The 35th week

Nursery is done, shower is on Saturday! I still have no inklings about whether the baby is a boy or a girl. I am getting verrry uncomfortable in these final weeks and I am definitely ready to get this baby out! Everything is still going wonderfully, we are just waiting now....

I've been a bad blogger....

I am now at 31 weeks, 2 days. Everything has been going VERY smoothly and I couldn't be more grateful. The high risk doctor told me that I will not be allowed to go past my due date due to the issues I had in the first trimester, therefore I will be induced at 39 weeks, if I do not go into labor on my own. I was a little sad to hear that because I was hoping to avoid an induction and go into labor when the baby is ready, but if that's the best way to go, then so be it.

I don't have many complaints. I feel pretty good, just very tired and I feel large and in charge. My ribs and feet hurt every night, but I guess that's par for the course. I am trying to just suck it up because I have less than 8 weeks to go! (I can't believe it!) Ryan and I are so excited for this baby and we are as ready (mentally) as we'll ever be. I personally can't wait to have my body back to myself! As much as I absolutely adore feeling this little person move around inside of me, i'm ready to have my energy and shape back. I have big plans for whipping myself into shape once this baby is out!

The nursery is pretty much done except for some accessories and everything from my shower, which is another thing I absolutely can't wait for!

I've been having some braxton hicks contractions and those are pretty cool. I know it's nothing like what the real thing will be (absolute, horrifying pain!), but it's fun to know that my body is preparing for labor.

That's about it for now. Here are some belly pics from this week!

31 weeks!

24 week high risk appointment

In the second trimester I have been going to the high risk doctor every few weeks to check the growth of the baby due to the complications with the huge blood clot in the beginning. I love it because it's basically a level 2 every few weeks.

So anyway- I go yesterday by myself for the first time because they always give mid-afternoon appointment times and hubby can't make them. My mom usually comes, but she forgot about it yesterday and I couldn't get in touch with her.

I go in and talk to the nurse, answer her questions, and pee in a cup. Then I go in for the sono. I was going to ask them to sneak a peek in 3D, but I chickened out because i'm a loser. The baby got really big and was moving around but being stubborn and she couldn't get the picture she wanted to she tilted me upside down and wiggled my belly. finally moved and she got what she needed. I also got to hear the heartbeat for a good five minutes.

After that was done I went in to see the doctor. I sat down and he asked me if I remembered what they were looking for each time I went for a sono. I said no, not really and he said they check for blood clots and that the baby is growing well. (Due to the blood clot, part of the placenta died and they are concerned the baby won't get the nutrients he/she needs and won't grow properly.)As he starts saying this I start panicking on the inside thinking he is going to tell me horrible news and of course this is the one time i'm alone.

But instead he says, "I just wanted to make sure you remembered because I know you will get a giggle out of this." He points the computer screen to me and on it is a fetal growth curve. There is a curve for babies measuring small, a curve for average and a curve for measuring large. Well, guess where my baby's line fell....?

That's right. is measuring about a millimeter ABOVE the large growth curve! This baby already weighs ONE pound and SEVEN ounces! At my OB appointment last week baby was weighing in at exactly a pound. So he/she gained 7 ounces in a week!

Dr. was laughing and said I guess we don't have to worry about this baby not growing enough right now! So I laughed and asked him if was measuring too LARGE instead and he said absolutely not- he is happy to see this baby big and strong ! So now instead of starting an every 2 week regime with them, I can continue with the 4 weeks and see how it goes. Of course, DH was over 10 pounds at birth and I was about 8.5 pounds, so I guess this baby will be following the trend!

I cannot even express how happy I am that this little angel is beating the odds. Nobody thought he would make it at the beginning and here we are now. I am so in love.

22 week belly pics

These are the first belly pics I have taken. Just thought I would share!

22 Weeks...

I had another doctor's appointment (reg OB) last night and this time I decided to bring my sister along for the show. I felt bad because while the doctor DID do a sono like usual, it was really quick and stinky. He didn't play the heartbeat and just did a couple of quick measurements and that was that. I didn't even get any pictures. Oh well.

So I am now 22 weeks and things are moving along swimmingly. I actually have a bit of a baby belly now instead of just looking chubby, and best of all- I have been feeling just the slightest bit of movement in there! The first time I felt it it actually felt like the baby did a flip in there. It was so weird. I haven't felt anything like that since then but have been feeling little taps here and there, or "flutters" as many people say. I actually wasn't expecting to feel anything for some time because I was diagnosed as having an anterior placenta, but I am pleasantly surprised! I cannot wait for people to be able to feel it from the outside. Especially hubby- he will be sooo excited!

The doctor really emphasized how lucky I am that this pregnancy stuck with all of the complications in the beginning. He said that everything looks perfect- absolutely perfect. Placenta and all. I could not be happier.

18 weeks left!

BTW: Baby measured in at exactly one pound!

The Level 2, and we're halfway there...

So Tuesday was the appointment for the much anticipated level 2 sonogram. It was the first sonogram at the high-risk doctor that DH would see, because they always schedule me for such inconvenient times.

Most people use this appointment to find out what the gender of their baby is. After alot of, "should we, shouldn't we," we ultimately decided once and for all that we will absolutely not find out, and wait for the surprise of a lifetime when this baby joins the world.

The actual purpose of the appointment is to make sure that the baby has all appropriate organs in place, to measure the head, lips, extremeties and to check for any markers for down syndrome. They also measure the amount of fluid and check the cervix.

Our little angel was a little stubborn and kept her hands in front of her face almost the whole time. The sono tech had to keep wiggling my belly, had me empty my bladder, wiggled around some more. I think the baby was sleeping, because she usually is jumping around like a little lunatic and this time she just wanted to be left alone.

So after the sonogram we met with the doctor. His exact words were, "everything looks AWESOME. I can't even use another word to describe it!" The hematoma is not even an issue as it's completely dissolved at this point. There were no markers for down syndrome. All the measurements were perfect. I could not have been happier. I finally feel like I can stop worrying (a little) and now just go with the flow, get things done that need to be done and wait for this munchkin to make his or her appearance!!! We are so excited and really cannot wait!


On a side note-I want to send a special congratulations to a friend, and throw tons of sticky dust her way!!!!!!! I'm praying everything continues to go well!

19 week OB appointment

Had our 19 week appointment last night. For the past few days I had been getting paranoid that something was going to be wrong because I STILL haven't felt the baby. I know it will probably be a few more weeks because I have anterior placenta- but COME ON. Don't you think I deserve to feel those first flutters and kicks earlier after all I have been through? At least so I can stop getting worried something is wrong??????

Anyways-
The baby is absolutely fine! We still didn't find out the sex and the baby was sucking its thumb and jumping all over. The doc was wiggling my belly saying, "hi baby!" and he/she actually waved at us! It was so adorable, I had tears in my eyes. Nice strong heartbeat and BIG feet!!! The foot was pushed up against my belly and we got a nice clear shot and it looked huge!

Hopefully soon I will be able to feel some kicks.

Level 2 on Tuesday!!