Sunday, November 30, 2008

PIcs of the mostly complete baby room

Tonight my mother-in-law brought in the rest of the stuff for the room. Crib is up, bedding is on, curtains are up. The letters above the bed were hand-painted by Janet. She also made the picture above the changing table herself. She is so super-creative!!! Everyone has been such a help on the room. All it really needs is a baby. We just need to work on getting the clothes hung up and the closet and bathroom organized. We are getting so close to having a perfectly ready house for the baby.





Friday, November 28, 2008

34 weeks and a delivery date

Went to the doc again Monday and Wednesday as I passed the 34 week barrier.

At both appointment my fluid levels went up even more. I am at a big bad 15 now. They have almost doubled since they first started checking it regularly. However, I still have to keep up the appointments....

While at the doctor we asked him about a more solid delivery date since the fluids have gone up. He said he was thinking the 23rd. Justin and I were pretty adamant on it being after Christmas, for the baby's birthday sake and so I am not in the hospital on Christmas. He said that was fine and we have it scheduled for the 29th. Of course this all hinges on if she does not plan on making an early appearance. He also confirmed our suspicion, that I will be needing a C-section. He said we can try to move her if we like, but in my case it is very unlikely to be successful as she has stayed in the exact same position the entire pregnancy. He said this usually means there is something obstructing her movement. Since we trust his judgment, we are going to see if she does it on her own, but it looks like once I actually go into labor or on the 29th I will be getting a C-section. He made us both laugh though. He said "you know why you do not need to be worried - because I am great at C-Sections. I will give you a good one!" I really do love my doctor. He has a way of calming me down and making me very comfortable with all that has been going on.

So I pretty much have 31 days left until the baby gets here if she waits until then. Crazy. I am going to do everything in my power to make sure I do not force an early delivery.

As of Tuesday I was 34 weeks preggers. Below is what was going on (as well as a picture of my big old self)

34 WEEKS!

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems 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.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Found my crib!!!!

Boy does UPS stink!!!!

A very sweet woman knocked on my door are 9:30 AM. My package was delivered to her house. She was not able to lift it or bring it, but got it in her house yesterday. I asked where in the neighborhood she was. She lives in a different city and neighborhood over 2 miles away. The street names do not even look alike or are similar in any way. The driver screwed up something terrible. I think UPS may hear from my husband and I this afternoon.

This woman is definitely getting a thank you note and gift card. I am glad there are still some very honest people in this world.

So I get my crib in a few hours!!!

Friday, November 21, 2008

My crib may have been stolen

So I was looking so forward to getting my crib all day. I had a long, hard day at work, and all I thought about was getting to put it together and work on the room tomorrow.

It was supposed to be delivered this afternoon. Justin left the house after his lunch break at 4:45 pm. I got home at 7. It was "delivered" at 5:30 pm on the front porch. Except when I got here, it is nowhere to be found. I think in the hour and half it was on the front porch, it was stolen. The company we bought it from did not require a signature.

I called UPS and they said I have to call the shipper and they have to put a trace on it and the require a signature (I guess when they ship it again). Of course the company's phone lines are closed for the weekend.

So, if this was stolen, to whomever has my little girls crib, thanks for taking away something I spent weeks researching and all the overtime I worked the last few weeks to pay for it. You are a true winner.

So here is to emotional pregnant meltdown #5 or 6 of the the last 8 months!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

33 Weeks Pregnant (and doctor update)

I am now 33 weeks pregnant (as of yesterday). It is hard to believe that I will be holding my little angel no later than 7 weeks from now.

My doctor appointments this week:

Monday - specialist - My fluid level went up a little more since Monday last week. I was a strong 10 on Monday. My mother-in-law came with us to this one as she was my ride to work. Annaleigh is still measuring small, but he said that is because she fell behind a while back and will be smaller than average. She is 3 lbs 12 oz right now, but should gain 1/3 to 1/2 pounds every week from here on out. Oh, and she is still breech,

Wed- sono with my OB's technician. My fluid levels were even higher today. A good 11 1/2. Yeah! She said to keep doing what I am doing as it seems to be working. Apparently that is drinking ridiculous amounts of water. The tech also gave us some great pictures for the album. My little one is still butt down with her head right below my belly button and her feet directly above her head by my ribs. So apparently she is likely kneeing me and head- butting me. Maybe I have a little soccer player in there. Justin and I looked at her leg and foot and Justin said "her foot looks big". I laughed, because I was thinking the same thing. The tech said, I do not like to say big anything. She said she prefers "normal". It is just big. We got a good pic of it. I hope to post it soon. She is obviously a Gresham based on her foot size.

Below is what is going on in Week 33 as well as a Week 33 belly picture. The waddling is very noticeable now.....

33 Weeks!!


How your baby's growing:This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. She's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and her skeleton is hardening. The bones in her skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for her to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as her brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Most recent update

Went back to my OB today. I have scheduled my sonos with him for the rest of the pregnancy. He said the 9-10 amnio fluid number is good if it stays at that rate. He said I need to be prepared to go on bed rest at any time, but said he can give me 2-3 days warning to clean my office out and hand off my work.

I also need to be prepared, worst case scenario, that I might need to go into the hospital if my fluid levels drop and stay there for two days at a time until the fluid levels go up. If they do not go up after hospital stays they may need to do an early delivery. Obviously the hospital stuff is a worst case scenario. I am at the mercy of my amniotic fluid levels.

In other news, my fundal measurements went up over 4 cm in one week. Now I am measuring exactly at 32 weeks, right on target. I was over 3 weeks behind on my belly measurements a week ago. I also gained 5 pounds since last week. Hopefully things are turning the corner.

We also asked about my delivery date and he said that he does not imagine I will make it past 38 weeks. Guess what 38 weeks is. Christmas Eve. Yep, that stinks.....

In essence, I need to be ready to have Annaleigh in 4-5 weeks. I can also start trying exercises at home to try and make her flip out of the breech position. He said we will discuss making her move at 37 weeks. So, it is just a waiting game.

I feel so much better about everything after my appointment today. My doctor has a way of making me feel better and more comfortable with what is going on with my baby and body. I still need to take care and be patient, but it looks like our little girl will be in my arms in less than 6 weeks.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Doctor Update and 32 weeks!

I went back to the specialist this morning to check on the fluid levels. I was hoping for this miraculous climb in numbers after drinking the most ridiculous amount of water ever.....but I was not so lucky. It only went up to a 9. I was a 8 last week. So all that water and I did not improve that much. He could not measure growth because it had only been a week and they need two weeks to get really accurate numbers. Annaleigh still looks great at the sonograms, but there are some concerns about the fluid levels. Normal range is 5-25 so I am in the normal, but low end of normal. He told me to keep drinking a ton of water, rest as much as possible, and also start counting fetal movement. I can guarantee that this little one moves 5-7 times an hour. She is also still breech! I am getting closer and closer to a scheduled C-section....

I meet with my OB tomorrow to go over the results. I plan on asking him what this means for delivery date, bed rest potential, etc. I have a feeling it is time to start planning on an earlier delivery than planned. I also am going to talk to HR at my office once I get these answers about all the maternity leave issues. And then start planning on handing over my work at the office. I am informing my bosses no more overtime after today. (have not done a ton, but it stops now). I also want to get a estimate on when he thinks it will happen, so I can make sure mom, dad, and Jarrett are here to meet the new addition to the family.

Overall, what this all means is that my specialist wants me to have two sonograms a week for the rest of the pregnancy. (I am sure my insurance is loving this!) He wants me to go once with the specialist on Mondays and once with my OB on Wednesdays to chart and keep tabs on my fluid levels. I am sure my doc also wants to watch my fundal measurements. If that stops growing it will just be watching her on the growth chart and make sure that she is still packing on the pounds...(sound familiar Lindsay)

On a funny note, the doc did something different. He put this stick on my stomach and said it would tickle. It buzzed/vibrated across my belly and Annaleigh did not like it. She moved and kicked, like "it is 8 AM, what are you doing?" He was looking at her reaction, etc.

The doc reassures me that things are okay now, she looks great and they are just being cautious. It is good to know that I am such good hands. My OB and Specialist are amazing and are so wonderful in taking care of me and my little princess.

So, I will send another update tomorrow, but after that I may only send one a week as necessary based on these appointment. Keep Justin and I (and Annaleigh) in your prayers and thoughts to stay strong and healthy. When she gets here it will be worth all this quality time with my docs. (who are becoming my new best friends - HA)

32 week!

How your baby's growing:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Busy week!

Long time no write!!!

Sorry it took so long to write but I have had a very busy and adventurous week. Last Tuesday I hit the 31 week mark. That morning I had a follow-up with my specialist and a regular appointment the next day with my OB. I did not receive the greatest news....

My amnio fluid levels were somewhat low according to the sono, so I was ordered to drink a ton of water to try and get the levels back up. Usually it is due to dehydration, but I had also gotten this terrible cold, which might effect it. If the levels do not go up, something else is wrong. I go back tomorrow AM to see if they improved, and if they did not, then I will discuss what is going on with my OB on Wed. She is also still a very breech baby. I have two more week tomorrow for her to move and then my doctor and I will discuss my options, which I imagine is a c-section.
Then I had my regular check-up with my OB and something else is going on. My uterus (fundal measurements) have more or less stalled. Due to this with the low amnio level I have been qualified as a high risk pregnancy with a risk to deliver early. He said my measurement could improve if my fluid levels go up. This may be the reason she has not flipped as well. Not as much to flip in. Also, my BH contractions have been hurting and those may improve. In other words, I need to get my fluid levels up.
I guess my biggest fear at this point is going on bedrest (other than early delivery). If that is the case, then I will lose up to half of my maternity leave to sitting on my butt. Also, my mom and dad may not be here if they have to deliver early. I need her to cook some more!!!

For the fun news....I had my first shower on Wed. after work. The ladies at my office threw the most amazing gorgeous shower. I got such incredible stuff. I am truly blessed to work with such an amazing group of people. Annaleigh is going to be the most stylish baby in town!

As the week progressed I learned that I gave my husband, my mother-in-law, and a co-worker my cold. Aren't I nice. Bad thing is they are all still terribly sick and I got over mine in two days. I think maybe the vitamins and he constant water flushed it out of my system. I feel so bad about getting everyone sick. Over the weekend I rested and tried to get some well-needed rest. Like the doctor wanted me to. I hope that work is not so nutty this week so I can do the same throughout the week.

Well, I go back to the doc in the morning and I will get an update on here by Wednesday at the latest. Hopefully it is really good news. Please pray for my little one, as well as my uterus and fluid levels. I need it to get bigger and full of more fluids!

Below was the 31 week update and I will post the 32 week update tomorrow.

31 weeks!

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath her skin. She's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Working on Annaleigh's nursery!

So my in-laws came over this morning and Justin and I worked with them until he had to go to work. Then, I tried to help as much as possible after he left, but my feet and legs have been so swollen I had to keep taking breaks. Joe and Janet are amazing and put this all together. Janet has such a creative eye. I can not wait to get the crib and accessories in there, including some pretty brown curtains to bring out the brown in the bedding. It feels so much more real the more stuff like this we do.

The pictures do not do the room justice as it is a lot darker in the pics. The striped wall is the main wall when you walk in the room. The chair rail and pink/green combo is on the other three walls. Thanks Joe and Justin for adding the chair rail. It makes the room gorgeous!

Hope the pictures can show you all how awesome Annaleigh's room will be!

BABY ROOM: Before....


After the first color and taping....


Joe adding the chair rail.


Adding the stripes to the wall where the crib will be.


BABY ROOM AFTER- I really Love this room. We will start accessorizing soon....brown curtain, crib and bedding. Here we come!

30 week belly pic.

This is me at 30 weeks and three days....can we say enormous.....