Wednesday, April 30, 2014

28 Weeks

Hello! 28 Weeks today! I can't believe how fast this pregnancy seems to be going. I had nothing but positive feedback during NIAW last week. I posted something every day and it was taken well. I can definitely tell that 3 trimester is not going to be very nice to me. I try not to complain, but I think I will complain in this post. If you are sensitive to complaining pregnant ladies....then you may not want to read this post = ) I totally understand. 

Eli's profile with hands in his face
arms and hands together like he is praying "please get me out of here and mom please stop singing!!"

 
from my baby shower



How Far Along: 28 Weeks
 Total Weight Gain: +20lbs




Maternity Clothes: I love them
 Stretch Marks:
Sleep: It is pretty uncomfortable. I try not to go to sleep until I feel Eli kick, but he hasn't been kicking as much as he used to, so this causes a lot of anxiety. I have to pee a lot more frequently, which means waking up frequently. I get very uncomfortable in my back and sides. Body pillow is necessary. 
 Best Moment This Week: I was able to get an ultrasound today so I got to see little guy! I also had our first baby shower on Sunday! It was so nice to have people come together and it meant so much to us to have the support of so many people. It's fun to "oooo" and "aaaaahh" at baby things = ).
 Miss Anything:I guess I miss being able to function at my full potential. I can't walk like I used to since after I walk for about 5 minutes I get intense pain in my side from growth. I can't be as helpful at work like I used to. I'm just over all slower and lower functioning. 
Movement: I have been worried about his movement for a few days while. It seems like he moves a lot less and sometimes I don't feel him all day until I lay down at night before I go to bed. I mentioned this to my OB today at my appt and she did an ultrasound to make sure he was ok. He is = ) He is so perfect. I think he has just gotten so much bigger that he is running out of room. The ultrasound shows that he is head down (yay!!) and his legs/feet are under my right ribs (that is why my ribs hurt like the dickens!!). I am just so thankful that he is ok in there.
 Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Nope, I did have my glucose tolerance test today and the sugar drink I had to drink was very very sweet and was horrible to drink! It made me jittery and tired all at the same time. It sure had Eli wiggling around though!!
Cravings:Crawfish and Sonic Blast!! I had these two cravings satisfied too = ) So happy.  
Gender: IT'S A BOY!!!! Eli Preston!!
Labor Signs: Nope, I am waiting for the braxton hicks contractions to start though.
Symptoms: Get ready for complaining: 3rd tri has definitely started. Dr. H said i was in the "P.O.P" stage..."Pain Of Pregnancy". I can't walk for more than 5 minutes without having intense stitch like pain in my right side. She agreed that it was probably from growing uterus. Because of this I wasn't able to do my second 5k walk planned and I feel like a failure (even though I do realize that it is perfectly ok for a 7 month pregnant lady to not do a 5k walk). Ribs...My ribs hurt so fricken bad. I feel better now, knowing that it hurts because Eli's feetsies are under there kicking away. It is just very uncomfortable. I get dizzy spells. I got my blood counts checked today and I am expecting it may show that my Iron is low. I hope to get those results tomorrow. I walk slow, I get tired, I can't sleep because I am uncomfortable, i think I have 8 chins. I am just a pitiful, pitiful person right now. BUT, I wouldn't trade it for anything and I know it could always be worst and it will all be worth it. It's just not comfortable right now. I also realize that it will get much worst before it gets better....summer in MS is coming.
Belly Button In or Out: In, for now. I don't think it has much longer. My OB told me to get a picture of it now, before it pokes out. I took a picture but I won't be posting it = ) It's too weird 
Wedding Rings On or Off: On, getting tighter though. I think the heat will make my fingers swell, so I may have to remove my rings earlier than I maybe normally would if it weren't for the heat. 
Feeling:Blah, you read my complaints. I won't mention them again. I am just thankful Eli is safe, healthy and growing like he is supposed to.
Exercise:yeah...I mentioned the side pain when walking earlier. This has definitely limited my exercise a great deal. I walk when I can and take the stairs when I can.
Looking Forward To:I am now onto every 2 week appointments. I can't believe it!! We have our "babymoon" next week and I only have 2 more tests this semester, so I am ready for this semester to be over with! I am taking summer and fall off. I am excited for the relaxation of our babymoon. We rented a cabin for a couple nights on a sugar cane farm in Louisiana. We will leave after my last final exam next Friday. So ready to get away and relax for the weekend = ) Plus, we will come back on Mother's Day! 
 Next Appointment: May 14th! Same day as our breastfeeding class!

Saturday, April 19, 2014

26 weeks and NIAW

It seems as I have moved to an every other week schedule for updates. I am sort of in between doctors visits and nothing super exciting or new is happening. It's been a rough few weeks with quite a few late losses on a few Facebook groups. I can't help but worry that something like that will happen to me and my sweet Eli. I get comfort from his kicks and wiggles but that fear continues. I think I just need to accept that the fear will continue until he is healthy in my arms...and then a totally different fear of actually having to care for him and keep him alive will arrive. I guess the worry and concern for your child, whether it is trying to get pregnant, successfully carry baby, successfully give birth and then successfully raise a child will just always be there. There are just new worries and new concerns.

I am happy that I am getting close to 3rd Tri. I really didn't feel well yesterday and I can't really put my finger on what is actually wrong. I just don't feel "right". I kept getting a dizzy type feeling and just wasn't feeling totally present. I checked my blood pressure at work and it was normal, so I assume my blood sugar was low or maybe I haven't kept myself hydrated. Working 12 hour shifts is starting to wear me down more and more. I had to take off of work today so that I could hydrate up and prop my feet up. As much as I need the money, I need me and Eli to be healthier more.

National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) starts tomorrow and I have already posted a pre-week status update on facebook and changed my cover photo for the week. I plan to post information about infertility each day as a way to spread awareness. I did this last year as well as sort of a "coming out". It's a little different this year. I fear that I may come across as insincere or as a "poser" since I am now pregnant. I added the infertility twibbon to my profile picture, but of course my profile picture is a pregnant me...I hope it's not a slap in the face to those still in the struggle. I also don't know if I should still claim myself as one of the 1:8 who struggle since I am now pregnant or if I should be more of an outside supporter. These things I struggle with and will just have to go with what I feel is right. I am so proud of my IF friends who have chosen to use this year's NIAW to "come out" and I pray they get nothing but support and love from those around them.





How Far Along: 26 Weeks --Head of lettuce
 Total Weight Gain: I haven't weighed myself so I have no idea = )




Maternity Clothes: I think I am really going to miss my maternity clothes. I just feel like I look cute every day and I can't help but look at more clothes even though I only have a few months left!
 Stretch Marks:
Sleep: It is still uncomfortable and I toss and turn a lot. I try not to sleep on my back, but I almost always end up there. 
 Best Moment This Week: Hubby finally felt him kick = )
 Miss Anything: I miss being able to work my 12 hour shifts and walk long distances without having difficulty. I have a 5k planned for next Saturday that I am just unsure I will be able to do. Whenever I walk for a reasonable distance I get really bad right sided pain that I assume is round ligament pain. There is no way I could walk 3 miles with that pain.
Movement: I feel him every day. He is mostly active in the mornings and at night. I can't go to sleep until I feel him moving in there. It's a comfort thing, like he's telling me "I'm still here mom, you can sleep now". we have a cool mother/son relationship like that.
 Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: No, not really sick. I just need to keep hydrated and eat more frequently.
Cravings:Not really 
Gender: IT'S A BOY!!!! Eli Preston!!
Labor Signs: No, I am waiting for the braxton hicks contractions to start though.
Symptoms:I just love feeling him move. I get tired and the round ligament pain is very painful, along with rib pain that I can only assume means that Eli has found a home under my rib cage. I guess I'm just getting to the uncomfortable part of this whole thing, it's all worth it though and wouldn't take it back for anything. 
Belly Button In or Out: In, but I can definitely tell that it's pushed out more. 
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Feeling:I feel fine, just more uncomfortable the bigger he gets (good problem to have). I've pretty much had my pity party in the beginning of the post, so I won't go through it again = )
Exercise: I have been trying to keep walking. I did a breast cancer walk last saturday with my mom. We finished it in less than an hour, but I know I was slowing her down a lot. by the end of the walk my side was starting to hurt. I have another scheduled for next Saturday that I am just not sure if I will be able to complete it or not. I'm not a quiter, so this is a hard decision....do I try or not try?
Looking Forward To: I have a baby shower planned for next sunday!! I am so so excited. I am sort of terrified of being the center of attention...I still have PTSD from my bridal shower...but I think it will mostly be fun. Baby things are more fun to ooo and ahhh at than pots and pans = )
 Next Appointment: April 30-- our last every 4 week appt!!

many many pictures: 

Nursery!! We still have to accessorize and need glider.
Clock hubby made for nursery
my contribution = )

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

24 weeks: VIABILITY!!

 I missed the week 23 update, but not much happened that week anyways. So, i am 24 weeks day!! V-Day!! It is way way way too early for Eli to make an appearance but it is so reassuring that if something were to happen then more steps would be taken to save him. My OB told me today that pregnant obstetricians don't consider viability until 32 weeks (I guess because they are pretty realistic about outcomes) and she asked my take on it as a nurse. So, I told her that, not as a nurse but as someone who has gone through infertility,...this day was HUGE!!! She nodded and celebrated with me = )
 I saw him move from the outside for the first time, and it was amazing! When I sit to watch TV, I always have by belly out so I can catch him moving. Hubby still hasn't felt him or seen him kick. I don't think he thinks I am making it up....but I really want him to experience it too! 
Hubby has been working so so so hard on the nursery and it looks so amazing. I will post pictures once it is all done. I am just so excited and so in awe at my hubby's talent! I knew it was going to look amazing, but I didn't know it would look this amazing!
 I had an OB appt. today and Dr. H said I am the perfect patient and everything is going great! Eli had a heart beat of 155 and he kicked or punched the doppler wand twice. It was so cute = )

V for V day!!


sorry for the exposed belly, but I took this picture this week and thought it was precious. Purrsia laying on my bump. This will probably be the only bare belly pic....so enjoy LOL



How Far Along: 24 Weeks (ear of corn I think)
Total Weight Gain: +6-10lbs depending on scale. I believe the weight was the same at today's appt.



Maternity Clothes: LOVE 'EM!! I really need to stop looking and then buying them becauses I wont need them for much longer = o
 Stretch Marks:
Sleep: It is getting more uncomfortable. I am tossing and turning a lot during the night. I try to sleep on my L side and prop my feet up because of swelling but my back hurts sometimes. Its just not fun right now and I know it will only get worst.
 Best Moment This Week: I saw him move from the outside!! It was so wonderful and yet so weird at the same time.
 Miss Anything: I am actually pretty good right now.
Movement: I feel him every day and I can see him move from the outside!! Hubby still hasn't felt him or seen him move = ( Boo hiss. I am so ready for him to experience it!!
 Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Nope, I have actually been feeling very good, especially after getting a prescription for Protonix for my heart burn. knocked it right now.
Cravings:Not really 
Gender: IT'S A BOY!!!! Eli Preston!!
Labor Signs: waaay too early.
Symptoms: I am really loving feeling him moving around and kicking. The heart burn has been gone since getting a prescription for Protonix. I had horrible side pain about a week ago that occurred only when walking and it was very excruciating. I called the OB office and they said to take Tylenol. Turns out it was probably round ligament pain because I haven't felt it since. 
Belly Button In or Out: In 
Wedding Rings On or Off: On
Feeling: I feel great, no real complaints except for sleep and general achiness. Oh yeah...my ankles leave me after I end my 12 hour work days = ( Swelling...booo
Exercise:I have been walking a lot more. It really feels great outside and I enjoy getting out there and walking. I just have to be careful not to go out during the hottest part of the day. 
Looking Forward To:I want hubby to feel him move!!!! Oh yeah! The Crib is being delivered tomorrow!!! yay!! 
 Next Appointment: April 30