Fall cleaning

Three days ago it was 101 degrees here.  Yesterday it never made it to 60.  Today it's the same.  I'm really enjoying this weather.  I've got the doors open and the chill is filling the house a little.  At the same time, I realize it's probably time to go through my closet.  So I did just that this morning, and boy was it depressing.  I took out so many things!


 Most of my long sleeve shirts don't cover my belly now.  I have a few that I could probably wear a tank top underneath and maybe get away with wearing it in public.  And out of the many, many pairs of jeans, I only have one that still fits.  Which I am completely satisfied with!  It buttons pretty low, under my belly, and I'm hoping I can continue to wear it for a while to come.


I am pretty happy with the maternity clothes I have though.  I have a few pants, some jeans, two sweaters, and a bunch of shirts.  I think I will be ok for a little while.  I hope the weather doesn't get too cold before November 30th...I don't think my jackets would fit very well right now. Ha.

Doctor's visit and clothes!

I had my 29 week appointment at 2pm today.  I worked last night and only slept a few hours so my doctor doctor's nurse was able to check out my swelling. It's still really bad.  This morning when I was getting ready to leave work my ankles were completely gone.  It was horrible.  But my blood pressure is still perfect.

I got to the doctor's office and was immediately called back.  It was a little strange.  There was no one in the waiting room.  Usually I have to wait a while.  Anyway, I got called back, got weighed (I hated seeing the number on the scale, but it's only 3+ lbs in a month).  I peed in a cup and got my blood pressure taken.  I found out I once again have a UTI.  I have absolutely no symptoms.  (My my doctor said he has seen a few people lately have resistance to the antibiotic I took last month, so he prescribed me something different.)  The nurse took me to a room and told me my doctor was "catching a baby" next door at the hospital. So I waited about 25 minutes in the room.  I completely understand and in a way it was nice to know that in a couple months, I could be that person in labor and my doctor would be there instead of at the clinic.  

When my doctor came back he did the usual and checked Tanner's heart rate.  Staying true to the old wive's tale his  heart rate was 135.  I asked my doctor about pushing and pulling at work and cramping.  He said I need to be careful because during pregnancy your ab muscles stretch so much and there is a weak spot where you can push/pull too much and get a hernia.  I also asked him if there is a way to tell the difference between braxton hicks contractions and baby positioning.  He said there is no way to know unless you're hooked up to the monitors.   He said if I have 4 in an hour, I'm probably pushing it activity wise and I need to lay down for a while.  If I have 6 or more, I need to go to the hospital and get hooked up to monitors.  I'm thinking last week at work I had three during the night.  So I know I need to take it slow.  They did tell me that I need to tell them if/when I need to stop work. 

I know next week is going to be so tough on me.  Working two nights on, two off, two on, two off, and then two on again.  I'm not looking forward to it at all, and apparently we are "short staffed" those days in the middle when I wanted to take off one day.  I don't know what I'm going to do.  I know so many women who work right up to the day they go into labor, but I honestly don't think I can do it.  

Once I got done with my appointment and was getting ready to walk out of the room, my doctor got another call because another patient was pushing and ready to deliver her baby.  He said he had 4 babies born yesterday and working on 3 today.  It made me more and more excited, and nervous at the same time.

When I got home I got a knock at the door.  It was the mailman delivering a package that I've been anxiously waiting for.  Two weekends ago Carter's and Osh Kosh Bigosh were having a 50% off everything online and in stores.  So Nick and I went shopping (online of course,  we have to drive an hour and a half to go shopping here in Oklahoma).  So I took a few pictures to show off here on my blog.  I love everything we ordered!

The box! Yay!

Nick really liked this hooded towel.  I have to agree.

And I absolutely love this little jacket! It's size 3 months, so I hope it will work out for this winter.  It's so soft, and I wish we had more!  The other colors were sold out.

We had to get a little something country for our little guy.  I'm planning on taking him to atwoods and getting some little cowboy boots and Carhartt overalls next year.  This shirt is 12 months so I hope it ends up working next year.

I absolutely love this blue jean jacket! It's 12 months and I hope it fits him next year!

Well, I'm probably going to go get some dinner put together.  I will be 29 weeks tomorrow, which is so exciting! I can't believe I'm almost 3/4 done!

I guess I'm pretty bad at this...

I think I know what my problem is with this whole late updating thing.  There are several things throughout the week that I want to post in a blog but I always tell myself I'll wait and add it to the weekly update.  But when it's time to do the update I either end up forgetting what I was going to talk about or forgetting to blog at all.  So for now on I think I'll probably have a few little short posts throughout the week, hopefully, and then a weekly update.  I know it will be easier to update when Tanner is actually here because I will want to take tons of pictures to post so my family can watch him grow and not miss out on stuff.  Plus, I wont be working, so that helps out a ton.


So today I'm 28 1/2 weeks.  I don't know if my belly looks any bigger from other people's view but it sure feels different.  It's a lot harder, and Tanner is a lot bigger.  I feel kicks, punches, and flipping in different spots at the same time.  I think he likes to dance.  I will play a song on my phone and put it to my belly and he moves each time.  I've also felt hiccups a few more times.


Some symptoms...hmmm.  I get heartburn at work often.  I think it's because I work nights and that's when I usually feel it.  I get it at home too, but I can usually ignore it and go back to sleep.  Thank goodness for Pepcid, even though it makes me gag when I chew the chalky pill.  Yuck.  But it's pretty much instant relief.


I also think I'm getting quite a few Braxton Hicks contractions at work.  It doesnt' hurt but it feels strange.  My whole belly gets hard.  I'm going to ask the doctor on Tuesday how I can differentiate between BH contractions and baby's positioning.  But I'm pretty sure it's BH contractions I'm feeling.  And in between those and my still swelling feet/legs, I get cramps in my abdomen when I do a lot of pushing/pulling at work.  It's pretty hard to avoid when staffing isn't that great.  I'm going to talk to the doctor about that too.


But yes, I'm still swelling.  Cutting back at work has helped, but it seems like I'm swelling more at home now, when I'm not doing anything.  I'm hoping that is normal swelling now.  I don't know.


My appetite is changing too, I think.  I'm not really getting that 'hungry' feeling anymore.  I'm not eating as much during the day.  I'll eat because I know I need to.  I don't know if that's coming from my stomach getting squished or if I'd just rather sleep.  I don't feel like I'm ever not tired any more.  I hate night shift.  The only plus, is I really enjoy the people I work with.


Now, back to movement...Just now as I was typing this I felt my stomach get kind of tight.  I felt it and it was obviously baby.  Nick put his hand on him and was able to move him.  It's pretty cool to interact with this little thing growing inside of me.  I'm so looking forward to interacting with him on the outside. But...


I've been having mixed emotions lately.  We have less than 3 months left until Tanner's due date.  I'm so excited to have this new chapter of my life starting!  But at the same time Nick and I have less than 3 months of it just being the two of us.  And I feel like I'm missing out of it.  When Nick's home I'm working or catching up on sleep and when Nick's at work I'm home.


On a positive note, the weather here the past week has been incredible!  We had 55-60 days of 100+ degree weather this summer.  It was so incredibly miserable.  But the past week the hottest it got was in the mid 80's I think.  The 70s feel so great!  Each window in the house is open and I'm back to going for my nightly walks.  The cats love when the back door is open.  They chirp at the birds on the bird bath.  And best of all, the nice weather puts me in a good mood, even if I'm tired.  I walked to the commissary yesterday for some bagel bites.  It always puts me in a good mood (the walk and the bagel bites-haha).  I think we have a few days this next week that will be in the 90s.  It's not open window weather, but it's better than the 110 we're use to.  And besides, it's going back into the 80s after that.  I love it!


Well, that's all the rambling I can think about right now.  I'll post on Tuesday for sure after my doctor's visit. And I'll try harder to just post some short posts when I think of something I was to say instead of waiting.


Now, for a belly picture.  (Not my favorite part of this updating thing)

26 weeks

So I skipped week 25.  I really didn't mean to, it just seems like my days are all meshing together, especially working nights.  I forget what day it is and before I know it a week has gone by.


This week I've doing pretty good, I guess.  I haven't worked in a week (which has been amazing), but I go back tonight.  My sleep schedule is completely screwed up, and I know it's not pregnancy related, at least not all related.  I don't like this.


Tanner is still very active! The kicks, punches, and rolls are getting stronger.  The other night I was laying in bed and trying to think of the last time I felt him kick.  I was pretty busy all day so I hadn't paid much attention to it.  So I push on my belly a little bit and BAM he kicked right back. I was able to rest a little better knowing he's still moving around in there. Thanks, buddy, already a Momma's boy!  I can see my belly move at times too.  It's easier to see kicks when I'm on the couch with my lap top on my belly and it will jump around.  It really never gets old.


I'm starting to realize how squished my stomach is.  I get hungry and after eating a normal amount I feel like my stomach is going to explode.  It's so miserable at times.  And almost immediately after I digest a little I get hungry again!  I'm trying to snack on fruit more than bad things, but I still have some chocolate everyday.  That's my 'normal', not pregnancy related. :)  I do love my lucky charms though.  I'm also starting to like cream cheese (preferrably the strawberry kind) on bagles.  That's never been something I've wanted before, but it's good!


I'm really having a hard time adjusting to this new body.  I'm so jealous of the girls that have the adorable baby bump.  I'm realizing my body just doesn't work that way.  I gain weight in my face, hips, butt, belly, and boobs.  I don't see myself in the mirror anymore.  It's very depressing.  I know it's worth it, and I really wouldn't trade anything, but I'm extremely nervous about how my body is changing and how hard it is going to be to loose weight after Tanner is born.  I already had a negative self-image of myself, and never really liked the way I looked, so this isn't making it any easier.  But now, after taking my weekly bump shots, I see myself at the beginning and I actually see myself different than I did then.  I would love to get back to that size.  It's amazing what you're mind can do to you.


A positive note...this is the last week in the second trimester! :)


Here's a little comparison. 6 weeks and 26 weeks.

Doctor update

Got back from the doctor today.  It was a pretty good appointment, nothing too much to report.  My blood pressure is still great, and I no longer have a UTI.  I did get a note from my doctor to give to my boss though.  I'm not going to work more than 2 nights in a row, because by the third night my swelling is out of control.  I've lost 4 lbs since my appointment last week...4 lbs since I last worked.  My doctor said he could put me on bed rest but I would get so sick of it and want to get up.  I'm hoping upping my water intake, one less 12 hour shift, and some compression stockings to wear during work will help my swelling.


I also had my glucose tolerance test.  The drink wasn't as bad as I was thinking it was going to be.  It was like a super sweet, flat orange soda.  I didn't care for it very much, but Tanner enjoyed it.  His heart rate was much faster today and he kept kicking the doppler when my doctor was listening to his heart rate.  I couldn't help but giggle each time.


My next appointment is in 4 weeks.  By that appointment I will be in the third trimester! :)

24 weeks! Viability! AND Nursery!

Today I am 24 weeks 4 days.  It's amazing to know that at 24 weeks, a baby has a chance to live if, God forbid, it is born this early. I can't believe we're this far along already! 


Other than the constant swelling, back pain, heartburn, and sciatica, I'm feeling great! (I would be feeling better if I didn't work nights and actually had decent sleep).  I went to the doctor's office to my my doctor's nurse on Wednesday morning.  She did a few checks, said I'm not spilling any protein in my urine (yet), but I do have a UTI that I had NO idea I had.  No symptoms.  My blood pressure is also just fine.  She advised me to continue watching it, and if it ever rises to 140/90 or more to come get checked out.  She also mentioned how she doesn't know how much longer I'll be able to work because I'm swelling as much as a full term pregnancy can.  And I have 15 +/- more weeks to go!  She checked my hands and ankles for my swelling.  I was swelling more than I thought as well, because it was all the way to my knees. (I had just gotten off work, as well).  She moved my appointment that was scheduled for the 25th to this Tuesday, the 16th.  I also have my glucose testing that day.  Not looking forward to that one.  I have to go to work that night and I've heard after drinking the glucose drink you can feel pretty crappy. But, I'm looking forward to getting a check up to see how little boy is doing!


 I absolutely love the daily kicks, punches, and hiccups. I can't help but smile every time!  Lately I will feel this strange sensation and movement in my belly, I'll put my hand on that spot and I can feel Tanner.  I don't know if it's a baby butt, or head or maybe even a back but I love it!  I'll rub it a little, especially if it feels a little uncomfortable, and he'll move away.  


The nursery is coming along very nicely!  It's actually very adorable, and I can't wait to spend time in there with my little guy. I'll add quite a few pictures of the nursery project:

Here is a dresser that needed a little fixin' up.  We took the colors in the crib bedding to match colors.

Here's the crib my sweet hubby put together!

I had a few extra little pillows I figured would help during feedings, so I took the paint chips from the dresser to Hobby Lobby and found a great fabric.

Here's our little big helper.

And a few pictures of what we have so far...

AND.......A bump picture...

23 Weeks

It's been a long week, pregnancy and non pregnancy related.  I started my first week of night shift.  The work isn't hard, just getting back to a normal schedule is.


Last weekend we got the crib, stroller, and car seat.  We also finished the dresser for the nursery.  We started working hard on it, and I began thinking of a ton of ideas for the room.  But Tuesday rolled around and I went to work.  It's now Saturday, I have no idea why this day got here so fast, and honestly I don't like it much.  I want to get back into the groove of getting the nursery put together, but once that happens, it will be time for work again.


Relating to pregnancy, this week has been something else.  Heartburn has kicked in.  I've never had heartburn before, and now it's a daily occurrence.  Pepcid is my new best friend.


I've also gotten more and more swelling.  I noticed the swelling over 6 weeks ago, but this week it's gotten to the point where I'm starting to worry about it a little.  I go to work or stand up for a little while and I no longer have ankles.  It takes a couple of days resting and not being on my feet to get rid of the 3+ pitting edema in my feet.  I've also had to take off my rings.  Luckily my sweet husband bought me a new, larger ring to wear while I'm all poofy.  My face is so swollen as well.


I'm also having more and more trouble breathing.  It's hard to determine whether it's from the swelling or from Tanner squishing my insides.  But it's awfully early for either one isn't it?


Here are my ankles right after getting home from work Friday morning.

    And here is a picture of one of my ankles after 12 hours of rest and staying off my feet.  I pressed on it to show how much swelling was still there.

I was swelling a little at my last appointment but my doctor didn't seemed phased by it at all.  He's super lax on a ton of things, which in itself worries me.  My BP is still good, so that's a plus.  But I'm going to keep an eye on it and keep monitoring my BP.  Also going to up my water intake and lower salt.


Another thing that has hit pretty hard this past week is sciatica.  Ouch.  It feels like I am getting stabbed each time I move my leg.  Luckily today it isn't too bad.


I can't really comment on how my sleep is.  I'm still trying to get into some sort of routine with night shift.  Last night I went to sleep at midnight, slept until 2:30am, and stayed awake until 6am.  Once Nick got up to go work out I slept a couple more hours.  Hopefully it's better tonight.  I think if it wasn't for night shift I would be sleeping just fine.


Here is my 23 week 3 day bump picture.  My swollen face and massive boobs give my belly a run for it's money.

And here is a fun picture.  It's the "view from up here", with one of my cats, Harry, joining in.