Reflections

I have rewritten this at least 4 times. I'm having a lot of difficulty expressing myself and reflecting my time over this pregnancy. Maybe because it is, dare I say, our last planned pregnancy. While it is getting incredibly uncomfortable being this large, I am also sad to see this phase of my life end. This, of course, does not mean end to the Ski Babies. We, if we decide to have more babies, will adopt. It is just that my body cannot physically handle any more pregnancy after the complications of having Libby and TJ. They are our little miracles and we are grateful to have them, and I am very happy to have experienced two pregnancies. So as I go down memory lane, keep in mind that I am a 38.5 week, emotional pregnant lady and only have 5 days left of this pregnancy.

Finding Out
We decided in spring of 2009 that we wanted to have another baby. In fact that is all I talked about with my loving, patient husband. Unfortunately we also wanted to put our house up for sale. For those that have never had their house up for sale while having a small child, it is an experience I wouldn't wish on anyone. We exhausted ourselves keeping the house clean and did many a nap time in the car so that Libby could still sleep while we were doing open houses or our limited house showings. This, unfortunately, stressed me out where we didn't have much luck trying for our newest babe. Months went by and it was discouraging me. We were able to become pregnant on month one with Libby so this was foreign to me and I thought me being almost 3 years older was hurting our chances. In July we finally found a buyer and he wanted to act quickly. Luckily we found a house and people that wanted to move out quickly too so by August we were in our new house. December 6th we found out we were pregnant and were obviously thrilled. Of course my OCD didn't make that enjoyment last long as I fretted that the test was a false positive and then proceeded to buy every pregnancy test in the store over the next week. After a few more weeks I became comfortable that there definitely was a baby in there and then became the natural worries that come along with pregnancies as we waited for our first ultrasound. First, though we had to decide how to handle our Dr situation.

Changing Doctors
Our OB with Libby was...how can I put this nicely...was not the best. Yeah, ok. That'll work. She had an old school mentality and handled pregnant women with absolutely no complications easily. However, I wasn't one of those patients as my blood pressure tends to go a wee bit high during pregnancies. So we had to make a decision on whether to switch Drs or not. Actually, it wasn't a question of "if" but "who" should we go to. We had switched health insurance companies since Libby was born and I was hoping that would help me pick a Dr I hadn't seen before and one closer to home. Luckily I found one 15 minutes away from our new house and interviewed them via the phone. I spent a good 20-30 minutes asking detailed questions on how they would have handled my first pregnancy and what their approach would be with the second given my history. Honestly, I was waiting to see if they thought I was a crazy person or if they treated me like I was an intelligent woman. When they did the latter I knew I had found my new OB. It was the best decision I could have ever made as they have made this experience so much better and I feel so much more confident that this baby is going to be healthy. It's great being able to trust your doctors.

Two steps forward, two steps back
This pregnancy was very different than with Libby. With her I had complications in the beginning with some spotting and then my blood pressure issues began to show up about the half way point. The benefit of a second pregnancy is you can use the information of the first to engage in a sort of defensive dance against the complications from the first. I have never been stuck with a needle to do blood tests so many times in my life. I even had to become best friends with a huge orange tub that I had to pee in for 24 hours - twice. Lets just say I was willing to do whatever they told me to do. It was working too. I was making it without swelling or blood pressure issues. My weight was staying decent (for me) and I just knew everything was going to be smoother this time. Unfortunately we began seeing a trend that my blood pressure was creeping up around week 28. Instead of waiting to see what happened, my OB ordered a whole menu of blood tests, had me do my second 24 urine test (hello BFF Big Orange!), and had me go to a perinatal unit to begin a series of twice a week appointments that I am still going to. Now I had not one but TWO Doctors helping me carry this baby to term.

Perinatal Unit
I have never been to, nor heard of, a perinatal unit. The staff there couldn't believe I hadn't been to one with my first baby given that when I delivered Libby my blood pressure was in the 200s over 100s. I got tired of trying to find a way to nicely explain my situation the first time and just stuck to my standard "my Dr and I didn't really agree on my condition." The first time I went to the perinatal unit I was terrified. I didn't know what to expect. I knew it was what was best for me and our baby boy but I was still nervous. What were they going to do? Was I going to be on medications? Would they believe me? That was a constant fear. Because nothing was ever documented with my first showing how truly bad my blood pressure was getting, it was my word against the previous Doctor. Luckily these Drs all listened to me and treated me like I wasn't insane. And so began my many, many trips to the perinatal unit. I have my last appointment on Monday and I am actually going to miss some of the nurses there. They are so kind. Yes, I realize it is their job to make you feel at ease but they do it so effortlessly. There is one nurse, Mimi, especially that I have bonded with. We swap stories about our kiddos since my oldest is similar to hers when she was younger, and she's always giving me advice on things to keep her active. I really owe these wonderful nurses a big thanks because I believe they have helped me make it this far in my pregnancy. I honestly think I could make it to 40 weeks, if my OB wanted me to, thanks to them and their constant care.

Nerves
I thought I would be nervous about the prospect of having two kids and having to juggle them both at the same time. I'm honestly not. The only thing I am nervous about is the epidural. Honestly. That giant needle haunts me at night. Once I get past that point I am going to relax a lot. Even with complications, it is still on my mind.  For example, on Monday my amniotic fluid levels were very low. They warned me that I could deliver in the next day or so if the levels didn't go back up. All I could think about was how my baby may not be ok and that epidural needle. Even in a potential crisis that thing still scares me!

Next Chapter
Although I am not sleeping very well I do day dream a lot. I dream about holding my baby boy and hugging my little girl at the same time. I'm tearing up just thinking about it. I wonder what he is going to look like. Will I finally get one that looks even remotely like me or is Jim going to have another clone like Libby was? How big is he going to be? Will he have hair? I will only have to wait 5 more days to find out. I cannot wait to start this next chapter of our life with our newest baby.

Freakshow Momma

Towards the end of your pregnancy you start to notice that things don't fit like they used to. Shirts cannot accommodate your gigantic belly anymore. You notice the steering wheel of your car is somehow too close to you for comfort. You cannot get in and out of booths at restaurants anymore. Ah, on that let me elaborate a bit.

Jim and I do a weekly date night where we drop Libby off at his parent's house and then go out for a few hours. This week it wasn't going to work out so we decided to take Libby out to dinner with us. She likes going to restaurants but we don't take her that often because the girl won't eat. Instead she likes to focus on the salt/pepper shakers or dumping sugar in our drinks and not allowing us to eat. On this occasion though, we wanted to take her with us and decided to go to a place she liked and we knew she would eat at. So off we went and were seated quickly in a table that was half a booth/half chairs...by the bar...with a man smoking a very heavy cigarette right behind us. While I was thrilled to have Libby trapped in a booth type environment but me having the flexibility of having a chair to scoot out as far as my belly needed me to be, I could not handle the smoke. I do not like to be one of those people that make a scene. In fact, I hate people noticing me at all. So here we are and I have to make a decision whether to handle the smoke or move. I chose moving because after less than 2 minutes my head was already throbbing.

Off we went with the poor guy that would have been our waiter to our new table...or should I say booth. Booths are tricky with me. I never know whether I am going to fit or not and I usually casually joke about it with the person seating us but he high tailed it out of there so fast I couldn't catch him. Libby and Jim got settled in and I attempted to sit. Got up and attempted again. And again. I couldn't fit. The table didn't move. I was in trouble. Then walks in our new waitress. She said she would see if they could figure something out for me and I am turning bright red at this point. I decided to just go for it and squeezed myself in. The baby was not happy and immediately let me know it by readjusting himself onto my bladder. So, yes, I had to go to the bathroom almost immediately after sitting down. The waitress came back and asked if I was ok because honestly, I should have taken a picture, but I was squeezed in there pretty tight. I had to slouch to even fit. I told her I didn't want to cause any more trouble and we would just stay there. Meanwhile my bouncing baby boy was bouncing on my bladder and I didn't even want to think about that until I looked over at my little girl across the table from me tearing up and turning red. I knew that face - dirty diaper time. Boy was I thrilled. For one thing, I knew for a fact that the restaurant did not have a changing table in the men's room so I would have to find a way to get out of the table. The other was I would have to lift my somewhat heavy (36+lb) girl onto a changing table by myself. So now came the challenge of getting *out* of the booth. Jim was very helpful by saying I need to think of it like a game of tetris. Meanwhile I look over and see the single guy sitting in the booth next to us watching me, laugh and smile. Yeah, that's what I want to see people watching me move my belly around so that I can physically get out of the booth. Well, I thankfully find a way so that Jim doesn't have to pull me out of there.

Libby gets changed. I make the baby happy (?) by reducing the size of my bladder. Then I return to the table to find my yummy salad at the table. I purposely ask for salad dressing on the side because it reduces the risk of me spilling it all over me. Unfortunately this didn't happen this time and within 5 seconds of me sitting in front of it I smear salad dressing all over my chest. Luckily this was the last thing that occurred in the restaurant and I was able to get out of the booth just fine when it was time to go. Sadly, I still had to get to my car and encounter the people around me. I had almost made it to my car when I saw that a giant white escalate was parked on my side. Very closely to my door. So I am thinking at this point I am doomed to never leave here and be squeezed in and out of everything only to hear a very loud whistle behind me. I jumped (because I am a scaredy cat) and then heard a man say, "WOW! Do you need me to follow you around with a catcher's mitt?" Honest to God. I turned bright red and said no but thanks knowing I had no where to run because I didn't even know if I could squeeze into my car thanks to the car parked poorly next to me blocking me in. Thankfully I did squeeze in and then once my family was in the car I told my hubby we are NOT eating out until after the baby is born.

So, if you ever see a very pregnant woman just politely ignore her size and do not stare. And do not whistle at her. And do not park crooked near a mini van that you suspect has small children. That's just mean.

Week 28 Update

Jim and I had a lot to process from last Friday's appointment.  My main thing I wanted to avoid was bed rest.  Obviously I would do whatever allowed the baby to "cook" longer but I was dreading getting the labs back from all of the lovely tests I took over the weekend and Monday.  Today was the big day to go in and see the Dr to find out how I did.  Everything went really well.  My blood pressure was still a little high for normal people but for me, it was decent (especially recently)...and was a bit higher than what it had been at home.  You see, I have the "pleasure" of taking my blood pressure a couple of times daily and logging the readings.  It's fun and doesn't at all make me freak out more...not at all. =)  Actually it isn't that bad but it is always on my mind which defeats the point.  So I knew what to expect when I got into the Dr office today as far as my BP goes...the labs on the other hand I wasn't sure about.  Everything came back normal except for my platelets which were low.  The Dr explained that was normal in cases where preggo's BPs are higher.  I don't show any signs of toxemia or pre-eclampsia so no bed rest for me...yet.  She also explained that our new goal is to make it to 37 weeks.  So that could possibly knock of 2 weeks of "cooking".  There was also the warning of what the high risk Dr will be looking for.  He/She will be looking for whether TJ will be growing at the right rate over the next few weeks.  If he doesn't, then they will need to decide if he would do better out in the world versus in.  I'm not worrying about that...I cannot control that.  All I can do for now is to relax and stay at home and off my feet as much as possible.  So that's what I am doing.  I have my first appointment on Friday with the high risk Dr.  They are going to take another ultrasound of TJ.  I must admit I like getting to see him and I love the level of care we are getting.  Good Drs are awesome.  Just awesome.  More to come after Friday's appointment about how everything is going.

STL Vampires?

That's right folks. We have vampires in St. Louis. Well, not really but it sure felt like it yesterday when I went to take my glucose test done. After I waited for the hour needed, I eventually was called back to get the blood drawn. I have "rolling veins" where my vein will be there one second and then the next it may disappear. I told my vampire that to warn her. She didn't listen. I'm not sure if she thought I just didn't think she could do her job or what...but I was the one that was hurt by her not paying attention. The vampire began trying to find a vein and eventually found one in my left arm. For a second or two it looks like everything was going to be fine but then I heard her grunting and felt sharp pains in my arm. Now, I have had a lot of blood work done but I still cannot watch while they do it. It creeps me out. So when I started to feel her moving the needle in the arm in hopes to find the vein again I knew I was doomed. So the vampire pulled the needle out and asked me if I was nervous. I explained calmly, "No. I am not nervous. I have a lot of experience with getting this done but 1) I have been sitting here for over a half an hour while 26 weeks pregnant and I have to use the restroom and 2) It kind of hurts a lot when you are rooting around in my arm WITH A NEEDLE. So she let me get up and use the restroom. When I returned, the vampire had another needle ready for me and went after my right arm. She jammed it in after saying she found an "ok" vein and then starting to move the need around AGAIN. She didn't get any blood out. AT. ALL. I was getting pretty irritated at this time because I knew my arms would be sore the rest of the day and we only had one vile barely 1/4 of the way filled with the rest of that one + another one to do still. Then she asked for my hand. There was no way on this planet I was letting her put a needle in my hand. I've done that before and it hurts beyond belief. I told her to try the right arm again because it is usually the one that cooperates better. Lets just say the vampire was not happy with me and she wanted me out of there. She tried again and was unsuccessful. Away she went to get another co-worker to help her pick a vein. She's "never had this happen before." All I can do is look down at my arms bleeding horribly now and sigh. In comes another vampire, the receptionist, who apparently can also draw blood. They began to argue about what was and was not a vein. At this point I put my head in my left hand and hear the new vampire say, "I'll just do it." Followed by the original saying, "But you don't know where the vein" AND JAM! Shooting pain. And then the vile was full and I left with the original one saying, "I hope we have enough blood to run this first test."


Needless to say I had bandages everywhere and now bruises everywhere. I just hope they had enough of my blood. Bad vampires.

Sciatic huh?

For the past few nights I have had the worst time getting comfortable.  My lower back has been killing me and it was difficult to lay down without crying out in pain.  After waking up in pain every 30-45 minutes, I finally called the Dr today.  They believe it is sciatic nerve causing me fits.  Wikipedia says:

The sciatic nerve (also known as the ischiadic nerve and the ischiatic nerve) is a large nerve fiber in humans and other animals. It begins in the lower back and runs through the buttock and down the lower limb. It is the longest and widest single nerve in the human body

I agree it is the longest nerve in the body because when the pain starts it seems to go forever.  Sadly with this being the cause of my pain, this means there is nothing I can do to fix this other than muffle it with massages, heat, cold, and tylenol.  So, for the next 13 weeks I am just going to try to manage the pain.  The good news is the kiddo doesn't seem to be impacted...other than knowing his mom is a complete spaz.  I have a pretty high pain tolerance but this is beating me.  I think it is because of the lack of sleep.  If I can just get a little bit more, I know I can ignore this constant throbbing when I sit or lay down.  It's a good thing I don't sit much at work...oh wait.  *sigh*.  Three months to go! =)

Sleep Training

I didn't expected to get a lot of sleep with this pregnancy. I remembered with Libby how little I was getting towards the end. Honestly, I haven't a full, decent night's sleep since being pregnant with Libby 3 years ago. Not complaining because it is my own fault. =) In any case, I have recently had the "pleasure" of hip pain when I lay down. It started out really mild and I could take it but last night I could barely lay down without crying out in pain. Sadly, this makes the baby go insane because he knows his momma is not happy and begins to wiggle around. Yeah, that doesn't help AT ALL and makes it 10x's worse. I never had this with Libby. I pretty much think it is because she was so high and he is sooo low. I'm still getting used to the fact he's so low because it definitely makes for a completely different pregnancy. So I am counting this lack of sleep for sleep training when the baby is born. I am so far used to getting up every hour to use the restroom or roll over and then waking up at 3:00 or 3:30 AM to start my day. I'm ready kiddo - bring. it. on. =)

Nesting or OCD?

I have issues of obsessing. Pick a thing and I have probably obsessed about it. My habit is to plan something, rethink the plan a million times, pick one option, and then I have to do it ASAP like I am running out of time. So with a baby on the way, you can only imagine what my poor husband has to put up with. We spent weeks if not months of me talking with him about baby monitors and strollers. What we'll do the day of the planned c-section. Options in case we deliver early. Seriously, he's a saint for putting up with me sometimes.

So it shouldn't come as a surprise that I can say we are nearly done with preparing for the newest Ski member. With Libby, I had no idea what I really needed. Plus, you have showers with your first so you don't really buy a lot until you see what you do or do not get from those. With this one, we have a better grasp of what we will need. And, because I am lazy or smart (take your pick but I prefer the latter ;)), I chose to do the bulk of my much needed boy shopping online. Because I didn't have to wait and find time to go to the store without my shopaholic daughter and drag my hubby (who hates to shop), this was a perfect solution. The result is boxes upon boxes in our dining room. It is the "staging ground" for everything baby related. Once I have everything washed and ready, then they move up to TJ's room.

So am I crazy? Am I nesting? Don't get me wrong...I still have things to do. But as far as my credit card is concerned? I won't be using it for awhile for the kiddo. We just have curtains to buy and new hardware and that is it. Everything else just needs to get washed/cleaned and put away. And, sadly, I am already planning when and how I can do that and have changed mine mind 3 times. See...crazy. =)

Oh so tired

I am amazed how tired I am. I never took naps (until the end) with my pregnancy with Libby but with this kiddo I want one every single day. Last night I even fell asleep about 6:30ish on the couch while Jim and Libby were playing in the same room by me. Unfortunately falling asleep near Libby is sometimes dangerous. I was woken up by my darling daughter swinging a flashlight over my head. Doesn't that sound fun?

I'm hoping this is another thing that ends in a few weeks when I am done with the first trimester. It's hard to focus on things in the afternoon if I haven't had a nap because I am just so tired. Even when I wake up from sleeping at night, I am not really rested. Last night I was able to sleep for 6 hours straight...that is the first time in months that I have been able to do that. Normally I am waking up every 2-3 hours to go to the bathroom. I wish I was kidding. I think this is boot camp for when the baby wants to eat every few hours.

So for now I am going to nap when I can and have to majorly find a way to thank my dear husband for picking up the slack while I am worthless asleep on the couch. =) I guess I can't say I am worthless though since I am growing our baby, right? =)

Round 2

You would think I would know what I was doing since this isn't my first rodeo but I don't. This pregnancy is kicking my butt. Maybe I was in such a state of euphoria with Libby that I was oblivious to being run down and nauseous but I don't think so. This baby, who is now 9 weeks old and the size of a grape, is seriously impacting the way I do anything and everything. My poor daughter doesn't know why Mommy can only play with her in the morning because I have no energy by the evening (even with naps which I am totally taking this time and didn't the last). I would say the difference is because I have another child but that isn't true. Jim has picked up most of my responsibilities because I just can't do it right now. Maybe it is because I am a few years older? Maybe. I wouldn't think 3 years would make that much of a difference but I am turning the big three-zero this year. That's when you are supposed to fall apart, right?

Maybe I just forgot what it was like or this time around my body is just reacting differently. I am doing things differently this time.

• I am not giving into every craving.
• I switched Drs. I couldn't imagine going through another pregnancy with my old doctor. She was the one that said I was causing my high blood pressure if you remember. This new doctor is fabulous and an added bonus is 15 minutes away from my house. AND we get to deliver the baby at the hospital close to our house. AND we already have a c-section scheduled for 8/11 (assuming no issues that would make me need one earlier). Have I mentioned I love this doctor? She thinks just like me.
• I am working out. Well, I was before this latest wave of nausea. I hope to pick it back up later this week. I figure once I get the 2nd trimester things will get better (right? baby in my belly, please say yes!).
• Tracking my blood pressure daily. With my handy dandy iphone app, I can track my blood pressure easier so I don't have to use the old fashion pen/paper that I always lose. =)
• Salt - I am trying to avoid my good friend Mr. Salt. It helps that everything (and I do mean everything) tastes too salty to me so I don't want to eat it. That's my baby telling me that food is a no-no apparently.
  

All in all it is a very, very different pregnancy but some things are the same.

• Went to Florida during my pregnancy with Libby and did it again with this one.
• Sinus infection got me my first trimester with Libby and it hit me with this one right out of the gate (week 5 or 6).
• Quickly expanding. I am not getting as big as fast as with the last (due to me not eating everything in sight) but it is still faster than I would like.
• Enhanced smelling - I guess I forgot how much better you smell with your sniffer when you are preggo but oh my gosh I did not have diapers to deal with the last time! EWWW!! I cannot even stand the smell of the wet diapers on Libby. Poor Jim is having to change her now because I just gag too bad with them.
• Hormones - I know guys hate this word but yikes. I am sad one minute, happy the next, mad the next...it would be helpful for me to have a roadmap so my poor husband knows what mood I am going to be in the next hour.
• Drool. Oh the drool. Apparently you drool more when you are pregnant and I definitely fall into that category.
  

We get to go to the dr tomorrow to hear the heart beat and talk more baby stuff so I am excited. Keep growing little baby!

Week 25

No real updates this week...baby is getting bigger and stronger. Sleeping is getting tricky because I can't make it even 2 hours w/o having to get up from the dancer using my bladder as a spring board. I'm not complaining though...I like knowing when she is awake. =)

In family news....

• My sister had a shower last week and it was so great to see her and her husband, Adam, so happy. They received so many wonderful things and their little one is going to be so happy. =)
• My cousin has a shower next week and I currently have 4 cousins on my Dad's side that are pregnant. 3 of us will all have our babies between Sept 3rd and October 6th. The other will be coming in January. It is so awesome to think that these kids will get to be about the same age and grow up together.

I think that pretty much sums up week 25!

Week 24: Karate Kid

Jim and I have decided that we're growing a future karate kid. She kicks up a storm now, and I pretty much always know where she is. I'm constantly reminded that this will be the only time I will know where she is all of the time. =)

In any case, this kid is a mover and a shaker. She also likes to poke me. I find it adorable but I have heard that it gets annoying after awhile..I have a hard time believing that. Being able to feel her is my favorite part of the pregnancy and makes everything worth while. She is kicking so hard now she can actually move my entire belly. We noticed it Monday or Tuesday of this week while I was watching TV. It is definitely one form of entertainment. =)

Week 23

It is very hard for me to realize that I've almost been pregnant for 6 months. That is something that baffles me is the math. But in any case, according to that I'm 6 months pregnant tomorrow.


Last Saturday friends surprised Jim and me with a shower. It was so sweet and such a surprise! I almost missed it because of work...but I still made it! If you guys are reading this, thanks again. Jim and I appreciated it SO much!!

Not much else has happened this week...again with the kicking. The latest trick is when I put my laptop near my stomach, she will kick it away. How adorable! She doesn't want Mommy to work either. =)

I'm being reminded that I still have not posted any pictures...I promise to do so soon...really.... =)

Week 22 Review

Not much has happened this week. Baby is definitely getting stronger...she is kicking so hard now she can actually move things away from my stomach that are sitting on it. It is pretty cute. =)

Jim is making a habit of talking to my tummy. We're trying to have her recognize our voices now...we'll see how that works. =)

My favorite thing about the pregnancy so far is feeling the baby kick. It is the most amazing thing and when it happens I just feel such a connection. Definitely work putting up with the swollen feet this summer. =)

Week 21 Review

What can I say about this week? Kicking, kicking, and more kicking. Nothing else really happened. I just keep getter bigger and bigger and happier and happier. =) (seems a little backwards)

Week 20: Best week EVER!

So this was the big week. Jim's Dad - don't look!

This week we found out the sex of the baby. We were so excited to know! That day was the longest day too. The Doctor's office called me in the morning and said that the doctor had a woman in labor so my appointment might need to be rescheduled. Well, I turned into a basket case (Jim and my Mom can speak to that). I had my hopes up so high to find out that I didn't know what I would do with myself if I couldn't find out that day. It all worked out though...we went to our appointment (which was supposed to be at 5:00). We got there and waited...and waited...and waited...until about 5:40 when they finally took us back to the little ultrasound room where we waited...and waited...and waited until someone finally came back around 6:10ish to start the ultrasound.

So if that wasn't bad enough when the doctor first got a look at our little bundle of joy she said the words I was dreading to hear, "Oh, ok so the baby is breach and has his or her hands 'down there'." That was not the news I wanted to hear after waiting so long. But as you can see from the pictures below, the baby woke up and then (what you can't tell) became a complete SPAZ like her Mommy. She was ALL over the place. The doctor had a horrible time getting her to stay still long enough to take her measurements. All I found out that all of her organs are good and is completely healthy and 'normal'. =) I was so relieved. Now we just had to find out the sex. Well, that wasn't too tricky after she became a crazy baby moving all over the place. She gave us a perfect shot of 'her stuff' and we knew she was a girl.

Not only was this week great to know that the baby is healthy and a girl, I could also feel her moving around a lot more and she is beginning to kick/punch more often. My stomach is beginning to actually move now so if I can time it right, Jim can actually feel her move. We haven't been lucky so far but eventually! I'm starting to figure out what the baby likes and dislikes and what will get her moving...so we'll see what can happen. Chili is awesome to get her to move.

In any case, here are the ultrasound pictures. Enjoy!

Elizabeth sleeping...

Showing us her stuff!

We woke her up. =)

It's a....

Well, if you don't want to know what we're going to have please stop reading NOW (ahem, Jim's Dad)...





Well, Ladies and Gentlemen we're going to have a....




GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!! =)
So expect Elizabeth Ann on (or around) 10.06.07!

Week 19: Review

Well I finally buckled down and but a ton of maternity clothes. The belly is very obvious now and 'normal' clothes were not working.

Not much else happened this week. My sister managed to track down her very own machine to hear the baby's heartbeat so we got to have my parent's listen to Erin's baby and mine last weekend. That was a truly awesome Mother's Day present for everyone involved!! I must say that once I learned we could get one of these machines on our own I made it my mission to find one. There are lots available and they vary in quality but for now we are not getting one. They are pretty cool though. =)

You know certain woman just look absolutely gorgeous pregnant? And just as happy as can be? My sister is one of those people. Each time I see her I am amazed how absolutely wonderful she looks!! In just two weeks, her belly has grown so much. I cannot wait to see my little niece/nephew this fall. =)

This coming week is the big week of hopefully knowing if 'it' is a boy or girl. So stay tuned. If you don't want to know, I'll try to post it where you won't be able to easily tell. =)

Nursery

So the nursery is done! Jim and I were able to put everything together. I think it looks awesome!

Week 18: The week of movement

This was the first week I felt a true kick. It kind of took me by surprise. Saturday morning I woke up because I felt something strange in my tummy. This kid is going to be a soccer player or something. He/she calmed down the rest of the week until Thursday. The little guy waited until my big daily meeting to kick with both feet at separate times - one right after another - and totally throw me off guard. It is very strange to all of a sudden go from these bubbles to these actual kicks. I am hoping to have them be more often soon so Jim/Dad can join in the fun too.

This week we also went to the doctor. They listened to the baby's heartbeat and she was able to find it a lot quicker this time. I think it helped that my heart rate wasn't sky high this time. =) Everything was good and in less than 2 weeks we'll (hopefully) know if it is a boy or a girl. Everyone keeps asking me if I want a boy or girl. Honestly, I have no opinion. I just want to have the baby be healthy and see it. Everything is becoming so real now. The crib came in this week ... so I know he or she is coming and I just keep counting down. =)

Week 17

Baby is definitely growing stronger. I could feel it doing flips this week and it was wonderful. Someone asked me what it felt like and how I knew it was the baby - well, I just knew. It felt like my belly was a glass and someone was blowing bubbles through a straw in it. It was a constant flutter.

I keep getting asked why there are no pictures on this site of my growing belly...well, because I am huge. =) In any case, I will try to post some in the next coming weeks.