Sorry

Something is wrong with blogger...

I have no idea what, but they are suppose to be working on it.  Some posts have vanished.  It's very weird.  Hopefully they will have things fixed for tomorrow.  I did have a post ready for today, but it appears to be missing.

Happy Friday!

Info from my Doctor's appointment

Well, yesterday's doctor's appointment wasn't all that great.  It started out with the normal urine sample and weight check.  Nothing was said about either of those.  (Although, I don't know how quickly the urine is tested.  I could get a phone call today if there was a problem.)

From there I always go into the room and have my blood pressure taken.  She took it and said it was 130/80.  It sounded high to me, so I asked if it was alright and she said it was "border line".  In case you aren't aware, when you are pregnant it's not the actual number that is the issue.  They base any problems on your personal blood pressure history.  So if your numbers are up 30 points from your normal/starting blood pressure, then there could be cause for concern.  I'm not sure what my starting/normal blood pressure is, but I know it's always been good (in the lower range).  This caused me a little concern.

My doctor was out for whatever reason, so I saw the nurse practitioner.  When she came in we were talking about other unfriendly issues that have crept up in the last week.  (Not to be discussed on the internet! :)  She took the babies heart beat and said she sounded good.  Then she measured me.  She said, "How many weeks along are you?"  Right then I knew it wasn't good.  I said that I was 31 and a half weeks.  She then told me that I was measuring big.  This has been my fear all along!  She said not to freak out about it.  It doesn't mean I'm having a 12 pound baby.  She said it could have to do with how the baby is positioned.  She said we'd go ahead and schedule an ultrasound for the next visit.  Michael had some concerns since we've had 5 now, so she said we were fine to wait.  If I come in next time and am still measuring big, then we will for sure have to order an ultrasound.  Right now I am measuring at 34 weeks.  That is TWO AND A HALF weeks early.  Two weeks ago I was only measuring a half a week early, which is considered normal.  Holy cow that's a big jump!  I told her that I was worried because both Michael and I were almost 9 pound babies.  She said, "Oh... well, you know that does factor in to this."  Yes, yes I know.  Thank you.

She then went into talking about my blood pressure.  She said she could see my feet were swollen.  She asked other questions, like have I been getting headaches.  I just started to get them this week.  She said right now it is not cause for huge concern.  I have to watch my salt intake, stop drinking soda, drink lots of water (which I already do), and make sure to put my feet up more.  Then she gave me a few things to look out for and said if any of those happen to call them right away.  She said if I come back in two weeks and these things haven't helped, or it's gotten worse, then we may have a problem.

I asked about being induced if the baby remains big or keeps growing at a rapid rate.  She said the earliest they induce (for a big baby) is 38 weeks.  Just because you have a big baby doesn't mean you have a fully developed baby.  They normally do c-sections and inductions on Tuesdays, so if I am induced at 38 weeks, I would go in June 28th.

She then had me lay on my left side for a little while and have my blood pressure checked again.  It was down to 122/70.

So while she repeated that at this point I should not worry, I am (of course) worrying.  I don't want preeclampsia or a 10 pound baby.  I am going to do my best to follow the instructions given and I guess we'll find out in 2 weeks what the update is.  My next appointment is Wednesday the 25th.

Crayon Resistance Art

This art project isn't really a new one.  It's been floating around for years.  I even had to do something related to this in college for my art education class.  However, sometimes we forget the "oldies but goodies".  This is just a reminder for you! :)  Little Man and I have done this before, but it was about two years ago.  He had no memory of it, and thought this was GREAT!

I told him to draw a "secret" picture using the white crayon.

He smiled the entire time and kept saying things like "I bet you can't guess what it is". :)

You can draw with colored crayons too.  For my college project, I had to draw an entire picture with crayons (leaving some spaces white) and then paint.  It resists either way.  I just think using a white crayon is more fun for kids.

After you have drawn your picture, paint over it using water colors.  Little Man also loved this (and did in the past as well) because the water  colors are actually mine.  He would always ask if we could use my "special" paint.  Take that as a lesson too--if you only allow things every once in a while, they become much more special.  How much are water color paints? 99 cents?? :)

Here is his picture.  It's sort of hard to see the drawing because he didn't color to hard.

It's a star wars picture...droids to be exact.

 I also drew a picture and made sure to color really hard/go over each line.

Then I let Little Man paint over it.

He enjoyed finding out what the "secret" picture was that I did.

He made sure after we were done that I wrote on the bottom "Drawn by Bethany, Painted by Little Man" :)

Just for some more ideas--when he was 3 and we did this, I knew he wouldn't draw a picture.  Instead, I drew the pictures for him.  He was really into construction type trucks at the time.  I found one of those simple books he had and then just traced the backhoe, excavator, dump truck, etc.  He was also learning how to spell and write his name, so I did one with his name written out too.  You can always incorporate learning into it.

Tuesday's Ten

 (or 15...)

Things I am thankful for...

1. a church to call home

2. new Texas friends

3. Ohio friends that live in Texas now! :)

4. a relatively easy pregnancy 
5. a healthy baby

6."granny panties"...you may think I'm kidding, but I am SO not! :)

7. a vacation that is on the horizon--not going anywhere, just time off of work

8. warm and sunshiny days

9. naps

10. long talks with my husband about anything and everything

11. pedicures
12. a confrontation that needed to happen but resulted in good 
13. having people to ask pregnancy/baby related questions to, like my dear cousin Sonja (who needs to get her own blog!)
14. 61(ish) days to go!
15. McDonald's frozen strawberry lemonades

31 Weeks

How far along: 31 weeks

Size of baby: for weeks 29 to 32 the baby is the size of a squash

Average size is 15.2-16.7 inches and between 2.5 to 3.8 pounds

Total weight gain/loss: +22.4

Maternity clothes: That is all I wear now.  One day I tried wearing an old pair of sweatpants to work.  As soon as I dropped Little Man off at preschool, I went home and took them off.  They were so uncomfortable on my belly.  Lesson learned!

Gender: It's a girl!  Olivia Grace is on her way!

Movement: I feel like her movement has decreased some this week.  Don't get me wrong--she still has her midnight dance parties.  One night Michael had his arm around me and could feel her moving around all the way from his hand (which was on my left side) to his arm (which was across the middle and my right).  He just kept laughing or saying things like "Man!" or "Whoa!" or "Wow!'.  Yeah.  That's happening inside me!!!  But during the day she has slowed down some.  I actually got worried one day, so I did a kick count.  I ate dinner, drank a cold glass of water, waited a half hour and then started counting.  She surpassed the ten kicks in an hour requirement, so I felt much better.  It's probably just that she is starting to run out of room.  It just threw me a little, because for the few weeks before this she has been on the move all day every day.

Sleep: It's been better! :/

What I miss: The freedom to bend over and pick something up!  I can still physically bend over, but it hurts my belly so I try not to.

Cravings: sweets, fruit--I'm glad the good stuff is coming into season

Symptoms: I think I've started nesting.  I decided one day that Michael's closet needed to be reorganized.  I hardly even go in there, but it was bothering me that I knew it looked like a mess.  We did that, and then that turned into an all out house cleaning.  I am also feeling the need to collect things I need for my hospital bag or items after birth.  This is causing me some anxiety.  There are so many unknowns--what size I'll need in nursing bras/tanks, etc.

Fun Purchases: I purchased chap stick and slippers for said hospital bag.  I also bought the Llama Llama books that are at Kohl's for $5 this month.  I love them and didn't have them, so I got them! :)

Surprises: There have been multiple incidents where pregnant woman have been around and I feel they are MUCH bigger than me.  Then I find out they are either due after me or at the same time as me.  I always figured I would gain all over, and I think I have to some degree.  I'm just amazed at how I look compared to others I guess.  To me, I still don't feel huge.  Don't get me wrong (as has been done from this blog before), I am NOT wishing to be huge.  I just always assumed with my family history (me, my mom, my grandma), that I would gain a ton and be very large.  I think I just expected in my head to be bigger at this point than I am now.  One lady at our life group is due two whole months after me and her belly looks big to me.  Of course, it's her second so that could have something to do with it.  We were sitting at the pediatricians office and this one lady looked to me like she was due within the next few weeks or so.  Then I heard her tell someone she's due July 11th.  That's the day after me.  I turned to Michael and said, "Do I look like that?"  He said, "Everyone is different'.  I said, "I know that, but do I look like that?"  He said no, he  didn't think I looked that big.  I just wanted to make sure that I was seeing myself as I really looked.  I'm sure in about five weeks I will be telling you all that I feel like a house! :)

Best Moment this week: We've had a lot of good moments this week!
1. Choosing a pediatrician.  Seriously.  It's a huge relief to check that off my list.
2.  Choosing a newborn photographer.  I had one that I fell in love with months ago.  She was pretty expensive (like most newborn photographers are), but I loved her style, props, ideas, etc.  I emailed her about two weeks ago and she said she will be traveling and not shooting at all for the whole month of July.  Honestly, I was heart broken.  I was SO set on her.  So that led me to looking and looking for a plan B.  There are a lot of photographers in our area, but I find the black and white pictures with a naked newborn on a plain blanket to be boring.  I wanted one that used backdrops and props and color.  Those type are much harder to find.  I finally found one that I liked and we are on the books!  YAY!  (and yay to my husband for agreeing to this... he thinks the cost is a little outrageous, but is willing to do it for me! :)
3. Having the 3D/4D ultrasound and getting to see Olivia again.  Also, getting the reassurance that she is still doing just fine.

Milestones: 9 weeks to go!  Um... hello! That's single digits!!!


We spent the weekend taking the child birthing class at our hospital.  Luckily, it's free.  I've heard some hospitals make you pay.  The class was from 9 to 3 both Saturday and Sunday.  A lot of what was taught I already knew, but some of it was new.  Of course, you can have a ton of information, but it's nothing like going through it.  I realize that.  Michael and I both walked away with the same feeling.  It wasn't life changing or super enlightening, but we are still glad we went ahead and took the class.  If nothing else, it was a refresher coarse on some of the things we've already read or heard about.

We will be taking the breastfeeding class on June 4th.  That is the one I'm looking forward to.  I'm hoping to gain lots of information.  I am committed to breastfeeding at least for the first sixth months (because of the incredible benefits for both me and the baby).  It is the one thing I'm most worried about.  I know it will not be easy, so any help I can get I will take.

We are also taking a baby care class on June 11th.  Originally I didn't sign us up for this, but then I thought we better.  We are more doing it for Michael since he has no first hand experience with infants.  While I have a lot of kid knowledge, have changed hundreds of diapers, given bottles, etc., I have never been in charge of a brand new baby.  Even though I have more confidence in this area than Michael, it will be good for both of us.  This class is going to teach things like diaper changing, burping, soothing techniques, bathing, and more.

Happy Mother's Day!

 

Happy Mother's Day to all my mommy readers!  I know there are a lot of you.

I hope you all have a fabulous day and are pampered.

I will be spending my day in a child birthing class learning how to become a mommy! ;)

3D/4D Ultrasound

Honestly, I have never been much of a fan of the 3D/4D ultrasounds.  I tend to think they all look like aliens.  Some of them are down right creepy if you ask me.  We have had many many friends rave about them and tell us that it is a must.  I was never really all that convinced.

Tina Fey was on Conan recently and here's what she had to say about it...
(Sorry about the commercial before the clip.  Also, I couldn't find a smaller version, so part of the picture is cut off.  It's just Conan.  You don't need to see him anyway! :)


Funny, huh?  Well, from the very beginning Michael has talked about wanting to get one.  How can I stand in the way of a father wanting to see his little girl?! :)  Actually, after the last ultrasound and seeing that it looked like we  could pick out a few features, I was sort of looking forward to it.  I went into it hoping that when it's your own child it doesn't look as creepy.

The pictures weren't as creepy as some I've seen.  The video was a little creepy to me... even though it was my daughter.  It's just the nature of the ultrasound.  Like Tina said, you aren't meant to see in there yet.  It's not cooked! :)

Anyway, we went yesterday.  Here are the highlights:

The tech commented on her cheeks almost right away.  I said she comes by them honestly. :)

Like with every other ultrasound we've had, her hand was up by her face.  She would not move it for anything!  She wasn't sucking on her thumb or fingers.  She just liked to have her face covered.  I said that she was going to be "shy" like Michael.  He said he was just thinking the same thing.

Her foot is up near her face too.  She is literally folded in half.

Check out that pout!

This picture cracks me up!  On the video you can see that she is yawning, but in this photo it looks to me like she is in shock or saying something like "Oh my!".

 Such a scowl!  It's amazing to me the facial expressions they can have at this point.

Michael is convinced she has my nose.

We got a smile!  It may be my smile!  Sometimes when I smile, for whatever reason, the edges of my mouth turn down.  I never really noticed it until I married Michael.  He pointed it out.  He thinks it's funny.  He calls it my "frown smile".  He's also the one that noticed in this picture that Olivia has a frown smile.  Crack me up!

We still think she has Michael's chin.

This is the second time we've got a cool foot picture.  The tech said her foot is right up against me and anytime I am feeling kicks on the right side it is definitely her feet.  (That after I told her what the mean ultrasound lady at my doctor's office said.)  I'm wondering if we will ever get to make out that it's a foot from the outside.  I think the way she has it now, it could be a possibility.

Sticking her tongue out a little?  Her heart rate was 140 beats per minute, which is good.

The tech said everything looked good.  She said my fluid level were good, the baby looked great, and that she was definitely facing down.  She said she will most likely not turn at this point.  She said that she could, but it would be a lot of work for her.

This the last time we'll be seeing her.  The next time will be in 9(ish) weeks when she is on the outside!