Awake for the Daybreak

Yes, it's six thirty in the morning on a Saturday and I am wide awake. I have been for about an hour now. I finally got out of bed because I didn't want to wake up poor Mike who has been looking forward to sleeping in all week.

Insomnia. It stinks.

Insomnia during pregnancy. It really stinks.

But there is one good thing: Autumn is in the air and you can feel it through the cool breeze that comes through the window. A new season is among us. It's kind a nice to enjoy it as everyone else sleeps away the early morning.

Insomnia + Back Pain = A Very Irritable Annie

Okay people, we're in the homestretch.

It looks like FeeNo will be making a grand entrance on October 19th (as long as my amnio on the 17th shows mature lungs). That's only three weeks away. THREE WEEKS AWAY.

I spoke to my doctor yesterday during my appointment and told him that Mike and I were leaning toward a scheduled c-section because we would rather schedule it than have to have an emergency one. The doctor agreed (coincidentally, they had already sent me the order via US Mail earlier this week, so it was a done deal) and as long as I don't go into labor beforehand, my doctor is definitely going to do the honors of making me a mom.

I have terrible back pain. Last night, it was so terrible I was almost reduced to tears. I have insomnia. Today, I was awake at four in the morning, tossing and turning, and finally got up at five to read and watch shows I had DVR'ed during the week. When I do sleep, I have the craziest dreams (they are all pregnancy related - if you want details, email me). I am snapping at poor Mike. Then I fel bad about it. My stomach weighs a ton (even though my overall weight gain is 8 pounds) and I am in the bathroom constantly, it seems. And my indigestion doesn't seem to be getting any better.

FeeNo wants out of my belly already. There is constant movement in there. And the poor kid is running out of room. Yesterday's weight was 5 pounds, 1 ounce.

I can't believe I'm going to be a mom in less than a month. I'm very excited, but in all honestly, I am scared out of my mind.

Moving Legs and Arms

At today's doctor's visit, FeeNo was a ball of energy. During my entire ultrasound, FeeNo kept moving around, punching his arms and kicking his legs.

In the end, we were able to come to these conclusions: the child is very healthy and active at 34 weeks. And, apparently, experiencing a growth spurt. Today's weight: 4 pounds, 12 ounces. Up from last week's 4 pounds, 2 ounces.

A nice healthy jump that isn't a reflection of my diabetic woes.

I also had a growth spurt: a weight gain of 2 pounds, most of which is baby. Obviously.

I am feeling pretty good, if a bit tired from time to time. I've spent most of this week "nesting" starting with the cleaning of my kitchen cabinets and ending with the cleaning out of dresser drawers. The doctor says this is all perfectly normal, that I'm just getting ready for FeeNo's arrival.

Now, every week, the doctor and I go through pretty much the same things: how I feel, my blood pressure, the baby, my blood sugars. I keep a log of my blood sugars, writing down as many as 10 blood sugar readings in a single day. Then, the doctor and I go through the numbers and figure out if I should make any changes in my food and/or insulin intake during the day. Most of the time, it's been pretty easy to manage because my control has been pretty good.

Today, however, was different. After reading my fasting blood glucose levels, the doctors says to me "I see you were 102 the other day. And 105 the day before that. That's high." Now, for any diabetic out there, those numbers are actually within range. They are pretty much perfect numbers. But for pregnant diabetics, doctors like to see fasting numbers below 95. The doctor expressed concern over increasing my insulin intake overnight, as it might make me too low (which is worse than a high at this point). So he said we should reevaluate the numbers next week and see what's going on.

I have read on other diabetic pregnancy blogs something similar. And the reactions have always been the same: WHAT? HOW CAN 102 BE HIGH? I AIM FOR THIS NUMBER ALL THE TIME! But I guess the rules change when you are pregnant.

That being said, if my fasting numbers don't decrease, I may need to have a c-section afterall. I appreciate the doctor being so cautious with me. But man, now I have c-sections on the brain again.

I shouldn't complain, though. This kid is healthy, active, and growing. I shouldn't be concerned about having to have a cut on my belly, right? I'm curious to hear what everyone thinks about that.

Woo Hoo!!

Test results in from the doctor: NO PREECLAMPSIA!

If I could, I would celebrate with a drink. :)

Jenny McCarthy I'm Not...

...But I am certainly experiencing many of the things she did while she was pregnant. I will spare you guys the details, but if you are curious, pick up a copy of her book, Belly Laughs. I read it many months ago and now, I find myself picking it up to read a chapter here and there. It reads comically, but very truthfully. Even the stuff your own mother won't tell you!

This week's update is more of the same. FeeNo is still thumb/hand sucking. Weight - 4 pounds, 2 ounces. Very healthy.

I am still awaiting the results of my preeclampsia test - hopefully, I'll know by this afternoon. I lost a pound at this week's appointment. Not too much swelling in my legs. Blood pressure was okay. Blood sugars in check.

I feel bad that I haven't been posting much lately - only pregnancy updates. I will try to post more often - I have plenty to write about, including the disappointing season finale of Rescue Me, but I will save it for another day. Next week sometime...

My Favorite Owen

Last weekend, my bff and her family came to visit Mike, me, and my big belly.

I got a picture of Owen posing with Gary the Gnome.



It's hard to believe he's almost two!

It's Raining, It's Pouring, Annie is Snoring

Or so I'm told. Poor Mike hasn't had a good night's sleep in about three nights. But then again, he won't go sleep in the guest room. So it's not really my fault now, is it?

At my 32 week check up today, I learned that I gained 3 pounds! In a week! Things are still looking pretty good, but I have to do a test next week for preeclampsia, which makes me a little nervous (due to being 32 weeks pregnant and the fact that my legs are swelling - ick!).

No growth ultrasound this week, but I did get to hear FeeNo's heartbeat (in the 130s - nice and healthy) and see a little bit of this growing baby. Still has a big head. Right hand is still covering the face. Legs continue to kick. The lungs are practicing breathing and the heart looks so cool pumping away in the chest.

Next week, in addition to the preeclampsia test, another growth ultrasound, which should give us an indication of FeeNo's weight. Less than 60 days to my due date. I can remember when it was over 200 days. Not much more to go until Mike and I get to meet FeeNo face to face.

As soon as FeeNo is born, Mike wants to discuss the baseball playoffs - never mind this baby has a 50% chance of being female.

Me - after giving FeeNo a kiss, I think I'll give him a kick. Just like he does to me every night at 4 am. :)