13 Weeks

Current size of baby: 3 inches long and weighs about an ounce.

How far along? 13 weeks

Total weight gain: 5 lbs

Inches Gained: 2 inches

Maternity clothes? Yep, but I haven’t started wearing maternity jeans yet. . .just had to move up a size. Good thing I held onto my old jeans!

Sleep: Good

How I'm feeling: Ravenously hungry and incredibly tired.

Best moment this week: Hearing the baby’s heartbeat on my home Doppler. Then, I heard it again and I think I was picking up my own heartbeat as it was only 80-90 bpm. It kind of freaked me out and I’ve been afraid to use it again.

Movement: No

Food cravings: Cherries and ice water from Sonic. For some reason, their water (and ice) is just better than mine at home.

Food aversions: Becoming less and less as my nausea improves. 

Gender: unknown, but I think we have our boy and girl names decided. 

Labor Signs: NO

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: My husband.  He’s been working CRAZY long hours lately and I’ve barely seen him all week.  He worked noon to 4 am on Saturday and even had to work today, on Father’s Day.

What I am looking forward to: Having my cerclage OVER with.

Milestones: Making it through the cerclage. It’s on Tuesday.  It’s worrisome to think that a cerclage is used to prevent preterm birth, but it can also cause a preterm birth.  So, I’m going to be an anxious mess for the next week or so. 

Pregnancy Comparison

Just thought this was an interesting comparison.  Remember that my due date is exactly the same, so I am about the same place in my pregnancy.  I feel bigger this time and my first pregnancy was with twins.

Pregnant with Olivia and Logan – June 2007

Current pregnancy – June 2012

I’ve Got Rhythm

Olivia’s cousin, Rebekah, recently got a drum set.  Yesterday, Olivia was able to try it out.  She was a natural and has been talking about it ever since.  I can just picture my tiny, petite daughter playing the drums. LOL!  The girl’s got rhythm!

12 1/2 weeks

Since I didn’t get my 12 week picture, here is my 12 1/2 week pic.

I also just wanted to write a post to say thank you to my friend, Amanda, in Ohio.  Amanda and I met about 4 years ago through this very blog.  In October 2010, I flew up to Ohio to surprise her for her birthday.  So, we’ve only met in person once, but I consider her one of my dearest friends.  Weird, huh?  LOL!  She never stopped believing that I would get pregnant again. Even when I had serious doubts myself.

Before Olivia and Logan were born, I went through 3 years of fertility treatments and finally on my 8th IUI, I got pregnant.  Because of my extremely premature labor with twins, I didn’t want to risk getting pregnant with multiples again.  So, my husband and I decided that we would no longer pursue fertility treatments. 

Four years and a diagnosis of diabetes later, I surprisingly got pregnant in May 2011.  Now, I don’t want to be lumped into that category of people who just “stopped trying so hard” and got pregnant.  I credit my sudden fertility to taking a medication called Metformin to manage my diabetes.  Without Metformin, I do not have periods and do not ovulate.  With it, I do and therefore have at least the hope of getting pregnant.  That is just my experience with it.  For others, it doesn’t work like that.  Metformin is also prescribed to people who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (my official infertility diagnosis.) PCOS is linked to diabetes because it has to do with insulin resistance.  I was on it during my fertility treatments, but the highest dosage I was on was around 500-1000 mg.  I needed at least 1500 mg for my body to be regulated and 2000 mg to become pregnant.  Sadly, that pregnancy ended around 7 1/2 weeks.  It was deemed a blighted ovum and never developed enough to even have a heartbeat.  Nonetheless, I was heartbroken and confused as to why God would surprise me with a pregnancy only to have it end so soon. 

Amanda still insisted that I would get pregnant again.  I thought that maybe getting pregnant on my own was just a fluke. . .a 1 in a million chance.  But, exactly 5 years (to the day) after I found out I was pregnant the first time. . .I found out I was pregnant again. 

Here I am now at 12 1/2 weeks pregnant and trying to enjoy and treasure every minute of this pregnancy.  I don’t breathe that sigh of relief after the first trimester is over like most women do.  I thought I was in the clear with my first pregnancy and I was wrong.  Honestly, I won’t truly be able to breathe a sigh of relief until that healthy baby is in my arms.  Amanda says it’s a boy and, well, she’s been right about everything else so far!  But, boy or girl. . .I feel so incredibly blessed.

12 Weeks

I don’t have a picture of me today.  I just don’t feel like getting ready or having my picture taken.  I think I’m either getting another kidney stone or the one that I had (that never passed) is causing trouble again.  I’m not in pain, I just have that uncomfortable feeling that I’ve linked to kidney stones.  And, I feel like I’m getting a cold on top of it.  I’m just ready to go back to bed. LOL!

Current size of baby: Lime

How far along? 12 weeks

Total weight gain: 4 lbs

Inches Gained: 1.5 inches

Maternity clothes? My jeans are becoming a little uncomfortable. Time to bring up my tub of maternity clothes.

Sleep: Good, but I’ve starting waking up in the middle of the night to pee.

How I'm feeling: Ravenously hungry

Best moment this week: Seeing the baby on ultrasound jumping around.

Movement: No

Food cravings: Cherries, goldfish crackers and potato salad. I’ve started eating 2 lunches (one at noon and one at 3 pm.) I’m sooooo hungry and never feel full.

Food aversions: Becoming less and less as my nausea improves.

Gender: unknown

Labor Signs: NO

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: The naivety of a first pregnancy.

What I am looking forward to: Having my cerclage OVER with.

Milestones: Making it through the first trimester!!

Surprise 60th Birthday Party

My mom (Grandma Sailing) turns 60 this month so my sister-in-law, Shelley, and I threw a surprise party for  my mom today.  Since Shelley is a Jazzercise instructor, we were able to hold it there which worked out great!

My mom. . .I have no idea what year this is.  But, I don’t think my mom would have let me out of the house in a skirt that short. LOL!

Awww. . .my mom, dad, me and my brother.

Veronica made a sign as we made the finishing touches before my mom’s arrival.

Olivia with her cousin, Izzy, and Izzy’s cousin, Maddie.  These three were the best behaved girls in the world today.  And, they had a great time!

The birthday girl!  We made her sit up on stage with a feather in her hair while we sang Happy Birthday to her!

My mom had a great time visiting with friends. . .old and new.

My brother with his cupcake. . .complete with an umbrella!

Hey Kerry, you closed your eyes.  Let’s retake the picture!

Hahaha!

And no 60th birthday party is complete without a little game of duck duck goose! 

OB Appointment

So far in my pregnancy, I’ve tried to remain somewhat detached although I’ll admit it hasn’t worked very well.  After miscarrying last year and after giving birth at 23 weeks in 2007, I know all too well what can go wrong.  I guess I figured that if something happened and I lost the baby, it wouldn’t hurt as much.  Today, I had an OB appt at 11 weeks, 3 days.  The doctor tried to hear the heartbeat with his Doppler and there was silence.  It was deafening, but I tried not to worry.  I then I had a sono done and there was my baby. . .jumping all around.  At that moment, I completely fell in love.  And I also realized how in love with the baby I have been from the start.  The baby measured exactly on track and I left feeling so much more confident in the pregnancy.  And, goodness, look at the baby’s little profile. . .just adorable!!  Only 1 1/2 inches long and almost fully formed with little fingers and toes.  What a miracle and a gift from God every child is!

My cerclage is scheduled for June 19th.  With a cerclage, your cervix is stitched shut to prevent premature opening of the cervix.  I’m so incredibly nervous about it, but I know with my history of delivering at 23 weeks it must be done.  And I will do all that I can to give this baby the best chance possible.

And I feel so blessed.  And so happy.  And so at peace. I can’t wait to learn what God has in store for this little one and to watch Olivia flourish as a big sister.  There are simply amazing things in store for my family. 

*************
"When God wants something great done in the world,
He doesn't dispatch a legion of avenging angels,
Neither does He call forth a whirlwind nor ignite volcanic fireworks;
No commandeering of troops into battle nor discharging zealous crusaders to holy causes;
He does not orchestrate the burst and boom of thunder nor display His fiery arrows' majesty across the sky to bring His purpose to pass.

When God wants something done in this world...
He sends a baby - then He waits."

- Anita Robinson

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Today, I gave Olivia a paint brush and let her paint the sidewalk with water.  She acted as if I had entrusted her with a very big girl task.  She had a blast. . .and then we realized it was way too hot to be outside and not submerged in water.

So, we came inside to cool off and watch Care Bears.  She’s really into Care Bears right now.  Her favorite is Funshine Bear, but she’s upset that it’s portrayed as a boy in the movie.  She insists it is a girl.  I love the picture below because it really captures her natural smile.

And there’s nothing quite like cooling off and watching Care Bears with your best bud.  I tell ya, our cats have been so good for Olivia. . .especially Tobey and Kelsey.  Autumn is as sweet as they come, but she prefers the company of adults. 

Olivia’s First Tee Ball Game

Olivia had her first tee ball game tonight.  All in all, it went good.  It was crowded (with not near enough parking) and hot.  Olivia doesn’t like to sweat any more than I do. Ha!  But, thank you to Kerry and also to Olivia’s grandparents for attending.  It really meant a lot to her! And thanks to Grandpa Glunt for taking some great pictures!!

She really enjoyed herself as long as daddy was within 1 foot of her at all times. 

Poor thing broke down into tears when she was in the outfield by herself. 

But, daddy was there to wipe her tears (and clean her glasses.)  She has major separation anxiety at times and it just breaks my heart.

She was ready to bat!

Here goes nothing. . .

Wham!

And off she runs to first base (with daddy running beside her.)  I don’t think Ryan realized that he signed up for tee ball too. 

11 Weeks

After watching me get my picture taken every week, Olivia wanted hers taken as well.

Current size of baby: Fig or 1 ½ inches long

How far along? 11 weeks

Total weight gain: 2.5 lbs I think I weighed more at 9 weeks. I haven’t gained any in 2 weeks.

Inches Gained: 1 inch

Maternity clothes? Not yet out of necessity, sometimes just for comfort.

Sleep: Good

How I'm feeling: Nausea has lessened a bit. Still fatigued

Best moment this week: Buying our minivan!  Now I feel like our family is truly expanding and I’m so blessed.

Movement: No

Food cravings: I’ve moved from cheeseburgers and fries to sandwiches and chips, cherries (yummy!) baked beans and maple covered long john donuts. I know. . .so random.

Food aversions: Getting better. I actually ate a salad at Olive Garden this week.

Gender: unknown

Labor Signs: NO

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: Only having Olivia to worry about. I worry so much about Olivia. . .I feel like my worrying is going to double!

What I am looking forward to: Getting off the Crinone, my OB appt this Wednesday, June 6^th! I’m hoping that everything is going well and we get my cerclage scheduled.

Milestones: Getting through each day, each week. . .one step at a time.

My New Ride

I’m now the proud owner of a Honda Odyssey!  My husband and I went looking at them today because they had 0% financing until the end of the month.  We were probably a little more than 50% serious about it, but I had never driven one and just wanted to see what they were like.  Well, I fell in love with everything about it!  I found the color and model I wanted.  Then, they gave us the price we wanted, the APR we wanted, the trade in value that we wanted. . .we just couldn’t pass it up.  So, we drove it home this afternoon!  Olivia was ecstatic!  Who knew that a 4 year old could get that excited about a minivan!  But, we’re a little excited too!

10 Weeks

Current size of baby: Olive

How far along? 10 weeks

Total weight gain: 2.5 lbs

Inches Gained: 1 inch

Maternity clothes? I put on an old pair of maternity shorts and they were glorious! I had forgotten how comfortable they were. But, I can still wear most of my regular clothes.

Sleep: Good

How I'm feeling: Nauseous and fatigued. I’m ready for this part to be over.

Best moment this week: Getting a bunch of maternity clothes at a garage sale.

Movement: No

Food cravings: Fried mozzarella sticks and Sonic has some of the best! Yum!

Food aversions: A lot! One day something sounds good, the next it makes me feel sick.

Gender: unknown

Labor Signs: NO

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: My favorite capris (pictured above) They were a little snug on me normally and are just too tight to be comfortable anymore. So, I had to pack them away in hopes to see them again next spring! That’ll be a goal of mine. . .to fit back into my capris. LOL!

What I am looking forward to: Getting over this nausea.

Milestones: Getting through each day, each week. . .one step at a time.

The Super Heroes

Olivia had her first t-ball practice this morning.  Her cousin, Izzy, and her are the only girls on the team.  They are really cute with their pink gloves and pink balls and pink helmets.

I was really proud of how she did this morning.  She didn’t even cry when she got her first softball hit to the head.  Sheesh. . .what are the odds of that happening at the first practice?

Izzy

Running the bases

Friday, May 25, 2012

Why is this little girl so happy?

Because she finally got a new water table (thanks to spoiling grandparents.)  Her old one was destroyed by hail last summer. . .it literally put two big holes in it.  She’s been begging for a new one ever since.  We didn’t want to get her a new table to use for one summer and then outgrow it.  I think for a second we forgot that we were having another baby.  Of course, it will get plenty of use in the years to come.  LOL!

Looking Back

Olivia and I spent quite awhile this evening looking back at her baby pictures and videos.  She could literally do that all day long, but I probably could too.  She loves to watch videos of herself before she could talk or crawl or walk.  She thinks it is hilarious to listen to herself babble, squeal and laugh.  And, I learned something that I will remember with our new baby. . .do not worry about messes in the backgrounds of pictures.  Those messes are Olivia’s favorite parts.  She loves to look through pictures and find her old toys.  It cracks her up to find things that she still plays with or remembers. Here are a few of her favorites.

So, I will remember that the messier the background, the better. LOL! And the best time to get pictures is when they can sit, but before they are mobile.  You simply sit them down, make them laugh and you have a great picture!

I will also remember to take video of every stage of speech development. . .it changes so rapidly and my heart just melts with videos like this:

Olivia talking at 2 years old

 

And, just for fun. . .here’s one of the first pics of her in glasses.  I can’t believe I ever kept them on her at that age!  What a sweetie!

9 Weeks

Current size of baby: The size of a Squinkie (or grape.) Olivia’s really excited about that one.

How far along? 9 weeks

Total weight gain: 3 lbs

Inches Gained: 1 inch

Maternity clothes? No

Sleep: Good

How I'm feeling: Very fatigued, a bit nauseous.

Best moment this week: Sleeping in. . .twice

Movement: No

Food cravings: Anything but salads and raw vegetables

Food aversions: Salads and raw vegetables

Gender: unknown

Labor Signs: NO

Belly Button in or out? in

What I miss: My allergy eye drops. I have horrible allergies in the form of really itchy eyes. I can’t use my eye drops when pregnant or any eye drops that have the “gets the red out” medicine in them. I can only use lubricant eye drops which do nothing for me. What I wouldn’t give for one single drop of relief. . . LOL!

What I am looking forward to: My next OB appt on June 6^th.

Milestones: Getting through each day, each week. . .one step at a time.