Meeting or Baby Playtime?

We had a branch meeting today and as I laid back in the super comfy conference room chair the little guy started moving all around and everyone noticed him (since you could see through my clothes all of the movement). It was so funny we were all laughing and everyone was staring at my stomach waiting for his next move. It must have been Mark Swieter's great laugh that got him so excited!

Making Contact with the Outside

Yesterday, I took my lunch in my office with the lights out and my feet up. As I was laying there I noticed everytime he kicked you could see it through my clothes. So last night I decided to have Stan take a look to see if he could watch the baby move. Sure enough you could see him moving around in there through my belly. I was so happy since up until now the baby has been a "mama-only" experience. It's so fun to see!!

We still have a ways to go but I am in my 7th month and feeling the pressure to get everything done. I still can't believe that the baby will be here and I will be able to finally see what he looks like. I am really starting to get excited, yes there are still the pre-birth jitters but I figure I have classes in October and November which should take care of that.

This week my personal baby goal is to start rounding up the stuff for my hospital bag. It might be nice to just get everything together before I lose the energy to shop (is there such a thing?). I have found lists online that I can use to help me figure out what to take but they have stuff on there that I can't imagine needing.

Calling All Seasoned Mommies: (you know the drill) Is there anything you recommend taking to the hospital with you? Anything that is better left behind? Just in case I have to have a C section is there something that would be better to take than if I end up doing it naturally? And of course any additional "words of wisdom" are totally welcome!

Sleepy Days Are Here Again

I have definatly been feeling a difference recently in my energy level. No matter how much sleep I am getting I still feel exausted for every activity. I am trying to take it easy today at work so I can try to recover a little and be able to make it through the rest of the week.

I receieved the paperwork to fill out for my maternity leave so I am going to focus on that today so I can have everything ready and to my supervisor. I already know one person who is planning to donate some leave so hopefully I have enough to carry me through the full three months. Since I am doing breast feeding I know I am going to have to take as much time off as I can. I am definatly looking forward to a good nap at lunch time maybe put my feet up a little and just relax.

The Results Are In!

Today I called my OB office to get the results of my gestational diabetes test and it was negative!! I am so relieved because man I could so not handle all that drama. They also added in an iron test which showed that I was slightly anemic--no biggie just a little more iron and I will be back on track. (I have always been anemic so this is a no brainer for me I think I already have the ferrum fosse to take!)
I contacted my supervisor and I am having a meeting with her this week about my maternity leave and she sent me all the appropriate information to get started with that. I have to have my leave donated to me and then figure everything out from there.
This weekend Stan had daddy chores! Stan met his mom and dad in Bethesda and they bought paint for the nursery and ordered our crib!! His mom came over yesterday and they painted the nursery "Wondrous Blue" which looks beautiful. One more coat and then it will be ready for wallpaper. Meanwhile I had my mommy chores, I washed the bassinett cover and put everything back together so it will be ready when he is. I am using Beth's bassinett which is really cool and special. It's all coming together

Look back for some pictures of the Nursery Transition!

Welcome to The Third Trimester

As promised here is a picture of the lamp I am going to order for the nursery tomorrow. It is a Third Trimester gift from mommy to baby. I found this lamp online when I was just searching for ideas and I thought it was very "Dreamland" with all the rides and little teddy bears. And it goes with the theme since there are bears on the rides and stars on the shade. I thought it was too cute to pass up. In other news I am excited to say that we are now offically 28 weeks so we are in the last trimester!! It seemed like forever before anything would happen when I was early in the pregnancy but now that I am approaching the end I can hardly believe how fast it has gone by. I still don't have a popped belly button which is a huge boo hoo since I have been looking forward to that but I think everything is going pretty good. My blood pressure is still in the normal low range (because I am just that chill) and the baby has been growing really well. He has some long legs though (no wonder he is such a kicker, trying to get some stretches in every now and then.)

I keep going back n forth about birth one minute I find some inner peace and the next I am thinking how am I going to get through all of this. I think that is where our classes will really start to help. I think it will be nice to more accurately know what to expect.

Glucose Test Me

This morning was my 28 week glucose test for Gestational Diabetes. They made me drink this nasty drink that was just pure sugar I swear. Ewwwwwww! I will find out the results later in the week and keep everyone posted.

Update: A Comedy of Errors

Yesterday I called the doctor's office and they didn't get back to me in time for me to make it to the office before it closed so I had to go to Howard County General Hospital for the tests. Once I got there I had to register and then head up to labor and delivery where they had a room & nurse all ready for me. I had to put on a hospital gown and get into bed where the nurse hooked me up to the fetal heart monitor and got me ready for the fetal non-stress test. It was so nice to hear that little heartbeat and after that I was instantly put at ease. He wasn't really moving according to the fetal non-stress test so I had to drink some apple juice which got him going a little, then drink some caffinated soda (for medicinal purposes only) and he moved a little, then I had to eat peanut butter Ritz cracker's and he must have a little bit of his Pappy in him because he went crrrazzzzy over those crackers! By this point Stan had arrived at the hospital and I had been there roughly 2 hours. I was told to rest while the doctor was paged (Dr. Davis) and he will let us know. We sat there for about an hour when we couldn't hear the heartbeat anymore--little guy was being all tricky and moved away from the monitor. Then he was all over my belly trying to avoid having the monitor put back on. It took the nurse 6 minutes to find him again and when she did she hooked me back up and I was told not to move. I had to sit there and hold my bladder for so long. The doctor called back finally and said that I could not leave the hospital without a biophysical profile (sonogram). So the nurse had to page the sonographer who had already gone home for the day so we had to wait while she came back to the hopital.
Finally the nurses shift changed (thank God because I didn't like that other nurse at all in fact she said "She's your problem now" to the next nurse) and I got a nice new nurse. She was so cool and went through everything with me. I kept telling her how bad I felt that I was even there because he was probablly just getting a lot of rest and that was why he was so inactive. She told me that we were lucky to have the results that we got because she sees mothers who ignore the lack of movement who come in too late so I felt way better about being there and choosing the get monitored.
The sonographer came in around 8 o'clock and the biophysical profile took roughly around an hour. The sonographer said we missed 2 of the 8 criteria to leave the hospital. When they gave Dr. Davis the results he said he needed to know the 2 criteria we did not meet before we could be released so the sonographer was paged again (since she had already left the hospital). She had to come back in and fax the results to the nurse. Well you gotta love technology because not only did it take another hour for her to get there but there was no ink in the fax machine so we were waiting waiting waiting while the answer was just sitting there inside the machine. Finally at like 11:00 the RN realizes that there is nothing printing so she fixes the fax machine and came in to let Stan and I know what happened and that the 2 criteria that we didn't fit was revolving around practice breathing which he is too young to do at this stage so it was basically a non-issue. So the nurse called Dr. Davis who then said I wasn't able to leave until the doctor came in and discharged me which took another half an hour.
Finally I was discharged at 11:45 and Stan and I could get some dinner (we were both tired and hungry). I had been there since 4:45 so I was just there a little too long for my sanity. But everyone was great and I had to keep reminding myself that all this hold up was in the best interest of the baby which has given me so much faith in my pracitioners.

Baby's Break

Just about an hour ago I started freaking out because it occured to me that I hadn't felt the baby move at all since late last night. Usually he is rolling and kicking like crazy but he has been so inactive today. I know I am prob. being really paranoid but I decided to call and leave a message for the OB requesting a quick listen to the heart. I think I need to hear that heart beat to convince myself fully he is ok. I did feel him roll around about an hour ago but again nothing since then so I will just have a little listen and rest assured.

On a lighter side, because work was a lot lighter today I had the opportunity to get some of my "baby chores" done. (It is amazing the long list of things you have to consider when you are having a baby.)

- Pediatrician:
I can't tell you how crazy it is to be considering what doctor will be his doctor. I love it because it is so concrete!! I am trying to go by what baby center and other pregnancy websites recommend in terms of when you should be doing what and next week it is find your baby's doctor. I have to say those websites are really valuable!
Today I scheduled a meet and greet with the pediatrician recommended by Maggie. I have to say I already love their office. They are open 364 days a year and even have appointments as late as 7 p.m. This is so perfect for a working couple!! Not to mention the secretary was super nice on the phone and had no problem guiding me through a lot of the things I wouldn't know on my own. Their office is close to our house too which I think will be really helpful for when the little guy is sick.

-To Daycare or Not to Daycare?:
My ever continnuing quest for good daycare has lead me to look into a place called Sugar Plums which is right down the street. I scheduled a visit with them on my lunch shift but I asked about their pricing and they are pretty high as well. So far we can't find any daycare facilities under $1400/mo. and that is a big ouch. Actually I don't even make that much a month so with that option it is almost best if I don't continue (too bad I love my job). I am going to check the place out anyway though it is within walking distance although everything around here is just too whopping to imagine. I have done some research on in-home daycares (ie providers who are using their homes as their daycares) and I have found some people who are recommended in Howard County. Trouble with that one is I don't think I can get Stan comfortable with leaving the baby with them. I heard that these places are usually a lot cheaper but one piece of advice I learned is when you put your child with an in-home daycare facility you have to find other sources to watch your kid when the provider is sick or when they want to take their vacations. Plus I have a little tramatic memories of my own courtsey of Bev Stork's place.

-Maternity Leave:
I am trying to schedule a time where my supervisor and I can get together to discuss this. Although barring any unplanned issues I do know my last day will be December 5th.

- Nursery:
Have the paint chips and the wallpaper now all we have to do is purchase the paint and then we are ready to go. We are thinking next weekend (since Stan is really busy with work this weekend).

-Name Search:
I think we know what the name is now. I am not really going to make any formal announcements though because you never know until the no going back time.

-Birthing Classes:
We are all set for classes in Labor from October 13th to November 10th. I figured hearing that in small doses maybe for the best.

-Hospital Tour:
Scheduled for November 5th

-Breastfeeding Class:
Scheduled for November 13th although I am still not really sure how much you can learn without the baby there

There's more but that is all I can think of to tackle at this point.

Paint Chips & Sleepless nights

Last night Stan and I went to Lowes to pick up some samples for the nursery. I was adament about getting lead free paint so we had one brand option. That was ok since there were a lot of really nice colors in that brand.
Of course it was a Wednesday so Stan and I made sure we got back in enough time for Project Runway 5. I went to bed around 10 or so and about 2:30 woke up with the worst stomach ache. Ahhh the pregnancy digestion issues--you gotta love it. It was nice whenever I came out of the bathroom for a little bit Stan would rub my back. The only problem is I couldn't get back to sleep until around 5:30 so I am trying to survive today on like no sleep. I know it is straight to bed for a nice nap time when I get home!! This is good sleep training though.

Our Wallpaper has Arrived!!

Ok I know this is totally lame to blog about but I am really excited because our wallpaper arrived in the mail yesterday and it is so totally cute. I think it is cuter in person than it was on the screen. Stan and I are going to take the wallpaper over to Lowes sometime this week and match the blues so we can get some paint to do the walls this weekend! Yeah things are coming together.

In other news, my hormones have taken over my brain recently and I have just been going crazy. So yesterday I took the day off and just rested which was exactly what I needed. Its funny how you don't even realize how much you are pushing yourself and how it effects your mood until you blow up every chance you get.

Over the weekend I got some really great advice from Maggie on what I really need to bring to the hospital. It is nice to have people who have gone through all of this before who can give me advice and steer me in the right direction in terms of what I need to do and don't need to do.

Belly Shots- August

As promised here is my baby belly at 24 weeks. I can't really tell too much of a difference in my belly from where I was before to here but I think it will be good to compare over the next few months. Future Mamma & Daddy getting our relaxation in now before all night feedings and diaper changings.

Our Wallpaper Selection

Sorry for it being kinda small and pixel-y but I had to borrow the image from the wallpaper website but it gives you an idea. I think it is so cute all these little snoozing bears with their blankets and their own teddy bears.

Nothing Like Good News

Yesterday it was back to the perio. to check up on my fluid and we finally got some good news. The baby's growth is consistant with his age (26 weeks) and I had a lot more fluid than last time. The doctor said it is uncommon in the second trimester to run into fluid problems however in the third trimester as the baby grows larger it is a lot more common to see less fluid surrounding the baby. Since I am only 2 weeks away from the third trimester everything is looking great! One thing the doctor advised me to do is make sure that I am getting lots of rest in addition to hydrating. She even suggested working from home one day a week if it is at all possible. I am not rushing into anything at this point (work wise) since most of my job is sitting and I have come up with a clever way of putting my feet up each day and just taking it easy. I think the doctor was the most concerned with my commute since it can be very stressful but I kinda like my commute it has become my Gracie time. I am going to continue coming in for now but if I notice things getting a little daunting then I will request the medical documentation neccessary to work from home one day a week. Actually work is where I do the most hydrating, I am always near a bottle of water and I drink because I am bored or I want a little break. Perfect Combo! I did have to make one more appointment but barring any catastrophe I am in the clear. My last (keeping positive) perio appointment is scheduled for September 30th at 9:15 a.m..
I have to say now that I know things are going really well with the baby that going every two weeks to get a sonogram was kinda neat. It's just nice to appreciate him moving and changing so vastly over such a short amount time. I love watching him moving around on the monitor and feeling it at the same time. It's crazy to think he was just this tiny little thing hiding in the uterus and now he is soooo there.
In other news, I ordered the wallpaper for the nursery on Tuesday so it should be coming shortly (perhaps next week) and from that we are going to decide on a paint color and pick out the fabric for the drapes. Over the weekend we picked out a crib with Grandma Betty. Actually it was so great having her come with us since Stan and I always have a hard time picking out what we really want. She asked the best questions from the sales person and from her responses we were able to find a gorgeous crib for a good cost that satisfied all of our safety concerns. I am planning on taking pictures of the nursery during the whole process and posting them up here so everyone can see how things are going. I have to say it is hard shifting from a junk room to a nursery. All of a sudden you realize you have to allocate your storage a lot better. So we are going to put an organizer in the hall closet this weekend and start getting the junk stored in a nice way so it will be there when we need but not be there when it is not needed.
I have an August preggo pic to upload on here so that should be coming shortly (I will try to get to it today after work).