Thankful for UCH & Being Alright

We took the 30 min hospital tour last night at The Women's Center at UCH. While I had originally planned on delivering at St. Joseph's, we were both very happy with UCH. A lot of things I wanted (baby to stay with me, couplet care in case of a Cesarean, and more) are all standard procedure there. I will even be able to labor in a tub if they aren't full when I get there. :)

I have started having some contractions. I wasn't feeling good a few days ago and made my first call to the OB nurse. They had me come in yesterday morning for a non-stress test (monitoring contractions and baby's heart rate and movement) and a few other tests to check for signs of pre-term labor. It doesn't look like there is anything to be concerned about, but I am supposed to take it easy for the rest of the week and call if anything changes or worsens. They said some contractions are normal at this stage of pregnancy, I just need to watch out for any patterns that could develop into actual labor. I had been feeling a lot of pressure and the doctor said after her exam that the baby is pushing on me quite a bit. 

They followed everything up with a sonogram to check my amniotic fluid level and the baby's size. Baby was busy drinking the fluid--it was so funny to watch those little lips and face muscles swallowing. Everything looks good. Baby is so much bigger than 10 weeks ago (duh!) but is right on target for average size. And, there is hair! Baby has a fair amount on that little head I can't wait to smooch.

My next appointment is at 32 weeks--two weeks to go. :)

30 weeks...

Well, in one hour and fifteen minutes, baby will be 30 weeks old. The two of us are attempting to stay awake until our favorite man gets home from work. I spent the last hour and a half watching a movie with my feet propped up on the arm of the couch to try to reduce the swelling. The three of us got tons done today (Christmas tree and outside lights down, everything in the attic, furniture moved back, house cleaned) and my feet puffed up with pride to prove it. 

Baby has become quite the belly-morphing pro recently. Baby likes to kick my drink, dinner plate, and anything else I set on my protruding tummy. When I roll over in bed, baby even tries to kick the bed away for more room--this hurts! I promise you there is a bruise on my left side from the kicks. Kyle almost got a bruise on his toosh from his little one. I was hugging him from behind, and someone else decided to kick his behind.

The nursery is starting to look like a nursery! We put a bookshelf in there today for the growing baby collection. This week I bought all the materials needed for the transformation (curtains, cushion covers, etc.) and found a sewing machine to borrow. I can't wait to get started--and finished. Today we bought a pack'n'play that we will use instead of a crib. We've had our eye on a specific pattern and found out it is being discontinued  so we went out and picked it up. Also added to the baby collection this week was a whole inflatable rubber ducky bathtub full of freecycle goods. Fun!

We finished our DVD Childbirth course this week. We are really glad that we took the time to watch and take notes. I think we both feel more prepared for the entire labor/delivery/recovery process now. It was nice to have a DVD  that we could pause and discuss vs. being in a live class. Being able to laugh our heads off while practicing breathing techniques without disturbing anyone or embarrassing ourselves was also a plus. My husband is a trooper and I'm so thankful he will be by my side through it all.

This week we will keep trucking on. We get to visit our friends Amanda and Ryan in Orlando this weekend, attend a wedding for a friend of mine from Japan, and have Kyle's mom stay with us for a few days. Let the good times roll!

29 weeks: Let the prep begin!

At 29 weeks, it's time to get serious! Not only is the day approaching soon, I am slowing down! :) This week I planned out what I need to get and do to start/finish the nursery/office. I have some trips to JoAnn Fabric ahead of me and am hoping to borrow a sewing machine. 

Last night we started prepping for the birthing process. One of the DVDs came in yesterday, so we took class 1 of 6, "Anatomy and Physiology and Preliminary Signs of Labor." It was more interesting than I expected a taped class to be. Kyle did a great job when I quizzed him afterwards. It means a lot to me that he takes this stuff seriously and wants to be prepared too. He was thanking God he isn't a woman. :)

We plan on doing a class a day this week. Should be interesting!

2 down, one to go!

I got home from my third trimester check-up just a bit ago. Everything looks good. The doctor said I would soon hit a brick wall of fatigue and start packing on the pounds. I hope that has already officially started cause I'm so there! My tummy is a little ahead of my due date--she thinks we may be in for a big baby. 

I had my 28 week test for gestational diabetes today and, unless something is wrong, won't be back for 4 more weeks. After my 32-week appointment, I start seeing the doctor every 2 weeks.

She also gave me a prescription for a muscle relaxer to help my back and sciatic nerve and a referral to a physical therapist. I have had a few bad days/nights and know this will get worse as time progresses; I'm glad to have some relief on hand.

We have changed hospitals. St. Joseph's isn't accepting our insurance as of 2009, so we will be delivering at University Community Hospital (UCH) instead. We should take our all-day-intensive course there in late January. Meanwhile, we have Lamaze DVDs on hold at the library. Good times! 

Christmastime

Little Baby Truman has been enjoying this first Christmastime. Yummy treats from Aunt Terry, a special trip to Melbourne, dinner dances and gift exchanges have kept us hopping. I continue to think this is the best time of year to be pregnant.

Baby is growing and staying active. We can often see hiccups now. Space is getting a bit limited in my tummy and our home as we make room. I am looking forward to setting up the nursery after Christmas is over. Usually I get sad when I take down all the decorations, but this year I think it will be exciting to get it all done so I can start making curtains, covering cushions and more.

Today marks the last day of my second trimester. All in all it has gone rather quickly. My back is starting to hurt all the time now, but I am honestly amazed that it took this long considering my history of back issues.

On Tuesday I have my 7 month check-up complete with another gestational diabetes test. I hope I don't have to lay off the sweets for Christmas. Baby has a sweet tooth, which is pretty amazing since there are only gums in thre right now. :)

Our Little Turkey

Time is flying by! Baby enjoyed baby's first Thanksgiving meal, shared with the great grandparents from NC! Baby really does love the Thanksgiving spread--I have been craving holiday fare for quite a few months now and got lots of kicks and swirls in response to the goodness (followed by tryptophane induced sleep?).

Baby is growing so fast--approx 13.5 inches long and weighing over 1.5 pounds. The baby is supposed to start bulking up now and should be in the process of growing a thick head of hair. Tomorrow is the 25 week mark.

Baby moves a ton. Generally less kicking than I expected, but lots of movement nonetheless. Last week I had my 24 wk check up and the doctor could barely get baby's heartbeat to stay in the monitor for more than a few seconds before baby darted across to the other side of my stomach. It was funny watching the doctor try to follow the little one all over the place.

I have been reading some old wive's tales on how to know if it is a boy or girl. We still totally want to be surprised, but I think it is fun to speculate (and a hoot to read some of the things they think are clear signs one way or the other). According to legend, we are mostly having a girl. :)

Grandma Ann came laiden with gifts from the NC family. It is so fun to collect these wee things. I love watching my office develop into the baby room/office more and more.

I get a KICK out of you...

Little Baby Truman is getting more and more active. Kyle was cuddling with me very early Sunday morning and got kicked! Last night we had friends from church over and I jumped when Baby delivered a swift kick--the most powerful yet. This morning I woke up to rhythmic hiccups in my belly. It is fun and strange to begin feeling so much.

I continue to crave all things pumpkin--thanks goodness it's the right time of year for such goodies. I made pumpkin biscotti last night--yum! I am in good spirits but more tired. I took a nap three days last week. I am also getting more sore. My back, hips and a stinking nerve in my backside are acting up. I'm also having problems with my hands and wrists--poor circulation and lots of tingling and shaking. It's weird how much pregnancy affects the entire mama.