V Day!

Today is Bumble B's viability day! He is 24 weeks today and has a good chance to live outside of the womb in case something were to happen! I can't believe that I may actually be having a baby! One of my own! It's crazy!

My nieces and BIL and SIL came in yesterday. I haven't seen the girls since February. Let me tell you, 7 months makes a HUMONGOUS difference in a 2 and 4 year old! They are completely different and so incredibly grown. It's amazing. I can't stop looking at them. They look so different and their personalities have evolved so much. R is such a great big sister and J has turned into a DIVA! R can walk on her hands, do an amazing cartwheel, and bend back into a bridge. I could never do any of that. She flips off of the swing set, it's crazy. J's hair has grown like 6 inches it seems. She's got beautiful curly cues and is speaking in complete sentences, and I can understand everything she says!


This weekend I am throwing Christopher a Daddy's Shower! We are having it at an apartment complex that my SIL's sister works for. There will be a pool, boy food (pizza, wings, etc) and Christopher's team (Tampa Bay) will be playing, plus we're having Madden 2010 tournaments. He and his brother are planning on making a bracket and all this stuff. I figured they'd just "play winner" but they are really getting into it. There is a pool, but I have a feeling they won't be using it. Christopher's brother and best friend are both stationed halfway across the country and are BOTH in this weekend, so I really wanted to do something. His brother is really bummed that he's missing out on the baby, and Christopher is so incredibly excited about the baby, I really believe that he deserves a little celebration with his friends too!

I got us some tshirts for the event, and they came in yesterday!

Cervical Length is a Pain

I had a doctor's appointment today. I know, again. This was my regularly scheduled appointment.

We talked about my cervical length. She said it was 3cm. She said it wasn't funneling or dilating, which is obviously fantastic, but it was a little short. She said at 2.5cm she would normally do a cerclage. She said she could do one, but she thinks it would just hurt more than help (I'm guessing she meant "piss your cervix off") at this point. She said she is expecting it to be shorter because of my LEEP (2 years ago due to moderate to severe dysplasia). The doctor last week said there is an outside cervix and inside cervix and my outside felt fine. The way my doctor this week is talking it sounds like my outside is shortened? Anyways, she said if I ever feel that pressure or pain I did last week again, to STOP what I'm doing and rest. She said listen to my body and do what it says.

So I read up on Keep Em Cookin' (if you have not been to that site. GO NOW! It's full of fantastic info and the girl who runs it and the Twitter, @keepemcookin is so great!) and it says 4-4.5 is normal for my gestation and 2.5 and under is cause for concern. So I'm in the middle low of that. But if she's expecting me to be a bit short, that's okay...?

I felt like I asked all the right and great questions at the appointment and now I feel at loss again. Has anyone else had a LEEP, been at 3cm at 21-23 weeks but had no other troubles at all? I was 21w5d when the ol' cervix was measured, 22w5d today. Should I be concerned, or just chillax like my doctor is telling me to? I'm glad she said to listen to my body. I think I have been and I have felt stupid for it, but she reassured me that that's okay!

In other appointment news, all of the results from last week's US on Bumble B's little spine didn't go through on the computer so I had to have another. Oh darn! He was finally FACE UP! He's always been face down! So I got his FIRST PROFILE PIC! I love him so so so much! He looks just like his daddy already! His has my old chin though (overbite that resulted in years and thousands of dollars to fix). He's so so so stinkin cute though. So ugly he's ADORABLE. I just want to hold him and kiss him and love on him. Looking at that little face I forget about all of our money troubles and worries about working and how we're going to handle this and all I can think about it "Oh my gosh. That is my little boy that looks like us and I want to hold him and kiss him and never ever ever ever let him go." I don't know HOW I will make it these next 15-17 weeks! I just can't wait to love on him!

22 week survey & pictures!

How far along? 22 weeks today!
Total weight gain/loss: 4 pounds up!
Maternity clothes? I have to wear maternity pants (even though the XSs are falling off) or a bellaband. But the bella band is really hurting my stomach these days. I wear some of the maternity shirts, just the fitted ruched ones.
Sleep: Insomnia has gone away a bit. I go to sleep at like 8, pee at 3, sometimes 5, then up around 8!
Best moment this week: My husband FOR SURE felt the baby. He has before but wasn't convinced. His face just LIGHTS UP when he feels him! I LOVE it
Movement: All the time. The internet says he's supposed to sleep 12-14 hours a day. Not mine. He even wakes me up moving, so I know he's not sleeping then either! LOL
Food cravings: Pickles and Ice cream! How funny, right?!
Gender: DEFINITELY a boy! :)
Labor Signs: Had some Braxton Hicks. Umm, NOT un-painful ones. Thankfully no preterm labor! That awful pressure was worrying me!
Belly Button in or out? Still in... still stretching all around. As soon as I "pop" it won't have a prayer
What I miss: Margaritas and cold ham
What I am looking forward to: My shower in November hehe
Weekly Wisdom: Don't do housework. It makes you contract. Just stay in bed :)
Milestones: Had another US! 4 chamber heart and LSpine ARE there! Yaaay!

21w5d


When I am exasperated with Christopher


This is one of my BFFs Ashley. She had a Princess Prince themed birthday party for her one year old. She had crowns for all the kids, and she even got a little miniature one for Bumble B! Isn't that so sweet? She is probably the only person that really acknowledges him as a REAL person, not just a baby in my belly. I love it :)


Christopher put together the crib! Who wants to come paint?!


All his clothes so far hehehe. One has a snail and says "Worth The Wait". I got that onsie a loooooong time ago. So happy to finally put MY BABY in it!

A Trip To The Doctor!

Last night I started having some pretty painful (well, I think so. I haven't had real labor obviously) Braxton Hicks. Enough to make me stop my sentence and whine and complain. I knew they weren't real contractions since my whole belly wasn't getting hard, just one side, the other, or in the middle. They hurt no matter what my position I was in. I had about 10 in 45 min-1 hour. I drank a bunch of water and went to sleep.

Today they just got more and more painful. I had a friend US me. She did a trans abdominal and said she couldn't tell if it was short or not (knowing this wasn't accurate, but my theory was, if it was really short, you'd be able to tell) because Bumble B's head is using my oh so fabulous cervix as a pillow and just burrowing his head right in! So I called the Dr and got in at 2:40.

I didn't get my regular doctor, but I didn't care. He checked me, said I was closed up, and I very nicely demanded an US to check my length. The tech just happened to have an opening at that moment, so I got to see my little man again! We got a look at the heart and LSpine that we couldn't get before since he was breach and had his BUTT in my cervix, not his head. He was pretty lazy and just chillin, not wanting to have pictures taken. Cervical length was good!

The doctor also measured my belly and said my weight gain (4 lbs!) and size (I think so small) were perfect. I told him some people said I was too little and he said nope, I was just little, so baby and I would stay little, but we were growing perfectly. That made me feel a lot better!

So basically the verdict of the day is- Baby's fine, I'm going to have painful Braxton Hicks for the remainder of my pregnancy. I'll be one of those lucky ladies. And you know, that's FINE! Now that I know the baby is fine and I'm fine and I know exactly what is going on, I can deal. Not knowing is the scary part!

21 Weeks Today

Sorry I have been MIA. I haven't had much computer time or any real big updates to talk about!

Bumble B is still moving like crazy. He finally found the top 4-5 inches of uterus he's been ignoring and now I feel him higher than ever! He's really growing on my heart ;)

I have to say that this week, I am so so so thankful to my husband for giving me this baby! I just want to hold him now and play with him, but I know he has a good while to still bake.

The husband and I have both started dreaming about our live baby. His hair is dark and he likes baths and naps and has the sweetest laugh in the whole wide world. I can't wait to meet him!

BTW, we have shrunk ;)

20 Weeks!!!

I am halfway done! I can't believe it! This is such a major milestone for me! I don't know if it is to all preggos out there, but this is so tremendous, and I'm not really sure why! 20 weeks just sounds PREGNANT to me! Like this is totally 100% real, and I am nearing the end. I seriously in all honesty never thought this moment would happen. This morning on my way to work the baby was having a 20 week party in my uterus. he was dancing and celebrating for sure! I think it tired him out because he's been sleeping for the last hour or two. This was a day I never thought I would make. In a month I will hit viability, and there may actually be a chance that I will have a real live baby soon. Wow!

Things I am experiencing, because I know you're DYING to find out!
1. I found stretch marks on my new beautiful baby boobies. Boo.
2. I'm turning into one of those paranoid freak moms. I registered for a breathable bumper, won't be using a positioner, and will have moving air in nursery at all times. I don't mind "leashes" because the thought of my child being snatched right from my hand scares the crap out of me. I sent a scary scary crash test baby video to my in laws because they think car seats are stupid. They're stupid...
3. My belly button is stretching. I have an outie in an innie and the innie part is starting to come out a little and there is another tiny innie under the main innie that you couldn't see unless you moved the big innie out of the way. Gross I know. Plus the bottom hole of my past belly button piercing is no longer IN my belly button. It's above it.
4. I have a HINT of a linea n-whatever. The dark line that cuts your belly in half. It's really low, not all the way to the mutant button yet.
5. 2nd trimester was supposed to be full of energy and sex? No way. I am so freaking tired I could die and sex? You have GOT to be kidding me. You know when you're constipated and have a huge poop stuck in your butt? That's what it feels like in my vagina. Go away leg humping husband.
6. Babycenter and TheBump newsletters jinxed me. I wasn't having midnight leg cramps until those biatches sent me about 28 emails warning me about them. Thanks y'all!
7. Baby boy showed off his man business Monday. On his uncle's birthday. I think that was a sign he's going to take after his Uncle M who never passes up a chance to chase my husband and his friend around with his wiener, delighting in their girlish screams and attempts to hide in closets and under tables with their poor faces covered.
8. Bumble B doesn't want to give all his love away yet. Definitely a mama's boy! He only kicks for me, and when daddy puts his hand on my belly, it's over. I'm considering exclusively breast feeding so he'll love me more than anyone else. How evil is that?
9. I realized that Caffeine Free Pepsi really doesn't taste bad. It almost tastes just like Diet. the hubster got me the wrong kind. I was so desperate I drank it anyways, and now if that's the only option, I have no qualms cause it's JUST as yummy!
10. Bumble B likes Sweettarts!!!!!

Frustrated

So I'm on thebump.com and this girl is actually complaining about her friend who just had a miscarriage because her friend doesn't want to hear about her pregnancy. She is so incredibly insensitive about it, it's sickening. She's wondering if she is in the wrong or her friend, and all the girls say her friend is wrong.

I lost friends when I wasn't pregnant after my miscarriage. It sucked and I know it wasn't fair and I feel guilty for it, but it had to be done. And I have a friend who has ditched me completely since I have become pregnant, and yes it hurts A LOT, but I can't blame her one bit.

I would never in a million years wish a miscarriage on ANYONE, but I would wish these stuck up ignorant whores one MINUTE of the worst pain I felt through my miscarriage. They have no clue what it felt like to flush their baby down the toilet and then watch the people closest to them parade around with their bellies and joys.

Just because we get pregnant doesn't make IF or loss ANY easier or better. I still get pissed when I read about this kind of stuff. I even get upset still when I see my friends' babies' picture that were due when I was due. I get jealous sometimes when I see belly pictures. Totally stupid, I know, but it happens. It never ever goes away...

US and Registering!

Yesterday was our anatomy scan and doctor's appointment. The US went great. On my end anyways... Little Bumble B is a constant wiggler and squirmer, which of course I knew and I love. However, making for a good anatomy scan, is not so great.

Everything that she could get looked GREAT. However she could not get a good enough shot of his 4-chamber heart or his LSpine because he's breach, sitting on his butt, legs Indian style, chillin with me. I think he might be a good lap sitter ;)

So UNFORTUNATELY I have to have another US in 4 weeks! I'm glad of course, because I love seeing that cute jackolantern face. I'm not too worried about the heart because I have seen the 4 chambers before. A little worried about the spine because the friend who did the US on Friday couldn't see it either. I know it's his position, but it still worries me a bit. I'm sure spina bifida could have been detected at the 12 week scan when he was sleeping like a log. And surely my friend would have caught it at 14 weeks. My BW for the baby and neural defects came back fine. I know they can be false negative and positive, but I wasn't worried. And he's moving his legs, so that's a good sign...

I'm sure it's nothing, but what mom isn't really a mom if she doesn't worry once in a while... Or all the time?!

Yesterday he also made a HUGE roll over and scared the living bajeesus out of me! I was just laying down, watching TV, hand on my belly and BAM! I jumped 10 feet! It was CRAZY. When will I get used to THAT?!

We also registered yesterday. OMG I was SPENT when we were done. I don't think I got out of bed the rest of the afternoon. We registered at Babies R Us and Target. We decided on a bedding that we liked a lot online but weren't sure about. We liked it a lot more in person. Plus it'll be easier and cheaper (on our part) than the pirate theme we were considering since we'd have to buy everything online from boutiques and stuff ourselves. The pack and play I want though is unfortunately only online. But may be a far away relative will get it and have it shipped. That'd be nice ;)

Here is a pic from my US. My absolute favorite. The past two scans he's been constantly sucking on that thumb! I LOVE it!
(Click for a larger view!)

Survey and Awards!

How far along? 18 weeks and 4 days!
Total weight gain/loss: I lost 15, I think I've caught back up? I'll find out tomorrow at my Dr's appointment!
Maternity clothes? I love the pants. The panels are so comfy. IDK if I ever want to wear button up jeans again for the rest of my life hehehe
Sleep: Is disturbed at least 2 times because I have to pee. Sometimes I get really crappy insomnia and I'm awake for hours
Best moment this week: Feeling the baby kick from the outside. It scared the crap out of me! LOL
Movement: Lots when I'm sitting or laying still. A few good slugs felt from the outside. Hubster is totally left out though. Can't wait for him to catch one!
Food cravings: Sweets
Gender: Boy!
Labor Signs: No thank you.
Belly Button in or out? Well, I have an innie in an outie. It's still in there, but it's spreading a little, and I can see more in there than I could before
What I miss: A vodkarita. Drunk sex.
What I am looking forward to: Getting a big belly!
Weekly Wisdom: Eat before bed because at 18 weeks, you'll still puke n the morning if your stomach is empty!
Milestones: Heartbeats, movement, 2nd trimester, 5th month! :)

Here is my 18w4d belly pic, a bit bigger than 2 weeks ago!


Katie over at The Happy Hours knit and sent Austin this super cute hat with a Jeep on it, jut like his dad's ;) She's so creative! By far my favorite baby present yet!




I was nominated for this award by 4 bloggers! Thanks to Mrs. Bee, Michelle, Unproductively So, and Tammy!



I'm supposed to nominate 15 new blogs. I do have some new ones or refound ones that I love... How about just checking all my blogs over on the left hand?! They all have been nominated just about anyways LOL!
I'm especially loving The Southern Belle Baby and Journey of Faith. So those two are my official blog award winners!

Eli!

A few weeks ago I posted about a friend being on bed rest. She was admitted into the hospital on STRICT bed rest at 23 weeks weeks with preterm labor and an incompetent cervix.

Yesterday, after being dilated 6cm and having contractions for DAYS, she gave birth to little Eli, 3 lbs 6 oz and was 16 1/4 inches long at 29w2d! He was born CRYING!

He is only on room air and a CPAP. His CPAP pressure has been decreased from 6 to 4 and if he continues on this AMAZING track, he'll just be on a nasal canula in a couple days! He is also sucking on a pacifier! He's doing GREAT and I couldn't be happier for Nicole and her husband Matt!

Nicole is seriously my hero. She had the most positive attitude on bed rest for 6 weeks. She never stepped a foot outside the month of July. She was still in great spirits when she was dilated 6cm for days and days, having contractions on and off. she's truly a testament on you will will do ANYTHING for your child. I didn't hear her complain ONCE!

Thank you everyone for prayers and advice you gave me and Nicole. I am so so thankful that Eli is so healthy and hopefully his NICU stay will be short and sweet and she will get to take her beautiful healthy boy home VERY soon!



If you would like to leave Nicole any love, you can comment here or her Twitter (@anmdils)! Thanks :)

UPDATE August 6th! Eli is OFF of ALL breathing assistance and breathing ON HIS OWN without a nasal cannula, oxygen, ANYTHING! He is getting breastmilk through his feeding tube and Kangaroo time with his mommy! He's doing amazing! Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes!