17.5 weeks

I'm a horrible blogger!

Krew is now 4 calendar months (but 17.5 weeks). Yeah, the discrepancy between a calendar month and a lunar month is super annoying.

I took Krew in to the clinic for his 4ish month checkup. As of last Wednesday (July 27) he weighed 16 pounds 2 oz (birth weight 8 lbs 5 oz) and was 25 inches long (birth length 21 inches). So that means that he has nearly doubled his birth weight and that he has grown 4 inches in 4 months! He is still wearing a size 6 month sleeper, but some of the smaller ones are nearly too small for his big feet and long torso.

The physiotherapist (Jaclyn) has been super awesome with him. She has been showing me neck stretches and exercises to help him strengthen his left neck muscle. And best of it, it has been working! He now moves his head to the left side more easily and he also sits more centered instead of to the right. We still need to work on keeping his left ear away from his left shoulder, as well as helping him roll to his left side. Since working with Jaclyn, Krew has stopped rolling over, but considering the fact that he was only rolling over because he was so lopsided during tummy time this is a good thing. He kicks with his legs more often and he nearly "swims" on his tummy. That boy wants to motor!

So, remember the cute cooing noises Krew would make (posted on my last entry)? Well, he still makes a version of that noise. Except now the noise is much higher pitched and resembles that of a shriek:

He's a pretty funny kid too, and I think he knows it. He recognizes words like "bottle" and "bath" and maybe even "walk" and gets super excited. He starts kicking his legs and his eyes open really wide.

I think he might be teething. His fist chewing and drooling would indicate a yes, but looking in his mouth I don't see inflamed gums. In the below picture he actually looks like he has teeth visible through his gums though, so maybe? (Click picture below to enlarge.)

Mmm. Fist.

He loves the feel of a fleece blanket, so he always pulls it up to (and sometimes over) his face when he is in his crib, car seat, or chair. Mix the soggy fist with a fleece blanket and he always has lint between his fingers and clutched in his little hands. He also loves to chew/suck on his bibs, but I think sometimes the bib just happened to be between his fist and his mouth at the time.

He's just a happy kid, just look at this face!

He's also super strong. When he is lying down I grab his fists and he will stiffen his shoulders and neck so he can be pulled into the sitting position. Unfortunately, we used to play a game with him where he would push back with his feet and he would fall back onto a pillow, so now he keeps doing that and won't stay sitting upright, lol. He also likes to sit in a sprawl, just like most males, and prefers to be reclining versus sitting upright. Jaclyn lent us a Bumbo chair to help him improve his sitting and keeping his body in midline, but he just sits back (instead of forward) and leans to one side.

His sleeping habits are both better and worse than they were. When he goes to sleep in the evening (usually between 7:30 and 9) he is out for the night. But! There are times now where I have to get up in the middle of the night because he is crying for his soother. And by crying, I mean shrieking. So, getting up for the soother is easier than getting up to feed him, but it still isn't sleeping all the way through the night. He still wakes up at either 4:30 or 5:30 a.m. for feeding, but he will go back to sleep again after, so that's good. There are times when he seems to sleep all day and other times when he just will not sleep at all. We use a music and motion soother (below) that plays music, both with or without lights and motion to help put him to sleep. If that doesn't work, we use a mobile. For some reason the mobile will calm him down better, but maybe that's because we don't use it all the time?

Best investment ever.

Krew is still easygoing, he still goes with the flow, but he does seem to be getting a little leery of new faces. He warms up to the new person fairly quickly, but will still look for me or Kevin to make sure we're around. He smiles easily and has a laugh that sounds more like a wheeze, but it's hilarious. Unfortunately I can't seem to make him laugh when I have my camera out!

Oh, I also gave him a hair cut a couple days ago.

Loooong hair.

Side view.

After.

Much shorter now!

8 weeks

Krew's Measurements:
Head circumference: 41 cm (at birth, 34 cm)
Length: 59 cm (at birth, 53 cm)
Weight: 11 lbs 14 oz (at 4 weeks, 9 lbs 12 oz; at birth, 8 lbs 5 oz)

As you can see, he's been growing. A LOT. His eyes most definitely track moving objects now, though sometimes it seems laggy, and his most favourite object to stare at (besides me) are bright lights, either natural or artificial.

Krew dropped the midnight feeding a couple weeks ago and just recently dropped the 3 a.m. feeding as well. So this means that he lets me sleep until 4:30 or 5 a.m.! It's amazing how wide awake I feel when I go in to feed him. He also will sleep again after that feeding and wake up again around 7:30, but then wants to be up at that point. I hope this amazing change stays. It really messes with my system to wake up between 2 and 4 a.m. and then I just end up super cranky.

Krew also rolled over for the first/only time last week! I'm pretty sure it was accidental, but he did it in the little office cradle we have. Unfortunately, we both missed it, but Kevin did catch the movement out of the corner of his eye. The video below shows him attempting it (immediately after rolling over) but then he started to get frustrated.

In this next video you can see him smiling, as well as see how he focuses when he hears music.

The other day he was being super fussy, which was incredibly stressful for both me and him. He wouldn't eat more than an ounce at a time and then would screech horribly when I would try to feed him more. He finally settled down in the late afternoon and I was then able to feed him a full bottle. Just yesterday I noticed he did it again, but with a specific bottle. I poured his milk into a different bottle (one that I knew he liked) and he finished it. That means his issues were with his bottle and not him. While I'm happy that it's an issue that is fixable, I feel like a jerk for not catching on earlier since the bottle that Krew had finished was a different style from the ones he wouldn't drink out of.

When I was in the doctor's office, I asked her about my legs since they are still incredibly swollen, but also had developed rash-like markings near my ankles. She said they were broken blood vessels and that a woman's body is supposed to go back to normal after having a baby, not develop issues like swollen feet/ankles/legs. She said that I have good circulation in my feet, but I'm going to be getting some blood work done to rule out potential issues, with my thyroid for example. In the mean time I've (finally!) picked up some compression socks that should help keep the discomfort of the swelling to a minimum.

Good times.

Week #37 & Doctor Appointment #13

Doctor Appointment:
I ended up seeing Dr. Fredeen today, instead of Dr. Cosio as I had originally assumed. I found out that the kid's back was on my left side, while his little feet were on my right; although, I did already know that. My uterus is still around the same size, so it's hard to say whether or not the baby has dropped just from that. The kid's heartrate is the same as last week as well: 150 bpm.

When asked if I had been informed about doing a membrane sweep, I said yes - and that I would like it done. So, the first one was done on Tuesday! The doctor was fairly surprised to discover that I was already 50% effaced (meaning my cervix had thinned out 50%) and that I was already slightly dilated. I don't know how much, though. I should have asked for a number. He also said that my uterus was as anterior as it was going to be. In his opinion, he doubts that I'll go past my due date. While babies are notorious for picking and choosing their own delivery dates, he was leaning more towards on time, which is what I had been thinking too. Needless to say, I was ecstatic after hearing that bit of news. :)

My Opinion:
I still need to:

1. Wash K's stuff.
2. Wash bedding for spare bed in nursery. 
3. Pack a bag for K, myself, and Kevin.
4. Make sure the car seat fits.
5. Pre-register at hospital.
6. Finish the nursery: put up blinds, curtains, and storage hangers.
7. Organize K's drawers and closet.
8. Other stuff that I haven't thought of yet.

I put my nesting to good use over this past weekend and did some serious damage to my coursework - I even managed to write my midterm, so now I only have half of my program left. The midterm showed me that while my notes are good, they aren't as organized as I would like them to be, so I may have to do some rearranging.

I finally made it to Walmart to search for some compression socks; however, I didn't find them. Instead, I found some knee-high tights that are supposed to do the same thing. They're ok, but I still have to wear shoes. With laced-up laces to prevent the fluids from pooling in my feet. Lame.
I find that I've been waking 2-3 times during the night to go to the bathroom, which sucks, but I know that it isn't as often as some women (haha). I also find that everytime the kid kicks or moves especially hard that I'm wondering if it was a contraction. I've read/heard that I'll "know" that it's a contraction when I feel one; however, until that time comes, I'm going to be curious.

It's really odd to think of my due date in terms of being in X number of days or weeks now, instead of months. And even odder to add, "but it may be sooner."

I'm fairly certain that I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions off and on since Monday. What do they feel like? Well, you know how your stomach muscles feel after doing situps or sucking in your stomach or throwing up? Sort of fatigued, but you don't notice it until later that night? That's how they feel. I don't feel the actual contraction itself, but I feel the aftereffects - the muscles that are tired from working. I feel like the kid has been super active lately too, which is weird since I thought they were supposed to slow down more once I got this far, but I guess he's the exception.

Development:
This week the kid should weigh around 2.859 kg (6.3 lbs) and be about 48.6 cm (19.13 inches) long. My uterus should now be about 16-17 cm above my belly button and 37 cm above my pubic bone. And my weight gain should be about 25-35 lbs (yeah, right).

This week he's building up his strength and should even turn turn towards the light when he's exposed to one. His bones aren't completely ossified yet, which is good for flexibility during labour, and his growth should actually start to slow down now.

I can't wait for this to be over.

Week #36 (9 months) and Doctor Appointment #12

Doctor Appointment:
I had another doctor's appointment this week, and will continue to have one every week now until I deliver. I saw Dr. Cosio again and we discussed my swollen feet. She stressed that the only time they really worry about swollen feet are when it is accompanied by swollen hands/face and protein in the urine sample; however, I didn't have those problems, so they are just inconvenient. She did mention that there are special compression socks at Walmart that can help alleviate the swelling, and to also put my feet up more often. The socks act like a sort of tensor bandage: the constant pressure on my feet/legs help prevent the fluids from pooling in my feet. Since I get extremely uncomfortable with my feet up, I may have to just go with the socks.

A swab was done to check for Group B strep - I'll know later whether I have it. When checking baby's stats, I'm still the right size, and his heart rate was 150 bpm.

Doctor Cosio also mentioned that I have the option to have a membrane sweep done weekly starting at Week 38. A membrane sweep is a literal sweep of the cervix with the physician's finger to separate the uterus from the cervix. Research indicates that having a membrane sweep done will help the body produce prostaglandins, a hormone that will help induce labour, and this method is far easier on the body than having the hormones injected into the body 10 days post-due date. I'm definitely going to go for it. Possible complications could include rupturing the membranes, but so far the doctor is on a winning streak.

My Opinion:
I still need to:

1. Wash K's stuff.
2. Clean/organize his room (even more so).
3. Pack a bag for K, myself, and Kevin.
4. Make sure the car seat fits.
5. Pre-register at hospital.
6. Finish the nursery: put up blinds, curtains, and storage hangers.
7. Other stuff that I haven't thought of yet.

Kevin is now under house arrest: He has been told that he must have his cell phone on at all times and that he is not to leave town.

I've been feeling restless lately, but it usually occurs late at night rather than the middle of the day. I have a difficult time sitting still, even at the computer. I feel like I need to be doing something that involves my hands, and I don't even have the patience for reading (which is tragic). I'm trying to squeeze in last-minute plans with friends before the baby arrives, but even those plans are starting to make me feel panicky, since the end is within sight. The baby still hasn't dropped, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he won't shift into position overnight. Having the bags nearly packed has helped to alleviate some stress, but at the same time, not really. I'm excited and freaked out at the same time, but that probably has more to do with not knowing the EXACT moment of his birth ahead of time than anything else. I don't like surprises when it comes to important events in my life, and this one is a biggie.

I've been sick with a cold this past week (blah), but nothing serious more serious than a slight cough and congestion. I woke up one morning with a sore throat, but I almost think I just fell asleep with my mouth open and it dried out. I've been really tired this past week too, which I know is a symptom of the flu, but a lack of headaches and fever have made me decide it's just pregnancy fatigue.

My ribs on the left side have been crazy sore lately, and both of my hips have been causing me grief. It is incredibly uncomfortable for me to lie in bed, and it doesn't matter whether I'm on my side or back. And when it comes to rolling over to get out of bed (or into a more comfortable position) it hurts so much that I want to cry sometimes. Ok, the round ligament pain combined with the shooting pain of baby on my bladder makes me want to cry. (Whine, whine, whine.)

Oh! If you're interested, check out the new tab I added: "Maternity Photos"! I selected a few of my favourites from the ones that Kathryn took, so I hope you enjoy them!

Development:
The kid should now be around 2.622 kg (or 5.78 lbs) as well as be around 47.4 cm (or 18.66 inches). He must be getting crowded by now, especially considering the way he squirms (which is all the time - unless I have company).

So, I just googled what it feels like when the baby drops, and I almost think he has. My belly doesn't look any different and I don't walk like I have a watermelon between my legs (I think), but the shooting pains could be indicative of him dropping. My heartburn has all but disappeared and I can breathe again at night, so all of the discomfort is now in my lower back and hips. Hm. If he hasn't dropped, my uterus should be around 14 cm above my belly button, and 36 cm above my pubic symphysis (if he has dropped, it happened after my doctor's appointment since she didn't say anything after measuring).

Apparently my weight gain is supposed to be between 25-30 lbs, but I've totally blown that and it is pissing me off. I have gained nearly 40 lbs and though I've been told by so many people that I look really good for having gained that much (hell, I think I look good too), I'm worried about trying to lose the weight post-pregnancy. Even if 20 lbs were lost automatically after delivering, I still have another 20 to lose! Plus, I still have another month to go, so I'm worried that I'm going to top out at 50-60 lbs by the time the baby is born.

Good news! Apparently my body will become a super energy converter and I may actually lose some weight in the process! I know it won't be that much, but if I stop gaining, I'll be happy. So, what is my boy doing with all my energy? He's gaining weight and may even develop dimples on his elbows and knees.

Apparently swelling and fluid retention are supposed to increase at this point. Geez. I put a bucket under my desk so then I can prop up my feet while I'm doing my coursework, but I just did that yesterday, so don't know yet whether or not it'll be effective.

Week #34, Maternity Photo Shoot & Doctor Appointment #11

Maternity Shoot:
My good friend Kathryn came over Sunday afternoon to take some pictures of my belly and me, since I'm sort of attached. We were also lucky enough to bribe talk Kevin into getting his picture taken as well. I'm really not much of a camera person, and despite having googled maternity photos, I had no idea what to do or how to position myself, especially considering how many maternity pictures lean towards the sensuality and intimacy of pregnancy (and that just isn't me).

Luckily, Kathryn came to my house with no preset notions, just vague ideas. So what did we do? Kevin and I did a few of the couple poses, both sitting and standing, and we incorporated a couple of props into the picture: a red heart-shaped pillow as well as foam blocks. We used the blocks to spell out "boy," "baby K," and his name. [As an aside, I don't know why I'm so reluctant to post his name on here; several of my friends and family members know his intended name, so it isn't like it is a huge secret, but I find it difficult to reveal it. Superstition, maybe? Or worry that someone will use it first?]

After Kevin left, I changed and the poses became dance oriented; more specifically, ballet. There was some jazz thrown in there, but ballet is a lot easier for me at this point, lol. We tried some different poses with props stolen from the kid's room: a toque ("Dude"), a bib ("I'm the Captain!"), and a onesie. We also did way more playing around with the blocks, spelling out everything from "boy" to his due date to his first and last names! It was so much fun! Even my cats swarmed me at one point while I was lying down!

I think having a trusted friend behind the camera allowed me to relax and laugh, so I think that when I finally see the pictures I'll have the results I want, not just some awkward poses and forced smiles.

Doctor Appointment:
On Wednesday I had my doctor's appointment with Dr. Cosio (who is amazing, btw). Do you ever remember someone as looking completely opposite of what they actually do? I had envisioned Dr. Cosio as an older woman who was graying or who had started dyeing her hair blonde (to cover the gray). Instead, she was probably in her 30s with brown hair and very slight blonde streaks. I hadn't seen Dr. Cosio for several months (not since my 9th week, to be exact) so it's an understandable mistake, but I used to have an amazing memory of what people look like. I guess that's gone now too, lol.

It was a standard checkup, and I learned that my belly size is bang-on for how far along I am! This is fantastic since I've always been curious about how big my belly is. The kid's heartrate was 145 bpm, which is about what it was last week, and he's still head down. My blood pressure is good, which means my insanely high heart rate (still 95!) is normal. The doctor did suggest that I watch my blood sugar intake for the last while of my pregnancy, since I was borderline for gestational diabetes. I do honestly want to follow her advice, but I have horrible eating habits, meaning my good intentions will fly out the window at my next meal. I also don't want to have a monstrous baby, so really that should be my motivation for cutting down the sugar.

My next appointment (March 22nd - one month from my due date!) will include a cervical swab checking for Group B streptococcus. This is quite a common infection and usually doesn't affect the mother; however, during the birthing process it is possible for this bacteria to pass onto the baby, which has the potential to cause neurological damage due to the baby's lowered immune system. If I do have this bacteria, I will be given IV antibiotics every 4 hours during labour that will cross the placenta to boost baby's immune system.

After my next appointment I will be seeing the doctor every week until the kid arrives. So close now!

My Opinion:
My feet are swollen again. I'm now convinced that it's weather-related, and that my feet act like a barometer of sorts. Unfortunately I haven't figured out what causes them to swell since it just sort of randomly happens. Maybe spending too much time on my feet over a couple days causes them to balloon? And, oddly enough, it's my left foot that is the most swollen. I guess I'm lucky that it isn't both. I almost think I have stretch marks on the bottom of my feet too - plus on my navel between the holes where my piercing sat for 10 years.

Sleep has been...weird. There have been a few days where I sleep but don't feel rested, and other days where staying in bed helps me feel more awake the next day, but it takes me a while to fall asleep that night. And then there was Tuesday night, where I barely slept but woke up feeling fine. I still sleep mainly on my back, but I have been able to sleep for an hour or two on my side later in the night.

Also, I've been cleaning in my dreams. Is this some sort of subconscious nesting that has finally taken root? I've been baking like crazy (compared to before - so maybe once or twice a week) and figured that was my form of nesting, but I guess cleaning isn't far behind, lol.

Development:
He's getting big! The kid should weigh in around 2.146 kg (or 4.73 lbs) and should be around 45 cm (or 13.38 inches) long by now. My uterus should be about 14 cm above my belly button and 34 cm above my pubic symphysis (and I'm assuming it is).

He's now developing his own immune system to help him out once he's born, and his little fingernails are now reaching the ends of his fingers. They may even need to be trimmed a few days after birth. When he's born his eyes will appear blue, but they should (I'm hoping!) darken after he's a couple weeks old.

Oh, wtf? Apparently my amniotic fluid level has peaked, so from now on the baby will be taking over and I "will really start to feel every movement that [my] baby may make." I'm so screwed since it already feels like I feel every movement. As a result my skin will be stretched to the maximum, and this stretching will also cause my skin to feel itchy (yes) so it's best to stay moisturized.

In case you were curious, no, he hasn't dropped yet. I have mixed feelings about when he drops: on one hand I'll get to breathe again, but, on the other hand, the pressure on my bladder will get worse.

Misc:
Oh, hey! I just added a "Comments" section to my Belly Pics page, so feel free to leave one if you are so inclined.

I'm also going to have to start raiding Kevin's drawers for t-shirts, since mine are no longer long enough. The maternity wear shirts are fine, but just my normal ones? Nope. This kind of sucks since I don't want to go out and buy new clothes to only wear them for the next month or two - good thing Kevin is so much bigger than me.

Also, Kevin and I bought a 5 pack of onesies (or diaper shirts, if you will) from Costco last night - they are so cute! They have little racecars on them and they vary from solids to stripes (and sometimes the racecars make the stripes). Yeah, I still get giddy seeing baby clothes, lol.

Week #33, Doctor Appointment #10 & Hospital Tour

Hospital Tour:
We (finally) did the hospital tour on Wednesday. I figured that if we put it off much longer that we would run the risk of not knowing where to go when it was time for the baby to be born. There is a virtual tour available for the UHNBC for those curious-minded individuals, and for those interested in checking it out in person, the tour is every first and third Wednesday of the month from 1 pm to 2 pm.

The tour group was small (2 other couples, plus they brought one child each) so we weren't having to peer over shoulders to see what was going on. We weren't able to see any of the Assessment Rooms (they were full!) but we got a quick glimpse into one of the postpartum rooms. Most of the tour was conducted inside the Labour & Delivery Room, which was huge and equipped with extra supplies, labour accessories (exercise ball and labour bar), plus a private ensuite. There was an extra bed, a fetal heart rate monitor, baby bassinet, baby warmer, an IV pole, plus a personal supply of nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Apparently IVs are only necessary when the mother arrives on the dehydrated side, so I'm going to make sure I stay hydrated to avoid one.

It was definitely reassuring to know where to go when I eventually go into labour, and all of the different options available for labouring. Some of the info will be filed away for later use and some discarded entirely, but options are options and it is nice to know I have some.

Doctor Appointment:
I went into my doctor's appointment on Thursday feeling a little anxious. On Wednesday night I noticed that I had been spotting; however, since the baby is super active I wasn't terribly worried. But I did get a little excited thinking that maybe it was my mucus plug; but if that was the case I'd probably have to be a little more careful since that is what keeps bacteria, etc out of the uterus. Turns out I have a bladder infection (which is where the blood came from), so I'm on antibiotics for a week. The upside is that now my bladder won't be sensitive to touch anymore. There really is no downside, actually. A quick dipstick test of my urine sample tested positive for blood and bacteria, and my cervix was swabbed (just in case), so my next doctor's appointment is next week (with Dr. Cosio) to discuss my lab results, as well as do another checkup. My antibiotics are also only for a week, so if needed I could have my prescription refilled at that time. (Amoxicillin 500 mg t.i.d. x7 days - haha!)

Also, the baby's head is down! Or at least it was when the doctor checked him out. His heart rate was about 142 bpm, which is lower than it has been in the past, but the older the baby gets, the slower the heart rate becomes. My heartrate, on the other hand, was at 95. NINETY-FIVE. My normal resting heartrate used to be around 72 bpm and so I'm over 20 bpm higher than I was before I got pregnant. Insane!

My Opinion:
The maternity shots were postponed last weekend due to snow; we hope to do them soon.

There's been a lot of kicking of my right ribs lately and a lot of movement in my lower abdomen. It feels weird - sort of ticklish but like digestion at the same time. I think my belly is getting wider too - before it was sort of egg-shaped (narrow end sticking out) but now it seems to be filling in more. I've been having some trouble walking due to the hip pain, but this probably has a lot to do with the fact that I sit for hours on end working on my program. Although my feet and lower back would ache if I spent more time standing, so I'm really at that stage where I can't win either way.

Development:
This week the kid weighs in at 1.918 kg (or 4.23 lbs) and is around 43.7 cm (or 17.20 inches) long - although my kid is probably way taller than that by now, lol. My uterus is now around 13 cm above my belly button and 33 cm above my pubic symphysis, with my weight gain between 22 and 28 lbs (I'm at 30 lbs -- oops!).

He's also going to be putting that thumb to good use as he practices his sucking, and he will continue to put on weight to fill out those fat deposits. Also, his skin should be changing colour now from red to pink as a result of the aforementioned fat deposits.

Misc:
My mom was in town last week and bought some things for my baby: a crib pad, a crib sheet, a nasal aspirator (never would have thought of that one on my own), and a little outfit.

Kevin and I keep talking about how we need to get that bag packed, but haven't been able to pull it off quite yet. I want to pick up some travel-sized toiletries and then I don't need to worry about forgetting mine at home when the time comes. We also need to pick out a coming home outfit, especially since most of his clothes right now are around the 3 month old range, and maybe some brand new newborn diapers. We have size 1's, but then she showed us the ones in the hospital...and they're way smaller. Maybe just a small pack, just in case he does end up bigger.

I should probably also start washing some of his things, like receiving blankets, so that those are ready to go when he's born too. The other things, like larger clothes, can even wait if I don't get around to them before he's born.

Week #31 & Doctor Appointment #9

My Opinion:
I am so ready for this to be over now. I'm uncomfortable more often than not, and I feel like an invalid. While it is nice to have Kevin fetch things for me from the basement or to carry 98% of the groceries in from the car, I do feel a little silly when he asks if I need help getting into and out of the car. Although, to be honest, I will probably need the help soon.

My feet are still incredibly swollen and my back (in between my shoulder blades and a little lower) has started to ache. My ribs have joined in as well, either out of sympathy or group protest. When I walk I sway like I'm in a canoe and when I sit I have to lean to the left since the kid has decided he likes the right side. On a good note, he doesn't kick as much as he used to; however, when he does move it is more painful. Why have I never heard about how it hurts when the baby kicks? For some reason I naively believed that I would be insulated from his movements. Wrong.

I recently added another pillow to my side of the bed (bringing me up to 4) so I can sleep higher at night. I have also discovered that if I stop eating a couple hours before bed then I don't get heartburn as badly. Score! Despite the fact that I've been sleeping well (read: not getting up at night to pee), I've still been tired during the day.

By the way, you must check out this link! It illustrates the internal changes while a woman pregnant, and, if you're curious like me, it shows where her organs go (hint: it's up) while the baby is cohabiting.

Doctor's Appointment:
I went to see Dr. Brenckmann today, and found out that I'm NEGATIVE for gestational diabetes! Woo! My numbers were on the high end of the normal range, but still below the cutoff mark, so I'm good. The kid also decided to cooperate with the doctor and allow her to measure his heart rate, although she isn't sure whether he's head down yet. I have another appointment in 2 weeks...at which point I'll only have 7 weeks left. Meaning less than 2 months. Eeep!

Development:
The kid is now around 1.502 kg (or 3.3 lbs) and is around 41.1 cm (16.2 inches) in length. My uterus is now 11 cm above my belly button and 31 cm above my pubic symphysis with my weight gain between 21 and 27 lbs (I'm at 26 lbs).

If I went into labour today, my baby would be able to breathe (very important), listen, see, remember and learn. His weight gain will slow down this week too, as his little body will start to put more energy into developing his internal organs. Also his skeleton is starting to harden like crazy, so calcium is very important right now (I'm all over that).

Misc.:
As you can see, I've changed the format of my Q&A section. I figured since my mood, cravings, and nursery never really changed that I would stop writing about them, unless something interesting happened. In which case it'll get added somewhere.

I did, however, receive the Nestle baby diaper bag package today! It's a one-shouldered diaper bag that includes the following: change mat, 150 mL Nuk Orthodontic (BPA-free) bottle, 340 g Nestle Good Start Iron-Fortified Formula, Baby's First Formula Feeding Kit (which includes 8x89 mL Nestle Good Start Omega 3 & 6 Ready-to-Feed bottles and bonus nipple), as well as a pamphlet on breastfeeding. It also included a pack of single-serving instant coffee, but I don't drink coffee, so it doesn't count.

PS - Blogger photo uploader is being an ass, so I wasn't able to include a picture of the package or of my sexy feet. Maybe later.

Doctor Appointment #8

From now on I'll be seeing my doctor every other week until week #36, at which point I will go every week until the baby is born. At least I think it's week 36 - I just tried double checking and gave up after 2 sites.

The doctor's appointment went well: I saw Dr. Brenckmann again. I've probably seen her the most frequently, and I really like her, so this is working out well for me. When it came time to check his heart rate, the kid just would not comply! Plus she got kicked for her efforts, lol. By the time she was able to find his heart, he wouldn't sit still and rolled twice on her. She decided that based on what she was able to hear it sounded good, and he was obviously doing well if he was moving that much.

I tested borderline for gestational diabetes - meaning I have to do a more comprehensive test soon. So while I didn't test positive...I didn't test negative either. This means that after a 10 hour fast I'll have to drink another sugary drink (which will be twice as potent) and then wait 2 hours before they draw blood. Goody, more needles.

If I do test positive, it's possible to control the diabetes with proper diet; but it also means that the likelihood of acquiring diabetes when I'm older skyrockets. (Note: having gestational diabetes does not give you diabetes later, but the strain of pregnancy brings it out, just like old age. Gestational diabetes is actually a glimpse into the future of your diabetic health.) Gestational diabetes, for those who don't know, means that my body is unable to produce enough insulin to keep up with high sugar levels, and the side effects on my child could be large birth weight, low blood sugar, and/or jaundice. Fortunately, if I do get it, it should disappear after giving birth (unless it rears its ugly head again in the future as Type II diabetes).

Week #26 & Doctor Appointment #7

I didn't think the Doctor's appointment I had last week warranted its own post and then proceeded to not update last week's post to include it.  Sooo, here it is: baby is healthy and growing.  He kept moving away from the doctor's fetal heart rate monitor when she tried listening to his heart - which he also did to the ultrasound tech, so at least he's consistent.  I didn't ask for his heart rate, so I don't know what it is, but I peeked at the blood pressure monitor when I was having mine done, and I was at 90 beats per minute.  Normally I'm at 72 (or lower).  Wow!  It explains why I'm sweltering at night and why this cold weather isn't bothering me (perk!) for once.  And whenever someone mentions the "pregnancy glow" I just tell them it's all that blood going to my face and that I'm actually sweating.  It has nothing to do with joy and happiness, lol.  I also have my paperwork to get tested for gestational diabetes. *Fingers crossed for negative*

How's this for panic-inducing: I have 3.5 months left till my due date.  Three and a half MONTHS before my life changes forever.  I'm so not ready for this.  I have less than 100 days before my baby is due, and, really, he could show up anytime now.  I think I'm going to go hyperventilate now....

When he kicks, you can now see it from the outside, so one of these days I'm going to record the movement and upload it.  Monday night I was resting my arm on my belly and doing my cross-stitch, so the stinker went and kicked my arm.  Apparently he doesn't like his space being invaded - how ironic.

I am officially in maternity clothes now.  I wear the jeans with the band and the long flowy shirts.  I still have a couple of my normal shirts that I can wear, but my belly is starting to poke out of the bottom (so attractive, I know) so I've decided to just go with the maternity stuff.  Oh, and my belly is lopsided.  Honestly.  I don't know if it does that normally or if it's just me (I have scoliosis and so my ribs and shoulder blade on one side stick out more than they do on the other - maybe that's why my belly looks like it does?).  Also?  I think my belly is adorable!  It's just so cute and getting round - and it makes my butt/thighs/everything look tiny in comparison!!  How's that for a perk?! 

I've also finally started doing my Medical Transcription course!  At first I was bored to tears with the hardware, software and technical computer aspect of it (especially considering I already spent 3 days doing the same thing, only to have to repeat again in more detail), but now I'm into the medical terminology aspect of it and, while overwhelming at times, I'm really loving it.  If I finish the medical word building module by tomorrow (which I probably will) I'll be 5 weeks ahead of schedule.  I'm trying to do as much of it as I can so then I'll have some wiggle room if I need to slow down or take a couple days off here and there (and not just when the baby is born).

By now my baby weighs about 760 grams (or 1.7 lbs) and is 35.6 cm long (or 14 inches).  My uterus should now be about 6 cm above my belly button and 26 cm above my pubic bone and I should have gained between 16 and 22 lbs (I'm at 16 lbs). 

So, while I'm sure the baby has developed some semblance of a sleeping pattern, I haven't figured it out.  I do pay attention when he's kicking, but I don't mark it down times or anything.  He likes moving when I'm being still, but other than thant, I have no idea.  According to the website, back pain, leg cramps and pelvic pressure should be increasing...but...I haven't really been feeling that; although it could be because I sit on my butt all day.  I do, however, feel winded when I walk too fast and if I've been sitting for a while and then walk it feels like the baby needs some time to readjust before it's comfortable for me.

How am I feeling?  My sleeping patterns are still off-kilter, but I find that my schooling has put some of my early mornings to good use; however, it is nice to have the option to sleep in much later (like yesterday) if I need it.  I also had the absolute worst case of heart burn last night: it felt like something was trying to claw its way out of my chest through my sternum!  The only reason why I think it was heart burn was because I took some tums and it seemed to help; but because of my scoliosis, my ribcage and sternum aren't connected very well (instead of a hard connection, it's soft) so any pressure on my back or shoulders causes chest pain.  It's very possible that it was a combination of both things that caused the pain.

What am I craving this week?  Chocolate.  This may not seem like such big news, but I'm craving it worse than the usual "chocolate would be lovely right about now" craving.  It's a good thing we have so much kicking about the house still, although I did bake a pan of brownies last night.  I read on one of my email newsletters (from babycenter.ca) that by now my baby has developed a sweet tooth, so I'm just going to go ahead and blame him for this.

Mood swings?  I still find somethings hysterically funny, as much as one week later but I do feel like, in some instances, my easy-going nature has been replaced by something a little more sensitive.  Especially with the due date looming so much closer and with my schooling taking up so much of my time.  I think about how busy I am now and how it'll get just that much busier after he's born: and it's overwhelming.  I've tried explaining it to Kevin, but his response is just: "you'll do fine."  Which I'm sure I will, but it's hard to think about how I'll manage in a few months when I feel so busy already.

Any baby purchases?  No and there probably won't be any for a while yet!

What about the nursery?  Same condition as before, but with my schooling my cross-stitch has been taking backseat so I haven't been working on it as much as I was. 

Next week I'll officially be in my Third Trimester!  Only 14-ish more weeks left!  .... ....

Oh, and PS, my computer isn't reading my USB plugs anymore, so I'm not sure when I'll update my pictures again.  I could just go on Kevin's computer, upload from my camera and onto here, but we'll see if that actually happens.

Week #24 - 6 Months

I was supposed to have a checkup this week, but due to the office being locked (and, I'm assuming, closed for the holidays) I was unable to see a doctor.  Weird.  I guess I'll have to call them after the holidays and reschedule.

Only 4 months left!!

My excitement level has been increasing with each passing week - and each kick.  The little guy has been having a jolly time just cruising around in my belly and has been making his presence felt more each day.  He still won't kick on demand, but his repetitive motions (while I'm lying down) has enabled Kevin to interact with him a little more.  And he loves Glee music!  I wasn't sure initially because on Christmas Eve I was singing along with a Karaoke CD with my niece and he started kicking up a storm.  Then after returning home, I bought some albums on iTunes and he kicks whenever I listen to it.  How fun is that?!

I've been feeling great this week!  I even went for a crazy long walk with a friend on Tuesday night; granted, by the end of it I was nearly limping, but otherwise it was fantastic to get out and do something!  I also had an amazing lunch date with two of my favourite ladies; everyone has been so crazy-busy with work and Christmas, so it was lovely to catch up.  And by the way, I'm incredibly jealous that everyone seems to be joining a gym, but it would be useless for me to even bother (except for walking on the treadmill).  Due to the fact that I need gym buddies to bother going, this would have been perfect for me!  I'm looking on the bright side: after baby is born, if everyone is still going, they'll be in a routine which will make it even easier for me to go regularly. Yay!

I also think that I'm going to start posting pictures of my growing belly every week.  If I remember.

Baby K now measures 30 cm (11.81 inches) in length - the length of a standard ruler - and weighs in at 600 grams (or 1.32 lbs).  He is also considered "viable" at this stage; meaning, he would survive - with help - if he were to be born now.  My uterus now sits 5.1 cm (or 2 inches) above my belly button.  My baby's face and body are starting to fatten, so that now he looks like a newborn - albeit a tiny one - with most of his weight gain being in his muscles, developing organs and bone mass.

Due to changing hormones, the blood vessels in the nasal passages can swell causing more frequent nasal stuffiness or even nosebleeds.  Luckily, I've only been stuck with a slightly runny nose; however, it is winter, so I don't really notice.  But, if I were suffering more, a good way to cope would be to have a humidifier in the bedroom or to use nasal decongestants.

How am I feeling?  Great!  My lower back does get sore when I'm sitting for too long, but I almost think I'm getting used to it now.  I've been sleeping better this week too (and getting up less at night) so I'm just peachy!  Except for last night; last night I was up almost every 2-3 hours.

What am I craving this week?  Peaches!  Not all the time, but enough that I went and opened (and then consumed half of) a can of peaches.  I still eat my mandarin oranges and I still like my spicier foods.  Oh, but when we were buying ice cream, I wanted something with strawberries in it, not just a strawberry flavour, so that was a picky choice.  It's a good thing Kevin is such a good sport about my pickiness, lol.

Mood swings?  YES.  I had a mini-meltdown over Christmas, which, in hindsight, wouldn't have been that dramatic if I wasn't pregnant.  I still would've been super pissed off, but I wouldn't have broken down like I had.  On the flip side, when I find something funny it's a full on laugh that doesn't stop.  Maybe it wouldn't have been that funny if I wasn't pregnant, but if I have to be super emotional at least I get the perks of a really good laugh.  It was totally at Kevin's expense, but I think he was just so pleased that I was laughing so hard that he went along with it.  He was probably laughing at me laughing so hard.

Any baby purchases?  No, but we received a Diaper Genie from Kevin's brother (and his family), so that was super awesome!  We also received a couple other smaller items from my mom, and some cash from my brother (and family) for the baby.  With the cash and some gift certificates, we plan on buying a play yard that has an included bassinet (not pictured) and change table.

I think this play yard is fantastic!  It has everything we were looking for, plus the colours look like they would match either the nursery or stroller combo.  And! If you look closely, the mobile has a moon and stars!  Just perfect!  We plan on setting this up in the nursery and I'm going to stay in there until he's outgrown the crib and hopefully has a more established sleeping pattern.  Initially I wanted him in our room, but I don't want to disturb Kevin since he'll have to work and need his sleep.  On the other hand, I didn't want Kevin's alarm clock to wake the baby if I had just put him down! 

What about the nursery?  We still haven't put up the curtains/blinds yet, but that will be a quick job so we aren't feeling rushed about it.  Now that the painting/set up is finished, it is such a huge relief and the incoming baby is becoming more real.  I still get giddy when we walk past his room and I've starting imagining what he'll look like and who he'll take after in personality.  Having spent Christmas with 3 of my nieces and then Boxing Day with the other 2, all of who have such different personalities, it is really exciting to think about.

Oh, so I have this theory about pregnancy.  I believe that forgetting things (all the time) is a side affect of not sleeping enough, but I do truly believe that being pregnant makes you "stupid".  Combined with the kicking and "momnesia", all you can think about is your growing baby.  On top of that is an increased dependence on your partner (if you are fortunate enough to have one) as the growing belly makes it more difficult to perform easy tasks, such as tying your shoes.  When you think about it, there is no evolutionary advantage to a pregnant woman being so vulnerable; nor for the newborn to be so helpless.  All other creatures lack this aspect during gestation, and most newborns are capable of moving independently within hours of being born.  Therefore, it is my belief that the woman's dependency draws her and her partner together during pregnancy to create a stronger family unit leading up to the baby's birth.  The baby's vulnerability then leads the mother and father to take care of the baby which forges a close bond between all involved. 

What do you think?  Yea/Nay?

Week #21

Physically, I feel great this week and emotionally I've accepted that my life is going to change and I've embraced the little boy who will make his mark on our lives whether we like it or not.  In hindsight, it feels like the past 5 months have flown by and now that the half way mark has passed, I've gone into panic mode about his imminent arrival.  We haven't set up the nursery, or even cleared out the room we're going to use for the nursery; the walls aren't painted; the crib, while it has arrived, is not set up.  I have not taken any baby classes, I have not taken a tour of the hospital and I have not written a birth plan.  In short, this kid is coming in less than 5 months and I'm. Not. Ready!

In all honesty, it's a good thing that the gestation period is 10 months - otherwise the baby would arrive before the parents have fully adjusted to the idea of becoming parents.  At my 20 week doctor appointment, Dr. Fredeen had asked me if I had signed up for prenatal classes.  And all I could think of was why would I have? I still have 5 months to go.  Oh, shit.  I only have 5 months left!  Or less: my sister-in-law gave birth 3 weeks early with her first, so it is a distinct possibility. 

I'm the kind of person who likes to be prepared.  For trips, flights and hotels booked on the day our vacation has been given the green light, transportation to/from airport taken care of and maybe even have some sights mapped out.  When going into unfamiliar territory, I like to be in control and to even have a backup plan, just in case.  And this, my friend, is why I'm freaking out: unless a planned C-section is in order, the baby will show up regardless of my wants, wishes or outright demands.  After his arrival, he will sleep and eat and poop when it damn well pleases him, not me, and the only thing I can do is go with the flow. 

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Baby K is now measured from crown to heel, so he's a whopping 26.7 cm (or 10.5 inches) and he weighs in at 360 grams (12.7 oz).  Originally I had thought that the baby was going through a growth spurt at this point in the pregnancy, but the growth comes from finally including the legs in the measurement.  My uterus should now be 1 cm above my waist line, thus heralding the death of my waist.  I should now be visibly pregnant to everyone, including strangers, so now everyone can stop whispering about how fat I've gotten.

Baby K has taken to swallowing his amniotic fluid to exercise his digestive system, which helps improve the condition of his digestive system after birth.  This week his stubby little legs will become more proportionate to his body (which is still stubby compared to when he becomes mobile).  His heart is growing stronger and it should now be possible to hear the heart beat through a stethoscope.

It is important to stay hydrated now, to replace the amniotic fluid that is being taken up by the baby.

How am I feeling?  Really great this week!  I feel less tired and my joints hurt less.  I've been getting more tummy action lately so that can be distracting, but every kick makes me think of my baby - even though sometimes I want to tell him to knock it off!  Especially when it's 2 a.m. and he kicks my bladder.  It feels like a jolt of electricity, by the way.  I do feel like I'm losing the strength in my legs, since I can no longer hold a lunge in dance.  Actually, I have to sit out of most of the warmup and strength exercises now since my belly gets in the way.

Any weird cravings?  Weird cravings, no; but lately I've been a nonstop eating machine and it feels like I can't help but stuff my face until I feel ready to burst.  This is bothering me because I have an immense fear of gaining 40+ lbs and thought I was doing really well in the first half of my pregnancy.  Sometimes I can even feel full, but I'll still want to snack on junk food.  I guess finding healthier snack food options are in order.

Mood swings?  I had a couple yesterday: one was a pity party which started out with me thinking about how my life changed so quickly right after I found out I was pregnant, which turned into "I haven't accomplished anything" as of yet.  The second one...I'm still not too sure what brought that one on.  Well, I do, and it all worked out, but I was still really upset about it for quite a while last night.

Any baby purchases?  No.

What about the nursery?  Well, the crib has arrived, so that's a relief, but I'm starting to really feel anxious about the nursery not being cleared out yet, so that might end up a priority.  If it weren't for the fact that most of the items in this room were too large to haul out by myself, I would totally do it.

Oh, and PS, I've decided Baby K is a misnomer: The Little Stinker is a more suitable nickname.

Doctor Appointment #6

I really like the doctors that I've been seeing for my prenatal visits, have I ever mentioned that?  Dr. Fredeen is such a cool guy and he also happens to play basketball in the same rec league as Kevin.  I feel like when my doctors are meeting with me that they genuinely care about how things are going with me and the baby, and that they aren't rushing through my appointment.  And if I bring up a concern, no matter how abstract, they take the time to listen and talk to me about it. 

Above all, they make me feel important and safe.  So if you live in the area and need a baby doctor, I highly recommend him.  Dr. Cosio and Dr. Breckman (who share the office with him) are absolutely wonderful too.  And! I found a "Rate Your M.D." link that has nothing but wonderful things to say about Dr. Fredeen, so if you can't take my word for it, have a read. :)

I had a normal appointment today: Dr. Fredeen asked how things were going and I mentioned the hip pain.  He suggested that it was round ligament pain and I said that I had thought as much.  On the plus side, he said that it shouldn't be bothering me as much the further along in the pregnancy that I got, which was good to hear!  And once I thought about it, I did realize that it takes more for it to bother me - I thought it was just because I was getting out more often, but I guess it's just my body adjusting.  He measured the baby's heart rate, and though it was higher than last time (at 160 bpm), it was still in the normal range.  I mentioned that during the ultrasound the heart rate was at 150, so I hope that the boy was moving around a lot at that point and that it isn't anything bad.  I imagine that I would hear back about the results of my ultrasound (whether good or bad) within a few days.

My next appointment is December 28th and I'll be nearly 24 weeks at that point.  I'm going to do the glucose screening test which will determine whether or not I'm at risk for gestational diabetes.

Doctor Appointment #5 & Fetal Heart Rate #2

Today was just a routine checkup and Q&A with the doctor.  I had a medical student in today, and she seemed pretty nervous (but trying to hide it) so I ended up feeling even more comfortable chatting with her.  The doctor I had today was Dr. Breckman and she was really nice too.  Under her supervision, she had Anamaria (the student) feel for my uterus.  And I was able to learn how they do it!  She said that she feels along the pelvis until she reaches a "ridge" or "drop off" and that's how she knows.  Cool, hey?  And apparently my uterus is 18 inches from pubic bone to top. 

We did another fetal heart rate today and baby must've been sleeping since the heart rate was 144 bpm.  However, it is my understanding that the larger the baby, the slower the heart rate, so it makes sense.  And over 140 bpm is considered a girl, lol.

My ultrasound is scheduled for November 30th (yay!) and my next doctor's appointment won't be until December 2nd, which is the same week.  And at that point I'll be 20 weeks (or 5 months).

Doctor Appointment #4 & Fetal Heart Rate #1

I heard the heart beat today. *loves!*  According to Dr. Fredeen, the average speed was 155 beats per minute and he even said that he could hear the baby moving around.   Also, according to this website, I'm having a girl based on the heart rate!  LOL!  Anyone want to change their guesses for the baby pool?  ;)  I'm getting my 18 week ultrasound done on November 30 (which would actually put me at nearly 20 weeks. /lame) but we've requested gender identification.  Actually, having it done a little later might mean that it'll be easier to tell - unless the kid squirms a lot, lol.

I nearly had to do another round of blood testing, since the lab didn't send the clinic my results.  I would have been really upset if I had to go back, considering how much it hurt last time.  Luckily, the receptionist was able to find it all.  The results of the blood work were that everything was normal; I'm HIV negative (no real doubt, but it's always nice to know for sure!) and I'm producing tons of rubella antigens, which is good since I was vaccinated against them when I was younger.

(Oh, and PS - I asked the Dr how fast the heart rate is, but it was very faint in the video, so that's what the 155 is when he answers).

All around, excellent day, except for the horrible bout of morning sickness this morning. :(

Week #11

I'm sooo excited!  If I'm lucky, first trimester annoyances (fatigue, morning sickness - all that fun stuff) should go away around the 12th week.  If I'm not lucky...well, we'll just hope for the best.

By the end of this week, baby will be 4.1 cm in length and weigh 7 grams!  And the baby will be around the size of a large lime.  Ho-lee.  I did not think it was that big already!  Explains the bulge though....

Over the next 3 weeks, the baby will double in length and its external genitalia will become distinguishable.  This week the iris will develop and over the next couple days the eyelids will meet and fuse closed (which is only temporary).  My baby now has a head that is half its length - so...2ish cm? - and its brain is the same structure that it will have at birth.  The reflexes are developing and apparently if its face is touched, it will open its mouth.  Honestly? That sounds adorable!  Some nearly completed organs include the pancreas, gall bladder and thyroid, with the small intestines moving from the stomach into the umbilical cord.  This week carbs are my friend!  Which is good since that's what I've been eating: bagels, bread and pasta.

How am I feeling?  Actually, pretty good!  I still get tired during the day and still feel a little nauseous at night, but for the most part, this is the best I've felt in a long time.  It could also be due to the fact that I'm not working and can therefore gets heaps of sleep.

Any weird food cravings?  No, still the usual stuff.  I've found that staying at home has really limited the cravings since I can't smell anything cooking.  Case in point: last night I went for a walk with a friend and I smelled jam (she could too - it wasn't just me!) and I wanted a scone with jam on it.  So I'm really thinking that smell plays a huge role in the cravings of a pregnant woman.  Another culprit?  The imagination. 

Mood swings? Nope!  Like I said, I've been feeling really good lately, so if anything I've been a little bored, but my cats keep me occupied.  I swear they're training me to be a mom already....

Any body changes? Bigger belly!  Last week I just thought it was bigger and this week I know that it is.  Under clothes it could look like just fat, but when I look at my stomach I know that its my baby who caused it.  And seriously?  If the kid is the size of a lime its no wonder!  It's funny though, I always assumed that women didn't start showing until later in their pregnancy - but it must just be that they don't start looking pregnant until later.  Before then it just looks like a big tummy. :-S

Any baby purchases?  I've already mentioned the stroller, but shortly after I found out I was pregnant, I went and bought some receiving blankets - it's my understanding that I'll need them in abundance so gradually buying them isn't such a hardship.  My mom has also given me a soft yellow-green blanket as well.  And the other day my mom called and said that Extra Foods was having a huge sale on diapers, so she bought me some!  I hadn't even started to think about diapers yet!  I'm starting to think that I'll get a huge shipment of clothes, diapers and blankets when this kid is born, lol!

What about the nursery? Our nursery will be where our office is, for those of you who know our house.  Before I even became pregnant, we installed new windows and Kevin had bought new blinds and drapes for the room.  Well, he bought them for our room too, but bought extra for the nursery.  We (I) plan on painting it teal with fantasy-themed decor.  I want the silhouette of a castle on the wall, with maybe some figurines or decals to match.  I found some fantastic patterns the other day for cross-stitch, but since they're so time-consuming, I hope it'll get done before the baby makes an appearance.  "Or turns 18." <--- So says Kim.  As of yet, we haven't bought paint and haven't moved anything around, but I still have 29 weeks to go.  That's plenty of time...right?

Oh!  Next Dr's appointment is on the 7th and we'll get to hear the heartbeat!  I'm hoping that I'll remember to bring a camera or use my phone to capture the moment and if possible, I'm going to upload it on here.  :)

Week #9 + 4 days

So, I did blood tests on both Friday and Monday, with a follow-up Dr's appointment this morning to see what was going on.  And?  They don't know.  My results were up slightly higher on Monday than Friday, but still lower than average (while still being in the normal range).

The Doctor (Dr. Cosio) then decided to feel my uterus - but it turns out that it tilts backwards, so she was unable to feel it to see if it was the normal size for how far along I am.

Out of hope, we tried to find the fetal heartbeat, but were unable - which is common for under 12 weeks pregnant since the uterus sits behind the pelvis until then. 

Dr. Cosio managed to pull some strings so I could get an ultrasound this afternoon - at 1:30 pm - so I guess we'll know more definitely then.  In the meanwhile, I'm going to have to pretty much drown myself so that I'll be hydrated enough (while not going to the bathroom) to see the baby - and hopefully its heartbeat.

Last night I was asked to step down as manager, which I did willingly since I was going to step down anyway.  He said that he could see how stressed I was and when I explained that I was pregnant, he said that I definitely shouldn't be so stressed.  I'll be paid out till the end of the month, regardless of how much I work, plus I have a ton of vacation pay coming my way.  In the meanwhile, I'll try to relax and find another job.  On the plus side, I'm completely freed up to go to my Dr's appointments as needed, especially the ultrasound this afternoon!  And if we find no sound where there should be a heartbeat, I'm going to need a few days to recover.

I'll just re-iterate that Dr. Cosio is optimistic because my levels did go up, so I'm hoping for the best, while preparing for the worst.

Week #9 & Doctor Appointment #3

So, I know I'm a day late posting this, but I had a really good reason.  Having said that, I'll go over the reason after I'm done talking about the development.

This week the baby has doubled in weight from 1 gram to 2 grams and has grown to 2.3 cm (about the size of a medium green olive).  The flippers look like arms now, complete with long fingers that nearly touch over the waist.  The legs and toes are still developing and the neck is more erect.  External ears are developed and the eyelids are almost finished forming.  The baby has even started moving around now!  Another bonus?  It even looks more human than last week.

My uterus is about the size of a grapefruit, which explains why I can't sit forward as well as I used to.  And my weight gain should be increasing.  I already think I have a little bump, but that could just be mainly me, lol.  As it is, my waist line will be going up along with the numbers on the scale.

Vitamin C is very important and aids in tissue development, iron absorption and may prevent pre-eclampsia (with eclampsia being seizures and convulsions).  In other words, vitamin C is good, but only as long as you don't exceed the 85 mg daily dosage.

How am I feeling?  Right now?  Better than yesterday.  However, work has been so stressful for me lately, and between dancing and work I barely have time to eat.  I'm exhausted more often than not (I even fell asleep twice on a 3 hour car ride!) and I find it uncomfortable to sit upright or even leaning forward.

Any weird cravings?  I'd say cookies, but that isn't weird for me!  I find that I get very spontaneous cravings and I nearly obsess about it until it is satisfied.  Luckily for me, I'm able to get it myself since I'm usually out and about.  And if not that day, then the next.

Mood swings?  Still weepy, but that could be caused by stress too.

Any body changes?  I do feel like I have a little bump, since it is firmer than it was a couple weeks ago (unfortunately!).  However, I do think that it's my own ponch forced outwards by my growing uterus.

Now on to the news.  On Thursday night before I went to bed I noticed blood on my underwear - and immediately burst into tears.  I did read in my Mother of All Pregnancy Books book that bleeding, coupled with cramping, could be a symptom of miscarriage.  Which is why I freaked out.  However, it did also say that it could just be bleeding, so the next morning I called the clinic and made an appointment for that morning.  I was fortunate that Kevin was also able to take some time off and support me through this.  I called in sick and let my friend know (who also knew I was pregnant) that I wasn't going to be coming in that morning.

At the clinic the doctor did a cervical exam and noted that the blood was coming from my cervix; however, the cervix, while slightly open, wasn't completely open, which is another sign of miscarriage.  Her suggestion was to move on to the next step, which was tracking the pregnancy hormone Bhcg through blood work.  If I was still pregnant, the hormone should double daily.  Since it was Friday, we did the blood work then and will do it again on Monday, with the results discussed on Tuesday. 

I am optimistic though; I was only ever spotting, I didn't pass any tissues and the bleeding has since stopped.  Plus, the cramping never occurred, so I'm hoping that it was just first trimester bleeding.

This was definitely the scariest moment of my entire pregnancy and made me realize how much I wanted the baby to survive.  There have been times when I didn't think I could handle it and that maybe it would be best to miscarry so we could have more time for this or that, but now I'm convinced that I want this baby.  I've also decided to step down as manager of my Cafe - even though I took the job so I could have the baby!  I think I need to put myself first and a pay cut with 1/4 the stress is so worth it.  I've already told the previous manager that I'm ready and she's fine with stepping up now instead of April.  I just need to tell my own boss! 

Even since I found out I was pregnant I've been ready to move on and I'm convinced that the stress that I've been under for the past month and a half has not been beneficial to my growing baby.  I need time for myself, and I especially need time to relax!  I plan to find another job and work part-time, which would free me up for online schooling. 

I also want to thank my fabulous friends for being so supportive!  You're awesome!

Week #8 & Doctor Appointment #2

My baby looks like Barney.  W. T. H.?

By the end of this week my baby will be around 1.6 cm and weigh around 1 gram.  By now my baby has eyelid folds, nerve cells and will just start to develop the retina.  The nose is starting to poke out and both the internal and external parts of the ears are growing.  And the arms have elbows!

How am I feeling?  It depends on the day, but severe morning sickness seems to make an appearance about every other day, it seems.  I'm not sure if it helps to eat a lot at night, but that happened last night and I've felt fine all day.  I've also been under a lot of stress lately, so I don't know if that made it worse.  For example, yesterday I didn't sleep well, plus I had to do the baking shift; maybe I would've been fine with one or the other, but both?

Any weird cravings?  Greasy food, like nachos and burgers.  Mmmm.  And still the spicy food.  Apparently the healthy food cravings only lasted a couple weeks.  However, due to my lack of time to eat properly, it could be simply my body needing food fast and not caring how it gets it.

Mood swings?  Still the same as before.

Any body changes?  Still the same: bigger breasts, bigger uterus. 

Oh and I had my second doctor's appointment today: so I had a breast exam, pap test and thyroid exam.  Everything checked out fine, but I guess I'll know if there's anything unusual next week.  Apparently, at 12 weeks we'll be able to hear the heartbeat, so we're aiming for that in the next visit!! :D

Blood Work

I hate needles.  With a passion.

I went in today to get some bloodwork done - the standard stuff.  And I was already anxious about it, so when the nurse told me that she needed to do both arms, it figured.  It really did.  She looked at the vein in the right arm and said she should've started with that arm, but it hurt!  I could feel it the entire time and I guess I should be glad I didn't hyperventilate.  So, now I have two sore arms and they'll probably bruise, that's how awesome it felt.

How often do I have to get this done? 

Doctor's appointment on Friday for the physical.  What an awesome week.

Doctor Appointment #1

I had my first doctor's appointment today - Aug 26, 2010 - and it was just a medical background check, question period.  And I can't remember the guy's name.  And I think he said he was just filling in, so I'm assuming that I'll be seeing someone the next time??  If not, I'll find out his name!

I received a huge stack of booklets, pamphlets, etc:
*Baby's Best Chance: Parent's Handbook of Pregnancy and Baby Care (BC Goverment)
*Prenatal Genetic Screening pamphlet (Provincial Health Services Authority)
*Your Baby's Journey: Prince George's guide to services and information from pregnancy to parenting (Northern Health Authority)
*forms for blood work
*Parents Canada magazine
*Prenatal registry

Wow.  So, we talked about health history, both mine and my family's, as well as drink/drug/smoking usages.  Since I don't do any of those, I think we're good to go.  We did discuss prenatal genetic testing - which would test to see if my baby could have trisomy 25, down syndrome or spinabifida - but usually those tests are more relevant if the mother's age is over 35.  Since those tests are invasive, they're only helpful if the baby is at risk of a genetic defect.  And if you plan on doing anything about it (abortion, adoption, etc).  If you're just curious, it would definitely not be recommended.

I have another appointment scheduled for September 10th and I should definitely have my blood taken by then, so we'll do a physical exam as well as discuss results from that!