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.