Guess What?

Not only have I lost all the weight I gained during pregnancy (10 pounds), I've also lost an additional 15 pounds.

It might be the lack of sleep.

Whatever it is, I'll take it!

One More Picture...

Many requested, and never received, a final photo of me in my pregnant glory. My plan was to take weekly pictures of my growing belly and I failed at that task. However, the night before Patrick was born, I was adamant about taking a picture of myself, if only to remember what my body turned into.

Here it is - a photo of myself pregnant at 38 week and 1 day.

My apologies for those who asked and never received. Hopefully, you will forgive and use the term: better late than never.

Final pregnancy photo - 38 weeks, 1 day

38 Weeks

Just got back from the doctor. Won't have the official results of the amnio until tomorrow, but the doctor seemed to think the fluid looked 'perfect.'

Thanks for all the well wishes, thoughts and prayers, and phone calls today.

I'm going to be a mom in less than 48 hours!

Quick Update

Not much going on this week. Just waiting.

Please send good thoughts tomorrow morning, as I have to go in for an amnio to check on FeeNo's lung maturity. If all is developed, the c-section is scheduled for Friday morning.

With the exception of waking up once every night to go to the bathroom, I've been sleeping wonderfully. I have no complaints. My swelling has gone down - my legs are back to normal.

It must be the calm before the storm. :)

More tomorrow.

Dreaming

Last night I dreamt that I was in labor. I dreamt that Mike took me to the hospital and when I got there, the doctor that was on call (not my doctor) sent me home.

Me: But I'm in labor!!

Doctor: I know. Come back on Monday.

Me: But it's Friday!

Doctor: I know. Come back on Monday. We'll take of you then.

Good thing I'm scheduled to go to the hospital next week. I don't know what I would do if I actually went into labor, showed up at the hospital and got sent home for the weekend.

Countdown to FeeNo - 9 Days

In nine days, I am going to meet my baby face to face. Even as I type this, I can't believe it's going to happen already. It's been the longest nine months of my life, nine months of anticipating and preparing. But still, it seems like a dream.

At today's appointment with the doctor, my parents got to see a glimpse of their grandchild. They were amazed by it all - seeing the baby's profile, arms and legs. FeeNo's weight today - about 6 pounds. Things look good for my c-section next week, pending an amnio on Wednesday.

I'll say this now and I am sure I will again: thanks to everyone for all the prayers and good wishes. It's been a long journey, a scary one most of the time, but everyone's encouragement has been helpful.

FeeNo's Bedroom

I took some pictures of FeeNo's bedroom. Enjoy!




And, finally, a picture of my chubby pregnant face:

Cankles

I developed them yesterday. I still have them today.

They are gross.

I spent the day doing baby stuff with my mom. We washed clothes and went through lots of things in FeeNo's room. Tomorrow, we'll finish up the room.

Hopefully I'll have pictures to post early next week.

FeeNo Wants Out!

How did it get to be October already? Holy moly!

My parents arrive tomorrow. Together, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of FeeNo. I tell you, it's going to be like an I Love Lucy episode, where everything is rehearsed and then, someone will totally freak out about the entire situation. Of course, this will only happen if I actually go into labor, and I might, since FeeNo's head is way down, ready to come out.

Not much going on otherwise. I saw the doctor today and the countdown to FeeNo has started - 16 days until my scheduled c-section. Things are looking very good - the doc even joked that I am no longer a high risk pregnancy.

I didn't have a growth ultrasound today, so I don't know how much FeeNo weighs today. I suspect the weight is at about six pounds, since I seem to have put on FOUR POUNDS in a week. FOUR POUNDS!

Oh well, what can you do?

I'm so excited, I don't even care.

Here is a clip of what could possibly happen in the next few days with Mike and my parents. Enjoy!

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...

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. :)

I Have an Awesome Baby

Guess what FeeNo did?

Turned around and got into the right position - all on his own!

At my appointment yesterday, we found out that FeeNo is no longer in breech position, so while we still have a scheduled c-section on the calendar, it's very likely that I am going to go into labor on my own and have this baby naturally.

It took me the entire week to wrap my arms around the idea of having a c-section and now I am told that it may not even happen. No complaints, but I have learned over the last 7 months that things can change daily.

I'm feeling pretty good this week - no indigestion, although my back is starting to hurt a little bit and I get some leg cramps from time to time. I gained another pound - I think that makes it a total of 2 or 3 pounds gained over the course of the pregnancy.

I am almost finished with the baby's room. I only have a few more finishing touches and then I can start to snap pictures. My mother has some things in Florida for the room, so it won't be entirely finished until she arrives in early October. But it looks like a room for a baby.

A room for my baby.

Wow.

Here's a picture from yesterday - I know it looks like the last one, but it's a new one. Really. And I guess FeeNo likes sucking his thumb. Thay may explain the hiccups I feel everyday.

FeeNo at 31 weeks.

So You Really Think FeeNo is a Boy?

Right now, the poll shows that the majority think FeeNo is a boy.

Interesting, because initially, people thought FeeNo was a girl.

Weight yesterday - 2 pounds, 15 ounces. Baby looked good, except still giving us the spine. No pictures to show for it. Maybe FeeNo will cooperate in two weeks. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

I have gained back the two pounds I had lost. So I have gained a total of one pound this entire pregnancy. Blood pressure was good. And the doctor decreased some of my insulin intake since my blood sugars have been dipping a little bit. Overall, not a bad visit.

Ten more weeks until my due date, although it appears FeeNo may have to come early. He is in breech position (which explains all the spine shots the last few weeks) and if he doesn't flip himself over the doctor has scheduled a c-section for mid-October. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about that yet, but as long as FeeNo is okay, that's all I really care about.

More on that in the coming days.

For now, if you haven't voted in the poll, please do so.

Better Late Than Never

I finally scanned the ultrasound picture from three weeks ago.

Here is FeeNo, sucking on a thumb:

How awesome is that?

Oh, and I am feeling better today. Thanks for the comments and phone calls from everyone to make sure I was okay. :)

Everyone's Invited to My Pity Party

I think three weeks of being homebound is starting to get to me.

My belly is big and hard, I am tired all the time, I hate the heat, and I am on my third John Grisham novel.

Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

Update on my Week 28 Update

So I just got a call from the doctor's office. Turns out they just wanted to let me know the results of my bloodwork from yesterday.

Eureka! How quick was that?

Turns out my urine is perfect. My bloodwork is also good. No infections. My body is not fighting anything. And my Hemoglobin A1c? That pesky test that measures my blood sugar over the last few months?

It's lower than it was in June, meaning I'm even more perfect than I was then!!

If only all this perfection would coordinate with the headaches. I have one. Right now.

Ugh.