Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thanksgiving Preperations

We are getting ready for another Thanksgiving spent between two families. My in-laws are wonderful and don't apply any pressure on us to be at their place by a certain time. My mom always serves an early dinner (1-2pm) because my father works on Thanksgiving for double time and a half. My (Step)Mother-in-law also serves an early Thanksgiving because of Josh's step brothers. We go to my parents' house first because I help my mom cook and then we go over to Josh's parents' house in the early evening for desert (and sometimes seconds!). I hope in the next year or two we can host Thanksgiving at our house and just have both families come over so we eat all together.

To get ready for Thanksgiving I've been baking pie and making my Mother-in-law's homemade chocolate covered cherries. So far I've made 2 pumpkin pies, 2 pecan pies, and 3 1/2 dozen cherries. I still have two more pies to make and another batch of cherries. We'll take a pumpkin and pecan to my mom's house and a pecan to my in-law's house. The other three pies are for my gym. I know it seems silly to take pie to the gym, but baking is fun for me and I don't want to eat it since I've been working with them all day. I've been talking up my pecan pie with my trainer so now I feel obligated to take him one and if I take one to him then I feel like I should feed the other staff members too.

In addition to pie I made homemade cinnamon whipped cream!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow and know that this time next year I'll be getting my nearly 6 month old ready for his or her first thanksgiving! I'm absolutely thankful for the life growing inside of my belly and we'll find out what this little one is in just about 2 weeks! We are keeping the gender a secret until Christmas though!



This picture was taken yesterday... a much rounder tummy to celebrate Thanksgiving! 16 week and 5 days! (4 months!!)

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I had my second appointment with my midwife this afternoon.

I was running a bit late which made me feel really horrible, because I hate to be late for any reason. I called to let them know and the nurse sounded annoyed, but when I got there they said it was no problem and thanked me for calling ahead.

I had to pee in a cup, which I did first because I had to go! And then they took my blood presure (110/70) and weighed me in. I came in a a dead even 147. That is a gain of 6 pounds total. I'm worried about large weight gain because I don't want it to get out of hand. I know that realisticly I'll gain 20-30 pounds, but being 160-170 is not something I'd like to be again, reguarless of how fast I'll loose it. I've been keeping up with walking on the treadmill and maintaining a routine at the gym though.

When she was listening to the heartbeat there was a thud and apparently that was the baby kicking! She asked me prior to listening if I had felt any kicks yet, but I haven't. She said it would feel like being lightly flicked from the inside. When she was searching for the heartbeat there was a loud thud and she asked if I had felt it, but I didn't feel anything. It's exciting to know that the babe is being so active!

My uterus is right where it should be for 15 weeks, between my pubic bone and belly button. I did ask about the pulling and she said it was round ligament pain and that as long as there is no prolonged cramping or bleeding that I shouldn't worry. I also asked why I'm so rounded above my belly button. The baby obviously isn't that high up. She said it was because of the relaxin my body is producing. It's making things a little softer is all. She said it's nothing to worry about.

She said that a lot. We talked a lot about my fears after we discussed genetic testing. I'm declining blood work to determine abnormalities because in all honesty we will love this child no matter what. And if there is something wrong with him or her, I don't want to spend the next 5 months worrying about it. I know that it could prepare me for what's to come, but I worry enough as it is. My midwife supports my decision not to find out and said that the next ultrasound can detect abnormalities if I change my mind. We talked a lot about my fears because of my brother's unexplained physical and mental disadvantages from birth-now. She understands now why I'm so worried but thinks I need to relax and enjoy being pregnant.

I didn't get to schedule the ultrasound because it has to be preapproved by my insurance so they will call me in a week to schedule it. My next prenatal appointment in December 8th and I'll be 18w5d. I'm going to try to schedule the ultrasound before we leave for Kentucky on the 18th, but if I can't then I'll do it the week leading up to Christmas. It won't give us time to order gifts to share the sex, but I can make them or try to find them at a store (though shopping last minute is not my idea of fun!). It's all fun stuff though.

All in all I'm doing well and the baby is growing fine. My midwife is pleased with the heartbeat and movement of the baby and says I'm "perfect" and not to let anyone tell me otherwise.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

14 weeks



I'm 14 weeks today. I've been trying to take photos of my slowly growing bump, but right now I just think I'm fat. The top I wore today helped make it look more bump like, and it's not even an maternity top. I bought it at Kohl's over the summer and it's meant to be one of those flowy tops that hangs with little pleats in front. I think it will carry me for a few months which is nice. My pants no longer fit though. Those are size 10's and I thought I'd be able to pull it off, but I had to unsnap and button them after lunch. Thank goodness my top was long enough!
I've ordered some maternity clothes from Old Navy thanks to the suggestions of some mom's my friends. I hope they are in soon. I did buy some Bella Bands though so maybe I can make my clothes last a bit longer.
Next appointment with the CNM is on Tuesday. I'm looking forward to hearing the heartbeat again and scheduling our next ultasound. We've decided to find out the sex, so this next ultrasound the baby will hopefully give us the "money shot". If not I'm sure we can handle not finding out. But it would be fun to know!