Welcome Baby Boy!

Simon Charles Baker was born on September 20, 2015 at 10:27 in the morning via C-section four weeks early.  He weighed 6lbs 13oz and was 19.5 inches long.  That's the short story... the full story is a bit longer :).


It all started on Friday, September 18th.  I had a normal scheduled appointment with my doctor.  This appointment wasn't going to be anything fancy - just a 'normal' appointment (no ultrasound, no non-stress).  I was even going to go into work on my day off to work on my green belt project afterwards with my partner.  Everything seemed ok, until my doctor put the Doppler on my belly.  She caught the baby and his heartbeat was racing - like over 200bpm which is out of the normal range.  She was concerned and decided to do my non-stress test that day instead.  I sat down in the chair and could hear the heartbeat and it was racing.  I tried to will the baby to calm down, but wasn't happening.  The nurse came in and asked if I was nervous, and while I knew something wasn't quite right I wouldn't say I was sitting there totally nervous... I mean it was a comfy chair and at this point I didn't really realize how big of a deal this racing heart rate would turn out to be.


After sitting there for 10-15 minutes my doctor came in and said that she was going to send me to labor and delivery (her office is at St. Lukes, so it was just a walk over) for monitoring.  She told me that I needed to call Dan because worse case I would be having the baby that day... um WHAT?!? 


I tried to stay calm, I mean of course I wouldn't be having the baby that day, she was just being overly cautious.  A nurse walked me over to labor and delivery and straight to a room where I had to change into a hospital gown, get an IV (my first ever... and not the last 'first' of the weekend), and got the monitors hooked up to my belly.  Dan showed up pretty fast.


The monitors were showing that baby's heart rate would be normal some of the time and then jump up to a high rate at times with no real warning.  The normal heart rate would be in the 130-150bpm and then would jump up to the high rate of 200-230bpm.  There was no real sense 'why' this was happening.  I tried to remain calm hoping that maybe my excitement was the reason the baby's heart rate was jumping (this was NOT the reason, but you do what you can)


They sent in the doctor that was on the floor to give me an ultrasound bedside.  He couldn't quite tell what was going on and since all the high-risk sonographer were at Mercy at a symposium they decided I needed to be transferred to Mercy.  Not to mention that if this heart rate issue was a really big deal we would already be at the best place for the baby since the Mercy NICU is big and highly rated.  So pretty quickly an ambulance showed up to transfer me to Mercy - my first ambulance ride ever.  The moved me over to the ambulance bed, wheeled me down to the ambulance and shuttled me over to Mercy... while being wheeled out the nurses were all saying they thought it would be a boy b/c only boys are this dramatic.


When we got there, my room was already ready, they wheeled me in there and I began the admitting process at Mercy.  Dan showed up pretty quickly after that (he drove over separately).  Pretty quickly they had me go see a pediatric cardiologist.  They wheel chaired me through the maze that is Mercy (the transporter wasn't even completely sure the best way to get me to that doctor's office) and I was soon getting a specialized ultrasound of baby's heart.  He watched the baby's heart in silence for what seemed like FOREVER!  Finally he told us that at first when he started the ultrasound the heart rate was in one of the normal spurts but then it did jump up to the high rhythm.


He said a lot of medical jargon (and he was Indian which doesn't help understand totally :))  But basically that baby had intermittent atrial flutter.  From what he could tell it hadn't been going on very long (there was no fluid built up around the heart and lungs) and that the baby was tolerating the change very well.  He said that there was no real way to treat the baby while inside me (some heart rhythm conditions they can give the mom medicine to treat the baby, however with this they would have to give me so much that the side effects for me would not be worth it).  He said that there could be a point in time where the baby wouldn't tolerate it well and then it would become a we must deliver NOW sort of thing.  He said that he would not be making the call whether this baby would be delivered ASAP but that the high risk doctor on the floor would.  Another thing is he didn't talk in detail how the baby would be treated after delivered but that this sort of problem is NOT a lifelong issue and once worked out that he wouldn't have a problem with it.  That they would treat with medicine but that if that didn't work the worse case is they would have to give the baby's heart a shock to get the heart back into rhythm.


They were going to wheel me back up to talk to the high risk doctor, but he ended up coming down to the pediatric cardiologist's office.  That doctor showed up down there and we started to talk about options.  Basically they said that I was in this weird middle spot - I was still considered early delivery at 35 weeks 4 days at that point but not that early and the baby's heart rate while it was an issue, wasn't an immediate issue.  They decided to monitor me overnight and make a call in the morning.


The high risk doctor actually wheeled me back up to my room and chatted along the way.  He told me that with this heart rate issue that we were most likely looking at a C-section since they couldn't monitor the safety of the baby during delivery with the heart rate jumping all over the place.


I got back to my room and knew that I at the very least wasn't having the baby that day and we'd wait until morning.  Dan went home to let the dogs out and grab some things for me and I finally called my family.  The day had moved so fast and not really knowing how it was going to end up I hadn't had a chance to call anyone yet.  Of course they were a bit shocked and all came to the hospital - my mom, sister, dad and Janet all came up.  It was just hard to believe and at this point it really did sound like that I wouldn't be leaving the hospital without delivering a baby.


I hung out with the family and was able to eat finally (they hadn't let me eat or drink since 9am just in case I had to deliver the baby).  This was really my first every hospital stay.  They kept me on monitors all night, which was difficult to sleep since they would come in and adjust them if my turning over would knock them off.  I wasn't allowed to eat or drink after midnight.  The nice part was during the day when I was up more they had me on the wireless monitors while at night they had me on the wired monitors so getting up to the bathroom was a bit more difficult with all those wires.  Also at one point that night I had TERRIBLE heartburn, luckily they were able to give me something for that to calm down.


When morning came the high risk doctor came in to see me and told me that baby had done fairly well over night.  Baby was in the high rate less than 50% of the time and really did seem to be doing well.  They decided in the morning that it was better to keep baby cooking in my belly than deliver at this point, but I was still to be monitored all day.  I got to order breakfast and hung out most of the day.  It was pretty uneventful, however we could tell the baby seemed to jump to higher heart rate a little more often.  They did allow me to take a shower (which in hindsight was really good since I wouldn't be able to shower again for a few days).


An interesting thing to remember is my dad watching the baby's heart rate on the monitor, he just sat there and would stare at it watching what the number would be.  I mean like full on watching it.  It was really sweet.


The day lead into night and again I was monitored all night.  I was able to sleep a lot better this night, I guess b/c I was used to the room and routine.  They would come in and mess with the monitors at times, but overall I guess I felt more relaxed and was able to get more well rested.


Dan showed up to the hospital early on Sunday and then the doctor came in.  He said that the baby's heart rate overnight was in the high rate (flutter) quite a bit overnight and at one point neared a whole hour in that rate.  They actually called him overnight and he said that it could wait until morning.  He said that at this point we needed to have the baby.  Um... WHAT?  I texted my parents and told them, but told them it wasn't a rush.  Dan went out to the hallway for something and came back and said that the C-Section was scheduled for 10am... at this point it was 9am.  So it was happening fast and honestly I was really scared.  I started to cry because well it was all overwhelming, we weren't supposed to have a baby for another month, I had a month to prepare more this.  I mean I was about to have surgery, have all the things associated with that and have a baby.  Things happened real fast when anesthesia came in pretty quickly to start prepping me for the epidural.  I changed into a different gown (Dan got a gown of his own).  I went to the bathroom for the last time.


Then it was time to get the epidural.  I was really nervous about this, but they said I did real good (they probably deal with women in contractions that are hard to hold still).  Dan was right there with me as was the nurse keeping me calm.  It didn't hurt too bad - the first local hurt the most, but I hardly remember that now.  They laid me back and the nurse put in the catheter (the part I was nervous about and didn't feel a thing - go figure).  The anesthesiologist kept checking to make sure I was getting numb like I should.


All of a sudden it was time and we were headed to the OR.  It was happening so fast and while I was scared it was happening so fast I didn't really have a whole lot of time to process it.  They wheeled me out into the hall and I saw my dad and Janet.  I was able to say hi and probably looked totally scared as I whisked by to the elevators to take me to the delivery room.


Entering that OR room felt so surreal, I mean you see ORs on TV, but I've never been in one in real life.  Everything so bright and all these people all around.  I'm so happy Dan was there with me and held my hand through everything.  Dan and I don't hold hands often, but I really needed it to stay calm.  They got me all situated on the table with my arms out and laying there.  And then it all started. 


I could hear them cutting and snipping to get down to baby.  The anesthesiologist would keep me informed what was happening.  She told me there would start to be a lot of pressure as they would be shaking and pushing the baby out of me.  And boy was there, I could feel them pushing back and forth and my whole body was shaking.  Finally they told Dan to look as he was coming out.  They held him up and Dan got to announce to the OR that it was a boy!  I could see the excitement in his eyes, he was so happy.  We heard Simon grunting/crying (at the time I thought that was a good thing, because you want to hear the baby cry, I guess the grunting isn't really a great, thing, but he was getting air and alive and that's what matters).


Dan showed me some pictures on his phone while they worked on him.  I could see him through all the people working on him - getting the gunk out of his lungs and such.  They said that he was peeing all over the table :).  They weighed him and he was a big boy for being 4 weeks early at 6lbs 13oz (can you imagine what he'd be if he'd gone full term?).


Back to me they got all they needed out and then started stitching me up.  They got Simon all wrapped up and brought him over to me and I got to see him and give him some kisses.  It was all really surreal, like that's the baby that was in me.  Dan went with Simon down to the NICU while I had to get all put back together.  That part took the longest and toward the end I could like feel what they were doing even though it wasn't painful.  I started to get cold and she gave me some warm air.


It was weird b/c the doctor and resident were just chatting away about where the resident was going to live after he was done with his residency... like no big deal while we are stitching up this person.  The doctor told me they just had one more layer to go, and I asked how many layers there was.  She said not all doctors stitch up every layer, but she does and there were 5...


Finally that was all done and they wheeled me to recovery.  I asked the nurse if my family could come in and my mom and dad came in to see me.  Dan had texted them that baby was born, but had forgotten to tell him if it was a boy or girl.  So I got to announce to them that it was a boy.  I was in recovery for 2 hours, although it didn't feel like two hours.  I got the shakes pretty bad (totally normal) and concentrated on how weird it was that I wasn't able to move my toes.  They cleaned me up.  Then it was down to my hospital room where I moved over to a real bed.  They got me all set up and had me on Pitocin to get my uterus to contract back down.  They had to push on my belly quite a bit to make sure... um, pretty painful... but hey I didn't have any real contractions I shouldn't complain too much huh?


Normally before you go to your room they take you by to see the baby for some bonding, however they were working on Simon still so I wasn't able to see him.  I hung out in my room until I was done with my bag of fluids and then around 8:30 I was finally able to go see him.  I didn't get to stay very long to see him very well since he was in a bed high up and standing wasn't working the best for me at that point... but he was here and he was healthy and safe and being taken care of by lots of professionals.


It was not how I pictured my birth experience and I'm still wrapping my head around it in a lot of ways.  I didn't really have a vision of the perfect experience and I hadn't had any real expectations for it, but it this wasn't the way I saw it or anything, but it this is how it happened.  I went to the doctor on Friday and never came back home.  We have a beautiful baby boy.  He's doing real well and will hopefully get to come home soon.  I've been on an emotional roller coaster about things.  I guess I'll try to recap his weeks too.


Hopefully I didn't forget anything important but I'll add it if I do.  It was a serious whirlwind of a weekend with information overload.  I think about how he was going back and forth in his heart rate that my doctor could have easily put the Doppler on me when he was in a normal rhythm and we never would have known about this flutter.  Of course I'm confident they would have found it at my next appointment on Wednesday with either the ultrasound or non-stress test, but we saved him days of being under that stress.

First meeting

All wired up

Hospital gowns are super flattering

Sweet baby boy and his Dad

35 weeks

How far along:  35 weeks; size of honeydew melon or a canary melon

 How I'm feeling:  I feel pregnant - but the weather is cooler so much more bearable

Sleep: I had a couple nights of not great sleep just feeling miserable at times (stupid heartburn all the time now) and rolling over and all that and then getting on thinking tangents.  But last night I slept great, so hopefully those couple of nights were just a fluke.

Worries/Fears:  Pretty sure giving birth will just be on here for the rest of time

Miss anything: not having a bump - it's fun sometimes but now it's just in the way and I'm ready for all that comes with not having it (bending, twisting, sleeping on stomach, not waddling, putting on pants or shoes... etc)

Movement:  A lot, but I will say sometimes I want the baby to move and the stinker won't... sounds about right huh?

Food cravings:  All the sweets and cheese fries

Food aversions: Nada

Other symptoms:  Heartburn and pelvic pain/soreness are my big ones, one I haven't mentioned in awhile, but is still happening is the bleeding gums gross.  I'll say that I feel cramps/Charlie horses coming in my legs, but luckily never gets that far, just on the verge all the time.  Although over the weekend I did finally get a full blown one that made me jump out of bed faster than I have in months.  But I'd say my two biggest complaints are heartburn and pelvic pain.

Maternity clothes, Stretch marks, Belly Button:  Belly button is popping out, I thought I found some stretch marks on my lower belly a couple of times now but I think they were either indentions from clothes or veins near the surface.  In regards to clothing I finally went and borrowed a t-shirt from Dan and loving how long it is - that will keep happening at night.  Also, putting on jeans, while I have done it, I'm not a fan and avoid if I can.

What I'm looking forward to: There are SO MANY things in the next few weeks I'm looking forward to... it's going to make the time FLY by.

Best moment of this week:  Well this past weekend was wonderful!  I was thrown an amazing baby shower by family and my friend Susan.  It was really so my personality (bright happy colors) with an alphabet theme.  Such amazing food and we were showered with such fantastic and thoughtful gifts.  I think the shower probably deserves it's own post so I'm not going to post too much about it but a couple of pics I saved to my phone.  It was really just perfect.

Sprinkles!!

The decorations were awesome too

Sunday was also nice as I hung out with my mom and sister.  We went to the Lindbergh High School Flea Market (I got these awesome cast iron deer hooks).  We also went by Old Navy where I got a couple of comfy tops to wear on maternity leave.  Then we stopped by Once Upon a Baby to see if there was any pack n plays for my mom... instead I got a bundleme for the carseat (same one I registered for that was $40, but only $10 at the store) and Mom got a boppy for her house.  Then we had lunch at Jason's Deli (that place is amazing).  I came home and napped for awhile on the couch (probably why I didn't sleep the greatest that night).  Overall the weekend went WAY too fast, but it was such a wonderful wonderful weekend.

Going to paint them some color

  The Bump:

I never really feel that big or when I look down it doesn't seem that big, but from the side... wow

34 Weeks

How far along:  34 weeks; size of cantaloupe or a pineapple

Appointment:  Almost forgot to write about this.  I had an appointment this week with an ultrasound.  Baby is growing really well so this cord issue isn't an issue at all.  Baby is up to the 79 percentile for size.  Doctor said if baby continues to gain a half a pound per week we are looking at an 8lb 5oz baby... cue the wide eyed emoji.  Baby is head down now (might explain that pelvic pain).  I was also able to get the sugar out of my urine this time, so they are happy about that.  I have one more 'regular' appointment and then it will be to every week with ultrasound and NST every other appointment.  We are getting close folks.

She took a ton of pictures

How I'm feeling:  More uncomfortable or pregnant all the time - hey same as last week, probably will be a trend.

Sleep: I have no real complaints in the sleep department, sure rolling over is an event and getting up to pee isn't fun, but I can fall asleep, I can stay asleep I'll take it

Worries/Fears:  Giving birth... and caring for a newborn... but moreso that whole birth thing...

Miss anything: not having a giant belly?  Bending and twisting, laying on my belly, everything just feeling like so much more work than it should be

Movement:  A lot, sometimes my whole belly shakes, it's pretty crazy

Food cravings:  All the sweets and cheese fries

Food aversions: Nada

Other symptoms:  Heartburn, pelvic pain, acne, exhaustion due to the heat (I'm hoping)

Maternity clothes, Stretch marks, Belly Button:  Belly button is popping out, but luckily not too much

What I'm looking forward to: Baby shower is Saturday; also looking forward to getting

Best moment of this week:  The long weekend for sure!  While most of my weekend was not doing much of anything, I did accomplish some stuff.. the biggest being starting to sort out my thoughts on how to best set up the nursery.  It took my mom and Lindsey and bouncing ideas off each other to get it done, but I like the direction we are headed.  Mom also brought over the curtains she made and the crib skirt.  It's going to be so fun watching this nursery come together... once I'm able to kick Dan's clothes out of that room once and for all I also worked on my cross-stitch a bunch.  We hung out with Caleb Saturday night and that was nice, although they were outside a lot and I just couldn't handle sitting in the heat... plus mosquitoes... ugh.

 The Bump:

Bad angle

33 Weeks

How far along:  33 weeks; weight of pineapple or honeydew melon

How I'm feeling:  More uncomfortable or pregnant all the time

Sleep: I do still sleep well, but there are times when I'm shifting, getting up to pee, or just laying there that my belly is uncomfortable.  I get those kind of pains (kind of reminds me of trapped gas) at night, and by morning I feel better and it's not keeping me from sleep so I can't really complain.

Worries/Fears:  Giving birth... I know a lot of women fear the pooping during delivery, that one doesn't phase me, the part that got me squirmy is knowing I get a catheter when you get an epidural... that really irks me for some reason... oh and plenty of other things that can/will happen during birth.

Miss anything: Sleeping on my belly and I'd say normal clothes... now it's all about covering this belly

Movement:  seems to be moving all the time.  I've been doing my kick counts (right before bed) and doesn't take long to feel the 10 kicks I should.  I can see them from the outside quite a bit, but haven't caught it one video.  I have been feeling more movement on my right side instead of my left.

Food cravings:  All the sweets

Food aversions: Nada

Other symptoms:  Heartburn has been happening a lot more... I really should carry TUMs with me.  The pelvic pain I had a couple of weeks ago is back.  I've been trying to sleep better with a pillow between my legs which I hope is helping again. (I was doing this all along but it would become askew in the night, so trying to be better about wedging it in).  My face also broke out this week which makes me feel super attractive let me tell you.

Maternity clothes, Stretch marks, Belly Button:  No stretch marks, belly button seems to pop out a bit, shirts are becoming shorter

What I'm looking forward to: getting the nursery ready, finishing up my cross-stitch, shower is in a couple of weeks.

Best moment of this week:  Dan got some things done which was nice including getting the crib home and putting it together!

Of course they won't stay there

It was a pretty low key weekend.  Thursday I had a nice dinner with my mom and sister to catch up with her after being gone for so long.  Friday I worked.  After work came home and Dan made pulled pork.  We had some people over.  I hung in there as long as I could (10:45) until I was just worn out and ready to put my feet up.  Saturday I cross-stitched in the morning.  In the afternoon I went over to my aunt and uncle's house to celebrate my grandpa's 93rd birthday.  Afterwards I came back to the house and Dan was hanging out with Caleb, I chatted with them awhile and then watched TV (special on Hurricane Katrina... which happened 10 years ago!) and went to bed early.  Sunday we got breakfast, went by Home Depot and then I grocery shopped.  I spent the rest of the day cross-stitching, doing laundry and baking cookies.


The Bump:

Since I'm so far back you can't see the terrible zit under my nose - score

32 Weeks

How far along:  32 weeks; weight of a jicama or head of lettuce.  I'll say at the beginning I used to know how far along I was real fast but now the weeks seem to be blurring together and I know how much time I have left quicker than how far I've come along.


Appointment:  I had my first "normal" appointment this week without an ultrasound or anything extra... went so much faster... imagine that.  I have lost a pound since last appointment... how I'll never know, and I still do have sugar in my urine so she's pushing me to eat more protein so I'm trying... and will definitely eat some before my next appointment.  The baby's heartbeat was high today (and by high I mean higher than it's been, but still way within the 'normal' range) at 160 bpm.  I turned in my FMLA paperwork and mostly finished with all my other work-related paperwork for my leave and new baby just have to wait until closer to turn in, but it's ready to go!


How I'm feeling:  I feel more and more pregnant all the time but overall good.

Sleep: Still sleeping pretty well, rolling over is such an event.

Worries/Fears:  Giving birth... for sure... big one... but I will survive

Miss anything: Sleeping on my belly and bending over and twisting... also since I'm not drinking I get to drive everywhere... so I'm missing not being the DD or something?

Movement:  Oh yeah, some quite strong jabs and times and the random lots of movement at once.  I can see the movements on the outside at least once a day too.  Also, pretty sure the baby has had the hiccups a few times now.

Food cravings:  All the sweets

Food aversions: Nada

Other symptoms:  Heartburn has been happening, I've noticed acne (or at least bumpy skin) on my neck/back which I haven't had in quite awhile before this pregnancy.  I will feel leg cramps about to happen but with the trick of flexing my leg I've been able to avoid them turning into full blown Charlie horses... also RLS has been around... I wouldn't say some of this is symptoms from just this week, but I forget as I'm typing this up to mention some of this stuff... really in the end so far I think I've had a fairly easy pregnancy.

Maternity clothes, Stretch marks, Belly Button:  It's really amazing looking at my belly in the mirror, just crazy it's happening... I don't think it looks bad either.

What I'm looking forward to: Continuing to get things ready for baby... hopefully some major progress next weekend... need to get the crib home from the hospital though.

Best moment of this week:  It was a pretty low key week... Thursday night I had dinner with Lindsey at The Melting Pot, which was delicious.  We just had cheese, salad and chocolate and it was so so good.


Friday I had my doctor appointment then I mostly hung around the house.  Dan went to a concert so I had the night to myself, I cross-stitched, made myself a giant cookie and just relaxed.  Saturday was more hanging around the house.  That night we went over to Nick and Jenny's for bbq which was nice.  Sunday I went grocery shopping and cross-stitched more... see totally relaxing weekend.

I did not eat the whole thing... I ate about half

The Bump: 

31 Weeks

How far along:  31 weeks; weight of a coconut.  Can you believe we are in the single digit weeks left... yikes time is flying.


How I'm feeling:  I feel more and more pregnant all the time.

Sleep:  I can sleep pretty well, rolling over and getting up aren't the most fun but it's still good.  I do sometimes sleep on my back but in the last couple of days that's been uncomfortable at times too.  I have been sleeping with an extra pillow between my legs and I think that's been helping with the pelvic pain.

Worries/Fears:  Remaining the same - giving birth, childcare and this huge life change of a baby in just a couple of short months.

Miss anything: Sleeping on my belly and bending over

Movement:  Oh yeah, some quite strong jabs and times and the random lots of movement at once.  I'll also get the occasional kick/jab to the bladder... that one always catches me off guard.

Food cravings:  All the sweets

Food aversions: Nada

Other symptoms:  Heartburn - blah, exhaustion, acne and peeing all the time.  I had been on the verge of a cold all week (sore throat) and by Thursday I was feeling generally worn out and started a runny nose.  I ended up leaving work early and sleeping most of the day and felt a lot better by Friday, which is good b/c I had a big weekend planned.

Maternity clothes, Stretch marks, Belly Button:  I'm seeing parts of my belly button I didn't know existed haha.  No stretch marks to date (knock on wood) - I do spray my belly with cocoa butter lotion after my showers... although I know there's still plenty of time for it to happen

What I'm looking forward to: Our crib and dresser came in - so I'm excited to see that put together in the nursery and start it all coming together... also three day weekend!

Best moment of this week:  Well, it was a big week around these parts.  For one - on Tuesday my amazing coworkers threw me a surprise baby shower.  It was so sweet and we got some awesome gifts.  They had good food and cake and games.  It was really nice and I felt so loved.  Of course I hate being center of attention so my anxiety was high, but it was really really sweet and I know I work with some really fantastic coworkers.

Me with my team who threw the shower

That night Dan and I took our first childbirth class and while medical speak always makes me uneasy it's nice to get that starts... of course next week is the videos of birth and I could go without seeing that if I'm being honest.


Friday I took off an hour early and met Susan to get a mani/pedi.  Always relaxing and my toes really needed a fresh coat of paint.  After that we got some food at Crushed Red and chatted.  It was a really nice time.  After that I went by the grocery store to get some ingredients and since Oreos were on sale I bought more than I really needed to.  I got home and made Cookies and Cream Cheesecakes for Susan's party the next day then watched some TV and went to bed.


Saturday I got up early-ish and Dan went to Home Depot to buy supplies for the shelves I want him to build for the nursery.  I cleaned up around the house, showered and then went through two big bags of baby clothes Dan's coworker gave us.  Of course they were 95% for a girl, but I was able to pull out some that are gender neutral... and if we end up having a girl we'll have a ton, otherwise we'll give them to Amanda to use.  After that I got ready and went by Macy's to get my dad a birthday present.  I then went to Susan's painting party.  It was a lot of fun and some good food (I could have grazed all day).  My painting turned out pretty good.  After the party we had dinner at Edgewild which was very tasty.

My painting

Sunday I had brunch with my dad at Gamlin Whiskey House.  It was delicious and fun spending some time with him for his birthday.  Afterwards I grocery shopped.  It was somewhere in there that I was EXHAUSTED from everything and didn't feel great.  I went home made Dan carry in and put away the groceries and then laid in bed and probably could have until Monday morning... but atlas I got up, ate dinner, hung out with the cats, showered and went to bed early.

The Bump:  It doesn't seem so big when I'm just looking down, but from the side wow.

Wow, this is pretty off center huh?  Now that I've been taking these in the bathroom this entire time, seems like I should continue

30 Weeks

How far along:  30 weeks; size of a butternut squash or cabbage... so same as last week?  And can you believe we are at 30 weeks... after this week we'll only have single digit weeks until baby is here... cue terrified face haha


Appointment:  I had an appointment on Wednesday.  I got a growth ultrasound.  I will say that with this cord defect that the benefit is I'm getting to see baby so often.  Baby is growing right on track so that 2 vessel cord isn't effecting him... yet.  Last time baby was measuring in the 46 percentile and this time we jumped up to the 68th percentile.  They estimate baby weighs 3lbs 6 oz - that seems so substantial to me.  Doctor said that if he continues to grow at the half a pound a week norm that we're looking at an 8 pound baby.  I think I've mentioned before that I haven't been paying that close attention to my weight during this... meaning I'm not sure where I started, I don't weigh myself and really at any given time I couldn't really tell you how much I weigh... of course I actually do know what I weighed at this last appointment b/c they were training a new nurse person and she was painfully slow getting my weight so I was pretty much staring right at it for longer than normal.  The doctor also mentioned that I've gained 22 pounds so far, and really that doesn't seem terrible.  She told me that I passed my glucose test with flying colors however I've have sugar in my urine the last 3 times.  Right now they aren't concerned about that but could be a sign of something more and we'll just have to see going forward.  She said that a minor diet change could help with that... and understandable I'm craving ALL THE SWEETS... so might have something to do with that.  I get these growth ultrasounds so often that they should have a good idea how baby is doing in there... more so than they'd normally have.  Also, I scheduled all my appointments for probably the rest of my pregnancy.  I start going every two weeks now, with ultrasounds every 4 (so every other appointment) until I hit 36 weeks.  At that point I'll have a growth ultrasound, non-stress test and appointment at every other appointment when I start going weekly...  That means every other week will just be a regular appointment... seems like I'll be at the office FOREVER for those appointment, especially if baby doesn't cooperate.  It took awhile to schedule everything, but wow that was an eye opener.

A baby smirk - ultrasound tech said this is the first time she's caught one of these

You'd think after seeing the baby this often in 3D we'll know what he looks like.  Most people see the photos and think it's a boy... b/c you can tell? :) I do think in the pics that baby looks like Dan.

 How I'm feeling:  I'm still not complaining, but definitely more uncomfortable.

Sleep:  Is still good... of course I get up an pee (last night it was 3 times... normally it's 1-2).  Also rolling over is exhausting... The last few days I've slept with an additional pillow between my legs... I'll get into more of that later.  But I still sleep well, so really all minor stuff in the end.

Worries/Fears:  Childcare, childbirth, what the heck I'll do with a child... the normal things... so same as always... remaining the same

Miss anything: Sleeping on my belly

 Movement:  Oh yeah... quite the strong ones at times too... sometimes there's like a total freak out in there where I feel and can see a bunch... and then it's done.  That movement stuff is so fun.

Food cravings:  Sweets... for sure... and I indulge more than I probably should... I'm trying to be better... not succeeding yet... haha

Food aversions: Nada

Other symptoms:  The big one that popped up this week was the afternoon after my doctor's appointment (otherwise I would have asked) is my pelvic bone has started to ache when I stand up or sit down or roll over or walk... it's like the front part of my pelvic bone... I was feeling pretty terrible, but then I decided to try sleeping with more pillowing between my legs and that's helped... or it's how baby is sitting and has moved and helped or I'm getting used to it... it was really annoying the first couple of days, but seems to be less annoying... still there, but not that painful... also just feeling exhausted at times.

Maternity clothes, Stretch marks, Belly Button:  Susan gave me some additional clothes this week and feels like my wardrobe has grown which it's fun to change it up.  I still just need to buy a package of big tshirts for around the house.  I also noticed this week that my linea nigra is now showing all the way up to my rib cage... crazy.

What I'm looking forward to: Starting childbirth classes on Tuesday (this is both something I'm looking forward to and something I'm kind of scared of too haha).

Best moment of this week:  Three day weekend!  haha  Thursday after work I went to Target and got some things and picked up dinner at Panda.  Friday morning I got up early and hit up Walmart for some more things (which Walmart is annoying, they kept declining my card even though I KNOW it was their system not my card as it worked just fine the rest of the weekend - but the cashier kept looking at me like it was my fault... um no).  I got some breakfast and then took a nap.  That afternoon I cleaned up my bedroom including organizing jewelry and the new clothes I got.  We met up with Amanda and Lou for dinner at Frankie G's and then ice cream at Oberweis (I've never actually eaten inside how fun).  We finished the evening hanging out at our house for awhile.


Saturday I rented a carpet cleaner and spent time cleaning the bedroom's carpet which was just exhausting but nice to have done.  I spent the rest of the day crossing stitching.  Sunday I went with my mom and sister to visit my grandma.  We went to Tom + Chee that specializes in Grilled Cheese and Tomato soup (um my favorite).  I had a disappointing root beer float from Fritz's.  It was nice seeing my grandma.  I came home and did laundry.  A productive but relaxing weekend.  Ready for the next one already!

The Bump:

People are loving my outfit today - I also am trying to start wearing makeup to work b/c my face gets so red, blotchy and ache-y