36 weeks 1 day - 2nd Ultrasound!

Countdown: T - 3 weeks 6 days!

I had my weekly check-up and my second ultrasound yesterday afternoon. There really wasn't too much to see since Christopher is so much bigger now. We didn't get any pictures but we did get another video tape. We found out that he's head down and face down, so is preparing to make his arrival! Also, the ultrasound estimated his weight to be 6 lbs 5 oz, but that's only an estimate. I asked the doctor about my chances of having a c-section. He said that they're typically about 25%, but the longer that the baby stays really high, which is where he is now, and the longer it takes my uterus to thin, the higher my chances. He said that it's still too early to decide on that right now, though.

Here are this week's stats from the check-up:

Blood Pressure: 112/64
Weight: NO GAIN! Still at a total of 37.5 lbs.
Urine: Good
Christopher's Heart Rate: 140 bpm according to the ultrasound
Stomach measurement: 37 cm (down 2 cm from last week, which is most likely a result of the baby's position)
Results from Strep-B test: Negative, so won't need antibiotics during labor/delivery

My next appointment is next Thursday (December 1) for a weekly check-up.

The doctor has given me the go-ahead to travel to West Tennessee for Thanksgiving, so we're leaving this evening to go see Shad's grandparents. We're going to spend tonight and come home tomorrow evening. I'm hoping to be able to put up Christmas decorations on Friday. I don't ever get out to go shopping on that day and I'm SURE not going to start this year!!! I'm just hoping that I won't be too worn out from traveling to decorate. It might just have to take me all weekend.

Well, it looks as if the interior decorator can help us anytime after December 1. I want so much to have the consultation on Friday, December 2, but that's mine and Shad's 5th wedding anniversary. I don't know that we have any plans yet, but I'm sure we'll do a little something, even if it's just to go out to eat. Saturday, December 3 is my company Christmas party. The boss is treating us to a nice, fancy dinner and putting us all up in a nice hotel for the night. So, I don't know when exactly we'll get going on this nursery. I just hope Christopher doesn't decide to come before it's finished!

Symptoms: Okay...I've had a few uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms pop up in the last few weeks. My feet constantly stay swollen now. It's so bad that I skipped church a couple of weeks ago because I didn't have any dress shoes to wear! I ended up borrowing a few pairs from my mom to get me through the next month or so. I've also been dealing with MUCH more heartburn AND acid indigestion. YUCK! I don't think I've gone a day without popping at least 2 Tums in the last week or so. Ugh! I'm finally at the point where I can't wait until this is all over with! Plus, I'm excited to meet Christopher!

35 weeks 1 day - Baby Showers #1 and #2

Countdown: T - 4 weeks 6 days!


33 weeks 2 days

I'm SO sorry it's been so long since I last updated!!! I've been keeping VERY busy at work and by the time I get home, all I want to do is go to sleep!

The sinus infection finally went away after taking an antibiotic. However, I still have a stuffy nose, which is causing me to snore, which is keeping Shad awake at night! I wish that I could say it'll all be over soon, but after Christopher is born, I STILL won't be able to take my Allegra-D and Flonase since I'll be breastfeeding! The sacrifices women make!

I had a regular OB appointment last Wednesday (Nov. 9) and everything went well. It was my final "tummy check."

Blood Pressure: 100/70
Weight: 6.5 lb gain from last visit...net gain of 36 lbs
Urine: Good
Christopher's Heart Rate: Good
Stomach measurement: 34 cm

I'm now going weekly and had another appointment today. This started the cervical exams:

Blood Pressure: 122/74
Weight: 1.5 lb gain from last visit...net gain of 37.5 lbs
Urine: Good
Christopher's Heart Rate: Good and strong
Stomach measurement: 38 cm

The doctor said that the baby was "really high." I don't know if it's connected or not, but he's having me get another ultrasound to check the size of the baby and to see if he's breech. I'm looking forward to that since I was only expecting 1 ultrasound, which I had when I was 18 weeks. I get to see how big he is now! I just really hope I won't be delivering an 8 or 9 lb baby! That means c-section for sure! On the plus side of that, though...I'd get to be off for 8 weeks instead of 6 if I have a c-section.

My next appointment is on Tuesday, November 22 for the ultrasound and visit with the doctor.

I've had 2 more baby showers in the last couple of weeks. The first was thrown by my co-workers in the church nursery. The went in together and gave me an Evenflo stroller. I've assembled it and everything seems to look good. I can't wait to put it to the test!

The second shower was a luncheon thrown by my regular co-workers. We had a local deli cater sandwiches and a fruit and cheese tray. Everybody went in together and gave me a $150 gift card to Wal-Mart. I think we'll use it for diapers, etc. after Christopher arrives.

As far as the big items we're lacking...we still need a crib, pack 'n play and highchair, plus a few other miscellaneous items. I'm going to start looking around at consignment stores and sales for something gently used.

We FINALLY finished cleaning the nursery a couple of weeks ago!!!!! That was SUCH a stress reliever!!! Now, we're just waiting to meet with the interior decorator so he can get started! I'm getting so antsy and just want everything ready and waiting for Christopher!

Here's a before and after picture:



I'll update again after the room is decorated.

I guess my biggest complaint now that I'm almost finished is how tired I am and how SWOLLEN my feet are! I try keeping them up as much as possible and drink TONS of water, but nothing's really helping, so I guess I just have to live with it for the next 5 weeks. Ugh!

Well, that's pretty much all that's been going on. I'm hoping to do a better job next week on the ultrasound update!

32 weeks 2 days

As I'm sitting here typing this, Christopher is busy squirming around inside of me! It's such a weird feeling...not painful at all, but just weird. I like to lift my shirt and watch the waves go across my stomach. I wish so much that I could see what he's actually doing in there! Is he rolling side to side? Is he doing somersaults? Is he just kicking his legs and flailing his arms? I can't wait to meet this little person! Only 7.5 weeks left to go!!!

I've been fighting off a sinus infection again...second one since being pregnant! But then again, I usually get them about twice a year anyway, so I guess pregnancy isn't going to excuse me from them. I've had it since last Tuesday (Oct. 18), so well over a week now. I tried calling the doctor's office last week to see if they wanted me to come in or if they'd call in an antibiotic prescription for me. The nurse returned my phone call and told me to take Sudafed or Tylenol, keep using the Vick's cream and to try a warm steam vaporizor (to help me breath better and to keep me from snoring, which was keeping Shad awake most of the night!). Of course, I listened to her and didn't insist on coming in and I'm STILL dealing with this crud! I had my regular OB appointment yesterday and mentioned how I felt to my doctor. He went ahead and e-mailed a prescription for Zithromax and Alavert to my pharmacy; I started taking them last evening. I've still felt pretty crummy today, but think I might be getting better. I know I can't blame this crud on the flu shot, but I find it a funny coincidence that I got it less than 1 week after getting that shot!

Unfortunately, I've passed it on to Shad, who started feeling sick on Monday. The really bad part was yesterday (Oct. 26) was his 30th birthday! Poor thing didn't feel like doing anything at all. He managed to eat dinner at church, but went straight home afterward while I worked in the nursery. I convinced him to go to bed early, but was unsuccessful at getting him to stay home from work today. So stubborn...

Everything at my appointment went well. It was a routine visit:

Blood Pressure: 118/62
Weight: 1.5 lb gain from last visit...net gain of 29.5 lbs
Urine: Good
Christopher's Heart Rate: Good
Stomach measurement: 34 cm - a tad on the large side, but according to the doctor, nothing to be concerned about now

My next appointment is in 2 weeks...Wednesday, November 9 @ 1:50 pm. That will be my last tummy check. I'll start going in weekly after that for cervical checks...fun, fun.

I have Baby Shower #2 a week from this Sunday (November 6). It's being thrown by the group of ladies that I work with in the church nursery. So far, from how they've been talking, it sounds like they're going together and getting me something like my Pack 'n Play. That'll be nice since it's one of my big items. We still need the crib, a stroller, a high chair and a breast pump. Everything else, I believe, is taken care of.

Oh, and no, the nursery isn't finished yet. I was planning on going with Shad to Knoxville this Saturday for the ballgame (he'd go to the game while I watched it on tv at my dad's house). Now, though, I'm thinking that since I haven't been feeling well and the game doesn't start until 6:45 p.m. CDT, I'll stay home to work on the nursery and watch the ballgame on tv. The guys are going to be getting back home SO late! I'm better off staying home this time.