doctor updates

Since everyone wants to know how my first weekly doctor's appointment went, here it goes.

Zero. Zip. Nil. No dilation yet :) Which hopefully means that I'm not going early. I know that Broomhilda will come when she wants, but it looks good so far that it won't be in the next couple of weeks.

The doc did feel her head when she was checking. Apparently Broomhilda didn't like being touched in a different way than normal because that really got her going as soon as the visit was over.

I have protein showing up in my urine. Not sure what that means, but since my blood pressure is perfect (their words, not mine) and I'm not getting blurred vision, then they aren't worried yet. But they will keep monitoring it.

Yes, I am gaining weight. In the two weeks since my last visit I have gained five pounds and am up to a total gain of 17 according to their records. I was told that I could expect to gain 6 or 7 more before she arrives. But they are pleased with my weight gain so far.

My next appointments are next Friday afternoon and then the Wednesday after that. They will only schedule two appointments ahead no matter how far along you are.

If I've missed something you want to know, do tell!

4 weeks... hopefully!

Four weeks!!! That's all we have to prepare!!! I can't believe it! I have washed clothes and packed her bag. When Eric gets back from a short N.C. site visit, I'll steal his duffel bag and get my bag pack (I still have a few more necessary items to get before then though!).

Anyway, before he left, I got him to snap the one month to go pictures. So here they are....

and the famous belly shot.

only five weeks!!!! agh!!!!

Yesterday was five weeks and counting. Agh! I can't believe it and I don't think I'm ready!!! I have started washing stuff. I washed the sheets and the little bit of bedding that we have this past weekend. I'll probably start washing clothes this weekend.

We have finished our labor classes... I didn't think we were going to make it through last week. We had our first of three actual labor classes on Monday the 5th, the second on Monday the 12th, then Thursday the 15th we had the newborn care class, then on Saturday the 17th we had our feeding class, and finally on Monday the 19th we had our final labor class. I think our brains are overloaded!! A neighbor I had actually never met until this past Saturday was extremely kind and gave us three of the "What to Expect" books, so now we are trying to cram in!

She is quite the mover. Not so many punches/kicks, but definitely squirming all over the place. Eric likes to feel her move right when I lay down to sleep. This seems to be her most active time during the hours he is around. Her other time is right before lunch. But I can't run to New Jersey to let him feel. I enjoy their bonding time. Makes me feel that he is really a part of this and gets to experience some of what I do.

yay... a crib!

My wonderful mom (& dad) bought a crib for us last weekend when mom was up here for a baby shower. We finally got a chance to go get it this afternoon. Of course, I'm in that mode where everything has to be done now! We set the crib up and "staged" it. The sheet and ruffle haven't been washed... and there are toys in the crib. Yes I know this is a no no, but thought it added character.

As you can see it is complete with a mobile to get her ready for homecoming (just in case we are actually able to go this year!). The quilt on the right was made by my friend Gabby and fits into my theme of green. No little girl is complete without a Roo, frog, and a Care Bear. The bumper pad is really neat. It is padded, just a little, and is made of mesh so it is breathable so baby doesn't suffocate. Plus it came in the matching green!

randomness

At the request of my twin, here are a few updates in a normal day (if those actually exist).

I am eating better since the whole stomach thing. I actually ate my entire dinner tonight, which I haven't done in some time now, even before the stomach thing. I am not snacking as much. If I do snack, it is usually something small... a scoop of goldfish, a banana, maybe a full thing of yogurt. Actual meals are small. Fruit Loops for breakfast... sometimes a bowl and a half and my first bowl is usually just about to overflow.

Broomhilda is very active in the afternoons and right as I want to go to sleep. She has this thing she does most nights. Right as a I lie down, it almost feels like my entire stomach twitches for a good minute. It is mainly the lower left corner and the upper right corner (if my belly had corners). I really wanted Eric to feel this since she started it the couple of nights he was "away" at a conference. So one night she did it. By the time I got his attention she had stopped. He came over and did that nervous tap with his fingers in the lower spot. After a couple times of that she did it back!

She may go a couple of hours and not really move, but then when she does it is a good half hour to entire hour straight. Right now it feels like she is tapping my bladder. Sometimes I'll just see movement but not actually feel anything. Other times, I'm surprised someone can't hear her move she does it so forcefully.

I am feeling better. My stomach muscles are really tight and sore. Getting up out of bed is a little difficult and sometimes even standing up after sitting in a chair can prove challenging. My lower back is starting to get stiff easier. Leg cramps during the night are occurring at least two to three nights a week. Sometimes I feel the lingering affects for a couple of days, especially in my right leg.

I'm not sure how much weight I have gained. I did lose like five to seven pounds in the hospital. The last time I weighed myself here at home, I was back to being within six pounds of where I started. I haven't checked in the past week though. I have noticed that my wedding ring is really loose. I was afraid I would retain so much water that I wouldn't be able to wear it, but now I'm struggling just to keep it on!

I'm trying to think of what else I can tell you. My mom & Sarah are coming up this weekend along with Lyn & Elisha for a baby shower being thrown by two really great gals, Bethany & Gabby. I am really looking forward to the shower, since I know some really hard work has been put into it! Plus some time with family this weekend is always good! I'm taking Friday afternoon off to make sure I get quality time with Mom & Sarah. I haven't seen Sarah since Christmas, and that was the last time I saw Mom until she came up to make sure I was going to live through the hospital weekend! I don't get to see them that often so I cherish the time I do get!

Eric & I still don't think we are completely ready for her to get here. I suppose no one ever is. We just look forward to each day and thank God we got this far!!

two months to go!!!

Can you believe there's only 8 weeks left!?!??! I can't!! Anyway.... here's two-months-to-go pictures!

and the belly shot....

whose nose?

So once again a good thing about being in the hospital was another peak at our little one that should be here in 10 weeks!!!!

Eric says she has my nose... what do you think???