Stop squishing me

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted.  Last weekend was a crazy cleaning weekend to get the house ready for my mom's visit and the baby.  My mom will be getting in from Qatar on Saturday and will be at our house through the whole month of April.  Also, my keyboard is on the fritz so I can really only type on D's computer which he is on often when I would have time to post.

36 weeks u/s face pic 1- "Please stop squishing me!"

36 weeks u/s face pic 2

37 week u/s face pic 1

37 week u/s face pic 2

37 week u/s face pic 3

We've had the 36 week and 37 week appointment since I last posted and I'm currently at 37 weeks, 4 days so we have no more than 4 1/2 weeks left (to 42 weeks).  Both appointments went well.  I'm Group B Strep negative so I don't need antibiotics during the birth (which is extra good since I don't want to have an IV).  I was about 1 cm dilated and slightly effaced at my 36 week appointment, and I was a looser 1 cm dilated and about 50% effaced at today's 37 week appointment.  Everything is going pretty well, but I think both the baby and I are started to get uncomfortable.  It's mainly my ribs and sharp elbows and knees trying to poke out of my skin.  I'm not really too uncomfortable other than that and some reflux (not really heartburn, since it doesn't hurt).  The baby looks pretty squished in the u/s pics (thus the title).

I'm officially full-term as of this past Saturday, but I'm not really having any signs of the birth being soon (no Braxton Hicks or anything).  I know that the baby could wait until 42 weeks to come (and it's only at that point that D and I will discuss induction without any imminent complications necessitating it) and that's Holy Saturday.  I would prefer the baby to avoid the Triuduum, so that I can go to at least some of the Masses/services.  I'll try to keep updated a bit better since we are getting close and D and I will have the computer at the hospital when the baby does come.

35 weeks

I'm 35 weeks today.  I've been a terrible blogger and commenter.  Life has been a bit crazy.

34 weeks

34 weeks u/s face picture

Last weekend was my shower in Houston.  My mom came over from Qatar so I got to see her and we even went shopping for things to get my dress made for my brother's wedding in June since I'll need a dress that I can nurse in.  The shower was great.  We got lots of great stuff and it was great to see people who I haven't seen in a while.  My BIL was even in town for job interviews because they are moving back after my SIL graduates from her doctoral program.  We are really looking forward to them living 4 hours away instead of 16.  I'll post shower pictures once I get them.

I had an ob appointment on Thursday.  The baby is looking fine but my belly is still measuring small (though I don't know by how much).  The dr was considering doing another growth u/s but she looked again at the growth u/s from 2 weeks ago where the baby was measuring ahead and decided not to worry.  They brought me back a little early for the appointment and I didn't know D was coming so he missed the whole thing.  We were walking out to the elevators and he came in.  I felt really stupid since he had drive from the other side of town and I had even switched the appointment so that he could come.  No update on gender; they didn't check this time.  We are pretty sure girl (and my mom went and bought girl clothes), but we aren't making guarantees until the baby is born.  We know the name that we are going to use for a girl.

I'm doing pretty well and not too uncomfortable other than just rib pain (the child seems to be hiding under my ribs).  The baby wiggles like crazy sometimes and my belly moves around.  I have about 5 weeks left (give or take two); we are preregistered at the hospital, the room is mostly ready (we still need cloth diapers but D's work is doing a shower for us next week so we'll see where we are after that).  I probably need to pack my hospital bag, but I'm not sure what I'm going to put in there and I feel like I'll need most of the stuff until I actually go to the hospital.

A friend of ours was in a motorcycle accident earlier this week.  He's out of ICU, but does have some internal bleeding and will be having surgery the end of next week.  Please keep him in your prayers.

33 weeks

I haven't much recently and I haven't been doing much commenting, although I am reading.  I just don't have much time with work and everything.

I'm 33 weeks as of yesterday.  I'm doing pretty well, except for rib pain.  Sometimes it feeling like Baby Blondie is trying to come out of my ribs, which as you can guess is not a particularly pleasant feeling.  It's sometimes hard to find a comfortable position to sit or whatever in.  Sitting in a car for long periods of time (anything longer than local drives) gets to be quite uncomfortable.

Last weekend, D worked on the nursery and got everything that we have so far organized and I've washed what we have so far clothes and towels-wise.  We have the big shower in Houston next week so once everything is put up from that shower, I'll post some pictures.

I'm still not sure I have my head wrapped around Baby Blondie most likely being a girl.  Part of it is how long we thought boy and we've also both imagined our first child as a boy even before I got pregnant.  D was so happy that the baby was a boy and I feel like I've disappointed him (yes, I realize that there's nothing that I did to make it happen or can do it change it).  I have little brothers, and I've mainly taken care of little boys as a nanny, so I really was excited about having a little boy first.  We aren't planning to find out in future pregnancies because of this experience.  It didn't help that the same appointment where we got the news that it could be a girl was the appointment where they were concerned about my fundal height being behind (everything is fine; the baby is actually measuring ahead).  I think that the worry about the growth has tainted my feelings about the baby being a girl.

D and I went to a wedding yesterday for some local friends.  It was a lot of fun and we danced a lot.  Weddings are the only place were D (after a couple drinks) lets his guard down and is willing to dance.

My progesterone is finally back in Zone 3 so I get a break from shots (was doing double shots since it was Zone 1) until my next draw.

I can't believe the baby will be here in about 2 months.

More Crazy Body Stuff

In addition to the stress/craziness that I posted about yesterday, I got a call from PPVI that my progesterone went back to Zone 1 (I wonder if there is any relation).  Back to double shots and oral progesterone.  I'm ready for my body to work right.

Slings/carriers, hospital tour, baby shower pictures

I have a Moby and a Ergo on my registry, but I'm wondering if I should also get a ring sling.  Since I'll still be nannying, I'll definitely be wearing the baby a lot, especially for breastfeeding.  What carriers have you moms found best for breastfeeding?  Any ring sling recommendations?  Is it worthwhile to have all three carriers or if you had to pick two which would you go with?

We had our hospital tour this past weekend and it went pretty well.  They seem pretty reasonable and I don't think we'll have any major issues having our wishes followed.  I'm working on writing up my birth preferences and I'm going to take it to my next OB appointment on Tuesday and get her to sign off on them and send them to the hospital.  I'll post it once I'm done.

I'm doing the Hyp.nobabies Home Study Course to prepare for the birth.  I'm finishing up the readings for the fifth class, so I've got about a week before I start doing the maintenance portion.  D has read everything, but we haven't really done any of the practice together, which we need to start pretty soon since he can come anytime between 7 1/2 and 12 1/2 weeks from now since I'll be 30 weeks (craziness!) on Saturday.

I'm feeling pretty good except a bit of reflux sometimes and a little bit of discomfort when he wedges himself into certain positions.

My dad got back to Qat.ar so my mom posted some of the pictures from the baby shower.

Me and the cake

The beautiful and yummy carrot cake

D and I holding some of the onesies we got

The carseat (which we got for Christmas from MIL) that coordinates with the argyle onesie

Family Baby Shower and a couple odds and ends * Updated

Update: I went to see the ob and she checked me out and didn't see any reason for the pain other than he's got his back jammed way into my side.

Saturday was the family baby shower in Austin with my mom's family.  It was great to see everyone especially my grandparents.  In addition to my grandma, all of my aunts, two of my grown cousins, my future sister-in-law and D's best friend's wife were all there.  There were three kids there (in addition to my in-utero one), my cousin's daughter who is two years old, D's best friend's daughter who is seven months old (and actually they are expecting #2, she's four weeks or so), and my youngest cousin who is five months old.  We now have the pack and play (so he'll have somewhere to sleep), the bottles (just need the breast pump although we'll only be using them occasionally unless there's an issue), the stroller base (got the snap and go), the high chair/booster seat, one of the wool diaper covers, the bathtub, a bunch of washcloths and towels and a few receiving blankets.  I don't have pictures yet since we didn't bring our camera, but I should hopefully see some soon and I'll post them when I do.  I have another shower at the end of February that my MIL and mom are throwing.

I've been having some pain on my far right side for the last day or so.  It's in an area where he's been kicked so I'm assuming it's probably just some body part wedged in, but I have a call in to the ob to see what she says.  I'm 28 weeks and 2 days today and since Saturday, I've been getting quite uncomfortable.  I had to get a new bra earlier this week (thankfully the last one lasted from 16 weeks to about 28 weeks).

Also, does anyone have suggestions for secular resources for NFP?  I'm hoping to encourage my brother's fiancée to look into it after a talk we had this weekend, but they aren't religious at all so I want resources that focus on the medical/environmental side of the pill and how NFP works.

Zone 1...a pain in the...

PPVI called today and my progesterone is down in Zone 1 after being in Zone 2 for a while (after starting off in Zone 4 at 4 weeks).  I now have to take 200 mg PIO twice a week, and since I have 50 mg/ml through my mail order pharmacy since it was so much cheaper ($30 for 90 day supply vs $60 a bottle for the compounding pharmacy's 100 mg/ml) I have to do a shot in each hip.  I also have to add 200 mg oral progesterone daily.  Hopefully my levels will go back to at least Zone 2 quickly and I won't have to do this extra for too long.  Anyone have any hints on how to lay for the shot?  I feel  uncomfortable laying on my stomach even with a pillow.

Little Dude update

I had my ob appointment yesterday at 25 weeks, 3 days.  Everything is going well.  D was able to come to the appointment (even though it ran late...boo) and got to see Baby Blondie (who I have also been referring to as little dude when I don't call him by his name).  The little boy I nanny for (different family now, they have one almost 3 year old) was with us so I was slightly distracted.  The ob measured my fundal height and although I didn't actually ask for the number, it must have been in the expected range since she didn't say anything.  The ob is also happy with my weight gain.  Little Dude is currently frank breech (we have plenty of time for him to flip so I'm not worried), so we got some better pictures of his profile since the placenta didn't block it and he wasn't hide it with his hand this time.  We also saw him swallow and stick out his tongue.

Sticking out his tongue

Profile and feet

Another profile and feet

Look at my feet, they're adorable

Merry Christmas and Prayer Buddy Reveal

My prayer buddy was Shannon from A Friend of Gianna who is now private.  I was praying for her and MM as they discern the future of their relationship.  Shannon is such a sweet girl and it was a privilege to pray for her and to hear her voice during Sew's shower.  I prayed for her at Mass and during my weekly adoration time.

D and I went to his parents' house for Christmas.  We had a good time and got to relax a lot.  We talked to my family on Skype since everyone was in different places and we also talked to his sister and her husband who couldn't come down for Christmas.  Baby Blondie got quite few things for Christmas and he already has a shelf in the nursery and we haven't had the first shower yet.  D's parents got us the carseat, so it's installed in our new car that we bought on Thursday night (silver 2009 Ac.cord...I'll post a picture later).  I've have carseats in my car before with my work as a nanny, but last night I realized that I actually have our child's carseat in my car.  D is driving the car today because I have the day off and I need to clean our my old car which he'll be driving.  My sister-in-laws also got us onesies and other baby stuff for Christmas.  My mom's relatives are throwing me a shower in about 3 weeks in Austin since my grandma can't really travel.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone since it's been a few months since I was out there.

I have an ob appointment tomorrow and D hopefully will be able to come. I'm doing pretty well other than my silly nosebleeds and what I think is round ligament pain or stretching of my scar tissue from my laparatomy.  Baby Blondie has been moving around a lot (including as I type this) and kicked D in the face a couple times (he was laying his head on my tummy).  I also can feel kicks going on the inside or to my cervix.  My MIL seemed to be a bit worried that I hadn't gained enough weight but my ob hasn't said anything about it.

Quick Takes (Non-Friday edition)

1. I'm having a terrible time with nosebleeds right now, especially since it's getting cooler and drier.  My ears are also having issues too.  I'm not sick really, so there's not much I can do.  I have my humidifier, but I'm not sure how much it's helping.

2. I was at the grocery store today, and the cashier asked if I was pregnant.  That's the first time that I have been asked if I was pregnant.

3. We are currently looking for a new (well, really a preowned) car.  My current car is a 2001 Ci.vic with almost 180,000 miles and D has a 1999 F-150 with about 125,000 miles, so we are going to get something that has a lot less miles (but keep both of our current vehicles).  I'm probably going to get an Ac.cord or a Ca.mry that's 2007 or 2008.  D's not thrilled about getting a car note but we have a good down payment from my parents buying D's car for my little brother to drive back to school after his accident this summer.

Ready for soccer

Baby Blondie is finally starting to do some real kicks in the last few days, and yesterday on Thanksgiving (20 weeks, 5 days) D finally was able to feel some kicks.  Very thankful.

P.S. The 20 week picture is now in the slideshow.

Whooooooooah...

We're half way there.

I'm twenty weeks as of Saturday, so I'm officially halfway done with the pregnancy.  I'm feeling pretty good in general, and I'm feeling the baby a little bit more (it's still kind of hard to notice, I think due to my anterior placenta).  I still have occasional nausea and I really need to figure out the nosebleed thing (I keep having clots in my nose that make it feel stuffed up and then they bleed when I blow my nose...a very annoying cycle).  I'm having some pains and discomfort in my abdomen and , but it's really mainly from me sitting weird.

I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way (I'm definitely not bragging or anything), but I still have not really gained much weight and I started out on the low side and lost a bit due to the nausea and vomiting in the first trimester.  I'm able to eat more now, but it's disconcerting to me that I haven't gained more.  The baby was growing well (even measuring ahead by almost a week at the 16 week ultrasound) but it's still hard for me not to be concerned.  I know D is right that I shouldn't worry if Baby Blondie is growing fine.

Rib weirdness and registry

I've been feeling a weird sensation up near my rib the last couple days.  Baby Blondie's not up anywhere near my ribs yet since I'm 18 weeks, 4 days.  I've been feeling him move a bit more, but I think that the anterior placenta is making it a lot harder to feel.  D is really hoping to feel him move soon, but we'll see if he cooperates or not.

I'm generally feeling ok, but yesterday I think I started have some reflux and I was having a hard time eating.  I still occasionally have to take nausea medication, but it's so much better than early on.

I started working on a list of what needs to get done before Baby Blondie gets here yesterday.  I also wrote up a list of all the stuff to get and/or put on the registry.  I've gotten a lot of the registry done but any suggestions on things that you loved or hated would be great.  My main registry is Target with Amazon for the things that aren't available at Target.  My first shower is in about 2 months (January 15), so I still have plenty of time.

It's a...

BOY!  We have the name picked out, but we won't be sharing it with everyone until birth.  His initials are SRS.  He's looking really good, and measuring 17 weeks, 2 day (I'm 16 weeks, 4 days).  His heartbeat is 160.  D was able to come to the appointment, which was great.  I'll post the alien face picture by next week some time.

On being pregnant after IF

I know my posts have been pregnancy heavy and those who are still waiting might not want to read them.  I hope that my posts don't hurt anyone.  I've been quite limited in the amount of time I have to post and I haven't really talked about my feelings on being pregnancy after IF:

When I talk to someone who doesn't know about our IF struggles, I always try to mention that this pregnancy was not something that happened quickly, but that we struggled for a couple of years and had to have surgeries to get this point.  I hope that I'm being a witness about the fact that IF is out there.  I also mention Dr. H/PPVI/NaPro when appropriate.

I'm still dealing with occasional spotting and although it no longer causes me to completely breakdown (the first two times I broke down and was somewhat hysterical), I'm still very worried about Baby Blondie especially when I have the spotting.  I had spotting that lasted over a couple hours while visiting family this past weekend and it completely ruined my ability to enjoy spending time with my family.

Since I haven't been able to feel Baby Blondie move yet, I still worry about having an u/s and not seeing a heartbeat (even though I've seen the heartbeat on u/s 4 times now).  When the u/s starts, I almost assume no heartbeat until I hear it.  I know that pregnancy, even in the second and third trimester, does not guarantee that you'll get to take home and raise a baby on earth.  I watched a video on the October 15 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day and it had a baby who died just after the 16 week u/s (I'll be 16 weeks on Saturday).  Although I'm not constantly focused on the fact that my baby could not make it, I definitely have that worry in the back of my mind.  I check the heartbeat with a Doppler on a regular basis.  D even asked me last night about "whether SC (our nickname for the baby) was going to stay in there" meaning whether we could stop holding our breath about the likelihood of having a live baby.  I doubt that he'd be quite as worried (and it's not a crazy high level of worry) about the possibility of loss if we hadn't dealt with IF.

In some ways, it doesn't seem real.  I mean I've seen the baby a few time on u/s sound and my body is changing, but I kind of think that part of the reason that I have worries about not seeing the heartbeat is that it doesn't seem like this is real.  I need to hear the heartbeat regularly and look at the bump to see that this isn't something that I'm imagining.  Even with the horrible nausea, it at least meant that there was a good chance that everything was going ok.

I am thrilled that we having this blessing and I know that it's not because we deserved it, prayed more, or really anything that we did.  I wish that there was something that I could do for those who are still waiting beyond just praying for you (which is important of course).  You are always in my prayers.

Cold, Progesterone, etc.

I caught a cold last week from the little boy I nanny for.  I'm feeling mostly better, but I still have yucky congestion.  Thankfully my netipot seems to be helping.  The cold does seem to be aggravating the nausea and I'm having to take the medication.  However, I haven't had any vomiting in over a week, so that's good.  I'm able to eat much better in the last week or so.  I've even made a weekly meal plan with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks.   I'm still pretty fatigued, but I'm glad the nausea and eating are better.

I got my most recent progesterone level from 12 weeks, 2 days and it was only 26.6 ng/mL (zone 2), so I'm still on 100 mg PIO twice a week.  It's frustrating to me that after having perfect (actually on the higher side) P+7 levels every time they were tested and a great P+15, my levels seem to be getting worse over time.  I'm glad that my levels are being monitored, I just wish my body wasn't continuing to be annoying.  I am still having spotting every once in a while; it seems to happen more if I don't drink enough water.

I haven't popped yet (I'm 13 weeks, 5 days), but I definitely can see the bump.  I'll probably post a picture in the next few weeks once I do.

October is a really busy month, I'm busy and traveling every weekend this month.  My 30th birthday is on Monday (the 11th).  We are going to D's cousin's wedding the weekend of Halloween and her reception is a costume one.  I have no idea what to wear (I'll be exactly 17 weeks), and I don't want to spend a lot of money.  Any ideas would be appreciated.

Updates and finally 10 week u/s pic

I've been reading the blogs, but I've been a terrible commenter due to lack of time, feeling tired and nauseous, and not really having much too say.

I had my ob appt today at 12 weeks, 2 days.  Everything is looking good.  The heartbeat is 169 bpm.  The baby was stick its little bottom forward today so the pictures weren't that great.  The doctor has a suspicion as to the sex of the baby, but it's too early to be sure.  We hopefully will find out at my next appointment at 16 weeks, 4 days (October 27) which will be the big u/s with the u/s tech (the doctor does the u/s during the regular appointments).  Hopefully D will be able to go to the appointment, but it's the morning before we leave in the evening for his cousin's wedding in NJ.  

I finally got on some anti-nausea medication (generic Zofr.an) and I'm feeling so much better.  I have nausea still without the medication, but the nausea on it is only if I don't eat frequently enough.  I haven't had any vomiting since starting it and I was having quite a bit before starting.  I can also eating a bit more variety and can open my fridge without gagging.  

I still have a lot of fatigue and I'm trying to nap almost everyday (I nap when the little boys nap when I'm working if I can).  I was off today, but I couldn't get a nap due to timing of stuff.  

10 week ultrasound

(Baby) Likes to Move It, Move It

I had an OB appointment today, 10 weeks, 4 days.  It was really quick since I had the little boy I nanny for with me and he was awake, just blood pressure, weight, urine sample, and a quick ultrasound.  I had some spotting Friday and Sunday, but Baby Blondie is still looking good.  The heartbeat is 179 and I even got to see him or her moving which was really awesome.  You can actually see that it's a person in there now.  I could see the little arms and legs moving.  I'll scan the picture in a bit later.  The placenta is growing nicely and attached nice and high.  If I have spotting, I'll go back in two weeks on September 30, otherwise it'll be four weeks.

For your viewing, King Julian from Madagascar singing "I Like to Move It, Move It".  So funny.

Latest progesterone level (just a quick update)

I'm still in Zone 3, the level was 34.7 ng/dL at 8 weeks 2 days.  I'm still on 100 mg PIO twice a week.  It's odd to me that I'm still lower than I was at P+7 and P+15.

I'm dealing with vomiting most days now (almost always in the evening) and I'm eating constantly so I don't know that there's anything I can do.  I hope that I start feeling better in the the second trimester (about 2-3 weeks, I'll be 10 weeks Saturday).  There is so little that I can eat (and some stuff makes me gag just to think about it).  I'm also tired of losing my dinner; it's seems like such a waste when it's almost every night for the past 10 days or so.  I'm thinking I need to offer this up for all of you still waiting.

That wasn't ideal

I was at the baptism today for the little boy I nanny for and I started feeling really funny and a bit warm (and it's generally a bit cool in there).  Well, I almost blacked out as I was walking out of the sanctuary.  There were quite a few people around so they got me some water and crackers, and I got a ride home (D was working all day today).  I really hope that was a one time thing.  Other than that it was a great baptism, and they did a full immersion (he wasn't too happy about that).