It's been a tough road, but it's been totally worth it!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Last high risk OB appt!

I graduated from Dr. Bonebrake!! :)

This was my last appt. with him. It was bittersweet, as we both really like him. I got there and did the normal stuff, weight (ugh), blood pressure and normal questions about my meds, etc. My blood pressure, by the way was 131/82... yipee!!!

Lindsay, our tech, came in and we got started with the ultrasound. Oh my, is she bigger than 4 weeks ago! She takes up the whole ultrasound screen! She did her normal measurements of the baby's head, abdomen, bones and amniotic fluid. Fluid looked good, and baby is approx. 6lbs. 12oz! Overall, measuring at 63rd percentile, with her belly measuring at 81 percentile... perfect! We got to see her cubby little cheeks, her hands, arms, butt, and the hair at the back of her head! We also got to see her "practice breathing", which is good too.

Dr. Bonebrake came in then just to go over the measurments and take a look for himself, and he confirmed everything... she looks great! He said we have a happy babe that is thriving in the uterus! He looked at the placenta, and said it looked good also. Everything is falling into place, literally! She is head down, facing my back/right side, with her spine against my left side, butt under my boobs, and feet and legs over by my right side (where I feel her beating me up constantly!)

He also called my OB's office to get the results of my 24 hour urine test that I did last week, since my Dr. didn't call me!! It came back normal. He is looking for a number higher than 300 that would indicate pre-eclampsia, and my number was 164. He also said my blood platelets and such also looked good. Clean bill of health! :)

We didn't do the NST today, as he said it's basically the same as the u/s, but not as indepth, so I start the NST's this Thursday at my OB's office. I go every Monday and Thursday morning until I deliver.

About 19 days until I would get induced, if I don't go on my own before hand... holy sh*t!! I feel so unprepared still in so many ways, but other ways soooooo ready to have here here in my arms! With year end billing for Bigg Dogg, we have lots going on... oh, not to mention the blizzard we got over Christmas, so billing is going to be a night mare also. Just want it all done before she comes. Lord, help me get through this next few weeks... and keep her put until this is all over! For mommy's sake! :)

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

"No, it's not lemodade!!"

So I had a regular OB appt. yesterday, but had some unexpected news. My blood pressure was up a little bit again (142/88). Didn't think it was all that bad, considering it's been that high before. I also was Christmas shopping all morning, rushed home to eat lunch, then rushed to this appt, so maybe that's what the reason was. Who knows. What was surprising was they found a tiny bit of protein in my urine! That could be an early indication of pre-eclampsia, or toxemia, or pregnancy-induced hypertension (all the same thing, just different terms). Basically, high pressure in the mother at the end of pregnancy. This is not good for several reasons: Can cause seizures, headaches, swelling, etc in the mother, and can lead to less oxygen getting to the baby which causes growth issues and other problems. So all in all, it's not good.

Good news is, it's very mild (if that indeed IS what I have.. more on that in a minute). Once caught early, it can be controlled with a low salt diet, bedrest, and sometims medication. If the mother is close to full term, they will usually induce labor. Delivery is the only cure.

So Dr. Gernhart said I need to go home, no shopping, no traffic, no stress, do nothing basically. Then she told me I needed to complete a 24 hour urine test... FUN! They gave me the supplies, which consists of a gallon jug looking thing, and a little plastic bowl thingy that you put over the toilet seat so I can pee into. So for 24 hours, I have to collect ALL my pee and then put it in this jug and keep it cool in the fridge. That's why I told Tommy to leave that jug alone, it's not lemonade! :)

I go back to the Dr. today at 2:30 to drop off my jug-o-pee and get some blood drawn. With the swelling in my hands and feet, they just want to be careful. I can understand. To be honest, I'm not really worried about it. Stress can do this to anyone, and someone pregnant is much more likely. With the stress of shopping, money and the holidays here, it's been stressful. So once I get over this "hump" (2009), I hope to relax in the new year and let things happen naturally. Now those of you who really know me are probably laughing at this point... let things happen naturally... HA! I'm a worry wart, and will probably worry myself into pre-term labor! AHHHHH!!!

Next week, starting Monday, I go in for my NST's )non-stress tests) and will have my cervix checked for dilation! Woo hoo! We're getting there!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

35 Weeks!

Holy cow, we are in the final stretch!

We finished the nursery, the childbirth classes are done, and the holidays are here... that means Elizabeth will be here in a matter of weeks. It seems so unreal when I think about that... we've waited sooo long for this to happen, and now it's almost here. I get emotional when I think I've waited 35 years for this moment. What a life changing event, and we both are so excited, nervous, and ready to take on the new role of parent!

Overall, I feel good... I'm just ready to have her here in my arms!!

How Far Along? 35 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss? +26 lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Lots of my shirts are getting shorter, and I can't wear many shoes anymore... feet look like sausages!

Sleep? What's that!?!?

Best Moment of the Week? When Tommy finally announced our baby on his Facebook page and uploaded pictures of our nursery. He's a proud papa!

Movement- Slowing down, but definatly still a mover. She has a foot or something in my right side that hurts when she stretches out!

Food Craving- Steak! Steak! Steak!

Food aversions- Still some smells, but overall, I can eat whatever. Just don't have much of an appetite.

Morning sickness?- Nope, just that lovely heartburn!

Gender- Still a girl!

Labor Signs- I don't think so

Belly Button- Flat now with the rest of my belly

What I miss- Being able to sleep on my back... ok, sleep at ALL.

What I'm looking forward to- Going to the doctor weekly now! Hope to see some change in me soon!

Weekly Wisdom- BUY COMFORTABLE SHOES!

Milestones- Finished our childbirth classes!



Last Childbirth Class

We GRADUATED!

Last Thursday was our last day, and it was all about newborn care. Each couple got a "baby" and we had to diaper it, give it a bath, dress it, burp it, cradle it, etc. It was fun. Except Tommy kept squeezing her head to make funny air noises... boys!

We also had a couple that just had their first baby 10 weeks ago come to the class to answer questions and talk about their birth experience. It was really cool! They were such a cute couple, and their daughter was soo freakin cute! They were very open to our questions, and we got some good tips from them too. We wrapped up the class with evals and then we were done. Us, two other couples, and the instructor stayed after class and chatted for about 30 min, and it was nice. We met some great couples going through the same emotions as we are now, so it was nice to be able to relate. We are now even friends with them on Facebook! :)

Now done with that, it seems so real... only 4 weeks left!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Updates!

Sorry it's been so long since I have last updated what's happening... nothing real exciting, but just been busy with getting ready for Christmas and all!

Things are still going well with the pregnancy, except for my swelling ankles and feet! OMG, it's quite funny when at the end of the day I take off my shoes, and there are deep indents from them! Oh, and ankles bones!? Where did THOSE go? I have to get out and shoe shop soon, it's getting to the point I have nothing to wear to work! My hands are swelling a little too, I can't wear my wedding rings anymore, which makes me sad. They say lying on your left side helps... well, I can't really do that at work! And when I get home, I try and do that, but that doesn't always happen!

Still sleeping like crap, so I've been crabby during the days. I just want ONE night where I sleep all the way though... that would be nice! My hips are still bothering me, so it keeps me up usually in 2-3 hour incriments in the middle of the night... FUN!

OK, enough complaining! :) On a lighter note, a very good friend of mine who has been trying to get pregnant for almost a year now, is now pregnant!!! I was soooo freakin happy for her when she told me! She has had a couple ultrasounds to confirm, and everythign looks good! She is due in July I belive, so it will be nice to have a playmate for Elizabeth that will be just a few weeks apart!

We had some major snow storms last week here, all in all, we got about 14" in 3 days! It sure did keep Tommy busy! But he loves it... he worked a 12 hour day one day, and 18 hours the next! He was a little tired! But we did the billing for all that last weekend, and man, it sure pays to do snow removal! :) I'm just excited we are finally gonna have a white Christmas!

Last Saturday was Tommy's birthday! Yep, my baby was 34 years old on the 12th. I got him a coffee maker for his birthday, as he's been itchin to have coffee around the house. He really likes it. We had a nice relaxing day, for the most part, and went to dinner with his parents and brother Jim to Big Fred's at night! Ahhhh, gotta love that pizza! The Heisman awards were on that night, so it was kinda fun to watch that too and cheer on Suuuuuuuuuh! Although he didn't win, we had a fun time. Got home at 9ish, sat on the couch, Tommy made a bowl of ice cream, and we were history! Oh, yeah, fell asleep on the couch! We were supposed to meet friends out for drinks, but that didn't happen. Woke up around 11 and drug ourselves up to bed. Whoa, party animals! :)

I go back to the OB next Tuesday. Then one more trip to see Dr. Bonebrake on the 28th. She is growing and kicking and moving so much! One night last week, I was pretty upset. She usually is all over the place after dinner. Well, one night, I didn't feel her... I laid down, shifted sides, and nothing... I was so freakin scared. I tried drinking something, eating something, but nothing. It really freaked me out. I cried myself to sleep thinking something happened and she was gone (hormones, people!!) Woke up at 3am to her kicking me full force! What a relief! Not sure if she was just in a deep sleep or what, but she sure gave me a scare!

OK, now that I rambled on about NOTHING for so long, I'll wrap this up. Those were just some of the events that were floating in my head. More later, we have a busy week this week and next. Christmas is only 9 days away.. holy crap!

Monday, December 7, 2009

Busy weekend!

It was non-stop this weekend, but we got lots done!

I cleaned the house Friday night, figuring I wouldn't have time the rest of the weekend, and I was right! Saturday morning, got up and put together the swing that we got for a shower gift. That was like performing surgery... the instructions SUCKED and made no sense. And I am usually really good at that! So Tommy came to help me finish it. Then the fun part... the crib! It was so easy to put together, maybe 20 min or so. It is so beautiful! I also did 5 loads of laundry (ours and the baby's) and finally got all her blankets and sheets and everything washed and ready to go. Saturday evening Tommy and I went to pick up the changing table/dresser I found on Craigslist. It was perfect! And we got a heckuva deal! Turns out the gal that was selling it is a hair stylist at the salon I go to, and in fact, stations right next to my girl! Small world! But I digress...

We got home and my sister came over to help Tommy take the dresser upstairs, it was heavy. The Big 12 Championship game was on at 7, and it really looked like the Huskers were gonna beat Texas, but at the VERY last second (litteraly), Texas kicked a field goal and won by 1 pt. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR............ but I digress....

Sunday we got up and was planning to go get our Christmas tree, but Tommy wasn't feeling well. He's had this pain in his left side for a couple days, and it was really bothering him, so he laid in bed while I took a shower and ran some errands. I also went to Plattsmouth to our friends Jason and Kendra's home to pick up the crib mattress and some under the crib baskets she was going to give me, since their youngest is out of his crib. They are so generous! They also gave us some other gear that I hadn't bought yet, so THANK YOU! On my drive home, it started to snow pretty good, so I ran to Walmart (my last stop of the day) and then headed home. Unloaded my car and then started to work on putting the entire nursery together! It was so fun for me, but it kicked my butt... 3 hours later, I am done! Tommy was at work this whole time, so he didn't see it until later when he got home, but I got all her clothes put away, all the toiletries and blankets and dieapers all put away in the changing table... put the crib sheets together... put a few things on the walls, and now it really looks like a nursery! Here's a sneak preview.. will have more pics when it's completley done!

4th Childbirth Class

Sorry, this is a bit late, but it was a super busy weekend!

Last Thursday we had our 4th class, and this time we met at the hospital. We went up to a classroom at Methodist and had "class" for about an hour. We talked about changes in mom after birth, post partum depression, and what the baby should look like once born. Lots of good gross pictures to squirm at! :)

After that, we went on the hospital tour of the labor and delivery floors. Went up to 9th floor to visit one of the birthing rooms. I've been in one before (that's where we did all our IVF stuff), but didn't know all the "hidden" items in the room that is really pretty cool! There is all sorts of electronics behind closed doors, dvd player, stereo, etc. What I thought was just a closet folded back into where the child warmer was! The remote for the surgical lights overhead were a hit with the boys, of course. They were playing with them like it was a disco! Pretty funny.

Then went down to 8th floor to visit one of the recovery rooms, where I will be after you deliver. They are a bit smaller, and if there are lots of people visiting, it will be closterphobic! Unless you get the corner rooms! We went by the nursery to see some brand new babies getting warmed up... it really made it real!!

The hit of the tour was the "father's lounge"... TV, internet, a fully stocked kitchen, and a fridge with ICE CREAM IN IT!! OMG, you would have thought someone just won the lottery, Tommy and the other guys' eyes lit up! LOL

Next week, we are back in the classroom, and the entire class will be on breast feeding. Should be very informative!