Dr. Appt.

I can't believe it, I am 4cm dilated! Why am I not in labor!!!!??? The Dr. says it could be any time or 2 weeks away! yuk! Doesn't tell me a whole lot, now does it? This little bugger is so unpredictable! 2wks. and 3 days to go. By the way, all this dilation, yet he still has not dropped! go figure

Progress

Well, as of today I am 2-3cm dilated! All is well, we are so anxious!

5 more weeks!

Time is just cruisin' by! Mark and I finished our last lamaze class last week. So I guess that means were ready! Right? Ashley had her sibling class on Sunday. She loved it. They taught her all about what it's like when baby comes. How mom will be sleeping a lot, and how she may not get the same attention. They also taught her how to diaper and do the baby burrito wrap. I am so glad we did this for her! I have been having lots of cramping and braxton hick contractions off and on everyday now, for a couple of weeks. We're not sure if Alex is going to wait until November 6. I read yesterday that 99% of babies born at 35 weeks are born with no complications. That was very reasuring. We have a baby shower to go to on Friday after work. Everyone I work with will be there. We're getting soooo excited about our showers coming up. Our shower will be on the 13th and Ruthie's friends are having one for me on the 14th. That's THREE showers! I almost feel guilty. So many people doing so much for us! I have a doctors app. on Mon. but as for now I'm still 1cm dilated!

Oh my!

This was an interesting day! This morning Mark left at 6:30 to leave for Vegas on business. I woke with some unusual braxton hicks contr. and put them off all morning. I got to work and nothing had changed, so I called the dr. They had me come in at 1:30 to be checked. DR. Blumhagen examined me and OH MY GOSH, I was dialated 1cm. So they hooked me up to the monitor and discovered that I was having regular contractions. From there they sent me to Labor and Delivery, where I was actually admitted and monitored until about 5:30. They ended up giving me 2 shots of terbutaline to stop the contractions, which helped some. At 5:30 they discovered I was still at 1cm, so all was clear for me to go home! Poor Mark, I think he was a bit freaked after he called from Vegas to check on me!

9 weeks to go!

I can't believe we've come so far! Mark and I had our first lamaze class 1 week ago. I think we are both going to learn a lot together. If anything, I know we'll get to spend some quality time together focussing on each other and having some good times together. Mark is going to be a wonderful coach! I guess I've always known he would be, but seeing him in action, gets me so anxious to experience all the amazing moments of childbirth and parenthood with him. I am soooo lucky that life has dealt me so many wonderful cards!

Alex's Room

Alex's room is just about done! Mark finished the Pergo about 2 weeks ago. He did a super job! It is sooo cute! We finally got the crib, playpen and glider in the room. All we need now is the changing table/dresser. We bought it on Saturday from the unfinished furniture store, and now were waiting for it to ge finished. Can't wait to put it in our baby boy's room and fill it with precious little clothes!

Checkup

Alex's heart rate: 142bpm

Test Results

28 wks. I just found out that my blood work shows I am anemic. Hopefully no big deal, I'll take extra supplements. I just read on line that women with anemia may not be offered several medications during delivery, including an epidural!!! That's so scary. I'm hoping by some chance my doctor disagrees! :) Wishful thinking. The good news is, they did not mention the glucose test. Hopefully that means I passed the test!!!! Other than that all is well with the three of us. I'm getting huge! Ashley just started Kindergarten, and Mark just started laying the Pergo in Alex's room!!!

Checkup

Today we had our 27 1/2 week appointment. Everything is still looking good! Alex played hide and seek with Dr. Blumhagen while he was trying to find his heartbeat. It was 157bpm, which seemed faster than it normally is. Dr. Blumhagen explained that it was very normal, considering how active he was! I have gained a whopping 27lbs so far!!! Seems like way to much, yet so similar to what my body did while pregnant with Ashley. I've decided not to let it bug me, I'll just keep eating right, and whatever weight I gain is what is meant to be!!! I had my 1 hour glucose test today, which is the gestational diabetes test. I'm sure I'm fine! We now have to go to the dr. every 2wks. instead of once a month! Already? I can't believe we're already as far as we are!

Checkup

Baby's heart rate: 146bpm

24 Weeks and counting

Wow, how time flies! It's hard to believe I'm already 24 weeks along. I guess that makes me about 5 1/2 months (right?). It's all so confusing, months, weeks, trimesters, yada, yada, yada, I just try to stay focused on my due date. I'm still fairly comfortable these days, although, these days may be numbered. It's getting more and more difficult to sleep at night, due to heartburn, and the fact that I have a 10-12" fetus attached to my belly! Alex is so active these days. He's getting so strong that not only can we feel move, we can watch him kick box my belly! It jiggles and wiggles and jerks and jolts all over the place. We've been able to see this phenomenom for a couple of weeks now, yet Mark still jumps when he see's my belly move! It's just so amazing to watch, I don't know if it will ever seem "normal" watching another human being grow inside me. Everything seems to be going well, we are all enjoying this pregnancy very much and look forward to each milestone!

Ultrasound

The verdict is in....It's a.....BOY!!!!!!!! Today was a very exciting day for all three of us. Ashley and Mark were both there to see our precious baby boy. As soon as the technician said the word BOY, Mark jumped up out of his chair, spilling his cup of water that he somehow forgot existed. It was truely priceless to see the look of pure happiness in his eyes and all over his face. They say a pregnant woman has a glow, well Mark had it today! It is so comforting to know that I have someone right by my side to share this amazing step with. And of course Ashley is a constant reminder of all the joy yet to come. She is so sweet to this brother she has never met before. She kisses my belly and says "I love you baby!" I am so glad she was there to see him today. Our baby boy measured in at 21 weeks, which is about 3 days ahead of schedule. He is very healthy and normal, which is the best news yet. I feel like I can relax, now that I know everything is alright and who this thumper is growing inside of me. When unanswered, these questions seem to plague you 24 hours a day, making it difficult to think of anything else! Now we know, IT'S A BOY!!!!! The picture above is his from the back, you can see his bent arm and a small part of his bent knee!

Felt Movement

Today Ashley and Mark felt the baby move! It was so exciting for us. It just makes it all seem so real (finally) Mark and I stared at my belly for a while until we actually saw 'thumper' move in my belly! Very, very cool! We were so excited, we acted like little kids at the circus!

Growing Baby

This past week has been amazing! Baby and I are growing sooo much. My belly has changed a lot, I feel the ligaments stretching everyday. I came home from work on wed. and Mark noticed a definate change in my size, just from that morning. Weird! 22 more days til THE sonogram!!!

Monthly Checkup

At my 16 week app. last friday we heard the precious heart beat!!!! (157BPM) It is so refreshing to hear the reality of being pregnant. We also made our appointment for 'THE' ultrasound!!! June 22nd we'll get the chance to see what this itty bitty baby is! 3 1/2 wks to go!!!! Today I am 17 wks. & 1 day so that appointment will put me right about 20 wks.

Pregnant Buddy!!!!

I'm so excited!!! Talked to Dana last night and they saw the little heart beat. I'm so happy for her! And of course I'm also so happy to have someone to share my pregnancy with that can relate!!! Her due date is December 27, 2001, so close to mine!!! We have already made plans to start our prego shopping parade, for Saturday. I think Mark is really going to appreciate her being pregnant, even though he doesn't know it yet. I don't have to drag him around shopping with me everytime I get in one of those 'shopping moods'. Yesterday was my first official day to wear maternity clothes to work. I made the plunge! I have been uncomfortable for to long, I finally gave my poor belly a break. I can hardly believe how much time has passed since we first found out we were pregnant! In 3 days I'll be starting my fifth month!!!!!!!!!! I love having soooo much to look forward to. Mark, Ashley and I have decided on a girls name: Kaylin, which is a combo of both our middle names. Ashley loves it. As for a boys name...no clue, what so ever. We've gone through Tyler and William so far. Who knows how many more before we find 'the one' Gotta get working (unfortunately)

Felt Movement

For the first time I actually felt what I am sure was ity bity!!! Every once in a while I feel "stuff" going on inside. It's difficult to explain how it feels because it is such a unique feeling. I can still fit in some of my normal clothes, but tend to leave my top button undone. This gets tricky at work!!! I think I'm ready to have a bulging belly to fit in maternity clothes.