29 Weeks

Well these past few days have been unusual for me. Especially yesterday, throughout the whole day, I contracted...which I have never done this early before. The only relief was of course lying down. The one fun thing about last night was baby got hiccups. I don't remember any of my other kiddos having them this clearly, but they were so obvious with this one. I just laid my hand on my stomach and felt them. She had them so long, J even got to feel them which he thought was so cool.
Today I woke up to get ready for my check-up. After I sent the kids off to school, I got Kenna up and ready, and then got ready myself. I had to drink the very sugary lemon-lime glucola drink (tastes like Sprite with about 100x more sugar) Since I had to fast for so long cause my appt wasn't till 1130am, I near threw it all up. As soon as Ry got home from school, we headed to the Dr.
The waiting room was packed, but luckily I was the only one to see Dr. Hall. The girls waited very quietly and patiently until we were called back. They took my weight, I gained 1 pound, and then my blood pressure, 128/64. All in all, everything stat wise was great.
I got my blood drawn for the diabetes test, which scared the girls because the nurse put the needle in my arm. When I told them it's just like when they pretend to give me shots at home with their dr. kit and it doesn't hurt, they were fine. I then headed to the bathroom for a urine sample. And of course as the saying goes, "All girls have to go to the bathroom together," is what happened because the girls just had to come with me. As soon as we were walking back to our room, Dr. Hall was waiting for us. He had me lay down to measure my belly and listen to her heart beat. Everything is right on track. Ry was so excited to hear the baby's heart beat again. I just love that she knows what's going on and understands most of it.
Just as I was about to get ready to leave, he asked me how my bed rest was going. I told him I do my best but it's hard some days. I told him how I have been contracting lately and he said, "Well that's why you're supposed to do what the Dr. says." He wanted to check me to make sure I wasn't dilated, so he went in the hall with the girls while I got undressed. I could hear him out in the hall talking with Ry. He even had a Monster app on his phone he was playing with them and sharing skittles with them. I tell ya, I have the best Doctor!
When he got back in the room, he took some swab samples and checked to see if I was dilated....and I wasn't, Yay! I had a huge relief come over me because I don't want to deliver this early. My Dr. gave me strict orders to be on bed rest to get these contractions under control and I promised I'd try harder.
All in all, it was a great appt and the girls were sooo well behaved. I got in and out of the office in 25 min. which is nice when it doesn't take too long. But it's hard to believe I am already to the point where I am going to my visits twice a month. I cannot believe how fast it came. It seems like yesterday I was talking with Mandee about her bi-monthly preggers visits and it seemed like I was so far away. I am just amazed and a little sad this pregnancy has flown by so quickly.

Me and my newest niece, Hadi-2 1/2 months...30 Weeks along. Her and Kodee will only be a few months apart.

27 Weeks

I had another appointment today, though it was just for a weight check. It was scheduled later in the morning so I took both girls with me. They were so behaved in the waiting room, but I think it's because the fish tank kept them occupied.
We got called back fairly quickly to get my weight and blood pressure, 118/82. So far so good. I had to give a urine test, and then we waited for my dr. to come in. When he did, he measured my belly which was normal. Then we listened for the heartbeat...it was healthy and strong. When the girls heard it, they were astounded. At first they thought it was mine, but when we told them it was the baby's, Ry said, "Aww how cute. I can hear my sister!"
As I was getting ready to leave, thinking everything was fine, my dr. looked at my chart. He said I was supposed to have gained weight which apparently I didn't. I lost 1/2 a pound. He wasn't sure why I haven't been able to gain weight. Not only that, but I have been cramping alot which feels alot like contractions, though it lasts a lot longer. So he prescribed me Zofran hoping it will work this time, because it hasn't worked with any other pregnancy I've had. He also put me on "limited" bed rest...so anytime I'm home, I'm supposed to be laying down and I am supposed to limit my outings. This may be hard with 3 kiddos, but I'll do my best. And hopefully it'll help me gain a little weight. Guess we'll see in 2 weeks when I go in for my next appointment.

25 Weeks

Today was my 25 week check-up. Last month when I went in at 1030am, it was so busy! So I prepared myself to wait awhile and got there 15 min early. But lo and behold, I walked in, and I was the only one in the office. (I think last month it was because everyone came right after the holidays) I was so glad I got in right away. They took my weight-lost another 1 1/2 pounds, and had my blood pressure taken-118/82....so far everything looked good.
This visit wasn't a huge one, which was ok. I gave my urine sample, and waited for my dr to come evaluate. It was time to listen to the heartbeat. It took a min for her to cooperate, but she finally came close enough for us to hear her strong, healthy heartbeat. Then he measured my belly, and everything was right on track for her growth.
As I was going to leave, he looked again at my chart and noticed I keep losing weight...down about 12 lbs. He's quite concerned, but I swear I try to eat as much as I can. It's amazing when I want to gain weight I can't and when I want to lose it....yeah let's just say that I'm usually not that successful. So needless to say, I am on orders to basically stuff my face so I can gain some weight, and he prescribed me more Phenergen. I have to go back to the dr in 2 weeks rather than 4 weeks to make sure I gain something. And as I was leaving, they did remember to give me the oh-so-yummy glucose drink for my visit in 4 weeks. I am just so excited for that test...yuck!
So still a good visit, baby is growing and doing well, and I was in and out of the office in 25 min. Success!

21 weeks

With Rhett and Ry being out of school and J being off work, everyone accompanied me to the dr. office today. We got there 5 min early to a very busy and full waiting room. And it went pretty slow. We finally got called back and got my weight taken. I gained 2 lbs and my dr. was glad. He said he was starting to worry about all the weight I've lost this pregnancy. Then off to the little waiting room where I got my blood pressure taken 118/66...so far so good!
It took awhile for my dr. to make it to my room. When he opened the door, he just laughed and was surprised how all 5 of us fit in the tiny room, and how the kiddos were so quiet. He led us all back to the ultrasound room, set up a box for the girls to stand on, then rubbed the jelly on my belly. Ry was so concerned I was being hurt, but I assured her I was fine.
When he checked on the baby the first things that popped up were a super strong heartbeat and then immediately to the legs. We then kept trying to check to see if we could see a good bum shot, but little stinker decided to be shy. However, at one glimpse, it still looked about 95% girl. She did start to move all around so we saw her feet, legs, arms, hands, back, and head. My friends got me some really cute things for our girl and of course we are excited for a healthy baby...boy or girl!
The appointment went well, baby looks great, all my testing was negative, and I gained a little weight so my dr. was super happy and said I am not due for my next appointment until the end of Jan. Hoping for another great and healthy 4 weeks....

A weird pic of baby, but she's on her side. If you look closely, you can see she's looking away from the camera with a shot of her ear, cheek, and spinal cord.

17 Weeks

I finally had my appointment. Because of Thanksgiving I waited an extra week so I was checked at 17 weeks instead of 16. This time Rhett and Ry were in school and J was at work, so it was just me and Kenna. Since it was good weather and the traffic was light we got there 10 min early.
When we were called back, I got my weight checked first and I lost another pound...told ya, super sick this time! (Luckily I got more Phenergen to help out. It's been the only thing that seems to help) Then I had my blood pressure checked...122/80, very good! Next I had my blood drawn to check for Spinal Bifida, Down Syndrome, etc. Kenna didn't like the nurse poking me. She kept saying "No thank you, No thank you!"
I decided to find out the sex of the baby so we got an ultrasound. When my Dr took me into the room, he got a wooden stool for Kenna to stand on. She was very focused on what was going on. Then he put the jelly on my belly and Kenna asked, "What's that?" I told her it was jelly. So of course she thought it meant to eat so she took her hand to spread it around and try to eat it. Super funny. Then I asked her where the baby was. She points to my boob and says, "It's right there mommy." I laughed and said, "Those aren't babies." My Dr laughed so hard and said he's heard of many references, but never babies!
So my Dr started to check and what do we find but a much bigger baby since last time. If fact, my due date got moved up a couple days. We continued checking and the baby was so active...and very immodest! None of my kids have ever been that cooperative. We got to see the spinal cord, eye sockets, legs, head, a very healthy-looking heart, and....lines. So far it means about 90% GIRL!!! We will have another ultrasound next month and hopefully get a sure positive, but for now it's a girl.
We kind of thought it would be another girl because we are so used to them. But I don't mind cause I have cute girls. I just feel bad for Rhett cause I know he really wanted a brother. Just glad J takes time to have boys-days with him.
So it was a good day with very good news. I was sooo glad to see such a healthy baby kicking and moving all around. It sure eases the nerves. And Kenna was so cute and so interested in all that went on, it made the appointment fun!




















Rhett and me before his baptism...18 Weeks along

Another 4 Weeks

I cannot believe how fast these last 4 weeks have flown by. We went to our 12 week appt yesterday. Since Ry's preschool was cancelled for the day and J had the day off, they decided to join me. We got there right on time, just as our Dr was leaving to check on some patients next door at the hospital. Surprisingly, we didn't wait long.
As we all crammed into the little exam room, I was getting anxious again. I had been having bad feelings that we might have lost the baby with the spotting I had this last month. And this last week I have been so sick...which I sadly have passed to the girls. I thought it might be strep throat again (I got this last year, the exact same week) but luckily it wasn't since I can't really take anything that would help take the strep away. I found out its just a bad cold and cough. I am just hoping that since I am not working, I can keep getting rest and it will pass. The only good news is I'm down 5 pounds with all the sickness and nausea from this last month.
After I got my vitals taken-all normal (and Ry was so in awe watching my nurse take them. She said "Mom, it's just like when I'm your Dr at home.") my Dr came in with the ultrasound machine. I was in shock at how behaved the girls were in this little room. My Dr had me lay down, J held Kenna, then my Dr set Ry at the end of my bed. We all nestled in together to watch the monitor of the baby. I had never seen the girls so stuck to a little tv. We were able to watch the baby move all around (though of course I can't feel it yet) and we saw the wonderful flicker of the heart beat.
I was so relieved!!! We are so excited to have another bambino. Ry keeps saying she wants another sister who she has named Kerra. She talks to "her" everyday and rubs "her". Its really cute, but I do not have an indication of what we are having yet.
So with the happy news and one flu shot later, we had set out to accomplish our list of things to get done. Target to return some things, DMV to renew J's license (which he forgot his paperwork so we had to go all the way home and back), Sara Lee bread store, Costco for shampoo, and Home Depot for furnace filters. I didn't want to be gone long cause us girls needed to be resting, but since J couldn't drive on an expired license, we had no choice. So needless to say, I was so grateful to get back home after such a long day. All in all, I was very glad to get our errands done. But most of all, so happy our baby is doing so well!

Me and Kenna on Halloween...13 Weeks along

Success

I went to my first ob check for the baby on Wednesday, the 28th. Since it was so early in the morning, Justin stayed home to get the kids off to school and I went by myself. During the drive over I was feeling very anxious and nervous. I had some spotting the week before and some serious cramping and pain...and Tylenol just didn't help at all.
I arrived 1 minute early and had the waiting room all to myself. Just sitting and staring at the fish tank. I finally got called back to get my weight, blood pressure, and temperature. So far everything was great! I had to fill out a couple new forms and then off for a urine sample. When I got back to my room my sweet Dr. Hall of 9 years came in. He hugged and congratulated me and once again made me feel very at ease. He asked me some basic questions and then said we needed to get an ultrasound. The moment was here....
As I laid back on the bed, he put the warm jelly on my belly and started to look for the baby. He had to press so hard to find anything. Then he said, "We need to do a vaginal scope to be sure." I was really freaking out. After I got changed, he came back in with my nurse of 3 years and started to look again. At first he just kept looking around and not saying anything which really started to worry me. I kept asking him, "Whats wrong? Is the baby ok?" Then he finally said, "Yep! Just as I suspected!" Everything looked great except another cyst had ruptured and that explained why he saw so much fluid around my uterus. (And explains why I was in so much pain) Then he said I had another big one on my ovary and we'll just have to keep an eye on it. Then we got to the good news of finding baby's heartbeat (just one) and getting a pic of the baby-just plopped there. You could see the head, arms, and legs so clearly and measuring a little over 8 weeks along. Alot shorter than we had originally thought. Our due date now is May 12, 2012. I was super relieved everything looked good. They even gave me a really cute diaper tote bag with samples and info papers inside.

So my 12 week appt. isn't for another month. In the meantime, he said I can keep exercising but I have to do it low intensity to prevent any more spotting. Also keep trying to eat good foods while keeping some of it down. Good thing he prescribed me more phenergen to help with that.
I am so excited for another baby to add to our family. I finally told all the kids and Rylee was super excited. She even started talking close to my mouth. I asked her what she was doing and she said shes talking to the baby! I told her the baby can hear her from my tummy but it was cute she thought she needed to talk to the baby thru my mouth :) We also sent out birthday invites to the family to announce our new pregnancy. Its very cheesy but we wanted to do something. I am just hoping for this nauseousness to go away soon so I can have my energy back!