29 week mini update

We had another ultrasound today.  Baby is head down again and doing really well.  They measured all the blood flow in the brain, heart, bowels, and cord and everything is looking really good.  Also, I was able to learn a little bit more about what he is doing when I feel certain things because he was squirming all over during the ultrasound.  It is fun to get a visual to put with the sensations.  Also I realized I have felt his hiccups a few times and didn’t know what it was.  Lastly, I got to see him “practice breathing.”  They actually breathe amniotic fluid in and out of their nose to help develop the muscles and the lungs.  They don’t get oxygen from it, and they don’t do it all the time, but it is a good sign of a healthy baby (exhausted/sick babies don’t have energy for this).  Overall the doctor is really happy with his progress and my overall health!

I’m including another 3D ultrasound pic.  It is a little more creepy, but you can see more of his face straight on.  Ignore the hand on the right side of his head and the umbilical cord on the left covering part of his face.  I think it is a great shot of his face shape, nose, and lips (note there is a top to his head, it just didn't show up here).

29 weeks - 2 Showers, 2 Beer Events, and a Dr. appointment

It has been a busy week!  We had our big baby shower and my work baby shower as well as another doctor appointment (although since those will start being weekly, they are less exciting).  Then we had lots of beer events this weekend and have done quite the cleaning session as well.  Fhew!

The main shower was thrown by my best friend, Becky, with help from my Mom and Tara.  It was perfect and I really enjoyed myself.  We got so much of the stuff we need and good fun stuff as well.  I do truly feel showered with love and support by the people around us.  Neither Charles, nor I, are very worried about our ability to parent, but having such a strong community certainly chases any remaining doubt away.  Thanks for everyone who helped make this so special.

The weekend was extra fun because Kevin and Tara flew up with Luke and baby-Andrew.  It was really fun to see all four of them and to spend time as a family (with my parents too!).  It was kind of an exhausting weekend but honestly, it was such an emotional refresher.  I loved holding Andrew and realizing that holding a baby isn’t as hard on my arms as I thought (and Kevin showed me how to use the BECO baby carrier and I am really excited about that).  Grammie and Granddad Conover gave me the BECO and I know that will come in handy a lot.

 

I saw the doctor on Tuesday.  It was my first experience with a quick ultrasound where they just look at the kid and amniotic fluid rather than measuring everything.  It was so quick!  The big news of the day was that for the first time the baby was breech.  I noticed a lot of weird movement Monday night followed by some kicks in new places and discomfort in new places so I think that is when he flipped.  I can’t tell whether he has flipped back or not.  He has been squirming around a lot, but also kicking me in new spots (but this may just be because he is getting bigger and bigger).  It isn't a big deal yet, but we hope he will flip back and stay head down as we approach my delivery date.  Otherwise, he is doing well and looking quite cute.  I got a good 3-D ultrasound pick of the baby's face and his leg (flexible kiddo).

 

Wednesday, Charles and I went into my office for my work shower.  It was really fun to see all my coworkers (since I go to work so rarely).  We got showered with lots of presents and support and got to plan a few fun word related baby games (scramble and wordfind, where Charles and I excelled!).  It was great to feel that support even though I mostly work at home and talk to my coworkers on the phone.

Then Saturday was the annual Great Pumpkin Beer Festival!  This is Charles and my fifth year attending and we went with several of our Microsoftie friends (Chris and Mo Diehl, and Steve).  It was supposed to be terrible weather, but the sun came out and it was warm enough to be comfortable until the very end.  We really lucked out.  Our tradition afterwards is to go to Tu Casa, and of course that was amazing as well.  Charles and I finished off the exhausting day with a nice nap and trip to my favorite Gelato place. Overall, it was a really fun day.

After all of our fun Saturday, we had a lot to get done Sunday but we also had the monthly Elysian apocalypse event for lunch (with Chris and Mo our apocalypse survival buddies).  After lunch, we did clean out the whole closet in the baby room and do a little tidying up around the house as well, grocery shop, and we cooked meatloaf.  Overall it was a well-balanced weekend of productivity and fun and it was nice to get to enjoy some non-baby events while we can. 

I have noticed over the last week that bending over is getting nearly impossible, even though I don’t feel much bigger than when I could bend over.   I also think my feet keep getting father away!  On a weird note, I wonder how much longer my belly button will be an innie because I can make it turn into an outie by gently pressing around it.  It is sort of gross and fun to watch (and it feels like nothing).  One of the few discomfort-free parts of pregnancy!  Lastly, the baby is definitely getting stronger and can really punch/kick me hard when he wants too.  It will actually interrupt my thought or sentence when he hits something that feels important.  Most of the kicks aren’t too bad but there are some pretty intense ones.  I am sure this will just get more frequent as he grows.   It is fun to have him as a companion though and I find myself bonding with him more day by day and thinking of him as his own person (not just a little fertilized egg). 

26 weeks - End of Second Trimester

We had another doctor appointment and ultrasound today.  Baby is looking great, and weighing 2 lbs 2 oz.  His head is about 7 cm in diameter and he is definitely still a boy!  He is at the 63^rd percentile.  I feel him kick almost all the time now, which is fun. Sometimes it is exhausting, but I am getting more used to it, so it is fun when I want it and not as distracting when I am trying to work/sleep.

The last few weeks have had their ups and downs.  Some stomach downs, and some cramping and pain near my cervix, but it seems like things are back on track and we have a plan for both.  I am certainly feeling (and looking) more pregnant each day, and I know it is only the beginning.  I am down to 7 mg prednisone and am happy to be weaning off.  I am going to start monitoring my blood sugar a few times per week to make sure that I don’t develop gestational diabetes (especially with the prednisone which ups my risks for diabetes).  We have our next appointment in 2 weeks (with only a quick ultrasound), and I am guessing this 2 week pattern is probably here to stay.

 

We had a wonderful weekend with Tina and Josie last weekend!  It was truly a joy to catch up and visit, and get to show them all our favorite spots.  I also got a mini baby-shower of love from Tina and Josie and had fun getting maternity clothes for me and toys and clothes for the baby!  I am still sad we haven’t been able to go to California all year (and won’t at Christmas), and having some of Charles’ family visit makes it easier (although I greatly miss the rest of you).  I have been so lucky to marry into a great family and I never thought I would miss you all so much.  We also like the spontaneous care packages from Maria which are fun and make us feel closer!

 

Tomorrow we are meeting with our replacement doula since our planned labor doula is moving out of town.  I think the replacement, Deana, will be great, so excited to meet her.  Also we are taking our labor class all day on Sunday.  We might get a few other things done this weekend, but as it is, it will probably be busy with shopping and cooking on Saturday.  We both have Monday off (Columbus day holiday for me and Charles is taking vacation), so that will be a good day to decompress after some busy weekends (and even busier weekends coming up, yay for my Shower, I can’t wait). 

It is feeling like October is already packed, and December I might be useless, so I hope we can get the room painted and furniture set up early in November, to give us time to finish decorating and get everything prepped.  I know we have 3 months left, but it sure feels like it is going to fly on by.