Belly Pics and Nursery Update

This has been a very busy few weeks! We had our preparation for birth classes this weekend. I can't say I was thrilled with the class but we at least got a tour out of it.

Last week was one whirlwind of finishing up the nursery. I still need to get the final updated pictures now that the bedding is done. In the past week and a half we've:

• completed painting
• arranged the furniture
• laundered all baby items
• organized the closet and dresser
• bought a bookcase and put the books on it
• painted the nightstand
• sewn the bedding & put it on the crib
• sewn and put up curtains

Still to be completed:

• decide on wall decor and put up
• create a mobile
• buy whatever supplies are still needed
• buy storage boxes or canvas crates for bookcase

I have to give Y and my Mom credit. Y's worked hard on the painting, putting together furniture, and moving all those heavy items I can't lift. My Mom has done an amazing job on the bedding and has been a big help in just helping me get things organized and completed. Thanks, Mom & Y!!!

Last, and certainly not least, my 30 week belly pictures. This was after 6 hours spent in a birthing class. I was tired and a wee bit uncomfortable so ignore any odd looks on my face!

30 Weeks! 70 Days To Go!!

Wow, I can't believe I'm at 30 weeks already! The exhaustion I should have had during the first trimester seems to have hit now in the third trimester. By the time afternoon and early evening rolls around, I'm ready for bed. When I do go to bed I'm quickly asleep. Of course I wake every few hours to go pee but a kid sitting on your bladder will do that to you. Add to that the Little Miss likes to be active throughout the night while I'm trying to sleep does not make for a very rested Mom.

Here's what's happening with the Little Miss this week:
She is now 15.7 inches long from head to heel and weighs about the same as a head of cabbage at 3 pounds. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in my uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision - which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face.

I'll be posting a nursery update and new belly pics in the next few days. My Mom has been hard at work sewing the bedding and the painting was completed last Saturday.

29 Weeks (and 2 days)!

75 Days to go from today...Wow!!

Here's what's happening with the Little Miss this week:

The Little Miss now weighs about 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 pounds, or about the weight of a butternut squash. She is now over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. To meet her increasing nutritional demands, I need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid and iron. About 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in the Little Miss' hardening skeleton each day during this final trimester.

In other happenings, I'm beginning to become very uncomfortable at night while sleeping. I'm trying out a pregnancy pillow but so far all it's done is make me even warmer at night. I'll give it a few more nights before I decide if something else is needed.

The nursery painting has begun and should be finished this weekend. We chose a color called Roasted Sesame Seed. It's a brownish/goldish/yellowish color. Y began painting last weekend. I did a bit of trimming but he's done the majority of the painting himself. It's taking longer than it should since we have to work around the furniture in the room. We have to do sections at a time, let them dry, move the furniture and then begin on the next section. Three of the four walls are complete. The one remaining is the highest wall and will be the most difficult to complete.

My Mom arrived on Tuesday. She's here to work on the bedding, help us get the nursery set up and things ready around the house. She did a quick second coat of painting on one of the walls and has helped with a few things around the house so far. Once the painting is complete, she'll get started on sewing the bedding.

Last, and certainly not least, this week's belly shots. It seems like I've gotten even bigger in just a week!

What I want for our daughter....

People are always making comments about all the pinks and purples that will soon be appearing in our house, all the Disney Princess items that she will fall in love with, or how our daughter will be the next great ballerina.

You know what? Our daughter can do anything she would like to do (outside of the sex industry that is. Although, I have to admit, I hear they make good money). If our daughter would like to be the first female kicker/punter for her high school football team, we'll support her 100%. If she wants to be a rocket scientist, we'll buy her rockets and try to help her with those advanced math and science classes. If our daughter wants to be a writer, we'll provide all the paper she could ask for. If she wants to be a ballerina, then by all means she'll be enrolled in the best dance studio we can find. If our daughter wants to be the next Jennie Finch playing softball, not only will her Dad be thrilled, but we'll be there to cheer her on at every game.

The point is, I want our daughter to be happy. I want her to love being who she is whether it be a rocket scientist or a ballerina. I want our daughter to be happy in her own skin, to be confident, and to know that no matter what path she chooses in life, we'll be there to support her. You can't ask for much more than that.

Test Results and Appointment update

I had my 28 week appointment today. I PASSED the Glucose Tolerance Test!!! The results came back well within the normal range. All blood work was also normal so no more worries of anemia or other issues.

I've gained 2 more pounds for a grand total of 11 pounds gained so far. My blood pressure was excellent and my belly is measuring right at 28cm...exactly where it should be at 28 weeks.

My OB also received the final report on the NSTs and said everything was completely normal with the testing so that was just confirming what the perinatologist said at my last NST. I also received my injection of Rhogham since I'm Rh-.

I return in 3 weeks, on October 3rd, for my next appointment.

Now, I think I deserve one of these treats don't you think??

28 Week Belly Pictures

28 Weeks and 1 Day to be specific.

28 Weeks! 84 Days to Go!

Nothing much new to report this week. I have an appointment on Friday where I will hopefully find out the results of my Glucose Tolerance Test. I'm praying I passed as I really don't want to endure the 3-hour knowing how sick the 1-hour test made me! I'll also receive my Rh immunoglobulin injection since I'm Rh-.

The Little Miss is moving like crazy. Her favorite times to be active are when I'm trying to settle into bed for the night and anytime between 4am and 8am. Now that I'm in the third trimester my Little Miss To-Do list is seeming even more important as the days and weeks remaining keep dwindling quickly. We picked out the paint for the nursery and will begin painting this weekend. We chose a golden yellow color called Roasted Sesame Seed. My Mom arrives next week to begin sewing the bedding and helping us get the finishing touches together on the room since I'm limited to the things I can do now.

In other developments, the Little Miss weighs about 2 1/4 pounds, about the size of a Chinese cabbage. She measures nearly 15 inches from the top of her head to the heel of her foot. She can blink her eyes which now also sport eyelashes. The hair on her head is also growing and becoming more visible. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through my womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world. Previous to this week her brain was smooth. With more neurons developing, her brain is forming more grooves and indentations along its surface.

Belly Pics and Glucose Tolerance Testing

I went for my Glucose Tolerance Test today. I was given about 8-10 ounces of pure (flavored) sugar water, otherwise known as Glucola. I had 5 minutes to consume the bottle of Glucola. I had to laugh when I was given the choice between Orange or Fruit Punch flavors. When I asked which was better, the technician laughed and said "They're both horrible." I opted for orange. For those of you never having had the joy of experiencing Glucola, go find yourself the nearest McDonalds, ask for an orange soda then add about a cup of sugar to it. That's what orange-flavored Glucola tastes like. I couldn't move around for the hour-long test, nor was I allowed more than a few sips of water. Movement, lots of water, and of course food would scew the results. So I sat. For an hour. I tried reading but the lab was so busy I couldn't focus for more than a few minutes at a time. The Little Miss didn't get too active until the last few minutes of the hour. I had severe heartburn shortly after consuming the bottle of Glucola but felt otherwise okay......until I hit the 2 hour post-Glucola- consumption hour. At that point I started getting really queasy. I was told not to consume any other sugar today as I'd had about two days worth of sugar in that one drink. Ick! No wonder I felt so icky. I've yet to knock the queasiness and general icky feeling (Can I use the word icky any more?). In fact, my attempts at eating dinner were met with immediate revolting from my stomach (Hence the not so thrilled look on my face in the belly pics.). I'm really, really hoping I pass this one-hour test. If I don't, I have to return for a 3-hour test. By the time hour 3 hit today, I was feeling really shaky and queasy so let's hope I don't have to repeat this test and can pass it on the first try!

When I was done with the testing and blood draws, Y and I stopped to see his 96 year-old grandmother in her nursing home. Her short-term memory isn't real great these days but she never fails to forget that I'm pregnant and due the day before her birthday. We hadn't been for a visit in quite a few weeks so I was expecting a comment on the belly. Last time her comment was "That's not a baby belly. It's all fat!" This time I was rewarded with "You're not very big at all!" At least I wasn't told it was all fat. Ha!

27 Weeks! 91 Days To Go!

Here's what's happening with the Little Miss this week:

The Little Miss weighs between 2 and 2 1/4 pounds - like the head of cauliflower. Speaking of cauliflower...that's one of the smells I still can't handle during this pregnancy. She is now about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, her brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now (no, you are NOT allowed to come out just yet!). I can chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements I may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her. She can also open and close her eyes between now and the 28th week.

According to some books and sites, I'm entering the 3rd trimester this week, others say this is the final week of the second trimester. Either way, the end is near!

We had an enjoyable Labor Day weekend. We picked up a crib mattress, changing pad, and diaper bag....all on sale thanks to the coupons from Babies R Us! I did a few loads of her laundry and have begun putting some of the clothes away. We'll be picking out paint colors this weekend and begin painting in the next week or two. Of course, we'll have to work around the crib in the room but hopefully we can get it done without too much drama. Monday, Y and I took a trip to see the Diamondbacks play the Cardinals at Chase Field. We both could have used the day to catch up on rest, but we had an enjoyable day and were glad we took in the game.

And, as if we didn't have enough drama in our lives, Friend, our female greyhound, had a lump on the outside of her ear. We'd noticed it a week or so ago and decided to just keep an eye on it for a few days. Toward the end of last week the lump began forming a scab and just didn't look right. After a trip to the vet today we learned the lump was a tumor. Her vet is 80% sure it's a benign tumor but we had them remove it so it could be sent for a biopsy to confirm for sure. We should know the results of the biopsy by early next week.

I go for my 1-hour Glucose Tolerance Test Friday morning. I'm hoping and praying that I'll pass. This is one test I definitely don't want to fail! Since the PCOS puts me at greater risk for Gestational Diabetes I'll be wondering if all is okay until I get the results back! I know I'd still have the three hour test that I could still pass but I'd prefer to just be done with it after the one hour!