Kelly, Jen, Fada and my Mom hosted a baby shower for us at Kelly's on Saturday! It was so perfect . . . ladies chatted, we ate delicious food, I opened presents, we took a cake break and I opened more presents. All the sudden it was three hours later! The perfect shower. We received so many generous gifts. I feel so blessed to have such great friends. Not only was Mom feeling well enough to attend the shower, but she stayed the entire time and even came back to the house and helped me organize things. She is super-woman!! Thank you girls, I love you all!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Liam's Super Groovy Robot Room
We finished the nursery this weekend! We tried to stay clear of a "theme," but looks like it might be "robots." Everything centers around three pictures that Brian created - 3 Friendly Robots! Brian sketched the pictures, scanned them into the computer and then finished them up in Illustrator. I served as the art director and had final approval (I really did make a change to the backgrounds that made a difference!). The robots were created after I picked the Skip Hop Mod Dot bedding - we matched the two. I love the modern glider and simple crib. The mobile is from Etsy and mom got that for us. I found the robot lamp at Urban Outfitters and the curtains are from IKEA. We bought a small, flat screen tv for the room in anticipation of 2:00 a.m. feedings. We also kept the queen-sized bed in the room. Our house is a two-bedroom and one of us doesn't always sleep very well (hey, is it 2:11 am right now!?) so we thought it would be very important at the beginning to still have another place to sleep. The only thing we gave up by keeping the bed is a changing table. We are going to create a changing station either on the bathroom counter top (something about changing shitty diapers IN the bathroom is very appealing to me) or on the dresser in our room (obviously this would just be at the beginning) . . .
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
32 Weeks . . . OMG!
The end goes SO fast! Good thing cause I am ready! I read that by now, the baby weighs 3.75 pounds (or the size of a jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. Well, two weeks ago is when the specialist guessed that Frank the Tank, I mean Liam, weighed 4 lbs 5 oz. Wonder what he really weighs this week!? It also said that I'm gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. BUT when I went to the doctor yesterday I learned that I hadn't gained a pound since our last appointment. He didn't seem alarmed by this and it's OK by me! I am sure it has something to do with the diabetes diet and not eating out much (and of course NO sweets!) Liam now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.
Yesterday was our normal doctors appointment. The doctor doesn't seem to think that I am going to make it full term. Maybe just a week or two early. Which is only 6 weeks from now. Oh my! Also, yesterday I faxed my sugar levels to the specialist. I have been on the diet for one week. I did the best I can and didn't cheat once. If I did make a mistake it was because I don't know what I am doing. The nurse called and said I did a good job controlling my numbers with the diet but she was concerned about the fasting numbers (when I take my blood first thing in the morning after sleeping and before any food). She said they were still to high. She was going to talk to the doctor and call me back if they decide to put me on insulin. If I didn't hear back from them, which I did not, then continue the diet for another week and then they will reevaluate. I have an appointment there with another ultrasound (yay!) on July 9.
Enough about me . . . Mom had her surgery last week and everything went really well. She was in the hospital from Thurs - Saturday night. She is in some pain but able to get relief from just one painkiller. She is doing better than last time and might even make it to my shower on Saturday. Yay!! What a relief that she is doing so well.
Our bathroom renovations started last Thursday. We are doing one bathroom at a time (well, we are doing nothing, but they are doing one bathroom at a time). They started in the hall and gutted the entire bathroom. There was a lot of moisture and some mold behind the tiles and then the wall paper wouldn't come off, so we have all new walls. The bathtub should be in today. I will share pictures soon. We still need to get granite countertops picked out, as well as, lighting, mirrors and toilets. Lot to do!!
Yesterday was our normal doctors appointment. The doctor doesn't seem to think that I am going to make it full term. Maybe just a week or two early. Which is only 6 weeks from now. Oh my! Also, yesterday I faxed my sugar levels to the specialist. I have been on the diet for one week. I did the best I can and didn't cheat once. If I did make a mistake it was because I don't know what I am doing. The nurse called and said I did a good job controlling my numbers with the diet but she was concerned about the fasting numbers (when I take my blood first thing in the morning after sleeping and before any food). She said they were still to high. She was going to talk to the doctor and call me back if they decide to put me on insulin. If I didn't hear back from them, which I did not, then continue the diet for another week and then they will reevaluate. I have an appointment there with another ultrasound (yay!) on July 9.
Enough about me . . . Mom had her surgery last week and everything went really well. She was in the hospital from Thurs - Saturday night. She is in some pain but able to get relief from just one painkiller. She is doing better than last time and might even make it to my shower on Saturday. Yay!! What a relief that she is doing so well.
Our bathroom renovations started last Thursday. We are doing one bathroom at a time (well, we are doing nothing, but they are doing one bathroom at a time). They started in the hall and gutted the entire bathroom. There was a lot of moisture and some mold behind the tiles and then the wall paper wouldn't come off, so we have all new walls. The bathtub should be in today. I will share pictures soon. We still need to get granite countertops picked out, as well as, lighting, mirrors and toilets. Lot to do!!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
31 Weeks
WARNING: I am going to complain in this email!
Come on 40! I am so ready to have this baby. These past two weeks have been too much. This diabetes thing might not be that big of a deal (like everyone likes to tell me), but they didn't sit through 4 hours of learning carbs vs. proteins and sugar levels yesterday! Understanding it all, grocery shopping, planning and preparing meals, packing 2 snacks and a lunch for work, checking my blood and recording it four times a day . . . it really feels like a lot to me right now on top of normal pregnancy things (childbirth classes, paperwork for maternity leave, NO SLEEP, multiple doctors appointments, finding clothes that fit . . . ) AND my mom is having surgery tomorrow AND our bathroom renovations are supposed to start tomorrow or Friday. AHHHHH. Calgon take me away . . . oh wait, we don't have a bathtub YET. Ha. OK, that felt good. I vented.
So Liam was 31 weeks yesterday. Again, the fruit is not important because he is supposedly bigger than the norm (but if I did put it on here it would be 4 navel oranges to represent the weight). He moves around SO much. It's fun to sit at my desk and poke at elbows, knees, hands or feet all day. Things really poke out now. I can watch something move from one side of my belly to the other and then back again. Very cool!
We had our first childbirth class last Thursday night. They are every Thursday from 6:30 - 9:00 for four weeks. We had a good time. Brian had to introduce us and tell the group our due date, the sex and name of the baby, favorite and least favorite things about the pregnancy and if we planned on using drugs or not. He did a very good job! Thankfully he didn't refer to me as his "lovely wife" like the guy before him. The same guy that scolded us all for wondering if we would be out in time for the start of the Magic's NBA finals game. He said "priorities people!" Yuck! I hope he sits somewhere else tomorrow night! We learned a lot about relaxation, breathing, contractions and labor. Brian took notes so he will be very prepared. I enjoyed lying on the floor at the end of the night, in the dark and participating in the relaxation . . . that is until I rolled over and realized that I had a direct crotch shot of the girl that decided it would be a good idea to wear a dress.
Mom is having her surgery tomorrow. I am very nervous and wish I could do more to help. She should be in the hospital for 2-3 days. We might be celebrating Father's Day at another time. Maybe I can at least take some food over.
Come on 40! I am so ready to have this baby. These past two weeks have been too much. This diabetes thing might not be that big of a deal (like everyone likes to tell me), but they didn't sit through 4 hours of learning carbs vs. proteins and sugar levels yesterday! Understanding it all, grocery shopping, planning and preparing meals, packing 2 snacks and a lunch for work, checking my blood and recording it four times a day . . . it really feels like a lot to me right now on top of normal pregnancy things (childbirth classes, paperwork for maternity leave, NO SLEEP, multiple doctors appointments, finding clothes that fit . . . ) AND my mom is having surgery tomorrow AND our bathroom renovations are supposed to start tomorrow or Friday. AHHHHH. Calgon take me away . . . oh wait, we don't have a bathtub YET. Ha. OK, that felt good. I vented.
So Liam was 31 weeks yesterday. Again, the fruit is not important because he is supposedly bigger than the norm (but if I did put it on here it would be 4 navel oranges to represent the weight). He moves around SO much. It's fun to sit at my desk and poke at elbows, knees, hands or feet all day. Things really poke out now. I can watch something move from one side of my belly to the other and then back again. Very cool!
We had our first childbirth class last Thursday night. They are every Thursday from 6:30 - 9:00 for four weeks. We had a good time. Brian had to introduce us and tell the group our due date, the sex and name of the baby, favorite and least favorite things about the pregnancy and if we planned on using drugs or not. He did a very good job! Thankfully he didn't refer to me as his "lovely wife" like the guy before him. The same guy that scolded us all for wondering if we would be out in time for the start of the Magic's NBA finals game. He said "priorities people!" Yuck! I hope he sits somewhere else tomorrow night! We learned a lot about relaxation, breathing, contractions and labor. Brian took notes so he will be very prepared. I enjoyed lying on the floor at the end of the night, in the dark and participating in the relaxation . . . that is until I rolled over and realized that I had a direct crotch shot of the girl that decided it would be a good idea to wear a dress.
Mom is having her surgery tomorrow. I am very nervous and wish I could do more to help. She should be in the hospital for 2-3 days. We might be celebrating Father's Day at another time. Maybe I can at least take some food over.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Week 30 . . . where to start!?
You will notice that I did not post the picture of the "head of cabbage," representing how much Liam should weigh this week. This is because at yesterday's appointments we learned that he is "big!" and it doesn't make much sense for me to say that he should be about 3 lbs (like a head of cabbage), when the ultrasound showed that he probably weighs closer to 4 lbs 5 oz.
We (have I ever mentioned that Brian has not missed ONE appointment!?) went to the specialist yesterday morning for the gestational diabetes. First we had an ultrasound with a nurse and she looked at EVERYTHING. Liam is indeed still a boy, with two legs, two arms, hands, feet, a perfect spine, a normal lip, what looks to be a cute nose and some pouty lips. The ultrasound was 2D and not much more impressive than what we saw at 20 weeks. After the nurse checked him from head to toes the doctor came in and went over everything with us. He said he wasn't very concerned. That I do indeed have gestational diabetes but my numbers aren't very alarming. He said with the new scale lots of people have diabetes these days that wouldn't have five years ago. They are sending me to a three hour diabetes class where I will learn my new diet (don't you think that is a bad word when you are pregnant!?) and how do check my blood. I will have to check my blood first thing in the morning and after every meal and then send it in to a nurse at the drs office. If it looks good for about 3 weeks then the dr thinks I can just check once a day. My class is next Tuesday from 12 - 4.
Later in the afternoon, we had our normal appointment (which is now every two weeks) at my OB, but we met the doctor for the first time. I think I mentioned before that we have always seen the nurse midwife. We really like her but since she won't be delivering the baby we thought it was probably time to meet Dr. K (he is pretty good looking in person! but very serious - which I guess is a good thing). He measured my belly and also mentioned that Liam was "big" . . . I asked him when they would decide that a c-section would make more sense for me and he said they usually start to talk about that around 9 lbs 14 oz. HELLO!! Yikes! I talked to him about my cold symptoms and the sore throat I have had for 2 weeks and he suggested some OTC drugs. You can take a lot more things in your third trimester.
Not on the topic of baby . . . my Nana died on Sunday. She had really been failing. Couldn't walk, couldn't breath, couldn't see. See was 93 years old and her body just gave up! If you can say this or make sense of it . . . it was time. No one should have to suffer like she was. Brian and I were at Mom and Dad's on Sunday celebrating Mom's birthday and giving her retirement gifts when we got the call from California. It was nice that we were all there with Dad and able to talk about what a blessing it was that she was no longer in any pain. We had a wonderful dinner together and played with Mom's new retirement toy. Dad bought her Wii and Wii FIT and a ton of other things to go along with it. Dad beat us all in bowling and my arms are still sore from boxing (which Mom beat me at!). It was a nice family day!
Mom was supposed to have her surgery tomorrow, but because of the service in California she postponed it until next week. She probably won't be able to attend my baby shower, but being strong and healthy when Liam arrives is much more important!
Diabetes, death in the family, surgeries, bathroom renovations, childbirth classes, normal social activities, work . . . I'm a little stressed right now! EXHALE.
(I took a belly picture last night - will post later. I dont think there is a huge difference since last time)
We (have I ever mentioned that Brian has not missed ONE appointment!?) went to the specialist yesterday morning for the gestational diabetes. First we had an ultrasound with a nurse and she looked at EVERYTHING. Liam is indeed still a boy, with two legs, two arms, hands, feet, a perfect spine, a normal lip, what looks to be a cute nose and some pouty lips. The ultrasound was 2D and not much more impressive than what we saw at 20 weeks. After the nurse checked him from head to toes the doctor came in and went over everything with us. He said he wasn't very concerned. That I do indeed have gestational diabetes but my numbers aren't very alarming. He said with the new scale lots of people have diabetes these days that wouldn't have five years ago. They are sending me to a three hour diabetes class where I will learn my new diet (don't you think that is a bad word when you are pregnant!?) and how do check my blood. I will have to check my blood first thing in the morning and after every meal and then send it in to a nurse at the drs office. If it looks good for about 3 weeks then the dr thinks I can just check once a day. My class is next Tuesday from 12 - 4.
Later in the afternoon, we had our normal appointment (which is now every two weeks) at my OB, but we met the doctor for the first time. I think I mentioned before that we have always seen the nurse midwife. We really like her but since she won't be delivering the baby we thought it was probably time to meet Dr. K (he is pretty good looking in person! but very serious - which I guess is a good thing). He measured my belly and also mentioned that Liam was "big" . . . I asked him when they would decide that a c-section would make more sense for me and he said they usually start to talk about that around 9 lbs 14 oz. HELLO!! Yikes! I talked to him about my cold symptoms and the sore throat I have had for 2 weeks and he suggested some OTC drugs. You can take a lot more things in your third trimester.
Not on the topic of baby . . . my Nana died on Sunday. She had really been failing. Couldn't walk, couldn't breath, couldn't see. See was 93 years old and her body just gave up! If you can say this or make sense of it . . . it was time. No one should have to suffer like she was. Brian and I were at Mom and Dad's on Sunday celebrating Mom's birthday and giving her retirement gifts when we got the call from California. It was nice that we were all there with Dad and able to talk about what a blessing it was that she was no longer in any pain. We had a wonderful dinner together and played with Mom's new retirement toy. Dad bought her Wii and Wii FIT and a ton of other things to go along with it. Dad beat us all in bowling and my arms are still sore from boxing (which Mom beat me at!). It was a nice family day!
Mom was supposed to have her surgery tomorrow, but because of the service in California she postponed it until next week. She probably won't be able to attend my baby shower, but being strong and healthy when Liam arrives is much more important!
Diabetes, death in the family, surgeries, bathroom renovations, childbirth classes, normal social activities, work . . . I'm a little stressed right now! EXHALE.
(I took a belly picture last night - will post later. I dont think there is a huge difference since last time)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Oh no . . . I have gestational diabetes!
The nurse called this morning with the results from my 3 hour glucose test on Friday . . . I actually have gestational diabetes. I am very surprised! Only about 3% of pregnant women get it and I for sure didn't think it would be me!
I am being referred to a peranatologist (is that it? specialist for high risk pregnancies). They are supposed to call me today to set up an appointment. I will be put on a special diet and will have to check my blood several times a day. If the diet itself doesn't work, then I will have to use insulin. I will do whatever they tell me to ensure Liam is as healthy as possible!
Stay tuned . . .
I am being referred to a peranatologist (is that it? specialist for high risk pregnancies). They are supposed to call me today to set up an appointment. I will be put on a special diet and will have to check my blood several times a day. If the diet itself doesn't work, then I will have to use insulin. I will do whatever they tell me to ensure Liam is as healthy as possible!
Stay tuned . . .
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
29 Weeks
This week Liam should weigh about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger (not too big now - love you mommy!) to make room for his developing brain. Not much else is going on. He is just growing and growing.
I am sick! I have a bad cold. I went all winter without getting sick (while everyone around me did) and now that I am getting uncomfortable and into the heat of the summer . . . I get a cold! I called the Dr yesterday and learned that I can take Tylenol Cold, Afrin, Chloraseptic throat spray and cough drops. Of course there is Benadryl too. I have been taking that the past few nights to dry me up and sleep a little better. Last night I learned an ugly fact . . . Benadryl makes restless leg syndrome (RLS) worse (it's all over the Internet - Tylenol PM too! This actually explains why these drugs don't work for me). And RLS is worse during pregnancy anyway. So I had so crazy jimmy legs from about 12 - 3 am! I am really tired and wish I could go home and curl up in bed. MUST. SAVE. SICK. TIME.
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