Today was my last of the "every-other-week" appointments. I graduated today to weekly appointments. And, I also graduated to weekly ultrasounds starting the week of October 11th. So I'm going to be very busy with appointments from here on out, until the boys are here (and, I guess, even after they are here, considering all the pediatrician visits in our future!).
Both boys were doing good. Their heartbeats were in the 150s-160s, and they were kicking at the dopplar, which was fun. My doctor put my mind at ease about the whole mucus plug incident, saying most likely it was only part of it, and even if it was all of it, it doesn't mean I need to worry. She laughed and asked if I reached in the toilet to get it, to which I had to blush... even though I didn't do that, I definitely thought about it for about 5 minutes. Apparently, I am not the only one, which makes me feel like less of a crazy person.
The only item of concern today was my slightly elevated blood pressure. It wasn't terrible, but it was definitely higher than it has been. I asked if it could be due to our Layla woes (which was hard enough to get out without crying), and she said that most likely it is. I also expressed concern that the boys weren't moving as much the past day or two, and that I was worried my stress was effecting them. She said it is probably more likely that I am just not noticing it as much, or that my being more active is keeping them asleep. She said try not to worry, as if I am already upset and stressed, I don't need to make it any worse.
And for those who are curious, we were able to pick up Layla and bring her home yesterday afternoon. Our vet was great, and really spent the time with us to talk about what happens next. He does not expect her to make it past a month, and most likely, a new rupture could happen within the week. We were giving a medicine to help with blood clotting, and it comes with a red "emergency" pill. They said it may be able to help for a small leak, like she had Tuesday night, but would still be delaying the inevitable. She was in good spirits when we picked her up, but some of it was probably adrenaline. She went to sleep quickly after we got home, and was not quite herself this morning. I know she is feeling bad, which just breaks my heart. Eric and I are just trying to spend as much time with her as possible before its too late, and to spoil her to pieces. We know how much she hates the vet (considering how many surgeries and other visits she has had over her 8 years of life), so we are looking into mobile vets that come to your house. We want her to be in a place she loves when she has to go.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Bad Night Leads to Bad Day
First I want to preface that this is 100% not baby related (at least not in the traditional sense).
As many of you know from my posts over the spring, Eric's and my fur-baby, Layla, had cancer. We found a mass tumor on her spleen that had ruptured. As a result, she had emergency surgery in the spring to remove her spleen, and spent the next 10 weeks receiving chemotherapy.
Over the past few months, she has been doing really well. All of her fur has grown back from the chemo, and her activity has very much improved. But last night, she took a bad turn. At around 10:30PM, she essentially collapsed. We rushed her to the emergency vet, ran several tests, and stayed until almost 2AM, but still didn't have any answers other than her blood pressure was severely low.
This morning, her oncologist ran some additional tests and found that there is now a mass on her liver. It appears like she had a small rupture last night, which caused her to bleed internally and for her blood pressure to drop. We knew the cancer spreading was a possibility since the original mass has ruptured, but we were hoping the chemo would delay the onset.
Right now, she is doing OK. They think the rupture was small enough that it seems to have healed itself, but it is very likely this will happen again. It could be tonight, it could be next month. We decided after the chemo that we could not afford additional treatments, nor do we want to put her through that again. As a result, all we can do right now is spend as much time as possible with her and make her comfortable. Sometime in the near future we will have a very difficult decision to make.
We are picking her up at 3PM today and meeting with the oncologist to let him know what we have decided. Please keep her in your thoughts!
Over the past few months, she has been doing really well. All of her fur has grown back from the chemo, and her activity has very much improved. But last night, she took a bad turn. At around 10:30PM, she essentially collapsed. We rushed her to the emergency vet, ran several tests, and stayed until almost 2AM, but still didn't have any answers other than her blood pressure was severely low.
This morning, her oncologist ran some additional tests and found that there is now a mass on her liver. It appears like she had a small rupture last night, which caused her to bleed internally and for her blood pressure to drop. We knew the cancer spreading was a possibility since the original mass has ruptured, but we were hoping the chemo would delay the onset.
Right now, she is doing OK. They think the rupture was small enough that it seems to have healed itself, but it is very likely this will happen again. It could be tonight, it could be next month. We decided after the chemo that we could not afford additional treatments, nor do we want to put her through that again. As a result, all we can do right now is spend as much time as possible with her and make her comfortable. Sometime in the near future we will have a very difficult decision to make.
We are picking her up at 3PM today and meeting with the oncologist to let him know what we have decided. Please keep her in your thoughts!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Plugged Up? (potential TMI alert)
So I wanted to spend today's blog update filling everyone in on my hospital tour this weekend, or my anxiety over family members visiting during delivery, or any other number of things that's been going on as of late, but last night's events changed that, and those posts will just be saved for another time.
What happened, you might ask? Well, I think I may have lost my mucus plug, or at least part of it. I spent most of last night terrified that this was the beginning of the end, and the babies were coming way earlier than expected. Right now, I can say I've calmed down a bit, but not much.
Basically at around 8PM last night, I went to use the restroom. Everything went according to plan, I peed, wiped, stood up and went to flush when I noticed it. While all the toilet paper was floating at the top of bowl, something white or translucent (i.e. no blood as far as I could tell) and about the size of a raspberry was floating down the pot towards where the water flushes out.
My initial immediate reaction was to reach in and grab it to be sure, but I thought better of it (on account of the fact that the bowl was less than clean). So instead, I just stood in the bathroom staring at it for about 5 minutes before giving up and flushing it. Sadly, I have to admit, I just wish I had gone the gross route and picked it up so I would know for sure.
Of course, I immediately went to the WTE forums and posted a question on my home board. I didn't know if I should call the doctor or just wait it out until my next appointment. I have just become so overly worried about these boys coming early that I have panicked. Luckily, I have calmed down today. No bleeding or cramping, so based on what I have read, I believe it may have only been part of my MP, or possibly just some discharge, I'm not sure, but I will be bringing this up at my next appointment on Thursday. That said, ANYONE with experience in this area, please fill me in. Does it sound like MP to you? Should I be worried??
On another note, the countdown for me has begun. To be able to stay out of work until January 3rd, I have to stay in the office until October 11th (which means no birth or bedrest before that date). That's 14 more days. Keep your fingers crossed, I hope I can make it!
What happened, you might ask? Well, I think I may have lost my mucus plug, or at least part of it. I spent most of last night terrified that this was the beginning of the end, and the babies were coming way earlier than expected. Right now, I can say I've calmed down a bit, but not much.
Basically at around 8PM last night, I went to use the restroom. Everything went according to plan, I peed, wiped, stood up and went to flush when I noticed it. While all the toilet paper was floating at the top of bowl, something white or translucent (i.e. no blood as far as I could tell) and about the size of a raspberry was floating down the pot towards where the water flushes out.
My initial immediate reaction was to reach in and grab it to be sure, but I thought better of it (on account of the fact that the bowl was less than clean). So instead, I just stood in the bathroom staring at it for about 5 minutes before giving up and flushing it. Sadly, I have to admit, I just wish I had gone the gross route and picked it up so I would know for sure.
Of course, I immediately went to the WTE forums and posted a question on my home board. I didn't know if I should call the doctor or just wait it out until my next appointment. I have just become so overly worried about these boys coming early that I have panicked. Luckily, I have calmed down today. No bleeding or cramping, so based on what I have read, I believe it may have only been part of my MP, or possibly just some discharge, I'm not sure, but I will be bringing this up at my next appointment on Thursday. That said, ANYONE with experience in this area, please fill me in. Does it sound like MP to you? Should I be worried??
On another note, the countdown for me has begun. To be able to stay out of work until January 3rd, I have to stay in the office until October 11th (which means no birth or bedrest before that date). That's 14 more days. Keep your fingers crossed, I hope I can make it!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
32 weeks (or 31w3d to be exact)
Just realized I haven't shared a belly pic in a while, so here you go!
If you haven't noticed before, I "cleverly" hide my face with my cell phone in every shot. I hate that my face is swollen (along with everything else), so anything I can do to disguise it will be done. But do you know what doesn't hide it? Chopping all my hair off! I've spent the past several months growing out my bangs. Its been a tedious process that I am still not 100% sure I of (I reallllly do like and miss my bangs), but admittedly, they made me look young and it was time for a change. They had finally grown out to about my chin, and all of a sudden it seemed like a good idea to make all my hair the same length. I broke the rule... the "you shouldn't make drastic changes to your appearance when pregnant" rule. I see now that there is a reason for said rule. My hair doesn't behave like it did before. It is genuinely different now that I am pregnant, and it lacks the body needed to pull this off.
Funny enough, this isn't the first time I have made a major hair mistake. In college, I had a run in with a box of hair dye that made my hair black as night, and I ended up having to color correct it. Then there was the perm of 2006, where I was convinced to get a wave put into my hair... only my hair reacted poorly (probably because it hadn't fully recovered from the color correction a year or so beforehand), turn into a frizzy, poodle mess, and a lot of the color just drained out. It was a sad, sad day. Of course, I took everything I learned from Legally Blonde, jumped in the shower, and tried to wash the perm away, but that just made it worse. Eric came home from work to find me laying in the bath tub, crying, with a bottle of tine. My hair has never really recovered (I have to straighten it now because the curls stayed, and I have the worst frizz, especially in this wonderful Virginia humidity).
So in comparison, this really isn't so bad. It will grow out soon enough, and for the time being I can enjoy only needing about 5 minutes to dry my hair (which is one of my least favorite things to do, along with cleaning the shower).
If you haven't noticed before, I "cleverly" hide my face with my cell phone in every shot. I hate that my face is swollen (along with everything else), so anything I can do to disguise it will be done. But do you know what doesn't hide it? Chopping all my hair off! I've spent the past several months growing out my bangs. Its been a tedious process that I am still not 100% sure I of (I reallllly do like and miss my bangs), but admittedly, they made me look young and it was time for a change. They had finally grown out to about my chin, and all of a sudden it seemed like a good idea to make all my hair the same length. I broke the rule... the "you shouldn't make drastic changes to your appearance when pregnant" rule. I see now that there is a reason for said rule. My hair doesn't behave like it did before. It is genuinely different now that I am pregnant, and it lacks the body needed to pull this off.
Funny enough, this isn't the first time I have made a major hair mistake. In college, I had a run in with a box of hair dye that made my hair black as night, and I ended up having to color correct it. Then there was the perm of 2006, where I was convinced to get a wave put into my hair... only my hair reacted poorly (probably because it hadn't fully recovered from the color correction a year or so beforehand), turn into a frizzy, poodle mess, and a lot of the color just drained out. It was a sad, sad day. Of course, I took everything I learned from Legally Blonde, jumped in the shower, and tried to wash the perm away, but that just made it worse. Eric came home from work to find me laying in the bath tub, crying, with a bottle of tine. My hair has never really recovered (I have to straighten it now because the curls stayed, and I have the worst frizz, especially in this wonderful Virginia humidity).
So in comparison, this really isn't so bad. It will grow out soon enough, and for the time being I can enjoy only needing about 5 minutes to dry my hair (which is one of my least favorite things to do, along with cleaning the shower).
Disability Claims... to SUCK
Let me tell you, I think the single most annoying thing I have had to do so far is set up my disability claims, which, coincidentally, I did today. I thought it would be a simple "Hey, I'm knocked up, keep me in mind in the future when I need continued payment", but not so much.
In an effort to stay "ahead of the game", I decided to forgo the whole "call 30 days before your due date" rule and just call now. I mean, even though my official due date is 11/21, my scheduled delivery is 11/8, and all my doctors keep telling me the chances of my making it to 11/8 is slim (which really just makes me more anxious... if you can't tell, I really like to have things planned out as much as possible). But try explaining that to a benefits center. It went way over their head.
Then of course, as soon as I get it through to the benefits center what my plan is, I get transferred to the company who covers my short term disability to explain everything I just did to an even more dense person, if that is even possible. The whole process is two hours of my life that I will never get back. But at least its mostly over and done (considering I still have to call both of them once the babies are here).
All these rules just drive me nuts. After more than 5 years of working here, I am covered at 100% pay for 5 months STD, but then that pesky FMLA comes into play, which says regardless of how long I am covered or how much PTO I may have, I can only be out for 12 weeks and expect to have my job waiting for me. I really want to come back in January (for mostly selfish reasons as I want to be out for the holidays), which means I cannot be out of work any earlier than 10/11, which is slightly less than 3 weeks away. I have my fingers tightly crossed that nothing happens to put me out any earlier than that, but it would be my luck if it did. I'm holding on tight to all the stories I have heard about twin mommas lasting until 38-39 weeks. I hope I am that lucky (if that is the right word... because 6 more weeks seems like hell right now), but at the very least, I need to last until 35-36 weeks without delivery or bedrest to keep my original plan.
In an effort to stay "ahead of the game", I decided to forgo the whole "call 30 days before your due date" rule and just call now. I mean, even though my official due date is 11/21, my scheduled delivery is 11/8, and all my doctors keep telling me the chances of my making it to 11/8 is slim (which really just makes me more anxious... if you can't tell, I really like to have things planned out as much as possible). But try explaining that to a benefits center. It went way over their head.
Then of course, as soon as I get it through to the benefits center what my plan is, I get transferred to the company who covers my short term disability to explain everything I just did to an even more dense person, if that is even possible. The whole process is two hours of my life that I will never get back. But at least its mostly over and done (considering I still have to call both of them once the babies are here).
All these rules just drive me nuts. After more than 5 years of working here, I am covered at 100% pay for 5 months STD, but then that pesky FMLA comes into play, which says regardless of how long I am covered or how much PTO I may have, I can only be out for 12 weeks and expect to have my job waiting for me. I really want to come back in January (for mostly selfish reasons as I want to be out for the holidays), which means I cannot be out of work any earlier than 10/11, which is slightly less than 3 weeks away. I have my fingers tightly crossed that nothing happens to put me out any earlier than that, but it would be my luck if it did. I'm holding on tight to all the stories I have heard about twin mommas lasting until 38-39 weeks. I hope I am that lucky (if that is the right word... because 6 more weeks seems like hell right now), but at the very least, I need to last until 35-36 weeks without delivery or bedrest to keep my original plan.
Monday, September 20, 2010
32 Weeks (or 31w1d for those who want to be exact)
And the boys just keep on growing!
First off, we had a check up on Friday, which was quick and easy. Both heartbeats sounded great, my blood pressure is awesome (so the mass swelling at least is not preeclampsia related), and we basically just hashed out the results of my glucose test and iron deficiency, which I was already aware of anyway. They also started filling out the forms to schedule my delivery at 38 weeks, so if they do not come early on their own, the boys will be here either on November 8th or 9th (official date and time should be given to me at my next appointment). I'm all registered at the hospital, so that is set, and this weekend, we have our tour.
This morning, we had our monthly ultrasound to check on the boys growth, and they are doing very well indeed. Both of them are weighing in at around 4 lbs 4 oz (which is just a bit larger than the suggested 3.75-3.9 lbs that most babies average at this point, according to BabyCenter.com and WTE.com)... that means I have about 9 lbs of baby in me right now! No wonder I can barely breathe!
As you can imagine based on their weights, they are measuring a little ahead (as they have the whole time)... They have big ol' melons, measuring at around 33w, and their bodies are measuring at a little over 32w. My doctors and the radiologists don't think I am going to make it to 38w, but we will see! I haven't had any complications, so I am hoping to last a bit longer. Then again, I don't know how much more baby my body can handle!!
Lastly, I want to thank my friend Courtney (at When I Least Expected It) for helping me out and passing along her double Snap N Go to me! She has 1 year old twin girls (who are absolutely adorable BTW). It exchanged several hands in its journey to Northern VA, but my hubby picked it up this weekend, and I am so excited to use it! All the twin mommies I have talked to (mostly on the WTE blogs) say the Snap N Go is the way to go, and Courtney was no exception! She raved about how helpful and wonderful this piece of equipment is. I cannot wait to get home and test it out! Thanks again Courtney!!
First off, we had a check up on Friday, which was quick and easy. Both heartbeats sounded great, my blood pressure is awesome (so the mass swelling at least is not preeclampsia related), and we basically just hashed out the results of my glucose test and iron deficiency, which I was already aware of anyway. They also started filling out the forms to schedule my delivery at 38 weeks, so if they do not come early on their own, the boys will be here either on November 8th or 9th (official date and time should be given to me at my next appointment). I'm all registered at the hospital, so that is set, and this weekend, we have our tour.
This morning, we had our monthly ultrasound to check on the boys growth, and they are doing very well indeed. Both of them are weighing in at around 4 lbs 4 oz (which is just a bit larger than the suggested 3.75-3.9 lbs that most babies average at this point, according to BabyCenter.com and WTE.com)... that means I have about 9 lbs of baby in me right now! No wonder I can barely breathe!
As you can imagine based on their weights, they are measuring a little ahead (as they have the whole time)... They have big ol' melons, measuring at around 33w, and their bodies are measuring at a little over 32w. My doctors and the radiologists don't think I am going to make it to 38w, but we will see! I haven't had any complications, so I am hoping to last a bit longer. Then again, I don't know how much more baby my body can handle!!
Lastly, I want to thank my friend Courtney (at When I Least Expected It) for helping me out and passing along her double Snap N Go to me! She has 1 year old twin girls (who are absolutely adorable BTW). It exchanged several hands in its journey to Northern VA, but my hubby picked it up this weekend, and I am so excited to use it! All the twin mommies I have talked to (mostly on the WTE blogs) say the Snap N Go is the way to go, and Courtney was no exception! She raved about how helpful and wonderful this piece of equipment is. I cannot wait to get home and test it out! Thanks again Courtney!!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Pity and Pampering
I'm starting to think I look like a house. I didn't think it was that bad, but when I run into people at work or friends I haven't seen in a few weeks (or even random strangers for that matter), they just get this look on their face and exclaim, "Wow, when are you due?!!", like I couldn't possibly make it another second without my water breaking. Bless Eric, he tries to make me feel better about it, telling me over and over again that I look great and its just because they haven't seen me in a while, but I can't help but think I have trick mirrors at home that have let me believe I look normal.
In other growing news, my feet are still out of control. The swelling just started a couple weeks ago, but it has gotten out of hand. When people see me, they first zero in on my stomach, then move down to the feet and go "Aww, you poor thing!". Yes, my feel look like hams and my ankles may as well be broken, and they are so sore I want to cry, but lets not point it out to the few surrounding people who maybe haven't noticed yet.
This week, my hands decided to join in on the fun too. I already couldn't wear my rings, but now I feel like I have arthritis mixed with carpal tunnel... because they are either painful or tingly and asleep. I don't know what wakes me up more at night now: the lack of blood flow to my hands or my bladder.
Really, I don't mean to whine, because when it comes down to it, I feel pretty good all things considered, but I definitely feel uncomfortable and exhausted. I want to nest, but I have literally zero energy to do so. At this rate, the nursery will never be ready!
Lucky for me, I've decided to have a pampering weekend this Saturday. For my birthday (in March), Eric and my sister gave me a gift certificate to a spa in our area. I tried to get a massage pretty much immediately, but found out I couldn't because, at the time, I was only 5 weeks pregnant, and they do not give massages to anyone in the first trimester (which at the time was news to me). So this weekend will be my prenatal massage, followed by a haircut, and possibly a pedicure. I cannot wait. I love me some pampering!!
In other growing news, my feet are still out of control. The swelling just started a couple weeks ago, but it has gotten out of hand. When people see me, they first zero in on my stomach, then move down to the feet and go "Aww, you poor thing!". Yes, my feel look like hams and my ankles may as well be broken, and they are so sore I want to cry, but lets not point it out to the few surrounding people who maybe haven't noticed yet.
This week, my hands decided to join in on the fun too. I already couldn't wear my rings, but now I feel like I have arthritis mixed with carpal tunnel... because they are either painful or tingly and asleep. I don't know what wakes me up more at night now: the lack of blood flow to my hands or my bladder.
Really, I don't mean to whine, because when it comes down to it, I feel pretty good all things considered, but I definitely feel uncomfortable and exhausted. I want to nest, but I have literally zero energy to do so. At this rate, the nursery will never be ready!
Lucky for me, I've decided to have a pampering weekend this Saturday. For my birthday (in March), Eric and my sister gave me a gift certificate to a spa in our area. I tried to get a massage pretty much immediately, but found out I couldn't because, at the time, I was only 5 weeks pregnant, and they do not give massages to anyone in the first trimester (which at the time was news to me). So this weekend will be my prenatal massage, followed by a haircut, and possibly a pedicure. I cannot wait. I love me some pampering!!
Friday, September 10, 2010
A week behind
I didn't even realize that I hadn't posted about my most recent doctor's appointment, and its been a week! I think its because of the holiday and my inability to focus on ANYTHING. But I digress...
Last Friday, I had my glucose tolerance test (yay, good times... that drink was SICK, and the fact that you have less than 5 minutes to drink it is even less fun...). With the weekend and holiday, I didn't get my results until Wednesday, but I am happy to say I PASSED! Words cannot express how happy I am about this. I really didn't want to have to go back for the 3 hour test. I was worried because, to be honest, I eat a lot of sweets... definitely a lot more than I probably should (especially now that the candy corn is out for sale; I seriously ate a whole bag in one day, I was so disgusted with myself). According to my doctor, you want to be under 130 mg/dl, and my results were 102 mg/dl.
BUT, along with finding out that I did good on the GTT, I found out I have an iron deficiency. I knew it was a possibility, as she mentioned it during the appointment on Friday, but it was made official on Wednesday. Now in addition to my daily prenatal vitamins and extra 2000 IU of Vitamin D, I have to take an iron supplement (called Slow FE). Plus, my doctor said to be prepared and just start taking a stool softener daily, because lets me honest, additional iron can only hurt a pregnant woman's digestive system at this point. So many pills! To make it even better, I swear these pills smell like raw bloody meat. It may just be me and my overactive pregnant nose, but every time I open the bottle, I want to die. It just smells like uncooked ground beef... ick.
On the plus side, the additional iron might help snap me out of the dreary tired funk I have been in for weeks. Apparently, lack of iron can really affect you, and it might explain why I am exhausted literally from the second I wake up in the morning until 8 or 9 o'clock at night (basically all but 2 of my waking hours). I've only been taking it for two days, but I hope to see some improvements soon!
In other news, this weekend will be my last out of town visit for the rest of the pregnancy. I got the OK from my doctor to go to Blacksburg this weekend (with some restrictions and rules to follow, of course), so I can attend at least one of the home VT football games, as well as the shower my mother-in-law is throwing on Sunday. I honestly couldn't tell you which I am more excited for... probably the football game, but that may just be because it happens first :-D.
Annnd to wrap up, here is this week's belly pic! Enjoy!
Last Friday, I had my glucose tolerance test (yay, good times... that drink was SICK, and the fact that you have less than 5 minutes to drink it is even less fun...). With the weekend and holiday, I didn't get my results until Wednesday, but I am happy to say I PASSED! Words cannot express how happy I am about this. I really didn't want to have to go back for the 3 hour test. I was worried because, to be honest, I eat a lot of sweets... definitely a lot more than I probably should (especially now that the candy corn is out for sale; I seriously ate a whole bag in one day, I was so disgusted with myself). According to my doctor, you want to be under 130 mg/dl, and my results were 102 mg/dl.
BUT, along with finding out that I did good on the GTT, I found out I have an iron deficiency. I knew it was a possibility, as she mentioned it during the appointment on Friday, but it was made official on Wednesday. Now in addition to my daily prenatal vitamins and extra 2000 IU of Vitamin D, I have to take an iron supplement (called Slow FE). Plus, my doctor said to be prepared and just start taking a stool softener daily, because lets me honest, additional iron can only hurt a pregnant woman's digestive system at this point. So many pills! To make it even better, I swear these pills smell like raw bloody meat. It may just be me and my overactive pregnant nose, but every time I open the bottle, I want to die. It just smells like uncooked ground beef... ick.
On the plus side, the additional iron might help snap me out of the dreary tired funk I have been in for weeks. Apparently, lack of iron can really affect you, and it might explain why I am exhausted literally from the second I wake up in the morning until 8 or 9 o'clock at night (basically all but 2 of my waking hours). I've only been taking it for two days, but I hope to see some improvements soon!
In other news, this weekend will be my last out of town visit for the rest of the pregnancy. I got the OK from my doctor to go to Blacksburg this weekend (with some restrictions and rules to follow, of course), so I can attend at least one of the home VT football games, as well as the shower my mother-in-law is throwing on Sunday. I honestly couldn't tell you which I am more excited for... probably the football game, but that may just be because it happens first :-D.
Annnd to wrap up, here is this week's belly pic! Enjoy!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
30 Weeks
How Far Along: 30 weeks
Total Weight Gained/Loss: Big sad face, between 25-30 lbs. I've really started packing on the poundage!
Maternity Clothes: I don't think I will ever go back to regular pants again :-D
Sleep: At best, 2 hours at a time... between having to pee all the time, and finding a comfortable position, it's been hard.
Best Moment of the Week: Not baby related, but Hokie football season started!! Yes, I know, we lost, but still the tailgating was fun as always and I got to ride in the little golf cart to and from the stadium. No walking for me!
Movement: Still lots of movement... not as many kicks and jabs, but lots of rolling around. Watching my belly has become one of the most entertaining things in the world. Plus, Lane (aka Baby B) constantly has the hiccups, so that's fun too.
Food Craving: None really... always wanting sweets, but really not craving anything particular or weird.
Food aversions: Still eggs (scrambled or fried), and some meats (like brats, which I discovered this weekend).
Morning sickness: None, I've really lucked out here.
Gender: TWO BOYS! Big healthy boys! They have been measuring ahead of schedule this whole time.
Labor Signs: None, thank GOD, I would freak out.
Belly Button: Reached maximum capacity, I definitely have an outtie now.
Stretch Marks: So far, so dodging the bullet *knock on wood*
Wedding rings: Sadly, cannot wear my rings anymore. Previously, I had just been wearing my wedding band, but even that is too tight now. And if I manage to get it on my sausage of a finger, its so tight that is just looks bad. So I've stopped wearing them all together and hope the swelling ends soon.
Exercise: Only if sitting on my butt counts... or trying to clean the house.
What I miss: Alcohol... this is not going to change until I can drink again
What I'm looking forward to: My second baby shower this weekend. I had a shower in Lynchburg a couple weeks ago with my family, and this weekend's shower will be in Blacksburg with Eric's family.
Other NEW news this week: I was hoping to have my Glucose test results for you, but alas, not yet. Looks like I am going to have to call them and find out.
Weekly Wisdom: I think I am too sleepy to have any wisdom.
Favorite item bought this week: My mom bought some adorable "Home from the Hospital" outfits. So exciting!!
Total Weight Gained/Loss: Big sad face, between 25-30 lbs. I've really started packing on the poundage!
Maternity Clothes: I don't think I will ever go back to regular pants again :-D
Sleep: At best, 2 hours at a time... between having to pee all the time, and finding a comfortable position, it's been hard.
Best Moment of the Week: Not baby related, but Hokie football season started!! Yes, I know, we lost, but still the tailgating was fun as always and I got to ride in the little golf cart to and from the stadium. No walking for me!
Movement: Still lots of movement... not as many kicks and jabs, but lots of rolling around. Watching my belly has become one of the most entertaining things in the world. Plus, Lane (aka Baby B) constantly has the hiccups, so that's fun too.
Food Craving: None really... always wanting sweets, but really not craving anything particular or weird.
Food aversions: Still eggs (scrambled or fried), and some meats (like brats, which I discovered this weekend).
Morning sickness: None, I've really lucked out here.
Gender: TWO BOYS! Big healthy boys! They have been measuring ahead of schedule this whole time.
Labor Signs: None, thank GOD, I would freak out.
Belly Button: Reached maximum capacity, I definitely have an outtie now.
Stretch Marks: So far, so dodging the bullet *knock on wood*
Wedding rings: Sadly, cannot wear my rings anymore. Previously, I had just been wearing my wedding band, but even that is too tight now. And if I manage to get it on my sausage of a finger, its so tight that is just looks bad. So I've stopped wearing them all together and hope the swelling ends soon.
Exercise: Only if sitting on my butt counts... or trying to clean the house.
What I miss: Alcohol... this is not going to change until I can drink again
What I'm looking forward to: My second baby shower this weekend. I had a shower in Lynchburg a couple weeks ago with my family, and this weekend's shower will be in Blacksburg with Eric's family.
Other NEW news this week: I was hoping to have my Glucose test results for you, but alas, not yet. Looks like I am going to have to call them and find out.
Weekly Wisdom: I think I am too sleepy to have any wisdom.
Favorite item bought this week: My mom bought some adorable "Home from the Hospital" outfits. So exciting!!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
200 Days!
I have been pregnant for 200 days, and am starting to really feel it! Granted, I know this number isn't EXACT, since it also includes those two weeks where you aren't actually pregnant, but the tickers say 200, so I'm going with 200.
I am really dragging butt as of late. Walking up and down stairs is a chore for me, and trying to keep our house clean is even harder. My brain function is seriously diminished, so it takes me twice as long to get simple tasks at work done, which makes me feel significantly less efficient. My feet are so swollen that my shoes hurt. Seriously, I don't mean whiny "please rub my feet" pain, but swollen, bruised, hot, itchy pain. My feet look like hams, and my ankles look like they are sprained. My fingers are so swollen that I have officially had to retire my wedding rings. And of course, my venture into Google didn't help, since now all I am worried about is Toxemia (because obviously the swelling isn't just normal pregnancy related swelling but something serious... have I mentioned before I'm a slight hypochondriac?).
What's worse (to me, anyway) is that there was a small part of my that thought my sister (who is about 5 weeks ahead of me in pregnancy) and I actually looked about the same size-wise. Umm, no. My mom took a picture of us this weekend and not even close. I am seriously double her size. I know, I know, there's two in there, believe me I didn't forget, but I actually had been holding onto a small hope that I didn't look like it.
But now I know why people ask me every day if I will be put on bedrest; because I look like I need to be! I think everyone at work is just waiting for me to collapse.
On a happier note, 200 days means only 2 months left in my pregnancy. As I said before, my doctor will not let me go pass 38 weeks, so they are scheduling me for the first week of November if they haven't arrived on their own before then. I'm getting to that point where I am scared of going early. For starters, I would LOVE to avoid any NICU time, obviously, but I have other selfish reasons, namely working out my maternity leave. I get 8 weeks total, so giving birth the first week of November would be perfect to get me through to January before having to come back to work (i.e. off the whole Holiday season, which is a huge plus for me!). I also have saved up several weeks of PTO (paid time off) so I could technically stay out longer. However, if they come early, or if I am put on bedrest and can't work, I only have 12 weeks of job protection under FMLA. So I reallly want to make sure I make it though the month of September without any issues. I can go out as early as October and be OK though until January, but anything before that and it will not work. I know this seems petty, but honestly, Holiday PTO in my place of business is a hot commodity, and its been nice knowing I wouldn't have to fight for days off to visit family since I would be out on leave anyway...
I suppose that is all for now! I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow with the dreaded glucose test. Wish me luck, I don't want to have to do the 3 hour test!! I will also find out if I can make the trip to Blackburg next weekend for my second baby shower (with Eric's family), so keep your fingers crossed for me!! And on that note, I'll leave you with a belly shot from this morning. As you can tell, I look exhausted (thankfully I can cover most of my face with the iPhone)...and my butt is trying to keep up with my stomach. Good times.
I am really dragging butt as of late. Walking up and down stairs is a chore for me, and trying to keep our house clean is even harder. My brain function is seriously diminished, so it takes me twice as long to get simple tasks at work done, which makes me feel significantly less efficient. My feet are so swollen that my shoes hurt. Seriously, I don't mean whiny "please rub my feet" pain, but swollen, bruised, hot, itchy pain. My feet look like hams, and my ankles look like they are sprained. My fingers are so swollen that I have officially had to retire my wedding rings. And of course, my venture into Google didn't help, since now all I am worried about is Toxemia (because obviously the swelling isn't just normal pregnancy related swelling but something serious... have I mentioned before I'm a slight hypochondriac?).
What's worse (to me, anyway) is that there was a small part of my that thought my sister (who is about 5 weeks ahead of me in pregnancy) and I actually looked about the same size-wise. Umm, no. My mom took a picture of us this weekend and not even close. I am seriously double her size. I know, I know, there's two in there, believe me I didn't forget, but I actually had been holding onto a small hope that I didn't look like it.
But now I know why people ask me every day if I will be put on bedrest; because I look like I need to be! I think everyone at work is just waiting for me to collapse.
On a happier note, 200 days means only 2 months left in my pregnancy. As I said before, my doctor will not let me go pass 38 weeks, so they are scheduling me for the first week of November if they haven't arrived on their own before then. I'm getting to that point where I am scared of going early. For starters, I would LOVE to avoid any NICU time, obviously, but I have other selfish reasons, namely working out my maternity leave. I get 8 weeks total, so giving birth the first week of November would be perfect to get me through to January before having to come back to work (i.e. off the whole Holiday season, which is a huge plus for me!). I also have saved up several weeks of PTO (paid time off) so I could technically stay out longer. However, if they come early, or if I am put on bedrest and can't work, I only have 12 weeks of job protection under FMLA. So I reallly want to make sure I make it though the month of September without any issues. I can go out as early as October and be OK though until January, but anything before that and it will not work. I know this seems petty, but honestly, Holiday PTO in my place of business is a hot commodity, and its been nice knowing I wouldn't have to fight for days off to visit family since I would be out on leave anyway...
I suppose that is all for now! I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow with the dreaded glucose test. Wish me luck, I don't want to have to do the 3 hour test!! I will also find out if I can make the trip to Blackburg next weekend for my second baby shower (with Eric's family), so keep your fingers crossed for me!! And on that note, I'll leave you with a belly shot from this morning. As you can tell, I look exhausted (thankfully I can cover most of my face with the iPhone)...and my butt is trying to keep up with my stomach. Good times.
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