:44 minutes and in that that time I had 122 episodes - where I stopped breathing - that would be one every 30 seconds. Well I guess that makes sense doesn't it.

5 - thank god the machine gets delivered on Tuesday morning. Considering how crappy its been this weekend I should have begged for it for Friday when they called. I seem to be adding some kind of anxiety to falling asleep or when I wake up. It makes you feel like you need a mental hospital at moments. So tired and you can't sleep .

6 - While I got the doctors note to be on 1/2 bed rest on Tuesday - I was told by work that I couldn't start it until disability approved it. That didn't make sense to me because what if something happened and they told me to work - then they are responsible and when I asked again on Thursday there was a sudden back track - because I told them the doctors office was upset that I wasn't following the orders. Needless to say they are not happy and so far have shown little concern for anything other than how it is inconvenient for them, not that they taken any work away and I actually worked all morning on Friday from home.

Not surprising but when I uttered the words " I am not trying to mess things up just trying to have a chance at a healthy baby" (when I asked about the 1/2 time work on Thursday). I was told, well you ARE messing things up. My jaw dropped but then I realized that this was the same person who told me I should have told her we were trying to get pregnant in the interview. Right.

So basically the hope is that the cpap machine will make all things better in a few weeks and I will start feeling better. Please, please, please.

We have another ultrasound on the 5th and I am hoping she will be more viable this time. She has been moving around a lot and even Dan could feel her. Which makes my heart sing. We watched a moving last night where a teen aged girls said "I love you Daddy" and I started crying - because someday our girl is going to say that to Dan. How cool is that? I can not wait!

Belly is growing - and I've had weird belly button pains that I think mean its moving out! EEK. My baby girdle thing STILL hasn't come and its bumming me out. Stupid mail.

Almost 24 weeks. I have to say I am happy we are here and every day past this is a blessing. While getting to the end of this journey scares me because I feel like there is a perfect time for her to be born and I want to make sure they hit the window for her safety. I am happy we are at the point now where she is viable and has a good chance of survival. We were talking about how we can't believe that its almost the third trimester and look how fast this one went!

OMG she is going to be here before we know it! I can not wait!!!!!!

Sleep Study Results

Severe sleep apnea. Cool that we know what the problem is but a bummer that I have it. It means sleeping with a similar crazy mask on while a machine pumps air into my nose and mouth - so that my airway doesn't close. Apparently when you have this level you can stop breathing as often as 50 times in an hour.

All I know is I went to sleep after being hooked up the the machine - and woke up about three times between 11 and 1:30 - by 1:30 the nurse was coming in to hook me up to the cpap machine. While it was SUPER claustrophobic feeling - especially when you were waiting for the air to start blowing - when I finally went to sleep - I slept without a dream - or having to pee - or moving for at least 4 or 5 hours. It was a beautiful thing and I have to tell you I wish I could go stay for a few more nights until they get me hooked up with the air part of the machine. But only if Dan could come too. Not sleeping next to him is weird. I wonder if the machine will freak him out in the middle of the night! Or piper! LOL.

In other baby new - she likes to move it, move it which I lay down to go to sleep. Feels like a squirmy doing circles sometimes. She also seems to start doing stuff in the car on the way home - or at least its very noticeable for the last week. Today she seems to be bouncing on my bladder a lot - making me think I have to go - but not so much.

No progress on names - we just keep trying them out and seeing what we think and if she responds :)

Oh and I had my eye exam today - picture perfect even with diabetes :) And still no glasses! Well, he didn't really check for that but I could read the chart - does that count?

Weeks 21-22

How your baby's growing:

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

How your life's changing:

You may start to notice stretch marks on your abdomen as it expands to accommodate your growing baby. At least half of all pregnant women will develop stretch marks by the time they give birth. These small streaks of differently textured skin can range from pink to dark brown (depending on your skin color). Although they most commonly appear on your tummy, stretch marks may also show up on your buttocks, thighs, hips, and breasts. There's no proof that lotion helps prevent stretch marks, but keeping your skin moisturized may help with any itching.

Let see - last week we went for our level II ultrasound or scan. It was somewhat anticlimactic - the baby was sitting right under my belly button and not as visible as she normally would have been (I guess). So not the best ultrasound we've had and it stunk because we waited 5 weeks to see her! The doctor did some in an check a bunch of measurements - she had normal looking parts for what he could check - like parts of the brain - kidneys- stomach, etc. You know the good stuff! She was measuring 1 day behind now but I am sort of convinced that we didn't have the stellar ultrasound tech - since she spent the entire time complaining about where she was sitting. Can i just say - not ONE picture! What a bust!

So the good news is that everything looks ok - and we get to go back in two weeks - well that got pushed to 3 weeks - so 8/5 is the next viewing. Hopefully with pictures!!

Woo Hoo! Only other news is - that the belly is bigger. Oh and it added a bunch of stretch marks. I'm still having a lot of difficulty sleeping for anything longer than an hour at a time and then wanting to falling asleep at other weird times, oh like when I am at work. I've even resorted to adding a little caffeine back in during the day. Not much help though. Sleep study this Friday to see what the deal might be. Belly is bigger - and it just got a bunch of stretch marks - new and extra strength ones apparently. I can actually feel them through my clothes. Weird. More movement down lower now - probably because the uterus is moving up and the placenta with it so I can feel more if she is lower.

Still working on names - we now have 5 first and middle name combinations we are narrowed down to...probably not much more until we see her! I can't wait! Well I can wait but I am so darn excited about that part of the deal!

20 Weeks (a little early)

Sorry I've been bad about posting! Here is what is happening these days:

How your baby's growing:
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of her head to her bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, she's measured from head to toe.)

She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in her first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).


How your life's changing:
Congratulations! You've hit the halfway mark in your pregnancy. The top of your uterus is about level with your belly button, and you've likely gained around 10 pounds. Expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. We'll I've gained 15 - but I'd estimate at least 3 lbs are water!

If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one, especially if you're a first-timer. A structured class will help prepare you and your partner for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, one-day session. Many communities have independent instructors as well. Ask your friends, family members, or caregiver for recommendations. Wow! Something I read said start looking at daycare now too so you have a chance of getting in!

Surprising Facts: Getting a good night's rest - OMG I wish I could get one!

It may become more difficult to sleep through the night as your pregnancy progresses, thanks to some obvious and not-so-obvious changes taking place in your body. You may be surprised to find that:

• You start snoring for the first time in your life, thanks in part to more estrogen, which contributes to swelling of the mucous membranes that line the nose and may even cause you to make more mucus. What to do: Sleep on your side and elevate your head slightly. I am able to snore now in any position!

• Heartburn and indigestion can make it extra uncomfortable to lie down in bed. What to do: Avoid foods that trigger your heartburn, give yourself two to three hours to digest a meal before going to bed, and try sleeping semi-upright in a comfy recliner or propped up with extra pillows under your upper body. Only had a few bad nights of this so far and praying that they stay away for a while!

• Leg cramps jar you out of a deep sleep. What to do: Ease the cramp by straightening your leg, heel first and gently flexing your toes back toward your shins, or walk around for a few minutes.
Nothing too bad here to report.

• You toss and turn all night trying to find a comfortable sleeping position. What to do: Lie on your side with your knees bent and a pillow between your legs. For extra comfort and support, arrange other pillows under your belly and behind your back. Or try using a contoured maternity body pillow. Seriously - what they are not talking about is the crazy dreams - and then talking and yelling in my sleep. I am having 3d color movie like dreams but usually not with a happy subject matter.

• You become hot and sweaty in the middle of the night. It's common for pregnant women to feel a little warmer than usual thanks to shifts in your metabolism, hormones, and weight. What to do: Keep your bedroom cool and strip down to the bare essentials. Keep slippers and a snugly bathrobe handy for those nighttime trips to the bathroom.

• Getting out of bed is harder than ever! What to do: Roll over onto your side so you're facing the edge of the bed. Dangle your legs over the side and use your arms to push yourself into a sitting position. Plant your feet squarely on the floor and then stand up. I've noticed this awkwardness- and moving too fast causes weird ligament pains. I can't even imagine how much harder it will be!

Over the last two weeks - we've noticed increased swelling and blood pressure - back to the doctor for increase in meds. Very tired and low energy - possible sleep apnea. Will follow up on that after a sleep study. Otherwise I'd say the last few days have shown a slightly bigger and harder belly and feeling more movement (excellent!).

Next week on the 16th we have our level II scan for anatomy and all that jazz. Excited to see her again and will be relieved to see her with all her parts and looking healthy!

Week 17

Your baby is about 5 inches by week 17 and weights almost 4 ounces. If you were to hold your baby at 17 weeks she would fit snugly in the palm of your hand.

Your baby is now very mobile, moving her joints her and there and will continue to do so from now on. The cartilage making up the skeleton in the baby’s body is starting to transform into bone. At 17 weeks she should be hearing things (mommy says OH no!) She’s starting to put on layers of fat.

You may be feeling her move intermittently this week and as the pregnancy progresses you’ll likely start feeling more and more movement.

We’ll I’ve felt a tiny bit of movement in the last 3 days – it seemed to be after I ate and when I was in a certain position but I felt a flutter and pop that I hadn’t ever felt before. Overall feeling good, allergies have been wicked and I am not sure if it’s all allergies or pregnancy hormones - most likely a combination of both. I do know I’ve had some scary bad dreams but I guess that is normal – with getting up 5 or 6 times to pee you have different REM sleep– and the hormones apparently can make your dreams be crazy. I’m just happy when I don’t dream or don't remember the dreams, like the last two nights – I’ll get up a 100 times to pee over a really bad dream.


Slight pooch that we can feel that is harder or more plump. We had a discussion about what it felt like - and decided its like a melon covered in a pillow. I doubt that any stranger would think I was pregnant just by looking at me – just too fat.

I’ve had issues with my blood pressure already (well it started out slightly borderline) so they have me on meds for that to protect my kidneys and obviously keep it down, I had a jump in pressures so they increased my dose which is making me tired. This week I went off my oral meds for diabetes – and wow did my blood sugar numbers jump up. Now I am just trying to get a handle on the blood sugar and still eat health foods. So here comes all the wonderful insulin – apparently by the end of the pregnancy (thank you hormones again) I will be 3 times as resistant to insulin as when I started…which means I will be on record amounts. I already take way more than the normal person so I can’t even imagine. I may not even be able to use the pump through the whole thing.

But insulin doesn’t pass the placenta and the oral meds do and without any good studies it’s not worth taking the chance it would hurt the baby.

Weight gain - I've gained between 6-9 lbs - it goes up and down depending on the day. At the doctors office I've been the same for the last three weeks but I think I will see a jump next week. Still not to bad - but I think it will get harder to not gain too much with all the insulin.

So overall doing well. It’s finally setting in that we have a daughter and I think we are both excited about that. I just can’t wait to meet her and see what she looks like! Dan, I hope!!

Well its not Father's Day

It seemed like a good idea in concept - give the grandpa's a shirt for Father's Day saying "Grandpa to a new baby XXX". Fun and surprise, right? Because everyone would be together and find out at once.

But we couldn't wait to tell our families... and I stink at keeping a secret and they really wanted to know what we are having. So now everyone gets to know....


We are having a baby GIRL!!!

We seem to be missing males in the next generation of our family - this will be the 4th girl on Dan's side and 2nd on mine but we are super excited. We just went around saying - a girl - a daughter - wow. Well I did and Dan had to listen to it!

WOOO HOOO

All the tests came back normal!!! And we are having a BABY!!

15 weeks 4 days - Amnio Day

#2 picture is my favorite! You can totally see the profile and all I can do is imagine what it will look like in person! It's cute already. Baby is looking very baby like these days although Dan is still calling it gummy bear. Measuring 16 weeks exactly so we are looking good growth wise.

The amnio was tolerable - and worth it for the ultrasound before hand! Dan's hand survived the procedure and I don't seem to be having any side affects (knock on wood). We should have results in a few weeks at the most. No gender sighting... baby was laying side to side as you can see from picture #1.

Whats happening at 15 weeks

• Baby is now over 4 inches (10cm) long
  and weighs about 2.5 ounces (75 grams).
  
• He or she can move its arms and make a fist.
  
• Fingernails and toenails are present.
  
• Baby's skin is still very thin.

Your baby's legs have grown longer than the arms and the body is now longer than the head. The bone and marrow that make up your baby's skeletal system are continuing to develop this week. The bones and muscles are continuing to grow. You may begin to feel some fluttering movements as baby kicks, twists and turns; but don't panic if you don't feel movement yet. Their ears are nearly in position, and the three tiny bones in his middle ear have begun to harden. By the end of the week, the roof of your baby's mouth will be completely formed. The fetus has an adults taste buds and may be able to savor the mother's meals. The baby's thin skin is covered with ultra fine, downy hair that usually disappears before birth.The fetal crown to rump length by this week of pregnancy is 4 to 4.5 inches (100 to 115mm). The fetus weighs about 2.5 ounces (75g). It's close to the size of a softball.

14 week appt

Nothing exciting - just a quick ultrasound to get the heartbeat and I do mean quick, it took me longer to wipe the stuff off my tummy than the whole ultrasound. Baby was visibly bigger - was over on my right side and head down so all I could see for two seconds was little legs moving around and then the heart beating. 156 bpm.

Quick visit with the doctor to answer some questions and that was that. Well except for the waiting - that was an hour :) So far so good.

I did find out when to expect ultrasounds (that are a little more meaningful) - one more heartbeat next time and then they move to the Doppler. After that there should be good ultrasounds with pictures at 18-20-28 weeks and then monthly after that. Cool :)

14 weeks - well almost!

Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches - about the size of a lemon— and weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilists hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active. The amount of amniotic fluid that your baby is floating in increases dramatically this week, to about a quart.

My guess is our baby’s feet are probably bigger than ½ an inch – just considering our big feet. Sorry baby, but I think you are stuck with it!

We are officially in the second trimester – depending on what you read that started last week at 13 weeks or now at 14 weeks. Overall I’m feeling good – still not as much energy as I’d like. I had some edema when I ate popcorn and sat too long at the movies and then at dinner and in the car– so I guess that’s (salty popcorn) out for a while. The morning sickness has pretty much stopped completely except for a few little blips here or there but they don’t last long. I have little bursts of more energy but they seem to be followed by the extreme tiredness that has become par for the course for the last few weeks.

There is much discussion on the gender of the baby – most are thinking a boy but we will be happy either way. We’ve been talking a lot about baby names – and we seem to be going back to the same names so I sometimes think that we are closer to having names than we thought we were. But we reserve the right to change our mind at the last minute.

Maybe we’ll start posting the reject (or good name for a dog) names!

Here’s one: Shamus – which is the Irish version of James…I love it but I can’t do it!

I’ve been tivo'ing baby story – which causes many tears when I watch them. And has prompted many discussions of what we think we want in terms of a birth. LOL. If only we could skip that part of the deal! It's kind of scary. Oh well we have time for all of this but we are having fun imagining the future!

13 Weeks...according to Dr. Goo.gle

• The fetus has grown to about 3 inches (8cm) long.
• Weight approximately 1 ounce (25 grams).
• Bone is beginning to replace cartilage and the ribs are appearing.
• The nose and chin are well defined.
• Movements can be measured.
• The child will begin to learn to suck its thumb.
• The child can open and close its mouth.
• The external genitalia are well defined making it is possible to determine the baby's gender.

Your baby is now producing insulin the hormone that controls their blood glucose. The fetus is now 3 inches long and weighs about an ounce. The baby's unique fingerprints are already in place. The muscles lengthen and become organized. You can't feel it yet, but your baby can move in a jerky fashion, flexing the arms and kicking the legs. Your uterus has grown quite a bit. You can probably feel its upper edge above the pubic bone in the lowest part of your abdomen, about 4 inches (10cm) below your bellybutton.

At 13 weeks, your uterus fills your pelvis and starts growing upward into your abdomen. It feels like a soft, smooth ball. Soon you will start feeling the first flutters of the unborn child kicking and moving within. The first three months were period of rapid development, next three months will be period of rapid growth. Baby quadruples weight during the 4th month. Your baby is about 2.91 inches (7.4cm) and weighs around 0.81 ounce (23gm).

NT Scan

Well I am not going to post any pictures because to be honest - there were no good pictures to post. What we have is barely discernible as to what is what so not worth it.

Baby is there - bigger - moving around - has the correct amount of fluid in the back of it's neck - i.e. less chance of downs. Heartbeat was good - the crown to rump length was a little over 2 inches - which is appropriate for its age. That's it - my bladder was bursting and she couldn't get a look at the nasal bone - she thought she was close but would loose the resolution when she got closer - its not that its not there - its just that she can't get a good look - esp. when the baby kept putting its hands up by its face. I think I coughed a million times to get the baby to move.

So we got to see it a little and see it moving but overall not the groovy ultrasound experience we were hoping for.

A lot of waiting for a so- so ultrasound and a pin prick of blood - so basically I stressed about 2 1/2 hours out of work for about 1/2 an hour worth of procedures. Ugh. But all is well. Results in 10 days. Dan feels better - I want a good ultrasound!

The Almost 13 weeks Post

Tomorrow is our NT Scan and BUN test - a ultrasound to look for down syndrome markers - certain measurements would either rule it out or possibly tell us we need further testing which would be an amnio. The BUN part of the test is blood work looking for certain levels of proteins that can also tell us if we have a problem. I should say this is my understanding of what is happening (i.e. room for me being totally wrong here!)

I am looking forward to seeing the baby - getting better pictures - and hopefully measurements on the baby. We haven't done that in about a month and I'd like to know if everything is growing on track. Plus I want to see Dan see the baby - its been at least a month for him and its so different now - especially when you see it in person. And we have so far to go!

We discovered that the baby is somewhere between a large plum and some other fruit that I can not for the life of me remember. We are saying between since we are between weeks - so almost the size of the one I can't remember! D'oh. Can I have pregnancy brain already?

I've been feeling fairly crampy the last two days and much to my annoyance a little bit of nausea . Still. Well at least today - thank goodness for ginger tea. I sort of thought I was past it but I guess not. Both are a good sign that things are happening down there. And hopefully some nice growth is what is happening, right?

We will post the new pictures tomorrow afternoon/night. I was hoping to get Dan to go to a movie tomorrow night. At the very least I'll let you know what happened and upload the pictures later :) We only have so many movie nights left, right?

What's happening in Week 12

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce. (thank you Dr. Goo.gle for this info)

As for me I've had a cold with a low grade fever (off and on) for the last 4 days - and missed 4 days of work - well I missed 4 days of going in to work - I just worked for home - which mostly sucked. The first day I was afraid it was the flu and didn't want to pass it around and then the next days I felt so crappy I didn't want to go in I wanted to sleep - which I couldn't do because I had work to do. I probably could have gone in today but the doctor said wait until Monday or when fever is gone. Oh well. Hopefully I still have a job on Monday.

That's about it - only interesting thing we tried was to see if we could feel my uterus - one of the books said you should be able to at this point - about an inch below the belly button - and we could- this weird hard muscle feeling thing. And its only going to get bigger.

11 weeks 5 days

Watch for the little flicker in the middle - that's the heart beating - you can't see the baby too well on until the second segment - when she says - look at that little baby moving around - the head is to the left of the screen and the baby is bumping around feet moving towards 6 pm - arm moving at 2ish- and ends with the heartbeat.

We go for our NT scan and BUN test next week. There should be better pictures this was just to check the heartbeat - which was 147 - so no pictures to take home today. Otherwise my appointment was good. Placenta is on the anterior which means that it will take longer for me to feel the baby move - closer to 23-25 weeks vs 20 weeks.

Baby Pictures

One of the many...many tests I took...

April 6th - first picture! 6 weeks!

Baby Picture #2 - bonus heartbeat!!

Our first OB appt!! Look how big you are now - a gummy bear :)