Sunday, August 23, 2009
Happy Anniversary
Duane and I celebrated our 6th anniversary! This year Duane did all of the cooking with a little instruction. We had our traditional dinner of pork, sauerkraut, and mashed potatoes. Duane did a great job and it tasted wonderful. It has been a really exciting year for us with the pregnancy. This year will be the last for a long time that it will just be the two of us. We both look forward to the changes the next year will bring.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Finally a changing table...
We finally found a changing table for the baby! I didn't think we were ever going to find one. We haven't seen too many for sale. What ones we have seen, were too expensive for us. This changing table is much nicer than I had expected to find in our price range. This type of changing table usually sells for around $75.00 + used. To buy them new they cost over $200.00. Baby and wedding stuff is always so overpriced for some reason.Duane pointed out all the flaws and talked the owner down to $20.00. The drawers had been taped shut from being moved and there was some tape and sticky adhesive left over. I knew that with a little bit of rubbing and Windex that it would come right off. One of the legs was lose which made it wobbly. The bolt fastening the leg on underneath just needed tightening. That only took Duane about a minute to fix. It was dusty and dirty from being in storage somewhere. Once wiped down it looked great. There is only one little scuff on the bottom drawer and a couple tiny marks. It really is in excellent condition. Very solid too.
Sometimes I wonder why people don't take the time to clean things up to sell. With a about 10-20 minutes of effort this changing table could have been sold for three times what we paid for it. I am not complaining after all, their loss is my gain.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
32 Weeks
Everything is going well here. I am at 32 weeks and 1 day today. We went for an ultrasound on Monday. They were checking to see if the placenta moved up at all. It is still partially covering the cervix. So I will go back in 4 weeks for another ultrasound. If it hasn't moved up, then I will have the c-section. The vaginal birth is safer, so I guess it is my preference. However, for the most part I don't really care either way.
The baby was weighing approximately 4lbs. 9oz. She is still ahead of schedule based on her size. She is head down now and still has her feet and hands right up around her head. It looked like she had her toe in her mouth. We went in for the ultrasound right after breakfast and she was moving around a lot. For the most part I still couldn't feel it. I learned this week that women with a tilted uterus generally feel the baby move less. I think that is the case with me.
This week the doctors started me on stress tests. I will have those twice a week until the baby is born. Nothing is wrong, it is standard procedure for women with lupus and the placenta previa. It monitors the baby's heart beat and checks for any contractions. My test on Monday looked great.
I went in today for a special injection that helps the baby's lungs develop. I will go tomorrow for another one. They are doing that just in case I have to have the baby early because of the placenta. If the placenta would tear or I start to dilate, then they would have to take the baby. I am getting further, so the baby is much more developed. Usually the lungs are the last thing the doctors are concerned about. I am not too worried about it. I did have some spotting after all my appointments on Monday, but it was really minor. In the future, I won't schedule more than one-two things on the same day. I haven't had any major problems and the placenta is only partially touching, so I think that I will make it to at the least 36-38 weeks.
This past month I gained 1 lb. again, which is good. Next month the baby will start gaining more weight, so I probably gain more. She really grew a lot the last two weeks. I can feel her move more now, but it isn't uncomfortable. Since she keeps her hands and feet down near her head. I see her bottom shift around and it sticks out. It is neat to see and feel. I have really been enjoying this connection with her.
I had to go for a second diabetes screening two weeks ago. The nurses at the doctors office didn't give me good information about preparing for the first exam. I found out when I was getting instructions for the second test, that I didn't fast long enough. With the low acid count in my stomach, I have to usually fast longer than a normal person. The test required a 12 hour fast. From past experience with stomach scopes, I know it takes longer than 12 hours for my stomach to completely empty. If I fast 14 hours, then that is enough. The second test was a long one - 3 hours long. I had to drink a ton of water to keep hydrated. By the time we got done and got something to eat it was 19 hours since I ate. I actually wasn't too hungry, but was starting to feel weak as we were sitting down to eat. It wasn't fun, but than again it wasn't that bad either. The second test came back normal, so that was good. My blood pressure has been great, around 100-110 on the top and normal levels on the bottom.
I can't really complain. I don't have a lot of the problems/aches/pains that most women have with their pregnancies. The tendinitis in my right wrist has been acting up. So I haven't been on the computer very much lately. I guess it is acting up from doing more with my hands from being on bed rest. I am starting to feel warmer than usual. I feel most comfortable around 68 degrees. Once it gets around 78+ than I start to get warm. However, as long as there is air flow, then I am usually okay. Overall, I really don't feel much different than normal. I am really fortunate.
Duane and I still don't have a name picked out yet... We have a list of names we like, but nothing really jumps out to us. Chances are we will end up naming her after she is born.
I finally got my pickled eggs that I have been craving. Duane used the beets from his parents garden to make them. They were a little bitter since we used regular vinegar instead of the apple cider vinegar. We also didn't add enough sugar. Now that we have made them once, we have a better idea of what to do next time.
Today all I could think about was raw sauerkraut. Our anniversary is on Sunday, so we are planning to make our traditional pork and sauerkraut dinner. I am looking forward to it!
I am glad to be home and not going anywhere for a long time! We spent most of our summer either packing, unpacking or living out of a suitcase.
The baby was weighing approximately 4lbs. 9oz. She is still ahead of schedule based on her size. She is head down now and still has her feet and hands right up around her head. It looked like she had her toe in her mouth. We went in for the ultrasound right after breakfast and she was moving around a lot. For the most part I still couldn't feel it. I learned this week that women with a tilted uterus generally feel the baby move less. I think that is the case with me.
This week the doctors started me on stress tests. I will have those twice a week until the baby is born. Nothing is wrong, it is standard procedure for women with lupus and the placenta previa. It monitors the baby's heart beat and checks for any contractions. My test on Monday looked great.
I went in today for a special injection that helps the baby's lungs develop. I will go tomorrow for another one. They are doing that just in case I have to have the baby early because of the placenta. If the placenta would tear or I start to dilate, then they would have to take the baby. I am getting further, so the baby is much more developed. Usually the lungs are the last thing the doctors are concerned about. I am not too worried about it. I did have some spotting after all my appointments on Monday, but it was really minor. In the future, I won't schedule more than one-two things on the same day. I haven't had any major problems and the placenta is only partially touching, so I think that I will make it to at the least 36-38 weeks.
This past month I gained 1 lb. again, which is good. Next month the baby will start gaining more weight, so I probably gain more. She really grew a lot the last two weeks. I can feel her move more now, but it isn't uncomfortable. Since she keeps her hands and feet down near her head. I see her bottom shift around and it sticks out. It is neat to see and feel. I have really been enjoying this connection with her.
I had to go for a second diabetes screening two weeks ago. The nurses at the doctors office didn't give me good information about preparing for the first exam. I found out when I was getting instructions for the second test, that I didn't fast long enough. With the low acid count in my stomach, I have to usually fast longer than a normal person. The test required a 12 hour fast. From past experience with stomach scopes, I know it takes longer than 12 hours for my stomach to completely empty. If I fast 14 hours, then that is enough. The second test was a long one - 3 hours long. I had to drink a ton of water to keep hydrated. By the time we got done and got something to eat it was 19 hours since I ate. I actually wasn't too hungry, but was starting to feel weak as we were sitting down to eat. It wasn't fun, but than again it wasn't that bad either. The second test came back normal, so that was good. My blood pressure has been great, around 100-110 on the top and normal levels on the bottom.
I can't really complain. I don't have a lot of the problems/aches/pains that most women have with their pregnancies. The tendinitis in my right wrist has been acting up. So I haven't been on the computer very much lately. I guess it is acting up from doing more with my hands from being on bed rest. I am starting to feel warmer than usual. I feel most comfortable around 68 degrees. Once it gets around 78+ than I start to get warm. However, as long as there is air flow, then I am usually okay. Overall, I really don't feel much different than normal. I am really fortunate.
Duane and I still don't have a name picked out yet... We have a list of names we like, but nothing really jumps out to us. Chances are we will end up naming her after she is born.
I finally got my pickled eggs that I have been craving. Duane used the beets from his parents garden to make them. They were a little bitter since we used regular vinegar instead of the apple cider vinegar. We also didn't add enough sugar. Now that we have made them once, we have a better idea of what to do next time.
Today all I could think about was raw sauerkraut. Our anniversary is on Sunday, so we are planning to make our traditional pork and sauerkraut dinner. I am looking forward to it!
I am glad to be home and not going anywhere for a long time! We spent most of our summer either packing, unpacking or living out of a suitcase.
Friday, July 24, 2009
28 Weeks
Tuesday I went for another ultra-sound to measure the baby and check the placenta at 28 weeks and 2 days. The placenta is still low (8mm is covering the cervix). I had the same ultra-sound tech (Deb) as last month and she was great. She took more videos of the baby and pointed out some cool things.
We could see the baby doing phantom breathing or practice breathing. Babies don't breathe in the womb, but they do practice to strengthen their lungs before birth. We could also see the baby's pupil and iris move. I am not sure how that is possible, but it was cool. She also has some little tuffs of hair too. Surprisingly, the baby's feet and arms where both up by her forehead.
Peanut is still measuring large for her age. I am measuring around 30 weeks. The estimated date of delivery based on measurements was Sept. 30th. She weighed approximately 3 lbs. and 4oz.
Here are some videos/pictures:
Face
Cramped Space
Feet and Hands up near the forehead
Thursday I had my appointment with Dr. Minudri. It was the first time that I saw this doctor in the practice. We have to see all three of the doctors in the practice because you don't know who might deliver the baby. So far I have liked all of the doctors.
Since I do have lupus there are some additional precautions/testing that has to take place. Next month I will have to start getting stress tests every two weeks. They have been measuring the baby every month with ultra-sound to make sure she is growing approriately. Next week, I will go for the normal gestational diabetes test and for some lupus screening. Most likely I will have the baby early before there are any complications. The doctor meantioned anytime after 36 weeks. Most likely at or before 38 weeks.
My chances of the placenta moving are still good. Between now and delivery the baby will double in size. If it does not move up, then I will have the C-section. I have heard that C-sections are a lot better for people with lupus anyway. Since the placenta is low I will be on bed rest for at least another month. The doctor said chances are that I might be on the bed rest for the duration or late into the pregnancy.
We were excited to get things set up since we now have furniture for the baby's room. Duane found a cheap dresser and glider rocker at yard sales. The dresser is older, but still in good shape. The nice thing about older furniture is that it usually made a lot nicer. For $10.00 we couldn't pass it up. I think it has character and I love the layout/design of the dresser. It has a long drawer at the top and smaller drawers down the left side. They are just the right size for baby clothes and easy for me to open. I wanted something tall with at least 5 drawers and a armoire for storing items. Most dressers with armoires are short and wide. I don't like that design because it seems like such a waste of space.
The glider is like brand new and the owner said, she didn't use it much. The padding is so plush and soft. I was surprised at how comfortable it was when I sat in it. Plus it was too cheap $20.00 to pass up too.
This week Duane finished setting up the nursery. Here are some pictures:
Crib and Bedding - We picked the crib up for free at a yard sale.
Duane sanded, primered and repainted it.
We also have some winnie the pooh pieces that match the set too
including crib sheets and a comforter. They are all really cute too.
We could see the baby doing phantom breathing or practice breathing. Babies don't breathe in the womb, but they do practice to strengthen their lungs before birth. We could also see the baby's pupil and iris move. I am not sure how that is possible, but it was cool. She also has some little tuffs of hair too. Surprisingly, the baby's feet and arms where both up by her forehead.
Peanut is still measuring large for her age. I am measuring around 30 weeks. The estimated date of delivery based on measurements was Sept. 30th. She weighed approximately 3 lbs. and 4oz.
Here are some videos/pictures:
Practice Breathing and Heartbeat
Hair
Eye Moving
Face
Cramped Space
Feet and Hands up near the forehead
Since I do have lupus there are some additional precautions/testing that has to take place. Next month I will have to start getting stress tests every two weeks. They have been measuring the baby every month with ultra-sound to make sure she is growing approriately. Next week, I will go for the normal gestational diabetes test and for some lupus screening. Most likely I will have the baby early before there are any complications. The doctor meantioned anytime after 36 weeks. Most likely at or before 38 weeks.
My chances of the placenta moving are still good. Between now and delivery the baby will double in size. If it does not move up, then I will have the C-section. I have heard that C-sections are a lot better for people with lupus anyway. Since the placenta is low I will be on bed rest for at least another month. The doctor said chances are that I might be on the bed rest for the duration or late into the pregnancy.
We were excited to get things set up since we now have furniture for the baby's room. Duane found a cheap dresser and glider rocker at yard sales. The dresser is older, but still in good shape. The nice thing about older furniture is that it usually made a lot nicer. For $10.00 we couldn't pass it up. I think it has character and I love the layout/design of the dresser. It has a long drawer at the top and smaller drawers down the left side. They are just the right size for baby clothes and easy for me to open. I wanted something tall with at least 5 drawers and a armoire for storing items. Most dressers with armoires are short and wide. I don't like that design because it seems like such a waste of space.
The glider is like brand new and the owner said, she didn't use it much. The padding is so plush and soft. I was surprised at how comfortable it was when I sat in it. Plus it was too cheap $20.00 to pass up too.
This week Duane finished setting up the nursery. Here are some pictures:
Buterflies and Stars (my friend Julie gave us these) - really cute as
they move around with a breeze
they move around with a breeze
Crib and Bedding - We picked the crib up for free at a yard sale.
Duane sanded, primered and repainted it.
We also have some winnie the pooh pieces that match the set too
including crib sheets and a comforter. They are all really cute too.
The Dresser
Glider
Thursday, July 16, 2009
26-27 Weeks
Duane and I managed to get all moved into our new apartment. It was a lot of work in a short period of time! We had 17 people show up to help move things and it took about 2-3 hours. I am pretty sure the free pizza had something to with the high turnout for the move.
The worst part was prepping the apartment after the move. It made for a really long day (9 am until after midnight). We didn't get any help with the cleaning (should have offered more Pizza :)). I had to help Duane because it was too much for him to do alone. I just focused on doing the tasks that could be done sitting down. We never did finish everything on the checklist, but we did the best we could.
Duane has been pretty fast at unpacking things. We only have about a dozen boxes left to go through and some pictures to hang. Then we will get the nursery all set up!
We really like the new place. Having the extra room has made a huge difference. Not having an office for our desks and office furniture made the rest of the old place so cramped. I am so glad we decided to make the move. I will be able to put the baby down on the floor to play and have room for a swing in the living room.
We are in one of the highest apartments in the complex. Off of our deck we have a beautiful view of Moscow and the rolling hills beyond. At nighttime I like to look out at all the lights. It sorta reminds me of when I lived in Pennsylvania Place a high rise building. The nice thing about the set up is the ground is flat where we are. We exit out the back of the complex, so we don't have to worry about hills in the winter. It also seems to stay cooler. We haven't had to use any airconditioning.
As far as the baby goes....I am starting to feel her move. It is still pretty sporadic. I think what I am feeling is when she rolls over or makes a large movement. I don't feel anything inside, rather just movement against the outter wall and my skin moving on the outside.
Next week we go back for another ultra-sound of the placenta and basic measurements. We are hoping things have moved up. I haven't had any bleeding since the end of May, which is good.
The worst part was prepping the apartment after the move. It made for a really long day (9 am until after midnight). We didn't get any help with the cleaning (should have offered more Pizza :)). I had to help Duane because it was too much for him to do alone. I just focused on doing the tasks that could be done sitting down. We never did finish everything on the checklist, but we did the best we could.
Duane has been pretty fast at unpacking things. We only have about a dozen boxes left to go through and some pictures to hang. Then we will get the nursery all set up!
We really like the new place. Having the extra room has made a huge difference. Not having an office for our desks and office furniture made the rest of the old place so cramped. I am so glad we decided to make the move. I will be able to put the baby down on the floor to play and have room for a swing in the living room.
We are in one of the highest apartments in the complex. Off of our deck we have a beautiful view of Moscow and the rolling hills beyond. At nighttime I like to look out at all the lights. It sorta reminds me of when I lived in Pennsylvania Place a high rise building. The nice thing about the set up is the ground is flat where we are. We exit out the back of the complex, so we don't have to worry about hills in the winter. It also seems to stay cooler. We haven't had to use any airconditioning.
As far as the baby goes....I am starting to feel her move. It is still pretty sporadic. I think what I am feeling is when she rolls over or makes a large movement. I don't feel anything inside, rather just movement against the outter wall and my skin moving on the outside.
Next week we go back for another ultra-sound of the placenta and basic measurements. We are hoping things have moved up. I haven't had any bleeding since the end of May, which is good.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Ultrasound 24 Weeks 4 Days
I went for my ultrasound today to check the placenta. The placenta is still partially covering the cervix. The tech also took some nice pictures and videos of the baby. It was so amazing to watch the baby open her mouth, move her tongue and stretch out. She is so beautiful.
This last month I gained 1lb. according to my weigh in at the doctors. The baby gained just about a 1lb. too. She is now measuring two weeks ahead and a little over 2lbs.
Here are some of the videos and pictures from my visit:
Her Kicking her feet (which I can't feel)
Baby's Face
Baby Moving Her Mouth and Tongue - Notice the Heartbeat too
Heartbeat
Stretching out (I couldn't feel this either!)
Monday, June 22, 2009
24 Weeks
I had my 24th week check up today. They baby's heart beat was around 148 BPM. The doctor has me scheduled on Friday 6/26 for another ultrasound to check the placenta. She also wants me to have measurements done more often because of my auto-immune problems.
Every once and a while I feel something in my belly. I am pretty sure it is the baby. For the most part it feels like some gas. I had Duane put his hand on my belly when I felt it happening. Duane thinks that he might have felt something move. Generally, it is pretty random and hard to catch. The other day I looked down and saw my belly move. However, I didn't feel anything. I guess that I am not as sensitive.
Duane and I have a list of possible names for the baby. I doubt we will name her until after she is born and we can see her. In the meantime, I started calling her my little peanut. Duane is calling her peanut too.
Over the years we have picked up odds and ends of baby stuff. Some of it is from friends/family and yard sales. Last week my friend Julie gave us a bunch of clothes. I can't get over how cute the little girl clothes are. We managed to get everything washed up and sorted into tubs by size. I am pretty much set for clothes through 18 months.
We have made good progress on getting the things ready for the baby. The two big things we are looking for right now are a dresser and a changing table. I would like to get a tall 4-5 drawer dresser and lightweight changing table with shelves. No luck so far on craigs or at yard sales.
Duane set the crib up and it looks nice. It is a lighter weight white one with wheels.
Every once and a while I feel something in my belly. I am pretty sure it is the baby. For the most part it feels like some gas. I had Duane put his hand on my belly when I felt it happening. Duane thinks that he might have felt something move. Generally, it is pretty random and hard to catch. The other day I looked down and saw my belly move. However, I didn't feel anything. I guess that I am not as sensitive.
Duane and I have a list of possible names for the baby. I doubt we will name her until after she is born and we can see her. In the meantime, I started calling her my little peanut. Duane is calling her peanut too.
Over the years we have picked up odds and ends of baby stuff. Some of it is from friends/family and yard sales. Last week my friend Julie gave us a bunch of clothes. I can't get over how cute the little girl clothes are. We managed to get everything washed up and sorted into tubs by size. I am pretty much set for clothes through 18 months.
We have made good progress on getting the things ready for the baby. The two big things we are looking for right now are a dresser and a changing table. I would like to get a tall 4-5 drawer dresser and lightweight changing table with shelves. No luck so far on craigs or at yard sales.
Duane set the crib up and it looks nice. It is a lighter weight white one with wheels.
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