If Liam doesn't come before, I will be induced on AUGUST 10, 2009!
We could have scheduled the induction for next week but we decided it would be best to wait just a little bit longer (less chance of a c-section). So I will be induced at 38 weeks, 6 days. Next week will be my last week at work. I will go out on Friday and have a baby on Monday. Just like me to not have a day off between jobs (I never have since I started working at age 15).
We have to call the hospital that morning at 5:45 to make sure they have a bed and then we will go to Labor & Delivery at 6:30 a.m.
I am so excited!!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
37 Weeks . . . FULL TERM!!
That's right, Liam, you are officially cooked! If he were to be born today his lungs should be fully developed and there should be no problems!
I really don't have much to report. I am still uncomfortable. My belly is huge. I am still struggling with food and insulin shots. Still having trouble sleeping at night. Still getting monitored twice a week. Hmmm . . . good times. Haha.
We have our OB/GYN appointment today at 4:15. If I understand correctly, we will schedule the inducement (of course I thought that last week too). It could be next week or the week after. If it is my choice, it will be so tempting to schedule it next week, but I will wait and see how my cervix is progressing (it was "pretty hard" last week). If things haven't changed then I will do the responsible thing and schedule the inducement for two weeks (week 39) to lower my chance of a c-section. I will blog again tonight and let you know the outcome.
Our master bath will officially be completed TODAY! For sure! Gregg has gone on vacation, but his dad is coming by to finish up one last thing. It should have been completed last week but the floor in the shower was a little uneven and Gregg was not happy with it so the ripped it up and redid it yesterday. If you ever need a super hardworking, talented, honest renovator . . . ask me! Hopefully we will post some pictures tonight. I can't believe the transformation. And I can't believe how much I am enjoying having a bathtub!!
I really don't have much to report. I am still uncomfortable. My belly is huge. I am still struggling with food and insulin shots. Still having trouble sleeping at night. Still getting monitored twice a week. Hmmm . . . good times. Haha.
We have our OB/GYN appointment today at 4:15. If I understand correctly, we will schedule the inducement (of course I thought that last week too). It could be next week or the week after. If it is my choice, it will be so tempting to schedule it next week, but I will wait and see how my cervix is progressing (it was "pretty hard" last week). If things haven't changed then I will do the responsible thing and schedule the inducement for two weeks (week 39) to lower my chance of a c-section. I will blog again tonight and let you know the outcome.
Our master bath will officially be completed TODAY! For sure! Gregg has gone on vacation, but his dad is coming by to finish up one last thing. It should have been completed last week but the floor in the shower was a little uneven and Gregg was not happy with it so the ripped it up and redid it yesterday. If you ever need a super hardworking, talented, honest renovator . . . ask me! Hopefully we will post some pictures tonight. I can't believe the transformation. And I can't believe how much I am enjoying having a bathtub!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
EDC Baby Shower
They had a baby shower for us at work today. It was amazing! Brian was able to join. We had pizza and salad for lunch. They used Brian's robots as decoration and had a robot cake made at Sprinkles! We got a VERY generous gift card for Babies R Us and lots of other gifts. Some old co-workers and wonderful friends (Sarah, John F, Eric J and Christian) came to the party. WOW! I am one lucky girl!
36 Weeks
The weeks were flying by, but have suddenly slowed down - this week is crawling! At the end of this week Liam will be considered full term! He's in head down position and ready to go. I don't feel him move around as much. I don't think he has the room. I haven't experienced any Braxton Hicks yet either.
I went Monday morning for the non-stress test. I ate a piece of cheese on the way (I had it in my purse - haha!). It worked. Liam was more alert and they got what they needed in the first 1/2 hour. On my way out the doctor walked by and looked at my chart with the nurse. He asked if I had scheduled my induction yet. I was confused. He said he sent that reccommendation to my OB/GYN the Monday before. He was suggesting an inducement be set for week 38 or 39. So yesterday I went to the OB/GYN and asked him about scheduling my induction. He said he didn't have that recomendation from the specialist, but that he agreed and would look into finding the paperwork. He said the hospital needs two doctors to say 38 weeks to induce that early. We go to the specialist again tomorrow and I will mention to him that they did not receive anything and we go to the OB/GYN again on Tuesday so hopefully we will schedule the date then. I know that inducement is controversial and looked down upon by some people, BUT in the case of gestational diabetes (especially when taking insulin) it is safer for the baby to be out in the world than to be inside with the illness! My doctor said it has nothing to do with his size (he never induces for size) but just because of the diabetes itself. I vote for the first day of week 38!!
I have gained 22 pounds. I held steady at a 25 pound weight gain for 6 weeks and then yesterday I learned that I had lost 3 pounds. I am sure this has to do with the diet I am on . . . even though it is 2100 calories there is no room for junk or overeating! I miss food. I miss flexibilty. I hate peanut butter, cheese and graham crackers (which I was excited about until I ate twice a day, every day). When this is over I might never eat them again. Ha. I have a dream that I feel really good the night after delivering and Brian goes to the Outback Steakhouse across the street from the hospital. He brings back Alice Springs Chicken, baked sweet potato and a blue cheese chopped salad. Do you think they would let him take a Wallaby Darned in a to-go cup!?
I went Monday morning for the non-stress test. I ate a piece of cheese on the way (I had it in my purse - haha!). It worked. Liam was more alert and they got what they needed in the first 1/2 hour. On my way out the doctor walked by and looked at my chart with the nurse. He asked if I had scheduled my induction yet. I was confused. He said he sent that reccommendation to my OB/GYN the Monday before. He was suggesting an inducement be set for week 38 or 39. So yesterday I went to the OB/GYN and asked him about scheduling my induction. He said he didn't have that recomendation from the specialist, but that he agreed and would look into finding the paperwork. He said the hospital needs two doctors to say 38 weeks to induce that early. We go to the specialist again tomorrow and I will mention to him that they did not receive anything and we go to the OB/GYN again on Tuesday so hopefully we will schedule the date then. I know that inducement is controversial and looked down upon by some people, BUT in the case of gestational diabetes (especially when taking insulin) it is safer for the baby to be out in the world than to be inside with the illness! My doctor said it has nothing to do with his size (he never induces for size) but just because of the diabetes itself. I vote for the first day of week 38!!
I have gained 22 pounds. I held steady at a 25 pound weight gain for 6 weeks and then yesterday I learned that I had lost 3 pounds. I am sure this has to do with the diet I am on . . . even though it is 2100 calories there is no room for junk or overeating! I miss food. I miss flexibilty. I hate peanut butter, cheese and graham crackers (which I was excited about until I ate twice a day, every day). When this is over I might never eat them again. Ha. I have a dream that I feel really good the night after delivering and Brian goes to the Outback Steakhouse across the street from the hospital. He brings back Alice Springs Chicken, baked sweet potato and a blue cheese chopped salad. Do you think they would let him take a Wallaby Darned in a to-go cup!?
Saturday, July 18, 2009
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Things People Say #2
I can't stop thinking about what happened in the elevator yesterday . . .
I jumped into the elevator with two people that were riding together and headed to the same floor. Once the door shut I turned to face them (remember my belly is BIG!) and the woman turns to the guy and says (I should say shouts cause that's what it seemed like) "Oh! Did you hear that Alisha lost the baby!?" He replies "Yeah, that is so sad." She then says "Yeah, I guess they are going to have a funeral and everything." Really? Did you just look at me and remember that someone you know lost their baby? AND you say it . . . outloud . . . in front of me?! What an idiot.
I jumped into the elevator with two people that were riding together and headed to the same floor. Once the door shut I turned to face them (remember my belly is BIG!) and the woman turns to the guy and says (I should say shouts cause that's what it seemed like) "Oh! Did you hear that Alisha lost the baby!?" He replies "Yeah, that is so sad." She then says "Yeah, I guess they are going to have a funeral and everything." Really? Did you just look at me and remember that someone you know lost their baby? AND you say it . . . outloud . . . in front of me?! What an idiot.
35 Weeks
Wow! Look at that countdown on the side. Not much longer now! In addition to a weight that is wildly less than what they are predicting for little Liam, the Web site this week says that his kidneys are fully developed and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight (oh, I bet he will!).
I don't really have anything new to report. Just uncomfortable - I guess that isn't new! I go to the specialist now on Monday and Thursday's for a Fetal Non-Stress Test because of the insulin. I went on Monday and they took me into a room, sat me in a recliner and hooked me up to a machine. They look for three movements in a 30 minute time period. After about 10 minutes and no movement they zapped my belly with this alarm thing to try and wake Liam up. Nothing happened. She gave it more time and zapped again. One movement. I was in there for over an hour and they didn't get what they wanted so they moved me into another room for an ultrasound. Of course I was making up all types of terrible things in my head! The ultrasound tech took the heart rate (normal), checked the fluid levels (normal) and looked for fetal breathing movement (normal). Then she too had to see him move. He poked, probed, shooked, had me rolling back and forth. This kid was waking up for no one! She mentioned that he may be "mellow" (I guess we can only hope!). Finally he moved a couple of times and she said she got what she needed. I was like "are you sure!?" She said promised! Of course he spent the rest of the day proving to me that he would just move around on his own terms! They suggested that I eat later next time or have some juice (which I dont think I am allowed to have - I guess they forgot why I am going to them) before my next appointment . . . which is first thing tomorrow morning. Maybe I should change these appointments to the afternoon!
On his way out the door today Gregg said that he thought he would have the master bath completed by next Wednesday. One week. Yay!! They are starting to put tile on the shower walls. It is going to be pretty dramatic in there . . . the tile is dark. I think with light paint on the walls it will look really good. I will post pics soon. It is really hard to take pictures of a bathroom!!
I don't really have anything new to report. Just uncomfortable - I guess that isn't new! I go to the specialist now on Monday and Thursday's for a Fetal Non-Stress Test because of the insulin. I went on Monday and they took me into a room, sat me in a recliner and hooked me up to a machine. They look for three movements in a 30 minute time period. After about 10 minutes and no movement they zapped my belly with this alarm thing to try and wake Liam up. Nothing happened. She gave it more time and zapped again. One movement. I was in there for over an hour and they didn't get what they wanted so they moved me into another room for an ultrasound. Of course I was making up all types of terrible things in my head! The ultrasound tech took the heart rate (normal), checked the fluid levels (normal) and looked for fetal breathing movement (normal). Then she too had to see him move. He poked, probed, shooked, had me rolling back and forth. This kid was waking up for no one! She mentioned that he may be "mellow" (I guess we can only hope!). Finally he moved a couple of times and she said she got what she needed. I was like "are you sure!?" She said promised! Of course he spent the rest of the day proving to me that he would just move around on his own terms! They suggested that I eat later next time or have some juice (which I dont think I am allowed to have - I guess they forgot why I am going to them) before my next appointment . . . which is first thing tomorrow morning. Maybe I should change these appointments to the afternoon!
On his way out the door today Gregg said that he thought he would have the master bath completed by next Wednesday. One week. Yay!! They are starting to put tile on the shower walls. It is going to be pretty dramatic in there . . . the tile is dark. I think with light paint on the walls it will look really good. I will post pics soon. It is really hard to take pictures of a bathroom!!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
I'm not having fun anymore.
I sure hope that I remember how relatively easy the first trimester was. And how exciting it was in the second to start to get a belly and feel the baby move for the first time. Because all I know is that I'm not having fun anymore! I am so uncomfortable. I seriously don't think Liam fits in there. It hurts to sit, it hurts to stand and lying down is absolutely the worst. Since I can't sleep standing up, that is the most difficult task of all. So here I am at 2:00 a.m. complaining to my blog about what I know "is a blessing" and will be "worth every discomfort." Can I really do this for another 5 1/2 weeks? And will everyday be more uncomfortable than the one before!?
My blood sugar numbers are now where they should be. The insulin is working. I have learned that I prefer the shot in my thigh over my stomach. We stayed in for dinner tonight after talking about going out. To go out to dinner I would have to pack my insulin in a cooler and do it in the car and then hope our food doesn't take too long. Much easier just to have it all here at home. I sure do feel for people, especially children, with diabetes! For me (oh god, fingers crossed) this is a very short term problem but for people that live with it every day - and I know several - you are my heroes!
I think our master bathroom is coming along. I stopped looking! I am having too much fun cleaning and adding accessories to the hall bath (that is now complete) to go look at the one that is demolished. I think this time next week we will just about have two completely (and I do mean completely) new bathrooms. I will hopefully have pictures to post tomorrow. Was waiting to get organized in there.
All right . . . back to the couch. Then back to bed. Then to the couch. Then to bed. Fun times all night long. Brian said I could wake him up for some Scrabble around 4:00. Ha.
My blood sugar numbers are now where they should be. The insulin is working. I have learned that I prefer the shot in my thigh over my stomach. We stayed in for dinner tonight after talking about going out. To go out to dinner I would have to pack my insulin in a cooler and do it in the car and then hope our food doesn't take too long. Much easier just to have it all here at home. I sure do feel for people, especially children, with diabetes! For me (oh god, fingers crossed) this is a very short term problem but for people that live with it every day - and I know several - you are my heroes!
I think our master bathroom is coming along. I stopped looking! I am having too much fun cleaning and adding accessories to the hall bath (that is now complete) to go look at the one that is demolished. I think this time next week we will just about have two completely (and I do mean completely) new bathrooms. I will hopefully have pictures to post tomorrow. Was waiting to get organized in there.
All right . . . back to the couch. Then back to bed. Then to the couch. Then to bed. Fun times all night long. Brian said I could wake him up for some Scrabble around 4:00. Ha.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Our BIG Kumquat!
Or so they think! So we went to the specialist this morning. They did the very thorough ultrasound and measured every thing. I think they use an average from the size of the head, belly and femur to estimate the weight. They estimated that today Liam is 7 lbs, 5 oz. Oh my! I weighed 6 lbs, 14 oz at full-term birth. He isn't due for another 6 weeks! I think we have the fact that Brian weighed 10 lbs, 8 oz to thank for this! She said it could be because of the diabetes or genetics. I saw on the screen during the ultrasound that his belly is the size of a 39 week 4 day baby. Buddha! They said he has hair! She pointed it out to us. I asked her if it was red and she said "we're good, but not that good!" So the bad part of the appointment . . . they were not happy with my numbers that remain unchanged after the diet and Gyburide that they prescribed to me. So I am now doing insulin shots! It's pretty complicated. I was so happy that Brian was there with me to learn about the insulin injection. There are two different insulins that you have to mix in the syringe and a certain way it has to be done. I will be giving myself a shot before breakfast and dinner. The insulin has to be refrigerated and remain cold at all times so all the sudden leaving the house for dinner out or going somewhere straight from work becomes kinda complicated. I really feel for people that have been dealing with diabetes their entire life. At least I know there is an end in sight! I have to go to the specialist every Monday and Thursday and be hooked up to a fetal monitor to make sure that everything is OK. I like that we are going to know that he is fine! OK . . . off to Publix to pick up my needles and drugs!!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
34 Weeks
The web site this week says that Liam should weigh about 4 3/4 lbs (the weight of your average cantaloupe). I will report what the doctor thinks after our specialist appointment on Thursday morning. It also says that he should be about 18 in long. He's running out of room in there! I can't wait to find out on Thursday if he is head down, getting ready to descend! His fat layers are filling him out, making him rounder. Yay . . . chunky lovin' baby fat! His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. It says that babies born after 34 weeks generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.**sigh** No more fears of preterm labor!
It says that fatigue has probably set in for me again. And, it has! I am so tired. Mostly just because I can't get a good nights sleep. Between peeing 6-7 times and trying to get comfortable . . . I am averaging about 4 hours a night. God's way of preparing us for baby!! I have been taking the new diabetes medicine. Some days my numbers are fine, other days they are high. I just can't figure it out! Again, we go to the specialist on Thursday and will learn more then. I haven't had any fainting scares recently and have been carrying cheese in my purse. Haha. Not really. I carry peanut butter crackers!
I was wrong about our birthing classes . . . the last one is THIS week. Wishful thinking. BUT this week is childcare and I am excited about that! Last week we took a tour of the hospital. The teacher was very chatty and entertained EVERY question, it was hot and I was tired. At one point I asked Brian what time it was . . . I just knew that it must be midnight. He said 9:30. About this time we got to the section of the hospital that I feel very comfortable with. It is where we recently visited both Shanna and Kelly after they gave birth. While the teacher continued to talk and the question girl continued to ask questions I looked at Brian and said "I am so ready to go!" He said "Let's go!" So . . . the "C" students that we are, we ditched the class as they turned a corner, jumped into the elevator and managed to find our way out of the hospital. I wouldn't be surprised if our class is STILL up there! Ha. OH! And for this week we had to sign up for a snack for a "social" of sorts. I couldn't come up with anything on the fly so I signed up for Rice Krispy treats. Who does that? Who signs up to MAKE something they LOVE and can't even eat. Idiot. Maybe it is a good time for Brian to learn how to make these delicious treats!!
In bathroom news . . . I TOOK A BATH!!! (Brian took one too!) That's right . . . after living in a "charming" apartment complex for 7 years where I would never sit down in the tub (60 years of other people bathing on my mind!) and then moving into a house almost 3 years ago that had no tub, I got to take a bath at my home last night. It was awesome! We went for a deeper tub and what a difference that makes! It is so nice. Also, Gregg (our amazing renovator) put a dimmer on the lights in there, so it is a really relaxing experience! I am thinking I will be there again tonight!! The hall bathroom is just about done. Minor things today. It looks awesome. The granite counter is beautiful!!! They were supposed to start the demolition on our master bathroom today. That is the smaller of the two and since we are not having a tub put in, it shouldn't take as long. I can't wait to put the house back together. Pictures soon!!
I was wrong about our birthing classes . . . the last one is THIS week. Wishful thinking. BUT this week is childcare and I am excited about that! Last week we took a tour of the hospital. The teacher was very chatty and entertained EVERY question, it was hot and I was tired. At one point I asked Brian what time it was . . . I just knew that it must be midnight. He said 9:30. About this time we got to the section of the hospital that I feel very comfortable with. It is where we recently visited both Shanna and Kelly after they gave birth. While the teacher continued to talk and the question girl continued to ask questions I looked at Brian and said "I am so ready to go!" He said "Let's go!" So . . . the "C" students that we are, we ditched the class as they turned a corner, jumped into the elevator and managed to find our way out of the hospital. I wouldn't be surprised if our class is STILL up there! Ha. OH! And for this week we had to sign up for a snack for a "social" of sorts. I couldn't come up with anything on the fly so I signed up for Rice Krispy treats. Who does that? Who signs up to MAKE something they LOVE and can't even eat. Idiot. Maybe it is a good time for Brian to learn how to make these delicious treats!!
In bathroom news . . . I TOOK A BATH!!! (Brian took one too!) That's right . . . after living in a "charming" apartment complex for 7 years where I would never sit down in the tub (60 years of other people bathing on my mind!) and then moving into a house almost 3 years ago that had no tub, I got to take a bath at my home last night. It was awesome! We went for a deeper tub and what a difference that makes! It is so nice. Also, Gregg (our amazing renovator) put a dimmer on the lights in there, so it is a really relaxing experience! I am thinking I will be there again tonight!! The hall bathroom is just about done. Minor things today. It looks awesome. The granite counter is beautiful!!! They were supposed to start the demolition on our master bathroom today. That is the smaller of the two and since we are not having a tub put in, it shouldn't take as long. I can't wait to put the house back together. Pictures soon!!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
33 Weeks
Thought it was time for a little fruit update. Mostly because I just pictured how painful it would be if you actually had a pineapple inside of you! Ouch. Anyway, Liam is supposed to weigh about the same as a pineapple this week . . . 4 lbs. Of course three weeks ago they told us that he weighs approximately 4 lbs 5 oz. Hopefully he has slowed down a little! Not much else is changing - he is just growing!
I sent in my second week of sugar levels to the specialist yesterday. My numbers were still too high, especially the fasting ones in the morning. So they have put me on a medication. Not insulin yet, but something called Glybeuride that I take before dinner and before breakfast. My numbers were considerably lower last night and first thing this morning. I also had a serious drop in sugar level right before lunch today. Actually AT lunch. I went to lunch with 8 co-workers for a birthday. My friend Jen called from across the table "are you ok? you look really flushed!" Right then it hit me. I didn't feel ok. I started sweating all over, got really light headed and my hands were shaking. I was curious as to what was happening so I checked my blood under the table. It was very low. After I ate I felt OK. I called the doctor when I got back to the office. She said that it was time for me to eat and that I probably need to keep a snack in my purse at all time. She suggested cheese. Cheese in my purse!? Weird. Ha. She said that my number of 82 wasnt as scary as it seemed. That under 60 is when we would worry. She said that I am just not used to that since my numbers have been so high.
No doctors appointments this week, so we will just manage the diabetes with diet and this new medication and look forward to seeing the specialist and having another sonogram next Thursday! I also have my regular OB/GYN appointment next Tuesday. Oh, and our last birthing class is tomorrow. Those were pretty good, but I am not sorry to see them end.
OH . . . in bathroom renovation news . . . the bath tub is in, the tile is down, grouting is taking place today, painting the walls will happen tomorrow and granite is being delivered and installed next Monday. So begining next Monday or Tuesday will be the master bath. That will probably take another 2 weeks and then we are done!!
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