17 weeks

I don't have a picture yet to share because Theo hasn't been home at a time when I was dressed and had make-up on this week I finally got the tripod out and took a picture of myself! :) I am 17 weeks and 2 days today. Things are flying by. I feel like this pregnancy, despite all of it's waiting, has gone by so fast. I'm not ready to be almost half way over with it yet.

I feel good except for this awful rash I have. I've had this terrible itchy rash for the past couple of weeks. Long story short, I went to see a dermatologist today and it looks like a contact dermatitis that has bascially exploded over most of my body. So I got a nice steroid shot in the bottom (gosh, it's been forever since I had a shot there!) and a prescription for some strong steroid ointment. I'm hoping this will help because the itching is out of control! My doctor's appointments keep racking up! I hope our insurance doesn't drop me :)

I have gained 2 pounds. I'm still not in maternity clothes yet but probably will make the switch next week. Sometimes I look like I'm really pregnant, other times it's not that noticeable. The baby is moving around a lot, some days more than others. I love it!! The baby weighs about 5 ounces now and is about 5 inches long!

I am looking forward to and dreading our ultrasound at the same time. It's such a conflicting set of emotions. I'm less anxious about it than I was...especially with a normal quad screen. But I need more reassurance than a blood test. I'm praying and the Lord knows my heart so I'm trusting him and in his plan for all of our lives.

Good report

Today I got a call saying my quad screen came back normal! Praise God! I wasn't anxious until last night. And then I started stressing. I had a dream I met with a doctor and was told the baby has Transitional Shoulder Syndrom. And no, this is not a real diagnosis! The baby was going to only be born with one shoulder. Huh??? Thank you hormones for all of the crazy dreams I've been having lately.

Next hurdle...ultrasound and echo. Please keep us in your prayers because I am anxious about this!

Growing!

This is how my belly has evolved just over the past three to four weeks! Isn't life just grand? Especially a growing life inside a mother's womb? I think so!

16 weeks

I am feeling better and better everyday. Not that I was feeling bad before, but I am glad I have some energy. I have been very productive the past several days and it feels good!

I had my quad screen drawn yesterday and should hopefully have the results by Friday. I'm not too stressed out about it since the first trimester screen was normal. I also have my fetal echo and high risk ultrasound on September 3rd. I can't say I'm not stressed out about that one. I am. But I am trying so hard to lean on my heavenly Father's arms and rest in His peace.

I'm pretty sure we are set on not finding out with we're having a boy or girl. I think I can wait....but we'll see! The most important thing for us is having a healthy baby. That is what we're praying so hard for....boy or girl, it's already been decided.

Speaking of babies, I can't believe our other baby is almost one! I've been super busy this week working on Olivia and Carter's birthday party plans. I'll blog more about that on my other blog! Have a great week :)

OB appointment

Had a good appointment this morning. Baby's heartbeat was 138. At our 10 week ultrasound it was in the 160s so I'm not sure what to think in terms of the baby's gender. I know the heartrate is really an old wivestale anyway!

She said I don't have to come back every week since I'm feeling baby move now. She was really just doing that for my peace of mind. I'm sure I'm the most paranoid pregnant patient she has right now!

I gained a pound! That will make Theo happy. So maybe I really am as big as I look in that picture and I'm just in denial :)

I will call the high risk OB office tomorrow and hopefully get my appointment for the ultrasound/fetal echo. Theo is potentially going to New York next month so I want to do it before he goes out of town.

That's all folks!

15 weeks

I know this probably isn't the first time I've said this nor will it be the last time, but I PROMISE, I am not as big as a I look in this picture! Ha! To my own defense, I had just eaten a big bowl of gumbo so I'm hoping that's why I look like Shamu! I'm still in my regular clothes (except my khaki maternity capris b/c my regular kapris don't fit!). I'm trying to hang on for a couple more weeks to get good use of my new summer clothes!

It's hard to believe I'm already 15 weeks. The first trimester went by pretty fast. I think the fact I didn't have any morning sickness made it so much better. I hope the next four weeks will go by even quicker so we can find out if everything is okay with the baby.

I have a regular OB appointment tomorrow even though I was just there less than a week ago. I am definitely feeling the baby move now! I probably have been but it's hard for me to find time to lay down, be still, and concentrate. When I do find those moments, I feel little one squirming around. Sunday night, Theo and I went out on a date to see a movie (Salt) and the baby was really moving then. I don't think baby like the loud noises. Exactly a year ago we went to see GI Joe for Theo's birthday and I was big pregnant with Olivia. She kicked me hard almost the whole time. I think she didn't like all the noises either!

I think Theo and I are almost 100 percent decided we aren't going to find out this baby's gender. I think it will be fun to be surprised again. We'll see. I am nothing if not prone to change my mind!

This week, the baby is about 4 inches long and weighs about 2 1/2 ounces (roughly the size of an apple). How exciting to think about the baby growing. I'm really cherishing everything this time knowing it will most likely be the last time I'm ever pregnant. I still go back and forth about having a 4th baby but obviously that won't be decided any time soon! So in case this baby is our last, I want to savor it, appreciate it, cherish it. I remember when I hit about 33 weeks with Olivia, I was so miserable, so emotional, and such a whiny baby! I am going to try very hard not to be that way this time. Pregnancy is such a blessing and I want to relish it all.

I am so excited about having this baby! At first, I was totally overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted, questioned how I would manage. But now, I truly am so excited! I can't wait to meet this little bundle of joy. Even though I still have a baby (Olivia!), I am looking forward to starting over again. I won't enjoy breastfeeding around the clock or sleepless nights, but I will try my hardest to remember every good moment of being a mom.

14 weeks

I am 14 plus weeks today! First trimester is over with only a hint of morning sickness! Can you believe it? I truly can not. I don't know what it's like to be pregnant without throwing up all the time. Well, I guess I know now. Man, if I would have known pregnancy could feel this good....no, I guess I still wouldn't have a 4th :)

I had a regular OB appointment today. It was uneventful. I haven't gained any weight, much to the dismay of my husband. We heard the baby's strong heartbeat. Dr. R wants me to come every week until I start feeling the baby move more. She assures me everything so far is fine but doesn't want me to be anxious. And if hearing the baby's heartbeat every week or even every day helps me, then she said I should come in. I appreciated what she was trying to do but it may be more anxiety producing to drag the kids across town every week!

I dreaded my appointment today all week. I think because the last few times I've gone to the doctor, I was given bad news. I don't want that to happen again. I'm praying and trying to believe for nothing but good reports here on out. But I can't help but feel gripped by fear and anxiety occassionally. I wasn't going to have Theo come with me but in the event something happens, I want him to be there. He has been my rock through all of this and I don't know what I would do without him.

I feel like I'm being cautiously optimistic about the baby's health. I don't want to pretend that everything is going to be fine and then have a bomb dropped on me. So right now, I'm walking a fine line between trusting God and trying not to worry. I am such a worrywart by nature that I feel like I'm doing pretty good considering what we could potentially be facing. The waiting to know things is by far the hardest part. Waves of knots in my stomach, uncertainty about the baby's future, our future, not knowing what to plan for, thinking our entire lives could be altered, those are all hard to deal with. I will be glad to finally have some answers even if the outcome is less than what we hope for. At least then I'll know what to expect.

Don't get me wrong, I am so relieved the baby's first trimester screen came back normal and the baby will most likely not have Down's or one of the other trisomies. But that one test doesn't rule out a whole list of other possibilities the baby might have. And as far as the baby having a heart defect, it will be another month at least before we know that. One more month of waiting. This is one drawback to being in the medical field....I know enough to make myself dangerous. My tendency is to research everything to death and subsequently make myself literally sick with worry. I've given up researching everything at this point but all I have already seen is still in the back of my mind.

13 week comparison

I just read my mom's comment to post my 13 week with Olivia and my 13 week picture this time. So here is my much bigger belly with Olivia:



And my medium-sized belly this time:


Ironic that I was a lot bigger before considering I haven't lost any weight this time! Also, this time, I am really trying hard to fit into my regular clothes for longer since it's summer. But yesterday, I changed pants/shorts three times before deciding on which ones were most comfortable!