We had another doctor appointment yesterday on 8/28/07. Dr. McCollum once again rules. I have been feeling pretty crummy and crampy the past few days, and spotting started up once again. She did a great job reassuring Vince and I that all is well. We talked a lot about me getting lots of rest, and about how to get better sleep at night.
Weight gain for me is +1 lb from last visit (25 days ago) so that's a total of +4 lbs for the first trimester. Why does it feel like a hell of a lot more than that?!?!?! Oh, and BP is still a perfect 110/70. Whee!
Baby's heartbeat was 156, so still right where it should be. Even though the screening ultrasound pushes the baby's sue date up because he is measuring ahead, they are going to leave my due date alone at 2/29/07.
I'm so lucky, my work has been awesome about all of this and has been so great about letting me take the time I need to rest. I'm still getting everything done, and I really appreciate their understanding. I know how lucky I am!!!
As of today I am 13 weeks 5 days, so officially I am in my second trimester and am (not so) patiently waiting for the rebound of energy and motivation I keep hearing is just around the corner. Heaven knows my house and laundry would welcome my attentions once again.
Progress on the bathroom remodel has stalled, but I'm hopeful it will pick back up again this week and we can knock some big projects out of the way over the upcoming long weekend and before we head out on our vacation to South Carolina.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
The coolest sight ever
We had an ultrasound this past Friday, 8/17. We opted to do the sequential screening for genetic disorders such as Downs and that means an ultrasound and blood test at 12-13 weeks, and then another blood test around 17 weeks or so. I barely made it there on time, rushing to get through Friday traffic, and Vince wouldn't have made it at all if the office hadn't been running behind - he left late and then got stuck behind a train, so he was almost 20 minutes late. But, luckily it all worked out and shortly after he made it we were called in.
This one was an external ultrasound done over the belly. The last time we saw the rugrat it was just a teeny speck with a yolk sac. I knew it would look a lot different, but I was still totally surprised to see what a complete little being it already was. I even said out loud, "Holy shit, it's a baby!" I can't even describe how blown away seeing that was for me. I know you won't believe it, but in fact I did not cry. I was too fascinated with what I was seeing to cry, I think.
The tech's primary goal was to measure the nuchal fold, which is the thickness of skin at the back of the neck. A thicker measurement can be an indicator of chromosomal defects. Luckily, it looked perfect. She then got a look at the face to make sure the nasal bones were forming correctly, which also can be a red flag if they aren't. Again, everything looked great.
The little one was MOVING! We got to see a big yawn, waving of hands and wriggling of fingers, thumb sucking, stretching, and even some flipping. I asked the tech (Pippa again) if it was too early to take a peek between the legs. She said we could see if there was anything worth seeing, but that it was likely still too early. The baby initially had its legs firmly crossed across its body, so it seemed we wouldn't even get a look, but then almost as if on cue, the bugger flipped right over and spread its legs to show us the goods. The result - likely the little one is going to be a little man. Obviously we won't be going out and decking things out in blue until the big ultrasound at 20 weeks confirms it, but we are thrilled (and not at all surprised since we both from day 1 have been positive this baby was a boy)!
Baby is about 7cm, so about the size of a lime, and looks perfect. Heart rate today was 154. It was hard to hear it since he was moving around so much Pippa had a hard time capturing it. No idea on my weight - they didn't take it this time. And I didn't get my blood drawn either because by the time we were done with the ultrasound, they had already sent out all the blood work for the day. So, I went back this morning (Monday). All I can say is as nice as that nurse was, she was the worst stick EVER! My arm has been sore all day. Grrr.
Another post, another promise of photos. I need to get the pics scanned and digitized so I can attempt to post them here. I know, I know, hold your breath waiting on it....
This one was an external ultrasound done over the belly. The last time we saw the rugrat it was just a teeny speck with a yolk sac. I knew it would look a lot different, but I was still totally surprised to see what a complete little being it already was. I even said out loud, "Holy shit, it's a baby!" I can't even describe how blown away seeing that was for me. I know you won't believe it, but in fact I did not cry. I was too fascinated with what I was seeing to cry, I think.
The tech's primary goal was to measure the nuchal fold, which is the thickness of skin at the back of the neck. A thicker measurement can be an indicator of chromosomal defects. Luckily, it looked perfect. She then got a look at the face to make sure the nasal bones were forming correctly, which also can be a red flag if they aren't. Again, everything looked great.
The little one was MOVING! We got to see a big yawn, waving of hands and wriggling of fingers, thumb sucking, stretching, and even some flipping. I asked the tech (Pippa again) if it was too early to take a peek between the legs. She said we could see if there was anything worth seeing, but that it was likely still too early. The baby initially had its legs firmly crossed across its body, so it seemed we wouldn't even get a look, but then almost as if on cue, the bugger flipped right over and spread its legs to show us the goods. The result - likely the little one is going to be a little man. Obviously we won't be going out and decking things out in blue until the big ultrasound at 20 weeks confirms it, but we are thrilled (and not at all surprised since we both from day 1 have been positive this baby was a boy)!
Baby is about 7cm, so about the size of a lime, and looks perfect. Heart rate today was 154. It was hard to hear it since he was moving around so much Pippa had a hard time capturing it. No idea on my weight - they didn't take it this time. And I didn't get my blood drawn either because by the time we were done with the ultrasound, they had already sent out all the blood work for the day. So, I went back this morning (Monday). All I can say is as nice as that nurse was, she was the worst stick EVER! My arm has been sore all day. Grrr.
Another post, another promise of photos. I need to get the pics scanned and digitized so I can attempt to post them here. I know, I know, hold your breath waiting on it....
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
We have a strong heartbeat!
Went to the doctor on Friday, 8/3. Dr. McCollum was awesome, both Vince and I really liked her. She just returned from her own maternity leave, so it is kind of nice to know she has so recently been through a similar experience. We scheduled our next monthly appointment with her as well.
Weight gain at 10 weeks - + 3 lbs.
She talked to me quite a bit about the spotting and was generally not worried, but did tell me what to look out for, and how to get in touch with her if I needed to. Thankfully, the spotting has stopped!
She used the Doppler to try to hear the heartbeat, but she did caution us it was unlikely they could hear it at 10 weeks - we would likely just have to go in to the ultrasound room to check. But, she found the heartbeat without any problems. It was a perfectly strong 166! It was beyond cool to hear it, and even she seemed surprised to find it!
She talked with us at length about the upcoming sequential screening, where they do blood tests and an ultrasound to try to assess the risk of Downs Syndrome or other genetic abnormalities. We were on the fence over whether or not to have the tests, but she gave us some really good points to consider, and we finally decided to agree to the tests. Feel free to ask if you want to know more. So, we have the blood draw and ultrasound scheduled for 8/17, at 12 weeks. Can't wait to get to see the little bugger again!
Our niece Veronica just turned 4. She has been told that Auntie has a baby in her tummy, and she has decided that she wants the baby to be a boy because she only has one cousin, Reese, who is a girl, so it would be fun to have a little boy cousin! She then went rummaging around in her toy room and emerged with a little rattle with Winnie the Pooh on it. We recognized it immediately - it was one of her rattles as a baby. She handed it to me and said it was a gift for the baby since she and her brother were big kids and didn't need the baby toys anymore. It was just too cute for words - we are lucky to have such a bright, funny, and thoughtful niece! I know she will be a great older cousin for this little one.
My dad and sister were here this past weekend visiting, and we made a stop at Babies 'R Us to look at cribs, since that is what my parents want to buy us for the little one. We checked stuff out, but will definitely be shopping around some more. Also, while at the store, Auntie KD bought the baby his or her very first gift - an adorable little sleeper that is brown and fuzzy and has a hood with ears to look just like a little teddy bear. It is super cute!
And another bright note - the nausea is pretty much gone at this point. I'm not really bloated anymore, but the bloat has been replaced by really firm abs and a lot more roundness in the belly. You could almost call it 'showing.' I get really tired very easily, but sleeping at night is tough and isn't very restful right now. Oh, and can someone please tell my skin that I am not reverting to puberty, I am just pregnant? So it can stop with the disgusting breakouts, thankyouverymuch.
Weight gain at 10 weeks - + 3 lbs.
She talked to me quite a bit about the spotting and was generally not worried, but did tell me what to look out for, and how to get in touch with her if I needed to. Thankfully, the spotting has stopped!
She used the Doppler to try to hear the heartbeat, but she did caution us it was unlikely they could hear it at 10 weeks - we would likely just have to go in to the ultrasound room to check. But, she found the heartbeat without any problems. It was a perfectly strong 166! It was beyond cool to hear it, and even she seemed surprised to find it!
She talked with us at length about the upcoming sequential screening, where they do blood tests and an ultrasound to try to assess the risk of Downs Syndrome or other genetic abnormalities. We were on the fence over whether or not to have the tests, but she gave us some really good points to consider, and we finally decided to agree to the tests. Feel free to ask if you want to know more. So, we have the blood draw and ultrasound scheduled for 8/17, at 12 weeks. Can't wait to get to see the little bugger again!
Our niece Veronica just turned 4. She has been told that Auntie has a baby in her tummy, and she has decided that she wants the baby to be a boy because she only has one cousin, Reese, who is a girl, so it would be fun to have a little boy cousin! She then went rummaging around in her toy room and emerged with a little rattle with Winnie the Pooh on it. We recognized it immediately - it was one of her rattles as a baby. She handed it to me and said it was a gift for the baby since she and her brother were big kids and didn't need the baby toys anymore. It was just too cute for words - we are lucky to have such a bright, funny, and thoughtful niece! I know she will be a great older cousin for this little one.
My dad and sister were here this past weekend visiting, and we made a stop at Babies 'R Us to look at cribs, since that is what my parents want to buy us for the little one. We checked stuff out, but will definitely be shopping around some more. Also, while at the store, Auntie KD bought the baby his or her very first gift - an adorable little sleeper that is brown and fuzzy and has a hood with ears to look just like a little teddy bear. It is super cute!
And another bright note - the nausea is pretty much gone at this point. I'm not really bloated anymore, but the bloat has been replaced by really firm abs and a lot more roundness in the belly. You could almost call it 'showing.' I get really tired very easily, but sleeping at night is tough and isn't very restful right now. Oh, and can someone please tell my skin that I am not reverting to puberty, I am just pregnant? So it can stop with the disgusting breakouts, thankyouverymuch.
Friday, August 3, 2007
A small scare
It's been a stressful few days, and last night it seems my body decided to give me a very visible reminder to slow the heck down and just let stuff go. I started having some light bleeding last night, which has continued into today. Luckily we have the doctor's appt this afternoon so we can make sure all is well. I'm not too worried about it, but it will be reassuring to know everything is OK. Fingers crossed!
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