37 Weeks

Size of Baby: baby girl weighed 6.55 lbs at our last visit, which should put her around 7.5 lbs at birth

Total weight gain: 26 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Yes

Gender: GIRL (and she has a new name!)

Movement: Lots - and it's getting more and more painful......She has definitely dropped!

Sleep: No complaints - 

What I miss: my feet and ankles - ha!

Symptoms: I had contractions for about 3 hours on Sunday night - I was FOR SURE that I'd be having our little girl on Monday - but no such luck!  That has been our only excitement thus far....

Cravings: Tea

Best Moment of the Week: We got to see the little munchkin last week at our ultrasound - everything looked great.  I had my 37-week check-up on Tuesday and other than my BP being slightly elevated, everything else is looking good....no protein in my urine and my Group B Strep test came back negative.

Looking Forward To: Having this baby in 12 days!!!!!!!!!!  Adam and I have A LOT to do before then - mostly organizing/cleaning the baby items.

*I've had quite a few people ask me what we need/want for Baby #2 ~ so here is a list in case you're wondering too...

     * Diapers (size 1-3)
     * Wipes
     * Baby lotion, shampoo, diaper rash cream, etc.
     * Swaddle blankets - summer and winter
     * Sleep sacks - summer and winter
     * 3-6 month late summer/early fall clothing
     * Thermometer (we have a cheap ear one - I hate it!)

Oh yeah - did I mention that we still don't have a car seat for this child?!  That is on our list of things to purchase on Monday when we take our final shopping trip before baby.  Maybe this baby secretly knows that we don't have it for her yet, and she's waiting to make her debut until we have it....if that was the case - I'd head out RIGHT NOW to purchase one!

**Check back soon - I have a lot of blogs to write in the next 12 days!

30 More Days

34 Weeks

Size of Baby: Average size for 34 weeks gestation is about 4.75 lbs & 18" 

Total weight gain: 20 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Yes

Gender: GIRL

Movement: Lots - especially at bedtime

Sleep: I'm up to about 3 bathroom breaks in the middle of the night now.  Otherwise, I have no problems in the sleep department.  I'm starting to feel very tired again.

What I miss: Cheladas!!!!

Symptoms: still have swollen ankles and feet, along with some mild cramping randomly here and there...

Cravings: chocolate ice cream, Sunkist

Best Moment of the Week: *OFFICIALLY* scheduling our c-section for JUNE 17 (We were told that this would probably be the day, but nothing was official until today!)

Looking Forward To: ultrasound in 2 weeks to check the size/position of the baby

30 Week Update

Size of Baby: She weighed 3# 2 oz last week.  Average size for 30 weeks gestation is about 3 lbs & 15.5" (head of cabbage)

Total weight gain: 17 lbs (only 3 lbs away from my 20 lb goal :( and considering the baby is going to grow at least another 3 lbs - not looking good for me!)

Maternity Clothes: Maternity jeans with any top.  I need to invest in some bigger scrubs too.

Gender: Our 3-D ultrasound confirmed that it's still a girl!

Movement: Lots!  It makes my whole belly jump!

Sleep: I'm up to about 3 bathroom breaks in the middle of the night now.  Otherwise, I have no problems in the sleep department.

What I miss: putting on socks/shoes without getting winded

Symptoms: My legs/feet still swell after being on them too long - which is pretty much my norm.    I am starting to feel tired again and my bladder CONSTANTLY feels full

Cravings: Mint Oreos and milk!

Best Moment of the Week: I started going back to the gym - it feels good to be there again.  (Apparently I need to spend more time there!)

Looking Forward To: Our Dr. visits are every 2 weeks now!  

30 weeks - 9 more to go!

3-D Ultrasound (Baby #2)

We had our 3-D ultrasound yesterday and got to see Baby Girl again.  (Yep - it's still a girl!!!)  

She is growing perfectly - measuring just a few days big.  She weighed in at 3 lbs 2 oz! (Harper weighed 2 lbs 11 oz at 28 weeks)

Her heart rate was 143.

She is in the head-down position.

We weren't as happy with the quality of our pictures this time around - they weren't as clear.  Not quite sure why....

Baby #2 @ 29 weeks

Harper @ 28 weeks

We see some similarities when comparing the pictures from Harper's 3-D ultrasound and Baby #2's 3-D ultrasound.  What do you think?!  

27 Week Update

We are now into the 3rd and final trimester - which also means we are in our 7th month of pregnancy!  We're getting closer people!!!!!!

Size of Baby: 2 lbs (head of cauliflower) and 14.5" with legs extended

Total weight gain: 13 lbs (I gained 6 pounds in 3 weeks - yuck!)  Still hoping to gain no more than 20 lbs total - I better hit the gym!

Maternity Clothes: Little bit of both

Gender: GIRL! 

Movement: Lots!  It makes my whole belly jump!

Sleep: I sleep pretty well - only 1 or 2 bathroom breaks at this point.  The fatigue is slowly coming back.......

What I miss: nothing at the moment - life is good!

Symptoms: Swelling in my legs/feet - I showed the Dr today and his exact words were "that's pretty impressive" - although not concerned at this point - blood pressure is normal and no protein in my urine.

Cravings: Olive Burger from a local bar/restaurant  (It's a burger with a green olive/onion/mayo relish - it's delish!)

Best Moment of the Week: I passed my 1 hr glucose test today - no gestational diabetes for this girl!  Also, it's always nice hearing the baby's HR - today it was in the 130's.

Looking Forward To: 3D/4D ultrasound on April 10th

27 weeks

Due Date

Well, today is March 25, 2013.....our original due date for baby #2.

I have often wondered how I was going to feel when this day finally came.  

Today I feel thankful....Thankful that life has given us another chance to become parents.  Thankful that we were able to conceive without difficulties.  Thankful that this little girl growing inside me continues to remain healthy.  Thankful that Harper already loves her little sister so much!

Today I feel no sadness, but rather a sense of relief.  A relief that I have a few more months of giving Harper my undivided love and attention.  With this also comes anxiety.  I am very anxious about having to share my time and love with another child.  Will I have enough of both to go around????

If our last pregnancy would have been viable, we would actually probably have a 1-week old newborn at home right now.  (remember I have to have a c-section at 39 weeks)  And if it were twins - the babies may even be 2-4 weeks old.  We could be in the hospital with preemies right now.....

It is so crazy to think of what life could have been.  Instead, I will focus on the present - which includes loving up my only child for the next 3 months!

24 Week Update

Size of Baby: 12.5 inches (ear of corn)

Total weight gain: 7 lbs (4.5 of them this month alone - yikes!)

Maternity Clothes: Little bit of both

Gender: We're having another GIRL!  (And she officially has a name!)

Movement: Lots!  Especially when I'm trying to sleep!

Sleep: I sleep pretty well - only 1 or 2 bathroom breaks at this point.  It does take me a while to fall asleep because the baby is a night owl.

What I miss: nothing at the moment - life is good!

Symptoms: Still have some swelling in my ankles after working a shift, and I have felt a few Braxton Hicks contractions (tightening of the uterus - false contractions)

Cravings: CHELADAS (June can't get here fast enough!)

Best Moment of the Week: The Dr confirmed today that this baby will be born NO LATER than June 17th!  Which is only 3 months and a couple weeks away!!!

Looking Forward To: finishing up the nursery

24 weeks

There Was A Crazy Lady Who......

You know the book There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly?  It goes something like....."she swallowed the cow to catch the goat, she swallowed the goat to catch the dog, she swallowed the dog to catch the cat....."  Well I kind of feel like that right now as we try to prepare the nursery.

Except my version would go something like.....There was a crazy lady who.....sold the piano to make room for a futon, bought a futon to get rid of the bed, got rid of the bed to make room for the crib......

Explanation: Because we only have 3 bedrooms, we are converting our "guest bedroom" into the nursery, which leaves us without a place for our guests.  We have 4 couches in our house but also wanted to get a futon for our "toy room/computer room/sun room" if guests would actually prefer more of a bed and room with a door on it.  But before we could buy a futon we needed to make room for it by getting rid of our piano.  We have been trying to get rid of our piano for YEARS and it finally happened at the perfect time!

Our next (and final) phase/expense is to get a few new dressers for our bedroom so we can clear out the closet in the nursery.  Adam and I have been sharing 1 dresser and closet for the past 3 years!  Which is kind of crazy if you think about it because most married couples each have their own dresser.  Our closet has lots of storage/shelving so I am going to take over the entire closet and Adam will use the 2 dressers.

The nursery is underway ~ it has been painted and we will finish up the trim this week.  We are sticking with the ABC/123 gender neutral theme that we used with Harper - with red being the accent color.  Hopefully I'll have some pictures to post in a few weeks!

4 more months???

Baby Girl #2 will be here in only 4 more months...or less!  

Although my due date is June 24, my repeat c-section will be no later than June 17th.  I'm not quite sure the reasoning behind the date, but my OBGYN performs his c-sections at 39 weeks, or sooner if necessary.

Unless I go into labor before June 17th, I'm quite positive that the 17th will be Baby's Birthday, it's on a Monday...an ideal day for a c-section, as it's not in the middle of the week or on a weekend.

I went into labor with Harper at 38.5 weeks, so we'll see what kind of excitement this pregnancy brings.  Although my doc wants me to have a c-section, I am not required to have one.  As long as I go into labor on my own before the 17th and no complications arise, I'm okay to deliver vaginally.  So, we'll see.  I have my reservations about both routes of delivery.  (Post about this in the future)

And here's Adam's excitement ~ IF I have to have another c-section, Adam gets to cut the cord!  Sounds cheesy, I know - but he didn't get to do that with Harper and he was really bummed about it.  It must be a sentimental father thing that daddy's look forward to doing.  He asked our doctor about it at our last appointment and he said it'd be no problem.  This news really made Adam excited ~ which of course makes me emotional that cutting the cord means so much to him.

Hurry Up, June!!!!

PS - Sorry for all the pregnancy-related posts, but there's really not anything else blog-worthy going on in our lives right now.  It's nearing the end of winter, which is always long and boring.  

Gender Party Details

Our Gender Reveal Party was last Sunday, and let me tell you...it was so much fun...and so much fun to plan!  My inspiration and theme for the party was "Bow Tie or Bow."  (Thank you Pinterest!)

In addition to the Bow Tie/Bows, the color scheme was red and blue with polka dots

Adam and I didn't even know what the gender of Baby #2 was until the day of the party.  We had our sonographer fill out a card that we created to indicate the gender.  It was SO hard to wait an extra 5 days to find out if we were having a boy or girl.  Although I had a pretty good idea that it was a girl after seeing our baby on the ultrasound.

20 weeks + 6 days ~ holding "the" envelope!

Sticking with the blue/red theme, I made tissue paper pom-pom's.  (Again, thank you pinterest.)  They are cheap, easy and a cute way to add decoration to a party.

I also tried to stick with red/blue foods:  We had red/blue cupcakes, blue tortilla chips with salsa, fruit pizza cups topped with strawberries/blueberries, and ranch 'rooms.

 

 

We also had a name scramble of our favorite baby names, boy and girl.  We did not give any hints and won't reveal names until Baby is here!  After we opened the envelope and found out we are having another GIRL, we did give everyone the answers to the boy names.  A few of our favorites are: Piercen, Sawyer, Easton & Holden.  PS - I THINK Baby Girl has a name now!!!!

On the invitation, we asked that everyone wore red or blue, depending on what they thought Baby #2 was.  It was a lot of fun to see every one's guesses.

 

Before the big reveal, we played an Old Wives Tale Prediction game.  I looked through a big list of old wives tales and found the ones that I could answer at this point in the pregnancy.  A red bow indicated a girl, and a blue bow tie indicated a boy.  As you can see, the result was 8 for a girl and 5 for a boy.  Girl wins!

And the big reveal.....our sonographer filled out this card the day of the ultrasound.  She sealed it up before we left and we managed not to peek at it for 5 days!  Harper opened up the card and told everyone what was circled.  (I'm hoping to post a video of this soon.)

Again, the party was so much fun!  Having a small get together and finding out the gender together was much more exciting (in my opinion) than calling everyone and giving the news over the phone.  The main reason that I had a Gender Reveal Party was because I wanted to see every one's reactions to the gender.  When Harper was born I had to have a c-section at 11 PM and by the time I got back to my room everyone (except my mom) had gone home.  Adam got to wheel Harper into my room and announce the gender to every one and got to receive all the hugs and see all the tears and smiles.  I wanted to be a part of that so bad.  (Although I do have pictures of everyone seeing/holding Harper for the 1st time)  So I guess this was my little way of re-creating this type of environment.  

20 Week Update

20 weeks down - 20 to go!  It's hard to believe that we are 1/2 way home to meeting our future family member!

Size of Baby: 10" (head to heel) and 10 oz (size of banana)

     **Baby #2 weighed 12 oz at our 20 week  ultrasound (Harper weighed 11 0z at 20 wks)

Total weight gain: 2 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Little bit of both ~ maternity jeans mostly

Gender: The sonographer was able to identify the gender (and I think I did too) - we will find out on SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!

Movement: Just a few days after my 16-week update I felt movement for the first time.  The kicks are getting stronger and more frequent every day..and I love every minute of it.  Some of them are able to be felt from the outside now.  I can't wait until they're strong enough for Adam and Harper to experience them too.

Sleep: It depends - sometimes I can't get enough and other times I toss and turn all night (I've been up at 4:30 for the day twice this week!)

What I miss: nothing!

Symptoms: Hello pitting edema! The swelling in my lower legs/ankles has started already - but usually only during work. 

Cravings: skim milk, Chinese food, orange juice

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing the baby again during our ultrasound

Looking Forward To: Our gender reveal party in 3 more days!!!!  I can't wait to see what color everyone will choose to wear!

Harper showing the baby some love at 20 weeks!

Our 20-week ultrasound went great!  The baby looked healthy and measuring right on track!  I drank some orange juice right before the ultrasound to make sure the baby wouldn't be sleeping with it's legs crossed or something, and the baby was super active!  It was hard to get good pictures because the baby would move and they'd turn out blurry.  The heart looked great, beating 150 beats/minute, and we watched the blood flow through all 4 chambers and the aortic arch (for you, Ashley!)

Top: arm/hand/fingers
Bottom: profile @ 20 weeks

Our countdown chain until our party!

Quad Screen

At my 16 week appointment we decided to have the Quad Screening Test done, which is elective but also highly popular.  (I did the test with Harper too)

The test is a maternal blood test that detects abnormalities in 4 specific pregnancy related hormones/proteins.  The test is an indicator for abnormalities such as Downs Syndrome, Spina Bifida, and a few others.

My test came back negative, which basically means it's highly unlikely that our child will be born with these abnormalities.  The test of course is not 100% accurate, but such is the case with any test.

This was great news to hear and we are looking forward to our 20-week ultrasound to learn more about our baby's health.  (only 10 more days!!!!)

16 Week Update

Fourth month - CHECK!  Can't believe we are already another month closer to meeting our little Junebug!

Size of Baby: 4.5-6 inches and about 5 oz (size of avocado)

Total weight gain:  still down 1.3 lbs!!  (my goal is not to gain more than 20#)

Maternity Clothes: Little bit of both ~ maternity jeans mostly

Gender: Our ultrasound is scheduled for February 5th and we will all find out together at the gender reveal party on  February 10th.  (More details to follow in the invitations that will be mailed out by the end of the week)

Movement: Not yet ~ should be any week now

Sleep: can't get enough!

What I miss: I missed not being able to have a drink with my family over the holidays

Symptoms: Some nausea here and there if I eat too much, but I have been pretty much symptom free thus far!

Cravings: nothing yet

Best Moment of the Week: Hearing the heartbeat at our 16 week appt (HR 155) - Harper even helped find it!  I also had a patient tell me that she "thought I looked pregnant" so I guess it's starting to get a little more obvious.

Looking Forward To: Our 20 week ultrasound and gender reveal party!!!

12 Week Update

How far along: 12 weeks

Size of Baby: 2 inches (about the size of a lime)

Maternity Clothes: None yet!  Although I'm going shopping this weekend to hopefully find some cute maternity jeans, leggings, and tops.  It helps that I get to lounge around in sweats all day and wears scrubs to work.

Gender: We ARE going to find out the sex this time, mostly to prepare Harper as much as we possibly can for this huge change/transition in her life.  However, the name will NOT be revealed.  Speaking of reveals, stay tuned for details on the gender reveal party that I am in the works of planning.  We will hopefully be able to find out the gender in early February!!!

Movement: We had an ultrasound on Monday and saw the baby moving around like crazy, but I still can't feel it yet.  I am looking forward to that moment...hopefully next month.

Sleep: I am completely exhausted 24/7!!!  I could sleep 20 hours out of the day if I could.  The books aren't lying when they say fatigue is much more severe with your 2nd child, due to taking care of your first born!  I think the combination of being pregnant and working nights is really taking its toll.

What I miss: Nothing yet ~ 

Symptoms: Other than fatigue, I haven't really had many symptoms.  Certain foods make me want to vomit - particularly chicken breasts and any type of casserole.  If I eat too much of a warm food, I feel nauseous, which is really the only symptom that I have, which is all I had with Harper too!  Yes, I feel very fortunate to have missed out on the morning sickness each time! 

Cravings: Because the thought of certain foods make me nauseous, I pretty much keep to certain foods.  I've been eating a lot of yogurt, cereal, oranges, and milk.  I guess anything cold is appealing.

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing the baby for the 2nd time on ultrasound and getting to hear the heartbeat at my appointment.

Looking Forward To: feeling movement and finding out the gender

Early Christmas Present

Yes, that is Harper holding pictures from our ultrasound of Baby #2!!!  

Expected Arrival: June 2013

We feel very blessed this holiday season.  Thank you for all of the prayers!

Merry Christmas to you and yours :)

Labor continued...

This blog is a continuation of my labor story....

After laboring all morning and afternoon, my dr. checked me again around 8:00 pm and I was now 7 - 8 cm dilated and her head still hadn't dropped. The dr. said he wanted to let me labor for another hour or so and then he'd check me again to see if her head had dropped into the pelvis. If it hadn't, the plan was to possibly start me on pitocin to make my contractions stronger in hopes of bringing her down. He came back around 9:30 and I was 9 1/2 cm and her head still hadn't dropped. I was having intense contractions so he didn't think pitocin would help any at this point. I started pushing during my contractions in hopes of dilating the last 1/2 cm and to bring her down. After about 45 minutes of pushing, I made no progress at all. He could feel her head swelling to try to fit through my pelvis, but it wasn't budging at all. He gave me the option of pushing some more or to have a c-section. After weighing the options, we chose to have the c-section because it was the safest for her. Even if I would've chose to push - I probably would've ended up having a c-section anyways. The reason her head wouldn't drop is because she was 'sunny side up' which makes it more difficult for her head to mold and fit through the pelvis.

I wish I didn't have to have a c-section - but we are both healthy and recovering well, so I can't complain too much! She is perfect! She and daddy are taking a nap in the recliner right now and I think I'm gonna try to catch a nap too. Grandma Dawn had a mini photo-shoot with Harper this afternoon so I'll post those pictures later. Blogging is at the bottom of my list now! But I'll try to keep it up or I think I may have some upset family members ;)

It's Baby Time

OMG! I'm sitting here in the hospital right now blogging - I'm pretty pathetic huh?! So here's the story so far: Woke up at 5:30 this morning to go to the bathroom - thought my water broke - called the hospital to see if I should come in just in case it was the real deal. They hooked me up to the monitors, YEP - I was having contractions and my water had indeed broke! The dr. checked me around 9:45 am and I was 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced. The contractions were coming stronger and stronger - VERY UNCOMFORTABLE! The dr. came back around 1:45 to check me again - 90% effaced and 4-5 cm - gave me the go ahead to get some pain meds!!! I originally wanted to try to have a natural childbirth - but I couldn't take the pain anymore - I gave in. Got the epidural and now life is GOOD! Gonna try to take a nap. I'm still contracting well - baby looks good - blood pressure is good - just waiting! The dr. is coming back to check me at 6 pm - pretty sure we're having a baby later tonite! A baby on 9/11 - how special! Just gotta get the baby's head through the pelvis - please pray that we have a safe and healthy pregnancy and baby! Check back tomorrow for an update! The grandmas are here keeping Adam and I company - wishing for a speedy delivery!

38 Weeks

Another week closer! We had another Dr. appt today and got the news that our little one will be entering the world sometime next week via 'induction!' My blood pressure was back up again, even after the past two weeks of modified bed rest, it was 160/96...YIKES! It's usually right around 120/80 - so this is very abnormal for me. I've also been having mild headaches since last Friday, which is also a sign of pre-eclampsia. I am not dilated at all and am showing no signs of labor yet, and the Dr. is worried that if we wait for me to go into labor on my own it could put the baby's health at risk. Trust me - I am not looking forward to getting induced because I know how hard, long and much more painful it can be when labor is 'forced.' But at this point, whatever it takes for a health baby! The doc also informed me that I have an 'unfavorable pelvis', meaning that it is narrow - GREAT! I was never nervous for labor until I heard those words!!! Wish me luck! I think I'm doomed because my mom needed forceps for me, the vacuum for my brother, and a C-section for my other brother! Thanks a lot mom! In other news, my Group-B Strep test came back negative - Yippee! Also, the heart rate was 148-155 today - we're beginning to think it's a girl!!!

Anyways, we go back to the doctor this Friday for a non-stress test to see if the baby is ready for labor. Then we go back next Tuesday to see how my blood pressure is and to see if I've dilated on my own yet. As of now, it looks like I'll be admitted to the hospital Tuesday night to try to get labor started using Cervidil. HOPEFULLY we'll have a healthy baby sometime on Wednesday without having to have a C-Section!

38 Weeks

Adam installing the car seat base in the truck...starting to get last minute things taken care of! We're trying to figure out the safest place for an infant car seat - I've been reading that the center is the safest. Cast your vote please!

Oh yeah - I forgot to blog about our 'new' truck, so I'll just combine it with this blog. A few weeks ago we got rid of the Monte Carlo and bought a silver 2005 Dodge Ram. We got a great deal on it - only has 34,000 miles - great condition- crew cab - Hemi motor - Adam has wanted a truck for quite some time now, and the price was finally right! We've had to borrow friends' trucks to pick up stuff at Menards, haul the golf cart, haul away branches, etc. It really has came in handy and I'm glad we bought it! I think it will be great this winter for when I have to travel out of town to sub and go to class (that's a whole different blog - going back to school part-time in January - I'll blog about it when the time comes).

Adam's new baby (for now!)

37 Weeks

We are now going to the doctor every week - which makes time go by much faster! We had an appointment this morning and everything went well- much better than last time! My blood pressure was down, my swelling was down, and I didn't' gain any weight!!! The modified best rest seems to be working, so I am to continue with it until the baby is born. The baby's heart rate was in the upper 140's/lower 150's. The doctor performed the Group B Strep test, which I'll get my results back next week. Basically, everyone has a group B strep strain in them, for some it's just not active. If mine is active, the doctors will have to give me an antibiotic when my water breaks to make sure I don't transfer it to the baby. Since I haven't been having any contractions, the doctor will wait until next week to see if I have started dilating. As you know, we normally get ice cream after each visit, however our appointment was in the morning this time, so we settled for donuts instead!