So......no dilation and only 25% effacement. BOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
We've got another follow up appointment on Saturday morning to see if I'm dilating any. The latest they'll schedule me to be induced is Monday morning. Induction does not equal labor though...he said that I could be induced for 3 days prior to going into actual labor, depending on how long it takes my cervix to thin out and dilate. I'm the one that would make the call that I'd want to have a c-section if induction goes on for too long. Apparently I can't go further than the 8 foot cord with induction because they have to monitor me constantly. Induction starts with a pill they put in my cervix. After I've dilated to 4 cm or so, they'll add pitosin if I need it.
He painted a relatively grim picture for induction and said that he just wanted to give us the full truth and let us know that induction is not an easy route to go, it's really difficult.
Anyways, he also said that it's very possible that I could go on my own beforehand, so not to be too discouraged. My cervix can thin out and dilate itself overnight, but medicines take quite a bit more time. He said if I were to be induced today, I'd probably be induced for quite some time before labor actually started.
BLAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The appt lasted for 2 hours today...they monitored Kalia's heartrate the entire time and I had one contraction during it. She's an active little thing in there, and they had to wait for her heartrate to slow down a bit before doing the pelvic exam. They said an active baby is a good thing! The appt on Saturday is really to monitor Kalia to make sure she's still doing okay in there. She more so rolls around a lot these days...she doesn't have room to kick anymore!
I think that's the latest...hopefully she'll come on her own prior to Monday!!!!!!
Total love gained...34 lbs. Oiy.....
I'll try to take pics tonight...I'm pretty pooped though, so no promises!
Showing posts with label 3rd trimester. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 3rd trimester. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
40 weeks, no news
I have my doctors appointment tomorrow afternoon instead of today. The office is closed for Memorial Day. If Kalia decides to be the oddest baby in the entire world and actually show up ON her due date though, the doctor most definitely will meet us at the hospital! :-)
I think I have 7 of you to call back, but I honestly don't know if/when I'll get around to it. I'm overly anxious awaiting for Kalia to get here, so to keep myself from going insane, I'm doing project after project and walk after walk. In-between all of that, I'm napping. I'm keeping Chris busy with my projects and keeping me fed! :-)
We went for a 4 mile walk yesterday evening, and the neighbor across the street hollered out at us as we were getting home and told me that I should just keep walking so that I walk Kalia out of me. She had no idea how far I had just gone, but I told Chris I wanted to hit her upside the head with a frying pan. If I have one more person tell me to walk Kalia out of me, I might go ballistic. She's just not ready. I've done all of the old-wives tale things, all of the things the books say 'might' work, and she's still not here. She'll make her grand 'ol entrance when she's good and ready, and until then, the most anxious person will be me. Everyone else can chill!! :-) I'm pushing myself beyond what I really have the energy to do with the thought process of "what's the worst that can happen? I go into labor?!"
I had another neighbor (actually from the same home) come by on Saturday as I was painting the laundry room door and ask me if I had the baby yet. Um, I know you guys all tell me I look great for being pregnant, but I most certainty LOOK 40 weeks pregnant. Then she said "oh my goodness, she's going to be late?!?! Mine were two weeks early!!" like there's something wrong with me because Kalia's probably not going to show up today.
Unfortunately for you guys, I can't avoid my neighbors, as much as I try, so I'm avoiding almost everyone else instead. I can't have the same conversation about having a few contractions here and there and having mild cramping here and there with everyone...I just don't have enough energy. Add on top of that that I'm overly hormonal and overly anxious, and ... well, the only person that should have to deal with that Kara is Chris...because he loves me 'till death do us part!
Everything hurts, I get tired too easily, I'm hungry constantly, thirsty constantly, am having a hard time breathing, can't get out of bed without grunting like a 400 lb fat man, get too hot entirely too easy, get too restless, but am still exhausted all of the time, and can cry at the drop of a hat. My hips feel more sore than they did after I finished running a marathon from just walking at least 2 miles every day, along with running errands and doing projects. We took a few hours yesterday and floated in the pool and I swung in the hammock, but I got too hot and too restless to stay out there for very long.
So...realistically, that's the same conversation I'd have with every one of you. I know that you guys all care and love us and are so excited for Kalia to get here, but my nerves / anxiety / hormones can't handle having that conversation over...and over...and over again. But I do love all of you!!
I'll post again tomorrow after the doctors appointment. Till then, if you don't receive any phone calls telling you that I'm in labor, or an email saying she's here, nothing's changed!!
Going insane in the membrane....t minus TODAY till she's due, one week till she's definitely here!!!!!!!
I think I have 7 of you to call back, but I honestly don't know if/when I'll get around to it. I'm overly anxious awaiting for Kalia to get here, so to keep myself from going insane, I'm doing project after project and walk after walk. In-between all of that, I'm napping. I'm keeping Chris busy with my projects and keeping me fed! :-)
We went for a 4 mile walk yesterday evening, and the neighbor across the street hollered out at us as we were getting home and told me that I should just keep walking so that I walk Kalia out of me. She had no idea how far I had just gone, but I told Chris I wanted to hit her upside the head with a frying pan. If I have one more person tell me to walk Kalia out of me, I might go ballistic. She's just not ready. I've done all of the old-wives tale things, all of the things the books say 'might' work, and she's still not here. She'll make her grand 'ol entrance when she's good and ready, and until then, the most anxious person will be me. Everyone else can chill!! :-) I'm pushing myself beyond what I really have the energy to do with the thought process of "what's the worst that can happen? I go into labor?!"
I had another neighbor (actually from the same home) come by on Saturday as I was painting the laundry room door and ask me if I had the baby yet. Um, I know you guys all tell me I look great for being pregnant, but I most certainty LOOK 40 weeks pregnant. Then she said "oh my goodness, she's going to be late?!?! Mine were two weeks early!!" like there's something wrong with me because Kalia's probably not going to show up today.
Unfortunately for you guys, I can't avoid my neighbors, as much as I try, so I'm avoiding almost everyone else instead. I can't have the same conversation about having a few contractions here and there and having mild cramping here and there with everyone...I just don't have enough energy. Add on top of that that I'm overly hormonal and overly anxious, and ... well, the only person that should have to deal with that Kara is Chris...because he loves me 'till death do us part!
Everything hurts, I get tired too easily, I'm hungry constantly, thirsty constantly, am having a hard time breathing, can't get out of bed without grunting like a 400 lb fat man, get too hot entirely too easy, get too restless, but am still exhausted all of the time, and can cry at the drop of a hat. My hips feel more sore than they did after I finished running a marathon from just walking at least 2 miles every day, along with running errands and doing projects. We took a few hours yesterday and floated in the pool and I swung in the hammock, but I got too hot and too restless to stay out there for very long.
So...realistically, that's the same conversation I'd have with every one of you. I know that you guys all care and love us and are so excited for Kalia to get here, but my nerves / anxiety / hormones can't handle having that conversation over...and over...and over again. But I do love all of you!!
I'll post again tomorrow after the doctors appointment. Till then, if you don't receive any phone calls telling you that I'm in labor, or an email saying she's here, nothing's changed!!
Going insane in the membrane....t minus TODAY till she's due, one week till she's definitely here!!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
39 week checkup, blimp pictures
Another week at the doctor......another week of no Kalia. Sigh..........
They checked my blood pressure and Kalia's heart rate, and everything looked good. The nurse then told me that the doc was going to check my cervix...WOO HOO!!! I was seriously so excited. Chris said I was beaming, and he wasn't sure how he felt about that :-), but I really wanted to know if I was making any 'progress'.
Well...BOOOOOOOOO... 0 cm dialated and 0% effaced. I gave the doctor a big sad face when he told me that, and he said it doesn't necessarily mean that she's coming late. After he said that he re-iterated his statement that he's been saying since the beginning "most first time Mom's go an average of 5 days late." Chris asked him what his standard deviation was on that one, and after he laughed, he said he had no idea, and wasn't willing to answer that question. Gotta love being the doc for two Engineers!
He told me the only reason he checks my cervix at this point is because a lot of women want to be induced by 39 weeks, which is something he'd entertain doing if I was progressing. But since I'm not, he said that if he induced labor with 0 progress on my own, there's a high probability that I'd wind up needing a c-section. I told him I'd wait for Kalia to decide it was her time to come into the world.
If she takes after her Daddy, she'll be here within the next week. If she takes after her Mommy, she'll be here the week after, completely scatter brained.
If I haven't gone on my own by next weeks appointment, Kalia's due date, he'll discuss scheduling an induction for later on in the week. He said if I make it to 41 weeks without her coming out, and am still not progressing at all, the benefits of induction decreases significantly because of the likelihood that I'll put myself through lots of hours of labor only to have to wind up the c-section route anyways. After 41 weeks, he says she'll be too big to deliver naturally.
She's slowed down some in her growth though. For the first time in a looong time, I measured perfect at 39 cm. I'd been measuring at least a week large since about month 5 I think.
I've been having menstral like cramps with my contractions, which he said is a really good sign. That just started happening Saturday night, so hopefully it continues!!
Now for the blimp pictures...
Seriously, I have no idea how it's possible for my belly button to stick out even further, but every week it pokes out more. Or my belly for that matter. I'm really gonna fall over forwards before too long.
And now for the "I can't believe I'm actually posting these" blimp belly photos...
Yes, that's my foot tapping...come on already!!!
I'm starting to get a little bit of swelling in my face, hands, and feet. It's worse when I'm hot or after I've exercised. I nap a lot, toss and turn a lot, and eat a lot.
I'm keeping up with the 1 lb a week weight gain thing...so far, total love gained = 33 lbs. So.freaking.big!!!
T minus 6 days till her due date, and 13 days till she absolutely without a doubt will be here. I can do it!!!
They checked my blood pressure and Kalia's heart rate, and everything looked good. The nurse then told me that the doc was going to check my cervix...WOO HOO!!! I was seriously so excited. Chris said I was beaming, and he wasn't sure how he felt about that :-), but I really wanted to know if I was making any 'progress'.
Well...BOOOOOOOOO... 0 cm dialated and 0% effaced. I gave the doctor a big sad face when he told me that, and he said it doesn't necessarily mean that she's coming late. After he said that he re-iterated his statement that he's been saying since the beginning "most first time Mom's go an average of 5 days late." Chris asked him what his standard deviation was on that one, and after he laughed, he said he had no idea, and wasn't willing to answer that question. Gotta love being the doc for two Engineers!
He told me the only reason he checks my cervix at this point is because a lot of women want to be induced by 39 weeks, which is something he'd entertain doing if I was progressing. But since I'm not, he said that if he induced labor with 0 progress on my own, there's a high probability that I'd wind up needing a c-section. I told him I'd wait for Kalia to decide it was her time to come into the world.
If she takes after her Daddy, she'll be here within the next week. If she takes after her Mommy, she'll be here the week after, completely scatter brained.
If I haven't gone on my own by next weeks appointment, Kalia's due date, he'll discuss scheduling an induction for later on in the week. He said if I make it to 41 weeks without her coming out, and am still not progressing at all, the benefits of induction decreases significantly because of the likelihood that I'll put myself through lots of hours of labor only to have to wind up the c-section route anyways. After 41 weeks, he says she'll be too big to deliver naturally.
She's slowed down some in her growth though. For the first time in a looong time, I measured perfect at 39 cm. I'd been measuring at least a week large since about month 5 I think.
I've been having menstral like cramps with my contractions, which he said is a really good sign. That just started happening Saturday night, so hopefully it continues!!
Now for the blimp pictures...
Seriously, I have no idea how it's possible for my belly button to stick out even further, but every week it pokes out more. Or my belly for that matter. I'm really gonna fall over forwards before too long.
And now for the "I can't believe I'm actually posting these" blimp belly photos...
Dear Kalia, I'm impatiently waiting...Love, your Mommy.
Yes, that's my foot tapping...come on already!!!
I'm starting to get a little bit of swelling in my face, hands, and feet. It's worse when I'm hot or after I've exercised. I nap a lot, toss and turn a lot, and eat a lot.
I'm keeping up with the 1 lb a week weight gain thing...so far, total love gained = 33 lbs. So.freaking.big!!!
T minus 6 days till her due date, and 13 days till she absolutely without a doubt will be here. I can do it!!!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
38 week checkup, hippo pictures
Yesterday was our 38 week checkup. I was surprised the doctor didn't check me internally to see if I was progressing in labor at all, but I guess it doesn't really matter. If I'm not dilated at all, I'll be impatient / upset, and if I am dilated, I'll be anxious with anticipation!!!
The nurse found Kalia's heartbeat, which was pretty high. When it didn't slow down after a few minutes, she hooked her up to the heart rate monitor thing again and let that go for about 20 minutes. Her heart rate was around 170 for most of it, but she did get down to the 140's occasionally. She was kung fu fighting the whole time, which is a new regular for her, and the doc said that's why her heart rate was so high. He said it's a good sign that she's an active little baby. Just like her Momma and Daddy!! :-)
I'm convinced that Kalia's confused on where the 'exit ramp' is. She's still kicking up a storm in my ribs, which is probably due to her continually growing long legs! She's kicking so much in fact that my right rib is actually bruised. I don't think I've dropped enough for her to really be ready to come out, so if I'm being completely honest with myself, I don't think I'm going into labor anytime soon. I hope I'm wrong though!! Today was my guess date because of the full moon tonight, so maybe she'll figure it out by tonight. (Please oh please...)
I haven't lost my mucous plug or had any bleeding at all yet, so that's another reason why I don't think she's ready to come out.
I'm still walking or riding the exercise bike most days, and I'm staying pretty active, so I'm convinced she's just not ready...even though we are! She'll come out when she's ready, and there's not much else I can do to help her decide that. Two miles a day for this large and in charge body is more than enough. I feel like I'm crawling most days by the time I get home!
I'm only posting one picture with my shirt down this time. Yes, I realize black is not the best to show how big I've gotten. However, you work with what fits you, and Chris's monster shirts just make it look like I'm wearing a moo-moo, and I have a grand total of about 4 shirts that fit me...sooo...just be happy I'm sharing in my embarrassment of my new-found hippopotamus body!
Chris took these last night after I was done riding the exercise bike. I'm sooo tired lately, and you can definitely tell them in the pictures. Oiy!
Now for the belly reveal...I get tired just looking at how big my belly has gotten!!
All right Kalia, time for you to come out now!!!
Pretty pretty please?!?!?! No?? Boooo!!!!!
Maybe tonight!!!
Thanks everyone for all of your phone calls / emails / prayers / well wishes / etc.. I know I'm not doing the greatest at keeping up with everyone (or anyone...), but please know that we appreciate being in all of your thoughts!! I sleep a lot more these days too, so I'm either go-go-go or passed out. One extreme or the other.
The doctor did say yesterday that most first time Mom's go at 40 weeks and 5 days. BOOOO!!! Regardless, he won't let me go more than a week past my due date, so by June 6th, she'll be here. I'd prefer May 17th though!
T minus 13 days till my due date, and 20 days till she's absolutely without a doubt here!! I can't wait!
p.s. I don't think my boobs look too terribly big anymore. My belly is taking ALL the glory!
The nurse found Kalia's heartbeat, which was pretty high. When it didn't slow down after a few minutes, she hooked her up to the heart rate monitor thing again and let that go for about 20 minutes. Her heart rate was around 170 for most of it, but she did get down to the 140's occasionally. She was kung fu fighting the whole time, which is a new regular for her, and the doc said that's why her heart rate was so high. He said it's a good sign that she's an active little baby. Just like her Momma and Daddy!! :-)
I'm convinced that Kalia's confused on where the 'exit ramp' is. She's still kicking up a storm in my ribs, which is probably due to her continually growing long legs! She's kicking so much in fact that my right rib is actually bruised. I don't think I've dropped enough for her to really be ready to come out, so if I'm being completely honest with myself, I don't think I'm going into labor anytime soon. I hope I'm wrong though!! Today was my guess date because of the full moon tonight, so maybe she'll figure it out by tonight. (Please oh please...)
I haven't lost my mucous plug or had any bleeding at all yet, so that's another reason why I don't think she's ready to come out.
I'm still walking or riding the exercise bike most days, and I'm staying pretty active, so I'm convinced she's just not ready...even though we are! She'll come out when she's ready, and there's not much else I can do to help her decide that. Two miles a day for this large and in charge body is more than enough. I feel like I'm crawling most days by the time I get home!
I'm only posting one picture with my shirt down this time. Yes, I realize black is not the best to show how big I've gotten. However, you work with what fits you, and Chris's monster shirts just make it look like I'm wearing a moo-moo, and I have a grand total of about 4 shirts that fit me...sooo...just be happy I'm sharing in my embarrassment of my new-found hippopotamus body!
Chris took these last night after I was done riding the exercise bike. I'm sooo tired lately, and you can definitely tell them in the pictures. Oiy!
Now for the belly reveal...I get tired just looking at how big my belly has gotten!!
All right Kalia, time for you to come out now!!!
Pretty pretty please?!?!?! No?? Boooo!!!!!
Maybe tonight!!!
Thanks everyone for all of your phone calls / emails / prayers / well wishes / etc.. I know I'm not doing the greatest at keeping up with everyone (or anyone...), but please know that we appreciate being in all of your thoughts!! I sleep a lot more these days too, so I'm either go-go-go or passed out. One extreme or the other.
The doctor did say yesterday that most first time Mom's go at 40 weeks and 5 days. BOOOO!!! Regardless, he won't let me go more than a week past my due date, so by June 6th, she'll be here. I'd prefer May 17th though!
T minus 13 days till my due date, and 20 days till she's absolutely without a doubt here!! I can't wait!
p.s. I don't think my boobs look too terribly big anymore. My belly is taking ALL the glory!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Our Little Alien
The doctor gave us these pictures from Monday's ultra-sound. Kalia's got too much fluids in front of her face (see huge big rockin' belly picture from Mother's Day) to get a really good picture, and she was moving around quite a bit, so this is the best he could do. She actually stopped moving for a half a second and we could see cuter images, but he couldn't capture them in still frame. The 4-D thing is amazing.
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Yes, I realize she looks like an alien. No, I don't think all of my fluids in front of her face and her sunken in eyeballs are terribly adorable. But her button nose is cute!! And in the first few pictures, it actually looks like she might have hair!! But then you get tot he last one and she looks bald again.
I can't WAIT to see her outta my belly!!! I think she's confused though...I think she thinks she's supposed to come out through my rib cage instead of down yonder. I swear sometimes it feels like she's coming out through my ribs. I asked the doc if it was possible for her to break my ribs and he just laughed at me. I guess that means no!
T minus 18 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Breast Ultrasound
This morning I had my 6 month follow up for the lump in my breast. The ultra sound wasn't quite as much fun as Monday's one where I got to actually see Kalia!
The radiologist came in after the tech showed him the results and told me that the lump in my right breast has grown slightly. Very slightly. 1 mm slightly...but it's still grown. He said it very well could be because of my pregnancy hormones, so he didn't want to do anything just yet. He's requesting another 6 month follow up and another ultra sound. He said if that one looks like it hasn't grown any, then I'm good for awhile.
The mass is a solid mass, which is why they're semi-concerned anyways. If it was a fibrous mass, they wouldn't about it. But because I'm young and have dense breast tissue (umm...thanks?!), it could just be that too. He specifically said he didn't think it was cancer, but it's a solid mass, so it's something they need to make sure isn't growing. He asked if I'd been feeling all right, and I told him I'm 9+ months pregnant, so 'all right' is a relative term.
I asked if breast feeding would effect the ultra sound outcome at all (like he thinks pregnancy hormones did), and he said no, so that's good. Hopefully this next appt is the last one till I'm in the clear!
The ladies at the breast imaging center had a good chuckle at me this morning. They asked how much longer until I was due and I said 2 weeks and 5 days. They laughed and said something about "not that you're counting down or anything!!" I told them that if I knew the hour and minutes, I'd be keeping track of it that way!
T minus 19 days!!! Please come before that Kalia!!!!!!!! :-D
The radiologist came in after the tech showed him the results and told me that the lump in my right breast has grown slightly. Very slightly. 1 mm slightly...but it's still grown. He said it very well could be because of my pregnancy hormones, so he didn't want to do anything just yet. He's requesting another 6 month follow up and another ultra sound. He said if that one looks like it hasn't grown any, then I'm good for awhile.
The mass is a solid mass, which is why they're semi-concerned anyways. If it was a fibrous mass, they wouldn't about it. But because I'm young and have dense breast tissue (umm...thanks?!), it could just be that too. He specifically said he didn't think it was cancer, but it's a solid mass, so it's something they need to make sure isn't growing. He asked if I'd been feeling all right, and I told him I'm 9+ months pregnant, so 'all right' is a relative term.
I asked if breast feeding would effect the ultra sound outcome at all (like he thinks pregnancy hormones did), and he said no, so that's good. Hopefully this next appt is the last one till I'm in the clear!
The ladies at the breast imaging center had a good chuckle at me this morning. They asked how much longer until I was due and I said 2 weeks and 5 days. They laughed and said something about "not that you're counting down or anything!!" I told them that if I knew the hour and minutes, I'd be keeping track of it that way!
T minus 19 days!!! Please come before that Kalia!!!!!!!! :-D
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
37 week checkup, breastfeeding class
Yesterday was a busy afternoon / evening with all things baby. This work thing is getting kind of tough with everything else going on!
I was kind of surprised that the doc didn't check me internally, but I guess there really was no reason to. He did the ultra sound, and he actually turned on the 4D magic wand thing and let us see her. She went between looking like an alien and looking adorable. You could see her button nose. He said everything looks great, and that she can come out anytime now because she's fully developed. Woot!!
She weighed in at a WHOPPING 7 lbs 3 ounces!!!!!!!! So from now until she comes out, she's just cooking and getting bigger...and bigger...and bigger. He took measurements of her head and her legs, and her head measured at 34 weeks, and her femur measured at 40 weeks. He said that means she's long and skinny, which is much better for pushing out than a short and fat baby. Thank goodness for that at least!
It'll be interesting to see how accurate some of these things are once she finally gets here!!
After that, we had breastfeeding class from 7-930. I was so exhausted during it, but I learned a lot. I didn't realize that for breastfeeding, they want you to feed your newborn 8-12 times a day for the first two weeks. (sidenote : Janelle, I just thought baby Yulander was a porker!!! Sorry!) Which means every 2-3 hours. If she's back to her initial weight at her 2 week pediatrician appt, then we can let her regulate moreso when she eats.
We talked amongst the parents about some of the good and bad breastfeeding experiences we've witnessed. I was pretty shocked and relatively appalled to hear what some of the other parents had heard story wise with family members voicing their opinions on breastfeeding. It was pretty common for the new Mom to hear that she wasn't feeding her baby enough, wasn't producing enough milk, and needed to supplement with formula...and after a few weeks, the defeated Mom gave in. The first few weeks that the baby is home from the hospital are going to be rough, especially with having to feed her every few hours. The amount of stress that that puts on the Mom with knowing that you are the sole nourishment / lifeline for this brand new little creature is so intense, I can't imagine not having the support of loved ones during it. Regardless of if they think what you're doing is right or wrong, support support support...encourage, encourage, encourage!!
They showed us a video of how to get the baby to latch, and unlike the natural birth that was a little bit tramatizing for both Chris and I, this one actually was beneficial. I feel much better prepared to go forward with this whole being a cow thing now!
This might be a little TMI, but oh well. She talked about inverted nipples being a problem for breast feeding, and told us that we wouldn't be able to see if we had inverted nipples by just looking at ourselves in the mirror. You have to grab either side of the aeroli and squeeze slightly, more so at the breast area than the nipple area, and then if your nipple stays out, you're good. I of course wanted to see if I had that problem or not, so I did it when I got home, and was actually completely shocked when I got colostrum coming out! My body is getting ready!!! That actually made me feel pretty good about the whole breastfeeding thing because it didn't hurt at all, and stuff was coming out. It's hard / weird to explain, but it was most definitely a reassuring sign for me!
So, pulling up the stats...total love gained so far...31 pounds. I'm seriously going to topple over if she continues growing this fast!!
T minus 2 weeks and 6 days!! Woot!
I was kind of surprised that the doc didn't check me internally, but I guess there really was no reason to. He did the ultra sound, and he actually turned on the 4D magic wand thing and let us see her. She went between looking like an alien and looking adorable. You could see her button nose. He said everything looks great, and that she can come out anytime now because she's fully developed. Woot!!
She weighed in at a WHOPPING 7 lbs 3 ounces!!!!!!!! So from now until she comes out, she's just cooking and getting bigger...and bigger...and bigger. He took measurements of her head and her legs, and her head measured at 34 weeks, and her femur measured at 40 weeks. He said that means she's long and skinny, which is much better for pushing out than a short and fat baby. Thank goodness for that at least!
It'll be interesting to see how accurate some of these things are once she finally gets here!!
After that, we had breastfeeding class from 7-930. I was so exhausted during it, but I learned a lot. I didn't realize that for breastfeeding, they want you to feed your newborn 8-12 times a day for the first two weeks. (sidenote : Janelle, I just thought baby Yulander was a porker!!! Sorry!) Which means every 2-3 hours. If she's back to her initial weight at her 2 week pediatrician appt, then we can let her regulate moreso when she eats.
We talked amongst the parents about some of the good and bad breastfeeding experiences we've witnessed. I was pretty shocked and relatively appalled to hear what some of the other parents had heard story wise with family members voicing their opinions on breastfeeding. It was pretty common for the new Mom to hear that she wasn't feeding her baby enough, wasn't producing enough milk, and needed to supplement with formula...and after a few weeks, the defeated Mom gave in. The first few weeks that the baby is home from the hospital are going to be rough, especially with having to feed her every few hours. The amount of stress that that puts on the Mom with knowing that you are the sole nourishment / lifeline for this brand new little creature is so intense, I can't imagine not having the support of loved ones during it. Regardless of if they think what you're doing is right or wrong, support support support...encourage, encourage, encourage!!
They showed us a video of how to get the baby to latch, and unlike the natural birth that was a little bit tramatizing for both Chris and I, this one actually was beneficial. I feel much better prepared to go forward with this whole being a cow thing now!
This might be a little TMI, but oh well. She talked about inverted nipples being a problem for breast feeding, and told us that we wouldn't be able to see if we had inverted nipples by just looking at ourselves in the mirror. You have to grab either side of the aeroli and squeeze slightly, more so at the breast area than the nipple area, and then if your nipple stays out, you're good. I of course wanted to see if I had that problem or not, so I did it when I got home, and was actually completely shocked when I got colostrum coming out! My body is getting ready!!! That actually made me feel pretty good about the whole breastfeeding thing because it didn't hurt at all, and stuff was coming out. It's hard / weird to explain, but it was most definitely a reassuring sign for me!
So, pulling up the stats...total love gained so far...31 pounds. I'm seriously going to topple over if she continues growing this fast!!
T minus 2 weeks and 6 days!! Woot!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mother's Day
Yes, I moved a tree on Saturday.
But on Sunday, I did a lot of this with Kodi :
I had to include this last one so that you could see that I am indeed wearing bathing suit bottoms. Although, I don't think I'd notice the difference if I weren't...I can't see anything anyways, but they're definitely there.
Chris and Kodi bought me flowers and made me breakfast to start off the day. Chris and I went out and ran a few errands after that, and I can tell I'm getting so large and in charge. I got stopped I don't know how many times and asked how much longer. One lady at Home Depot said I was making her nervous because I was too close to my due date. Apparently you're supposed to do a lot more of what I'm doing in the pics above when you're getting close and just wait for the baby to get here. Someone tell my brain that please, k? It won't turn off.
We got home and Chris and Kodi made me lunch, and then we floated in the pool some, and then switched to the hammock for a bit (we being Kodi and I...poor Chris hung out in the pool for a little bit before going to work on the sprinklers), and then the boys made me dinner and dessert! It was a great way to spend my last Mother's Day as only the Mom of a 4 legged furry kiddo!
Today is officially THE day that it's okay if I go into labor. We have an ultra sound this afternoon at 415, and he's going to do his weekly 'checks' then too. After that, we have breast feeding class from 7-930. It's our last 'baby thing' to do before Kalia's arrival.
I looked at the calendar last night and told Chris that I think I'm going to go into labor on May 17th. He just started laughing and was like ummm...okaaaay!!! It's the next full moon though...sooo...that's my logic!!!
Realistically though, with all this talk about me going early, I will probably now go late. I don't know if I can handle carrying around this front-load belly of mine for too much longer.
Or sleeping like this :
I miss being able to sleep in my bed with Chris. Chris took this picture on Friday night sometime. This big body is just impossible to get comfortable, but the side of the couch at least provides support on one side, and then I make a pillow mountain around me and manage to doze off for a few hours...till it's time to get up and pee...again. Oiy.
T minus 21 DAYS till my DUE DATE!!! Come on Kalia!!!!!!!
But on Sunday, I did a lot of this with Kodi :
I had to include this last one so that you could see that I am indeed wearing bathing suit bottoms. Although, I don't think I'd notice the difference if I weren't...I can't see anything anyways, but they're definitely there.
Chris and Kodi bought me flowers and made me breakfast to start off the day. Chris and I went out and ran a few errands after that, and I can tell I'm getting so large and in charge. I got stopped I don't know how many times and asked how much longer. One lady at Home Depot said I was making her nervous because I was too close to my due date. Apparently you're supposed to do a lot more of what I'm doing in the pics above when you're getting close and just wait for the baby to get here. Someone tell my brain that please, k? It won't turn off.
We got home and Chris and Kodi made me lunch, and then we floated in the pool some, and then switched to the hammock for a bit (we being Kodi and I...poor Chris hung out in the pool for a little bit before going to work on the sprinklers), and then the boys made me dinner and dessert! It was a great way to spend my last Mother's Day as only the Mom of a 4 legged furry kiddo!
Today is officially THE day that it's okay if I go into labor. We have an ultra sound this afternoon at 415, and he's going to do his weekly 'checks' then too. After that, we have breast feeding class from 7-930. It's our last 'baby thing' to do before Kalia's arrival.
I looked at the calendar last night and told Chris that I think I'm going to go into labor on May 17th. He just started laughing and was like ummm...okaaaay!!! It's the next full moon though...sooo...that's my logic!!!
Realistically though, with all this talk about me going early, I will probably now go late. I don't know if I can handle carrying around this front-load belly of mine for too much longer.
Or sleeping like this :
I miss being able to sleep in my bed with Chris. Chris took this picture on Friday night sometime. This big body is just impossible to get comfortable, but the side of the couch at least provides support on one side, and then I make a pillow mountain around me and manage to doze off for a few hours...till it's time to get up and pee...again. Oiy.
T minus 21 DAYS till my DUE DATE!!! Come on Kalia!!!!!!!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Week 36 checkup , Peditrician
Monday afternoon we had our weekly checkup. As usual, he hooked me up to the heart monitor and the contraction monitor. For the first time, I actually had two contractions while I was hooked up...about 15 minutes apart or so, so labor isn't in my immediate future. He checked to see if I had dilated any, and I hadn't. Booo!!
Really, it's good...she needs to cook till at least next week, and then she can come on out!! He's doing an ultra sound again at next weeks appointment because I'm still measuring a week large. He just wants to check her size, the fluids surrounding her, and her position again. He wants her to wait till at least 38 weeks to come out...sigh.
Chris has made it a game to entertain me while I'm laying on the bed hooked up to the monitors. He tried to check and see if I was still measuring large, and instead of measuring in cm, he measured in inches. Your stomach from pelvic to ribs should measure how many weeks along you are. Chris's measurement went from my pelvic all the way to my forehead. Goofy Chris. According to Dr. Hart's measurements, I'm measuring quite small :-).
Yesterday we met with / interviews a Pediatrician for Kalia. We liked everything about the practice, so we've decided to go ahead and choose them. It's an office of 7 physicians, but we get to pick who we see for regular appointments. It's a relief to have this crossed off the to-do list!!
Last night Chris got onto me for not having my hospital bag packed. I called Janelle to get a list of things to bring with me, and that's about as far as I got! Oops! Guess that's what I need to work on tonight!
This blog makes me laugh. I look back through pictures of how big I thought I was. Hahaha. I'm a hippo now, I was tiny then!!! It's almost done though...I can do it!!! T minus 26 days!!!!!!!!!
Really, it's good...she needs to cook till at least next week, and then she can come on out!! He's doing an ultra sound again at next weeks appointment because I'm still measuring a week large. He just wants to check her size, the fluids surrounding her, and her position again. He wants her to wait till at least 38 weeks to come out...sigh.
Chris has made it a game to entertain me while I'm laying on the bed hooked up to the monitors. He tried to check and see if I was still measuring large, and instead of measuring in cm, he measured in inches. Your stomach from pelvic to ribs should measure how many weeks along you are. Chris's measurement went from my pelvic all the way to my forehead. Goofy Chris. According to Dr. Hart's measurements, I'm measuring quite small :-).
Yesterday we met with / interviews a Pediatrician for Kalia. We liked everything about the practice, so we've decided to go ahead and choose them. It's an office of 7 physicians, but we get to pick who we see for regular appointments. It's a relief to have this crossed off the to-do list!!
Last night Chris got onto me for not having my hospital bag packed. I called Janelle to get a list of things to bring with me, and that's about as far as I got! Oops! Guess that's what I need to work on tonight!
This blog makes me laugh. I look back through pictures of how big I thought I was. Hahaha. I'm a hippo now, I was tiny then!!! It's almost done though...I can do it!!! T minus 26 days!!!!!!!!!
Monday, May 2, 2011
9 months!!! FINALLY!!!
So saying that pregnancy only lasts 9 months is sort of a trick. It's really more like 10 months if you go full term, since week 36 is officially the start of your 9th month. I think they do it this way though because by the time you reach the 9th month of your pregnancy, you're just over it. I'm so ready for Kalia to be here, to hold her in my arms...I'm ready for the challenges that we'll face, and the payoffs that will undoubtedly be worth it as the years go on.
I'm ready to see my feet again, to not have to pee every 5 minutes, to not be constantly thirsty, to not be constantly hungry but not really want anything. I'm ready to be able to breathe like a freaking normal person, sit up on my own, sleep on my back or my stomach, run, play volleyball, not walk with a hand in front of my belly when I'm out in public because people don't realize that I'm pregnant from behind and then speed up to cut me off because I'm taking too long to walk and run into my belly...
I'm ready to not be an oven anymore. I'm ready to be semi independent again, to remember what the heck I was talking about 30 seconds ago, to be able to focus on any one thing for longer than 1 minute without absent mindedly wandering somewhere else. I'm ready to not have to do the dreaded long walk down to the scale to see how much MORE weight I gained this week. I might never step on a scale again. I'm ready to not have to pee in a tiny little cup that there's no way I can see over this ginormous belly and then having to spend 5 minutes 'cleaning up' after I'm done on my weekly doctors appointments. Losing your feet is somewhat bad, losing your nether regions...argh.
I'm ready to pave our path for how we're going to raise Kalia and how we're going to be as a family of four (yes, Kodi counts...he was our trial run!!), I'm ready to figure out what works for us and do this whole baby raising thing the Kara and Chris way :-). I'm ready to see Chris hold our baby girl in his arms, instantly fall in love, and fall that much more in love with him because of how great of a Daddy he's going to be. I'm ready for the ups and downs and joys and tribulations and everything else that comes with parenthood...I'm ready for it all!!
I do think it took me 9 months to get to the point where I felt ready to bring Kalia into this world...but I'm here now, so she can come now. Well, she can come when she's healthy and she's ready...because I think this is how parenthood starts...I don't get to do things on just my terms and when I'm ready anymore...she gets a say now too! But Kalia, if you could be ready sooner than later, I'd really appreciate it!!!
I had Chris snap a few pics on Saturday night so you guys could see the ever-growing monstrosity of my belly.
And...the infamous belly shots that I really do not love so much, but until I get stretch marks that makes the thing hideous, you can see it. When they stop showing up, don't ask why, k?! :-) Taking these pictures are honestly not all that much fun anymore. I feel like a hippo, but Chris does really good at making me laugh and having fun with it...so...here's the outcome of our goofy full belly shots photo shoot...
I look like I'm about to fall over backwards here. Which is what I feel like 99% of the time. I think I should get some sort of medal for being able to walk without falling forwards, even if that means I lean back a ridiculous amount.
Um...yeah...do you see how big this thing is getting?!
It's shocking.
And...of course I'd be the one with a drunk looking line of pregnancy. I have no idea why it's not straight, but it's the most crooked thing, and I've never seen one quite like it.
Close up...
Like I said before, no stretch marks just yet...but I'm sure they're a coming. Those other lines on my belly are from leaning against things or laying down. My belly is so out there that everything leaves lines, and then they disappear. I do keep my belly constantly oiled up though. I'm ready for that part to be over too :-).
Oh, and on Sunday, we did the fun, joyous task of shopping for maternity bras. We were really out getting the last remaining items on Kalia's registry at Target, which is why Chris was there. But I think I needed him there for moral support too. Holy hideousness. Those things have got to be the worst looking things in the entire world. Not only were 99% of them not comfortable, 100% off them were the ugliest things I'd ever seen. Oh, and 95% of them made me look like I had a chest that looks like those you see in old women cartoon jokes. Straight down south. Like the bra was making things worse than they already are. No support...just pushing everything further down. I mean, if you're going to make the most hideous looking thing in the entire world, could you at least make it supportive so its functional?!
That's okay though...I'll be so thrilled when she gets here and I can start functioning somewhat normal again that those hideous milking contraptions won't even bother me.
I'm starting the official day count down...28 days till my due date!!! Kalia, you're more than welcome to come waaay before then though!!!
I'm ready to see my feet again, to not have to pee every 5 minutes, to not be constantly thirsty, to not be constantly hungry but not really want anything. I'm ready to be able to breathe like a freaking normal person, sit up on my own, sleep on my back or my stomach, run, play volleyball, not walk with a hand in front of my belly when I'm out in public because people don't realize that I'm pregnant from behind and then speed up to cut me off because I'm taking too long to walk and run into my belly...
I'm ready to not be an oven anymore. I'm ready to be semi independent again, to remember what the heck I was talking about 30 seconds ago, to be able to focus on any one thing for longer than 1 minute without absent mindedly wandering somewhere else. I'm ready to not have to do the dreaded long walk down to the scale to see how much MORE weight I gained this week. I might never step on a scale again. I'm ready to not have to pee in a tiny little cup that there's no way I can see over this ginormous belly and then having to spend 5 minutes 'cleaning up' after I'm done on my weekly doctors appointments. Losing your feet is somewhat bad, losing your nether regions...argh.
I'm ready to pave our path for how we're going to raise Kalia and how we're going to be as a family of four (yes, Kodi counts...he was our trial run!!), I'm ready to figure out what works for us and do this whole baby raising thing the Kara and Chris way :-). I'm ready to see Chris hold our baby girl in his arms, instantly fall in love, and fall that much more in love with him because of how great of a Daddy he's going to be. I'm ready for the ups and downs and joys and tribulations and everything else that comes with parenthood...I'm ready for it all!!
I do think it took me 9 months to get to the point where I felt ready to bring Kalia into this world...but I'm here now, so she can come now. Well, she can come when she's healthy and she's ready...because I think this is how parenthood starts...I don't get to do things on just my terms and when I'm ready anymore...she gets a say now too! But Kalia, if you could be ready sooner than later, I'd really appreciate it!!!
I had Chris snap a few pics on Saturday night so you guys could see the ever-growing monstrosity of my belly.
And...the infamous belly shots that I really do not love so much, but until I get stretch marks that makes the thing hideous, you can see it. When they stop showing up, don't ask why, k?! :-) Taking these pictures are honestly not all that much fun anymore. I feel like a hippo, but Chris does really good at making me laugh and having fun with it...so...here's the outcome of our goofy full belly shots photo shoot...
I look like I'm about to fall over backwards here. Which is what I feel like 99% of the time. I think I should get some sort of medal for being able to walk without falling forwards, even if that means I lean back a ridiculous amount.
Um...yeah...do you see how big this thing is getting?!
It's shocking.
And...of course I'd be the one with a drunk looking line of pregnancy. I have no idea why it's not straight, but it's the most crooked thing, and I've never seen one quite like it.
Close up...
Oh, and on Sunday, we did the fun, joyous task of shopping for maternity bras. We were really out getting the last remaining items on Kalia's registry at Target, which is why Chris was there. But I think I needed him there for moral support too. Holy hideousness. Those things have got to be the worst looking things in the entire world. Not only were 99% of them not comfortable, 100% off them were the ugliest things I'd ever seen. Oh, and 95% of them made me look like I had a chest that looks like those you see in old women cartoon jokes. Straight down south. Like the bra was making things worse than they already are. No support...just pushing everything further down. I mean, if you're going to make the most hideous looking thing in the entire world, could you at least make it supportive so its functional?!
That's okay though...I'll be so thrilled when she gets here and I can start functioning somewhat normal again that those hideous milking contraptions won't even bother me.
I'm starting the official day count down...28 days till my due date!!! Kalia, you're more than welcome to come waaay before then though!!!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
35 week checkup
Well, I didn't get a chance to post on Thursday after our ultra-sound...but...
everything looked great with Kalia...she's just a BIG BABY!!! She's actually slowed down growing some...she weighed in at 5 lbs 12 ounces. I'm only measuring 1 week large instead of two. I keep asking him if that means I'll go earlier and he said nope, it just means she's a big baby. Grrrr...I'm ready for Kalia to get here!! The great news is that Kalia has flipped so she's no longer breach!!! WOO HOO!!! She just flipped on Thursday, and I can sort of breathe again. It's amazing how much I took that for granted!
We had an amazing baby shower this past weekend in Melbourne. The three of us are so lucky and fortunate and blessed to have so many people that love us and already love Kalia so much! When my professional photographer (aka Uncle Jason) uploads some pictures...errr...his assistant uploads pictures (aka Aunt Jennifer!), I'll post them! I could write pages upon pages about how thankful I am for everything this past weekend, but since this will be a long post already, I'll hold off. But I am so thankful!!!!!!!!!!
We had our 35 week checkup yesterday. They hooked me up to the monitors, and we listened to Kalia's heartbeat for awhile. Everything is still looking good!
We get to wait an entire week before seeing the doctor again. I really hope I'm not jinxing myself by writing that.
I'm getting bigger by the minute these days it seems. Since she's flipped, I'm also having the first trimester pee urges every hour or so. My feet started swelling yesterday, and I took off my wedding ring until after my delivery. No need to risk some weird complication with that one!
Also since she's flipped, I'm feeling her move a lot more. I think it's because she has more room to kick around. She definitely had to be cramped being sideways!! Too bad her flipping didn't make me look any longer or leaner!
I feel...excited, am filled with anticipation, and I really am ready for her to get here. I could care less what else I don't have done...it'll all work out. I just can't wait to see her already!! I don't like the feeling of not being able to do as much, but I'm already well there. I get tired way more easily, and just get to the point where I'm done and need to rest NOW. I think that means she's coming soon!! Haha, just let me keep believing that, okay?! It's my happy place!!!
T minus 4 weeks and 6 days!!!!!
everything looked great with Kalia...she's just a BIG BABY!!! She's actually slowed down growing some...she weighed in at 5 lbs 12 ounces. I'm only measuring 1 week large instead of two. I keep asking him if that means I'll go earlier and he said nope, it just means she's a big baby. Grrrr...I'm ready for Kalia to get here!! The great news is that Kalia has flipped so she's no longer breach!!! WOO HOO!!! She just flipped on Thursday, and I can sort of breathe again. It's amazing how much I took that for granted!
We had an amazing baby shower this past weekend in Melbourne. The three of us are so lucky and fortunate and blessed to have so many people that love us and already love Kalia so much! When my professional photographer (aka Uncle Jason) uploads some pictures...errr...his assistant uploads pictures (aka Aunt Jennifer!), I'll post them! I could write pages upon pages about how thankful I am for everything this past weekend, but since this will be a long post already, I'll hold off. But I am so thankful!!!!!!!!!!
We had our 35 week checkup yesterday. They hooked me up to the monitors, and we listened to Kalia's heartbeat for awhile. Everything is still looking good!
We get to wait an entire week before seeing the doctor again. I really hope I'm not jinxing myself by writing that.
I'm getting bigger by the minute these days it seems. Since she's flipped, I'm also having the first trimester pee urges every hour or so. My feet started swelling yesterday, and I took off my wedding ring until after my delivery. No need to risk some weird complication with that one!
Also since she's flipped, I'm feeling her move a lot more. I think it's because she has more room to kick around. She definitely had to be cramped being sideways!! Too bad her flipping didn't make me look any longer or leaner!
I feel...excited, am filled with anticipation, and I really am ready for her to get here. I could care less what else I don't have done...it'll all work out. I just can't wait to see her already!! I don't like the feeling of not being able to do as much, but I'm already well there. I get tired way more easily, and just get to the point where I'm done and need to rest NOW. I think that means she's coming soon!! Haha, just let me keep believing that, okay?! It's my happy place!!!
T minus 4 weeks and 6 days!!!!!
Monday, April 18, 2011
34 week checkup
Everything looked good at todays checkup. They strapped me into the heart monitor and Kalia's heart rate looked good. My blood work came back from last week, and the only negative is that I'm slightly anemic. We're having steak for dinner tonight :-).
I'm still measuring a little bit large, and she's still not moving around like she was, so he's doing another ultra sound on Thursday afternoon to check out my amniotic fluids and stuff. I'm pretty sure he's just overly cautious on everything...better safe than sorry!
I'm assuming we'll see that she's still up on my ribs. I think she heard me complaining about my boobs being too big and has decided that she'll help hold those bad boys up. She's that high! The upper portion of my stomach has actually gone pretty numb...it's like when you have ice on a spot for awhile and then run your finger along it...you can sort of feel it, but it's that weird numb tingly feeling. That's what I've got going on across my upper ribs. He said its from her hanging out up there.
I told him I was going to jump up and down to get her to move down...he said "we don't allow jumping in pregnancy". Bummer.
Chris and I took a few hours on Sunday and floated around in the pool. It was awesome. I could lay flat on my back without hurting because I wasn't so heavy, and I even flipped over and laid on my stomach for awhile! I haven't been able to do that in months!! Poor Chris and Kodi though...it's like they were whale watching!
Chris took pictures tonight, so I'll post those tomorrow. Too tired right now!! T minus 6 weeks......woot!
I'm still measuring a little bit large, and she's still not moving around like she was, so he's doing another ultra sound on Thursday afternoon to check out my amniotic fluids and stuff. I'm pretty sure he's just overly cautious on everything...better safe than sorry!
I'm assuming we'll see that she's still up on my ribs. I think she heard me complaining about my boobs being too big and has decided that she'll help hold those bad boys up. She's that high! The upper portion of my stomach has actually gone pretty numb...it's like when you have ice on a spot for awhile and then run your finger along it...you can sort of feel it, but it's that weird numb tingly feeling. That's what I've got going on across my upper ribs. He said its from her hanging out up there.
I told him I was going to jump up and down to get her to move down...he said "we don't allow jumping in pregnancy". Bummer.
Chris and I took a few hours on Sunday and floated around in the pool. It was awesome. I could lay flat on my back without hurting because I wasn't so heavy, and I even flipped over and laid on my stomach for awhile! I haven't been able to do that in months!! Poor Chris and Kodi though...it's like they were whale watching!
Chris took pictures tonight, so I'll post those tomorrow. Too tired right now!! T minus 6 weeks......woot!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Only when you're pregnant...
Every time I go out in public, I have at least one version of the following conversation...
Random Person : "You look great! When is your due date?" (Note : This has changed from asking how far along am I to asking when my due date is...my belly is waaay out there!).
Me : "Thanks!! May 30th..."
Random Person : "Oh wow!! May 30th?! That's right around the corner...you're so tiny!!"
Me : "Haha, thanks! I feel like a house!"
Random Person : " No way! You're all belly!!"
And then sometimes they go into how huge they got when they got pregnant, or they just wish me the best of luck and carry on their way.
Only when you're pregnant does someone telling you that you're all belly make you the happiest person in the world. Seriously. Gotta love these chicken arms of mine...at least they're good for something!! Or you at least gotta love how nice people are to pregnant women.
But just an FYI, when I get un-pregnant, I do not want to hear that I'm all belly, m'kay?!?! :-)
Random Person : "You look great! When is your due date?" (Note : This has changed from asking how far along am I to asking when my due date is...my belly is waaay out there!).
Me : "Thanks!! May 30th..."
Random Person : "Oh wow!! May 30th?! That's right around the corner...you're so tiny!!"
Me : "Haha, thanks! I feel like a house!"
Random Person : " No way! You're all belly!!"
And then sometimes they go into how huge they got when they got pregnant, or they just wish me the best of luck and carry on their way.
Only when you're pregnant does someone telling you that you're all belly make you the happiest person in the world. Seriously. Gotta love these chicken arms of mine...at least they're good for something!! Or you at least gotta love how nice people are to pregnant women.
But just an FYI, when I get un-pregnant, I do not want to hear that I'm all belly, m'kay?!?! :-)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
33 week checkup
Well, it looks like this might be an every week thing from here on out...
Monday we had our 33 week checkup. They monitored Kalia's heartbeat and my contractions (still had none) for about 30 minutes and everything looked good. Her heartbeat was pretty steady, which I think means she was sleeping. The previous two times she's jumped all over the place, but on Monday her heartbeat stayed right around 148 the whole time.
Last week the doc had me go in and get blood work done to make sure everything was okay and that my symptoms I'm feeling are just 3rd trimester woes. My white blood count came back high and my red blood cells were small. He said the red blood cells being small isn't all that uncommon in pregnant women...we're reproducing blood cells so fast and the new ones aren't as mature (large) as the older ones, so that could easily explain that.
Most pregnant women's white blood count is higher, but I guess the normal high is 15 and mine came back at 16.4 or something, so just a little high. He ordered more blood work to recheck my white blood count and to check if I'm deficient in any vitamins. He asked if I had been feeling sick, and I told him I can't tell the difference between being sick and being pregnant anymore! Ha! I'll find out those results on Monday when we go back in.
I just realized I haven't posted my 'total love gained' for the past 2 months. I told Chris I'm going to put my hands over my eyes when I go to the scale from now on because it's the most dreaded walk!! He says I'm doing really well weight wise and size wise. I'm eating super healthy, and trying to get my sweet tooth fix with sugar free or low sugar things.
This is my lunch almost every day :
Plain greek yogurt with strawberries and splenda on top, topped with whole grain granola and light whipped cream. And yes, that's a 2 qt pitcher of water with a straw in it. I'm thirsty. This is more efficient than getting up 8 trillion times to get yet another glass of water!!
Anyways...total love gained so far...25 lbs. Oiy...
Monday we had our 33 week checkup. They monitored Kalia's heartbeat and my contractions (still had none) for about 30 minutes and everything looked good. Her heartbeat was pretty steady, which I think means she was sleeping. The previous two times she's jumped all over the place, but on Monday her heartbeat stayed right around 148 the whole time.
Last week the doc had me go in and get blood work done to make sure everything was okay and that my symptoms I'm feeling are just 3rd trimester woes. My white blood count came back high and my red blood cells were small. He said the red blood cells being small isn't all that uncommon in pregnant women...we're reproducing blood cells so fast and the new ones aren't as mature (large) as the older ones, so that could easily explain that.
Most pregnant women's white blood count is higher, but I guess the normal high is 15 and mine came back at 16.4 or something, so just a little high. He ordered more blood work to recheck my white blood count and to check if I'm deficient in any vitamins. He asked if I had been feeling sick, and I told him I can't tell the difference between being sick and being pregnant anymore! Ha! I'll find out those results on Monday when we go back in.
I just realized I haven't posted my 'total love gained' for the past 2 months. I told Chris I'm going to put my hands over my eyes when I go to the scale from now on because it's the most dreaded walk!! He says I'm doing really well weight wise and size wise. I'm eating super healthy, and trying to get my sweet tooth fix with sugar free or low sugar things.
This is my lunch almost every day :
Plain greek yogurt with strawberries and splenda on top, topped with whole grain granola and light whipped cream. And yes, that's a 2 qt pitcher of water with a straw in it. I'm thirsty. This is more efficient than getting up 8 trillion times to get yet another glass of water!!
Anyways...total love gained so far...25 lbs. Oiy...
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Goodbye Feet
You officially disappeared yesterday. I look down every day when I take a shower to see if you're still there, and yesterday you disappeared. Hopefully less than 8 weeks and I'll see you again!!
Or, I could just lean over...but you look so tiny and so far away when I do that now!!
If anyone sees me walking around with mismatched shoes or sandles on, just ignore it. I can't see it anyways!
My neighbor Nancy says I'll know when I'm ready to pop when I'm wearing Chris's shoes because my feet and ankles are so swollen.
I hope that really isn't the case...these boats look ridiculous on me!! Thankfully I still fit into my own shoes / sandals!
I had allergy shots today, and there was a lady that's three months pregnant with her third child and she couldn't BELIEVE that I was 32 weeks. She kept telling me how tiny I looked and how I'm all belly, and the rest of me looks absolutely amazing. She said when I walked away that she wouldn't even be able to tell I was pregnant from my behind side. Woot!
I ran an errand afterwards and got asked how far along I was by the store clerk and she had the same reaction. She asked how I've stayed so small everywhere else and just managed to gain in the belly. I told her I feel like a house, but thanks!
I think I need to get out more often. Even though I'm a firm believer that most people will tell a pregnant lady they look amazing and wonderful even if they're wearing a pillowcase and look like poo, it's so nice to hear it!! ESPECIALLY when you feel like a house!
Or, I could just lean over...but you look so tiny and so far away when I do that now!!
 |
| How funny looking is this?! Hello tiny little feet! |
My neighbor Nancy says I'll know when I'm ready to pop when I'm wearing Chris's shoes because my feet and ankles are so swollen.
I hope that really isn't the case...these boats look ridiculous on me!! Thankfully I still fit into my own shoes / sandals!
I had allergy shots today, and there was a lady that's three months pregnant with her third child and she couldn't BELIEVE that I was 32 weeks. She kept telling me how tiny I looked and how I'm all belly, and the rest of me looks absolutely amazing. She said when I walked away that she wouldn't even be able to tell I was pregnant from my behind side. Woot!
I ran an errand afterwards and got asked how far along I was by the store clerk and she had the same reaction. She asked how I've stayed so small everywhere else and just managed to gain in the belly. I told her I feel like a house, but thanks!
I think I need to get out more often. Even though I'm a firm believer that most people will tell a pregnant lady they look amazing and wonderful even if they're wearing a pillowcase and look like poo, it's so nice to hear it!! ESPECIALLY when you feel like a house!
Monday, April 4, 2011
32 week checkup
Today was the follow up ultra-sound from last week. He looked around, took measurements, and told us that everything looks good. I asked if she was normal sized, and he replied "and then some". She's not growing too quick too fast like we had previously worried about, but she is already a large baby. Today she weighed in at 4 lbs 11 ounces!! Holy cow!! She's still got 8 weeks to go!!
I will have to have another ultra sound in a month because she's ... transverse ... or something like that. I forget the word he used, but what it means is that her head is on my left side, her bottom is on my right side, and her legs are down towards my cervix. So he needs to make sure she flips within the next month because I can't deliver her in her current position. He said no worries for now though, unless I have more than 4 contractions in an hour, leak fluid, or start bleeding.
He hooked me up to the monitor for 20-30 minutes and said her heart rate and my contractions (I had none) looked good. He thinks that I'm feeling less movement because of her position. He also said my excess thirst, headaches, and nausea could all just be 3rd trimester woes, but he ordered more blood work just to make sure. He wouldn't be worried about them at all if her movement wasn't down.
I asked if I should avoid fruit / sugars / carbs, and he said no, that wasn't an issue for me or something I needed to worry about (gestational diabetes). I asked him how long it took for my blood sugar to return back to normal on the 3 hour test, and he said I was normal...actually low...at the first reading, which was a good sign. So, I must've not have fasted long enough for the first test.
Because of her slowing movements though, he did want to see me back next week instead of every two weeks. At 36 weeks I start going every week anyways, so I might get to skip week 34, but after that, it's a weekly thing.
All in all today's check up was really good. I was nervous / scared about it, but most of my worries are gone now! 'Cept the whole 'she needs to flip' thing. But...I've still got a month to try to coax her around. I asked if any of the old wives tales work with getting her to flip and he said no :-), but I could talk to her and try to convince her if I wanted to!!
Exactly 8 weeks until my due date...it's rapidly approaching!!
I will have to have another ultra sound in a month because she's ... transverse ... or something like that. I forget the word he used, but what it means is that her head is on my left side, her bottom is on my right side, and her legs are down towards my cervix. So he needs to make sure she flips within the next month because I can't deliver her in her current position. He said no worries for now though, unless I have more than 4 contractions in an hour, leak fluid, or start bleeding.
He hooked me up to the monitor for 20-30 minutes and said her heart rate and my contractions (I had none) looked good. He thinks that I'm feeling less movement because of her position. He also said my excess thirst, headaches, and nausea could all just be 3rd trimester woes, but he ordered more blood work just to make sure. He wouldn't be worried about them at all if her movement wasn't down.
I asked if I should avoid fruit / sugars / carbs, and he said no, that wasn't an issue for me or something I needed to worry about (gestational diabetes). I asked him how long it took for my blood sugar to return back to normal on the 3 hour test, and he said I was normal...actually low...at the first reading, which was a good sign. So, I must've not have fasted long enough for the first test.
Because of her slowing movements though, he did want to see me back next week instead of every two weeks. At 36 weeks I start going every week anyways, so I might get to skip week 34, but after that, it's a weekly thing.
All in all today's check up was really good. I was nervous / scared about it, but most of my worries are gone now! 'Cept the whole 'she needs to flip' thing. But...I've still got a month to try to coax her around. I asked if any of the old wives tales work with getting her to flip and he said no :-), but I could talk to her and try to convince her if I wanted to!!
Exactly 8 weeks until my due date...it's rapidly approaching!!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
31 week checkup
Yesterday I had my 31 week checkup appointment. This past week / week and a half, I've had some not so fun 3rd trimester symptoms develop. I felt like such a Debbie Downer going into it all with the doctor ... "and this is wrong and that is wrong and then this is funny, and is that normal?!" ... but I'm guessing, especially with first time Mom's, most of that is normal.
My headaches are back, but I feel like they're due to the fact that I'm constantly thirsty. I just can't get enough water. I'm easily drinking about a gallon of water a day, and am still thirsty. I've taken to just filling up a 2 qt pitcher with water and putting a straw in it while I'm working. It's much easier than getting up all of the time to get more water. I pee frequently enough without needing to go into the kitchen for a new cup of water all of the time!
My back, hips, pelvic muscles (umm...didn't know those even existed prior to the past few weeks), and tailbone all hurt, but all of that is pretty normal 3rd trimester stuff. My right hip hurts bad enough that I can't lift up my left leg too high without being in a lot of pain. I actually think that's from slightly over-doing it, but things don't hurt while I'm doing them...they just hurt afterwards. All of that stuff is normal though...it's just my body reacting to all of the changes its going through. The tailbone isn't necessarily normal, but that's been bothering me since the beginning, and it's not surprising that it's getting worse the further along I go. I guess it's a "Kara normal".
I'm supposed to make sure that I feel Kalia moving 10 times in an hour every 6 hours. Prior to last week, I hadn't really had to think at all about it because she was just a kicking/moving/punching machine. This past week, she's really slowed down to the point where I'm actually timing and counting to make sure that she 'passes' her movement tests. I read in my book though that she's developing REM sleep right now, so I'll notice her less active for longer stints of time. Chris read in his book that the bigger she gets, the less room she has to move, so the less active she is. I think I'm still a little bit too early for that though.
At my checkup yesterday, they were somewhat concerned that she hasn't been as active...they said it's normal for her to slow down for a few hours at a time every now and again, but the amount of decreased activity had them a little concerned. So they hooked me up to the contraction monitor and the heartbeat monitor for 30 minutes. All of that came out looking fine...her heart rate was between 120-160, which the doctor said was good. I had one contraction...no biggie. I kind of heaved a sigh of relief when they came in and looked at everything and said it all looked good.
And then he went through the normal things he does every 2 weeks and measured my belly to see how much my uterus has grown. I've been either on the small side or normal at every measurement, and after he measured three times, he told me I was measuring large and that he wanted to do an ultra sound next week to check out everything to see what's going on with Kalia. It could be nothing, it could be excess fluids, or it could mean she's growing too big too fast. I have no idea what I'll do if it's anything. I'm trying to stick with the mindset of not worrying until there's something to worry about. You guys should do the same :-).
In more fun updates, Erin took our maternity pictures last weekend, so I'll have some decent pictures to upload for week 31 at some point! I have to go back through and post pictures on some of the other weeks we've taken pictures. I know, I'm slacking!
Even though we're nowhere near done with everything we want to get done before Kalia gets here, I'm still starting to get anxious and excited about her arrival. I'm ready to see this little person I've been growing for what seems like forever now!! T minus 8 weeks and 4 days!!!
My headaches are back, but I feel like they're due to the fact that I'm constantly thirsty. I just can't get enough water. I'm easily drinking about a gallon of water a day, and am still thirsty. I've taken to just filling up a 2 qt pitcher with water and putting a straw in it while I'm working. It's much easier than getting up all of the time to get more water. I pee frequently enough without needing to go into the kitchen for a new cup of water all of the time!
My back, hips, pelvic muscles (umm...didn't know those even existed prior to the past few weeks), and tailbone all hurt, but all of that is pretty normal 3rd trimester stuff. My right hip hurts bad enough that I can't lift up my left leg too high without being in a lot of pain. I actually think that's from slightly over-doing it, but things don't hurt while I'm doing them...they just hurt afterwards. All of that stuff is normal though...it's just my body reacting to all of the changes its going through. The tailbone isn't necessarily normal, but that's been bothering me since the beginning, and it's not surprising that it's getting worse the further along I go. I guess it's a "Kara normal".
I'm supposed to make sure that I feel Kalia moving 10 times in an hour every 6 hours. Prior to last week, I hadn't really had to think at all about it because she was just a kicking/moving/punching machine. This past week, she's really slowed down to the point where I'm actually timing and counting to make sure that she 'passes' her movement tests. I read in my book though that she's developing REM sleep right now, so I'll notice her less active for longer stints of time. Chris read in his book that the bigger she gets, the less room she has to move, so the less active she is. I think I'm still a little bit too early for that though.
At my checkup yesterday, they were somewhat concerned that she hasn't been as active...they said it's normal for her to slow down for a few hours at a time every now and again, but the amount of decreased activity had them a little concerned. So they hooked me up to the contraction monitor and the heartbeat monitor for 30 minutes. All of that came out looking fine...her heart rate was between 120-160, which the doctor said was good. I had one contraction...no biggie. I kind of heaved a sigh of relief when they came in and looked at everything and said it all looked good.
And then he went through the normal things he does every 2 weeks and measured my belly to see how much my uterus has grown. I've been either on the small side or normal at every measurement, and after he measured three times, he told me I was measuring large and that he wanted to do an ultra sound next week to check out everything to see what's going on with Kalia. It could be nothing, it could be excess fluids, or it could mean she's growing too big too fast. I have no idea what I'll do if it's anything. I'm trying to stick with the mindset of not worrying until there's something to worry about. You guys should do the same :-).
In more fun updates, Erin took our maternity pictures last weekend, so I'll have some decent pictures to upload for week 31 at some point! I have to go back through and post pictures on some of the other weeks we've taken pictures. I know, I'm slacking!
Even though we're nowhere near done with everything we want to get done before Kalia gets here, I'm still starting to get anxious and excited about her arrival. I'm ready to see this little person I've been growing for what seems like forever now!! T minus 8 weeks and 4 days!!!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Birthing Class
Last Tuesday and this Tuesday Chris and I went to childbirth preparation class. It was two 2.5 hour sessions. Overall, the class was pretty helpful. The first days class was mainly geared towards Chris...the instructor talked about how to calm the Mommy-to-be, what pressure points feel good for relieving pain, and how to try to get us to focus on the husband / breathing, so we're not overwhelmed by what we're feeling / our bodies are going through.
She talked about avoiding 'tigers' or things that normally upset or are annoying to the wife. Things like bad breath, saying certain things, trying to be funny when the wife wants to strangle them, etc.. All very useful information and good points to make!
They don't do the lamaze breathing stuff anymore...we just all sat around the table and talked, but she did tell us how to breathe during a contraction, and that we should start and end with a cleansing breath. Then she told us that we needed to practice our breathing so we were prepared. She told us to go home, grab a handful of ice and let it sit in our hand for 30 seconds while staring at it and focusing on the ice. She said then grab a handful of ice with your other hand, practice your breathing, and make it so you don't notice the pain of holding the cold ice.
At this point, Chris just started laughing. He said we've got this one in the bag. The first time Chris sprained his ankle when we were playing volleyball, I told him he needed to stand in an ice water bucket for 15 minutes, then leave his ankle out for 15 minutes, and repeat 3 times. He made it about a minute before taking his foot out and saying it was too cold and he needed to gently get used to it. I told him to stop being such a baby and just do it. He said I didn't understand how cold it was, so to prove a point, I stood in the ice bucket, with both feet in, for 15 minutes while I watched TV. After all of the injuries / breaks / etc. I've gone through, blocking pain from ice isn't really that big of a deal to me anymore.
I still don't think I'll be prepared for the pains of labor, but it was humorous! On the way home from class we were talking / laughing about the ice thing, and I told Chris that it's funny that I'm scared of labor, which many many women go through...but I'm confident enough in my body to run a marathon, and even a half marathon at 8 weeks pregnant, which is a pretty small percentage of people that do that. It actually helped put things a little more in perspective for me though...if my mind is capable of going somewhere else while my body endures the pain of running 26.2 miles, my mind should be pretty strong with going somewhere else during contractions...at least until I get my epidural!
We ended the first weeks class by getting traumatized. They showed us a video from the 1980's of a fully naked woman giving birth. The video was shot from the vaginal angle. We're Engineers. I'm squeamish. I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to see Kalia come out. I want for her to get from my belly to my chest, and the doctor deal with the goriness of whatever goes on inbetween. After the instructor turned off the video and turned the lights back on, Chris and I looked at each other with the exact same expression on our face. Our mouths were slightly opened and our eyes were huge. At least we're on the same page when it comes to the viewing!! We'll both be staying on the north end and the doctor and nurse can stay on the south end. There are a lot of things about growing a baby that is beautiful...the gory details of birthing isn't one of them! :-)
We also went to the hospital and met with the anesthesiologist to watch a video on getting an epidural and to fill out the paper work. Chris was semi-freaked out by that one too, but I really wasn't. I guess it's better that way than the other way around, huh?!
She talked about avoiding 'tigers' or things that normally upset or are annoying to the wife. Things like bad breath, saying certain things, trying to be funny when the wife wants to strangle them, etc.. All very useful information and good points to make!
They don't do the lamaze breathing stuff anymore...we just all sat around the table and talked, but she did tell us how to breathe during a contraction, and that we should start and end with a cleansing breath. Then she told us that we needed to practice our breathing so we were prepared. She told us to go home, grab a handful of ice and let it sit in our hand for 30 seconds while staring at it and focusing on the ice. She said then grab a handful of ice with your other hand, practice your breathing, and make it so you don't notice the pain of holding the cold ice.
At this point, Chris just started laughing. He said we've got this one in the bag. The first time Chris sprained his ankle when we were playing volleyball, I told him he needed to stand in an ice water bucket for 15 minutes, then leave his ankle out for 15 minutes, and repeat 3 times. He made it about a minute before taking his foot out and saying it was too cold and he needed to gently get used to it. I told him to stop being such a baby and just do it. He said I didn't understand how cold it was, so to prove a point, I stood in the ice bucket, with both feet in, for 15 minutes while I watched TV. After all of the injuries / breaks / etc. I've gone through, blocking pain from ice isn't really that big of a deal to me anymore.
I still don't think I'll be prepared for the pains of labor, but it was humorous! On the way home from class we were talking / laughing about the ice thing, and I told Chris that it's funny that I'm scared of labor, which many many women go through...but I'm confident enough in my body to run a marathon, and even a half marathon at 8 weeks pregnant, which is a pretty small percentage of people that do that. It actually helped put things a little more in perspective for me though...if my mind is capable of going somewhere else while my body endures the pain of running 26.2 miles, my mind should be pretty strong with going somewhere else during contractions...at least until I get my epidural!
We ended the first weeks class by getting traumatized. They showed us a video from the 1980's of a fully naked woman giving birth. The video was shot from the vaginal angle. We're Engineers. I'm squeamish. I have absolutely no desire whatsoever to see Kalia come out. I want for her to get from my belly to my chest, and the doctor deal with the goriness of whatever goes on inbetween. After the instructor turned off the video and turned the lights back on, Chris and I looked at each other with the exact same expression on our face. Our mouths were slightly opened and our eyes were huge. At least we're on the same page when it comes to the viewing!! We'll both be staying on the north end and the doctor and nurse can stay on the south end. There are a lot of things about growing a baby that is beautiful...the gory details of birthing isn't one of them! :-)
We also went to the hospital and met with the anesthesiologist to watch a video on getting an epidural and to fill out the paper work. Chris was semi-freaked out by that one too, but I really wasn't. I guess it's better that way than the other way around, huh?!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
29 weeks
My sister Jennifer needed some 'cute pregnancy' pictures for our baby shower invites for our Melbourne baby shower. I set up my camera on the self timer and on my small ladder, and attempted to get a good picture. We were trying to mimic our 20 week picture that Steph took of us in Hawaii
Hmph...I don't like that Chris isn't keeping up his end of the deal in the baby growing process. I look like a tub-o-lub, and he looks like Mr. Happy Daddy. Sigh...
We decided to take a few to make sure, and our first born decided that he wanted to be in the 'family picture' too...
Chris thought that if he put Kodi in between his legs, we could at least get a picture that was decent of the two of us and crop Kodi out to send to Jenn.
What the heck? How did Kodi know to look at the camera?! It's on a ladder and self-timer. He seriously cracks me up!
Kodi left after the last one, so we attempted to take another one without him and he came running in...so he's not 'positioned' for the picture.
We cropped him out of the pic above...just big ol belly to little belly going on here!
This next one though, Chris did the whole hold him between his legs again thing...
And I accidentally knocked the camera sideways when I was running to get in the shot, so minus the angle, how funny is Kodi?! I have no idea why he looks at the camera!
In the picture above, I couldn't stop laughing. Kodi starting 'talking' to us while the picture was being taken.
Seriously...funniest dog in the whole wide world!
Lets ham it up again!!
Oh wait, the boys weren't ready!!
And finally, Kodi hamming it up one last time before we called it quits. Most photogenic dog ever, yes?! I swear, there were no treats, no nada behind the camera. We didn't point to the camera or anything...we just smiled at it...and Kodi followed suite!
Hopefully at least one of those turned out good enough to use for the invites! My 29 week pictures with my boys are so much more fun than my solo fatty pictures I've been taking! We might have family photo sessions from now on!
Hmph...I don't like that Chris isn't keeping up his end of the deal in the baby growing process. I look like a tub-o-lub, and he looks like Mr. Happy Daddy. Sigh...
We decided to take a few to make sure, and our first born decided that he wanted to be in the 'family picture' too...
Chris thought that if he put Kodi in between his legs, we could at least get a picture that was decent of the two of us and crop Kodi out to send to Jenn.
What the heck? How did Kodi know to look at the camera?! It's on a ladder and self-timer. He seriously cracks me up!
Kodi left after the last one, so we attempted to take another one without him and he came running in...so he's not 'positioned' for the picture.
We cropped him out of the pic above...just big ol belly to little belly going on here!
This next one though, Chris did the whole hold him between his legs again thing...
And I accidentally knocked the camera sideways when I was running to get in the shot, so minus the angle, how funny is Kodi?! I have no idea why he looks at the camera!
Seriously...funniest dog in the whole wide world!
Lets ham it up again!!
Oh wait, the boys weren't ready!!
Hopefully at least one of those turned out good enough to use for the invites! My 29 week pictures with my boys are so much more fun than my solo fatty pictures I've been taking! We might have family photo sessions from now on!
Monday, February 28, 2011
27 week pics
Most days, I get out of bed and change into a different set of pajamas, let my fro run wild, and start working. So if I have any appointments or any reason to get dressed, we take pictures.
Chris was in a goofy mood for this "photo shoot" and told me to strike a pose.
So I did. He didn't turn on the flash for this picture, and it was taken at night, so excuse the yellow tint!
Here's a more serious side ways shot...
Yep, large and in charge!!! Notice my belly button?! That thing is OUT!! And it's like a ramp...the top part is out, and the bottom part is flat. I'm pretty sure you could roll something off of it and it would elevate into the air. Craziness!
Chris was in a goofy mood for this "photo shoot" and told me to strike a pose.
So I did. He didn't turn on the flash for this picture, and it was taken at night, so excuse the yellow tint!
Here's a more serious side ways shot...
Yep, large and in charge!!! Notice my belly button?! That thing is OUT!! And it's like a ramp...the top part is out, and the bottom part is flat. I'm pretty sure you could roll something off of it and it would elevate into the air. Craziness!
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