Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween

I had my 24 week OB appointment today! Next appointment is the glucose screening, FUN! But anyway, I went in and stepped on the scale... and it was up. again.Which is good! I know! But it is still hard to be excited about it! I have been terrified of gaining too much weight (my mother gained 50+lbs with my brother and I and I do not want to repeat that). I have been eating well and exercising! I asked my doctor how I was doing in the weight gain department today and to my relief she said I was a little behind the average mom-to-be! I am still in normal range! Baby and I are both measuring perfectly!! But I was glad to know I'm doing well! She told me to keep doing what I am doing because I looked great! Needless to say, I walked out of there with a smile :)
I also learned that I have been having some Braxton Hicks contractions at night due to dehydration while I am sleeping. I drink almost 24oz of water throughout the night, but I guess I need to increase that. She told me what to look out for, but otherwise everything is normal and I'm not to be alarmed.
*Leg cramps and optical migraines can be added to my list of pregnancy symptoms since my last appointment.

I have also had a very successful week of studying! I have finished 8 out of 9 chapters of lectures! ONE MORE TO GO! I plan on finishing that tomorrow and then starting at the beginning and going through my workbook this time around. At this rate, I really feel like I can take my tests before Christmas! (Fingers Crossed)

I guess that's all for now!
Happy Halloween!!!



Monday, October 29, 2012

Count Down

Happy Halloween :)
Today marks me at 24 weeks pregnant! A few more weeks until I am in my third trimester! I was reading about my baby's development at this point in the pregnancy and it is crazy to me that 50-70% of babies born at this point in the pregnancy survive. In another 2 weeks, 90% of babies survive. It really hits home that there is a tiny human inside me. Not some weird alien that pops out as a newborn in 16 weeks. I know that sounds crazy, but it is such an unbelievable miracle I get to be apart of! I am so thankful that God has allowed me to be apart of this! It takes a little bit for my mind to fully grasp what's going on inside me. Other milestones baby is making this week: Her nostrils are opening and she is beginning to practice breathing (amniotic fluid only for now)! Her respiratory system is forming, including surfactant, which will help open her lungs when she makes her debut into the world! She can sense movement, since her ears and equilibrium are formed! She also can hear everything, including me breathing :)
I signed up for baby classes this afternoon! We decided to take a breastfeeding class and a labor/delivery/postpartum class! We start those after Thanksgiving! There will most likely be a daddy bootcamp involved but the schedule wasn't out today :) I am super excited! I feel like this also makes it more real and I am beginning to understand she will be here before I know it!
I also started studying for my respiratory therapy board exams today! 16 weeks left until my due date and I want to have all of them taken and passed before our sweet baby girl arrives. Studying with a newborn seems like an impossible task that I do not want to attempt. The goal is for me to go back to work part-time a few months after she is born. (Hopefully working 12 hour shifts 6-8 nights a month so we can eliminate the need for day care and I can be a stay at home mom as well.) It has taken me so long to study because of my pain and recovery from surgery 2 years ago. I also cannot be on my pain medications whilst pregnant so I am fully relying on God for strength. Because of my physical restrains, I can only study for short amounts of time. Today I was able to get through 2 of my 9 chapters of lecture. I am definitely feeling the pain now. This afternoon has been heat and rest. I'm feeling motivated but don't wanna overdo it and not be able to do anything else for a couple of days. Its hard to take things slow... My goal is to get through all 9 chapters of lecture by Sunday! I have been out of school for over 3 years, and it is slowly coming back to me. Key word being slowly. But today felt very positive and I am looking forward to passing my test and feeling that sense of accomplishment!!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Grateful

A lot has happened since my last post. We have moved into our new house! My dad and brother came up the weekend we moved and helped us paint, rip up carpet, and drywall along with many other odd and end things! My mother was able to come up this past weekend and helped me unpack, clean, and make the house feel more like a home. Its such an overwhelming task to undertake. I am so grateful for all the help.

I have my 24 week appointment next week! Baby girl is 1.5lbs this week and is 8.5in long, crown to rump! She is moving a lot and its starting to get uncomfortable. She will get in positions that cause very sharp pains. I also can see my tummy move when she kicks! My shirts are starting to get too short to wear and maternity shirts are still pretty baggy. I guess I kind of have to accept this awkward in-between stage until I get larger! I gave in a bought a maternity winter coat! My regular winter coat already doesn't zip! My NorthFace still fits, but its not warm enough! Although this week as been very warm! High of 78* today!

I still have to paint and decorate the nursery! I have a crib and a rug! That's about it. I know I have time, but at the same time I feel like I have no time! 16.5 weeks left! I've heard the first 20 weeks fly and the latter 20 weeks drag, but so far I feel like the second half has gone by much quicker than the first! I'm sure the last month drags on in anticipation! I also need to sign up for baby classes!! My list never seems to get shorter!

In other news, my friend got engaged (I put that in my last post) and she is getting married Jan 12! I am so excited! She also asked me to be a bridesmaid! That should keep me occupied through the next couple of months! We ordered our dresses and luckily they are one size fits all (0-14) so I'm thinking I should fit when I'm 8-9 months pregnant!

Until next time :)
23 Weeks

Sunday, October 7, 2012

October

I will be 21 weeks pregnant tomorrow! On Wednesday we found out we are expecting a little girl :) We got to see a 4D ultrasound picture of her and it was amazing! I can already see Zach's features on her sweet little face! I cannot wait to hold her! Her heart rate was 155bpm, which is perfect! Her measurements are perfect! My weight gain is normal and on track! My nausea is still pretty bad. Zofran keeps my food down but the dry heaving is still annoying and is still everyday. I know it could be worse and I am just looking forward to the day when I get to hold her and I know everything is worth it!! She is healthy and that is all I care about :)
Zach finally felt her kick! He feels her pretty much everyday now for about a week! My mom actually got to feel her yesterday when she was here helping us pack up our apartment. Speaking of which: we got the keys to our new house on Friday and this week we are ripping up carpet, painting, and getting a new washer and dryer before we move in on Saturday! My dad and brother are coming up to help us get the house ready! Zach hired movers for me so I don't have to do any heavy lifting :) I also think he didn't wanna do any heavy lifting :) Zach is leaving on the 17th until Thanksgiving for work... he will be in the house 4 nights before he leaves. I'm trying not to stress out about it. My mom is going to come up after he leaves to help me unpack and get the house organized, which is a huge lifesaver for me! So far this month has just begun and it is so busy and exciting!
My friend also got engaged this week and is planning on getting married in the next 3 months so I am going to have a very busy winter before our little girl makes her arrival!

My mother and I also went to a consignment sale yesterday and bought baby girl clothes! The clothes are so adorable! I am going to have such a hard time deciding what to dress her in everyday!

I am so happy, excited, and in love! And its fall! Life is going great :)