Brian and I have started our weekly OB appointments, which will continue until Bella arrives. Great, amazing news!! Isabella has turned so her head is now down, in the correct birthing position, which means, as long as she doesn't flip back up, I will get to have the vaginal birth I want! Brian and I are very relieved and happy, and extremely proud of our little girl for being so cooperative, albeit slightly late and without some unnecessary drama. The doc brought in an ultrasound machine and turned it on, goes "there's the head" and then flipped it off...kind of anticlimactic compared to my other ultrasounds, but it got the job done...her head looked mighty big and round! Good lord I hope that it was magnified, for my birth canals sake!! Of course there is still a chance for a c-section somewhere down the road, but as of now, the OB and I are preparing for a vaginal birth.
Other news from the appointment:I have been having some more swelling in my feet for months now but recently in the last week, my hands and wrists and fingers have decided to join in on the swelling fun. My blood pressure was high for me (I am usually on the lowest side of "normal"), which are symptoms of "pre-eclampsia" or pregnancy induced hypertension, which can be dangerous for the baby as well as me, so that combined with the new swelling is a minor sign of alarm, so the doc's are going to keep monitoring me to make sure my blood pressure doesn't keep rising. I can only ever remember the first number from the BP readings, which before pregnancy were in the high 90s, and it has fluctuated between 100-108 since being preggers. Last week it was at 104 over something, and this week it is 128 over something, so a notable increase in just a week. I am sure nothing will come of it and the doctors aren't too concerned yet, but I am glad they are aware of it and will be keeping an eye out.
The doctor told me that I have hit the point where if I go into labor, they WILL NOT try to stop it. He said that the most they would be able to stave it off for is probably two days and the medicines to stop it will be more harmful than helpful for the baby, so at this point, if labor happens, Isabella will be born! She is still considered "premature" and will be until I hit the 37th week mark, which comes on August 2, so we have about 11 days to hit the full term mark, and then she is considered a term baby!
People have started taking bets at work on when she will arrive. No one thinks I will make it to the 23rd, since my belly is so big already, so we will have to see! I am guessing around grandma Marcie's birthday, August 16th, is when she will make an appearance. Brian thinks closer to the 20th. The closer to August 12, when I start maternity leave, the better! (although, seeing her stubbornness already with the whole "will I turn? Won't I?", part of me thinks she will make me wait and wait and wait to meet her…please don't, Bella! Mama wants you in her arms so bad!!!
Everything seems to be going well (knock on wood) and the house is almost ready for the arrival of the little one. Grandma Kelly and Grandpa Jim came up and redid the garage to make it into a guest bedroom so when people come to visit, they have a place to stay. The baby's room is set and ready to go. Her swing is set up, the bassinet is set up, all her clothes and blankets are washed…all we still need to do is organize a shelf for her in the linen closet and set up a drawer for her in the bathroom for all her bath accessories and then sterilize the few bottles we have. I want to hardcore clean the place before she comes, but I will wait another week or 2 to do that or I will probably just have to do it over again. Her bag is packed for the hospital, I still have to pack one for me. The count down is on! Tomorrow marks the calendar month mark until her due date!! I can not wait!!! She will be one loved chickadee!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
5!
Oh lord, am I ready to have this baby!! I feel pretty good, overall, but I am just ready to be done. I want to sleep on my back without worrying if I am cutting off oxygen to the baby, I want to be able to cross my legs when I sit, and bend over without feeling like I might not be able to sit back up! I want to stop having ankles the size of Mars and I am sick of feeling useless! 5 more weeks, 5 more weeks, that is all I keep telling myself….but at the same time, 5 weeks seems like such a long flippin time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have an OB appointment today at 3:40. I am hoping that the doctor will remember I am supposed to get a quickie ultrasound to make sure Bella has flipped, which at this point I would bet $ that she has, and I will also be getting the Group B Strep Test, because you can't deliver vaginally if you test positive. While they are doing the strep test, they will check and see if I started to dilate yet! 2 more weeks until the baby is considered full term, and she can come at any point! I can't wait!!!!!!!!
Here is what is going on this week:
How your baby's growing:
Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.
Your Baby:
Your baby continues to put on weight at about ½ pound each week. This layer of fat will help your baby regulate her body temperature after leaving your climate-controlled womb. In fact, your baby will be 15 percent fat at birth (and you ... well that's another story). Even in the womb, your baby can listen, feel, touch and see. The only thing separating him from living in the outside world is a little thing called the birth canal. Other highlights this week:Her gums are firm with ridges that look somewhat like teeth, though her actual pearly whites won't start breaking through until she's between three months and a year old.Your baby has definite patterns of sleep and wakefulness—opening her eyes while awake and closing them while sleeping. Your baby will become alert and turn her head toward light and sound just as a newborn would—except when you put on that Celine Dion CD. Then the baby puts her hands up, turns away and gurgles, "Oh no you didn't!" Your baby is now around 18½ inches long and nearly 6 pounds—just about as big as a breadbox!
Your Life:
You may feel silly driving around these last couple of weeks with a baby car seat and no baby, but in case she decides to show up early, you'll be glad you have it, since your hospital won't let you leave without one.
Week Thirty Five: Reflexes are coordinated
Baby is about 47cm crown to heel and weighs almost 2.7 Kg.
The body is growing round due to developing fat layers.
Your baby's reflexes are coordinated.
Lungs are almost fully developed.
About 90% of babies born this week survive.
Most babies gain about half pound per week in the last month of pregnancy. Fat stores accumulate in the legs and arms. These layers of fat will help them regulate their body temperature. Baby still doesn't have enough fat deposits beneath its skin to keep warm outside your womb. If born now the baby would probably be put in an incubator, about 90% of babies born this week survive.Lungs are almost fully developed. Your baby's reflexes are coordinated, they turn their head, grasp firmly, and respond to sounds, light and touch. You should still feel movement every day. He or she is about 5 and a half pounds and growing fast, it is getting short of space in the womb.Your uterus has become more cramped, your baby's kicks and other movements less forceful. You may want to check on your baby's movements from time to time and do a kick count.Baby may push up against your ribs and make you a little breathless. Soon your baby's position changes to prepare itself for labor and delivery. The baby drops down in your pelvis and you will be able to breathe easily again.
BellaReese has not dropped yet, and I would truly appreciate it if she did!! She is constantly getting tucked under my ribs and sitting down is getting harder and harder because she gets stuck where she shouldn't be. Doesn't she realize life will be easier on her too, if she just drops already?!?!?
We have an OB appointment today at 3:40. I am hoping that the doctor will remember I am supposed to get a quickie ultrasound to make sure Bella has flipped, which at this point I would bet $ that she has, and I will also be getting the Group B Strep Test, because you can't deliver vaginally if you test positive. While they are doing the strep test, they will check and see if I started to dilate yet! 2 more weeks until the baby is considered full term, and she can come at any point! I can't wait!!!!!!!!
Here is what is going on this week:
How your baby's growing:
Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.
Your Baby:
Your baby continues to put on weight at about ½ pound each week. This layer of fat will help your baby regulate her body temperature after leaving your climate-controlled womb. In fact, your baby will be 15 percent fat at birth (and you ... well that's another story). Even in the womb, your baby can listen, feel, touch and see. The only thing separating him from living in the outside world is a little thing called the birth canal. Other highlights this week:Her gums are firm with ridges that look somewhat like teeth, though her actual pearly whites won't start breaking through until she's between three months and a year old.Your baby has definite patterns of sleep and wakefulness—opening her eyes while awake and closing them while sleeping. Your baby will become alert and turn her head toward light and sound just as a newborn would—except when you put on that Celine Dion CD. Then the baby puts her hands up, turns away and gurgles, "Oh no you didn't!" Your baby is now around 18½ inches long and nearly 6 pounds—just about as big as a breadbox!
Your Life:
You may feel silly driving around these last couple of weeks with a baby car seat and no baby, but in case she decides to show up early, you'll be glad you have it, since your hospital won't let you leave without one.
Week Thirty Five: Reflexes are coordinated
Baby is about 47cm crown to heel and weighs almost 2.7 Kg.
The body is growing round due to developing fat layers.
Your baby's reflexes are coordinated.
Lungs are almost fully developed.
About 90% of babies born this week survive.
Most babies gain about half pound per week in the last month of pregnancy. Fat stores accumulate in the legs and arms. These layers of fat will help them regulate their body temperature. Baby still doesn't have enough fat deposits beneath its skin to keep warm outside your womb. If born now the baby would probably be put in an incubator, about 90% of babies born this week survive.Lungs are almost fully developed. Your baby's reflexes are coordinated, they turn their head, grasp firmly, and respond to sounds, light and touch. You should still feel movement every day. He or she is about 5 and a half pounds and growing fast, it is getting short of space in the womb.Your uterus has become more cramped, your baby's kicks and other movements less forceful. You may want to check on your baby's movements from time to time and do a kick count.Baby may push up against your ribs and make you a little breathless. Soon your baby's position changes to prepare itself for labor and delivery. The baby drops down in your pelvis and you will be able to breathe easily again.
BellaReese has not dropped yet, and I would truly appreciate it if she did!! She is constantly getting tucked under my ribs and sitting down is getting harder and harder because she gets stuck where she shouldn't be. Doesn't she realize life will be easier on her too, if she just drops already?!?!?
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Brian and I had a pretty rough night, yesterday. Our 11 year old kitty, Titty Tat, had to be put down. We had a feeling it would come soon, but it was a little sooner than we had anticipated, and her loss has been much harder to bear than I ever could have imagined. Brian called me on my way home from work to let me know it was time to call the vet; she had started convulsing and falling and not being able to get up, and eventually collapsed in the corner, where she stayed until we took her in. She hates our dog, and usually would have run away from him, but she wouldn’t even flinch when he would come over and harass her, so we knew this was it. It was probably the hardest thing I have ever done, to watch my little girl take her last breathes, but appreciative at the same time that we got to be in the room with her, petting her and telling her we loved her until she was gone. Afterwards, despite it being illegal, we took her back to Brian's parent’s house, where we buried her next to his childhood kitty, Thumbs, in the backyard.
She was a very, very vocal cat, and her noisiness recently had become quite a problem for me (Brian says it is due to the pregnancy and the fact that I have very little patience right now, which is true, and that I would have gone back to normal once the baby was here, which is what I am making myself believe), and on top of the sadness I feel from losing her, I feel even more guilt about how cold I had treated her at the end, when she was probably just in so much pain and unable to communicate it any other way, and I just ignored her and yelled at her to “shut up”. (This was the same cat that caused me all that grief a few weeks ago when she got out into the yard and wouldn’t come back inside.)
It was a very, very hard day and we miss the poor thing so much already. Despite our recent problems, she had been a very good, loving kitty; always cranky, but always wanting to be held and petted and was completely loveable. There is quote that says something along the lines of “In ancient Egypt, cats were revered as gods…they have never forgotten this”, and that quote has always made me smile and think of her and her general disposition and attitude towards life.
I adopted her from the humane society after moving into my first apartment with Erin; we would have celebrated four years together this September. She used to sit on my lap when I would be watching TV and let me hold her like a baby and would pet my face with her paw as I would rub her belly, or she would cuddle in bed with me like a teddy bear and paw at my heart necklace. She was the first pet I owned that was just mine, and I will always remember her and how much joy she brought to my life. Rest in peace, little one, you will always be missed and loved.
Titty Tat
April, 1998 to July 13, 2009
She was a very, very vocal cat, and her noisiness recently had become quite a problem for me (Brian says it is due to the pregnancy and the fact that I have very little patience right now, which is true, and that I would have gone back to normal once the baby was here, which is what I am making myself believe), and on top of the sadness I feel from losing her, I feel even more guilt about how cold I had treated her at the end, when she was probably just in so much pain and unable to communicate it any other way, and I just ignored her and yelled at her to “shut up”. (This was the same cat that caused me all that grief a few weeks ago when she got out into the yard and wouldn’t come back inside.)
It was a very, very hard day and we miss the poor thing so much already. Despite our recent problems, she had been a very good, loving kitty; always cranky, but always wanting to be held and petted and was completely loveable. There is quote that says something along the lines of “In ancient Egypt, cats were revered as gods…they have never forgotten this”, and that quote has always made me smile and think of her and her general disposition and attitude towards life.
I adopted her from the humane society after moving into my first apartment with Erin; we would have celebrated four years together this September. She used to sit on my lap when I would be watching TV and let me hold her like a baby and would pet my face with her paw as I would rub her belly, or she would cuddle in bed with me like a teddy bear and paw at my heart necklace. She was the first pet I owned that was just mine, and I will always remember her and how much joy she brought to my life. Rest in peace, little one, you will always be missed and loved.
Titty Tat
April, 1998 to July 13, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
6!!
We have 6 weeks left! How exciting?!?!?!? I had an OB appointment on Friday, and everything is looking great, the baby's heartrate is good and my belly is measuring to be just the right size for how far along I am. Also, the BEST NEWS OF ALL:
The doc thinks she flipped!! To his surprise, he thinks she is head down, and ready to come out! I tried feeling where he did to find the head, but I couldn't find it, so I will take his word on the head being down. We won't know for sure until next Tuesday, when we do an ultrasound to see! I was so happy when I heard that. Hopefully this means no c-section, wohoo!!!!!
Not too much new stuff has been going on...I have been doing as much as possible in terms of getting all the stuff done I want to before baby comes, and that has been going only ok...I am constantly tired and my ankles hurt if I stand too long, so whatever doesn't get done at this point doesn't get done, and I really don't care! Here is what is going on with my perfect little girl this week:
How your baby's growing:
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.
As Patrick Swayze put it, "Nobody puts baby in a corner!" Doubly true for your little tenant. Your baby has pretty much taken over your entire torso by now. Over the past few months, she's squished and mushed all of your organs out of the way. Any day now, she'll make a final move and shove your heart up and to the left to make more room for himself. (See, she's got your heart in his hands already.) Before all this pregnancy stuff, your uterus was a small ball the size of your fist and was tucked neatly away behind your pelvis. Today your uterus is the size of a small watermelon and reaches all the way up to your ribs.At this point in your pregnancy all the blood has gone to your belly ... literally. Nearly 1/6 of your body's total blood volume is chugging around in the vessels in your uterus. So that's why you feel so lightheaded all the time!
Your Baby:
This week the final touches are being added to your mini-masterpiece and most of her development is going to packing on the pounds. While baby's movements may be becoming less jerky, she may do his final somersault in the womb soon—to put herself into the head-down position for birth. Other fascinating facts: Your little Karate Kid can't quite pack the punch she used to due to the limited space inside the womb these days. You're likely to feel more wiggles, stretches and rolls than kicks and jabs. The extra layer of fat your baby is adding will create those cute dimples on your baby's elbows and knees. Her liver has begun processing her waste products, so you know which organ to thank when he has his first blowout up the back of his onesie. Baby's nails are growing so long they may curl over the tips of her tiny fingers and toes before he sees a pair of clippers. She'll be in serious need of a mani-pedi once she's born (as will you). Your baby is now about 5-5½ pounds and over 18 inches long—about the size of one of those CostCo sheet cakes.
Your baby may have already turned to a head down position in preparation for birth. The skull bones are still pretty flexible and not completely joined to help to ease exit out of the narrow birth canal. Fat accumulations plumps up the arms and legs this week. The baby's skin is also becoming less wrinkled. Braxton Hicks contractions may be getting more numerous and stronger. Thanks to antibodies crossing the placenta the baby is developing immunities to mild infections.
So, 34 weeks into it, and I am MORE THAN READY to meet our girl!! 6 weeks left!! I can not wait!!!
The doc thinks she flipped!! To his surprise, he thinks she is head down, and ready to come out! I tried feeling where he did to find the head, but I couldn't find it, so I will take his word on the head being down. We won't know for sure until next Tuesday, when we do an ultrasound to see! I was so happy when I heard that. Hopefully this means no c-section, wohoo!!!!!
Not too much new stuff has been going on...I have been doing as much as possible in terms of getting all the stuff done I want to before baby comes, and that has been going only ok...I am constantly tired and my ankles hurt if I stand too long, so whatever doesn't get done at this point doesn't get done, and I really don't care! Here is what is going on with my perfect little girl this week:
How your baby's growing:
Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.
As Patrick Swayze put it, "Nobody puts baby in a corner!" Doubly true for your little tenant. Your baby has pretty much taken over your entire torso by now. Over the past few months, she's squished and mushed all of your organs out of the way. Any day now, she'll make a final move and shove your heart up and to the left to make more room for himself. (See, she's got your heart in his hands already.) Before all this pregnancy stuff, your uterus was a small ball the size of your fist and was tucked neatly away behind your pelvis. Today your uterus is the size of a small watermelon and reaches all the way up to your ribs.At this point in your pregnancy all the blood has gone to your belly ... literally. Nearly 1/6 of your body's total blood volume is chugging around in the vessels in your uterus. So that's why you feel so lightheaded all the time!
Your Baby:
This week the final touches are being added to your mini-masterpiece and most of her development is going to packing on the pounds. While baby's movements may be becoming less jerky, she may do his final somersault in the womb soon—to put herself into the head-down position for birth. Other fascinating facts: Your little Karate Kid can't quite pack the punch she used to due to the limited space inside the womb these days. You're likely to feel more wiggles, stretches and rolls than kicks and jabs. The extra layer of fat your baby is adding will create those cute dimples on your baby's elbows and knees. Her liver has begun processing her waste products, so you know which organ to thank when he has his first blowout up the back of his onesie. Baby's nails are growing so long they may curl over the tips of her tiny fingers and toes before he sees a pair of clippers. She'll be in serious need of a mani-pedi once she's born (as will you). Your baby is now about 5-5½ pounds and over 18 inches long—about the size of one of those CostCo sheet cakes.
Your baby may have already turned to a head down position in preparation for birth. The skull bones are still pretty flexible and not completely joined to help to ease exit out of the narrow birth canal. Fat accumulations plumps up the arms and legs this week. The baby's skin is also becoming less wrinkled. Braxton Hicks contractions may be getting more numerous and stronger. Thanks to antibodies crossing the placenta the baby is developing immunities to mild infections.
So, 34 weeks into it, and I am MORE THAN READY to meet our girl!! 6 weeks left!! I can not wait!!!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Because it is too cute not to share!!
Thanks to Grandma and Papa Shepard, last night Brian and I were able to buy the travel system carseat/stroller that we wanted. We were on the fence between two of them, I liked a different pattern/brand than Brian did, but finally we went with his since the one I liked didn't have extra bases that could be bought at BabiesRUs, nor could I find them online, and the whole point of these travel systems is that they can easily switch from car to car if you buy the extra bases. Anyway, we get the system and are setting up the stroller, adding the wheels and stuff, and our Dachshund puppy, Big City, decides that he wants to be involved, so here is what happened:
We look up and that is what we see! In between us trying attach the rear axle and the back wheels, Bigs decided he wanted to go for a ride! Too cute!! He fits all too well!
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