well baby follow up

Macy Grace had a follow up visit to the dr today and her 4 month well baby visit (even though she's 5.5 months old). We tried for the well baby shots two weeks ago but because of her wheezing and allergies concern they wanted to wait it out. She has taken prevacid for the last 2 weeks and we have definitely seen an improvement so they are pretty sure this will take care of the acid reflux. Today the dr said she sounded much better so we can step down to one inhaler twice a day and continue with the prevacid for at least 30 more days. I'll probably stick with it for 60 until her next well baby.

Because of our schedules, it actually worked out better for Jeremy to take her this time and he did great. He was nervous he wouldn't really know the information the dr would need, so I wrote it out for him and the ARNP texted me to tell me everything went great and Jeremy did fine =) Isn't that funny? She knew he was nervous especially because they gave her 3 shots and he was trying to comfort her afterwards, and quite bluntly the best comfort is me and my milkers. But they did great. I called to check on them and heard her screaming I almost cried myself, but J said she had JUST received her shot right when I called and she was fine once he got her and bundled her up to come home! I met them in the driveway and opened her door and she gave me a big smile when I picked her up and she let me hug and kiss on her =) I don't think she is too upset at me.

I have made an effort to snuggle extra more because her leggies hurt :( She just wants to sit on my lap and chew on her paci, yup, not suck, chew.

Oh, and I don't remember if I mentioned this before, but at 5 months she weighs 15 lbs and is 24 1/2 inches long!

I just realized I never posted of her last appt, here it is.
On November 25th, she had a routine appt and she weighed 8 lbs 11 ounces and they didn't measure her length. The dr was very pleased with her weight especially considering she is a breastfed baby. Everything looked great and they want her back for her 2 month appt and they will begin vaccinations at that time, and I think I might cry when she gets a shot =(

We've got a case of the sickies...

Macy Grace is not feeling well, and it just breakes my heart. Last night she was so fussy and cranky, nothing would hardly console her. I went to start her bath water and laid her in Jeremy's arms and in the process she feel fast asleep and I didn't bother with the bath. I held her and she slept until I went to bed at 11 and fed her then again at 4. She is doing really well on her feeding and waking up times, I'm pleased. We went to the dr this morning and she is on an antibiotic and nebulizer for breathing treatments. I'm just happy we can take care of this before it forms an infection. And as a sidenote, she's not liking the nasal aspirator, at all. But what can I say, I wouldn't either!
Oh and at her appt, she weighed 11 lbs 4 oz and is 21 1/4 inches!!! She is becoming quite a chunk!

dr's appt

I should have known, this is my child, and I struggle with being on time, BUT I'm not this late....come on bean!
I had another dr's appt today, all went well. I haven't gained any weight since last week, so that is a good thing, my blood pressure and baby's heartrate were right on. I asked about a weight/size prediction and he guessed 8 lbs 2 ounces, yikes! Not sure if I wanted to hear that or not. He didn't use an u/s, just a guesstimation. I'm anxious to see how close he is! Dr checked me and my cervix is slightly softer than last week, I'm making some progress at least. Again, I denied the chance to induce. My dr is not induce happy, he said if it was his choice he would want every woman to wait it out, but as we know that isn't always possible. He was just leaving me with the option to have an induction if that is what I wanted/needed for some reason.
And I feel good so there really isn't any reason to rush things, that is just my personal opinion and how I feel personally about having this baby. But we did discuss the options if I don't go within the next week. I have an appt scheduled for next Wednesday the 12th(which I REALLY don't want to have the baby then, that's my anniversary!), and should I make that appt I would have an NST (non stress test) and schedule an induction for Friday the 14th. He really doesn't see it coming to that point, but we set up a plan of action to take if needed.
I have mixed emotions about the entire thing. Do I want an induction? I feel like I have expressed enough that NO I don't. But knowing there is a for sure date at the end, the 14th, I can handle that. It's 9 more days. And like I said, I feel good, I'm not miserable, I'm okay.
I did cry however on the way to the dr's office. Then I gained my composure and went in like a big girl. Before I left Jeremy kept asking me why I was crying. I told him I didn't want to go today, I wanted to be at the hospital or home with my baby in my arms. I told him how stressed I was that I might have to have an induction and with him going back to work next Friday I would be home alone with a newborn. He assured me we would just take the weekend off and deal with it later. That helped, I just hope it's really that easy.
After everything with Heather, I'm just reminded about the gift of life. Thank you Jesus for protecting me and my lil baby this far, it is only by your grace and goodness that I'm even pregnant, moreless still carrying my child.

another dr's appt

So, I experienced the dreadful internal, and I must say that it really isn't that bad, seriously. I was nervous about it, then calm, then when I was at the dr's office the nurse told me she wasn't going to lie, that it is uncomfortable. Well, yeah, my dr with his hands up my who-ha isn't very comfortable under any circumstances. But it was manageable. I am hoping that he stirred up a few things down there and a natural labor is in the works =) That being said, I am dialated at a 1 to a 2 and the head is right there, so, the decision for induction is in my ball field. And I denied it. Well, Jeremy denied it. He said he just wasn't sure we wanted to and that was that. Of course I can change my mind, but I won't. I really want to go naturally, on the baby's (and God's) timeline, it's just nice knowing my progress and the option was/is there. This baby will come at the time that is right and God is in control and at this point, that is what I have peace with.
My blood pressure is great, and I actually lost 2 lbs from last week, which is awesome, sure makes me feel good =) Of course, I diaherra basically after every meal, so, that's just lovely.
I am ready to have the baby but sad at the same time. I honestly truly don't want to choose the baby's day, so I'm glad we have this decision to just wait it out. Jeremy said it's much more exciting to think that we could wake up at 2am and bam! have to go to the hospital, I agree. There's really nothing else to do besides to go for some serious walks and get some squats going on. Which I think I may start...

still here, still kickin'

I've made it through the funeral, and now I'm officially ready to have the baby. Nothing holding me back, not.a.thing =)
So, I'll be updating with any progress I have, along with some thoughts that I've been building up these past few days.
One thing I forgot to mention was my dr's appt on Wednesday. Everything good, blood pressure a little high for me, but nothing to be concerned about. I gained another 3 lbs, ick, but what can a girl do? I'm up a total of 30. I'm bakin' my bean...
We discussed my next appt which is on Wednesday and he'll check me for progress and we'll go from there.

so far behind....

wow, I'm 2 dr's visits behind and 1 weekly update...sorry!

I'll start with last week's (37th week) dr's visit. It went well. I'm at once a week visits which they just weigh me (ugh...), take my blood pressure (which is NEVER high, so that's good), and measure me (right on target) and listen for a heartbeat (always at 150!). I tested negatiave for the strep b test, so no antibiotics during labor and delivery, that's a plus. I'm pretty boring. So, I suppose the news I should break is that at my appt last week, I was up 3 lbs...eek. In two weeks - 3 lbs. The nurse assured me that it was great because I went almost a month of not gaining. But still. Who LOVES seeing the numbers on the scale go up and up and up? None.of.us. I'm just telling myself, it will come off, it will come off. We visited about me really wanting to avoid a c-section rate, and assuredly my dr informed me that he has a low c-section rate and will work with me the best he can to avoid one as well.

On to this week's (38th week) appt, which was yesterday. Everything the same, the bad news, I gained nearly 3 more lbs. HOW? HOW on earth??? Oh well....it's for a good cause I suppose. I swear nothing is different. Nothing. I don't eat more. I'm just as active. I just must be one heck of a baby baker or something! The dr isn't concerned so I there is no reason I should be. I can just feel it. I'm so much more 'puffy' than normal. I'm retaining water, starting to swell, which I don't like. But who does? Who WANTS sausage toes? However, I'm getting a precious lil bundle of joy what of it, so I'll take the trade.

On to how I feel. I knew you wanted to know. Actually, it's not the worst, but I'm starting to ache and feel tight and crampy and just achey. However, truly, I feel like I'm FOREVER away from delivery. I just don't feel like it's about to happen. But who knows? No one, except for God, and that's good enough for me, He's the only person who can control it anyway. I'm excited about having the baby, but at the same time, not quite ready. The house still needs some work. However, the good news - the baby's room is ready! Kinda. The walls are painted and the carpet is in. We picked up the furniture last night and bought a mattress, so today I'm going to start assembling it and getting everything moving in there. That room and me and Jeremy's room is done. We just need flooring in the living room, kitchen, and dining room, and we can move stuff in. It will need a few more little things, but things that we can do once we are at least sleeping there. It will be a huge relief when it's all said and done, trust me. Maybe that's what keeps me from thinking I may be on the verge of labor and delivery...the thought that it just can't happen right now. Ah, the power of the mind...maybe. Or it's just the good Lord protecting Jeremy from a heart attack and the stress of getting it all done because I'm sitting at the hospital. I told him I'm just not worried and he shouldn't be either. It will all come together, it will be finished and it will work out.

I'm only working half days this week due to parent/teacher conferences, I'm just not sure how I'll make it next week. I'm dreading it, big time. I can't stand for long periods of time and sitting hurts. So, you wanna know what my real plan is? I'm going to get that baby's room ready. There isn't much I can do on the house as it is. I feel pretty useless being 38 weeks pregnant and working on a house laying flooring. So, the weather is calling for a fabulous forecast. I'm will work on the getting the nursery up to par, everything washed and put away, then, I'm going to just do some heavy, heavy walking. I want to have this baby naturally, but I will not just sit around here and wait for it to happen. So, as long as the weather is fine, I'm walking. Yeah, pray for a natural birth to happen this month and of course in God's perfect timing =)

I had my 35th week dr's appt today and everything is fine and dandy with the bean. I had my group b strep test and will have the tests results back in approximately a week. If I test positive I will need to be on antibiotics during the birth. I had my weigh in which was surprising. In the last two weeks, I lost 1/2 of a lb and have kept my weight gain at 21 lbs total thus far. I'm proud of myself =) I know that at any moment I could explode and run with 10 more pounds, but I don't expect it. My biggest weight gains were months 6 and 7 and that is what most people told me to expect. My blood pressure was perfect and I'm measuring right on track. I asked the dr if expects me to have a 9 lb baby (I'm nervous, thanks to two friends who in the last month have both given birth a week over due to at least 9 lb babies! yikes!) and he looked at me like I had lost my head and said no. So, that is assuring! The bean was exteremly active, but he caught a heart rate at 150 bpm. How's that for the old wives tale, boy or girl, how knows at this point? Not even my dr, he said he can't remember!

I go back in two weeks then I'll visit the lovely office once a week until d-day. Wow, I'm having a baby =)

I had a dr's appt today and it went very good. Dr. K was in surgery so after waiting 40 minutes his nurse saw me and I just really like her. She is very informative and is willing to explain everything to you and understand your questions. I am measuring exactly on track and the bean's heartrate was 154. My blood pressure is perfect for me and my weight stayed the same from the past 2 weeks, so that is a plus - up a total of 22 lbs. My next appt is in 2 weeks and I will be checked internally for some type of virus that if I'm positive for, they will treat at birth. I didn't catch the name of the virus they will be checking for.
I can't believe how fast time has flown by and at the same time, crept by. I was telling the nurse how I'm anxious and I suppose you could say, scared, about delivery, but she just assured me that in the moment your body just takes over. She said you start working with the contractions and realize you can't be pregnant forever so, the baby MUST come out. I know all that, but it's just comforting to hear it from a 'trained professional' hehehe =)

another dr's appt

I never updated on my last dr's appt. It was last Tuesday and aside from my semi-breakdown to the nurse, it was anticlimatic. I just was really overwhelmed and have had alot on my plate lately so when the nurse asked if I had any questions, I said no, but went back on that and started crying. She assured me that I am very normal and it is okay. It certainly is an emotional time, so not to feel bad! I did discuss some cramping and she said as long it doesn't increase or isn't accompanied by a change in discharge, then it most likely is normal. She assured me that if I have any questions at all, just to call. I also mentioned my struggle with sleep. She said that while she feels it's 'mother nature' preparing me for motherhood, it would be okay to take some meds to help with relax me and help me sleep better. She recommended tylenol pm, benadryl, or even dramamine.
The dr measured me and I'm right on target, my blood pressure is great, and the bean's heartrate was at 150. The scariest part of it all was my weigh in. I have gained 22 lbs as of last week, yikes! It is so hard. I don't eat more than I used to, it's just different. My friends all assure me that it's all belly, but I feel like it's not. And I know I've grown since last week, so, it could get scary! Actually, I'm going to buy a new battery for my scale at home so I can be weighing myself again. It sorta helps with the initial shock of what I weigh besides just seeing it in the dr's office. Oy. Things are moving right along, literally and I love it. I now see the dr every 2 weeks! The countdown is getting closer =)

gestational diabetes test

I never did an update with my last appt. I had it a week ago, and everything went good. I was a tad nervous about the gestational diabetes test, just cause. I basically think I have more trouble with my blood sugar being too low, but because I'm pregnant and have actually never had a diabetes test, a part of me couldn't shake the scare. Well, all is fine. I drank the juice and had an appt with the dr. He had a slighlty difficult time finding the heartbeat but that was because the bean was all over the place! He commented that this is an active one today and I said, I just drank that sugar drink for the diabetes test, that made more sense to him. I forgot to ask about the heartbeat. But it tends to be on a downward slide of getting slower and slower, so, I'm anxious to see if the famed ole wives tale of over 140 hpm is a girl and under is a boy! I was up 15 lbs, so that seems to be good. My next appt is Tuesday, August 26th. How crazy!

back from dr

I had a good visit with the dr. He said I'm growing right on schedule. It was simple and brief. He measured my belly and we heard the heartbeat - 150 bpm. He asked if I feel the baby, and it was so fun to be able to tell him about it. They cultured me for strep throat because I'm not feeling well and my throat is sore, which came back negative. He said my leg cramps were normal, and that lovly kicked-in-the-crotch-feeling, well, it's normal too! Oy.
So, I'm normal, baby's good, he thought the baby maybe weighs around a 1 lb and as a total, I've gained 11 lbs. My next appt is Tuesday, August 5th, and they will be testing me for gestational diabetes. We're just moving right along!

the bean's first photo op

After almost having a mental breakdown and crying uncontrollably because my hair wasn't looking good and the flat iron wouldn't work right - which I contained only because I kept reminding myself that my makeup looked good - (gotta love those pregnancy hormones!) we had a very good day at the dr's office. Kari, please forgive me, I know that sentence is wrong in everyway possible, but it gets the point across and it's late ;)

Jeremy went with me and we were so excited about the ultrasound. I know he was happy, and so was I, but I sorta knew what to expect, he didn't.
After he kept mentioning that the wait was taking too long and he had an appt scheduled for that afternoon and didn't know if he would be able to stay for the whole appt, I gave him that "if-you-leave-me-here-and-miss-the-u/s" glare, he decided it was in his best interest to stay =) Seriously, if he would have left, I would have sat there and cried and cried, it would have been embarassing.

But the appt was wonderful and he was glad he stayed. And truly, the thing is, is that he didn't tell his boss what he was doing. If he would have called her and explained everything she would have no doubt rescheduled the meeting for later. Thankfully, he was able to leave just in time to make everything.

When my dr tried to find the heartbeat, I was nervous. He wasn't getting it. I thought oh, no, I made it this far and now what?!? He moved the doppler around and around, I just closed my eyes. Finally, after what seemed like 10 minutes (it wasn't nearly that long) he picked up a heartbeat. It was music to my ears. I said you had a hard time, he replied, well, I knew the baby was moving so there had to be a heartbeat because all I picked up was the water slushing around, that baby is active! He turned on the u/s machine and stressed several times, WE DON'T WANT TO KNOW!!!, he was perfect with it. He looked around and took lots of pictures and measurements. Tears welled up in my eyes, that was my baby and it was perfect. It has the most perfect round head and it's tiny little arms were waving at me, my little star even gave me a 'high-five', it was perfect. And the baby was so good during the ultrasound. We discussed that this was it's first time to show momma and daddy how well-behaved it was and how good it would be at picture taking! Everything looked great. My baby is skinny he said, but looked healthy. It's about 10 - 12 inches long and weighs about 9 ounces. The nurse said, that IS little, but that's okay. I was a little baby, so, I don't expect to be popping out a 9 pounder!

We tried to get a 3-d shot but my placenta was in the way of the face. Maybe we'll try again in 6 weeks or so.

The most spectacular part of the whole thing was Jeremy. I have been attached to this baby in everyway possible, literally!, since day 1. But Jeremy not so much. I know it has everything to do with the fact that he can't feel the baby, I can, he doesn't go through the hormonal and physical changes, I do, and besides hearing the heartbeat one time, that's about all the 'attachment' he was had with the baby. And it's completely understandable if not normal. And that is really why I wanted him at the u/s. Yes, I would have pictures, but it's not near the same as watching the baby move around on the screen. Jeremy said it was amazing. He felt like it was for real, we are parents, and we are having a baby.
Tonight we looked at the pictures again on the computer, and he said it's just amazing. Amazing that that is growing inside you. That my little microscopic sperm and your itty bitty egg could create that, a real, live, moving human. It's just stunning.

I am so thankful to God for this miracle. I'm forever greatful.

"Don't believe in miracles - depend on them."
Laurence J. Peter

eta: I've gained 2 lbs, a total of 4 lbs

another dr's appt

On May 14th, I ventured to the dr's office for another anticipated visit to my baby dr. It was short and sweet. My weight gain was at a whole 2lbs, so I'm proud of myself. I was in my 16th week at the appt, I heard the heart beat and it was beating steadly at 155 bpm, still girl territory ;) Um, who's to say?!? I love the excitement of not knowing. The guessing, the 'feeling', the look, everything. It will be a blast to find out on D-day.

My next appt is June 5th, and we will have the big ultrasound. I will get to see my baby for the first time. I'm excited. When people ask about me finding out, I just have to say, that I have no desire right now to know if it's a boy or a girl. It doesn't appeal to me. It's like I know it's supposed to be a surprise and it feels too early to know. I'm not supposed to know what I'm having yet, and I like it that way.

A good dr's appt!

I had my appt, it went very good. I've gained 1 lb and we heard the baby's wonderful heartbeat! I'm so happy =)

It was the neatest thing. I was so worried about it, my heart started beating so fast. I layed down on the table and my dr started to feel for my uterus, which he found immediately and was like, right there. He got his doppler and as soon as he put it on me we had a heartbeat, he didn't have to move it around or look for it. I was so excited!!! After he was done, he said, well, you can tell everyone that the heartbeat was 164, so, and he looked at Jeremy and said, sorry, you're out of luck, they say that means girl, of course, they're only right 50% of the time! hehehehe! We talked for a little bit and then we left. Jeremy was sorta sounding down and I asked him, aren't you excited?!? He said, yeah, but the dr said it's a girl! I said no he didn't he was teasing. (Jeremy is so adimant about not finding out the gender). It was good day =)

1st appt

We had a successful visit at the dr's office for my 1st appt today. I'm glad that first step is over, all the worrying that I wouldn't make it this far, I feel much better. Visit recap: Set up and payment plan, had my blood drawn and urine sampled (I remembered the cup!), reviewed my medical & family history, had an internal pap, and visited with the dr. He gave me a book and told me to call if I have any questions or concerns. He reminded me that alot of people out there have opinions but none of them are pregnant with my baby! That was reassuring. He told me I could do anything I wanted as long as it wasn't sky diving, scuba diving, snow skiing, or water skiing, I think I'm covered in those areas =)

My next appt is April 16th, and they will check for a fetal heartbeat! Yeah!