Tuesday, October 16, 2012

The other night, I was just overcome with emotion at the thought that Abigail will be here in less than 2 months.  Olivia has just been a rockstar this year as she prepares for her big sister role.  Lately, I’ve been a bit grumpy dealing with my sleep issues and I know Olivia gets the brunt of that.  And, I worry about how she’ll react in the first few weeks of Abigail being home.  Olivia is incredibly spoiled and used to having my undivided attention.  She’s been the focal point of our world for 5 years! Even though the thought of being a big sister is very appealing to her, how will she really handle it?  Will she feel left out?  Unloved? It just breaks my heart.  So, the other night I went into her room (as she was half asleep) and just wanted to hug her and tell her that I loved her.  When I started to cry, she told me to stop or she would start crying.  Sure enough, she started crying too and we were both a blubbering mess.  (Poor Ryan. . .he’s going to have to put up with three of us soon!) Then, we decided to stay up late, watch a movie and I let her sleep with me.  I just hope she knows how much I love her and I hope Abigail will know how much I love her as well.  I’ve always heard that with each additional child, your love is not divided, but multiplied. 

And good news. . .my restless legs are getting better with the iron supplements.  The first night I slept without my legs bothering me, I was up with horrible hip pain!  I woke up every 30 minutes to switch sides.  Seriously, it felt like I was sleeping on a rock and I could barely walk for a few hours the next morning!  So, I went out and bought a foam mattress topper.  My hips haven’t been near as sore since.  Oh, the things you get to experience when you make it to 30 weeks! LOL! 

Lots more to talk about, but it’s been hard updating my blog lately.  I used to get on my laptop in bed every night, but it’s just too uncomfortable to sit in bed with my laptop anymore.  I need to update you soon with how Abigail’s room is progressing and how Olivia is outperforming her peers in preschool!  (She’s doing so awesome!) But, that will be for another day. 

Here’s one of Olivia with her bat.  You’ll rarely find her without a stuffed animal in her arms. 

30 Weeks!!

Current size of baby: Almost 3 lbs

How far along? 30 weeks! Can you believe it?

Total weight gain 30 lbs

Inches Gained: 7 inches

Maternity clothes? Yes

Sleep: Still not very good. Iron deficiency is one of the major causes of restless legs syndrome. (So, if you suffer with this, make sure they check your iron in addition to a CBC.) I’m sure it will improve in time and I’m just being impatient. J

How I'm feeling: Pretty good. I’ve gotten a few good night sleeps and some restful naps in. My back has been sore making it difficult to sit. I just want to curl up with my pregnancy pillow! LOL!

Best moment this week: Getting started on Abigail’s room. Ryan got all of the office furniture moved out and he started painting her room today. So exciting!

Movement: Yes

Food cravings: Anything and everything, unfortunately

Food aversions: None

Gender: Girl named Abigail

Labor Signs: NO

Belly Button in or out? out

What I miss: Being able to help Ryan paint Abigail’s room.

What I am looking forward to: My weekly biophysical profiles of Abigail that start on October 25^th. It will be so nice to see her every week and know that she is doing okay. Olivia is so excited for Abigail to come out.

OB Appointment

Well, I had another OB appointment this morning.  He did some more extensive iron/blood tests to figure out exactly what we are dealing with and the best course of action.  As I mentioned before, they want my iron to be between 35-155 and mine was <5.  At least I know the cause of my extreme fatigue.  The other day, I was playing hide and seek with Olivia and I fell asleep while counting to 10!!  Next thing I know, Olivia is asking me why I didn’t come look for her.  Wow, I really felt like a mommy failure at that moment.   Right now I’m just on an oral iron supplement in addition to my prenatal vitamin.  In two weeks, I start weekly biophysical profile ultrasounds.  That will determine how well the baby is doing in the womb.  Hopefully, she’ll get high scores and can stay in until 38 weeks.  I worry about how she is doing, however, with my high blood sugars and low iron.  My endocrinologist keeps raising my insulin doses, but comparatively my dosage is still pretty low.  It seems once we get out of the extreme prematurity danger zone, a whole new set of concerns pop up.  But, I’m still trying to take it day by day.  At least my blood pressure has remained perfect.  I sure don’t feel very perfect these days. . .

Maternity Pictures

I thought you’d enjoy to see a few of my maternity pictures.  They turned out really good.  My friend, Julie, from high school took them and is starting her own photography business called Blue Eyed Photography.

Can you tell we were huddled for warmth?  It was 48 degrees, windy and rainy that day.  LOL!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Last Friday I became desperate and went to my family doctor for relief for my restless legs.  They have become so bad in pregnancy that I could not sleep.  And those that have suffered with this know that the more tired you get, the worse they become which prevents you from sleeping which causes you to get more tired, etc.  And the vicious cycle continues.  Anyway, so my doctor did a complete blood count and also checked my iron levels.  I found out today that I’m extremely iron deficient.  They want my levels to be at least 35 and mine were less than 5.  Iron deficiency is not only linked to fatigue, but to restless legs as well.  I started on an iron supplement, which hopefully will raise my levels.  The frustrating thing is that I’ve been on a prescription prenatal vitamin with iron (and have never gone a day without it.) So, I can’t figure out why my iron is so low!  But, hoping to find some relief soon!!

Olivia has been fighting some sort of virus the last few days.  Less than a week after her stomach bug, she started complaining of a sore throat and running a low grade fever.  Some days she is fine, other days she isn’t quite herself.  For instance, on Sunday she took a nap and when she woke up, she found me in the living room, crawled into my lap and fell back asleep.  Sooo not like Olivia! 

And Ryan is finally getting over his illness.  I’m just ready for everyone to start feeling better! It’s been a rough week!

29 Weeks

Current size of baby: 2.5 - 3 lbs

How far along? 29 Weeks

Total weight gain 28 lbs

Inches Gained: 7 inches

Maternity clothes? Yes

Sleep: Not good. I had to go to the doctor this past week because my restless legs were literally keeping me from getting ANY sleep. I slept from 6 am – 8 am one night because of it.  Also found out from my husband that when I am sleeping, I’m snoring. . .badly. Pregnancy is so glamorous. LOL!

How I'm feeling: At least I’ve stayed healthy. My daughter is on her second illness of the week (stomach flu and now congested, sore throat, fever) and my husband is just getting over his week long illness.

Best moment this week: Maternity/family pictures even though it was 48 degrees, windy and rainy. I’m excited to get them and share them with you!

Movement: Yes

Food cravings: Anything and everything, unfortunately.

Food aversions: None

Gender: Girl named Abigail

Labor Signs: NO

Belly Button in or out? out

What I miss: Being able to sit or lay in any position.  And being able to get up from those positions. 

What I am looking forward to: 30 weeks! That’s our first huge milestone. Next up, 34 weeks!

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

This little girl was sick yesterday, but you’d never know it today.  She woke up around 4 am complaining of a sore throat and had a 101.8 fever.  By 4:30 am, she was throwing up every 10 minutes for 5 HOURS!  It was awful.  The first 10+ times, she threw up into a bowl.  Then, she became so tired and so weak, that she couldn’t even sit up and would just throw up laying down.  By 10 am, it had finally stopped and she slept until noon.  When I went in at noon she exclaimed, “I feel better!  Can you take a video of me?” (She loves to have videos taken of her on her ipod.") She’s gone nonstop since then and bounced back in pure Olivia style.  Crazy.  Ryan is sick with an awful sore throat, but I’m still feeling fine.  Hoping and praying it spares me!  But, at least Olivia is back to normal. 

28 Weeks

Current size of baby: 2 lbs

How far along? 28 Weeks

Total weight gain 25 lbs

Inches Gained: 5.5 inches

Maternity clothes? YES

Sleep: Not good at all. The restlessness is horrible. I’ve dealt with it for years, but it has intensified in pregnancy and lasts until about 4 am.  Then, I sleep good for about 3-4 hours until Olivia wakes up. 

How I'm feeling: Very optimistic about having a full term baby. Frustrated with my blood sugars.

Best moment this week: Spending time with my family this past weekend.

Movement: Yes

Food cravings: Anything and everything, unfortunately.

Food aversions: None

Gender: Girl named Abigail

Labor Signs: NO

Belly Button in or out? out

What I miss: Carbs.

What I am looking forward to: Maternity pictures that a friend of mine is taking next weekend. She is starting her own photography business. She is doing the pictures for free so that she can use them in her portfolio.

And how cute is she???  It was picture day at school today so she was all dolled up.  Can’t wait to see how the pictures turn out!!

Applejack Pumpkin Patch 2012

Gorgeous weather + No crowds = Great family day at the pumpkin patch.

The Diabetes Post

As you know, I have gestational diabetes because I also had diabetes before pregnancy.  We are actually wondering if I don’t  have diabetes type 1.5 (LADA or adult onset type 1 autoimmune diabetes) but, that will be a post for another day.  I started on insulin this past week and I just thought I’d do a post about it for others who are nervous about starting insulin.  I know I was.  It’s really not that bad. . more inconvenient than anything.  The frustrating thing is that my current dosing hasn’t done much to reduce my blood sugars so I’m sure they will bump me up again on Monday.  Here is what a typical day is like.

Wake up, take blood sugar.  My fasting blood sugars are always in the normal range, which is good. 

I eat breakfast.  I eat the same thing every morning for breakfast.  It took me months to find something that I liked that didn’t raise my blood sugars: Special K Protein Plus cereal with walnuts and unsweetened almond milk.  I cannot deviate from this.  I check my blood sugar 2 hours later.  The frustrating thing is. . this morning my blood sugar was 50 points higher than normal after eating the exact same thing.  That is what makes this whole thing so difficult.  Currently, I don’t do an insulin shot with breakfast.

I eat lunch.  I have to really watch my carbohydrates and always have to pair it with protein.  This is really really hard for me because I love bread.  It’s like telling someone to give up their most absolute favorite food in the world.  Ten minutes before I eat, I give myself an insulin shot.  I have an insulin pen and basically just dial the dosage, stick it in and push the button.  Really simply and pretty painless.  Two hours later, I take my blood sugar again.

I eat plenty of snacks throughout the day because 1) I’m always starving and 2) I have to eat every 3 hours.  I have these Natures Valley protein bars that I love. I also snack on popcorn, cheese and crackers, apples and cottage cheese with pineapple (I hate cottage cheese, but paired with pineapple it’s delicious! Weird huh?)

I eat dinner.  Ten minutes before I eat, I give myself an insulin shot and check my blood sugar 2 hours later.  I’m currently on fast acting insulin, but I may have to switch to long-lasting depending upon my blood sugars. . .which aren’t too good right now.  I’m truly grateful that insulin exists, however, to help people who need it.  And, they’ve made it as convenient as possible.  It’s interesting how my concerns have switched from having an extremely premature baby to keeping my blood sugars under control in order to have a healthy baby.  I’m always asked what I did in my first pregnancy to control my diabetes and well, of course I didn’t get that far.  Nor did I even know it was a problem back then.  I’m not a huge fan of needles and besides my weekly progesterone shot, I now get to poke myself an additional 6 times per day.  But, I remember how many times Olivia got poked in the NICU and all that she endured.  I would have GLADLY taken that on myself.  And Abigail is still tucked safely inside and I couldn’t be more thrilled about that.

Logan William 08-27-2007 to 09-28-2007

It's hard to believe that tomorrow, September 28th, marks 5 years since we said good-bye to Logan.  It was extremely hard this year, as it is every year, to make this video.  But, I realized that Logan deserves my tears.  He deserves to have my complete attention for MORE than a few hours every year.  He deserves to be remembered.  And I will carry his memory in my heart for as long as I live.  Time doesn't really heal. . .it only adds more reasons to wish he was here.  Logan would have been a big brother in a few months. . .someday he would have been an uncle and the list will continue.  And he will be forever missed and loved by us.

5 Year Checkup

Wow, she did so good!!  Three shots and a flu mist and hardly a tear.  What a big girl!

Weight: 31 lbs 3 oz.  3%

Height: 3 ft 4 in.  9%

BMI: 13  5%

I considered filling her pockets with rocks, but. . .I think she’s just going to be tiny.

Also, I’ve tried SOOOO hard to keep my blood sugars down, but I inevitably have to go on insulin.  But, whatever I have to do for a healthy baby, right? 

A Baby Shower For:

We saved the top cake and are going to eat it to celebrate when we bring Abigail home.

Lindsay, Jenifer, Carol, me and my mom playing one of the shower games.  Here we had to find items in our purses.

Amanda, Me and Becky (Amanda’s mom)

Shawna, my nieces (Rebekah and Julia) and Veronica

Julia, Veronica, Laura, Shelley, Kerry, Grandma Glunt and Great Aunt Mary.

My diaper bag.  When I picked it out, I didn’t know if I was having a boy or a girl.  So, now I have to girlify it (yes, I just made up a word.)

Here are the letters for Abigail’s room that Amanda made me.  Aren’t they gorgeous???

Olivia is reading her big sister book.

Olivia, Me, Amanda and Joshua

Thanks to everyone who was able to come to my shower.  It meant a lot to have you there.  Thanks to Shelley and Kerry for hosting it for me and to everyone who helped pull off my big surprise!  Abigail got a lot of great things and will definitely be very loved. 

Olivia Pictures

Can’t ever have too many of those, right?  Here she is having fun at her favorite park. . .the bouncing animal park. 

If they didn’t cost hundreds of dollars, I would get her one of those animals for the backyard.  She LOVES them!  The duck, of course, is her favorite.

27 Weeks

After I saw this picture, I complained that I looked short and fat to which everyone replied, “Well, um. . .right now you kinda are.” LOL!

Current size of baby: About 2 pounds!

How far along? 27 Weeks

Total weight gain: 23 lbs

Inches Gained: 5.5 inches

Maternity clothes? Yes.

Sleep: Restless legs strike again. They’ve been causing me a lot of grief lately with a few good nights here and there.

How I'm feeling: Happy. I still can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe I am having another little girl who has a good chance of being full term. Next week is the 5 year anniversary of Logan’s death and September is always a really hard month for me. But, I’ve seen glimpses of joy and excitement this month too for the first time in many years.

Best moment this week: My baby shower with friends and family. I could not believe Amanda and her mom flew in from Ohio for my shower.

Food cravings: I have ignored every single one of them. It takes a lot of will power to keep my blood sugar as stable as possible. But, even strictly counting carbs and adding protein at every meal. . .I do think I will need some insulin to help me out. But, we’ll see in the coming weeks.

Food aversions: Sadly, I still want to eat any and everything placed before me.

Gender: Abigail

Labor Signs: NO

Belly Button in or out? Out

What I miss: My friend, Amanda, who is flying back to Ohio on Monday.

What I am looking forward to: My OB appt on Wednesday.

Milestones: Third trimester. . .never been anywhere near it before.

What A Surprise!!!

Do you guys remember about 2 years ago when I flew to Ohio to surprise my friend, Amanda, for her birthday?  Well,  today the surprise was on ME when SHE flew here to surprise me for my baby shower!  Can you believe it?  All the way from Ohio for my baby shower?? I was blown away!

Amanda and I

Olivia, Amanda, Izzy and Joshua (Amanda’s youngest boy)

Olivia, Izzy and Joshua

Thank you to everyone who helped pull this together.  I am so incredibly excited for my shower tomorrow! Not only is it officially fall, but I’ll officially be in my third trimester tomorrow and celebrating with some very special people.  I feel so blessed!