Stewart Little Update

We have officially one day left in our 2nd Trimester!  It's hard to believe we're nearing the end already (and we still have so much to do!).  Here's a bit of an update on Stewart Little and our latest check-up.

Today at the doctor I measured 27 centimeters - exactly on target for where we should be (I'm 27 weeks right now and will hit the 28 week/3rd trimester mark on Wednesday).  I have officially gained 20 pounds in this pregnancy, something I'm not proud of.  My doc only wants me to gain 25, but up to 30 is safe.  I have a hard time imagining the scales going much further than they already are, but at this point I'm supposed to be gaining about a pound a week!  Eep!

I had my glucose screening today and had to get stuck three times before they got anything (have I ever mentioned I HATE needles?).  I felt so bad for the sweet girl sticking me though.  She's done every blood draw I've had at this office and never had a problem - and she knows about me and needles.  It wasn't her fault at all, but she obviously felt terrible about it.  Poor girl.  I should have the results of that test sometime tomorrow.  Say a quick prayer that I pass and don't have to go back in for the 3-hour test!  I don't want to take off work, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to stick me over and over again after today.  

The slightly terrifying exciting news is that we're actually to the point in this pregnancy where I now have to go in for a check up every two weeks (that only happens when you're at the end!  Omigosh!).  We have 3 more visits at two weeks apart and then once we hit the 36 week mark we go in once a week until Stewart Little arrives!!  We're that close!  Can you believe it??

I've had a few pregnancy firsts in this last week, signaling the start of our last trimester.  I've had a bit of lower back and pelvic pain (yes, even after my massage) that I'm sure I'll be dealing with for the remainder of the pregnancy, some lovely new issues that have me chugging apple juice and eating gobs of prunes (use your imagination), and a new one today - I realized I can't breathe well if I'm leaning over (even if it's just sitting hunched over my desk).  When did she get so big to start squishing my lungs?  Honestly, any one of these little "firsts" would normally have me complaining, but I know that each one means we're that much closer to seeing and holding our little girl for the first time.  It's so exciting and it's starting to become real!  

Something else that makes it more real for me?  I finally went through the rest of the boxes of stuff from the closet in Stewart Little's room and cleared out everything in there that's not hers.  Last night I actually got to organize and put away the clothes, toys, books, bibs, paci's, etc that she has already been given.  There are baby clothes in my baby's closet!  How exciting is that?!

Stewart Little Update

Stewart Little is doing great, according to our Perinatologist yesterday!  Baby is measuring 2.75 cm with a heart rate of 167 bmp.  Good and healthy!  2.75 cm also means baby-thing is about 12wks 2days instead of 11wks 5days like my due date says.  I know they say the first ultrasound is the most accurate, but my symptoms and other dates line up much more accurately with the 12wks 2days mark, putting my due date back at the original - May 2. (Of course, that's unofficial since my OB actually has to make that call, but I'm personally aiming for the 2nd.)

It was so amazing to see that sweet baby moving around in there!  It's crazy to think just 6 weeks ago, at our first ultrasound, you could hardly distinguish anything other than a tiny little heartbeat flicker.  This time, there is no doubt there is a BABY in there!!  It's completely awe-inspiring.  We saw Stewart Little jump, stretch, wave ("Hi Mommy!"), open and close her mouth, kick, everything!  I know it's still a few weeks off, but I cannot wait to be able to feel all of those amazing little movements!  We got some great pictures and even a DVD of the whole ultrasound!  I'm going to try to figure out how to get part of that video on a private YouTube channel so family and close friends can see Stewart Little wiggling around like a little jumping bean.  :)

Here are a few of my favorite pics.

Sweet baby-face!

Waving at Mommy!

By the way, even though it's still early, my peri has certain things he looks at to give his best guess as to whether Stewart Little is a boy or a girl.  He said he gives it a 4 out of 5 shot that we will have a . . . .

. . . oh sorry, you'll have to wait until our Dec 19 appointment to find out for sure.  

(message me if you are really curious to know what he thinks!)

A Much Needed Day Off + Baby Stuff

Ahhh . . . It's 9:30 on a Friday morning, I'm still in pajamas and relaxing in bed with my fuzzy little doggie and growing belly.  I can't imagine life getting much better.  :)

I have the day off for an ENT appointment to figure out what's going on with my voice (can't seem to keep it for more than a few school days in a row).  The nice thing is, the only time they could fit me in before November is today at 11:30, which means I can't just take the morning or afternoon off, I have to be gone all day.  I originally did NOT like this idea, since I'm trying to save as many of my off-days as possible for when Stewart Little arrives.  Now that it's here, I am oh so thankful I took the full day.  I needed a chance to rest and relax a bit.  This whole working-six-days-a-week bit is really wearing on me this semester and I feel like I haven't had the chance to just be in a good long while.  So yes, today is much needed and oh so nice.  :)

In other news, Stewart Little is growing and growing (and my belly is showing and showing - or, at least starting to).  I've had several teacher friends comment this week on being able to see a bit of a bump!  Isn't that exciting!!  I can tell a difference (and Brandon can too), but I didn't realize anyone else could see.  Of course, they know I'm expecting so I know they are looking for it.  I'll be really excited the first time someone who doesn't know comments on it!  I officially cannot button my favorite jeans, I'm wearing my old size 10 dress pants (I'm usually in a size 8) and even they are more comfy unbuttoned.  Really, every pant is more comfy unbuttoned (thank heaven for belly bands!).  Who decided buttons were a good idea, anyway?

We're beginning a nice collection of baby things around the here now.  Thanks mostly to the soon-to-be grandmothers!  My mom and Brandon's mom have both sent bags/packages full of cute baby stuff.  The only things in this picture that we have bought are the ducky outfit, the "I Love My Daddy" and elephant onesies, and Baby's first elephant (Roll Tide!).

Look at those ADORABLE hoodie towels!

Here's a quick story about the Thumper doll.  Before I was born, my parents called me Thumper (apparently I should have been a soccer star with the way I kicked!).  My parents even have birthday cards "from" me signed "Love, Thumper".  My mom found this little guy when she was baby shopping and sent him to me.  Little Thumper marks the first time I really teared-up in this pregnancy.  Isn't he just the cutest!

Very soon we'll be adding a swing and bouncer to the collection - courtesy of one of my Kindermusik moms!!  She has one-year-old twins and when she was pregnant she registered for two of everything.  They've ended up mostly using one swing/bouncer set and have decided to sell the other barely-used set to us!!  $50 for one of the best and cutest swings and bouncers out there!  It's the Fisher Price Little Lambs swing and matching bouncer.  The swing itself sells online for upwards of $150!  How great is that!  We're going to pick them up on Sunday.  Yippeee!!

Is there a doctor in the house?

We're sick. Again. And we're starting to think maybe there's something wrong with this apartment. Between the two of us, we've been sick for almost two months. I would say we're just passing things back and forth (because as soon as I start to get well, Brandon seems to get sick, and vice versa), but we never have the same thing. The latest is this two-week long throat infection that I can't seem to get rid of. I've been on two different antibiotics and visited the doc three times, and nothing seems to be helping - I've never in my life had such a sore throat. Brandon has hardly been home this week since he's been uber busy with rehearsals, but when he got home last night, his eyes were puffy, red, swollen, and goopy (is that a word?). Pretty sure he has pink-eye. In both eyes. Looks like we'll be making yet another trip to the doctor as soon as they open this morning. Oy. We just can't seem to get well . . .